MIN CC 07/29/1997CITY COUNCIL MEETING OF JULY 29 1997 BOOK "S" 102 -
MINUTES OF THE HUNTSVILLE CITY COUNCIL MEETING HELD ON THE 29TH 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
Marjorie Rex
Officers:
Dan S. Davis
David Martinez
Gene Pipes, City Manager
Ronald L. Lange
Ann James
Danna Welter, City Secretary
Vance Howard
JoAnn Matthews
Scott Bounds, City Attorney
ABSENT: Dave Luning
Convene and recess into EXECUTIVE SESSION [4:45 p.m.] to consider I) a real estate acquisition - Post Office; and 2) pending
litigation - Clements /Sam Houston Inn and Attorney General Opinion.
INVOCATION
Invocation by Reverend Frank Crowley, First United Methodist Church.
MINUTES OF JULY 15, 1997
Councilmember James made a motion to approve the minutes of July 15. 1997. and Councilmember Matthews seconded the motion
The motion oassed unanimously (7 -0). NOTE: Councilmember Martinez absent for this vote.
ATTENDING CITIZEN
L Mr. L D. Davis to request utility and street participation for the extension of Vicki Lane through Elks Drive and extending existing ,
water lines to the trunk lines on Elks Drive at an estimated cost of $66,220.
Mr. Davis requested City participation on some undeveloped property for the extension of Vicki Lane and extension of utilities.
After discussion, a motion was made.
Councilmember Lange made a motion to table this reauest to allow staff to evaluate the growth system in this area. and
Councilmember Davis seconded the motion. The motion oassed unanimously.
CONSIDER ORDINANCE 97 -07 -29.1 ANNEXING CERTAIN TERRITORY INTO TIIE CORPORATE
LIMITS OF THE CITY AND APPROVING A SERVICE PLAN FOR TIIE AREA
ALLEN ROAD, ANDERS LANE, IIIGHWAY 30 EAST
[Option 1 - as proposed; Option 2 - deletion of the northern 7.6 acres]
Councilmember Davis made a motion to anorove Ordinance 97 -07 -29.1, Option 2, annexing certain territory into the comorate
limits of the City and annroving a service plan, and Councilmember Lane seconded the motion. All were in favor except
Councilmembers Matthews and Martinez. The motion passed 7 -2
CONSIDER JUNE TAX REPORT WITH ADJUSTMENTS TO THE LEVY
AS RECOMMENDED BY CHIEF APPRAISER GROVER COOK
Councilmember Matthews made a motion to approve the June tax report with adjustments to the levy as recommended by Grover
Cook, Chief Appraiser, and Councilmember Rex seconded the motion The motion passed unanimously
CONSIDER AUTHORIZATION AND TRANSFER OF FUNDS TO COVER REPAIRS
TO FIRE TRUCK (PUMPER) IN THE AMOUNT OF $12,000
Councilmember Matthews made a motion to anorove the transfer of fiords to repair the pumner fire track in the amount of S 12.000.
and Councilmember Howard seconded the motion. The motion passed unanimously.
CITY COUNCIL MEETING OF JULY 29, 1997 BOOK "S"
MAYOR'S ACTIVITY REPORT
103
L Consider interlocal agreement with Walker County for a combined emergency service dispatch system.
Mr. Bounds stated that this agreement creates a new political agency to provide emergency dispatch services for all public safety
units within Walker County.
Councilmember Rex made a motion to anorove an interlocal inurement with Walker County for a combined
communications /dispatch center, and Councilmember James seconded the motion. The motion passed unanimously.
2. Consider City participation related to the location of a new post office.
Mayor Green stated that at this time no agreement has been reached between the post office and a private land owner for
purchase /trade of property. At such time as an agreement is reached, City Council will be notified and action will be taken.
3. Consider report on settlement agreement by Entergy.
Mr. Pipes stated that GSU has proposed that its pending rate case be settled by adopting the deregulation legislation supported by
the electric utilities which failed to pass the last legislative session, but without the rate reductions called for in such legislation. In
the meanmhne, recommendations have been made by the Cities' representatives, Commission staff, and Office of Public Counsel to
reduce GSU's rates by $53 - 80 million per annum. The representatives of the Coalition at the Beaumont meeting on July 24, 1997,
unanimously voted that the Cities should remain open to a reasonable settlement offer, but did not feel that any settlement proposal
was viable if it did not include a rate reduction in line with the recommendations stated. The Cities did agree to discuss a reasonable
deregulation plan that includes all pending River Bend issues.
4. Discuss dedication of a monument at the Sam Houston Statue by the Masonic Lodge to be tentatively held on September 27, 1997,
I at 4:00 stated Mc Pipes es stated with consensus of Council, on September 27, 1997, at 4:00 p.m., the Masonic Lodge will dedicate a monument
at the Sam Houston Statue.
5. Consider approval of $4,030 from the hotel /motel tax reserves for the Sam Houston Statue Visitor Center.
Councilmember James made a motion to approve $4,030 from the hotel /motel tax reserves for the Sam Houston Statue Visitor
Center. and Councilmember Davis seconded the motion. The motion passed unanimously.
MEDIA INQUIRIES
Amy Upshaw, Huntsville Item, asked about the exclusion of property in the annexation vote. Mayor Green stated that 1) there was
no tax to be collected as it is all highway right -of -way, and 2) it makes the lines straighter instead ofjogging to the north.
ADJOURNMENT
Recess into WORK SESSION for presentation and discussion of the FY 199 98 budget.
Damm Welter, City Secretary
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