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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMIN 06.24.2014 CC-WNotice of a Meeting of the Governing Body of the City of Georgetown, Texas Tuesday, June 24, 2014 Workshop Minutes The Georgetown City Council will meet on Tuesday, June 24, 2014 at 2:00 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 (5 12) 930-3652 or City Hall at 113 East 8'h Street for additional information; TTY users route through Relay Texas at 711. Policy Development/Review Workshop — Call to order at 2:00 PM All members present with the exception of Gonzalez A Presentation, discussion, and direction regarding the phasing, funding, and priorities for the 5 -Year Capital Improvement Plan for Parks, Downtown, Sidewalks and City-wide Facilities -- Laurie Brewer, Assistant City Manager and Micki Rundell, Chief Financial Officer Laurie Brewer spoke with detail about the 5 Year Improvement Plan. The report was shown with a Power Point Presentation. The Improvement Plan included plans for Parks, Downtown, Sidewalk Projects and City Wide Facilities and Fire Facilities and Vacant facilities. Copies of the presentation were given to Council Members. Laurie Brewer said the focus would be on 2014/15 projects. She said she would only touch on years 2 through 3. She told Council they would only be asked to approve the first year. Kimberly Garrett spoke on the proposed Parks projects. A Power Point presentation was followed. She spoke of proposed projects and bonds and funds balances. Parks Board recommended repairs to the Williams Drive Pool as a first priority with the VFW Park renovations as priority number two. Garrett explained that there is a definite need for parking to be able to promote Sports Tourism. She explained that 22 fast pick softball teams came last weekend. Garrett also discussed how the Williams Drive Pool is used by a lot of organizations. She then spoke of proposed projects. She spoke of future projects, plans and designs. She spoke about future plans for Blue Hole Park and Garey Park. Brewer spoke again regarding working with the Transportation Department on city wide sidewalk study. She said the draft will be presented to Council in the first part of 2015. She mentioned the accessibility study in all city public facilities. Staff has been looking to the TIRZ zone to do sidewalk repairs and lighting. Underground lighting is phased in as affordable. She mentioned street signage in the overlay districts as good tools to improve awareness. Some of the sidewalk trees have had to be removed because their 30 year natural life is coming near. Brewer then spoke about purchasing the Grace Church parking lot instead of continuing to pay leasing and taxes. Grace Heritage Center is in need of repair. The Downtown TIRZ will be asked to fund the repairs, design work and preservation study. A pergola shade structure is being proposed in front of the library at the Red Poppy Cafe. Fought asked about underground utilities. Fought said that Brandenburg had said it is expansive and the City might not be able to look at that. Fought wanted to know when Williams Drive would be considered. Brewer said a study of Williams Drive underground utilities will be later in this presentation. She said the study will be starting this next year. Brewer went on to speak about pedestrian signals, the Williams Drive Gateway area and 2nd street project from Austin Ave. to College St. The area TIRZ boundaries will match the regulating plan. The public improvement plan is being worked on. She spoke of grants that were also available. Brewer said the funding came from the quarter cent sales tax money, as did the 11`h St. Project. This will include will also be doing VFW Park. Brewer then spoke about Capital Improvement Projects of the following: • Williams Drive Gateway • Fire Stations • Public Safety • Facilities Master Plan 1. Downtown West 2. Visitor Center Relocation 3. Planned Facilities She said that the City will continue to review with GGAF to finalize a report to council Brewer explained where funding would come from for the proposed projects. Brainard asked about the property next to Grace Church. He wanted to know where the cost estimate was established. Brewer said they got the Cost estimate through appraisal district values. Brainard said that the General Government and Finance Board heard about these CIPs last week. He thought that the advisory board members had asked for more time to review the projects. Brainard asked Hammerlun if this is what he also remembered. Hammerlun said that it was his recall and that Brewer had mentioned that these would go to GGAF for further review at the beginning of her presentation. Hammerlun went on to say that these were all significant decisions and in need of more discussion, work and understanding the needs to take place in GGAF. Brewer said that consultants will be coming in to coordinate with GGAF. Brewer then asked for clarification from Council. She asked Council to clarify exactly which elements should go back to GGAF. Hesser asked about the re -siding of Grace church. He asked what efforts are being considered. Brewer said the City is looking into grants and is also working with Heritage Society for possible fund raising. Brewer said they would be looking for a solid partnership with them. Brewer explained that the Lease agreement makes city responsible for the maintenance of the building. Hesser asked Brewer to provide specific numbers in the future. Jonrowe said that this presentation was a good document for prioritization, etc. She asked what a blade sign is. Brewer said those are the green street signs. She explained that they could be of a different color symbolizing a different or special area. They would dress up the area and show it as a special district. Landmarks and directional signs are a good idea, Brewer said. She expressed the need to maximize parking. Jonrowe suggested naming parking lots to symbolize the special district. Brewer said it was a great idea. Jonrowe agreed that Second St. sidewalks need attention. She asked about a pedestrian signal for 6th St. Brewer said that TXDOT makes those decisions. Jonrowe then asked about funding for the design of the old library. She asked about options. She wanted to point out that the City should not spend money on design if the building is going to be destroyed in the end. Brewer said an architect had been brought in to examine the building and it is in good shape. Council directed staff to find a home for Municipal Court and they have been working on it. Jonrowe asked Garrett about parks parking and the animal shelter. Garrett answered. Brewer said that plans have been preliminarily discussed for the Animal Shelter but not further than that. Brandenburg said that Police Department has asked for a design study for the Shelter in their budget request. Eason said that the CIPs have changed so much since first discussed. She said direction is dynamic but suggestions have not always been followed for many reasons. She said the ability to be flexible is key. Eason said that staff has done an excellent job and have been efficient and effective. She mentioned that the City is becoming much more professional. Growth requires a different level of thinking. She thanked staff. Brandenburg asked the Council for direction from earlier discussion. He asked if Council wanted GGAF to lookat facilities only or parks and sidewalks also. Brainard said he is comfortable with regular maintenance. He would only require more complicated projects to come back to GGAF. B Review/Discuss recommendations for Compensation and Benefits — Micki Rundell, Chief Financial Officer and Tadd Phillips, Human Resource Director Tadd Phillips presented the budget plans on compensation and benefits. He provided a Power Point Presentation. Phillips said that he has been with the City for 60 days and is impressed with the professionalism of staff. Feedback shows him a hunger by staff to lead. Phillips spoke on the following: • Compensation • Proposed Budget • Public Safety Step Increas • Merit Increas • COLA • Current Comparators • Compensation — Looking Ahead Claifications Hesser asked about merit increases if COLA would be in addition. He explained that to him he finds COLA's very inflationary. Fought said he felt they were a good structure for pay plans and are important in defining situations. He said that this should always be brought to Council first. Phillips explained to Hesser that this approach is consistent with policies of the City and other municipalities. Phillips said he is always to open to other suggestions and conversations. Hesser said the decision becomes done when all agree on the philosophies. Jonrowe said she agrees with the implementation. She said there is a need for retaining and recruiting quality employees. Phillips reported that employee turnover has decreased. He reported that approximately half of the current employees are at mid -point. Things seem to be working well and seem very effective. Rundell spoke about the following topics: • Retirement • Benefits — Where we stand • Employees cost managing their care • Improved Fixed Cost Phillips then spoke on the following: • Benefits — Looking Ahead • Performance Review Brainard asked about the feasibility of combining benefits with the County or other cities and the potential for savings with scale pooling. Phillips said he has had some preliminary conversations and will definitely be pursuing the concept. Brainard thanked him and said he was appreciated. Brainard asked Rundell about higher compensation to TRS. Rundell said if Council does not agree it would be removed. C Workshop presentation and discussion on revisions to the Fiscal and Budgetary Policy for the 2014/15 budget cycle -- Micki Rundell, Chief Financial Officer Rundell presented the Fiscal and Budgetary Policy for the 2014/15 Budget Cycle. She provided handouts to the Councilmembers and Mayor. She called them the cliff notes version of the entire policy. Rundell presented the highlights of the policy and all GGAF recommendations: • Historical Overview • Policy Compliance • Debt Coverage • Purpose of Fiscal Policy • 2014-15 Major Policy Revisions • Operating Budget • General Fund Reserves — 90 Days Explained 0 Revenue Management • Expenditure Policies • Retirement — Retiree COLA Guidelines • Capital Maintenance • Debt Management • Staffing & Compensation • Internal Audit There were no further questions from the Council Mayor Ross announced a Recess to Executive Session, under Sections 551.071 and 551.074 of the Local Government Code at 3:25 PM 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. D 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 - Forwarded from the Georgetown Utility Systems Advisory Board (GUS): Consideration and possible action to approve a settlement with TCEQ relating to the Dove Springs Waste Water Treatment Plant -- Glenn W. Dishong, Utility Director - Inner Loop/Southwest Bypass Transportation - Dunlap - CTSUD - Hillwood Development Sec 551.074: Personnel Matters - City Manager Goals 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. 8h 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 Dale Ross, Mayor A es : City Secretary