HomeMy WebLinkAbout09/24/2004 - Joint Minutes City CouncilJoint Retreat 9/24/2004 Page I
CITY OF COLLEGE STATION
College ~atlos, TrmiMo~al I'~e~,
Mayor
Mayor Pro Tempore
Dennis Maloney
City Manager
Thomas E Brymer
City Council
James Massey
John Happ
Robert Ware~ng
Susan Lancaster
Nancy Berry
MINUTES
COLLEGE STATION CITY COUNCIL
SPECIAL MEETING
Friday, September 24, 2004 at 8:30 a.m.
G. Rollie White Visitor's Center
7707 Raymond Stotzer Parkway
College Station, Texas
A special meeting of the College Station City Council was held on Friday, September 24,
2004 at the (3. Rollie White Visitor Center in College Station The meeting was held
jointly with the Bryan City Council, Brazos County Commissioners Court, and
representatives from Texas A&M University, BISD officials, and CSISD officials
Present were Mayor Ron Silvia, Councilmembers John Happ, James Massey, Nancy
Berry, Susan Lancaster, Robert Wareing. Councdmember Maloney was absent. Staff
present were City Manager Brymer, Assistant City Manager Brown, City Attorney
Cargill. Jr., City Secretary Hooks, Mumc~pal Court Judge Spillane
I. Call to Order.
Mayor Silvia called the meeting to order at 8:59 a m.
Introductions and Opening Remarks
James Massey welcomed everyone to the meeting. He pointed out that this is the 4th
annual meeting among local entrees and he expressed the nnportance to continue the
dialogue to enhance services to the community. Everyone introduced themselves.
3. Community Cooperatton
Participants expressed the desire to conunue Iooktng for ways to cooperate on joint
issues.
4
Discussion regarding Air Transportation:
a Airport Master Plan
b Regional Airport
c Commercial Air Service
Joint Retreat 9/24/2004 Page 2
College Station Councilmember John Happ discussed the concept ora regional airport
He briefly explained the benefits to the community ifa central airport was located here.
such as parallel runways, simultaneous operations, additional cost for infrastructure, and
potential airway services. He presented elements of the Easterwood Airport Master
Plan that included ~ssues such as inventory, demand/capacity analysis, environmental
overview, facility reqmrements, and financial data. Participants noted the importance of
the airport to the community
5
Discussion regarding Regional Issues -Brazos Valley Councd of Governments.
a Grimes County Park S~te
b. Other Issues Affecting Regional Interests
College Station Assistant City Manager Glenn Brown discussed the proposed regional
park in Grimes County on TMPA land He discussed the amount of funding necessary to
finance the project. The park ns proposed to be built in phases. He also presented a brief
update on the Brazos Val Icy Solid Waste Management Agency regional landfill
Update from Brazos Valley Groundwater Conservation District representatives
regarding acuvities, adopted master plan and draft roles.
Judge Tom McDonald and Bill Riley, representing the Brazos Valley Groundwater
Conservation Dislnct, provided mformat~on about groundwater issues that are occurring
in counties across Texas since the implementation of the Water Conservation Act. One
of the main purposes ofthe law ~s to ensure that water supply ~s conserved for future
generations. Judge McDonald expressed concern about the politics that have evolved in
Robertson County regarding this matter He urged the participants to meet with other
parties in the Conservatmn D~stnct to make plans for long term water needs. He
explained the rule of capture.
Bill Riley explained the purpose for resource management. He invited the local officmls
to become aware of the water issues confronting this region and develop a long term
water plan.
D~scuss~on regarding property taxes'
a County Tax Election - Elderly/Disabled Tax Freeze
b. School Finance Reform Status
President of the School Board Mark Chaloupka briefed the group on status of school
finance reform issues. He expressed concern about the ongoing unfunded state mandates
ofschool funding. Steve Johnson, Superintendent of CSISD schools indicated that
CSISD is doing ~ts best to position themselves to deal with future cuts in funding. The
group discussed the ~mportance to have quality schools in the community.
Joint Retreat 9/24/2004 Page 3
Health Insurance update'
a Count)' Risk Management
b. Chics Joint Insurance Efforts
Julie O'Cormell, College Station Human Resources Director provided a health plan
update and the eftbrts of Bryan and College Station to join together in providing health
insurance to its employees The report was positive, and the savings are favorable to both
entities.
The participants recessed for a short lunch and reconvened the meeting at 12:50 p.m
9
Discussion and reports regarding Texas A&M University activities:
a Faculty Reinvestment
b. Campus Master Plan
A member ofthe TAMU staffpresented a report on faculty diversification and faculty
reinvestment She indicated that over the next 4-5 years, 450 positions will be added
She discussed perceptions from faculty about the quality of life in College Station and
she asked for the city's assistance m helping spouses of the new faculty to also locate
jobs She said that the job market, in some cases~ does not provide for higher paying jobs
for a couple to decide to relocate here.
Mary Miller discussed the Campus Master Plan. She said that A&M is looking for
community support in developing a campus identity and campus community
10.
Discussion regarding Surface Transportation:
a. TEA-21 Status
b Regmnal Mobility Authority
c Metropolitan Planning Organization Update
d. Texas Department of Transportation Update
Mayor Silvia introduced Linda LeSout, MPO Director. Ms. LeSout discussed the status
ofthe TEA-21 She gave an update showing a priority listing of projects in the Brazos
Valley. She described the funding process and its effect on proposed projects. She stated
that the goals of ibc MPO are to enhance safety, maintenance, maximizing economic
investments and awareness of envirunmenlal issues.
I 1. Discussion regarding Community Wayfinding System.
Barry Biggars, Executive Director of the Brazes Valley Convention and Visitors Bureau
presented factors that support the eflbrts of developing a wayfinding system In the
commumty He showed dlustrations ofsignage in other commumties He asked the local
entities for their support m bnnging this ~ssue to the next level. He stated that the cost for
a study would be about $75.000 spht among the four local entities. The group seemed to
support the idea of additional s~gnage.
Joint Retreat 9/24/2004 Page 4
12. Discussion regarding our Joint Future.
James Massey thanked the participants for their time and involvement in lhese retreats.
and indicated that this was another successful meeting. He was recognized by his peers
for serving in his capacit3, on the Intergovernmental Committee. They appreciated his
many eflbns to make th~s community what it is loday.
13. Adjotlm
Hearing no other business, Mayor Silvia announced that the meeting was adjourned at
3.55 p m.
PASSED AND APPROVED this 9th day of November, 2004.
APPROVED:
{~,~ ~y Secretary Connie Hooks