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HomeMy WebLinkAbout101199R CC Mini i CITY COUNCIL REGULAR SESSION MONDAY, OCTOBER 11, 1999 MUNICIPAL BUILDING COUNCIL CHAMBERS 3800 UNIVERSITY BOULEVARD 7:30 P.M. eJ701q The City Council convened in Regular Session in the Municipal Building Council Chambers on October 11, 1999, with the following members present: Mayor Lewis presiding, Council Members Ballanfant, Bertini, Grubb and May. The City Manager, City Secretary, City Attorney, Parks and Recreation Director, Finance Director, Police Chief and Public Works Director were also present. RECOGNITION OF DETECTIVE MACHA: The City Council recognized Detective Ken Macha for his professional service to the community during the murder investigation AMERICAN RED CROSS DISASTER CENTER: Ed Brodi made a presentation on the newly approved American Red Cross Disaster Center located at the St. Andrew's Presbyterian Church in West University Place. PUBLIC HEARING TO CONSIDER THE 2000 PROPOSED BUDGET COVERING ALL FUNDS FOR THE CITY OF WEST UNIVERSITY PLACE: City Manager Sherman Yehl presented an overview of the proposed 2000 budget. The proposed budget includes several major service enhancements such as the addition of three police officers, improvements to police dispatch operations, improvements to the City Center area, and the development of an automated meter reading system. In addition, beginning with FY2001, an accelerated infrastructure improvement program is anticipated. The City's expenditures are allocated among several funds: General, Debt Service, Water & Sewer, Water & Sewer Capital Reserve, Solid Waste, Capital Projects, Infrastructure Replacement, Equipment Replacement, Parks, and Recycling. Total expenditures for these funds are proposed at $28.3 million. Fee increases in solid waste and water and sewer are needed to cover both operational costs and debt service. For solid waste, this is the first fee increase since 1994 and also places the fund in a fully self-supporting capacity. City Council Regular Sesis October 11, 1999 0 Mr. Yehl stated that West U has benefited this past year with strong increases in property tax valuations. It is estimated that valuations will increase by 10% creating a value of $1.73 billion. Mayor Lewis called the public hearing to order at 7:48 p.m. The purpose of the hearing was to provide an opportunity for taxpayers and interested parties to be heard in relation to the proposed 2000 budget. Mayor Lewis invited residents to speak. Steve Brown, 3305 Rice Boulevard, requested that the City Council increase the tax rate to $.42 per $100 of assessed valuation in order to achieve a Class "2" ISO rating. Stan McCandless, 3712 Rice Boulevard, inquired about the hiring of a Fire Marshall. He suggested the City Staff contact the Texas Municipal League about the ISO rating. There being no other residents wishing to speak on the proposed budget, a motion was made by Council Member Grubb, seconded by Council Member Bertini, to close the public hearing. A vote was taken on the motion with the following result: Voting Aye: Mayor Lewis, Council Members Ballanfant, Bertini, Grubb and May Voting Nay: None Absent: None The public hearing closed at 7:55 p.m. PUBLIC HEARING ON A PROPOSAL TO INCREASE TOTAL TAX REVENUES OF THE CITY OF WEST UNIVERSITY PLACE: Mr. Yehl reported that the tax rate is proposed at $0.41/$100 of assessed valuation, a decrease of $0.01 from FY1999. Major fee changes proposed include a $0.50/month increase in solid waste collection fees and up to a 10% increase in water and sewer charges. Mayor Lewis called the public hearing to order at 7:57 p.m. The purpose of the hearing was to provide an opportunity for taxpayers and interested parties to be heard in relation to a proposal to increase total tax revenues of the City. Mayor Lewis invited residents to speak. City Council Regular Se* October 11, 1999 Elizabeth Woodling, 3780 Tangley, requested that the City Council give consideration to residents who might not be able to pay if there was an increase in the tax rate. She also suggested that the City reward public safety employees in order to keep them working for West University. There being no other residents wishing to speak on the proposed tax increase, a motion was made by Council Member Grubb, seconded by Council Member Bertini, to close the public hearing. A vote was taken on the motion with the following result: Voting Aye: Mayor Lewis, Council Members Ballanfam, Bertini, Grubb and May Voting Nay: None Absent: None The public hearing closed at 8:05 p.m. Mayor Lewis invited citizens who wished to address the City Council to come forward as their names were called. Arthur L. Hirdler, 6416 Community, presented a letter dated October 10, 1999 thanking members of the City Council who responded to his email on September 29 regarding the storm drain. He also presented a letter dated October 11, 1999 regarding the storm water drainage along the railroad tracks. Kathy Sanders, 3817 Browning, expressed concern for the trees during the infrastructure improvement process. She stated that the Tree Ordinance was not being enforced, RESOLUTION APPOINTING MEMBERS TO THE BUILDING AND STANDARDS COMMISSION: Matters related to Resolution No. 99-29 appointing members to the Building and Standards Commission. City Secretary Kaylynn Holloway reported that Resolution No. 99-29 appoints James McDaniel as Chair of the Building and Standards Commission and appoints Roy Harper to Position 5. A motion was made by Council Member May, seconded by Council Member Grubb, to approve Resolution No. 99-29. A vote was taken on the motion with the following result: City Council Regular Se* October 11, 1999 Voting Aye: Mayor Lewis, Council Members Ballanfant, Bertini, Grubb and May Voting Nay: None Absent: None TELECOMMUNICATIONS ORDINANCE: Matters related to the first and final reading of Ordinance No. 1626 Mayor Lewis read the caption of Ordinance No. 1626 as follows: AN ORDINANCE RELATING TO THE USE OF STREET AREAS AND OTHER PUBLIC PLACES; AMENDING THE CODE OF ORDINANCES; CONTAINING FINDINGS AND PROVISIONS RELATING TO THE SUBJECT; AND DECLARING AN EMERGENCY Copies of Ordinance No. 1626, in the form proposed for adoption, were available in the Council Chambers. City Attorney Jim Dougherty reported that Ordinance No. 1626 was submitted as a companion to the next item on the agenda, Ordinance No. 1627. Ordinance No. 1626 relates to most users of the right-of-way. It would set up general regulations for the use of the public right-of-way, require city council approval, and construction permits. Facilities must be placed underground unless special permission is granted, restoration would be required and trees would have to be protected. The scope of Ordinance No. 1626 is limited to proposing the new regulation and calling for public comments on it in conjunction with the joint public hearing as proposed in Ordinance No. 1627. The Ordinance also puts into effect temporary regulations where no permit or approval may be issued for a new or reconstructed "regulated facility" that does not comply with the proposed regulations. A motion was made by Council Member May, seconded by Council Member Ballanfant, to adopt Ordinance No. 1626 on the first and final reading. A vote was taken on the motion with the following result: Voting Aye: Mayor Lewis, Council Members Ballanfant, Bertini, Grubb and May Voting Nay: None Absent: None 4 City Council Regular Se* October 11, 1999 0 ORDINANCE CALLING JOINT PUBLIC HEARING: Matters related to the first and final reading of Ordinance No. 1627 Mayor Lewis read the caption of Ordinance No. 1627 as follows: AN ORDINANCE CALLING A JOINT PUBLIC HEARING ON A PROPOSAL TO AMEND THE ZONING ORDINANCE OF THE CITY OF WEST UNIVERSITY PLACE, TEXAS REGARDING PERSONAL WIRELESS SERVICE FACILITIES, INCLUDING A NEW "PWSF SCHEDULE" AND VARIOUS COMPANION AND CONFORMING AMENDMENTS; PRESCRIBING PROCEDURES AND NOTICES; PRESCRIBING A TEMPORARY REGULATION FOR PERMITS AND APPROVALS; CONTAINING FINDINGS AND OTHER PROVISIONS RELATING TO THE SUBJECT; AND DECLARING AN EMERGENCY Copies of Ordinance No. 1627, in the form proposed for adoption, were available in the Council Chambers. Mr. Dougherty reported that the Zoning and Planning Commission approved a preliminary report on personal wireless service facilities (PWSF's). Ordinance No. 1627 would call a joint public hearing for November 22 or December 13 and would also impose temporary regulations for PWSF's pending a final decision. A motion was made by Council Member May, seconded by Council Member Ballanfant, to adopt Ordinance No. 1627 on the first and final reading and calling a public hearing for November 22, 1999. A vote was taken on the motion with the following result: Voting Aye: Mayor Lewis, Council Members Ballanfant, Bertini, Grubb and May Voting Nay: None Absent: None EXPENDITURES OF THE FRIENDS OF WEST UNIVERSITY PLACE PARKS FUND: Matters related to expenditures of the Friends of West University Place Parks Fund required to conduct the 2000 Park Lovers' Ball. Chair of the 2000 Park Lovers' Ball Ayse McCracken presented a report on the proposed expenditures needed to conduct the fund-raiser. The estimated attendance is 600 to 650 and the anticipated net income is $41,500. Member of the Friends Board Beverly Loftis was also present. City Council Regular SeA, October 11, 1999 A motion was made by Council Member Ballanfant, seconded by Council Member Bertini, to approve the expenditures as presented by Mrs. McCracken and requested that a copy of the budget be attached to the minutes. A vote was taken on the motion with the following result: Voting Aye: Mayor Lewis, Council Members Ballanfant, Bertini, Grubb and May Voting Nay: None Absent: None BID AWARD FOR WHITT JOHNSON PARK: Matters related to bids received October 7, 1999 for the renovation of Whitt Johnson Park and authorization to award the bid to Gulf Coast Landscape Services in the amount of $259,036. The following bids were received: Bidder Bid Amount Steven R. Hill $465,000 All Play, Inc. $271,014 Gulf Coast Landscape Services $247,770 Parks and Recreation Director Mark Mailes reported that of the three bids received Gulf Coast Landscape Services submitted the low bid. The renovation would include a new basketball court, picnic pavilion, playground equipment, decorative fencing, irrigation and landscaping. In addition, the bid provides for two alternatives: 1. Transplant on-site 14" Water Oak. 2. Replace existing tree with a 6" Live Oak. Gulf Coast Landscape Services has previously provided services to the City, with renovations to Wier Park, Judson Park and improvements to the athletic fields of West U Elementary. References were checked and found to be excellent. Mr. Mailes stated that the Staff recommends approval of a contract with Gulf Coast Landscape Services with a base bid of $247,770.00 and alternate one (1) with a bid of $11,266.00 for a total of $259,056.00. A motion was made by Council Member Ballanfant, seconded by Mayor Lewis, to award a contract to Gulf Coast Landscape Services in the amount of $259,036 for the renovation of Whitt Johnson Park. A vote was taken on the motion with the following result: 6 City Council Regular Sett, October 11, 1999 Voting Aye: Mayor Lewis, Council Members Ballanfant, Bertini, Grubb and May Voting Nay: None Absent: None DESIGN OF PLANS AND SPECIFICATIONS FOR SEWER UPGRADES: Matters related to the authorization to proceed with the design of plans and specifications for sanitary sewer upgrades on the perimeter of the City. Public Works Director Ed Menville reported that the perimeter sanitary sewer repair applies to sewer lines located at the edge of the City, in Priority Area's 3 and 713 thru 12, which need to be improved as part of the infrastructure improvement program. The method of choice is a process known as pipe bursting. Alternatives to this process would require installing new sewer lines in Houston right-of-way along Bissonnet Street and Bellaire Boulevard. Trying to place a new sewer line in this ROW would place the sewer line in direct conflict with other underground utilities on Kirby Drive, where the City has an existing 8" water line located behind the curb. Recent technological improvements make pipe bursting a more efficient way of providing improved sewers to such locations. Funds for the development of these documents is provided from the 1996 bonds issued through the State Revolving Fund. Such improvements have been identified in the overall infrastructure improvement program and are estimated to cost $1.000,000. A motion was made by Council Member Bertini, seconded by Council Member May, to authorize Claunch and Miller, Inc., to proceed with preparation of plans and specifications for infrastructure improvements to perimeter sanitary sewer lines. A vote was taken on the motion with the following result: Voting Aye: Mayor Lewis, Council Members Ballanfant, Bertini, Grubb and May Voting Nay: None Absent: None CITY COUNCIL MINUTES: Matters related to the minutes of the Workshop and Regular Sessions conducted on September 13, 1999 and Workshop Sessions conducted on September 18, 20 and 23, 1999. A motion was made by Council Member May, seconded by Council Member Bertini, to approve the minutes as presented. A vote was taken on the motion with the following result: 7 City Council Regular Sett, October 11, 1999 0 Voting Aye: Mayor Lewis, Council Members Ballanfant, Bertini, Grubb and May Voting Nay: None Absent: None STAFF REPORT: The City Manager reported that the City Staff was submitting an appeal to the Texas Department of Transportation regarding their determination that the city center, pedestrian project was ineligible for STEP funding. COUNCIL COMMENTS: Council Member May commented that he was pleased with Building Official Dennis Mack and his participation in the meeting held by the Building and Standards Commission. Council Member Bertini reported that the Recycling Board was meeting on Tuesday at 6:00 p.m. in the Public Works Lunchroom and the Traffic Task Force would be holding their next meeting on Wednesday, October 20 at 6:00 p.m. Council Member Ballanfant commented that based upon inquiries made to the Finance Department and work performed by the City Manager it would appear that at this point in time due to a variety of factors including funds received from Metro, interest earned on accrued earnings of the city and the money saved on infrastructure acceleration, that the City may ultimately come in as much as 2 million dollars under budget or over funded on the infrastructure program. Mayor Lewis thanked Chief Brye for his years of service with the City. She also reminded everyone about the Town Meeting on October 18, 1999. 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 Regular Session adjourned at 8:37 p.m.