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Home My WebLink About021113 CC MinThe 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 workshop and regular sessions on Monday, February 11, 2013, in the Municipal Building, 3800 University, West University Place, Texas beginning at 5:30 p.m. SPECIAL WORKSHOP Call to Order. Mayor Fry called the workshop to order at 5:30 pm in the Conference Room. 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 Secretary Lenz, City Attorney Petrov, Police Chief Walker, and Finance Director Daugherty. Workshop agenda items were as follows: 1. Utility Bills Matters related to late fees for utility bills. City Manager Ross started off the discussion and stated that some members of Council expressed an interest in reviewing the City's policy regarding late fees for utility bills. Finance Director Daugherty said that out of the 5600 to 5700 residences/business billed, anywhere from 100 -300 are late (on a monthly basis) and that if they become delinquent, there is a one -time additional charge of ten percent of the lesser of the amount due or the amount last billed. She said there is no provision in the code to allow for any waiver of fees unless there is an error or omission on the part of the City or its contractors. The following options were discussed for Council's consideration: The customer cannot have been assessed a late fee for the preceding consecutive (12, 24 or 36 months). 2. The waiver of the late fee must be requested days of the late fee notice. in writing and signed by the customer within 30 3. The waiver of the late fee is only permissible every (12, 24 or 36) consecutive months as determined by the council. After discussion, Council directed staff to draft an ordinance stating that the waiver of a late fee is only permissible every 24 consecutive months, it must be requested in writing (e -mail is acceptable) and submitted to the City within 30 days of receiving a late fee notice, and that both the City Manager and Finance Director have to approve it. City Council Minutes, February 11, 2013 Staff confirmed that an ordinance will be prepared for the first of two readings at the February 25, 2013, City Council meeting. 2. Charter Election Matters related to a 2013 Special Charter Election. City Manager Ross presented and stated that the City is scheduled to conduct a General and Special Election on May 11, 2013 and said the deadline to call both elections is midnight on March 1, 2013, and that the filing deadline for a candidate to be placed on the ballot in the General Election is at 5:00 p.m. the same day. Mr. Ross pointed out that if Council calls both elections before the March 1 deadline, and if the General Election is eventually cancelled due to no candidate opposition, Council will have to proceed with the Special Election because it can't be cancelled once it is called. Mayor Fry stated that the Charter Review Committee worked very hard and did an excellent job with the report and he feels that the City should hold the Charter Election (Special Election) regardless of whether the General Election can be cancelled. Council agreed. City Attorney Petrov informed Council that although they accepted the report at a previous meeting, tonight, if they plan to move forward with the Special Election, Council will need to state its desire to either have all, none or some of the recommendations on the ballot. Councilmember Yehle stated that he agrees with all the recommendations, but questioned whether that the recommendation related to increasing the number for term limits should apply to the sitting Council, suggesting that perhaps the provision should start with the next Council so that it will not appear self- serving. Charter Review Committee member John Palmer was in the audience and spoke to say that he feels that term limits should apply to the sitting Council as that was the intention of the Committee's recommendation. Councilmember Johnson said that at some point in the future she would like to see staggered terms. Mayor Fry stated that the Charter Review Committee discussed that and had valid reasons why staggered terms shouldn't be pursued. After discussion, Council agreed for all of the recommendations as proposed by the Charter Review Committee to be on the March 11, 2013 ballot. Staff confirmed that they will have the ordinances calling the General and Special Elections prepared for first and final reading at the February 25, 2013 Council meeting. Mayor Fry recessed the meeting at 6:03 p.m. for a short break and reconvened at 6:15 p.m. 3. Metropolitan Transit Authority (METRO) METRO Board Chairman, Gilbert Garcia, will address Council to express his appreciation for the support from West U during the recent METRO referendum. He will also introduce METRO's new interim President and CEO, Thomas Lambert. Mr. Garcia introduced Interim President and CEO Thomas Lambert as well as Board Members Burt Ballanfant and Cindy Siegel, and Vice President and Director of Government Affairs Tom Jasien. He thanked West U and Mayor Fry for the support offered on structuring and passing the recent 2of4 City Council Minutes, February 11, 2013 referendum on the METRO General Mobility Fund. He then discussed development plans for some proposed routes for METRO rail, including routes serving UH, TSU, Post Oak Boulevard, and Northline Mall. With no further business, Councilmember Johnson moved to adjourn the workshop at 6:40 p.m. Councilmember Heathcott seconded the motion. MOTION PASSED. Ayes: Fry, Sample, Heathcott, Johnson, Yehle Noes: None Absent: None REGULAR MEETING Agenda items were as follows: Call to Order. Mayor Fry called the meeting to order at 6:44 p.m. in the Council Chambers. Council and staff in attendance were: Mayor Pro Tern Sample, Councilmembers Heathcott, Johnson, Yehle, City Manager Ross, City Secretary Lenz, City Attorney Petrov, and Police Chief Walker Councilmember Johnson led the Pledge of Allegiance. Secretary Lenz confirmed that the Notice of the special and regular meetings was duly posted in accordance with the Texas Government Code, Chapter 551. 4. Metropolitan Transit Authority (METRO) METRO Board Chairman, Gilbert Garcia, will address Council to express his appreciation for the support from West U during the recent METRO referendum. He will also introduce METRO's new interim President and CEO, Thomas Lambert. The Mayor announced that this item was added to the regular agenda in case METRO representatives needed more time to speak, but it was not necessary due to the presentation during the earlier Special Workshop.. 5. Public Comments This is an opportunity for citizens to speak to Council relating to agenda and non - agenda items. Stan McCandless, 3712 Rice, spoke to ask Council to consider making Martin Luther King, Jr. Day a Holiday for City employees. City Manager Ross pointed out that employees are already given a floating holiday in order to celebrate a specific Holiday important to them if they chose to do so. Mayor Fry said it warrants discussion and asked staff to put the item on a future agenda for discussion. 6. 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 the Minutes of January 28, 2013. B. Community Drive Emergency Repair CIP Close -out item 3of4 City Council Minutes, February 11, 2013 Matters related to acceptance of the completed contract with Teamwork Incorporated for the Community Drive Emergency Repair project. Councilmember Johnson moved to accept the Consent Agenda as presented. Mayor Pro Tern Sample seconded the motion. MOTION PASSED. Ayes: Fry, Sample, Heathcott, Johnson, Yehle Noes: None Absent: None 7. Reports by Council /Staff City Manager Ross reported that the City received approval from the United States Department of Justice for the single polling place and the requirement to publish election information in only the English and Spanish languages; however, the City will still provide election information in Vietnamese and Chinese to anyone who has a need. 8. Adjourn Meeting With further business, Councilmember Yehle moved to adjourn the meeting at 6:50 p.m. Councilmember Heathcott seconded the motion. MOTION PASSED. Ayes: Fry, Sample, Heathcott, Johnson, Yehle Noes: None Absent: None ® A Prepare /By: > T a Thelma A. Lenz, C6-SecretaryNZJExAS Date Approved 4 of 4