Pasadena City Council on Tuesday voted unanimously to adopt the city's FY2013 Budget.

The city council had first voted 1-8, with only Don Harrison voting in favor of approval, to deny an amendment to the budget prior to its approval. The amendment, proposed by Harrison, would have appropriated $150,000 from the General Fund for transfer into the Planning Services budget to fund transit services.

The city council voted unanimously to approve the issuance of $22,490,000 in General Obligation Refunding Bonds; to retire existing debt of the city early and to refinance the debt at lower interest rates.

The city council voted 7-2, with Pat Van Houte and Harrison opposed, to approve the hiring of Rogelio Benavides as Fleet Maintenance Supervisor.  Benavides had been considered for the position before, as well as fora maintenance technician position.  The council had opposed his being hired during a previous meeting.

Van Houte said she had concerns regarding Benavides' qualifications and his relationship to a current department head, his wife Planning Director Sarah Benavides, and said the process was “not appropriate”.

Harrison said there was a “threat of being sued the last time he and other members of council voted against hiring him”. Harrison said he could not change his vote.

The city council voted to approve, on final reading, an ordinance adopting the valuation and assessment of property in the city as presented by the Harris County Tax Assessor-Collector's Office.

The city council voted unanimously to approve, on final reading, a $120,00 contract with Cherry Demolition for the demolition and asbestos abatement of the former Deepwater Wastewater Treatment Plant at 3512 State Highway 225.

All other items were approved by unanimous vote.  All members were present. Agenda