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HomeMy WebLinkAbout03/08/1989 - Workshop Minutes City Council MINUTES CITY COUNCIL WORKSHOP MEETING WEDNESDAY MARCH 8, 1989 4:00 P.M. COUNCIL MEMBERS PRESENT: Mayor Ringer, Councilmembers Brown, Birdwe11, Gardner, Haddox, Schneider, and MoIlhaney STAFF PRESENT: City Manager Ragland, City Secretary Jones, city Attorney Locke, Assistant to City Manager Piwonka, Assistant City Manager Woody, Assistant City Manager Brymer, Finance Director Harrison, Utilities Office Manager albright, Planning Director Callaway, Budget Director Sohroeder, Assistant City Engineer Smith, PIe Officer Calliham, Councll Coordinator Hooks STUDENT GOV,T LIAISON: Shannon Maloney VISITORS PRESENT: see guest register. Aqenda Item No. 1 - Presentation of report by Burns and McDonnell on their study to determine the value of the Colleqe Station electric system. (Council Issue #1) Public Utilities Director John Woody introduced this item. He mentioned that a written report of this study will follow in two weeks. He introduced Mr. Harris, manager of the Economic Studies Department of Burns and McDonnell. Mr. Harris began his visual presentation. He described three methods which are used to evaluate a utility system: 1) book value; 2) replacement cost new less depreciation; and, 3) discounted cash flow. Mr. Harris stated that the net book value of the electric plant is $12,161,000. He pointed out that the replacement cost new less accumulated depreciation was determined as $23,825,000. He stated that the discounted electrical utility earnings stream was projected at $24,512,000. Councilman Birdwell asked Mr. Harris why the firm selected a 10- year period to determine these figures. Mr. Harris replied that the 10-year period gives a more realistic grasp of the value for future years. Councilman Schneider asked which method is used most often. Mr. Harris replied that the method of replacement cost new less 007183 City Council Workshop Meeting Wednesday, March 8, 1989 Page 2 depreciation and discounted cash flow are the best methods used. He explained how the discounted earnings were calculated. Councilman Brown asked if a new standard rule of thumb is used for calculating the book value. Mr. Harris replied that the firm does not use the rule of thumb to calculate utility values. At the request of Councilman Schneider, Mr. Harris summarized the methods of replacement cost new less depreciation and discounted cash flow. Mayor Ringer arrived at the meeting. Agenda Item No. 2 - Informational Report on Enterprise Funding as a funding option for street infrastructure. Finance Director Harrison stated that at the last Texas Municipal League meeting, one area discussed was the possibility of using enterprise funding. At the request of Councilman McIlhaney, the staff reviewed this funding option. He explained that the option addressed the issue of instituting a street fee system to replace property tax funding of required maintenance for streets. He described the situation in Fort Collins, Colorado, where a street fee system was implemented. He noted that according to the street staff, College Station has a good but not excellent street system, and the current level of funding is adequate. Mr. Harrison stated that the study group has recommended that the City Council not consider street fees at this time. He added that if the City reaches the position when street maintenance cannot be paid from property tax revenues, then this concept may be looked at in the future. Councilman M~Ilhaney commented that the main reason she was interested in this idea was because of the major cost of drainage maintenance in Wolf Pen Creek. Councilman Birdwell remarked that problems exist with this system. He added that state and federal highways are maintained from gasoline taxes, and cities in Texas do not receive monies from this tax, in spite of the fact that gasoline is expended driving on city streets. Mayor Ringer commented that a better alternative to the street fee system might be to push for the state to share gas taxes with cities and counties who do street maintenance. Councilman McIlhaney thanked the staff for researching the concept. 007184 city Council Workshop Meeting Wednesday, March 8, 1989 Page 3 Agenda Item No. 3 - Discussion of the ordinance dealing with the parking of vehicles in residential areas - partlcularly parking on front yards. City Attorney Locke presented this item. She referred to page three in the packet material which outlined the law for parking on front yard lawns and/or turfed areas. The Council discussed their preference of wording for this section. Councilman McIlhaney stated that she preferred the terms "front yard lawns and/or front yard turfed areas". City Attorney Locke concurred. Councilman Birdwell stated that he gets a lot of comments from various areas of town, but most problems occur in neighborhoods that have changed from home-owned residential to rental properties. He referred to complaints from homeowners in the Southgate area where the neighborhoods are a mixture of renters and homeowners. He suggested that the ordinance place a limit on the number of cars that can be permanently parked at a home. Discussion in general continued. Councilman Haddox commented that vehicles park in different directions on a front yard, but, at the same time, if a gravel drive or paved drive were extended into that front yard, it might encourage a more orderly parking fashion. Mayor Ringer remarked on the appearance of yards that have become rutted from cars being parked there over a period of time and in bad weather. Councilman Haddox suggested that the definition should state "front yard lawns", deleting "and/or turfed areas". Councilman Gardner commented that this ordinance might compel people to park their cars on the street. He also addressed the issue of setback requirements for residences. city Manager Ragland pointed out another issue, in that the city regulates the parking surface in a commercial district. He commented that the City may want to regulate the type of surface a residence may use. Currently, the city only requires a non- permiable surface in a commercially zoned area. Councilman Birdwell indicated that gravel drives would be acceptable. Coun- cilman Haddox agreed. The Council discussed the enforcement aspect of the ordinance. Ms. Locke stated that the property owner will first be notified, to give the owner the opportunity to take care of the situation. Councilman Haddox stated that the city should take a reactive approach for a year and allow time for property owners to see what is taking place. The next year the City could begin to take active steps. 007t85 City Council Workshop Meeting Wednesday, March 8, 1989 Page 4 Councilman Birdwell suggested that before this ordinance is considered, publicity should be made to the citizens and property owners that this ordinance is being prepared and allow them to voice their opinion on this issue. The Council directed the City Attorney to prepare an ordinance addressing the concerns of the Council and bring back for council's consideration. Councilman Birdwell suggested that the regulations should incorporate some procedure to allow a review by the ZBA. City Attorney Locke stated that she will place in the ordinance the council's preference as follows: "Front yards, excluding driveways or paved parking areas". Agenda Item No. 4 - Discussion of Ordinance No. 682 and Ordinance No. 1233. Mayor Ringer announced that Councilman Gardner requested this item be placed on the agenda for discussion. Councilman Gardner stated that he does not agree with a limited tenure for Planning and Zoning Commissioners, as specified in Ordinance No. 1233. Mayor Ringer pointed out that the purpose of Ordinance No. 682 was intended to allow other qualified applicants the opportunity to serve on the Planning and Zoning Commission. He noted that the Parks Board members also have limited tenure. Councilman Birdwell stated that rotation is needed but two terms is short; he suggested that the tenure of office be extended to three terms. Councilman G~rdner noted that if rotation is wanted, the council can periodically change the members as needed. He remarked that many commissioners do not have a great knowledge of the planning field when they are first installed; normally it takes at least two years to develop some expertise. He referred to the revision of the Plan, and the need for experienced members. Mayor Ringer pointed out that a member can be eligible to reapply to the Commission if they vacate the position for one year. Mayor Ringer with the consensus of the Council, directed staff to prepare an ordinance amending Ordinance No. 1233, limiting the number of terms to three terms or seven consecutive years for Planning and Zoning Commissioners. Councilman Birdwell inquired about the procedure for attendance of members to the Boards and Commissions. City Secretary Jones replied that several ordinances state that members shall be 007186 City Council Workshop Meeting Wednesday, March 8, 1989 Page 5 removed if they have three unexcused absences. Councilman Birdwell asked the City Attorney to address unexcused absences in the proposed ordinance. Agenda Item No. 5 - Council Concerns. Councilman Gardner commented that he read an article about a proposal to recycle solid waste near the city landfill. He had not heard about this issue previously. Mayor Ringer clarified that Barrett Lyne, promoter of this plan, called and arranged to make a presentation to him and several members of the staff. He said that this issue has been discussed with some of the other entities, but everything is very preliminary at this point. Councilman Birdwell informed the Council that this idea is not economical, but very costly. Councilman Gardner inquired about the next stage for review of the Charter. Mayor Ringer indicated that he will set up a meeting with the Charter Review Committee to share the staff's suggestions and Councilman Gardner's comments. Mayor Ringer asked the Development Policies Committee to meet and examine the Sidewalk Policies and make a report with recommenda- tions to the Council. The Committee members are Councilman Schneider - Chairman, Councilman Gardner, Mayor Ringer, and Councilman McIlhaney - alternate. He suggested that the newly appointed Sidewalk Advisory Committee meet with staff to begin working on the sidewalk program. Agenda Item No. 6 - City Manager Concerns. City Manager Ragland presented each council member the staff suggestions for the Charter Review Committee. He also presented a report on the Straight Shot 10K Run. Mayor Ringer asked Mr. Ragland to set up a meeting with Chief Strope and a repre- sentative from the B/CS Athletic Federation to discuss the problems associated with this year's event. Aqenda Item No. 7 - Adjourn. Mayor Ringer adjourned the meeting at 5:10 p.m. APPROVED: ATTEST: /~ ~ity Secr.~ary Dian Jones 007187 me 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. 9. 10. 11, 12. 13. 14. 15. GUEST REGISTER CITY COUNCIL WORKSHOP MEETING WEDNESDAY, MARCH 8, 1989 4:00 P.M. 16. 17. 18. 19. 20. 21. 22. 23. 24. 25. 26. 27. 28. 29. 30.