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HomeMy WebLinkAbout082503R CC Min CITY COUNCIL REGULAR SESSION MONDAY, AUGUST 25, 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 August 25, 2003, with the following members present: Mayor Ballanfant presiding, Council Members Segal, Farley and Woods. The City Manager, City Secretary, City Attorney and City Planner were also present. Council Member Fogler was absent. The notice for this meeting was posted in accordance with the Texas Government Code, st Chapter 551, on the 21 day of August 2003 at 4:20 p.m. Formal Session Appraisal Roll, Tax Rates, etc. Matters related to the 2003 Appraisal Roll, effective tax rate, etc. Finance Director Walter Thomas reported that State law requires that each year the Council formally receive certain specific information about the property tax roll. In order to comply with that requirement, the Finance Director, in the role of the City?s Tax Assessor/Collector, calculates the effective tax rate, the roll-back tax rate, certifies the tax collection rate and arranges for any required publication. The State of Texas has adopted Truth in Taxation laws that require the City Council to acknowledge the receipt of the certified appraisal roll from the Chief Appraiser. The same laws require the City?s Tax Assessor to inform the City Council about two comparative tax rates. The is essentially the rate that the City would effective tax rate levy to generate the same property tax revenue as the preceding tax year. The roll is the effective tax rate adjusted for changes in the City?s debt service. A back tax rate third tax rate, the is calculated to determine if additional notice and hearing rate, disclosures must be made to the taxpayers. These rates provide information to the Council about the City?s tax revenues. They also provide triggers for additional required publication of information about the City?s property taxes and, in some cases, an opportunity for the citizens to invalidate a proposed property tax increase. Failure to comply with the requirements of the Truth in Taxation laws could result in delays in assessing the 2003 property taxes or injunctions against collecting 2003 property taxes. City Council Regular Session, August 25, 2003 Mr. Walters stated that based on the City?s values the effective tax rate is $0.417046 per $100 valuation. The notice and hearing rate is $0.429557 per $100 valuation and the roll back tax rate is $0.446755 per $100 valuation. A motion was made by Council Member Farley, seconded by Council Member Woods to adopt Resolution No. 2003-08. A vote was taken on the motion with the following result: Voting Aye: Mayor Ballanfant, Council Members Segal, Farley and Woods Voting Nay: None Absent: Council Member Fogler Harris County Appraisal District. Matters related to Harris County Appraisal District and its Board of Directors including Resolution No. 2003-09. Mayor Ballanfant read the caption of Resolution No. 2003-09 as follows: A resolution of the City Council of the City of West University Place, Texas nominating a candidate for a position on the Board of Directors of the Harris County Appraisal District A motion was made by Council Member Segal, seconded by Council Member Woods, to table Resolution No. 2003-09 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 Woods Voting Nay: None Absent: Council Member Fogler Priority Area 11B pre-treatment of trees. Matters related to Priority Area 11B pre-treatment of trees including a bid received on August 6, 2003 and award. City Planner Nes Tesno reported that during the infrastructure reconstruction projects, one of the City?s top priorities is the protection of trees. The forestry consultant recommends tree protection techniques and treatments. These are reflected in the preservation plans for the priority area. The pre-treatment of trees includes tree removal (trees that are in poor condition and are considered a hazard or an unavoidable 2 City Council Regular Session, August 25, 2003 construction conflict), crown pruning, clearance pruning and fertilization. These treatments will enhance the tree?s health and condition and will help avoid stress or injury to the tree. On August 6, 2003 one bid was received and opened for the pre-treatment of trees for Priority Area 11B. Texas Services submitted the one bid in the amount of $14,153.00. Texas Services has been awarded several bids from the City of West University Place and has completed the projects in a timely manner. A motion was made by Council Member Woods, seconded by Council Member Farley, to accept the bid from Texas Services in the amount of $14,153.00 for the pre-treatment of trees for Priority Area 11B. A vote was taken on the motion with the following result: Voting Aye: Mayor Ballanfant, Council Members Segal, Farley and Woods Voting Nay: None Absent: Council Member Fogler 3700 Block of University Boulevard. Matters related to reconstruction of the 3700 Block of University Boulevard including the acceptance of the work. City Manager Michael Ross reported that Contractor Technology, LTD, prime contractor on the infrastructure improvements in Priority Area 6A, has completed all work and has submitted a final payment request in the amount of $315,064.66. This project involved the reconstruction of water lines, sanitary sewer lines, storm sewer lines and streets in the area referred to as Priority Area 6A, the 3700 block of University Boulevard. The original contract amount was $695,998.40 and the final contract amount is $691,667.31, which represents a decrease of 0.6% under the original contract. This contract provided a bonus for early completion of $3,000.00 per day with a maximum of 15 days. Contractor Technology, LTD completed the project 24 days early. The contractor is requesting payment of the $45,000.00 under separate invoice, making the total project cost of $736,667.31. This is well under the original engineers estimate of $900,000.00. A motion was made by Council Member Farley, seconded by Council Member Segal, to accept the work of the 3700 block of University Boulevard completed by Contractor Technology, LTD and approve final payment in the amount of $315,064.66 plus $45,000 incentive pay. 3 City Council Regular Session, August 25, 2003 A vote was taken on the motion with the following result: Voting Aye: Mayor Ballanfant, Council Members Segal, Farley and Woods Voting Nay: None Absent: Council Member Fogler Rescheduling City Council meeting. Matters related to rescheduling the City Council regular session meetings of September 8 and 22, 2003. A motion was made by Council Member Segal, seconded by Council Member Farley, to change the regular session council meeting dates to September 15 and 29, 2003. A vote was taken on the motion with the following result: Voting Aye: Mayor Ballanfant, Council Members Segal, Farley and Woods Voting Nay: None Absent: Council Member Fogler Boards, commissions, etc. Matters related to Boards, Commissions, Committees and Task Forces (including Zoning & Planning Commission, Zoning Board of Adjustment, Building & Standards Commission, Parks & Recreation Board, Senior Services Board, Recycling & Solid Waste Reduction Board, Public Safety Board, and the Friends of West University Parks Fund, a non-profit corporation) including possible restructuring, abolition, consolidation, governing documents, other changes and related matters. Mr. Ross commented that at a previous meeting it was the Council?s desire to dissolve the Public Safety Board. By making a motion to that effect, the Staff would notify members of the Board of its dissolution at the end of September. A motion was made by Council Member Woods, seconded by Council Member Farley, to abolish the Public Safety Board. A vote was taken on the motion with the following result: Voting Aye: Mayor Ballanfant, Council Members Segal, Farley and Woods Voting Nay: None Absent: Council Member Fogler 4 City Council Regular Session, August 25, 2003 Donna Lamond, Executive Director of the Friends of West University Place Parks Fund, reviewed the proposed amendments to their bylaws. The City Council asked questions regarding the independent audit of their funds and the number of members required to constitute a quorum. Council Member Segal commented that he feels a quorum with only six members as proposed by the Board was too low. Mr. Ross stated that the Staff would like to forward the amendments to the City Attorney for his review and incorporation in the bylaws. The proposed bylaws will be formally presented to the City Council for approval at a later date if approved by the Friends Board. City Council minutes. Matters related to the minutes of the Regular Session conducted on July 28, and August 11, 2003 and Special Session on August 18, 2003. A motion was made by Council Member Segal, seconded by Council Member Woods, to approve the minutes of July 28, 2003 as amended. A vote was taken on the motion with the following result: Voting Aye: Mayor Ballanfant, Council Members Segal, Farley and Woods Voting Nay: None Absent: Council Member Fogler A motion was made by Council Member Segal, seconded by Council Member Woods, to approve the minutes of August 11 and August 18, 2003 as amended. A vote was taken on the motion with the following result: Voting Aye: Mayor Ballanfant, Council Members Segal, Farley and Woods Voting Nay: None Absent: Council Member Fogler Workshop Session (in the Council Chambers) City finances, facilities, programs and the 2004 Budget. Matters related to city finances, facilities, programs and the 2004 Budget including revenues and expenditures for current and future years for all funds, and capital 5 City Council Regular Session, August 25, 2003 improvements and related programs and expenditures, including recreation facilities and other park projects, police and public works facilities, street lighting, sidewalks, drainage and flood control, animal recreation facility, traffic and parking and other public improvements. Mr. Thomas gave a brief overview of the proposed 2004 budget. He stated that the General Fund revenues are projected to grow by about 2.2%. Interest revenues have decreased by approximately $110,000 and will need to be made up by either budget cuts or increased revenue. Payroll is 80% of the budget. Overall there is a 7.8% increase over the previous budget. There is no compensation increase in the form of salary enhancements; it is all in the form of an increase to the TMRS, which is the retirement system that covers all of the city?s employees. Health care costs are growing by more than 15%. Budget workshops are scheduled for September 8, 13 and 15. Adjournment. With no further business to come before the City Council at this time, a motion was made by Council Member Farley, seconded by Council Member Woods, to adjourn. The Council meeting adjourned at 7:21 p.m. 6