HomeMy WebLinkAbout012720 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 on Monday, January 27, 2020, in the
Municipal Building, 3800 University, West University Place.
Mayor Higley called the meeting to order at 5:00 p.m. All Council present. City Manager Beach, City
Secretary Gilliam, and City Attorney Petrov were also present.
Immediately after the meeting was called to order, Mayor Pro Tem Trautner moved to convene into
Executive Session per Section 551 of the Texas Government Code. Councilmember Sobash seconded
the motion. MOTION PASSED.
Ayes: Higley, Trautner, Barnes, Lankford, Sobash
Noes: None
Absent: None
1. Executive Session
Notice was given that City Council would convene into executive session in accordance with the following
provision of Chapter 551 of the Texas Government Code:
Section 551.071 (Consultation with outside legal counsel regarding review of zoning and land use
process).
2. Adjourn Executive Session
Mayor Higley adjourned the executive session at approximately 6:00 p.m.
Workshop (6:00 p.m. in the Bill Watson Conference Room)
3. Call to Order
Mayor Higley called the workshop to order at approximately 6:00p.m. Council and Staff in attendance:
Mayor Pro Tem Trautner, Councilmembers Barnes, Lankford and Sobash, City Manager Beach, City
Secretary Gilliam, Public Works Director Barrera, Building Official Clay Chew, and Police Chief Walker
4. Bees
Matters related to bees. Recommended Action: Discuss and provide staff direction if desired. Mr. Gerardo
Barrera, Public Works Director
Public Works Director Barrera outlined two options for Council to consider for the proposed ordinance
that will come before Council at its February 10, 2020, meeting on first reading.
After discussion with staff, Council agreed that an ordinance styled after Austin, Texas will be sufficient
and that the ordinance should include a requirement that will necessitate a beekeeper to register with
the City and to get a written consent from the neighbor upon whose property line the beehive will abut if
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it comes within 10 feet of said property. In addition, there will be a requirement for a form for the neighbor
to rescind the consent if it becomes necessary.
The audio of the workshop in its entirety is on the City’s website or a copy of the audio can be obtained from the
City Secretary.
5. Adjourn Workshop
With no further discussion, Mayor Higley adjourned the Workshop at 6:25 p.m.
Regular Meeting (6:30 PM in the Council Chambers)
6. Regular Meeting Called to Order
Mayor Higley called the regular meeting to order at 6:30 p.m. Council and Staff in attendance: Mayor
Pro Tem Trautner, Councilmembers Barnes, Lankford and Sobash, City Manager Beach, City Attorney
Petrov, City Secretary Gilliam, IT Director Dang, Public Works Director Barrera, Police Chief Walker,
Support Services Sergeant Ly, Fire Chief Taylor, and Building Official Chew
Also present were Chair of the Zoning and Planning Commission Richard Wilson, David Baird with
Kendig Keast Collaborative, and Marcus Deitz with Orrick, Herrington & Sutcliffe LLP.
7. Pledge of Allegiance
Councilmember Lankford Led the Pledge of Allegiance.
8. Public Comments
This was an opportunity for citizens to speak to Council relating to agenda and non-agenda items.
Donna Field, 3132 Nottingham, spoke regarding the subdivision ordinance. She said the language in the
ordinance is difficult to read and she wanted clarification on the content, which council and staff provided.
Alida Drewes, 6112 Fordham, spoke on several topics including fire hydrants, sidewalks, communication
equipment, hazardous chemicals, and a dog park.
9. Subdivision Ordinance
Matters related to an ordinance amending Chapter 74 of the Code of Ordinances relating to subdivisions.
Recommended Action: Approve ordinance on the first of two readings. Mr. Gerardo Barrera, Public Works
Director and Mr. Richard Wilson, ZPC Chair
Mr. David Baird with Kendig Keast Collaborative presented and stated that his company was
instrumental in the rewrite of Chapter 74. He said the main purpose of the rewrite was to make the
Chapter more intuitive and take things that were duplicative and conflicting and put them in other areas
of the Code to prevent overlaps. He said the biggest addition to the Chapter is the enforcement and
remedy section.
Following a short presentation and a period of questions and answers, Council and staff agreed that
some of the sections need revising for clarification. Staff will collaborate with Mr. Baird, make the
necessary revisions, and, if the ordinance is ready, bring it back before Council for the first of two
readings at the next meeting.
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Mr. Baird stated that the revisions are not too complicated so it should not be a problem to have the
ordinance ready for the February 10 meeting.
10. Weeds/Property Condition
Matters related to an ordinance regarding weeds/property conditions. Recommended Action: Approve
ordinance on the first of two readings. Mr. Gerardo Barrera, Public Works Director and Mr. Richard Wilson,
Chair
Mr. Richard Wilson, Chair of the ZPC, presented and stated that the proposed revisions to the ordinance
is the work product of efforts by Kendig Keast Collaborative, the Zoning and Planning Commission,
comments made at meetings during public comments, and the existing ordinance.
Mr. Wilson said revisions to this ordinance came about due to enforcement issues. He said the revisions
allow staff to be able to do their jobs and provide residents with notice of issues before enforcement
activity escalates.
Mr. Wilson noted that at the bottom of Page 4, in Section 42-50 (b), the strikethrough on “uncultivated”
is an error. He said “uncultivated” is intended to remain in the final ordinance.
Councilmember Lankford stated that Section 42-49 (b)(1) and (b)(2) both state “section” but should state
“article.”
Mayor Pro Tem Trautner moved to approve the ordinance relating to weeds subject to the minor
amendments that were mentioned. Councilmember Barnes seconded the motion. MOTION PASSED.
Ayes: Higley, Trautner, Barnes, Lankford, Sobash
Noes: None
Absent: None
11. Bond Counsel Selection
Matters related to approval of the City’s Bond Counsel. Recommended Action: Approve resolution awarding
bond counsel services to Orrick, Herrington & Sutcliffe LLP and authorize the city manager to execute the contract.
Mr. Harrison Nicholson, Treasurer
Mayor Pro Tem Trautner moved to approve a resolution awarding bond counsel services to Orrick,
Herrington & Sutcliffe LLP 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
12. Direct Link Alarm Monitoring Update
Matters related to a presentation regarding Direct Link. Recommended Action: None - informational only.
Mr. Ken Walker, Police Chief and Ms. Jessica Ly, Sergeant, Support Services
Chief Walker and Sergeant Ly provided an update on Direct Link. Chief Walker noted that the City is
one of the few cities in Texas that the legislature has allowed to operate an alarm monitoring service.
He said there are other companies that currently allow services the City does not, so the City has added
services to compete.
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Sergeant Ly said in order to compete, the City has added the convenience of an “app” that will alarm
and disarm the alarm as well as allow for video monitoring.
13. Consent Agenda
All Consent Agenda items listed were routine and enacted by one motion. There was no separate
discussion.
A. City Council Minutes
Approve the City Council Workshop Minutes of January 13, 2020.
B. Purchase of Fire Truck
Matters related to the purchase of fire truck. Recommended Action: Approve purchase of the pumper
truck and authorize the city manager to execute the contract. Mr. Aaron Taylor, Fire
C. Purchase of Vehicles
Matters related to the purchase of vehicles. Recommended Action: Approve purchase of vehicles and
authorize the city manager to execute the contract. Mr. Gerardo Barrera, Public Works Director
D. Computer-Aided Dispatch Software
Matters related to a contract to upgrade the Computer Aided Dispatch system. Recommended
Action: Approve the award of a contract upgrade the City’s CAD system and authorize the city manager to
execute the contract. Mr. Tim Dang, IT Director
E. Quarterly Investment Report
Matters related to quarterly investment report. Recommended Action: Accept report. Mr. Harrison
Nicholson, Treasurer
F. Harris County Interlocal Agreement
Matters related to an Interlocal Agreement with Harris County for donated electronic accountability
devices. Recommended Action: Approve Interlocal Agreement with Harris County for donated electronic
accountability devices. Aaron Taylor, Fire Chief
Councilmember Sobash 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
14. Adjourn Regular Meeting
With no other matter before council, the meeting will adjourn.
With no other business before Council, Councilmember Lankford moved to adjourn the meeting 7:30
p.m. Councilmember Sobash seconded the motion. MOTION PASSED.
Ayes: Higley, Trautner, Barnes, Lankford, Sobash
Noes: None
Absent: None
A complete audio of this City Council meeting is available on the City’s website or contact the City Secretary’s office
for a copy.
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Prepared by: City Secretary Thelma A. Gilliam
Approved by City Council on: February 10, 2020