MIN CC 05/09/2000CITY COUNCIL. MEETING OF MAY 9 2_000 BOOK S _ 264
MINUTES OF THE HUNTS V ILLE CITY COUNCIL MEETING HELD ON THE 9m DAY OF MAY 2000, 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 a regular session with the following members present:
COUNCILMEMBER:
William B. Green, Mayor
Dan Davis
Officers:
Dave Luring
Marjorie Rex
Bob Hart, City Manager
Vance Howard
Steed Smith
Paul Isham, City Attorney
David Martinez
JoAnn Castille
Danna Welter, City Secretary
Mark Erb
PROCLAMATIONS
1. Tourism Week -May 8 -12, 2000
2. Public Works Week -May 21-27,2000
CITIZEN INPUT /INQUIRY
Karen Howard. Ms. Howard stated that she was a member of the nonsmoking coalition and would like to know when Council was
going to address a stronger no smoking ordinance.
Mayor Green stated that this item would be discussed in a work session at the first meeting in June. And, depending on the
consensus of Council at that time, public meetings/hearings would be scheduled.
Dee McFarland, President, Chamber of Commerce. Ms. McFarland thanked the Mayor and Council for the Tourism Week
proclamat ion, and for all they do to help in the business of tourism. There bas been a 25% growth in our community in tourism dollars '
spent over the past four years. Working together, the Council, Chamber staff, and volunteers have been major contributors to this
increase. A small token of appreciation is at each of the Mayor and Councihnembers place, including a new group tour and meeting
guide to be distributed first to international tour operators that Chamber staff will be visiting with in Dallas later this week.
Ms. McFarland also stated that she would like to present ajoint proclamation from the City and Chamber in support of our local
teachers as this week is also National Teachers Week.
INVOCATION
Invocation by Carroll Williams, First Baptist Church.
MINUTES
Councilmember Rex made a motion to approve the April 25. 2000, minutes. and Councilmember Howard seconded the motion.
The motion passed unanimously.
ATTENDING CITIZENS
Charles Hall, to discuss sewer billing. Mr. Hall stated that he owns a weekend home in the Club Lake addition outside the City
limits of Huntsville. He does not have access to City water, but does have City sewer. Recently, the City adopted an ordinance that
has caused his sewer bill to increase from $10.65 per month to $20.28 per month. He stated that he has talked with staff and they have
explained the logic behind the ordinance. Sewer charges are monitored by the amount of water utilized, and without City water, the
City is unable to calculate the amount of sewer flow. So, an ordinance was adopted to average the sewer only customers and charge
a flat rate for service. Mr. Hall stated that he understands the process, but asked if there are any exceptions to the ordinance. His
electric bill will attest to the fact that he never uses more than the minimum electricity to pump water from his well.
Mayor Green stated that the Finance Committee had reviewed this ordinance before it was adopted and felt it was fair. When City
water becomes available to Club Lake, the sewer rate would then be calculated on water usage.
Councilmember Luring stated that monthly charges are not only calculated to treat the sewer, but capital expenses are also figured
into the costs. I
Mayor Green stated that he would have staff look at alternatives, but felt the ordinance in place was designed to be fair m the
customers involved.
CITY COUN CIL MEETING OF MAY 9, 2000 BOOK S — _ _ 265 —
CONSIDER APPROVAL TO CANCEL THE ORDER FOR VEHICLE THROUGH H -GAC ($20,110.20) DUE TO
DELIVERY DATE CHANGES AND ORDER FROM THE STATE CONTRACT ($18,993.00)
Purchasing Agent Debby Mikuhn stated that due to delays in the delivery date for the vehicle ordered from H -GAC, staff is
recommending canceling the order and purchasing the vehicle from Philpott Motors (state contract). Philpott Motors has the vehicle '..
i
on the lot and it would be available immediately.
Councilmember Davis made a motion to cancel the order for the vehicle through H -GAC and order from the state contract, and
Councilmember Castille seconded the motion. The motion passed unanimously.
i,
CONSIDER AUTHORIZATION TO APPLY FOR A BILL AND MELINDA GATES FOUNDATION GRANT
IN AN AMOUNT OF $16,000
City Librarian Judy Hunter stated that the Huntsville Public Library is eligible to receive a package of hardware and software
totaling approximately S 16, 000 - including four public access English- language work stations and extensive pre - loaded software. One
Spanish - language work station has also been requested. Gates Foundation employees will install the grant equipment and provide two
days of training for library employees and three years of technical support for grant items. A letter of support is required from Mayor
Green.
Councilmember Castile made a motion to authorize staff to apuly for a Bill and Melinda Gates foundation grant in the amount of
$16,000, and Councilmember Rex seconded the motion. The motion passed unammousl
CONSIDER EMERGENCY REPAIRS TO WELL 15 BY WEISENGER WATER WELLS, INC.,
IN AN AMOUNT OF $105,120, TO BE FUNDED FROM BUDGETED FUNDS ($51,700)
AND WATER AND SEWER RESERVE FOR FUTURE ALLOCATION ($53,420)
Boyd Wilder stated that Weisenger Water Wells, Inc., has evaluated the repairs needed to Well 15. In addition to the pump
' problems, a camera survey showed that the well screens and casing have deteriorated to the point that there is a possibility of collapse.
If this occurs, the well will be a complete loss. It is estimated that $105,120 in repair costs are needed to salvage the well. The costs
of drilling a new well are in the range of $800,000 to $1,000,000.
Councilmember Howard made a motion to approve the emergency repairs to Well 15 by Weisenger Water Wells Inc in an amount
of $105,120($51 700 from budgeted Funds and S53,420 from water and sewer reserve), and Councilmember Rex seconded the motion.
The motion passed unanimously.
CONSIDER CONTRACTUAL DOCUMENTS INVOLVING THE TENASKA PROJECT
First Amendment to the Agreement for Purchase and Delivery of Treated Water
. Consent to Conveyance of Water Pump Station Facilities and Assignment of Easement
. Consent to Conveyance of Water Pump Station Facilities and Assignment of Easement
Boyd Wilder stated that approval of these three documents will allow the completion of the agreements between the City and
Tenaska, and the City and TRA. These documents will make the necessary modifications to the agreements in place to allow the City
to operate the water system for supplying water to Tenaska.
Councilmember Rex made a motion to approve the contractual documents involving the Tenaska protect, including the First
Amendment to the Agreement for Purchase and Delivery of Treated Water. Consent to Conveyance of Water Pump Station Facilities
and Assignment of Easement and Consent to Conveyance of Water Pump Station Facilities and Assignment of Easement, and
Councilmember Howard seconded the motion. The motion passed unanimously.
CONSIDER ORDINANCE 2000 -05 -09.1 CANVASSING AND CERTIFYING THE RESULTS
OF THE CITY OFFICERS' ELECTION ON MAY 6, 2000
Mayor Green stated that the four at -large Councilmembers that were elected on May 6, 2000 are: Steed Smith, Position 1; Marjorie
Rex, Position 2; Vance Howard, Position 3; and David Martinez, Position 4.
Councilmember Davis made a motion to approve Ordinance 2000-05-09.1, canvassing and certifying the results of the City
Officers' election on May 6 2000 and Councilmember Castillo seconded the motion. The motion passed unanimously.
ADMINISTRATION OF THE OATH OF OFFICE TO THE ELECTED MEMBERS OF CITY COUNCIL
City Secretary Danna Welter administered the Oath of Office to Steed Smith, Position 1; Marjorie Rex, Position 2; Vance Howard,
Position 3; and David Martinez, Position 4.
CITY COUNCIL MEETING OF MAY 9, 2000
BOOK "S"
CONSIDER ELECTION OF MAYOR PRO TEM
266
Councilmember Erb made a motion to elect JoAnn Castille as Mayor Pro Tern and Councilmember Rex seconded the motion The
motion Passed unanimously.
CONSIDER RESOLUTION 2000 -05 -09.1 OPPOSING THE EXPANSION AND /OR EXTENSION
OF THE CURRENT MORATORIUM ON SALES AND USE TAXES FOR E- COMMERCE
City Attorney Paul Isham stated that TML had requested that the City adopt this ordinance related to E- Commerce to urge the
Federal Government to study the issue instead of putting it on a shelf.
Councilmember Howard made a motion to approve Resolution 2000-05-09.1 opposing the expansion and /or extension of the current
moratorium on sales and use taxes for E- Commerce and Councilmember Rex seconded the motion The motion passed unanimously.
MAYOR'S ACTIVITY REPORT
L Consider expenditure of travel funds to allow Councilmember Castille to attend the Texas Youth and Texas Cities Conference on
May 19, 2000.
Mayor Green stated the funds would include registration, hotel and mileage expenses for the Conference.
Councilmember Rex made a motion to approve travel funds for Council member Castille to attend the Texas Youth and Texas Cities
Conference on May 19 2000. and Councilmember Martinez seconded the motion The motion passed unanimously.
ADJOURNMENT [6:05 P.M.]
Following the meeting, a reception was held to honor the retirement of Co cilmember Dan Davis.
' -banna Welter, City Secretary '
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CITY OFFICERS ELECTION
MAY 6, 2000
AT -LARGE POSITIONS
CITY OFFICERS ELECTION RESULTS
.c
VOTERS BY CITY PRECINCTS
POSJf
ION/
EARLY
101
102
201
205
206
301
401
T
TAL
CANDIDATE
POST
ION 7
STEED SMITH
184
4
85
54
186
41
23
27
$04
PAM CAREY
105
28
76
80
132
55
51
43
570
POSITION 2
HARLES W.
129
14
89
62
126
24
42
37
$23
SMITHER, JR.
MARJORIE REX
169
15
83
77
199
54
28
40
$65
POSITION 3
II
121
102
266
62
49
51
$21
VANCE HOWARD
249
21
POSI ION 4
JOHN STI!MCKLAND
134
12
94
65
152
36
28
47
$68
AVID MARTINEZ
155
15
80
72
164
50
41
27
PO4
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CITY OFFICERS ELECTION
MAY 6, 2000
AT -LARGE POSITIONS
CITY OFFICERS ELECTION RESULTS
VOTERS BY CITY PRECINCTS
POSITION/
EARLY
101
102
201
205
206
301
401
TOTAL
CANDIDATE
-206
691
TOTAL NUMBER OF REGISTERED VOTERS
—301
1263
TOFALNUMBER OF REGISTERED VOTERS
- 401
2,931 'TOTAL REG.
PERCENTAGE OF REGISTERED VOTERS WHO
POSITION 1
9%
STEED SMITH
184
4
85
54
186
41
23
27
604
PAM CAREY
105
28
76
80
132
55
51
43
570
POSITION 2
CHARLES W.
129
14
89
62
126
24
42
37
523
SMITHER, JR.
169
15
83
77
199
54
28
40
665
MARJORIE REX
POSITION 3
VANCE HOWARD
249
21
121
102
266
62
49
1 51
921
POSITION 4
JOHN STRICKLAND
134
12
94
65
152
36
28
47
568
155
15
80
72
164
50
41
27
604
DAVID MARTINEZ
Total voters casting ballots in Early Voting - 298
Total voters casting ballots in Precinct 101 - 32
Total voters casting ballots in Precinct 102 - 174
Total voters casting ballots in Precinct 201 - 139
"Total voters casting ballots in Precinct 205 - 325
Total voter casting ballots in Precinct 206 - 96
Total voters casting ballots in Precinct 301 - S6
Total voters casting ballots in Precinct 401 - 77
2% of total registered;
3" /, oftotal registered in 101;
6% of total registered in 102:
6 %of total registered in 2 01 :
17 %oftotal registered in 205
14% of total registered in 206
4% of total registered in 301;
3% of total registered in 401.
TOTAL NUMBER OF VOTERS CASTING BALLOTS IN THIS ELECTION
T01:AL NUMBER OF REGISTERED VOTERS—
101
1,188
'TOTAL NUMBER OF REGISTERED VOTERS—
102
2,997
TOTAL NUMBER OF REGISTERED VOTERS
-201
2,315
TOTAL NUMBER OF REGISTERED VOTERS
— 205
1,859
TOTAL NUMBER OF REGISTERED VOTERS
-206
691
TOTAL NUMBER OF REGISTERED VOTERS
—301
1263
TOFALNUMBER OF REGISTERED VOTERS
- 401
2,931 'TOTAL REG.
PERCENTAGE OF REGISTERED VOTERS WHO
VOTED
9%
24 %oftotal votes
3. of votes;
14% of total votes
11% of total votes
26% of total votes
8% of total votes:
7% of total votcs:
6% of total votes.
14,274
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