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Home My WebLink About09/24/2020 - Workshop Minutes - City CouncilWKSHP092420 Minutes Page 1 MINUTES OF THE CITY COUNCIL WORKSHOP VIA TELECONFERENCE CITY OF COLLEGE STATION SEPTEMBER 24, 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 2:34 p.m. on Thursday, September 24, 2020, in the Council Chambers 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 2:34 p.m. on Thursday, September 24, 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 WKSHP092420 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 regarding the process to acquire needed property for the State Highway 6 Phase 3 waterline project.  Legal advice concerning potential recourse in response to the official action of other public entities.  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 4:19 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 (4.4), (4.10), (4.12), (4.15), (4.16) and (4.25) were pulled from Consent for clarification. (4.4): Mary Ellen Leonard, Director of Finance, explained how cost are determined for fees, rates and charges, which depend on the type service delivered. They are adjusted annually based upon the Consumer Price Index published by the U.S. Department of Labor, Bureau of Labor Statistics. (4.10): Natalie Ruiz, Director of Economic Development and Carla Robinson, City Attorney, explained that Experience Bryan College Station has been working with Madden Media for the past year and a half. Madden Media has overseen the digital advertising for all three tourism markets as well as search engine optimization and search engine marketing. The Madden contract fits within an exception to competitive bidding for advertising under the Texas Government Code. (4.12): Alison Pond, Director of Human Resources, explained that we are experiencing an increase in insurance due to the COVID-19 pandemic, small claims, and small businesses in claims. We also have added facilities to city infrastructure and there is additional contingency included in this increase. (4.15) & (4.16): Mary Ellen Leonard, Director of Finance, explained that this agreement between the City of College Station and the Arts Council of the Brazos Valley is necessary because State law requires that the City Council adopt the budget of any organization that is to be funded through Hotel Tax revenue. (4.25): Gary Mechler, Director of Water, explained that Mr. James Rourk has requested the City provide sanitary sewer service to his home, located at 1394 Seamist Lane. This home is outside of the current City limits and is within the City’s current certificated area for sewer. The home owner has consented to bear all infrastructure cost for physically connecting to the City system. WKSHP092420 Minutes Page 3 The City policy currently prohibits the extension of sewer service outside the City limits without annexation; however, it does allow exceptions under specific circumstances. Exceptions from City Council are allowed for three cases, one of which is for health and safety reasons. Staff feels that the health and safety exception is applicable in this case. Approximately six (6) exceptions to City policy have also been approved in this area, on a case by case basis, since 2006, and this connection will continue this practice. On this basis, staff recommends approval of this request for an exception to City policy. 5. Workshop 5.1 Presentation, discussion, and possible action on a presentation by the Texas Department of Transportation (TXDoT) regarding projects in College Station. Donald Harmon, Director of Public Works, introduced Doug Marino with Texas Department of Transportation. Doug Marino with Texas Department of Transportation, presented a summary of TXDoT projects in College Station. Projects in Construction  South College Ave. – Shared Use Path – From Hensel Park to University Dr.  $710,000  Construction underway and continues to early 2021  George Bush Dr. – Raised Medians – From Wellborn Rd. to Texas Ave.  $2.4 MM  Construction begins this Fall and continues through Summer 2021  Wellborn Rd./Holleman Dr. – Intersection Improvements  $3.2 MM  Construction begins in January 2021 and continues through August 2021  FM 2818 – Super Street – From University Dr. to Wellborn Rd.  $43.7 MM  Construction begins this Fall and continues through Fall 2023 Projects Under Development  SH 6 – Expansion – From SH 21 to SH 40  Estimated $216 MM  Phase 1 – Fall 2022 to 2025 Phase 2 – Fall 2024 to 2026  George Bush Dr./Wellborn Rd. Underpass  Estimated $69 MM  Target Construction Begin 2023 to End option of 2025 or 2026  Wellborn Rd. – Widening – From SH 40 to Greens Prairie Rd.  Estimated $29 MM  Target Construction Begin 2026  SH 30 (Harvey Rd.) – Shared Use Path – From Texas Ave. to SH 6  Estimated $5 MM  Target Construction Begin 2026  FM 60 – Pedestrian Concept – Northgate Area Mayor Mooney recessed the Workshop Meeting at 5:38 p.m. WKSHP092420 Minutes Page 4 The Workshop Meeting reconvened at 6:05 p.m. 5.2 Presentation, discussion, and possible action related to future enhancements to Veterans Park & Athletic Complex (VPAC). Kelly Kelbly, Interim Director of Parks & Recreation, stated that Council requested the following informational updates within Veterans Park & Athletic Complex (VPAC). John White and Steve Beachy with the Brazos Valley Veterans Memoria (BVVM), updated Council on the future enhancements to the Military Heritage Center at VPAC.  Military Heritage Center Mission  To connect all generations with the stories of those who have served our country and to whom we owe our freedoms.  Private funding being sought for construction and future operations. Kelly Kelbly, Interim Director of Parks & Recreation, updated Council on the future enhancements to the Conservation Area Signage around VPAC.  Conservation area signage Identified  Local conservation and birding groups.  Approved by Parks & Recreation Advisory Board on March 10, 2020. Signage  Cooperative project between city staff and local conservation groups.  Funding provided by Rio Brazos Audubon Society.  Trees  Possible Locations: Limited by available funding and construction. 5.3 Presentation, discussion, and possible action regarding the definitions and enforcement of “Family” and “Related” in the Unified Development Ordinance, as they apply to the number of unrelated individuals that may reside in a residence. Jade Broadnax, Planning and Development, stated that the purpose of this item is to receive City Council direction related to potential modifications to the City’s definition and enforcement of the terms “Family” and “Related,” as they apply to the number of unrelated persons that may reside in a residence together. The current ordinance describes degrees of affinity, consanguinity, and other relationships that are considered to be “Related,” and describes a “Family” as including no more than four unrelated persons. On June 25th, staff presented information on the concept of a Restricted Occupancy Overlay (ROO) and received direction to move forward with the public input phase of ordinance development. Through discussions during the public input phase, staff learned that there are concerns regarding the City’s current definition of “Related” and how it affects the determination of a “Family”. While new definitions are being considered by the Council, development of the ROO has been put on hold. Once new definitions are in place, staff will continue public input related to the ROO. Option 1 Expand “Family” and “Related”  Part A - Remove degrees of consanguinity/affinity  Part B - Combine Related/Family WKSHP092420 Minutes Page 5  PART C - Expand upon relationships to be more inclusive Option 2 Repurpose “Family” and “Related”  Part A – Define “Family” as occupants of a single dwelling unit  Part B – Remove relation status  Part C – Remove unrelated language altogether Relationship calculation  Part A – Define “Family” as one unit, i.e. one person  Part B – Permit a maximum number of unrelated city wide Physical Alternatives  Requiring more onsite parking, restrict impervious cover for specific home types  Require parking permits to limit number of cars/property  Request to increase fines for noise and trash violations  Remove ability to register rental property if excessive violations of trash, noise, parking, grass complaints Majority of Council directed staff to move forward with Option 1: Family (NEW) - A family is any number of persons occupying a single dwelling unit, provided that unless all members are (1) related by blood, adoption, guardianship, or marriage, or (2) members are part of a group home for disabled persons, or an authorized caretaker, no such family shall contain more than four (4) persons. Guardianship shall include foster children, exchange students, or those in the process of securing legal custody of a person under age 18. Any asserted common law marriage must be subject to an affidavit of record under the family code, or a judicial determination. The term "family" shall not be construed to mean a club, a lodge or a fraternity/sorority house. When counting the number of unrelated persons in a single dwelling unit, persons (1) related by blood, adoption, guardianship, or marriage, or (2) members who are part of a group home for disabled persons, or an authorized caretaker shall count as one unrelated person, provided all other persons shall each count as one unrelated person. Relationship calculation  New calculation: Family is one unit, regardless of the number of “family” members. “Family” + 3 unrelated persons = 4 unrelated. Physical Alternatives Options  1, 3, and 4 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 WKSHP092420 Minutes Page 6 and Finance Committee, BVSWMA, BVWACS, Census Committee Group, Compensation and Benefits Committee, Comprehensive Plan Evaluation Committee, Experience Bryan - College Station, Design Review Board, Economic Development Committee, 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, 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.) No discussion at this time. 8. Adjournment There being no further business, Mayor Mooney adjourned the Workshop of the College Station City Council at 7:39 p.m. on Thursday, September 24, 2020. ________________________ Karl Mooney, Mayor ATTEST: _______________________ Tanya Smith, City Secretary