MIN CC 01/08/2002CITY COUNCIL MEETING OF JANUARY 8 2002 BOOKS 367
MINUTES OF THE HUNTSVILLE CITY COUNCIL MEETING HELD ON THE 8TH DAY OF JANUARY, 2002, IN THE CITY it
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
David Martinez
Officers:
Gary Crawford
Steed Smith
Bob Hart, City Manager
Mark Erb
John Escobedo
Paul Isham, City Attorney
Vance Howard
Marjorie Rex
Danna Welter, City Secretary
Ralph A. Davis, Jr.
CALL TO ORDER [5:15 p.m.]
Mayor Green called the meeting to order.
INVOCATION
Invocation by Ray Black.
Welcomed back Councilmember Ralph Davis, Jr., and
Mayor Green wished Council a Happy New Year!
PUBLIC COMMENTS
1. Charles Smither. Mr. Smither stated disagreement with the wording of the motion made at the December 11, 2001, City
Council meeting after reconvening following the Executive Session. Mayor Green stated that the motion allowed staff to
negotiate the prices of certain properties and staff would come back for approval upon reaching an agreement.
2. Dr. Walter Toronto. Dr. Toronjo was not present.
3. Mrs. Delmar Brooks Elkins Lake Resident. Mrs. Brooks expressed her objection with the proposed Ordinance prohibiting
feeding deer in Elkins Lake.
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CONSENT AGENDA
1. Consider and approve minutes of Council meetings from September 18, October 9 and 23, November 13 and December
11, 2001.
2. Approve on Second Reading Ordinance No. 2001 -28 Granting a Nonexclusive Franchise to TCA Holdings 11, L.P. dlbla Cox
Communications (First Reading was on 11113/2001).
4. Approve Resolution 2002 -01 -08.1, Waiving the City's Rights to Juvenile Accountability Incentive Block Grant Funds; and
Making Other Findings and Provisions Related Thereto.
5. Approve Amendment #3 to theAgreementfor Use of City and School Facilities for Organized Team Sports, allowing H.I.S.D.
to sell advertising space on the scoreboard at field #4, with all proceeds from the sale of advertising to be used to make
other improvements or to maintain field #4.
6. Authorize the Mayorto execute the HIPAA Exemption Election Document effect for the plan year, October 1, 2001 through
September 30, 2002.
Councilmember Howard made a motion to approve the Consent Agenda with the exception of item (3), and Councilmember
Erb seconded the motion. The motion passed unanimously. Note: Councilmember Crawford abstained from voting due to a
conflict of interest with item 2.
3. Authorize the City Manager to approve the lease of the Ernst parking lot located at 123012' Street for a period of five years
at a cost not to exceed $350 per month ($4,200) from budgeted funds.
A year ago, Judge Erwin Ernst offered the use of his parking lot to the City in exchange for $250 per month and the
abatement of all property taxes. Shortly thereafter, the City approached Judge Ernst regarding the complete rehabilitation of his
lot through the use of TEA -21 grant funds provided the lot was made available to the public for a minimum of five years. Judge
Ernst agreed; City Council allocated matching funds for a TEA -21 grant to resurface, landscape and add a public restroomsivisitor
information kiosk.
The outcome of Huntsville's grant application will be decided by the Texas Transportation Commission January 31, 2002.
Regardless of the grant's outcome, the parking area would provide much - needed additional parking forthe downtown with minor
improvements. While restrooms, landscaping, lighting, an information kiosk and otherpedestrian amenities would not be added
without the grant, opening the parking lot to the public and downtown business owners would address the number one obstacle
to doing business in the downtown area as identified by merchants.
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Councilmember Rex made a motion to authorize the City Manager to approve the lease of the Ernst parking lot located at
1230 12' Street for a period of five years at a cost not to exceed $350 per month ($4,200) from budgeted funds and '!
Councilmember Martinez seconded the motion. The motion passed unanimously.
STATUTORY AGENDA
1. Review and consider adoption of an ordinance prohibiting the feeding of deer in the Elkins Lake subdivision.
At the December 11, 2001, City Council meeting, the Council indicated their desire to consider an ordinance prohibiting the
feeding of deer in the Elkins Lake subdivision.
Councilmember Rex made a motion to approve Ordinance 2002-01-08. 1, Prohibiting the Feeding of Deer in the Elkins Lake
Subdivision: and Councilmember Smith seconded the motion. The motion passed 5:4 with Mayor Green and Councilmembers
Davis, Martinez, Rex and Smith voting in favor and Councilmembers Crawford Erb Escobedo and Howard voting against.
MAYORICITY MANAGER ACTIVITY REPORT
1. Reappoint Ann Olsta as Trustee to the Employees Medical Health Plan Board of Directors for a two -year term ending on
December 31, 2003.
Councilmember Rex made a motion to reappoint Ann Olsta as trustee to the Employees Medical Health Plan Board of
Directors. and Councilmember Howard seconded the motion. The motion passed unanimously.
2. Program /Project Status
Texas Infrastructure Fund Project/Healthy Communities (as presented by Tish Humphrey, Director of Information
Technology)
Economic Development (as presented by J. D. Schindler, Director of Economic Development)
3. Future Events:
January 22 — City Council Meeting
January 24 -26 — Focus Group Session on Race Reconciliation
February 5— City Council Meeting
February 6 -7 — Vision to Action Session
February 15 -16 — Governance Training
February 19 — City Council Meeting
February 21 — Installation of SHSU President
ADJOURNMENT [ 6:28 p.m�
Ifr Danna Welter, City Secretary
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