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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMIN 03.11.2014 CC-WNotice of Meeting of the Governing ody of the City of Georgetown, getown, Texas Tuesday, March 11, 2014 The Georgetown City Council will meet on Tuesday, March 11, 2014 at 3:00 PM at the Council Chambers, at 101 E. 7`h 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 81' Street for additional information; TTY users route through Relay Texas at 711. ?calico° Developinent/l evie'vv Workshop — Call to order at 3:00 P A Final Downtown Master Plan Update Review — Nore Winter, Winter & Co., Matt Synatschk, Historic Planner and Laurie Brewer, Assistant City Manager Gonzalez, Eason absent. Mayor called the meeting to order at 3:05PM. With a Powerpoint Presentation, Brewer and Winter provided a brief summary of the Downtown Master Plan Update. Brewer provided a background of the Downtown Master Plan. She spoke about the purpose of the plan and said it is the vision for continued development and a basis for creation of design guidelines. She said it is a framework for decisions for public investment as well as guidance and assistance. She summarized some of the projects that have been completed since 2003, including the Main Street landscaping/street completion, retail center at Austin and University, the Public Library, the Courthouse renovation, the parking lot at 9th and Main, the Monument Cafe/Market/Biergarten, Tamiro Plaza, Main Street townhomes, Wesleyan/McIntosh, EI Monumento, Main Street sidewalk, Austin Avenue sidewalks and the Arts Center. She showed Council a graph showing the increasing TIRZ valuation in the downtown area. She spoke about the original process and how it was a very public process. Eason arrived at the dais. She continued to speak about the process of updating the downtown master plan and how a lot went through the advisory board meetings. She introduced Nore Winter, who reviewed the final draft plan and the next steps. He spoke about how much he enjoys Georgetown. He showed Council a map of the current activities and development downtown. He provided the Council with a project timeline for the approval of this plan update. He provided Council with some workshop highlights and spoke about how citizens met to discuss the future of downtown. He said the goal is to ensure that downtown becomes more vibrant and lively and continues to do so. He spoke about the existing conditions downtown. He said some specific ideas that came out of the meetings were to consider a civic "campus" with more commercial uses and higher density residential. He described some of the pedestrian opportunities and how sidewalks still need to be worked on.He said they also have issues with signage and wayfinding. He spoke about having more public art, the overhead power lines, services for bicyclists and good parking system will make better uses of spaces we already have. He spoke about parks and how different and new types of green space are needed to attract the types of residents the council is wanting. He said the square is the anchor and the center of downtown and the City needs to strengthen this idea. He spoke about generating activity centers that extend the energy out from the square. He described the development strategy and how they are several areas downtown including the core, north, government center, downtown south and the transition area. He described each area in detail and spoke about enhancing the pedestrian and bike circulation and streetscapes He listed the priorities for the sidewalk areas. He spoke about proposed new parks and plazas. He spoke about how they recommend continuing to encourage public art and add public art sections in construction contracts. He described the possible implementation strategies and the various funding techniques that can be used. He described the prioritization categories and criteria for the Council. He briefly spoke about the funding sources for the completion of the projects. He said the next steps in this process are to make extensions to the boundary, TIRZ extension, municipal center study, sidewalk study, gateways and parking strategy. There were many comments about the updated Downtown Master Plan. Gonzalez arrived at the dais. Eason spoke about how it has been really exciting to see how the downtown has changed over the years. She spoke about how the City still had challenges with historic properties downtown. She said it would be good to think of a way to create a non-profit to assist in these efforts. Winter said he can provide information on historic preservation and studies as an addition to the plan. Brainard asked how this plan can be utilized in order to reach goals. There was much discussion about this. Hesser asked about the downtown overlay boundary and Winter said that did not change. Winter said the only addition to the boundary is the grey line showing the transition area. He said the "economic center" term to describe downtown is misleading because there are other economic centers in Georgetown. Fought said he enjoys Georgetown and he enjoyed the presentation. He said he agrees with Hesser that the downtown is not the only economic center in Georgetown. He said the City should pay attention to how we are growing as opposed to the way we are growing. He said he had concerns with the sidewalks downtown and spoke about how the sidewalks need to be walkable. He said the city needs to make sure we are ADA compliant. Hammerlun said, anyone who was here in downtown last Friday, knows that we have a parking problem. He spoke about how the parking needs to be a priority. He said it also needs to be realized that this is not a regulatory document. Hammerlun asked and Brewer spoke about how the City has been utilizing its TIRZ dollars downtown. He asked and Brewer said staff is intending to bring the results of the facilities plan and parking study at a future meeting. There was much discussion. Jonrowe thanked staff and Winter for their presentation and said it encompasses everything her constituents would want to see downtown. She expressed her concerns with the rents going up downtown as well as the idea of establishing a retail incubator. She said the downtown is the City's key to economic success. Gonzalez thanked Winter and Brewer and said he would like to stop talking about parking and actually do something about it. He said the City needs to start creating other key components of Georgetown and not just be a "one trick pony" with downtown. He noted the City should have multiple areas of financial interest. Mayor asked and Winter provided Council with some concluding comments. B Presentation from the Texas Life Sciences Commercialization Center — Mark Thomas, Economic Development Director Thomas described the item and said this is a report from TLCC to the Council. He provided a history of the center. He introduced Dr. Mike Douglas from TLCC who presented to the City Council. He spoke about the current work TLCC has provided in support of economic development in Georgetown. He spoke about the performance agreement report that he gave to the GEDCO Board back in February. He said the agreement requires they report to GEDCO on their performance every 6 months. He reviewed the performance criteria. He showed Council a list of companies they currently have housed in the facility and spoke about two that have moved on.. He described how they recruit companies. He spoke about the memorandum of understandings they have with affiliate companies until space is available. He said one of their goals is to extend their educational mission and he described this effort for the Council. He spoke about their expansion of the "TLC." He listed some of the highlights of the economic impact report for the TLCC. He continued to provide the Council with an extensive report of the TLCC. Gonzalez asked and Douglas said there are 11 companies that have occupied space in the center and there are two companies that have moved out of Georgetown. Gonzalez asked if any of those companies have left TLCC, but stayed in Georgetown. Douglas said two companies have grown to a point where there is pressure to move. He spoke about the opportunities the City has to retain these companies. He spoke about molecular templates and how they are entering into a clinical development and are in need of a different type of space. Gonzalez said it appears we have not been able to retain companies in Georgetown after they have grown out of TLCC. Douglas said the ultimate goal is we receive a lot of short term benefits but they should stay in Georgetown. Jonrowe thanked Dr. Douglas and all the work they have done. Hammerlun asked if there is any impediment to the city's ability to retain these companies. Douglas said he does not think so. Fought spoke about the importance of retaining companies that are in that facility and added it is important to remove impediments or provide incentives for the companies. He said the Council and staff should be innovation but not shy. Brainard asked and Douglas said there is no time limit placed on the companies in TLCC. Eason said this is an excellent report and she said she thinks this is an excellent example of a successful public-private partnership. C Public Safety Operations and Training Complex Update — Paul E. Brandenburg, City Manager and Wayne Nero, Police Chief Brandenburg summarized the status of this project. With a Powerpoint Presentation, Nero provided an updated report on the Public Safety Operations and Training Complex. He thanked the team for their help on this project. He introduced Ian Reeves, who spoke in greater details about the status of the project. Reeves provided pictures of the construction detail photos. He said they are about 25% finished the construction as of today. He provided an update of the current construction activities and the status of each of the projects. He revisited the conceptual design of the project. He said, at this point, over 90% of the submittals have been made out of the 498 total that have been made. He said there are only 44 remaining. He said the technology coordination for the infrastructure has been an ongoing effort. He said there have been some project related challenges and he spoke about those for the Council. He said one was the completion of the Value Management Design Document and the other is a delay in the completion of the tilt -wall panel submittals and design/engineering review process. He said they are 6-8 weeks behind schedule at this point. He said the project has also experience two budget challenges, including additional owner -related "soft costs" that were not inputted under previous budget allocations. He said the firing range cannot be fully completed under the current budget and will require a Phasing Plan for implementation. Cody Newthumb described the budget for the project and provided the total project cost update summary in details. She said they are still working to update some of the numbers and will be coming back soon with more solid costs and an update. There was much discussion about the current budget status of this project. Fought asked and she noted the funds needed for Phase Two and Three have not been identified yet. Hesser asked and Nero said the firing range has always been included in the Council discussions and has been a part of the master site plan. Nero noted it was never part of the original number but it was decided to be done with an allowance. Brainard said it sounds we will have more concrete information on the cost in the coming weeks. Brainard asked and Nero said staff does not need action from the Council at this point. Nero said this is just an update based on the dialogue that has occurred in the past. Eason said she would like to have a hard copy of these numbers as it was not provided with her agenda. Hammerlun asked and Reeves said the tactical building and the firing range are two different things. Hammerlun said and Nero agreed the City does not want to do Phase I of the firing range without being about to do Phase II. Jonrowe asked and Nero said the range would not be functional even after Phase II of their construction plan. Nero said Phase III is what makes it a range. Gonzalez said, looking at the numbers, he could not commit to doing the dirt work pending future identification of other funds. He said he would like to set the current $200,000 aside and wait until the rest of the funds are available to complete the firing range. Mayor asked and Nero said the management of the budget numbers is a joint effort between City staff and the construction manager. There were many questions. D Presentation, Discussion and possible Direction to Staff regarding Electronic Vaping Devices {EVD} — Paul E. Brandenburg, City Manager Brandenburg said staff is bringing this forward in order to be proactive. He said a lot of information has been released about the use of electronic cigarettes and how they are becoming more prevalent. He noted some other cities in Texas are taking up Ordinances that prohibit the use of them. He said the City adopted its comprehensive smoking ordinance in 2006, but did not see the technology that would come about. He said it is new technology and not a lot of studies have been done to look at the health risks of these devices. He noted, as it stands now, the public can use these devices anywhere in the City. He said, because there are no regulations, minors can go and buy them. He noted it is time that the City looks at this. He said staff is just asking for direction on how to move forward. He said, if authorized, staff will move forward with the creation of the Ordinance. He quickly reviewed what happened the first time the smoking ordinance passed. Gonzalez said his opinion is to treat electronic cigarettes like real ones. He said it is a creative new way of introducing nicotine to young people. He said he would rather err on the side of caution. Jonrowe spoke about making sure these are illegal for minors under the age of 18. She said that issue should not require a public meeting. Brandenburg said it is not necessary to have a public meeting and noted it was just a suggestion. Fought said the City should press on with the creation of the Ordinance. Hesser and Brainard agreed. Eason said she thinks the City should just add this provision to the current smoking Ordinance. She said the City also needs to address signage in the parks so people know smoking is banned in those areas. Motion by Gonzalez, second by Fought to direct staff to prepare the Ordinance including a section to address prohibiting use by minors. Approved 7-0 Motion recessed to Executive Session under Section 551.071 — 5:25PM Meeting returned to Open Session and adjourned — 6:03PM 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. E 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 Adjournment — 6:0311M 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, i 13 E. 8`" 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 George er, ayor Ija&L& wjt7l� At t: City Secretary