HomeMy WebLinkAbout2016.08.16 City Council Meeting Minutes294
City of University Park City Hall
3800 University Blvd.
University Park,TX 75205
Meeting Minutes
City Council
Tuesday,August16,2016 5:00 PM Council Chamber
PRE-MEETING WORK SESSION(S)
4:00 -5:00 P.M.The City Council met in open work session to receive agenda item briefings
from staff.No action was taken.Council Conference Room,2nd floor,City Hall.
I.CALL TO ORDER
A.INVOCATION:Director of Public Works Jacob Speer
B.PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE:Director of Public Works Jacob Speer /Boy
Scouts
C.INTRODUCTION OF COUNCIL:Mayor Olin Lane,Jr.
Present:4 -Mayor Olin Lane,Councilmember Taylor Armstrong,Councilmember
Randy Biddle and Councilmember Gage Prichard
Excused:1 -Mayor Pro Tem Dawn Moore
D.INTRODUCTION OF STAFF:City Manager Robbie Corder
Staff in attendance included Community Information Officer Steve Mace,
Director of Information Services Dale Harwell,Chief of Police Greg Spradlin,
Communications Specialist /Deputy City Secretary Amanda Hartwick,City
Secretary Christine Green,Director of Public Works Jacob Speer,
Community Development Director Patrick Baugh,Fire Chief Randy Howell,
Library Director Sharon Martin,Director of Parks Gerry Bradley,Purchasing
Manager Elizabeth Anderson,Director of Finance Tom Tvardzik,and
Organizational Development Director Lea Dunn.
II.AWARDS AND RECOGNITION
None
III.CONSENT AGENDA
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16-137 Consider approval of the purchase of service contracts for public
safety radio equipment
City Manager Corder said that this agenda item is for the purchase of service
contracts with Motorola for public safety radios and signal equipment at a
cost of $81,369.24.He said that the City has reduced the cost of this
contract since last year by reducing the number of radios and pieces of
equipment covered under the contract.The service plans are available
through an HGAC contract and therefore satisfy State purchasing guidelines.
These contracts were approved.
16-138 Consider approval of a professional services contract with Emergicon
for EMS billing services
City Manager Corder said that this agenda item is to consider approval of a
professional services agreement with Emergicon.Emergicon has been
providing EMS billing services to the City since 2015.These services include
filing bills from ambulance calls with the insurance companies and then
contacting the patients to collect their portion of the invoice.The terms of
this contract give Emergicon a commission of up to 11%of monthly revenue
collected.Staff recommends renewal of this contract.
This contract was approved.
16-144 Consider approval of the minutes of the August 2 and August 8,2016
City Council meetings,with or without corrections.
The minutes were approved.
Approval of the Consent Agenda
A motion was made by Councilmember Armstrong,seconded by
Councilmember Biddle,to approve the Consent Agenda.The motion carried
by the following vote:
Aye:4 -Mayor Lane,Councilmember Armstrong,Councilmember Biddle,and
Councilmember Prichard
IV.MAIN AGENDA
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16-140 Consider an ordinance abandoning Right-of-Way at 4401 Stanhope
Director of Public Works Jacob Speer gave a presentation.This property is
at the southwest corner of Armstrong and Stanhope.The property owner
wants to purchase some excess right-of-way adjacent to his property.Jacob
said that the City has no use for this property as all of the utilities are located
well-outside the strip of land.The property owner has offered to buy the
1,245 square feet of property for $115 per square foot in the amount of
$143,175 and staff recommends approval.
A motion was made by Councilmember Biddle,seconded by Councilmember
Armstrong,that this ordinance be adopted.The motion carried by the following
vote:
Aye:4 -Mayor Lane,Councilmember Armstrong,Councilmember Biddle,and
Councilmember Prichard
Enactment No:ORD No.16/016
16-141 Consider an ordinance establishing a Residential Parking District near
the Park Cities YMCA
Director of Public Works Jacob Speer gave a presentation regarding this
proposed residential parking district (RPD)near the Park Cities YMCA.
Since this RPD was discussed at the July 19 City Council meeting,staff met
again with area residents and the First Unitarian Church to agree upon some
details of the RPD.
Jacob covered the agreed-upon hours of enforcement for the parking district
along with a list of conditions in which there could be a suspension of the
RPD.He also showed a map of the area with the proposed RPD,location of
no parking signs,etc.
John Bunten,3613 Wentwood Drive,representing the YMCA,spoke and
said that the YMCA is in favor of this parking district.He said he appreciates
the City officials and staff who have assisted with the YMCA reconstruction
process.
Former Councilmember and area resident Jerry Grable said he is in favor of
the RPD and appreciates the City and staff for working to resolve concerns.
The Reverend Daniel Kanter of the First Unitarian Church spoke.He said he
appreciated the staff for all their work on this item.
A motion was made by Councilmember Taylor Armstrong,seconded by
Councilmember Gage Prichard,to adopt this ordinance.The motion carried by
the following vote:
Aye:4 -Mayor Lane,Councilmember Armstrong,Councilmember Biddle,and
Councilmember Prichard
Enactment No:ORD No.16/017
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16-122 Consider approval of an ordinance to amend Planned Development
District Number 8 (PD-8),(Highland Park United Methodist Church)
including a detailed site plan,to demolish the existing family activity
center (Biggers Building)and construct a new family activity center on
the site located at 5809 Hillcrest Avenue.
Director of Community Development Pat Baugh gave a presentation about
this proposed amendment to the Planned Development District Number 8
(PO 8)which will allow the Highland Park United Methodist Church to
demolish its existing family activity center (Biggers Building)and construct a
new facility.Pat said that staff is recommending a change to the ordinance
included with this agenda by reducing the number of required parking
spaces from 135 to 133.
A motion was made by Councilmember Randy Biddle,seconded by
Councilmember Taylor Armstrong,to adopt this ordinance with an amendment
to reduce the number of required parking spaces from 135 to 133.The motion
carried by the following vote:
Aye:4 -Mayor Lane,Councilmember Armstrong,Councilmember Biddle,and
Councilmember Prichard
Enactment No:ORD No.16/018
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16-145 Continue a public hearing and consider a request by James E.Strode,
for a change of zoning from three different adjoining districts into a
single,mixed-use Planned Development District.,including
consideration of an illustrative Conceptual Site Plan.The subject tract
is approximately 1.58 acres,situated between Daniel and Haynie
Avenues and West of Hillcrest Ave.,and described as part of lot 6 and
all of lots 7 thru 12,Block 3,University Park Addition.
Community Development Director Pat Baugh gave a presentation about the
property at 6517 Hillcrest and the proposed concept plan for its
redevelopment.
Mayor Lane read a statement to introduce the public hearing with the history
of the rezoning request and the process of reviewing it to date.
Mr.Jim Strode,of 4301 Bordeaux and the project developer,gave a
presentation about his proposal.He said he represents SPC Hillcrest which
owns the site.
Wayne Johnson,3601 Haynie,spoke in opposition to the proposal.He said
that he provided a copy of a neighborhood petition to the Council.He said
that the group found out late about this proposal when it was presented to
the Planning and Zoning Commission and didn't have time to mobilize.He
said that the building proposed for this site doesn't fit the profile of the area.
He said he believes that the building is too big and will generate too much
traffic.He said he is concerned about the development bringing traffic into
the residential neighborhood.He said that the neighborhood has
commissioned its own traffic study and will bring the results to the City
Council.
Rick Tubb,3407 Haynie,spoke in opposition to the proposal.He said the
first communication he had had with Mr.Strode was June 11.He said he
feels that the neighborhood hasn't had enough time to familiarize itself with
the project and respond to it.He said he feels that Mr.Strode is being given
an exception to the Planned Development (PD)requirements that the
previous owner was not given.He said that he represented the City in
litigation by the previous property owner and that gives him special
knowledge of the area and the issues of redeveloping this site.
Sloane Phillips,3429 Haynie,said she is concerned about safety in the
neighborhood.She said her sons ride their bikes in the area.She said
there's already too much traffic in the area,especially when school is out at 3
p.m.She said that having a parking garage across the street from her
house will decrease her property values.
Jack Gosnell,3445 Haynie,said he has lived there for 45 years.He said
that he is concerned with the height of the project.He wants it capped at its
current height.He said he had previously been involved with the
development of the Oak Lawn section of Dallas.
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Phillip Wise,3444 University,said he has lived in the community for 60
years.He said he is generally in favor of the project but wants the developer
to compromise on some items.He said he doesn't want an entrance/exit
from Haynie into the parking garage,and he wants the garage to be built
with a setback from Haynie.He said the biggest threat to their property
values is managing congestion and safety.
Steve Dawson,8440 Tulane,said he owns multifamily complexes on Daniel
and Haynie.He said he did not receive a notice from the City and believes
he is within the 200 foot notice area and should be considered in the
neighborhood vote that would force a supermajority vote of the City Council
in order to approve this PO amendment.He believes this proposal is the
same as the previous three proposals and doesn't understand why the
Council would entertain it.
Katherine Blair,3409 Haynie,said she picks up trash every day in the area
and wants less traffic so there will be less trash.
Frank Fleming,3326 Rosedale,said he has lived here for 36 years.He said
he is concerned that approving the height of the building might set a bad
precedent for future developments.He said he does not like the facade and
wants the stone striping to continue all the way around the building.He said
he wants a setback so that the building won't be so close to the street.
Elizabeth and Peter Moir,6817 Golf,were called to speak,but declined,
saying that their concerns had been expressed by earlier speakers.
Jackie Tharp,3439 University Blvd.,complained about the traffic on
University and said she felt that a development this big would increase traffic
too much.
Mary Lou Neel,3421 Haynie,said that her neighborhood has fought the
development consistently.She said that there are a number of people with
breathing problems on Haynie and this new development will cause a
hardship for these people.She said this project will decrease her property
value.She said her main objection is that she was not notified of this
project.She said that University Park does not need this project.She said
she is very opposed to this and is considering selling her home.
Roger Fullington,7702 Caruth,spoke as a Snider Plaza property owner.He
said he is in favor of this project.He said he believes there are some wider
benefits for the people of University Park.He said it's the only walking
shopping center in the area.He said that Mr.Strode has an excellent record
of development.He said it's inevitable that this site will be redeveloped at
some point and that it's been two decades since this site was under
consideration.He said that there is a lack of parking in Snider Plaza,
especially for employees.Mayor Lane asked how many employees in those
two blocks would park in an off-premises parking garage.Mr.Fullington said
he thought that 50-70 employees work in the restaurants in the first two
blocks,and maybe 200 total employees in the entire shopping center.He
said he thinks that $50 per month is what employers/employees might be
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willing to pay for a parking spot in Snider Plaza.
Rachel Davis of 4348 Potomac said she hopes that we will end up with a
jewel at the end of Snider Plaza and that finally there will be a development
where the bank has been.She said that Jim Strode has shown a willingness
to compromise.She encouraged the Council to approve the Strode
proposal.
Ray King,3500 Caruth Blvd.,said he used to be a resident on Haynie when
the bank building was fully operating and had full parking lots.He said that
cars at that time would exit Hillcrest,not Haynie.He praised Jim Strode as a
developer and said he hopes his project is approved.He said he believes
that retail will slow and fail in Snider Plaza if more parking isn't provided.He
said that this development will generate more sales tax in the community and
that is needed.
Robert Thetford of 3437 Rankin said he has attended several P&Z meetings.
He said that he and his wife walk to Snider Plaza on many evenings and is in
favor of the new development.He said he doesn't like the blighted building
currently on the site.
Jim Strode responded to the comments.He said that there had been an
effort to reach out to stakeholders about the proposed development.He said
he has been honest with the community and those potentially affected by his
project.He said he has a 4:1 density and had to make the building taller in
order to make it worth the effort.He said he thinks they can be part of the
solution in Snider Plaza.Mayor Lane asked if Mr.Strode could provide
$50/month parking spots to employees.Mr.Strode said he will be charging
the tenants $150/month for parking in the building.He promised the Mayor
that he would get back with a final parking spot number as soon as he
knows.
Council member Armstrong said the Council has heard the neighborhood,
read their letters and their concerns.He said no one will be 100%happy.
He said that the proposed development is well-designed and aesthetically
pleasing.He asked the developer about the Haynie parking garage.He
wanted the developer to provide some detail about what the parking garage
wall looked like.Mr.Strode said that he plans to green-out the wall and
screen it from the homes across the street.He said there won't be any
concrete walls there -maybe masonry or travertine.Councilmember
Armstrong asked about the height of the ceilings.Mr.Strode said they want
10 foot ceilings for their office space and won't trim it to eliminate height from
the building.Councilmember Armstrong said they are still waiting on a traffic
study but that traffic is a big concern to him.
Council member Biddle said that he was a P&Z Commissioner when this was
the Huddleston development so he has a unique perspective on this building.
He said that the current building is an eyesore and this proposed
development offers a desirable improvement to the community.
Councilmember Gage Prichard said he had heard some good comments
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both in opposition and in favor of the project.He said there's some work to
do on height and on parking,but praised the developer for his work.
Mayor Lane thanked Mr.Strode and his group for being responsive to the
City and the stakeholders in the development.He said he still has concerns
about the parking and he prefers the original rendering that Mr.Strode
submitted that showed a mix of office and retail instead of a parking garage.
Mayor Lane wants 95 feet for total height of the building and those lots
should be restricted to 35 feet.He wants no lights to ever shine out to the
neighborhood.Mayor Lane is also concerned about the traffic and wants
another traffic engineer to review the situation.Mayor Lane said he believes
firmly that this development should happen and that Strode is the developer
to do it,but he wants a few more compromises.He said he appreciates that
the developer needs to create a development that will be economically
viable.
He said that this public hearing will be continued at the next City Council
meeting on September 6.
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16-143 Public hearing on proposed FY2017 tax rate
Director of Finance Tom Tvardzik gave a presentation about the FY2017
Proposed Tax Rate.
He said that the Texas Tax Code requires the City to calculate and publish
the effective tax rate (ETR).The ETR provides the City with the same
amount of tax revenue as the previous year,based on the same properties.
However,it does not provide for any increase in the cost of running the City.
These rates are calculated by the city's tax collector,the Dallas County Tax
Office.
The City is also required by statute to provide notice and hold at least two
public hearings before adopting an annual property tax rate that exceeds
either the ETR or the "rollback rate"(RTR,which is ETR plus 8%).
The applicable tax rates for the 2016 tax year (FY2017)are as follows:
•2016 ETR =24.0447 cents per $100 of taxable value
•2016 RTR =25.9682 cents per $100 of taxable value
•2015 University Park property tax rate =25.893 cents per $100 of
taxable value.
At its meeting of August 8,2016,the City Council adopted a 2016 maximum
proposed tax rate of 25.893 cents per $100 of taxable value.As this rate
exceeds the ETR,public hearings must be held.Notice of the hearings was
placed in the August 12,2016 edition of The Park Cities News.
As noted in the published item,the maximum proposed rate should be
considered a "not-to-exceed"rate.City Council may adopt a final tax rate at
or below (but not higher than)the rate in the notice.
Mayor Lane opened the public hearing.There were no speakers,so he
closed the public hearing.
V.PUBLIC COMMENTS
None
VI.ADJOURNMENT
As there was no further business,Mayor Lane adjourned the meeting.
pr,ved this the 6th day of September,2016:.rp.
Olin Lane,Jr.,Mayor
ATTEST:~
~-~
Christine Green,City Secretary
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