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HomeMy WebLinkAbout051914 CC MinThe City of West University Place A Neighborhood City CITY COUNCIL Bob Fry, Mayor Susan Sample, Mayor Pro Tern 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, May 19, 2014, in the Municipal Building, 3800 University, West University Place, Texas beginning at 5:30 p.m. SPECIAL MEETINGlWORKSHOP Agenda Items were as follows: Call to Order. Mayor Fry called the meeting to order at 5:30 p.m. in the Conference Room. Council and Staff in attendance were: Mayor Pro Tern Sample, Councilmembers Heathcott, Johnson and Yehle, Assistant City Manager /Public Works Director Peifer, City Secretary Lenz, City Attorney Petrov, JRPB, Police Chief Walker, Parks and Recreation Director O'Connor, and Assistant Parks and Recreation Director White. Also present were: Parks Master Plan Task Force Committee Members Phyllis Cohen, Kevin Boyle, Susan Reeves, John Old and Mark Prescott, as well as, Dr. Jamie Rae Walker, Texas A &M University and Jim Patterson, White Oak Studio. The following was discussed: 1. Parks Master Plan Public Survey Matters related to the community survey results of the Parks Master Plan. Recommended Action: Discussion only. Dr. Jamie Rae Walker, Texas A &M and Mr. Jim Patterson, White Oak Studio Before Dr. Walker began presenting the findings of the survey, Mr. Patterson spoke about how the survey fits into the overall Parks Master Plan. He said the survey is a valuable first step when updating the Parks Master Plan so that it is understood what residents think about a variety of issues. Dr. Walker began her presentation and stated that one of the primary purposes for stratified survey research is to understand if there is residential consensus in regard to acquiring and funding additional parkland in West University Place at this time. She said a secondary purpose is to get a poll on residential perception of the community use of parks, the service quality (enough parks, clean enough, amenities needed, etc.), and what future priorities should be when moving forward. Dr. Walker said a survey was mailed to all of the households in West U and 1,430 usable surveys were returned, which is a very good response rate and very nice representation of the community. City Council Minutes, May 19, 2014 Dr. Walker said the first thing they look at in order to get a gauge of the community is park use. She said 56% of West U residents responded that they use the parks at least once a month. The following are highlights of the survey results: Parks 70% - Safe walking distances to parks is important 51% -Shaded seating and benches are important 45% - Open, unstructured spaces are important • 42% - Walking paths are important Access • 82% - Can easily walk to a West U park Impact 89% - Parks provide safe places to recreate /exercise • 77% - Parks provide opportunities to interact with neighbors Acquisition 32% - Agree that land should be acquired between Edloe and Buffalo, while 30% disagree • 22% - Agree that parkland was needed elsewhere, but 32% disagree Funding 25% - Support a property tax increase to acquire and develop new parkland • 31% -Support using Revenue Bonds that could be repaid with increased property taxes • 96% - In favor using private contributions • 85% - In favor of corporate sponsorship to fund park acquisition Dr. Walker said based on aggregate data analysis, there is not a collective consensus for acquiring or developing additional parkland at this time in West University Place. However, there does seem to be a tendency for residents to focus on enhancing open and unstructured green spaces. George Baker, resident, stated that one of the big gaps in the park system in West U is lack of facilities for teenagers and tweens and asked if any of the survey questions touched on that need. Dr. Walker responded that programming questions were provided as write -in spaces so that residents could write in what they wanted for each age group. She said the data collected was given to the Parks Department. Parks and Recreation Director O'Connor responded to Mr. Baker that this issue will be vetted through the continuance of the Parks Master Planning process. He also said that staff has been directed by Council to aggressively pursue teen and tween programming. Vernon Tyger, resident, asked if it would be difficult to determine the rough location of the citizens that felt that they didn't have a park within walking distance and would future parks near those houses be part of the Parks Master Plan. Dr. Walker said she could not provide that information on exact addresses, but could provide the information in basic sectors. She said, however, the percentage of the respondents who do not feel they live within walking distance of a park is so low that she isn't sure there will be a significant finding. 2of6 City Council Minutes, May 19, 2014 Phyllis Cohen, resident, asked it was fair to say that a significant amount of residents wanting different things would be considered equally in terms of planning perspective. Dr. Walker said yes, but action will depend on the City's budget, priorities, feasibility, and capabilities. Mayor Fry thanked the committee for their efforts. He said there will be a lot of public hearings and input from the public. Councilmember Yehle stated there is a lot more information garnered from the survey, in addition to acquisition questions, that will be the focus of the Town Hall meetings and other public hearings. With no further discussion, at 6:05 p.m. Councilmember Johnson moved to close workshop /special meeting. Councilmember Heathcott seconded the motion. MOTION PASSED. Ayes: Fry, Sample, Heathcott, Johnson, Yehle Noes: None Absent: None 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 6:30 p.m. Council and Staff in attendance were: Mayor Pro Tern Sample, Councilmembers Heathcott, Johnson and Yehle, Assistant City Manager /Public Works Director Peifer, City Secretary Lenz, City Attorney Petrov, JRPB, Police Chief Walker, Parks and Recreation Director O'Connor, Assistant Parks and Recreation Director White, and Communications Manager Barber. Evan Nance, Boy Scout 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. 2. Public Comments This is an opportunity for citizens to speak to Council relating to agenda and non- agenda items. Dianne Wells, 3804 Coleridge, spoke regarding safety in the parks. She said she attended a class regarding gun safety sponsored by Senior Services and it made her wonder if it is possible to prohibit guns in West University parks. She said she did some research and found that West University institutions are being targeted by the website Texas3006, which lists buildings that have invalid or questionable gun prohibition signs. Some of the buildings listed in the West University area include Colonial Park, the Recreation Center, the Community Center, the Library and City Hall. Ms. Wells said she would like to have more measures taken to protect "our" children and her grandchildren. She said she is sure there are legal concerns, so people may not want to call attention to West U, but said she thinks the City is already on the radar of people who would like to challenge the signs and Council might want to take that into consideration when posting signs in the parks and /or public buildings. 3of6 City Council Minutes, May 19, 2014 Victor Remishevsky, 2726 W. Holcombe, spoke regarding the size of West U Elementary, which now has 10 temporary classrooms. He said the issue at hand is that two large complexes were built on the perimeter of West U and residents of both complexes are currently zoned to West U Elementary; so, the influx of people, including West U citizens, will be much greater in the next several years once those complexes become operational. He said he is seeking advice from the Council as to how West U can influence the zone that West U Elementary services. Mr. Remishevsky also said that West U Elementary is one of the best schools in Texas, as well as Houston. He said West U residents are also zoned for a very good high school; however, West U is not zoned to a good middle school. He said the three year gap is a big headache and since the City has been discussing park expansion, would there be a possibility of discussing a contribution to the education of West U youth by expanding West U Elementary to include middle school? He said it can be the charitable donation of concerned parents, in addition to the general tax adjustments. Kathleen Lazarou, 4120 Sunset, spoke to urge Council to revise or rewrite the City's dog ordinance. She said the current ordinance is vague and subjective. She said due to a complaint by her neighbor, the ill- conceived ordinance has caused her and her husband to incur substantial legal fees, impacted her business, her husband's work and has caused undue stress, yet it is still not over. Ms. Lazarou explained the issue regarding her neighbor's complaint and in the end asked City Council to assume its responsibility and remedy the pernicious effects of the poorly crafted ordinance. John Adams, 4120 Sunset, spoke to say that he and his wife have lived at their address for almost 25 years. He said one of their attorneys deemed West U's dog barking ordinance void of any definition and specificity, which results in multiple and inconsistent interpretations rending an ordinance that is, at best, ineffective and, at worst, harmful. He said without a specified time limit, regardless of loudness, the ordinance suggests that big dogs can't bark at all. Mr. Adams said without any basis other than the complainant's statement, the Animal Control Officer issued his wife a citation based on his belief that the complainant was a person of ordinary sensitivity. His personal belief has cost them thousands of dollars in legal fees and costs the complainant nothing. Mr. Adams read examples of ordinances from other cities and asked Council to consider some of those changes to West U's ordinance. Mary Catherine Cousins, 3818 Marlowe, spoke regarding the dog ordinance, because several years ago her neighbor took her to court for dog barking. She said the ordinance is too subjective and is asking Council to (1) change the ordinance; and (2) give the City Prosecutor some guidance to prevent frivolous charges. She said the burden of proof should always be on the accuser and not the accused, even in dog barking situations. Phyllis Cohen, 6619 Mercer, spoke as a member of the Parks Planning Task Force, and said that after tonight's Workshop, she spoke with Dr. Walker about the meaning of neutrality in regards to survey responses. She said Dr. Walker stated in the Workshop that neutrality didn't mean "no" but, she wanted to clarify that it also doesn't mean "yes ". Ms. Cohen said she wanted Council to have that clarification as its interpreting the survey results. 3. Parks Master Plan Update Matters related to the Parks Master Plan. Recommended Action: Take any desired action. Mr. Michael Ross, City Manager and Tim O'Connor, Parks and Recreation Director 4of6 City Council Minutes, May 19, 2014 No further comments or action taken. 4. 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 May 12, 2014 City Council Meeting. Recommended Action: Approve Minutes. Ms. Thelma Lenz, City Secretary B. Signs and Garbage Ordinances Matters related to amending Chapters 6 and 38 of the Code of Ordinances by amending Sections 6 -19 and 6 -20 regarding signs; and by amending Section 38 -55 regarding trash containers and trash enclosures; containing findings and other provisions relating to the subject. Recommended Action: Approve ordinance on the second and final reading. Mr. Chris Peifer, ACM /Public Works Director C. Cooperative Purchasing Programs Matters related to cooperative purchasing programs. Recommended Action: Authorize staff to use the cooperative purchasing programs and authorize the City Manager to execute agreements relating to the subject. Mr. Chris Peifer, ACM/Public Works Director Councilmember Yehle moved to approve the Consent Agenda as presented. Mayor Pro Tern Sample seconded the motion. MOTION PASSED. Ayes: Fry, Sample, Heathcott, Johnson, Yehle Noes: None Absent: None 5. Council /City Manager Reports There were no Council reports. City Manager Ross announced that due to the Memorial Day weekend, there will be changes to the solid waste collection schedule. He said the public will be notified via all outlets. City Manager Ross introduced Maura Barber, the City's first Communications Manager. 6. Adjourn With no further business, Councilmember Johnson moved to adjourn the meeting at 6:55 p.m. Councilmember Heathcott seconded the motion. MOTION PASSED. Ayes: Fry, Sample, Heathcott, Johnson, Yehle Noes: None Absent: None 5 of 6 City Council Minutes, May 19, 2014 Pr � Pre f 6 r ti Thelma A. Lenz, City Secretary Date #Proved 6of6