HomeMy WebLinkAboutMIN 07.10.2007 CC-RThe City Council of the City of Georgetown, Texas, met in Regular Session on the above date with Mayor
'Gary Nelon presiding.
Council Present. Council sent:
Patty Eason, Gabe Sansing, Bill Sattler, Pat Keith Brainard
Berryman, Farley Snell, Ben Oliver
Staff Present:
Paul Brandenburg, 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; Kevin Stofle, Assistant Police Chief; Kevin Russell, Human Resources Director; Ed
Polasek, Principal Planner; Bobby Ray, Community Development Director; Kathy Ragsdale, Utility Office
Manager; Keith Hutchinson, Public Information Officer
Regular Session = To begin no earlier than 06:00 PM
(Council may, at any time, recess the Regular Session to convene an Executive Session at the request of
the Mayor, a Councilmember, or the City Manager for any purpose authorized by the Open Meetings Act,
Texas Government Code Chapter 551.)
D Call to Order
Mayor Nelon called the meeting to order at 6:00 p.m.
E Pledge of Allegiance
Mayor Nelon led the Pledge.
F Comments from the dais
- Welcome to Audience and Opening Comments
- Review of procedure for addressing the City Council
Mayor Nelon welcomed the audience and gave a brief overview of meeting procedures.
Donation from the Library Foundation
Larry Franks, representing the Library Foundation, presented a check to Mayor Nelon for $200,000 as a
first installment donation for the Library from the Library Foundation's Capital Campaign. He recognized the
Honorary Co -Chairs, Congressman John Carter and Clara Scarbrough; and recognized in the audience,
Rachel Logue, Arlene Schinke, David Schinke, Arthur DeLa Cruz, Robert Berryman, Phyllis Rademacher,
Richard Vosburg, Howard Dudding, Linda Walke, Janet Liem, and Leslie Bradley. He commended Library
Director, Eric Lashley.
G Announcements and Comments from City Manager
Brandenburg made the following announcements:
The City of Georgetown Parks and Recreation Department is looking for volunteers to help with the
AT&T Games of Texas, with events being held on July 21-22 and July 26-29, 2007. This year Georgetown
will host boxing, tennis, and men's softball. For more information or to volunteer please call the Parks and
Recreation office at 512-930-3595 or visit the Games of Texas website at www.taaf.com/gamesoftexas
Each year on the first Tuesday in August, neighborhoods across Georgetown and in other communities
across the nation organize block parties in recognition of National Night Out. This year, the event will be on
Tuesday, August 7 from 7 — 9 p.m. The Georgetown Police Department organizes the annual event to
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encourage neighbors to get out and meet one another. Applications to register neighborhood block parties
can be found online at www.georgetown.orq , or can be picked up at the Police Department at 809 Martin
Luther King, Jr. Street. Call Officer Jim Seals at (512) 930-2597 for details.
Brandenburg recognized in the audience, Nikki Gilbert, a 13 -year old who has been diagnosed with a
brain tumor and has been receiving chemotherapy. He noted there has been a fundraiser and raffle to
offset her medical costs. Mayor Nelon drew the three winners of the raffle.
H Public Wishing to Address Council
- Sandra Taylor of Pedernales Electric (PEC) regarding update of PEC activities in Georgetown area
Taylor presented a check for $14,038.91 for the quarterly franchise payment. She spoke about the free
fluorescent light bulbs being offered to PEC customers to save power; and noted that PEC offers customers
the option to purchase power through renewable resources. She gave an example of being able to save
$88 per year and keep CO2 out of the atmosphere by turning off computers overnight. Sansing also
suggested unplugging a charger strip that has nothing plugged into it.
- Doug Smith representing the Georgetown Sertoma Club regarding the Fourth of July (delayed) fireworks
display.
Smith noted that for 24 years Sertoma has sponsored the Fourth of July Celebration in San Gabriel Park.
He said they have never had to cancel or postpone before but have never had weather like occurred this
year. He commended the city staff who went beyond expectations to get the park into shape, but the rain
kept coming and the mud got worse, so everything was cancelled except the "signature" fireworks. He said
it was determined that there was no way the park would be suitable for the thousands of people that usually
attend the Fourth of July Celebration, so the fireworks were postponed to Saturday. He requested some
financial assistance for the $11,000 cost of the fireworks, saying the celebration is not a fund raiser, but
revenue from soft drink sales and fees from food and craft vendors will ususally cover the cost of the
fireworks. He asked if Council could contribute some money from the Contingency Fund. Motion by
Sansing, second by Oliver to post an item on the agenda for the next meeting to give $6,500 from Council
Contingency to Sertoma to offset some of the cost of the fireworks. Approved 6-0. (Brainard absent)
Action from Executive Session
Motion by Sansing, second by Eason that the City Council approve and authorize the Mayor to sign the
contract with McCord Engineering to provide engineering services to the City related to the planning,
design, and review of the City's electric system improvements, construction, expansion, and mapping.
Approved 6-0. (Brainard absent)
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 on Monday, June 25, and
the Council Meeting on Tuesday, June 26, 2007 -- Jessica Hamilton, Assistant City Secretary and Sandra D.
Lee, City Secretary
K Consideration and possible action regarding a resolution granting a petition and setting public hearing dates for
the voluntary annexation into the City for 1.77 acres, more or less, in the Frederick Foy Survey, Abstract 229,
for Somerset Hills, western boundary annexation to CR 245 and Jennings Branch Road — Edward G. Polasek,
AICP, Principal Planner and Bobby Ray, AICP, Director of Planning and Development
L Consideration and possible action regarding a resolution granting a petition and setting public hearing dates for
the voluntary annexation into the City for 268.30 acres, more or less, in the I.&G.N. RR Survey, J.D. Johns
Survey, The Key West Survey, D. Medlock Survey, W.E. Pate Survey, J. T. Church Survey, J. Thompson
Survey, and Isaac Donagan Survey for Water Oak at San Gabriel Phase 1, Phase 3, Phase A1, and Phase 2,
located north of RR 2243 and east of Escalara Subdivision — Edward G. Polasek, AICP, Principal Planner and
Bobby Ray, AICP, Director of Planning and Development
M Consideration and possible action amending Resolution 052207-Y granting a petition and setting public
hearing dates for the voluntary annexation into the City for 22.50 acres, more or less, in the Lewis P. Dyches
Survey, for Airborn property, to change the annexation area to 63.02 acres, more or less, in the Lewis P.
Dyches Survey and Francis A. Hudsen Surveys for H.B. Longhorn Junction and Airborn property, located
south of SE Inner Loop and Blue Springs Parkway — Edward G. Polasek, AICP, Principal Planner and Bobby
Ray, AICP, Director of Planning and Development
N Consideration and possible action to approve a Resolution finding public convenience and necessity and
authorizing eminent domain proceedings, if necessary, for certain public utility infrastructure improvements; and
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establishing an effective date; pertaining to the acquisition of real property from Westinghouse Road Joint
Venture for public utility improvements. -- Terri Glasby Calhoun, Paralegal, GUS, and Patricia E. Carls, City
Attorney
O Consideration and possible action to approve a Resolution finding public convenience and necessity and
authorizing eminent domain proceedings, if necessary, for certain public utility infrastructure improvements; and
establishing an effective date; pertaining to the acquisition of real property from the Leroy and Merle Weir
Charitable Trust for electric utility improvements. -- Terri Glasby Calhoun, Paralegal, GUS, and Patricia E.
Carls, City Attorney
P Consideration and possible action regarding the authorization of a Donation Agreement between the City and
the W.D. Kelley Foundation for the donation of property to the City for electric utility improvements along CR
116 -- Terri Glasby Calhoun, Paralegal, GUS, and Patricia E. Carls, City Attorney
Q Consideration and possible action regarding the donation of 20 acres of land consisting of a 12.7586 -acre
tract of land owned by Del Webb Texas Limited Partnership and a 7.2414 -acre tract of land owned by Somerset
Hills, Ltd., for the future location of a wastewater treatment plant on the "Northern Lands" -- Terri Glasby
Calhoun, Paralegal, GUS, and Patricia E. Carls, City Attorney (pulled by Sattler to the Regular Agenda)
Motion by Snell, second by Eason to approve the Consent Agenda with the exception of Item Q which was pulled for
discussion on the Regular Agenda. Approved 6-0. (Brainard absent)
Legislative Regular Agenda
Council will individually consider and possibly take action on any or all of the following items:
Q Consideration and possible action regarding the donation of 20 acres of land consisting of a 12.7586 -acre
tract of land owned by Del Webb Texas Limited Partnership and a 7.2414 -acre tract of land owned by Somerset
Hills, Ltd., for the future location of a wastewater treatment plant on the "Northern Lands" -- Terri Glasby
Calhoun, Paralegal, GUS, and Patricia E. Carls, City Attorney (pulled by Sattler to the Regular Agenda)
Sattler asked for more information, and Briggs responded that the donation of land will be used for the location
of a wastewater treatment plant that was planned as a part of the land development requirements of the
"Northern Lands." He said the plant was included in the original development agreement for Sun City. He said
this was set up to be considered in a future phase when additional capacity was needed, which will now occur
soon with the development to the north. He said this line will be connected to the irrigation line going into Pecan
Branch Treatment Plant, saying this line will deliver treated effluent to the golf courses for the "Northern Lands"
or, if not needed, will take the treated effluent to the Pecan Branch Treatment Plant and then on to the San
Gabriel River. Sattler confirmed with Briggs that this plan has been in place since 1995. Oliver asked about the
term "water factory" used by Briggs in his explanation. Briggs said the term is used in the San Gabriel River
Basin when a treatment plant captures water in excess of what is needed for return flow so it can be beneficially
re -used as irrigation. He said there are no health issues associated with the treated effluent, saying one of the
large tanks in San Gabriel Park contains treated effluent to be used for irrigation in San Gabriel Park, on the ball
fields, and at the golf course at Georgetown Country Club. Motion by Sansing, second by Oliver to approve the
location of the wastewater treatment plant on the donated land. Approved 6-0. (Brainard absent)
R Consideration and possible action to approve a Resolution approving Liberty Hill, Texas as a member of the
Williamson County and Cities Health District -- Paul E. Brandenburg, City Manager
Brandenburg noted that there has been a recent program encouraging cities that currently are not members of
the Health District to join. He read the caption of the resolution. Motion by Eason, second by Berryman to
approve the inclusion of the City of Liberty Hill. When asked by Oliver, Brandenburg responded that the other
potential members were the Cities of Hutto and Leander. He said Leander has said they do not want to be a
part of the Health District, so services to Leander citizens will be limited to only those services required by law.
Approved 6-0. (Brainard absent)
S Consideration and possible action to approve funding to replace the City of Georgetown's Emergency Outdoor
Siren Warning System -- Paul E. Brandenburg, City Manager
Brandenburg explained that all emergency warning systems are "outdoor." He said there are currently five siren
locations in Georgetown and more are needed. He said the 20 -year old system needs to be updated to 12
sirens and current technology, which will cost $214,000. He said there will be community education to let the
residents know the sirens are strictly for storm events. He said also, as developments are brought in, a part of
each new development agreement would be to add a siren location. He said many neighboring cities don't have
systems. Stofle explained the procedure is used to respond to a severe weather warning triggered by the
National Weather Service, and the sirens are used when a weather issue is confirmed to be present or heading
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to Georgetown by designated police spotters who call into Dispatch to activate the sirens. Motion by Eason,
second by Oliver to approve the funding. There was discussion about NOA weather radios, television warnings,
and Internet viewing of dopplar radar. Berryman said she believes the siren is antiquated and most people don't
know what to do when they hear it. Sattler confirmed that the City has a reverse 9-1-1 system. Oliver asked
and Brandenburg responded that there is a process in place where outdoor activities are shut down in the case
of storm events. Eason said to cover all the bases it makes sense to go forward with updating and continuing
the siren warning system. There was more discussion. Vote on the motion: Approved 4-2 (Sattler and
Berryman opposed)(Brainard absent)
T 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
Naming of City Facilities, Public Park lands and Public Streets -- Paul E. Brandenburg, City Manager
Brandenburg explained the history of the naming policy and asked that Councilmembers Smith and Carr be
replaced by two current councilmembers. Sansing and Sattler volunteered to serve. Motion by Oliver, second
by Berryman to appoint Sansing and Sattler. Approved 6-0. (Brainard absent)
U Consideration and possible action to authorize the City to enter into an Interlocal Agreement with the Public
Employee Benefits Alliance (PEBA) for the possible purchase of group benefits -- Kevin Russell, Director of
Human Resources and Civil Service
Russell explained that the Alliance is composed of representatives from the Texas Municipal League, the Texas
Association of School Boards, and the Texas Association of Counties. He said they combine forces and bid for
various types of coverage. He said the Alliance is now bidding on group voluntary life, and long-term and
short-term disability, saying the bid is a 35% to 40% reduction of what City employees pay now. He said the
City must sign an interlocal agreement in order to access the group benefits. Snell confirmed that the City of
Georgetown would not be always obligated to participate. Motion by Snell, second by Oliver to approve
entering into an interlocal agreement. Russell said the cost to join is $300 annually to access any proposals in
that year. Vote on the motion: 6-0. (Brainard absent)
V Second Reading of an ordinance repealing and replacing Section 13.04.180 of the City Code of Ordinances
relating to "Rates and Charges --Solid Waste Disposal --Schedule" -- Kathy Ragsdale, Utility Office Manager
and Micki Rundell, Director of Finance and Administration
Ragsdale read only the caption of the ordinance on second reading. Motion by Eason, second by Oliver to
approve the ordinance on second reading. Sattler asked about the commercial rates. Ragsdale said there are
not as many services for commercial accounts as for residential, but the City has recently added the recycling of
paper, and has added wooden pallets to the garbage collection. Sansing asked about the difference in the
monthly hauling charges for roll -off services. Ragsdale said the roll -offs can be stacked onto one trailer for one
haul so the cost is less. Ordinance 2007-42 approved 6-0. (Brainard absent) Motion by Snell, second by
Oliver to instruct staff to take a look at the benefits and disadvantages of an enterprise fund vis-a-vis a service of
the City and come back to the Council with a workshop and meeting to allow action, no later than the second
meeting in November. Approved 6-0. (Brainard absent)
W Public Hearings and First Readings
1. Public Hearing on the voluntary annexation into the City for 1.77 acres, more or less, in the Frederick
Foy Survey, Abstract 229, for Somerset Hills, western boundary annexation to CR 245 and Jennings
Branch Road — Edward G. Polasek, AICD, Principal Planner and Bobby Ray, AICP, Director of Planning
and Development
Polasek explained that the following four items are the start of the July and August annexation cycle. He
explained the purpose of this annexation, saying it would extend the Extra -Territorial Jurisdiction out to
Ronald Reagan Blvd. and Williams Drive. The Public Hearing was opened at 7:01 p.m. There were no
comments. The Public Hearing was closed at 7:02 p.m.
2. Public Hearing on the voluntary annexation into the City for 63.02 acres, more or less, in the Lewis P.
Dyches Survey and Francis A. Hudsen Surveys for H.B. Longhorn Junction and Airborn property,
located south of SE Inner Loop and Blue Springs Parkway — Edward G. Polasek, AICP, Principal Planner
and Bobby Ray, AICP, Director of Planning and Development
Polasek explained the purpose of the annexation, saying both properties are under consideration for
economic development incentives The Public Hearing was opened at 7:02 p.m. There were no comments.
The Public Hearing was closed at 7:02 p.m.
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3. Public Hearing on the voluntary annexation into the City for 24.08 acres, more or less, in the Joseph
Fish Survey and William Roberts Survey, for Georgetown Village Section 10, located at Westbury and
Shell Road — Edward G. Polasek, AICP, Principal Planner and Bobby Ray, AICP, Director of Planning and
Development
Polasek explained the purpose of the annexation, saying the City has received a preliminary plat request
which triggers a voluntary annexation request and would be on about the same calendar as the annexation
process. The Public Hearing was opened at 7:03 p.m. Sattler confirmed this area backs up to Westbury
Lane. Ray said the Wilson Family Communities will be bringing a revised proposal to staff and will then
take it to the people from the subdivision. The Public Hearing was closed at 7:04 p.m.
4. Public Hearing on the voluntary annexation into the City for 268.30 acres, more or less, in the I.&G.N.
RR Survey, J.D. Johns Survey, The Key West Survey, D. Medlock Survey, W.E. Pate Survey, J. T. Church
Survey, J. Thompson Survey, and Isaac Donagan Survey for Water Oak at San Gabriel Phase 1, Phase 3,
Phase Al, and Phase 2, located north of RR 2243 and east of Escalara Subdivision — Edward G. Polasek,
AICP, Principal Planner and Bobby Ray, AICP, Director of Planning and Development
Polasek explained, saying the development agreement calls for annexation. It was confirmed that Water
Oak at San Gabriel used to be called ABG. The Public Hearing was opened at 7:05 p.m. There were no
comments. The Public Hearing was closed at 7:06 p.m.
Approved :
€ VI
F� A §6
The meeting was adjourned at 07:06 PM.
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A
ity Secretary Sandra Lee