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HomeMy WebLinkAbout031306R CC Min CITY COUNCIL REGULAR SESSION MONDAY, MARCH 13, 2006 MUNICIPAL BUILDING 3800 UNIVERSITY BLVD. 6:30 P.M. The City Council convened in Regular Session in the Municipal Building (3800 University Blvd.) on March 13, 2006, with the following members present: Mayor Ballanfant presiding, Council Members Woods and Yehle. The Assistant City Manager/Public Works Director, City Secretary, City Attorney, Fire Chief, City Planner, and Assistant to the City Manager were also present. The notice for this meeting was posted in accordance with the Texas Government Code, th Chapter 551, on the 9 day of March 2006 at 3:00 p.m. Formal Session Citizen Comments. Mayor Ballanfant invited citizens who wished to address the City Council to come forward as their names were called. There were not any citizens who wished to address the City Council at this time. Commuter Light Rail. Matters related to commuter light rail including a presentation by State Representative Martha Wong. Representative Wong stated that she has been working with business owners along Richmond Avenue and Metro to try to look at the situation where Metro will be putting a Light Rail, either down Westpark or Richmond. A referendum was passed in 2003 that said Metro would have a Westpark Rail Line and that the line was to serve Bellaire and West University Place. Since that time Metro is considering putting the line down Richmond Avenue. Meetings were held to determine how the people who live along Richmond feel about having the rail. She asked the Council if they thought the referendum that was passed should be honored or whether Metro should look at other routes. Council Member Woods asked Representative Wong why she felt the line should stay on Westpark. Wong stated that she thought an election should be honored and that the businesses along Richmond are afraid of the disruption. City Council Regular Session, March 13, 2006 Council Member Woods stated that he personally feels the same problems would occur on Westpark and that he did not want to see Greenway Plaza spill over to the south side of the Southwest Freeway, which because of available land would tend to do so. He also stated that he did not think it was appropriate in the sense that it is not directly accessing the employment centers that align down Richmond which ultimately is what drives the success of the Rail is getting people to and from businesses and work. Council Member Yehle commented that he too was interested in a successful line and his definition of that is one that goes where he (the rider) needs it to go. A successful line would foster better connections to the line. It is not attractive for West University residents to walk to Westpark because it is too hot. He also stated that West University now has access to a very successful dog park and if the rail goes down Westpark then the dog park might go away. Mayor Ballanfant stated that he rides the rail downtown everyday and the cars are packed. He stated that Metro has the problem of discerning the best solution for the short and long term future but exploration with Metro of how to deal with construction issues would be very important wherever they decide to put the rail. Hopefully Metro has learned from the errors of their ways because they were very insensitive to businesses along Main Street. Arbor Day. Matters related to Arbor Day including a Proclamation setting the date for April 8, 2006. City Planner Nes Tesno reported that the City of West University Place has received the Tree City U.S.A. award for the past fifteen years from the National Arbor Day Foundation. In order to receive this recognition a city must maintain the following standards: A Tree Board, Department, Professional Forester A Tree Ordinance A Forestry program with an annual budget of at least $2 per capita An Arbor Day Proclamation and Celebration Arbor Day will be celebrated in conjunction with Meet the City Day at Colonial Park on April 8, 2006. Arbor Day is meant to educate the community about trees and the environment. Meet the City Day is a chance for residents to meet city staff from all departments, and to learn about each department?s function. To promote the event, notices are being placed in the March water bills for all residents, an article has appeared in the , and news releases will be sent to the local papers. City Currents This year, the celebration will include a live band, three different types of inflatable games, clowns, balloons, face painting, free hot dogs and drinks, and lots of fun games. Free trees will be available for home planting to the first 100 families. 2 City Council Regular Session, March 13, 2006 The City Council expressed a desire to make the free trees available to adults. A motion was made by Council Member Yehle, seconded by Council Member Woods, to approve the Proclamation for Arbor Day to be held on April 8, 2006. A vote was taken on the motion with the following result: Voting Aye: Mayor Ballanfant, Council Members Woods and Yehle Voting Nay: None Absent: Council Members Cohen and Segal The motion passed 3-0. Medical Director. Matters related to a Medical Director including the appointment and a contract. Fire Chief Steve Ralls reported that the City?s current Emergency Medical Services (EMS) Medical Director submitted a letter of resignation effective 3/31/06. Several physicians were contacted in a search to find the best and most suitable physician available as a replacement. Dr. James McCarthy, a West University Place resident and the Medical Director for Memorial Herman Hospital?s Emergency Center in the Texas Medical Center has been selected by the Fire Department as the overwhelming choice for the position. As described in the contract, Dr. McCarthy will perform all of the State required EMS Medical Director duties. The new fee exceeds the 2006 budgeted amount by $1,000 per month, but is well below the average fee charged to local area EMS agencies. The City is using savings resulting from changes in the DirectLink Program to offset the increased monthly fee. A motion was made by Council Member Woods, seconded by Council Member Yehle, to appoint Dr. James McCarthy as the Medical Director and approve a contract in the amount of $1400.00 per month. A vote was taken on the motion with the following result: Voting Aye: Mayor Ballanfant, Council Members Woods and Yehle Voting Nay: None Absent: Council Members Cohen and Segal The motion passed 3-0. City Council minutes. 3 City Council Regular Session, March 13, 2006 Matters related to the minutes of the Regular and Special Session conducted on February 27, 2006. A motion was made by Council Member Yehle, seconded by Council Member Woods, to approve the minutes as presented. A vote was taken on the motion with the following result: Voting Aye: Mayor Ballanfant, Council Members Woods and Yehle Voting Nay: None Absent: Council Members Cohen and Segal The motion passed 3-0. Intergovernmental & Infrastructure Issues; Staff or Council Report. Matters relating to intergovernmental relations and agreements including negotiations, extra jurisdictional meetings, regional issues, Interlocal Agreements with the City of Southside Place, Metropolitan Transit Authority agreements, infrastructure projects, drainage, flooding, Kirby Drive construction, Center Point Energy Entex, gas rates and coalition, City owned properties, potential purchase of property, City Center project, streetlights, railroad quiet zones and task force, board and commission liaison reports and related matters. This may include report(s) from staff and reports and directives to staff from Council Members. Assistant City Manager Ron Wicker reported that the sidewalks and infrastructure projects were moving very quickly and they will start Buffalo Speedway and Bissonnet very soon. Council Member Woods inquired about driveways being poured that were not ADA compliant. Adjournment. With no further business to come before the City Council at this time, a motion was made by Council Member Woods, seconded by Council Member Yehle, to adjourn. A vote was taken on the motion with the following result: Voting Aye: Mayor Ballanfant, Council Members Woods and Yehle Voting Nay: None Absent: Council Members Cohen and Segal The Council meeting adjourned at 7:02 p.m. 4