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CITY COUNCIL REGULAR SESSION
MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 29, 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 September 29, 2003, with the following members
present: Mayor Ballanfant presiding, Council Members Segal, Farley, Fogler and Woods.
The City Manager, City Secretary, City Attorney, Assistant City Manager/Public Works
Director, Finance Director, Fire Chief, Parks and Recreation Director, Police Chief, City
Planner and Management Analyst were also present.
The notice for this meeting was posted in accordance with the Texas Government Code,
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Chapter 551, on the 25 day of September 2003 at 6:20 p.m.
Formal Session
Public Hearing (Budget).
Public hearing to consider the 2004 proposed budget covering all funds for the City of
West University Place.
Mayor Ballanfant called the public hearing on the 2004 proposed budget to order.
City Manager Michael Ross reviewed the highlights of the proposed budget.
Members of the public were invited to ask questions or speak concerning the proposed
budget.
Dick Yehle, 6401 Rutgers, thanked the staff for a good job in preparing a thoughtful
budget that is targeted at maintaining the services that the residents have. He also
thanked the City Council. He stated that the health care costs, given the circumstances,
are being managed in the right direction. Mr. Yehle also commented on the salary and
benefits costs of the city employees.
There being no other persons wishing to speak, a motion was made by Council Member
Segal, seconded by Council Member Farley, to make all statements, exhibits and
documents a part of the official record of this hearing and to close the public hearing.
City Council Regular Session, September 29, 2003
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
There were no written comments on this topic.
Public hearing (Tax Rate).
Public hearing to consider ad valorem taxes, including: (i) the proposed tax rate for 2003,
(ii) setting and announcement of meeting to vote on the tax rate, and (iii) related matters.
Mayor Ballanfant called the public hearing on the proposed 2003 tax rate to order.
Members of the public were invited to ask questions or speak concerning the proposed
tax rate.
There being no persons wishing to speak, a motion was made by Council Member
Woods, seconded by Council Member Farley, to close the public hearing.
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
There were no written comments on this topic.
A motion was made by Council Member Fogler, seconded by Council Member Segal, to
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set the meeting for the 8 of October at 6:00 p.m. to vote on the tax rate for 2003.
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
Citizen Comments.
Mayor Ballanfant invited citizens who wished to address the City Council to come
forward as their names were called.
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City Council Regular Session, September 29, 2003
Bob Musemeche, 6512 Buffalo Speedway, spoke to the City Council about damage to his
driveway during the infrastructure replacement in his area.
Proclamation for fire prevention week
.
Matters related to a proclamation recognizing Fire Prevention Week for the week of
October 5-11, 2003.
A motion was made by Council Member Fogler, seconded by Council Member Farley, to
proclaim October 5-11, 2003 as Fire Prevention Week.
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
Ordinance relating to Boards, Commissions and Committees.
Matters related to Boards, Commissions and Committees including Ordinance No. 1751.
Mayor Ballanfant read the caption of Ordinance No. 1751 as follows:
An ordinance relating to Boards, Commissions and Committees; amending the code of
ordinances of the City of West University Place, Texas; and containing findings and
provisions relating to the subject
Copies of Ordinance No. 1751, in the form proposed for adoption, were available in the
Council Chambers.
City Attorney Jim Dougherty reported that Ordinance No. 1751 is an ?omnibus?
amendment that: (1) deletes provisions for the Public Safety Board, (2) allows the Board
of the Friends of West University Parks Fund to appoint one of its members to the Parks
& Recreation Board, as suggested by the special study group, (3) adds new provisions for
meeting notices and agendas in 2.011 (similar to the process used by City Council), (4)
consolidates and clarifies the provisions for City Council appointing officers, and adds a
provision allowing the Council to let a board or commission select officers, (5) conforms
language to the zoning ordinance and state law and adds cross references, (6) adds
references to the FWUPF in Section 16.202, (7) modifies the duties of the P&R Board as
suggested by the special study group, and (9) makes the City Planner the staff liaison for
Z&PC and ZBA.
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City Council Regular Session, September 29, 2003
Council Member Segal suggested that the second sentence in Section 2.012 (f) ?allowing
the Council to let a board or commission select officers? be deleted.
Council Member Fogler requested that the words ?consulting engineer? in the last
sentence in Section 2.011(d) be changed to ?consultant?.
The City Council agreed with the suggested changes.
A motion was made by Council Member Segal, seconded by Council Member Farley, to
adopt Ordinance No. 1751 on the first reading as amended.
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
METRO solutions transit system plan.
Matters related to the METRO solutions transit system plan including Resolution No.
2003-11
Mayor Ballanfant read the caption of Resolution No. 2003-11 as follows:
A resolution supporting the METRO solutions transit system plan and the decision of the
Board of Directors to seek voter approval for the issuance of bonds, notes and other
obligations, in an aggregate principle amount not to exceed $640,000,000 for
implementation of the METRO solutions transit system plan, all as provided in METRO
Resolutions 2003-77 and 2003-93; and making findings and provisions relative to the
subject
Mayor Ballanfant explained that this item is integrally related to the next item on the
agenda, which is the extension of a contract with the Metropolitan Transit Authority and
provides the City with $259,000 a year. The current contract was due to expire in 2009.
After intense negotiations it has been agreed that the contract will be extended another
five years. As part of those accommodations, the Mayors of the small cities have agreed
to pass a resolution endorsing the METRO solutions transit system plan.
Mayor Ballanfant stated that the Resolution as presented had a typographical error and
should be changed to read ?Now, therefore, be it resolved by the City Council of the City
of West University Place that:?
A motion was made by Council Member Woods, seconded by Council Member Fogler, to
adopt Resolution No. 2003-11 as amended.
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City Council Regular Session, September 29, 2003
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
Congestion mitigation/traffic management agreement.
Matters related to a congestion mitigation/traffic management agreement between the
City of West University Place and the Metropolitan Transit Authority of Harris County,
Texas.
Mr. Dougherty explained that this contract amendment adds five years to the existing
contract. The existing runs through 2009 and the amendment would extend the contract
through 2014. It is a flat $259,000 each year for those additional five years. It is subject
to passage of the solutions plan on the November ballot.
A motion was made by Council Member Fogler, seconded by Council Member Segal, to
approve the amendment to the congestion mitigation/traffic management agreement
between METRO and West University Place.
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
METRO Sidewalk/streetlight funding agreement.
Matters related to a sidewalk/streetlight funding agreement with Harris County and the
Metropolitan Transit Authority.
Mr. Dougherty stated that this is the agreement that provides for the payment of up to 1.5
million dollars for sidewalks and/or streetlights. The Council does have the discretion to
apply it to the sidewalk program and to the extent that funds are available, it can be
moved to the streetlight program. The City would be required to do some streetlight
work to satisfy the contract but the amount is not designated.
A motion made by Council Member Segal, seconded by Council Member Fogler, to
approve the sidewalk/streetlight funding agreement.
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City Council Regular Session, September 29, 2003
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
1994 Ford utility truck.
Matters related to a 1994 Ford utility truck with a Versalift hydraulic man lift (bucket
truck) including purchase.
Assistant City Manager/Public Works Director Ron Wicker reported that during 2002, the
City spent approximately $8,500 on traffic signal maintenance. Approximately $6,100 of
this was maintenance related to the signal heads and signs that are on the mast arms, only
reachable by a bucket truck. The remainder of the costs (approximately $2,400) was
cabinet and component diagnostics and repair.
During 2003 (through August) the City has spent approximately $6,000 on traffic signal
maintenance. Approximately $4,900 of this cost has been related to signal heads and
signs on the mast arms that are only reachable by a bucket truck. The remainder of the
cost (approximately $1,100) was also cabinet and component diagnostics and repair.
With the installation of the new signal heads with LED signals the maintenance costs will
go down. However, maintenance and preventive maintenance is still necessary. Passing
trucks strike the signal heads more often than most realize. When problems occur, a
technician has to reach the signal head by bucket truck in order to replace the defective
LED and send it in for warranty repair or replacement. A technician also has to reach the
signal heads and mast arms several times per year in order to trim tree limbs to avoid
visibility obstruction.
Mr. Wicker stated that the City has been offered the opportunity to purchase a 1994 Ford
Utility Truck with a Versalift hydraulic man lift (bucket truck). The truck is owned and
operated by Southwest Signal Company and is used for the maintenance of traffic signals.
The City would use this truck for signal maintenance and signal preventive maintenance
that would result in a cost savings of approximately $6,000 to $7,000 per year. The
equipment could also be used for other needs in the City such as tree trimming around
signals and signs, building and roof maintenance, etc.
The City Council asked questions about the quality of the truck, funding and purchase
price.
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City Council Regular Session, September 29, 2003
A motion was made by Council Member Segal, seconded by Council Farley, to authorize
the appropriation and purchase of the 1994 Ford bucket truck.
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
City Council minutes.
Matters related to the minutes of the Regular Session conducted on September 15, 2003
and Special Sessions conducted on September 13 and 22, 2003.
A motion was made by Council Member Fogler, seconded by Council Member Woods, 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
Voting Nay: None
Absent: None
Intergovernmental & Infrastructure Issues; Staff or Council Report.
Matters relating to intergovernmental relations and agreements including negotiations,
extra jurisdictional meetings, regional issues, Metropolitan Transit Authority agreements,
infrastructure projects and related matters. This may include report(s) from staff or
Council Members.
Mr. Ross reported that the City?s traffic engineer was preparing a report relating to the
traffic studies conducted on Kirby Drive.
The City Council adjourned the regular session at 7:40 p.m. and reconvened in workshop
session at 7:47 p.m.
Workshop Session (in the Conference Room)
West University Place recreation center.
Matters related to the West University Place recreation center, located at 4210 Bellaire
Boulevard (former YMCA site) including the purchase, exchange, lease, sale, usage,
improvements, demolition and related matters.
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City Council Regular Session, September 29, 2003
The City Manager reviewed the history of the West University Recreation Center
property and purchase with the City Council. The City paid $3.3 million to buy the
facility, which resulted in annual debt service payments of $230,000 per year.
Mr. Dougherty reported that the City has requested specific language in a lease agreement
with HISD for the property in terms of legal liability and enforceability. So far, HISD has
said ?no?.
Mr. Ross stated that HISD is still planning to present the city with a study of the traffic
impact of relocating the Mark Twain students to the recreation center.
Real estate broker Marshall Clinkscales was present at the meeting. He told the Council
that the property might sell for $20 per square foot for retail use, to a high of $30 per
square foot for ?high density? residential use.
Mayor Ballanfant suggested involving residents from Ruskin Street and members of the
Tri-Sports Association. He suggested that Phil Sellers who lives on Ruskin and near the
recreation center be contacted about being involved.
The City Council agreed that the City should consider all the possibilities for the property
including demolition of the building and swimming pool, complete renovation of the
facilities, partial renovation and use of the facility or partial sale of the property.
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.
This item was addressed during the workshop session.
Joint meeting with the City of Southside Place.
Matters related to a joint meeting with the City of Southside Place including setting the
date, time and place.
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The City Manager will set a meeting with the City of Southside Place for November 3 or
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17.
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City Council Regular Session, September 29, 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 9:20 p.m.
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