HomeMy WebLinkAbout10/09/1991 - Workshop Minutes City Council MINUTES
C1TF COUNCIL WOP~IOP MEETING
WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 9, 1991
Mayor Ringer, Councilmembers Brown,
Crouch, Gardner, Mc]lhaney
Councilmembers Schneider and Birdwen
City Manager Ragland, Asst. City Manager
Brymer, City Attorney Locke, City Secretary
Hooks, Planning Director Callaway, Senior
Planner Kee, Assistant City Manager
Woody, Transportation Engineer Hard,
PARD Director Beachy, Forestry
Superintendent Albrecht, Executive
Director Fiscal/Human Resources
Schroeder, Executive Director Management
Services Piwonka, Public Information
Officer C~11~ham
STU'DEh'T ~ T.TXTKON:
~oim Lauletta
See guest register.
_Aaenda !__t~m No. 1 - __~m~_ ,~ of consent ~_.,~.a~ _*t___,~as lJst__,~_ on They
October 10th
Councilman Mc]]haney asked about Consent Agenda Item No. 8.11.
Consideration of a resolution requesting the Brazos County Comm~sfoners'
Court to impose a $1.80 fee on the re~-~tration of motor vehicles.
She asked if the majority of the councilmembers felt this was the appropriate
action to take. Mayor Ringer replied yes, if the City of Bryan also requests the
same action from the county.
Councilman Gardner referred to the minutes of September 9.6th, page 3. He
corrected the minutes in paragraph three to reflect that the businesses on Texas
Avenue have a large setback. Other corrections to the minutes were provided to
each Councilman prior to the meeting.
Mayor Ringer announced that Agenda Item No. 3 will be addressed at this time.
Assistant City Manager Tom Brymer introduced this item. He stated that Mr.
City Council Workshop Meeting
Wednesday, October 9, 1991
Page 2
McGulre, owner and operator of the Cow Hop Restaurant in the Northgate
district contacted the staff about the interest received by Northgate merchants to
request that the city change the lot into a public parking lot. Additionally, a
letter was received from merchants interested in paying a pro rata share to have
access to parking spaces on this lot.
City Attorney Cathy Locke reported that the current lease was executed at the
end of 1986 in which a bid was received from Dudley's Draw and Dixie Chicken.
The owner's currently pay $1000.00 per month. The lease expired after one
year, and is currently on a month to month basis. With regard to the lease, there
was a provision included by the lessee, and that was to allow the other
Northgate merchants an opportunity to participate in the parking on the lot with
pro rate cost being shared. She further stated that the staff could take the
current lease and with slight modifications continue the lease on a month to
month basis, only making it ,~'erent in that requiring anyone who wants to
participate on the lease from hereon, may approach the city with their cost. She
added that in the amended lease, a provision was included to the effect that the
expenses would be borne by ali tenants.
Ms. Locke stated that the council could opt to terminate the lease agreement
entirely and re-bid, or terminate the lease and explore other options for use of
the parking lot.
Mr. Brymer stated that another option would be to place parking meters, but
there are costs associated with this, approximately $26,000. The revenues would
be about $10,000 a year.
Mr. Brymer stated that the city presently has a grant application before the
Governor's office to obtain funds for a comprehensive parking study for areas
adjacent to the University.
Mr. Bryrrter further stated that in terms of the city controlling the lot, the current
property does not have landscape amenities to meet city code.
After discussing these options with Mr. McGuire, the staff tends to lean toward
the interest of participation of other Northgate merchants in this lot.
Councilman (.~ardner inquired about the "pay" parking lot located nearby. Mr.
Brymer replied that this lot is privately owned by a Boyett family member, h is
leased on a month to month basis, and the charge is by the number of spaces
utilized.
Mayor Ringer asked the audience if anyone would like to speak on this item.
Mr. Pierre Dube' of Freebird's World Burrito, addressed the Council. His
City Council Workshop Meeting
Wednesday, October 9, 1991
Page 3
business is located next to the Cow Hop and there is not adequate parking. He
stated one of the main issues is the manner in which the towing occurs from this
lot. He noted that if someone who is visiting another business beside Dudley's
Draw or Dixie Chicken, and parks in this parking lot, their car is immediately
towed.
Mayor Ringer asked Mr. Dube' if he would be interested in an agreement in
which the Northgate merchants would have the option of paying a pro rata share
to use this parking lot based on the occupancy rate. Mr. Dube' stated that he
would be interested in this. Mayor Ringer pointed out that this solution would
not guarantee that the patrons may be visiting his store. Mr. Dube' stated that
this would be difficult to monitor. City Attorney Locke noted that this would be
the responsibility of the tenant.
Mr. Don Ganter, owner of the Dixie Chicken spoke to the Council. He
exchanged information to the council about the problems that have occurred
with the parking lot. He indicated that he posted two 4'x12' "no parking" signs,
but this does not work. He stated that he hired a person to oversee this parking
lot eight hours a day and this person calls a wrecker to tow the cars if the
person does not visit the two businesses, Dixie Chicken or Dudley's Draw.
Councilman Brown asked if the electronic gates would work. Mr. (3anter replied
that parking meters are not the answer. He also noted that it would not be
feasible for all the merchants to participate in the use of the lot. Maybe three or
four merchants.
Councilman Brown asked Mr. Ganter how he would feel if electronic gates were
installed, and parldng tickets validated by the businesses before a patron is
allowed to exit the lot. Mr. Ganter replied that he does not think the electronic
gates would suffice.
Mr. Canter replied that he prefers the way it is now, or re-bid.
Mr. John Raney, owner of the Texas Aggle Bookstore addressed the Council.
He stated that the parking problem has been an issue for twenty-two years.
Mr. Jim Mc(~uire of the Cow Hop expressed his concerns to the Council about
the towing situation. He stated that the merchants need to work together on this.
Mr. Richard Benning of Dudley's Draw stated that it is a good idea to start
working together again as an association.
Mr. Dube' stated that he has an idea, as the individuals leave the parking lot,
how diflicult would it be for the person to monitor the parking lot to say to the
driver, ff they are not entering the businesses specified, then the tow company
City Council Workshop Meeting
Wednesday, October 9, 1991
Page 4
will be called, versus the hired person not saying anything and then calling the
tow truck. It would be a better solution if the person hired to monitor the
parking lot would talk to the parking tenants as soon as they drive in to the lot.
Mr. (3anter agreed with Mr. Dube' if everyone would help to pay for the hired
help.
Mayor Ringer stated that he does not think the city should establish a parking lot
for twenty-five to thirty vehicles, etc. A possible solution would be for the
individuals to have a perrrdt validated by the businesses or other merchants
participating in the cost of the lease and the cost of hiring someone to monitor
the parking lot.
Councilman Crouch suggested that a solution might be to include several
merchants in the lease and to also hire someone to look at validation tickets
when someone leaves the premises. This would be much more user friendly.
Councilman Mcnhaney responded that Councilman Crouch's idea is a good one.
She also encouraged the merchants to come together and begin an active
Northgate Merchants Association.
Mr. Raney replied that the last Association involved several merchants that did
not participate. He recommended that the association be formed again. He
requested input from the city.
Councilman Gardner asked staff if the state allows cities to establish a parking
assessment district. Ms. Locke replied that a tax increment district could be
done in this area and the funds utilized toward refinancing the property
condemned for public use.
Mr. Gardner explained that he has seen an assessment district in another city in
which the money was provided to the city to finance the lots and use the power
of condenmation.
Mayor Ringer stated that he does want to spend money developing this land into
a parking lot without being a part of a larger plan. Councilman Gardner agreed.
Mayor Ringer emphasized that one of the objections by the merchants is the
process in which the enforcement is done. There may be other merchants who
would like to share in the use of the parking lot and willing to pay. This is an
issue that will have to be solved among the merchants.
Councilman Brown stated that he is in favor of keeping the current lease, at least
for a year. The idea of having the parking lot monitored on a daffy basis is a
great idea versus the goodwill that is lost every time the cars are towed. It
creates bad will toward the businesses.
City Council Workshop Meeting
Wednesday, October 9, 1991
Page
Mayor Ringer suggested that Mr. Raney coordinate a merchants association
meeting to ~]~-~cuss this issue at greater length.
Agenck Item No. 2 - Pr~eat~tto~ and discussion of Streetscape ~ sad
Planning Director Jim Callaway introduced this item. He stated that the Council
authorized the preparation of a Streetscape Plan as part of the response to
Council Issue #3, Community Appearance. The firm of Newman, Jackson,
Bieberstein, Inc. was retained to prepare the plan to address streetscape
improvements.
Mr. Rowland Jackson presented the Streetscape Master Plan outlining the
existing conditions, recommendations and methods of implementation. Slides
were shown.
Mr. Jackson noted that one key factor to this streetscape plan is the relocation of
utilities underground in some areas of the city. He also indicated that the entry
signs should be larger. The slides depicted several examples.
He also addressed the Northgate area concerns with the primary issue for
adequate parking.
Councilman Crouch left the meeting.
Mr. Bieberstein briefly discussed several scenarios for a bikeway system
throughout the city.
Mr. Jackson reviewed proposed revisions to the current landscape ordinance.
The revisions were specified in the streetscape handout. He stated that the
current ordinance does not provide for soft requirements and he encouraged
that requirements of an automatic sprinkler system be provided for screening.
Councilman (.~ardner commented that he would appreciate the opporttmity to
review this and have further discussion at a future council meeting.
Councilman Mcnhaney stated that she is pleased with the plan presented and
the consultants have addressed the concerns the council has put forward. She
would also like to have more time to review the plans.
Councilman Brown remarked that he is extremely impressed by the plans.
City Manager Ragland complimented the consultants for their work on this
project. He also indicated that a brief presentation was made to Jimmy Bond
and colleagues at the University, and their reaction was very favorable.
City Council Workshop Meeting
Wednesday, October 9, 1991
Page 6
lVlr. Ragland mentioned that the University is working toward a revision plan for
a revised bike and pedestrian plan for the campus. This is an area that the city
and the University may be able to coordinate and enhance the opportunity to
work with the University.
Mayor Ringer thanked the consultants for their work. He asked the council to
review the proposal and he asked staff to begin thinking about the financial
aspects of this project.
Mr. Jackson mentioned that the Highway Department has a grant program caned
the Landscape Cost Sharing Program that the city may want to apply.
Agenda Item No. 4 - Council Commeats.
Councilman Mcllhaney asked if there is a way to buy property around the
parameter of the Northgate area for parking and encourage a trolley to circulate
from the parking areas to the merchants in the Northgate area. Mr. Ragland
replied that the grant the city has applied for to perform the parking study would
take these issues into consideration.
Councilman Mcllhaney reported that the Highway Department does not intend to
place traffic signals at Emerald Forest Parkway and the East Bypass. Rather,
they plan to place stop signs on the access road and thru traffic for 2818 and
Emerald Forest Parkway. She expressed her concern about this situation.
Mayor Ringer announced that there win be a Soviet Space Exhibit at the TML
Conference. If anyone is interested in attending, please contact the staff.
Also, the next workshop meeting and regular meeting has been scheduled for
Thursday, October 31 st.
Ageack Item No. 5 - City Man~ger Commm~ts.
City Manager Ragland stated that he has provided the council a memorandum
regarding the next council retreat. He suggested that the council look at their
calendars for January and February.
Aaen~ Item No. 6 - Adjourn.
Mayor Ringer adjourned the meeting at 6:25 p.m.
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ATTEST: -
City' Secretary Connie Hooks