HomeMy WebLinkAbout021020 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, February 10, 2020, in the
Municipal Building, 3800 University, West University Place.
1. Call Workshop to Order
Mayor Higley called the meeting to order at 5:30 p.m. All Council present. City Manager Beach, City
Secretary Gilliam, Public Works Director Barrera, and City Attorney Petrov were also present.
Mike Shelton, an engineer with Kimley-Horn, was also present.
2. WWTP Efficiency Study
Matters related to WWTP Efficiency Study. Recommended Action: Discuss and provide staff direction, if
desired. Mr. Gerardo Barrera, Public Works, Director.
Mr. Mike Shelton with Kimley-Horn presented a report on the findings related to the Wastewater
Treatment Plant (WWTP) Efficiency Study.
A copy of the presentation is on file in the City Secretary’s office.
3. Adjourn Workshop
With no further discussion, Mayor Higley adjourned the Workshop at 6:16 p.m.
Regular Meeting (6:30 PM in the Council Chambers)
4. 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, Public Works Director Barrera, and Police Chief Walker
Also present were Chair of the Zoning and Planning Commission Richard Wilson, David Beard with
Kendig Keast Collaborative, and Eleni Pappas with Traffic Engineers, Inc.
5. Pledge of Allegiance
Boy Scout Robert Day, Troop 266, led the Pledge of Allegiance.
6. Public Comments
This was an opportunity for citizens to speak to Council relating to agenda and non-agenda items.
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David Cole, 4104 Cason, spoke regarding the city-wide speed and safety study. He said the proposal
seems to be a solution in search of a problem and said he would rather see funds spent on innovative
ways for traffic calming.
Alida Drewes, 6112 Fordham, spoke on several topics including traffic study, bees, senior assistance
and exemptions, and pesticides.
Eddie Matthews, 5906 Fordham, spoke regarding the city-wide speed and safety study. He
recommended that the consultants examine and make recommendations on certain safety issues such
as parking on dangerous curbs and double-parking by contractors on narrow streets.
Fiona Gilmore, 6624 Rutgers, spoke regarding the traffic study. She said she thinks there needs to be
a study and is in favor of reduced speed limits or speed bumps.
7. 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 Beard with Kendig Keast Collaborative presented and stated that the comments mentioned
and discussed at the January 27, 2020 meeting, and other minor revisions that were not specifically
discussed, have been captured and included in this proposed ordinance.
Councilmember Lankford moved to approve the ordinance with the changes discussed amending
Chapter 74 of the Code of Ordinances, Subdivisions. Councilmember Barnes seconded the motion.
MOTION PASSED.
Ayes: Higley, Trautner, Barnes, Lankford, Sobash
Noes: None
Absent: None
8. Bee Ordinance
Matters related to the first reading of an ordinance relating to bees. Recommended Action: Approve
ordinance on the first of two readings. Mr. Gerardo Barrera, Public Works Director.
Public Works Director Barrera presented and said that the comments mentioned by Council at the
previous meeting have been incorporated and included in the proposed ordinance.
Mayor Pro Tem Trautner stated that he had originally proposed striking “or side-yard setback” on the
hive location, but upon further thought he would like to request that the wording be put back in (at the
end of Section 14-102).
In response to Councilmember Lankford’s suggestion that there be a way for a person to revoke his or
consent allowing a neighbor to have bee hives, Mayor Pro Tem Trautner suggested adding “may be
revoked by the consent granting neighbor at any time” to the end of Section 14-105. City Attorney Petrov
stated that would suffice.
Councilmember Lankford noted that in the middle of Section 14-105 it references Section 14-02, which
should be Section 14-102.
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Mayor Pro Tem Trautner moved to approve the ordinance relating to bees with the recommended
amendments on the first of two readings. Councilmember Barnes seconded the motion. MOTION
PASSED.
Ayes: Higley, Trautner, Barnes, Lankford, Sobash
Noes: None
Absent: None
9. Water System Disinfection Upgrade
Matters related to approving contract for Water Disinfection Upgrades. Recommended Action: Approve
contracts and authorize the city manager to execute the contracts. Mr. Gerardo Barrera, Public Works Director
Councilmember Barnes moved to approve awarding a contract to Ixom Watercare Inc., for the purchase
of the solar power mixers in the amount of $202,000 and authorize the city manager to execute the
contract for the purchase of the equipment. Mayor Pro Tem Trautner seconded the motion. MOTION
PASSED.
Ayes: Higley, Trautner, Barnes, Lankford, Sobash
Noes: None
Absent: None
10. Weir Replacement
Matters related to approving a contract for Clarifier Weir Replacement at the Wastewater Treatment
Plant. Recommended Action: Approve contract and authorize the city manager to execute the contract. Mr.
Gerardo Barrera, Public Works Director.
Mayor Pro Tem Trautner moved to award the contract to JTR Construction for removal and replacement
of the weirs in the amount of $600,000 and to 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
11. City-wide Speed and Safety Study
Matters related to implementing a city-wide speed and safety study. Recommended Action: Approve
contract and authorize the city manager to execute the contract. Mr. Gerardo Barrera, Public Works Director.
Anne Furse, 6430 Wakeforest, spoke in favor of commissioning the study.
Ms. Eleni Pappas, Traffic Engineers Inc., noted this study will provide solutions not only for today but will
give the City tools that can be put in a “toolbox” for use in the future.
Mayor Pro Tem Trautner moved to approve contract with Traffic Engineers Inc., for the city-wide speed
and safety study. Councilmember Barnes seconded the motion. MOTION PASSED.
Ayes: Higley, Trautner, Barnes, Lankford, Sobash
Noes: None
Absent: None
12. Consent Agenda
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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 the City Council Workshop Minutes of January 27, 2020.
B. Weeds/Property Condition
Matters related to an ordinance regarding weeds/property condition. Recommended Action:
Approve ordinance on second and final reading. Mr. Gerardo Barrera, Public Works and Mr.
Richard Wilson, ZPC Chair.
C. Wastewater Treatment Plant (WWTP) Efficiency Study Acceptance
Matters related to accepting the WWTP Efficiency Study. Recommended Action: Accept WWTP
Efficiency Study. Mr. Gerardo Barrera, Public Works Director.
Councilmember Lankford removed Item 12(B) from the Consent Agenda for discussion and City
Manager Beach pulled Item 12(C) form the Consent Agenda to be brought back before Council at a later
date.
Councilmember Lankford moved to approve the Minutes – 12(A). Councilmember Sobash seconded
the motion. MOTION PASSED.
Ayes: Higley, Trautner, Barnes, Lankford, Sobash
Noes: None
Absent: None
Councilmember Lankford voiced concern regarding Sec. 42-49(a)(4), which if approved as proposed
would read: Any brush or rubbish allowed to remain in one place for the greater of 72 hours or the
number of days until the next scheduled yard waste pickup day. She said her concern is that it would
allow trash to be able to sit on a person’s property 7 days a week every week.
After discussion, Councilmember Lankford moved to approve the ordinance with a change to (a)(4) to
say the lesser of 72 hours or the number of days until the next scheduled yard waste pickup day.
Councilmember Barnes seconded the motion. MOTION PASSED.
Ayes: Higley, Trautner, Barnes, Lankford, Sobash
Noes: None
Absent: None
13. Recess Regular Meeting to Convene Executive Session
Mayor Higley recessed the regular meeting at 7:40 p.m. to convene executive session per Sections
551.071 and 551.072 of the Texas Government Code.
14. Real Property
Notice is hereby given that the City Council will convene into executive session in accordance with the
following provisions of Chapter 551 of the Texas Government Code:
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City Council met in Executive Session per Sections 551.071 and 551.072 of the Texas Government
Code.
Executive Session closed at 8:15 p.m.
15. Reconvene Regular Session
Reconvene regular meeting and take any action resulting from executive session.
Mayor Higley reconvened the regular session at approximately 8:13 p.m.
16. Adjourn Regular Meeting
With no other matter before council, the meeting will adjourn.
With no other business before Council, Councilmember Barnes moved to adjourn the meeting 8:15 p.m.
Councilmember Lankford 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.
Prepared by: City Secretary Thelma A. Gilliam
Approved by City Council on: February 24, 2020