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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMIN 02.09.2004 CC-RThe City Council of the City of Georgetown, Texas, met in Regular Session on the above date with Mayor Gary Nelon presiding. Council Present: 'Council Absent: Mayor Gary Nelon, Patty Eason, Farley Snell, Doug Smith, Jack Noble, John Kirby, Mark Ramsey, Gabe Sansing 0"1170=1 Paul Brandenburg, City Manager, Shirley Rinn, Deputy City Secretary, Trish Carls, City Attorney, Tom Yantis, Assistant City Manager for Operations, Jim Briggs, Assistant City Manager for Utility Operations, Micki Rundell, Director of Finance and Administration, Laurie Brewer, Controller, Mark Thomas, Economic Development Director, Travis McClain, Airport Manager, Ken Finn, Animal Shelter Supervisor, Jackie Carey, Animal Shelter Manager, Mike Stasney, Utility Systems Information Manager, Mark Miller, Street Superintendant, David Morgan, Chief of Police, Keith Hutchinson, Public Information Officer Policy Development/Review Workshop Policy Development/Review Workshop = Call to order at 4.00 p.m. A Workshop to update Council on the progress of the Airport Masterplan -- Tom Yantis, Assistant City Manager Tom Yantis addressed the council regarding the progress of the Airport Masterplan. He told council that the advisory committee met for the first time and introduced Chuck Willis, the airport masterplan consultant, who gave council an overview of the progress of the project. Yantis also told council that the website will have regular updates and the progress of the project and that the next meeting is April 12, 2004. B Discussion and overview of Legislative Changes for 4B Corporations, 4A Corporations and '/4 cent Sales and Use Tax -- Paul E. Brandenburg, City Manager Brandenburg told council that some members of staff, members of the GTEC Board, and a number of Councilmembers have attended training regarding changes in the 4B and 4A sales tax laws and that he wanted to give an overview of the changes to the entire council as to how those laws specifically impact Georgetown. Brandenburg went over the Ballot Language that was approved by the voters and briefly discussed some of the concerns regarding the changes. Paul introduced Bob Bearden with the Texas Department of Economic Development who told council that the City of Georgetown's ballot language was restrictive in the way that it was written and therefore limited the City as to what it could do with the sales tax proceed. He also went over the changes that were made in House Bill 2912 to the 4A and 4B sales and use tax laws. He went over the types of projects that could be done with 4A and 4B sales and use tax money and said that most of them appear to be covered under our ballot language. He also discussed AG opinions regarding ballot language, as well as the training requirements regarding 4A and 4B Corporations, changes that restrict what you can do with 4A and 4B proceeds with regard to business development, City Council Meeting Minutes/February 9, 2004 Page 1 of 3 Pages incentives and the creation of primary jobs. He also told council that up to 10% of 4B funds could be use for promotion as long as it was within the scope of the 4B mission. He also told Council that while you could only have one 4B Corporation and one 4A Corporation, those two corporations could work together for a specific project. He went on to discuss with Council whether 4B funds could be used to build sidewalks. He told them that you would have to look at the "whole concept of the project" and how the sidewalk would fit in, and that it must support business development. There was further discussion regarding the use of 4B monies for wayfinding signs, as well as the differences between 4A and 4B Corporations and the types of projects that could done through these corporations. C Discussion of Governmental Accounting Standards Board (GASB) 34 and its impact on the City's financial management and reporting -- Laurie Brewer, Controller and Micki Rundell, Director of Finance and Administration Micki Rundell addressed the council and provided a presentation regarding Governmental Accounting Standards Board (GASB) 34 and its impact on the City's financial management and reporting. She also discussed how GASB 34 would impact the City's bond ratings and that bond rating agencies are looking for this type of reporting. Rundell clarified that the fund reporting will now be more detailed than it has been previously. She told council that the new reporting will include a transmittal letter that emphasizes the community and economic conditions, the addition of Management Discussion and Analysis, which will analyze key data, the addition of government wide financial statements and the capitalization of infrastructure asses. Rundell went on to discuss the pavement management system and its future impact on the City, and Jim Briggs described to Council the methods of maintaining street assets at a minimum standard. He discussed reconstruction of older streets that do not meet the standards, as well microsurfacing on newer streets that need maintenance to keep them at the minimum standards. 5:11 pm - Recessed to Executive Session 5:40 pm - reconvened for workshop D Discussion regarding charge and direction for the Animal Shelter Advisory Board -- Tom Yantis, Assistant City Manager Leo Prather introduced the Animal Shelter Advisory Board to the Council. The Board provided a PowerPoint presentation regarding issues related to the Animal Shelter, including the condition of the shelter, staffing, volunteers, statistics, and possible solutions to the issues discussed. There was discussion regarding the concerns of the Animal Shelter Advisory Board and how they can maximize the possible solutions, including an expanded shelter facilities, as well as expanded staffing. There was further discussion regarding use of the cable channel for promotions of the animal shelter and animal outreach, the need for increasing the size of the shelter and the staffing levels and the need to request funding in next year's budget, the need to raise awareness of the spay and neutering program and adoption program, as well as the number of animals that are euthanized historically and ways to decrease that number. They went on to discuss the process for submitting program requests for the budget. Brandenburg described the upcoming budget process and steps being taken to obtain more input from staff and advisory boards during the process. The Board and Council also discussed the state requirements for creation and operation of Animal Shelter Advisory Board and whether or not the Council could expand the duties of the Advisory Board beyond the state requirements. The members of the Board also told Council that they wanted to be an advocate for the Animal Shelter and were concerned that the language in the Ordinance did not allow them the flexibility they needed to do that. They also discussed whether they would need to bring the proposed language changes to the ordinance back to council at a future meeting for deliberation. Tom Yantis told them that he thought a simpler process would be to amend their bylaws with one reading as opposed to amending the ordinance. He told them that he thought the bylaw change would allow them to do what they wanted to do, and still be covered by the ordinance. The Advisory Board and Council will meet again later in the year to update Council on their progress. Motion by Snell, Second by Ramsey to Adjourn. Meeting was adjourned at 6:30pm. City Council Meeting Minutes/February 9, 2004 Page 2 of 3 Pages E Council Calendar Regular Council Meeting on Tuesday, February 10, 2004, at 6:00 p.m., in the City Council Chambers at the northeast corner of Seventh and Main Streets - Orientation for New Members to Boards and Commissions on Wednesday, February 18, at 6:30 p.m. in the City Council Chamber - Appreciation Reception for Outgoing Members of Boards and Commissions on Tuesday, February 24, at 5:00 p.m. in the lobby of the City Council Chamber 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. F Sec.551.071 consultation with attorney - Pending Litigation - Legal Advice Regarding Agenda Items and other Matters G Sec.551.072 deliberation on real property - Discussion and possible action regarding acquisition of property for downtown parking and city facilities These minutes were compiled by Deputy City Secretary Shirley Rinn. The meeting Was adjourned at 06:30 PM. City Council Meeting Minutes/February 9, 2004 Page 3 of 3 Pages Attest: Secretary Sandra Lee