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HomeMy WebLinkAbout112502R CC Min CITY COUNCIL REGULAR SESSION MONDAY, NOVEMBER 25, 2002 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 November 25, 2002, with the following members present: Mayor Lewis presiding, Council Members May, Farley, Griffin and Jackson. The City Secretary, City Attorney, Assistant City Manager/Public Works Director, Assistant Finance Director, Personnel Specialist and City Planner were also present. The notice for this meeting was posted in accordance with the Texas Government Code, nd Chapter 551, on the 22 day of November 2002 at 11:00 a.m. Formal Session Sidewalks. Matters related to sidewalks including an official sidewalk master plan. Ron Wicker, Assistant City Manager/Public Works Director, submitted the following report to the City Council: On November 7, 2000 the voter?s approved a $5 million general obligation bond issue for the purpose of the construction and improvements of City sidewalks. Recognizing that the amount authorized by the bond election may not be adequate to complete an entire system, on November 12, 2001, the City Council adopted a Sidewalk Policy for the City of West University Place. The purpose of the policy was to ?ensure accessibility, mobility and a circulation network for pedestrians to Town Center, parks, transit stops, area businesses, City buildings, facilities, and programs and encouraging general safety for pedestrians?. The policy highlighted the need for a system of connecting sidewalks and the need to install sidewalks on at least one side of a street where there is sufficient right-of-way. It states that a master sidewalk construction map shall be prepared to highlight primary destinations and access routes and establishes priorities. Additionally, the policy states that the sidewalk system will meet state and federal standards for design, installation and maintenance. In accordance with the policy, and in compliance with Council?s desires expressed at the June 10, 2002 Council Meeting, a design consultant was engaged to provide guidance for problem conditions such as interference with trees and severe grade changes and curb City Council Regular Session, November 11, 2002 ramps. An inventory of existing sidewalks was conducted and value analysis was performed. Further in compliance with the policy, preliminary drawings of the Sidewalk Master Plan have been made available for public review and comment. Homeowners submitted comments and alterations to the plan occurred based on those comments. With the sidewalk policy criteria in mind, a Master Sidewalk Construction Map (Sidewalk Master Plan) has been completed. The following key points are incorporated into the Sidewalk Master Plan: Plan meets the main purpose of providing accessibility, mobility and a circulation network for pedestrians to Town Center, parks, transit stops, area businesses, City buildings, facilities, and programs and encouraging general safety for pedestrians. The City?s urban forest was a consideration in preparing the Master Plan. Installation of sidewalks on at least one side of all streets, with the exception of Corondo Court. Sidewalks will be a minimum of 48 inches in width. Sidewalk system meets state and federal requirements. Members of the SWA Group, Erin Cannon and John Cutler, were present at the meeting and explained the changes made to the official sidewalk master plan. Council Member May asked about the distinction between the primary system and the quaternary system. Ms. Cannon stated that the quaternary sidewalk system is basically the streets that were narrowed. Most streets were designated according to the enhancement of mobility. Mayor Lewis asked questions regarding the order of construction. She stated that she was concerned as to whether the order of construction addresses a safe sidewalk system, which seemed to be the first concern of the citizens instead of a mobility route. Broken sidewalks are in every level of the sidewalk system. She suggested that the streets should be broken into quadrants. Ms. Cannon stated that they recognized early on that the City lacked the necessary unlimited access for those with disabilities, so the major corridors were designated for the City as specified by ADA. There needs to be a transition plan for the City that shows accessibility to major destinations throughout the City. The primary circulation when it is on file with the City will accomplish this. The primary sidewalk system enhanced by the 2 City Council Regular Session, November 11, 2002 secondary sidewalk system very closely mimics the first priority streets as established by the Sidewalk Committee. Mayor Lewis asked Mr. Wicker if the Staff had discussed a time for anticipated completion of the plan. Mr. Wicker stated that contractors in Priority Area 7B were waiting for the plan to be adopted so that they may complete the curb ramps. The plans and specifications for Priority Areas 10 and 11B, which will be bid after the first of the year will possibly include the sidewalks. A motion was made by Council Member Farley, seconded by Council Member Jackson, to approve the official sidewalk master plan as presented. A vote was taken on the motion with the following result: Voting Aye: Mayor Lewis, Council Members May, Farley, Griffin and Jackson Voting Nay: None Absent: None Group employee benefit coverage. Matters related to group employee benefit coverages (medical, dental, vision, life insurance, etc.), including bids received October 30, 2002. Mr. Wicker stated that the City released a ?Request for Bids? representing the employee benefits of medical, dental, vision, life and disability insurance coverage. The ?Request for Bids? was distributed to 64 interested carriers. The City received twenty-five bid proposals on October 30, 2002. Mr. Wicker introduced Neal Welch, the City?s consultant from the Welch Company. He stated that after summarizing responses and meeting with the Employee Development Group and Staff the following comments and recommendations are offered: Medical. The incumbent carrier, Cigna, was the only response to the medical bid for health maintenance organization (HMO) and point of service (POS) health plans. Dental. The request for bids asked for a dental health maintenance organization (DHMO). The City received seven bids. During the evaluation of a DHMO, key consideration is given to plan design, provider network and premium rate and duration. The evaluation of these three components across all seven bids yields CompBenefits as the most advantageous provider. This company is a well-recognized dental vendor in Houston and around the State of Texas. 3 City Council Regular Session, November 11, 2002 Vision. Currently, the City does not offer stand-alone vision benefits. A vision benefit, though somewhat minimal, is covered under the Cigna medical plan. The City received seven bids for an insured vision plan. As with the dental coverage, the vision evaluation is based on plan design, provider network, and premium. When coupled with the dental plan, CompBenefit is the most advantageous provider for the City. This coverage will be provided at the employee?s option and completely funded by the employee. Life, AD&D, and Long-Term Disability. Basic group term life, accidental death and dismemberment, supplemental accidental death and dismemberment insurance, as well as long-term disability are coverages supported by the City for current employees. Retirees have a small basic term life benefit paid for by the City. ?Request for Bids? were sent to 31 interested carriers and 10 bids were received. Five carriers responded to the life and AD&D and the same five responded to the long-term disability, however three carriers chose not to quote for the supplemental AD&D provided to the police and fire employees. Of the two finalists, Standard Insurance Company (incumbent) and Ft. Dearborn Life Insurance Company, Ft. Dearborn had a substantially lower premium and a two-year rate guarantee, which, overall, gives them the most advantageous bid to the City. Mr. Welch indicated that the recommended award to bidders meets the specifications given to all bidders and they were also the most advantageous to the City. Council Member Farley inquired about the increase in the co-pay for employees and the quantifiable benefit to the City. Mr. Welch stated that if you take the co-pay from $10 to $30 it might be worth 1 to 1-1/2 percent on the rate. The cost comes in catastrophic illness not in the routine visits that are subject to the co-pay. A motion was made by Council Member Farley, seconded by Council Member Griffin to authorize the City Manager to enter into contracts with Cigna for health plan benefits, CompBenefits for managed care dental (DHMO) and vision, and Ft. Dearborn for life, AD&D, and long-term disability insurance coverage. A vote was taken on the motion with the following result: Voting Aye: Mayor Lewis, Council Members May, Farley, Griffin and Jackson Voting Nay: None Absent: None City Council minutes. Matters related to the minutes of the Regular Session conducted on November 11, 2002. 4 City Council Regular Session, November 11, 2002 A motion was made by Council Member Jackson, seconded by Council Member May, to approve the minutes as presented. A vote was taken on the motion with the following result: Voting Aye: Mayor Lewis, Council Members May, Farley, Griffin and Jackson Voting Nay: None Absent: None Staff report. Mr. Wicker introduced the City?s Personnel Specialist Linda Moore. He stated she had been with the City for 23 years and this was her first Council meeting. He also introduced Alan Tumey, the Assistant Finance Director. nd Mr. Wicker also reminded the Council of the meetings and times for the December 2 th and 9 meetings. Council comments. Mayor Lewis thanked Mr. Wicker for filling in for the City Manager. The City Council recessed the Formal Session to convene in Informal Session at 7:16 p.m. Informal Session Board or Commission meetings. Matters related to Board and Commission meetings (Zoning & Planning, Zoning Board of Adjustment, Building & Standards Commission, Parks & Recreation, Public Safety, Senior Services, Recycling & Solid Waste Reduction and Drainage Committee) including reports from Council liaisons. Council Member Farley reported that the Zoning and Planning Commission is discussing and will soon present to Council curb cuts and the 80% framed area. They are also discussing drainage and the sign ordinance. Inquiries, requests and complaints. The City Council reviewed matters received from the public and referred them to the appropriate department or will place them on a future agenda for consideration or action. 5 City Council Regular Session, November 11, 2002 Council Member Farley requested that an agenda item be added for discussion at the th meeting scheduled for December 9 regarding use of the Colonial Park playground for softball practice. th Mayor Lewis requested that a discussion of streetlights be included on the December 9 meeting or the first meeting in January. Adjournment. With no further business to come before the City Council at this time, a motion was made by Council Member May, seconded by Council Member Jackson, to adjourn. The Council meeting adjourned at 7:19 p.m. 6