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HomeMy WebLinkAbout230828 CC MinThe City of West University Place A Neighborhood City CITY COUNCIL STAFF Susan Sample, Mayor David J. Beach, City Manager John Montgomery, Mayor Pro Tem Scott Bounds, Olson and Olson, City Attorney Shannon Carroll, Councilmember Thelma Gilliam, City Secretary Clay Brett, Councilmember Matt Hart, Councilmember CITY COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES The City Council of the City of West University Place, Texas, met on Monday, August 28, 2023, at 6:30 p.m., in the Municipal Building at 3800 University Boulevard, for the purpose of considering the agenda of items listed. The meeting was held in person and via Zoom. Agenda items were as follows: 1. Call Meeting to Order Mayor Sample called the regular meeting to order at 6:30 p.m. Council in attendance were Mayor Pro Tem Montgomery and Councilmembers, Carroll, Brett, and Hart. Staff in attendance were City Manager Beach, City Secretary Gilliam, City Attorney Bounds, Fire Chief Maxwell, Assistant to the City Manager Bishop, Public Works Director Cameron, and Police Chief Walker. Mr. Mike Shelton with Kimley Horn was also present. 2. Pledge of Allegiance Adrienne Nunes with Girl Scouts of America, Troop 54, led the Pledge. 3. Public Comments This is an opportunity for citizens to speak to the Council relating to agenda and non-agenda items. Speakers are required to register in advance and must limit their presentations to three minutes each. Susan Bickley, 6401 Virginia Court, requested to speak during Item 6. Gaurav Khandelwal, 6628 Mercer, disruption with connection via Zoom. City Secretary Gilliam read his comments into record during discussion of Item 6. Cara Vasquez, 6417 Virginia Court, requested to speak during Item 6. Christian McMurray, 6413 Virginia Court, requested to speak during Item 6. Kevin Houl, 6409 Virginia Court, requested to speak during Item 6. Bob Scott, 6401 Virginia Court, requested to speak during Item 6. Alida Drewes, a resident who preferred not provide address, spoke to request that City Council stop wasting taxpayer money, put a dog park on the east side, have closed captioned meetings, get city-wide wi-fi, and increase senior exemptions and other issues. City Council Meeting Minutes, August 28, 2023 2 of 4 Kevin Boyle, 6425 Virgina Court, spoke on Item 6. He urged Council to require that Harris County Flood Control District do a proper evaluation of alternative designs that is in the best interest of all residents and require them to have multiple opportunities for residents to be heard. Kelly Layne, 6401 Virginia Court, requested to speak during Item 6 on the agenda. 4. Wastewater Treatment Plant Improvement Project – 90% Design Update Matters related to an update on the 90% design for the Wastewater Treatment Plant Improvement Project. Recommended Action: Discuss the presentation and provide feedback. Mr. Danny Cameron, Public Works Director, and Mr. M. Shelton, Kimley Horn Mr. Mike Shelton, Engineering with Kimley Horn, provided an update to the Council on the project and then discussed the schedule and next steps. 5. Benefits Brokerage and Consulting Firm Matters related to awarding the contract for Benefit Brokerage/Consulting Services. Recommended Action: Select HUB Advisors to serve as the city’s benefits brokerage and consultant and authorize the city manager to execute the contract. Mr. James Urban, HR Director Councilmember Brett moved to approve the selection of HUB Advisors to continue to serve as the City’s benefits brokerage and consultant and authorize the city manager to execute the contract. Councilmember Hart seconded the motion. MOTION PASSED. Ayes: Sample, Montgomery, Brett, Carroll, Hart Noes: None Absent: None 6. Poor Farm Ditch – Project Update Matters related to an update on Harris County Flood Control District’s Poor Farm Ditch project and appropriating $150,000 for the City’s portion towards completion of the final design. Recommended Action: Appropriate $150,000 for the City’s portion towards completion of the final design of Poor Farm Ditch. Ms. Susan Sample, Mayor Before discussion, Mayor Sample called on those residents that deferred speaking until discussion of this item. Susan Bickley, 6401 Virginia Court, expressed her concerns regarding Council approving funds for this project without first engaging with the residents of Virgina Court and the surrounding properties and asked that Council delay voting until their concerns have been considered. Cara Vasquez, 6417 Virginia Court, said many people did not know about the project and feels lack of public awareness is a problem. She said Council needs to pause and provide for opportunities to hear more about this. Christian McMurray, 6413 Virginia Court, asked that prior to committing funds and signing an Interlocal Agreement, Council consider engagement with the impacted residents and the past work of the Council. Kevin Houl, 6409 Virginia Court, spoke to say that he and his wife share the views of their neighbors. Kelly Layne, 6528 Mercer, spoke to say that his major concern on Mercer with this project is safety. City Council Meeting Minutes, August 28, 2023 3 of 4 Luca Magenes, 3615 Corondo Court, spoke to say he shares the concerns talked about tonight and said they just want help and involvement before any official contracts are signed. Roger Gregory, 6624 Mercer, spoke to say this issue has been talked about for over two decades. He said the ditch is in terrible shape and needs to be redone. He said his family fully supports this project. Bob Scott, 6401 Virginia Court, spoke to say that for all the time he has lived on Virginia Court there has been a green screen. He asked Council to look at Chapter 82 regarding preserving and enhancing the urban forest of the city. Josh Kuban, 3618 Corondo Court, spoke to echo what others have said and that his main concerns are safety, trees, green space, and having a partnership and help from Council. Jessica Brightfield, 3626 Pittsburgh, spoke to say she is concerned about safety. She asked that Council go back to a plan that treats both sides fairly and to make sure all goals are met. Jim Peterson, 6364 Mercer, spoke to say he feels that West U residents have been short-changed against neighbors in Southside Place. He also said he and his wife are concerned about the safety of children and the police department because putting in the path would give access to transients and others. City Secretary Gilliam read comments from Gaurav Khandelwal, 6628 Mercer, who said he is concerned about flooding. After public comments, Mayor Sample provided history of this project and shared her thoughts and comments, as did the members of Council. After discussion, Councilmember Brett moved to appropriate $150,000 for the City’s portion towards completion of the final design of Poor Farm Ditch, subject to ultimate negotiation and execution of the Interlocal Council approves. Mayor Pro Tem Montgomery seconded the motion. MOTION PASSED. Ayes: Sample, Montgomery, Brett, Carroll, Hart Noes: None Absent: None 7. Consent Agenda All Consent Agenda items listed are considered to be routine by the City Council and will be enacted by one motion. There will be no separate discussion of these items unless a Councilmember requests an item be removed from the Consent Agenda and be considered in its normal sequence on the agenda. A. City Council Meeting Minutes Matters related to approving the City Council Minutes of August 14, 2023. Recommended Action: Approve City Council Minutes of August 14, 2023. Ms. Thelma Gilliam, City Secretary Mayor Pro Tem Montgomery moved to approve the Consent Agenda as presented. Councilmember Brett seconded the motion. MOTION PASSED. Ayes: Sample, Montgomery, Brett, Carroll, Hart Noes: None Absent: None City Council Meeting Minutes, August 28, 2023 4 of 4 8. Adjourn Meeting With no further business, the meeting adjourned at approximately 8:50 p.m. Audio of the meeting is temporarily on the City’s website. If the audio is no longer on the website, you can obtain a copy, and any presentation, from the City Secretary’s office. Prepared by: Thelma A. Gilliam, TRMC, City Secretary Council Approved: September 9, 2023