HomeMy WebLinkAbout052404R CC Min
CITY COUNCIL WORKSHOP AND REGULAR SESSION
MONDAY, MAY 24, 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 May 24, 2004, with the following members
present: Mayor Ballanfant presiding, Council Members Segal, Farley and Fogler. The
City Manager, Assistant City Secretary, City Attorney, Assistant City Manager/Public
Works Director, Police Chief, and Parks and Recreation Director were also present.
Council Member Woods was absent.
The notice for this meeting was posted in accordance with the Texas Government Code,
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Chapter 551, on the 20 day of May 2004 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.
Dick Yehle, 6401 Rutgers, addressed sidewalks and the implementation of the sidewalk
policy. He stated that the City seems to be avoiding installing first time sidewalks in the
manner prescribed by the sidewalk policy. He requested that the Council make the
Master Plan compliant with the current policy.
Council Member Farley commented that the Sidewalk Plan as adopted by the Sidewalk
Advisory Committee, and as recommended by SWA and as adopted by the City Council
does give the Director of Public Works the explicit right to locate sidewalks and there are
certain mitigating factors both physical and subjective that can be considered by the
Director.
Ramsay Elder, 2821 Tangley, addressed the Recreation Center survey. He encouraged
the Council to not send out the survey at this time because some of the questions were
poorly worded.
CenterPoint Energy rate case (electricity).
Matters related to the CenterPoint Energy rate case (electricity) including Resolution No.
2004-07.
City Council Regular Session, May 24, 2004
Council Member Farley filed an affidavit declaring debt and equity holdings in excess of
$15,000 in CenterPoint Energy with the Assistant City Secretary and did not participate in
the discussion or vote of this item.
Mayor Ballanfant read the caption of Resolution No. 2004-07 as follows:
A resolution authorizing the City of West University Place, Texas, to join a coalition and
to intervene in proceedings related to the application of CenterPoint Energy Houston
Electric, LLC, Reliant Energy Retail Services, LLC and Texas Genco, LP to determine
stranded costs and other true-up balances pursuant to PURA Section 39.262; authorizing
the City Attorney to represent the City and to take appropriate actions relating to such
proceeding; making certain findings related thereto.
City Attorney Jim Dougherty reported that Senate Bill 7 (SB7), effective September
1999, directed that the electric utility industry be restructured. Authority for
implementation of SB7 was vested in the Public Utility Commission of Texas (PUC).
Under SB7, electric utility companies were required to separate their operations into three
core components: (1) power generation; (2) transmission and distribution (T&D,
commonly referred to as ?wires?); and, (3) a retail energy provider (REP). The power
generation and REP components were deregulated, while T&D remains regulated.
The Legislature created a means for utilities to recover any ?stranded costs? incurred as a
result of deregulation. Stranded costs are those costs incurred to increase or diversify a
formerly-regulated utility?s power generation capacity that are in excess of what the new
competitive market will pay. If there are positive stranded costs, the T&D provider
(CenterPoint Energy) will be permitted to adjust T&D rates to recover those stranded
costs.
SB7 mandated that the Commission conduct a final ?true-up? proceeding for each utility
in 2004. The final true-up is intended to reconcile all fuel balances and determine a final
stranded cost figure for each utility. CenterPoint Energy submitted its true-up application
to the PUC on March 31, 2004. If CenterPoint is awarded stranded costs in the amount
requested ($4.4 billion), the impact to the average residential customer?s bill will amount
to an estimated additional $12.92 per month. The cumulative rate impact since the onset
of deregulation is a staggering 43% increase in residential electric rates.
The City of Houston has intervened in the PUC proceeding and has joined with a number
of other cities to form a coalition. Houston has agreed to bear the costs of the coalition.
Mr. Dougherty commented that this may be the biggest rate increase in recent history. If
the Council desires to participate in the coalition, it should adopt the resolution.
A motion was made by Council Member Fogler, seconded by Council Member Segal, to
approve Resolution No. 2004-07.
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City Council Regular Session, May 24, 2004
A vote was taken on the motion with the following result:
Voting Aye: Mayor Ballanfant, Council Members Segal and Fogler
Voting Nay: None
Absent: Council Member Woods
Fees and charges.
Matters related to fees and charges including Ordinance No. 1767
Mayor Ballanfant read the caption of Ordinance No. 1767 as follows:
An ordinance relating to recreation fees and other fees and charges; amending the code of
ordinances of the City of West University Place, Texas; containing findings and
provisions relating to the subject; and declaring an emergency
Copies of Ordinance No. 1767, in the form proposed for adoption, were available in the
Council Chambers.
Parks and Recreation Director Tim O?Connor reported that the West U Recreation Center
will officially open on Tuesday, June 1, 2004. The facility will be open the following
days/hours:
Gymnasium
Monday through Friday ? 5:00 to 9:00
PMPM
Saturday ? 9:00 to 5:00
AMPM
Sunday ? 1:00 to 5:00
PMPM
Swimming Pool: Swim Lessons Only/No Public Swim
Monday through Friday ? 9:00 to 12:00
AMPM
5:00 to 7:30
PMPM
Athletic Fields & Playground:
Under limited use agreement with Tri-Sports for
practice only. General Public may use the open space and playground until dusk. Due to
the fact that the grounds are not adequately lighted, use will be restricted, but the
established City Park Curfew is 10:00.
PM
The reasons for facilitating a ?limited? opening of the Center is as follows:
The only amenities available for public use are the swimming pool ? lessons
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only, gymnasium, playground systems, practice athletic fields and meeting rooms.
Allows the opportunity for exposing the citizenry to the Recreation Center.
2.
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City Council Regular Session, May 24, 2004
Allows staff to identify and correct shortcomings in the facilities and operations,
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without closing. Repairs and adjustments can be made after posted hours of operation
Allows staff the opportunity to solicit feedback from actual users, regarding
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leisure programs and activities they would like to see offered and for recommendations
on improving our existing offerings.
Based on the recommendation of the previous Parks and Recreation Director, the
following represents the proposed fee schedule for the West U Recreation Center:
Proposed Fee Schedule
Daily Admission Rates: Resident Adult - $2.00 ( 18 & older )
Resident Youth - $1.00 ( 17 & younger)
Non-Resident Adult - $4.00
Non-Resident Youth - $2.00
10 Visit Pass: Resident Adult - $15.00
Resident Youth - $7.50
Non-Resident Adult - $30.00
Non Resident Youth - $15.00
Quarterly Gym Pass: Resident Adult - $30.00
Resident Youth - $15.00
Family Resident - $60.00
Non-Resident Adult - $60.00
Non-Resident Youth - $30.00
Family Non-Resident - $120.00
Mr. O?Connor commented that the West U Recreation Center Fee Schedule will be
revisited, along with the fees for the Colonial Park Recreation Center and municipal
building rental fees, in the Fall of 2004.
A motion was made by Council Member Farley, seconded by Council Member Fogler, to
approve Ordinance No. 1767 on the first and final reading.
A vote was taken on the motion with the following result:
Voting Aye: Mayor Ballanfant, Council Members Segal, Farley and
Fogler
Voting Nay: None
Absent: Council Member Woods
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City Council Regular Session, May 24, 2004
Gas rates.
Matters relating to gas rates and the pending application of CenterPoint Energy Entex,
including proposed ?Ordinance Establishing Gas Rates, Containing Findings and
Provisions Relating to the Subject, and Declaring an Emergency
Council Member Farley filed an affidavit declaring debt and equity holdings in excess of
$15,000 in CenterPoint Energy Entex with the Assistant City Secretary and did not
participate in the discussion or vote of this item.
A motion was made by Council Member Fogler, seconded by Council Member Segal, to
table this item.
A vote was taken on the motion with the following result:
Voting Aye: Mayor Ballanfant, Council Members Segal and Fogler
Voting Nay: None
Absent: Council Member Woods
Recreation center survey.
Matters related to a West University recreation center survey.
Members of the Parks and Recreation Board, David Klutts, Chair and Brennan Reilly
were present at the meeting.
The City Council asked numerous questions about the survey and agreed that some of the
questions needed to be omitted or reconstructed.
After reviewing the survey, the Council agreed that the survey should be distributed
sometime in the Fall.
Proposed high-rise on Shakespeare.
Matters related to a proposed high-rise building to be constructed on Shakespeare Street
in the City of Houston.
City Attorney Jim Dougherty filed an affidavit declaring debt and equity holdings in
excess of $15,000 in a house and lot located at 2607 Fenwood with the Assistant City
Secretary and did not participate in the discussion or vote of this item.
Hugh Rice Kelly spoke on behalf of the neighborhood group University Place.
The City Council agreed that the City Manager should work with Mr. Kelly to prepare a
Resolution opposing the construction and to create a letter stating the City?s position.
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City Council Regular Session, May 24, 2004
City Council minutes.
Matters related to the minutes of the Regular Session conducted on April 26, 2004.
A motion was made by Council Member Farley, seconded by Council Member Fogler, to
table the minutes until the next regular session.
A vote was taken on the motion with the following result:
Voting Aye: Mayor Ballanfant, Council Members Segal, Farley and
Fogler
Voting Nay: None
Absent: Council Member Woods
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.
Mr. Ross reported that there would be a quiet zone meeting next week. He also reported
on the City Center project.
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 7:55 p.m.
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