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HomeMy WebLinkAbout02/09/2012 - Workshop Minutes City Council MINUTES OF THE CITY COUNCIL WORKSHOP CITY OF COLLEGE STATION FEBRUARY 9, 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 Sherry Mashburn, City Secretary Tanya McNutt, Deputy City Secretary 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 3:00 p.m. on Thursday, February 9, 2012 in the Council Chambers of the City of College Station City Hall, 1101 Texas Avenue, College Station, Texas 77842. 1. Special recognition of Barbara Moore and Lance Jackson, honored by the Brazos Valley African- American Museum. Mayor Berry and the City Council recognized Barbara Moore, Neighborhood and Community Relations Coordinator, and Lance Jackson, Lincoln Center Supervisor, for being honored by the Brazos Valley African-American Museum. Mayor Berry and the Council also recognized City Secretary Sherry Mashburn for achieving her TRMC re-certifi cation. WKSHP020912 Minutes Page 1 Mayor Berry and the Council congratulated David Neeley and Carla Robinson on their first year anniversary as City Manager and City Attorney, respectively. 2. Presentation, possible action, and discussion on items listed on the consent agenda. Item 2i was pulled from the agenda and will be brought back for consideration at a later date. 3. Presentation, possible action, and discussion of the current state of the Police Department. Jeff Capps, Chief of Police, reported the department has 121 authorized sworn personnel, 59 authorized civilian personnel, 14 temp/seasonal employees, and 97 employees with educational degrees ( 21 Associates, 69 Bachelors, and 7 Advanced Degrees). Personnel received over 13,400 additional training hours in 2011. The attrition rate has been reduced: sworn from 15 officers in 2010 to 10 officers in 2011, and civilian positions from 15 in 2010 to nine in 2011. The department is accredited, with five re-accreditations. College Station's population has increased approximately 3% per year over the last 6 years, 15% over the span of six years. The number of calls has increased approximately 8% each year with the overall increase in the past 6 years being 45%. Violent crimes have seen a 20% drop, property crimes are up 13%, and major crimes are up 11%. A major concern is Burglary of Habitations, which jumped from 298 in 2010 to 472 in 2011. Another concern is driving while intoxicated. He reported the department pulls information from the FBI's Uniform Crime Report Data. This table pulls cities within Texas with populations between 50,000 and 100,000 and ranks them on their crime rate per 1,000. College Station is ranked at 14. The department holds regular Comp Stat meetings to assist with their crime preventative and crime fighting methods. At these meetings, they receive accurate, timely information, achieve rapid deployment, utilize effective tactics, and employ relentless follow-up and assessments. Policing is increasingly becoming more data driven. Having the ability to view problem areas allows one to reallocate resources where they are most needed. They do this with their Patrol Officers, Traffic Division and Community Service Division. This information has been used to develop various sting operations this past year. It is also used to deploy resources, such as moving bike officers to high volume problem areas. The department uses Mission Specific Operations. These are used as "tactical" operations to address identified problems. This helps supervisors achieve goals by directing subordinates in a coordinated manner and allows officers the opportunity to help plan and manage their workday. Chief Capps briefly described some significant events from the past year, such as the injury to a child, the homicide investigation on Deacon Drive, and the active shooting incident that occurred on Southwest Parkway The department has developed and implemented a City Watch Program. Sanitation, Electric and Parks employees are trained to look for suspicious activity and how to report the activity they WKSHP020912 Minutes Page 2 CW might see. He also briefly reported on the National Night Out and the Citizens Police Academy. The Recruiting and Training Division processed, hired, and trained 38 new employees in 2011 (23 Civilian and 15 Sworn). A new comprehensive firearms training course has been implemented that will better equip officers to handle emergency situations. A fit-life program for staff has been re-implemented. With the help of the City's Communication Department, a new Police recruiting video was developed. In October, the Criminal Investigation Division received the Thompson Reuters 2011 "Award for Excellence in Criminal Investigations" at the annual IACP Conference in Chicago. They are in the process of completing an in-depth analysis of jail operations. With the help of the IT department, they completed an extensive technology project as they changed to a local vendor for support of the Electronic Ticket writers. A new pay structure plan was completed for sworn officers, increasing their ability to remain competitive in market analysis and has helped in the reduction of turnover. The Northgate CARES program and the Bicycle Officer program were touched on. A "bait bicycle" has been obtained for those areas where high volumes of theft are occurring. Departmental goals are simple: • To Reduce Crime • To Reduce the Fear of Crime • To Improve the Overall Quality of Life in the Community • To Build and Maintain Effective Partnerships Chief Capps stated they will continue to improve and create a healthy work environment for staff and will continue to monitor the effects of development and growth in the City related to resource needs. 4. Presentation, possible action, and discussion of the College Station Recycling Program. Pete Caler, Assistant Director of Public Works, and Heather Qualls, Recycling Coordinator, presented a report on the Recycling Program, focusing on residential collection. Mr. Caler stated they have 35 full-time employees and 25 collection vehicles. Automated collection is the primary garbage collection system. They collect five days a weeks, with 1,000 - 1,200 cans per day. Bulk collections are done once a week, with 1,900 homes per day, five days week. It is labor intensive. Brush collection is used to collect large brush and heavy bulk items curbside. Recycling collection services 1,900 homes five days a week. Texas Commercial Waste is our private contractor, and the five-year contract expires in 2015. Residents have to sort the material and place in different bags. We currently maintain a 71% participation rate. Recyclables are sorted by Junction 505 employees, an organization that employs people with disabilities. In 2010, staff conducted multi-family feasibility reports. Pilot projects, and surveys were used to address what can be done in multi-family and business recycling. It was unsuccessful due to high contamination of the materials. In 2010, an SLA was prepared for a manned recycling drop-off center for apartments and businesses. The SLA was not approved due to significant rate increases to apartment residents. Since then the City has franchised two businesses to collect recyclables. Participation is optional, and the fee is determined by the private contractor. In August 2010, the residential contract came back. We received two proposals, but kept the same WKSHP020912 Minutes Page 3 system to avoid a rate increase. Rates have not increased since 2006. College Station is unique in that it has a hybrid "pay as you throw" system; i.e., the more you recycle reduces the need for an additional container at a higher monthly cost. An established recycling program is an industry standard in the solid waste field. Staff recommendation is to investigate a partnership with BVSWMA and the City of Bryan for single stream recycling. The Cities would collect, and BVSWMA would operate the single stream material recovery facility. Council directed staff to start the conversation regarding recycling and possible cooperation with the City of Bryan and BVSWMA. 5. Presentation, possible action, and discussion regarding the 2011 Christmas at the Creek. David Schmitz, Director of Parks and Recreation, updated the Council on the 2011 Christmas at the Creek event. The event was moved because the event had outgrown Central Park. Wolf Pen Creek provides an opportunity to grow the event into a premiere holiday festival for Brazos Valley. There is a proper stage for performers with better visibility and other entertainment options. The four-night event had 20,000 in attendance. A guest book was put out in the Green Room; most were from the area, but there were some from other parts of the state, two from out- of-state (New York and Georgia) and two from out of the country (Norway and Korea). Sponsors included Waltman & Grisham, Krogers, and Suddenlink Communications and KBTX. Partners in the event included United Way of the Brazos Valley and Presents with a Purpose. Revenues were up a small amount, but expenditures were reduced quite a bit. Cost reductions are attributed to less staff time for set-up and break-down, more volunteers, and reduction in rental costs. Suggestions for 2012 include: • Solicit for additional sponsors for specific activities • Expand business and non-profit organization involvement • Secure additional food and drink vendors • Fully integrate new Festival Site Area • Expand event activities such as: More snow Letters to Santa Carriage Rides Longer Hay Ride Booth Decorating Contest Mrs. Claus location at Arts Center Reindeer Games Location Additional Shuttles from Parking Area Council consensus was to have more lights at Central Park (without increasing the budget) for those people that prefer to view the lights from their car. 6. Presentation, possible action, and discussion regarding Resolution 02-09-12-06 to create an Ad Hoc Committee of the City Council to discuss Arts Council Relations. WKSHP020912 Minutes Page 4 Councilmember Fields reported the Arts Council is interested in conversations with the City related to Festival site programming and their facility needs. Mayor Berry and Councilmembers Lyles and Schultz volunteered to serve on the ad hoc committee. MOTION: Upon a motion made by Councilmember Fields and a second by Councilmember Ruesink, the City Council voted seven (7) for and none (0) opposed, to adopt Resolution 02-09- 12-06 to create an Ad Hoc Committee of the City Council to discuss Arts Council Relations. The motion carried unanimously. 7. Presentation, possible action, and discussion of the adoption of Resolution 02-09-12- 07, forming a Joint Neighborhood Parking Task Force, appointing Council members to the same, and directing the Planning & Zoning Commission to appoint members to the same. Councilmembers Brick, Ruesink and Schultz volunteered to serve on the ad hoc committee. MOTION: Upon a motion made by Mayor Berry and a second by Councilmember Lyles, the City Council voted seven (7) fo r and none (0) opposed, to adopt Resolution 02-09-12-07, forming a Joint Neighborhood Parking Task Force, appointing Council members to the same, and directing the Planning & Zoning Commission to appoint members to the same. The motion carried unanimously. 8. Council Calendar • February 16 BCS Chamber of Commerce - Business After Hours at Caldwell Companies - 1700 Research Pkwy Suite 240 (CS), 5:30 p.m. • February 16 P&Z Workshop Meeting in Council Chambers at 6:00 p.m. (Katy- Marie Lyles, Liaison) • February 17- 19 TML Elected Officials Conference at Hyatt Regency Riverwalk - San Antonio, 8:00 a.m. • February 20 GB Foundation - Nancy Pelosi and Andrew H. Card Jr. at Annenberg Presidential Conference Center, 5:30 p.m. • February 23 City Council Workshop Regular Meeting at 3:00 & 7:00 p.m. • February 24 Britt Rice Lecture Series - Marv Matalin and James Carville at Annenberg Conference Center, 6:00 p.m. Council reviewed the Council calendar. February 22 was added to note the Inner Circle Luncheon. 9. 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. WKSHP020912 Minutes Page 5 Councilmember Mooney asked staff to evaluate the request by Jim Maness regarding Arrington Road. Consensus was for staff to evaluate the request and make any necessary recommendation. Councilmember Fields asked for a workshop item related to energy efficient alternatives to double-paned windows. Staff was directed to review the code and report their findings to the Council via email. 10. 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 Adjustments. No reports were given. 11. 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 5:20 p.m. on Thursday, February 9, 2012 in order to continue discussing matters pertaining to: 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 272nd District Court of Brazos County, Texas B. Consultation with Attorney to seek legal advice; to wit: • Legal obligation regarding health insurance for retired employee. C. Deliberation on Personnel regarding the appointment, employment, evaluation, reassignment, duties, discipline, or dismissal of a public officer or employee; to wit: • Council self-evaluation WKSHP020912 Minutes Page 6 *#4, The Executive Session adjourned at 6:34 p.m. on Thursday, February 9, 2012. No action was required from Executive Session. 13. Adjournment MOTION: There being no further business, Mayor Berry adjourned the workshop of the College Station City Council at 8:56 p.m. on Thursday, February 9, 2012. ~ \ CIiyL Nancy Ber , Mayor ATTEST: Sherry Mas rn, City Secretary WKSHP020912 Minutes Page 7