CITY OF AU FOUNDED 1839 Austin City Council MINUTES For SPECIAL CALLED COUNCIL MEETING Council Chambers, 301 West Second Street, Austin, Texas Memorandum To: February 18, 1982 1:00 p.m. City Council Carole Keeton McClellan Mayor John Treviño, Jr. Mayor Pro Tem Council Members Larry Deuser Roger Duncan Richard Goodman Ron Mullen Charles E. Urdy Nicholas M. Meiszer City Manager Grace Monroe City Clerk Mayor McClellan called the Special Called Council Meeting to review the annual reports of the Boards and Commissions to order at 1:05 p.m. with only the Mayor and Councilmembers Goodman and Urdy present. (Mayor Pro Tem Trevino and Councilmembers Mullen, Deuser and Duncan arrived later.) Mayor McClellan recognized Dr. Roy Leamon, Chairperson of the EMS Quality Assurance Team, and commended him and his group for doing an outstanding job. Paul Leche, Chairperson of the Arts Commission, advised the Council of the Commission's desire to see a design review person represented on the Commission and stated that a recommendation from the Commission would be forthcoming. Lonnie Davis, Director of the Building Inspection Department, was recognized by the Council and briefly reviewed the functions of the Airport Zoning Board. Mr. Davis also reviewed the purpose and function of the Board of Adjustment and noted that $30,447 had been expended by the Board in 1981. Most of the funds were expended on City employee salaries. Mr. James Thompson, a member of the Board of Appraisal Review (Board of Equalization) represented the Chairperson, Dr. Leonardo De La Garza, and called for questions from the Council. Mr. Charles Morton, Chairperson of the Building Code Board of Appeals, commended the staff of the Building Inspection Department for their excellent support to the Board. COUNCIL MΕΜΟ February 18, 1982 Page Two Mr. Clarence Niebuhr, Chairperson of the Ethics Review Commission, briefly reviewed the purpose and function of the Commission and noted that they did have a public hearing scheduled for March. He also reminded the Council of the one vacancy on the Commission. The Austin Tomorrow On-Going Goals Committee was represented by Jack Evins, Chairperson. Mr. Evins noted that the Committee had once again "come in under budget." He also noted that citizen input was instrumental in attaining the goals of the committee. In addition, Mr. Evins asked the Council to act on the pending appointments to the Committee, as soon as possible. Mr. Phillip Creer, Past Chairperson of the Historic Landmark Commission, represented Mr. Blake Alexander, the Present Chairperson. Mr. Creer made a couple of observations (1) He said that citizens are not too aware of the need for historic zoning and (2) that it is a matter of education. He continued to say that "the citizens should know where we have been and where we are going." He was very complimentary of the staff and particularly of Betty Baker and her assistant. Councilmember Mullen commented that he appreciates the Commission's attempt to keep the law as it was written and Councilmember Duncan expressed his appreciation to Mr. Creer and the members of the Commission. Mayor McClellan expressed her appreciation for "the good job of keeping us up-dated" to the City of Austin Housing Authority representative, Suzanne Guerrero. Ms. Geneva Connolly of the Human Relations Commission and Mr. Bill Sheffield of the Medical Assistance Program Advisory Board were also present to answer Council's questions. "Bring your flak jacket," said Mr. Barrett Garrison, Chairperson of the Parks and Recreation Board, to City Manager Nicholas Meiszer, who was invited to attend the Tuesday evening meeting of PARD. Mr. Gregory Monroe, Chairperson of the Solicitation Board, told the Council that a litigation case was pending before the Board. He advised the Council that Mr. Jeff Blackwelder of the City Legal Department had been requested to examine the ordinance controlling the Solicitation Board and that the members of the Board would like to see persons seeking a solicitation permit subject to certain financial disclosures. Mr. Alan Minter, Chairperson of the Library Commission, and Ms. Nadea Gizelbach, Chairperson of the Commission on the Status of Women, both expressed their appreciation for the Council's cooperation with their particular commissions. COUNCIL MΕΜΟ February 18,1982 Page Three Councilmember Deuser had two questions to ask of the Citizen's Traffic Safety Commission Chairperson, Bill Nolen. He asked Mr. Nolen how often the Commission meets and why couldn't the problems which are presently being handled by the CTSC be handled by the Urban Transportation Commission. Mr. Nolen replied that the Citizen's Traffic Safety Commission puts their emphasis on traffic safety aspects only not the other areas to which the Urban Transportation Commission addresses itself. Also, Mr. Nolen noted that although the Commission had scheduled twelve regular meetings for 1981, they only held eight and had cut down the costs for city staff considerably. Mr. Nolen emphasized that the greatest safety problem facing the City is that of drivers under the influence of alcohol and asked for the Council's assistance in overcoming the problem. Councilmember Mullen said that any and all councilmembers would want to support a cut-down on alcohol related accidents; but, he asked Mr. Nolen for suggestions as to what could be done. Mayor McClellan mentioned that certain groups in the City work with alcohol related problems and she would be happy to put the CTSC in touch with them. Councilmember Deuser said that he would like to underscore Mr. Mullen's comment that we need suggestions. He also said that he didn't recall referring many problems to the CTSC. Mr. Nolen replied that the CTSC has had its share of problems in the past. Sally Witliff, Chairperson of the Urban Transportation Commission, was recognized by the Council. She said that there seems to be an over-lap between the CTSC and the Urban Transporation Commission. She commented that the UTC has a specific list of responsibilities, whereas the CTSC does not. She said that it seems very wasteful for both commissions to examine the same issues and problems. Mr. Nolen said that he had heard Ms. Witliff would like to see the CTSC dissolved but that the specific responsibilities of the CTSC are set-out as objectives and functions of the commission. He further acknowledged that some things are heard by both commissions but from a different perspective. Councilmember Deuser then presented a hypothetical problem to the two chairpersons and asked which of the commissions would handle the problem. They replied that the different aspects of the problem would require that both commissions handle it. COUNCIL MEMO February 18, 19.82 Page Four Mr. Carl Petus, Chairperson of the Wrecker Standards Commission, told the Council that he was concerned about the wreckers working without a permit. He said that he was told by the Police Department that officers are not ticketing the offenders. Mayor McClellan asked the City Manager to bring back a full report to the Council. Mr. Petus said that he had a list of 13 or 14 offenders and would like to see their vehicles impounded and a fine imposed upon them. He asked for an amendment to the "Wrecker" Ordinance. Mr. John German, Director of Public Works, recommended the abolishment of the Boggy Creek Ad Hoc Committee. He noted that they have not met for two or three years and that they should either be abolished or membership and a meeting time should be established. The City Council requested that the Boggy Creek Ad Hoc Committee be placed on the next agenda for consideration of abolishment. Councilmember Deuser had some concerns regarding the Board of Adjustment. He asked whether there are any limitations placed on the Board and if we are required by law to have a Board of Adjustment. Albert De La Rosa, City Attorney, said that the state allows for a Board of Adjustment; but, if the City Council should choose to do so, they could hear the appeals presently being heard by the Board. One or the other is necessary. The City Council would have to hear all appeals which are now scheduled for the Board of Adjustment, if the Board were abolished. Several other members representing their particular Boards or Commissions thanked the Council for their assistance and commended City personnel. Councilmember Deuser stated that he appreciates the efforts of each and every Board and Commission member. ADJOURN