HomeMy WebLinkAbout210426 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 Scott Bounds, City Attorney, Olson and Olson
John P. Barnes, Councilmember Thelma Gilliam, City Secretary
Lauri Lankford, Councilmember
Ed Sobash, Councilmember
CITY COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES
The City Council of the City of West University Place, Texas, met via Zoom in a workshop and regular
meeting on Monday, April 26, 2021, beginning at 5:30 p.m. due to social distancing guidelines suggested
by the CDC in light of the Novel Coronavirus (COVID 19).
WORKSHOP (5:30 p.m.)
1. Call Workshop to Order/Roll Call
Mayor Higley called the virtual meeting to order at 5:30 p.m. Mayor Pro Tem Trautner and
Councilmembers Barnes, Lankford and Sobash were all present.
Staff present were City Manager Beach, City Attorney Bounds, City Secretary Gilliam, and Public
Works Barrera, Assistant to the City Manager Thompson.
Also in attendance were Richard Weatherly, Kendall Ryan and Bailey Keller with consultants Freese
and Nichols.
2. Drinking Water Capacity and Efficiency Study
Matters related to the City’s final presentation regarding the drinking water capacity and efficiency study.
Recommended Action: Discuss and take any desired action. Mr. Gerardo Barrera, Public Works Director
Richard Weatherly with Frees and Nichols gave a presentation summarizing the Water Assessment
study, which included:
• Field Testing
• Developed Distribution System Model
• Analyzed Modeling Hydraulic Results
• Phased Improvement Recommendations
o Partnering with City Staff and City Engineer (IDS) to develop CIP
Summary of Deliverables
• Water System Assessment Technical Memorandum (Draft submitted – under review)
• Calibrated Water System Model (for the City to use as a tool in the future)
• City staff and IDS to work toward the Capital Improvement Plan using the output of the Study.
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Options for Level of Service
• Full System Improvements
o Independent of service disruptions from City of Houston (Self Reliance)
o Reduce likelihood of water facility failure
o Add system redundancy
o Maintain regulatory compliance
o Plan for future water demands
• No System Improvements
o Subject to service disruptions from the City of Houston
o Infrastructure failure as facilities continue to age
o Failure to maintain regulatory compliance
System Analysis Summary – Key Takeaways
• Autonomy/Resiliency
o If Houston surface water supply is offline, West University does not have enough well
capacity to meet TCEQ supply requirements
o Without Milton Water Plant, the City would not meet TCEQ requirements for supply,
pumping, and pressure
o Water system pressures would fall below regulatory limits under any demand conditions
if Bellaire EST or Wakeforest EST it taken offline
o If desired service level is to be self-reliant, third well would need to be considered
• Real Estate
o The Bellaire EST site has property and regulatory constraints for new tank and/or well
• Rehab/Useful Life Considerations
o Facilities are reaching the end of their useful life, increasing the risk of system failure
Bellaire Elevated Storage Tank – 86 years old
Milton Water Plant – 64 years old
Wakeforest Water Plant – 30 years old
• Regulatory Requirements
o Water system pressures approach regulatory limits under existing peak summer water
demands
o Water demands are projected to increase as private residences development
Draft Facility Recommendations (In order of necessary sequence)
A. Bellaire Elevated Storage Tank Replacement
• Construct a new elevated storage tank (up to 750,000 gallons) to replace aging Bellaire Tank
• Site constraints to construct any size replacement tank
• Conduct siting study to relocate Bellaire EST
• TCEQ requirements not met with Bellaire EST offline under summer demand conditions
B. New Water Plant
• West U cannot supply current max day (July-Sept) water demands during a City of Houston
water service interruption
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• New water plant would provide resiliency against interruption in service at Milton or Wakeforest
and would allow Milton to be taken offline for full rehab
• Conduct siting study to select new water plant location
• New 1,500 gpm well, 3 MG ground storage, 6,500 gpm firm distribution pumping
C. Milton Water Plant Rehab and Improvements
• Facility is critical to system operations
• Conduct full water plant rehabilitation
• Replace (2) ground storage tanks
• Replace (4) booster pumps and motors with VFDs
D. Wakeforest Water Plant Rehabilitation and Improvements
• Conduct full water plant rehabilitation
• Install flush valve on surface water interconnect
• Install generator and transfer switch
• Replace (2) booster pumps and motors with VFDs
• Upsize 12-inch distribution line to 16-inches
There were questions and answers during and after the presentation by Mr. Shelton.
Regarding the Bellaire Storage Tank requirement, Mayor Pro Tem Trautner asked if the Bellaire Elevated
Storage Tank was there before the Wastewater Treatment Plant and if so are any of the regulations
grandfathered with respect to the tower at that site. He also asked if the City could do some overall
reconstruction of that tower so that it is effectively new but somehow falls under the regulation of existing.
Mr. Shelton responded that he believes the elevated tower was there before the wastewater treatment
plant and the grandfathering part does work if the tower stays at that site, but he does not recommend it
due to minimum space and the unlikelihood of getting the required variance.
With respect to Recommendations A and B, Councilmember Barnes asked if there is already a sense of
site size where the tanks would be situated or if that would be determined from the site study. Mr. Shelton
said Kimley-Horn would look at finding around half an acre sites for the new elevated storage tank site
and 1 to 1 and a half acres for the new water plant.
Councilmember Barnes asked if there are limits how far outside the City limits these plants can be placed.
City Manager Beach said 1/8 of a mile is preferred, but not more than a half mile. In respect to how the
Wakef orest plant is outside the City, City Manager Beach confirmed that it is a little more than half a mile
outside the City.
Councilmember Lankord asked in replacing the Bellaire tank is there a requirement that it has to be located
on the same side of town. Mr. Shelton said the south side is better, but it could be on the north side but
with different piping improvements.
Councilmember Barnes asked with respect to replacement of distribution line for the Wakeforest facility,
does the City anticipate having to acquire additional easement. Public Works Director Barrera said, yes,
the City would require an easement from Houston.
Draft Water Line Renewal Recommendation
• Coordinate 2-inch and 4-inch water line upsizing with planned roadway improvements, which will
help to increase water pressure and available fire flows.
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• Replacement and upsizing of cast iron water lines is highest priority
City Manager Beach noted that one of the deficient lines (from Bissonnet to Amherst) is being replaced in
coordination with the Buffalo Speedway project.
General Water System Recommendations
• American Water Infrastructure Act (AWIA) Tier 3 (Recent Mandate)
o Risk and Resiliency Assessment Due June 30, 2021 (currently underway)
o Emergency Response Plan Due December 30, 2021 (currently underway)
• Lead and Copper Rule compliance (Upcoming Mandate) – Deadline September 16, 2024*
(planned compliance prior to deadline)
*Under review by EPA
Next Steps
• Develop water system Capital Improvement Plan
• Conduct preliminary engineering for new elevated storage tank
o Detailed design, bid, and construction phase to follow
• Conduct preliminary engineering of third water plant
o If level of service is to be self-reliant during City of Houston service interruptions
• New generator and transfer switch for Wakeforest Water Plant
• Conduct critical needs assessment of Milton and Wakeforest Water Plants
o Evaluate conduction of pumps, tanks, valves, etc. at water plants to prioritize improvements
Councilmember Sobash asked Mr. Shelton if in the analysis did Kimley-Horn look at Southside Place and
its water and how there might be a strategic alignment with Southside Place and West U. Public Works
Director Barrera said staff did not because they are two separate systems and their (Southside) capacity
is a little bit less and does not know if Southside will have the means and method to share with West U.
Councilmember Sobash said this is a 60-year venture so it seems like a good opportunity to think about
aligning strategically with Southside Place when approaching the engineering studies. Public Works
Director Barrera said there used to be an interconnect with Southside Place up until 2003 or 2004, but not
any longer and so the systems are now running independently. City Manager Beach said staff could look
into this and have discussions with Southside Place.
City Manager Beach said this is the very beginning of looking at the City’s overall water system. He said
from the workshop staff will come back with recommendations on how to move forward. He also said staff
will come back at the second meeting in May for City Council to accept the study.
3. Adjourn Workshop
At 6:15 p.m., Councilmember Lankford moved to adjourn the workshop. Councilmember Sobash
seconded the motion. MOTION PASSED. Higley adjourned the workshop.
Ayes: Higley, Trautner, Barnes, Lankford, Sobash
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Noes: None
Absent: None
A copy of the workshop audio in its entirety is on the City’s website or contact the City Secretary’s office for a
copy of the audio and/or the presentation.
REGULAR MEETING (6:30 p.m.)
4. Call Regular Meeting to Order/Roll Call
Mayor Higley called the virtual meeting to order at 6:30 p.m. Mayor Pro Tem Trautner and
Councilmembers Barnes, Lankford and Sobash were all present.
Staff present were City Manager Beach, City Secretary Gilliam, City Attorney Bounds, Public Works
Director Barrera, Assistant to the City Manager Thompson, Finance Director DuBose, Police Chief
Walker, and Fire Chief Taylor.
Also in attendance were Dustin Qualls and Victoria Mota with consultants TEI and Mike Shelton and
Mike Mortiary with consultants Kimley-Horn.
5. Pledge of Allegiance
Councilmember Lankford led the Pledge.
6. Public Comments
This is an opportunity for citizens to speak to the Council relating to agenda and non-agenda items.
Regina and David Nolan, 4001 Tennyson, thanked council for performing a traffic study and said that
she and her neighbors support reduction of the speed limit from 30 to 25 mph on Weslayan and other
streets that the traffic study indicated would create greater safety in the neighborhood.
David Cole, 4104 Cason, spoke to say he objects to the proposed primary change in the speed limit
from 30 mph to 25 mph and stated his reasons, such as associated costs and confusion to drivers.
He said he prefers that PD concentrate on criminal activity instead of drivers trying to figure out the
speed limit.
Eddie Matthews, 5906 Fordham, spoke to say he agrees that road and safety is important, but the
problem with the TIE study and recommendation is that it focuses solely on speed and not the other
factors that can cause accidents.
Ann Furse, 6430 Wakeforest, spoke in support of reducing the speed limit to 25mph on residential
streets and thanked Council for commissioning the study and being proactive.
Richard Cole, 2904 Sunset, spoke against reducing the speed limit to 25mph because he feels there
is no justification for the reduction.
7. Citywide Speed and Safety Plan Ordinance
Matters related to an ordinance approving the Citywide Speed and Safety Plan. Recommended Action:
Approve the ordinance adopting the proposed amendments to Chapter 46, Article II that adds Section 46-47.01
to the Code of Ordinances on the first of two readings. Mr. Gerardo Barrera Public Works Director
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Public Works Director Barrera stated that based on the April 12, 2021, workshop and review of data
resulting from the study, the City Engineer’s recommendation is to reduce the speed limit from 30 mph
to 25 mph for the majority of the streets, excluding Buffalo Speedway, which will remain at 30 mph
and the 4100 and 4200 blocks of Bissonnet that will remain at 35 mph. Mr. Barrera said most of the
other streets that were identified as major arterials or collectors would be reduced to 25 mph. He also
said those streets currently marked at 20 mph around parks and school zones will remain at 20 mph.
City Attorney Bounds spoke to say that at the time he wrote the ordinance, which is included in the
agenda packet, it was his understanding that all the streets that the 25 mph zone was applied to would
be two-lane, undivided streets. He said since drafting the ordinance, there has been at least one street
brought to his attention that has a small median, so his recommendation is to pass the ordinance
drafted, deleting the two references to “two-lanes undivided” in the caption of the ordinance and in
Section 2 of the ordinance.
Mayor Pro Tem Trautner moved to adopt the ordinance decreasing the speed limit to 25 mph with the
revisions proposed by the city attorney. Councilmember Barnes seconded the motion.
Before there was a vote on the motion, Councilmember Sobash clarified with staff that the draft
ordinance includes changing mph from 30 mph to 25 mph on Weslayan.
There was a vote on the motion. MOTION PASSED.
Ayes: Higley, Trautner, Barnes, Lankford, Sobash
Noes: None
Absent: None
8. Award Preliminary Engineering Report (PER) for Effluent Water Reclamation Project
Matters related to awarding PER for the Effluent Water Reclamation Project. Recommended Action:
Award contract to complete the Preliminary Engineering Report for the Effluent Water Reclamation Project to
Kimley-Horn and authorize the City Manager to execute the contract. Mr. Gerardo Barrera, Public Works
Director
Public Works Director Barrera presented and said after workshops with Council and discussions
related to the Effluent Water Reclamation Project, staff is moving forward with the next phase, which
is to request that Council award a Preliminary Engineering Report for the project.
Councilmember Sobash said he thinks this is very exciting and a big step for the City. He said it is a
lot of work and takes a long time, but is a positive, revenue-generating project that will live on.
Councilmember Lankford said she thinks it is a great idea. She said, however, in the workshop it was
stated that the City wanted to get the end-user locked in and involved in the financing. She said is
there a way to get the potential end-user locked in at this point or is it too early.
Public Works Director Barrera said in speaking with the end-user, they are interested in a long-term
agreement and are committed to entering into a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU). He said he
will speak with the City Attorney regarding the parameters of a MOU.
Mayor Higley asked if Council decides to approve the funds for a PER and then work on an MOU is
that feasible. City Manager Beach said the PER is to just remove variables so that the City can get
an MOU wrapped up quickly. He said the PER does not construct anything but rather lessen the
number of variables, help refine costs, determine what it will take to get to the end user, and what the
return will be on the investment to the rate payer in West U, which will help set the fee needed to
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recoup costs. He said this is the logical next step that puts the City in a better position when sitting at
the table.
Mayor Higley asked City Attorney Bounds if the City could legally move forward if this passes with
thoughts on the MOU. City Attorney Bounds responded that the City could move forward on an
agreement or the City could hold this agreement up pending a MOU. He said it is up to Council how
it wants to proceed.
Councilmember Sobash moved to approve the contract contingent upon an MOU with a potential
partner. Motion died due to lack of a second.
Councilmember Lankford said she likes the idea of the contract being contingent on having an MOU.
Councilmember Barnes confirmed with City Manager Beach that there is only one potential end-user
identified. Councilmember Barnes said the profit-generating aspect of this depends upon participation
of that end-user so, apart from the basic environmental sustainability aspect, the financial benefit to
West U residents is itself contingent upon that end-user’s participation. He said so it would make
sense to secure the end-users participation at least to the extent of having an MOU in place prior to
jumping into the cost of a PER. City Manager Beach said that’s Council’s prerogative.
Mayor Pro Tem Trautner said if the PER is to determine the return on the investment, should not the
City know its own numbers before asking the end-user to commit.
Councilmember Barnes said maybe what is needed is a Letter of Intent so there is formalized
understanding that both parties are moving forward together without getting into actual numbers and
essential terms. Mayor Pro Tem Trautner agreed.
City Manager Beach said if the Council wants to move forward with an MOU, staff would move forward
to get an MOU in place, which, as asked by Mayor Pro Tem Trautner, would not commit the City to
any particular price.
Mayor Pro Tem Trautner said if it is non-binding and vague, why would Council not just move forward
on the study. Councilmember Barnes said he thinks there is value to having something in writing,
whether a Letter of Intent or an MOU.
Mayor Higley said if the City is in search of an MOU or Letter of Intent will that significantly slow up the
project. The City’s, Engineer Mike Shelton, said he does not think so if they can talk to the end-user
in the next 15-30 days. He said there are items that will be done in the PER that may contribute to the
end-users comfort with an MOU, but it will be up to the end-user to tell the City.
Councilmember Sobash moved to approve the preliminary engineering study on the water effluence
with the contingency of an MOU or a Letter of Intent from the end user. Councilmember Lankford
seconded the motion. MOTION PASSED.
Ayes: Higley, Trautner, Barnes, Lankford, Sobash
Noes: None
Absent: None
9. COVID-19
Matters related to COVID-19. Recommended Action: Discuss and take any desired action. Mr. Aaron Taylor,
Fire Chief and Emergency Management Coordinator
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Chief Taylor reported:
• Over the last month, very little change in COVID hospitalization rate and positivity rates in the
state.
• Rate of fatalities have continued to decrease.
• Texas Medical Center ICU statutes is reporting 7.9 percent capacity.
• Harris County Public Health data indicates West U to have 583 total confirmed cases, 9 active
cases, 571 recovered cases, and 0-5 range for fatalities (with doing the math, 3)
• Vaccine data indicates that 37 percent of Texas have received at least the first dose of the
vaccine and 25.3 percent have been fully vaccinated
• Harris County data shows that 62% of the seniors in Harris County are fully vaccinated
• As of last Friday, Johnson and Johnson vaccine had been suspended but is now administering
it again
• Starting to see where vaccine supply is actually greater than number of people seeking the
vaccine
10. 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 Minutes of the regular meeting of April 12, 2021.
B. Zoning Quarterly Investment Report
Matters related to accepting the City’s Quarterly Investment Report. Recommended Action:
Accept the City’s March 2021 Quarterly Investment Report.
Councilmember Barnes 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
11. Adjourn Regular Meeting
At 7:20 p.m., Mayor Pro Tem Trautner moved to adjourn the meeting. Councilmember Barnes
seconded the motion. MOTION PASSED.
Ayes: Higley, Trautner, Barnes, Lankford, Sobash
Noes: None
Absent: None
Prepared by City Secretary Thelma Gilliam
Approved by Council on May 10, 2021
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