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Home My WebLink About01/13/2011 - Workshop Minutes City CouncilMINUTES OF THE CITY COUNCIL WORKSHOP CITY OF COLLEGE STATION JANUARY 13, 2011 STATE OF TEXAS COUNTY OF BRAZOS Present: Nancy Berry Council: John Crompton Jess Fields Dennis Maloney Katy=Marie Lyles Jana McMillan Dave Ruesink Citv Staff: Glenn Brown, City Manager Kathy Merrill, Assistant City Manager David Neeley, Assistant City Manager Carla Robinson, Interim City Attorney Sherry Mashburn, City Secretary Merribeth Kahlich, Council Administrative Services Coordinator Call to Order and Announce a Ouorum is Present With a quorum present, the Workshop of the College Station City Council was called to order by Mayor Nancy Berry at 3:05 p.m. on Thursday, January 13, 2011 in the Council Chambers of the City of College Station City Hall, 1101 Texas Avenue, College Station, Texas 77842. 1. Presentation. possible action. and discussion on items listed on the consent agenda. No items were pulled from the Consent Agenda. Mayor Berry noted that items "2r" and "2t" were contracts awarded to local businesses. 2. Presentation. nossible action. and discussion regarding imposition of service fees for credit card navments. WKSHP011311 Minutes Page 1 Cheryl Turney, Assistant Finance Director, explained credit card convenience fees and provided a brief history. It began as a customer service initiative in 2001, primarily for out-of-town parents to pay utility bills for resident students. In 2003 it was expanded to include Municipal Court; in 2004 Parks and Recreation joined in. Gross receipts have increased 300% since 2005. 75% of our total fees come from the Utility Department. Staff recommendations include: (1) adopt an ordinance authorizing credit card convenience fees; (2) authorize staff to implement a fee where feasible and cost effective to recover as much of the processing fees as possible; (3) begin with Court/Jail; and (4) do not allow credit card payment for hotel/motel taxes. Council agreed with staff's recommendations and directed staff to research the implications of providing a discount to those customers that pay by draft, cash or check and to bring that information back at a later time. 3. Presentation. possible action. and discussion regarding a presentation on the real property owned by the Citv of College Station. Chuck Gilman, Director of Capital Projects, presented information on the City's land holdings. 3,878 acres are currently owned by the City. Of this, Water/Wastewater purchased 1,325 acres, most of which was purchased in the last five years for future ground water wells. He also provided information on the approximate land values of several tracts. 4. Presentation. possible action. and discussion regarding revisions to certain change order provisions in our standard contracts for professional services. Chuck Gilman, Director of Public Works, presented proposed changes to professional services change orders. A resolution was approved November 22, 2010 to increase staff efficiency and allow the City Manager to approve as needed. The proposed revision will keep the same level of authority with the City Manger for contracts under $50,000 and expand his authority to address changes to contracts over $50,000 as long as does it does not exceed 25% of the original contract amount or is greater than $25,000. 5. Presentation, possible action. and discussion regarding an update on the status of the animal shelter and the available ontions for Animal Control in 2011. This item was not discussed. 6. Presentation, possible action, and discussion regarding possible agenda topics for the Council's mid-vear retreat scheduled for January 21. 2011. Additional topics requested are: • Redistricting process (Maloney) • Executive Session (Lyles) • Process for liquidating any City-owned land holdings (Fields) 7. Council Calendar • Januarv 17 Citv Offices Closed - HOLIDAY WKSHP011311 Minutes Page 2 • January 20 B/CS Chamber of Commerce-Business after Hours at Briarcrest Country Club. 5:30 D.M. • January 21 Council Retreat at 8:00 a.m. • January 24 IGC Meeting at BVCOG.12:00 mm. • January 25 Economic Outlook Conference at the Hilton. 8:15 a.m. • January 27 City Council Workshop/Regular Meeting at 3:00 & 7:00 D.M. • January 28 Retirement Retention-Glenn Brown in Council Chambers. 3:00 D.m. 8. Presentation. Dossible action, and discussion on future agenda items: a Council Member may inquire about a subiect for which notice has not been given. A statement of snecific factual information or the recitation of existing Dolicv may be given. Any deliberation shall be limited to a DroDosal to Dlace the subiect on an agenda for a subsequent meeting. Councilmember McMillan requested a discussion on the development of a review process following completion of capital improvement projects. There was no consensus. Councihnember Fields requested having different civic organizations present the Pledge of Allegiance at Council meetings. There was no consensus. 9. Discussion. review and Dossible action regarding the following meetings: Arts Council of the Brazos Valley. Audit Committee. Bicycle, Pedestrian, and Greenwavs Advisory Board, Brazos County Health Dept., Brazos Valley Council of Governments, Brazos Valley Wide Area Communications Task Force, BVSWMA, BVWACS. Cemetery Committee, Code Review Committee. Design Review Board. Historic Preservation Committee. Interfaith Dialogue Association, Intergovernmental Committee, Joint Relief Funding Review Committee. Landmark Commission, Library Board. Mayor's Council on Physical Fitness, Mayor's Development Forum. Metropolitan Planning Organization. National League of Cities. Outside Agency Funding Review. Parks and Recreation Board. Planning and Zoning Commission. Research Valley Partnershin, Regional Transportation Committee for Council of Governments. Signature Event Task Force. Sister City Association. TAMU Student Senate. Texas Municipal League, Transportation Committee, Wolf Pen Creek Oversight Committee. Zoning Board of Adiustments. Councihnember Ruesink reported he attended the open house at the Senior Center, and he is now a charter member. He was impressed with the out pouring of attendees. The center is moving in the direction the City hoped it would go. Councihnember Crompton reported on his CVB meeting. They expect to have early recommendations this spring regarding the highest and best use of HOT tax. Councilmember Maloney reported on the Bicycle, Pedestrian and Greenways Advisory Board. They want to highlight TAMU and the College Station community as family friendly. They are planning a 100-mile race in May. Mayor Berry reported on the MPO policy meeting. WKSHP011311 Minutes Page 3 10. Executive Session In accordance with the Texas Government Code §551.071-Consultation with Attorney, §551.074-Personnel, and §551.08-Deliberation Regarding Economic Development Negotiation, the College Station City Council convened into Executive Session at 5:01 p.m. on Thursday, January 13, 2011 in order to continue discussing matters pertaining to: A. Consultation with Attomey to seek advice regarding pending or contemplated litigation; to wit: • City of Bryan's application with TCEQ for water & sewer permits in Westside/flighway 60 area, near Brushy Water Supply Corporation to decertify City of College Station and certify City of Bryan • City of Bryan suit filed against College Station, Legal issues and advise on Brazos Valley Solid Waste Management Agency contract, on proposed methane gas contract • Water CCN / 2002 Annexation / Wellborn Water Supply Corporation • Weingarten Realty Investors v. College Station, Ron Silvia, David Ruesink, Lynn Mcllhaney, and Ben White • Chavers et al v. Tyrone Morrow, Michael Ikner, City of Bryan, City of College Station, et al • Clancey v. College Station, Glenn Brown, and Kathy Merrill B. Consultation with Attorney to seek legal advice; to wit: • Legal Issues Related to Wellborn Annexation • Legal Issues Related to Recall Petitions • Legal Issues of purchase and lease back to Arts Council • Legal advice regarding the attorney-client privilege • Discussion of Legal Issues Regarding: Creation of a Special Biocorridor District C. Deliberation on the appointment, employment, evaluation, reassignment, duties, discipline, or dismissal of a public officer; to wit: • City Manager • City Council Self-Evaluation D. Deliberation on Economic Incentive Negotiations; to wit: • Global Event Group The Executive Session adjourned at 6:45 p.m. on Thursday, January 13, 2011. No action was required from Executive Session. 11. Adiournment MOTION: There being no objection, Mayor Berry adjourned the workshop of the College Station City Council at 6:45 p.m. on Thursday, January 13, 2011. WKSHP011311 Minutes Page 4 ATT Sherry Mas]Wum, City Secretary Nancy fierry, Mayor v WKSHP011311 Minutes Page 51