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MIN CC 06/07/1983MINUTES OF THE HUNTSVILLE CITY COUNCIL MEETING HELD ON THl(.,';7th DAY OF JUNE, 1983 rWTHE CITY HALL COUNCIL CHAMBERS, LOCATED AT 1212 AVENUE M IN THE CITY OF HUNTSVILLE, COUNTY OF WALKER, TEXAS AT 7:00 P.M. The Council met in regular session with the following members present: William V. Nash, Mayor Murray A. Brown Larry Corley Stephen E. Davis Jerry L. Dowling Bill Hodges Percy Howard, Jr. Jane Monday Bob Tavenner The meeting was called to order by.the Honorable William V. Nash, Mayor. The invocation was presented by the Reverend Joseph Sammon, Chaplain of Texas Department of Corrections. CONSIDER THE MINUTES OF THE PREVIOUS MEETING ii Councilmember Monday made the motion to approve as written the minutes of the City Council Meeting of May 16, 1983 and Councilmember Corley seconded the motion. All were in favor and the motion passed unanimously. HUNTSVILLE SOFTBALL ASSOCIATION REQUEST FOR PERMISSION TO SELL ADVERTISING Mr. Bennie Lillard, President, Huntsville Softball Association, requested the Council's permission to sell advertising space along the fence lines at the Kate Barr Ross softball field for the purpose of raising funds to , fund park maintenance and. improvements. He noted if the city needs assistance with the maintenance and in making the improvements, members of the Huntsville Softball Association could then use these funds to perform the neces- sary work themselves. Councilmember Dowling expressed his opposition to having other entities maintain a city park and objected to the selling of advertising. Councilmember Jane Monday requested a detailed report from the Huntville Softball Association listing the maintenance problems and the needed improvements and their requirements' for future park usage. She noted this will be valuable to the Council during budget considerations. Councilmem -,; ber Davis requested a copy of the Huntsville Softball Association's budget for review. The City Manager was asked to visit further with the Huntsville Softball Association in an attempt to work out his recommendations to the Council which will resolve the maintenance problems, improvement needs and scheduling considerations for current and future use of the softball fields as well as any budgetary considerations the Council should review. REPORT FROM THE PLANNING COMMISSION Mr. Bill Knotts, Chairman, Planning Commission, reported to the Council the Commission reviewed and gave conditional approval on the following: preliminary and final plat of Henderson Land Company, Section 1 (mobile home park); final plat on Henderson Land Company, Section 2A (industrial subdivision); final plat on Northgate Meadows, Section 4 (to complete that 1100 acre development); final plat on Sycamore Village II (corner Sycamore and Olive Street); final plat on University Oaks (Highway 75 South). He noted the conditional approval meant some minor drafting problems and staff recommendations needed to be considered. He noted the Commission reviewed the preliminary plat for Whitehall Apartments (Condominiums) and a request from Mr. G. A. White for a variance on the utility connection to allow one connection instead of individual meters as required by the design criteria manual. Mr. Knotts noted this consideration was postponed for further review. The proposed amendments to the Design Criteria Manual were reviewed and approved by the Commission with the exception of Section 601.5 on Utility Connections. He noted the Commission recommends Council's adoption of the Design Criteria Manual with the exception of Section 601.5 which requires further study by the Commission. Councilmember Monday requested the Commission also review a new name for the manual and Councilmember Hodges agreed. PUBLIC HEARING -- COMMENTS ON PROPOSED CHANGES IN THE DESIGN CRITERIA MANUAL Mayor Nash opened the public hearing. No one offered themselves for comment and the hearing was closed. Gene Pipes, City Manager, noted the Design Criteria Manual will be prepared for the Council's "final" approval on June 21. Mayor Nash asked for at least one week's review time on the manual. CITY MANAGER'S REPORT - -Gene Pipes Mr, Dennis Baker, Southern Regional Manager of TRA, to present the Mid -Year HRWSS Operations Report Mr. Baker presented a summary of the current and projected financial status of the Huntsville Regional Water Supply System through the City's fiscal year. It was noted TRA anticipates an operating balance of approximately' S68,000 on September 30, 1983. It was noted that of that amount, $50,000 is a balance maintained to insure a positive cash flow at all times. Mr. Baker noted the remaining amount may be necessary to implement recommenda- tions resulting from a process study currently being reviewed and discussed by TRA and City staff. In regard to the 1984 budget requirements, Mr. Baker noted he projects approximately an 11 percent increase. He noted one- half of this increase is the result of increases for chemical costs which are projected. The Council also reviewed the FY 1983 0 & M Budget as of May 31, 1983, which indicated of the $1,723,110.00 budgeted, $698,528.46 had already been expended, leaving a current balance of $1,024,581.54 in the 0 & M budget. Neighborhood Watch Program - -Chief David Farrar and Officer Gary Howse, HPD Chief Farrar noted a Neighborhood Watch Program has been established in the Pine Shadows Subdivision and a Business Alert Program has been instituted in the downtown area of Huntsville. Chief Farrar asked the Council's consideration of funding from city funds the necessary signs that will be posted in these areas along the streets. The Council wholeheartedly endorsed the Neighborhood and Business Watch Programs and all agreed that the City should fund the costs of the signs that are posted along the city streets. It was noted the costs may approxi- mate 52,000 in the future for signs, but that this fiscal year the costs would probably be under $1,000. The Council noted the City Manager can authorize the expenditure of funds under $1,000 and that he should take the authority he has to fund this type of expenditure and that the Council approves of this expenditure. Councilmember Monday made the motion to endorse this Neighborhood Watch and Business Alert Program and Councilmember Corley seconded the motion. All were in favor and the motion passed unanimously. CoJncilmember Monday requested that since Pine Shadows Subdivision will be sort of a "pilot" group in this endeavor, it would be good to have them write up their methods and procedures to serve as a tool for other areas to consider and perhaps adopt for their own crime -stop programs. She suggested the newspaper do a story on this as well. PARK IMPROVEMENT FILM Kate Barr Ross Memorial Park The Council then reviewed a filmstrip of the improvements made to the Ross Park at the swimming pool facil- ity for their information. Summer Meeting Schedule The Council agreed on the following council meeting schedule for June: 'no meeting on June 14, an overview of Capital Improvements Program in June 21 Regular. Meeting, and a workshop on itolJune 28. The Mayor requested the opportunity for the Council to review the Capital improvements Program document at least one week in advance of the June 21 meeting. City Medical Insurance Program Cost Increases Mr. Pipes presented the Council with information regarding increases in employee and employee dependent insurance coverage costs, noting the increases are tremendous. He noted this notice is an unexpected mid -year notice and is the result of the employee claims this year. He noted 40% of the claims come from three cases alone. He noted the Council will need to make the decision to "bite the bullet" and pay the additional costs or to consider reducing some of the benefits. He noted the staff will recommend paying the additional costs and hope for a better claims experience in the future. He noted this item will be brought back on June 21 for the Council's decision. Mayor Nash asked the City Manager to determine what the deductibles would have to be to stay within 10% of the costs this year. Councilmember Corley noted in many cases the answer is to raise the deductibles. [John Keys, Director of Internal Services, noted the City has 195 employees whose coverages are paid for by the City and of that amount, 93 employees also have purchased personally the dependent coverages for their families. He said there are 213 dependents of employees currently insured by the employees personally. It' was noted there is a flat rate for dependent coverage and the rate is not set according to number of family members in a family to be covered.] FILL DIRT FOR THE OLD NORTH'PLANT Consider approval of a low bid proposal to move fill dirt to the Old North Plant by James Jordan at $3.00 per cubic yard, not to exceed $12,500, as budgeted. Councilmember Brown made the motion to approve the bid of James Jordan at $3.00 per cubic yard, not to r exceed $12,500 from budgeted funds and Councilmember Jane Monday seconded the motion. All were in favor and the motion and it passed unanimously. It was noted the City will do the leveling work of the dirt at the plant. TO ABANDON CERTAIN RIGHTS -OF -WAY Consider a request to authorize the City Manager to abandon certain rights -of -way, as detailed, The Director of Planning, Dale Brown, requested approval of the request to abandon a right -of -way given to the City for extending Pine Shadows Street from Hickory to the I -45 feeder road. He noted the City has received a new right -of -way configuration that is much better than this one and the City now wishes to release this right - of way for a 50 foot street, as contained in the deed from Ray Hankamer and Bo Crews (Volume 254, page 58, 1971) to the City, in favor of the new alignment while retaining a twenty foot utility easement based on the centerline of the existing sewer line. Mr. Brown also requested abandoning a twenty foot utility easement in the North Huntsville Sewer Plant Project from John Damon Ramey (Vol. 331, page 713, 1978). He noted during the construc- tion stage, the alignment of the pipe line was changed and a new easement was obtained. He recommended abandon - ing this old easement to the new property owners, Henderson Land Corpany, in order to clarify their records !; since they are beginning to develop the tract. Councilmember Monday made the motion to abandon both of the above right-of-way easements and Councilmember ,Hodges seconded the motion. All were in favor and the motion passed unanimously. SUBDIVISION ORDIUANCE- -FEE SCHEDULE CHANGED i Consider a revision to Chapter 30, Article 3 of the Subdivision Ordinance -- Construction of Public Improvements - -which would replace the fee schedule, as previously discussed. The City Council reviewed the proposed fee schedule for construction of public improvements as presented ri and revised on May 24, 1983 by David Smith, City Engineer. The Council generally agreed to the new schedule. The City Manager noted it will be brought back for final approval on June 21 in the form of an amending ordinance. AERIAL MAP SETS -- REIMBURSEMENT OF M & P DEVELOPMENT COMPANY ii Consider reimbursement of M & P Development Company for aerial mapping sets that were scheduled in next year's program in the amount of $1,362.68 from priority list funds which have a balance of 566,856. Mayor Nash recommended that these maps be paid for by reimbursing H & P Development Company, but that they not be actually paid until next year's budget because this item was not budgeted for expenditure this fiscal year. The Council agreed to reimburse M & P Development Company for these maps with distribution of this reimbursement to be made after October 1. PURCHASE OF A POLICE PATROL VEHICLE Consider a request for funding of $6,060 from the priority funds for the additional police patrol vehicle Councilmember Brown made the motion to approve funds in the amount of $6,060 to purchase the additional police patrol vehicle and Councilmember Corley seconded the motion. Funds to come from the priority funds list. All were in favor and the motion passed unanimously. TRACTOR FOR THE PARKS DIVISION FOR MOWING Consider aware of a bid to Huntsville Ford Tractor in the amount of $11,061 from budgeted funds fora tractor to be used in the Parks Division for mowing. Councilmember Corley made the motion to approve of the purchase of this tractor from Huntsville Ford Tractor in the amount of 511,061 from budgeted funds and Councilmember tionday seconded the motion. All were in favor and the motion passed unanimously. REWIRE LIGHT POLE AT THOMAS HENRY BALL PARK Consider approval to re-wire the light pole at the Thomas Henry Ball Park in the amount of 53,400 to be paid from priority fund balance. Councilmember Monday made the motion to approve of the expenditure on an alternate proposal of $900.00 to allow the city staff to rewire the light control panel for the lights at Thomas Henry Ball Park in -house to be paid from priority fund balance and Councilmember Hodges seconded the motion. Mayor Nash recommended protect- ing the wire or red burial cable by covering it with concrete. Allwere in favor of this motion and it was passed unanimously for the staff to do this work in a' "good and substantial way." RENEW F80 LEASE AGREEMENT Consider a proposed renewed lease agreement for the Fixed Base Operator (FB0) at the airport in compliance with the Airport Master Plan Councilmember Brown made the motion to approve of the proposed lease agreement as to the concept that it he for a 25 -year period and subject to the addition of a clause that the other conditions be renegotiated on a 5 year basis and Councilmember Corley seconded the motion. All" were in favor• and the motion passed unanimously. AIRPORT IMPROVEMENT ENGINEERING CONSULTANT Consider a recommendation by staff to retain a consultant engineering firm to design the improvements slated for the airport by recent FAA funding grant Councilmember Hodges made the motion to accept the staff's recommendation to award the contract for engineer= ing services to Everett Griffith & Associates for the design work on the new FAA grant work at the Municipal Airport and Councilmember Monday seconded the motion. Discussion: Mr. Pipes noted the city's share of the FAA funded project is 10% or $30,300 to be funded out of priority funds. All were in favor of the motion and it passed unanimously. NO PARKING ORDINANCES Consider Ordinance No. 83 -6 -7.1 amending Chapter 12 of the Motor Vehicle Code establishing certain no parking zones on Highway 75 North ORDINANCE NO. 83 -16 AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF HUNTSVILLE, TEXAS, AMENDING CHAPTER 12, MOTOR VEHICLES AND TRAFFIC, OF ITS CODE OF ORDINANCES BY ESTABLISHING A NO PARKING ZONE ALONG THE EAST SIDE OF HIGHWAY 75 NORTH BETWEEN HEATON STREET AND MAGNOLIA WAY; PROHIBITING PARKING IN SAID ZONE; PROVIDING A PENALTY OF UP TO $200 A DAY FOR CERTAIN VIOLATIONS; MAKING EITHER FINDINGS AND PROVISIONS RELATED TO THE PARKING ZONES; AND PROVIDING FOR THE PUBLICATION AND EFFECTIVE DATE HEREOF. Councilmember Monday made the motion to approve of this ordinance and Councilmember Corley seconded the motion. All were in favor and the motion passed unanimously. Consider Ordinance No. 83 -6 -7.2 amending Chapter 12 of the motor vehicle code establishing certain no parking zones on 19th Street. ORDINANCE NO. 83 -17 AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF HUNTSVILLE, TEXAS, AMENDING CHAPTER 12, MOTOR VEHICLES AND TRAFFIC, OF ITS CODE OF ORDINANCES BY ESTABLISHING NO PARKING, NO PARKING /NO STANDING, AND 10 MINUTE PARKING LIMIT ZONES, ALONG 19TH STREET; PROVIDING A PENALTY OF UP TO 5200 A DAY FOR CERTAIN VIOLATIONS; MAKING OTHER FINDINGS AND PROVISIONS RELATED TO THE PARKING ZONES; AND PROVIDING FOR THE PUBLICATION AND EFFECTIVE DATE HEREOF. Councilmember Monday made the motion to approve of this ordinance and Councilmember Corley seconded the motion. All were in favor and the motion passed unanimously. UTILITIES CONSTRUCTION -- HUD /NEW ADDITION PROJECT Consider the recommendation of staff to award the bid to the apparent low bidder, Trico International, Inc. of Oakhurst, Texas in the amount of 5388,976.79 for construction of Phase I utilities in the HUD /New Addition Project. Councilmember Brown made the motion to approve of the low bidder, Trico International, Inc. of Oakhurst, Texas in the amount of 5388,976.79 for construction of Phase I utilities in the HUD /New Addition Project and Councilmember Dowling seconded the motion. All were in favor and the motion passed unanimously. THE MAYOR'S ACTIVITY REPORT -- William V. Nash Pebworth Statute - -Totem -- Mayor Nash noted on May 26, 1983, the Pebworth Statute was formally presented and named: Totem. Bulkheading Project -- Mayor Nash advised that work has begun on the bulkheading of the Town Creek drainage ditch in the Town Creek Park behind City Hall. H.E.A.P. -- Mayor Nash noted the Huntsville Enrichment Activities Program is well underway with registration being very high this year indicating alot of involvement. He commended those who participate and offer leadership in those programs. AMCC Questionnaire -- Mayor Nash noted this is to help TML plan the Annual TML Meeting. He asked the Council to be sure to complete it and forward it to the City Secretary for handling. Revenue Sharing -- Mayor Nash advised that the City would receive 52,725 less than originally estimated for 1982 in revenue sharing, accordipg to a notice from Michael F. Hill of the Office of the Secretary of the Treasury which was just received. Texas Legislature - -Mayor Nash noted none of the local bills received favorable attention in Austin this year. The bills regarded reimbursement to the city, school and county related to the the presence of state property in Huntsville. COUNCIL ACTION POTHOLE -- Corner of 11th Street and Normal Park -- Councilmember Monday noted this corner is continuing to erode and the hole is getting bigger daily. HEAP -- ,Councilmember Monday complimented Linda Pease and Marian Hunter for their efforts in this program. Texas Outdoor Recreation Funds Available -- Councilmember Dowling asked the City to check into obtaining these funds for Huntsville for its baseball field needs. No Parking Signs -- Councilmember Howard reported that Mr. Johnson on Avenue F is upset about the no parking" signs on Avenue F and said he will probably be contacting the City through his attorne June 7, 1983 Respectfully submitted,---7-77fi pS'haw; City Secretary'