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MINUTES
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CITY COUNCIL MEETING
CITY OF UNIVERSITY PARK, TEXAS
COUNCIL CHAMBER - CITY HALL MODULAR BUILDING
TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 9, 2008, 5:00 P.M.
Pre-Meeting Schedule
2:30 - 4:00 P.M. Wark Session for Agenda Review
4:00 - 4:15 P.M. Executive Session Under Section 551.071 of the
Government Code, for Consultation with City Attorney regarding Legal
Matters for the 30-inch Sanitary Sewer. No action was taken.
4:15 - 5:00 P.M. Work Session for Agenda Review
I. Call to Order
Mayor Holmes opened the regular City Council Meeting at 5:00 p.m. in the
Council Chamber in the City Hall Modular Building. Present were Mayor Holmes,
Mayor Pro Tem Walker, Councilmember Carter, Councilmember Clark, and
Councilmember Grable. Also in attendance were City Manager Livingston, and
City Attorney Dillard.
A. Introduction of Council
B. Invocation
C. Pledge of Allegiance
Councilmember Clark led the meeting in the Pledge of Allegiance.
D. Introduction of Staff
City Manager Bob Livingston introduced City Staff in attendance as
follows: Luanne Hanford, Director of Human Resources; Ken Irvin, Information
Services; Bud Smallwood, Director of Public Works; Gary Adams, Chief of Police;
Tim Pope, Information Services; Jim Criswell, Director of Information Services;
Randy Howell, Fire Chief; Gerry Bradley, Directar of Parks; Kent Austin, Director
of Finance; Steve Mace, Community Information Officer; Robbie Corder, Director
of Community Development; Brandy Voge, City Secretary; and Liz Spector,
Assistant City Secretary/Payroll Specialist.
II. Consent Agenda
A. Interlocal Cooperation Agreement for D.A.R.E. Officer
B. Interlocal Cooperation Agreement for School Resource Officer
C. Approval of Minutes of 9-02-08 City Council Meeting
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Mayor Pro Tem Walker made a motion to approve the Consent Agenda.
Councilmember Carter seconded, and the motion carried unanimously.
III. Main Agenda
A. Coffee Park Development and Northwest Hi~hway Wall Landscape
Park Director Bradley spoke to Council addressing the potential Coffee Park
improvements. Director Bradley asked for permission based on the designs
to put together bid specifications. The actual project is budgeted for $1.7
million and includes landscaping on the north and south walls, along
Northwest Highway and includes a playground, walking and biking trail and
athletic field improvements. Mr. Bradley stated that City staff is asking for
direction on how to proceed.
Mayor Holmes mentioned that the Coffee Family was donating the sculpture
that was to be placed in the park and Mr. Bradley added that the Coffee
family was also providing the funding for the structural support for the
sculpture. This sculpture won a design award and was designed by Bob
Coffee, the brother of former Mayor Coffee. The City of University Park
will be one of only two sites that will have this sculpture. The City Hall of
Georgetown, Texas will be the second site. Mr. Bradley added that the City
was going to install a plaque at the site to recognize the contributions of the
Coffee Family. Councilmember Syd Carter asked if the homeowners on
Villanova were okay with the proposed park improvements and Mr. Bradley
answered that the homeowners had been consulted and shown the master
plans and all were in favor of and excited about the planned park
improvements.
Mr. Bradley discussed the historical timeline component that was going to be
installed in the shade structure by the playground site. He also discussed the
five areas located along the trail system that will include more detailed
narrative on the history of the city. He hoped that the local elementary
schools will bring the students to the park to study the history of the city.
Mayor Holmes asked if the playground and park areas were going to be
"barrier-free" and Mr. Bradley answered that the entire playground area was
going to be accessible for disabled children and their parents. Mr. Bradley
also stated that a good portion of the cost of this playground was for the
rubberized groundcover to make the structure more accessible. Mayor
Holmes asked if there were any other questions. Hearing none, he asked for
a motion approving the Coffee Park development and landscape plans to go
out for bid.
Councilmember Carter made a motion to approve Coffee Park Development
and Northwest Highway Wall Landscaping. Mayor Holmes seconded, and
the motion carried unanimously.
B. Barbara Hitzelberger Park Revised Concept Plan Review.
Park Director Bradley stated that concerns have been brought to his attention
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fram Council and some residents regarding the east parcel of the Barbara
Hitzelberger Park located on the southeast corner of Hillcrest Avenue and
Lovers Lane. Mr. Bradley would like Council to allow him to work with a
landscape architect to reconfigure the park to make it "softer" and more
visually appealing to pedestrians and vehicular traffic. He said he would
also like to obtain some preliminary drawings and get a cost estimate from a
landscape architect.
Based on recommendations from Council, City staff requested approval to
obtain a proposal from Mr. Mike Kilpatrick, a local landscape architect who
the City has worked with in the past, most recently, on the Sis Germany
Park project. That park has received many favorable remarks from Council
and residents.
Mayor Holmes reminded Council that Councilmember Clark suggested that
the east side of the park should have the same symmetry and tie in with the
west side fountain and have the same type of concept. Mr. Bradley agreed
and said that was a major goal and staff would ask the architect to bring two
different concept drawings for review. Mayor Holmes also wanted to ensure
that there would be no signage on the east side of the park. Mr. Bradley
stated that the existing signage would be moved to the Peek Service Center
which would allow for additional green spaces and color to the east parcel to
increase the visual impact of the park.
Mayor Pro Tem Walker made a motion to approve the hiring of a landscape
architect to redesign the east side of Barbara Hitzelberger Park and bring
drawings back to Council for review. Councilmember Grable seconded, and
the motion carried unanimously.
C. Consideration of an Ordinance providing for ~ecial signs on specific
properties.
Community Development Director, Robbie Corder stated that this proposed
ordinance is an amendment to the Sign Ordinance which will allow
applicants from a single property to apply for a special sign. Currently, the
only provision allowing for a sign that doesn't meet the current ordinance is
a"Sign District" which is for an entire block or two and does not allow for a
single sign to be approved. While this proposed amendment was due to
Kuby's application for a special clock, it is independent of that application.
The proposed sign ordinance would be similar to a sign district. The
applicant would apply for a special sign, submit specific material
information on such a sign and then go to UDADAC for review prior
to submission to Council. This ordinance would require that any such sign
promote the general architectural, historic or scenic character ofthe building
site. Mayor Holmes asked if there were any questions for Mr. Corder.
Hearing none, Mayor Holmes asked for a motion to approve the ordinance
providing for special signs on specific properties.
Mayor Pro Tem Walker made a motion to approve approve an Ordinance
providing for special signs on specific properties. Councilmember Carter
seconded, and the motion carried unanimously.
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D. NW Hwy Screening Wall - CO No 4
Based on a work session presentation from Public Works Director Bud
Smallwood, City Manager Livingston stated that City staff is looking for
approval from Council to hire a structural engineer to redesign portal
structures and transition walls for the Northwest Highway/Hillcrest area.
Staff will bring these designs back to Council and if approved, will take the
designs to bid.
Mayor Holmes aksed for a motion to hire a consultant and to bring back
their design and plans for the structures.
Councilmember Grable made a motion to approve the hiring of a consultant
and to bring their designs back to Council for the NW Hwy Screening Wall.
Councilmember Clark seconded, and the motion carried unanimously.
E. Settlement agreement with Atmos Energy Corporation
According to Finance Director Kent Austin, this ordinance results in a$20
million dollar increase in revenue for ATMOS, rather than their requested
$33.5 million increase. The estimated impact on consumers would be a
monthly increase of $0.81. The consultant hired by the Steering Committee
of Cities recommended participating cities approve this agreement
by October 1, 2008. Staff recommends approval of this settlement
agreement.
Councilmember Grable made a motion to approve approve the Settlement
agreement with Atmos Energy Corporation. Councilmember Carter
seconded, and the motion carried unanimously.
IV. Public Comments
Seeing no one wishing to speak, Mayor Holmes adjourned the meeting.
PASSED AND APPROVED this 30th day of September 200
ATTEST:
ames H. I~olmes, IIJ! Mayor
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