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HomeMy WebLinkAbout111201S CC Min CITY COUNCIL SPECIAL SESSION MONDAY, NOVEMBER 12, 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 November 12, 2001, with the following members present: Mayor Lewis presiding, Council Members May, Farley, Griffin and Jackson. The City Manager, City Secretary, City Attorney, Finance Director, Police Chief, Parks and Recreation 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 9 day of November 2001 at 1:00 p.m. Agenda Review: The City Council reviewed the regular meeting agenda and discussed items under consideration with the Staff. Matters related to Ordinance No. 1703. Charles Nelson, Chair of the Zoning and Planning Commission, discussed the amendments to Ordinance No. 1703 relating to predominate front yard depth. The proposal is to amend Table 7-2 (entitled ?Yards?) to prescribe a greater front yard depth in the SF-1 District, which encompasses most of the old West University Place First Addition. The greater depth would apply whenever there is a predominant front yard depth on a given block face, determined by the depths of the lots along that block face. The City Council addressed the economic hardships and problems that could be caused by the adoption of this ordinance. They agreed to table the second reading of this Ordinance pending further input. Sidewalks. Matters related to sidewalks, construction plans and criteria, material and design standards, street width and grade changes, parking regulations, tree preservation, ADA compliance and criteria, cost estimates, engagement of design consultant and related items. This may also include specific plans for Priority Area 9, which is the area bounded by University Boulevard, Buffalo Speedway, Bellaire Boulevard and Poor Farm Ditch. City Manager Sherman Yehl presented a set of proposed guidelines for the implementation of a City sidewalk policy. City Council Special Session, November 12, 2001 The City Council reviewed and made changes to the draft policy. The City Council recessed the Special Session at 7:30 p.m. to convene in Regular Session. The Special Session reconvened at 8:14 p.m. The City Council continued the discussion on sidewalks. Mr. Yehl presented a sidewalk survey of who maintains sidewalks in other cities. The City Council agreed that West University Place should authorize the Public Works Director to accept improved sidewalks for maintenance. Mr. Yehl submitted a list of first priority streets that were previously identified by the Mapping Subcommittee. These streets are believed to be the major routes of travel and lead to the majority of the targeted destinations. It was suggested that these streets be first priority because they include sidewalks that are in need of repair and are missing sections in front of some homes. A motion was made by Council Member Griffin, seconded by Council Member Farley, to accept the sidewalk policy with the appropriate changes as stated and to establish first priority for those streets identified by the Mapping Subcommittee; establish a second priority of repairing existing sidewalks and in-filling to complete a block section; and a third priority of installing new sidewalks where none exist. A vote was taken on the motion with the following result: Voting Aye: Mayor Lewis, Council Members May, Farley, Griffin and Jackson Voting Nay: None Absent: None Quarterly report. Matters related to the third quarter report. The City Council reviewed the Quarterly Report with the City Staff. Purchase of private property. Matters related to the purchase of private property for park space. The City Council addressed evaluating and identifying land to purchase for new neighborhood pocket parks. 2 City Council Special Session, November 12, 2001 They requested that the Parks and Recreation Director include this item on the next agenda of the Parks and Recreation Board. Perimeter easements. Matters related to the acquisition of easements for sewer upgrades and authorization to complete the Texas Water Development Board?s (TWDB) Site Certificate form. Mr. Yehl reported that several weeks ago staff presented to City Council a recommendation to acquire certain easements as part of the City?s perimeter infrastructure program to repair old sewer lines. There are about 100 properties that apparently do not have a recorded easement for this infrastructure, although the City has installed and maintained these lines for over 60 years. The City Staff has received a proposal from a land acquisition consultant with an estimated cost of $150,000 to acquire the easements through negotiation. This cost turned out to be a lot more than anticipated and after further review, it is staff?s opinion that the City possess the necessary easements by proscriptive rights and proceed with the project. Mr. Yehl stated that in discussions with representatives from TWDB, the Site Certificate could be amended to reflect the current easement condition with appropriate language committing the City to take necessary action to complete the project. The City Council agreed to authorize the City Attorney to prepare an Ordinance for the next Council meeting and to take whatever action necessary to execute the Site Certificate form for submittal to TWDB. U.S. Public Interest Group?s Health Campaign. Matters related to the U.S. Public Interest Group seeking endorsement of a health campaign for the creation of a national health-tracking network. U.S. PIRG is a non-profit, non-partisan organization, developed to advocate for and safeguard the public interest at the national level. The organization is advocating the development of a Nationwide Health Tracking Network to track chronic diseases and monitor potentially related environmental exposures to disease. Such a network would provide public health officials, providers, and communities with the necessary tools to respond to and prevent chronic disease, and to research and avert environmental threats to public health. The Nationwide Health Tracking Network would be coordinated by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), building on the current infectious disease-tracking network. Currently, the federal government does not provide such a monitoring network. The City Council elected not to endorse the U.S. PIRG?s health campaign. 3 City Council Special Session, November 12, 2001 Report from Board or Commission Liaisons. The City Council reported on Board or Commission meetings attended by the liaisons. Council Member Farley reported that the Zoning and Planning Commission was reviewing issues relating to the Kirby Corridor and perimeter properties. He also reported that the Zoning Board of Adjustment did not approve a variance for Randy Bullard. The City Manager reported that the Adult Services Board devoted time to goal setting for the coming year including improving communications, continuing with the quarterly news letter and the Neighbor to Neighbor program. Council Member Jackson reported that the Public Safety Board appointed a Chairperson th and recording Secretary. They will be having an organizational meeting on the 19. Council Member May reported that the Parks and Recreation Board met to discuss the improvements to Colonial Park. Inquiries, requests and complaints. The City Council reviewed matters received from the public and referred them to the appropriate department or will place them on a future agenda for consideration or action. Adjournment. With no further business to come before the City Council at this time, a motion was made by Council Member Jackson, seconded by Council Member May, to adjourn. The Special Session adjourned at 9:30 p.m. 4