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CITY COUNCIL WORKSHOP SESSION
MONDAY, JANUARY 12, 1998
MUNICIPAL BUILDING
3800 UNIVERSITY BOULEVARD
6:45 P.M.
The City Council convened in Workshop Session in the Municipal Building (3800
University Boulevard) on January 12, 1998 with the following members present: Mayor
Fogler presiding, Council Members Starich, Davis, Neal and Sparkman. The City
Manager, City Secretary, City Attorney, Public Works Director and Parks and Recreation
Director were also present.
AGENDA REVIEW:
The City Council reviewed the regular meeting agenda and discussed items under
consideration with the Staff.
MUNICIPAL BUILDING RENOVATIONS:
Representatives from Ambrose and McEnany, Architects reviewed the Municipal
Building renovations with the City Council.
The City Council recessed the Workshop Session at 7:30 p.m. to convene in Regular
Session. The Workshop Session reconvened at 9:30 p.m.
PUBLIC ACCESS TO SIDEWALKS:
The City Staff reported on a new administrative policy to ensure that public sidewalks
remain open and undisturbed during construction.
Public Works Director Ed Menville reported that recently, members of the City Council
raised some concerns over pedestrian access to public sidewalks during construction
activity. Under Section 6.410 of the Municipal Code, A permittee may enclose the
sidewalk area, but only to the extent reasonably necessary to reduce the risk of hazards
to sidewalk users. The determination of whether a contractor will be allowed to fence the
street area is the City's.
Since this section was added to the code of ordinances several years ago, use of the public
area has become widespread, but could always be related to a question of safety. A
review of construction activities with the City's Chief Building Official and the City's
Urban Forester suggest that fencing of the right-of-way may only become a safety issue
on very small lots (50' x 100') and only when trees exist in the front yard area. The
fencing of right-of-way should not be for the purpose of creating a staging area for home
construction.
Mr. Menville stated that the staff recommends that a new administrative policy by
formulated which will prohibit the fencing of street right-of-way and enforce rigidly the
idea that it can only be Used in this area for safety purposes. The question of safety
would rest with the City's Chief Building Official. The contractor would be required to
show that a safety issue is involved. If such a showing is made, then the contractor would
be allowed to fence the sidewalk area, but would be required to provide a safe walk area
for pedestrians needing to pass the construction site. The safe area would be in the curb
lane of the street and would be identifiedwithtape or barricades.
GOALS AND' OBJECTIVES:
The City Staff provided a status report on implementation of the City's strategic plan.
The City Council requested that the City Secretary contact the Chairpersons from each
Board and Commission and ask them to attend the next workshop session to review their
work plans.
INOillRIES. REQUESTS AND COMPLAINTS:
The City Council reviewed matters received from the public and referred them to the
appropriate department or agreed to place them on a future agenda for consideration or
action.
EVALUATION AND COMPENSATION OF STAFF:
The City Council considered the evaluation and compensation of specific members of the
Staff (City Manager and City Secretary.)
Closed Executive Session to be held under Section 551.074, Texas Govemnient Code.
The Executive Session convened at 10:10 p.m.
The City Council adjourned the Executive Session at 10:50 p.m. and reconvened in open
seSSIOn.
ADJOURNMENT:
, With no further business to come before City Council at this time, a motion was made by
Council Member Davis, seconded by Council Member Sparkman, to adjourn. The
workshop session adjourned at 11 :00 p.m.
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