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Home My WebLink About10/13/2011 - Workshop Minutes City Council MINUTES OF THE CITY COUNCIL WORKSHOP CITY OF COLLEGE STATION OCTOBER 13, 2011 STATE OF TEXAS § COUNTY OFBRAZOS § Present: Nancy Berry, Mayor Council: Blanche Brick Jess Fields Karl Mooney Katy-Marie Lyles Julie Schultz Dave Ruesink, absent City Staff: David Neeley, City Manager Kathy Merrill, Assistant City Manager Frank Simpson, Assistant City Manager Mary Ann Powell, First Assistant City Attorney Tanya McNutt, Deputy 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 3:39 p.m. on Thursday, October 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. Council requested items 2c, 2d and 2g to be pulled for additional information. 2c & 2d: Chris Dyer, Executive Director, Arts Council Brazos Valley, updated Council on fundraising goals this year and for upcoming years. His estimate is that this year's fundraising will more than match the funding received from the city, adding that it will be approximately a fifty percent increase from last year. He also stated that he did not have the exact numbers for the Celebrating the Arts event, but he estimates that it doubled, this year from last. WKSHP101311 Minutes Page 1 Mayor Berry recognized the Brazos Valley Symphony for their 30`h Anniversary. 2g: Jeff Kersten, Executive Director, Fiscal Services, was asked to provide a report for Council at a later date regarding the Research Valley Partnership budget breakdown. 2. Presentation, possible action, and discussion reeardiniz the future direction of the City's affordable housiny- activities. Bob Cowell, Executive Director of Planning and Development Services, presented the City's affordable housing program. Mr. Cowell outlined the history of the program and stated that since the mid-1970's, the City of College Station has partnered with the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) to address quality of life, neighborhood stability and safe and decent housing for low-income residents living in the City. In total, the City has received more than $43 million, which has been used for activities such as affordable housing programs. Funds used for this program have significant guidelines. The use of these funds is guided by the City-developed five-year Consolidated Plan and the annual Action Plan. City staff recommended three changes to this program. First, to revise current owner-occupied housing rehabilitation program to a streamline program, increasing the amount available to each owner-occupant and adjusting the loan-type portfolio. Staff also recommended revising the current owner-occupied minor housing repair program to eliminate minimum credit score requirements and increase the amount available to each owner-occupant. Lastly, staff recommended establishing an owner-occupied reconstruction program. There is no requirement for the City to match funds regarding the above program. The City monitors work of projects, and the City oversees the whole project. Staff made these recommendations for the guidelines to be changed to encompass home owners that do not currently qualify for the program, but would benefit greatly from the program. Mr. Cowell has offered to provide studies for Council from independent groups regarding the impacts to similar cities from this type of housing program. Debbie Eller, Community Development Manager, Planning and Development Services, stated that the City has referred home owners to other programs, but the City has not collaborated on any projects. In addition to normal marketing done for these programs, neighborhood integrity is considered and dialogue with the specific neighborhood is also part of the process. Council consensus was to approve the guidelines to amend this program, to be presented formally as a consent agenda item at a later date. Staff also recommended establishing a renter-occupied rehabilitation program. This program will benefit low income households, increase quality of affordable units, preserve affordability of rental housing, promote public and private partnerships, and sustainable redevelopment. The program will also increase energy efficiency and the tax base. After improvements are made through this program, periods of affordability are regulated over a certain amounts of years. Mayor Berry used the pause in business to introduce and welcome Amy Atkins, New Assistant Director, Parks and Recreation Department. WKSHP101311 Minutes Page 2 3. Council Calendar • October 1 1 - 14 TML Annual Conference in Houston at 8:00 pm • October 18 Kids Klub Light on Afterschool Rally at Veteran's Park & Athletic Complex, 6:00 pm • October 19 BVSWMA Board Meeting at Twin Oaks Facility - 2690 SH30 Anderson, Texas, 11:00 am • October 19 Exploring History Lunch Lecture at CS Conference Center, 1 1:30 a.m. • October 20 Planninn & Zoning Commission Meeting in Council Chambers, 6:00 pm • October 25 Medical Corridor Advisory Committee in Council Chambers, 3:00 pm • October 27 City Council Workshop/Regular Meeting at 3:00 and 6:00 p.m. Council reviewed the Council calendar. 4. Presentation, possible action, and discussion on future agenda items: a Council Member may inquire about a subject 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 subiect on an agenda for a subsequent meeting. Councilmember Fields requested an item regarding the review of gas station codes. Councilmember Mooney requested an item regarding the changes occurring within the Brazos Animal Shelter, specifically, a review of board appointees. 5 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, 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, Zoning Board of Adjustments. Councilmember Schultz attended the Research Valley Partnership meeting. Councilmember Lyles, reported on the Brazos County Health Board meeting. New board members and re-appointed members Jess Fields and Katy-Marie Lyles were recognized and a donation was given to the Boys & Girls Club in honor of Mayor Berry's service on the board. The board also viewed a presentation on a chemical detection machine from Emergency WKSHP101311 Minutes Page 3 Preparedness Response. The budget was reviewed, and it was noted that there was an overall seven percent reduction. Kenny Mallard was also elected as Chair. Councilmember Brick reported on the Bicycle, Pedestrian & Greenways Advisory Board. The board is planning a tour of the greenways and bike trails in College Station. Councilmember Brick invited council members who were interested to contact the staff liaison for this board. 6. 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 5:15 p.m. on Thursday, October 13, 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, Civil Action No. 09-CV- 01480 • Rachel Rahn v. Alma Martinez, The Arkitex Studio, Inc. et al, cause No. 09-000656- CV361 • Chavers et al v. Tyrone Morrow et al, No. 10-20792; Chavers v. Randall Hall et al, Case No. 10 CV-3922 • College Station v. Star Insurance Co., Civil Action No. 4:11-CV-02023 • Woodruff v. College Station, Cause No. 10-000515-CV-272 • 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 C. Deliberation Regarding Personnel; to wit: • Municipal Court Judge The Executive Session adjourned at 7:00 p.m. on Thursday, October 13, 2011. No action was required from Executive Session. WKSHP101311 Minutes Page 4 7. Adiournment MOTION: There being no further business, Mayor Berry adjourned the workshop of the College Station City Council at 8:46 p.m. on Thursday, October 13, 2011. Nancy Berry, Mayor ATTEST: Sherry Mashburn, City Secretary WKSHP101311 Minutes Page 5