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MIN CC 11/25/1997CITY COUNCIL MEETING OF NOVEMBER 25, 1997 BOOK "S" 120 MINUTES OF THE HUNTSVILLE CITY COUNCIL MEETING HELD ON THE 25TH DAY OF NOVEMBER, 1997, IN THE CITY HALL, LOCATED AT 1212 AVENUE M IN THE CITY OF HUNTSVILLE. COUNTY OF WALKER, TEXAS AT 7:00 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 JOAmr Matthews Ron Lange Officers: Gene Pipes, City Manager Danna Welter, City Secretary Scott Bounds, City Attorney CITIZEN INPUTHNQUIRY Charles Smither, Jr. Mr. Smither stated that in reviewing the minutes of November 11th, his comments during citizen input/inquiry were omitted. Mayor Green stated that they were taped and would be added. Ken Johnson. 7 Hills Running Club. Mr. Johnson stated that the 7 Hills Running Club sponsored the Huntsville Quarter and a Half Marathon on October 4th. Unfortunately, Gary Price, a Houston police officer in the race, suffered a massive heart attack and died 12 Y, miles into the race. There were four individuals who made a heroic effort to save his life and the Running Club and the Huntsville Memorial Hospital who sponsored the race would like to present mementos to these four individuals for their effort. Mr. Johnson presented Derek Birdsall, Darrell McCracken, Camsey George and Mucus Latrell awards for the efforts in saving Officer Price. Mr. Johnson also thanked the Huntsville Police Department, University Police Department and the Huntsville- Walker County EMS. Mr. Johnson introduced Officer Price's wife, Bobbie, and his supervisor, Sergeant Yeager who came tonight. Mayor Green thanked Mr. Johnson for using the City Council foram as a mechanism to present these awards. Mayor Green thanked all these individuals on behalf of the Huntsville City Council for being good citizens and stopping to render aid. INVOCATION Invocation by Reverend Jack Harris, First Baptist Church. CONSIDER MINUTES OF NOVEMBER 9, 1997 Councilmember Rex made a motion to approve the minutes of November 9 1997 with the addition of Charles Smither. Jr.'s comments and Councilmember Martinez seconded the motion The motion passed unanimously. ATTENDING CITIZEN 1. Gene Myrick Friends of the Old Town Theatre to provide additional information concerning their proposal to acuuire the Town Theatre facility. Mr. Myrick stated that he has spoke to City Council twice before about the possibilities that the Old Town Theatre has for our community. The original architect figures showed that it would cost over $1 million to get into the Town Theatre. Mr. Myrick stated that he feels that the minimum figure to get the Town Theatre operational include: $100,000 (electrical system), $75,000 (air conditioning), $40,000 (seats), $30,000 (plumbing), $25,000 (stage cunain/screen), $25,000 (reception area), $50,000 (dressing rooms), $10,000 (sound system), $25,000 (architect costs), $20,000 (miscellaneous), totaling $400,000. Operating costs are estimated at $17,000 per year (not including a paid staff). Mr. Myrick stated that Council has the choice before them now - do the residents of Huntsville need a facility as the Town Theatre can provide. Can the dream become a reality. He urged Council to purchase the facility so that we can move forward together and provide a needed facility. Councilmember Luning stated if the City purchased the facility, Council would be responsible for seeing the project through to completion. The exposure to the City could extend up to $600,000. He does feet the City would benefit from this facility but would like to see the property purchased by other means and see what participation the City could fund without being responsible for the full amount. Councilmember James stated that she is aware that we need a cultural center in the downtown area to keep it viable and commended Mr. Myrick and his group on all the work they have put into this proposal. CITY COUNCIL MEETING OF NOVEMBER 25, 1997 BOOK "S" 121 Councilmember Lange stated that he would like to see a local partnership of a substantial nature to help out on the acquisition of the property. Mr. Myrick stated that it is difficult to gel commitments without having the property acquisition. CONSIDER RESOLUTION 97 -11 -25.1 GIVING CONSENT TO A PROJECT FOR THE HUNTSVILLE MEMORIAL HOSPITAL Councilmember Rex made a motion to approve Resolution 97 -11 -25.1 eiving consent to a Project for the Huntsville Memorial Hospital and Councilmember Matthews seconded the motion The motion passed unanimously. CONSIDER ORDINANCE 97 -11 -25.1 AMENDING TITLE 20, MOTOR VEHICLES AND TRAFFIC OF THE CODE OF ORDINANCES BY ELIMINATION OF SOME NO PARKING ZONES Councilmember Matthews made a motion to approve Ordinance 97 -11 -25.1 amendine Title 20 Motor Vehicles and.Traffic b elimination of some no narking zones on University Avenue. I Ith Street and 12th Street and Councilmember Howard seconded the motion. The motion passed unanimous] CONSIDER ORDINANCE 97 -11 -25.2 AMENDING TITLE 14, GARBAGE, REFUSE AND RUBBISH OF THE CODE OF ORDINANCES, BY REQUIRING ALL RESIDENTS AND BUSINESSES IN THE CITY TO USE THE CITY'S GARBAGE AND REFUSE COLLECTION SERVICES Councilmember Davis made a motion to approve Ordinance 97 -11 -25.2 =ending Title 14, Garbage. Refuse and Rubbish by requiring all residents and businesses in the City to use the City's garbage and refuse collection services and Councilmember Inning seconded the motion. The motion passed unanimously. ''. CONSIDER ORDINANCE 97 -11 -25.3 AMENDING CHAPTER 4 OF THE DEVELOPMENT CODE BY TIIE ADDITION OF A NEW SECTION - LANDMARK DISTRICT l Councilmember James made a motion to approve Ordinance 97 -11 -25.3 amending Chanter 4 of the Development Code by the addition of anew section - Landmark District. and Councilmember Davis seconded the motion. The motion passed unanimously. CONSIDER BUDGET ADJUSTMENTS FOR THE FOURTH QUARTER OF THE FY 1996 -97 AND ENCUMBRANCES REQUESTED FOR FY 1997 -98 Councilmember Davis made a motion to approve the budeet adiustments for the fourth quarter of FY 1996 -97 and encumbrances for FY 1997 -98, and Councilmember Rex seconded the motion. The motion passed unanimously. CONSIDER BIDS 1. (3)'/: Ton Pick Ups - Hillerest Ford, $15,945.92 each for a total of $47,837.76. (3) 3/4 Ton Pick Ups - Knapp Chevrolet, $18,229 each for a total of $54,687. (1) 1 Ton Pick Up - Wiesner Huntsville, $25,897.60. Councilmember James made a motion to approve the nick up bids as listed above, and Councilmember Rex seconded the motion. The motion passed unanimously. 2. Police cars in the amount of $101,641.56 through HGAC cooperative purchasing agreement. Councilmember Davis made a motion to approve the bid for Police cars in the amount of $101.641.56 through the HGAC cooperative purchasing agreement and Councilmember James seconded the motion. The motion passed unanimously. 3. Backhoe in the amount of $41,142.62 through HGAC cooperative purchasing agreement. Councilmember Rex made a motion to approve the bid for a backhoe in the amount of $41.142.62 through the HGAC cooperative Purchasing agreement. and Councilmember Martinez seconded he motion. The motion passed unanimously. CONSIDER RENEWAL OF THE EMPLOYER PLAN SERVICES, INC., CONTRACT FOR ADMINISTRATION OF THE CITY'S HEALTH PLAN Councilmember Lange made a motion to renew the Employer Plan Services. Inc.. contract for administration of the City's health elan and Councilmember James seconded the motion. The motion passed unanimously. CITY COUNCIL MEETING OF NOVEMBER 25, 1997 BOOK "S" 122 CONSIDER AUTHORIZATION TO CONTRACT WITH SAM HOUSTON STATE UNIVERSITY ORCHESTRA FOR CONCERTS IN THE AMOUNT OF $5,000 AS RECOMMENDED BY THE HI?NTSVILLE ARTS COMMISSION Councilmember Lange made a motion to approve a contract with SHSU Orchestra for concerts in the amount of $5.000, as recommended by HAC. and Councilmember Davis seconded the motion. The motion passed unanimously. CONSIDER ACCEPTANCE OF LOCAL LAW ENFORCEMENT BLOCK GRANT IN THE AMOUNT OF 538,008 WITH A MATCH OF $4223 TO BE USED FOR PURCHASE OF EQUIPMENT DIRECTLY RELATED TO BASIC LAW ENFORCEMENT FUNCTIONS Councilmember James made a motion to accept a local law enforcement block grant in the amount of $38.008 with a match of $4223 to be used for purchase of equipment directly related to basic taw enforcement functions and Councilmember Rex seconded the motion. The motion oassed unanimously. CONSIDER OPTIONS FOR LOCATION OF A RECYCLING DROP OFF POINT Councilmember Lange made a motion to approve the Palm Street Water Plant location as the location for a recycling drop off point at an estimated cost of $10,000. and Councilmember Lunine seconded the motion. The motion passed unanimously. CONSIDER ORDINANCE 97 -11 -25.4 AMENDING TITLE 9, BUILDING CODES BY ADOPTING UPDATED EDITIONS OF THE STANDARD CODES Councilmember Rex made a motion to approve Ordinance 97-11-25.4 amending Title 9, Building Codes by adonting undated editions of the standard codes and Councilmember Lange seconded the motion. The motion passed unanimously. CONSIDER ORDINANCE 97 -11 -25.5 AMENDING TITLE 13, FOOD AND FOOD ESTABLISHMENTS ' AMENDING THE PROCEDURES FOR ACQUIRING A FOOD HANDLER IDENTIFICATION CARD Councilmember Rex made a motion to approve Ordinance 97-11-25.5 amending Title 13. Food and Food Establishments, amending the procedures for acquiring a food handler identification card and Councilmember Howard seconded the motion The motion passed unanimously. COU NCILMEMBER ACTION GFOA. Councilmember Davis stated that he had been presented a letter from the Government Finance Officers Association commending the City for its comprehensive financial report. He congratulated staff and stated that he hopes to hear this in the media. Loss of Bicycle Patml. Councilmember James stated that she is distress by the loss of one of the City's bicycle patrols. The bicycle patrol officers have been a very positive influence in the community and feels it is a mistake to lose two very tine officers who have made contact with children in a community that depend on them. She feels there are other ways to address the overtime issue. Councilmember Matthews asked Chief Eckhardt if this bicycle team was funded through grant funds. Chief stated that the grant positions are in place. The positions that were not grant positions are being reassigned to keep up with the work load. Councilmember Rex asked if what these officers are going to do in patrols cars is different from what the bicycle patrol does. Chief stated that the bicycle officers also use patrol cars, but when on duty, they handle the calls in their area if they are not performing some other task that is not involved in community oriented policing. The work load has increased, calls for service has increased to the point that to cover them Nye have to do this move. Mayor Green asked how this gives more coverage in the Police Department Chief said they will be in the pool taking the overall calls over the City and notjust the specific area they are assigned to. Councilmember Lining asked how overtime has increased over the past few years and does this involve overtime situations. Chief stated that it involves covering our work that we have. The work has increased and we have used the overtime budget to cover some of that. It is at a point now that to get the job done, he has to make this move. Councilmember Luning stated that the bike officers have been a real asset to the City and hopes we can get them back on the streets as soon as possible. They do keep a lot of crime from happening and would like the Chief to figure a way to get them back. Councilmember Lange stated that as Personnel Committee Chairman, he has spoken to Mr. Pipes at length about this issue and assured the Council that Mr. Pipes has been instructed to work with the Chief to work out this problem. CITY COUNCIL MEETING OF NOVEMBER 25, 1997 BOOK "S" 123 Recycling. Councilmember Lange stated that he was pleased that Council passed the location of the recycling drop -off point. He did note that for the past four months the revenue for newsprint is zero. Recycling must be an entire circle - picking it up, reproducing it, to a final useful product to the consumer. He does not feel it is right to spend the taxpayers money on an unproductive project. The City should not pay money to pick up something, move it, and it end up being thrown in a landfill. MEDIA INQUIRIES Wayne Sorge, KSAM. Mr. Sorge asked City Council about their interest and involvement in the Old TOWn Theatre proposal. Mayor Green stated that it is premature to say at this time. ADJOURNMENT Recess into EXECUTIVE SESSION to discuss pending litigation - GSU/Enter ownsend, and Hyvl. [6:40 p.m. - 7:03 p.m.) Danna (Welter, City Secretary