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Home My WebLink About07/23/2020 - Workshop Minutes - City CouncilWKSHP072320 Minutes Page 1 MINUTES OF THE CITY COUNCIL WORKSHOP VIA TELECONFERENCE CITY OF COLLEGE STATION JULY 23, 2020 STATE OF TEXAS § § COUNTY OF BRAZOS § Present: Karl Mooney, Mayor Council: Bob Brick John Crompton Linda Harvell John Nichols Dennis Maloney City Staff: Jeff Capps, Interim 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 via Teleconference at 3:03 p.m. on Thursday, July 23, 2020 in the Administrative Conference Room of the City of College Station City Hall, 1101 Texas Avenue, College Station, Texas 77840. 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 3:03 p.m. on Thursday, July 23, 2020 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 WKSHP072320 Minutes Page 2  Veronica Alejandra Ibarra v. The City of College Station; Cause No. 20000325CV361; in the 361st District Court, Brazos County, Texas B. Consultation with attorney to receive legal advice; to wit:  Legal advice concerning a proposal to EBCS addressing the liabilities and assets of the corporation. 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 4:28 p.m. 3. Reconvene from Executive Session and take action, if any. MOTION: Upon a motion made by Councilmember Nichols and a second by Mayor Mooney, the City Council voted six (6) for and none (0) opposed, to recommend to the Board of Directors for Experience Bryan College Station that the board approve, as part of its winding up of corporate affairs, the proposed plan to discharge the corporation’s liabilities and distribute the corporation’s assets that has been negotiated between the City of Bryan and the City of College Station. The motion carried unanimously. 4. Presentation, possible action and discussion on items listed on the consent agenda. Items (3.5), (3.8), (3.10), and (3.11) were pulled from Consent for clarification. (3.5): Debbie Eller, Director of Community Services, explained that these funds came from the Cares Act funding for Public Service Agencies in the amount not to exceed $250,000 for the CSISD COVID-19 Family Empowerment Program. (3.8): Sindhu Menon, Director of Information Technology, explained that this amendment includes 42.3 additional fiber strand miles at a user licenses fee of $15,157.36 and a prorated maintenance fee of $367.16. The annual maintenance fee going forward for 146.26 total fiber strand miles will be increased by $2,202.98, an increase of 40.7%. (3.10): David Schmitz, Director of Parks and Recreation, explained that the Greenway Properties and the Parks Properties. The properties are being funded by the Parkland Dedication Fund, through the conversion of this land to parkland it is protected as parkland and located near adjacent park properties. (3.11): Mary Ellen Leonard, Director of Finance, explained how the staff arrived at the short term rental fees.  Short Term Rental inspection fee $100.00  Short Term Rental permit fee $100.00  Short Term Rental permit renewal fee $75.00 5. Workshop 5.1 Presentation, discussion, and possible action on the FY 2020-2021 Proposed Budget. WKSHP072320 Minutes Page 3 Mary Ellen Leonard, Director of Finance, presented the proposed FY 2020-2021 Budget and noted that budget workshop meetings are scheduled for July 27th, July 28th, and July 29th to review the proposed budget of $312,621,887 and to discuss key budget decision points. Property Tax Assumptions  2.05% overall increase in taxable value over last year  Existing value increase is 0.47%  New Value increase 1.58%  $1.04 billion still under review  $156 million in new taxable value Sales Tax Assumptions  FY20 YEE is projected under budget by ($1.3M) or (4.3%)  FY21 is Projected ($1.7 to $4.6M) or (6%-16%) below FY20  FY21 Budget is based off worst case of three scenarios  Scenarios developed with help of data analytics firm Utility Transfer Assumption  Increase Electric from 8% to 9%  Increase collection on other utilities to policy of 10%  Total dollar increase of $1.5M Capital Assumptions  FY21 proposed budget $46 million or a 35% decrease  No new capital projects added for FY21 in either the General Government or Utilities CIP  HOT capital expenditures reflect  Deferral of Southeast Park until FY23  Defunding of $5M for Veteran’s Park Phase II  FY21 Bond Issuance – $53 million - March 2021 Council Approval  Reflects a decrease in the planned issuance of debt – 22% HOT Fund Assumptions  HOT Revenue is budgeted 73% below FY20 budgeted revenue  FY20 Projected to be ($2.6M) below budget or (44%)  FY21 Forecasted to be down another ($1.7M) or (52%)  City tourism department budget is $2.2M and $1.1M Grant program Utility Fund Assumptions  To date, revenues look not to be significantly affected by COVID-19  Growth rate <1% for FY20  Budgeting a 1% additional payment loss  Subject to the hiring freeze and target budget reductions  Impact will only strengthen fund balance FY22 Budget Outlook  Currently able to project a balanced budget in FY22 in spite of anticipated revenue declines  Ad Valorem = projecting a (2.00%) decrease in valuations for COVID effect WKSHP072320 Minutes Page 4  Sales Tax estimate projecting recovery – still below FY20’s projected year end estimate  Strategies to offset include continuing mitigation strategies from FY21:  Utility Transfer increase continues  Continuation of hiring freeze at some level  Continuation of departmental expense reductions at some level Should these decreases continue beyond FY21, there will be significant service level reductions that will be implemented that could possibly include public safety, public works, parks programming, utility services, and other City services. A public hearing is scheduled for August 13th, adoption of the budget is scheduled for August 27th, and according to the charter, final action on the Proposed Budget must take place on or before September 27th. 5.2 Presentation, discussion, and possible action regarding the FY20 Utility Customer Service (UCS) Update. Mary Ellen Leonard, Director of Finance, presented the status of various Utility Customer Service initiatives and activities and the current status of community assistance. FY20 Summary of City Provided COVID 19 Assistance FUND Assistance Amount CDBG Economic Assistance Grants to local businesses $284,000 CDBG Rent Assistance to local charities $30,000 CDBG Public Service Agency Funding $500,000 CDBG Small Business Grants $500,000 HOME Rent Assistance $475,000 ECON DEV Small Business Loans $250,000 GENERAL Brazos Feed it Forward $40,000 HOT Grant Forgiveness for event Cancellations $622,000 COURT Waive Court Fine and Costs (where Community Service is applicable) $79,000 UTIL Removal of Late Fees, 3 months no disconnect, payment arrangements ~$500,000 Total Direct Aid From City Of College Station To Community $3,280,000 GENERAL TDEM– Public Health Reimbursement Grant ~1,000,000 FY20 Return To Business – Assistance Options  Options to get assistance  2-1-1  BVCAP – 979-595-2850  Visit Utility Customer Services at 310 Krenek Tap Road  Email utilities@cstx.gov  Call 979.764.3535 and ask for a customer service representative  Payment arrangements  College Station CDBG Rental Assistance Program WKSHP072320 Minutes Page 5 Texas Department of Emergency Management – Public Health Reimbursement Grant  Hope to release in excess of $1,000,000  Application came out on July 15th  First round is open until August 3rd  Business Grant – not a loan  Unexpected expenses related to COVID-19 eligible  Medical expenses.  Public health expenses.  Payroll expenses for healthcare, human services, and employees whose services were substantially dedicated to mitigating or responding to the COVID -19 public health emergency.  Expenses for actions that facilitated compliance with COVID-19-related public health measures.  As of 7/22/20, 12 applications received 5.3 Presentation, discussion, and possible action regarding Bicycle, Pedestrian, and Greenway Connectivity to Texas A&M University. Venessa Garza, Planning and Development, stated that City Council requested this item at their April 23rd Council meeting. Staff will provide an overview of opportunities to increase bicycle, pedestrian and greenway connectivity around and to Texas A&M University. Planning Efforts  City efforts  Bicycle, Pedestrian and Greenways Master Plan  Neighborhood Plans – Southside and Eastgate  Coordination  Metropolitan Planning Organization’s Active Transportation Advisory Panel • 2045 Metropolitan Transportation Plan – Regional Bicycle and Pedestrian Master Plan • University Drive (FM 60) Corridor Study  Texas A&M University • Campus Master Plan; Mobility Study this Fall  City of Bryan  Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) Council directed staff to move forward with the planning efforts as staff presented. 6. Council Calendar Council reviewed the calendar. 7. Discussion, review, and possible action regarding the following meetings: Animal Shelter Board, Arts Council of Brazos Valley, Architectural Advisory Committee, Audit Committee, Bicycle, Pedestrian, and Greenways Advisory Board, Bio-Corridor Board of Adjustments, 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, Census Committee Group, Compens ation and Benefits Committee, Comprehensive Plan Evaluation Committee, Experience Bryan - College Station, Design Review Board, Economic Development Committee, Gulf Coast WKSHP072320 Minutes Page 6 Strategic Highway Coalition, Historic Preservation Committee, Interfaith Dialogue Association, Intergovernmental Committee, Joint Relief Funding Review Committee, Landmark Commission, Library Board, Metropolitan Planning Organization, Operation Restart, 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 Student Senate, Texas Municipal League, Walk with the Mayor, YMCA, Zoning Board of Adjustments, (Notice of Agendas posted on City Hall bulletin board.) Councilmember Nichols reported on the Health Board. 8. Adjournment There being no further business, Mayor Mooney adjourned the workshop of the College Station City Council at 6:24 p.m. on Thursday, July 23, 2020. ________________________ Karl Mooney, Mayor ATTEST: _______________________ Tanya Smith, City Secretary