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HomeMy WebLinkAbout06/27/1990 - Workshop Minutes City Council MINUTES CITY COUNCIL WORKSHOP MEETING WEDNESDAY, JUNE 27, L990 4:00 P.M. COUNCIL MEMBERS PRESENT: Mayor Ringer, Councilmen Brown, Crouch, Gardner COUNCIL MEMBERS ABSENT: Councilmen Schneider, Birdwell, McIlhaney STAFF PRESENT: City Manager Ragland, Planning Director Callaway, Facilities Maintenance Supervisor Shear, PARD Director Beachy, Assistant PARD Director Ploeger, Lincoln Center Supervisor Robinson, City Secretary Hooks, Executive Director Management Services Piwonka, Assistant city Manager Brymer, Assistant city Manager Woody VISITORS PRESENT: See guest register. Aqenda Item No. 1 - Presentation of report highlighting Customer Service related accomplishments in Management Services Group. Linda Piwonka presented the report highlighting the Customer Service related activities in the Management Services Group. She explained that organizational changes have been made in the Utility Billing Department. One change included the name change of the Utility Billing Department to Utility Customer Services. Other modifications included: 1) changes in procedures and regulations; 2) physical changes; 3) updated office technology; and 4) expanded communications. Mrs. Piwonka explained future plans in the areas of load management, recycling, and the recent implementation of the new billing cycle. Councilman Crouch commented that staff has exceeded in the area of service. Councilman Brown commented that he is very pleased with the way staff has become customer service oriented. Mayor Ringer seconded Councilman Brown's comments. City Manager Ragland commented that reports will also follow from the Community Services Group, Operations Group, and Fiscal/Human Resources Group. He referred to two council issues: Quality Customer Service and Productivity. 007881 City Council Workshop Meeting Wednesday, June 27, 1990 Page 2 Aqenda Item No. 2 - Presentation of the proposed 1991 Brazos County &ppraisal Distr~ot Budaet. Celia Stallings, College Station's representative on the Brazos County Appraisal District Board, and Mr. Buddy Winn, Chief Tax Appraiser came forward to present the 1991 Brazos County Appraisal District budget. Mr. Winn noted that the small budget increase is due to the City's tax levy increase in 1989. Ms. Stallings noted that the fund balance was allocated to pay for the computer system and in the future a fund balance will not carry over into the next year's budget. Discussion was held about the possibility of locating the tax office in a central area so that it would be equally accessible to College Station residents. He noted that 50%-70% of his business (auto registration) is from College Station residents. This office may require 15-20 staff to also handle the other registrations such as beer licenses, taxes, voter registration, etc. Mr. Winn added that the assessor's office is not required to be located near the courthouse. &qenda Item No. $ - Discussion of Wolf Pen Creek Phase I Pro~ect. Mayor Ringer explained this item. in the agenda packet. He referred to his memorandum Mayor Ringer stated his concern with the potential size of the entire bond issue if a full sized amphitheater is included. He recommended that the council ask the consultants to meet with the users groups to determine the priority elements and establish a minimum Phase I project, and further develop the amphitheater in a phased development. Also, ask the consultant to bring forth a scaled down proposal as in the original budget of $250,000; therefore, if the project is planned as such, then the amphitheater may be constructed in phases to work toward the potential goal of the council. Councilman Brown agreed with Mayor Ringer's concerns. Mayor Ringer pointed out that the information from the user's group will be helpful to determine the scale of the amphitheater. Councilman Gardner expressed his concerns about the concept of the entire project. Mayor Ringer also pointed out that the city may not have the expertise to manage a facility of this magnitude nor the budget 007882 City Council Workshop Meeting Wednesday, June 27, 1990 Page 3 to operate it. Therefore, it may be proper to start with a smaller facility and expand in the future. Councilman Gardner commented that another alternative might be to hire another architect to develop another plan or direct J.T. Dunkin to develop another scheme. Councilman Brown moved to instruct J.T. Dunkin and staff to meet with the user groups to determine the priority elements and the amphitheater and establish minimum Phase I requirements. In addition, scale down the proposed Wolf Pen Creek amphitheater for Phase I and bring to Council a recommended plan for phasing additional elements. Councilman Crouch seconded the motion. Mayor Ringer mentioned the bond issue might include the Wolf Pen Creek Phase II project and the additional elements to the amphitheater. Parks and Recreation Board Chairman Sharon Colson addressed the Council. The motion carried by a vote of 4-0. Councilman Crouch stated that she is unclear about the other councilmembers conception of what they envision for the Wolf Pen Creek development. Mayor Ringer replied that each council- member's perception of the WPC Project could be elaborated in the entire CIP project discussion. Aqenda Item No. 4 - Council Concerns. Mayor Ringer reminded the Council of the 5:00 p.m. meeting scheduled on Thursday. He also reminded the Council to provide the City Secretary with calendars of activities for the months of July and August. Agenda Item No. 5 - City Manaqer Concerns. City Manager Ron Ragland stated that the Economic Development Incentive Policy Statements have been sent to Brazos County, City of Bryan and the School Districts. He further stated that the City of Bryan has expressed the desire to wait and discuss this policy after an Executive Director of the Joint Economic Development Board is hired. Mayor Ringer commented that he would rather delay this policy until such time the city can discuss it with the school district and the City of Bryan. 007883 City Council Workshop Meeting Wednesday, June 27, 1990 Page 4 Aqenda Item No. $ - Adjourn. Mayor Ringer adjourned the meeting at EST: , ~ity Secretary C6nnie Hooks 5:10 p.m. APPROVE~ Mayor Lar~f~J~ ~~ 007884 GUEST REGISTER CITY COUNCIL WORKSHOP MEETING WEDNESDAY, JUNE 27, 1990 4:00 P.M 3 11. 13. 4 14. 15. 16. 17. 19. 10. 20. 007885