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Home My WebLink About061499S CC Min CITY COUNCIL WORKSHOP SESSION MONDAY, JUNE 14,1999 MUNICIPAL BUILDING 3800 UNIVERSITY BLVD. 6:30 P.M. -, The City Council convened in Workshop Session in the Municipal Building (3800 University Blvd.) on June 14, 1999, with the following members present: Mayor Lewis presiding, Council Members Ballanfant, Bertini and Grubb. The City Manager, City Secretary, City Attorney, Police Chief, Finance Director and Public Works Director were also present. Council Member May was absent. AGENDA REVIEW: The City Council reviewed the regular meeting agenda and discussed items under consideration with the Staff. REPORT AND REQUEST FROM FRIENDS OF WEST UNIVERSITY PARKS FUND: Members of the Friends of West University Parks Fund Ross Frazer and Beverly Loftis reported on the Board's upcoming activities. Mr. Frazer reported that the park development plans in the 1989 Tapley-Lunow Parks and Open Space Plan have been filled. They requested that the City Council develop a current long-range plan for parks so that they could present the document when requesting donations from the Foundations. Mr. Frazer also requested that the City Council authorize the Friends Board to use the City logo on golf shirts to raise money for the parks. The City Council agreed that the Board could use the City logo on the shirts. REPORT FROM P ARKS AND RECREATION BOARD: Members of the Parks and Recreation Board Tim Hansen, Connie Spencer and Will Bertron requested that the. City Council begin the process for the renovation of Colonial Park. A draft Request for Qualification has been prepared for the purpose of developing a list of consultants who will be invited to submit a Request for Proposal. Parks and Recreation Director Mark Mailes reported that a Master Plan prepared by Tapley Associates ten years ago examined all of the parks in West U. The suggestions in that Plan for Colonial Park did not address how the City might deal with the entire site if the two residential lots or the east parcel were acquired and developed. One of the lots is W;~:~j, ":;{:~~f~ff"-=-=ml.,,,....!-S,..,,::''''~'T:'' -~I .--'fJ II 1 ;]1 I illllITli m-n;ll 1.IIUllill i:lil,,"-I ,lIlillUUnUllilllllnrr .- now owned by the City and the City plans to acquire the remaining lot when it becomes available. The design of this park will be affected by a possible acquisition of the YMCA on Bellaire Boulevard. If the YMCA is purchased, the program and a new needs analysis will be warranted. Therefore, the consultant will be asked to evaluate the facilities at the YMCA in terms of its effect on Colonial Park, and develop separate concept plans, with and without the acquisition. In addition to the YMCA issue, the City also feels a need to examine the impact of improvements underway at the Stella Link Redevelopment and possible cooperation with the City of Southside Place (sharing of facilities and fund-raising). The Consultant will be asked to assist the City with defining the program and translating it into a viable park that responds to cOnimunity needs. This may take the form of interviews, public meetings, creative problem solving workshops, and/or questionnaires. It is estimated that the development of a master plan for Colonial Park will cost between $20,000 - $30,000. The Friends of West University Place Parks Boaidhave agreed to pay for the cost of the master plan. The City Council authorized the City Staff and Parks Board to move forward with the development of a master plan for Colonial Park. WIDTT JOHNSON PARK: Matters related to the basketball courts at Whitt Johnson Park. Mayor Lewis requested that the Parks and Recreation Director research options for basketball. goal heights and report his [mdings at a future workshop meeting. REPORT FROM BUILDING AND STANDARDS COMMISSION: A report on building regulations will be presented at the next City Council meeting. The City Council recessed the Workshop Session at 7:36 p.m. The Workshop Session reconvened at 8:10 p.m. DINCANS PROPERTY: Matters related to the property located at Dincans and Westpark. Mayor Lewis reported that the. City had received a letter from Alan Helfman inquiring as to whether the property located at Dincans and Westpark was for sale, and requested the City Staff reconunendation on that property. 2 City Manager Sherman Yehl stated that he felt it was in the best interest of the City to not sell the property but to continue to actively market it as lease property. It is currently listed with MSC Properties. The City Council agreed that the property should not be sold and any inquiries concerning the leasing of the property should be directed to the listing agent. TRAFFIC TASK FORCE: Matters related to the appointment of a Traffic Task Force. This item was deferred until after the Town Meeting on June 21. TELECOMMUNICATIONS: City Attorney Jim Dougherty presented a report on personal wireless service facilities. Mr. Dougherty reported that various proposed companion and conforming amendments to the text of the Zoning Ordinance would regulate all personal wireless service facilities as defined by federal law. This would include cellular and PCS telephone facilities, paging facilities and other wireless service facilities. The City Attorney will continue to work with the Zoning and Planning Commission on the proposed amendments. CITY CENTER: Matters related to the design of a City Center intersection. The City Council asked Mr. Yehl to present cost estimates for the design of the City Center at a later meeting. The contractor in Priority 5B/6A will pour temporary asphalt in the intersection until decisions are made regarding the design of the City Center. CONTRACT WITH GOODMAN CORPORATION: Matters related to the Goodman Corporation contract and negotiation of final payment. Attorney Neal Calnan, who was appointed by the City Council to negotiate a settlement with the Goodman Corporation reported that they were prepared to settle the contract with the City for $121,527.68. The City will receive all the reports and data that has been collected by the Corporation. A motion was made by Council Member Grubb, seconded by Council Member Bertini, to accept Mr. . Calnan' s recommendation and authorize the City Manager and City Attorney to secure, from the Goodman Corporation, all published and electronic data, obtain a 3 '~'F".~Y'r-"- ."." ".UI. ~___~_I.L..........ll,-1 1111.1,,1. t;-.'~.lll""i'- ,"r::.lLmlllmIilDIllll&I[[F release from the contract, and pay a settlement fee in an amount not to exceed $121,572.68. A vote was taken on the motion with the following .result: Voting Aye: Mayor Lewis, Council Members Ballanfant, Bertini and Grubb None Council Member May Voting Nay: Absent: STRATEGIC PRIORITIES: Matters related to strategic priorities for the next two years. The City Council decided on council liaisons for the various Boards and Committees as follows: Mayor Lewis - Zoning and Planning Commission and Senior Services Council Member Ballanfant - Parks Board and Friends of West University Fund Council Member Bertini - Neighborhood Safety Board and Recycling Board Council Member Grubb -Zoning Board of Adjustment and Urban Design Board Council Member May - Building and Standards Commission INQillRIES. 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. ADJOURNMENT: With no further business to come before the City Council at this time, a motion was made by Council Member Ballanfant, seconded by Council Member Grubb, to adjourn. The Workshop Session adjourned at 9:45p.m. 4 -""~~lIInnTTmlmlll1~r:".