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HomeMy WebLinkAbout01/14/2021 - Workshop Minutes - City Council MINUTES OF THE CITY COUNCIL WORKSHOP VIA TELECONFERENCE CITY OF COLLEGE STATION JANUARY 14, 2021 STATE OF TEXAS § § COUNTY OF BRAZOS § Present: Karl Mooney, Mayor Council: Bob Brick arrived late 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 4:10 p.m. on Thursday, January 14, 2021, 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 4:10 p.m. on January 14, 2021, 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 B. Consultation with attorney to receive legal advice; to wit: WKSHP011421 Minutes Page 1 Legal review of the requirements of Sec. 39.02 of the Texas Penal Code. Legal advice regarding the Texas Open Meetings Act requirements related to the future agenda item posting in College Station council agendas. Legal advice regarding ranked choice elections. Legal advice regarding changing College Station elections from even-numbered to odd- numbered years. requirements. C. Deliberation on the appointment, employment, evaluation, reassignment, duties, discipline, or dismissal of a public officer; to wit: Construction Board of Adjustments Planning and Zoning Commission Zoning Board of Adjustments City Secretary City Manager Council Self-Evaluation (Mayor Pro Tempore) Executive Session recessed at 6:34 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. Item 4.3, 4.7, 4.10, 4.17, and 4.18 was pulled from Consent for clarification. (4.3): Mary Ellen Leonard, Finance Director, explained that this agreement would authorize the City of College Station and the City of Midlothian to jointly prepare bids and proposals for the purchase of goods and services. Also, that City of Midlothian was best fit to the needs the City of College Station. (4.7): Councilmember Cunha, stated to the citizens that this contract is to provide utility bill printing and mailing services. Mary Ellen Leonard, Finance Director, also stated that these funds are budgeted and available in the Utility Customer Service and Public Communications budgets. (4.10): Emily Fisher, Public Works Assistant Director, explained that Woodson Village is in the Southgate area, in the vicinity of Haines Drive, Glade Street, Dexter Drive, and Timm Drive. This project includes the rehabilitation of water and wastewater lines in this area. (4.17): Debbie Eller, Community Services Director, explained that this agreement was focused on the families whose children are eligible for free- or reduced-lunches, and the program worked to increase family stability in the following areas: 1. Improving Health Outcomes - medical co- pays, prescription costs, vision needs, trolley passes; 2. Increasing Employment Opportunities - providing ID's, certification fees, uniforms, etc.; 3. Reducing Mobility - through rent and utility assistance. (4.18): Debbie Eller, Community Services Director, explained that this contract commits $464,000.00 of unobligated HOME grant funds from Program Year 2020. These funds will be provided to Elder-Aid, Inc. on a reimbursement basis and are budgeted and available through the WKSHP011421 Minutes Page 2 Community Development FY 2021 (PY 2020) federal Community Development Block Grant Program budget. 5. Workshop Agenda 5.1 Presentation, discussion, and possible action on the election of Mayor Pro Tempore. MOTION: Upon a motion made by Councilmember Maloney and a second by Councilmember Harvell, the City Council voted six (6) for and none (0) opposed, to appoint Bob Brick as Mayor Pro Tempore. The motion carried unanimously. 5.2. Presentation, discussion, and possible action relating to a legislative update and preview of the 87th Texas State Legislature. Jennifer Rodriguez, legislative consultant, provided a legislative update and preview of the upcoming legislative session. Ms. Rodrigues explained that pre-filing of legislation began November 9, 2020. Current legislators and legislators-elect are able to file bills in advance of the thth legislature convening January 12, and as of January 13 there are 1,078 House bills and 310 Senate bills filed. SENATE Lieutenant Governor Dan Patrick returns to preside over the Senate having first been elected to that position in 2014. He previously served two four-year terms in the State Senate representing part of Harris County. HOUSE State Representative Dade Phelan of Beaumont was elected Speaker of the House of Representatives Tuesday. He replaces Speaker Dennis Bonnen who did not seek re-election in 2020. Speaker Phelan was first elected to the legislature in 2014 and served as Chairman of State Affairs in 2019. Some key legislative issues for cities include: State Budget for the 2022-2023 Biennium, Redistricting, COVID-19. Other legislative issues expected are Chapter 313 Extension, Clean Up Bills for SB 2 and HB 3 from 2019, Taxpayer Funded Lobbying, RMA Funding, Reauthorization of the Plumbing License Law, and MOU. At 7:18 p.m., the Mayor recessed the Workshop meeting. The Workshop meeting reconvened at 10:02 p.m. 5.3. Presentation, discussion, and possible action of potential alternatives to address the symptoms of residential over-occupancy. Jade Broadnax, Planning and Development, stated that City Council requested that City staff draft a Restricted Occupancy Overlay ordinance and associated handbook that would allow area property owners to request an overlay zoning restricting occupancy to no more than two unrelated persons in their neighborhood. Successful prosecution of those who have violated the city-wide issues that prevail when attempting to enforce by relationship status, staff presented alternative options for addressing the symptoms of overoccupancy. WKSHP011421 Minutes Page 3 Alternatives 1. Increase fines for common code violations (limited authority) 2. Remove ability to register rental property if excessive code violations occur 3. Requiring more onsite parking To Address: Trash, Parking, More than Four Unrelated, Weeds and Grass, Noise/Disorderly Conduct At approximately 10:50 p.m., Mayor Mooney opened the Citizens Comments. Fred Dupriest, College Station, came before Council to express his concerns: 1. We do enforce the 4-unrelated with a high success rate. We are not actually measuring success in enforcement, but success in court. 2. You cannot oppose the 2-unrelated based on difficulty of enforcement, without also opposing the 4-unrelated. Is staff proposing abandoning the 4-unrelated? 3. The 2-unrelated cannot be obtained in the neighborhoods with the history of behavioral issues. Behavioral issues are a red herring. 4. The purpose of the 2-unrelated is to protect young starter families from having to compete the cash flow from the 4-unrelated, rent by the room business model. There being no comments, the Citizens Comments was closed at 11:00 p.m. Staff recommended that the Council provide direction as appropriate. The Planning & Zoning Commission heard this item at their January 7th meeting. Council directed staff to bring back at a later date to continue the discussion on the symptoms of residential over-occupancy. 5.4. Presentation, discussion, and possible action regarding an overview of the Rental Registration Program and information regarding a cost analysis completed on the registration fee. Debbie Eller, Community Services Director, presented an overview of the Rental Registration Program and provide information regarding a cost analysis completed on the registration fee. Information Required: The information required to register the Rental Property is as follows: Address of the Rental Property Owner and contact (email/phone) information for the owner Type of rental property such as single-family, duplex, etc. In the case of an absentee owner (out of town). Local contact with contact information The local contact cannot be someone who is on the lease. Local contact must reside within thirty (30) miles of College Station City Hall. Rental Registration Fee Analysis WKSHP011421 Minutes Page 4 Staff recommendation Increase fee to move towards full fee support $60.00 with approval of Updated Fee Resolution in March (300% Increase 61% Full Fee Support) $100.00 beginning 10/1/2021 Majority of the Council requested staff to bring back ideas of an annual rental registration fee. 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 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. Council resumed the Executive Session at 11:34 p.m. 8. Adjournment There being no further business, Mayor Mooney adjourned the Workshop of the College Station City Council at 12:05 a.m. on Friday, January 15, 2021. ________________________ Karl Mooney, Mayor ATTEST: _______________________ Tanya Smith, City Secretary WKSHP011421 Minutes Page 5