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Home My WebLink AboutMIN 09.28.2021 CC-WNotice of Meeting of the Governing Body of the City of Georgetown, Texas Tuesday, September 28, 2021 The Georgetown City Council will meet on Tuesday, September 28, 2021 at 3:00 PM at City Council Chambers located at 510 West 91h Street. 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 3:53 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. 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 3:00 PM A. Presentation and update regarding the TRG and San Jose Neighborhood Plans -- Susan Watkins, Neighborhood and Housing Program Manager, and Nat Waggoner, Assistant Planning Director - Long Range Waggoner presented the item and noted that staff is seeking feedback on the following questions: Do the steps taken to build consensus around vision, goals and recommendations support the intent of the small area plan process; and Do you need any additional information or discussion on any of the recommendations presented as part of this presentation? He then reviewed the progress on the projects to date including timeline and public outreach. Waggoner reviewed the San Jose neighborhood priorities, San Jose plan scope, public meeting recap, and the following visions and goals: the vision is that San Jose is a historic, multigenerational, safe neighborhood close to the Downtown Square that celebrates and protects its Hispanic heritage, residential character, and community assets like San Jose Park, San Jose Community Church and the historic altar to San Jose; conservation; accessibility; and restoration. He then reviewed the historic assets, housing design, transportation improvements, and transportation education. Waggoner then outlined issues related to the following topics for the neighborhood: history, youth programming, housing, flooding and stormwater management, and greenspace and recreation. Watkins presented and reviewed the TRG neighborhood priorities including the scope and recap of community meetings. She presented the TRG vision as: The TRG neighborhood will be a safe, healthy and diverse multigenerational community that promotes and protects its rich and varied heritage, residential character, and cultural community assets for future generations and all citizens of Georgetown. Watkins reviewed TRG neighborhood goals related to community conservation, infrastructure, and innovation. She reviewed historic assets, physical improvements to transportation, education on transportation, and land use and housing design for the neighborhood. Watkins then outlined issues related to the following topics for the neighborhood: housing, historic preservation, mobility and pedestrian improvements, youth programming, and greenspace. She then reviewed the next steps and restated the requested feedback of: Do the steps taken to build consensus around vision, goals and recommendations support the intent of the small area plan process; and Do you need any additional information or discussion on any of the recommendations presented as part of this presentation? General discussion among Council and staff related to: good work done by staff; the need for in person meetings; a joint neighborhood meeting; legacy residents; historic overlay paraments and possible alternatives for the neighborhoods; what the City could do to address the needs of the neighborhood; how many households are effected by each area plan; how many households participated in the process; if interaction with the County related to the TRG neighborhood is needed; future impacts the plans could have; potential negative impacts of a future plan; the possibility for an opt -out plan; and the need for clear communication. B. Presentation and discussion regarding potential options to assess convenience fees to customers utilizing credit cards for monthly utility bill payments -- Leigh Wallace, Finance Director and Leticia Zavala, Customer Care Director This item was taken up after Items A and D. Due to time constraints Item C was not discussed and will come back for consideration at a future meeting. Wallace presented the item and reviewed the history of credit card fee expenses citywide; credit card fee expense history; credit card fees citywide by fund/department; the past approach to credit card fees; and the new approach for Planning/Inspection fees. She then asked for Council feedback on Water impact fees; other development revenues; and provided a surrounding area comparison. General discussion among Council and staff, including David Morgan City Manager, related to percentages charged and what is an appropriate percentage; use of payment via wire transfer; different types of fees paid by credit card; other forms of payment for larger fees; and the desire to keep the processes beneficial to the customer. Zavala presented on Utility Billing fees and reviewed the history of fees; electronic payments history; the renewal of the City's credit card vendor, Paymentus; credit card incentives for paying with a credit card; credit card cost recovery models; surrounding area comparison; how the "ideal" customer payment would happen; and ways to encourage "ideal" customers. General discussion among Council and staff related to if the increase in credit card payments versus the increase in population; benefits customers received for using credit cards; how credit card payments are received faster; if it was possible to bid one contract for payment collection; how to incentivize customers to use paperless billing; and marketing of incentives. Some of Council expressed their willingness to absorb the cost for utility customers. Wallace presented and reviewed other departments that have credit cards fees on a smaller scale and next steps. General discussion among Council and staff related to justification for absorbing costs; pooling of services when possible; incentives; and service -related fees. Morgan noted that a future Council meeting staff will present on where fees are not adequately being recovered. C. Presentation and discussion regarding the revised purchasing policy for purchases of Goods and Services for $50,000.00 and under -- Edward O'Neal, Support Services Manager Due to time constraints this item was not discussed and will come back for consideration at a future meeting. D. Presentation and discussion regarding attendance and compensation of the Mayor and City Council -- Skye Masson, City Attorney This item was presented after Item A. Masson presented and reviewed the types of meetings defined in the ordinance which are regular meetings, workshop meetings, and special meetings. General discussion among Council and staff related to definitions for meeting types. Masson offered Council Option 1 which would add the following to Section 2.26.010 (directly after definition of meeting types): "Attendance at City Council Meetings by Council Members is integral to the success of the City and public service as a Council Member. City Council Members are required to attend a minimum of 50 percent of all City Council Meetings as those are defined in Subsection A. If a Council member is unable to attend a meeting due to a different city business obligation, the absence will be considered excused." General discussion among Council and staff related to how Option 1 would apply; examples of special meetings in the last year; how Option 1 would impact the Compensation Ordinance. Pitts supported Option 1. Masson then offered Council Option 2 which would add the following to Section 2.26.010 (directly after definition of meeting types): "Attendance at City Council Meetings and Board and Commission meetings by Council Members is integral to the success of the City and public service as a Council Member. City Council Members are required to attend a minimum of 50 percent of all meetings of Boards and Commissions to which they are appointed and of City Council Meetings as those are defined in Subsection A. If a Council member is unable to attend a meeting due to a different city business obligation, the absence will be considered excused." General discussion among Council and staff related to how boards and commission meetings are not attended at the same rate by all Council members; and how a cancelled meeting would not be counted against Council members. Masson reviewed the Compensation Ordinance and the possibility of adding Subsection D below to Sec. 2.16.010. — Compensation of Officers to read as follows: A. The Mayor shall receive compensation of $1,800.00 per month. B. The Mayor Pro Tem shall receive compensation of $1,400.00 per month. C. The Council members shall receive compensation of $1,400.00 per month. D. No officer shall receive compensation if during the month preceding, he or she violated the City Council attendance requirements pursuant to Section 2.26.010 of the Code of Ordinances. Council generally approved Option 1 with language added that cancellations count at attended. Mayor Schroeder recessed the meeting at 5:17 p.m. to start Executive Session at 5:20 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. 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. 551.072: Deliberations about Real Property - Berry Creek Interceptor Phases 1-3, Parcel 14 (Saragusa) — Jim Kachelmeyer, Assistant City Attorney Sec. 551.086: Certain Public Power Utilities: Competitive Matters - Purchased Power Update Sec. 551.087: Deliberation Regarding Economic Development Negotiations - Project Flex Power - Project Triangle - Project Steel Tube Adjournment Approved by the Georgetown City Council on toht,/Z, Date Attest: CitV Secretary