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MIN CC 07/15/1997CITY COUNCIL MEETING OF JULY 15, 1997 BOOK "S" 99 MINUTES OF THE HUNTSVILLE CITY COUNCIL MEETING HELD ON THE 15TH DAY OF JULY, 1997, IN THE CITY HALL, 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 Dan S. Davis David Martinez Ronald L. Lange Ann James Vance Howard JoAnn Matthews Marjorie Rex Officers: Gene Pipes, City Manager Danna Welter, City Secretary Scott Bounds, City Attorney Convene and recess into EXECUTIVE SESSION [4:30 p.m.] to consider 1) a real estate acquisition - Post Office; and 2) pending litigation - Townsend, Nelson, Clements/Sam Houston Inn, Lyons and Hyvl. CONVENE PUBLIC HEARING TO RECEIVE COMMENTS CONCERNING AMENDING THE CITY'S FRANCIIISE ORDINANCE WITH SOUTHWESTERN BELL TELEPHONE COMPANY No comments were received. CITIZEN INPUTHNQUIRY Michael Gaubatz, United States Postal Employee. Mr. Gaubatz stated that he had written a letter to the editor pertaining to the relocation of the Post Office. He spoke against the new post office being located on the west side of the interstate. • Glen Reader, State Farm Insurance Agent. Mr. Reader also stated his view that the post office not be located on the west side of IH -45. I!,li • Charles Smither, Jr. Mr. Smither expressed his opposition to any activity by the City to encourage or financially assist the relocation of the Post Office to the west side of the freeway. Mr. Smither also stated that he has glanced through the Parks Master Plan and has found a serious omission. There is dedicated park area not listed on the inventory of park properties. He suggested the matter be addressed immediately. II INVOCATION Invocation by J. D. Schindler, Director of General Services. MINUTES OF JUNE 24, 1997 Councilmember Rex made a motion to approve the minutes of June 24 1997. and Councilmember James seconded the motion. The motion passed unanimously. ATTENDING CITIZENS 1. Mr. Lee Howard, Habitat for Humanity, to rediscuss the drainage proposal for property on 11th Street at Elm Street. Mayor Green stated that this item has been withdrawn. 2. Friends of the "Old Town Theater" to propose acquisition and renovation. Ms. Ila Gaines, Huntsville Arts Commission, stated that the mission of the Arts Commission is `to enhance the quality of life in Huntsville by supporting, encouraging, and nourishing the cultural arts for our diverse community." The Commission feels that the restoration of the Old Town Theater is in line with its goals and missions. This project is recommended in the Huntsville 2020 plan adopted in 1992. The Arts Commission endorses the concept and pledges its support for the project. Funds were granted for a feasibility study as the first step. This project is possible if we catch the vision, feel the excitement and join together to find ways to make it happen. The Arts Commission respectfully requests that City Council approach this project with an open mind and give consideration not only to the financial and operational aspects but to those benefits to be derived from it. Mr. Gene Myrick, Friends of the Old Town Theater, stated that they have discussed the possibility involved in restoration of the Old Town Theater that would provide the City and County with an arena that could be used for all the performing arts that now lack a performance hall and could also he used for any group that needed a meeting place for up to 500 seats. Mr. Myrick stated that a feasibility study was done and presented to City Council. As stated in the study, the estimated cost of completely renovating the Theater is $1,065,000. The Friends feel die project can be phased in over several years. There are many operation and maintenance CITY COUNCIL MEETING OF JULY 15, 1997 BOOK "S _. 100 issues to be discussed and worked out. Mr. Myrick stated that in working through these areas and developing plans for a new /old performance area for Huntsville, he requests City Council's support and patience in going through these uncharted areas. The Friends group will come back to City Council within the next few weeks with an evolving plan. Mr. Dave Carpender stated that he is a producer in Huntsville and his proposed need for the Town Theater is to house a multi -image production dealing with Sam Houston and the Huntsville of his day. The show will be approximately 30 minutes in length, historically accurate, and he punctuated with numerous special effects. The production will be both educational and entertaining, designed to draw on the tourism trade and school age children. He urges City Council to consider the potential to restore the Town Theater - the possibilities for its use are numerous and the potential for cultural growth and financial opportunity are unlimited. 3. Mrs. Doris Powell, Anders Lane, to present a petition from the residents of Anders Lane concerning the proposed annexation. Mrs. Powell stated that she had submitted a petition to City Council (July 15 packet) and was against annexation of the Anders Lane, Allen Road, Highway 30 East areas. CONSIDER ORDINANCE 97 -07 -15.1 AMENDING THE CITY'S FRANCHISE ORDINANCE WITH SWB TELEPHONE COMPANY TO PROVIDE FOR A LONGER TERM AND ADD TERMINATION CLAUSES Councilmember Rex made a motion to annrove Ordinance 97-07-15.1 amending the City's franchise ordinance with Southwester Bell Telephone Company to provide for a longer term and add termination clauses. and Councilmember Matthews seconded this motion. The motion passed unanimously CONSIDER QUARTERLY BUDGET ADJUSTMENTS Councilmember Davis made a motion to approve the uuarterlv budget adiustments and Councilmember Lange seconded the motion The motion nassed unanimously. , The investment report and hotel -motel report were furnished to City Council in their agenda packets. CONSIDER INTERLOCAL AGREEMENT WITII II.I.S.D. TO IMPROVE AND MAINTAIN FIELD #4 AT KATE BARR ROSS PARK Mr. Pipes stated that Council has previously approved $15,000 for improvements to field 44 at Kate Barr Ross Park, contingent upon the funding by the other entities involved. Council had asked that the maintenance of the field be performed by H.I.S.D. after the improvements are made. Staff is recommending approval of an amendment to the sports contract with H.I.S.D. and other recreation providers implementing this change. Council asked that the proposed work project be attached to this amendment. Councilmember Rex made a motion to anprpvc an interlocal agreement with H.I.S.D. to improve and maintain field #4 at Kate Barr Ross Park with a work erect attached to the contract, and Councilmember lames seconded the motion. All were in favor except Councilmember Matthews. The motion passed 8 -1 CONSIDER AUTIIORIZATION AND TRANSFER OF FUNDS TO COVER REPAIRS TO FIRE TRUCK (PUMPER) IN TILE AMOUNT OF $12,000 This item was postponed until the next meeting. CONSIDER FIRE TRUCK BID TO FIRE CAPITAL EQUIPMENT IN TIIE AMOUNT OF $155,922 CONTINGENT UPON CONCURRENCE OF WALKER COUNTY ON BUDGET OVERAGE Councilmember James made a motion to approve the fire truck bid to Fire Capital Eauipment in the amount of $155.922 (avoroved by Walker County), and Councilmember Davis seconded the motion. The motion passed unanimously. CONSIDER RESOLUTION 97 -07 -15.1 (AMENDING RESOLUTION 96-23) AUTHORIZING TIIE SUBMISSION OF A GRANT APPLICATION TO THE CJD OFFICE OF TILE GOVERNOR'S OFFICE FOR FUNDING TWO POLICE OFFICER [BICYCLE UNIT - 4TH YEAR OF 5 YEAR GRANT] Councilmember Rex made a motion approve Resolution 97 -07 -15.1 authorizing the submission of a grant application for the 4th Year of a five year tzrqnt for two volice officers and Councilmember Lange seconded the motion. The motion nassed unanimously, CITY COUNCIL MEETING OF JULY 15, 1997 BOOK "S" CONSIDER AUTHORIZATION OF 90/10 GRANT APPLICATION TO REPLACE EMERGENCY 101 EQUIPMENT IN THE PATROL VEHICLE FLEET IN THE AMOUNT OF $38,007, WITH LOCAL MATCH OF $4223 Councilmember Rex made a motion to authorize submission of a 90 /10 Brant application to replace emergency eouiument in the amount of $38,007 with a City match of 4223 and Councilmember James seconded the motion The motion passed unanimously. MAYOR'S ACTIVITY REPORT Consider appointments to the Huntsville Housing Board. Mayor Green stated that he recommends the reappointment of Norma Howard as the tenant representative for the Huntsville Housing Authority. She was appointed mid -term previously and is eligible to serve a full term. Councilmember Lange made a motion to approve reappointment of Norma Howard as tenant representative to the Huntsville Housing Board and Councilmember Matthews seconded the motion The motion nassed unanimously. 2. Consider Entergy's request for resolution endorsing fairness in deregulation policy. Councilmember Luning made a motion to approve a resolution endorsing fairness in deregulation policy. and Councilmember James seconded the motion The motion passed unanimously. Mayor Green thanked Entergy for providing refreshments for the meeting. 3. Mayor Green stated that House Bill 298 has been signed by the Governor makings changes to uniform election date provisions. The January election date is no longer available and the City will need to choose the May or November date. This selection will take place between September and December of this year. CITY ACTION • Report on workshop and seminar on electric utility restructuring and management. Councilmember Luning stated that thanks to Entergy and Stan Foley, he attended the National Business Energy Forum in New Orleans recently. It appears the City is focusing on the right issues and asking the right questions regarding deregulation. • GFOA Award - Councilmember Davis congratulated Patricia Allen and staff on receipt of the GFOA Award for the FY 1996.97 budget. • Consider authorization for staff to solicit request for proposals for preliminary engineering and design work for a second entrance into the Elkins Lake subdivision to be funded from the Elkins Lake street reserve. Councilmember James made a motion to authorize staff to solicit request for proposals for an accelerated master plan with the optimum location and design of a second entrance into the Elkins lake subdivision (utilizing the monies from the Elkins Lake street reserve) and Councilmember Rex seconded the motion The motion passed unanimously. • HGAC Review Committee - Councilmember James stated she and Councilmember Martinez attended the HGAC Review Committee and Huntsville will be awarded another $350,000 for sewer projects, contingent upon the State's approval. • Fireworks - Councilmember Rex thanked Councilmember Luning for promoting the July 4th fireworks display. MEDIA INQUIRIES ADJOURNMENT Recess into WORK SESSION for presentation and discussion of the Parks Master Plan. Danna Welter, City Secretary