HomeMy WebLinkAbout01/25/1997 - Regular Minutes City CouncilMayor
LARRY RINGER
Mayor Pro Tempore
LYNN MCILHANEY
City Manager
GEORGE K. NeE
COLLEGE STATION
Council Members
BILL FOX
HUBBARD KENNADY
LARRY MARIOTT
DAVID HICKSON
NANCY CROUCH
MINUTES
COLLEGE STATION CITY COUNCIL
THURSDAY, JANUARY 25, 1996
7:00 P.M.
COUNCILMEMBERS PRESENT:Mayor Ringer, Mayor Pro tem Mcllhaney,
Councilmembers Crouch, Hickson, Mariott, Fox,
Kennady
STAFF PRESENT:
City Manager Noe, City Secretary Hooks, City Attorney Locke,
Assistant City Manager Brymer, Public Utilities Director Woody,
Executive Director Fiscal/Human Resources Schroeder, Executive
Director Management Services Piwonka, Budget Director Cryan,
PARD Director Beachy, City Planner Kee, Community
Development Director Carroll, Staff`Planner Kuenzel, Director of
Economic and Development Services Ash
Mayor Ringer opened the meeting at 7:00 p.m.
Item No. 1 -- Presentation of Certificates
Mayor Ringer recognized the following individuals for their coordination efforts on the
Northgate Design Charette.
Charlie Burris, Tom Parker, Courtney Mallet, Julius Gribou, Andy Gillies, and Joey Dunn.
Statuto~, Agenda
(S-l) Approved purchase of one 12 ft. chip body with cab/chassis, Parks Dept.
(Forestry). Funds available as budgeted in FY 1995-96 fleet replacement fund,
expenditure $29,772.
(S-2) Approved payment of matching funds for Economic Development Incentives to
EDC in the amount of $25,750 for partial payment for second year portion of an
agreement entered in 1995.
Providing Customer Service Excellence
Regular Meeting
Thursday, January 25, 1996
Page 2
(S-3) Approved purchase of Traffic Systems communication equipment, Public Utilities
Dept. (Tech Services), GOB funds in the amount of $49,770.
(S-4) Approved one 400 HP vertical induction electric motor for Water Dept. Funds
available from Utility Revenue bonds, $23,853.
(S-5) Approved blanket purchase order for various recreational league T-shirts, funds
available as budgeted in General Fund, Parks and Recreation Dept., $16,500.
Statutory items approved by common consent.
Consent Agenda
(C-1) Approved minutes tbr Workshop Meeting, January l 0, 1996 and Regular Meeting,
January 11, 1996.
(C-2) Approved license to encroach for Windsor Pointe Apartments, Lot 1, more
commonly known as 2500 Central Park Lane. Encroachment is located by the slab for
building #10, principal structure into a 20 ft. utility easement.
(C-3) Approved contract between the City and B-CS Metropolitan Planning
Organization for transportation planning services provided by City.
(C-4) Approved bids for installation of trees and irrigation systems for Sandstone Park,
in the amount of $17,242.50 (55%) and a local match of $14,107.50 (45%).
The items were approved by common consent.
Regular Agenda
(R-l) Consideration of the donation of a city owned vacant residential lot. Lot 9,
Block 7, McCullough Subdivision (1111 Detroit) to nonprofit organization, Bryan-
College Station Habitat for Humanity.
Housing Coordinator Andy Gillies, addressed this item. On November 22, 1995, CD
purchased a distressed property for the future development of new affordable residential
property. B/CS Habitat fbr Humanity agreed to accept the donation of Lot 9, build a new
house, and place a low income homebuyer in the house within the next 18 months.
Councilman Kennady made a motion to approve the donation of this property to Habitat
for Humanity. The motion was seconded by Councilwoman Crouch. Mayor Ringer
added that this is an excellent use of these funds. The motion carried unanimously, 7-0.
Council Regular Meeting
Thursday, January 25, 1996
Page
(R-2) Public hearing and consideration of amendment to Zoning Ordinance
creating two new rural residential districts: A-OR for new subdivisions, and A-OX
for existing residential areas recently annexed. Consideration of amendments to the
City Code that would exempt all agricultural and rural residential districts from
enforcement of requirement for license for livestock, of regulations against parking
in the yard. and of regulations requiring mowing of weeds and grass.
City Planner Jane Kee explained the ordinance amendments. These ordinances are the
result of meetings with newly annexed residents that occurred over the past several
months. Upon annexation last June, council directed staff to meet with the new residents
and try to address as many concerns as possible including modifying ordinances where
necessary.
The new A-OR zoning district will allow the development of new residential rural
subdivisions. There will be amendments to the subdivisions regulations forthcoming to
complement this zoning district. The district basically requires a minimum 100 acres tbr
development, has a minimum lot size requirement of one acre, requires a process identical
to the PUD process and, with the subdivision amendments, will allow different
infrastructure standards.
The new A-OX district is one that the residents asked for. It is designed to accommodate
newly annexed areas that have scattered residents on properties that do not meet many of
the city's codes and ordinances. It is an alternative to the A-O Agricultural Open
designation, which is placed on property upon annexation and has a minimum lot size of 5
acres, and the R-l Single Family designation which has a much smaller minimum lot size
requirements. It is identical to the existing A-O zone, except that the minimum lot size is
smaller (2 acres compared to 5), the setbacks are slightly less and the permittee uses are
slightly different. Mobile homes are listed as permitted, for example. They are permitted
by policy in the A-O zone, but residents felt more comfortable having items that are dealt
with as a matter of policy put in writing. This new zone, when placed on properties, will
greatly increase the number of those that will conform.
The Planning and Zoning Commission voted approval of the amendments, (5-1-1).
Ms. Kee noted that the residents in Foxfire plans to seek rezoning to A-OR and residents
in the annexed areas will possibly ask the city to initiate rezoning to A-OX on their
properties, and waive the $250.00 rezoning fee. She stated that she mentioned to these
property owners to submit one application for all interested persons.
Councilmembers inquired about concerns related to high weeds and grass, and parking in
yard and its relation to the appearance factor based on desires of one neighbor vs. nearby
neighbor. Ms. Kee replied that, for instance, Foxfire and Nantucket have deed restrictions
Regular Meeting
Thursday, January 25, 1996
Page 4
which will address these type of issues. She also noted that the density of use will regulate
lot size.
Mayor Ringer opened the public hearing.
Nancy Harvey, 13981 Renee Lane, addressed the Council. She pointed out that the weeds
are consumed by the farm animals; therefore, high grass is not an issue. Also, most
residences in the Bald Prairie subdivision do not have designated driveways.
Marianne Oprisko, 2475 Ban-on Rd. conveyed her support to the amendments.
Mayor Ringer closed the public hearing.
Mayor Pro tem Mcllhaney moved approval of Ordinance No. 2164 and 2165.
Councilman Fox seconded the motion. The motion carried unanimously, 7-0.
(R-3) Consideration of participation in the construction of drainage detention pond
located just to the northwest of George Bush/Texas Ave. intersection on Wolf Pen
Creek.
Elrey Ash briefly explained this item. Mr. Terry Jones, owner of the Meridian Apartments
along Redmond Drive, has received a permit, map amendment, etc. from FEMA to
perform reconstructive work in the Wolf Pen Creek area adjacent to his property. He also
has worked with TAMU to build an upstream detention facility to eliminate the flooding
along a portion of the creek.
Mr. Jones came forward to explain his request for the city's participation in the resolution
of the flooding problem which has existed for many years. More specifically, in the
renovation of the drainage channel in a publicly dedicated easement, replacing or
expanding the box culverts at the location of Highway 30/Texas Ave.
City Manager Noe emphasized the importance of drainage as the council's top priority
issue, and there are other areas within the community which are on the list for drainage
improvements earmarked by bond funds. He also asked council to "weigh" this request in
relation to other projects in which other requests may arise in flood prone existing
developments.
Councilmembers decided to review this request during the analysis and priorization of
other drainage projects at a future workshop meeting.
Regular Meeting
Thursday, January 25, 1996
Page 5
(R-4) Consideration of revised ending year balances for CDBG and HOME grants
and approval of reallocated CDBG funds.
CD Director Jo Carroll provided a summary of projected and actual year end balances.
The balance in the HUD Revolving Loan Fund was $79,401 due to HUD's closing of the
fund. These funds need to be allocated to the College Main Street Project and have been
included in the proposed funding source for that project. Staff.recommended that $30,000
of the available unobligated funds be reallocated to the commercial rehabilitation activity
for the Facade Improvement Program to be used in the Northgate area. Staff also
recommended that the remaining $23,686 to be reallocated in the Lincoln Center/Wayne
Smith Corridor Project to complete council approved existing and on going projects in the
Southgate area.
Councilwoman Crouch moved approval of the reallocation of monies and revision of 1995
ending year balances for CDBG and HOME grants. Councilman Kennady seconded the
motion.
Councilman Fox made a motion to amend by removing $13,686 to the Lincoln Center
Wayne Smith Corridor and $10,000 tbr signage and lighting for the Southgate Historic
Preservation project, if eligible. Councilman Kennady seconded the motion which carried
unanimously.
Ms. Carroll stated that she would want to check the eligibility of the request.
The original motion as amended carried by a unanimous vote, 7-0.
(R-5) Consideration of reduction in electric rates due to lower wholesale power
cost.
Councilman Kennady moved approval of Ordinance No. 2166. The motion was
seconded by Councilwoman Crouch which carried unanimously, 7-0. This action reduced
electric rates 10.5% as a result of lower wholesale power cost.
(R-6) Consideration of purchase agreement for sale of Cedar Creek Apartments.
Jim Callaway briefly noted the process taken toward consideration of this item.
Councilman Mariott moved approval of the sale of Cedar Creek Apartments to the
Glozkin Family Partners Group in the amount of $1.4 million. The motion was seconded
by Councilman Kennady, which carried unanimously, 7-0.
Council Regular Meeting
Thursday, January 25, 1996
Page 6
(R-7) Hear visitors.
Bill Patterson came forward to inquire about a time frame for installation of water and
sewer lines on Highway 60 recently annexed area. City Manager Noe replied that as part
of the comprehensive plan process, HOK is working on a master plan for
water/wastewater including lines for service to this area. Council will be in a position to
move forward in the next two months during the final considerations of the master plan.
Marianne Oprisko addressed the council regarding the issue of affordable housing. She
urged council to look at the possibility of manufactured housing as an alternative for
aflbrdable housing. She also inquired on the selection process tbr neighborhood thrum
groups.
Scott Jeffcoat, student government liaison from TAMU., came forward to state his
appreciation for the opportunity to work with the City Council. He is a May, 1996
graduate.
(R-8) Adjourn
Mayor Ringer adjourned the meeting at 8:40 p.m.
APPROVED:
~/~TTEST: ~
~ity Secretary Connie Hooks
GUEST REGISTER
REGUIJkR MEETING OF THE CITY COUNCIL
THURSDAY, JANUARY 25, 199~
7:00 P.M.
11.