HomeMy WebLinkAbout01/21/2011 - Special Minutes City CouncilMINUTES OF THE CITY COUNCIL RETREAT
CITY OF COLLEGE STATION
JANUARY 21, 2011
STATE OF TEXAS
COUNTY OF BRAZOS
Present:
Nancy Berry
Council:
John Crompton
Jess Fields
Dennis Maloney
Katy-Marie Lyles
Jana McMillan
Dave Ruesink
Citv Staff.
Glenn Brown, City Manager
David Neeley, Assistant City Manager
Kathy Merrill, Assistant City Manager
Carla Robinson, Interim City Attorney
Sherry Mashburn, City Secretary
1. Call to Order and Announce a Ouorum is Present
With a quorum present, the Retreat of the College Station City Council was called to order by
Mayor Nancy Berry at 8:29 a.m. on Friday, January 21, 2011 in the College Station Utilities
Training Facility, 1603 Graham Road, College Station, Texas 77842.
2. Presentation, nossible action. and discussion ren-ardine the Recreation. Parks and Onen
Snace Master Plan and Parks Develooment Model.
David Schmitz, Interim Director of Parks and Recreation, updated the Council on the Recreation,
Parks and Open Space Master Plan. He provided brief overviews of the Park Prototype Model
and the timeline for the Master Plan. The Master Plan provides for diversity of facilities and
leisure activities. The purpose of the Plan is to implement the City's vision and goals, aligning
with Council strategic priorities and implementing the City's comprehensive plan.
Bob Cowell, Director of Planning and Development, stated that parks, open space and recreation
matter because these elements contribute to the neighborhoods and community character. People
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choose where they will live based on job, property and aesthetics. Parks also enhance property
values and tax revenues. Proximity to parks increases property value and marketability. Parks
also contribute to health and wellness. He reported that 40% of College Station residents visit a
park once a week or more; 34% use the walking or biking trails.
The Master Plan document looked at current conditions and trends. The key objectives are to (1)
use the parks to shape physical form; (2) cost effective acquisition, development, maintenance,
and program delivery; (3) meet the needs and standards; (4) green operations; and (5) improved
aesthetics of the City. Strategies to be employed include: (1) City to focus on the community;
(2) regional parks; (3) local parks; (4) connectors tolbetween parks; (5) enhancing/greening
existing parks and facilities; (6) recreation and special event planning; (7) aesthetic
improvements; (8) heavier reliance on developers to address neighborhood park needs; and (9)
increase the diversity of acceptable parks. He noted the current park model is heavily
programmed with limited natural areas. They are considering moving to a more natural model,
working toward a better balance, meeting recreational needs in balance with natural features
designed for lower operating and maintenance costs. They anticipate returning to Council in
May for adoption of the proposed Master Plan.
3. Presentation. nossible action. and discussion on the status of the new Recreation Fund
included in the FY 11 Budget.
Jeff Kersten, Finance Director, reminded the Council that the FYII budget included the
Recreation Fund frame work. Benefits of the Fund include: (1) transparency of the true costs of
recreation programs; (2) establishing accountability for the production of the recreation
programs; (3) determining General Fund subsidy amounts; and (4) institutionalizing the
Recreation Fund program. There are several points to consider: (1) this removes some
revenues/expenditures from the General Fund to the Recreation Fund; (2) some General Fund
subsidy is required; (3) level of subsidy needs to be considered; (4) establish independent fund
operations; (5) additional revenue generated by the Recreation Fund will stay with the fund and
be used to grow the program; (6) additional staff time for the new system set up; and (7) the
Recreation Fund will not support community-wide special events.
David Schmitz, Interim Director of Parks and Recreation, reported on the Recreation Fund
program, which consists of the sports programs, concessions, instructors, and aquatics. They
need to determine individual program costs. Direct costs include salary/benefits and supplies.
Indirect costs are program administration, utilities, and field costs. They will operate a program
for a season; revise fiscal/budgetary policies; determine fee changes and see if program changes
are warranted.
Staff recommends the City continue with implementation; review as programs are held; possible
budget amendments; and continue to find additional revenue streams such as sponsorships.
Council directed staff to go forward with implementation of the program.
4. Presentation. Dossible action, and discussion concerning an alternative to address the
administrative office suace needs. the need for a larn_er city council chamber. and more
public meeting snace.
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Glenn Brown, City Manager, provided a recap of all City facilities. He reported the City Hall
was constructed in 1969, expanded in 1979 and again in 1985. $4.3 million was authorized in
the 2003 bond election for a new facility along Krenek Tap. A balance of $4.08 million exists
for future design and construction. Advantages include additional public meeting space to meet
the needs of the community; additional administrative office space, allowing City Hall to
decompress; minimal site work is required; continues the transition of City services to the
Krenek Tap corridor; and further centralizes City operations. A proposed site plan was provided
to Council, and it was noted that the plan is conceptual in nature. It is connected to the
Municipal Court with walkways and courtyards. Preliminary construction costs are estimated at:
• $4.7 million for completed first floor with a second story shell;
• $6.1 million for a completed first and second floor; or
• $7.0 million for a completed first and second floor, with a third floor shell.
MOTION: Upon a motion made by Councilmember Crompton and a second by
Councilmember Lyles, the City Council voted six (6) for and one (1) opposed, with
Councilmember McMillan voting against, to authorize staff to develop a contract with the
architect to design the proposed facility to 50% to include accurate costs for the three options
discussed. The motion carried.
5. Presentation. nossible action. and discussion rev-ardine the nrooosed Community
Development oroiect at 204-220 Holleman Drive East.
David Gwin, Director of Economic Development, reported that this project will leverage private
resources with real estate and other resources to maximize the benefits to lower income citizens.
This will develop into a long-term financial asset for the City Community Development
program. It will promote targeted development and farther green and sustainable building
projects. It must be a true mixed use development and economically integrated. It will not be a
traditional HUD-funded development with poor design or quality, liability to the surrounding
neighborhood, or a poor investment of public funds. Challenges include the public/private
partnership; developing a mixed use project; staying true to the vision; a mixed income
development; and the national economy/credit market. Mixed use development options include
becoming an equity partner with the developer; HOME loans and a long-term ground lease; and
conveying land to the developer with specific stipulations in the development agreement.
MOTION: Upon a motion made by Councilmember Fields and a second by Councilmember
McMillan, the City Council voted three (3) for and four (4) opposed, with Councilmembers
Crompton, Maloney, Lyles and Ruesink voting against, to discontinue this project. The motion
failed.
MOTION: Upon a motion made by Councilmember Maloney and a second by Councilmember
Lyles, the City Council voted four (4) for and three (3) opposed, with Mayor Berry and
Councilmembers Fields and McMillan voting against, to move forward. The motion carried.
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6. 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 12:35
p.m. on Friday, January 21, 2011 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
• City of Bryan suit filed against College Station, Legal issues and advise on Brazos Valley
Solid Waste Management Agency contract, on proposed methane gas contract
• Water CCN / 2002 Annexation / Wellborn Water Supply Corporation
• Weingarten Realty Investors v. College Station, Ron Silvia, David Ruesink, Lynn
Mcllhaney, and Ben White
• Chavers et al v. Tyrone Morrow, Michael Ikner, City of Bryan, City of College Station, et
al
• Clancey v. College Station, Glenn Brown, and Kathy Merrill
B. Consultation with Attorney to seek legal advice; to wit:
• Legal Issues Related to Wellborn Annexation
• Legal Issues Related to Recall Petitions
• Legal Issues of purchase and lease back to Arts Council
• Discussion of Legal Issues Regarding: Creation of a Special Biocorridor District
C. Deliberation on the appointment, employment, evaluation, reassignment, duties, discipline, or
dismissal of a public officer; to wit:
• City Manager
The Executive Session adjourned at 1:50 p.m. on Friday, January 21, 2011.
7. Action on Executive Session.
MOTION: Upon a motion made by Councilmember Fields and a second by Councilmember
Lyles, the City Council voted six (6) for and none (0) opposed, with Councilmember Crompton
having left early, to appoint David Neeley as Interim City Manager. The motion carried
unanimously.
8. Presentation, possible action, and discussion regardine citizen interaction at Council
Meetines.
MOTION: Upon a motion made by Councilmember Maloney and a second by Councilmember
Fields, the City Council voted six (6) for and none (0) opposed, with Councilmember Crompton
having left early, to approve the Public Comments Policy, striking the reference to a "30-minute"
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comment period, and including that all speakers must register their name and address with the
City Secretary before speaking. The motion carried unanimously.
9. Presentation, nossible action, and discussion regarding a Sunset Review of City Boards
and Commissions.
MOTION: Upon a motion made by Councilmember Fields and a second by Mayor Berry, the
City Council voted six (6) for and none (0) opposed, with Councilmember Crompton having left
early, to create a Sunset Review Commission with the makeup and charges to be decided upon
later. The motion carried unanimously.
10. Presentation, oossible action. and discussion regarding a Citv Charter Review.
MOTION: Upon a motion made by Councilmember Fields and a second by Councilmember
Ruesink, the City Council voted six (6) for and none (0) opposed, with Councilmember
Crompton having left early, to approve the creation of a Charter Review Commission and the
proposed timeline. The motion carried unanimously.
11. Presentation, nossible action, and discussion regarding the Citv's potential role in the
Countv Commissioners Court redistricting orocess.
Councilmember Maloney reported that College Station provides 52% of the county budget;
Bryan provides 36%, and the other entities fill in. He stated that College Station is not fairly
represented. Council consensus was that College Station needs the guarantee of two seats. They
agreed to stay vigilant, lobby, and let their voices be heard.
12. Presentation, possible action. and discussion regarding a review of the current Strategic
Plan and Council's Prioritized Goals and Actions.
Council discussed the progress on the goals and activities prioritized at the June 2010 Council
Strategic Planning Retreat. As the newest member on the council, Councilmember McMillan
was asked to review the goals and to request any items for workshop discussion.
13. Adiournment
MOTION: Upon a motion made by Councilmember Fields and a second by Councilmember
McMillan, Mayor Berry adjourned the Retreat of the College Station City Council at 3:14 p.m.
on Friday, January 21, 2011. The motion carried unanimously.
Nancy B&ry, Mayor
ATTEST:
4~tn, City Secretary
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