HomeMy WebLinkAbout112720 CC Min SpecialThe City of West University Place
A Neighborhood City
CITY COUNCIL STAFF
Bob Higley, Mayor David J. Beach, City Manager
Kevin Trautner, Mayor Pro Tem Alan Petrov, City Attorney
John P. Barnes, Councilmember Thelma Gilliam, City Secretary
Lauri Lankford, Councilmember
Ed Sobash, Councilmember
CITY COUNCIL SPECIAL MEETING
MINUTES
The City Council of the City of West University Place, Texas, met via audio/video conferencing in a
special meeting on Monday, November 27, 2020, beginning at 2:00 p.m. due to social distancing
guidelines suggested by the CDC in light of the Novel Coronavirus (COVID 19).
Agenda items were as follows:
1. Call Special Meeting to Order (Remotely)
Mayor Higley called the special meeting to order at 2:00 p.m.
Council and staff attending remotely were Mayor Pro Tem Trautner, Councilmembers Barnes,
Lankford and Sobash, HR Director Urban (Acting City Manager), City Secretary Gilliam, City Attorney
Petrov, and Assistant to the City Manager Thompson.
Also attending remotely were Tri-Sports representatives Jenny McCarthy and Jeremy Monthy.
2. Tri-Sports Memorandum of Understanding
Matters related to discussion regarding the Memorandum of Understanding between the City of West
University Place and Tri-Sports. Recommended Action: Discuss and take any desired action.
At 2:06 p.m., Mayor Pro Tem Trautner moved to recess the special meeting and convene into
executive session to consult with the City Attorney. Councilmember Barnes seconded the motion.
MOTION PASSED.
Ayes: Higley, Trautner, Barnes, Lankford, Sobash
Noes: None
Absent: None
At 2:58 p.m., Mayor Higley adjourned the executive session and reconvened the special meeting.
After reconvening the special session, Mayor Higley asked Jenny McCarthy, Tri-Sports representative,
what is Tri-Sports proposal to the City. Ms. McCarthy responded that Tri-Sports proposes that the City
and Tri-Sports enter into a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) that will allow for reimbursement of
$30,000 to Tri-Sports for netting installed at the Rec Center. In addition, Ms. McCarthy said going
forward Tri-Sports proposes that the City share in the costs for operation and maintenance of the fields
located inside the West U city limits. She said the costs would be shared at 50 percent up to $100,000
for West U’s contribution, which is inclusive of capital improvements and operation and maintenance
City Council Meeting Minutes, November 27, 2020
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of the Rec Center fields and those located at HISD’s West U Elementary – Wallin Field, the Softball
Fields and the Scout House.
Councilmember Barnes asked if the “sharing” is a 50/50 split. Ms. McCarthy said in looking at year’s
passed, Tri-Sports would be sharing a heavier burden considering the capital contributions.
Councilmember Lankford asked if sharing electric, water and trash. Ms. McCarthy said Tri-Sports
looked at the costs of what it takes to run the league inside the City of West U and those are the
numbers they are focusing on from this day forward. She confirmed that electric, water and trash are
not currently inclusive in the sharing costs.
Councilmember Lankford said the City is being asked to split costs with Tri-Sports for lawn
maintenance, but not for the costs of water, electric and trash – all of which the City currently provides
at 100 percent. Ms. McCarthy said those costs could be discussed and included in the sharing
proposal if the City wants to do so.
Further discussion ensued and then Mayor Higley announced that Council would recess the special
meeting and convene an executive session for consultation with the City Attorney.
3. Recess Special Meeting and Convene into Executive Session
City Council will convene into executive session in accordance with the following provision of Chapter
551 of the Texas Government Code (TGC):
At 3:28 p.m., Mayor Higley recessed the special meeting and convened into executive session in
accordance with Section 551.071 – Consultation with City Attorney.
4. Close Executive Session and Reconvene Special Meeting
Matters related to any desired action resulting from the executive session.
At 4:23 p.m., Mayor Higley closed the executive session and reconvened the special meeting.
Mayor Higley informed Ms. McCarthy that Council has asked Mayor Pro Tem Trautner to meet with
her to discuss possible proposals and Mayor Pro Tem Trautner will report his discussions to Council
at a public meeting.
5. Adjourn
Councilmember Sobash moved to adjourn the special meeting at 4:25 p.m. Councilmember Sobash
seconded the motion. MOTION PASSED.
Ayes: Higley, Trautner, Barnes, Lankford, Sobash
Noes: None
Absent: None
Audio of the special meeting is available on the City’s website. You can also contact the City Secretary’s office
for a copy of the audio.
Prepared by: City Secretary Thelma A. Gilliam
Approved by City Council on: December 14, 2020