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HomeMy WebLinkAbout092613 CC Min0 The City of West University Place ANeighborho ed City CITYCOUNCIL STAFF Bob Fry, Mepr Micbml Puq CLy Mantra Sasso Samp14 Maym Pro Term Alin PHmv, City Art Ed Holbooq Comalmember Thelma Lori, Cily Secretary Jm Johnson, Counalmorrer Dick YehlaC walmembar CITY COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES The City Council of the City of West University Place , Texas, met in speciazoorkshop and regular wessioney on Thursday, September 26, 2013, in the Municipal Building, 3800 University, West University Place, Texas beginning At 5:30 p.m. SPECIAL MEETINGNyORKSHOP IS IF an in the Conference Rowe) Call to Order. Mayor Fry calletl the must to order at 5:30 p.m. Council and Staff in attendance were: Mayor Pm Tend Sample (droved at 352 pm.), Councilmembers mad mood, Johnson and Yehle, City Manager Ross, Clty Secretary Lenz, Assistant City Manager /Public Works Director Palter and Police Chief Walker. Agenda items are as follows: 1. Boards and Commission Manure related W the City's Boards and Commissions At 5:30 p.m., Mayor Fry mceased the workshop to convene into executive session in accordance with Section 551074 in Chapter 551, Open Meetings Act, of the Texas Government Code. At 5.47, Councllmember Johnson moved to dose me executive cannon and reconvened the workshop. Coundurember Hardihood seconded the motion. MOTION PASSED. Ayes: Fry, Headboard. Johnson, Yeble Ni None Absent: Sample Discus con regarding the boards ensued and at 5:57, Mayor Fry moved to mi the workshop and reconvene into Executive Session in order to inform Mayor Pm Tom of earlier discussion regaming the statutory booms. At 6:05 p.m., Coumilmember Dick Yeble moved to close the Execufrve Session and reconvene the workshop. Councilmember Heathmtt seconded the motion. MOTION PASSED. Ayes: Fry, Sample, HeaOcoft, Johnson, Yehle Ni None Absent: None After Council completed discussion of appointments, City Secretary Lenz said she will bong food a resolution at the October 7, 2013 meeting ougining the appoirltmeMS discussed She said she will prepare appropriate letters for We Mayor's trgnature W send to the candidates being appointed and onappoini as wall W those that were not se sicked. Clry Council Minutes, ocbber 7 2013 2. Solid Waste Matters related to Solid Waste and the recommended dosing of the City's Recycling Center. Council did not have time to discuss this Rem in workshop. At 6:09 p.m., Coundlmember Johnson moved to adjourn Me workshop. Councilmember Heatlwott seconded the motbn. MOTION PASSED. Ayes: Fry, Sample, Headman, Johnson, Yabe Noes: None Absent: None REGULAR MEETING (6:00 p.m. in the Council Chambers) Mayor Fry select the meeting to order at 6:11 p.m. Coal and Staff in attendance were: Mayor Pro Turn Sample, Coundlmembers Headman, Johnson apt Yehle. City Manager Ross, Assistant City Manager(Public Works Director Pe0er, Police Chief Welker and Finance Director Burgundy. Councilmember Joan Johnson had the Pledge of Alegiane City Secretary Lenz crammed that the meeting agenda was posted in acceptance with the law. Agenda items were as follows: 3. Public Comments This is an opportunity for fuldnerm to speak to Council relating to agenda and non- agenda items. Burt Ballardant, 3123 Amherst, spoke nature rg the amid waste issue. He said (1) recycling le a commodity and like most commodities right now, the prices are down because the world economy is down, so he doesnl think now is the time to be interfering with recycling, (2) 0 the Recycling Center needs to be rejuvenated, put a lot more focus on it for awhile, at least until a ceu de of years of Me economic cycle continues before a decision is made, (3) there a some feeling that the Recycling Committee was bypassed and if that can be canstmed as trui theta a dangerous precedence and (4) R the Recycling Center does close, what Will be done with it? He sad his premonition is Mat people will say sell it and though it might sound like a good idea dgM now, it would not be a good idea because the propeRy valuatiore in Me area are growing by large percentages. He said the real value of that locatlon wouN not be realized until a sale severe l years from now. Jan Kellogg, 2716, University Boulevard, spoke to ask Coundl to remnaker their vote on the closure of the Recycling Express, Mich has been an important landmark of the City since 1997, She said (1) during mast of those years it generated a profit, sometimes up M $500,000, (2) sins 2NIS it has been running a deficit, and therefore many have kit the necessity to dose it, but she believes this move word be premature and Irreversible, since the sale of the property would become inevitable and pre opportunity to expel recycling forever lost, (3) Me City is willing to invest its resources in other services, such as the Seniors. Tri- Sports, and Parks and Recreation, but recycling is expected to generate an income or break even. Why shouldn't the same investment be pad of Me City's policy A be responsible skwams of our resources and en iman ern(/ (4) The City wMlnues k do less, not re, recycling despite the beat efforts of the Recycling and Solid Waste Reduction Board, whose efforts are largely ignored, (5) the request m resume yam weak pick up as another effort to reduce solid waste is turned down repeatedly, because it is deemed too soapy, (6) it saddens her think that everything in the community is so easily disposable, whether it be excessive fresh or a recycling 2 of City Council Minute, O debas ], 2013 center. She said maintaining a recycling center Is a way for this very affluent community to be part of a larger community. Closing it mfll be a further abdication of that materia lRy and she sincerely hopes that City Council will reconsider its decision N close it. Mary Barnwell, 2720 dale spoke to say that (1) dosing the recycling center does trot appear to be given equal consideration as other matters such as perking preferences, whereby there were city discussions to receive input from the cigars, (2) i15 difficult to sallow that the City's funds can't manage to Include yard waste recycling and thinks X begs the question 'What is the Recycling and Solid Waste Reduction Board doing and what is its purpose? She said the RSWRB worked grekssly on poste 9 mnmbem W submit to this Council and when a consultant area hired N view automation may did not compare apples to apples even if other considerations were arraMed (3) etwironmental stewardsNp a a cost of doing business, but the City doesn't seem W take that into mnsideatlon, (4) she has been w proud to be a dozen of West U and be able to use RecydExprem ant she feels it is such an asset to the City and wishes this decision would be postponed and same kind of camove business decision be considered wit the City of Houston. Yvonne Jecubs, 2831 Jenard, said she coded W speak on lour points regardiiy RecyclExprem (1) Carbon credits. Shia said West U has a recyding ate that is 10 percent below me national average, (2) there has been absolutely no attempt to grew RecyClExpress. She saitl it a only publicized whom the City limits and yet it is surrounded by apartment houses, small businesses and gated temmuniges. She said these parts of the communities are not served by the City of Houston or am undeserved and they can be tremendous assets and help keep the facility open and change the bottom line, (3) she uses Rydym Exprwm exclusively because it offers a higher level of commodity value, because g's wiled so you get a hgherrate ford She said d it closes she vdll be going to the City of Houston, (4) the economy is starting to succeed and the prima are going up, but it is cot like the 'man mw" it once as. She said you have to be parent and you have to grow g. Spyroa Margos, 5932 Auden, spoke in favor of keeping RecyClExpress open. He sell (1) costs seem to be out of caMOI, which wises questions as to how the facility is remained. (2) dosing the faality down, will trot decrease the seat of the West U taxpayer, (3) the recycling revenue will go away, but the expenses don't necessarily go away, (4) he has heads nothing about layoffs, and although it Is commendable that the City does trot throw workers In the street, the expenses won't go tlowa, (5) if the City closes the fadliry, there will be a one-time mat to Goss the facility and continued cost for security, etc., (6) any credible proposal for closing the fadity down, should came with a plan, such as shoving how much the City would save and what should be done with the property in the long run. Jerome Brown, 2618 Centenary, spoke to say (1) he understands them are mats associated with running the recycling fa r ity at this time, which causes the City consem: hoover. RecyclExpress is an asset. He said there are a number of assets the City owns and optimum that testa me City moray, but the unique thing about Reoyd@pream Is that at least at one point in time it as paying for dseff and his possible, theoretically, that it might do so again, (2) his submission W Coal is that the decision about continuing Re ryclExprem or making some kind of permanent decision right now is premature , because Council simply dcesnq know enough, (3) there are other things that can be explored, thought about, and debated that have not been considered, like aftemative sources of funding ant more surveys. He and there are many things that ran be done to give Council a great deal mare information in order to make a more confident and conscientious mail He said he hopes Nat the City that recycles continues to be the City that recycles rather than the City that recyces for now. R31M. City Council Minutes. October 7, 2013 Ramsay Elder, 2917 Tangay spoke about the. Parks Task Force. He said seven members seems like a workable number for the task force, but proposing two sorters on the bead would give seniors far in excess of their proportion in the City and other groups would be underrepresented He saitl because the product "a task force would his given to City Cenral and possibly a mdyavids vote, he believes all task force members should be registered voters. He also said eight yours ago, a copy of the 2000 Pads Master Plan was removed from the City's webshe, and it believes it should go back on the "care since this task fame is charged with updating that plan 4. Public Hearing for Proposed Taxes Matters related to a public hearing to hear commentr on the proposed tax rate. Mayor Fry openetl the Public Heading or 6:34 p.m. City Manager Ross presented this Rem and provided a quick overview. He said even though the tax rate is being lowered, the State code requires cams to hold two public hearings since the slight increase in the overall appraised value will coons more tax revenue to be generated than the previous year. The City received the 2013 Carl Appraisal Roll form Hams County an August 23, 2013 and it was presented to Council on September 9, 2013. He said the estimated taxable assessed value for 2013 is $4,335,216,807.00l Mr. Ross said the 2013 tax rate for the 2014 Budget year will be reduced as compared to lest years rate. He said the has rate needed to support the 2014 Proposed Budget is a 208 percent tax revenue increase over the poor year. The final rate will be set by ordinance on Monday, October 7, 2013 at 6:00 p.m. in the Council Chambers . Win no comments from the public. Mayor Fry closed the Public Hearing at 6:37 p.m. 5. Public Heading for 2014 Budget Madera related to a public hearing to hear comments on the 2014 City Budget, which will include, but not be limited to fie recommendation to close the City's Recycling Center. Mayor Fry opened the Public Hearing a 637 p.m. City Manager Ross presented this item and provided an overview, of Budget highlights, •. Recommending an even 37400 tax rate Per $100 value O No recommendation for water and server rates at this time • Recommending a 9% solid waste fee increase, mitigated by the proposal to close the Recydirg Center • Recommending an average three percent pay- for - performance increase on each employee's anniversary date • Rescinding the 105 percent of market ordinance for Public Safety and establishing 100 percent of market (no budget or recru ing impact) as the baseline for compensation miss. • Estimating $75,000 for unfunded mandate relative to the Affordable Headboard Ad to be paid • by Me number of full -fime (equivalent) employees fmm 125 to 123 • Recommending dosing of the Recycling Center • Continuing Automated Meter Reading • Rehabilitating the RusienWed College Comprehensive Infrastructure Sireers and Mines 4N8 CiNCouncil Mlnules.Oclober], 2013 O Renovating Lift Stations a• Cleaning and painting of Gmund Storage Tanks Burr Ballanfant, 3123 Amherst, spoke to say he doesn't want to be callous, bud the proposed rates for solid waste is a modest W mural increase and when thinking show doing away with a feature of a Cis, whch has been a matter of significant public approval far the last 30 years, he would think long and hard about it. Brad Burke, 0024 Casa Street, spoke to say it looks like them is a deficit of spending $2,000,000 to $3,000,000 more than the revenue is. He asked (1) dlhal is correct and if so, is it sustainable, (2) is there he a longer term strategy to try and reduce me property her M e, and (3) does Council really expect line debt service to drop signifrantly in 2021 or will me City continue to issue more bons so that over the neent few years, the debt service wilt May where it is today? City Manager Ross measured Mr. Burke by saying in general, what it snows between expenditures an revenues is due to the transfer to the reserve account at the end of each year based on projections. He said pad of the revenue projections are based on how much taxes, fees etc., the City anticipates cohmoing. Finance Director Daugherty spoke to say line City budgets very conservatively, so at the end of the year, the City's revenues typically coma In over what was originally budgeted and expenditures typically come in under whet was originally budgeted, w the net increase gets wmed over into the next year. She said the GINS policy is to have a 20 percent reserve in the General Fund, so anything that falls through from the revenue and expenses, and its in excess of 20 percent of the reserve requirements, gets transferred over into a Capital Project Fund. In regards b Mr. Burke's question as to the City's la r rate substantially going down over time City Manager Ross said it the cost w fuel drops, me coat of electricity drops, elc.. like City could drop me tax ate (a IIXIe). Finance Director Daugherty lotted Mr. Burke to call or come by her office R he stIII needed Information regarding his questions. Mr. Burke said he understood line explanations. W irk no further questions or comments from line public, Mayor Fry dosed Ne heating at 7:00 p.m. e. Recvclina Center Matters related to the closure of the Chas Recycling Center. City Manager Ross presented and said staffs recommendation Is to close the Recycling Center using Scenario D as ca lin l in the order presentation. The impact associated with this scenario is a Iikle over a $1 increase per month to both over 65 entl disabled residents , both this year and next year and a little over $2.00 per month for regular pa"m for both this Warded next year. Mc Rws said staff has informed Caused of the facts surrounding the recommendation, but it is Counul's decision on what to do and shaft will catty out its wishes. Ccunciimember HeadnwX moved to Close me Recycling Center, using Monaco D as the metal. CourmIns tuber Johnson seconded the human. Mayor Pro Turn Sample said she is very disappointed that Council is considering closing the Recycling Center at this time. She said this is measuring that should he taken more seriously. She 5 of Ciy Council M mmwv Cccber ], 2013 said a lot of press and time was given to the garI Issue and though nothing happened, it gave everyone their chance M talk and be heard. Mayor Pro Tam Semple said if there was a plan for the IoM, she could sea closing the Recycling Center, but she doesn't think there is anyone on Council that would be willing to sell the land so if it a closed, Me options within we years will be between a long -lenn lease or a sale, which is the same, ark a shod term lease which will bring no material revenue. Mayor Pm Tam Sample said this is not just an investment in garbage, but it is an investment in what the people want and the services they want. She thinks tt should be taken more seriously than b vote against it on a Thursday night meeting when the Recycling Committee has Invested so much time in tt. She Me Committee should be given more time to consider ways on how to at least break even until the City can find a way to utilize the and other than sell tt. Mayor Pro Tem sample said we are the Ciy that recycles, but we do less than surrounding cities and benchmark cities. So, at Mis time unless Pere Is another meaningful plan for Me land she sees no wasvrs to dose the facility at this t me. Councilmemeer HaaPcett said this is the MIM year he has been involved in the Budget and the Recycling Center has been a topic on each of those budgets, so this is not a new issue. He said the issue is something Council has looked at with the hope that it would improve each year, but it has trot. He said b him Pe $400,000 the Cry unit not spend In the 2014 Budget is a significant savings and as an elected official, pad of his jab is being a steward of the money. He can 'I see not closing tt. Councilmember HeaMOCtt said since he has been in West University Place. Me City has made many eforls he by to get more people to recycle. He sale a lot of effort has been made to reach the individual homeowners, but Me numbers Shaw it heart helped He said while this is very important to a certain group of people, he doesn't believe it is a priority for the City as a whole. Counginnember Yens said he confesses that he is very conflicted about this decision, but is happening it because he thinks it Is Important that the City provides serviws M its people. He said the City is providing the opportunity to neyde by curbside service. which is a lot better than taking things to Rox yclExpress. He said them Is a situation with RecyclExpress, whereby a relatively small percentage of people who actually use the facility are West U citizens and he thinks h'a responsible to provide services to West U people and be less concerned about those outside of West U. Councilmember Yeble said that in sudden to having epeatirg costs that are falling below the revenue generated Pe City has to make a ceplMl Investment to keep RecyclExpress affect; so, it is a strategic time to make the choice to close it. Councilmember Yehle said regarding green waste, he would ho in support a study of green waste, but tt shouldn't be confused with the decision on RecyclExpress. Councilmamber Johnson said it is also a difficult decision for her, but a decision like the has to be made in reference to Me whole population. She said in making the decision, when she looks at losing $200,000 a year for Iwo or three years, its just adding on to the deficit and it rated mok like the future will change any time soon. She said the Recycling Committee has worked very hard, bur it a a mancal decision at this pound. She said if Mere were no other altemaloves, It would be a different story, but the City does have cuTSide recycling and the Houston Recys irg Center is less than 4 miles away from West U. leg 113 Cry Council Minutes, October 1. 2019 Mayor Pro Tam Sample said one of the reasons the City is low on recycling rates is because it doesnY do green waste. She said that ei bump up the rates substantially. Comwilmember Johnsen said green where should be a separate discussion from the Recycling Canter, but thinks the City should review green waste options in Me future. Mayor Fry commented to say Nat consideration to close the Recycling Center is not new. He sand he s elected to Council in 2007 and every year Council was told that it weal I working and ti has continued losing money ever since . He said this 'IS a very good program whose time has come and gone. He said he has always tried to be a good strovi of the people's money, so he a voting to ones the facility. At this time a vote was made on Me motion. MOTION PASSED. Ayes: Fry, Hasthcoq Johnson, Yana Noss: Sample Absent. None T. H -GAC 2014 General ASSembly Matters related to the designation of a West University Place representative and a0emate for the HoustcnGalveston Area Council 2014 General Assembly. Councilmember Heathcoti moved to elect Mayor Fry as Me representative. Mayor Pro Tam Sample seconded the motion. M0TIONPASSEO. Ayes: Fry, Sample, HeathCOX, Johnson, YeMe Noes: None Absent: None Councilmember Heathcott moved N elect Councllmember YeMe as the Aftemate represenNtive. Comwilmember Johnson abounded the motion. MOTION PASSED. Ayes: Fry, Sample, Heathcoth Johnson, Yehle Noes: None Absent: None S. Consent Agenda All Consent Agenda items listed are considered to he routine by the City Council 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 0em will be removed from the Consent Agenda and considered in Its normal sequence an Me agenda. A. City COUncO Minutes Approve the City Councii Minutes of September 9, 2011 W. Thelma Lem, City Secretary S. Friends of West U Parks Fund Board Matters related a resolut'am appointing and reappointing members to the Friends of West University Place Parks Fund Board, C. Microsoft Enterprise Agreement Renewal Mailers related to renewal of an agreement with Microsoft Enterprise. all. City Council Minutes, October ], 2013 O. Election Contract with Harris County Matters related to approval of a contraci with Harris County for services related to the City§ Charter Election on November 5. 2013. E. Perks Metier Planning Matters related to abounding members to the Chnams PaM Master Planning Task Force. Item E was pulled from the Consent Agenda. Mayor Fry asked for all to signify approval of the Consent Agenda items A . ALL APPROVED. Ayes: Fry,$ample, HeatM1GOXr Johnson, Yehle Noes: None Absent: None City Manager Ross said Phyllis Cohen would like to be considered as a Candidate to serve on the Citizens Park Master Planning Task Force. Mayor Pm Tern Fry said he renominates Phyllis Cohen for the Task Force and Called for a motion. Councilmember Johnson moved W approved appointing all of the members as recommended, including Phyllis Cohen. Councilmember knoll seconded the motion. MOTION PASSED. Ayes: Fry, Sample, Headlined, Johnson, Yehle Noes: None Absent None 9. Reports by Councilteff There ware n, reports by Council or stag 10. Adioum Meetlna With no further business, Councilmember Yehle moyed to adjourn the meeting at 7:25 p.m. Councilmember Hai seconded the motion. MOTION PASSED. Ayes: Fry, Sample,H Johnson, Yehle Noes: None A,FUT Yt/Yp Absent: None k.O 8 Prepare 8 C I w The ma A. Lenz, CXy Secretary Date App ed om