Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAbout09/11/1985 - Workshop Minutes City Council MINUTES WORKSHOP CITY COUNCIL MEETING WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 11, 1985 4:00 P.M. COUNCIL MEMBERS PRESENT: COUNCIL MEMBERS ABSENT: STAFF PRESENT: STUDENT GOVT. LIAISON: VISITORS PRESENT: Mayor Halter, Councilmen Bond, Boughton, Brown, McIlhaney, Runnels, Tongco None City Manager Bardell, Assistant City Manager VanDever, Capital Improvements Director Ash, Assistant City Attorney Clar, City Secretary Jones, Deputy Fi- nance Director Schroeder, Utilities Of- fice Manager Piwonka, Assistant Person- nel Director Lucas, Printing Coordina- tor Fry, Energy Specialist Shear, As- sistant Utilities Director Albright, Council Coordinator Jones Mike Hachtman See guest register. The meeting was called to order with all Councilmembers present except Councilman Bond. Agenda Item No. 1 - Council concerns. Councilman Runnels stated that he had received a complaint from a resident of the Parkway Apartments who reported that the curb on Southwest Parkway is breaking down and having a negative impact on the traffic flow in the area. City Engineer Pullen stated that he would investigate the report. Councilman Runnels stated that the city has plans to rebuild Southwest Parkway from Lawyer to Texas Avenue and asked what the proposed timeframe is for completion of the project. City Engineer Pullen stated that design work is being done on the bridge that crosses Bee Creek. He noted that the bridge con- struction will probably be completed by March or April of 1986 and then construction work on Southwest Parkway will begin. WORKSHOP CITY COUNCIL MEETING WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 11, 1985 PAGE 2 Councilman Boughton asked about the status of the Police Station construction project. Director of Capital Improvements Ash reported that the prelimi- nary cost estimates came back slightly higher than what was bud- geted. He stated that the staff is going back and rethinking the entire project and will return to Council with revised plans for construction of a one-story structure. Councilman Boughton reported that the noise level in the Munici- pal Court Room is very high and requested that measures for sound-proofing the room be investigated during the initial plan- ning phase. Director of Capital Improvements Ash stated that the proposed construction plans call for the separation of the Municipal Court and the Police Department. He noted that there will be a com- plete renovation of the Municipal Court and stated that the noise problem will be addressed. Councilman Bond arrived at the meeting. Councilman Brown commended the Energy Department for their out- standing efforts in promotion of the city's Load Management Pro- gram. Councilman McIlhaney reported that the Cemetery Co~m%]ittee met to review a proposed rate increase submitted by Hardy Weedon, the individual who provides services for the opening and closing of graves, and noted that the Committee had no objections to the proposed increase. In addition, she reported that the Committee requested that the Council begin looking at the establishment of a future cemetery site for College Station. She noted that the Committee wanted to schedule a meeting for the end of September to begin reviewing the matter. Councilman McIlhaney reported that the transition of the signals at Highway 30 and the East Bypass frontage to flashing red and yellow is creating a traffic hazard. She requested the staff to investigate the situation to determine if there is some action the Council can take to encourage the Highway Department to change the signal to four-way flashing red. She asked if the five signals to be considered on the Regular Meeting Agenda are to be constructed by the city or the Highway Department. She questioned whether the equipment will be compatible with the city's existing equipment. Mayor Halter replied affirmatively. WORKSHOP CITY COUNCIL MEETING WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 11, 1985 PAGE 3 Councilman McIlhaney stated that the Council needs to appoint someone from the city, either a Councilmember or staff represen- tative, to serve on the Board of Directors of Brazos Beautiful. She noted that she will remain on the Board for the next two months, but a replacement will be needed after that. Councilman McIlhaney asked about the process of desalination of ground water and the feasibility of performing the process in this area. City Manager Bardell stated that the process is very expensive. Mayor Halter noted that a long term solution to the problem is the construction of the reservoir on the Navasota River. Councilman McIlhaney encouraged everyone to attend Stage Center's Vaudeville Show scheduled for Thursday - Saturday of this week and next at the Palace Theatre. She noted that Mr. Shulman has offered Stage Center the Theatre if they draw a large crowd for this show. Councilman Bond stated that he had received a call from a citizen who reported that on West Holleman where the buttons were removed large pieces of asphalt are missing. He stated that the citizen expressed his opinion that this was beginning to jeopardize the base of the roadway. Director of Capital Improvements Ash noted that he was aware of the situation. Councilman Bond reiterated that the situation at the intersection of Highway 30 and the East Bypass frontage roads when the signals change to flashing red and yellow is hazardous. He noted that there is a great amount of uncertainty created at the intersec- tion. He suggested that if the signal is not changed some type of indication that Highway 30 does not stop should be erected. He requested that the staff express the Council's concern with the signalization of this intersection to the Highway Department. Mayor Halter reminded the Council of the Special City Council Meeting scheduled for Thursday, September 12, 1985 at 4:00 P.M. to discuss the background checks on the city manager applicants. A~enda Item No. 2 - Discussion of ~etition for improvement of Morgan's Lane. City Engineer Pullen presented the item. He explained that the request is for a minor street repaving. He expressed concern with the minor street concept involved with this project because the street area is bounded by commercial properties on both WORKSHOP CITY COUNCIL MEETING WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 11, 1985 PAGE 4 sides. He pointed out that if the street is repaved under the assessment program for minor streets there are no provisions for the acquisition of right-of-way, which could present a problem if the Council decides to construct a wider street. He noted that if the street is repaved under the principle street projections it will provide for the acquisition of right-of-way. He listed the existing zoning in the area. He noted that the street is currently a fifty foot wide right-of-way allowing for a twenty- eight foot wide street. He stated that the Comprehensive Plan depicts this area as having commercial usages. He pointed out that Morgan's Lane will eventually be extended to the east and will probably intersect the Dartmouth Street extension at some point. He stated that with the street being bounded by commer- cial properties on both sides the staff would normally recommend that a commercial street be constructed in a seventy foot right- of-way with a forty-seven foot back to back street. Mayor Halter pointed out that the staff is requesting direction from the Council on the size street to be constructed. Councilman McIlhaney asked if the request for paving was for the entire street. City Engineer Pullen replied affirmatively. Councilman Tongco asked what is the proposed zoning for the prop- erty at the intersection of Dartmouth and Morgan's Lane. City Engineer Pullen stated that the Land Use Plan calls for the area to be zoned Low Density Residential, noting that there will prob- ably be requests for commercial zoning in the area. Councilman Tongco stated that if in the future there will be com- mercial development along Morgan's Lane, it should be constructed as a commercial street. City Engineer Pullen stated that the street could be built in a fifty foot right-of-way with ten foot easements on either side, but this would create problems of congestion. He noted that building setbacks are measured from right-of-way lines, which in this situation would move the building and parking structures ten feet closer to the street. Councilman Bond asked if under current paving procedures when a paving petition is presented does the Council have any options. City Engineer Pullen stated that the Council must consider the petition. He replied that the Council does not have to agree to pave the street just because the land owners petition for paving. WORKSHOP CITY COUNCIL MEETING WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 11, 1985 PAGE 5 Councilman McIlhaney stated that she would rather see the street constructed in seventy feet of right-of-way rather than in fifty feet of right-of-way with ten foot easements, in order to avoid any problems that might arise in the future. Councilman Boughton moved to direct the staff to approach the project with the idea of constructing a forty-seven foot wide back to back street in a seventy foot right-of-way. Councilman Runnels seconded the motion which was approved unani- mously, 7-0. Agenda Item No. 3 - Discussion of ICMA's Ex~ort Development Pro- ~ram 0 Assistant City Manager VanDever presented the item. He stated that the program is designed to aid communities, through their local governments, in pinpointing and developing the potential for exports in the area. He noted that the program is aimed at medium and small size businesses. He stated that the cost of the program is between $5,000.00 and $8,000.00. He further stated that he discussed the program with Dennis Goehring, President of the College Station Industrial Foundation, who indicated that it might be a good program for the Economic Development Foundation to undertake. Mayor Halter stated that he thought the program had merit. Councilman Tongco expressed her opinion that the Chamber of Com- merce might be best situated to handle this type of program, noting that the program should incorporate the entire community. Councilman Bond noted that the program will benefit the entire community. He suggested that someone should contact the local governmental entities, the Chamber of Commerce, the Brazos Valley Development Council, in addition to other relative entities and determine the overall interest in the program of the entire com- munity. He suggested that the city express the Council's support of the program to Mr. Ed Brady, Executive Director of the Chamber of Co~m~%erce, and request that he take charge and determine if there is genuine interest in the program on the part of the other entities previously mentioned. Councilman Brown suggested that the handling of this program be directed to Dennis Goehring, President of the College Station In- dustrial Foundation. WORKSHOP CITY COUNCIL MEETING WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 11, 1985 PAGE 6 Councilman Bond suggested that Mr. Goehring contact Mr. Brady to determine if there is interest in the program and if so then to establish a joint effort in support of the program. The Council concurred. A~enda Item No. 4 - Discussion of feasibility of chan~in~ fiscal year date. City Manager Bardell stated that he had spoken with the auditors and they concurred that the city would lose their bargaining pow- er if they were to change the fiscal year date. There was no additional information presented on this item. Af- ter a brief discussion, the Council took no action on the item. City Manager Bardell requested that the Council consider sched- uling a Special City Council Meeting for discussion of the Green's Prairie Road contract and design. The Council concurred and scheduled a Special City Council Meet- ing for September 18, 1985 at 5:00 P.M. A~enda Item No. 5 - Adjourn. Mayor Halter adjourned the meeting at 5:05 P.M. ATTEST: ~ Dian John, city secretary Gary Halt~ Mayor GUEST REGISTER Workshop City Council Meeting Wednesday, September 11, 1985 4:00 P.M. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. 9. 10. 11. 12. 13. 14. 15. 16. 17. 18. 19. 20. 21. 22. 23. 24. 25. 26. 27. 28. 29. 30. 31. 32. 33. 34. 35. 36. 37. 38. 39. 40. 41. 42. 005218