HomeMy WebLinkAbout081400S CC Min
CITY COUNCIL SPECIAL SESSION
MONDAY, AUGUST 14, 2000
MUNICIPAL BUILDING
3800 UNIVERSITY BLVD.
6:30 P.M.
The City Council convened in Special Session in the Municipal Building Conference Room
(3800 University Blvd.) on August 14, 2000, with the following members present: Mayor
Lewis presiding, Council Members Ballanfant, Bertini, Grubb and May. The City
Manager, Assistant City Secretary, City Attorney, Police Chief, Public Works Director,
Parks and Recreation Director and Solid Waste Supervisor were also present.
The notice for this meeting was posted in accordance with the Texas Government Code,
th
Chapter 551, on the 11 day of August 2000 at 12:00 p.m.
Agenda Review:
The City Council reviewed the regular meeting agenda and discussed items under
consideration with the Staff.
Report from Recycling and Solid Waste Reduction Board.
Matters related to a report presented by the Recycling and Solid Waste Reduction Board.
Members of the Board attending the meeting were Chairman Rick Jenkins, Steve Stelzer
and James Orchard.
Mr. Jenkins reported on the recycling bin project. The Board requested that the City
Council approve an expenditure of $17,000 on 5000 bins at $3.00 each, 250 wheels at
$5.00 each and 250 lids at $3.00 each. They proposed that residents bear the cost for the
lids and wheels, with consideration given to providing them to senior citizens at the City’s
expense.
The City Council approved the $17,000 expenditure provided the funds are available in
the current budget.
The Board also reported on environmental issues, problems with trash being placed in
yard waste bags, the Recycle Express and a partnership with the City of Houston to use
their hazardous household waste facility.
Edloe Street Linear Park.
Matters related to the naming and development of the Edloe Street Linear Park.
City Council Special Session, August 14, 2000
The City Council discussed preparing plans and a budget for the development of the Edloe
pathway.
A motion was made by Council Member Bertini, seconded by Council Member Grubb, to
develop a pathway area with the parameters east of Edloe, south of Sunset and north of
Georgetown.
A vote was taken on the motion with the following result:
Voting Aye: Mayor Lewis, Council Members Ballanfant, Bertini, Grubb
and May
Voting Nay: None
Absent: None
Park development.
Matters related to parking at Judson Park and parks development.
Chair of the Parks and Recreation Board Will Bertron spoke to the City Council regarding
parking spaces at Judson Park.
The City Council recessed the Special Session at 7:30 p.m. to convene in Regular Session.
The Special Session reconvened at 8:08 p.m.
The City Council continued their discussion of park development.
A motion was made by Council Member Ballanfant, seconded by Council Member Bertini,
to authorize the City’s Consulting Engineer to incorporate head in parking into the plans
for Priority Area 12 and to relocate three of the trees in the area.
A vote was taken on the motion with the following result:
Voting Aye: Mayor Lewis, Council Members Ballanfant, Bertini, Grubb
and May
Voting Nay: None
Absent: None
Quarterly Report.
Matters related to the Quarterly Report.
The City Staff presented the Quarterly Report for the period ending June 30, 2000.
1999 Comprehensive Annual Financial Report.
2
City Council Special Session, August 14, 2000
Matters related to the comprehensive report of the City’s 1999 Financial Statements as
prepared by the audit firm of Null-Lairson.
City Manager Sherman Yehl stated that the 1999 audit is a “clean opinion”, meaning that
the auditors found that the 1999 Financial Statements fairly present the City’s financial
activity. While the auditors have issued a clean opinion, they also provided suggestions for
improvement of the City’s internal accounting controls. These suggestions, often referred
to as findings, can be informal or formal. This year an informal audit finding was to
include the Friends of West U Parks, Inc. under the City’s depository agreement so as to
provide pledged collateral for balances over the amount insured by the federal depository
insurance. Staff concurs with this recommendation. Since the Friends use the same bank
as the City, it will be simple to provide this protection to the Friends cash accounts.
As the Comprehensive Annual Financial Report shows, revenues for all governmental fund
types increased $1,249,928 to $11,754,982. Almost half of this increase was due to
higher property tax revenues to fund debt service. Other sources of the increase are:
??
Interest revenue increased $168 thousand due to interest earned on funds held for
infrastructure construction.
??
METRO provided $650 thousand in grants to help in reconstructing streets.
??
Fines increased due to increased enforcement stemming from filling several vacancies
in the Police Department.
Mr. Yehl stated that the Comprehensive Annual Financial Report is used primarily by
rating and regulatory agencies as a source for financial information about the City. It also
serves as the primary archival document about the City’s financial activity in 1999.
A motion was made by Council Member Ballanfant, seconded by Council Member Grubb,
to accept the City’s 1999 Comprehensive Annual Financial Report as presented.
A vote was taken on the motion with the following result:
Voting Aye: Mayor Lewis, Council Members Ballanfant, Bertini, Grubb
and May
Voting Nay: None
Absent: None
Sidewalks.
Matters related to establishing a sidewalk policy and funding program.
The City Council discussed establishing an advisory committee to put together a proposal
to provide information relating to sidewalks.
3
City Council Special Session, August 14, 2000
A motion was made by Council Member Ballanfant, seconded by Council Member Grubb,
to create a sidewalk committee made up of the City’s Board members to establish a
proposal for a sidewalk policy for the City.
A vote was taken on the motion with the following result:
Voting Aye: Mayor Lewis, Council Members Ballanfant, Bertini, Grubb
and May
Voting Nay: None
Absent: None
Infrastructure.
Matters related to a report on accessibility ramps installed as part of the infrastructure
improvement program and head-in parking in public right-of-way.
Mr. Yehl reported that as part of the City’s infrastructure improvement program, the City
has been installing accessibility curb ramps. These ramps have been designed utilizing
Americans with Disabilities Act standards. However, during the construction of some
these ramps, certain field conditions have required design alterations to be made.
One condition, which typically leads to slope problems, is the elevation difference between
the proposed pavement gutter line and the existing sidewalk. ADA standards require a
maximum slope of 1:12 (8.33%). Sometimes this difference is so great that it would
require long ramps to achieve the elevation required. The installation of long ramps could
lead to problems of damaging tree roots, excavating in areas residents believe to be their
property, and possibly digging up private yard drains, street light cables and other utilities,
and creating the possible requirement of concrete retaining walls.
In those cases where field conditions have required changes in design due to this problem,
field decisions have been made to alter ramp slopes while complying with other ADA
standards. However, under ADA regulations, alterations must follow ADA Standards for
Accessible Design unless compliance is technically infeasible.
Mr. Yehl stated that this matter is being brought to the Council’s attention to confirm the
Council’s comfort level with this approach, or alternatively, taking a stronger approach in
complying with ADA guidelines.
In another matter, staff is seeking guidance in addressing current head-in parking in the
public ROW. Since the start of the infrastructure improvement program, it has been the
policy to reinstall paving similar to what was there prior to construction. As such, when
head-in parking existed, even if such parking was in the ROW, the street sections were
simply replaced. A change in policy would eliminate wide-open access points/head-in
parking areas and replace them with appropriately spaced driveways. Paving that
4
City Council Special Session, August 14, 2000
previously existed in the ROW would be removed to the property line and replaced with
grass.
If the Council believes there is any risk that some of the accessibility ramps will have to be
replaced at a later date, then it may be better to construct these ramps to the ADA
standards at this time. In addition, eliminating parking in the ROW and providing
appropriately spaced driveways or egress points (with sidewalks) may provide greater
pedestrian safety.
The City Council agreed that the City should comply as best they can with the ADA
requirements.
The City Council directed the Staff to leave out the affected streets in Priority Area 7B
until a study is completed to determine how the city should deal with private parking in
the public right-of-way versus curb and gutter installation.
Report from Board or Commission Liaisons:
The City Council reported on Board or Commission meetings attended by the liaisons.
Council Member Bertini reported that the Traffic Task Force would present a report on a
street classification scheme at the next meeting.
Mayor Lewis reported that the Zoning and Planning Commission would be presenting an
omnibus package for review. She also reported that Sue Porretto had resigned from the
Zoning Board of Adjustment.
The City Manager reported that the Charter Review Committee has set a public hearing
for September 6, 2000.
Inquiries, requests and complaints.
The City Council reviewed matters received from the public and referred them to the
appropriate department or placed them on a future agenda for consideration or action.
Matters related to the evaluation of a public officer or employee.
Evaluation of City Manager
Closed Executive Session to be held under Section 551.074, Texas Government Code.
The City Council convened in Executive Session at 9:43 p.m.
The City Council closed the Executive Session at 9:47 p.m. and convened in open session.
Mayor Lewis called for a motion.
5
City Council Special Session, August 14, 2000
A motion was made by Council Member Bertini, seconded by Council Member Grubb, to
increase the salary of the City Manager as discussed.
A vote was taken on the motion with the following result:
Voting Aye: Mayor Lewis, Council Members Ballanfant, Bertini, Grubb
and May
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 Bertini, seconded by Council Member May, to adjourn. The Special
Session adjourned at 9:50 p.m.
6