HomeMy WebLinkAbout06/13/2019 - Workshop Minutes - City CouncilWKSHP061319 Minutes Page 1
MINUTES OF THE CITY COUNCIL WORKSHOP
CITY OF COLLEGE STATION
JUNE 13, 2019
STATE OF TEXAS §
§
COUNTY OF BRAZOS §
Present:
Karl Mooney, Mayor
Council:
Bob Brick
Jerome Rektorik
Linda Harvell
Elianor Vessali
John Nichols
Dennis Maloney
City Staff:
Bryan Woods, City Manager
Jeff Capps, Deputy City Manager
Carla Robinson, City Attorney
Tanya Smith, City Secretary
Ian Whittenton, Deputy City Secretary
1. Call to Order and Announce a Quorum is Present
With a quorum present, the Workshop of the College Station City Council was called to order by
Mayor Mooney at 4:00 p.m. on Thursday, June 13, 2019 in the Council Chambers of the City of
College Station City Hall, 1101 Texas Avenue, College Station, Texas 7784 0.
2. Executive Session
In accordance with the Texas Government Code §551.071-Consultation with Attorney, and
§551.074-Personnel, the College Station City Council convened into Executive Session at 4:00
p.m. on Thursday, June 13, 2019 in order to continue discussing matters pertaining to:
A. Consultation with Attorney to seek advice regarding pending or contemplated litigation; to wit:
Kathryn A. Stever-Harper as Executrix for the Estate of John Wesley Harper v. City of
College Station and Judy Meeks; No. 15,977-PC in the County Court No. 1, Brazos
County, Texas; and
McCrory Investments II, LLC d/b/a Southwest Stor Mor v. City of College Station; Cause
No. 17-000914-CV-361; In the 361st District Court, Brazos County, Texas
City of College Station v. Gerry Saum, Individually, and as Independent Executrix of the
Estate of Susan M. Wood, Deceased; Cause No. 17-002742-CV-361; In the 361st District
Court, Brazos County, Texas
Carrie McIver v. City of College Station; Cause No. 18-003271-CV-85; In the 85th District
Court, Brazos County, Texas
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B. Consultation with attorney to receive legal advice; to wit:
Contractual obligations for Tax Abatement Agreement and Economic Development
Agreement between the City of College Station and Strategic BH-College Station, LLC.
C. Deliberation on the appointment, employment, evaluation, reassignment, duties, discipline, or
dismissal of a public officer; to wit:
Council Self-Evaluation
City Manager
City Auditor
D. Deliberation on an offer of financial or other incentives for a business prospect that the Council
seeks to have locate, stay or expand in or near the City; to wit:
Economic incentives for multiple projects located generally in the area northeast of the
intersection of Raymond Stotzer Parkway and Highway 47 in College Station.
The Executive Session recessed at 5:22 p.m.
3. Reconvene from Executive Session and take action, if any.
No action was taken.
4. Presentation, possible action and discussion on items listed on the consent agenda.
Items 2c was pulled from Consent for clarification.
(2c): David Schmitz, Director of Parks and Recreation, provided a brief overview of the location
of Northgate Park. Northgate Park, when completed, will consist of lighted trails, open play areas,
park benches, a small lighted pavilion with picnic tables, and drinking fountains.
5. Presentation, discussion, and possible action regarding the 2018 Incentive Compliance
Report by the Brazos Valley Economic Development Corporation.
Natalie Ruiz, Director of Economic Development, introduced Matt Prochaska with the Brazos
Valley Economic Development Corporation.
Matt Prochaska with the Brazos Valley Economic Development Corporation, stated that for the
calendar year 2018, overall, 13 projects were won. Additionally, for the year to date 2019 there
have been 17 active projects with 6 projects won through combined efforts with the City and other
partners. Mr. Prochaska also introduced his colleagues, Chuck Martinez and Tim Neeley.
Chuck Martinez with the Brazos Valley Economic Development Corporation, presented an
overview of the seven (7) projects compliance for 2018.
Advanta US
Axia Pipe & Tube
FUJIFILM Diosynth Biotechnologies Texas @ Biocorridor
LSPI
Nutrabolt
ViaSat
WKSHP061319 Minutes Page 3
Wayfair
6. Presentation, discussion, and possible action regarding water rates.
Mary Ellen Leonard, Finance Director, presented the status of the water utility fund and an
overview of some of the challenges it is currently facing. Mrs. Leonard discussed some options to
address those challenges, which included: significant capital needs due to City growth, the impact
of the current rainfall patterns and future capacity strategies. Also, for all the reasons given, the
fund balance of the Water Fund has been significantly affected since 2014. As projected the
decrease in revenue in FY19, may cause a dip in the required 15% funds balance. Staff is currently
projecting that without a rate increase, the fund will not recover and will continue to decline below
policy in FY20.
Gary Mechler, Director of Water Service, presented the operational reasons for the decline. He
stated that conservation and heavy rains have kept consumptions trending lower. Mr. Mechler
also noted that the annual Capital Expenditures through modeling WSD was able to delay
regulatory required infrastructure.
Staff Recommendations:
Rate increase for FY20 of 15%
Recovery rate due to conservation would be 12%
Staff will be recommending a $150,000 SLA for FY20 for a combined water / wastewater
rate restructuring study
Review ALL existing rates including tiers and classes
Analyze feasibility of establishing varied commercial tiers
Analyze feasibility of establishing a multi-family rate tiers
Begin process of developing and releasing RFP prior to FY20 Approved Budget
Council directed staff to move forward with staff’s recommendation.
7. Presentation, discussion, and possible action regarding Smart City Initiatives and Smart
City Advisory Board.
Sindhu Menon, Information Technology Director, presented an overview of Smart City initiatives
completed, in progress, and planned. She also included information on current trends across the
public sector and the different types of advisory boards that exist across the industry. Possible
Future Smart City Projects: 5G Deployment, Smart Parking Meters, Open GIS & More, Waste
Management, Smarter Transport, Facility Management, Grid & Energy, Public Safety and Public-
Private Partnerships.
Staff Recommendation:
Approval to move forward with College Station Smart City Advisory Board led by City of
College Station with representations, including but not limited to:
City’s Management Team
Community Representation
Texas A&M University
College Station ISD
Brazos County
Brazos County Council of Governments
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Private sector partners
Council directed staff to move forward with staff’s recommendation.
Workshop was suspended at 6:38 pm
Workshop resumed at 8:38 pm
8. Council Calendar
Council reviewed the calendar.
9. Discussion, review, and possible action regarding the following meetings: Animal Shelter
Board, Annexation Task Force, Arts Council of Brazos Valley, Architectural Advisory
Committee, Arts Council Sub-committee, Audit Committee, Bicycle, Pedestrian, and
Greenways Advisory Board, Bio-Corridor Board of Adjustments, Blinn College Brazos
Valley Advisory Committee, Brazos County Health Dept., Brazos Valley Council of
Governments, Brazos Valley Economic Development Corporation, Bryan/College Station
Chamber of Commerce, Budget and Finance Committee, BVSWMA, BVWACS,
Compensation and Benefits Committee, Experience Bryan -College Station, Design Review
Board, Economic Development Committee, FBT/Texas Aggies Go to War, Gulf Coast
Strategic Highway Coalition, Historic Preservation Committee, Interfaith Dialogue
Association, Intergovernmental Committee, Joint Relief Funding Review Committee,
Landmark Commission, Library Board, Metropolitan Planning Organization, Parks and
Recreation Board, Planning and Zoning Commission, Research Valley Technology Council,
Regional Transportation Committee for Council of Governments, Sister Cities Association,
Spring Creek Local Government Corporation, Transportation and Mobility Committee,
TAMU Economic Development, TAMU Student Senate, Texas Municipal League, Twin City
Endowment, Walk with the Mayor, YMCA, Youth Advisory Council, Zoning Board of
Adjustments, (Notice of Agendas posted on City Hall bulletin board).
Councilmember Rektorik reported on the Experience Bryan-College Station.
Mayor Mooney reported on the Health Board.
10. Adjournment
There being no further business, Mayor Mooney adjourned the workshop of the College Station
City Council at 8:41 p.m. on Thursday, June 13, 2019.
________________________
Karl Mooney, Mayor
ATTEST:
_______________________
Tanya Smith, City Secretary