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Home My WebLink AboutMIN 07.07.2008 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, Pat Berryman, Dale Ross, Ben Oliver Staff Present: Paul E. Brandenburg, City Manager; Tom Yantis, Assistant City Manager; Jim Briggs, Assistant City Manager for Utility Operations; Paricia E. Carls, City Attorney; Sandra D. Lee, City Secretary; Micki Rundell, Director of Finance and Administration; Leticia Zavala, Controller; Elizabeth Cook, Planning Director; Keith Hutchinson, Public Information Officer; Randy Morrow, Director of Community Services; Ed Polasek, Principal Planner; Clay Shell, Acting Fire Chief; Mark Thomas, Economic Development Director; Kimberly Garrett, Parks and Recreation Director; Tom Benz, Systems Engineering Manager; Bill Dryden, Transportation Engineer Policy Development/Review Workshop ® Called to order at 04:01 P A 2008 Proposed Bond Project (Roads and Parks & Recreation) -- Paul Brandenburg, City Manager; Randy Morrow, Director of Community Services and Micki Rundell, Director of Finance and Administration Brandenburg said more drivers and more businesses have caused transportation to be the number one priority of residents and the City Council. He recalled the State has rescinded funding, and now it will be the responsibility of the City to improve/extend the roadways in Georgetown. He listed the nine road projects prioritized by the Georgetown Transportation Advisory Board (GTAB), totaling $67.8 million, including issuance costs. With a slide presentation, Brandenburg displayed the nine projects. There were questions and comments. Morrow listed the proposed park projects such as: (1) Garey Park Development; (2) an Amphitheatre/Festival Area and San Gabriel Park Renovations; (3) development of new trails such as between San Gabriel Park and Southwestern University, and from Blue Hole Park along Scenic Drive to Wolf Ranch Mall and toward Garey Park; (4) preservation of open space along the river corridors; (5) purchase of a large tract of land west of IH35 for a park and sports complex; and (6) convert two smaller city swimming pools to spray pools; totaling $58 million, including issuance costs. There were questions and comments from Council. Rundell explained the actual tax impacts of the 2004 bond package and the impact of the proposed 2008 bond packages. She noted that for every $1 million of new debt issued it will be $0.00224 on 2008/09 estimated assessed valuation. She said they would be 20 year bonds, and the timing depends on growth of the assessed valuation. She said if both bond packages pass, the debt may be staggered to prevent "rate shock." She said Council will finalize the bond package, receive election law training, and will make the final determination of when debt is issued. She emphasized there will be no increase for taxpayers's whose tax rate is frozen. There were questions and comments from Council. City Council Meeting Minutes/July 7, 2008 Page 1 of 3 Pages Mayor Garver recognized the Chair of the Parks and Recreation Board, Kent Buikema, who told Council that the Parks Board unanimously supports the listed parks and the ranking order. Eason asked for the procedure in determining how the bonds would be sold. Rundell said it would be done through the budget process. Brandenburg said there will be an action item on tomorrow night's agenda for Council to give direction to staff. Garver asked if there could be a postponement, if necessary for the Councilmembers to educate themselves on the projects. Brandenburg said the budget process is tight and no more than two weeks could be accomodated. He noted that these projects have been looked at in detail and approved by various boards and commissions. Brainard said he is aware of the background on the road projects and is comfortable with them, but is experiencing "sticker shock" on the estimated costs of the parks projects. Garver compared how school districts do their bonds, and said he appreciates the methodology being used by the staff. Eason asked about the process to list the projects and the window for the issue. Rundell and Brandenburg emphasized that the projects are to be decided by the Council. Brandenburg said the projects can be delayed or moved forward as they please. Berryman requested a 10- and 15 -year model on the parks projects. Garver advised that there be specific language in the bond issues to allow flexibility. Rundell and Brandenburg assured Council that bond counsel will write the language and present it to the Council for their approval. Ross asked if other entities will be issuing bonds at the same time, but Rundell and Brandenburg noted they have not yet been informed. Sansing warned that each year the costs of materials to build the road projects will increase and the City needs to be prepared for higher amounts. B Workshop overview of the proposed 2008/09 interlocal agreement to provide fire services to the Emergency Services District (ESD) No. 8 -- Paul Brandenburg, City Manager and Micki Rundell, Director of Finance and Administration Brandenburg gave a history of the creation of the emergency services districts. He described the scope of the proposed interlocal agreement and explained the estimated cost of service which is impacted by staffing levels, compensation and benefits, facilities maintenance, fuel costs, and vehicle repair and replacement. He siad the proposed agreement will be for five years, but approved annually. He noted the ESD will fund six new firefighters at a cost of $340,000, creating a second squad at Station 3 in Sun City; and will provide a better response in the County. Acting Fire Chief Clay Shell explained the current and proposed staffing. Brandenburg said the contract will come to Council on July 22 and becomes effective on Octobert 1, 2008. There were questions and comments from the Council. C Discussion of the City's Ethics Ordinance (Chapter 2.20 of the City Code of Ordinances), and possible direction to staff regarding desired amendments to that ordinance -- Mayor George Garver Garver said after last week's training meeting, there were questions from several members of the Council regarding the ethics ordinance. Motion by Oliver, second by Berryman that the Ethics Commission work with staff and discuss with interested parties the restrictions of the current law. Berryman suggested the Ethics Commission return to State law rather than follow the current ethics ordinance. Oliver said that would not be considered as a friendly amendment. There were other comments from the Council. Vote on the motion: Approved 6-1. (Brainard abstained because he was off the dais when the item was discussed) 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 - 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 of Georgetown, Texas v. Georgetown Railroad Company, Inc., et al.; Civil Action No. A08CA 453 SS; In the United States District Court for the Western District of Texas, Austin Division - 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 - Pending, threatened, and contemplated litigation arising from incident in October 2007 involving former police officer Fennell E Sec. 551.087: Deliberation Regarding Economic Development Negotiations - Discussions or deliberations regarding commercial or financial information that the governmental body has received from a business prospect that the City Council seeks to have locate, stay or expand in or near the territory of the City and with which the City Council is conducting economic development negotiations; or to deliberate the offer of a financial or other incentive to a business prospect that the City Council seeks to have locate, stay or expand in or near the territory of the City and with which the City Council is conducting economic development negotiations - RADIX Bio Solutions. 6:10 p.m. -- recessed to Executive Session City Council Meeting Minutes/July 7, 2008 Page 2 of 3 Pages 8:00 p.m. -- returned to Open Session and adjourned The meeting was adjourned at 08:00 PM. City Council Meeting Minutes/July 7, 2008 Page 3 of 3 Pages Attest: