MIN CC 03/06/2001CITY COUNCIL MEETING OF MARCH 6 _2001. _
314
MINUTES OF THE HUNTSVILLE CITY COUNCIL MEETING HELD ON THE 6TH DAY OF MARCH, 2001, 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
Mark Erb
Ralph A. Davis, Jr.
JoAnn Castilla
David Martinez
Steed Smith
Marjorie Rex
Vance Howard
Dave Luning
Discuss organizational changes.
Officers:
Bob Hart, City Manager
Paul Isham, City Attorney
Danna Welter, City Secretary
PERSONNEL COMMITTEE [4:40 p.m. - 5:10 p.m.]
Mayor Green called the meeting to order.
Invocation by Bob Hart, City Manager.
None.
CALL TO ORDER [5:15 p.m.]
INVOCATION
PUBLIC COMMENTS
CONSENT AGENDA
1. Consider minutes of January 23, and February 13, 2001.
2. Consider Joint Election Agreement between the City, HISD and WCHD for their respective elections on May 5, 2001.
3. Authorize expenditure of $19,446.34 for Hepatitis A and Hepatitis B shots for employees with occupational potential
exposure.
4. Authorize the City Manager to enter into an Interlocal Participation Agreement between the City of Huntsville and the
Texas Local Government Statewide Purchasing Cooperative.
5. Approve the improvements to the 1994 Caterpillar loader (unit 74 -746) to Mustang Tractor in the amount of $17,733.00.
Councilmember Howard made a motion to approve the consent agenda and Councilmember Erb seconded the motion.
The motion passed unanimously.
STATUTORY AGENDA
1. Accept the $20,000 donation from the Huntsville Rotary Club with the City's match of $10,000 from the Texas Parks and
Wildlife Grant, and authorize expenditure of $19,000 from the General Capital Improvements Fund for the Module
Playground to be placed in Eastham- Thomason Park.
The City has a Texas Parks and Wildlife Grant that provides $10,000 fora Module Playground to be placed in Eastham-
Thomason Park. On Monday, February 12, 2001, the Parks and Recreation Advisory Board unanimously endorsed the
Rotary Club proposal to donate $20,000 to match funds with the City of Huntsville to establish anew "Castle Park ". The
City will need to allocate an additional $19,000 for the Playground.
Councilmember Erb made a motion to accept the $20,000 donation from the Huntsville Rotary Clubwith the City's match
of $10.000 from the Texas Parks and Wildlife Grant, and authorize expenditure of $19,000 from the General Capital
Improvements Fund for the Module Playground to be placed in Eastham- Thomason Park. The motion passed unanimously.
NOTE: Councilmember Howard did not vote due to conflict of interest.
2. Consider the Settlement Proposal in the EGSI Rate Case.
The City of Huntsville is a member of a coalition of cities in the Energy Gulf States Inc.( "EGSI ") service area that is a
party to a pending rate rase filed by EGSI before the Public Utility Commission of Texas ( "PUC "). The cities have engaged
Barbara Day, an attorney in Austin, as well as rate consultants Jack Pous and Dan Lawton to assist in presenting the cities'
evidence in the rate proceeding. In early February, representatives of the Cities' Coalition as well as representatives of other
parties in the rate proceeding met with representatives of EGSI in an effort to settle the rate case. The cities were not able
to resolve the matter with EGSI, but some of the other parties have reached an agreement with EGSI. Ms. Day has
requested that the Coalition decide whether it is willing to acceptthe agreement. Staff believes that the proposed agreement
is not in the best interests of the City or its citizen ratepayers.
CITY COUNCIL MEETING OF MARCH 6 2001 BOOK'S _ 315
The Cities' Coalition has scheduled a meeting in Beaumont on Wednesday, March 7 at 10:00 a.m. Paul Isham will be
attending the meeting, but any member of the City Council that desires to attend the meeting is encouraged to do so.
Councilmember Luning made a motion to allow the City representative(s) at the meeting of the Cities' Coalition to express
that it is Huntsville's desire to oppose the proposed rate case settlement but that Huntsville will support the majority wishes
of the Coalition and Councilmember Martinez seconded the motion. The motion passed unanimously.
3. Authorize the City Manager to enter into a contract with Tripp Davis and Associates for golf course architectural services
not to exceed $400,000.00.
The City has received proposals for professional architectural services for the new golf course. Thirteen proposals were
received. All thirteen proposals were reviewed and four architects were chosen for personal interviews.
It is staffs recommendation to enter into a contract with Tripp Davis and Associates of The Colony, Texas, for
architectural services and design of the new golf course. The contract shall not exceed $400,000.00 with funding from the
Golf Course CIP Funds.
Councilmember Rex made a motion to authorize the City. Manager to enter into a contract with Tripp Davis and
Associates for Golf course architectural services not to exceed $400,000.00, and Councilmember Martinez seconded the
motion. The motion passed unanimously.
MAYOR ACTIVITY REPORT
1. Consider setting a public hearing on March 27, 2001 for the creation of Huntsville Enterprise Zone #1.
Mayor Green stated that a public hearing would be held on March 27' to receive input on the creation of Huntsville
Enterprise Zone #1.
' 2. TML Spring Meeting - April 5, 2001.
Mayor Green reminded Council that the TML Spring Meeting will be held on April 5. He asked that if they intended to
attend to inform the City Secretary.
CITY MANAGER REPORT
1. Update /Discussion on Healthy Communities Initiative.
2. Update on Capital Projects.
EXECUTIVE SESSION
1. Section 551.072 - to deliberate the purchase of real property with regard to 1) land acquisition for Eastham- Thomason
Park.
City Council elected not to have an executive session.
Consider Ordinance 2001 -03 -06 authorizing the city attorney to make offers for the City of Huntsville for the acquisition
of certain interests in property that is required for public purposes ( Eastham- Thomason Park); directing the city attorney to
institute condemnation proceedings in the event such offers are refused (Bridges property).
Councilmember Lunino made a motion to approve Ordinance 2001 -03 -06 authorizing the city attorney to make offers for
the City of Huntsville for the acquisition of certain interests in property that is required for public purposes (Eastham-
Thomason Park)' directing the city attorney to institute condemnation proceedings in the event such offers are refused
( Bridoes oropertv. and Councilmember Rex seconded the motion. All were in favor except Councilmembers Castilla and
Martinez. The motion passed 7 -2
WORK SESSION [6:20 p.m. - 7:07 p.m.]
Discuss various legislative matters.
ADJOURNMENT [7:15 p.m.]
Donna Welter, City Secretary