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HomeMy WebLinkAbout09/11/1997 - 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 H[CKSON DICK BIRDWELL SWIKI ANDERSON MINUTES COLLEGE STATION CITY COUNCIL Workshop Meeting at 3:00 p.m. Thursday, September 1 l, t997 Training Room, J~0J Texas Avenue COUNClLMEMBERS PRESENT:Mayor Mcllhaney, Mayor Protem Kennady, Councilmembers Birdwell, Anderson, Mariott, Hickson, Esmond STAFF PRESENT: City Manager Noe, City Attorney Cargill, City Secretary Hooks, Assistant City Manager Brymer, Public Utilities Director Woody, Public Works Director Smith, PARD Director Beachy, Water Division Manager Riley, Finance Director Cryan, Director of OTIS Piwonka, Personnel Director Pavlinski Mayor Mcllhaney called the meeting to order at 3:03 p.m. Agenda Item No. I -- Discuss consent and statutory agenda items listed for the Regular Council Meeting of Thursday, September 11, 1997. No items were removed for discussion. Agenda Item No. 2 -- Discuss and possible action on I)rol0osed joint water sum)Iv agency between the City of College Station and City of Bryan to provide wholesale water supply to both cities. Bill Riley presented an outline which described the objectives and benefits of the joint water operation. His outlined entailed a brief history of activities on the part of both city staffs' to date. This item was identified as Council Strategic issue No. 12 in June, 1997. Mr. Riley described the three phases as follows: Phase I: Existing Systems Review and Evaluation Operational Analysis Financial/Economic Analysis Providing Customer Service Excellence Council Workshop 9/11/97 Page 2 Phase Ih Formulation of New Entity Identify issues/establish milestones Detailed Financial Analysis Develop regional Growth Framework Phase IIh Implementation Regulatory Approval Organizational/Operational Efficiency Analysis Rate Design Technical Design Mr. Riley emphasized that Phase II is contingent upon the successful completion of Phase I, and Phase III will be implemented when Phase II is confirmed. Councilman Birdwell agreed with the study and pointed out the importance to include TAMU in the process. In his opinion, a better approach to the selection criteria for members of the Board should be considered to include citizenry. Rick Connors and Michael Collins from the City of Bryan were present to answer questions. At the conclusion of the presentation, Council agreed to ask the city affairs subcommittee to meet with Bryan councilmembers to review this proposal. Agenda Item No. 4 -- Discuss and possible action reoardingi Councilman Birdwell request to assign the Municipal Court Administrative staff to the Municipal Court Judge as the supervisor. Councilman Birdwell made a motion to change the organizational structure in Municipal Court, whereby the Court staff would report to the Municipal Court Judge. The motion was seconded by Councilman Esmond. Debate followed on the pros and cons for such a change. Municipal Court Judge Tripp Walter was not present at the meeting and Mayor Mcllhaney felt that he should have the opportunity to address the Council before a vote was taken. After further comments, Councilman Birdwell withdrew his motion. Council Workshop 9/11/97 Page 3 Agendaltem No. 6 - Discuss and possible action on FYt997-98 Proposed Budget. Mayor Mcllhaney provided Dick Forester from the Convention and Visitors Bureau the opportunity to present his proposal for the continuance of the Brazos Valley Sports Foundation. This foundation would focus on amateur sports programs and events that encourage the partnerships of corporate and civic support. The foundation would create more events for the community. It is also a desire of the Convention and Visitors Bureau to move the administration of the Sports Foundation to another location. It is the desire of the foundation to become self sufficient. Councilman Hickson arrived at 4:00 p.m. Additional comments were made later during the meeting regarding the budget. Agenda Item No. 3 - Discuss and possible action re;lardin;I an ethics ordinance for the City of Colle;le Station. Mayor Mcllhaney explained that she asked staff to provide samples of ethics ordinances from other cities that entail sanctions and requirements for financial disclosure. As a follow up to meetings held with the former mayors' of College Station, she stated that this is a project they would be interested in participating. The Mayor stated the importance of creating this document to ensure that a policy is in place before ethical problems occur. Councilmembers expressed their support for this type of document. The City Attorney was asked to research consequences of violating the oath of office statements. Councilmembers asked that the committee review a requirement for financial disclosure statements for council and council appointed staff. Members felt that the disclosure statements should apply for some committees, i.e. Planning and Zoning Commission. Mayor Mcllhaney stated that she will work with the mayors' committee and look at the roles of various committees with regard to financial disclosure. Another topic of interest was the treatment of fellow councilmembers. Councilman Esmond proposed the following specific wording: "No City official shall publicly impugn the motives of any other City official." This policy should apply to both elected and appointed City officials, Council agreed to have the mayors' committee look at options for a proposed ordinance. The question was raised about the administration of the ordinance. was suggested the city council serve as the body to enforce sanctions. It Council Workshop 9/11/97 Page 4 A complete review and recommendation on a proposed ordinance will be brought back to council at a future date. Agenda Item No. 5 - Discuss and possible action regarding council policy on the following items: a. Consent Agenda and public comments Mayor Mcllhaney explained that the council discussed the issue of public comments during the council retreat. She asked council to reaffirm the policy to ensure that she follows the direction of the council for appropriate protocol at meetings. Council agreed to the following procedure. In the event a councilmember removes an item from the consent agenda, someone from the audience may be allowed to address the council. The policy will not allow citizens to take items off the consent agenda and statutory agenda. b. Requests to Place Items on the Agenda Council did not agreed to the following procedure. The Mayor may receive requests from a councilmember and will list it on the next workshop agenda entitled Agenda Requests by Councilmembers with a tentative council date. If the majority of the council wishes to discuss further, then a date will already be established so that everyone is aware it will be on a future agenda as an agenda item. On the other hand, if the majority of the council does not wish to have further discussion, the item will be deleted from the agenda. The Mayor stated that her intent is to ensure that each councilmember has an opportunity to bring forth issues and an opportunity to be heard. The existing policy as written in the Council Meeting Procedures was agreed upon. Discussion continued on the proposed budget. Councilman Birdwell made comments on the employee compensation package in next year's budget. With respect to the Police and Fire budget, Mayor Protem Kennady preferred an increase in certification pay as well as the recognition for officer's receiving their bachelor degree. City Manager Noe indicated that the monies used for these programs will be allocated from the contingency fund. Councilman Hickson asked about the impact on the budget for more officers. Mr. Noe indicated that the expenditure of $160,000 will be an ongoing cost. Council Workshop 9/11/97 Page 5 Councilman Birdwell indicated that he will make a motion at the regular meeting to utilize the $2.0 million excess of general fund monies to be placed in the capital improvement fund and $300,000 toward the Teen Center. Councilman Hickson agreed. The purpose of the contribution to capital improvement fund is to ensure debt avoidance for future projects. Mayor Protem Kennady stated that he will make a motion at the regular meeting to reduce the effective tax rate by 1/2 cent. Other comments were expressed about the tax rate. Discussion concluded on this item. Agenda Item No. 7 -- Committee Reports: a. No reports were made by Councilmembers on subcommittee activity. b. Mayor Mcllhaney reported on a meeting held by the Mental Health Task Force. The group discussed ways to provide security measures for emergency rooms, as well as quicker responses by MHMR for consultations of patients. The committee will hear from a subcommittee and report back to the Task Force in November. c. Mayor Protem Kennady made a motion to appoint Councilmember Esmond as Chair of the Council Engineering Subcommittee with Councilmembers Anderson, Birdwell, Hickson, and Mariott as alternate. The motion was seconded by Councilman Birdwell which carried unanimously, 7-0. Discussion was held on the direction of this committee. City Manager Noe was directed to provide the scope of the engineering staff committee to the council subcommittee in writing to the Council. City Manager Noe identified two issues that the staff committee will review: How do we select architects and engineers? and, What is the contractual agreement that the city uses to employ them? Agenda Item No. 8 -- Agenda Requests by Councilmembers a. Underground Utilities (Birdwell): Councilman Birdwell stated that he planned to make a motion at the regular meeting to eliminate monies for future underground utility projects. Discussion was held on the policy regarding underground utilities. Mr. Woody provided a project list. b. TXDOT Construction Schedule (Kennady). Item already resolved by TXDOT. Other requests were made by councilmembers. Council Workshop 9/11/97 Page 6 Birdwell requested an item with regard to placing a charter amendment provision on the ballot of next May general election pertaining to limits for councilmember terms to three consecutive terms. Esmond seconded. Mariott requested an item with regard to placing a charter amendment provision on the ballot of next May general election relating to a change in the budget year to a two year budget. Kennady concurred. Hickson requested an item with regard to placing a charter amendment provision to increase a councilmember term from two to three years. These items will be listed under Agenda Requests by Councilmembers on the September 25th agenda for further discussion. Birdwell requested staff prepare a one page report on Fire Station No. 1 in terms of project scope, the name of architect, the name of engineer, source of funds, and a breakdown of expenditures. He also requested similar reports on all capital projects. Agenda Item No. 9 -- Council Calendars. Citizen Recognition Banquet -- September 23 Board of Regents Dinner/Reception -- September 24 EPA Awards Ceremony -- September 29 in Austin Wayne Smith Park Groundbreaking Ceremony -- September 26 Councilman Birdwell and Anderson indicated they will not be able to attend the Banquet nor Board of Regents Dinner. Agenda Item No. 10 - Executive Session The council convened into executive session at 5:40 p.m. Staff and Legal Reports {LGC 551.075} a. Athletic Park Site b. Hotel-Conference Center Update Pending and Contemplated Litigation {LGC 551.071} Bryan v. College Station: Cause No. 40,381-85 Docket No. 15020 Docket No. 16157 Cause No. H-95-5627 Cause No. 43,098-85 Docket No. TX-96-2000 Council Workshop 9/11/97 Page 7 Docket No. 15296 Cause No. 96-03168 Cause No. 97-02587 Neal v. College Station George v. Tara Sopasakis v. College Station Lewis v. College Station Franklin Gold v. College Station, Bryan and BVSWMA Personnel {LGC 551.074} The workshop and executive sessions will adjourn following the regular meeting. PASSED AND APPROVED this 25th day of September, 1997. ATTEST: ~.ity Secretary Connie Hooks APPROVED: May~r Lyn~ Mcllhaney