HomeMy WebLinkAbout041414 CC MinThe City of West University Place
A Neighborhood City
CITY COUNCIL
Bob Fry, Mayor
Susan Sample, Mayor Pro Tem
Ed Heathcott, Councilmember
Joan Johnson, Councilmember
Dick Yehle, Councilmember
STAFF
Michael Ross, City Manager
Alan Petrov, City Attorney
Thelma Lenz, City Secretary
CITY COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES
The City Council of the City of West University Place, Texas, met in a workshop and regular session
on Monday, April 14, 2014, in the Municipal Building, 3800 University, West University Place, Texas
beginning at 6:00 p.m.
Agenda Items were as follows:
Call to Order. Mayor Fry called the meeting to order at 6:00 p.m. in the Conference Room. Council
and Staff in attendance were: Mayor Pro Tern Sample, Councilmembers Heathcott, Johnson and
Yehle, City Manager Ross, Assistant City Manager /Public Works Director Peifer, City Secretary
Lenz, Assistant City Attorney Martye M. Kendrick, JRPB, Parks and Recreation Director O'Connor,
and Assistant Public Works Director Beach.
SPECIAL MEETING/WORKSHOP
Workshop Agenda item was as follows:
1. Mayors Youth Council
Matters related to a Mayor's Youth Council. Recommended Action: Discuss and take any desired
action.
City Manager Ross presented this item and stated that one of the City Council goals was to
explore opportunities for a Mayors Youth Council (MYC). He said while exploring the
opportunities, it was suggested that City of Houston be contacted to see if West U residents
could join the Houston Mayor's Youth Council. In doing so, staff found that Houston only allows
Houston residents in the program.
At this time, Councilmember Johnson requested that Item 2 (Youth Recreational Programs) be
presented so that both programs can be discussed together.
2. Youth Recreational Programs
Matters related to recreational programs for local youth 10 to 15 years old (tweens and teens).
Recommended Action: Discuss and take any desired action.
Parks and Recreation O'Connor presented and stated that when the idea of a Youth Council was
originally presented the Parks and Recreation Department thought it could take advantage of a
group of youth and serve the teen and tween programming needs in West U. He said staff
City Council Minutes, April 14, 2014
thought it could effectively combine the Council Goal of establishing a MYC with the Council Goal
of developing programs and activities for teens and tweens.
Mr. O'Connor said it became apparent that the two goals would require different approaches and
subsequently different results, so staff feels that the PARD should create an informal group of
youngsters, ages 10 -15, in an advisory capacity and, hopefully, in a promotion capacity as well.
He said staff is recommending that the City Manager be authorized to direct staff to solicit youth
for the advisory committee consisting of 6 to 7 youths to share what teens and tweens like to do
and what they would participate in.
Mr. O'Connor said the Youth Recreation Advisory Committee would be a completely separate
from the MYC. He said if Council decides to go forward with a MYC, it should fall under the
purview of the Administration division instead of the Parks and Recreation Department, because
the person heading the program would coordinate with all the departments if the program will be
truly geared toward all aspects of government.
To summarize, City Manager Ross stated that one group would be a smaller group as an
advisory committee for the Parks and Recreation Department and one group would be more of a
Mayors Youth Council geared toward civic government.
Councilmember Johnson said she wanted to hear about both of the issues together, because she
doesn't want the City to get into a position of biting off more than what staff can do. She said she
likes them both, but doesn't want staff to be overwhelmed.
Mayor Pro Tern Sample said the Youth Recreation Advisory Committee is a wonderful idea. She
said kids are already over - programmed and so it would be good for them to have something to
do during their "off' time. She also said the program would be more successful if the activities
are suggestions from their peers.
In response to Mayor's Fry question as to what the local West U area churches are doing
regarding teens and tweens. Mr. O'Connor responded that staff has not contacted them yet, but
will contact the Youth Pastors and maybe discuss a partnership and use the City's amenities to
enhance what they are already doing.
Councilmember Heathcott said he has a lot more enthusiasm for a Youth Recreation Advisory
Committee than a Mayors Youth Council. He said kids have far more opportunities than they
have time, so the advisory committee would better serve the City.
City Manager Ross said that staff can also ask the churches to gauge the youth in their youth
ministries to see if they would be interested in serving on a Mayors Youth Council.
Councilmember Yehle said there are two functions and two groups of teenagers. He said he is
100 percent in support of the Recreation Youth Advisory Committee and is equally enthusiastic
about the Mayors Youth Council. He said the MYC is a tool to enhance a student's college
application and is also a way for Council to have the chance to impart on that demographic in the
City. He said he would love the chance to mentor the students in some way. He said the
program is more than just shadowing people, but also a way to learn how the nuts and bolts of
city government come together.
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City Council Minutes, April 14, 2014
Mayor Fry said it appears that Council would like to continue with the idea of a MYC if staff
resources are available to do it right and if there is enough interest from the youth in the
community to do it. Staff is to contact the (West U) churches to get more information and then
bring back findings to Council before proceeding with the MYC.
Mayor Fry said staff can proceed with the Parks and Recreation Advisory Committee.
City Manager Ross said the Communications Manager, when hired, will take the lead on the
MYC, with a possible rollout at the beginning of the new school year.
With no further business to discuss, Mayor Fry adjourned the Workshop a 6:29 p.m
REGULAR MEETING (6:30 p.m. in the Council Chambers)
Agenda items are as follows:
Call to Order. Mayor Fry called the meeting to order at 6:32 p.m. in the Conference Room. Council
and Staff in attendance were: Mayor Pro Tern Sample, Councilmembers Heathcott, Johnson and
Yehle, City Manager Ross, Assistant City Manager /Public Works Director Peifer, City Secretary
Lenz, Assistant City Attorney Martye M. Kendrick, JRPB, Parks and Recreation Director O'Connor,
and Assistant Public Works Director Beach.
Scouts from Troop 55 led the Pledge of Allegiance.
Secretary Lenz confirmed that the Notice of the workshop and regular meetings was duly posted in
accordance with the Texas Government Code, Chapter 551.
3. Public Comments
This is an opportunity for citizens to speak to Council relating to agenda and non - agenda items.
There were no public comments.
4. Street Sweeper Replacement
Matters related to purchasing a street sweeper. Recommended Action: Authorize the City
Manager to purchase a new street sweeper in an amount not to exceed $225,000.
Public Works Director Peifer said the City replaced an eleven year old sweeper in 2008, but in
the last 2 years staff has had to spend an additional $40,000 above and beyond the cost of
normal operations to get the optimal level of service from it. He said in addition, emission
requirement changes and the associated cost increase will take affect around October of this
year, so rather than wait until then, staff elected to get authorization to move forward with the
purchase at this time.
In response to Mayor Fry's question as to where the funds will come from, City Manager Ross
said it will come out of the existing fleet replacement fund. He said if more funds are needed, the
additional funds will be transferred from the general account and staff will request an amendment
to the budget at the end of the year, if necessary.
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City Council Minutes, April 14, 2014
In response to Councilmember Yehle's question as to whether the old sweeper would be sold,
ACM /Public Works Director Peifer said yes, it will be sold and the funds gained will be transferred
to the vehicle replacement fund.
With no more discussion, Councilmember Yehle moved to authorize the City Manager to
purchase a new sweep sweeper in an amount not to exceed $225,000. Councilmember Johnson
seconded the motion. MOTION PASSED.
Ayes:
Fry, Sample, Heathcott, Johnson, Yehle
Noes:
None
Absent:
None
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
member 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 Minutes of March
Approve Minutes.
24, 2014 City Council Meeting. Recommended Action:
B. Houston Surface Water Rate Increase
Matters related to an ordinance increasing the City's surface water rates. Recommended
Action: Approve Ordinance on the second and final reading.
C. Building Safety Month
Matters related to a Proclamation to proclaim May, 2014 as Building Safety Month in the
City of West University Place. Recommended Action: Proclaim April 2014 as Building
Safety Month in West University Place, Texas.
Mayor Fry moved to approve the Consent Agenda as presented. MOTION PASSED.
Ayes:
Fry, Sample, Heathcott, Johnson, Yehle
Noes:
None
Absent:
None
6. Council /City Manager Reports
City Manager Ross congratulated the fleet maintenance division for receiving an Honorable
Mention for being in the top 125 out of over 35,000 cities.
City Manager Ross reminded Council the City offices would be closed for Good Friday and that
solid waste and other services would be shifted.
Councilmember Johnson thanked the Parks and Recreation Department for the wonderful spring
festival. She said it was very professionally done.
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City Council Minutes, April 14, 2014
Councilmember Yehle reported that he attended the American Leadership Forum on community
engagement held at the Ripley Center. He said the program facilitator, Randy Butler, is a West U
resident and he thinks Council might be able to learn something from him regarding bridging
communities.
7. Adiourn.
With no further business, Councilmember Heathcott moved to adjourn the meeting at 6:43 p.m.
Councilmember Yehle seconded the motion. MOTION PASSED.
Ayes:
Fry, Sample, Heathcott, Johnson, Yehle
Noes:
None
Absent:
None
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