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HomeMy WebLinkAboutCC Minutes 2004-08-30 Special, Work Session 08/30/04 2212 STATE OF TEXAS X CITY OF FRIENDSWOOD X COUNTIES OF GALVESTON/HARRIS X AUGUST 30, 2004 X MINUTES OF A SPECIAL MEETING OF THE FRIENDSWOOD CITY COUNCIL THAT WAS HELD ON MONDAY, AUGUST 30, 2004 AT 4:00 PM AT FRIENDSWOOD CITY HALL COUNCIL CHAMBERS, 910 S. FRIENDSWOOD DRIVE, FRIENDSWOOD, TEXAS, WITH THE FOLLOWING PRESENT CONSTITUTING A QUORUM: MAYOR KIM BRIZENDINE MAYOR PRO-TEM JERRY ERICSSON COUNCILMEMBER LAURA EWING COUNCILMEMBER TRACY GOZA COUNCILMEMBER DAVID J. H. SMITH COUNCILMEMBER MEL MEASELES CITY MANAGER RON COX CITY SECRETARY DELORIS MCKENZIE Councilmember Shannon Kimmel was absent from the meeting. Mayor Brizendine called the meeting to order. 4:00 PM—WORK SESSION Discussion was held regarding the Final Report on the Main Street Implementation Plan. Economic Development Coordinator Karen Capps presented an overview from a PowerPoint presentation and stated the need to address why are we doing this and convey the message to the public, some of the reports have conflicting information, looking at the committee or marketing representative for some of those answers, believes some of the information was based on the assumption that with nothing being done, that a town center would not happen, some of the questions were if the $50,000 seed money is enough, will this be enough for a period of time to get this plan off the ground and stated it would depend on how fast the City wanted to move and reported this is a long term process. Councilmember Measeles stated he is looking for a comfort level, this is brand new ground, is sure that somewhere around the world this has been done before, could look to them for guidance. Mayor Brizendine stated he has received information from around the country, has gathered a large amount of information, is the concern about funding, is this really doable financially, is it doable to turn over to the committee. Councilmember Measeles stated that funding is not a big concern,just wants to have comfort with the plan and is anxious to see the plan proceed. Councilmember Smith stated that several people have mentioned this is a big endeavor and should have been done twenty years ago, concerned that twenty years from now will hear the same. Councilmember Goza stated he hates to under-fund something for the first year, had trouble funding for the sales tax proposition, thinks will have problems with public funding, problems with wet/dry issue and impact, is not going to be popular with everyone and is this going to be supported 100% by Council. Councilmember Ericsson stated he would love to have this plan done, with any plan there is a series of hurdles, do not think can get over the hurdle of a million dollars in public funds being necessary, thinks the plan should be halted until this hurdle is addressed, does not want to go down the path knowing this hurdle, maybe there are alternatives such as pursuing private sector funds or contributions and see if we can proceed. The Mayor stated he feels the City can get around this hurdle in one of the later years. Councilmember Ericsson stated they should proceed with $50,000 and see, thinks some small hurdles can be overcome such as changing some ordinances to address the wet/dry issue. Councilmember Ewing stated she feels under-funding and wet/dry is an issue, wants to see Council involved in the legal entity, avenues for funding, naming of the entity and where do we go from here .o proceed with the plan. Karen Capps outlined the demarcation area and stated the sooner this gets done 08/30/04 2213 this will signal the beginning. Mayor Brizendine stated that the point items are under-funding for this year, the wet/dry issue, a Council issue of unanimity of votes, a Committee issue of the validation of private funding of a million dollars plus, a Committee issue of Council input in some of the implementation stages and where to go from here and stated he would like to charge the Committee to come back to Council with a plan of action and clarification. City Manager Ron Cox stated all the questions are good and reasonable questions that the Main Street Steering Committee knows has to be dealt with in order for project as a whole to be totally successful. If one thing is not done it is not a deal-killer, if we do not get a million dollars in the demarcation issue it is not a deal-killer but if the zoning is not done up front it could possibly be a deal-killer. It will not ever get to be anything other than what it is. The resolution of the wet/dry issue is also not a deal-killer according to the consultants but it is an important issue that needs to be addressed, need to figure out what are the alternatives if the big money does not come, thinks the strategy that has been prepared by the consulting team anticipates that because they figured on the low end and high end. We may need to come back in and focus on these five more specific issues that the Mayor listed, and as Council gets more comfortable with this process and having questions answered, when Council is ready to move forward then they can move forward. Mayor Brizendine asked if Council is okay with progressing with seven items and a minimal funding of $50,000 for this part of the plan, does not feel comfortable about adding any funds from the budget for this process, if funds are available during the year could possibly add to that amount. Councilmember Ericsson stated yes, Councilmember Goza stated it is not prudent; know up front it is under-funded with City Manager Ron Cox asking how did you decide it was under-funded? The Main Street Steering Committee believes this is correct and believes it will be at least 6 months before someone is hired, may use a volunteer, does not want to push faster than want to develop, have been very deliberate, if they were going to hire someone October 1, would need $150,000, do not want to assume it is under-funded, - is not going to be a full year. Councilmember Smith stated they should consider the endeavor without funding from private sector, should stand alone, may be under-funded on 2 and 3 years. City Manager Ron Cox stated that one of the key issues is a public/private partnership, if does not come forward they will have to re-think this process and what to do, may need additional seed money, but to work according to the plan a public/private partnership is needed. Councilmember Smith stated cannot raise$150,00 in a 12-month period, can we get buy-in from the public which would be important to the process, agree to the $50,000 and will use for 6 months. Councilmember Measeles stated he does not have a problem with the funding and agrees with the City Manager as to the 6 months and to the $50,000. Mayor stated this will be put on the next agenda to approve the funding, have Main Street Steering Committee answer the questions identified by Council. Councilmember Goza stated he feels the City should not go into this under-funded, will not be able to raise $150,000 year 2, 3, 4 or 5 and does feel comfortable with comfort zone of raising$30,000. Discussion was held regarding Phase II Design/Build contract for the Public Safety Building. Capital Projects Coordinator Skipper Jones gave a brief overview of the progress of this project since the last updated and reported that an Interlocal Agreement was entered into with Galveston County Drainage District for Whitaker Drive, completed construction of Whitaker Drive, finalized site and drainage plans and begun platting process, completed building schematic designs in May, moved directly into Design Development in June, resolved all previously identified issues, addressed wind-storm hardening issues, increased building efficiency from 68% to 75.84%, performed Expansion Capability Study, completed Design Development plans in mid-August, updated project cost estimates and funding sources. Within the last 30 days work has begun on the wind storm hardening designs to accommodate the emergency management/operations center functions that this facility will house. The effort here was focused on incorporating a hardened capability for the structure while minimizing the impact on the project budget. This work could only take place after the basic needs designs were completed and a suitable floor plan 08/30/04 2214 and elevation had been developed and approved. Because this facility will serve as the Emergency Operations Center during times of hurricane force winds, the structure had to be reinforced to withstand sustained winds up to 140 MPH and short duration gusts to 170 MPH. There are additional costs associated with this "hardening" process. Further discussion was held on the overall design and budget for the building and following this work session, an agenda item is anticipated on the next regular agenda to authorize Phase II of the design/build contract for the facility. That phase includes completing all the specifications and drawings for the building, and proceeding with construction for a fixed price. Mayor Brizendine and Council acknowledged Skipper Jones and the hard work he has done for the design/build plan for the Public Safety Building. ' A motion was made and approved to adjourn at 6:32 PM. j M or imball W. Brizendi e Attest: • r Del ris McKenzie, TRM City Secretary 1 I I