HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes_GTAB-CIAC IMPACT_12.11.2020Minutes of the Meeting for the
Georgetown Transportation Advisory Board -- CAPITAL IMPROVEMENTS
ADVISORY COMMITTEE
of the City of Georgetown
December, 11, 2020 at 8:30AM
at VIRTUAL
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Georgetown Transportation Advisory Board - Capital Improvements
Advisory Committee Members: Sheila Mills - Chair, Dan Jones - Vice Chair,
Bryan Hutchinson - Secretary, Ercel Brashear, George Brown, James
11 ougnon, Michael Miles, Robert Redoutey,Angela Newman, John Tatum,
Stephen Ashlock, Adib Khoury
Consistent with Governor Greg Abbott's suspension ofvarious provisions of
the Open Meetings Act, effective August 1, 2020 and until further notice, to
reduce the chance ofCOVID-19 transmission, all City of Georgetown
Advisory Board Committee meetings will be held virtually. Public comment
will be allowed via teleconference; no one will be allowed to appear in
person.
To participate:
To join from a PC, Mac, Wad, Whone or Android device please click this
URL:
httus://georgetowntx.zoom.us/i/95770617749?
Passcode: 952483
Description: GTAB — Capital Improvements Advisory (Impact Fee)
Committee meeting
Or join by phone:
Dial(for higher quality, dial a number based on your current location):
US : +1346 248 7799 or +1669 900 6833 or +1253 215 8782 or
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888 475 4499 (Toll Free) or 833 548 0276 (Toll Free) or 833 548 0282
(Toll Free) or 877 853 5257 (TollFree)
Webinar ID: 957 7061 7749
Passcode: 952483
Citizen comments are accepted in three different formats:
1. Submit written comments to Sheila.mitchell@georgetown.org by
12:00p.m. the day prior to the date ofthe meeting and the Recording
Secretary will read your comments into the recording during the item
that is being discussed.
2. Log onto the meeting at the link above and "raise your hand" during the
item.
3. Use your home/mobile phone to call the toll -free number.
To join a Zoom meeting, click on the link provided and j oin as an attendee.
You will be asked to enter your name and email address (this is so we can
identify you when you are called upon). To speak on an item, click on the
"Raise your Hand" option at the bottom of the Zoom meeting webpage once
that item has opened. When you are called upon by the Recording Secretary,
your device will be remotely un-muted by the Administrator and you may
speak for three minutes. Please state your name clearly, and when your time
is over, your device will be muted again. Use of profanity, threatening
language, slanderous remarks orthreats ofharm are not allowed andwill
result in your being immediately removed from the meeting.
Present: Sheila Mills — Chair, Dan Jones, Vice Chair, Ercel Brashear, George Brown, James
"Jim" Hougnon, Bryan Hutchinson - Secretary, Michael Miles, Robert Redoutey, John Tatum,
Stephen Ashlock, Adib Khoury (joined at 8:40am), Angela Newman (joined at 8:49am)
Absent: None
Staff. Wesley Wright, Nathan Parras, Ray Miller (joined at 8:36am), Wayne Reed (joined at
8:44am), Sheila Mitchell
Visitors: Jake Gutekunst — Kimley-Horn and Associates; citizen: David Glenn
Regular Session
(This Regular Session may, at any time, be recessed to convene an Executive Session for any purpose
authorized by the Open Meetings Act, Texas Government Code 551.)
A Call to Order — Called to order at 8:33am by Dan Jones, Vice Chair
Moved ahead to item C and returned to item B
B Discussion on howthe "Virtual' conference willbe conducted, including options for public comments
and how the public may address the Committee. -- Wesley Wright, P.E., Systems Engineering Director
Wright reviewed virtual etiquette regarding microphones, muting/unmuting, please speak
individually, and use "raise hand feature". Wright welcomed questions from committee as
well as the public during the presentations. He noted if questions from the public are asked
during the presentations, they may be addressed later, during public comment time later
during the meeting. He also provided his contact information to contact him after the
meeting, if needed; Wesley. W i-ightAcort ctown.org. He thanked everyone for time given
to this important topic for the City. Wright noted recording will be available following the
meeting, can be sent out upon request and will also be uploaded to the Impact Fee webpage
on the City website at 11ttps://trans1)ortation.peot,petown.oi-/impact-fees/ . Wright reviewed
what the committee has covered in prior meetings to this point. He noted future timeline
and next meeting on January 8, 2021. Wright noted Ray Miller, Public Works Director had
also joined the meeting.
C Introduction of Staff & Visitors — Dan Jones, Vice Chair
Wright introduced himself, Director of Engineering; Sheila Mitchell, Committee Liaison;
Nathan Parras, Assistant Finance and Budget Director; Jake Gutekunst, Consulting
Engineer/Impact Fee Specialist; and noted Wayne Reed, Assistant City Manager would also be
joining soon. Also present was citizen David Glenn, Director of Government Relations for
Home Builders Association of Greater Austin. Wright asked and Mitchell called role for
Committee members, noting a quorum was present at start of meeting.
Returned to item B and then moved on to item D
D Consideration and possible action to approve the November 13, 2020 minutes of the
Capital Improvements Advisory Committee meeting. -- Sheila K. Mitchell, Committee
Liaison
No discussion. Motion by Jones, seconded by Brown, to approve the
November 13, 2020 minutes of the Capital Improvements Advisory Committee
meetings. Approved 11-0-1 (Newman absent during vote)
E Public Wishing to Address the Committee. —Dan Jones, Vice Chair
Wright reminded those on the virtual meeting they were welcome to interrupt and ask questions
at any time during the presentation. He officially opened the floor for any public comment.
David Glenn, Director of Government Relations with Homebuilders Association of Greater
Austin requested to comment. Glenn thanked Wright and staff for presenting a webinar to their
association the prior week. He reviewed the key priorities of the HBAGA regarding rate
considerations: 1. uniform fee; 2. implementation period; 3. grandfathering projects in process.
They have recently worked with cities of Round Rock, Pflugerville and Austin. They are happy
to be used as a resource for information during the city of Georgetown's consideration and
review of impact fees. Wright thanked Glenn for his comments and will continue to work with
his group and the development community for their feedback and input during this process.
No other public comment heard at that time.
F Presentation, discussion and possible recommendation on the Impact Fee Study and Implementation
Policies. -- Wesley Wright, P.E., Systems Engineering Director
PLEASE NOTE: Items not covered on the posted agenda willbe discussed and/or acted upon at the
next scheduled meeting of the committee.
Wright noted committee would continue to work through the Draft Study (report) and review
the presentation. He stated no action was expected of the committee at this meeting, unless
they reached a point ready to take action. He introduced Gutekunst who reviewed presentation
included in the agenda packet. Gutekunst stated committee will review some comparison
developments and dig into the policy decision framework of the process; what would be
appropriate fees and implementation of roll out. He noted the committee members would
participate in an online live polling activity and policy discussion, via they mobile phone or
online links provided during the poll. He reviewed some sample developments, both
residential and commercial, in various cities (information included in the packet/presentation),
noting numbers for Austin needed to be updated, as they just passed their impact fees the
night prior to today's committee meeting. Mills asked and Gutekunst reviewed grace periods
for some of the cities included in the presentation. Gutekunst reviewed the example Collection
Rate comparisons in the presentation. He reviewed the various service areas of Georgetown.
Jones asked and Gutekunst confirmed there are 7 service areas for Georgetown where fees can
be assessed; there are 2 additional service areas that do not meet those requirements; a total of
9 areas. The 9 service areas are approved by Council. The impact fee process is required by
state law. Fees can vary in each area. Jones asked and Gutekunst replied that staff and
accounting will monitor and administer the fees. He noted the committee would meet
periodically to receive reports on status of the fee process and could make recommendations
to Council if anything in the process needs to be revised. Tatum thanked Gutekunst for
preparing all of the detailed information. Tatum noted due to the large volume of information
given to the committee, he would like to make sure the committee feels they have ample time
to digest all of the scenarios and give proper thought and attention to be able to make
recommendations and stay within the timelines, without feeling rushed to make a
recommendation. Wright agreed there are a lot of decisions to make and felt once the
committee participated in the poll, there would be a better consensus on where the committee
stands and be able to work toward their recommendations. He noted the committee can be
given ample time needed to feel comfortable in their recommendations. Brashear commented
on concerns of how much of the growth should the development community pay?; what is the
right portion? Who pays balance? Does the remainder get picked up by the rest of the
community? Gutekunst noted bonds and application for grant funding are some other options;
otherwise, roads do not always get built if funding for gap isn't met. Wright felt Brashear
presented a good summary of what the committee is currently working through. He noted
some funds have come from GTEC (Georgetown Transportation Enhancement Corporation)
for road construction, collected from sales tax revenue. Hougnon asked and Wright responded
regarding total burden on developers; noting the largest cost is currently our water and
wastewater impact fees, however overall costs vary depending on project and needs. Reed
confirmed Wright's comments regarding the impact fees. He noted the development
community has a good relationship with the city of Georgetown, working through timing and
any issues, working together as partners in the process. He feels Transportation Impact Fees
provide more predictability and create a fairness for everyone involved, which is a better
process than TIA's (Transportation Impact Analysis). He noted the committee has a dynamic
decision to make on the fee process and any fees in the designated service areas, noting
Council will consider committee and board recommendations and will make the final
determination. Tatum mentioned a recent Electric flat rate just implemented by the city. He
asked even if maximum transportation impact fees are charged, would 100% of the CIP
projects be built or is that feasible? He agreed the development community does have a really
good working relationship with the city. Some further discussion continued, and Wright
commented regarding the electric fee (not necessarily for every lot; each lot is different) and
collection time has been changed. He noted he felt every CIP project can be done and
completed. He noted city is also working on a 5-year bond program. Gutekunst noted
sometimes the development community builds some of the infrastructure they need
immediately and works in partnership with the city to complete. Ashlock commented on the
various fees developers are charged, have an impact on home prices. Georgetown's fees are
comparable to surrounding areas. He feels varying fees are important based on service areas
and their needs.
The committee took a brief break at 9:45am and reconvened at 9:5lam.
Wright turned activities over to Gutekunst for committee members to participate in online live
poll questions covering the topics of Effective Date, Collection Rate and Other
Considerations. Instant results were reviewed, and discussion occurred allowing members to
share comments, concerns or questions, if they chose, on each poll question. Brown notified
Chair and Gutekunst he would be departing meeting around 10:30am for another appointment.
Ashlock notified Wright and Gutekunst he would be departing at 11:OOam for another
appointment. Video/Audio connection was lost with Gutekunst from 11:08am and
reconnected again at 11:1Oam. Tatum notified Wright he would be departing just prior to
adjournment for an appointment with the city's Planning Department. Discussion on poll
questions continued. Gutekunst stated a summary would be sent out to the committee of all
polling results well in advance of the next meeting so committee has time to review. Wright
informed committee we would be posting an early agenda prior to the holidays to allow ample
time for committee to review all information and prepare for the January meeting. He noted
the intent for the committee to ultimately make recommendations from the January 8th
meeting, to council for consideration at their January 12th meeting. However, if the committee
needs additional time, then it will be given. Stakeholder meetings will continue during this
process. Timeline shows in January, Council will set a Public Hearing date to adopt the Study
and also to consider a possible recommendation from the Committee of an Ordinance for
collection rate and other policies. No further discussion.
Wright thanked everyone for their questions and comments as well as their extra time today
and reminded the GTAB members there was not a regular GTAB board meeting today
following the committee meeting. No further discussion.
Adjournment
Motion by Jones, seconded by Hutchinson to adjourn. Meeting adjourned at 11:29AM.
Sheila K. Mitch 1, Committee Liaison