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HomeMy WebLinkAbout040802R CC Min CITY COUNCIL REGULAR SESSION MONDAY, APRIL 8, 2002 MUNICIPAL BUILDING COUNCIL CHAMBERS 3800 UNIVERSITY BOULEVARD 7:30 P.M. The City Council convened in Regular Session in the Municipal Building Council Chambers 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 of April 2002 at 10:30 a.m. Citizen Comments. Mayor Lewis invited citizens who wished to address the City Council to come forward as their names were called. Derrill Cleary, 6445 Mercer, stated that she opposed the narrowing of any street especially Pittsburg for safety reasons. She presented letters to the Council regarding street narrowing. Gary Cleary, 6445 Mercer, stated that he opposed narrowing any streets in West University. He commented that the street plans and sidewalk plans should be separate issues. Proclamation for Arbor Day 2002. Proclamation to recognize April 20, 2002 as Arbor Day in the City of West University Place. A motion was made by Council Member Griffin, seconded by Council Member May, to approve the Proclamation recognizing Arbor Day. 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 Ordinance relating to swimming pools. Matters related to the first reading of Ordinance No. 1708. Mayor Lewis read the caption of Ordinance No. 1708 as follows: City Council Regular Session, April 8, 2002 An ordinance relating to swimming pools; amending 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. 1708, in the form proposed for adoption, were available in the Council Chambers. Public Works Director Michael Ross stated that under §6.563 of the Municipal Code, the setback distance of swimming pools was established as the “distance equal to the vertical depth of the pool that is nearest and adjacent to the line.” The wording of this ordinance is subject to misinterpretation and as a result inhibits the development of an adequate swimming pool setback from certain property lines. After reviewing several other city’s requirements for swimming pools, it was apparent the standard setback was five feet. Consequently, staff requested the Building and Standards Commission to review Subchapter H of Chapter 6 for clarity with an eye towards requiring a minimum five-foot setback from all property lines. After review and discussion, the B.S.C. recommended forwarding an amendment to City Council that would require a minimum setback of five feet from any property line and in addition would require a clear unobstructed walkway adjacent to the pool for at least 70% of the pools perimeter for life saving capabilities. A motion was made by Council Member May, seconded by Council Member Griffin, to adopt Ordinance No. 1708 on the first reading. Council Member Farley questioned the provision in Subsection (2) requiring that 70% of the perimeter of the pool be unobstructed. He asked how the 70% was derived or if there was a national standard or design criteria. Mr. Ross stated that the 70% evolved out of a discussion from the Building and Standards Commission meeting and was not based on any precedence from other cities but was a number that they felt comfortable in recommending to the Council. Council Member Farley commented that the amendment appeared arbitrary because it was not a national standard and was not required by any other city. He requested that the motion be amended to remove Subsection (2). Mayor Lewis called for a vote on the original motion. A vote was taken on the motion with the following result: Voting Aye: Mayor Lewis, Council Members May, Griffin and Jackson Voting Nay: Council Member Farley Absent: None 2 City Council Regular Session, April 8, 2002 The original motion passed. Ordinance relating to prohibited activities at the Community Center, Senior Center and Library . Matters related to the first reading of Ordinance No. 1709. Mayor Lewis read the caption of Ordinance No. 1709 as follows: An ordinance relating to the Community Center, Senior Center and Library; amending 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. 1709, in the form proposed for adoption, were available in the Council Chambers. Police Chief Kevin Begley stated that during recent months a problem has developed in the area of the Community Center, Senior Center and Library involving congregating juveniles. The problem occurs after school hours when students leave the campus and congregate in the common areas and sidewalks outside the referenced buildings. The situation is exacerbated by a number of these juveniles engaging in skateboarding, roller- skating, or bicycling on sidewalks and in parking areas. This is a very congested area with heavy vehicular and pedestrian traffic. Juveniles engaged in these activities create a serious safety hazard and have a negative impact on the ability of residents to enjoy the facilities. Ordinance No. 1709 has been prepared to prohibit these activities in the area of the Community Center, Senior Center and Library. A motion was made by Council Member Farley, seconded by Council Member Jackson, to approve Ordinance No. 1709 on the first reading. 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 Sidewalk design consultant. Matters related to proposals received from consultants for the sidewalk design project. Mr. Ross stated that the Staff has solicited and received statements of qualifications (SOQ) for consulting services for the Sidewalk Improvement Program. The scope of this project is to repair broken sidewalks and install missing sidewalks along targeted roadways in the City. A total of five firms submitted SOQ’s for the project. Staff interviewed all of the firms and selected the SWA Group for the project. 3 City Council Regular Session, April 8, 2002 SWA has been involved in many public sidewalk projects for municipalities. They are very familiar with the Americans with Disabilities Act and the Texas Accessibility Standards and how to commingle these requirements while remaining sensitive to protecting trees. They are also accustomed to varying types of sidewalk materials and the potential application of each. SWA’s phase one services will include preliminary evaluation of the sidewalk program, policies, goals, schedules, existing inventory maps, priority lists and applicable Federal and State regulations. Additionally, the consultant recommends that they provide an evaluation of the City’s proposed priority routes for pedestrians from an urban planning perspective. Fees for Phase One services are fixed at $6,500 with reimbursable expenses not to exceed $500.00. Funding is available from the sidewalk bond issue. A motion was made by Council Member May, seconded by Council Member Farley, to authorize the City Manager to enter into a contract with SWA Consultants for Phase One, Sidewalk Improvement Program, consulting services. 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 Interlocal agreement regarding property on Ruffino Road. Matters related to an Interlocal agreement between the City of Bellaire and the City of West University Place for the operation and maintenance of the former Houston Hills Golf Course, located at 9720 Ruffino Road. Mr. Ross reported that over the past few months the City staff has been working together with the City of Bellaire Staff to determine the best course of action for the recently vacated golf course. Together, the cities have assessed the condition of the property, performed minor renovations and repairs and developed a plan to advertise for Request for Proposals (RFP’s) for the property. The Interlocal agreement has been developed to formalize the understanding between the cities and to determine the responsibilities for each City associated with the agreement. Estimated costs range from $40,000 to $50,000. A motion was made by Council Member Jackson, seconded by Council Member May, to approve the Interlocal agreement with the City of Bellaire. 4 City Council Regular Session, April 8, 2002 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 City Council minutes. Matters related to the minutes of the Regular and Special Sessions conducted on March 25, 2002. A motion was made by Council Member Farley, seconded by Council Member Jackson, to approve the minutes as amended. 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 comments. Council Member Griffin requested that the Staff determine if there is an existing law regulating the use of bicycles and roller blades on sidewalks and if there is then the City should enforce that law instead of adopting an ordinance. She also informed the Council that Mrs. D. who runs the Mother’s Day Out program at the Methodist Church has congenital heart failure and is not in good health. 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 Farley, to adjourn. The Regular Session adjourned at 8:12 p.m. 5