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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMIN 06.28.2016 CC-WMinutes of a Meeting of the Governing Body of the City of Georgetown, Texas Tuesday, June 28, 2016 The Georgetown City Council will meet on Tuesday, June 28, 2016 at 3:00 PM at the Council Chambers, at 101 E. 7t1 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 8"' Street for additional information; TTY users route through Relay Texas at 711. Mayor Ross called the meeting to order at 3:00 PM. All Councilmembers were in attendance, with the exception of Councilmember, District 2, Keith Brainard and Councilmember, District 7, Tommy Gonzalez. Gonzalez arrived at 3.31 PM. Policy Development/Review Workshop — Call to order at 3:00 PM A. Presentation and discussion of the implementation of the City's 2015 Sidewalk Master Plan —Nat Waggoner, A.I.C.P., Transportation Analyst Nat Waggoner, the City's Transportation Analyst, provided a presentation on the implementation of the City's Sidewalk Master Plan. Waggoner showed the work in progress, described by the Sidewalk Master Plan. Waggoner mentioned the coordination and contribution of working with the Housing Coordinator, Jennifer Bills. He discussed the review process and prioritization, completed projects, in -progress projects, future projects and the continual implementation efforts. Waggoner described the projects on maps, both current projects and identified future projects. He described the stakeholder and public input of these projects. Waggoner showed the prioritization process and how projects are scored. Waggoner said much of the work is concentrated in the downtown district. He noted that it is important to coordinate with other capital improvement projects to synchronize and cause the least inconvenience to businesses and citizens. Implementation Strategies in the plan were explained by Waggoner. He provided a summary of every project that has been done year to date. He then spoke on sidewalk installation and maintenance. Completed projects included: • Implement Priority 1 projects • Formalize public request tracking system • Complete sidewalk "gaps" • Initiate an annual review process Projects still in implementation included: • Adopt O&M standards • Adopt annual funding recommendation that support O&M Waggoner said there is now a way to take public input and get it directly to staff for review and analysis. Waggoner said the City is looking into best practices about how to continually review maintenance standards and a long term funding strategy. Waggoner said this dovetails into the Council's wish for a long term maintenance strategy. Waggoner provided a slide on the Next Steps: Council Feedback and Implementation Amend the ADA Transition Plan Continue Project Development Inform the Public Fought said this a good plan and Council and staff have been working on it for a long time. He asked about Sun City, where sidewalks are only on the main streets. Fought asked about the procedures and funding processes if someone were to ask for sidewalks to be installed. Waggoner said he would encourage a public request and would like staff and citizens to keep communication going. Waggoner said staff is working to refine the process and tools. Morgan said the fluid nature of the list identifies different projects and the master plan tracts the work plan, as well as the methodology. Morgan said Council could guide staff through the Master Plan and plans could be expanded. Jonrowe said she appreciates the constant updates and said this is an example of responsiveness to the City's citizens and their needs. Jonrowe asked about submitting requests through the Customer Care Department. She said she heard from a constituent who received immediate response after submitting a request and was pleased with the excellent customer service. Morgan said the next update to the Sidewalk Master Plan will be in the capital improvement plan of the general budget. B. Discussion and possible direction regarding vehicular traffic at the intersection of West Majestic Oak Lane and Apache Mountain Lane in the Sun City Subdivision — Jim Briggs, General Manager of Utilities Jim Briggs, the General Manager of Utilities, spoke on the vehicular traffic at the intersection of West Majestic Oak Land and Apache Mountain Lane in Sun City. Briggs provided a Power Point presentation offering an update to this situation. The information will also be presented as a legislative regular agenda item to the City Council at a meeting later in the day in order to provide the opportunity for citizens to share their comments and concerns. The Council will have the opportunity to take action on that item, if they desire. Briggs first discussed the history: • September 23, 2014: City Council requested a Traffic Impact Analysis • April 14, 2015: TIA presented to the City Council with a recommendation of a temporary closure • September 28, 2015: Rocky Hollow Creek Drive opened and the temporary closure began. • January 19, 2016: Majestic Oak at Apache Mountain re -opened Briggs provided a map of the area and intersection. He described the area within the City limits and the area in the County. Briggs explained that CR 245 is now complete and connects to FM 2338, Williams Drive. Briggs next spoke on the development standards at the time of platting: • Woodland Park: Williamson County Subdivision Regulations, jointly administered by the City and the County • West Majestic Oaks created as local street to serve less than 1,000 Average Daily Trips (ADTs) based on lots in Woodland Park meeting street, with stub to then "Northern Lands" for connectivity Woodland Park Drive created as Collector road to serve less than 2,000 ADT based on lots in Woodland Park • No Traffic Impact Analysis was required for the development • Sun City: Sun City Development Agreement and UDC • West Majestic Oaks approved as point of connectivity to existing platted local street stub in 811 Amendment (2012) Briggs next provided a slide on the UDC Standards for platting today: • Woodland Park: Would develop under UDC provisions administered by the City and reviewed by Williamson County: 1. Would develop under Chapter 13: Rural standards vs. Chapter 12: Urban standards 2. West majestic Oaks created as rural residential street to serve less than 1,000 ADT based on lots in Woodland Park feeding street, with stub to adjacent property for connectivity. Minimum ROW 50 feet, same as exists today. Minimum pavement width increased to 24 feet from 20 feet. 3. Woodland Park Drive created as Rural Collector road to serve less than 5,000 ADT based on lots in Woodland Park. Minimum ROW 70 feet, less than exists today, with 30 foot pavement width. Curb and gutter and sidewalks would not be required today. 4. TIA would be required if total lots generated more than 2,000 ADT. Briggs next showed the 2015 TIA Results: • Traffic projections will substantially stay the same in the future • Rocky Hollow Creek Trail is an alternate for traffic but the model makes the assumption that existing ADT on Majestic Oaks will continue due to the establishment of habit for current drivers within Sun City • The Level of Service at the intersections studies is Level of Service A during peak hours, with "A" being the optimum evaluation level for roadway congestion analysis Briggs reviewed the City Council Direction from April 14, 2015 • Study traffic on Majestic Oaks prior to completion of Rocky Hollow Creek Drive to CR 245 • Temporarily close Majestic Oaks at Apache Mountain in Sun City once Rocky Hollow Creek opens • Re -open Majestic Oaks in 60 -90 days and perform additional traffic studies. Briggs spoke on the traffic counts. He explained the set requirements, according to the UDC, and spoke on service levels. He provided a slide on Majestic Oaks Traffic Volume Evaluation: • Majestic Oaks Average Vehicles Per Day: • Before closure and Rocky Hollow Creek Trail Opening: 1,467 average VPD • Post re -opening: 878 average VPD • Last single day count of 1,093 on May 10, 2016, possible trend towards increasing ADT over time • Rocky Hollow Creek Trail — 2,053 VPD • Closure and Rocky Hollow Creek Results: Average VPD on Majestic Oaks now below County Subdivision regulations limits for a local roadway. Trend expectations is that ADT may rise, however, standards for street classification are for new roadways and will not require change in classification Briggs explained that even with a trend upwards in counts, the numbers still fall below the requirements and asked for feedback from the City Council. He asked if he could answer any questions or if anyone would like further clarification. Briggs said it is important to understand the issue completely and how all components comply with the UDC. Fought thanked Briggs and staff for being thorough. Fought asked Briggs if the classification would remain the same if West Majestic Oaks was widened. Briggs said it would not change the classification of the road. Fought then asked if two roads are identical in width, would they both have the same classification. Briggs said widening the road would have an impact on safety and speed. Fought said sometimes roads outgrow the original plan. He asked how many roads in Georgetown have outgrown their original parameters. Briggs answered that most of the roads that have outgrown their original intention are arterial roadways. He said that Williams Drive is a good example and has been expanded multiple times. Highway 29 would be another arterial road example explained Briggs. Eby asked Briggs if he sees this as a safety issue. Briggs said safety is related to volume and speed and driver awareness. Briggs said mainly speed of the roadway would be the largest safety hazard. He explained that widening a road could actually encourage speed and have a counter element. Eby asked if speed is an issue here. Briggs said he asked the residents at the recent meeting if mitigating the speed would help. Traffic calming elements can slow down emergency response, but there are things that can be done. Gipson said he observed cars parked on the side of roads with children around and running between the cars. He said this is potentially a problem and he sees visibility more of a problem than speed. Gipson said it is important to look at the safety standpoint. Briggs said traffic slowing elements can be installed or other things can be done. Mayor Ross said this road is not within the City Limits and that if there is a safety issue, the law enforcement is with the County, not the City. Ross explained that there have been no tickets issued that the City is aware of and law enforcement issues should be directed to the County. C. Update and direction regarding the proposed implementation plans developed around the City Council's Strategies — David Morgan, City Manager David Morgan, the City Manager, provided a presentation on the implementation of strategies to follow through with accomplishing the goals determined by the City Council. Jack Daly provided handouts to the Council. Morgan spoke on the City Council's goals and strategies and explained how these goals should end up implemented in the budget process. Morgan provided a slide on the background of today's discussion: • Four Council Visioning Sessions were held in November. These defined the Role of Council, the Vision of Council, the Goals of Council and 14 strategies for implementation • An update was provided to Council on March 22, 2016 outlining the tactics to achieve each strategy Morgan spoke on the Vision: • Georgetown is a safe, healthy, happy, connected, and truly diverse community where people can live, work, retire and play in an environment where we have ready access, throughout their lives, to arts, culture, essential services and the natural environment. • Our educated and skilled population, fiscally responsible governance, excellent infrastructure, and the beauty of our natural and man-made environments, attract new residents and businesses and enable us to create balanced and diverse employment centers and economic levels. Our strong sense of community connects us regardless of our cultural, age, ethnic or economic differences. Goals were reviewed by Morgan next: • Culture — Georgetown is a truly diverse, vibrant, inclusive, and socially dynamic city where everyone has the opportunity to participate in, and benefit from, our economic, political and social activities • Employee — Our outstanding and innovative City employees work diligently to bring the Vision of Council to life and deliver exceptional services to our customers while exemplifying our Core Values • Internal Process — Our policies and procedures are easy to understand, and consistently and professionally applied. Our internal processes are effective, efficient, fair, inventive, and transparent, and make us a desired destination for residents and businesses • Customer — Anyone interacting with the City will have such a positive experience that they will tell everyone about it • Financial —To maintain a fiscal environment conducive to attaining the goals of the City Morgan discussed the process for developing tactics and plans to achieve each strategy: Process • 14 teams developed "tactics" to achieve each strategy — Cross functional groups — 5-7 team members • Tactics presented in priority order by strategy — Reviewed with Council on March 22 — 'Sub-tactks' ldentlfied in packet • Teams Developed implementation plans — Identified high-priority tactics (to accomplish or initiate within 12 -months Identified tactics to be completed in 1.2 years and beyond 2 years Details and owner associated with implementation plans in packet AEOETON'N Eii Completed • Develop and deploy new, simplified online special event application (1.3.3) • Establish special events team to discuss venues, events, and event requests (1.3.4 & 1.4.3) • Council adopted budget policy, including long-term liabilities (1.6.1) • Economic uncertainty reserve policy submitted and phase-in strategy established (1.6.4) • Establish communications team (2.1.2) GC0RGET0I N rrwss Proposed Budget Impact • Establish and consistently administer a competitive compensation program based on performance results (1.1.1) • Build and Program City -owned Venues (1.4.1) • Conduct studies to develop meaningful data to drive the City's E.D. program (1.5.2) • Develop a process to understand the fiscal impact and trade-off of land use decisions (1.5.4) • Update the City's Comprehensive Plan and Capital Improvement Plans to align resources and preserve pportunities for retail and employment growth (1.5.5) GEORTE SOWN Proposed Budget Impact • Complete review and propose amendments for the Unified Development Code (UDC Chapter 12 Pedestrian and Vehicle Circulation) related to development standards to ensure they are designed to improve mobility efforts within and between new developments (1.7.1) • Continue to adequately fund transportation infrastructure (1.7.5) GOTERTGXON'N Morgan spoke on the cost to serve developments and how it is important to understand the fiscal use and impacts. Morgan discussed the proposed key measures. All tactics will continue to be tracked explained Morgan. He explained that the teams have identified, developed, or are developing, key measures for tactics. Morgan told the Council that the target measures are highlighted in their packets. He explained that a spreadsheet will be regularly reviewed and updated and reported to Council. Morgan said that staff is working on a dashboard way of tracking and measuring. This will be an easy visual for Council to keep track of what is being worked on and what is planned. Morgan said he would like to receive feedback from Council. He explained that the strategies and tactics will be integrated into the budget presentation. Eby asked if the goals and strategies have been easy to work with and if Morgan had any suggestions to Council for improvement. Morgan said that he appreciates Council's recognition of the amount of work that has already been implemented. He explained that not much has shifted. Morgan said initially the work was to organize and align the work that was already going on. He said Council provided good guidance. Morgan said he appreciates Council allowing staff to implement the tactics and strategies and thanked the Council. He said he feels it is going in a good direction. Morgan said it will be critical in the next few months to be disciplined in deliverables and focus. He again emphasized that this is a living document and a work plan in progress. Hesser asked about donut holes and what has been accomplished. Morgan said the annexation plan is 11 years old and needs to be improved. Morgan said a key accomplishment would be to update the annexation plan. He added that there is a need to look at MUD policies and how they affect donut holes. Gonzalez said this is an outstanding plan and well organized. He asked Morgan to supply a possible notebook format to the Council for tracking and working within. Gonzales offered kudos to the commitment. Morgan thanked him for the compliment. He added that he agreed that there is too much material to follow and a plan is in place to simplify the information into smaller usable, valuable reports. Fought instructed staff not to be afraid to let Council know if something does not make sense. He said he has a lot of confidence in the process, but wants to hear from staff if problems or concerns in the process develop. Morgan said a point of caution would be the timelines. He explained that although he loves the enthusiasm, he can see that, realistically, timelines could be pushed a bit. He again emphasized that this is a fluid document. D. Ethics Training Workshop -- Charlie McNabb, City Attorney City Attorney, Charlie McNabb, provided the annual Ethics Training for the City Council. He provided instruction and review for ethics training, as well as the City's Governance policy. McNabb explained that, by City Charter, a work session training is required annually. McNabb said that he would not need to speak on the Public Information Act or the Open Meetings Act as though had been covered at an earlier presentation. McNabb presented the Georgetown Code of Ordinances and spoke on the continuing education of Councilmembers. GEORGETOWN CODE OF ORDINANCES SFC. 2.20.100.- DisrRIBL7t0N .SND PROOF OF CO3MPLIAN( A. The City Secretary shall make availablemeach newCity Official designated in this Chapter, a copy of the text of this Chapter=0; Chapter 171 of the Texas local Government Code pertainingtownflicts of interest: the Texas Open Ueotings Act (Tex. Gov. Codech. 551): and the Texas Public InformationAxt (Tex. Gov. Code ch. 55^-) (collectively referred to in this Section as the ethics statutes'). B. The City Attorney shalloondoct one or mom annual seminam devoted to educating City Officials on the meat ingand legal significance of the ethic& statutes. C. Eaeh City Official shall file with the City secretary a signed affidavit in which the City OGScialacknowledgeu the exiawaroofthe ethics statutes. _ (Ord. No. 5012.09. Q 1) McNabb spoke next on State Statutes STA'rF STATUTES Texas Penal Code Chapter 36: Bribery and Corrupt Influence Chapter 39: Abuse of Office Texas Government Code Chapter 551: Open Nlectings Chapter 552: Public Information Texas Local Government Code Chapter 171: Conflicts of Interest of Officers Chapter 176: Disclosure of Certain Relationships C� � .J Conflicts of interest were discussed by McNabb. He explained that Chapter 171 of the Texas Local Government Code prohibits Councilmembers from discussing and participating in a vote on a matter involving a business entity or real property in which they, or people they are closely related to, have a substantial interest. McNabb explained the types of Conflicts of Interest described in the City Ethics Ordinance • In a business entity — A Councilmember or relative owns 10% or more of the voting stock or shares of the business entity • A Councilmember or relative owns either 10% or $15,000 or more of the fair market value of the business entity • Funds received by the Councilmember or relative from the business entity exceed 10% of their gross income for the previous year • The Councilmember or relative owns an equitable or legal interest in real property with a fair market value of $2,500 or more. McNabb explained that Substantial Financial Interest follows the state law while Substantial Economic Interest is more comprehensive, is governed by the City Ethics Ordinance and includes an interest that is more than minimal or insignificant and would be recognized by reasonable persons to have weight in deciding a case or an issue. McNabb said that the State recognizes relatives in first degree, while the City ordinance recognizes relatives to the second degree. McNabb next discussed the City's Governance Policy which addresses the following: • Governance Guidelines and Principles • Mayor's Role • City Council's Role • Communication Between Council and Staff • Council Relations with the City Attorney and the City Secretary • News Media Relations McNabb explained that Councilmembers need to communicate with staff through the City Manager. He explained that the City Manager addresses operational matters and the Mayor addresses Council matters. Jonrowe asked about the Ethics Commission. She asked if they are only called upon during an investigation. McNabb said the Commission should meet annually. He explained that Council could ask the Ethics Commission to meet and review any matter they wish. Jonrowe said she understands that relationships are defined at the federal level. She would like to incorporate adoptees into relationship descriptions. Mayor Ross asked why the City ordinance is different from the State's. He explained that the state lawyers continually tweak necessary things to be in compliance with changes. Ross asked why the City would ask non -lawyers to look at this. McNabb said the Commission's role is to recommend and enforce. He explained that under the City Charter, the City is required to have an ethics ordinance, but it could easily read that the City follows the state law. Ross asked if there was ambiguity in the City's ordinance. McNabb said reasonable people could disagree with certain things and that the state ordinance is more defined. Ross asked if the City's ordinance is in compliance with recent court cases. McNabb said the definition of degrees are defined differently. Ross asked if other cities just use the state ordinance. McNabb said many cities have their own. He added that the ethics ordinance in Georgetown does not have an enforcement element and under some charters, Councilmembers, or other elected officials, can be removed. Fought said very few senior executives fail for ethical reasons. Fought said he is most comfortable with tested law and wants a compelling reason why the City would need an ordinance other than the state law. He asked McNabb to go forth and examine things for a compelling reason to not just follow state law. Eby said she disagrees and would like to see more enforcement measures and improvements to the policy. She said she does not have a problem with the City having a more onerous ordinance and would like to look into it further. Eby said anything more stringent than state law is good. She asked the Legal Department to review. Mayor Ross recessed the meeting to Executive Session under Section 551.071, Section 551.072, Section 551.074 and Section 551.087 at 4.40 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. 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 - Police Meet and Confer Sec. 551.072: Deliberation Regarding Real Property - Rivery Blvd Extension Project (Parcel 7, 1614 Park Lane) - City Hall and Visitor Center Valuations Sec. 551.074: Personnel Matters - City Manager, City Attorney, City Secretary and Municipal Judge: Consideration of the appointment, employment, evaluation, reassignment, duties, discipline, or dismissal Sec. 551.087: Deliberation Regarding Economic Development Negotiations - Tamiro Plaza Phase 2 Adjournment Meeting was adjourned to the Regular City Council Meeting at 6:01 PM Approved by the Georgetown City Council on ,' 1 a.1ant(0 Date 61Nv Dale oss, Mayor Attest: City