HomeMy WebLinkAboutWUSB 06.14.18 WEST UNIVERSITY SENIOR BOARD MEETING Minutes of the meeting of June 14, 2018 Presiding: The meeting was called to order at 2:05 by Selby Clark. Present: Selby Clark, Ruth Becker, Joan Johnson, George Baker, Sara h Ballanfant, Rebecca Dozier, Candyce Beneke, Judy Faulkner, Ann Crowley, Susan Davis Absent : Carlos de la T orre, Tom Brombacher, Virginia Lootens, John Palmer, Stan McCandless , Ruth Becker Council representative : Kellye Burke Parks & Recreation : Susan Whit e and Jeremy Veld Minutes : George amended his comments that were noted in the minutes of the meeting of May 10 th about the procedure for protesting property valuations by the Harris County Appraisal District. He said that he had learned at his protest meet ing that there were two bases for protest: 1) Equity Valuation and 2) Market Valuation. He said that evidence of contractor bids was relevant to the deliberations only if the send option had been listed. For having checked the first option, his petition f or review was denied:AHeAsaidAthatAatAtheAmeetingAheAhadAasked.A“IAmadeAaAclericalAerror:ACan’tAitAbeAcorrected?”AHeAwasA told that he could yet appeal the finding of this board at a future date, but that the error cannot be corrected. The minutes were appr oved. Citizen Comments: Ms. Drews said that her remarks had been mischaracterized in the minutes of May 20. She urged the funding of a personal trainer at the West U. Recreation Center for Seniors. She also urged consideration of providing for a park for seniors. She characterized the requirement for asking for aAwaiverAforAfeesAasAhumiliating:ASusanAWhiteArespondedAthatAtheAfeeAwaiverAisAcalledA“NoAquestionsA asked:” Council report : Kelly Burke reported that a search firm is being selected to look for a ne w city manager for West University Place, given that the current manager will retire in the coming year. She also mentioned that there will be a joint public hearing at City Council on June 25 to consider the proposal from ATT to normalize four blocks near its building on the corner of Academy and Bellaire. Parks & Recreation report: 1) Ground breaking took place at the new Hughes Park. 2) A new parks maintenance manager is being recruited. 3) A review of the fee schedule by the fee committee and a special meeting w ith Parks Board was undertaken in response to comments received. She reported that the categories were being simplified and that t he practice of seeking to recover approximately 70% of operating costs would be continued. George expressed concern that there seemed to be no mandate or statement of
policy from City Council regarding this practice, which meant that fees and fee increases were arbitrary and without oversight by Council . Susan responded that although Council had not formally approved 70% as a tar get in relation to which fees would be based, it had not expressed any reservation or objection. The fee committee felt the approximate recovery was a good target point for continued continuity for cost recovery. If the approximate percentage was lowered , the difference would have to come from somewhere. Fees will be discussed during the budget process, and citizens may also express their concerns at that time. 4) A trial period that permits online registration of tennis courts is in progress. There have b een glitches in generating receipts. 5) She reported that there would be five Friday night bands in Colonial Park. 6) SheAsaidAthatAtheArecentlyAheldA“IceACreamASocial”AwasAaAsuccessAandAthatAColonialAParkApoolAisAopenA daily during the summer months. 7) Regarding the use by the Baptist Church on Sunday of the Community Center, it has been a practice inAexchangeAforAtheAuseAofAtheAchurch’sAparkingAlotAandAthatAneitherAsideAchargedAaAfee: The Memorandum of Understanding is presented to Council annually, and citizens may also express their concerns at that time. Toby: 1) Good Neighbor Team assembled kits for home -bound and elder seniors. 2) West U. Volleyball team won a recent tournament (The group practices at 10:00 on Tuesday in Community Building 3) Assistance would be given to seniors (by appointment) for the configuration of their cell phones for apps like Uber and Lyft. 4) AFather’sADayAconcernAisAscheduledAforASundayAatA2Ap:m: 5) Several tours had been taken. 6) A personal trainer has been contracted for the fall to instruct residents about the exercise stations located around the sports field adjacent to the Recreational Center. Next meeting: Thursday, September 13 at 2 p.m. Adjournment: 2:55 p.m.