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HomeMy WebLinkAbout07/13/1988 - Workshop Minutes City Council MINUTES CITY COUNCIL WORKSHOP MEETING WEDNESDAY JULY 13, 1988 4:00 P.M. COUNCIL MEMBERS PRESENT: Mayor Ringer, Councilmembers Brown, Haddox, McIlhaney, Schneider, Gardner COUNCIL MEMBERS ABSENT: Councilman Birdwell STAFF PRESENT: Acting City Manager Ragland, City Secretary Jones, City Attorney Locke, CIP Director Ash, City Engineer Pullen, Civil Engineer Hester, Assistant to the City Manager Piwonka, Public Informa- tion Officer Calliham, Director of Planning Callaway, Finance Director Harrison, Budget Director Schroeder, Council Coordinator Hooks, Public Utilities Director Woody VISITORS PRESENT: See guest register. A~enda Item No. 1 - Council Concerns. Councilman McIlhaney reported that Ms. Pam Bryson has turned in her resignation as a member of the Community Center Advisory Committee. Mayor Ringer added that Kristin Sayre has resigned as chairman of the Energy Management Committee. New members to these committees will need to be appointed. Councilman Haddox congratulated United Citizens Bank as the first property owner to sign a letter of intent for Wolf Pen Creek. He stated that a news release will be prepared. Mayor Ringer mentioned that he attended the Keep Texas Beautiful Convention in Galveston on Friday, July 8, 1988. He stated that Brazos Beautiful received an award for competing in this size city. In addition, Brazos Beautiful received the Excellence Award for being the "best of the best". Councilman Haddox mentioned that he received a document sponsored by the Michigan Municipal League relating to suicides and lock- ups. He presented it to Ron for use by the Police Department. Aqenda Item No. 2 - Cit~; Manaqer Concerns. Mr. Ragland reported that the Personnel/Administration committee has scheduled a meeting for next week to discuss the customer service programs. The meeting will be held at 10:00, Wednesday, July 20th at the Community Center. "'96752 CITY COUNCIL WORKSHOP MEETING WEDNESDAY, JULY 13, 1988 Page 2 Aaenda Item No. 3 - Discussion of Railroad Relocation Study. CPrioritv Issue #36}. Mr. Jimmy Bond, Vice Chancellor for Legal Affairs came forward to address the Council. He presented the planning stages which have occurred to this point. He stated that TAMU employed Wilbur Smith Associates to update their rail planning study in 1987. He stated that alignment studies for the proposed railroad relocation program have identified a corridor located west of the Bryan-College Station area. Mr. Bond described the location of the proposed corridor. Councilman Gardner pointed out that if this railroad is moved, the area will not be considered high potential for industrial, yet it will have other uses. Mr. Bond explained why the University Board of Regents felt the corridor should not be located underground. He further stated that this situation causes the railroad to be irreversible and many board members felt uncomfortable with the idea. Councilman Haddox mentioned that many citizens expressed concern about the spill of chemicals and if the railroad was located in the trench, there is possible containment of the chemicals. Councilman Gardner asked Mr. Bond if he knew how many customers in Bryan will use existing tracks. Mr. Bond stated that the study does not foresee building new trackage, the existing trackage could be utilized. Councilman Gardner mentioned that the Council is currently updating the Comprehensive Plan. He stated that the railroad relocation project should be addressed in the plan. Councilman Haddox commented that he is very supportive of the project for several reasons. One, cooperation with Texas A&M will enable the university planners to do something they have wanted for years. Secondly, the City of College Station may benefit from the relocation by producing a more attractive development along Wellborn Road. Thirdly, the Governor has expressed his support. Councilman Brown added that his main concern is the safety of the citizens. Councilman Schneider asked if a time table has been determined and who will be the major persons involved in making the final decision. Mr. Bond replied that a model is being developed by the State Highway Department. He stated that a date for com- pletion has not been established. '"06753 CITY COUNCIL WORKSHOP MEETING WEDNESDAY, JULY 13, 1988 Page 3 Mayor Ringer expressed his reluctance for a project which will cost the city $2.5 million. He stated that he has not sensed any groundswell in the community for moving the railroad track. "If I had to pay for it, speaking for myself personally, then I don't want it." He also stated that there has been concern that the railroad relocation would eventually lead to the closing of Wellborn Road. Councilman Gardner remarked that he stands "neutral" at this point, until more local planning is completed. Mr. Bond ended his presentation by stating that he feels satisfied by the response he has received from this meeting. Aaenda Item No. 4 - Discussion of final report from A&FCS ox Solid Waste Rate Study and Lona Range Plan. Mr. Ragland introduced this item. He stated that in the long range plan, a computer model will be constructed for the staff to use in the future which will allow assumptions and variables to be changed as future events occur. Mr. Ragland mentioned that there are a number of cost issues which need further review pertaining to solid waste. Mr. Louis McClain explained the cost of service study. Ms. Becky Brooks of A&FCS was also present. Mr. McClain referred to page 8 of the report. He pointed out that the need to increase overall revenues in the sanitation fund of 18.8%. Page 8 showed the rates for each customer class. He pointed out two programs under study crucial in addressing cost of service= 1) Container Owner- ship and Maintenance program; and, 2) developing commercial rates based on size of container and frequency of collection. Mr. McClain explained the consultant's recommendations as follows= Single Family new increased rates - $5.25; Small Commercial - $25.60: Apartment Rate kept at the current level of $4.20. The Landfill rates would increase to $10.10 and drainage $.70. Councilman Haddox expressed his curiosity about keeping the apartment rate the same level while increasing all other rates. Mr. McClain replied that any reduction in the apartment rate would cause greater increase to other classes. By not raising the rates for apartments, this step will help equalize the rates. ",06754 CITY COUNCIL WORKSHOP MEETING JEDNESDAY, JULY 13, 1988 Page 4 Councilman Brown mentioned that the rates charged by the City are far below other cities surveyed. Mr. McClain explained the rolloff charges. Mayor Ringer mentioned that the rates have not changed in five years. Further discussion was held by the Council. Councilman Brown moved to accept the report as presented. Councilman Schneider seconded the motion which carried unanimous- ly, 6-0, Councilman Birdwell absent. A~enda Item No. 5 - Discussion of the En~ineerin~ Services Agreement for the Rock Prairie Road landfill permit amendment. City Engineer Pullen addressed this item. He provided the Council with background information on the permit amendment approved by Council in early 1987. He stated that the method used at the landfill was changed to an aerialfill method. Mr. Pullen explained that the permit amendment was taken to the Health Department in October, 1987. He further explained that in December, the Health Department adopted changes in their rules in respect to permitting and operating landfills. The staff has requested additional monies to continue the landfill permit process. These monies will be utilized as follows: Air Emission Study Phase I and II and revising the site development plan. Mr. Ed Mc Dow of Riewe & Wischmeyer was present to explain the changes in further detail. Ms. Robin Runnels of ToxCon Engi- neering was present. Mr. Mc Dow explained that all necessary information was prepared and submitted to the Health Department in November. The State now wants everything technically docu- mented and oriented so that all information will be readily available for public hearings. This requires the engineers to provide increased work. Mr. McDow recommended ToxCon to develop the model which the State now requires. He stated that ToxCon was highly recommended by the City of Garland. Councilman Brown stated that he does not understand why we could not interview other consultants to perform the type of work done if possible for less money, rather than selecting one consultant who sets its own costs. He further stated that he cannot com- fortably accept this recommendation not knowing if this price is competitive. Mr. Ragland reaffirmed to Councilman Brown that the Health Department is unsure about how much information they need; they 96755 CITY COUNCIL WORKSHOP MEETING WEDNESDAY, JULY 13, 1988 Page 5 are still learning from this process. He pointed out that there is no impact to the consumer who pays a rate of $10.10 to use the landfill. Also, he pointed out that $60,000 is a good investment for doubling the life of our landfill. Mr. Ragland commented that he has great confidence in Mr. Pullen's ability to manage this contract. Agenda Item No. 6 - Requests for Proposals for Bank Depository Agreement. Finance Director Harrison presented this item. He stated that the current bank depository agreement will expire September 30, 1988. The current contract dictates that all funds will be invested with the local banking agreement. He recommended to the Council that the local bank handle all transaction work on a fee basis and allow the city to directly purchase securities for its investment pool earning an additional $250,000 for the City's 1988-89 budget. Councilman Haddox congratulated Mr. Harrison for his efforts in recognizing transactions which would allow the city to obtain additional monies. Agenda Item No. 7 - Discussion of revisions to the goals and objectives included in the Plan 2000. Mayor Ringer commented that this item has been discussed at a previous workshop meeting. Included in the packet were sugges- tions of changes from Councilman Gardner and Councilman Bird- well. Councilman Gardner summarized his suggested revisions in the goals and objectives of the Plan. He explained the rationale of why he deemphasizes the push for growth. Mr. Gardner expressed his hope that everyone will read his statements he prepared. Mr. Gardner added that the initiative should be taken to have more "town meetings" or "quorums" so the citizens can provide their input. Mayor Ringer mentioned that there have been public hearings held to give citizens the opportunity to provide input into the Goals and Objectives. He further commented that the Goal statement should provide a broad statement of a descriptive nature as a desire for an outcome. The Objective statements should give the sense of accomplishment, result oriented. He stated that he had )6756 CITY COUNCIL WORKSHOP MEETING WEDNESDAY, JULY 13, 1988 Page 6 read where the Objective statements should begin with a verb to imply some type of action. The Council began discussing the goals and objectives starting with City Character. Councilman Haddox mentioned that in Councilman Birdwell's sugges- tion for this item he changed the goal to read "An attractive community serving the employees and students of TAMU". Mr. Haddox commented that he feels the other citizens of the commu- nity should also be recognized. Councilman Haddox remarked that the citizens he communicates with everyday approve of the changes which have taken place in College Station. He further stated that we should not create an atmo- sphere that is discouraging for the type of businesses we want in the city. He pointed out one reason why he feels there should be more meetings of the Council so that the Council can further understand each member's thoughts and ideas about different issues. Councilman Schneider commented that he feels the goal of City Character should read "An attractive university-oriented com- munity with a healthy, diversified economic climate". After further discussion, the Council concurred that a special workshop meeting should be held to continue discussion of this item. AGenda Item No. 8 - Adjourn. The Council adjourned at 6:15 p.m. ~ity Se~af~ Dian Jones ' 6757