HomeMy WebLinkAbout08/09/2012 - Workshop Minutes City Council MINUTES OF THE CITY COUNCIL WORKSHOP
CITY OF COLLEGE STATION
AUGUST 9, 2012
STATE OF TEXAS §
COUNTY OF BRAZOS §
Present:
Nancy Berry, Mayor
Council:
Blanche Brick
Jess Fields, absent
Karl Mooney
Katy -Marie Lyles
Julie Schultz, arrived after roll call
Dave Ruesink, absent
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
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 Nancy Berry at 5:00 p.m. on Thursday, August 9, 2012 in the Council Chambers of the
City of College Station City Hall, 1101 Texas Avenue, College Station, Texas 77842.
2. Executive Session
In accordance with the Texas Government Code §551.071- Consultation with Attorney, the
College Station City Council convened into Executive Session at 5:00 p.m. on Thursday, August
9, 2012 in order to continue discussing matters pertaining to:
A. Consultation with Attorney to seek advice regarding pending or contemplated litigation; to
wit:
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• 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 -0025 16-
CV -272, in the 272nd District Court of Brazos County, Texas
• Patricia Kahlden, individ. and as rep. of the Estate of Lillie May Williams Bayless v.
Laura Sue Streigler, City of College Station and James Steven Elkins, No. 1 1- 003172-
CV-272,in the 272'IdDistrict Court of Brazos County, Tx.
• Claim and potential litigation related to a June 24, 201 1 collision with a city vehicle.
The Executive Session adjourned at 5:40 p.m. on Thursday, August 9, 2012.
3. Take action, if any, on Executive Session.
No action was required from Executive Session.
4. Presentation, possible action, and discussion on items listed on the consent agenda.
Item 2d was pulled for clarification.
2d: Chuck Gilman, Director of Capital Projects, stated this is the first phase of two phases. This
is the segment called The Upper Trails and consists mainly of drainage improvements to stabilize
the banks near the concrete path. Additional improvements will be implemented in the second
phase, as well as having a geomorphologist to report on the future of the creek.
5. Presentation, possible action, and discussion on the FY 2012 -201 3 Proposed Budget.
Jeff Kersten, Executive Director of Fiscal Services, presented Council with the 2012 -2013
Proposed Annual Budget and noted that it is available online, in the Ringer Library and the City
Secretary's Office. He reminded the Council of their six strategic initiatives. In keeping with
those initiatives, he reported that the FY 2012 -2013 total budget is $253,133,611 with
$212,643,409 in Operations and Maintenance, and $40,490,202 in Capital Projects. There are
several key budget points to align our resources and priorities for the long term future of College
Station. These include:
• Modest economic recovery resulting in positive property values and sales tax revenue;
• Organization restructuring and streamlining (provide funding for Public Safety and other
core services);
• Continuing implementation of reductions in Electric Utility transfer;
• Providing competitive and sustainable pay and benefits;
• Maintaining priority service levels; and
• Continuing to invest in capital infrastructure.
tor
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trr The modest economic recovery was evidenced by a 3.6% increase in property values, with
approximately $120 million added in new property value. The effective tax rate of 43.0687 cents
is being proposed, down from the current tax rate of 43.7995 cents. The proposed tax rate breaks
down to 19.5635 for debt service and 23.5052 for maintenance and operations.
During the recession, the sales tax revenues slowed somewhat, but the FY 2012 sale tax is
projected to be higher than forecast, for a total of $21.3 million. The FY 2013 growth projection
is 2% for an estimated total revenue of $21.7 million. There is still some uncertainty in the
economy.
The past few years have seen organizational restructuring and streamlining. Budget reductions
have occurred over the last four years in an amount of $7.6 million. 53.75 positions were
eliminated in FY 2011 -FY 2013, with ten of these removed in the proposed FY 2013 budget.
Those savings were shifted to the Public Safety side and were increased by 43 positions from FY
2009- FY2013. This includes eight additional police public safety positions in the proposed FY
2013 budget.
In 2011, policy was changed to reduce the transfer from the Electric Fund. It was reduced to a
6% franchise level, with $2 million reduced in FY 2012 and $1 million to be reduced in FY
2013, thereby avoiding an electric rate increase in FY 2012 and FY 2013.
The Compensation and Benefits Ad Hoc Committee reviewed compensation and benefit policies,
L. including compensation, retirement, health care, and retiree health. The proposed pay plan
includes a 2.5% average performance pay increase and to continue with the Police Step Plan. As
for retirement benefits, the proposed budget maintains the core components of a 7% employee
contribution and a 2:1 City match. There are two provisions recommended for change: reducing
the Updated Service Credits from 100% to 75 %, and reducing the COLA (for retirees) from 70%
to 50 %. As for health insurance, they will review the plan design and attempt to hold down
costs. Impacts of health care policy changes are unknown in terms of knowing what our health
care costs will be moving forward.
The budget allows for maintaining priority service levels in public safety, streets and
transportation, and utilities. It also allows us to continue with investing in our capital
infrastructure, such as streets and transportation, parks and recreation, technology, and utility
projects (electric, water, wastewater, drainage).
The financial forecast shows the future impact of current decisions, fiscal and budgetary policies,
and revenue assumptions. Expenditure assumptions will aid in aligning resources and priorities
for the long term future of College Station. The base budget funds current service levels, with
service level increases for additional police resources and for streets and transportation.
Proposed budget assumptions include:
• FY 13 budget will be impacted by more positive economic conditions, but remaining
cautious;
• Budget reductions;
• Effective tax rate of 43.0687 proposed, which is lower than the current rate of 43.7995;
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• Complete electric transfer policy change;
• No electric rate increase proposed;
• No water, sanitation or drainage rate increase; and
• 5% wastewater rate increase.
Key budget decisions will need to be made regarding funding levels for city services, the
property tax rate, and utility rates. Budget workshops will be held August 16, 17, and 20. If
necessary, August 21 and 22 are on hold for additional workshops. A Public Hearing will be
held on August 23, and on September 13, the Council will consider adopting the budget and tax
rate.
6. Presentation, possible action, and discussion on the FY 2012 -2013 BVSWMA, Inc
Proposed Budget.
Bryan Griesbach, Executive Director, presented the FY 2012 -2013 BVSWMA proposed budget,
adopted by the BVSWMA Board at their June meeting. He noted that the Rock Prairie Road
closure and thirty -year post - closure care costs are funded with existing reserves. Twin Oaks
Landfill operating, construction, closure and thirty -year post - closure costs are funded through
tipping fees.
The FY 2013 Landfill Revenue Budget is $6,452,625. There is $100,000 less revenue than in the
approved FY 2012 budget because landfill revenues are driven primarily by landfill volumes.
They have lost customers to lower rates offered in the Austin market. No rate increases are
being proposed.
The FY 2013 Operating Budget is $4,851,160. There is a lower operating expense in the amount
of $638,000 than in the approved FY 2012 budget. They are continuing to make adjustments to
operations, when possible, to offset decline in volume.
The Capital Expense Budget is $4,510,000 and breaks down as:
• $2,000,000 — Twin Oaks Cell 2A-1
• $1,525,000 — Rock Prairie Closure & Post Closure
• $505,000 - Equipment maintenance /replacement
• $430,000 Debt Service
• $50,000 — Compost bagger.
The FY 2012 Total Expense Budget is $9,316,160.
Mr. Griesbach also presented the 2011 -2012 Annual Report in accompaniment to the budget.
The report outlined performance measures and benchmarks. Revenues came in over projections,
and expenses came in under projections. Landfill tonnage also came in under projections. The
goals for this budget include retention of the existing customer base and replacement of volume
lost to competing facilities. He also provided brief overviews of compaction goals, capacity and
life expectancy of the landfill, compost, waste diversion strategies, and household hazardous
waste collection.
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At 6:58 the Mayor recessed the Workshop in order to begin the Regular meeting on time.
The Workshop re- convened at 10:14 p.m.
7. Council Calendar
• August 14 Committee Recognition and Orientation Invite in Council Chambers at
5:30 p.m.
• August 15 BVSWMA Board Meeting at Twins Oaks Facility - 2690 SH30, 11:00
a.m.
• August 15 RVP Board Meeting at RVP, 3:00 p.m.
• August 16 Budget Workshop Meeting at Carters Creek Wastewater Training
Facility - 2200 North Forest Parkway, 2:00 p.m.
• August 16 P &Z Workshop/Meeting in Council Chambers at 6:00 p.m. (Julie
Schultz, Liaison)
• August 17 Budget Workshop Meeting at Carters Creek Wastewater Training
Facility - 2200 North Forest Parkway, 2:00 p.m.
• August 20 Budget Workshop Meeting at Carters Creek Wastewater Training
Facility - 2200 North Forest Parkway, 4:00 p.m.
• August 21 Budget Workshop Meeting at Carters Creek Wastewater Training
Facility - 2200 North Forest Parkway, 4:00 p.m.
• August 22 Budget Workshop Meeting at Carters Creek Wastewater Training
Facility - 2200 North Forest Parkway, 4:00 p.m.
• August 23 City Council Executive/Workshop /Regular Meeting at 5:00, 6:00 and
7:00 p.m.
Council reviewed the Council calendar.
8. 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.
Councilmember Mooney requested an item about foot paths.
9. 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, Blinn College Brazos Valley Advisory
Committee, Brazos County Health Dept., Brazos Valley Council of Governments,
Bryan /College Station Chamber of Commerce, BVSWMA, BVWACS, 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, Parks and
410- Recreation Board, Planning and Zoning Commission, Research Valley Partnership,
Regional Transportation Committee for Council of Governments, Sister City Association,
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Co, TAMU Student Senate, Texas Municipal League, Youth Advisory Council, Zoning Board
of Adjustments.
Mayor Berry reported on the MPO and COG.
Councilmember Mooney reported he will be meeting with the CVB.
10. Adjournment
MOTION: There being no further business, Mayor Berry adjourned the workshop of the
College Station City Council at 10:18 p.m. on Thursday, August 9, 2012. Zinn.
Nancy Berr , Mayor
ATTEST:
' erry Ma4.urn, City Secretary
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