HomeMy WebLinkAbout10/14/2010 - Workshop Minutes City Councilf .
MINUTES OF THE CITY COUNCIL WORKSHOP
CITY OF COLLEGE STATION
OCTOBER 14, 2010
STATE OF TEXAS
COUNTY OF BRAZOS
Present:
Nancy Berry
Council:
Jess Fields
Dennis Maloney
Katy -Marie Lyles
Dave Ruesink
City Staff:
Glenn Brown, City Manager
David Necley, Assistant City Manager
Carla Robinson, I" Assistant City Attorney
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 3:05 p.m. on Thursday, October 14, 2010 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.
Item 2g, was pulled from the Consent Agenda.
Mayor Berry stated we should not consider any changes to the animal shelter unless there is a
certain reason for changes. Jeff Kersten explained the contract. Kathy Merrill explained the
contract and the extended period of time.
2. Presentation, possible action and discussion regarding fiscal transparency and the
feasibili of placing citt checks online.
Jeff Kersten, Chief Financial Officer, generated a register of the normal weekly accounts payable
"check run," which includes electronic funds transfers (EFT) and most wire transactions.
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This would include items such as:
• Payments to vendors for goods and services;
• Payments to Outside Agencies per contractual terms and conditions;
• Travel reimbursements to employees;
• Refunds for deposits on utilities, facility rentals, etc.
The check register would be generated after each normal weekly "check run" and would go to
Legal for review before posting on the website. The current plan is to post this information,
together with budget and financial statement information, "one click" from the City's home
page. Each week, that week's check register would be posted to the "front" page with the
preceding week's register removed to the history page.
Also, Mr. Kersten explained ways to increase the City's fiscal transparency, to include placing
the City's check register online. Staff is not proposing to include anything payroll related or
electric power supply contract payments, as part of the online check register.
MOTION: Upon a motion made by Councilmember Fields and a second by CounciImember
Lyles, the City Council voted five (5) for and none (0) opposed, to approve moving forward with
fiscal transparency and the feasibility of placing the City check register online. The motion
carried unanimously.
3. Presentation, possible action, and discussion regarding a ten (10) year franchise
agreement with the City of Bryan for retail sale of electricity within the City of College
Station in areas certificated to Bryan by the Public Utility Commission of Texas.
David Massey, Director of Public Utilities, presented an overview of the proposed electric
franchise agreement with the City of Bryan. The franchise requires three readings to be approved
by Council. The second reading of this franchise is on the Consent Agenda of today's Regular
Council Meeting.
This Electric Power Franchise gives the City of Bryan the right to use public rights -of -way
within specified areas of College Station in order to provide retail electric service to areas
certificated to Bryan by the Public Utility Commission of Texas. This Franchise is for a period of
ten years. The development of this Franchise with the City of Bryan has involved negotiations
for many years between the electric utilities and legal staffs of both cities. The proposed
Franchise defines such things as payments, utility construction and maintenance, conditions of
right- of-way occupancy, street lighting, underground installations, records and reporting,
insurance requirements, compliance and many other tangential issues associated with a franchise
of this type. One important note is that this franchise only applies to areas defined as "Non- Core"
areas within the City of College Station — areas that currently have Bryan electric power facilities
within College Station. Staff feels that all relevant areas have been fully addressed in this
document and recommends approval.
4. Presentation possible action and discussion regardinIZ potential options for electric wind
power rates.
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David Massey, Director of Public Utilities, presented a brief overview, per Council's request, on
premiums associated with the wind rates.
As Adopted January 2009:
100% Wind - 50% Wind - 10% Wind
Program Cost 2.50 cents 1.25 cents 0.25 cents
Green CS Adder 0.50 cents 0.35 cents 0.10 cents
Total Premium 3.00 cents 1.60 cents 0.35 cents
Cost per 1000 kwh $30.00 $16.00 $3.50
Effective Februar 1, 2010
100% Wind - 50% Wind - 10% Wind
Program Cost 0.50 cents 0.25 cents 0.05 cents
Green CS Adder 1.50 cents 0.75 cents 0.15 cents
Total Premium 2.00 cents 1.00 cents 0.20 cents
Cost per 1000 kwh $20.00 $10.00 $2.00
Current Wind Watts Premium
Utility Adder Council Adder
Per KWH Per KWH
* 100% Wind: 0.5 cents * 100% Wind: 1.5 cents
* 50% Wind: 0.25 cents * 50% Wind: 0.75 cents
* 10% Wind: 0.05 cents * 10% Wind: 0.15 cents
Council directed staff to separate the tree program and the wind watts.
5. Presentation, possible action, and discussion regarding the future direction of the City's
affordable housing activities.
David Gwin, Director of Economic and Community Development, explained the current and
future affordable housing programming and provided input on the direction of these efforts.
Debbie Eller, Assistant Director of Economic and Community Development, provided a briefing
on the results of the community planning process and a summary of the new Five -Year
Consolidated Plan and one year Annual Action Plan. These Plans serve as strategic plans
guiding community development activities in College Station over the next five years. City
Council approved the 2010 -2014 Consolidated Plan and PY 2010 Action Plan on July 22, 2010.
Also, the CDBG and HOME funds may only be used to: (1) benefit low- and moderate - income
persons; (2) aid in the elimination of slum and blighting influences, and /or; (3) meet a particular
urgent need. Further, CDBG funds may be used to meet local needs through a wide range of
community development activities, while HOME funds may only be used for affordable housing
activities.
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Historically, the City has utilized these funds for a variety of programs and activities, including:
affordable housing programs (homebuyer assistance, security deposit assistance, rehabilitation,
new construction, and minor repairs); funding of direct services to low - income families;
demolition; and park, street, infrastructure and public facility improvement in low- income areas
of the city.
In 2008, Council directed the Economic and Community Development Department to create
sustainable revenue sources to support future activities due to the significant and on -going
decline of HUD resources. This direction was accomplished in part by providing assistance for
housing activities through zero or low- interest loans and the retirement of 100% grant programs.
Additionally, community development activities have been structured to generate program
income when applicable.
6. Presentation, possible action, and discussion regarding basic public purchasing policies,
procedures and statutes.
Mayor Berry pulled this item for placement on a future agenda.
7. Council Calendar
October 18 1GC Meeting at BVCOG at 12:00 p.m.
October 19 Council Transportation Committee Meeting in Council Chambers at 4:30
P.M.
October 19 Interfaith Dialog & Friendship Dinner and Awards Ceremony at Pebble
Creek Country Club -4500 Pebble Creek Parkway at 6:30 p.m.
October 20 Small Business Summit at the Brazos Center -3232 Briarcrest Dr at 8:00
a.m.
October 20 BVSWMA Inc. Board Meeting at the Public Works - Room 203 Municipal
Court Bldg - 300 Krenek Tap at 11:00 a.m.
_October 20 2010 Exploring History Lunch Lecture Series in CS Conference Center at
11:30 a.m. -
October 21 Business After Hours - Chrome, A Salon Experience at 5:30 p.m.
October 21 Planning & Zoning Meeting in Council Chambers at 6 :00 p.m.
October 25 Council Workshop/Rc2ular Meeting in Council Chambers, 3:00 and 7:00
p -m-
November 11 Dedication of the Korean War Memorial on the Lynn Stuart Pathway,
Veterans Park,4:00 p.m.
November 11 Reading of the Names at the Veterans Memorial, Adams Plaza, Veterans
Park, 6:00 p.m. - ^
November 11 Veterans Memorial Day Ceremony at the American Pavilion Veterans
Park, 7:00 p.m.
8. Presentation, possible action, and discussion on future agenda items: a Council Member
may inquire about a subicct_ 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 a1zenda,for a subsequent meeting.
There was no discussion.
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9. Discussion, review and possible action regarding the following meetings: Arts Council of
the Brazos Valley, Audit Committee, Brazos County Health Dept., Brazos Valley Council
y _ .
of Governments, Brazos Valle_ Wide Area Communications Taskorce, BVSWMA, ,.,F,,,,,.,._
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, 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 Governmcnts, Signature Event Task Force, Sister City Association, TAMU
Student Senate, Texas Municipal League, Transportation Committee, Wolf Pen Creek
Oversight Committee, Zoning Board of Adjustments, (Notice of Agendas posted on City
Hall bulletin board).
Council member Lyles reported on Arts Council.
Council member Maloney requested staff to add the Bicycle, Pedestrian, and Greenways
Committee for Council to discuss.
10. 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 5:00
p.m. on Thursday, October 14, 2010 in order to continue discussing matters pertaining to:
A. Consultation with Attorney to seek advice regarding pending or contemplated litigation
regarding:
• 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
• Water CCN / 2002 Annexation / Wellborn Water Supply Corporation
• Weingarten Realty Investors v. College Station, Ron Silvia, David Ruesink, Lynn
McIlhaney, and Ben White
• Chavers et al v. Tyrone Morrow, Michael 1kner, City of Bryan, City of College Station, et
al
• Clancey v. College Station, Glenn Brown, and Kathy Merrill
• Rachel Rahn v. Alma Martinez; The Arkitex Studio, Inc.; Charles Burris, AIA; Dr. Elton
Abbott, AIA; and City of College Station, Texas: Cause No. 09- 000656- CV -36I, In the
District Court of Brazos County Texas, 361 st Judicial District
B. Consultation with Attorney to seek legal advice regarding:
• Discussion of Legal Issues Regarding: Wellborn Incorporation Request
• Contemplated Litigation, Legal remedies available to abate weeds, rubbish, brush and
other unsanitary matter from a lot in the College Hills residential area.
• Legal issues of purchase and lease back to Arts Council
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C. Deliberation on the appointment, employment, evaluation, reassignment, duties, discipline, or
dismissal of a public officer; to wit:
• City Manager
• Council Self - Evaluation
• City Attorney
The Executive Session adjourned at 7:00 p.m. on Thursday, October 14, 2010.
MOTION: Upon a motion made by Councilmember Ruesink and a second by Councilmember
Fields, the City Council voted five (5) for and none (0) opposed, to approve Carla Robinson as
Interim City Attorney for the City of College Station. The motion carried unanimously.
11. Adjournment
MOTION: There being no objection, Mayor Berry adjourned the workshop of the College
Station City Council at 7:00 p.m. on Thursday, October 14, 2010. The motion carried
unanimously.
Nancy Berr , Mayor
ATTEST:
4 Tan VM4utt, Deputy, City Secretary
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