HomeMy WebLinkAbout06/25/2015 - Workshop Minutes City Council MINUTES OF THE CITY COUNCIL WORKSHOP
CITY OF COLLEGE STATION
JUNE 25, 2015
STATE OF TEXAS §
§
COUNTY OF BRAZOS §
Present:
Nancy Berry, Mayor
Council:
Blanche Brick
Steve Aldrich, absent
Karl Mooney
John Nichols
Julie Schultz, arrived after roll call
James Benham, arrived after roll call
City Staff:
Kelly Templin, City Manager
Chuck Gilman, Deputy City Manager
Carla Robinson, City Attorney
Sherry Mashburn, City Secretary
Tanya McNutt, Deputy City Secretary
1. Call to Order and Announce a Quorum is Present
With a quorum present, the Workshop of the College Station City Council was called to order by
Mayor Berry at 4:30 p.m. on Thursday, June 25, 2015 in the Council Chambers of the City of
College Station City Hall, 1101 Texas Avenue, College Station, Texas 77840.
2. Executive Session
In accordance with the Texas Government Code §551.071-Consultation with Attorney and
§551.087-Economic Incentive Negotiations, the College Station City Council convened into
Executive Session at 4:30 p.m. on Thursday,June 25, 2015 in order to continue discussing matters
pertaining to:
A. Consultation with Attorney to seek advice regarding pending or contemplated litigation;to wit:
• Deluxe Burger Bar of College Station, Inc. D/B/A Café Eccell v. Asset Plus Realty
Corporation, City of College Station, Texas and the Research Valley Partnership, Inc.,
Cause No. 13 002978 CV 361, In the 361st Judicial District Court, Brazos County, Texas
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• Bobby Trant v. BVSWMA, Inc., Cause No. 33014, In the District Court, Grimes County,
Texas, 12th Judicial District
• Juliao v. City of College Station, Cause No. 14-002168-CV-272,in the 272nd District Court
of Brazos County, Texas
• City of College Station,Texas,v. Embrace Brazos Valley,Inc., Cause No. 15-000804-CV-
85, In the 85th Judicial District Court, Brazos County, Texas.
B. Deliberation on economic development negotiations for a business prospect the Council seeks
to have locate, stay or expand in or near the City; to wit:
• Economic incentives for a project located generally in the vicinity of South College and
University Drive in College Station.
• Economic Incentives for a project located generally in the vicinity of State Highway 6 and
Rock Prairie Road in College Station.
The Executive Session adjourned at 5:41 p.m.
3. Take action, if any, on Executive Session.
No action was required from Executive Session.
4. Presentation, possible action, and discussion on items listed on the consent agenda.
Item 21 was pulled for clarification.
(21): Donald Harmon, Director of Public Works, clarified the terms and the tasks of the ILA.
5. Presentation, possible action, and discussion on the 84th Texas Legislative Session by
College Station's legislative consultant Jennifer Rodriguez.
Jennifer Rodriguez, Legislative Consultant, provided information on legislation that directly
impacted municipalities. Bryan/College Station advocated local bill HB3629 and is referred to as
the HOT Tax bill. This bill permits the cities of Bryan and College Station to use revenue from
the municipal hotel tax to promote tourism and the convention and hotel industry by using the tax
for the construction, operation or expansion of a sports related facility or sports facility owned by
the municipality and is effective June 17, 2015.
There were several bills that failed which would have impacted municipalities, including
preemption of city ordinances, revenue caps, appraisal caps, annexation, a statewide texting ban,
transportation network company regulations,payday lending regulations,prohibition of plastic bag
ban ordinances, and city lobbying restrictions.
Bills that passed included 60% of the council must vote to adopt a tax rate exceeding the previous
year's rate, transparency legislation, ban of fracking ordinances, open carry, campus carry, body
camera grant program, tuition revenue bonds, pre-K funding, truancy reform, and elimination of
the Emerging Technology Fund and creation of the Governor's University Research Initiative.
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Highlights were briefly presented for the State budget, a $209.4 billion two-year budget, and it
was noted that seven constitutional amendments will be on the November 3 ballot.
6. Presentation, possible action, and discussion on a new citizen board appointment process.
Sherry Mashburn, City Secretary, proposed a new appointment process in response to the
Council's request. A Handbook has been drafted for the Council's consideration that will assist
potential appointees with the process, procedures, and responsibilities. The application has been
updated with different iterations: one for regular standing committees, and one for each of the
following: Construction Board of Adjustments, Design Review Board, Joint Relief Funding
Review, Parks and Recreation Board, Planning and Zoning Commission, and Zoning Board of
Adjustments.
Advertising for all boards and commissions would commence in early August, with a submittal
deadline of September 30. Staff proposed that Council conduct interviews of applicants to the
quasi-judicial boards -- Construction Board of Adjustments and Appeals, Design Review Board,
Parks and Recreation Board, Planning and Zoning Commission, and Zoning Board of
Adjustments. Council would consider applicants' resumes for these quasi-judicial boards during
Executive Sessions in October, after which each Councilmember would provide to the City
Secretary the names of those individuals who should be brought back for an interview. The City
Secretary would contact the applicants to schedule an interview with Council that would take place
during Executive Sessions in November and December. Appointments would be made in open
session at the first meeting in January.
Council provided direction to move the deadlines back to allow newly elected Councilmembers
an opportunity make informed appointments. It was also suggested that applicants provide two-
three references. The process should be completely digital.
7. Presentation, possible action, and discussion on the 2015 Bond Citizen Advisory
Committee's prioritized project recommendations for the potential 2015 bond election.
Chuck Gilman,Deputy City Manager,reported that Council will consider an ordinance calling the
Bond Election at the August 13 meeting. The Citizens Advisory Committee made the following
recommendations:
• Transportation:
— UPRR Grade Crossings and Roadway Improvements
— Greens Prairie Road Intersection and Roadway Improvements
— Greens Prairie & Royder Roadway Safety Improvements
— Neighborhood Street Safety Improvements at Holik, Park Place, Anna and Glade
— FM 2818 Capacity Improvements
— Traffic Signals
— Sidewalks/Oversized Participation
• Parks & Leisure:
— System Wide Improvements focus on existing facilities. (Eleven park improvement
initiatives are recommended for nine parks, including lighting, parking, jogging
trails, and playground and park upgrades.)
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8. Council Calendar
Council reviewed the calendar.
9. Presentation, possible action, and discussion on future agenda items: a Councilmember
may inquire about a subject for which notice has not been given. A statement of specific
factual information or the recitation of existing policy may be given. Any deliberation shall
be limited to a proposal to place the subject on an agenda for a subsequent meeting.
There were no future agenda items.
10. Discussion, review and possible action regarding the following meetings: Animal Shelter
Board, Arts Council of Brazos Valley, Arts Council Sub-committee, Audit Committee,
Bicycle, Pedestrian, and Greenways Advisory Board, Bio-Corridor Board of Adjustments,
Blinn College Brazos Valley Advisory Committee, Brazos County Health Dept., Brazos
Valley Council of Governments, Bryan/College Station Chamber of Commerce, Budget and
Finance Committee, BVSWMA, BVWACS, Compensation and Benefits Committee,
Convention & Visitors Bureau, Design Review Board, Economic Development Committee,
Gigabit Broadband Initiative, Historic Preservation Committee, Interfaith Dialogue
Association, Intergovernmental Committee, Joint Relief Funding Review Committee,
Landmark Commission, Library Board, Metropolitan Planning Organization, Parks and
Recreation Board, Planning and Zoning Commission, Research Valley Partnership,
Research Valley Technology Council, Regional Transportation Committee for Council of
Governments, Transportation and Mobility Committee, TAMU Student Senate, Texas
Municipal League, Twin City Endowment, Youth Advisory Council, Zoning Board of
Adjustments.
Mayor Berry reported on BVSWMA and the Council of Governments.
Councilmember Brick reported on the Transportation Committee.
Councilmember Schultz reported on the Research Valley Partnership.
Councilmember Nichols reported on the Annexation Task Force.
11. Adjournment
There being no further business, Mayor Berry adjourned the workshop of the College Station City
Council at 7:09 p.m. on Thursday, June 25, 2015.
Nancy Berry, ayor
ATTEST:
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Sherry Maslrn, City Secretary
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