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HomeMy WebLinkAbout08/25/1983 - Regular Minutes City Council MINUTES REGULAR CITY COUNCIL MEETING THURSDAY, AUGUST 25, 1983 7:00 P.M. COUNCIL MEMBERS PRESENT: Mayor Halter, Councilmen Runnels, Prause, Anderson, McIlhaney, Reinke COUNCIL MEMBERS ABSENT: STAFF PRESENT: Councilman Boughton City Manager Bardell, Assistant City Manager/Finance Director VanDever, City Attorney Denton, Assistant City Attorney Locke, City Secretary Jones, Director of Planning Mayo, Building Official Perry, Director of Capital Improvements Ash, Tax Assessor/Collector Dickson, Deputy Finance Director Schroeder, City Engineer Pullen, Utilities Billing Office Manager Piwonka, Council Coordinator Jones. VISITORS PRESENT: See guest register. Agenda Item No. 1 - CONSENT AGENDA: BIDS: Consideration of Bids for (2) Chassis for Dump Bodies. Consideration of Bids for Truck/Tractor. Consideration of Bids for (2) Chassis for Refuse Collection Bodies. Consideration of Bids for Residential Commercial High compaction-type Rear Load Refuse. Consideration of Bids for 1984 Half-ton Pick-up Truck, 2 each for the Sanitation and Cemetery Depts. Consideration of Bids for 1984 Half-ton Pick-up Truck for the Building Inspection Department. Consideration of Bids for 40 HP Utility Tractor. Consideration of Bids for Articulating Aerial Device. Consideration of Bids for Industrial Tractor, equipped with Backhoe and Front End. A final plat - Lord's Acres. (83-228) PLATS: 00/ 020 REGULAR CITY COUNCIL MEETING THURSDAY, AUGUST 25, 1983 PAGE 2 A final plat - Vacating & Resubdivision of Lot 4 Block 4 Southest College Park. (83-224) A final plat - Replat of Parkway Plaza Phase 6. (83-225) A final plat - Resubdivision of Lots 3 & 4 Block 1, Bernadine Estates. (83-227) A final plat - Regency South - Resubdivision of Lot 35 Block 16 $outhwood Valley Section III. (83-229) A preliminary plat - Walden Pond Townhomes located between FM 2818 and the extension of Southwest Parkway west of Holleman. (83-310) A preliminary plat - One Lincoln Place located on the south side of University Drive. (83-311) Councilman Runnels asked that the final plat - vacating and resubdividing Lot 4 Block 4 Southeast College Park be removed. Councilman Reinke asked that the preliminary plat -'One Lincoln Place (9.03 acres) be removed. Councilman McIlhaney asked that the preliminary plat - Walden Pond Townhomes between FM 2818 and the extension of Southwest ParTway west of Holleman be removed. Ail other bids and plats were approved by common consent. A final plat - Vacating and Resubdivision of Lot 4 Block 4 Southeast College Park Director of Planning Mayo presented the item. He stated that the request is for resubdivision of a lot, located at the northwest corner of the intersection of Winding road and Dexter Drive, into two single-family residences. The Planning and Zoning Commission recommended approval unanimously, (7-0). Mayor Halter asked if anyone present wished to speak in favor of the item. Councilman Anderson explained that the applicant had contacted him and he had advised the applicant that it would not be necessary to attend the council meeting. Mr. Leslie Hawkins, representing a number of citizens in the area, read a prepared statement in opposition to the item. He presented the written statement, signed by these citizens, to the Council. 00/ 021 REGULAR CITY COUNCIL MEETING THURSDAY, AUGUST 25, 1983 PAGE 3 Mr. Jon P. Alston stated his opposition to the subdividing of the lot. Councilman McIlhaney asked if the deed restrictions limited the size of the lots. Mr. Hawkins stated that the deed restrictions were not immediately available. Councilman Runnels, referring to the "domino theory," asked Director of Planning Mayo what effect this subdividing might have on the area. Director of Planning Mayo stated that there were not many vacant lots left in the area and he did not believe this would have an effect. Councilman Reinke asked why the lot was to be divided in the particular way proposed. Director of Planning Mayo stated that the applicant's engineer had contacted the City to see if there was a preference on the way the lot should be divided. This division was preferred because it eliminated additional curb cuts on Dexter Drive. Mayor Halter suggested that the item be tabled until additional information could be made available. Councilman Runnels moved to table the item until the September 8th meeting. Councilman Anderson stated that he did not see the point in putting off the vote when the Planning and Zoning Commission had voted approval (7-0). Councilman McIlhaney seconded the motion which passed by a vote of 5-1, as follows: FOR: Mayor Halter, Councilmen Reinke, Runnels, McIlhaney, Prause AGAINST: Councilman Anderson City Attorney Denton requested that someone supply him with a copy of the deed restrictions. Mr. Leslie Hawkins stated that he would send a copy to the City Attorney. A preliminary plat - Walden Pond Townhomes located between FM 2818 and th~ extension of Southwest Parkway west of Holleman. Director of Planning Mayo presented the item. He stated that the property was zoned R-5. He pointed out that all recommendations had been met and that the Staff recommended approval. He noted that the Planning and Zoning Commission had recommended approval unanimously (7-0). Councilman McIlhaney asked how much capacity would be left in the sewer system if this project was developed and stated that her main concern was 004.022 REGULAR CITY COUNCIL MEETING THURSDAY, AUGUST 25, 1983 PAGE 4 that if additional projects were developed would there still be enough room. City Engineer Pullen explained that development of this unit was not likely to overrun the sewer system. Following further discussion, Councilman Runnels moved approval of the plat. Councilman Anderson seconded the motion which passed unanimously, 6-0. Preliminary plat - One Lincoln Place (9.03 acres). Director of Planning Mayo presented the item. He explained that the type of access easements had been questioned and that the Staff recommended they be designated as private access easements. City Attorney Denton stated that in the Homeowner's agreement there should be a provision for maintenance of the brick wall barrier and a definition of private access road. Councilman Runnels moved approval of the plat with the stipulation that the notations made by the City Attorney be incorporated on the plat. Councilman Anderson seconded the motion which was approved unanimously, 6-0. Agenda Item No. 2 - Consideration of an Ordinance relating to Percentage of Hotel/Motel Occupanc~ Tax. Assistant City Manager VanDever presented the item. He explained that an increase of one percent in the tax effective October 1, 1983 would generate approximately $67,500. He requested that consideration be given to increasing the rate to seven percent to allow for early retirement of the debt on the Community Center. Councilman Anderson asked if the State levied a Hotel/Motel Occupancy Tax. Deputy Finance Director Schroeder stated that the State Hotel/Motel Occupancy Tax is three percent making the current total tax seven percent. Councilman Anderson asked if there were any restrictions for usage of funds for the Industrial Foundation. Assistant City Manager VanDever stated that it would depend on the Industrial Foundation's activities. Councilman Runnels asked how long it would take to pay the Community Center debt assuming this proposal was adopted. 00&023 REGULAR CITY COUNCIL MEETING THURSDAY, AUGUST 25, 1983 PAGE 5 Assistant City Manager VanDever replied that it would take approximately two years to payoff the $350,000.00 outstanding. Betty Young, Vice-President of Brazos Valley Hotel/Motel Association, stated that the members of the Association wanted to go on record as being opposed to any additional tax. She stated that the current state of business in this area has been bad. Councilman Reinke asked what the occupancy rate for this area is. Ms. Young stated that the occupancy rate in the area is less than fifty percent. Mayor Halter pointed out that the largest single expenditure from this fund goes to promote tourism. City Manager Bardell noted that College Station is not unique. He pointed out that this tax results from state legislation, and other cities are charging even more. Robert Maki, Manager of E-Z Travel Motor Inn, addressed the Council in opposition to the proposed tax increase. He stated that the occupancy rate has dropped from ninety-eight percent to between fifty and sixty-five percent. Councilman Prause asked how funding would be affected if an increase would become effective after January 1, 1984. Assistant City Manager VanDever stated that he had not figured any projections other than those for an effective date of October 1, 1983. Sally Pharr, President of the Brazos Valley Hotel/Motel Association, read an excerpt from the state law regarding the percent of expenditure required for promoting tourism. Mayor Halter stated that the City is spending approximately twenty percent of the Hotel/Motel Occupancy fund to promote tourism. Councilman Runnels moved to increase the Hotel/Motel Occupancy tax to five percent effective October 1, 1983. Councilman Prause seconded the motion. Councilman McIlhaney suggested that the new rate become effective January 1, 1984 instead of October 1, 1983. Councilman Runnels withdrew his motion and presented a new motion to increase the tax to five percent effective January 1, 1984. Councilman Prause agreed to the withdrawal of the original motion and 004024 REGULAR CITY COUNCIL MEETING THURSDAY, AUGUST 25, 1983 PAGE 6 seconded the new motion. Ordinance No. 1445, increasing the Hotel/Motel Occupancy Tax to five percent effective January 1, 1984, was approved unanimously, 6-0. A~enda Item No. 3 - Consideration of an Ordinance relating to General Penalty for Violations of the Code of Ordinances. Assistant City Attorney Locke presented the item. She stated that this Ordinance would bring City penalties in line with State Law. City Attorney Denton recommended that the proposed Ordinance be amended by the omission of the phrase "and no specific penalty is provided therefor". After further discussion, Councilman Anderson moved approval of Ordinance No. 1446 as amended. Councilman McIlhaney seconded the motion which passed unanimously, 6-0. A~enda Item No. 4 - Consideration of a ~ro~osal to chan~e funding of oversized streets, water lines, and sewer lines. Assistant City Manager VanDever presented the item. He explained the present situation concerning oversized participation in the areas of streets, water, and sewer. He recommended that the ordinance creating oversized participation on street construction be rescinded because the City has no funds to pay for the program. In addition, he requested that a transfer of $91,661.00 be authorized from the General Fund Contingency to pay current oversized street obligations. He pointed out that the oversized sewer and water participation is more flexible. He stated that one option is to rescind the ordinance creating this program which would cost the City millions in the future. However, due to the critical nature of the oversized participation program, he suggested that a solution would be to raise water rates from $1.25 to $1.37 per thousand and sewer rates from $8.00/month to $9.00/month in order to generate $300,000.00 for use in a participation program. He stated that the latter solution is the recommendation of the Finance Dept. Councilman Anderson asked if a decision on the oversized water and sewer participation was an immediate need and if there was an alternative way to finance the program in lieu of raising the rates until an acceptable bond proposal could be put together. Mayor Halter stated that at the September 7th Workshop a discussion of a new bond proposal was going to be scheduled. Assistant City Manager VanDever stated that the only ways to finance the oversized water and sewer participation would be to raise rates or to float a certificate of deposit. He stated that the latter method of financing is a more lengthy process and the turnaround is slow. 00 .025 REGULAR CITY COUNCIL MEETING THURSDAY, AUGUST 25, 1983 PAGE 7 Mayor Halter asked if money for the water and sewer oversized participation program is needed at this time. City Engineer Pullen stated that currently two projects are pending completion under the present ordinance. Councilman Anderson moved to authorize the transfer of $91,661.00 and not to act on the other recommendations of the Finance Dept. Councilman Runnels seconded the motion which passed unanimously, 6-0. Councilman McIlhaney moved to direct the City Staff and the Planning and Zoning Commission not to approve or make any financial commitments because of a lack of funds. Councilman Anderson seconded the motion, with the amendment to provide a contingency for emergencies. The motion was approved unanimously, 6-0. Agenda Item No. 5 - Consideration of Adoption of "Thoroughfare Plan" of Comprehensive Plan - Plan 2000. Director of Planning Mayo presented the item. He added to previous discussion a comment on the outlying areas. Mayor Halter asked how long the extension of Appomattox Drive had been on the Comprehensive Plan. Director of Planning Mayo stated that it had been on the plan since the mid-1970's, prior to development of the subdivisions in that area. Councilman Runnels moved to remove the extension of Welsh from the "Thoroughfare Plan" of the Comprehensive Plan - Plan ~000. Councilman McIlhaney seconded the motion which was approved by a vote of 4-2, as follows: FOR: Councilmen Runnels, Reinke, McIlhaney, Prause AGAINST: Mayor Halter, Councilman Anderson Councilman Runnels stated the reasons for removing the Welsh extension,as follows: an additional curb cut on Jersey is not desirable and the cost to the neighborhood would be great. Mayor Halter stated that at some point the City of College Station will have to have some additional north-south streets. Councilman Reinke stated that the residential areas have ~o be considered. 00 026 REGULAR CITY COUNCIL MEETING THURSDAY, AUGUST 25, 1983 PAGE 8 After further discussion, Councilman Runnels moved to adopt the "Thoroughfare Plan" of the Comprehensive Plan - Plan 2000 as amended. Councilman Anderson seconded the motion which passed by a vote of 3-2, as follows: FOR: Mayor Halter, Councilmen Runnels, Anderson AGAINST: Councilmen Reinke, McIlhaney ABSTAINED: Councilman Prause A~enda Item No. 6 - Hear Visitors. No one spoke. A~enda Item No. 7 - EMERGENCY ITEM: Closed session to discuss personnel [6252-17(~)] and pending litigation [6252-17(e)]. Councilman Runnels moved to declare Item No. 7 an emergency situation. Councilman Anderson seconded the motion which passed unanimously, 6-0. The Council moved to closed session and later reopened to the public. Agenda Item No. 8 - Action on closed session. No action was taken. Agenda Item No. 9 - Adjourn. Mayor Halter adjourned the meeting. Attest: - ian Jena/City secretary ApprovedA / ~/ ...~/~ Gary ~e'r, -~yor 00 027 LESLIE V. HAWKINS TELEPHONE: (713) 846-6281 1004 SOUTH DEXTER DI~IVE COLLEGE ST*TION. TEXA~ 7'7's~40 August 25, 1985 Honorable Mayor and Members of the Council City of College Station, Texas I ~m representing a gzoup of concerned citizens who live in the general area of the intersection of South Dexter Drive and Windi.mg Road. We a~e here tonight to express our concern for the proposed plan to divide the vacant lot that borders the intersection of South Dexter Drive and Winding Road. We are opposed to this proposed sub-division on the groumd that this is an old established residential area which has been developed a~d established some 25 to 50 years. Ail of the homes in this area are set on large lots. The residents of this area bought their homes in good faith with the underst-~ding that the lots were platted -nd would not be sub-divided to accommodate more than one single-family residence per lot. We wish to register our opposition to sub-dividing this lot imto two units. 1004 S. Dexter Dr. 00 029 GUEST REGISTER REGULAR CITY COUNCIL MEETING THURSDAY, AUGUST 25, 1983 7:00 P.M. 19. 20. 17. 18. 36. 35.