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MIN CC 11/26/1991CITY COUNCIL MEETING OF NOVEMBER 26, 1991 BOOK "O" 529 ' MINUTES OF THE HUNTSVILLE CITY COUNCIL MEETING HELD ON THE 26TH DAY OF NOVEMBER, 1991 IN THE CITY HALL COUNCIL CHAMBERS, LOCATED AT 1212 AVENUE M IN THE CITY OF HUNTSVILLE, COUNTY OF WALKER, TEXAS AT 5:15 P.M. The Council met in a regular session with the following members present: W. H. Hodges, Mayor William B. Green City officers present: Gary Belt William H. Knotts, Jr. Gene Pipes, City Manager Ila G. Gaines Ronald L. Lange Scott Bounds, City Attorney James L. Carter 0. Eugene Barrett Charles Robinson FORMAL MEETING CONVENED Mayor Hodges called the meeting to order at 5:15 P.M. and recessed into Executive Session. CONSIDER MINUTES OF NOVEMBER 5 AND 12, 1991 Councilmember Barrett made the motion to approve the minutes of November 5, and 12, 1991. and Councilmember Gaines seconded the motion. Councilmember Carter stated the minutes seem to be in more of a summary form than in the past. Mayor Hodges stated that staff keeps tape recordings of each meeting as permanent record and the minutes are a summary of the tapes. A vote was taken, all were in favor and the motion passed unanimously. ATTENDING CITIZEN 0. J. Moak: Mr. Moak stated he was representing the Oakwood Cemetery Association and would answer any questions Council had concerning the proposed land trade for the 10th Street extension. Mayor Hodges informed Mr. Moak that Council discussed this item in Executive Session and Council has authorized staff to come to the Association with a real estate proposal. CONSIDER ARTS AGREEMENTS j' (a) Consider an agreement for Huntsville Community Concert Series in the amount of 85.300 as budgeted. (b) Consider an agreement for Musical Performance with the Huntsville Children's Choir in the amount of 81.500 as budgeted. Councilmember Barrett made the motion to approve an agreement for Huntsville Community Concert Series in the amount of 85.300, and an agreement for Musical Performance with the Huntsville Children's Choir in the amount of $1,500, and CounciLmember Gaines seconded the motion. All were in favor and the motion passed unanimously. CONSIDER BIDS NO. 92 -6 Consider Bids No. 92 -6. water supplies for 22nd Street and 19th Street proiects to International Supply of Lufkin in the amount of 826.977.50 to be paid from C.I.P. funds. Councilmember Knotts made the motion to approve Bid No. 92 -6 to International Supply of Lufkin in the amount of 826,977.50, and Councilmember Barrett seconded the motion. ALI were in favor and the motion passed unanimously. CONSIDER BIDS ON PROJECT 91-09 -08 AND AGREEMENT TO CONSTRUCT PUBLIC IMPROVEMENTS (a) Consider bids on Pro iect 91- 09 -08. Henderson Land Company, Sec. 4, Utilities to Brazos Valley Utilities. Inc., in the amount of 855.349.97. (b) Consider an agreement to construct public improvements (water, sewer and street) for Eds West. Mr. Pipes stated this is the contract to build the water and sewer on the Henderson Land Company project, extension of the street on Industrial Boulevard. Companion to this contract is the agreement to construct public improvements for Eds West. Councilmember Knotts made to motion to approve the bid on project 91 -09 -08 to Brazos Valley Utilities, Inc.. in the amount of $55,349.97, and also an agreement to construct Public improvements for Eds West and Councilmember Gaines seconded the motion. CITY COUNCIL MEETING OF NOVEMBER 26, 1991 BOOK "O" 530 !� Councilmember Carter stated that in the agreement to construct public improvements, provides, in part, �! '!--in the event Eds Nest sells lots before the water and sewer connection fees are paid." He did not understand j that when Council agreed to extend water and sewer, the City was not only extending water and sewer to the Eds '�.I Nest factory but also to some property that Eds Hest might also sell; it seems the City is giving them a double !'.economic benefit by not onLy subsidizing the factory but also subsidizing some lard holdings. Mr. Pipes stated !that staff does not expect any sale of property; staff understands that the bonds prohibit the selLing of any i Hof the land for ten years. The Language of the agreement, however, covers all possibilities that exist. CounciLmember Robinson asked staff if the street when completed would belong to the City and if sidewalks wouLd be constructed. Staff responded the City would own the street, but sidewalks are not required '! I �,in the development code and would not be put in. I '. Councilmember Knotts asked for clarification regarding the street construction. Staff responded that Ilthe City would not be involved in the street construction. At this time the street exists from F.M. 2821 to ;• 'the creek, and will continue to the end of the lot. CounciLmember Knotts stated he did not understand the specification of money in the agreement. Staff responded that the City requires some type of surety that the street is going to be built and therefore, needs to know the costs. The City's code does issue a permit until ',there is a LegaL lot; there is technically not a LegaL lot until a plat is filed and pubLic improvements are !constructed or bonded. 'OMavor Hodges called for a vote. Councilmembers Lange. Barrett, Knotts. Gaines. Robinson. Bell. Green, and Mayor ' :!Hodges voted for and Councilmember Carter voted against. The motion Passed 8 -1. CONSIDER BIDS FOR LIGHTING SYSTEM i Consider bids for lighting systems for Ross Park Baseball and Soccer field improvements. Mr. Pipes stated that the re- bidding of the baseball and soccer field has been evaluated. The bids came - -. in at more than expected. Staff has discussed with the Youth League Association and also with the low bidder ( ReliabLe Electric) the alternatives available. It was agreed to split the two projects and to onLy put in the Lighting system for the baseball field since it is more time critical. Low bids related to field #4 (baseball field) are $19,592.00 for the Lighting and 81,682.00 for new baLLast enclosures, for a total of $21,274.00. ' The Huntsville Boys Baseball Association plans to raise the additional funds and re -bid the soccer field as I� !. ;! soon as possible. !!. Councilmember Gaines made the motion to approve the bid for Lighting system for Ross Park baseball field to '.Reliable Electric in the amount of $21.274.00. and Councilmember Bell seconded the motion. Councilmenber Barrett asked if there were any local bidders on the project. Staff responded that one local bidder was competitive. Councilmember Barrett noted that there was only 5410 difference in the local bidder and Reliable Electric; he felt we needed to go with the local bidder. Mayor Hodges noted he felt the same as Councilmember Barrett, but it was not legally possible. Mr. Bounds stated that the City cannot award a bid to a bidder simply because they are a LocaL bidder. Councilmember Green noted that it Looked like '.- Reliable Electric would be delivering the poles for not only the baseball field, but for the soccer field as well. Staff stated that the City would need the poles for the soccer field shortLy, and the City would save additional freight charges by shipping all the poles at one time. Mayor Hodges called for a vote. ALL were in favor and the nation passed unanimously. CONSIDER AGREEMENT WITH STATE OF TEXAS FOR TRAFFIC LIGHT SYNCHRONIZATION GRANT Consider an agreement with the State of Texas (T D H P T ) for Traffic Light Synchronization Grant with authorization to designate Mr. Douglas B. Byrne P.E. as City Traffic Engineer for the purposes of the grant - oroiect. Mr. Pipes stated that T.D.H.P.T. approved the fuel economy traffic light synchronization grant requiring i'. the City to expend approximately $13,000. Mr. Douglas Byrne will be designated as City Traffic Engineer for grant purposes. Councilmember Barrett made the motion to approve the agreement with the Texas Department of Highways and Public ".. Transportation for Traffic Light Synchronization Grant and authorize designation of Mr. Douglas B. Byrne as City Traffic Engineer, and Councilmember Knotts seconded the motion. CITY COUNCIL MEETING OF NOVEMBER 26, 1991 BOOK "p" 531 ' Councilmember Carter stated he would like to see this project put on a planning agenda; he felt there were some pedestrian safety problems at the Avenue 0 and 11th Street, and University and 11th Street crossings. Staff noted that these intersections are scheduled for crosswalk signals in the grant. Councilnomber Bell asked staff if this system uses a central computer, the Kentron KST -3000. Staff responded this system is a mechanical control. Mayor Hodges called for a vote. All were in favor and the motion passed unanimously. CONSIDER ORDINANCE N0. 91 -11 -26.1 Consider Ordinance No. 91- 11.26.1 amending the Development Code to provide an exclusion for cemetery plotting. Mr. Pipes stated this is a development code adjustment for the benefit of the Oakwood Cemetery in terns of platting. Councilmember Knotts made the motion to approve Ordinance No. 91 -11 -26.1. and Councilmember Barrett seconded the motion. All were in favor and the motion passed unanimously. CONSIDER ORDINANCE NO. 91 -11 -26.2 Consider Ordinance No. 91 -11 -26.2 redistricting the City Ward boundaries to adjust to the 1990 census data as required. Mr. Bounds stated that at the present time there is a large population variation between the four wards. Mr. Bounds showed Council the redistricting maps and explained the boundaries. Mayor Hodges asked Mr. Bounds if this plan would be submitted to the Federal Government. Mr. Bounds responded by stating that this plan will not be submitted at this time because it will not affect this election. Based upon the action taken on this ordinance, the County Commissioner's should approve the voting election precincts and draw their commissioner precinct lines for their primaries in May. I r Councilmember Barrett made the motion to approve Ordinance No. 91 -11 -26.2, and Councilmember Gaines seconded the motion. ALL were in favor and the motion passed unanimously. Mayor Hodges made note that several County officials had been complimentary of the help and support given them by City staff, especially Dale Brown and Scott Bounds. CITY MANAGER'S REPORT Huntsville / WaLker County Emergency Medical Service Mr. Pipes stated at the Texas Association of EMS Agencies in Austin, Huntsville /Walker County EMS Bruce Aden was announced as EMT of the Year. Bruce was recognized for his two fold action: one was distinguished service in Huntsville, but also for his service as a Paramedic in the Gulf War. Additionally, Hank Harkey, who trained in Huntsville, and now with DaLLas EMS, was announced as Paramedic of the Year. Staff is very proud of the HuntsviLLe /Walker County EMS. MAYOR'S ACTIVITY REPORT Thank you notes from Cindy Pipes Mayor Hodges acknowledged thank you notes from Mrs. Pipes; one for the flowers delivered during her hospital stay, and one for the flowers sent in sympathy of her father's passing. Letter from Frank Leathers Mayor Hodges acknowledged a letter from Mr. Leathers stating how proud he is of the improvements being made in our beautiful city, especially of the street improvement work being done in town; and expressing his appreciation to City staff and City Council on the dedicated effort to make Huntsville a better place to live. Letter from American Association of Retired Persons Mayor Hodges acknowledged a Letter from Mr. Rayford Moore of AARP expressing appreciation for the dumpster provided for cemetery cleanup on November 16, 1991; also stating City staff is a pleasure to work with. CITY COUNCIL MEETING OF NOVEMBER 26, 1991 BOOK "0" 532 Groundbreaking Ceremony of Champion International Mayor Hodges stated that Last week he and J. D. Schindler attended the groundbreaking ceremony at the Champion International De- Inking Plant in Sheldon. Mayor Hodges also stated that the official of Champion in charge of procurements will be in Huntsville in January; Council will plan a luncheon meeting to discuss the pickup of paper for our area. CWNCILREMBER ACTION Stray Animal Councilmember Lange stated that over the weekend, a vicious stray animal was roaming his neighborhood, the dog catcher was called and he came and picked the animal up. Councilmember Lange voiced his opinion of a', job well done. HGAC Update Councilmember Barrett stated that the Houston - Galveston Area Council meets one Tuesday per month year round. A budget of $51 million per year goes out to different counties in grants. Councilmember Barrett acknowLedged that he will be retiring from Council in January and hopes the next council representative will stay active in the organization. At the present time, Huntsville is weLL represented; Chief Eckhardt and Dale Brown are both on HGAC conmi ttees. Mayor Hodges also acknowledged that Huntsville has and will continue to have good representation. Freeport Exemption Conci Lmember Knotts stated that HuntsviLLe had adopted a freeport exemption during the last few months 11 and at the polls in November, the voters voted against the amendment. He wanted to make the point that Council should listen to the citizens of HuntsviLLe. Painting on King's Candy Building Councilmember Carter questioned the postponement of the painting on the King's Candy Building. Mr. ". Pipes responded by advising there is a sale on the building and the potentiaL purchaser may be inclined to go forward with a full design rather than a paint job on the front of the building; it couLd be money spent and ''. then re -spent if the full design was decided on later. At this point, staff is waiting on a final determination. Unkept Animals Councilmember Carter advised of a complaint received regarding unkept dogs roaming day and night at 213 Boettcher Mill Road and Mill Circle. Staff noted the problem and would take measures to aLLeviate. Trees Removed on Martin Luther King Boulevard CounciLmenber Carter noticed white driving on MILK Boulevard that the two homes where residents had requested 17 to 18 juniper trees cut last year were being moved. He felt we need to place more value on our trees in our community. Methods for Record Keepin Counci [member Carter stated there are many new methods for record keeping he felt the City could check . in to if space probLems arise. CD Rom and other methodologies may help preserve the taping process of Council meetings, etc., and could be looked at during the budget process. Lighting at Hardy Lumber Company Councilmember Robinson noted there was a street tight out at the intersection of S.H. 30 and Loop 19. Staff noted and responded that several poles had been taken down at this intersection; the poles removed by Gulf States had been left by the contractor working on the highway at that time. Lighting at West HilLs Mall Councilmember Knotts stated he felt there is a Lighting problem around West Hills Mall. ADJOURNMENT (Worksession to follow)yn