HomeMy WebLinkAboutMIN 08.13.2013 CC-RThe City Council of the City of Georgetown, Texas, met in Regular Session on the above date with Mayor
George Garver presiding.
Council Present: Council Absent:
Patty Eason, Tommy Gonzalez, John Hesser, All Council Present.
Steve Fought, Jerry Hammerlun, Rachael Jonrowe
Staff Present:
Paul E. Brandenburg, City Manager; Bridget Chapman, City Attorney; Jessica Brettle, City Secretary;
Micki Rundell, Chief Financial Officer; Laurie Brewer, Assistant City Manager; Shirley Rinn, Executive
Assitant to the City Manager; Valerie Kreger, Principal Planner; Andrew Sprugin, Planning Director;
Jordan Maddox, Principal Planner; Mark Miller, Transportation Services Manager; Edward Polasek,
Transportation Services Director; Glenn Dishong, Utility Director; Jim Briggs, General Manager of
Utilities; Wesley Wright,. Systems Engineering Director; David Thomison, Water Services Manager;
Minutes
Regular Session - To begin no earlier than 06:00 P
(Council may, at any time, recess the Regular Session to convene an Executive Session at the request of
the Mayor, a Councilmember, or the City Manager for any purpose authorized by the Open Meetings Act,
Texas Government Code Chapter 551.)
A Call to Order -- Mayor called the meeting to order at 6:20PM
Pledge of Allegiance
Comments from the Mayor
- Welcome and Meeting Procedures
- Presentation of Proclamation in honor of Betty Schleder and the Honor Flight Program
Mayor introduced Senator Schwerter to the City Council and the audience. Schwerter thanked the audience and
read a Senate resolution to the Council in honor of Betty Schleder. Mayor complimented Ms. Schleder and said
she is wonderful in every sense of the word. He said her commitment to the veterans is truly profound and
significant. He handed Schleder the proclamation on behalf of the city. Schleder said she is a bit overwhelmed
by the wonderful people here to support the Honor Flight effort. She said she has the ability to ask people for
money and she seems to get more recognition than others who also work hard on the program. She spoke
about how World War II veterans are part of the "greatest generation" and said we need another greatest
generation. She read a quote from Ronald Reagan to the audience and thanked the Mayor and City Council.
City Council Regional Board Reports
Eason provided a report from the Lone Star Rail District to the audience and City Council.
City Manager Comments
- 2013/14 Annual Budget
- Special Election for District 2
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- Recognition of Aaron Duke, Madison Smith, Kate Krause and Hunter Boyd who took second place in the State
Lifeguard Competition July 24th in Corpus Christi
- Water Conservation Schedule
Action from Executive Session
Motion by Gonzalez, second by Fought to approve a settlement agreement related to claims asserted in the
bankruptcy proceedings of Advanced Jet Services, Inc. and Georgetown Aviation Facilities, LLC. Approved
6-0
Motion by Gonzalez, second by Hammerlun to authorize staff to file a request for contested case hearing
regarding the MUD 19 Wastewater Treatment Plant permit on terms as discussed in Executive Session.
Approved 6-0
Motion by Gonzalez, second by Hammerlun to direct staff to continue negotiations for the development of the
Summit at Rivery Project on terms discussed in Executive Session. Approved 6-0
Public Wishing to Address Council
On a subject that is posted on this a eq nda: Please fill out a speaker registration form which can be found on the
table at the entrance to the Council Chamber. Clearly print your name and the letter of the item on which you wish to
speak and present it to the City Secretary on the dais, preferably prior to the start of the meeting. You will be called
forward to speak when the Council considers that item.
On a subject not posted on the agenda: Persons may add an item to a future City Council agenda by contacting the
City Secretary no later than noon on the Wednesday prior to the Tuesday meeting, with the subject matter of the
topic they would like to address and their name. The City Secretary can be reached at 512/930-3651.
B - As of the deadline, no persons were signed up to speak on items other than what was posted on the agenda.
The Statutory Consent Agenda includes non -controversial and routine items that Council may act on with
one single vote. A councilmember may pull any item from the Consent Agenda in order that the council
discuss and act upon it individually as part of the Regular Agenda.
C Consideration and possible action to approve the minutes of the Workshop and Regular Council meeting held
on Tuesday, July 23, 2013 -- Jessica Brettle, City Secretary
D Consideration and possible action to approve a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between Texas
Department of Public Safety, the Texas Division of Emergency Management, the State Operation
Support Team ( SOST) and the City of Georgetown( SOST Member) to delineate responsibilities and
procedures for SOST activities under the authority of the State of Texas Emergency Management Plan --
John Sullivan, Fire Chief
E Consideration and possible action to approve a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the Williamson
County and Cities Health District (WCCHD) and the City of Georgetown for video teleconferencing
equipment that will enhance information sharing and communication during disaster response, planning,
training and exercises -- John Sullivan, Fire Chief
F Consideration and possible action to approve an agreement with the State of Texas covering the furnishing,
installing and maintenance of traffic signal preemption equipment by the City of Georgetown -- John
Sullivan, Fire Chief
G Consideration and possible action to recommend the renewal of the contract with JP Morgan Chase for
depository services for a one year period beginning September 1, 2013 at the same price, terms and
conditions of the current agreement, with an annual option to renew for one more year -- Lisa Haines,
Controller, Susan Morgan, Finance Director and Micki Rundell, Chief Financial Officer
H Consideration and possible action to approve the purchase of Dell/Compellent Storage Area Network
equipment and maintenance to EST Group in the amount of $64,966.86 -- Mike Peters, Information
Technology Director
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I Consideration and possible action to approve a Resolution appointing members and alternates to the
Georgetown Village Public Improvement District No. 1 Advisory Board -- Jessica Brettle, City Secretary
J Consideration and possible action to approve the appointment of Mark Bobinger as a member of the Library
Advisory Board to fill a vacancy -- Mayor George Garver
K Consideration and possible action to appoint Scott Rankin as the Planning and Zoning representative on
Georgetown Transportation Advisory Board (GTAB) -- Mayor George Garver
Motion by Gonzalez, second by Eason to approve the consent agenda in its entirety. Approved 6-0
Legislative Regular Agenda
Council will individually consider and possibly take action on any or all of the following items:
L Public Hearing on the proposed 2013 Property Tax Rate -- Micki Rundell, Chief Financial Officer
Rundell reviewed the the elements of the tax rate. She said the proposed tax rate is $0.43950 and she
described the different components of that rate. She described the impacts for the average home in
Georgetown. She showed Council the tax rate breakdown from year to year.
Public Hearing was opened at 6:52PM
Speaker, Karen Miller, said she is fine with what was reported.
Speaker, Brenda O'Dell, said she has a concern with the increase in taxes and asked why over half of the
budget is debt. She also asked why over 22 new employees are included in the budget. She said there needs to
be another way to decrease the tax rate.
Speaker, Terry Putnam, said he is looking at the whole budget. He asked what the risk will be if the City initiates
self insurance. He asked about retirement and asked why the city is not 100% funded. He asked about the
Texas Municipal Retirement System. He continued and also asked if the budget should grow faster than the
assessed valuation. He asked about the drivers that increased the budget.
Speaker, Henri Knipper, said he is here because of the tax increase. He said the City is spending more and
more and said increases in property value does not mean the City can increase tax rate. He said the City is
going to end up like Detroit. He asked that the City stay within the budget. He said the City is not able to
manage their money.
Speaker, Joy Putnam, said, in all her life as a property owner her taxes have never gone down. She said she
would like to urge the Council not to raise the taxes.
Public Hearing was closed at 7:03PM
Mayor asked and Rundell described the next steps in the process.
M Consideration and possible action regarding the Clean Air Coalition and the 2013 Ozone Advance Citizen
Survey -- Patty Eason, Councilmember, District 1
Eason said she would like to introduce Gary Boyd, who is the Williamson County Director of Environmental
Programs and the Director of the Williamson County Conservation Foundation. Boyd said he is here
representing Clean Air Coalition from CAPCOG. He said right now this area is in compliance with the standards
for the Clean Air Act for ozone standard sand the Clean Air Coalition. He said local elected officials on the
Central Texas Clean Air Coalition are interested in public input on which strategies the region should pursue to
reduce ozone air pollution. He spoke briefly about the definition of ozone. He explained the reasoning behind
why the ozone is a problem for Central Texas.He reviewed the plan from CAPCOG moving forward and he
provided Council with an example of some of the mission reduction measures for cities. He showed Council on
how people can participate in the survey and he provided the website to the audience. He thanked Council for
their time.
Jonrowe thanked Boyd for coming. She asked and he said they can expect to come down on the regulations
soon. Jonrowe said it is important to get people to fill out the survey. Boyd agreed.
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N First Reading of an Ordinance for the Voluntary Annexation of 20.03 acres in the Dyches Survey, to be
known as Vantage at Georgetown, located on FM 1460 south of SE Inner Loop -- Jordan J. Maddox, AICP,
Principal Planner and Andrew Spurgin, AICP, Planning Director (action required)
Spurgin described the item and showed the Council a map of the area under consideration for voluntary
annexation. He read only the caption of the Ordinance on first reading after having satisfied the requirements of
the City Charter.
Motion by Gonzalez, second by Eason to approve the Ordinance on first reading.
Fought asked and Spurgin confirmed the Council put a GISD representative on Planning and Zoning
Commission. Spurgin said the school district involvement is helpful but noted annexations come to Council and
not the Planning and Zoning Commission. He described the types of cases that go to Planning and Zoning. He
spoke about how the City works with the school district on annexations. Eason asked and Spurgin confirmed
this is annexation and has no affect on the ultimate use that is going on that property.
Vote on the motion: Approved 6-0
O First Reading of an Ordinance for the Voluntary Annexation of 98.22 acres in the Hudson Survey, to be
known as Celebration Church, located at Rabbit Hill Road at Westinghouse Road -- Jordan J. Maddox,
AICP, Principal Planner and Andrew Spurgin, AICP, Planning Director (action required)
Spurgin described the item and said this is a petition for voluntary annexation received from the owners of
Celebration Church. He said a small portion of the property was already in the City limits but the existing church
campus and parking lot is not in the City limits. He spoke about how the church has already submitted plans for
their expansion. He said this is the fourth of five steps to annex the property. He said the petitioner has
requested some additional time because there are some concerns about being annexed. He said, therefore, the
second reading will be brought to Council for consideration at a later date. He read only the caption of the
Ordinance on first reading after having satisfied the requirements of the City Charter.
Motion by Fought, second by Hesser to approve the Ordinance on first reading. Approved 6-0
P First Reading of an Ordinance for the Voluntary Annexation of 81.58 acres in the Walters and Eaves
Surveys, to be known as Madison at Georgetown Section 111, located near SH 195 and Ronald Reagan
Boulevard -- Jordan J. Maddox, AICP, Principal Planner and Andrew Spurgin, AICP, Planning Director (action
required)
Spurgin described the item and read only the caption of the Ordinance on first reading.
Motion by Fought, second by Hesser to approve the Ordinance on first reading. Approved 6-0
Q Forwarded from the Georgetown Transportation Advisory Board (GTAB):
Consideration and possible action to award a contract to Cholla Pavement Maintenance, of Apache Junction,
Arizona, for single course surface treatment on streets identified in the Pavement Management Program
for $444,152.54 -- Mark Miller, Transportation Services Manager and Edward G. Polasek, AICP, Transportation
Services Director
Miller said he has handed out a map showing the chip seal projects indicated for the company to perform. He
described where the treatment is scheduled to occur.
Motion by Hammerlun, second by Jonrowe to approve.
Fought asked and Miller said no local firms applied for this project. He said the City has been happy with the
work Cholla has done in the past. Fought said he is surprised the city did not have somebody local who applied.
Miller descried how the city advertises to local vendors. Fought said he wants to make sure the city has rung
every bell locally. Miller assured Fought that has occurred. Approved 6-0
R Forwarded from Georgetown Utility System Advisory Board (GUS):
Consideration and possible action to negotiate a contract with SunPower Corporation, of San Jose, CA, for
the construction of a utility scale ground mounted solar generation system for the purpose of acquiring low
cost renewable energy-- Kathy Ragsdale; Glenn Dishong, Utility Director and Jim Briggs, General Manager for
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Utilities
Ragsdale said the City is looking at some solar generation for the City. She said the City starting looking
several years ago as an alternative to rooftop solar. She noted community solar seems to be the best option.
She noted they have done a lot of research on this issue and, in January, put an RFP out for a solar farm. She
described the possible locations in Georgetown for a solar farm. She said staff asked that the applicants get
creative with their RFP responses. She said we had 12 responses to that RFP and noted they were very
interesting. She said they had great ideas. She said the two highest bidders were SunPower and Borrego. She
said SunPower proposed on the treatment plant as well as a utility sized scaled solar farm in West Texas. She
said this is what SunPower does and added they have super efficient panels that are probably best on the
market. She briefly described the panels for the Council. She said the City is asking for authorization to
negotiate with SunPower and come up with a contract to start a utility scale solar farm in West Texas. She said
this is just permission to negotiate.
Motion by Eason, second by Jonrowe to negotiate a contract with SunPower.
Fought asked and Ragsdale said we are negotiating ways to build the farm as well as ways to finance it. She
said it is very cheap electricity. Briggs said the concept of operation is that this generation unit would be up to
30 megawatts of generating capacity of the unit. He described how the solar power will be converted to energy
to be used by the City. He said the city and SunPower will have to work out all of the details of this issue,
including how it will be financed or if there will be a purchase power contract. Gonzalez asked and Briggs
confirmed the City would not be doing this unless it was comparable or better to what the city is paying for power
right now. Fought reviewed how he understands this issue. There was much discussion regarding solar energy.
Vote on the motion: Approved 6-0
S Forwarded from the Georgetown Utility System Advisory Board (GUS):
Consideration and possible action to negotiate a contract with Borrego Solar Systems, Inc. of San Diego, CA
for the analysis of local sites, site design and cost of a 5 MW ground mounted solar generation system to
be connected to the City's electric distribution system -- Glenn Dishong, Utility Director and Jim Briggs, General
Manager of Utilities
Ragsdale said Borrego does smaller solar facilities on decommissioned landfills. She is asking for permission
from the Council to negotiate with Borrego Solar to do a feasibility and design study on the two sites in
Georgetown. She noted it will allow people to purchase energy that comes out of the solar farm. She said they
will figure out the financials and other details during the negotiation.
Motion by Jonrowe, second by Eason to approve the item.
Fought asked and Ragsdale spoke about other solar farm projects Borrego has done. Fought asked and Briggs
said this will not cost the city anything until the contract is brought back for approval. Jonrowe asked and Briggs
described the difference between the two solar projects. Jonrowe asked and Briggs confirmed the money for
this would come out of the energy services budget. Jonrowe asked and Briggs described what roles each solar
power projects would serve.
Vote on the motion: Approved 5-1 (Gonzalez opposed)
T Forwarded from Georgetown Utility System Advisory Board (GUS):
Consideration and possible action to enter into an agreement for architectural services for the Westside
Service Center with PGAL of Austin, Texas in the amount of $176,000 -- Wesley Wright, P.E., Systems
Engineering Director
Wright spoke about the westwide service center and said it is intended to be an operational annex for GUS and
will serve water, wastewater, street drainage and inspections. He said negotiations with PGAL went well and
their scope and cost is everything the City will need. He said, after approval, the City will begin design right away
and get the facility moving.
Motion by Hammerlun, Fought to approve. Approved 6-0
U Forwarded from the Georgetown Utility System Advisory Board (GUS):
Consideration and possible action to negotiate a contract with CH2M HILL for the management, operation,
and maintenance of the City's water and wastewater plants for the period from October 1, 2013 thru
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September 30, 2018 -- David Thomison, Water Services Manager and Glenn W. Dishong, Utility Director
Thomison there were two firms that gave proposals for the RFP for this project. He said staff evaluated the
proposals and they were based on technical expertise, cost as well as management and oversight skills. He
said the main driver for the winning bid was based on cost. He said staff recommends to negotiate a contract
with CH2M HILL for this project.
Motion by Hesser, second by Fought to approve the item.
Jonrowe asked and Thomison said this company has operated both water and wastewater facility for 10 years in
the past.
Vote on the motion: Approved 6-0
V Consideration and possible action on a Resolution granting a petition for a Disannexation from the city limits
of 28.5 acres in the Mott Survey near Westinghouse Road and establishing terms of a future ETJ agreement
with the City of Round Rock -- Jordan Maddox, AICP, Principal Planner and Andrew Spurgin, AICP, Planning
Director
Spurgin described the item and said the Resolution would begin the disannexation process of this land to go into
the City of Round Rock. He said there have been a series of meetings with the owners of the land. He said the
Resolution would begin the process of disannexation of the property and set conditions for the release of the
jurisdiction. He said this would also start the process of amending the boundary agreement with Round Rock,
right of way agreements and other issues. Mayor asked and Spurgin said this will come back to Council in a
series of Ordinances and agreements on future meeting agendas.
Motion by Hesser, second by Fought to approve. Approved 6-0
W Consideration and possible action to approve an agreement with MF Trinity Management, LLC to accept the
Bid for purchase of the former Albertson's property -- Paul Brandenburg, City Manager and Bridget Chapman,
City Attorney
Brandenburg described the item and said Council discussed the issue of the sale of the Albertson's building in
Executive Session. He said Council was presented with some options on how they wanted to proceed with the
sale of the building.
Motion by Gonzalez, second by Hammerlun to proceed with the bid for sale of the former Albertson's building
with appropriate deed restrictions as agreed to by the parties per discussion in Executive Session.Approved 6-0
X Consideration and possible direction or action concerning the Rivery Hotel & Conference Center Parking
Analysis and Summit at the Rivery Project update -- Bridget Chapman, City Attorney; Micki Rundell, Chief
Financial Officer and Paul E. Brandenburg, City Manager
Chapman said tonight the city has invited the developer to to present the parking analysis for the Rivery
development for Council's consideration and discussion.
Speaker, Andy Heard, introduced himself and said Hines has developed hundreds of hotel rooms over the
years. He said they are looking to do a 221 room full service hotel with 217 standard guestrooms and 4 suites.
He described the plans for the conference center as well. He showed Council some additional renderings of the
hotel. He said the most important piece is the top picture in the center. He said it is basically a three level
garage to be built on the property. He said the parking garage will have 340 spaces. He provided Council with
the general planning metrics for the parking analysis. He described the event planning and parking logistics for
the Council. He showed Council the parking options within Summit at River Park adding up to 785 spaces on
site. He provided Council with off site parking options that may be available as well. He showed Council a
comparative analysis and how this parking plan stacks up to other hotel and conference center projects in the
central Texas area and beyond. There was much discussion.
Hammerlun asked and Novak spoke about the surface parking area across the street. He said, once they break
ground, there will be interest from developers and it will be concurrent with the hotel construction and opening.
Council thanked Novak and Heard for their time. No action was taking by the City Council.
Y Consideration and possible action to approve a Resolution ordering a Special Election to fill a vacancy of a
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City Council Member for Council District 2 in Georgetown, Texas to be held on November 5, 2013 -- Jessica
Brettle, City Secretary
Brettle described the Resolution for the Council and listed the election related items included in the document.
Motion by Fought, second by Hammerlun to approve. Approved 6-0
Approve
Mayor Gear Garver
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Adjournment
The meeting was adjourned at 08:23 PM.