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HomeMy WebLinkAbout02-15-05435 MINUTES #2504 CITY COUNCIL MEETING CITY OF UNIVERSITY PARK, TEXAS CITY HALL CONFERENCE ROOM TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 15, 2005, 7:30 A.M. Mayor Blackie Holmes opened the meeting of the City Council. Present were Mayor Pro Tempore Jim Roberts and Councilmembers Harry Shawver, Kelly Walker and Syd Carter. Also in attendance were City Attorney Rob Dillard, City Manager Bob Livingston and City Secretary Nina Wilson. ITEMS FROM THE FLOOR Mr. Morton Newman, 6725 Golf Drive, spoke in opposition to the house being built at Golf and Rosedale. Mr. Robert Johnson, who lives at the comer of Windsor and Loma Alto, spoke in opposition of future restrictions on comer lots. Councilmember Walker moved acceptance of the Consent Agenda. Councilmember Carter seconded, and the vote was unanimous to approve the Consent Agenda: CONSENT AGENDA CONSIDER REQUEST FROM HIGHLAND PARK PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH FOR EASTER SUNDAY SUNRISE SERVICE AT GOAR PARK: The church begins their set-up at approximately 4:00 a.m. and usually leaves the park no later than 8:00 a.m. The church estimates approximately 700 participants will be in attendance Easter morning. CONSIDER CHANGING THE CITY PUBLIC SAFETY WIRELESS SOLUTION: In early 2004, the City received a letter from AT&T announcing the end of the Cellular Digital Packet Data (CDPD) network effective June 30, 2004, and incentive to migrate to their new General Packet Radio Services (GPRS) network. Staff has evaluated responses from Verizon Wireless, AT&T Wireless, and Sprint. One solution has surfaced as the best fit to meet all of those objectives. A service called Evolution Data Optimized (EVDO) and provided by Verizon Wireless seems to be the best fit to meet all objectives. Staff recommends awarding a contract for Public Safety Wireless Services to Verizon Wireless for $1,743.00 per month. CONSIDER DATES FOR 2005 EMPLOYEE HOLIDAYS: In 2005, the City will recognize employee holidays on the following days: New Year's Day, Monday, January 3rd ---Employee Picnic, Friday, May 27th, Close at noon --- Memorial Day, Monday, May 30th -" 4th of July, Monday, July 4th --- Labor Day, Monday, September 5th '" Thanksgiving, Thursday & Friday, November 24th & 25th '-' Christmas Eve & Christmas Day, Friday, December 23rd & Monday, December 26th. Sanitation collection will resume on Tuesday, December 27th. The 2006 New Year Holiday will be celebrated on Monday, January 2nd. CONSIDER APPROVAL OF CITY COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES: For February 1, 2005. 436 MAIN AGENDA CONSIDER KERV1N MEMORIAL PROJECT: This item was continued. CONSIDER REQUEST TO ABANDON SANITARY SEWER EASEMENT AT 6809 GOLF: The owner of the property at 6809 Golf requested the City abandon an easement for a previously abandoned sanitary sewer that crossed the residential lot. Even though the sewer is no longer in service, the City still retains the easement which encumbers his property. Staff will determine the fair market value for the easement and request the City Attorney develop an abandonment ordinance. Councilmember Shawver moved approval to the abandonment. Mayor Pro Tern Roberts seconded, and the vote was unanimous to abandon the sanitary sewer easement at 6809 Golf. CONSIDER CONTRACT FOR MASTER PLAN DEVELOPMENT FOR SNIDER PLAZA/HILLCREST SOUTH: One of the goals from the October Council/Staff Planning session was commercial vitality and the redevelopment of commercial areas with an emphasis on Snider Plaza and the Miracle Mile. A meeting with Townscape Planning Inc. was held to discuss the best approach to developing the plan. Since there is a potential for immediate development in the Snider Plaza/Hillcrest South area, as well as, the fact that specific zoning issues need to be addressed, this proposal is to perform the first study on Snider Plaza/Hillcrest South, which will run from Lovers Lane to the Hilton Hotel. Once this area is completed, in approximately one year, the scope and timeframe for the work on the Miracle Mile can be determined. The proposal totals $95,212. Mr. Dennis Wilson of Townscape Planning, Inc. was present at the meeting as was Mr. Robert Fullington, property owner in Snider Plaza, who spoke in favor of using a professional consultant. Mayor Pro Tem Roberts moved approval of the contract. Councilmember Shawver seconded, and the vote was unanimous to approve a contract with Townscape Planning, Inc. for a Master Plan Development for Snider Plaza/Hillcrest South. CONSIDER SNIDER PLAZA SPRING BANNERS: In an effort to establish additional seasonal color during the spring season, Phase II of the Snider Plaza Banner Program will be implemented. Decorative Spring banners will be installed on approximately 30 light poles at Snider Plaza. Two banners will be installed on each light pole in order to obtain greater visual impact. To date, the City has received $2,000.00 in donations from local business owners within Snider Plaza. The City's portion of the project will be $787.00. Director of Parks Gerry Bradley made a PowerPoint presentation displaying the banners. Councilmember Carter moved acceptance of the banner program for Snider Plaza. Councilmember Shawver seconded, and the vote was unanimous to approve Phase II of the Snider Plaza Banner Program. DISCUSS ZONING REQUIREMENTS ASSOCIATED WITH RESIDENTIAL CONSTRUCTION ON CORNER LOTS: Councilmember Walker moved the issue be sent to the Zoning Ordinance Advisory Committee (ZOAC) for more detailed discussion and recommendation back to Council. Mayor Pro Tem Roberts seconded, and the vote was unanimous to send the matter to ZOAC. DISCUSS PARK INFORMATION SIGNS: One of the goals under the Strategic Plan entitled City Aesthetics was to install attractive, uniformed signs in each park which provided park history, regulations, and hours of operations. Director of Parks Gerry Bradley made a PowerPoint presentation displaying different signs. It was decided that the Park Advisory 437 Committee should discuss the signs and that other signs would also be presented to the Council at a future date. REVIEW QUARTERLY FINANCIAL STATEMENTS: A set of financial reports for the City was presented by Director of Finance Kent Austin. The reports show budget-to-actual activity by fund and department, and a narrative is also provided to highlight notable events and trends. Mr. Austin stated the City was exactly where it should be for the first quarter. Mayor Holmes adjourned the meeting and called the Council into Executive Session at 8:32 a.m. for a consultation with the City Attorney to receive legal advice under Section 551.071 of the Government Code. The Executive Session ended at 9:03 a.m. No action was taken during the meeting. PASSED AND APPROVED this 1st day of March 2005. ~al~/s H. Holmes III, ~yor ~'Ni~il~, City Secretary