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HomeMy WebLinkAbout05/23/1985 - Regular Minutes City Council MINUTES REGULAR CITY COUNCIL MEETING THURSDAY, MAY 23, 1985 7:00 P.M. COUNCIL MEMBERS PRESENT: Mayor Halter, Councilmen Boughton, Bond, McIlhaney, Runnels, Tongco COUNCIL MEMBERS ABSENT: Councilman Brown STAFF PRESENT: City Manager Bardell, Assistant City Manager VanDever, Director of Capital Improvements Ash, Director of Planning Mayo, Deputy Finance Director Schroeder, Parks Director Beachy, As- sistant Director of Planning Callaway, Assistant Parks Director Czimskey, Park Planner Tate, Traffic Engineer Black, Utilities Office Manager Piwonka, Elec- trical Superintendent Guidry, Water and Sewer Superintendent Luedke, Assistant Director of Public Services Epps, Tech- nical Supervisor Lange, Personnel Di- rector Dickson, Meter Service Supervi- sor Hudson, Meter Service Representa- tive Mixon, Council Coordinator Jones VISITORS PRESENT: See guest register. The meeting was called to order with Councilman Brown absent. Agenda Item No. 1 - Approval of the minutes of the Special City Council Meeting, May 1, 1985, the Workshop City Council Meeting, May 8, 1985 and the Regular City Council Meeting, May 9, 1985. Councilman Boughton moved approval of the minutes of the Special City Council Meeting, May 1, 1985, the Workshop City Council Meeting, May 8, 1985 and the Regular City Council Meeting, May 9, 1985. Councilman McIlhaney seconded the motion which was approved unan- imously, 6-0. Agenda Item No. 2 - A public hearing on the ~uestion of rezoning Lots 1, 2 and part of Lot 3 Block C College Heights Subdivision (304 University Drive) from Duplex District R-2 to Administra- tive-Professional District A-P. Application is in the name of Myrna Hughes. (85-111). Assistant Director of Planning Callaway presented the item. He stated that the rezoning request concerns Lots 1, 2 and part of Lot 3 Block C College Heights Subdivision from Duplex District R-2 to Administrative-Professional District A-P. He listed the 9- L 2 REGULAR CITY COUNCIL MEETING THURSDAY, MAY 23, 1985 PAGE 2 existing land uses in the area. He noted that on the city's Land Use Plan this area along University Drive is reflected as commer- cial. He pointed out that the request is in compliance with the city's Land Use Plan and commercial development policies. He al- so noted that the requested zoning is compatible with current zoning and uses in the area. He recommended approval of the re- quest and noted that the Planning and Zoning Commission voted (6-0) on 5/2/85 to recommend approval. Mayor Halter opened the public hearing. No one spoke. The public hearing was closed. A~enda Item No. 3 - Consideration of an ordinance rezonin~ the above tract. Councilman Bond moved approval of Ordinance No. 1591 rezoning the above tract from duplex district R-2 to Administrative-Profes- sional District A-P. Councilman Boughton seconded the motion which was approved unani- mously, 6-0. A~enda Item No. 4 - A public hearin~ to consider a resubdivision final plat of Reserve Tract 3 Quail Run Estates Phase One, a sub- division in the ETJ which is located approximately 750 feet southeast of the intersection of Dowlin~ Road and Quail Run Drive. (85-205) Director of Planning Mayo presented the item. He explained that recent state legislation requires the scheduling of public hear- ings for any resubdivision plats that create new lots. He stated that the Planning and Zoning Commission held a public hearing on 5/16/85 to consider the resubdivision of the final plat of Re- serve Tract 3 Quail Run Estates Phase One and no public opposi- tion was heard. He further stated that the Commission voted (7-0) to recommend approval of this plat as shown. Mayor Halter opened the public hearing. Mr. Larry Wells, representing Jerry Bishop & Associates, spoke in favor of the resubdivision final plat of Reserve Tract 3 Quail Run Estates Phase One. No one else spoke. The public hearing was closed. A~enda Item No. 5 - Consideration of the above final plat. Councilman Bond moved approval of the resubdivision final plat of Reserve Tract 3 Quail Run Estates Phase One. 00/, REGULAR CITY COUNCIL MEETING THURSDAY, MAY 23, 1985 PAGE 3 Councilman Boughton seconded the motion which was approved unani- mously, 6-0. Agenda Item No. 6 - A ~ublic hearing to consider a resubdivision preliminary plat of the Schick Addition Subdivision, a subdivi- sion of the City of College Station which is located at the northeast corner of the intersection of Southwest Parkway and Wellborn Road. Director of Planning Mayo presented the item. He stated that this property is located at the intersection of Southwest Parkway and Wellborn Road. He explained that the owner has plans to sub- divide outer parcels leaving the remainder of the inner parcels to be developed as a retail shopping center. He noted that a note will be added to the preliminary plat stating that the re- subdivision of the Schick Addition will be considered as one (1) premise in order to limit access points and signage. He stated that the staff recommends approval of this preliminary plat with the inclusion of this note and stated that the applicant was in agreement with this condition. Councilman McIlhaney questioned whether there will be two access points off of Wellborn and two off of Southwest Parkway for this development. She asked what the distance is from the intersec- tion at Southwest Parkway and Wellborn and the nearest access point. Director of Planning Mayo stated that the plat designates two ac- cess points off of Wellborn and two access points off of South- west Parkway. He further stated that the distance between the intersection at Wellborn Road and Southwest Parkway and the near- est access point is approximately 200 feet. He noted that the applicant has been informed that the access points closest to the major intersection at some point in time may be limited to right-turn only. Councilman McIlhaney expressed her concern with locating two ac- cess points so close to a major intersection, because of the safety problems created. She stated her preference that the two access points closest to the major intersection be deleted from the preliminary plat. Director of Planning Mayo explained that designation of access points on plats does not guarantee the construction of curb cuts because revisions can be made by the City Engineer at the site plan review stage. Councilman Boughton concurred with the concerns expressed by Councilman McIlhaney. She noted, however, that these access points will be self-limiting. 006.9 .A REGULAR CITY COUNCIL MEETING THURSDAY, MAY 23, 1985 PAGE 4 Mayor Halter opened the public hearing. Mr. Larry Wells, representing Jerry Bishop and Associates, spoke in favor of the preliminary plat - resubdivision of the Schick Addition as presented. Mr. William Brackeen, representing 1127 Joint Venture, pointed out that the two access points closest to the major intersection will provide limited access for the corner lot and the two smaller lots adjacent to the corner lot. He stated that at this time he does not know whether there will be direct access from the smaller lots to the large tract in the rear. He stated that the distance of 200 feet from the major intersection to the ac- cess points closest to it provides a safe situation. No one else spoke. The public hearing was closed. A~enda Item No. 7 - Consideration of the above preliminary plat. Councilman Boughton moved approval of the preliminary plat - re- subdivision of the Schick Addition (85-304). Councilman Tongco seconded the motion. Councilman McIlhaney expressed her concerns with the possibility of limiting the access between the out parcels and the large tract in the rear, which might create a similar situation to that presently existing between Post Oak Mall and Post Oak Vil- lage. Councilman Runnels requested that the Planning Department review thoroughly the two concerns expressed concerning this plat. The motion to approve the preliminary plat as presented was ap- proved by a vote of 5-1, as follows: FOR: Mayor Halter, Councilmen Bond, Boughton, Runnels, Tongco AGAINST: Councilman McIlhaney A~enda Item No. 8 - CONSENT AGENDA: BIDS: Aluminum Conductor Wire - 8 reels (Bid 85-51) Cab-Chassis Truck - one each (Bid 85-50) Farm Tractor with Front End Loader - one each (Bid 85-49) Transformers, 25 KVA - 60 each (Bid 85-48) PLATS: Final Plat - Southwood Valley Section 24A (85-207) Mayor Halter removed from the Agenda Bid 85-50, the cab-chassis truck - one each. 00 9 5 REGULAR CITY COUNCIL MEETING THURSDAY, MAY 23, 1985 PAGE 5 Ail items not removed were approved by common consent. A~enda Item No. 9 - Consideration of award of bid for 5.0 MG Ground Storage Reservoir (C.I.P. Pro~ect No. R81-81-10). Director of Capital Improvements Ash presented the item. He re- ferred to the information provided in the packet. He stated that Mr. Ed McDow, representing Riewe and Wischmeyer, and staff recom- mend that the contract be awarded to Nacon Services, the low bid- der, in the amount of $682,500.00. Councilman Runnels moved to award the contract for a 5.0 MG Ground Storage Reservoir (C.I.P. Project No. R-81-81-10) to Nacon Services, the low bidder, in the amount of $682,500.00. Councilman Boughton seconded the motion which was approved unani- mously, 6-0. A~enda Item No. 10 - Consideration of a request b~ the Legal De- p artment for the purchase of an additional word processor billies Micom 3004). Mayor Halter removed this item from the agenda. A~enda Item No. 11 - Consideration of an Ordinance amendin~ Cha~- ter 10 Section 3 of the Code of Ordinances of the Cit~ of College Station, allowin~ the State Department of Highways to set speed limits for the SH 6 (East Bypass) frontage roads. Traffic Engineer Black presented the item. Councilman Boughton questioned why a single speed was not desig- nated for the frontage roads. Capital Improvements Ash stated that the Highway Department is required by State Law to establish speed limits in accordance with the eighty-fifth percentile. He explained that after the Highway Department conducts the speed study they are only allowed to change the speed in a certain band width, which is five miles per hour. Councilman Runnels moved approval of Ordinance No. 1592 amending Chapter 10 Section 3 of the Code of Ordinances of the City of College Station. Councilman Boughton seconded the motion which was approved by a vote of 5-1, as follows: FOR: Mayor Halter, Councilman Bond, Boughton, McIlhaney, Runnels AGAINST: Councilman Tongco 9/,,. 6 REGULAR CITY COUNCIL MEETING THURSDAY, MAY 23, 1985 PAGE 6 Agenda Item No. 12 - Consideration of an Ordinance amending Chap- ter 11, Section 2.D of the Code of Ordinances of the City of Col- lege Station, Texas, relating to access to meters. Utilities Office Manager Piwonka presented the item. She pre- sented a brief history of the problem concerning access to utili- ty meters. She pointed out that currently there are 383 loca- tions in the city that are not accessible because of various rea- sons such as locked gates, ferocious pets and virtually no ac- cess. She noted that the staff has attempted to work with the citizens to alleviate these problems. She defined "adequate ac- cess'' as the ability of a meter reader to get to a meter without visual aids or without the presence of another party. She showed a video tape of the different problem situations that are encoun- tered by meter readers. She summarized the injury reports that have been filed since February, 1984, and pointed out that the city has spent $5,694.00 in workmens' compensation and medical since that time. She further explained that meters can be read over fences, but cannot be serviced without direct access. She further explained steps that will be taken by the city if "ade- quate access" is not provided by the utility customer. Councilman Tongco questioned why the two month extension is pro- vided citizens who fail to come into compliance with the ordi- nance after receipt of a certified letter requesting their assis- tance and a ten day grace period. She suggested that the ordi- nance be made more punitive by stating that after the fourth oc- casion access is denied, the customer will be notified by certi- fied letter that he/she must come into compliance within ten (10) days and that failure to do so shall be grounds for termination of service. Councilman Tongco moved approval of Ordinance No. 1593 deleting the section in the proposed ordinance which read "If the customer fails to provide the required access, a charge of Two Hundred Dollars ($200.00), in addition to the regular charges for utility service, will be assessed for every billing period that a custom- er fails to come into compliance. Failure to pay the assessment or come into compliance within two billing periods shall be grounds for termination of service;" and adding "On the fourth occasion access is denied, the Utilities Office Manager or his delegate will notify the customer in writing, by certified let- ter, giving the customer ten (10) days to come into compliance. Failure to come into compliance within the ten (10) day period shall be grounds for termination of service. In the event that the property owner has not come into compliance within ten (10) days, he will be charged the cost of disconnection and reconnec- tion of service whether or not service is actually terminated." . 00&967 REGULAR CITY COUNCIL MEETING THURSDAY, MAY 23, 1985 PAGE 7 Councilman McIlhaney seconded the motion which was approved unan- imously, 6-0. Councilman Bond suggested that in the course of the building per- mit process it might be possible to require the installation of meters outside of fenced areas in order to remedy the problem of access to meters for the long term. Agenda Item No. 13 - Consideration of an Ordinance amending Chap- ter 11, Section 4, relating to electric rates (for security lights). Utilities Office Manager Piwonka presented the item. She noted that in January, 1985 the Council approved the retrofit of street lighting from mercury vapor to high pressure sodium. She pointed out that the proposal included a decrease in the monthly electric rate paid by customers who are currently billed for a security light because of the difference in the operating cost of high pressure sodium versus mercury vapor. She further stated that the proposed ordinance includes rates for both mercury vapor and sodium, but the rates for mercury vapor will be deleted when the conversion is completed. Councilman Bond moved approval of Ordinance No. 1594 amending Chapter 11, Section 4, relating to electric rates (for security lights). Councilman Tongco seconded the motion which was approved unani- mously, 6-0. Agenda Item No. 14 - Consideration of an adder to electric rates, for support of Lone Star Municipal Power Agency. City Manager Bardell presented the item. He referred to his mem- orandum dated May 16, 1985 provided in the packet. He explained that LSMPA has requested each City Council to place a $.0003 per kilowatt hour "adder" to power purchases for contribution to the operation of the Agency. He calculated College Station's share to be approximately $81,600.00 a year to be in effect until such time that LSMPA is capitalized. He noted, however, that the "adder" would not be triggered until a firm agreement is reached with Gulf State Utilities and the other three cities are con- verted to the WST rate. He suggested that the city use the set- tlement received from the Rate Case ($460,000.00) to lower con- sumer rates, but subtract the "adder" from the rebate. He fur- ther stated that the other three member cities have passed this proposal with the provision that the "adder" start upon their change to the Wholesale Transmission Rate. 00/ 96.8 REGULAR CITY COUNCIL MEETING THURSDAY, MAY 23, 1958 PAGE 8 Councilman McIlhaney moved approval of an "adder" to provide sup- port for the Lone Star Municipal Power Agency, not to exceed $.0003 per kilowatt hour of total sales of electric energy to be funded from the Gulf State Utilities Rebate. Councilman Boughton seconded the motion which was approved unani- mously, 6-0. A~enda Item No. 15 - Consideration of Design Conce~ts for Richard Carter Park. Assistant Parks Director Czimskey presented the item. He stated that the Richard Carter Park is located in the Glenhaven Subdivi- sion at the corner of Brazoswood and the East Bypass. He pre- sented three design concepts for the park, described the proposed location of the program elements for each concept, and noted that the Parks and Recreation Board recommended Concept II. Councilman Runnels asked how many vehicles are expected at the park at any given hour. He expressed his concern with the per- pendicular access to the East Bypass frontage road. Assistant Parks Director Czimskey stated that there is room for twenty vehicles to park along Brazoswood Drive. He discussed the idea of designing the parking area to allow for two buses to park at the park at any given time. Mayor Halter asked if any problems had been encountered concern- ing the moving of the Richard Carter Cemetery. Assistant Parks Director Czimskey stated that the Highway Depart- ment has expressed concern about the city's idea to attempt to move the cemetery. He further stated that Brazosland Realty owns the property on which the cemetery is located and would be re- sponsible for moving it. He stated that a location has been re- served in the Park for the cemetery if indeed all the details for moving the cemetery are negotiated. Mayor Halter pointed out that Brazosland Realty commissioned the city to help locate the cemetery. He explained that at that time the city entered into a gentleman's agreement with them which would allow that the city eventually move the cemetery onto the Richard Carter Park site. He noted that some contacts were made with some distant relatives of the Richard Carter Family who granted permission to the city to relocate the cemetery. Councilman Bond questioned where the historical plaque would be located in Concept II. Assistant Parks Director Czimskey stated that in Concept II the historical plaque would be located either at the entrance to the Park or at the Interpretive Center. 00z 969 REGULAR CITY COUNCIL MEETING THURSDAY, MAY 23, 1985 PAGE 9 Mayor Halter asked where the original Carter documents would be located. He questioned if the city still intends to excavate the wellsite to search for artifacts. Assistant Parks Director Czimskey stated that the artifacts would most probably be incorporated into the Interpretative Center. He stated that if the Council desires that the wellsite be excavated it can be made a condition for development of the Park. Councilman Tongco moved approval of Concept II for the Richard Carter Park. Councilman Bond seconded the motion which was approved unanimous- ly, 6-0. A~enda Item No. 16 - Consideration of Final Plan for Windwood Park. Mr. Casey Tate, Park Planner, presented the item. He stated that the Park is located at the rear of the Windwood Subdivision. He listed the program elements as follows: signage; drinking foun- tain; seating; playground; picnic tables; gazebo; and, site im- provements. He further stated that the Parks and Recreation Board discussed the possibility of accessing some walking trails through the Park. Councilman Bond moved approval of the Final Plan for Windwood Park. Councilman Boughton seconded the motion which was approved unani- mously, 6-0. A~enda Item No. 17 - Discussion of city ~artici~ation in con- struction of ma~or drainage facilities. Director of Capital Improvements Ash presented the item. He stated that Mr. Allen Swoboda was in attendance to address the Council on the question of whether or not the city should partic- ipate in the construction of major drainage facilities (bridges). He stated the staff's opinion that there is a neces- sity for the city to participate in some fashion in the construc- tion of these facilities. He noted that these structures are very expensive to build and are cost prohibitive for many devel- opers. Councilman Bond questioned what mechanism of control the city will use to make determinations of where there is a need for city participation in construction of these structures. 006 9.5N REGULAR CITY COUNCIL MEETING THURSDAY, MAY 23, 1985 PAGE 10 Director of Capital Improvements Ash stated that the staff con- tacted the Public Works Resource Center at TAMU concerning this matter and was informed that there is not a policy in place at this time that the city could follow as an example in development of its own policy. He requested Council direction on developing the criteria on which the city will participate in such projects. Councilman Bond suggested that each request for city participa- tion in construction of these facilities be approved by Council. He further suggested that another criteria might be for the city to require the developer to fund the project by his own means un- til his subdivision is fifty percent complete, then the city will begin participating back for the structure on a percent basis as revenue is received. Director of Capital Improvements Ash recommended additional cri- teria for participation in bridge construction that might be fea- sible such as: (1) on seventy foot right-of-ways and larger; and, (2) tied to a certain drainage amount. Mr. Allen Swoboda reiterated the comments expressed by Director of Capital Improvements Ash. He pointed out that if these major drainage structures are left for construction by private develop- ers then they most probably will not be constructed because of the cost involved. Director of Capital Improvements Ash stated that in the CIP pro- gram there are funds available for participation in these types of projects, and requested direction from the Council on how to proceed. Councilman McIlhaney asked if the Drainage Committee would be de- veloping design criteria for these types of structures and ques- tioned whether this information could be incorporated into the policy concerning this matter. Director of Capital Improvements stated that it was a possibility. The Council concurred to direct the staff to develop a policy that would allow for city participation in the construction of drainage facilities that (a) are on streets that are on the major thoroughfare plan, (b) are on streets that are in seventy feet of right-of-way or larger, and (c) carry a designated flow of water capacity. Agenda Item No. 18 - Consideration of a~roval of Decision Pack- a~es for Utility and Sanitation Funds. Assistant City Manager VanDever presented the item. 00 951 REGULAR CITY COUNCIL MEETING THURSDAY, MAY 23, 1985 PAGE 11 Ms. Barbara Vance, President of Brazos Beautiful Inc., requested funding for that organization in the amount of $8,000.00 for the FY 85-86. She presented a profile of activities and accomplish- ments of the organization. Mayor Halter suggested that the Council proceed by reviewing the list of decision packages for the Utility Fund. Councilman McIlhaney questioned how the request for a Technical Sr. Radio/Traffic Technician (Decision Package #3) differed from the position of Traffic Safety Specialist requested in the Gener- al Fund decision packages. Technical Supervisor Gary Lange pointed out with the addition of eleven (11) new traffic signalized intersections there has been a fifty percent increase in the workload in the maintenance of traffic signals. He further stated that this individual will be used on a rotational basis to provide maintenance of radios in the city wide system. Director of Capital Improvement Ash stated that the Traffic Safe- ty Specialist position was requested to assist Traffic Engineer Black. Mayor Halter suggested that the city might consider purchasing less expensive word processing equipment where it is feasible. Assistant City Manager VanDever stated that the reason that par- ticular type of equipment was requested was to maintain compati- bility with existing word processing equipment throughout the city. Councilman McIlhaney questioned whether the re-roofing of the University Drive Pump Station was critical considering that it did not receive a recommendation for funding. Water and Sewer Superintendent Luedke stated that the present condition of the roof of the Pump Station did not present any danger to the destruction of equipment. Director of Capital Im- provements Ash stated, however, that the work does need to be done. Mayor Halter suggested that this item might need to be addressed. Assistant City Manager VanDever explained that items such as this that need to be addressed can be handled through the Contingency Fund. 00&952 REGULAR CITY COUNCIL MEETING THURSDAY, MAY 23, 1985 PAGE 12 Councilman McIlhaney questioned whether the awning is needed for the doors at the Dowling Road Pump Station. Water and Sewer Su- pervisor Luedke stated that something needs to be done to allevi- ate this problem. Mayor Halter suggested that the Council proceed by reviewing the decision packages for the Sanitation Fund. Assistant City Manager VanDever presented a brief summary of the Sanitation Fund. He suggested that the Brazos Beautiful request for funding in the amount of $8,000.00 be appropriated from the Sanitation Contingency Fund. He stated that the Drainage Program was added to the Sanitation Budget this Fiscal Year and recom- mended that the initial expense for start-up and operating costs in the amount of $376,832.00 be funded through bond funds ear- marked for this purpose. Councilman Bond questioned whether it is allowable to pay sala- ries with bond proceeds. Assistant City Manager VanDever stated his opinion that it is ap- propriate to pay salaries with bond proceeds if the salaries are related to the specific project for which the bond proceeds were authorized. He noted that he would address the question to the city's bond attorneys. Councilman McIlhaney moved to continue support for Brazos Beauti- ful Inc. in the amount of $8,000.00. Councilman Boughton seconded the motion which was approved unani- mously, 6-0. Mayor Halter asked Assistant City Manager VanDever to explain the section in his letter of transmittal concerning the recommenda- tion that a drainage assessment be levied in sufficient amount to make the drainage division self-sufficient. He stated his opin- ion that the recommendation made a great deal of sense and sug- gested that the fee be based upon the amount of sewage an indi- vidual puts into the system. Councilman McIlhaney stated that the Drainage Committee has been discussing other means of funding for this project. Assistant City Manager VanDever stated that his primary goal for recommending the drainage assessment was to make the Council aware that this particular matter is a community problem and that in the future the drainage division should be self-supporting. 00 95,3 REGULAR CITY COUNCIL MEETING THURSDAY, MAY 23, 1985 PAGE 13 Mayor Halter reiterated that next year there will not be any funds available to support the operations of this program and the Council will need to provide some source of funding for this pro- gram in the future. He requested the staff to review the Hotel/Motel Tax Fund requirements dictated by state law relating to the degree of funding allowed for certain items and the actual requests made for FY 85-86 and to calculate the maximum amounts that can go for each request. Councilman Bond moved approval of the decision packages for the Utility and Sanitation Fund in the priority set out with the two additions in the Utility Fund pointed out by Councilman McIlhaney as follows: (1) Pump Station Re-roofing; and, (2) Dowling Road Pump Station Awning. Councilman Runnels seconded the motion which was approved unani- mously, 6-0. Agenda Item No. 19 - Consideration of a "Record Vote" on tax in- crease. Deputy Director of Finance Schroeder presented the item. He de- fined the effective tax rate and noted that the 1985 Effective Tax Rate was calculated to be $.3577/$100. He further stated that the Property Tax Code allows the Council to adopt a tax rate which is as much as three percent higher than the effective tax rate without holding a special hearing or publishing notices. He explained the process that the Council must follow if it intends to set a tax rate which exceeds the three percent limit. He stated that the Council must take a "record vote" at the meeting at which a decision is made to increase the tax rate and the amount of increase must be included in the "record vote." He ex- plained that the tax rate that is later adopted may not be great- er than the amount of increase included in the "record vote," but it may be lower. Mayor Halter listed the items that the Council intends to fund but which are not funded at this point, as follows: (1) College Station Branch Library - $194,000.00; (2) Bryan Library - $30,000.00; and, (3) Request from TAMU for funding for Easterwood Airport - $100,000.00. He pointed out that the staff has indi- cated that a $.03/$100 increase in the tax rate would provide funding for the items previously mentioned. He suggested that the Council consider taking a "record vote" for the $.03/$100 in- crease and if later the Council determines that the $.03/$100 is too large it can be decreased. Councilman Tongco expressed her opinion that the citizens of Col- lege Station dictated a $.02/$100 increase in the tax rate by their vote in the April 6, 1985 Election. She stated that she 00 95a REGULAR CITY COUNCIL MEETING THURSDAY, MAY 23, 1985 PAGE 14 would like to support the request made by TAMU for Easterwood Airport by trimming the city's budget to put the city in the po- sition to provide this funding. She stated that she would sup- port a $.02/$100 increase in the tax rate to provide support for the College Station Branch Library and continue the city's sup- port for the Bryan Library. Councilman Tongco moved to take a "record vote" on increasing the tax rate by $.02/$100 to provide funding for the College Station Branch Library and the Bryan Library. The motion was not seconded. Councilman Bond asked a question concerning time restrictions for taking the "record vote." He concurred with Councilman Tongco's comments, but stated that he recognized the wisdom of taking the "record vote" to raise the tax rate by $.03/$100 when considering that the economies gained in the Council's budget decisions might not yield sufficient funding for the airport and to fund this item would require the additional $.01/$100. Councilman Runnels stated that it would be incumbent on the Coun- cil to monitor tenaciously this additional $.01/$100. Councilman McIlhaney stated that she would not have any objec- tions to this increase if the city's revenues were showing to be down and pointed out that the city's revenues are up approximate- ly $1,387,100.00 over last year. Mayor Halter stated that the City of College Station, Texas is probably the only city in the United States that does not apply any property tax revenues to their operating expenses. He re- ferred to the comments previously made concerning the sored state of the economy and questioned the attitude of fiscal austerity that has been expressed. He suggested that if that attitude con- tinues the city is going to neglect problems that need to be ad- dressed and will be forced to pay a higher price in the future for that neglect. Councilman McIlhaney suggested that there might be a need for a closer look at some of the items requested in the budget. Councilman Runnels stated that he did not want to increase taxes, but in light of the city's desire to increase the level of street maintenance and the funding request made by TAMU for Easterwood Airport the $.03/$100 did not seem unreasonable. 00&955 REGULAR CITY COUNCIL MEETING THURSDAY, MAY 23, 1985 PAGE 15 Councilman Bond moved to take a "record vote" based on a $.03/$100 increase in the tax rate and that the Council will con- tinue with its efforts to try to keep the tax increase at $.02/$100. Councilman Runnels seconded the motion. City Manager Bardell pointed out two dilemmas that are greatly impacting municipal governments today, as: (1) the Federal Gov- ernment is seizing support for many programs and this burden is falling back on the municipal government; and, (2) citizens are continuing to demand a higher level of service. After further discussion, the motion was approved by a vote of 4-2, with Councilman Brown absent, as follows: FOR: Mayor Halter, Councilmen Bond, Boughton, Runnels AGAINST: Councilmen McIlhaney, Tongco A~enda Item No. 20 - Hear Visitors. No one spoke. A~enda Item No. 21 - Closed session to discuss ~endin~ litigation [6252-17(2)(e)] and ~ersonnel [6252-17(2)(~)]. A. Personnel [6252-17 (2)(g)]. 1. Discussion of Citizen Committee Appointments. The Council moved to closed session and later reopened to the public. Councilman Tongco left the meeting. A~enda Item 22 - Action on closed session. Councilman Bond moved to appoint Ed McDow (04/87) and Steve Terrell (04/87) to the Structural Standards Board/Building Code Board of Adjustments. Councilman Boughton seconded the motion which was approved unani- mously, 5-0, with Councilmen Brown and Tongco absent. The Council concurred to appoint Councilman Tongco to serve as Council Liaison to the Energy Management Committee. 00 95- REGULAR CITY COUNCIL MEETING THURSDAY, MAY 23, 1985 PAGE 16 Agenda Item No. 23 - Adjourn. Mayor Halter adjourned the meeting at 10:15 P.M. / APP ROVE ATTEST: _~~~_~ Ga~y H~a'l~~r Dian---n~, C~%y Secretary 00&957 GUEST REGISTER REGULAR CITY COUNCIL MEETING THURSDAY, MAY 23, 1985 7=00 P.M. 19. 20. 21. 22. 23. 24. 25. 26. 27. 28. 29. 30. 31. 32. 33. 34. 35. 00/ 958