West University Place public meetings in 2022

Recycling & Solid Waste Reduction Board

The Board approved the minutes from the November meeting. Members discussed upcoming community events, updated the New Neighbor Program delivery lists, and reviewed progress on composting and recycling literature.

• Approved November meeting minutes (Unanimous)
• Adjourned meeting to January 10 (Unanimous)

City Council

City Council approved a $100,000 contract for a Water System Improvement Feasibility Study and a 6% pay increase for the City Manager. The Council also authorized a parking agreement with Palace Social and approved a lease extension with Goode Cook, Inc. A proposed budget amendment for traffic signs was declined after Council decided to perform the work in-house.

• Approved 6% pay increase for City Manager (5-0)
• Approved $100,000 contract for Water System Improvement Feasibility Study (5-0)
• Authorized parking agreement with Palace Social (3-2)
• Approved month-to-month lease extension with Goode Cook, Inc. (5-0)
• Declined budget amendment for supplemental traffic signs to perform work in-house
• Approved City Council Minutes of December 5, 2022 (5-0)
• Received September 2022 Monthly Financial Report (5-0)

Parks & Recreation Board

The board confirmed the minutes from the November 2, 2022 meeting. Members received a presentation on parks economics and updates on city infrastructure and park maintenance. No new policies or contracts were voted on during the session.

• Confirmed minutes from Nov. 2, 2022 meeting

City Council

City Council appointed Russell Brown as IT Director and approved a letter of support for the Poor Farm Ditch design. Council also directed staff to pursue four specific water modeling improvement projects and prepare a scope of work for further ditch studies.

• Approved appointment of Russell Brown as IT Director (5-0)
• Approved Mayor to sign letter supporting Poor Farm Ditch design with condition to address resident concerns (4-1)
• Directed staff to bring back a draft scope of work for the Poor Farm Ditch project for the December 5 meeting
• Approved pursuing water modeling improvement projects 1 through 4 without funding approval at this time (5-0)
• Approved City Council Minutes of November 7, 2022 (5-0)

Building & Standards Commission

The Building and Standards Commission will discuss and consider action on proposed amendments to the city's floodplain ordinance to align with Harris County standards. The amendments would require Atlas 14 rainfall rates for stormwater system sizing, mandate minimum detention of 0.55 acre-feet per acre for most new development, and prohibit certain development within the 500-year floodplain. The commission may also convene a closed session for legal or economic development discussions.

• Discussion of floodplain ordinance amendments to adopt Harris County standards
• Proposed requirement for Atlas 14 rainfall rates in stormwater system design
• Mandatory minimum detention rate of 0.55 acre-feet per acre for new non-single-family residential development on tracts 1 acre or larger
• Prohibition of certain development within the 500-year floodplain
• Penalty up to $2,000 per day for violations

The Building & Standards Commission approved amendments to the minimum flood county ordinance. The changes establish elevation requirements for new construction and substantial improvements relative to street crowns and floodplain elevations.

• Approved changes to the minimum flood county ordinance (5-0)

Zoning Board of Adjustment

The Zoning Board of Adjustment reversed a Building Official's determination regarding the installation of a backup generator on a single-family residence roof. The board also approved the meeting minutes from August 25, 2022.

• Reversed Building Official's decision to deny backup generator installation on a roof at 3423 Carnegie St. (4-1)
• Approved August 25, 2022 meeting minutes (5-0)

City Council

City Council appointed Russell Brown as IT Director and approved a letter of support for the Poor Farm Ditch design, contingent on addressing resident concerns with the County. Council also directed staff to pursue four specific water modeling improvement projects.

• Approved appointment of Russell Brown as IT Director (5-0)
• Approved signing a letter of support for Poor Farm Ditch design with the condition to address resident concerns with the County (4-1)
• Directed staff to bring back a draft scope of work for the Poor Farm Ditch project by December 5
• Approved pursuing water modeling improvement projects 1 through 4 without funding approval at this time (5-0)
• Approved City Council Minutes of November 7, 2022 (5-0)

Senior Services Board

The board voted to use both top-down and bottom-up methods for strategic planning. Board members will conduct the bottom-up portion by interviewing residents, users, and non-users.

• Approved previous meeting minutes
• Approved hybrid strategic planning approach (10 votes)

Zoning & Planning Commission

The Commission approved preliminary reports regarding 3/7 exemptions and old stock housing to be forwarded to City Council. Preliminary reports for SF District Consolidation and artificial turf were approved with minor changes for further review. Other items regarding curb cuts, sports courts, and little libraries were tabled for staff revisions.

• Approved 3/7 Exemption preliminary report for City Council approval (7-0)
• Approved Old Stock Housing preliminary report for City Council approval (7-0)
• Approved SF District Consolidation preliminary report with minor changes for next meeting (7-0)
• Approved Artificial Turf preliminary report with minor changes for next meeting (7-0)
• Requested staff revisions for curb cuts on corner lots
• Requested staff revisions for sports court ordinances
• Requested staff provide proposed criteria for free little library ordinances

Recycling & Solid Waste Reduction Board

The Board approved the October meeting minutes and reviewed reports from the Boo-Bash and Shred-It events. Members discussed recycling efforts at West University Elementary School and the New Neighbors program. No new ordinances or budget items were decided.

• Approved October meeting minutes (Unanimous)
• Voted to adjourn meeting to December 13 (Unanimous)

City Council

City Council awarded a construction manager contract for a new public works facility and approved a parking restriction procedure requiring a 75 percent majority per block. The Council also authorized funding for Tri-Sports expenditures and rejected all bids for ERP and Utility Billing software systems.

• Authorized City Manager to approve 2022 Tri-Sports reimbursements and capital expenditures not to exceed $100,000 (5-0)
• Awarded construction manager-at-risk contract for new public works facility to Christensen Building Group (5-0)
• Rejected all bids for Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) and Utility Billing (UB) software and implementation services (5-0)
• Approved parking restriction procedures requiring a 75 percent majority per block (4-1)
• Approved City Council Minutes of October 24, 2022 (5-0)
• Received August 2022 Monthly Financial Report (5-0)

Parks & Recreation Board

The board confirmed the minutes from the October 12, 2022 meeting. No substantive votes were taken on new projects, though the board discussed resident concerns regarding a divider fence at Wier Park and potential uses for a vacant lot at the Recreation Center.

• Confirmed minutes from Oct. 12, 2022 meeting
• Adjourned meeting at 6:54 p.m. (unanimous)

City Council

The City Council authorized the city manager to support the 2023 Chevron Houston Marathon event in West University Place. They also approved the consent agenda, which included minutes, a quarterly investment report, and the purchase of six vehicles for $353,300. A monthly transfer of funds to the Employee Benefits Trust was authorized. No action was taken on the wastewater treatment plant update, which was only discussed.

• Authorized city manager to support 2023 Chevron Houston Marathon (5-0)
• Approved consent agenda: minutes, quarterly investment report, vehicle purchase ordinance and $353,300 purchase (5-0)
• Authorized monthly fund transfers to Employee Benefits Trust starting January 2023 (5-0)
• Recessed into executive session for litigation and real property discussion; no action taken afterward

City Council

The Employee Benefits Trust authorized four direct contracts for employee benefits: medical and dental insurance with Blue Cross Blue Shield, life/AD&D/disability/optional life insurance with Blue Cross Blue Shield/Dearborn, and optional vision insurance with United Healthcare. All motions passed unanimously (5-0). The meeting adjourned at 7:24 p.m.

• Authorized direct contract for Medical Insurance with Blue Cross Blue Shield (5-0)
• Authorized direct contract for Dental Insurance with Blue Cross Blue Shield (5-0)
• Authorized direct contract for Life, AD&D, Disability and Optional Life Insurance with Blue Cross Blue Shield/Dearborn (5-0)
• Authorized direct contract for optional Vision Insurance with United Healthcare (5-0)

Building & Standards Commission

The Building and Standards Commission is meeting to discuss requirements for site drainage plans and the definition of "low impact" projects. The body will also review the Floodplain Ordinance based on Harris County standards and discuss sustainability practices.

• Review of Site Drainage Plan requirements (Chapter 18, Sec. 18-56)
• Discussion of "Low Impact" definition (Chapter 18, Sec. 18-56)
• Floodplain Ordinance Review regarding Harris County standards
• Deliberation on sustainability practices
• Approval of June 2, 2022 meeting minutes

Building & Standards Commission

The Building and Standards Commission is meeting to discuss and consider actions regarding site drainage plan requirements and the definition of "low impact" projects. The body will also review the Floodplain Ordinance in relation to Harris County standards and discuss sustainability practices.

• Review of Site Drainage Plan requirements (Chapter 18, Sec. 18-56)
• Review of "Low Impact" definition (Chapter 18, Sec. 18-56)
• Floodplain Ordinance review based on Harris County standards
• Discussion of sustainability practices
• Approval of May 5, 2022 meeting minutes

Building & Standards Commission

The Building and Standards Commission is reviewing several development regulations directed by City Council. Discussions include site drainage plans, property survey age requirements, and floodplain ordinance updates.

• Review of Site Drainage Plan requirements under Chapter 18, Sec. 18-56
• Definition of 'Low Impact' for development exceptions
• Review of Property Survey Requirements under Chapter 18, Sec. 18-54
• Status update on Floodplain Ordinance Review
• Review of Circular Driveways, Garage Doors, and Off-Street Parking rules

Building & Standards Commission

The Building and Standards Commission is considering recommendations for new drainage regulations and development standards. These proposed changes aim to align city requirements with Harris County standards regarding rainfall rates, detention, and floodplain elevations.

• Proposed use of Atlas rainfall rates for storm water systems
• Proposed minimum detention rate of 0.55 acre feet per acre for tracts one acre or larger
• Proposed prohibition of hydrograph timing as a substitution for detention
• Proposed requirement of no net fill in the 500-year floodplain
• Proposed minimum Finished Floor Elevation (FFE) at or waterproofed to the 500-year floodplain elevation

Building & Standards Commission

The Commission will consider an appeal from Richard Yehle regarding a denied low impact certification. The request concerns the demolition of a single family structure and its conversion to green space at 6405 Rutgers St.

• Appeal of Chief Building Official's denial of low impact certification for 6405 Rutgers St.
• Selection of Vice-Chairman for term ending August 31, 2023
• Approval of November 4, 2021 meeting minutes