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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMIN 10.27.2008 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, Pat Bill Sattler, Dale Ross Berryman, Ben Oliver Staff Present: Paul Brandenburg, City Manager; Tom Yantis, Assistant City Manager; Jim Briggs, Assistant City Manager for Utility Operations; Patricia E. Carls, City Attorney; Sandra D. Lee, City Secretary; Micki Rundell, Director of Finance and Administration; Leticia Zavala, Controller; Kathy Ragsdale, Utility Office Manager; Lorie Lankford, Accounting Supervisor; Jana Kern, Administrative Assistant II for Georgetown Utility Services; Rachel Osgood, Environmental Services Coordinator; Glenn Dishong, Water Services Director; Elizabeth Cook, Planning and Development Director; Ed Polasek, Principal Planner; Valerie Kreger, Planner III; Jordan Maddox, Planner III; Mark Thomas, Economic Development Director; Erin McDonald, Webmaster; Clay Shell, Acting Fire Chief; Kevin Russell, Human Resources Director; Kelly Bressler, Human Resources Generalist; Keith Hutchinson, Public Information Officer Policy Development/Review Workshop = Called to order at 04:04 Pel Mayor Garver noted that four councilmembers were present with one more expected. He noted that two councilmembers would not be attending, Dale Ross and Bill Sattler. He listed the sections of the Executive Session that would follow the workshop items. A Presentation and update on the Goodwater Development project -- Tom Yantis, Assistant City Manager Yantis noted that there are no other projects like this one in the state. He told Council this will be a presentation of the refinements rolled out over the year. He introduced David Singleton, saying they have chosen to model Goodwater after Old Town in Georgetown. With a slide presentation, Singleton displayed the location of the development near SH 195. He said the development will include a lake and an on-site nursery to care for the trees that are displaced due to the development, along with an on-site arborist. Lead Engineer, Tom Gruel, introduced Rebecca Lynn as an engineer who worked on the lake and drainage system of the project. With a slide presentation, he explained the topography and the methods used to control drainage. Singleton demonstrated islands planned to be in the lake, one (7.5 acres) to be habitable; one to contain a chapel. He introduced Milosav Cekic who described the 600 -acre development. Singleton introduced the landscape architect, Jim Bechtol, who spoke about the proposed "swimming hole." Sansing asked about a timeline. Singleton said the preliminary plat would be submitted to the City within the next 30 days and the agreement with the City should be finalized at the same time. Berryman confirmed that this development is currently in the ETJ. Yantis responded that it is in the ETJ, in Jarrell School District, outside of the City's water and electric service, saying the plan is to create a Municipal Utility District (MUD). Mayor asked for an estimate of the ultimate population upon build -out, and Singleton said at least 5,000 residents when the development is completed. Singleton noted the website: Goodwatertx.com B Overview of the Red Flag Rules legislation and the City of Georgetown Identity Theft Prevention Program -- City Council Meeting Minutes/October 27, 2008 Page 1 of 3 Pages Kathy Ragsdale, Utility Office Manager and Micki Rundell, Director of Finance and Administration Ragsdale told Council the staff has created an identity theft prevention program as required by Congress. She explained the five categories that are "red flags" to the staff to investigate further for theft identity. She noted on tomorrow night's agenda the Council will be asked to approve the policies that have been proposed by the staff. She mentioned the new rules will be counter to standard customer service actions, and said staff will work on ways to ease the additional burden to the customers. Berryman asked and Ragsdale confirmed this would be an increased overhead cost to the City, but is mandated by the federal government. C Discussion regarding the proposed 2008-2009 City of Georgetown employee benefits -- Kevin Russell, Human Resources Director and Paul Brandenburg, City Manager With a slide presentation, Russell reviewed the recent differences in the proposed insurance benefits for employees. He noted the City of Georgetown seeks, with it's compensation strategy, to attract and retain competent employees through market sensitive pay and benefits. He noted when he presented to Council in April, he told them the City would not entertain an increase larger than 15% and that amount was placed in the budget. He said five providers had submitted proposals, saying Scott and White and Humana were the two most viable, based on cost. He said throughout the process there were negotiations with the providers. He said the Committee looked at the provided information and prepared to have a joint provision of insurance; however, Scott and White decided not to be a dual provider. He said both companies have now each entered new proposals. He described the proposals from each company. He said the employees will pay a $3,000 deductible in the beginning, but the City will give each employee $1,000 toward that deductible. He noted the City is recommending no co -pay, with a Humana High Deductible Rate Plan, changing all employees to the high -deductible rate plan, for which the City would pay the base, and still provide the dependent/family supplement but delete the single parent family supplement. He noted the rates for the other benefits have remained the same. He said Council will be asked tomorrow to authorize the incentives and authorize to enter into contracts with the providers. There were questions from the Council. It was determined that employees will save $200 per month under the new plan, and they would be encouraged to place that money in a health savings account. There were continued questions and comments from Council. Brainard commended Brandenburg and Russell for negotiating this plan. Berryman asked and Russell reiterated there continues to be a wellness plan. Sansing asked and Davidica Blum with Scott and White Health Plan confirmed they were given an opportunity to negotiate. She noted that 377 City employees are currently on a "rich" plan with co -pays and only 30 employees are on a high deductible plan. She said they were asked to quote both plans to all employees and that was her understanding of the negotiations. D Joint Workshop with the Planning and Zoning Commission and the Unified Development Code (UDC) Annual Review Task Force to review the proposed UDC Amendment List and discuss the 2008-2009 Annual Review and Amendment Process -- Elizabeth Cook, Planning and Development Director Cook said in September Council changed the timeline and appointed a task force to develop changes for the UDC and the process. She noted that Council was provided with a list and she reviewed the categories on the list. She said the Task Force will be divided into individual "teams," saying some items may have multiple teams. She said the plan is to set up a series of meetings; the teams would meet once a month, then the entire Task Force would meet once a month. She said it may not be possible to get all of the items done by next Spring which is the annual time for amendments. Clare Easley, member of the Planning and Zoning Commission, said she has not seen a list of items to be discussed. Cook said staff wants Council to approve the list and the process, different from the past. There were other comments from the Councilmembers. Brainard said any item that goes to public comment must be signed off on by at least three people and asked her to keep him aprised if there are items that have no apparent reason to be discussed. Eason and Oliver expressed concern that the Task Force would be making final decisions. Eason said she wanted to make sure that the final decision is made by the City Council. 6:10 p.m. -- recessed to 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. E 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 City Council Meeting Minutes/October 27, 2008 Page 2 of 3 Pages 2. Legal issues related to the GiLy of Georgetown's power supply contract with LCRA aria potential litigation pertaining to same 3. City of Georgetown, Texas v. Georgetown Railroad Company, Inc., et al.; Cause No. A08CA 453 SS; In the United States District Court for the Western District of Texas, Austin Division 4. 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 5. 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 6. First Citizens Bank & Trust Company v. City of Georgetown, Cause No. D -1 -GN -08-02325, 53rd Judicial District, Travis County, Texas 7. 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 8. Discussion of legal issues related to Development Agreement and Utility Agreement for the Water Oak Subdivision (ABG Subdivision) 9. Berry Creek Partners v. City of Georgetown, Cause No. 08-767-C277, in the District Court of Williamson County, 277th Judicial District 10. Consideration and possible action to approve the retention of Sheila Gladstone, with the firm Lloyd Gosselink Rochelle & Townsend, P.C., regarding pending employment law matter 11. Consideration and possible action to approve the retention of a tax attorney to assist with tax issues associated with lease or sale of City owned properties F Sec.551.086 Competitive Matters 1. Deliberation regarding future City of Georgetown Power Supply Options -- Jim Briggs, Assistant City Manager for Utility Operations G Sec.551.072 Real Property 1. Deliberation regarding the purchase, exchange, lease, or value of real property to be used for a new water treatment plant -- Glenn Dishong, Water Services Director 2. Discussion and possible action regarding the purchase or exchange of real property for use as a Police and Municipal Court facility -- Tom Yantis, Assistant City Manager H Sec. 551.087: Deliberation Regarding Economic Development Negotiations 1. Deliberation regarding the request related to Industrial Revenue Bonds for Airborne -- Mark Thomas, Economic Development Director 2. Deliberation regarding request of Inwood Estates Vineyard to lease the old downtown fire station for use as a winery and to receive other economic development incentives -- Mark Tomas, Economic Development Director Sec.551.074 Personnel Matters 1. Consideration of appointment of Assistant City Secretary, Jessica Hamilton, as City Secretary to replace Sandra Lee who is retiring December 31, 2008 8:25 p.m. -- returned to Open Session and adjourned The meeting was adjourned at 08:25 PM. ayor George Garver City Council Meeting Minutes/October 27, 2008 Page 3 of 3 Pages Attest;;/ a { City Secretary Sandra Lee