HomeMy WebLinkAbout091303S CC Min
CITY COUNCIL SPECIAL SESSION
SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 13, 2003
MUNICIPAL BUILDING
3800 UNIVERSITY BLVD.
8:00 A.M.
The City Council convened in Special Session in the Bill Watson Conference Room
(3800 University Blvd.) on September 13, 2003, with the following members present:
Mayor Ballanfant presiding, Council Members Segal, Fogler and Woods. The City
Manager, City Secretary, City Attorney, Assistant City Manager/Public Works Director,
Finance Director, Fire Chief and Police Chief were also present. Council Member Farley
was absent.
The notice for this meeting was posted in accordance with the Texas Government Code,
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Chapter 551, on the 9 day of September 2003 at 4:50 p.m.
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
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.
The City Council and Staff discussed the proposed 2004 budget for the Police and Fire
Departments. Funds including debt service, water utility, solid waste, equipment
replacement, capital project, infrastructure replacement, sidewalk construction and special
revenue funds were also addressed.
The City Council also examined the National Accreditation process in the Police
Department and discussed whether to continue with the program.
Finance Director Walter Thomas explained the law requirements of the record vote on the
tax rate.
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.
City Council Special Session, September 13, 2003
Council Member Segal commented that members of the review team for the Parks and
Recreation ordinance met and a report would be given at the next meeting.
The City Council set dates to interview volunteers for Boards and Commissions.
Zoning and Planning Commission and Zoning Board of Adjustment (calling joint
public hearing).
Matters related to the Zoning and Planning Commission and Zoning Board of Adjustment
including Ordinance No. 1749.
Mayor Ballanfant read the caption of Ordinance No. 1749 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 the Zoning and Planning
Commission and Zoning Board of Adjustment; prescribing procedures and notices;
containing findings and other provisions relating to the subject; and declaring an
emergency
Copies of Ordinance No. 1749, in the form proposed for adoption, were available in the
Conference Room.
Dick Yehle, residing at 6401 Rutgers and a member of the Zoning and Planning
Commission, explained the preliminary report issued by the Commission.
A motion was made by Council Member Segal, seconded by Council Member Fogler, to
adopt Ordinance No. 1749 calling a public hearing for October 8, 2003.
A vote was taken on the motion with the following result:
Voting Aye: Mayor Ballanfant, Council Members Segal, Fogler and
Woods
Voting Nay: None
Absent: Council Member Farley
Intergovernmental relations and agreements.
Matters related to intergovernmental relations and agreements including negotiations,
extra jurisdictional meetings, regional issues, Metropolitan Transit Authority agreements
and related matters.
The City Council and Staff discussed proposed Metro agreements including the mobility
fund and congestion/mitigation agreements. They also addressed the Kirby Drive
improvements and the Harris County Flood Control meetings.
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City Council Special Session, September 13, 2003
Procedures for staff reports and council comments.
Matters related to staff reports and council comments including procedures during regular
sessions, posting, etc.
City Manager Michael Ross commented that historically staff reports and council
comments have been an item on the council agendas that over time seemed to evolve to a
conversation element that would be a violation of the open meetings act if the item is not
on the agenda. He stated that if the council wished to continue with these items on the
agenda then the City Secretary would need to know in advance what topics to list.
City Attorney Jim Dougherty addressed the legal background of the Open Meetings Act.
He stated that the Attorney General?s office was not flexible in their requirements. He
stated that his recommendation is to take this item off the agenda all together or elaborate
on what will be commented on or what the staff report is going to be.
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 Woods, to adjourn. The
Council meeting adjourned at 12:43 p.m.
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