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HomeMy WebLinkAbout08/31/1994 - Special Minutes City Council MINUTES CITY COUNCIL SPECIAL MEETING WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 31, 1994 4:00 P.M. COUNCILMEMBERS PRESENT: Mayor Ringer, Councilmembers Mcllhaney, Kennady, Crouch, Hickson, Fox, Mariott STAFF PRESENT: City Manager Ragland, Assistant City Manager Brymer, Assistant City Manager Woody, City Secretary Hooks, City Attorney Locke, Assistant City Attorney Nemcik, Executive Director of Management Services Piwonka, Public Information Officer Calliham, Executive Director of Fiscal/Human Resources Schroeder, Finance Director Cryan, Fire Chief Kennady, PARD Director Beachy Mayor Ringer called the meeting to order at 4:00 p.m. Agenda Item No. 1 - Council Review of the General Govemment, Hotel/Motel, Debt Service Funds, and Capital Projects proposed within FY 94-95 budget. Executive Director of Fiscal/Human Resources Glenn Schroeder introduced the budgetary issues to be discussed. A preview of the City of College Station video produced by the Public Relations/Marketing Group was presented to the audience. Finance Director Charles Cryan described the fund summary and identified the decisions packages associated with each fund. During the discussion of the hotel/motel fund decision packages, Councilman Mcllhaney mentioned the subject of franchise fees and possible legislative implications toward municipalities. As a result, Mayor Ringer suggested the City Council form a subcommittee to review municipal legislation. Councilmembers interested in serving on the committee were asked to respond to the Mayor following the meeting. Mr. Cryan presented further budget data. City Council Special Meeting Wednesday, August 31, 1994 Page 2 Following the presentation on debt service fund, several questions and comments were expressed by councilmembers regarding specific budgetary items. Councilmembers Mcllhaney and Crouch discussed the decision packages which staff did not recommend for funding this year. One of these items related to a stronger marketing budget in order to endorse our community. Other councilmembers conveyed the argument that the budget should not include any additional monies for marketing in this year's budget based on the current marketing strategies already coordinated within the community. Mayor Ringer requested the Council recommend additions or deletions to the proposed budget at this time. Councilman Hickson offered an addition to the budget with respect to funding of the B/CS Economic Development Foundation by allocating additional monies toward their budget. His suggestion was to eliminate the increase toward the Texas Municipal Retirement fund in this year's budget based on the fact that the critical need is to bring economic development to the Business Park. Further discussion was held on the allocation of funds toward the Economic Development Foundation. Councilman Hickson made the motion to include in the budget, $200,000 toward economic development incentives and possibly use for matching funds toward the Economic Development Corporation, and to delete from the proposed budget the increase in funding to Texas Municipal Retirement System funds. Mayor Ringer clarified that the motion is considered as Council direction to staff to make changes to the proposed budget, and bring back to the Council a document reflecting any changes tonight. Councilman Crouch made a substitute motion to direct staff to earmark $200,000 for economic development purposes allocated from monies available within uncommitted funds in the budget. The substitute motion was seconded by Councilman Mcllhaney. City Manager Ragland and Personnel Director Pavlinski made comments about the staff's desire to uphold the TMRS benefit package. Councilmembers expressed support as well as opposition to the substitute motion. City Council Special Meeting Page 3 Wednesday, August 31, 1994 Upon being put to vote, the substitute motion was defeated, 4-3. AGAINST: Councilmembers Hickson, Mariott, Kennady, Fox FOR: Mayor Ringer, Councilmembers Mcllhaney, Crouch Upon being put to vote, the original motion by Councilman Hickson carried 4-3. FOR: Councilmembers Hickson, Kennady, Mariott, Fox AGAINST: Mayor Ringer, Councilmembers Mcllhaney, Crouch Councilmembers continued discussion of the budget. Councilman Kennady made a motion to direct staff to evaluate the budget and reduce the number of personnel positions by ten. Also, decrease the City Council budget by $17,000; thereby, utilizing the funds toward reduction of certificates of obligation. Councilman Hickson seconded the motion. Councilman Hickson made a substitute motion to direct staff to remove $250,000 from the budget at their discretion and set aside for payment toward certificate of obligations. Councilman Kennady seconded the motion. Councilman Fox expressed frustration about the lack of Council's involvement in the budget process as well as the lack of council direction for this budget year. Councilman Mariott commented that the budget may reflect items that are not necessary. In his opinion, it is not improper for the Council to ask staff to re- evaluate the budget for unnecessary items. City Manager Ragland emphasized that this proposed budget is reflective of Council direction. He reiterated the staff's diligent work to bring forth a balanced budget. The substitute motion was defeated by a vote of 2-5. FOR: Councilmembers Kennady and Hickson AGAINST: Mayor Ringer, Councilmembers Mariott, Fox, Mcllhaney, Crouch The original motion was defeated by a vote of 2-5. FOR: Councilmembers Kennady and Hickson AGAINST: Mayor Ringer, Councilmembers Crouch, Mcllhaney, Fox, Mariott City Council Special Meeting Wednesday, August 31, 1994 Page 4 Councilmembers Crouch and Mcllhaney discussed the willingness to schedule a workshop meeting to discuss the governance policy and ends statements. Mayor Ringer asked the Council Relations Subcommittee to look at possible dates for a future workshop meeting. Councilman Crouch concluded this item with a suggestion that monies allocated to the Arts Council be earmarked for public art projects as opposed to funding of Festifall, etc. A~enda Item No. 2 - Council discussion of ad valorem tax rate, consider tax rate and call public hearin.q on the ad valorem tax rate for September 14, 1994. Councilman Kennady made the motion to set the ad valorem tax rate of $0.430/$100 valuation. Motion died for lack of second. Councilman Hickson made the motion to set the ad valorem tax rate of $0.445/$100 valuation and call for public hearing on September 14th. The motion was seconded by Councilman Mariott which carried unanimously, 7-0. A_~enda Item No. 2 -Adioum. Mayor Ringer adjourned the meeting at 7:55 p.m. APPROVED: City Secretary Connie Hooks May(~r Pro{em ~ynn Mcll~aney