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HomeMy WebLinkAbout062415 CC Min (Special)The City of West University Place A Neighborhood City CITY COUNCIL Susan Sample, Mayor Bob Kelly, Mayor Pro Tern Burt Ballanfant, Councilmember Brennan Reilly, Councilmember Mardi Turner, 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 Special Meeting/Workshop on Wednesday, June 24, 2015, in the Municipal Building, 3800 University, West University Place, Texas beginning at 9:00 a.m. Agenda Items were as follows: Call to Order. Mayor Sample called the Special Meeting/Workshop to order at 9:00 a.m. in the Bill Watson Conference Room. Council and Staff in attendance were: Mayor Pro Tern Kelly, Councilmembers Ballanfant, Reilly and Turner, City Manager Ross, City Secretary Lenz, City Attorney Petrov, Assistant City Manager and all executive staff. City Council Orientation Matters related to an overview by the City Manager, City Attorney and Staff on City policies and procedures, the Open Meetings Act, the Freedom of Information Act, and other related matters. To begin the orientation, City Manager Michael information regarding departmental personnel and city services. Ross reviewed a slide presentation relating to operations, the current budget and finances, and City Attorney Petrov reviewed highlights of the Public Information Act and the Open Meetings Act. Councilmember Reilly said he would like the City to have a policy directing councilmembers to send all city - related emails received on personal accounts to the city's email accounts, mainly for easier search capabilities in the event of a public information request for council emails. City Attorney Petrov said that would be a good practice. Mr. Petrov particularly stressed the guidelines related to a "walking" quorum — in person and via email. In response to Councilmember Brennan's concern whether it would be a violation if several members received an email, but nobody responded, Mr. Petrov said that would not be a violation of the Open Meetings Act. He also confirmed that he recommends councilmembers not email more than one other councilmember at a time. Mr. Petrov also discussed information related to conflict of interests, nepotism, compensation, common law incompatibilities, resign to run provisions, etc. City Council Minutes, June 24, 2015 Before talking about the goals, Council reviewed its Rules of Procedure and made the following suggested changes: • Rule 9. Consent Agenda — The reference to Rule 35 should be Rule 34 • Rule 23. Closing Debate or Discussion — The reference to Rule 33 should be Rule 32 • Rule 12. Staff Withdrawal of Items — Modify to change "wherefore" to "therefore" • Rule 11. Requests to Include or Exclude Items — Take out references to exclusion, unless exclusion is driven by individuals who added it to the agenda. • Rule 12. Staff Withdrawal of Items — Modify this rule so that the individuals who put something on an agenda can take it off the agenda • Heading. City of WUP Rules of Procedures — Should be Rules of Procedure • Rule 19. Order of Consideration of Agenda — Add the item "Public Comments as Required" or "Deferred Comments" between Rules 2 and 3 • Rule 24. Public Participation — Add "Council may ask questions or comment on an item that is on the agenda or is addressed by a speaker at the meeting ". • Add Rule that agenda items ought to be considered in the order received by the City Secretary • Rule 18. Control of Discussion — Suggestion to remove last sentence referencing the Texas Penal Code. After discussion, decided to leave it in. • Rule 32. Call for Vote — Add: A majority of Council present may close further discussion and can require a vote at any time. 2. 2015 -2017 City Council Goals Matters related to the City Council's goals for 2015 -2017 and other related matters. City Manager Ross presented and reviewed some of the stated and completed goals from 2007- 2011 and the goals of the previous Council for 2013 -2015. Mr. Ross reported on previous Council goals that were still open. • Ruffino Hills. The City has removed all of the methane monitoring wells and watering wells, as well as had appraisals done, and has all the documentation on the history of the site in case there is interest in the property. He said if Council wants to consider the site in its future goals, to market the site one more time for expressions of interest. • Programs for "Tweens ". There was some work done by staff, but larger projects took precedent over this one. • Youth Advisory Council. The same as with the "tween" program project. There was a little work done, but other projects took precedent. • Gateway Signage. Erecting signage in the Chimney to signify that it was part of West University Place. Staff has been reviewing options and will continue on that path if it is a goal of this Council. Assistant City Manager Peifer said he and Parks and Recreation Director O'Connor created criteria and submitted it to a few landscaped architects and the one that submitted a quote was really, really, really expensive. He said they provided the information to another interested landscape architect and stopped the process to see what this Council wants to do. 2 of 3 City Council Minutes, June 24, 2015 Council then discussed and decided the following goals for 2015 -2017. • Get a new appraisal and continue working towards a resolution for Ruffino Hills. • Continue to move forward on the Buffalo Speedway Project. • Obtain 100% compliance with city's property addressing ordinance. • Post them all Board /Commission agendas and minutes on the City's website and include a statement of objectives and goals. • Evaluate capabilities to video and broadcast council meetings. • Improve communications for social media, as well as all other external communications. • Continue with the Citizen's Academy once or twice a year depending on demand. • Pursue purchase and development of park space per approved 2006 Bond Election. • Evaluate and provide recommendations regarding Green Waste collection. • Review recent Town Center Zoning Ordinance changes. • Evaluate potential zoning categories for public /institutional uses. • Update Comprehensive Master Plan. • Evaluate functionality and life /safety issues at library and make recommendations related to findings. • Complete Long Range Facilities Master Plan. • Evaluate resident satisfaction sentiment in various ways. • Evaluate parking solutions for West U Recreation Center during overlapping events. • Evaluate Bellaire Boulevard hike access with City of Bellaire. • Review parking etiquette program. 3. Adiourn Meeting With no adjourned the meeting at 1:05 p.m. P ma A. Lenz, City Date ppro v 3 of 3