HomeMy WebLinkAbout08/08/2019 - Workshop Minutes - City CouncilWKSHP080819 Minutes Page 1
MINUTES OF THE CITY COUNCIL WORKSHOP
CITY OF COLLEGE STATION
AUGUST 8, 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:
Jeff Capps, Deputy City Manager
Jeff Kersten, Assistant 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 4:01 p.m. on Thursday, August 8, 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 4:01
p.m. on Thursday, August 8, 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:
Legal issues related to a contract associated with the Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP)
System.
C. Deliberation on the appointment, employment, evaluation, reassignment, duties, discipline, or
dismissal of a public officer; to wit:
Council Self-Evaluation
City Manager
Executive Session recessed at 5:00 p.m.
3. Reconvene from Executive Session and take action, if any.
No vote or action was taken in Executive Session.
4. Presentation, possible action and discussion on items listed on the consent agenda.
Items 2c, 2e, and 2g, were pulled from Consent for clarification.
(2c): Sindhu Menon, Information Technologies Chief Information Officer, provided a brief
overview regarding the currently used two-way radio models being at the end of useful life and
nearing end of support. The units need to be replaced with current and supported replacements to
ensure communication in the field among department personnel.
(2e): Debbie Eller, Community Services Director, provided a brief overview regarding the
proposed plans and budget that were developed using input received from a series of public
hearings, program committee meetings, and citizen input. Since the last time this item was before
council, there were 4 meeting attendees and 2 emails with positive feedback on the proposed plans.
(2g): Emily Fisher, Capital Projects Manager, provided a brief overview regarding the amendment
to the contract that includes an increased design fee for the addition of square footage to the new
city hall. During schematic design of the new city hall, it was determined that some departments
not included in the original scope of the project should be incorporated in the new building. This
increases the design fee by $357,000, and the amendment also revises other sections of the contract
with Kirksey, including the schedule and total project budget.
5. Presentation, discussion, and possible action regarding training and educational
reimbursement for city employees.
Barbara Moore, City Manager’s Office, stated that the city encourages employees to pursue
training, education, and certification for fulfillment of their department and the city’s needs. There
are various training and educational opportunities for employees that require reimbursement. She
presented a brief look at the current training and education opportunities available to employees
and the reimbursement policies for those programs, which includes police and fire academies.
Reimbursement Programs:
Currently two programs require reimbursements if employee leaves within 24 months of
receiving their education/training:
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Police Academy: If employee leaves within 24 months of hire, which includes
academy training, reimbursement is required.
Education Reimbursement: If employee leaves within 24 months of receiving
education reimbursement, then last semester reimbursement is required.
Education Reimbursement Program Goals:
To provide educational assistance to eligible employees for qualified courses that promote
professional and personal growth and enhances the city’s workforce capabilities.
The courses taken must be related to the employee’s current position, or
Directly related to a degree plan that upon completion, may increase the employee’s
advancement potential within the city.
Work in Progress/Under Consideration:
Consideration of additional training and certification programs to require reimbursement
based on “time in job” expectations.
Continuing to enhance our internal training offerings to reduce some external training
needs.
Reviewing our current education reimbursement program for potential changes.
Taking a holistic view of our current training/certifications/development opportunities and
external training offerings to balance required certifications, skills, upskills, retention and
promotion needs, while being fiscally responsible.
6. Presentation, discussion, and possible action regarding an overview of the home sharing
rental model, the primary providers in the online marketplace, and impacts on
municipalities.
Brian Piscacek, City Manager’s Office, presented an overview on Voluntary Collection
Agreements (VCAs) between various cities; including those in Texas with “Airbnb,” a primary
provider of online short-term rental bookings. He also explained home sharing rental model and
its effect on cities, including impacts locally on tax collection, regulation, and enforcement.
Home Sharing Rental Model:
Primary providers
Airbnb
Founded in 2008, operates in nearly 100,000 cities across 191 countries; 6+
million places to stay
Maintains “Voluntary Collection Agreements” (VCAs) with 43 US states
and approximately 370 local entities
Expedia Group: owner of Home Away, VRBO, Vacation Rentals, and others
Collection of Hotel Occupancy Taxes:
State of Texas:
Airbnb VCA, 5/1/2017
Home Away agreement, 4/1/2019
Cities in Texas:
Plano, 5/1/2019
Houston, 7/1/2019
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Addressing the Question of Short-Term Rentals:
Opportunities
Access this growing market for untapped revenue stream for additional HOT
Create a more level playing field from a HOT perspective
Allow for agreements with Airbnb and Home Away, which would collect and remit
HOT taxes to City
Concerns about major commercial STR enterprises in College Station likely not as
significant as other cities
Review existing UDO
Challenges
Cost/benefit of revenue collected: actual dollars vs. requirements of effective
enforcement
Perceived favoritism to certain lodging operators
Indirect effects of intermittent stays
Limited information from providers regarding stays (e.g., Airbnb)
Impact on affordable housing
Staff’s recommendation is to move forward with research and benchmarking; maintain current
ordinances and enforcement; review UDO, with 2 public hearings, receive P&Z and Council input;
and consideration of agreements with home sharing providers.
Council directed staff to move forward with recommendations as presented.
7. Council Calendar
Council reviewed the calendar.
8. 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, Comprehensive Plan Evaluation 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 Eco nomic 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 Nichols reported on Chamber of Commerce Legislative Affairs.
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Councilmember Brick reported on the Arts Council.
9. Adjournment
There being no further business, Mayor Mooney adjourned the workshop of the College Station
City Council at 6:29 p.m. on Thursday, August 8, 2019.
________________________
Karl Mooney, Mayor
ATTEST:
_______________________
Tanya Smith, City Secretary