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HomeMy WebLinkAbout06/17/2005 - Special Minutes City Council vr Mayor Ron Silvia Mayor Pro Tempore John Happ Interim City Manager Glenn Brown Council Members Ben White Ron Gay Susan Lancaster Chris Scotti Nancy Berry CITY OF COLLEGE STATION MINUTES College Station City Council Special Meeting, Orientation Friday, June 17, 2005 at 1:00 p.m. College Station City Hall Council Chambers 1101 Texas Avenue College Station, Texas COUNCIL MEMBERS PRESENT: Ron Gay, Nancy Berry, Chris Scotti, Ben White STAFF PRESENT: City Manager Tom Brymer, City Attorney Harvey Cargill, Jr., First Assistant City Attorney Roxanne Nemcik, City Secretary Connie Hooks A quorum of the City Council was present to receive an overview of the following topics. City Manager Brymer stated that the orientation is provided to the new City Council members for the purpose of receiving information on legal and operational matters that serve as a foundation of city government process. Each council member received a packet of information regarding these topics. 1. Presentation, discussion and possible action regarding the City Council's responsibilities prescribed by the City Charter. City Attorney Cargill and City Secretary Hooks discussed the provisions in the City Charter that pertain to the responsibilities of the City Council as the governing body. Council members were informed of their powers and duties. A copy of the City Charter was provided to each Council member. 2. Presentation, discussion and possible action regarding the Open Meetings Act and email. City Attorney Cargill presented a written guide on Open Meetings and Conflict Provisions. He explained the statutory requirements for an open meeting conducted by the City Council and committees. Mr. Cargill explained the procedures for conducting an executive session pursuant to the Open Meetings Act, Chapter 551. He specified the types of subject matter that could be discussed in executive session. He noted that a certified agenda was required on all matters except legal consultation with Attorney. Mr. Cargill reviewed a memorandum he prepared on ethics and the conflict of interest provisions in the City Charter Section 114, 115, and 116 and the State Statute, Section 171.004 of the Local Government Code. City Secretary Hooks presented information on the Public Information Act related to open record requests and types of record series that are identified in the Local Government Providing Customer Service Excellence Office of the City Secretary College Station, Texas Council Orientation 6/17/05 Page 2 Records Act. She noted that electronic mail may be considered an open record under the Public Information Act. 5. Presentation, discussion and possible action on council-manager-staff relations (IE- "The Team"). . Information requests . Reports to Council Mr. Brymer stated that he preferred the City Council contact his office about issues of concern related to department operations. He understood that Council members may contact the department directly. In this case, he asked that the Council member keep his office staff informed as well. The City Manager's office distributes a variety of reports to the City Council via email. Reports such as the monthly City Manager Update, the City Manager Report, and Quarterly Financial Report. 6. Presentation, discussion and possible action on strategic planning and budgeting. Mr. Brymer discussed the department preparation process for the budget to be introduced to Council in mid summer. The budget must be adopted by the City Council in September. Department strategic plans are based upon Council's direction of strategic issues identified at their mid year retreat. Numerous projects are defined by the Council's strategic issues. 7. Presentation, discussion and possible action on council professional development. Council members were provided calendars of TML and NLC conferences and training sessions on a variety of local government topics. TML provides two seminars for newly elected officials. Council members were asked to attend these functions as it provides a good foundation of municipal government. 8. Presentation, discussion and possible action on intergovernmental relations. Council members have numerous opportunities to communicate and participate with other local entities throughout the year. The City Council has an inter- governmental committee which meets on a monthly basis with the City of Bryan and the County Commissioners. These meetings provide the opportunity for Councils' and the County to collaborate on various projects. The City Council also holds meetings with CSISD and A&M on a regular basis. Mr. Brymer reiterated that these meetings were essential to the progress of the community. 9. Presentation, discussion and possible action regarding board/committee appointments. City Secretary Hooks briefly addressed the Council committee appointments. These appointments are usually made following the annual city election. She reviewed the list of committees that Council members serve. At 2:45 p.m., Nancy Berry announced that the City Council would convene into executive session pursuant to Section 551.071 to receive a report from City Attorney on pending and contemplated litigation issues. A certified agenda was not required for this exception. Consultation with Attorney {Gov't Code Section 551.071}: possible action Council Orientation 6/17/05 Page 3 The City Council may seek advice from its attorney regarding a pending and contemplated litigation subject or settlement offer or attorney-client privileged information. Litigation is an ongoing process and questions may arise as to a litigation tactic or settlement offer, which needs to be discussed with the City Council. Upon occasion the City Council may need information from its attorney as to the status of a pending or contemplated litigation subject or settlement offer or attorney-client privileged information. After executive session discussion, any final action or vote taken will be in public. The following subject(s) may be discussed: a. TCEQ Docket No. 2002-1147-UCR, Applications of Brushy Water Supply and College Station (Westside/Highway 60) b. TCEQ Docket No. 2003-0544MWD, Application of Nantucket, Ltd. c. TXU Lone Star Gas Rate Request. d. Cause No. 03-002098-CV-85, Brazos Co., College Station v. Wellborn Special Utility District e. Civil Action No. H-04-4558, U.S. District Court, Southern District of Texas, Houston Div., College Station v. U.S. Dept. of Agriculture, etc., and Wellborn Special Utility District f. TCEQ Docket No.582-04-2840 Application Wellborn Special Utility Dist. g. Civil Action No. H-04-3876, U.S. District Court, Southern District of Texas, Houston Division, JK Development v. College Station h. GUD No. 9530 - Gas Cost Prudence Review, Atmos Energy Corporation i. GUD No. 9560 - Gas Reliability Infrastructure Program (GRIP) rate increases, Atmos Energy Corporation Council returned to the open session at 4:00 p.m. No action was taken. The meeting adjourned at 4:00 p.m. PASSED AND APPROV this 22nd day of August, 2005. City Secretary Connie Hooks APPROVED: ~ j~..;.. Mayo oñ Silvia