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HomeMy WebLinkAbout06/25/1998 - Regular Minutes City CouncilMayor LYNN MclLHANEY Mayor Pro Tempore DAVID HICKSON City Manager GEORGE K. NDE COLLEGE STATION Council Members STEVE ESMOND RON SILVIA SVVl KJ ANE~ERSON LARRY MARlO'iF ANNE HAZEN MINUTES COLLEGE STATION CITY COUNCIL Regular Meeting Thursday, June 25, 1998 at 7:00 p.m. City Hall Council Chambers COUNCILMEMBERS PRESENT:Mayor Mcllhaney, Mayor Pro Tern Hickson, Councilmembers Mariott, Silvia, Hazen, Esmond, Anderson STAFF PRESENT: City Manager NDe, Assistant City Manager Brymer, City Secretary Hooks, City Attorney Cargill, Jr., Acting City Engineer Smith, Community Development Director Carroll, CD Grants Coordinator Bond Mayor Mcllhaney called the meeting to order at 7:07 p.m. Agenda Item No. 1 -- Pledge of Alle.qiance Mayor Mcllhaney lead the audience in the pledge of allegiance. Agenda Item No. 2 -- Invocation Rabbi Peter Tarlow provided the invocation. Agenda Item No. 3 -- Consider request for absence from meetin.o Everyone was present. Agenda Item No. 4 -- Statutory Agenda 4a. Approved award of payment authorization for transmission costs billed in 1998 associated with delivery of wholesale power to the City from Texas Utilities. Total 1998 transmission cost of $1.3 million are offset by transmission revenues of $1.4 million. Council Regular 6~25~98 Page 2 4b. Approved resolution for designating Purchasing Manager, Cheryl Turney, as agent of record and James Polasek as secondary signature for General Services Commission Cooperative Purchasing Program (state contracts). Items approved by common consent. A.qenda Item No. 5 -- Consent Agenda 5a: Approved minutes for workshop meeting of June 11, 1998 and regular meeting of June 11, 1998. 5b. Bid #97-07 -- Approved contract extension for purchase of officer uniforms in accordance with specifications for patrol officer uniforms, College Station Police Department. Funds available as budgeted in FY 1997-98 budget. Award to Red the Uniform Taylor, Inc. in the amount of $17,853.20. 5c. Authorized staff to proceed with negotiations with McClure Engineering for professional design services on a utility study of the city's west side. Funds available in water distribution and wastewater collection utility revenue bond funds. 5d. Approved the rejection of Bid No. 98-061 on the reconstruction of Anderson Drive, CIP Project #ST9701. Rebid project and allocate $550,000 in 1998 pending budget reallocation to FY 1998-99. 5f. Approved a statement of intent between the Cities of College Station, Bryan, and health care providers who will relocate to the Bryan-College Station Community Health Center. Funds in the amount of $100,000 allocated from 1997-98 Community Development Block Grant Funds. 5h: Approved resolution to proceed with the encroachment of a utility easement at Lot 9, Block 1 Tauber Addition. 5i. Approved resolution to proceed with the encroachment of a utility easement at Lot 9, Block 2 Tauber Addition. Above Items approved by common consent. 5e: Rehabilitation Project at 118 Southland. Councilman Hazen made a motion to approve the allocation of funds in the amount of $20,895 to JaVondo Service Co., to rehabilitate this house for sale. She added to the motion for staff to present pictures of the project and an ongoing progress report. Motion seconded by Mayor Pro Tern Hickson which carried unanimously, 7-0. Council Regular 6/25/98 Page 3 5g: Concert at Wolf Pen Creek Amphitheater. At the request of Councilman Anderson, PARD Director Steve Beachy explained the purpose of the funding request for the concert of "Creedence Clearwater Revisited". Councilman Anderson asked staff to bring back a follow-up report after the event is held. Mayor Pro Tem Hickson made a motion to approve the request for funds in the amount of $35,000. Councilman Silvia seconded the motion which carried unanimously, 7-0. Item No. 6 -- Regular A.qenda 6a -- Consideration and possible action on a policy for acquirin.q architectural and en.qineerin.q services. Acting City Engineer Mark Smith stated that the Council Engineering Committee approved the proposed policy in April and it was placed on the agenda for council consideration. Councilman Mariott asked about the provisions related to staff's ability to work with the firm. Mr. Smith replied that this item was taken out at the request of the committee. Councilman Mariott felt that this item was common practice and he suggested this item be placed back into the policy. Mariott also expressed concern about Item No. 2(L)(iii), "preference shall be given to consultants who have not done recent work for the City." He noted that the policy should also address the competency of the firm to perform the work. Smith responded by stating this point becomes an issue after the review committee has been through the process to determine if the firm is qualified. Mariott asked Mr. Smith to clarify Item No. 11 in the policy. This item was inserted into the policy in response to the committee's preference that local firms be given consideration especially on projects of less complexity. The assumption of the committee is that there are numerous local firms to accomplish these jobs. Mariott stated that this issue is addressed in Item 2L. Councilman Anderson asked staff to clarify the state law on selection process. Smith noted, generally speaking, the intent of the act is that the city hire the most qualified firm to perform the services. Mayor Mcllhaney read the state provision, Government Code Title 10, Section 2254.004. Council Regular 6/25/98 Page 4 Councilman Anderson expressed concern about the selection criteria outlined in the proposed policy. Councilman Esmond stated concern that these discussions were held at the committee level. He asked councilmembers to visit with him as chairman of the committee about their concerns. Mr. Smith stated that the proposed policy is an improvement to the existing policy. He pointed out that the city generates a scope of work and the selection and negotiation processes are conducted to procure engineering services. Smith expressed his competency in hiring the appropriate individuals to perform the services within a project scope. Paul Leventis, 2709 Red Hill Drive, came forward to address this issue with the council. As a former employee, he was aware of the policy content and its implications. He concurred with Mariott's comments. From a taxpayer's standpoint, he hoped the city would hire the most qualified, local or not. The staff should have the authority to hire the best person to do the job. In the case of an engineer not performing to standards of the contract, the engineer should not be hired again. Secondly, if the city selection is based on preference of local engineers, the contract may become void. He referred to Attorney General opinions on local preference. Councilman Esmond asked Mr. Leventis about the local preference issue. Mr. Leventis stated that the process reflects local preference. City Attorney Cargill, Jr., stated that the AG opinion on local preference states the city cannot hire someone based solely on local preference. Anderson commented that the policy does not seek requirement based solely on local preference. He urged the staff to hire based on demonstrated technical competence. Mayor remarked that demonstrated competence is addressed in the policy. Councilman Esmond pointed out that when a selection process is concluded and the firms are equal and meet all criteria, the option of local preference serves as a "tie breaked'. Following additional comments, Councilman Anderson made a motion to refer this policy to the engineering committee for further review. Motion seconded by Councilman Hazen. Mayor Mcllhaney summarized the discussion. She noted a desire of council- members' to add language about staff relationships with the firm, review Item No. 11, and the subject of preference. Council Regular 6/25/98 Page 5 Motion carried unanimously, 7-0. 6b -- Discussion and possible action approving the sale of approximately 7.32 acres of land in the City of Colle,qe Station Business Center. City Manager Skip Noe stated that the location of this tract is in the Business Center and was recognized as a problem for the development of the Center. It is isolated by the Phase II roadway by a floodplain. Staff proposed that the city incorporate the land as part of the Pebble Creek development. One bid was received by Pebble Creek Development Company in the amount of $40,000, the appraised value to buy the land. Councilman Hickson made a motion to approve the sale of property. Motion died for lack of a second. Councilman Esmond stated that the ClP Committee has discussed the desire to maintain natural floodplain settings throughout the community. City Manager Noe indicated that the floodplain will be retained by the city. It serves as a buffer between the Business Center development and the purchaser's development. The floodplain will be used for jogging trails and open space. Todd McDaniel clarified the request. Councilman Hickson made a motion to accept the offer for sale of 7.32 acres in the amount of $40,000. Motion seconded by Councilman Hazen. Motion carried 6-0-1, Councilman Mariott abstained from the vote. 6c -- Discussion and possible action authorizing to expend an additional $10~500 for le,qal services associated with the office/hotel and conference center project in Wolf Pen Creek. Assistant City Manager Tom Brymer stated that the purpose of this item is to expend an additional $10,500 for legal services provided by the firm of Fulbright and Jaworski. Councilman Mariott made a motion to approve the expenditure of $10,500, funds payable from Hotel/Motel Funds. Motion seconded by Councilman Silvia which carried unanimously, 7-0. 6d -- Consideration for approval of Community Development Block Grant public service funding for city departments for 1999 fiscal year. City Manager Skip Noe explained the funding request for Parks Department Kids Klub in the amount of $24,750 and Teen Apprenticeship Program, $17,938. Council Regular 6~25~98 Page 6 Councilman Hickson made a motion to approve the funding requests as presented. Motion seconded by Councilman Mariott which carried unanimously, 7-0. Agenda Item No. 7 -- Hear Visitors. Mayor Mcllhaney stated that she received a petition from Peter Tarlow signed by residents who want the city to reopen Munson Drive. Bardon Nelson came forward to address the council on Northgate property owned by members of his family in Northgate. He offered property at 306 Second Street and $25,000 to the City, as well as property at 304 Second Street and $25,000, if the City purchased two fourplexes at Louise and Second Street. Mayor Mcllhaney asked the City Manager to visit with him on this matter. Helen Pugh of 601 Fairview asked the city to respond on several items in her neighborhood: gas meters, the alley behind her home, location to pay gas bills in College Station, and the lack of repairs to street at Fairview and Park Place. Marianne Oprisko, 14125 Renee Lane asked questions about the city's funding toward rehabilitation of a single family residence. Agenda Item No. 6e -- Discussion and possible action on appointment of citizens to various committees. Council postponed action on this item to July 9th at 2:00 p.m. Council returned to executive session at 8:35 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 and to consider the appointment and evaluation of public officers, and to consider staff and legal reports. Agenda Item No. 8 -- Final action on executive session~ if necessary. Council returned to open session at 9:30 p.m. A motion was made by Councilman Hickson to increase the City Manager's salary to $113,500 and a car allowance increase to $7,500 annually. Motion seconded by Councilman Mariott which carried unanimously, 5-0, Councilmembers Esmond and Anderson absent. Mayor Mcllhaney stated appreciation to the City Manager for his leadership. She stated that this is his first increase in the past three years. The City Manager expressed his appreciation. Council Regular 6/25/98 Agenda Item No. 9 -- Adjourn. The workshop, regular, and executive meetings adjourned at 9:30 p.m. PASSED AND APPROVED this 9th day of Jul,/, 1998, APPROVED: Mayt~r Lynn Mcllhaney / ST: Connie Hooks Page 7 GUEST REGISTER WORKSHOP MEETING OF THE CITY COUNCIL THURSDAY, JUNE 25, 1998 3:00 P.M. 13. 14. 19. 10. 20. GUEST REGISTER CITY COUNCIL REGULAR MEETING THURSDAY, JUNE 25, 1998 7:00 P.M. 11. 10. 19. 20.