Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAboutMIN 07.11.2000 CC-RThe City Council of the City of Georgetown, Texas, met in Regular Session on the above date with Mayor MaryEllen Kersch presiding. Council Present: Ferd Tonn, Lee Bain, Susan Hoyt, Llorente Navarrette, Clark Lyda, Sam Pfiester, Charles "Noss" Burson (On July 12, 2000) /1 Council Absent: Charles "Hoss" Burson (on July 11, 2000) taff Present: eorge Russell, City Manager, Marianne Banks, City Attorney, Cathy Riedel, Assistant ity Attorney, Sandra Lee, City Secretary (absent July 12, 2000), Shirley J. Rinn )eputy City Secretary - present on July 12, 2000), Ed Barry, Director of Development ervices, David Morgan, Chief of Police, Roland Waits, Police Department, Tom antis, Director of Information Resources, Verna Browning, Director of Community ervices, Micki Rundell, Director of Finance, Terry Jones, Purchasing Director, Travis IcLain, Airport Manager FRIMMINNUM =67 Status Report on Staffing and Service Level in Development Services -- Ed Barry Barry gave Council an outline of the vacant positions and those being filled. He noted that the Building Inspection Department is back to staff level, but will require a period of training. He noted that a more streamlined version of project reports will be necessary due to the lack of staff. He predicted applications would be required to be more complete and deadlines will need to be met. He said the vacancies will be filled as soon as eligible candidates can be found. He said he expects to have the positions filled by December or January. Russell asked Council to make their contacts through Ed Barry and the City Manager's Office in order to coordinate the work load of the staff. Presentation concerning a County -wide law enforcement training facility -- David Morgan Morgan expressed the need for adequate training sites for shooting and driving training. He described a master plan approach using 120+ acres adjacent to the Williamson County landfill to be donated by the County as their share of the cost. He noted that funding would be provided by each law enforcement agency at a rate of $1500 per commissioned officer. Morgan estimated Georgetown's share at approximately $75,000 to $80,000. Agencies who opt in as a partner will have decision-making ability on the governing board to be established. 6:17 p.m. recessed for Executive Session 7:53 p.m. returned to Open Session City Council Meeting Minutes/July 11, 2000 Page 1 of 7 Pages C Sec.551.071 consultation with attorney D Sec.551.072 deliberation on real property - Grace Church - Offering surplus land for construction of affordable housing - Acquisition of Property to be Used for Parking Lot - Update on Acquisition of Property to be Used for City Facilities E Sec.551.074 personnel matters - Discussion of job descriptions for City Attorney and City Manager Regular Session F Action from Executive Session There was no action taken at this time. G Comments from Mayor regarding the following items: - Opening Comments and Welcome to Audience Mayor welcomed the audience and gave a brief outline of meeting procedures. - Reminder of Upward Bound Family Picnic in San Gabriel Park on July 16 Mayor invited representatives from Upward Bound to announce the Family Festival. H Citizens Wishing to Address the Council and Responses from Councilmembers and/or Staff, if appropriate - John Costello of Belton regarding opposition to a regional airport at Robert Gray Army Airfield; in favor of a regional airport at Draughon Miller Airport in Temple Mr. Costello was not in attendance. - Robert Seamans regarding a change in policy regarding payment to lifeguards. Seamans of 104 Southcross Road thanked Russell for helping the lifeguards get the bonuses they were promised. He explained the bonus proposal and told Council he thinks it was intentional and that the City was purposely trying to cheat the teenagers out of the promised bonuses. Kersch said she felt it was a lack of communication rather than an intentional effort on the part of the City to cheat the lifeguards out of their bonuses. Public hearing regarding the feasibility of the creation of the Cimarron Hills Public Improvement District and receipt of report of consultants in connection therewith. -- Marianne Banks Banks introduced Garry Kimball of First Southwest Company, the City's financial adviser, who explained that the reason for the public improvement district was to finance infrastructure improvements for the subdivision. Kimball said he believes the appropriate due diligence has been performed to ensure that the City is not financially liable. Kersch re -confirmed that the City has no financial responsibility to "make good" on the bonds. Banks also introduced Carol Palumbo of McCall, Parkhurst and Horton, the City's bond counsel, who, with Kimball, answered questions from Councilmember Lyda. Micki Rundell noted that it would be necessary to do a "continuance" of this hearing at an August Council Meeting. J Consideration of approval of the minutes for the Regular Council Meeting of June 27, 2000 -- Sandra Lee Lyda suggested that the minutes reflect that three councilmembers abstained from Item W on page 5. Although the vote shows that the item was approved 3-0. He said the fact that Hoyt, Pfiester, and Lyda abstained should be noted. Navarrette asked that the words "if it was possible" be added to what he said regarding the non-opaque fence in Item T. K Consideration of authorizing the purchase of a 40KW emergency generator for Fire Station No. 4 from the Houston Galveston Area Council in the amount of $18,465.84 -- Terry Jones and Micki Rundell City Council Meeting Minutes/July 11, 2000 Page 2 of 7 Pages L Consideration of authorizing the purchase of single-phase electric meters retrofitted with electric ERTs and water system ERTs to C3 Communications, Inc. in the amount of $175,000.00 -- Terry Jones and Jim Briggs Pfiester asked if the water meters actually worked well. Briggs explained that the City is reading and billing off the meters right now. He noted there had initially been a problem that was solved by adding additional units. Pfiester questioned the reason for purchasing at this time. Jim Briggs responded with an explanation for the need. M Consideration and possible action on an award of bid to McLean Construction for construction of the Sequoia Spur/- Berry Creek and the County Road 151 12 -Inch Water Line Projects, in the amount of $545,202.70 -- William Adams and Jim Briggs N Update report on the status of the 2000/01 budget process -- Micki Rundell Hoyt asked Rundell to give a verbal summary. Rundell said the budget workbooks would be available to Council on Wednesday afternoon. She announced that the work sessions would begin on Monday, July 17 at 5:30 p.m. and continue Tuesday, and Wednesday. Motion by Tonn, second by Bain to approve the Consent Agenda with the corrections to the minutes. Approved 6-0. (Burson absent) O Consideration of a request from the Georgetown Area Community Foundation for land to establish a family resource center -- Verna Browning Browning introduced Rick Eason, who introduced Foundation Board Members Norm Peters, Camy Garey, Jim Haskell, and Barbara Brightwell. Eason said the vision is that there be a "home" for charitable organizations in Georgetown. Eason did a slide presentation that included a concept plan. He said they are asking the City for land, planning, utility infrastructure, and code applications. He said they would like a "mid -town" presence. At Navarrette's question, Eason responded that each organization that would be a part of the center has different missions and goals, but could share information and data bases so as to reduce costs and enable more efficiency. Navarrette asked how it would be determined which organizations would become a part of the center. Eason said the board would look at any organization that would be interested in being "co -located." When asked by Kersch, Eason said the board would like to work with the City Manager to locate a piece of property in the downtown area. P First Reading of an ordinance codifying the Youth Advisory Board -- Murray Blackman and George Russell Kersch noted that Items P and Q would not be handled at this meeting. Kersch said many good applicants had been interviewed by the Council Subcommittee on Youth composed of Kersch, Pfiester, and Navarrette. She suggested that Council should do a Saturday workshop sometime in early August. She said the Council Subcommittee would like to create an organization for the students that included community services in exchange for activities for the teens. She asked Navarrette to explain the reactions they received to his question of what the youth are facing in Georgetown today. Navarrette listed lack of activities in Georgetown, drug and alcohol abuse, and peer pressure as the priorities voiced by the teens. Pfiester noted that all fifteen of the students that were interviewed should be involved. He suggested that a youth coordinator be included in the City budget. Kersch suggested that Items P and Q be deferred until after a Saturday workshop could be held. When asked to comment, Russell agreed it sounded possible. Q Consideration of the appointment of four people to the Youth Advisory Board -- MaryEllen Kersch Motion by Pfiester, second by Navarrefte to defer Items P and Q. Approved 6-0. R First Reading of an ordinance to add two personal holidays for City employees -- Pablo Holguin and George Russell Russell told Council that this item is a follow-up to the workshop at the last Council Meeting, saying this would be a quick method of offering a perk to employees. He compared the City holidays to County holidays. He noted that adding personal holidays would allow employees to choose when they preferred to be away from work. He said personal holidays would allow the City to remain open and still allow those who wished to be gone for special days such as Veterans' Day, President's Day, and Good Friday. Lyda questioned and Navarrette suggested delaying the additional holidays before the next budget year. Russell noted that Council has the ability to revise the proposed ordinance. Navarrette suggested the additional City Council Meeting Minutes/July 11, 2000 Page 3 of 7 Pages holidays should be added in the next budget year. He asked if any other benefits would be offered in the next budget year. Russell said this would be the only component affecting "leave time" other than an adjustment in the vacation allowed between the employment of 10 years and 20 years. When asked for a cost comparison Micki Rundell said there is no specific cost to be attributed to that. She said if the City is closed for a specific holiday, the cost would be $10,000 to $12,000. Motion by Lyda, second by Bain to approve with the modification of only one additional holiday during the current fiscal year and beginning with the new fiscal year, two additional personal holidays would be added. Approved (6-0.) S Consider authorizing an expenditure of $15,940.00 from Council Contingency for separation of the Library public access computers from the City's primary computer network -- Verna Browning and Tom Yantis Yantis told Council that this is a security item for Informational Resources and an additional service for the Library patrons. He said currently what the citizens can do is limited to City security requirements. He explained that the separation would provide a separate network that would allow the city organization network to be protected from viruses or intrusion by unauthorized users. Lyda asked if this expenditure could possibly wait until next budget year. Russell stated that the contingency fund is currently a little over $30,000. Bain agreed that this expenditure should wait until next budget year. Yantis noted that the Library Foundation is aware of the issue and asked that the City be asked to address the expense. Tonn asked Browning if the Foundation would be interested in paying half of the expense. Browning offered to propose that to the Library Foundation at their next meeting. Motion by Lyda, second by Bain to defer this item to the proposed budget. Approved (6-0). T Consideration of the selection of an airport terminal building design from the two options of a new terminal building or a remodel/addition building -- Travis McLain and Verna Browning Kersch asked McLain who provided the estimates on the terminal. He said that Tom Nichols asked the contractor, Steve Richmond to provide the estimates. Lyda questioned the estimated costs provided by White, Dolce, Barr on Fire Station No. 4. Russell explained that half of the difference was due to the addition of space for emergency medical technicians and an increase in construction costs over a year and a half. Lyda questioned the fee for the design. Browning said the decision to use that particular firm was because they were already under contract for the work on the fire station. She noted that the design brought forward on this item is somewhat different from the one brought by Clark Thurmond at a previous Council Meeting. Pfiester noted that Nichols is charging less than half of the charge proposed by White, Dolce, Barr. He said he is excited about preserving the original terminal. Tonn questioned the whether the expenses incurred by White,Dolce & Barr would be eligible for the reimbursement from the Texas Department of Transportation. McClain confirmed that it would not be eligible since only the architect who does the design would be eligible and they will have to go back and get another architect. Tonn wanted to know where the additional money would come from and Travis said it would come out of the Airport's additional reserves. Glen Watkins deferred his time to Guggamos. Guggamos told Council about the Board's efforts to solicit input for a new terminal building. He said the 2800 square feet was arrived at carefully. He said he feels the proposed remodel is not large enough. He said he feels to expand the remodel to the same square footage would cost more than a new building would cost. He said the majority of the Airport Board feels that the new terminal is best. Tonn asked if there would be room to build the new facility north of the existing terminal. McLain said it would involve destroying a large oak tree. Tonn said the current building is not worth rehabilitation. Guggamos suggested finding a new location for the new building. Lyda said he attended most of the Airport Board Meetings when the issue was being discussed and he was concerned that the Board was not interested in using the old building. He said the building had started out at 3800 to 4000 square feet and was reduced down to the 2800 square feet. He noted that the airport would not be expanded in the future and therefore more room would not be needed. He indicated the airport board had been talking about shrinking some of its services. Lyda talked about the pros and cons of rehabilitating the old building, but feels like in this case, rehabilitation of the old terminal building is warranted. Hoyt noted she is worried about the size. She said she could see making a museum out of the old building. Kersch asked Council if they intended to "grow the airport." Pfiester said he thought the facility would be more than adequate. McLain said he has no favorite, but would like for Council to make a decision tonight so something can be started. McLain said the contractors will carefully bid the construction and if the bids come in too high, the Council can consider that. Bain said he has never seen many people in the terminal. McLain said most of the time it's quite crowded with pilots. Navarrette said the building is very distinctive and worth preserving. Kersch thanked McLain and the Airport Board for their efforts. City Council Meeting Minutes/July 11, 2000 Page 4 of 7 Pages Motion by Pfiester, second by Bain to approve the Nichols design to make renovations and additions as noted with the ability for future expansion. Approved 5-1. (Tonn opposed) (Burson absent) 10:20 p.m. recessed to be continued on Wednesday evening at 7:00 p.m. 7:03 p.m. called to order on July 12, 2000 U Consideration and possible action on recommendations relating to the newly created City of Georgetown Economic Development Commission, regarding creation of a position specified for a representative from the Downtown Business District, authorizing the appointment of a facilitator to assist the City Manager in establishing the Economic Development Commission, authorizing the advertisement for volunteers to assist the Economic Development Commission at their request, and expanding the Business -at -Large category to include service -related industries -- MaryEllen Kersch There was discussion amongst the Council regarding adding additional positions on the Economic Development Commission to include the service industries and the Downtown Business District. There was also discussion amongst the council regarding whether or not a facilitator needed to be appointed for the Commission until a Director was hired for the Economic Development Division. The general consensus of the council was that if the Commission chooses to appoint a facilitator that was up to the commission. There was further discussion about the makeup of the commission, the size of the commission, and the importance of having a representation from the Downtown Business District, whose needs may not be necessarily represented by the retail category. Motion by Lyda, second by Bain to amend the economic development commission criteria to add 2 categories to the 7 business at large categories to make 9 categories from which 5 members can be drawn to include the service industry and the Downtown Business District and to also authorize the City Manager, if requested to do so by the Economic Development Commission, to name a facilitator to assist them in their task. Approved (7-0) V Consideration and possible action on appointments to the City of Georgetown Economic Development Commission -- MaryEllen Kersch Mayor clarified her criteria for her recommendations and discussed conflict of interest issues and why she didn't eliminate any candidates because anyone could at some point have the appearance of having a conflict. She thinks it is important to have people who have experience. There was a lengthy discussion amongst the council regarding "conflicts of interest" and the "perception" of conflict of interest. There was also discussion regarding the need for this commission to have a "buy -in" and trust of the citizens of this community in order for it to be successful. The council talked at length regarding the pros and cons of including Industrial Foundation board members and/or officers on the Economic Development Commission. The council talked about the experience and knowledge that Industrial Foundation members could bring to the commission. There was also a discussion regarding the ethics ordinance. there was a concern among council members that there might be a "serving of two masters" if someone had dual roles on the Economic Development Commission as well as an Industrial Foundation. Citizen Jim Brown also addressed the council and discussed the "buy -in" of the citizens. The council discussed the possibility of prohibiting board members and/or officers from serving on the Economic Development Commission for a period of time prior to their appointment to the commission. Recessed at 8:30 p.m. Called to order at 8:53 p.m. There was further discussion regarding the possibility of conflicts of interest and/or the appearance of conflicts. Citizen Katherine Heideman addressed the council and said that she feels that disclosure by the Georgetown Industrial Foundation of its contributors would help the situation. Councilmember Bain suggested that we appoint associate members and/or advisors to the commission. These members would not be voting members, but would be able to offer their assistance as volunteers to the commission. There was discussion amongst the council about the possibility of adding ad hoc members to the commission. City Council Meeting Minutes/July 11, 2000 Page 5 of 7 Pages Citizen Jim Dillard said that he likes Bain's ideas because there are some very qualified individuals that have been nominated, but he isn't sure that they can speak for the citizens. Jim said that he feels like the commission will have to rely on people who are the citizens of Georgetown and understand where the city wants to go. There was a discussion as to which nominees had connections with the Georgetown Industrial Foundation. Once the current positions are filled, there will still be three positions open on the Economic Development Commission. The Mayor will fill the three remaining positions at a later date. Motion by Lyda, second by Bain to approve the following nominations David McLaughlin - GISD Representative Johnny Lacy - Financial Representative Bill Jones - Southwestern University Representative F. Scott LaGrone - Tourism and Lodging Daniel Vasquez - Downtown Business District Representative David Hays - Williamson County Representative Paula Boggs - Manufacturing Representative Gordon Baker - Chamber of Commerce Representative Will Moore - Citizen at Large Representative Clark Thurmond - ad hoc Representative Bill Connor -ad hoc Representative and to establish a non-voting ad hoc membership category and appoint Bill Conner and Clark Thurmond to those positions, and to invite Jim Mills, Mark Dixon and Tim Harris as ad hoc members*; and that a criterion for membership to the Economic Development Commission be that no current member of the Board of Directors, Officers or employees of the City's current or past Industrial Recruitment Contractor shall be qualified to serve on the Economic Development Commission for a period of one year after the termination of their board membership or their service as an officer or employee and that members of the Economic Development Commission shall not serve as an officer, board member, or employee of the City's Industrial Recruitment Contractor during their service on the Commission, as well as for a period of one (1) year of leaving their service on the Economic Development Commission. *as corrected by Mayor MaryEllen Kersch on August 8, 2000, Citizen Jim Brown made comment to council regarding people who submit bids related to industrial recruitment as to whether or not they should be prohibited from serving. (7-0) Approved George Russell suggested that the timetable after the 1 st meeting of the Commission to be adjusted. W Consideration and possible action regarding policy direction to staff regarding electric deregulation preparations -- Jim Briggs Motion by Tonn, second by Hoyt to defer Item W to the first meeting in August, 2000. Approved (7-0) X Consideration of a resolution appointing directors to the Georgetown Enrichment Corporation (formerly Georgetown 4B, Inc.) board of directors to conform to the appointment schedule as set forth in the corporation bylaws and articles of incorporation -- Cathy Riedel and Marianne Banks Discussion between council and Marianne Banks as to the need for reappointment of the Board of Directors, as well as the purpose of the Georgetown Enrichment Corporation. George Russell also talked to council about the need to prepare a charge for the Georgetown Enrichment Corporation and that transportation issues will probably be the first charge for the Board. Motion by Hoyt, Second by Pfiester to approve a resolution appointing directors to the Georgetown Enrichment Corporation (formerly Georgetown 4B, Inc.) board of directors to conform to the appointment schedule as set forth in the coporate bylaws and articles of incorporation. Approved (7-0) Y Consideration of clarification and/or revision of Council Policy, and/or directive to Staff to revise pertinent ordinances(s), regarding requirements for individual Councilmembers to place items on the Council Agenda -- Clark Lyda and Llorente Navarrette City Council Meeting Minutes/July 11, 2000 Page 6 of 7 Pages Council discussed at length the revision to the City's ordinance to allow one councilmember with the approval of the mayor or two councilmembers to place an item on the agenda and the current procedures regarding placing an item on the agenda. recessed at 10:00 p.m. 10:15 p.m. called to order Motion by Lyda, Second by Navarrette to amend Section 2.24.020 of the Code of Ordinances at the request of the mayor, a councilmember, or the City Manager to place an item on the agenda. Approved (6-1). (Hoyt Opposed ) Marianne Banks asked the council to revisit the timeframe for councilmembers to turn their items due to time constraints for completing the agenda packets. Motion amended by Lyda, Second by Navarette to request that agenda items be turned into the City Secretary in final form for the Agenda by 5:00 p.m. on the Tuesday prior to the next council meeting. Approved (7-0) Z Discussion and consideration of information received at the July 6, 2000 Town Meeting, and determination of process for future action as a result of that information -- Lee Bain and MaryEllen Kersch Bain talked about the presentations and citizen comments presented at the Town Meeting. The Council went on to discuss the various issues of concern, and what direction the City should move from this point. The Council committed to establishing a citizens committee to review the need for transportation, parks, library and facilities needs and possible funding required for needed projects. There was further discussion amongst the council as to criteria for choosing the committee members. Council also discussed at length the need for a feasibility study to look at the need for a new library. Citizen Ken Evans addressed the council about set aside an amount of money each year for pot holes, gutters, curbs, infrastructure in Old Georgetown. Bain is to bring an agenda item to council regarding the appointment of and charge to a citizen committee regarding transportation, parks, library and facility needs. 10:55 p.m. recessed to Executive Session. Motion by Navarrette to Adjourn at 11:15 p.m. The meeting was adjourned at 11:15 PM. Approved : ayor MaryEllen Kersch City Council Meeting Minutes/July 11, 2000 Page 7 of 7 Pages Attest: