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Home My WebLink About09/24/1998 - Workshop Minutes City CouncilCITY OF COLLEGE STATION Mayor Lynn Mcllhaney Mayor Pro Tempore David Hickson City Manager George K. Noe City Council Steve Esmond Ron Silvia Swiki Anderson Larry Mariott Anne Hazen MINUTES COLLEGE STATION CITY COUNCIL Workshop Meeting Thursday, September 24, 1998 at 4:00 p.m. College Station City Hall COUNCILMEMBERS PRESENT:Mayor Pro Tem Hickson, Councilmembers Mariott, Esmond, Anderson, Hazen, Silvia COUNCILMEMBER ABSENT: Mayor McIlhaney STAFF PRESENT: City Manager Noe, City Secretary Hooks, City Attorney Cargill, Jr., Management Assistant Broussard, Assistant City Manager Brymer, Fire Chief Giordano, City Planner Kee, Senior Planner McCully, Public Relations and Marketing Director Chapman, Public Works Director Smith, Building Official Simms, Development Services Director Callaway, Public Utilities Director Woody, Police Major Newton, Economic Development Analyst McDaniel, PARD Director Beachy Mayor Pro Tem Hickson called the meeting to order at 4:00 p.m Agenda Item No. 1 -- Discussion of consent and statutory agenda items. Statutory Agenda 5b - Contract for purchase and installation of street banners. Councilman Esmond removed this item for discussion. Mr. Callaway responded to his questions. The request is for 76 banners which is the last installment of a three year program. Statutory Agenda 5c - Contract for construction of carport at Police Department. Councilman Anderson removed this item for discussion. Police Major Mason Newton stated that this carport will serve as a protective cover for evidence and property storage area located outside the building. Statutory Agenda 5e - Contract for tree trimming and right of way clearing. Councilman Anderson removed this item for discussion. Electrical Division Manager Bob Pohl stated that the city has delayed renewing the contract, this money will cover this period. Council Workshop 9/24/98 Page 2 Consent Agenda 6a - Minutes of Council meeting, September 10, 1998. City Secretary Hooks stated that Mr. Anderson's changes were incorporated into the final draft put at the council's place. Agenda Item No. 2-- Presentation~ discussion and possible action related to proposed minimum foundation standards. Building Official Lance Simms presented a summary of the two year process toward the effort of upgrading the minimum existing foundation requirements. Staffworked closely with Dr. Charles Graham, project coordinator for the Community Enhancement Program, members of the Design Community, and the Construction Board of Adjustments and Appeals. This contact was very useful in the development of the standards. Councilmembers asked numerous questions about the proposed standards outlined in the packet material. Dr. Louis J. Thompson of 1901 Bee Creek came forward to address concerns about the proposed standards. Skip Coody of 12908 Hopes Creek came forward to support the recommendations. He worked with city staffon the recommendations. He agreed with Dr. Thompson's remarks. He stated the fact that it is the affordability issue for homeowners and the standards presented are considered a compromise. These requirements are better than the standards that currently exist. Councilman Mariott made a motion to approve the minimum standards presented. Councilman Silvia seconded the motion. Councilman Anderson made an amendment to the motion to strike the word architect in the list of general notes and send back to staff?to incorporate in the ordinance that requires a responsibility upon the builder for damages either through insurance or bond. Seconded by Councilman Esmond. Councilman Mariott mentioned that it is uncommon for builders to provide this practice of insurance coverage anymore. City Manager Noe reminded council that these actions by council are direction to staff. Final consideration of these standards will be presented in ordinance form at a regular meeting. The motion was divided into two issues. Motion to strike the word architect carried 5-1, Councilman Mariott opposed. Council Workshop 9/24/98 Page 3 Motion to include a requirement builder to provide a ten year warranty or some type of performance bond or insurance coverage failed 2-4. Councilman Hazen asked staff to look at the various types of bonds or insurance coverage and the associated cost. FOR: Hazen, Anderson AGAINST: Mariott, Hickson, Silvia, Esmond A motion was taken on the original motion with the amendment to strike the word architect. Motion carried unanimously, 6-0 Agenda Item No. 3 -- Tourism Council of the Brazos Valley PARD Director Steve Beachy presented the membership criteria of the Tourism Council to include community wide participation. Council directed staffto proceed with the implementation of the proposal and bring back at a future meeting suggestions for a city representative. At this time, the council returned to Item No. 1 for Councilman Anderson's questions on Statutory and Consent Agenda items.. Agenda Item No. 4 -- Discussion and possible action on Strategic Issue No. 6: Electric Power Supply status report. Public Utilities Director John Woody presented an action plan for this strategic issue. The goal of this project is to retain a reliable source and obtain at a competitive rate. Estimated project cost is $60,000 for engineering and legal fees. The project is proposed to be conducted in house. He noted that the present contract with Texas Utilities expires in 1999. Agenda Item No. 5 -- Presentation and possible action on Strategic Issue No. 2: Economic Development relating to the College Station Industrial Development foundation. Todd McDaniel, Senior Economic Development Analyst explained this item which specifically addresses the milestone relating to the re-establishment of the College Station Industrial Development Foundation. Councilman Mariott made a motion to initiate the process of reactivating the Foundation, change the name, and change the bylaws. Councilman Hazen suggested that we obtain a copy of the Bryan EDF bylaws or another economic development foundation. Motion seconded by Councilman Silvia which carried by a vote of 4-2. FOR: Hickson, Silvia, Mariott, Hazen AGAINST: Anderson, Esmond Council Workshop 9/24/98 Page 4 Agenda Item No. 6 -- Committee Reports Councilman Esmond reminded council of the upcoming Engineering Committee meeting on October 8th. Agenda Item No. 7 -- Agenda Requests by Councilmembers Councilman Esmond inquired about an item he requested at a previous meeting on the open meetings policy. Mr. Noe replied that this item is scheduled for the workshop of October 8th. No items were added. Councilman Esmond asked to receive a status report of the Munson Committee efforts. Agenda Item No. 8 -- Council Calendars Workshop and Regular Meetings, 10/8 Employee Recognition Banquet, 10/9 Agenda Item No. 9 -- Executive Session Mayor Pro Tern Hickson stated that the council would convene into closed session at 5:00 p.m. pursuant to Sections 551.071 and 551.074 of the Open Meetings Act to seek the advice of the city attorney with respect to pending and contemplated litigation, to consider the appointment and evaluation of public officers, and to consider staff and legal reports. a. Staffand Legal Reports Cafe Eccell Lease and Northgate Association Agreement Councilman Anderson commented that he would not attend executive sessions based on his opinion that the city has violated the Open Meetings Act. The workshop and executive sessions will adjourn following the regular meeting. PASSED AND APPROVED this 8th day of October, 1998. APPROVED: ATTEST: City '3ecretav.,, Connie Hooks May6//Lynn Mcllhaney