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HomeMy WebLinkAbout02/27/1986 - Regular Minutes City Council MINUTES CITY COUNCIL REGULAR MEETING THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 27, 1986 7:00 P.M. COUNCIL MEMBERS PRESENT: COUNCIL MEMBERS ABSENT: STAFF PRESENT: Mayor Halter, Councilmen Brown, Bond, McIlhaney, Runnels, Boughton, Tongco None City Manager Cole, City Attorney Locke, Director of Capital Improvements Ash, City Secretary Jones, Deputy Finance Director Schroeder, City Engineer Pullen, Traffic Engineer Black, Admin- istrative Assistant Magoon, Council Coordinator Garrett VISITORS PRESENT: See guest register. Aqenda Item No. 1 - ADDroval of the minutes of the City Council Special Workshop Meeting, January 29, 1986, the City Council Special Meetinq, February 10, 1986, the City Council Workshop Meeting, February 12, 1986, and the City Council Regular Meeting, February 13, 1986. Councilman Bond moved approval of the minutes of the City Council Special Workshop Meeting, January 29, 1986, the City Council SDecial Meeting, February 10, 1986, the City Council Workshop Meeting, February 12, 1986, and the City Council Regular Meeting February 13, 1986. Councilman McIlhaney seconded the motion which was approved unanimously, 7-0. Agenda Item No. 2 - CONSENT AGENDA PLATS: Final Plat - Lot 5R Block One Schick Addition Phase Two ( 86-204 ) Ail items were approved by common consent. REGULAR MEETING OF THE CITY COUNCIL THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 27, 1986 PAGE 2 Agenda Item No. 3 - Consideration of a request from the B/CS Athletic Federation to waive city fees for police assistance at the February Straight Shot 10K Run. Lane Stephenson, representative of the Athletic Federation, stated the amount to be reimbursed to police officers is about $780.00. The Federation feels that they bring many people to the area and contribute much to the community with the various activities the Federation supports. He requested approval of using hotel-motel tax monies for this expenditure. Councilman Brown asked what type of assistance was incurred. Mayor Halter replied this was police time to block off streets. Councilman Bond asked if this was overtime pay. City Manager Cole stated that some policemen were on duty and others were brought in off-duty; these people have been paid but this is a direct costs fee of these services, $786.27. Councilman McIlhaney asked if there is additional money in the hotel-motel tax fund. Councilman Tongco stated that there is $3,000 in the contingency fund. Councilman Bond moved approval to waive city fees to the B/CS Athletic Federation. Councilman Brown seconded the motion which was approved unanimously, 7-0. AGenda Item No. 4 - Consideration of a proposal to close Lodge Street between Church and Patricia Street on Sunday mornings. City Engineer Pullen presented this item. He pointed to the church area on the map relative to Patricia Street and Church Street. He stated that Patricia Street is one-way east at this time. City EnGineer Pullen stated his concern on the insurance liability and risk involved in closing the street. City Attorney Locke stated that there should be no reason for a high risk if reasonable notice is given before the street is closed. Councilman Bond asked if this risk involved the users of the street or property owners being affected adversely by the public. Mr. Pullen replied that this risk is involved with the users of the street. Councilman Brown asked how much liability does the church have. Mr. Pullen stated that this is a public right-of-way and his understanding is that it is the city's responsibility to setup the barricades and to take them down each Sunday. Councilman Tongco asked if the city would have to hire someone to put these barricades up each Sunday. Mr. Pullen replied that it would, in order to reduce the city's liability. REGULAR MEETING OF THE CITY COUNCIL THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 27, 1986 PAGE 3 Councilman Runnels stated the parking situation involves parking on both sides of the street on University and Church, and at hourly intervals the traffic is almost bumper-to-bumper as drivers slowly circle the block. Mayor Halter suggested restricted parking with "no parking" signs and pedestrian walkway signs with painted walkways. Councilman Runnels stated he was also concerned about hiring someone. City Engineer Pullen stated that the costs for hiring someone to put up barricades, etc. would be approximately $240.00/month. Councilman McIlhaney asked if the city is providing policeman on Hwy 30 at Aldersgate Methodist Church. Mr. Pullen said he was not sure but the First Baptist Church hires people to manage their traffic and probably the same type of situation exists at Aldersgate. Councilman Runnels stated that the pedestrian problem at A&M Methodist will occur when the children are taken across the street at 9:30 a.m. to their Sunday school classes, and again at approximately 11:00. After further discussion, City Engineer Pullen stated that a small risk is involved in closing the street and the Council is setting a certain amount of precedence in this matter. Dan MacGilvray, representing the A&M United Methodist Church, addressed the Council concerning this matter. He stated that the church would eventually like to see Lodge Street closed. He thought that the first step should probably be a temporary closing of Lodge Street, and he asked that the Council also consider a permanent closing. He stated that the Church would negotiate either way. He also noted there are utility poles at the corner of Patricia and Lodge. Deliveries to the University Book Store are made from Lodge St. because the trucks cannot make the wide turn on the corner of Patricia. Martha Camp, representing the University Book Store, spoke in opposition to the closing of Lodge Street. She also stated the trucks cannot make the turn because the street is so narrow. She stated the trucks would have to park on University Drive if the street were to be closed. Mayor Halter asked Mr. MacGilvray what the Church hopes to gain from the closing of Lodge Street. Mr. MacGilvray replied they wanted safety for the children and would like eventually to build a walk bridge connecting the two build- ings. REGULAR MEETING OF THE CITY COUNCIL THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 27, 1986 PAGE 4 Councilman Runnels asked Mr. MacGilvray if the church parking lots are available for the Northgate patrons. He stated they are generally not available to the public. Councilman Runnels suggested tabling the item for further discussion. City Engineer Pullen asked the Camps if they would consider the sale of a portion of the parking lot if the staff could redesign the traffic route and electrical system so trucks would be able to make the turn. The Camps replied they would be willing to negotiate. Mayor Halter suggested that the Council should deal with the safety of pedestrians through the use of signs and crosswalks, as opposed to tabling the item. Councilman Tongco moved to deny the request to temporarily close Lodge Street and for the staff to look further into the safety aspect and bring ideas back to Council. Councilman Brown asked what would the city be liable for if the Church put up the barricades each Sunday. Councilman Tongco stated that the city is liable regardless of who is responsible for putting up the barricades. Mayor Halter pointed out that the motion died from lack of being seconded. Councilman McIlhaney made a motion to follow through with the Mayor's suggestions as far as providing an immediate remedy in view of the church's use of the property beginning on March 9th and for Staff to provide temporary safety measures such as "no parking" signs along that section of Lodge Street and pedestrian crosswalks on the block between Church and Patricia Street. In addition, the Staff would work with the church and owners of the adjoining properties to determine long range solutions and goals. Councilman Boughton seconded the motion. Further discussion clarified that the council was considering a motion to include the following steps: (1) to prohibit parking on both sides of Lodge Street from 7 A.M. to 1 P.M. on Sundays and to designate a pedestrian crosswalk by both signs and street markings;, and (2) for the staff to look further into the possibility of closing the street, and return to the council with a recommendation. Councilman Bond asked for the opinion of the church's representative. Mr. MacGilvray requested that an additional crosswalk be included. Councilmen McIlhaney and Boughton agreed to its inclusion in the motion. The vote was taken and the motion was approved unanimously, 7u~. REGULAR MEETING OF THE CITY COUNCIL THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 27, 1986 PAGE 5 Agenda Item No. 5 - Discussion of annexing additional territory into the City of College Station, Texas (Petition from St. Francis.~piscopal Church; and Municipal Service Center). Elrey Ash, Director of Capital Improvements, pointed out on the map the location of the two tracts. The Church tract is located diagonally across the street from the Southwood Athletic Park. The Municipal Center tract adjoins Mr. Fitch's tract on Rio Grande Drive. Mayor Halter asked for public comment. No one spoke. Mayor Halter commented that the Council should recommend a general ordinance restricting annexation where an island is created, and also work to clear up the problems existing with current city boundaries. Agenda Item No. 6 - Consideration of a proposed ordinance amending Chapter 10, Section 5 of the Code of Ordinances regulating junked motor vehicles. Cathy Locke, City Attorney, stated there are minor changes included to make this ordinance readily understood by the public. She stated that a vehicle qualified as "junked" no longer must have both an expired license plate and an invalid inspection sticker and it should not be inoperable for a period longer than 45 days. She also noted that in Section C, the ex- ception for racing cars and armed forces personnel vehicles was removed. Councilman Brown moved approval of Ordinance No. 1636. Councilman Runnels seconded the motion which was approved unanimously, 7-0. ~enda Item No. 7 - Consideration of a ~roposed ordinance to create a Sign Board. Cathy Locke, City Attorney, stated this ordinance was prepared at the request of the City Council. This ordinance appoints five members on the Sign Board which consists of two certified appraisers, an employee of the State Highway Dept., someone ~nployed in the sign business, and an architect or landscape architect. Mayor Halter asked if the members' names could be omitted from the proposed ordinance. He stated this Board was designed to take care of the use of the non-conforming signs. Councilman Tongco asked if the city has the power to limit the placement of new signs. REGULAR MEETING OF THE CITY COUNCIL THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 27, 1986 PAGE 6 Mayor Halter stated that the legistation prevents anyone from taking down existing signs without payment. He pointed out that the Sign Board will also deal with signs in the ETJ. Councilman Runnels moved approval of the Ordinance No. 1637 to create a Sign Board. Councilman Tongco seconded the motion. Agenda Item No. 8 - Hear Visitors. No one spoke. Agenda Item No. 9 - Closed session to discuss pendinq litigation, [6252-1'7 (2)(e)], land acquisition [6252-17 (2)(f)], and personnel [6252-17 (2)(g)]. The council moved to closed session and later reopened to the public. Agenda Item No. 10 - Action on closed session. The Council appointed 5 members to the Sign Board. They are: Lonnie Williams, James Smith, James Meads, Lonnie Stabler, and Robert White. Agenda Item No. 11 - Adjourn. Mayor Halter adjourned the meeting. APPROVED: ATTEST: Dian Jones~C~ty Secretary GUEST REGISTER Regular City Council Meeting Thursday, February 27, 1986 7:00 P.M. e 18. 19. 25. 101 27. 12. 29. 13. 30. 14. 31. 15. 32. 16. 33. 17. 34.