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Home My WebLink About022403R CC Min CITY COUNCIL REGULAR SESSION MONDAY, FEBRUARY 24, 2003 MUNICIPAL BUILDING 3800 UNIVERSITY BLVD. 6:00 P.M. The City Council convened in Regular Session in the Municipal Building Council Chambers (3800 University Blvd.) on February 24, 2003, with the following members present: Mayor Lewis presiding, Council Members May, Farley, Griffin and Jackson. The City Manager, City Secretary, City Attorney, Assistant City Manager/Public Works Director, Parks and Recreation Director, Finance Director and Police Chief were also present. The notice for this meeting was posted in accordance with the Texas Government Code, st Chapter 551, on the 21 day of February 2003 at 4:00 p.m. Formal Session Election. rd Matters related to the May 3 Election including Ordinance No. 1732: Mayor Lewis read the caption of Ordinance No. 1732 as follows: (a) An ordinance calling an election within the City of West University Place, Texas, rd for the third (3) day of May, 2003, for the purpose of electing a mayor and four council members; designating precincts and polling places; appointing election officials; containing findings and provisions relating to said election; and declaring an emergency) (b) Optional, alternate version: [same as above, but including submission of a proposed charter amendment] Copies of Ordinance No. 1732, in the form proposed for adoption, were available in the Council Chambers. City Attorney Jim Dougherty explained that the base ordinance is routine because the rd, City has an obligation to call the election for May 3which is the regular general election of the City. It does include a couple of new features that have not been used before one being the eslate voting system. There is also a provision for assistance in the Vietnamese language and this is based upon a Justice Department determination County wide. City Council Regular Session, February 24, 2003 The optional alternate version is the same ordinance except that there would be a concurrent election to consider a charter amendment. This is based upon a joint effort by staff having to do with ?requests for proposals?, (RFP). City Manager Michael Ross stated that during the budget process when the City went out for bids for health insurance the Staff learned that cities with a population of 75,000 or greater have a more relaxed process by using RFP?s versus requesting sealed bids. The reason for that is the legislature felt that smaller cities typically might not have the funds to fully be able to evaluate and go through a proposal process. The sealed bid process is restrictive and difficult to get the best package out of insurance companies. Mr. Ross stated that the only way for our City to be able to use RFP?s is to have the legislature change the local government code or offer a charter amendment that would allow the City to use the same standard as larger cities. A motion was made by Council Member Farley, seconded by Council Member Griffin, to adopt Ordinance No. 1732 on the first and final reading including the optional alternate version. A vote was taken on the motion with the following result: Voting Aye: Mayor Lewis, Council Members May, Farley, Griffin and Jackson Voting Nay: None Absent: None City Council minutes. Matters related to the minutes of the Regular Session conducted on February 10 and Special Session conducted on February 17, 2003. A motion was made by Council Member Farley, seconded by Council Member Jackson, to approve the minutes as presented. A vote was taken on the motion with the following result: Voting Aye: Mayor Lewis, Council Members May, Farley, Griffin and Jackson Voting Nay: None Absent: None Staff report. Mr. Ross reported that the Staff was unable to have a representative from Union Pacific at th the meeting but the goal is to have someone here at the March 24 meeting. 2 City Council Regular Session, February 24, 2003 Council comments Council Member Farley commented that there was an article in the Chronicle on the tropical storm Allison recovery process. Mayor Lewis commented that it was exciting to be at Colonial Park on Sunday for the rededication of the park. A special thanks is due the Village News paper for having supporting the event. The City Council recessed the Formal Session to convene in Informal Session at 6:20 p.m. Informal Session Quarterly management report. Matters related to the fourth quarter management report. Finance Director Walter Thomas presented the quarterly report. He stated that the City ended the fourth quarter within the expectations that were laid out during the budget process. The expenditures in the general fund were all about 5% under budget. There is considerable weakness in sales tax revenue even though it came in over budget, which was on the strength of a one-time payment. Building permits were below anticipation and the targets that were set. On the other hand, recreation fees did very well and property taxes were right on because of West University resident?s consistency in paying their taxes. Mr. Thomas stated that overall the general fund will finish slightly ahead of what was projected. Another area of concern is the Water Fund because revenues were extremely weak probably because of the amount of rainfall. The Solid Waste Fund came in as projected. Council Member Farley asked Mr. Walters when he thought a water rate increase would be necessary. Mr. Walters stated that he thought a rate increase was necessary now. The City should engage an expert to review exactly where the City is and make a determination on where the rates should be. Board or Commission meetings. Matters related to Board and Commission meetings (Zoning & Planning, Zoning Board of Adjustment, Building & Standards Commission, Parks & Recreation, Public Safety, Senior Services, Recycling & Solid Waste Reduction and Drainage Committee) including reports from Council liaisons. 3 City Council Regular Session, February 24, 2003 Council Member Griffin reported that the Zoning Board of Adjustment reviewed two requests for variances and both were denied. She also reported that the Senior Services Board was working closely with the Neighbor to Neighbor team and the West U Rotary to begin an outreach program to help seniors. They are especially in need of drivers. Council Member Farley reported that the Friends of West University Place Parks Fund is expecting to net approximately $25,000 after repaying the City $50,000 and paying the Director?s salary. They are looking to the Council for guidance on the objective for the 2004 Park Lovers Ball. Council Member Farley requested that the Chair of the Friends th give a report at the council meeting on March 24. The City Council agreed. Mayor Lewis reported that the Zoning and Planning Commission received a comprehensive report from Mr. Stewart on leaf blowers. They have determined that no further work is needed on this issue. Inquiries, requests and complaints. The City Council reviewed matters received from the public and referred them to the appropriate department or will place them on a future agenda for consideration or action. Citizen Comments. Mayor Lewis invited citizens who wished to address the City Council to come forward as their names were called. Brian Awtweil, 4207 Oberlin, spoke to the City Council regarding the train noise. Adjournment. With no further business to come before the City Council at this time, a motion was made by Council Member May, seconded by Council Member Jackson, to adjourn. The Council meeting adjourned at 6:40 p.m. 4