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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 2 of 3 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 3 of 3 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