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MINUTES
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CITY COUNCIL MEETING
CITY OF UNIVERSITY PARK, TEXAS
COUNCIL CHAMBER - CITY HALL MODULAR BUILDING
TUESDAY, AUGUST 26, 2008, 5:05 P.M.
Mayor James H. Holmes, III, opened the regular City Council Meeting at 5:05 p.m. in the Council
Chamber in the City Hall Modular Building. Mayor Pro Tem Kelly Walker and Council members
Syd Carter, Bob Clark, and Jerry Grable were in attendance. Also in attendance were City Manager
Bob Livingston, City Attorney Rob Dillard, Acting City Secretary Brandy Voge and Assistant City
Secretary/Payroll Specialist Liz Spector.
AWARDS AND RECOGNITION:
Mayor Holmes recognized Fire Chief Randy Howell for his completion of the U.S. Fire
Administration National Fire Academy's `Bxecutive Fire Officer Program." This is an intensive
program that only a handful of people in Texas have completed.
Mayor Holmes also made a Proclamation designating the week of August 25 Sustainability Week.
Mayor Holmes asked if there were any items to be pulled off the Consent Agenda before approval,
and there were none. Mayor Pro Tem Walker moved approval of the Consent Agenda.
Councilmember Jerry Grable seconded, and the vote was unanimous to approve the following:
- CONSIDER AND ACT ON A RESOLUTION TO ADOPT THE 2008 PROPERTY
APPRAISAL ROLL: The 2008 appraisal roll for the City of University Park totals $8,620,083,420
market value, $5,806,611,835 taxable value, and $189,935,623 new construction value.
RESOLUTION NO. 08-15
A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF UNIVERSITY
PARK, TEXAS, ADOPTING THE 2008 APPRAISAL ROLL OF THE DALLAS
CENTRAL APPRAISAL DISTRICT FOR THE CITY; AND PROVIDING AN
EFFECTIVE DATE.
CONSIDER AND ACT ON AN ADDENDUM TO AN ENGINEERING CONTRACT WITH
R.L. GOODSON, CONSULTING ENGINEERS: The City Council previously authorized a
contract with R.L. Goodson to develop a master plan for the proposed McFarlin Bridge-McElveney
Dam replacement. Near the completion of their work, staff was contacted by residents adjacent to
Williams Park regarding concerns over the proposed reconstruction. After meeting with the
residents, a consultant was asked to modify the scope of work and add a couple of alternatives to
address neighborhood issues. This will involve additional computer modeling for each of the
scenarios and some conceptual design coordination. Staff recommends City Council approval of
the $10,200 addendum to the contract with R.L. Goodson, subject to the deletion of the "limit of
liability" clause.
CONSIDER AND ACT ON BUYBOARD PURCHASE OF 2009 CHEVROLET COLORADO
EXTENDED CAB PICKUP TRUCK: The Fire Department is requesting a vehicle for the
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Assistant Fire Marshal. Staff recommends purchase of the 2009 Chevrolet Colorado Extended Cab
pickup from Caldwell Country Chevrolet in the amount of $19,353.00.
CONSIDER AND ACT ON A CONTRACT FOR HEALTH SERVICES FY09 FROM
DALLAS COUNTY HEALTH & HUMAN SERVICES DEPARTMENT: The City agrees to
pay Dallas County the sum of $48.00 for the fiscal year October l, 2008 through September 30,
2009, which is the agreed upon portion of total cost less federal and state funding.
CONSIDER AND ACT ON APPROVAL OF CITY COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES FOR
AUGUST 12, 2008.
MAIN AGENDA
DISCUSS A REPORT FROM THE SNIDER PLAZA STRATEGIC PLAN COMMITTEE
AND PROVIDE DIRECTIONS TO STAFF: City Council approved and appointed the Snider
P1azalHillcrest Strategic Plan Committee on June 19, 2007 to provide recommendations regarding
development standards, parking, and financing mechanisms to implement the vision and concepts in
the strategic plan. Duncan Fulton, a professional architect and member of the committee, presented
these recommendations to City Council and displayed a power point presentation showing the
findings. In addition to Mr. Fulton, the members of the Snider Plaza Strategic Plan Committee in
attendance were Councilmember Jerry Grable, Chair of the committee, former Mayor and
Councilmember Barbara Hitzelberger-Wooten, Ms. Mary Graves, Mr. Max Fuqua, Marc Hall, John
Jackson, Roger Fullington, and Councilmember Bobby Clark. Mike Culwell, chairman of
UDADAC and committee member was absent. Mr. Fulton thanked the Council for adopting the
Strategic Plan and stated that it made the committee's job easier by distinguishing "how" to
accomplish the goals, rather than "what" to accomplish. All of the committee members are -
residents of University Park with different areas of expertise and interest. Mr. Fulton explained that
the study area was more than merely the Snider Plaza area; it also included Hillcrest Avenue south
of Daniel. Most of the area is under common zoning and no substantive changes have been made to
the zoning ordinances in over 35 years. Of the 1.45 million square feet in the area in the study, 1.15
million actually fronts Snider Plaza (a 3:1 F.A.R. ratio). In the Hillcrest South Area, the Committee
stated that an enhanced Public Street Zone was needed and a general framework be developed to
provide street edge planting and provide pedestrian protection and enhancements. Mr. Fulton stated
that the Committee recommended the development of a detailed plan to implement this by
consulting with a Professional Engineer or landscape design firm.
After one year of study, this plan was approved unanimously by the Committee on June 1 l, 2008
and Mr. Fulton reiterated that it was a collective effort and thanked the Committee. Councilmember
and Committee member Grable also thanked the city staff inembers for their work in this effort and
invited committee members to speak if they wished.
Mr. John Jackson thanked the Council. He asked them to come up with solutions and asked what
the financial responsibility of the city was for this project. He stated that the adoption of these
recommendations should benefit the city economically and that the consultant indicated that a lack
of parking contributes to a loss of Sales Tax revenue.
Committee member Marc Hall asked that the City reject any decision to use parking meters.
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Committee member Mary Graves added that preservation of Snider Plaza is key and recommended
that the City work in that direction.
Committee member Roger Fullington said that a parking garage for Plaza employees on the Chase
side of the Plaza would make room for 300 new customers. He emphasized that it would be worth
the City taking leadership to construct a parking garage.
Committee member Max Fuqua thanked the Council for their willingness to take this issue
seriously. He stated that he was impressed with the time that City Manager Bob Livingston and the
Department heads spent in the meeting working with the committee and said that it is clear that the
same level of commitment will be necessary to fix this issue. Mayor Holmes stated that the
Committee's report will not be swept under the rug and that the City and Council will work to
improve the situation in the Snider Plaza/Hillcrest area.
Former Mayor Hitzelberger-Wooten stated that the Snider Plaza Committee was very dynamic and
thanked Mr. Fuqua for riding his bike to work. She urged the Council to move forward on adopting
the Committee's recommendations.
Mr. Matt Dixon, 3448 Rosedale expressed his gratitude and asked about specific MF2 dynamics
regarding the townscape plan and traffic flow. He urged that some type of extension of one-way
traffic be adopted and stated that traffic is the ugly twin of parking. He also mentioned that added
parking will create added traffic problems.
Mayor Holmes stated that while he did not want to act piece-meal, he wondered if there was
anything that could be done now. Mr. Fulton mentioned that there was a modified PD in the packet
LL with recommended language for the City Attorney to prepare the Ordinance. The recommendation
of the Committee was to act now. Councilmember Carter asked why were drive-through lanes
prohibited in the Committee's recommendations, and Mr. Fulton stated that they were completely
inconsistent to their view of Snider Plaza, and an antithesis to most of the recommendations drafted
in February 2008. Mayor Holmes stated that the City would implement a number of issues right
now.
Mr. Bill Minnick, 3547 Haynie, questioned how the plan the committee devised would ensure
preservation of character in Snider Plaza and the surrounding neighborhoods without the Chase site.
Mayor Holmes said that there are things the City can do to help, but if and when Chase Bank comes
back to the City, the City will go another step and work with them and with Planning and Zoning.
Mr. Minnick asked for clarification regarding whether the Snider Plaza property owners came to the
table or if the City did, and Mayor Holmes responded that the City asked for a committee and
therefore took the initiative.
Mr. John Rule, 5350 Montrose, came forward representing Bicycle UP. He stated that it was
critical to enhancing the culture of the community to provide bicycle parking in Snider Plaza. Mr.
Rule feels that adding such parking would help businesses by creating a new consumer base for
commuter-type purchases, i.e.; locks, baskets, etc. He also feels that a bicycle parking plan would
not compromise the existing parking.
Mr. Bob Teeter, 3309 Colgate, owner of several Snider Plaza buildings, thanked the City Manager
for his persistence with the tax increment financing possibilities. He feels that there is difficulty in
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Public Improvement District organization and that a site for parking solution depends on owners
getting together and not fragmenting. Mr. Teeter said he also anticipates the forming of a Snider
Plaza Commercial Properties Association.
Mayor Holmes then stated that Council will take all of this information under advisement and move
forward quickly. He asked Council to go over the full report and offer recommendations. Mayor
Holmes said that he and Council hoped to make Snider Plaza a better place to shop. A short break
was taken, after which Mayor Holmes called the meeting back to order.
PUBLIC HEARING ON PROPOSED FY2009 BUDGET AND TAX RATE: Texas statutes
require that cities provide notice and hold public hearings before adopting an annual budget and
property tax rate. At the previous City Council meeting on August 12, 2008, Finance Director Kent
Austin gave an in-depth discussion regarding the proposed FY2009 budget. At this meeting Mr.
Austin provided copies of the proposed Fiscal Year 2009 budget, and the Mayor asked if there were
any questions or if anyone would like more detail. There were no questions, and Mayor Holmes
thanked Mr. Austin and said he looked forward to the next Public Hearing scheduled for September
16, 2008.
CONSIDER AND ACT ON PURCHASE OF AUTOMATED PARKING
ENFORCEMENT/AUTOCHALK SYSTEM: Police Administrative Captain Leon Holman
represented the police department to present a recommendation for the purchase of electronic
enforcement equipment to be used by current enforcement personnel. This equipment will replace
the outdated chalking stick with state-of-the-art digital photography as well as computer hardware
and software. City Manager Livingston mentioned that this technology directly addresses one of
the issues cited in the report from the Snider Plaza/Hillcrest Task Force that was discussed
previously. Councilmember Clark agreed that the purchase of this technology was a good first step -
towards improving the parking problems in the city. Councilmember Grable moved approval of the
purchase of the Automated Parking Enforcement/AutoChalk System. Councilmember Bobby Clark
seconded the motion, and the vote was unanimous to approve the purchase of the Automated
Parking Enforcement/AutoChalk System.
DISCUSS LIGHT FIXTURES FOR COUNCIL CHAMBER RENOVATION: On July 22,
2008, there was a discussion in the City Council Pre-Meeting about whether to refurbish the
existing chandelier and sconces in the City Council Chamber or replace them with a new
chandelier. The interior decorator hired by the City to assist with the renovations to City Hall
recommended that a chandelier be custom designed and provided a drawing of her selection
detailing this light fixture with a cost of $30,000. The City Hall Renovation Committee discussed
this item at its meeting August 26 and made a recommendation to accept the purchase and
installation of the new chandelier. Mayor Holmes asked if there were any questions from Council
regarding the purchase of this light fixture. Mayor Pro Tem Walker suggested that the existing light
fixture be stored and preserved for possible future use. The Council agreed and Mayor Holmes
moved approval of the purchase of the new chandelier and to store and preserve the existing light
fixture for future use. Councilmember Clark seconded the motion, and the vote was unanimous to
approve the purchase of the chandelier and to store and preserve the existing light fixture for future
use.
CONSIDER AND ACT ON PURCHASE OF FURNITURE, FIXTURES AND EQUIPMENT
PRODUCTS RELATED TO PHASE II OF CITY HALL RENOVATION: Purchasing Agent
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Christine Green presented the final plan for purchase of furniture, fixtures and equipment products
to be installed in the second phase of the City Hall renovation. She explained that Business
Interiors submitted quotes and estimates for Phase II for a total amount of $339,137.35. This
amount includes receiving, delivery to the site, and product installation. The pricing submitted is
through TXMAS (Texas Multiple Award Schedule) and satisfies all competitive bidding
requirements. In addition to the quote from Business Interiors, Ms. Green obtained a bid from
Southwest Solutions Group for DSM Law Enforcement Products. The quote in the amount of
$41,756.00 is for pass-thru evidence lockers and gun lockers for the armory and Police sally port.
In addition, the cost of the chandelier approved in the previous item was included in the total.
Mayor Holmes moved approval of the purchase of furniture, fixtures and equipment related to
Phase II of the renovation of City Hall. Councilmember Grable seconded the motion, and the vote
was unanimous to approve.
CONSIDER AND ACT ON A RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING THE REPLACEMENT OF
A WATER LINE IN PRESTON ROAD: According to Public Works Director Bud Smallwood,
the heat and dry soil conditions this summer resulted in an unusually high number of water main
breaks throughout the City. The water main in Preston Road, specifically between Bryn Mawr and
Centenary, was again a problem area. Staff asked the City Attorney to draft a resolution which will
allow the Council to authorize the emergency replacement of the subject water line. Mayor Pro
Tem Walker moved approval of the resolution authorizing the execution of a$1,600,000 contract
with SYB Construction for the emergency repair of waterlines in Preston Road and pavement
repair. Councilmember Carter seconded, and the vote was unanimous to approve.
RESOLUTION NO. 08-16
- A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF
UNIVERSITY PARK, TEXAS, AUTHORIZING THE CITY MANAGER TO
EXECUTE A CONTRACT FOR THE EMERGENCY REPAIR OF A WATER
LINE; MAKING FINDINGS EXEMPTING SUCH CONTRACT FROM THE
REQUIREMENTS OF COMPETITIVE BIDDING; AND PROVIDING AN
EFFECTIVE DATE.
DISCUSS A DATE FOR REVIEWING CONCEPTUAL DESIGNS FOR MCFARLIN
BRIDGE-MCELVENEY DAM REPLACEMENT: Public Works Director Bud Smallwood
stated that consultants have developed a master plan for the replacement of the McFarlin bridge and
McElveney dam. The key element in this planning effort is to construct the improvements so the
100-year flood plain does not encroach onto University Blvd., McFarlin Blvd., or the City Hall fire
bays. Staff requests that the City Council set a special meeting October 29, 2008 at which the
residents with property abutting the proposed improvements have the opportunity to view the
conceptual master plan and to provide comment on the project. There were no conflicts with this
proposed meeting date and the meeting was set for October 29, 2008 to review the conceptual
designs for McFarlin Bridge-McElveney Dam Replacement.
DISCUSS STARTING TIMES FOR SEPTEMBER PRE-MEETINGS: City Manager Bob
Livingston presented a possible schedule for pre-meetings during September. He explained that
Council has meetings scheduled on September 2nd, 9th, 16th, and the 30th. The additional
meetings have been scheduled to allow time for in-depth discussion of several complicated issues.
Many of these were referred to committees for recommendations, and the committees have now
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returned with their recommendations. Mr. Livingston itemized the specific items scheduled for
each meeting. Council agreed with the proposed start times as follows: September 2°d Regular
Meeting: Suggested starting time is 3:00 p.m.; September 9'h Special Meeting: Suggested starting
time is 2:30 p.m.; September 16th Regular Meeting: Suggested starting time is 2:00 p.m.; September
30ih Special Meeting: Suggested starting time is 2:30 p.m. There were no changes to this proposed
schedule and Council agreed to the new starting times for the upcoming pre-meetings.
PUBLIC COMMENTS
Mayor Holmes then asked if there were any public comments stating that anyone wishing to address
an item not on the agenda could do so at this time. He noted that resident Kitty Holleman had
wished to speak to thank Council for the "No Parking" signs that had been installed at her request
on Pickwick but she had to leave and asked Mayor Holmes to relay her message. Seeing no one
else wishing to speak, the meeting was adjourned at 7:00 p.m.
PASSED AND APPROVED this 2nd day of September, 2008.
J es H. m s, III, May
ATTEST:
randy Voge, Secret