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HomeMy WebLinkAbout01/26/2012 - Workshop Minutes City Council MINUTES OF THE CITY COUNCIL WORKSHOP CITY OF COLLEGE STATION JANUARY 26, 2012 STATE OF TEXAS § COUNTY OF BRAZOS § Present: Nancy Berry, Mayor Council: Blanche Brick Jess Fields Karl Mooney Katy-Marie Lyles Julie Schultz Dave Ruesink City Staff: David Neeley, City Manager Kathy Merrill, Deputy City Manager Frank Simpson, Deputy City Manager Carla Robinson, City Attorney Tanya McNutt, Deputy City Secretary Shelley Major, Records Management Coordinator 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 Nancy Berry at 3:07 p.m. on Thursday, January 26, 2012 in the Council Chambers of the City of College Station City Hall, 1101 Texas Avenue, College Station, Texas 77842. 1. Presentation, possible action, and discussion, and a joint meeting of the Planning and Zoning Commission and the City Council regarding the 2012 Planning & Zoning Commission Plan of Work. Mike Ashfield, Chairman, Planning and Zoning Commission, called to order the Joint Meeting with City Council. Bob Cowell, Executive Director, Planning & Development Services, gave an overview of the process for developing the 2012 Planning & Zoning Commission Plan of Work. The Plan of WKSHP012612 Minutes Page 1 Work should consider future tasks for a prescribed period and be updated and revised annually in coordination with the City Council Strategic Planning process. Mr. Ashfield reviewed the draft plan including; Comprehensive Plan Implementation, Employment Diversification, and Housing. The Planning and Zoning Commission is seeking input from the Council on the Plan of Work and concurrence with the same. In reference to the Role of Planning and Regulation, cost will be a parallel topic to affordable housing development factors. The intent of the Planning and Zoning Commission is to examine the role that cost plays in the development and impact of affordable housing. The Commission's role, as far as the Diversification of Employment Opportunities, will be in two parts. The Master Plan is a joint effort between the City Manager's Office and Planning and Development Services. The land use component will be addressed in terms of creating job opportunity and making sure land is available for those types of zoning districts. Another element of this plan includes providing a positive business development environment, including trying to work with applicants to provide a positive experience for all parties involved. As new developments arise, the Planning and Zoning Commission will work with staff to assess what the current requirements are and review specifically for potential discussion and presentation to council. Council asked that the street parking issue in new developments and on older streets continue to be reviewed. Mr. Cowell stated that during the special meetings next week, the parking issue will be looked at, and the Plan of Work could possibly be amended depending on Council's direction at that time. The Southside Neighborhood Plan is also in the process of determining what should be done about parking in an older neighborhood. MOTION: Upon a motion made by Councilmember Schultz and a second by Councilmember Brick, the City Council voted seven (7) for and none (0) opposed, to approve the 2012 Planning & Zoning Commission Plan of Work. The motion passed unanimously. The Planning and Zoning Commission Joint meeting portion of the City Council Workshop adjourned 3:50 p.m. 2. Presentation, possible action, and discussion on items listed on the consent agenda. No items were pulled for clarification. 3. Presentation, possible action, and discussion regarding tax abatement, tax abatement agreements, and required guidelines. This item is also on the consent agenda. Frank Simpson, Deputy City Manager, provided Council with an overview of the tax abatement process, and further explained the statutory requirements for entering into an agreement and designating a reinvestment zone. Local governments often use tax abatement as an economic development tool in order to attract new industry and commercial enterprises, and to also encourage the retention and development of existing businesses. Council will be considering the agreements and guidelines as a consent agenda item. WKSHP012612 Minutes Page 2 4. Presentation and discussion regarding an update on current and pending Neighborhood, District, and Master Plans including the Southside Neighborhood Plan, the Wellborn District Plan, and the Economic Development Master Plan. Bob Cowell, Director of Planning and Development Services, reviewed with Council the plan development process, the plan implementation and monitoring process, and the details of the process for the plans being developed in 2012. The City of College Station Comprehensive Plan, adopted in 2009 identifies the need for the development of a series of more focused smaller area plans (neighborhoods, districts, and corridors) as well as master plans for functional areas (water, wastewater, economic development, etc) to aid in the successful implementation of the plan. A number of these plans have been completed to date with several more under development in 2012. Four plans that are currently in development where highlighted; the Southside Neighborhood Plan, the Economic Development Master Plan, the Wellborn District Plan, and the newest to be initiated next fall, the South Knoll Neighborhood Plan. Planning and Development Services will be partnering with Texas A&M students, who are using this neighborhood as their capstone project, culminating with a report that will be included in the plan. Mr. Cowell stated that at every meeting comment cards will be available for citizens to express their concerns and questions. Those can also be directed to staff through email. Mr. Cowell reminded council that in regards to Wellborn, most of that land is zoned A-O, and is subject to abide by city codes and regulations. 5. Council Calendar • January 30 Strategic Planning Workshop 1:00 p.m.-5:00 p.m. College Station Utilities Training Facility • January 31 Strategic Planning Workshop 1:00 p.m.-5:00 p.m. College Station Utilities Training Facility • January 31 Scott & White - Dinner with the Doc at Miramont Country Club, 6:00 P.M. • February 2 P&Z Workshop/Meeting in Council Chambers at 6:00 p.m. (Katy-Marie Lyles, Liaison) • February 9 City Council Works hop/Regular Meeting at 3:00 & 7:00 p.m. Council reviewed the Council calendar. 6. Presentation, possible action, and discussion on future agenda items: a Council Member may inquire about a subject for which notice has not been given. A statement of specific factual information or the recitation of existing policy may be given. Any deliberation shall be limited to a proposal to place the subject on an agenda for a subsequent meeting. Council requested an item to discuss a potential meeting between The Arts Council and the City Council regarding the future relationship between the two in regards to the festival site planning. Council also recommended the possibility of creating a committee for this purpose. WKSHP012612 Minutes Page 3 Council requested that a workshop item giving an update about the College Station dispatch system be added to a future agenda. 7. Discussion, review and possible action regarding the following meetings: Animal Shelter Board, Arts Council of the Brazos Valley, Audit Committee, Bicycle, Pedestrian, and Greenways Advisory Board, Brazos County Health Dept., Brazos Valley Council of Governments, Brazos Valley Wide Area Communications Task Force, BVSWMA, BVWACS, Cemetery Committee, Code Review Committee, Convention & Visitors Bureau, Design Review Board, Historic Preservation Committee, Interfaith Dialogue Association, Intergovernmental Committee, Joint Relief Funding Review Committee, Landmark Commission, Library Board, Metropolitan Planning Organization, National League of Cities, Outside Agency Funding Review, Parks and Recreation Board, Planning and Zoning Commission, Research Valley Partnership, Regional Transportation Committee for Council of Governments, Signature Event Task Force, Sister City Association, TAMU Student Senate, Texas Municipal League, Transportation Committee, Zoning Board of Adiustments. Mayor Berry reported that the MPO Executive Director, Linda Lasut has submitted her resignation effective Feb. 3' 2012. The Mayor also attended the Congress of Mayors in Washington D.C. Councilmember Fields attended the Arts Council meeting. Mr. Fields also updated Council on the BVWACS meeting. Councilmember Mooney attended the BVWSMA Board of Directors. Councilmember Brick attended the Greenways Tour coordinated by the Bicycle, Pedestrian and Greenways Advisory Committee. 8. Presentation, possible action and discussion regarding the presentation and demonstration of three new fire apparatus, (2) fire engines and one 100 foot ladder truck. One fire engine will be stationed at Fire Station 1 on Holleman Dr. One fire engine will be stationed at the new Fire Station 6 on University Dr., and the new ladder truck will be stationed at Fire Station 2 on Rio Grande. The purchase of the three new fire apparatus represents a $2.1 million dollar investment in fire protection for our city. Chief R.B. Alley invited the City Council to tour the new fire apparatus which is currently parked outside of City Hall. 9. Executive Session In accordance with the Texas Government Code §551.071-Consultation with Attorney, and §551.087-Economic Incentive Negotiations, the College Station City Council convened into Executive Session at 5:02 p.m. on Thursday, January 26, 2012 in order to continue discussing matters pertaining to: WKSHP012612 Minutes Page 4 A. Consultation with Attorney to seek advice regarding pending or contemplated litigation; to wit: • City of Bryan's application with TCEQ for water & sewer permits in Westside/Highway 60 area, near Brushy Water Supply Corporation to decertify City of College Station and certify City of Bryan • Chavers et al v. Tyrone Morrow et al, No. 10-20792; Chavers v. Randall Hall et al, Case No. 10 CV-3922 • College Station v. Star Insurance Co., Civil Action No. 4:11-CV-02023 • Shirley Maguire and Holly Maguire vs. City of College Station, Cause No. 11-002516- CV-272, In the 272"d District Court of Brazos County, Texas B. Consultation with Attorney to seek legal advice; to wit: • Restitution Issue related to State v. P. David Romei C. Economic Incentive Negotiations, to wit: • Administrative Services in College Station Business Park The Executive Session adjourned at 6:30 p.m. on Thursday, January 26, 2012. No action was required from Executive Session. 10. Adjournment MOTION: There being no further business, Mayor Berry adjourned the workshop of the College Station City Council at 6:30 p.m. on Thursday, January 26, 2012. Nancy Berry, Mayor ATTEST: Sherry M hburn, City Secretary WKSHP012612 Minutes Page 5