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HomeMy WebLinkAbout10/09/1985 - Workshop Minutes City Council MINUTES WORKSHOP CITY COUNCIL MEETING WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 9, 1985 4:00 P.M. COUNCIL MEMBERS PRESENT: COUNCIL MEMBERS ABSENT: STAFF PRESENT: STUDENT GOVT. LIAISON: VISITORS PRESENT: Mayor Halter, Councilmen Bond, Tongco, Brown, McIlhaney, Runnels, Boughton None Assistant City Manager VanDever, City Attorney Locke, Director of Capital Im- provements Ash, Parks Director Beachy, City Secretary Jones, Director of Plan- ning Mayo, City Engineer Pullen, Utili- ties Office Manager Piwonka, Assistant Utilities Office Manager Albright, Electrical Superintendent Guidry, As- sistant Personnel Director Lucas, Printing Coordinator Fry, Council Coor- dinator Jones Mike Hachtman See guest register. The meeting was called to order with Mayor Pro-tem Runnels pre- siding. Agenda Item No. 1 - Council concerns. There were no comments from the Council. Agenda Item No. 2 - Presentation of five year service award to Tony Michalsky. Mayor Pro-rem Runnels presented a five year service award to Mr. Tony Michalsky who is employed in the Electrical Division of the city. Mr. Michalsky thanked the Council for the award. Agenda Item No. 3 - Presentation of Certificate of Conformance awarded by the Municipal Finance Officers Association of the United States and Canada. Mayor Pro-rem Runnels presented the Certificate of Conformance awarded by the Municipal Finance Officers Association of the United States and Canada to Assistant City Manager/Finance Direc- tor VanDever. Assistant City Manager VanDever commended the city's Finance Department for their hard work and diligence. He stated that this is the highest award that can be obtained for financial reporting, noting that the city has received the award for the past four years. WORKSHOP CITY COUNCIL MEETING WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 9, 1985 PAGE 2 Agenda Item No. 4 - Presentation by Brazos County Sesquicentenni- al Commission: Review of filmstrip and update on pro~ects for 1986. Ms. Jody Bates, representing the Sesquicentennial Commission, showed a slide presentation depicting the last 150 years in the Brazos Valley. Ms. Mary Evelyn White presented the Council with a Sesquicentennial Flag and thanked the Council for their contin- ued support. Councilman Bond arrived during the presentation. Agenda Item No. 5 - Opening of Bids for the purchase of Pecan Tree Park~ a 0.687 acre park located in the Crawford Burnett League in College Station~ Texas. Mayor Halter arrived prior to consideration of Agenda Item No. 5 and presided over the remainder of the meeting. City Attorney Locke presented the item. She stated that the city received only one bid and award of the contract is scheduled on the Regular Meeting Agenda, October 10, 1985. Agenda Item No. 6 - Discussion of Northgate area by Planning Staff. Director of Planning Mayo presented the item. He stated that in March, 1984, a memorandum concerning the Northgate Study was sub- mitted to the Council. He noted that the principal part of the memo addressed a proposed ordinance creating a special zoning district for a specific part of the Northgate area, locating the area on the map. He explained that the proposed ordinance re- moved most restrictions found in all other parts of the city and reduced the parking requirements by roughly thirty to forty per- cent. He explained that the proposal will require a very de- tailed map of the area illustrating all current data regarding available parking spaces, mix of uses, number of seats in restau- rants and clubs, etc. He stated that the staff has drafted a new proposal that will remove all restrictions info, he designated area except for a minimum front setback requirement' of ten feet and a site plan review. He stated that the proposed special Northgate Commercial District is similar in nature to Historical and Down- town Development Districts. He noted that creation of the spe- cial district was designed to recognize the unique character of the area. He explained that any development or redevelopment in the area will require that a plan be submitted to the Planning WORKSHOP CITY COUNCIL MEETING WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 9, 1985 PAGE 3 and Zoning Commission, in order for the Commission to make a rea- sonable assessment of the project to determine what impact it will have on the area. He pointed out that this procedure will provide more flexibility for the developer and existing property owners. He stated that the proposed ordinance might aid to en- courage developers to construct commercial parking lots in the area. Mayor Halter pointed out that the degree to which the Zoning Board of Adjustments can grant variances is limited by state law. He stated that the proposed ordinance provides control, but at the same time allows for a greater degree of flexibility. Councilman Bond stated that the proposed ordinance addresses many of the problems that are encountered in this area, but expressed his concern that review by the Planning and Zoning Commission is a procedure which delineates that individuals must conform to other individuals' ideas of what is suitable for the area. Director of Planning Mayo explained that under the proposed ordi- nance the Planning and Zoning Commission will be set up as a Re- view Board to review proposals for development or redevelopment in the Northgate Commercial Zone. Councilman Bond asked if the Planning and Zoning Commission would be making judgement calls on the compatibility of a proposed business in the area. He stated his opinion that the city should not have the right to pass judgement on whether or not an indi- vidual has made a correct decision in choosing a business that will be compatible to the area. Director of Planning Mayo stated that the proposed ordinance would enable the Planning and Zoning Commission to make judgement calls concerning the compatibility of a proposed business to the area. Mayor Halter referred to the map, stating that there is a large amount of potential parking space in the area. He explained there has been some discussion concerning trading the "old city hall" site for development of a limited parking area. He stated his opinion that the proposal might still be a viable option. Director of Planning Mayo stated that the staff is interested in pursuing that option. Director of Planning Mayo stated that limited funding in the amount of $45,000.00 is available in the Community Development Block Grant Program. After further discussion, Mayor Halter explained that the pro- posed ordinance will be presented to the Planning and Zoning Com- mission for a recommendation and then returned to Council for WORKSHOP CITY COUNCIL MEETING WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 9, 1985 PAGE 4 further consideration. Councilman Tongco asked if requirements concerning the sale of alcoholic beverages would apply in the proposed Northgate Commer- cial District. Mayor Halter replied affirmatively. Agenda Item No. 7 - Closed session to discuss pending litigation [6252-17(2)(e)] and personnel [6252-17(2)(g)]. ao Personnel [6252-17 (2)(g)] . 1. Discussion of Administrative Personnel. The Council moved to closed session and later reopened to the public. Agenda Item No. 8 - Adjourn. Mayor Halter adjourned the meeting. Gary Ha~~, ~ayor Di~n Jones, i~ Secretary a05770 'GUEST~R~GISTER Work shop d~c~ ~uhcil Meeting Wednesday, October 9, 1985 4:00 p.m. 1. 19. ! 5. 23. 6. 24. 7. 25. 8. 26. 9. 27. 10. 28. 11. 29. 12. 30. 13. 31. 14. 32. 15. 33. 16. 34. 17. 35. 18. 36. 005271