HomeMy WebLinkAboutMIN 05.27.2008 CC-RThe City Council of the City of Georgetown, Texas, met in Regular Session on the
above date with Mayor George Garver presiding.
Council Presents Council Absent,
Patty Eason, Gabe Sansing, Keith Brainard, Bill All Council present
Sattler, Pat Berryman, Dale Ross, 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; Kenneth Arnold, Energy Service Manager;
A Presentation and discussion on the City's proposed 2008/09 Capital Improvement Program for both utilities
and general capital improvements -- Paul Brandenburg, City Manager
With a slide presentation, Brandenburg and Rundell reviewed the Capital Improvement Program (CIP) process,
and a history of the meetings, including review by the Georgetown Utility System Advisory Board and
Georgeown Transportation Advisory Board. He noted that the funding for the CIP comes from operating
revenue, the street maintenance sales tax, utility revenue debt, and general obligation bonds, saying the
2008/09 CIP costs are projected to be $45.3 million.
Brandenburg opened with the Water CIP, saying it addresses the need for superior water, wastewater, and
irrigation service determined by annexations, service improvements, rehabilitation of aging infrastructure, and
meeting state and federal requirements. He said the funding for water comes from a combination of cash, debt
financing, and capital recovery fees. He reviewed the proposed 2008/09 water, wastewater, and water reuse
projects.
He explained the purpose of the Transportation Services GIP, saying it provides maintenance and rehabilitation
of road segments identified by the Pavement Management Information System (PMIS), in a five-year plan
funded by the General Fund and the street maintenance sales tax. He said there is a Transportation Bond
Referendum planned for Novmeber 2008. He reviewed the proposed 2008/09 transportation projects. He told
Council the transportation project list has been submitted to the Georgetown Transportation Enhancement
Corporation and the Georgetown Transportation Advisory Board.
He reviewed the purpose of the Stormwater Services CIP, saying the drainage utility manages and maintains
stormwater infrastructure operations and facilities and addresses federal regulations; saying the funding comes
from drainage utility fees and debt financing. He listed the proposed 2008/09 stormwater projects.
Rundell told Council there is a General Government GCP which includes elements of the facilities plan to
provide improvements to existing city facilities, elements of the Parks Master Plan, and implementation of the
Downtown Master Plan; saying the funding comes from debt issuance, existing General Fund balance, and
operating funds from the utilities. She listed the proposed General Government projects and said all CIP
projects will be finalized during the budget process. There were questions and comments from the Council.
5:05 p.m. -- recessed to Executive Session
City Council Meeting Minutes/June 10, 2008
Page 1 of 10 Pages
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.
B 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
C Sec.551.086: Competitive Matters
- Presentation and possible action to approve the 2008-09 Electric Capital Improvement Projects Plan -- Ken Arnold, Energy
Services Manager and Jim Briggs, Assistant City Manager for Utility Operations
Regular • • to convene no earlier than • O •
D Call to Order
The meeting was called to order at 6:29 p.m.
E Pledge of Allegiance
Mayor Garver asked Councilmember Gabe Sansing to lead the Pledge.
F Comments from the dais
Mayor Garver announced that there is an opening on the Zoning Board of Adjustment, and asked for people to
make application, if interested. He gave a brief outline of council meeting procedures.
G Announcements and Comments from City Manager
Brandenburg made the following announcements:
City swimming pools open officially for the summer beginning Saturday, May 31.
The 2008 Festival of the Arts will take place May 31 -June 8, 2008. For more details, please contact the
Georgetown Symphony Society at 864-9591 or visit their website at
http://www.georgetowntexassymphony.org/fschedule.html.
H Action from Executive Session
There was no action from Executive Session
Public Wishing to Address Council
On a subiect that is posted on this agenda: Please fill out a speaker registration form which can be found on the
table at the entrance to the Council Chamber. Clearly print your name and the letter of the item on which you wish to
speak and present it to the City Secretary on the dais, preferably prior to the start of the meeting. You will be called
forward to speak when the Council considers that item.
On a subiect not posted on the agenda: Persons may add an item to a future City Council agenda by contacting the
City Secretary no later than noon on the Wednesday prior to the Tuesday meeting, with the
subject matter of the topic they would like to address and their name. The City Secretary can be reached at
512/930-3651.
As of the deadline, there were no persons who requested to address the Council on items other than already
posted on the Agenda.
Statutory Consent Agenda
The Statutory Consent Agenda includes non -controversial and routine items that Council may act on with one single
vote. A councilmember may pull any item from the Consent Agenda in order that the Council discuss and act upon it
individually as part of the Regular Agenda.
J Consideration and possible action to approve the minutes of the Council Workshop held on Monday, May 12,
the Council Meeting held on Tuesday, May 13, and the Special Meeting on Tuesday, May 20, 2008 -- Sandra
D. Lee, City Secretary
Eason corrected the minutes of Item O of the Special Meeting on Tuesday, May 20, 2008.
K Consideration and possible action to approve a Resolution authorizing the Mayor to execute a Quit Claim Deed
abandoning a portion of a 20' Public Utility Easement on Lot 3, Serenada Country Estates Unit One, as shown
on the subdivision plat thereof recorded in Cabinet B, Slides 339-345, Plat Records of Williamson County,
Texas, and located at the intersection of Williams Drive and Serenada Drive -- Terri Glasby Calhoun, Paralegal,
GUS and Jim Briggs, Assistant City Manager for Utility Operations
L Consideration and possible action
regarding a
Master
Services Agreement with
KBR of Austin,
Texas for
Professional Engineering Services
-- Thomas
R. Benz,
P. E., System Engineering
Manager, Jim
Briggs, ACM
City Council Meeting Minutes/June 10, 2008
Page 2 of 10 Pages
for Utility Operations
M Consideration and possible action authorizing the purchase of skate park equipment from American Ramp
Company in Joplin, Missouri, through the Texas Local Government Purchasing Cooperative in the amount of
$33,965.03 -- Kimberly Garrett, Parks and Recreation Director and Randy Morrow, Director of Community
Services
Motion by Sansing, second by Brainard to approve the Consent Agenda in its entirety with the correction to the
minutes of May 20, 2008. Approved 7-0.
Legislative Regular Agenda
Council will individually consider and possibly take action on any or all of the following items:
N Discussion and possible action rescinding the Resolution passed by the City Council for the Sierra Ridge
Project, as well as discussion and possible action on the funding for the Sierra Ridge Project that was approved
-- Pat Berryman, Councilmember, District 6
Berryman noted a recent newspaper article about the percentage of students in the Georgetown School District
in the lower socio-economic income level, and cited that as the reason she asked to revisit this issue. She said
there is a concern on the part of the School District about the number of students being served who are of that
lower socio-economic income level; and another reason was because the School District was not a part of the
study of Sierra Ridge in terms of how it would impact the two schools most directly affected (Frost and McCoy
Elementaries); and School Board members have brought their concerns to her. She said the School Board has
not taken official action on this. She said she asked that they discuss this issue at their next School Board
Meeting and give the Council some "hard numbers" regarding the lower socio-economic and disadvantaged
students in the District. She said she was contacted regarding a resolution that was passed previously by the
Council in 2007. She said she is suggesting that the Council write a letter to be included in the packet to the
Texas Department of Housing and Community Affairs that would explain the Council's concern about the impact
that this subdivision would have on the school system and the impact that it would have on those two specific
schools; and that the packet should also contain the impact studies that the School District is going to produce
for the Council. She said to prevent this "disconnect" from happening in the future, she is proposing to require
impact studies on the schools for all development projects in the future, in order for the Council to make an
educated decision. She said she doesn't think the Council had enough information previously. She said there
are really three subjects regarding this issue and it will require three motions and three discussions. She said
one would be the use of GTEC/4B money ($695,000) for the project; and another would be the waiver of impact
fees by the City.
Sansing asked Yantis to explain the facts and give a brief history. Yantis said he doesn't have the chronology of
events, but explained that in the early part of last year, 2007, the Housing Authority came forward with a request
for support of housing tax credits, a federal program, administered through TDHCA. Yantis explained that it is a
competitive process and available for application by "for profit" and "nonprofit" organizations that produce
affordable housing units. He said one of the criteria is whether the development received support at the local
level, saying that is why the Housing Authority asked for Council's support of the project. He said the property
being discussed is at Northwest Blvd. and IH35 and was required to go through the land development process
(rezoning, replatting, and a site plan to come back to Council). He said, the Housing Authority also asked for
further support through GTEC (4B funds)($694,000) to pay for roads and drainage through the project, waiver of
all city development review, engineering, impact, and tap fees for the project in the neighborhood of $800,000
and the City reduced that amount by $60,000. He said this is not a City of Georgetown project. Oliver
confirmed that GTEC recommended approval to Council after finding that the project was eligible and
conformed with the state law and the City's ballot language for the creation of the 4B sales tax.
Speaker, Bob Horick, noted that he has sent letters to the Council, saying the project has the full support of the
members of the Board of the Housing Authority. He said this is an affordable housing project for lower to middle
income people, and because the federal funds were available, the Housing Authority has been "up front" all
along with what they were attempting to do. He said the impact on the schools is between 50-60% of the
median income of this area, and no one who would qualify for free meals and few who would qualify for
subsidized income in the school district would be eligible to live in this project. Sansing asked Horick to confirm
the salary range ($35,000 and $41,500 per year). Horick said he thinks police, fire, and library employees need
to be able to live in Georgetown.
Speaker, Hartley Sappington, said he thinks the Council is to be commended for helping this project move
forward, and as a member of the Housing Advisory Board, he said he surveyed different jobs available in
Georgetown, saying at the City of Georgetown, five of the nine jobs posted would pay a salary that would qualify
for this housing. He said at GISD, more than 50% of the positions posted would qualify for this housing; and at
the County, 18 of the 23 positions that were posted would qualify; and at St David's/Georgetown Hospital, most
of the 77 positions would be eligible for this housing project. He said, historically, these people have lived
outside of Georgetown, but with the cost of gasoline, they will go elsewhere to work in order to find a place to
City Council Meeting Minutes/June 10, 2008
Page 3 of 10 Pages
live that is close.
Speaker, Ann Clarke Snell, congratulated the new members of the Council and said she is pleased to see there
are people willing to serve in these important positions. She said teachers who are men might want their wives
to stay home and that would work for this housing project. She said support for Sierra Ridge has been long
established and it's all right to not approve any further development of this type, but said she thinks the City
Council should stand behind their previous support. She said if their support is removed, the project won't be as
nice as it could be.
Speaker, Byron Raynie, said he has faith that the Council will make the right decision. He said a portion of the
4B sales tax is directed to economic development. He urged the Council to be cognizant of the bond between
those that govern, and those that are governed. He said he expects that economic development money should
go to economic development. He urged that none of the tax money be re -allocated to housing.
Speaker, Austin Bryan, speaking on behalf of the Boys and Girls Club, said he has a relationship with the
Housing Authority that provides his organization with a facility and supports their programs. He said they have
worked hard to sustain their unit at Stonehaven, and noted that other families and other kids in Georgetown
need their programs. He said the Boys and Girls Club would like to ask the Council to continue to support the
Housing Authority and its projects. Brainard asked him why the current local builders can't fill the "niche." Bryan
said he is pleased with the participation of the local builders, but without the support from the Housing Authority
they would not be expanded where they are today. Brainard asked again when did the City lose faith in the local
builders. Bryan spoke about a builder in Jarrell who has built 400 affordable houses, but would not be able to
afford to build those types of houses in Georgetown.
Speaker, Naomi Walker, with extra minutes from Janie Sisk, distributed a handout with statistics. She said the
people who qualify for this housing project would not quaiify for free or reduced meals at GISD. She said the
Housing Authority did contact the school district three times, as required by the tax credit application, but
received no response. She said one of the qualifications placed on the GTEC funds, was correction of the
drainage problem in the area. She said this will benefit economic development because families moving to
Georgetown will look for a place to live where they work so they don't have to worry about spending the money
for gas to live elsewhwere and drive everyday to Georgetown. She said this will improve the attractiveness for
businesses on Washam Drive. She said the mission of the Housing Authority is to provide more affordable
housing in Georgetown. She asked that the City continue to support the Housing Authority.
Sattler asked if the GTEC funds are necessary for Sierra Ridge. Walker said the funds are necessary for the
way it is designed now with the setbacks, use of different materials on the faces of the buildings, increased tree
protection, and the townhomes. Sattler said he talked to a lot of firefighters, police officers, and some teachers,
and asked what certainty would Council have that these are people would be attracted to live in this project. He
said those are people who are "critical" to Georgetown. Walker said the Housing Authority cannot "target"
people with specific jobs, but the incomes are going to preclude a lot of people from being able to live there. He
asked if the Housing Authority could specifically reduce rent for city employees, in exchange for the funds from
the City. She said the Housing Authority cannot discriminate against or target city employees, teachers, police
officers, or firefighters. Brainard questioned if there are other housing developments that could compete with
Sierra Ridge, why haven't they received tax credits and other incentives. She said the other developers are not
non-profit developers, so they cannot receive tax credits. He asked why she thought it is more expensive to live
in Georgetown. She said Georgetown is much nicer because it is far enough away from Austin to have it's own
draw. She said land costs are higher in Georgetown. Oliver asked how far the project is into the design.
Walker said the project is through every city approval process except site plan. She said they expect to break
ground in October. Oliver asked, and Walker confirmed that the GTEC funds and fee waivers have been
reported in the tax credit application. Sattler asked and Walker provided information regarding the rent to be
paid for the various apartments that would be available at Sierra Ridge. He said the rents she is quoting are
higher than those being paid in other communities. Ross asked how much money they have spent thus far.
Walker replied the amount out of pocket, not reimbursed, is close to $200,000, not including the land purchase.
She said they are currently paying for the 11 acres. She said they have also spent $320,000 for engineering
within the property from money given by the County.
Speaker, Larkin Tom, said she is a member of the Housing Advisory Board, saying they have researched other
cities, and this project meets needs in a creative way. She said a consulting group recently reported they were
very impressed with the prospect of Sierra Ridge and the planned renovations for Shady Oaks.
Speaker, Carol Eckelkamp, told Council she offices in Round Rock and serves Williamson County as a financial
planner. She said she lives next to the Robert Mueller Development in Austin and said a portion of that
development is "Section 8." She complimented the City Council for the planning that has gone into this project.
She said she hopes the Council will not rescind their support. She said pulling this project would affect the
entire County.
Speaker,
Karalei Nunn, said she is a
partner in
the firm that is doing the
design for the
Sierra Ridge Project.
She said
she and her husband have
long been
advocates for affordable
housing. She
said they have worked
City Council Meeting Minutes/June 10, 2008
Page 4 of 10 Pages
with Habitat on a pro bono oasis to design their homes and they have significantly reduced their fee on this
project. She said the Housing Authority has worked to obtain funding in order to improve the products because
this will be in the "gateway" to the City.
Speaker, Emily Northrop, told Council she is a Commissioner on the Housing Authority and a member of the
Housing Advisory Board. She said the people who live in the Sierra Ridge Apartments will have an income of
$41,500 for a family of four, saying people in that income range don't have sufficient housing choices in
Georgetown.
Speaker, Joe Monaghan, said he doesn't represent any special interest groups, but lives in the area that will be
impacted by this development. He said he is not comfortable with the fee waivers and is not convinced that it
will not impact the school district. He said he feels traffic will increase, and property values will decrease in that
part of town. Sansing noted that the project will go forward, but with the City's assistance, it will be nicer and
attract higher income residents.
Speaker, Fran Carlson, said she has lived here since 1953, and she thinks this project is a very good thing and
hopes the Council will be able to support this housing
Speaker, Betty Epperson, speaking on behalf of John Gavurnik, who couldn't attend due to surgery, said
Gavurnik has always had a heart for affordable housing and he strongly urges the Council to support this
project.
Speaker, Janis Cowman-Arteaga, told Council she is a mortgage broker, and a member of the Housing Advisory
Board. She said she wishes to add her personal opinion, saying from a lending perspective, there are few loan
products available, due to screening of clients by the lender because of the difficult market at this time. She
said the Sierra Ridge Project will allow working familiies who cannot afford a home in Georgetown to live in this
community. She said she hoped the Council would "live up" to its commitment.
Speaker, Gary Cocanougher, said he is a realtor near where the project will be located. He said there is a great
need for a project like this. He said today there are 27 places available for rent, and only seven of those are
below $1,000 per month. He said he served on a school board for 13 years prior to coming here, and said the
free lunch program in schools is subsidized by the federal government and has nothing to do with this project.
He said Texas Education Association guidelines say you can't close the doors to any kids who want to go to
school. He said he serves on a committee in Washington, D.C. and Georgetown is doing much better than
most communities in the country.
Berryman said Frost Elementary has four portables and is landlocked; McCoy Elementary has six portable
classrooms; and GISD has agreed with the City that McCoy Elementary will be relocated or rebuilt to make room
for "the Gateway." She said the ability to accomodate additional students would be difficult, and therefore, the
housing project would impact the School District.
Eason said she also received the letter from Superintendent Boring, and item number one refers to minimal
growth; saying the Gateway Master Plan is not this project. She said the City is working with GISD to allow a
better building for McCoy Elementary, and the ability to not be landlocked. She said she thinks if the
Superintendent had the correct facts, she would see that this project will benefit the students.
Berryman repeated the numbers that show that the two schools are over capacity.
Oliver said growth shouldn't be a surprise, and he doesn't think the Superintendent is saying to put up "no
vacancy signs. He said he has faith in the School Board and the School Superintendent to deal with what they
perceive to be a problem.
Berryman said it is the Council's job to work with the School District. Oliver asked, and Walker said the School
District was notified three times, and the Housing Authority received no response from the School District. She
said she also sent an email to them and suggested if they had any concerns to contact her.
Sattler said the GTEC money, in the ballot language, said it was for transportation improvements. He said it is
the "seed corn" for economic development. He said most of the time fee waivers are for economic development
projects because the City will get something in return from those economic prospects. He noted the City
committed to a lot of fee waivers on this project, but no other project of affordable housing has received these
fee waivers. He said there is also a law that says impact fees cannot be charged to schools. He said GISD
worked with the City; and he would like to see Sierra Ridge work with the City on the fee waivers. He said he
would like to see that somehow the Housing Authority will work with the City to minimize the impact of the fees;
saying the fees cost everyone, and if they are not collected now, they will be collected somewhere else. He said
he would like to see "crime prevention by design" incorporated into the project. He said, having served on the
School Board, he knows this project will impact the amount of free or reduced lunches, but he can't determine
how much. Sattler said, because he voted in favor of the fee waivers orignally, he has the opportunity to bring
the fee waivers back for Council reconsideration; but he will not do it at this time because he wants to see the
City Council Meeting Minutes/June 10, 2008
Page 5 of 10 Pages
Housing Authority miimize the impact on the City.
Brainard said rather than use tax dollars for affordable housing, he would rather use the time and money to find
out why rent is higher in Georgetown. He said he thinks this project is too far "down the road," but he agrees
with the letter for future reference.
Ross said the City is only as good as it's word, and if you have a commitment, you need to live up to the
commitment. He said, however, there is room for improvement on this, and he said most of the voters believed
it was economic development money. He said he hopes this project will work, but the Council needs to look in
the future as to how this is done. He said decisions made by the Council impact other entities, such as the
school district and the county.
Motion by Brainard, second by Berryman, that the City add a letter to the application for the Sierra Ridge
housing project, indicating the City's and the School District's understanding of the impact of this housing project
on the School District. Berryman asked if she could be "a little more explicit" since she is seconding the motion.
Brainard agreed. Berryman said she brought up this issue because the School District has major concerns, and
they are valid; and there was not an impact study done. She said there are some motions going forward that
might rectify this problem, but regarding this, she would not move to rescind the resolution because the City did
make a deal and should stick with it. She said she wants a letter included in the packet, to be composed by City
Manager Paul Brandenburg, that includes the City's concerns regarding the impact of this project on the school
system, based on an impact study that will be given to the City by the School District; saying it will include an
accurate percentage of the lower socio-economic students in the District and the impact on the two specific
schools (Frost and McCoy). She said the School Board will meet next week and she has asked them to include
on their agenda a discussion and information to give accurate numbers to be placed in the letter. She said,
going forward, she wants the Council to have complete information on how this impacts the entire community.
She said there should have been a survey done of the firemen and policemen to see if they would actually want
to live in Georgetown in such a housing project. She said she feels there are a lot of reasons for people not to
live in Georgetown, and for the Council to assume that it is for economic reasons is "a pretty broad brush
stroke." She said she feels the City has not done enough "homework" to determine who, from these targeted
occupations would actually live in such a housing project. She said she would not move for rescinsion of the
resolution, but going forward this should be scrutinized in a different way with a lot more numbers and a lot more
information on how it impacts everyone in the community.
Sansing said he doesn't think it's the Council's place to tell the agency that considers applications, that the City
is concerned for the School District, when they, themselves, have not written a letter. He said he would
encourage the Council to ask the School Board to write a letter which we would then include in that application.
Oliver asked for the status of the application as to whether it is pending or accepted. Walker said the Housing
Authority has submitted a completed application, and it is pending; but the Housing Authority has not yet issued
it's bonds because it would need to break ground in 150 days from issuance, and they're not yet ready; with the
understanding that at the next bond cycle, the application would be resubmitted. She said the Housing Authority
application is complete, and they will not be submitting any additional documentation or information to the Texas
Department of Housing and Community Affairs (TDHCA). Oliver confirmed with Walker this bond application is
non-competitive, meaning there is no other agency looking for the same funding; and it's not a matter of whether
the Housing Authority will receive the 4% tax credit, it's just a matter of timing. Walker said the Council's letter
of support has already been submitted to TDHCA, but she could not answer for TDHCA regarding the
submission of a second letter.
Mayor Garver summarized and confirmed the action thus far, saying Brainard had made a motion regarding
adding a letter, and Berryman had embellished that motion. He asked, and Brainard said he considered
Berryman's amendment to be friendly. Berryman clarified that the letter she described would go into the
packet for TDHCA and would also go to the County.
Motion by Sansing, second by Eason to amend that Council ask the School Board to write the letter regarding
their concerns rather than have the Council be the "middle man;" saying that way the letter is on School District
letterhead and comes straight from them and not from the City Council. He said he thinks it is not part of the
City Council's purvue to speak on behalf of the School Board. He confirmed that if, in fact, there is to be a letter
submitted to the application, that it be a letter from the School Board, and not from the City Council, saying he is
not in opposition to the letter, but is in opposition to the letter coming from the City. He said the School Board
should speak for itself.
Sattler asked if Berryman is talking about one letter or two letters. Berryman said she is talking about one letter
from the Council, and would welcome a letter from the School Board also. Brandenburg said since his name
was mentioned as the person to craft the letter, he said he assumes he would not draft the letter until he hears
back from the School Board, and they meet next week. He said, then, he would draft a letter from the Council
and forward, as an attachment, the letter from GISD. Berryman said she wants to get the following information
from the School District to be included in the letter: (1) the impact to McCoy and Frost Elementary schools due
to the addition of 40 to 80 students to their school population; and (2) the percentage of lower socio-economic
City Council Meeting Minutes/June 10, 2008
Page 6 of 10 Pages
students in GISD. She empnasized that she was not asking that the resolution be rescinded, but there is a
concern about how this will affect the community.
Oliver said he would vote for, but doesn't support, Sansing's motion, but feels it is better than the other motion.
He said doesn't think the City should send a letter since the project is already started and the original letter of
support is already there. He said he feels a letter from the Council would do damage. Eason said her
understanding of the motion was that the School Board could write a letter if they chose to, not that we are
requiring them to write the letter. Vote on the amendment: Approved 6A. (Brainard opposed)
Motion by Berryman, second by Brainard that the Council write a letter in addition to a letter from the School
Board, saying the City Manager could contact the School District to get accurate numbers regarding the impact
on the two schools and the percentage of lower socio-economic students in GISD. Motion by Sansing to amend
to wait to see what the School Board has to say before the Council sends a letter. Sansing's motion died for
lack of a second. Vote on Berryman's motion: Denied 4-3. (Eason, Sattler, Sansing, and Oliver opposed)
Brandenburg asked if Walker needs anything from the City to go to the County. Walker said the County was
interested to see if the City rescinded their support. Sansing questioned Walker as to how the County received
information that the City Council might rescind their support, and Walker said she was told that Covey said she
had heard from a councilmember that the City would be rescinding their support. Sansing emphasized that the
Council never gave any direction to anyone on the Council to act on their own. He said he advised whoever
spoke to the County not to do it again in the future because this indicates a walking quorum.
Sattler noted that no motions were made to reconsider any of the issues, and they could be brought up again in
the future.
8:57 p.m. -- recessed
9:12 p.m. -- resumed
O Consideration and possible action to pass a resolution supporting state legislation mandating specific energy
conservation goals be adopted -- Kathy Ragsdale, Utility Office Manager and Micki Rundell, Director of
Finance & Administration
Ragsdale explained that this item is in response to Senate Bill 12, which requires political subdivisions to
establish a goal to take cost effective energy measures, reducing consumption by 5%, and reporting the action
annually to the state. She said this resolution satisifes reducing of the energy consumption and establishes an
Energy Management Team composed of staff members from Facilities Construction and Maintenance, Water
Services, Energy Services, Utility Office, and Development Services. Motion by Oliver, second by Ross to
approve the resolution. Carls confirmed that the goal is 5% every year for the next six years, and suggested
that would be recrafted in the resolution before signature. Approved 7-0.
P Consideration and possible action regarding next steps toward implementation of the City's Facilities Plan —
Tom Yantis, Assistant City Manager
Yantis explained that this is the second follow up to the presentation two council meetings ago. He said he will
not go through the presentation because of the lateness of the hour, but asked Council to give staff direction for
where to house certain city offices. He said currently there is property under contract to purchase, so a decision
needs to be made to reserve it for the Police Department; combine the Police Department with other
departments; or put different combinations in both the new facility and the old library. He said there are five
options in the Council's agenda packet, including a "do nothing" option to leave the departments where they are
and to accomodate the growth of the Police Department by using the old library; saying the inefficiency would be
that they would be in four separate facilities; and move some of the Municipal Court offices across the street in
some of the vacant space, but that would separate the staff of the court administration. He said the fire
administration could be left in their current facility, but that would require some costs to renovate and would not
be consistent with the Master Plan goals.
Eason asked if the Council went with Option 2, then when would police need more space, and Yantis responded
probably 20 years. There were questions from the Council. Motion by Sansing, second by Eason, with respect
to the Police, Municipal Court, and Fire Admin options, to put police and municipal court in the property under
contract and fire admin in the current police facility once it is vacated (a variation of Option 3), leaving the old
library available for Economic Development, etc. Oliver asked if there was room for two courtrooms in the
Albertson's Building. Yantis responded in the affirmative for 20 years. Assistant Fire Chief Shell said renovation
of the old Fire Station on Main Street would allow Fire Administration to continue there for the next 50 years; and
if they moved out, they would lose the Fire Museum which is a nationally -recognized museum, containing a
1922 pumper truck. There was further discussion. Motion by Sansing, second by Eason to amend his previous
motion to move police and municipal court into the Albertson's building. Approved 7-0. Motion by Oliver,
second by Eason to move Fire Administration into the current police facility. There was further discussion.
Eason said there are too many government offices in buildings that could be bringing rent and/or sales tax to the
City. Approved 5=2. (Sattler and Ross opposed) Brainard asked if it is important for Economic Development to
City Council Meeting Minutes/June 10, 2008
Page 7 of 10 Pages
have a presence on the Downtown Square, and Thomas expressed that it made an impression on the owners of
Tasus who moved their operation to Georgetown. Berryman confirmed that when Municipal Court leaves the
front of the Council Chamber, the Visitors Coordinator and Visitor Information Center would move there. Motion
by Eason, second by Oliver to maintain ownership of the city office building across the street and lease all or
part of it for retail or commercial use. Sansing asked about moving CVB to the old fire station. Berryman said it
is difficult to make a decision about the city office building across the street without an appraisal. Yantis said he
could bring back options to the Council regarding the value of the city office building across the street and how
much it would cost to renovate. Vote on the motion: Approved 7-0. Motion by Sansing, second by Eason to
maintain the ownership of the old fire station to lease, and maintain the museum. Ross said he thinks it would
be a big mistake not to keep the ownership of the historic building and maintain the museum. Approved 7-0.
Q Discussion and possible action to appoint two (2) councilmembers to a Committee, along with the City Manager,
the Assistant City Manager, the Assistant City Manager of Utility Operations and the Director of Community
Services, pursuant to the policy established by the City Council on November 14, 2006, regarding the Taming
of City Facilities, Public Park lands and Public Streets -- Paul E. Brandenburg, City Manager
Brandenburg explained the item, and asked for two volunteer councilmembers to serve on the Committee.
Brainard and Sattler volunteered to serve. Motion by Berryman, second by Sansing that Councilmembers
Brainard and Sattler serve on the Naming Committee. Approved 7-0.
R Discussion and possible action regarding potential
funding
options for the
installation of
ribbon curbs on
Berry Creek Drive between Oak Tree Drive and St.
Andrews
Drive -- Paul E.
Brandenburg,
City
Manager
Brandenburg said the work has been done as approved by Council recently, but the funding was not clearly
finalized. Motion by Eason, second by Berryman to pay for this item with surplus revenue from last year's
budget. Approved 7-0.
S Consideration and possible action to approve a resolution appointing the members of the Board of Directors of
the Williams Drive Gateway Tax increment Reinvestment Zone (TIRZ), the Wolf Ranch TIRZ, and the
Downtown Georgetown TIRZ, and selecting a chair of each board to serve until January 1, 2009 -- Tom Yantis,
Assistant City Manager
Yantis explained that these are the same three committees as last year with Mayor Garver taking the place of
former Mayor Nelon, and Dale Ross taking the place of former Councilmember Farley Snell. Motion by Oliver,
second by Berryman to approve the suggested lists of membership. Sansing asked and Oliver agreed to take
Sansing's place on the Downtown TIRZ. Yantis asked for Chairs of each board. Motion by Berryman, second
by Sansing to approve the suggested Chairs and the suggested lists. Approved 7-0.
T Forwarded from the Georgetown Transportation Advisory Board (GTAB)
1. Consideration and possible action to approve a Master Services Agreement with Fugro Consultants, Inc.,
of Austin, Texas for professional engineering services -- Bill Dryden, Transportation Engineer, Jim Briggs,
ACM for Utility Operations
Dryden explained the item. Motion by Sansing, second by Ross to approve the Master Services
Agreement. Approved 7-0.
2. Consideration and possible action to approve Task Order No. 1 with Fugro Consulting, Inc., pursuant to the
terms of the Master Services Agreement, for professional services related to the Pavement Management
Data Collection and Evaluation, Capital Improvement Plan Development and Street Cut Permitting
Policy Development Project for an amount of $149,560.00 -- Bill Dryden, Transportation Engineer, Jim
Briggs, ACM for Utility Operations
Dryden explained the item. Motion by Berryman, second by Sattler to approve Task Order No. 1,
Approved 7-0.
3. Consideration and possible action to approve removal of one 39 -inch heritage live oak tree with
replacement of 40 caliper inches of disease resistant trees and shrubs as part of the College Street Bridge
Project -- Bill Dryden, Transportation Engineer, Jim Briggs, ACM for Utility Operations
Dryden explained the item. Motion by Eason, second by Brainard to approve the removal of the tree.
Sansing suggested the engineering firm redesign the road to remove a couple of pecan trees instead of the
heritage live oak tree. Eason said she has information that they did everything possible to redesign.
Brainard confirmed with City Urban Forestor, Heather Brewer, that the pecan trees are probably expected to
last for hundreds of years, are 45" and 48" in diameter and are both heritage trees as well. Oliver asked,
and Benz noted that staff had worked with the Parks Board regarding the removal of the trees. With a slide
presentation, Benz demonstrated the proposed engineering for the bridge. There was further discussion.
City Council Meeting Minutes/June 10, 2008
Page 8 of 10 Pages
Eason suggested that the wood from the fallen tree be used to create souvenier items. Vote on the
motion: Approved 6-1. (Sansing opposed)
U Forwarded from the Georgetown Utility Systems (GUS) Board
1. Consideration and possible action for the bid award for the purchase of preassembled overhead line
capacitors and controls to KBS Electrical Distributors of Austin, Texas, in the estimated amount of $62,
044.00 -- Ken Arnold, Energy Services Director; Jim Briggs, ACM for Utility Operations
Arnold explained the item. Motion by Brainard, second by Berryman to approve the award of bid.
Approved 7-0.
2. Consideration and possible action to award a contract to Landmark Structures LLP of Fort Worth, Texas for
the construction of the 1.25 MG Escalera Elevated Storage Tank in the amount of $2,161,000.00 --
Glenn Dishong, Water Services Director, Jim Briggs, ACM for Utility Operations
Dishong explained the item. There were questions from Mayor Garver regarding the size and cost of the
tank. Brainard asked and was told that several tanks in Georgetown are leased for placement of cell
towers. Motion by Eason, second by Sattler to approve the contract. Approved 7-0.
V Forwarded from the Georgetown Transportation Enhancement Corporation (GTEC)
Discussion and possible action to approve a Performance Agreement between the Georgetown Transportation
Enhancement Corporation and Texas Outdoor Power Equipment Distributors, Inc. (TOPE) in an amount not
to exceed $300,000. (4B Funds) --Mark Thomas, Economic Development Director and Paul E. Brandenburg,
General Manager
Thomas noted that both Item V and Item W are for the same project. He explained the items. He projected an
aerial map to show the location of the company expansion. He noted that retaining existing companies is
important, saying 80% of job growth in Georgetown comes from existing companies. He said this company had
considered moving outside of Georgetown, but with the assistance of the 413 funds, they will double their
physical plant size and hire more employees. He said the City is not proposing a tax abatement. He said there
will be a payback for both incentives of slightly less than a 20% rate of return in five years. Motion by
Berryman, second by Sansing to approve the Performance Agreement. Approved 7-0.
W Forwarded from the Georgetown Economic Development Corporation (GEDCO)
Discussion and possible action to approve a Performance Agreement between the Georgetown Economic
Development Corporation and Texas Outdoor Power Equipment Distributors, Inc. (TOPE) in an amount not
to exceed $160,800. (4A Funds) -- Mark Thomas, Economic Development Director and Paul E. Brandenburg,
General Manager
Thomas noted that both Item V and Item W are for the same project. He explained the items. He projected an
aerial map to show the location of the company expansion. He noted that retaining existing companies is
important, saying 80% of job growth in Georgetown comes from existing companies. He said this company had
considered moving outside of Georgetown, but with the assistance of the 4B funds, they will double their
physical plant size and hire more employees. He said the City is not proposing a tax abatement. He said there
will be a payback for both incentives of slightly less than a 20% rate of return in five years. Motion by
Berryman, second by Sansing to approve the Performance Agreement. Approved 7-0.
X Second Readings
1. Second Reading of an ordinance amending the franchise fees relating to ATMOS gas -- Micki Rundell,
Director of Finance and Administration and Jim Briggs, Assistant City Manager for Utility Operations
Rundell noted that the first reading was on April 22, 2008, the caption was published weekly for four weeks,
as required, and she read only the caption of the ordinance on second reading. Motion by Sansing,
second by Oliver to approve Ordinance 2008-30. Approved 7-0.
2. Second Reading of an Ordinance accepting approximately 2.74 (+/-) acres of land into the Extraterritorial
Jurisdiction of the City of Georgetown, consisting of 1 tract of land identified as Gabriel's Overlook
Section 1, Lot 5, with Williamson County parcel number R401879, located at 137 Park Place Drive --
Edward G. Polasek, AICP, Principal Planner and Elizabeth Cook, Director of Planning and Development
Polasek explained the item, saying most of the residents in the Gabriel's Overlook requested to come into
the City's ETJ, and the petition was approved in June, 2007. He said this property was owned by an
out-of-town owner, now has been sold, and the Millers have requested to be in the City's ETJ. Polasek read
only the caption of the ordinance on 2nd reading. Motion by Sansing, second by Berryman to approve
Ordinance 2008-31. Approved 7-0.
City Council Meeting Minutes/June 10, 2008
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Y Public Hearings and First Readings
1. Public Hearing and First Reading of an Ordinance Rezoning for 0.191 acres in the Lost Addition,
Block 66, to be known as The Gilmer Office Building, from TF, Two Family Residential to MU -DT,
Mixed Use Downtown, located at 1102 Rock Street, Robbie Wyler, Historic District Planner and Elizabeth
Cook, Director of Planning and Development
Wyler explained the item. He said the request is for residential and office in the same building. He noted
that the Planning and Zoning Commission approved unanimously. He read only the caption of the
ordinance on first reading after satisfying the requirements of the City Charter. The Public Hearing was
opened at 10:33 p.m. There were no comments. The Public Hearing was closed at 10:33 p.m. Motion by
Berryman, second by Eason to approve the ordinance on first reading. Approved 7-0.
2. Public Hearing and First Reading of an Ordinance Rezoning 72.89 acres in the J. Thompson Survey, to
be known as Weir Ranch from AG, Agricultural and RS, Residential Single Family to C-1, Local
Commercial and RS, Residential Single -Family, located on RM 2243 west of Riverview Drive -- Carla
Benton, Planner II and Elizabeth Cook, Director of Planning and Development
Benton explained the item, saying there has been a first reading for a voluntary annexation of this tract.
She said the Planning and Zoning Commission approved unanimously. The Public Hearing was opened at
10:36 p.m. There were no public comments. The Public Hearing was closed at 10:36 p.m. Benton read
only the caption of the ordinance on first reading after having satisfied the requirements in the City Charter.
Motion by Sansing, seconded by Berryman to approve the ordinance on first reading. Sattler asked that
Benton contact the people who objected so they can show up AT the second reading, if they wish. note on
the motion: Approved 7-0.
3. Public Hearing and First Reading on an Ordinance of a Rezoning to amend the Development Plan for a
PUD, Planning Unit Development District for 104.95 acres in the Clement Stubblefield Survey known as
Wolf Ranch Subdivision, Amended Plat of Wolf Ranch Subdivision, Block A, Lots 2 & 8, Resubdivision of
Wolf Ranch Subdivision, Block A, Lot 4, Resubdivision of Wolf Ranch Subdivision, Block A, Lot 4B,
Resubdivision of Wolf Ranch Subdivision, Block A, Lot 4C, Resubdivision of Wolf Ranch Subdivision, Block
A, Lots 5, 6 and 9, located in the 1000 Block of W. University Ave. -- Carla Benton, Planner 11 and Elizabeth
Cook, Director of Planning and Development
Benton explained the item, saying this is a "clean-up" ordinance to bring clarification to the Development
Plan. She said the Planning and Zoning Commission recommended approval. The Public Hearing was
opened at 10:40 p.m. There were no public comments. The Public Hearing was closed at 10:40 p.m.
Benton read only the caption of the ordinance on first reading after having satisfied the requirements in the
City Charter. Motion by Sansing, seconded by Berryman to approve the ordinance on first reading.
Motion by Sansing, second by Berryman to approve the ordinance on first reading. Approved 7-0.
Z Appointments
1. Consideration and possible action to appoint a councilmember to replace former Councilmember Farley
Snell on the Georgetown Economic Development Corporation (GEDCO) and the Georgetown
Transportation Enhancement Corporation (GTEC) -- Mayor George G. Garver
Garver explained the item. Motion by Berryman, second by Sansing to approve the appointment of new
Councilmember Dale Ross to replace former Councilmember Farley snell on the GEDCO and GTEC
boards. Approved 7-0.
2. Consideration and possible action to appoint a replacement to the Zoning Board of Adjustment to replace
Dale Ross due to his election as Councilmember -- Mayor George G. Garver
This item was pulled.
The meeting was adjourned at 10:43 PM.
Attest:
Mayor Gedrge Garver City Secretary Sandra
City Council Meeting Minutes/June 10, 2008
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