Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAbout04/14/2011 - Workshop Minutes City Council MINUTES OF THE CITY COUNCIL WORKSHOP CITY OF COLLEGE STATION APRIL 14, 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 Quorum is Present With a quorum present, the Workshop of the College Station City Council was called to order by Mayor Nancy Berry at 3:00 p.m. on Thursday, April 14, 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 2b, 2c, and 2d were pulled from the Consent Agenda. 2b: David Gwin, Director of Economic Development, explained the amendment to bury the overhead lines was expected and stated it was in the City's long-term vision. Scott and White will pay $1.2 million for any additional cost to bury the lines, and the City will bear the cost of the bore under State Highway 6 in the amount of $77,000. This will set the tone for burying the lines in that general area. There is no requirement for Scott and White to bury the lines, but it is in the City's long-term interest. BTU lines will be conjoined with College Station's lines as well. WKSHP041411 Minutes Page 1 2c: David Gwin, Director of Economic Development, stated this property was purchased under a previous program. The home is estimated at $130,000 and is comparable to homes being built in that neighborhood. A family of four with an income of $40,000 could qualify for that home. 2d: David Gwin, Director of Economic Development, stated the cap is a backhand cap under HUD guidelines. The number moves. The current maximum value of a house purchased under FHA is $190,000. The price of our market has gone up so much, and we have not adjusted that number. When a house is sold, the city is repaid; it is no longer a forgivable loan. 2. Presentation, possible action, and discussion regarding a summary of the current status of the capital projects included in the City's FY 2011 Capital Plan Staff is seeking direction on two projects included in the FY 2011 Capital Plan - Lick Creek Nature Center and East District Maintenance Shop. Chuck Gilman, Director of Capital Projects, updated the council on the FY2011 capital projects. The capital plan consists of projects included in the 2008 bond authorization and projects identified by staff. The planning process begins in October and is typically completed in July. At the June 17, 2010 Council Retreat, the O&M cost for projects was discussed. It was decided to defer those projects with a high O&M. He reminded Council that they had approved a debt reimbursement resolution at the February 24 meeting. Staff reviews the projects and estimates what they think they will spend over a twelve-month period. Staff has proceeded with the implementation plan approved by Council last summer. They issued an RFQ for projects scheduled to begin in FY 2011. They have received numerous Statements of Qualification for the Lick Creek Nature Center and the East District Maintenance Shop. Staff is seeking direction on whether to proceed with these two projects. MOTION: Upon a motion made by Councilmember Fields and a second by Councilmember Ruesink, the City Council voted six (6) for and one (1) opposed, to include these two projects in the FY 2011 Capital Plan. The motion carried. 3. Presentation, possible action, and discussion regarding approval of resolutions awarding landscape maintenance contracts to multiple vendors in a total amount of $453,254, and approval of a budget transfer from the Parks and Recreation Department to the Public Works Department of $26,350 and the transfer of three positions from the Parks and Recreation Department to the Public Works Department including salary and benefits for half a year totaling $57,392. Chuck Gilman, Director of Capital Projects, and David Schmitz, Assistant Director of Parks and Recreation, reported that in 2009 the sum of all landscape maintenance contracts was $497,000. They reduced operating expenses in 2010 to $443,000 through the elimination of pre/post emergence on turf, and eliminating fertilization and aeration. In an effort to revise their approach to landscape maintenance six vacant landscape positions were eliminated in the 2011 budget. After other minor adjustments, $578,000 was budgeted. Currently, Public Works manages the landscape maintenance contracts. They have dedicated two irrigation specialists to city irrigation systems at city facilities and in the right of way; two more irrigation specialists were dedicated to city irrigation systems at city athletic fields and park facilities. They will WKSHP041411 Minutes Page 2 provide pre/post emergence in beds, but not turf, they will provide additional services as bid alternatives. They have reduced base cuts to eighteen per year, with ten optional cuts if necessary. An RFP was issued for all landscape maintenance (except athletic fields) even those services historically done in-house so the proposals can be compared to city costs. The benefits of this revised approach include a reduction in operating costs, with an increased level of service in neighborhood parks. They have been able to add twenty-six neighborhood parks to the contract and increased the level of service at each of these facilities with the eighteen cuts and ten additional cuts available. This allows existing park staff to focus more on the maintenance of assets in the parks such as water fountains, fences, and play structures. PARD staff is more available to further assist with tournaments and special events that bring tourism to College Station. Proposal categories were divided into seven categories: neighborhood parks, facilities, electric, water/wastewater, economic and community development, right of way finish mowing, and right of way rough cut mowing. Three of the six landscape maintenance positions eliminated in FY 2011 were public works positions. PARD currently has three vacant landscape maintenance positions. Staff is recommending transferring these positions from PARD to public works. Currently, they are $125,000 under budget MOTION: Upon a motion made by Councilmember Maloney and a second by Councilmember Lyles, the City Council voted seven (7) for and none (0) opposed, to adopt resolutions awarding landscape maintenance contracts to multiple vendors in a total amount of $453,254, and approval of a budget transfer from the Parks and Recreation Department to the Public Works Department of $26,350 and the transfer of three positions from the Parks and Recreation Department to the Public Works Department including salary and benefits for half a year totaling $57,392. The motion carried unanimously. • Resolution 04-14-11-03: approving a contract with Green Teams, Inc. and authorizing the expenditure of funds for landscape maintenance of City facilities. • Resolution 04-14-11-03-a: approving a contract with Landscape USA and authorizing the expenditure of funds for landscape maintenance of City facilities. • Resolution 04-14-11-03-b: approving a contract with Rainbow Gardens and authorizing the expenditure of funds for landscape maintenance of City facilities. • Resolution 04-14-11-03-c: approving a contract with Jones Lawn Care and authorizing the expenditure of funds for landscape maintenance of City facilities. • Resolution 04-14-11-03-d: approving a contract with Pro-Green Landscape and authorizing the expenditure of funds for landscape maintenance of City facilities. 4. Presentation, possible action, and discussion on the scope of the Citizens Charter Review Commission and provide direction regarding the charter revisions to be reviewed. This item was not discussed. 5. Presentation, possible action, and discussion of city procedures and requirements for locating a cellular tower on city property. Ben Roper, IT Director, reported there are currently no cell towers located on city property. The City has been working with a provider. The Council adopted a policy regarding providers WKSHP041411 Minutes Page 3 locating on City property. The City has two roles, as a regulator and as a lessor. Planning and Development is responsible for the zoning and permitting process. The provider must follow the UDO. IT negotiates the lease of city facilities, and Council approves each on a case-by-case basis. Rent will be based upon various factors. 6. Council Calendar • April 15 Ribbon Cutting-New Whataburger-Hwy. 6/Wm. D Fitch at 10.00 a.m. • April 18 IGC Meeting at BVCOG, 12:00 p.m. • April 21 Planning & Zoning Commission Meeting in Council Chambers at 4.00 p.m. • April 21 Joint Meeting-City Council and Planning and Zoning Commission in Council Chambers at 4:00 mm. • April 22 City Offices Closed - HOLIDAY • April 28 City Council Workshop/Regular Meeting at 3:OOp m and 7.00 p.m. Mayor Berry reported the Sister Cities delegation will be arriving tomorrow. A Tail Gate party is scheduled for Saturday, April 16, at 11 a.m. There will be a Welcome Dinner that evening at the Higgins residence, and the Farewell Dinner will be on Tuesday, April 26, at the Outback Steak House. 7. Presentation, possible action, and discussion on future agenda items: a Council Member may inquire about a subject 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. There were no future agenda items. 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 Maloney reported on the Bicycle, Pedestrian and Greenways Advisory Board discussed charging a fee for bicyclists to use bike paths, and it was determined it was not feasible. The Bike Race scheduled for May is receiving lots of registrants, and it appears the race will be a success. WKSHP041411 Minutes Page 4 Councilmember Lyles reported the Health Board evaluated the Health Director, and he received a high evaluation. The Arts Council unveiled their benches. This is a great example of them raising their own funds. Mayor Berry reported the MPO did not meet this month. Also, the Brazos County Health Department evaluated Ken Bost. Mr. Bost requested that anyone with available seats for leadership training contact Alison Seals. 9. Executive Session In accordance with the Texas Government Code §551.071-Consultation with Attorney, and §551.087-Deliberation Regarding Economic Development Negotiations, the College Station City Council convened into Executive Session at 5:02 p.m. on Thursday, April 14, 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 • Weingarten Realty Investors v. College Station, Ron Silvia, David Ruesink, Lynn Mcllhaney, 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 economic development negotiations; to wit: • Blinn College The Executive Session adjourned at 7:00 p.m. on Thursday, April 14, 2011. No action was required from Executive Session. 10. Adjournment MOTION: There being no further business, Mayor Berry adjourned the workshop of the College Station City Council at 7:00 p.m. on Thursday, April 14, 2011. WKSHP041411 Minutes Page 5 Nancy Berry, Mayor AT ES . Sherry Mashbu City Secretary WKSHP041411 Minutes Page 6