2. Girl Scout Brownie Troop #19274 and the Fort Bend County Master Gardeners were recognized for plantings in the Butterfly garden at Buffalo Run.

3. Consent agenda was approved which included approval of meeting minutes.

4. Council authorized a contract change for landscaping the new community center “City Centre” and authorizing an agreement for legal service for water and waste services.

5. Council resolved to approve a grant application for additional funding for employees and equipment for the “BAT” team, Burglary Vehicle Theft team.

6. Council approved the following fees for the new Tennis and Recreation facility (FACILITY ON CYPRESS POINT—NOT THE NEW CLUBHOUSE/COMMUNITY CENTER):

Monthly Membership Fees Resident Non Resident
Youth (under 18) $10.00 $15.00
Adult (19-64) $25.00 $35.00
Senior (65 +) $15.00 $18.00
Family $40.00 $45.00

Yearly Membership Fees Resident Non Resident
Youth (under 18) $110.00 $165.00
Adult (19-64) $275.00 $385.00
Senior (65 +) $165.00 $198.00
Family $440.00 $660.00

Member(s) as describe above can reserve court time w/ no fees.

Fees for Tennis are $6.00 per 90 minutes of play for non Rec Center members.

In Attendance:
Charlie Butera
Fred Grates
George Everitt
Janet Calvin
Toni Mamula
Drew Kayes
Donnas Haselow
Cecil Willis
Jeannie Carpenter
Susan Fox

Mayor Owen
Councilmen Wyatt & Emery
Don Johnson, Parks Board

Meeting began at 7:00pm.

1. Susan Fox reported that there were six homes that posted sold on HAR in March. Three were March sales, 2 February and one January. Two were short sales and one was a foreclosure. 39 homes were on the market at the end of the month with 4 listed as pending/option pending. Website had 345 visits from 184 visitors. 32 newcomer leads were worked. Regular meetings were attended and the April newsletter written and produced. It should mail on Tuesday.

2. Cecil Willis reported that collections of maintenance fees to date is 82.04% v 81.02 for the same period last year. He has been working with contractor and committee on the new building. He is also working with the landscaping contractor on the upcoming color switch out and mulching. The landscaping contractor will start maintaining vacant lots. Auditor is currently working on the 2011 audit, which will be presented in either May or June. Deed restrictions for March: 25 carried forward, 57 added, 54 resolved and 28 carried over.

3. Drew Kayes reported on the progress on the new building. Permitting is in process. The interior walls are in place. All wood surfaces with an antibacterial treatment. Anticipate taking occupancy mid to late summer.

4. Sgt. Hill of the MCPD reported that Quail Valley continues to be pretty crime free. There were 141 calls in March that mainly consisted of a couple of burglaries, false alarms and welfare checks. She did mention that the PD is seeing a high incident of thefts of Dodge Rams.

5. Mayor Owen shared that the Friday and Saturday of Easter Weekend were record days for the golf courses with 345 rounds of play on Friday and 374 on Saturday. Through the end of March, rounds of play are just ahead of the same time period last year despite the fact that there have been 2 days completely rained out. Community Center/Pro Shop construction is continuing and the facility will be named “City Centre at Quail Valley”. There will be a “recognition wall” inside the building to recognize individuals and organizations that have donated items/monies. Construction on the bridge on El Dorado will start 2-3 weeks after the grand opening of City Centre. The Mayor also shared that economic development in the northern part of the City continues to attract commercial interest. Twin Star Bakeries has chosen Missouri City for their plant and distribution center which carries a value of $56 million and will create 300 jobs. All the growth and development within the industrial areas will continue to drive improvements on Texas Parkway.

6. Councilman Wyatt shared an update on the Tennis and Rec Center. Construction is on schedule and the Tennis Committee is meeting regularly. The grand opening of the Tennis and Rec Center and City Centre will be scheduled a week apart. Staff is working on programming and has ordered the exercise equipment.

7. Councilman Emery reminded the group of the Memorial Tree and Bench Program. Recently, there have been a number of new and replacement trees planted in MacNaughton Park from the Memorial Tree Program.

8. Consent agenda was approved which included approval of meeting minutes.

9. Butera shared the results of the election and that there were no changes in the Board this past election cycle.

Meeting adjourned at 7:58pm.

In a unique format, the City presented a nearly 30-minute movie that celebrated its rich diversity, which a recent Rice University report noted has surpassed the City of Houston’s. The film featured the mayor and highlighted developments, ongoing projects and community leaders in the “Show Me City”—Bertha Eugene, HOA President of Quail Valley East, Stricklin Snyder, a Life Scout respected for spearheading local volunteer initiatives and Sergio Espinosa, Owner of Las Escondida.

“If you came to see pie charts, and you came to see graphs, then you came to the wrong show because I think you want to see what Missouri City is about,” Mayor Owen said.

The video highlighted projects such as the new Community Center and Golf Pro Shop, which has been named the City Centre at Quail Valley. Both that multi-million dollar project and the new Recreation and Tennis Center on Cypress Point Drive should be completed in mid-Summer. City Centre will offer residents and visitors an elegant venue for family and business events.

“Missouri City State of the City: The Movie” also focused on business development, featuring Ben E. Keith, a renowned food distribution company that is constructing a LEED-certified facility along the Gessner Road Corridor, bringing hundreds of jobs to the City.

Mayor Owen discussed business development prior to the start of the movie, saying that $500 million worth of businesses and companies have come to Missouri City in 2011, creating hundreds of new jobs. He added that there will be an announcement soon about a $65 million major business establishing roots in the City.

“Economic development is very important for this part of Fort Bend County and I think under the leadership of the Mayor and the City Council, they’ve really opened up a lot of opportunities for businesses to come out here to start a business and expand,” said Gary Pearson, a Government Relations Consultant in Houston who has business ties in Missouri City.

To continue moving the City forward economically, Mayor Owen explained to guests that improving the infrastructure will require citizens to consider a bond referendum next year to pay for projects citywide.

Missouri City’s fiscal stability, public safety partnerships, citizen collaborations and dynamic diversity were all highlighted on the big screen and drew applause from supporters and guests. Many reflected on the area’s strong growth and development:

“I thought it was unique and fun…interesting and informative. Usually they’re banquet-style; so, obviously the setting was different. I enjoyed myself.”
—Doug Earle, Executive Director of First Colony Community Association

“It was very unique and entertaining. As Mayor Owen said, it wasn’t a bunch of graphs. It gave me ideas on how to do mine. I have to figure out how to top it.”
—Vincent Morales Jr., Mayor of Rosenberg

“It was intriguing and it was something that I think the staff should be commended for being able to put this together. Creativity is the key.”
—Derrick M. Mitchell, Partner, Bracewell & Giuliani

“I loved the format; it was different but fun. It seemed like more of a fun, happy hour event; it was casual, exciting, and I paid more attention to the overall details because it wasn’t just pie charts and graphs. This is was much better.”
Bill Odle, Principal Board of Directors for TBG

Moving forward, City Council’s focus will continue to be business gains, the diversification of the tax base and an increase in jobs for residents. Next year, Mayor Owen said he looks forward to welcoming guests to his State of the City address at City Centre.

To view the “State of the City Movie” in its entirety, click on www.missouricitytx.gov or watch it on Missouri City Television (Ch. 16 on Comcast and Ch. 99 on AT&T U-verse).

The mayor’s remarks are in response to the Rice University report that was released today showing that Missouri City has surpassed Houston as the region’s most diverse city. Missouri City is located in Fort Bend County, noted in the report as the most diverse county in the Houston region.

Owen said that families looking for an overall quality of life for their families may find affordable home choices limited in the City of Houston. The median home value in Missouri City is $152, 800, according to the 2010 US Census.

Missouri City’s ranking by Rice University adds to prior distinctions as one of “America’s Best Places to Live” by Money Magazine, “One of the Safest Cities in America” by Congressional Quarterly and “Best Value” for golfers by Avid Magazine. “We’re proud that we are a community of choice, and apparently so are those who have chosen to make Missouri City their home,” Owen said.

US Census figures also break down “The Show Me City’s” 68,447-resident population as 37 percent Black, 36 percent White, 17 percent Hispanic origin and 15 percent Asian. Since the 2000 US Census, the Black and the White ethnic populations have declined, matched by increases in both the Hispanic Origin and Asian ethnic categories.

“We are known as a family community, and 86 percent of our residents represent family households; 51 percent of adults have associate or higher degrees, and 90 percent are high school graduates,” Owen noted. “Of residents who work outside the home, the Census shows 75 percent of those who are 16 and older are employed in white-collar positions.”

Just as it is a draw for families, Missouri City is also attracting the attention of many prominent companies such as Ben E. Keith, Warren Alloy, Lufkin Automation and Global Geophysical. And, in the past six years, the City’s commercial tax base has grown from 15 to 24 percent, leading to the creation of 800 new jobs. “New companies coming here will add an additional one-thousand plus positions,” Owen said.

According to Owen, community and business partnerships make a difference in Missouri City’s overall appeal. “Our planned community developments offer beautiful suburban housing options, funding from the Texas Department of Transportation has greatly improved mobility citywide with improvements on most major arterials, and Houston Community College has expanded its former City campus to a new location off State Highway 6 in Missouri City,” according to Owen.

“Our citizens, business owners and City staff have worked hard to create a balance of work and play in our community,” Owen said. “With 20 parks, representing 393 acres and 566 acres of undeveloped land, two championship golf courses at Quail Valley Golf Course, exciting annual family-oriented events and rich historical traditions, we encourage everyone to discover Missouri City.”
# # #

The public safety initiatives were so effective that many of the worst felonies, classified as Part 1 crimes, dropped double digits and the worst felony, murder, dropped triple digits.

During the March 5 City Council meeting, Chief Joel Fitzgerald shared the following statistics with Members:

 Murders fell 100 percent—from 5 offenses to 0
 Rapes fell 25 percent—from 12 offenses to 9
 Robbery was down 23.81 percent—from 42 offenses to 32
 Aggravated assaults were down 53.75 percent—from 80 offenses to 37
 Motor vehicle thefts dropped 30 percent—from 60 offenses to 42
 Burglaries dropped 5.78 percent—from 294 offenses to 277
 Thefts dropped 1.21 percent—from 829 offenses to 819

Part 1 crimes overall were reduced by 8.02 percent over the year—from 1,322 offenses to 1,216. All of the figures will be reported to the Texas Department of Public Safety later this year. For consistency in comparisons to cities locally and nationwide, 2011 statistics were compiled using the Uniform Crime Reporting method, which records only the most serious crime in any incident. The Federal Bureau of Investigation uses the system to publish an annual report on the state of crime across the country.

“We are cautiously optimistic about downward trends, because many factors contribute to declines in crime,” Fitzgerald explained. “With that said; every dedicated officer serving our citizens works hard on a daily basis and uses a combination of intelligence-led policing tools and good old-fashioned police work to protect our city. They have a strong commitment to the community and do a great job of ensuring citizens are safe and serviced quickly.”

In addition to considerably curtailing crimes against people and property over the past year, Missouri City’s Finest also added eight police officers to the force, received a $893,676 competitive grant and used it to create the four-member Burglary and Auto Theft Taskforce, hired six telecommunication officers in the 911 Dispatch Center and received a $70,000 grant to purchase a Panoramic Camera, which has lenses and curved mirrors that reflect a 360-degree field of view.

Also, the department reached a major milestone in March when it achieved 100 percent staffing with 94 sworn officers working to keep City streets safe.

“Public safety is our Number One priority and we are proud of the accomplishments the fine women and men of this department make every day,” Fitzgerald said. “Since the formation of the Burglary and Auto Theft Taskforce in September, auto thefts have decreased 4 percent over the previous year, and auto break-ins have declined 16 percent. Thirty-seven stolen vehicles have been recovered, 19 auto theft suspects have been arrested and more than $235,000 in stolen property has been recovered.”

In a nod to the Police Department’s exemplary standards and performance, which are recognized nationwide, Missouri City is hosting a prestigious public safety training program for the first time this year. The Northwestern University School of Police Staff and Command, based in Evanston, Ill., is an intensive 10-week program that prepares law enforcement managers for senior positions by uniquely combining academic principles with practical applications. Classes started on March 5 and participants will receive training considered to be on par with other top level law enforcement executive development programs such as the FBI National Academy and Police Executive Research Forum.

“It is an honor and a privilege to be able to host this internationally-recognized training class. It is testament to our dedication to provide high-level training and our staunch commitment to collaborate with citizens, using strong public safety policies and principles,” Fitzgerald said.

In the coming year, the Police Department, in partnership with citizens, will work to further reduce and deter crime using the following tools to target all offenses:

*At Annual HOA meetings, police supervisors convey important neighborhood information
*Crime Watch programs, a neighborhood watch that encourages homeowners to report suspicious persons or activities to police
*Crime Prevention through Environmental Design (CPTED) classes, which arm residents with knowledge of a vast array of crime-prevention techniques and helps decrease crime through education
*Gang education workshops
*The Anti-Gang, “I choose to follow the rules” elementary school program, which teaches elementary school children to say no to violence and drugs
*High-tech, user-friendly tools that can be accessed by clicking “Tracking Crime” on the homepage of the City’s website, www.missouricitytx.gov: Crime Tip Form, a house watch program and the free, crime-mapping national database, called RAIDS Online, which allows residents to monitor offenses citywide
*The Crime Tip Line—281-403-5868. The Tip Line is monitored by officers in the Criminal Investigation Division and callers can leave their contact information for officers or they can remain anonymous.
“These tools allow residents to use the internet to access forms that will get quick responses,” Fitzgerald said. “We want to provide residents with all the best possible ways of getting leads to the Police Department to solve crimes.”

http://traction.typepad.com/qvgc/yard-of-the-month.html

The public is invited free to QVGC programs. Our Thursday, March 8th at program is on Edible Flowers and incorporating edibles into your garden. Coffee starts at 9:30 AM Contact Barbara Thompson at 281 835-9888 or select Programs from the right column of our website after you view the Yard of the Month.

1. Larry Foos, Parks and Rec Director, provided an update on the operational plans for the new Tennis and Rec Center. Staffing will consist of both full time and part time personnel to include administrative staff along w/ Tennis Head Pro, 2 assistant tennis pros and 3 personal trainers. It was discussed that new personal would be brought on as demand develops. There was discussion from the group about insuring that there will be a practice court for under 10 tennis and that batting cages would be machined cages.

The following are PROPOSED Membership rates. These rates have not yet been approved by Council.

Age Resident Non Resident
Under 18 $10.00 $15.00
Single $25.00 $35.00
Household $40.00 $60.00
65+ $15.00 $18.00
Day Pass $ 5.00 $ 5.00

Monthly membership fees would include open tennis play. Fees for Tennis leagues, tournaments, etc. are still under consideration. Membership will also include some of the programmed classes.

There is also discussion about providing current members a short-term discount incentive.

Currently, construction looks like it will complete late May to early June.

2. Tyson Stittleburg, Quail Valley Golf Pro, provided an update on catering operations for the new Community Center. RFPs were sent out to local caterers and restaurants and only 4 proposals have been received. It was determined that the details of the proposals previously sent out have changed and that RFPs need to be sent out again. Staff can go ahead and begin setting up the 4 caterers/restaurants that have submitted proposals. It was discussed, but not necessarily determined that any caterer/restaurant could be considered as long as they met all of the City’s requirements (health permits, insurance, etc.). Council agreed that a commissioned Event Coordinator will need to be hired.

3. The Mayor proclaimed March 12, 2012 as “Girl Scouts Centennial Day”.

4. Police Chief Fitzgerald provided an update on crime statistics for 2011 and a recap of crime prevention and community outreach programs done in 2011.

Crime Statistics: For 2011, The City will be reporting statistics based upon the UCR (Uniform Crime Reporting) method in order to be easily compared to other cities and entities. (In the past, Missouri City has used the more comprehensive method of reporting, IBR (Incident Based Reporting), but this caused a major issue when comparing our statistics to other local entities). Overall crime against persons and property was 1216 versus 1322 for 2011, a reduction of 8%. The Chief mentioned that 38% of thefts occurred at businesses (retailers) and they will be reaching out to the retailing community to give suggestions and assistance.

Community Policing: Police Department held National Night Out events on HWY 6 and Texas Parkway (TXP). Staff is also close to getting a lease approved for a storefront location on TXP which will be funded by dollars from the Police & Fire Auxiliary. In 2011, the department held the First Annual Police Awards, sponsored the Police Memorial Week, Stuff the Squad Car, collecting food for needy areas of Fort Bend at during the Holidays, “I Choose to Follow the Rules” school program where officers reached out to elementary school students in all Missouri City school and hosted a party at Funtiki for those students who followed the rules, Child Safety Seat Program, Gang Awareness Training and the Police and Fire Academy.

Grant Related Projects: Received funding for high ticket items for the East Fort Bend County SWAT team, funding for Live Scan (AFIS) machines for processing of finger prints in the jail and CSU, funding for 4 officers for 3 years for the Burglary Auto Theft Team (BAT Team) and funding for a panoramic camera.

5. Development Services Director Gary Smith provided a recap on the zoning of particular parcels at Highway 6 and Colonial Lakes. A resident who lives in that area expressed displeasure that a gas station and a Hampton Inn are going to be built. The current zoning for the parcels allows for both of these types of businesses, so it is not necessary for the business to go before P&Z or the Council or for residents to be provided notice.

6. Consent Agenda was approved which included approval of meeting minutes, contract for election services with Fort Bend County, termination of a contract for operation services for Mustang Bayou Treatment Plant and awarding a contract for purchasing water treatment chemicals.

7. Council approved a change in zoning from LC-3 Retail to Planned Development on 38.51 acres located on Murphy and Lexington/Independence (area by the Walgreens at the Lexington intersection.)

8. Council approved permitted use changes on certain tracks of property on Hampton next to and behind the Wells Fargo to allow for nursing homes.

9. Council authorized repairs to the Civic Center roof, awarded a contract for lighting improvements at the Community Center and Pro Shop, rejected all bids for an electric generator system for the traffic management system and authorized purchase of network cabling service for the Tennis and Rec Center.

10. Approved an ordinance for the General Election to be held on May 12th and contracting w/ Fort Bend County for election services. An election for Missouri City will only include School District and WCID #2 races. The Mayor and two At Large Councilmen (Owen, Wyatt & Nguyen) are all running unopposed.

11. Council resolved to readopt rules and guidelines to grant tax abatements.

2. Larry Foos, Parks Director, reviewed the floor plan of the Rec Center and some of the programming highlights:

a. Rec Center is 24,650 square feet.
b. 12 lighted tennis court offering tournaments, league play, juniors, 10 & under markings, tennis professionals and tennis lessons.
c. 3330 square foot cardio and weight room w/ 28 pieces of equipment to include free weights with a stretching area
d. 3 – 1000 square foot multi purpose rooms
e. 4250 square foot gym, which is divisible into 2 sections will offer basketball, volleyball, open play time, practice & league play
f. 440 square foot Kids Zone open during specific times, so parents can bring children and have them play while they workout.
g. Men’s and Women’s locker rooms

Specific programming and activities are still being determined. The current classes that are held at the Community Center on Texas Parkway will move to the new Tennis and Rec Center.

Staff if proposing hours of Monday – Friday of 6:00am to 9:00pm, Saturdays 9:00am to 4:00pm and closed on Sundays. Tennis hours have yet to be established.

EDITORIAL: THERE IS SOME CONTROVERSY BETWEEN WHAT THE TENNIS COMMITTEE IS PROPOSING REGARDING THE SELL OF AND SERVING OF ALCOHOLIC BEVERAGES AT SPECIAL EVENTS (THINK TOURNAMENTS) AND THE PARKS BOARD. THE PARKS BOARD VOTED AGAINST ALLOWING ANY ALCOHOLIC BEVERAGES, EVEN IF THE TOURNAMENT SPONSOR WAS RESPONSIBLE FOR PROCURRING THE TEMPORARY PERMIT FROM TABC. TIME RAN SHORT AND LARRY WAS NOT ABLE TO PRESENT INFORMATION ON THE PRICING OF SERVICES AND PROGRAMS.

3. The Mayor recognized the Missouri City American Legion for their devotion to our country.

4. February 19th – 25th is Severe Weather Awareness Week and residents are encourage to review and update their personal emergency plans and kits. Currently the Missouri City Ready site is being updated on the City’s website; residents are encourage to visit the site once it is back up for additional information on preparedness.

5. Mayor proclaimed Friday, March 2nd at “Texas Independence Day” in Missouri City and provided the proclamation to a group from the both the Sons and Daughters of the Republic of Texas.

6. Mayor recognized Nickey Hayes of the Public Works Department, for being named Operator of the Year-Heavy Equipment by the American Public Works Association. It was also noted that Mr. Hayes has been “accident free” during his 21 years of service to the City.

7. Following restaurants were received Clean Restaurant Awards. In order to receive the award, restaurants must score a 95 or better during their inspection held during the last 6 months:

Billy’s Donuts
Burger King
Chipolte Grill
Dominos
Einstein Brothers Bagels
5 Guys Burgers
Hogs & Chicks
Jack in the Box
Kolache Factory
Kin Sin Sushi
McDonalds
New York Pizzeria
Ninfa’s
New York Chinese Café
Pizza Hut
Popeyes
Quiznos
Russos
Schlotzsky’s
Shipleys
Smoothie Factory
Sonic
Southern Maid
Starbucks
Subway
Taco Bell
Taco Cabana
Walkers BBQ
Wendy’s
Whataburger
Which Wich
Wing Stop

8. Wes Vela, Finance Director provided the quarterly investment report ending December 31, 2011.

9. Scott Elmer, Assistant City Manager, provided an update on the surface water treatment plant which began operations last week. This is the largest project in the City’s history. The original budget for the project was $53.361 million and came in $3.2 million under budget. The City has to convert at least 30% of water usage to surface water by 2013 and 60% by 2025. The plant features 97 million gallon reservoir and a 1.5 million gallon ground storage tank.

10. Consent agenda was approved which included approving meeting minutes, accepting the Quarterly Investment Report, supporting the issuance of bonds by FB MUD #46, authorized the execution of an agreement and addendum with certain procurement agencies for the City’s participation in the National Intergovernmental Purchasing Alliance and authorized the purchase of decomposed granite through the Fort Bend County interlocal purchasing agreement.

11. Council appointed Joe Workman to Position 1 on the Zoning Board of Adjustment and Ms. Angela Chan as an alternate.

12. Council authorized the conveyance of property from FB MUD #46 for Thompson Ferry Road right of way.

13. Council authorized the purchasing of a maintenance agreement for the UPS system that serves City Hall, Police Headquarters and the Emergency Operations Center.

14. Council resolved to adopt rules governing the investment of funds and designated Director of Finance to be responsible for the investment of the City’s funds.

15. Council approved the submission of a grant application by the Police Department; the grant, if awarded, would fund overtime to reduce the incidents of driving while intoxicated.

16. Council resolved to approve a request by the cities of Richmond and Rosenberg to the Fort Bend Subsidence District to provide an additional one year extension to meet the 2013 ground water reduction mandate, but w/ stipulations. Both Cities have already received a two year extension. The City wishes for the FBSD to provide those entities who met the 2013 mandate (of which Missouri City is one w/ the recent completion of the Surface Water Treatment Plant) to gain additional early conversion credits and a 3 year extension on the 2030 mandate.