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HomeMy WebLinkAbout06/22/1988 - Workshop Minutes City Council MINUTES CITY COUNCIL WORKSHOP MEETING WEDNESDAY, JUNE 22, 1988 4:00 P.M. COUNCIL MEMBERS PRESENT: Mayor Ringer, Councilmen Brown, Gardner, Birdwell, Schneider, McIlhaney, Haddox STAFF PRESENT: Acting City Manager Ragland, City Attorney Locke, Assistant to the City Manager Piwonka, Assistant City Engineer Smith, Building Official Perry, Public Information Officer Calliham, Director of Planning Callaway, Budget Director Schroeder, Finance Director Harrison, Director of Capital Improvements Ash, Parks and Recreation Director Beachy, Energy Specialist Shear, Council Coor- dinator Hooks VISITORS PRESENT: See guest register. A~enda Item No. 1 - Presentation of sponsor frames for 1988 Pepsi Games of Texas. Mayor Ringer presented sponsor plaques and framed posters of the 1988 Pepsi Games to the following: Ms. Reva Restivo and Michelle Scott of Ramada/Aggieland Hotel; Mr. Gary Parsons of Schlotzsky's Sandwich Shop; Mr. Damien Jemaa of Little Caesar's Pizza; and Ms. Donna Williamson of Quality Inn. Mr. Beachy announced that the Pepsi Games has signed forty-seven local sponsors. Aqenda Item No. 2 - Council Concerns. Councilman Haddox stated that Mr. Don Ganter, owner of the Dixie Chicken expressed concern to him regarding the numerous tickets being issued to persons under the drinking age at his facility. Mr. Ganter expressed another concern that the City Courts are not enforcing the citations to discourage persons from being ticketed for overindulgence of alcohol. Ms. Locke replied that Mr. Ganter nor Mr. Ganter's employees fail to appear in court to serve as witnesses; therefore, the cases are dismissed. Councilman Haddox asked staff to prepare a letter to Mr. Ganter regarding this problem. ' 6736 CITY COUNCIL WORKSHOP MEETING WEDNESDAY, JUNE 22, 1988 Page 2 Councilman Schneider expressed his concern that he hopes everyone will continue to provide the facts and messages to the citizens of the community the best way possible. Councilman Brown stated that an employee called him and asked why elective sterilization for men was not covered by the insurance plan. Councilman Birdwell asked that the revision of the City Charter be included on a future agenda for discussion. Councilman Gardner suggested that the Council establish itself as the Charter Commis- sion. Mayor Ringer suggested that this item be placed on a work- shop agenda in August. Councilman Birdwell stated that one addi- tional member needs to be appointed to the Electrical Examining Board. Mayor Ringer reported that he has received a draft copy of the parade ordinance and the resolution setting fees. He asked that the City Affairs Committee review this ordinance for their exam- ination. A~enda Item No. 3 - City Manager Concerns. Mr. Ragland presented the Councilmembers with two memorandums: One refers to the situation at Eastgate and the used car sales; the other memo refers to the discussion of a site for Amtrak station in College Station. Mr. Ash presented a brief report on the stop sign warrants at Munson and Francis. Mr. Ragland reported that the Personnel/Administration Committee has scheduled a meeting for June 30th at 3:00 p.m. The Budget/ Finance Committee has scheduled a meeting for June 28th at 1:00 p.m. Mayor Ringer mentioned that the Employee's Award Banquet will be held on Tuesday, June 28th. A~enda Item No. 4 - Discussion of a New. Home Energy Efficiency Certification Pro~ram. Energy Specialist Shear presented this item. Mr. Danny Borski, past president of the Homebuilders Association was also present at the meeting. Mr. Shear presented a slide presentation. He gave a brief background on the history of the proposed program, "Good "06737 CITY COUNCIL WORKSHOP MEETING WEDNESDAY, JUNE 22, 1988 Page 3 Cents". He pointed out three benefits for the homeowners as follows: (1) "Good Cents" will reduce energy bills. (2) "Good Cents" will enhance the comfort of the home. (3) Certification will allow added initial and resale value. He explained the benefits to the City as follows: (1) improve load factor condi- tions. (2) enhance the way electrical customers perceive our utility system. (3) promote energy conservation. Mr. Shear stated that the staff requested $20,150.00. Funding will be allocated from the Gulf States Utilities Rebate Fund. Mr. Borski commented that he is supportive of this program. Mr. Shear stated that the homeowner will be provided with a fea- ture cost sheet and savings sheet which includes what energy saving features have been installed in the home. The homeowner will also receive a sign and a sticker to place on the doorbell. Mrs. Piwonka described how monies were set up in the Gulf States Utilities Rebate Fund. Mr. Shear remarked that the current staff will be able to imple- ment the program without additional help. Mr. Birdwell asked if a charge will accompany the inspection fee for certifying a home. Mr. Shear replied that this option has not been discussed. Coun- cilman Birdwell emphasized that a nominal charge should be added for use of computer programs to evaluate the building plans. A~enda Item No. 5 - Report from Council C.I.P. Committee. Finance Director Harrison stated that the Council C.I.P. Committee has met with the staff to look into the planning process for the long-range Capital Improvements needs of the city. The committee recommended to the Council that staff proceed with a one-year Capital Improvement Budget to be added to the city's operating budget covering the capital programs within the next fifteen months. He further stated that the Committee has also recommended to the Council that the City utilize existing cash plus some monies available in authorized but unissued bonds to allocate during the next fifteen months and work on the priority projects. Mr. Harrison referred to the CIP Project - Public Services Building, a significant item in the short-term CIP Plan, which r06738 CITY COUNCIL WORKSHOP MEETING WEDNESDAY, JUNE 22, 1988 Page 4 would utilize current available funding plus $925,000 in author- ized but unissued bonds for a total of $1,422,000. Mr. Harrison clarified that this project includes renovation and expansion of the warehouse facility. Mr. Ragland mentioned that each one of the items will be brought before Council for action at their scheduled meetings in the future. Mr. Harrison stated that the staff is establishing an estimated budgeted amount for each project and also, the monies available is for those specific projects voted on and authorized by the elec- torate. He pointed out that the city is in a strong financial position on a short-term basis. Mr. Birdwell asked why there are $500,000 in general obligation bonds for oversized bridge participation. Mr. Harrison replied that the city issued $500,000 in bonds specifically restricted for city's participation in oversized bridges, in other words, the amount of bond monies available. Mr. Birdwell asked if there are known projects where this money will be expended. CIP Director Ash stated that a local developer may develop the sixth phase of Emerald Forest which would involve oversized bridge participa- tion. Councilman Schneider asked if there are other possible expendi- tures which are not included in the report. Mr. Harrison replied that there are no bond monies available for the right-of-way ac- quisition for extension of 2818. Mr. Harrison stated that this report is Phase I of the long-range Capital improvement projects. He stated that the next major CIP projects are the right-of-way acquisition for FM 2818 Extension and right-of-way acquisition of Southwest Parkway overpass. He stated these monies will need to be authorized by the citizens. Councilman Schneider asked where the sources of funds derive for debt service fund. Mayor Ringer replied that in the past, prop- erty tax and sales tax have attributed to most of the funds in debt service. Mr. Harrison explained that the major projects in utilities are sewerline oversizing programs and Wolf Pen Creek Interceptor Phase I project. He recommended to the Council that $3 million be transferred from the available cash balances in the bond funds to the fund restricted for debt service of utility revenue bonds. He noted that the utility fund at this time is paying $5 million a year in debt service cost. ' 06739 CITY COUNCIL WORKSHOP MEETING WEDNESDAY, JUNE 22, 1988 Page 5 Further discussion was held by the Council. Mayor Ringer stated that the staff will be coming to the Council at future meetings with detailed proposals on each item. Agenda Item No. 6 - Discussion of City of Colelge Station partici- pation with TAMU and the Cit~; of Br~;an in a long term water resources plan. (Council Priority Issue 920). Mr. Ragland introduced this item. He stated that two years ago, the Bryan/College Station Chamber of Commerce established a com- mittee to evaluate and investigate the long term water supply for this area. The committee submitted a request for proposals from various engineering firms. The firm of Epsey, Huston & Associates of Houston was selected. The City of Bryan has recently approved this study. The decision of the committee was, an application should be submitted to determine the possibility of obtaining matching funds. If state funding is not available, only the first two portions of the study would be conducted. The third phase would be deferred until the need arises. Councilman Birdwell stated his concern that the City may be par- ticipating in the wrong part of the study first. He feels Phase III should be conducted first. Mr. Ragland remarked that Phase I and Phase II will not begin until the grant monies are available. Further discussion was held by the Council. Councilman Haddox commented that he hopes the study will provide how the city can improve the quality of water. Agenda Item No. 7 - Adjourn. The meeting was adjourned at 6:00 p.m. APPROVED: City ~/~tC~ry Dian Jones '06740