Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAbout02/24/1993 - Workshop Minutes City Council MINUTES CITY COUNCIL WORKSHOP MEETING WEDNESDAY; FEBRUARY 24; L993 4:00 P,M. COUNCILMEMBERS PREHENT: Mayor Ringer, Councilmembers Kennady, Crouch, Schneider, McIlhaney COUNCILMEMBERS ABHEL"T: Councilmembers Brown and Gardner ST]iFF PRESENT: City Manager Ragland, Assistant City Manager Brymer, Development Services Director Ash, Executive Director Management Services Piwonka, Executive Director Fiscal/Human Resources Schroeder, City Engineer Pullen, City Planner Callaway, Senior Planner Kee, City Attorney Locke, Public Information Officer Calliham, City Secretary Hooks, Assistant City Engineer Morgan VISITORS PRESENT: See guest register &qenda Item No. 1 - Discussion of consent aqenda items listed on Thursday, February 25th consent aqenda. Councilman Schneider removed the minutes of February llth to point out a change to Agenda Item No. 7. The minutes stated that a motion was made by Councilman Crouch. Mayor Ringer asked the City Secretary to review the tape of the minutes for an accurate notation of this particular motion. Councilman Kennady complimented the staff on their written report to the Council on the comprehensive evaluation to be conducted by engineering consultants of the city's wastewater treatment facilities. Councilman Kennady removed Agenda Item No. 3.3. Aqenda Item No. 3.3 - Approval of allocation of $25,000 from CDBG funds to the Brazos Food Bank, Inc. to assist with the acquisition of their new facility. Councilman Kennady asked staff to explain the purpose of amending the CDBG final statement for the Brazos Food Bank request. He questioned the objectivity to other agencies. Community Development Director Jo Carroll replied that this is the only request she received for public facility funding. She emphasized that the source of funds is not allocated from the 15 City Council Workshop Meeting Wednesday, February 24, 1993 Page 2 percent of funds utilized for social service programs. Josie Peacher of the Brazos Food Bank responded to Councilman Kennady about the relocation of her business. She also requested monies from the City of Bryan. Councilman McIlhaney removed Agenda Item No. 3.5. Item No. 3.5 - Approval of uniforms for the Fire Department. Purchasing Agent Kettler replied that the Fire Department redesigned their uniforms and changed the color from blue to black. The uniforms were designed with samples provided by Career Apparel. Bids were received and most companies did not furnish black uniforms. Career Apparel is a local firm and it also has a good reputation and service. Agenda Item No. 2 - Presentation to Council regarding negotiations with an engineering consultant for a comprehensive evaluation of the City's Wastewater Treatment Facilities and associated equipment. Wastewater Superintendent Bill Riley introduced this item. He briefed the Council on the affects of the operation with regard to the new regulations. Lawrence Carter, Wastewater Operations Manager addressed the council. Effective October 1, 1995, the Texas Water Commission will require a permit with more restrictions and new requirements. The Environmental Protection Agency has also set limitations on the operation of the sludge handling and disposal. In order to satisfy the necessary requirements, the staff recommended a comprehensive evaluation which will address three objectives. 1. Fulfill Immediate Needs 2. Plan for Long Range Growth 3. Evaluate the entire Wastewater System Mr. Riley mentioned that monies were available in the budget for the improvements necessary to comply with the mandated requirements. However, the staff did not know the cost of the total improvements. Agenda Item No. 3 - Discussion of 2818 Land Use Plan. Senior Planner Jane Kee presented this item. She began her presentation by summarizing the four objectives established in the land use plan adopted last year. The first objective was to look at the study area, the golden triangle area, and determine whether or not the area was viable for low density residential housing. The second objective was to avoid strip commercial development along the new 2818 Corridor, to avoid the kind of situations that exist along Highway 30 and the majority of Texas Avenue. Another objective was to look at FM 2818 as an entryway, city Council Workshop Meeting Wednesday, February 24, 1993 Page 3 not exactly in the same way that we did on University Drive but realizing that this is an entry from the south and from the east into our city. Not least, another objective was to protect existing neighborhoods as much as reasonable. She presented an overhead visual of the land use plan adopted in the final study. The plan reflected the FM 2818 corridor as a non-retail corridor and it changed the character of the overall triangle from low density residential to medium density residential. Staff felt this rezoning to commercial would change the nature of the land use plan particularly between the areas of Bee Creek and Tributary A. She reviewed the objectives and analyzed each objective if changes occurred in the corridor area. Mayor Ringer raised several issues. First, if the land use plan were changed, how would we protect the integrity of the residential area from encroachment and we would also need to provide mechanisms for a buffer. Another issue was that changes should be well considered and a plan should accommodate change. He emphasized that the council has to decide on the most appropriate and best use of the land. Councilman Crouch served as a member of the subcommittee who studied the land use plan last year. She stated there were several property owners in the area and the concern of the group at that time was that it would be difficult to envision these properties as one large commercial tract. In addition, the modifications made to the plan were based on the residential property owner's comments. Ms. Crouch pointed out that it appeared some of the property owners have changed their minds since their input last year. To explain her viewpoint further, she referred to the fiscal indicators report. She concluded that changing the adopted plan may be a logical solution based on the reasons she stated. Councilman McIlhaney strongly urged the council to keep in mind what the council sees as the focus of our community. Councilman Kennady remarked that a balance between economic development and quality of life is important. He directed questions to other councilmembers. Mayor Ringer responded to Councilman Kennady's question about revenues. Based on studies, revenues generated to the city from residential uses does not offset the cost for services. Councilman Schneider raised a question regarding the consequences of not rezoning the property. Mayor Ringer addressed two concerns. First, the protection of buffer zones; and, second, the other types of permissible City Council Workshop Meeting Wednesday, February 24, 1993 Page 4 activities in a commercial zone. Councilman Kennady expressed several concerns. A particular concern was strip commercial and the logic for considering the property north of FM 2818. City Attorney Locke replied that the plan must avoid spot zoning and; therefore, the entire plan should be evaluated. Discussion followed. Mayor Ringer reiterated that the council must consider this rezoning in terms of the most appropriate use of the land, regardless of who requested the proposal. Councilman McIlhaney expressed her concern of the intersection at Emerald Parkway and the East Bypass, regardless of the outcome in this rezoning case. A traffic light at the intersection is important. Again, she expressed the need for an entryway to the community. Councilman Crouch maintained that the best use of the area is commercial. After further discussion, Mayor Ringer asked the council if they wished to place on a future agenda consideration of amendment to the land use plan. Councilman McIlhaney suggested a joint meeting with the Planning and Zoning Commission. The council concurred to hold a special meeting. Mayor Ringer added that discussion of the land use plan shall be placed on the March 24th council meeting. &qanda Item No. 4 - Discussion of incantivas to ancouraaa businesses that wara constructad prior to the adoption of currant landscapa ordinance to maat tha currant standards. Councilman Crouch commented that this topic derived from the Community Appearance Committee. Discussion was held on different shopping centers developed prior to the landscape ordinance, and ways to bring them into compliance. City Manager Ragland suggested the staff work with a council subcommittee to look at different concepts. Mayor Ringer asked the Community Appearance Committee to work on this project. &qanda Item No. $ - Discussion of possibla point maatinq/traininq sassion with fha Bryan City Council, Bryan School Board, Collaqe Station City Council, and Collaqa Station Indapendent School District. Councilman McIlhaney stated that the City Affairs Subcommittee met with the CSISD Subcommittee to discuss this item. The Bryan ISD hopes to retain John Carver for a one day seminar. The other entities would be invited and asked to share in the cost. The City Council Workshop Meeting Wednesday, February 24, 1993 Page 5 council discussed other entities to invite. Possible dates mentioned were the weeks of June 21 and June 28. Aqenda Item No. 6 - Discussion of council priority strateqio planninq issues. The council received the list of priority council issues which the council ranked at the council retreat held in Salado. &qenda Item No. 7 - Councilmember's requests to discuss policy issues on future council meetin~ aoendas. Councilman McIlhaney remarked that she would like the council to re-evaluate the council's approach to zoning issues. Councilmembers mentioned the desire to re-evaluate the land use plan. &qenda Item No. 9 - Committee Reports. Councilman McIlhaney reported that the City Affairs Committee met to discuss a resolution from the City of Garland with respect to legislation that would make the murder of a child under age 8 a capital offense if the act occurred because of child abuse. The committee agreed with the resolution, but took the position that this might not be a function of a municipality and she stated their reasons. The committee suggested to the council that a better approach would be that councilmembers provide their personal opinions to their legislators. Councilman McIlhaney also mentioned that the committee agreed to review the social service funding policy. Discussion followed. Councilman Kennady provided the council information regarding the use of hotel/motel taxes toward Wolf Pen Creek amphitheater. Mayor Ringer distributed TML handbooks to the City Council and information on parliamentary procedures. Councilman McIlhaney stated that she received a publication from Lexington, Kentucky on educating school children to become involved in their community. She felt this would be a great tool of communication. &qonda Item No. 9 - Council Calendars. March 3rd was set for the joint meeting between the Council and Planning and Zoning Commission. City Council Workshop Meeting Wednesday, February 24, 1993 Page 6 Aqenda Item No. 10 - City Manaqer Status Report and ~nnounoements. Public Information Officer Peggy Calliham briefed the council on her visit with Dr. John Koldus from Texas A&M about the Aggieland Pride Campaign. It was a positive meeting. City Manager Ragland remarked on the news story about the power plant. Aaenda Item No. 11 - Adjourn. Mayor Ringer adjourned the meeting at 6:50 p.m. oEST: I n Cl~y Secretary Connie Hooks APPROVED: GUEST REGISTER CITY COUNCIL WORKSHOP MEETING WEDNESDAYt FEBRUARY 24, 1993 4=00 P.M 12.