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Home My WebLink About10/27/2011 - Workshop Minutes City Council MINUTES OF THE CITY COUNCIL WORKSHOP CITY OF COLLEGE STATION OCTOBER 27, 2011 STATE OF TEXAS § COUNTY OF BRAZOS § Present: Nancy Berry, Mayor Council: Blanche Brick Jess Fields, arrived after roll call Karl Mooney Katy-Marie Lyles Julie Schultz Dave Ruesink City Staff: David Neeley, City Manager Kathy Merrill, Assistant City Manager Frank Simpson, Assistant City Manager Carla Robinson, City Attorney Sherry Mashburn, City Secretary Tanya McNutt, Deputy City Secretary 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 3:00 p.m. on Thursday, October 27, 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. Councilmembers Mooney and Ruesink reported they would be abstaining from item 2f. 2. Presentation, possible action, and discussion regarding disposal of approximately 65 acres of City-owned property located on Rock Prairie Road adjacent to Lick Creek Park. Bob Cowell, Director of Planning and Development Services, reported on City-owned property on Rock Prairie Road. The property is 65 acres adjacent to Lick Creek Park. The City's Comprehensive Plan identifies this property as Restricted Suburban. The current zoning is WKSHP102711 Minutes Page 1 Agricultural Open. Staff is recommending a complete environmental assessment, appraisal of the property, re-zoning the property to R1-B, establish development requirement such as minimum lot size, provide for a buffer to Lick Creek Park, etc., pedestrian access to Lick Creek Park, and offer the property for sale through bid. He stated they are not recommending a minimum lot size of 8,000 square feet consistent with a R1-13 zoning, but believe the lot size should compare favorably with the larger lot sizes in nearby developments. MOTION: Upon a motion made by Councilmember Fields and a second by Councilmember Mooney, the City Council voted five (5) for and two (2) opposed, with Councilmembers Brick and Ruesink voting against, to approve the staff recommendation to initiate the re-zoning of the subject property and draft restrictions, but to consult with and keep in the loop the Lick Creek Nature Center Advisory Committee. The motion carried. 3. Presentation, possible action, and discussion remardins! the 2011 Christmas at the Creek event. Sheila Walker, Special Events Coordinator, reported on the upcoming Christmas at the Creek event. In the past 27 years, there have been more than 2.5 million visitors at the Christmas in the Park event. It has been a family tradition and free to everyone. It has a non-commercial atmosphere. 2011 will be a year of transition. The Stephen C. Beachy Central Park will have the Tower of Power and a small drive-through light display. The Wolf Pen Creek corridor will have lights, entertainment, shopping, hayrides, a live nativity scene, and Santa. Christmas in the Park outgrew Central Park many years ago. Wolf Pen Creek affords the City the opportunity to grow Christmas in the Creek as a premiere holiday festival for the Brazos Valley. There is better visibility for entertainment. They are incorporating the great elements from the past plus there will be three entertainment stages. There are better facilities and more parking. There will be an upscale art sale, gourmet food, and a gift shop at the Art Center. There will be an opportunity to expand the baking contest. There will also be some budget savings. Our Community Partners will be doing Presents with Purpose for alternative gift giving choices, and there will be an expansion of Pet Night. Scott Hooks, with Parks and Recreation, provided greater detail on the events at both parks, detailing where everything will be. He provided information on how the parking for Wolf Pen Creek will be handled and how to access the park. An example of the pole banners was provided. The Holiday Happening guide was also shown. These will be in the Eagle as an insert and distributed through participating merchants. The kick off for the event will be on December 2, at 5:15 p.m. with the Mayor's reception in the Green Room. MOTION: Upon a motion made by Councilmember Schultz and a second by Councilmember Ruesink, the City Council voted six (6) for and one (1) opposed, with Councilmember Fields voting against, to approve the Christmas at the Creek event. The motion carried. WKSHP102711 Minutes Page 2 4. Presentation, possible action, and discussion regarding the Council's Strategic Plan 2012 Update. Bob Cowell, Director of Planning and Development, updated the Council on the 2012 Strategic Plan. Work completed to date includes: the annual strategic plan workshop, budget workshops, the Council workshop update, and staff review and revision of the draft plan. The strategic plan includes the community vision, the organizational mission and core values, Council strategic initiatives, the desired outcome or goal for each initiative, strategies for each goal, performance measures, plan monitoring, and recognition of excellence. There are six initiatives noted: 1) financially sustainable city; 2) core services and infrastructure; 3) neighborhood integrity; 4) diverse growing economy; 5) improve mobility; and 6) sustainable City. Each of these initiatives had listed goals, with those needing additional discussion and Council direction highlighted in blue. Performance measures include effectiveness and workload indicators. Progress in implementing the plan will monitored by regular reports and updates such as annual reports, a mid-year review and update, quarterly reports, the annual budget, and department business/service plans. Next steps include the adoption of the updated plan, and then begin crafting a new document - the policy action plan. Mayor Berry requested an item to be added to initiative #5, Improve Mobility. She would like to see a mobility wayfinding system to identify points of interest. Councilmember Fields asked to clarify the goal to support and implement green building practices under initiative #6, Sustainable City, and to have further discussion on alternative energy sources such as wind power. MOTION: Upon a motion made by Councilmember Mooney and a second by Councilmember Lyles, the City Council voted seven (7) for and none (0) opposed, to accept the strategic plan presentation with the understanding that additional workshop discussions will occur. The motion carried. 5. Council Calendar • November 3 Planning & Zoning Commission Meeting in Council Chambers at 6:00 P.M. • November 7 Annual BICS Chamber Banquet at the CS Hilton at 6:00 p.m. • November 10 City Council Workshop/Regular Meeting at 3:00 and 6:00 p.m. Council reviewed the Council calendar. 6. 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 Lyles requested an item to discuss Council attendance to various boards and committees to which they are appointed. WKSHP102711 Minutes Page 3 7 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 Ruesink reported that the Salamanca delegation will arrive November 14. A reception will be held at President Laughton's house on November 15. Both city councils will be invited to attend. Salamanca will be officially brought in as a sister city. Mayor Berry reported on the RVP board meeting citing possible prospects that may be coming. 8. 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 4:55 p.m. on Thursday, October 27, 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 • Legal issues related to the sale and purchase of Chimney Hill property WKSHP102711 Minutes Page 4 • Legal issues related to the expiration of the Wolf Pen Creek Tax Increment Reinvestment Zone C. Deliberation Regarding Personnel; to wit: • Internal Auditor • Council Self-Evaluation • City Secretary The Executive Session adjourned at 7:03 p.m. on Thursday, October 27, 2011. No action was required from Executive Session. 9. Adjournment MOTION: There being no further business, Mayor Berry adjourned the workshop of the College Station City Council at 10:03 p.m. on Thursday, October 27, 2011. Nancy Berry, Mayor ATTEST: Sherry M urn, City Secretary WKSHP102711 Minutes Page 5