HomeMy WebLinkAbout092319 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, September 23, 2019, in the Municipal Building, 3800 University, West University Place.
WORKSHOP
Call to Order. Mayor Higley called the workshop to order at approximately 5:30 p.m. in the Municipal
Building Bill Watson Conference Room. Council and Staff in attendance were: Mayor Pro Tem Trautner,
Councilmembers Barnes, Lankford and Sobash, City Manager Beach, City Secretary Gilliam, City
Attorney Petrov, Interim Public Works Director Barrera, and Police Chief Walker.
Eleni Pappas with Traffic Engineers was also present.
1. Traffic Engineer
Matters related to discussion with the City’s Traffic Engineer. Recommended Action: Discuss and provide
staff direction if desired. Mr. Gerardo Barrera, Interim Public Works Director
Eleni Pappas with Traffic Engineers provided a presentation to Council regarding street and driveway
visibility triangles.
Following the presentation and discussion, City Manager Beach confirmed that it is the consensus of
Council to move forward with a traffic study.
2. Adjourn Workshop
Mayor Higley adjourned the workshop at 6:22 p.m.
REGULAR MEETING
Call to Order. Mayor Higley called the meeting to order at 6:30 p.m. in the City Council Chambers.
Council and Staff in attendance were: Mayor Pro Tem Trautner, Councilmembers Barnes, Lankford and
Sobash, City Manager Beach, City Secretary Gilliam, City Attorney Petrov, Finance Director Kalka, and
Chief Walker.
City Secretary Gilliam confirmed that Notice of the meeting was posted as required by law.
Chief Walker led the Pledge of Allegiance.
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RECESS REGULAR MEETING OF THE CITY COUNCIL AT APPROXIMATELY 6:30 P.M. TO
CONVENE A MEETING OF THE CITY OF WEST UNIVERSITY PLACE EMPLOYEE BENEFITS TRUST
(EBT) FOR WHICH A SEPARATE EBT AGENDA HAS BEEN POSTED.
The Employee Benefits Trust meeting did not convene. The meeting was cancelled and rescheduled for
September 30, 2019.
3. Public Comments
This was an opportunity for citizens to speak to Council relating to agenda and non-agenda items.
Jen Swallen, 6548 Community, spoke regarding traffic/speeding and said she would be in favor of a
25 mph speed limit.
Elder Ramsay, 2817 Tangley, spoke regarding parkland and open space.
Lane Walters, 2740 Carolina Way, spoke regarding traffic/speeding and said he would be in favor of
lowering the speed limit to 20 mph.
Stan McCandless, spoke to request that the City recognize the Martin Luther King, Jr. holiday.
4. West U Rotary Youth Exchange Program
Representatives of the West U Rotary will speak regarding the West U Rotary Youth Exchange
Program and introduce two students currently involved in the program.
Emma from France and Sebastian from Denmark spoke regarding the exchange program and their
excitement to be a part of it.
5. First Public Hearing on Tax Rate
Matters related to the first public hearing on the proposed property tax rate. Recommended Action:
Hold first hearing on the tax rate to hear from the public. Ms. Marie Kalka, Finance Director
Finance Director Kalka presented this item. Councilmember Sobash moved to confirm that the second
public hearing on the tax rate is set for October 7, 2019. Mayor Pro Tem Trautner seconded.
MOTION PASSED.
Ayes: Higley, Trautner, Barnes, Lankford, Sobash
Noes: None
Absent: None
Councilmember Sobash ratified the motion to confirm that the second public hearing and first public
hearing for the 2020 Budget is scheduled for September 30, 2019. Mayor Pro Tem Trautner seconded
the motion. MOTION PASSED.
Ayes: Higley, Trautner, Barnes, Lankford, Sobash
Noes: None
Absent: None
6. Wastewater Treatment Plant Lighting Improvements
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Matters related to a contract to improve lighting at the Wastewater Treatment Plant. Recommended
Action: Award contract for lighting at the Wastewater Treatment Plant and authorize the city manager to execute
the contract. Mr. Gerardo Barrera, Interim Public Works Director
Councilmember Lankford moved to award the contract for lighting at the Wastewater Treatment Plant
and authorize the city manager to execute the contract. Councilmember Barnes seconded the motion.
MOTION PASSED.
Ayes: Higley, Trautner, Barnes, Lankford, Sobash
Noes: None
Absent: None
7. Generator Maintenance Contract
Matters related to awarding a contract for generator maintenance. Recommended Action: Award
contract for generator maintenance and authorize the city manager to execute the contract. Mr.
Gerardo Barrera, Interim Public Works Director
Councilmember Sobash moved to award the bid to Loftin Equipment for the 5-year term with an
optional one-year extension for an additional three years and authorize the city manager to execute the
contract. Councilmember Lankford seconded the motion. MOTION PASSED.
Ayes: Higley, Trautner, Barnes, Lankford, Sobash
Noes: None
Absent: None
8. Consent Agenda
All Consent Agenda items listed are considered 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 September 9, 2019 and Community Improvement
Program Workshop of September 17, 2019.
B. Second Floor Projecting Balconies
Matters related to the final report from the Zoning and Planning Commission regarding
second floor projecting balconies and approval of an ordinance on the second and final
reading. Recommended Action: Approve ordinance on the second and final reading. Mr. Richard
Wilson, Chair of the Zoning and Planning Commission, and Ms. Debbie Scarcella, City Planner
Councilmember Barnes moved to approve the Consent Agenda as presented. Mayor Pro Tem
Trautner seconded the motion. MOTION PASSED.
Ayes: Higley, Trautner, Barnes, Lankford, Sobash
Noes: None
Absent: None
At this time Mayor Higley recessed the regular meeting and convened a workshop.
9. Boards and Commissions
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Discussion regarding possible projects related to the City’s various boards and commissions.
Recommended Action: Discuss and provide staff direction if desired. City Council
Councilmember Sobash left the meeting during discussions at 7:30 p.m. to catch a flight.
After discussion by the remaining members of Council, City Manager Beach received direction on how
to proceed with initiating certain board and commission related projects.
Mayor Pro Tem Trautner moved to close the workshop at 8:45 p.m. Councilmember Barnes seconded
the motion. MOTION PASSED.
Ayes: Higley, Trautner, Barnes, Lankford
Noes: None
Absent: Sobash
Councilmember Barnes moved to reconvene the regular meeting. Mayor Pro Tem Trautner seconded
the motion. MOTION PASSED.
Ayes: Higley, Trautner, Barnes, Lankford
Noes: None
Absent: Sobash
10. Adjourn
With no other business before the Council, Councilmember Barnes moved to adjourn the meeting at
approximately 7:46 p.m. Councilmember Lankford seconded the motion. MOTION PASSED.
Ayes: Higley, Trautner, Barnes, Lankford
Noes: None
Absent: Sobash
Prepared by: Thelma A. Gilliam, TRMC, City Secretary
Council Approved: October 7, 2019