HomeMy WebLinkAboutMIN 01.23.2006 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, Council Absent:
Patty Eason, Gabe Sansing, Doug Smith, John ;Henry Carr
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, Controller; Randy Morrow, Director of
Community Services; Kimberly Garrett, Assistant Director for Recreation and Programs; Shirley Rinn,
Administrative Assistant to the City Manager; Keith Hutchinson, Public Information Officer
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.
Policy Development/Review Workshop = Called to order at 4:05 p.m.
A Report of the Georgetown Library Foundation's plans for a Capital Campaign to raise funds for the
furnishings and amenities at the new library and discussion of options for financing those costs over a
period of years -- Eric Lashley, Library Services Director and Randy Morrow, Director of Community
Services
Lashley introduced Chair, Rich Vosburgh, who explained the progress so far by the Committee composed
of Co Chairs Clara Scarborough and Congressman John Carter and Sha Embree, Larry Franks, Shana
Gattis, Judy Griffith, Patti Hewlett, Rachel Logue, Elizabeth Lucas, Arlene Schinke, and Crystal Swain.
Vosburgh said they will soon be starting the fund raising and approaching individuals. He said there will be
a more public campaign in four or five months. Oliver asked the goal and Vosburgh said it is $7507000,
inclusive of expenses and administrative costs. He said there will be a three-year pledge timeframe. Smith
asked about naming opportunities. Vosburgh said there will be several dozen donor opportunities such as
fountains, classrooms, etc. Laurie Brewer said they have been working with the Board on a plan for
funding, where the City will upfront the costs and do an interlocal with the Foundation to reimburse over
three years. She said Architect Croslin will come back in mid-February with his list of furnishings, and the
pian is to issue debt in the fall.
B Presentation and discussion of the Draft Garey Park Masterplan -- Randy Morrow, Director of Community
Services
Morrow said they are waiting for Philip Wahnke to arrive to do the presentation. He said Council will get a
black and white copy with the color copy coming after the plan is final. Morrow noted that Mr. and Mrs.
Garey and their son ??? are in the audience and are very pleased with the plan. Morrow explained there
City Council Meeting Minutes/January 23, 2006
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will be revenue resources from the cabins, the home for special events, and a fee at the gate to help offset
maintenance. He said there will be an ampitheatre that will seat 3000 people. Wahnke used a slide
presentation to display the MasterPlan. He said there will be $14 million worth of park facilities over time.
He also gave suggested uses and possible fees that could be collected to help offset maintenance, saying
it will require a high level of maintenance. Smith asked and Wahnke told him 2,000 to 3,000 people could
be accomodated at the Garey Forum. He said there will be a monitored entrance without control in order to
allow continuous access, then collect fees at the entrance to the event. Sansing asked if the chimney at the
Ann Brown Historic site could be repaired or maintained at this point. Jack Garey, from the audience, said
they would like to go ahead and donate some advance money to the Ciy to take care of the structure now.
C Presentation and update regarding the construction of the Fire Station and Community Center -- Micki
Rundell, Director of Finance and Administration and Paul Brandenburg, City Manager
Brandenburg said due to unforeseeen circumstances there are excess costs and the budget is insufficient
at this time to take care of these facilities. He said everything that can be scaled back, has been. He said
there has been a rise in material costs, increased demand for steel from southeast Asia, and increased fuel
costs. He also said the Austin area growth is taking away the workforce, so it is expected that the cost will
continue to increase and then plateau, but not come down.
Fire Station #1 was budgeted in 05/06 by Croslin & Associates, but there were some site issues unknown at
that time. Brandenburg said there were existing stormwater and flooding issues in the neighborhood and
TCEQ and the UDC requirements will create the need to do more abatement. He said the proximity to the
neighborhood requires a landscape buffer and masonry is required for the structure by the UDC. He said
the new codes require an extensive exhaust system, a generator and a metal roof. He noted that the City
will need to follow the exact same standards as the rest of the community. He said the cost was originally
$1.9 million, but now for construction, the need an additional $553,000.
He said regarding the Community Center, the voters approved $1.6 million, but the construction bids came
in at $1.8 million. He said he feels there is a commitment to the community to complete both of these
projects.
The excess funds will allow $1 million to pay for these projects and there are two other issues that need to
be done. One is signalization at Inner Loop and County Road 151, and the other is participation in the
Austin -San Antonio Rail District.
He said there will be an Agenda item tomorrow night to approve allocation requests and amend the 05/06
budget.
There were questions and comments.
D Overview and discussion regarding possible usage and appropriation of 2004/05 General Funds year-end
excess fund balance -- Micki Rundell, Director of Finance and Administration and Paul Brandenburg, City
Manager
Rundell explained that the reason we have the $1 million is because of conservative revenue projections,
and funds not apropriated. She said sales and property taxes were greater than anticipated and a greater
return on investment because of a very hot summer, and therefore, increased water and electricity revenue.
She listed the options for the excess funds.
5:00 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.
E 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
- Consideration and possible action to retain the legal services of Varnum, Riddering, Schmidt & Howlett, LLP, attorneys
at law, to represent the City in discussions related to the transfer and renegotiation of the cable television franchise from
Cox to Cebridge.
F Sec.551.086 Competitive Matters
- Consideration and possible action to renew the contract, between the City of Georgetown and Flowers Construction
Company, L.P., for electric system maintenance and construction services and Electric System Construction Trenching
City Council Meeting Minutes/January 23, 2006
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and Conduit Installation for FY2006 - Mike Mayben, Energy Services Manager
5:25 p.m. -- adjourned
The meeting was adjourned at 05:25 PM.
ayorary Nelon
City Council Meeting Minutes/January 23, 2006
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City Secretary Sandra Lee