HomeMy WebLinkAbout220110 CC MinThe City of West University Place
A Neighborhood City
CITY COUNCIL STAFF
Susan Sample, Mayor David J. Beach, City Manager
John Montgomery, Mayor Pro Tem Scott Bounds, Olson and Olson, City Attorney
John P. Barnes, Councilmember Thelma Gilliam, City Secretary
Melanie Bell, Councilmember
Shannon Carroll, Councilmember
CITY COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES
The City Council of the City of West University Place, Texas, met in a workshop and regular meeting on
Monday, January 10, 2022, at 6:15 p.m., in the Municipal Building at 3800 University Boulevard, for the
purpose of considering the agenda of items listed. The meeting was held in person and via Zoom.
Agenda of Items:
Workshop (6:15 p.m.)
1. Call Workshop to Order
Mayor Sample called the workshop to order at 6:15 p.m. In attendance were Mayor Pro Tem
Montgomery and Councilmembers Barnes, Bell, and Carroll. Staff in attendance were City Manager
Beach, City Secretary Gilliam, Assistant to the City Manager Thompson, Parks and Recreation Director
White, and Police Chief Walker.
Mr. Justin Shultz, Chair of the Sustainability Task Force was also present.
2. Sustainability Update
Matters related to an update from the chair of the Sustainability Task Force. Recommended Action:
Receive update. Mr. Justin Shultz, Chair, Sustainability Task Force
Sustainability Task Force Chair Justin Shultz gave an update to Council on what the Task Force has
been doing since appointed.
Mr. Shultz said the Taskforce started meeting in October and divided into four subgroups to look at
different initiatives and then come back together to prioritize the initiatives before bringing them to
Council.
Mr. Shultz said the three main areas the Task Force is evaluating are:
• Impact (Environmental, Economical and Reputational)
• Implementation (How quickly and easily it can be implemented)
• Costs (Short-term and long-term – from a capital and ongoing operational perspective)
Mr. Shultz said in addition to those areas of evaluation, the Task Force is broadly grouping in energy,
water, waste, and transportation and other ad hoc initiatives.
Audio of the report is on the City’s website. You can also obtain a copy by contacting the City Secretary’s office.
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3. Adjourn Workshop
Mayor Sample adjourned the workshop at 6:25 p.m.
Regular Meeting (6:30 p.m.)
4. Call Meeting to Order
Mayor Sample called the regular meeting to order at 6:30 p.m. In attendance were Mayor Pro Tem
Montgomery and Councilmembers Barnes, Bell, and Carroll. Staff in attendance were City Manager
Beach, City Secretary Gilliam, Assistant to the City Manager Thompson, Parks and Recreation Director
White, Police Chief Walker, HR Director Urban, Public Works Director Barrera, and Finance Manager
Walker
5. Pledge of Allegiance – A Boy Scout from Troop 266 led the Pledge.
6. Employee of the Year Recognition
Matters related to the City’s Employee of the Year. Recommended Action: No action required. Mr. James
Urban, Human Resources Director
Human Resources Director Urban presented and announced Katie Wilson as the Employee of the
Year.
7. Appointment of Finance Director
Matters related to approval of the City Manager’s appointment of a Finance Director. Recommended
Action: Approve the appointment of Marie Kalka as the City’s Finance Director. Mr. Dave Beach, City Manager
Councilmember John Barnes moved to approve the appointment of Marie Kalka as the City’s Finance
Director. Councilmember Bell seconded the motion. MOTION PASSED.
Ayes: Sample, Montgomery, Barnes, Bell, Carroll
Noes: None
Absent: None
8. Public Comments
This is an opportunity for citizens to speak to the Council relating to agenda and non-agenda items.
On behalf of Bob Kelly, 3720 Plumb, City Secretary Gilliam read into record Mr. Kelly’s support of the
Edloe Street Pathway project. He said the project would enhance the standard of living in West U.
Lindsay Brett, 3720 Albans, spoke regarding the Edloe Street Pathway project. She said the existing
sidewalk between Sunset and Albans is elevated and is not safe, so she and other families in the area
are in favor of the pathway extending down to Albans.
Ken Gullett, 3701 Albans, spoke to say safety should be the cornerstone of the project and proposed
there be a 4 to 5 feet iron railing next to the curb to protect the youngsters inside the walkway.
David Polyansky, 3748 Wroxton, spoke in favor of the Edloe Street Pathway project. He said there
are so many pedestrians and bike riders forced to use the street because there is no sidewalk, which
is a public danger. He asked council to consider the project favorably.
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Kirsten Polyansky, 3748 Wroxton, spoke in favor of the Edloe Street Pathway project due mainly to
the safety issues.
Cooper Polyansky, 3748 Wroxton, spoke in favor of the Edloe Street Pathway project. She said she
walks and runs down Edloe all the time and urged Council to vote in support of the project for safety
reasons.
Eloise Polyansky, 3748 Wroxton, spoke to say she would like a sidewalk on Edloe so she can walk
her dogs safely to Tiny’s for cookies.
David Cole, 4104 Cason, spoke to say that he has no objection to the project, but pointed out a few
things that Council and the design team should take into account, like the cost of relocating power
poles, if necessary, planting concepts, and ramp orientation to avoid relocating electric. Mr. Cole also
suggested that the ramp be re-worked to avoid the existing power pole so that the stop sign is located
at a rational relationship to the intersection a.
Stephen Damiani, 3746 Georgetown, spoke to thank Council for considering this project. He said one
of Council’s function is to provide safety for the citizens and this project does exactly that. Mr. Damian’s
daughters, Kristen and Katherine, also spoke to encourage Council to vote for this project.
Dick Yehle, 6401 Rutgers, spoke in support of the project and said he thinks it is a fine way to integrate
the bridge access on Edloe.
Harry Weitzel, 3708 Albans, spoke to say he lives right where the proposed path ends and he is in
strong opposition of the project. He said they bought that house because it is secluded and is one of
the few places you can feel a little bit of privacy. Mr. Weitzel said the project would replace trees and
grass with black rubber, which will destroy the integrity of that section of the neighborhood. He said
the proposed project stops at his driveway, which is a safety and privacy issue for his family. Mr.
Weitzel said this project makes their neighborhood less safe, reduces their privacy and the character
of their house that they specifically picked because of where it was located. He and his family is very
much opposed to the project and besieged Council to consider stopping at Sunset if it decides to move
forward with the project.
Catherine Weitzel, 3708 Albans, spoke in opposition of the project and said she believes it will go
against the safety and privacy of the neighborhood. She said she feels this is not a good project
because it would bring people into their neighborhood that has been a private spot and she does not
feel it will be safe for her if dozens of people started walking into her driveway.
Alida Drewes, 6112 Fordham, spoke regarding various topics, including not having access into the
building 15 minutes ahead of the Council meeting, not having a park or dog park near her home, not
having closed-caption meetings, and CDC guidelines relating to COVID.
Gerald Bracht, 3615 Georgetown, spoke regarding the Edloe Street Pathway project. He said he
personally does not think a pathway is necessary and if the pathway becomes something that people
use, there will be a safety issue as a 5-foot wide pathway could get pretty crowed with bikes,
skateboards, etc. He said Council should just landscape the area, replace the fence and add visual
blockage along the fence line for privacy.
Lauri Lankford, 3742 Wroxton, spoke to say that she is against the pathway project going north of
Sunset up to Albans. She said the pathway project gives the false impression that it continues across
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Sunset easily and it encourages additional pedestrians into that area. She said she does not think it
makes a lot of sense. Ms. Lankford said the pathway is separate and apart from an actual sidewalk
being in that area. She said it is a difficult area for walking, so she does not oppose a sidewalk in that
area.
Gregg Thompson, 3758 Plumb, homeowner and owner of property of old JMH building, which is where
this project looks like it terminates. He said he loves the idea of someone along the walking promenade
and said it would encourage people to get out and walk. He said he is strongly in favor of the project
and said nailing the trees and greenspace to create that feeling of privacy and nature is going to be
important. Mr. Thompson also said if there is a way to bury any or all of those utilities without
bankrupting the City, he encourages the City to do so.
Martha Yates, 3728 Wroxton, said she is not opposed to the path to Sunset, but is opposed to it
crossing Sunset because it is a bad idea, it is not safe, and it would bring more people across the
intersection and into the area.
Dan Reid, 3716 Wroxton, spoke to say he is not opposed to the regular path part, but is opposed to
the continuation. He said it is an expensive path to his neighbor’s driveway. He said the continuation
is dangerous because it brings people into the secluded nook where there is already a lot of traffic and
he submitted a petition signed by 21 neighbors that supports the path ending at Sunset.
9. Building/Regulation International Code Council (ICC) Updates
a. Public Hearing
b. Matters related to an ordinance adopting new International Code Council (ICC) updates.
Recommended Action: Adopt the 2021 International Code (ICC), 2020 National Electrical Code (NEC) and
local amendments, which amends Appendix C, Technical Codes Schedule of the Code of Ordinances on
second and final reading. Mr. Gerardo Barrera, Public Works Director
After a brief explanation of this ordinance by Public Works Director Barrera, the hearing opened to the
public for comments. With no comments from the public, the hearing closed and Mayor Pro Tem
Montgomery moved to approve adopting the 2021 International Electric Code the 2020 National
Electrical Code and local amendments, which amends Appendix C, Technical Codes Schedule of the
Code of Ordinances on second and final reading. Councilmember Barnes seconded the motion.
MOTION PASSED.
Ayes: Sample, Montgomery, Barnes, Bell, Carroll
Noes: None
Absent: None
10. Edloe Street Pathway Project
Matters related to the Edloe Street Pathway project. Recommended Action: Discuss and provide feedback.
Ms. Susan White, Parks and Recreation Director
Parks and Recreation Director White presented, along with Nick Rogles with Terralab Landscape
Architects, and stated that in October 2021 Council approved a design contract to explore ideas for
improvements near Poor Farm Ditch when the Oleanders were loss after Winter Freeze Uri.
Ms. White said staff and the landscape architects have worked on refining the Edloe Pathway concept
over the past couple of months, which included meeting with the Parks and Recreation Board to solicit
their feedback and consideration.
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Before turning the presentation to review the preliminary concept over to Mr. Rogles, Ms. White
reviewed some of the changes made to the presentation and pointed out that the budgeted amount of
$400,000 for this project does not include relocation of power poles or any LED or solar lighting
enhancements.
Mr. Rogles began his presentation and said the goal of the pathway project is to improve connectivity
throughout the neighborhoods so they explored all options as far as length of trail, where to connect,
etc. Mr. Rogles also mentioned that this is more than a pathway project, because they are also looking
at upgrading the fencing along the ditch that will run the entire length of the pathway.
After Mr. Rogles’ presentation, he and staff answered questions from Council. Council encouraged
residents to get involved in the process and attend all related meetings to provide their input.
Audio of the entire discussion is on the City’s website. You can also obtain a copy by contacting the City
Secretary’s office.
11. Utility Accounts – Annual Write-Off of Uncollectable Amounts
Matters related to writing off uncollectible accounts dating back to 2018. Recommended Action: Authorize
staff to write-off inactive uncollectable amounts from utility account outstanding balances for 2018 in an amount
of $8,055.81. Mr. Neelie Walker, Finance Manager
After a brief explanation by Finance Manager Walker, Councilmember Barnes moved write-off
uncollectible account dating back to 2018 in an amount of $8,055.81. Councilmember Bell seconded
the motion. MOTION PASSED.
Ayes: Sample, Montgomery, Barnes, Bell, Carroll
Noes: None
Absent: None
12. 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 Meeting Minutes
Approve City Council Minutes of December 13, 2021. Recommended Action: Approve City Council
Minutes of December 13, 2021. Ms. Thelma Gilliam, City Secretary
B. Interlocal Agreement with Southside Place
Matters related to approving notice of City Manager to Southside Place regarding the term of the
Interlocal Cooperation Contract for building regulation and emergency medical services.
Recommended Action: Approve the notice. Mr. Dave Beach, City Manager
Mayor Pro Tem Montgomery moved to approve the Consent Agenda as presented, with a note that
staff keep Council apprised of the Interlocal with Southside. Councilmember Barnes seconded the
motion. MOTION PASSED.
Ayes: Sample, Montgomery, Barnes, Bell, Carroll
Noes: None
Absent: None
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13. Adjourn Meeting
With no other business before the Council, Mayor Pro Tem Montgomery moved to adjourn the regular
meeting at approximately 8:08 p.m. Councilmember Bell seconded the motion. MOTION PASSED.
Ayes: Sample, Montgomery, Barnes, Bell, Carroll
Noes: None
Absent: None Prepared by: Thelma A. Gilliam, TRMC, City Secretary Council Approved: January 24, 2022
Note: Audio of the meeting in its entirety is on the City’s website. If for any reason you are unable to download
the audio from the website, contact the City Secretary’s office to obtain a copy, as well as a copy of any
presentation.