HomeMy WebLinkAboutMIN 08.13.2001 CC-WThe City Council of the City of Georgetown, Texas, met in Regular Session on the
above date with Mayor MaryEllen Kersch presiding.
Council Present: Council Absent:
MaryEllen Kersch, Sam Pfiester, Clark
Lyda, Doug Smith, Jack Noble, Ken
Evans, Charles "Noss" Burson, Llorente
Navarrette
Staff Present:
George W. Russell, City Manager, Shirley J. Rinn, Deputy City Secretary, Randy
Morrow, Parks & Recreation Director, Kimberly Garrett, Administrative Assistant, Tom
Yantis, Assistant City Manager, Tina Morris, Administrative Assistant, Dave Hall, Eric
Lashley, Library Director, Anthony Lincoln, Director of Fire Services, Charlie Walker,
Manager of Economic Growth & Planning, Carla Ezell, Human Resources Director,
Laurie Brewer, Controller, Leticia Zavala, Chief Accountant, Lori Ann Lankford,
Accountant 11, Micki Rundell, Director of Finance and Administration, Kevin Stofle,
Assistant Chief of Police, David Morgan, Chief of Police, Anthony Lincoln, Director of
Fire Services, Clay Shell, Assistant Fire Chief, Verna Browning, Director of Community
Services, Amelia Sondgeroth, Director of Development Services
Policy Development/Review Workshop
Call to order at 4:00 p.m.
A Joint Workshop with Chairs of Council -appointed Boards and Commissions for discussion of issues facing
boards and commissions, including, but not limited to, attendance.
Board Chairs Present: Patty Eason, Scott LaGrone, John Gavurnik, Penny Burt, John Philpot, Judy Parks,
Claude Proctor, Rusty Winkstern, and Patrick Walsh.
Council and Board Chairs discussed the attendance requirements for Boards and Commissions and the
need for regular reports and the importance of regular attendance by board and commission members.
The Mayor requested that the chairs give her names of potential board and commission members in the
event of vacancies. There was additional discussion regarding how minutes are submitted to the council,
as well as discussion regarding the need for boards to establish a secretary who ensures the minutes are
completed and records are complete.
Penny
Burt thanked the
council
and George Russell
for the
monthly financial reports that are being received
by
the
Airport Advisory
Board.
Judy
Parks
talked
about
possible
solutions
for expansion of
the
library
City Council Meeting Minutes/August 13, 2001
Page 1 of 5 Pages
because of lack of space. She also said that they have had some citizen concern regarding the budget for
the library. There was also a brief discussion regarding a possible bond election in November regarding the
Library Expansion.
Patrick Walsh discussed with the group the reasons for creating a Downtown Overlay District and the
benefits associated with it.
Scott LaGrone told the
group that the draft
Economic Plan is being presented to
council for approval. There
was
further
discussion
regarding
the need
for affordable
housing and
workforce
training.
The Council and Board chairs also discussed the need for a compilation of demographical data regarding
the City of Georgetown.
Patrick Walsh also mentioned his concern that there are not enough programs to keep the City's young
people busy. John Philpot also expressed a concern that the increase in park & recreation fees may deter
participation in programs to a certain degree.
B General Council Houskeeping Items:
(1) Discussion and review of Attendance Reports and vacancies on Boards, Commissions, Committees
and options for correcting errors; (2) Review/revise workshop schedule; (3) Review of Council liaison
assignments; (4) Identification of issues for future workshops; (5) Delivery of Legal Services
The council discussed the need to do a council workshop regarding the interim subdivision ordinance.
There was discussion regarding the need to appoint council liaisons for CAPCO and Killeen Airport. Ken
Evans and Jack Noble indicated that they would serve as CAPCO Liaisons. (They will be appointed at the
August 28, 2001 council meeting), and Sam Pfiester is currently the liaison for Killeen Airport.
The council discussed the need to have the following workshops at a future date: Brinkley Sergeant re:
Facility update, Comprehensive Plan, Growth issues, Code Enforcement, Annexations, GIS, Fire Issues,
HR Policies, Sales Tax, Makeup and Bylaws for 4B Corporation
The council also discussed issues regarding the delivery of Legal Services. Russell told council that each
Director reviewed the contract and that their comments have been forwarded to Brown & Caris. He also
told them that Chris Bacon had reviewed the contract as well.
Recessed for Executive Session at 5:55 p.m.
Reconvened at 6:10 p.m.
•' r • •1111 1�1 IN •
Executive Session
In compliance with the Open Meetings Act, Chapter 551, Government Code, Vernon's Texas Codes,
Annotated, the items listed below will be discussed in closed session and are subject to action in the
regular session that follows.
C Sec.551.071 consultation with attorney
- Pending Litigation
- Contemplated Litigation
- Legal/Risk Management Issues
- Duty to advise regarding agenda items
D Sec.551.086 deliberation regarding economic development
- Discussion of Economic Development Prospects
E Sec.551.074 personnel matters
- Performance Review of Council -appointed employees
- Discussion of delivery of legal services
City Council Meeting Minutes/August 13, 2001
Page 2 of 5 Pages
F Sec.551.072 deliberation on real property
Acquisition of parkland property
Lease of city -owned property
Please note: Any action from Executive Session items will be taken in Open Session on Tuesday, August 14,
2001, no earlier than 6:00 p.m.
G Comments from the dais regarding the following items:
1. Discussion of upcoming Workshops
- Schedule of Boards and Commissions Joint Workshops with Council
September 10 - CVB; October 8 - Building Standards; November 12 - Board of Adjustment; December 10 -
Main Street Advisory Board; Jan. 14, 2002 - Youth Advisory Board; Feb. 11, 2002 - Economic Development
Commission; March 11, 2002 - Planning and Zoning; April 8, 2002 - Parks and Recreation
2. Council Calendar
- Tuesday, August 14 (4:00 p.m.) - Workshop and Regular Meeting
Wednesday, August 22 (5:00 p.m.) - Workshop with BRA Officials
Monday, August 27 (4:00 p.m.) - Workshop and Executive Session
Tuesday, August 28 (4:00 p.m.) - Workshop and Regular Meeting
- Thursday, August 30 (6:00 p.m.) - TML Region X Meeting in Burnet
- Saturday, September 8 - Interview of Youth Advisory Board applicants
- Thursday, September 13 (7:00 p.m.) - Workshop with GiSD Board
- TML Events (TML Open Meetings and Public Information Acts Workshop on October 5, Public Official
Liability Workshop on October 6, 2001 Annual Conference and Exhibition November 28-30)
3. City Manager Report
- Status Reports
Update on Airport Certification of Insurance
Russell told council that the city has received insurance certificates on all but 35 aircraft.
- YAB applications received to date/vacancies to be filled
Russell told council that the deadline for filing applications has been extended until
August 30, 2001
Efficacy of Web site info page to deal with issues such as new ordinance, Williams Drive
Pool rumor, etc.
The council
discussed the need for having
accurate information on
the website, as well as
the need to
have it placed on the web in
a quick and efficient manner.
Yantis told the
council that
the municipal code was now available on the website.
He told them that the
zoning and
subdivision regulations would
be placed on the web
as soon as they were
updated.
Russell suggested to council that a workshop be held to discuss ways to get accurate
information to the general public.
H Review and discussion of proposed budget for 2001/02 providing direction to staff on possible amendments
for inclusion in the final proposed Annual Operating Plan for 2001/02 to be adopted in September -- George
Russell
Russell gave a brief overview of the proposed budget summary that was presented to council.
Russell told council that the school superintendent, Dr. Gunn, indicated GISD could fund approximately
$20,000 toward the DARE Program cost. General discussion among council and staff regarding same.
Motion by Lyda, second by Noble to recommend to the City Manager that the DARE Program be included
in the proposed draft budget by reallocating positions in Police Department and accepting $20,000 funding
from the Georgetown Independent School District. Smith amended the motion to recommend that the City
notify Georgetown Independent School District that it would have to pick up the full cost of the DARE
program in year 2001 20Q2.2002-2003*as corrected by Smith.
City Council Meeting Minutes/August 13, 2001
Page 3 of 5 Pages
Navarrette called a Point of Order to ask if council could actually vote on this issue. The Mayor indicated
that a vote could be taken on this issue because it was for a recommendation for the City Manager to bring
an item back to the council for official action. She told Navarette that the Point of Order goes to the person
who acts as Parlimentarian and that the recommendation could be voted upon. She told him he he could
ask Cathy Riedel a legal question, but that he did not have a Point of Order. Cathy Riedel clarified that a
vote could be taken as long as it was clear in the motion that the action was for a recommendation to be
brought back to council for final action at a later time.
Brief discussion regarding the need for 2 motorcycle units.
Motion
by
Burson, second by
Evans to recommend to the City Manager that 2 motorcycle units be
included
in
the proposed budget
document.
Pfiester wanted to clarify that the motorcycle officers were not being put in place as a revenue producer for
the City. There was additional discussion regarding the benefits of having motorcycle officers. Morgan
clarified to council that the philosophy will continue to be "voluntary compliance' . Evans wanted to make
sure that information would be available to the public to educate them about the program.
Motion by Smith to call the previous question. Motion to call the previous question failed (1-6) (Navarrette
opposed)
There was further discussion regarding whether or not new police programs needed to be added to the
budget when others were being cut.
Original Motion Approved (6-1) Navarrette opposed
Council members discussed the funding for Social Service Contracts. Lyda indicated to council that if they
are going to continue to fund Social Service Contracts the funding needs to come out of the general fund
and not as a one time expenditure out of council contingency. There was extensive additional discussion
among council members and staff regarding whether or not social service funding should come out of a
one-time expenditure from council contingency or whether it should be funded out of the general fund.
Motion by Smith, second by Burson to recommend that funding in the amount of $85,000 for social
services contracts be included in the proposed draft budget document through an increase in ad valorem
tax increase.
Council Members discussed whether or not ad valorem taxes or specific revenues could be dedicated
specifically to social service funding. They also discussed the increase of fees for services and the impact
that would have on future budgets. They went on to discuss the amount of funding that should be budgeted
for social service contracts and whether or not that amount should be increased or decreased. There was
additional discussion abowt some social service programs providing legitimate basic services and that they
should be part of the general fund in the same manner as police and fire and that the funding for those
programs needed to be put in the general fund and that the deficit could be dealt with as appropriate. The
council also discussed the need to have the programs that receive social service funding report back to the
community as to their benefit to the community.
Substitute Motion by Lyda, second by Evans to amend the motion to recommend that the City Manager
include in the proposed draft budget the amount of $100,000 in the general fund budget for social services
contracts with funding issues to be dealt with as a separate issue.
There was additional discussion regarding the appropriate use of public funds for social service programs.
Motion Approved (6-1) (Pfiester opposed)
Micki Rundell explained the proposed general fund to the council. She also gave an explanation to the
council regarding the tax rate and the effective tax rate. There was also an extensive discussion by council
regarding the different budgeting scenarios to balance the budget. Rundell clarified questions regarding the
proposed budget summary.
City Council Meeting Minutes/August 13, 2001
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The Council went on to discuss the possible closure of Williams Pool and the possibility of keeping it open
until it sells. There was additional discussion regarding mechanisms to build a new pool and whether or not
the land had been dedicated as parkland. Russell told council that it had not been dedicated as parkland.
There was additional discussion regarding building a new pool.
Motion by Lyda, second by Smith to recommend that the City Manager include in the proposed budget
document the closure of the Williams Drive Pool tying it to the construction of a new facility in San Gabriel
Park. Approved (7-0)
Rundell went on to discuss in more detail the various funding scenarios for policy compliance regarding the
general fund budget and the council members went on to discuss the impact of increasing the tax rate now
instead of later, as well as the pros and cons of increasing the tax rate to decrease the general fund gaps.
The council also discussed the need for public utilities and their benefits and the reasons transfers from the
utility fund needed to be decreased. There was more discussion regarding the impact of keeping the
effective tax rate at the same level.
Motion by
Lyda, second by
Burson to recommend that the City Manager
include a property tax increase
consistent
with scenario H in
the proposed budget. Approved (5-2) Noble
and Navarrette opposed.
Recessed at 8:45 for Executive Session.
10:20 p.m. -- Motion by Smith, Second by Evans to Adjourn. Approved (7-0)
The meeting was adjourned at 10:20 PM.
roved :
MaryEllen Kersch City Secretary Sandra Lee
City Council Meeting Minutes/August 13, 2001
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