HomeMy WebLinkAboutMIN 03.11.1997 CC-W&RI'TrIT IT LW57rrrAin1 !
GOVERNING ! 1 OF THE
CITY OF !' ! ,SSSS
The City Council of the City of Georgetown, Texas, met in Regular Session on the above date with
Mayor Leo Wood presiding.
Council Present:
George Arroyos
Lee Bain
Charles "Hoss" Burson
Shelley Pierre Davis
Susan Hoyt
Ferd Tonn
Staff Present:
Bob Hart, City Manager
Sheree Rabe, Asst.. City Attorney
Sandra D. Lee, City Secretary
Ed Barry, Dir.of Development Services.
Hartley Sappington, Dir. of Community Svcs
Susan Morgan, Dir. of Finance & Admin.
Bill Shanklin, Fire Chief
Council Absent:
Dick Vincent
Murray Blackman, Asst. to City Mgr.
Hildy Kingma, Chief Planner
Wendy Walsh, Development Planner
Terry Jones, Purchasing Agent
Kevin Stofle, Police Lieutenant
Tom Leggitt, Fire Marshal
Policy Development/Review Workshop - Call to order at 5:00 p.m.
A Issue presentation and governance discussion on downtown parking (Chamber of
Commerce, Historic Preservation Committee, County, DGA, and Merchants are invited to
attend) -- Hartley Sappington and Bob Hart
Wood welcomed the attendance of members of the above -listed organizations. Hart
explained that in accordance with governance policies, the issue tonight would be to
review and share background information. Sappington used overheads to outline the
history of the parking issue on the square, and gave an inventory of the current parking use
on and around the square, including possible sites for future parking areas.
Wood read a letter from Esther Weir who expressed her desire to have a solution to the
need for parking spaces downtown. Wood acknowledged three members of the Historic
Preservation Commission, in the audience, and asked Hart to share his suggestions to the
group.
City Council Meeting Minutes/March 11, 1997
Page 1 of 12 Pages
Hart told the group that the City is willing to receive input from any and all groups. He
suggested hiring a consultant who could facilitate the large groups and present the
solutions for "buy -in" by the participants.
Wood asked Bill Harris, Chair of the Historic Preservation Commission (HPC), to give his
Commission's suggestions. Harris spoke to the group about the past activities/suggestions
of HPC concerning parking on the square. He mentioned the possibility of constructing a
$1 million parking garage for 99 cars; extra lighting for the City parking lot at 9th and
Rock Streets; and a County parking lot between 6th and 7th and Forest and MLK (three
blocks from the square) needing to be lighted for security.
A suggestion was made to use the "Dillo" bus to provide transportation to the people using
the parking lots off the square. Hart was asked and responded that City employees have
been instructed not to park on the square. Debra Hunt, County Tax Assessor/Collector,
told the group that the policy in her office is to park "off the square." Bain pointed out
that there were numerous businesses on the square whose employees park in front of their
offices, and are not interested in doing otherwise. It waspointed out that the parking lots
are not well known to tourists.
Wood introduced Paul Jordan, President of the Chamber of Commerce, who gave the
results of a questionnaire sent to Chamber members as to whether they would support
spending $25,000 to hire a consultant, saying that 2/3 of the members said they would. He
read a resolution of the Chamber Board expressing their desire to find a solution to the
parking problem and to be of assistance.
Wood called upon Joe Savage, President of Downtown Georgetown Association. Savage
said a financial gamble had already been spent to revitalize the downtown area to bring
tourists --now that the tourists are coming --he suggested taking another financial gamble to
hire a professional to assist on the problem.
Wood suggested that HPC be the administrators of the issue, with Sappington as a City
staff representative, suggesting that they be the group to go forward to all entities involved
and vocalize the general opinion of the group.
As a short-term solution it was decided to approach the County Commissioners Court to
instruct the employees at the courthouse to agree to park off the square. John Hoyt asked
for enforcement to keep the local employees from staying too long in the parking places
on the downtown square. Marvin Waley said the expense of a consultant would be worth
it to protect the investment of millions that was made in revitalizing the downtown area.
Paul Polanek asked for an assurance that the consultant money would be well spent. A
representative from the Del Webb Corporation spoke of how important the downtown
square is to the future as well as existing residents of Sun City.
City Council Meeting Minutes/March 11, 1997
Page 2 of 12 Pages
Wood suggested that the City would begin gathering information to be shared with a
consultant. It was also suggested that the prior surveys and studies be made available at
the Library for citizens to view. Wood asked that an action item be placed on the next
Council. Agenda to hire the consultant.
B Answer questions on Statutory Consent Agenda Items listed specifically below under the
Regular Session that will begin no sooner than 7:00 p.m. (For questions only, no action
to be taken until Regular Session)
Due to time constraint, this item was not handled.
Regular Session - called to order at 6A5 p.m to convene Executive Session
Executive Session
C Sec.551.071 consultation with attorney
D Sec. 551.072 deliberation on real property
E Sec.551.075 conference with employee
Regular Session - resumed at 7:15 p.m.
F Mayor, Council, City Manager, and staff comments and reports
There were no comments.
G Citizens wishing to address the Council
Gerry Anderson, Route 3, Box 916, asked Council to take care of the 1928 Seagraves Fire
Engine that has been left out in the weather and needs to be restored. He suggested that it
could be used as a parade vehicle in the future.
H Action on Executive Session Items
No action was taken on Executive Session Items.
Statutory Consent Agenda
I Consideration of approving the minutes for the regular meeting of Tuesday, February 25,
1997 -- Sandra Lee
J Consideration of approval of a resolution appointing election officials for the General
Election on May 3, 1997 -- Sandra Lee
City Council Meeting Minutes/March 11, 1997
Page 3 of 12 Pages
K Authorization for the Mayor to execute agreements for professional grant management
services with the Institute for Finance and Economic Development on behalf of Alu-
Cut International, Inc., Schunk Quartz, Inc., and Xycarb Ceramics USA, Inc.
L Consideration of approval of a resolution to authorize signatories for the distribution of
grant funds from the Texas Community Development Program on behalf of Alu-Cut
International, Inc. , Schunk Quartz, Inc. , and Xycarb Ceramics USA, Inc.
M Consideration of approval to sell scrap metal to Commercial Metals and scrap aluminum
to Austin Metal and Iron Company -- Terry Jones and Susan Morgan
N Consideration
of an award of bid for dual voltage transformers
to South Way
Electric
Utility Service
in the estimated amount of $46,636.00 -- Terry
Jones and Jim
Briggs
O Consideration
of an award of the semi-annual
bid for
computer and copier paper to various
bidders in the
estimated amount of $7,510.33
-- Terry
Jones and Susan Morgan
P Consideration of approval to purchase a tractor and triple gang mower from the Houston
Galveston Area Council in the amount of $54,987.26 -- Terry Jones and Susan Morgan
Q Consideration of an award of the semi-annual bid for janitorial supplies to various bidders
in the estimated amount of $11,935.96 -- Terry Jones and Susan Morgan
R Consideration of approval of an interlocal agreement between the City of Georgetown, the
City of Round Rock, and Williamson County for the operation of the 800 MHZ radio
communication system -- Terry Jones and Susan Morgan
Bain questioned whether the City would always have sufficient capacity on the system.
Jones and Rabe assured Bain that the agreement would contain adequate language to
ensure adequate capacity for the City of Georgetown.
S Consideration of approval of a resolution adopting travel policies for continuing education
for the Mayor and members of the City Council -- Bob Hart
Motion by Tann, second by Hoyt to approve the Consent Agenda in its entirety. Approved 6-0.
(Vincent absent)
Legislative Regular Agenda
Wood asked that Item W be taken next on the agenda. He explained that the developer, Bob
Wunch, had requested that this item be deferred to a future meeting, saying that he wished to have
time to meet with the neighborhood before the decision is made by the Council.
City Council Meeting Minutes/March 11. 1997
Page 4 of 12 Pages
W Consideration of a collector street network for the Reserve at Berry Creek, an approved
Concept Plan consisting of a 182 acre tract in the William Roberts Survey, located at the
ends of Champions Drive and Luna Trail -- Hildy Kingma and Ed Barry
Mary Pepper, 361 Logan Ranch Road, said that Wunch did have several meetings, but the
majority of the people were in favor of small collector streets, rather than one large direct
route. Ms. Pepper asked for 30 days to give more people a chance to get together.
An engineer speaking for Wunch, said that a group of people were notified, representative
of the people that had attended the previous Council Meeting. He asked that time be
allowed to include another meeting. He said that everyone within 200 feet of the property
had been notified.
Motion by Torn, second by Bain to defer the item to the first meeting in April. Approved
6-0.
T Second Reading of an ordinance rezoning Riveroaks Subdivision, Section Two, Lots 6
and 7, to be known as Tractor Supply company, from C-1, Local Commercial, to C -2A,
Commercial First Height, or any more restrictive district, located on South IH -35 -- Hildy
Kingma and Ed Barry
Kingma read the caption, and noted that the requested changes had been made to the
ordinance. Motion by Bain, second by Davis to approve Ordinance 97-13. Approved 6-0.
U First Reading of an ordinance providing for the annexation into the City of approximately
128 acres in the David Wright Survey, locally known as Serenada East Subdivision - Units
1, 4, 5, portions of Units 2 and 3 and surrounding areas -- Clyde von Rosenberg and Ed
Barry
von Rosenberg read the caption only on first reading after satisfying the requirements of
the City Charter.
Tony Corbett, an attorney with Hutcheson and Grundy, spoke on behalf of a number of
residents in Serenada East. He questioned the authority of the City to charge fees for
connection to the City sewer line. Rabe informed Corbett that the City has an impact fee
ordinance as well as the State statute which allows the City to charge a connection fee.
Corbett challenged Rabe, and was told that the City is within its full legal right.
Ginny Sutton said she had contacted State Senator Jeff Wentworth who will work with the
residents and take this issue to the Attorney General for his opinion. Wood asked and was
told by Rabe that the service plan could be considered as a separate item from the
annexation ordinance.
City Council Meeting Minutes/March 11, 1997
Page 5 of 12 Pages
Bain said the time element should not be a problem due to the length of time that will
occur before the need to connect with the sewer line. Therefore, the annexation ordinance
could go forward.
David Burdick told Council that the impact fees were designed for new development. He
claimed that the State statute is very vague and informed Council that he thought the
Attorney General's opinion would be needed.
Motion by Hoyt, second by Bain to approve the ordinance on first reading. Approved 6-0.
V First Reading of an ordinance amending the City's Single -Member District Plan to include
properties that have been annexed since the May 4, 1996 General Election, and proposed
to be annexed prior to the May 3, 1997 General Election -- Marianne Banks
Hart explained that this amendment to the Plan would add Berry Creek and Serenada East
and would make adjustments for the boundary changes. He explained that the populations
of the districts are still within the parameters required by the Justice Department in 1991.
He said these changes would allow both of the newly annexed areas to vote in the General
Election in May, 1997. Wood pointed out that it would also allow those citizens to run for
office for the position of Councilmember for District 5.
Tonn asked if the lines could be drawn in a more direct and straight manner. Hart
explained that the 10% tolerance range that was necessary would not allow for "squaring
up" the boundaries, saying that a higher population is needed to allow a higher percentage.
Terri Glasby, Legal Assistant, explained the process of redrawing the lines using the 1990
census figures. She said 213 people were moved into District 5 from Berry Creek and 532
from Serenada East, creating the need to move some people from District 5 to District 4,
and from District 5 to District 6, and from District 6 to District 7, and making a boundary
shift from District 2 to District 6.
Arroyos mentioned that he and Councilmember Davis had been members of the
redistricting committee when the lines were first drawn, and that minority population had
to be taken into consideration. Hart said the Justice Department has not put out criteria on
what they will or will not approve. He said the Justice Department is not compelled to
follow case law. It was pointed out that the submittal was sent in within the 60 -day
timeframe.
Glasby read the
caption of the
ordinance.
Motion by Arroyos, second by Davis to approve
the ordinance on
first reading.
Approved
6-0.
City Council Meeting Minutes/March 11, 1997
Page 6 of 12 Pages
Wood encouraged City staff to get information publicized about the eligibility to vote for
those citizens in the soon-to-be annexed areas.
Arroyos clarified that the Justice Department generally contacts minority members of the
community to see whether or not they have been adversely affected by the changes, and if
that is not the cae, the Justice Department moves forward with approval.
Charlie Barton announced that he had picked up a candidate packet and intended to file
for the Councilmember position in District 5. He questioned why it was so undetermined
as to whether Berry Creek citizens would be qualified for the upcoming election.
Hart responded that the submission to the Justice Department is done every year, prior to
the election; that there is no reason that the Justice Department would consider it invalid,
but the procedure must be followed every year. He said that generally, the reason for
invalidation is due to the populations numbers in the districts not being comparable.
W (Handled at the beginning of the Regular Agenda)
X Consideration of approval of a resolution supporting the change of the remaining two-way
frontage road sections in Georgetown to one-way -- Clyde von Rosenberg and Ed Barry
von Rosenberg explained the proposed changes as requested by the Texas Department of
Transportation, saying this construction would occur in the Fall of 1997 at the same time
as the widening of the interstate, along with the reversing of the on/off ramps. He noted
that an agreement has been made with the School District and the Texas Department of
Transportation (TXDQT) to provide alternate access to McCoy School. He showed an
overhead pointing out the proposed street to be connected to Park Lane, and stated that the
City has also agreed to build sidewalks, as well as an additional street extension to connect
with Northwest Boulevard to relieve traffic on Williams Drive. He said there would also
be new signs and lighting to point out the direction to the business districts. von
Rosenberg read the resolution.
Steve Doering, 30412 La Quinta, asked for explanation of the special considerations on
the agenda item cover sheet, saying that he interpreted that the traffic would be re-routed
through residential areas. He also asked about the estimated cost of $300,000 and the
estimated timeframe. He asked for and received reassurance that emergency vehicles
would not be impaired. He said he couldn't understand how the proposed new streets
would benefit the existing businesses. He said he would like to see wording in the
resolution that says the re-routing would occur in conjunction with the highway
construction. He also said he has not seen proof that the accidents that occurred were due
to the two-way movement of traffic on the frontage road.
City Council Meeting Minutes/March 11, 1997
Page 7 of 12 Pages
Russ Smith, P. O. Box 3000-246, told Council he has been asking the same questions
since December 6, but can't get the answers. He claimed that some 200 jobs would be lost
if the changes are made in the highway from Williams Drive to Lakeway. He asked that
the ramp changes be addressed in the resolution.
Carl Doering, 705 Country Club Road, asked several more questions about the cover sheet
for this item. He asked that the frontage road remain two-way until TxDOT puts in a
frontage road on the east side of I35 between Williams Drive and Lakeway.
Bain asked if it were possible to "flip" the ramps, but still maintain the two-way
movement on the frontage roads. Hart said that TxDOT standards for urban vs. rural
design call for the ramps to be flipped, otherwise the direction and the ramps will be left as
they are. He said the widening of Interstate 35 will go forward regardless. Hart said if the
ramps aren't flipped, there won't be any reason to extend Northwest Boulevard. Hart also
said the ramps and frontage road direction being changed is important to Power
Computing. Bain acknowledged the depth of the decision being made and its effect on the
entire transportation policy for the City, especially the northwest quadrant.
Hart suggested that a Section 4 be added to the resolution, stating: "Further, that the
flipping of the ramps, the conversion of the frontage road to one-way, the timing of the
Northwest Boulevard extension, and the project outlined in Section 3 above is timed to
occur at approximately the same time."
Hart was instructed to meet with TxDOT about formulating a strategy for future frontage
roads.
Motion by Tonn, second by Bain to approve the resolution including the addition of the
Section 4 language provided by Hart. Approved 6-0.
Y Consideration of a Detailed Development Plan of a 96 -acre tract in the Frances A. Hudson
Survey, to be known as Windmill Hill, and variances to the Subdivision Regulations,
located at 61455 Westinghouse Road -- Hildy Kingma and Ed Barry
Kingma explained that this DDP was for a manufactured home park with driveways and
gated entrance. She noted that a variance was being asked that is approved by staff and
the Planning and Zoning Commission. She noted that the applicant is requesting not to
build the sidewalks. She also noted that if this detailed development plan is approved, the
construction plans cannot be approved until after the study on utility capacity is complete.
She added that construction plan approval is an administrative process.
Barry explained
that because
this
project
was "in the pipeline" the DDP could be handled,
but construction
plans would
not
be able
to proceed until adequate wastewater capacity is
City Council Meeting Minutes/March l I, 1997
Page 8 of 12 Pages
secured, pointing out that the project would come under the purview of the County Health
District and the Texas Natural Resource Conservation Commission.
Terry Irion, an attorney representing the applicant, asked for approval tonight of the
detailed development plan. He distributed copies of a letter from Steven Seeburg
regarding the sidewalk issue, saying they would propose using the streets for pedestrian
travel and not allow vehicle parking in front of the homes. He said the plan works very
well and offered to have the site engineer answer questions.
Susan Heil, 504 Clearview, said she does not want the mobile home park in her
subdivision.
Scott Means, 100 Cloverdale Lane, showed Council the brochure that was distributed to
the area residents by the developer, saying that the brochure showed amenities such as a
golf course and swimming pool that he doesn't think are planned for the Windmill Hill
development. He reminded Council that the owner of the property had not been interested
in contributing toward the utility capacity study. He asked the Council to act in the best
interest of the community.
Gerry Anderson, Route 3, Box 916, told Council that an out-of-state developer should not
be allowed to put in a subdivision without sidewalks and then move back out of state.
Margaret Green, 2550 FM 1460, said she and her husband do not object to the
development of the land, but to the density. She said she doesn't object to manufactured
housing but to the proposed density.
Margaret Nash, a nearby property owner, said all housing should be subject to the same
rules. She also gave Council her opinion that the one-way frontage road system in that
area will force more traffic on County Road 116.
Greg Hall said, according to his figures, the actual density will be 6 1/2 homes per acre,
one or two cars per family, lots of children in the "starter" homes and no sidewalks. He
asked that the Council not waive the sidewalk requirements. He pointed out that Round
Rock uses the same standards for mobile homes as for other homes.
Terry
Irion reminded Council
that the Concept
Plan was
approved last summer for 750+
units.
He claimed that he has
received written
approval
of adequate utility
capacity.
Wood asked Motheral, in the audience, if it was not true that he had turned down the
opportunity to participate in the utility capacity study. Motheral said that was the way it
was reported in the newspaper and in the resolution, but he would deal with that issue at a
later date. Hart reiterated that Motheral had been very clear in not wanting to participate.
City Council Meeting Minutes/March 11, 1997
Page 9 of 12 Pages
When questioned by Bain, Barry explained that the Concept Plan, if approved, is the first
step in platting, and that failure to proceed with platting negates the concept plan. Burson
asked and was told that the Planning and Zoning Commission had approved this item.
Ms. Green told Council that the only issue Planning and Zoning was allowed to address
was the number of entrances into the development. Davis said he doesn't feel comfortable
with the density. Hart explained that staff recommendation is that the project meets the
ordinance requirements. Rabe explained that, because the project is within the ETJ,
Council does not have as much authority as they would if it were inside the City limits.
Irion told Council that he has a letter from August, 1995, to the prior applicant for a
project that was even more dense, saying that project was consistent and met the
requirements. He said that because the project is within the City's certificated service area,
the City is required to supply water to the project. He said there is not a subdivision
requirement for this type of development and the applicant was advised by staff not to
subdivide. He added that they have complied with every requirement presented, and will
work with the staff on the wastewater issue.
Hart advised
Council that they could go
into
Executive
Session
and discuss legal not
policy issues
with Attorney Rabe. Hoyt
left
the
dias
to
counsel
with
Rabe.
An unidentified woman in the audience asked if the City would install signal lights on
Westinghouse Road. It was determined that because the intersection in question was not
within the City Limits, the City would not have authority to install signal lights there.
ZD
10:12 p.m. - recessed for Executive Session
10:40 p.m. - resumed Open Session
Motion by Bain, second by Davis to defer the item until April 8 to give staff a chance to
look at the legal issues that were discussed in Executive Session. Approved 5-0. (Arroyos
absent)
Z Consideration of a Detailed Development Plan of South San Gabriel Urban Renewal,
Block H. Lots 1 and 2, with variances to the Subdivision Regulations, located at 900 West
Street, also known as David's Collision Repair -- Hildy Kingma and Ed Barry
Kingma explained that this item was for expansion of the existing body shop including
expansion onto the adjacent lot, involving the storage of vehicles in buildings on the
second lot. She pointed out that the driveway along West Street needs to be reduced to 30
feet per the standard. She said the staff and Planning and Zoning Commission
recommended removal of the building at West and 10th Streets, with other encroachments
in the setbacks allowed to remain. She noted that the applicant has agreed to install 8 -foot
City Council Meeting Minutes/March 11, 1997
Page 10 of 12 Pages
fences of wrought iron on two sides and to reduce to 6 feet the solid fence on the west
side.
Davis asked and was told that the residents within 200 feet had been notified, but no
responses were received. Hoyt questioned whether the applicant had spoken with the
surrounding residents. He said he had spoken with several nearby residents and had
received no objections. David Volter, Architect, spoke on behalf of Larry David, the
applicant, regarding the exception to impervious cover granted by Texas Natural
Resources Conservation Commission. He said that all but &% of the building coverage
has been there for many years. He said that David would like to leave the building at West
and 10th Streets for another five years in order to rent it out and allow him to recoup some
funds.
Motion by Davis, second by Hoyt to approve the DDP with variances and allow the one
existing building to remain for five years. Approved 4-0. (Bain abstained, Arroyos and
Vincent absent)
AA Second Reading of an ordinance authorizing the issuance of the City of Georgetown,
Texas Combination Tax and Utility System Limited Revenue Certificates of Obligation,
Series 1997 in an amount note to exceed $5,195,000 -- Susan Morgan and Bob Hart
Wood called for Carl Doering who had signed up to speak on this item. He was not found.
Morgan read the caption of the ordinance and introduced Gary Kimble to explain the
pricing of the bonds. Kimble distributed a summary of the transactions to Council, saying
that the bonds would produce $4 million and $5.2 million. He said the refunding is at
$145,000 savings after all costs, and issuance costs were improved by about $25,000.
Motion by Tonn, second by Hoyt to approve Ordinance 97-14. Approved 5-0.
BB Second Reading of an ordinance authorizing the issuance of the City of Georgetown,
Texas Utility System Revenue Bonds, Series 1997 in an amount not to exceed $6,950,000
-- Susan Morgan and Bob Hart
Morgan read the caption. Motion by Davis, second by Tonn to approve Ordinance 97-15.
Approved 5-0.
CC Second Reading of an ordinance adjusting
water conservation rates
for residential
customers for billing
periods between June
and September -- Susan
Morgan and Bob Hart
Morgan read the caption. Motion by Hoyt, second by Burson to approve Ordinance 97-16
Approved 5-0.
Cityr Council Meeting Mimites/March 11, 1997
Page 11 of 12 Pages
DD Second
Reading of an ordinance deleting Chapter 8.24
of the Code
of Ordinances of the
City of
Georgetown
relating to abandoned vehicles
and
property --
Bill Shanklin
Shanklin told Council that there were 30 abandoned vehicles ready to be removed from
the City streets, and read the caption. Motion by Torn, second by Bain to approve
Ordinance 97-17. Approved 5-0.
It was noted that Shanklin will be leaving Georgetown to become the Fire Chief in
Richardson, Texas. Council expressed their sorrow that he would be leaving and wished
him well.
EE Evaluation of meeting process
Wood noted that he had received a fax from the Corridor Council asking for a contribution of
$5,000 to join a coalition. Hart advised that they were asking for help to pay for a summit in
Mexico to increase the use of the NAFTA Highway. Council did not appear interested in
complying with the request.
Wood reminded Council that Sen. Kay Bailey Hutchison would be in Georgetown on Friday,
March 21 to promote her campaign.
Bain said he thinks it would be a good idea to have a ribbon cutting on the new Highway 29
bridge after the lights are installed.
Bain noted the recent round table discussion regarding electric deregulation at the recent
National League of Cities Conference in Washington, D.C. He commended Rabe's
presentation to the group and said she represented the City very well.
Bain asked for an opportunity to report on the conference at a future Council workshop.
Hoyt asked that the Council Agenda be posted on Cablevision, and would like to have the
City of Georgetown Mission Statement hung on the wall in the Council Chamber.
The meeting was adjourned at 11:23 p.m.
Approved:
Leo Wood, Mayor
City Council Meeting Minutes/March 11, 1997
Page 12 of 12 Pages
Attest:
Sandra D. Lee, City Secretary