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HomeMy WebLinkAbout10/22/2020 - Workshop Minutes - City CouncilWKSHP102220 Minutes Page 1 MINUTES OF THE CITY COUNCIL WORKSHOP VIA TELECONFERENCE CITY OF COLLEGE STATION OCTOBER 22, 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 Lisa McCracken, Records Management Administrator 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 3:01 p.m. on Thursday, October 22, 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 3:01 p.m. on Thursday, October 22, 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 WKSHP102220 Minutes Page 2 B. Consultation with attorney to receive legal advice; to wit:  Legal advice concerning issues related to the dissolution of Experience BCS. 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 5:11 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 (4.6) and (4.12) were pulled from Consent for clarification. (4.6): Gus Roman, Assistant Director of Community Services, explained that the purpose of this ordinance is to add “No Parking Here to Corner” signage at entrances and exits to public garage/parking areas with more than 10 parking spaces and also addresses 4 specific intersections where no existing ordinance addresses vehicle, pedestrian and cyclists sight clearance concerns in the Northgate District. These are locations are without an adjoining sidewalk, crosswalk, or traffic control device. College Station Northgate Staff received numerous complaints and requests from Northgate property managers, owners & residents regarding sight clearance issues at specific driveways & intersections in the Northgate District. To improve safety, mobility, and emergency vehicle access along these streets, the City of College Station Traffic Management Team recommends approving this ordinance. (4.12): Gary Mechler, Director of Water Services, explained that from 2014-2016, the City of College Station worked with Freese and Nichols to complete the 2014 Water Master Plan and the 2016 Wastewater Master Plan. The results of these studies were then used to analyze potential city-wide water and wastewater impact fees to help cover the costs of improvements needed to support growth. The Water and Wastewater Impact Fee study was approved by City Counci l in December 2016, and the Texas Administrative Code requires that the capital plan and land use assumptions be updated every 5 years. This contract will include the calibration of the existing water and wastewater extended period models, updates to water and wastewater capital improvement plans, and updates to land use assumptions to determine the potential maximum city- wide impact fees in accordance with the Texas Administrative Code. 2020 Impact Fee Update Study  Proposed costs are included in FY21 budget  Approximately 60% of the fee covers field investigation/model calibration (e.g. installing temporary meters to measure wastewater flows)  The 2020 Impact Fee Update Study will:  Calibrate the existing water and wastewater extended period models  Update water and wastewater growth related capital improvement projects  Update land use assumptions that impact water/wastewater infrastructure  Determine maximum allowable Impact Fees for future Council consideration WKSHP102220 Minutes Page 3 5. Workshop 5.1 Presentation, discussion, and possible action regarding the Neighborhood Sign Topper Program policy. Barbara Moore, Assistant to the City Manager, presented an overview of the policy, processes and operation of the Neighborhood Sign Topper Program policy. The program is a matching grant one under the City’s Strong and Sustainable Neighborhood 2018 Grant Program Policy and requires a neighborhood to apply with the City to participation. Upon City approval of the sign topper application, the neighborhood pays and sees to the proper fabrication of the sign toppers. The neighborhood then donates the sign toppers to the City along with payment for installation. The neighborhood is reimbursed by the City for 50% of its actual reasonable costs of making the sign toppers up to a maximum amount of $7,500. The reimbursement amount may be used to offset the neighborhood’s responsibility for cost of installation. Upon provision of the sign toppers to the City, they become the exclusive property of the City, and will be installed and maintained in accordance with the City’s policies and protocols. Prior to submittal of a formal application, the City will make itself available to representatives of a neighborhood to go over the criteria of the program, including recommendations as to number, size, style, technical requirements, and other helpful information. MOTION: Upon a motion made by Councilmember Nichols and a second by Councilmember Brick, the City Council voted six (6) for and none (0) opposed, to approve Neighborhood Sign Topper Program policy. The motion carried unanimously. 5.2 Presentation, discussion, and possible action regarding a destination marketing strategy for College Station. Natalie Ruiz, Director of Economic Development, stated that the City Council requested a future agenda item to discuss a city-wide marketing strategy specific to College Station. City staff provided information on destination marketing efforts for tourism and economic development. Changes Locally  Impacts of COVID Pandemic  Separated from Experience Bryan College Station  Brought tourism functions in-house  Prompted a mini-branding effort Branding Scope  Naming Structure o Economic Development Department o Experience Bryan College Station o Bryan College Station Sports and Events  Cohesive Branding Across all industries  Foundation for a larger marketing effort Experience  Home of Texas A&M University  Small town values with big city amenities  Very educated community  Friendly and Welcoming  Provide a radical level of hospitality WKSHP102220 Minutes Page 4 Mrs. Ruiz provided additional information on the “Grow, Visit, Compete” College Station marketing efforts under development with a consultant. “Grow” College Station Marketing  Traditional economic development  Targeted to business considering establishing, site selectors “Visit” College Station Marketing  Targeted advertisement o Corporate o Leisure traveler o Holiday and Event based tourism “Compete” College Station Marketing  Highlight our facilities  Hotel and hospitality amenities  Video snips being developed 5.3 Presentation, discussion, and possible action to explore a College Station Small Business Advisory Board. Aubrey Nettles, Assistant Director of Economic Development, stated that at a past City Council meeting, Council requested that staff explore the creation of a small business advisory group. Staff has reviewed the City’s history of similar corporations, committees, and associations, evaluated what other comparable cities maintain in this regard, and assessed the current approaches for economic development outreach in College Station. Finally, staff will consider potential ways in which staff and City Council can engage with the small business community in College Station. Options Moving Forward  “Builders Breakfast” for small businesses  Formal advisory committee setup Considerations  Target Audience  What type of business?  Size?  Franchises?  Topics to address  Christmas in College Station  Involving businesses in sports tournaments and conventions  Other topics of interest to Council Council directed staff to work with the small business owners, franchise owners, Invest Brazos Valley (BVEC), and the Chambers to obtain feedback and identify concerns to be brought before Council. 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, WKSHP102220 Minutes Page 5 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, 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.) Councilmember Harvell reported on the Transportation and Mobility Committee meeting. 8. Adjournment There being no further business, Mayor Mooney adjourned the Workshop of the College Station City Council at 6:37 p.m. on Thursday, October 22, 2020. ________________________ Karl Mooney, Mayor ATTEST: _______________________ Tanya Smith, City Secretary