MCC Exclusive: Missouri City Council Faces Angry Homeowners Over Sienna Area Fire Ratings!
Missouri City Council Faces Angry Homeowners Over Sienna Area Fire Ratings!
At the August 7th city council session business as usual was the order of the day, at least until the portion of the agenda set aside for public comment (see streaming video at http://www.ci.mocity.tx.us/council/cminutes/minagndtocfp.htm for the open session August 7th 2006 ). Homeowners from several area Sienna Parkway HOAs addressed council on fire safety issues that have hurt the 77459 zip code areas (newer growth areas) of Mo-City.
Former mayoral candidate, local homeowner and long-time State Farm insurance agent, Greyling Poats, addressed Allen Owen and council on numerous issues negatively impacting the ISO rating of newer sections of hwy 6. The current ratings actually have residents & businesses paying more per year than older areas of Missouri City. This tid-bit seemed to catch many on council off guard and pointing fingers.
Later during the session a Sienna Plantation resident addressed council on the poor communications and lack of response to queries over the proposed Missouri City Fire Station #5 (often called South Sienna Fire Station #2). Apparently, the city, during the controversial apartment debates in ‘05 promised adequate police and fire protection. The developers agreement with the city provides for one at 3000 homes. Several figures have been bandied about by the developer and city with some counts claiming as many as 3811 (see Sienna developers update minutes for confirmation). In the Mo-city council minutes a figure of approximately 2900 was mentioned by the city manager who works very closely with many of the Houston major development companies in this area.
During one exchange, with the new mayor pro-temp, a question was fielded if Sienna area residents were prepared to pay for the increased service charge for the second fire station. A response from the audience was that this cost would be somewhat off-set by improving ISO (insurance) numbers and with the increase of firefighters riding on the trucks from 3 to 4 (as is the case in the Houston FD). Another meeting has been scheduled with one area HOA board on this fire safety issue with Mr. Simpson. Will the city and developer keep their ‘05 promises, as they related to the increasing population density, in this area serving over 10,000 residents and many businesses?
. . . Stay tuned for more on this growing area of concern as information comes in.
posted by responsible_dvlpmnt at Monday, August 14, 2006
10 Comments:
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Remember when this came out about our MCFS #4 . . . ;-)
MISSOURI CITY, Texas -- A Missouri City firefighter was fired and three others were disciplined after they played a game of strip poker while on duty at their fire station, News2Houston reported in an exclusive story Thursday.
Three male firefighters and one female paramedic participated in the game, which took place in January at Fire Station 4 in Sienna Plantation, officials said.
Missouri City's fire chief said he found out about the incident on a Friday and investigated all weekend.
"How could anybody be that stupid?" Fire Chief Mark Ewald said. "According to our investigation, it went down to where one person was covered only with a towel."
Ewald said the game was "totally unacceptable" and could have resulted in a dangerous situation.
"(If the alarm had sounded), it would have been a delayed response, because people would have had to get dressed before they could have responded," he said.
. . . from ch. 2 in Houston (Click2Houston.com)
Update on thread:
...and this city manager letter promising no changes to the developers agreement after many residents contacted the city about a proposed delay (in the summer '05). Just a month after this SP master MUD 1 was proposing changes with the city and cc-ing JDC on these communications (I will post that MUD letter here later). This letter was run on SiennaNet.com and the now defunct resident site SiennaTalk.com. Interesting you can't find the "Simpson" letter in the SN archives anymore (glad we kept a copy):
____________________________
Recently there have been a number of inquiries regarding the Fire Station to be built in Sienna Plantation (most often referred to as Station 5). The inquiries have centered around when will Station 5 be built and whether or not the timing of its construction will deviate from what is stipulated in the Development Agreement (DA) between the City of Missouri City and the developers of Sienna Plantation (primarily to date, Johnson Development).
Simply put, neither the City of Missouri City nor Johnson Development will be seeking an amendment to the Development Agreement to delay the construction of Station 5. As per the existing terms of the DA, the developer has committed to build Station 5 within a year after there are 3000 homes in Sienna MUDâ?™s 2 and 3. The Cityâ?™s current records show there are 2454 homes constructed in MUDâ?™s 2 and 3, while the actual number to date is most likely approximately 2600.
Most of the recent inquiries have been after I responded to a citizenâ?™s request about Station 5. That e-mail dated April 11, 2005 has been widely circulated. In that response, I made the statement that staff would be requesting and recommending that the DA be amended to allow the delay of constructing Station 5. The reasoning behind the discussed delay was to avoid additional costs for residents while maintaining existing service levels; increased levels of service will cost more. This idea for Station 5â?™s delay was initiated by me and not Johnson Development. I also stated in the e-mail that the buildout of MUDâ?™s 2 and 3 would be approximately 3300 homes. That is not correct. Eventual total build out for Sienna MUDâ?™s 2 and 3 is approximately 4254. (Tract A in the Development Agreement consists of 3279 and Tract G in the DA consists of 975 lots. The 3300 homes in my e-mail reflected only Tract A, but MUDâ?™s 2 and 3 are comprised of both Tract A and Tract G. I based the idea of delaying Station 5â?™s construction because the 3000 home â?œtriggerâ?? for its construction was somewhat of an arbitrary number, and therefore 3300 was only a 10% increase.)
Other residential development in MUDâ?™s 4, 5, 6, and 7 will lag well behind the buildout of MUDâ?™s 2 and 3. However, with the projected buildout of MUDâ?™s 2 and 3 actually being 4254, and there being no real lag time in buildout, I will not be requesting the City Council and other parties to the DA consider approving a delay in the construction of Station 5.
To summarize:
1. Currently there are 3115 lots platted, 2600 homes constructed, and 4254 total lots projected for Sienna MUDâ?™s 2 and 3.
2. The existing Development Agreement (and Fire Protection Agreements for the residents of Sienna MUDâ?™s 2 and 3) between the City and the developer requires construction of Station 5 to be completed within a year after 3000 homes are constructed. There will not be a request from City staff or Johnson Development to change this.
3. The City, in accordance with the existing DA and Fire Protection Agreements, will operate Station 5 upon its completion, and the cost of the City operating Station 5 for the benefit of Sienna residents will be paid for by those Sienna residents. This total cost is estimated to be $600,000 annually. Based on that estimate and 3000 homes, the monthly fees for the Sienna residentsâ?™ fire service would be $16.67 versus the $7.45 that I believe the Sienna residents pay today. I want to stress those are only estimates and better data wonâ?™t be known until we better know when we will operate the station.
I hope this addresses the inquiries being made regarding the construction of Station 5. Please let me know if there is any other information you would like or if you have any questions on this matter.
Thank you,
Frank Simpson
____________________
Comment: Yep that's our city manager (Mo-city)...
As promised from the MCC archives:
Orginally posted on Saturday, September 03, 2005
Attention: Sienna Plantation Developer Waste Treatment & FireStation Issues:
The following communication was included in the city council agenda items for the upcoming September 6th regular session under background for item 5c. Please note that this information is being made available before it has been posted to our resident's association website at SiennaNet.com or in the monthly newsletter (our dues pay for this). Comments on this in the following thread are welcome:
SIENNA PLANTATION MUNICIPAL UTILITY DISTRICT NO. 1
c/o 3200 Southwest Freeway, Suite 2600
Houston, Texas 77027
August 12, 2005
The Honorable Allen Owen City of Missouri City
2022 Masters Lane Missouri City, TX 77459
Re: Regional Wastewater Treatment Plant to Serve Sienna Plantation South and Proposed City of Missouri City Fire Station No. 5
Dear Mayor Owen:
I am writing to you on behalf of the Board of Directors regarding two important projects in Sienna Plantation planned for construction in the next year. Regional Wastewater Treatment Plant The City of Missouri City (the "City") and Sienna Plantation Municipal Utility District No. 1 (the "District") entered into a Wastewater Treatment Services Contract dated April 5, 1999, which requires the City design, construct, finance and operate a regional wastewater treatment plant (the "Plant") to serve the land in what is commonly referred to Sienna South (Sienna Plantation MUDs 1-7). The start of this project has been delayed several times because of an incompatible site location and the bankruptcy of AFG Pacific Properties, Inc. After of the delays in the construction of the Plant (which the District acknowledges were completely outside the control of the City), the District expanded its interim facilities to serve recent development. However, based on the growth projections in Sienna South from Sienna/Johnson and Regent Properties, the District determined it is necessary to start the construction of the Plant as soon as possible. The Board of the District would like to request that the City allow the District, rather than the City, design, finance, construct and operate the Plant. The Board realizes that with the tremendous growth occurring in Missouri City due to the opening of the Fort Bend Parkway and the widening of State Highway 6, the City has limited
time and resources to devote to this project. On the other hand, the District is in a position to devote the appropriate amount of time and resources to ensure that the Plant is constructed in the timeframe that meets the District's requirements. The District would propose to construct an initial phase of 1.5 MGD and the necessary lift station and force main to divert the wastewater from the District's existing interim facilities. The District would also construct the treatment facilities necessary to treat the effluent to Type I standards for reuse as lake recharge and irrigation of the esplanades and common areas in Sienna Plantation. The City would be released of all obligations with respect to the Plant, until the annexation and dissolution of the District when ownership of the Plant would transfer to the City. The District estimates that the initial phase of the Plant would require a bond issue in the amount of $11.25 million. Obviously, under this proposal the City would not need to issue that debt and would free up its bonding capacity for other uses. Fire Station No. 5 The District and the City entered into a Fire Protection Agreement dated March 19, 2002, which provides for the District to construct and convey to the City a fire station comparable to Fire Station No. 4 and a fire truck. The City staff has expressed a desire to work with the District to "oversize" this Fire Station to provide for future expansion to meet the ultimate needs of the City. The Board of the District welcomes the opportunity to work with the City to meet the City's long-range needs in this area. However, the Sienna municipal utility districts received approval from the TCEQ and voted bonds in amount that only allows for the construction of a Fire Station comparable to No. 4. Thus, we have discussed with the City staff the possibility of entering into a cost-sharing agreement with the City to pay for the requested upgrades to the facility. The Board now recognizes that the City is in a better position to design the Fire Station and construct it in a manner that meets the City's needs. Therefore, the Board proposes that the District and the City enter into an agreement whereby the City would design (including site selection) and construct Fire Station No. 5. The District would pay to the City up to $2 million toward the cost of the fire station and a fire truck. The $2 million would be payable in four installments: i) upon site acquisitions; ii) within 45 days of the date the City selects an architect and reaches an agreement on that fee, iii) within 45 days of the date the City receives bids for the construction of thefire station; iv) within 45 days of the date the City approves a purchase contract for a fire truck. The developer in the District would have the right to approve the site selected and would retain architectural approval over the design of the fire station. The City would be authorized to construct a fire station of whatever size and at whatever cost it deems appropriate, however the District's financial obligation would be capped at $2 million. Thereafter, if the City has not yet annexed Sienna Municipal Utility District No. 2, the City and the District would enter into an agreement whereby the District would pay the City the City's actual cost to operate Fire Station No. 5 on an annual basis. If the City Counsel of Missouri City is interested in pursuing the options set forth in this letter, I would suggest the Council authorize the City Manager to enter into contract negotiations with the District's consultants to develop the documents necessary to memorialize these two proposals. If you have any questions regarding the District's proposal, please contact the District's attorney Richard Muller, Allen Boone Humphries Robinson LLP, at (713) 8606415 or myself at (713) 621-0050. The Board of the District looks forward to working with you to accomplish these two important projects for Sienna Plantation.
Sincerely, Carl S. Bowles, President
cc: Sienna Plantation Municipal Utility District No. l
Board of Directors: Robbie Bates, Vice President, Allen Robinson, Secretary Pamela Logsdon, Assistant Secretary James Feuerbach, Assistant Vice President
Michael Smith, Sienna Plantation Development Co. Jim Price, Regent Properties
posted by responsible_dvlpmnt at Saturday, September 03, 2005 | 48 comments
______________________________
Current comment: So the JDC appointed Master MUD#1 is picking up most of the costs and paying for them based on current and future Sienna residents to the tune of about 13.5 million dollars. Do other Mo-City neighborhoods and communities serviced by this fire station and/or treatment plant kick-in through the city??? What is the cities obligation in this anymore? Does this push them out of compliance with the developer's agreement with the city? Questions, questions...
I wonder why it is so difficult to get one set of numbers out as pertaining to the SJD DA/City and the MCFS#5?
FBISD school over-crowding article regarding Baines:
http://www.chron.com/disp/story.mpl/nb/fortbend/news/4116404.html
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For JK and pals:
You might be a lawyer if:
You are charging someone for reading these jokes.
The shortest sentence you have ever written was more than eighty words long.
You have a daughter named Sue and a son named Bill.
Your other car is a BMW.
When you look in a mirror, you see a lawyer.
When your wife says "I love you," you cross-examine her.
This just in from Mo-City:
Statement of Increase/Decrease
--If Missouri City adopts a 2006 tax rate equal to the effective tax rate of $0.485321 per
$100 of value, taxes would increase compared to 2005 taxes by $173,534.
________________
Comment: Once again another broken campaign promise by the mayor???
Here's an interesting SLAPP-suit from Seabrook, TX:
Gag Me With A Suit
No Winners In
Seabrook SLAPP Suit
Seabrook voters ousted the mayor and three councilman in February. However, the ousted officials remained in office until the May election. No contracts were signed with the Port of Houston Authority and the ousted officials dropped their libel suit against the petitioners.
So how did the recall petitioners celebrate their victory? By paying $55,000 in legal fees.
Perhaps Abraham Lincoln said it best: “Discourage litigation. Persuade your neighbors to compromise whenever you can. Point out to them how the nominal winner is often a real loser in fees, expenses and waste of time.”
Incidentally, the petitioners dropped their counter-suit.
Exercising civil rights in Seabrook could land you in court.
Angered over the city’s negotiations in the proposed Bayport expansion, several Seabrook residents launched a recall petition seeking the removal of the mayor and three city councilman. The city officials countered by filing a lawsuit against the petitioners, claiming the recall petition was libelous.
The city officials claimed their names were maligned by the accusation that they may have a possible conflict of interest between their official duties and personal business affairs.
Reportedly, the petitioners have racked up $20,000 in legal fees defending themselves. City Secretary Michelle Glaser has also been named in the suit for certifying the petition and the accompanying signatures of more than 500 Seabrook voters.
The city officials claim Glaser never presented the certified petitions to the council and therefore the recall vote, scheduled for February 12, should not occur.
Mayor Robert Robinson dropped his lawsuit on December 30. The recall effort remains.
The petitioners are seeking reimbursement of their attorney fees.
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