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1i MINUTES OF THE HUNTSVILLE CITY COUNCIL MEETING HELD ON THE 16TH DAY OF JUNE, 1987 IN THE CITY HALL COUNCIL
ij CHAMBERS, LOCATED AT 1212 AVENUE M IN THE CITY OF HUNTSVILLE, COUNTY OF WALKER, TEXAS AT 6:45 P.M.
The Council met in a regular meeting with the following members present:
Jane Monday, Mayor
0. Eugene Barrett
Gary Sell
Ila G. Gaines
William B. Green
William L. Hammock
Percy Howard, Jr.
Bill Knotts.
Member absent:
Jim Carter
City Officers Present:
Gene Pipes, City Manager
Scott Bounds, City Attorney
Ruth DeShaw, City Secretary
CITIZEN INPUT
No one was present to address the Council during the citizen input section.
FORMAL SESSION
Mayor Monday then called the formal session to order. The invocation was presented by Reverend Larry Grubbs
of the First United Methodist Church.
CONSIDER THE MINUTES OF THE PREVIOUS MEETINGS OF MAY 19 AND MAY 26, 1987
Councilmember Howard made the motion to approve of the minutes of May 19 and May 26, as prepared, and Council-
member Knotts seconded the motion. Discussion: Councilmember Bell referred to the council's discussion of the
Ordinance amending the hotel -motel occupancy tax to 7Z in the meeting of May 26, and in particular, his question
regarding to what extent the whole community would benefit and whether or not there had been any studies done on
this. He said to clarify the minutes at this point, the other thing that is quite important to him is that we
are not sure how the community would benefit and we have no information about to what extent the motels would see
an increase in business; to what extent general revenues would be enhanced by the hotel -motel convention center
program. He said he felt that point was made in the meeting and he would like to see something to that extent
reflected in those minutes. He said he would like the minutes amended to the extent that there are no studies
indicating to what extentthe ccammity would benefit. Councilmembers Howard and Knotts accepted this clarification to
the minutes. All were in favor and the motion passed unanimously. Councilmember Barrett then corrected page 6
of the May 26 minutes to show that he said ". . . existing facilities do benefit from a convention as everyone
will not stay in the host hotel." Councilmembers Howard and Knotts accepted this correction and all were in
favor and it passed unanimously.
ATTENDING CITIZENS
Mrs. Susan Knuth, Library Board, to discuss the building consultant's report of the Municipal Library facilities
and Library Board Recommendations.
Mrs. Knuth introduced other board members: Mrs. Linda O'Banion and Mrs. Ann Fleming as well as the City
Librarian, Judy Hunter. Mrs. Knuth advised the Council that under the auspices of the Houston Area Library
System, Len Radoff, Chief of Branch Services for Houston Public Library, made a consultant visit in June, 1986
at the City's request to determine current and future space requirements of the Huntsville Public Library.
The Council was advised the need exists to almost triple the existing space in order to mee immediate,
not future, needs. She said even though the need is pressing, due to the current economic conditions, the Library
Board realizes full expansion is not feasible at this time. She said the Board does feel the Library must have
improvements in three areas: parking, storage and restroom remodeling.
The first area addressed in the report is storage, she said. She said the Board requests that a floor to
ceiling storage unit be constructed along one wall of the large meeting room to fulfill the storage needs for
tables and chairs and for audio visual equipment, thus freeing some other space for working areas and allowing
maximum use of the meeting room.
The second area addressed in the report concerns the restrooms. Mrs. Knuth noted remodeling is necessary
in order to meet the needs of the handicapped as well as the able bodied patrons of the Library. Currently,
restrooms occupy only 125 square feet, she said, and they need to be expanded to a minimum of 300 square feet.
She then referred the Council to Mr. Radoff's suggestions in the report. She asked the Council to please note
that although such a renovation may invoke Article 7 of the Architectural Barriers Act, the Board feels this is
an immediate need that cannot be delayed until major library expansion can take place.
The third need requiring immediate attention is the parking situation. Mrs. Knuth referred the Council to
the report and indicated the 33 spaces available are shared by three offices: the library employs 7; HEAP employs
2; and EMS' employees vary by shift, leaving very few spaces for library patrons. She said the Board requests
that the City proceed with whichever of Mr. Radoff's suggestions are most feasible (page 4 of report). She said
his first suggestion is that the City could purchase the property of the recently deceased dentist on 13th Street
and turn it into parking. She said when the Library building is expanded, it will be important to have that
additional space for parking. This property is adjacent to the small parking lot at the corner of 13th and Ave.
M. She said if suggestion number one is considered, the Board would recommend that special attention be given to
security lighting and the redesign of the few parking places already available in the adjacent lot so that it
could possibly accommodate a few more spaces.
Suggestion number two on parking is that the City could arrange with St. James Methodist Church on Avenue
M and 14th Street for the use of its parking area at times when the church is not using it. Perhaps the city
could pave the church parking area and the church will allow parking in return, she said, for EMS vehicles and
library patrons. Suggestion number three is that the City could make a similar agreement with the owner of the
property adjacent and north of the church property on Avenue M. She said the Board is especially interested in
suggestions two and three, utilizing property owned by St. James Methodist Church and Mr. Willie Jerry Jones.
She said it is the Board's understanding that Mr. Johnny Poteete, Director of Public Works, had, at a previous
time, estimated a cost of around $10,000 for the full paving of these two lots. She said of the three priority
improvement requests, the most crucial is the solution to the parking problem, followed then by restrooms and
storage improvements.
Mrs. Knuth encouraged the Council to carefully consider Mr. Radoff's projection of future needs for the
Library. She said in the near future, it will be time to seriously consider necessary building expansion or
relocation. She then quoted from Mr. Radoff: "With adequate apace and staff, the Library could be a major
MINUTES OF JUNE 16, 1987 BOOK "0"
PAGE 905
attraction to residents of Walker County and to others in a multi- county area. Information is an increasingly
important factor in an increasingly complex society. Those cities and communities that can offer a good library
have a better chance of attracting businesses and new residents ae well as supporting the businesses and industry
already located there. The library is no longer a nicety or a luxury, but rather an essential institution in
today's market place."
Mrs. Knuth then thanked the Council for their attention, on behalf of the Library Board. Mayor Monday
thanked Mre. Knuth and the Board for this report. She said the information provided is valuable and she said
whatever the Council does, she hopes it looks not only at the short term needs, but also the long term needs
80 that the improvements we make can be plugged into a long range plan and we'll be utilizing good money all
along the way. She said we have a very fine library and it is currently serving not only the City, but also
Walker County. She said this is an area we may want to look at, because it is broad based, and we need to
look at how we are utilizing its assets and how that funding is going to provided.
CONSIDER ORDINANCES
Consider Ordinance No. 87 -13 calling a bond election in the aggregate principal amount of $4.5 million for the
purpose of construction and improvement of roads, bridges and streets in the City of Huntsville
Mr. Pipes, City Manager, advised the Council the roots of this particular item go back to 1983 -84 when the
City began planning a ten year total rehabilitation program for the entire street system of the City of Hunts-
ville. He said we knew at that time that we were not being able to keep pace with the deterioration that was
taking place on the streets. He said we understood the responsibility of our stewardship and the public's
responsibility to fund the repairs necessary. He said we went to the voters at that time with the first of a
three phase bond issue to do that work and the voters were very generous and favorably approved a $2 million
authorization to begin that work. He said we have stretched that $2 million over three years instead of the
expected two years and we have added to the original number of streets by nearly doubling the total amount that
was originally planned to be undertaken in the bond issue. He said we are now at a crossroads of continuing that
program by an aggregate $4.5 million authorization that we are asking our voters to approve on August 8, 1987.
Mr. Pipes said the City expects this will be a two phase issue: $2 million issue in 1987 and a $2.5 million
issue in about 1990. He said this will complete the program and accomplish the goal,s set out in 1983 -1984 of
having every street in Huntsville resurfaced in a period that growth was slowing and we had an opportunity,
perhaps, to catch up and revitalize our infrastructure. He said the City has sought out the best financial
advice we know is available. He said we have visited with Mr. Rennie Baker of Vinson 6 Elkins and he has analyzec
our program from every possible angle. We feel quite confident this is a very responsible and competent expen-
diture of public funds to accomplish a very definite program need, hesaidacd recommended passage of this particular
ordinance calling for the bond election on August 8, 1987.
Councilmember Green asked if we need to specify in the ordinance what the tax increase will be, or do we
merely say we are going to increase the tax. Mr. Pipes said the taxes will have to be increased to pay for
the incurred debt. He said we are planning this as a two phase bond issue, and of course, we will not be able
to project, to a finite degree, what the costa will be because it depends upon the rate at the time the issue is
made. He said we can pledge at this time to take advantage of the bond market in every way possible to receive
the lowest possible interest rate and we can also very confidently indicate that we intend to purchase insurance
so that we will receive the very best possible triple A rating on the bonds when they are issued. Councilmember
Green noted then we are simply saying what the amounts of the bonds are and what the amortization schedule is
and that is principally it. Mr. Pipes said and then the net tax rate increase and we expect it to be 4c, but
it is just not in the bond covenants. Councilmember Green felt the average taxpayer will need information as
to how this $4.5 million issue is going to translate into increased taxes due from them. Mr. Pipes said he will
be developing that information as supplemental information over the next six to seven weeks while the interest
in this particular issue is high. He said there will be a series of public meetings in which we will discuss
general public information concerning the expected tax increase, the length of the bond., the repayment schedule
and the schedule of street work and what improvement in the value of a given lot or area might be by virtue
of the street being resurfaced, etc. Councilmember Green said then is it basically $150,000 a year for interest
and amortization. Patricia Allen, Director of Finance, noted for the first $2 million issue, that amount is
correct ( ;150,000 /year for interest and amortization).
Councilmember Bell noted this election will fall right in the middle of vacation for a good many of our
residents. He felt it might be appropriate to specify the exact dates during which one might vote absentee.
Gene Pipes said the City Secretary will be getting information out to the public in a timely fashion germane to
the dates for absentee voting. Mrs. DeShaw, City Secretary, advised absentee voting begins 20 days in advance
of the election and continues through the 4th day before. She said it would be published in the legal notices
as well as covered in her monthly news articles. Councilmember Bell asked if it should be covered in this
ordinance calling the bond election. Mr. Pipes noted this ordinance was prepared by the Vinson 6 Elkins firm
according to what specifically must be contained in the ordinance calling the election as per state law.
The caption of the ordinance is as follows:
ORDINANCE N0. 87 -13
AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY OF HUNTSVILLE, TEXAS, DETERMINING THAT AN ELECTION SHOULD
BE HELD IN SAID CITY ON THE PROPOSITION OF ISSUING CITY BONDS PAYABLE FROM AD VALOREM
TAXES; SAID ELECTION TO BE HELD ON AUGUST 8, 1987; THE ELECTION PROPOSITION TO BE
WHETHER OR NOT TO AUTHORIZE THE CITY TO ISSUE AND SELL THE BONDS OF SAID CITY, IN ONE
OR MORE SERIES OR ISSUES, IN THE AGGREGATE PRINCIPAL AMOUNT OF $4,500,000 FOP THE
PURPOSE OF THE CONSTRUCTION AND IMPROVEMENT OF THE ROADS, BRIDGES AND STREETS OF THE
CITY, INCLUDING, WITHOUT LIMITATION, RELATED PERMANENT DRAINAGE IMPROVEMENTS, WITH
THE BONDS OF EACH SERIES OR ISSUE, RESPECTIVELY, TO MATURE SERIALLY OR OTHERWISE NOT
MORE THAN 40 YEARS FROM THEIR DATE, AT ANY PRICE OR PRICES, AND BEARING INTEREST AT
ANY RATE OR RATES NOT TO EXCEED THE MAXIMUM INTEREST RATE NOW OR HEREAFTER AUTHORIZED
BY LAW, AS SHALL BE DETERMINED BY SAID CITY COUNCIL WITHIN THE DISCRETION OF SAID
CITY COUNCIL, PROVIDED THAT SUCH INTEREST RATE OR RATES ON ANY SERIES OR ISSUE
OF SAID BONDS SHALL NOT EXCEED THE MAXIMUM LEGAL LIMIT IN EFFECT AT THE TIME OF
ISSUANCE OF EACH SUCH SERIES OR ISSUE; AND SHALL SAID CITY COUNCIL BE AUTHORIZED TO
LEVY AND PLEDGE, AND CAUSE TO BE ASSESSED AND COLLECTED, ANNUAL AD VALOREM TAXES
ON ALL TAXABLE PROPERTY IN SAID CITY,SUFFICIENT TO PAY THE INTEREST ON SAID BONDS
AS THE SAME COMES DUE AND CREATE AND PROVIDE A SINKING FUND TO PAY THE PRINCIPAL OF
SAID BONDS AS IT MATURES.
Councilmember Barrett made the motion to adopt Ordinance No. 87 -13 and Councilmember Green seconded the
motion. All were in favor and the motion passed unanimously.
.PAGE 906
BOOK "0" MINUTES OF JUNE 16, 1987
Consider Ordinance No. 87 -14 calling an election referendum to consider adoption of an additional one -half per-
cent local sales and use tax within the City to be used to reduce the property tax rate
Gene Pipes, City Manager, advised this is a proposition authorized by the Texas Legislature which gives
local communities the option of a one -half cent sales tax (and in fact, also counties) in those cities and
counties that did not already have the one -cent mass transit tax in place; i.e., San Antonio, Dallas, Austin,
Houston, Port Worth, Amarillo, Corpus Christi, etc. He said this gives the other cities, who have been struggling
now for some time with the property tax matters, especially those communities that are impacted with the con-
siderable amount of exempt state property, the opportunity to relevel the load of taxes that will be necessary
to operate the city on an ongoing basis. He said the revenue generated from the one -half percent (1 /2c sales
tax increase) 1s to be used to offset and reduce the property taxes in 1988 by an absolute dollar per dollar
amount. Mr. Pipes advised there will be a ten percent reserve so that there won't be any warp between the amount
of money generated on either side and that will have to be set aside in a dedicated fund, so, the original
analysis work we had done a couple of weeks ago. showing a 29% reduction, will in fact be 26% under the rules
that are now in place as a result of the analysis work done by Mr. Bob Bullock's office (State Comptroller) and
the final action of the Texas Legislature. Mr. Pipes said we will have, then, a 52C tax rate reduced by 17 }C
with the 4C added back for the bond issue, which is answer to the Council's question as to what that will cost
us. It will yield a net effective 38.5% tax rate or a 26% reduction of 13 }C, 8o it is still a very healthy situa-
tion.
The Council was advised of the comparison of sales tax revenues for the month of April, which shows for the
first time, even though we are still down on the year's basis, that our revenue is up for the first time in sales
tax since last October. He said we are still down 4.7% overall, but several months ago we were expecting
$150,000 revenue shortfall and we are now expecting only a $99,000 shortfall - -so things are looking up.
The ordinance caption is presented below:
ORDINANCE NO. 87 -14
AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF HUNTSVILLE, TEXAS, DETERMINING THAT AN
ELECTION SHOULD BE HELD IN SAID CITY ON THE ADOPTION OF AN ADDITIONAL ONE -HALF OF ONE
PERCENT (1 /2%) LOCAL SALES AND USE TAX WITHIN THE CITY TO BE USED TO REDUCE THE PROPERTY
TAX RATE; SAID ELECTION TO BE HELD ON THE 8TH DAY OF AUGUST, 1987; SAID PROPOSITION TO
BE SUBMITTED IN ACCORDANCE WITH LAW AND SHALL SEEK AUTHORIZATION FOR THE CITY TO ADOPT
AN ADDITIONAL ONE -HALF OF ONE PERCENT (1 /2%) LOCAL SALES AND USE TAX WITHIN THE CITY TO
BE USED TO REDUCE THE PROPERTY TAX RATE.
Councilmember Green made the motion to adopt Ordinance No. 87 -14 and Councilmember Bell seconded the
motion. All were in favor and the motion passed unanimously.
CONSIDER CONTRACT
Discuss the terms of a proposed contract for services with the Huntsville Area Conference and Visitors Bureau
Mayor Monday advised the Council that Mr. Bill Nash, Chairman of this group, has asked for a delay in
presenting this contract due to the need to gather additional information. She advised he will be ready to make
this presentation in the very near future.
CITY MANAGER'S REPORT
Summer Budget Calendar
Mr. Pipes then presented the following budget schedule:
June 16th and 30th
July 7th, 14th & 28th
August 8th
August 11th
August 15th
August 18th
September 8th
September 15th
September 22nd
Regular meeting (Meetings of June 30 and July 7, 14, and 28
Regular meeting to be held at a location in each of the four
wards)
Bond Election Day:
Election canvass and budget presentation
Saturday budget review
Budget review (wrap up)
Regular meeting -- establish tax rate
Public hearings on budget
Budget and rate adoptions
Mr. Pipes said the meeting sites for the ward council meetings will be chosen, but will likely include the
Martin Luther King Neighborhood Center in Ward 3, the Education Service Center in Ward 4, the Service Center in
Ward 1 and perhaps the Fire Station No. 2 in Ward 2. He said none of these sites have been firmed up and we
have flexibility here. Mayor Monday noted these ward meetings will be informal (no ties) and will provide the
opportunity to visit with the residents of the ward as well as all who might attend. Mr. Pipes said information
about the ward council meetings will be published in advance so that the people in those wards can plan to attend
the council meetings, although the meetings are open for all citizens.
Councilmember Bell felt the incentive in having the ward council meetings is the informal atmosphere where
citizens can actually quiz and interact with the council. Mr. Pipes said there will be a formal part on the
agenda on any given night, so we will have some formal business to address but can then transcend to the informal
as quickly as possible. He said we may want to not limit the discussions only to the bond issue topic. Council-
member Bell noted he would be in favor of broadening the scope to include such things as dogs in the neighborhood,
etc. Mayor Monday noted there will be a bond issue information presentation made and maps will be available so
that the people can check on their particular street and when it will be improved, how much it will cost, etc.
Permission to Use Photograph of New Elevated Water Storage Tank on Church Directory Cover
Gene Pipes, City Manager, asked the Council's consensus to permit Michael's Photography to use a photograph
Michael has made of our water tower at night on the front cover of a directory made for one of the local churches.
He said it has apparently become a significant, symbolic night time symbol for this particular group of people.
Mr.Pipes advised Michael is also contemplating the use of this photograph on a series of post cards. He said
it requires the Council's approval because the City's logo is on the side of the water tower. The Council
decided the city would not object to Michael's Photography's use of the city's water tower for this printing
use. Mr. Pipes said since there are no objections expressed, he will write a letter to Michael's Photography
indicating permission is granted.
MINUTES OF JUNE 18, 1987
BOOK "0" PAGE
tigatim Update - -Scott Bounds
Mr. Bounds advised the Council that in the Acker Vs. City of Huntsville Lawsuit, Judge Hughes denied the
City's partial motion for summary judgement on the issue of whether or not a manufactured homes park is a sub-
division for the purposes of city regulation. He said there was a reference in the article...alluded to HB 55 --
the fact that that bill represents state legislation and if signed by Governor Clements would in fact make that
a matter of statutory law. He said he is in the process of evaluating that legislation and the city will prob-
ably file before the judge a motion for rehearing and a motion for reconsideration based upon some of the
legislative activity that came out of the last Texas Legislature. He said the judge has set the entire matter
for a pretrial conference in July. He said he and our attorneys will probably get with the Council in an execu-
tive session between now and that time just to discuss the statue of the litigation when we get more details of
it. Councilmember Green asked for clarification on H.S. 55. Mr. Bounds said H.B. 55 was passed by the Texas
Legislature and if passed by Governor Clements would make it clear that cities do not regulate mobile home parks
as subdivisions in the county (city's ETJ). Mr. Bounds said he does not think there has ever been
a question as to whether or not a city can regulate a mobile home park in its own city limits under its general
ordinance powers- -the question is does the city have any regulatory authority over the mobile home parks in
their extraterritorial jurisdictions as subdivisions. He said on that issue, Judge Hughes denied the city's
motion for partial summary judgement. He said this bill, if signed, will affect any future efforts by the city
to regulate a mobile home park in its ETJ as a subdivision and it will probably invalidate existing law as well.
He said however, it is his understanding there was another house bill that passed subsequent to this one that
may affect council position and he is in the process of researching that.
The Council was also advised of the Schaper Ve. City of Huntsville Lawsuit. He said there has been a
pretrial hearing set to consider pending discovery and trial matters by the court on July 15. He said the city
has filed a motion for summary judgement in that case asking that based upon the 5th Circuit's Decision rendered
earlier this year, the city should be dismissed as a party to that lawsuit and urging that the judge go ahead
and enter judgement on behalf of Hank Eckhardt and Gene Pipes because of the city's success in the matter before
the 5th Circuit. He said it is his understanding that Mr. Becker filed yesterday some type of amended complaint
or motion for filing a complaint which might change the nature of this lawsuit. He said he will be getting a
copy of that for review and will get with the council prior to that hearing date to discuss this matter in an
executive session.
MAYOR'S ACTIVITY REPORT
Post -SSC Meeting -- Woodlands
Mayor Monday advised the Council that she and Mr. Pipes and several county officials and Roy Williams of
the Chamber of Commerce went to the Woodlands for a post -SSC meeting to visit with other representatives
involved in this project. She said there is a real commitment among this group to work together on future
projects, to utilize the data that have been put together and to go forward from here. She said it was a very
positive meeting.
Martin Luther King Neighborhood Center Improvements
The Mayor advised the Council that the Progressive Women's Association has approached her regarding making
some improvements to the MLK Neighborhood Center. She said a couple of their officers, Mr. Pipes and herself
went out to tour the building to see what is needed. She noted her concern that it is not appropriate to
accept this group's assistance to improve that building unless the city could assure them that we can secure that
building, noting there is a tendency for vandalism in that area. She asked Mr. Pipes to look at what it would
cost to adequately secure that building so that the council might give their okay tp this group to begin to work
toward improving that facility.
Mr. Pipes said in checking with both of the local security firms, Security Systems, Inc. could install a
security system in this facility for $955.00, plus $25.00 per month; and the other firm, Resources Unlimited,
could put one in for $995.00, plus $25.00 per month with some options. He said the building can be secured
by an alarm system. He said the question now is an operational one. He said the city leases this building out
on a regular basis. He said when the building is rented out on a Friday night, the security /alarm system will
have to be disarmed for the renters and the city would have to pay someone from the Parks Department, on an over-
time basis, to come down at the conclusion of the activity to lock it back up and put on the alarms, or simply
leave it off until the next day, which would also, of course, require overtime for someone to come out on a
Saturday or Sunday to plug the equipment back in. He said the police department does routinely patrol that area
and while he has not discussed the logistics with the chief, it could be possible that we could contact the
dispatch office and let them know when the building was being rented so they could turn the alarm off and then
realarm it after the party is over. He said this will certainly be an additional responsibility or work require-
ment of a particular patrol or shift, but in keeping with our policy of checking doors, locks and security all
over town that this could possibly be done also. He said it is not so much a matter of money as it is logistics.
Mr. Pipes said there is no money budgeted for this alarm system,
the alarm system will work. He said there is no documented vandalism
an alarm system would deter anyone who may try to do so.
Mayor Monday noted the building at one time has a fully equipped
except for the plumbing at this time, she said. She noted the idea is
pictures, floor coverings to appliances, to make a better utilization
we can be proud of.
but the costs are not prohibitive. He sat(
in the building for the past two years, but
kitchen. The kitchen is in total disrepait
to renovate that kitchen over time from
of that building and to have it something
Personnel Committee
Mayor Monday asked the Personnel Committee to arrange their calendars before they leave to set up the
performance evaluation sessions for the Charter Officers.
Solid Waste Committee
Mayor Monday asked the Solid Waste Committee Members to remain so a few details can be discussed before the
Solid Waste Committee Meeting tomorrow.
COUNCIL ACTION
Brown Water -- Councilmember Gaines asked for a report on the brown water occurrences which were expected in
recent weeks as the city prepared to add the new sequestering agent. Mr. Pipes said the brown water rush
did not show up as anticipated and the whole program went very smoothly.
PAGE 908 BOOK "0"
MINUTES OF JUNE 16, 1987
Videotaping of Sewer Lines -- Councilmember Green asked about the little truck going around town with the
yellow blinking light. Mr. Pipes said he represents the videotaping of our sewer lines around town.
He said we have so far looked at Lake Road and Normal Park and several of the avenues on the street
schedule for this summer. He said we are basically looking at the sewer lines under streets planned for
revitalisation this year and we'll then see how far the money goes and get ready for next year if we have
any money left over in the not -to- exceed $200,000 allocation. He said we have discovered that Normal Park's
sewer line system from llth Street south to 19th Street is in very bad shape -- disjointed -- offset in several
locations. He said before that street can be effectively /economically resurfaced, the city will have
substantial repair costs on the sewer lines in that street. He Said the staff will bring this back to the
Council at a later date.
Crosswalk -- Avenue H-- Requested by Student Representative -- Councilmember Bell noted he has received several
calls germane to this crosswalk and asked what has been done. Mr. Pipes said contact has been made with
SHSU officials. He said the problem is that it is of considerable concern to everyone that if we paint
a crosswalk in a place other than at intersections, that an attractive nuisance problem is created by the
false sense of security of walking out into a stripped crosswalk that really has no authority to stop traffic
in the first place. He said the University can do that quite easily on University property, but the city
would have to place a full stop on Avenue H at every location where we have a painted crosswalk if we're
going to have the safety and security of having pedestrians cross in the middle of a block or outside of
an intersection wherever it may be. He said there is parking on the east side of the campus, but that is
quite a long block from Bowers Boulevard down to 17th Street. He said he la just not quite sure we want to
put a stop sign in the middle of that block to facilitate pedestrian traffic because Avenue H moves alot
of north -south lateral traffic. He said the same thing would be true down at the apartments. He said if
we put a crosswalk without putting a stop sign then the person is at risk in the crosswalk and this is not
what we want to accomplish. He has also not reconciled himself to having two additional stops on Avenue H
and what effect that might have on the traffic that travels that route every day. He said the city is
visiting with the SHSU officials. He said the city may be able to deed Avenue H to them and let them have
it.
Councilmember Bell said with respect to painting symbols on streets, he cane up to Martin Luther King Drive
(Avenue F), and while he appreciates the new signal lights, he found himself stopped out in the middle of
the intersection (it 1s an offset intersection). He asked if lines would be appropriate there to indicate
to traffic where it should stop. Mr. Pipes said the 11th Street stop lines would be in the middle of the
offset intersection for westbound traffic. He said the normal stop line would be there because one would
have to go into the intersection to make a turn onto Avenue F. He said we would have to look at it. He
said we would have to back cars up considerably back from the intersection if we were going to clear the
intersection entirely for straight shot run across /diagonally across the intersection. He said it may be
more appropriate traffic engineering to make people go out and around the intersection to dodge that two
lanes of traffic because with the center turn lane there, there is a wide berth to clear. He said he would
look into it for Councilmember Bell.
Mayor Monday asked Mr. Pipes to get back with the Council on the developments on the SHSU crosswalk situa-
tion on Avenue H.
Juneteenth Parade - -June 20 -- Councilmember Howard reminded the Council about the parade and asked them to be
at the First Baptist Church by 9:45 P.M. on Saturday morning to ride in the vehicle marked for the Council.
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June 16, 1987
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