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Home My WebLink About052499S CC Min "'I CITY COUNCIL WORKSHOP SESSION MONDAY, MAY 24,1999 MUNICIPAL BUILDING 3800 UNIVERSITY BLVD. 6:30 P.M. The City Council convened in Workshop Session in the Municipal Building (3800 University Blvd.) on May 24, 1999, with the following members present: Mayor Lewis presiding, Council Members Ballanfant, Bertini, Grubb and May. The City Manager, City Secretary, City Attorney, Police Chief, Finance Director, Public Works Director, Property Tax Specialist and Water Plant Superintendent were also present. REPORT FROM HARRIS COUNTY APPRAISAL DISTRICT: Guy Griscom, Assistant Chief Apprajser from the Harris County Appraisal District, presented a report on the West University Place 1999 real property valuation and a 1998 sales ratio analysis. TRAFFIC REPORT: Matters related to traffic issues and the development of a traffic calming plan. City Manager Sherman Yehl reported that as part of the comprehensive plan update, two town meetings were conducted last year to discuss community traffic. Since these town meetings several other areas of concern have been identified - traffic on Belmont between University and Holcombe; traffic on Sunset between the Poor Farm Ditch and Auden; al!d certain traffic restrictions north of West U created by the development between Buffalo Speedway and Edloe. The two pressing traffic issues relate to Sunset and Belmont. Staff has met with residents in both areas and has completed a survey of residents in the 3700 block of Sunset. Traffic counts have also been completed on Sunset, Vanderbilt, Belmont, and Brompton. Council Member Bertini proposed a Traffic Hot Spot Management Protocol. This approach would provide the City with a long-term method of addressing traffic issues. His proposal includes the creation ofa task force, appointing a council liaison, citizens, and staff. A key component of this task force would be the development of guidelines for traffic calming planning and developing an approved list of both active and passive traffic calming devices the City could use as well. as developing criteria for determining the need for traffic calming devices requested by residents. Mr. Yehl stated that the staff recommends the installation of the four-way STOP at Sunset and Edloe on a 90-day trial, however other traffic calming devices and Belniont need to be addressed on a long-term basis in the manner proposed by Council Member Bertini's protocol. ."..~~._~..."",.> .LL- ...... L...IiiL.I __ LC::U...L. _ h__............... .....:.illIL.II1.- -~_.~-------'-'-~mmlfllllfmm~~7> Mr. Yehl presented the following documents: · Proposed Traffic Hot Spot Management Protocol . Draft West U Traffic Analysis & Calming Plan · Comprehensive Traffic Calming Study (Greenbelt, Maryland) · Guidelines for Citizen and Community Traffic Control Program (Missouri City) · Results of Sunset Survey . Average Speeds on Sunset A motion was made by Council Member Bertini, seconded by Council Member Grubb, to erect a four-way STOP at Edloe and Sunset for 90 days, collect all the necessary data and report to Council at a later date. A vote was taken on the motion with the following result: Voting Aye: Mayor Lewis, Council Members Ballanfant, Bertini, Grubb and May None None V oting Nay: Absent: A motion was made by Council Member Grubb, seconded by Council Member Ballanfant, to adopt the Traffic Hot Spot Management Protocol as proposed, authorize the Mayor and Council Member Bertini to appoint members to the Traffic TaskForce and present a draft charge for the Task Force at the next Workshop Session. A vote was taken on the motion with the following result: Voting Aye: Mayor Lewis, Council Members Ballanfant, Bertini, Grubb and May None None Voting Nay: Absent: The City Council recessed the Workshop Session at 7:24 p.m. The Workshop Session reconvened at 8:54 p.m. INFRASTRUCTURE REPLACEMENT REPORT: The City Staff presented a status report on the City's Infrastructure Replacement Program, including a scenario for accelerating the current construction schedule. Dieter Ufer, Consulting Engineer from Claunch and Miller, Inc. was present at the meeting. 2 "~~""',,-~: II IIII ,I-~in rr-rr,.1 lilt.",,,. i .-1110"-1' - - ------.--------, ,.,----'--!"f=m:rmmrmrmmIlmfF On November 7, 1995 West U residents approved a $63.0 bond referendum to complete the High Impact replacement of aging water, sanitary sewer, drainage and street systems under the following schedule: $ 5.2 million in water system revenue bonds; 12.8 million in sanitary sewer revenue bonds; 45.0 million in streets and drainage general obligation bonds. The work was to be completed under an accelerated 10 year time frame. The program, as envisioned by the Bond Committee, anticipated initially using $5 million in reserves for paving and drainage costs. Construction in the final Priority Area was to begin in January, 2007 and completed by mid-2008. Debt service was calculated on the phased sale of bonds with an anticipated interest rate of six percent. Under the assumptions made at the time, property taxes were to increase about two cents per year over the 10 year period to a high of 58~ per $100 of assessed valuation. The financial plan assumed assessed valuations would grow one percent a year th<;mgh new construction and upward re-evaluations were not considered. The plan also assumed that the City's tax rate. for maintenance and operations would remain at 22.14~ per $100 value. However, actual results differ. With a strong area economy and low interest rates, building in West U has outpaced estimates. This combination of factors resulted in sharp increases in market values. The assessed values shown below are based on actual values in 1997 and 1998. Values for 1999 are based on the preliminary role and the 2000 estimate is based on an eight percent increase in all property values, a rate used by the Harris County Appraisal District, plus an additional $10 million in new construction. Table 2 - Projected vs. Revised Values Fiscal Year Ended Dec. 31, 1997 1998 1999 2000 Assessed Value 1,427, 130,000 1,441,401,300 1,455,815,313 1,470,373,466 Assessed Value 1,481,163,540 1,523,000,000 1,550,000,000 1,770,000,000 The increase in market values. enabled the City Council to establish a lower M&O rate, now at 21~ per $100. The increased values also allowed the debt service rate to grow at a rate similar to the original projection in spite of a higher debt service requirement stemming from the fact the City Council deferred the use of reserves until late into the program. At the direction of the City Council, staff met with the consulting engineers and have concluded that an accelerated construction schedule is possible. It would mean adjusting several of the priority areas, but could result in the final priority area beginning 3 Ii III, "nVlil rr-Wl I lIh'l,liI i'lltl"l -----.-.:":"'1fmmmmlimnlllrr construction in January, 2003 and completion of all work by mid 2004, a four year decrease in the program. This accelerated schedule has some risks - faster increase in the debt service, less third party funding, lower interest earnings requiring a greater use of reserves, and potential citizen concerns over the change in priority areas and scheduling. Mr. Yehl stated that in the long term interests of the City, it would be to the City's benefit to complete this project as quickly as possible. However, prior to recommending an accelerated program, at least one town meeting should be conducted to explain the new schedule and determine the level of support for this approach. There also remains other infrastructure needs in the City, especially sidewalks and pedestrian lighting. With the availability of funding through the Statewide Transportation Enhancement Program and the ability for the City's infrastructure funds to provide the needed cost sharing, an application should be prepared and submitted to the Texas Department of Transportation. Because of the need to have such an application completed in a timely manner and reviewed by. the Houston-Galveston Area Council by mid-July, a transportation consultant to assist in the preparation of the application should be engaged. The fee would not exceed $10,000 and funding is available in the City Manager's Discretionary Fund. The City Council agreed to authorize the City Manager to engage a transportation consultant to assist in preparing the grant application. A Town Meeting was scheduled for June 21, 1999 at 7:00 p.m. in the Community Building. CONTRACT WITH GOODMAN CORPORATION: The City Council considered matters related to the Goodman Corporation contract and the possible appointment of a special representative to negotiate final payment. Council Member Grubb reported that he had spoken with Attorney Neil Calnan who was willing to help negotiate the settlement of the contract at no cost to the City. A motion was made by Council Member Grubb, seconded by Council Member Bertini, to appoint Neil Calnan to serve as a negotiator to work with the City Manager to conclude the negotiations with the Goodman Corporation. A vote was taken on the motion with the following result: Voting Aye: Voting Nay: Absent: Abstain: Council Members Ballanfant, Bertini and Grubb Mayor Lewis None Council Member May 4 QUARTERLY REPORT: The City Staff presented the Quarterly Report. INQUIRIES. REQUESTS AND COMPLAINTS: The City Council reviewed matters received from the public andreferred them to the appropriate department or place them on a 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 Grubb, seconded by Council Member Bertini, to adjourn. The Workshop Session adjourned at 11: 17 p.m. 5