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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMIN 06.27.2000 CC-RThe City Council of the City of Georgetown, Texas, met in Regular Session on the above date with Mayor presiding. Charles "Noss" Burson, Ferd Tonn, Susan I Lee Bain Hoyt, Clark Lyda, Sam Pfiester, Llorente Navarrette Staff Present: George Russell, Assistant City Manager; Marianne Banks, City Attorney; Sandra D. Lee, City Secretary; Tom Yantis, Director of Information Resources; Jim Briggs, Director of Community -Owned Utilities; Micki Rundell, Director of Finance and Administration; Verna Browning; Pablo Holguin, Director of Employment and Organizational Services; Ed Barry, Chief of Development Services; Anthony Lincoln, Director of Fire Services; Laurie Brewer, Senior Accountant; and Wendy Walsh, Development Planner InT Called to order at 5:35 p.m. A Evaluation of the City's competitive position regarding retention and recruitment of competent staff -- City of Georgetown Division Directors Russell noted that Georgetown is in the third fastest growing county in the country. He said the top ten firms in Austin created over 18,000 jobs last year, 9,000 of those jobs were for Dell. Ed Barry noted that resignations have been received recently from Wendy Walsh, Scott Ingalls, and Clyde von Rosenberg. Laurie Brewer gave an overview of the information collected through employee focus groups. Tom Yantis gave a report on 27 comparison cities. Russell closed with a variety of options and estimated costs. 6:50 p.m. recessed for Executive Session Resumed at 8:02 p.m. B Sec.551.071 consultation with attorney - Code enforcement update C Sec.551.072 deliberation on real property - Grace Church - Acquisition of Property to be Used for Parking Lot - Update on Acquisition of Property to be Used for City Facilities City Council Meeting Minutes/June 27, 2000 Page 1 of 6 Pages Regular Session Called to order at 8:02 p.m. D Action from Executive Session E Comments from Mayor regarding the following items: - Opening Comments and Welcome to Audience Kersch welcomed the audience and gave a brief outline of the meeting procedures. Announcement of Town Hall Meeting on July 6 at the Community Center at 6:00 p.m. Kersch invited the audience to attend the Town Hall Meeting. F Citizens Wishing to Address the Council and Responses from Councilmembers and/or Staff, if appropriate 1. Alan Johnson requesting a sewer system in Serenada Johnson was not in attendance. 2. James Bryan regarding gratitude to the Council for the stormwater drainage improvements in San Gabriel Heights Bryan noted that three years ago he had explained to Council that there were drainage problems in San Gabriel Heights. He said the improvements have been done and are excellent. He said he appreciated Jim Briggs and Mark Miller. 3. Rick Gitter on behalf of the Palace Theatre requesting a portion of the hotel/motel tax to be allocated to the Palace Theatre Gitter gave Council an overview of the activities at the Theatre that bring people to downtown Georgetown. He requested that the Council allocate a portion of the hotel/motel tax to the Palace. 4. Gerry Anderson regarding (1) welfare of the City and policies, (2) citizenship, (3) violation of Open Meetings Act/violation of the intent and spirit of the law, (4) Executive Session abuses, (5) improper conduct and conflict of interest of Councilmembers; (6) citizen communication and the Constitution of the United States. Anderson said he is a citizen of Georgetown, though not a resident. He complimented the city staff and services. He said that certain city documents he wished to review were not available at the Library. He made accusations against Councilmember Lyda and Mayor Kersch. Kersch asked him to be more specific in the future in the listing of his items for the agenda posting. G Consideration of approval of the minutes for the Regular Council Meeting of June 13, 2000 -- Sandra Lee H Consideration of a contract with Williamson County in the amount of $60,000 for rural fire protection services -- Anthony Lincoln Lyda asked and Lincoln gave details about the contract. Lincoln noted that if Georgetown didn't participate in this contract, the City would not be able to participate in the Councy Hazmat Program. Consideration of an award of annual bid for office supplies to Boise Cascade in the estimated amount of $31,000.00 -- Terry Jones and Micki Rundell J Consideration of an award of annual bid for Flexible Base Material and ASTM Sand to Georgetown Railroad Company in the estimated amount of $60,510.00 -- Terry Jones and Jim Briggs K Consideration of an award of annual bid for water and wastewater pipe and fittings to various bidders in the estimated amount of $76,230.00 -- Terry Jones and Jim Briggs L Consideration of authorizing staff to sell scrap aluminum wire to Austin Metal and Iron Company, Inc. in the estimated amount of $550.00 -- Terry Jones and Micki Rundell M Consideration of a Public Review Final Plat of 447.71 acres in the A. Porter Survey, to be known as Phase 1 of The Planned Unit Development of Cimarron Hills, located 7.8 miles west of Georgetown on SH29 -- Scott Ingalls and Ed Barry City Council Meeting Minutes/June 27, 2000 Page 2 of 6 Pages N Consideration of a Short Form Record Final Plat of the Resubdivision of 0.79 acres in Shell's Addition, Block 18, located at 603 E. 7th Street, with Variances to the Subdivision Regulations -- Wendy Walsh and Ed Barry Navarrette asked and Walsh responded regarding the City's obligation to provide water and sewer, saying the owner will need to provide an 8" wastewater line and a 2" water line before the plat may be recorded. O Consideration of a Public Review Final Plat of 37.86 acres in the Woodruff Stubblefield Survey, to be known as White Rock Estates, Phase Two, located along CR 106, with Variances to the Subdivision Regulations -- Wendy Walsh and Ed Barry P Consideration of a resolution to authorize a License to Encroach into a seven and one-half (7 1/2) foot drainage easement on Lot 44, Block A, Berry Creek, Section Eleven, Phase Three, Amended, located at 408 Champions Drive -- Jim Babcock and Ed Barry Q Consideration of termination, effective June 30, 2000, of the FY99/00 Funding Agreement between the City of Georgetown and Williamson -Burnet County Opportunities and approval of a funding agreement between the City of Georgetown and the Williamson County Crisis Center, for crisis center services to be provided from July 1, 2000, until September 30, 2000 -- Verna Browning Navarrette asked why the entity was splitting. Browning explained the split is due to the rapid growth of the service area. R Consideration and possible action to approve an amendment to the City's Wholesale Power Agreement with the Lower Colorado River Authority(LCRA) -- Mike Mayben and Jim Briggs Motion by Pfiester, second by Tonn to approve the Consent Agenda, with Tonn abstaining from Item J. Approved 6-0. (Bain absent.) =0 mm LE jO •. S Proclamation honoring and presentation from Upward Bound Project Outreach Team of Southwestern University -- MaryEllen Kersch The Upward Bound students gave a presentation for Council regarding their organization and an upcoming Family Festival on July 16 in San Gabriel Park that they are sponsoring in order to provide an affordable activity for families in Georgetown. Kersch read and presented a proclamation to the students. T Consideration of a Variance to the Subdivision Regulations for the Woods at Berry Creek, Phase One, Block P, Lot 1, located at 100 Brentwood Drive -- Wendy Walsh and Ed Barry Walsh noted that this variance is for a 6 -foot fence at the property line along Las Colinas Drive. She said the Planning and Zoning Commission is in support of the variance, but three Planning and Zoning commissioners have encouraged the installation of a non-opaque fence such as wrought iron. She said that staff does not recommend approval because the fence would reduce visibility to another lot. Navarrette asked *if it was a possibility to make the non-opaque fence a condition of the variance. Pfiester said the owners prefer that the fence be a privacy fence, saying there are several other similar fences in that neighborhood. *(as corrected by Navarrette at the July 11, 2000 Council Meeting) Ray Conlan, 100 Brentwood Drive, the applicant, said he is requesting the variance in order to put up a fence to provide a "safe haven" for his young children. Motion by Burson, second by Pfiester to approve the variance. Approved 6-0. U Economic Development 1. Consideration and action on recommendations relating to the newly -created City of Georgetown Economic Development Commission regarding creation of a position specified for a represenatative from the Downtown Business District, authorization to appoint 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 City Council Meeting Minutes/June 27, 2000 Page 3 of 6 Pages Kersch asked that Council add a representative for the Downtown Business District; authorize City Manager to appoint a facilitator; compile a list of volunteers to assist the Economic Development Commission; and expand the business -at -large category to include service -related industries. Pfiester said he thinks the timeline for the process is "too aggressive" and asked that this item be deferred. Lyda also said that the decision should be deferred. Kathy Heidemann, 407 Golden Oaks, said Council needs to give direction to the Commission. She said she would prefer that the City match private funding, and that if the Commission chooses to do otherwise, they would need to explain to the public when projects fail. Lyda noted that the Commission, as its first mission, is to determine policy development. Della Green, 1901 Vine Street, asked if her councilmember had a chance to make appointments to the commission and asked about the boardmember selection committee method of making appointments. Kersch explained the Charter provision concerning the appointment of committee members. Gerry Anderson, 1551 G.R. 104, said he didn't see any minorities on the list. Mayor told him there are two minorities on the list. He noted there have been a number of businesses that have contributed to sales tax and created jobs, but no companies have applied in the last year to come to Georgetown. He emphasized that information about real estate and finances needs to remain confidential. Motion by Pfiester, second by Navarrette to defer Item U-1. Approved 6-0. 2. Consideration and action on nominations to the City of Georgetown Economic Development Commission -- MaryEllen Kersch Kersch outlined the process she had followed, listed the criteria she used in her selection of nominees, and named her recommendations. Navarrette said he would prefer to defer this item and appoint a committee to further interview and select nominees. Motion by Navarrette to defer. Kersch told Navarrette that a nominating committee would not be allowed according to the Charter. She said the committee could interview her nominees but could not nominate a slate of their own. Lyda said the Council needs to know the people that are being appointed and that is why he submitted the next agenda item. He seconded Navarrette's motion. Tonn said he didn't feel comfortable having members of the Georgetown Industrial Foundation serve on the commission that would choose the industrial recruitment contractor. Kersch asked and Banks responded that since the Georgetown Industrial Foundation is a non-profit corporation, there should be no conflict of interest. Kersch called for the vote. Approved 6-0. 3. Consideration of adopting a process and criteria for the appointment of 12 members to the newly -formed Economic Development Commission of the City of Georgetown, and consideration of appointing a Board and Commission Inerview Committee -- Clark Lyda and Llorente Navarrette Lyda suggested that a subcommittee be appointed to interview applicants. Kersch stated that due to the Charter, the Council would not be able to interview any other applicants than the ones she had nominated. Banks was asked to clarify and said if the Mayor's recommendations were voted down, then the Council could interview other people, but the Charter provision says the Council will deal with the Mayor's recommendations. There was a dispute over the process to be used. Banks gave specific instructions as to how the procedure would need to be handled. Banks suggested it be a committee of the whole, but the quorum rule could be waived. Motion by Lyda, second by Navarrette that the Council appoint a standing board and commission interview committee of the entire Council to interview the Mayor's recommended appointments for boards and commissions. In the event of failure of the Mayor's recommendations, the committee would interview other applicants and the Council would waive the quorum requirement for this committee. Kersch noted that Council did not act on adding a thirteenth position. Banks clarified that it was a part of the Mayor's recommendation. Hoyt suggested turning down the current list of nominees, calling for applicants, and scheduling interviews. It was determined that because Council had deferred the item, Council could put it back on the agenda and handle it, but decided instead to vote on the motion . Approved 5-1. (Burson opposed) City Council Meeting Minutes/June 27, 2000 Page 4 of 6 Pages 9:52 p.m. recess - resumed at 10:10 p.m. V Consideration and discussion of a report from the Downtown Business District Design Steering Committee regarding their progress and future direction -- Clyde von Rosenberg and Ed Barry Renee Hanson, Chair of the Downtown Business District Design Steering Committee, gave an overview of the Committee's charge, mission statement, and boundaries. She introduced Committee Member and Architect, Tom Nichols, who distributed a draft design guidelines booklet that might, he said, at some time in the future be used by a consultant to get started. Kersch thanked Nichols and the other members of the community for their efforts. Hanson explained the difference between her committee and the Economic Restructuring Committee, saying they are doing complimentary activities. Delia Green, 1901 Vine, said she appreciates the work that the Design Steering Committee is doing. She asked the Council to take into consideration the traffic, the view corridor, and the zoning in relation to the TRG Neighborhood. 10:24 p.m. - recessed to Executive Session 10:50 p.m. - returned to Open Session W Consideration of a report from the Main Street Advisory Board Economic Restructuring Committee and consideration and approval of a request from the Main Street Advisory Board to provide a consultant to determine a marketing strategy -- Debbie Charbonneau and Verna Browning Browning introduced Virginia Stubbs, Chair for the Economic Restructuring Committee, who gave Council an overview of the purpose of the committee. She told Council that the Committee has chosen Tom Moriarity as the consultant that would be able to assist the Committee with a marketing strategy. She asked that Council approve the expenditure of up to $52,000 for a consultant. Motion by Navarrette, second by Burson to approve the expenditure of up to $52,000 for a consultant to assist with maintaining the downtown character of Georgetown. Navarrette thanked the committee for their service. Banks asked that the approval be subject to approval of the agreement by the City Attorney. Russell asked that Council add that the funds would need to come from the Council Contingency Fund, noting that the Contingency Fund is currently at approximately $85,000. Navarrette added to his motion that the funds would come from the Council Contingency Fund and the agreement with the consultant would be subject to the approval of the City Attorney. Kersch noted that this shows that there is even more reason for a representative of the downtown business district on the economic development commission. Approved 3-0. *(Hoyt, Lyda, and Pfiester abstained) *(as corrected by Lyda at the July 11, 2000 Council Meeting.) X Consideration of a report on Public Information Act requests and costs to the City of Georgetown -- Marianne Banks Banks noted that the information she provided to them reflects only the time spent in her office on open records requests by a paralegal and does not include time spent by an attorney on each request. She noted a significant increase in requests in the current budget year. She explained the procedure in charging for copies. Navarrette suggested that hiring a public information officer might assist with this process. Y Consideration of an update report on the status of the 2000(01 budget process -- Micki Rundell Rundell reported that the staff is working on revenue projections. She said the preliminary estimated fund available is $1.4 million. She said Council will receive their packages for review on July 12, with the public sessions scheduled to begin on July 17. Z Consideration of an update report on revenue collection for Special Improvement Project (SIP) fees related to the Del Webb Development and Escalera Ranch Development Agreements -- Micki Rundell Rundell reported that $12.6 million has come in so far from from Del Webb. She said no fees have been collected yet for the Escalera Development, but 30 units will be billed before the end of the year. AA Presentation of the results of the HDR Engineering Transportation Study and Report -- Mark Miller and Jim Briggs Briggs introduced Gary Foyt of HDR Engineering who explained the study. He noted that the study also included Georgetown's extra -territorial jurisdiction. He defined "level of service" as it pertained to the study results for Georgetown and gave Council a financial analysis for the cost of short- and long-term improvements for a total amount needed of approximately $137,000,000. BB Presentation regarding consideration of approval of an interlocal agreement with the Texas Department of Transportation and other regional entities in participation and development of a Regional Mobility System for creation and implementation of High Occupancy Vehicle (HOV) lanes and other alternatives for City Council Meeting Minutes/June 27, 2000 Page 5 of 6 Pages commuter traffic in the future -- Clyde von Rosenberg and Ed Barry Briggs introduced Ernie Martinez of the Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) who introduced Ginger Giddings of the Texas Traffic Institute who distributed a booklet and did a presentation that explained mobility strategies, including HOV lanes. Martinez asked Council to allow staff from the City of Georgetown to work with TxDOT on this issue. He noted that Cedar Park, Pflugerville, Capital Metro, CAMPO, and CARTS have signed on and agreed to spend more time investigating the project. Briggs clarified that by agreeing to work on the planning for the HOV lanes does not mean that Georgetown is approving HOV lanes. Banks noted that the item was not posted for Council approval and noted that the draft agreement in the packet asks for the City to devote planning time toward the project. Della Green, 1901 Vine, said she thinks there should be a Georgetown representative at the planning meetings because she thinks TxDOT is planning to use HOV lanes in SH130. CC Consideration of adopting a policy requiring notification of Councilmembers representing affected area, neighborhood associations representing affected area, and the Georgetown Independent School District of filing of development applications with the City of Georgetown -- Clark Lyda and Llorente Navarrette Lyda said the school district is now being notified of development as a result of the joint meeting with the school board. At Lyda's request for the Council to be informed about development items, Russell said he and Ed Barry would discuss a process. Russell also noted that he and Dr. Gunn have met and intend to meet on a regular basis concerning development items, saying Gunn shared information with him from developers that had not yet contacted the City. Renee Hanson, 1252 Austin Avenue, said it would really be better, even for the developers, if notification could be done to the neighborhood associations early in the process. It was determined that the Police Department has made contact with many of the neighborhood associations and might be able to provide some contact information. Barry said it would be important to remember that if the development meets City regulations, the citizens might not have any impact on whether the project went forward. Banks asked for clarification on what would happen if, for some reason, the letters did not get sent. Lyda clarified that it would not be a legally binding requirement. DD 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 Kersch suggested postponing this item to the next agenda. Motion by Tonn, second by Pfiester to postpone this item. Lyda asked if he could see a copy of the ordinance. Kersch noted that Lyda had made the motion to approve the ordinance. Approved 4-2. Motion to adjourn by Hoyt at 1:00 a.m. The meeting was adjourned at 01:00 AM. City Council Meeting Minutes/June 27, 2000 Page 6 of 6 Pages Attest: City ry hand-ra}}-Lee