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HomeMy WebLinkAbout071006R CC Min CITY COUNCIL REGULAR AND SPECIAL SESSION MONDAY, JULY 10, 2006 MUNICIPAL BUILDING 3800 UNIVERSITY BLVD. 5:30 P.M. The City Council convened in Regular and Special Session in the Municipal Building (3800 University Blvd.) on July 10, 2006, with the following members present: Mayor Ballanfant presiding, Council Members Cohen, Segal, Woods and Yehle. The City Manager, City Secretary, City Attorney, Assistant City Manager/Public Works Director, Finance Director, Parks and Recreation Director, Police Chief, and Assistant to the City Manager were also present. The notice for this meeting was posted in accordance with the Texas Government Code, Chapter 551, on the 7th day of July 2006 at 5:15 p.m. Special Session Boards and Commissions. Matters related to the Boards and Commissions including an interview with a volunteer that would like to serve on the Building Standards Commission. The City Council interviewed Elan Tavor for a position on the Building and Standards Commission. Conceptual Design of the West U Recreation Center & Colonial Park. Matters related to the conceptual design of the West U Recreation Center & Colonial Park Pool. Parks and Recreation Director Tim O?Connor reported that at the June 12, 2006 meeting, City Council authorized the Conceptual Design of the West U Recreation Center and Colonial Park Aquatic Facility in anticipation of the upcoming November Bond Election. Since that time Staff and PGAL have worked to develop conceptual plans using the following general guidelines as th approved by the City Council at the June 26 meeting: 1. Colonial Park will become the City's Aquatic Facility (where both municipal pools are located). 2. The Recreation Center will not have a pool in the new design. 3. The new Colonial Park Aquatic Facility will have a second pool with a permanent enclosure. The proposed location for the enclosed pool will be where the existing tennis courts are located. The existing pool would be renovated and operated exclusively as a seasonal pool. City Council Regular and Special Session, July 10, 2006 4. The tennis courts will be removed from Colonial Park and a minimum of two new tennis courts would be built at the Recreation Center. The City Council reviewed the conceptual diagrams for the West U Recreation Center and Colonial Park Aquatic Facility that were developed by Staff and PGAL and presented to the Parks Board. Chair of the Parks and Recreation Board David Stephan stated that the Board reviewed the initial conceptual plans at their July 5, 2006 meeting. He presented a summary of their overall comments as it refers to the conceptual plan elements. Janine Schueppert, 4040 Riley, commented that she was interested in having an aquatic center at both the Recreation Center and at Colonial Park and asked whether that matter was still up for discussion or whether it had been resolved. Members of the City Council commented that this was the way the Task Force had recommended, the Council accepted their recommendation, so it was a settled issue. At this point in the meeting the City Council delayed discussion of the conceptual design to consider the next item on the agenda. 3936 Marlowe Street; Weslayan Street. Matters related to 3936 Marlowe Street (Peden property) and Weslayan Street (from Bissonnet Street to Bellaire Boulevard), including easement or right-of-way matters, house under construction, legal defense, permits, administrative proceedings, pending or contemplated litigation or a settlement offer, and purchase, exchange, lease or value of real property and related issues. The City Council agreed to allow City Manager Michael Ross, City Secretary Kaylynn Holloway, City Attorney Alan Petrov, Assistant City Manager/Public Works Director Ron Wicker and Legal Counsel Mark Breeding to attend the Executive Session because their presence is necessary for the Council?s consideration of the issues. At this point in the meeting, the Mayor publicly announced that a closed, executive session would be held and identified the section of the Open Meetings Law under which the meeting would be held. Closed Executive Session to be held under Section 551.071 and Section 551.072 Texas Government Code. After the announcement, the City Council conducted a closed, executive session beginning at 6:25 p.m. After the closed, executive session, the Mayor announced, in open session, that the City Council had concluded its closed, executive session at 6:55 p.m. 2 City Council Regular and Special Session, July 10, 2006 The City Council recessed the Special Session to convene in the Regular Session. Formal Session Citizen Comments. Mayor Ballanfant invited citizens who wished to address the City Council to come forward as their names were called. Joe Foster, 4125 Coleridge, requested that the Council place a proposition on a November ballot for the removal of stop signs in the City and that future stop signs would only be installed after a traffic study was completed. Charles Nelson, 3411 Nottingham, encouraged the Council to remain committed to long term planning and to purchase additional land for parks in the City. Building and Standards Commission. Matters related to the Building and Standards Commission including Resolution No. 2006-10 appointing a member. There was not any action taken on this agenda item. Deputy Court Clerk. Matters related to a Deputy Court Clerk including Resolution No. 2006-11 appointing Janet Sanders and Chris Clugy. Finance Director Walter Thomas reported that the City routinely appoints dispatchers as Deputy Court Clerks, which allows them to fulfill duties, such as, signing complaints. This allows officers to remain on patrol and reduces overtime cost associated with court duties. A motion was made by Council Member Segal, seconded by Council Member Woods, to approve Resolution No. 2006-11 appointing Janet Sanders and Chris Clugy as Deputy Court Clerks. A vote was taken on the motion with the following result: Voting Aye: Mayor Ballanfant, Council Members Cohen, Segal, Woods and Yehle Voting Nay: None Absent: None 3 City Council Regular and Special Session, July 10, 2006 Charter Review Committee. Matters related to the Charter Review Committee including Resolution No. 2006-15 appointing members. This item was not discussed during the Regular Session. College and Bellaire Boulevard Improvements. Matters related to College and Bellaire Boulevard improvements including an engineering proposal. Assistant City Manager/Public Works Director Ron Wicker reported that METRO has agreed to fund the City?s entire $4.33 million College Avenue & Bellaire Boulevard Improvement project. This includes transportation improvements and related 2-year storm frequency design for College Avenue and Bellaire Boulevard to Poor Farm Ditch. This design will improve overall traffic conditions along College Avenue, Bellaire Boulevard and Weslayan during periods of significant rainfall by ensuring that standing water does not hinder traffic along the major arterials. Mr. Wicker presented Claunch and Miller?s proposal to develop construction documents for these improvements in the amount of $380,330. Below is the estimated project cost and anticipated schedule: Estimated Project CostAnticipated Project Schedule Phase Cost Phase Duration Jul 06 ? Dec Previous Design Expense $68,130 Design 6 mos. 06 Design & Construction Jan 07 ? Feb $380,330 Bid/Award 2 mos. Phase 07 Mar 07 ? Feb Material Testing $40,000 Construction 11 mos. 08 Est. Construction Cost $3,841,540 Total $4,330,000 Council Member Segal inquired about the reimbursement from Metro subject to the execution of an Interlocal Agreement. City Manager Michael Ross reported that the City would pay for the project and then seek reimbursement from Metro. 4 City Council Regular and Special Session, July 10, 2006 The City Council asked numerous questions about the overlapping of projects and the duplicating of efforts with the City of Southside Place and the City of Bellaire. Council Member Woods commented that he was concerned about the shared responsibility and liability between two sub-contractors. Mr. Ross stated that he is working with the City of Southside Place and the Consulting Engineers to make sure that the two engineering contracts and subsequent construction contracts compliment each other and designed in the most efficient way. The design and construction phase will be brought back to the City Council before the project is bid. A motion was made by Council Member Woods, seconded by Council Member Cohen, to approve the engineering proposal with Claunch & Miller for the College Street and Bellaire Boulevard Improvement in the amount not to exceed $380,330. A vote was taken on the motion with the following result: Voting Aye: Mayor Ballanfant, Council Members Cohen, Segal, Woods and Yehle Voting Nay: None Absent: None City Council minutes. Matters related to the minutes of the Regular and Special Session conducted on June 26, 2006. A motion was made by Council Member Cohen, seconded by Council Member Yehle, to approve the minutes as amended. A vote was taken on the motion with the following result: Voting Aye: Mayor Ballanfant, Council Members Cohen, Segal, Woods and Yehle Voting Nay: None Absent: None 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 5 City Council Regular and Special Session, July 10, 2006 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. Mr. Ross reported that the City of Houston has announced that the first Quiet Zone would be implemented August 1, 2006. The City Council adjourned the Regular Session at 7:24 p.m. and reconvened in Special Session. Conceptual Design on West U Recreation Center & Colonial Park. The City Council continued their discussion of this item. John Subchak, President of the West University Swim Club, made a few comments regarding the proposed enclosure around the lap pool at Colonial Park and the needs associated with hosting swim meets. Mr. Ross reported that PGAL is currently developing new conceptual plans that will include the th comments received by the Parks Board at the July 5 meeting. Staff anticipates returning to City th Council on July 24 with the recommended final conceptual designs and preliminary cost estimates for Council?s consideration. Bond Election. Matters related to a Bond Election including improvements to the Recreation Center and Colonial Park, purchase of parkland and public safety improvements. The City Council discussed holding a bond election in November and what items should be placed on the ballot. The Staff will provide additional information at the next meeting. Park Property. Matters related to the purchase, exchange, lease or value of real property for park purposes. Mr. Ross reported that he was meeting with the owner of the Pittsburg property this week. Council Member Cohen expressed concern over the safety of the property and requested that the Staff provide an analysis of usage and safety. Charter Review Committee. Matters related to the appointment of a Charter Review Committee. The City Secretary requested that the City Council provide names of people who are willing to serve on the Charter Review Committee. 6 City Council Regular and Special Session, July 10, 2006 Adjournment. With no further business to come before the City Council at this time, a motion was made by Council Member Cohen, seconded by Council Member Segal, to adjourn the Special Session. A vote was taken on the motion with the following result: Voting Aye: Mayor Ballanfant, Council Members Cohen, Segal, Woods and Yehle Voting Nay: None Absent: None The City Council adjourned the Special Session at 8:17 p.m. 7