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HomeMy WebLinkAbout08/25/1977 - Regular Minutes City CouncilMINUTES Regular City Council Meeting August 25, 1977 7:00 P.M. MEMBERS PRESENT: Mayor Bravenec; Councilmen Ringer, Gardner, Dozier, Halter, Hazen; City Manager Bardell; City Engineer Ash; City Tax Assessor-Collector Schroeder; City Attorney Lewis; Director of Parks and Recreation Wojciechowski; Graduate Design Engineer Fees; Community Development Planner Callaway MEMBERS ABSENT: Councilman Stephenson VISITORS PRESENT: See guest register. Asenda Item No. 1 -- Approval of minutes. Mayor Bravenec declared the minutes approved as read. Agenda Item No. 2 -- Hear visitors. Ms. Nancy Morrison, 200 Highland, reviewed pedestrian-bicycle-auto traffic problems near the intersection of Holleman and Winding Road. Mayor Bravenec referred the problem to City Engineer Ash and Chairman of the Planning and Zoning Commission Stover. Mrs. Janet Natowitz, 1503 Francis, read a letter to the City Council concerning sidewalk development in the City. City Manager Bardell explained the problems that have developed because the contractor, Mr. Cavanaugh, has delayed work. Agenda Item No. 3 -- Discussion of raisinS the tax exemption amount for persons 65 years and older. Mmyor Bravenec explained that his reason for bringing the issue up was to allow senior citizens to realize their share of savings from the new utility contract. Tax Assessor Schroeder stated that there are presently 413 citizens who qualify for the $5,000 homestead exemption. He stated the increased revenue loss for increased exemptions would be as follows: $ 7,000 exemption = $ 3,000 increased revenue loss 10,000 exemption = 6,600 increased revenue loss 12,000 exemption = 8,600 increased revenue loss Councilman Halter moved to pass an ordinance increasing the homestead exemption to $10,000. Councilman Hazen seconded the motion. Mr. Gordon Gay noted consumer price increases and stated that any increase in the exemption would be a help. The motion to pass the ordinance (Ordiance No. 1087) passed unanimously. Agenda Item No. 4 -- Consideration of program amendments to the Community Development Program. O~~ MINUTES, Regular City Council Meeting August 25, 1977 7:00 P.M. Page 2 Community Development Planner Callaway stated that due to a recent opening of bids the present budget needed revision to allow the completion of projects and to delay other improvement projects until other money could be budgeted. Mr. A. G. Searcy, 106 Southland Street, questioned how the paving of Southland Street would be done. Mr. Callaway stated the pavement of Southland Street would be discussed under Agenda Item No. 5. Mr. Sam Ford, 112 Richards Street, asked about the drainage design. City Engineer Ash stated that there will be a standard street section which would allow water to drain into the street. City Engineer Ash stated that Park Place will drain in the same manner. Councilman Ringer moved that the amended budget be approved and that due consideration be givento the paving of Churchill Street as soon as funds become available. Councilman Hazen seconded the motion. The motion passed unanimously. A~enda Item No. 5 -- Consideration of bid tabulations and award of contrac~ for construction in the Community Development Prosram. City Engineer Ash explained the reason for taking bids and alternate bids. City Engineer Ash recommended the alternate bid of Young Brothers, Inc. Councilman Dozier moved to accept the alternate bid of Young Brothers, Inc. for miscellaneous street construction in the amount of $156,913.09. The motion passed unanimously. Asenda Item No. 6 -- Discussion of possible Bryan Library support from College Station. Councilman Halter moved that the City Manager be authorized to look into the appropriate amount for contribution and to discuss the possibility of a branch library at a later date. Councilman Dozier seconded the motion. The motion passed unanimously. Agenda Item No. 7 -- Consideration of an ordinance increasin~ hotel-motel tax. Councilman Dozier moved to pass an ordinance which would raise the hotel-motel tax to 4%. City Attorney Lewis explained the implications of raising the tax. Councilman Ringer seconded the motion. Mr. Bob Pottberg, owner of Ponderosa Motor Inn, asked what the money collected would be used for. MINUTES, Regular City Council Meeting August 25, 1977 7:00 P.M. Page 3 Mayor Bravenec explained that part of the increase would be used to promote tourism. Mr. Henry Hawley, representing the Chamber of Commerce, stated he felt that the tax should not be raised because consumers will question the reason and this might deter conventions from locating in College Station. Councilman Halter moved to table the discussion until the City can obtain further information about the amount of hotel-motel tax funds now available for the community center and the amount available for promotion of tourism. Councilman Hazen seconded the motion. The motion passed by the following vote: FOR --- Councilmen Ringer, Gardner, Hazen, Halter AGAINST --- Mayor Bravenec; Councilman Dozier Agenda Item No. 8 -- Discussion of agenda items from the meeting of August 23, 1977. There was no discussion. ~genda Item No. 9 -- Closed session to discuss land acquisition and personnel. Mayor Bravenec called the meeting into closed session. Agenda Item No. 10 -- Other business. The meeting was called back into open session. Councilman Ringer nominated Mr. Charles Greenawalt as an alternate member of the Park Planning Committee. Councilman Halter seconded the motion. The motion passed unanimously, Councilman Dozier being absent Councilman Gardner moved to consider rezoning certain properties in the southwest section of the City as petitioned by a number of citizens in the area and to ask the Planning and Zoning Commission to reconsider sections of Ordinance 850, to perhaps allow property to revert back to its original zoning if development has not occurred in a given period of time. Councilman Halter seconded the motion. The motion passed unanimously, Councilman Dozier being absent. Agenda Item No. 11 -- Adjourn. Mayor Bravenec declared the meeting adjourned. ATTEST City Secretary yor.PROVED I~EGULAR CITY COUNCIL MEETING Ausust 25, 1977 7:00 P.M. PLEASE SIGN BELOW: 19. 20. 21. 22. 23. 24. 25. 26. 27. 28. 15. 33. 16. 34. 17. 35. 18. 36.