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HomeMy WebLinkAbout040901R CC Min CITY COUNCIL REGULAR SESSION MONDAY, APRIL 9, 2001 MUNICIPAL BUILDING COUNCIL CHAMBERS 3800 UNIVERSITY BOULEVARD 6:30 P.M. The City Council convened in Regular Session in the Municipal Building Council Chambers on April 9, 2001, with the following members present: Mayor Lewis presiding, Council Members Ballanfant, Bertini, Grubb and May. The City Manager, City Secretary, City Attorney, Public Works Director, Finance Director, Police Chief and Parks and Recreation Director were also present. The notice for this meeting was posted in accordance with the Texas Government Code, th Chapter 551, on the 5 of April 2001 at 3:30 p.m. Citizen Comments. Mayor Lewis invited citizens who wished to address the City Council to come forward as their names were called. Ned Ross, 2740 Pemberton, spoke regarding the installation of sidewalks on Wakeforest. He requested that the street be narrowed and the sidewalks be installed in the street right- of-way. Stephen Stewart, 3828 Ruskin, stated that a new home at 3824 Ruskin had lights, which illuminated his home and yard. He asked the City Council to enforce the ordinance on high output lighting. Council Member Grubb requested that the City Staff report on high output lighting at the next meeting. Jorge Jimenez, 6636 Wakeforest, presented a petition opposing the narrowing of Wakeforest Street. Public hearing. A Public Hearing was held before the City Council of the City of West University Place, Texas. The purpose for the hearing was to provide an opportunity for parties in interest and citizens to be heard in relation to a proposed grant application for the Edloe Street Greenbelt. Mayor Lewis called the public hearing to order at 7:45 p.m. Jim Patterson of Knudson & Associates presented drawings and design considerations for the Edloe Street Greenbelt. City Council Regular Session, April 9, 2001 Members of the public were invited to ask questions or speak concerning the proposed design. John Davis, 3621 Tangley, presented a petition from residents objecting to the development of the east side of Poor Farm Ditch. He asked the Council to establish access to the new bridges in a manner which would be the least obtrusive to the adjacent properties with no additional concrete, no park benches, and preservation of existing green space. Council Member Grubb suggested that the Council take a vote to see who was in favor of the existing proposal or who was in favor of the least intrusive means of connecting the bridges. Mayor Lewis asked, for a show of hands of the residents who signed up to speak, if they were in opposition of the east end improvements. Most of the residents raised their hands. Council Member Ballanfant commented that anytime you are designing a project, you have to start with some concept and then work from there. People would like to give an element of individualized planning to areas where it is appropriate. He proposed that Mr. Patterson meet separately with residents and work up a design that is agreeable to homeowners. Council Member Grubb made a motion, seconded by Council Member Bertini, to adopt a policy of Council to connect the eastern side of the three bridges to the existing sidewalk system with the least intrusive connecting system, with no park benches, with no pattern concrete but with simple sidewalks. Council Member Ballanfant stated that the Grant application was due April 15. He suggested that the application not include the extensions on the east side in order to give Mr. Patterson time to meet with residents. An amended motion was made by Council Member Grubb, seconded by Council Member Bertini, to withdraw the plans for the east end of Poor Farm Ditch from the grant application and that Mr. Patterson, consistent with the Council’s policy of using the least intrusive connecting system, meet with residents and develop a plan. A vote was taken on the amended motion with the following result: Voting Aye: Mayor Lewis, Council Members Ballanfant, Bertini, Grubb and May Voting Nay: None Absent: None Mayor Lewis continued with the citizen comments. 2 City Council Regular Session, April 9, 2001 Jill Zivley, 3619 Plumb, stated that she did want more concrete on the east side of the ditch and would like the greenspace preserved. Bruce Zivley, 3619 Plumb, commented that he appreciated Council Member Grubb’s motion. He stated his objections to any improvements on the east side of the ditch and asked that the oleanders be given to the residents if they were going to be relocated. Danny Lang, 3711 Nottingham, requested that the bubble-outs on Edloe be removed. Lobie Stone, 3615 Robinhood, stated that she purposely bought a house on a dead-end street for the safety of her daughter, who is autistic. She requested that no changes be made to the east side of the ditch. Bette Gips, 3609 Tangley, requested that the City keep the oleanders. John Sumner, 3305 Tangley, commented that he goes across the bridge everyday. He stated that his concern was that there was no way to go from the bridge to Edloe Street because of the curb. Elizabeth Mossey, 3706 Tangley, stated that the oleanders provide habitat for many birds. She requested that the City maintain the bushes. She inquired as to why the City needed sidewalks on both sides of Edloe. Rosalie Day, 3619 Robinhood, stated that she applauded the Council for making the entire City walkable. She opposed the installation of the new bridges. Larry Selna, 3619 Robinhood, opposed the installation of the bridge on Tangley. He suggested adding a 3-way stop sign. Jerry Gips, 3609 Tangley, asked the Council to carefully consider the wisdom of exchanging a green area for an urban walkway. John Davis, 3621 Tangley, suggested putting in an irrigation system to protect the oleanders. Fred Huston, 3612 Plumb, opposed the installation of a bridge on Plumb. He stated that the Council should take into consideration the residents who are going to be impacted by the project. Clark Edgecomb, 3612 Tangley, asked how the area could be considered parkland if most of the land is going to be covered in concrete. He also inquired as to why the sidewalks needed to be installed on the west side of Edloe. Mayor Lewis asked the Chair of the Parks and Recreation Board Will Bertron to speak concerning the proposed 6-foot pathway on the west side of Edloe. 3 City Council Regular Session, April 9, 2001 There being no other residents wishing to speak on the proposed changes, the public hearing closed at 9:05 p.m. All statements, exhibits and documents will be made a part of the official record of this hearing. Proclamation for Arbor Day. Matters related to a Proclamation declaring and celebrating Arbor Day on April 21, 2001. Mayor Lewis will sign the Proclamation. Resolution approving grant and dedicating park space. Matters related to Resolution No. 2001-03. Mayor Lewis read the caption of Resolution No. 2001-03 as follows: A resolution of the City of West University Place, Texas, (hereinafter called the applicant), designating officials as being responsible for the applicant in dealing with Texas Parks and Wildlife (TPW), for the purpose of participating in the Texas Recreation and Parks Account Small Grants Program (hereinafter calling the Program); certifying that the applicant is eligible to receive program assistance; certifying that the applicant’s matching share is readily available; and dedicating the proposed site for permanent (or for the term of the lease for leased property) public park and recreational uses. Parks and Recreation Director Mark Mailes reported that Resolution No. 2001-03 would allow the City to apply for a Texas Parks and Wildlife grant. A motion was made by Council Member Ballanfant, seconded by Council Member Bertini, to approve Resolution No. 2001-03. Council Member Grubb commented that a favorable vote to Resolution No. 2001-03 would be approving the Linear Park as planned and would tie the City to a 6-foot sidewalk and a chain-link fence. Mr. Mailes stated that Council Member Grubb’s comments were correct. A vote was taken on the motion with the following result: Voting Aye: Mayor Lewis, Council Members Ballanfant, Bertini, and May Voting Nay: Council Member Grubb Absent: None 4 City Council Regular Session, April 9, 2001 Resolution authorizing state contract. Matters related to Resolution No. 2001-04. Mayor Lewis read the caption of Resolution No. 2001-04 as follows: A resolution authorizing participation in the State of Texas Cooperative Purchase Program. Finance Director Walter Thomas reported the The State of Texas’ General Service Commission is the state agency that operates the State’s Cooperative Purchasing Program. This program enables local governments to use the State’s purchasing power to obtain lower prices for goods and services Participation also allows local governments to avoid the costs associated with soliciting bids. West U routinely uses this program to make purchases for automobiles and other items that would normally require bidding. A motion was made by Council Member Grubb, seconded by Council Member May to approve Resolution 2001-04 authorizing participation in the State of Texas Cooperative Purchase Program. 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 Resolution appointing Deputy Court Clerk. Matters related to Resolution No. 2001-05 appointing Sarah Salinas as a Deputy Court Clerk. A motion was made by Council Member May, seconded by Council Member Grubb, to approve Resolution No. 2001-05 appointing Sarah Salinas as a Deputy Court Clerk. 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 5 City Council Regular Session, April 9, 2001 Ordinance amending Chapter 19. Matters related to the first reading of Ordinance No. 1677. Mayor Lewis read the caption of Ordinance No. 1677 as follows: An ordinance relating to obstructions, regulated facilities and other matters affecting street areas and other public places; amending Chapter 19 of the Code of Ordinances of the City of West University Place, Texas; and containing findings and provisions relating to the subject. Copies of Ordinance No. 1677, in the form proposed for adoption, were available in the Council Chambers. City Attorney Jim Dougherty reported that Ordinance No. 1677 was a major recompilation of Chapter 19 of the Code of Ordinances. It also adds permanent rules for the use of the City’s right-of-way. An amendment to Chapter 6 is also included to add the sidewalk exemptions. A motion was made by Council Member Bertini, seconded by Council Member May, to approve the first reading of Ordinance No. 1677. 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 Bank depository agreement. Matters related to proposals received March 5, 2001 for depository and banking services. Mr. Thomas stated that it is City policy and a good business practice to review the City’s depository and banking services from time to time. To accomplish this, the City sent a Request for Proposal (RFP) to financial institutions in the Houston area and advertised that it was accepting RFPs in the Houston Chronicle. Four banks responded to the City’s RFP: Bank One, Bank of America, West University Bank and Compass Bank. All of these financial institutions offered competitive services. Staff reviewed each RFP for: ?? Cost of Service – What is the likely cost of service from the Bank? ?? Investment products – Does the investment product meet the City’s Policy? ?? Daylight Overdraft – Can the bank manage the City’s purchases of investments? ?? ACH Transactions – What is the timing and correction process for these transactions? 6 City Council Regular Session, April 9, 2001 ?? Safekeeping – Who will hold the City’s investments and what reporting is available? ?? Positive Pay – Does the Bank offer this service? ?? CD ROM/Imaged statements – Does the Bank offer this service? ?? Internet Access – Can the City access the Bank via the Internet? ?? Community Presence – What is the Banks history and commitment to West U citizens? ?? Bankers/Banking Team – Who will represent the Bank? ?? Conversion cost – What costs are associated with converting to the Bank? Based on this review, Bank of America was eliminated due to their cost of services. Staff conducted interviews of the remaining three banks. Compass Bank and Bank One were judged to be virtually equal in services and costs. Since Compass Bank has been providing the City depository services since it purchased West University Bank in 1998, the City has established communication links, printed checks, and set up Automated Clearing House (ACH) transactions using Compass Bank. The cost of changing these services to a new depository taken together with the extra workload stemming from a transfer does not make it cost effective to change banks at this time. The City expends approximately $5,000 annually for depository and banking services and earns approximately $80,000 annually in interest on its deposits. A motion was made by Council Member Ballanfant, seconded by Council Member Bertini, to adopt a depository agreement appointing Compass Bank to serve as the City’s Depository Bank. 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 Agreement for transfer station. Matters related to an agreement for solid waste disposal services. Public Works Director Ed Menville reported that for several years the City has been using the Blue Ridge BFI landfill site located at 2200 FM 521, Fresno, Texas to dispose of its solid waste. This site has been the most convenient location until Republic Waste Services of Texas Hauling, LLC constructed a new transfer station at 5900 Westpark Drive. The Solid Waste Division makes a minimum of 16 trips a week to the Blue Ridge site. The Blue Ridge Landfill represents a round trip of approximately 35 miles per vehicle trip or 560 7 City Council Regular Session, April 9, 2001 miles per week. By comparison the new Southwest Transfer Station represents a round trip of approximately four miles per vehicle trip or 64 miles per week. It takes our solid waste drivers about one hour to make the round trip to Blue Ridge. The charge to dispose of waste will increase from $21.75 to $23.00 per ton; however this increase would be offset by reduced travel time, maintenance, and reduction in overtime. A motion was made by Council Member Grubb, seconded by Council Member May, to authorize a contract with Republic Waste Services of Texas Hauling, LLC to dispose of solid waste at their Southwest Transfer Station at a cost of 23.00 per ton. 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 Regular and Special Sessions conducted on March 26, 2001. A motion was made by Council Member Bertini, seconded by Council Member Ballanfant, to approve the minutes as amended. 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 Staff report. City Manager Sherman Yehl reported that the City was still having problems with its email account. He also reported that the dispatch center was under renovation and would be fully operational in two weeks. Council Comments. Council Member May commented that his vote in favor of the Edloe Linear Park was related to the grant submittal. The project still needs reviewing. He thanked everyone for their comments. Council Member Bertini commented that the Recycling and Solid Waste Reduction Board was meeting on Tuesday in the Public Works Lunchroom. 8 City Council Regular Session, April 9, 2001 Mayor Lewis commented that the City had received an award through CCSC for meeting hunger needs in the community. She thanked everyone for attending and for their comments. Adjournment. With no further business to come before the City Council at this time, a motion was made by Council Member Bertini, seconded by Council Member May, to adjourn. The Regular Session adjourned at 9:28 p.m. 9