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REGULAR CITY COUNCIL MEETING
MONDAY, JANUARY 22, 1990
MUNICIPAL BUILDING
3800 UNIVERSITY BLVD.
7:30 P.M.
City Council convened in regular session in the Municipal Building,
3800 University Boulevard, in the City of West University Place, on
Monday, January 22 , 1990, with the following members present: Mayor
Higley, presiding; CoUncilmembers Bell, Jenkins, Redeker and Watson.
Also present were the City Manqger, City Secretary, City Attorney,
Director of Administration, Director of Operations, and Chief of
Police. , Mayor Higley delivered the invocation and led the Allegiance
to the Fl ag..
HEARING O!= RESIDENTS: Mayor Higley invited residents to speak who
had matters they wished to bring to the attention of the City
Council which had not previously been submitted to the City
Manager. '
Chuck Gi 11 an, 3620 Georgetown, read a statement concerning
examples of what hI:! consiqered to be poor management in City Hall.
Linda Brannen, 4131 Southwestern, adressedCouncil and praised
the City Manager for his management and responsiveness.
Mrs. Lowry, 6125 Fordham, requested Council consider
designating another handicap parking spot at Senior Services.
Employees,are using availab'le parking places on Rice. Ms. Lowry
thought that parking on Ri.ce would be of greater convenience.to
the handicapped peopleatteflding functions at Senior Services.
Margo" Hellerman, 3905 Marlowe, expressed her concern about
theCityManagerand the information published in the newspaper.
Mr. Needham, 4112 Albans,expressed his concerns about Warner
Cable and the poor service to the residents of West University
Place.
Bob Park; 3752 Plumb', expressed his concerns about the City
Manager.
Michol O'Connor, 6119 Lake, stated she thought the City
Manager and employees of the city were very helpful to her and she
offered her thanks for their help.
J. T. Hood, 6320 Community, expressed his concerns about the City
Mariagerand what Mr. Hood thought was lack of accountability.
Joe Polichino, 2740 Arbuckle, presented his statement, as
fo 11 ows :
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liThe Honorable Mayor and City Council
3800 University Boulevard
City of West University Place, Texas 77005
Dear Mayor and Council,
We address you with the following concerns:
Weare concerned about the performance of city council
~urrounding issues that affect present operations and
management;
We are disappointed that council has not deemed
inappropriate and unacceptable the use of its time tb
further the obsessive pursuits of one of its members;
We are concerned that council has not taken a more powerful
stand to stop t~e perseveration of an issue with the city
manager that hasbeen"-aired and addressed by the council;
We are concerned that the council is not dealing
appropriately with a situation that has served to do
persol1aldamage to a city employee who has given 13 years
of loyalty to this city;
We feel this obsessive pursuit is divisive. We feel it
will split wide open the city council, the city staff and
the citizens of this community;
We feel the preoccupation with this issue is further
destructive to the reputations and careers of the city
management and its support staff;
We are concerned that council is allowing its individual
members to become involved in the day-to-day operations and
management of the city. . This disrupts orderly management,
lowers employee morale and sabotages the authority of
department managers and sUPE!rvisors.
We fear the goal of those perpetrating this issue is to use
the 'city management as a conduit; that their eventual
'objective is to change the very nature of the city itself
to suit thei rpersona 1 des ires;
We feel the counti 1 is sending a signa 1 to a 11 ci ty
employees that good workard loyalty is meaningless and
that council can be manipulated and, indeed, worn down by
relentless negative press;
We are concerned the obsessive nature of this negative
campaign against the city management will not goaway if
you cave in to it. It wi 11 on lygrowand perhaps its next
victim wi 11 be one of you.
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Yours truly,
IslJoseph A. Polichino
IslJean E. Polichino"
Rufus Stanley, 3518 Bellaire, complimented the majority of Council
for maintaining the course and maintaining the ongoing sense of
perspective in the case of a very negative campaign. Dr. Stanley
expressed his opinion th~t the campaign had been destructive,
capricious and specious. Dr. Stanley urged City Council to
continue to maintain the course and the sense of perspective on
behalf of the community. Dr. Stanley urged Council to not yield
to the temptation in an effort to clear the decks and move ahead
to enact measures over the short term which could be extremely
disruptive to the community and would be disruptive to the city
staff. Dr. Stanley thought that many of the members of Council
had very good ideas for our city and urged them to go forward with
those ideas.
Virginia Hood, 6320 Community, asked her husband to read the
following statement: The allegations brought out in the Village
Life were true when she was working for the city.
Joan McCay, 3029 Carnegie, stated she thought the challenges
to the City Manager were not answered.
Jim Cole, 3523 Robinhood, inquired as to the policies and
procedures for reporting expenses and if there were changes made
since 1980.
Mayor Higley thanked those for their attendance, their interest,
and their comments. This Council met and discussed the subject of
the receipts in November~ ~t that point the policy that was
carried forward and approved was in the policy manual (itis not
the same policy that was approved in 1980)j When Council
discussed this, we determined that the procedures, as far as
backing up travel receipts had not been adequate and Council asked
,that the policies be changed. Council voted on those policies and
issued a statement. Tonight Council has moved from that point to
tonight where Council will give an annual evaluation of the City
Manager as all other Councils have done. We do it in executive
session because that is the way employee matters are always
handled. The Mayor expressed that Council had heard the comments
and appreciated those present; that Council .felt it was their
responsibility, and it was most important to you, to our employees
and the future of our city ,that we follow the proper procedure
'and a fair process. That was what Council intended to do.
CITIZENS RESPONSE TO AGENDA ITEMS: Mayor Higley invited residents
who wlshed to address a specific agenda item to speak at this time.
Mr. Jay Gilbert, representing two companies who bid on the In-Tank
Monitoring System, asked to be heard on that agenda item.
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ITEMS TO BE REMOVED FROM THE CONSENT AGENDA: Councilmember Bell
requested that agenda item No..7(b), Purchase of Mini Excavator
and Trailer, and item No. 10, Installation of an In....Tank
Monitoring System, be removed from the consent agenda.
CONSENT AGENDA: Motion was made by Councilmember Redeker, seconded
by Councilmember Jenkins, that with the exception of item No., 7(b)
and, the item No. 10, the consent agenda be approved in accordance
with staff recommendation.
Voting Aye:
Voting No:
Absent:
Mayor Higley, Councilmembers Bell, Jenkins,
Redeker, Watson
None
None
~o ORDINANCE RELATING TO PLUMBING AND GAS MATTERS: Consideration was
~~/ given to the second and final reading of Ordinance Number 1362.
Mayor Higley read the caption, as follows:
ORDINANCE NUMBER 1362
AN ORDINANCE RELATING TO PLUMBING AND GAS MATTERS; AMENDING
THE CODE OF ORDINANCES OF THE CITY OF WEST UNIVERSITY
PLACE, TEXAS; ADOPTING STANDARD PLUMBING AND GAS CODES,
WITH AMENDMENTS; AND CONTAINING FINDINGS AND PROVISIONS
RELATING TO THE SUBJECT.
Copi es of Ordinance Number 1362, in the form requi red for
adoption, were available to all members of City Council and a
reasonable number of additional copies available to interested
ci tizenspresent.
Motion was made by Councilmember Bell, seconded by Councilmember
Redeker, that Ordinance Number 1362 be adopted on second and final
reading as presented.
Voting Aye:
Voting No:
Absent:
Mayor Higley, Councilmembers Bell, Jenkins,
Redeker, Watson
None
None
~() ORDINANCE RELATI~G TO ~TILITY B~LL COLLECTIONS BY SUPERMARKET , .
r;/ COMPANIES: Conslderatlon was glVen to theflrst readlng Of urdwance
~.,' Number 1364. Mayor Higley read the caption, as follows:
ORDINANCE NUMBER 1364
AN ORDINANCE RELATING TO UTILITY BILL COLLECTIONS BY
SUPERMARKET COMPANIES AS AGENTS FOR THE CITY; AUTHORIZING
CONTRACTS WITH SUCH COMPANIES; AMENDING THE CODE OF
ORDINANCES OF THE CITY OF WEST UNIVERSITY PLACE, TEXAS; AND
CONTAINING FINDINGS AND PROVISIONS RELATING TO THE SUBJECT.
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Motion was made byCouncilmember Jenkins, seconded by Co ncil-
member Redeker, that Ordinance Nl!mber 1364 be accepted 0 first
reading as presented. '
Voting Aye:
Voting No:
Absent:
Mayor Higley, Councilmembers Bell, Jenkins,
Redeker, \~atson
None
None
1" AUTHORIZATION TO ADVERTISE FOR BIDS: Consideration was given to
authori ze advert is i ng for bi ds for the fo 11 owi ng:
I ~o (a) Purchase of Uniforms for the Operations Department
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Motion was made byCouncilmember Redeker, seconded by
Councilmember Jenkins, that City Council authorize advertising for
bids to purchase uniforms for the Operations Department.
~.qll (b) Purchase of Mini Excavator and Trailer
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Motion was made by Councilm~mber Redeker, seconded by
Councilmember Watson, that GityCouncil authorize advertising for
bids for the purchase of the mini excavator and trailer.
Coundlmember Bell asked if the. mini excavator wO,uld be used
solely for sewer taps or if it might have multiple uses.
Superintendent of Ufil i ties,R. E. Simpson, explained that the
mini excavator would be used for sewer taps as well as sewer Tine
repairs. At this time there was a back log of contractors who
need sewer tap inspections. The mini excavator would also be used
for work between houses and behind houses in making sewer line
repairs.
Councilmember Bell asked if,there were operators to run t/1e
machine. .
Mr. Simpson responded that it would take three days to train his
crew.
Councilmember Jenkins asked if the city might be able to purchase
a tractor for less money to do the work.
Mr~ Simpson explained that a tractor on wheels can not get in
small spaces such as required to repair sewer lines in the City.
Also, the mini excavator was on tracks, not wheels, which would
cause less damage to the land a.rea.
Hearing no further discussion, Mayor Higley called for a vote on
the motion.
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Voting Aye:
Voting No:
Absent:
Mayor Higley, Councilmembers Bell, Jenkins,
Redeker, Watson
None
None
~lo-~'i)(c) Purchase of Protective Clothing for the Fire Department
Motion was made by Councilmember Redeker, seconded by Council-
member Jenkins, that City Council authorize advertising forbids
for the purchase of protective clothing for the Fire Department.
Voting Aye:
Voting No:
Absent:
Mayor Higley, Councilmembers Bell, Jenkins,
Redeker, Watson
None
None
1983 BOND PAYMENT: Consideration was given to the invoice in the
amount of $259,512.50 submitted by First City National Bank of
'\_~<:> Houston for principal and interest due on the 1983 Bond Issue.
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Motion was made by Councilmember Redeker, seconded by Council-
member Jenkins, that Council approve for payment the invoice in
the amount of $259,512.50 for principal and interest due oh the
1983 Bond Issue.
Voting Aye:
Voting No:
Absent:
Mayor Higley, Councilmembers Bell, Jenkins,
Redeker, Watson
None
None
ENGINEERING SERVICES FOR VARIOUS UTILITY RELATED PROJECTS:
Consideration was given to the inVOlces totalwg :j)LZ,872.94
submi tted by Langford Eng i neeri ng I nc. for the fo 11 owi ng:
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fa) Invoice No. 6022 in theamount of $11,689.57 for Water Line
Replacement project in Priority Area No. 2B; and
(b) lnvoice No. 6023 in the amount of $11,183.37 for Sanitary
Sewer Renovation in Priority Area No.3.
Motion was made by Councilmember Redeker, seconded by Council-
member Jenkins, that City Council approve the Langford Engineer.ing
Inc., invoices for payment as listed.
Voting Aye:
Voting No:
Absent:
Mayor Higley, Councilmembers Bell, Jenkins,
Redeker, Watson
None
None
INSTALLATION OF AN IN-TANK MONITORING SYSTEM: Consideration was
given to staff's recommendatlon tor award of contract for the
1'),1V\-~ installation of an in....tank monitoring system for leak detection
~ and spill/overspill prevention in existing underground storage
tanks located at 3825 Milton and 3826 Milton.
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Staff's recommendation, after conference with the City's
consultant on the project, was to award the contract to the low
bidder meeting bid specification, Detsco, Inc~, in the amount of
$13,900.00. An alternate bid to install fi ll/overspi 11 protection
was rejected because the additional cost would put the project
over the budgeted amount.
Director of Operations, Curtis Cooper, explained that in the
bidding process for the In-Tank Monitoring System, the two lowest
bidders did not submit a bid bond with their bids as specified in
the bid documents. Mr. Cooper further explained that Council has
the authority to waive the technicality of the bid bonds.
However, staff does not have that authority.
Mayor Higley suggested Council allow Mr. Gilbert to make his
statement at this point.
Mr. Gilbert was representing the two low bidders on the project
who did not submit the bid bond with the bid. , Mr. Gilbert asked
if Council decided to re-bid the project, the two companies be
allowed to submit a bid.
Councilmember Bell reporte~ that he received EPA guidelines and
did not think the City needed to do this project, that the
monitoring system wouldnot.be required until 1998. Motion was
then made by Councilmember Bell that Council table award.ofthis
contract unti 1 staff had time to r.eviewthe EPAguidel ines .and
report back to Council. Councilmember Jenki ns seconded the motion
which carded by thefoll owing vote:
Voting Aye:
Voting No:
Absent:
Mayor Higley, Councilmembers Bell, Jenkins,
Redeker, Watson
None
None
MASTER PARK PLAN: Consideration was given to the final invoice in
the amount of $4,500.00 submitted by Tapley--Lunow Architects for
~.....OI.,<:) services in connection with-the Master Park Plan.
Motion was made by Councilmember Redeker, seconded by Council-
member Jenkins, that City Council approve for payment the invoice
in the amount of $4,500.00 to Tapley-Lunow Architects.
Voting Aye:
Voting No:
Absent:
Mayor Higley, Councilmembers Bell, Jenkins,
Redeker, Watson
None
None
CITY COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES: Consideration was given to the
mi nutes of Ci ty Counc il meeti ngs, as follows:
(a) City Council Workshop Session, January 8, 1990; and
(b) City Council Regular Session, January 8, 1990.
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Motion was made by Councilmember Bell, seconded by Councilmember
,Jenkins, that the minutes be approved as submitted.
Voting Aye:
Voting No:
Absent:
Mayor Higley~ Councilmembers Bell ,Jenkins,
Redeker, Watson
None
None
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COllNCrLCOMMENTS: Councilmember Bell asked staff to investigate a
t'j~~,F~ 1 l.i from the res i dent at the corn~r o~ Academy an~ B i ssonnet. A
J,:~,slgnfNLeavlng Houston" wasplaeed.',ln hlS yard and lt may be on the
\:'t~,hesiClentls 'private property rather than' in the street right-of..way.
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STAFF'REPOiu: Jlm Dougherty, City Attorney, reported that in
";i:negotiations with Warner Cable they agreed to install the updated
,system so that it wi 11 have two-way communication capabil ities and
Warner agreed to put that into the .franchise agreement. Itwas
possible that the cable franchise ordinance might be ready for the
,next ,coUncil meeting.
ADJOURNMENT: With no further business to come before Council at
this time, motion was made: by Councilmember Redeker, secondedby
Councilmember Jenkins, thatthe regular session adjourn to return
to workshop session. Such motion carried and the meeting was '
adjourned.
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