HomeMy WebLinkAbout021201R CC Min
CITY COUNCIL REGULAR SESSION
MONDAY, FEBRUARY 12, 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 February 12, 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,
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Chapter 551, on the 9 day of February 2001 at 2:45 p.m.
Citizen Comments.
Mayor Lewis invited citizens who wished to address the City Council to come forward as
their names were called.
Harold Williams, 3603 Sunset, commented that he lived in ?Area K? for the sidewalk
construction project. He stated that widening the streets in the area would cause more
cars to park on the streets because there would not be enough room in their driveways.
Sue Cole, 3523 Robinhood, opposed the installation of sidewalks on her street. She
stated that she purposely chose an unimproved corner when they purchased their home.
Olivia Fisher, 3606 Tangley, commented that they were never told that they had to
provide sidewalks on the Mercer Street side. She opposed the removal of trees in the
streets right-of-way and any changes in the area.
Clare Teas, 3301 Georgetown, stated that she purchased her property because of the trees,
which will die if the sidewalks are installed in the area.
Wes Urquhart, 3302 Georgetown, stated that he never heard of any statistics related to
safety issues prior to the election. He asked that the City not destroy the trees.
Kyle Teas, 3301 Georgetown, commented that some people did not understand that the
bond election would create a mandate for sidewalks. He asked the Council to reconsider
the installation of sidewalks in their area.
Gerardina Wise, 3405 Amherst, commented that the sidewalk issue should not have been
put to a vote until after plans were made. She requested that the streets not be widened to
27 feet.
City Council Regular Session, February 12, 2001
Chunli Tu, 6719 Brompton, spoke to the City Council about a possible building violation
at the Brompton Terrace Townhouses.
Mary Butcher-Ober, 2830 Bellaire, requested that the City Attorney give an opinion
concerning Brompton Terrace Townhouses.
Mark Evans, 3601 Robinhood, opposed sidewalks in his neighborhood.
Susan Williford, 3302 Robinhood, stated that the installation of sidewalks would kill the
trees she planted.
Donna Field, 3132 Nottingham, requested that the Metro service be improved in West
University.
Bill Schweinle, 3507 Craighvest Court, stated that he was an attorney with Schweinle,
Parish & Lowerre and was hired by several West University residents to protect their
interests relating to their property and the installation of sidewalks. He commented that
work needs to be done for a plan that meets the requirement of the law.
Beth Beloff, 3501 Nottingham, stated that she was not against public safety and that she
did not want an inadequately developed plan for sidewalks.
Joe Studlick, 5321 Sewanee, spoke in favor of sidewalks. He requested that the City
Council move forward quickly with the installation of sidewalks all over the City.
Mike McEnany, 3428 University, questioned the planning process for the installation of
sidewalks.
Janell Rogers, 3315 Nottingham, stated that she wanted the character of their
neighborhood and trees protected.
Mike Farley, 3302 Nottingham, stated that the sidewalk issue was dividing the
neighborhood and that the City Council had moved too quickly.
Bob Whitman, 4103 Milton, opposed the water rate increase. He also requested curb cuts
during street construction.
Linda Plant, 3421 Tangley, stated that she was concerned about the loss of trees with the
installation of sidewalks.
Fee schedule ordinance and water rate increase.
Matters related to the first reading of Ordinance No. 1670.
Mayor Lewis read the caption of Ordinance No. 1670 as follows:
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City Council Regular Session, February 12, 2001
An ordinance establishing and reestablishing fees and charges for activities, goods and
services provided by the City; containing a provision to authorize the City Manager to
establish fees and charges in certain circumstances; and containing findings and
provisions relating to the subject
Copies of Ordinance No. 1670, in the form proposed for adoption, were available in the
Council Chambers.
Finance Director Walter Thomas reported that prior to 1997 all debt issued by the City
was supported by the Debt Service Fund. In 1997 the City issued bonds that are
supported by water and sewer revenues. These bonds have restrictions that require the
Water and Sewer Fund to be generating excess revenues before any additional bonds can
be issued.
The City?s Revenue Bond Ordinances prohibit the City from issuing additional revenues
bonds until the Water Fund generates net revenues equal to 1.25% of revenue bond debt
service. In 1999 the City failed to meet this test, so before new revenue bonds are issued,
the City must raise its rates. The financing arrangements for priority areas 7B, 8 and 12
anticipated issuing an additional $3.015 million to the Texas Water Development Board
for sanitary sewer and $4.5 million in revenue bonds for water improvements. In order to
insure sufficient excess revenue needed to support the new bonds, an approximately 15%
increase in water and sewer rates was included in the 2001 Budget.
The original plan for financing infrastructure replacement anticipated water rate increases
of over 47% by 2001. Actual increases will amount to approximately 25% including this
rate increase.
The City currently purchases 80% of its water supply from the City of Houston. There is
a minimum purchase requirement each month, then an increasing rate for each gallon of
water purchased above our contract amount.
Staff has developed a rate plan that takes into account this fee structure and could, in the
long term, encourage conservation. It is also recommended that a ?ready service? fee be
built into the fee structure that covers the cost of service to the property. This rate plan
also eliminates the ?electric utility? fee of $ 2.85/month. It will be recommended that this
fee, which generates approximately $185,000 in annual revenue, be assessed on the
property tax rate.
A motion was made by Council Member Ballanfant, seconded by Council Member
Grubb, to adopt Ordinance No. 1670 on the first reading.
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
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City Council Regular Session, February 12, 2001
Absent: None
Ordinance calling election.
Matters related to the first and final reading of Ordinance No. 1671.
Mayor Lewis read the caption of Ordinance No. 1671 as follows:
An ordinance calling an election within the City of West University Place, Texas for the
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fifth (5) day of May, 2001, for the purpose of electing a Mayor and four Council
Members; designating precincts and polling places; appointing election officials;
containing findings and provisions relating to said election; and declaring an emergency.
Copies of Ordinance No. 1671, in the form proposed for adoption, were available in the
Council Chambers.
A motion was made by Council Member Grubb, seconded by Council Member Bertini, to
adopt Ordinance No. 1671 calling an election for May 5, 2001 on the first and final
reading.
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
Property tax refund.
Matters related to 2000 ad valorem tax refunds in the amount of $10,704.65.
Mr. Thomas reported that Section 31.11 of the Property Tax Code requires approval by the
City Council of property tax refunds that exceed $500.00. Occasionally the City receives an
overpayment of property taxes. The causes of overpayment vary, but the most common are:
Both the taxpayer and the taxpayer?s agent pay the property tax causing a
duplicate payment.
The taxpayer may issue a check in the wrong amount causing an overpayment.
Simple mistakes.
Staff recommends that City Council approve the refund of overpaid property taxes.
A motion was made by Council Member May, seconded by Council Member Ballanfant,
to approve the ad valorem tax refund in the amount of $10,704.65.
A vote was taken on the motion with the following result:
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City Council Regular Session, February 12, 2001
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 January
22, 2001.
A motion was made by Council Member Bertini, 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 Ballanfant, Bertini, Grubb
and May
Voting Nay: None
Absent: None
Staff Report.
City Manager Sherman Yehl reported that the Police Department was having a ceremony
for the new police officers on Thursday at 3:00 p.m.
Council Comments.
Council Member Grubb commended the individuals who were involved with the success
of the Park Lover?s Ball.
Council Member Bertini commented that state law did not permit the City Council to
debate during Council meetings on items not on the agenda. He stated that the Recycling
and Solid Waste Reduction Board was meeting on Tuesday at 6:30 in the Public Works
Lunchroom.
Council Member Ballanfant commented on the sidewalk installation process. He stated
that the City Council has genuinely tried to listen to everyone?s concerns and that he
thought it was better to hold an election to get the view of the public. Plans will be
submitted to each individual homeowner for their specific yard in order to achieve a
workable situation.
Mayor Lewis commented that she did not support the Bond issue and opposed having an
election without a plan in place, but that the sidewalk issue passed and every effort would
be made to reach a consensus from everyone.
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City Council Regular Session, February 12, 2001
Adjournment.
With no further business to come before the City Council at this time, a motion was made
by Council Member Grubb, seconded by Council Member May, to adjourn. The Regular
Session adjourned at 8:55 p.m.
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