Loading...
MIN CC 04/17/1984MiNUTES OF IHE HUNTSVILLE CITY COUNCIL MEETING HELD ON THE 17TH 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 niet 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 Jerry Bowen of the New Testament Baptist Church. CONSIDER THE MINUTES OF THE PREVIOUS MEETING Councilmember Corley made the motion to approve of the minutes of the meeting of April 10, 1984 and Councilmember Monday seconded the motion. All were in favor and the motion passed unanimously. ATTENDING CITIZEN Dr. Jack Staggs, Chairman of the Arts Commission, to Report on the Status of the Downtown Ahysen Mural Dr. Staggs advised the Council that due to deterioration of the plywood in the Ahysen Mural, it has been removed from the downtown square. He noted after much discussion, the artist, Harry Ahysen, has agreed to paint another mural to take its place for a sum of $10,000. He noted this one would be done on quality materials, mounted on a rather permanent base with adequate protection from nature and man (or women). He recommended to the Council that the Arts Commission dedicate $5,000 of next year's budget to the artist's fee and that the City secure underwriting of the other $5,000 from private citizens. He noted the artist has agreed to accept his fee over a two year period. He asked the City to provide the plywood, the foundation and installation costs estimated to be approximately $8,000. It was suggested by the Arts Commission, Dr. Staggs reported, that those sections of the original Ahysen Mural which are salvageable be auctioned and that the proceeds of these sales be applied to another Ahysen mural. He suggested that the new mural be placed on the same sight, west of the Courthouse by the Smith Jewelry Building, facing north. Mr. Pipes noted recent figures show that the steel structure and the marine plywood face of the mural would cost some 55,700 in materials and an additional $4,000 in combined crew hours and crane time would be required to erect the face of the mural. He noted this will be more in the range of 510,000 or 511,000 including contingency. Mr. Pipes noted the property on which this mural be erected is owned by Gibbs Bros & Co., but the City has had the use of it for many years. Mayor Nash noted due to the more permanent nature of this mural installation, it might be well to obtain an easement for it. Mr. Pipes noted he would pursue this. He noted the mural will be free - standing and not attached to the adjacent building. Mayor Nash noted he would like to see an overall package that would include all aspects before the Council makes a final decision. Councilmember Hodges endorsed the entire program. Dr. Staggs noted the Arts Commission anticipates that the S5,000 the City will pay to the artist will come out of the Arts Commission funding amount for FY 1984 -1985 but that the remaining installation and materials costs would come from other city sources. Mayor Nash noted if the City proceeds with this project, the Arts Commission budget will be reduced by $5,000 for next year. Councilmember Corley endorsed the project 100% noting he has always enjoyed the original mural. Dr. Staggs noted the earliest Mr. Ahysen could begin this mural would be in August and it would require about 1.000 hours or 3 -4 months if he works 8 or 10 hours a day. Mr. Ahysen noted he would like to have the Council's decision by May of 1984. Councilmember Dowling favored the project but felt it should be treated in the general budget process, however, to recognize what we are doing which is giving (if we choose to do this) another 510,000 into the Arts funding. He noted regardless of the Arts Commission Budget and the City budget, it is still city money. Mayor Nash asked Mr. Pipes to bring this matter back for consideration in early May. Councilmember Davis noted the presence of art in our community is very important; noting that it brings both negative and positive comments, but if we have no art, we have no comments. He commended the efforts of the Arts Commission in increasing arts awareness in our city. Councilmember Howard noted the phrase: "Some aspects of our culture are 'caught' rather than 'taught'," explaining so many people will learn from just having experienced seeing beautiful art whether it be in or out -of- doors. Mayor Nash thanked those in attendance for this discussion, noting the Council's consensus seems to be favorable. CITY MANAGER'S REPORT Petition of 28 Signatures Requesting a Four -Way Stop at Normal Park and 19th Street Mr. Pipes noted this is presently only a two -way stop on Normal Park as it crosses 19th Street and 19th Street is a through street until it connects with Avenue S. He noted the city staff has no objection to making this a four -way stop and he felt it has a tremendous amount of merit. The Council noted the City Manager has adrministrative authority to make this a four -way stop for a trial period prior to the Council formally passing an ordinance making it a legal installation. Councilmember Dowling asked if the real problem had been identi- fied, noting it may he necessary to solve the problem without slowing down the traffic flow. Mr. Pipes noted 'oart.ed vehicles, vegetation are a consideration, but also to be considered is the configuration of 19th Street which curves hack toward the interstate at Normal Park so that an east bound car is on the intersection before one can really see it. He felt it makes sense therefore to stop everyone at this intersection. Councilmember Corley noted he feels the four -way stop is very definitely needed for the stated reasons and the fact that the traffic there, because of the Little Red Schoolhouse,even further warrants slowing the t "affic down. Councilmember Monday asked that a "Warning- -Stop Ahead" sign be placed prior to the intersection. "flunc'1nerber Dowling felt the City should look at the parking situation near this intersection as well. :orr.:unication Audit Concept Discussion :ity Manager, Gene Pipes, noted preparations were made in this year's budget to take a first step in convert - in) the Police Department's communication system to an upgraded and improved status. He felt this is the next r•ajor project requiring financing after the utility mapping project. He noted a proposal has been submitted that would purchase a console this year and in subsequent budget years, change the frequency in all of the radios in each of the mobile units, etc. He noted we have four distinct radio systems: EMS, Public Works, Fire & Police. He noted the Police Deparment has some shared frequencies and this is one of the reasons for wanting to go to a separate radio system, or a new frequency, for the Police Department, merely because of traffic put on that one channel. He noted there is not sufficient expertise on staff to review the four separate systems to see if there is any possible way to consolidate all of our radio systems into one master system with some sort of trunking program. He noted this project needs to be done in conjunction with the police radio upgrade and improvement for efficiency. He noted the current system works well except for the traffic on the primary channel of the Police Department. He noted Bill Carr has done consultant work on radio systems throughout the U. S. and in the last ten years has done extensive work in police department communications due to the LEAA grant series. He noted Mr. Carr's proposal to us was not received in a timely fashion but a memorandum has been prepared to outline his proposal and his proposal will be forthcoming. He said he works on a fee schedule similar to engineering consultants, noting he is an electronic (communications) engineer and his fee curve is based on 6 percent, which is standard. He noted Mr. Carr estimates that a conversion of our radio system would run somewhere in the range of 5350,000, which is remarkably close to what Mr. Farrar, Police Chief, estimated a year ago. He noted this would equal about $18,000 in a consultant fee or a fee not to exceed that amount to retain his services to audit our present system, to evaluate where we are and to lay out a master plan, write the specifications, review the bids and make recommendations on any purchases that we make to that radio system. He noted, however, that this amount was not budgeted in this year's budget and therefore represents a new wrinkle," that he is throwing at the Council to see what kind of reaction they might have. He noted too that we do not have alot of money in our unallocated reserve, however, did not wish to budget $350,000 without a professional review of our system prior to this expenditure. It was noted this is the only consultant that has been contacted in this matter. Council- member Dowling noted he was in favor a someone coming in to make a comprehensive look at all this but he noted his concern about giving a consultant his 6% up -front without a commitment to do the whole project. Mayor Nash agreed with Councilmember Dowling, but he agreed with the concept. He indicated he would prefer staff check with other people to find out what the overall program is. He said a 6% fee on something as equipment intensive as a radio is, to him, seems very high. He noted we are not asking anyone to design a radio but rather to put appropriate equipment together. He felt there is probably an industry standard and he urged the city to contact others in this field. Councilmember Davis felt there might possibly be people who will evaluate this system as part of their service. Mayor Nash noted he would like to get an opinion from someone other than Motorola or the system we're most likely to buy. Councilmember Davis noted he did not want to pay some outside consultant $18,000 to tell us to go to Motorola to get their equipment; noting since there are only two companies, we can get two opinions, at least from those companies, free of charge. Mayor Nash asked Mr. Pipes to check with at least one other consultant and to check with Motorola and General Electric to find out what he could. Recreation Equipment Purchase and Installation Gene Pipes noted Councilmember Monday requested that basketball goals be installed at Emancipation Park's outdoor pavilion. He noted Mr. Poteete has found that solid, good, heavy duty, abuse -proof type backboards and goals and frames for this location would cost $2500 for four sets in equipment installed by the Park's crews, excluding installation costs. He noted this is not a budgeted item. He asked if the Council feels it is appro- priate at this point to install them, noting the money would have to come out of the unallocated reserve. He noted as far as organized basketball this year, we have missed the peak need time. He noted there are basketball goals there on an outdoor court. Mayor Nash noted he felt it appropriate to install these basketball goals, but he was not sure time -wise if now was a good time, since it is not budgeted. Councilmember Monday made the motion to approve of the installation of four basketball goals, backboards and frames under the covered pavilion at Emancipation Park immediately, with the funds to come from unallocated reserve and Councilmember Hodges seconded the motion. All were in favor and the motion passed unanimously. April 24, 1984 - -No Meeting Scheduled City Manager, Gene Pipes, noted that since the 24th is immediately after Easter Weekend and Good Friday is a City Holiday and the agenda items at this point look slim, he recommended a "Walk" on the 24th. All of the members of Council agreed this would be acceptable. The Council also noted the election results will not be canvassed Saturday night, but would be delayed until May 1, 1984. CONSIDER OFF -SET MOWER Consider bid for an off -set mower for the Street Division in the amount of $7,175 to the low bidder Hyco Equipment Company with budgeted funding supplemented by 5225 from the unallocated reserve in the General. Fund. Mayor Nash presented bid No. 84 -14 for this off -set mower as noted in the caption. Councilmember Monday made the motion to approve of its purchase and Councilmember Corley seconded the motion. Councilmember Dowling asked why we didn't want to purchase the demonstrator. He noted we have had discussions in the past about encouraging bidders to bid alternates and he assumed we were appropridelywriting our specifications to this effect. City Attorney, Scott Bounds, noted he does not encourage the City to put open -ended alternates out for bid. Mayor Nash noted alternates are one thing, but just to ask someone how we might do it differently makes the bidding process so informal it could be meaningless. He noted alternates based on the same thing that everyone has an opportunity to bid on is reasonable and appropriate, however. Councilmember Hodges felt all we had to state on the bid specifications is: or approved alternate or equal," and leave it up to the purchasing depart- ment at that time. He felt we should be allowed to do what is in the best interests of the City of Huntsville. He felt we needed this flexibility and if it is available, we should not be afraid to exercise it. Mr. Bounds, City Attorney, noted our bid specifications are quite clear and they do encourage alternates. He noted if a bidder does want to quote an alternate, and an alternate is not provided for in the bid specifica- tions, the specifications encourage the bidder to contact the purchasing director in sufficient time in front of the bid opening that the City can make an amendment to our bid specifications and let everyone else know that there is an acceptable type of alternative so that others can bid on the same basis. Councilmember Dowling emphasized the need to encourage bidders to bid alternates. Mayor Nash noted from what Mr. Bounds has said, our bid specifications do encourage alternates, but do so by a method in which all bidders would have the same oppor- tunity. Councilmember Corley felt the new equipment should be purchased as outlined in the motion on the floor. Councilmember Dowling requested that this problem be further addressed. Councilmember Monday asked that Mr. Keys come to a work session to discuss the bidding process. Gene Pipes noted the very procedures we have today are the result of many indepth discussions in this regard and he noted the only alternative that exists that he is aware of is to have the bidders preclear alternates so that we can send out bid amendments. Councilmember Hodges noted many state institutions simply use the words: "or approved equal," and these are either approved before or after the bid opening. He noted the bidder has the option of bidding the specified item and /or an alternate item of your choice. Councilmember Davis noted he would not mind the review of the procedures, but he would not want to vary too much from the organized bidding process as stipulated by Texas law. After further discussions and with the understanding that the philosophy of our purchasing procedures will come back for more discussion at a later time, Mayor Nash then called for a vote on the motion. All were in favor and the motion passed unanimously. ' MINUTES OF THE CITY COUNCIL MEETING OF APRIL 17, 1984 PAGE 404 -- BOOK "N" CONSIDER A CERTIFICATE OF OBLIGATION FOR A TRACK LOADER Consider an ordinance approving delivery and acceptance of a certificate of obligation in the amount of $150,990 for a track loader for the Sanitation Division to be assigned to John Henry Neiderhofer for a five year term at 9.60 percent interest as the low bidder. Gene Pipes, City Manager, presented the captioned item to the Council and noted the bids received are as follows: First National Bank 10.28 % Huntsville National Bank 10.50 % J. H. Neiderhofer 9.60% Mr. Pipes noted the last bond buyer's index we have for the last month available shows an interest rate of 9.80% so this bid of Mr. Neiderhofer's is below the standard. Councilmember Monday made the motion to approve of the Ordinance and award of bid to Mr. Neiderhofer and Councilmember Corley seconded the motion. The caption of the ordinance is as follows: ORDINANCE NO. 84 -12 AN ORDINANCE APPROVING CLAIM AND DELIVERY OF CERTIFICATES OF OBLIGATION; AND CONTAINING OTHER PROVISIONS RELATED HERETO. [5150,990 - -HYCO EQUIPMENT, INC. - -TRACK LOADER /DIRT EXCAVATOR] All were in favor of the motion and it passed unanimously. THE MAYOR'S ACTIVITY REPORT -- WILLIAM V. NASH Hispanic Heritage Week Proclamation Mayor Nash noted prior to this meeting, he issued a proclamation on Hispanic Heritage Week for April 22 -28, 1984. Sanitation Trucks - -Stop Lights & Turning Lights Councilmember Brown H -GAC Garbage Report Councilmember Davis Traffic at Avenue F & llth Street Councilmember Howard Intersection of 11th Street Councilmember Dowling COUNCIL ACTION advised the City Manager that an interested citizen informed him that some of our sanitation trucks lack stop and turning lights. referred to the recent H -GAC Spectrum publication regarding a 71 page report entitled: "Technologies of Exploring Garbage Disposal Alternatives," which is free to local governments. He requested that the City send off for a couple of copies to see what they have to say. He reminded the staff that we have a $50,000 budget for use in studying landfill alternatives; we can save a little of this by getting this free report. noted he wishes to report the traffic situation at Avenue F and llth Street to be of such magnitude that we need a caution light or a stop light. Mayor Nash asked Mr. Pipes to check on this. & Avenue Q Stop Light noted the red light is extremely long for northbound Avenue Q (Hwy 75) motorists. He noted some times motorists just give up and go on through the red light, thinking it surely must be stuck. Mayor Nash noted a sign may be in order there which says: "This light is working." Councilmember Dowling noted his fear that someone traversing the red light because of this misinformation might be involved in a serious accident. He noted the cycles should be checked to ascertain their timing accuracy. Mr. Pipes noted the cycles are working properly and are at the lower end limit of what they can actually, functionally operate. Mayor Nash noted perhaps a sign which says: "This is a long cycle," or "This cycle is 3 1/2 minutes." Sesquicentennial Effort -- Walker County Joins Councilmember Monday noted this evening Walker County will announce its joining in with Huntsville in the Sesquicentennial Effort and they will become a joint part of our committee. They did receive their own official Sesquicentennial Flag, she reported. Recognition Mayor Nash recognized the contending City Council candidates in the audience: 0. Eugene Barrett and Jim Carter. ADJOURNMENT lly submitted Rut`f11eShaw, City Secretary ----April 17, 1984 a •