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MIN CC 04/03/1984MINUTES OF THE HUNTSVILLE CITY COUNCIL MEETING HELD ON THE 3RD DAY OF APRIL, 1984 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 a regular session with the following members present: William V. Nash, Mayor Member Absent: Councilmembers: Larry Corley Stephen E. Davis Jerry L. Dowling Bill Hodges Percy Howard, Jr. Jane Monday Bob Tavenner Murray A. Brown (illness) The meeting was called to order by the Honorable William V. Nash, Mayor. The invocation was presented by the Honorable Morris I..Waller,Mayor Emeritus of the City of Huntsville. CONSIDER THE MINUTES OF THE PREVIOUS MEETING Councilmember Monday made the motion to approve of the City Council Meeting minutes of March 27, 1984 and Councilmember Corley seconded the motion. All were in favor and the motion passed unanimously. CONSIDER RESTRUCTURING THE POLICE DISPATCH OFFICE PERSONNEL Consider a proposal to restructure the police dispatch office personnel, as recommended by staff Mayor Nash advised the Council that Lieutenant McDugle of the Police Department, recommends staffing the Communications Center with only full -time dispatchers. David Farrar, Director of Public Safety, advised the ,Council in a memorandum on March 29, 1984 that the present budget provides basic salary expenses for six dis- patchers, and benefits expense for five of those six positions. Chief Farrar noted this enables the City to 'maintain a pool of several part -time dispatchers who, when called to work, receive no retirement or medical ;insurance benefits. The Chief noted to accomplish a change such as is recommended would require additional expense in the form of retirement and medical insurance in the amounts of approximately $631 and $563, respec- tively, over the next six months. He said the impact on the 1984 -1985 budget would total just a little over twice that amount, or approximately $2,400. He felt this cost would be easily justified as a preventative measure in view of the gravity of problems encountered elsewhere with part -time dispatchers. He said this could be equated to an ounce of prevention. After some discussion regarding qualifications of dispatchers and training requirements and experience, a motion was requested. Councilmember Hodges made the motion to approve of this request and Councilmember Monday seconded the motion. Councilmember Dowling asked where the money would come from for the added retirement and medical insurance costs. Mr. Pipes noted there are sufficient funds budgeted to cover the costs this year in the regular medical and insurance budgets for the Police Department. He said next year, this sixth full -time position will be budgeted. A11 were in favor and the motion passed unanimously. CITY MANAGER'S REPORT- -GENE PIPES TML Resolutions and the Region 14 TML Meeting Mr. Pipes noted Councilmembers Percy Howard, Jr. and Stephen Davis accompanied by Bob Smith, Director of Community Development, attended a Region 14 Meeting of the TML in Houston last Thursday evening. He noted dis- cussed at this meeting were the TML Resolutions for this year that impact next legislative session (January). He noted these resolutions from the cities need to be submitted to the TML Region 14 for their consideration before their next regional meeting in August. He said three weeks prior to that the Resolutions should be sub- mitted to the committee for review. Mr. Pipes noted fewer and fewer resolutions are being accepted from the floor so it is important to go through the Resolutions Committee. Mr. Pipes noted he just wanted to give the Council plenty of lead time. Councilmember Davis noted this group heard from Mr. Alan Erwin, Chairman of the Public Utilities Commission, the featured speaker for this TML Region 14 Meeting in Houston. Councilmember Davis said Mr. Erwin told the regional representatives that the worst thing that has happened to the U. S. is the break up of the AT &T Phone ,System (since communications). Councilmember Davis said also discussed was utilities, such as gas and electricity, and noted Mr. Erwin said we are beginning the time when we will see the bankruptcy of our utilities. He noted the speech was interesting, but left him perplexed about the status of utilities in Texas. In regard to suggested resolutions to submit, Mr. Pipes noted the Council may wish to submit Resolutions in support of some sort of relief or payments in lieu of taxes from the legislature for the exempt property at TDC and SHSU. He noted the County would be in good order to offer some legislation or enlist support for the trial bill. He noted for cities in general, things that are particularly critical to the police and fire situa- tions and changes in the civil service tactics, etc. acquire lots of attention every session. He noted TML does 'a good job representing the opinion and attitude of the membership overall, but when you're representing that "number of communities, with that kind of diversity, it boils down to somewhat of an oversimplification to say that this is consistent. He felt we would have to author and champion our own resolution, push it through, coach ,it, etc. and this take slot of time and preparation. He noted only the best written and supported resolutions are ever going to be passed by the membership of the TML. MAYOR'S REPORT -- WILLIAM V. NASH Election Runoff Possibility Mayor Nash noted since there are four candidates running for position 1 at- large, there is a distinct possi- Ibility that there will be an election runoff. He noted if there is a runoff, Mr. Corley would stay on the Council until his successor is duly elected in the runoff. He noted, then, that since Mr. Corley is also the Mayor Protein, 'the election of a successor Mayor Protem would likewise be delayed until after the runoff. Mayor Nash noted the runoff will be scheduled for April 28, 1984 (a Saturday), if it is needed. He noted the votes cast on Saturday, pkpril 7, will be canvassed on next Tuesday evening, April 10, 1984. He noted if a runoff election is needed, it "can be called during this meeting. He noted the runoff r;,,,- +ion must be held not less than 10 days from the ';first election and not more than 30 days from t!, CITY COUNCIL MINUTES OF APRIL 3, 1984 BOOK "N" PAGE 397 .,a 1 1 COUNCIL ACTION Councilmember Dowling - Expressed his concern for the health of Councilmember Brown. -Noted the resignation of Dick Brown as Executive Director of the Texas Municipal League, effective in June, 1984. He noted Dick Brown is the chief lobbyist for cities at the Legislature. -Noted the new elevated water tower is progressing in its construction phase. - Expressed concern about a stolen boa constrictor (snake). Chief Farrar advised that it was stolen but its whereabouts is unknown. It was revealed the owner of the snake lives outside the city limits (so excluded from the city's prohibition of exotic animals inside the city limits). It was also reported that the stolen snake had moved to Houston. Councilmember Monday - Complimented the Police Honor Guard for leading off the Walker County Fair Parade this weekend. Councilmember Corley - Reminded everyone of the election on Saturday and encouraged everyone to vote because they would be filling a very important position on this council (his). CONSIDER PROCLAMATION Mayor Nash then read a proclamation in honor of Larry Corley, outgoing Councilmember for Position 1 at -large and outgoing Mayor Protem for the City after nine years on the Council. The proclamation proclaimed April 3, 1984 as "Larry Corley in in honor of nine years as a Huntsville City Councilmember." CONSIDER RESOLUTION Mayor Nash then read Resolution No. 84 -7 also honoring Larry Corley, which recognized his distinguished service and personality traits which have endeared him to the members of Council. Councilmember Monday made the motion to adopt this Resolution in order to open up the discussion. Councilmember Hodges noted he wished to table this resolution because he has not had a chance to read it through. He felt the Council should perhaps table this for a couple of weeks while they take it under advisement. Councilmember Hodges wanted to know if this is the same Larry Corley that he knows that were saying all these things about. Councilmember Howard moved that the Council table all action related to it until after the election. Mayor Nash noted the motion to table over- rides the first motion on the floor, so he asked if there was a second to the motion to table. There being no second to the motion, it failed to pass. Councilmember Hodges then seconded the motion to adopt the Resolution. Councilmember Davis observed that he has a few comments about this resolution. He noted there are several things in it that are of concern to him. He noted the first time he met Larry was at the Church where he was Finance Committee Chairman. He said he noticed Larry's perceptual manner was quite astute and he noted probably if Larry were Mayor right now, we'd most likely all be home watching the Business Report by this time. Councilmember Davis noted Mr. Corley is able to discern many of the situations without alot of verbal comments, which he noted he particularly likes. He noted when Larry was around the inmates on the clean -up detail of Hurricane Alicia, he is quoted to have said: "I would like to give you what you want most, but knowing what that is, I can't." Councilmember Davis then roasted Mr. Corley with a joke and some other well- meaning barbs. Mayor Nash then called for a vote on the motion on the floor to adopt this Resolution and all were in favor and it passed unanimously. Mayor Nash then read the entire Resolution to those present and formally presented it to Councilmember Corley. PRESENTATION OF GIFTS Street Sign: Larry Lane /Corley Park City Manager noted one of Larry's major concerns when he first came on the Council was the condition of the street behind his house which was in need of restoration then and is now marked by some rather substantial pine trees growing where the asphalt used to be. He noted the City has done something about that street, even though it is nine years later. Mr. Pipes noted the City has made it a park. He then presented Mr. Corley with a street sign reading Larry Lane /Corley Park for Mr. Corley to place in his backyard. Scrapbook City Secretary Ruth DeShaw then presented to Councilmember Corley a scrapbook highlighting some of the more significant events in Mr. Corley's life as a Councilmember with the City. Plaque of Appreciation Mayor Hash then presented a bronze and wooden plaque to Mr. Corley in appreciation for his dedication and service to the citizens of Huntsville as Councilmember at- large, Position 1 since 1975, some nine years. Historical Charters Mayor Nash then noted that Huntsville is an uniquely historical town. He said wJ have two charters, one when the city was chartered with the Republic of Texas, and the second when Texas was rechartered under the Union of the States. He then presented framed charters of each of these to Mr. Corley. Desk Paperweight Mayor Nash then presented Mr. Corley with a desk paperweight upon which is inscribed: Loyal Service, Larry Corley, Nine Years, City of Huntsville. Service Plate on Permanent Plaque Mayor Nash then asked outgoing Councilmember and Mayor Protem Corley to affix his service plate on the permanent plaque which will hang in the City Hall lobby. Recognition of Guests Councilmember Corley introduced his family members in the audience: wife, Naomi, daughter Kim, her husband Joe; daughter -in -law and son, Bubba (Larry, Jr.) and his wife, Marsha; and the biggest surprise today, his daughter who lives in New Orleans and who surprised him by arriving at the house just prior to the Council Meeting, Pam. He introduced his sister, Winefred and her husband, Dick. He introduced his two nieces and a great niece who were also present. He noted his mother -in -law called him from Ohio to wish him well. 398 PAGE 398 -- Book N City Council Minutes of April 3, 1984 ■ Councilmember Comments The councilmembers then took turns roasting Mr. Corley with various comments intended all in fun but also added their serious and appreciative notes and farewells. Councilmember Monday expressed her appreciation of Mr. Corley, read a poem which she felt depicted him well, and then presented him with a hand painted, cartooned, bucket of his favorite sweets -- macaroons. Mayor's Comments Mayor Nash expressed his appreciation of Mr. Corley, noting that for nine years he gave his all to the City. He said it is certainly obvious from the comments of the Council and the presence of so many friends that came out this evening that we do appreciate the work that you have done for the City. He noted we are most happy that today, we can make this your day. He said we now would like to hear from you. Larry Corley Mr. Corley assured the audience that this speech would be short. Mr. Corley commended the city government, Mayor Waller and Mayor Nash and Gene Pipes for their leadership, and the City Council. He recognized the former Councilmembers in the audience (Goree McGlothen, Frank Murray, Joe Boaz, Jack Humphries, Sam Robbins, John Amick, etc.) He listed all of the councilmembers with whom he served during the last nine years. He noted the City is in very strong financial condition. He noted we recently passed a bond issue for $2 million, but wished it could have been $29 million because that is what it would take to do all that has to be done. He noted this $2 million is a start and this helps. He noted the future of Huntsville is very bright. He recalled that when he came aboard, the Council met over in the old fire station on llth Street (present home of KKNX). He noted we now have this new city hall, a new police station, two very fine sewer plants (nine years ago we had only the old North Plant and had just opened the South Plant). He noted nine years ago we had about eight policemen and now we have Chief David Farrar and a very fine department. He noted our Fire Department is the finest in East Texas and this is proven by all of the contests they enter. He noted we have three fire stations and we are very well protected in Huntsville. He noted the Emergency Corps, shared with the County, is very efficient. He noted they came to the assistance of Councilmember Brown, in his time of need, within 18 minutes administer- ing medical attention. He noted we should be very proud of that. He said the old service center used to be over on Avenue F and it was a rinky dink installation; but now we have a very fine service center out on Highway 75N. He said this city is growing. We should be proud of it, he said. He noted, however, that there is alot to be done. He said he was sure the Council could do it without him, but he enjoyed trying to do what he could do on the Council. He said with the type of citizens that we have, he said they will see that what needs to be done does get done. He marveled that after these many years, he was happy to see as many citizens come out to this function. He noted he did not know a Councilman could have that many friends after nine years on the Council. He then recognized certain individuals. He said it was a good feeling to see them. He noted he would miss the City Council. He then closed with this statement: "Alot of people will say, 'Well, when do you intend to get back into City Government ?', and my thought to this was a statement made by MacArthur when he left the Philippines. . . it is similar to that, now wait until I tell it before you draw conclusions . . . when Mac- Arthur left the Philippines, he said: 'I shall return'; as I leave city government, I say this: "I may return ": He then thanked everyone for coming noting he is very happy they are here. Reception Mayor Nash noted refreshments will be served in the conference room and he invited all present to partici- pate in that. Adjournment R ully submitted, t D Shaw, City — cre ary April 3, 1984 1