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HomeMy WebLinkAbout112601R CC Min CITY COUNCIL REGULAR SESSION MONDAY, NOVEMBER 26, 2001 MUNICIPAL BUILDING COUNCIL CHAMBERS 3800 UNIVERSITY BOULEVARD 7:30 P.M. The City Council convened in Regular Session in the Municipal Building Council Chambers on November 26, 2001, with the following members present: Mayor Lewis presiding, Council Members May, Farley, Griffin and Jackson. The City Manager, City Secretary, City Attorney, Parks and Recreation Director, Public Works Director and Building Official were also present. The notice for this meeting was posted in accordance with the Texas Government Code, th Chapter 551, on the 20 of November 2001 at 5:00 p.m. Citizen Comments. Mayor Lewis invited citizens who wished to address the City Council to come forward as their names were called. Cynthia Jenkins, 6400 Buffalo Speedway, requested that the city enforce the ordinance relating to visibility triangles. She stated that shrubs were blocking the view when cars were trying to back out of their driveway. Ken Hoffman, 4212 Ruskin, stated that the recently purchased Y.M.C.A. should remain for West University residents and their guests only and not open to the public. Ken Denard, 6641 Westchester, presented pictures of the flooding that occurred in his area on Thanksgiving. He requested that the City move quickly in beginning the infrastructure improvements in Priority Area 9. Resolution for acquiring perimeter easements. Matters related to Resolution No. 2001-30. Mayor Lewis read the caption of Resolution No. 2001-30 as follows: A resolution finding and determining that the City has certain easements by prescription; declaring it to be City policy to initiate or defend certain legal actions, including eminent domain proceedings; and containing findings and provisions relating to the subject. Public Works Director Michael Ross commented 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. Since our initial meeting, staff City Council Regular Session, November 26, 2001 has received a proposal from a land acquisition consultant with an estimated cost of $150,000 to acquire the easements through negotiation (this represents consultant?s time and recording fees only). In light of this cost and after further review, it is staff?s opinion that a preferred alternative would be for the City to adopt a resolution declaring it to be City policy to initiate or defend certain legal actions relating to these prescriptive easements. A motion was made by Council Member Farley, seconded by Council Member Griffin, to adopt Resolution No. 2001-30. 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 Ordinance relating to sidewalks, curbs and gutters. Matters related to the first reading of Ordinance No. 1704. Mayor Lewis read the caption of Ordinance No. 1704 as follows: An ordinance relating to sidewalks, curbs and gutters when there is major development or remodeling; amending the code of ordinances of the City of West University Place, Texas; and containing findings and provisions relating to the subject. Copies of Ordinance No. 1704, in the form proposed for adoption, were available in the Council Chambers. Mr. Ross reported that this Ordinance would allow property owners the option of contributing to a sidewalk fund in lieu of installing a required sidewalk. In light of the city?s sidewalk policy, there is a potential that some sidewalks required to be installed by current city ordinance may not conform to the city?s sidewalk plan. The proposed ordinance amendment would address this problem in the following manner: When there is major development or remodeling, the permittee must provide 1. sidewalks in the usual manner, but, if there is an official city sidewalk plan ?in the works,? the permittee and owner would also have to agree to adjust the sidewalks to conform to the plan, when it is adopted. This agreement would ?run with the land.? A waiver (from all sidewalk requirements) would be available if the owner or 2. permittee deposits the estimated cost of the sidewalks into a special City fund, and the owner agrees to provide any easement necessary to save qualified trees. The fund could only be used for sidewalks in that immediate area. 2 City Council Regular Session, November 26, 2001 Based on current construction activity, this fund would generate $50,000 - $100,000 in annual revenue for sidewalk installation. A motion was made by Council Member Griffin, seconded by Council Member Jackson, to adopt Ordinance No. 1704 on the first reading. 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 Albans Street tree protection and street improvements. Matters related to narrowing Albans Street in order to provide tree protection. No action was taken on this item. Infrastructure improvements in Priority Area 9. Matters related to narrowing Duke and Pittsburg Streets and authorization to proceed with amendments to the plans and specifications in Priority Area 9 and with bid procedures. City Manager Sherman Yehl reported that the Staff has been in contact with numerous residents on Duke, Pittsburg, Corondo Court and Cason Streets and it is believed that most of their concerns have been addressed. There are other issues that may be addressed with residents on Duke Street but the plans are far enough along for Claunch & Miller to proceed with revising their plans to reflect narrowing of both Duke and Pittsburg Streets. A motion was made by Council Member Jackson, seconded by Council Member Griffin, to authorize Claunch & Miller to proceed with the amendments to the plans and specifications in Priority Area 9 and with bid procedures. 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 Bids for Pre-treatment of trees in Priority Area 11A. Matters related to a bid received from Texas Services for the pre-treatment of trees in Priority Area 11A. 3 City Council Regular Session, November 26, 2001 Mr. Ross reported that during the infrastructure reconstruction projects, one of the City?s top priorities is the protection of trees. The forestry consultant recommends tree protection techniques and treatments. These are reflected in the preservation plans for the priority area. The pre-treatment of trees includes tree removal (trees that are in poor condition and are considered a hazard or an unavoidable construction conflict), crown pruning, clearance pruning and fertilization. These treatments will enhance the tree?s health and condition and will help avoid stress or injury to the tree. On November 19, 2001 the City opened the one bid for this project, submitted by Texas Services. Texas Services has been awarded many bids from the City and has completed the projects in a timely manor. A motion was made by Council Member May, seconded by Council Member Griffin, to award the bid for the pre-treatment of trees in Priority Area 11A to Texas Services in the amount of $5,430.00. 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 Bids for infrastructure improvements in Priority Area 11A. Matters related to bids received for infrastructure improvements in Priority Area 11A. The following bids were received: Bidder Bid Amount Contractor Technology, Inc. $4,511,755.40 Conrad Construction Company $4,749,075.25 Jerdon Enterprises, Inc. $5,109,435.05 Mr. Ross reported that the engineer?s estimate on the project was $4,541,000.00. The City?s consulting engineers Claunch & Miller have tabulated and reviewed the bids and have recommended award to Contractor Technology, Inc. A motion was made by Council Member Farley, seconded by Council Member Jackson, to accept the consulting engineers recommendation to award the contract for infrastructure improvements in Priority Area 11A to Contractor Technology, Inc. in the amount of $4,511,755.40 with Claunch & Miller providing constant oversight of the project. 4 City Council Regular Session, November 26, 2001 Council Member Griffin asked if there were any incentives for early completion in the contract. The City Manager reported that there were not any incentives for early completion in this contract. The City Staff will discuss it for future contracts at the next staff meeting. A vote was taken on the motion with the following result: Voting Aye: Mayor Lewis, Council Members May, Farley and Jackson Voting Nay: None Absent: None Abstain: Council Member Griffin City Council minutes. Matters related to the minutes of the Regular and Special Sessions conducted on November 12, 2001. A motion was made by Council Member Jackson, 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 May, Farley, Griffin and Jackson Voting Nay: None Absent: None Council comments. Council Member Griffin requested that a report be presented regarding the flooding in the 6600 block of Westchester. Council Member Farley requested that Mr. Hoffman?s suggestions and comments be included into the usage study of the Y.M.C.A. Mayor Lewis commented that effective in January cardboard would not be picked up at the curb on any day other than Wednesday. She also expressed her appreciation for Council Members May and Jackson for having led the process for preparing a sidewalk policy. 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 Regular Session adjourned at 7:52 p.m. 5