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Home My WebLink About01/23/1997 - Workshop Minutes City CouncilMayor LYNN MCILHANEY Mayor Pro Tempore HUB KENNAD¥ City Manager GEORGE K, NOE COLLEGE STATION Council Members BILL FOX LARRY MARIOTT DAVID HICKSON DICK BIRDWELL BRAD MARTIN MINUTES COLLEGE STATION CITY COUNCIL WORKSHOP MEETING Thursday, January 23, 1997 at 3:00 p.m. COUNCILMEMBERS PRESENT:Mayor Mcllhaney, Mayor Protem Kennady, Hickson, Fox, Birdwell, Mariott, Martin STAFF PRESENT: City Manager Noe, Assistant City Manager Brymer, City Secretary Hooks, Acting City Attorney Nemcik, Public Information Manager Calliham, City Planner Kee, Economic and Community Services Director Ash, Economic Analyst McDaniel Mayor Mcllhaney called the meeting to order at 3:00 p.m. A.qenda Item No. 1 -- Discuss consent and statutory a.qenda items listed for the re.qular meeting. Councilmembers Hickson and Birdwell removed items 6a and 6b for questions. 6a. Payment of $17,529 to tenant at 907 Wellborn Road for relocation efforts due to expansion of Wayne Smith Park. Staff member Mark Youngjohn stated that the city must pay relocation benefits to the individual and relocate as a result of the city's acquisition of the property. 6b: Amending the Code relating to Building and Standards Commission and Dangerous structures. Councilmember Birdwell hoped the council's intent is to dually appoint individuals to the Structural Standards Board and the Building Standards Commission. Council concurred. City Manager Noe replied that the ordinance reflects this direction. Agenda Item No. 2 -- Discuss Northqate Revitalization development and implementation. Mayor Mcllhaney explained that this item was placed on the agenda following conversation with Councilman Martin because of questions and concerns he had regarding this issue. Since Martin was not a part of the council when previous Providing Customer Service Excellence Workshop 1/23/97 Page 2 decisions were made, Mayor Mclihaney decided to place on agenda. This was an opportunity to reaffirm, discuss and respond to the concerns. Councilman Martin responded that he received a letter from Vernon Gessner from Aggie Cleaners. He outlined the concerns stated in the letter. Mayor Mcllhaney stated that we want to make sure there is not a mis- understanding about the plan and the intent of the Council. Also, she wanted to ensure that the process in place will allow for proper communication and works for everyone. City Manager Noe explained that the plans for the Patricia Street redesign showed a phase 2 which called for a development of two retail pad sites on a portion of the parking lot. The Northgate Revitalization Committee voted to exclude this from the development project. The plans do not include Phase 2 on any of the designs currently shown. Mr. Noe mentioned that he spoke with the Northgate merchants and that he would not support the sale of any portion of these parking lots unless and until there was substantially more additional parking developed for the area. Furthermore, staff will not recommend the Council consider Phase 2 at this time, and will not recommend at any time in the future, unless we meet the parking requirements for existing development and for the future development that might occur. Todd McDaniel, Northgate Liaison and Mike McClure the project architect, explained the concept of the promenade. Mr. Noe mentioned the design charrette which attempted to look at alternatives to deal with urban functional designs. Tom Williams of A&M stated that the average cost for an A&M multi story parking facility is approximately $5,500 per space. He estimated that surface parking is $1,000 per space. Mr. Williams indicated that the parking garage is a good revenue source. Julius Gribou, Chairman of the Northgate Revitalization Committee addressed the Council. The following individuals expressed concern about existing and future parking situations in the area. John Raney, Northgate merchant Don Ganter, Northgate merchant Cheryl Anz, Northgate merchant Rev. Tom Estes, A&M Presbyterian Church Vernon Gessner, Northgate merchant Workshop 1/23/97 Page 3 George Sopasakis, Northgate merchant Chris Penn, Northgate merchant Additional comments were made from Northgate merchants about the lack of communication to council. Mayor Mcllhaney urged the merchants to use the committee as a sounding board as it is their function to advise the council. She asked the merchants to not lose sight of where we are headed as a city, business community, and a university. Mayor Mcllhaney thanked the public for their attendance and comments on this matter. Aqenda Item No. 3 -- Review and discuss the le,qislative a,qenda of the Texas Municipal Lea.que. City Manager Noe asked for council guidance and positions on any legislative bills filed to date. This item will remain on future council agendas to update council on actions of the legislature and bills of interest during the 75th legislative session. Charles Cryan is the staff person assigned to keep the council informed of ongoing legislation. Council provided feedback on the legislative procedures and city related bills. No action was taken by council. Aqenda Item No. 4 -- Staff presentation of council room renovation options. Public Works Director Mark Smith summarized the purpose of the item. Council expressed a desire for a change in council room arrangement to provide for a better forum of discussion. He noted the cost of remodeling the Council dias would not exceed $15,000. He presented configuration of structures built in other facilities by the vendor. Council provided input and directed staff to proceed with a semi circular dias and to provide council with cost of computer monitors. Council also instructed staff to purchase one microphone stand to place in the back of the room for public speaking. Workshop 1/23/97 Page 4 Council recessed for three minutes. Aqenda Item No. 5 -- Discuss and consider a city center with consolidated office park and development. Councilman Birdwell made a motion to delay discussion of this item. The motion was seconded by Councilman Mariott. Items of interest were expressed by council. Councilman Hickson asked staff to review cost data and funding mechanisms for a city center. Councilman Kennady asked staff to perform an appraisal of the current city hall complex, not to exceed $3,000. Councilman Fox asked staff to provide an artist rendering of the proposed city complex. Mayor Mcllhaney suggested that the city visit with the county and school district to look into joint services for citizens of College Station. Members of the audience, Helen Pugh and Norma Miller stated their concerns about the lack of public notice on council related decisions. A vote was taken on the motion to delay which carried unanimously, 7-0. A,qenda Item No. 6 -- Committee Reports Councilman Bill Fox reported that the City Affairs committee met with the City of Bryan and County Commissioners. The topic was a presentation on Emergency Preparedness. The committee developed a list of concerns on related topics. The committee also met with the school district trustees to discuss joint efforts on future projects. The outcome of this meeting was positive and there was a willingness to work together. Mayor Mcllhaney asked City Manager Noe to follow up on council representation to breakfast meetings with A&M President and the A&M Board of Regents meetings. Councilman Fox stated that he has contacted the Texas Department of Commerce to schedule a joint meeting with the two cities, county, and school districts to discuss economic development. Councilman Mariott inquired about the status of development services update. Mr. Noe replied that he would place this item on a future council agenda. Workshop 1/23/97 Page 5 Councilman Birdwell mentioned that he serves on the Community Advisory Network and a meeting is planned for January 29th to allow him the opportunity to present ideas to the President and Vice Presidents of A&M. He asked councilmembers for feedback. A.qenda Item No. 7 -- Council Calendars Community Breakfast -- January 24, 1997 Conference Center TPPA Rally -- January 30 in Austin (Bill Fox will attend) TML Legislative Update -- February 3 in Austin Council moved into closed session at 5:40 p.m. Executive Session A. Pendin.q or Potential Litigation and consultation with legal counsel on other matters within the attorney-client privilege {LGC 551.071} 1. City of Bryan et al v. Public Utility Commission of Texas, et al., Docket 96-03168. B. Land Acquisition {LGC 551.072} 1. Northgate 2. Community Park C. Legal Report {LGC 551.071} D. Staff Report {LGC 551.075} E. Personnel {LGC 551.074} 1. City Attorney 2. Municipal Court Judge Action on executive session and adjournment will follow the regular meeting session. PASSED AND APPROVED this 13th day of February, 1997. '~2ity Secret~ry uonnie Hooks APPROVED: Ma~/~r Lynn Mcllhaney