HomeMy WebLinkAbout032320 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 via teleconference due to the Coronovirus
(COVID-19) health threat on Monday, March 23, 2020, at 6:30 p.m. in the Bill Watson Conference Room
in the Municipal Building, 3800 University, West University Place.
1. Call Workshop to Order
Mayor Higley called the meeting to order at 6:30 p.m. City Manager Beach, City Secretary Gilliam, and
Fire Chief/Emergency Management Coordinator Taylor were also present. Mayor Pro Tem Trautner,
Councilmembers Barnes, Lankford and Sobash, and City Attorney Petrov verbalized their attendance
via telephone.
Dick Yehle, 6401 Rutgers identified himself as a participant via telephone.
2. Pledge of Allegiance
Mayor Higley led the Pledge of Allegiance.
3. Public Comments
This was an opportunity for citizens to speak to City Council relating to agenda and non-agenda
items.
There were no public comments.
4. Continuation of Declaration of Local State of Disaster
Matters related to a resolution continuing the Mayoral Declaration declaring a local State of Disaster
Due to Public Health Emergency. Recommended Action: Approve resolution continuing the mayor’s
Declaration of Local State of Disaster. Mr. Dave Beach, City Manager
City Manager Beach presented and stated that the mayor issued a declaration declaring a local State
of Disaster on March 17, 2020, and without a continuation or renewal by executive order of the mayor
or a majority vote by City Council the declaration would expire on the 7th day of adoption.
Mayor Pro Tem Trautner moved to adopt the resolution continuing the disaster declaration issued by
Mayor Higley on March 17, 2020. Councilmember Sobash seconded the motion. MOTION PASSED.
Ayes: Higley, Trautner, Barnes, Lankford, Sobash
Noes: None
Absent: None
City Council Meeting Action Minutes, March 23, 2020
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City Manager Beach asked if Council had any questions related to the declaration and the health crisis.
Councilmember Lankford asked if the City has any arrangements with hotels in case police and/or fire
personnel has to be in quarantine due to having had contact with a COVID-19 infected person. Fire
Chief/Emergency Management Coordinator Taylor responded and said the City does not have a Public
Health Authority so it falls under the County’s jurisdiction. Therefore, staff would coordinate with the
County if those type of arrangements became necessary.
Councilmember Barnes asked how the community has responded and complied since the issuance of
the declaration. City Manager Beach responded that there has been one concern about the
playgrounds still being open. He said staff is currently looking at closing the playgrounds, tennis courts
and basketball courts.
Mayor Pro Tem Trautner asked if other cities are doing things similar to what West U is doing. City
Manager Beach said the City plans to follow Sugar Land and the Woodlands lead and close access to
playground and other equipment, but allow use of the green spaces.
In response to Mayor Higley’s question as to what would be the details within a Shelter in Place
declaration, Fire Chief/Emergency Management Coordinator Taylor said Harris County and the City of
Houston are working on plans for a Shelter in Place declaration with restrictions that will affect West U.
Mayor Higley asked if West U would have a role in the Shelter in Place other than to enforce the
declaration when the time comes. City Attorney Petrov said from a legal standpoint, by the City
declaring its own disaster, Section 418 of the Texas Government Code allows the City to impose its
own Shelter in Place type restrictions although it is probably better to take the broader county-wide
approach.
City Manager Beach stated that if the County does issue a Shelter in Place declaration, the City would
be responsible for enforcement.
Councilmember Barnes asked if the County’s plan would be something like Dallas County, which
includes essential businesses, activities, etc. City Manager Beach said yes, but as of yet the County
has not identified those businesses, etc.
Councilmember Sobash asked if there are any confirmed cases of the virus in West U. Fire Chief
Taylor said the City receives lists from the County that identifies people that are under investigation
and those that are under monitoring. He said they only provide the number from a county level, but not
at a local level of how many confirmed cases there are, but we are to assume that there are cases in
the City
5. Adjourn Regular Meeting
With no other matter before council, the meeting will adjourn.
Mayor Pro Tem Trautner moved to adjourn the meeting at 6:52 p.m. Councilmember Sobash seconded
the motion. MOTION PASSED.
Ayes: Higley, Trautner, Barnes, Lankford, Sobash
Noes: None
Absent: None
City Council Meeting Action Minutes, March 23, 2020
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Audio of this 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: April 13, 2020