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HomeMy WebLinkAbout040802S CC Min CITY COUNCIL SPECIAL SESSION MONDAY, APRIL 8, 2002 MUNICIPAL BUILDING 3800 UNIVERSITY BLVD. 6:30 P.M. The City Council convened in Special Session in the Municipal Building Conference Room (3800 University Blvd.) on April 8, 2002, with the following members present: Mayor Lewis presiding, Council Members May, Farley, Griffin and Jackson. The City Manager, City Secretary, City Attorney, Public Works Director and Police Chief were also present. The notice for this meeting was posted in accordance with the Texas Government Code, th Chapter 551, on the 5 day of April 2002 at 10:30 a.m. Report from Boards and Commissions. Matters related to reports from the Public Safety Board, Building and Standards Commission and Zoning and Planning Commission. Jim McDaniel, Chair of the Building and Standards Commission, reported on recent activities of the Commission and answered questions from the City Council. Jim Orchard Chair of the Public Safety Board reported that the Board is addressing traffic, city center problems and emergency response. Charles Nelson Chair of the Zoning and Planning Commission reported that the Commission has recently addressed the construction on Wroxton and the replat of the lot on University Boulevard. The Commission is addressing flooding and cross drainage, signs, outdoor lighting and visibility triangles. Mr. Nelson mentioned that the Commission was also trying to adjust to the recent administrative policy change regarding the communications between the City Attorney and the Commission. Results of Pittsburg survey. Matters related to the results of a survey submitted to residents on Pittsburg Street regarding the infrastructure improvements. City Manager Sherman Yehl reported that a survey was sent to residents regarding the narrowing of Pittsburg Street. The residents were asked to vote on narrowing the street to 21 feet. He stated that 16 surveys were returned with a result of 8 opposing the narrowing of the street and 8 supporting. The City Council recessed the Special Session at 7:30 p.m. to convene in Regular Session. City Council Special Session, April 8, 2002 The Special Session reconvened at 8:17 p.m. The City Council continued their discussion of Pittsburg Street. A motion was made by Council Member Jackson, seconded by Council Member May, to not narrow Pittsburg Street. A vote was taken on the motion with the following result: Voting Aye: Mayor Lewis, Council Members May, Farley, Griffin and Jackson Voting Nay: None Absent: None Council Member Farley commented that in the absence of a consensus he was voting to leave Pittsburg Street status quo. Ordinance relating to overnight parking . Matters related to an ordinance regarding overnight parking. Police Chief Kevin Begley reported that Section 545.302 of the Texas Transportation Code prohibits parking a vehicle on a sidewalk. For many residents enforcement of this law does not present a particular problem. However, there are residences with garages and driveways insufficient to accommodate the vehicles owned and driven by persons residing there. Some persons were able to park their vehicles in their driveway, but they partially or totally blocked the sidewalks. These persons’ only other alternative was to park in the street. However, the current Ordinance 13.039 prohibits them from parking vehicles in the street overnight. The effect was that the residents were placed in the position of choosing between two violations. It is apparent that unimpeded passage of pedestrians on sidewalks is a priority of the legislature and the federal government. Residents need to be able to reasonably utilize driveways and streets adjacent to their property to park their cars without being forced into a law violation. The proposed ordinance amendment eliminates the prohibition against parking in the street overnight, thereby providing a legal parking alternative which will allow most residents to park their vehicle(s) in the street instead of parking in their driveway in such a manner so as to block the sidewalk. The amendment further limits a public street from being used for long-term storage of vehicles by prohibiting a vehicle from being parked in the street for more than 72 consecutive hours. The City Council requested that the ordinance be presented at the next meeting for first reading. On-Call Traffic engineer. 2 City Council Special Session, April 8, 2002 Matters related to the establishment of a contract with an on-call traffic engineer. Public Works Director Michael Ross stated that given the complexity of solving traffic and transportation issues in the City, it has become evident that expert traffic engineering assistance is needed. Based on that need, the City has solicited and received a fee schedule from Traffic Data & Associates, Inc. (TDAI) for the purpose of traffic engineering on-call services that include, but are not limited to, expert engineering analysis, the review of proposed infrastructure improvements and the performance of warrant studies for traffic control devices. This process will enable the City to promptly respond to the City’s growing traffic and transportation issues. TDAI brings a wealth of direct municipal and governmental experience to the table. This perspective should be extremely valuable to the City. The work will be implemented using a work authorization format. The City will contact the consultant and outline particular requests as needs and budget sources are identified. The consultant will prepare a detailed scope of work, man-hour projection, and schedule for completion. Once the City agrees with the proposal, the consultant will be given a notice to proceed. Each work authorization with the traffic engineer will require verification of a funding appropriation. The City Council expressed no objection to authorizing the City Manager to enter into an On-Call Traffic Engineering Services agreement with TDAI. Improvement and construction of Edloe bridges. Matters related to the improvement and construction of the Edloe bridges including columns, lighting and enhancements. Mr. Ross reported that the pedestrian bridge construction is nearing completion. He presented the conceptual drawings for the proposed improvements to the bridge approaches. The City Council selected the flush recess square for the lighting and the pyramid cap with the wide base for the bridge column. The City Council authorized the City Staff to proceed with completing plans for the improvements. Report from Board or Commission Liaisons. The City Council reported on Board or Commission meetings attended by the liaisons. 3 City Council Special Session, April 8, 2002 Council Member Farley reported that the Building and Standards Commission would be discussing developing an engineering check and evaluation system. He requested that this item be placed on the next council agenda. Council Member Jackson reported that the Friends of the West University Parks Fund have raised approximately $129,000 from the Park Lovers Ball. They now have $545,000 in the bank. Inquiries, requests and complaints. The City Council reviewed matters received from the public and referred them to the appropriate department or will place them on a future agenda for consideration or action. Council Member Griffin asked questions regarding the communications and support from the City Attorney during Board meetings. Mayor Lewis commented that the objective was to improve communications by first directing questions to the City Staff liaison. Early warning notification. Discussion of early warning notification to residents during emergencies and natural disasters. Council Member Farley commented that the Public Safety Board was addressing early warning notification. Matters related to utility facilities and easements . Matters related to utility facilities and easements in and near Colonial Park, including pending or contemplated litigation, settlement offer and related matters. Closed Executive Session to be held under Section 551.071 and Section 551.072, Texas Government Code. The City Council convened in Executive Session at 9:06 p.m. The City Council closed the Executive Session at 10:06 p.m. and reconvened in special session. Mayor Lewis called for a motion. A motion was made by Council Member Jackson, seconded by Council Member May, to authorize the Staff and City Attorney to negotiate an escrow agreement up to $19,000 with HL&P/Reliant Energy and other related utilities. 4 City Council Special Session, April 8, 2002 A vote was taken on the motion with the following result: Voting Aye: Mayor Lewis, Council Members May, Farley and Jackson Voting Nay: None Absent: None Abstain: Council Member Griffin Adjournment. With no further business to come before the City Council at this time, a motion was made by Council Member Jackson, seconded by Council Member Griffin, to adjourn. The Special Session adjourned at 10:08 p.m. 5