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Home My WebLink AboutMIN 03.27.2006 CC-W• i. r'. .+ Vii• Council Present, ;;Council Absent: Patty Eason, Gabe Sansing, Doug Smith, Henry ;All Council Present Carr, John Kirby, 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; Laurie Brewer, Assistant Director of Finance and Administration; Anthony Lincoln, Fire Chief; Clay Shell, Assistant Fire Chief; Dave Hall, Director of Inspection Services; Mark Thomas, Economic Development Director; Shirley Rinn, Administrative Assistant to the Citv Manager Minutes Policy Development/Review Workshop ® Call to order at 04:00 P A Discussion and possible staff direction regarding the priorities for the 2006/07 Annual Operating Plan -- Micki Rundell, Director of Finance and Administration and Paul Brandenburg, City Manager Rundell and Brandenburg outlined the proposed procedure to determine Council's priorities for the budget. He explained the proposed twelve staff recommendations. Continue revitalization and economic development ® Alleviate traffic congestion Continue implementation of Downtwon Master Plan Improve quality of services while keeping property taxes low ® Improve emergency resonse service levels ® Expand and coodinate Parks System ® Continue efforts for Community Long -Range Planning Develop an Affordable Housing Program ® Expand recycling opportunities ® Ensure adequate stafing and related competitive compensation for non-public safety employees Continue implementation of City's Facilities Plan i increase operational efficiency and financial integrity Rundell asked Council to help staff finalize the list of priorities. She said budget packages go out to the departments on Monday. First council workshop will be July 10, which is earlier this year. She said the workbooks would be provided on June 30. She noted that the tax rate will not be City Council Meeting Minutes/Monday, March 27, 2006 Page 1 of 3 Pages increased. She said the peliminary budget will be finalized on July 24, with the finalized tax rate on August 7. She said a tax hearing will probably be required due to legislative changes last year. She said the first reading of the ordinance to adopt the budget will be on August 22. There were questions and comments from the Council. Kirby noted that last year he had reviewed the City of Round Rock Strategic Budget Plan. He suggested Georgetown do a similar process before adopting goals. Nelon noted that Round Rock is now using citizen focus groups to assist them in balancing the budget, and they are putting less reliance on the Dell sales tax. Sansing and Nelon noted that the Georgetown staff does a super job, and it is an advantage to own our own utilties. There was further discussion comparing the Georgetown budget with the Round Rock budget. Motion by Snell, second by Sansing to add "develop and update neighborhood parks." Smith noted that River Ridge Park has no playground equipment. Approved 7-0. Motion by Snell, second by Sansing to re-evaluate how the Economic Development Budget is funded by utilities and the General Fund. Approved 7-0. Smith said Spring Valley Road has no center stripe. Briggs said it is a county road, and the City has notified them. Smith also noted that the alley in back of the Wildfire Restaurant and Palace Theatre needs to be paved. He said there are holes that hold water. He asked for property maintenance enforcement, especially in the Habitat/Old Mill area. He said there are many places that need to be spruced up. Brandenburg said the City may do an ordinance regarding inspecting rental units and enforcing parking in yards. Smith also asked if there is a historic tax exemption program, and Rundell said guidelines are being developed for the nine square block area, for qualification if the property is maintained at a certain level. Motion by Snell, second by Eason to include develop funding alternatives for housing rehabilitation/property maintenance. Approved 7-0. Eason said she had a question about budget support for the forester position. Brandenburg said Parks Budget would include what would be needed to support that position. Eason asked if there should be an evaluation of the City memberships. Brandenburg said they are explained in the budget under various different departments. Motion by Smith, second by Sansing to limit historic tax exemption to retail and restaurants. Yantis suggested using the tax exemption to ensure that the ground floor would be restaurant or retail, with residential or office on second floor. Smith and Sansing agreed to add that to their motion. There was discussion. Approved 7-0. B Presentation and possible discussion regarding the creation and implementation, of The Georgetown Citizen Academy -- Paul Brandenburg, City Manager Brandenburg explained the purpose of the program, having been developed from an employee academy. He said the purpose will be to help inform the public of city services and encourage citizens to participate in becoming members of boards, commissions, or council. 5:17 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. C 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. 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 City Council Meeting Minutes/Monday, March 27, 2006 Page 2 of 3 Pages ME - 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 - Discussion and possible action relating to the SIMON Wolf Ranch PID Assessment and the payment of same. - Discusion and possible action regarding the Del Webb/Sun City Development Agreement and the proposed Eighth Amendment (Mayor Nelon recused himself for this discussion) - Discussion and possible action regarding the audit of the franchise agreement with Cox Communications, Inc. and regarding the possible assignment to Cequel III (Cebridge Connections). ry Nelon Mayor Pro Tem Smith conducted the return to Open Session 6:21 p.m. -- returned and adjourned Adjournment The meeting was adjourned at 06:21 PM. City Council Meeting Minutes/Monday, March 27, 2006 Page 3 of 3 Pages Attest: tai Secretary Sandra Lee rviect1116 Late 1,x,'.:,3 r f Agent- *tem No.r',. STATE OF TEXAS ) CONFLICT OF INTEREST AFFIDAVIT COUNTY OF WILLIAMSON ) reside at 0 am a member of the (.! €.- (City Cauncil or name of City board, committee or commission)of the City of Georgetown, and I hereby make this affidavit and on my oath state the following: "I, and/or a person or business entity whose interest is imputed to me under Chapter 171 of the Local Government Code and/or Chapter 2.20 of the City of Georgetown Code of Ordinances, have a "substantial interest' in a business entity or in real property (as defined by Chapter 171 of the Texas Local Government Code and Sec. 2.20.020.M of the City of Georgetown Code of Ordinances) and/or an "economic interest' (as defined in Sec. 2.20.020.E of the City of Georgetown Code of Ordinances) in the matter that is identified and described on the above -referenced agenda item. "I have a conflict of interest in the above -referenced agenda matter for the following reason(s): (check all that are applicable). A. "Substantial Interest" I or a person related to me in the first or second degree have an ownership of 10% or more of the voting stock or shares of the business entity, or have an ownership of 10% or more of the fair market value of the business entity. I or a person related to me in the first or second degree have an ownership of $15,000 or more of the fair market value of the business entity. I or a person related to me in the first or second degree received funds from the business entity in excess of 10% of my/his/her gross income for the previous year. property with a fair I or a person related to me in the first or second degree have an equitable or legal ownership or interest in real property with a fair market value of $2,500 or more. B. "Economic Interest' I or a person or entity whose interest is imputed to me under Chapter 2.20 of the City of Georgetown Code of Ordinances have a legal or equitable interest in real or personal property or a fiduciary obligation to such property or contractual right in such property that is more than minimal or insignificant and would be recognized by reasonable persons to have weight in deciding a case or an issue. Co `40per" For reasons. other than those listed above, I have a conflict of interest (Please specify, e.g. Sec. 2.24.170 or other reason) "Upon filing of this affidavit with the recording secretary and/or the City Secretary, I affirm that I will abstain from all participation, discussion and voting involving the matter identified in the above -referenced agenda item whatsoever. Further, Affiant sayeth not." BEFORE ME, the undersigned authority, on this day personally appeared the above-named person who on oath stated that the facts hereinabove stated are true to the best of his/her knowledge or belief. SWORN TO AND SUBSCRIBED before me on this �;q day of SANDRA Q. LEE My OOMMISSION EXPIRES January 3, 2010 Notary Public in and for the County of Williamson THIS AFFIDAVIT SHALL BE KEPT WITH THE OFFICIAL MINUTES OF THIS MEETING. IF AFFIANT HAS CHECKED ANY OF THE ITEMS UNDER SECTION "A" RELATING TO "SUBSTANTIAL INTEREST," A COPY OF THIS AFFIDAVIT MUST ALSO BE SENT TO THE CITY SECRETARY FOR THE CITY OF GEORGETOWN. Conflict of Interest Affidavit Rev. 8/25/2004