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MIN CC 01/24/1995CITY COUNCIL MEETING OF JANUARY 24, 1995 BOOK "R" 334 MINUTES OF THE HUNTSVILLE CITY COUNCIL MEETING HELD ON THE 24TH DAY OF JANUARY, 1995, 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: JAMES R. DESHAW 217 W. H. Hodges, Mayor William B. Green, Mayor Officers: Dan S. Davis Jim Carter Gene Pipes, City Manager Harold Norton David Martinez Danna Welter, City Secretary Marjorie Rex Dave Luring Scott Bounds, City Attorney Ronald L. Lange JoAnn Matthews CITIZEN INPUT /INQUIRY County Judge Charles Wagamon. Judge Wagamon stated that he would like to extend a hand of opportunity to work on cooperative projects with the City's new Mayor and City Council at any time. There are projects that the County and City could cooperate on for our mutual advantage. INVOCATION Invocation by Reverend Ron Sumter, First Christian Church. CONSIDER THIN MINUTES OF DECEMBER 13, 1994 Ij Councilmember Matthews made the motion to approve the minutes of December 13. 1994, and Councilmember Rex'. seconded the motion. All were in favor and the motion passed unanimously. RECEIVE AND CANVASS THE RESULTS OF THE JANUARY 21, 1995, CITY OFFICER'S ELECTION AND CONSIDER ORDINANCE 95 -1 -24.1 CERTIFYING THE RESULTS OF THE ELECTION Councilmember Rex made the motion m approve Ordinance 95 -1 -24.1 certifying the results of the City Officer's Election'',. of January 21, 1995. and Councilmember Davis seconded the motion. All were in favor and the motion passed unanimously. ORDINANCE NO. 95 -1 -24.1 AN ORDINANCE CANVASSING THE RETURNS OF THE REGULAR MUNICIPAL ELECTION HELD WITHIN THE CITY OF HUNTSVILLE ON THE 21ST DAY OF JANUARY, 1995, FOR THE PURPOSE OF ELECTING A MAYOR AT LARGE, AND FOUR COUNCILMEMBERS, ONE FROM EACH OF THE CITY'S FOUR WARDS ONE, TWO, THREE AND FOUR; DECLARING THE RESULTS OF THE ELECTION; FINDING THAT NOTICE OF THE ELECTION WAS DULY AND PROPERLY GIVEN, THAT THE ELECTION WAS PROPERLY HELD AND RETURNS THEREOF MADE BY THE PROPER OFFICIALS IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE LAWS OF THE STATE. FOR MAYOR, AT LARGE 457 '.. JAMES R. DESHAW 217 JOHN JAFREH 30 JIM CARTER 467 BILL GREEN 1594 WRITE -INS 2 FOR COUNCILMEMBER, WARD ONE RON LANGE 385 WRITE -INS 12 FOR COUNCILMEMEER, WARD TWO DAVE LUNING 369 WRITE -INS 15 FOR COUNCILMEMBER, WARD THREE JOANN MATTHEWS 154 WRITE -INS 6 FOR COUNCILMEMBER, WARD FOUR ANN JAMES 457 '.. VANCE HOWARD 232 HAROLD L. NORTON 293 WRITE -IN DEMARCO MARSHALL 1 WRITE -INS 0 it J CITY COUNCIL MEETING OF JANUARY 24, 1995 BOOK "R" 335 JANUARY 21, 1995 CITY OFFICERS ELECTION 1 ..... .................. . ........ A�. ..... .. .. ftT ...... ... ... ... ... ............. .. ... ... .. ...... �jly, KIM.F.AW . . .......... M M "I m .............. . Aoc �­%' A oft Q MAYOR JAMES R. DESHAW 43 8 39 17 40 16 17 37 217 JOHN JAFREH 2 1 9 1 3 1 6 7 3 JIM CARTER 123 1 29 67 1 73 50 30 1 39 56 467 BILL GREEN 368 23 249 147 501 90 78 138 1 1594 1 WRITE—INS 0 0 0 2 0 0 0 0 2 1 WARD 1 XX .............. . ...... ... . ..... . ........ RON LANGE 127 258 .. ........ ...... ............. . . ... . ... ... ... . .... .... ... . ... ........ ... 385 WRITE—INS 5 .............. .................. .. .... ........ ............. .. . .. . . ..... ... .!,!!!4 . ..... 11., ...... ... ... . ...... ... R, .. 12 X F .......... ....... WARD 2 . .... ...... . .. .. ... ... .. DAVE LUNING 82 .......... e.XXXN% ...... ... ... . 175 . ...... 112 4:*e4 369 . . ............. ­. ... ... ... .. �o ...... WRITE—INS 5 xNxx:xx:1.­ e 0,000, 4 . .. . .. . .. . 4".4 . ... ... ... .. ........... 4e4�� NX xx N:x NN No xx xx 15 WARD 3 ...... ..... ........ ....... ...... ... ... . ......... . JOANN MATTHEWS 30 . . ............. ... ... ... . . . ... ..... . 40 . . ........ ....... 84 ....... ... 154 WRITE—INS 0 ............... ...... . ....... o ... ... ..... . ...... ......... .. .. ... ... ... ... I . ... ....... 1 4,e 4 e 4,e�� e4l ...... . . . . ... . . . . &i6wim Wwwow ... ....... . . ........ ... ... ..... 5 wwwww" 6 WARD 4 . ... . ... . ... . ... ANN JAMES 62 ............. 354 .. ... ..... 41 457 77777= ...... .. ... ... ..... x Z:, VANCE HOWARD 25 ...... ... . . ... ....... 12 2 . .. ....... 85 232 HAROLD L. NORTON 74 ...... . . . . . . .... 114 .....1.... ... ................... .......... ...................... 105 293 DECLARED W RITE—IN ....... . . ...1............1. ....., ...1..... ..: . . ... ..........1 ..1...y...... .... ..4 . ... . . ... DEMARCO KEITH 0 . 0 ..4. M ARS HAL L :....., 1. 1. .1 . . . .................. . . OT HER W R IT E —I NS .......................................................................... 0 ...... ..... o M 01 CITY COUNCIL MEETING OF JANUARY 24, 1995 BOOK "R" Total voters casting ballots in Early Voting - 542, Total voters casting ballots in Precinct 101 - 62, 23 percent of total; 3 percent of total; TOTAL NUMBER OF REGISTERED VOTERS - 102 Total voters casting ballots in Precinct 102 -363, 16 percent of total; 1545 Total voters casting ballots in Precinct 201 -240, 10 percent of total; TOTAL NUMBER OF REGISTERED VOTERS - 206 Total voters casting ballots in Precinct 205 - 591 26 percent of total; 1714 Total voters casting ballots in Precinct 206 - 138, 6 percent of total; Total voters casting ballots in Precinct 301 - 139, 6 percent of total; Total voters casting ballots in Precinct 401 - 241, 10 percent of total TOTAL NUMBER OF VOTERS CASTING BALLOTS IN THIS ELECTION 2316* TOTAL NUMBER OF REGISTERED VOTERS - 101 912 TOTAL NUMBER OF REGISTERED VOTERS - 102 2477 TOTAL NUMBER OF REGISTERED VOTERS - 201 1545 TOTAL NUMBER OF REGISTERED VOTERS - 205 1243 TOTAL NUMBER OF REGISTERED VOTERS - 206 590 TOTAL NUMBER OF REGISTERED VOTERS - 301 1714 TOTAL NUMBER OF REGISTERED VOTERS - 401 2026 TOTAL NUMBER OF REGISTERED VOTERS IN THE CITY 10,507 ** PERCENTAGE OF REGISTERED VOTERS WHO VOTED 22% ' * Voters in the newly annexed areas (except Elkins Lake, Box 205) are counted in their new City precinct. * *Elkins Lake (205) is the only area annexed by the City in September listed in the total number of registered voters. ............................................. ............................'.i ADMINISTRATION OF OATH OF OFFICE Ward 1: Dave Lupine, Councilmember Ward 2: and JOAnn Matthews, Councilmember Ward 3 Mayor Green introduced Alice Ketchum, a friend and co- worker at the University, his wife, Diane and son, Kevin, and his minister, Ron Sumter. CONSIDER ORDINANCE 95 -1 -24.2 CALLING A RUNOFF ELECTION FOR FEBRUARY 11, 1995 1995, for Councilmember Ward 4 between Harold L Norton and Ann James. and Councilmember Davis seconded the motion. All were in favor and the motion passed unanimously. CONSIDER ELECTION OF A MAYOR PRO TEM Councilmember Davis made the motion to elect Jim Carter as Mayor Pro Tern as senior Councilmember, and.. Councilmember Lunine seconded the motion. All were in favor and the motion passed unanimously. CONSIDER APPOINTMENT OF H.G.A.C. REPRESENTATIVES BY APPROVAL OF RESOLUTION 95 -1 -24.1 Councilmember Lunine [Wade the motion to approve the appointment of Dan Davis as H G A C representative and Jim Carter as alternate. and Councilmember Matthews seconded the motion All were in favor and the motion passedl'. unanimously. AUTHORIZE FIRST SOUTHWEST TO BID ON ANTICIPATION NOTES Councilmember Davis stated that the Finance Committee recommends that First Southwest, the City's bond agent, �' CITY COUNCIL MEETING OF JANUARY 24, 1995 BOOK "R" 337 be allowed to bid on the anticipation notes. Councilmember Davis made the motion to authorize First Southwest Corporation to bid on the tax anticipation notes, and Councilmember Lance seconded the motion All were in favor and the motion passed unanimously. j. CONSIDER ALL MATTERS RELATED TO THE ISSUANCE AND SALE OF $1,420,000 "CITY OF HUNTSVILLE, TEXAS, TAX NOTES, SERIES 1995 ", DATED JANUARY 15,1995, INCLUDING RECEIPT OF BIDS THEREFOR AND THE PASSAGE AND ADOPTION OF AN ORDINANCE AUTHORIZING THE ISSUANCE OF SUCH NOTES Mr. London, First Southwest Company, stated that First Southwest (one of 15 bidders) was low bid for the notes at 5.6583 (average percent). Councilmember Davis made the motion to approve the low bid of 5.6583 to First Southwest Corporation for the City of Huntsville Texas Tar Notes Series 1995 in the amount of $1.420.000 by approval of Ordinance 95 -1 -24.3, and Councilmember Martinez seconded the motion All were in favor and the motion passed unanimously. CONSIDER A RATE INCREASE BY HUNTSVILLE CABLE TELEVISION Mayor Green stated that Council was not asked to approve the rate increase, but was being informed under the rules and regulations of the FCC by Huntsville Cable Television. Ms. Schmidt, Huntsville Cable TV, stated that the increased rates are due to the increased programming and general operating costs over the past two years. Councilmember Carter requested an analysis of the increased programming and general operating costs, and expressed concern of the public's concern of increased costs without increased services. Ms. Schmidt stated that at time the system is maxed out on the number of channels available. They will propose in the next few years that the system be rebuilt to allow more channel access. ' Councilmember Carter suggested that a work session should be held in the future to review what is available in comparison with other cities. Ms. Schmidt stated that most areas inside the City limits were serviced by Huntsville Cable Television. CONSIDER THE TAX REPORTS FOR NOVEMBER AND DECEMBER AND APPROVE THE ADJUSTMENTS TO THE TAX ROLL AS RECOMMENDED BY GROVER COOK Ms. Allen stated that the December report was cumulative and that current collections are at 54% as compared to 49% last year. Delinquent collections are at 15.2 as compared to 7% last year. In the Elkins Lake area collections are 65.79% of current collections and 12.42% of delinquent collections. Councilmember Lunin¢ made the motion to approve the November and December Tax Reports for the City of Huntsville and Elkins Lake and approve the adjustments to the tax roll and Councilmember Rex seconded the motion. All were in favor and the motion passed unammousl CONSIDER THE LIST OF RECOMMENDED TRANSPORTATION IMPROVEMENT PROGRAM LOCAL PRIORITIES 1. Extension of FM 1791 from SH 30 to 11145 to relieve traffic volume at the intersection of SH 30 and IH 45, especially east -west truck traffic, Wynne Unit traffic and Huntsville High School volumes. 2. Develop a plan for north and south bound ramps and feeder roads adjacent to 11145 from exit 112 at SH 75 South to exit 118 at SH 75 North. 3. Develop a Traffic Management Plan -- East -West (US 190 - SH 30) on 11th Street, and North -South (SH 75 and FM 247) Sam Houston Avenue from City limits to City limits. 4. Additional contiguous lanes to SH 30 from the West Hill Mall area to the Walker County Fairgrounds. 5. Additional divided lanes to SH 19 from terminus at IH 45 to north City limits. CITY 1995 6. Traffic controls and safety improvements at the intersection of a) FM 247 and FM 980; b) SH 75 North atij ' Pleasant Street; c) FM 2921 at the west drive of Huntsville High School; d) SH 75 North at Eastham; e) SH 751 North at 10th Street; f) 10th Street at FM 247; g) US 190, SH 30 and Sycamore Street; h) SH 19 at Old Colony!I Road; i) FM 2821 at MLK Blvd.; and j) Spur 59 at SH 75 North. 7. FM 247 from FM 2821 south to SH 30 (11th Street). 8. Additional lanes to SH 75 North from IH 45 north to City limits. .,,. 9. Widening FM 1374 from IH 45 southwest to City limits. 10. Widening FM 247 from FM 980 intersection north to City limits. 11. North loop from US 190 to FM 1791 extension and SH 30 to relieve congestion on 11th Street downtown. Mr. Pipes stated that this is the first time the City has been requested to provide a special priority list for the transportation improvement program to the Highway Department. In the past, a composite list has been submitted from the'; City and County together. Mr. Gary Law, Texas D.O.T., was present and provided Council information relating to several areas of concern', expressed by various Councihnembers such as the FM 2821 reconstruction, the signage and exit rams associated with they! statue project and feeder roads. Mayor Green expressed concern about the City and County developing separate priority lists and the effect it would!,'. have on what projects would be considered. Mr. Law stated that this program is part of the ISTEA Act and the purposed'. is for the department to get more input from the governmental bodies in the local areas for expenditure of state and federal I'', funds. Until recently, any city with population less than 50,000 was represented by its County Commissioners. This year,!,', any city with population over 5,000 has its own priority list. Each entity is represented by its list for consideration for the District's (DOT) list that will be forwarded to Austin for inclusion in the Transportation Improvements Plan (3 -year period).' If a project meets certain priority standards and can be selected to meet the three year window (with funds available), then' it will be added to the TIP. !. ' Councilmember Lange made the motion to approve the list of recommended transportation improvement program!', local priorities. and Councilmember Rex seconded the motion. All were in favor and the motion passed unanimously. CONSIDER CHANGE ORDER U2 N. B. DAVIDSON WASTEWATER TREATMENT PLANT PROJECT i TO INSTALL SAFETY RAILS IN THE AMOUNT OF $7925 Councilmember Rex made the motion to approve Change Order N2 for the N B Davidson Wastewater Treatment! Plant project to install safety rails in the amount of $7925, and Councilmember Davis seconded the motion All were jn', i favor and the motion passed unanimously. CONSIDER THE POLICIES AND PROCEDURES FOR DEMOLITION OR MITIGATION OF ABANDONED OR DILAPIDATED STRUCTURES Mr. Pipes stated that this item is on the agenda at the request of several Councihnembers. Staff has included in, ! the agenda its policies and procedures for health/hazard enforcement. Weed, trash, and structure related code violations!!; are addressed on a complaint basis. Some situations do warrant action without a complaint when that situation is found to be extremely hazardous to health and safety. At this time there are a number of dilapidated structures located in the City! of Huntsville. There are seventy buildings presently on the demolition list. As funds are available, these buildings are!.' demolished. The $20,000 allocated this year will cover approximately five demolitions and two to three board -ups. Costs:'. are accelerated due to the transfer of these materials to Security Landfill. As the City demolishes structures, a lien is placed',':. upon the property owner for the cost. Staff is not making a recommendation, but informing Council of the policies -' procedures. Mr. Wilder stated that the Building Official has been successful in working with property owners to remove these',: buildings themselves. In 1994, 39 structures were condemned with 22 of them being demolished by the property owner.'. He continues to work with property owners encouraging them to take care of these buildings themselves. li Staff is checking into the possibility of allowing the Fire Department to use some of these dilapidated buildings i.i for fire drills. CITY COUNCIL MEETING OF JANUARY 24, 1995 _. BOOK "R 339 Councilmember Luning urged Staff to make this area a high priority and suggested Council look into this at its upcoming budget sessions. Mayor Green suggested developing a priority list of the structures scheduled for demolition for Council review. Mayor Green also suggested to Councilmembers to read the policies and submit any changes or suggestions to staff. CONSIDER A CONTRACT TO RECYCLE "WHITE GOODS" WITH CUM 3AA ENTERPRISES, INC. Mr. Wilder stated that staff is requesting Council approve a contract to recycle "white goods" with Cumbaa Enterprises, Inc. At this time, the City recycles locally with T. J. Burdett, but they are not interested in continuing. Currently the City is responsible for removing all freon, oil, etc. from all equipment, loading it on City equipment and taking it to T. J. Burdett for no cost. The contract with Cumbaa will allow the City to collect the "white goods" at the transfer station for approximately three months, then Cumbaa will come remove all freon, oil, etc., compact and bail the "white goods ", and pay the City $7.50 per ton. It is not anticipated that much money will be collected, but less employee and equipment time will be required for removal of "white goods ". Councilmember Luning made a motion to approve a contract to recycle "white goods" with Cumbaa Enterprises, Inc., and Councilmember Carter seconded the motion. Councilmember Luning asked if citizens will still be required to pay to bring the white goods to the transfer station. Mr. Wilder stated yes, there will be costs associated with unloading and storage of these goods. Records will be kept and in the future costs may be able to be adjusted. The motion was amended to change Article 8 of the contract, allowing the City to withdraw from the contract with 30 days notice to Cumbaa. A vote was taken. All were in favor and the motion passed unanimously. CONSIDER A RELOCATION PROPOSAL IN THE AMOUNT OF $93,000 AND AUTHORIZATION TO BID ' THE WORK ON THE 30" SANITARY SEWER TRUNK LINE TO THE NORTH SEWER PLANT Councilmember Luning made the motion to approve the relocation proposal in the amount of $93.000 and authorization to bid the work on the 30" sanitary sewer trunk line to the North Sewer Plant, and Councilmember Lange seconded the motion. AO were in favor and the motion passed unanimously. FEMA GRANT AWARD OF $19,465 FOR FLOOD REPAIRS Mr. Wilder stated that the City had received a check in the amount of $19,465 from the Federal Emergency Management Association for the damages during the October flooding (drainage structure on 10th Street). MAYOR'S ACTIVITY REPORT 1. Update on the Statue Project. Mr. Pipes stated that there has been an increase in the available funds for the project of $6,852 since the last reporting. The Chamber continues to work diligently in selling bricks. The ring of honor has been completed and currently the pavers are being installed. Authorization is needed to amend the budget to a) replace apiece of granite that was broken during the construction of the ring of honor ($2,893), 2) purchase the letters for the statue indicating Sam Houston's name, birth and death dates, and the title of the statue "A Tribute to Courage" (approximately $3,000), 3) printing of brochures for visitors at the statue site (approximately $5,000) with some of the money to be taken from money planned for the built -in furnishings, and 4) authorize approximately $3,000 to add porch rail on the remainder of the porch due to the drop off to the ground, with some of these funds to be used from the money set aside for the fencing. Councilmember Davis made the motion to approve the additional expenditures as outlined above. and Councilmember Lange seconded the motion. All were in favor and the motion Passed unanimously. Councilmember Carter stated that it states on the report that City labor is not included and asked for those figures. 2. Mayor Green stated that he was honored to be selected as Mayor, takes the responsibility seriously and is looking forward to working with each member of Council and staff. He stated that Council is a team and plans to establish priorities as a group. CITY COUNCIL MEETING OF JANUARY 24. 1995 Mayor Green stated that he would like the current Personnel and Finance committees to remain in place with Ron, ' Lange as Chairman of Personnel and Dan Davis as Chairman of Finance.' CITY COUNCILMEMBER ACTION 1. Dan Davis to present the H.G.A.C. Member Services - 1994 Regional Summary. Councilmember Davis stated', that in the packet is a 1994 Regional Summary of H.G.A.C. Activities for Council's information. 2. David Martinez to request a fire hydrant on Mockingbird Lane. Councilmember Martinez stated that resit from the Mockingbird Lane area in Fish Hatchery have requested a fire hydrant to be installed for the amount of $4, Mayor Green stated that he was concerned that this was being done on a piece -mill basis, which might be t accomplished if the entire area is done at one time. Consensus of Council was to for Staff to review the entire area recommendations at the next Council meeting. MEDIA INQUIRIES ADJOURNMENT Personnel Committee Meeting to discuss City Judge duties and responsibilities relating to Walker County Jail traffic. I � lt,(,f.•if.*d..r�4.iJ,fil.L �t-�l / ', t Danny Weller, City Secretary '