HomeMy WebLinkAbout041403R CC Min
CITY COUNCIL REGULAR SESSION
MONDAY, APRIL 14, 2003
MUNICIPAL BUILDING
3800 UNIVERSITY BLVD.
6:30 P.M.
The City Council convened in Regular Session in the Municipal Building Council
Chambers (3800 University Blvd.) on April 14, 2003, with the following members present:
Mayor Lewis presiding, Council Members May, Farley, Griffin and Jackson. The City
Manager, City Secretary, City Attorney, Assistant City Manager/Public Works Director,
Finance Director, Parks and Recreation Director and City Planner were also present.
The notice for this meeting was posted in accordance with the Texas Government Code,
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Chapter 551, on the 11day of April 2003 at 4:40 p.m.
Formal Session
Proclamation for National Public Works Week.
Matters related to a Proclamation for National Public Works Week to be celebrated May 3
– May 9, 2003.
A motion was made by Council Member Griffin, seconded by Council Member Jackson,
to approve the Proclamation for National Public Works Week.
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
Proclamation for Arbor Day 2003.
Matters related to a Proclamation celebrating Arbor Day on May 3, 2003.
A motion was made by Council Member Griffin, seconded by Council Member May, to
approve the Proclamation for Arbor Day 2003.
A vote was taken on the motion with the following result:
City Council Regular Session, April 14, 2003
Voting Aye: Mayor Lewis, Council Members May, Farley, Griffin and
Jackson
Voting Nay: None
Absent: None
Signs.
Matters related to sign regulations including Ordinance No. 1733.
Mayor Lewis read the caption of Ordinance No. 1733 as follows:
An ordinance amending the Code of Ordinances of the City of West University Place,
Texas, regarding signs; and containing findings and provisions relating to the subject.
Copies of Ordinance No. 1733, in the form proposed for adoption, were available in the
Council Chambers.
Nes Tesno, City Planner, stated that this was the second and final reading of Ordinance No.
1733, which amends Chapter 3 of the Code of Ordinances regarding signs. Key changes will
be:
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Clarify that only outdoor signs are regulated.
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Allows signs in vending machines.
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Adds restrictions on ground signs (monument, pylon or pole signs, etc), limits on
numbers, location, design and height.
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Adds restrictions on Building Mounted signs, limits on size, projections, canopy signs
and height.
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Power line separation.
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Limits display area for fixed signs (5% to 3% of site area).
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Allows two semi-fixed signs at unoccupied homes (i.e. house under construction), no
limit on size of semi-fixed for occupied homes.
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Raises maximum display area from four square feet to five square feet for signs at
single-family residences and imposes max limit to 32 square feet of display area.
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Clarifies that flags are allowed without limit at occupied single-family residences.
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Allows banners, subject to certain limits except at unoccupied sites.
The public hearing was held on March 10, 2003. The Zoning & Planning Commission voted
to forward their final report to Council with no changes.
A motion was made by Council Member Jackson, seconded by Council Member Farley, to
adopt Ordinance No. 1733 on the second and final reading.
A vote was taken on the motion with the following result:
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City Council Regular Session, April 14, 2003
Voting Aye: Mayor Lewis, Council Members May, Farley, Griffin and
Jackson
Voting Nay: None
Absent: None
Driveways, etc.
Matters related to driveways, maneuvering areas, curb cuts, etc, including Ordinance No.
1734.
Mayor Lewis read the caption of Ordinance No. 1734 as follows:
An ordinance amending the zoning ordinance of the City of West University Place, Texas,
regarding driveways, curb cuts, etc.; and containing findings and provisions relating to the
subject
Copies of Ordinance No. 1734, in the form proposed for adoption, were available in the
Council Chambers.
Mrs. Tesno reported that this was the second and final reading of Ordinance No. 1734 for
driveways, maneuvering areas and curb cuts.
The proposal to amend Table 7-5a, Sections 10-102 and 10-103 and Article 2 is as follows:
(1) Clean up of regulations, including some cross-referencing, definitions and
reorganization.
(2) All 30-foot-wide driveway for side facing garages with three or more bays (compared
with 20 feet under current ordinance).
(3) Add measurement rules for maximum driveway width and maximum curb cut width
(Note: driveway maximum widths would be measured in the street area—i.e., the ROW
and in the front yards only. As a result the maximum widths would not apply elsewhere.
Curb cut widths would be measured at the edge of the roadway.); and
(4) Allow parking pads, stub driveways or other maneuvering areas in residential front yards
connected to a major thoroughfare (i.e. Kirby, Bellaire or Bissonnet), to allow vehicles
to turn around and enter thoroughfare going forward.
The public hearing was held on March 10, 2003. The Zoning & Planning Commission voted
to forward the final report to Council with no changes.
A motion was made by Council Member Jackson, seconded by Council Member Farley, to
adopt Ordinance No. 1734 on second and final reading.
A vote was taken on the motion with the following result:
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City Council Regular Session, April 14, 2003
Voting Aye: Mayor Lewis, Council Members May, Farley, Griffin and
Jackson
Voting Nay: None
Absent: None
Friends of West University Place Parks Fund; Colonial Park.
Matters related to the Friends of West University Place Parks Fund, including expenditure
of $16,500 for improvements to Colonial Park.
Parks and Recreation Director Mark Mailes reported that specific items were purchased at the
Park Lovers Ball for installation at Colonial Park. Items included trees, a bench, porch swing,
and a spring rider. In addition, the Friends approved additional monies for the purchase of a
second spring rider and a seesaw snake at Colonial Park. Finally a donor wall/memorial is
desired to recognize contributors for Colonial Park. Mr. Mailes stated that the total amount
requested is $16,500.
A motion was made by Council Member Griffin, seconded by Council Member Farley, to
approve the expenditure in the amount of $16,500 for improvements to Colonial Park.
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
Water rate analysis.
Matters related to a water rate analysis and a proposed contract.
Mayor Lewis requested that this item be tabled until the next council meeting.
City Council meeting dates.
Matters related to City Council meetings for the month of May.
City Secretary Kaylynn Holloway reported that State Law requires that the City Council
convene to conduct the local canvass not earlier than the third day or later than the sixth
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day after the election to be held on May 3. The City Staff is recommending that a
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council meeting be held on Tuesday, May 6 instead of May 12 to canvass the returns of
the election and to conduct normal business.
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City Council Regular Session, April 14, 2003
The second council meeting date in May falls on Memorial Day this year. Staff is
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recommending that this meeting date be changed to Monday, May 19.
A motion was made by Council Member May, seconded by Council Member Jackson, to
approve the meeting date changes for the month of May.
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
West University Recreation Center (YMCA facility).
Matters related to the West University Recreation Center (YMCA facility) including
possible agreement with Houston Independent School District for the temporary use of
the property.
City Manager Michael Ross reported that representatives from the Houston Independent
School District have expressed a desire to work with the City of West University in
developing an agreement for them to utilize the YMCA facility and grounds for up to two
years while the Mark Twain Elementary School is demolished and rebuilt. Mr. Ross
introduced Richard Lawrence, District Superintendent of Rebuild HISD.
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Mr. Lawrence reported that on November 5 the voters overwhelmingly passed an
$808,000,000 bond election for schools and HISD is now beginning to get that project
underway. One of the schools slated for replacement is Mark Twain Elementary and he
has been diligently looking for alternatives for children during the time that their school is
being rebuilt. One site considered is the Pershing Middle School campus for a temporary
school. However, the land is very limited and traffic and parking could be a problem.
Mr. Lawrence stated that the HISD staff has reviewed the YMCA site on Bellaire
Boulevard and they feel that if they had the opportunity to lease that facility they could
create a fairly good school during the interim time. Approximately 18 temporary buildings
would be placed on the soccer fields each holding two classrooms and using the offices
and gymnasium as a multi-purpose room. The facility would be returned to West
University Place in better condition than before if they were able to come to an agreement.
The site does have driveways for buses to pull off to load and unload children and there is
adequate parking for the faculty.
Council Member Griffin asked if the abatement of the asbestos was part of the
negotiations.
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City Council Regular Session, April 14, 2003
Mr. Lawrence stated that the abatement would be a part of the negotiations as well as
some of the ADA issues that would need to be addressed.
Council Member Farley asked about the time frame for demolition and rebuilding of Mark
Twain.
Mr. Lawrence stated that it was about a two-year time frame but this would depend upon
when the YMCA facility was available.
Mayor Lewis asked Mr. Mailes about the advantage of leasing the building in terms of the
planning process for the eventual use of that property.
Mr. Mailes stated that leasing the building for the next two years would give the Staff
more time to do the planning and raise money or generate funds.
Mayor Lewis asked about the use of the swimming pool and facilities during the off-
season.
Mr. Lawrence stated that there could possibly be some activities in the swimming pool.
A motion was made by Council Member Griffin, seconded by Council Member Jackson, to
authorize the City Manager to negotiate an acceptable agreement with HISD for the use of the
YMCA property and, if necessary, to utilize experts for the negotiations.
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 Session conducted on March 24, 2003.
A motion was made by Council Member Farley, seconded by Council Member May, to
approve the minutes as presented.
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
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City Council Regular Session, April 14, 2003
The City Council recessed the Formal Session to convene in Informal Session at 6:55 p.m.
Informal Session
2003 Certificates of Obligation.
Matters related to 2003 Certificates of Obligation including a schedule of events,
projected debt service and estimated tax impact.
Finance Director Walter Thomas reported that in 1995 the voters approved issuing $63
million in bonds to finance the largest public works project in the City’s history. At that
time, the plan was to basically reconstruct the City’s entire infrastructure, with the
exception of a few of the newer utility lines and some portions of existing concrete paving
in the City.
In 2002 the City issued the last of those authorized bonds. By the end of 2002 the City
had projects underway with construction costs estimated to be over $26 million.
Construction projects including paving the 3700 block of University Boulevard, Area 11B,
Area 10, and drainage engineering for priority Area 2 are now ready to begin. These
projects are estimated to cost over $17 million.
As of January 1, 2003, the City had $17.4 million on hand. METRO funds and interest
will provide another $1.5 million, giving the City $18.9 million to finance the remaining
costs of construction. The estimated cost to complete all projects is $28.6 million, leaving
the funding short $9.9 million. In order to finance this shortfall, the City’s Financial
Advisors, RBC Dain Rauscher recommends issuing $9.9 million of Certificates of
Obligation.
This bond issue will increase future debt service requirements by just over $600,000
annually. The Debt Service tax rate would rise by $0.015 cents to $0.255 cents per $100
valuation in 2004 Budget Year. If no further debt is issued (and a assumed 2% growth in
assessed values materializes) the rate will stabilize and begin to decline, as assessed values
further grow.
This is intended to be the final funding bond issue for the Infrastructure Replacement
Program. Of course the amount of the cost to complete all projects related to the
Infrastructure Program is based on numerous estimates. Should these estimates prove to
be too conservative, future revenues dedicated to the program could be diverted to other
projects or to debt service. Should the estimate prove to be insufficient, funding would
come from the General Fund Balance or a future bond sale. Based on these estimates the
total cost of the program is expected to be over $82 million. Funding sources include $73
million in debt, $4 million from METRO; and $4 million construction period interest
earnings and $1 million in contributions from General Revenues.
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City Council Regular Session, April 14, 2003
Mr. Walters introduced Frank Ildebrando from RBC Dain Rauscher. He reviewed a
tentative schedule for the sale of $9.9 million of Certificates of Obligation.
A motion was made by Council Member Farley, seconded by Council Member May, to
approve a of schedule of events for the sale of $9.9 million of certificates of obligation.
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
Board or Commission meetings.
Matters related to Board and Commission meetings (Zoning & Planning, Zoning Board of
Adjustment, Building & Standards Commission, Parks & Recreation, Public Safety, Senior
Services, Recycling & Solid Waste Reduction and Drainage Committee) including reports
from Council liaisons.
Mayor Lewis reported that the Zoning and Planning Commission discussed the building
framed area. She requested that the item relating to setbacks be placed on the next regular
session.
Inquiries, requests and complaints.
The City Council reviewed matters received from the public and referred them to the
appropriate department or will place them on a future agenda for consideration or action.
Staff report.
Mr. Ross reported that he and the City Manager from Bellaire had a very positive meeting
with the City of Houston’s Council Members Goldberg and Keller to discuss the train
noise and they agreed to have their legal staff talk with the City’s legal staff and begin
working on an interlocal agreement.
Mr. Ross also reported that streetlights would be discussed at the next meeting. He also
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reminded the Council that a public meeting would be held on May 7 at 6:00 pm to
discuss the 3700 block of University Boulevard.
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
Council meeting adjourned at 7:18 p.m.
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