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Home My WebLink AboutMIN 08.21.2006 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. Patty Eason, Gabe Sansing, Doug Smith, Henry Carr, Pat Berryman, Farley Snell Council Absent: 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, Accounting Manager; Mark Thomas, Economic Development Director; David Morgan, Police Chief; Roland Waits, Police Captain; Keith Hutchinson, Public Information Officer; Jackie Carey, Animal Shelter Supervisor; Ken Finn, Animal Shelter Manager Policy Development/Review Workshop - Called to order at 4:00 PM A First Public Hearing on the proposed 2006/2007 Property Tax -- Micki Rundell, Director of Finance and Administration Rundell did an overview of the proposed property tax rate of $0.36728. She said the property taxes are based on the advalorem taxes which are determined by the WCAD (Williamson Central Appraisal District). She said the City does not set the value and WCAD does not set the tax rate. She said the property tax funds the on-going general fund operations, such as public safety, library, social services, parks, and streets; and any debt supported by the tax rate pledge (not utility related). She listed the tax exemptions currently offered by the City such as the general homestead of $5,000, the over -65 homestead of $12,000, the disabled of $40,000, and the disabled veterans, which is variable. Rundell gave a brief outline of the proposed General Fund Budget of $28.2 million, and listed the proposed programs to meet Council priorities. She also reviewed the proposed tax supported debt of $5.8 million. Pat Berryman arrived on the dais at 4:07 p.m. She noted that Georgetown still has the lowest property tax rate in Central Texas. She reviewed the calendar for the tax rate adoption, saying tonight serves as the first public hearing, with the second public hearing set for August 29; the first reading of the ordinance levying the 2006 tax rate on September 12 and the final reading on September 26. The Public Hearing was opened at 4:19 p.m. Speaker, Joseph Carpenter, gave a negative opinion of the City's financial condition. City Council Meeting Minutes/August 21, 2006 Page 1 of 3 Pages The Public Hearing was closed at 4:22 p.m. Sansing inquired about the river springs purchase, asking if an environmental easement could be done to allow ownership of all of the springs for a lesser amount. Brandenburg said Morrow is going to look into that option. It was determined that all three springs can be purchased for $300,000. Nelon asked Rundell to explain the formula that is given to the City by the State. Rundell explained the impact of the growth of the frozen rate properties. She said it has a negative impact on the tax rate, saying it doesn't decrease at the same rate as if it were not frozen. She said the State Legislature says we must extract $700 million because of the frozen properties. B Discussion regarding proposed amendments to the current noise ordinance, Chapter 8.16 -- David Morgan, Police Chief and Paul Brandenburg, City Manager Brandenburg explained some of the reasons the City needs to amend the ordinance, saying the current ordinance is vague and difficult to enforce. Eason asked about the timeframe for some of the listed noise -making activities. Brandenburg noted that the ordinance will specify 10:00 p.m. to 7:00 a.m. as the time when the noise -making activities must cease and with the amendment, it will be possible for an officer to use decible levels during the day to enforce compliance. Smith asked about a residential area adjacent to a commercial district. Attorney, Barbara Quirk, responded that the noise inside the commercial district would be measured at a commercial level, saying there will be controversies when residences back up to commercial districts. She said anyone inside a residential area will be required to meet the residential decible level. Berryman asked about the braking restrictions. Brandenburg responded that there will be signage that will allow the police to enforce the law. He said the City is hoping that the signs will inspire voluntary compliance. He said the wording for the signs is not yet decided. C Discussion regarding recommendations for amendments to the City of Georgetown Animal Ordinance -- Shawn Gunnin, Chair of the Animal Shelter Advisory Board, Ken Finn, Animal Shelter Director, and David Morgan, Police Chief Shawn Gunnin, Chair of the Animal Shelter Advisory Board and current President of Georgetown Animal Outreach, reminded Council that the discussion regarding the Petland Store in Georgetown had been postponed until research could be done. She said the Council appointed a Task Force who determined that animal overpopulation is community -wide and not just focused on a commercial pet store. She spoke of partnering with Southwestern University to perform a citizen survey. She said there is currently a 21 to 35% euthanization rate in Georgetown. She gave statistics. She said it was determined that sterilization is the best, most effective way to control animal overpopulation. She said the proposed changes to the ordinance do not require spaying or neutering, but asking owners to be responsible. 4:55 p.m. -- recessed into 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 - Civil Action No. A -06 -CA -082 SS, Daniel and Carmen Henderson v. City of Georgetown and Bishop Gregory Aymond for the Diocese of Austin, in the United States District Court, Western District of Texas, Austin Division - Application by MUD 19 for a Sewer Utility Certificate of Convenience and Necessity E Sec 551.072 - Deliberations about Real Property - Consideration and possible action concerning right-of-way/easement acquisition related to the TxDOT/Austin Avenue Maintenance Project. -- Terri Glasby Calhoun, GUS Paralegal, and Kent Alan Sick, Attorney for City of Georgetown F Sec.551.087: Deliberations 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. City Council Meeting Minutes/August 21, 2006 Page 2 of 3 Pages 5:32 p.m. -- returned to Open Session and adjourned The meeting was adjourned at 05:32 PM. ApproVed : ) Attest: r;sary Nejon City Secretary Sa City Council Meeting Minutes/August 21, 2006 Page 3 of 3 Pages