MIN CC 12/06/1983r
MINUTES OF THE HUNTSVILLE CITY COUNCIL MEETING HELD ON THE 6TH DAY OF DECEMBER, A.D., 1983 IN THE 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
Mr. Bobby Squire, Bible Chair, Church of Christ.
CONSIDER THE MINUTES OF THE PREVIOUS MEETINGS
Councilmember Corley made the motion to approve the minutes of November 28 and November 15 and Councilmember
Monday seconded the motion. All were in favor and the motion passed unanimously.
ATTENDING CITIZEN
By City Council Summons: Mr. Chester Powell of Entex to receive recognition as honored citizen.
Mayor Nash then recognized a "soon to be retiring employee of Entex" gas company, Mr. Chester Powell,
Manager. Mayor Nash presented a Resolution commending Mr. Powell's many years of service to the community in
the managment of gas service to the citizens and in representing the gas company to the City Council in the
rate setting capacity. Councilmember Corley made the motion to approve of the Resolution of Commendation and
Councilmember Brown seconded the motion. All were in favor and the motion assed unanimousl . Mr. Powell
graciously received the resolution from the mayor and made some parting remar s.
CONSIDER EQUIPMENT REPAIR
Consider authorization of an emergency repair service to the CAT 977 Trac Loader by Mustang Tractor Company
in the amount of $9,912 from budgeted vehicle maintenance funds.
The Council was advised by the Director of Internal Services, Mr. John R. Keys, that the Cat 977 Trac
Loader requires repairs to the final drive (rear end) and the costs would be $6,500 for parts; $3,050 for labor;
and $362 for machine work for a total of $9,912. He noted the City is not equipped to make these repairs in-
house and Mustang is the only caterpillar deader and repair shop in our area. Councilmember Dowling made the
motion to authorize these repairs as requested and Councilmember Corley seconded the motion. All were in favor
and the motion passed unanimously.
CONSIDER ORDINANCE
, Consider adjustments to the water and sewer tap fee schedule as recommended by staff
The City Manager, Gene Pipes, advised the Council of the request for a revised water and sewer tapping
charge which is presented by Mr. F. Boyd Wilder, Director of Public Utilities. He noted it is requested to
increase the 3/4" water tap from $150.00 to $175.00, the 1" water tap from $225.00 to $280.00, the 4" sewer tap
from $150.00 to $185.00 and the 6 sewer tap from $250.00 to $360.00. Mr. Pipes noted this will cause a revis-
ion to Ordinance No. 83 -6 which was adopted on March 9, 1982 regulating the water and sewer tapping fee charges.
He noted the costs for installing these taps have increased because of higher material costs, higher labor costs
and a different method for repairing street cuts.
Councilmember Brown made the motion to adopt Ordinance No. 83 -51 and to include these fees with the consid-
eration of other city fees at budget time (October) in the future and Councilmember Monday seconded the motion.
All were in favor and the motion passed unanimously. A caption of this ordinance is as follows:
ORDINANCE NO. 83 -51
AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF HUNTSVILLE, TEXAS ESTABLISHING UNIFORM WATER AND
SEWER TAPPING FEES; PROHIBITING TAPPING OF CITY UTILITY LINES WITHOUT A PERMIT AND PROVIDING FOR
THE EFFECTIVE DATE HEREOF.
HOTEL -MOTEL TAX RATES
Consider survey re ort on the current status of hotel -motel tax rates across the state as provided by Ruth
' DeShaw, City Secretary
The Council was advised of the changes in Article 1269j -4.1 of V.T.C.S. created by the passage of H. B. 1836
in the recent 68th Texas Legislature which allows an increase from 4% to 7% for local hotel -motel occupancy tax,
on a local- option basis. The Council was advised that all revenues from a tax in excess of 4% may only be used
for convention center improvements, facilities and personnel for the registration of conventioneers, and
advertising and promoting the city. It was noted that 1% of the remaining 4% could be used for the arts and
the remaining three percent could be used for historical preservation and restoration projects or activities at
or in the immediate vicinity of convention center facilities or historical preservation and restoration projects
or activities located elsewhere in the city that would be frequented by tourists and visitors in the city, as
jiwell as for convention center improvements, facilities and personnel for the registration of conventioneers,
ani a vvertising and promoting the city.
•
The Council expressed some interest in pursuing a study of the possible use of this additional 3% tax,
j current information regarding what other cities are charging, etc. The staff was asked to acquire additional
information regarding other cities so that the Council might give further consideration to the possibility of
increasing the hotel -motel tax rate from 4% to 7 %. No formal action was taken on this item.
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PAGE 356 -- DECEMBER 6, 1983
the last paving course on the northeast loop section. He noted the truck re- routing should be completed very
shortly and that the signs are ready to go up now.
ATTENDING CITIZEN
.E. Larry Dickens' expresses concern for unauthorized solicitations in residential areas
Dr. Dickens apologized for asking for the Council's time and attention without going through the agenda
!! position procedures. He requested the City's investigation of a group of solicitors, primarily young school
' age children (perhaps 11 or 12 years of age) who are selling candies, tea, popcorn, etc. door to door to benefit
,� the Junior Careers Organization. He noted they always indicate they are from Pasadena. He noted he has had
four such solicitors in recent months and was concerned that they are not permitted to operate in Huntsville and
he questioned'why such young people would be so far away from home, unsupervised, and many times late at night
after dark. He noted although this organization may be legitimate, he did not feel it was a healthy situation
for the young solicitors. The City Manager noted the city will follow up on this situation.
INFORMATIONAL ITEMS
Annual Christmas Parade
Mayor Nash announced the annual Christmas parade would be held this evening at 7:30 P.M. (Note: the
city's float consisted of three smurf houses and live smurfy donned the float based on a cartoon show; the
caption on the float read: "Have a smurfy Christmas." The City's float earned a Most Original Float" award.
Floodplain Management Seminar
Mayor Nash noted the floodplain management seminar was held all morning at City Hall on December 6, sponsored
by the Texas Deaprtment of Water Resources, Community Services Unit and the Texas Department of Public Safety,
Division of Emergency Management. Mayor Nash noted the City has a street that consistently floods, namely 7th
Street. He noted the need was pointed out in this meeting for a fixed permanent gate on 7th Street so that this
street could be closed off during high water. Mayor Nash felt this type fixture would be preferred to a barricade
that someone could easily nave. It was noted there may be other areas in the city which should have a permanent
gate for this purpose also.
Water Tower Concrete Pouring
Councilmember Brown wished to be advised when the date would be reset for the mammoth concrete pouring for
the new two million gallon elevated water storage tank project. Mr. Pipes noted he would be happy to advise the
Council in this regard.
Leadership Institute Class
Mayor Nash recognized members of the Huntsville Leadership Institute class of 1983 -1984 who were present
for the Council meeting as part of their curriculum requirement.
ADJOURNMENT
Respectfully submitted,
Ruth DeShaw, City Secretary
December 6, 1983