HomeMy WebLinkAbout12/13/2018 - Workshop Minutes - City CouncilWKSHP121318 Minutes Page 1
MINUTES OF THE CITY COUNCIL WORKSHOP
CITY OF COLLEGE STATION
DECEMBER 13, 2018
STATE OF TEXAS §
§
COUNTY OF BRAZOS §
Present:
Karl Mooney, Mayor
Council:
Bob Brick
Jerome Rektorik
Linda Harvell
Elianor Vessali
John Nichols
James Benham – arrived late
City Staff:
Bryan Woods, City Manager
Jeff Capps, Assistant City Manager
Carla Robinson, City Attorney
Tanya Smith, City Secretary
Ian Whittenton, Deputy City Secretary
1. Call to Order and Announce a Quorum is Present
With a quorum present, the Workshop of the College Station City Council was called to order by
Mayor Mooney at 3:02 p.m. on Thursday, December 13, 2018 in the Council Chambers of the City
of College Station City Hall, 1101 Texas Avenue, College Station, Texas 77840.
2. Employee Recognition, Recognition of Employee of the Year Nominees, and Reception.
The following employees were recognized for service:
20 Years of Service
Darrin Allen, Damian Anderson, Jon Ballard, Diane Broadhurst, Dustin Jordan, Kristina Keller,
Blaine Krauter, Howard Lapham, Matthew Marek, Michael Montgomery, Randall Ray, Jr.,
Kathryn Reiter, Carla Robinson, Bradford Smith, Joshua Varner, and Jimmy Yow
25 Years of Service
Jeffrey Capps, Tommy Galvan, Jerry King, Robert Mumford II, Andrew Murph, Edwin Savage,
Brian Smith, and Melvin Wallace
30 Years of Service
Craig Anderson, William Bradshaw, Daniel McNeill, Gregory Rodgers, and Valentin Urrutia
35 Years of Service
Lee Robinson
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Nominees for Employee of the Year were:
Jared Cleere, Shankar Dayal, Pete Garcia, Venessa Garza, Carter Hall, Marshall Karkoska, Lacey
Lively, Lisa McCracken, Stephan Richardson, Tammie Warren, Eric Watkins, and Raney
Whitwell
The Employee of the Year is Stephan Richardson.
A small reception followed.
3. Executive Session
In accordance with the Texas Government Code §551.071-Consultation with Attorney, and
§551.074-Personnel, the College Station City Council convened into Executive Session at 4:04
p.m. on Thursday, December 13, 2018 in order to continue discussing matters pertaining to:
A. Consultation with Attorney to seek advice regarding pending or contemplated litigation; to wit:
Kathryn A. Stever-Harper as Executrix for the Estate of John Wesley Harper v. City of
College Station and Judy Meeks; No. 15,977-PC in the County Court No. 1, Brazos
County, Texas; and
McCrory Investments II, LLC d/b/a Southwest Stor Mor v. City of College Station; Cause
No. 17-000914-CV-361; In the 361st District Court, Brazos County, Texas
City of College Station v. Gerry Saum, Individually, and as Independent Executrix of the
Estate of Susan M. Wood, Deceased; Cause No. 17-002742-CV-361; In the 361st District
Court, Brazos County, Texas
Maura Juarez Garcia v. Andres Garcia and City of College Station; Cause No. 18-000419-
CV-85; In the 85th District Court, Brazos County, Texas.
B. Deliberation on the appointment, employment, evaluation, reassignment, duties, discipline, or
dismissal of a public officer; to wit:
Council Self-Evaluation
City Manager
The Executive Session recessed at 5:04 p.m.
4. Take action, if any, on Executive Session.
No action was taken.
5. Presentation, possible action and discussion on items listed on the consent agenda.
Items 2e, 2d, 2i, 2j, 2l, and 2m were pulled from Consent for clarification.
(2d): Kelly Kelbly, Assistant Parks & Recreation Director, stated that this ordinance is a
housekeeping item to add exceptions to other parks in the city to the leash requirement, as currently
Lick Creek Park is the only park in the city with that exception. The ordinance will also make
certain areas of Lick Creek Park on leash and other areas off leash. Before the passage of this
ordinance the entire park is off leash.
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(2e): David Schmitz, Parks & Recreation Director, provided clarification on the overall need to
install a shade structure over the amphitheater at Lick Creek Park and a brief overview of the
design and materials. This structure blocks direct sunlight and will cover 250 people seated in the
amphitheater. He also stated that this project was not included in the original design as they
concentrated funds on the nature center, but $200,000 was included in the FY18-19 budget and
this contract is under that amount.
(2i) and (2j): Ericka Bridges, Planning and Development, stated that impact fees will apply to
the development along Greens Prairie Road and Arrington Road through Greens Prairie Reserve,
Section 1, Phase 102 subdivision. However, Ms. Bridges explained that this particular oversize
participation agreement does not qualify for the use of impact fees.
Alan Gibbs, Assistant Director of Water Services, gave further explanation by saying that this line
was not one specifically identified by the CIP within the impact fee projects and consequently is
ineligible for those funds.
(2l): Jeff Kersten, Assistant City Manager, provided clarification on the fluctuating cost of fuel
under this contract. He stated the markup is fixed per-gallon based upon the based price of fuel
delivered on that day. The markup includes delivery and applicable fees, so the variable is the
price of the fuel on the day delivered.
(2m): Carol Cotter, City Engineer, provided clarification on the Semi-Annual Report on the
System-Wide Impact Fees for water, wastewater, and roadways. She stated that the report is
required by local government code and fee implementation had occurred in phases, with full fee
implementation occurring in December of this year. The service area for roadway impact fees is
bounded by the City limits; however, service areas for system-wide water and wastewater impact
fees do not strictly follow City limit lines and include some areas of the City’s Extra-Territorial
Jurisdiction (ETJ). The City’s previous five “Small Area” impact fees, specific to either a water or
sanitary sewer capital improvement project and the area served, have been phased out and will no
longer be reported.
Land Use Assumptions and the related Capital Improvements Plans have remained unchanged
over the reporting period of April 1, 2018 through September 30, 2018. This report primarily
documents the fees collected in each of the service areas, since there have been no major changes
to any of the impact fee programs during the reporting period. Both staff and the Planning &
Zoning Commission recommend approval.
6. Presentation, possible action, and discussion relating to a legislative update and preview
of the 86th Texas State Legislature.
Jennifer Rodriguez, legislative consultant, provided a legislative update and preview of the
upcoming legislative session. Ms. Rodrigues explained that pre-filing of legislation began
Monday, November 12th. Current legislators and legislators-elect are able to file bills in advance
of the legislature convening January 8th, and as of December 12th 498 House bills and 203 Senate
bills have been filed.
SENATE
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Lt. Governor Dan Patrick returns for a second four year term having lost two Republican senators
in the general election, but picking up one Republican in a special election over the summer.
HOUSE
State Representative Dennis Bonnen will be elected as Speaker of the House of Representatives
with bipartisan support as the first order of business when the House convenes January 8th. He
replaces retiring Speaker Joe Straus. Bonnen has already named most of his major staff as part of
the transition to the Speaker’s Office.
Some key legislative issues for cities include: Property Tax Revenue Caps, School Finance, State
Budget for 2020-2021 Biennium, Hurricane Harvey Reform, Preemption of Local Ordinances,
Sales Tax Exemption Expansion Bills, Property Tax Exemption Bills, Chapter 312 and 313
Extensions, Annexation, and Eminent Domain.
7. Presentation, possible action, and discussion of the results of the Parks & Recreation
Citizen Survey by Andrea Thomas, owner of Fort Worth based National Service Research.
Kelly Kelbly, Assistant Parks & Recreation Director, stated that the Parks & Recreation
Department, in conjunction with the Public Communications Department, commissioned the
National Service Research firm to conduct an online and mail out survey to the citizens of College
Station.
Andrea Thomas with National Service Research (NSR), gave a brief discussion regarding the
survey covered current maintenance practices, activities and programs, and facilities, as well as,
the future of all afore-mentioned items. Ms. Thomas stated the purpose of the needs assessment
was to provide guidance regarding park, recreation, and open space citizen needs and priorities.
NSR worked closely with City of College Station staff throughout the research process
The research objectives were to identify:
Frequency of Park and Recreation Use
Maintenance rating of Parks and Recreation Facilities
Recreation Programs of Interest
Park Facility needs
The survey was mailed to 8,000 randomly selected households throughout College Station. Those
who received the mailed survey had the option of completing the mailed survey or the online
survey. The online survey was posted October 17, 2018 and closed November 23, 2018. A total
of 271 mailed survey responses and 873 online responses were received for a total of 1,144. The
margin of error of this sample size at a 95% confidence level is plus or minus 3.3%.
The report summarized the conclusions as follows:
Overall 77% of respondents rated the maintenance of parks as excellent or good
9 out of 10 respondents are interested in participating in a City of College Station recreation
program.
Top programs of interest:
o Walking/Hiking - 53%
o Festivals/events – 43%
o Aquatic programs – 32%
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o Fitness classes/events – 32%
The top three park needs in rank order:
o Additional hike/bike trails with connections in the City of College Station
o Additional nature trails/greenway corridors
o Additional open spaces and natural areas
More than one-third (35%) ranked “renovate existing parks and facilities” as a “4” or a top
priority for funding.
60% support increased user fees and 54% support bonds to fund new parks and facilities
and/or additions to existing parks and facilities. Only 19% support increased property
taxes.
8. Presentation, possible action, and discussion regarding the naming of the new artificial
turf athletic fields at Veterans Park.
David Schmitz, Parks & Recreation Director, briefly discussed the possibility of naming of the
new synthetic turf athletic fields at Veterans Park to be “Legion Fields,” as suggested for a future
discussion at the September 27, 2018 City Council meeting. The suggested naming would be in
honor of the American Legion who celebrates their 100 year anniversary in 2019 and keeping with
the theme of Veterans Park. Mr. Schmitz explained that the two new synthetic turf athletic fields
under construction are expected to be complete in the latter portion of the coming spring. Also,
names are currently assigned within the Veterans Park Master Plan approved in 2000, were fields
(#12 & #13) are currently named Minuteman & Medic and the adjacent fields (#7 to #11) are
named Soldier, Sailor, Patriot, Airman, and Ranger.
Staff made the suggestion to name a grouping of fields as “Legion Fields” or “Legion Complex.”
Council indicated by consensus that they would like to see staff’s and council’s suggestions taken
to the Parks Board and then returned to council at a future meeting.
9. Council Calendar
Council reviewed the calendar.
10. Discussion, review and possible action regarding the following meetings: Animal Shelter
Board, Annexation Task Force, Arts Council of Brazos Valley, Arts Council Sub-committee,
Audit Committee, Bicycle, Pedestrian, and Greenways Advisory Board, Bio-Corridor Board
of Adjustments, Blinn College Brazos Valley Advisory Committee, Brazos County Health
Dept., Brazos Valley Council of Governments, Bryan/College Station Chamber of
Commerce, Budget and Finance Committee, BVSWMA, BVWACS, Compensation and
Benefits Committee, Experience Bryan-College Station, Design Review Board, Economic
Development Committee, FBT/Texas Aggies Go to War, Gulf Coast Strategic Highway
Coalition, Historic Preservation Committee, Interfaith Dialogue Association,
Intergovernmental Committee, Joint Relief Funding Review Committee, Landmark
Commission, Library Board, Metropolitan Planning Organization, Parks and Recreation
Board, Planning and Zoning Commission, Research Valley Partnership, Research Valley
Technology Council, Regional Transportation Committee for Council of Governments,
Sister Cities Association, Spring Creek Local Government Corporation, Transportation and
Mobility Committee, TAMU Economic Development, TAMU Student Senate, Texas
Municipal League, Twin City Endowment, Walk with the Mayor, YMCA, Youth Advisory
Council, Zoning Board of Adjustments.
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Councilmember Nichols reported on the Health Board meeting.
Councilmember Rektorik reported on Experience Bryan-College Station.
Councilmember Harvell reported on Transportation Committee.
Mayor Mooney reported on the TML Region 10 meeting.
9. Adjournment
There being no further business, Mayor Mooney adjourned the workshop of the College Station
City Council at 6:30 p.m. on Thursday, December 13, 2018.
________________________
Karl Mooney, Mayor
ATTEST:
_______________________
Tanya Smith, City Secretary
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