HomeMy WebLinkAboutMIN 07.13.2021 CC-WNotice of Meeting of the
Governing Body of the
City of Georgetown, Texas
Tuesday, July 13, 2021
The Georgetown City Council will meet on Tuesday, July 13, 2021 at 2:05 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 2:05 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 Kevin Pitts, Council Member District 5; and Tommy Gonzalez, Council
Member District 7. Rachael Jonrowe, Council Member District 6 was absent. A quorum of
Council Members was present in Council Chambers and a roll call was performed. Parr was
present via Zoom.
Policy Development/Review Workshop - Call to order at 2:05 PM
A. Presentation and discussion regarding the funding for GoGeo in Fiscal Year 2022 -- David
Morgan, City Manager and Will Parrish, Transportation Planner
Morgan introduced the item and the Parrish presented by reviewing Georgetown transit
services prior to GoGeo; overall paratransit only options; Faith in Action paratransit service;
Silver Lift paratransit service; Cap Metro paratransit service; paratransit eligibility;
microtransit option; and historical overview.
General discussion among Council and staff related to paratransit costs outside of routine bus
service costs.
Parrish then reviewed future funding for GoGeo and noted that the City of Georgetown has
an annual contract that expires on September 30 of 2021 which will automatically expire if not
renewed. He continued that to be prepared to continue or suspend services, CapMetro needs
to know if contract will be renewed and then asked what service option the Council wishes
to provide after September 301h, as staff needs to notify existing customers and the service
providers as soon as possible.
General discussion among Council and staff related removal of existing bus stop locations;
timing of removal of the bus stops; timing of future microtransit services; possible support
from the Georgetown Health Foundation; square mileage of the current service area; what
has and hasn't worked in the current structures or service; and possibly reinstating a voucher
system for Lyft and Uber type services. Mayor Schroeder noted it was the consensus of the
Council to move forward with a paratransit only option and be open to future options.
Discussion among Council and staff related to timing switching a new paratransit only option
in October 2021.
B. Presentation and discussion regarding the FY2022 assessed value trends, the projected tax
impact of five-year capital improvement plan and tax -supported debt -- Nathan Parras,
Assistant Finance Director
Parras presented the item and reviewed the Property Tax process and Truth in Taxation
related to no new revenue rate and how the tax rate is made up of two components -
operations and maintenance and debt services. He then provided the tax rate calculation
variables as seen here:
Truth in Taxation (TNT)
Existing
Assessed Value
I
t
Decrease
Voter Approval Rate
I&
!
Sales Tax
Decrease
Voter Approval Rate
lq&
Debt Service
Payments
Increase
Voter Approval Rate
t
Frozen s
Payments
t
Decrease
Voter Approval Rate
14V
TIRZ 8
Increase
Voter Approval Rate
f
NweValue
Increase
Voter Approval Rate
t
= controlled by City Council action
Parras then reviewed assessed value growth, changes in assessed values, what constitutes
tax -supported debt, legislative changes, how the debt model works, debt model assumptions,
model results, and summary of 5-vear CIP schedule as follows:
-:120 General GRpabd - proojgcft
raoilities - --
I
1.750,000
- 7.5-15,000
12,650;000
14,900,000
11,750,0 00
4.2.975.000
Other
875,000
570-000
-
Parks
4.800.000
7,390,000
5,700,000
4,000,000
8,400,000
36,500,000
Streets
40.200,000
25,000.000
25.000,000
23,000,000
-
13,700,000
Fleet
2.865.000
3.092,000
2.942.500
2.524,500
2.711.500
13.8l1,100
120 General Capital Projects Total
50,490,000
43,627,000
46,292,500
44,424,500
20.861,500
107,146,100
Parras then provided the next steps.
Discussion among Council and staff related to changes in law that effect and require voter
approval; Georgetown Municipal Complex (GMC) renovations; split of the tax rate between
O&M (Operations and Maintenance) and I&S (Interest and Sinking); possible tax rate
increase; mandatory versus discretionary expenditures; economic stability reserve; and
managing the growth of the City. Mayor Schroeder noted the Council's overall consent on
CIP projects. Discussion among Pitts, Morgan, and Parras related to cash funding for some
items; road bond projects; schedule for selling debt; road bond projects; and providing a
detailed list of projects to Council.
C. Presentation and discussion regarding potential uses of funds from the federal American
Rescue Plan -- Leigh Wallace, Finance Director
Wallace presented the item and reviewed the American Rescue Plan highlights noting that
there will be $8 million total for the City that will be delivered in two tranches, 12 months
apart with $4 million in June 2021 and $4 million June 2022. She noted the eligible dates of
expenses is March 2, 2021 — December 31, 2026, and the expenses must be obligated in a
contract by 2024 and completely expended by 2026 while meeting required reporting
requirements. Wallace explained the eligible use broad categories as follow: responding to
the COVID-19 public health emergency; essential worker premium pay; government services
affected by reduction in revenue due to COVID-19; and necessary investments in water, sewer
or broadband infrastructure. She asked about the Council's goals and proposed the following
possible goals: maximize benefit to community; address existing Council priorities; minimize
administrative burden on staff; to take advantage of existing programs/projects; and to
mitigate risk.
General discussion among Council and staff related to the process for applying for the grant,
reporting requirements, who will manage the funds, and if a consultant could provide some
assistance.
Wallace reviewed COVID related expenses for prevention activities including cleaning
supplies, personnel protective equipment, sanitation services, testing for an estimated cost of
$200,000.
Fought stated that he feels inadequate with making choices on this type of program, and the
only thing that stood out to him was better backup power. Morgan suggested walking
through other options.
Wallace reviewed COVID related expenses for assistance to impacted industries including
tourism for hotels laid off staff during the pandemic, and marketing Georgetown for
hotel/entertainment/restaurant businesses. She then explained how the City could funds for
COVID revenue replacement for the City which is a calculation governed by US Treasury and
US Census Bureau and the City is likely eligible, but probably not for all $8 million as the
funds must be used on "municipal government service."
General discussion among Council and staff related to the ability to use these funds for a
downtown parking garage.
Wallace reviewed some possible Water and sewer infrastructure improvements including
improving the wastewater treatment plants (existing 5-year capital plan) and improving
system resiliency to severe weather and security.
Mayor Schroeder asked if the money can be spent outside of the City limits if it still impacts
the water service district. Wallace responded that she would research to verify guidance on
that.
Wallace noted the ability to use funds for broadband infrastructure and other internet service -
related projects. She then provided next steps and asked for Council feedback related to goals
for use of these funds, and prioritized projects/expenses.
General discussion among Council and staff related to how they would like the funds to be
spent. Mayor Schroeder summarized Council's comments to reflect the consensus to use
funds for water infrastructure based on staff recommendations for winterizing.
Mayor Schroeder asked for a break at 3:41 p.m. Council resumed at 3:49 p.m.
D. Presentation, discussion, and possible direction regarding the City's response to COVID-19 -
- Jack Daly, Community Services Director
Daly presented and reviewed the DSHS and WCCHD Data and noted: TSA-O hospitalization
rates; rate of new infection (incidence rate); new cases reported; tests reported; and fatalities.
He noted that the County has now move to orange phase where age ranges with the most
cases are those 18-30 years, followed by those 31-50 years; and fully vaccinated people can
resume activities without wearing a mask or physically distancing, except where required by
federal, state, local, tribal, or territorial laws, rules, and regulations, including local business
and workplace guidance. Daly provided a vaccine update; reviewed the current Georgetown
operations; and an update on the vaccination and testing site across the street from the library.
He then reviewed the use of hybrid meetings for boards and commissions and noted the
challenges related to staffing levels for liaison and IT and training needs. He then asked for
Council direction on discontinuing testing and vaccine site in August and discontinuing
hybrid meetings for boards and commission.
Council provided a general consensus that vaccines are readily available and there is no more
mass rush, so it is good timing to pare down to bring the testing and vaccination sites to a
conclusion. Council also agreed that having all board and commissions fully in person with
no virtual option is acceptable moving forward.
General discussion among Council and staff related to parking for to go orders at restaurants;
outdoor dining; and considering if a policy will be needed going forward.
At this time Council went back to Item B to review the detailed chart of CIP projects.
Morgan gave a brief overview of the CIP projects.
Parras reviewed the proposed CIP projects in detail.
General discussion among Council and staff related to what is included in the Westinghouse
road project; what bonds have been issued for FY2021; and the process for Williams Drive
improvements and associated costs.
Mayor Schroeder recessed at 4:14 p.m. to being Executive Session at 4:30 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
- HB1925 Opinion
Sec. 551.072: Deliberations about Real Property
- BCI 1-3, Parcel 3, Whiteaker -- Travis Baird, Real Estate Services Manager
- BCI 1-3, Parcel 13 Homeyer -- Travis Baird, Real Estate Services Manager
Sec. 551.086: Certain Public Power Utilities: Competitive Matters
- Purchased Power Update
Sec. 551.087: Deliberation Regarding Economic Development Negotiations
- Project Tiger
- Rivery TIRZ
Adjournment
by the Georgetown City Council on --A+- U2
Date
, ayor Attest: Cit ecretary