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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMIN 01.08.2007 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 sent. Patty Eason, Gabe Sansing, Henry Carr, Farley Pat Berryman, Doug Smith Snell, Ben Oliver Staff Present. Paul Brandenburg, City Manager; Tom Yantis, Assistant City Manager; Jim Briggs, Assistant City Manager for Utility Operations; Randy Morrow, Director of Community Services; Kimberly Garrett, Parks and Recreation Director; David Morgan, Police Chief; Roland Waits, Police Captain; Micki Rundell, Director of Finance and Administration; Kathy Ragsdale, Utility Office Director; Cathy Leloux, Municipal Court Manager; Bobby Ray, Director of Development Services; Glenn Dishong, Water Services Manage Policy Development/Review Workshop = Called to order at 4.06 PIVI A Presentation and possible discussion regarding park projects and funding -- Kimberly Garrett, Parks & Recreation Director and Randy Morrow, Director of Community Services With a slide presentation, Garrett gave an overview of the current parks projects. Morrow spoke to Council about future projects, and Rundell explained the options for funding and staff recommendation to form a Citizens Bond Committee. There were questions and comments from Councilmembers. B Presentation by staff and REDFLEX representatives to provide their plan and program for the implementation of a red light camera program -- David Morgan, Police Chief Morgan explained that the Legislature allows red light cameras to be installed on TxDoT controlled intersections. With a slide presentation, Mark Etzbach from REDFLEX displayed information about their company and their program. He showed videos of accidents caused by red light offenders in other cities and videos of test surveys done in Georgetown intersections. He said the procedure would be that videos of violators would be sent to the Georgetown Police Department. The Police Department would decide whether there actually was a violation and notify REDLEX. He said the tickets are mailed from REDFLEX and can be paid on line or by mail, or a hearing can be requested. C Discussion and possible direction to staff regarding the results of the Solid Waste Focus Group Meetings and the potential renegotiation of the Sanitation Services Contract related to solid waste services -- Jim Briggs, Assistant City Manager for Utilities With a slide presentation, Briggs explained the process of using a focus group who met with citizens to survey their opinions of the current service or their desire for changes. He said the process was begun in September and concluded prior to the end of December. He explained that input was taken from citizens in three different residential meetings. He reviewed the questions asked of the citizens, including their views on cost, level of service, bulky waste pickup, conservation, collection station, etc. He said the results show that there is a City Council Meeting Minutes/January 8, 2007 Page 1 of 2 Pages definite high level of service provided by the current contractor; but customers were unaware of all of the services available, such as free mulch, bulky waste, and storm cleanup. He said customers noted that they would prefer to call for bulky waste and be billed individually, instead of being billed on a base rate. He also said that some small businesses indicated they would like to be able to recycle and would be willing to pay for that service. He said the conclusion is that the citizens support the services provided by the current provider. He said it was desired that a benchmark be established for a base rate with a fluctuating surcharge for fuel rates, etc. He said he expects the rates to increase due to the increased cost of service and a change in the method of billing, with a baseline and surcharges. He said this was presented to the Georgetown Utility System (GUS) Board and the decision was made to remain with the current provider. Sansing said he still thinks the service needs to be put out to bid. He asked Briggs to define the service and put it in a list when the contract is being negotiated. He said it should be put out to open bid to several suppliers. He said there is a distance between Georgetown and the place for Texas Disposal Systems (TDS) to dump, and he thinks an increased fuel charge would be unfair to the customers. Brandenburg pointed out that if TDS used the dump site that is closer, there would be a tipping fee. Carr said he thinks the customers want the same level of performance to continue, but not necessarily from the same provider. Briggs said many in the group specified that they were unhappy about a previous provider. Rundell said cost was not an issue in any of the meetings with the customers, saying service was their priority. Nelon suggested that an "up or down vote" is needed on the next Council Agenda as to whether to go out for bid. Sansing asked if there would be outside trash hauling and if there would be a transfer station. Briggs said the expansion and recycling center has been put on hold during the period of time for the focus groups. He said the only thing agreed to, so far, and accomplished, is the cleanup of the old landfill. 5:21 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 -Transamerican Underground vs. Arch Insurance Co., C. C. Carleton Industries, and Third Party Defendant the City of Georgetown, Cause No. 06-121-C277, District Court of Williamson County, 277th Judicial District - Henderson v. City of Georgetown and Bishop Gregory Aymond for the Dioceses of Austin , Cause No. A06CA082 SS; United States District Court, Western District of Texas - Stanford v. City of Georgetown , Cause No. 06-634-C26, filed in the 26th Judicial District of Williamson County, Texas - Williamson County MUD No. 19, request for sewer Certificate of Convenience and Necessity (Application No. 35375-C) (SOAR Docket No. 582-07-0786; TCEQ Docket No. 2006 - 1810 - UCR) - Proposed Sanitary Sewer Overflow Agreement with the TCEQ. - Discussion regarding the application of municipal zoning and development regulations to facilities owned by school districts and other political subdivisions. E Sec 551.072: Deliberations about Real Property - Consideration and possible action concerning the acquisition of a 0.04 acre Clear Zone Easement and denial of access on property owned by Threadgill Oil Co., Inc., located at 705 N. Austin Avenue, in connection with the proposed Texas Department of Transportation/Austin Avenue Maintenance Project 5:53 p.m. -- returned to Executive Session and adjourned Approved : Attest: 7 .1 V Mayor. ary Neon City Secretary Sanc City Council Meeting Minutes/January 8, 2007 Page 2 of 2 Pages