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164. Regular Meeting August 14,2000 Page 6 towards a TIP Grant application by San Marcos Consolidated Independent School District, for replacement computers at the San Marcos Public Library. Mr. Cox moved for approval of the Grant in the amount $3864.00 and Mr. Moseley seconded the motion. Mr. Mayhew asked ifit was going to be okay since we have passed the August 8, 2000 deadline. Mr. Gilley stated yes. Mr. Moseley stated this was good leverage of money and likes the City to participate in this kind of grant. Ms. Hughson asked if there is any Library Budget money and Mr. Gilley stated no. The Council then voted unanimously for the approval of the expenditure. Mayor Chiu introduced a discussion regarding the Downtown Streetscape Improvements Project and direction to staff. Rodney Cobb, Director of Parks and Recreation introduced Mike Beaty, to discuss where we are on the project. Mr. Beaty, of Beaty-Saunders Architectural stated the Streetscape which involves LBJ, Guadalupe, Hopkins, and part of San Antonio street is a complicated project. The project has been in the design phase for two years with lots of communication with businesses downtown. The Texas Historic Commission has the design. Three bids were received and were fifteen percent over the City's funding for project. To reduce costs, we could delete one of the three street frontages and the reduction would make it easier for contractors to build faster, which would avoid problems that have occurred in the past. Mr. Gilley stated the Council has options: to reduce the scope of the project and rebid, or the Council could choose to increase funds by $350,000. This amount is not enough to justify issuing bonds. The City could use limited tax notes which are short tenn notes not to exceed seven years, and this could probably be done locally. Another option would be to issue funds from reserves and then do a reimbursement agreement when the City goes to bond market again within eighteen months. Mr. Moseley asked if the reimbursement agreement would affect the bond ratings and Mr. Gilley stated no. Mr. Moseley asked if the Texas Historic Commission has funds available and Mr. Beaty stated he did not have expertise to answer that type of question. Mr. Moseley asked what could assure us we will not be in the same position of the project time frame running over in Phase I. Mr. Beaty stated we have done a very detailed set of plans working in front of stores six to eight feet, then filling in with as little down time as possible, completing in front of the businesses by sequence. Mr. Moseley asked if parking was going to be a problem. Mr. Beaty stated yes, it will be impacted temporarily. Mr. Cox inquired which method provides the most savings. Mr. Gilley stated the reimbursement method can be done by Resolution and the City would have eighteen months to reimburse this expenditure. He advised that would be the simplest process. Ms. Hughson asked where the funds would come from and Mr. Gilley stated fund balance. It was consensus to proceed with the Reimbursement Agreement and explore and seek grant funds. Mayor Chiu introduced a discussion regarding a presentation by SMCISD regarding the Tax Ceiling Election to be held on August 26, 2000. Hector Montenegro, Superintendent of SMCISD introduced Lupe Costilla, Jim Neuhaus, and Kent Morrison. Mr. Montenegro stated he want to keep people infonned of the Tax Ceiling Election and the consequences if the ballot proposition fails. He stated ifnot passed, it would probably reduce staff and also eliminate same school programs between now and December. He stated this would not raise the taxes, but sets a ceiling on tax to cover growth in the schools. There will be an Infonnation Session for the public on Tuesday, August 15, 2000 at the Meeting Place and another on August 22, 2000 at the Activity Center. Ms. Hughson asked is $1.50 is the maximum allowed and Mr. Montenegro stated yes. Mr. Montenegro stated they are making a plea to keep citizens informed and are not asking for support. The ability to go to $1.50 will be to take care of growth as it occurs. Mayor Chiu introduced a discussion regarding training for the City Council on the Policy Governance Model. Mr. Moseley stated Council needs to come to consensus to move forward and he would like to see Council follow through. He stated citizens are concerned how the Council conducts business. Ms. Tatum stated training was very beneficial, and she would like to see the Council pursue this. Ms. Hughson stated she liked certain parts of the plan but thinks the citizens expect the Council to be involved at a greater level than the Carver Model. She thought there were some good points the Council could use, but she does not want to go with the whole Carver Model Mr. Cox stated he had some reservations, and he talked with the Mayor of PIano who said they did not discard the plan and stated the Council does not have to go with all the Carver plan. The Council can adopt what is appropriate for us. Mr. Cox stated he wanted to move forward and adopt what would work for the Council. Mr. Moseley stated the Carver Policy said we can adopt what works for the Council. Ms. Hughson stated she liked how they deal with long range issues. Mr. Gilley stated to continue the program and facilitation, he would need to schedule a two day workshop with Mike Conduff, and the Council agreed to pursue this.