HomeMy WebLinkAbout030804R CC Min
CITY COUNCIL REGULAR SESSION
MONDAY, MARCH 8, 2004
MUNICIPAL BUILDING
3800 UNIVERSITY BLVD.
6:30 P.M.
The City Council convened in Regular Session in the Municipal Building Council
Chambers (3800 University Blvd.) on March 8, 2004, with the following members
present: Mayor Ballanfant presiding, Council Members Segal, Fogler and Woods. The
City Manager, City Secretary, City Attorney, Assistant City Manager/Public Works
Director and Police Chief were also present. Council Member Farley was absent.
The notice for this meeting was posted in accordance with the Texas Government Code,
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Chapter 551, on the 4 day of March 2004 at 4:00 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.
Monique O?Driscoll, 4038 Tennyson, thanked the Council for considering possible
solutions to the problems residents were having in not being able to park in their
driveways without parking on the sidewalk. She asked questions regarding the ADA
requirements for driveways meeting a new sidewalk and the cost burden on seniors.
Susan Ohsfeldt, 4101 Tennyson, stated that it was an unfair burden to ask homeowners to
pay for an ADA accessible driveway to meet the new sidewalks. She stated that she
received quotes for this change to her driveway and the amount was between $2,850 and
$3,100.
Priority Area 8.
Matters related to Priority Area 8 including the final acceptance of the work.
The Staff withdrew this item from consideration until the next regular session.
City Council minutes.
Matters related to the minutes of the Special Session conducted on February 16, 2004 and
Regular Session conducted on February 23, 2004.
City Council Regular and Workshop Session, March 8, 2004
A motion was made by Council Member Fogler, 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 Segal, Fogler and
Woods
Voting Nay: None
Absent: Council Member Farley
Intergovernmental & Infrastructure Issues; Staff or Council Report.
Matters relating to intergovernmental relations and agreements including negotiations,
extra jurisdictional meetings, regional issues, Metropolitan Transit Authority agreements,
infrastructure projects, drainage, flooding, Kirby Drive construction, streetlights and
related matters. This may include report(s) from staff and reports and directives to staff
from Council Members.
City Manager Michael Ross reported that the Federal Emergency Management Agency
has released the latest floodplain maps. Information regarding individual homes is
available on their website. He also reported that a meeting regarding the railroad quiet
zone would be held this week.
Mayor Ballanfant commented that the Mayors of the small cities met and elected Jim
Stewart, III and Louise Richman to be their representatives on the Metro Board.
The City Council recessed the regular session at 6:40 p.m.
Workshop Session (in the Bill Watson Conference Room)
The City Council reconvened in workshop session at 6:40 p.m.
Sidewalks.
Matters related to sidewalks including sidewalk construction, garage setbacks and
driveways.
Mr. Ross reported that based on recent comments regarding the State law prohibiting the
parking of vehicles over public sidewalks, combined with the existence or construction of
a functional sidewalk system, staff suggests the following:
Ask the Zoning & Planning Commission to evaluate and recommend solutions for
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future homes built in West University Place. One possible solution might be a
minimum separation requirement between a garage and the sidewalk
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City Council Regular and Workshop Session, March 8, 2004
Ask Staff to inventory all of the apparent existing driveway/sidewalk conflicts in
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distance between garages and sidewalks to quantify the problem.
If homeowner desires, where sidewalk is already planned to be repaired or installed,
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the sidewalk could be rerouted and constructed against the curb line (away from
garage). The homeowner would be responsible for providing an ADA accessible
driveway to meet the new sidewalk.
Continue review of State law to determine if there are other legal alternatives
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available to the City.
Mr. Ross stated that the Council and Staff are faced with the issue of how to best spend
the $5 million dollars allocated by the bonds and to ensure that the City does not run out
of money before repairing sidewalks throughout the City.
Council Member Fogler commented that she believes it is incumbent upon the City to
shoulder the responsibility of making sidewalks ADA compliant in situations where a
sidewalk crosses a driveway. She stated that it was not fair to put that burden on the
citizens.
Council Member Woods commented that he believes the repair of broken sidewalks is
more important than getting cars off the sidewalks.
The City Council agreed that the Zoning and Planning Commission should review the
Sidewalk Master Plan. They also agreed that the Staff should begin the inventory of all
the apparent existing driveway/sidewalk conflicts.
Mr. Ross reviewed the sidewalk program projects layout and schedule with the City
Council.
Solicitors and Peddlers.
Matters related to the regulation of Solicitors and Peddlers.
The City Council considered amending the City?s current ordinance regarding solicitors
to include a ?no-knock? list, which would allow residents to prohibit solicitors from
ringing their doorbell. The ordinance now requires all commercial solicitors to be
registered with the City. The Council also discussed requiring a registration fee,
background checks and identification.
The City Council requested that the City Attorney prepare an amendment to the
solicitation ordinance to include the ?no knock? list option for residents to be considered
on first reading at the next regular session.
Adjournment.
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City Council Regular and Workshop Session, March 8, 2004
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 Woods, to adjourn. The
Council meeting adjourned at 7:28 p.m.
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