The URL can be used to link to this page

Home My WebLink About03/24/2011 - Workshop Minutes City Council MINUTES OF THE CITY COUNCIL WORKSHOP CITY OF COLLEGE STATION MARCH 24, 2011 STATE OF TEXAS § COUNTY OF BRAZOS § Present: Nancy Berry Council: John Crompton Jess Fields Dennis Maloney Katy-Marie Lyles Jana McMillan Dave Ruesink City Staff: David Neeley, City Manager Kathy Merrill, Assistant City Manager Carla Robinson, City Attorney Sherry Mashburn, City Secretary Tanya McNutt, Deputy City Secretary 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 3:02 p.m. on Thursday, March 24, 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 Items 21 and 21 were pulled from the Consent Agenda. 2i: Chuck Gilman, Director of Capital Projects, explained the funding was through a grant reimbursement. 21: Jeff Capps, Chief of Police, explained this request is for more equipment. 2. Presentation, possible action, and discussion regarding the plan to enhance pedestrian safety along University Drive between Wellborn Road and Tauber Street, Ordinance 2011- WKSHP032411 Minutes Page 1 3327, removing parking on University Drive and a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the Northgate District Association., Chuck Gilman, Director of Public Works, updated the Council on the University Drive Pedestrian Safety Improvement Project. He began with the history and need for safety with an illustration depicting bike and pedestrian crash data, most of which was centered at the intersection of University and College Main. Pedestrian safety was identified in 2003 with the Northgate Redevelopment Implementation Plan. In 2007, the issue was further studied through the Master Plan. These elements were included in a 2008 bond authorization for safety improvements in this corridor from Wellborn to South College. The project budget is $7 million. The City completed the Discovery Drive extension on the TAMU campus, and TXDOT accepted responsibility of the Phase 1 pedestrian safety improvements. There have been numerous meetings between the City, TXDOT, and TAMU. Because of unique property boundaries in an historical area, staff concluded, that in order to move forward, there is a need for a temporary construction easement or right-of-way and began additional public engagement. This resulted in the creation of a Memorandum of Understanding between the City and the Northgate Development Association. NDA responsibilities include providing TXDOT with temporary construction easements to allow for construction of a wider sidewalk and pedestrian barrier in the current parking area on Boyett to College Main. From College Main to Lodge, they will provide TXDOT with temporary construction easements to allow for construction of the loading zone in the current parking area, dedicating the right-of-way to allow the City to enforce the loading zone restrictions. The City's responsibilities include: 1) remove all on-street parallel parking on Wellborn Road to Tauber; 2) coordinate with TXDOT to construct a wider sidewalk in the current parking area on Wellborn Road to College Main; 3) coordinate with TXDOT to construct a pedestrian barrier to prevent pedestrians from walking into the travel lanes; 4) coordinate with TXDOT to construct a loading zone in the current parking area on College Main to Lodge; 5) mitigate the parking that was lost along University Drive; 6) construct a pedestrian plaza on College Main; 7) directional signage to parking areas in Northgate; and 8) develop a process to allow merchants to utilize the sidewalk and other appropriate public rights-of-way to conduct business. MOTION: Upon a motion made by Councilmember Crompton and a second by Councilmember Lyles, the City Council voted seven (7) for and none (0) opposed, to adopt Ordinance 2011-3327, removing parking on University Drive, and approving a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the Northgate District Association. The motion carried unanimously. 3. Presentation, possible action, and discussion regarding the progress of the Medical Corridor Study. David Gwin, Director of Economic Development, updated the Council on the progress of the Medical Corridor Study. The area has a radius of about one mile, but there are no specific boundaries at this time. The College Station Medical Center is the largest single taxpayer and the largest single utility customer. Currently, there is a $22 million expansion underway. The other anchor is the Scott and White Hospital and Clinic. It is a 175,000 square foot facility with WKSHP032411 Minutes Page 2 an investment of 120 million. Current medical assets include BCS Heart, Brazos Valley Foot Care, Hope Cancer Center, etc. with a value of about $80 million. The City can expect that value to double, not including $100,000 in taxable value for Scott and White. Some initial corridor observations include: 1) it is anchored by a medically-oriented development; 2) primary access is at Rock Prairie and Highway 6. Some concerns are limited highway visibility, a need for way- finding elements, and the need for image and branding. 4. Presentation, possible action, and discussion on Resolution 03-24-11-04, awardiniz a Construction Contract (RFP 11-45) with Knife River in the amount of $878,264.39 for the Roeder Road & Greens Prairie Trail Reconstruction Project Chuck Gilman, Director of Public Works, updated the Council on the Royder Road and Greens Prairie Trail Reconstruction Project. Transportation improvements to support Greens Prairie Elementary School include: 1) new pavement with bike lanes, sidewalks, and drainage improvements along Royder Road, south of Greens Prairie Trail; 2) replace undersized drainage structures along Greens Prairie Trail east of Royder; 3) a deceleration lane on Greens Prairie Trail into the school; and 4) a dedicated left turn lane on Greens Prairie Trail into the school and onto Royder Road. Completion is expected by July, 2011, and the project budget is $1,062,420. MOTION: Upon a motion made by Councilmember Maloney and a second by Councilmember Ruesink, the City Council voted seven (7) for and none (0) opposed, to adopt Resolution 03-24- 11-04, awarding a Construction Contract (RFP 11-45) with Knife River in the amount of $878,264.39 for the Royder Road & Greens Prairie Trail Reconstruction Project. The motion carried unanimously. 5. Presentation, possible action, and discussion regarding the annual contract with McCord Engineering, Inc. for en2ineerinl! services provided to College Station Utilities This item is on the Consent Agenda for March 24, 2011 for Council approval Timothy Crabb, Assistant Director for Electric Utilities, explained the contract before the Council will not exceed $600,000 each year for the three years. CSU operates and maintains over 400 miles of distribution power Lines, over twenty miles of transmission power lines, and six distribution substations. They serve approximately 34,000 meters. The CSU design group handles all FERC accounting, maintain system mapping, meet with customers to determine need, design and estimate day-to-day projects, and project manage those projects from start to finish. Other than David Massey and himself, there are no engineers on staff. The CSU project coordinators handle all of the day-to-day projects, but for all other services, they use McCord Engineering. McCord provides electrical engineering civil engineering, permitting, survey and staking, engineering consulting services, and drafting services and document preparation. McCord Engineering is a local company that has been in the community for over 27 years, and their engineering knowledge base for College Station spans over 40 years. The contract allows access to engineering resources as needed without any retainer fee for those services. CSU handles projects internally whenever possible. The contract is a "not to exceed" amount and is in line with previous years, including substation projects. WKSHP032411 Minutes Page 3 6. Council Calendar • March 28 Ribbon Cutting-New Whataburger-Hwy 6/Wm D Fitch at 10.30 a.m. • March 30 Ground Breaking Ceremony-Scott and White Clinic at Rock Prairie/Hwv 6-Scott and White Build Site 2.00 p.m. • March 30 Police Department Awards Banquet at the College Station Conference Center, 6:30 p.m. • March 31 Youth Advisorv Committee Town Hall Meeting at A&M Consolidated High School-Lecture Hall 4.30 p.m. • April 1 TAMU Chancellor's Century Council Annual Banquet at Clayton W Williams, Jr. Alumni Center, 7.00 p.m. • April 6 Mavs Business School-Zale Visionary Merchant Lecture and Award Luncheon at Ray Auditorium, Mays Business School 11.30 a.m. • April 7 Planning & Zoning Commission Meeting in Council Chambers at 6.00 p.m. • April 14 City Council Workshop/Regular Meeting in Council Chambers at 3.00 & 7.00 p.m. • April 18 IGC Meeting at BVCOG 12.00 p.m. Councilmember Ruesink reported that the Whataburger ribbon cutting has been moved to another date. 7. Presentation, possible 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 specific factual information or the recitation of existing policy may be given Any deliberation shall be limited to a proposal to place the subject on an agenda for a subsequent meeting. Councilmember McMillan requested an outside legal audit regarding the City's litigation history. There was no consensus. 8. Discussion, review and possible action regarding the following meetings: Animal Shelter Board, Arts Council of the Brazos Valley, Audit Committee, Bicycle, Pedestrian and Greenways 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 Partnership, 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. Councilmember Lyles reported there will be a Health Board meeting next week and also provided a brief update on the Arts Council. WKSHP032411 Minutes Page 4 Councilmember Ruesink reported that students from our sister city in Germany will be visiting College Station in mid-April and hope to meet with the Council. We will also have visitors from our other sister city in Salamanca, Mexico in May. 9. Executive Session In accordance with the Texas Government Code §551.071-Consultation with Attorney, §551.072 - Deliberation Regarding Real Property, §551.074-Personnel Matters, §551.074-Deliberation Regarding Security Devices, and §551.087-Deliberation Regarding Economic Development Negotiations, the College Station City Council convened into Executive Session at 4:55 p.m. on Thursday, March 24, 2011 in order to continue discussing matters pertaining to: A. Consultation with Attorney to seek advice regarding pending or contemplated litigation; to wit: • City of Bryan's application with TCEQ for water & sewer permits in Westside/Highway 60 area, near Brushy Water Supply Corporation to decertify City of College Station and certify City of Bryan • Clancey v. College Station, Glenn Brown, and Kathy Merrill • Rachel Rahn v. Alma Martinez, The Arkitex Studio, Inc. et al, cause No. 09-000656- CV361 • Timothy Delasandro et al v. City of College Station et al; Cause No. I I-000240-CV-272 • City of College Station, Texas, v. Virtual Equity Group, Inc, et al relating to nonpayment of hotel occupancy taxes for College Station Inn • Weingarten Realty Investors v. College Station, Ron Silvia, David Ruesink, Lynn McIlhaney, and Ben White • Chavers et al v. Tyrone Morrow, Michael Ikner, City of Bryan, City of College Station, et al • Water CCN / 2002 Annexation / Wellborn Water Supply Corporation B. Consultation with Attorney to seek legal advice; to wit: • Legal issues regarding possible revenue sharing and legislation in bio-corridor • Legal Issues Related to Wellborn Annexation C. Deliberation regarding real property; to wit: • Shake's lease at Chimney Hill property D. Deliberation on the appointment, employment, evaluation, reassignment, duties, discipline, or dismissal of a public officer; to wit: • City Council Self-Evaluation E. Deliberation the deployment, or specific occasions for implementation, of security personnel or devices or a security audit; to wit: • City Hall security F. Deliberation regarding economic development negotiations; to wit: • Scott and White Healthcare WKSHP032411 Minutes Page 5 The Executive Session adjourned at 6:43 p.m. on Thursday, March 24, 2011. No action was required from Executive Session. 10. Adiournment MOTION: There being no further business, Mayor Berry adjourned the workshop of the College Station City Council at 6:43 p.m. on Thursday, March 24, 2011. Nancy Berry, Mayor A ST: Sherry M burn, City Secretary WKSHP032411 Minutes Page 6