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Home My WebLink AboutMIN 02.11.2008 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 Pat Berryman Sattler, Farley Snell, 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; Lorie Lankford, Chief Accountant; Lisa Haines, Accountant II; Mark Thomas, Economic Development Director; Tina Dunbar, Economic Development Administrative Analyst; Rachel Osgood, Environmental Services; Keith Hutchinson, Public Information Officer; Joe Lara, Chief Finance Analyst Policy Development/Review Workshop = Called to order at 04:15 PIVI A Discussion of the Comprehensive Annual Financial Report (CAFR) for Fiscal Year Ended September 30, 2007 -- Leticia Zavala, Controller and Micki Rundell, Director Finance & Administration Rundell explained that the CAFR is required by law, bond covenants, and the City Charter. With a slide presentation, Rundell explained the purpose for financial reporting and how the CAFR is structured. She told Council the City has a total of $330.1 million in net assets, which is comprised of $257.9 million in investment in capital assets; $1.3 million reserved for general debt service; $35 million reserved for capital projects; and $35.9 million unrestricted (including contingency, fund balances budgeted for CIP projects, and SIP fees). She said the Council in 2005 opted to report under the "Modified Approach" to report the Statement of Activity for streets infrastructure, including a pavement condition index or PCI. Rundell gave an overview of the various funds, noting that all are compliant with bond covenants and city policy. She introduced Lisa McKinnon of Brockway, Gersbach, McKinnon and Niemeyer, P.C., the City's contracted auditor. McKinnon told Council the numbers have been fairly presented and are compliant; and all systems have been reviewed, saying they found no errors, and nothing needs to be improved. Nelon noted that the Council has received good reports every year that he has been Mayor, saying Council expected a good report. He praised Rundell and her staff. Brainard asked about the GTEC funds, and asked if there were limits as to how much interest the City can earn on borrowed funds. Rundell explained arbitrage which occurs when the City collects more in interest than expended, and that must be remitted to the Internal Revenue Service. Brainard noted that the City allows employees who leave to collect payment for their unused sick leave. He asked if that was accounted for in the budget. Rundell said it is called compensated absence, and is identified, but not funded completely. She said when that compensated absence is expended, it becomes a liability to the City. Sattler asked if other cities have as high a debt coverage ratio, and confirmed that it is good for the bond rating. Nelon said he was told the next increase from AA- probably would not occur until the population exceeds 300,000. Rundell said debt coverage provides cash to use to fund infrastructure improvements and prevents the City from having to issue new debt. Sattler asked and was told utilities are not tax -supported, saying they are "stand-alone" enterprise funds with no cross subsidy, and everything is handled through the rates. She said there is bonding through revenue only. Sansing said he appreciates Rundell. Rundell introduced her staff, Leticia Zavala, Lorie Lankford, and Lisa Haines. B Environmental Construction Methods and Programs -- Jim Briggs, Assistant City Manager for Utility Operations With a slide presentation, Briggs explained Green Building Programs, including general background information; a description of ERCOT (Electric Reliability Council of Texas); available capacity units such as gas, coal, nuclear, hydro and wind; future generation; wind generation; energy efficiency issues; options for consideration; City Council Meeting Minutes/February 11, 2008 Page 1 of 2 Pages and staff recommendations. He said there are not very many programs estabished to do "green building." He listed the five components of Green Building as: materials, site development, water conservation, energy conservation, and health. He recommended beginning the entire process in the fall of 2009. There were questions and comments from the Council. During this presentation, Mayor Nelon had to leave for a CAMPO Meeting in Austin. Mayor Pro Tem Gabe Sansing conducted the remainder of the meeting. C City Recycling Program -- Rachel Osgood, Environmental Services and Jim Briggs, Assistant City Manager for Utility Operations Briggs told Council not everyone in the collection business offers recycling and other environmental services. He noted that Georgetown doesn't get the participation that we would like to have, saying the City needs to make it more convenient for the people to participate because there has been a major reduction in the volume of the solid waste collected due to recycling. He demonstrated the types of solid waste carts provided and the two recycling bins with lids. With a slide presentation, he explained the current services provided; and potential considerations for new service offerings. He said it is difficult to do right now because there are not many facilities in Austin but the best way to go is single -stream rcycling, where all the recyclables are comingled to be sorted later at a site where it is separated. Briggs reviewed a suggested Action Plan, which included contract modifications, creatinig a customer education plan, determining the staffing requirement, and implementing the new plan for waste reduction beginning with the 2008-09 Budget. *Eason said she would like for the City to stop charging customers for bringing their recyclables, saying that sends a negative message. There was more discussion and it was pointed out that the City does charge the customers for recycling certain items, but that amount could, in the future, be combined with the overall rate that everyone will pay. (*as corrected by Patty Eason at the February 26, 2008 Council Meeting) 6:07 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. 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 for the Western District of Texas 6:24 p.m. -- returned to Open Session and adjourned The meeting was adjourned at 06:24 PM. City Council Meeting Minutes/February 11, 2008 Page 2 of 2 Pages Attest: