MIN CC 02/18/2003CITY COUNCIL MEETING OF FEBRUARY 18, 2003 BOOK "T"
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MINUTES OF THE HUNTSVILLE CITY COUNCIL MEETING HELD ON THE 18TH DAY OF FEBRUARY, 2003, 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:
COUNCILMEMBERS: Mark Erb OFFICERS:
William B. Green, Mayor John Escobedo Bob Hart, City Manager
Jack Choate Vance Howard Danna Weller, City Secretary
Gary Crawford Judy Kayse
Ralph A. Davis, Jr. Steed Smith
FINANCE COMMITTEE MEETING [4:45 -4:55 p.m.]
The Finance Committee met to discuss golf course internal financing.
CALL TO ORDER [5:15 p.m.]
Mayor Green called the meeting to order.
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE to US AND TEXAS FLAGS, INVOCATION
City Manager Bob Hart led the invocation.
PUBLIC COMMENTS
1. Mona Peck. Ms. Peck asked about the proposed loan for the golf course: what is the total amount of monies loaned to
the golf course and why the loans are coming from the Water Fund Reserves only; and why the City won't allow Walker
County Rural Water Supply Company to provide water service to the proposed TXDOT rest stop. Mr. Hart briefly
answered Ms. Peck's questions. Ms. Peck then asked if the water rates were going up again next month. Mr. Hart
answered that the City would be re- averaging the consumption rates for November, January and February for the next
cycle. Mayor Green also discussed the City's agreement with W CRWSC regarding water service in Walker County.
2. Charles Smither. Jr. Mr. Smither stated his disagreement with the recent Planning and Zoning Commission ruling
regarding not allowing a variance to a possible new gas station business, stating the rules are not being applied equally
in all areas of town.
3. Brian Woodward, Mr. Woodward, on behalf of the absent Mr. Karl Davidson, spoke at length regarding golf course
financial information, water rates. He asked that the golf course funding item on the agenda be tabled until a future
meeting. He also stated that the City should work with WCRWSC to allow them to furnish water to the proposed TXDOT
rest stop.
4. George Russell. Mr. Russell spoke at length in opposition to the City's removal of trees on the property at Avenue M and
20'" Street, raising issues such as ADA compliance, children's health and safety and bird sanctuary concerns. He also
spoke at length regarding the golf course and chemical use.
STATUTORY AGENDA
1. Approve the minutes of February 4, 2003 City Council meeting.
Councilmember Smith made a motion to approve the minutes of February 4 2003 City Council meeti= and
Councilmember Kayse seconded the motion The motion passed unanimously.
2. Authorize the expenditure of $64,299.20 for purchase of the AutoCITE system from Enforcement Technology, Inc. to be
funded from grant and budgeted funds.
Collection and annual reporting of racial profiling information from traffic stops is mandated by state law. The
software currently used by the court is notable to assimilate the necessary information to meet legal requirements. This
requires a separate collection and compilation process which must be done by hand. The court is also interested in the
system because it allows for the downloading of citation data from the units, eliminating additional hours of data entry.
3. Approve a loan from the Water Fund Reserve in the amount of $612,964.07 to Golf Course Operations, and the
$612,964.07 loan be repaid from Golf Course Operations to Golf Course CIP.
The current anticipated golf course schedule is to open the driving range on March 3; conduct a SHSU benefit
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CITY COUNCIL MEETING OF FEBRUARY 18 2003 BOOK T 15
tournament on April 25; a soft opening (limited hours /play) on May 1 and final opening on June 1.
The staff is currently allocating both past and projected costs among the various elements of the golf course 1) l
construction, 2) grow-in, 3) immediate pre-opening expenses and 4) operations. This is important onlyto propedyreflect
costs and to establish the initial base for later reporting under GASB 34. As been mentioned before, any funds needed
'I beyond the $5 million debt issue must be financed internally. When the projections are complete, they will be brought to j
!j you to consider the internal loans (at this point I anticipate the March 4 agenda).
I
All the work to dale has been charged to the Golf Course CIP. Costs associated with operations are $612,964.07.
It is requested that this amount be transferred from Golf Course Operations to Golf Course CIP in order to cover the
outstanding Duininck bills. This will be covered by a temporary loan from the Water Fund Reserve to the Golf Course
CIP.
MAYORICITY MANAGER ACTIVITY REPORT
1. Mayor Report.
a. Consider appointment of Rita Watkins, Leroy Bailey and Alfonso Lugo as the City's citizen representatives to
the Walker County Fire /EMS Services Task Force.
2. City Manager Program /Project Status.
a. Mr. Hart asked Council to consider
the creation of a Youth Advisory Board as a result of work through the
Vision to Action session in February
2002 and with the Huntsville's Promise. A draft of the proposal was
presented to
-!,
the Council.
3. Future Events:
i' March 4
5:15pm
City Council Meeting
March 7 -11
NLC Congressional Conference (Washington, D.C.)
March 19
Last Day to Apply for a Place on the Ballot for the May 3 Election
March 25
9:OOam
Drawing for Order of Names on Ballot
5:15pm
City Council Meeting
April
5:15pm
City Council Meeting
April 16
8:00am
Early Voting Begins at City Hall and HISD Administration
April 18
Good Friday (City offices closed); NO EARLY VOTING
April 22
5:15pm
City Council Meeting
May 3
7:OOam- 7:OOpm
City Officer's Election
- May 5
Cinco de Mayo (City offices closed)
May 6
5:15pm
City Council Meeting; Canvass Election
May 20
5:15pm
City Council Meeting
May 26
Memorial Day (City offices closed)
June 3
5:15pm
City Council Meeting
!.� June 5
5:00- 9:OOpm
Council Budget Workshop
June 6
9:OOam- 5:OOpm
Council Budget Workshop
June 7
8:00am- 12:00pm
Council Budget Workshop
June 17
5:15pm
City Council Meeting
June 19
Juneteenth (City offices closed)
MEDIA INQUIRIES
Mr. Michael of the Huntsville Item asked several questions regarding: the racial makeup of the City s employees; if the
police conducted racial profiling; the relationship between the water bill and the golf course; funding source for the new
Robinson Creek Wastewater Treatment Plant; the possibility of a convention center; how many Councilmembers reside in
Elkins Lake. Mayor Green explained the philosophy and procedures regarding revenues for the City's water, wastewater and
sewer rate system, and answered Mr. Michael's questions. Councilmember Crawford also addressed Mr. Michael.
' Mr. Sablatura of the Huntsville Observer asked about: the relationship between the water fund and the golf course,
stating that the golf course used water last summer and a water line was installed, both without being paid bythe golf course;
the total amount of loans to the golf course; and the City policy regarding cutting trees. Mayor Green responded that the he
would rather not answer now but would rather wait to make sure he could answer accurately. Mr. Hart responded that he was
the final authority signing off the permit to cut the trees and authorize the repair of the sidewalk; all policies were followed. Mr.
'i Sablatura asked why it wasn't brought to the community's attention since it was identified as a problem ten years ago. Mayor
Green stated the current staff were not all employed at that time, and at that time it was Council's decision to not act at that
time.
CITY COUNCIL MEETING OF FEBRUARY 18, 2003 BOOK "T' 16
ADJOURNMENT [6:50 p.m.]
WORK SESSION [7:15 — 9:15 p.m.]
City Council conducted a work session to discuss le7Danna s and initiatives; and economic development programs
strategies.
Welter, City Secretary