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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: City of University Park Page 1 726 City Council Meeting Minutes February 18,2014 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 City of University Park Page 2 727 City Council Meeting Minutes February 18,2014 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. City of University Park Page 3 728 City Council Meeting Minutes February 18,2014 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' Z:-.eL.-- 1/ Mayor W. Richard Davis ATTEST: c ..1�.!1 ./ 4.)41.4.�i/ City S• ,etary Elizabeth Spe,for City of University Park Page 4