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HomeMy WebLinkAbout071299S CC Min CITY COUNCIL WORKSHOP SESSION MONDAY, JULY 12, 1999 MUNICIPAL BUILDING 3800 UNIVERSITY BLVD. 6:30 P.M. v; 11/~ {-' , The City Council convened in Workshop Session in the Municipal Building (3800 University Blvd.) on July 12, 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, Parks and Recreation. Director 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. WIDTT JOHNSON PARK: Matters related to the basketball courts at Whitt Johnson Park. Parks and Recreation Director Mark Mailes reported that over the past year the Parks & Recreation Board and City staff have been meeting with residents concerning the design for the renovation of Whitt Johnson Park. The Friends of West University Place Parks Fund has allocated ,$250,000 for the renovation of this facility. The plan was presented and approved by the City Council on September 4, 1998. During the design process, the basketball court became a main focus, including the size and configuration of the court as well. as the height, location, and number of goals. Also included in the discussion was whether the goal should be of regulation (l 0 foot) height or an eight-foot height. The fInal design was the result of compromise on the part of all parties and an understanding that basketball was an appropriate activity at the park. In the opinion of the City's park design consultant, Scott Slaney of SW A Group, an eight-foot goal should not be incorporated given the problems with maintenance. This was confIrmed with the Parks Maintenance Superintendent for the City of Houston. He reported that in the past, Houston has installed eight-foot goals, but had abandoned this effort about five years ago. These goals attract teenagers, who are able to dunk: the basketball at this height, but are. quickly broken and require constant.. repair or replacement. It is believed that adjustable goals suffer from the same maintenance problem and are not workable in a non-supervised, public setting. The City staff recommended that 10-foot goals be utilized at Whitt Johnson Park. ~ _ c::::=n,.,-- . ~-- ,.-,....-.- --.-.---------,-,--~m~~-- Council Member Ballanfant commented that he felt installing a lower 8-foot goal would allow the younger children an opportunity to participate. A motion was made by Council Member Ballanfant, seconded by Council Member Grubb, to install an 8-foot goal on the small basketball court at Whitt Johnson Park and a 10- foot goal on the larger court. A vote was-taken on the motion with the following result: Voting Aye: Council Members Ballanfant, Bertini, May and Grubb Voting Nay: Mayor Lewis Absent: None Mayor Lewis commented that she was voting no in support of the recommendations by the Parks and Recreation Board and City Staff. 1998 COMPREHENSIVE ANNUAL FINANCIAL REPORT: The City Staff presented the comprehensive report ofthe City's 1998 Financial Statements as prepared by the audit firm of Null-Lairson. APPOINTMENT OF TRAFFIC TASK FORCE: Matters related to the appointment ofaTraffic Task Force. A motion was made by Council Member Bertini, seconded by Council Member Grubb, to appoint the following members to the Traffic Task Force. Joe Studlick ~.Chairman Davis Tucker Hugh Schwanecke Gene Womack Jerry Gips Muriel Flake Meredith Turner Resource Group: Connie Clark Dick Steele Carl Dahlberg Suzanne Thomas Mary Jordan 2 .1.' ,....". _.____~~.n::=::I.J...L..L.._~_ ___---L.....I.III.J.;UJ.___.__ l' 1":'.l.JIlj(::r- i-'-![C[lIIIH~---- A vote was taken on the motion with the following result: Voting Aye: Voting Nay: Absent: Mayor Lewis, Council Members Ballanfant, Bertini, May and Grubb None None COMPREHENSIVE PLAN STEERING COMMITTEE: Matters related to the Comprehensive Plan Steering Committee. City Manager Sherman Yehl reported that in April 1998, a 16 person Steering Committee began to meet to assist in the update of the Comprehensive Plan. The committee was expanded in late 1998 to address concerns that developed over several conceptual elements of the plan, including the hike and bike route. In early 1999 the committee directed the work of a community survey. In addition, the Council has been successful in amending the contract with the Goodman Corporation and all documents related to the comprehensive plan analysis in both written and. electronic form have been submitted. Although portions of the . TGC plan analysis were controversial, there is still a need to complete the update of the plan, which was last revised in 1987. At the June 16, 1999 meeting of the Steering Committee members sought direction from the Council regarding their continued involvement in this process. There was consensus on the part of those attending the meeting that there was. value in what had. been produced, and. that the committee should continue to provide a resident-driven process to complete the plan update. Mr. Yehl stated that the City Staff is in a position to assist the Committee and believes that the plan should address the following areas in very broad and conceptual themes: . Community Identity . Transportation/Traffic Calming . Safety & Security . Public Facilities and Spaces . City Center . Development Regulations . Land Use A motion was made by Council Member Bertini, seconded by Council Member Grubb, to direct the Steering Committee to complete a final plan and report to the City Council at the fIrst meeting in September. 3 ..,u.r:-1I rr--n ,- , UK...". ,-1,;"..1" -,.'''lfm1lIIlIl'!I~------ A vote was taken on the motion with the following result: Voting Aye: Mayor Lewis, Council Members Ballanfant, Bertini, May and Grubb None None Voting Nay: Absent: The City Council recessed the Workshop Session at 7:30 p.m. The Workshop Session reconvened at 8:09 p.m. Council Member Ballanfant left the meeting at 8:13 p.m. 2000 BUDGET: Matters related to the 2000 Budget. The City Council set a workshop for Monday, July 19 at 8:00 p.m. to discuss the 2000 Budget. . INOUIRIES. 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 Grubb, seconded by Council Member May, to adjourn. The Workshop Session adjourned at 8:22p.m. 4