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HomeMy WebLinkAbout12/08/1988 - Special Minutes City Council MINUTES CITY COUNCIL SPECIAL MEETING THURSDAY, DECEMBER 8, 1988 12:00 NOON COUNCIL MEMBERS PRESENT: Mayor Ringer, Councllmembers Brown, Schneider, McIlhaney, Haddox, Gardner Birdwell STAFF PRESENT: City Manager Ragland, City Secretary Jones, Assistant to the City Manager Piwonka, Public Information Officer Calliham, City Attorney Locke, Budget Director Schroeder, PARD Director Beachy, Assistant PARD Director Cisneros, Personnel Director Dickson, Assistant Personnel Director Rose, Finance Director Harrison, Fire Marshal Davis, Lt. Mike Patterson, Council Coordinator Hooks VISITORS PRESENT: See guest register. Agenda Item No. ! - Presentation of Status Report on Future Power SUPPLY, provided by representatives from Burns & McDonnell, con- sultants for the City (Council Issue No. !). Public Utilities Director John Woody introduced Mr. Jim McCord, McCord Engineering, and representatives from Burns & McDonnell. He stated that approximately one year ago, the City Council authorized the staff to look into the goals of the City in terms of future power for the City of College Station, when the current contract expires in 1991. Mr. Bill Dermann, planning specialist for Burns & McDonnell, presented an overhead presentation. Me referred to three alternatives of Phase II in the report, including l) self generation; 2) unit participation; and, 3) power purchase. Mr. Dermann reported that twenty one requests for proposals were sent to regional utilities supply sources and thirteen responses were received. Two responses were received which addressed all necessary points, from Gulf States Utilities and Texas Municipal Power Agency. He added that Cajun Power Cooperative from Louisiana showed interest in serving College Station. He stated that a detailed economic analysis will be conducted on Cajun Power Supply. Mr. Dermann pointed out several aspects of each alternative, GSU and TMPA. He stated that full evaluations will be conducted on specific options offered by GSU and TMPA. The staff's recom- mendations are: 1) to identify other factors that impact the decision-making process; and, 2) to pursue preliminary negotiations with TMPA and GSU. City Council Special Meeting Thursday, December 8, 1988 Page 2 Mr. Woody guided the Council through the staff's plan for next year. He stated that the staff will begin developing strategies over the next 60 days and come back to the Council with an action plan. Toward the end of the year, the staff will be in the position to negotiate a contract with the deciding choice of the Council. Councilman Schneider asked if Cajun Electric serves electricity customers in the area and what type of generating facilities do they have. Mr. Dermann replied that Cajun Electric does not currently serve any entity in the area, but they would be able to deliver power through the Gulf States Utilities system at a very low rate. The generating facilities are coal and nuclear gas. The company is also joint owner of several plants in Louisiana. Councilman Birdwell mentioned that an additional alternative should be considered, the selling of the city's distribution system. Mr. Dermann noted one point which the City may want to consider, that being the amount of control the City wants over its long term power supply. Mayor Ringer mentioned that the discussion of selling the city's distribution system could be placed on a future workshop agenda, and, add to the study for next year, the options of selling the power system. Councilman Gardner asked Mr. Dermann to explain further the other factors which the consultants would explore. Mr. Dermann replied that the consultants would look at the economic analysis based on responses from different utility companies, the market risks involved, and qualitative issues. Councilman Schneider suggested that any discussion or action taken by the Council prior to this item not be duplicated, in order that further action will not be delayed. He pointed out that the issue of privatizatlon has apparently not been addressed by the Council. Councilman McIlhaney asked if the Gulf States Utilities financial status will affect this proposal. Mr. Dermann replied that all utilities are having financial difficulty, but he believes GSU will stabilize their financial position as time goes on. Mayor Ringer thanked the consultants for the report. Aaenda Item No. 2 - Selection of insurance companies for medical/dental, life and Accidental Death & Dismemberment as well as selection of a Third Party Administrator for medical/dental claims for calendar year 1/1/89 to 12/31/89. Personnel Director Dickson introduced Mr. Ken Wethe of Robert Lazarus & Associates, a risk management and employee consulting firm. ~70~Q City Council Special Meeting Thursday, December 8, 1988 Page 3 Mr. Wethe referred to his report given to the Council prior to the meeting. He noted that fifteen firms submitted a bid for some type of insurance service. Mr. Wethe outlined the current service being provided by Employee Benefit Management and Northwestern National Life Insurance. Mr. Wethe recommended the programs for the insurance carriers for 1989 as follows: Alta Health Strategies - Third party Admini- strator; Harbor Insurance - Stop Loss Carrier; Pan American Life - Life Insurance; and the Insurance Company of North America - Accidental Death and Dismemberment. Councilman Birdwell asked Mr. Wethe to clarify the variable cost as outlined in his letter. Mr. Wethe explained that the City is using a stop loss insurance carrier to act as the actuary. He pointed out that the aggregate stop loss factor for Harbor Insurance is less than the aggregate stop loss factor for Northwestern National Life. Mr. Wethe clarified that the maximum costs of paid claims is $760,000, regardless of how many claims go over this amount. He added that this is a guaranteed amount. Mr. Wethe commented that the City has an excellent stop loss contract. Councilman Birdwell moved to accept the recommendations by the consultant and staff as follows: Stop Loss Carrier - Harbor Insurance; Life Insurance - Pan American Life; AD&D - Insurance Company of North America; and Third Party Administrator - Alta Health Strategies. Councilman Brown seconded the motion which carried unanimously, 7-0. Agenda Item No. 3 - Consideration of requests to waive require- ment for re~m½ursement of costs for Brazos County "Go Texan" parade and the Chamber of Commerce Christmas Parade. Budget Director Schroeder explained to the Council that the Chamber of Commerce and the "Go Texan" Parade Committee have each requested that charges to reimburse the city for costs incurred for their respective parades be waived. Mr. Schroeder added that the additional costs for the "Go Texan" Parade are less than $50.00, and the Chamber of Commerce Christmas Parade additional costs are less than $200.00. Councilman Haddox moved to waive requirements for reimbursement of costs for the "Go Texan" parade and the Chamber of Commerce Christmas Parade. Councilman McIlhaney seconded the motion which carried unanimously, 7-0. City Council Special Meeting Thursday, December 8, 1988 Page 4 Agenda Item No..4 - Consideration of an ordinance amending Chapter 6, Section lB(4) of the Code of Ordinances pertaining to addresses and the numbering thereof by adding a Subsection (e). Fire Marshal Harry Davis introduced this item. Councilman Birdwell remarked about the size of the numbers. Fire Marshal Davis stated that many apartment complexes do not have 2" numbers on the door. Also, they have asked that the numbers on the doors of apartment complexes be made visible by using a contrasting color. Councilman Brown commented that he received several phone calls from apartment complex managers who expressed a concern about the financial costs to change all the sizes of numbers to comply with the ordinance. Councilman Haddox hoped the Fire Department would begin enforcing the ordinance on those buildings which do not have any numbers. Councilman McIlhaney moved approval of Ordinance No. 1790 as proposed. Councilman Schneider seconded the motion. Councilman Birdwell moved to amend the ordinance by adding a sentence to the Section 603.17.7 as follows: "For single family residences, this requirement of this section may be met by providing 2" numbers on a U.S. mailbox in front of the house visible on both sides or on a freestanding structure with numbers at least (4") in height." Councilman Haddox seconded the motion which carried unanimously, 7-0. Mr. Chuck Allen, President of the Bryan/College Station Apartment Association came forward to address the Council. He stated that the association's concern is the section in the ordinance regarding directional signs within building complexes. Mr. Allen stated that the equitable solution for apartments would be to provide the police and fire departments diagrams of their apartment structures, similar to diagrams provided by the Post Oak Mall. Mr. Allen asked the Council to consider allowing the apartment association to provide plot maps of the structures rather than placing directional signs at the complexes and burdening the apartment owners with a large expense. Mr. Allen provided the Council with a sample map which could be provided to the Building Official. Mayor Ringer read Section 603.17.9. Councilman Birdwell moved to amend the ordinance by adding a sentence at the end of Section 603.17.8 as follows: "The requirements for directional signs will be waived provided the requirements of Section 603.17.9 are met." Councilman Brown seconded the motion. ' 7032 City Council Special Meeting Thursday, December 8, 1988 Page 5 Fire Marshal Davis responded that the Fire Department is currently using the maps. Re stated that the Police Department has problems using the maps at certain times. Lt. Mike Patterson stated that the primary factor considered is safety for the policeman. They asked that the apartment complexes place directional signs at the entrance of the buildings. Lt. Patterson remarked that all apartment complexes use different numbering systems, which is one reason the Department is asking for directional signs. After further discussion, Councilman Birdwell changed his motion to amend the ordinance by stating that requirements for directional signs for apartment complexes constructed prior to November 1, 1988 shall be be waived provided the requirements of Section 603.17.9 are met. Councilman Brown seconded the motion which carried unanimously, 7-0. Mr. Davis asked that the maps be submitted to the Building Official in the form of 8 1/2 x 11. Councilman Birdwell moved to amend Section 603.17.9 stating that the owner of a building complex shall submit to the Building Official four (4) multiple copies of diagrams, acceptable to the Building Official, of the entire complex. Councilman Brown seconded the motion which carried unanimously, 7-0. The motion to approve Ordinance No. 1790 as amended carried by a vote of 7-0. Mayor Ringer left the meeting. Agenda Item No. 5 - Consideration of Lincoln Center Site Improve- ments- Phase II. PARD Assistant Director Tony Cisneros addressed this item. Me stated that last year, Council initiated Phase I Site improvements for Lincoln Center under the Community Development Block Grant Program. This request is for continuation of the program for the Phase II Improvements for Lincoln Center. He stated that the site plan will be additional landscape improve- ments, irrigation system, walking trails, and additional site improvements such as signage. He stated that the City Council allocated Community Development Funds in July, 1988 in the amount of $35,000. '"703 City Council Special Meeting Thursday, December 8, 1988 Page 6 Councilman Birdwell asked if the walking path could be a gravel path rather than a concrete path, similar to Thomas Park. Mr. Cisneros replied that maintenance problems which have occurred in the past, leans the staff's decision to placing a standard system. Mr. Beachy also mentioned that the senior citizens requested that the walk be made of concrete. Councilman Haddox moved to approve the Lincoln Center Site Improve- ments Phase II. Councilman McIlhaney seconded the motion which carried unanimously, 6-0. Agenda Item No. 6 - Presentation and Consideration of Wolf Pen Creek Corridor - Phase One Project (Council Issue No. 4). The Council agreed to discuss this item at the regular meeting scheduled for 7:00 p.m. Agenda Item No. 7 - Council Concerns. Councilman Gardner expressed his concern about the lack of progress in updating the Comprehensive Plan. He suggested that the Planning and Zoning Commission and the Council hold a workshop meeting the first part of next year. Councilman Birdwell mentioned that at a meeting he attended as Council Liaison, the Planning staff reported that Zoning Official Jane Kee is currently working on this project. Mr. Gardner asked that the Council be notified of the staff's progress. City Manager Ragland agreed that it would be a good idea to have such a meeting. Councilman Birdwell stated his concern about the location of the bonfire. He pointed out that the newspaper reported that the City did not have the authority to move the bonfire from its present location. Mr. Ragland replied that he will bring information back to the Council on the city's level of authority in this issue. Councilman Schneider agreed that the crowd overflow is considerable. Mr. Ragland mentioned that a staff meeting has been scheduled with TAMU, and he will be sure that this item is discussed. Councilman McIlhaney reported that the War on Drugs Committee would like direction from the Council at this time to help them proceed with the goals of the Committee. She also reported that the Committee would like to know if they should come to the Council the next budget year to ask for police and fire personnel to help accomplish these goals. Mr. Ragland responded that he and Bryan City Council Special Meeting Thursday, December 8, 1988 Page 7 City Manager Ernie Clark met with Mayor Larry Ringer, Mayor Marvin Tare, the Police Chiefs of both cities, two representatives of each school district and each School District Superintendent. As a result of this meeting, they asked each city to prepare a set of guidelines for this committee to follow, and present these guide- lines to the respective Councils. Secondly, the consensus of the representatives at this meeting suggested that two members of the Committee be represented by the County, and two members be pointed to the Committee from each school district. Mrs. McIlhaney pointed out that the Committee has expressed the desire to receive approval from the Councils to relate information to the public. For example, the Committee could provide the paper with statistic reports on a regular basis for the public to become more aware of the problems in the community. Councilman Haddox reported that there is a steel rod along a fenceline at Appomatox Drive and Bent Tree which should be removed. Mr. Haddox also asked for an explanation why the Bryan/College Station Economic Development Foundation Merger Proposal was not placed on the agenda for council's consideration. City Secretary Dian Jones replied that the Mayor felt discussion of the item should be held at the first meeting in January, since this meeting's agenda was full. Councilman Schneider stated that the bonfire problem is a growing concern. He referred to the issue of illegal parking of vehicles at apartment complexes. He commented that this can be a dangerous situation if emergency vehicles cannot park near a certain building when an emergency situation arises. A~enda Item No. 8 - City Manager Concerns. Mr. Ragland responded to Councilman Birdwell's concern about the fuel dispensing nozzles. He has asked the Fire Department to bring to the Council information regarding how many stations use these types of nozzles and the costs involved in changing this type of nozzle. Mr. Ragland presented a status report to the Council regarding the development of the site at the corner of Rock Prairie Road and Rio Grande and the erroneous statement in the newspaper referring to the city's lack of progress to the developer's plats. Mr. Ragland mentioned that he will take vacation from December 23rd to January 9th. Mr. Ragland reported that Councilman Birdwell has been appointed to the Solid Waste Committee on the Joint Landfill Study. Councilman Schneider, Councilman Brown, and Councilman Gardner as alternate, were appointed by Mayor Ringer to serve on the Citizen Communica- ' 703 City Council Special Meeting Thursday, December 8, 1988 Page 8 tion Plan team with staff members, Peggy Calliham, Dian Jones, and Linda Piwonka to begin work on the written communications plan. Mayor Pro-tem Brown asked each council member to complete the Adopt-A-Sign Survey and return to staff at the 7:00 p.m. regular meeting. Agenda Item No. 9 - Adjourn. Mayor Pro-rem Brown adjourned the meeting at 2:15 p.m. ATTEST: City Secre~Dian Jones APPROVED: ' .70 6 GUEST REGISTER CITY COUNCIL SPECIAL MEETING THURSDAY, DECEMBER 8, 1988 12: 00 NOON 19. 20. 21. 22. 23. 24. 10. 25. 11. 26. 12. 27. 13. 14. 15. 28. 29. 30. ' "70.-:x7