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MIN CC 04/26/1994CITY COUNCIL MEETING OF APRIL 26, 1994 BOOK "R" 284 MINUTES OF THE HUNTSVILLE CITY COUNCIL MEETING HELD ON THE 26TH DAY OF APRIL, 1994, 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 regular session with the following members present: COUNCILMEMBERS: W. H. Hodges, Mayor Officers: Dan S. Davis Jim Carter Gene Pipes, City Manager JoArm Matthews David Martinez Danna Welter, City Secretary Ronald L. Lange Dave Luning Scott Bounds, City Attorney Harold Norton Marjorie Rex CITIZEN INPUT /INQUIRY Fish Hatchery Resident. She stated that she was addressing Council on behalf of the residents of Fish Hatchery Road' to request City sewer be installed in the area. Many of the residents' septic systems are in disrepair and there is an odor in the area. Al Sylvester. Mr. Sylvester stated that he lives in the Fish Hatchery Road area and is also requesting that City Council consider sewering the area. Fish Hatchery Resident. He stated that he had two point to make: 1) the City seems agreeable that there is a problem with the septic systems in the Fish Hatchery area; and 2) the City annexed the area and is responsible for installing a sewer system. Mayor Hodges stated that this subject would be discussed later in the agenda. REGULAR SESSION - CALL TO ORDER INVOCATION Invocation by Reverend Barnes, Church of Christ. CONSIDER MINUTES OF APRIL 12, 1994 motion. All were in favor and the motion passed unanimously. PRESENTATION OF H.G.A.C. RESOLUTION OF COMMENDATION TO COUNCILMEMBER ILA GAINES Mayor Hodges presented former Councilmember Ila Gaines with a resolution of commendation from Houston- Galveston Area Council for her service during the past two years as Councilmember. ATTENDING CITIZENS Bill Abbott - Fish Hatchery Road. Mr. Abbott stated that he had set out to do three things: 1) review what has happened up until this point; 2) have a group of residents tell their story to impress upon Council the seriousness of the problem; and 3)' suggest the next move to make. Mr. Abbott stated that he appeared before Council on June 29, 1993, and made two requests to Council - an engineering'! study and a cost estimate be prepared for Council's review onthe Fish Hatchery area sewerproblem and Council within a reasonable !''! amount of time solve the problem. The study was turned in to the City in October 1993 and was presented to Council in November. Mayor Hodges' recommendation at that time was for City Council to study the information provided and that is where we are today.',, Mr. Abbott asked when the study will be completed and presented. Mayor Hodges suggested that a work session be planned to review the study and discuss the sewer problems. Mayor. Hodges stated that the City is aware of the problem. The dilemma at this time is money - the cost is estimated at $2.8 million.: This breaks out to $15,000 per lot. He stated that he was in support of the project, but it would take an increase in rates to complete the project. Mayor Hodges stated that a work session will be planned for May 31st. Councilmember Luning suggested that if there were other areas in the City limits that needed City sewer that they be'i considered during this project. CITY COUNCIL MEETING OF APRIL 26, 1994 BOOK "R" 285 r REPORT ON THE SAM HOUSTON STATUE PROJECT IF i 1 Mr. Pipes stated that representatives from Goodwin - Lasiter were here to present the schematic design and preliminary I� site plans. Mr. McKinley stated that they have received good input from the Chamber, City Council and the citizens of Huntsville. A dog run style visitors center that will reflect the image of Sam Houston's life has been designed. There will be two functions of the building- a Chamber of Commerce exhibit area that tells about Huntsville and the statue and a gift shop area. Due to the size and space needed, the restrooms are in an outbuilding. There is a rap around porch on the center which allows for more space for visitors. The visitors center will be built in a site line with the statue. There will be a "ring of honor" located on the plaza itself (base of the statue) - the ring will actually be octagon shaped. The names of donors will be placed on this "ring ". Mayor Hodges stated that the number of trees cut will be minimal and the entire complex will be handicap accessible. Councilmember Carter stated that Dr. Russell had written a letter to Goodwin - Lasiter with suggestions for the visitors center. One suggestion was not to have free standing restrooms allowing visitors to avoid the tourist center and gift shop. It was noted that to get to the restrooms and statue, one would have to pass through the visitors center. Councilmember Carter also stated that it appears that vegetation would be planted so that visitors would have to pass through the dog run to have access to the restrooms and statue. Mr. Pipes stated that a split mil fence, although not impenetrable, will guide visitors along the pathway. Councilmember Luning asked the diameter of the base. Mr. McKinley stated that the statue is 28 x 28. The ring of honor is 24 feet from the center and is an 8 foot walkway. There would be a 28 foot angle of view. There will be small seating areas slight further away. Councilmember Davis made the motion to authorize Goodwin- Lasiter to proceed to develop detailed construction plans in general conformance with the preliminary design, and Councilmember Luring seconded the motion. All were in favor and the motion passed unammousl CONSIDER THE QUARTERLY BUDGET ADJUSTMENTS AND THE QUARTERLY BUDGET REPORT Councilmember Davis made the motion to approve the quarterly budget adjustments and the quarterly budget report, and ' Councilmember Rex seconded the motion. All were in favor and the motion passed unanimously. CONSIDER THE MONTHLY TAX REPORT FOR MARCH AND THE ADJUSTMENTS TO THE TAX ROLL AS RECOMMENDED BY GROVER COOK, CHIEF APPRAISER Councilmember Davis made the motion to approve the monthly tax report and the adjustments to the tax roll as recommended by the Chief Appraiser, and Councilmember Norton seconded the motion. All were in favor and the motion passed unanimously. CONSIDER APPROVAL OF PROFESSIONAL SERVICES - GEOTECHNICAL TESTING FOR THE TRANSFER STATION PROJECT WITH PICKETT & JACOBS IN THE AMOUNT OF $7,600 Councilmember Norton made the motion to approve an agreement for professional services - geotechnical testing for the transfer station project with Pickett & Jacobs in the amount of $7,600, and Councilmember Luning seconded the motion All were in favor and the motion passed unanimously. CONSIDER A UTILITY EXTENSION FOR JOSE USEDA IN THE AMOUNT OF $2,736.25 ACCOMPANIED BY A REQUEST TO PAY OUT THE REQUESTED MATCH Mr. Wilder stated that Mr. Useda has requested City participation in an extension of sewer service to his residence. Following the utility extension policy, the City would pay 1/2 of the Ist 300' which totals $2,736.25. Mr. Useda's cost is $2,736.25 and he is requesting permission to pay $1,750 up front and pay the remaining $986.25 at $50.00 per month until paid. Mayor Hodges stated that he felt that this is a reasonable request, but felt an interest rate should be charged. It was decided that 6 % would be a fair rate. Councilmember Lange stated that approval of this request would set a precedent for the Fish Hatchery Road residents. Councilmember Luring made the motion to approve the utility extension for Jose Useda in the amount of $2,736.25 and ' with approval for Mr. Useda to pay $1.750 down and the remaining balance in $50.00 per month installments with 6% interest. and Councilmember Davis seconded the motion. All were in favor and the motion passed unanimously. CITY COUNCIL MEETING OF APRIL 26, 1994 BOOK "R" CONSIDER AUTHORIZATION FOR CITY STAFF TO SOLICIT RFP'S FOR THE ELMUD'S SANITARY SEWER EVALUATION SURVEY Mr. Wilder stated that staff is requesting authorization to solicit RFP's for the ELMUD sanitary sewer evaluation survey to identify the exact problems, prepare a recommendation on repairing the problems identified and the estimated cost for repairs. The survey is estimated not to exceed $56,000. ELMUD board approved the allocation of monies for this project last week and agreed that RFP's should be solicited, the motion. All were in favor and the motion passed unanimously. PRESENTATION OF THE NATIONAL DRINKING WATER WEEK INFORMATION Mr. Wilder stated that National Drinking Water Week would be observed from May 1 -7. There will be a display in I lobby of City Hall by the City and TRA to educate the public on certain water quality issues and have information /presentation show the public how water is provided. UPDATE ON THE TRANSFER STATION Mr. Wilder stated that the first concrete pour on the walls would begin in the next day or two. The project is proceeding on schedule. Mayor Hodges suggested that Council tour the building at an appropriate time. MAYOR'S ACTIVITY REPORT 1. Appointment of Sam Houston Statue Dedication Ceremony /Activities Committee. Mayor Hodges informed City Council that he had appointed a committee for the Sam Houston Statue Dedication� Ceremony /Activities coming up on October 22, 1994. I CITY COUNCILMEMBER ACTION ' Silver Wines Ballroom. Councilmember Carter stated that MHMR had bought the Silver Wings Ballroom and was disappointed that the City did not purchase the building. Neighborhood Meeting. Councilmember Luring stated that H.I.S.D. Drug Free Schools Committee will hold its April "Taking back" the neighborhood ... one block at a time!" rally on Saturday, April 30, 1994, from 1:30 p.m. to 2:30 p.m. and encouraged'i Councilmembers to attend. i� Mayor Hodges stated that Kenneth Russell, who did not make the Citizen Input session would like to show Councilmembers a video. Any member may stay for the presentation. MEDIA j None. i ADJOURNMENT n Danna Welter, City Secretary I� I