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HomeMy WebLinkAbout092903R CC Min 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, th 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 th 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. 2 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. 3 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. 4 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. 5 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. 6 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. 7 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. rd The City Manager will set a meeting with the City of Southside Place for November 3 or th 17. 8 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. 9