HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes_GTEC_06.15.2005Minutes of the Meeting of
Georgetown Transportation Enhancement Corporation
and the Governing Body of the
City of Georgetown, Texas
Wednesday, June 15, 2005
The Georgetown Transportation Enhancement Corporation of the City of Georgetown, Texas, met on
Wednesday, June 15, 2005.
Board Members Present:
Henry Carr, Joe Savage, Farley Snell, Gabe Sansing, John Kirby(left @3:15 p.m.), Henry Boecker, Ricki
Salazar
Board Members Absent:
Staff Present:
Paul Brandenburg, Jana Kern, Laurie Brewer, Ed Polasek, Tom Benz, Mark Thomas, George Gomez,
Tom Yantis, Joe Lara, Mark Miller,
OTHERS PRESENT:
Helen Zanetti - Whitetail HOA, Deborah Gernes - Riverview Estates HOA, Trey McLendon Williamson
County Sun, Rebecca Smit, Patti Pondrom, Keith Brainard, & Wade Todd - River Ridge III HOA, Jack
Abraham - Citizen, Sally McFeron - Citizen
Minutes
Regular Meeting
REGULAR MEETING CALLED TO ORDER BY CARR @ 2:01 P.M.
Board may, at any time, recess the Regular Session to convene an Executive Session at the request of
the President, a Board Member, the Assistant City Manager, City Council Member, or legal counsel for
any purpose authorized by the Open Meetings Act, Texas Government Code Chapter 551, and are
subject to action in the Regular Session that follo ws
A. Discussion and possible action on current and future GTEC agenda items. Henry Carr
Discussion: Carr presented item. There had been a request by a board member to discuss
poperty owner assessments. Carr said he went to the City Attorney, City Manager, and
Director of Finance about whether or not we should discuss this since we previously discus sed
some of this in October 2004. Their opinion was to not discuss this.
They recommended this is the business of the full City Council and the newly formed
Transportation Advisory Board.
Action: None
Moved to Item "C"
C. Consideration and approval of the minutes from the regular meeting held May 18, 2005.
Paul Brandenburg
Discussion: None
Action: Motion by Sansing, seconded by Savage to approve the minutes as written.
Approved 7-0
D. Discussion and possible action regarding the Projec t Progress Report and timelines
(including but not limited to items listed). Joel Weaver
Discussion: Benz presented the item.
Tasus Way: The repair of the asphalt is done and it passed inspection. This project is now
completed. Road is still closed to traffic. Once the facilities open the road will be opened.
Southeast Arterial 1: Main focus is working with the property owners and doing the Right of Way
research.
SH29 to Rivery: Engineering is about 85% complete and still working on the Right of Way issues.
Suddeth Drive: Engineering was competed in Sept. 2004. Everything is ready to bid but we are
waiting on the county to begin work. We want to coordinate our start with their construction.
State Highway 29 Project: This is a TxDot project and is on schedule.
Southwest bypass: Field work is complete. Documents will be ready for submittal by the
end of July 2005.
Action: None
E. Presentation of Georgetown Transportation Enhancement Corporation monthly financial
report for May 2005. Micki Rundell
Discussion: Brewer presented item. Very high sales tax in March appears to be due to
unusual building material purchases. April sales tax numbers are relatively flat.Out going
funds were mainly for engineering. Brewer also wanted to report that our Bond proceeds
came in.
Action: None
F. Discussion and possible action to determine project eligibility for downtown economic
development projects. Edward G. Polasek, AICP
Discussion: Polasek presented item. These projects are not part of the TIP process.
Action: Motion by Snell, seconded by Boecker, that the Georgetown Transportation
Enhancement
Board, following guidelines provided by the City Attorney, finds Transportation Projects numbered
DT1-River Place, DT2-400 Main Street, DT3-500 S. Austin Ave. & DT4-1102 S. Austin Ave.,
eligible for 4B funding, because each of them: (1) conforms to the ballot language establishing
the sales tax; (2) constitutes one or more costs authorized by statute; and (3) is one or more of
the types of project authorized by stature, documents by the GTEC Board Ranking of Eligibility:
Ranking Summary completed June 2005.
Discussion: Boecker stated that he feels that the reserve fund is for emergency type projects.
That would be projects that we are going to lose in the city if we cannot fund them for economic
development purposes. He stated that these four projects should not come out of our reserve,
they should, instead, come out of our regular funding.
Approved 7-0
G. Discussion and possible action regarding the adoption of the proposed GTEC project list
for 2005/06, along with the related revenues to support the 2005/06 GTEC project list.
Laurie Brewer/Micki Rundell
Discussion: Carr presented the item. Informed the group that there were several people, from
the public, that wanted to address the board about this item. Carr reminded everyone that the
project list is fixed - this list was set at the last meeting. Carr went through the individual project
list so everyone would know what the projects are. Carr stated that we are, today, trying to
allocate the funding for the list of projects, over the next five years. Year 1 would eventually be a
budget recommendation to Council and Years 2 through 5 woudl be for planning purposes only,
not a firm budget.
To do this, we will go around the table to each board member to see how they recommend
allocating the funds. Then we will make a motion, and then make possible amendments, if
needed. At this point, each Board member individually stated their input or opinion about
spending the funds and some members recommended specific example recommendations
or the group of approved projects.
Upon questioning by Carr, staff members stated that with the addition of the Southwest
Loop from SH 29 to Leander Road, the truck traffic on Leander Road should actually
decrease instead of increase along the portion of Leander between IH 35 and the SW Loop
intersection with Leander. Staff stated it should be more attractive to truckers going in our out
of the quarry or going to/from Parmer Lane to use the loop to travel to/from the Northern areas.
No changes would be expected fro trucks coming or going to the South toward Austin.
At this time Carr opened the meeting to the public wishing to address the GTEC Board. Carr
stated that the purpose was for public "comments" and that speakers had three minutes each
to speak and the Board could not answer any direct questions.
1. Keith Brainard - River Ridge III: "I am here to express my opposition to the financing &
construction of project #14b. I am not opposed to the construction of the entire segment
from SH 29 to IH 35, however in my view, constructing only half of it, from SH 29 to
RR 2243, is going to increase truck traffic, not only in my neighborhood but in several
other neighborhoods, also past several schools. This will clog even more of the
intersection of Leander Road and IH 35. I don't see how this project by it self, that is
the extension only to 2243 represents an economic development project. The entirety
I can understand representing economic development, but only half of it to me does not
meet that standard. I adamantly opposed the construction of only this segment. Based
on the conversation, that I heard here today, it seems to me, that at a minimum, we need
a lot more information about traffic flow and traffic patterns. Traffic really has increased
on 2243 since Parmer Lane extension opened last year, especially truck traffic that
appears to be using 2243 as a short cut to IH 35. Construction of just this segment,
as far as I can tell, is only going to increase the truck traffic right along a num ber of
these neighborhood and at least two schools."
2. Patti Pondrom - River Ridge III HOA: "I was very interested in the meeting today
because it really underscores a lot of the problems that we have. We in that area,
are not at all interested in stopping the Southwest Loop (Bypass) at 2243, that will only
cause us problems. Think about what you were saying today - Wow we got problems on
Williams Dr. lets dump them on 2243. We have problems on 29 lets take those trucks
and send them down 2243. That is not a solution! You are taking the Old Town problem
and moving it to 2243. What we want is for you to consider the entire loop from 29 to
I35. You are absolutely correct, I was at the Planning and Zoning meeting, the Weir
Charitable Trust, has big plans for that property south of 2243. One of the representatives
told me that the Texas Crushed Stone lease is up in 2008. So you have two and half
years and you can get in there. I can not imagine that the Weir Trust would have an y
problems assisting you with accessing that land in any way they can, because their
development project is huge. It is really going to really change the face of Georgetown,
their two projects North and South of 2243 are the largest development projects we
have had so far. I think you have to consider our quadrant of the city, I don't think you
are doing that, you are selling us short, your not protecting the citizens down 2243 or
the school children."
3. Helen Zanetti - Whitetail: "I agree with the two River Ridge people who have spoken
I don't live in Georgetown, but I use to work in Georgetown. I was a school librarian and
worked with Georgetown students mostly who were from the south area of the City. All
of this is very complex but you must consider, especially, those students & homeowners
who are in the south part. Their lives literally are going to be affected and endangered by
just taking the road through Leander Rd to I35 and just saying well we c an't do anything
else. She just mentioned to you a grand opportunity to get in there and someone else
who is part of your staff said "This isn't going to happen in geological time, this is
happening now". There already has been an accident with a school student, very
recently, and if that traffic increasing, you are going to see more of the same and worse.
You have got to act now."
4. Deborah Gernes - Riverview Estates HOA: "I live in the Riverview Estates area that is
right next to the River Ridge III neighborhood - off of Leander Road. I would like to add
my
voice to those people that were speaking here today. There is added truck traffic to
Leander Road. With the completion of Parmer Road we already have experienced the
increase of truck traffic, and we already had the truck traffic from the quarry. I think that
the objections that were voiced by Mr. Brainard and these two ladies, are valid ones.
Doing the two projects piece meal will only get the trucks onto Leander Road going out
to I35 - there is no where else for them to go - that this project 14b is done without 14c,
that's were they are going to go and we are going to have a problem there, especially in
the school area that is at the end of the development right o ut to I35."
"Please let me confirm what I heard today about the widening of Leander Road. This will
be five lanes all the way down to 183, did you say that Sir?" Answered by Miller: "No I did
not. There will be shoulder widening. They will be adding shoulders starting in December.
In '07 they will take five lanes for approximately 1000' past were we are looking at bring in
Southwest Bypass crossing on 2243." Gernes: "So by that time 14b will be completed?"
Ans. by Miller: "No, it won't be started by then." Gernes:"Ok, so you are starting 14b in
'08?" Ans. by Miller: "Presumably, by the schedule that Southwest Bypass is on it would
be 18 months by the time they would have this engineered." Gernes: "I think what we all
are say is that we are opposed to this project unless you do it all. Are there any plans for
traffic lights anywhere? It alreadyis very difficult to get out from our neighborhood onto
Leander Road because of truck traffic."
Action: Motion by Snell, seconded by Savage, to adopt Carr's strawman of the proposed GTEC
Board Five Year TIP.
Amendment to the motion by Boecker to discuss each project individually. NO SECOND,
Amendment fails.
Amendment to the motion by Sansing, seconded by Snell, to change project 12-Arterial SE1
from 05/06 $7,326,000 to 05/06 $2,800,000, 06/07 $4,000,000, 07/08 $526,000.
Amendment Approved 6-0 (Kirby absent)
Amendment to the Motion by Snell, seconded by Sansing, to change project 14a -South West
Inner Loop from 05/06 $600,000, 06/07 $1,500,000 to 05/06 $1,050,000, 06/07 $1,050,000
and change project 14b-Southwest Bypass from 05/06 $885,000, 06/07 $ 2,000,000, 07/08
$1,750,000 to 05/06 2,318,00, 06/07 $2,317,000.
Amendment Approved 6-0 (Kirby absent)
Action: Motion by Snell, seconded by Savage, to approve the five year TIP with stated
amendments.
Approved: 5-1 (Kirby absent, Boecker opposed) ** See attachment "A" for the updated TIP
Action: Motion by Snell, seconded by Savage, to include projects DT1-Rivery Place,
DT2-400 Main Street, & DT4-1102 S. Austin Ave. into the 05/06 project list and the GTEC
budget which totals $264,000.00.
Approved 6-0 (Kirby absent)
H. Discussion and possible action regarding amending the 2004-05 GTEC Budget and
setting a public hearing. Micki Rundell
Discussion: Brewer presented item. On the two projects that were adopted in the current
year TIP - IH 35 Frontage Road improvements and SH 29 & CR 265 improvements. Total
cost for the two projects $10.5 million. We would also like to set a public hearing for
July 12, 2005 @ 5:30 prior to the Council meeting.
Action: Motion by Savage, seconded by Sansing to amend the 2004/05 GTEC Budget and set
the public hearing for July 12, 2005 @ 5:30 p.m.
Amend motion by Snell seconded by Sansing, to fund DT3-500 S. Austin Ave Project in the
amount $506,000.00, from the reserve fund contingent upon the development agreement be
approved by the City Council.
Approved 6-0 (Kirby absent)
Moved to item B
EXECUTIVE SESSION: Call to Order
EXECUTIVE SESSION CALLED TO ORDER BY CARR @ 4:05 P.M.
In compliance with the Open Meetings Act, Chapter 551, Government Code, Vernon ’s Texas Codes,
Annotated, the items listed below will be discussed in closed session and are subject to action in the
regular session that follows.
Section 551.087 Deliberation Regarding Economic Development Negotiations
B. Discussion of commercial or financial information that the City has received from a business
prospect that seeks to locate, stay, or expand in or near the City, and to deliberate any offers of
financial or other incentives to the business prospect. Mark Thomas
Discussion: On Tape
Return to Regular Session
Returned to Regular Session @ 4:29 p.m.
Action from Executive Session (if needed)
B. Action: Motion by Sansing, seconded by Savage, to suspend the rules and reconsider
Item "G" .
Approved 6-0 (Kirby absent)
Motion by Sansing, seconded by Boecker, to reconsider Item "G".
Approved 6-0 (Kirby absent)
Motion by Snell, seconded by Sansing, that we add 2004/05 budget, funds for the Park Central
Blvd. in the amount of $550,000.00.
Approved 6-0 (Kirby absent)
Motion by Sansing, seconded by Salazar, to adjourn
Approved 6-0 (Kirby absent)
Meeting adjourned @ 4:33 p.m.
Adjournment
The meeting was adjourned at 04:33 PM.
Approved : Attest:
_______________________ ________________________
Henry Carr - President Farley Snell - Secretary