MIN CC 10/25/2005CITY COUNCIL MEETING OCTOBER 25, 2005 BOOK "T"
262
MINUTES OF THE HUNTSVILLE CITY COUNCIL MEETING HELD ON THE 25TH DAY OF OCTOBER 2005, IN THE CITY
HALL, LOCATED AT 1212 AVENUE M IN THE CITY OF HUNTSVILLE, COUNTY OF WALKER, TEXAS AT 6:00 P.M.
The Council met in a regular session with the following members present:
COUNCILMEMBERS:
Steed Smith
OFFICERS:
J. Turner
Bob Tavenner
Kevin Evans, City Manager
Mickey Evans
Jim Willett
Danna Welter, City Secretary
Judy Kayse
Mac Woodward
Thomas Leeper, City Attorney
Clarence W. Griffin
Jack Choate
WORK SESSION [5:00 p.m. — 5:45 p.m.]
a. Process review of comprehensive plan; and
b. Utility billing review.
CALL TO ORDER [6:00 p.m.]
Mayor Turner called the regular session to order.
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE to US AND TEXAS FLAGS, INVOCATION
Ray Black, Parks and Recreation Director led the invocation.
PUBLIC HEARINGS
a. Centerpoint's Rate Request.
City Attorney Thomas Leeper waived the opening statement on the City's behalf.
John Seale with CenterPoint also waived the opening statement for CenterPoint.
No public comments.
Mr. Leeper stated that we have now had opportunity for opening statements. This hearing will be continued pending the
City's receipt of information previously requested from the Company and the Company causing public notice to be published
consistent with this Council's interim order. The time and date of the continuation of the hearing will be sent to CenterPoint
once the foregoing is accomplished.
Mr. Leeper stated that this hearing remains a hearing in progress and is hereby continued.
b. Consider amendments to the Huntsville Transportation Plan.
Barbara Corbin — Ms. Corbin spoke of opposition of 16" Street becoming a through street in the master plan.
Weldon Matthys. Mr. Mathys spoke in opposition of 16'" Street also.
PRESENTATION
a. Proclamation — Go Astros Month.
PUBLIC COMMENTS (Agenda Items Only)
a. Lydia Klespis. Ms. Klespis thanked City Council for their work and support on the Aquatics Center.
b. Josh Stanfield. Mr. Stanfield thanked the City workers for their work on the Aquatics Center.
CONSENT AGENDA
a. Approve minutes of October 11 and 18, 2005.
Councilmember Kayse made a motion to approve the consent agenda as amended and Councilmember Smith
seconded the motion. The motion passed unanimously.
STATUTORY AGENDA
a. Approve Resolution 2005 -10 -25.1 suspending the effective date indefinitely for Centerpoint Energy Entex's request to
increase rates within the City of Huntsville until the publication of public notice in a manner consistentwith the law and
the City's interim order and other matters.
manner consistent with the law and the City's interim order and other matters and Councilmember Smith seconded the
motion. The motion Passed unanimously.
b. Discuss and take action to either accept return of $2,000 from the General Sam Houston Folk Festival or designate such
funds as a reserve for the Festival.
Councilmember Choate made a motion to accept the $2,000 from the General Sam Houston Folk Festival, and I
Councilmember Evans seconded the motion. The motion Passed unanimously. NOTE: Councilmembers Kayse and r.
Woodward abstained.
C. Authorize the City Manager to proceed with the revised directional sign program utilizing existing funds.
In September 2001, Chandler, Brooks & Donohoe prepared a Tourism Development Plan forthe City and Chamber. As i
part of that plan, they recommended placement of "directional attractions and amenities signage at various locations' ;
I
i
CITY COUNCIL MEETING OCTOBER 25, 2005 BOOK "T 263
throughout the Grty. 10 that ena, the arty contractea wan Tzus to conauct a wayrinoing swuyipian Tor design and Omer
recommendations. That plan was not funded due to many concerns, including funding and design issues.
Harold Hutcheson, Main Street Manager, Rhonda Ellisor, Chamber of Commerce VP, and David Welch, City Street
Division Superintendent, have developed a revised wayfinding plan to address the tourism need, specifically addressing
directional signage with a more practical approach that can be funded through the balance of the f2Ds project balance. The
sign design (shape) has been changed although the color scheme has been left in place. Placement of the signs has been
designated for the following eight locations: Oakwood Cemetery, Sam Houston Museum grounds, SHSU, Joe Byrd Cemetery,
The Historical Downtown District, the Prison Museum, the Chamber Visitors Center, and the Wynne Home Arts Center.
The wayfinding review team now has one full size prototype and smaller scaled down layouts of each sign to present. The
team has an additional completive bid that further lowers the cost of production on the first 45 signs.
d. Approve budget amendments.
Councilmember Willett made a motion to approve the budget adjustments and Councilmember Tavenner seconded the
motion. The motion passed unanimously.
e. Approve the purchase of a new Cedarapids Paver in an amount of $237,000 to be funded from tax note proceeds and
general fund unallocated reserves.
This item was pulled from the agenda.
f. Authorize the City Manager to enter into a construction contract with Doughtie Construction, Inc., in an amount of
$3,470,410.00 for the construction of the Westridge /Highway 30 West Sewer Project to be funded from combined
budgeted wastewater funds.
This project is part of a multi - phased effort to divert wastewater from the McGary Creek Lift Station, and service existing
and future wastewater needs in the McGary Creek and Robinson Creek water sheds. This project will tie to the newly
constructed Westridge Interceptor and Robinson Creek Outfall lines that were constructed to divert flows to the new Robinson
Creek Wastewater Treatment Plant.
Bids were received and opened on October 12, 2005, and are tabulated below.
CONTRACTOR BID AMOUNT
Doughtie Construction $3,470,410.00
Apeck Construction $3,920,944.80
Wicker Construction $4,396,160.00
Grisham Construction $4,511,977.09
Brazos Valley Services $4,953,027.75
SLC Construction $5,552,893.30
The Engineer's estimate for the base bid was $3,639,633. The low bidder was $169,223 less than the Engineer's
estimate.
g. Approve construction contract to Apache Services for the outdoor aquatics facility and bathouse with eight lane pool with
a base bid in an amount of $1,717,000, and alternatives as determined by City Council.
A matching grant was awarded to the City from the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department for the City to construct a new
Aquatic Center and other amenities in Eastham- Thomason Park. On October 19, 2005, bids were received for this project.
Four bids were received with Apache Services, Inc., being the low bidder for the project. The bid tabulation sheet is attached
for review. BRW Architects has checked all references concerning the law bidder and has found no problems. A
recommendation letter submitted by BRW Architects is attached for review.
Available funds for this project are shown below:
B lane /recreation pool $1,677,500
Competitive Lighting $47,196
Contingency $202.769.60
Total Funds Available $1,927,465.60
Items recommended for award based on Apache Services bid:
Bid for 6lane /recreation pool $1,669,000
Alt. #1: 8 Lane pool $48.000
Total $1,717,000
Other items to consider for bid award based on Apache Services bid:
Alternate No. 2: Deck level equipment $27,000
Alternate No. 3: Competitive lighting $59,000
Alternate No. 5: 8 -lane event timing system $59,000
A Financing Summary sheet is attached showing original estimates for the cost of the above mentioned work.
Councilmember Woodward made a motion to approve construction contract to Apache Services for the outdoor aquatics
facility and bathouse with eight lane pool with a base bid in an amount of $1.717.000, with the addition of the deck level
CITY COUNCIL MEETING OCTOBER 25, 2005 BOOK "T" 2264
equipment in the amount of $27,000 and a contingency of $50,000, and Councilmember Smith seconded the motion. The
motion passed unanimously.
MAYOR / COUNCILMEMBER / CITY MANAGER REPORT
a. Update on pending or contemplated litigation.
b. Update on land acquisition.
C. Annual evaluation of Charter Officers — City Secretary and City Manager.
[Items a -c to be discussed in executive session.]
C. Annual evaluation of Charter Officers — City Secretary and City Manager.
[Items a -c to be discussed in executive session.]
d. Approve Mayor's Board and Commission appointments:
• Economic Development Council — reappoint David Ward, Jack Olsta, Ed Sandhop and Tom Fordyce
• Main Street Program Advisory Committee — appoint Robert Ernst, Larry Johnson, Lee Jamison, Sam Moak
and Diana K. Barnes;
• Parks and Recreation Advisory Board — reappoint Maxie Farris and appoint Woody Woods;
• Planning and Zoning — appoint Roy Partin and Vance Howard;
• Youth Advisory Board — appoint Jackie Pace and Delia Harrrelson as adult members, and appoint Morgan
Allyn, Tara Armstrong, Kelbee Oliphant and Casey Schindler as youth members; and
' Beautification Advisory Committee — reappoint Debra Gilbert and appoint Janet Ridley and Hazel Wyatt.
Councilmember Woodward made a motion to approve the Mayor's Board and Commission a000intments, and
Counciilmember Griffin seconded the motion. The motion passed unanimously.
e. Approve City Council's Board and Commission appointments:
TIRZ Board — reappoint Sam Dominey.
Councilmember Smith made a motion to approve City Council's Board and Commission appointment. and
Councilmember Choate seconded the motion. The motion passed unanimously.
PUBLIC COMMENTS
None.
MEDIA
Kelly Prue, The Huntsville Item, asked about when we would break ground on the Aquatics Center. Mr. Evans stated
that we are anticipating it to be around the end of November.
EXECUTIVE SESSION [6:55 p.m. — 8:30 p.m.]
City Council met in executive session to discuss Items a -c under Mayor /City Council /City Manager Report.
ADJOURNMENT [8:30 p.m.]
Danna Welter, City Secretary
C