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HomeMy WebLinkAbout03/09/2000 - Regular Minutes City CouncilMayor Lynn Mcllhaney Mayor Pro Tempore Larry Madott City Manager Thomas E. Brymer City Council James Massey Ron Silvia Winnie Garner Dennis Maloney Anne Hazen MINUTES COLLEGE STATION CITY COUNCIL Workshop and Regular Meetings Thursday, March 9, 2000 at 3:00 p.m. and 7:00 p.m. College Station City Hall, Council Chambers COUNCILMEMBERS PRESENT: Mayor McIlhaney, Mayor Pro Tem Mariott, Councilmembers Hazen, Silvia, Massey, Maloney, Garner STAFF PRESENT: City Manager Brymer, Assistant to the City Manager Broussard, Senior Assistant City Attorney Nemcik, City Secretary Hooks, Assistant City Secretary Casares, Economic Development Director Foutz, Public Works Director Smith, Transportation Planner Hard, Parks and Recreation Director Steve Beachy, Senior Planner Kee, Fire Marshal Mies Mayor McIlhaney opened the workshop meeting at 3:00 p.m. Agenda Item No. 1 -- Discussion of consent agenda items listed for regular council meeting. Councilmembers removed Consent Agenda Items No. 13.1, 13.5, 13.7, 13.9, and 13.13. Item No. 13.1 - Minutes of 2/24/00 Councilman Maloney made a revision to the 2/24/00 minutes on page 6, Item No. 12.12 to state "...to Architex Studios for a second entrance and exit mainly due to the safety factors and to the number of special events in the area." Item No. 13.5 - Purchase of Decorative light poles and fixtures for Southside Neighborhood Lighting Project. Councilman Maloney asked that the fund balance dedicated to the Southside neighborhood be allocated toward additional light poles. Item No. 13.7 - Professional services contract for plans construction management on repairs and painting of Greens Prairie Elevated Storage Tank. Council Meetings 3/9/00 Page 2 Councilman Maloney proposed that the storage tank tower be painted with the words, "Home of Texas A&M University". Council will discuss this proposal at a later date. Item No. 13.9 - Amended ordinance related to parking of trailers in yards. Councilman Silvia asked questions about the ordinance amendment. Fire Marshal Jon Mies explained the ordinance amendment clarifying the definition of recreational vehicle. Council asked that the entire ordinance be reviewed at a later time. Item No. 13.13 - Resolution supporting the Brazos Valley Affordable Housing Corporation. To answer Councilman Maloney's question, Director of Development Services Jim Callaway stated that he was not sure the housing cost incorporated in this program. The resolution supports the Brazos Valley Affordable Housing Corporation application for funding from the Texas Dept. of Housing and Community Affairs. Agenda Item No. 2 -- Presentation, discussion and possible action on the City's position with respect to a future grade separation at the intersection of Texas Avenue and University Drive. Mayor Mcllhaney stated that the staff met with Texas A&M officials and they are not interested in pursuing the grade separation project at University Drive and Texas A&M University. The city's estimated cost in the project is $3 to $4 million. Motion made by Councilman Massey to authorize the staff to contact TXDOT that the city is not interested in pursuing a grade separation at Texas Avenue and University Drive and that TXDOT's efforts and potential funding be re-directed toward another planned grade separations in College Station. The motion was seconded by Mayor Pro Tem Mariott, which carried unanimously, 7-0. Agenda Item No. 3 -- Presentation, discussion and possible action on a policy for City participation in upgrading private alleys and accepting them as public infrastructure. Public Works Director Mark Smith presented this item. He presented slides of various alleyways. Within the City of College Station, there are approximately 78 private alleys not built to the city's current alley standards. To bring the 78 alleyways up to current standard, it would cost about $2.5 million in current construction costs. Mr. Smith further stated that the Council discussed a request by the Chimney Hill Business Park Owners Association on November 11, 1999. At that time, council indicated a preference that the private alley owners pay the full cost of reconstruction with the city being willing to provide financing for the project. With that direction, staff negotiated with the Chimney Hill Business Park Owners Association in attempt to reach terms for improvement to occur. Staff proposed a Council Meetings 3/9/00 Page 3 policy requiring a 2/3 financial participation by the property owners paid in advance, and 1/3 participation by the city. This transaction would provide that the alleyways be dedicated to the city. Numerous comments were made by councilmembers. Council directed staffto bring back information on other cities' alleyway maintenance policies and traffic counts. Adoption of policies will be brought forth through ordinance amendments at future council meetings. Council recessed for a short break. Agenda Item No. 4 -- Presentation~ discussion and possible action on two proposed oarkine plans for the Northgate area. Council returned at 4:30 p.m. Fire Marshall Jon Mies, Transportation Assistant Scott Hester, and Economic Development Director Kim Foutz presented two proposals to address parking issues in the Northgate area. Mr. Mies presented previous council action on this issue. He also summarized past studies conducted on the Northgate parking plan. Mr. Mies stated that the staff has designed a phased approach to address all areas of concern. Parking Plan I a. b. C. includes the following implementation steps: 44 on street parking spaces removed from Church Street 8 spaces metered along University Drive from Tauber to Wellborn 27 on street parking spaces removed or install parking meters on College Main from Church Street to University Drive Remove all on street parking spaces in Northgate residential areas and establish a residential parking permit program for all residential areas. This phase would include 220 spaces at the Brazos Duplex property. Survey all remaining on street parking in the business and institutional areas of Northgate and meter any parking allowed to remain Monday through Saturday. Parking Plan II includes the steps mentioned above by a rapid removal approach. Staff recommended removal of all parking on College Main to allow bike lanes to be continuous from the city limits to University Drive. Also recommended is the removal of on street parking when the parking garage is opened. Mr. Mies pointed out that there is a section of the Patricia Street parking lot that could be available for patrons of nearby businesses. Two merchants in the Northgate areas spoke against the proposal to remove on street parking, primarily in front of their business, Bernie Gessner from Aggie Cleaners and Mr. Plotz from the University Copy Center. Also, several letters from area merchants were received that expressed opposition to removal of on street parking. Council Meetings 3/9/00 Page 4 Councilman Maloney made a motion to accept Plan II as specified above with the staff recommendation to remove all parking on College Main to allow bike lanes to be continuous from the city limits to University Drive and that the removal of parking at the Brazos Duplex property remain until the parking garage is opened. Motion seconded by Councilman Garner, which carded unanimously, 7-0. Staff was directed to make the transition as easy as possible for the merchants. Numerous ordinance amendments will be brought back to council at a future date. Agenda Item No. 5 -- Presentation, discussion and possible action on the City's Capital Improvements Plan as part of the Council Strategic Planning Process. Public Works Director Mark Smith presented the capital improvements plan. The plan consisted of $43 million in capital improvement activities for a 3-5 year time frame. He presented funding sources. Mr. Smith stated the strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats analysis of the CIP plan. No action was taken by council. Agenda Item No. 9 -- Hear Visitors (5:45 p.m.) Benito Flores-Meath, 901 Val Verde discussed his opinion about the ordinance amending the city code related to parking of vehicles on the yard. Agenda Item No. 6 -- Committee Reports Mayor Mcllhaney reported on the Regional Committee meeting where discussion was held on rural health issues. Agenda Item No. 7 -- Agenda Request by Councilmembers No requests were received by councilmembers. Aeenda Item No. 8 -- Council Calendars Council Workshop and Regular Meetings, 3/23 TML Region 10 Meeting, 3/20 Council discussed a workshop date to meet with Planning and Zoning Commissioners. Aeenda Item No. 10 -- Executive Session Mayor Mcllhaney announced that the council would convene into executive session pursuant to Sections 551.071, 551.074, and 551.086 of the Open Meetings Act, to seek the advice of the City Attorney with respect to pending and contemplated litigation, to discuss personnel, and to consider economic development negotiations. Council began its executive session at 6:10 p.m. Council Meetings 3/9/00 Page 5 Pending and Contemplated Litigation {Gov't Code Section 551.071 } Cause No. 43,098-85, Brazos County-Bryan v. College Station Cause No. 96-03168, Travis County- Bryan, et al. v. PUC (intervention) Cause No. 97-02587, Travis County - Bryan, et al. v. PUC (intervention) Cause No. 98-13391, Travis County - Bryan, et al. v. PUC (intervention) Cause No. 96-06940, Travis County - Bryan, et al. v. PUC (intervention) Cause No. 97-07000, Travis County - TMPA v. PUC (intervention) Cause No. 98-11817, Travis County - TMPA v. PUC (intervention) Cause No. 49,367-CCL2, Brazos County - Wilkerson v. College Station Civil Action No. 01-98-01056-CV, Court of Appeals - Gold v. College Station Docket Nos. TX96-2-000 and TX96-2-001, FERC - College Station, applicant Cause No. 49,989-85-John Lofferelli v. College Station TXU Gas Distribution Rate Request TXU Gas Pipeline Rate Request Economic Development Negotiations {Gov't Code Section 551.086 a. Hotel Conference Center b. Viatel Communications (Destia) c. Water Tower Land Sale d. Rechargeable Battery Personnel {Gov't Code Section 551.074} a. Evaluation of Municipal Court Judge Al~enda Item No. 11 -- Final action on Executive Session, if necessary. Council returned to open session at 7:10 p.m. No action was taken at this time. Reeular Agenda Mayor Mcllhaney opened the regular meeting at 7:10 p.m. She lead the audience in the pledge of allegiance. All councilmembers were present. The following presentations were presented to the following individuals. Representatives from the College Station Rotary Club presented Connie Hooks with the Rotary Club V.I.V.A. Award. Margaret Sutton received the proclamation from Mayor Mcllhaney for Census 2000. Members of the College Station Youth Theater accepted an award from Mayor Mcllhaney for their efforts in Arts and Humanities. Members of the Brazos Greenways Council accepted the award for Environmental Conservation. Council Meetings 3/9/00 Page 6 Consent Agenda 13.1 Approved by common consent the revised minutes for workshop and regular meeting of 2/24/2000. 13.2 Bid No. 99-57. Approved by common consent the agreement renewal for pavement and road service painting (traffic striping) with N Line Traffic Maintenance for annual estimated expenditure of $127,401. Funds available and budgeted in the General Fund, Public Works, Street Maintenance. 13.3 Bid No. 99-59. Approved by common consent the agreement renewal for various street signs and sign blanks with Vulcan Signs, Inc. for an annual estimated expenditure of $64,101. Funds available and budgeted in the General Fund, Public Works Department. 13.4 Bid No. 00-41. Approved by common consent the construction contract for re-roofing City Hall and the Conference Center to lowest, responsible bidder meeting specifications, Jaco Construction in the amount of $83,708. Funds available and budgeted in the General Fund, Facilities Maintenance Division. 13.5 Bid No. 00-42. Approved by common consent the purchase of decorative light poles and fixtures for Southside Neighborhood Lighting Project to lowest, responsible bidder meeting specifications by line item as follows: Ward Electric, $24,357.20 and Dealers Electric, $32,802.50 for a combined total of $57,159.70; approved resolution declaring intent to reimburse certain expenditures with proceeds from debt. Funds available and budgeted in the Neighborhood Capital Improvement Fund and Hotel Motel Fund. 13.6 Bid No. 00-44. Approved by common consent the purchase of three (3) commercial riding lawn mowers for the Parks and Recreation Department. Awarded to lowest, responsible bidder meeting specifications, Cypress Lawn & Turf in the amount of $18,441. Also rejected previous solicitation of bids. Funds available and budgeted in General Fund, Parks Operations. 13.7 Contract No. 00-77. Approved by common consent the contract for professional services with Jimmy Dunham, P.E., of College Station, for plans and construction management on repairs and painting of the Greens Prairie Two Million Gallon Elevated Storage Tank in the amount of $28,000. Funds available and budgeted in the FY 1999-2000 Water Utilities Fund. 13.8 Approved by common consent to ratify the contract with Brazos Valley Utilities, Inc. in the amount of $34,544.55 for replacement of approximately 1000 feet of 6 ft. sewer line located between Milner and Foster. This purchase is exempt from competitive bidding as allowed in LGC 252,022(a)(2) and (3) procurement necessary because of unforeseen damage to public property and to preserve or protect the public health or safety of the municipalities residents. Council Meetings 3/9/00 Page 7 13.9 Approved by common consent Ordinance No. 2438 amending Chapter 10, Section 6 of the Code of Ordinances relating to Parking in the Yard. This ordinance clarified the definition of "recreational vehicle". 13.10 Approved by common consent to approve Amendment No. 1 to Urban Street Program Agreement between the City of College Station and the State of Texas, acting by and through the Texas Department of Transportation. 13.11 Approved by common consent the professional services contract for the Church Avenue Rehabilitation Project to Mitchell & Morgan, L.L.P. in an amount not to exceed $79,000. Funds available in the 1998 General Obligation Bond Fund and Community Development Block Grant. 13.12 Approved by common consent to authorize Brinkley Sargent Architects to conduct conceptual planning for the City Center Project in the amount of $34,600; and approved resolution declaring intent to reimburse certain expenditures with proceeds from debt. 13.13 Approved by common consent a resolution supporting the Brazos Valley Affordable Housing Corporation application for funding. Regular Agenda Aeenda Item No. 14.1-- Public hearing, discussion and possible action on rezonino approximately 15.15 acres located at 819-903 Krenek Tap Road from R-1 Single Family Residential to R-5 Apartment/Medium Density. Senior Planner Sabine McCully presented the staff report. Mayor McIlhaney opened the public hearing. Bill Dahlstrom of 1445 Ross Avenue in Dallas, representing JPI Student Housing Division described the student housing development. Todd Thomas of 600 E. Las Colinas in Irving answered questions about the number of bedroom units. No one else spoke. Mayor McIlhaney closed the public hearing. Councilman Garner made a motion to approve Ordinance No. 2439 rezoning approximately 15.15 acres located at 819-903 Krenek Tap Road from R- 1 Single Family Residential to R-5 Apartment/Medium Density. Motion seconded by Councilman Silvia. An amended motion was made by Councilman Silvia to accept the rezoning as presented with the entrance and exit access restricted to Krenek Tap Road. Motion seconded by Councilman Garner. Vote carried 5-2. Council Meetings 3/9/00 Page 8 FOR: McIlhaney, Garner, Silvia, Mariott, Massey AGAINST: Maloney, Hazen A~enda Item No. 14.2 -- Discussion and possible action on the City's potential monetary contribution towards the Metropolitan Planning Organization's (MPO) "Local Rail Economic Feasibility and Location Study". Mike Luther, 614 Welsh encouraged council to keep in mind the critical importance of current transportation issues in the city. Michael Parks of the Metropolitan Planning Organization described the committee's assignments toward this issue. The study will take about 15 months to complete. Mayor Pro Tern Mariott made a motion to approve the city's contribution in the amount of $35,200 for the rail study. Motion seconded by Councilman Massey, which carried unanimously, 7-0. Agenda Item No. 14.3 -- Public hearing~ discussion and possible action on economic development incentives for Viatel Development Corporation. Economic Development Director Kim Foutz addressed the following items. She stated that Viatel Development Company is based in Delaware. It is an international telecommunica- tion company with a branch in College Station. Due to the growth of Viatel, there is a need for a larger local facility to house the rapidly growing operation.. John Freeman, 2004 Cedar Wood in Bryan and David Locker from Viatel Corporation in New York came forward to respond to council questions about employee salaries and benefits and other issues related to the business proposal. a. Public hearing, discussion and possible action on the creation of Reinvestment Zone #12; and discussion and possible action on an ordinance creating Reinvestment Zone #12 for commercial tax abatement. Approved Ordinance No. 2440 creating Reinvestment Zone #12 for commercial tax abatement with Viatel Development company. b. Discussion and possible action on an agreement for development and tax abatement in Reinvestment Zone # 12. c. Discussion and possible action on an economic development agreement between the City of College Station, Bryan-College Station Economic Development Corporation, and Viatel Development Company. d. Discussion and possible action on two resolutions providing grants for: (1) the purchase of 14.5 acres of land to the Bryan-College Station Economic Development Corporation for Viatel Council Meetings 3/9/00 Page 9 Development Company and (2) the payment of permit and tap/meter fees for Viatel Development Company for economic development. e. Discussion and possible action on a real estate contract between the City of College Station and the Bryan-College Station Economic Development Corporation. Mayor McIlhaney opened the public hearing. Benito Flores-Meath, 901 Val Verde, questioned the financial stability of this company. Ron Blatchley of 4776 Stonebriar Circle, encouraged council to support the incentive package. Mayor McIlhaney closed the public hearing. Motion made by Councilman Garner to approve Items No. 14.3 A, B, C, D, E as stated above. Motion seconded by Councilman Silvia. Substitute motion made by Councilman Hazen to table this item until additional information received by council this evening can be further reviewed. Motion seconded by Councilman Maloney which failed by a 2-5 vote. FOR: Hazen and Maloney AGAINST: Mcllhaney, Mariott, Garner, Silvia, Massey Original motion carded by a vote of 5-2. FOR: Mcllhaney, Mariott, Garner, Silvia, Massey AGAINST: Hazen and Maloney Agenda Item No. 14.4 -- Discussion and possible action on economic development incentives for Rechargeable Battery Corporation. Kim Foutz discussed the incentive proposal from Rechargeable Battery Corporation. a. Discussion and possible action on an economic development agreement between the City of College Station, Bryan/College Station Economic Development Corporation, and Rechargeable Battery Corporation. b. Discussion and possible action on a resolution providing a grant to the Bryan-College Station Economic Development Corporation for a cash payment to Rechargeable Battery Corporation as an economic development incentive. Motion made by Mayor Pro Tem Mariott to approve Items 14.4 A and B as stated above. Motion seconded by Councilman Garner, which carded unanimously, 7-0. Council Meetings 3/9/00 Page 10 Agenda Item No. 14.5 -- Discussion and possible action on a development aereement between the City of College Station and FF Realty, LLC~ providing for financial participation by FF Realty in future Jones-Butler Road improvements. Removed from the agenda by the applicant. No action was taken. Aeenda Item No. 14.6 -- Discussion and possible action on a resolution to acquire by condemnation the ~A undivided fee simple interest of property located on West Luther Street owned by Ms. Annie Mae Hughes. Motion made by Mayor Pro Tem Mariott to approve the resolution as presented. Motion seconded by Councilman Maloney, which carried unanimously, 7-0. Agenda Item No. 14.7 -- Discussion and possible action on a resolution authorizin~ publication of notice on the intention to issue certificates of obligation in the amount of $4,050~000. Councilman Maloney made a motion to approve the resolution authorizing publication of notice on the intention to issue certificates of obligation in an amount of $4,050,000. Motion seconded by Councilman Garner, which carried unanimously, 7-0. Agenda Item No. 14.8 -- Discussion and possible action on an appointment to the City Center Planning Ad Hoc Committee. Councilman Massey made a motion to appoint Mike Cronan to the City Center Ad Hoc Planning Committee as the engineer representative. Motion seconded by Councilman Silvia, which carried 5-0-2. FOR: Mcllhaney, Mariott, Massey, Garner, Silvia ABSTAIN: Maloney, Hazen Councilmembers express their gratitude to Mr. Edward Broussard who is leaving the City to serve as Assistant City Manager at the City of Woodway. Agenda Item No. 15 -- Council Monitoring Report Councilman Hazen presented a satisfactory report on the meeting procedures. Agenda Item No. 16 - Executive Session Mayor McIlhaney announced that the Council would reconvene into executive session pursuant to Sections 551.071,551.074, and 551.086 of the Open Meetings Act, to seek the advice of the city attorney with respect to pending and contemplated litigation, to discuss personnel, and to consider economic development negotiations. Council Meetings 3/9/00 Page 11 Pending and Contemplated Litigation { Gov't Code Section 551.071 } Cause No. 43,098-85, Brazos County-Bryan v. College Station Cause No. 96-03168, Travis County - Bryan, et al. v. PUC (intervention) Cause No. 97-02587, Travis County - Bryan, et al. v. PUC (intervention) Cause No. 98-13391, Travis County - Bryan, et al. v. PUC (intervention) Cause No. 96-06940, Travis County - Bryan, et al. v. PUC (intervention) Cause No. 97-07000, Travis County - TMPA v. PUC (intervention) Cause No. 98-11817, Travis County - TMPA v. PUC (intervention) Cause No. 49,367-CCL2, Brazos County - Wilkerson v. College Station Civil Action No. 01-98-01056-CV, Court of Appeals - Gold v. College Station Docket Nos. TX96-2-000 and TX96-2-001, FERC - College Station, applicant Cause No. 49,989-85-John Lofferelli v. College Station TXU Gas Distribution Rate Request TXU Gas Pipeline Rate Request Economic Development Negotiations {Gov't Code Section 551.086} a. Hotel Conference Center b. Viatel Communications (Destia) c. Water Tower Land Sale d. Rechargeable Battery Personnel {Gov't Code Section 551.074} a. Evaluation of Municipal Court Judge Agenda Item No. 17 - Final action on executive session. Council returned to open session to take the following action at 11:11 p.m. Mayor Pro Tem Mariott made a motion to increase the annual salary of the Municipal Court Judge to $58,000 and conduct a re-evaluation in six months. Motion seconded by Councilman Silvia, which carried unanimously, 7-0. A~,enda Item No. 18 - Adjourn. Hearing no objection, the workshop, regular, and executive sessions were adjourned at 11:12 p.m. PASSED AND APPROVED this 23rd day of March, 2000. C)t~ecretary don~iie Hool~ APPROVED: Mayor'Lynn M~Ilh~.ney / City of College Station Council Workshop Meeting March 9, 2000 (3:00 pm) Sign In Sheet City of College Station ° 14. City of College Station Regular Council Meeting March 9, 2000 (7:00 pm) Sign In Sheet 1. C0 ~ City of College Station o o City of College Station Regular Council Meeting March 9, 2000 (7:00 pm) Sign In Sheet City of College Station 11. 12. 13. 14. 15. 16. 17. o 18. 19. 10. 20.