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Home My WebLink AboutMIN 05.10.2000 CC-S7 11OF i GOVERNINGBODY OF CITY OF •TEXAS WEDNESDAY,MAYi 111 AND THURSDAY,`2000 The City Council of the City of Georgetown, Texas, met in Special Session on the above date with Mayor MaryEllen Kersch presiding. All Councilmembers were present. Staff in attendance: George Russell, Acting City Manager; Marianne Banks, City Attorney; Sandra Lee, City Secretary; Ed Barry, Chief of Development Services; Jim Briggs, Director of Community Owned Utilties; Verna Browning, Director of Community Services; Pablo Holguin, Director of Employee and Organizational Services; Anthony Lincoln, Fire Chief; David Morgan, Acting Police Chief; Randy Morrow, Director of Parks and Recreation; Micki Rundell, Acting Director of Finance and Administration; Tom Yantis, Director of Informational Services; Sheila Henderson, Librarian; Kevin Stofle, Police Lieutenant; Jim Babcock, Development Technician Regular Session — Called to Order at 6:04 p.m. Public Workshop for prioritizing budget issues. Council randomly called out items they considered to be priorities for the upcoming budget. Acting City Manager George Russell was asked to list the staff's priorities. Jim Brown, 117 Randolph Road, asked that Council expand the code enforcement tracking system to track all citizen complaints. He also suggested that the infrastructure system be managed by taking an inventory and monitoring. When asked to explain what he considered to be the infrastructure system, he suggested roads, parks, utility systems — anything that requires capital investment and maintenance. Tonn asked Briggs to respond to Brown's suggestion. Briggs noted that the City has begun developing the inventory of the infrastructure system, saying the City currently has the most detail on the electric system, but water and wastewater systems will be added this year with the addition of software. He noted that compiling the information is costly on manpower and time. Tonn confirmed that half of the needed software was budgeted recently. Lyda suggested separating the items that require budget allocations from those that require just council or staff time. It was decided that most of the projects will require budget allocations, if only for staff time. Navarrette asked that staff manage to add the extra projects to their current work load, rather than hiring additional personnel or outsourcing. Kersch explained that staff does not currently have the time to take on additional tasks. She expressed concern for a serious breakdown of City services. Russell explained that the staff has been voluntarily working longer hours for quite some time, and he is concerned that they will not be able to continue the pace much longer. Council discussed time frames and "ball park" costs for revising the zoning ordinances. It was determined that the cost would be $200,000 to $300,000 and would take 18 months to two years to revise the zoning ordinance. Russell explained some of the staffing issues involved. Kersch asked Yantis to group the items on the ranking list as to "time," "money," or "both," and provide copies for Council at the Thursday evening session. Minutes of May 10 and May 11, 2000 Page 1 of 3 Pages It was decided that the budget ranking would continue at the beginning of the meeting on Thursday evening until completed, and then Council would go into Executive Session regarding the job description and hiring process for the City Manager position. Wednesday evening session was adjourned at 9:12 p.m. Reconvened on Thursday evening at 6:12 complete soon with p.m. Rundell explained the legends used on the documents distributed to Council regarding Council's ranking of the items. She noted that she had provided Council with a copy of the 2000101 Annual Operating Plan Schedule. Kersch reviewed the mandated projects listed in the priority list. Kersch also asked for an explanation of how Georgetown compares with other cities in regard to health insurance, retirement benefits, and salaries. Russell, Rundell and Pablo Holguin shared known information. Russell pointed out that the City is also competing with private industry such as Dell Corporation. Kersch asked for an explanation of the Systems Conversion. Rundell explained the need for the CIS improved system. Yantis explained that a system upgrade would be quicker than a conversion which would not be complete until January 2002. However, the upgrade may not be possible. He said staff would be meeting with the software manufacturer soon to see if an upgrade could be done. Kersch asked what would happen if the fire department staffing were not approved. Lincoln said if the issues are not improved, the insurance rating could be raised at issue*. Russell noted that the Fire Department is looking at some revenue plans to bring down some of the costs of operations. *as corrected by Mayor Kersch on 6-13-2000. Kersch asked if transportation funding should be done with sales tax or development fees. Barry explained that many of the major roads in Georgetown are state highways where the City cannot charge road impact fees. Barry and Banks explained that the City is authorized by statute to negotiate road fees in the contract with the developers. Rundell explained the option of a'h cent sales tax increase. Briggs noted that many people using our roadways do not live here and contribute through impact or development fees, but do pay sales tax on goods purchased in Georgetown. Bain confirmed that any type of sales tax increase would require an election. Russell noted that the sales tax in Georgetown is one cent less than all the surrounding cities. Rundell said currently some of the ad valorem tax goes towards street maintenance and could be freed up if there were a portion of the sales tax dedicated to streets. Kersch confirmed that sidewalks are considered a portion of the Transportation Plan. Burson said he feels strongly about having sufficient employees and being able to provide adequate services. At Tonn's question, Briggs replied that the Transportation Plan will be complete soon with recommendations for how to deal with certain issues such as acquisition of right of way. Kersch said she feels that long-term financial planning is essential. Questions were asked about purchasing an additional fire truck and remodeling City Hall. Council expressed importance in reviewing the contracts of OMI, TDS, and C3. Minutes of May 10 and May 11, 2000 Page 2 of 3 Pages Navarrette asked that Council dedicate funds for affordable housing. Lyda pointed out that the City is close to having that dealt with in the regulations that have been recently adopted. Navarrette said he felt the people that need assistance are the people that are looking for the $70,000 house price range. He said he also agrees the staffing situation needs to be considered, and said public information is important, as well as streets and drainage. He said he would like to see the facilities money spent soon. Lyda said he would like to see the Citizen Newsletter turned into a more substantial news product, more frequently delivered and used as a way for Councilmembers to communicate with their districts. Lyda thanked Russell and Rundell and everyone involved in the budget process. Jim Brown, from the audience, asked questions about Council possibly holding an election to increase the sales tax. Council indicated there would probably be an election in August to raise the sales tax by two 1/2 cent increases and a bond issue to support facility improvements. It was determined that an election in August would have to be called at the second council meeting in June. Council discussed forming a citizen committee to look at financing options to support the transportation issues, parkland acquisition, and improvements to current city facilities. 7:45 p.m. recessed Executive Session — Called to order at 8:04 p.m. A. Sec.551.071 consultation with attorney . Cause Number GV000536, City of Georgetown, et al., vs. John Cornyn vs. Austin American Statesman in the 126th Judicial District Court, Travis County, Texas B. Sec.551.074 personnel matters . Job Description and Hiring Process for City Manager Regular Session — resumed at 8:56 p.m. C. Action from Executive Session Motion by Bain, second by Lyda to adopt items 1 through 7 on page 24 of the ICMA guidelines and pages 24 and 25, ending above the words "Mayor and Council," of the checklist entitled Council/Manager Relations in a Small Community. Approved 7=0. Motion to adjourn at 9:00 p.m. Approved: len Kersch, Minutes of May 10 and May 11, 2000 Page 3 of 3 Pages Attest: Sandra D. Lee, City Secretary