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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2018.12.18 City Council Meeting Minutes618 City of University Park City Hall 3800 University Blvd. University Park,TX 75205 Meeting Minutes City Council Tuesday,December 18,2018 5:00 PM Council Chamber EXECUTIVE SESSION 3:00 -4:00 P.M.Pursuant to TGC§551.071,the City Council met in closed session to discuss the legal ramifications of 1)potential property acquisition and 2)potential property annexation with the City Attorney.No action was taken.Executive Conference Room,1st Floor,City Hall. 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 Rollcall Present:5 -Mayor Olin Lane,Mayor Pro Tem Taylor Armstrong,Councilmember Randy Biddle,Council member Gage Prichard and Councilmember Liz Farley A.INVOCATION:Director of Communications &Marketing Steve Mace B.PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE:Director of Communications &Marketing Steve Mace / Boy Scouts C.INTRODUCTION OF COUNCIL:Mayor Olin Lane,Jr. D.INTRODUCTION OF STAFF:City Manager Robbie Corder Staff in attendance included Director of Communications &Marketing Steve Mace,Director of Information Services Dale Harwell,Chief of Police Greg Spradlin,City Secretary Christine Green,Director of Public Works Jacob Speer,Public Works Operations Coordinator Jodie Ledat,Fire Chief Randy Howell,Director of Parks &Recreation Gerry Bradley,Library Director Sharon Martin,Director of Finance Tom Tvardzik,Assistant City Manager Lea Dunn, Communications Assistant Paige Ruedy,and Director of Community Development Patrick Baugh. City of University Park Page 1 619 City Council Meeting Minutes December 18,2018 II.AWARDS AND RECOGNITION None III.CONSENT AGENDA 18-286 Consider approval of an ordinance amending the FY2018 Executive Department budget. City Manager Corder said that this ordinance amends the FY18 Executive Department budget to accommodate an unbudgeted expense in the amount of $66,791 paid to Gateway Strategies,LLC,dba Catalyst Group for a parking analysis in Snider Plaza. This ordinance was adopted. Enactment No:ORO No.18-046 18-287 Consider approval of an ordinance amending the fiscal 2017-2018 budget to provide for a transfer from the General Fund to the Equipment Services Fund. City Manager Corder said that this ordinance amends the budget to accommodate the newly-created in-house Mile-Per-Year construction crew. The amendment will transfer $443,900 from the General Fund into the Equipment Services Fund.This is a one-time transfer to cover the purchase of 10 pieces of equipment. This ordinance was adopted. Enactment No:ORO No.18-047 18-288 Consider approval of the minutes of the December 4,2018 City Council meeting,with or without correction. The minutes were approved. Approval of the Consent Agenda A motion was made by Mayor Pro Tem Armstrong,seconded by Councilmember Farley,to approve the Consent Agenda.The motion carried by the following vote: Aye:5 -Mayor Lane,Mayor Pro Tem Armstrong,Councilmember Biddle, Councilmember Prichard,and Councilmember Farley IV.MAIN AGENDA City of University Park Page 2 620 City Council Meeting Minutes December 18,2018 18-240 Consider approval of a license agreement with Caruth Preston Road Associates for use of a portion of the Preston Road Right-of-Way adjacent to the Plaza at Preston Center. Director of Public Works Jacob Speer gave a presentation.He said that this request is from the Plaza at Preston Center shopping center to make improvements within the right-of-way along the east side of Preston Road. He showed illustrations of the current conditions with the proposed improvements superimposed on top.These improvements are intended to provide ADA compliance and more uniform parking conditions.Proposal also includes an area north of Villanova. Mayor Lane said that he believes adding the ADA compliance with these improvements is important.Jacob said that this is the only way to meet this requirement and also maintain the parking levels needed in this area. Councilmember Farley asked if there is still sufficient room for cars to back out onto Preston Road when the parking spaces are moved closer to Preston.Jacob said "yes",there will be a buffer of five feet to allow cars to back up into the traffic lane.Mayor Pro Tem Armstrong said that he believes this is one of the nicest shopping centers in the City,and although he belives this plan is well-done,he's concerned about the danger of cars backing up directly onto Preston Road.He's concerned about adding to what he believes is heavy traffic in this area.Jacob said "yes",they could do a traffic study here to count how many cars are using this unofficial traffic lane,but it would be challenging survey to complete.Council member Prichard asked about adding head-in parking rather than diagonal parking. A motion was made by Mayor Pro Tem Armstrong,seconded by Councilmember Farley,that consideration of this agreement be postponed until a traffic analysis of the area can be completed.The motion carried by the following vote: Aye:3 -Mayor Pro Tem Armstrong,Councilmember Biddle,and Councilmember Farley Nay:2 -Mayor Lane,and Councilmember Prichard City of University Park Page 3 621 City Council Meeting Minutes December 18,2018 18-283 Consider approval of an ordinance amending the Code of Ordinances of the City of University Park,Chapter 12,Article 12.01,Section 12.01.011 to Regulate the Use of Motor-Assisted Scooters. Chief of Police Spradlin gave a presentation.He said that this ordinance wil amend the ordinance passed at the December 4 City Council meeting by removing the requirement to wear a helmet.This change was requested by the SMU student body,and the Council directed staff to present the ordinance with the amendment for their consideration. Mayor Lane recognized Nick Barber,Regional Operations Manager for Lime Bike,who spoke in support of this ordinance.He said,however,that the 10 mph scooter speed limit is too slow and that 12-15 mph is better. SMU's Paul Ward,VP of Legal Affairs and Government Relations,spoke.He said that the University administration and student body supports this ordinance and also understands that there will be a reconsideration of the matter in six months. Council member Farley said that she has difficulty supporting this ordinance because the ordinance prohibits the use of motorized scooters in other parts of the City based on safety concerns,but allows motorized scooters on the SMU campus and bordering City property.She says this is not consistent. She would prefer that the scooters be relegated to SMU private property and not be allowed on University Park streets or sidewalks at all.She noted that the Public Safety Committee had voted unanimously not to approve this exception to the scooter ordinance. A motion was made by Councilmember Randy Biddle,seconded by Councilmember Gage Prichard,to adopt this ordinance.The motion carried by the following vote: Aye:3 -Mayor Lane,Councilmember Biddle,and Councilmember Prichard Nay:2 -Mayor Pro Tem Armstrong,and Councilmember Farley Enactment No:ORO No.18-048 City of University Park Page 4 622 City Council Meeting Minutes December 18,2018 18-284 Consider approval of an ordinance amending the Code of Ordinances of the City of University Park to regulate scooter sharing/rental service entities. Chief Spradlin gave a presentation.He said that this ordinance regulates the motorized scooter operators.He said that the ordinance requires that the scooters be equipped with lights for nighttime use,that the operator maintain a 24-hour customer service hotline,that the users park the scooters on a hard surface off the public right-of-way in an upright position,that the scooters be equipped with geo-fencing to regulate area of use,and that the scooters have a maximum speed of 10 mph.Additionally,Chief Spradlin said that while helmets are not required by the ordinance,the operators should encourage helmet use. Mayor Lane said that he wants the motion to reflect that this ordinance has a trial period and will be reviewed in June.Mayor Pro Tem Armstrong asked Nick Barber of Lime Bike about the effectiveness of the geo-fencing as a way to regulate use of the scooters.Mr.Barber said that the geo fencing is effective,and they have a 24-hour service team that quickly responds to complaints if scooters are outside the allowed operating area. A motion was made by Councilmember Randy Biddle,seconded by Councilmember Gage Prichard,to adopt this ordinance,with the caveat that the ordinance be reviewed at the end of June 2019.The motion carried by the following vote: Aye:4 -Mayor Lane,Mayor Pro Tem Armstrong,Councilmember Biddle,and Councilmember Prichard Nay:1 -Councilmember Farley Enactment No:ORO No.18-0249 City of University Park Page 5 City Council 623 Meeting Minutes December 18,2018 18-285 V.PUBLIC COMMENTS VI.ADJOURNMENT Consider a request by SMU to abandon alley right-of-way between 3130 and 3160 Daniel Avenue. Director of Public Works Jacob Speer explained that SMU has requested that the City abandon a section of alley right-of-way off Daniel.The right-of-way area is 3,210 square feet.SMU would like to redevelop the adjacent properties as housing for upper class students.He said that staff is seeking direction from the Council as to whether they are interested in abandoning the property to SMU. Councilmember Prichard asked if these properties are tax paying properties. Robbie Corder said DCAD lists both properties on Daniel as exempt. Councilmember Biddle asked about the utilities on the property.Jacob said that the City will require SMU to relocate the utilities at SMU's expense. Councilmember Prichard said his amendment is that the staff should collect back taxes if properties not tax exempt.City Attorney Dillard said that DCAD determines tax exemptions based on the application from the owner.Robbie Corder said that he would follow up on this request. A motion was made by Mayor Pro Tern Taylor Armstrong,seconded by Councilmember Liz Farley,to proceed with this alley right-of-way abandonment request by seeking a property appraisal.The motion carried by the following vote: Aye:5 -Mayor Lane,Mayor Pro Tem Armstrong,Councilmember Biddle, Councilmember Prichard,and Councilmember Farley None As there was no further business,Mayor Lane adjourned the meeting. ATIEST,;>_nl ~Y~/ Christine Green,City Secretary City of University Park Page 6