MIN CC 06/18/1996CITY COUNCIL MEETING OF JUNE 18, 1996 BOOK "S" 31
MINUTES OF THE HUNTSVILLE CITY COUNCIL MEETING HELD ON THE 18TH DAY OF JUNE, 1996, IN THE CITY HALL..
i. LOCATED AT 1212 AVENUE M IN THE CITY OF HUNTSVILLE, COUNTY OF WALKER, TEXAS AT 5:15 P.M.
The Council met in regular session with the following members present:
COUNCILMEMBERS:
! -, William B. Green, Mayor Dave Luning
Officers:
Dan S. Davis David Martinez
Gene Pipes, City Manager
'I Ronald L. Lange Andrew Holmes
Danna Welter, City Secretary
Ann James JoAnn Matthews
Scott Bounds, City Attorney
-:- Marjorie Rex
EXECUTIVE SESSION [4:00 p.m. - 4:45 p.m.[
1. Pending litigation - Walker County Rural Water Supply System.
CITIZEN INPUTANQUIRY
None.
INVOCATION
Invocation by Councilmember Andrew Holmes.
MINUTES OF JUNE 4, 1996
Councilmember Matthews made a motion to anorove the minutes of June 4. 1996. and Councilmember James seconded the motion.
The motion passed unanimously.
ATTENDING CITIZEN
1. Jane Kathryn Myers to discuss landlocked property. Ms. Myers stated that she had written a letter regarding land she owns that
she is not able to use. City codes that requires that she owns the land between her property and the road, and she is notable to purchase
the property since the owner does not want to sell. She is requesting Council assistance to be able to build a home on her property.
Ms. Myers' son stated that when she bought the property it was not in the City limits and since it was annexed she is not able to
utilize it.
Mayor Green stated that he understands that the policy regarding this issue is that utilities are not available unless there is access
to a public road. Ms Myers' lot is landlocked. A variance request should be directed through the City Planning Commission. He
suggested that she work with the City Attorney on this issue.
DISCUSSION OF SAFE DRINKING WATER ACT COMPLIANCE SUMMARY
Jim Sims, Trinity River Authority, stated that two studies have been running concurrently during the past year; the City studied
the distribution system, while IRA studied the plant. Data from each report was blended together for a final report. Alan Plummer
and Associates compiled both studies and the City's report on the distribution system was presented several months ago. IRA's study
on the plant has recently been completed and representatives from Alan Plummer and Associates are here tonight to discuss the
findings. Mr. Sims introduced Mr. A. Lee Head, Principal -in- Charge, who in turn introduced Alan Plummer, President of the firm,
and Ronald Tamada, Project Manager,
Mr. Head and Mr. Tomato explained the recommendations and probable project costs.
t
CITY COUNCIL MEETING OF JUNE 18, 1996
BOOK "S" 32
IMPROVEMENT ITEM
CAPITAL COST -
Raw water pump suction line /intake relocation
1,500,000
Raw water pumping equipment and two VFD's
240,000
Solids contact equipment retrofit (two sedimentation basins)
780,000
Filter rate -of- -flow controllers, loss- ofhead indicators and filter -to -waste piping, media,
controls
600,000
Filler air scour system retrofit (four filters)
I80000
High service pumping equipment
120,000
Finished water particle counter and appurtenant piping
30,000
Washwater recover basin modification (including pump and piping)
180,000
Construction Cost Subtotal
$3,630,000
Engineering, Testing, Surveying (15 %)
545,000
TOTAL OPINION OF PROBABLE COST 1995 $$ 1997 $$
$4,175,000 / $4,600,0 00
Currently, by providing additional disinfection the HRWSS treatment plant operates under a variance to the finished water turbidity
requirement of the Surface Water Treatment Rule of the SDWA, which regulates performance of plants treating surface water like the
HRWSS plant. This variance of up to 1.0 NTU was granted by the TNRCC. It is anticipated that the TNRCC will repeal all finished "
water turbidity variances by January 1998. This will require all surface water treatment plants to produce finished water with a turbidity
of 0.5 NTU, or less in 95 percent of the finished water samples taken each month. Due to extreme variation in raw water quality, the
HRWSS plan has been unable to consistently comply with the 0.5 NTU turbidity requirement. During the twelve month period from
July 1994 through June 1995 a 0.5 NTU finished water turbidity requirement would not have been achieved approximately two percent
of the time.
Mayor Green suggested prioritizing the recommendations.
CONSIDER MAY TAX REPORT WITH ADJUSTMENTS TO THE LEVY
Councilmember Davis made a motion to anorove the tax re ort with ad'ustments to the levv as recommended by Chief Aunraise r
Grover Cook. and Councilmember Rex seconded the motion. The motion passed unanimously.
CONSIDER TAX SALE TRUST PROPERTIES
Councilmember Rex made a motion to approve the tax sale trust properties, and Councilmember Lange seconded the motion. The
motion passed unanimously.
CONSIDER BIDS RECEIVED ON THE 10TH STREET DRAINAGE PROJECT (FEMA)
Grisham Construction is the low bidder at a cost of $30,775.00, which is over the estimate of $15,332 for the 10th Street drainage
project. The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) is participating in the cost in the amount of $11,499 (this damage
occurred during the floods two years ago). Mr. Wilder stated that this is the third time this project has been bid, with bids each time
coming in over the estimate. Staff recommends two options to Council: 1) award the contract to the low bidder in the amount of
$30,775 with the additional funds of $19,276 being paid from "drainage funds from prior years ", or 2) reject the bids again and
construct this project with in -house crews (these crews are the same crews that work on the street paving program). Staff will apply
to FEMA for additional funding.
!i
Mayor Green recommended awarding the contract to the low bidder so the paving program would not on hold for up to four weeks.
Councilmember lames made the motion to approve the low bid of $30.775 to Grisham Construction on the 1 Oth Street Drainage
I� Proiect. and Councilmember Lange seconded the motion. All were in favor and the motion Passed unanimously.
CITY COUNCIL MEETING OF JUNE 18, 1996 BOOK "S"
33
CONSIDER ADOPTION OF PREVAILING WAGE RATES AS REQUIRED BY THE TEXAS LEGISLATURE!?
Mr. Bounds stated that the David -Bacon Act requires that cities pay prevailing wage rates on federally funded projects. There is
a similar state law ordering cities to comply with the Act. The next item on the agenda is for renovation of the Martin Luther King
Center and is a federally fundedisubsidized project. Dan Slater, the architect for the project, has on behalf of the City conducted a
prevailing wage study and it is presented for Council's approval.
Councilmember Rex made a motion to approve the Prevailing Wage Rates as listed below and required by the Texas Leeislature
and Councilmember Holmes seconded the motion All were in favor and the motion passed unanimously..
CRAFT CLASSIFICATION
HOURLY WAGE
Common Labor
6.00
Carpenter
10.00
Concrete Finisher
10.00
Equipment Operator
10.50
Bricklayer
12.00
Painter
8.00
Licensed Plumber
10.00
Licensed Electrician
10.00
CONSIDER AWARD OF BID RECEIVED ON THE MARTIN LUTHER KING CENTER RENOVATION
TO PRIME CONTRACTORS, INC., IN THE AMOUNT OF $67,500
After a detailed review of the line item cost and the alternatives provided in the bid document, staff recommends that Council
authorize the City Manager to execute a contract with Prime Contractors, Inc. in the amount of $67,500 (renovations to the building).
Paving and walks could be constructed by City crews with a net savings of approximately $10,000.
It was noted that if the paving and walks were constructed by City crews, it would hold up the paving program. Council suggested
that the paving and walks be addressed in the 1996 -97 budget process.
Staff stated that fund transfers need to be approved as follows: 01 -44 -5743 (ADA Compliance) $18,000; 01 -22 -5707 (Emancipation
Park Project) $16,000; 01 -22 -5740 (Improvements MLK Bid.) $35,000; and 01 -01 -9110 (RFA) $5,000. These amounts include the
monies needed for the contract, architectural fees and contingency.
Councilmember Lance made a motion to authorize the City Manager to execute a contract with Prime Contractors. Inc.. in the
! amount of $67.500 and authorize fund transfers as indicated. and Councilmember Lupine seconded the motion. All were in favor and
the motion passed unanimously
CONSIDER SCHEDULE OF PUBLIC HEARING FOR ADDRESS CHANGES FOR 911
Mr. Bounds stated that the City Engineer and the Postmaster are recommending changing some street addresses to be able to
provide better emergency services and response under the 9 -1 -1 system. Staff realizes that it is inconvenient for citizens in changing
street addresses. He advises City Council not to change any street address, either street name or number, except by ordinance after
a public hearing.
Mr. Pipes noted that this is the first series of streets in the newly annexed areas to be affected, but there will be a series of these
as the Postmaster and City Engineer continue to look at the areas in and around town.
CONSIDER ORDINANCE 96 -06 -18.1 AMENDING CHAPTER 13, OFFENSES AND MISCELLANEOUS PROVISIONS,
OF THE CITY'S CODE OF ORDINANCES, BY ESTABLISHING A DAYTIME CURFEW FOR JUVENILES
This item was postponed to a later date for collection of additional data. -
CITY COUNCIL MEETING OF JUNE 18, 1996 BOOK "S" 34
MAYOR'S ACTIVITY REPORT
1. Consider response to the Walker County Water Supply System lawsuit.
Mayor Green stated that Council had met in Executive Session to discuss the Walker County Water Supply System lawsuit.
Councilmember Lange made a motion to engage Martin Rochelle in the pleading and litigation in Federal Court and to emolov
Jim McCartt from Houston to help in this litigation, and Councilmember Davis seconded the motion The motion passed unanimously.
2. STEP Grant - Selective Traffic Enforcement Grant. Mayor Green stated that Chief Eckhardt had received information on this grant
(100% funding - $5,000) to deal with safety belt and speed issues during the Independence Day and Labor Day holiday periods.
Council had no objections to the Mayor signing this grant application.
CITY COUNCILMEMBER ACTION
1. Consider renewal of the second year of a three year agreement with Auditor Ken Davis.
Councilmember Davis made a motion to renew the agreement with Ken Davis for the Citv's FY 1995 -96 audit at an amount not
to exceed $12.000 (2nd year of a 3 vear contract), and Councilmember Holmes seconded the motion All were in favor and the motion
Passed unanimously.
Soccer Fields. Councilmember James congratulated Councilmember Lange on the letter from the TNRCC approving proposed plans
for soccer and softball fields on a portion of the closed landfill site. Councilmember Luning stated that he feels the City should have
long term planning regarding the development of the site to deter potential problems involved.
Traffic Problem. Councilmember Luning stated that he has received numerous complaints regarding the traffic problem around the
Westridge area. He suggested that the City staff come up with a stronger action to attain the attention of the Highway Department
before this dangerous situation becomes more serious.
MEDIA INQUIRIES
Wayne Sorge asked about the current hopes and expectations regarding the litigation with the Walker County Rural Water Supply
System. Mr. Bounds stated that he expected this issue to be back to the TNRCC level soon. -
Wayne Sorge asked if Council felt the changes in signalization at the Feeder and FM 1374 are an improvement. Councilmember
James stated that she felt the changes had improved traffic flow. Mayor Green stated that the changes at the Feeder and Highway 30
have also improved the flow of traffic.
ADJOURNMENT
Council adjourned into a work session to discuss the pre- budget message. f�
Danna Welter, City Secretary