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HomeMy WebLinkAbout082613 CC MinThe City of West University Place A Neighborhood City CITYCOUtal Si Bob Fry, Mayor Michuel RO.v, Ciry Mevega S,xm,Sxmde,Mwwr1 Tem Alen Pevoq Ciry Awmey Ed Beslhoml, Coundlmember Thelma Lent, City Secrelazy Join JoMvary Couocilmemli Dick 'Pi Conn 1ni CITY COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES The City Council of the City of West University Place, Texas, met in specialMrolkshop and regular sessions on Monday, August 26, 2013, in the Municipal Building, 3800 University, West University Place, Texas beginning at 6:15 p.m. Agenda Items were as follows: (Conference Room) Call to Order. Mayor Pro Tem Sample added the meeting to order at 6:15 p.m. Council and Staff in attendance ware: Councilmembers Habitant, Johnson and Yehle, City Manager Ross, Assistant City ManagedPublic Works Director Pat City Secretary Lenz, Assistant City Attorney Example, Parks and Recreation Director O'Connor and Police Chief Walker. Mayor Fry was absent. t. 2014 Parks Master Plan Matters related to the Park Master Plan scope of services and timeline. Parks and Recreation Director O'Connor presented this item and introduced Mr. Jim Patterson, Principal with White Oak Studio, who has been retained by the City to guide staff through the 2014 Park Master Plan Update and who also facilitated the 2000 Parks Master Plan and, most recently, the Friends Park development on the comer of Rice and Auden. Mr. O'Connor said this workshop discussion is to vet and get feedback from City Council, specifically regarding cap primary elements of the Parks Master Plan: (1) getting the consensus of the community regartling acquisition and, the subsequent development of new paMland, and (2) discussing the process of updating me 2000 Parks Master Plan by means of surveys, a task force, public meetings and so forth, with the end product being a revised Parks Master Plan for the West University Place community with a minimum Irfe of ten years. Mr. Patterson gave Council an overview of 01e process of the Master Plan Update and schedule. Mr. Patterson said public involvement is essential and that the process must be transparent and interactive. The mree aspects of public involvement are: • Sekclionofacommlttee(taskforce). Ciry Counal Minutes, August 26. 2013 • Public preference survey. The survey will be issued online through a link on the City's website. If needed, there will be a mail survey for seniors and/or other residents who might not have easy access to the Internet, In order as get statistically valid survey results. • Sedesof Town Hall meetings?ublicworlishops. Atotal of three meetings is anticipated. Mr. Patterson said other major components are (1) assessing what the Ciry has, including the parks, recreation space and how residents recreate outside the City, and (2) reviewing and updating the objectives and proposed action items for the next 10 years. Mr. Patterson said the final aspect of the process is to prepare a report, which will reflect the survey and include the objectives and action items. Mr. Patterson outlined the schedule as follows: • Start next week fa week in September). Meet with the company (Texas A &M AgrUfe) that will prepare the survey and move quickly through the process. Also during the first week, prepare base maps and assess the parks. • Conduct survey during September and through Thanksgiving. • Conduct three Town Hall meetings: rc P - before December/ early January (December 91") 0 2n°- mid - February o 3e° -eery April Councilmember Yehle said the deadline for the ballot initiative is March 10. He asked Mr. Patterson when his firm expects to gat the information to Council knowing that there is a decision deadline. Mc Patterson responded that his firm will have an analysis of the citizen preference survey in late Novembetleady, December, which he hopes will be enough information to inform Council what the citizens want. Counci member Yehle said a date needs to be identified in the contract such that it doesn't slip through the cracks and take any flexibility away but Council. Mr. O'Connor said shelf has been directed by the city manager to have information for Council's review no later than the second meeting in January. Councilmember Yeble said a key factor in the acquisition has been the process of locating and acquiring land, with neighborhood consent. He asked for Patterson to determine what methods would be acceptable to the public in terms of identifying locations and securing Ice properties. Mr. Patterson said the previous Master Plan identified areas of need based on combat barriers for people to parks in certain areas. He said if it is acceptable to Council and it feels like those areas are call reasonable targeted areas, then his firm can formulate language to target those 'underserved' areas and find out how people feel about them. Mr. Patterson said there were two conclusions in the previous report One was that the goal was to provide parks to as many of the citizens within safe walking and biking access of their homes. The second was to find out what kind of parks are good neighbors. He said they EM City Counal Mines, August 26, 2013 looked diagrannma tally at a city -wide park like the Recreation Center, because a park Met size on a major street is perfect. He said at the time of the last Master Plan, Colonial Park had already been accepted by the public, but if they were going to start over totlay. May would try to find a place for it that was not on a small neightfrhood street. Councilmamber Johnson said the last report stated that parks were needed in particular quadrants and asked Mr. Patterson d they plan M still look at those particular quadrants or will they took in other areas of the Clty. Mr. Patterson said they would need the City's direction, because as far as he knows, those factors haven't changed; so, unless Council says otherwise, those quadrants are still the target areas. City Manager Ross said a dose of reality and lessons learned needed to be part of the overall process. He said obtaining neighborhood parks has not worked in trying to fulfill the 2000 Master Plan. He said the hope is that the survey will determine what residents want and give CmmrJl Me information needed to make some policy decisions. Mr. Ross saitl Me problem in the past is that most people were in favor of the neighborhood parks, just not next to them. He said the reluctance was due mainly because of possible parking issues and (in one case) non - visibility from the streets. He said if Mesa perceived obstacles can be overcome, maybe residents will support a park next to them. Councilmember Heathcofi said he lives next to a park and suggested speofically surveying the people living around existing parks so other residents can hear testimonials of satisfaction or concern. Councilmember Johnson said she is concerned with Town Hall meetings in December and asked if there is any way M back the limeframe up before November 15is or after early January? Mr. O'Connor said the dimefreme will be before school is out sa people will still be mound. Mr. Patterson saitl he wishes it could be done earlier, but it is about as quick as May can do it. He said N they wait, it pushes them back on the other end. Mr. O'Connor talked about Me formation of a task force. He said he has asked members of the Seniors Board, Friends Board and Parks Board if they would be interested in serving on the Parks Master Plan task force. Councilmember Johnson asked ff it was possible for the Friends Board M be the task force. Mr. Ross said it is theoregcally possible, but it probably isn't best to have the parks fundraiser mechanism being part of an acquisition group. Mr. O'Connor added that one specific board would not give the crom section of the demographics needed. He said the City needs everyone from young families all the way up to older adults Mat are empty nesters. Mayor Pro Tern Sample said it would also be ideal to have someone who lives near an existing park. Emn City Council Minutes, August 26, 2013 After discussion, it was decided to have T members on the task force. City Manager Ross said staff will provide some names and said Council can also submit names of people they think would be good candidates to serve. At 6:45 pm. Councilmember Yehle moved to close the Workshop. Councllmember Johnson seconded! the motlon. MOTION PASSED. Ayes: Sample, Heathcoth Johnson, Yehle Noes: None Absent: Fry REGULAR MEETING (Council Chambers) Call to Order. Mayor Pro Turn Sample called the meeting to order at 6:47 p.m. in the Council Chambers. Council and Staff in attendance were Counchmembers Headroom, Johnson and Yehle. City Manager Ross, Assistant City Manager /Public Works Director Pe'rfeq City Secretary Lenz, and Assistant City Attorney Evocable. Mayor Fry was absent. Secretary Lenz confirmed that the Notice of the spacial and regular meetings was duly posted In accordance wit the Texas Government Code, Chapter 551. Councilmember Heatbcoff led to Pledge of Allegiance. Agenda items were as follows: 2. Public Comments This was an opportunity for citizens to speak to Council relating to agenda and non-agenda items. Stan McCandless, 3712 Ron Boulevard, spoke to request that Council consider recognizing Martin Luther King Day as a public holiday in the City. He also spoke against Precinct 906, which has been added as a voting precinct in the City. He said it is one square -block and he does not think it is necessary in the City and he wants whoever who added it he undo it. John Cook, 3705 Robinhood, spoke about the West U PD collecting data on devlws that capture license plates. He said he is does not know the full extent of what data is collected and how long it is retained, but he doesn't feel that data collection by a governmental enthy should be convolled by unelected administrative officials He said elected officials should set policy and oversight on this issue. 3. Ordinance Calling Charter Election Matters related to an ordinance calling for a Charter Election to be held for the City of West University Place on November 5, 12013. Councilmember Yehle moved to approve the ordinance calling a special election within to City of West University Place, Texas, for to V day of November 2013 for the purpose of submitting proposed Charter amendments to the qualified voters of the City; making provisions for to 4of8 City Career Minutes, August 26, 2013 conduct of such election and deGaring an emergency. Councilmember Johnson seconded the motion. City Manager Ross spoke to say that based on the research by the city attorney and comments made at the last City Council meeting, he is requesting that the proposed Preposition T be removed from the Charter amendments as it was determined to be a moot poinl. Councilmember Yehle moved to amend his motion by striking proposed Proposition T from the ballot. Councilmember Heathoott seconded the amended motion. Mayor Pro Tem Sample reiterated some of her and Mayor Fry's comments from the last meeting. She said putting these out for a vote does not mean Met Council as a whole is supporting them wholesale. She then processed to stale her views on Me following proposed amendments: • Limits on Successive Terms. The Charter Review Committee made some valid points. As it is now, two terms on Council prevents a Counclmember from representing the City residue of me City. The issue is that other cities that have longer term limits are able to move representatives from their cities up the ranks of outside organizations, which helps their client t with recognition, gaining funds and other brings. Adding an extra term would enhance the City (West U) within these types of organizations and give Our Counalmembers added experience. • Initiative and Power of Referendum. Its been recommended That the City raises the required percentage of registered voters from 3 percent to 5 percent of registered voters on a petition for the power of referendum and initiative. The City has 10,000 registered voters, so 500 voters, instead of 300, would be required but X doesn't hake into account the dynamics of people who vote in municipal elections versus the people who vote in presidential elections. In the City's last muncosi l election 900 people voted. Looking at similar cities like Bellaire, Pearland and Sugar land they have tied their referendums to people who vote in municipal elections. Bellaire requires 25 percent of the people who voted in the last municipal election, which makes more sense, though she is not requesting that change be on the ballot With regard to this referendum, she wants the (actual) voters to be heard and thinks it would be counterproductive to make it harder for them to get something on the ballot. • City Secretary reporting to the City Manager. She is fine with the way it is now. There is an ordinance that has the City Secretary being reNewed by the City Manager, but if the voters think it is more efficient to put the City Secretary under the City Manager, that is for the voters to decide. Councilmember Johnson stated her thoughts as follows: • Initiative and Power of Referendum. It is disappointing that only 900 of the City's residents vole in an election out of 10,000 voters. She said if there is a power of Initiative, she would hope if would be the kind of Issue that would draw voters out and to say there needs to be 5 percent threshold t0 get more people involved in the community, o she is inclined to agree with the proposed 5 persont. • City Secretary reporting to the City Manager. She is in favor of this amendment. There will not be much difference since the City Secretary has been reporting to the City Manager on a day -to -day basis anyway. She said personably should be removed from Me Issue and it should be based on the job title. City Council Minutes, August 26, 2013 Councilmember Yehm commented on the proposed amendments as follows: • Limits on Successive Terms. Supports Mayor Pro Tam Sample's conclusion on the successive terms for the reasons she stated. Initiative and Power of Referendum. Supports what Councilmember Johnson stated because he Minks what you don't want to have is a small group of people, be it 300 perhaps, to cause a change. The ideal is for the cause to be effective when Council has been unresponsive to the will of the people to the point Mat people are very interested in an issue. He thinks the 5 percent is a good threshold to make sure a substantial issue is being addressed. City Secretary reporting to the City Manager. He opined that too much has been made about the concept of checks and balances as being the reason for an independent City Secretary. He can't imagine it being a healthy work environment for a City Manager 0 there is a City Secretary watching over him. He said he was a member of West V City Council when Mere was a problem with a City Secretary who used to language in the Charter in a way that was damaging to the City and City Council was almost hamstrung by the language to do anything about it. He said only over a period of time steps were taken to redefine the job description of the City Secretary mare precisely. Then, after the nevi City Council was elected, it went a step further by vesting an enclosure to effectively cause the City Secretary to effectively report b the City Manager. He said now there is a something of an Imbalance between the Charter, the ordinance and Me job descnpi on. This amendment to the Charter will clean it all up. He said Council might also want to consider amending the ordinance because this amendment would effectively give the City Secretary the same status of the other department heads and require Council to approve the hiring and firing. He said one thing that is missing from the proposition language is to require fee City Manager to appoint a City Secetary who would be an oRrcer of Me City. Regarding the Proposition relating to the City Secretary reporting In Me City Manager, Assistant City Attorney Everette said to Charter language currently states "...and shall perform other duties required by the Council this Charter or the laws of fire State of Texas as an offcar of Me City" Councilmember Veble said that's fear but the ballot language says 'to authorize the city manager with approval of the City Council to appoint" and it should state 'require', not just summers. City Manager Ross conNtned that Councilmember sh le's comment was offered in the form of an amendment. Councilmember HeaMceh moved to approve the amended motion. Councilmember Heathcoff said he supports all the proposed amendments, as well as all of the amendments to the ballot and the language that have been proposed by the other coundlmembers. Assistant City Attorney Eversole called to question the motion and seconds to the motion on the table: • Removeldelere Proposition ] regarding Interim Government; and Amend Proposition 6 to require Me city manager to appoint, versus authorize, the city manager to appoint the city secretary City Council Minutes, August 25, 2013 Motion passed. Ayes: Sample, Heathcod, Johnson, vents Noes: None Absent: Fry 6. Harris County Appraisal District Board of Directors Nomination Matters related to the selection of a candidate to serve on the Harris County Appraisal District Board. Councilmember Johnson moved to approve supporting Counclmember Ed Heal as Harris County representative for the Appraisal District. Councilmember Yeats seconded the motion, but with an amendment to nominate him ramer than just support him. Motion Passed. Ayes: Sample, Healhcott, Johnson, Yehle Noes: None Absent: Fry 5. 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 ember 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 City Council Minutes of August 12, 2013. B. National Payroll Week Proclamation Matters related to proclaiming the week of September 2-5, 2013, as National Payroll Week. C. Screw Pump Replacement Project Matters related to authorizing the City Manager to execute a work order with HDR Engineering for the screw pump replacement project. Councilmember Johnson moved to approve the Consent Agenda as presented. Councilmember Yehle seconded Oe motlon. MOTION PASSED. Ayes: Sample, Heatbcob, Johnson, Yehle Noes: None Absent: Fry e. Reports by Counclll$taff There were no Council /staff reports. T. Adjourn Meeting With further business, Councilmember Heathcolt moved ho adjourn the meeting at 7:15 p.m. Councilmember Johnson secondetl the motion. MOTION PASSED. Ayes: Sample, Heamcoft, Johnson, Yehle WV City Council Waimea, August 26, 2013 �EBI UYtYF s: None mE nf:�FW hY t�•.nl Thelma A. Lenz, City Secretary ME v9 :'� Date Approved