8/14/2008 Work Session Minutes - Part 1 COUNCIL PRESENT: Figueras, Bruner, Wangemann, Dunagan, Hamrick STAFF PRESENT: Shuler, Padgett, Palmour, Jordan Mayor Figueras called the meeting to order by commenting on the Rooster Booster publication. COMMUNITY ISSUE: Update: Keep Hall Beautiful Keep Hall Beautiful Director Cindy Reed used a power point presentation to share information about activities that have occurred since March. The presentation included discussion about the Arbor Day Celebration, the Home & Garden Expo, the Spring Chicken Festival and various clean-up projects. She also provided statistical information regarding cleanup efforts during the first half of the year and shared information about future projects. Council Member Wangemann expressed a desire to get businesses more involved. He also asked about placing recycling containers at Lanier Point Softball Complex. Council Member Bruner expressed a desire for Gainesville to transition to a Green City. She requested information from the Georgia Municipal Association about Green City Programs and encouraged departments to be more involved and to lead by example. She also volunteered to be the point of contact for this project. City Manager Bryan Shuler stated staff would need to talk with BFI Waste Services (formerly Allied Waste Services) to develop a plan for business pickup. Council Member Wangemann announced plans to visit the Banks County landfill/recycling center in the next few days. Council was invited to attend. Council Member Bruner commented on the popularity of the recycling trailer and thought it may be necessary to pursue securing another trailer. There was discussion indicating the Hall County Commissioners were trying to get one. Seasons on Lanier Request John Snyder spoke on behalf of Seasons on Lanier indicating the sale was done and it was time to move on noting the residents wanted to be good citizens. There was one issue remaining regarding the RaceTrac property in that no one knows the procedure regarding the money to be designated for city infrastructure. Mr. Snyder stated the City has nothing to care for in a gated community and proposed placing the money in a long-term contingency fund for road improvements with the City’s approval. (He clarified the intent was to use the money for road improvements after the developer was gone.) City Manager Bryan Shuler stated the developer approached the City regarding money for infrastructure. The money was really a business decision on the developer’s part. There was no condition in the zoning request related to this money so the City did not intend to direct its use. Mr. Shuler felt the request might be a viable option and felt discussion should occur between the Homeowners Association and the developer. Mr. Snyder requested a letter of support from the City. PUBLIC WORKS ISSUE: Presentation: Flat Creek Watershed Improvement Plan Assistant Public Works Director David Dockery stated the presentation was designed to give an update on the Flat Creek Watershed Improvement Plan. A meeting was scheduled for Tuesday, August 26th to present the plan to the public. Betsy Massie, CH2M HILL, stated she would provide an overview of what had been done in the last 18 months. Highlights from the presentation were noted as follows: • Flat Creek was identified as being impaired in multiple studies. • The City is required to comply with multiple regulations and to identify the best approaches to improve physical stream conditions. • A watershed assessment was completed and the findings were presented during a public meeting. • The project was prioritized based on two categories: stream restoration projects and the best management practices retrofit projects. • The next steps were identified as follows: continue to prevent pollutants from entering the stream; use the Watershed Improvement Plan document as a reference tool; select projects based on current feasibility, funding and implementation constraints; ensure project implementation complies with regulatory requirements; and apply for federal funding. Council Member Bruner asked about the City’s plan to comply with stormwater requirements. RECESS: 9:55 AM RECONVENE: 10:00 AM PRESENTATION: Update: Public Safety Facility Assistant City Manager Kip Padgett introduced representatives from Heery International noting they had been working on the design plan for the new Public Safety Facility. He provided an overview of what had occurred to date and acquainted Council with aspects of the conceptual plan. He briefly discussed the possibility of having a multi-functional courtroom that could be used for Council Meetings, Planning and Appeals Board meetings and Historic Preservation Commission meetings. Mr. Padgett shared the design layout indicating there was an opportunity for future expansion up to 30,000 square feet. A portion of Pine Street would be closed to create an aesthetically pleasing pedestrian friendly walkway. The Project Construction Team was evaluating the demolition of some houses in the area. Mike Tomy and other representatives from Heery International discussed the building design. Renderings were shown regarding the expected appearance of the building and plaza. It was noted there would be a secured single point of entry. Mr. Padgett stated Heery had been approached and was willing to amend the contract to include a project design for Fire Station 1 and Fire Administration. The price was $374,000 with a 10% contingency. It was believed that the two sites could be constructed at the same time. Mr. Padgett asked Council to consider placing a resolution on the agenda to amend the contract. Placed on the August 19, 2008 Council Meeting Consent Agenda PUBLIC UTILITIES ISSUE: Project Resolution: 2008 Water/Wastewater Rate Differential Study Utilities Engineer & Planning Division Manager Mak Yari stated the proposed resolution authorized staff to proceed with a water/wastewater rate differential study noting the original study was conducted in May 1999 and there had been three updates since then. Raftelis Financial Consultants, Inc. had provided a scope of services and engagement letter outlining the work to be performed at a cost of $69,830. The work was to be completed in October 2008 to allow the findings to be incorporated into the Public Utilities Department Retreat discussions. After some discussion, Public Utilities Director Kelly Randall stated the differential study was revenue neutral and did not create avenues for generating more revenue. Placed on the August 19, 2008 Council Meeting Consent Agenda