Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAbout051412 CC Min((V1 The City of West University Place A Neighborhood City CITY COUNCIL STAFF Bob Fry, Mayor Michael Ross, City Manager Susan Sample, Mayor Pro Tern Alan Petrov, City Attorney Ed Heathcott, Councilmember Thelma Lenz, City Secretary Joan Johnson, Councilmember Dick Yehle, Councilmember CITY COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES The City Council of the City of West University Place, Texas, met in special and regular sessions on Monday, May 14, 2012, in the Municipal Building, 3800 University, West University Place, Texas beginning at 6:00 p.m. SPECIAL WORKSHOP (BEGINNING AT 6:00 IN THE CONFERENCE ROOM) Call to Order. Mayor Fry called the workshop to order at 6:00 p.m. Council and staff in attendance were: Mayor Pro Tern Sample, Councilmembers Heathcott, Johnson and Yehle, City Manager Ross, Assistant City Manager /Public Works Director Peifer, City Attorney Petrov, City Secretary Lenz, and Fire Chief Ralls. Workshop agenda item was as follows: 1. Charter Review Commission Matters related to the appointment of a Charter Review Commission. City Manager Ross presented and discussed with Council how to handle appointments to the Charter Review Commission (CRC). He said the last Council to make appointments did so with each councilmember submitting names for discussion and selection. It was confirmed that per City Charter the City Council would appoint seven residents to the CRC at the first meeting in June (June 11), with the term being six months, unless extended by City Council, and that the CRC would meet at least once every two months during its term. In response to Councilmember Johnson's question as to the skill -set needed for CRC members, Mr. Ross suggested there be a good blend of people and pointed out that the city attorney sits in on the meetings to help navigate the CRC through the process. City Attorney Petrov stated that the 2006 CRC had members that served on previous Charter Review Commissions and said that was very helpful due to their knowledge of the procedures. Responding to a statement by Councilmember Yehle, who stated that he feels it is appropriate for Council to suggest changes to the Charter, Mr. Petrov confirmed that it is appropriate and stated that the sooner Council provides the suggestions the better, so that the CRC is able to conduct its business in a timely fashion. Mr. Petrov continued to say that, although you can extend the time City Council Minutes, May 14, 2012 beyond 6 months, it's best not to in order to better meet the deadlines for a May election so that a special election would not have to be held to confirm any changes. Mayor Fry said Council should make the appointments as scheduled and asked councilmembers to think about recommendations for the CRC, as well as possible alternates, for discussion at a workshop meeting on May 21, 2012. 2. Street Parking Matters related to street parking. Mayor Fry stated that Councilmember Yehle requested that this item be on the agenda, so he turned it over to him. Councilmember Yehle stated that a lot of time had been spent and public visibility given to probing the parking issue and he is concerned as what Council expects to come from the effort. He said he understands that the traffic engineer is performing his analysis and will report back with something, but he doesn't know if Council is expecting a recommendation from the engineer or just a finding of facts. Councilmember Yehle stated there possibly are some things that Council considers to be "sacred cows and, therefore, may want to discourage staff from changing. He is therefore seeking to get an idea of what staff is planning to do. He asked whether Council is wishes to come up with a set of principles and ask staff to work to them, or if staff going to come up with recommendations that Council can approve or disapprove? Mayor Fry said what he explained at each of the town meetings is that Council would take input from the citizens, collate them to see if there were any patterns involved, get input from the traffic engineers. Then staff and the engineer would bring their findings of the process to Council and Council would hold a series of workshops to discuss those findings. City Manager Ross agreed with Mayor Fry's explanation and said staff's current target is to bring information to Council at the second meeting in June (June 25th), which is when the engineer stated he would be ready. Mr. Ross said the engineer has been making field visits and will provide a breakdown of the comments and how they might or might not apply to certain streets. Councilmember Heathcott asked how this information will be communicated. He said if a street by street approach is taken, the number of signs that would be needed to communicate direction would be overwhelming. He said he is very concerned that if there isn't a broad based approach, the signage would make the City, overall, an eyesore. Mayor Pro Tem Sample stated that if, after looking at the whole picture, there are only a few streets that really require change, signage wouldn't be an issue. Councilmember Johnson said she agreed with Mayor Pro Tem Sample and then stated she is constantly being asked about the status and wanted to know if there is some communication that can be released that states that the information is still being studied. Mr. Ross said staff will issue a press release with the status, as well as post information on the City's website and social sites. 2of5 City Council Minutes, May 14, 2012 Councilmember Yehle said he thinks parking is being discussed mostly because of safety issues, but there is also an element of convenience in the thought process. He said if safety trumps everything, then you do one thing, but if safety is to be improved without going all the way, then you do a different thing. He went on to say that it is hard to know what people want because people and their wants might change from time to time and said "unringing" the bell is hard to do. Mayor Fry asked Councilmember Yehle is he wanting to restrict what the City staff and traffic engineer do. Councilmember Yehle responded "no" not restrict them, but rather help by directing their focus on viable options. Mayor Fry responded that he is not prepared to do that and would prefer to hear all options. Councilmember Yehle said if there is a general report from the engineer, he would like the engineer to state on the report that "this was said per my professional judgment' as opposed to him implying that something has to be certain way. Mayor Fry said he doesn't want to put artificial parameters on the engineer and wants to hear whatever it is he has to say because he might have very good reasons for his recommendations. ACM /Public Works Director Peifer said because the engineer is a professional, he will give the best advice and what would warrant with management practices and accepted engineering specifications. In response to Councilmember Yehle's question as to whether there will be reports from Fire, Police and Public Works, City Manager Ross responded that all reports will be incorporated into one presentation. He said the traffic engineer is functioning as an extension of staff in this regard, so it will be a staff presentation. City Manager Ross offered a few credentials about the engineer and at 6:25 p.m. Councilmember Johnson moved to adjourn. Mayor Pro Tem Sample seconded the motion. MOTION PASSED. Ayes: Fry, Sample, Heathcott, Johnson, Yehle Noes: None Absent: None 3. Adjourn Workshop REGULAR MEETING (beginning at 6:30 p.m. in the Council Chambers) Agenda items are as follows: Call to Order. Mayor Fry called the meeting to order at 6:30 p.m. Council and staff in attendance were: Mayor Pro Tem Sample, Councilmembers Heathcott, Johnson, and Yehle, City Manager Ross, City Secretary Lenz, Assistant City Manager /Public Works Director Peifer, City Attorney Petrov, Parks and Recreation Director O'Connor, and Police Chief Walker. Pledge of Allegiance: Councilmember Yehle led the Pledge of Allegiance Notice: Matters related to the notice of this meeting 4. Public Comments This is an opportunity for citizens to speak to Council relating to agenda and non- agenda items. 3of5 City Council Minutes, May 14, 2012 John Palmer, 3835 Riley, reported that with the recent heavy rains, the streets at intersection of Riley and College Street, had water just above the curb. He said it drained fairly quickly after the rain so he believes the partial removal of the restrictor has helped a lot and he will be glad when the rest of it is removed. 5. Motorcycle Safety and Awareness Month Proclamation Mayor Fry will proclaim the month of May as Motorcycle Safety and Awareness Month in West University Place. Mayor Fry proclaimed the month of May as Motorcycle Safety and Awareness Month in West University Place. 6. 3936 Marlowe Matters related to discussion and consideration of a contract to sell the city owned property located at 3936 Marlowe. Mr. Ross presented this item and stated that contingent on City Council's approval, a contract will be finalized for the sale of the city owned property at 3936 Marlowe. Councilmember Yehle moved to authorize the city manager to execute the proposed contract for the terms specified in the contract. Councilmember Johnson seconded the motion. MOTION PASSED. Ayes: Fry, Sample, Heathcott, Johnson, Yehle Noes: None Absent: None 7. 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 April 23, 2012 and Special Meeting of April 26, 2012. B. Alcohol Ordinance Matters related to consideration and adoption of an ordinance related to the purchasing and selling of alcohol in the City. C. Lease Acireement with HISD for Use of Ball Fields Matters related to a lease agreement with HISD for use of the ball fields located on HISD property. Councilmember Johnson moved to approve the Consent Agenda as presented. Councilmember Heathcott seconded the motion. MOTION PASSED. Ayes: Fry, Sample, Heathcott, Johnson, Yehle Noes: None Absent: None 4 of 5 City Council Minutes. May 14, 2012 8. Reports by CouneillStaN City Manager Ross reported that due Memorial Day falling on the regular meeting data of May 2l the second regular meeting in May has been moved ro Monday, May 21 ". Councilmember Johnson reported that the Fire Truck Pull enll be held on Saturday at 11:00 a.m. Mayor Fry reminded everyone that the Concert in the Park series starts had Friday (June 1). 8. Adiourn At 6:40 p.m., Councilmember Johnson moved to adjourn the meeting. Mayor Pro Tern Sample seconded the motion. MOTION PASSED. Ayes: Fry, Sample, HeatM1COn, Johnson, Yehle aNone None aL TM191ma A. Lenz, Ciry Secretary Date Approve 5015