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HomeMy WebLinkAbout12/09/1981 - Workshop Minutes City Council MINUTES WORKSHOP CITY COUNCIL MEETING WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 9, 1981 4:00 P.M. COUNCIL MEMBERS PRESENT: Mayor Halter, Councilmen Runnels, Boughton, Jones, Ringer, Prause, Student Government Liaison Herring COUNCIL MEMBERS ABSENT: Councilman Dozier STAFF PRESENT: City Manager Bardell, Asst. City Mgr./Finance Director VanDever, Tax Assessor-Collector/City Secretary Schroeder, City Engineer Ash, City Planner Mayo, Zoning Official Kee, Zoning Inspector Keigley, Energy Coordinator Albrecht, Parks and Recreation Director Beachy, Asst. Director of Planning Callaway, Asst. Planner Longley, Asst. Parks and Recreation Director Czimskey, Parks Planner Mendez, Asst. Engineer Smith, Parks Maintenance Director Whatley, Fire Chief Landua VISITORS PRESENT: See guest register. A~enda Item No. 1 - Council Concerns. Councilman Runnels stated that he had received complaints on the Timber St. and Jersey St. traffic lights. He stated that the light was no longer than 5 seconds.He asked if the traffic light system was now complete. City Manager Bardell stated that it was not. He stated that at the present time, none of the traffic signals had passed the test. Councilman Boughton stated that the City Engineer had informed her the traffic computer was working now. City Manager Bardell stated that new wires were installed replacing those that had been incorrectly grounded, causing the computer to function improperly. Councilman Boughton stated that she had been south bound on Texas Ave. proceeding to turn left onto Walton Dr. when she noticed the north bound traffic waiting to make a left turn onto the campus. She stated that approximately nlra vehicles were in the left lane waiting for the light to turn green and yet very few vehicles passed through the light before it changed to red again. She noted that the light on Texas & Walton should have special timing to allow heavy north bound traffic turning left onto the c~pus pass through the light. \ City Manager Bardell stated that the light changes cycles throughout the day according to ~he density of the traffic. Normally, he explained, the light allowing north bound traffic to turn from Texas onto the campus across oncoming traffic is 4 to 5 times longer than the light controlling the opposite flow of south bound traffic turning left onto Walton Dr. Council~n Jones asked when construction of new traffic lights would begin. City Engineer Ash replied that the plans had not been started yet. MINUTES WORKSHOP CITY COUNCIL MEETING WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 9, 1981 4:00 P.M. PAGE 2 Councilman Jones stated that approximately 70 security lights are out in the residential neighborhood in Southwood Valley. He asked if this was the developers' responsibility or the city's. City Manager Bardell stated that the wiring should be there but has not been connected. Councilman Boughton stated that she had received a complaint from a resident of Cooner St. The resident reported that Cooner St. had been repaired up to her block. She stated the road in front of her house was not patched. She also stated that a 4-plex was built across the street from her house and the driveway to the 4-plex was not constructed correctly. The ditch in front of the 4-plex was filled in and is now causing water drainage to flow into her yard. She stated that she had previously tried to orga- nize a petition to have the street curbed and guttered but had failed. Councilman Prause asked if the Traffic Engineer had plans for the traffic flow when the new mall opens. City Engineer Ash stated that a signal light will be placcd at the main entry of the mall on Highway 30. Agenda Item No. 2 - Public hearing on the setting of health permit fees for 1982. Energy Coordinator Albrecht presented the revised ordinance on state recommendations for setting health fees. She stated that they had met with some of the restaurant owners on the proposed fees. She stated that the proposed resolution has been changed to set the fee for eating and drinking permits by the total square footage of the building. Drink- ing only permits are proposed at $40.00. School permits will be set at $40.00. Soft serve machine permits will remain at $100.00 per establishment. City Manager Bardell pointed out that he receives a monthly health report from the Health Department. He stated that most of the violations were from soft serve machines. He stated that the $100.00 fee was due to the extensive laboratory work done with soft serve tests. Councilman Runnels asked how the schools felt about their proposed fee. Energy Coordinator Albrecht stated that she assumed the schools would agree to the fee since the fee for this year has been lowered. She had not contacted the school on this proposed fee but stated that the school was surprised when the fee last year was set at $50.00. She stated that at the time the schools were content with the $50.00 fee. She stated that the same rates will be proposed at the Bryan City Council Meeting next week. Mayor Halter opened the public hearing. Ron Smestuen, representing the Restaurant Association, reported that they considered these proposed fees to be fair and were happy with them. Agenda Item No. 3 - Consideration of 1982 health fees and adoption of revised health code. Councilman Ringer moved to approve Ordinance No. 1329 regulating and requiring health MINUTES WORKSHOP CITY COUNCIL MEETING WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 9, 1981 4:00 P.M. PAGE 3 permits and fixing penalties. Councilman Runnels seconded the motion which passed unanimously. Councilman Runnels moved to adopt Resolution 12-9-81-3 setting fees for health permits. Councilman Prause seconded the motion which passed unanimously. Agenda Item No. 4 - Consideration of utility deposits for Post Oak Mall. Mayor Halter stated that he and Councilman Jones had researched utility deposits for businesses as charged by various cities in Texas. These conclusions were presented and submitted to the council. He had contacted Mike Simmons of the Texas Public Power Association (T.P.~ A.) and was informed that most major cities require a deposit of 1.5 to 2.5 times an average months bill and refund the deposit after one or two years if the account is kept current. Councilman Jones stated that he had received the same information from other individuals. All require a deposit and all but one city he had contacted paid an interest return. Asst. City Manager/Finance Director VanDever stated that paying 6% interest would have an impact on the city since the city has never done this. It would also increase the demand of time in keeping track of records and refunds. He stated that the main reason the city loses money is because a business fails. He stated that refunding the deposit in two years is like not holding a deposit at all because a business usually does not fail in the first two years. He suggested that the city not require deposits from the businesses in the mall because doing so will probably cost the city more to record deposits and pay interest. City Attorney Denton asked Councilman Jones if the cities he researched required a re-institution of a deposit if a business becomes delinquent after a deposit has been returned. Councilman Jones stated that he was informed a business was allowed between 30 to 60 days to pay the bill. After said time, a deposit would be required again and held for a period of 24 months if there was not delinquent billing in the period. Councilman Jones suggested requiring a deposit and returning the deposits at the request of the business after a continuous period of 24 months with no delinquency. City Manager Bardell stated that a policy requiring re-institution of a deposit if the account becomes delinquent after a deposit is returned, will need to be adopted through an ordinance. He suggested that they city require a deposit which can be refunded at the end of the 24 month period if the business has no record of delinquent payment. Mayor Halter agreed with the City Manager's suggestion but added that an interest should not be paid on business deposits. He stated that he did not believe doing so would be fair to residential customers. Councilman Ringer moved to ask the staff to draft an ordinance on commerical utility deposits requiring a deposit equivalent to a 2-month bill and refundable upon request after a 24 month period with no delinquent billing. 03393 MINUTES WORKSHOP CITY COUNCIL MEETING WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 9, 1981 4:00 P.M. PAGE 4 Councilman Boughton seconded the motion which passed unanimously. Agenda Item No. 5 - J.W. Wood to speak to council on rezoning request of 102 acre tract on the north side of Southwest Parkway between Dartmouth Drive and the East Bypass. Mayor Halter stated that Mr. Wood would like to talk to the council on the rezoning request that will be presented at the Regular City Council Meeting December 10. J.W. Wood stated that he would like to show the council generally what will be developed on the site. He said that the tract is actually 111.49 acres. It is bordered on the east by the East Bypass, on the west by Dartmouth Ave. and on the north by Post Oak Mall. He stated that the proposed plans included an R-1 zone, an R-5 zone, and R-3 zone, an A-P zone, and a C-1 zone. He stated that the A-P and C-1 zones will be developed into a business park consisting of 45 to 46 acres. He remarked that they did not feel that R-1 zoning should be developed on the entire tract because of the lack of trees in that area. Mr. Wood showed slides and briefly described each proposed site development. He stated that 40 foot landscaped buffer will be developed along Dartmouth, Southwest Parkway, and also the East Bypass. He stated that the business park will have groupings of businesses which are needed in the city. He stated that they are concerned with every detail in this project. Agenda Item No. 6 - Presentation of plans for Parks and Recreation Buildings. Parks and Recreation Director Beachy presented the proposed building plans that were approved in the 1981 bond program for Parks and Recreation. He stated that there will be two maintenance buildings. One, located at Lincoln Center, will maintain all parks west of Texas Ave; the other, at Central Park, will maintain everything east of Texas Ave. The small Bee Creek facility will be strictly for that park. The office will be located at Central Park because of its adequate parking and utility connections. He stated that the Parks Board members have seen these plans and have approved them. The Parks and Recreation staff has worked with the architects on the project. They feel that these plans will meet current needs and allow for expansion in the future. Don Hill, architect of the proposed plans, stated that all facilities were designed to expand if needed in the future. He stated that construction of the metal buildings were under the budget. He stated that he had talked to a contractor about the possiblity of construction on both buildings using tilt-up concrete with an exposed aggregate finish for walls. He stated that he was informed they could do this for approximately $5.00 a square foot more and should consider this before going into working drawings. He suggested that the Parks Office Building exterior be blended with the existing facilities in Central Park. The interior of the building will consist of wood studs, vinyl plaid gypsum, commerical grey carpet, and solid doors. The planning is for the current needs of the Parks office but a second floor attic space can be remodeled to accommodate an expansion of approximately 1600 square feet. Councilman Ringer moved to authorize the staff and architect to continue with the plans for the new maintenance buildings and parks office building including a proposal for a tilt-up concrete wall. Councilman Runnels seconded the motion. Councilman Jones asked how much these projects are estimated to cost. MINUTES WORKSHOP CITY COUNCIL MEETING WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 9, 1981 4:00 P.M. PAGE 5 Don Hill stated that the Parks Office Building is estimated at $206,000. Bee Creek maintenance building is estimated at $36,000 and the Central Park maintenance building at $75,000. Parks and Recreation Director Beachy suggested the bids be separated. The maintenance buildings will be a combined bid. The Parks Office building will be a separate bid. The motion was voted on and passed unanimously. Agenda Item No. 7 - Review of Anderson Park preliminary conceptual development plans. Parks Planner Mendez presented the proposed plans on Anderson Park. He stated that approximately 5 acres adjacent to this tract are privately owned by the Diocese of Austin who, according to information received, have no current plans for the property. Councilman Ringer stated that he has been informed the Diocese of Austin might consider selling the property. Parks Planner Mendez recommended that the city consider buying this property for possible expansion. He stated that the plans for Anderson Park include parking facilities, storage maintenance facilities, a buffer zone, four different size soccer fields, a surfaced court, and a jogging track. The park will also have picnic tables, sidewalks, and a play area. He stated that purchase of the adjacent tract by the city would allow up to 3 additional soccer fields. He requested council approval of the program elements at this point. Councilman Jones asked if the 25 to 30 spaces for parking would be sufficient. Mayor Halter stated that when the field is used during spring and fall, the parking facilities will be necessary. Otherwise, it was questionable to take up so much field space for parking when it will not be used continously. Councilman Jones stated that the field will be used year around for other purposes in addition to soccer. Mayor Halter stated that he would write a letter to the Diocese of Austin to see if they were interested in selling the tract. Parks and Recreation Director Beachy stated that they have land acquisition money but it has not been proposed to be spent on this tract. The council approved the conceptual program elements for Anderson Park. Agenda Item No. 8 - Discussion of possible R.O.W. acquisition for Rock Prairie Road and Texas Ave. interchange. City Planner Mayo presented the item to the council. He stated that the plans are to ex- tend Rock Prairie Road to intersect with Research Blvd. in the southern end of Southwood Valley. He explained that approximately 700 feet of R.O.W. is needed to complete this project. He stated that Mr. Bill Fitch would like to address the council on possible changes in this proposal. He stated that the City Engineer contacted the highway department and was informed by D.D. Williamson of three possible ways the city could purchase the 0 395 MINUTES WORKSHOP CITY COUNCIL MEETING WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 9, 1981 4:00 P.M. PAGE 6 City Engineer Ash stated that Mr. Williamson had informed that the city could buy the land using Federal regulations. This process is very involved consisting of 3 appraisals for the property and submitting a bona-fide offer to the land owner. This alternative could take two months. The second alternative which would probably be accomplished in 3 months, is for the City and Mr. Fitch to go to the highway deparment and request an emergency R.O.W. acquisition. Ninety percent of the cost would be paid by the Federal Government; the other ten percent from the local funds. The third alternative would be for the highway department to go through their standard process which includes a public hearing on the entire land site. This process could take 6 months. Mr. Ash suggested the city request an emergency R.O.W. acquisition. Mr. Bill Fitch showed the council maps of the area and presented an alternative solution to the problem. City Engineer Ash stated that the council needed to make a decision on this project as soon as possible. Mayor Halter stated that he could not make a decision on the matter at this time. He requested more time to examine it. City Engineer Ash stated that he would arrange to meet with the council at a Special Workshop Meeting. Agenda Item No. 9 - Consideration of an ordinance extendin~ late hour permits for the sale of mixed beverases or beer and wine to remain open and serve such beverages until 1:00 A.M. on January 1, 1982. Councilman Ringer moved to approve Ordinance No. 1330 extending late hour permits. Councilman Jones seconded the motion which passed unanimously. A~enda Item No. 10 - Adjourn. Mayor Halter adjourned the meeting. ATTEST: APPROVED: . Gary Halter ,.,~a~or /,' ~l~n~ Schr6eder, City ~ecretary O338 GUEST REGISTER WORKSHOP CITY COUNCIL MEETING WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 9, 1981 4:00 P.M. PLEASE SIGN BELOW: lg. 20. o 21. 37. 38. 39. 0 22. 40. o 23. 24. 41. 42. o 25. 26. 43. 44. 27. 45. 10. 28. 46. ll. 29. 47. 12. 30. 48. 13. 31. 49. 14. 32. 50. 15. 33. 51. 16. 34. 52. 17. 35. 53.