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HomeMy WebLinkAbout062711R CC Min0 The City A Neighborhood City CITY COUNCIL Bob Fry, Mayor Susan Sample, Mayor Pro Tern Ed Heathcott, Councilmember Joan Johnson, Councilmember Dick Yehle, Councilmember STAFF Michael Ross, City Manager Alan Petrov, City Attorney Thelma Lenz, City Secretary CITY COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES The City Council of the City of West University Place, Texas, met in special workshop and regular sessions on Monday, June 27, 2011, in the Municipal Building, 3800 University Boulevard, West University Place, Texas beginning at 5:45 p.m. SPECIAL WORKSHOP (BEGINNING AT 5:45 IN THE CONFERENCE ROOM) CALL TO ORDER Mayor Fry called the meeting to order at 5:45 p.m. Council and staff in attendance were: Mayor Pro Tern Sample, Councilmembers Heathcott, Johnson, and Yehle, City Manager Ross, City Secretary Lenz, City Attorney Petrov, and Assistant City Manager/Public Works Director Peifer. Agenda items were discussed as follows: 1. Parking Lot on Amherst at College Matters related the construction of the lot at Amherst and College. Note: This matter relates to the construction of a parking lot on property owned by West University Baptist Church at Amherst and College in accordance with the Amended and Restated Memorandum of Understanding for West University Town Center Shared Parking dated March 31, 2011. At 5:46 p.m., Mayor Fry announced that Council would recess the workshop session to go into executive session per Section 551.071 in Chapter 551 of the Texas Government Code (consultation with legal counsel to seek or receive legal advice). Mayor and Council, City Manager Ross, City Secretary Lenz, City Attorney Petro and ACM/Public Works Director Peifer were present in Executive Session. At 6:15 p.m., Councilmember Yehle moved to close the executive session and reconvene the workshop session. Councilmember Johnson seconded the motion. MOTION PASSED. Ayes: Fry, Sample, Heathcott, Johnson, Yehle Noes: None Absent: None of West University Place Mayor and Council reconvened into the special workshop session and Mayor Fry stated that in an effort to be good neighbors, the City will not do anything with the lot at this time and will put the City Council Minutes, June 27, 2011 grass back on the lot. He said, however, the lot is owned by the church and it could decide to put a lot there at some point in the future should it choose to do so. At 6:18 p.m., Councilmember Johnson moved to close the workshop session. Councilmember Yehle seconded the motion. MOTION PASSED. Ayes: Fry, Sample, Heathcott, Johnson, Yehle Noes: None Absent: None REGULAR MEETING (BEGINNING AT 6:30 P.M. IN THE COUNCIL CHAMBERS) Mayor Fry called the meeting to order at 6:30 p.m. All Council was present. Also present were City Manager Ross, City Secretary Lenz, City Attorney Petrov, ACM/Public Works Director Peifer, Finance Director Daugherty, and Police Chief Walker. Councilmember Heathcott led the Pledge of Allegiance. City Secretary Lenz confirmed that Notice of the special and regular meetings was duly posted in accordance with the Texas Government Code, Chapter 551. Agenda items were as follows: 2. Investment Policy Matters related to the City's Investment Policy. Finance Director Daugherty presented and stated there are no significant changes to the policy as this is basically the formality of the annual review and acceptance of the policy. She also noted that the City received the Government Treasurer's Organization of Texas Certificate of Distinction for our policy. Councilmember Johnson moved to accept the policy. Councilmember Sample seconded the motion. MOTION PASSED. Ayes: Fry, Sample, Heathcott, Johnson, Yehle Noes: None Absent: None 3. 2010 Budget Amendment and Comprehensive Annual Financial Report (CAFR) A. Matters related to an ordinance amending the 2010 Budget for the City of West University Place, Texas, for the fiscal year beginning January 1, 2010 and ending December 31, 2010; containing findings and provisions relating to the subject; and declaring an emergency. Finance Director Daugherty presented and stated that this amendment is due to additional electricity costs that were not anticipated. She said staff is not increasing the total of the General Fund, but rather shifting funds between departments, which requires Council approval. Page 2 of 6 City Council Minutes, June 27, 2011 Councilmember Yehle moved to amend the appropriations requested on June 27, 2011 to $1,813,344.00 by adopting the ordinance on the first and final reading. Councilmember Heathcott seconded the motion. MOTION PASSED. Ayes: Fry, Sample, Heathcott, Johnson, Yehle Noes: None Absent: None B. Matters related to receiving the City's Comprehensive Annual Financial Report. Stephanie Harris with Belt- Harris- Pechacek presented the highlights of the Comprehensive Annual Financial Report (CAFR) for the 12 months ending December 31, 2010 and said the City has been issued a clean, unqualified opinion on the City's financial statements, which is the highest level of insurance they can provide as the City's independent auditors. Ms. Harris also stated that the financial statements are materially correct and all disclosures required by general accepted accounting principles have been included. Councilmember Yehle moved to accept the City's 2010 Comprehensive Annual Financial Report and the required Auditor's Disclosure and the 2010 Management Letter. Councilmember Heathcott seconded the motion. MOTION PASSED. Ayes: Fry, Sample, Heathcott, Johnson, Yehle Noes: None Absent: None 4. Public Comments Citizens are given this opportunity to speak to Council relating to agenda and non-agenda items. Before calling the first speaker, Mayor Fry announced that this Council will be very strict on the 3- minute rule in order to respect everyone's time. Monica Hampton, 3902 Amherst, spoke to say that she wants to make sure that members of Council understand that their conversations have been with one family, but there are numerous families that are concerned about the proposed parking lot at the corner of Amherst and College. She also said even though the parking lot is currently not going forward, she is concerned that the (West U Baptist) church and the City did not have any variance meetings regarding the issue. Ms. Hampton also wanted to be assured that if the issue of a parking lot at that location became an issue again, there would be variance meetings held and procedures followed when that time comes. City Manager Ross said, for the record, right now it would require a variance because the church does not own contiguous properties all the way down Amherst to that lot; however, if the day comes when the church does own the remaining residential lot, then theoretically, by right, they could develop it into a parking lot at that point in time. He said we don't know when it will happen or if it will happen, but it could happen and the City would not be able to prevent it. Mayor Fry said he appreciates the comments about there not being interaction with the residents before all of this happened and it's a point well taken and will be kept in mind from now on. Page 3 of 6 City Council Minutes, June 27, 2011 5. Wastewater Treatment Plant (WWTP) Generator Matters related to a contract for a generator at the WWTP. Assistant City Manager/Public Works Director Peifer presented and stated that the WWTP was reconstructed around 1980 and all the equipment that will be replaced has exceeded its useful life. Before the vote of each item pertaining to the WWTP, Mr. Peifer provided a brief synopsis for each agenda item relating to the WWTP. Councilmember Yehle moved to authorize the City Manager to enter into a contract with Loftin Equipment Co. to provide Generator Equipment related to the Wastewater Treatment Plant Generator Replacement Project in the amount of $270,428. Councilmember Sample seconded the motion. MOTION PASSED. Ayes: Fry, Sample, Heathcott, Johnson, Yehle Noes: None Absent: None 6. Wastewater Treatment Plant (WWTP) Auxiliary Generator Construction/installation Matter related to a contract for the construction/installation of a WWTP Auxiliary Generator. Councilmember Yehle moved to authorize the City Manager to enter into a contract with High Tech Electric, Inc. to provide construction services related to the Wastewater Treatment Plant Generator Replacement Project in the amount of $317,626. Mayor Pro Tern Sample seconded the motion. MOTION PASSED. Ayes: Fry, Sample, Heathcott, Johnson, Yehle Noes: None Absent: None 7 Matters related to a contract for the WWTP Belt Filter Press Replacement Project. Councilmember Heathcott moved to authorize City Manager to enter into a contract with R + B Group, Inc. to provide the equipment and construction services for the Wastewater Treatment Plant Belt Press Replacement Project in the amount of $375,000.00. Councilmember Johnson seconded the motion. MOTION PASSED. Ayes: Fry, Sample, Heathcott, Johnson, Yehle Noes: None Absent: None 8. Wastewater Treatment Plant (WWTP) Chlorination System Matter related to a contract for the installation of a WWTP Chlorination System. Councilmember Heathcott moved to authorize the City Manager to enter into a contract with R + B Group, Inc. to provide the equipment and construction services for upgrades to the Disinfection System at the WWTP in the amount of $127,000.00. Mayor Pro Tem Sample seconded the motion. MOTION PASSED. Ayes: Fry, Sample, Heathcott, Johnson, Yehle Noes: None Absent: None Page 4 of 6 City Council Minutes, June 27, 2011 9. Wastewater Treatment Plant (WWTP) Aeration Blower Matters related to a contract for the purchase of an Aeration Blower for the WWTP. Councilmember Johnson moved to authorize the City Manager to enter into a contract with Houston Service Industries Inc. (HIS) to provide the equipment and construction services for the Wastewater Treatment Plant Blower Purchase/Replacement Project in the amount of $42,272.52. Councilmember Heathcott seconded the motion. MOTION PASSED. Ayes: Fry, Sample, Heathcott, Johnson, Yehle Noes: None Absent: None 10. Consent Agenda All Consent Agenda items listed are considered to be routine by the City Council and will be enacted by one motion. There will be no separate discussion of these items unless a Council member requests in which event the item will be removed from the Consent Agenda and considered in its normal sequence on the agenda. A. City Council Minutes Approve City Council minutes of June 13, 2011. Councilmember Heathcott moved to approve the Consent Agenda as presented. Mayor Pro Tern Sample seconded the motion. MOTION PASSED. Ayes: Fry, Sample, Heathcott, Johnson, Yehle Noes: None Absent: None 11. Reports by Council/Staff A. College Street/Bellaire Boulevard Transportation and Drainage Project A report will be given on the status of the drainage project. City Manager Ross provided an update for this project. He said City Council and Harris County Commissioner's Court approved the Interlocal Agreement so that Harris County Flood Control District (HCFCD) would sell the 4.4-acre feet of detention of the 13.5-acre feet the City needs in the Meyer Tract. He said the Interlocal Agreement has been executed and the City now has the ability to have the size of the outfall restrictor reduced by roughly one-third. Mr. Ross said on April 25, 2011, the City sent the City of Houston a letter requesting to purchase the remaining 9.1-acre feet of detention in the Meyer Tract for the same $91,750 per acre that was paid to HCFCD, which would total $834,925. He said the City of Houston responded on May 6 and has agreed to proceed with a formal Interlocal Agreement for the allocation of the 9.1-acre feet to the City, but the approval is dependent on determining that our project criteria is in conformance with the City of Houston guidelines and the acceptance of the proposed Interlocal Agreement by their City Council and the West U City Council. Mr. Ross said staff continues to work diligently with City of Houston staff, as does the City Engineer Claunch & Miller. He said since it appears that we may obtain the remaining necessary detention in Page 5 of 6 City Council Minutes, June 27, 2011 the very near future, we are not recommending at this point that we modify the outfall restrictor. He said we don't want to pay to have it modified and then pay again to have it removed. Mr. Ross said our hope is to have something done in fairly short order with the City of Houston and then eventually have it removed in whole. He said if it looks like it will drag out for some reason, then staff we'll plan to come back to Council to discuss spending the funds to modify the existing restrictor. Councilmember Johnson asked what does staff consider to be a reasonable time for the City of Houston to act on this? City Manager Ross said our hope is to have an Interlocal Agreement approved this calendar year. He said if it doesn't look like it's going to be done by the time the 2012 hurricane season begins, then staff would recommend we go ahead and modify the restrictor prior to the beginning of that season. Councilmember Sample asked about the cost to remove the restrictor. Mr. Ross said that the engineers estimate it to be in the $20,000 maximum range to modify it and roughly $20,000 to $25,000 to take the whole thing out. City Manger Ross also reported that he and Mayor Fry attended a Legislative Wrap-up session in Austin today and said the good news is that the legislature didn't do much harm to cities. He said the budget crisis didn't allow them time to concentrate on a lot of the bills they have in the past that are harmful to cities. 12. Adjourn With no further business before the Council, at 7:10 p.m., Councilmember Yehle moved to adjourn the regular meeting. Councilmember Heathcott seconded the motion. MOTION PASSED. Ayes: Fry, Sample, Heathcott, Johnson, Yehle Noes: None Absent: None Meeting adjourned. Prepared ma A. Lenz, City Secretary Date Ap oved rn". naxks Page 6 of 6