HomeMy WebLinkAbout03/24/2011 - Workshop Minutes City Council
MINUTES OF THE CITY COUNCIL WORKSHOP
CITY OF COLLEGE STATION
MARCH 24, 2011
STATE OF TEXAS §
COUNTY OF BRAZOS §
Present:
Nancy Berry
Council:
John Crompton
Jess Fields
Dennis Maloney
Katy-Marie Lyles
Jana McMillan
Dave Ruesink
City Staff:
David Neeley, City Manager
Kathy Merrill, Assistant City Manager
Carla Robinson, City Attorney
Sherry Mashburn, City Secretary
Tanya McNutt, Deputy City Secretary
Call to Order and Announce a Ouorum is Present
With a quorum present, the Workshop of the College Station City Council was called to order by
Mayor Nancy Berry at 3:02 p.m. on Thursday, March 24, 2011 in the Council Chambers of the
City of College Station City Hall, 1101 Texas Avenue, College Station, Texas 77842.
1. Presentation, possible action, and discussion on items listed on the consent agenda
Items 21 and 21 were pulled from the Consent Agenda.
2i: Chuck Gilman, Director of Capital Projects, explained the funding was through a grant
reimbursement.
21: Jeff Capps, Chief of Police, explained this request is for more equipment.
2. Presentation, possible action, and discussion regarding the plan to enhance pedestrian
safety along University Drive between Wellborn Road and Tauber Street, Ordinance 2011-
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3327, removing parking on University Drive and a Memorandum of Understanding
(MOU) with the Northgate District Association.,
Chuck Gilman, Director of Public Works, updated the Council on the University Drive
Pedestrian Safety Improvement Project. He began with the history and need for safety with an
illustration depicting bike and pedestrian crash data, most of which was centered at the
intersection of University and College Main. Pedestrian safety was identified in 2003 with the
Northgate Redevelopment Implementation Plan. In 2007, the issue was further studied through
the Master Plan. These elements were included in a 2008 bond authorization for safety
improvements in this corridor from Wellborn to South College. The project budget is $7 million.
The City completed the Discovery Drive extension on the TAMU campus, and TXDOT accepted
responsibility of the Phase 1 pedestrian safety improvements. There have been numerous
meetings between the City, TXDOT, and TAMU. Because of unique property boundaries in an
historical area, staff concluded, that in order to move forward, there is a need for a temporary
construction easement or right-of-way and began additional public engagement. This resulted in
the creation of a Memorandum of Understanding between the City and the Northgate
Development Association. NDA responsibilities include providing TXDOT with temporary
construction easements to allow for construction of a wider sidewalk and pedestrian barrier in the
current parking area on Boyett to College Main. From College Main to Lodge, they will provide
TXDOT with temporary construction easements to allow for construction of the loading zone in
the current parking area, dedicating the right-of-way to allow the City to enforce the loading
zone restrictions.
The City's responsibilities include: 1) remove all on-street parallel parking on Wellborn Road to
Tauber; 2) coordinate with TXDOT to construct a wider sidewalk in the current parking area on
Wellborn Road to College Main; 3) coordinate with TXDOT to construct a pedestrian barrier to
prevent pedestrians from walking into the travel lanes; 4) coordinate with TXDOT to construct a
loading zone in the current parking area on College Main to Lodge; 5) mitigate the parking that
was lost along University Drive; 6) construct a pedestrian plaza on College Main; 7) directional
signage to parking areas in Northgate; and 8) develop a process to allow merchants to utilize the
sidewalk and other appropriate public rights-of-way to conduct business.
MOTION: Upon a motion made by Councilmember Crompton and a second by
Councilmember Lyles, the City Council voted seven (7) for and none (0) opposed, to adopt
Ordinance 2011-3327, removing parking on University Drive, and approving a Memorandum of
Understanding (MOU) with the Northgate District Association. The motion carried
unanimously.
3. Presentation, possible action, and discussion regarding the progress of the Medical
Corridor Study.
David Gwin, Director of Economic Development, updated the Council on the progress of the
Medical Corridor Study. The area has a radius of about one mile, but there are no specific
boundaries at this time. The College Station Medical Center is the largest single taxpayer and
the largest single utility customer. Currently, there is a $22 million expansion underway. The
other anchor is the Scott and White Hospital and Clinic. It is a 175,000 square foot facility with
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an investment of 120 million. Current medical assets include BCS Heart, Brazos Valley Foot
Care, Hope Cancer Center, etc. with a value of about $80 million. The City can expect that value
to double, not including $100,000 in taxable value for Scott and White. Some initial corridor
observations include: 1) it is anchored by a medically-oriented development; 2) primary access
is at Rock Prairie and Highway 6. Some concerns are limited highway visibility, a need for way-
finding elements, and the need for image and branding.
4. Presentation, possible action, and discussion on Resolution 03-24-11-04, awardiniz a
Construction Contract (RFP 11-45) with Knife River in the amount of $878,264.39 for the
Roeder Road & Greens Prairie Trail Reconstruction Project
Chuck Gilman, Director of Public Works, updated the Council on the Royder Road and Greens
Prairie Trail Reconstruction Project. Transportation improvements to support Greens Prairie
Elementary School include: 1) new pavement with bike lanes, sidewalks, and drainage
improvements along Royder Road, south of Greens Prairie Trail; 2) replace undersized drainage
structures along Greens Prairie Trail east of Royder; 3) a deceleration lane on Greens Prairie
Trail into the school; and 4) a dedicated left turn lane on Greens Prairie Trail into the school and
onto Royder Road. Completion is expected by July, 2011, and the project budget is $1,062,420.
MOTION: Upon a motion made by Councilmember Maloney and a second by Councilmember
Ruesink, the City Council voted seven (7) for and none (0) opposed, to adopt Resolution 03-24-
11-04, awarding a Construction Contract (RFP 11-45) with Knife River in the amount of
$878,264.39 for the Royder Road & Greens Prairie Trail Reconstruction Project. The motion
carried unanimously.
5. Presentation, possible action, and discussion regarding the annual contract with
McCord Engineering, Inc. for en2ineerinl! services provided to College Station Utilities
This item is on the Consent Agenda for March 24, 2011 for Council approval
Timothy Crabb, Assistant Director for Electric Utilities, explained the contract before the
Council will not exceed $600,000 each year for the three years. CSU operates and maintains
over 400 miles of distribution power Lines, over twenty miles of transmission power lines, and
six distribution substations. They serve approximately 34,000 meters. The CSU design group
handles all FERC accounting, maintain system mapping, meet with customers to determine need,
design and estimate day-to-day projects, and project manage those projects from start to finish.
Other than David Massey and himself, there are no engineers on staff. The CSU project
coordinators handle all of the day-to-day projects, but for all other services, they use McCord
Engineering. McCord provides electrical engineering civil engineering, permitting, survey and
staking, engineering consulting services, and drafting services and document preparation.
McCord Engineering is a local company that has been in the community for over 27 years, and
their engineering knowledge base for College Station spans over 40 years. The contract allows
access to engineering resources as needed without any retainer fee for those services. CSU
handles projects internally whenever possible. The contract is a "not to exceed" amount and is in
line with previous years, including substation projects.
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6. Council Calendar
• March 28 Ribbon Cutting-New Whataburger-Hwy 6/Wm D Fitch at 10.30 a.m.
• March 30 Ground Breaking Ceremony-Scott and White Clinic at Rock Prairie/Hwv
6-Scott and White Build Site 2.00 p.m.
• March 30 Police Department Awards Banquet at the College Station Conference
Center, 6:30 p.m.
• March 31 Youth Advisorv Committee Town Hall Meeting at A&M Consolidated
High School-Lecture Hall 4.30 p.m.
• April 1 TAMU Chancellor's Century Council Annual Banquet at Clayton W
Williams, Jr. Alumni Center, 7.00 p.m.
• April 6 Mavs Business School-Zale Visionary Merchant Lecture and Award
Luncheon at Ray Auditorium, Mays Business School 11.30 a.m.
• April 7 Planning & Zoning Commission Meeting in Council Chambers at 6.00 p.m.
• April 14 City Council Workshop/Regular Meeting in Council Chambers at 3.00 &
7.00 p.m.
• April 18 IGC Meeting at BVCOG 12.00 p.m.
Councilmember Ruesink reported that the Whataburger ribbon cutting has been moved to
another date.
7. Presentation, possible action, and discussion on future agenda items: a Council Member
may inquire about a subiect for which notice has not been given A statement of specific
factual information or the recitation of existing policy may be given Any deliberation shall
be limited to a proposal to place the subject on an agenda for a subsequent meeting.
Councilmember McMillan requested an outside legal audit regarding the City's litigation history.
There was no consensus.
8. Discussion, review and possible action regarding the following meetings: Animal Shelter
Board, Arts Council of the Brazos Valley, Audit Committee, Bicycle, Pedestrian and
Greenways Advisory Board Brazos County Health Dept., Brazos Valley Council of
Governments, Brazos Valley Wide Area Communications Task Force BVSWMA
BVWACS, Cemetery Committee, Code Review Committee, Design Review Board, Historic
Preservation Committee, Interfaith Dialogue Association Intergovernmental Committee,
Joint Relief Funding Review Committee Landmark Commission Library Board, Mayor's
Council on Physical Fitness, Mayor's Development Forum, Metropolitan Planning
Organization, National League of Cities, Outside Agency Funding Review, Parks and
Recreation Board, Planning and Zoning Commission Research Valley Partnership,
Regional Transportation Committee for Council of Governments Signature Event Task
Force, Sister City Association TAMU Student Senate Texas Municipal League,
Transportation Committee, Wolf Pen Creek Oversight Committee, Zoning Board of
Adiustments.
Councilmember Lyles reported there will be a Health Board meeting next week and also
provided a brief update on the Arts Council.
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Councilmember Ruesink reported that students from our sister city in Germany will be visiting
College Station in mid-April and hope to meet with the Council. We will also have visitors from
our other sister city in Salamanca, Mexico in May.
9. Executive Session
In accordance with the Texas Government Code §551.071-Consultation with Attorney, §551.072
- Deliberation Regarding Real Property, §551.074-Personnel Matters, §551.074-Deliberation
Regarding Security Devices, and §551.087-Deliberation Regarding Economic Development
Negotiations, the College Station City Council convened into Executive Session at 4:55 p.m. on
Thursday, March 24, 2011 in order to continue discussing matters pertaining to:
A. Consultation with Attorney to seek advice regarding pending or contemplated litigation; to
wit:
• City of Bryan's application with TCEQ for water & sewer permits in Westside/Highway
60 area, near Brushy Water Supply Corporation to decertify City of College Station and
certify City of Bryan
• Clancey v. College Station, Glenn Brown, and Kathy Merrill
• Rachel Rahn v. Alma Martinez, The Arkitex Studio, Inc. et al, cause No. 09-000656-
CV361
• Timothy Delasandro et al v. City of College Station et al; Cause No. I I-000240-CV-272
• City of College Station, Texas, v. Virtual Equity Group, Inc, et al relating to nonpayment
of hotel occupancy taxes for College Station Inn
• Weingarten Realty Investors v. College Station, Ron Silvia, David Ruesink, Lynn
McIlhaney, and Ben White
• Chavers et al v. Tyrone Morrow, Michael Ikner, City of Bryan, City of College Station, et
al
• Water CCN / 2002 Annexation / Wellborn Water Supply Corporation
B. Consultation with Attorney to seek legal advice; to wit:
• Legal issues regarding possible revenue sharing and legislation in bio-corridor
• Legal Issues Related to Wellborn Annexation
C. Deliberation regarding real property; to wit:
• Shake's lease at Chimney Hill property
D. Deliberation on the appointment, employment, evaluation, reassignment, duties, discipline, or
dismissal of a public officer; to wit:
• City Council Self-Evaluation
E. Deliberation the deployment, or specific occasions for implementation, of security personnel
or devices or a security audit; to wit:
• City Hall security
F. Deliberation regarding economic development negotiations; to wit:
• Scott and White Healthcare
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The Executive Session adjourned at 6:43 p.m. on Thursday, March 24, 2011.
No action was required from Executive Session.
10. Adiournment
MOTION: There being no further business, Mayor Berry adjourned the workshop of the
College Station City Council at 6:43 p.m. on Thursday, March 24, 2011.
Nancy Berry, Mayor
A ST:
Sherry M burn, City Secretary
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