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HomeMy WebLinkAbout05/27/1987 - Workshop Minutes City Council MINUTES CITY COUNCIL WORKSHOP MEETING WEDNESDAY, MAY 27, 1987 4:00 P.M. COUNCIL MEMBERS PRESENT: COUNCIL MEMBERS ABSENT: STAFF PRESENT: STUDENT GOV'T LIAISON: VISITORS PRESENT: Mayor Ringer, Councilmen Boughton, Jones, Haddox, McIlhaney, Gardner, Brown None City Manager Cole, Director of Capital Improvements Ash, City Attorney Locke, City Secretary Jones, Director of Plan- ning Callaway, Deputy Finance Director Schroeder, Administrative Assistant Barnett, Assistant City Manager Ragland, Interim Police Chief Feldman, City Engineer Pullen, Assistant City Engineer Smith, Municipal Court Clerk Choate, Parks and Recreation Director Beachy, Council Coordinator Hooks Kevin Buchman See guest register. Mayor Ringer opened the meeting and began with Item No. 3. Recognition of Assistant City Manager/Finance Director A.E. "Van" VanDever for his service to the City. Mayor Ringer announced that the City of College Station has re- ceived a Certificate of Achievement for Excellence in Financial Reporting for FY ending 1986. He stated that this certificate represented Mr. Van Dever's efforts in standardizing the City's financial reporting, budget presentation, and financial records. Mayor Ringer presented a plaque to Mr. Van Dever in recognition of his service from December 1978 through May 1987, and read a resolution describing his accomplishments as Assistant City Manager and Finance Director for the City of College Station. Mr. Van Dever thanked the City Council and the City Staff for their faithfulness and support during his tenure. A~enda Item No. 1 - Council Concerns. Councilman Boughton suggested that the Council use the 3-ring binder notebooks for the agenda packets. She added that the cost incurred with the preparation is less expensive to the City. '06204 CITY COUNCIL WORKSHOP MEETING WEDNESDAY, MAY 27, 1987 Page 2 Councilman Gardner mentioned that the Council should hold a joint meeting with the Planning and Zoning Commission in regard to the Comprehensive Plan 2000. He suggested that the public should have an opportunity for input. Mayor Ringer noted that it has been suggested that a joint meet- ing be held with the Planning and Zoning Commission after the city elections. He said that he would consider scheduling a meeting to give the two groups an opportunity to become acquaint- ed. He pointed out that the revision of the Comprehensive Plan has been an ongoing project; and, the Planning Staff has been working on this project for over a year. He noted that there will be a series of public meetings on different sections of the Comprehensive Plan. Director of Planning Callaway presented a status report on the study. He stated that the P&Z Commission has received a report of the completed first phase and the newly appointed Commission- ers will receive an updated report. He stated that the Com- missioners will set a schedule for public hearings. After the public hearings are held, recommendations for the revised Com- prehensive Plan will be presented to the City Council, along with Land Use Plan. Agenda Item No. 2 - Cit~ Manager Concerns. City Manager Cole reported that the city staff has received letters from outside interests inquiring about the "Old City Hall" property at Church Street and Wellborn Road. Also, the Northgate Merchants have shown an interest in providing a public parking lot. Mr. Cole said that he will report back to the Council with staff recommendations, and will ask for council con- sideration of final disposition for the property. He added that the Council had previously given the staff permission to demolish the structure, but this action has not been taken because the Police Department utilizes the building as a gym, and the staff uses it for storage purposes. These uses will no longer be necessary because the new Police Department Building will have a work-out facility and the new Utility Service Center is near completion. Mr. Cole reminded the Council that the Retreat will begin at 1:00 p.m. at Greenbranch Center to discuss municipal issues and goal- setting priorities. ' 06205 CITY COUNCIL WORKSHOP MEETING WEDNESDAY, MAY 27, 1987 Page 3 Councilman Haddox asked if any offers have been made for the old city hall property. Mr. Cole replied that no offers have been made, but there are inquiries about leasing the building; and the Northgate merchants have shown an interest in using this property as a public parking lot. These outside interests have been con- tacted to inform them that the building is not structurally feasible and leasing the building is not considered an option. Councilman Haddox mentioned that the expense of demolishing the building could be included in the consideration of a selling price. Agenda Item No. 4 - Discussion of the decision packages for the Revenue Sharing Fund and the General Fund, and discussion of revisions to the Parks Basic Budget. Deputy Finance Director Glenn Schroeder explained that 65 de- cision packages were submitted in the General Fund for a total of $720,000 in requests. Sixteen decision packages totaling $283,703 are recommended for funding. All of the recommended de- cision packages with the exception of two are replacement items. The two new items are bomb vests for the Fire Department and bal- listic jackets for the Police Department. Mr. Schroeder described the decision packages for the Revenue Sharing Fund. The $80,000 revenue is the amount available from the fund balance of FY 86-87. He noted that the proposal is to transfer $75,500 to the general fund revenue and to leave $4500.00 in the revenue sharing fund from which funding allo- cation will be made to agencies. The projection, based on last year's funding levels, shows RSVP, $2500.00 and Stepping Stone, $2000.O0. Mr. Schroeder noted that the Mayor's Commmittee on the Disabled and the Brazos County Community Council have also requested fund- ing. The Mayor's Committee on the Disabled request has been sub- mitted for funding through the Community Development Budget. A source has not been found for the Brazos County Community Council. Ms. Topaz Hughes representing the Information and Referral Pro- gram of the Brazos County Community Council came forward to ex- plain their request. City Manager Cole clarified that the Coun- cil had requested all outside organizations to provide financial information on audits and the anticipated fund balance. Ms. Hughes noted that there may be $1000 at the end of their budget year, if the funds requested are approved. 06206 CITY COUNCIL WORKSHOP MEETING WEDNESDAY, MAY 27, 1987 Page 4 Mr. Jim Raatz, representing the Mayor's Committee on the Dis- abled, presented their budget request. He pointed out that the monies requested will be used as an enhancement for this communi- ty by providing necessary services for disabled citizens. He recalled that the College Station City Council contributed to the first vehicle service for the handicapped, and noted that the Committee is requesting monies for an additional van. The oper- ating costs are totaling approximately $1500 per month. He also noted that a radio program is presented each week to inform citizens about services and workshops. Mr. Raatz introduced Dr. Steve Daniels, a professor at Texas A&M. Dr. Daniels stated that without the van he would not be able to arrive at work each morning. Mr. Raatz explained that the Mayor's Committee on the Disabled must provide 20% of local funding to the Brazos Valley Community Action Agency in order for the vehicle to operate inside the city limits. Mr. Raatz mentioned that the committee would like to conduct a comprehensive survey to determine how many disabled persons are in the community, who they are, and their individual needs. Jo Ann Powell, Program Director for the Retired Senior Volunteer Program, explained that the RSVP presently involves 400 volun- teers working at 40 sites throughout the community. The request for $2500 would go toward the increasing need for additional volunteers, upgrading care for the elderly, and providing in- creased participation in home visits. Mayor Ringer noted that funding for the Mayor's Committee on the Disabled and MHMR requests are being submitted through Community Development Funds. Mr. Cole stated that a memorandum is being prepared by staff to outline the requests from outside agencies which are not included in the proposed budget. He also pointed out that there are no additional monies in the revenue sharing and hotel/motel funds. City Manager Cole noted that the final adoption of the budget is- scheduled for the June 25th meeting. Director of Parks and Recreation Steve Beachy presented an update of the revisions to the Parks Basic Budget. He explained that the estimated cost of operating Thomas Pool for an additional 105 days is approximately $18,000. The most significant impact will 06207 CITY COUNCIL WORKSHOP MEETING WEDNESDAY, MAY 27, 1987 Page 5 be the reduction of funds available for seasonal personnel for Park Maintenance, Lincoln Center, and Teen Center. However, each of these divisions will still have more funds for seasonal labor in the new budget than is now available in the current budget. He stated that this revision will achieve the Council's directive for keeping the Thomas Pool open and will still meet the Parks and Recreation Department's goal of providing more emphasis on the beautification, maintenance, and operation of the city's parks system. Mayor Ringer asked if consideration would be given to adjusting the pool fees for swimmers during the extended period. Mr. Beachy replied that fee schedules are addressed annually, during August or September. A~enda Item No. 5 - Report on the status of Wolf Pen Creek Park and Drainage Development. Assistant City Manager Ron Ragland introduced this item. He re- ferred to the City of Navasota Cedar Creek Development. He pointed out that the City of Navasota promoted the project through the private sector with the Chamber of Commerce as the focal point by soliciting involvement from civic organizations and merchants. As a result, Navasota made a favorable impres- sion on the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department because their project was a community-wide one. Mr. Ragland explained that a Steering Committee was organized in Navasota. This committee promoted the concept of the project through 1) land acquisition, 2) force account contributions by- merchants, agencies, and individuals for donations other than money: labor, materials, accounting services and legal services, and, 3) cash contributions. He added that the Council may want to consider this approach, as it proved to be favorable for Navasota. Assistant City Engineer Mark Smith presented the second phase of the report. He reported that letters have been sent to twelve firms requesting qualifications and resumes' in the area of drainage design and parks design. He stated that a draft has been outlined for Requests for Proposals. The goal of the Request for Proposal is to develop a comprehensive plan to recog- nize the inter-relationships of drainage, erosion and recreation as they apply to the Wolf Pen Creek Corridor from Texas Avenue to the East Bypass as well as to create a community attraction for College Station residents and out-of-town guests. ,06208 CITY COUNCIL WORKSHOP MEETING WEDNESDAY, MAY 27, 1987 Page 6 Mr. Smith described the objectives outlined in the Request for Proposal. A. Establish drainage practices in compliance with the College Station Stormwater Management Plan. B. Utilize soil stabilization and other methods to deter erosion of creek banks. C. Promote urban development with the creek as an amenity to development. D. Encourage participation directed to an overall plan as opposed to piecemeal projects. E. Recognize the Wolf Pen Creek development as an open space park connector as well as part of the city wide park system of bicycle and pedestrian trails. F. Orient focal points in the creek development to major access points throughout the creek corridor. G. Develop recreational and cultural programs and facilities designed to maximize the potential usage of the creek as a co, unity attraction. H. Preserve as much of the natural beauty of the creek's plants and wildlife as possible. I. Seek and receive matching funds through Texas Department of Parks and Wildlife. In order to achieve our goals and objectives the following key issues should be addressed: - Recreational uses of creekway - Linkage of existing parks - Acquisition of lands - Drainage - Level of developer participation - Maintenance - Community attraction - Preservation of natural ambience Mr. Smith pointed out that a target date of January 31, 1988, has been set for submittal of the application. Mr. Smith described the items to be considered in the overall view of the project, and added that the staff has asked consultants to make recom- mendations as to materials and construction details that will be involved in the plan. Also, the staff would like to receive advice on the implementation of the project, time tables, funding strategies and special ordinances. He mentioned that he expects to receive responses soon. Mr. Smith clarified that the January 31st date is the deadline for submission of the grant application from the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department. Councilman Haddox noted that the citizens of Navasota have taken pride in their community by working to- gether in promoting such a project. 06209 CITY COUNCIL WORKSHOP MEETING WEDNESDAY, MAY 27, 1987 Page 7 Deputy Finance Director Glenn Schroeder presented the third phase of the report. He reported the possibility that a portion of the funding may be allocated from the 1984 General Obligation Bond Funds because much of the project addresses drainage improve- ments. He stated that there are no real funds available in re- lation to bond issues for parks improvments; however, some monies for the parks-related aspects of the project are available in in- terest earnings on general obligation bond funds. He noted that 30%-40% of the project would be directly related to the parks system. Mr. Schroeder stated that the estimated total for the study is $80,000 to $100,000. Mr. Cole asked if the 30%-40% of parks monies will apply to the Parks and Wildlife grant appli- cation. Mr. Schroeder replied affirmatively. Mr. Ragland added that the Parks and Wildlife Department would allow cash contri- butions, and all funds could possibly be matched. Mr. Ragland noted that the approval process will take approx- imately two months; therefore, funds could be received as early as March. Director of Planning Callaway presented the fourth phase of the report. Mr. Callaway noted that the official adoption of the Plan will be made if the Council approves a Resolution amending the City's Land Use Plan. This adoption will give public notice of the City's intent to seek park development. Also, this reso- lution will be reflected on the land use plan and allow the City to reserve any portion of the proposed park site on any new sub- division plat for up to one year. The Planning and Zoning Com- mission has recommended that the City Council adopt this resolu- tion. Mr. Callaway noted that the City may want to consider adopting an interim review policy with developers. He stated that a draft of the policy has been incorporated and will be pre- sented to the Planning and Zoning Commission and to the City Council for their consideration at a later date. Agenda Item No. 6 - Adjourn. Mayor Ringer adjourned the meeting at 5:45 p.m. APPROVED: ATTEST: C/ty Sec~6ta~4] Dian Jones ",06210 GUEST REGISTER CITY COUNCIL WORKSHOP MEETING WEDNESDAY, MAY 27, 1987 4:00 P.M. 17. 18. 19. 5. 20. 6. 21. 7. 22. 8. 23. 9. 24. 10. 25. 11. 26. 12. 27. 13. 28. 14. 29. 15. 30. 006211