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HomeMy WebLinkAbout09/07/1988 - Regular Minutes City Council MINUTES CITY COUNCIL WORKSHOP MEETING WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 7, 1988 4:00 P.M. COUNCIL MEMBERS PRESENT: Mayor Ringer, Councilmen Gardner, McIlhaney, Birdwell, Schneider, Haddox COUNCIL MEMBERS ABSENT: Councilman Brown STAFF PRESENT: City Manager Ragland, Assistant to the City Manager Piwonka, Director of Capital Improvements Ash, Assistant Director of Parks and Recreation Cisneros, Public Utilities Director Woody, Budget Director Schroeder, Finance Director Harrison, Assistant City Attorney Banks, MIS Director Cowell, Public Information Officer Calliham, Police Chief Strope, Lt. Patterson, Council Coordinator Hooks VISITORS PRESENT: See guest register. Mayor Ringer announced that an emergency item was Dlaced on the Thursday meeting agenda to discuss the Brazos County Appraisal District budget. The FY 89 proposed budget and FY 88 budget were provided to the Council at this time. Agenda Item No. 1 - Council Concerns. Councilman Haddox thanked Mark Dennard for cleaning and improving the lot by placing a new restaurant at the old site of Sambo's located on University Drive. Councilman Birdwell complimented the staff on the newsletter entitled, "Coming Attractions". Mr. Birdwell asked if an item can be placed on the future agenda to discuss the appointment of a Charter Review Commission. Mayor Ringer responded that the City Affairs Committee should meet and discuss this issue. Councilman Gardner indicated that he will schedule a meeting after the budget process is complete. Councilman Schneider commented that he had lunch with several people from out-of-state and these persons were very complimentary of College Station. He thanked the staff for a job well done. CITY COUNCIL WORKSHOP MEETING WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 7, 1988 Page 2 Councilman McIlhaney reported that the War on Drugs Committee is ready to present their report to the Councils of College Station and Bryan. She mentioned that Dian Jones contacted Mr. Ernie Clark and he suggested Thursday, September 29th. Councilman Haddox noted that he cannot attend on that date. The Council agreed that their preference would be a noon meeting on Monday, September 26th. Mayor Ringer announced the appointment of Councilman Birdwell to serve as a member of the Brazos Beautiful Nominating Committee and Councilman Schneider to represent the Council on the Budget Committee of the Arts Council. Mayor Ringer mentioned that the recent issue of the TML magazine has the hotel reservation forms for the November meeting. He urged the Council to submit their reservations to the City Secretary's office soon. Mayor Ringer noted that he received a letter from Representative Joe Barton indicating that there will be a seminar on illegal drugs in Bryan on September 19, 1988 at 11:00 a.m. Agenda Item No. 2 - City Manager Concerns. City Manager Ragland reported no concerns. Agenda Item No. 3 - Discussion of proposed Annual Budget, FY 88-89. Mr. Schroeder explained background information on the drainage operations in the past three years. He stated that several cities were contacted to find out how they addressed their drainage oper- ations. The majority of cities contacted fund their drainage operations in the general fund. Mr. Schroeder pointed out the comparisons between an increase in property taxes and a $0.70 a month drainage assessment. Councilman Birdwell commented that he feels maintaining the city's drainage system should be another service that the City provides along with other areas such as fire, police. Councilman Haddox commented that he does not believe raising property taxes is the equitable way to assess drainage operations. Mr. Schroeder indicated that there would be no insurmountable problems changing the drainage operations from the Enterprise Fund to the General Fund. Councilman McIlhaney commented that she does not disagree with Councilman Birdwell's philosophy, but she is not sure that the iITY COUNCIL WORKSHOP MEETING IEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 7, 1988 Page 3 City is ready for a change in the fee structures at this time. Councilman Birdwell suggested that the same $140,000 that is raised from the drainage fees could be generated through an increase in property taxes that could also be deducted from personal income taxes. Councilman Schneider remarked that he is in favor of the fee structure remaining the same. Councilman McIlhaney inquired about the requests for a book drop at the library. Mr. Ragland replied that the staff has analyzed this decision package and suggested that the request be funded from the contingency fund. Councilman Birdwell told the Council that he feels the Brazos Valley Contract Procurement Office is a fine service but he does not feel the City should spend the taxpayer's money to contribute to this organization. Mayor Ringer pointed out that the Procurement Office staff asked for funds from the Economic Development Foundation. The Foundation indicated there were no funds available. Agenda Item No. 4 - Report on the development and implementation of a new 4-10 work schedule for patrol division, CSPD. (Council Issues No. 6 and No. 7) Police Chief StroDe addressed the Council. He presented a slide presentation describing the new 4-10 work schedule which was formulated as a direct result of limited resources, increased work demands, and as a result of a recent "Employee Satisfaction Questionnaire." The program became effective September 1st for an experimental twelve month period. He explained that this plan will include a five-hour overlap between the second shift (4:30 p.m. to 2:30 a.m.) and third shift (9:30 p.m. to 7:30 a.m.) which is the busiest part of the day. Chief Strope indicated that the Operation Cleanup concept has been implemented in conjunction with the new work schedule. This Drogram is designed to enhance the public safety and appearance of the community and will be conducted six times a year. Councilman Birdwell asked if the officers are assigned different shifts throughout the year. Chief Strope replied that each shift changes every four months. Chief Strope added that a positive response has been received during the first week of implementa- tion. CITY COUNCIL WORKSHOP MEETING WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 7, 1988 Page 4 A~enda Item No. 5 - Status Report on the Three-year Management Information Systems Plan. MIS Director Charles Cowell presented this item. He updated the Council on the status of the MIS Plan. He explained that two top priority items have been completed, including 1) installation of the NCR 9500 Computer for Utility Billing/Collection and the construction of a new computer room, and, 2) installation of electronic office automation systems and training. He stated that during FY 89 two major programs will be insti- tuted, to include 1) replacement of financial accounting, payroll, personnel software, and, 2) computerized mapping system. Mr. Cowell indicated that 40 requests for proposals were sent to various vendors; six responses were received. Staff will present their final recommendation to Council in October. He concluded by saying that the MIS Plan has been very successful. Agenda Item No. 6 - Discussion of ~oin~ participation by College Station/Bryan in customer service training. (Council Issues No. 9 and No. 14). Assistant to the City Manager Piwonka presented an overview of the new customer service training program. A training program has been proposed by Ross, Lewis and Associates and reviewed by the Council Personnel Committee. Ms. Piwonka noted that the City of Bryan is willing to enter into a joint contract with the City to provide the training to their employees. Ms. Piwonka showed slides describing the six phases of the pro- gram. Consideration of this training program is on the agenda for Thursday night. College Station's share of the costs will be $20,000 appropriated from the current funds with $29,000 encum- bered in the 1989 fiscal year. Councilman Gardner commented that it is a great idea to partici- pate jointly with the City of Bryan. Ms. Piwonka indicated that this program will provide a great opportunity to share ideas with the City of Bryan staff. Councilman Schneider stated his hope that the program will involve a greater response of citizen involvement. He also pointed out that he would like to see this program continue after its imple- mentation. iITY COUNCIL WORKSHOP MEETING ~EDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 7, 1988 Page 5 Ms. Piwonka replied that several steps will be taken to receive public concerns in the form of surveys, feedback, etc. Councilman Haddox commented that he is excited about the program and he appreciated the staff's prompt response to the Council's concern of providing better customer service. Agenda Item No. 7 - Status Report on the College Station "Adopt-A-Spot" program. (Council Issues No. 6, No. 7, and No. 14) Assistant Director PARD Cisneros addressed the Council. He pre- sented the Council with an update on the status of the "Adopt-A- Spot" program which began one year ago. This program was imple- mented and designed through the efforts of the Community Appear- ance Committee. He pointed out that one of the principle goals was to approach the idea of keeping the city beautiful. Mr. Cisneros noted that the College Station Independent School District has participated in this program and City of Bryan has modeled their "Adopt-A-Spot" program from the College Station program. He pointed out several sponsors who have adopted sites in the city. Ms. Susan Causey and Ms. Marci Rodgers of the Community Appearance Committee were present at the meeting; Ms. Rodgers, Chairman of the committee, spoke to the Council regarding the "Adopt-A-Street" program. Mr. Cisneros indicated that problems have been encountered in identifying spots, specifically the larger ones. He stated that all applications are reviewed and accepted by the Community Appearance Committee. Councilman Haddox suggested that the staff or the Community Appearance Committee may locate sites for persons who are interested in the program. Also, publicity in the newspaper and television might be an added way to obtain public interest. Councilman Gardner inquired if there are other ways to recognize the persons or organizations other than placing a sign at the spot. He pointed out that a sign may be more outstanding than the actual improvements to the spot, especially in a small area. Mr. Cisneros remarked that there is only one sign per spot; also, a positive resDonse has been received about the signs. CITY COUNCIL WORKSHOP MEETING WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 7, 1988 Page 6 Councilman Haddox commented that he hoped the Council will be supportive of the "Adopt-A-Street" program. Councilman Haddox pointed out that this program creates an additional benefit by allowing the different groups to express their interest in the community, and through developing an attitude which brings the community closer together. Councilman McIlhaney asked if there is a way to recognize the persons who maintain the entrances of subdivisions. She mentioned that there may be persons who would like to adopt these spots. Mr. Cisneros responded that he will take this request back to the committee. Agenda Item No. 8 - Discussion of proposed Mission Statement. (Council Priority Issue #15) Personnel Director Dickson presented the Council with the mission statement composed by the task force committee members, Dian Jones, Karen Dickson, Linda Piwonka, and Elrey Ash. The Council concurred to accept the mission statement as proposed. Agenda Item No. 9 - Adjourn. The Council adjourned at 5:50 p.m. APPROVED: City Sec~tar~ Dian Jones 0 o · - - GUEST REGISTER CITY COUNCIL WORKSHOP MEETING WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER ~.,1988 17. 18. 19. 20. 21. 22. 23. 24. 25. 10. 11. 12. 13. 14. 15. 16.