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HomeMy WebLinkAbout09/21/1988 - Workshop Minutes City Council Minutes City Council Workshop Meeting Wednesday, September 21, 1988 4:00 P.M. MEMBERS PRESENT: Mayor Ringer, Councilmen Brown, McIlhaney Schneider, Gardner, Birdwell, Haddox STAFF PRESENT: City Manager Ragland, City Secretary Jones Assistant to the City Manager Piwonka, Public Utilities Director Woody, Assistant City Attorney Banks, Budget Director Schroeder, City Engineer Pullen, Director of Parks and Recreation Beachy, Assistant Parks and Recreation Director Cisneros, Forestry Superintendent Ploeger, Public Information Officer Calliham, Council Coor- dinator Hooks VISITORS PRESENT: See guest register. AGenda Item No. 1 - Council Concerns. Councilman Gardner reported his concern about the lack of progress in updating the Comprehensive Plan. Mr. Gardner discussed the Council Priority Issues No. 12 and No. 13. stated that the two issues may be integrated to help in coordinating the efforts of updating the Plan. He Councilman McIlhaney thanked the staff for the work completed on Sandstone Drive. She reported that she received several calls from citizens about their desire for a non-smoking ord- inance in College Station.. She also reminded the Council about the Joint Meeting with the Bryan City Council to hear the War on Drugs Report compiled by the War on Drugs Committee. Councilman Brown reported that the Energy Management Committee will coming to the Council asking for $500.00 to be donated to the College Station Library for purchase of energy related materials. Councilman Birdwell inquired about the use of herbicides in maintaining drainage ditches. Councilman Haddox reported no concerns. Councilman Schneider stated his concern about the College Station Welcome signs erected at the north entrance of the city limits. He also expressed concern about the appropriate way to handle citizens concerns. Mr. Schneider noted his concern that the staff should move more aggressively toward the issues of growth and development. He stated that a mechanism to acquire meaningful public input is needed. 6886 City Council Workshop Meeting Wednesday, September 21. 1988 2 Councilman Haddox commented that he sees a lot of action being taken by the staff towards the council priority issues. Councilman Gardner hoped the staff did not interpret his com- ments as criticism. Agenda Item No. 2 - City Manager Concerns. Mr. Ragland reminded the Council about the Joint City Council Meeting with the City of Bryan scheduled for October 10th at 3:30 p.m. to "kick-off" the Customer Service Training Program. Mayor Ringer encouraged the staff to proceed with developing welcome signs to be erected at the city limits of College Station. Agenda Item No. 3 - Discussion and consideration of bidders list for competitive bid purchases of investments. Finance Director Harrison explained that the City Council approved Resolution No. 01-14-88-10 implementing the City of College Station Investment Policy. He further explained that under the terms of the policy, certain securities must be individually approved by the Council. Councilman Birdwell asked Mr. Harrison to explain why the bank from Tennessee was included in the bidders list. Mr. Harrison pointed out that this firm is extremely aggressive in the municipal sector. Councilman Blrdwell moved approval of the bidders list for competitive bid purchases of investments. Councilman Brown seconded the motion which carried unanimous- ly, 7-0. Agenda Item No. 4 - Consideration of an ordinance adopting the 1988 tax rate. Councilman Brown moved to adopt Ordinance No. 1775 setting the 1988 tax rate at $.38/$100 of valuation. Councilman Haddox seconded the motion. Councilman Birdwell moved to amend the motion by adopting the 1988 tax rate at $.3925/$100 with $.1525 going to the general fund stipulating that the assessment for drainage be elimi- nated. Councilman Gardner seconded the motion. Councilman Gardner read several excerpts from a letter he sent to the Eagle in response to a letter written by Milan Powers. 6887 ,3 City Council Workshop Meeting Wednesday, September 21, 1988 3 The motion by Councilman Birdwell to amend the ordinance failed by a vote of 2-5. FOR: Councilmen Blrdwell, Gardner AGAINST: Mayor Ringer, Councilmen Brown, Haddox, Schneider, McIlhaney. The motion to approve Ordinance No. 1775 adopting the i988 tax rate at $$8/$100 per valuation carried by a vote of 6-1. FOR: Mayor Ringer, Councilmen Brown, Haddox, Schneider, McIlhaney, Birdwell AGAINST: Councilman Gardner Agenda Item No. 5 - Discussion on the issue of trees dying in College Station. (Council Priority Issue No. 6) Forestry Superintendent Ploeger presented a slide presentation. He explained several important factors relating to the tree decline in College Station. Two of these factors include the type of soil (heavy clay soil) in the area and the alteration of soil environment. Mr. Ploeger pointed out that many trees are destroyed during the landscaping process. He stated that the homeowner can learn more about trees and preventive measures by contacting the county extension office to obtain helpful publications. Mr. Ploeger pointed out that the water in College Station is detrimental to smaller plants but he was not sure about the effects on large trees. Councilman Haddox asked if there are reasons why there are such healthy trees in some areas but other areas have such a detrimental effect on trees. Mr. Ploeger replied that no research has been conducted in this area to investigate this problem. Mayor Ringer asked if there are alternative species for planting. Mr. Ploeger replied that the staff has a list of suggested species for planting. Agenda Item No. 6 - Discussion and consideration of the "Adopt- A-Street" Proqram (Council Priority Issue No. 6). PARD Assistant Director Cisneros updated the Council on the status of the "Adopt-A-Street" program. Subsequently, the Community Appearance Committee recently adopted the guidelines of the agreement. The Council was provided a copy of the agreement. He pointed out that the main purpose of the program is to utilize the "Adopt-A-Street" program as a vehicle for further public involvement. Councilman Birdwell asked why the participants must be 18 years or older. Mr. Cisneros replied that the Committee looked at the fact that this program would entail working on major n06888 City Council Workshop Meeting Wednesday, September 21, 1988 4 thoroughfares. The liability factor, reviewed by the legal department considered that this program be limited to participants 18 and over Councilman Brown asked about the size and style of the sign. Mr. Cisneros replied that the information on the sign and the scale of the sign is related to the speed factor because the signs will be located on a major thoroughfare. Discussion continued regarding the size of the sign. City Manager Ragland suggested that staff set up a display of signs along the highway for council's view. Councilman Haddox moved to adopt Resolution No. 09-21-88-06 and directed the staff to look into the size of the signs. Councilman Birdwell seconded the motion by adding the word "generally" at the beginning of sentence No. 2 in the terms and conditions. Ms. Marci Rodgers, Chairman of the Community Appearance Committee, mentioned that the Bryan/College Station Clean-up scheduled for October 29th. Agenda Item No. 7 - Presentation of Anti-Neglect Ordinance Menu of Provisions. (Council Priority Issue No. 10) City Attorney Locke presented this item. She stated that the anti-neglect ordinance reflects Council's concerns on repairs for old and run-down property in the City. The proposal was put together in the form of a menu to gather inputs from the Councilmembers their concerns on each section. Ms. Locke and Ms. Banks presented a slide presentation describing each section of the repair policy. Signs, Free-standing Walls and Fences. The council concurred with the wording of the first section. Councilman Blrdwell indicated that portions of the paragraph relate to aesthetics. Discussion followed. City Attorney Locke stated that one concern is that the deterioration or unattractive condition of a home affects the value of adjoining property. Councilman Birdwell remarked that he agrees with the basic statement with the exception that the signs, awnings, canopies, free-standing walls and fences be designed and treated in a manner consistent with the appearance and design of the building to which they are appurtenant. City Manager Ragland pointed out that the enforcer cannot eliminate the judgment element from the issue when applying an anti-neglect ordinance. Mayor Ringer noted that the ordinance will give more direction to staff in addressing these problems. 06889 City Council Workshop Meeting Wednesday, September 21, 1988 5 2. 3. 4. Roofs and Chimneys Ms. Locke explained several slides of deteriorated roofs and chimneys. Councilman Birdwell indicated that he feels the only appropriate statement under this subject is Statement No. 4: Chimneys shall be maintained in a satisfactory state of repair. The Council concurred to retain Statements No. 3 and 4. Councilman Gardner commented that the word "satisfactory" is a weak term in these statements. Discussion continued. Councilman Birdwell left the meeting. 5. 6. 7. Exterior Windows and Trim City Attorney Locke read three statements under this subject. Slides were presented. Councilman Haddox commented that the requirements for window seals may be too stringent. Discussion continued. Ms. Locke remarked that if the terms are too broad the harder it becomes to enforce. Councilman Haddox pointed out his main concern is that the enforcer uses good judgment. City Manager Ragland remarked that the spirit of this ordinance is preventative maintenance, yet the problem is where do you start intervening. Discussion continued. 8. 9. 10. Exterior Building Walls and Facades Ms. Locke read the three statements relating to this subject. Slides were presented. Councilman Gardner referred to Statement No. 8. He pointed out that a judgment call cannot be made in regards to paint color. Ms. Locke replied that the alternatives are limited. The staff faced problems in making the statement broader than Just aesthetics. Councilman Haddox suggested that the statement should be narrowed down to the term neighborhood rather than the community as a whole. Council concurred. 11. The Building Official shall try to seek voluntary compliance by written letter. Ms. Locke read the letter. Most of the councilmembers agreed that the letter was well written. Councilman Gardner suggested that the letter be less person- able, by leaving the "I" out. Councilman Haddox left the meeting. 6890 City Council Workshop Meeting Wednesday, September 21. 1988 6 12. 13. 14. 15. 16. 17. 18. 19. The Building Official and the Structural Standards Code Board of Adjustments. Ms. Locke explained these statements. She read the last letter that will be sent by the Building Official after an inspection has been completed which allows the owner the opportunity to come into compliance voluntar- ily. Councilman Gardner suggested that the "I" be removed. Ms. Locke explained apartment comparisons between the Aggieland Apartments and Polo Club Apartments in their tax appraisal values and the police calls received from these apartment complexes. Mr. Ragland explained that the staff has conducted two years of research in drafting this ordinance and staff found that there is a correlation between deterioration and the impact on the taxpayers. There is also a correlation between deterioration and the impact of property taxes. Councilman Schneider indicated that the restoration and upgrading of the Polo Apartments has definitely made a positive impact on the area. Councilman McIlhaney referred to public housing and even though aesthetics and property values must be looked at, the issue of providing adequate city services should be addressed. She stated that this remark was made in a booklet given to her by Mayor Ringer from the War on Drugs Committee in Washington. Councilman Schneider commended the staff for their hard work in preparing this draft. Mr. Ragland distributed to the Council changes previously discussed by the Council to insert in their budget manual. Agenda Item No. 8 - Adjourn. The Council adjourned at 6:30 p.m. Dian Jon~kty Secretary APPROVED: , 6891