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HomeMy WebLinkAbout082707R CC Min CITY COUNCIL SPECIAL AND REGULAR SESSION MONDAY, AUGUST 27, 2007 MUNICIPAL BUILDING 3800 UNIVERSITY BLVD. 5:00 P.M. The City Council convened in Special and Regular Session in the Municipal Building (3800 University Blvd.) on August 27, 2007, with the following members present: Mayor Kelly presiding, Council Members Fry, Cohen, Guffey and Talianchich. The City Manager, City Secretary, City Attorney, Assistant City Manager/Public Works Director, Parks and Recreation Director and Finance Director were also present. The notice for this meeting was posted in accordance with the Texas Government Code, Chapter rd 551, on the 23 day of August 2007 at 4:00 p.m. Special Session Recreation facilities. Matters related to recreation facilities including a park planning summary from Carter & Burgess. Parks & Recreation Director Tim O?Connor reported that in March of 2007 the City retained the services of Carter & Burgess, Inc., to: (1) Review and evaluate the Parks Master Plan and the recreation/Community Center Feasibility, (2) Conduct up to six (6) Special Public Workshops, (3) Assist staff and the parks Board in preparing for a Municipal Bond election for the re- development of the Colonial Park Recreation Center & Swimming Pool and the West University Recreation Center & Swimming Pool, (4) Facilitate a benchmark comparison against Bellaire, Alamo Heights, University Park and Highland Park, Texas and (5) As determined necessary, provide a compensation schedule for preparation of a business plan for any proposed re- developments and updating the 2000 Parks Master Plan. Carter & Burgess representative Doug Tennant was present at the meeting and presented the completed final report. They recommended the following: 1. Develop community survey to quantify the need for and support of a ?feasible? improvement plan for Colonial, West University Recreation Center and Community. 2. No need for more master plans. 3. If survey results indicate a need and desire to make improvements, then: (i) develop a good action plan for Colonial, Recreation Center and Community Building to insure the needs are met and the facilities are coordinated. (ii) develop a strategic timeline of activities to initiate a May 2008 Bond Referendum that provides funding for the improvements. City Council Regular and Special Session, August 27, 2007 Members of the Parks and Recreation Board Russ Schulze, Janine Schueppert and Mardi Turner were present at the meeting. After discussion of this item Mayor Kelly called for a motion. A motion was made by Council Member Cohen, seconded by Council Member Fry, to authorize the City Manager to negotiate a Revised Scope of Services to include a Citizens Survey in an amount not to exceed $16,930 and the development of a comprehensive time-line not to exceed $7,000 for a total of $23,930 with the final report due within 60 days. A vote was taken on the motion with the following result: Voting Aye: Mayor Kelly, Council Members Fry, Cohen, Guffey and Talianchich Voting Nay: None Absent: None The motion passed 5-0. Streetlights. Matters related to streetlights including final selection of specific lamp mounting style from demonstration lights in the 3700 Block of Georgetown. City Manager Michael Ross requested that the City Council select either vertically mounted (corner of Auden @ Georgetown) or horizontally mounted (rest of 3700 block) lamp style. The Council agreed to select the horizontally mounted lamp style. Water rates. Matters related to water rates including the increase from the City of Houston. Finance Director Walter Thomas reported that a significant increase in the rate charged by the City of Houston for treated surface water will take effect on September 1, 2007. Water and sewer rates will need to be increased if this added cost is to be passed on to the citizen/customer. Additionally, an unusually wet year has reduced consumption of water and the corresponding revenues in the Water and Sewer Fund. Mr. Thomas briefed the Council on the impact of both the unusual weather and the pending rate increase on the finances of the Water and Sewer Fund. The City Council requested that the Staff prepare an Ordinance revising the fee schedule at the next meeting for consideration. 2 City Council Regular and Special Session, August 27, 2007 Boards, commissions, etc. Matters related to Boards, Commissions, Committees and Task Forces (and the board of the Friends of West University Parks Fund, a non-profit corporation) including appointment procedures, duties, and related matters. The City Council discussed procedures for interviewing the volunteers who want to serve on the Boards and Commissions. They asked the City Secretary to set up appointments for September 4 and 5 beginning at 5:00 p.m. The City Council adjourned the Special Session at 6:25 p.m. to convene in Regular Session. Formal Session Citizen Comments Mayor Kelly invited citizens who wished to address the City Council to come forward as their names were called. Carolyn Sacchi, 3768 Rice Boulevard, reported that there was a theft at the construction site of Friends Park. She asked that the Police Officers patrol the area more often. 2007 Budget Amendment. Matters related to a 2007 Budget amendment including Ordinance No. 1851. Mayor Kelly read the caption of Ordinance No. 1851 as follows: An ordinance amending the budget of the City of West University Place, Texas for the fiscal year beginning January 1, 2007 and ending December 31, 2007; and containing findings and provisions relating to the subject. Copies of Ordinance No. 1851, in the form proposed for adoption, were available in the Council Chambers. A motion was made by Council Member Fry, seconded by Council Member Cohen, to adopt Ordinance 1851 increasing the General Fund?s appropriations by $211,000, creating a Streetlight Project Fund, appropriating $800,000 for the first phase of the Streetlight project, and appropriating $2,000,000 to acquire parkland on the second and final reading. A vote was taken on the motion with the following result: Voting Aye: Mayor Kelly, Council Members Fry, Cohen and Guffey Voting Nay: Council Member Talianchich Absent: None 3 City Council Regular and Special Session, August 27, 2007 The motion passed 4-1. City Council minutes. Matters related to the minutes of the Special Session conducted on August 10, 2007 and Regular and Special Session conducted on August 13, 2007. A motion was made by Council Member Guffey, seconded by Council Member Talianchich, to approve the minutes of August 10 and August 13, 2007 as presented. A vote was taken on the motion with the following result: Voting Aye: Mayor Kelly, Council Members Fry, Cohen, Guffey and Talianchich Voting Nay: None Absent: None The motion passed 5-0. Council Reports Council Member Guffey commented on the great job by the Senior Services Department and Good Neighbor Team. He stated that they have activities scheduled through December. Mayor Kelly reported that he attended a Metro Small Cities meeting. He commented that Metro is trying to reach out to the areas outside of the normal Metro service area. Some of the small cities have a problem with that on a basis of a fundamental fairness relating to the 1% sales tax paid to Metro. He stated that it would be something to watch and think about in the near future. City Manager Report The City Manager reported that the College Street Drainage Project has been advertised to receive bids and that an Interlocal Agreement has been prepared for the joint project between Southside Place and West University Place. He also reported that an Interlocal Agreement for the Kirby Drive sidewalk project would be presented to Council in September. Adjournment A motion was made by Council Member Cohen, seconded by Council Member Fry, to adjourn the Regular Session. A vote was taken on the motion with the following result: 4 City Council Regular and Special Session, August 27, 2007 Voting Aye: Mayor Kelly, Council Members Fry, Cohen, Guffey and Talianchich Voting Nay: None Absent: None The City Council adjourned the Regular Session at 6:50 p.m. 5