MIN CC 06/06/1995CITY COUNCIL MEETING OF JUNE 6, 1995 BOOK "R" 373
i1
MINUTES OF THE HUNTSVILLE CITY COUNCIL MEETING HELD ON THE 6TH DAY OF JUNE, 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:
William B. Green, Mayor Ann James Officers:
Dan S. Davis JoAtm Matthews Gene Pipes, City Manager
Ronald L. Lange David Martinez Danna Welter, City Secretary
Marjorie Rex Dave Luning ABSENT: Scott Bounds, City Attorney
Jim Carter
CITIZEN INPUT /INQUIRY
1. Ed Davis. Mr. Davis stated that there was an ordinance on the agenda to increase the sign height on Highway 19.
He does not feel Council should weaken the sign ordinance in Huntsville, and fears if it is passed it could create an opening of
"Pandora's box ".
2. Jean Manford. Ms. Manford stated that she hoped that the reports on the intersection of Palm and Sycamore do
warrant the replacement of the 4 -way stop intersection. She thanked Council for addressing the matter.
INVOCATION
Invocation by L D. Schindler, Director of General Services.
EVALUATION OF THE STOP INSTALLATIONS AT SPRING DRIVE AT WINTERWAY AND
1 SYCAMORE AND PALM
Mr. Pipes stated that a thorough analysis of these two intersections have been made. Under the criteria of the Uniform
Traffic Manual for multi-way stop signs, these two intersections qualify under one condition - limited visibility.
• CONSIDER ORDINANCES 95.6 -6.1 AND 95 -6 -6.2 AMENDING THE CODE OF ORDINANCES
BY PROVIDING A 4-WAY STOP INTERSECTION AT SYCAMORE AT PALM
AND A 3 -WAY STOP INTERSECTION AT SPRING DRIVE AND WINTERWAY
Councilmember Carter made the motion to approve Ordinance 95 -6 -6.1 and 95 -6 -6.2 amending the Code of Ordinances
by providing a 4 -way stop intersection on Sycamore at Palm and a 3 -way stop intersection on Spina Drive at Winterwav, and
Councilmember James seconded the motion. All were in favor and the motion passed unanimously.
Councilmember Rex stated that she feels that some type of warning signs or flashers should be put in place to notify
motorists of the stop intersection on Sycamore at Palm.
Councilmember James complimented staff on the reports presented to City Council. She encouraged the local newspaper
to help inform the citizens of Huntsville of these changes.
CONSIDER ORDINANCE 95 -6 -6.3 AMENDING THE SIGN ORDINANCE TO ALLOW A GRADUATED
HEIGHT LIMIT FOR BILLBOARDS ON VARIOUS THOROUGHFARES
Mayor Green stated that section 11045 in the ordinance should be replaced with the same section in the proposed
development code.
Councilmember James made a motion to approve Ordinance 95 -6-6.3 amending the sign ordinance to allow a graduated
height limit for billboards on various thoroughfares (to conform with wording from the proposed development code). and
Councilmember Martinez seconded the motion.
Councilmember Carter asked if this would loosen the sign ordinance. Mayor Green stated that on Highway 19 it would
1 be less restrictive.
The current ordinance states that the maximum sign height is 20 fee[ in the City except on the Interstate where it is 42
1/2 feet. Due to the design of Highway 19 where businesses are significantly off of the highway, Council felt a higher sign should
be allowed and a compromise of 30 feet was reached. Councilmember Davis stated that vehicular speed was also a factor in the
decision.
CITY COUNCIL MEETING OF JUNE 6, 1995
BOOK "R"
Councilmember Carter stated that he would oppose any loosening of the signage ordinance in the City and agreed
Ed Davis that many businesses flourish in other cities without being dependent on signs.
A vote was taken All were in favor except Councilmember Carter. The motion passed 8-1.
CONSIDER A POLICY ON STREET LIGHT INSTALLATION ON PRIVATE STREETS
Mr. Wilder stated that City Council passed a street light policy in March 1989. With the annexation this past year, in
requests have been received for additional street lights.
In a meeting between staff and Energy representatives, it was discovered that the City is being billed for 19 street lig
on private streets in Elkins Lake. The current policy does not provide for the City to pay for street lights on private stre
Another issue in Elkins Lake is that all the power in the subdivision is underground and the street lights that exist are custom pt
with an ornamental light. Installation of one of these fixtures is approximately $1200 to $1500. The current policy states that
City will pay 1/2 of the installation and the requester pay the other 1/2.
Mayor Green stated that he recommended that 1) the policy regarding private streets be kept in place; and 2) the policy'..
regarding the 50150 split between the City and the requester be for a standard pole, with any ornamental or special request to be!
paid by the requester.
seconded the motion. All were in favor and the motion passed unanimously. 1
It was noted that once the installation has been made, the pole and light belong to Energy. Entergy maintains the pole!
and fixture and the City pays the monthly charge.
CONSIDER OPERATION OF THE PAPER RECYCLING CENTER
Mr. Wilder stated that the Serenity Place Club (associated with MHMR) has resigned from operating the paper recycling!,
center. The group did not have enough staff to maintain this facility properly. At the current time, City employees are operating'.
the center and a plan of action for the long term basis will be presented to Council at the next meeting.
Councilmember Liming stated that Chronicle staff offer curbside recycling of newspapers. It maybe beneficial to check:
with and see if this would be a viable alternative.
CONSIDER BIDS
Rejection of bids for Sam Houston Avenue sidewalk (between 9th and 10th Streets).
Mr. Wilder stated that the bids for the Sam Houston Avenue sidewalk and headwall came in substantially above
and staff recommends rejection of bids. This project will be bid with other concrete work at a later date.
Matthews seconded the motion All were in favor and the motion passed unanimously.
2. Bid 95 -18, Roof for Service Center, to Active Construction Company in the amount of $48,960.
Mr. Wilder stated that two types of roof were bid: 1) R Panel (currently on the building) and 2) Standing Seam, Thel'.
current roof (R panel) has leaked for years (first installed in 1974). It is believed that the R panel system on the low pitched roof,;
has contributed to these leaking problems. The warehouse and garage building at the Service Center have the standing seam roof
and there have been no problems. Staff is recommending installation of the standing seam roof on the building and award the!
contract to Active Construction Company in the amount of $48,960, with ($36,000 budgeted funds. The remainder of the funds
could be taken from reserve for future allocation or from excess funds from the Library renovation project.
proiect, and Councilmember Matthews seconded the motion. All were in favor and the motion passed unanimously.
CONSIDER ORDINANCE 95 -6 -6.4 AMENDING THE EMPLOYEE'S MEDICAL BENEFIT PLAN
REGARDING THE
OF BENEFITS
Mr. Schindler stated that this is a housekeeping ordinance requested by the City's third party administrator of its
Employee's Medical Benefit Plan clarifying secondary coverage. This defines the criteria the insurance industry uses in determining'.',
primary and secondary coverage.
Employees will not be affected by this ordinance, the insurance companies will decide among themselves who is primary)
and who is secondary.
0
CITY COUNCIL MEETING OF JUNE 6, 1995 BOOK. "R" 375
Councilmember James made a motion to approve Ordinance 95 -6 -6.4 amending the Emplovee's Medical Benefit Plan
regarding the coordination of benefits. and Councilmember Martinez seconded the motion. All were in favor and the motion passed
unanimously.
MAYOR'S ACTIVITY REPORT
1. Report on the coalition of cities response to Energy.
Mr. Pipes reported that he had attended a coalition of cities meeting in Beaumont. The coalition is not concerned with
the closing of branch offices, but would be willing to help in the matter of seeing that the savings from the closing are passed to
the consumers. The coalition is involved in other matters involving the River Bend nuclear plant and Entergy rates. The group made
it clear that if the City of Huntsville joined the coalition, it should be in good times and bad times. He stated that a decision by
Council as to whether the City is going in be a part of the coalition needs to be made.
Mayor Green stated that Council has several options: 1) join the coalition, 2) form a different coalition, 3) go alone, or
4) drop the issue. He stated that more information should be forthcoming and requested that staff study the issue and make a
recommendation at the next meeting. The Huntsville branch office of Energy is scheduled to close June 9.
Councilmember Carter stated that he thought City Council made a decision to oppose the closing of the Entergy office
and relocation of those personnel and does not feel anything of substance has been done. He would like a report on the steps taken
since City Council voted to oppose the closing of the branch office.
Mr. Pipes stated that representatives from Entergy have scheduled a trip to Beaumont to see their emergency response
system for Thursday, June 15. Any Councilmembers wishing to attend should let J. D. Schindler know so there will be adequate
transportation. County officials, Chamber representatives and members of the community have also been invited by Entergy.
CITY COUNCILMEMBER ACTION
1. Consider recommendation of auditor for the 1994 -95 annual financial report.
Councilmember Davis stated that two bids had been received from local auditing firms. The Finance Committee is
recommending the low bid by Ken C. Davis be accepted in the amount of $12,000 per year (renewable for three years for a total
of $36,000).
Councilmember Davis made a motion to award the contract for auditing services to Ken C. Davis in the amount of
$12,000 net year (renewable for three vears) and Councilmember Matthews seconded the motion. All were in favor and the motion
passed unanimously.
ii
Loss of Train Station. Councilmember Carter stated that the train station was on the City's list of historically significant buildings
and felt the City should adopt an ordinance to have control over whether the buildings on this list are demolished.
Railings on Ramps Downtown. Councilmember Carter stated that the bright silver railings installed downtown on the handicap
ramps are extremely ugly. The City has spent time and money enhancing the downtown area. Mayor Green asked staff to check
with the Texas Department of Transportation to see if the rails can be painted or what other options are available.
Burning Permits. Councilmember Carter stated that he felt a review be performed on the requirements and restrictions for obtaining
a burning permit.
Martin Luther King Center. Councilmember Matthews requested information about the funds that had been set aside for the pavilion
at Emancipation Park. She also asked about the Carnival planned for Juneteenth and the parties responsible for clean up. Staff _
stated that Carnival personnel is to provide clean up.
Fire Hydrants - Fish Hatchery. Councilmember Martinez asked about the progress on the fire hydrant issue in the Fish Hatchery
area. Staff stated that the project is in the design phase at this time and should have a recommendation during the budget process.
Library Modifications. Councilmember James encouraged other Councilmembers to stop by and see the modifications made to the
Huntsville Public Library.
MEDIA INQUIRIES
None.
CITY COUNCIL MEETING OF JUNE 6, 1995 BOOK "R"
ADJOURNMENT
Recess into a WORK SESSION to consider Chapters 12 -14 of the proposed Development Code. i
Recess into a EXECUTIVE SESSION to discuss pending litigation: 1) Billy Don Carroll v. City, et al; and 2) Townsend v. City.,
[8:07 p.m, to 10:14 p.m.] ,
Danna Welter, City Secretary ,,