HomeMy WebLinkAbout072219 CC MinThe City of West University Place
A Neighborhood City
CITY COUNCIL STAFF
Bob Higley , Mayor David J. Beach , City Manager
Kevin Trautner, Mayor Pro Tem Alan Petrov, City Attorney
John P. Barnes, Councilmember Thelma Gilliam, City Secretary
Lauri Lankford , Councilmember
Ed Sobash , Councilmember
CITY COUNCIL ACTION MINUTES
The City Council of the City of West University Place, Texas, met in a workshop and regular session on
Monday , July 22 , 2019 , in the Municipal Building, 3800 University, West University Place .
WORKSHOP
Call to Order. Mayor Higley called the meeting to order at approximately 5:3 0 p .m . in the Municipal
Building Bill Watson Conference Room . Counci l and Staff in attendance were: Co uncilmembers Barnes,
and Sobash , City Manager Beach , City Secretary Gilliam (arrived at 5:31 p.m.), City Attorney Petrov, and
In terim Public Works Director Barrera . Mayor Pro T em Trautner and Councilmember Lankford were
absent. Note: Though not able to participate, Councilmember Lankford listened in via telephone.
1. Community Improvement Program
Matters related to an update on the Community Improvement Program. Recommended Action: Hear
update and take any desired action. Mr. Dave Beach, City Manager
City Manager Beach gave an update on the City’s Community Improvement Program. No action taken.
2. Adjourn Workshop
Councilmember Sobash moved to adjourn the workshop. Mayor Higley seconded the motion and
adjourned at approximately 6:25 p.m.
REGUALR M EETING (6:30 PM in the Council Chambers)
Call to Order. Mayor Higley called the meetin g to order at approximately 6:32 p.m. in the Municipal
Building Council Chambers. Counci l and Staff in attendance were: Co uncilmembers Barnes , and Sobash,
City Manager Beach, City Secretary Gilliam, City Attorney Petrov, Interim Public Works Director Barrera ,
and Police Chief Walker. Mayor Pro Tem Trautner and Councilmember Lankford were absent.
City Secretary Gilliam confirmed that the Noti ce of the meeting was posted as required by law.
Boy and Girl Scouts with Troop 55 and Troop 1314, respectively, led the Pledge.
3. Public Comments
This is an opportunity for citizens to speak to Council relating to agenda and non -agenda items.
Public comments were as follows:
• Wayne Beckermann, on behalf of Jim Cooper who represents Ms. Terry Bowman, spoke
regarding bees and said he thinks the situation has been lost in the conversation about the
benefits of bees. He said the bees are still next to Ms. Bowman ’s home and so he would like
C ouncil to think of solutions to solve that par ticular situation.
City Council Meeting Action Minutes, July 22 , 2019
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• Simon Jones, a resident of Houston who works for Ms. Bowman, said there are hundreds of
bees in Ms. Bowman’s flowers and so it’s a matter of time bef ore someone gets stung.
• Sunny Lyles, 4143 Southwestern, is a friend of Ms. Bowman and said the issue is not about
bees or no bees, but rather about a resident, her dog , and her workers who were confronted
and stung by bees. He said an ordinance would pro vide protection for residents, the Council,
and the City.
4. Boards and Commissions Updates
Matters related to updates from the Zoning and Planning Commission, Zoning Board of Adjustments,
Building and Standards Commission, Parks Board, Recycling and Solid Waste Reduction Board,
Friends of West U Parks Fund, and Senior Services Board. Recommended Action: Hear updates and
take any desired action. Chair Peter Billipp (PRB); Chair Selby Clark (SSB); Chair Sami Morrison (FWUPF);
Chair Orval Marlow (RSWRB); Chair Richard Wilson (ZPC); Vice -Chair Steven Segal (ZBA); and Vice -
Chair Eddie Matthews (BSC)
The Chair or Vice Chair of each board/commission gave a brief update on recent accomplishments
and future goals.
5. Zoning and Planning Commission Report on the Projection of Balconies in the Front Yard
Setback and Consideration of an Ordinance by City Council
Matters related to an ordinance amending the Zoning Ordinance and Code of Ordinances of the City of
West University Place, Texas, regarding the projection of balconies in the front yard setback and
containing findings and other provisions relating to the s ubject. Recommended Action: Approve ordinance
on the first of two readings. Ms. Debbie Scarcella, City Planner and Mr. Richard Wilson, Chair of the Zoning
and Planning Commission
ZPC Chair Wilson reported on this item , followed by a brief discussion that resulted in Mayor Higle y
suggesting that Chair Wilson take the ordinance back to the ZPC to wordsmith and bring bac k before
Council at a later date . Chair Wilson agreed and no action was taken.
6. Consent Agenda
All Consent Agenda items listed are con sidered to be routine by the City 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 will be removed from the Consent Agenda and considered in its normal
sequence on the agenda.
A. City Council Minutes
Approve City Council Meeting Minutes of July 8, 2019.
B. Quarterly Investment Report
Matters related to consideration and acceptance of the City’s June 2019 Quarterly Investment
Report. Recommended Action: Con sider and accept the City’s June 2019 Quarterly Investment Report.
Mr. Harrison Nicholson, Treasurer
C. CenterPoint Energy Houston LLC Electric Rates
Matters related to an ordinance denying rate increase request and revised rate schedules and
maintaining current rates in effect. Recommended Action: Approve ordinance denying the CenterPoint
rate increase request and revised rate schedules and maintaini ng current rates in effect. Mr. Alan Petrov,
City Attorney
D. Budget Amendment Ordinance
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Matters related to an ordinance amending the Budget of the City of West University Place, Texas
for the fiscal year beginning January 1, 2019 and ending December 31, 2 019; containing findings
and provisions related to the subject; and declaring an emergency. Recommended Action: Approve
ordinance amending the 2019 Budget . Marie Kalka, Finance Director
E. Interlocal Agreement with Harris -Galveston Subsidence District
Matters related to an Interlocal Agreement with Harris -Galveston Subsidence District.
Recommended Action: Approve the Interlocal Agreement with Harris -Galveston Subsidence District and
authorize the City Manager to execute the contract. Mr. Gerardo Barre ra, Interim Public Works Director
Councilmember Barnes moved to approve the Consent Agenda as presented. Councilmember
Sobash seconded the motion. MOTION PASSED.
Ayes: Higley, Barnes, Sobash
Noes: None
Absent: Lankford, Trautner
7. Executive Session
Notice is hereby given that the City Council will convene into Executive Session in accordance with the
following provision of Chapter 551 of the Texas Code: Section 551.071 (Consultation with outside
legal counsel regarding review of zo ning and land use process).
Ma yor Higley recessed the regular m e eting at 7: 47 p.m. to convene into executive s ession.
8. Close Executive Session and Reconvene Regular Meeting
Matters related to any action resulting from the Executive Session.
Councilmember Sobash moved to close the executive session and reconvene the regular meeting at
8:15 p.m. Councilmember Barnes seconded the motion. MOTION PASSED.
Ayes: Higley, Barnes, Sobash
Noes: None
Absent: Lankford, Trautner
No action taken.
9. Adjourn Regular Meeting
With no other business before the Council, Councilmember Branes moved to adjourn the meeting at
approximately 8:15 p.m. Councilmember Sobash seconded the motion. MOTION PASSED.
Ayes: Higley, Barnes, Sobash
Noes: None
Absent: Lankford, Trautner
Prepared by: Thelma A. Gilliam, City Secretary
Council Approved: August 12, 2019