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HomeMy WebLinkAbout010801R CC Min CITY COUNCIL REGULAR SESSION MONDAY, JANUARY 8, 2001 MUNICIPAL BUILDING COUNCIL CHAMBERS 3800 UNIVERSITY BOULEVARD 6:30 P.M. The City Council convened in Regular Session in the Municipal Building Council Chambers on January 8, 2001, with the following members present: Mayor Lewis presiding, Council Members Ballanfant, Bertini, Grubb and May. The City Manager, City Secretary, City Attorney, Public Works Director and Finance Director were also present. The notice for this meeting was posted in accordance with the Texas Government Code, th Chapter 551, on the 5 day of January 2001 at 3:45 p.m. Citizen Comments. Mayor Lewis invited citizens who wished to address the City Council to come forward as their names were called. John Stokes, 2920 Rice Blvd., thanked the City Council for allowing the Compaq Houston Marathon to move through West University Place. Ralph Giles, 3501 Tangley, opposed adding sidewalks in the City where none currently exist. Jim Cole, 3523 Robinhood, stated that if a 4 foot sidewalk was constructed in front of his home, he would not be able to park his car in his driveway without extending over the sidewalk. Morris Loden, 3421 Amherst, opposed the installation of sidewalks in his area. Beth Beloff, 3501 Nottingham, requested that the City Council designate a tree-friendly no-sidewalk zone, that the area between Buffalo Speedway and Poor Farm Ditch, north of University be included in the no-sidewalk zone and that the impact on trees be studied. She presented a letter to the City Council. Marc Geller, 3501 Nottingham, stated that the citizenry did not give the City Council a mandate to put in new sidewalks. He commented that property values would decline if trees were destroyed in his area. Harold Williams, 3603 Sunset, opposed the installation of sidewalks in the North/South streets. He stated that he objected to politicizing children as a reason to put in sidewalks. Ray Grice, 3423 Albans, opposed the installation of sidewalks in his area. He stated that he would not be able to park his car in his driveway without extending over the sidewalk. City Council Regular Session, January 8, 2001 Millie Bradley, 3522 Rice, stated that she was offended by the insinuation that not wanting sidewalks meant that she did not care for children. She requested that the Council review alternatives regarding the installation of sidewalks. Ralph Atkinson, 3421 Plumb, stated that he wanted to preserve the uniqueness of some of the neighborhoods within the city. He urged the Council to be cognizant of their area. Tom Hedrick, 3602 Plumb, opposed the installation of sidewalks on the North/South streets. J. Stuart Jackson, 3822 Tennyson, opposed new building regulations which would extend the building setback on residential garages. Davis Thames, 2908 Rice, encouraged the Council to allow air conditioner units in the 5- foot set backs on the short side of the property. He also requested that a fence be required around the unit to buffer the sound. Ken Hoffman, 4212 Ruskin, requested that the Council put tighter restrictions on signs. He stated that the sign ordinance was not being enforced. David Cole, 4104 Cason, urged the Council to adopt Ordinance No. 1668 or put even stricter criteria in the ordinance. He stated that right-of-way work was being done before 8:00 a.m. on a Sunday morning. Ordinance relating to street areas and other public places. Matters related to the first and final reading of Ordinance No. 1668. Mayor Lewis read the caption of Ordinance No. 1668 as follows: An ordinance relating to pavement, street areas and other public places; extending temporary regulations; providing for fees; containing findings and provisions relating to the subject; and declaring an emergency City Attorney Jim Dougherty reported that Ordinance No. 1668 would extend the temporary regulations that the city has been operating under for several months. The staff is currently waiting for an answer from the Attorney General regarding which companies the city must regulate. Copies of Ordinance No. 1668, in the form proposed for adoption, were available in the Council Chambers. A motion was made by Council Member Bertini, seconded by Council Member May, to adopt Ordinance No. 1668 on the first and final reading. 2 City Council Regular Session, January 8, 2001 A vote was taken on the motion with the following result: Voting Aye: Mayor Lewis, Council Members Ballanfant, Bertini, Grubb and May Voting Nay: None Absent: None Final payment for Priority Area 6B. Matters related to the acceptance and final payment to Contractor Technology, Inc. for work completed in Priority Area 6B. Public Works Director Ed Menville, reported that Contractor Technology, Inc., the prime contractor on the infrastructure improvements in Priority Area 6B, has submitted a final payment request in the amount of $313,196.69. Tabulation of the contracts various components reveals that the contractor used more calendar days to complete the project than is allowed by the contract. The City?s engineers, Claunch & Miller, Inc., have determined that the days used in excess of the required time is 83 days. Special provisions to the General Conditions in the contract state that any portion of work not completed after the expiration of the time limit may be accessed liquidated damages in the amount of $1,500 per calendar day or $124,500.00 Mr. Menville stated that CTI is contesting the liquidated damages and would like an opportunity to speak with the City Council. Staff is recommending that the City Council authorize a final payment in the amount of $188,696.69 and place this item on the agenda for the next meeting. A motion was made by Council Member Grubb, seconded by Council Member Bertini, that the letter dated January 8, 2001 from the attorney from CTI be approved, and the City Manager be authorized to make partial payment of $188,696.69 subject to execution of necessary documents, and that the issue of liquidated damages be placed back on the agenda for the next Council meeting. A vote was taken on the motion with the following result: Voting Aye: Mayor Lewis, Council Members Ballanfant, Bertini, Grubb and May Voting Nay: None Absent: None City Council minutes. Matters related to the minutes of the Regular and Special Sessions conducted on December 11 2000. 3 City Council Regular Session, January 8, 2001 A motion was made by Council Member May, seconded by Council Member Ballanfant, to approve the minutes as presented. A vote was taken on the motion with the following result: Voting Aye: Mayor Lewis, Council Members Ballanfant, Bertini, Grubb and May Voting Nay: None Absent: None Staff Report. City Manager Sherman Yehl reported that the Police Department has hired a new officer and would be operating under full strength on January 22, 2001. Council Comments. Council Member Grubb commented that he was delighted about the Police Department operating with a full staff. Council Member Bertini commented that the Traffic Task Force and the Recycling and Solid Waste Reduction Board would both be meeting on Tuesday night. Council Member Ballanfant commented on some of the issues raised by citizens regarding sidewalks. He referenced the final minutes of the Sidewalk Committee and the recent Bond Election for the installation of sidewalks on all streets. Mayor Lewis invited everyone to watch the Compaq Houston Marathon on Sunday morning. 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 Bertini, to adjourn. The Regular Session adjourned at 8:28 p.m. 4