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HomeMy WebLinkAbout011000S CC Min C) ~v CITY COUNCIL SPECIAL SESSION MONDAY, JANUARY 10, 2000 MUNICIPAL BUILDING 3800 UNIVERSITY BLVD. 6:30 P.M. The City Council convened in Special Session in the Municipal Building Conference Room (3800 University Blvd.) on January 10,2000, with the following members present: Mayor Lewis presiding, Council Members Ballanfant, Bertini, Grubb and May. The City Manager, City Secretary, City Attorney, Public Works Director, Police Chief, Parks and Recreation Director and Development Coordinator were also present. The notice for this meeting was posted inaccordance with the Texas Government Code, Chapter 551, on the 7th day of January 2000 at 12:30 p.m. A!!:enda Review: The City Council reviewed the regular meeting agenda and discussed items under consideration with the Staff. Renort on securitv cameras. Police Chief Kevin Begley presented a report on the use of security cameras by the Police and Fire Departments. /...... Chief Begley reported that the concept of using video cameras to monitor different areas within the city was not new. The Police and Fire Departments have researched the idea in the past, particularly regardin:g parks and other specific locations. The results of these earlier researched projects were that such a program would be too expensive and not cost effective. In attempting to monitor an entire community, multiple cameras would have to be used and properly mounted. Many videotapes would have to be used or additional personnel hired to monitor the cameras. There would be no way of knowing where a crime was about to occur, or which vehicles entering the city would be carrying those about to commit a crime. Chief Begley . described the various camera systems along with the advantages and disadvantages of each. The cost to utilize a fiber optic system would be approximately $25,000 per camera. Using this figure, it would cost $1,300,000 to place a camera at each of the city's entry streets. He stated that METRO advised that their policy concerning the use of their cameras was extremely restrictive and that the use of cameras has produced many questions of privacy and authorization. Should the Council wish to move forward with this project,. a more in-depth analysis of all possible alternatives in ":1 r-'- . - -- --"-~- -........m. !. I !; nuti,ill.I.lr - '~'Jrmrrnn~"'rJm"i'--------"'" -r ,/\ City Council Special SessIOh, January 10,2000 ,/~ .~~ considering the feasibility of a surveillance camera system in West University should be done. Survey for Parks Master .Plan. Matters related to a survey to be sent to residents relating to the Parks Master Plan. Chair of the Parks and Recreation Board Will Bertron was present at the meeting. Parks and Recreation Director Mark Mailes reported that the survey would be sent to all households in West University and would help to develop short and long range plans for park and recreation services. The City Council supported the survey and authorized the staff to move forward with the distribution. Annual Report. Matters related to the content and layout of the Annual Report. City Manager Sherman YeW presented different formats and approaches to developing an annual report. The City Council addressed content, which included a condensed budget, crime statistics and comparisons for the last three years, operating services, andfunfacts. Mr. YeW stated that the Annual Report would be distributed some time in February. Pre-Treatment of Trees. Matters related to a report on the pre-treatment of trees. Mr. YeW presented a comparison report of urban forestry consultants and their ability to provide detailed plans for tree preservation and alternatives to the process. The City Council addressed ways to reduce the cost of tree protection by having city staff take over some of the work from the consultant. Removal and replacement of Class 4 trees was also discussed. Mr. YeW suggested that existing staff could do the post-construction consulting/monitoring and a portion of the pre-construction consulting. This would reduce the cost of the contract with Forestry Associates to provide tree preservation in Priority Areas 7B, 8 and 12. The City Council authorized the Staff to move forward with tree preservation in Priority Areas 7B, 8 and 12. 2 -------,--~l~"'~--- -- .cc'c..-,---,-.,-..-'.-_7'f'-----..,----....-..-- (~ City Council Special Sessrt/n, January 10,2000 () The City Council recessed the Special Session at 7:30 p.m. The Special Session reconvened at 7:46 p.m. Report on holidav e:arbae:e collection~ Matters related to a report on providing solid waste collection servIces on certain holidays. Public Works Director Ed Menville reported that over the past Christmas holiday the City was closed both Thursday, December 23. and Friday, December 24. Although it was announced that there would be no solid waste collection services on these days, many residents were unaware of the holiday schedule. The cost per holiday of operating four two-person crews would be $1,792 with an average overtime rate of $22 per hour per employee and vehicle costs of $12 per hour. Over the next two years, there are a total of four holidays that may cause confusion with residents. Staff recommended adding these days to the collection schedule at an annual expenditure of about $3,500. The City Council authorized the Staff to move forward with the holiday collection. Report from Board or Commission Liaisons. The City Council reported on Board or Commission meetings attended by the liaisons. Council Member Grubb reported that the Neighborhood Safety Board is continuing to address sidewalks and lighting problems in the City. \ Council Member Ballanfant reported that the Parks and Recreation Board may be proposing a bond issue to purchase the YMCA. Council Member Bertini reported that the Traffic Task Force was finalizing their proposal on hot spots and was preparing for the Town Meeting in February. Mayor Lewis reported that the Zoning and Planning Commission had sub-committees working on a comprehensive plan and peripheral development. Inauiries. reauests and comDlaints~ The City Council reviewed matters received from the public and referred them to the appropriate department or placed them on a future agenda for consideration or action. Matters related to the evaluation of a ~ublic officer or emnlovee. Evaluation of City Secretary 3 lJiI. r............ ... -.;" nr:JL.. _ ~_L ..:_dLb U;.illll:! I [11iI1ilK --~'il~'F'i'1llrT"..,-------,-- -,---,-,--",c'- - - 1 City Council Special SeSSIOn, January 10,2000 IJ Closed Executive Session to be held under Section 551.074, Texas Government Code. The City Council convened in Executive Session at 8:08 p.m. The City Council closed the Executive Session at 8:55 p.m. and reconvened in Special Session. Adiournment. With no further business to come before the City Council at this time, a motion was made by Council Member May, seconded by Council Member Bertini, to adjourn. The Special Session adjourned at 8:56 p.m. 4