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HomeMy WebLinkAbout02/13/1985 - Workshop Minutes City Council MINUTES WORKSHOP CITY COUNCIL MEETING WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 13, 1985 4:00 P.M. COUNCIL MEMBERS PRESENT: Mayor Halter, Councilmen Boughton, McIlhaney, Prause, Runnels COUNCIL MEMBERS ABSENT: Councilman Anderson STAFF PRESENT: City Manager Bardell, Assistant City Manager VanDever, Director of Capital Improvements Ash, City Secretary Jones, City Attorney Locke, Director of Plan- ning Mayo, Utilities Office Manager Piwonka, Energy Specialist Shear, Elec- trical Superintendent Guidry, Personnel Manager Dickson, Community Center Di- rector Calliham, City Engineer Pullen, Administrative Assistant Magoon, Print- ing Coordinator Fry, Council Coordina- tor Jones STUDENT GOVT. LIAISON: Mike Hachtman VISITORS PRESENT: See guest register. The meeting was called to order with all members of the the Coun- cil present except Councilmen Anderson and McIlhaney. Agenda Item No. 1 - Council Concerns. Councilman Prause reported that there is a problem with stray dogs in the area near Welsh Avenue every afternoon at approxi- mately 4:30 P.M. Mayor Halter requested that Councilmembers submit any revisions they might have to the proposed Orientation Handbook For Members Of The College Station City Council, Boards, Commissions and Com- mittees as soon as possible to enable the completion of the pub- lication prior to Council appointments in April. City Manager Bardell informed the Council that the transaction for the Refunding of the city's Outstanding Utility Revenue Sys- tem Bonds was complete as of January 28, 1985 and noted that since that time the interest rate has increased a full percentage point. 006773 WORKSHOP CITY COUNCIL MEETING WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 13, 1985 PAGE 2 Agenda Item No. 2 - Report from the College Station Library Com- mittee. Dr. Larry Ringer, speaking as the city's representative to the Bryan/College Station Athletic Federation, expressed his appreci- ation to the city staff for their support in the EAGLE Straight- Shot 10K Run held 02/10/85. Councilman McIlhaney arrived at the meeting. Dr. Ringer, Chairman of the Library Committee, summarized the written report that was distributed to the Council. He thanked the committee members for their efforts in preparing the report. He stated that through the efforts of the committee it was deter- mined that there is a definite desire for some type of library facility in College Station and that there is a sufficient number of potential users to make it a success. He stated that the Com- mittee recommends that the city establish and support a library facility that operates as a branch of the Bryan Public Library, which will be funded entirely by the City of College Station. He discussed the advantages that will be afforded a Branch Library versus a Separate Library System. He suggested that establishing a Branch of the Bryan Library in College Station will require the city to enter into a written agreement with the City of Bryan to delineate responsibility. He listed the three recommendations submitted by the Committee regarding the proposed location, size and cost of the facility as follows: (1) Lease a temporary site, possibly the Brothers Boulevard Office Center, for three years to start a library while planning and building a permanent facility; (2) The minimum size for a temporary facility should be 3000 square feet and the number of parking spaces to be designated for use by library patrons should be specified in the lease agree- ment; and, (3) Develop a long range plan for a permanent library, preferably as part of a complex of public buildings. He ex- plained the cost data provided in the report. He further stated that the Committee recommends that the Council include sufficient funds in the city's 1985-86 budget for the establishment of a branch of the Bryan Public Library in College Station. Councilman Boughton commended the Library Committee for their ef- forts and expressed her appreciation for a very comprehensive re- port. Mayor Halter concurred with Councilman Boughton's co~mlent. He requested the continued support of the Committee members and sug- gested that they serve in an advisory capacity to the Council. WORKSHOP CITY COUNCIL MEETING WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 13, 1985 PAGE 3 Mayor Halter requested the staff to prepare budget figures for this proposal and scheduled further consideration of this matter in two weeks. A~enda Item No. 3 - Discussion of Commercial Planned Unit Devel- o~ments. Director of Planning Mayo presented the item. He explained that there has been some discussion by the Planning and Zoning Commis- sion and the City Council about the possibility of developing a Commercial Planned Unit Development. He stated that the staff has determined that the commercial P.U.D. will allow more design flexibility in commercial projects, but will not provide the city with any additional controls regarding the specific use of a tract. He noted that the staff has investigated several propos- als which will provide the city with more controls in this area. He stated that one proposal would be to split the current C-1 zone up into several zones, each zone being non-cumulative. He explained that by making the zones non-cumulative the city will be assured more control. He pointed out that if the Council agrees to proceed with this proposal it will require most C-1 property in the city to be rezoned. He further stated that if the Council is in support of this proposal the staff will estab- lish several C-1 zones and return a more detailed proposal to Council for consideration. Councilman McIlhaney asked what criteria will be used for estab- lishment of the different C-1 zones. Director of Planning Mayo listed examples of criteria that will be used as follows: (1) location; and, (2) minimum lot size. Councilman Prause suggested that specifications for building height be addressed for each proposed zone. Councilman McIlhaney asked about the possibility of placing time limits on rezonings. Director of Planning Mayo stated this has been done in other cities. City Attorney Locke stated that the problem with placing time limits on rezonings is that it becomes project specific, there- fore losing touch with the overall zoning issue. Councilman Runnels stated that placing time limits on rezonings might rush development resulting in substandard construction. He expressed his opinion that there is a need for the development of a commercial P.U.D. to provide developers with more chances for creativeness. He pointed out that the P.U.D. has proven itself 00 775 WORKSHOP CITY COUNCIL MEETING WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 13, 1985 PAGE 4 in the residential district and suggested that the staff continue to investigate the possibility of developing a C-1 P.U.D.o The Council requested that the Planning and Zoning Commission in- vestigate the proposal to create more restrictive, non-cumulative commercial zoning categories and the possible development of a commercial P.U.D. Mayor Halter requested that the problem created by real estate companies temporary use of facilities in residential subdivisions be addressed. A~enda Item No. 4 - Discussion of Street Li~htin~ Refit Pro~ram. Energy Specialist Shear presented the item. He summarized the proposed street lighting project report. He stated that the En- ergy Department proposes that the city improve its street light- ing system in the following aspects: (1) Existing mercury vapor street lights be changed over to high pressure sodium street lights, which will increase the system's overall lumen output and save the city approximately $51,323.51 annually; (2) Set new standards on street lights and street lighting poles, which will create a uniform system, promote easier maintenance and insure energy savings in the future subdivision developments; and, (3) Change residential security light fees and update the files to reflect those customers that have security lights, but are not being charged, which will create a more equitable system and in- crease the city's revenue by $22,932.00 annually. Mr. Bill Griffin, representing I.T.T., gave a brief presentation on the high pressure sodium light. He noted that the the conver- sion from mercury vapor to high pressure sodium was started be- cause of the increased efficiency provided by the high pressure sodium light. He pointed out that the mercury vapor light emits 40-60 lumens/watt compared to the high pressure sodium light which emits 80-120 lumens/watt. He stated that another advantage of the sodium light is the degree of serviceability of the lamp. He further stated that the cost of the high pressure sodium light is down in comparison with the cost of the mercury vapor light. Energy Specialist Shear listed the disadvantages of the high pressure sodium light as follows: (1) the color rendition; and, (2) the city's Electrical Maintenance Department has more experi- ence in working with mercury vapor lights. He stated that the the payback period for this project will be 2.596 years. He fur- ther stated that the total amount of funding required for this project is $117,322.00 to be appropriated from the Gulf States Utilities Rebate. He noted that funds may also be made available WORKSHOP CITY COUNCIL MEETING WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 13, 1985 PAGE 5 through the Community Development Block Grant Funds, which can be allocated for this program in designated target areas that are earmarked for preservation and rehabilitation activities. He ex- plained the proposed street light standards and the proposed amendments to the Electric Rate - Schedule SL of Ordinance 1428. He further noted that the Electrical Department is currently de- veloping street lighting pole standards and a new street lighting policy. Councilman McIlhaney asked if the $117,322.00 will be sufficient to purchase the total number of lights necessary. Energy Spe- cialist Shear replied affirmatively. Councilman McIlhaney requested that the proposed street lighting policy address the area of responsibility for maintenance of street lights. Councilman Runnels asked how long it will take to refit all ex- isting lights. Energy Specialist Shear stated that it will take approximately one year. Mayor Halter expressed his support'of the Street Lighting Project Proposal and suggested that the staff be authorized to go out for bids for the project. Councilman Runnels moved to authorize the staff to go out for Bids for the proposed Street Lighting Project. Councilman Boughton seconded the motion which was approved unani- mously, 5-0. Councilman McIlhaney inquired about the possibility of in the fu- ture requiring all developers to install the high pressure sodium lights. City Manager Bardell suggested that the Council consider the es- tablishment of a policy that would authorize the city to provide for installation of all street lights and allow for back charging the cost of installation to the developer. He noted that cur- rently one major problem facing the city is where to fix the re- sponsibility for maintenance of street lights. The Council requested that a resolution be prepared authorizing the city staff to meet with developers to request installation of. high pressure sodium lights so that in the future the city will not be required to retrofit the lights, and return it to Council for consideration. WORKSHOP CITY COUNCIL MEETING WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 13, 1985 PAGE 6 A~enda Item No. 5 - Adjourn. Mayor Halter adjourned the meeting at 5:15 P.M. ATTEST~.~~: ~ Dian Jone ,~/~ity Secretary Gary Hal~, Mayor GUEST REGISTER WORKSHOP CITY.COUNCIL MEETING WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 13, 1985 4=00 P.M. e Se e 11. 12. 13. 14. 16. e 17. J 18. 19. 10. 20. 00 ?'t'9