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HomeMy WebLinkAbout07/23/2009 - Workshop Minutes - City CouncilMayor Ben White Mayor Pro Tem City Manager Glenn Brown CITY OF COLLEGE STATION Home of Texar A&M Uniuersiry' Councilmembers John Crompton James Massey Dennis Maloney Katy-Marie Lyles Lawrence Stewart David Ruesink Minutes College Station City Council Workshop Meeting Thursday, July 23,2009 3:00 p.m. City Hall Council Chambers, 1101 Texas Avenue College Station, Texas COUNCIL MEMBERS PRESENT: Mayor White, Council members Maloney, Ruesink, Stewart, Lyles COUNCIL MEMBERS ABSENT: Council members Crompton and Massey STAFF PRESENT: City Manager Brown, Assistant City Manager Neeley, City Attorney Cargill, City Secretary Hooks, Members of Management Team Workshop Item No. 1 -- Presentation, possible action, and discussion on items listed on the consent agenda. The following items were removed for discussion. 2a. Council member Lyles asked staff to correct spelling for Past Kip Gilts on the July 9th minutes. 2b. Council member Ruesink asked questions about the membership and role of the Joint Relief Funding Review Committee. Asst. Director of Economic and Community Development Debbie Eller stated that the Committee is responsible for reviewing the applications from social service agencies. The membership included three members from Bryan and three members from College Station. The members are selected annually in March. 2d and 2e: Council member Ruesink asked staff to explain the vendor choices for outsourcing utility bill printing. Chief Financial Officer Jeff Kersten explained the customer has an option to view detailed bill on city's website. 2j. Council member Ruesink asked staff to explain the change order for concrete curb and gutter. Public Works Director Mark Smith explained that the contractor completed all work under original contract. However City needed additional quantity to complete a job to extend curb and gutter. 2m. Council member Ruesink inquired about the interlocal agreement with BVCOG on copier purchase. Asst. IT Director Erin Provasek said that the local vendors were given an option to bid. 2n. Council member Lyles inquired about the cost for HRD study on impact fees for water and wastewater. Mr. Coleman stated that discussion of the impact fees was scheduled for this workshop meeting. Minutes City Council Workshop Meeting Thursday, July 23,2009 20. Council member Lyles inquired about funds for Twin Oaks Landfill Phase One. Executive Director of BVSWMA Pete Caler explained the funds were available in BVSWMA Solid Waste Fund 2p Council member Ruesink inquired about future of Rock Prairie Landfill. Mr. Caler said that this contract amends the scope of services to remove the transition plan for Rock Prairie Landfill to become a city park. Funds are not available. 2q. Council member Lyles inquired about funds for BVSWMA litigation. Mark Smith stated that the funds for Bickerstaff are available in property insurance fund and general fund. 2s. Council member Lyles inquired about the payments to Grimes County. Pete Caler explained that the Cities of Bryan and College Station negotiated the host fee in 2004. It was agreed that BVSWMA pay Grirrzs County a host fee in the form of a royalty for every ton of revenue generated municipal solid waste at the existing Rock Prairie Road Landfill. Workshop Item No. 2 - Presentation, possible action and discussion regarding: a proposal for pedestrian improvements on University Drive in the Northgate area. Director of Public Works Mark Smith introduced the TxDot staff present in the audience. Maury Jacob, TxDot landscape architect presented slides of conceptual designs for pedestrian improvements along University Drive adjacent to Northgate businesses and along College Main and Boyett. This plan proposed significant improvements to resolve major pedestrian safety issues. He also emphasized the pedestrian crossing hazards at College Main and Houston streets. Bob Appleton, District Director of TxDot reiterated the importance of these plans to enhance the area for pedestrians. Chuck Sippial representing TAMU welcomed the concept presented by TxDot. Council concurred with the concept to find ways to increase public safety. Workshop Item No. 3 - Presentation, possible action, and discussion regarding: information about 2-1-1 Texas. Allison Smith, Director of Information and Referral Services presented an overview of the 21 1 Texas Program. Workshop Item No. 4 -- Presentation, possible action, and discussion regarding: an update from the Youth Advisorv Council on their activities of the past year. Mike Mullins, Staff liaison to the Youth Advisory Committee, introduced members of the Committee. These individuals presented a brief report of their yearly activities. Mayor and Council members encouraged the students to be the "sounding board" for students regarding interests and concerns and report to the City Council. Minutes City Council Workshop Meeting Thursday, July 23,2009 Workshop Item No. 5 -- Presentation, possible action, and discussion regarding a professional services contract with HDR Engineers to conduct a study to determine what amount is allowable, under State Law, to be charged for City-wide impact fees for water and wastewater. Dave Coleman, Director of Water Services described the performance contract with HDR Engineers to continue study of the feasibility of impact fees for water and wastewater systems in College Station. The item was listed on the consent agenda. Workshop Item No. 6 -- Presentation, possible action, and discussion concerning the city's anonmJmous reporting hotline for city employees. Ty Elliott, the city's internal auditor presented a brief presentation on the new program implemented within the City organization that allows the use of an anonymous third party hotline for reporting employee concerns. Workshop Item No. 7 -- Presentation, possible action, and discussion regarding a report from Mayor White on his trip as part of the Texas High Speed Rail and Transportation Corporation to Washington, D.C., on July 14 - 16,2009. Topics which may be discussed are as follows: Mayor White reported on his visit to Washington, D.C. as part of the Texas High Speed Rail and Transportation Corporation. He noted that a change in attitude at the federal level with focus on T Bone rail concept. 1) Met with members of Congress and key staff to continue the pursuit of funds for high speed rail, extension of federal support for the goals of the THSRTC and include the Brazos Express Corridor route which would run through the College StationBryan area. 2) Monitoring and support appropriation requests submitted by the High Speed Rail Congressional Caucus. 3) Seeking additional insight into the appropriation and allocation for funds for high speed rail within the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act. Workshop Item No. 8 -- Council Calendar. City Council members reviewed the upcoming calendar Workshop Item No. 9 - Future Agenda Items Future appointments of council members to outside organizations will be held when all council members present. Workshop Item No. 10 - Committee Reports. Discussion, review and possible action regarding the following meetings: Arts Council of the Brazos Valley, Audit Committee, Brazos County Health Dept., Brazos Valley Council of Governments, Brazos Valley Wide Area Communications Task Force, Cemetery Committee, Design Review Board, Historic Preservation Committee, Interfaith Dialogue Association, Intergovernmental Committee, Joint Relief Funding Review Committee, Library Committee, Metropolitan Planning Organization, National League of Cities, Outside Agency Funding Review, Parks and Recreation Board, Planning and Zoning Commission, Sister City Association, TAMU Student Senate, Research Valley Partnership, Regional Transportation Com,nittee for Council of Governments, Texas Municipal League, Transportation Committee, Wolf Pen Creek Oversight Committee, Wolf Pen Creek TIF Board, Zoning Board of Adjustments, BVSWMA, Signature Event Task Force, (Notice of Agendas posted on City Hall bulletin board). Minutes City Council Workshop Meeting Thursday, July 23,2009 Mayor White noted Council member Stewart reported that the Audit Committee heard report from Internal Auditor on the employee hotline. Workshop Item No. 11 - Executive Session Mayor and Council recessed from the workshop meeting at 5:00 pm and began executive session in the Administrative Conference Room. Consultation with Attorney {Gov't Code Section 551.071 ); possible action. The City Council may seek advice from its attorney regarding a pending or contemplated litigation subject or settlement offer or attorney-client privileged information. Litigation is an ongoing process and questions may arise as to a litigation tactic or settlement offer, which needs to be discussed with the City Council. Upon occasion the City Council may need information from its attorney as to the status of a pending or contemplated litigation subject or settlement offer or attorney-client privileged information. After executive session discussion, any final action or vote taken will be in public. The following subject(s) may be discussed: a. Application with TCEQ for permits in WestsideIHighway 60 area, near Brushy Water Supply Corporation b. Sewer CCN permit requests for Brushy & Wellborn Services Areas c. Water CCN permit requests for Brushy & Wellborn Services Areas d. Bed & Banks Water Rights Discharge Permits for College Station and Bryan e. Legal aspects of Water Well, permits and possible purchase of or lease of water well si~es f. Cliff A. Skiles, DVM & C.A. Skiles Family Partnership, Ltd. Water permit applications with the Brazos Valley Groundwater Conservation District g. TMPA v. PUC (College Station filed Intervention) h. City of Bryan suit filed against College Station, Legal issues and advise on Brazos Valley Solid Waste Management Agency contract, on proposed methane gas contract 1. Update on legal proceedings for Grimes County Landfill site and contracts for development of Grimes County site j. Weingarten Realty Investors v. College Station, Ron Silvia, David Ruesink, Lynn McIlhaney, and Ben White k. Chavers et a1 v. Tyrone Morrows, Michael Ikner, City of Bryan, City of College Station, et a1 1. Rogers Sheridan v. Barbara Schob & Greg Abbott m. Clancey v. College Station, Glenn Brown, and Kathy Merrill n. Legal issues related to Economic Development Agreement between City of College Station & Sahara Realty Real Estate {Gov't Code Section 551.072); possible action The City Council may deliberate the purchase, exchange, lease or value of real property if deliberation in an open meeting would have a detrimental effect on the position of the City in negotiations with a third person. After executive session discussion, any final action or vote taken will be in public. The following subject(s) may be discussed: a. Possible Purchase or Exchange of Property near E. University and Tarrow Personnel {Gov't Code Section 55 1.0741; possible action The City Council may deliberate the appointment, employment, evaluation, reassignment, duties, discipline, or dismissal of a public officer. After executive session discussion, any final action or vote taken will be in public. The following subject(s) may be discussed: a. Mayor ProTem Minutes City Council Workshop Meeting Thursday, July 23,2009 b. Construction Board of Adjustments and Appeals c. Parks and Recreation Board Workshop Item No. 12 -- Action on executive session, or any workshop agenda item not co~.pleted or discussed in today's workshop meeting may be discussed in tonight's Regular Meeting if necessarv. Council completed executive session prior to regular meeting at 6:55 pm. No action was taken. Workshop meeting adjourned at 6:55 pm PASSED AND APPROVED this 27fh day of August 2009. APPROVED: ,q . Mayor Ben White