Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAboutMIN 09.25.2018 CC-WMinutes of a Meeting of the Governing Body of the City of Georgetown, Texas Tuesday, September 25, 2018 The Georgetown City Council will meet on Tuesday, September 25, 2018 at 4:05 PM at the Council Chambers, at 101 East 71 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 three (3) days prior to the scheduled meeting date, at (512) 930-3652 or City Hall at 113 East 8th Street for additional information; TTY users route through Relay Texas at 711. Mayor Pro Tem, John Hesser, called the meeting to order at 4:05 PM. All Councilmembers were in attendance, with the exception of Mayor Dale Ross. Anna Eby, Councilmember District 1, Valerie Nicholson, Councilmember District 2, John Hesser, Councilmember District 3, Steve Fought, Councilmember District 4, Kevin Pitts, Councilmember District 5, Rachael Jonrowe, Councilmember District 6, and Tommy Gonzalez, Councilmember District 7 were in attendance. Policy Development/Review Workshop — Call to order at 4:05 PM A. Presentation and discussion of the Solid Waste Master Plan Project -- Octavio Garza, PE, Public Works Director Public Works Director, Octavio Garza, spoke on the Solid Waste Master Plan and provided a Comprehensive Solid Waste Master Plan Summary Slide. Garza spoke on the purpose and needs of a Transfer Station and explained the empirical graph that was shown. Garza noted that, according to studies, it makes sense to proceed with the transfer station now, instead of later. Garza spoke on the Background of the Transfer Station • The City committed to the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ) to make certain improvements at the transfer station • Improvements include covering areas where waste is exposed and better storm water management Garza explained the Projection for 2018 vs. 2028 and spoke on the 2028 Operational Capacity. 2018 vs 2028 Projection 70 = 2018 60 = 2028 Projection so 40 r I, 30 H 20 10 Is] Qv �a�) ;1+1 ��� >i:�) c�`+) 7Grt0-1N'N5 1[X41 2028 Operational Capacity 70 60 GWAGE TOWN 6 I UXA% ii i H I I I I GWAGE TOWN 6 I UXA% Garza described the Impact of Operating at Capacity. He noted that since the transfer station cannot operate over its capacity, the operations would be impacted in several ways. • Collection vehicles must wait longer to unload, impacting collection routes • Collection operations would have to shift to earlier in the day or later in the day • Recycling trucks could not be unloaded during peak hours since only one material stream can be managed at a time • Site becomes more congested, with less space for self -haulers Transfer Station Options were shown and described next. Garza provided a conceptual rendering of the new facility. He noted that this would not be exact, but is used more as a planning tool. He then described the New Transfer Station and Next Steps. New Transfer Station: ■ Key CSWMP findings confirm the need for a new transfer station o Comply with TCEQ regulatory requirements o Expected continued growth of Georgetown o Improved feasibility of separate organics collection for all sectors o Lack of local organics processing facilities Transfer Station Next Steps: • Confirm direction from City Council on Transfer Station Option o Cover in 2019-2020/Construct New after 2018 No rate impact until after 2028 • Construct new in 2019-201 o Rate Impact: $0.70 - $1.00 per month in 2020 • FY19 Return to Council with engineering contract Councilmember Gonzalez asked if the City would bond out money for the project and then be reimbursed. Mike Babin, the City's Deputy General Manager of Utilities explained that solid waste is in the general fund and debt would be serviced by revenue in the general fund. Gonzalez asked if it would impact the property tax rate because of bonds. Babin said the transfer station would be self-supporting and able to reimburse the bond. Gonzalez said he would want to continue on a course to build the transfer station now because rates will be higher the longer the City waits. He suggested 20 or 25 year bonds to minimize the total impact. Councilmember Nicholson said she agrees, as did Councilmember Jonrowe. Jonrowe said this focus is on the transfer station. Garza said the master plan will be completed next fall. Councilmember Pitts asked if other communities can use the City's transfer station as well. Garza confirmed and said that TDS would be entitled to use the capacity until Georgetown needs all of it. Pitts said this creates the opportunity for more revenue. Project Timelines were shown next. Garza explained that the City's CIP Team would help with design. Garza provided an update on the Downtown area, a special 9 block area with special trash collection needs. He spoke on the Evaluation of Current Cart and Shared Dumpster System. Continued site challenges o Unsustainable with continued growth of Downtown; space constraints would not be solved o Dependent on private property owner willingness to allow usage of space o Negative aesthetics are deterrent to visitors Funded through rates o Challenges to enforcing equitable, volume based rate structure due to limited means for monitoring and enforcement Garza provided a slide showing the Key Input from Downtown Stakeholders with descriptions and discussion. Garza detailed the Downtown Service Options to Consider, a Potential for Shared Roll -Off Compactors and Components of a Concierge System Downtown Service Options Considered Carts Shared dumpsters Concierge service w .W Shared roll -off cornpaclors i Direct -haul to Transfer Station t' Potential for Shared Roll -off Compactor • Site challenge for compactor u Significantly larger site than durnpsters v Requires centrally located property with power and lighting o Likely requires multiple sites • Reduced Service Level Customers may need to carry bags up to several blocks presenting safety concerns at night Less convenient for businesses • Funded through rates 17 Potential for Concierge System • Site challenges eliminated Removal of carts and dumpsters • Enhanced service levels Door-to-door collection increases convenience for businesses Increases feasibility of separate organics collection Increases (unlimited) collection capacity for all three MSW streams • Funding more complex Rales alone may not be effective iit:oRGf owty 19 TE7LA5 Potential Concierge Service Levels Service Collection�, Business Level Frequency Type Quantity Level 1 Seven days per week. Restaurants 12 F multiple daily collections Seven days per week. Some restaurants enlertatnmenl Level .. one collection per day venues coffee shops and others 10 having some food scraps Two days per week, Retail government facilites. Level 3 one collection per day some entertainment venues with 30 minimal food scraps Level 4 One colleclion per day day per week, one J Offices museums, some retail 1 41 GCORR WN i f ][A4 20 • Prepare fallback shared dumpster alternative o Resolve equitability o Dumpster siting o Funding plan Garza also provided the CSWMP Next Steps to be discussed at the October 23, 2018 Workshop meeting. • Solid Waste Master Plan Diversion Priorities • Commercial — recycling and composting • Multifamily — recycling a Single Family — increase participation in current services • HHW — minor review materials accepted over the next 10 years Councilmember Jonrowe said there needs to be more stakeholder engagement. She asked if cities nearby do these services. Jonrowe suggested that people could visit such systems and see how it performs in real life time, including both concierge and shared dumpster services. Jonrowe noted that some of the alleyways in Georgetown need attention. Jonrowe asked if concierge service allows for recycling and composting. Garza confirmed. Councilmember Pitts said he agrees to look at neighboring cities with older structures and how this has been handled. He asked if the customer is required to hold the trash until picked up, in a concierge service, and where it would be held. Garza said this is still being determined, but the information will be brought to the Council. Mayor Pro Tem Hesser noted that he had forgotten to confirm a meeting quorum at the beginning of the meeting, and noted that all Councilmembers were present, with the exception of Mayor Ross. Hesser said he wanted to announce this to clean things up for the record. B. Presentation and discussion of 1/4 Cent Sales Tax for maintenance and repair of municipal streets — Ed Polasek, PE, Transportation Planning Coordinator Transportation Planning Coordinator, Ed Polasek, spoke on the renewal of the '/4 cent sales tax for maintenance and repair of municipal streets. Street Maintenance —'/ Cent Sales Tax Election on November 6, 2018 • Texas legislature allowed sales tax for street maintenance in 2001 • Four year sunset provision • 2002: Authorized by 57 percent of Georgetown voters • 2006: Re -authorized by 72 percent • 2010: Re -authorized by 80 percent • 2014: Re -authorized by 82 percent Polasek noted that elected officials can provide factual information but cannot engage in advocacy. He explained the high importance of following electioneering rules. Street Maintenance - % Cent Sales Tax Election on November 6, 2018 • Dedicated 0.25 percent sales tax to be used for curb -to -curb street rehabilitation and resurfacing ■ Sales tax collected from retail sales, including Georgetown residents and nonresidents • Cannot be used for sidewalks or trails • Cannot be used for building a new road Street Maintenance - % Cent Sales Tax Election on November 6, 2018 • Since April 2003, dedicated quarter -cent sales tax revenue of 431 million for street maintenance • FY 2018/2019 street maintenance funds in the budget o $3.2 million in quarter -cent revenue 0 $0.80 million in general fund money Street Maintenance —'/4 Cent Sales Tax Election on November 6, 2018 • Street Maintenance Treatments o Hot -in -Place Recycling o High Performance Pavement Seals Street Maintenance - % Cent Sales Tax Election on November 6, 2018 • 331 lane miles of streets resurfaced or improved since 2003 • Streets resurfaced in all areas of town based on PCI reporting Polasek provided a graph depicting total lane miles and sales tax revenues across the years. Ballot Language was shown next. Polasek described the Communication Plan. • 30 second video spot: Placed on cable TV stations, City Lights Theatres, You Tube, City Website and Social media • Print advertisements: Williamson County Sun, Community Impact, Georgetown View • Postcard mailer to Georgetown residents • News release and social media posts Polasek emphasized Electioneering Rules. City staff and officials can provide factual information City staff and officials cannot engage in advocacy (e.g. how to vote, evaluative words such as "needs') Councilmember Gonzalez asked what percentage of the budget was spent on road maintenance prior to the '/4 cent sales tax implemented in 2002. He said this tax allows the City to do so much more maintenance and without just moving money from one bucket to another. Gonzales said he would want the citizens to know specific figures showing this. He explained that without the funds from the 1/4 cent sales tax election, much less road maintenance and repair can be done. Polasek said he will be happy to research and provide the information. Assistant City Manager, Jim Briggs said when the 1/4 cent sales tax was implemented the funds coming from the general fund for street maintenance were $800,000, and the City has maintained this allocation annually. He noted that before the sales tax implementation, the amount allocated to street maintenance was $75,000. C. Presentation and discussion of the Bicycle Master Plan Project Update -- Ed Polasek, PE, Transportation Planning Coordinator Ed Polasek, Transportation Planning Coordinator, spoke on the Bicycle Master Plan planning process. He emphasized the need to start the bicycle master plan process while working with the 2030 Comprehensive Plan update process. Polasek spoke on the Bicycle Master Plan partnership the City has with the University of Texas. He explained that this would be a community and regional planning program. Polasek introduced Dr. Ming Zhang, who has international experience in all areas of planning focusing and transportation and introduced Evan Scott, a Graduate Research Assistant. Other graduate students were present for the presentation and had been bicycle riding in Georgetown that afternoon as part of their research. Polasek said there would be a Planning Studio in the fall semester at University of Texas and 10 students would be working on data collection, policy analysis and the completion of the draft for the Bicycle Master Plan. Polasek showed how the Bicycle Master Plan fit with the 2030 Comprehensive Plan update. Polasek spoke on the Role of the Master Plan in City Processes. • For Development Process o Recommendations for Unified Development Code amendment process o Potential changes to the City's Construction Specifications and Standards • For CIP Planning o Potential future Transportation or Parks bond programs o Design standards for future arterials Polasek spoke on Building Upon the 2016 Bicycle Planning Study Performed by same UT Program o Cycling factors & case studies o Citizen survey & analysis o Existing conditions and opportunities o Policy analysis of existing codes and plans Key Findings o "Interested but concerned" affecting potential bicycle ridership o Identified strategic improvements The UT Studio Work Plan for Fall 2018 was shown. • Part 1: Existing Conditions (October) o Assessment of existing conditions o SWOT analysis of bicycle conditions o Community survey and involvement • Part 2: Visioning and Plan -Making (November) o Development of goals, objectives and performance measures o Draft network plan and design guidelines o Draft Georgetown Master Plan by end of November • Part 3: End of Semester Review o Final review and presentation to City staff December 6, 3018, or o Community workshop to present finding • City Review and Adoption Process o GTAB March 2019 o City Council April/May 2019 Mayor Pro Tem, John Hesser recessed the meeting to Executive Session under Section 551.071, Section 551.072, Section 551.074 and Section 551.086 at 4:41 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 - Putnam v. City of Georgetown Status Update Sec. 551.072: Deliberations about Real Property - Northwest Blvd - Parcel 5, Parcel 9 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. 551.086: Competitive Matters - Discussion of Interconnection Agreement with ESS Rabbit Hill Project, LLC - Discussion of Site Lease Agreement with ESS Rabbit Hill Project, LLC Adjournment Mayor Pro Tem, John Hesser, adjourned the meeting to begin the Regular City Council Meeting at 6:00 PM. Approved by the Georgetown City Council on 3 n Hesser, Mor Pro Tern lc) (,.T[( V Date Attest: City retary