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HomeMy WebLinkAbout071403R CC Min CITY COUNCIL REGULAR SESSION MONDAY, JULY 14, 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 July 11, 2003, with the following members present: Mayor Ballanfant presiding, Council Members Farley, Fogler and Woods. The City Manager, City Secretary, City Attorney, Assistant City Manager/Public Works Director, and Finance Director were also present. Council Member Segal was absent The notice for this meeting was posted in accordance with the Texas Government Code, th Chapter 551, on the 6 day of June 2003 at 4:30 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. Linda Smith, 6646 Community, requested that the Council pass a Resolution to formally oppose the building of a toll road. She presented a petition opposing the toll road distributed information on the subject to the Council. Carolyn Sacchi, 3768 Rice Boulevard, requested that the Council formally oppose the construction of the toll road. Marilyn Griffin, 3731 Georgetown, encouraged the City Council to increase the senior tax exemption to the maximum amount. 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. City Council Regular Session, July 14, 2003 Copies of Ordinance No. 1746, in the form proposed for adoption, were available in the council chambers. A motion was made by Council Member Fogler, seconded by Council Member Farley, to approve the second and final reading of Ordinance No. 1746. A vote was taken on the motion with the following result: Voting Aye: Mayor Ballanfant, Council Members Farley, Fogler Voting Nay: Council Member Woods Absent: Council Member Segal The motion carried 3 to 1. Tax exemption. Matters related to the over-65 exemption from ad valorem taxation including Ordinance No. 1741. Mayor Ballanfant read the caption of Ordinance No. 1741 as follows: An ordinance amending the code of ordinances of the City of West University Place, Texas regarding tax exemptions; containing findings and provisions relating to the subject; and declaring an emergency Copies of Ordinance No. 1741, in the form proposed for adoption, were available in the council chambers. Finance Director Walter Thomas reported that at the last regular session the Council directed Staff to prepare an ordinance that would allow the Council to change the over-65 exemption. Ordinance No. 1741 accomplishes that when the Council fills in the amount for adoption. Council Member Farley asked if the staff recommendation was initially $109,250. Mr. Thomas said the initial proposal was to take the current exemption and increase it by 50%. Council Member Farley asked what the net effect per household would be with an increase to $110,000. Mr. Walters stated that the current net effect is $313 so that would increase by 50%. Council Member Woods asked Mr. Thomas if he knew how many people over-65 have moved into West University. 2 City Council Regular Session, July 14, 2003 Mr. Thomas stated that he did not know but that he did see a downward trend in the number of people claiming the over-65 exemption. Council Member Woods stated that he has a different perspective of what is being shifted and that he feels it is reasonable to set the exemption at $110,000. City Attorney Jim Dougherty pointed out that the budget impact will be for the year 2004 but the tax year that it impacts is the current year. He also stated that the ordinance is set up with an emergency clause so that the Council could pass it on first and final reading. A motion was made by Council Member Woods, seconded by Council Member Fogler, to adopt Ordinance No. 1741 on the first and final reading with $110,000 as the over-65 exemption. A vote was taken on the motion with the following result: Voting Aye: Mayor Ballanfant, Council Members Farley, Fogler and Woods Voting Nay: None Absent: Council Member Segal Procedural rules. Matters related to procedural rules for the City Council including Ordinance No. 1747. Mayor Ballanfant read the caption of Ordinance No. 1747 as follows: An ordinance adopting procedural rules for the City Council of the City of West University Place, Texas; amending the code of ordinances; and containing findings and provisions relating to the subject. Copies of Ordinance No. 1747, in the form proposed for adoption, were available in the council chambers. City Manager Michael Ross stated that there were a few clarifications since the last meeting that were made in the orientation session. A motion was made by Council Member Fogler, seconded by Council Member Farley, to approve Ordinance No. 1747 on the first reading. A vote was taken on the motion with the following result: Voting Aye: Mayor Ballanfant, Council Members Farley, Fogler and Woods 3 City Council Regular Session, July 14, 2003 Voting Nay: None Absent: Council Member Segal Staff Report. Mr. Ross reported that the contractor on University Boulevard should not have any trouble meeting the deadline for completing the work before school starts. The staff is also watching and tracking the tropical storm. Council comments. Council Member Woods commented that he hoped the Council would pass a resolution opposing the toll road. Council Member Fogler commented that West University should go on record opposing the development of a toll road. Council Member Farley agreed and thanked Ms. Smith for presenting the information. He also commented about the armed robbery in West University. He suggested that the City use the Neighborhood Watch program to disseminate information regarding incidents such as this. Mayor Ballanfant commented that a resolution should be prepared to oppose the toll road. Informal Session Streetlights. Matters related to streetlights. Mr. Ross reported on the city center enhancement project set to begin in the summer of 2004. Part of this project will include streetlights. He asked if the Council would like to choose a light for the city center and allow that to be the light for the rest of the City or just choose a light for the city center itself and defer the selection for the rest of the City. Mr. Ross commented that the Council could appoint a task force to study the selection. The City Council requested that the Staff make a presentation of the current plans and latest drawings of the city center project at the next meeting. They also requested that a task force consisting with members of council and residents be appointed at the next meeting to select a streetlight. 4 City Council Regular Session, July 14, 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 7:37 p.m. 5