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HomeMy WebLinkAbout022513 CC MinThe City of West University Place A Neighborhood City CITYCOUNCH, STAPF Bob Fry, Mayor MicM1azl Bats, City Manager Susan Sample, Mayor Pm Ter Alan Petrov, City Mooney FI Hermon, CowicilmemM Thelma Lenz, Ciry Secretary Bxm Jobnxc¢ Cmxwvmembu Dick Yehlq ComWlmembir CITY COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES The City Council of the City Of West University Place, Texas, met in workshop and regular Sessions on Monday, February, 25, 2013, in the Municipal Building, 3300 University, West University Place, Texas beginning at 8:00 p.m. SPECIAL MEETINGAVORKSHOP Cell to Order. Mayor Fry called the workshop to order at 6:00 pm in the Conference Room. Council and staff in attendance were: Mayor Per Two Sample, Councilmembers Heathced, Johnson and Yehle, City Manager Ross, Assistant City Manager /Public Works Director Pester, City Secretary Lenz, City Attorney Petrov, Police Chief Welker, and Finance Director Daugherty. Also present was Ryan O'Hara with BOSC, Inc. Workshop agenda items were as follows: 1. Refunding Bonds Matters related to the Issuance Of Refunding Bonds. Ryan O'Hara of BOSC, Inc. (Bank of Oklahoma Securities Corporation, the broker /dealer portion of Bank of Texas) provided an overview of the current bond market conditions and explained the dill stories between refunding bons on a tax- exempt basis versus a taxable interest basis. Mr. O'Hara said in January 2013, the City was presented with an analysis of an opportunity to refund $14,980,000 of the outstanding Permanent Improvement Refunding Bonds, Series 2005. He said in determining the advantage of a refunding, a minimum savings of 3% is generally considered optimal and this refunding is projected to produce a present value savings M approximately 6.12 %, or $917,500, an average of $130,699 for a period of 7 years. This Is approximately $950,000 over the minimum optimal savings rate Mr. O'Hara said his firm suggests that the City refund me bons on a "parameter sale' basis, which will allow them the flexibility to refund the bons during a specified bandanna rather man on a specific date. City Manager Ross said staff is requesting, in regular session, that Council approve an ordinance, which will give BOBO, Inc, the flexibility to maximize the best deal for the City by refunding bonds on a'parameter sale' basis. City Counts Minutes, February 23, 2ot3 2. Charter Election Matters related to a special election for submitting proposed charter amendments to the qualified voters Of to Chy, City Manager Ross presenter) and said staff included this in the Workshop session in order for Council to further discuss the issue before considering an eminence calling for Me special Charter Election in regular session. Councilmember Henri said he likes the overall proposed changes, but said he is concemed about News in the community over the proposed amendment to put Me City Secretary under the direct supervision of the City Manager as opposed to the position reporting to Council. He sad he coesn'i know how deep that feeling runs through the community, but thinks if it runs real deep, he will be in favor of removing that element from the proposed changes and keeping the status quo, so not to put the rest of the changes at risk. He said he personally likes the change, but doesn't feel strongly about it either way. City Attorney Petrov pointed out that each of the recommendations will appear as a separate ballot proposition, so a person Can man wyes' or "n0" for each one individually. In response to a question from Mayor Fry regarding how other cities are structured, Mr. Petrov said that it varies, but sad the trend for Home Rule cities seems is Me pyramid structure, whereby everyone is under the city manager and the city manager reports to Council. Mayor Pro Term Sample said the residents Mat have connected her said they like Me separation of the city manager and Me secretary, so she thinks it might be plausible to wad and put it on a different ballot in order to get more public input and have the Charter Review Committed be available to speak to public. Councilmember Yehle said from his personal experience, he is not sure if enough management changes have been made to preclude a negative situation from su years ago from happening again, suggesting the charter amendment should be considered. Councilmember Johnson said she would like to see the City move forward with Me special election and hold a public meeting with the Charter Review Committee before the election for people who want to know more about the Individual propositions. Mayor Pro Term Sample reiterated that she doesn't see the harm in putting it on a November ballot. Mayor Fry saitl there are some very important proposed amendments and most of the time people usually vote "rw' or "yes" to all propositions, so he feels that Council is running the risk of losing out on some good amendments with "straight ticket" voters. He also said he is in favor of holding off to get more public input by holding meetings with Me Charter Review Committee so they can explain their process and how they landed on Me proposed amendments. Councilmember Yehle said another option is to remove the one item and put the others an Me May ballot and move ahead with Me one item at a later date. When Mayor Fry asked for to pros and more of not putting the proposed amendments on the ballot, Councl Member Yehle said the Charter Review Committee has identified some things that are problematic, but he doesn't think there is any one thing that has to be changed tomorrow or the doors will shut. 2 of City Council Minutes, February 25, 2013 Councilmember Johnson said she feels it is okay to waif. She said she had not thought about somebody voting a straight ticket, which is a possibility. She said although it is also a possibility in November, she would feel better if the delayed time was used to get out the information again and educate the public more. Councilmember Yehle pointed out that the Charter Review Committee would have to be reappointed or a new one appointed as the terms has eipired. City Manager Ross said reappointing the same Charter Review Commission should not be a problem, lf that is Council's desire. After discussion, Council decided to not move forward with the special Charter Election in May and requested that City Manager Ross pull it from the agenda at Me regular meeting. At 6:27 p.m., Counclmember Heathcotl moved to adjourn the workshop. Councilmember Johnson seconded the motion. MOTION PASSED. Ayes: Fry, Semple, Reathcott, Johnson, Yohlo Nees: None Absent: None REGULAR MEETING Agenda items were as follows: Call to Order. Mayor Fry called the meeting to order at 6:30 p.m. In the Council Chambers. Council and staff in attendance were: Mayor Pro Tem Sample, Councilmembers Heathcotl, Johnson and Yams, City Manager Ross, Assistant City Managenfoublic Works Director Peifeo City Secretary Lenz, City Attorney Petrov, Police Chid Walker, and Finance Director Daugherty. Boy Scouts from Troops t6, 55, and 266 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. 3. Public Commands This is an opportunity for citizens to speak to Council relating to agenda and non agenda items. John Palmer, 3835 Riley Street, spoke regarding Item 6 relating to the Special Charter Election. He said he served on the Charter Review Commission, but is only representing himself at the podium. He said he felt very strongly about the items the Committee covered and thought they were thoroughly reviewed. He said he encourages Council to continue to support Me amendments so that can be appropriately voted on by the electorate of Me City &West University Place. He saitl he also supports educating the public and certainly supports Me proposed amendments. Mayor Fry responded to Mr. Palmer and said that Council derded in Workshop to refer the amendments back to the Charter Review Committee for the proper public input. On behalf of himself and City Council, he thanked Mc Palmer for his service. 4. Refunding Bond Ordinance Matters related to the Issuance of Refunding Bonds. 3 of City Council Minutes, February 25, 2013 City Attorney Petrov presented and stated that Council is being requested to approve an ordinance to effectuate the refunding opportunity discussed in the Warfel He said the ortlinance sets up the refunding a little different than in the past. He said the issuance trend now is that instead of trying to hope that a Council meeting happens to fall on a day when interest rates are particularly good, what is commonly done now Is a "parameter sale" refunding, which authorizes the mayor to execute documents upon the advice of the city manager and financial advisor when rates are particularly good within a certain Insurance. He said this ordinance authorizes a refunding on a 'parameter sale" basis. Councilmember Yehle moved approval to refinance $14,960,000 of outstanding Permanent Improvement Refunding Bonds, Series 2005, on the parameter sale basis model. Councilmember Heathcott seconded the motion. MOTION PASSED. Ayes: Fry, Sample, Heathwit, Johnson, Ye le Noes: None Absent: None S. General Election Ordinance Matters related to an ordinance calling to May 11, 2013 General Election for the purpose of electing a mayor and four council members; designating precincts and polling places; appointing election officials; containing findings and provisions relating to said election; and declaring an emergency. City Attorney Petrov presented and spot that this is the standard election ortlinance, which is required by City Charter every pent years. He pointed out that this election calls the election using the combined polling place, which was approved by City Council and precleared by the Justice Department. Councilmember Johnson moved to approve the ordinance to call the General Election on May 11, 2013 for the purpose of electing a mayor and four councilmembem. Mayor Pro Tern Sample seconded the motion. MOTION PASSED. Ayes: Fry, Sample, Heathcott, Johnson, Yams Nees: None Absent: None 6. Charter Election Ordinance Matters related to an ordinance calling the a special election for submitting proposal Charter Amendments to the qualified voters of the City; designating precincts and polling places; appointing election officials; containing findings and provisions relating to said election; and declaring an emergency. As a result of discussion In Workshop, City Manager Ross requested that this item be removed from the Agenda. Mayor Fry explained that during Workshop discussion, it was decided to delay the special Charter Election in order to give the public more time to voice their concerns or support and to give the Charter Review Committee a chance to explain how they decided on these amendments. T. Utility Billing Orelnce Matters related to an ordinance approving revisions to the Code of Ordinances granting authority to staff to waive a late fee for utility bills. 4 of "Council Minutes, February, n. M13 CM Manager Ross presented] and stated] that as disoussetl in a Workshop meeting with City Council, this ordinance includes (1) the waiver of the late fee being requested] in will and signed by the customer within W days of a late payment notice, (2) a waiver only being permissible once every 24 consecutive monMS, and (3) the waiver must be approved] by both the city manager and the Finance Director. Councilmember Johnson moved] to approve the otlinance on the first of two readings. with the three requirements stated] above by the city manager. Councilmember Yehle said in Me order as drafted, there is no parameter as to what reasons might be acceptable for considering the waiver and asked] if any thought was given to acceptable reasons and how that might be captured]. City Manager Ross responded that staff discussed it, but does not plan to question it if it the request is within the stated] parameters. Councilmomber Yehle said that approach may run Me risk of being inconsistent with one person over another, but Yehle did] not object to the proposal. After further discussion, it was dwided Mat the procedures outlined in the ordinance will suffice at this time and a vote was made on the motion. MOTION PASSED. Ayes: Fry, Sample, Heathcoh, Johnson, Yehle Noes: None Absent: None S. Consent Awnda All Consent Agenda items listed are considered to be routine by Me City Counc9l 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 February 11, 2013. Councilmember Johnson moved] to accept the Consent Agenda as presented Mayor Pro Term Sample seconded] the motion. MOTION PASSED. Ayes: Fry, Sample, Heathcott, Johnson, Yehle New: None Absent: None 9. Reoortsbv CounciO3taN No reports. 10. Ac lourn Meeting With further business, Mayor Pro Tern Sample moved] to adjourn the meeting at 6:45 p.m. Councilmember Handful seconded Me motion. MOTION PASSED. Ayes: Fry, Sample, Heathco3, Johnson, Yehle 501 City CounaI Minutes, February 25, 2013 Qhelma NoesNone eMNone Y proyed A. Len; Ci Secretary Data Approved 6 of