HomeMy WebLinkAboutMIN 06.13.2000 CC-RThe City Council of the City of Georgetown, Texas, met in Regular Session on the
above date with Mayor presiding.
L#ouncil Present: • r
Ferd Tonn, Lee Bain, Susan Hoyt, Clark ;'Charles "Noss" Burson
Lyda, Llorente Navarrette, Sam Pfiester
George Russell, Assistant City Manager; Cathy Riedel, Assistant City Attorney; Sandra
Lee, City Secretary; Micki Rundell, Acting Finance Director; Ed Barry, Chief of
Development Services; Tom Yantis, Director of Informational Services; Verna
Browning, Director of Community Services; Anthony Lincoln, Fire Chief; Pablo Holguin,
Director of Employee and Organizational Services; Terry Jones, Purchasing Director;
Paul Pausewang, Service Center Superintendent; David Munk, Development
Engineer; Kathy Ragsdale, Utility Office Director; Judy Fabry, Library Services Staff
Assistant; Kevin Stofle, Police Lieutenant, James Babcock, Development Technician
W
lT
an
Called to order at 5:36 p.m.
Internal Service Fund -- Terry Jones, Micki Rundell and Tom Yantis
Rundell explained the purpose for and benefits of using the Internal Service Funds Program. Paul
Pausewang described the Vehicle Service Fund, explaining the preventive maintenance program and the
replacement schedule of vehicles. He noted that the City is able to work at a much higher ratio of
mechanics to vehicles because of the Fund. Terry Jones explained the Facilities Internal Service Fund,
saying that it includes the regularly scheduled maintenance of buildings, equipment, and landscaping. Tom
Yantis explained the Information Resources Internal Service Fund. He noted the replacement cycles of the
various pieces of equipment, including the personal computers used by staff.
Discussion of options and possibilities for Fire Services billing -- Anthony Lincoln
Lincoln noted that as the population has increased, so have the calls for service. He asked Council to
determine if citizens should be billed for services and asked Council to determine which services should be
billed. He told Council that the City of Cedar Park has been billing for 2 1/2 years, noting that Cedar Park
charges $300 for a first response call. Navarrette asked for information about the billing company to be
used. Russell noted that there are several companies that perform this service and the company to be
used has not yet been determined until Council decides whether to begin billing. Navarrette asked for a
break -down of the types of calls that are being handled by the other fire departments. He asked to find out
whether the police departments responded on the same calls, and wanted to know the outcome of the calls.
He said he is concerned that the citizens will not call the Fire Department because they don't want to be
charged. It was noted that the fees collected would be dedicated to fire services. Pfiester asked Lincoln for
City Council Meeting Minutes/June 13, 2000
Page 1 of 7 Pages
an estimate of
the
cost of six
extra firemen.
Lincoln replied that
it would cost just a little
over $200,000 and
confirmed that
the
estimated
revenue from
the proposed billing
would
be approximately
$189,000.
6:25 p.m. -- Recessed for Executive Session
C Sec.551.071 consultation with attorney
D Sec.551.072 deliberation on real property
Grace Church
- Report of Facilities Subcommittee on Acquisition of Property to be Used for City Facilities
E Sec.551.074 personnel matters
- Clarification of City Manager Bonus
Regular Session
F Action from Executive Session
Motion by Lyda, second by Navarrette to authorize the City Manager to increase the Council Legal
Contingency Fund by $60,000 to allow payment of legal fees directly associated with an open records
request by the Austin American Statesman . Bain noted that this money is needed to pay for attorney fees
for the hastened trial preparation regarding City of Georgetown vs. Cornyn, because as a result of the
intervention of the Austin American Statesman, the trial date was set with less than 24 hours notice.
Approved 6-0. (Burson absent)
Motion by Lyda, second by Bain to authorize the City Manager to negotiate the acquisition of property to
be used for City facilities. Approved 6-0,
G Comments from Mayor regarding the following items:
- Presentation to Councilmember Ferd Tonn
Mayor Kersch presented a plaque of appreciation to Councilmember Tonn for his dedicated years
of service as Mayor Pro Tem.
- Announcement regarding next Town Hall Meeting
Mayor Kersch announced that a Town Hall Meeting will be held on July 6, at a time to be
announced, at the Community Center in San Gabriel Park, and asked Bain to explain. Bain noted
that the meeting would be to inform and enlist citizenry for a committee to review the perceived
need for transportation improvements, possible park expansion, library expansion/renovation, and
funding methods for those projects.
H Comments from Staff regarding the following items:
- Report on the recent sanitary sewer overflow and recommendations from staff -- William Adams
Adams gave a report of the wastewater overflow that occurred at the San Gabriel Wastewater
Treatment Plant on June 1. He said the estimated amount of wastewater that entered the river as
a result of the overflow was approximately 26,000 gallons. He noted that one operator was testing
the back-up generators at two wastewater plants, and that the alarm dialer was disengaged. He
said the alarm dialer will no longer be disengaged during exercising of the back-up generators. He
said the spill posed no danger to the City's drinking water supply, and measures were taken that
avoided any damage to the river. He said in the future there would be more than one operator
when exercising the back-up generators. He distributed copies of a letter from Jim Briggs to the
Executive Director of Operations Maintenance International. Pfiester asked about our
responsibility if the amount of spill was 50,000 gallons. Adams noted that at that amount, the
public is notified as well as the media. Navarrette asked when the report was expected back from
the Texas Natural Resources Conservation Commission and Adams replied that the report is
expected by July 1.
Mayor welcomed the audience and outlined the Council Meeting procedures.
Citizens Wishing to Address the Council and Responses from Councilmembers and/or Staff, if
appropriate
- Gerry Anderson re. welfare of the City, Dove Springs Treatment Plant, appeal to Mayor to take action.
Anderson complained that he was not given the opportunity to question the previous speaker
about the sanitary sewer spill. He spoke of OMI having dumped 500,000 gallons of water into the
City Council Meeting Minutes/June 13, 2000
Page 2 of 7 Pages
river without permission from the Texas Natural Resource Conservation Commission. He said he
wanted to find out from the previous speaker if the water that was dumped was chlorinated. He
complained about the fact that there was only one man on duty at the time of the spill. He said he
submitted 10 questions at the last Council Meeting and has not yet received a response. He
expressed concern about the condition of the Dove Springs Treatment Plant.
- Keith Peshak re. police "speedo" spoofing, mobile portable telephone jamming, Nicholas Tesla "Free
power through the air without wires" water meter reading system.
Peshak did not appear before Council.
Statutory Consent Agenda
J Consideration of approval of the minutes for the Emergency Council Meeting on May 8, 2000, the Special
Session of May 10 and 11, 2000, the Special Session of May 165 2000, the Regular Council Meeting of May
23, 2000, and the Special Session of May 30, 2000 -- Sandra Lee
Kersch asked that the following corrections be made to the minutes: On the Minutes of May 10 and 11,
Page 2, 5th paragraph, change the word "raised" to "at issue;" on the May 23 Minutes, Page 5, change
"complete her term" to "continue;" on May 23, Item JJ, remove the word "combined" and add "each, as
would Austin" after the word "vote;" on May 23, Page 6, change the word "obligation" to "occupancy." Bain
noted that he did attend the May 8 Council Meeting. Kersch asked that Bain's list of suggested budget
priorities from the Budget Ranking Meeting be provided to the Council.
K Consideration of approval of a payment to Williamson County for the City's portion of the annual
maintenance and operation of the 800 MHz radio system in the amount of $40,627.04 -- Terry Jones and
Micki Rundell
L Consideration of authorization to spend up to $18,000 to purchase professional training services from
New Horizons Training Center to assist with training on the Microsoft Office Suite (Access, Word, Excel,
and Power Point) -- Tom Yantis
M Consideration of a local agreement between the District Attorney and City of Georgetown Police
Department regarding distribution of forfeited contraband -- Cathy Riedel and Marianne Banks
N Consideration of a resolution acknowledging receipt of an Amended Petition to Establish the Cimarron
Hills Public Improvement District, authorizing publication of notice and a public hearing, and authorizing a
feasibility report -- Marianne Banks
Motion to approve by Tonn, second by Navarrette to approve the Consent Agenda with the corrections to the
minutes. Approved 6-0.
O Consideration of report from 1999/2000 Teen Court attorneys on the benefits of the Teen Court Program --
Verna Browning
Teen Court Coordinator Patricia Rinehart gave a report on the results of the year. She introduced
Stephanie Olafson and Ron Mendoza who shared their experiences as Teen Court attorneys. They
commended the supervision and direction of Municipal Judge Randy Stump.
P Review and possible action on developing an ordinance relating to Council Meeting procedures and
speaker sign-up policies -- MaryEllen Kersch
Kersch made some additions to the proposed Council Meeting Brochure, regarding citizens wishing to
address the Council, such as a request for "specific" information about which the person wishes to speak,
also asked to add that audible cell phones and pagers be turned off. Navarrette asked that the print be
made larger. It was discussed that the brochure could be provided on much larger paper with the
registration form provided as an insert.
Delia Green, 1901 Vine Street, read from page 20 of the Texas Open Meetings Act Made Easy from the
workshop held in Georgetown on October 15, 1999, saying that rules adopted by the Council concerning
citizens addressing the Council must be consistent with state constitution and apply equally to all members
of the public. She accused the Council of being unfair. She said the citizens have no idea what will be
posted on the agenda, so the item they sign up to speak about may already be included in the agenda.
Kersch explained that the current procedure has been adopted by the Council in order to comply with the
City Council Meeting Minutes/June 13, 2000
Page 3 of 7 Pages
Bill Masterson, 1501 Laurel, told Council he had two goals as a member of the Economic
Development Task Force one to open it up to the citizens, and the other that the City not subsidize
"for-profit" business.
Tonn asked Connor if the Task Force is still considering a Town Hall Meeting. Connor said the
report was not attempting to "lock in" a prescribed procedure but to advise to the Council that
proposed policies be presented to the public for approval. Bain reiterated that if changes needed
to be made after a vote was taken, it would be difficult for the Council to make changes without
going back to the voters.
Motion by Lyda, second by Pfiester to approve the following recommendations of the
Economic Development Task Force: the recommendations for General Policy, Organization, and
Operation; the Final Organization Recommendations; and the Recommended Sequential
Implementation Plan and Timeline, (tabs 5, 6 & 7 of the report), and the amendments to those
recommendations as are reflected in the minutes of the May 30 meeting with the exception of the
third Collier amendment and with the exception of the amendment by Brashear, the vote, deleting
Item 10 from the timeline. In lieu of the Brashear amendment, ask that the Economic
Development Task Force come back with a recommendation to the Council as to the an
acceptable method of ensuring public approval and direct the City Manager to estabisih the
economic development division and begin the implementation of the organizational structure and
the Council commit to appointing the members of the Economic Development Commission at the
June 27 Council Meeting
Bain questioned if asking the Task Force for a recommendation on how to gauge public approval
would be a "binding" decision or if the Council would have the authority to still hold an election or
not. Lyda said he put that in the motion in order to "buy some time" while deciding whether an
election could be held on the issue. Hoyt said she cannot support the motion without a vote by the
public. Pfiester said he also has reservations about asking for a vote too early in the process.
Bain said the two main things that he sees need public opinion are the vision and the goals, but
Council needs to remember that the Task Force strongly recommends that a public vote be taken.
Tonn said not to rule out voting by making the motion to the effect that a vote could be done. It
was determined that the vote was not ruled out at this point in his motion. Navarrette asked about
the "revolving door" and the "five-year" issue. Lyda said he thought that could be handled with the
City's ethics policy. Navarrette said this was the first time he had seen work force training brought
to the table. He said if the process doesn't work, the public will inform the Council as they have in
the past.
Jim Brown, 117 Randolph Road, asked about the chart and whether it does away with the
advisory board of the CVB. Connor explained that it was not the Task Force recommendation that
the Advisory Board be done away with.
Kersch said this will send out the word that Georgetown is "pro growth."
Second by Pfiester. Hoyt noted that she is opposed because the motion did not require a vote.
Approved 5-1 (Hoyt opposed)
9:45 p.m. -- recess
9:55 p.m. -- resumed Open Session
S Second reading of an ordinance providing for the annexation into the City of 20.188 acres in the Joseph
Fish Survey, to be known as Georgetown Village Planned Unit Development, Section Three -B, located
along Shell Road, Village Commons Boulevard, Greenside Lane and Hickory Lane -- Clyde von Rosenberg
and Ed Barry
von Rosenberg read only the caption of the ordinance on second reading. Motion by Tonn, second by Bain
to adopt Ordinance No. 2000-32. Approved 6-0.
T Sun City Georgetown
1. Second reading of an ordinance providing for the annexation into the City of 37.934 acres in the
Burrel Eaves Survey, to be known as The Planned Unit Development of Sun City Georgetown,
Phase 4-C, Neighborhood Twenty -Four -C located on Texas Drive -- Clyde von Rosenberg and Ed
Barry
von Rosenberg read only the caption of the ordinance on second reading. Motion by Tonn,
second by Bain to adopt Ordinance No. 2000-33. Approved 6-0.
2. Second reading of an ordinance rezoning from A, Agricultural to RP, Residential Planned or any more
City Council Meeting Minutes/June 13, 2000
Page 5 of 7 Pages
Attorney General's opinion.
Gerry Anderson, 1551 C.R. 104, noted that the Williamson County Commissioner's Court does not use the
same rules and citizen restraints. He accused the Mayor of using special interpretation to keep citizens
from being able to speak against the management of the city and the city staff. He said he feels the sign-up
rules are restrictive to people who work from 8:00 to 5:00. Kersch noted that citizens can call or e-mail the
City Secretary.
Navarrette noted that it is difficult for working people to access City Hall during the day, but they can contact
their Councilmember and can contact the City Secretary by telephone. It was suggested that these
procedures be adopted as policy rather than an ordinance so it can be easily reveiwed and revised. Kersch
noted that the procedures would be included in the meeting brochure.
Hoyt suggested supplying copies of the meeting video tapes to the Library so they can be viewed by
citizens.
Q Consideration of an update report on the status of the 2000/01 budget process -- Micki Rundell
Rundell gave a report on the progress of the budget process, saying a "funds available" number will be
determined by the end of the week. She said budget packets will be available to the Council on July 12.
Lyda asked that Council be provided a copy of the revenue projections and funds available amount as soon
as it is developed. He asked about the effective tax rate. She responded that at this point they will go with
7/8 of one cent below the rollback rate. She said a preliminary report shows a proposed tax rate at a little
over 31 cents. Lyda asked the amount of the funds available that is attributable to any increase in the
effective rate. Rundell responded that at this point it would be a little over 2%. She said these figures will
be part of the report to Council at the next Council Meeting.
R Economic Development
1. Consideration of a report and recommendations from the Economic Development Task Force --
Lee Bain, Susan Hoyt, and Clark Lyda
Bill Connor noted he has been involved in economic development in Georgetown because he
wanted to see jobs created locally so that young people who grow up in Georgetown are able to
find a job and stay. He thanked all of the members of the Task Force, particularly Co -Chair Don
Collier, and thanked Sandra Lee for staff support. He said the report of recommendations is
provided in three general categories: (1) Issues and Recommendations concerning General
Policy, Organization and Operation; (2) Final Organizational Recommendations, and (3)
Recommended Sequential Implementation Plan and Timeline. He encouraged Council to follow
the timeline. Kersch thanked Connor and the Task Force for developing a good plan. Pfiester
asked for explanation about the suggestion of industrial recruitment being public/private. Connor
suggested it could work either way. Navarrette thanked Connor and the Task Force. Bain said he
appreciates the efforts of all the members of the Task Force and also thanked all of the people
who have been involved over many years in economic development for Georgetown. He said he
hopes an "umbrella" organization can work on all kinds of economic development and get the
public more involved in the process of determining what kind of economic development is wanted.
2. Consideration of approval and adoption of recommendations of the Economic Development Task
Force; consideration of establishing an Economic Development Division of the City of Georgetown
and direction to staff regarding implementation of same; and consideration of establishing a process
and timetable for appointment of members to the Economic Development Commission -- Clark Lyda
Lyda said the process will take seven or eight months. He suggested adopting the
recommendations of the Task Force and coming back to the next meeting with appointments.
Hoyt said she supports the plan but would prefer to use a local, non-profit firm, and believes it
should go before the voters. Bain reiterated the Task Force discussion and vote on that issue. He
said he thinks it may happen anyway, but he doesn't think the Commission should be limited to
that criteria. He said he is concerned about the public vote. He thinks the vote should be on
general policy and vision and not on specific operational procedure. Kersch suggested research
be done to determine if the issue could be legally brought to the people for a vote.
Lyda said he thinks the plan should be a "living plan" that changes as the community changes and
said the pian should not be rigid or unresponsive to the public. He said he is hesitant about
submitting the plan as a binding or non-binding referendum. Lyda said if the Commission is doing
the right thing, a vote might be "anti -climatic." Hoyt disagreed and said she felt a public vote was
necessary. Navarrette said he is impressed with the report and is eager to experience the new
process.
City Council Meeting Minutes/June 13, 2000
Page 4 of 7 Pages
restrictive district of 37.934 acres in the Burrei Eaves Survey, to be known as The Planned Unit
Development of Sun City Georgetown, Phase 4-C, Neighborhood Twenty -Four -C located on
Texas Drive -- David Munk and Ed Barry
Munk read only the caption of the ordinance on second reading. Motion by Tonn, second by Bain
to adopt Ordinance No. 2000-34. Approved 6-0.
U Consideration of authorization to spend up to $30,000 to purchase the technology consulting services
from Salvaggio and Associates to assist with: development and release of system requirements; vendor
response evaluation; and contract negotiations for an integrated Human Resources, Financial and Utility
Billing/GIS computer system -- Tom Yantis
Yantis noted that this item had been on the agenda on May 9, but was pulled. He said the City is now
negotiating with the current vendor, Incode, to modify their package to include a response to the City's
requirements. He said their Human Resources program is not completely developed. He said he is now
asking Council to spend a lesser amount to determine if the Incode response will meet the City's
requirements. He said he expects the fee to actually be lower than $30,000. Bain asked what would
happen if Incode doesn't meet the City's requirements. Yantis said, at this point, it would be considerably
less expensive to go with the current vendor. Bain confirmed that if Incode is not able to meet the City's
requirements, the Council will be asked to approve money to have Salvaggio find another vendor. Hoyt
asked and Yantis responded that Incode could, at this point, still modify their program while it is in the
design phase.
Motion by Tonn, second by Navarrette to approve the authorization to spend up to $30,000.. Approved
6-0.
Mayor asked if Council wished to continue the meeting this evening or come back tomorrow. It was determined that
the meeting would continue this evening.
V Consideration of appointment of a Council Subcommittee to meet with Development Services and the
City Manager to prepare a request for proposal for professional services ("RFP") for preparation of a
comprehensive update and revision of the City's development ordinances (zoning, subdivision, and sign),
including the addition of a traditional neighborhood development ("TND") ordinance -- Clark Lyda,
Councilmember
Tonn asked Russell if this would be possible. Russell said he and Barry feel sure that staff can provide the
RFP process. Lyda said he feels it is worthwhile to derive a draft proposal so Council can get an idea of the
scope and cost. Barry said it would be possible to have discussion and prepare a rough outline. Navarrette
volunteered to serve on the subcommittee, along with Pfiester, Bain and Lyda. There was discussion that
the draft would need to be developed by the second meeting in July in order to be incorporated in the
budget.
Renee Hanson, 1252 Austin Avenue, said she would like for Council to hold a workshop when they present
their draft RFP.
Motion by Lyda, second by Pfiester to appoint a Council Subcommittee composed of Bain, Pfiester,
Navarrette, and Lyda to meet with the Development Services staff and the City Manager to prepare a draft
request for proposal for professional services for preparation of a comprehensive update and revision of the
City's development ordinances including the addition of a traditional neighborhood ordinance. Approved
6-0,
W Consideration of appointment of a Council Subcommittee on utilities and transportation issues --
Sam L. Pfiester and MaryEllen Kersch
Kersch noted that Bain, Burson, Navarrette, Pfiester, and Lyda are interested in being on the
Subcommittee. Pfiester explained that it is needed to look at where the growth is headed strategically.
Motion by Pfiester, second by Lyda to appoint a Council Subcommitte composed of Bain, Burson,
Navarrette, Pfiester, Lyda and Tonn to address issues and report back to Council. Approved 6-0.
X Consideration of appointment of two City Council representatives to the CAPCO General Assembly --
MaryEllen Kersch
Kersch recommended Hoyt and Pfiester. Motion by Bain, second by Tonn to approve the appointments.
Approved 6-0.
Y Consideration of scheduling time to consider and act on the following: (1) City Manager and City
Attorney job descriptions, (2) roster and schedule of workshops with individual Boards and Commissions,
and (3) Council governance policy -- MaryEllen Kersch
City Council Meeting Minutes/June 13, 2000
Page 6 of 7 Pages
Kersch suggested doing (1) and (3) above in one workshop on July 11. She suggested that Council look at
the ICMA guidelines and her governance review summary. Regarding meeting with boards and
commissions, Kersch suggested scheduling July through December for joint meetings with various boards,
such as Planning and Zoning in July, Housing in August, Main Street in September, 4B in October, Youth in
November. Kersch noted that the boards would be asked to contribute items of joint interest for posting the
agendas.
Z Discussion and clarification (and possible adoption of written policies) of procedures and authority for
Council appointed boards and commissions -- MaryEllen Kersch
Kersch said Council has the option of not handling this item this evening because it was added to the
agenda after the deadline. She said it was prompted by several phone calls that she received. She noted
that many of the boards do not have by-laws and requested that Council develop concise direction.
Virginia Stubbs, 706 Austin Avenue, noted that she is a board chairman and needed to form a
subcommittee. She said they have found it very difficult to meet the posting requirements. She asked for
direction from Council regarding the procedures for keeping citizens informed.
Renee Hanson, 1252 Austin Avenue, representing herself as a chair person, recommended that Council
schedule a workshop with the chairs of all committees and subcommittees, that policy be written to provide
guidelines, and that Council take into account the differences in the committees such as being a
subcommittee of a committee or a subcommittee of the Council. She expressed the difficulty in getting
subcommittee meetings posted and asked if it were state law that the subcommittee meetings are posted,
or if it is Council policy that they be posted.
Della Green, asked if there is a Council policy allowing appointments by every Councilmember. Kersch
noted that there is a committee appointed to review the applications and make recommendations to the
Council as a whole. Kersch noted that the Charter allows for the Mayor to recommend appointments and
seek the Council's approval by vote. She said the committee assists the process.
It was determined that there will be a meeting of the Council with the board chairs on Thursday, June 29, at
6:00 p.m.
Motion to adjourn by Bain at 10:57 p.m.
The meeting was adjourned at 10:57 PM.
A roved
Mayor MaryEllen Kersch
City Council Meeting Minutes/June 13, 2000
Page 7 of 7 Pages
Attest:
A, rE
aF
City Secretary Sandra L ee