MIN CC 07/07/1994C
CITY COUNCIL MEETING OF JULY 7, 1994 BOOK "R" 301
MINUTES OF THE HUNTSVILLE CITY COUNCIL MEETING HELD ON THE 7TH DAY OF JULY, 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 JoAnn Matthews Gene Pipes, City Manager
Harold Norton David Martinez Danna Welter, City Secretary
Dave Luning Jim Carter Scott Bounds, City Attorney
Ronald L. Lange ABSENT: Marjorie Rex
REGULAR SESSION - CALL TO ORDER
INVOCATION
Invocation by Don Casper, Second Baptist Church.
CONSIDER THE MINUTES OF JUNE 28, 1994
Councilmember Luning made the motion to approve the minutes of June 28. 1994, and Councilmember Davis seconded
the motion All were in favor and the motion passed unanimously NOTE: Councilmember Rex was absent.
ATTENDING CITIZENS
Mr. David Adickes introduced Peter Sorlin, the appraiser for the Sam Houston Statue project. Mr. Adickes stated that
at this point all the pieces of the statue are complete and that later in the week, the head and shoulder section will be lifted to sit
upon the torso section where "Sam" will rest for the remainder of July and August. In September, the pieces will begin to move
' to the statue site, with completion to be in early October. The dedication will take place on October 22, 1994.
Ms. Linda Pease stated that this is a special time in Huntsville since the City will begin Phase II on the Downtown
Revitalization project. Ms. Pease asked Ms. Ila Gaines, Arts Commissioner, to come forward. Ms. Gaines stated that the vision
agreed upon when the downtown revitalization began was "a thriving unified downtown as the economic cultural center of the City."
She reintroduced Mr. Kim Williams, restoration architect, and Mr. Richard Haas, illusionary artist, and introduced associate Terry
Bruckenberry. Ms. Pease stated that Mr. Williams and Mr. Haas worked very hard on Phase I of the project.
Mr. Haas stated that he was pleased to be back in Huntsville and that Phase II would close out three sides of the
downtown square. He commended the City for receiving some very prestigious grants and stated that there is a lot of competition
in the Meadows group and it is an honor to receive a second phase. He stated that it is a pleasure and honor to keep working, he
hopes the second phase goes as well as the first. Mr. Williams also stated he was glad to be back in Huntsville continuing on the
project.
CONSIDER BIDS FOR THE CONSTRUCTION OF A VISITOR'S CENTER FACILITY
AT THE SAM HOUSTON STATUE PARK
Mr. Pipes presented Council with a bid tabulation and a memorandum on the Statue Project financial summary.
Councilmember Norton made the motion to approve the bid of $289,500 to Grisham Construction for the construction
of a visitor's center facility at the Sam Houston Statue Park and Councilmember Davis seconded the motion.
Councilmember Carter stated that he was disturbed with the cost of the total project and the visitor's center bid. He feels
that there are alternatives -- donated construction, an authentic reconstruction of a cabin, etc.
Councilmember Davis asked if the County had been contacted regarding possibly paving the parking lot at the statue site.
Mr. Pipes stated that he had not appeared before Commissioner's Court or made an official request, but this could be a way that
Walker County could help participate in the project.
A vote was taken All were in favor except Councilmember Carter. The motion passed 7 -1.
CONSIDER ORDINANCE 94 -07 -07.1 DIRECTING THE PLANNING AND ENGINEERING
DIVISIONS TO DEVELOP SERVICE PLANS AND A MAP OF THE POTENTIAL AREAS FOR ANNEXATION
Mr. Bounds stated that annexation should be considered prior to October 15 or wait until after the 3rd Saturday in January
due to the City Officer's election (wind election).
CITY COUNCIL MEETING OF JULY 7, 1994
Councilmember Norton made the motion to approve Ordinance 94 -07 -07.1 directine the Plannine and Engineering
Divisions to develop service plans and a man of the potential areas for annexation and Councilmember Luning seconded themotion.
A vote was taken and the motion passed unanimously.
Councilmember Carter asked how the annexation would affect the Fish Hatchery sewer project. Mayor Hodges stated
that it would not affect it at all. 'I {
CONSIDER AN INCREASED MATCH REQUIREMENT FOR A SOIL CONSERVATION SYSTEM PROJECT
FOR EROSION CONTROL ON TOWN CREEK AT THE NORTH OAK PARK AERIAL SEWER CROSSING
Mr. Wilder stated that in June 1993, he requested approval of a grant application through the Soil Conservation Service
for erosion control on Parker Creek. A property owner, Danny Pierce paid $4,000 toward the project. In May of 1994, a revised
estimate was received by SCS increasing the City's participation by $1,000. Last month, SCS opened the bids on the project and
they were higher than the estimate. The project is no longer worth the City's effort to participate in and he recommends declining
the grant and returning Mr. Pierce's money.
Councilmember Lunin¢ made the motion to decline the Soil Conservation Grant for erosion control on Town Creek. andli
Councilmember Matthews seconded the motion. All were in favor and the motion passed unanimously.
CONSIDER AN ACCOUNTING OF THE POLICE DEPARTMENT NARCOTICS FUND
Informational item only.
CONSIDER A PROPOSED BUDGET FOR THE DOWNTOWN PROJECT
Councilmember Matthews seconded the motion All were in favor and the motion passed unanimously. !
MAYOR'S ACTIVITY REPORT
1. Mayor Hodges reminded Council about the City's Birthday Party on July 12 at the Gibbs - Powell House.
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2. Mayor Hodges recommended the Fish Hatchery Questionnaire be referred to the Finance Committee of Council.
CITY COUNCILMEMBER ACTION'
Clearing at Statue Site. Councilmember Carter stated that he was bothered by the cleating of the underbrush beneath the trees that
remain at the statue site and felt that no more should be cleared.
volunteer Gym. Councilmember Carter stated that City Planner Patrick Amwi has done a great job in setting up programs in our'
community. Presently he has the Louis Davis Gym open every night for neighborhood children to play basketball and seems to be
present there himself most nights. He feels that Patrick needs help and that Council should have paid workers /volunteers, and hopes
that when Council considers the budget in the next few months that a Human Resources Coordinator be considered. Councilmember,,`
Matthews stated that Stanford Douglas and the Positive Men in Action were suppose to be assisting in the project.
Apology to Council. Councilmember Carter apologized to Council for insinuating at the last meeting that they had approved his .
travel expense to Canada. He meant to thank Council for making travel money available and felt he used this money in a legitimate
way.
i¢evs. Councilmember Luning stated that the new coolers to hold the newspapers in at the recycling center are very nice, but that]
they do not seem to get emptied and suggested that a reminder be given to the group handling this project.
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Finance Committee Meeting. Councilmember Davis stated that if the other members of the committee were in agreement, then
committee could meet after the Executive Session to discuss the Fish Hatchery sewer survey.
MEDIA
ADJOURNMENT
City Council adjourned to an Executive Session at 6:25 p.m.
Welter, City Secretary