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HomeMy WebLinkAbout081108R CC Min n E~~oS~!&yofWest University Place CITY COUNCIL Bob Kelly, Mayor Bob Fry, Council member Phyllis Cohen, Councilmember Chuck Guffey, Councilmember Michael Talianchich, Council member STAFF Michael Ross, City Manager Alan Petrov, City Attorney Thelma Lenz, City Secretary CITY COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES City Council of the City of West University Place, Texas, met in special and regular session Monday, August 11, 2008, in the Municipal Building, 3800 University Boulevard, West University Place, Texas, beginning at 5:30 p.m. to consider the following: MAYOR KELLY CALLED THE REGULAR MEETING TO ORDER AT 5:30 P.M. IN THE COUNCIL CHAMBERS Those also present: Councilmember Fry, Councilmembers Cohen, Guffey and Talianchich; City Manager Ross, Assistant City Manager/Public Works Director Peifer, City Secretary Lenz, Planning Director Scarcella, Zoning and Planning Commission Chair Brown, City Attorney Petrov, Finance Director Thomas, Parks and Recreation Director O'Connor, Senior Services Manager Brooks, and Police Chief Walker. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE PLEDGE TO THE TEXAS FLAG NOTICE. The notice of this meeting was duly posted in accordance with the Texas Government Code, Chapter 551, on the 8th of August 2008 at 8:30 a.m. 1. ORDINANCE CALLING BOND ELECTION Consideration of and possible action on an ordinance of the City Council of the City of West University Place, Texas, authorizing bond election to be held on November 4,2008. City Manager Ross presented and recommended passage of the ordinance on the second and final reading. Before discussions on the bond election began, resident Dorothy Zinc, 6527 Sewanee, spoke to say that she thought the City did a great job in preparing for the weather predicted by Hurricane Edouard, but feels the City is still in need of an emergency generator. City Manager Ross explained that the purchase of a generator is in the Budget and he asked that she contact him and he will provide her an update. At this time, Councilmember Fry moved to approve the ordinance calling the November 4,2008 Bond Election on the second and final reading. Councilmember Cohen seconded the motion. Mayor Kelly asked Finance Director Thomas to explain the reason for the 40-year term. Mr. Thomas says the law allows 40 years, but it's normally between 18-20 years. City Council Meeting, August 11, 2008 Councilmember Talianchich stated that the City is facing difficult economic times as is the rest of the Country and it's a shame that we would burden our citizens with more debt. He said we need to be more conservative during these times. Councilmember Fry stated that it is Council's responsibility to look at what is best for the City long-term and not make decisions on short-term economics. Councilmember Cohen agreed. Councilmember Guffey asked how much taxes would be on a $600,000 home over the next 3 years. Finance Director Thomas said a $600,000 home would be a $700,000 home and it is estimated to be around $70 per year for the life of the bond. Mayor Kelly agreed with Councilmember Fry and stated we can't make decisions 40 years out based on what is happening now. He said he feels the City is headed for progression and thinks this is a reasonable and basic plan. A vote was made to the motion. MOTION PASSED. Ayes: Mayor Kelly, Councilmembers Cohen, Fry, and Guffey Noes: Councilmember Talianchich At 5:45 p.m., Councilmember Fry moved to recess the regular meeting to convene into Special Meeting in the Conference Room. Councilmember Guffey seconded the motion. MOTION PASSED. Ayes: Mayor Kelly, Councilmembers Cohen, Fry, Guffey, and Talianchich Noes: None Councilmember Cohen had to leave the meeting at 5:45 p.m. and was not present for the special meeting or the reconvening of the regular session. MAYOR KELLY CALLED THE SPECIAL MEETING TO ORDER AT 5:48 P.M. IN THE CONFERENCE ROOM 2. GERIATRIC CONSULTANT Discuss proposed Geriatric Consultant position. Maureen Beck, who is a member of the Senior Board, is being recommended for the position, if funded. Parks and Recreation Director O'Connor and Senior Services Manager Brooks presented. Ms. Brooks stated that the idea to propose a geriatric nurse program stemmed from several life threatening incidents involving senior residents in 2007. Ms. Beck then presented her vision. She stated that it is her goal to assist Ms. Brooks in evaluating and identifying high risk residents. Senior Services Manager Brooks stated that sometimes she hits a wall when trying to talk with other agencies and get assistance for seniors and said that Ms. Beck's experience with these entities and her qualifications will aid in getting the proper assistance when needed. Councilmember Guffey questioned the legal ramifications. City Attorney Petrov stated that from a legal perspective, the City has to make sure people understand the lim itations of the program. He said he thinks it can be done, but has to have the appropriate disclaimers. Page 2 of 5 City Council Meeting, August 11, 2008 In response to how she plans to work her schedule, Ms. Beck stated that she would be able to work one (1) day a week at this point. She said her plan is to visit worse cases initially and make safety checks, document, and evaluate. She said she would make assessment of the person, medications, ability to move around home, check on how they receive food, etc., and then come up with suggestions to provide to the Senior Services office. Councilmember Fry said he is concerned about Ms. Beck's reference that she would not be working with a physician. Ms. Beck responded that she is not opposed to talking to a physician (City's Medical Director). She said it is not her plan to give medical advice or do any medical things. She said she will not overstep a physician, but might call the physician to discuss some things, if necessary. Councilmember Talianchich asked if the City would be liable just by Ms. Beck suggestions. City Attorney Petrov said no, but the residents will need to sign a release so she can talk about them to physicians and family if ever necessary. Councilmember Talianchich said he thinks it is a needed program and suggested that the City try it out for 3 to 6 months. Parks and Recreation Director O'Connor asked who would be Ms. Beck's direct supervisor. He said his staff is not able to take this on with the other programs and work they have on a daily basis. He said because of the possible trust issue that the residents will have, which would be the biggest obstacle, it could be very time consuming for staff. Mayor Kelly said his concern is the people who don't have family. He asked what could be done if there is someone that can't take care of themselves. Ms. Beck said that one option is that a neighbor can be identified and see if that neighbor is willing to step in and help. Councilmember Fry said he thinks the program has merit, but needs to tie up loose ends. He also stated that the medical director not wanting anything to do with the program concerns him. City Manager Ross said he would arrange a meeting with the medical director, Ms. Beck, and staff to discuss options. He said that maybe the medical director isn't fully aware of the intent and purpose of the program. Mayor Kelly said he is interested in pursuing this program and suggested another workshop before Budget. 3. SMOKING ORDINANCE Discuss City's current ordinance and the possibility of further restrictions on smoking in the City. Mayor Kelly stated that he wanted this brought up to get an idea of what the Council and residents feel about the current ordinance. AI Jara, General Manager of the Marquis " bar, spoke to say that if Council passed an ordinance banning smoking in bars, it would be difficult for the Marquis to stay open. Mayor Kelly asked if anyone wanted to pursue this. No one indicated that they wanted to pursue the matter, so the item was tabled. Page 3 of 5 City Council Meeting, August 11, 2008 At 6:35 p.m., Councilmember Fry moved to adjourn the Special Meeting and reconvene into Regular Session in the Council Chambers. Councilmember Talianchich seconded the motion. MOTION PASSED. Ayes: Mayor Kelly, Councilmembers Fry, Guffey, and Talianchich Noes: None Absent: Councilmember Cohen Mayor Kelly asked about the agenda being in three different languages - English, Spanish, and Vietnamese. City Attorney Petrov explained that it is to comply with the Voting Rights Act. 4. PUBLIC COMMENTS Citizens who wish to address items that are not on the agenda No comments from the public. Citizens who wish to be heard and/or address agenda items No comments from the public. 5. ZONING ORDINANCE AMENDMENT Consideration of and possible action on an ordinance of the City Council of the City of West University Place, Texas, amending the zoning ordinance relating to driveways and parking. Planning Director Scarcella presented. She stated there were no requested changes to the ordinance. Councilmember Talianchich said he has a problem with the minimum width of 9 feet. Councilmember Fry moved to approve the ordinance on first reading. Councilmember Guffey seconded the motion. MOTION PASSED. Ayes: Mayor Kelly, Councilmembers Fry, and Guffey Noes: Councilmember Talianchich Absent: Councilmember Cohen 6. ZONING ORDINANCE AMENDMENT Consideration of and possible action on an ordinance of the City Council of the City of West University Place, Texas, amending the zoning ordinance relating to garages and maneuvering areas. Planning Director Scarcella presented. She stated that the outcome of the July 28, 2008 workshop was to reinstate current regulations. Councilmember Fry moved to approve the ordinance on first reading. Councilmember Talianchich seconded the motion. MOTION PASSED. Ayes: Mayor Kelly, Councilmembers Fry, Guffey, and Talianchich Noes: None Absent: Councilmember Cohen 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 Council Page 4 of 5 City Council Meeting, August 11, 2008 member requests in which event the item will be removed from the Consent Agenda and considered in its normal sequence on the agenda. A. City Council Minutes Approve the special and regular City Council meeting minutes of August 11,2008. B. Meetino Date for Joint Public Hearinos Approve proposed meeting date for joint public hearings for ordinances relating to variances and special exceptions. C. Comorehensive Annual Financial Reoo" rCAFR) Receive the 2007 Comprehensive Annual Financial Report. Councilmember Fry moved to approve the Consent Agenda as written. Councilmember Guffey seconded the motion. MOTION PASSED. Ayes: Mayor Kelly, Councilmembers Cohen, Fry, Guffey and Talianchich Noes: None 8. RECEIVING OF REPORTS Reports by City Council and the City Manager There were no reports from Council. Councilmember Guffey did not have a report, but wanted to point out the outstanding jOb staff did on both the Recreational Report and Senior Report put out by the Parks and Recreation Department. The Mayor asked that copies of the Seniors report be provided to Council when future reports are distributed. City Manager Ross reported updates on properties. He said that staff is finalizing the bid package for the Marlowe property. Regarding Corondo Court, he stated that there has been no further movement in or around the property. City Manager Ross also said he is discussing with a real estate agent the properties next to the recreation center. He said both owners are ready to sell if the City is ready. He said if he gets the appraisal numbers by the next meeting, he will bring them before Council at that meeting. ADJOURNMENT A motion to adjourn the regular session at 6:55 p.m. was made by Councilmember Talianchich and seconded by Councilmember Guffey. MOTION PASSED. Ayes: Mayor Kelly, Councilmembers Fry, Guffey and Talianchich Noes: No Meeting adjourne . Prepared by: Date Approved: ~I- ~ ;;ro-o Y' Page 5 of 5