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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMIN 07.27.2021 CC-WNotice of Meeting of the Governing Body of the City of Georgetown, Texas Tuesday, July 27, 2021 The Georgetown City Council will meet on Tuesday, July 27, 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 2:01 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; and Tommy Gonzalez, Council Member District 7. Kevin Pitts, Council Member District 5 was absent, and District 6 is vacant. A quorum of Council Members was present in Council Chambers and a roll call was performed. Policy Development/Review Workshop - Call to order at 2:00 PM A. Presentation and update on the regular 871h legislative session and special sessions ahead -- Mayra Cantu, Assistant to the City Manager and Snapper Carr, Focused Advocacy Cantu introduced the item and then Carr presented the item. He reviewed the 2021 Texas Legislature by the numbers; Municipal bills that did not pass; SB1427 regarding tax rate calculation; SB 1438 regarding tax rate calculation; HB 1869 regarding debt; SB19 regarding firearm boycott; SB13 regarding energy boycott; SB58 regarding Cloud Computing; HB2073 regarding paid quarantine leave; SB22 regarding disease presumption; HB 1927 regarding handguns; HB1938 regarding body worn cameras; HB 1929 regarding ETJ agreements; SB374 regarding annexation across ROW; SB1168 regarding imposing fines in ETJ; SB387 regarding ETJ Water rates; SB3 regarding emergency preparedness; SB 4492 regarding securitization; and next steps. He noted the Summer Special Session that began on July 8, 2021 and the following items on the Special Session agenda: bail reform; election integrity; border security; social media censorship; Article X funding; family violence prevention; youth sports/transgender; abortion -inducing drugs; Thirteenth Check (TRS); Critical Race Theory; and legislation providing appropriations for property -tax relief, foster -care system providers, and cybersecurity. Carr explained that a second special session is expected September/October for: redistricting due to the pandemic, the census data not available until September 2021; and federal funds where the Governor may compromise with lawmakers to give them bigger say in determining the allocation of $16 billion for COVID-19 recovery. Council had no comments or questions. B. Presentation, update and possible direction regarding action steps related to Councils goals derived from the Council visioning sessions regarding Downtown Parking, Sidewalks and Master Plan -- Laurie Brewer, Assistant City Manager Brewer presented and reviewed the 2021 Council Goals for Downtown including the following actions: enhance and manage continued growth in downtown which includes completing a parking study, evaluating the Sidewalk Master Plan, and updating the downtown master plan; implement enhanced downtown trash collection and identify future needs; and enhance partnerships for downtown including creating a regular dialogue on short term and long term downtown facility planning with the County among elected officials. She reviewed the Work Study Session results and provided a summary of Council's future vision for Downtown as follows: diversity in density, retail and experiences; expansion opportunities to be ready for growth; preservation of historical assets; safety; being family friendly; garage parking; pedestrian mobility; connections to parks and other assets; and being an arts and music destination. Brewer explained the summary of Council's identification of threats for the future vision as follows: lack of parking and accessibility and a need of multiple options and approaches; business mix shift with cost being a driving need for potential historic tax incentive; and the impact of higher use with visitor behavior and maintenance issues. She reviewed the Council goal of completing a parking study to include a multifaceted plan and provided the following options: Option A - review and update existing study, then do full study with Phase 1 used to pick up the parking study from the Council's last direction in February 2020 where Council paused the construction at 6th and Main, and Phase 2 to do the full parking study over next 18 months; and Option B being a full restart of parking study which would have no Option A Phase 1 and the New Comprehensive Parking Study would be done in FY2022.Brewer noted that Parking Study A - Phase 1 would update the Parking Study with emphasis on site selection for parking structure on city -owned sites to add parking spaces as soon as possible; establish criteria for evaluation; apply Criteria to sites currently owned by City; ensure stakeholder input; and have an estimated costs and timeline of $90,000-$150,000 over 12-24 weeks, including public engagement. She then provided the City -owned sites for a potential parking garage. Brewer then reviewed the details of Option B (and/or Option A Phase 2) to begin in FY22 that would lead to a full update of the FY2015 study and have an estimated costs and timelines of $225,000-$300,000 over 45- 52 weeks, including public engagement. She provided communication and engagement strategies to be incorporated into study and an accessibility pilot to increase accessibility friendliness that would: add more accessible parking directly on the square; review and improve slopes and access points to be friendlier to meet needs; review impact/opportunities for one-way streets; and add handrails at strategic locations. Brewer then reviewed additional potential solutions for accessibility — that would be part of Phase 1A — as follows: pilot project to add accessible parking on blocks where none exist now on block at a time; helps visitors get to the sidewalk system; restriping, build ramps to assist with mobility; add to existing contract work being done downtown; and assess for results. General discussion among Council and staff related to whether or not an additional parking study is needed; all possible sites for a parking garage; that Council in favor of vetting a new site but not starting from scratch; the plan for working with an engineer based on existing work; how delays in the previous plans have likely led to increased costs; changing the narrative of the lot at 61" and Main; consider being ADA friendly; and possibly consider no parking on the Square in the future; and actions of the previously organized Parking Garage Steering Committee. Mayor Schroder confirmed the consensus of Council to move forward with current/immediate solution and work on a long-term study. Morgan explained that staff will be using the existing task order to evaluate other sites and will do an RFP process for a future focused broader study and focus on possible locations this fall and move forward with other option in the spring. Brewer then reviewed the Council goal to evaluate sidewalk master plan and identify additional opportunities for improvement. She explained the Sidewalks and Facilities Public Access Audit and additional sidewalks planned for work in FY2022. Fought suggested the use of stamped pavement instead of bricks for easier use and better ADA compliance where sidewalks meet the road. Brewer noted that to allow for safe pedestrian access from points around the Square to Blue Hole and the San Gabriel Trail, sidewalks have been identified as non -compliant or have sidewalk gaps and represent projects in FY2022 and FY2023. She then provided future actions for sidewalk improvements. General discussion between Parr and Brewer related to the impact of sidewalk repairs on business owners. Brewer then reviewed the Council goal of updating the Downtown Master Plan to include the following areas: vision for Downtown; land use/density; transition zones between commercial and residential; historic preservation; and placemaking. She provided the Master Plan changes to the guidelines that include infill construction; in -kind materials; demolition and relocation; and signs. Brewer then reviewed Master Plan placemaking elements and how staff plans to update the Downtown Master Plan in FY2023 or FY2024. She provided a summary of the workplan for short term goals in FY2021-2022 and the following additional work for the future: create regular dialogue on short-term and long-term downtown facility planning with the County among elected officials; implement the enhanced downtown trash collection and identify future needs; and that the staff team is evaluating the current pilot ambassador program, making adjustments and beginning to transfer costs to customers. She then reviewed the Council feedback on parking, sidewalks, and updates to the Master Plan and next steps. Discussion between Hood and Brewer related to accessibility parking and possible locations for it; and future plans for parking at the City Center project. C. Presentation, update and possible direction regarding action steps related to Councils goals derived from the Council visioning sessions completed on February 5th and 6th -- David Morgan, City Manager Morgan presented and provided a review on the following strategic initiative action steps and corresponding action plan for goals related to governance: post one agenda for Workshop and Regular meetings; as part of the agenda review process confirm what is legally required and what is Council policy; annual Council Visioning; quarterly informal study sessions with Council; develop enhanced 311 "like" system to improve resident accessibility to service requests; and annual and town hall meetings to cover general or current topics of special interest for our residents. He then provided a review on the following strategic initiative action steps and corresponding action plan for goals related to growth: evaluate a full UDC update; implement master plans and ensure they are updated to be consistent with the growth needs of the community; maintain implementation plan schedule for CIP; research federal/state grant and low interest loans for infrastructure; complete resource evaluation with BRA and other regional partners; and maintain competitive compensation and benefits program. Morgan provided a review on the following strategic initiative action steps and corresponding action plan for goals related to housing: enhance the 2030; Comprehensive Plan guidelines on multi -family; determine locations where infrastructure exists and/or is needed; and define executive housing and the demand in the marketplace. Discussion between Gonzalez and Morgan related to triggers for development and housing types; updates to the Sub Area Plan to address those triggers; best use for land during development; and updating the Comprehensive Plan to reflect needed changes. Hood noted an action plan for establishing development standards and asked if this was being done in house. Morgan responded that the City is doing it house, and there are other cities that look at these programs. Mayor Schroeder called for a brief recess at 4:04 p.m. and reconvened the meeting at 4:13 p.m. Morgan provided a review on the following strategic initiative action steps and corresponding action plan for goals related to downtown: complete a parking study to include a multifaceted plan including accessibility, rideshare, shuttles, and parking lot development/redevelopment; evaluate sidewalk master plan and identify additional improvements for downtown; updated Downtown Master Plan to include the following areas vision for Downtown, land use/density, transition zones between commercial and residential; historic preservation, and placemaking; implement enhanced downtown trash collection and identify future needs; and create regular dialogue on short-term and long-term downtown facility planning with the County among elected officials. He then provided a review on the following strategic initiative action steps and corresponding action plan for goals related to economic development: increase support for vocational programs through partnership with GISD; work with developers to create shovel ready sites; and review UDC for any barriers that may be present for industrial development. Hood noted that retention or quality employees is a big goal of his. Morgan responded that it a big goal of his as well. Mayor stated that to see the workshop move to action step level is very encouraging. D. Continuation of Workshop overview, discussion and feedback regarding the FY2022 City of Georgetown Budget and Tax Rate, if needed -- David Morgan, City Manager and Nathan Parras, Assistant Finance Director and Budget Manager Morgan presented the item and noted that there were no real updates from yesterday. He then confirmed the following items for staff to follow-up on: provide stats on regional SWAT program; more detail on EMS, specifically revenue and expenses; make sure to include $15,000 more for home repair program; look at adding 2 additional officers for patrol program with an approximate mid -year start date; and provide stats for Community Engagement Officer position in Animal Services. Morgan stated that Council should keep in mind that other departments also have compelling arguments to be made, and if Council goes down this road, then may need to take some positions out and not fund patrol. He added that it is a proceed to prioritize positions that have been requested over multiple years and prioritize for the future. General discussion among Council and staff related to how the addition of positions effects the overall budget; putting emphasis on public safety; prioritization of submitted staff positions; how to make best take care of a board and commission volunteers; consideration of Council goals and regulations during the budget process; using the visioning session to "lobby" for wanted budget items and positions; and what is needed to maintain current service levels of City provided services. Mayor Schroeder adjourned the Workshop at 4:38 p.m. with Executive Session to start at 4:45 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. 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 - Litigation Update - Application of Aqua Texas, Inc. to the Public Utility Commission to Amend CCN No. 21116 (PUC Docket No. 52197) - Application of AIRW 2017-7, L.P. to the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ) for new Texas Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (TPDES) Permit No. WQ0015878001, to authorize the discharge of treated domestic wastewater (aka "Rockride Lane Water Resource Reclamation Facility") Sec. 551.072: Deliberations about Real Property - Block 27, property located near the corner of 6th Street and Austin Avenue - Scenic Drive Sec. 551.086: Certain Public Power Utilities: Competitive Matters - Purchased Power Update Adjournment Approved by the Georgetown City Council on zoz_ Date Attest: Ciq Secretary