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HomeMy WebLinkAbout032601S CC Min CITY COUNCIL SPECIAL SESSION MONDAY, MARCH 26, 2001 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 26, 2001, with the following members present: Mayor Lewis presiding, Council Members Ballanfant, Bertini and May. The City Manager, City Secretary, City Attorney, Parks and Recreation Director and Public Works Director were also present. The notice for this meeting was posted in accordance with the Texas Government Code, rd Chapter 551, on the 23 day of March 2001 at 3:00 p.m. Agenda Review: The City Council reviewed the regular meeting agenda and discussed items under consideration with the Staff. Sidewalks. Matters related to a sidewalk ordinance, policy statement and a preliminary engineering report on sidewalk areas A & B. City Manager Sherman Yehl stated that the sidewalk ordinance and policy statement would be presented at the next council meeting but that the Engineering Consultants, Claunch & Miller, Inc., had issued a preliminary report for the Phase I sidewalk improvements. The report includes recommendations for sidewalk replacements and extensions in areas designated as ?A? and ?B?. Mr. Yehl reported that the consulting engineers were ready to proceed with the design and detail mapping of the areas. He asked if the project should be referred to the Sidewalk Committee or stay with the City Staff. The City Council agreed that the project should remain with the City Staff. They also agreed that residents should be given two or three options for materials to be used. Street lights. Matters related to a street light plan. City Council Special Session, March 26, 2001 Mr. Yehl presented a preliminary analysis and map of Auden Street from University to Bissonnet prepared by Reliant Energy. Reliant Energy is recommending that the street lights be placed 90 feet apart with a 3 foot candle illumination. Council Member Grubb requested that the Staff establish a program for street light replacement so that money could be budgeted each year by the next administration. The City Council agreed that a different street, such as Georgetown, should be used as the first location and to set a standard for street light placement instead of Auden Street. Temporary speed humps on Ruskin. Matters related to a report on the cost to install temporary speed humps on Ruskin Street. Mr. Yehl reported that at the request of the residents living in the 4200 block of Riley, City Council authorized a 90-day test trial of speed humps for the purpose of reducing speeds. Staff has researched several sources to determine the availability of temporary devices and the cost of purchasing or leasing these humps. Three sources have been identified and all humps are made of recycled rubber. The speed cushions are designed to slow vehicles to 20-30 mph (without effecting Emergency Service response times). Generally the speed cushion is manufactured from performed rubber modules. They are designed to be highly visible, cyclist friendly, uniform in profile, and allow for street drainage. Mr. Yehl stated that the cost to purchase two sets of speed humps is estimated to be $5,000 ? $6,000. While the expense is greater than anticipated, the humps can be used as either permanent devices or re-used to test other streets in West U. The humps could probably be sold to other municipalities as well, should the City decide not to utilize speed humps as a traffic calming device. A motion was made by Council Member Grubb to expend the funds to install temporary speed humps on Ruskin Street. The motion died for lack of a second. The City Council continued their discussion on street humps. A motion was made by Council Member Grubb, seconded by Council Member Bertini, to authorize the City Staff to spend up to $4,000 for the installation of speed humps on Ruskin with any additional costs to be picked up by the residents on the street. 2 City Council Special Session, March 26, 2001 A vote was taken on the motion with the following result: Voting Aye: Mayor Lewis, Council Members Ballanfant, Bertini and Grubb Voting Nay: None Absent: None Abstain: Council Member May The motion carried. The City Council recessed the Special Session at 7:30 p.m. to convene in Regular Session. The Special Session reconvened at 7:50 p.m. Traffic Task Force recommendations. Matters related to recommendations from the Traffic Task Force including the temporary installation of speed turtles on Wakeforest and traffic issues on Weslayan. Chair of the Traffic Task Force Joe Studlick presented a report on the installation of speed cushions (?turtles?) on Wakeforest. He reported that the data collected by the WUP Police Department indicated that a problem did exist in the 5300, 5900, and 6000 blocks of Wakeforest. Wakeforest would require 3 cushions to cover the width of the street. Installing two sets in each of the three blocks would require a total of 18 cushions at a cost of $17,910.00. One set in each block would require only 9 cushions for a total of $10,755.00, plus freight. The City Council discussed at length the cost and possible problems with speed cushions. The removal of stop signs was also addressed. The City Council agreed to temporarily install the total of three speed cushions between Bissonnet and Rice for a total of $10,755.00. The stop sign will also be removed for 45 days. Suzanne Thomas, a member of the Traffic Task Force, presented a report on traffic calming on Weslayan. Mrs. Thomas stated that the TTF was recommending that a traffic engineer be retained to develop a traffic calming plan for Weslayan from Bissonnet to Bellaire and Stella Link from Weslayan to Bellaire. The City Council authorized the City Manager to engage a traffic engineer. Exemption request for utility relocation in Priority Area 6B. 3 City Council Special Session, March 26, 2001 Matters related to a request from residents in Priority Area 6B for an exemption from connecting to the new main utility line. Public Works Director suggested that the City Attorney prepare an agreement for the residents requesting the exemption. Report from Board or Commission Liaisons. The City Council reported on Board or Commission meetings attended by the liaisons. Council Member Grubb suggested that the Neighborhood Safety Board focus on the Neighborhood Watch Program. Inquiries, requests and complaints. The City Council reviewed matters received from the public and referred them to the appropriate department or placed them on a future agenda for consideration or action. Matters related to pending or contemplated litigation; or a settlement offer. Priority Area 6B and final payment to Contractor Technology, Inc. Council Member Grubb suggested that the Staff look at a five year maintenance bond for infrastructure projects. Adjournment. With no further business to come before the City Council at this time, a motion was made by Council Member Bertini, seconded by Council Member May, to adjourn. The Special Session adjourned at 9:05 p.m. 4