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HomeMy WebLinkAbout03/07/1984 - Workshop Minutes City Council MINUTES WORKSHOP CITY COUNCIL MEETING WEDNESDAY, MARCH 7, 1984 4:00 P.M. COUNCIL MEMBERS PRESENT: Mayor Halter, Councilmen Boughton, McIlhaney, Reinke, Runnels, Prause, Anderson COUNCIL MEMBERS ABSENT: STAFF PRESENT: VISITORS PRESENT: None City'Manager Bardell, City Attorney Denton, Assistant City Attorney Locke, Deputy Finance Director Schroeder, Energy Specialist Layne, Director of Capital Improvements Ash, Buyer Polasek, Energy Auditor Bauer, Personnel Director Dickson, Administrative Assistant Magoon, Printing Coordinator Fry, VOE Secretary Sultemeier, Council-Coordinator Jones See guest register. Agenda Item No. 1 - Signing of proclamation designating March 6, 1984 as "Ugliest Bartender Day" in College Station, to promote multiple sclerosis research and patient care. The meeting was called to order with all members of the Council present except Councilman Prause. Mayor Halter signed a proclamation designating March 6, 1984 as "Ugliest Bartender Day" in College Station. He stated that the Ugliest Bartender Contest raises millions of dollars nationally for multiple sclerosis research and patient care. Agenda Item No. 2 - Council concerns. Councilman Reinke stated that a street light is out at the main entrance to Skaggs shopping center. She asked about the possibility of erecting a street light on Dominik between Munson and Kyle South. Councilman Runnels remarked about the traffic situation at the intersection of Welsh and FM 2818. He asked about the overall plan for that intersection. Director of Capital Improvements Ash stated that the four-way stop sign is not a permanent solution, but was undertaken because it provided the quickest action. He explained that the four-way stop reduces the possibility of accidents occurring at that intersection. ~e noted that the city is looking at other possibilities to solve this problem. He further O0 2sO WORKSHOP CITY COUNCIL MEETING WEDNESDAY, MARCH 7, 1984 PAGE 2 stated that traffic problems exist at two elementary schools, South Knoll and Southwood Valley, and that he would be submitting a report to the Council outlining these problems and some possible solutions. Councilman Runnels asked whether having an officer at that intersection during peak traffic hours could provide a possible solution. Director of Capital Improvements Ash replied affirmatively. Mayor Halter suggested some needed changes and improvements in Anderson Soccer Park. He stated that although the soccer fields are numbered it is difficult to determine which field is which without walking to each one. He suggested that the goals be painted different colors so that the soccer schedule could indicate at which color field the game would be played. He further stated that the new goals at the field are difficult to impossible to tie nets to and suggested that some tie hooks be welded to them along the bottom edge. City Manager Bardell stated that he would contact Maintenance Superintendent Whatley regarding the matter. Agenda Item No. 3 - Council Committee Report - City Affairs: Location and funding for Chamber of Commerce branch office. Mayor Halter stated that the City Affairs Council Committee had met, but had not developed a report to present to the Council. He presented a memorandum outlining several alternatives for funding a branch chamber of commerce office in College Station, which he felt were feasible for the Council to consider. He referred to several memorandums submitted to the Council from City Manager Bardell and City Attorney Denton concerning the legal aspects of the use of the Hotel/Motel Tax Fund. Councilman Prause arrived at the meeting. Mayor Halter summarized each alternative outlined in the memorandum. He explained that Alternative A will produce a balanced budget, but will not provide any funding for StageCenter. He referred to a letter from Jim Wilson outlining where that group is in terms of their fund raising efforts and plans. He stated his opinion that StageCenter is not going anywhere and reported that they have a new plan to purchase the Campus Theater which the City would not own. He expressed his feelings that StageCenter is going off in a new direction without the City's approval, and is still expecting the city to live up to the original commitment. He stated that if the organization has a new program, then the city should rene~otiate the entire package. Mayor Halter stated that Alternative B would permit funding for all organizations the same as in Alternative A, except StageCenter would be funded. He explained that the Council would, within the next two months, have a committee of the Council meet with representatives'of StageCenter 00/ 281 WORKSHOP CITY COUNCIL MEETING WEDNESDAY, MARCH 7, 1984 PAGE 3 and the Arts Council, and evaluate the new proposal (purchase of Campus Theater) and report back to the Council with a recommendation for Arts funding for the next few years. He further stated that if the Council chooses to continue a commitment to StageCenter, the hotel/motel tax can be increased - if not, the tax increase is not necessary. Mayor Halter listed the conditions that the Chamber and the City would need to agree to if either Alternative A or B is accepted by the Council. He further stated that if neither Alternative A nor B is acceptable to the Council, a lease/purchase option agreement could be worked out with the owners of the property. He listed the disadvantages of this Alternative as follows: (1) The City could spend $195,000.00 in rent and not have any equity in the property; (2) The owner will undoubtedly want a higher price for the property than the present asking price of $412,000.00. Louis Newman, President of the Chamber of Commerce, stated that the chamber agrees totally with the stipulations set forth in the memorandum. He pointed out that if the Council opted for either Alternative A or B the debt service figure might be considerably less than $65,000.00. Councilman McIlhaney asked whether the Chamber would be required to reimburse the city for use of the branch office for matters unrelated to the promotion of tourism. City Attorney Denton replied affirmatively. Councilman Runnels stated his opinion that the Fed-Mart site is an excellent location and its retrofitted design structure and landscaping will set an example for future development along University Drive. He further stated that he would support an increase of one percent in the hotel/motel occupancy tax to fund the requests of other organizations. Councilman Reinke stated that she is not in favor of increasing the hotel/motel occupancy tax. She noted that the room tax is presently at eight percent. She further stated that she prefers to see the money spent on additional activities rather than invested in a new building. She pointed out that knowledge of activities offered in a particular area, such as art and recreation, will influence the decision for locating a convention in the area more than a tourist bureau building. Mr. Newman stated that the Chamber feels that increasing the hotel/motel tax is not favorable, but that the Fed-Mart site is necessary for convention and tourist promotion. He pointed out that numerous functions necessary for the promotion and solicitation of conventions are performed at the chamber office. He further stated that the chamber is in the best position of any agency for generating hotel/motel tax revenues, which could preclude having to raise the tax now or in the future. Councilman McIlhaney stated that she has a problem with the city getting into the landlord business. 00 2. 2 WORKSHOP CITY COUNCIL MEETING WEDNESDAY, MARCH 7, 1984 PAGE 4 Mr. Newman pointed out that at present the city is the Chamber's landlord. Councilman Boughton moved to authorize the issuance of Certificates of Obligation or Bonds with a maximum of $65,000.00 debt service to fund the purchase of the Fed-Mart Site. She included in the motion that the Chamber would agree to all eight conditions set forth in the memorandum submitted by Mayor Halter and that a Council committee will meet with the Arts Council and StageCenter and return with recommendations for the Council on the projects previously discussed. Councilman Runnels stated that he wished to make clear that an affirmative vote on the motion would not indicate any opposition on his part to financial commitments to other organizations. Councilman Reinke stated that for the record it should be acknowledged that StageCenter made their requests for funding prior to the Chamber's request and that StageCenter's requests for funding will not be responsible for any increases in the hotel/motel occupancy tax. Councilman Runnels seconded the motion which passed by a vote of 4-2-1, as follows: FOR: Mayor Halter, Councilmen Boughton, Prause, Runnels AGAINST: Councilmen McIlhaney, Reinke ABSTAINED: Councilman Anderson Mr. Newman thanked the Council for their consideration of this matter and stated that the Chamber appreciates this opportunity to work with and for the Council. Councilman McIlhaney stated that she hoped her vote is not taken as any negativism toward the Chamber. The Council concurred on the Finance Committee to meet with the Arts Council and StageCenter. Representatives from both organizations stated that they were willing to meet with the Finance Committee at their convenience. Harry Ransom, former President of the Arts Council of Harris County, stated the importance of the Arts Council of Brazos Valley obtaining attention from the national Arts Council. Agenda Item No. 4 - Council Committee Report - Capital Improvements: Proposed Utility Service Center. Councilman Runnels stated that the Capital Improvements Council Committee met on February 29, 1984, and authorized the staff to send out proposals for the Utility Service Center to companies interested in constructing the project. 00 283 WORKSHOP CITY COUNCIL MEETING WEDNESDAY, MARCH 7, 1984 PAGE 5 Capital Improvements Director Ash summarized the pertinent information required from each company submitting a proposal. He explained that each proposal will be reviewed by the Capital Improvements Committee for their recommendations and then a final recommendation will be returned to Council for authorization to negotiate a contract. Agenda Item No. 5 - Discussion of time and day for council workshop meetings. The Council concurred to hold the workshop meetings at 5:00 P.M. on Wednesday prior to the Thursday night regular meeting. Agenda Item No. 6 - Presentation of proposed pay plan for city employees. Mayor Halter removed this item from the agenda at the request of Assistant City Manager VanDever. Agenda Item No. 7 - Adjourn. Mayor Halter adjourned the meeting at 5:25 P.M. Attest -. Dias Jones, Ci~F Secretary 00 28 - GUEST REGISTER WORKSHOP CITY COUNCIL HEETING HARCH 7, 198~ ~:00 P.H. 20. 2'1. 22. lO. *il. '12. 23. 25. 26. 27. 28. 29. 30. "00&285