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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMIN 09.12.1995 CC-W&RMINUTES OF THE MEETING OF • •D OF THE CITY OF GEORGETOWN, TUESDAY, September 12, 1995 Council Present: George Arroyos Lee Bain Doris Curl Susan Hoyt Ferd Tann Dick Vincent Staff Present: Bob Hart, City Manager Marianne Banks, City Attorney Sandra Lee, City Secretary Ed Barry, Dir. of Dev. Svcs. Susan Morgan, Dir. of Finance & Admin. Council Absent: Winfred Bonner Micki Rundell, Acctg. Supervisor Dave Hall, Building Official Shawn Enos, Building Inspector Molly Alexander, CVB Coordinator Jim Briggs, Dir. of Community Owned Utilities Hartley Sappington, Dir. of Community Services Elizabeth Gray, Dir. of Management Services Worms -Called to order 5:30 p.m. A Review a rate request by Longhorn Disposal for solid waste collection/Hartley Sappington Longhorn Community Disposal General Manager John Albert explained to Council the need for the additional amount requested particularly due to increased fees at the landfills. He provided to Council comparisons of the rates charged by other cities in the area; a rate history for the City of Georgetown; and a history of the landfill prices in the area. Regular Session - (To convene Executive Session) Executive Session B Sec.551.071 consultation with attorney C Sec.551.072 deliberation on real property D Sec.551.075 conference with employee Regular Session - Called to order at 7:10 p.m. City Council Minutes/September 12, 1995 Page 1 of 10 Pages E Action on Executive Session items There was no action taken on Executive Session items. Consent Ages nda F Consideration of approval of meeting minutes --Regular Meeting of August 22, 1995/Sandra Lee G Consideration of approval of a Letter of Understanding with Maxwell, Locke & Ritter, P.C. to perform the independent audit of City accounts for fiscal year ended September 30, 1995/Susan Morgan and Bob Hart Curl questioned the increased fee. Morgan explained that the Georgetown Budget is a very involved municipal budget and that the City is requesting more information from the auditors this year. Morgan said the contract would be up for renewal in the spring. At that time, the City will send out Requests for Proposal to be based on certain qualifications. Morgan reminded Council that the audtor candidates are reviewed and interviewed by a Council Subcommittee appointed by the Mayor. H Consideration of a resolution setting a public hearing date for consideration of the proposed water and wastewater improvement programs for the impact fee study and adoption of water and wastewater impact fees/Ed Barry I Consideration of a lease agreement with the Community Supervision and Correction Department of Williamson County to maintain the Pecan Grove/Bob Hart Curl encouraged use of this type of program in other areas and suggested they be asked to expand their garden to help provide food for the "Meals on Wheels" program sponsored by WBCO. J Authorization for payment of two (2) deductibles to National Casualty Company/Hartley Sappington K Authorization for Councilmembers to attend the National Casualty Company/Hartley Sappington (pulled by City Manager due to typographical error in the posting) L Consideration of a contract with 1113 Architects, Inc. for construction of a building for Reedholm Instruments under the Texas Capital Fund Program/Marianne Banks There were questions from Wood and Bain about 1113 Architects. Hart explained that they are a local firm working on renovating the Old Produce Warehouse near the Courthouse Annex. They have been doing the design work on the Reedholm Building without a City Council Minutes/September 12, 1995 Page 2 of 10 Pages contract. With approval of this contract, they will be paid out of the grant money which will be reimbursed by the Reedholms. M Pulled. (See Regular Agenda) N Consideration of a resolution withdrawing the intent to create a gas distribution system to serve Sun City/Bob Hart O Consideration of the termination of a contract with Dennis Worley, Engineers/Bob Hart P Consideration of a resolution awarding the bid for the Fiscal Year 1996 Health Insurance to MetraHealth, Inc. (PPO) and MetraHealth Care Plans of TX (HMO)/Elizabeth Gray Curl thanked the City employees who were involved in choosing the best bargain for the City. It was noted that the broker, Hutch Hubby, is a local business owner. Bain asked about the total dollar amount for this year's City contributions. Gray replied that the amount is almost the same as last year, but will serve an increased number of employees. Q Consideration of approval of a contract with Dorcon, Inc. for complete design work and cost estimates for the remodeling of the City Offices in an amount not to exceed $19,300.00/Terry Jones and Hartley Sappington Curl inquired as to the type of structural renovations that would be done to support the upstairs floor, whether roof repairs would be done, and if the Heritage Society could have input on the changes that would effect the Visitor Center? Sappington indicated that support columns would be poured at a minimal interruption to existing work spaces, and that all remodeling efforts would include improving the customer flow at the Visitor Center. Bain asked if the contractor had worked before for the City. Sappington replied that he has done T -hangars at the Airport. R Consideration of approval of Garney Companies Change Order 41 to upsize the Pecan Branch Wastewater Line in the amount of $78,119.08/Jim Briggs Bain inquired and was told that the property owners were paying for the cost of the upsizing upfront and that the fees have already been paid. S Consideration of approval of a request to the Texas Department of Transportation to lower the speed limit on West Highway 29 from Interstate 35 to just west of D. B. Wood Road/Bob Hart City Council Minutes/September 12, 1995 Page 3 of 10 Pages Curl asked if there was more support than just from the letter copied in the agenda packet. Hart replied that this request was also supported by First Baptist Church and residents in the area. T Consideration of a resolution authorizing the Mayor to sign two deeds conveying property to the Texas Department of Transportation for widening of the bridge on Highway 29/1\4arianne Banks Motion by Tann, second by Vincent to approve the Consent Agenda with the exception of Items KK and M. Approved 6-0. (Bonner absent due to illness) Regular^ Agenda U Citizens wishing to address the Council Sam Gardner of 207 John Thomas informed Council that the construction in area is creating problems. Many people drive too fast on the winding road with obstructed views. There are lots of walkers early and late in the day. Gardner presented a petition showing that 27 of the 30 residents contacted would like a reasonable speed limit posted and enforced for that area. He told Council that Austin has a "Speed Hump Project" that he would like to see started in Georgetown. Wood acknowledged receipt of the petition. Wood recognized, in the audience, Lone Star Gas officials Bill Smith, Jody Butler, Richard Bone and Doug McCall. Arroyos thanked City staff for their assistance with Fiesta San Jose. Bill Miller of Berry Creek spoke to Council regarding the proposed variance to impervious cover that would be coming before them sometime in the near future, to which he is very much opposed, saying that he feels the variance is being requested purely for the economic gain of the developer. V Mayor, Council, City Manager, and staff comments and reports • TML Regional Meeting in Round Rock on Friday, September 29 • TML Legislative Policy Committee Appointments Hart asked Council to let him know if they were interested in serving on the Legislative Policy Committees. Mayor reported that the National Highway System has been proposed in the House of Representatives and that MOKAN is a part of it. Wood asked that Item CC be addressed at this time on the agenda. City Council Minutes/September 12, 1995 Page 4 of 10 Pages CC Authorization for distribution of funds received in a grant to the Mayor through the American Hometown Leaders Award Program sponsored by the National Association of Towns and Townships and WalMart stores/Mayor Wood Wood asked Eunice Blair, President of the G.I.V.E. Board to come forward. Mrs. Blair announced that she had nominated Wood for the leadership award because of his constant sustained support for the G.I.V.E. Program. Wood also invited Jeri Manhal, Executive Director of G.I.V.E. and Karen Hill, Chair of the Georgetown Heritage Society to come forward. Wood thanked Blair and the G.I.V.E. Board, and announced that $3000 of the $5000 award would be given to the G.I.V.E. Program, and $1000 would be given to the Heritage Society for the Grace Church Fund. Wood said that because he had promised the bond rating agencies in New York that the City would assist the General Fund whenever possible, $1000 would go to the General Fund. Motion by Bain, second by Vincent to approve the Mayor's recommended distribution of the award funds. Approved 6-0. Hill thanked Wood and the Council for the $1000 for the Grace Church Fund. • LCRA Birthday Cake (30 minutes) Wood recognized Robert Long with LCRA. On September 12, 49 years ago, Georgetown first took power from LORA. In honor of that anniversary, Long served cake to those in attendance at the Council Meeting. 7:50 p.m. break for cake resumed at 8:07 p.m. W Second reading of an ordinance to rezone Stonehedge Subdivision, Section Three, Block J, Lot 31, from A, Agricultural to RS, Single Family or any more restrictive classification/Ed Barry and Hildy Kingma Barry read the caption. Motion by Tonn, second by Vincent to approve Ordinance 95-39 on second reading. Approved 6-0. X Second reading of an ordinance to rezone Stonehedge Subdivision, Sections One and Two from A, Agricultural to RS, Residential Single Family/Ed Barry and Hildy Kingma Pulled at the request of the applicant. Y Second reading of an ordinance to require the Municipal Court Judge, that is appointed by the Council, to set the minimum fine amounts for Class "C" Misdemeanors falling within the Municipal Court's jurisdiction/Susan Morgan and Laurie Brewer City Council Minutes/September 12, 1995 Page 5 of 10 Pages Morgan read the caption. Curl asked if Council should receive recommendations from the Judge and then adopt this ordinance. Banks and Morgan explained that this ordinance would allow the Judge to choose the rate within a range prescribed by the State. Motion by Curl, second by Bain to approve Ordinance No. 95-41 on second reading. Approved 6-0. Hoyt asked for a copy of the new rates. Morgan assured them that Judge would provide a copy of the rates for Council. Z Second reading of an ordinance amending Chapters 8.04 and 2.32, and Title 15 of the Code of Ordinances, providing the adoption of updated versions of the Building and Electrical Construction Codes/Ed Barry and David Hall Hall read the caption. Motion by Tonn, second by Curl to approve Ordinance 95-42 on second reading. Approved 6-0. AA Second reading of an ordinance amending Chapter 2.60 of the Code of Ordinances for the Board of Electrical Examiners/Ed Barry and David Hall Hall read the caption. Motion by Vincent, second by Hoyt to approve Ordinance 95-43 on second reading. Approved 6-0. Bain expressed concern about the wording of Section 2 of the ordinance and asked for clarification. Banks said the language would be clarified. BB Second reading of an ordinance adopting revisions to the City's Subdivision Regulations/Ed Barry and Hildy Kingma Barry read the caption. Motion by Tonn, second by Curl to approve Ordinance 95-44 on second reading. Approved 6-0. DD Request for Council guidance related to revisions to the Zoning Ordinance to allow model homes in the "R" zoning districts, and to allow a model home to operate at 1000 Woodview Drive specifically/Hildy Kingma and Ed Barry Barry explained that this guidance request concerned two issues. The first issue was how to address model homes throughout Georgetown, and the second issue was how to address the model home at 1000 Woodview Drive. Barry explained that staff has tried to work with the homebuilders in the area. He suggested that since there were a number of issues to deal with, a workshop could be scheduled to discuss the issues, or Council could send this item City Council Minutes/September 12; 1995 Page 6 of 10 Pages back to Planning and Zoning for recommendations. Barry reminded Council that a petition had been submitted by the neighbors in the area. Tom Casey of 214 Rockcrest Drive stated that Buffington Homes had never built before in 1000 Oaks Subdivision. He explained that the neighborhood's first concern was for two very large signs that would have created viewing difficulties on the corner. Planning and Zoning denied the signs. Casey said that the builder stated at the P & Z Meeting that the model was built as a marketing method to compete with the more visible homes of other builders. Casey and other residents feel that the lighting is obtrusive and the sidewalks installed on two sides of the corner location are in response to a regulation in the Sierra Vista section where the builder is actually constructing homes. Sidewalks were not required when 1000 Oaks Subdivision was built because the area had not yet been annexed. Casey suggested that if the builder would be willing to put sidewalks throughout the rest of the neighborhood, the neighbors would not oppose the model home. When asked by Council if the model home was operating at this time, City Building Inspector David Hall replied that a temporary final permit had been issued stating on the permit that permission was granted to operate pending City Council decision. Barry stated that lights are allowed as long as they are directed not to shine into the neighbor's yards. Wood asked Banks to make a recommendation for Council action. Banks said the City Council could revoke the permit, but the builder would then have grounds for a claim against the City. Curl emphasized again that the City needs an urban design plan because of the increased growth. She asked for a workshop and resurrection of the urban design committee. Banks advised Council that if this model home is found in violation, all existing model homes in the City would also be found in violation except those in Churchill Farms because they were in existence before the area was annexed, and those in Sun City because they were handled under the regulations for a Planned Unit Development. Motion by Hoyt, second by Bain to hold a workshop to discuss these issues at the Council Meeting on September 26, and revoke the temporary permit until after the next meeting. Arroyos asked what kind of risk this would be for city staff. Banks repeated that the builder would have a valid claim. Approved 5-1 (Arroyos opposed) EE Consideration of an amendment to increase rates in the collection and disposal of the solid waste contract with Longhorn Disposal/Hartley Sappington Wood asked for the difference between this item and Item JJ. Hart explained that this increase would be in addition to the amount in the ordinance. Wood asked what amount of City Council Minutes/September 12, 1995 Page 7 of 10 Pages increase would be needed to cover the increased tipping fees. Sappington replied that about $0.10 of the requested increase would cover the tipping fees, but another increase from the landfill is anticipated in February. Motion by Tonn, second by Hoyt to give Longhorn $0.10 cents on residential service and 1.2% on commercial service to cover the cost of the tipping fees. Approved 6-0. FF First reading of an ordinance amending the 1994/95 Annual Operating Plan Element (budget) to offset variances in various fund budgets for increases in expenditures that are tied to service requests or revenue collection rates, to properly account for grant expenditures, and to reclass expenditures between funds/Micki Rundell and Susan Morgan Morgan stated that this is a "clean-up" item for the current budget. She said that the most significant item pertained to sanitation revenue. Morgan said that sales are up, and this increase was passed through to Longhorn. Also, a small grant was received for the Airport and that money needs to be passed through. Morgan read the caption. Motion by Bain, second by Hoyt Approved 6-0. GG First reading of an ordinance adopting an Annual Operating Plan Element of the Georgetown Century Plan (budget) for the fiscal year beginning October 1, 1995, and ending September 3)0, 1996; adopting the Annual Amendment to the Century Plan/Susan Morgan and Bob Hart Morgan explained that this ordinance adopts the budget with a few minor changes having occurred such as the elimination of the items that had been included for the proposed gas distribution system. Morgan read the caption only on first reading after satisfying the requirements of the Charter. Motion by Tonn, second by Vincent to approve this ordinance on first reading. Approved 6-0. HH First reading of an ordinance amending Sec.2.08.010 "Administrative Divisions and Departments" of the Georgetown Code of Ordinances/Susan Morgan and Bob Hart Morgan explained that this ordinance sets up the operating divisions. She noted that changes were pointed out in the item cover sheet. Morgan read the caption on first reading after satisfying the requirements of the Charter. Motion by Bain, second by Tonn to approve this ordinance on first reading. Approved 6-0. 11 First reading of an ordinance levying a tax rate for the City of Georgetown for the tax year 1995/Susan Morgan and Bob Hart City Council Minutes/September 12, 1995 Page 8 of 10 Pages Morgan read the caption only on first reading after satisfying the requirements of the Charter. Tonn asked if the deletion of the proposed gas distribution system would effect the tax rate. Hart explained that the gas system would have been covered by the Del Webb SIP fees. Wood asked for a motion to adopt the 37 cent rate. Motion by Vincent, second by Bain to approve this ordinance on first reading. Approved 6-0. JJ First reading of an ordinance amending solid waste disposal rates/Susan Morgan and Bob Hart Morgan noted that on second reading this ordinance would reflect the motion made earlier on the agenda to include the $0.10 increase rather than $0.75. Morgan read the caption only on first reading after satisfying the requirements of the Charter. Motion by Tonn, second by Hoyt to approve this ordinance on first reading. Approved 6-0. KK First reading of an ordinance establishing water and sewer rates for customers in the Berry Creek service area for billing permits after September 30, 1995/Susan Morgan Jack Milanese of Berry Creek said he feels the Berry Creek residents are not receiving the same services as other areas in the ETJ and would like for the water rates to be held as they are until the services increase or until the water supply is adequate. Bill Miller said that he would like to echo the previous remarks. He told Council that he feels that the current water system is the same inadequate one, so why should the Berry Creek residents pay more? He asked who pays for the laying of the water lines to supply the area with water. He suggested delaying the increase until the line is laid and the service is improved. Hart explained that the general policy is that the user/developer bears the cost. All improvements in the Georgetown water system are provided through revenues from the entire system. Morgan read the caption only on first reading after satisfying the requirements of the Charter. Morgan explained that the Council had passed a special ordinance back in March, when the system was purchased, to allow the residents to remain on their old rate, because the improvements would not be possible until the next fiscal year. She explained that the ordinance was written to expire in September. She advised that if the improvements are not done, the system will not be adequate. Motion by Hoyt, second by Vincent to approve this ordinance on first reading. Approved b-0. Curl asked if the City was making plans for water conservation. Hart said the staff recommends that the Council look at the options in early Spring. The City is participating in the Trans -Texas Study and investigating all the other nearby water systems along with City Council Minutes/September 12, 1995 Page 9 of 10 Pages options for long-term water supplies. Hart said that rationing would probably be dealt with at the treatment plant level regarding peak use. LL First reading of an ordinance amending the fuel flowage fee rates charged at the Georgetown Municipal Airport/Travis McLain and Hartley Sappington McLain read the ordinance. Motion by Vincent, second by Hoyt to approve this ordinance on first reading. Approved 5-0. (Curl abstained) M Consideration of a development agreement concerning payment of improvements by Russell Laundromat/Marianne Banks Bain had a question about enforcement of payment. Banks explained that the City could either sue or turn off utilities. Motion by Tonn, second by Hoyt to approve the development agreement. Approved 6-0. MM Final comments and evaluation of meeting process There were no final comments. The meeting was adjourned at 9:27 p.m. Approved: } 9 J Leo Wood, Mayor City Council Minutes/September 12, 1995 Page 10 of 10 Pages Attest: r Sandra D. Lee, City Secretary