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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMIN 09.01.2005 CC-SThe City Council of the City of Georgetown, Texas, met in Special Session on the above date with Mayor Gary Nelon presiding. Council Present: 1'� Council Absent: Patty Eason, Gabe Sansing, Doug Smith, Henry All Council Present Carr, John Kirby, Farley Snell, Ben Oliver Staff Present: Paul Brandenburg, City Manager; Tom Yantis, Assistant City Manager; Jim Briggs, Assistant City Manager for Utility Operations; Patricia Carls, City Attorney; Sandra Lee, City Secretary; Micki Rundell, r Director of Finance and Administration; Laurie Brewer, Controller; Terry Jones, Purchasing Director; Lorie Lankford, Accountant III; Carmen Spies, Accountant 11; Danella Elliott, Finance Administrative Assistant; Randy Morrow, Director of Community Services; Kimberly Garrett, Assistant Director of �I Recreation and Programs; Paul Pausewang, Vehicle Service Center Supervisor; Glenn Dishong, Water Services Manager; Tom Benz, System Engineering Manager; Kevin Russell, Human Resources Director; Shelly Hargrove, Tourism Director and Main Street Manager; Anthony Lincoln, Fire Chief; Kevin Stofle, Assistant Police Chief; Mike Mayben, Energy Services Manager; Keith Hutchinson, Public Information Officer Public Hearing -® Called to order at 5:00 p.m. Mayor announced that there are 25 families from the coastal area that were visiting Georgetown and have been impacted by the hurricane because they will not be able to return home. He announced that a contact person for people who need help is JoAnn Ford and gave her phone number. He explained that the area churches, through the Interfaith Task Force, are able to house refugees. A Public Hearing on 2005/06 Annual Operating Plan Rundell gave a summary of the proposed budget, saying that it is policy compliant. With a slide presentation, Rundell explained the budget of $132 million. Brandenburg reviewedt the Council priorities of: Continued Revitalization and Economic Development, Continued Maintenance of the Overall Transportation Plan; Continued Implementation of the Downtown Master Plan; Improvement of the Quality of Services While Keeping Property Taxes Low; Continued Funding for Economic Development/Industrial Recruitment; Improved Emergency Response Levels; Alleviation of Immediate Traffic Congestion; Expansion of the Sewer Maintenance Program to Include the Edwards Aquifer; Expansion of Recycling/Environmental Opportunities; Expansion and Coordination of the Parks System; Update of the Century Plan; Development of an Affordable Housing Program; Expansion of the Records Management Program; Implementation of the Airport Master Plan; and Ensuring Adequate Staffing and Related Compensation for Non-public Safety Employees Rundell gave a financial overview, including a review of the sales tax, saying she is projecting conservatively, and noted there could be an impact from the hurricane and the cost of fuel. She said there will be some fee adjustments. She explained the Capital Improvement Program and listed the proposed new debt, including the funding of the new Library and Fire Station. Special City Council Meeting Minutes/September 1, 2005 Page 1 of 5 Pages Brandenburg summarized the proposed budget by saying that all Council priorities have been addressed through new or expanded programs. He said there is funding for continued maintenance and expansion of utilities; compensation and benefits have been improved; and staff levels have been improved. Nelon announced that there would be a three-minute rule for speaking at the public hearing and asked Council if they had questions. There were questions from Smith regarding the Williams Drive Gateway, saying GISD is planning to close McCoy Elementary, and that would add a substantial amount of acreage into the proposed gateway planning. Brandenburg responded that GISD has been notified and will participate in the discussions as to what will be done. The Public Hearing was opened at 5:40 p.m. Speaker, Don Padfield, with additional minutes ceded from Adrienne Padfield, complimented the staff regarding the budget but asked Council to consider a change in the property tax. He displayed some graphs to show what he termed as "people tax," which he said was a combination of sales tax and property tax. He said the property tax keeps going up and he doesn't understand why. He said 1 % of the sales tax was to be used for property tax relief, but it hasn't helped. There were no further comments. The Public Hearing was closed at 5:50 p.m. 5:50 p.m. -- recessed to Executive Session 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. B Sec.551.071: Consultation with Attorney - Pending or Threatened Litigation - Legal Advice Regarding Agenda Items and other Matters - Discussion of legal issues related to expansion of city limits and extraterritorial jurisdiction - Discussion and possible action regarding contested case hearing on City of Leander's requests to amend CCN Nos. 10302 and 20626 (Application Nos. 34789-C and 34790-C); SOAH Docket No. 582-05-7095; TCEQ Docket No. 2005-0864-UCR C Sec.551.086 Public Power Utility Competitive Matters - Power Supply Options for 2006 as recommended by the Georgetown Utility Systems Advisory Board 6:30 p.m. -- returned to Open Session Regular Session ®- Called to order at 6:30 p.m. D Action from Executive Session Motion by Smith, second by Sansing that the City of Georgetown move forward with the acquisition of energy for power supply year 2006 under our existing wholesale contract with the Lower Colorado River Authority, without exercising the market pricing options for a fixed percentage of energy. Approved 7-0. Motion by Smith, second by Kirby that staff begin the process of investigation of lower cost options for energy supply in the year 2007 and beyond, immediately. Approved 7-0. Legislative Regular Agenda Council will individually consider and possibly take action on any of the following items: E Discussion and possible action to adopt a resolution accepting the proposed Transportation Improvement Plan and approving the adopted 2005/06 Budget for the Georgetown Transportation Enhancement Corporation (GTEC) -- Micki Rundell, Director of Finance and Administration Special City Council Meeting Minutes/September 1, 2005 Page 2 of 5 Pages Rundell explained the item, saying the the GTEC Budget, totals $12,309,075, of which $10,646,075 is for transportation projects, including the Northeast Inner Loop at Lakeway Bridge, Southeast Arterial One, Hacias Los Lobos, the Southwest Bypass, the Williams Drive widening, and various specified economic development related projects. She said the budget includes sales tax revenues for 2005/06; debt proceeds related to the Northeast Inner Loop/Lakeway Bridge Project, the Southwest Bypass Project, and the Williams Drive Widening Project; Public Improvement District assessment for debt service related to the Wolf Ranch Project, which is unfunded by 53% of the GTEC revenue generated within Wolf Ranch; debt service related to the 2005 bond issue, as well as proposed debt service for any new bond issue; and projects listed for public hearing, as well as, administrative, supplies, and general engineering expenses, which do not require a public hearing. Snell asked about the contingent condition placed by Council on Park Central and 500 S. Austin Avenue. He said he knows there is an agreement that has been signed for 500 S. Austin Avenue, but is concerned about Park Central. Speaker, Royce Lindsey, said he has serious concerns about traffic impact on Leander Road as it effects the school zone and the additional truck traffic, which he said is already quite heavy. He said last year there was a school child hit by a truck at a school crossing with the guard present. He asked for something to be done to minimize the number of trucks on the road. He said this budget includes work on half of the Southwest Bypass. He said he thinks there is no plan for how to complete the project. He asked not to move forward on half a plan. Speaker, Keith Brainard, said he agrees with Lindsey and is very concerned about the truck traffic on Leander Road. He asked Council not to do anything to increase the truck traffic, and he expressed concern that the second half of the Southwest Bypass would be delayed. Speaker, Patty Pondrom, said she is also concerned about the increased truck traffic. She asked that Leander Road not be used as a bypass for truck traffic in order to keep it off of SH29. She said she thinks the southbound service road to be constructed on IH35 will be a viable alternative. She said she also does not want the easy access spur from SH29 eastbound onto southbound FM2243 until this road is connected to IH35. Speaker, Joe Pondrom, said he agrees with all the previous speakers and spoke about the presentation from Briggs at the GTEC Board Meeting. He said there was a proposal suggested to stop the eastbound traffic on Leander Road at the new bypass and "run them" up to SH29. Sansing asked Briggs to share the information he gave to the GTEC Board. Briggs said this portion of the bypass would allow truck traffic to use the widened SH29, moving east over to IH35, and thereby avoid using Leander Road. He said Leander Road does not have a "free right" onto southbound IH35 and there is a lot of stacking that occurs during peak hours. He said this helps to reduce traffic speed and is used by truck traffic leaving the quarry and heading south on IH35 to a job site. He said giving them an alternative to get to IH35 would be valuable to them as well as to the safety of the school children on Leander Road. He agreed with Patty Pondrom, saying there is consideration to delay the construction of the "free right" until the southern portion is constructed. Nelon pointed out that this would give a north/south alternative to keep school buses off the main lanes of IH35. Sansing noted and Briggs confirmed that this project would not be completed for approximately 3 1/2 years. Motion by Sansing, second by Eason to adopt the budget for GTEC. Motion by Smith, second by Kirby to amend the motion, asking that Project 148, the easy free -right from SH29 to the bypass for truck traffic not be completed until project 14C, Leander to IH35, is complete; and that eastbound trucks on SH29 not be diverted to the bypass until 14C is complete. He said this should keep the trucks continuing straight through on SH29. Approved 7-0. Kirby said he will vote for the motion as amended, but doesn't think this is the time to do the Lakeway bridge. He said there is a shortage of funds in the GTEC money and that some of the funds should be conserved. He said he would vote for the motion, but doesn't think the Park Central Road should be a part of the GTEC Budget. He said he thinks it is a substandard road and should be brought up to standard by the developer and those that will use it. F Consideration and possible action to approve an interlocal operating contract between the City of Georgetown and the Georgetown Transportation Enhancement Corporation (GTEC) for the 2005/06 fiscal year -- Micki Rundell, Director of Finance and Administration Special City Council Meeting Minutes/September 1, 2005 Page 3 of 5 Pages Rundell explained the item. Motion by Sansing, second by Smith to approve the interlocal operating contract. Approved 7-0. G Consideration and possible action to approve a resolution to accept the 2005 Tax Appraisal Roll for the City of Georgetown as presented by Deborah Hunt, Tax Assessor -Collector -- Micki Rundell, Director of Finance and Administration Rundell explained the item. Motion by Smith, second by Eason to approve the 2005 Tax Appraisal Roll. Approved 7-0. H First Readings 1. First Reading of an ordinance levying a tax rate for the City of Georgetown for the tax year 2005 -- Micki Rundell, Director of Finance and Administration Rundell explained the item and read only the caption on first reading, after having satisfied the requirements of the City Charter. Speaker, Don Padfield, said he would prefer that the Council adopt the budget as proposed by the City Manager and said he thinks the proposed increase in the property tax is out of line. Motion by Snell, second by Eason that the property tax be increased by the adoption of a tax rate of $0.35909, of which $0.21996 will be for maintenance and operations and $0.13913 for interest and sinking. Snell explained the reason for the proposed increase, being to cover the debt from construction of the new library, increase the number of police and fire personnel, and provide 95% market adjustment of Round Rock compensation for municipal employees. Motion by Oliver, second by Kirby to amend to increase the property tax by the adoption of a tax rate of $0.34626, of which $0.20713 will be for maintenance and operations, and $0.13913 will be for interest and sinking. He explained his motion. Smith noted that he was absent when the $0.35909 was approved last month. He said the voters did vote a 1/8 cent sales tax for property tax relief and 1/8 cent for economic development, saying the reason the sales tax passed was because of the "carrot" of property tax relief. He said he thinks to go just under the rollback rate at this time is not wise. Nelon said he would speak in favor of Oliver's amendment because that amount was the proposed amount from the City Manager, and the City should look at the timing of when the rate could go higher. Kirby said he also supports Oliver's motion. He compared municipal budgeting with private corporate budgeting and compared the City of Georgetown budgets for the last three years to the City of Round Rock's Strategic Plan and Budget. He demonstrated some charts that he had asked finance staff to prepare. He noted that the additional taxes will be paid by the non -frozen taxpayers. He said he prefers the $0.34626 tax rate as proposed by Oliver's motion. Carr said he likes Oliver's motion, saying it is a good compromise. Sansing said the 1/8 cent has been accounted for in this year's budget. He said he supports the increase to add the extra fire and police personnel and build the library. Oliver explained that the number of personnel was in the original budget as proposed by Brandenburg, saying it was the salary increases that would be funded by the proposed increase. Eason said she prefers to ensure the salary increases with the increase in the property tax rather than wait to see if the sales tax revenues are adequate. Snell said he predicts that with whatever number comes in, Georgetown will be at 90% of Round Rock in compensation. There was further discussion. Special City Council Meeting Minutes/September 1, 2005 Page 4 of 5 Pages Vote on Oliver's amendment: Approved 4-3 (Eason, Snell and Sansing opposed) Vote on original motion as amended: Approved 4-3 (Eason, Snell and Sansing opposed) 2. First Reading of an ordinance adopting an Annual Operating Plan Element of the Georgetown Century Plan (budget) for the fiscal year beginning October 1, 2005, and ending September 30, 2006; adopting the Annual Amendment to the Century Plan -- Micki Rundell, Director of Finance and Administration Rundell read only the caption of the ordinance on first reading after having satisfied the requirements of the City Charter. Rundell noted that the ordinance was prepared at the $0.35909 rate. Brandenburg explained that at the lower rate, it would be suggested that the new hires be handled at half as many as were proposed to be added, while keeping the salaries for all city employees at 95%. Then, if there is enough revenue at mid -year the other half can be hired. There was discussion. It was generally determined that Brandenburg's suggestion was a good plan. Rundell explained that the change in rate would lower the General Fund by about $250,000. Motion by Sansing, second by Snell to adopt a budget based on the $0.34626 rate. Approved 7-0. Brandenburg confirmed that the second reading of the ordinance would contain the adjusted numbers and an explanation. 3. First Reading of an ordinance amending Sec. 2.08.010 "Administrative Divisions and Departments" of the Georgetown Code of Ordinances -- Micki Rundell, Director of Finance and Administration Rundell read only the caption of the ordinance on first reading after having satisfied the requirements of the City Charter. She said there were no changes from last year. Motion by Smith, second by Oliver to approve. Approved 7-0. Discussion and possible action regarding a proposed "Short Term Supplemental Water Supply Agreement" with the City of Leander -- Jim Briggs, Assistant City Manager for Utility Operations and Patricia E. Carls, City Attorney Briggs explained the supplemental water supply agreement as proposed by the City of Leander. He said based on staffs review of the agreement, there are some competitive issues involved with the agreement that may not be beneficial to the City of Georgetown. He asked Council to not approve the agreement. Motion by Smith, second by Kirby to reject the agreement. Approved 7-0. The meeting was adjourned at 7:45 p.m. Approved: Special City Council Meeting Minutes/September 1, 2005 Page 5 of 5 Pages Attest: Sandra D. Lee, City