Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAbout12-03-12 TC Min MINUTES OF THE TOWN OF WESTLAKE,TEXAS TOWN COUNCIL SPECIAL MEETING December 3, 2012 PRESENT: Mayor Laura Wheat and Council Members, Michael Barrett, Clif Cox, Carol Langdon and David Levitan. ABSENT: Rick Rennhack OTHERS PRESENT: Town Manager Tom Brymer, Town Secretary Kelly Edwards, Assistant to the Town Manager Amanda DeGan, Finance Director Debbie Piper, Planning and Development Director Eddie Edwards, Facilities and Recreation Director Troy Meyer, Communications & Community Affairs Director Ginger Awtry, and Management Intern Alora Wachholz. Special i 1. CALL TO ORDER Mayor Wheat called the meeting to order at 6:46 p.m. 2m PRESENTATION AND DISCUSSION REGARDING COMMUNITY SAFETY EFFORTS, RECENT BURGLARY ACTIVITY, AND POLICE SERVICES. Mayor Wheat addressed the residents on the burglary activity over the Thanksgiving holiday and apologized for the recent events. Town Manager Brymer provided an overview of the updates the Town has provided since the Glenwyck Home Owners Association (HOA) meeting. Assistant to the Town Manager DeGan provided an overview of the Glenwyck HOA meeting, the timeline of burglaries and the communications which have been provided to residents this past week by residential email blast and the Town's website. Town Staff and the Keller Police Department identified the following areas for improvement: Town Council Minutes 12/03/12 Page 1 of 3 The Keller Police Department is determined to work with the HOAs on the best practices on how to allocate coverage during holidays. - Encourage residents to complete the police department vacation form when traveling. Create and schedule a task meeting with various residents to address additional safety items such as lighting, closing the park a dusk and other crime preventative measures. Part 1 crimes, such as burglaries, will necessitate an immediate response and notification to residents by municipal staff. - Continue to encourage residents that the police department is available to assist residents to implement new or additional options of securing their homes. - Proactively looks for ways to address future safety concerns. Keller Police Chief Mark Hafner, addressed the Council on the recent burglaries. Chief Hanfer provided an overview of the number of burglaries, subdivisions affected, that the department believes this group targeted an affluent community, the various options and services that residents can implement to provide additional security for their residencies, and the additional agencies that they are working with the department to solve these recent burglaries. . CITIZEN PRESENTATIONS AND RECOGNITIONS Mr. Mike Mauler, 1855 Broken Bend Drive, Westlake, stated his concerns regarding the posting open meetings notification requirements, his thoughts that this type of event constitutes an emergency and the amount of time that lapsed from the events and to notification of residents. Renee Hinterlong, 1700 Wisteria Way, Westlake, concerned regarding the night sky ordinance and would like to know if the Council would consider amending the ordinance to provide additional lighting in various areas. Juan Fontanos, 1845 Broken Bend Drive, Westlake, commented on the reconciliation regarding the call times, stated his concerns regarding these events, the impact on residents, and that he would like the Town Council to make this a signature effort to improve and restore security and confidence to the residents. Allan Werst, 4035 Aspen Lane, Westlake, encouraged residents not to let their guard down due to the fact they live in gated communities, to be diligent regarding their surroundings and would like to see the Town Marshal's car used for additional patrolling. Chris Jeppesen, 2008 Wood Thrush Court, Westlake, concerned that the HOAs are not communicating incident information; and asked what the Town and Keller Police Department what has been done since the incidents reported in July. Town Council Minutes 12/03/12 Page 2 of 3 Barbara Lekkos, 1109 Post Oak Place, Westlake, stated she is a victim and has not felt safe since the burglaries and believes one reason she feels unsafe is due to the lighting within the Town. Rajai Trivedi, 2203 Vaquero Boulevard, asked what the Town and the police department have planned to prevent these same types of events during the next holiday and future plans to increase patrols. Chief Hafner encouraged residents to call 911 and or the non-emergency numbers should they have any concerns or see suspicious activity, encouraged residents to leave lights on and submit vacation notifications to the police department. Town Manager Brymer would like to set up a HOA and Town community task force to address resident's safety concerns and the police level of services provided by the Keller Police Department. 4. ADJOURNMENT There being no further business before the Council, Mayor Wheat asked for a motion to adjourn the meeting. TI Council Member Langdon made a motion to adjourn the meeting. Council Member Barrett seconded the motion. The motion carried by a vote of 4-0. Mayor Wheat adjourned the meeting at 7:47 p.m. APPROVED Y THE TOWN COUNCIL ON MARCH , 2013. ATTEST: .�'J. . Laura Wheat, Mayor KellyEdwa d , Town Secretary Town Council Minutes 12/03/12 Page 3 of 3