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MIN CC 10/14/1997CITY COUNCIL MEETING OF OCTOBER 14, 1997 BOOK "S" 112 MINUTES OF THE HUNTS VILLE CITY COUNCIL MEETING HELD ON THE 14TH DAY OF OCTOBER, 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 Dan S. Davis Dave Luning David Martinez Ann James Vance Howard JoAnn Matthews Ron Lange CITIZEN INPUTIINQUIRY Officers: Gene Pipes, City Manager Danna Wetter, City Secretary Scott Bounds, City Attorney Charles Smither. Jr. Mr. Smither stated that he has been informed that the fine for parking in Huntsville is now $18.00. As a downtown businessman, he feels that this is too high. He asked City Council to check into this situation. Mr. Bounds stated that during the last legislature session several taxes were adopted that related to municipal violations. Prior to September 1, parking tickets were not subject to state tax, but effective September 1, there is a $8.00 tax. The City's parking fee for some time has been $10.00, but reduced to $5.00 if paid within ten days. Judge Haney eliminated the $5.00 early payment discount September 1, when the new state tax was imposed. Mayor Green stated that staff would discuss this issue with Judge Haney. Garland Spivey. Mr. Spivey stated that on September 11, the City water and sewer crews dug a line and cut an electrical underground cable. As a result, it caused a power surge into his new home and caused quite a bit of damage. He filed a claim with the City, but it was denied because the Insurance Company felt it was Entergy's error. Be filed a claim with Entergy and they indicated that the line was located properly and the City was at fault. Entergy also denied his claim. Mr. Spivey expressed his concern about this incident and his inconvenience. Mayor Green stated that it is his understanding that a meeting is set up between City employees, Entergy employees and the Spivey's to discuss the matter next week. INVOCATION Invocation by Patrick Antwi, City Planner. ATTENDING CITIZENS 1. Mr. Gene Myrick Friends of the Town Theatre, to provide additional information concerning their proposal to acquire the Town Theatre facility. Mr. Myrick stated that he is a representative of the Friends of the Old Town Theatre. The consulting architect is estimating $1,065,000 for the renovations needed for the theatre. The Friends believe that the sum of up front money is well below the $1 million estimate. He understands that the present owner of the theatre has offered the building to the City of Huntsville for approximately $90,000. The Friends group is requesting that the City purchase the building and the group pledge to seek gifts and grants to proceed with the basic items to get the theatre up and running. He feels with the support of the City, Chamber of a cadre of volunteers, the theatre will be self sustaining in two to three years. Councilmember Rex asked if the City of Conroe contributed to the Creighton Theatre. Mr. Myrick stated that he did not know. Councilmember Lange stated that he would like to see the building appraised before any consideration is made to the purchase. Councilmember Luning stated that he supported the concept but does feel that it will be an expensive project and would like more numbers before any purchase plan is discussed. Councilmember James complimented the committee on their work on this project. 2. Ms. Dec McFarland. Chamber of Commerce, to present year end renort on Sam Houston Statue - Visitor Center. Ms. McFarland thanked the City of Huntsville for the enormous support for the Fair on the Square. Ms. McFarland stated that the Sam Houston Statue Visitor Center has finally broken even. She stated that she is ready and willing to return the $4,030 that the City advanced to them in June due to an expected budget overrun. This money could be put back into the tourism reserves. Ms. McFarland showed City Council a portion of the display of the Statue that was used in Neiman Marcus celebration that occurred recently in Dallas and Houston. The display was viewed by thousands of people in these two cities. I CITY COUNCIL MEETING OF OCTOBER 14, 1997 BOOK "S" 113 3. Mr. Michael Cochin. Adcorp. to reauest permission to install a sign for the Little Red Schoolhouse on Citv property. Mr. Cochran stated that he is the President of Adcorp in Huntsville. Little Red Schoolhouse commissioned Adcorp to design and construct a sign for their building on Normal Park. Unfortunately, there is no where to put the sign on the property. He is requesting permission to install the sign on City property. After discussion a motion was made. Councilmember Lunina made a motion to deny the request to install a sign on City property on Normal Park. and Councilmember Lange seconded the motion The motion nassed unanimously. CONSIDER PURCHASE OF SUMMER PLACE WATER SYSTEM Mr. Bounds stated that Mrs. Mary Neiderhofer Lamb owns two water systems outside the City limits, but in Walker County. The systems serve the Summer Place subdivision in the City's ETJ, and the Piney Creek Village outside the ETJ but on either side of the City's water main. She has agreed to sell these systems to the City for $750 per connection. City staff recommends that the City Council authorize the Mayor and City Manager to execute contracts to purchase these water systems for the $750 per connection. The estimated cost for Summer Place is $48,750, and for Piney Creek Village $35,250, with the monies to be paid from water capital improvements. Councilmember Martinez asked if these water systems were permitted by TNRCC. Mr. Bounds stated that the Summer Place system was and the Piney Creek system paperwork was being corrected and would be soon. The sale would be contingent on TNRCC certification. Councilmember Davis made a motion to authorize the Mayor and City Manager to execute the contracts to purchase the two water systems from Mary Neiderhofer Lamb for $48.750 and $35.250, respectively. to be paid from water capital improvements monies and additional from the unallocated reserve for water. and Councilmember Lanae seconded the motion. The motion passed unanimously. 'I CONSIDER SEPTEMBER TAX REPORT WITH ADJUSTMENTS TO THE LEVY AS RECOMMENDED BY CHIEF APPRAISER GROVER COOK Councilmember Davis made a motion to improve the September tax report with adjustments to the levy, and Councilmember James ii seconded the motion The motion passed unanimously. it CONSIDER APPROVAL OF TAX PROPERTIES Councilmember Rex made a motion to approve the sale of tax pronerties. and Councilmember Matthews seconded the motion. The motion passed unanimously. SERVICES AGREEMENT WITH KLOTZ ASSOCIATES, INC., IN THE AMOUNT OF $18,000 FOR THE PRELIMINARY ENGINEERING REPORT ON ELHINS LAKE SECOND ENTRANCE Councilmember Luning was concerned about the possibility of connecting Spring Lake and Elkins Lake thereby making both streets arterial and suggested that Klotz be contacted regarding this alternative. Councilmember Lange stated that he felt this agreement should not be approved at this time. Councilmember James made a motion to approve the engineering services agreement with Klotz Associates. Inc.. in the amount of $18.000, to be funded from the Elkins Lake set aside. and Councilmember Howard seconded the motion. All were in favor except Councilmember Lange. The motion passed 8 -1. CONSIDER ENGINEERING SERVICES AGREEMENT WITH KLOTZ ASSOCIATES, INC., IN THE AMOUNT OF $50,000 FOR THE URBAN ARTERIAL ROUTE STUDY BETWEEN WEST HILLS DRIVE AND ELHINS LAKE Councilmember Howard made a motion to approve the engineering services agreement with Klotz Associates. Inc.. in the amount of $50.000. and Councilmember Lange seconded the motion. The motion passed unanimously. CONSIDER RESOLUTION 97 -10 -14.1 ADOPTING THE MASTER PLAN FOR PARKS AND RECREATION FACILITIES Councilmember Rex made a motion to annrove Resolution 97-10-14.1 adopting the master plan for parks and recreation facilities and Councilmember Howard seconded the motion. The motion passed unanimously. CITY COUNCIL MEETING OF OCTOBER 14, 1997 BOOK 'S" 114 CONSIDER PROPOSAL FOR CONSTRUCTING AND STAFFING A RECYCLING DROP OFF - POINT AND AUTHORIZE ENTERING INTO A CONTRACT WITH CONROE RECYCLING Mr. Wilder stated that he is proposing the addition of a recycling drop off point to allow the collection of recyclables such as plastic, glass, newspaper, cant board, aluminum cans and steel cans at the City's transfer station site. Staff has discussed a proposal with Mr. Hays, Conroe Recycling, for providing roll off containers and hauling and/or marketing the recyclables. The drop off site can be operation with expenditures of up to $23,700. Mr. Wilder also stated that he is proposing to reassign two commercial sanitation division employees to work at the transfer station These positions were created several years ago in an effort to reduce accidents that were occurring while backing and/or maneuvering these large commercial trucks. In order to maintain a comfortable degree of safety in the operation of the trucks, it will be necessary to spend approximately $5,000 to install a rear vision camera and monitor system on the front loader trucks which will provide the eyes in the rear of the truck for the driver and allow us to reassign these two employees. After discussion it was decided that the transfer station would not be best site for the drop off point and Council directed staff to come up with other options, but felt the cameras were needed to allow for extra help in other areas. CCouncihnember Lining made a motion to approve $5.000 for the rear vision camera and monitor systems for the front loader trucks to be paid from unallocated sanitation monies and Councilmember James seconded the motion The motion was amended to table the construction of a recycling dron off point. The motion passed unanimously. CONSIDER AQUATIC PROGRAM AGREEMENT WITH HUNTSVILLE FAMILY YMCA IN THE AMOUNT OF $9,500 Councilmember Matthews made a motion to approve the aouatic program agreement with Huntsville Family YMCA in the amount of $9.500. and Councilmember Martinez seconded the motion. The motion passed unanimously. CONSIDER BID FOR ELKINS LAKE SEWER LINE REHABILITATION TO INSITUFORM TEXARK, INC. IN THE AMOUNT OF $67,539 Councilmember James made a motion to anorove the bid for the Elkins Lake sewer line rehabilitation to Insituform Texark. Inc.. in the amount of $67.539. and Councilmember Rex seconded the motion. The motion passed unanimously. CONSIDER APPROVAL OF HUNTSVILLE ARTS COMMISSION LOGO Councilmember Luning made amotion to approve the Huntsville Arts Commission logo. and Councilmember Davis seconded the motion. The motion passed unanimously. MAYOR'S ACTIVITY REPORT 1. Consider appointments to various Boards and Commissions: a) Huntsville Housing Authority - appointment of Dr. Ross Lovell; b) Board of Adjustment and Appeals - appointment of Paul Slaton IV; c) Huntsville Arts Commission - appointment of Russell Martinez and Margaret Smith; and d) Sister Cities International Council - appointment of Scott Bumbaugh, Rick McFarland, Nancy Waldron, Rob Prisco, Vicki Smith, Dr. Tracy Steele, and Dale Wright. Councilmember Howard made a motion to approve the appointments as listed above. and Councilmember James seconded the motion. The motion passed unanimously. 2. Consider nominees for Board of Directors for the Walker County Appraisal District. Councihmember Davis made a motion to nominate Sue Martin as the City's representative for the Board of Directors for the WCAD. and Councilmember Lunina seconded the motion. The motion passed unanimously. 3. Consider designation of representative and alternate to the Houston - Galveston Area Council. Mayor Green stated that he would like Dan Davis to remain the HGAC representative and Marjorie Rex as the alternate representative. Councilmember James made a motion to designate Dan Davis as the representative and Mariorie Rex as the alternate to the Houston - Galveston Area Council. and Councilmember Lange seconded the motion. The motion passed unanimously. CITY COUNCIL MEETING OF OCTOBER 14, 1997 BOOK "S" 115 4. Consider purchase of Gibbs lot on the comer of 1 lth Street and Sam Houston Avenue. Councilmember Rex made a motion to purchase the Gibbs lot on the comer of I I th Street and Sam Houston Avenue at a cost of $39.500. and Councilmember Howard seconded the motion. The motion passed unanimously. COUNCILMEMBER ACnON Councilmember Davis to report on HGAC state audit results. Councilmember Davis stated that there has been a review of six regional planning commissions which include HGAC by the State Auditor. In summary, the review is critical of all six commissions and points out improvements that could be made. It is the opinion of the majority of the Board of HGAC that a lot of the criticism is unwarranted. HGAC has a full audit performed annually that is quite comprehensive. 2. Councilmember Lange to report on Emplovee's Health Plan trustees recommendations, including contracts with Hartford Company. Met Life, and Jefferson Pilot for insurance coverages. Councilmember Lange stated that the trustees of the City's employee health plan have submitted a report recommending that the City renew the stop loss and annual aggregate coverage with the Hartford Company for an annual premium of $130,600.24; to contract with MetLife for employee basic life and AD &D covemge with an annual premium of $22,776; contract with Jefferson Pilot for employee long term disability with an annual premium of $36,719.40, Councilmember Lange made a motion to approve the listed recommendations to the Emplovee's Health Plan. and Councilmember Rex seconded the motion. The motion passed unanimously. j� 3. Councilmember James thanked staff for the informational section. She felt that the $4,000 labor cost for the Fair on the Square clean up could be reduced by using local volunteer groups. She stated that she was glad to see that Phase II of the Tall Timbers grant was approved. 4. Councilmember Luning stated that this is National Red Ribbon Week - Drug Awareness and felt Council should support this effort. i MEDIA INQUIRIES .: Wayne Sorge asked where the City stands after tabling the recycling issue. Mayor Green stated that staff will research alternative !� sites for the center. Mr. Sorge then asked about the Old Town Theater issue. Mayor Green stated that he plans to look at the operational costs when submitted and go from there. Recess into EXECUTIVE SESSION to discuss pending litigation - Lyons,, GGSU rrfergy, Townsend, and HyvL [7.15 p.m. - 7:45 p.m.] Danna Welter, City Secretary