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MIN CC 03/27/1990MINUTES OF THE COUNCIL MEETING OF MARCH 27. 1990 BOOK "G" 61 MINUTES OF THE HUNTSVILLE CITY COUNCIL MEETING HELD ON THE 271H DAY OF MARCH, 1990 IN THE CITY HALL COUNCIL CHAMBERS, LOCATED AT 1212 AVENUE M IN THE CITY OF HUNTSVILLE, COUNTY OF WALKER, TEXAS AT 6:45 P.M. The Council met in a regular session with the following members present Jane Monday 0. Eugene Barrett City officers present: Gary BeLL James L. Carter Gene Pipes, City Manager Ila G. Gaines William B. Green Scott Bounds, City Attorney William L. Hammock Percy Howard, Jr. Ruth DeShaw, City Secretary William H. Knotts, Jr. CALL TO ORDER AND RECESS INTO EXECUTIVE SESSION Mayor Monday called the formal session to order at 6:00 P.M. and then recessed the meeting into an Executive Session to consider pending litigation: Acker V. City; real estate acquisition matters on 12th Street property and Highway 75 North; and evaluation of Charter officer performance: Scott Bounds, City Attorney and Ruth DeShaw, City Secretary. No other items were discussed. No formal action was taken. ATTENDING CITIZENS Bette Nelson to discuss parking for downtown Ms. Bette Nelson, owner and operator of Bluebonnet Square and Scotties on the Downtown Square, advised that a parking lot formerty rented by the county for county employees on the southwest corner of Avenue M and 12th Street is roped off and not in use. She noted at the same time, the Gibbs Brothers ' parking Lot is being resurfaced and is blocked off. Also, she said the parking Lot for the county employees on the corner of University Avenue and 10th Street is not completed. She asked where will all the people park? She said the county employees have no place to park and aLL of the wonderful visitors who came during spring break had no place to park. She asked what the timetable was for accomplishing these things. She felt it would be a good idea for the city to rent the parking area on 12th Street and Avenue M to make it available to the public. Mr. Pipes advised Mr. Johnny Poteete, Director of Public Works, is awaiting the contractor to curb the area at the Gibbs parking lot and that there is a minor sewer problem that will need correcting before the surface is placed over the Lot. He said perhaps by next Tuesday evening he wiLL have a proposaL on the 12th Street and University Avenue parking lot for the Council's consideration. He said he has been working with the County Commissioners on the associated drainage facilities on the parking lot at 10th Street and University Avenue; however, this project wiLL require some time to complete. He felt there should be some relief in the foreseeable future to provide parking for the county employees and other full -time parking in the downtown area while the other lots are under construction. He said the City expects to complete its capital utilities work on Angier Road this week and will probably be moving on the north side of the Square next week. He said there will be additional construction ongoing for a brief period of time while the City completes the utility work across the north side of the Square. He asked for Ms. Nelson's patience during this period when things wiLL be under construction. Ms. Nelson said she has met with her people to explain the situation and they are all delighted to have the utilities underground. She said it is just a little compounded with three parking lots unavailable. Mayor Monday advised the Gibbs Lot wiLL be available next week and the Council will be addressing the unused parking lot owned by Mr. Ernst on 12th and University in the meeting next week. She said they have been meeting with the county to work on the parking situation. She said Commissioner Reynolds could provide Ms. Nelson with a better timetable on the county's parking Lot situation. Ms. Nelson asked when these Lots are opened that there be signs on 11th Street to indicate ' where the public parking areas are. Mayor Monday noted the city needs to put signage on the Square directing people toward those lots. She noted perhaps in a week to 10 days, there will be some relief to the lack of parking. MINUTES OF THE COUNCIL MEETING OF MARCH 27. 1990 BOOK "0" 62 Mr. Culp advised he was in Huntsville, Ontario, a small resort city north of Toronto last week. He id the Mayor of that city presented to him a Huntsville, Ontario centennial mug and lapel pins, in return r Mayor Monday's official designation of that Mayor as an Honorary Citizen of Huntsville, Texas. He said is city is in a very pretty wooded area and is a major resort area in Canada's Muskoka region with Dusands of glacier lakes. He said its major interest is a summer resort. Mayor Monday advised a thank u letter for the mug will be sent to the Mayor of Huntsville, Ontario, signed by all of the uncilmembers. She thanked Mr. Culp for being the city's ambassador. Ms. Scruggs advised the Apartment Managers Association in Huntsville decided they wanted to help the niversity to market Huntsville for their summer recruitment. She said in working with SHSU, it was found he reason students do not go to summer school is that 1) they do not have a job; 2) they don't have a Dommate; and 3) they don't have a place to live. She said the other aspect is that information is needed Dr new people coming into Huntsville. She said they are working up a placement center for summer jobs here merchants in town can send in a little information sheet and college students can go to a place on ampus to find summer jobs. She said they are working on setting up a roommate Locator similar to Texas SM's program. Ms. Scruggs said another project is to update and reprint the "Welcome Brochure" that the ity funded several years ago in the amount of 50,000 copies. She said the brochure Listed all of the Dartments, churches, banks, hotels, motels, recreational facilities, etc. She said they would Like to pdate and reprint this brochure and add a section for advertisements. They hope to sell $200 ads and use hose funds to establish a scholarship at the University, which would be another way to attract students to HSU, she noted. Most scholarships are concentrated in the fall semester, she said, so a summer scholarship rogram is needed. She indicated time is of the essence. She then requested the city to fund the printing Mayor Monday thanked Ms. Scruggs for the good information and ideas. She advised she has been tacted by the recruitment office of SHSU regarding addressing the idea of the city funding this brochure. said the city did fund the $5,600 for the first printing. She said she called Dee McFarland with the rism Division of the Chamber of Commerce to consult with her concerning her ideas on the brochure and its ding out of the Tourism Division. She said Dee was interested in this and will find out from Joey idler of SHSU's Recruitment Office how many they would like to have, the type, etc. and then review the Js available in the tourism budget. Mayor Monday said she has asked Patricia Allen, Director of Finance, investigate the possibility of extra tourism dollars that could be used for this purpose if the Tourism icil has already allocated all of their budgeted funds. Ms. Scruggs said the information she presented ight is the result of collaborative efforts with Joey Chandler. Mayor Monday advised perhaps by next sday, the information will be available and the Council can take a look at the whole project. Mayor Jay advised perhaps Ms. Scruggs can meet with the Council as they review this information. Mr. Cich officially introduced himself to the Council. He said it is good to be in Huntsville. He id he and his wife and two year old son are glad to be here. Mr. Cich said he is Looking forward to rking with the Council. He said he has a background in governmental affairs and prides himself on open mnunication with public officials and city staff. He said he has already had a good meeting with Gene pes and he will be meeting with the Mayor on Thursday. He said he has "hit the ground running." FORMAL SESSION Mayor Monday then opened the formal session of the City Council. Mayor Pro tem Percy Howard, Jr. d the invocation. MINUTES OF THE COUNCIL MEETING OF MARCH 27, 1990 BOOK "0" 63 CONSIDER THE MINUTES Consider the minutes of February 27 and March 6, 1990 March 6 and Councilmember Barrett seconded the motion. All were in favor and the notion Passed unanimously. Councitmember Barrett asked how many parking places she feels she needs. Ms. Allen said she would Like three on the north side. She said she has six cabs and when one fills up and leaves, another one could puLL in. Mayor Monday noted then she wants three rather than one and that they be only for the Reliable Cabs. Margie Allen said these spaces could be for cabs in general but since she is the only company in town now, she would be the only one using them, but they could be available for any cab company's cars She said the space could be called --Taxistand." not -- Reliable Cab c" so if there were another cab company there would be three spaces and they could iust rotate. She said if they have to park on the opposite side of the street. they Passengers have to walk across the street with Luggage. Councilmember Knotts said he thought the city had agreed to do this. Councilmember Carter asked how the city distinguishes the vans from the cabs; what is the difference in what they do so that the van wouLd not be considered a taxi. Ms. Allen said Via Transco is only there to haul inmates out of town and they are sitting on city streets from 8:00 A.M. until 5:30 P.M. Councilmember Carter noted then Ms. Allen is asking the City to distinguish between long haul and short haul. City Attorney, Scott Bounds, said he will check the record to see what happen six or seven months ago. Councilmember Knotts said he felt there had been consensus to set certain parking aside as taxistands. Mr. Bounds said there was some discussion and he had some subsequent discussion with Ms. Allen and the other taxicab operator, and he will check his notes and get back with the Council. If the Council wants to designate taxistands at that location, he said, he will be gLad to do that next Tuesday. Councilmember Carter noted in distinguishing between vans and cabs as to which Parks in the taxistand area it is his understanding that those cabs that have city cab Permits would be eligible to Park in the taxistand. City Attorney Scott Sounds advised he has reviewed whether or not the Council can require the vans, operating under RaiLroad Commission rules, to have a depot or a permanent location and can address ATTENDING CITIZEN Margie Allen of ReLiabLe Cab Company, to request a designated cab stand area at the bus station on 12th Street Margie Allen said she is still requesting this cab stand [designated parking pLacel within the area of the bus station. She said there are still problems within that area. She said each time she comes to see the council to discuss this, she is told about free enterprise, etc. She said she is having problems when she drops people off at the bus station and in trying to park awaiting the incoming bus. She said at certain times of the day there is no place to park. She advised Via Transco van service began with two vans and now it has five vans. There was no parking place for her cab to meet the buses today, she said. She said she talked to the Council two years ago and she understood the city would follow up within two weeks but no one talked to her about it after that. She said within this time, she has seen several of the Council to discuss it. She asked the Council to Please designate a taxicab Parking place for the simple reason that her company does serve the city and her cabs cannot sit in one designated place all day iust to hold a parking place. She said her cabs are on call at all times and when her cabs leave and come back, they have no parking place. She said it is important to have a parking place on the north side of 12th Street when the buses arrive. Ms. Allen said she hopes the Council wiLL find it within their hearts to designate this parking place so that the confusion between her service and that of Via Transco can be ' eliminated. She said if her cab parks on one side and they are parked on the other side, this could eliminate a lot of street crossing. She said even though the vans are legally permitted, the parking problems still exist. She said there is haggling, hollering and walking across the street. She said on Friday a police officer caLted down one of the men about loud talking and hollering across the street. She said she knows the Council cannot be there at all times, and it is hard to enforce something like this, but these things are stiLL going on. Ms. Allen asked for three Parking places next to the bus station. She said in most cities, alL cab companies park next the airports and bus stations. She felt if they had a designated parking place, and the other drivers wouLd stay in their place, some of these problem would be solved. Councitmember Barrett asked how many parking places she feels she needs. Ms. Allen said she would Like three on the north side. She said she has six cabs and when one fills up and leaves, another one could puLL in. Mayor Monday noted then she wants three rather than one and that they be only for the Reliable Cabs. Margie Allen said these spaces could be for cabs in general but since she is the only company in town now, she would be the only one using them, but they could be available for any cab company's cars She said the space could be called --Taxistand." not -- Reliable Cab c" so if there were another cab company there would be three spaces and they could iust rotate. She said if they have to park on the opposite side of the street. they Passengers have to walk across the street with Luggage. Councilmember Knotts said he thought the city had agreed to do this. Councilmember Carter asked how the city distinguishes the vans from the cabs; what is the difference in what they do so that the van wouLd not be considered a taxi. Ms. Allen said Via Transco is only there to haul inmates out of town and they are sitting on city streets from 8:00 A.M. until 5:30 P.M. Councilmember Carter noted then Ms. Allen is asking the City to distinguish between long haul and short haul. City Attorney, Scott Bounds, said he will check the record to see what happen six or seven months ago. Councilmember Knotts said he felt there had been consensus to set certain parking aside as taxistands. Mr. Bounds said there was some discussion and he had some subsequent discussion with Ms. Allen and the other taxicab operator, and he will check his notes and get back with the Council. If the Council wants to designate taxistands at that location, he said, he will be gLad to do that next Tuesday. Councilmember Carter noted in distinguishing between vans and cabs as to which Parks in the taxistand area it is his understanding that those cabs that have city cab Permits would be eligible to Park in the taxistand. City Attorney Scott Sounds advised he has reviewed whether or not the Council can require the vans, operating under RaiLroad Commission rules, to have a depot or a permanent location and can address MINUTES OF THE COUNCIL MEETING OF MARCH 27. 1990 BOOK "G" 64 Mayor Monday asked that the whole parking ide of the street. CounciLmember Howard was concerned that the buses were licensed to operate here. Mr. ounds said they are and a representative of the Railroad Commission has been in Huntsville to monitor their peration. Ms. Allen noted in designating the parking places for taxis, taxis are never able to just sit here all day long as they are on call. She said within that area, there could be a customer come in to nLoad, pick up a ticket, etc. and if they are only there for a few minutes, that place would be open ometimes even for that. Mayor Monday said she didn't think people would park there if it said "Taxistand.11 ouncilmember Barrett said he thinks they would and he thinks the vans would park there. He asked the egality of the taxi sign being there and if the police can cause non -taxi vehicles to be moved if they park n that spot. City Attorney Bounds said the city can designate an area just for the taxicabs. ouncilmember Barrett felt he should do that. Mayor Monday asked if vans can park there and what would appen then; and if it is a taxistand, then cars can't park there. Councilmember Barrett noted only taxis an park there, but we need to be able to move others who may park in the taxistand. Councilmember Barrett aid he feels the City needs to support Reliable Cab Company's request. Councilmember Knotts felt that Mr. ounds will find in his notes that this was authorized several months ago. Mayor Monday said this matter CONSIDER ANNUAL FINANCIAL REPORT resentation of the annual tinanciaL report for fiscal 1988-89 by Ms. Candice Dixon C.P.A. Consider ' cceptance of the report, as recommended by the Audit Committee. Dr. BiLL Green, Chairman Ms. Dixon reviewed the structure of the report and how the report is compiled. Ms. Dixon said the nternal control system that is in place in the city is a good one and she found no deficiencies. She said s the city grows, this is an ongoing process of monitoring by management and by the activities of the audit ! ommittee and the Council. She said specific recommendations regarding considerations on accounting olicies will be addressed by the Audit Committee for the Council. Councilmember Green said the committee s happy with the report. Councilmember Green made the motion to approve the annual financial retort for FY CONSIDER PRELIMINARY ZONING PLAN AND ORDINANCE CALLING A PUBLIC HEARING Mr. Grady Manis, Chairman, Planning and Zoning Commission, advised they have completed the eliminary report required by state law to enter into zoning management for the City of Huntsville. He id the preliminary report basically establishes the Board of Adjustment and sets forth the permitting ocedure, the public notice procedure, the appeals procedure, etc. as included in the preliminary report. natty, he said, it establishes certain districts as zoning districts within the City of Huntsville. He id they are maintaining the management district as the original district and operating that just as the ty had before they considered zoning for the city. He said one name has been changed and that is that the ire District" has been changed to the "Downtown District." Mr. Manis said the overlay districts [flood, airport hazard zones] have remained the same. He said I ey are proposing to add the Neighborhood Conservation District and have prepared maps delineating those stricts. He said these Neighborhood Conservation Districts are those subdivisions which already have the ' strictions in their deeds. He said the map developed when zoning responsibilities were added to the anning Commission's duties was basically the end product, with the exception that certain areas inside the rimeters of these subdivisions, which were not formerly included as deed restriction areas, were just osed in to make it one contiguous area as opposed to Leaving a hole in the center. Mayor Monday asked at affect that had if there were incompatible land uses there. Mr. Manis said throughout the proposed MINUTES OF THE COUNCIL MEETING OF MARCH 27, 1990 BOOK "0" 65 plan, the city has a grandfather type situation whereby an individual could get either a conditionaL use permit or a nonconforming use permit, which would carry until he abandoned the use of that particular land, for a period of two years. Then, he said, it reverts back to the individual residential home site. CounciLmember Carter asked to whom one would appeal for this "conditional use" or "nonconforming use" permit. Mr. Manis said the conditional permit requires a public hearing, but the nonconforming permits are grandfathered. After the public hearings, the permits are issued by the city staff, he said. Mr. Manis said any appeal wouLd be made to the Board of Adjustment. He said the preliminary report proposes that a Board of Adjustment of five people be created to hear and decide the appeals in regard to errors in decisions by city staff. CounciLmember Green asked about home occupations and which permit that would require. Mr. Manis said the home occupation will have a "home occupation permit," and it must meet the same criteria that was in the original city plan. Mayor Monday asked Mr. Manis to begin with page one of the report and review the changes to the city's orignial development code. Mr. Manis said the additions have been underlined and the deletions have been marked through with a dashed line and the remainder is the same as the old Development Code. There was a lengthy review, discussion, commentary and questions by the Council on the proposed report. CounciLmember Green had numerous questions on the additions and was able to obtain clarification and in some cases, caused slight revisions to be made in the report language. Councilmembers Carter and Knotts Preferred that the City Council be the Board of Adjustment in this matter. but the remainder of the Councilmembers and the Mayor Preferred that the Board of Adiustment be a separate body since it would be acting as an appeals board on rules estabLished by the City Council. It was decided to Leave the wording as it apoears in the report [Councilmember Bell became iLL and Left the meeting and did not return. It should be noted here that he was not present to vote on the following matters.] Mr. Gene Pipes, City Manager, presented the ordinance, the caption of which is as follows: ORDINANCE NO. 90 -5 AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF HUNTSVILLE, TEXAS, ACCEPTING THE PRELIMINARY REPORT OF THE PLANNING AND ZONING COMMISSION; CALLING A JOINT PUBLIC HEARING; AND MAKING OTHER PROVISIONS AND FINDINGS RELATED THERTO [Public hearing set for Tuesday, April 24, 1990 at 7:00 P.M. in the City Hall Council Chambers] Councilmember Carter made the motion to adopt Ordinance No. 90 -5 to officially set the Public hearing on the proposed zoning plan for ApriL 24. 1990 at 7:00 P.M. and CounciLmember Knotts seconded the motion. ALL were in favor and the motion passed unanimously. DOWNTOWN REVITALIZATION Sidewalk Recommendation Dr. Jack Staggs, Chairman, HuntsviLLe Arts Commission, advised that the Arts Commission recommends continuing with the recently approved brick paver for the sidewalk in front of Gibbs - Powell House. He said the sidewalk committee met with James Patton, Chairman of the waLker County Historical Commission, to hear a presentation of the Historical Commission's request for a variance from the approved paver to stamped concrete or to antique brick for the sidewalk in front of Gibbs-POweLI House. He noted the sidewalk ' committee reviewed printed material on stamped concrete and saw samples of antique brick. The committee did not wish to recommend stamped concrete, he said, and antique brick could not be considered because of unavailability. Dr. Staggs said, therefore, the committee recommends to the Arts Commission that the city stay with the antique red paver. MINUTES OF THE COUNCIL MEETING OF MARCH 27, 1990 BOOK "O" 66 Dr. Jack Staggs, Chairman, Arts Commission, advised the City of Huntsville did not receive the tional Endowment for the Arts grant. He said they submitted a good proposal, but the conpetition was erce. He said with the Council's permission, they will try again as soon as the panel sends them a itique of why they did not win. In the meantime, he said, they have made applications to three other dies: the Bass Brothers in Forth worth [Sid Richardson Organization]; the Meadows Foundation in Dallas; d the Texas Commission on the Arts in Austin. He said they are committed to doing this downtown project d will continue to look for additional sources of money to assist them. He asked the CounciL to continue support the idea of the downtown project as such. He said the Council wiLL hear from them again. He id they are planning a brain storming session on Thursday night on what to do. He said their objective is develop a long range cuLturaL plan for Huntsville. CONSIDER BIDS Mr. Pipes, City Manager, presented the four bids received, ranging from $55,193.75 to $77,757.40 for Hitchin' Post Lift Station and Sanitary Sewer project. He presented the staff's recommendation that the be awarded to Brazos Valley Utilities, Inc. in the amount of $55,193.75, subject to acquiring the essary easements and the deposit of $13,435.50 by the Hitchin' Post to the City. He noted funds in the unt of $72,450 were approved by the Council on November 21, 1989. He advised the city's cost wiLL be it ,758.25 with the Hitchin' Post paying $13,435.50. The Council was advised the savings are due to moving Cruise Lift Station to the Hitchin' Post site. Mr. Pipes said there will be some additional costs to City to rework the pumps and motors and a $3,476.75 charge by Gulf States Utilities to furnish power at ' Lift station. Councilmember Knotts made the motion to approve of the bid of Brazos Valley Utilities in amount of $55,193.75 and CounciLmember Howard seconded the nation All were in favor and the mot'on Mr. Pipes presented the staff's recommendation to continue the contract for a second year with fford Hill at the present rate of $6.50 per ton delivered. He noted this is the second year of a two year ntract. Councilmember Barrett made the motion to approve of this bid and Councilmember Gaines seconded City Manager Gene Pipes presented the staff's recommendation to continue the existing two year ntract for a second year with Acetylene Oxygen Company, at the current price of $430 per one ton linders. It was noted the old contract price under J. W. Jones Chemical was $437.50. Councilmember Mr. Pipes presented the only bid received from Napco Chemical Company for the annual contract for phosphate in the amount of $530 per 55 gallons and $290 per 30 gallons. He noted seven bids were mailed He advised DX Distributors called and asked questions concerning the quantity, but did not bid; and J. Johnson stated on their bid packet that they could not bid competitively at this time. Councilmember MINUTES OF THE COUNCIL MEETING OF MARCH 27, 1990 BOOK "O" 67 CITY MANAGER'S REPORT --GENE PIPES April 9. 1990 trip to TRA Headquarters in Arlington Mr. Pipes noted few of the current Councilmembers have been to the TRA headquarters in Arlington to see the operations there. He said TRA has been of such fundamental importance to the City of Huntsville in providing our surface water treatment facilities, the provision of water on a daily basis, and the financing for the City's wastewater treatment plant on Parker Creek. He said the City and TRA have been partners for many years and all of this predates the majority of the tenure of the members on the Council. He said it is appropriate that as much notice of this trip is given. He asked the Council to try to arrange their schedules for Monday. April 9. 1990 to make this visit, noting both air and ground transportation will be available. He said they will tour the TRA facilities. He noted the central wastewater treatment facility in Arlington is huge and the Council will find the technical aspects and technology involved in treating the wastewater in the metroplex area and the discharge to be an absolutely phenomenal thing, the magnitude, scope, scale of the project will be something they can greatly appreciate. He said the things the TRA does in terms of environmental improvements in the upper reaches of the Trinity as well as in the Huntsville area wilt be of interest. He said Danny Vance is the TRA General Manager and an SHSU alumnus. He asked the Council to notify him as soon as possible if they can go. Sanitation Department Yard waste Collection and Disposal -- Mr. Pipes presented this information provided by Mr. Johnny Poteete, Director of Public Works. He said the city has made an effort to notify the public that the City ' is proposing to change its collection date. He said the Wednesday collection of trash and lawn waste was terminated a couple of years ago and it was added into the Thursday and Friday routes, but the volumes have increased dramatically that the routes are running well beyond the eight to ten hour day that is typical of sore Monday routes. In addition, because the regulations have changed, all of that yard waste is now going into the very expensive pit space that is reserved more appropriately for the putrescibte garbage. He said he is not talking about adding routes or costs, etc., except for running a truck on a fifth day instead of CONSIDER PERSONNEL EVALUATION CRITERIA Consider amendments to the Personnel Policies for evaluation criteria and salary range of Charter and non-cLassified employees, as recommended by the City Council Personnel Committee Councilmember and Mayor Pro tem Percy Howard, Jr., Chairman of the Personnel Committee, presented the charter and non - classified employee evaluation criteria which listed the performance rating definitions: outstanding, excellent, proficient, satisfactory, and unsatisfactory. It futher listed three performance Levels and the timing of increases along with the 1989 salary schedule depicting the Lower third, middle third and upper third of the salary ranges for each of the nine employee positions which will use the schedule. Mr. Pipes advised a resolution to adopt these amendments has not yet been prepared as it was felt the council nay wish to review them prior to formal adoption. Councilmember Hammock made the motion to approve of the amendments as presented and Councilmember Barrett seconded the motion Discussion: Councilmember Green said there is nothing in the policy that says what the lower third, middle third and upper third relate to. Mr. Pipes said the salary schedule will change on an annual basis, based on the Latest TML data on the survey samplings of all of the cities in the state about what range of salaries are being paid for these particular positions. He said the positions in the range refer to the salary schedule that is an appendix to this. He said they have not spelled out the method in which the research has been conducted or how it would be conducted on an annual basis. He said what they have is a condensation of a Lot of data available through the TML. He said the city probably ought to spell out the methodology of how that is derived and how it should be derived in the future. He said in terms of positions in the range, the explanation on the table, at least the additional words that "the salary range provided by Council by appendix,'- should be added. Councilmember Green said if we listen to the discussion that went on, he thinks it might be clear, but if someone were to pick this up in a year, they WILL have no idea what this means. ' Mr. Pipes said they can clarify this. Councilmember Barrett noted the Personnel Committee recommended that iiat least every two years, a new survey be taken and new figures plugged into those slots. Mayor Monday when this is brought back, we need to address that and add a further explanation. She asked �Inoted CounciLmember Hammock to work with this. All were in favor and the nation Passed unanimously. CITY MANAGER'S REPORT --GENE PIPES April 9. 1990 trip to TRA Headquarters in Arlington Mr. Pipes noted few of the current Councilmembers have been to the TRA headquarters in Arlington to see the operations there. He said TRA has been of such fundamental importance to the City of Huntsville in providing our surface water treatment facilities, the provision of water on a daily basis, and the financing for the City's wastewater treatment plant on Parker Creek. He said the City and TRA have been partners for many years and all of this predates the majority of the tenure of the members on the Council. He said it is appropriate that as much notice of this trip is given. He asked the Council to try to arrange their schedules for Monday. April 9. 1990 to make this visit, noting both air and ground transportation will be available. He said they will tour the TRA facilities. He noted the central wastewater treatment facility in Arlington is huge and the Council will find the technical aspects and technology involved in treating the wastewater in the metroplex area and the discharge to be an absolutely phenomenal thing, the magnitude, scope, scale of the project will be something they can greatly appreciate. He said the things the TRA does in terms of environmental improvements in the upper reaches of the Trinity as well as in the Huntsville area wilt be of interest. He said Danny Vance is the TRA General Manager and an SHSU alumnus. He asked the Council to notify him as soon as possible if they can go. Sanitation Department Yard waste Collection and Disposal -- Mr. Pipes presented this information provided by Mr. Johnny Poteete, Director of Public Works. He said the city has made an effort to notify the public that the City ' is proposing to change its collection date. He said the Wednesday collection of trash and lawn waste was terminated a couple of years ago and it was added into the Thursday and Friday routes, but the volumes have increased dramatically that the routes are running well beyond the eight to ten hour day that is typical of sore Monday routes. In addition, because the regulations have changed, all of that yard waste is now going into the very expensive pit space that is reserved more appropriately for the putrescibte garbage. He said he is not talking about adding routes or costs, etc., except for running a truck on a fifth day instead of MINUTES OF THE COUNCIL MEETING OF MARCH 27, 1990 BOOK "O" 68 the fourth day, but the times should average out to be roughly comparable. He said they didn't experience a great deal of savings when they split off of the Wednesday trash day. He said they want to emphasize that they do not intend to pick up anything but yard waste on this Wednesday trash pick -up. He said they are not talking about building materials, scrap lumber, etc., but limbs, Leaves, grass trimmings, etc., for the purpose of trying to decompose the yard waste through composting at the Landfill and to not take up space in the pit itself. Mayor Monday suggested printing an informational statement on the water bills, as they go to every household and will not cost the city any additional funds. Patricia Allen, Director of Finance, advised a short statement such as "Yard waste will be picked up every Wednesday," can be included on the water bill. Mr. Pipes said brochures have already been developed to get the word out and they are depending a great deal upon the media for the communication of this information. He said the Huntsville Item has run a particular article. Don't Bag it Lawn Care Plan -- Mr. Pipes said this is something a lot of people for many years have thought that if they didn't rake and bag their lawn clippings that their yard would die of thatch. He said that has no relevance whatsoever as the Agricultural Extension Service and everyone else has since made it clear that the nutrients are added back to the soil by leaving the clippings in place. Councilmember Knotts said however if the Lawn clippings decompose fast enough, thatch isn't a problem, but what happens if they do not decompose fast enough is that moisture is held to the roots and on San Augustine grass, one can get thatch. He said if one mows more often and the clippings are much smaller, that problem can be solved. Councilmember Carter said the University called him because of the Faculty Senate taking up recycling and asked about garbage and waste. He said he has advised Mr. Poteete, the Faculty Senate, and Dr. Martin Anisman, SHSU President, about the interest of the Universit y, especially with composting, noting there seems to be a mood and an attitude that they are ready to start doing something like this. He said ' according to the numbers he received from former Sanitation Superintendent, Mr. Curtis Loving, this program would greatly contribute to the Life of the landfill. He felt the City should follow -up on this, noting Dr. Anisman stated he has been involved in composting for his personal gardens and is very much in favor of composting. Councilmember Carter said the attitude at the University is that the city can decrease the space problems because the University is probably the largest single yard waste producer or provides a large percentage of it. Mr. Pipes provided pictures showing the amount of yard waste to be collected from one residence alone, with the driveway completely lined with bagged leaves. He said when this goes into the garbage truck, it takes up the same amount of space as an entire route of residential garbage and makes one whole trip for one person's yard waste. He said that same volume translated to space at the landfill takes up one whole collection day for one homeowner. He said the city can cut those bags open and compost those leaves in a. different location and then use that compost for nutrient enhancement for the right -of -ways, city plantings, to give it away, to sell it, etc. and this is a more practical resolution for this particular problem. He said while the brush, trash and leaves represent a fractional portion of our total waste, certainly it is a portion that we can do something good about in reducing the city's total waste stream volume to the landfill. He said there are going to be a Lot of changes in the landfill requirements in the next couple of years. For the Council's information, Mr. Pipes advised the former Chief Building Official, Cindy KelLgren, has taken the Solid Waste Superintendent's position. He said Ms. Kellgren has a great deal of talent and expertise in the regulation area and the ability to deal with the ever - increasing regulatory structure for solid waste. He said the city feels she will serve well in this position. He said the Chief Building Official's position has been filled by Mr. Mike Roeopke, formerly a building inspector in that department. He said while these positions have been filled from the inside, the city feels they have two very well qualified people in those particular areas. Councilmember Carter advised in his discussions with Mr. Curtis Loving the day he received the data ' for the University, Mr. Loving mentioned something that Councilmember Carter would Like to have included on the agenda and that is "curb side pick -up." He said according to Mr. Loving, we are not going to be able to recycle in this town to any great extent unless the city requires curb -side pick-up. He said the city can MINUTES OF THE COUNCIL MEETING OF MARCH 27, 1990 BOOK g0" 69 do it otherwise, but it makes it more difficult and complex. He asked the Council to consider goine curb -side Pick -up of garbage. Mr. Pipes said he will be glad to work that into the agenda schedule Engineering Department Smith Drainage Problem -- Mr. Pipes said the city does have a finding by the City Engineer, GI Isbell, concerning the Smith drainage problem just north of 10th Street, bounded by Sam Houston Aver Avenue M and 9th Street. Mr. Isbell's information notes the Smith's have approached the City regarding creek that runs through their property causing serious erosion and which is approaching their house. to the proximity of the existing houses, width of easements will be a problem, he noted, so it recommended that the best alternative is a lined channel with a 45 degree sloped wall for construction. said preliminary estimates for the 500 linear feet of channel will run approximately $123,120.00 excluc any utility relocation that may be required upon final design. Mr. Pipes said the house is extremely cl to the drainage ditch that drains that area and in fact drains all of the area back up to the walls unit to Martin Luther King Drive. He said the costs are substantial because there is insufficient room to b and it will rewire a bulkheading similar to what is outside the City Hall and to the west of the bridgf control water in its erosion elements in heavy rain periods He said the Smith's have already bulkher the area with cross ties some time ago and the last big rain in January did float all of their crosstint out and they ended up piled up down at the headwall of Avenue M and 9th Street and some went across the r and down to 7th Street. He said the Smith's best private efforts did not even begin to take care of problem and they are very concerned about their residential structure. He said while the city does not h a specific recomendation on funding, it did want to make the Council aware of the scope and cost of Project. He asked them to think about it and to go by to look at it over the next couple of weeks. ' Mayor Monday said the city has not yet done its mid -year budget adjustments because of the audi coming in the way it did. She suggested waiting until mid -year to see where the city is in all of th budget areas and than to bring this back for consideration. Councilmember Hammock asked if the city ha funded projects like this on private property in the past. Mr. Pipes said the city has participated i drainage projects very, very rarely and he does not recall any at this expense. He said the City ha corrected drainage problems on Eastharn at Pine Valley several years ago and solved the Eslick drainag problem where water jumped the curb and ran into his garage. Mayor Monday noted it also ran down an entir block and filled up back yards. Mr. Pipes said the city built large inlet boxes to take care of the problem. He said the city has also corrected drainage problems on 9th Street, but it has mostly bee associated with street problems. He said this is a branch of Town Creek that drains that eastern section u to Avenue F and about 11th Street. He said it is obviously a substantial creek in heavy rain periods felt this drainage problem is fully a city responsibility to Provide for the Smith's Texas Department of Commerce Mr. Pipes advised the Texas Deaprtment of Commerce has notified the city that they have reviewed the city's response to the performance evaluation conducted on January 24, 1990 and have found the close out ' documents to be satisfactory on the Texas Community Development Program Contract No. 705080CD. He said they are closing out this contract subject to the right to recover funds or questioned costs based upon findings of the single audit, and final review by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development. The letter went w to say the Texas Department of Commerce is pleased to have been involved in this successful project, and wishes to congratulate the City on its professionalism displayed in the administration of this program. He noted with all of the news accounts on larger cities about the misapplication of HUD funds, to receive a MINUTES OF THE COUNCIL MEETING OF MARCH 27, 1990 BOOK "q" 70 on from the Texas Department of Commerce on how well we have handled their grant funds is He wanted the Council to know this project has been successfully closed out. Mayor Monday :ad the staff. MAYOR'S ACTIVITY REPORT - -JANE MONDAY Mayor Monday presented this new program with the SDHPT, noting the Open Space and Green Space vnittee has adopted this as a part of its goal for a ten year plan to begin to beautify arterials that ae into this community. She said they met with the SDHPT and advised them of their interest and have ceived community interest to sponsor the project. She said Mr. Allen Pritchard of the SDHPT informed them ere is a new program adopted by the SDHPT and instead of adopting a plot or a highway for landscaping, it to adopt a freeway. She said they only have two categories, wrier 5,000 population or greater, which is Huntsville automatically in the category with Dallas, Houston, San Antonio and the metroplexes. She id the problem with this is that the City has already identified several areas through open space where e Committee would Like to begin to do Landscaping. She said they have a local grower who has agreed to t the plants, to design the plots, and to give the City the plants at a wholesale price. She said they ve managed to contract for maintenance and to work out a number of things at a very Low cost. She said ere are a couple of people interested in helping to raise money to buy those plants. She said one of e requirements is that all Landscaping and maintenance must be contracted under this program with a 5,000 minimum contribution by the group. She said it was felt all was organized until they found this rticular requirement. She said in realizing it might be difficult to put $25,000 into a fund in Light of ere we are today, what she would like to do is to ask for the Council's permission for her to write a tter to the SDHPT to ask for a variance, saying that we can provide all of the things they want us to , ovide but that we can do it in an alternate manner. Councilmember Barrett made the motion to authorize e Mayor to request this variance and Councilmember Howard seconded the nation. All were in favor and the tion passed unanimously. Mayor Monday said she appreciates this. She said she will work with the Open ace Coaittee. She said she will provide the Council with a copy of the Letter she writes to request a riance, in recognition that there are some towns that have resources other than money between 5,000 and e upper Limits that would Like to be a part of this program. COUNCIL ACTION Councilmember Barrett noted he is pleased to see the sates tax report shows an increase. nciLmember Knotts noted his approval of staving with the red antique brick pavers as opposed to the Tped concrete as that method fades out with time. Councilmember Gaines expressed concern that street struction will hamper General Sam Houston Festival visitors, especiaLLy the Friday when the buses bring school children. Mr. Pipes advised there is simply not going to be a time of the year when street work convenient, and noted the city will work around community events as best it can. Councilmember Carter ad Henry Cisneros will be on the SHSU campus to speak on Thursday night. He said there is also a ference on campus on "Images of Texas and the Nation." He noted anyone interested can contact him for e information. City Secretary ADJOURNMENT to evaluate Charter Officer Performance: Scott Bounds, City Attorney and Ruth Respectfully i submi tted, suty ' / March 27, 1990