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Home My WebLink About12/10/2020 - Workshop Minutes - City Council MINUTES OF THE CITY COUNCIL WORKSHOP VIA TELECONFERENCE CITY OF COLLEGE STATION DECEMBER 10, 2020 STATE OF TEXAS § § COUNTY OF BRAZOS § Present: Karl Mooney, Mayor Council: Bob Brick John Crompton Linda Harvell Elizabeth Cunha 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 3:04 p.m. on Thursday, December 10, 2020, in the Council Chambers of the City of College Station City Hall, 1101 Texas Avenue, College Station, Texas 77840. 2. Employee Recognition, Recognition of Employee of the Year Nominees, and Reception. The following employees were recognized for service: 20 Years of Service Eric Dotson, Michael Garcia, Brenda Godfrey, Brian Henry, Molly Hitchcock, Dan Junek, Richard Keough, Mark McAuliffe, Heather Merkel, Daniel Merkel, Chad Phillips, Kris Powers, Mikel Reed, Paul Schoenfeld, Robert Shumaker Sr., John Simek, Jeffrey Speed, Andrew Throne, and Kenneth Wells. 25 Years of Service Steven Brock, Cecilia Browder, Angela Daugherty, Julia Franz, Daniel Graalum, Michael Kellogg, Christopher Kelly, Howard Lapham, and Arthur Lara. 30 Years of Service Bridgette George, Walter Jones, Brenda Martz, Rodney Sigler, Marshall Wallace, and Gary Watson. WKSHP121020 Minutes Page 1 35 Years of Service Jeffrey Kuykendall and Jesse Quintero Nominees for Employee of the Year were: Caroline Ask, John Christensen, Alyssa Halle-Schramm, Aubrey Nettles, Paula Roberts, James Schroeder, Teresa Smith, Cynthia Sosa, Jeffrey Speed, Joshua Varner, Robert White and Patsy Wiley. The Employee of the Year is Jeffrey Speed, Water Services. 3. 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 3.23 p.m. on Thursday, December 10, 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 B. Consultation with attorney to receive legal advice; to wit: Legal advice concerning requirements under the Interlocal Cooperation and Joint Development Agreement between the City of College Station and the City of Bryan related to the Chapter 380 agreement between the City of Bryan, Bryan Commerce & Development, Inc., Bryan/Traditions, LP, and Traditions Acquisition Partnership, LP. C. Deliberation on the appointment, employment, evaluation, reassignment, duties, discipline, or dismissal of a public officer; to wit: City Secretary City Internal Audit City Manager Council Self-Evaluation Executive Session recessed at 6:13 p.m. 4. Reconvene from Executive Session and take action, if any. No vote or action was taken in Executive Session. 5. Presentation, possible action and discussion on items listed on the consent agenda. Item 3.4, 3.9, 3.10, and 3.13 was pulled from Consent for clarification. WKSHP121020 Minutes Page 2 (3.4): Jeff Capps, Interim City Manager, explained that the Emergency Management Director may designate an Emergency Management Coordinator who shall serve as assistant to the presiding officer of the political subdivision for emergency management purposes when so designated. Also, the coordinator will update policies and other emergency plans needed throughout the year. (3.9): Mary Ellen Leonard, Director of Finance, explained that these funds are to help facilitate FY21 Bush Library Events. (3.10): Councilmember Cunha, wanted to explain that the increase in the annual contract is to provide the citizens an integrated solution for most payments made to the City and the cost is substantial. (3.13): Troy Rother, Senior Engineer, explained that staff sent out 54 public notices to citizens and posted maps, a PowerPoint presentation, a feedback survey, and staff contact information on regarding the parking removal. 6. Workshop Agenda 6.1 Presentation, discussion, and possible action regarding an update on assistance provided to the community in response to COVID-19. Debbie Eller, Community Service Director, provided an update to City Council regarding assistance provided to the community in response to COVID-19. Assistance Provided Business CDBG Economic Assistance Grant Program Goal Assist businesses in retaining job for low-to-moderate income employees Total Amount Awarded: $793,911 CARES Act: $197,507 CDBG: $596,404 46 Small Businesses Public Health Reimbursement Grant Program Goal: Provide reimbursement for expenses incurred related to public health in response to COVID General Funds: $1,668,708.98 32 Small Businesses: $250,976.18 3 Health Care Systems: $1,417,732.80 Brazos Feed It Forward: Goal: Support local restaurants and feed essential employees. General Funds: $40,000.00 Total Raised: $107,000 Meals Provided: 9,741 Restaurants involved: 20 Businesses where staff received meals: 27 Economic Development Bridge Loans: Goal: Support local small businesses with cash until business picks up again BVCOG Administered 3 Businesses Total loans: $68,000 HOT Tax Deferment WKSHP121020 Minutes Page 3 $117,689.72 Assistance Provided Business/Residents Utility Assistance Residents allowed to make payment arrangements Forgave approximately $400,000 in late fees Forgave approximately $353,000 in reconnection fees Assistance Provided Residents Court Fines & Fees Waived $91,740 on 242 cases HOME Tenant Based Rental Assistance Rent Goal: Work to alleviate evictions, support landlords, and reduce stress on families affected by COVID - $3,000 maximum Total Rent Paid: $207,757 60 Different Landlords Rent & Utility Assistance Through Partners: Catholic Charities: $15,000 - CDBG St. Vincent de Paul: $15,000 - CDBG CSISD: $250,000 CDBG-CV Project Unity: $124,250 CDBG-CV Unlimited Potential: $42,490 CDBG-CV New Catholic Charities: $140,000 CDBG/CDBG-CV Pending: Waiver Request to the U. S. Department of Housing and Urban Development requesting ability to pay City-owned utility bills. Eligible CDBG Activities Eligible CDBG activities may include, but are not limited to assisting low- and moderate- income households affected by COVID-19 with: Rent and utility assistance for up to three months Food assistance Business assistance to retain employees Support other COVID-19 services as needed TDHCA Texas Rent Assistance Program (TeRAP) Funding for Current Entitlement Communities already implementing rent assistance programs CDBG-CV funds for rent assistance Must include at least 10% for Eviction Diversion Program College Station will receive $150,000 Develop referral from Estimate approximately 21 households 6.2. Presentation, discussion, and possible action on municipally owned internet service options. Sindhu Menon, Director of Information Technologies, stated that this item is a presentation of research on internet services that are municipally owned and provided. She explained that igital divide is a term that refers to the gap between demographics and regions that have access to WKSHP121020 Minutes Page 4 modern information and communications technology, and those that do not or have restricted access. This technology can include the telephone, television, personal computers, and the internet. Ms. Menon provided a current assessment of internet connectivity in College Station, review how other cities and counties have enabled broadband options for their residents, and offer a potential framework for alternatives locally. Option 1 City partners with Broadband Carrier to provide services to the underserved and underprivileged citizens Broadband Carrier would fully manage the customer relationship and bill the customer directly City or Carrier would subsidize and pay for the broadband with funding to be determined The Broadband carrier may have subsidized funding available, as well City Partners with Texas DIR for a Coop Contract arrangement for underprivilege and underserved citizens Option 2 City partners with Broadband Carrier and provides services through the City for the underserved and underprivileged citizens City would build a support and sustainability model to provide these services to include support services, installation services, monitoring, etc. City would subsidize and pay for the broadband with funding to be determined There would be one invoice to the City every month Option 3 City partners with a new Broadband Carrier to lay the fiber and provide services to underserved and underprivileged citizens Carrier would support the citizens with installation and support City would subsidize and pay for the broadband with funding to be determined There would be one invoice to the City every month At approximately 7.23 p.m., Mayor Mooney opened the Public Hearing. Craig Regan, College Station, stated that Council needed to ask the question on why there only two or three internet services in College Station. He believes that Council needed to ask what regulations are restricting other internet services from coming to College Station. There being no comments, the Public Hearing was closed at 7:26 p.m. Council directed staff to bring this discussion back to the Council Retreat in January 2021. 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, Compensation WKSHP121020 Minutes Page 5 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 needed. 8. Adjournment There being no further business, Mayor Mooney adjourned the Workshop of the College Station City Council at 7:30 p.m. on Thursday, December 10, 2020. ________________________ Karl Mooney, Mayor ATTEST: _______________________ Tanya Smith, City Secretary WKSHP121020 Minutes Page 6