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Regular Session

Executive Session

Regular Session

A Call to Order
The Mayor called the meeting to order at 6:25 p.m.

Pledge of Allegiance

Comments from the Mayor
- Welcome and Meeting Procedures
He announced the need for Boards and Commissions Applications for the Housing Advisory Board, Georgetown Housing Authority and Animal Shelter Advisory Board.

City Manager Comments
Elections
Police Department Commendations

Interim Chief Schacherl spoke about an event concerning a fugitive fleeing Austin and ending in Georgetown. He said Georgetown Detective Wise gave lifesaving EMS to the suspect. He said, because of Wise's actions, the suspect was able to survive the shooting. He presented Detective Wise with the Georgetown Police Department's Lifesaving Medal

Motion by Ross, second by Sansing to confirm the appointment of Wayne Nero as Police Chief of the Georgetown Police Department as recommended by the City Manager. Brandenburg spoke about the interview and recruitment process for the police chief position. He gave a brief background on Wayne Nero and why he is recommending him for the position. Brainard said Nero is an impressive person and he is thrilled with this decision. Vote on the motion: Approved 7-0

Brainard said he also feels Schacherl has provided superior service as Police Chief on an interim basis. Nero thanked Council and the City Manager for the opportunity to serve. He said he is eager to go home and finish up his duties so that he can move to Georgetown and begin serving the community. He said, after meeting some of the police officers, he is ten times more excited now than when he first arrived.

Motion by Sattler, second by Sansing to accept the bid of $3.8 million dollars from San Gabriel Properties Investors, LLC on the following terms for the property formerly known as Albertson's: the bidder shall deposit $25,000 by March 1st with Georgetown Title Company, commissions will be paid by the buyer, the buyer will provide documentation that is registered corporation that is in good standing to do business within the state of Texas, purchase and sales payment will be as delineated in the bid package, the City will consider approving an economic incentive package at a later date, the chief finance officer is further authorized to begin the process of defeasing bonds as necessary as part of this sale. Approved 7-0

Motion by Sattler, second by Eason to direct Georgetown Utility Systems to proceed with the 2010 Power Supply Planning Timeline as presented in Executive Session. Approved 7-0

Statutory Consent Agenda

C Consideration and possible action to approve the minutes of the Council Workshop and Regular Meeting held on Tuesday, February 9, 2010 -- Jessica Hamiton, City Secretary

D Consideration and possible action to accept the City’s Quarterly Financial Report, which includes the Investment Reports for the City of Georgetown, Georgetown Transportation Enhancement Corporation (GTEC), and the Georgetown Economic Development Corporation (GEDCO) for the quarter ended December 31, 2009 -- Micki Rundell, Chief Financial Officer; Laurie Brewer, Assistant Finance Director and Lorie Lankford, Accounting Manager.

E Consideration and possible action to accept and approve the City’s Information Technology (IT) Master Plan -- Leticia Zavala, Project Manager; Mike Peters, IT Director and Micki Rundell, Chief Financial Officer

F Consideration and possible action to accept the independent audit of all accounts of the City reported in the Comprehensive Annual Financial Report (CAFR) for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2009 -- Micki Rundell, Chief Financial Officer; Laurie Brewer, Assistant Director of Finance and Lorie Lankford, Accounting Manager

G Consideration and possible action to authorize the purchase of a 20' permanent water line easement (Parcel B18) and a 15' temporary construction easement adjacent thereto from I-35 & 130 Investment, Ltd., in the amount of $37,248.00, plus closing costs -- Thomas R. Benz, P.E., Systems Engineering Director and Jim Briggs, Assistant City Manager for Utility Operations

H Consideration and possible action regarding a resolution granting a petition and setting public hearing dates for the voluntary annexation into the City for 18.61 acres out of the Issac Jones Survey, Abstract No. 232, for 4887 Williams Drive, south of Casa Loma Subdivision and north of Olde Oak Subdivision -- Edward G. Polasek, AICP, Principal Planner and Elizabeth Cook, Community Development Director

Motion by Oliver, second by Berryman to approve the consent agenda in its entirety. Approved 7-0

Schacherl said he has submitted a report to Council related to Racial Profiling. He said the report contains police contact data for 2009. He said, in addition, the report contains statistical, administrative and complaint analysis based on the data collected. He said the Department provides an extensive report and goes above and beyond what is required. He said their methodology is based off of the 2000 census numbers. He said the analysis has determined that there is no reason to suspect the Police Department engages in racial profiling. Motion by Berryman, second by Sansing to accept the report. Approved 7-0

Schacherl described the item and said an inordinate amount of police time is being spent responding to false alarms. He said, upon implementation of the false alarm Ordinance, the amount of false alarms has been reduced by 25%. He spoke about the grace period given to citizens so they may have time to correct the problems of human error or mechanical issue. He said they employ a full time records specialist to manage the alarm program. He said they anticipate that another employee may be needed in the future to handle the program.

Brainard asked and Schacherl said the department is currently researching a way to do online registration of alarms. Brainard asked and Schacherl agreed to look into a possible two year registration. Ross said he would like to get some sanity on the fees. He suggested that there be less false alarms allowed per year before a fine is imposed. Ross also agreed with Brainard about the idea of a two year registration. He also suggest that the fines be increased and registration fees be reduced for residential alarms.

Schacherl spoke about how the help and the needs change throughout the seasons. Ross spoke about the amount of false alarms allowed before the permit is taken away. Schacherl said only three people have ever gotten close to the point of being fined. Oliver questioned the two year registration and asked whether it would be a good idea if the police department's information becomes old quickly. Oliver noted it is important to not lose sight of that problem. Motion by Berryman, second by Oliver to direct staff to look at the options that have been offered in the discussion and come back with pros and cons of those suggestions. Approved 7-0 Brandenburg reviewed his understanding of the motion.

Sansing said it is a suggestion to have staff look at leash laws pertaining to pets located in a person's own yard. He spoke about the fact that he has an invisible fence and he said he would like for staff to look into the possibility of allowing the dogs to be in a person's front yard without a leash.

Motion by Sansing, second by Ross that staff look into changing this Ordinance to allow for animals on someone's property to be without a leash and to also include electric fences. Oliver agreed with Sansing about electronic fences, but noted he is hesitant about allowing dogs to be off leash in the front yard. Sansing said the owner must have control of their own dog so that it won't run out of someone's yard. Eason agreed with Sansing that this issue should definitely be studied. Brandenburg reviewed the issue as it had been discussed in the past. Eason said she feels this issue needs to be pursued because, even if a dog is chained in the yard, anyone coming on to that property would be at risk. Vote on the motion: Approved 7-0

Brandenburg reviewed the item and spoke about the terms that are located in the agreement. He said the City's monument sign is in the Extra-Territorial Jurisdiction (ETJ) of Round Rock and Round Rock's monument sign is in Georgetown's ETJ. He said each entity will be responsible for the maintenance and upkeep for their own signs. Motion by Berryman, second by Oliver to approve the Interlocal Agreement. Approved 7-0

Polasek reviewed the item. He said the applicant has requested an amendment to the Comprehensive Plan. He showed Council a map of the area from the applicant. He said they are proposing a collector level road. He said staff told him this could be a development driven road, but that the applicant should do a traffic analysis at the site. He said the applicant performed a study and, with the results, staff concluded this is not a thoroughfare road. Polasek said both Planning and Zoning and Georgetown Transportation Advisory Board (GTAB) recommended denial of the request. He said the recommendation from staff is also to deny the request. Sansing said Polasek's description was an accurate description of the GTAB meeting and noted the direction from GTAB to staff was to identify where the road should go for planning purposes and future development.

Motion by Sansing, second by Brainard to deny the application with the caveat that a road will be made where the proposed "Hughes Drive" will ultimately cross.

Public Hearing was opened at 7:06 p.m.
No persons were present to speak.
Public Hearing was closed at 7:06 p.m.

Sansing clarified that the recommendation is denial. Vote on the motion: Approved 7-0

Maddox described the item and said the plan is to decrease the lot number by thirteen lots. He said there will be a companion plat that will return to Council at the second reading of this Ordinance. He read only the caption of the Ordinance on first reading after having satisfied the requirements of the City Charter. Mayor asked and Maddox confirmed this would amend the previously approved rezoning.

Public Hearing was opened at 7:10 p.m.
No persons were present to speak.
Public Hearing was closed at 7:10 p.m.

Motion by Berryman, second by Sattler to approve the Ordinance on first reading. Approved 7-0

Cook reviewed the item and said the intent of the proposed revisions are to simplify how fees are collected, make it easier to determined what fees are required, provide fees for applications that do not currently have fees and to make some adjustments to the current fees. She said this item went to the General Government and Finance (GGAF) subcommittee and said there were questions on having a cap on the fees for rezoning applications. She said staff recommended a cap of $2,000 or $4,000 for rezoning applications. She said staff has proposed an application fee for appeals as well as a reduction of that fee of 50% if the appeal was granted. She said there were also suggestions to have a three year review of the development division fees. Cook said, after the meeting, staff went back and made changes to the Ordinance accordingly. She reviewed the changes made by staff and that are being brought to Council. Cook read only the caption of the Ordinance on first reading after having satisfied the requirements to the City Charter.

Brainard said and Cook agreed that staff will come back to Council on a regular basis to review these fees. Brainard said this schedule is a vast improvement and brings good order and consistency to the schedule. Sattler asked and Cook said staff has not looked at charging applicants on an hourly basis. She said it is difficult to track the hours worked and to have applicants make preferences to work with different planners according to their salaries. Sattler asked and Cook said Georgetown was compared to other cities and Georgetown was fourth or fifth down on the fee schedule rankings.

Brandenburg said the proposed changes would only bring in an extra $1,500 per month. Cook said it is not about collecting more money, but it is a benefit to be able to streamline the fee processes. Sansing asked and Cook said the development agreement amendment fee has gone down by a little over $1,100. She continued to list other fees that have gone down with these proposed changes including the final plat fee and the agricultural driveway permits. Sansing said he has never supported fee increases. He said he wants to be able to support the Georgetown developers. Mayor asked and Cook reviewed the expenses to the City for voluntary annexations including mapping work and staff time.

Motion by Oliver,second by Brainard to approve the Ordinance on first reading. Approved 4-3 (Sansing, Sattler and Berryman opposed)

Brainard reviewed the item and said the City Attorney drafted an Ordinance on Council's request regarding policies that were made last month. Brainard read only the caption of the Ordinance on first reading after having satisfied the requirements of the City Charter.

Motion by Brainard, second by Ross to approve the Ordinance on first reading. Oliver made a friendly amendment that, between now and the next meeting, staff clarify what policy means. Brainard agreed with Oliver's amendment.

Eason said she is going to disagree with this being brought to Council as an Ordinance. Eason brought up other Ordinances that have been passed and that are not being followed by the City Council. She said she does not see why this needs to be in Ordinance form and asked what happens if Council stops following the policy in the Ordinance. She asked what about this issue requires that it be an Ordinance. She noted she thinks it will just be another Ordinance that will be ignored. Sansing said he supports the general idea but noted he thinks there needs to be a lot of clarification done on this issue.

Oliver asked that there be a provision in the Ordinance that would be able to enforce this with staff and also define an item as a policy. Brandenburg reviewed the items brought forward by Council. Mayor said it is hard because staff is charged with the job of implementing policy and not creating it. Mayor said, every time you put something into policy, you give the City Manager less latitude to fulfill these requests. Brainard said getting clarity on the definition of "policies" will be important to the implementation of this Ordinance. Brainard said he also asked legal counsel about this issue and was told it should be brought to Council in Ordinance form. Approved 6-1 (Eason opposed)

Motion by Ross, second by Sansing to adjourn -- 7:33 p.m.