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HomeMy WebLinkAbout091100S CC MinM CITY COUNCIL SPECIAL SESSION MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 11, 2000 MUNICIPAL BUILDING 3800 UNIVERSITY BLVD. 6:30 P.1VL The City Council convened in Special Session in the Municipal'Building Conference Rohm (3800 University Blvd.) on September 11, 2000, with the following members.. present: Mayor. Lewis presiding, Council Members.Ballanfant; Bertini, Grubb and May. The City Manager, City Secretary, City Attorney, Public Works Director, Finance Director and Utilities Superintendent were also present. The notice'for this meeting was posted in accordance with the Texas Government Code, Chapter 551, on the 8's day of August 2000.at.6:20 p.m. Anenda Review: The City Council reviewed the regular meeting agenda and:discussed items under consideration with the Staff. Gateways. —) Matters related to a report from White.Oak Studios .regarding gateways.: Jim Patterson of White Oak Studios presented proposed designs for the gateways. He stated that he designed a sign that had traditional influences with brick, painted steel. and plants. At the entrances to the city, the signs would be 9 feet tall with white translucent lettering. The estimated cost,per sign.is.$10,000. - He also suggested that the bus stop on Bissonnet have a special design which included ornamental metal.... . City Manager. Sherman Yehl reminded the CounciLthat funds were made-available forthe Bissonnet and Weslayan gateway from Lovett Homes. The City Council supported continuing with the -design.. The City Council recessed the Special Session at 7:30 p.m. to convene: in Regular Session. The Special Session reconvened at 8:23 p.m. City Council Special Session, September I1, 2000 2000 Bond Issue. ' Matters related to the issuance of $1519 inii i'on of General Obligation Public Improvement Bonds. . Finance Director Walter Thomas reported that in 1995 the voters approved issuing bonds totaling $63 million to ahnost completely reconstruct the city's infrastructure. Of this authorization`$45�millidn was for General Obligation Bonds..The City issued $7,050,000 in 1996 an &•$9,450,000 in 1998, so after this' issue there will lie $12,550,000 remanung authorization. The funds raised by; the proposed 2000 bond sale would be used to fund construction in Priority Areas'7B; 8 and-12. The Water and Sewer Bonds for Priority Areas 7B, 8 and 12 will be sold early in 2001. T The delay is- due- to the'. -need to increase water and sewer rates to meet the legal requirements set out in the current outstanding Bond Orders. These Orders require the City to generate net revenue in the Water and Sewer Fund sufficient to cover all debt service requirements plus 25% before new bonds can be sold. Mr. Thomas stated that there'would be no budget impact on the current (2000) Budget. Increased debt service resulting from these bonds will cause taxes to imre'ase the equivalent of three cents in 2001 and as much as five cents in future years. This increase is still within the original projections prepared in 1995. l _.J The City Council' authorized the Staff to begin' the work necessary to issue General Obligation Bonds in November, 2000. Reuort from Traffic Task Force. Matters related to a report regarding temporary placement of pedestrian crosswalks on Edloe. Council Member Berlin reported that the Traffic Task Force has recommended a no parking zone along Edloe from Sunset south until the curve just before 7MH. They also requested._a tenporary'pedestiian cibsswalk for citizens crossing the currentTangley Street bridge onto Edloe. The City Council agreed with the recommendations. Street lights. Matters related to street lights and funding. Mayor Lewis reported that there is general support for the trial luminaire on the east side of Rice Boulevard but there were complaints about the pole. HL &P has been contacted F1 City Council Special Session, September 11, 2000 about providing a more substantial pole. She suggested that the lamps be full cut -off, which means that all the light goes to the ground. Council Member Bertini asked about placement of the poles. Mayor Lewis stated that HL &P could work around the trees. Mandatory water rationing. Matters related to the declaration of a drought emergency. Utilities Superintendent Patrick Walters presented a chart showing the amount of water usage for the past three months. He stated that the steps to the city's drought emergency plan is triggered by the City of Houston but that just because they are having a crisis does not necessarily mean West University is having a problem. Mr. Yehl suggested that the city's drought emergency plan be revised to trigger the steps differently. Council Member Ballanfant suggested that a water policy be put into effect every August instead of waiting for a crisis. Matters related to the Purchase, exchange, lease or value of real nrnnerw Property at 4210 Bellaire Boulevard known as Y.M.C.A. Closed Executive Session to be held under Sections 551.072 Texas Government Code. The City Council convened in Executive Session at 8:52 p.m. The Executive Session closed at 9:48 p.m. and the Council reconvened in open session. Matters related to the Purchase. exchange. lease or value of real nrnnerly House and lot at Colonial Park known as 4127 Case Closed Executive Session to be held under Sections 551.072 Texas Government Code. The City Council convened in Executive Session at 9:49 p.m. The Executive Session closed at 9:52 p.m. and the Council reconvened in open session. Mayor Lewis called for a motion. A motion was made by Council Member Ballanfant, seconded by Council Member Grubb, to approve the award of the Special Commissioners. 3 City Council Special Session, September 11, 2000 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 Grubb,.seconded by Council Member May, to adjourn. The Special Session adjourned at 9:53 p.m. 4