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Home My WebLink About120808R CC Min0 The City of West University Place A Neighborhood City CITY COUNCIL Bob Kelly, Mayor Bob Fry, Councilmember Phyllis Cohen, Councilmember Chuck Guffey, Councilmember Michael Talianchich, Councilmember 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 regular session Monday, December 8, 2008, in the Municipal Building, 3800 University Boulevard, West University Place, Texas, beginning at 5:45 p.m. to consider the following: MAYOR KELLY CALLED THE SPECIAL MEETING TO ORDER AT 5:46 P.M. IN THE COUNCIL CONFERENCE ROOM Those also present: Mayor Pro Tem Fry, Councilmembers Talianchich, Guffey, and Cohen, City Manager Ross, City Secretary Lenz, and City Attorney Petrov. Councilmember. Mayor Kelly publicly announced that a closed, executive session would be held and identified the section of the Open Meetings Law under which the meeting would be held and dismissed all staff so that Council could consider, discuss and evaluate the duties of the City Manager. After the announcement, Council conducted a closed, executive session beginning at 5:47 p.m. Closed executive session to held in accordance with Section 551.074 of Chapter 551 of the Texas Government Code (personnel matters, to deliberate the employment, evaluation or duties of a public officer or employee. 1. City Manager Evaluation Matters related to evaluation of the City Manager. After discussion by City Council, City Manager Ross was called in for his evaluation. Upon conclusion of the City Manager's evaluation, Mayor Kelly reconvened the special session at 6:38 p.m. and the following action was taken: Councilmember Cohen moved to approve that the City Manager's salary be increased to $169,000 annually. Councilmember Guffey seconded the motion. Councilmember Talianchich stated that he disagrees with the increase due to the economy. He said he thinks comparisons with other cities should not be considered and thinks that $150,000 annually is appropriate. Councilmember Guffey stated that the City Manager's record speaks for itself and the amount of the increase barely begins to catch him up. Councilmember Cohen stated she thinks the increase is totally appropriate. She said the City Manager works around the clock and has done a great job this year. Mayor Pro Tern Fry remarked that City Manager Ross is efficient and well respected in the community and he is ashamed that the City Manager's salary has been below standard up to this point. City Council Meeting, December 8, 2008 Mayor Kelly stated that the City Manager's increase is well justified. He said staff accomplishments are very impressive and the goals the City Manager set out to accomplish have been met. He said it doesn't make sense that we should be paying that much below average. He also said that regardless of the economic conditions, we are still expected to be a first class city. A vote was made to the motion to increase the City Manager's salary to $169,000. MOTION PASSED. Ayes: Kelly, Fry, Guffey, and Cohen Noes: Talianchich Absent: None A motion was then made by Councilmember Cohen and seconded by Mayor Pro Tern Fry to pay the City Manager 4 of his 5 weeks of accrued leave. MOTION PASSED. Ayes: Kelly, Fry, Guffey, Cohen, and Talianchich Noes: None Absent: None A motion was then made by Mayor Pro Tern Fry and seconded by Councilmember Cohen to recess the special meeting and reconvene to discuss the City Attorney after the regular meeting. MOTION PASSED. Ayes: Kelly, Fry, Guffey, Cohen, and Talianchich Noes: None Absent: None After the regular session, Council reconvened into special session at 6:58 p.m. 2. City Attorney Matters related to City Attorney legal services. (Note: Due to time constraints, Council recessed the special meeting and reconvened after regular session to discuss this item in closed executive session pursuant to Section 551.074 of Chapter 551 of the Texas Government Code (personnel matters, to deliberate the employment, evaluation or duties of a public officer or employee). City Council, City Attorney, City Manager and City Secretary were present. 3. Convene into Open Session A motion was made by Mayor Pro Tern Fry and seconded by Councilmember Cohen to reconvene into open session at 7:10 p.m. MOTION PASSED. Ayes: Kelly, Fry, Guffey, Cohen, and Talianchich Noes: None Absent: None A motion was made by Mayor Pro Tem Fry and seconded by Councilmember Cohen to approve the new contract with Johnson Radcliffe Petrov & Bobbitt PLLC for services to also include Planning and Zoning issues beginning April 1, 2009. MOTION PASSED. Ayes: Kelly, Fry, Guffey, Cohen, and Talianchich Noes: None Absent: None Page 2 of 4 City Council Meeting, December 8, 2008 A motion by Mayor Pro Tem Fry and a seconded by Councilmember Cohen and with all in favor, the special meeting adjourned at 7:15 P.M. MAYOR KELLY CALLED THE REGULAR MEETING TO ORDER AT 6:45 P.M. IN THE COUNCIL CHAMBERS Pledge of Allegiance - Led by Mayor Pro Tern Fry Pledge to the Texas Flag - Led by Councilmember Guffey Notice. City Secretary Lenz confirmed the notice of this meeting was duly posted in accordance with the Texas Government Code, Chapter 551. 4. Recognition of Parks Planning Subcommittee The members of the Parks Planning Subcommittee will be recognized for their efforts and each will be presented an award as a token of appreciation. Mayor and Council thanked and recognized subcommittee members Russ Schultz, Marti Turner, Janine Schueppert, and John Neighbors for a job well done and presented them each with an award. Committee members thanked Council and staff, particularly Tim O'Connor, for guidance and support. Russ Schultz added that we have reached a milestone, but need to stay forward to finish the job. 5. Public Comments This is an opportunity for citizens to speak to Council relating to agenda or non-agenda items. Speakers are required to address Council at the microphone and give their name and address before addressing their concerns. [Note: State law will not permit the City Council to fully discuss, debate, or consider items that are not on the agenda. Items that cannot be referred to the City Staff for action may be placed on the agenda of a future City Council meeting.] There were no public comments. 6. 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. City Council Minutes Approve City Council meeting minutes of December 1, 2008. B. Resolution for Municipal Setting Designation Matters related to a resolution in support of the application of Houston Pavilions LLP to the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality for a Municipal Setting Designation at 1210 San Jacinto Street. Mayor Pro Tern Fry moved to approve the consent agenda. Councilmember Cohen seconded the motion. MOTION PASSED. Ayes: Kelly, Fry, Guffey, Cohen, and Talianchich Noes: None Absent: None Page 3 of 4 City Council Meeting, December 8, 2008 7. Executive Session (if necessary) Council reserves the right to at any time during the session convene in a closed session pursuant to Chapter 551 of the Texas Government Code, for reasons including but not limited to: Section 551.071 (consultation with legal counsel to seek or receive legal advice or consultation regarding pending or contemplated litigation); Section 551.072 (discussion about the value or transfer of real property and other real estate matters; Section 551.074 (personnel matters); 551.076 (deliberation about security devices); Section 551.087 (deliberation regarding economic development). There was no executive session pertaining to the regular agenda. 8. Convene into Open Session Not applicable for regular session. 9. Adjournment Mayor Pro Tern Fry moved to adjourn the regular meeting at 6:54 p.m. and reconvene into special session to conclude discussion/action of special agenda items. Councilmember Cohen seconded the motion. MOTION PASSED. Ayes: Kelly, Fry, Guffey, Cohen, and Talianchich Noes: None Absent: None Prepared by: qv'~'-- Thelma A. Lenz, City Secretary ° Date Approved: 2"4 /V w ?axes N Page 4 of 4