Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAboutMIN 11.24.2008 CC-WThe City Council of the City of Georgetown, Texas, met in Regular Session on the above date with Mayor George Garver presiding. Council Present: Council Absent, Patty Eason, Gabe Sansing, Keith Brainard, Bill All Council present Sattler, Dale Ross, Ben Oliver Staff Present: Paul Brandenburg, City Manager; Jim Briggs, Assistant City Manager for Utlity Operations; Micki Rundell,' Director of Finance and Administration; Patricia E. Carls, City Attorney; Sandra D. Lee, City Secretary; Leticia Zavala, Controller; Travis McLain, Airport Manager; Mark Thomas, Economic Development Director; Jessica Hamilton, Assistant City Secretary; Dennis Schoenborn, Information Technology Director; Kathy Ragsdale, Utility Office Manager; Glenn Dishong, Water Services Director Policy Development/Review Workshop = Called to order at 04:02 PIVI A Overview of the September 30, 2008 year end preliminary financial information -- Leticia Zavala, Controller and Micki Rundell, Director of Finance and Administration Rundell said the audit has started and will be completed in January. She provided the quarterly report and an overhead handout. She noted the numbers are preliminary, but better than anticipated. She noted the economy "slow down" is impacting revenues, estimating a 10% decrease. There were questions from the Council. Rundell said the $1.2 million that is unallocated can be used for one-time projects, and can be allocated at mid year. She said there are fewer construction permits, but they are more valuable. Ross asked and Rundell agreed that court fines are down due to the fact that the number of patrol officers is down. Rundell said more airport fuel was sold than expected. She said there are 20,413 electric customers (4% growth), including the new Scott and White Hospital and Premium Outlet Center in Round Rock; 19,727 water customers (4% growth); and 17,518 wastewater customers (5% growth). Pat Berryman arrived at 4:24 p.m. Rundell noted that the total electric revenue is $5.9 million less than projected, but $8.8 million greater than 2006/07, probably due to the delay in Citicorp coming on-line and timing of fuel recovery for collection of fuel costs from LCRA. Briggs said he agreed with Rundell and added the City has been spending but not billing, saying the City is a quarter short on receiving revenue for what had to be paid for, but by April should be even. Briggs explained the City will be able to purchase gas for considerably less than from LCRA. He said he has acquired six months of gas at a very low price. He is projecting the power bills will be less than last year. Rundell reported on the other utility funds such as Sanitation and Stormwater Drainage. She noted this is the last year for the individual Sanitation Fund, as it has been consolidated into the General Fund in the 08/09 Budget. She listed the capital projects that have been completed. Rundell listed the process for year-end budget amendment due to capital projects, saying the first reading will be in January, 2009, and the CAFR will be presented to Council in February, 2009. City Council Meeting Minutes/November 24, 2008 Page 1 of 3 Pages B Presentation of Energy Depot, on-line Advice from attorney about pending or contemplated litigation and other matters on which the attorney has a duty to advise home energy audit software -- Kathy Ragsdale, Utility Office Director and the City Council, including agenda items Micki Legal issues related to the City of Georgetown' s power supply contract with LCRA and potential litigation pertaining to Rundell, same 3. Director of Texas, Austin Division of Lear v. Jimmy Lewis Fennell and City of Georgetown, Cause No. A08-CA-719LY, in the United States District Court for the Finance and Administration First Citizens Bank & Trust Company v. City of Georgetown, Cause No. D -1 -GN -08-02325, 53rd Judicial District, Travis County, Texas 6. Discussion of legal issues related to payment obligations for the Public Utility Improvements under the "Development Ragsdale said the City is just weeks away from offering the new energy program to the public. With a slide presentation, she described the program, saying it will be customized to Georgetown. She said Energy Depot will explain to customers how much energy is used by various appliances and will provide online customer -personalized support and answers to questions regarding energy use for their specific accounts. She explained the online energy tools that will be available to the individual customers and noted the Water Depot will be available for customers also about three weeks after Energy Depot. She said a company known as Enercom hosts the website so the City doesn't have to purchase another server, and if there are problems, Enercom will be responsible for fixing them. Council asked and Ragsdale responded that the purchase price was approximately $37,000 and there will be an annual maintenance of approximately $1500. C MuniAgenda Training -- Jessica Hamilton, Assistant City Secretary With a slide presentation, Hamilton explained the new council agenda program. She noted the program was purchased for $37,150 with a server purchased for around $7,000. She said with the new program, all agenda items are submitted to the City Secretary electronically with no paper involved. She explained the approval process for submitting an agenda item. She demonstrated the method for accessing the agendas through the City of Georgetown website. Ross asked for a way to provide Executive Session online with a password and log -in protection. Hamilton indicated she would pass that request along to Dennis Schoenborn of Information Technology (IT). She noted that research is needed regarding wireless access in the Council Chamber. Brandenburg explained to Council that IT will send a survey to Council to receive input regarding what kind of laptop they prefer. Hamilton noted there would be a way to use a PDF Professional Program that would allow a "sticky note" process onto the agenda items online. Sansing asked if they could have recording possibilities on their laptops. Hamilton explained a process provided by a company known as Granicus that the City will need to contract with in the future whereby online viewers could click on a specific Council Agenda item and would be able to view a video of that item. Brandenburg said there would be training for new councilmembers each spring. Berryman asked that their email could be loaded onto their laptops. There were questions and comments. When asked if the minutes would be searchable, Hamilton responded that this MuniAgenda program does not provide an adequate minutes module, so the minutes will still be available in Lotus Notes through the City of Georgetown website once they have been approved by the Council. 5:30 p.m. -- five minute break and Executive Session Executive Session In compliance with the Open Meetings Act, Chapter 551, Government Code, Vernon's Texas Codes, Annotated, the items listed below will be discussed in closed session and are subject to action in the regular session that follows. D Sec.551.071: Consultation with Attorney 1. Advice from attorney about pending or contemplated litigation and other matters on which the attorney has a duty to advise the City Council, including agenda items 2. Legal issues related to the City of Georgetown' s power supply contract with LCRA and potential litigation pertaining to same 3. Mark Shelton v. City of Georgetown, et al; Cause No. A07CA063; in the United States District Court for the Western District of Texas, Austin Division 4. Lear v. Jimmy Lewis Fennell and City of Georgetown, Cause No. A08-CA-719LY, in the United States District Court for the Western District of Texas Austin Division 5. First Citizens Bank & Trust Company v. City of Georgetown, Cause No. D -1 -GN -08-02325, 53rd Judicial District, Travis County, Texas 6. Discussion of legal issues related to payment obligations for the Public Utility Improvements under the "Development Agreement with Forestville Associates, a Maryland General Partnership, regarding development of Wolf Ranch" dated September 11, 2003 7. Berry Creek Partners v. City of Georgetown , Cause No. 08-767-C277, in the District Court of Williamson County, 277th Judicial District E Sec 551.072: Deliberation about Real Property 1. Consideration and possible action to approve rental rate and Lease Agreement with Aircraft Systems and Manufacturing, Inc. for the real property and improvements located at 302 Toledo Trail and to approve the memorandum of expiration of Lease pertaining to the old ground lease for the property located at 302 Toledo Trail -- Travis McLain, Airport Manager and Tom Yantis, Assistant City Manager 2. Consideration and possible action regarding purchase of property in the Williams Drive Gateway for future right-of-way F Sec.551.086 Competitive Matters 1. Consideration and Possible action to approve a potential contract relationship with American Electric Power (AEP) related City Council Meeting Minutes/November 24, 2008 Page 2 of 3 Pages to renewable resources beginning January 2009 -- Jim Briggs, Assistant City Manager for Utility Operations 7:54 p.m. -- returned to Open Session and adjourned The meeting was adjourned at 07:54 PM. Appr9yed : % Attest: ayor George Garver C City Council Meeting Minutes/November 24, 2008 Page 3 of 3 Pages