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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMIN 05.11.2021 CC-WNotice of Meeting of the Governing Body of the City of Georgetown, Texas Tuesday, May 11, 2021 The Georgetown City Council will meet on Tuesday, May 11, 2021 at 2:00 PM at Teleconference. 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 808 Martin Luther King Jr. Street, Georgetown, TX 78626 for additional information; TTY users route through Relay Texas at 711. Mayor Schroeder called the meeting to order at 2:00 p.m. The following Council Members were in attendance: Mayor Josh Schroeder; Amanda Parr, Council Member District 1; Shawn Hood, Council Member District 2; Mike Triggs, Council Member District 3; Steve Fought, Council Member District 4; Kevin Pitts, Council Member District 5; and Tommy Gonzalez, Council Member District 7. Rachael Jonrowe, Council Member District 6 was absent. All Council Members were present via videoconferencing and a roll call was performed. Policy Development/Review Workshop - Call to order at 2:00 PM Prior to starting Item A, David Morgan, City Manager, reviewed Item C and asked that Council participate in an exercise to emphasize action steps included as part of the Council goals. Council members then were provided colored dots, four for each Area of Emphasis. There was some discussion between Council and staff on clarification of the action steps. There was no discussion during the exercise and all results were detailed during the full presentation of Item C. Mayor Schroeder recessed the meeting at 2:36 p.m. for the exercise. Mayor Schroeder resumed the meeting at 2:56 p.m. A. Presentation, discussion, and possible direction regarding the City's response to COVID-19 - - Jack Daly, Community Services Director Daly presented the item and reviewed the DSHS and WCCHD Data related to hospitalization rates, rate of new infection/incident rate, new cases report, tests reported, fatalities, and vaccine update. He noted that as of May 2, of eligible recipients 56% are partially vaccinated and 39% fully vaccinated, with mass distribution sites closing, and a shift towards smaller sites. Daly noted that the City's disaster declaration expired on February 8, 2021, and at the March 9, 2021 Council Workshop Council decided to still require employees to wear masks when social distancing isn't possible; plexiglass, floor stickers, and signs will remain posted at entrances and announcements made reminding residents to wear masks while in City facilities; there are no limits on occupancy and lobbies open, but still asking people to maintain distance; and facility signage and set-up will reflect emphasis on distancing. He then asked for Council direction on the following: people visiting City facilities will be encouraged to wear a mask, or people visiting City facilities will be required to wear a mask; City Council meetings will remain virtual, or City Council meetings should begin to shift to in -person with possible adjustment to seating at the dais and a reminder that Municipal Court is regulated by State Agency; and if boards and commissions will remain virtual, or if boards and commissions should begin to shift to in -person. Discussion between Fought and Daly related to coverage for costs of vaccinations and how comfortable the employees would be with easing the masking rules. Morgan noted that executive level staff will still evaluate from a staff perspective what needs to be done when staff is working with the public and will respond accordingly with staff policy. Discussion between Pitts and Daly related vaccine percentages, percentage of citizens in higher risk categories, and data on the County's website. Discussion between Parr, Daly, and Morgan related to encouraging masks, library business hours, and City facility operational changes. Discussion between Triggs and Morgan related to staff thoughts on citizen interactions; availability of facilities to the public; changing employment statistics related to fear of catching COVID; and telecommuting policies that allow for flexibility. Council provided the following feedback on City facility operations: Gonzalez wanted to return back to as close to normal as soon as possible, while encouraging masks but not requiring masks; Pitts wanted to encourage masks adding that many of those that are most vulnerable have had opportunity to be vaccinated; Fought wanted to encourage masks; Triggs felt that the City is so close to seeing the light at the end of the tunnel, he would like to continue that mask to be required to follow the science; Hood wanted to encouraging masks; Parr wanted to encourage masks; and Mayor Schroeder wanted to encourage masks with proper precautions for employees. Council provided the following feedback on City Council meetings: Parr agreed to moving back to in person meetings with current protections; Hood wanted in person meetings; Triggs wanted in person meetings; Fought wanted in person meetings; Pitts wanted in person meetings, ideally with all members on the dais with dividers; and Gonzalez wanted in person meetings. Mayor Schroeder asked Council about public interaction via virtual options for meetings. Parr asked about the effect on staff time. Robyn Densmore, City Secretary, noted that staff is prepared to allow for public comments via Zoom, ad noted the use of a form to collect comments that are then read aloud. Skye Masson, City Attorney, stated that currently there are many bills in place to allow and encourage virtual attendance of Council, and added that keeping technology around from a legal standpoint might be a good idea. She added that to go back to in person meeting there would have to be a quorum of Council members physically present to conduct the meeting. Council provided the following feedback on public comments via virtual means; Parr liked whatever option that allows for most public comment; Gonzalez wanted to continue to let comments via Zoom, and written comments should be distributed to Council, but not read aloud; Hood felt that Council should allow citizens to participate via Zoom to curtail later if needed; Triggs was fine with what was proposed; Fought noted that when opening up via Zoom you open up the meeting to those that might not be able to attend in person; and Pitts was fine with citizen still participating via Zoom. Mayor Schroeder asked if Council felt the same way moving forward for boards and commissions. Council provided the following feedback on boards and commissions meetings: Parr wanted back to in person with virtual component; Hood wanted in person meetings; Triggs wanted in person meetings; Fought wanted in person meetings; Pitts wanted in person; and Gonzalez noted that it could cause a problem with quorum for those that don't want to attend in person, so until ready to go in person fully, either keep as is or all in person, but supports in person. Masson clarified that most restricted rules are still suspended, and the generally the rule is who is acting as chair must be present in person, but that doesn't solve coordination issues. Mayor Schroeder noted that the will of the Council is to move forward with in person meetings, and Council can revisit if there are quorum issues. Daly stated that the City will begin to encourage masking on Monday (May 17, 2021). Morgan added that the intent with starting on Monday is to allow for changes in signage. B. Presentation and discussion of Brand Research and Strategy Preview report -- Aly Van Dyke, Director of Communications and Public Engagement, and North Star Van Dyke introduced the item and gave a background on the work done until now. She then turned the presentation over to Ed Barlow with North Star Consulting. Barlow presented and reviewed the branding process; research by the numbers; survey responses; internal qualitative data; internal quantitative data from the community survey; external quantitative data from the 2019 Consumer Awareness and Perception Study; bonus research with external qualitative data; influencer perception study; strategy; insights; the Georgetown DNA Platform Statement; and next steps. Morgan noted that the next part is the fun part where Council gets creative and reviews the DNA statements. Barlow added that the creative process takes 2-3 months depending on scheduling. C. Confirmation and prioritization of action steps from council goals derived from the Council visioning sessions completed on February 5th and 6th -- David Morgan City Manager Morgan presented the item and noted that staff will reach out to Council member Jonrowe so that her input can be included as well. He started with the Downtown Area of Emphasis and noted that the following action steps received Council support: complete a parking study to include a multifaceted plan; evaluate sidewalk master plan and identify additional improvements for downtown; updated Downtown Master Plan; implement enhanced downtown trash collection and identify future needs; create regular dialogue on short-term and long-term downtown facility planning with the County among elected officials; include downtown programing plan as part of the downtown master plan update; and create a marketing and destination plan. Discussion between Council and Morgan related to next steps and how Council will review the final list of actions steps before they are approved. Morgan assured Council that the counts will be reviewed for accuracy. Morgan reviewed the Economic Development Area of Emphasis and noted that the following action steps received Council support: work with developers to create shovel ready sites; increase support for vocational programs through partnership with GISD; review UDC for any barriers that may be present for industrial development; continue business outreach and retention visits with Georgetown businesses; utilize economic impact software to determine incentive package values and return on investment; and continue business outreach and retention visits with Georgetown businesses. Mayor Schroeder asked that all items that require new action be prioritized over those that part of existing/continued action. Morgan reviewed the Governance Area of Emphasis and noted that the following action steps received Council support: post one agenda for Workshop and Regular; part of the agenda review process confirm what is legally required and what is Council policy; annual Council Visioning; develop enhanced 311 "like' system to improve resident accessibility to service requests; annual and Town Hall meetings to cover general or current topics of special interest for our residents; quarterly informal study sessions with Council; Citizen Academy; and annual visioning meeting with Boards. Morgan reviewed the Growth Area of Emphasis and noted that the following action steps received Council support: complete resource evaluation with BRA and other regional partners; implement master plans and ensure they are updated consistent with the growth needs of the community; research federal/state grant and low interest loans for infrastructure; maintain implementation plan/schedule for CIP; evaluate a full UDC update; maintain competitive compensation and benefits program; and implement measures to reduce cost for service and create goals for cash funding C1P. Morgan reviewed the Housing Area of Emphasis and noted that the following action steps received Council support: enhance the 2030 Comprehensive Plan guidelines on multi -family; determine locations where infrastructure exists and/or is needed; define executive housing and the demand in the marketplace; include new housing products and standards in UDC evaluation and update; evaluate strategies to encourage residential preservation through tax incentives; evaluate opportunities to enhance development standards in the UDC update; and emphasize advantages of being in the city limits. Morgan thanked Council for their work on this and added that a final report where all votes will be shared with Council. Mayor Schroeder noted that based on the action steps identified departments may have to reprioritize workload. Mayor Schroeder recessed into Executive Session at 4:23 p.m. to start at 4:38 p.m. 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 - Litigation Update Sec. 551.086: Certain Public Power Utilities: Competitive Matters - Competitive Matters — Purchased Power Update Adjournment Approved by the Georgetown City Council on 2-5 20Z k M-UNte- Schroeder, Mayor i Secretary { -