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HomeMy WebLinkAbout032502S CC Min CITY COUNCIL SPECIAL SESSION MONDAY, MARCH 25, 2002 MUNICIPAL BUILDING 3800 UNIVERSITY BLVD. 6:30 P.M. The City Council convened in Special Session in the Municipal Building Conference Room (3800 University Blvd.) on March 25, 2002, with the following members present: Mayor Lewis presiding, Council Members May, Farley, Griffin and Jackson. The City Manager, City Secretary, City Attorney, Public Works Director, Parks and Recreation Director, Building Official and Finance Director 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 March 2002 at 3:30 p.m. Selection of street lights. Matters related to the selection of streetlights and authorization to begin the design process. Paul Marx and Carlton Porter, representatives from Reliant Energy/HL&P, presented street light options and information associated with the Traditionaire/Midtown light fixture and the Montecello/Midtown light fixture. Public Works Director Michael Ross stated that the City Staff was instructed to determine two street light options for discussion and consideration by Council. Using the College Court area as a guide, the following are two cost scenarios for street lighting (assuming 77 lights spaced at 150 feet, alternating to each side of road First 50 lights ? $747 each for the Traditionaire/Midtown ? $37,350 $1169 each for the Montecello/Midtown ? $58,450 The rest of the College Court (approx 27 lights) $1095 each for the Traditionaire/Midtown ? $29,565 $1517 each for the Montecello/Midtown ? $40,959 Total $66,915 ? Traditionaire/Midtown 99,409 ? Montecello/Midtown Mr. Carlton reported that currently the City is paying $13.79 for maintenance and operation; this cost will increase to $24.86 for metal halide lights. City Council Special Session, March 25, 2002 Mr. Ross stated that the cost for installation of approximately 1200 to 1300 streetlights is expected to be between 1.4 and 1.9 million. The 2002 budget appropriated $300,000 for pedestrian level street light improvements this year. Mayor Lewis stated that she was optimistic that the Metropolitan Transit Authority?s Small Cities Program would provide West University with $1.5 million toward the lights. A motion was made by Council Member Jackson, seconded by Council Member Griffin, to move forward with the engineering phase of the project for street lights with the selection of the poles and lights predicated upon approval of the funding from Metro. A vote was taken on the motion with the following result: Voting Aye: Mayor Lewis, Council Members May, Griffin and Jackson Voting Nay: None Absent: None Abstain: Council Member Farley The City Council recessed the Special Session at 7:30 p.m. to convene in Regular Session. The Special Session reconvened at 8:05 p.m. Colonial Park redevelopment. Matters related to the redevelopment of Colonial Park including the purchase of playground equipment, sports utilization, construction documents and the bidding process. Chair of the Friends of West University Place Parks Fund Joni Fichter, requested that the Friends be authorized to purchase the two pieces of playground equipment for Colonial Park directly from Landscape Structures. She stated that the Friends believed that Landscape Structures would provide the best quality, service and safest structures. The playground equipment is highly visible at West U Elementary, River Oaks Elementary, Poe Elementary, Roberts Elementary, St. Mark's, St. John's, and Hermann Park. All of these parks have held up well to heavy traffic and recommendations are outstanding. Mrs. Fichter stated that the Friends, in the near future, would be soliciting for specific underwriting needs with regard to these elements and many of the prospective donors have given to these other projects and are therefore familiar with the quality of Landscape Structures. A motion was made by Council Member Griffin, seconded by Council Member Jackson, to approve the request from the Friends of West University Place Parks Fund to purchase the playground equipment for Colonial Park. 2 City Council Special Session, March 25, 2002 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 Council Member Griffin reported that she spoke with Tolar Hamblen, President of the Little League, about the effect of losing the backstops at Colonial Park during the redevelopment. She stated that the Parks and Recreation Director has assured her that should it be deemed necessary and or desirable, the backstops could be re-installed at Colonial Park after construction of the park or at another location in the City. The field could still be utilized until such time as other practice fields are available at the new recreation center. Ordinance amending swimming pool set back area. Matters related to Ordinance No. 1708 relating to swimming pools and set back areas. Building Official Dennis Mack reported that under §6.563 of the Municipal Code, the setback distance of swimming pools was established as the ?distance equal to the vertical depth of the pool that is nearest and adjacent to the line.? The wording of this ordinance is subject to misinterpretation and as a result inhibits the development of an adequate swimming pool setback from certain property lines. After reviewing several other cities requirements for swimming pools, it was apparent the standard setback was five feet. Consequently, staff requested the Building and Standards Commission to review Subchapter H of Chapter 6 for clarity with an eye towards requiring a minimum five-foot setback from all property lines. After review and discussion, the Building and Standards Commission recommended an amendment be taken to the City Council that would require a minimum setback of five feet from any property line and in addition would require a clear unobstructed walkway adjacent to the pool for at least 70% of the pools perimeter for life saving capabilities. The City Council agreed with the amendment suggested by the BSC. This ordinance will be presented at the next regular session. 2002 Bond issue. Matters related to a tentative schedule for the issuance of Public Improvement and Refunding Bonds Series 2002. 3 City Council Special Session, March 25, 2002 Finance Director Walter Thomas reported that in 1995 the voters approved issuing bonds totaling $63 million to reconstruct the city?s infrastructure. The Schedule below provides the details of the street improvement bonds issued against this authorization: AmountAverage IssuedCoupon Series 1996 $ 5.66%6,890,000 Series 1998 4.89%14,710,000 Series 2000 5.41%20,950,000 Proposed Series 2002 12,550,000 Total issued 55,100,000 Total authorized55,100,000$ These bonds are the primary source of financing for Priority Areas 9,10 and 11B. Priority Area 11B is estimated to be only partially funded by this bond sale. A second, smaller issue of certificates of obligation may be needed later this year to complete the Infrastructure Replacement Program. In spite of a recent upturn in interest rates, it is expected to be able to issue the 2002 series at an average rate of 5.50%. This rate is lower than the rate on bonds issued by the City earlier in the infrastructure program. Because of the low interest rates, a refinancing of some of the City?s outstanding bonds could be advantageous. The City is currently paying from 5.6% to 6.5% on some of the Permanent Improvement Bonds, Series 1992 that can be recalled by the City and replaced with bonds paying around 5%. If the City does this, the savings on future interest payments might be as high as $575,000. Even after paying the estimated $75,000 in issuance costs involved in this refunding transaction the City would save about $500,000. Mr. Walters provided a tentative schedule of events relating to the details leading up to the bond sale. The City Council approved the Schedule of Events and authorized the staff to begin the work necessary to issue Public Improvement and Refunding Bonds Series 2002. Re-appointment of Board and Commission liaisons. Matters related to the re-appointment of the City Council liaisons to the Boards and Commissions. The City Council liaisons beginning April 1 are as follows: Zoning and Planning Commission Bill May Zoning Board of Adjustment 4 City Council Special Session, March 25, 2002 Mike Farley Building and Standards Commission Mike Farley Parks and Recreation Board and Friends of West University Place Parks Fund Danny Jackson Adult Services Board Marilyn Griffin Recycling and Solid Waste Reduction Board Marilyn Griffin Public Safety Board Linda Lewis Report from Board or Commission Liaisons. The City Council reported on Board or Commission meetings attended by the liaisons. Council Member Farley reported that the Recycling and Solid Waste Reduction Board addressed recycling center changes, Earth Day activities, collection of cardboard from rd construction sites, heavy trash day and a Neighborhood USA event on May 23. Mayor Lewis reported that the St. Marks Church reapplied for a variance with a new plan and set back area. The Zoning Board of Adjustment granted the variance. 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. Adjournment. With no further business to come before the City Council at this time, a motion was made by Council Member Jackson, seconded by Mayor Lewis, to adjourn. The Special Session adjourned at 8:42 p.m. 5