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Home My WebLink AboutMIN 01.12.2004 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: Patty Eason, Gabe Sansing, Doug Smith, Jack District 7 vacant Noble, John Kirby, Farley Snell l Staff Present: E Paul Brandenburg, City Manager; Tom Yantis, Assistant City Manager; Jim Briggs, Assistant City Manager for Utility Operations; Trish Carls, City Attorney; Sandra Lee, City Secretary; Micki Rundell, Director of Finance and Administration; Amelia Sondgeroth, Director of Planning and Development Services; Mark Thomas, Economic Development Director; Laurie Brewer, Comptroller; Julie Canady, Code Enforcement Supervisor; Terry Kahabka, Code Enforcement Officer; Eric Lashley, Library Director;'; Keith Hutchinson, Public Information Officer; Mike Mayben, Energy Services Manager; Mike Stasny, Utility System Information Manager .s 0 v Called to order at 4:00 p.m. Mayor Nelon explained that the items would be handled in a slightly different order. A Discussion seeking direction regarding possible amendment of tall weeds and grass ordinance to allow for natural landscaping -- Tom Leggitt, Fire Marshal and Anthony Lincoln, Fire Chief Julie Canady, Code Enforcement Supervisor, explained the purpose of the agenda item. She explained that there are "natural lawns" featuring plantings that are native to this area, but those lawns are not in compliance with the current ordinance. She said there are also City parks that would like to leave areas in natural, low -maintenance landscaping. She reviewed the benefits and objections of natural landscaping. She suggested options to be contained in the ordinance, such as exceptions for natural lawn certifications as certified by a citizen/staff committee to meet quarterly to approve natural lawn applications. She asked for Council's review and direction. Eason noted that her entire yard has been certified as a natural lawn by the Natural Lawn Federation and the Texas Parks and Wildlife Association, but all of her plantings comply with the current City ordinance requirements. There was Council discussion and general consensus that they would like staff to prepare and bring forward the proposed ordinance. C Discussion regarding Proposition 13, which is a constitutional amendment for the State of Texas to permit counties, cities and towns, and junior college districts to establish an ad valorem tax freeze on residence homesteads of the disabled and of the elderly and of their spouses -- Paul E. Brandenburg, City Manager Brandenburg explained that Proposition 13 is a very complex issue involving tax calculations. He said the state has allowed municipalities, counties, and various MUD districts to either determine to approve the Proposition or react to a petition to place the issue on a ballot for citizen election. He said the City will not lose any money, but what will shift is who will have to pay for the cost of services that will still need to be provided. He said someone will need to pay for those services. He said Scenario H will be put in jeopardy if Proposition 13 is adopted. He also noted the issue of social and political fairness regarding approval of City Council Meeting Minutes/January 26, 2004 Page 1 of 3 Pages Proposition 13, and the impact on the General Fund from reduced revenue from property tax. He said future bond issues would be paid for by non -frozen taxes. He said the freeze would effect Georgetown more than any other city in central Texas because of the larger percentage of population in Georgetown aged 65 or over. Brandenburg asked Finance Director, Micki Rundell, to explain the details as provided on spread sheets included in the Council Agenda Packet. She said taxes would need to be raised to acheive the effective tax rate of the previous year. She said 70% of Georgetown's tax base is residential, and Proposition 13 properties represent 27% of the total Georgetown taxable value. Noble suggested that the numbers be "run forward" five years to see how they look. Smith said approximately 36% of the people in Georgetown have their school taxes frozen at this time. He confirmed with Rundell that there would need to be an approximate 12% increase in taxes that are non -frozen. Joe Pondrom from the Williamson County Tax Office, in the audience, was asked to come forward to answer questions regarding the calculations for the effective tax rate. There were questions from Council and further discussion. It was discussed that the Council could approve Proposition 13 but could not vote to put the issue on the ballot. Carls reiterated that the only way this item could be put on the ballot, would be by petition from the citizens. It was also reiterated that if this proposition is adopted, it cannot be repealed. B Discussion regarding adoption of the City of Georgetown Downtown Master Plan as an element of the Georgetown Century Plan -- Tom Yantis, Assistant City Manager Yantis noted that the Downtown Master Plan was presented to Council to be approved as a portion of the Century Plan in December, 2003, but was deferred at first reading until after a workshop regarding projects slated by TXDOT for Austin Avenue. Yantis noted that information has been provided regarding modification of Austin Avenue, the historic nature of the bridges, and the impact of the project on historic properties within 150 feet of the proposed project. Yantis said the Master Plan is really a guideline, but there is value in adopting it as a portion of the Century Plan so that there is a process for compliance. Nelon noted that TXDOT wishes to widen the bridges, and the Plan calls for preserving the historic nature of the bridges. Briggs displayed the plans for the project, showing the proposed changes from Williams Drive to 6th Street. He explained the proposed changes to the Williams Drive intersection, a proposed signalized intersection and turning bays at Morrow Street, a raised median at Spring Street that would not allow left turns out of Diamond Shamrock, and a T -intersection at San Gabriel Blvd. He explained the proposed improvements to the bridges. There was discussion regarding the historic preservation of the bridges vs. the need to redesign the structural supports for safety reasons. Smith asked if it would be possible to have TXDOT expedite this project and schedule the entire widening project at one time, rather than one segment at a time. Briggs said TXDOT indicated if there were a real need, the City could provide a bonus to be paid to the contractor for the purpose of expediting the project. Nelon suggested when this comes back to Council, that certain decisions need to be made such as whether to extend the widening just to 2nd Street as opposed to 6th Street, whether to do all at one time, and whether to preserve the remnants of the bridge that make it unique. Briggs shared that the funding of the project is $6 million, and the plan is to close down only one lane at a time in order to allow accessibility during the project. He said the proposed schedule is to let the contract in September, 2005, with a completion date in 2006. D Council Calendar - Regular Council Meeting on Tuesday, January 13, 2004, at 6:00 p.m. - Run -Off Election for District 7, on Saturday, January 24, 2004 (Early Voting January 7 - 20 at County Courthouse) - Regular Council Workshop, on Monday, January 26, 2004 - Regular Council Meeting on Tuesday, January 27, 2004 - Community Breakfast Meeting, Georgetown Municipal Complex, San Gabriel Room, on Friday, January 30, 20042 7:30 a.m. 6:08 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. E Sec.551.071 consultation with attorney - Pending Litigation - Legal Advice Regarding Agenda Items and other Matters - Legal Advice Related to MUD Formations in City Service Areas F Sec.551.072 deliberation on real property - Discussion and possible action regarding acquisition of property for downtown parking City Council Meeting Minutes/January 26, 2004 Page 2 of 3 Pages H Sec.551.086 competitive matters Consideration and possible action related to future generation resource plans for portions of the City of Georgetown load as requested by the Lower Colorado River Authority (LCRA) -- Michael W. Mayben, Energy Services Manager and Jim Briggs, Assistant City Manager for Utility Operations I Sec.551.074 personnel matters - Annual Evaluation for City Secretary 7:00 p.m. -- resumed Open Session and adjourned City Council Meeting Minutes/January 26, 2004 Page 3 of 3 Pages Attest: City Secretary Sandra Lee