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HomeMy WebLinkAbout060809R CC Minnrdb 0 The City of West University Place A Neighborhood City CITY COUNCIL Bob Kelly, Mayor Bob Fry, Councilmember George Boehme, Councilmember Steven Segal, Councilmember Chuck Guffey, Councilmember STAFF Michael Ross, City Manager Alan Petrov, City Attorney Thelma Lenz, City Secretary CITY COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES City Council of the City of West University Place, Texas, met in special and regular sessions Monday, June 8, 2009, in the Municipal Building Council Chambers, 3800 University Boulevard, West University Place, Texas beginning at 5:30 p.m. Council and staff in attendance: Mayor Kelly, Councilmembers Boehme, Segal and Guffey, City Manager Ross, Assistant City Secretary Schultz, City Attorney Petrov, Assistant City Manager/Public Works Director Peifer, Parks and Recreation Director O'Connor and Police Chief Walker. Mayor Pro Tern Fry was absent. Others in attendance were Jeff Gerber of Pierce Goodwin Alexander & Linville (PGAL) and Guy Cooke of Tellepsen. Notice of the meetings was duly posted in accordance with the Texas Government Code, Chapter 551. CALL TO ORDER Mayor Kelly called the special meeting to order at 5:30 p.m. Agenda items were as follows. 1. Recreation Facilities Matters related to the City's recreational facilities with a recommendation to discuss and take action, if necessary. Jeff Gerber, Tim O'Connor, Michael Ross and Guy Cooke gave an update on the recreational facilities. Mr. Cooke provided an update on construction at the Fitness Center and said in the last three months they have awarded all the demolition and site packages and have taken pricing on a number of different packages on the building that will include everything but the finishes, such as painting, carpeting, etc. He said the first structural slab on grade will be placed this week and by the end of the month of June there will be a lot of vertical expansion taking place and by the end of July or beginning of August, the masonry skin components will begin and the building will begin to take shape architecturally. Mr. Cooke stated that the only other package that has been awarded to date beyond the Fitness Center site is the demolition for Colonial Park. Mr. Gerber provided an update on design and reiterated that everything at the Fitness Center, except for the interior finishes, is in design and has been put out for bid and said he expects to have the interior finishes to Tellepsen forbidding sometime in July. He said they are also working on the design for the Colonial Park Pool, which will be available sometime later in June. City Council Minutes, June 8, 2009 Mr. Gerber then reviewed with Council the pool configuration previously approved by Council. For review and discussion, he also provided two floor plans (Options A and B) and said they were basically the same except for the entry component. Mr. Gerber said the difference in Plans A and B is that on Plan B the entry component gets raised and becomes in the corner so the arcade is pushed back against the face of the building, whereas on Plan A they have created a larger porch zone or staging area and tried to center it more on the base of the building. He said the challenge for Plan A is working within the boundaries of a couple of trees, but Plan B doesn't have that restriction because it is basically within the footprint of the existing building. Councilmember Guffey moved to approve the adoption of Option A. Councilmember Segal seconded the motion. MOTION PASSED. Ayes: Kelly, Boehme, Segal, and Guffey Noes: None Absent: Fry Council then turned discussion to the Colonial Park Pool closure. Mr. Ross said the initial schedule was to have the Fitness Center completed in time for the winter of 2009 and then begin the Colonial Pool demolition and have it ready for the summer 2010; but, after further evaluation staff, PGAL, and Tellepsen recommend that Council consider closing Colonial Pool after Labor Day and opening it on or before Memorial Day, which will save time and money. In response to Councilmember Guffey's question as to the construction savings, Mr. Cooke responded that the project would save approximately $68,000 a month for 6 to 9 months, because two projects will be running concurrently with the same funds. Councilmember Boehme asked what other accommodations are being made for swimmers when both pools are closed. Mr. O'Connor stated that staff has contacted the Weekly YMCA, Rice University, University of Texas, and the City of Bellaire and explained to Council the proposed rates and options to use those facilities. In response to Mayor Kelly's question as to whether we would refund or apply fees to next year's fees for those people that have already paid, Mr. O'Connor said staff would prorate memberships or provide refunds if Council approves. He said staff will do what Council and the City Manager want to do, but would rather not transition fees to the opening because fees have not yet been established for the new facility. A motion was made by Councilmember Boehme to close Colonial Pool after Labor Day and reopening no later than Memorial Day. Councilmember Guffey seconded the motion. Councilmember Segal said he doesn't think there is an urgency to vote on this tonight as opposed to the next meeting. He said he would like to have all Councilmembers present and give the public an opportunity to express their views. Councilmember Boehme said he thinks there is an incredible amount of money we will save and there is a huge motivation to get Colonial Park Pool open by next summer. Councilmember Segal said he still has concerns and would like to have all the facts in front of him and would like to give people a chance to respond. City Council Minutes, June 8, 2009 Councilmember Boehme amended his motion to table his original motion and revisit the issue at the Council Meeting of June 22, 2009. A vote was made on the motion. MOTION PASSED. Ayes: Kelly, Boehme, Segal, and Guffey Noes: None Absent: Fry 2. Real Estate Matters related to the 1.0874 acres of City-owned property on West Park, between Wakeforest Street and Dincans Street with a recommendation to discuss and take action, if necessary. Mayor Kelly announced that City Council will convene in closed session at 6:37 p.m. under Section 551 of the Texas Government Code. At 7:00 p.m., Mayor Kelly adjourned the close session and reconvened into special session. With no action to be taken, Mayor Kelly adjourned the special meeting at 7:01 p.m. Ayes: Kelly, Boehme, Segal, and Guffey Noes: None Absent: Fry REGULAR MEETING: Mayor Kelly called the regular meeting to order at approximately 7:05 p.m. in the Council Chambers. Agenda items were as follows: Alex Haj and Justin McAuliff from Boy Scout Troop 125 led the Pledge of Allegiance and the Pledge to the Texas Flag. 3. Public Comments This is an opportunity for citizens to speak to Council relating to agenda or non-agenda items. Speakers are required to address Council at the microphone and give their name and address before addressing their concerns. [Note: State law will not permit the City Council to fully discuss, debate, or consider items that are not on the agenda. Items that cannot be referred to the City Staff for action may be placed on the agenda of a future City Council meeting.] Hector Caran, 2803 S. Braeswood Boulevard, spoke about the wastewater treatment facility. He said with the shrub and trees being removed there is now a constant airflow in both directions, there is a dramatic increase in odor, the floodlights from the facility are very bright, and the view is now a problem. He would like to know if there are any plans for restoration, is there a budget amount and if further trees will be cut down along the facility. Assistant City Manager/Public Works Director Peifer was further on the agenda to give a report on the Wastewater Treatment Plant, therefore, Mayor Kelly took public comments regarding other items at this time and requested that those who signed up to speak on this topic do so after Mr. Peifer's report. Elan Tavor, 6107 Lake, came forward to ask Council to consider having permit parking for West U residents and have guest permits for construction companies, housekeepers, landscapers, etc. He said this would keep cars off of his block that shouldn't be there as well as generate funds for the City. City Council Minutes, June 8, 2009 Linda Driskill, 3837 Coleridge, asked council to consider a waiver for pool fees for low income residents. She also asked that Council provide more information on how the City is saving money when we're accelerating the sale of the bonds, which will accelerate our payments. Lisa Berman, 16 Annapolis Court, spoke to say that she understands the financial argument for closing the pool and the argument for residents not having access to a pool for at least 7 months, but she would like residents to receive updates on the construction progress and hopes that the completion timetable will remain on schedule. Brenda Wilson, 4150 Swarthmore, just wanted to reiterate the importance of having a year-round pool. Item 5A, a report on the water and wastewater facilities by Assistant City Manager/Public Works Director Palter, was taken out of order and discussed at this time. See Item 5A. After the report by Mr. Peifer, Mayor Kelly resumed public comments with the following speakers: Cheryl O'Brien, 8410 Bluegate Street, spoke to say that she and her neighbors are trying to work with the City to get the visual blight around the wastewater plant resolved. She said she heard there was a $10,000 budget to replace the vegetation that was removed and is concerned that it will not be enough. Ms. O'Brien said she is also concerned that the trees and bushes that are being suggested take a while to grow and wants to know if there is anything that can be done in the meantime. She continued to say that they have a small group that is willing to provide input and work with the City to create better scenery. Diane Stroud, 2601 S. Braeswood, came forward to say that she lives directly across from the wastewater treatment facility and she is frustrated and disappointed that the trees were removed, but wants to move forward to try to reach a pleasing solution. She requested a timeframe as to when new vegetation will be planted because she is worried about the value of their properties and the appraisal they will receive if the treatment plant is still an eyesore at the time of the appraisals. Ms. Stroud said the proposed 40 trees don't seem to be enough. Basically, she wants to be sure that the City takes care of the pollution factor - sight pollution, noise pollution, light pollution, and odor pollution. Mr. Peifer responded and said the Urban Forester is designing a watering and nursing program and staff expects to begin planting in the next two weeks and expects it to be done in 5-6 weeks. He said the initial budget was approximately $10,000 - $15,000. In response to a question from Councilmember Boehme, Mr. Peifer confirmed that we will have as many trees as the Urban Forester says are healthy for short-term and long-term density. Cynthia Schaeffer, 2601 S. Braewsood #607, spoke to say that most of her concerns have already been addressed, but wanted to emphasize that timing is of the essence due to homes being up for sale in the area and said she is concerned that this will hold up the sales that are pending. Pamela Jones, 4150 Swarthmore, did not come forward to speak. Hector Caran, 2803 S. Braeswood, came forward again to speak. He asked if all the vegetation the City plans to plant will be within the facility so the fence line itself will be continually exposed from this point forward. He said what he has heard from the City so far is appealing, but is concerned about long-term duration of the cyclone fencing and recommends that the City not put up the green cloth barriers along the fencing and stay away from the little slats that go inside the cyclone fencing, as well. Said whatever we could do restore vegetation would be great and applauds the city's efforts. City Council Minutes, June 8, 2009 4. Consent Agenda All Consent Agenda items listed are considered to be routine by the City Council and will be enacted by one motion. There will be no separate discussion of these items unless a Council member requests in which event the item will be removed from the Consent Agenda and considered in its normal sequence on the agenda. A. City Council Minutes Approve City Council meeting minutes of June 8, 2009. Councilmember Segal moved to approve the Consent Agenda. Councilmember Boehme seconded the motion. MOTION PASSED. Ayes: Kelly, Boehme, Segal, and Guffey Noes: None Absent: Fry 5. Reports A. Improvements to water and wastewater facilities. Assistant City Manager/Public Works Director Peifer reported on the status projects relating to the City's facilities. He specifically addressed Mr. Caran's public comment regarding the overflow light pollution at the water treatment facility on Braeswood and said staff will look into it as well as his other issues. He also addressed budget, tree, and odor concerns. After Mr. Peifer's report, Mayor Kelly resumed with Public Comments. See Public Comments for those comments. B. 2009 Texas Legislative Session. City Manager Ross reported on two bills the City finds of interest that have worked their way through the legislature - (1) relates to residential sprinkler systems that would annul the City's ordinance that would go into effect at the end of the month; and (2) a bill that relates to cell phones in school zones. He said this bill basically provides for no cell phone use during school zone hours, but allows for hand-free use; whereas, our ordinance does not allow for hand-free use and has fines that are different from the proposed bill. Mr. Ross said according to City Attorney Petrov our ordinance would not be affected by this bill. With no other business before Council, Councilmember Guffey moved to adjourn the meeting at 8:00 p.m. Mayor Kelly seconded the motion. MOTION PASSED. Ayes: Kelly, Boehme, Segal, and Guffey Noes: None Absent: Fry / J Prepared By: Thelma A. Lenz, City Secretary U ~g w~sr b N 1,1JIL '1 11 Date Approved: C1 O'