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HomeMy WebLinkAbout041299S CC Min CITY COUNCIL WORKSHOP SESSION MONDAY, APRIL 12, 1999 MUNICIPAL BUILDING 3800 UNIVERSITY BLVD. 6:45 P.M. The City Council convened in Workshop Session in the Municipal Building (3800 University Blvd.) on April 12, 1999, with the following members present: Mayor Fogler presiding, Council Members Neal, Starich and Sparkman. The City Manager, City Secretary, City Attorney, Police Chief, Fire Chief, Finance Director, Public Works Director, Treatment Plant Manager and Public Works Supervisor were also present. AGENDA REVIEW: The City Council reviewed the regular meeting agenda and discussed items under consideration with the Staff. TRAFFIC CONTROL ON BELMONT AVENUE: Matters related to traffic control on Belmont Avenue. Mary Jordan, 2930 Cason, asked the City Council to consider closing Belmont Street because of the rapid development of the area South of Holcombe and the increase of cut- through traffic. She stated that Belmont Street could be used as a “test” by temporarily closing the street and then determining the effect on Belmont and on its neighboring streets. Mayor Fogler asked the Police Chief to provide the City Council with traffic counts on Belmont, Vanderbilt and Brompton Streets. This item will be placed on a later agenda for further discussion. The City Council recessed the Workshop Session to convene in Regular Session at 7:40 p.m. The Workshop Session reconvened at 8:12 p.m. Council Member Davis arrived at 8:00 p.m. WHITT JOHNSON PARK RENOVATION: Matters related to Whitt Johnson Park and park planning and joint meeting with Parks and Recreation Board. Lori Gobillot, 2634 Arbuckle, discussed changes that she wanted made to the plans for the reconstruction of Whitt Johnson Park. City Council Workshop Session, April 12, 1999 Members of the Parks and Recreation Board and Architect Scott Slaney were present at the meeting. A motion was made by Council Member Davis, seconded by Council Member Sparkman, to authorize the City Staff to solicit bids on the final plans for the reconstruction of Whitt Johnson Park as approved by the Parks and Recreation Board. A vote was taken on the motion with the following result: Voting Aye: Mayor Fogler, Council Members Neal, Davis, Starich and Sparkman Voting Nay: None Absent: None PUBLIC WORKS DEPARTMENT REORGANIZATION: Matters related to an organizational change in the Public Works Department and meter reading. Public Works Director Ed Menville reported that during a review of water operations, it was determined that the City is experiencing high water losses. This loss is not necessarily wasted water, but water that is not monitored and recorded. This includes water used for City facilities such as parks, irrigated medians, buildings, and the sports fields on the West University Elementary School campus. Additional water is lost due to inefficient meters and undetected water leaks. Plant Supervisor Patrick Walters, working with staff, has proposed integrating existing Field Services and Plant Management into a new operation — Water Utilities. This new division, within the Public Works Department, would have responsibility for all water and wastewater operations, lift stations, utility turn-ons and disconnects, meter and fire hydrant maintenance, and the repair and maintenance of water distribution and wastewater collection systems. In addition, it is recommended that the City terminate its current meter reading contract with ST Environmental and assume direct responsibility for meter reading operations. Under the current agreement with ST Environmental, the City is paying 49 cents per meter, however, they have requested that the contract be renegotiated to 68 cents per meter, or about $50,000 a year. If the agreement with ST Environmental were to be terminated, the City would hire two Utility Service Technicians at an annual cost of $54,000. These technicians would have additional duties and responsibilities and would provide an enhanced level of service to residents at a very minimal cost. The plan includes the elimination of one supervisory position, although a new position, Water Utility Coordinator, is proposed and reflects revised duties and responsibilities. 2 City Council Workshop Session, April 12, 1999 A Comprehensive Water Service Plan would also be implemented that would provide field customer service (such as water turn-ons) from 7:00 to 7:00 , Monday AMPM through Friday; improved meter maintenance; creation of a meter inventory; and the development of a meter repair and replacement program. With these efforts, the City can possibly reduce the current average annual water loss from 29% to 10-15% over the next five years. Based on increased revenues and water savings through operational efficiencies and leak detection, the Staff anticipates that the cost savings factor to the City could reasonably be placed in the range of $150-200,000 annually. The City Council agreed that the City Staff should proceed with the reorganization. STREET NAMING CONTEST: Matters related to The Name’s the Game street naming contest. The City Council agreed to name the streets “Jane Austen” and “Spelman”. The City Attorney will prepare an ordinance for the next meeting. MATTERS RELATED TO PENDING OR CONTEMPLATED LITIGATION OR A SETTLEMENT OFFER: MEI vs the Zoning Board of Adjustment of the City of West University Place. (involving 4130 Riley) Closed Executive Session to be held under Section 551.071, Texas Government Code. The City Council convened in Executive Session at 9:37 p.m. with the following persons present: Mayor Fogler presiding, Council Members Neal, Davis, Starich and Sparkman. The City Manager, City Secretary, City Attorney, Public Works Director, Zoning Board of Adjustment Chair Sue Porretto and Attorney John Hightower. The City Council closed the Executive Session at 10:33 p.m. and convened in open session. A motion was made by Council Member Davis, seconded by Council Member Neal, to authorize the City Manager to enter into a settlement agreement with the property owners with the language changes as discussed and the city to be reimbursed for its attorneys fees. A vote was taken on the motion with the following result: Voting Aye: Mayor Fogler, Council Members Neal, Davis, Starich and Sparkman 3 City Council Workshop Session, April 12, 1999 Voting Nay: None Absent: None INQUIRIES, REQUESTS AND COMPLAINTS: The City Council reviewed matters received from the public and referred them to the appropriate department or agreed to place them on a future agenda for consideration or action. MATTERS RELATED TO THE EVALUATION OF A PUBLIC OFFICER OR EMPLOYEE: Evaluation of City Manager and City Secretary Closed Executive Session to be held under Section 551.074, Texas Government Code. The City Council convened in Executive Session at 10:35 p.m. The City Council closed the Executive Session at 11:33 p.m. and convened in open session. A motion was made by Council Member Davis, seconded by Council Member Sparkman, to increase the City Secretary’s salary to $45,000 annually and to increase the City Manager’s salary to $92,400 annually. A vote was taken on the motion with the following result: Voting Aye: Mayor Fogler, Council Members Neal, Davis, Starich and Sparkman Voting Nay: None Absent: None ADJOURNMENT: With no further business to come before the City Council at this time, a motion was made by Council Member Sparkman, seconded by Council Member Neal, to adjourn. The Workshop Session adjourned at 11:40 p.m. 4