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CITY COUNCIL WORKSHOP SESSION
MONDAY, MAY 11, 1998
COMMUNITY BUILDING
6104 AUDEN
6:45 P.M.
The City Council convened in Workshop Session in the Community Building (6104
Auden) on May 11, 1998 with the following members present: Mayor Fogler presiding,
Council Members Sparkman Davis, Neal and Starich. The City Manager, City Secretary,
City Attorney, Fire Chief and Public Works Director were also present.
AGENDA REVIEW:
The City Council reviewed the regular meeting agenda and discussed items under
consideration with the Staff.
ISO FIRE RATING REPORT:
The City Staff presented areport on the Insurance Services Office Fire Rating.
Fire Chief Terry Stevenson explained that the Insurance Services Office is a privately
owned company that evaluates different aspects of city and commercial property The
State Board of Insurance gave the ISO the authority to develop a way of rating city
structures in regards to fire prevention and the Fire Department's response time.
With 10 being the best rating, the City of. West University received a 5. The City of
Southside Place, who has a volunteer Fire Department, also received a 5 rating.
Chief Stevenson stated that he has been unsuccessful in his attempt to receive detailed
information regarding the rating of West University Place from the ISO.
The City Council asked the Staff to set up a meeting with State Representative Kyle
Janek to discuss the ISO rating system.
REQUEST. TO REMOVE PECAN TREE ON THE MUNICIPAL BUILDING
PROPERTY:
The City Council considered a request to remove the pecan tree located between the
Municipal Building and Police Department.
Chief Stevenson reported that the architect and the contractor feel that the pecan tree
would be severely impacted during' the renovations of the Municipal Building. The
City's Urban Forester evaluated the tree and reported that it was in bad shape. In order to
keep the tree, the courtyard would need to be redesigned. Chief Stevenson stated that the
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architect is recommending that the tree be removed and the area landscaped with a
replacement tree.
Council Member Sparkman requested that a pecan tree be used for the replacement tree.
The City Council authorized the staff to remove the tree.
RESIDENTIAL SITE DRAINAGE REPORT:
The City Staff presented a report on drainage from residential lots.
Public Works Director Ed Menville stated that new construction in West University Place
requires a drainage plan showing how storm water runoff will be handled for the
developing lot.
The permittee has an obligation to insure development does not adversely affect adjoining
properties. But under State water laws, a property owner may have the right to allow
water to drain naturally onto neighboring property, and the owner of the neighboring
property may have the duty to receive the water.
The owner or person in control of a site must have adequate site drainage at all times
and, generally, development cannot cause water to pond on adjacent lots where water did
not pond before.
In 1997 approximately 100 new homes were built in West U. All plans submitted must
show existing elevations on the' property prior to new construction and include proposed
elevations representing fmished elevation. The plans show how the storm water runoff
will be transported to the street. Methods used for this purpose might include sump
pumps, swales or a system of small catch basins with connecting pipe. The plan is
presented in the form of a drawing, which becomes part of the project file until the house
is completed.
When the project nears completion, a site survey is required of the builder. The survey is
used to compare the finish grading of the lot to the approved plan. If the two do not
match, the builder must adjust the site grading as necessary to match the approved plan.
If they match, the drainage plan is accepted as complete and enables the Certificate of
Occupancy to be issued. This completes the process.
When homeowners take possession of the property, however, they sometimes do
additional landscaping, which can alter drainage patterns on the lot. While adding top soil
and drainage structures do require a permit, most residents are unaware of this
requirement. These types of activities are very hard to regulate, but are responded to on a
complaint basis.
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Builders are encouraged to communicate frequently with neighboring property owners to
insure.they have a good working relationship in order to resolve drainage problems which
may not have been anticipated or identified in the planning stages of the project.
The standards that the City operates by today are adequate for the level of development
taking place in. West U. The effectiveness of these standards is directly attributable to the
fact that they are manageable, and to builders who are sensitive to and knowledgeable
about the impacts construction activities have on a community whose building sites are in
dose proximity to one another.
The Staffrecommended no changes to the drainage requirements at this time.
IaLMARNOCK DITCH REPORT:
The City Staff presented a report on the Kilmarnock Ditch and results of the survey.
Mr. Menvillereported'that Harris COUIity constructed Kilmarnock Ditch in the 1940's as
a means to improve storm water runofffor West University and Bellaire. Harris County
agreed to construct the ditch if the City purchased the right-of-way. Since then, there has
been a debate as to which entity is responsible for maintaining the ditch on a regular
basis.
Harris County Flood Control (HCFC) has generally maintained the ditch over the years
and in 1997, West U staff met with HCFC representatives to discuss their continued
maintenance of the property. Although they claim no responsibility, they did agree to
continue until ownership could be established. HCFC also provided staff with . a cost
analysis to restore/reconstruct the ditch for proper maintenance.
Terra Surveying Co. has submitted plans and a metes and bounds description of
Kilmarnockditch. The survey shows that the R-O-W extends south from Bellaire
Boulevard to Brays Bayou, a distance of 6,500 feet. The easement is 60 feet in width and
contains 8.947 Acres.
In addition to establishing exact boundaries, the survey also shows added use of the ditch
by the City of Houston and HCFC. J>ar1 of the Ayshire Subdivision, east ofthe'channel,
diverts storm water into the channel, and a 90" storm sewer pipe, located on the west side
of the railroad tracks, ultimately drainsintotheditchjust.south of Thoede's Auto Supply.
The pipe has a HCFC number designation, like the Kilmarnock Ditch, but. it is
imdeterrnked if it was built by HCFC or Harris County.
With the . estimated cost to line the. channel of $1.5 million, it is important to establish
ownership and usage of the channel.' While the City should not object topaymg its fair
share, it appears that much ofthe water being carried by the ditch is from other sources.
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The Staff recommended that the City continue discussions with HCFC with the goal of
conveying the ditch to HCFC.
STRATEGIC PLAN UPDATE:
City Manager Sherman Yehl presented a status report on Strategic Plan.
Council Members Davis and Starich left the meeting at 8:50 p.m.
REPORT ON CLASS ACTION LAW SUIT:
The CityAttomey briefed the City Council on matters related to the class action suit, City
of Pearland versus Entex.
INQlJIRIES.REOUESTS 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.
ADJOURNMENT:
With no further business to come before City Council at this time, a motion was made by
CounCil Meinber Neal, seconded by Council Member Sparkman, to adjourn. The
workshop session adjourned at 9: 1 0 p.m.
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