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HomeMy WebLinkAbout062402R CC Min CITY COUNCIL REGULAR SESSION MONDAY, JUNE 24, 2002 MUNICIPAL BUILDING 3800 UNIVERSITY BLVD. 6:30 P.M. The City Council convened in Regular Session in the Municipal Building Conference Room (3800 University Blvd.) on June 24, 2002, with the following members present: Mayor Lewis presiding, Council Members May, Farley and Jackson. The City Manager, City Secretary, City Attorney, Public Works Director and Building Official were also present. Council Member Griffin was absent. The notice for this meeting was posted in accordance with the Texas Government Code, st Chapter 551, on the 21 day of June 2002 at 6:20 p.m. Informal Session, Bill Watson Conference Room Survey relating to building standards. Matters related to a citizen survey regarding building standards including participation by City Staff and members of the Building and Standards Commission. The City Council and Staff reviewed procedures for developing the proposed BSC initiated survey. They addressed the intended purpose and validity of the survey. Council Member Farley suggested that the BSC adopt a mission statement before proceeding such as addressing construction practices and materials. The City Council agreed that the BSC has the responsibility for preparing the survey, reviewing it with staff and, finally, presenting it to the Council for final approval. No funds for this survey have been allocated, nor will they be until given final approval. Boards and Commissions. Matters related to Boards and Commissions including appointments and term limits. Council Member Farley requested that the Council reconsider the ordinance requiring Board and Commission term limits. He stated that the change was made early in their tenure and that he now believes that the City is not benefiting by having term limits. He also suggested staggering the terms possibly for different boards and different from the Council?s terms. Mayor Lewis agreed that it would be beneficial to have the terms different from the Council?s or alternating the appointments. City Council Regular Session, June 24, 2002 Council Member May commented that the Zoning and Planning Commission felt that they currently had a very cohesive group and were concerned about being affected by the term limits. Mayor Lewis suggested that the annual dinner for the Board and Commission members include a discussion about the term limits and alternating appointments. The City Council agreed and the dinner will be set for late summer or early fall. Report from Board or Commission Liaisons. The City Council reported on Board or Commission meetings attended by the liaisons. Council Member May reported that the Zoning and Planning Commission are considering signage and the ?80%? rule. Council Member Farley reported that the Zoning Board of Adjustment would like a compilation of all the variance requests that they have received to determine if there are any similarities. He also reported that the Drainage Committee would be presenting a recommendation to the Council during the month of August. 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. Council Member May inquired about the plans for the Rice Pocket Park. The City Council recessed the Informal Session at 7:32 p.m. to convene in Formal Session in the Council Chambers. Formal Session, Council Chambers Public Hearing. A Public Hearing was held before the Zoning and Planning Commission and the City Council of the City of West University Place, Texas. The purpose for the hearing was to provide an opportunity for parties in interest and citizens to be heard in relation to proposals to amend the City?s Zoning Ordinance relating to outdoor lighting. Mayor Lewis called the public hearing before the City Council to order. 2 City Council Regular Session, June 24, 2002 Stephen Pohl, Chair of the Zoning and Planning Commission called the public hearing before the Commission to order. Members present were Dick Yehle, Mary Nelson, Mark Boucher and Steve Brown. Mr. Brown made the presentation of the proposed lighting ordinance. He reviewed the key elements of the proposed changes. Applies only if bulb is visible from inside neighboring residence Can use full-cutoff fixtures, light shields, other methods to comply Provides public-interest exemptions for streetlights, traffic signals, temporary emergency lights, sports-field lights Permits decorative holiday lights Permits street-side lighting of limited output Members of the public were invited to ask questions or speak concerning the proposed amendments. Leslie Lopez, 1360 Post Oak Boulevard, commented that she was representing Trammel Crow who are the owners of the property where the Whole Foods Market is located. She stated that they were in favor of the proposed ordinance and wanted to be good neighbors. Steve Stewart, 3828 Ruskin, commented that he was in favor of the proposed ordinance and thanked the ZPC for their work. Sarah Moore, 4212 Rice Boulevard, submitted a comment card, which addressed the length of time for compliance with the ordinance. She felt modifications could be achieved in 3 months. Mr. Brown addressed the compliance requirement. There being no other persons wishing to speak, a motion was made by Commission Member Yehle, seconded by Commission Member Boucher, to make all statements, exhibits and documents a part of the official record of this hearing and to close the public hearing. A vote was taken on the motion with the following result: Voting Aye: Chairman Pohl, Commission members Brown, Boucher, Nelson and Yehle Voting Nay: None Absent: Commission Member Whitlock A motion was made by Council Member Farley, seconded by Council Member Jackson, to close the public hearing. 3 City Council Regular Session, June 24, 2002 A vote was taken on the motion with the following result: Voting Aye: Mayor Lewis, Council Members May, Farley and Jackson Voting Nay: None Absent: Council Member Griffin The public hearing closed at 7:50 p.m. Citizen Comments. Mayor Lewis invited citizens who wished to address the City Council to come forward as their names were called. Sarah Moore, 4212 Rice, encouraged the City Council to purchase the property located next to the Rice Pocket Park. She stated that immediate action by the Council was critical. Resolution appointing members to the Board of the Friends of West University Place Parks Fund. Matters related to Resolution No. 2002-05 appointing Lynne Goddard and Shannon Gardner as members of the Board of the Friends of West University Place Parks Fund. A motion was made by Council Member Jackson, seconded by Council Member May, to approve Resolution No. 2002-05 as presented. A vote was taken on the motion with the following result: Voting Aye: Mayor Lewis, Council Members May, Farley and Jackson Voting Nay: None Absent: Council Member Griffin Resolution appointing Deputy Court Clerks. Matters related to Resolution No. 2002-06 appointing Connie Tyron, Melissa Galan and Jackie Waddle as Deputy Court Clerks. A motion was made by Council Member Farley, seconded by Council Member May, to approve Resolution No. 2002-06 as presented. A vote was taken on the motion with the following result: 4 City Council Regular Session, June 24, 2002 Voting Aye: Mayor Lewis, Council Members May, Farley and Jackson Voting Nay: None Absent: Council Member Griffin Official newspaper. Matters related to newspapers, including Ordinance No. 1713. Mayor Lewis read the caption of Ordinance No. 1713 as follows: An ordinance designating an official newspaper of the City of West University Place, Texas; and containing findings and provisions related to the subject Copies of Ordinance No. 1713, in the form proposed for adoption, were available in the Council Chambers. City Secretary Kaylynn Holloway reported that on Tuesday, May 7, 2002 bids were received for the publication of legal notices and advertising. The bid documents included a sample ordinance notice to use as a basis for the bids. During the last Council Meeting, the City Council requested that the City Secretary obtain additional information from the Houston Chronicle in order to compare the bids more accurately. Each bidder based their bid on 271 words in the sample with the exception of the Houston Business Journal. The four bids received are as follows: Bidder Ad amount Cost per word West University Examiner $ 12.28 $.045 st Village News $ 40.54 $4. for 1 10 words & $.14/add?l words Houston Business Journal $255.00 $.62 Houston Chronicle $658.68 flat rate; $463.98/$10,000 contract $53.46 ?This Week? $.197 Ms. Holloway commented that it is Staff?s recommendation that the City Council adopt Ordinance No. 1713 designating an Official Newspaper and that there be a written agreement setting out all of the terms and conditions of publication, including the rates and a special provision regulating the way the newspaper can advertise its ?Official? status. A motion was made by Mayor Lewis, seconded by Council Member May, to award contracts to both local newspapers for 6 month intervals, with the Village News 5 City Council Regular Session, June 24, 2002 continuing for the first 6 months and the West University Examiner for the next 6 months. A vote was taken on the motion with the following result: Voting Aye: Mayor Lewis, Voting Nay: Council Members May, Farley and Jackson Absent: Council Member Griffin The motion failed. A motion was made by Council Member Jackson, seconded by Council Member May, to adopt Ordinance No. 1713 on the first reading appointing the Chronicle ?This Week Section? as the official newspaper. A vote was taken on the motion with the following result: Voting Aye: Mayor Lewis, Council Members May and Jackson Voting Nay: Council Member Farley Absent: Council Member Griffin The motion was approved. Procedural rules. Matters related to procedural rules, including the second and final reading of Ordinance No. 1715. Mayor Lewis read the caption of Ordinance No. 1715 as follows: An ordinance adopting procedural rules for the City Council of the City of West University Place, Texas; and containing findings and provisions relating to the subject Copies of Ordinance No. 1715, in the form proposed for adoption, were available in the Council Chambers. A motion was made by Council Member Jackson, seconded by Council Member Farley, to adopt Ordinance No. 1715 on the second and final reading. A vote was taken on the motion with the following result: 6 City Council Regular Session, June 24, 2002 Voting Aye: Mayor Lewis, Council Members May, Farley and Jackson Voting Nay: None Absent: Council Member Griffin City Council minutes. Matters related to the minutes of the Regular and Special Sessions conducted on June 10, 2002. A motion was made by Council Member May, seconded by Council Member Farley, 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 and Jackson Voting Nay: None Absent: Council Member Griffin Staff Report. Interim City Manager Michael Ross reported that the Harris County Flood Control District selected Claunch & Miller, Inc. to perform a preliminary engineering report for analyzing existing conditions for flood prone areas. They see the need for strong public involvement. Mr. Ross reported that the Metropolitan Transit Authority has approved the City?s request for 1.5 million dollars for streetlights and sidewalks. Mr. Ross introduced the Interim Public Works Director Ron Wicker. Council comments. Mayor Lewis commented that Linda Gray was selected as the West University Place Citizen of the Year. She also commented that she was excited about the cooperation between the municipalities relating to flood control. 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 8:10 p.m. 7