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HomeMy WebLinkAbout111813 CC MinThe City of West University Place A Neighborhood City cm COUNC6 STAFF Bob For Mayor Michael Ross, Cm, Namur, Suvo Ssmple,MawrPro Tem Alan Peavc City Armmm FA Hoedown, Councilmembn Thelmal,mr'ctysmctary loenlnhnoNCoumilmember Dick Yehle,Couocilmember CITY COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES The City Council of the City of West University Place, Texas, met in spsclallworkshop and regular sessions on Monday, November 18, 2013, in the Municipal Building, 3800 University, West University Place , Texas beginning at 6:00 p.m. SPECIAL MEETINGAMORKSHOP (6:00 p.m. in the Conference Room) Call to Order. Mayor Fry called the meeting to order at 6:00 p.m. Council and Staff in attendance were Mayor Re Tem Sample, Coundlmembers Heathco0, Johnson and Yams, City Manager Ross, ACMIPubI'm Works Director Prefer, Cry Secretary Lenz, City Attorney Eversole (JRPB), Paris and Recreation Director O'Connor Assistant Public Works Direcfor Beach, Police Chief Walker and Fire Chief Taylor. Agenda items were as follows: 1. Non - Residential Zoning Review Matters related to approving the selection of a Non - Residential Zoning Review consultant and au0odzing the City Manager to negotiate and execute the corresponding professional services contract. City Manager Ross presented and said a comprehensive review of the non - residential provisions of the zoning regulations, with an emphasis on finding the highest and bast use of the Citys properties and the properties involved with the area known as Town Center, has been a long -term goal of Ciry Council. Mr. Ross mid staff has requested consultant qualifcations based on resumes, which Is the step required by law before actually negotiating on a price or agreement with a consultant He said based on all of the submittals for qualifications, staff is recommending approvat of Kendig-Keast Collaborative as the preferred consultant. Councilmember Yehle moved to authorize the City Manager to negotiate and execute a professional services contract with Kendig -Roast Collaborative for zoning consultant services in an amount not to exceed the budgeted amount of $15,000.00. Councilmember Johnson seconded the motion. MOTION PASSED. Ayes: Fry, Sample, Heafhcott, Johnsen, Yehle Noes: None Absent: None City Council Minutes, Novembe -18 2013 2. Fee Schedule Matters related to an ordinance adopting the City's revised Fee Schedule, including but not limited to fees related to Senior Services and green waste. City Manager Ross presented and said the current proposed fee schedule reflects a 50 percent senior discount of the normal membership costs. He also said a waiver form has been created for any senior to sign who wants to automatically waive the fees. Regarding the green waste fee, Mr. Ross said staff is still recommending the $2 fee for non - seniors and the $1 fee for seniors to implement the grown waste program. Counctlmember Yehle spoke to suggest that the green waste initiative be reconsidered, because now Coundl has better information than H did last week. He recapped the issues he has had with Nis. He said looking primarily from a cood benefit relationship, the benefit as he understands it is that the City would be taking green waste (yard clippings) out of the sold waste stream. He said he tloesnY see green waste as a pollutant compared to other recyclable materials. On the mat said, Councilmember Yehle said this is not good. He said residents ageady spend approximately $2.00 per household per month for recycling and it's being proposed to double It by another $2.00. He said in addipon residents would have to use cornmea ble bags, which costs about $ 65leach compared to $.251each for regular plastic bags and about $38 for the Kraft bag. He said the resident that par dpates will pay the $2.00 for green waste, plus another $3.20 per month for bags, which doesn't make sense to him. He sad in addition, the oampostable bags decay and not too quickly and easily, so he doesn't see the cost benefit justifying what is being proposed. Assistant Public Works Director Beach said that staff priced the bags and Ogre Is an additional cost of about $3.50 per ton to use the Kraft bags. He said ha thinks Nat the is an issue the Recycle Board should vet to bung forth a recommendation to Coundl. City Manager Ross said, generally, if Council moves forward with Me green waste program, it has the potential to increase the overall recycled materials by City residents, but every household will absorb the cost. Mayor Pro Tem Sample recommended trying the program for a year with the compostable bags to get a feel of the residents' reaction. Councilmember Heathcott said he thinks the program is expensive and he is still concernetl that the citizens will not get behind the program. Counolmember Johnson said she is on the fence. She said she agrees with the costs and Nat everybody is going to pay whether they par icipale or not. Mayor Fry asked if Council thinks it is a good idea to postpone this issue until the next budget cycle to allow the idea of the increase to filter into the community. Mayor Pro Tom Sample said she would rather not kick the can down Me med. Mayor Fry responded Nat this would not be kicking the can down the read, because Council would basically be kicking it to themselves during the next budget cycle. Councilmember Johnson said she wouldn't be opposed to postponing it in order have an opportunity to take the facts to the citizens and get their feedback. She said night new she doesn I know how the majority of the residents feel. 4117. NJ City Council Minutes, Novemher 18, 2013 Councilmember Husband suggested putting a note in the water bill to get some feedback City Manager Ross said staff is about to do a survey from the parks master planning perspective and could include a direct question regarding green waste. Mayor Pro Tom Sample said this issue was already tagged on to the automated waste survey, which she believes is the reason it client gain much traction, so it would not be a good idea, in her opinion, to stick It on the end of another survey. Mayor Fry said he suggests that the issue be postponed to let the information get out in the community and then, based on feedback, decide whether to put it in the 2015 Budget. Mayor Pro Tom Sample said one of Council's goals this year was to increase recycling. but the Council approved to close fire recycling center and now will not consider the green waste progrem. Mayor Fry reiterated that he Is just suggesting that it be postponed until the next Budget cycle so that further feedback from the community can be obtained. City Manager Ross saitl the best reading of the fee schedule is on the regular agenda for tonight's meeting and the second reading will be at the first or second mewing in December. Mayor Fry pointed out that if more information can be obtained between now and the second reading, then the fee schedule could be modified at me second reading, d Council wishes to make changes at that time. Regarding the recommended increase in seniors' fees, City Manager Ross said any senior that has a need should be able to participate in recreational activities and will be able to participate with the waiver staff has prepared. He said staff has Included me proposed 50 percent discount for seniors in the fee schedule for Council's consideration tonight. Councilmember Yehle asked if it is possible to approve the 50 percent propose l on first reading and modify on second reading, if necessary. City Manager Ross responded yes, since a proposed fee is already included in the schedule, Councilmember Johnson said she feels it is appropriate that seniors pay something, but she doesn't know how much is considered appropriate. Councilmember Heathcoft said he supports the 50 percent fee for senior citizens, because he has heard comments from younger citizens as to why may have to subsidies 100 percent for senior adults. He said mere are very few places seniors can go where its free just because they are seniors. Mayor Fry said he also supports the 50 percent fee. Mayor Pm Tom Sample said she believes that as long as the hardship waiver is available, a 50 percent discount is fair. Councilmember Johnson moved to adjourn the workshop at 630 p.m. Mayor Pro Tern Sample seconded the motion. MOTION PASSED. Ayes: Fry, Sample, HeathcoX, Johnson, Yehle 3 of] City Council Minutes, November 18, 2013 Noss: None Absent: None REGULAR MEETING (6:30 p.m. in the Council Chambers) Cell to Order. Mayor Fry called the meeting to order at 6:32 p.m. Councilmember Johnson led the Pledge of Allegiance. City Secretary Lenz confirmed that the meeting agenda was posted in accordance with the law. Agenda items were as follows: 3. Public Comments This was an opportunity for citizens to speak to Council relating to agenda and non - agenda items. titan McCandless, 3712 Rice Boulevard, spoke to introduce Peter Vmncken, the new Chair of the Senior Services Board, who previously served as the Board's secretary. He also spoke to say that he is not sure haw green waste and senior service fees are linked, but hopes they are not linked so that rf one gets tabled, the other one will, too. He also said he hopes this Council is aware of the number of senior citizens who are not in large houses and who are less fortunate. Nelson Harbison, 6700 Belmont, spoke to any he is In favor of a vary low fee for seniors. He said having m pay 50 percent is probably too much and he suggested 20 percent. Steven Segal, 2901 Sunset Boulevard, spoke to say that it is very signifcent that fie Senior Services Board gets t0 review the proposed fee Issue further and provide its comments for Counal review. He said he thinks it is disingenuous to say that anyone who needs a waiver would ask for It, because he thinks there are some seniors who would be hesitant to do that and thinks they would give up exercising. Mr. Segal said seniors were very instrumental to the last bond election passing and said he fears that actions on this issue can resuft in negative roles for the next bond issue, which will probably be for the parks. He said seniors remember and Councit should consider that when it sets a fee. Mr. Segal also suggested that there be more amplification in To coherence room. lam/ Kelly, 3319 Georgetown spoke to say (hat some seniors are living on net or dissolving incomes and $90 can be a substantial amount of money. He said Council should be mindful that seniors have contributed heavily to the growth of this City and they deserve more than a discount. He said free is good. 4. Fee Schedule Madam related to an ordinance adopting Oe City's revised Fee Schedule, including but not limited to fees related to Senior Services and green waste. Peter Vrancken, resident at 6700 Belmont #12 add Chair of the Seniors Services Board, spoke to address the proposal to charge the senior citizens a fee to use Me Bee Center and Colonial Pads facilities. He said the Board deplores the fact that the matter was discussed in Council poor to the Board having an opportunity to make its views known to Council. He then mad a statement agreed to unanimously by the Board members: 'We, the members of the Seniors Services Board, present or represented, are disappointed that Council has proposed enacting a fee for our seniors without first requesting our input. It is our 4an City Council Minutes, November 18, 2013 understanding that the mission of the Senior Services Board is to represent the interest of our senior citizens and we can execute our mission only 'rf permitted to participate in any decision of Council that affects our seniors. According to our Charter, the Board advises the City Council of issues that are of concern to seniors and makes recommendations regarding facilities and programs. If we are promoting our City as senior friendly, we should be encouraging our seniors to use the facilities to live a healthier Ides We request that the proposal be tabled by City Council and referred to the Senior Services Board for review and recommendation. We further request that such review and recommendation be received by City Council in a public hearing, together with any analysis previously carried out by staff, as well as the views of any other interested parties:' Michelle Moore, 3908 Rice Boulevard, spoke to say that as co -chair of the Good Neighbor Team she supports the Senior Services Board recommendation to table this proposal until further analysis and community Input can be obtained. She said she believes that any time fees are to be initiated or raised, it is Council's responsibility to solicit community input before any action is taken. In addition, she said maybe they could better understand the issue 8 they understood the motivation. She also said 9 Council would like them to help resolve the issue and make a recommendation, they would need adequate time to come up with several different alternatives. Mary Lee Gray, 4124 Albans, spoke to say that she supports what both Peter and Michelle said. She said she opposes charging the seniors a fee even at a 50 percent discount, because it does impose a hardship. She also had an opposition to the waiver form. She said they were told last week that seniors who request a waiver would get one with no questions ask, but, though the form does not ask a question, it provides an answer to a question ('What is your economic situation ? "), which is nobody's business. She said 9 Council decides to go through with the idea of a waiver, 'economic hardship' should be removed from the last part of the sentence that reads "recreational membership fee for any senior 65 and older for whom such fees present an economic hardship.' Ms. Gray said she hopes Council will rethink of whole idea, because it's not good for seniors, Senior Services or the City. Carlos Delatorm, 6700 Belmont Street # , spoke to say that he is part of the Good Neighbors Team, and said it is already hard convincing seniors to participate in activities when the whole society raiders the idea of growing old. He said what seems to be a minor thing could be a significant detenent for seniors to participate in the activities that the Senior Services provide from the City. He said there may be arguments of fairness, but fair is a relative term, because what is fair to some may not be fair to senior citizens. For example, is it fair that citizens that have five cars dining on our streets pay the same amount of a senior citzen who may not drive at all? He also asked if It's fair to provide a large area of City parks for children to play and there is nothing in those parks to include senior citizen participation. Mr. Delatorre said senior citizens don't move into West University to grow old, they grow old in West University and have contributed Wthe City for more years than the average resident. Diane Wells, 3804 Coleridge, spoke to ask If it was still the intent to start at a 50 percent discount and increase senior fees until they match the regular fee. City Manager Ross said 5df7 Oily Cmm it Minutes, November 19, 2013 the only recommendation before Council is the 50 percent discount. Ms. Wells asked if the Rec Center was losing money. Councilmember Johnson said she reviewed the operational expenses today and the revenue from membership does not cover all of the expenses. City Manager Ross said, roughly, the City is recovering about Tt percent of the operational costs from fees. Ms. Wells asked what is being done to increase membership. Mayor Fry asked Mr. O'Connor to meet with Ms. Wells to discuss the answers to her numbers; outside of the Council meeting in order to provide more details. Ms. Wells pointed out Nat Social Security is not increasing and the Texas Teachers Pension has not increased in 10 years, on an increase in fees will make a particular hardship on women who are teachers. Mayor Pro Term Sample asked how much is a pool and Rec Center family membership combined. Mr. O'Connor replied $430 for family, $230 for individual and $180 for the Rec Center only. Mayor Pm Tern Sample also asked what do surrounding cities chaye their seniors to use their facilities. Mr. O'Connor replied that Bellaire offers a 35% discount to seniors for the use of the recreational facilities, but that a majority of the chips do not offer discounts to their senior residents. Linda Smith, 6648 Community Drive, spoke to say she is against the change in fees for the seniors and asked what other source of revenue does the Rec Center have other than fees from the overall budget? City Manager Ross said taxes are paying the debt and any shortfall in the operational fees. At this time, Councilmember Yehle moved to approve the proposed fee schedule on the first reading with one amendment, which is to remove the provision for green waste management. Councilmember Heathcod seconded the motion. Councilmember Yeble said he had conversations with Mr. O'Connor to fine tune some of the daily /weekly /monthly fees so that they are more consistent. He said It is not in the proposal presented tonight, but will be included for the second reading. At this time a vote was made on the motion. Ayes: Fry, HeathcoV, Johnson, Yehle Noes: Sample Absent: None Mayor Pro Term Sample moved to approve moving the discussion of the fees to the December 9, 2013 agenda. Councilmember Yehle seconded the motion. MOTION PASSED. Ayes: Fry, Sample, Heathcotl. Johnson, Yehle Noss: None Absent: None 5. Consent Antonio All Consent Agenda hems listed are considered to be routine by the City Counal and will be enacted by one motion. There will be no separate discussion of these items unless a Council member fiat] City Counol Minutes, November 18, 2013 requests in which event the item will be removed Men the Consent Agenda and considered in its normal sequence on the agenda. A. City Council Minutes Approve Minutes of November 11, 2013 City Council meeting. B. Wastewater Treatment Plmn Screw Pumas Matters related to awarding the bid for the Sam Pump Project and authorizing the City Manager to sign the contract. Recommended Action Approve bid award and aufhwize the City Manager to sign the contract. C. Canvass Results of Charter Election Matters related to canvassing the results of the 2013 Charter Election. Recommended Aclian: Canvass the results of the 2013 Charter Elecl on. Councilmember Johnson moved to approve the Consent Agenda as presented Councilmember Heathcoft seconded the motion. MOTION PASSED. Ayes: Fry, Sample, Heathoof , Johnson, Yehle Noes: None Absent: None Wit no further business, Mayor Pro Tern Sampled moved to adjourn the meeting at 7:03 p.m. Councilmember Yehle seconded the motion. MOTION PASSED. Ayes: Fry, Sample, Heathcotl, Johnson, Verde Noes: None Absent: None ST wear Prepare y: rig e `m l a 3i Thelma A. Lenz, City Secrete f se ♦ ^a Date App ve 7 of