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HomeMy WebLinkAbout02/23/2012 - Workshop Minutes City Council MINUTES OF THE CITY COUNCIL WORKSHOP CITY OF COLLEGE STATION FEBRUARY 23, 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 3:04 p.m. on Thursday, February 23, 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 on items listed on the consent agenda. Items 2b, and 2e were pulled for additional clarification. 2b: Molly Hitchcock, Planning and Development Services, explained the City will be advocating on behalf of the project in their application for tax credits. This helps their application be more competitive. She clarified we are supporting the project, and we did this in 2004 as well. WKSHP022312 Minutes Page 1 2e: Jeff Capps, Chief of Police, explained that from an educational standpoint, there are procedures in place for filing a complaint, and the racial profiling report is available to the public in the City Secretary's Office and online. 2. Presentation, possible action, and discussion on the printing plan for the 75th Anniversary book. Jerry Cooper, a representative of the Historic Preservation Committee, reported they plan to utilize the 1988 history book and create a continuation of the last 25 years to bring it up to date. We are in negotiation with an author, but those contract negotiations have not been completed. To save money, they researched an on-demand publishing company, but it is hard to pin down costs without a manuscript and photos in hand. It is essential the manuscript project begin immediately as we are only a year and a half away from the 75th anniversary celebration. He has also been in contact with a turn-key publisher. The difference between a turn-key publisher and on-demand printing is considerable. On-demand printing allows the ordering of limited quantities as well as reprints, while a turn-key publisher calls for ordering a specific quantity of books with a 25% down payment and the remainder due upon publication and delivery. Donning Publishers has submitted a proposal for publishing the book, proposing a self- funding scenario in which the City could provide a list of potential or preferred sponsors who could be reimbursed by the City as the books are sold. He provided the Council with an example from Texas City. They purchased one thousand 96-page hard-cover books at $24 per book. Those books were 75-80% color. So far, they have sold a total of 350 books. Council also discussed the option of providing the book online and possible downloading for on- demand printing. Jay Socol, Director of Public Communications, in response to a query by Council, stated he does not see this as a destination-marketing tool. He does believe the book could be used as a resource well into the future. Council consensus was to move forward with the manuscript. 3. Presentation, possible action, and discussion regarding the development of an Economic Development Master Plan. (This item is also on consent agenda item 2i.) Bob Cowell, Executive Director of Planning and Development Services, stated the relationship to the strategic initiatives relate to the diverse growing economy and the FY12 budget item. The Comprehensive Plan includes an Economic Development Chapter (Chapter 4), which establishes broad context and broad preliminary goals, strategies, and actions. The stated goal in the Economic Chapter is "A diversified economy generating quality, stable, full-time jobs; bolstering the sales and property tax base; and contributing to a high-quality of life." Strategies that will be deployed to achieve that goal include: 1) promote and support new investment that serves regional market opportunities; 2) promote and support the establishment, retention, and expansion of locally-owned businesses; 3) promote and support the attraction of festivals, entertainment, conferences, conventions, and other special events for the purpose of economic WKSHP022312 Minutes Page 2 growth; 4) identify and pursue redevelopment opportunities that further desired community character; and 5) protect and buffer prime economic generators from development that is out of character or that creates or contributes to decreased service levels. Randall Heye, Economic Development Analyst, stated they are looking at a hybrid approach. A contracted firm will provide specific deliverables and professional services, while staff is responsible for overall compilation and writing of the document. The scope of work has three phases: 1) economic base analysis and existing conditions; 2) evaluation of opportunities and constraints; and 3) goals and strategies. They hope to bring this to Council in approximately nine-to-twelve months. Staff recommends a three-firm team: CDS Market Research - Charlie Savino; Spillette Consulting - Steve Spillette; and Avalanche Consulting - Amy Holloway. 4. Presentation, possible action, and discussion regarding the approval of chanp-es to the electric rate ordinance lowering the rates charged for Wind Watts wind power effective March 1, 2012. (This item is also on consent agenda item 20 David Massey, Electric Division Manager, reported that we purchase our wind energy from South Trent Wind Farm, west of Abilene. Our contract capacity grew from 10 Megawatts in 2009 to 30 Megawatts in 2015. Issues in January 2009 included transmission costs out of West Texas, transmission congestion. Since then, the ERCOT transmission construction schedule lessened congestion costs so that costs are much lower than previous years. ERCOT transmission construction has significantly strengthened ties to West Texas. Existing wind watts rates are based upon the program cost to deliver certified wind energy and the Green College Station Program Adder. Staff recommends that Council approve the Revised Electric Rate Ordinance to eliminate the Green College Station Adder, effective March 1, 2012. 5. Presentation, possible action, and discussion regarding potential agenda items for the March 7th ioint meeting of the College Station City Council and the College Station Independent School District Board of Trustees. Proposed agenda items by CSISD and City staff include: • Update on school finance • College Station High School construction update and future capital projects/plans • State assessment Program update (STARR/End of Course exams) • Wolf Pen Creek TIF update • Discussion regarding possible future collaboration between City and CSISD • District demographics and impact of poverty on the district • Collaboration on athletic events/programs 6. Council Calendar • February 24 Britt Rice Lecture Series - Mary Matalin and James Carville at Annenbery- Conference Center, 5:00 p.m. • March 1 P&Z Workshop/Regular Meeting in Council Chambers at 6:00 p.m. (Karl Mooney, Liaison) WKSHP022312 Minutes Page 3 • March 1 2012 CSPD Annual Awards Banquet at A&M Church of Christ, 6:45 p.m. 1% • March 7 Special Joint Meeting COCS and CSISD at College Station Transportation Center, 6:00 p.m. • March 8 City Council Workshop/Regular Meeting at 3:00 p.m. and 7:00 p.m. Council reviewed the Council calendar. 7. 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. There were no future agenda items requested. 8. Discussion, review and possible action regarding the following meetings: Animal Shelter Board, Arts Council of the Brazos Valley, Arts Council Sub-committee, 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 Neighborhood Parking Taskforce, 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. Councilmember Fields reported that the Arts Council is excited about the newly appointed ad hoc committee. He also reported that he attended the Coalition for Life banquet. 9. Executive Session In accordance with the Texas Government Code §551.071-Consultation with Attorney, the College Station City Council convened into Executive Session at 5:12 p.m. on Thursday, February 23, 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 WKSHP022312 Minutes Page 4 • Shirley Maguire and Holly Maguire vs. City of College Station, Cause No. 11-0025 16- CV-272, in the 272nd District Court of Brazos County, Texas • Legal issues re Texas RE certification requirements. B. Consultation with Attorney to seek legal advice; to wit: • To discuss various legal options for a public-private partnership for the extension of Dartmouth Street. The Executive Session adjourned at 6:35 p.m. on Thursday, February 23, 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 6:35 p.m. on Thursday, February 23, 2012. J'l Nancy Berry, Mayor ATTEST: ALai" Sherry Ma urn, City Secretary WKSHP022312 Minutes Page 5