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Home My WebLink About06/23/2011 - Workshop Minutes City CouncilMINUTES OF THE CITY COUNCIL WORKSHOP CITY OF COLLEGE STATIOK JUNE 23, 2011 STATE OF TEXAS § COUNTY OF BRAZOS § Present: Nancy Berry, Mayor Council: Blanche Brick Jess Fields Karl Mooney Katy-Marie Lyles Julie Schultz Dave Ruesink City Staff: David Keeley, City Manager Kathy Merrill, Assistant City Manager Carla Robinson, City Attorney Sherry Mashburn, City Secretary Shelley Major, Records Management Coordinator 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 Nancy Berry at 3:03 p,m, on Thursday, June 23, 2011 in the Council Chambers of the City of College Station City Hall, 1101 Texas Avenue, College Station, Texas ?7$42, 1, Presentation, possible action, and discussion on items listed on the consent agenda, 2f; David Schmitz, Director of Parks and Recreation, stated there is a sunset date when construction is completed, They have issued an RFQ and will be working with a professional firm to put together a master plan. The Committee will reflect a good representation of the community. There will be charrettes and public hearings. 2, Presentationtpossible action, and discussion on capital project funding far the City of College Station. WK5HP06Z311 Minutes Page 1 Jeff Kersten, Chief Financial Officer, explained that every five -seven years, a Citizens Advisory Committee is formed to identify potential capital improvement projects that can be funded with General Obligation ~"GO"} Bonds. Projects funded with GO Bonds include street and transportation improvements, park and recreation improvements, municipal facilities such as fire stations, and other enhancements to public infrastructure. Capital projects are identified and prioritized. Funding for the identified capital improvement projects are determined, and a tax rate analysis is done to determine the impact on the tax rate. These are then presented to the voters, who may authorize the general obligation bonds. Once the Bonds have been authorized by the voters, staff will annually prepare and update five year Capital Improvement Program, review and adjust project timelines based on Council direction, and evaluate and determine funding saurces; e.g, cash, debt, grants. The capital improvement budget is then presented to the Council for review and approval, In addition to general obligation bonds the City can issue certificates of obligation or utility revenue bonds, Projects typically funded with CO debt include street and park improvements, municipal facilities improvements, technology and equipment, or utility infrastructure improvements, CO debt does not require voter authorization, The advantage to issuing bonds include: finance projects over their useful lives; allow future beneficiaries to pay their "fair share" for services; allows the city to grow and meet future infrastructure needs; and low cost financing due to tax-exempt features. Other funding sources include existing cash resources from utility projects, drainage prajects and general funds}, TIF's, grants, contributions from developers, and impact fees. The Council will consider authorizing the publication of Notice of Sale for Certificates on July 14. On August 24 we will award the bonds through a competitive bid process. Proceeds will be received on or around September 22. The Zo 11 Bond Sale will be for approximately $11 million. 3. Presentation, possible action, and discussion regarding the proposed FY 2012 ~FY 2011 Community Development Action Plan and Budget. David Gwin, Director of Community Development, presented the FY 2011 Annual Action Plan. He began with an overview of the direction received at the June 9 Council meeting, which included reimbursement to Habitat for Humanity for landllot acquisition and construction costs, continue with the reimbursement to CHDOs for land acquisition and construction costs, continuing with down payment assistance for Habitat and CHDO homebuyers, owner-occupied rehabilitation, and issuance of an RFP for senior housing. He next reported on the Down- Payment Assistance Program. This program helps families Iower monthly payments in order to afford a home in College Station; requires applicants to use a private lender for their mortgage; offers up to 15% of sales prices as a o% interest deferred loan; and calculates the amount of assistance for each family based on individual situation. This program has proven to be successful, with zero foreclosures and 1351oans completed since 1997. He debunked several myths regarding the program; it is not a grant program; it is not competing against private lenders; it is not placing families into situations that they cannot afford; it is not a liability to the surrounding neighborhood; and it is not a poor investment of public funds. As an example of the impact of new single~family affordable housing, Mr. Gwin displayed several photos of dilapidated and replacement homes. Related to lasting ownership, the data shows 100% of Habitat owners are still owner-occupied. 64% of College Station residents had a household member move within 3 years, the state average is 35%. College Station homeownership rate is 31%, and the state rate is 64%. College Station single-family home values have a 4% growth UVKSHP06Z311 Minutes Page 2 rate on average in valuation. Habitat has had the most growth with 8%. All the ro'ects have pJ exceeded the City average. The College Station Affordable Housing Program meets or exceeds neighborhood building standards, and has created lasting homeownershi o ortunities. The P pp program has supported single-family construction that has outpaced or sta ed with Y neighborhood and City residential values. The FY 201 IIFY 2012 Action Plan and Budget focuses on the Community Develo meat Black p Grant (CDBG} and the HOME Investment Partnership Program (HOME}, These ro rams fund p g housing, infrastructure, public facilities, economic development, code enforcement, and ublic P service activities, The Plan re-validates and updates local needs, addresses s ecific owls p g outlined in the City's 2010-2014 Consolidated Plan and proposes activities for the u comin P g year, represents the annual formal application to the Department of HUD and lists funded activities and specific amounts, and provides for a regular public process. While CDBG funds may be used for a variety of community development activities, HOME funds may only be used for affordable housing activities, Up to 20% is allowed for administration with CDBG funds. They are proposing 17%, and the remaining 3% will be allocated to projects. The Community Development Budget was presented to Council and has a proposed total of $5,412,773, Staff is proposing funding five local public services; Twin City Mission, Mental Health Mental Retardation Authority, Brazos Valley Rehabilitation Center, United Partners-Project Unity, and Voices for Children, Recommended public facilities to be funded include Cooner Street rehabilitation, Wellborn Road sidewalks, and University Drive sidewalks. Initiatives planned for 2011-2412 are; disposal of the Holleman property, initiate a senior housing development, partner with non-prof is for new affordable houses, two sidewalk design projects, one street rehabilitation project, etc. A formal application will be made to HUD, and this will come back before the Council for consideration at the July 21 meeting. 4. Presentation, possible action and discussion regarding an update on the State of the Fire Department, R,B, Alley, Fire Chief, updated the Council on the State of the Fire Department. Fire Station 6 design is complete, and new fire apparatus has been ordered. The Community Emergency Operations Center has received new radio and cell phone upgrades. The Health and Wellness Program was completed at TAMU, The FAA Airport inspection was done, and we received an outstanding report, He also reported on the delivery of a new ARFF fire truck, which is running calls now. There were G,b4$ emergency responses, and a breakdown on the types of emergency responses was given. There are several fire investigations in process; the origin and cause determination rate is 92%. The Fire Department provides public education on f re and life safety. An update on emergency management was given. Equipment was purchased for the Community Emergency Operations Center; the new 700 emergency radio equipment was installed; emergency management plans were updated; and 1,500 citizens were trained. We were designated a Storm Ready Community by the National Weather Service. They are currently managing 2010 and 2011 Homeland Security Grants, totaling $170,740. For FY 2012, they plan to begin and complete construction of Station 6. They will need to recruit, hire and train eighteen new firefighterlparamedics. They will order a new ambulance for the station, as well. Another initiative to be considered is the renewal of the CEOC agreement, VVKSHPOb2311 Minutes Page 3 Currently there are 121 staff positions for fire operations, fire marshal's office, fire administration, and emergency management. He noted that District 1 is extremel bus ,and y y stressed the need for Station 5. Future strategic initiatives include Fire Station 6 next phases, shift safety officer, battalion chief, and ladder company}, accreditation, succession plannin g thirty-nine can retire today), and Fire Station 7 VILA, planning, design, and construction}, 5. Presentation, passible action and discussion of the current State of the Police epartment. The Workshop recessed at 4:54 so that Council could adjourn into Executive Session. The Workshop reconvened at 9;53 p.m,, and items 5 - 9 were taken up after the Regular Council Meeting. Jeff Capps, Police Chief, updated the Council on the State of the Police Department. He provided statistical information and trends observed. They have moved from monthly Comp Stat meetings to weekly Comp Stat meetings, This insures accurate, timely information and assists with rapid deployment, The Department currently has 121 sworn positionsloff~cers and two vacancies, There are 61 civilian positions and seven vacancies. The Department also utilizes fourteen seasonal employees, such as school crossing guards, He noted that College Station has seen a 16% increase in population over the past seven years. Sworn personnel has grown by 13% in the past f ve years. The civilian positions have increased by 22% in the past five years. The Department, as a whole, has grown 1 in the past five years. For the future, the Department is looking at development in the City and how it will affect the Police Department. Specialized units for the Northgate area, as well as other high call volume areas, are also being looked at, They are applying for a CAPS grant for six additional officers. They will also need additional detectives or police assistants for follow up investigations, Additional civilian support staff is also needed, In January 209, the City was divided by actual calls for service into eight geographical areas. They are continuing to evaluate the feasibility of adding a ninth beat, insuring they do not add an additional beat until they have the appropriate staffing to do so. Community engagement includes the Citizens Police Academy, Blue Santa, Easter Egg Hunt, and National Night out, They also participate in the Lock, Take, and Hide program. 1 a 1 signs have been set out so far at 78 different locations across the city. This is the fourth year they have participated in the Take 25 Event where they fingerprinted 97 children, The Eyes and Ears program has been revamped with new pamphlets and coordinate with Barbara Moore to attend Neighborhood Association meetings, 3,912 community contacts were made last year, G. Presentation, possible action and discussion regarding a draft agenda for the City Council's Strategic Planning Workshop scheduled for July 12, 2011, Council reviewed the draft agenda, and no changes were made. 7. Council Calendar • June 24 Twin Oaks Landfill Grand Opening at Twin Oaks Landfill, l 1:00 a.m. • June 29 Hotel Tax Law Seminar at CS Hilton, 1:00 p,m. • July 4 City Offices Closed --HOLIDAY • July 7 Planning & Zoning Commission Meeting in Council Chambers at 6:00 p.m. WKSHPOb2311 Minutes Page 4 • July 12 Strategic Planning Workshop at Wolf Pen Creek Green Roam -1415 Colgate Drive, 8:00 a.m. ' • July 12 Medical Corridor Advisory Committee at the CSU Meeting and Trainin g Facilitys 3:30 p,m. Council reviewed the calendar. 8, Presentation, possible action, and discussion on future agenda items: a Council Member may inquire about a subject for which notice has not been ;liven. 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 meetin . Councilmember Lyles requested an item to discuss possible amendments to the thorou hfare g plan, Councilmember Ruesink requested an update on Senate Bill 100 and its impact an the City, 9, Discussion, review and possible action regarding the following meetings; Animal Shelter. Board, 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 Forces BVSWMA~ BVWACS, Cemetery Committee, Code Review Cvmmittee~ Design Review Board Historic Preservation Committee? Ynterfaith Dialogue Association Intergovernmental Committee Joint Relief Funding Review Committee, Landmark Commissions 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 Governmentsr Signature Event Task Force, Sister City Association, ?AMU Student Senate? Texas Municipal League, Transportation Committee Wolf Pen Creek Oversight Committee Zoning Board of Adjustments. There were no reports. 10. Executive Session In accordance with the Texas Government Code §551,071-Consultation with Attorney, and §SS 1.074-Personnel, the College Station City Council convened into Executive Session at 4:54 p.m. on Thursday, dune 23, 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 WestsidelHighway 60 area, near Brushy 'Water Supply Corporation to decertify City of College Station and certify City of Bryan UVKSHP062311 Minutes Page 5 • Clancey v, College Station, Glenn Brown and Kathy Merrill, Civil Action No. 09-CV- 014$0 • Rachel Rahn v. Alma Martinez, The Arkitex Studio, Inc. et al, cause No. 09-OOObSb- CV3b1 • Chavers et al v. Tyrone Morrow et al, No. 10-20792; Chavers v. Randall Hall et al, Case No. IO CV-3922 • Callege Station v. Star Insurance Co,, Civil Action No. 4:11-CV-02023 • f. {ongoing criminal investigation of municipal court missing funds B. Consultation with Attorney to seek legal advice; to wit: • Legal issues regarding possible revenue sharing and legislation in bio-corridor • Possible enforcement action - 81$ Avenue B C. Deliberation Regarding Personnel; to wit; • Council self evaluation The Executive Session adjourned at 6:57 p,m. on Thursday, June 23, 241 1. No action was required froth Executive Session, 11. Adjournment M4TIUN: There being no further business, Mayor Berry adjourned the workshop of the College Station City Council at 14:42 p.m. on Thursday, June 23, 2011. Nancy Berry, Mayor ATTEST: erry Mas rn, City Secretary wI~SHPOb2311 Minutes Page b