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MIN CC 07/28/1992CITY COUNCIL MEETING OF JULY 28, 1992 BOOK 'R" MINUTES 1DF- PHE- hU1gT3VItiZ CITY COUNCIL MEETING HELD ON T 28TH DAY OF JULY M 81 Charles Robinson ABSENT: Ronald L Lange CITIZENS 1NPUTANQUIRY REGULAR SESSION - CALL TO ORDER Mayor Hodges called the regular session to order. Invocation by Councilmember Gaines. CONSIDER MINUTES OF JULY 14, 1992 Councilmember Gaines made a motion to avvrove the minutes of July 14, 1992, and Councilmember Knotts seconded the motion. All were in favor and the motion Passed unanimously. NOTE: Councilmember Lange was absent ATTENDING CITIZENS Ms. Christi Woodward presented information regarding mosquito abatement options. She also requested that ordinances be enforced, specifically to keep down the weeds and habitats that provide breeding grounds.'i City Manner Pipes reported that Staff had done extensive research and consulted with experts regarding mosquito abatement, which Council requested on June 16, 1992. Information is provided in your agenda packets. Staff recommends an increase and extension of current mosquito surveillance, which includes a plan for the use of insecticides in the event viral activity is located. In addition, staff recommends a public education program for citizens to assist them with eliminating the mosquito breeding sites around their homes. Staff views a chemical abatement program as the last resort. The estimated cost to fund an in house operation is $38,455 which includes machinery, chemicals, maintenance, etc. with employees performing the service for the first year of operation -,'I J. D. Schindler, Director of Community Development, presented additional detail regarding staffs research and options. Mr. Schindler also stated, if this service were contracted, it would cost approximately $200,000 - $250,000. Mr. Schindler introduced Dr. James Long, Professor of Life Science, who voiced concerns and data for Council's consideration. Dr. Long has been on the Texas Mosquito Control Association Board and the American Mosquito Control Association Board. City Manager Pipes then stated, these costs will be "Decision Packet' items presented to Council in the budget process for the next fiscal year. Decision Packet Items/Costs: $3,900 for surveillance and $38,455 for equipment and all related costs. Ree Slovin, City Health Officer, stated that each complaint is responded to, of which we have an abundance. I see a need of staff more than I do lack of enforcement of ordinances. We do not drive around policing areas and writing citations. Staff works on a complaint basis. Councilmembers Carter. Bell and Knotts voiced appreciation for the detailed research and information provided Council by Staff, and voiced concerns regarding the habitats, spraying, etc. CONSIDER ANNUAL INVESTMENT REPORT AND INVESTMENT POLICIES Councilmember Green stated, due to time limitation, we did not review the "Investment Policies ", but we did review the "Annual Report" which is made available to you in your agenda packets. Councilmember Green made a motion to approve the Annual Investment Report with a second by Councilmember Carter. The motion passed unanimously. Patricia Allen, Director of Finance, brought several items to the attention of Council for clarification purposes. Councilmember Bell voiced a concern regarding the safety feature of the City's investment. Mrs. Allen stated, Texpool is definitely a safe source for the City's investments. CONSIDER THE MONTHLY TAX COLLECTION REPORT City Manager Pipes stated, adjustments made by the Appraisal District, requires Council approval on a monthly basis. Councilmember Green made a motion to approve the tax report with a second by Councilmember Gaines. The motion passed unanimously.! CONSIDER PROFESSIONAL SERVICES OF PICKETT- JACOBS AT LANDFILL City Manager Pipes stated, this is consideration of professional services for soils testing, laboratory analysis, inspection and engineering services for installation of liner at the landfill by Pickett- Jacobs at a cost not to exceed $20,000. It is a I requirement by the State of Texas to have this service done by non - employees in order to retain permit approval. Councilmember; HALL COUNCIL CHAMBERS, LOCATED AT 1212 AVENUE M IN THE CITY OF HUNITSVILLE, COUNTY OF WALKER, TEXAS AT 5:00 P.M. The Council met in a regular session with the following members present: W. H. Hodges, Mayor Officers: James L Carter William H. Knotts, Jr. Gene Pipes, City Manager Ba G. Gaines Gary Bell Scott Bounds, City Attorney William B. Green Dan S. Davis Melba Byers, City Secretary Charles Robinson ABSENT: Ronald L Lange CITIZENS 1NPUTANQUIRY REGULAR SESSION - CALL TO ORDER Mayor Hodges called the regular session to order. Invocation by Councilmember Gaines. CONSIDER MINUTES OF JULY 14, 1992 Councilmember Gaines made a motion to avvrove the minutes of July 14, 1992, and Councilmember Knotts seconded the motion. All were in favor and the motion Passed unanimously. NOTE: Councilmember Lange was absent ATTENDING CITIZENS Ms. Christi Woodward presented information regarding mosquito abatement options. She also requested that ordinances be enforced, specifically to keep down the weeds and habitats that provide breeding grounds.'i City Manner Pipes reported that Staff had done extensive research and consulted with experts regarding mosquito abatement, which Council requested on June 16, 1992. Information is provided in your agenda packets. Staff recommends an increase and extension of current mosquito surveillance, which includes a plan for the use of insecticides in the event viral activity is located. In addition, staff recommends a public education program for citizens to assist them with eliminating the mosquito breeding sites around their homes. Staff views a chemical abatement program as the last resort. The estimated cost to fund an in house operation is $38,455 which includes machinery, chemicals, maintenance, etc. with employees performing the service for the first year of operation -,'I J. D. Schindler, Director of Community Development, presented additional detail regarding staffs research and options. Mr. Schindler also stated, if this service were contracted, it would cost approximately $200,000 - $250,000. Mr. Schindler introduced Dr. James Long, Professor of Life Science, who voiced concerns and data for Council's consideration. Dr. Long has been on the Texas Mosquito Control Association Board and the American Mosquito Control Association Board. City Manager Pipes then stated, these costs will be "Decision Packet' items presented to Council in the budget process for the next fiscal year. Decision Packet Items/Costs: $3,900 for surveillance and $38,455 for equipment and all related costs. Ree Slovin, City Health Officer, stated that each complaint is responded to, of which we have an abundance. I see a need of staff more than I do lack of enforcement of ordinances. We do not drive around policing areas and writing citations. Staff works on a complaint basis. Councilmembers Carter. Bell and Knotts voiced appreciation for the detailed research and information provided Council by Staff, and voiced concerns regarding the habitats, spraying, etc. CONSIDER ANNUAL INVESTMENT REPORT AND INVESTMENT POLICIES Councilmember Green stated, due to time limitation, we did not review the "Investment Policies ", but we did review the "Annual Report" which is made available to you in your agenda packets. Councilmember Green made a motion to approve the Annual Investment Report with a second by Councilmember Carter. The motion passed unanimously. Patricia Allen, Director of Finance, brought several items to the attention of Council for clarification purposes. Councilmember Bell voiced a concern regarding the safety feature of the City's investment. Mrs. Allen stated, Texpool is definitely a safe source for the City's investments. CONSIDER THE MONTHLY TAX COLLECTION REPORT City Manager Pipes stated, adjustments made by the Appraisal District, requires Council approval on a monthly basis. Councilmember Green made a motion to approve the tax report with a second by Councilmember Gaines. The motion passed unanimously.! CONSIDER PROFESSIONAL SERVICES OF PICKETT- JACOBS AT LANDFILL City Manager Pipes stated, this is consideration of professional services for soils testing, laboratory analysis, inspection and engineering services for installation of liner at the landfill by Pickett- Jacobs at a cost not to exceed $20,000. It is a I requirement by the State of Texas to have this service done by non - employees in order to retain permit approval. Councilmember; CITY COUNCIL MEE'T'ING OF JULY 28, 1992 _. BeB-Tnade- a-motimrtaappr �. i CONSIDER AGREEMENT WITH SHSU Mayor Hodges stated, this is consideration of an agreement with Sam Houston State University Biological Sciences Department for installation of a 1" water meter to supply an irrigation research project for anticancer agents. Councilmember '.' Bell made a motion to approve this consideration, with a second by Councilmember Knotts. The motion passed unanimously. Councilmember Bell stated, this is a project that they think shows real viability for cancer treatment. SHSU would be growing a "drug tree" which has been discovered to have anticancer agents. Councilmember Carter asked. Is there a conflict of interest since several Councilmembers are Professors at SHSU? City Attorney Bounds stated, there is not a conflict of interest. CITY MANAGER'S REPORT - GENE PIPES Mr. Jim Standefer Request, Mr. Standefer is requesting Council approval for tree and plant plantings along 12th Street from University to Avenue J. This request stipulates that the type of plants to be planted will be decided by David Zeller, BruceI, Fullenwilder and himself. City Manager Pipes stated, at the point we are now in developing a landscaping plan and having a viable committee approach to the downtown area, to designate a particular street right -of -way for individual control is something I think r:? is inappropriate. Also, because we are just about to take on the sidewalk work in that area, we are not really sure how much room is going to be left for any particular planting. Staff feels this particular request, although greatly appreciated, is something the Council needs to reject or at least postpone until we have further determination of what areas are available to plant and also what general landscaping is involved in that area. Councilmember Carter made a motion to table this request with a second by Councilmember Knotts. The motion to table was unanimous. Mr. John Bass Request. Mr. Bass is requesting a designated loading zone in the 1000 block of University Avenue. Mayor Hodges recommended this request be rejected since parking has always been a problem on the north side of the square, and these parking spaces are needed for customers, visitors and/or tourists. Also, there is an alleyway behind the businesses for truck unloading which is sufficient. Councilmember Knotts made a motion to reject this request with a second by Councilmember Gaines. The motion to reject was unanimous. Councilmember Green voiced concerns regarding double parking, unloading and being considerate of the merchants. At this point, City Manager Pipes stated that J. D. Schindler, Director of Community Development, would look into this and return to Council with recommendations. Consider ORDINANCE NO. 92 -7 -28.1. This is a request from the Texas Department of Transportation to establish "no parking zones" on both sides of SH 75N - Avenue Q from 11th Street to I11-45. City Manager Pipes stated, these "no parking zones" are needed for completion of the project. Councilmember Knolls made a motion to approve this request with a second by Councilmember Robinson. The motion passed unanimously. MAYOR'S ACTIVITY REPORT Sam Houston State University Request. This request is to approve Nineteenth Street as a "Streetscape Project" in conjunction with the Sam Houston Bicentennial Birthday Celebration. The designated area for the red brick stamped pattern installation is from Nineteenth Street Sidewalks from Avenue O to Sam Houston Avenue, Councilmember Carter made a motion to approve this request with a second by Councilmember Davis. The motion passed unanimously. This request does not require any more funding by the City, stated City Manager Pipes. This is only the concept, stated Mayor Hodges, Councilmember Knotts stated he felt like a better brick could be used and possibly go to an actual brick walk instead of stamped brick which would fit in with our whole cultural theme. Notice of opening on Board of Adiustments- Zoning. Mayor Hodges reported that this opening is due to Clyde Murray's resignation in order to be appointed to the library Board. Recommendations are being taken to fill this opening. We would like to fill this opening within two weeks, if possible. BOOK "R" 82 CITY COUNCILMEMBER ACTION Councilmember Carter discussed articles he had read on recycling and landfill space in a Houston newspaper. He suggested that Council keep an open mind about "mixed waste" composting. Glenn Isbell, Director of Engineering, explained the differences in what Houston calls "solid waste composting" and what Huntsville calls "solid waste composting ". Mr. Isbell also explained the instructions given to the Consultant regarding toxic waste products, biodegradable materials and whether they have a market value or not. Houston is only removing the marketable materials and shredding or grinding everything else into a compost which is then spread over several acres of land. What we are calling a "mixed solid waste compost" is all of the materials are biodegradable. Also, there is a state law which sets a goal of 40% recycling by 1995. HGAC has also set some goals concerning recycling. We are members of that organization and they expect us to not only recycle at certain levels by certain dates - -20% I I CITY COUNCIL MEETING OF JULY 28, 1992 - - recycling by T997,--40% -6 an�TiS°0 -202, 1 Additionally, I hope we consider "pay as you throw" garbage charges soon. This could generate a tendency not to produce as much garbage since you would not be paying a flat fee. Councilmember Robinson asked where the refurbishing of University lies in the Master Street Plan going from 980 back to Mance Park School. City Manager Pipes stated that utility work has not been completed. Director of Engineering, Glenn Isbell, stated that sewer lines are being constructed now on University, another is planned to go between the block of University and Avenue J, and we will be looking at the overlay. The section from University and Seventh Street out to 247 was scheduled to be done last because of the utility work needed. Mr. Isbell continued, we subcontracted the street work in front of Mance Park, which is putting down water lines. Councilmember Robinson then stated that the community is very uncomfortable about the ;. contractor and the way the street is being done. I am getting calls all the time. Is there a time frame for completion of this project? Director of Engineering, Glenn Isbell, stated, they are finishing the testing in the area of Birmingham, Eight Street and Gibbs Street now. They will come back and do the asphalt repairs. A contractor will construct the sewer line that comes through °. from University and Avenue J, then the street paving program will come in and redo some portions of the curbing and then repave the whole street. The cuts and reties will be patched over by the contractor. Councilmember Bell stated he was scheduled to discuss a substandard housing rehabilitation initiative; however, he felt it was premature since a meeting had been scheduled for tomorrow. If it is agreeable, I will report back to Council at the next council meeting. There was a consensus of Council. I would like to make Council aware that, through the Personnel Committee meetings, there is now a tentative restructuring and reorganization plan in the works, which needs to be brought to Council. It would seem more appropriate to -.! present this plan to Council through the budget process. Other items we discussed are: the need for a Human Resources Department, reclassification of job grades, and a couple of position shifts. The City Manager does have the authority to make these changes in the organizational chart. Councilmembers will be provided all material in advance for study. Councilmember Carter stated he felt it was wrong to reduce work force, as the management study suggested. I would hope that we are talking about restructuring positions, and if we lose anybody it is through attrition over time and after retirement processes rather than ' any sort of layoffs. At this point, Councilmember Bell stated he wanted to reassure City employees that there is very little in the way of force reduction. Before any force reductions would take place, there would be a matter of reemphasis and shift in positions instead of actually firing people. Personally, I don't see anyone whose job is in jeopardy. There is no particular "hatchet job" going on. Mayor Hodges stated he had an announcement to make before Councilmember Gaines speaks. Councilmember Gaines is getting married this weekend. She has been living with Lewis for 50 years which is pretty good for a woman who is 39 years old. Councilmember and Mr. Gaines are getting married and celebrating their 50th wedding anniversary all the same day. Congratulations. Councilmember Gaines stated she and Lewis were married for one year before anybody knew about it, proving she can keep a secret, and her maiden name was Gaines. Councilmember Gaines stated, a packet is provided each Councilmember regarding the Library-W.S. Gibbs Cultural Center. An introduction and background was given in regards to all meetings to bring Councilmembers up -to -date. At this time, the steering committee recommends that Council approve contracting with the firm of PGAL (Pierce, Goodwin, Alexander and Linville) for undertaking a feasibility study of the proposed Library Cultural Center for an amount not to exceed $13,575. We selected five firms and spent two days meeting with them. In that process, they presented to us their philosophy, environmental sensitivity on the lot we were talking to them about, and what expertise they were bringing in the way of library, theater, and exhibition space- Also, we discussed how they were going to obtain information in order to arrive at a plan for a building that would be useable for all user groups that would fit our environmental place, and not be totally out of step with other buildings. Their price tag of $13,575 includes a model, which we could use as a multiple tool, which costs $1,000. They will come to us in a four week period, meet with our citizens, meet with the Council, find our concerns, meet with the user groups to find out the concept of the type of building and then they will come back to us with an architectural rendering. At this point, Councilmember Gaines made a motion to approve this recommendation, with a second by Councilmember Davis. The motion passed unanimously. MEDIA INQUIRIES ADJOURNMENT Mel Byers, City Secr BOOK "R" 83