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HomeMy WebLinkAbout220113 -- City Council -- Agenda QuestionsciffN CM' OF COLLEGE STATION Mom ofTao" A¢:1d lArnivergrig. Council questions and staff responses for items on January 13, 2022 City Council Meeting 6.1. Presentation, discussion, and possible action on an update from the College Station Police Department. Sponsors: Billy Couch Question: I was surprised the annual racial profiling report was not attached. Are we receiving that report? Is it no longer a state req? Thank you for offering some reflection of 2021, could you also share the average response time if it is not a priority 1 call? I sent a list of questions months ago — should I resubmit those? Response: The racial profiling report is due March 1st, so those statistics are not yet finalized. The council will receive a presentation specifically on that report next month. The previous questions will be addressed in the presentation. 7.4. Presentation, discussion, and possible action on the first reading of a franchise agreement ordinance with Zters Inc., dba Zters Site Services for the collection of recyclables from commercial businesses and multi -family locations. Sponsors: Emily Fisher Question: I still do not understand these franchise agreements that our city uses for recycling in multifamily and commercial areas. Who pays their listed fees? For instance, I wish The Barracks had an aggressive recycling program to lessen their solid waste production. Would the Barracks have to pay this amount if they wanted to offer recycling to their residents? Response: The Recyclables Collection Franchise Agreement allows a private hauler to utilize public streets, alleys, and rights -of -way for the purpose of collecting construction and demolition debris, recyclables, and organic waste from commercial, industrial, and multi -family entities. In turn, commercial, industrial, and multi -family entities can explore services with a franchised hauler. If The Barracks were in the market for these services, they could view the list of City -franchised haulers and their published service rates. The Barracks would pay for the services rendered by the franchised hauler. 7.5. Presentation, discussion, and possible action regarding a professional services contract with Weisinger, INC. in the amount of $673,947 for the completion of rehabilitation of water wells 1 and 2 for the City of College Station. Sponsor: Gary Mechler Question: Are these wells located in Bryan? Do we share the water we pull with them, or pay Bryan for these well locations and productions? Response: College Station's Water Wells #1 and #2 are not located in Bryan. They are located in northwest Brazos County and are owned and operated by the City of College Station. The City of Bryan owns and operates a separate water system that has a very similar water quality when compared to the City of College Station. We do not share water on a regular basis, however, we can in an emergency sell water to each other using various existing system interconnects. 7.7. Presentation, discussion, and possible action regarding the renewal of an existing contract between the City of College Station and Xpedient Mail in the amount of $210,000. Sponsor: Mary Ellen Leonard Question: On the cover sheet, it says "The City is encouraging direct deposit by bank draft and electronic delivery of utility bills via email.". Very specifically, how is the city providing such encouragement? Also, during snowmaggedon reflections, I had wished that the same company that emails us these bills could have sent us information and updates on the electricity outages — but the city said that was not possible, yet in the coversheet it mentions that this contract includes "Services to be provided include designing, printing, sorting, mailing, and e-mailing utility bills and related documents to residential and commercial customers of the City." Why can't emergency notifications of interruptions of service be considered a related document? Response: The city provides encouragement for electronic deposits and delivery of bills as follows: • Auto pay and e-notification enrollment is encouraged on the Connect Request form online. This form is completed by citizens wishing to connect services by using our website. • Deposits are waived for enrolling in autopay. • This information is communicated verbally to citizens calling/coming inside the office to connect services. Regarding communication provided by the bill -print vendor, any communication provided is generated by the City and there is an additional cost incurred for off -cycle communications. The challenge/obstacle in this situation is timing and the ability to get the necessary information from the city to the vendor. We have 15 bill cycles that are spread out over the month. Therefore, to send communication out via the bill print vendor takes over a month or is an addition cost. I believe the last off -cycle communication was $7,000. Since Winter Storm Uri, staff has determined our online payment system could possibly be used to send emergency notifications by text message and/or email to customers IF the needed information is readily contained in the customer file and accurate. 7.9. Presentation, discussion, and possible action regarding an ordinance amending Chapter 38, "Traffic and Vehicles," Article VI "Traffic Schedules", Section 38-1005 "Traffic Schedule V, School Zones" by adding Renee Lane 175 feet from Barron Road. Sponsor: Emily Fisher Question: I don't have a concern about the location, but I am just sure I am missing something obvious as far as the times. I sure wish these school zone times matched the times school was in session. For example, First Period BEGINS at 8:25, but the proposed school zone ended 10 minutes prior to the start time. Seventh Period ENDS at 3:50, but the proposed school zone ended 20 minutes BEFORE school lets out. Response: The ordinance has been revised to match the time the flashers are actually on (7:30 — 8:30 am; 3:30 — 4:15 pm). The item will need to be pulled and voted separately due to the revised school zone times included in the ordinance.