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HomeMy WebLinkAbout022299S CC Min -'I CITY COUNCIL WORKSHOP SESSION MONDAY, FEBRUARY 22, 1999 MUNICIPAL BillLDING 3800 UNIVERSITY BLVD. 7:00 P.M. The City Council convened in Workshop Session in the Municipal Building (3800 University Blvd.) on February 22, 1999, with the following members present: Mayor Fogler presiding, Council Member Neal and Starich. The City Manager, City Secretary, City Attorney, Police Lieutenant, Parks and Recreation Director, Finance Director, Public Works Director and Plant Manager were also present. Council Member Sparkman was absent. AGENDA REVIEW: , The City Council reviewed the regular meeting agenda and discussed items under consideration with the Staff. COLONIAL PARK POOL HOURS: The City Council discussed pool hours at Colonial Park. Parks and Recreation Director Mark Mailes reported that at a recent City Council meeting, staff was directed to review the Friday morning pool closing hours. The swimming pool has traditionally been closed during this time. This was done so that the pool could be vacuumed and cleaned for the weekend. Also, lifeguard training is conducted at this time. Ideally, it is better to vacuum prior to any usage, as the dirt and debris settle to the bottom overnight. The vacuum-is designed to move along the bottom of the. pool and pool usage causes the dirt to scatter throughout. Friday was chosen so that the pool could be cleaned for the weekend but any morning would suffice. Mr. Mailes stated that it is staffs recommendation to continue to provide pool maintenance on Friday mornings so the pool can be cleaned for weekend use. However, in recognition of the need to provide access to the pool, the Staff could open the pool from 5:30 to 8:00 AM on Fridays. The City Staff could try this for a three-month period and evaluate the cleanliness of the pool. The Staff would then assess the situation and see if it will work on a permanent basis. Following a discussion of the pool hours, the City Council concurred to leave the pool hours as they are and to continue cleaning the pool on Friday mornings. STREET NAMING CONTEST: The City Staff presented a report on The Name's the Game street naming contest. -~!:I..- , .................... ~:. --~~~r=rrmllftmllll!lllllfEr''----------------- The Police Chiefwill check the names selected during the contest for compliance with the 911 database. The City Council will then choose names from this list and give them to the City Secretary. The City Council recessed the Workshop Session to convene in Regular Session at 7:30 p.m. The Workshop Session reconvened at 7:47 p.m. QUARTERLY REPORT: The City Staff presented the Quarterly Report. Council Member Davis arrived at 7:58 p.m. DOG RECREATION FACILITY: The City Council discussed issues relating to opening a dog recreation facility at the city property located on S. Braeswood. Park and Recreation Board members Marcela Chennisi, Tim Hansen and Evans Attwell presented a concept plan and a cost estimate for the animal recreation facility. COLLEGE COURT STREET LIGHTING: The City Council discussed a proposal from Houston Light and Power on street lighting in the College Court area. City Manager Sherman Yehl reported that Reliant Energy-HLP proposed to install thirty- nine high-pressure sodium overhead bracket type streetlights. The City would be responsible for the monthly cost of $4.42 per lamp. They also proposed to install one high-pressure sodium 37 foot embedded streetlight on Simmons Street just north of Bissonnet. The monthly cost for operating this light is $15.54. This installation would eliminate the dark spot along Simmons. Following a full and complete discussion, the City Council agreed to accept the proposal from Reliant Energy-HLP. COMPREHENSIVE PLAN CONTRACT: Consideration was given to matters related to the comprehensive plan and contract with The Goodman Corporation. Mr. Yehl reported that staff was directed to renegotiate the consultant planning contract with TGC in light of the City's desire to refocus the effort and develop a citizen driven process. Because the consultant has collected an extensive amount. of background information and data over the past 10 months, there was interest in receiving and 2 "..~ ; "a..-I-..~~~--~- 'O.',111rI1Rtnr:mUlIlIlJI: rr' --------------- reviewing draft components of the plan. A review of these components would be the basis for further negotiation with TGC on the value of work received and the need, if any, to have TGC provide some additional services in the future. TGC has. provided eight chapters - Introduction; Goals & Objectives; Streetscape & Graphics; Traffic Analysis and Calniing; City Center Beautification; Neighborhood Safety & Security; Parks & Public Spaces; and Zoning & Development Review. The preliminary review indicates that TGC has largely met their contractual obligations regarding the submission of these draft documents. It is staffs opinion that as drafts, the documents need additional work in both content and layout. In addition, several questions need to be answered relating to some of the recommendations contained in the plan. Modifications must also be made to several of the maps as well. The City Council agreed that the documents should be forwarded to the Steering Comniittee for further review and comment. Staff should prepare final changes to the documents after the Steering Committee has completed their review and after results have been tabulated from the proposed survey to be completed in March. INQUIRIES. REQUESTS AND COMPLAINTS: The City Council reviewed matters received from the public and referred them to the appropriate department or agreed to place them ona future agenda for consideration or action. ADJOURNMENT: With no further business to come before the City Council at this time, a motion was made by Council Member Neal, seconded by Council Member Davis, to adjourn. The Workshop Session adjourned at 9:09 p.m. 3 ,---,- . --'--TCC'=rrmTl!fm'lIllll'lfmrep---