MIN CC 08/07/2001CITY COUNCIL MEETING OF AUGUST 7,2001 BOOK "S" 338
li MINUTES OF THE HUNTSVILLE CITY COUNCIL MEETING HELD ON THE 7TH DAY OF AUGUST, 2001, IN THE CITY
j HALL, LOCATED AT 1212 AVENUE M IN THE CITY OF HUNTSVILLE, COUNTY OF WALKER, TEXAS AT 5:15 P.M.
j� The Council met in a regular session with the following members present:
COUNCILMEMBER:
!j William B. Green, Mayor Ralph A. Davis, Jr. Officers:
it Gary Crawford Marjorie Rex Bob Hart, City Manager
l� David Martinez Steed Smith Paul Isham, City Attorney
Vance Howard John Escobedo Danna Welter, City Secretary
II Mark Erb
EXECUTIVE SESSION [4:30 p.m. - 5:00 p.m.]
Discuss the evaluation of the performance of the four Charter Officer positions.
Mayor Green called the meeting to order.
CALL TO ORDER [5:15 p.m.]
INVOCATION
Invocation by Ken Huggins, Elkins Lake Baptist Church.
PUBLIC COMMENTS
John Strickland. Mr. Strickland stated that with the students coming back to Huntsville, he is still concerned about the
intersection of 12" and Sam Houston Avenue.
Mayor Green stated that some adjustments to the traffic flow have been made and staff would evaluate if additional
adjustments will need to be made.
2. Delbert Jackson. Mr. Jackson asked about when the street, Moffit Springs, was going to be upgraded.
Mr. Isbell, Interim Public Works Director, stated that the road was scheduled for a seal coat within the next few weeks.
CONSENT AGENDA
1. Approve the Sycamore Ave. Drainage Project construction contact forthe alternate bid to Doughtie Construction Co. in
the amount of $83,494.50 to funded from the Drainage Maintenance Fund ($80,000) and transfer from General Fund -
Reserve for Future Allocation ($20,000).
2. Approve the abandonment of the 20' utility easement between Lot 9 and Lot 10, Block 33 of Elkins Lake, Section 3A.
3. Approve the abandonment of a portion of the 20' utility easement across Lot 3 of the Black Subdivision described in the
Abandonment of Easement.
4. Approve contract with the Texas Water Development Board to receive grant funds in the amount of $50,000 and match I!
those funds in the amount of $17,000 for the Flood Mitigation Assistance Grant, and authorize grant administration
services with Klotz & Associates in the amount of $66,667.
Councilmember Smith asked that item 2, relating to the abandonment of the 20' utility easement be removed from the
consent agenda.
Councilmember Howard made a motion to aoorove the consent aaenda with the exception of item 2, and Councilmember
Erb seconded the motion. The motion passed unanimousl
2. Approve the abandonment of the 20' utility easement between Lot 9 and Lot 10, Block 33 of Elkins Lake, Section 3A.
Harry Young, owner /developer of Lot 9 & 10, Block 33, Elkins Lake, Section 3A is requesting the relocation of an existing
18" storm drainage pipe and the abandonment of the 20' utility easementwhich is 10' either side of the property line between
Lot 9 and Lot 10. The existing 18" pipe is in need of repair and the cost estimate comparing the costs of repairing the
existing storm drain in place and the cost of moving the drainage pipe to the northeast side of the combined lot. Mr. Brown
estimates the difference in cost to be approximately $1,300. Mr. Young has agreed to pay any additional costs associated
with the relocation of the drainage. A minor plat has been submitted to place a 20' easement along the property line between
Lot 9 and Lot 10 and the plat will also combine the two lots.
Councilmember Smith made a motion to aoorove the abandonment of the 20' utility easement between Lot 9 and Lot 10.
Block 33 of Elkins Lake, Section 3A, and Councilmember Erb seconded the motion. The motion passed unanimously.
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CITY COUNCIL MEETING OF AUGUST 7 2001 BOOK "S 339 _ - --
STATUTORY AGENDA
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1. Authorize the City Manager to execute the Lease between the City of Huntsville and the Heirs of Robert Smither Estate
to provide a location for one of Walker County's oldest log cabins, as presented by J. D. Schindler, Director of li
Community Services.
In 1991, City Council approved the Downtown Streetscape Master Plan which recommended the placement of a historic
log cabin on one of two vacant lots in the downtown. At that time the Farris family offered to donate one of Walker County's
pioneer families log cabin along with $1,000 to assist in the relocation. This year the Farris family again approached the
Walker County Historic Commission with the same offer. Associate Professor of History, Carolina Grimm, recommended
that the cabin project become a joint venture between Sam Houston State University, the City of Huntsville and the Walker
County Historic Commission. She agreed to make the cabin project part of her Summer and Fall 2001 Texas History
graduate and undergraduate class curriculum. Working with the Historical Commission, the Heirs of Robert Smither Estate,
City staff and the Research & Sponsored Programs Department at Sam Houston State University, Dr. Crimm and the Main
Street Manager gathered $6,000 in cash donations and nearly $4,000 in -kind donations to relocate and restore the cabin.
In order to meet the class schedule and take advantage of the donations, it was necessary to move the cabin before the
formal agreement could be approved.
Cabin restoration is currently underway through the help of volunteers and Sam Houston State history students and
should be complete within the year. A courtyard, pocket park and adjoining parking lot will be made available for public use.
The project has been approved by the Parks Board and the Beautification Committee with the City maintaining the area
around the cabin.
Councilmember Rex made a motion to authorize the City Manager to execute the Lease between the City of Huntsville
and the Heirs of Robert Smither Estate to provide a location for one of Walker County's oldest log cabins and
Councilmember Howard seconded the motion. The motion passed unanimously.
Mayor Green commended Caroline Krim on her hard work seeing this project to fruition.
2. Authorize the City Manager to enter into a contract with Duininck Brothers, Inc. for the construction of the Raven Nest
Golf Course at the amount of $2,660,747.90, as presented by J. D. Schindler.
It is the City's intent to contract with a golf course construction contractor for the construction of the Raven Nest Golf
Course. Tripp Davis & Associates is the Architect for this project. Plans and specifications for the golf course were sent
to thirteen contractors after a pre - qualification process. Ten bids were received, with Duininck Brothers, Inc. at low bid in
the amount of $2,660,747.90. It is anticipated that the course will be substantially complete by July 1, 2002, and ready for
play within the year.
Councilmember Rex made a motion to authorize the City Manager to enter into a contract with Duininck Brothers, Inc.
for the construction of the Raven Nest Golf Course at the amount of $2,660,747.90, and Councilmember Howard seconded
the motion The motion passed unanimously.
3. Approve the Beautification Advisory Committee five year plan that identifies areas for planting trees, crape myrtles, and
other amenities around Huntsville, as presented by Ray Black, Interim Assistant Public Works Director.
Jane Monday, Chairman of the Beautification Advisory Committee stated that the committee has developed a five -year
plan that would identify areas for planting trees, crape myrtles, and other amenities around Huntsville. Also, to promote
public awareness and volunteers in support of community tree planting through a partnership program with various groups
in Huntsville and Walker County. The trees we will be using area donation to the City of Huntsville from the Texas Forest
Service, and the National Tree Trust Foundation. TDCJ Wynne Unit, and Ellis Unit both have agreed to grow the trees, water
and care for them until they are ready to be planted.
Councilmember Erb made a motion to approve the Beautification Advisory Committee five year plan that identifies areas
for planting trees crape myrtles and other amenities around Huntsville with a budget of $6,000, and Councilmember
Howard seconded the motion The motion passed unanimously.
MAYORICITY MANAGER ACTIVITY REPORT
1. Program /Project Status
2. Upcoming Events:
Special Meeting - August 20, 2001, Noon, City Hall Council Chambers
Council Meeting - August 21, 2001, 5:15 p.m., City Hall Council Chambers
Golf Course Ground Breaking - August 27, 2001
CITY COUNCIL MEETING OF AUGUST 7, 2001
BOOK S" 340
3. Approve appointment of Hattye Owens to the Library Board.
Councilmember Rex made a motion to approve the appointment of Hattve Owens to the Library Board and
Councilmember Erb seconded the motion. The motion passed unanimously.
MEDIA INQUIRIES
WORK SESSION [6:00 p.m. - 8:35 p.m.]
Discuss the Tourism Assessment Report - Chandler, Brooks & Donahoe
WORK SESSION [8:45 p.m. - 10:10 p.m.]
Discuss FY 2001 -2002 proposed budget
ADJOURNMENT [10:10 p.m.
Danna Welter, City Secretary
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