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HomeMy WebLinkAbout01/22/1998 - Workshop Minutes City CouncilMayor LYNN MCILHANEY Mayor Pro Tempore HUB KENNADY City Manager GEORGE K. NOR COLLEGE STATION Council Members STEVE ESMOND LARRY MARlO'Ir DAVID HICKSON DICK BIRDWELL SWiKI ANDERSON MINUTES COLLEGE STATION CITY COUNCIL WORKSHOP MEETING Thursday, January 22, 1998 at 3:00 p.m. College Station City Hall COUNCILMEMBERS PRESENT: Mayor Mcllhaney, Mayor Protem Kennady, Councilmembers Anderson, Esmond, Birdwell, Mariott COUNCILMEMBER ABSENT: Councilmember Hickson Mayor Mcllhaney opened the meeting at 3:08 p.m. Agenda Item No. 1 -- Discuss consent and statutory agenda items listed for regular meeting. Councilman Birdwell corrected the minutes of regular meeting, November 13, 1997, page 6: The motion should read "Councilman Birdwell moved adoption of Ordinance Number 2279 to rezone 52 acres at the SW corner of State Highway 6 and Nantucket Ddve from A-O Agricultural/Open to R-1 Single Family Residential without any oversized sewer participation." Agenda Item No. 2 -- Present and discuss recommendations from Southside/Southgate neighborhood preservation committee. Mike Luther, Chairman of the Neighborhood Preservation Committee presented a report on the following issues examined by property owners and residents in the Southside/Southgate neighborhood: 1) Student Housing (Nevada and Welsh) 12) Gateways 2) Develop Themes 13) Liaison to City 3) Opportunities for small business development 4) Land Use Restrictions 5) Zoning Changes 6) Housing Renovation 7) Restoration of the Neighborhood 8) Street Matters 9) Neighborhood Lighting 10) Tree Management and Observation 11) Green spaces and Flora Providing Customer Service Excellence Council Workshop 1/22/98 Page 2 Comments were expressed by councilmembers. Councilman Birdwell noted that the area has a small amount of undeveloped property and it may be difficult to control the property owner's dght to replat a lot into two single family residences. Mr. Luther responded that the committee wants to maintain the same density. Councilman Esmond asked questions about the traffic flow issue, in particular north/south access, Mr. Luther responded that the committee's desire is to preserve the character of this neighborhood and minimize the traffic impact. The report was accepted by the Council to give the council and staff the opportunity to respond and study options to address the issues. Councilman Birdwell expressed opposition to any form of rental housing regulation because it would not solve the problems that people are concerned about. He favored stronger enforcement on renters who violate the law. He also suggested prohibiting parking in the street after midnight to 5:00 a.m. Mrs. Helen Pugh, 401 Fairview indicated a concern about replacement of gas meters by Lone Star Gas on the street fronts. Councilman Esmond agreed with Councilman Birdwell's statements. He mentioned that there should be a mechanism to notify the owner when renters are violating the rules. City Manager Skip Noe mentioned that the staff would like to brief the council on the current ordinances and look at the options regarding this issue. Bill Lancaster, 303 Dexter addressed the council on issues outlined in the report on rental housing. He indicated that 550 residences are located from Welsh to Wellborn Road, of which 350 are not owner occupied, presumably rented. He also noted that the entire area Glade to Wellbom/Holleman to George Bush, 314 properties are rented, of which 40 property owners live in the area. He added that these 40 property owners received notification about the committee meetings and the remainder did not. Mr. Lancaster concurred with the committee's report. He asked for the opportunity to include all interested property owners when further discussion is held on recommendation #6, rental property. Mayor Mcllhaney suggested that the property owners who had rental property provide tenants with a checklist of city ordinances. Doug Pederson, property owner in this neighborhood stated the importance to include as many owners as possible in the discussions. He encouraged better enforcement of existing codes and rules, Further discussion on this item will be held by the council. Mayor Mcllhaney asked staff to notify the persons who were present at this meeting when this item is on a Council Workshop 1/22/98 Page 3 future council agenda. Mr. Noe added that these regulations affects rental property within the entire city. Agenda Item No. 3 -- Present and possible action on report by the Brazo~ Greenways Council. Scott Shafer, 117 Pershing presented information to the Council about the Brazos Greenways Council organization and their suggestions for working with the city to assist College Station in having a better balance of its amenities by creating a system of open spaces which will help create a community that will be more desirous to outside interests while better serving those of us who live and work here. He outlined two recommendations: 1) create an open space advisory board to formulate ordinances and review development proposals. 2) appoint liaison staff members from parks, planning, and public works to serve on this board. Councilmembers discussed the formation of a committee. Mayor Protem Kennady made a motion to ask staff to work with Brazos Greenways Council, return to future workshop meeting with options on the formation of a new committee or use existing committees and select members from these committees. Councilman Mariott seconded the motion which carried unanimously, 6-0. Council took a short recess. Agenda Item No. 4 -- Discuss master preliminary plat of 46 acres for construction of a new intermediate school on Graham Road (97-322). Transportation Planner Edwin Hard presented street layout drawings and related information to address street and traffic questions raised by Councilmembers at their January 7th meeting. Councilman Birdwell advocated the placement of a north south side street for access to the school. He emphasized that Graham Road will have an increased traffic volume on Graham Road. Bill Savage, engineer from CSISD addressed the concerns expressed by Councilman Birdwell. Agenda Item No. 5 -- Discuss and possible action on charter amendments. Councilmembers expressed their viewpoints on term limitations. Council Workshop 1/22/98 Page 4 Councilman Birdwell made a motion to propose three 2(two) year terms. Councilman Esmond seconded the motion. Councilman Esmond made a substitute motion to retain councilmember terms to two years with a limit of three consecutive terms. Motion was seconded by Councilman Anderson. Council deliberated the length of terms. Motion carried 4-2 FOR: Mcllhaney, Esmond, Birdwell, Anderson AGAINST: Madott, Kennady Direction to staff was to draft an ordinance that will ask the voters on the referendum to limit the mayor and councilmembers to three (2) two year consecutive terms. Agenda Item No. 6 -- Discuss and possible action directing staff to solicit volunteers for a citizens capital improvement planning committee. Budget Director Charles Cryan presented the purpose of this item. Councilman Birdwell made a motion to direct staff to move forward with the process and advertise for applicants to serve on this committee. Motion seconded by Councilman Mariott which carded unanimously, 6-0. Agenda Item No. 7 -- Discuss and possible action on Municipal Court fines related to code enforcement violations. Councilman Birdwell and Mayor Mcllhaney requested this item be placed on the agenda for council discussion of the Municipal Court fines for code enforcement violations. Mr. Birdwell indicated a concern on fines assessed to violators who park vehicles on front lawns. Mr. Birdwell asked that the council revise this fine of $183.00 currently charged by the Judge. He noted that fines related to safety are lower and this particular fine is not appropriate. Municipal Court Judge Tripp Walter explained that the "parking in front yard" fine of $183.00 includes state imposed cost of $63.25. Councilman Birdwell referred to the fine for parked trailer on city road is $67.00. Mr. Walter responded by stating that he did not believe there was any thought to differentiate the two fees, this represents a "carryover~' of previous fine schedule with the additional court costs. He further stated that this is not a positive or negative thing, nor trying to defend one fine scheme or another, but an explanation. Mayor Protem Kennady stated that this discussion was inappropriate for council to interfere with judge's ability to set fines. Councilman Esmond stated concern about the fine schedule for non-safety issues (parking in front yard) in relation to safety issues Council Workshop 1/22/98 Page 5 such as parking in fire zones which is $50.00. It may be more appropriate to charge more for safety related issues. Judge Walter stated that the review of fines is an ongoing process. He will take into consideration the comments made by councilmembers. Councilman Anderson made a motion to ask the City Judge to review the fine schedule and rank fines based on sevedty in terms of health and safety hazards. No second was made. Councilman Birdwell asked the City Attorney if it is legal for city council to set a bond amount forfeited in satisfaction of an offense. City Attorney Cargill responded that the bond amount is different from a recommended fine amount. Councilman Birdwell asked if it was legal for a council to set a recommended fine amount based on a table of offenses. Cargill responded that the council may do this, but it is unusual for this to occur. He further clarified that this action by council may invite other cases to appear before council. Mayor Mcllhaney expressed reluctance to take formal action on behalf of the council to direct the Judge to change the fines. She hoped the input provided at this meeting was helpful to the Judge. Agenda Item No. 8 -- Committee Reports Councilman Esmond reported on a joint meeting hosted by Brazos County on the topic of regional water supply. Mayor Mcllhaney and Councilman Birdwell also attended the meeting. Councilman Birdwell stated that the study states the feasibility of this study for City of Bryan, College Station and A&M. However, the costs increase when Carlos and Navasota are included in 2010. He asked staff to visit with Turner Collie and Braden to further explain this issue. Mr. Birdwell mentioned that the scope of work included an inventory of current projects. Councilman Esmond asked that staff provide a presentation of the architect's report on the Northgate Parking Garage. Assistant City Manager Brymer responded that the detail design has not begun, a presentation of this item will depend on the agenda workload, possibly at the next meeting or one of the meetings in March. Agenda Item No. 9 -- Agenda Requests by Councilmembem Councilman Birdwell asked to discuss items on a future workshop agenda: Funding for grade separations and discussion of 50x100 ft residential lots. Councilman Esmond asked about the vote taken with regard to televising council meetings. Mayor Mcllhaney responded that staff was directed to look at other options utilizing the allotted $12,000. It was discussed by council that the televising of meetings could be brought back in next year's budget. She noted that the remodeling cost on council chambers was not spent for the production of council meetings. The remodel was made for staff presentations and to make the room more user friendly. Council Workshop 1/22/98 Page 6 Agenda Item No. 10 -- Council Calendars Council Workshop and Regular Meetings, FebrUary 12th. Agenda Item No. 11 -- Executive Session Councilmembers moved into executive session held in the training room at 6:15 p.m. Staff and Legal Reports {LGC 551.075} a. Varsity Shop Update b. Luther Jones Closed Landfill Land Acquisition {LGC 551.072} a. Regional Athletic Park Site Personnel {LGC 551.074} Pending and Contemplated Litigation {551.071} Workshop and executive sessions shall adjourn following the regular meeting. PASSED AND APPROVED this 26th day of February, 199._~8. City Secretary Connie Hooks APPROVED: May~)~'Lynn Mdllhaney