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HomeMy WebLinkAbout012615 CC MinThe City of West University Place A Neighborhood City CITY COUNCE, STAFF Bob Fry, Mayor MrohnIR121,01y Mmu6a suasnsample,Mayorem Ten Alan Petrov, City Autrey Ed Headnou, CounnJmember Thelma Lenz, City ecremry tom lohlom, corwAmember UioOYehle,Cnv ollmember CITY COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES The City Council of the City of West University Place, Texas, held a Regular Meeting on Monday, January 26, 2015, in the Municipal Building, 3800 University, West University Place, Texas beginning at 6:36 p.m. Agenda items are as follows: Call to Order. Mayor Fry called the meeting to order at 6:30 P.M. in the Council Chambers . Council and Staff in attendance were Councilmembers Heathcofl Johnson and Yehle, City Manager Ross, Assistant City Manager /Public Works Director Feller, City Secretary Lenz, Clty Attorney Pines, Building official any Chew, and Police Chief Walker. Mayor Pro Tam Sample was absent. Steve Brown, Chair of the Building and Standards Commission, was also present. Councilmerni er Heathced 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. 1. Public Comments This was an opportunity for citizens to speak to Council relating to agenda and non agenda items There were no public commends 2. Masonry Fence Foundations Matters related to the first reading of an ordinance amending the Ciy Code of Ordinances for Requirements for Masonry Farce Foundations. Recommended Action: Approve ordnance on the lust Of Nro readings. Building Official Chew presented this item and said that the Installation of some masonry fences has caused damage to tree roots and that after meeting the Building and Standards Commission and reviewing alternative installation methods, staff concluded that it would best to have an engineered -type foundation required. He said this way piere could be Installed with a beam above grade, which would suit the ideal of not damaging the had roots and allow people to still be able to install masonry fences. Councilmember Yehle moved to approve the ordinance amending Chapter 18 of the West University Place Code of Ordinances, specifically Section 18 -210 regarding masonry fence City consul Minutes, January 26, 2015 construction on the first of two reading and containing finings and other provisions relating to her subject. Councilmember Heathcott seconded the motion. MOTION PASSED. Ayes: Fry, Heatti Johnson, Yehle Noes: None Absent : Sample 3. Electronic Sions Matters related to the first reading of an ordinance amending the City Code of Ordinances for Requirements for Electronic Signs. Recommended Action: Approveo inanwonthefirstoflworeadings. Building Official Chew presented this item and said that Council requested that the Building and Standards Commission (SSG) review electronic signage to consider a differentiation between residential and commercial areas. Regarding the illuminants of signs, Mr. Chew said the ordini follows the City of Houston's ordinance, Which requires a fears that dims the light at nightfall. BBC Chair Srown spoke to say that what guided the BBC as it discussed this issue was the fact that West U is a residential City and the BBC wanted to ensure that residential areas were protected from LED lights and Nominatetl signs in general. Councilmember Yehle asked for clarification of the difference between the definition of "residential impact area "antl "residertial area". City Attorney Petrov answered "residential impact area" wourl be commercial properties that face residences and confirmed with Councilmember Yehle that the Potbelly Sandwich Shop would be an example of this if this proposetl ordinance was in effect at the time Potbellys was built. Councilmember Yehle confirmed with Mr. Chew that as signs are replaced, the replacements would have to adhere to this ordinance. In response to Councilmember Heathcolfs question as to repair versus replacement, Mr. Chew said if there is a major alteration or a completely different replacement, an applicant would have to comply with Code, but t replacing the sign with the exact type sign, one would not have to comply with the new Code. Councilmember Heathcoft said he believes that LEO lights have a place in the business community, but is not sure the City should say it doesn't want them at all Councilmember Yehle statetl the proposed ordinance doesn't ban the signs, it just regulates how Rating they can be. City Manager Ross remised Council that this is the Flail of two reakngs, so Council can obtain more information and discuss further before the second reading. Councilmember Yebla moved to approve amending the Code of Ordinances by revising Section 6.27 regarding illuminating and moving signs to include speolfic regulations regarding light emitting diode (LED) signs and containing findings and provisions relating to the subject. Counclmember Johnson seconded the motion. MOTION PASSED. 2 of City Council Maurice, January 28. 2015 Ayes: Fry, Heathwtt, Johnson. Yehle Noes: None Absent: Sample 4. Nuisance Sionc Matters related to the first reading of an ordinance amending the City Code of Ordinances for Requirements for Nuisance Signs. Recommendedfichon: Approve ordrence on the inter recessions. Building Official Chew presented and said Code Enforcement asked that this proposed amendment W the ordinance be presented. He said the amendment would allow Crude Enforcement to dispose of nuisance signs. He said in the past it has been Code Embossments practice ro dispose of signs Met are in the CiCys right -of -way, too large or noncompliant with the Citys Code in some way. Councilmember Yeble said he understands that the impetuous for this proposal is that the Qty doesn't really have a storage facility for the sgns, but he has a concern Mat If the City was to pull the signs and dispose of Main and the owner of Me sign subsequently wants to argue whether the sign should be there or not, there will be no recourse because the sign will already be gone. He said he wonders It it would be better if the ordinance states that the sign would be removed and will be disposed of after 3 days and if the sign's owner comes to get are sign before then, they an have it after paying a fee. Councilmember Yehle said his concem is that ff someone contests removal of a sign, the City could spend a lot of money In terms of time and legal costs arguing whether the sign was legal. After briefly discussing further, Mayor Fry suggested that Council take action on the ordinance on first reading and asked Council to provide and changeorsuggestions for second reading. Councilmember Yens moved to amend the Code of Ordinances by amending Section 6 -24 regarding nuisance signs, containing finding and other provisions relating ho the subject on the first of two readings. Councilmember Heathcell seconded Me motion. MOTION PASSED. Ayes: Fry, Heathcoft, Johnson, Yehle Noes: None Absent: Sample 5. Fences in Side Yards and Me or Thoroughfares Matters related to the first reading of an ordinance amending the City Cade of Ordinances for Requirements for Fences in Side Yams at Major Thoroughfares. Recommended Acrbn: Atoprove ordinance on the lrcst or rwo readings. Building Official Chew presented and said this amendment startetl with a complaint the City received regarding cars trying to pull out onto I4rby from streets south of University and said action users to be taken to prevent any safety issues. Councilmember Ye le moved amending the Code of Ordinances by amending Section 18 -202 regarding Me prohibition of fences in the from yard and side setbacks and containing findings and other provisions relating to the subject on the first of We readings. Councilmember Heathcoft seconded the motion. MOTION PASSED. Ayes: Fry, Heathcon, Johnson, Yehle Noes: None Absent: Sample 3 of Cak Council Minutes, January 26, 2015 B. Consent Agenda All Consent Agenda items listed are considered to be routine by the Cry 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 wilt be removed from the Consent Agenda and considered in Its normal sequence on the agenda. A. City Council Minutes Approve City Council Minutes of January 26, 2015 City Council Meeting. Rerommended Action: Approve Minutes. B. Senior Services Board Appointment Matters related to a resolution appointing Judy Faulkner to the Senior Services Board to fill the unexpired term of John Neighbors. Remmmeraled Action: Approve reawutron appointing JWy Faulkner to the Senior Services Sendai C. Milton Etreat Ground Stomge Tank Rehabilitation Matters related to a authonvng the City Manager to execute a contract with Blastco Texas, Inc., relating to the Milton Shoot Ground Storage Tank Rehabilitation Project. Recommended Action: Autlwrize the Uy Manager In execute a contract with Blastco Taxes, Ii ter performance of the Mellon Street GS Rehabilitation Project in As amount of $609,125 Mayor Fry called for a vote to approve the Consent Agenda as presented. MOTION PASSED. Ayes: Fry, Hesthsod. Johnson, yehle Noes: None Absent: Sample T. Adourn Regular Meeting With no further business to groomer, 1,114ayor:K djourned the Regular Meeting at 6:55 p.m. P g �^ Ima A. Lenz, City Secretary as Date Approved