=CITY OF AUSTIN, TEXAS MINUTES OF THE CITY COUNCIL CITY OF AUSTIN, TEXAS Special Called Meeting January 03, 1978 7:00 Ρ.Μ. Council Chambers 301 West Second Street Roll Call: The meeting was called to order with Mayor McClellan presiding. Present: Mayor McClellan, Councilmembers Cooke, Goodman, Mayor Pro Tem Himmelblau, Councilmembers Mullen, Snell, Trevino Absent: None PUBLIC HEARING ON BOARDS AND COMMISSIONS Mayor McClellan stated that there would be a Special Called Meeting for the purpose of conducting a Public Hearing on Boards and Commissions in compliance with the recently adopted Sunset Ordinance which requires a review of the Boards and Commissions between November 1 and February 1 of each year, with the Council making a decision to continue, modify or terminate each of the Boards or Commissions. Mayor McClellan then read Section 1.05, Ordinance No. 770707-J which is the Criteria for Review of Boards and Commissions. (a) An identification of the objectives intended for the commission and the problems or needs which the commission was intended to address, and the extent to which the objectives have been achieved. (b) The extent to which the commission is needed and is used. (c) The efficiency with which the commission operates. (d) The promptness and effectiveness with which the commission disposes of its business. ☑ CITY OF AUSTIN, TEXAS- January 3, 1978 (e) The extent to which the jurisdiction of the commission overlaps or duplicates the jurisdiction of other commissions and the extent to which the functions of the commission can be consolidated with the functions of other commissions. (f) The cost of operating the commission. (g) An assessment of less restrictive or other alternative methods of performing any function of the commission which could adequately protect the public. (h) The impact in terms of Federal intervention or loss of Federal funds if the commission is abolished. JOINT LEGISLATIVE COMMITTEE Mayor McClellan stated that she recommended abolishing the Committee and creating a new committee which would function effectively prior to the 1979 legislative session. TOWN LAKE COMMITTEE Mayor McClellan stated that the Committee recommended its abolishment two years ago and that the recommendation still remained. LIBRARY COMMISSION MR. FRED SACKETT, Chairman of the Commission, recommended keeping Commission membership at 15 members. He also recommended overlapping threeyear terms, with five members being appointed each year. JACKIE DAVIS, a member of the Library Commission, supported the staggered terms concept and presented some information as to how other cities handled the matter. AIRPORT MASTER PLAN STUDY COMMITTEE MR. DICK HODGKINS, Chairman of the Committee, told the Council that the Committee was only half through with its work. He pointed out that the joint-use agreement has still not been worked out with the Department of Defense. Mr. Hodgkins indicated that there were still many problems existing with the airport, especially with regard to safety. Mr. Hodgkins further stated that any kind of deal worked out with the Department of Defense would probably have to be done in a back-room fashion. Ile felt, however, that the Department of Defense should be approached within the next 45-60 days. City Manager, Dan Davidson, agreed. He asked that the Committee be allowed to continue its work because of its importance and the fact that it incurred the least budget expense of any other board or commission. Mayor Pro Tem Himmelblau indicated that she was in favor of retaining the Committee. In response to a question from Councilmember Cooke, Mr. Hodgkins read the agenda of Committee actions taken over the last couple of years. January 3, 1978 CITY OF AUSTIN, TEXAS AIRPORT ZONING BOARD MR. JOE MANOR stated that the purpose of the Board is to pass legislation governing clearance, hazards and glide paths. He stated that the Board was composed of two members representing the City of Austin, two members representing Travis County and a Chairperson. ARTS COMMISSION MR. AL GOLDEN, Chairperson of the Arts Commission, told the Council that they wanted the Commission expanded by two members so that the Chairman and the Vice-Chairman do not represent an artistic discipline. He stated that since the Chair and Vice-Chair positions will be vacated in August, they wanted the Council to appoint two new persons for those positions from members whose terms did not expire until the following year, and appoint two more members to fill those vacancies. Mr. Golden stated that the Commission unanimously voted to have Laguna Gloria Art Museum, the Historical Society and the Austin Symphony Orchestra as ex-officio members of the Commission and to further add Zachary Scott Theatre Center and the Austin Heritage Society as ex-officio members. He also stated that literary representation was lacking on the Commission. NAVIGATION BOARD MR. CONRAD FATH, Chairperson of the Navigation Board, told the Council that the Board was only empowered to make recommendations to the Council and that they had no power of enforcement. He pointed out that enforcement of recommendation made by the Navigation Board is usually passed on the Parks Board. Mr. Fath indicated that they ran into problems with the Building Inspection Department with regard to structures that are placed on the lake. MR. BILL KNOWLES, a member of the Navigation Board, told the Council that should the Navigation Board be merged with the Parks Board, there should be people on the Board who are knowledgeable of water. Mr. Fath pointed out there are persons in Austin who belong to organizations such as the Coast Guard Auxiliary and Power Squadron who could qualify for board positions. Councilmember Snell felt that it was discriminating to limit membership on the Board to only persons with a knowledge of water. He stated that work sessions could be held to inform members on matters of technical nature. PARKS AND RECREATION BOARD (PARD) MR. BARRETT GARRISON, Vice-Chairperson of the Parks Board, told the Council that they were currently holding two Board meetings per month. He did not feel that it would be necessary to enlarge the Board. The recommendation of the Parks Board is that its membership remain at eleven. MS. JANET STOCKARD, a member of the Parks Board, told the Council that they were anxious to assume some of the responsibilities of the Navigation Board and that they were already involved in the Town Lake beautification project. She stated, however, that they did not really duplicate any of the functions of the Environmental Board and that they did not have the environmental expertise that is present on that Board. She stated that since half of the Board will be re-appointed this year, persons with experience in boating could be positioned on the Board at that time. Ms. Stockard indicated that there needed to be more minority representation on the Board. CITY OF AUSTIN, TEXAS January 3, 1978 BUILDING CODE BOARD OF APPEALS MR. CHARLES MORTON, a member of the Board, told the Council that the Board is currently composed of five members. He said that the Board meets on a monthly basis with the exception of variances. Mayor McClellan indicated that there had been a recommendation to increase the Board to seven, rather than five members. Mr. Lonnie Davis, Director of the Building Inspection Department, indicated that this was correct. BUILDING STANDARDS COMMISSION MR. LONNIE DAVIS told the Council that the make-up of the Commission is relatively new, due to the passage of an Ordinance passed on April 21, 1977. He stated that prior to that time it was a seven member Commission, after which it was increased to eleven members. Mr. Davis indicated that the Commission tours case buildings one morning per month and then meets in public session the following night. He stated that the work of the Commission does not overlap the functions of any other Board or Commission. MR. WILLIAM DORMAN, Chairperson of the Commission, told the Council that, under the provisions of the new Ordinance, they anticipated more appeals to the Commission. EXECUTIVE SESSION At this point, Mayor McClellan indicated that the Council would go into Executive Session. ATTEST: ADJOURNMENT The Council then adjourned at 8:30 Ρ.Μ. Monion City Clerk APPROVED Code Hella Mayor