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HomeMy WebLinkAbout01/11/1984 - Workshop Minutes City Council MINUTES WORKSHOP CITY COUNCIL MEETING WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 11, 1984 4:00 P.M. COUNCIL MEMBERS PRESENT: Mayor Halter, Councilmen Boughton, Anderson, McIlhaney, Reinke, Runnels, Prause COUNCIL MEMBERS ABSENT: None STAFF PRESENT: City Manager Bardell, Assistant City Manager VanDever, City Secretary Jones, Director of Capital Improvements Ash, City Attorney Denton, Assistant City Attorney Locke, Parks and Recreation Director Beachy, Deputy Finance Director Schroeder, City Engineer Pullen, Community Center Director Calliham, Forester Ploeger, Recreation Superintendent Rodgers, Administrative Assistant Magoon, Purchasing Agent McCartney, Zoning Official Kee, Planning Technician Volk, Tax Assessor/Collector Dickson, Council-Coordinator Jones VISITORS PRESENT: See guest register. Agenda Item No. 1 - Signing of a proclamation designating January 20, 1984 as "Arbor Day" in College Station. Mayor Halter signed a proclamation designating January 20, 1984 as "Arbor Day" in College Station. Forester Ploeger accepted the proclamation and stated that an "Arbor Day" Celebration is to be held at Southwood Athletic Park at 4:00 P.M. on January 20, 1984. Agenda Item No. 2 - Signing of a proclamation designating the week of January 15-21, 1984 as "Jaycee Week" in College Station. Mayor Halter signed a proclamation designating the week of January 15-21, 1984 as "Jaycee Week" in College Station. Agenda Item No. 3 - Council Concerns. Councilman Runnels stated that he had received a complaint from a citizen in the Northgate area stating that his garbage pickup date had been changed without notification. Councilman Boughton inquired about the twenty-four redbud trees in Gabbard Park. She asked Forester Ploeger if the trees are the responsibility of the city and requested that he keep a close watch on them. 00/ 21 WORKSHOP CITY COUNCIL MEETING WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 11, 1984 PAGE 2 Forester Ploeger stated that the trees are the city's responsibility. Councilman McIlhaney inquired about the status of the median change on Dartmouth. Assistant City Manager VanDever stated that the median change on Dartmouth is a high priority project. Director of Capital Improvements Ash stated that the change was not made before the holidays due to weather conditions. Councilman McIlhaney requested that a date be set for a Council or Council and Staff retreat. Mayor Halter suggested that he and Councilman McIlhaney meet to discuss some possible dates and then get the Council's preference. Mayor Halter asked if the Council preferred an individual or group annual picture. After some discussion, the Council concurred on an individual annual picture. A~enda Item No. 4 - Discussion of fundi, ng for the Chamber of Commerce Building in College Station. The Council concurred with a request from Louis M. Newman, President of the Chamber of Commerce, that discussion of this item be delayed until later in the meeting. Agenda Item No. 5 - Coq~%d~ration of.Reques~ for an additional personnel. Assistant City Manager VanDever presented the item. He referred to his summary memorandum dated January 6, 1984 which explained the requests. He further stated that these requests were reviewed by the Council Personnel Committee and were recommended for approval. Councilman Runnels asked if the positions were approved in last year's decision packages. He inquired about the salary ranges for the positions. Assistant City Manager VanDever stated that none of these positions were approved in last year's decision packages. He listed the base salaries for each position as follows: Administrative Secretary, $13,475.00; Accountant I, $18,058.00; Legal Assistant, $13,475.00; and Concessions Manager, Mid-teens. Councilman Anderson moved approval of the requests as recommended. Councilman Boughton seconded the motion. 006215 WORKSHOP CITY COUNCIL MEETING WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 11, 1984 PAGE 3 Councilman McIlhaney stated her hesitancy to add personnel in some areas until the Council has met to establish their objectives. Councilman Boughton stated that the Personnel Committee reviewed each request very carefully and this additional personnel is needed. Councilman Reink~ inquired about the current payroll. Assistant City Manager VanDever stated that the current payroll is approximately seven million dollars per year. Councilman McIlhaney stated her concern about continually adding to the budget throughout the year. Councilman Boughton asked if any additional personnel had been added prior to this time. Assistant City Manager VanDever stated there had been no additions of personnel prior to these requests. He spoke against the practice of placing a moratorium on additional hiring during the year. Councilman Reinke asked for explanation of need for additional personnel in the finance office. Assistant City Manager VanDever explained that there is a burden in terms of large amounts of activity that must be produced on a timely basis with some degree of accuracy. The motion was approved by a vote of 6-1. FOR: Mayor Halter, Councilmen Anderson, Boughton, Prause, Reinke, and Runnels. AGAINST: Councilman McIlhaneyo Agenda Item No. 6 - Consideration of funding for Oversize Participation costs of current water and sewer projects. Assistant City Manager VanDever presented the item. He recommended that the Council make a commitment for up to those amounts listed in the memorandum from City Engineer Pullen dated January 6, 1984. He further stated that this funding will require a transfer from the utility contingency fund, but if there is a favorable bond election then funding can revert back to bond proceeds. Councilman Anderson asked if these figures are the actual amounts. Assistant City Manager VanDever stated that these amounts are estimates. Councilman Runnels moved approval of a transfer of $231,639.86 from the utility contingency fund to cover oversize participation costs of current water and sewer projects. 00 216 WORKSHOP CITY COUNCIL MEETING WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 11, 1984 PAGE 4 Councilman McIlhaney seconded the motion which was approved by a vote of 6-0, with Councilman Anderson abstaining from the vote. Agenda Item No. 4 - Discussion of funding for the Chamber of Commerce Building in College Station. Louis M. Newman, President of the Chamber of Commerce, introduced others present to speak on the item. He stated that Chamber records of the past ten years reflect an on-going interest in relocation of Chamber offices to a united site in a central location. He explained the events that have transpired to this point. He further stated that since the vote was taken a petition in opposition to the move has been presented to the Board. He stated that the Board of Directors is obligated to explore every possibility for the move of the Chamber since the proposal was arrived at by the democratic process. He presented several reasons that could justify the city's expenditure to fund the move. Sally Pharr, President of the Brazos Valley Hotel/Motel Association, read a Resolution supporting the idea that monies derived from the Hotel/Motel Occupancy Tax would be well spent by supporting the attempt of the Bryan/College Station Chamber of Commerce to consolidate the Chamber offices and house the Convention and Visitors Bureau at the recommended location. Jim Scarmardo, former President of the Chamber of Commerce, suggested a possible method of financing. He suggested that Certificates of Obligation be issued to allow financial institutions to bid on them. Mr. Newman concluded his presentation. Mayor Halter thanked Mr. Newman for his presentation. Councilman Boughton moved approval of the authorization of funding for the move of the Bryan/College Station Chamber of Commerce. Councilman Anderson seconded the motion. Councilman McIlhaney stated that she felt there were several issues that the Council needed to consider before making this decision. She stated that the Hotel/Motel Tax is collected by the City of College Station and the Council is directly responsible for the disbursement of the funds and must be able to control how the funds are to be used. She spoke of her support of the Chamber and of the vote to move, but expressed concern with the City of College Station funding almost the entire move. She further stated that she felt the Council should meet with their counterparts in Bryan to establish their position concerning future commitments of Hotel/Motel tax monies to the Chamber if it should locate in College Station. She explained that she does not oppose the funding, but rather opposes voting on the funding at the present until the Council has had an O-OZ, 21 7 WORKSHOP CITY COUNCIL MEETING WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 11, 1984 PAGE 5 opportunity to look at the long term effects of such a commitment. Mr. Newman discussed in more detail the petition that was presented to the Board of Directors of the Chamber of Commerce. He explained that the opposition to the move was based on the financial hardship that it would place on the membership in increased dues. He stated that he hopes that by the Chamber receiving some type of financial commitment this opposition would be negated. Councilman McIlhaney spoke of discussing alternative ways for the Chamber to obtain the financing. Mr. Scarmardo stated that the Fed-Mart site would not remain available indefinitely. Councilman McIlhaney noted the need for support of the project by both Bryan and College Station. She requested that the vote be delayed until the Council could meet with the Bryan City Council. Mr. Newman stated that the Chamber representation meets with the City of Bryan at their next council meeting and believes that their decision will be based on College Station's decision. Councilman McIlhaney reiterated her support of the Chamber but again expressed her desire to talk with the members of the Bryan Council before making a commitment. Councilman Runnels expressed his support of the use of the Hotel/Motel monies and his approval of the site, but also stated his concern about the division of support for the Chamber. Councilman Prause stated for the record that it is City Attorney Denton's opinion that use of the Hotel/Motel tax monies in this fashion is legal. Mr. Newman read the petition submitted to the Chamber on January 10, 1984. After further discussion, the motion was approved by a vote of 5-2. FOR: Mayor Halter, Councilmen Anderson, Boughton, Prause, Runnels. AGAINST: Councilmen McIlhaney, Reinke. City Manager Bardell noted that he was celebrating his 10th Anniversary as city manager of the City of College Station. He stated that during his tenure the city has had three charter amendment elections, developed an independent water supply, built two sewage plant additions, and developed a nationally recognized parks system. He stated his appreciation to the Council, Staff, and the Citizens of College Station. Mayor Halter responded with his appreciation to City Manager BardelI for his dedicated service to the City of College Station. ..ORKSHOP CITY COUNCIL MEETING WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 11, 1984 PAGE 6 A~enda Item No. 7 - Adjourn. Mayor Halter adjourned the meeting at 5:33 P.M. Attest: Gaf~ Ha~lte~ FM-a~or Dian -Jones,~y Secretary 00 219