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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMIN 09.06.2001 CC-SMINUTES OF THE SPECIAL MEETING OF THE GOVERNING BODY OF THE CITY OF GEORGETOWN, TEXAS THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 6, 2001 The Meeting was called to order at 4:07 p.m. by Mayor MaryEllen Kersch. Councilmembers present were: Ken Evans, Jack Noble, Sam Pfiester, Charles "Hass" Burson, and Clark Lyda Staff Present: George Russell, City Manager; Tom Yantis, Assistant City Manager; Jim Briggs, Assistant City Manager; Cathy Riedel, Acting City Attorney; Sandra Lee, City Secretary; Micki Rundell, Director of Finance and Aministration; and Eric Lashley, Library Director AGENDA Policy Development/Review Workshop -- Called to Order at 4:07 p.m. A Discussion regarding City of Georgetown facilities, including the Georgetown Public Library — Micki Rundell and George Russell Dwayne Brinkley of Brinkley, Sargent provided a handout and displayed slides of the current Library and the proposed renovation. He estimated the total construction cost to be approximately $7.5 million with an option to add 5,000 sf to the lower floor for $660,000 and an option to demolish the current parks maintenance building and construct additional parking with landscaping for $176,000. A project timeline, including renovations at the Airport Terminal, C3 Building, Community -Owned Utilities compound, Recreation Center, Municipal Building, City Hall, Fire Station #1, and the Community Center was distributed and displayed for Council consideration. Brinkley also displayed a proposed layout for the C3 Building to be retrofitted as a city complex to house Development Services, Community -Owned Utilities, and the Utility Payment Office. 5:17 p.m. — recessed 5:26 p.m. — resumed Workshop Session Russell noted that the information on the other buildings was included in case the Council wanted to include those projects in the bond election along with the Library. Mayor questioned the need and Rundell responded that there would be some increases in the Library fees to non-residents. There was discussion regarding the inefficiency of the heating and cooling of the current building, asking about the possible need for additional staff, and saying the current O & M costs for the Library are between $800,000 and $900,000. Council asked for a report on the projected O & M costs. B Discussion regarding a possible November 2001 Bond Election for proposed improvements to the Georgetown Public Library and possible renovations to other City of Georgetown facilities — Micki Rundell and George Russell Polumbo noted that state law requires 45 days to call an election. She said the last day to call the election would be Friday, September 21, 2001. She also noted that a decision needs to be made regarding whether the City will contract with the County to administrate the election. She said the Justice Department requests 60 days for preclearance, but in some circumstances preclearances have been expedited. Special City Council Minutes/September 6, 2001 Page 1 of 4 Pages Jo Christy Brown told Council the preclearance may, in fact, be more successful if the City contracts with the County due to the additional polling places. Polumbo said the submission to Justice would "dovetail' the preclearance already submitted by the County. There was discussion regarding the wording of the options for the Library construction. 6:17 p.m. — recessed to Executive Session Executive Session F Sec.551.071 consultation with attorney - Pending Litigation - Contemplated Litigation - Legal/Risk Management Issues - Duty to advise regarding agenda items G Sec.551.086 deliberation regarding economic development - Discussion of Economic Development Prospects H Sec.551.074 personnel matters - Performance Review of Council -appointed employees - Discussion of delivery of legal services I Sec.551.072 deliberation on real property - Lease of city -owned property - Acquisition of property 7:06 p.m. — resumed Open Session C Discussion of the Grande Communications Cable Franchise — Cathy Riedel and George Russell Riedel gave Council a brief history of the Grande Communications negotiations. She provided and reviewed a draft of the franchise agreement, saying the agreement is close to being complete and should be brought for Council consideration at the last meeting in November. Riedel introduced Tom Gridley, Director of Field Operations for Grande, who explained the services to be provided by Grande Communications. Regular Session D Consideration of providing direction and possible action regarding ballot language to be used for the proposed bond election regarding expansion of the Georgetown Public Library and possible renovations to other City of Georgetown facilities — Micki Rundell and George Russell There was much discussion regarding the options that might be included in the Library proposition. Motion by Lyda, second by Pfiester to include on the November ballot a proposition for the library for $8.16 million, a proposition for additions to City Hall for $750,000, and a proposition for community center renovations for $750,000. Approved 5-0. Polumbo asked Council for a decision at the September 11 meeting regarding whether the City will contract with the County for the administration of the election. Kersch asked that the Parks Board respond to proposed renovations for the Community Center. Special City Council Minutes/September 6, 2001 Page 2 of 4 Pages Della Green, 1901 Vine, told Council she supports the bond election but is concerned about the closing off of Martin Luther King Street and the proposed rerouting of traffic onto 8th Street. Public Hearing E Public Hearing regarding the proposed 2001 Property Tax Rate — Micki Rundell and George Russell Kathy Heidemann, 407 Golden Oaks Drive, said she thinks the Bond Election should be held in January instead of November in order to address some drainage issues. Rundell provided slides and reviewed highlights of the proposed budget, including a brief history of previous budget procedures. She noted that the proposed property tax rate is $.30708 which she pointed out is an increase from the prior year rate of $.31409 because of the increase in appraised valuation. She demonstrated that the property taxes are collected 70% from residential, 21 % from commercial and 9% from personal property. She noted that Georgetown has the highest average home value in the County, but has the lowest tax rate in Central Texas. She noted that there will be utility rate increases in the budget this year for the first time since 1991, an irrigation utility rate will be implemented, and the stormwater drainage rate will be increased from $2.25 to $2.90. She spoke about the additional rate increases for parks and recreation, library, animal services, development, and inspection. She noted that even with the combined rates, Georgetown is still one of the most economical places to live in Williamson County. Russell made note of the administrative changes in various departments and divisions. He reviewed the staffing changes and noted the re -naming of Community Owned Utilities to Georgetown Utility Services. He noted that the closing of the Williams Drive Pool will require a vote of the citizens because it was learned that the pool was purchased by a grant for dedicated parkland in 1977. Rundell reviewed the utility capital projects. She emphasized there are no certificates of obligation planned for 2001/02. Mayor and Council commended staff. Evans asked that the chart showing that Georgetown is the lowest tax rate in Central Texas be published in the newspaper. Rundell noted that it would be a part of the budget. Henry Carr, 119 Yaupon, asked if someone would comment on what would happen if the $1.2 million shortfall was not approved. It was responded that street maintenance and basic services would be cut, and the Council and staff have worked numerous hours to determine what could be removed in order to balance the budget. Mayor Kersch responded that the budget is being done in a different manner than in previous years and noted some of the important items that have been provided and items that have been removed. Rundell said the staff will continue to look at ways to "scale down" because growth will bring more demands on the General Fund, Richard Vidreen, Parkview Estates, told Council he is concerned about the elimination of the gang resistance and narcotics patrols, and asked for explanation about the pools. Russell explained that the land where the Williams Drive pool is located could be sold and those funds would be used to build a pool adjacent to the Recreation Center. He said the San Gabriel Special City Council Minutes/September 6, 2001 Page 3 of 4 Pages Pool in the park will require a substantial investment to renovate, so that pool would probably be closed also. He also spoke about a safety issue at the busy intersection at Williams Drive Pool. Vidreen told Council that he is concerned about the removal of the DARE and narcotics officer. Kersch said the cost of the DARE and narcotics officers should be shared by the school district. Russell noted that the programs were eliminated but the officers would still be performing their patrol duties. The public hearing was closed at 7:59 p.m. Regular Session J Action from Executive Session There was no action from Executive Session. Approved: Mayor MaryEllen Kersch Special City Council Minutes/September 6, 2001 Page 4 of 4 Pages 8:00 p.m. — adjournment Attest: Secretary Sandra Lee