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HomeMy WebLinkAbout022210R CC Min0 The City 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 The City Council of the City of West University Place, Texas, met in a special workshop and regular session Monday, February 22, 2010, in the Municipal Building, 3800 University Boulevard, West University Place, Texas beginning at 6:15 p.m. SPECIAL WORKSHOP Agenda items were as follows: CALL TO ORDER Mayor Kelly called the meeting to order at 6:15 p.m. Also in attendance were: Councilmembers Boehme, Segal and Guffey, City Manager Ross, City Secretary Lenz, City Attorney Petrov, Parks and Recreation Director O'Connor, and Police Chief Walker. Mayor Pro Tern Fry was absent. City Center Development Ad Hoc Committee Matters related to interviewing and possibly appointing Albert Kelso to the City Center Ad Hoc Committee as recommended by Committee Chair Bruce Frankel. Council interviewed Albert Kelso. After interviewing Mr. Kelso, Councilmember Segal stated his concern about the possible influence of direct neighbors, but said we certainly want that input. He said because two of the six members of the committee would be direct neighbors of the project, he suggested also appointing Joshua Marcell, a candidate previously interviewed, because he thinks Mr. Marcell's experience will bring a unique perspective to the committee. Councilmember Segal moved to increase the membership by adding Joshua Marcell and Albert Kelso to the committee. George Boehme seconded the motion. MOTION PASSED. Ayes: Kelly, Boehme, Guffey, Segal Noes: None Absent: Fry Before moving on to the next item, City Manager Ross distributed proposed committee guidelines/mission statement for confirmation/direction from Council. of West University Place Mayor Kelly said Council will review. Councilmember Segal stated that he would be willing to use the proposed guidelines during the preliminary stages while Council reviews, discusses, and possibly refines them. City Council Minutes, February 22, 2010 2. Recreation Facilities Opening Ceremonies Schedule Matters related to a draft schedule of events for the period leading up to the opening of the Recreation Center and Colonial Park. Parks and Recreation Director Tim O'Connor presented Regarding the ribbon cutting ceremony scheduled for April 9'h, Mayor Kelly said rather than by invitation only, he would like it to be an open invitation to any citizen that would like to attend. Mr. O'Connor said the ribbon cutting will be more a social event for primary players that brought this to fruition and pointed out that the two days following the ribbon cutting would be open house for citizens. Mr. O'Connor also said that restrictions on parking and the facilities could be problematic. City Manager Ross noted that there is also no way to account for how much food and drinks would be needed, which is why ribbon cuttings typically only include major players, but said it us up to Council. Councilmember Boehme said making it an open invitation would run the risk of having a substantial crowd that is not particularly interested in the program and could distract from it. Councilmember Segal said the ribbon cutting is ceremonial and if residents want to see the facility, they will come during the two days of open house. Councilmember Boehme suggested changing the language on the invitation to say "by invitation" instead of "by invitation only". Mr. O'Connor said the invitation list for April 9'h will be made available to Council for review. Regarding the proposed plaque, Councilmember Boehme said he thinks the full Parks Board should be included. Mayor Kelly stated that the plaques usually only include the architects, builders, and city councils. Mr. O'Connor stated that if we decide to include the Parks Board, it would involve two different Parks Boards. City Manager Ross said staff will draft some more ideas and bring them back to Council for further discussion. Mayor Kelly said he thinks staff is headed in the right direction with the calendar. Due to Councilmember Segal's schedule, City Manager Ross said staff will look into other possible dates for the ribbon cutting ceremony. With no further discussion, Councilmember Segal moved to adjourn the special workshop meeting at 6:40 p.m. Councilmember Guffey seconded the motion. MOTION PASSED. Ayes: Kelly, Boehme, Guffey, Segal Noes: None Absent: Fry 2of7 City Council Minutes, February 22, 2010 REGULAR MEETING (BEGINNING AT 6:30 P.M. IN THE COUNCIL CHAMBERS) Agenda items are as follows: Mayor Kelly called the meeting to order at 6:40 p.m. Also in attendance were: Councilmembers Boehme, Segal and Guffey, City Manager Ross, City Secretary Lenz, City Attorney Petrov, Assistant City Manager/Public Works Director Peifer, Police Chief Walker, Finance Director Daugherty, and IT Director McFarland. Boy Scout Stone Miller led the Pledge of Allegiance and Pledge to the Texas Flag. City Secretary Lenz confirmed that the Notice of the regular meeting was duly posted in accordance with the Texas Government Code, Chapter 551. 3. Public Comments This is an opportunity for citizens to speak to Council relating to agenda and non-agenda items. If the topic the speaker wishes to address is on the agenda, the speaker can either speak at this time or defer his/her comments until such time the item is discussed. John McAleer, 2222 Bancroft, Houston, Texas, spoke on behalf of his family's restaurant, Buffalo Grille. He said they have one more year on their lease with HEB and, because they are not sure if their lease will be renewed, they are looking for potential locations. Mr. McAleer said they will do their best to stay in the area and will keep Council updated. He confirmed that there has been no official word from HEB. Ian Smart and Lynn Casey, Rice University Sport of the Third Annual Rice Owl Bowl scheduled for 6:00-900 p.m. They said it is a charity bowling Fighting Blindness. Management students, spoke to inform residents April 25, 2010 at Palace Lanes on Bellaire from tournament that will benefit The Foundation of 4. Certificates of Obligation Ordinance Matters related to an ordinance authorizing the issuance of Certificates of Obligation for the City of West University Place and declaring an emergency. Finance Director Daugherty introduced Ryan O'Hara with RBC Capital Markets who presented Council with results of the bond sales. Mr. O'Hara said they sold the bonds last Thursday. He then reviewed a handout that was distributed to Council, which included information regarding the Bond Buyer Index of 20 Municipal Bonds and 25 Municipal Bonds from January 1990 to present; the Bond Buyer Index of 20 Municipal Bonds and 25 Municipal Bonds from January 3, 2008 to present, sources and uses.of the funds; final debt service requirements, and a tax rate impact analysis. Mr. O'Hara said the closing will be on March 23, 2010. Councilmember Steven Segal moved to approve the ordinance authorizing the issuance of the City of West University Place, Texas Certificates of Obligation Series 2010; levying an ad valorem tax, pledging certain net revenues, authorizing the execution of a transfer, and paying agency 3of7 City Council Minutes, February 22, 2010 agreement; and other matters in connection therewith related to the $6,900,000 bonds. Councilmember Guffey seconded the motion. MOTION PASSED. Ayes: Kelly, Boehme, Guffey, Segal Noes: None Absent: Fry 5. Permanent Improvement Bonds Ordinance Matters related to an ordinance authorizing the issuance of Permanent Improvement Bonds for the City of West University Place and declaring an emergency. While presenting Item 4, Mr. O'Hara explained that his presentation also included these bonds and offered no additional comments. Councilmember Steven Segal moved to approve the ordinance authorizing the issuance of the City of West University Place, Texas Permanent Improvement Bonds Series 2010; levying an ad valorem tax, approving an official statement, authorizing the execution of a bond purchase agreement, paying agency agreement; and other matters in connection therewith related to the $5,000,000 bonds. Councilmember Guffey seconded the motion. MOTION PASSED. Ayes: Kelly, Boehme, Guffey, Segal Noes: None Absent: Fry 6. 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 February 8, 2010. B. Emergency Debris Hauling Matters related to authorizing the City Manager to extend a contract until December 31, 2011 with Storm Reconstruction Services for Emergency Debris Hauling services. C. Reduced Garbage Service Fee for Disabled Residents Matters related to modifying the reduction of monthly dwelling unit charge for garbage pick-up to include disabled residents and approving an ordinance relating to the matter on the second and final reading. D. Phone Call and Radio Recording System Matters related to upgrading the Police Phone Call and Radio Recording System, including authorizing staff to enter into an agreement with ICS. E. Emergency Preparedness Plan for Water Utilities Matters related to the City's Emergency Preparedness Plan for Water Utilities, including approval of a resolution adopting the Plan. F. Harris County Flood Control District Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) 4of7 City Council Minutes, February 22, 2010 Matters related to the approval of a Memorandum of Understanding between the City of West University Place and Harris County Flood Control District. Councilmember Guffey moved to approve the Consent Agenda as presented. Councilmember Segal seconded the motion. MOTION PASSED. Ayes: Kelly, Boehme, Guffey, Segal Noes: None Absent: Fry 7. Council Appointments to City Boards/Commissions Matters related to the appointment of City Councilmembers to serve as liaisons on the various City Boards and Commissions. In response to Councilmember Guffey's concern, City Attorney Petrov stated that any board/commission can have a liaison, even the regulatory boards. Mayor Kelly confirmed that liaisons would not participate in meetings, but will attend to listen and observe and report back to Council any significant details. Councilmember Segal pointed out that all meetings are noticed as meetings of the Boards and Council in case there is ever a quorum in attendance. After discussion, it was stated that Councilmember Segal will serve as the Seniors Board liaison and Councilmember Guffey will serve as liaison for the Recycling Board. Councilmember Boehme will discuss the Parks Board and Friends of West U Parks Fund with Mayor Pro Tern Fry to confirm who will be those board liaisons. 8. Water Rate Increase Matters related to the City of Houston's water rate increases, including adoption of an ordinance. Finance Director Daugherty presented and stated that in an email dated December 11, 2009, the City of Houston announced that they had adopted an ordinance approving a .30 cent per 1,000 gallon rate increase, effective February 1, 2010, which equals to 15.9 percent of what they charge us for treated drinking water. Ms. Daugherty stated that due to the City of Houston's increase, we will need to increase our rates by 3.82 percent in order to recover our costs. Ms. Daugherty advised Council that another City of Houston increase is expected on January 1, 2011, which will result in the City's water rate increasing at that time by approximately 25 percent. City Manager Ross said staff has a meeting scheduled with City of Houston in March to review their findings on their water rate study and staff will report back to Council the results of that meeting. Councilmember Segal moved to approve an ordinance relating to water rates, amending the fee schedule of the Code of Ordinances of the city of West University Place, Texas, and containing findings and provisions relating to the subject on first reading. Councilmember Guffey seconded the motion. MOTION PASSED. 5 of 7 City Council Minutes, February 22, 2010 Ayes: Kelly, Boehme, Guffey, Segal Noes: None Absent: Fry 9. Reports by Council/Staff A. Recoating Contract for City's Water Storage Tanks Matters related to contractor's failure to perform contractual obligations. Discuss and take any desired action. Public Works Director/Assistant City Manager Peifer presented and said staff wanted to inform Council of the status regarding the rehabilitation of the two ground storage tanks. He said the work has been completed on one of them and it has been accepted by the inspector. Mr. Peifer said during the course of inspecting the second ground storage tank, staff noticed a few compliant issues and notified the contractor. He said a stop work order has been processed and staff will be meeting with the contractor, our attorney, and their attorney to resolve the issues and get the second storage tank completed and in compliance. Councilmember Boehme requested that this issue be further discussed in Executive Session. At 7:10 p.m., Councilmember Segal moved that Council recess into Executive Session per Chapter 551 of the Texas Government Code, Section 551.071 (consultation with legal counsel to seek or receive legal advice or consultation regarding pending or contemplated litigation). Councilmember Boehme seconded the motion. MOTION PASSED. Ayes: Kelly, Boehme, Guffey, Segal Noes: None Absent: Fry 10. Executive Session (if necessary) At 7:15 p.m., Mayor Kelly opened the Executive Session per Section 551.071 of the Texas Government Code (consultation with legal counsel to seek or receive legal advice or consultation regarding pending or contemplated litigation). Also in attendance were: Councilmember Boehme, Guffey, and Segal, City Manager Ross, Assistant City Manager/Public Works Director Peifer, City Attorney Petrov, and City Secretary Lenz. 11. Convene into Open Session At 7:32 p.m., Councilmember Segal moved to close the Executive Session and reconvene into open session. Councilmember Boehme seconded the motion. MOTION PASSED. Ayes: Kelly, Boehme, Guffey, Segal Noes: None Absent: Fry With no action taken and no further business before the Council, Councilmember Guffey moved to adjourn the regular meeting at 7:32 p.m. Mayor Kelly seconded the motion. MOTION PASSED. Ayes: Kelly, Boehme, Guffey, Segal 6of7 City Council Minutes, February 22, 2010 Noes: None Absent: Fry Meeting Adjourned. Lenz, City Secretary Date Approved: O V 7of7