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HomeMy WebLinkAbout08/11/1977 - Regular Minutes City Council MINUTES Regular City Council Meeting August 11, 1977 7:00 P.M. MEMBERS PRESENT: Mayor Bravenec; Councilmen Gardner, Halter, Stephenson, Hazen; Director of Public Works Ford; City Planner Mayo; City Attorney Lewis; Community Development Planner Callaway; Graduate Design Engineer Fees MEMBERS ABSENT: Councilmen Ringer, Dozier; City Manager Bardell VISITORS PRESENT: See guest register. Mayor Bravenec opened the meeting. Councilman Halter moved to excuse the absence of Councilman Dozier. Councilman Stephenson seconded the motion. The motion passed unanimously. Agenda Item No. 1 -- Approval of the minutes. Mayor Bravenec declared the minutes approved as written. Agenda Item No. 2 -- Hear visitors. No one spoke. ~genda Item No. 3 -- Consideration of concessions operating in City parks. Lou Hodges, Chairman of the Parks and Recreation Committee, reviewed committee actions and recommended that a permit be granted to the Giammona family to operate a sno-cone concession with Bee Creek Park with the stipulation that the location, schedules, etc. will be subject to review and approval by the Parks and Recreation Director and that the permit will expire on October 1, 1977. Chairman Hodges stated that by January 1, 1978, the committee intends to present a policy statement concerning the total concession service next year. Chairman Hodges noted that Ordinance No. 546 prohibited any concessions in City parks without permission of the Council. Councilman Gardner moved that permission be granted to the Giammona family to operate a sno-cone concession under the conditions outlined by the Parks and Recreation Committee. Councilman Stephenson seconded the motion. The motion passed unanimously. A§enda Item No. 4 -- Disucssion of parkland acquisition in the Holik Tract area. Lou Hodges, Chairman of the Parks and Recreation Committee, stated that the committee did not recommend the properties of 3. W. Wood and M. G. Perkins located between Holleman Drive and Thomas Street as parkland. Mr. Hodges stated that the committee felt that the Fitch property would be more MINUTES, Regular City Council Meeting August 11, 1977 7:00 P.M. Page 2 suitable; because it is relatively level, it would lend itself to any type of development and also would permit safer access. The Council accepted the report of the committee. Agenda Item No. 8 -- Presentation by the Planning Department on Council Goals. COMPREHENSIVE PARK PLAN This part of Agenda Item No. 8 was moved in order that Lou Hodges, Chairman of the Parks and Recreation Committee, could present a review of the Committee's actions. Chairman Hodges asked that the City Council delay awarding a contract to a pro- fessional park planner in order to allow an "In-House" study. Mr. Hodges proposed that the committee be authorized to utilize the resources that are available within the community, including professors and students in selected classes at Texas A&M University, to accomplish all or part of the following studies: 1. evaluation of the park dedication ordinance by suggesting revisions based on committee experience as well as additional input from developers 2. evaluation of athletic and swimming programs a. the adequacy of facilities b. the problems in financing certain athletic events 3. evaluation of remaining recreational programs a. unmet needs of the citizens b. participation rates 4. evaluation of relationships of programs conducted by the Parks and Recreation department with those by other agencies and action groups a. determine where programs overlap b. where do programs fail to serve the needs of the community c. where can the agencies cooperate to serve the needs of the community 5. review of internal policies and procedures a. concession policies b. Ordinance 546 - review of rules and regulations c. land acquisition through dedication, gifts and donations d. alternatives to land dedication 6. evaluation of policies in relation to purchasing flood plain land and accepting such propertiesas parkland dedication 7. evaluation of lighted ball fields in neighborhood parks 8. evaluation of parkland needs a. size of areas needed b. location of future parks c. what facilities should be developed in the future d. cooperation with the school district 9. evaluation of the effect on the budget and other departments in the city if the Parks and Recreation programs were to be expanded City Planner Mayo stated he and Director of Parks and Recreation Wojciechowski felt that the best way to handle the park plan would be by a committee. Mr. Mayo suggested the following members: Dr. Lou Hodges, David Turrello, Jim Luscombe, Jim Behling, and Don Martell of the Parks Committee; Paul Wojciechowski and Andy Czimskey of the Parks and Recreation Department; and A1 Mayo, Chris Longley and perhaps Jim Callaway, of the Planning Department. MINUTES, Regular City Council Meeting August 11, 1977 7:00 P.M. Councilman Halter moved to accept the report and requested that the report be implemented. Councilman Stephenson seconded the motion. The motion passed unanimously. A§enda Item No. 10 -- Other business. Item No. 10 was advanced to allow Chairman Hodges to discuss further plans of the Parks and Recreation Committee. Chairman Hodges reported that Bob Bell had offered the City his property adjacent to Wayne Smith Park, which is currently being used as a play location for baseball and football. Chairman Hodges recommended that the City pursue purchase of this property. Councilman Stephenson moved to accept the report of the committee. Councilman Halter seconded the motion. The motion passed unanimously. Agenda Item No. 5 -- Consideration of appraisers for easement acquisition in the Community Development Program. Community Development Planner Callaway stated that federal regulations require that an appraiser be used to determine damages to be awarded to property owners in the Park Place drainage easement acquisition process. Planner Callaway noted two companies who are available to handle the appraisals. Planner Callaway recommended the firm of Hamilton-Woodard Company because they quoted a firm price and their ability to begin immediately. Councilman Hazen moved to retain the firm of Hamilton-Woodard. Councilman Gardner seconded the motion. The motion passed unanimously. Agenda Item No. 6 -- Consideration of an ordinance fixing Electric Utility Rates and Operation in the City of College Station and related items. Jim McCord, Electrical Consultant, reviewed the recent developments of the switch to Gulf States which resulted in a savings to the City. Mr. McCord stated that as a result of the rate change, the City would retain a seventy percent (70%) savings and pass on thirty percent (30%) to consumers. Councilman Halter moved to approve the ordinance fixing electric utility rates. Councilman Stephenson seconded the motion. The motion to pass the ordinance (Ordinance No. 1085) passed unanimously. Page 3 MINUTES, Regular City Council Meeting August 11, 1977 7:00 P.M. Page 4 Councilman Halter requested that the following be referred to the Utility Rate Structure Committee: 1) the use of utility revenue vs. taxes and, 2) a flattening of the rates. Mayor Bravenec referred the subjects to the Utility Rate Structure Committee. Agenda Item No. 7 -- Consideration of closing out the Section 8 Housing Assistance Program. Community Development Planner Callaway explained that this program has not worked in College Station because the maximum allowable rents, determined by HUD, are too low for the area. Thus, the program is a failure in providing housing assistance, which is a requirement of the Community Development Program. Planner Callaway recommended that the Mayor be authorized to send a letter to the Houston HUD office requesting that the Program be closed out and the City's Section 8 funds be reserved for another housing assistance program for College Station. Councilman Halter moved to accept the recommendations and to allow the Mayor to write a letter. Councilman Hazen seconded the motion. The motion passed unanimously. Agenda Item No. 8 -- Presentation by the Planning Department on Council Goals Program. IMPROVE COMMUNITY APPEARANCE The Planning Department has identified approximately 20-30 structures in the Community Development Program neighborhoods that can probably be condemned and removed using Federal funding. At present two (2) to four (4) structures can be removed each year. It is the intention of the department that in the future the CD program can be expanded and/or a program by the City can be used to remove dilapidated structures throughout all the neighborhoods. COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT The Planning Staff has met with the City Planner in Bryan to discuss the industrial park. Recently, City Planner Mayo accompanied a Chamber of Commerce group to Austin to request funding for the improvement and designation of Highway 6 to an interstate. PUBLIC HEALTH AND SOCIAL WELFARE Community Development Planner Callaway is investigating the existing health and transportation services available through various agencies in the County. Mayor Bravenec stated that the City should approach other governmental agencies to provide satellite services in College Station. 0 47 City Planner Mayo asked the Council for ideas about the design "theme" of the logo. MINUTES, Regular City Council Meeting August 11, 1977 7:00 P.M. A~enda Item No. 9 -- Discussion of items on the agenda from the meetin§ of Ausust 9. No discussion. Agenda Item No. l0 -- Other business. Councilman Hazen moved that the City Manager authorize the police department to provide traffic control at the intersection of Anderson and Jersey once school starts. Councilman Gardner seconded the motion. The motion passed unanimously. Councilman Halter noted the lignite strip mining which is scheduled to begin in Robertson County, Texas, stating that the City water supply may be in danger. Councilman Stephenson moved to authorize Councilman Halter to write a letter for the Mayor's signature to Texas Power and Light to request further information. Councilman Hazen seconded the motion. The motion passed unanimously. Councilman Halter asked that the staff look into air conditioning the Lincoln Center room used to serve meals in the Years for Profit Program. Councilman Halter noted that the Bonfire annual event would fall on a Friday night during the City Staff Thanksgiving holiday. Mayor Bravenec instructed Director of Public of Works Ford to inform involved personnel about the date as early as possible. Agenda Item No. 11 -- Closed session to discuss pendin~ litigation. Mayor Bravenec declared the meeting closed. Mayor Bravenec called the meeting into open session. Councilman Halter moved to award Travis House Apartments the sum of $80.00 for repairs to a brick wall. Councilman Stephenson seconded the motion. The motion passed unanimously. Agenda Item No. 12 -- Adjourn. Mayor Bravenec declared the meeting adjourned. ~~yorPROVED City ~ecreta~y Page 5 Regular City Council Heeting August 11, 1977 7:00 P.M. 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