HomeMy WebLinkAbout04/09/1998 - Workshop Minutes City CouncilMayor
LYNN MCILHANEY
Mayor Pro Tempore
HUB KENNADY
City Manager
GEORGE K. NOE
COLLEGE STATION
Council Members
STEVE ESMOND
LARRY MARIOTT
DAVID HICKSON
DICK BIRDWELL
SWlKI ANDERSON
MINUTES
COLLEGE STATION CITY COUNCIL
Workshop Meeting
Thursday, April 9, 1998 at 3:00 p.m.
City Hall Council Chambers
COUNCILMEMBERS PRESENT: Mayor Mcllhaney, Councilmembers Mariott,
Birdwell, Anderson, Esmond
COUNCILMEMBERS ABSENT: Mayor Protem Kennady, Councilman Hickson
STAFF PRESENT: City Manager Noe, Assistant City Manager Brymer, PARD Director
Beachy, City Attorney Cargill, Jr., City Secretary Hooks, MIS Director Burnside, Police
Chief Feldman, Fire Chief Giordano, OTIS Director Piwonka, Human Resources
Director Pavlinski, Public Utilities Director Woody, Acting City Engineer Smith
Mayor Mcllhaney called the meeting to order at 3:07 p.m.
Agenda Item No. 1 -- Discussion of consent and statutory a,qenda items.
Councilman Birdwell removed Item No. 5b, request for change order related to an
increase in existing purchase order for George Bush thoroughfare street lighting
project. Public Utilities Director John Woody explained that the invoice was delayed
due to health problems by the contractor who was unable to authorize the release for
contract changes until recently. The changes were due to the deadline for opening
ceremony of George Bush Library.
Councilman Anderson removed Item No. 6b, odor control problem at Carter Creek
Wastewater Treatment Plant. Acting City Engineer Mark Smith stated that the staff will
make a workshop presentation on the scope of this project.
Councilman Anderson removed Item No. 6f. He asked the City Attorney to justify the
cost of the legal fees for electrical litigation.
Agenda Item No. 2 -- Presentation on reduction of electric rates.
Public Utilities Director John Woody explained the ERCOT Transmission and
Unfavorable Transmission. He presented results of rate reduction in the amount of
$2,000,000 and $4,000,000. City Manager Noe made additional comments.
Providing Customer Service Excellence
Council Workshop 4/9/98
Page 2
Councilman Birdwell made a motion to direct staff to bdng back to Council a proposed
ordinance reducing electric rates by $2,000,000. Motion seconded by Councilman
Esmond which carded unanimously, 5-0.
Comments expressed by Councilman Anderson related to previous decisions to
contract with current utility provider and the necessity to continue litigation.
Councilman Birdwell made an amended motion to direct staff to come back with an
ordinance providing for a rate reduction of $2,000,000 effective May 1, 1998 to be
distributed to each class of service based on the cost equitable to each class.
Amended motion seconded by Councilman Anderson which carded unanimously, 5-0.
The original motion as amended carried unanimously, 5-0.
Agenda Item No. 3 -- Presentation~ discussion and possible action regarding 800
MHz Mobile Data Communications System.
MIS Director Olivia Burnside presented information to request allocation of funds for
communications infrastructure equipment, and software for public safety vehicles at a
cost of $653,023. She outlined the increase in safety and cost efficiencies associated
with this purchase.
Staff discussed the issue of motorcycle policeman utilizing this equipment. Also
addressed was the use of the potential ALERT system.
Staff explained the bidding process for this system.
Councilmember Birdwell inquired about the identity of return on investment on this
project. Staff did not calculate the ROI on this project. Mr. Birdwell asked staff to
present an ROI on future major projects.
This item will be considered at the regular meeting.
Council recessed for a short break.
Agenda Item No. 4 -- Presentation of the City's Comprehensive Annual Financial
Report year ended September 30~ 1997 by the city's auditors~ Ingram Wallis and
Company~ Inc.
Interim Finance Director Charles Cryan introduced Tom Wallis and Jimmy Ingram. He
presented a copy of the CAFR to each councilmember made introductory remarks on
the document. Mr. Cryan thanked the staff members who spent several months
compiling the document.
Mr. Wallis came forward to discuss the format of the CAFR and highlight the auditor's
opinions on the financial section of the report based on generally accepted accounting
principles and auditing standards.
Council Workshop 4/9/98
Page 3
Councilman Esmond asked questions about the hotel/motel funds and Wolf Pen Creek
TIF District funds, Councilman Birdwell asked staff in the future to present the CAFR
prior to the meeting, Mr, Wallis explained the reasons for the length of time to prepare
the CAFR.
Agenda Item No. 5 -- Committee Reports
No reports were made.
Agenda Item No. 6 -- Future Requests by Councilmembers
City Manager Noe stated that the item regarding Rock Prairie Road extension will be
placed on the next council agenda.
Councilman Birdwell asked staff to present a report to Council on Storrnwater
Management Plan. He also requested a workshop agenda item to discuss city financing
participation of grade separations.
Councilman Birdwell requested a pending council agenda for planning purposes and a
summary of each completed capital improvement project. Councilman Anderson also
requested a status report on the capital improvement projects.
Councilman Esmond inquired about the City Charter on the Internet. City Secretary
Hooks responded that she will need additional time to complete this request.
Mr. Esmond also inquired about the status of his request to place on a future workshop
agenda the discussion of personnel issues. Mayor Mcllhaney replied that a consensus
of the council has not been received to schedule this meeting. Councilman Esmond
urged the council to schedule a meeting because it is an important issue.
Agenda Item No. 7 -- Council Calendars.
Workshop and Regular Meetings, April 23, 1998.
Agenda Item No. 8 -- Executive Session
Staff and Legal Reports {LGC 551.075}
1. Regional Athletic Park Facility
Pending and Contemplated Litigation {LGC 551.071}
Appointment and Evaluation of Public Officials {LGC 551.074}
Council moved into executive session at 5:05 p.m.
The workshop and executive sessions adjourned following the regular meeting.
Council Workshop 4~9~98 Page 4
PASSED AND APPROVED this 23rd day of April, 199~8.
City Secretary Connie Hooks
APPROVED:
May0~' Lynn Mcllhaney