HomeMy WebLinkAbout2014.02.18 City Council Meeting Minutes 725
t*,174 City of University Park City Hall
3800 University Blvd.
University Park,TX 75205
Meeting Minutes
City Council
Tuesday,February 18,2014 5:00 PM Council Chamber
PRE-MEETING WORK SESSIONS:
4 -4:15 P.M. Director of Parks Gerry Bradley provided information to the City
Council on McFarlin Blvd. medians. He mentioned he worked with code enforcement
staff to determine whether there were violations and/or encroachments onto the
medians and several were determined to exist. The Council discussed whether
code enforcement should send letters to property owners informing them of these
violations. Mayor Davis asked City Manager Livingston if the land could be used for
public use. The Council then discussed whether an alley could be constructed in the
existing parkway and a fence installed to shield the alley from the view of property
owners on the north side of McFarlin. No action was taken.
4:15—5 P.M. The Council met to receive agenda item briefings from staff No action
was taken.
I. CALL TO ORDER
Rollcall
Present: 5- Mayor W. Richard Davis, Mayor Pro Tern Bob Clark, Councilmember Bob
Begert, Councilmember Dawn Moore and Councilmember Tommy Stewart
A. INVOCATION: Councilmember Bob Begert
B. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE: Councilmember Begert / Boy Scouts
Boy Scouts Riley Breaux and Reese Breaux assisted in leading the Pledge of
Allegiance. Both scouts were members of Troop 577 and present as part of earning
the Citizenship in the Community merit badge.
C. INTRODUCTION OF COUNCIL: Mayor W. Richard Davis
D. INTRODUCTION OF STAFF: City Manager Bob Livingston
II. AWARDS AND RECOGNITION - None
III. CONSENT AGENDA
A motion was made by Councilmember Stewart,seconded by Councilmember
Begert,to approve the Consent Agenda. The motion carried by the following
IL vote:
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Aye: 5- Mayor Davis, Mayor Pro Tern Clark, Councilmember Begert,
Councilmember Moore, and Councilmember Stewart
A. 14-018 Receive University Park Police Department Annual Traffic Stop
Analysis
This Report was received.
IV. MAIN AGENDA
A. 14-020 Consider and act on an ordinance authorizing the removal of the
"Loading Zone" along the west side of the street in front of 6719
Hillcrest
Director of Public Works Bud Smallwood addressed the City Council. He stated staff
received a request from a property owner to remove the loading zone parking space
located at 6719 Hillcrest. Mr. Smallwood said the loading zone designation was
originally implemented in the early 90s at the request of a bicycle shop located at that
address to assist its customers in dropping off and picking up bulky items.
Mr Smallwood said when any request to change parking is received he directs staff
to poll the block. He said six responses were received in favor of the request to
remove the loading zone and one response was received opposed to the request.
Mr. Smallwood said staff policy is to recommend such requests based on majority
opinion. He stated there is a clear majority in favor of removing the loading zone.
Property owner and resident Heidi Levy addressed the Council. She stated removal «.►
of the short-term parking space would negatively affect her business which is located
at this address. She stated patrons of the local coffee shop and hair salons and
plumbing company employees take up all the available parking spaces, leaving none
for her or her customers. Mrs. Levy also asked if the City could designate the
parking space handicapped-only. Director of Public Works Smallwood said there is
no need for the two-hour space to be designated handicapped because if a vehicle
parking there has a handicap placard it will not be ticketed for parking in the space
beyond two hours.
Mr. Maurice Levy addressed the City Council. He said the business located at 6719
Hillcrest is a small watch and jewely repair business. He said the short term space is
necessary for their customers. He also stated there is no handicap space in their
block. Mayor Davis reiterated that the request before the Council was only about
eliminating the loading zone designation from the parking space. He said any
request for a handicap space in that block will be a separate issue for the future.
Councilmember Moore stated that she understood the parking space cannot be
designated handicapped parking only becuase that would require taking two spaces.
Mr. Smallwood said that is correct. He said it is difficult to install a handicapped
parking space in the middle of a block because not only does it require taking up two
spaces, it requires installation of a ramp to the sidewalk in the middle of the block.
He said these are usually installed at the ends of blocks.
Councilmember Begert asked Mr. Levy who usually parks in the space. Mr. Levy
said the majority of the time the space is taken up by the coffee shop patrons or the
plumbing company employees. Mayor Pro Tern Clark said the survey was sent to
merchants and property owners in the 6700 block of Hillcrest and was returned by a
mixture of owners and leaseholders. Mr. Smallwood said staff does not differentiate
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whether the survey is returned by a property owner or leaseholder. He said they
carry equal weight.
Councilmember Moore asked about other 15-minute parking spaces in the city. Mr.
Smallwood said there are several, one at a coffee shop, one at a pharmacy, and
others in the Miracle Mile area. He said any requests made for specific parking
designations do trigger surveys being sent to all property
owners/residents/businesses in the particular location. He stated any decision made
on parking changes will be reflected by the majority opinion of returned surveys.
Mr. John Jackson addressed the City Council. He said he owns 6725-6727 Hillcrest
which is adjacent to the property in question. He said the loading zone was installed
to allow bicycles to be dropped off and picked up for safety reasons. He said it
makes no sense now to have it because there are two 15-minute spaces in the area
already and a handicap-parking only space very close to the Levy's establishment.
Mr. Jackson also stated the space has generated controversy for the City's parking
enforcement officer and police officers. He said he supports the request to remove
the 15-minute designation.
Mr. Levy said he needs his loading zone as a small business owner to assist his
customers. Mrs. Levy said the plumbing company trucks are a problem.
Mayor Davis asked the Council if they had further questions. There were none and
Mayor Davis asked for a motion.
Councilmember Begert reiterated that the space could be designated 15-minute
parking only, however that would require a separate survey and ordinance for the
• Council's consideration.
A motion was made by Mayor W.Richard Davis,seconded by Councilmember
Tommy Stewart,to adopt the Ordinance removing the"Loading Zone." The
motion carried by the following vote:
Aye: 5- Mayor Davis, Mayor Pro Tern Clark, Councilmember Begert,
Councilmember Moore, and Councilmember Stewart
Enactment No: ORD No.14/003
B. 14-021 Consider and act on an ordinance designating NO PARKING along the
south side of Villanova, west from Tulane to Pickwick
Director of Public Works Smallwood addressed the City Council regarding a request
from representatives of the Park Cities Baptist Church(PCBC). He said the request
is No Parking 8 a.m. -6 p.m., every day, and this is recommended by staff. He said
the church owns 80%of the property along this block.
Mr. Michael Adams, representing PCBC said the church has 700 underground
parking spaces in its garage. He said this is more than enough to accommodate
church visitors for any activity occuring on Saturdays. Mr. Adams said PCBC is
concerned about the safety of the children and that is the reason for the request.
Mr. Smallwood stated staff recommended enforcing the No Parking 8-6 daily
because it would create a conflict to have signs stating No Parking 8-6 Monday
through Friday, and No Parking 8- 12 Sunday. He said it will be more effective to
have signs say No Parking 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. and have it be a daily designation.
Mayor Davis asked for a Council comments or a motion.
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A motion was made by Mayor Pro Tem Clark,seconded by Councilmember
Stewart,that this Ordinance be adopted subject to the No Parking designation
being effective daily from 8 a.m.to 6 p.m. The motion carried by the following
vote:
Aye: 4- Mayor Pro Tern Clark, Councilmember Begert, Councilmember Moore,
and Councilmember Stewart
Nay: 1 - Mayor Davis
Enactment No: ORD No.14/004
V. PUBLIC COMMENTS
Mr. John Tatum requested to address the City Council. Mr. Tatum stated he had a
case before the Board of Adjustment to request an exception of 16 inches related to
placement of a swimming pool in his yard. He said BOA declined to grant the
exception and he asked how to amend the existing ordinance addressing setbacks
and other residential property construction details. Mayor Davis said the City Council
has no authority to overturn a decision of the Board of Adjustment and he stated Mr.
Tatum should write a formal request to the City Council to amend the existing
ordinance. Mr. Tatum thanked the City Council for their time.
VI. ADJOURNMENT
There were no further requests to address the City Council and Mayor Davis
adjourned the meeting
CONSIDERED AND APPROVED this 4th day of March 2014: ~r'
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Mayor W. Richard Davis
ATTEST:
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City S• ,etary Elizabeth Spe,for
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