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Home My WebLink About231023 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, October 23, 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, Assistant Public Works Director Cast, Finance Director Kalka, IT Director Brown, and Police Chief Walker. Also present were Chevron Houston Marathon representatives Mike Root, Brant Kotch, and John Stokes; Gregg Thompson with Tri-Sports; Carol Harrison with IDS Engineers; Vivek Deshpande with Kimley-Horn. 2. Pledge of Allegiance Evan Castillo with Troop #55 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. Regina Nolan, 4001 Tennyson, spoke regarding the Weslayan Traffic Corridor Update, which includes a traffic study to determine the appropriate speed limit along the corridor. She asked that Council keep the 25-mph speed limit and keep enforcing it to keep her family and neighbors safe as they cross Weslayan. Amanda Austin, 4002 Rice, spoke regarding the Weslayan Traffic Corridor Update, and said the city should do everything within reason to protect the lives of its residents by keeping speed limits low. She said Council made the right decision a year ago to lower the speed limit and asked that it not be raised. Catherine Graber, 4209 Riley, spoke regarding the Weslayan Traffic Corridor Update and said she doesn’t think it hurts anyone to slow down for the 4 seconds it takes to get from Bissonnet to Bellaire if going 25 mph, but it will save lives. She asked Council stick by its former decision and maintain the speed limit at 25 mph. City Council Meeting Minutes, October 23, 2023 2 of 4 Alida Drewes, a resident who preferred not to provide address, spoke on various issues including, but not limited to, her attending board meetings where board members are not in attendance or are on their phones, the need for an increase in the senior exemption, the need for West U to be more transparent, the need for a park on the east side and a dog park or dog run. Evan Mintz, 3901 Oberlin, spoke to say he opposes the proposal to raise the speed limit on Weslayan. He said the report has many errors and mischaracterizations of what it’s like along Weslayan. He said this highlights the need for a Citizen’s Advisory Board on Safe and Useable Streets for ideas and feedback. 4. Houston Chevron Marathon Matters related to the 2024 Chevron Houston Marathon. Recommended Action: Authorize the City Manager to take necessary actions to support the 2024 Chevron Houston Marathon event in the city. Ms. Susan White, Parks and Recreation Director Parks and Recreation Director White presented and after a few words from the marathon’s president Brant Kotch and long-time committee member and resident John Stokes, Councilmember Hart moved to authorize the city manager to take the necessary actions to support the 2024 Chevron Houston Marathon event in West University Place. Councilmember Carroll seconded the motion. MOTION PASSED. Ayes: Sample, Montgomery, Brett, Carroll, Hart Noes: None Absent: None 5. Boards and Commissions Appointments and Reappointments Matters related to a resolution appointing and reappointing members to the various boards and commissions. Recommended Action: Approve resolution appointing and reappointing members to the various boards and commission as outlined in the resolution for the 2023-2025 term. Ms. Thelma Gilliam, City Secretary Mayor Sample presented this item and thanked the members for volunteering their service to the city, then Councilmember Hart moved to approve the resolution appointing and reappointing members to the various boards and commissions. Councilmember Carroll seconded the motion. MOTION PASSED. Ayes: Sample, Montgomery, Brett, Carroll, Hart Noes: None Absent: None 6. Memorandum of Understanding with Tri-Sports Matters related to approving the 2024 Memorandum of Understanding between West University Place and Tri-Sports. Recommended Action: Authorize the City Manager to execute the 2024 Memorandum of Understanding between the City of West University Place and West University Tri-Sports. Ms. Susan White, Parks and Recreation Director Parks and Recreation Director White presented. After questions from Council and answers from Ms. White and Gregg Thompson of Tri-Sports, Mayor Pro Tem Montgomery moved to authorize the City Manager to execute the 2024 Memorandum of Understanding with Tri-Sports. Councilmember Clay seconded the motion. MOTION PASSED. Ayes: Sample, Montgomery, Brett, Carroll, Hart Noes: None Absent: None City Council Meeting Minutes, October 23, 2023 3 of 4 7. Weslayan Traffic Corridor Update Matters related to an update on the Weslayan Traffic Corridor. Recommended Action: Discuss the update from Kimley Horn and take and take any desired action. Mr. Danny Cameron, Public Works Director Public Works Director Cameron introduced Vivek Deshpande with Kimley-Horn who gave a presentation to update Council on the Weslayan Traffic Corridor study. After the presentation and discussion, Council agreed that a city-wide comprehensive study should be done with focus on pedestrian crossings and safety. 8. Cast Iron Waterline Replacement Package B Matters related to approval of a Professional Services Agreement for design of a cast iron waterline. Recommended Action: Approve a Professional Services Agreement with IDS Engineering Group in the amount not to exceed $297,060 and authorize the City Manager to execute the agreement. Mr. Danny Cameron, Public Works Director Carol Harrison with IDS presented this item and after a brief discussion, Councilmember Brett moved to approve the Professional Services Agreement with IDS Engineering Group in the amount not to exceed $297,060 and authorize the City Manager to execute the agreement. Councilmember Hart seconded the motion. MOTION PASSED. Ayes: Sample, Montgomery, Brett, Carroll, Hart Noes: None Absent: None 9. 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 October 9, 2023. Recommended Action: Approve Minutes of October 9, 2023. Ms. Thelma Gilliam, City Secretary B. Quarterly Investment Report Matters related to receiving the City’s Quarterly Investment Report. Recommended Action: Receive Quarterly Investment Report. Ms. Marie Kalka, Finance Director Councilmember Carroll 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 10. Adjourn Meeting With no further business, Councilmember Carroll moved to adjourn the meeting at approximately 8:25 p.m. Councilmember Brett seconded the motion. MOTION PASSED. Ayes: Sample, Montgomery, Brett, Carroll, Hart Noes: None Absent: None City Council Meeting Minutes, October 23, 2023 4 of 4 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: