HomeMy WebLinkAboutMIN 09.10.2002 CC-RThe City Council of the City of Georgetown, Texas, met in Regular Session on the above date with Mayor
Gary Nelon presiding.
Staff Present:
Paul Brandenburg, City Manager; Tom Yantis, Assistant City Manager; Jim Briggs, Assistant City
Manager for Utility Operations; Patricia E. Carls, City Attorney; Sandra D. Lee, City Secretary; Micki
Rundell, Director of Finance and Administration; Laurie Brewer, Controller; Glenn Dishong,
Water/Wastewater Services Manager; Anthony Lincoln, Fire Chief; Dennis Schoenborn, Director of
Information Resources; Terry Jones, Purchasing Director; Kathy Ragsdale, Utility Office Director
There was no Policy Development/Review Workshop at this meeting.
Regular Sessio
i;oi, convene •
There was no Executive Session held at this meeting.
Regular R,
Called to order at 6:00 p.m -
F Comments from the dais regarding the following items:
- Opening Comments and Welcome to Audience -- Mayor Gary Nelon
Nelon thanked Sun City for hosting the Council for the meeting and explained meeting procedures. He
noted that several people had inquired as to whether Sun City development process would be discussed
at this meeting. He informed the audience that had not been posted on the agenda and would not be
discussed at this meeting. He suggested that the citizens stay involved in the discussions that would
take place at the Planning and Zoning Commission meetings and come forward to Council in the future.
- Proclamation for 9/11 Remembrance Ceremony
Nelon read the proclamation and presented it to Fire Chief Anthony Lincoln.
- Proclamation for United Way Day of Caring on September 13, 2002
Nelon read the proclamation and presented it to Tom Yantis, Assistant City Manager and City of
Georgetown Coordinator for Georgetown United Way.
G Announcements and Comments from City Manager
- Upcoming Events
Brandenburg noted the community events to be held in remembrance of September 11.
- Late -Breaking Headlines
City Council Meeting Minutes/September 10, 2002
Page 1 of 7 Pages
There were none.
H Council Calendar
- Williams Drive Corridor Study Meeting on Thursday, September 19, 2002, 7:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m., to be
held at Benold Middle School Cafeteria, 2407 Northwest Boulevard
- Williams Drive Corridor Study Meeting on Saturday, September 21, 2002, 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m., to be
held at Benold Middle School Cafeteria, 2407 Northwest Boulevard
- Council Workshop and Executive Session on Monday, September 23, 2002, at 4:00 p.m., to be held at
Development Services, 904 Main, Georgetown
- Regular Council Meeting on Tuesday, September 24, 2002, at 6:00 p.m., to be held at
Carver Elementary, 1200 W. 17th Street, Georgetown
Citizens Wishing to Address the Council and Responses from Councilmembers and/or Staff,
if appropriate:
- Brenda McDonald, 604 West Street, regarding "city's responsibility of negligently and wrongfully
euthanizing my dog."
McDonald did not address the Council.
- B. Keith Peshak, 800 Oak Crest Lane, regarding "crime wave at the airport."
Peshak did not address the Council.
Don Dison, 607 Esparada, told Council he owns and operates a business at the Airport and also leasees a
T -hangar from the City. He spoke to Council regarding Peshak's proposed statement about a crime wave
at the airport. He said he feels the Georgetown Police Department is doing an outstanding job throughout
the City. He said according to the airport leases, the leasee, and not the City, is responsible for the security
of leased property at the airport. He said he has security cameras, alarms, proper lighting, and proper
signs on his Airport property. He said he believes that each citizen is primarily responsible for his own
property, including crime prevention. He said the Airport Board has recently appointed an Airport Security
Committee. He asked Council to give the Security Committee consideration.
- Kendall Young, 140 Scissortail Trail, regarding upcoming community events.
Young commended the Mayor and Council. He announced the Williamson County Art Guild Gala
Dinner on November 9. He also talked about the Williamson County HIV Coalition Raffle on November
21, 2002.
J Action from Executive Session
Motion by Pfiester, second by Snell to approve $10,000 from Council Contingency for legal expenses
associated with Rivery Partners vs. City of Georgetown. Approved 4-1 (Sansing opposed)(Smith absent
and Navarrette abstained due to absence from Executive Session)
Motion by Pfiester, second by Sansing to provide notice to LCRA that the Council intends to execute its
10% market pricing option plus with LCRA and authorize staff to proceed to bring back final negotiations
from a reputable energy supplier and including proposals for managing and forecasting services.
Approved 5-0 (Smith absent and Navarrette abstained due to absence from Executive Session)
Motion by Pfiester, second by Evans to approve an award of bid to various vendors for electric system
materials. Approved 5-0. (Smith absent and Navarrette abstained due to absence from Executive
Session)
K Consideration and possible action to
approve the
minutes from the
Council Workshop
on Monday, August
26, and the Regular Council Meeting
on Tuesday,
August 27, 2002
-- Sandra Lee, City
Secretary
L Contracts and Awards of Bid
1. Consideration and possible action regarding contract renewal for Software Maintenance
Agreement with Queues Enforth Development, Inc. (Q.E.D.) for $26,735 effective 10/1/2002,
one-year annual renewal -- Dennis Schoenborn, Director of Information Resources
City Council Meeting Minutes/September 10, 2002
Page 2 of 7 Pages
Evans asked and Schoenborn confirmed that this is an annual renewal with a firm that has been
on contract with the City since 1999, saying that the type of service performed by this company
could not be done by the Information Resources employees.
2. Consideration for authorization to execute a contract with CoCom Technologies for the purpose of
furnishing and installing voice and data cabling in the Municipal Complex and Vehicle Service
Center in the amount of $47,664.70 -- Terry Jones, Support Services Director and Micki Rundell,
Director of Finance and Administration
3.. Consideration of an award of bid for renovations to the Council Chambers/Municipal Court to
C.P. Snider Construction Company in the amount of $974,000 -- Terry Jones, Support Services
Director and Micki Rundell, Director of Finance and Administration (Pulled by Nelon for
consideration on the Regular Agenda)
4. Consideration for approval of a change order to C. P. Snider Construction Company to reduce the
construction costs for renovations to the Council Chambers/Municipal Court in the amount of
$115,300 -- Terry Jones, Support Services Director and Micki Rundell, Director of Finance and
Administration (Pulled by Nelon for consideration on the Regular Agenda)
M Consideration and possible action to authorize an application for a Grant of $24,924.00 from the Texas
Commission on Fire Protection -- Clay Shell, Assistant Fire Chief and Anthony Lincoln, Fire Chief
N Consideration
and possible action to approve
a resolution of support for
the City of Burnet in their
application for
a grant to build a Texas State
Veterans' Home -- Mayor
Gary Nelon
Motion by Noble, second by
Pfiester to approve the Consent Agenda
with the
exception of Items L-3 and L-4 that
were pulled for consideration
on the Regular Agenda. Approved 6-0.
(Smith
absent)
Legislative Regular Agenda
L -3 Consideration of an award of bid for renovations to the Council Chambers/Municipal Court to C.P.
Snider Construction Company in the amount of $974,000 -- Terry Jones, Support Services Director and
Micki Rundell, Director of Finance and Administration (Pulled by Nelon)
Jones explained the item, noting that the Council at their July 9 Council Meeting authorized staff to proceed
with bidding to renovate the Council Chamber/Municipal Court Building. He said bids were received and
evaluated by Brinkley -Sargent Architects and staff is recommending that the award be made to the low
bidder, C. P. Snider Construction of Austin. He estimated that construction would begin at the end of
September and be complete before June of 2003. Jones said the current budget is approximately
$905,000. He said the change order on the next item will make the total amount a little less than $860,000.
He said there will be some asbestos in the building that will need to be remediated. Evans asked and
Jones replied that the approximate cost of the abatement of the asbestos in the building will be $25,000.
Sansing asked how the change order was achieved. Jones listed that savings were derived from manual
as opposed to automatic window coverings, reduction of the cash allowance for the audio/video needs from
$95,000 to $35,000 for the Council Chamber, replacing the cast stone cornice around the top of the building
with a limestone cornice, and reducing the thickness of the stone on the facade. Noble asked if any more
reductions could be made. Jones suggested that the terazzo tile entry could be taken out, but was left in to
avoid heavy maintenance costs with other types of flooring. Navarrette asked if there were any other ways
to save money in the building. Jones said he could go back to the architect and see if further changes
could be made that would not affect the aesthetics of the building. Noble, Sansing and Navarrette
explained why they would vote against the award of bid. Motion by Pfiester, second by Evans to approve
the award of bid. Mayor Nelon voted to break a tie vote. Approved 4-3. (Sansing, Noble, and Navarrette
opposed)
L - 4 Consideration for approval of a change order to C. P. Snider Construction Company to reduce the
construction costs for renovations to the Council Chambers/Municipal Court in the amount of $115,300
-- Terry Jones, Support Services Director and Micki Rundell, Director of Finance and Administration (Pulled
by Nelon)
Motion by Snell, second
by
Pfiester
to
approve
the change
order. Navarrette said he
would vote for this
item because it reduces
the
amount
to
be paid.
Approved
4-2. (Sansing and Noble
opposed)
City Council Meeting Minutes/September 10, 2002
Page 3 of 7 Pages
O Budget Public Hearing and First Readings of Budget Ordinances
1. Public Hearing on the proposed 2002/03 Annual Operating Plan -- Micki Rundell, Director of
Finance and Administration
Rundell explained that the public hearing is being held as required by law. She demonstrated, with
a slide presentation, the proposed 2002/03 Annual Operating Plan. Yantis explained the Council
priorities that were funded in the proposed budget and those items that could not be funded this
year.
Nelon asked for public questions or comments.
Della Green, 1901 Vine Street, said she objects to the fact that the City keeps increasing the bond
debt service. She complained that the water/wastewater rates and property taxes are also being
increased.
The public hearing was closed.
2. First reading of an ordinance levying a tax rate for the City of Georgetown for the tax year 2002 --
Micki Rundell, Director of Finance and Administration
Kendall Young, 140 Scissortail Trail, spoke in favor of the sales tax increase to repair the city
streets. He said the City portion of the tax bill is a small portion of the total tax bill. He also noted
that the Council does not appraise property, saying property is appraised by the Appraisal District.
Rundell read only the caption of the ordinance after having satisifed the requirements of the City
Charter.
Della Green, 1901 Vine Street, said she didn't
understand
how the
City
could have so much
growth in residential and commercial and yet
increase the
property
tax
rate.
Rundell explained there is a year lag in collecting property tax. Pfiester explained "Scenario H" as
a way to keep from transferring revenue from the Utility Fund to the General Fund. He explaiined
that the City has cut the budget for the last two years. Nelon pointed out that when "Scenario H"
was put in place, the City's bond rating went up.
Motion by Snell, second by Evans to approve the ordinance on first reading. Sansing suggested
that Council consider what amenities the citizens are giving up to keep the tax rate low. Noble
said he is in favor of the budget and noted that the Council's number one priorty is to work on
public safety compensation. Navarrette commended staff in putting together the budget, but will
vote against the tax rate. Sansing said, while the dollars are going up, the rate is actually less.
Approved 5-1. (Navarrette opposed)
3. First reading of an ordinance adopting an Annual Operating Plan Element of the Georgetown
Century Plan (budget) for the fiscal year beginning Otober 1, 2002, and ending September 30,
2003; adopting the Annual Amendment to the Century Plan -- Micki Rundell, Director of Finance
and Administration
Rundell explained the item.
Penny Burt, 3803 Roble Grande Circle, commended Council for voting down the tower and
commented on Line 9 under Sources and Revenues on Exhibit A of the agenda item. She said the
$909,000 represents grant funds that would go into the Airport for certain grant -funded programs.
She said the amount of money that will need to be paid back for not participating with the noise
study can be taken from the $201,000 from operating revenues. She asked Council not to pay for
paving the airport streets with grant funding. She said that would obligate the City for another
20 -year obligation, suggesting that the 114 cent sales tax increase could be used for streets in the
Airport. She asked that the $909,000 be eliminated from the line item.
Rundell explained that the $909,000 is revenue from appropriations. She said that could be
adjusted. Yantis said there is a policy decision that Council needs to make regarding maintenance
and operations at the Airport. He said there are outstanding entitlement grants of $150,000 per
City Council Meeting Minutes/September 10, 2002
Page 4 of 7 Pages
year, and $300,000 has been accumulated, so that decision needs to be made at another time.
He said a budget amendment could be made to eliminate the appropriations. Rundell said she
would bring back the tower deduction on the second reading of the budget.
Rundell read only
the
caption
after having satisfied the requirements
of
the City Charter. Motion
by Evans, second
by
Pfiester
to approve on first reading. Approved
5-1
(Navarrette opposed)
4. First reading of an
ordinance amending
§
2.08.010 "Administrative
Divisions and Departments"
of the Georgetown
Code of Ordinances
--
Micki Rundell, Director of
Finance and Administration
Rundell explained the item and read only the caption after having satisfied the requirements of the
City Charter. She said there are no changes in the previous ordinance. Motion by Evans,
second by Pfiester to approve on first reading. Approved 6-0.
5. Discussion and possible action to adopt a Resolution approving the 2002/03 Project list as the
Adopted 2002/03 Budget for the Georgetown Transportaion Enhancement Corporation
(GTEC) -- Micki Rundell, Director of Finance and Administration
Rundell explaiined the item and the procedure that is required to be followed.
Della Green, 1901 Vine Street, asked for and received clarification from Rundell about the debt
service for the bonds for the Georgetown Transportation Enhancement Corporation as will be
considered on the next item.
Rundell read only the caption after having satisfied the requirements of the City Charter. Motion
by Pfiester, second by Evans to approve the Resolution. Approved 6-0.
P Consideration and possible action to authorize First Southwest Company to proceed with the preparation of
the required bond offering documents for the upcoming 2002 bond issues -- Micki Rundell, Director of
Finance and Administration
Rundell explained that this is a planned bond issuance scheduled for October. She said they will be
revenue bonds that will be repaid through utility fees and are not part of the tax base bonds. She said they
will fund the expansion of the Lake Water Treatment Plant, with another bond issue being authorized for the
Rivery-related improvements that will be GTEC bonds. Pfiester confirmed with Rundell that the Council
agreed to issue certificates of obligation. Motion by Pfiester, second by Evans to approve. Approved 6-0.
Q Consideration and possible action to direct staff to investigate options for the increased maintenance and
operation of existing water quality ponds throughout the community and bring to Council recommended
plans for implementing such measures -- Councilmember Gabe Sansing
Sansing proposed that staff provide some options to allow staff to maintain the water quality ponds. Evans
asked if it could be put in future development agreements that the developers must maintain the ponds.
Assistant City Manager for Utility Operations, Jim Briggs, said there are two types of ponds that are
required. He said stormwater detention is required from one property to the next property such as in
Churchill Farms, and the funds for maintaining detention ponds have historically come from the stormwater
utility fund which has been used up on projects other than Churchill Farms. He said water quality ponds are
maintained by the property owners through agreements. He said TCEQ (formerly TNRCC) does not have
the staff to enforce the maintenance of the water quality pond by the property owner. He said property
owners are not qualified to maintain the ponds and there is no one to instruct them as to how it should be
done. Nelon suggested that the responsibility be brought to the attention of the property owner with a
mechanism provided to take care of the ponds that are being left unattended. Briggs suggested that the
City's duty should be to assist the property owners to become compliant. Pfiester asked how it is calculated
that the pond is out of compliance and who is allowed to enforce. Briggs said samples can be tested and
currently TNRCC (TCEQ) is the only entity that can enforce compliance. There was further discussion
regarding the City's position in taking care of these ponds. It was confirmed that the City is purchasing a
piece of equipment to be used to maintain detention ponds. Snell asked if there is a precedence for cities
to assume this responsibility. Briggs responded that he would contact TCEQ about allowing the City to act
as their enforcement agent.
Motion by Sansing, second by Noble, to direct staff to offer options to Council for preparation of an
enforcement policy for maintenance of water detention facilities.
City Council Meeting Minutes/September 10, 2002
Page 5 of 7 Pages
Motion by Navarrette, second by Evans to amend the motion to direct staff to bring back options for
inceased maintenance and operations of existing water quality ponds and detention ponds. Approved 6-0.
Vote on Original Motion as Amended: Approved 6-0.
R Appointments
1. Consideration and possible action to approve the appointment of Dr. Ronald Swain to the Capital
Area Economic Development District (CAEDD) Board of Directors -- Mayor Gary Nelon
Motion by Evans, second by Sansing to approve the appointement. Approved 6-0.
2. Consideration and possible action to approve
the appointment of John
Barnes
Chapman to the
Historic Architectural Review Commission
to fill a vacant position --
and Micki
Mayor
Rundell,
Gary
Nelon
Director
of
Motion by Snell, second by Evans to approve the appointment. Approved 5-1. (Sansing
opposed)
S Special Election
1. Second Reading of an Ordinance ordering a Special Election to be held on Tuesday, November
5, 2002, for the purpose of proposing a one-quarter (114) cent increase in the current city sales
tax to provide revenue for maintenance and repair of municipal streets; establishing procedures
for said election; and authorizing the Mayor to sign a contract with the Williamson County Voter
Registrar for administration of said election -- Sandra D. Lee, City Secretary
Lee read the caption only of the ordinance on second reading.
Della Green, 1901 Vine Street, asked if 1/4 of the previous 1/2 cent sales tax could go toward the
repair of streets. She said she thought the previous sales tax should have gone to repair of streets
rather than new transportation.
Pfiester noted that the previous 1/2 cent increase is for new roads and sidewalks and not for repair
of existing streets. Rundell confirmed and said the use also must have an economic impact on the
community. She said the proposed 1/4 cent is allowed for maintenance of existing city streets.
Pfiester said if the City is going to maintain streets, the City would need to either raise property
taxes or sales taxes, pointing out that this proposed 1/4 cent sales tax increase would be paid not
just by citizens, but by anyone purchasing anything in Georgetown. He also noted that the sales
tax increase has a "sunset clause" that will require the tax to come before the voters again in four
years if it is to be continued.
Motion by Pfiester, second by Noble to approve Ordinance No. 2002-56. Approved 6-0.
2. Consideration and possible action to approve a resolution adding another proposition to the ballot
for the Special Election to be held on November 5, 2002, to include the question as to the
adoption of the firefighters' civil service law for the Georgetown Fire Department -- Sandra D.
Lee, City Secretary and Patricia E. Carls, City Attorney
Lee explained the item and read the caption of the resolution. Motion by Navarrette, second by
Sansing to approve the resolution. Approved 6-0.
T First Readings
1. First reading of an ordinance amending solid waste disposal rates in order to fully recover the
cost of solid waste disposal service and make the utility self-supporting -- Kathy Ragsdale, Utility
Office Director and Micki Rundell, Director of Finance and Administration
Ragsdale read only the caption after having satisfied the requirements of the City Charter.
Motion by Snell, second by Pfiester to approve the ordinance on first reading. Approved 5-1.
(Noble opposed)
2. First reading of an
ordinance amending
wastewater rates
to reflect the cost of providing service
-- Kathy Ragsdale,
Utility Office Director
and Micki
Rundell,
Director
of
and Administration
Finance
City Council Meeting Minutes/September 10, 2002
Page 6 of 7 Pages
Rundell explained the item and read only the caption after having satisfied the requirements of the
City Charter. Evans asked if residential and commercial is charged the same rate. Rundell
explained that there is two components to the residential rate, using "winter averaging" which
means their water use during the winter is used to determine their monthly sewer rate for the next
year. She said commercial customers pay a rate based on their actual water use. Briggs
responded that the commercial properties pay according to the volume of water they use. He said
the ordinance has a provision for industrial pretreatment charges for commercial customers who
become out of compliance in their discharge, saying they are assessed a larger surcharge "on top
of their volumetric fee. Motion by Noble, second by Pfiester to approve on first reading.
Approved 5-1. (Navarrette opposed)
3. First reading of an ordinance amending chapter 6.16 "Peddlers and Solicitors" of the
Georgetown Code of Ordinances -- Patricia E. Carls, City Attorney
Carls gave Council some background on a Supreme Court decision on a case heard that prevents
cities from requiring religious organizations to obtain a permit to go door-to-door. She said the
revised ordinance now contains language to that effect as well as language regarding fingerprint
identification and language regarding the ability to refuse a permit to someone who has a criminal
history.
Carls read only the caption after having satisfied the requirements of the City Charter.
Motion by Pfiester, second by Navarrette to approve on first reading. Approved 6-0.
U Items Forwarded to the City Council from the Georgetown Utility System Advisory Board
1. Consideration and possible action to approve the contract, between the City of Georgetown and
Royal Vista, Inc., for replacement of the water and wastewater lines on Hutto Road -- Glenn
Dishong, Water Services Manager and Jim Briggs, Assistant City Manager for Utility Operations
Dishong explained the item and told Council that the GUS Board unanimously approved the item
with the caveat that the required additional funding be secured without increasing the City's
indebtedness. He said the additional funding has already been identified in savings from future
projects. Motion by Evans, second by Pfiester to approve the contract. Approved 6-0.
2. Consideration and possible action to approve the contract, between the City of Georgetown and
Dunham Engineering, Inc., to provide professional services related to the rehabilitation of the
Sequoia Spur Ground Storage Tank -- Glenn Dishong, Water Services Manager and Jim Briggs,
Assistant City Manager for Utility Operations
Dishong explained the item. Motion by Evans, second by Pfiester to approve the contract.
Approved 6-0.
3. Consideration and possible action to approve the award of annual bid for water meters and
accessory kits to U.S. Filter, in the amount of $82,328.00 -- Terry Jones, Support Services Director
and Jim Briggs Assistant City Manager for Utility Operations
Jones explained the item. Motion by Pfiester, second by Evans to approve the award of bid.
Approved 6-0.
The meeting was adjourned at 08:12 PM.
City Council Meeting Minutes/September 10, 2002
Page 7 of 7 Pages