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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMIN 08.07.2006 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.0 Patty Eason, Gabe Sansing, Doug Smith, Henry Carr, Pat Berryman, Farley Snell, Ben Oliver Council Absent. All Council 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; Ed Polasek, Chief Long -Range Planner; Bobby Ray, Director of Planning and Development; Joe Lara, Utility Financial Analyst; Anthony Lincoln, Fire Chief; Clay Shell, Assistant Fire Chief; Stan Hohman, Service Center Supervisor; Glenn Dishong, Water Services Manager; Kevin Russell, Human Resources Director; Leticia Zavala, Accounting Manager; Keith Hutchinson, Public Information Officer; Mike Mayben, Energy Services Director; Mark Thomas, Economic Development Director Jill a 1; 1 Z;11111248 12111 A Overview and discussion regarding the 2006/07 City Manager's Proposed Budget and related tax rate, including possible Council action and possible direction to staff -- Micki Rundell, Director of Finance and Administration and Paul Brandenburg, City Manager Brandenburg explained the proposed budget with a slide presentation, listing the program highlights for 2006/07, noting that the contingency fund is $4.4 million and saying there was a 19.2% increase in operating expenses over the last year. He said the total budget is $154 million. Rundell gave a financial overview, explaining the variances over the prior year. There were questions about the rollback rate. There were questions from Council regarding the General Fund amount (which includes rolled -forward projects). Oliver asked about adding more police and fire positions, and Paul and Micki explained the process. Snell said he wanted to see this continue as the City grows. Sansing said he would like to see the City meet 95% of Round Rock's salaries, which would amount to another $200 to $300,000 which equates to 1 % and is still below the rollback rate. There was further discussion regarding various new employee positions to be included in the budget. Snell asked for clarification on the process of setting the tax rate. Rundell explained that Council needs to approve the tax rate before approving the budget. She asked that Council make recommendations if wanting to add something and staff will see what that will cost and let that drive the proposed tax rate. Motion by Snell, second by Sansing to pursue 95% of Round Rock's salary structure on public safety, which will increase the tax rate by one cent. Approved 6-1. (Carr oppposed) Motion by Snell, second by Eason to purchase the three springs on the North San Gabriel River on debt City Council Meeting Minutes/August 7, 2006 Page 1 of 2 Pages funding, costing approximately $26,000 per year debt service, or 1/10 of one cent increase on tax rate. Approved 7-0. Smith said he is concerned about the 4% COLA, saying some non-public safety positons are lagging and some are not. He asked if it would be done across the board or just to bring up those that are lagging. Brandenburg said the amount budgeted, $30,000, will try to make it even, based on work done by the job audit committee. He said the COLA percentage will be across the board. Sansing asked how the 95% in public safety will work. Russell responded that each position level will be increased by 95%. Berryman asked if the sanitation rates are being increased. Rundell responded that the figure is an estimate to cover brush grinding, soils disposal, and bulky waste. Berryman asked for the estimated cost of the recycle center. Rundell said staff is not sure at this time, but it would be less than the $1.85. She noted that the extension requested on the grant has expired, so the City probably won't move forward with the recycle center. It was determined that with so many unknown variables, the City is not committing to do a recycle center. Snell asked for a workshop on recycling and Paul said that it is scheduled in January. He emphasized there is nothing committing the Council to do the recycle center in this proposed budget. Motion by Smith, second by Sansing to put back in the $3,300 for the Downtown Overlay District Landscape Maintenance Program. Approved 7-0. 4:25 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. B 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 - Application by MUD 19 for a Sewer Utility Certificate of Convenience and Necessity C 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 -- Jim Briggs, Assistant City Manager for Utility Operations and Patricia E. Carls, City Attorney - Consideration and possible action concerning the proposed sale/abandonment of a portion of CR 265W right-of-way west and south of the Connell Cemetery to adjacent landowners, NSJS, L.P., and Bill and P.D. Chapman -- Jim Briggs, Assistant City Manager for Utility Operations and Terri Glasby Calhoun, Paralegal D 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. E Sec.551.074 Personnel Matters - Annual Performance Evaluation and Compensation Review of City Secretary and Municipal Judge 5:25 p.m. - returned to Executive Session and adjourned The meeting was adjourned at 45:25 PM. o - .m City Council Meeting Minutes/August 7, 2006 Page 2 of 2 Pages Attest:j' d 6 City Secretary Sandra Lee