HomeMy WebLinkAbout100719 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, October 7, 2019, in the Municipal Building, 3800 University, West University Place.
Workshop
Bill Watson Conference Room – 5:30 p.m.
1. Call to Order
Mayor Pro Tem Trautner 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: Councilmembers
Barnes, Lankford and Sobash, City Manager Beach, City Secretary Gilliam, City Attorney Petrov,
Interim Public Works Director Barrera, Finance Director Kalka, Fire Chief Taylor, and Police Chief
Walker. Mayor Higley was absent.
Duane Barrett with HDR Engineering was also present.
2. City-wide Drainage
Matters related to a report from the City’s engineer regarding city-wide drainage. Mr. Gerard Barrera,
Interim Public Works Director and HDR Engineers
Mr. Barrett with HDR Engineering provided a presentation to Council regarding drainage throughout
the City.
Following the presentation and discussion, City Manager Beach confirmed that it is the consensus of
Council to have a study prepared, which Mr. Barrett said would take three or four months.
City Manager Beach also confirmed that he would provide options for Council’s consideration in
regards to the areas to be studied and that an item to appropriate funds for this project will be on the
October 28, 2019 City Council agenda.
A copy of the presentation is on file in the City Secretary’s office.
3. Adjourn Workshop
Mayor Pro Tem Trautner adjourned the workshop at 6:32 p.m.
Regular Meeting
Council Chambers – 6:30 p.m.
City Council Meeting Action Minutes, October 7, 2019
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4. Call to Order
Mayor Pro Tem Trautner called the meeting to order at 6:35 p.m. in the City Council Chambers.
Council and Staff in attendance were: Councilmembers Barnes, Lankford and Sobash, City Manager
Beach, City Secretary Gilliam, City Attorney Petrov, Finance Director Kalka, Fire Chief Taylor, Interim
Public Works Director Barrera, and Chief Walker. Mayor Higley was absent.
5. Fire Chief Taylor led the Pledge
Fire Chief Taylor led the Pledge.
6. Recess Regular Meeting and Convene the Employee Benefits Trust (EBT Meeting)
At approximately 6:37 p.m., Councilmember Sobash moved to recess the regular meeting and
convene the Employee Benefits Trust meeting. Councilmember Barnes seconded the motion.
MOTION PASSED.
Ayes: Trautner, Barnes, Lankford, Sobash
Noes: None
Absent: Higley
See Minutes of the EBT for discussion/action.
7. Reconvene Regular Meeting
At approximately 6:39 p.m., Councilmember Barnes moved to reconvene the regular meeting.
Councilmember Sobash seconded the motion. MOTION PASSED.
Ayes: Trautner, Barnes, Lankford, Sobash
Noes: None
Absent: Higley
8. Public Comments
This was an opportunity for citizens to speak to Council relating to agenda and non-agenda items.
Eddie Matthews, 5906 Fordham, spoke to “set the record straight” in regards to the Building and
Standards Commission’s stance on the noise ordinance as recommended to City Council in April
2019.
9. Adoption of the 2020 Budget
Matters related to an ordinance adopting the budget for the fiscal year beginning January 1, 2020 and
ending December 31, 2020 appropriating funds for such budget; containing findings and provisions
relating to the subject. Recommended Action: Approve the ordinance adopting the 2020 Budget on first and
final reading and ratify the property tax increase reflected in the budget. Ms. Marie Kalka, Finance Director
There were two motions for this item:
Councilmember Barnes moved to adopt the ordinance on the first and final reading approving and
adopting the Budget for the fiscal year beginning on January 1, 2020 ending December 31, 2020.
Councilmember Sobash seconded the motion. MOTION PASSED.
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Ayes: Trautner, Barnes, Lankford, Sobash
Noes: None
Absent: Higley
Councilmember Barnes moved to ratify the property tax increase reflected in the budget.
Councilmember Sobash seconded the motion. MOTION PASSED.
Ayes: Trautner, Barnes, Lankford, Sobash
Noes: None
Absent: Higley
10. Adoption of the 2019 Tax Rate
Matters related to an ordinance approving and adopting the 2019 Tax Rate, and declaring an
emergency. Recommended Action: Move that the property tax rate be increased by the adoption of a tax rate of
0.30921, which is effectively a 2.17 percent increase in the tax rate and approve the ordinance adopting the 2019
tax rate on first and final reading. Ms. Marie Kalka, Finance Director
There were two motions for this item:
Councilmember Lankford moved that the property tax rate be increased by the adoption of a tax of
0.30921, which is effectively a 2.17 percent increase in the tax rate. Councilmember Barnes seconded
the motion. MOTION PASSED.
Ayes: Trautner, Barnes, Lankford, Sobash
Noes: None
Absent: Higley
Councilmember Lankford moved to approve the ordinance adopting the 2019 tax rate on the first and
final reading. Councilmember Barnes seconded the motion. MOTION PASSED.
Ayes: Trautner, Barnes, Lankford, Sobash
Noes: None
Absent: Higley
11. Adoption of the 2020 Fee Schedule
Matters related to an ordinance adopting the City’s 2020 Fee Schedule. Recommended Action: Approve
ordinance adopting the City’s 2020 Fee Schedule on the first of two readings. Mr. Dave Beach, City Manager
and Ms. Marie Kalka, Finance Director
Finance Director Kalka pointed out the fees for DirectLink because staff finalized the plans. She said
the basic plan will be $35 with two enhanced plans for residents to opt into for an additional cost of
$8.95 per month or $14.95 per month, depending on the selected plan. Ms. Kalka also stated that in
discussions with the provider, the rate could be reduced further if enough residents participate.
Councilmember Sobash moved to approve the ordinance adopting the 2020 Fee Schedule on the first
of two readings. Councilmember Barnes seconded the motion. MOTION PASSED.
Ayes: Trautner, Barnes, Lankford, Sobash
Noes: None
Absent: Higley
City Council Meeting Action Minutes, October 7, 2019
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12. Nominating a Representative to the Harris County Appraisal District
Matters related to a resolution nominating a candidate to the Harris County Appraisal District to
represent cities other than Houston. Recommended Action: Discuss and take any desired action. Mr. Dave
Beach, City Manager
Mayor Pro Tem Trautner moved to approve a resolution nominating Mike Sullivan to the Harris County
Appraisal District. Councilmember Sobash seconded the motion. MOTION PASSED.
Ayes: Trautner, Barnes, Lankford, Sobash
Noes: None
Absent: Higley
13. Designating a Representative and Alternate to the H-GAC 2020 General Assembly
Matters related to a resolution designating a representative and alternate to the Houston-Galveston
Area Council 2020 General Assembly. Recommended Action: Discuss and take any desired action. Mr. Dave
Beach, City Manager
Mayor Pro Tem Trautner moved to approve designating John Barnes to the H-GAC 2020 General
Assembly as the primary representative. Councilmember Sobash seconded the motion. MOTION
PASSED.
Ayes: Trautner, Barnes, Lankford, Sobash
Noes: None
Absent: Higley
Councilmember Sobash moved to approve designating Councilmember Lankford as the City’s
alternate to the H-GAC 2020 General Assembly. Mayor Pro Tem Trautner seconded the motion.
MOTION PASSED.
Ayes: Trautner, Barnes, Lankford, Sobash
Noes: None
Absent: Higley
14. 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 23, 2019, the Workshop of September
30, 2019, and the Special Meeting of September 30, 2019.
B. Policy Appointing and Reappointing Members to the Friends of West U Parks Fund
Matters related to a policy regarding the process of appointing and reappointing members to
the Friends of West U Parks Fund (FWUPF). Recommended Action: Approve policy outlining the
to appoint and reappoint members to the FWUPF. Mr. Dave Beach, City Manager and Ms. Donna
City Council Meeting Action Minutes, October 7, 2019
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LaMond, Friends of WUPF
C. Resolution in Support of MetroNext Bond Initiative
Matters related to a resolution in Support of MetroNext Bond Initiative. Recommended Action:
Approve resolution in support of Metro’s MetroNext Bond Initiative. Mr. Bob Higley, Mayor
Councilmember Barnes requested that the Minutes of the September 30, 2019 Workshop with Tri-
Sports be removed from the Consent Agenda for discussion.
Councilmember Lankford requested that the resolution in support of the MetroNext Bond Initiative be
removed from the Consent Agenda for discussion.
Councilmember Barnes moved to approve the Consent Agenda as revised. Councilmember Sobash
seconded the motion. MOTION PASSED.
Ayes: Trautner, Barnes, Lankford, Sobash
Noes: None
Absent: Higley
In regards to the Workshop Minutes of September 30, 2019, Councilmember Barnes requested that
Item 2 in the Minutes references discussion with Gregg Thompson and Greg Waller, but omits the fact
that Bob Kelly participated in that discussion as well and requested the Minutes be amended to reflect
his participation.
Also in regards to the Workshop Minutes of September 30, 2019, Councilmember Lankford said that
the notation in Item 3 states “with no further discussion,” which she said implies that a presentation
was given by Tri-Sports with no discussion by Council. She requested that the Minutes be amended to
include the fact that councilmembers had questions and that there was discussion.
City Secretary Gilliam said she would make the requested amendments.
Councilmember Barnes moved to approve the Minutes from the Workshop with Tri-Sports on
September 30, 2019, as amended. Councilmember Lankford seconded the motion. MOTION
PASSED.
Ayes: Trautner, Barnes, Lankford, Sobash
Noes: None
Absent: Higley
Regarding the MetroNext item, Councilmember Lankford stated that she removed it in order to obtain
more information. City Manager Beach stated that the City’s Metro representative, former Mayor Bob
Fry, requested that the City support the resolution. City Attorney Petrov confirmed that it is not
committing the City to anything, only supporting the initiative.
Councilmember Barnes moved to approve the resolution. Councilmember Sobash seconded the
motion. MOTION PASSED.
Ayes: Trautner, Barnes, Lankford, Sobash
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Noes: None
Absent: Higley
15. Adjourn
With no other business before the Council, Councilmember Sobash moved to adjourn the meeting at
7:05 p.m. Councilmember Lankford seconded the motion. MOTION PASSED.
Ayes: Trautner, Barnes, Lankford, Sobash
Noes: None
Absent: Higley
Prepared by: Thelma A. Gilliam, TRMC, City Secretary
Council Approved: October 28, 2019