MIN CC 04/15/2008CITY COUNCIL MEETING of APRIL 15, 2008 BOOK "U" 111
MINUTES OF THE HUNTSVILLE CITY COUNCIL MEETING HELD ON THE 15Th DAY OF APRIL, 2008, IN THE CITY
HALL, LOCATED AT 1212 AVENUE M IN THE CITY OF HUNTSVILLE, COUNTY OF WALKER, TEXAS AT 6:OOPM.
The Council met in a regular session with the following:
COUNCILMEMBERS PRESENT: J. Turner, Wayne Barrett, Jack Choate, Tom Cole, Mickey S. Evans, Clarence Griffin,
Melissa Mahaffey, Mac Woodward, Dalene Zander
OFFICERS PRESENT: Gene Pipes, Interim City Manager; Thomas Leeper, City Attorney; Stephanie Brim, City Secretary
CALL TO ORDER [6:OOpm]
Mayor Turner called the meeting to order.
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE to US and TEXAS FLAGS, INVOCATION
Councilmember Griffin led the invocation.
PUBLIC COMMENTS (Agenda items only.)
None.
CONSENT AGENDA
a. Approve the minutes of February 26, March 4 and March 14, 2008.
b. Approve an annual contract with Pavers Supply for the purchase of miscellaneous rock and sand with an estimated
annual expenditure of $53,938 to be purchased from budgeted funds.
C. Approve the purchase of a solid waste truck scale with required equipment to be located at the Disposal Facility, in the
amount not to exceed $55,564 from Nicol Scales of Houston, Texas.
d. Approve changes to the approved joint election agreement with Walker County and Huntsville Independent School
District for the May 10, 2008 Regular Election.
Councilmember Zender moved to approve the Consent Agenda; and Councilmember Woodward seconded the
motion. The motion passed 8 -0. [Note: Councilmember Choate was not present during this portion of the meeting.]
STATUTORY AGENDA
a. Presentation, discussion and /or possible action on the annual audit of the City's financial records.
Ken Davis, P.C., presented a report on the City's annual financial audit for the fiscal year ended September 30,
2007.
motion. The motion passed 9 -0.
b. Presentation, discussion and /or possible action on Ordinance 2008 -15, adopting a tax abatement agreement with
Weatherford International, Inc.
Weatherford International, Inc. requests a tax abatement and waiver of permit fees for a proposed expansion
consisting of a full -scale threading production line.
seconded the motion. The motion passed 9 -0.
C. Presentation, discussion and /orpossible action on applying for a 2008 Fire Equipment Grant in the amountof $64,533,
and authorizing matching funds from the City in an amount not to exceed $6,453 to be paid from General Fund future
allocations.
The Huntsville Fire Department is requesting permission to apply forthe 2008 Fire Equipment Grant in the amount
of $64,533. The grant is part of the FEMA/US Fire Administration Grant Program and will be used to fund the purchase
of equipment that needs to be upgraded and replaced for the Fire Department.
The Huntsville Fire Department strives to maintain equipment in the best possible working condition and to replace
' equipment when needed in order to provide the maximum protective service to the citizens of the City of Huntsville. The
2008 Fire Equipment Grant would be used to purchase 21 sets of pants and coats, 98 -1.75 inch hoses, 36 - 2.5 inch
hoses, 35 - 3.0 inch hoses and 19 - 5.0 inch fire hoses.
The Huntsville Fire Department has been awarded several FEMA/US Fire Administration Grants in the past that
have purchased a Fire Prevention Trailer, JAWS Rescue Equipment and allowed for the replacement of 38 SCBA air
packs. The requested grant will total $64,533 ($58,080 from FEMA plus a required 10% cash match from the City of
Huntsville of $6,453.)
CITY COUNCIL MEETING of APRIL 15, 2008 BOOK "U" 112
Presentation, discussion and /or possible action on Ordinance 2008 -16, amending Title 14 of the Municipal Code
Ordinances to reflect changes in the solid waste provision of services to an automated system.
The City of Huntsville is converting its solid waste collection to an automated system. While reviewing the existi
Title 14 of the Huntsville Code of Ordinances it was determined that numerous changes were needed to elimim
obsolete regulations and terminology and insert the new regulations. Asa result, Title 14 was completely re- written a
updated. Once approved, this version will replace the existing Title 14 in its entirety.
ne-glecf" and Councilmember Zender seconded the motion to amend.
The motion to amend passed 9 -0. The original motion then passed 9 -0.
Presentation, discussion and /orpossible action on Ordinance 2008 -17, amending the FY 2007 -08 budget to reflect th
addition of the solid waste cart fee.
The City of Huntsville is converting its solid waste collection to an automated system. As a partofthat conversion
need for additional carts by some residents has been anticipated. Research of other entities providing the same servic
and a review of the costs of collection and disposal has resulted in a recommendation by staff to implement an $11.0
monthly charge and $50.00 refundable deposit for new customers requesting a residential collection container an
existing customers requesting an additional container. Revenue will vary, depending upon the number of customer
requesting the service.
Presentation, discussion and /or possible action on passport processing operations.
Council received a report of the passport activity through March 31, 2008. Passport processing continues to show
a trend of increasing activity through the first half of year six of the City providing this service. And, even though the fees
the City is allowed to collect for processing have been reduced as of February 1, 2008, the service does continue to pa
for itself, and then some.
The City Secretary requests specific direction from the City Council to (1) continue the operations indefinitely,
increase the budget for the remainder of the fiscal year, and take up this item once again during the budget process, or
(2) choose a firm date that the City will no longer process passports, so the office can prepare to discontinue this service
with as much notice to the citizens of Huntsville as possible
Presentation, discussion and /orpossible action on completion of the Eastham- Thomas ParkfTexas Department of Par
& Wildlife grant, specifically construction of a gazebo.
Council received a report on the status of the Eastham- Thomas Park improvement project, funded by Texas Par
& Wildlife Department grant and City funds. TPWD agreed to eliminate the gazebo element as a requirement
completing the grant, and steps have been initiated to closeout the grant. There will be approximately $100,000 left
the budget that could be used to implement other improvements. Staff recommend allowing the Parks & Recreati(
Advisory Board time to consider and bring forth suggestions for use of these funds for certain park improvements.
Councilmember Mahaffey seconded the motion. The motion passed 9 -0.
)R/CITY COUNCILMEMBER/ CITY MANAGER REPORT
Presentation, discussion and /or possible action on the Findings and Final Order of the City Council in the appeal
Samuel Park, Jr.
Presentation, discussion and /orpossible action on the potential negotiation and purchase of land for the north east fire
station.
This item was discussed in Executive Session.
CITY COUNCIL MEETING of APRIL 15, 2008 BOOK "U" 113
PUBLIC COMMENTS (Open.)
Councilmember Mac Woodward. Councilmember Woodward welcomed Huntsville Leadership Institute class members in
audience; and announced the University Corridor: Past, Present and Future exhibit on display at the SHSU -SC.
Mayor J. Turner. Mayor Turner announced that Arcus Public would be conducting City Council interviews on April 22 and
2008.
MEDIA INQUIRIES
None.
RECESS [7:10- 7:17pm]
EXECUTIVE SESSION [7:17- 7:42pm]
City Council conducted a closed session in as authorized by Texas Government Code, Chapter 551, 551.
RECONVENE in OPEN SESSION
ADJOURNMENT [7:44pm]
Mayor Turner adjourned the meeting.
C