HomeMy WebLinkAbout021405R CC Min
CITY COUNCIL REGULAR AND WORKSHOP SESSION
MONDAY, FEBRUARY 14, 2005
MUNICIPAL BUILDING
3800 UNIVERSITY BLVD.
6:00 P.M.
The City Council convened in Regular and Workshop Session in the Municipal Building
(3800 University Blvd.) on February 14, 2005, with the following members present:
Mayor Ballanfant presiding, Council Members Segal, Farley, Fogler and Woods. The
City Manager, City Secretary, Assistant City Manager/Public Works Director, Finance
Director, Police Chief, Fire Chief, Parks and Recreation Director and Risk Manager were
also present.
The notice for this meeting was posted in accordance with the Texas Government Code,
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Chapter 551, on the 10 day of February 2005 at 4:55 p.m.
Workshop Session (in the Conference Room)
Parks and Recreation Master Planning.
Matters related to Parks and Recreation Master Planning with members of the Parks and
Recreation Master Planning Task Force for discussion of all parks and recreation areas in
the City, conceptual plans, development and construction, outside professional services,
guidelines for Task Force members and surveys.
Members of the Parks and Recreation Master Planning Task Force introduced
themselves. Present at the meeting were Chairperson Nina Springer, Greg Jarvie, John
Vogel, Russ Schulze, Rhia Perkins and Cindy Hassler.
The City Council and the Task Force discussed guidelines and goals and objectives for
the Master Planning project. The Task Force?s primary scope of responsibility is as
follows:
A) Review the existing 2000 Park Master Plan, 2001 Colonial Park Design
Development report and the 2000 Assessment of Parks and Recreation Needs
in West University Place.
B) Explore opportunities and develop recommendations for improving the
existing parks system.
C) Examine the potential growth and re-development of the city over the next 5
to 10 years, and assess where additional parkland and recreational facilities
need to be located, and which types of facilities are most needed.
D) Prioritize key recommendations of the Parks Master Plan so that the most
significant deficiencies are addressed as quickly as possible.
City Council Regular and Workshop Session, February 14, 2005
E) Determine what outside professional resources may be needed to facilitate the
West University Place Parks Master Plan.
F) Identify and meet with special interest ?Focus Groups?, who need to be given
the opportunity to provide input regarding the facilities and amenities to be
considered/incorporated in the re-development of existing facilities and in the
development of new facilities.
G) Identify potential funding sources for the implementation and management of
the Parks Master Plan.
H) Present a draft of the Task Force recommendations to the Parks and
Recreation Board, the Friends of West University Parks Fund and the Senior
Services Board for review and comment. Following Task Force
considerations of any such comments, present final Task Force
recommendations and proposals to Council.
The City Council recessed the Workshop Session at 6:30 p.m.
The City Council reconvened in Formal Session at 6:35 p.m.
Formal Session (in the Council Chambers)
Employee Benefits
.
Matters related to employee benefits including participation in an exploratory insurance
pool and the preparation of a letter to C-CBS (City-County Benefit Services) authorizing
the City's participation in the exploratory RFP process in the amount of $2,500.
Risk Manager Wendy Standorf reported that the Staff is interested in looking at
alternatives to the health insurance programs and contacted the Houston Galveston Area
Council (HGAC) to see if they had any type of program in place through their cooperative
purchasing agreement and if they could recommend a consultant. They indicated that
while they did not have this type of program in place, they would be interested in
exploring the opportunity. They also recommended City County Benefit Services (C-
CBS) as a consultant who is the consulting firm they use for their benefits and they are
extremely familiar with the needs of political subdivisions.
Bob Treacy from C-CBS was present at the meeting to answer questions.
The initial process is an exploratory process, which includes requesting proposals from
insurance carriers. Pooling is a relatively new concept for the insurance carriers. While they
are familiar with writing insurance documents with large corporations that have satellite
offices, a pooling of individual political subdivisions is a new concept in which they are
interested.
It is the Staff?s belief that a larger pool will result in lower more stable healthcare costs.
Should the exploratory request for proposals (RFP) results determine that our City would get
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City Council Regular and Workshop Session, February 14, 2005
a better medical insurance package (price and benefits), staff would recommend participating
in the interlocal pool.
C-CBS will provide overall leadership and a lead advisory role for steering this
exploratory development process, which includes:
1. Strategy development for positioning the HGAC-R1 Cooperative in the most
favorable light to qualified group medical carriers such as Aetna, Blue Cross and Blue
Shield, Cigna, Humana, and United Healthcare.
2. Assist all member entities with data formatting for group risk evaluation.
3. Develop an RFP for Group medical coverage.
4. Monitor the RFP process.
5. Provide detailed RFP evaluation to determine probability of continuing.
6. Assist Board members with Council presentations for awarding a Group Medical
Contract if an HGAC-R1 contract is finalized and awarded by the Board.
The City Council asked numerous questions regarding the City?s participation in the
pooling.
A motion was made by Council Member Fogler, seconded by Council Member Segal, to
authorize the City Manager to forward a letter, after review by the City Attorney, and
expend $2,500 to C-CBS, who will be acting as the Agent of Record on behalf of the
HGAC-R1 Insurance Pooling RFP exploratory process.
A vote was taken on the motion with the following result:
Voting Aye: Mayor Ballanfant, Council Members Segal, Farley, Fogler
and Woods
Voting Nay: None
Absent: None
Refunding bonds.
Matters related to refunding bonds and issuance.
Finance Director Walter Thomas reported that the City may have an opportunity to refund
portions of several outstanding bond issues to reduce future debt service payments by as
much as $1 million.
The recent upturn in interest rates has not precluded the City from issuing refunding
bonds. A higher interest rate allows the City a greater yield on funds invested in escrow
accounts used to liquidate future debt service payments.
The City?s Financial Advisor, Frank Ildebrando with RBC Dane Rauscher, Inc., was
present at the meeting. He recommended that the City consider issuing approximately
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City Council Regular and Workshop Session, February 14, 2005
$28 million in refunding bonds, the proceeds of which would be used to call outstanding
bonds or be placed in escrow to defease future debt service payments.
Based on analysis provided by RBC Dane Rauscher, Inc., the City could save as much as
$1 million in future debt service payments, a savings of approximately 3% of the net
present value of current debt service. In the past, the City has used a threshold of
approximately 2% to establish the viability of refunding proposals.
Additionally, while refunding the City?s revenue bonds will not result in a significant
reduction in debt service, it would eliminate the need to reserve about $2.7 million for
future debt service by replacing the reserve requirements with a surety bond. The
elimination of these reserve requirements will improve the City?s financial position.
A motion was made by Council Member Farley, seconded by Council Member Segal, to
authorize Staff and Dane Rauscher to initiate the process to issue refunding bonds.
A vote was taken on the motion with the following result:
Voting Aye: Mayor Ballanfant, Council Members Segal, Farley, Fogler
and Woods
Voting Nay: None
Absent: None
Side and rear yard projections (calling joint public hearing).
Matters related to side and rear yard projections including Ordinance No. 1781.
Mayor Ballanfant read the caption of Ordinance No. 1781 as follows:
An ordinance calling a Joint Public Hearing on a proposal to amend the zoning ordinance
of the City of West University Place, Texas, regarding side and rear yard projections;
prescribing procedures and notices; containing findings and provisions relating to the
subject; and declaring an emergency
Copies of Ordinance No. 1781, in the form proposed for adoption, were available in the
Council Chambers.
Assistant City Manager/Public Works Director Ron Wicker stated that this proposal is to
amend the zoning ordinance pertaining to buildings that project into the side and rear
yards and the location and height of mechanical equipment in said yards. Table 7-6,
Projection Schedule allows buildings to project into these yards. Certain conditions must
be met for these projections to be allowed. One such condition is that there is no window,
door or opening (except for opaque, non-operable openings or skylights) above the
ground floor within 10 feet of another building site. This has been interpreted that it
includes within 10 feet; the Zoning and Planning Commission (ZPC)
any window
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City Council Regular and Workshop Session, February 14, 2005
believes that the intent was only to regulate windows that actually face the adjacent
properties. In the past this has restricted windows on the front of garages. These windows
are often needed for emergency egress.
A motion was made by Council Member Fogler, seconded by Council Member Segal, to
adopt Ordinance No. 1781 calling a Joint Public Hearing on the proposal to amend the
zoning ordinance relating to side and rear yard projections.
A vote was taken on the motion with the following result:
Voting Aye: Mayor Ballanfant, Council Members Segal, Farley, Fogler
and Woods
Voting Nay: None
Absent: None
Old Stock housing (calling joint public hearing).
Matters related to old stock housing including Ordinance No. 1782
Mayor Ballanfant read the caption of Ordinance No. 1782 as follows:
An ordinance calling a Joint Public Hearing on a proposal to amend the zoning ordinance
of the City of West University Place, Texas, regarding old stock housing; prescribing
procedures and notices; containing findings and provisions relating to the subject; and
declaring an emergency
Copies of Ordinance No. 1782, in the form proposed for adoption, were available in the
Council Chambers.
Mr. Wicker reported that earlier this year City Council asked the Building and Standards
Commission to investigate the preservation of ?old stock housing,? which generally means
smaller homes older than 40 years. After their initial review, a report was forwarded to the
ZPC. The ZPC decided that the most beneficial way to preserve ?old stock housing? was to
grant more flexible criteria for an applicant to be granted a variance to remodel, or enlarge
one of these old stock homes. In addition, the ZPC is recommending allowing special
exceptions in regard to side and rear yards (setbacks) and the open area requirement on these
existing home sites.
Council Member Woods commented that he thought the language in the proposed
amendment was vague.
A motion was made by Council Member Farley, seconded by Council Member Fogler, to
adopt Ordinance No.1782 calling a Joint Public Hearing on the proposal to amend the
zoning ordinance and Chapter 6 of the Code of Ordinances relating to old-stock housing.
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City Council Regular and Workshop Session, February 14, 2005
A vote was taken on the motion with the following result:
Voting Aye: Mayor Ballanfant, Council Members Segal, Farley and
Fogler
Voting Nay: Council Member Woods
Absent: None
Parking and uses (calling joint public hearing).
Matters related to parking and uses including Ordinance No. 1783
Mayor Ballanfant read the caption of Ordinance No. 1783 as follows:
An ordinance calling a Joint Public Hearing on a proposal to amend the zoning ordinance
of the City of West University Place, Texas, regarding parking and uses; prescribing
procedures and notices; containing findings and provisions relating to the subject; and
declaring an emergency
Copies of Ordinance No. 1783, in the form proposed for adoption, were available in the
Council Chambers.
Mr. Wicker reported that this proposal is to update the zoning ordinance relating to uses
(especially ones requiring special exceptions) and parking requirements. This proposal
would:
1. Confirm that certain uses (e.g. schools, places of worship) may be located
anywhere in the city.
2. Require special exceptions where there is a ?high density occupancy? which is
defined to include gatherings that cause traffic impediments.
3. Allow the Zoning Board of Adjustment (ZBA) to issue special exceptions for
private schools on split sites (partly in C districts).
4. Provide updated and more flexible parking regulations for institutions (e.g.
community center, library school places of worship).
5. Allow more joint use of off-street parking spaces, with ZBA approval.
6. Allow above-grade parking in the C district, with ZBA approval and update and
revise related wording in the Zoning Ordinance.
A motion was made by Council Member Fogler, seconded by Council Member Woods, to
adopt Ordinance No. 1783 calling a Joint Public Hearing on the proposal to amend the
zoning ordinance relating to uses and parking.
A vote was taken on the motion with the following result:
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City Council Regular and Workshop Session, February 14, 2005
Voting Aye: Mayor Ballanfant, Council Members Segal, Farley, Fogler
and Woods
Voting Nay: None
Absent: None
Trees (calling joint public hearing).
Matters related to trees including Ordinance No. 1784.
Mayor Ballanfant read the caption of Ordinance No. 1784 as follows:
An ordinance calling a Joint Public Hearing on a proposal to amend the zoning ordinance
of the City of West University Place, Texas, regarding qualified trees; prescribing
procedures and notices; containing findings and provisions relating to the subject; and
declaring an emergency
Copies of Ordinance No. 1784, in the form proposed for adoption, were available in the
Council Chambers.
Mr. Wicker stated that last year, during the review of Chapter 22, ?Urban Forest
Preservation and Enhancement,? a recommendation was made to require one qualified
tree in the front yard on building sites. This was a requirement several years ago in the
original tree regulations.
A motion was made by Council Member Fogler, seconded by Council Member Segal, to
adopt Ordinance No.1784 calling a Joint Public Hearing on the proposal to amend the
zoning ordinance regarding qualified trees.
A vote was taken on the motion with the following result:
Voting Aye: Mayor Ballanfant, Council Members Segal, Farley, Fogler
and Woods
Voting Nay: None
Absent: None
Planned development districts (calling joint public hearing).
Matters related to planned development districts including Ordinance No. 1785.
Mayor Ballanfant read the caption of Ordinance No. 1785 as follows:
An ordinance calling a Joint Public Hearing on a proposal to amend the zoning ordinance
of the City of West University Place, Texas, regarding planned development districts;
prescribing procedures and notices; containing findings and provisions relating to the
subject; and declaring an emergency
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City Council Regular and Workshop Session, February 14, 2005
Copies of Ordinance No. 1785, in the form proposed for adoption, were available in the
Council Chambers.
Mr. Wicker reported that last year, City Council requested that the Zoning and Planning
Commission (ZPC) investigate redevelopment regulations in commercial districts. The
ZPC determined that by allowing more flexible rules for planned development districts
(PDD?s), it might encourage redevelopment in commercial areas. The proposal would
allow the possibility of zero front yard setbacks in the commercial district, allow two or
more owners in the C district to join together to apply for a PDD (currently all the land
must be owned by one person), and would modify the square footage requirements for the
smallest PDD?s. The possible zero front yard setbacks could encourage pedestrian
oriented buildings built adjacent to the sidewalk. Allowing two or more owners to join in
on the PDD makes sense in a community like West University Place where most
commercial building sites are small and could not meet the squarefootage requirement.
The square footage requirement was updated to reflect this possible joining of building
sites.
A motion was made by Council Member Segal, seconded by Council Member Farley, to
adopt Ordinance No. 1785 calling a Joint Public Hearing on the proposal to amend the
zoning ordinance relating to planned development districts.
A vote was taken on the motion with the following result:
Voting Aye: Mayor Ballanfant, Council Members Segal, Farley, Fogler
and Woods
Voting Nay: None
Absent: None
Depth and width measurements (calling joint public hearing).
Matters related to depth and width measurements including Ordinance No. 1786.
Mayor Ballanfant read the caption of Ordinance No. 1786 as follows:
An ordinance calling a Joint Public Hearing on a proposal to amend the zoning ordinance
of the City of West University Place, Texas, regarding depth and width measurements;
prescribing procedures and notices; containing findings and provisions relating to the
subject; and declaring an emergency
Copies of Ordinance No. 1786, in the form proposed for adoption, were available in the
Council Chambers.
This proposal is to amend the definitions of ?depth? and ?width? in Article 2 of the
Zoning Ordinance. The purpose of this amendment is to facilitate the acceptance of the
nominal site dimensions from a recorded plat by the building official. Due to latter
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City Council Regular and Workshop Session, February 14, 2005
surveys showing actual dimensions to be a few inches different from the platted
dimensions, building sites were being put into non-compliance. This proposal will also
decrease the number of cases sent to the Zoning Board of Adjustment when the latter
surveys place their building sites in violation of the zoning ordinance by not meeting
minimum size requirements.
A motion was made by Council Member Farley, seconded by Council Member Fogler, to
adopt Ordinance No. 1786 calling a Joint Public Hearing on the proposal to amend the
zoning ordinance relating to depth and width measurements.
A vote was taken on the motion with the following result:
Voting Aye: Mayor Ballanfant, Council Members Segal, Farley, Fogler
and Woods
Voting Nay: None
Absent: None
The City Council recessed at 7:35 p.m. and reconvened at 7:37 p.m.
Parks and Recreation Master Planning.
Matters related to Parks and Recreation Master Planning including the role of the council
liaison, appointment or re-appointment of a council liaison.
The City Council discussed the role of a Council Liaison and their performing according
to the Council?s directive.
Council Member Farley commented that he felt a Task Force should report to the Council
as a whole and not have a designated council liaison.
A motion was made by Council Member Farley to withdraw the nomination of Council
Members Fogler and Woods as the Council Liaisons to the Parks and Recreation Master
Planning Task Force.
After further discussion and because of a lack of a second, Council Member Farley
withdrew his motion.
Members of the City Council agreed that the Task Force is a voting nine-member board
and the Council liaisons would not vote. The Liaison would not be an active participant
in the process so the integrity of the citizen Task Force would be preserved.
City Council minutes.
Matters related to the minutes of the Regular Session conducted on January 28, 2005
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City Council Regular and Workshop Session, February 14, 2005
A motion was made by Council Member Fogler, seconded by Council Member Farley, to
approve the minutes as amended.
A vote was taken on the motion with the following result:
Voting Aye: Mayor Ballanfant, Council Members Segal, Farley and
Fogler
Voting Nay: Council Member Woods
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 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.
The City Council requested that the Staff bring a revised agreement with MSC Properties
for the lease or sale of the Westpark Property.
City Manager Michael Ross reported that Center Point Energy would be installing demo
street lights in the City Center on Wednesday.
Council Member Farley left the meeting at 8:00 p.m.
The City Council recessed the Regular Session at 8:00 p.m. and reconvened in Workshop
Session in the Bill Watson Conference Room at 8:03 p.m.
Matters related to the purchase, exchange, lease or value of real property for park
purposes in the area of West University Place First or Second Addition (Area East
of Poor Farm Ditch; South of University Boulevard; West of Wakeforest and North
of Holcombe).
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 (Chapter
551.072 of the Texas Government Code) under which the meeting would be held.
After the announcement, the City Council conducted a closed, executive session
beginning at 8:03 p.m.
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City Council Regular and Workshop Session, February 14, 2005
After the closed, executive session, the Mayor announced, in open session, that the City
Council had concluded its closed, executive session at 8:35 p.m.
A motion was made by Council Member Segal, seconded by Council Member Fogler, to
authorize the City Manager to bring offers for the purchase of additional park land in the
subject area.
A vote was taken on the motion with the following result:
Voting Aye: Mayor Ballanfant, Council Members Segal, Fogler and
Woods
Voting Nay: None
Absent: Council Member Farley
Adjournment.
With no further business to come before the City Council at this time, a motion was made
by Council Member Fogler, seconded by Council Member Segal, to adjourn. The
Council meeting adjourned at 8:36 p.m.
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