HomeMy WebLinkAboutMIN 06.09.2008 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
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; Robyn Rye, Administration
Assistant to the Assistant City Manager; Shirley Rinn, Administrative Assistant to the City Manager;
Laura Wilkins, Georgetown Utility Systems Administrative Supervisor; Jessica Hamilton, Assistant City
Secretary; Randy Morrow, Director of Community Services; Kimberly Garrett, Parks and ecreation
Director; Mark Thomas, Economic Develo[pment Director; Tina Dunbar, Economic Development
Administrative Analyst; George Gomez, Economic Development Program Manager; Mark Miller,
Transportation Services Manager; David Munk, Development Engineer; Karen Frost, Community
Development Administrative Supervisor; Elizabeth Cook, Planning and Development Director; David
Morgan, Police Chief; Kevin Stofle, Assistant Police Chief; Kevin Russell, Human Resources Director;
Sheila Mitchell, Georgetown Utility Systems Administrative Assistant III; Jana Kern, Georgetown Utility
Systems Administrative Assistant 11; Terri Calhoun, Paralegal
A Presentation, discussion, and possible direction to staff regarding the 2008/09 Staff Compensation and Benefits
-- Paul Brandenburg, City Manager
Brandenburg presented the compensation and benefits that will be put forward in the proposed budget. He
noted that the policy decision regarding the compensation part of the budget is to attract and retain competent
employees through market sensitive pay and benefitis, and reward employees based on indiividual and team
performances, as well as customer services. Brandenburg explained the challenges of participation with TMRS.
He noted that each city's plan is separate and different and the Council adopts the plan elements by ordinance.
He noted that the current plan is under -funded due to changes in actuarial method and accounting standards.
He said currently the City matches the employee's contribution two to one. The employee is vested after 5
years, and can retire at 20 years. He said there is a 100% updated service credit which accounts for salary
increases in the employee's later career. He noted that in 2008, the City will pay 11.3% of the gross payroll, and
in 2009 it will equal 14.88% of full cost. He gave Council suggested budget recommendations to modify the
plan, if needed. Garver asked about a cap on the CPI increase and Eric Davis, Deputy Director of TMRS,
explained there are only two ways to deal with it such as, reduce the percentage of CPI adopted to either 50%
or 70%, or eliminate the CPI. Brainard asked about the automatic COLA offered by TMRS, and Davis
responded it is about 80% of a municipality's projected future liability. Brandenburg resumed his presentation of
the proposed budget recommendations, such as using 2008 to further analyze options; consider a 40 -year
amortization; and modify the plan if needed. There were questions and comments from the Council.
Brandenburg also spoke about employee
health insurance, saying there is
a 15% projected
increase. He said
the City will request proposals in July with
the design changes taking effect
in January 2009.
He displayed a
City Council Meeting Minutes/June 9, 2008
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chart of comparison with otrrer"like" cities. There were questions and comments from the Council.
Brandenburg reviewed the options in the compensation levels for public safety employees, saying there will
need to be additional funding if Council wishes to maintain the Round Rock level. There were questions and
comments from the Council.
Brandenburg listed the remainder of the Council -approved initiatives, including an increase in the amount for
pay for performance (estimated at $490,000 for 2008/09) due to more employees eligible for the bonus, saying
only those that are rated "outstanding" or "exceeds expectations" are eligible to receive the increase. Brainard
asked Eric Davis to explain the "transfer" for updated service credits. Davis said they are updated as if they
were always on this plan, saying the impact on the contribution rate is usually minimal. There were more
questions and comments from the Council.
Mayor Garver asked Brandenburg to explain the Wellness Program. Brandenburg said the staff is working on
getting the employees to go to the doctor as a preventive basis. He said a health fair was provided for the City
employees with testing of blood pressure, cholesterol, etc. and periodic wellness programs at lunch hour to help
employees better their health and hopefully bring down the health care usage overall. Garver said he thought
the program was excellent because it is extended to the families as well as employees.
Sansing left the meeting.
B Presentation and possible direction on the Parks Master Plan and Budget Needs -- Kimberly Garrett, Parks and
Recreation Director and Randy Morrow, Director of Community Services
Garrett introduced Jim Carillio with Halff Associates working with the City to gather data, inventory parks, and
work with staff and the Parks Board to assist the City with the Parks Master Plan. She recognized the following
members of the Parks Board: Kent Buikema, Barbara Owens, Bob Laemel, Bill Mateja, and Shane Morris. With
a slide presentation, Carillio displayed the proposed ideas for the Parks Master Plan, asking Council for
feedback. He noted the methods for receiving input to the planning process, including surveys by telephone,
interviews of school children, interviews of councilmembers, and public hearings. He noted there is a very high
level of satisfaction from Georgetown citizens, highest in the State of Texas. He said 2/3 percent of those
surveyed strongly agree with additional funding for parks. He displayed charts showing projected growth
patterns for the parks system. He suggested adding "spray" parks, enlarging the new pool being constructed at
the Recreation Center, and building more pools on the west side of Georgetown. He suggested improvements to
the sports fields. He noted that beautiful parks become an enhancement to the downtown area. He suggested
a "festival" park for downtown, possibly in connection with the proposed parking garage across from the Library.
He suggested a wide pathway around Blue Hole Park; and connections from downtown to access the rivers. He
suggested expanding the trail system and forming trail connections, with greenbelts in the Trails Plan. He
suggested enhancing Lake Georgetown to serve as a major Georgetown attraction. When questioned by
Eason, Carillo explained there are opportunities to assist the Corps of Engineers. Sattler suggested adding a
marina and cabins. Carillo suggested getting ready to develop Garey Park as a unique regional park; renovating
and enhancing San Gabriel Park as Georgetown's "Central Park;" and deciding on alternate uses for the
existing football stadium and field, while maintaining the tall lights, and possbly the gate area as a tribute to the
students who have played there. He suggested pursuing partnerships to relocate the Rodeo Arena to an
alternative location in central Williamson County; and suggested improvements to the Show Barn, such as a
concrete floor. (Brainard asked for information regarding the leases within the Park. Brandenburg noted that a
study has been done and information can be brought back to Council.) Carillo suggested Council plan on
doubling the size of the Community Center and consider a community -wide building to be the focal point of the
park, locating it maybe where some of the ball fields are currently located. He suggseted creating better
baseball fields; and enhancing the area around the bandstand (gazebo) such as by burying the electric lines.
He suggested continuing to preserve open space and greenways as a key feature of Georgetown. There were
questions and comments from the Council. Carillo displayed a summary of recommended priorities and their
expected costs. He told Council he would definitely like to have their feedback.
6:20 p.m. -- recessed for Executive Session
7:26 p.m. -- returned to Open Session and adjourned
The meeting Was adjourned at 07:26 PM.
Mayor/George Garver City Secretary Sandra Lee
City Council Meeting Minutes/June 9, 2008
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