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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMIN 02.25.2008 CC-WThe City Council of the City of Georgetown, Texas, met in Regular Session on the above date with Mayor Gary Nelon presiding. Council Present; Council Absent. Patty Eason, Gabe Sansing, Keith Brainard, Bill All Council present Sattler, Pat Berryman, Farley Snell, 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; Elizabeth Cook, Interim Planning Director; Ed Polasek, Principal Planner; Tom Benz, Systems Engineering Manager A Discussion of the results from the 2008 City of Georgetown Quality of Life Citizen Survey -- Micki Rundell, Director Finance & Administration Using an overhead slide presentation, Rundell gave Council an overview of the survey, including the purpose, history, process, results, and conclusions. She said this survey helps identify community needs, and has been conducted since December of 2001. She noted that the 2008 Survey was conducted by Ampersand Agency in January and has been adjusted to measure quality of services and areas for service improvement, saying it doesn't focus on parks due to the Parks and Recreation Survey. She said traffic continues to be the highest concern and priority of the community. She said Managing Growth, Traffic, and Education are top three concerns for 2008. There were questions and comments from the Councilmembers. Sattler asked and Rundell said approximately 45% of the homesteads have frozen taxes. B Discussion and possible direction to staff regarding the possibility of holding a November 2008 road bond election for road projects recommended by the Georgetown Transportation Advisory Board (GTAB) -- Ed Polasek, Principal Planner; Micki Rundell, Director of Finance and Administration; Jim Briggs, Assistant City Manager for Utility Operations; and Paul E. Brandenburg, City Manager Rundell said this would be for the November 2008 Election. She said if this is Council's choice, she will come back with a timeline and the process. Polasek referred Council to the cover sheet and attachments in the packet. He listed and described the various projects. There were questions and comments from the Councilmembers. It was decided to do both Items B and C together and give overall direction to staff. Rundell explained the calculations of estimated tax impacts. She said if the assessed valuation doesn't grow, the amount of the bonds would be decreased, saying this is similar to what was done with the 2004 bond issue. Nelon confirmed that there could be 4.5% without rollback. There were additional questions. Rundell said we would not issue more than what is needed. She suggested the ballot language list the projects, but not designate the amount for each project, saying the Council that is sitting at the time the bonds are issued can move money within the projects. Rundell assured flexibility, saying although Council authorizes $80 million, they City Council Meeting Minutes/February 25, 2008 Page 1 of 3 Pages may only need $65 million. .3attler asked and Rundell assured that there will ue education regarding the bond issues to inform the voters as to the tax impact. Eason said she thinks if the voters see specifically what the money will go for, they will be more willing to participate. Sattler had further questions, and Rundell and Carls said the Council will be advised by bond counsel as to the ballot wording and the other methods by which the voters would be informed. Nelon said the next item contains current priorities that have arisen after the list of priorities was presented to the Georgetown Transportation Advisory Board (GTAB). C Discussion and possible direction to staff with regards to Williamson County and City of Georgetown joint participation on RM2338 (Williams Drive) and SE1 (InnerLoop SE / IH35 to SH130) -- Ed Polasek, Principal Planner; Jim Briggs, Assistant City Manager for Utility Operations; Tom Yantis, Assistant City Manager; and Paul Brandenburg, City Manager Benz explained staff and the County have been working on a plan to move the Williams Drive project forward. He gave a history of the funding for the Williams Drive widening project and outlined the process started by the County on the utilities, saying the estimated cost is $8 to $10 million over a 25 -year period for the city portion of Willams Drive if the City and the County take over the maintenance and signalization of Williams Drive from the state. Nelon confirmed the only way this project will happen is if the City and County take over the maintenance and signalization of Williams Drive. It was noted that the City is also working with County on Southeast Arterial 1 (SEI). Nelon asked Valerie Covey, Williamson County Commissioner for Precinct 3, to speak regarding the County's participation on the joint road projects. She spoke first about the Williams Drive widening project. She said she is disappointed that TXDOT has pulled the funding. She said she feels it is an important project, and would like the County to have credit for having helped the City, if additional funding does come through. She displayed a map showing DB Wood Road. She said if the road was built today, the County could do it for $18 million, at 65% for the City and 35% for the County. She said the costs are increasing, and said her goal is to move fences back, start the clearing of the land, and start moving utilties. She said the County has money right now, but she was told the City would have to get money from bonds. She said the County would have to front the project to get it started before the end of the year and that would be part of an interlocal agreement. Council had questions and comments. Motion by Snell, second by Berryman to instruct staff to proceed with taking over Williams Drive from TXDOT at the estimated expense of $15.2 million. Approved 7-0. Covey asked her consulting engineers to report on SE1. She said Mr. Snead wants to keep his easement, but is willing to move it around, if necessary. A map of the proposed route of SE1 was displayed on the overhead projector, and options were shown for 200 to 400 feet of right of way. Council had questions and comments. Eason said she was concerned with isolating neighborhoods south of SE1. Covey said the original goal was to move truck traffic off the downtown portion of SH29. Snell said he understood at GTEC the City is working toward an agreement where the City would do the SE1 part and the County would do from IH35 to Maple Street. Nelon said he has been a proponent of what staff has proposed, but now with more information, there may be constraints to be considered. Nelon asked and Benz said the City has not started buying right of way until the Council decides on the needed width of the right of way. Rundell said the bonds were issued and the City needs to start spending the money within the next six months. Motion by Berryman, second by Snell to direct staff to have dialogue with the County regarding the width of the right of way for the SE Loop. Benz asked Council about limited access. Nelon said that should be a part of the discussion with the County. Oliver asked that the pros and cons of 200, 300, or 400 foot right of way be brought back to Council. Eason said she is not interested in developing an IH35 south of Georgetown. Sansing suggested considering access roads as well, so there will be accessibility for all existing businesses. Vote on the motion: Approved 7-0. At this time, Council considered Item B regarding road projects to be considered in the November 2008 Bond Election. There were suggestions from councilmembers regarding specific projects. Nelon asked for the timeframe regarding working with the County on 1460 from two lanes to four lanes. Nelon suggested a placeholder in Phase 1 to get it on the list for discussion, saying the City needs to know the numbers. Motion by Sattler, second by Brainard to direct staff to work with GTAB at their March 18 Meeting to have them come up with priorities for Phases 1 and 2, now including 1430, 971, the bridge, and 143. Approved 7-0. 6:10 p.m. -- recessed for 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 - 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 - Texas Indigenous Council, et al. v. City of Georgetown , et al., Cause No. A08 -CV -062 LY, in the United States District Court City Council Meeting Minutes/February 25, 2008 Page 2 of 3 Pages for the Western District of Tex.s Consideration and possible action regarding the Compromise Settlement Agreement and Release with McCord Engineering, Inc. related to switches at the South and East Substations in 2006 E Sec 551.072: Deliberations about Real Property - Consideration and possible action to deliberate the purchase, exchange, lease, or value of real property - Lion's Head Springs - Consideration and possible action to deliberate the purchase of real property for city facilities F 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. ary Nelon 6:36 p.m. -- returned to Open Session and adjourned The meeting was adjourned at 06:36 Pall. City Council Meeting Minutes/February 25, 2008 Page 3 of 3 Pages