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MIN CC 09/15/1987942 MINUTES OF THE COUNCIL MEETING OF IfIRWIRIt 15. 1 BOOK "0 MINUTES OF THE HUNTSVILLE COUNCIL CHAMBERS. LOCATED The Council met in a Jane Monday, Mayor Gary Bell Jim Carter Bill Green 8111 Hammock Percy Howard, Jr. Bill Knotts 0. Eugene Barrett Robert Vann CITY COUNCIL MEETING HELD ON THE 15TH DAY OF SEPTEMBER, 1987 IN THE CITY HALL AT 1212 AVENUE H IN THE CITY OF HUNTSVILLE. COUNTY OF WALKER, TEXAS AT 6:45 P.M. regular session with the following members present: Member absent: Ile Gaines City Officers Present: Gene Pipes, City Manager Scott Bounds, City Attorney Ruth DeShaw, City Secretary ATTENDING CITIZENS Mr. Robert Vann addressed the council about his concerns on a possible contract between the City and the YMCA for the use of the City's swimming pool. He listed several items for consideration: liability insur- ance and who is responsible; maintenance and upkeep (vandalism, wear and tear) and the city's responsibility to make it ready in the fall for the YMCA and the cost factor related to this; exclusiveness - -is it legal for us t authorize one particular private organization to take over and run a city owned facility without the equal access by other privately owned and operated organizations. He asked if we should turn over our property and facilities to a private organization without a fee - -is there a church -state tape of conflict. He asked if the pool would be open to the Boy Scouts, the Girl Scouts, the Campfire Girls, or any other agency that would want to use that facility for their own activities. He asked if the YMCA charges a fee, if that fee will simply be enough to operate and maintain the pool during the time they have it, or will that fee be used as a part of their own money - making activities to fund their other programs - -will they be using city facilities to meet their budget for the rest of their programs; and finally, how much litigation will result if these answers are contrary to the use by the Y - -how much of our extra non- budgeted expenses will be incurred for insurance, utilities, repair, upkeep at a time of fiscal belt tighting on the part of government in general. Are we get- ting ourselves into slot of costs without benefit to the city, he asked. Mayor Monday advised these questions will be directed to Mr. Scott Bounds, the City Attorney and the ity Manager, Mr. Gene Pipes with a response back to Mr. Vann personally or in the next council meeting. Councilmember Barrett asked that these questions be formally answered in our city council meeting next Tuesday because there are other citizens who would like to have these answers as well. Mayor Monday noted then the answers will either be ready by next Tuesday or at the meeting immediately following that (October 6) and Mr. Vann will be so advised of the date. Mayor Monday noted currently no contract has been drawn with the YMCA and before a contract is drawn, all of these questions will have to be answered. FORMAL SESSION Mayor Monday then called the formal session to order. Pastor Paul Morris of the New Hope Free Will aptiet Church then presented the invocation. CONSIDER THE MINUTES Mayor Monday noted the minutes of the previous meeting of September 8, 1987 have been presented to the Council this evening. Because of the length of the minutes, the City Secretary suggested approval be delayed until the next meeting. The minutes will then be held over for approval on September 22, 1987. PUBLIC HEARING Convene a public hearing to receive comments on the proposed FY 87 -88 budget, as presented and previously discussed, to include: Expenditures Utility and Tax Rates General Fund $ 5,846,880 Calculated Effective Tax Rate ... i .52/9100 assessed Debt Service Fund $ 594,316 valuation: Engineering Design Fund . $ 567,045 Water Rates Unchanged ! Utility Fund $ 5,967,922 Sewer Rates Unchanged Sanitation Fund $ 2,031,000 Sanitation Rates -- disposal costs Capital Improvements Fund $ 2,898,287 increased by $ .25 /loose c.y. Attending Citizen - --■•r..,.sc James Patton, representing the Wa.'.ker County Historical Commission, addressed the Council concerning the Walker County Museum - -the Gibbs Powell Hou:.e, which it has been operating since 1984 for the community. He noted over 1,000 people toured the museum in 1986. He said they'd like to operate more than one day a week. Expenses last year were $6,361.34, he noted, and a request had been made in May to the Tourist Council for funding for the remainder of 1987 and funding for next year. He advised Senate Bill 1532 provides that monies from the hotel -motel tax can be spent for the preservation and operation of museums. An article in the Medallion (official newspaper of the Texas Historical Commission) outlines the bills concerning hotel -motel tax. He said the Commission is encouraging tt. Tourist Council to fund 96,000 for the remainder of 1987 and $12,000 fcr 1987 -88. He noted the proposed budget for the Tourism Division from hotel -motel taxes is set at $91,358 for 1987 -88. Hr said the Gibbs - Powell house operates on suggested donat: ms only ($500+ in 1986). Councilmember Carter noted some $20,000 of t!,e Tourist Council's budget is supposed to be available for events and activities to be given out to various organizations and groups in the city for their use. He encouraged the Chamber to make some of that money available to the Walker County Historical Commission and hoped that In the future, the Council can iind a way to get money more directly to groups like the Historical Commission for activities like the Gibbs - Powell (Museum) House. He encouraged Mr. Patton to put in a request for some of the $20,000 that is available. Mayor Monday noted the Tourist Council will be drawing up para- meters for the use of that money and when those are avallable,they will be made public for everyone to review. She encouraged Mr. Patton and other groups like his to apply for those funds as that in why they are there to be!, put back into the community to promote tourism. Mr. Patton asked for the Council's encouragement to the Tourist Council to look favorably on his request for these funds. Councilmember Bell expressed concern that r the city have a say in setting the guidelines for how that $20,000 is spent, rather than leaving it up to the Tourist Council. Mayor Monday noted if that 1s the Council's desire, it can do that, but it would have to be prior to the beginning of the annual contract period. She noted the Tourist Commission operates like the Arts Commission. who also seta their guidelines for the distribution of their funds. There being no one else present who wished to speak on the proposed budget, Mayor Monday then closed the public hearing. CONSIDER UTILITY EXTENSION Consider a request for utility extension participation for Lou Cole Sewer Service in the amount of $3,702 for the city portion of the work Mr. Pipes advised the Council this is a sanitary sewer extension for Lou Cole's residence at 521 14th Street. He noted a complaint was received that raw sewage from a neighbor's (Mrs. Cole) sanitary sewer service line was flowing across a citizen's yard. Upon investigation, it was found that the broken sewer line serves more than one r.sidence; the Cole residence is served by more than one service line; there are at least four structures that have no access to a dedicated city street or a sewer main except through 13 1/2 Street or through adjacent private property; and there 1s considerable evidence of the existence of 13 1/2 Street, but no consensus as to its width, which ranges from 10 to 20 feet. Mr. Scott Bounds, City Attorney, advised staff the city has no legal problem in using the 10 foot leaveout, but that it will be responsible for correcting any damages to existing sewer lines in the leaveout occasioned by installation If the new line. Mr. Pipes then presented the staff's recommendation to install sewer on the top of the hill as there are several houses along the street that appear to have sanitary stubs running down the alleyway back to Avenue E that may be hooked up to this extension if they can be located. The total cost of this extension would be $5,772 (6 inch line) with Mrs. Cole's participation cost of 50Z (to go across her property) or $2,070, with the city's cost then being $3,702. Mr. Pipes advised funds remaining in the utility extension budget are more than adequate to cover this cost. Councilmember Barrett made the motion to approve of this utility extension participation for Lou Cole's sewer service -in the amount of $3,702 and Councilmember Knotte seconded the motion. All were in favor of the motion and it passed unanimously. a. CONSIDER WATER PROJECT SUPPLIES Consider bid for water project supplies to Big State Utility Supply in the amount of $15,419.19 to be paid from C.I.P. funds for the Easley Circle project Mr. Pipes noted six very competitive bids were received for these materials, as captioned. He then recommended the lowest bid meeting specifications to be that of Big State Utility Supply in the amount of 815,419.19 to be paid for from the capital improvement project funds. Councilmember Knotte made the motion to approve of this bid as outlined above and Councilmember Howard seconded the motion. All were in favor and the motion passed unanimously. CONSIDER RESOLUTION Consider Resolution commending the Texas Department of Corrections and encouraging the siteing of the proposed 2,250 bed maximum security unit and one of the two 1,250 bed regional reintegration centers in Huntsville/ Walker County 7 Mayor Monday then read this resolution to the Council. After some revisions of the wording of the Resolution by Councilmember Green and others, the Resolution was then adopted. Councilmember Howard made 1 the motion to approve Resolution No. 87 -9 and Councilmember Bell seconded the motion. All were in favor and the motion passed unanimously. Mayor Monday advised the City intends to make an excellent presentation • •(incentive package proposal) to the Board of Directors of the Texas Department of Corrections, while realizing we will be entering a very competitive market all across the state. She noted the proposal is due Monday. CITY MANAGER'S REPORT Review of the Open Meetings Law and requirements of posting Executive Sessions under the revised act -- " Scott Bounds, City Attorney Mr. Bounds reviewed the changes to the Open Meeting Law and noted one change that requires the Council's Iattention, as follows: Effective September 1, except for meetings involving private consultations between the governmental body and its attorney in which the body seeks the attorney's advice with respect to pending I or contemplated litigation, settlement offers, and matters where the duty of a public body's counsel to his client clearly conflicts with the Open Meetings Act, the City Council must keep a certified agenda of its executive session proceedings or tape record the executive session. He went on to explain that a certified : agenda must (1) indicate the date and time the meeting begins and ends, (2) state the subject matter of each deliberation; and (3) include a record of any further action taken. Mr. Bounds advised this certified agenda must be kept for two years, the agenda, however, is available only upon court order, but the Court may take an order "it considers appropriate," and may assess costs of litigation and attorneys fees to anyone who "substantially prevails." Mr. Bounds stated, alternatively, the City must record the proceedings under the • same general guidelines that pertain to the certified agenda. He also recommended that the City keep a certi- fied agenda of executive sessions pertaining to personnel matters and real estate matters under the following guidelines: the City Secretary should be directed to prepare and approve an agenda in the manner directed r by State law for all executive sessions except those under Section 2(e) of the Act, and the City Attorney should be directed to review and approve the agenda as to form and legality. He said after the agenda has been prepared and approved, the Mayor should certify the agenda as required by state law. Consider policy concerning communications on GSU complaint procedure Mr. Bounds, City Attorney, advised that under Tex.Rev.Civ.Stat. art. 1446c, (PURA), the City has original !I jurisdiction over elective rates, operations, and services provided by an electric utility within its city. The Public,Utllities Commission has exclusive appellate jurisdiction to review orders or ordinances of the City, he stated. Mr. Bounds advised it is his understanding a consumer may file a complaint regarding C.S.U. service in the near future and may be within the city's jurisdiction. Section 34 of PURA states, he said, that ' the City shall keep records containing the names of persons representing public utilities, their affiliate or representatives, contacting the City regarding PURA matters, the names of business entities represented, a brief description of the subject matter of the communication, an action, if any, requested by or for the public utility. He indicated he would prepare a draft of regulations concerning such communications for the Council's consideration and then presented an outline for a policy that would apply the Public Utilities Regulatory Act and establish that utilities would keep a log indicating any contacts they had with the city. Until we for- mally adopt that policy, he said. we should not have any contact with any of the utility companies that the city regulates (GSU, SWBT) concerning their operations. Mr. Bounds said he will be presenting that policy in the next council meeting. He said this is the first time we have had a complaint by a rate payer presented to us under our original jurisdiction. He said this will be • new procedure for us and for GSU. Mr. Bounds said when the complaint is filed. the city will try to get the complainant and GSU to agree to a procedure for r handling the complaint that we can bring to thWty Council to have the Council approve. CITY MANAGER'S REPORT (CONTINUED) Authorize additional repair costs to the CAT 977 trac loader which had been torn down for emergency repairs in the amount of $14,000 to be split between sanitation and street department budgets equipment maintenance object codes Mr. Pipes advised the transmission on this unit (No. 22 -117) was removed and disassembled by Caterpillar and the city anticipated the repairs would run under $5,000; however, since disassembling the transmission and other related components, the repairs have almost tripled. He advised repairs will run between $13,500 and $14,000 to restore the machine in good operating condition. The city staff can certify that the repairs are all absolutely necessary, he •aid. It vas noted • new machine meta approximately $200,000, but that this machine has been in service for approximately 14 years. Mr. Pipes said this repair is to the drive train and we should not have those kinds of problems again. Councilmember Barrett made the motion to approve of this repair expenditure, as outlined, and Councilmember Howard seconded the motion. All were in favor.and the motto.. passed unanimouely. Review and discuss the FY 87 -88 proposed budget and rates Mr. Gene Pipes, then presented the summary proposed budget and rates and highlighted the salient features of same. Mayor Monday referred to the general fund and expressed her personal concern for the needs of the Police Department, namely, the acquisition of two additional bullet proof vests for protection for entry and the monitoring device we would use in case of a drug drop as well as the need for an additional officer to be freed up from other duties to go back on patrol. Mayor Monday suggested finding another vay to handle our warrants, perhaps through an intern program with SHSU, so as to make another officer available. The two vests require additional funds of $2,125 and the monitoring device requires $1,320 for a total of $3,445. Mayor Monday noted these are two safety factors that she would like to see factored back into this next year's budget to be brought out of reserve for future allocation which has a balance of 4 38,299. Chief Eckhardt spoke to the ways in which another officer could be made available from staff to go back on patrol, namely, to consolidate the community services officer's nosltion and the warrant position together which will free up the second person to be placed more directly in ome line functions where the call load and crime problems exist. Chief Eckhardt noted the good working relationship with SHSIJ on the internship program but cited the problem of availablity on a constant basis, noting it is a feast or famine type situation and cannot be depended upon. Chief Eckhardt noted he did ask for additional civilian personnel in the budget, but because of the tight budget, those positions were not granted. He said they vere requested to assist with the ever escalating work load, noting the department is five officers short from what it had in 1983 vs. the amount of work load being handled. For these reasons, he suggested cutting back on the activities of the community services officer and combine that position with the warrant officer's duties so the department can better meet its basic needs. He noted, however, this is a policy decision of the City Council. Mayor Monday noted she would encourage the use of interns when they are available in order to catch up in some areas. Chief Eckhardt noted this would be of assistance, but it is not a viable solution. Councilmember Carter noted his concern for greater support of the police department in the future, as it becomes possible. He also supported the additional items suggested by the Mayor to be included in next year's budget (vests and monitoring device). The Council was in consensus to include $3,445 in the police budget from the reserve for future allocation in order to purchase the two vests and the monitoring device. In discussing the Design Engineering Fund, Mr. Pipes advised the suggested use of a certificate of obligation to finance the additional computer equipment to make the ongoing capital improvements data base operationally sound. He said the C.O. debt in this fund is expiring this year. Councilmember Green expressed his reservation on the issuance of a C.O. for this purpose and suggested instead that we purchase this equip- ment on a piece -meal basis out of the general operating revenues of the Design Engineering Fund. He said we originally planned a two phase purchase, but perhaps it can be a three phase or a four phase purchase from existing operating funds rather than a certificate of obligation. He said he would rather pay for this equipment on an ongoing basis rather than some time down the road. Mr. Pipes reminded the Council that the only source of revenue for the design engineering fund is from transfers from the general, water and sewer and sanitation funds and the interest income off of those as they are deposited, and he asked if Councilmember Gre wished to increase the amount of funds transferred to the Design Engineering Department. Councilmember Green said he is not suggesting an increase in the funds, just to not purchase the equipment all at one time. He said he just didn't want to issue • C.O. for something like this. Patricia Allen, Director of Finance, sug- gested one alternative may be to look at some of the capital projects money. Mr. Pipes advised he would take another look at other funding sources before the final presentation of the budget next week to see what the staff can come up with as an alternative. In discussing the Sanitation Rates -- disposal cost increase, Mr. Pipes advised there will be a 25C per loose cubic yard increase in the costs. He said the purpose of this increase is to meet the city's increased costs to dispose of our garbage, either in the existing landfill (in new pit area) which as -• man 0 year life remaining, or for other disposal costs, whatever our alternative 1s. He said the short term plan is to continue landfilling and move into the 45 acres remaining in the originally permitted Bite, but we must be moving toward an ultimate solution to the disposal of garbage within three years, or we'll exhaust the space remaining in the landfill before our alternative is there. He said if the alternative is incineration, we still must have a place to dispose of the ash. He said, at the end of seven years, on, the short side of our analysis, the Council will also have to f.md a landfill development for the disposal of the ash, ideally. the Council will have to reach a conclusion what our permanent solution is before three years time has elapsed. He said the c'ty would propose, that as a part of our presentation of he TDC proposal for the unit site, that we include tn.: possibility of a joint operation or joint provision of solid waste disposal services through an incinerator because TDC has then the energy demands necessary to take advantage of the most cost effective alternative that engineering science has provided for the city to consider two years ago when they issued Chef. report on solid waste disposal costs, and that is a 3000 killowatt hour generation facility to offset the cost of electricity at 53 cents, which is the normal rate being paid. He said if that decision is forthcoming, the city should know bythe end of October. He said the city would propose that the staff would have the Council consider adopting this year's budget with the 25c rate involved in the necessary disposal costs at our current landfill site and look forward to a thorough worksession discussion of the solid waste disposal issue in November, having the benefit of the TDC's decision, whether it is even available as an alternative or not. He said the city would be promising to fund an engineering study to detail information TDC needs to make the industrial decisions or whatever they are going to put at the Ellis III unit that may be in need of co- generation capability or some other industrial type application. Mr. Pipes said the city's proposal will be that we will fund the necessary studies to get that analysis work done and provide the expertise the city does not have on staff to make those kind of judgements. Mr. Pipes said that the solid waste discussion then evolves down to the two decision packages that were in addition to the general operations and maintenance budget, namely, the landfill scales and the compactor necessary to operate an ongoing landfilling program. He suggested s. budget for the acquisition of this equipment, plan for it, but await the actual bidding and ordering o: this equipment until after the TDC P) decision comes through and our future becomes clearer. He noted, however, we do know our disposal coats, o matter what the alternative is going to be going up from $1.00 per loose cubic yard to $1.25, which is the minimum increase. He said there may be a number of increases such as this over the next several year■ to get up to disposal coat eschelon that our sister - landfills in the neighboring areas are already charging, noting we are way below the norm and our operating costs are going up because of the regulatory pressures on our particular site. After • complete review of the budget, Councilmember Carter commented that he is somewhat concerned about :ne decreased level of funding for the library, HEAP, and parks and recreation, and while realizing the funda- mental services need to retain their level of funding, he would like for the Council to move in the next year .r two to find a way to increase spending on those kinds of activities in the city. Mayor Monday was optimis- :_c about perhaps addressing these concerns in the mid -year budget adjustments. Mayor Monday then asked the staff to formalize this budget and bring it back to the Council for their _:_al consideration next week, September 22, 1987, to include the amendments discussed this evening. Council - am:Ser Knotts added he hoped the city could find some funds to work toward keeping the city's easements cleaned, =.e.. street, utility, and at the South Sewer Plant, noting the importance of maintaining those easements. MAYOR'S ACTIiiTY REPORT L_osider response of Walker County to the Fire Contract Mayor Monday then reviewed the history of the city's fire contracts with the County since 1981 and the ::operative meetings held between the city and the county. She then presented the proposed new (renewal) ::ntract for the provision of fire supression services for the city and county. Mr. Pipes then reviewed :::e major revisions in the proposed contract, as follows. He noted it provides for a Fire Commission to be established to administer the contract, to meet quarterly and to make recommendations to the city and county. 1 The CommTslo`p would be comprised of a city and county elected official and the city and county would each appoint[ an at -large person and this group in turn would appoint another at -large person to serve, along with the fire marshall, who would be an automatic member. This commission would make recommendations to the city and the :ounty,who would retain final decision - making authority. If they cannot agree on a decision, the District :udge's decision would be final. Councilmember Bell expressed the greatest of reservations about taking the :remendous capital expenditures that we put into the fire department and remark's our management and simply turning it over to a unilateral body. Councilmember Knotts agreed with Dr. Bell in that once the contract is i established, there shouldn't be any more negotiating or overseeing of the contract. Councilmember Hammock noted we have a substantial capital investment, personnel, training, etc. and also opposed turning this over to a Fire Commission. Mayor Monday noted it should be specified as to whose fire marshall this would be, the city's or the county's. Councilmember Green asked if this commission would serve without compensation. Mr. Pipes said it would. Councilmember Bell asked if there would be compensation to the city for its initial inves Dent and what would be the city's motivation to turn it over to a Fire Commission. Mr. Pipes said there has peen no discussion of compensation and the motivation is the feeling of at least one of the county commissione that if they are going to pay 50 percent of the cost, then they should have 50 percent of the administrative decisions as well in • joint body. Councilmember Knott' felt problems should be resolved through the City Manager and the Fire Marshall. Councilmember• Green and Bell opposed this particular section of the contract. Mayor JaneMonday then obtained a consensus Q the Council to delete Section IV of the contract which sets up the Yire Commission. All references to the Fire Commission were then stricken from the remainder of the contract the City added in its place. The Council agreed that any interest earned on the dedicated reserve fund, called the Fire Truck Fund, an amount of money equal to five percent of the budgeted operating expenses of the city fire department) should be retained in the same fund. Councilmember Hammock noted previously, we each paid the same amount plug specified equipment, but this time we are asking that each entity pay 50 percent of the operations and maintenance plus the minimal amour of set aside for equipment. Councilmember Knotts felt the sentence which requires both the signatures of the City Finance Director and the Walker County Treasurer on warrants to pur- e chase equipment should also be changed. Mayor Monday noted that would no longer be appropriate if we delete the idea of a Fire Commission. Mr. Pipes said that sentence will be deleted or modified. Mr. Pipes noted a section deleted from the contract should be added back for the county's advantage and vas not sure why they struck it initially. It reads as follows: "The City shall refund the County over- payments, if any, after the city's official audit. The City shall notify the County at least thirty days in advance of any purchase using money from this fund; the City shall, however, have sole authority to determine the fire fighting equipment to be purchased with money from the Fire Truck Fund. Any equipment bought with moneys from the fund shall belong to the City." Councilmember Knotts asked about underpayments. Mtr. Pipes said the county would owe the city the additional amount. Mr. Pipes noted since the city cannot pass through funds to a private organization, the provision that states if this agreement is terminated at any time by either party for any reason, all money in the reserve fund shall be the property of the Walker County Fireman's Association should be changed to delete that Associa- 1 Lion and insert instead the City. Mr. Pipes also noted the City agrees to return to the county the 1982 Chevrolet mini - pumper (Unit 152 -313) upon receipt of the 1987 Ford mini- pumper (which is anticipated shortly). Section VIII of the contract provides for mutual aid as requested by the county. Mr. Pipes said Com- missioner Park and one other commissioner are involved in the East Texas Forest Association Advisory group and by virtue of their position on that, they have had requests from the National Forest Service to send aid in the fora of equipment and manpower, etc., to California and Oregon to assist in the fighting of the serious crush and forest fires out there. Mr. Pipes advised the expression that this contract would establish this Fire Department as a mutual aid fire department, subject to the direction of Walker County to send men and equipment where necessary for the purpose of assistance of other fire departments intends that when those requests axle made, that the county would then have the vehicle by which to designate which men and which equipment would go. Councilmember Bell noted that the City of Los Angeles does not even send assistance to forest fires in its neighboring national forests and it certainly would not be appropriate for Walker County to send aid to California. He said it is not expected that municipalities fight brush fires in the national forest. The Council agreed to delete Section VIII completely concerning mutual aid. Mayor Monday noted the only thing we have changed from our original contract is the inclusion of the :982 mini- pumper to be delivered to the county. Mr. Bounds noted the interest earned in the escrow fund will remain a part of that fund and that is another change to the original contract. Mayor Monday noted then with this consensus of the Council, this contract will be brought back with these changes for approval by the :aunty and City. -- Councilmember Bell noted again his concern that the City of Huntsville residents are paying double for this fire service and he asked that in the next ouple of years, he would like to see a contract that more onammososs7 • 400 Book "0" MINUTES OF SEPTEMBER 15, 1987 accurately reflects the tax realities in this town. He said he honestly feels we are subsidizing Walker County because we have to drive much farther to fight county fires and thus use the equipment more extensively and we do pay both taxes whereas county residents do not have to pay city taxes. Mayor Monday presented some information from Fire Chief Joe French, as follows: The Fire Department is currently at its full authorized membership of 40 members. The personnel of the Fire Department has approxi- j mately 385 years of fire- fighting experience of its members. Of the 40 members, 25 have completed the required 160 hours of certification through the State Fireman's and Fire Marshall's Association of Texas. We also have six emergency care attendants, 12 emergency medical technicians, one emergency medical technician special ski1i. and one paramedic. The city is paying for the training of firefighters at the following schools: New Braunfels. Livingston, Beaumont, Texas 'AM, Galveston, Hardin and Nacogdoches. Areas of instruction include basic fire- fighting, fire and arson detection, fire prevention, rescue, pump operations, ground cover, breathing appara- tus, LPG fires, sprinklers and others. They also drill every second and fourth Tuesday night for two hours each. As of August 31, 1987, the fire department answered a total of 612 calls which is a 13Z increase over this time last year when it only had 533 calls. Of these 612 calls, 364, or 59Z were inside the city limits and 248, or 41% were outside the city limits. Main alarm fires (where the whole department is called out) amounted to 197 of the 612 calls. Of the 197 main alarms, 104 or 53Z were inside the city and 93, or 47Z were outside the city limits. Mayor Monday noted our Fire Department continues to win state recognition every year. She said we have an excellent department, of which we can be very proud. Commendations of Fire Chief Joe French - -Gene Pipes Mr. Pipes said he has been waiting for an opportunity to give due recognition to Fire Chief Joe French concerning an incident that occurred on January 21, 1987. He said about 8:30 A.M., there was a fire at 914 Avenue 0 and it was reported there was possibly someone in the house that ha4,caught on fire. Chief French responded, he said, as the first unit to arrive on the scene. Upon discovering there was still a man inside the burning home, he put on his bunker gear, air pack. and entered the burning house, located Mr. Booker on the kitchen floor just outside his bedroom where he had crawled before he collapsed. Chief French rescued Mr. Booker and took him to emergency aid. Mr. Booker was transferred to the University of Texas Medical Branch Burn Unit in Galveston; they faad he suffered burns over 22Z of his body. He died about a month later. Mr. Pipes said we don't do a very good job sometimes in recognizing and commending our employees for selfless service. He said certainly recognition of Mr. French is long overdue for the efforts in trying to save Mr. Booker's life. Mr. Pipes emphasized that the fire department is a very fine service to the community and the individuals who do comprise it and make up the fire department are the real issue, not just the trucks equipment and the buildings and we do have some very fine people. Personal Letter from Councilmembers for TDC Proposal Mayor Monday asked the councilmembers for a personal letter from each of them if they feel it appropriate to express their personal desire for TDC to locate another entity here to be addressed to the Board of TDC. She said the letters should be turned in by Friday as the deadline for submission of the proposal is Monday. She noted the city staff will be submitting some letters as well. Board and Commission Member Application Form Developed Mayor Monday presented for the Council's review an application form for citizens to complete to indi- cate their interest in serving on a city board or commission, as requested by Councilmember Bell. She encouraged the Council to advise people this form is available. She noted there will be some appointments made in the near future: two on the Planning Commission and five on the Arts Commission. Constitution Week -- Celebration of the Bicentennial Mayor Monday passed out some fliers describing the slated events in celebration of the signing of our constitution to be held on Thursday, the 17th of September. She encouraged their participation. COUNCIL ACTION Deed Restriction Enforcement -- Councilmember inotts asked for clarification on deed restriction assistance for Harris County recently passed by the Legislature as to whether this is a new provision for financial aid from the state. Mr. Bounds, City Attorney, said with regard to a city helping enforce deed restric- tions, state law was originally passed to enable cities and counties of 1.2 million or more people. The law has now been passed so that the county attorney's office can also assist various individuals living outside of incorporated cities with deed restrictions just like cities might help inside cities. He said he was not aware of any financial compensation and he was not sure it was limited to Harris CaatT but it does not pertain to the City of Huntsville. Council Committee Reports -- Councilmember Knotts asked that the Council get reports from other council committeti so that while some members serve on different committees, all councilmembers would be kept apprised of what the other committees are doing by way of a recap or a summary report. Board Member Application Form -- Councilmember Bell asked that this form be published so as to disseminate it widely throughout the community, even if it meant taking out a paid advertisement. Mayor Monday noted she would not be interested in incurring costs in this way and that it could be made available in ether ways. Councilmember Carter agreed that this form should be published, as a public service, if possible_ Good Shepherd Mission -- Councilmember Bell also encouraged citizens to contribute this most worthwhile orgar,_- zation during their fun:: raising efforts by October 15, so they can qualify for matching funds. Personnel Committee Report -- Councilmember Howard, Personnel Committee Chairman, advised a personnel evalua- tion meeting was held by this committee with each of the charter officers of the city. A memorandum documenting that review has been prepared by the Chairman of the committee. He noted the committee recommended conducting personnel review meetings twice a year to more closely communicate with them. MEDIA INQUIRIES After some questions from the news media, the Council then adjourned. Respect hew, September 15, 1987