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Regular Session

Executive Session

Regular Session

A Call to Order

Pledge of Allegiance

Comments from the Mayor

- Welcome and Meeting Procedures
Mayor reviewed the City's meeting procedures and opportunities to address the City Council.
-Presentation of Proclamation to Williamson County Cities and Health District in recognition of World Breastfeeding Month
Mayor presented the proclamation to Casy Wilburn from the Williamson County Cities and Health District. Wilburn said she is part of the WIC program and she noted they are celebrating World Breastfeeding month on August 1st. She thanked the Council for recognizing her organization.

Kostka said he is here on the behalf of the Palace Theatre and its application to the City's social service and youth funding program. He said the mission of the theatre is to provide an opportunity for public entertainment and educational opportunities in the performing arts. He spoke about the Children's Workshop and its goal to provide an opportunity for kids to build their self esteem and self worth through performing on a live stage in front of a live audience. He spoke about the history of the program and noted they currently have over 300 children in the program. He spoke about a couple of their success stories.

Motion by Sansing, second by Brainard to approve the Consent agenda with the correction to the minutes. Approved 6-0

Mayor gave a brief history of the Citizen Academy and noted the feedback of the program has been extremely outstanding. Brandenburg gave a history of how the program formed and the education it provides to the public on how City government works. He said the City impacts people's lives on a daily basis and the Academy is a means of being transparent with what the City does for its citizens. He noted there are now two semesters per year and they try to keep the classes at about 20 members each. He said many of the program's graduates have signed up to serve of the City's Boards and Commissions. Mayor and Brandenburg presented diplomas to the Citizen Academy graduates.

Brandenburg reviewed the item and gave an update on the current drought and water supply in the City. He said the City is looking for voluntary compliance for water usage. He said that Georgetown is in the exceptional drought category, but noted the recent rain in the area has helped the acquifer a little bit. He noted the City has not received any measurable rain in over 90 days. He showed Council pictures of the San Gabriel taken on July 25th. He showed Council a graph of the levels at Lake Georgetown as well as a graph of the current water supply availability. He also spoke about the current level of the Edwards Aquifer and how it compares to critical levels. He said the current drought plan stage is voluntary and he spoke about the regulations of that voluntary program. He showed Council slides that have been placed on the local cable channel regarding the program. He spoke about the watering requests placed on local residents who have automatic irrigation systems. He said the voluntary program has definitely had an impact on the water supply in the City. He said the City would like to see more participation and noted the City has not gone to mandatory restrictions yet. Sansing asked about the start times for the automatic irrigation system and said he thinks the 7 a.m. start time is still a little late. Brandenburg explained why staff came up with the system start times. Sattler asked and Brandenburg described possible fine system if the City went to mandatory restrictions.

Brandenburg said there is a hotline open for people to report any abuse being done. He said staff will even go out and help ciitzens reprogram their watering system. He said another problem is people who are out of town and he described how the City would manage that situation. Sattler asked and Dishong said citizens can call 930-3555 or 930-2578 with any questions or concerns. Mayor said one the wonderful things about this is the way Sun City has responded to this issue. He spoke about the water ambassador program in Sun City. Mayor also spoke about several other Cities in the area and described how they are handling the water issue. He said Georgetown is blessed with great leadership. Brainard asked and Brandenburg said there is a Workshop item in August that will allow staff to talk to Council about blocks for water usage. He agreed with the fact that a small group of entities are using the majority of the water. Brandenburg said staff is looking at other options such as the type of grass and soil being used by citizens. He said the water ambassafor program can also be formed within other Homeowner's Associations in the area. Eason said the City should have gone to mandatory regulations a while back. She said she was born and raised in San Antonio and people need to realize that water is gold in Texas. She said her concern is to make sure the City has enough water to drink in the future and added she does not have a lot of sympathy for the watering of lawns. She said the San Gabriel has been dried up to levels that have not been seen before and, with no rain in the near future, the City needs to be more conservative with its water usage. She said this is simply what she has known throughout her life as an ongoing Texas issue. Mayor said this is a review of the drought but an additional item for a full review of the water rates will be coming back to Council in August.

Schacherl reviewed the item and spoke about the original system purchased last year. He said the company has not met any of their expectations and none of the department's needs. He said the company closed its doors and are willing to refund the City. He said the money will be turned over to a company called L-3. Motion by Sansing, second by Brainard to approve the release and settlement agreement. Sattler asked and Schacherl said this system will be compatible with the surrounding entities. Approved 6-0

Schacherl said the same amount of money from the previous item's refund will be sent to L-3 for the purchase of a new system. He said the company lowered the price and noted $217,000 will be spent on the system. He said the extra $5,000 will be used for incidentals. Motion by Brainard, second by Sansing to approve the purchase. Sansing said Sattler brought up a good point and noted it is important to be on the same page with surrounding entities when it comes to new equipment and technology. Schacherl explained the efforts made to sustain compatibility with other entities. Sattler asked and Schacherl explained how the City will be phasing out the old technology and replacing it with new versions. Approved 6-0

Mayor reviewed the item and said this was on last meeting's agenda but was pulled for legal review. Motion by Sansing, second by Oliver to approve the item. Carls said a couple of changes have been made to the document provided and she listed those changes. Mayor asked and Brandenburg summarized the content of this agreement. Brandenburg said there is no connectivity issue related to this item. Approved 6-0

Miller described the item and said this is a project to install a mirosurface treatment to some of the City roadways. He noted this is for preventative maintenance and he described the areas to be included in this project. He said this was recommended by the Georgetown Transportation Advisory Board and City staff. Sansing asked and Brandenburg said this project is going to be paid for by this year's budget. Motion by Oliver, second by Sattler to approve the award of project. Sattler asked and Miller said the project will start as soon as the contract is signed. Approved 6-0

Miller described the item and said this is for a smaller treatment than the item before. He said this is typically used for streets that have a limited number of houses around it. He said this treatment is for roads that have considerable cracking. He said there was only one company that bid on this item. He reviewed the areas included in this project and said this item was approved on July 10th by the Georgetown Transportation Advisory Board. Motion by Brainard, second by Sansing to approve the award of project. Approved 6-0

Elkins described the item and said the City received three responses to the bid and noted the lowest bidder's machine did not meet the specifications. Motion by Oliver, second by Sattler to approve the award of bid. Brandenburg said the City used to have to rent this equipment. Approved 6-0

Dishong described the item and said this item is for the necessary design and construction management services for the rehabilitation of a sewer line in the park. He said the testing associated with this was done about a year and a half ago. He said this item is recommended by the Georgetown Utility System Advisory Board. Motion by Sansing, second by Sattler to approve the task order. Approved 6-0

Miller described the item and said this will be used in the maintenance of City streets, water and electric distribution systems. He reviewed the recommendation from staff. Motion by Brainard, second by Sattler to approve the award of bid. Approved 6-0

Leloux read only the caption of the Ordinance on second reading. Motion by Sansing, second by Sattler to approve Ordinance 2009-38. Approved 6-0

Carls read only the caption of the Ordinance on second reading. Motion by Sansing, second by Oliver to approve Ordinance 2009-39. Approved 6-0

Motion by Sansing, second by Brainard to adjourn. Approved 6-0
Adjourned at 7:08 p.m.