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HomeMy WebLinkAbout06/02/1976 - Special Minutes City CouncilMEMBERS PRESENT: MEMBERS ABSENT: VISITORS PRESENT: MINUTES Special City Council Meeting June 2, 1976 7:30 P.M Mayor Bravenec; Councilmen Stephenson, Halter, Dozier, Gardner, Ringer; Hazen; City Manager Bardell; Student Liaison Ward; None See guest register. Agenda Item No. 1--Hotel-motel tax presentation from Chamber of Commerce. Mr. Henry Hawley, 1042 Rose Circle, College Station, owner of the Roadway Inn and Vice President of the Tourist and Convention Disivison of the Bryan-College Station Chamber of Commerce, spoke to the Council representing all motel and restaurant owners in College Station. Mr. Hawley stated that by city tax records in 1975, motel occupancy was under 50% and that the owners felt that 70% occupancy was needed. Mr. Howard Rosser, manager of Tourist Development for the East Texas Chamber of Commerce presented a plan for tourist advertising. He stated that tourism is the fifth largest industry in Texas with the Bureau of Business estimating 21,819,000 tourists bringing in $3.5 billion in 1975, 8.9% going to taxes. Mr. Mervin Peters, president of the Bryan-College Station Chamber of Commerce, stated that local agencies will develop the proposed tourist information. Councilman Gardner asked the amount of hotel-motel taxes expended to date. Councilman Halter replied approximately $10,000. Councilman Gardner asked if the requested funds were near the amount requested in the bond proposal. Mayor Bravenec stated that 1/6 of the tax was required for advertising and that there were various alternatives as he had previously stated in a memo to the Council. Mr. Pat Mann stated that he favored both Bryan and College Station work together with the B-CS Chamber of Commerce to develop this project. The Council instructed City Manager Bardell to place the disbursement of hotel- motel tax funds on the agenda for the regular Council meeting on June 10. A~enda Item No. 2-- Consideration of ordinance calling for bond election. Mr. Ernest Brown and Mr. David Fetzer, Moroney, Beissner, Co, financial advisors presented ordinances calling for the bond election. Councilman Dozier moved that Ordinance No. 1025 calling for a bond election and providing details thereto and declaring that said ordinance shall be effective immediately upon adoption be approved. Councilman Halter seconded the motion. O~~O MINUTES, Special City Council Meeting June 2, 1976 7:30 P.M. Page 2 Councilman Dozier pointed out some changes on section 5, page 8 pertaining to public notice relating to a name correction to The Eagle. Councilman Stephenson suggested an additional listing in The Battalion. Councilman Dozier stated legal notices are not frequently read, that they were published according to state law, and that city money would be better spent in an advertisement. Councilman Halter pointed out a correction in Proposition No. 1. He indicated that $360,000 should be $370,000. Mr. Fetzer discussed legal problems with the wording of street improvements to include bikeways and sidewalks. Councilman Hazen pointed out that some people might be confused and mistakenly vote for another item. Mr. Fetzer stated that the city was bound by its publicity and that by stating costs, were rea~ired to alot that amount to each item as publicized with a maximum difference of 1~)%. Councilman Stephenson moved that Mr. Brown and Mr. Fetzer check the legality of preferred wording and include it if possible. The motion was seconded by Mrs. Hazen. Mr. Brown clarified the motion by stating that the Council would adopt the ordinance as stated, check and see if the words sidewalks and bikeways can be inserted, and if possible they will be. The motion passed unanimously. Mayor Bravenec asked for comments from the public. Mrs. Nelda Norman expressed concern for the lack of voter population in June. Councilman Halter stated that he also wished the bond election could be held at a later date, but that there was a need for urgency. Mrs. Jane Sielken questioned the amounts to be appropriated for sidewalks and bikeways. Mrs. Janet Natowitz asked the Council to stress publicity for absentee voting. Mr. George Frapp, 302 Walton, questioned fund allocations for the bond proposal. Ordinance No. 1025 was approved as amended by unanimous vote. Ordinance No. 1026, declaration of intent of the City Council to take advantage of Article 1106, was considered. Mr. Fetzer pointed out further changes necessary in subparagraph C. Councilman Dozier moved to accept Ordinance No. 1026 with amendments, stating in substance complying with state law so as the city can authorize expenditure of utility revenue funds for retirement of some bonds that are issued as general obligation bonds. MINUTES, Special City Council Meeting June 2, 1976 7:30 P.M. Page 3 Councilman Ringer seconded the motion and it was approved unanimously. Mayor Bravenec asked for consideration of publicity on the bond proposal and also the addition of a straw vote on the ward system to be included on the ballot. Councilman Halter stated that he would work with Councilman Stephenson on the publicity. City Manager Bardell suggested a phone line to the City Hall and a speakers pool. Mayor Bravenec suggested that the Capital Improvements Committee serve as members of the pool. Mayor Bravenec stated that, relating to the ward system, a formal protest by law must have been submitted to him within 10 days of the election. He stated one had been and he would make his reply after reviewing the results of the straw vote, which required 55% to retain the at-large system. Jerri Ward commented on the difficulty in determining the same section of voters relating to the original vote for the charter revision. Agenda Item No. 3-- Closed session. The Council convened to closed session to discuss personnel matters. Agenda Item No. 4 -- Adjourn. Mayor Bravenec declared the meeting adjourned. .~7ROVED Mayor ATTEST City Secretary SPECIAL CITY COUNCIL MEETING June 2, 1976 7:30 P.M. PLEASE SIGN BELOW: ~ . , ~.~ ~..~ ,_~ . 1 5~ 19. 10. 20. 21. ii. 12. 22. 23. 25. 26. 27. 28. 29. 30. 14. 31. 32. 15. 33. 16. 34. 17. 35. 18. 36.