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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2018.02.20 City Council Meeting Minutes498 City of University Park City Hall 3800 University Blvd. University Park,TX 75205 Meeting Minutes City Council Tuesday,February 20,2018 5:00 PM Council Chamber PRE-MEETING WORK SESSION(S) 4:00 -4:15 P.M.The City Council met in open work session to receive a report from Chief of Police Greg Spradlin regarding the department's annual traffic stop analysis.No action was taken.Council Conference Room,2nd floor,City Hall. 18-031 Receive report:University Park Police Department Annual Traffic Stop Analysis Chief Spradlin reported that the analysis conducted by the Professional Development Institute at the University of North Texas found the department in full compliance with the laws relating to racial profilng. 4:15 -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 Present:5 -Mayor Olin Lane,Councilmember Taylor Armstrong,Mayor Pro Tem Dawn Moore,Councilmember Randy Biddle and Councilmember Gage Prichard A.INVOCATION:City Attorney Rob Dillard B.PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE:City Attorney Rob Dillard /Boy Scouts C.INTRODUCTION OF COUNCIL:Mayor Olin Lane,Jr. 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 SpecialisUDeputy City Secretary Amanda Hartwick,City Secretary Christine Green,Library Director Sharon Martin,Director of Public Works Jacob Speer,Operations Coordinator Jodie Ledat,Director of Organizational Development Lea Dunn,Director of Parks Gerry Bradley, Director of Human Resources Alicia Dorsey,Director of Finance Tom Tvardzik,and Community Development Director Patrick Baugh,and Fire Chief Randy Howell. City of University Park Page 1 499 City Council Meeting Minutes February 20,2018 II.AWARDS AND RECOGNITION None III.CONSENT AGENDA 18-039 Consider approval of an amendment to the 2017 Salary Ordinance. City Manager Corder described proposed changes to staffing in the Executive Deparatment.Several new positions will be created. This ordinance was adopted. Enactment No:ORD No.18-008 18-038 Consider approval of the minutes of the February 6,2018 City Council meeting minutes,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:5 -Mayor Lane,Councilmember Armstrong,Mayor Pro Tem Moore, Councilmember Biddle,and Councilmember Prichard IV.MAIN AGENDA City of University Park Page 2 500 City Council Meeting Minutes February 20,2018 18-032 Consider alternatives for a pedestrian crossing of Hillcrest Avenue to serve HPISD School Number 5. Director of Public Works Jacob Speer gave a presentation about potential pedestrian crossings on Hillcrest for students in the Hyer Elementary attendance zone walking to School Number Five.He described the option of a temporary crossing at Hillcrest.The traffic engineer's study concluded that a traffic signal was only warranted with a high number of pedestrian crossings.Because the number of future pedestrian crossings at Hillcrest is only an estimate,the traffic engineer does not recommend installation of a signal,but recommends adding a school zone,an enhanced pedestrian-activated crosswalk on the south side of Wentwood,and two crossing guards during school day mornings and afternoons.Jacob said that the primary objective of the crossing is to provide safe conditions for students to cross Hillcrest with visibility and motorist compliance.The secondary objectives are to minimize the impacts to nearby property owners,maintain an optimal travel path to/from school,and provide efficient flow of vehicular traffic. Jacob also discussed the idea of a non-signalized overhead flashing yellow marker to get motorists to stop for pedestrians.The lights would go on only when activated by a pedestrian and would otherwise be dark. He provided a summary chart of options showing that a traffic signal at Wentwood and Hillcrest would be the optimal solution in terms of safety and pedestrian usage. He said that staff was uncomfortable with the traffic engineer's recommendation about a pedestrian-activated crosswalk because there is a lot of traffic on Hillcrest and the lighted flashing crosswalk signs can easily be obscured by vehicles.He said that a fully signalized intersection would provide the best way to ensure that cars would stop and allow pedestrians to cross.He said that there would be two crossing guards and all associated pavement markings to have this crosswalk across Hillcrest. Mayor Lane said that the Council had received several well-written letters from neighbors near the HillcrestiWentwood intersection about this issue and he appreciated their input. John Dahlander,Chief of Staff of the HPISD,spoke and introduced Chief of Police Mark Rowden,Superintendent Dr.Tom Trigg,and HPISD Trustees Stacy Kelly and Jim Hitzelberger.He thanked city staff for their assistance with various cooperative efforts,including helping to plan the Parade of Champions.He said that safety is the primary concern for their students as they travel to and from school.He said the district is going on record as saying that the proposed alternative of a crossing at Caruth and Hillcrest is not acceptable.They prefer that the crossing be at Wentwood. Blythe Koch,3106 Greenbrier,said that she supports a signal at Wentwood and Hillcrest.She said she believes that a non-signalized crossing would not be effective in stopping traffic for pedestrians. City of University Park Page 3 501 City Council Meeting Minutes February 20,2018 Amy Gayle,3529 Villanova,said that she has a first grade student at Hyer and believes that installing a traffic signal at Wentwood and Hillcrest would be the best and safest solution. Neely Thrash,4060 Hanover,said she has two boys in elementary school. She is the incoming PTA President at Hyer.She said that with 75-100 students and parents crossing from west to east across Hillcrest every morning,it's important to have a fully signalized signal at Wentwood and Hillcrest. Dansby Erwin,3136 Southwestern,said she's the current PTA president at Hyer.She lives at the corner at Southwestern and Airline where there is a flashing four way red light.She supports a signalized traffic light at Hillcrest and Wentwood. Carrie Cothrum,2829 Stanford,is the UP Elementary PTA President.She said that there has been tremendous traffic around School #5 this year,and she supports installing a traffic light at Wentwood and Hillcrest. Dick Zadina,3933 Marquette,owns property at 3321 Wentwood,their daughter lives there with her family.His concern is that Wentwood is only two streets south of Northwest Highway.He worries that this will create traffic backup like that on Preston Road near Preston Center.He said that Wentwood is a narrow street and cars are allowed to park on both sides of the street.He said a light should be dropped south a street or two.He thinks a light at Wentwood would create a traffic mess. Lance Lane,3320 Wentwood,said that he supports a traffic light a little further south on Hillcrest.He said that school zoned,crossing guards and even a yellow light would achieve a slowing effect and allow pedestrians to cross Hillcrest without a signal. Brenice Murlette,3401 Wentwood,lives on the corner of Hillcrest and Wentwood.She said they already have a lot of traffic on Wentwood due to the Tom Thumb grocery store and the Park Cities Baptist Church.She said she opposes installing a signal at Wentwood as she said she thinks it's too close to Northwest Highway and would clog the flow of traffic. Mayor Lane said that the Council should provide direction to staff.Mayor Pro Tem Dawn Moore asked about moving the light to the north side of Centenary to add a few more feet south from Northwest Highway.Council member Armstrong asked about putting in a flashing yellow or flashing red light.Mayor Pro Tem Moore asked about the Hawk System.Jacob said that the system has a pedestrian walk/don't walk signal so that pedestrians know when it's okay to cross.Councilmember Biddle asked if there would be crossing guards at this crossing.Jacob said that two crossing guards would be present with any of these proposals.Mayor Pro Tem Moore asked if there was a downside to a Hawk System.Jacob said that motorists are confused sometimes by the system in that the lights are sometimes active but most times dark.Councilmember Prichard asked if a stop light were installed on a City of University Park Page 4 502 City Council Meeting Minutes February 20,2018 temporary pole,would it be a four way light and would it be active full time or only during school zone hours?Jacob said it would be a four-way stop and be active part-time or full time,but ideally it would be active 24 hours a day to get drivers accustomed to stopping at the intersection every time. Mayor Lane said that he recognizes that a traffic light is the safest way to cross pedestrians,but that there are other considerations.He said that this will probably be a temporary installation because the redistricting of school attendance zones in two years will affect pedestrian patterns.He thinks the best solution at this time is a flashing yellow light overhead with crossing guards.He recommends this for the intersection of Hillcrest and Wentwood because it is the most direct route to School Number 5.Councilmember Biddle asked if the Mayor preferred wooden poles or large mast arms.Mayor Lane said he is in favor of temporary wooden poles that can be removed in two years.Councilmember Prichard asked if the Mayor would consider moving the traffic light to Centenary.The Mayor said he wants the traffic light on the south side of Wentwood. A motion was made by Mayor Olin Lane,seconded by Councilmember Randy Biddle,to install a temporary flashing yellow traffic signal on Hillcrest at the south side of Wentwood The signal will be on wooden poles.There will also be a school zone with flashing yellow signs,crossing guards,and increased police traffic enforcement at the locaton.The motion carried by the following vote: Aye:5 -Mayor Lane,Councilmember Armstrong,Mayor Pro Tem Moore, Councilmember Biddle,and Councilmember Prichard 18-033 Consider approval of an ordinance prohibiting parking along the east curb line of Turtle Creek Boulevard between Purdue Street and Dickens Avenue. Director of Public Works Jacob Speer gave a presentation about this ordinance prohibiting parking on Turtle Creek Boulevard between Purdue and Dickens.He said there is limited visibility for motorists at this intersection due to vehicles parked on the street.This agenda item was discussed at the February 20 City Council meeting,and the Council directed him to contact the residents in the area to ask their opinion on making this section of Turtle Creek a no parking zone.The resident did not object to the proposal. Councilmember Prichard asked how many no parking signs would be required.Jacob said he would try to install only one sign. A motion was made by Councilmember Taylor Armstrong,seconded by Councilmember Gage Prichard,to approve this ordinance.The motion carried by the following vote: Aye:5 -Mayor Lane,Councilmember Armstrong,Mayor Pro Tem Moore. Councilmember Biddle,and Councilmember Prichard Enactment No:ORD NO.18-009 City of University Park Page 5 503 City Council Meeting Minutes February 20,2018 18-035 Consider approval of a bid to replace audio visual components at City Hall. City Manager Corder said that it's time to replace the audio-visual equipment in the Council Chamber to improve performance.Ford AV submitted a proposal via a BuyBoard contract in the amount of $124,114.94. Courtney Smith,3314 Daniel,asked if this item was competitively bid.City Manager Corder explained the BuyBoard contract and how this satisfied statutory bidding requirements. A motion was made by Mayor Pro Tem Dawn Moore,seconded by Councilmember Taylor Armstrong,to approve this purchase The motion carried by the following vote: Aye:5 -Mayor Lane,Councilmember Armstrong,Mayor Pro Tem Moore, Councilmember Biddle,and Councilmember Prichard City of University Park Page 6 504 City Council Meeting Minutes February 20,2018 18-036 Discuss the recent trend in transportation,bicycle sharing,the impact on the community and possible regulation of such programs. Director of Community Development Patrick Baugh gave a presentation regarding bicycle sharing.He said that seven companies are currently operating in Dallas and the surrounding areas.He said that the main issue with the bicycles is that they can be dropped off anywhere.This has led to issues of clutter and bikes being left for long periods in the public right-of-way. He asked the Urban Design and Development Advisory Committee and the Parks Advisory Committee to discuss this issue.He described different cities'approaches to managing the bicycles.He said that he likes Denton's model whereby bicycle companies obtain a permit to operate within the city and agree to abide by the City's policies.Denton's model includes: 1.Permit duration -9 months 2.Safe bikes -Federal Regulations and Texas Transportation Code 3.Service areas -Downtown,University campus and others as may be identified 4.Parking -location specific and duration as limited/tolerated 5.Special Events -location and duration per event permiUagreement 6.Operations -Program and field ops contacts;bike limits;escrow accounts;permit revocation and appeals 7.Data sharing/reporting -Unit quantities in service areas,trip data, general 8.Insurance -Standard liability and releases 9.Fee schedule -Minimum $500 plus escrow of $1,500/1,000 bike units or fraction thereof Pat recommends implementing a program like Denton's by requiring bike sharing companies to obtain a nine-month permit to operate in the City.He recommends limiting each bike share company to 50 bikes per company.He would revisit the program success in January 2019 and make any necessary modifications.He would like to implement geo-fencing which would limit bikes to specific areas,like Snider Plaza,SMU,Preston Center East,etc. This would prevent bikes from being left in residential areas.They would look at data sharing from the bicycle use to determine if the information is valuable.Pat said that he will move forward with this plan and bring an ordinance to the City Council for consideration at a future meeting,probably on March 20.Mayor Lane asked Pat if he had heard from any tenants in the Miracle Mile.Pat said he had not.Councilmember Armstrong said that this is moving us in a good direction and encourage cooperation with SMU to learn from their experience.Pat said that they would like to work mainly with SMU, and learn from their experience with the bike sharing program. Council member Biddle asked how the bikes are getting here.Pat said they are being ridden here and left but not dropped off by the companies. Council member Prichard asked if the permit fee would be a one-time fee or an annual fee.Pat said that this would be an annual fee. City of University Park Page 7 505 City Council Meeting Minutes February 20,2018 18-037 Consider an abandonment request at 6815 and 6901 Baltimore Drive. Director of Public Works Jacob Speer said he had a request from two property owners to abandon easement adjacent to their properties.The City has no need for the property -there are no utilities on the easement nor is there a need to put utilities on the property.The appraiser said that the abandonment valuation came to $492,855 per property owner.Jacob told the council that they are not bound to the appraiser's valuation -they may determine the fair market value for the property.Councilmember Prichard asked about the numbers used on a recent sale of an easement on Armstrong.Jacob said that that was the sale of street right-of-way,not an easement.Mayor Pro Tem Moore asked if this is a fee simple rate.Jacob confirmed that this is a fee simple rate.Mayor Lane asked if we had sold any other easements.Jacob said the City does not own the land -it's just an easement.Mayor Pro Tem Moore said that she was in favor of the City making this offer (appraisal value)to the owners on Baltimore. A motion was made by Mayor Pro Tem Dawn Moore,seconded by Councilmember Taylor Armstrong,to make an offer to the property owners at 6815 and 6901 Baltimore Drive to abandon the easements behind their properties in the appraised amount of $165 per square foot.The motion carried by the following vote: Aye:5 -Mayor Lane,Councilmember Armstrong,Mayor Pro Tem Moore, Councilmember Biddle,and Councilmember Prichard V.PUBLIC COMMENTS Winn Jackson,3425 Hanover,said he wants the City to remove dockless bikes by enforcing existing city code. VI.ADJOURNMENT As there was no further business,Mayor Lane adjourned the meeting. Considered and approved this the 6th day of March,2018: ATTEST: L{~/\J ~ Christine Green,City Secretary City of University Park Page 8