HomeMy WebLinkAbout092120 CC MinThe 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
Lauri Lankford, Councilmember Thelma Gilliam, City Secretary
John P. Barnes, Councilmember
Ed Sobash, Councilmember
CITY COUNCIL MINUTES
The City Council of the City of West University Place, Texas, met via audio/video conferencing in a
special session on Monday, September 21, 2020, due to social distancing guidelines suggested by the
CDC in light of the Novel Coronavirus (COVID 19).
Agenda Items were as follows:
1. Call to Order / Roll Call (Remotely)
Mayor Higley called the special meeting to order at 6:30 p.m. Mayor Pro Tem Trautner,
Councilmembers Barnes, Lankford and Sobash were in attendance.
Staff attending via video/teleconference from the Council Chambers: City Manager Beach, City
Secretary Gilliam, Police Chief Walker, Parks and Recreation Director White, Finance Director
DuBose, Public Works Director Barrera, Assistant to the City Manager Thompson, and Fire Chief
Taylor.
Staff attending remotely: Interim IT Director McFarland.
2. COVID-19 Update
Matters related to COVID-19. Recommended Action: Discuss and take any desired action. Mr. Aaron Taylor,
Fire Chief and Emergency Management Coordinator.
Chief Taylor reported:
• Governor Abbott sent out a new Executive Order (GA-30), which increases the capacity at
certain places (i.e. retail stores, gyms, museums, etc.) in certain regions of the state from 50
percent to 75 percent. Chief Taylor said the City does not anticipate an increase to its
recreational facility as it is bound by the guidelines of social distancing.
• Positivity rates are still declining and is at 6.64 percent statewide; The Medical Center is
reporting 3.4 percent, and Harris County Public Health is still showing 7.74 percent as that
number has not been updated since last week.
• West U now has 53 confirmed cases – 4 active, 49 recovered, and 0 deaths.
• The Harris County COVID-19 threat level system remains at Level 1, which is the highest level
despite the improving conditions.
• Staff sent an email to Harris County Public Health for any orders or guidelines regarding
reopening playground areas in City parks and no response received to date. He said the
current plan is to have everything in place (i.e. signage and any maintenance) to reopen the
playground facilities on Saturday, September 26.
City Council Meeting Action Minutes, September 21, 2020
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Councilmember Sobash asked if there is any guidance on resuming in-person council meetings. Fire
Chief Taylor said not that he is aware of.
Councilmember Lankford said that she doesn’t know if there is a deadline date, but the order relating
to remote meetings was extended. Councilmember Sobash said that gives the City the choice to
continue remote meetings, but he wanted to know if there was anything keeping the City from resuming
more normal council sessions. Councilmember Barnes stated that the order requiring social distancing
is what will keep the City from holding normal council meetings at this time.
City Manager Beach said resuming normal council meetings is at the discretion of council as long as
social distancing measures and guidelines are implemented.
Mayor Pro Tem Trautner said until it is clearer that Council can meet indoors in groups, he is not yet
comfortable with meeting in person.
Fire Chief Taylor then provided an update on Tropical Storm Beta.
3. Public Hearing on the 2021 Budget
Matters related to the first and final hearing to hear comments on the proposed 2021 Budget.
Recommended Action: Hold first and final public hearing on the 2021 Budget. Ms. Katherine DuBose, Finance
Director
Finance Director DuBose was prepared to give a presentation to Council, but because it’s basically
the same presentation given at the workshop and with no members of the public attending remotely
for the hearing, she did not give the presentation and asked if Council had any questions.
Having no questions from Council, Mayor Higley opened the public hearing at 6:41 p.m.
There was no one signed up to speak from the public.
4. Close Public Hearing
With no comments from the public, Councilmember Barnes moved to close the first and final public
hearing on the 2021 Budget at 6:43 p.m. Councilmember Lankford seconded the motion. MOTION
PASSED.
Ayes: Higley, Trautner, Barnes, Lankford, Sobash
Noes: None
Absent: None
Note: The proposed budget and a copy of the presentation is on file in the City Secretary’s office.
5. Resolution Declaring a Public Necessity
Matters related to the adoption of a resolution declaring the existence of a public necessity for the
acquisition of a drainage easement and temporary construction easement in connection with the
Buffalo Speedway project. Recommended Action: Adopt Resolution. Mr. Dave Beach, City
City Manager Beach said adopting the resolution is the first step in acquiring the easement related to
the Buffalo Speedway project.
City Council Meeting Action Minutes, September 21, 2020
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Councilmember Barnes moved to adopt the resolution declaring the public necessity. Councilmember
Sobash seconded the motion. MOTION PASSED.
Ayes: Higley, Trautner, Barnes, Lankford, Sobash
Noes: None
Absent: None
4. Adjourn
With no other business before Council, Councilmember Sobash moved to adjourn the special meeting
at 6:45 p.m. Mayor Pro Tem Trautner seconded the motion. MOTION PASSED.
Ayes: Higley, Trautner, Barnes, Lankford, Sobash
Noes: None
Absent: None Prepared by: Thelma A. Gilliam, TRMC, City Secretary Council Approved: September 28, 2020