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HomeMy WebLinkAbout221205CC MinThe City of West University Place A Neighborhood City CITY COUNCIL STAFF Susan Sample, Mayor David J. Beach, City Manager John Montgomery, Mayor Pro Tem Scott Bounds, Olson and Olson, City Attorney John P. Barnes, Councilmember Thelma Gilliam, City Secretary Melanie Bell, Councilmember Shannon Carroll, Councilmember CITY COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES The City Council of the City of West University Place, Texas, met in regular meeting on Monday, December 5, 2022 at 5:30 p.m., in the Municipal Building at 3800 University Boulevard, for the purpose of considering the agenda of items listed. The meeting was held in person, but the public was also able attend via Zoom. NOTE: CITY COUNCIL RECESSED THE MEETING AT 6:05 P.M., TO ATTEND THE TREE LIGHTING CEREMONY. THE MEETING RECONVENED AT 7:30 P.M. 1. Call Workshop to Order Mayor Sample called the workshop to order at 5:30 p.m. In attendance were Mayor Pro Tem Montgomery, and Councilmembers Barnes, Bell, and Carroll. Staff in attendance were City Manager Beach, City Secretary Gilliam, Public Works Director Barrera Fire Chief Maxell, Lieutenant Stavinoha, Parks and Recreation Director White, and Communications Coordinator Cuccerre City Engineer Tim Buscha was also present. 2. Pledge of Allegiance Councilmember Bell led the Pledge of Allegiance. 3. Public Comments This is an opportunity for citizens to speak to the Council relating to agenda and non-agenda items. Speakers are required to register in advance and must limit their presentations to three minutes each. Kenneth Gullett, 3791 Albans Road, spoke in reference to Poor Farm Ditch and asked that Council do all it can to be sure that the project does not impede the water flow and create more flooding. Dan Reid, 3731 Albans, deferred to speak during Agenda Item (#4). Clinton Doerr, 3731 Albans, spoke regarding Poor Farm Ditch and said he is concerned that the proposed efforts will be a detriment to homeowners as far as the quality of drainage to the neighborhood, not to mention the finances involved. Alida Drewes, who did not want to provide address, spoke to say that $50,000 should not be spent on Poor Farm Ditch and it needs to be discussed with Harris County representatives. She said Council needs to use money for larger drainage pipes and to stop wasting taxpayer money. City Council Meeting Minutes, December 5, 2022 2 of 4 Susie Hairston, 2620 Pittsburg, spoke to advocate for native plants for the Edloe pathway and throughout the City. Martha Yates, 3728 Wroxton Road, submitted a comment, read into record, in part, by City Secretary Gilliam, stating it is her understanding that enclosing Poor Farm Ditch would increase flooding. She said the enclosure and expenditure of $47,000 for a study makes no sense and is highly irresponsible and said she hopes common sense will prevail and the study will not go forward. Gerald Bracht, 3615 Georgetown, spoke via Zoom to say that he is not opposed to improvements to the neighborhood, but he is opposed to putting a linear park over Poor Farm Ditch because it will affect the privacy of all the people who live along Edloe and also because of safety concerns. He said it is a bad idea and opposes spending taxpayer money on the study. Josh Kuban, 3618 Corondo Court, spoke via Zoom and read a statement by his neighbor Susan Derro who could not be present, and said she has concerns about planned construction for Poor Farm Ditch. She said there has been little or no communication with the residents and said she is concerned about the impact on flooding. She requested that before final plans are approved, that the planners meet with the residents to discuss the impact to the residents on Corondo Court and evaluate other sites and plans. Mr. Kuban echoed Ms. Derro’s comments. 4. Feasibility Study to Enclose Poor Farm Ditch North of University Matters related to a study to determine the feasibility of enclosing Poor Farm Ditch north of University Blvd., and should it be necessary, an ordinance amending the 2022 Budget to fund expenses associated with the feasibility study may also be considered by Council. Recommended Action: Discuss, provide feedback and take any desired action and, should it be necessary after discussion, adopt an ordinance amending the 2022 Budget in the amount of $47,080.00, to fund expenses associated with the feasibility study. Mr. Gerardo Barrera, Public Works Director Public Works Director Barrera presented and after the presentation discussion ensued. At approximately 6:05 p.m., Mayor Sample recessed the meeting in order for Council to attend the Tree Lighting ceremony and other activities. At approximately 7:30 p.m., Mayor Sample resumed the meeting and took comments from members of the public who wanted to speak during discussion of this item. Dan Reid, 3731 Albans, spoke to say he opposes the feasibility study for Poor Farm Ditch to investigate enclosing Poor Farm Ditch. He said he opposes it due to flooding, costs, and safety concerns. Melissa Pifko, 3418 Amherst, spoke via Zoom to say she believes the feasibility study is an excellent idea. She said if a feasibility study is done, it will let us know if it is feasible and will provide options or it will tell us it is not feasible and put the matter to rest for good. After public comments, more discussion ensued and then a motion was made by Mayor Pro Tem Montgomery to adopt an ordinance amending the 2022 Budget in the amount of $47,080.00 from the general fund reserves to complete the study and authorize the city manager to undertake said feasibility study. Councilmember Carroll seconded the motion. Ayes: Sample, Montgomery, Carroll Noes: Barnes, Bell Absent: None City Council Meeting Minutes, December 5, 2022 3 of 4 5. Water System Feasibility Study Update Matters related to an update on the water system feasibility study. Recommended Action: Discuss, provide feedback and/or take any desired action. Mr. Gerardo Barrera, Public Works Director Public Works Director Barrera presented and reviewed the scope of the study and the proposed projects included in the study. After the presentation and discussion, it was the consensus of Council that staff come back before Council at a future meeting with the costs and sequence of priority for the associated projects. 6. Consent Agenda All Consent Agenda items listed are considered to be routine by the City Council and will be enacted by one motion. There will be no separate discussion of these items unless a Council member requests in which event the item will be removed from the Consent Agenda and considered in its normal sequence on the agenda. A. City Council Meeting Minutes Approve City Council Minutes of November 14, 2022. Recommended Action: Approve City Council Minutes of November 14, 2022. Ms. Thelma Gilliam, City Secretary B. University Boulevard Paving and Drainage Project Matters related to approving agreement with Harris County in regards to University Paving/Drainage project. Recommended Action: Approve the agreement with Harris County for the University Boulevard Paving and Drainage Improvement Project and authorize the city Manager to execute the agreement. Mr. Gerardo Barrera, Public Works Director Councilmember Barnes moved to approve the Consent Agenda as presented. Councilmember Bell seconded the motion. MOTION PASSED. Ayes: Sample, Montgomery, Barnes, Bell, Carroll Noes: None Absent: None 7. Recess Regular Meeting and Convene Executive Session Council will recess into a closed meeting pursuant to Texas Government Code Sections 551.071 (consultation with attorney) and 551.072 (deliberation regarding real property). At 8:24 p.m., Mayor Sample recessed the regular meeting and convened an executive session per Sections 551.071 and 551.072 of the Texas Government Code. 8. Adjourn Executive Session and Reconvene Regular Meeting Council will reconvene the regular meeting and take action from Executive Session, if any. At 8:29 p.m., Mayor Sample adjourned the executive session and reconvened the regular meeting and the following action was taken: Mayor Sample moved to approve a purchase and sale agreement with the City of Houston, Texas, authorizing the sale of approximately 73.081 acres of land owned by the City of West University Place and located in Harris County on the south bank of Keegan’s Bayou east of the I-69 / Sam Houston Tollway interchange to the City of Houston for $10,509,460.00, and authorizing and directing the Mayor and the City Manager to execute all documents necessary to close the transaction. Councilmember Barnes seconded the motion. MOTION PASSED. City Council Meeting Minutes, December 5, 2022 4 of 4 Ayes: Sample, Montgomery, Barnes, Bell, Carroll Noes: None Absent: None 9. Adjourn Regular Meeting With no other business before the Council, at approximately 8:30 p.m., Mayor Pro Tem Montgomery moved to adjourn the regular meeting. Councilmember Bell seconded the motion. MOTION PASSED. Ayes: Sample, Montgomery, Barnes, Bell, Carroll Noes: None Absent: None Audio of the meeting is temporarily on the City’s website. If the audio is no longer on the website, you can obtain a copy from the City Secretary’s office, as well as any presentations. Prepared by: Thelma A. Gilliam, TRMC, City Secretary Council Approved: December 12, 2022