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HomeMy WebLinkAbout052901S CC Min CITY COUNCIL SPECIAL SESSION MONDAY, MAY 29, 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 May 29, 2001, with the following members present: Mayor Lewis presiding, Council Members Ballanfant, Bertini, Grubb and May. The City Manager, City Secretary, City Attorney, Parks and Recreation Director, Fire Chief, Police Chief, Finance Director, Public Works Director and Utilities Superintendent were also present. The notice for this meeting was posted in accordance with the Texas Government Code, th Chapter 551, on the 25 day of May 2001 at 5:45 p.m. Agenda Review: The City Council reviewed the regular meeting agenda and discussed items under consideration with the Staff. Bill Hall Memorial Playhouse. Matters related to liability and indemnification of a contractor in constructing the Bill Hall Memorial Playhouse. City Attorney Jim Dougherty reported that a local builder has offered a gift of labor and materials for the proposed Bill Hall playhouse. He would like to be held harmless from claims arising after the playhouse is accepted by the City. Council Member Bertini inquired about the dollar amount of the donation. Parks and Recreation Director Mark Mailes commented that the amount was approximately $10,000. Council Member Grubb commented that the City should accept the risk as they do with the other playgrounds. Chair of the Parks and Recreation Board Will Bertron reported that the Parks Board and Friends were definitely supporting the project. He stated that the builders design of the playhouse is sound. City Council Special Session, May 29, 2001 A motion was made by Council Member Grubb, seconded by Council Member Bertini, to accept the Bill Hall Memorial donation with the City indemnifying the contractor and authorizing the City Manager to execute the necessary documents. 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 Houston Ship Channel Waste Load Evaluation. The Staff reported on the City?s wastewater treatment plant discharge permit Utilities Superintendent Patrick Walters reported that the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has mandated that the Texas Natural Resources Conservation Commission alter the permitting protocol for the Houston Ship Channel. The City of West University Place discharges the effluent from its Wastewater Treatment Facility through Braes Bayou into Segment 1007 of the Houston Ship Channel. Segment 1007 of the HSC is one of the highest impacted segments of this water body. Staff has been participating in a stakeholder advisory panel to the TNRCC with representatives from the City of Houston, several chemical companies and the City of Pasadena. The effects of the currently proposed reallocation would effectively reduce the discharge water quality limits of our WWTP permit by 50%. While preliminary engineering has not been performed, the estimated cost of complying with the proposed permit limits to be in the neighborhood of $500,000.00 in capitol improvements and an increase in annual operating cost of $60,000.00 to $250,000.00, depending on whether or not the City is required to institute 24 hour operations of the facility. The currently proposed re-allocation of the waste load is based on a study performed in 1980. This study was modeled on a baseline that included many non-point source waste contributors. Most of these non-point sources have been eliminated. Staff believes that the 1980 study is not representative of the best available science and that a new study should be performed. Two approaches to this study are being pursued. The first approach is to develop a probabilistic model similar to methods the EPA has used to develop toxicity limits for waste discharges to water bodies. The second approach, should the first method fail to gain approval from the EPA is to create a new study model with the best available science. The City Staff is proposing to proceed with an intensive sampling and analysis of the Houston Ship Channel this summer. This event will lend support to both of the approaches. The City of Houston and the chemical companies are providing funding for the largest portion of this summers sampling event and the engineering modeling that will 2 City Council Special Session, May 29, 2001 accompany this. The total effort this summer is estimated to be in the neighborhood of $100,000.00. The City would participate by entering into a contract with the U.S. Geological Survey to perform an analysis of the flow conditions in the stream during the sampling event. The USGS will use an Acoustic Doppler Current Profiler to measure the flows in the water basin. The cost of this procedure is $10,000.00 if which the Federal Government will pay 50% and the City 50%. Should the probabilistic modeling approach fail to gain the approval of the EPA the next step will be to create a new model. However, this sampling event will be used as the first step in creating that new model. The total cost of a new model (should the City have to follow that approach) will be approximately $800,000.00. With the City?s fair share approximately $20,000.00, which includes the $5,000.00. Additional funds will be proposed for the 2002 budget year to cover any additional expenditures if needed. City Manager Sherman Yehl stated that no council action was required. Meeting date change. Matters related to a request to change the June 11, 2001 meeting date. th The City Council agreed to remain with the meeting date of June 11 because a bond sale was scheduled for that date. Report from Board or Commission Liaisons. The City Council reported on Board or Commission meetings attended by the liaisons. Council Member Bertini requested that the comments from the Traffic Task Force should be distributed to the incoming Council. 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. Council Member Bertini stated that he did a survey of the top five poisonous plants and oleanders was #5 on the list. Matters related to the purchase, exchange, lease or value of real property. Property located at 4210 Bellaire Boulevard known as Y.M.C.A. Mr. Yehl reported that the representatives from the Y.M.C.A. have agreed to extend the th deadline to June 8 to give the parties time to continue negotiating. 3 City Council Special Session, May 29, 2001 Council Member Bertini suggested that an evaluation should be done on the use of the basement because it is without a sprinkler system. 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 Bertini, to adjourn. The Special Session adjourned at 7:14 p.m. 4