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HomeMy WebLinkAbout02/25/1988 - Regular Minutes City Council MINUTES CITY COUNCIL REGULAR MEETING THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 25, 1988 7:00 P.M. COUNCIL MEMBERS PRESENT: STAFF PRESENT: Mayor Ringer, Councilmen Boughton, Haddox, McIlhaney, Gardner, Brown Acting City Manager Ragland, Director of Capital Improvements Ash, City Engineer Pullen, City Attorney Locke, Asst. to the City Manager Piwonka, Budget Director Schroeder, Asst. City Engineer Smith, Finance Director Harrison, Public Information Officer Calliham, Software Manager Earwood, Council Coordinator Hooks STUDENT GOV'T LIAISON: Kevin Buchman VISITORS PRESENT: See guest register. A~enda Item No. 1 - Signin~ of a proclamation designating the week of March 6-12, 1988 as "Sexual Assault Awareness Week". Mayor Ringer read the proclamation. Mrs. Kelley Hamlin from the Brazos County Rape Crisis Center was present to accept the proclamation. A~enda Item No. 2 - Si~nin~ of a proclamation desi~natin~ the week of March 1-5, 1988 as "Health Awareness Week" in College Station, Texas. Mr. Chris Lang of the American Red Cross accepted the procla- mation signed by Mayor Ringer. A~enda Item No. 3 - Signin~ of a proclamation desi~natin~ the week of February 27-March 4 as "Engineers Week". Mr. William Burger, Vice President of the Brazos Valley Chapter Texas Society of Professional Engineers accepted the proclamation signed by Mayor Ringer. A~enda Item No. 4 - Si~nin~ of a proclamation reco~nizin~ the Bryan-College Station Sister City Project. Mayor Ringer presented the proclamation to Mr. Michael Barszap, a Soviet Union member of the Sister-City project. q6555 CITY COUNCIL REGULAR MEETING THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 25, 1988 Page 2 Agenda Item No. 5 - Approval of the minutes of the regular meeting of Thursday, February 11, 1988. Councilman Boughton corrected the second paragraph under Agenda Item No. 9, page 5, to read "a 1200 ft. space from the beginning of Dartmouth at Highway 30". She also corrected the words on page 6 under Agenda Item No. 13 to read "that there was no action on closed session." Councilman Haddox moved approval of the minutes as corrected. Councilman Boughton seconded the motion which carried unanimous- ly, 6-0. Agenda Item No. 6 - Consideration of a resolution authorizing the Mayor to aDDrove the issuance of Greater East Texas Higher Education Authority Student Loan Revenue Bonds. Mr. Larry Holt came forward to address the Council. He repre- sented the Greater East Texas Higher Education Authority as their general counsel. He has requested that the City Council approve the issuance of a bond issue. He pointed out that the Education Authority acts as a secondary market for guaranteed student loans; its main function is to encourage lenders to make student loans, thereby providing greater access to financial aid to stu- dents attending area institutions. He noted that the City of College Station is a sponsoring legal entity as required by the Texas Education Code. Mayor Ringer pointed out that there is no financial liability to the City. Councilman Brown moved approval of Resolution No. 02-25-88-06 authorizing the Mayor to sign the resolution approving the issuance of Greater East Texas Higher Education Authority Student Loan Revenue Bonds. Councilman McIlhaney seconded the motion which carried unan- imously, 6-0. A~enda Item No. 7 - Consideration of an ordinance ordering an election to be held on May 7, 1988 for the election of a Mayor, a City Councilman, Place 2; City Councilman, Place 4; and a City Councilman, Place 6. Councilman McIlhaney moved approval of Ordinance 1739 ordering an election to be held on May 7, 1988 for the election of a Mayor, City Councilman, Place 2, Place 4, and Place 6. 06556 CITY COUNCIL REGULAR MEETING THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 25, 1988 Page 3 Councilman Gardner seconded the motion which was approved unan- imously, 6-0. Agenda Item No. 8 - Consideration of a resolution authorizing the Mayor to enter into an agreement with the BISD to include voters who live in College Station to vote in Precinct No. 24 for the BISD School Board of Trustees. Mayor Ringer explained that the residents who live inside the city limits of College Station along Highway 30, also reside within the Bryan Independent School District. In the past, these residents have only been allowed to vote in Precinct No. 24, College Hills Elementary School, for the College Station City Election, and then go to Precinct No. 27 at the Bright Light Church in Bryan to vote in the BISD election. Passage of this resolution will allow these voters to vote at Precinct No. 24 for both elections, the city election and the BISD school board election. He noted that Bryan Independent School District will furnish the election boxes to be placed at Precinct No. 24 and BISD will designate their own election clerks to serve at this polling place. There is no added expense to the City of College Station. Councilman Boughton moved approval of Resolution No. 02-25-88-08 authorizing the Mayor to enter into an agreement with BISD to include voters who live in College Station and reside in the BISD school district to vote at Precinct No. 24, College Hills Elementary School in the City Election and the BISD Election. Councilman Brown seconded the motion which carried unanimously, 6-0. Agenda Item No. 9 - Discussion of request that an election be held in College Station, Texas to legalize bingo games authorized under the "Bingo Enabling Act". Mayor Ringer explained that a group from the St. Thomas Aquinas Catholic Church, Knights of Columbus group will be presenting a petition to legalize bingo games in College Station to the City Council on March 10th with the required amount of signatures. This petition will be reviewed by the City Secretary where she will verify the voter registration numbers. After approval by the City Secretary, a public hearing will be scheduled for March 24, 1988. r)6557 CITY COUNCIL REGULAR MEETING THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 25, 1988 Page 4 Agenda Item No. 10 - Consideration of authorizing the Finance Director and the City Manager to sign an order for Utility Billing Central Processing Unit. Ms. Piwonka stated that discussion of this item was held during the workshop meeting. The staff has recommended the replacement of the current Utility Billing Hardware to an upgrade of an NCR- I9500 series. She noted that the current software will be com- patable with the new system. The purchase price of the new series is $178,272. Councilman Haddox asked for clarification of the proposed fund- ing. Ms. Piwonka replied that the funding is being worked on through our Finance Department and the idea is being looked at to purchase Certificates of Obligation to cover the funding, in order that the funding will be available at the time of delivery. Mr. Harrison further explained that the City is financing the entire MIS package which amounts to $1,500,000 over the next four fiscal years, giving us access to the tax refinancing laws. Mayor Ringer asked for the annual maintenance costs on the current machine. Ms. Piwonka replied that the maintenance cost is about $32,000 for the present equipment. The new machine will cost about $14,000 annually, saving about $80,000 in maintenance costs over a five year period. Councilman Brown asked if a larger discount could be considered. Ms. Piwonka replied that the maximum discount available is 20 percent. Councilman Brown moved approval of authorizing the Finance Director and City Manager to sign an order for Utility Billing Central Processing Unit. The motion was seconded by Councilman Boughton and carried by a vote of 6-0. Agenda Item No. 11 - Consideration of an ordinance amendin~ Cha~ter 13 of the Code relating to the Stormwater Management Ordinance. City Engineer Pullen presented the item. He explained that the proposed ordinance is an amendment to the ordinance passed in October 1987. Its purpose is to meet revised Federal Emergency Management Act requirements and recommendations to the ordinance approved in October. The major effect of this ordinance will leave single family residential development exempt from permit requirements except in the flood plain areas. He noted that 06558 CITY COUNCIL REGULAR MEETING THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 25, 1988 Page 5 there were several changes made. Councilman Gardner moved approval of Ordinance No. 1740 approving the amendment to Chapter 13 of the Code relating to the Storm- water Management Ordinance. Councilman Haddox seconded the motion, which carried unanimously, 6-0. Agenda Item No. 12 - Consideration of a resolution designatin~ BVCAA as an additional recipient of UMTA Section 9 funds. Director of Capital Improvements Ash presented the item. He explained that the Brazos Valley Community Action Agency has asked the City Council to approve a resolution declaring them as an additional recipient of Urban Mass Transit Section 9 funds. He noted that the BVCAA runs a medical transit system for the area and also a transportation system for persons going to and from medical facilities. Mr. Ash pointed out that if the BVCAA is successful in receiving these Section 9 funds, they may not need to come before the Council during the next budget cycle asking funds for their lift equipped van. Councilman Haddox mentioned that if the city ever came to the point where it was interested in producing a bus system in the City, are we giving up any funding for the city or is this a special fund. Mr. Ash replied that this funding for BVCAA would not jeoparidize the City in the future. City Attorney Locke remarked that Section 9 funds are medically related to handicap- ped transportation funding. The City has reserved the right to seek application for funds in this area. Mr. Ragland further explained that if the Council desires to apply for Section 9 funds in the future, the staff could place in the resolution a provision protecting the city from competing with BVCAA as a recipient. Mr. McBeth stated that total funds applied for is $700,000. He noted that $300,000 has been set aside for the Park and Ride lots. He mentioned that a very large daily morning commuter program has developed in the area for persons working in Navasota, Brenham, Caldwell, Madisonville, Hearne, and other surrounding communities. Funding in the past for this program has been through Section 18 Rural Program. Mr. McBeth noted that the park and ride lots have not been selected. Further discus- sion was held regarding park and ride lots. Councilman Boughton moved approval of Resolution No. 02-25-88-12 endorsing the BVCAA so they may obtain funding from the UMTA Section 9 funds. -'§6559 CITY COUNCIL REGULAR MEETING THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 25, 1988 Page 6 Councilman McIlhaney seconded the motion which carried unanimous- ly, 6-0. Agenda Item No. 13 - Consideration of an ordinance changing the fiscal year. Mr. Harrison addressed the Council. He stated that this ordinance will change the city's fiscal year from the current June 30th ending date to the recommended September 30th ending date. Mayor Ringer mentioned that the most important reason for this change was brought about by the uniform election date change to May 7. Councilman Brown moved approval of Ordinance No. 1741 changing the fiscal year to begin October 1 and end September 30. Councilman Boughton seconded the motion which carried unanimous- ly, 6-0. Agenda Item No. 14 - Consideration of a resolution for the elimi- nation of the Crime Prevention Fund, Federal Revenue Sharing Fund, and the Cemetery Perpetual Care Fund. Mr. Harrison stated that the Accounting Division is requesting to eliminate three minor funds and consolidate the cash balances within the general fund and still maintain proper accounting control but without the need of separate bank accounts. The city's auditors and the city attorney have reviewed these changes and recommend approval. Councilman McIlhaney asked how much money is in the cemetery perpetual fund. Mr. Harrison replied that there is approximately $55,000. The City will continue to maintain a certificate of deposit with a local bank which will hold those funds in perpetuity. Councilman Boughton moved approval of Resolution No. 02-24-88-14 eliminating the Crime Prevention Fund, Revenue Sharing Fund, and the Cemetery Perpetual Care Fund. The motion was seconded by Councilman Haddox and carried by a vote of 6-0. Agenda Item No. 15 - Hear Visitors. Student Gov't Liaison Buchman mentioned that the street signs -06560 CITY COUNCIL REGULAR MEETING THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 25, 1988 Page 7 located on the traffic light arms are not labeled very clearly and he hoped that it could be possible to relocate the signs for a better view. Councilman Haddox asked if the City of College Station could be placed on a mileage sign near Navasota; he noted that there is no mention of College Station on any of the signs. Mr. Ash replied that he talked with the Highway Department several years ago about this matter and they had responded that it is the State's policy to name the next city in line. Agenda Item No. 16 - Closed session to discuss legal report [6252-17(2)(r)] and personnel [6252-17(2)(9)]. A. Legal Report [6252-17(2)(r)]. B. Personnel [6252-17(2)(g)]. 1. Discussion of appointment of Assistant City Secretary. The council convened in closed session at 8:00 p.m. Agenda Item No. 17 - Action on closed session. The council reconvened in open session. Councilman Brown moved approval to appoint Connie Hooks as Assistant City Secretary. Councilman Haddox seconded the motion which carried unanimously, 6-0. Agenda Item No. 18 - Adjourn. Mayor Ringer declared the meeting adjourned at 8:17 p.m. ATTEST: City~tary Dian Jones APPROVED: Mayo-f La~ R~r 06561 GUEST REGISTER CITY COUNCIL REGULAR HEBTING THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 25, 1988 ?:00 8. 20. 9. 21. 10. 22. 11. 23. 006.575