MIN CC 05/31/1994CITY COUNCIL MEETING OF MAY 31, 1994 BOOK "R" 291
MINUTES OF THE HUNTSVILLE CITY COUNCIL MEETING HELD ON THE 31ST DAY OF MAY, 1994, IN THE CITY
HALL, LOCATED AT 1212 AVENUE M IN THE CITY OF HUNTSVILLE, COUNTY OF WALKER, TEXAS AT 5:15 P.M.
I, 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
JoAnn Matthews David Martinez Danna Welter, City Secretary
Ronald L. Lange Dave Luning Scott Bounds, City Attorney
Harold Norton Marjorie Rex
CITIZEN INPUT /INQUIRY
Mr. Richard Mills, Saturn Gas Company. Mr. Mills stated that Saturn Gas is involved in helping to build the
infrastructure in this area for the use of an alternative fuel - natural gas. The company has taken a lease near the Hitchin' Post on
the service road to 1 -45 and are planning to build a refueling station. Gas lines will need to be installed to this location. Saturn
Gas Company is requesting approval to lay 3700 feet of gas line on City property in the landfill area.
Mayor Hodges referred this item to staff to prepare a proposal to allow Saturn Gas Company to use the City right -of -ways
and property to lay the gas lines for the June 14th agenda.
REGULAR SESSION - CALL TO ORDER
INVOCATION
Invocation by J. D. Schindler, Director of General Services.
' CONSIDER THE MINUTES OF APRIL 26 AND MAY 10, 1994
Councilmember Matthews made the motion to approve the minutes of April 26 and May 10, 1994, and Councilmember
Rex seconded the motion. Councilmember Carter made one correction. A vote was taken. All were in favor and the motion passed
unanimously.
CONSIDER A PROPOSAL IN PRINCIPLE BY THE CHAMBER OF COMMERCE
TO OPERATE THE SAM HOUSTON STATUE VISITOR'S CENTER EXHIBITS
AND GIFT SHOP VIA TOURISM CONTRACT AMENDMENT
Dee McFarland, Executive Director of the Chamber of Commerce, stated in the Texas Town and City magazine of April
1994, Walker County was ranked in the top ten Texas rural counties for tourism. It is estimated that tourism put $37 million back
into the local economy.
Mr. Don Kraemer, Tourism Council, stated that the Board of Directors of the Chamber of Commerce passed a resolution
committing the Chamber to operate the visitor's center - the exhibits and the gift shop. He requested an agreement in principle by
City Council that the Chamber would operate the visitor's center. The exhibits will be operated directly by the Chamber and the
gift shop could either be operated by the Chamber or by way of subcontract. The agreement would be formalized later with an
addendum to the tourism contract.
Mayor Hodges stated that he feels the Chamber should operate the visitor's center.
Councilmember Carter asked about the funding for the operation and maintenance costs. Mayor Hodges stated that it is
anticipated that $20,000 per year from the hotel -motel additional tax will be used for O & M expenses. Councilmember Davis stated
that there will also be revenues from the gift shop.
Consensus of Council was to agree in principle that the Chamber of Commerce operate the visitor's center at the Sam
Houston statue site. Mayor Hodges asked Mr. Kraemer to meet with the Chamber staff and the City Attorney to begin work on
a proposal.
I- _ CITY COUNCIL MEETING OF MAY 31, 1994 BOOK "R" 292 1
CONSIDER A REPORT ON THE "STAND WITH SAM" FUND RAISING PROJECT AND jI
REQUEST AUTHORIZATION FOR PLACEMENT OF DONOR RECOGNITION PAVERS
AND PLAQUES IN THE SAM HOUSTON STATUE PARK SITE
Dee McFarland stated that the Chamber has been raising funds for the cost of the base of the Sam Houston statue with
donations to date totaling $35,000. The Chamber is hopeful that the full $66,000 will be collected by August. All donations o
up to $100 are listed in a register, and donations of $100 and over will be recognized with pavers. The Chamber is requesting that
City Council approve the placement of donor recognition pavers at the park site.
CONSIDER RESOLUTION 94 -5 -31.1 AUTHORIZING REIMBURSEMENT OF EXPENSES RELATED TO
THE SAM HOUSTON STATUE PROJECT FROM THE PROCEEDS OF TAX EXEMPT OBLIGATIONS
All were in favor and the motion passed unanimously.
CONSIDER THE FINANCING OPTIONS FOR THE STATUE VISITOR'S CENTER -
SITE DEVELOPMENT COSTS
Ms. Allen stated that at the last Council meeting, a $400,000 issue through an anticipation note for a seven year period i
was discussed as an option for the statue visitor's center and site development. Preliminary estimates have been received from they
architects that suggest it is possible the cost may exceed the $400,000. It is recommended that instead of issuing the $400,000 debt!i
at this time, the City wait until the costs are known (approximate two weeks) to issue the debt. If the debt does exceed the $400,000!
and the City wants to keep the debt at the $65,000 level, an anticipation note would not be a viable alternative. A certificate of
obligation could be issued for a longer period of time to keep the debt service level in the $65,000 range. ! '
CONSIDER THE APRIL FINANCIAL AND TAX REPORT WITH CERTIFICATION
OF THE TAX ROLL CORRECTIONS AND ADJUSTMENTS
CONSIDER BIDS FOR THE N. B. DAVIDSON WASTEWATER TREATMENT PLANT IMPROVEMENTS
TO CAJUN CONSTRUCTORS, INC., IN THE AMOUNT OF $1,310,000 TO BE PAID
FROM UTILITY CAPITAL IMPROVEMENT FUNDS
passed unanimously.
CONSIDER BIDS FOR REMOVAL OF TREES FROM THE AIRPORT CLEAR ZONES
AS REQUIRED BY TXDOT TO OTIS OLIPHANT
Mr. Wilder stated that the bid received by Otis Oliphant is for him to pay the City $22.85 per ton for logs and $10.001
per ton for the pulp wood.
unammously.
CONSIDER AN AGREEMENT WITH THE SOIL CONSERVATION SERVICES FOR AN EROSION
CONTROL PROJECT ON TOWN BRANCH NORTH OF THE CITY IN AN 80 -20 COST
SHARE IN WHICH THE CITY WOULD PAY $5,000 OF THE $9,000 LOCAL SHARE (20%)
AND ABUTTING PROPERTY OWNER DANNY PIERCE TO PAY $4,000
motion passed unanimously.
CITY COUNCIL MEETING OF MAY 31 1994
BOOK R
293
CONSIDER PURCHASE OF TWO REAR LOADING GARBAGE TRUCKS TO BE PURCHASED THROUGH THE
H.G.A.C. COOPERATIVE PURCHASE PROGRAM AND FINANCED THROUGH A LEASE PURCHASE
AGREEMENT TO BE ARRANGED PRIOR TO DELIVERY OF THE EQUIPMENT
Councilmember Davis made the motion to approve the purchase of two rear loading garbage trucks through the H.G.A.C.
cooperative purchase program and Councilmember Carter seconded the motion All were in favor and the motion passed
unanimously.
CONSIDER AUTHORIZING THE CITY MANAGER TO ENTER INTO A CONTRACT
FOR COLLECTION OF MUNICIPAL COURT'S OUTSTANDING CITATIONS
Councilmember Luning made the motion to approve authorizing the City Manager to enter into a contract for collection
of Municipal Court's outstanding citations, and Councilmember Norton seconded the motion. All were in favor and the motion
assed unanimousl
MAYOR'S ACTIVITY REPORT
1. S.H.S.U. Summer Orientation.
Mayor Hodges stated that Sam Houston State University has invited Councilmembers to participate in SHSU's summer
orientation sessions scheduled for June 20, 27, and July 18, 25.
CITY COUNCILMEMBER ACTION
Aircraft over Forest Hills. Councilmember Carter stated that he had several complaints regarding airplanes flying low over Forest
Hills and asked staff to check into the matter.
Audit. Councilmember Davis stated that the Finance Committee had met earlier and approved entering into the third year of the
audit contract with Bickley, Prescott & Company for the City's annual audit for FY 1993 -94.
,. Sam Houston Statue Dedication Committee. Councilmember Davis stated that the committee had met several time, plans are
proceeding nicely for the dedication and is happy to report no funds have been expended to date.
Smith Hill Road. Councilmember Matthews stated that she was displeased with all the weeded areas around Smith HIlI Road. She
would like to vigorously work on cleaning up this area.
MEDIA
Wayne Sorge, KSAM, stated that the Dallas curfew ordinance was upheld in Supreme Court and asked if the City
intended to pursue a curfew ordinance. Mayor Hodges stated this issue had not come before the Council in several months and
until it became a major problem, should not be considered.
ADJOURNMENT
Recess into EXECUTIVE SESSION at 7:20 p.m. to consider the annual evaluation of Charter Officers: Gene Pipes, City
Manager and Danna Welter, City Secretary. Adjourn 8 :15 p.m.
Danna Welter, City Secretary