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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMn 09-09-08373 MINUTES #2743 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 37~ 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 375 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. 376 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 /~ ~ ~yl ~ ,, ~i ~;~' i ~~ Brandy Voge, C' Secret y ;, ,