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HomeMy WebLinkAbout06/21/1989 - Workshop Minutes City Council MINUTES CITY COUNCIL WORKSHOP MEETING WEDNESDAY, JUNE 21, 1989 4:00 P.M. COUNCIL MEMBERS PRESENT: Mayor Ringer, Councilmen Haddox, Gardner, Birdwe11, McIlhaney COUNCIL MEMBERS ABSENT: Councilmen Schneider, Brown STAFF PRESENT: City Manager Ragland, City Secretary Jones, City Attorney Locke, Assistant City Attorney Banks, Assistant to the City Manager Piwonka, CIP Director Ash, Planning Director Callaway, Publlc Information Officer Calliham Finance Director Harrison, Budget Director Schroeder, Assistant City Manager Woody, Assistant City Manager Brymer, Assistant City Secretary Hooks STUDENT GOV,T LIAISON: Shannon Maloney VISITORS PRESENT: See guest register Aqenda Item No. i - Presentation of the 1990 Brazos County Appraisal District Budqet. Mr. Buddy Winn, Chief Tax Appraiser of Brazos County, and Mrs. Celia Stallings, College Station representative to the Appraisal Board, presented the Brazos County Appraisal District Budget for FY 1990. Mr. Winn pointed out that there are no significant changes in this year's budget, and that all salaries are adjusted to show a straight 4% increase. Councilman Birdwell inquired about the county's computer system. Mr. Winn explained that the current system was purchased in 1980 and since that time, three fixed disk drives have been replaced. He added that the Board is currently looking for another processor, and he noted that the printer will need to be replaced. He indicated that the funds to purchase this system would be appropriated from reserve funds. Mayor Ringer mentioned that concerns expressed by citizens are attributed to inappropriate agricultural exemptions and uneven appraisals. He asked if the County is looking at resolving these problems. Mr. Winn replied that a new position was approved for an Agricultural Agent, to address these problems. Councilman Birdwell discussed appraisal rates and property values. Mr. Winn indicated that College Station's gross taxable values have increased slightly; new construction has also increased in College Station. Discussion continued. 007551 City Council Workshop Meeting Wednesday, June 21, 1989 Page 2 Councilman Gardner asked if a vacated strip center changes the appraised value. Mr. Winn replied that the Appraisal District applies an economic factor in such cases. Mayor Ringer thanked Mr. Winn and Mrs. Stallings for presenting this information to the Council. Agenda Item No. 2 - Presentation of report on revenue manual. Mr. Glenn Schroeder presented the item. He stated that the revenue manual was prepared in response to a council issue, and to improve the budgeting process and fiscal management of the City. Mr. Schroeder reviewed several categories in the general fund including ad valorem tax, sales tax, and building permit revenues. He added that next year's revenue manual will include more information and graphics on trends for each of the major revenue categories. Councilman Birdwell asked if there is a record of costs-expended directed to revenue; for instance, does the city charge enough for swimming pool admissions to pay the person who collects the money. Mr. Schroeder stated that the Parks Department reviews their fees annually and they are presented to Council if any fee changes are needed. He added that the new accounting system will allow the city to develop the cost center and keep closer track of the costs. &qenda Item No. 3 - Staff Report reqardinq a bond election for Capital Improvement projects. CIP Director Ash explained that this item was placed on the agenda to acquaint the council with the staff's three-year CIP Program and to report on a discussion with the State Highway Department about the Lowtrak project. This project involves the relocation and lowering of the railroad along the Wellborn Road corridor from approximately Jersey Street to University Drive. He added that staff would like to discuss with Council the possibility of including the CIP projects with the Lowtrak project in a possible bond election next year. Mr. Ash presented an overhead presentation describing a schedule of events prior to a bond election next year. Councilman Haddox mentioned that there might be a possibility to interject the idea of building a museum/depot station. Mayor Ringer suggested that the best time to propose this idea is during the design of the project. Mr. Ash stated that it is obvious that a bond issue for the Lowtrak project will be necessary. Mr. Ash explained a tentative CIP schedule with a January 20th bond election date. He noted that another possible election date is the city/school election held the first Saturday in May. He indicated that the CIP project status report will be presented to the Council 007332 City Council Workshop Meeting Wednesday, June 21, 1989 Page 3 on August 30th. At that time, the Council would make a decision whether or not it is feasible to proceed with a comprehensive CIP program or hold a bond election exclusively for the Lowtrak project. He asked for Council input on this plan. Discussion was held regarding the overpasses at 2818 and Wellborn and the direction of traffic on Holleman and Southwest Parkway. Councilman Birdwell stated that the bond election should include capital improvements, covering the city projects that will be needed over the next three or four years. He commented that he would favor holding the election in conjunction with the city/school general election in May. Councilman Gardner agreed with Councilman Birdwell that timing is a problem, and remarked that he attended a Parks Board meeting where discussion was held on the Capital Improvement Projects. He suggested that the CIP project plan be included with the city/ school election. He added that a charter election may also be held next year. Mayor Ringer stated that the capital improvements election should not become an issue at the election for mayor and council positions. Councilman Haddox commented that the January 20th date appears to be a good period. Mayor Ringer restated that the staff is asking council direction on the schedule for the potential bond election. Councilman Gardner expressed concerns about the role of a citizens committee. Mayor Ringer noted that the council has until August 30th to decide the role of the committee. Mayor Ringer indicated that the staff should go ahead with the tentative schedule and report back to Council. Aqenda Item No. 4 - Discussion of an ordinance amending Section 6C and Section 9 of Chapter 9 of the Code requiring the submission of a master development plan as a part of the preliminary subdivision plat application requirements and amending the oversize participation provisions of the subdivision ordinance. Assistant City Engineer Mark Smith presented this item. He stated that consideration of this item has been placed on the Thursday night agenda. He stated that the amendments are designed to include the oversize participation requests in a preliminary platting stage and add some requirements to the procedure. Councilman Haddox asked for clarification of the amount of property required on the master plan. Councilman Birdwell pointed out that the ordinance states that the master preliminary plat must provide the total area of the subdivision, including but not limited to all property owned by the applicant which he intends to develop. He stated that the council would like to see the developer submit in the application, participation in oversize water and sewer lines that would serve more than his subdivision. 007333 City Council Workshop Meeting Wednesday, June 21, 1989 Page 4 Councilman Haddox pointed out that the city needs a master plan to determine what oversize participation is necessary. City Manager Ragland clarified that the developer will need to be assured that he will be paid, and at the same time, the staff needs to recognize what the developer's oversize participation is; the city can require an oversized line, and the developer can request reimbursement. Mr. Smith referred to Section 6-C.2.5. Mayor Ringer suggested that this section read as follows: "The total area of the subdivision, including all of the property under the developer's control that would impact the development of the property." Councilman Birdwell suggested the following changes in the ordinance: (1) In Section 6-C.2.11., clarify the terminology; and (2) Delete the first two lines on page 5, because they were previously stated on page 4. He questioned the term "frontage" in 9-B.3; and, he suggested another word be substituted for "thoroughfare" in 9-B.5. Councilman Birdwell asked that the developers be given an opportunity to review the ordinance before council action is taken. Councilman Haddox agreed. &qenda Item No. 5 - Council Concerns. Councilman Birdwell presented articles from TIME magazine to each councilmember. This article referred to the issue of obscene tapes. He noted that in Amarillo, music stores are voluntarily requiring that a student must show an identification card to buy these tapes. He also presented each councilmember a copy of an article from the Wall Street Journal on the topic of recycling. He commented that he recently attended a meeting of the League of Women Voters where Commissioners Norton and Sims spoke on the issue of recycling. He addressed several points from this meeting. Mr. Birdwell commented that he would not be attending the Thursday night meeting. He pointed out that the consent agenda contains a preliminary plat which indicated a variance request for the length of the cul-de-sac. Councilman Gardner expressed concern about the council's policies and procedures, particularly the policy on funding of outside agencies. He suggested that an item be placed on the workshop meeting, the second meeting in July, to discuss the council's major policies. Mr. Birdwell pointed out that during the budget procedure, the policies and procedures are reviewed. Mayor Ringer clarified that Councilman Gardner's concern related to the creation of the Joint Funding Review Committee and the process of funding outside agencies. Councilman Gardner commented that it would be a good idea to review the council's policies. Councilman Birdwell remarked that he will agree with Mr. Gardner to place this item on the agenda. 007334 City Council Workshop Meeting Wednesday, June 21, 1989 Page 5 Mayor Ringer noted that no applications were received for the Cemetery Committee. He indicated that the Cemetery operations are now under the Parks Department. He would like the Council to begin thinking of applicants for this committee, since there are several issues which need to be addressed. Aqenda Item No. 6 - City Manaqer Concerns. Mr. Ragland mentioned that the staff has discussed the possibility of having a budget retreat. He presented to the Council possible schedule dates. The council discussed these dates. Councilman Birdwell preferred to hold five special meetings rather than meeting two full days. Mayor Ringer preferred holding a budget retreat. Councilman McIlhaney agreed. Councilman Haddox stated that he would prefer the retreat, but he noted that everyone should attend, because if anyone misses the retreat they would miss the entire budget process. Mayor Ringer asked each councilmember to look at the dates from August 14-25, 1989 and select their preference. Mrs. Piwonka presented a brief explanation of the council issues derived from the council retreat. She pointed out that several of the top 30 issues have been completed throughout the year. Councilman Gardner stated that he sometimes has difficulty ranking these items, because of the small difference between the policy and project. After further discussion, Mayor Ringer pointed out that the council issues are the council's programs throughout the year and require a large amount of staff time. If any major products are added, other items may need to be removed. Aqenda Item No. 7 - Adjourn. Mayor Ringer adjourned the meeting at 6:25 p.m. ATTEST -- City ~.~ry Dian Jones 007335 GUEST REGISTER CITY COUNCIL WORKSHOP MEETING WEDNESDAY, JUNE 21, 1989 4:00 P.M. 12. 13. 14 15 16 17 18 9 19 10. 2O 007336