The URL can be used to link to this page

Home My WebLink About05-04-04363 MINUTES #2411 CITY COUNCIL MEETING CITY OF UNIVERSITY PARK, TEXAS CITY HALL COUNCIL CHAMBERS TUESDAY, MAY 4, 2004, 5:00 P.M. Mayor Peek convened the council into an Executive Session at 4:02p.m.to discuss a personnel matter and to receive advice from the City Attorney under Sections 551.071 & 551.074 of the Texas Government Code. The Executive Session was adjourned at 4:25p.m. No action was voted on or taken. Mayor Harold Peek then opened the regular meeting of the city council. Presem were Councilmembers Jim Roberts, Harry Shawver and Blackie Holmes. Also in attendance were City Attorney Rob Dillard, City Manager Bob Livingston and City Secretary Nina Wilson. Mayor Pro Tempore Dick Davis was absent and excused. AWARDS & RECOGNITION: RETIREMENT: Mr. Moody Alexander, Committee Chairman of Elena's Children's Park, announced that a plaque would be placed in the park to honor Director of Parks Thom Hanford for his service to the city and the committee in the establishment of the park. City Manager Bob Livingston commended Mr. Hanford on his 19 years of service to the city and presented him with a gift from Mr. Marc Hall, owner of Amore's Italian Restaurant, Peggy Sue BBQ and Cisco Grill and, also, a gift from Former Mayor Barbara Hitzelberger. Mr. William Pardoe, Park Committee Chairman since 1985, commended Mr. Hanford on the beauty and functionality of the parks achieved since his arrival 19 years ago. Councilmember Shawver presented a retirement plaque and gift to Mr. Hanford from the city. Mayor Harold Peek expressed the gratitude of the city council for his outstanding achievement in the design and maintenance of the city parks. PRESENTATION FROM THE COMMISSION ON ACCREDITATION FOR LAW ENFORCEMENT AGENCIES (CALEA) CERTIFICATION TO THE UNIVERSITY PARK POLICE DEPARTMENT: The formal accreditation process was the culmination of a 36-month program designed to improve delivery of law enforcement service by offering a body of standards developed by law enforcement practitioners. The accreditation program is a prestigious honor bestowed upon only 700 out of 17,500 law enforcement agencies in the State of Texas. In order to receive accreditation, 444 standards must be met. Mayor Peek commended Police Chief Gary Adams and the police department, and presented a Certificate of Appreciation to Chief Adams along with the official certificate from CALEA. Chief Adams recognized Lt. Gerry Bishop, who led the process for the accreditation and presented him with a Certificate of Appreciation. PRESENTATION OF INSURANCE SERVICE OFFICE (ISO) LETTER TO FIRE DEPARTMENT: The City of University Park was recently notified by the ISO that its Public Protection Classification rating would improve from a Class 4 rating to a Class 2 364 rating. The ISO is responsible for measuring the capacity of local fire departments to respond and suppress fires. University Park's new public protection classification places the city with very select company across the country. Of the nearly 45,000 jurisdictions rated by ISO, only 310 received a Class 2 rating, placing University Park in the 99th percentile nationally for fire protection classification. The direct benefit of a reduced ISO classification to property owners in University Park is reduced premiums on homeowner insurance. Premium savings will vary from insurance companies, property values and policies, but the estimated savings on the average price of a University Park home ($717,626) is approximately $500 annually. The new Public Protection Classification becomes effective in October. Mayor Peek presented Fire Chief David Ledbetter with the official letter from ISO. Chief Ledbetter thanked the members of the fire department, Director of Public Works Bud Smallwood and Communications Supervisor Denise Rencher for their assistance, which resulted in the city receiving this honor. Councilmember Shawver moved acceptance of the Consent Agenda. Councilmember Holmes seconded, and the vote was unanimous to approve the following: CONSENT AGENDA CONSIDER RESOLUTION AND APPROVAL OF AMENDMENT TO EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT FOR CITY MANAGER BOB LIVINGSTON: Approval of the items will create a 40lA deferred compensation account and provide a vesting schedule that provides incentives for the city manager to work until age 65. CONSIDER FINAL PAYMENT FOR RECONSTRUCTION OF VASSAR DRIVE FROM LOVERS LANE TO TURTLE CREEK BOULEVARD TO REBCON, INC., PROJECT NO. 42720: Payment will be in the amount of $33,551.14 for work performed and materials fumished. The project included the 6800-7000 blocks of Vassar Drive, 3500 block of the Greenbrier/Caruth Alley, 3100 block of the Caruth/Colgate Alley, 2800 block of Dyer, and emergency repairs on Hillcrest. CONSIDER FINAL PAYMENT FOR WATER, SANITARY SEWER IMPROVEMENTS AND ALLEY PAVING TO NORTH TEXAS CONTRACTING, INC., PROJECT NO. 46700: Payment will be made in the amount of $39,638.54 for work performed and materials furnished for the construction. The project included the 3200-3400 blocks of the Marquette/Colgate alley, the 7700-8100 blocks of Hillcrest and the 8000-8400 blocks of Airline. CONSIDER APPROVAL OF CITY COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES: For April 21, 2004. MAIN AGENDA DISCUSSION OF RESPONSIBILITY FOR REPLACEMENT OF SIDEWALKS ON PUBLIC RIGHTS-OF-WAY: Ms. Judith Patterson addressed the City Council at the April 6, 2004 meeting with a request to amend Section 3 of the Code of Ordinances, which places the responsibility for repair or replacement of public sidewalks on the abutting property owner. The overall emphasis of her request was for the City to take over that responsibility and establish a sidewalk maintenance and replacement program. The city's sidewalk system represents an investment of approximately $15 million. The 365 cost of developing an annual program is somewhat subjective; however, staff estimates the cost at approximately $750,000. The annual impact of a program of that magnitude on the tax bill of the average single-family residence would be approximately $115. Councilmember Holmes moved the issue of the responsibility for replacement of sidewalks on public rights-of-way be deferred to the Public Works Advisory Committee for discussion. Councilmember Shawver seconded the motion and the vote was unanimous to defer the matter. CONSIDER REQUEST FROM SHAVED ICE HUT TO SELL IN THE CITY'S SWIMMING POOL THIS SUMMER: On April 6, 2004, the city council considered a request from Mr. Nick Mesec regarding a business proposal to sell shaved ice at the city's swimming pool. Mr. Mesec is a junior at Highland Park High School and is trying to establish a summer business. Approval of the proposal would allow Mr. Mesec to sell shaved ice during the summer swimming season in return for a city fee. The item was tabled at the April 6th meeting to determine the status of the city's agreement with the current vendor, Mr. Bill Maxvill. Mr. Maxvill operates the concessionaire service out of a permanent facility located at the pool. This item was also briefly discussed and tabled during the April 21, 2004 council meeting. As the city is satisfied with the current service provided by the vendor and the space at the pool is limited, allowing an additional facility would further congest the area for pool patrons. In addition, the patrons of the shaved ice hut would be limited to those individuals who also purchase admittance into the pool. To serve other customers, the shaved ice hut would need to be located outside of the pool facilities, and current city code does not permit such activity. Councilmember Holmes noting the space availability in the pool was very limited and that the present vendor has been conducting business at the pool since 1977 and meets the present needs of the pool area, moved the council vote against the request, but commended Mr. Mesec on his presentation. Councilmember Roberts seconded, and the vote was unanimous to deny the request to sell shaved ice in the city's swimming pool arena. PASSED AND APPROVED this 19th day of May 2004. ATTEST: Harold Peek, Mayor