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Home My WebLink About042808R CC Min CITY OF WEST UNIVERSITY PLACE, TEXAS CITY COUNCIL SPECIAL AND REGULAR SESSION MINUTES MONDAY, APRIL 28, 2008 MUNICIPAL BUILDING 3800 UNIVERSITY BLVD. ATTENDANCE Mavor/Councilmembers: Mayor Kelly, Council Members Cohen, Guffey and Talianchich Absent: Council member Fry Citv Staff: City Manager, City Attorney, Acting City Secretary, Assistant City Manager/Public Works Director, Finance Director, Fire Chief, HR Director, IT Manager, Parks and Recreation Director, and Police Chief CALL TO ORDER: Mayor Kelly called the Special Meeting to order at 5:30 p.m. 1. Star Citizen Awards Presented by Tim O'Connor, Parks and Recreation Director. Mayor Kelly presented the Star Citizen Awards and recognized: A. Dorothy Kaldis and Diane Cain for their amazing efforts in Co-Chairing the 2008 Park Lovers' Ball B. John LaMond, Eagle Scout Candidate, for his beautification and general improvement efforts at Whitt Johnson Park C. Parks Board Members Mardi Turner and Helen Talianchich for their tireless efforts in directing and supporting WUP Park Beautification Eagle Scout Project 2. Property Taxes for Citizens over age 65 Matters related to tax abatements for Citizens that are 65 years of age or older presented by Walter Thomas, Finance Director. Councilmember Guffey gave a presentation on data he collected and made a recommendation to raise the exemption amount. Councilmember Talianchich agreed with Guffey and encouraged a larger increase in the exemption. Councilmember Cohen believes Senior Citizens have other means of attaining help with taxes and is not in favor of raising the exemption. No action was taken at this time and the matter will be brought before Council at a later date. 3. Municipal.T udges and Prosecutors Matters related to Municipal Judges and Prosecutors. Mayor Kelly welcomed each of the judges and prosecutors and had each one introduce themselves to the audience. He commented that he is honored to have this group working in West University Place and they are adding a lot of credibility to our judicial system. City Council Meeting, April 28,2008 A 5% increase in salary and wages is proposed. No action is required. 4. Security at City Facilities Matters related to security at City Hall presented by Michael Ross, City Manager. Motion: Authorize the City Manager to expend an amount not exceeding $85,000 for security improvements at City Hall Guffey Cohen Passed 4-0 Mayor Kelly, Council members Cohen, Guffey and Talianchich None Made by: Seconded by: Action: Voting Aye: Voting Nay: Mayor Kelly Adjourned the Special Meeting at 6:25 p.m. Motion: Adjourn the Special Meeting Made by: Cohen Seconded by: Guffey Action: Passed 4-0 Voting Aye: Mayor Kelly, Council members Cohen, Guffey and Talianchich Voting Nay: None CALL TO ORDER: Mayor Kelly called the Regular Meeting to order at 6:30 p.m. in the Council Chambers. Pledge of Allegiance Pledge to the Texas Flag Notice The notice for this meeting was posted in accordance with the Texas Govemment Code, Chapter 551, on the 24th of April 2008 at 5:30 p.m. Citizens who wish to be heard Steven Segal - 2901 Sunset - spoke on the concerns and protection of trees in the City right-of- way. Melissa Loyd - 2702 Werlein - informed Council that citizens want more options on the Colonial Park and Recreation Center proposals and is willing to circulate a petition for citizen input. Citizens who wish to address agenda items None (Due to a time constraint, agenda items 7, 8 and 9 were moved up in the order of the agenda.) (Item 7) Friends of West University Place Parks Inc. Recognition Council presentation to and recognition as the 2008 Parks and Recreation Civic Organization of the Year by the National Parks and Recreation Association's Southwest Region - Texas, New Mexico, Oklahoma, Arkansas and Louisiana presented by Tim O'Connor, Parks and Recreation Director. City Council Meeting. April 28, 2008 Recognition was given to Joni Fichter, Donna LaMond, Leah Raigle, Sue Jensen and Sue Hanna. (Item 9) Texas Recreation and Park Society's 2008 Lone Star Programming Award Council presentation to and recognition of Daryl Hoover, Jennifer Gatto, Joni Fichter, Donna LaMond and Susan White regarding West University Place receiving the Texas Recreation and Park Society's 2008 Lone Star Programming Award for the Father's and Flashlight's Urban Camping Program presented by Tim O'Connor, Parks and Recreation Director. (Item 8) Friends of West University Place Parks Fund. Inc Matters related to the Friends of West University Place Parks Fund including Resolution No. 2008-06 appointing Elizabeth Karkowsky as a new Board Member presented by Joni Fichter and Donna LaMond, Friends Director. Motion: Made by: Seconded by: Action: Voting Aye: Voting Nay: Approve Resolution 2008-06 Cohen Guffey and Talianchich Passed 4-0 Mayor Kelly, Council members Cohen, Guffey and Talianchich None 5. 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 Council member requests in which event the item will be removed from the Consent Agenda and considered in its normal sequence on the agenda. A. Mechanical Equipment in Rear Yards Matters related to mechanical equipment in rear yards including Ordinance No. 1869 presented by Debbie Scarcella, City Planner. B. Garages in Side Yards Matters related to garages in side yards including Ordinance No. 1870 presented by Debbie Scarcella, City Planner. C. Building in Rear Yards Matters related to building in rear yards including Ordinance No. 1871 presented by Debbie Scarcella, City Planner. D. Old Stock Housing Matters related to old stock housing including Ordinance No. 1872 presented by Debbie Scarcella, City Planner. E. Definition of Structures Matters related to the definition of structures including Ordinance No. 1873 presented by Debbie Scarcella, City Planner. F. Property Tax Refund City Council Meeting. April 28. 2008 Matters related to 2007 ad valorem tax refunds 111 the amount of $2,508.83 presented by Walter Thomas, Finance Director. G. City Council Minutes Matters related to the minutes of the Regular and Special Session conducted April 14,2008. Motion: Made by: Seconded by: Action: Voting Aye: Voting Nay: Approve and accept the consent agenda Cohen Talianchich Passed 4-0 Mayor Kelly, Council members Cohen, Guffey and Talianchich None 6. Building Safety Proclamation Matters related to Building Safety Week with the goal to annually raise public awareness of critical safety issues affecting every person, regardless of age or occupation presented by Debbie Scarcella, City Planner. Motion: Made by: Seconded by: Action: Voting Aye: Voting Nay: Approve Proclamation Cohen Guffey Passed 4-0 Mayor Kelly, Council members Cohen, Guffey and Talianchich None 10. Flood Insurance at City Facilities A. Matters related to Budget Appropriation to fund flood insurance for City buildings presented by Michael Ross, City Manager. B. Matters related for approval of a flood insurance policy through the Texas Municipal League Intergovemmental Risk Pool presented by Michael Ross, City Manager. Motion: Made by: Seconded by: Action: Voting Aye: Voting Nay: Approve budget appropriation to fund flood insurance and to approve purchase of flood insurance with $500 deductible through the Texas Municipal League Intergovemmental Risk Pool in the amount of $20,207 Cohen Guffey Passed 4-0 Mayor Kelly, Council members Cohen, Guffey and Talianchich None 11. Emplovee Recruitment and Retention Study Matters related to an employee recruitment and retention study presented by Michael Ross, City Manager. Motion: Made by: Seconded by: Authorize City Manager to enter into agreement with Waters Consulting Group in an amount not to exceed $35,000 Cohen Guffey City Council Meeting, April 28, 2008 Action: Voting Aye: Voting Nay: Passed 4-0 Mayor Kelly, Council members Cohen, Guffey and Talianchich None 12. Acceptance of Sidewalk Improvement Program, Proiect 4 Matters related to final acceptance of completed work and authorization of final payment for Project 4 presented by Chris Peifer, ACMIDPW. Motion: Made by: Seconded by: Action: Voting Aye: Voting Nay: Approve final payment in the amount of $77,438.99 Cohen Talianchich Passed 4-0 Mayor Kelly, Council members Cohen, Guffey and Talianchich None 13. Kirbv Drive Sidewalks Matters related to an Interlocal Agreement between the City of Houston and West University Place for the construction of a sidewalk on Kirby Drive between Holcombe Boulevard and University Boulevard presented by Chris Peifer, ACM.DPW. Motion: Made by: Seconded by: Action: Voting Aye: Voting Nay: Approve Interlocal Agreement Cohen Talianchich Passed 4-0 Mayor Kelly, Council members Cohen, Guffey and Talianchich None Council Member Reports Councilmember Talianchich stated that he is passionate about some subjects but can separate the person verses the opinion and with the differences on the Council, he in no way is criticizing the individual. Mayor Kelly reported on the Drainage situation and the 2.1 million shortfall and is working with Harris County on trying to get relief. He also reported on a retention pond that Harris County Flood Control District informed us that we would have to buy into it at a cost of about 1.1 million. City Manager Report City Manager Michael Ross reported that CenterPoint should complete Phase I by the end of May. He also reported that the College Street/Bellaire project is on schedule. Adjournment Motion: Made by: Seconded by: Action: Voting Aye: Voting Nay: To adjoum the meeting at 7: 15 p.m. Cohen Guffey Passed 4-0 Mayor Kelly, Council members Cohen, Guffey and Talianchich None City Council Meeting. April 28, 2008 These minutes are excerpts from the Council proceedings. A recording of the meeting is on file in the City Secretary's office. Prepared by: Gayle Schultz, Acting City Secretary O2-cot Approved: .-fY7 ~ I d-l Date 0 pproval