MIN CC 08/23/1994CITY COUNCIL MEETING OF AUGUST 16, 1994 BOOK "R" 311
MINUTES OF THE HUNTSVILLE CITY COUNCIL MEETING HELD ON THE 23RD DAY OF AUGUST, 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
Marjorie Rex Dave Luning Scott Bounds, City Attorney
Ronald L. Lange Jim Carter
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CITIZEN INPUTHNQUIRY
Jack Spence. Mr. Spence stated that there has not been a great outpouring of the citizens in Huntsville for annexation,
while there has been an outpouring of citizens against annexation.
Charles Smither, Jr. Mr. Smither stated that the financial information available for the proposed annexation was not
detailed and feels more study should be done to make an informed decision. He specifically requests that Council not annex the
Highway 190 area.
Burke Hubert. Mr. Hubert stated that the newspapers headlines last week read, "Elkins Lake Bailout Blasted" and took
offense. He feels that the City of Huntsville is "stealing" a valuable emerald at a fraction of its worth, In the past twelve months,
the valuation at Elkins Lake has increased by $4.6 million due to the unprecedented rate of growth to the area. Mr. Hubert went
into derail regarding the millions of dollars spent to design and build Elkins Lake, with all its amenities.
Donna Ballard. Ms. Ballard stated that feels that the most important race regarding our children in the upcoming
November election is the State Board of Education. This board has governing power over our Texas schools and she wanted to
inform Council that the outcome of this race will dictate the direction of education for the future.
PUBLIC HEARING - PROPOSED FY 1994 -95 BUDGET, TAX AND UTILITY RATES
Charles Smither, Jr. Mr. Smither stated that he feels the City should have a current list of property it owns by fee simple.
He believes this should be public information and be readily available.
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REGULAR SESSION - CALL TO ORDER
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INVOCATION
Invocation by Reverend Griggs, Robinson Memorial Church of God in Christ.
CONSIDER THE MINUTES OF AUGUST 16, 1994
Councilmember Martinez made the motion to approve the minutes of August 16, 1994, and Councilmember Davis
seconded the motion All were in favor and the motion passed unanimously.
CONSIDER A REQUEST FROM THE HUNTSVILLE - WALKER COUNTY CHAMBER OF COMMERCE
TO AUTHORIZE PAYMENT OF UP TO $15,000 TO NAME PAVERS OF FREDERICKSBURG
TO PAY FOR ENGRAVED PAVERS WITH THE "STAND WITH SAM" DONATED FUNDS
Councilmember Davis made the motion to approve the request from the Chamber of Commerce to authorize payment of
up to $15,000 to Name Pavers of Fredericksburg to pav for engraved pavers with the "Stand with Sam" donated funds and
Councilmember Rex seconded the motion. All were in favor and the motion passed unanimously.
CITY COUNCIL MEETING OF AUGUST 16, 1994 BOOK "R" 312
CONSIDER AN AMENDMENT TO A SOIL CONSERVATION SERVICE PROJECT AGREEMENT
WITH THE U.S.D.A. FOR SOIL EROSION CONTROL ON THE BANKS OF TOWN CREEK
Mr. Wilder stated that recently Council as advised by staff rejected a soil conservation service project agreement since
bids had come in over budget and the project was no longer financially feasible. The United States Department of Agriculture Soil
Conservation Service has since amended the percentage contribution from 20% to 15% which revises the total estimated cost from
$45,000 to $60,000. This revision will keep the City within the money originally allocated by Council.
Councilmember Lange made the motion to approve an amendment to a soil conservation service project agreement with
the U.S.D.A. for soil erosion control, and Councilmember Norton seconded the motion. All were in favor and the motion passed
unanimously.
CONSIDER APPROVAL FOR A THIRD YEAR GRANT FOR ORGANIZED GANG ACTIVITY
IN THE AMOUNT OF $16,637 FROM THE GOVERNOR'S OFFICE TO BE MATCHED
BY $10,652 IN LOCAL FUNDS
Councilmember Rex mile the motion to approve the third vear grant for organized gang activity in the amount of
$16,637 to be matched by $10,652 in local funds, and Councilmember Carter seconded the motion. All were in favor and the
motion passed unanimously.
CONSIDER ORDINANCE 94 -08 -23.1 AUTHORIZING THE REMOVAL OF THREE BILLBOARDS
FROM THE SAM HOUSTON STATUE SITE BY DATE CERTAIN
unanimously.
CONSIDER A REQUEST BY D. L. ROGERS CORPORATION TO VACATE THE CRAWFORD
STREET RIGHT- OF-WAY ADJACENT TO SOUTH SAM HOUSTON AVENUE
Mr. Bounds stated that the City had received a letter from the owners of Sonic Drive In Restaurant requesting that thee.
City vacate Crawford Lane adjacent in the property to the east of Sonic. The additional property is needed to facilitate the layout!
and for ingress /egress to the property. Mr. Bounds stated that a public hearing would need to be held before Crawford Lane could
be abandoned. Consensus of Council was to call a public hearing to see if the abandonment of Crawford Lane was in the best!!,
interest of the City. t�
CONSIDER THE CURRENT STATUS OF RATE REGULATION OF
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THE CABLE TELEVISION INDUSTRY BY THE F.C.C.
Mr. Bounds stated that some time ago the City opted to be a certified municipality, the City retains its regulatory statusil
over the local cable television in accordance with FCC rules. The FCC has required the cable operator to submit data to the City
which details what rates are charged and what rates are permitted to charge for cable service within the City. The City has 30 days
initially to respond to the data submitted. It appears that our cable company is charging rates below the rates permitted by the FCC.
The City can unilaterally extend the period of review for their rate filing for 90 days. He recommends that City Council extend!,
the period of review for an additional 90 days so that members of the public can review the data. Council suggested that notice !
be published in the local media to make citizens aware that this information is available.
CONSIDER ORDINANCE 94 -08 -23.2 AMENDING THE CITY'S PERSONNEL POLICIES RELATED
TO LONGEVITY PAY, HOLIDAY LEAVE, JURY SERVICE LEAVE AND USE OF SICK LEAVE
Mr. Bounds stated that Section 4 in the ordinance relating to Light Duty will be deleted and brought back to Council
a later time.
personnel policies. and Councilmember Rex seconded the motion. All were in favor and the motion passed unanimously.
DISCUSS THE ANNEXATION PROPOSAL AND PROVIDE INSTRUCTION TO STAFF FOR
DRAFTING THE ORDINANCES FOR CONSIDERATION ON SEPTEMBER 13, 1994
Mayor Hodges and Council instructed staff to delete the two National Forest tracts that are currently planned in
annexation and prepare a separate ordinance for each area to be voted upon at the September 13th meeting.
CITY COUNCIL MEETING OF AUGUST 16, 1994 BOOK "R" 313
-;j Mr. Pipes stated that the supplement to the Proposed Annexation Service Plan for Elkins Lake does need formal approval
by Council.
Councilmember Davis made the motion to approve the supplement to the Proposed Annexation Service Plan for Elkins
Lake and Councilmember Norton seconded the motion All were in favor except Councilmember Matthews. The motion passed
CITY COUNCILMEMBER ACTION
1. Personnel Committee report on the annual evaluation of Charter employees.
Councilmember Lange stated that over the past several months the Personnel Committee has met and reviewed the four
Chatter Officers and have given them all very good ratings.
2. Consider approval of disposal costs for designated clean -up campaign day in anticipation of the dedication of the Sam
Houston Statue.
Consensus of Council was to encourage citizens to clean their yards /property and perhaps plant some flowers for
beautification. It was noted that perhaps some organizations may want to help with weekend clean -up.
3. Consider the Interlocal Agreement for Emergency Medical Service.
Councilmember Davis stated that the only changes to the agreement are that 1) there is now only one member from the
City on the EMS Board, and 2) beyond January 1, 1995, the County and Hospital District will be financial partners with the contract
automatically renewed each year.
Councilmember Davis made the motion to approve the Interlocal Agreement for Emergency Medical Service, and
Councilmember Lange seconded the motion. All were in favor and the motion passed unanimously.
Annexation. Councilmember Carter apologized for missing the last two annexation hearings. He agreed with Mr. Smither that more
financial information is needed before the City should annex property.
Summer Program. In the H. G.A. C. Spectrum it shows that summer programs are available and suggests that the City see about
getting some grants for next summer.
Police Coverage. Councilmember Carter asked why the City feels the need for police coverage during the past few weeks. Mr.
Pipes stated that the last few meetings with the public hearings have had maximum capacity and the officer has kept the corridors
open for safety and to direct citizens to the auxiliary room.
MEDIA
None.
ADJOURNMENT
YGtsi/'C.CJ'�J
'�Danna Welter, City Secretary