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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMIN 02.14.2017 CC-WMinutes of a Meeting of the Governing Body of the City of Georgetown, Texas Tuesday, February 14, 2017 The Georgetown City Council will meet on Tuesday, February 14, 2017 at 3:00 PM at the Council Chambers, at 101 E. 7°i 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'h 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 Tommy Gonzalez, District 7. Gonzalez joined the meeting at 3:40 PM. Policy Development/Review Workshop — Call to order at 3:00 PM A. Update on solid waste contract, services and infrastructure -- Mike Babin, Deputy General Manager of Utilities Mike Babin, Deputy General Manager, spoke on the contract with Texas Disposal Systems and began the presentation with an agenda showing items for discussion. • Review • Overall Time Line • Contract Update • Transfer Stations Approach • Master Plan and Downtown Services Approach • Water Quality Pond Update Babin provided a review of the Fall Workshop • Discussed TDS contract renewal and alternatives, renegotiating a longer term contract with TDS Discussed options on future services and master plan o Council desired strategy to frame choices rather than a la carte o Future services direction will be part of the solid waste master plan, including downtown services o No service changes until October 2018 • Discussed transfer station direction — developed a plan for assessment, decision and implementation Babin noted that he wants to be clear about the negotiations with TDS. He noted that services would be left as is,' a master plan would be devised next year in 2018 and it would take effect in 2019. An overall timeline was provided next. Babin spoke on the underlying cost and proposed rate change of $1.50 to $1.90. He said the City has received a bid for the transfer station and the master plan, but there is not a funding source for these this year. He said this will be implemented in next year's budget, adjusting next years rate per customer 65 to 70 cents, in addition to a TDS increase, in effect in October. Babin noted that this would cover the costs of the transfer station and no increase would be planned for 2020. Babin provided a slide showing the contract objectives. Babin explained that today's contract is service based, not cost based. He explained that the new contract will be cost based with flexibility to change services within that. Councilmember Fought said cost plus is something that is never good because you cannot write a rule that cannot be beaten. Fought said before getting to the end of the contract negotiations he wants to see the full negotiation. Fought described controlled profit margin and said there is no way in this process to write the contract tight enough. Fought said cost control must be examined and he wants to see much more detail. Babin said he agrees and this will be the greatest challenge in negotiating the contract. He went on to discuss the contract design, based on 4 pillars. Mayor Ross asked if caps can be placed on cost increases, for example, a cap of 3% in a year. Babin said staff is very early in discussions and these type of details do not yet exist. Ross suggested a formula such as "not to exceed )e'. Babin spoke on performance incentives for increased efficiency and the reverse of a punishment clause for decreased efficiency. He noted that this would need to be jointly forecast with TDS. Babin said there would be an annual audit and that TDS would need to have a separate books specifically for Georgetown. Ross asked if the City shared in the risks, could it also share in the profits. Babin said profits would pass directly through to Georgetown. He said it would be structured so that the City shared in the benefits also. Babin provided slides showing the Annual TDS Contract Timeline and the Transfer Station Timeline Babin next discussed the Solid Waste Master Plan Y FY 2018 Project • Public Participation • Objectives and Strategy • Plan for Services, Rates, Code • Downtown Solid Waste Plan Babin spoke on the water quality pond which will be discussed in the spring bond issue. He said that construction bids have been received and the project is being taken to the Georgetown Transportation Babin said he is looking for direction from Council. He noted that he would like feedback about the proposals on next year's budget and any input Council might have on the TDS negotiations. Babin said that representatives from TDS were present if the Council had any questions. Babin added that he, Jordan Fengel and Chris Foster will be structuring the details and incentives in the contract and that the new Public Works Director, Octavio Garza will also be involved. Fought cautioned again about cost plus and its risks. B. Texas Life -Sciences Collaboration Center (TLCC) Presentation --Wayne Reed, Assistant City Manager and Dr. Michael Douglas, Executive Director of the Texas Life Science Collaboration Center Wayne Reed, Assistant City Manager, began the discussion. He noted that TLCC had completed 10 years of operation. He then introduced Dr. Michael Douglas, Executive Director of the Texas Life Science Collaboration Center, who provided a presentation. Douglas provided a presentation update on TLCC. He said that TLCC is in a good place in City to do great things. He provided an initial slide of discussion points for the presentation. Discussion Points 1. TLCC has leveraged the investment of the City. 2. TLCC has successfully implemented its small business development and life science technologies program and has filled buildings. 3. TLCC is now actively serving a more aggressive Economic Development role with the City. 4. TLCC will build on this small business development infrastructure with the City to recruit and advance its workforce programs with GISD and the colleges. Douglas said that the building is currently full and they will need to find space for additional companies. He said they will be engaging more with the Economic Development Department of the City, as well as developers. Douglas provided a slide titled Leveraging City Investment (2007-2016) F .- Leveraging City Investment (2007-2016) City of Georgetown $230k GEDCO 550k $780k Georgetown Chamber S 50k GREX S350k Federal Grant (Southwestern) S800k Federal Grant (TLCC'15-'18) $300k State Grant (Emerging Tech Fund'15—'18) $900k $2,400k He spoke next on Investment Return. i Investment Return During FY'16 65,000 SF of bioflex space for biotech expansion (Innervisions Corporate Center, 86M) 20% filled. (testimonial — Michael Novick, Innervisions developer) • Radiation Detection Company continues to add new jobs (S3.5M construction) in Georgetown during this measurement period. (testimonial - Barrie Laing, President RDC) TLCC continues its Federal EDA grant for $300,000 through Oct 2017 (3 years) in support of Georgetown Economic Development • Technology work force and educational training include 5900,000 from the Office of the Governor in a training laboratory and equipment support through 2018 ($500,000 in fiscal '16). Currently in support of 5 companies. Implementing small business development and entrepreneurial growth was shown next. 2.- Implementing Small Business �lopment and Entrepreneurial Growth • 10 companies currently on site • 70 employees • Average salary $80K plus • 1 graduate company in FY 16, and 1 graduate company in FY '17 • 5 early stage companies recruited in FY I6; 1 company in early FYI • Prospect companies looking for any available space in Georgetown • TLCC brand is strong statewide Douglas described the success and growth of the graduate company DisperSol. He described companies that have left Georgetown because of the need for more space than was available. Douglas noted that retaining companies is the payoff. He said this will require a closer working relationship with the Economic Development Department. A slide showing TLCC Member Companies was provided by Douglas. TLCC Member Companies Smart people building better health 11 companies - 85 employees in FY'16 Molecular Templates, Inc.' (17) - cancer biological therapeutics Cel ling BioSciences (5) -Regenerative medicine -stem cell Alovlam, Inc. (4) -medical vraste to energy Infinite Response (6) - diagnostic instruments Radix BioSolutions, Inc. (7) - Customized diagnostic assays DisperSol Technologies, Inc' (30) - Drug Bioavailability KJ Scientific (3) -Environmental toxicology KinetoChem (5) -Small molecule organic synthesis Environ. Quality Operations (3) - Controlling environmental pe; Fabrico Technologies (3) — Medical devices Macmillan Learning (5) — technology video developer graduated in FY '16 and FY'17 Douglas said that these companies are doing amazing things on both the medical side and the technical side. He spoke again on expanding economic development functions. ']I -Expanding ]I -Expanding Economic Development Functions • TLCC space: 35,000 SF is at capacity. • TLCC is now recruiting to all available spaces in the City. - Working directly with Georgetown Economic Development, brokers and developers. • TLCC Board has positioned the TLCC for less financial risk. • Work Force Development Programs in the City and University — iTEST - Innovative Technology Experiences for Students and rT rs. Douglas spoke on grant opportunities in stem study research, while working with GISD. A slide depicting Sustainability, Infrastructure and Work Force was provided next. 4. -Sustainability, Infrastructure and Work Force • Marketing our suite of services - private equity networks, SBIR grants, FDA regulatory, legal, business development. • Leveraging the TLCC brand and services for revenue from companies and real estate brokers. • Expand State and Federal grant support — active grant and foundation submissions - $210,000. • Build a work force development alliance focused locally - GISD faculty and student programs. e, .;=_. _. Douglas explained that the political climate leaves questions about federal grants. This still remains to be seen. Councilmember Brainard asked about managing the database. Douglas said the database, called the Tex Bio Locator is stationed in College Station, Texas. TLCC manages the biotech database and makes sure it is updated and complete at all times. Douglas said this is a tremendous source of leads for Georgetown. Brainard asked if the Economic Development staff could share in the database. Douglas said he would be happy to do so. Douglas spoke on work with GISD and ACC, which will provide a continuum for Georgetown in education benefits. He then summarized. Summary: Building Technology Economic Development TLCC is expanding its small business development programs with City Economic Development. • TLCC Board has reorganized TLCC for less financial risk. • TLCC has integrated with City Economic Developmentas a resource for technology recruitingandretention. • Expanding training programsforWork Force Development. • Ourstatewide marketing brand Is known • 5 new companies this year • Life science private equity and healthcare policy conferences being developed -Sheraton • The City should continue to leverage the TLCC brand to expand its economic development and educational benefits with the City of Georgetown. Douglas said he is in active discussions regarding bringing biotech meetings to Georgetown and hopes the City allows TLCC to leverage until the end of the grant program. Councilmember Gipson thanked Douglas and asked if grants are annual. Douglas said grants are generally over 3 years and the City gets benefit from the economic development. Gipson asked how many graduated companies TLCC has had. Douglas answered 3 and described the status of each. Gipson asked if there is a way to require a company to stay in Georgetown, once the City has raised and assisted them in their success. Douglas said TLCC provides space and hopefully shares in the success or profit. Douglas said there are opportunities. He said young companies need a place to work and a little revenue to develop. Gipson said he does not understand taking a risk and not benefiting from the company when it moves on to Austin, per say. Douglas said there was a need for more space than was able to be provided. Douglas agrees and suggests that a City of our size needs diversification and an active working plan in place. Gipson said he would like to limit options to leave. Douglas agreed. Councilmember Gonzalez said a lot of time and money has been expended and the return on investment for the City is not there. He said these improvements should have been tried 5 years ago. Gonzalez said the model is risky. He explained that a young company is either going to fail or it is so successful that they move away. Gonzalez said he does not know of much success with this program and asked Douglas how many TLCC employees live in Georgetown. Douglas said about 30% live in Georgetown. Douglas again noted that all buildings are filled. He said this is limiting because they can recruit, but do not have the space to offer. Douglas said this could eventually correct itself. He spoke on recruiting a technical force. Douglas noted that this is an exercise in patience. Gonzalez said the City needs to be realistic about the right fit. Douglas said most in the biotechnical world are going digital and that Austin will leap frog the biomedical industry. Councilmember Fought said there has been a lot of effort and Council has made suggestions for the last 4 years. He said he is proud to help others but needs to help the City at this point. Fought explained that action needs to be taken to get a hook into these companies that are able to leave. He added that he wants them to be successful, but stay to the benefit of Georgetown. Fought said this needs to happen this year. Mayor Ross thanked Douglas for the update presentation. C. 2017 Transit Work Plan Update —Nathaniel Waggoner, PMP, AICP, Transportation Analyst Nat Waggoner, Transportation Analyst, updated the Council on the 2017 Transit Work Plan. He told the Council that he will be needing their input. Waggoner provided an agenda of the presentation. _ Gioeq nrc.� Agenda • City Council 9/13/2016 Direction • Actions Since Last Update • Budget • Routes/Stops • Project Timeline . Branding Fare Management Procurement Plan Public Involvement Plan Reporting Plan • Next Steps He discussed Council Direction given on September 13, 2016 and actions since the last update Council Direction 9/13/2016 Continue to deliver Demand Response • Finalize and execute an agreement with the Georgetown Health Foundation (GHF) • Finalize and execute an ILA with Capital Metro for demand response, fixed route and ADA paratransil service in FY17 Update City Council Groacrmwr:� Actions Since Last Update (9/2016) • ILA and Agreements Executed • Demand Response Services ongoing • Assembled Transit Working Group •r Suzy Pukys, Georgetown Health Foundation +e Gina O'Connor, The Caring Place 6 Vickie Orcutt. Faith in Action Georgetown a Michelle Meaux, Capital Metro a Lyle Nelson, CARTS o Ed Polasek, Public Works !i Nat Waggoner. Public Works a Jennifer Bills, Housing Coordinator • Drafted Project Plan (Routes, Stops, Timeline) Waggoner described and discussed the Transit Budget FY17 _ G[oacerowni T se% Transit Budget FY17 Elements of Cost wcal un• sa4Tsuads Tatal .service $252,973 5168,648 5421,621 t0 Amenities $ 17.890 $ 71,562 $ 89,452 fanning $ 6.294 $ 25,173 $ 31,467 otal FY 17 Costs $ 277,157 $ 265,383 5542,540 'Includes 11 months of Demand Response.1 month of Fixed Route and Paraeensd He described the elements of cost of service, stop amenities and planning and provided figures of each and totals. Waggoner then showed maps of each of the four proposed bus routes — Orange Route, Green Route, Purple Route and Blue Route. Waggoner next provided a slide on the project timeline. Ai X CIIl/RIFtin I'rt� Project Timeline Gh i 'Jr I Piork'40D a Hemet&ted Orxl:Cvnt�t R.NI tuNN11 Co. . _ . _.. Waggoner explained that this is representing major tasks and staff will be asking Council and the public for their comments. Waggoner said they will need informed direction. He explained that there will be layered public meetings with direction from the Council. Waggoner spoke next on preparing for the branding of the project, fare management, design and construction, a public involvement plan and a reporting plan. He provided slides for each topic. - - (�rORd[Tn\VNO Branding (Dec 16- Apr 17) • ILA with Ch1TA facilitates branding development • Includes development of name and logo: Service materials (maps, schedules, etc.) Capital Equipment (signs/poles. buses) Communication Materials (website, print ads, new releases, etc.) • Core Team Includes: % Public Works Eric Lashley, Library Keith Hutchinson/Beth Wade. Communications % GUS Marketing % Carl Miller. CVB G[JRGP[OWN� n \n. Fare Management o (Dec 16- Apr 17) a� . Involves the development of policies related Fare Rates Reduced Rate Eligibility % Fare Collection Media (cash, electronic) Reporting • Ridership Policies % Minimum age % Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) Accommodation • Core Team includes: % Public Works % Transit Working Group % CARTS/CMTA GroRcriiiwn� Design and Construction (Dec 16- Jul 17) • Plans and Specifications Modified from Existing C41TA� Sign/Poles % Shelters Benches % Bus Pads Core Team includes. - Public Works > Wes Wright. Systems Engineering % Mark Miller, Streets % Deborah Knutson, Purchasing CARTS CMTA GrtlaLriOWN� Public Involvement Plan 14111 0 (Dec 16 -Jul 17) • ILA with CMTA Facilitates Public Outreach wt> • Public Meeting — March 21, 2877 (Georgetown Library) • Cote Team includes: Public Works Jack Daly, City Managers Office Beth Wade, Communications Jana Kern, Public Works Transit Working Group Capital Metro GtOFGETOWNI Reporting Plan rr ` o _ (Dec 16- Oct 17) • Performance measures used to assess the four fixed routes • Routes will be reviewed individually and as a system every sue months per FTA • Core Team includes: '. PubliC Works Transit Working Group i CMTA I Performance Measures i. Passengers per revenue 2. Fare recovery ratio 3. Cost per passenger 4. Cost per revenue hour 5. On -Time Performance 6. Total Annual Riders Waggoner spoke on the Next Steps for the project. Gnn:r.i irnozitititititititititititlE Next Steps • 3r14 Workshop with Council • Initial Name and Branding Concepts • Preparation for Publm Meetingel • 3121 Public Meeting > Name and Branding • Fare, Ridership • Routes/Stops • 3126 Workshop with Council • Final Name and Branding Review • Feedback from Public Meeting • 4111 Workshop and Regular Agenda Item with Council o Consider adopting Transit Plan Waggoner asked for questions and guidance. Councilmember Brainard asked if the City has purchased any buses. Waggoner said no. He explained that CARTS will purchase the buses and be responsible for their maintenance. CARTS will own the buses. Brainard asked what consideration had been given to East View High School. Waggoner said the project team has looked at population densities. Waggoner, said that because of East Views distance, it will bean area that the system will grow toward. Brainard asked if there was any interest from GISD to be a part of the project. Waggoner said this has not yet been coordinated, but there is definitely a need there and something to pursue. Brainard asked for the status of the potential use of companies such as Uber and Lyft. Waggoner said he has not been in contact, because his focus has been with fixed bus system. He said he has been in conversations with the Williamson County and Cities Health District who are interested in tapping into the research and findings to use toward future grant opportunities. City Manager, David Morgan, said a trial program of vouchers is also being looked at. He said this would be a pilot program, in addition to fixed bus, brought to the Council this summer. Brainard said he appreciated the performance measures noted. Waggoner explained that staff has not yet developed benchmarks to consider moving or stopping unmet thresholds. Waggoneer said potential thresholds and mechanisms are in place. Waggoner said the Council will be updated on these in the near future. Mayor Ross said metrics need to be established prior to the start of the program and ridership is most important at this time. Councilmember Eby said she had been at a meeting of the Southeast Georgetown Council and they are very excited about the new system. She explained that for many of them, this is their only option to get places. David Morgan introduced the new Public Works Director, Octavio Garza, who comes to Georgetown from the City of Waco. Garza said he was born and raised in Mexico, has 4 children, and will be moving to Georgetown. He said he loves the City of Georgetown, fishing and public works. Waggoner closed the presentation with discussion on upcoming reports and dates D. Downtown West Project Update —Eric Johnson, CIP Manager and Laurie Brewer, Assistant City Manager Eric Johnson, CIP Manager for the Downtown West Project, provided the Council with an update. Johnson explained the Council Feedback from the August 23, 2016 City Council meeting. • Renovation Plan that is worthy of our City and exemplifies our values • Funding Strategy, removing TIRZ • Budget of $13,000,000 Johnson next provided a slide of the Landscape Plan and spoke on a campus feel and future green space plans. a_� FFF iyf r r ...�..,,....,..,........, Johnson spoke on the renovation of existing buildings in the $13,000,000 figure and what would be included. Floor plans for City Hall and the Municipal Court Building were shown and described. Johnson also provided renderings of a night time depiction of the buildings. r}� N r -*- �.� •rr .fit. L IM 4- t H ems: Councilmember Jonrowe asked if the restrooms had changing facilities for babies. Johnson confirmed. City Manager, Morgan, asked Johnson to describe the availability of the use of the restrooms for Shotgun House. Johnson explained that there would be a walkway from Shotgun House up to that side of the building and restrooms would be kept open and available, while other parts of the building could be locked during non -business hours. Johnson described the municipal court and council chambers in detail. Morgan asked him to point out the cabinet space intended for the Council's use. Johnson described the cabinet space. Johnson noted that the solid wall in the renderings shown has since been removed for further savings. Councilmember Gipson said he wants to make sure that the City is planning ahead and that the Downtown West project would fit the needs in the future. He said it is not wise to cut comers and then have to add on in 5 years. Morgan said the budget established allows staff to stay on point with this Council direction. Morgan said a lot of room for expansion has been included. Johnson went on to speak on Other City Contracted Services L_ omenconrrrtntreostJtwtESS/SF TOTAL Audio ween 55+tem Oates CAbGr�g $e[wlly(file AldrT Fumrture TempSev (A/C Control) Mt I"W., TesOnG 17 £"Geodes (Swittlwe. Servet, oc) Eq mpment pne, ROsidgerdtor, etc) 9.84 5 362.937 5.91 $ 218,067 9.10 $ 335,772 16.75 5 617.944 3.45 5 127,298 1.50 S 55.347 5 70.000 $ 50.000 Johnson spoke on cash funding. He said that in addition to design modifications, other possible alternative funding sources have been evaluated to supplement the sale of the buildings at $6,249,000. He explained that the sale of the properties is figured at $200 per square foot. He estimates City Hall to be valued at $1,923,000, CVB at $600,000 and Council Chambers at $1,200,000, equaling $7,263,200. He explained that this leaves $6,249,018 from the sale of property for construction. Funding options were discussed. A Funding Summary was provided. Johnson ended the presentation with Next Steps. • Detailed Design — completed Mid -March 2017 • Construction Documents — completed July 2017 • Guaranteed Maximum Price — late summer 2017 • Begin Construction — September 2017 Mayor Ross asked how long the construction should take. Johnson answered one year. Morgan added that bonds are currently at a low 3 percent. E. Sidewalk Project Update — IH35 from Leander Road to HWY 29 -- Wesley Wright, Systems Engineering Director Wesley Wright, Systems Engineering Director, provided an update on the Sidewalk Project. He passed out maps of the project to the Council, since the map would be difficult to see on the overhead screen. Wright described the map in detail and the costs associated with each section. He explained that the south side of the river has challenges because of significant topography. He spoke on the significant elevation. Wright explained that the design shows that a stair case will need to be added and this will add cost because it will need to be cut into rock and stay in compliance with ADA guidelines. Councilmember Brainard asked if it has been considered that people are walking up there because there is not anything lower and it might be different if there is an alternative. Wright said it is necessary to get people to their development. He spoke on switch backs. Wright explained that these are hard numbers. Councilmember Hesser asked how long the sidewalk is. Wright calculated and responded that the distance of that sidewalk is approximately 3,000 feet. Wright asked Council for direction. He said he would need to know if the Council would like to move forward with the $600,000 expense. He explained that these discoveries have made the project about 300K short. Mayor Ross said he sees adults and kids walking within feet of 135 and this is a safety issue. Wright agreed that it is a safety concern and staff recommends the option shown be the green indicator on the map. He explained that this is much safer and away from traffic. Wright said the green route would be a shorter route and higher, which is a better option. Councilmember Brainard asked why a sidewalk was not included when Wolf Ranch was developed. Morgan said it was not required with the PUD at that time, but now it would be required. Morgan explained that the City now stands firm on this. Brainard asked if concrete was expected to go down in price. Wright answered no. He explained that an engineer estimated the cost to be $500,000 thousand dollars, but a bid had been received for $300,000 because the company owns their own rock breaking equipment. Wright said if the project was rebid it would come in even higher. Morgan said staff recommends providing the new sidewalk plan in the spring debt sale funding. He also mentioned the Council's special revenue fund as a possibility for additional funding. Gonzalez said this is 10% of the budget. Morgan clarified that the initial funding did not come out of the bond for sidewalks and this would be in addition to the sidewalk budget. Jonrowe asked if TXDOT would be making any improvements to this area. Wright answered no. Brainard said this project is on a road to completion and the need is not going to go away. He added that the sidewalks should have been put in years ago. He said it is a public safety issue and the City needs to bite the bullet and fund it. Mayor Ross asked if Council agreed. All Councilmembers did agree and a resolution will be brought to them at the February 28, 2017 meeting. Mayor Ross recessed the meeting to Executive Session under Sec. 551.071, Sec. 551.072, Sec. 551.074 and Sec. 551.087 at 4.54 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. 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 Sec. 551.072: Deliberations about Real Property - Downtown West Update 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 - City Attorney, City Secretary and City Manager Performance Evaluation Timelines See. 551.087: Deliberation Regarding Economic Development Negotiations - TLCC Performance Agreement Adjournment Mayor Ross adjourned the meeting to begin the Regular City Council meeting at 6:00 PM Approved by the Georgetown City Council on oZ I c1 `6 1 oZ o ► -7 Date 144 — ( L Dale Ross, Mayor J 0 J. Attest: Ci cretary