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HomeMy WebLinkAbout062303R CC Min CITY COUNCIL REGULAR SESSION MONDAY, JUNE 23, 2003 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 June 23, 2003, with the following members present: Mayor Ballanfant presiding, Council Members Segal, Farley, Fogler and Woods. The City Manager, City Attorney, Assistant City Manager/Public Works Director, Finance Director, Parks and Recreation Director, City Planner and Assistant City Secretary were also present. The notice for this meeting was posted in accordance with the Texas Government Code, th Chapter 551, on the 20 day of June 2003 at 4:45 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. Dan Barr, Jr., 12518 North Garden, stated that he was part of the Citizens Against Ruffino Trash Transfer Station, which is a group that is opposed to a transfer station on Ruffino Road. He commented that the City of Bellaire had leased 14 of its 75 acres for a transfer station and he believed this would be a health and safety issue for the surrounding neighborhoods. He encouraged the Council to vote against spending any money to fund a site evaluation plan. Joan Johnson, 6615 West Point, supported a proposed increase in the seniors tax exemption. Ramsay Elder, 2821 Tangley, commented that the senior citizens in West University get a good value for their tax dollar because there are 760 senior homeowners and another 50 renters and the city budget for seniors is about $200 per senior household. He stated that the seniors as a group are not economically disadvantaged and according to the 2000 census less than 3% of the seniors in West University live below poverty level. He thought it would be more efficient use of tax dollars to identify and help those who actually need help instead of spreading thousands of dollars in tax benefits across senior households and that there are more efficient economic devices available to Seniors such as tax deferrals and home equity loans. He encouraged the Council to maintain the current senior tax exemption. City Council Regular Session, June 23, 2003 Drainage and site plans. Matters related to drainage and site plans including a public hearing and proposed amendments to Chapters 6 and 20 of the Code of Ordinances (relating to building, development and subdivision regulations). Members of the Zoning and Planning Commission (ZPC) present at the meeting were Dick Yehle, Anne Whitlock, Mary Nelson, Stephen Stewart and Marc Boucher. Mr. Yehle requested a report as to the notices of the hearing. City Manager Michael Ross stated that the notice of the hearing was published in the City?s official newspaper and posted in accordance with State Law. Mrs. Whitlock gave a presentation on the proposed amendments. The ZPC has been working on an update of the City?s drainage regulations for more than a year. The Commission has met with individual residents, builders, engineers and the Building and Standard Commission. The Commission has considered several different approaches and reviewed various drafts and revisions. Existing regulations require a site to collect all water that falls on that site and drain it to the street. It does not require them to accept water flowing across property lines. This water blockage often causes flooding in adjacent lots. Existing regulations also require submittal of engineered plans, which are considered ineffective. The proposal would modify the existing drainage regulations to: (1) eliminate the requirement for an engineer?s seal, (2) reduce the surveying requirement from two surveys to one, (3) require mitigation if a project affects existing drainage patterns across property lines, (4) include various updates and cross references, and (5) raise fees. Members of the City Council asked questions regarding the proposed amendments. Members of the public were invited to ask questions or speak concerning the proposed amendments. Several residents commented on the proposed amendments. There being no other persons wishing to speak, a motion was made by Commission Member Stewart, seconded by Commission Member Nelson, to make all statements, exhibits and documents a part of the official record of this hearing and to close the public hearing. A vote was taken on the motion with the following result: 2 City Council Regular Session, June 23, 2003 Voting Aye: Commission members Boucher, Nelson Whitlock, Stewart and Yehle Voting Nay: None Absent: Commission members Pohl and Brown Temporary corner site access (calling joint public hearing). Matters related to temporary corner site access including Ordinance No. 1743. Mayor Ballanfant read the caption of Ordinance No. 1743 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 temporary corner site access; prescribing procedures and notices; containing findings and provisions relating to the subject; and declaring an emergency Copies of Ordinance No. 1743, in the form proposed for adoption, were available in the council chambers. City Planner Nes Tesno reported that the City of Houston will be taking on a major infrastructure construction project on Kirby Drive in the near future. Also, the City of Southside Place has planned a major reconstruction of Bellaire Boulevard. Some of the commercial properties in the City of West University Place will not have any access during the time when the street is being reconstructed since their only access is onto these major thoroughfare streets. By ordinance no access is allowed onto residential streets when a non-residential use building site abuts both a residential street and a major thoroughfare. The Zoning and Planning Commission has proposed this amendment authorizing temporary access to corner sites, but only with a ?special city permit issued in connection with nearby construction or other temporary condition?. This permit could authorize temporary access from the side . This amendment limits the term of the residential street permit, does not authorize the destruction of any large tree and requires restoration of the site after the term of the permit expires. Staff is requesting that the City Council call a joint public Mrs. Tesno stated that the hearing on this proposed amendment for the July 28, 2003 city council meeting. A motion was made by Council Member Segal, seconded by Council Member Fogler, to approve Ordinance No. 1743 calling a joint public hearing for July 28, 2003. A vote was taken on the motion with the following result: Voting Aye: Mayor Ballanfant, Council Members Segal, Farley, Fogler and Woods 3 City Council Regular Session, June 23, 2003 Voting Nay: None Absent: None Prior non-conformities (calling joint public hearing). Matters related to prior non-conformities including Ordinance No. 1744. Mayor Ballanfant read the caption of Ordinance No. 1744 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 prior non-conformities; prescribing procedures and notices; containing findings and other provisions relating to the subject; and declaring an emergency Copies of Ordinance No. 1744, in the form proposed for adoption, were available in the council chambers. Mrs. Tesno reported that prior non-conformities (PNC?s) are old conditions that existed prior to current regulations, making them ?grand-fathered?. The zoning ordinance states that after a period of time that certain prior non-conformities lose that status and become in violation of the ordinance after a set time period, similar to a ?sunset provision?. The following conditions are listed in the zoning ordinance as requiring ?sunset provisions?: Use of a building site in a SF District for business activities Presence of more dwelling units than allowed in an SF District Use of a building site by more than one family in violation of SF District Non-compliance with pervious area requirement in the C district. Enforcement of the old sunsets has proven to be very difficult. There are no existing lists or data available concerning these conditions. It has been suggested that this time needs to be extended to allow the city to contact these property owners and for compliance with current regulations. The Zoning and Planning Commission proposes to allow for a time extension if the property owner of an effected site comes forward and registers. This registration would allow owners that voluntarily come forward a type of ?amnesty period? to October 31, 2007. This registration would also act as a reminder to property owners that sites must be brought into compliance by the end of the amnesty period unless they receive an extension from the Zoning Board of Adjustments. Mrs. Tesno stated that the Staff is requesting that the City Council call a joint public hearing on this proposed amendment for the July 28, 2003 city council meeting. The City Council asked numerous questions regarding the proposed amendment. 4 City Council Regular Session, June 23, 2003 Council Member Segal commented that he did not believe the amendment would lead to effective enforcement which, means eliminating the prior non-conformity. The City Council requested that this item be referred back to the ZPC for further consideration. A motion was made by Council Member Fogler, seconded by Council Member Farley, to table consideration of Ordinance No. 1744. 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 Lateral house lines. Matters related to lateral house lines including Ordinance No. 1745. Mayor Ballanfant read the caption of Ordinance No. 1745 as follows: An ordinance relating to lateral house lines; authorizing payment and issuance of a certificate; providing for assessment and lien; containing findings and provisions relating to the subject; and declaring an emergency Copies of Ordinance No. 1745, in the form proposed for adoption, were available in the council chambers. Finance Director Walter Thomas reported that the City Code Section 23.013 (g) provides that the City can handle the relocation of house lines in connection with a project that relocates water and sewer line in the case of unusual hardship or special circumstances. The Finance Department received a request from the resident of 3765 Sunset stating that relocating the house lines would cause an unusual hardship. Staff has documented that the resident?s annual income is below 80% of the Harris County Median income ($24,776 annually) and accordingly is eligible for this program. Staff has also informed the resident in writing that the City will attach a lien to 3765 Sunset to secure the cost of relocating the house line and that the terms of the loan made by the City will be five years with simple interest at 6%. The homeowner has consented to this process. A motion was made by Council Member Woods, seconded by Council Member Farley, to approve Ordinance No. 1745 authorizing payment to Strutton Plumbing Company, Inc. in 5 City Council Regular Session, June 23, 2003 the amount of $1,965.00 and providing for the assessment of a lien against 3765 Sunset Boulevard in the same amount. 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 Board, Commission & Committee term limits. Matters related to term limits for boards, commissions and committees including Ordinance No. 1746. Mayor Ballanfant read the caption of Ordinance No. 1746 as follows: An ordinance amending the code of ordinances of the City of West University Place, Texas regarding boards, commissions, and committees; and containing findings and provisions relating to the subject. Copies of Ordinance No. 1746, in the form proposed for adoption, were available in the council chambers. Mr. Ross explained that the council requested that the Staff prepare two versions of Ordinance No. 1746 for their consideration. One version would repeal the term limits for boards, commissions, and committees and the other version would change the number of consecutive terms. Council Member Segal requested that, giving consideration under Rule 19 of the rules and procedures to be considered that evening, the Council be allowed to discuss this item before making a motion or choosing an ordinance. Following a complete discussion of this item, Mayor Ballanfant called for a motion. A motion was made by Council Member Segal, seconded by Council Member Fogler, to adopt Ordinance No. 1746 on the first reading repealing the term limits for boards, commissions and committees. 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 6 City Council Regular Session, June 23, 2003 The motion passed. Cable franchise. Matters related to the Time Warner Cable franchise including Resolution No. 2003-06. Mayor Ballanfant read the caption of Resolution No. 2003-06 as follows: A resolution designating a replacement member of the working group for cable television franchise renewal proceedings and containing findings and provisions relating to the subject. City Attorney Jim Dougherty reported that during the January 13, 2003 Council Meeting, City Council approved a resolution formally commencing renewal proceedings for the cable television franchise agreement and designating a working group for the renewal proceedings. In addition, Council Member Marilyn Griffin was appointed to serve as a member of the working group. Resolution No. 2003-06 designates a replacement member of the working group to serve in place of former Council Member Marilyn Griffin. A motion was made by Council Member Woods, seconded by Council Member Farley, to adopt Resolution No. 2003-06 appointing Teresa Fogler to the working group for the cable television franchise renewal proceedings. 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 Southwest YMCA facility (4210 Bellaire Blvd.). Matters related to the Southwest YMCA facility located at 4210 Bellaire Boulevard including a first amendment to the lease agreement and bill of sale. Parks and Recreation Director Mark Mailes reported that after selling its Bellaire Boulevard facility to the City, the YMCA leased it back for a term ending in May 2003. Rent did not begin to accrue until this year. Staff has calculated the accrued rent as $24,000, plus $12,000 for the last month. In addition, late fees accrued. The YMCA asked to hold over for a short period ending June 6. The YMCA also offered to settle the accrued rent by transferring a large quantity of equipment to the City. Staff negotiated a proposed settlement covering the holdover and settling the accrued rent or: (1) $10,000, plus (2) the offered equipment, plus (3) services to be provided by the 7 City Council Regular Session, June 23, 2003 YMCA to help with maintenance of the facility by the City. Mr. Mailes stated that a "First Amendment to Lease Agreement" and a "Bill of Sale" were prepared for this purpose, subject to City Council approval. A motion was made by Council Member Segal, seconded by Council Member Fogler, to approve the first amendment to the lease agreement and the bill of sale. 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 Ruffino Road site (old landfill). Matters related to the Ruffino Road site. Mr. Ross reported that the Cities of West University Place and Bellaire jointly have approximately 140-150 acres, located on Ruffino Road in Southwest Houston. These properties served as landfills for the Cities until the late 1980?s (Bellaire) and 1991 (West U). The property was subsequently leased to a contractor, and a golf course was operated until mid-2001. The contractor defaulted on his contracts, when he ceased to pay his lease payments to the Cities. He closed the business and left the property. The Cities of West University Place and Bellaire thus began the process of cleaning up the property of all debris and abandoned junk. A new gate was installed and the entire property mowed. In April of 2002, both City Councils approved an inter-local agreement, in which each City agreed to split costs for maintenance and any costs associated with finding a new tenant. In August of 2002, ads were placed in the Houston Chronicle, Wall and various golf publications, requesting RFPs (request for proposals) for this St. Journal site. Unfortunately, none were submitted; although one group contacted us with interest in developing the site as a golf course. After several meetings, it became apparent that the necessary funding was not in place and negotiations ceased. Subsequent meetings and inquiries have taken place with several other interested parties, including commercial groups, but these have provided nothing more than cursory endeavors. Most recently, an interested group has proposed a possible soccer complex at the site. The Cities of West University Place and Bellaire have extended a ?letter of interest? to this soccer concept. If the proposed investors become a reality, this may offer a solid prospect, although, to date, it is a very ambitious project. Mr. Ross stated that a separate, but very important facet, has emerged. About 10 years ago, Bellaire leased a portion of its site for a solid waste transfer station. Nothing 8 City Council Regular Session, June 23, 2003 happened on this until recently, when the City of Houston approved a permit. Of course, the neighborhood near the site was unhappy. In fact, several neighborhood representatives have come to recent West U City Council meetings to speak. They requested that West U not contract with the company building the transfer station (the city has a contract with another vendor, with no plans to change at this time). Mr. Ross stated that the neighbors have become very concerned about possible development on the landfill property. A task force of homeowners, calling themselves S.W. Houston 2000, Inc., met with several West U and Bellaire officials. They have proposed hiring an experienced environmental risk and remediation-consulting firm to provide technical and land use expertise. The purpose would be to evaluate the ecological services potential for the Ruffino Road site, and to explore the possibility of using the land in ways that would qualify it for environmental credits along with other income sources. Additionally, staff intends to revise the scope of services to include not only ecological services but also other recreational, commercial or office developments. Cost for this report would be $14,000 and the staff is proposing that this amount be shared with the City of Bellaire. A motion was made by Council Member Segal, seconded by Council Member Fogler, to authorize the City Manager to expend $7,000 to fund a site evaluation plan, contingent upon approval of the Bellaire City Council funding the remaining $7,000 for the project. 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 Temporary services. Matters related to a contract for temporary services including bids received May 28, 2003. The City Manager requested that this item be withdrawn. City Council minutes. Matters related to the minutes of the Regular Session conducted on June 9, 2003. A motion was made by Council Member Segal, 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, Fogler and Woods 9 City Council Regular Session, June 23, 2003 Voting Nay: None Absent: None Staff report. Mr. Ross reported on the construction schedule for University Boulevard. Council comments. The City Council discussed moving the informal session to the conference room at the end of the formal session. Council Member Segal commented that he was reluctant to go along with moving the informal session to the conference room. He stated that the items that are listed on the informal session are probably set for a vote and should be on the formal session anyway. Council Member Farley asked Mrs. Tesno about the progress of the master tree plan and the revision of Chapter 22. Informal Session Tax exemption. Matters related to the over-65 exemption from ad valorem taxation. Finance Director Walter Thomas reported that since 1992, West U has provided a $72,850 exemption from property taxes for property owners who are over age 65. The exemption is deducted from the appraised value of a property before the tax is calculated. At West U?s current $0.43 tax rate, the value of the exemption is $313. Property values in West U have almost doubled since 1991. Given this increase, the percentage of an over-65 taxpayer?s property value exempted from taxation has declined. There are 724 taxpayers that qualify for the over-65 exemption. They own property valued from over $2 million to just under $100 thousand. The median value of property owned by taxpayers qualifying for the over-65 exemption is $334 thousand. Sixty-one percent of the qualifying taxpayers own property valued below $300 thousand and 31 percent have improvements valued at $100. If Council decides to provide additional property tax relief to over 65 taxpayers, the budget impact will not be felt until 2004. Recently HCAD provided a preliminary tax roll. Using that roll as a basis for an estimate of the growth in assessed values, leads to an assessed value of about $2.635 billion or about six percent more than last year. At this point these estimates should give rise to cautious optimism but are still very inexact because of challenges to assessed values and the fact that not all values are included on the preliminary roll. Assuming this growth in assessed values, doubling the over-65 exemptions could be financed with no increase in the tax rate. 10 City Council Regular Session, June 23, 2003 Naturally, if assessed values grow, the tax impact is reduced and if assessed values rate do not meet HCAD?s estimates the tax impact would be increased. Even so, the rate impact of increasing the over-65 exemptions on the amount of tax that the rest of the tax base pays is the same regardless of growth in assessed value, if one taxpayer pays less another pays more. Additionally, there are other challenges to be met in the coming 2004 Budget: adding three new firefighters will add about $90k to the Fire Department Budget, Debt Service will increase about $428k, and any additional operating costs for the West U Recreation Center would also need to be considered in the General Fund Budget. Given these challenges, a tax increase for Debt Service is certain and pressure on the General Fund?s revenues is intense. While it is difficult to predict the tax impact of these challenges at this early stage they could add as much as one cent to the current $0.43 tax rate. Mr. Walters stated that because exemptions usually just shift the tax burden from one taxpayer group to another, staff does not generally support tax exemptions. However, West U is a special case. Many elderly taxpayers could not anticipate the social change that has sent property values soaring in West U. As a result, they are unprepared financially for the property tax increases that have been the financial story of West U for the past ten years. If City Council desires to increase the exemption, staff recommends that the Council increase the over-65 exemption by 50 percent to $109,275, then increase the exemption $7,285 a year as needed. This recommendation is based on the fact that most of the increase in total assessed values has occurred in the past four years, assessed values have grown 77 percent since 1994, but 55 percent of that growth has been since 1999. Since the amount of the increase in property value that any taxpayer is subject to is limited to 10 percent per year, a 50 percent increase in the exemption will index over?65 exemption to the value at the beginning of the sharp increase in values. Following a discussion of this item, the City Council requested that the staff prepare an ordinance for the next meeting to adopt an increase in the tax exemption between $90,000 to $110,000 dollars. Utility rates. Matters related to City utility rates and a proposed increase. Mr. Walters reported that one source of funds for the Infrastructure Replacement Program is the Water and Sewer Fund. Since 1996 the City has issued $18 million in bonds that are supported by Water and Sewer revenues. By December 31, 2002 $17,390,000 of these bonds were outstanding. Debt Service on these bonds has grown from $0 in 1995 to $1,337,060 in 2003. 11 City Council Regular Session, June 23, 2003 To finance this added financial commitment, water rates were increased in 2001 and the 2003 Budget assumed another rate increase. Covenants in the outstanding bonds require the Water and Sewer Fund to generate net revenues at least equal to 110 percent of the average annual debt service on the bonds. In 2002 the City?s net revenues amounted to $889,000, the average annual debt service was $1.2 million. The Water and Sewer Fund has sufficient reserves to meet its debt service obligations for 2003 and 2004, but rates must be increased in 2003 to ensure that the Fund remains stable into the future. Water and sewer rates must be increased to provide sufficient funding for debt service and operations, but the City?s water and sewer rates are designed to do more than just provide funding. For instance, the rate is divided into tiers; the lowest tier pays a lower rate. This structure is intended to increase conservation, but it also impacts senior citizens who typically do not use more than the 3,000 gallons provided in the lowest tier. Because the financial burden of the Water and Sewer System can be shifted among groups of ratepayers (high users vs. low users; commercial vs. residential), crafting water and sewer rates is something of an art. Previously, staff recommended that a be performed before adjusting water rate analysis the rates to provide the needed funds. A provides details about who water rate analysis uses water and how the associated costs of service delivery are allocated among the various types of users. The analysts will recommend a rate structure based on current operating costs, debt service and future capital needs. The study will also provide the basis to make future increases when or if they become necessary. The City?s last water rate analysis was completed before the Infrastructure Replacement Program was initiated in 1996. Black & Veatch specialize in water and sewer rate analysis and has extensive experience in water rate analysis for Texas cities. Their clients include Sugar Land, Houston, Dallas, San Antonio, Austin and others. Black & Veatch?s fee for the analysis would not exceed $38,500. Further reduction of the fee is possible based on staff support of Black & Veatch. Funds are available in the Water and Sewer Fund?s Capital Reserve Fund. Mayor Ballanfant commented that his preference would be to save the $38,000 and raise the rates to service the bonded covenant. Council Member Segal commented that he felt that there are a lot of factors to consider and that the City should hire the consultants to do the study. Council Member Woods stated that the City is at a point where most of the infrastructure is complete and it is a good time to set a new base for looking at the rates. Council Member Farley stated that he agreed because the City has new meters to be installed and that will be fixed into this rate. 12 City Council Regular Session, June 23, 2003 A motion was made by Council Member Fogler, seconded by Council Member Woods, to authorize the City Manager to negotiate a contract with Black & Veatch to develop a rate program in an amount not to exceed $38,500. A vote was taken on the motion with the following result: Voting Aye: Council Members Segal, Farley, Fogler and Woods Voting Nay: Mayor Ballanfant Absent: None Procedural rules. Matters related to procedural rules for the City Council. The City Council submitted their suggested changes to the rules and procedures. The City Staff will prepare an ordinance for the next meeting incorporating the changes to the procedural rules. Boards and Commissions. Matters related to Boards and Commissions including the restructuring and consolidation of two park-related boards. Council Member Fogler commented that at the time the Parks Board was established, the City did not have a Parks Director or anyone on staff with expertise or education regarding Parks. Since then the City has hired a Parks Director but no adjustments have been made in the operations of the Parks Board. Currently, the roles of the Parks Board, Friends Board, Parks Department and the City Council are unclear. As a result, there is some degree of dysfunction and disagreement. Council Member Fogler stated that she feels it is the Council?s responsibility, as the elected officials, to make the decisions about the development of park property. Ultimately, Council should look to the City Staff for advice and to interact with consulting park developers. The Parks Board has become somewhat superfluous because the Parks Department should run the show and make staff recommendations, and the Council should decide the policies. The City generally hires consulting firms to do the actual developmental work and the Friends are charged with raising the money. She stated that there are overlapping functions and lack of clarity of the roles of the various groups. If needed, the Friends could provide some of the citizen input that the Parks Board is currently providing. She suggested that the Council consider how it desires these groups to operate and interact in the best interest of the City. Council Member Farley commented that he agreed with the comments made by Council Member Fogler. He stated that now that the City has a Master Plan for Parks, a professional should be involved in the objective implementation and that he would be more comfortable receiving recommendations from the City Staff. 13 City Council Regular Session, June 23, 2003 Council Member Woods commented that he did not want to avoid the problems that exist and that he understood there is some usurping of the Council?s authority. Usually, the fund raising that is done is committed to specific items that the Council may not want to agree with but that should have been brought to the Council before they were ever committed to a project originally. He stated that he is also bothered that the Friends have now hired an Executive Director which, significantly dilutes the value of their fund raising and if the Council puts more responsibility on them, this may further burden them to feel like they need more support to just function. He stated that he feels that the Council needs to realize that there is some value to having the Boards separated. The fund raising is a distinct different mission then most of the other operational type things. Council Member Farley stated that he agreed but he believed the Council could transfer the implementation and advisory part of the Parks Board to the Parks and Recreation Director. Mayor Ballanfant commented that the Friends Board is a 501c(3) corporation and that differentiates it from every other advisory board and as a consequence the selection process has always been self perpetuate. The Council is really not selecting who serves on the Friends and the advisory capacity should be given to a group that is selected by Council. He stated that he feels that there is a valuable function served by an advisory board for parks that the City has seen occur in each of the last 3 park redevelopments and that is there is no perfect idea for any park attribute. An advisory board is a great entity to float out ideas and take the political heat or discussion. The fund raising arm should be kept separate so that the discord is directed at a different body. Council Member Farley stated that he personally would not charge the Friends with any further authority and the advisory function of the Parks Board would go to the Parks Department. Council Member Segal agreed with Mayor Ballanfant in that the Friends are not going to consolidate with anybody. He agreed that the roles need to be clarified and the Council needs to figure out what, if anything, a Parks Board is going to do. Mr. Ross commented that the Staff plans to take a more proactive role in handling the consulting contracts and making recommendations to Council regardless of the Boards. One suggestion is that the Council could concentrate more on appointing a task force when needed. The City Council agreed to reconsider this item during the orientation session on July 1, 2003. 14 City Council Regular Session, June 23, 2003 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 Farley, to adjourn. The Council meeting adjourned at 9:40 p.m. 15