HomeMy WebLinkAboutMIN 02.25.2014 CC-WNotice of Meeting of the
Governing Body of the
City of Georgetown, Texas
Tuesday, February 2.5, 2014
The Georgetown City Council will meet on Tuesday, February 25, 2014 at 2:00 PM at the Council Chambers, at 101
E. 7ch St., Georgetown, Texas
The city of Georgetown is committed to compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). If you
require assistance in participating at a public meeting due to a disability, as defined under the ADA, reasonable
assistance, adaptations, or accommodations will be provided upon request. Please contact the City Secretary's
Office, at least four (4) days prior to the scheduled meeting date, at (512) 930-3652 or City Hall at 113 East Bch
Street for additional information; TTY users route through Relay Texas at 711.
Policy Development/Review Workshop — Call to order at 2:00 PM
Mayor called the meeting to order at 2:02PM. Fought, Brainard absent.
A Public Safety Annual Operations Update — Wayne Nero, Police Chief and John Sullivan, Fire Chief
With a Powerpoint Presentation, Nero provided an update of the Police Department Operations. He provided the
Council with the hiring demographics from April 2010 to the present. He said at least 66% of the interest is
coming from the internet. He added since 2010, they have hired 21 officers, 81% male and 19% female. He
provided Council with the 2013 year in review statistics for traffic stops, emergency 911 calls for service, UCR
Part 1 Crimes (Crimes Against Persons), burglary of vehicles, motor vehicle accidents, code enforcement and
animal control calls and volunteers. He spoke about the training that was in place for fiscal year 2012/2013. He
spoke about how the City hosts training sessions for more outside officers than those inside of the city. He said
there were 95 students from out of state last year. He said the state requires that the minimum training is 40
hours over two years and noted the national average is 40 hours annually. He said the department tries to look at
whether or not the training affects the department's service delivery. He said the annual average response time
for priority 1 calls is between seven to thirty minutes. He spoke about how the training has no statistical impact
on service delivery. He spoke about how training affects an officer's safety and provided a sample of the in
service training they are doing with the officers. He spoke about their 2011-2013 active shooter training and said
they put all of the officers through a level 1 training course. He said they have done fire training that goes with
that as well. He said the department is working on how to get medical onto a scene immediately. He described
the department's collaboration with GISD. He reviewed the city's current fire arms training and how they have
improved in the past two years.
With a Powerpoint Presentation, Sullivan provided an update to the Council regarding the fire department. He
provided the council with a map of the service territory. He showed Council a map of the response history and
how the greatest increase in the number of responses occurred between 2012 and 2013. He showed Council a
pie chart showing that 15% of the calls occur outside of the city limits. He spoke about the deployment analysis
and total response time and what goes into estimating that time. He said they are proposing different response
goals for the City and he spoke about the times for both urban and suburban areas. He said their goal is to be
there in 11 minutes or less, 90% of the time. He showed Council a current chart of the department's response
capability. He showed Council the demand projections until 2030. He described the many accomplishments of
the department over the past year and spoke about the fire based immunization program they implemented. He
spoke about the fire department audit. He said, last year, they also did some visioning sessions for the future of
the Fire Department. He said they developed a mission statement, vision statement, value statement and motto.
Brainard arrived at the dais.
He said, last year, the City received a service recognition award. He said station #2 and Public Safety Operations
Training Center had their ground breaking as well. He spoke about "Safe -T" program. He said they were
involved with St. David's on a disaster drill. He continued to speak about the accomplishments of the
department. There was much discussion.
B Presentation and Discussion on Texas Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (TPDES) MS4 Phase II General
Permit and related activities — Edward G. Polasek, AICP, Transportation Services Director and Bill Dryden, P.E.,
Transportation Engineer
With a Powerpoint Presentation, Polasek provided Council with an updated of the Phase II Small MS4 Permit
Application. He said they are here today to provide the Council with the permit application. He introduced Curtis
Beitel and Cris Parker from HDR, who are the principal employees on this project. Beitel provided Council with
the definition of the various terminology used throughout this process. He spoke about the several types of storm
water permits, construction general permits, Small MS4 general permits and multi -sector general permits. He
spoke about the small MS4 permit requirements and how they are only applicable to the Census Urbanized
Area. He said Georgetown is now part of the Austin urbanized area and the City will need to apply for a permit.
He said Georgetown fits until the level 3 MS4 category for populations between 40,000 and 100,000. He
continued to review the small MS4 permit requirements. He provided the Council with a description of each of the
minimum control measures including public education, outreach and involvement, illicit discharge detection and
elimination, construction site stormwater runoff control, post -construction stormwater management in new
development and redevelopment, pollution prevention and good housekeeping for municipal operations,
industrial stormwater sources and authorization for construction activities where the small MS4 is the site
operator (optional). He spoke about how they must set up measurable goals for each BMP. He said they make
sure to coordinate with existing programs and he spoke about the current development process for the program.
He said they will review the current storm water program and ordinance, existing water quality data and city
facilities. He described the application process for the Council.
Brandenburg spoke about the purpose of this presentation and what it means moving forward. He said the
salamander was listed as threatened and not endangered and he said the City needs to look at what happens
now. He said more discussion will take place to see how the City should move forward. He said it is an issue of
clarity.
Commissioner Covey thanked the Council and said there are probably more questions than answers at this
juncture. She said she appreciates and applauds the Council for stepping up and approving the salamander
ordinance. She said it was a disappointment to have the salamander listed and added she is not here to educate
the Council on a 4D rule because she does not know how they will work. She described the rule and the process
as she understands it so far. She asked the Council to hold off on making decisions about this until they gather
more information on what this means. She spoke about what would happen if they rescinded all actions and
listed the salamander as endangered. She said she recommends that this not happen. She asked Council to
forward her their questions and concerns ahead of her meeting with the representatives.
Eason said she is in favor of Council working with the Commissioner. Brainard thanked the Commissioner for the
work she has put into this. Jonrowe asked about the effect of this on any future permits for property that may be
close to the salamanders. Mayor asked and Commissioner said she needs the comments and questions this
week prior to her meeting with the representatives. Mayor asked and Polasek said they would take the water
quality measures for the salamander and incorporate them into the City's 5 year plan. There was much
discussion.
C Overview of the City's current outstanding and proposed debt obligations -- Micki Rundell, Chief Financial Officer
With a Powerpoint Presentation, Rundell reviewed the different types of debt including General Obligation (GO)
and Certificates of Obligation (CO) bonds. She described self-supporting CO debt and how the city gets interest
savings by issuing CO debt rather than revenue. She said there are other types of self -supported debt including
limited tax notes and certificates of participation. She described those types of debt to the Council. She said,
currently, the City has $102,337,359 tax supported debt outstanding. She spoke about the voter approved bonds
that are included in that amount, as well as the related projects being funded by those bonds. She showed
Council a pie chart of the general debt capacity and she spoke about the GO/CO debt outstanding. She showed
the Council a graph of the historical GO/CO debt. She showed Council a graph of the total water service debt
compared to water service assets. She spoke about the current city debt conditions as well as the City's bond
ratings. She said the rating agencies review financial and management conditions and determine the city's
"credit worthiness." She spoke about the city's current bond rating and said, with Moody's it is A2 General
Obligation and Revenue and AA+ on GO and AA on Revenue with Standard and Poors. She said part of the
reason why the City does not have a AAA rating is because the city has its own electric utility. She spoke about
the population growth in the City of Georgetown and how there has been an uptick in the past couple of years.
She showed Council a graph of the city assets net of related debt as well as a graph of the debt to assessed
valuation comparison. She spoke about the "Albertson's" proceeds, described the history of that building and
how the city sold the building in December 2013 for $3,550,000 net bonds (principal) outstanding. She provided
Council with some options for the use of the Albertson's proceeds. She said the options are to use proceeds for
renovation of city facilities for public use or defease bonds including interest payable until next call date (2019).
She said the staff recommendation is to repurpose the bond proceeds into the City's facility plan. She described
the upcoming debt issue and the 2013 budgeted CO bond, both tax supported and self-supporting. Rundell
spoke about potential 2014 general obligation bonds. She said there are also some proposed 2014 revenue
bonds planned. She described the next steps in this process.
Gonzalez asked and Rundell spoke about the parks projects included in the proposed bonds. Hammerlun asked
and Rundell spoke about what was accomplished using the 2004 bonds. Hammerlun asked about when and how
Council will have the opportunity to decide how to repurpose the proceeds from the sale of the Albertson's
building. Hesser said he is concerned about the impact of CTSUD on this process. Rundell said CTSUD will
have no effect on the tax rate. Brainard asked and Rundell said she can provide the Council with the
amortization schedule. Brainard addressed the revenue debt historical chart. He asked if this chart could also
imply the city is not keeping up with its capital needs. There were many questions and much discussion.
Brainard asked and Rundle[ said the Council will need to make a decision rather quickly on the Albertson's
proceeds. Eason said she always appreciates the presentation and says she is always learning. Gonzalez said
we do need to set aside some time to talk about repurposing of the funds from the Albertson's. Brandenburg said
there are two workshops coming up that will address this issue.
D Presentation on Tourism Market Research Study Results -- Darren Drewitz, Mind Ecology, Cari Miller, Tourism
Manager and Laurie Brewer, Assistant City Manager
With a Powerpoint Presentation, Brewer introduced Darren Drewitz who will provide the information about the
tourism study results. She introduced the staff and board members at the meeting who have helped with this
study. She described the CVB priority focus area. She said, back in 2011, the IF Marketing study gave staff
guidance to develop a core them and the square was recognized as the most important tourism asset. She
spoke about how they came up with the "Most Beautiful Town Square in Texas" slogan. She showed Council the
mind maps that led to this core asset. She spoke about the tourism study and why it was taking place. She said
CVB needed analysis of market data to ensure advertising dollars were being used effectively. She said data
was collected from local hotels, bed and breakfasts, attractions, retailers, the Visitors Center and the Art Center.
She said they contracted with Mind Ecology to identify and define Georgetown current markets and clarify the
most effective advertising mediums for these markets.
Drewitz reviewed the tourism results for the City Council. He described what they were tasked to do. He said
their first key finding is to discover the top three prospective visitors. He said those visitors, or personas, include
successful mid -lifers, accumulating families and traditional matures. He said the second key finding is that two-
thirds of the city's visitors live within 50 miles. He said traditional matures are the group that are most likely to
visit Georgetown. He spoke about the three groups and the definition of those people. He spoke about how
defining these groups helps the city decide how to market and reach those groups. He described how they came
up with marketing recommendations for all of the visitors to the city. He said a recommendation is to continue to
rely on internet marketing and email marketing, social media and buying "likes." He spoke about their
recommendations for how to speak to the top three personas visiting Georgetown.
Eason said it looks like a thorough report and it seems in sync with what they have been seeing themselves. She
said she is glad to see there is some data that we can use to fine tune the message to the particular groups.
Brainard said he does not do Facebook or Twitter but he noted those are very powerful tools the City can use to
market tourism. Drewitz said Facebook is ten years old and Twitter is 8 years old and he said there is no new
media. He said Facebook serves as a conversation that can lead to sales and conversion. Hammerlun thanked
him for the study and said he would like to see how the CVB uses these results moving forward. Brewer spoke
about how the convention center will change who is coming to Georgetown. Hammerlun asked about the
Commissions and Boards and how they will be engaged in this process. Jonrowe spoke about how this is going
to be a fluid process because Georgetown is a fast growing community. Gonzalez said we need to make sure
that the City over -delivers on reputation and under promises. There was much discussion and Brewer spoke
about how video is the media of choice. Brewer said the City is still putting together information regarding how
much the city is spending on marketing. There was a lot of discussion about how the City attracts visitors and
tourists as well as its marketing and advertising strategy.
E Discussion and possible direction related to the strategic goals defined at the City Council Visioning Session on
February 8, 2014 -- Paul E. Brandenburg, City Manager
Brandenburg said there is an attachment to this item shows a summary of what was discussed at the last
visioning session. He said he spent a good part of a day talking about a vision for the City. He spoke about how
he compiled the information gathered that day and put together a list of strategic goals for each of the five areas.
He said he wanted to make sure he encompassed everything that was talked about. He said, at the next
visioning session, they will lay out the timelines and costs for each of these goals. Jonrowe and Eason spoke
about the importance of addressing how this will shift the city's priorities. Hammerlun said he thinks staff is right
on track and have captured what was discussed at the meeting.
Meeting recessed to Executive Session under Section 551.071 and 551.086 of the Local Government Code —
5:OOPM
Meeting returned to Open Session and adjourned — 5:59PM
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.
F Sec. 551.071: Consultation with Attorney
- Advice from attorney about pending or contemplated litigation and other matters on which the attorney has a duty to advise
the City Council, including agenda items
- Intermountain claim
- MUD #19 Mediated Settlement
Sec 551.086: Competitive Matters
- LCRA vs. City of Georgetown and CTSUD
Adjournment
Certificate of Posting
I, Jessica Brettle, City Secretary for the City of Georgetown, Texas, do hereby certify that this Notice of Meeting
was posted at City Hall, 113 E. 8`h Street, a place readily accessible to the general public at all times, on the
day of , 2014, at , and remained so posted for at least 72 hours preceding the scheduled
time of said meeting.
Jessica Brettle, City Secretary
eorge G er, Mayor
V "V
Attst City Sec etary