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MIN CC 12/17/1991CITY COUNCIL MEETING OF DECEMBER 17, 1991 BOOK "D" 537 ' !MINUTES OF THE HUNTSVILLE CITY COUNCIL MEETING HELD ON THE 17TH DAY OF DECEMBER, 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 BeLL William H. Knotts, Jr. Gene Pipes, City Manager Ila G. Gaines Ronald L. Lange Scott Bounds, City Attorney James L. Carter 0. Eugene Barrett Darns Welter, City Secretary Charles Robinson FORMAL MEETING CONVENED Mayor Hodges called the meeting to order at 5:15 P.M. and recessed into Executive Session. RECONVENE Mayor Hodges reconvened the meeting at 6:00 P.M. Mayor Hodges stated the onLy action taken in the Executive Session was regarding the Kennith Johnson grievance appeal. Mr. Johnson's attorney requested a postponement and the postponement was granted and rescheduled for Tuesday, January 7, 1992, at 5:15 P.M. [NOTE: CounciLmember Gaines absent for the remainder of the meeting.] ATTENDING CITIZEN Brent Justice: Mr. Justice stated he represents Via Transco, and would like to address proposed Ordinance No. 91 -12 -10.2 regarding Taxicabs. He feels the proposed ordinance is unconstitutional and unfair to him. He also stated that there is some litigation at this point and he and the City's counsel have gotten together to try and arrange for a dismissal. After reviewing the proposed ordinance, he feels there are many issues that need to be reviewed. He feels a major problem is the City allowing City cabs to violate state law by Leaving the = City limits, transporting inmates to San Antonio, Dallas, Houston, etc. He stated that Greyhound was also violating state Law. Mr. Justice requested that Council give him a chance to write a Letter stating what he feels are the problems with the proposed ordinance. Mayor Hodges stated that several worksessions had been held regarding this ordinance, and a Lot of communication between staff, Council and participants has transpired. CONSIDER MINUTES OF DECEMBER 10, 1991 COUnciLmember Barrett made the motion to approve the minutes of December 10, 1991, and COunciLme ber Robinson seconded the motion. All were in favor and the motion passed unanimously. CONSIDER ORDINANCE NO. 91 -12 -17.1 Consider Ordinance No. 91 -12 -17.1 authorizing updated service credits under the act governing the Texas Municipal Retirement System subject to the recommendations of the Finance Committee. Dr. Bill Green, Chair. The Finance Committee made the recommendation that updated service credits be given for this year. The Finance Committee also recommended review of the updated service credits during the annual budget session instead of authorizing automatic updates. Cou Umember Knotts asked for a definition of updated service credits. Councilmember Green stated that the amount received in terms of retirement benefits is based upon a formula of the employee's salary throughout employment. After retirement, there is no mechanism that automatically makes any adjustment for changes in inflation or cost of living. This ordinance alters the formula and takes the higher yielding years and adjusts the benefits accordingly. The current retired employees would automatically receive some update, basically a cost of Living update. Councilmember Green made the motion to approve Ordinance No. 91 -12 -17.1 updating service credits under the act governing the Texas Municipal Retirement System for one year in the approximate amount of $5.400 to be taken from the unallocated reserve and /or some budgeted expenses for salaries and benefits for positions that have not been filled or are vacated. Councilmamber Barrett seconded the motion. ALI were in favor and the motion passed unanimously. ' CONSIDER ORDINANCE NO- 91-12-17.2 Consider Ordinance No. 91 -12 -17.2 amending Chapter 16. Taxicabs, regulating taxicabs and other vehicles for hire. Mr. Pipes stated that the Police Department had worked on this ordinance for some months, two worksessions have been held, and it was posted on an official action agenda at Least three times. This ordinance is a result of concerns expressed by the participants involved in the transportation alternatives available to released inmates in the area of the WaLLs Unit. The ordinance has been structured, restructured, CITY COUNCIL MEETING OF DECEMBER 17, 1991 BOOK "0" 538 --Tr - - -- - -- 1:` - - -- _-___ -__ r !imodified, condensed, and revised in several worksessions. Mayor Hodges recommended that Council pass this ordinance. He stated it should be monitored very mme .,closely and changes made as needed. iCouncilmember Knotts made the motion to approve Ordinance No 91 -12 -17.2 amending Chapter 16, Taxicabs, and ! :Councilmember Barrett seconded the motion. Councilmember Green stated that on page 13 of the ordinance, dealing with the application, it stated '.ithat the applicant should notify the Police Chief in writing within five days with change of address. It is unclear if this is to mean the applicant or the holder. Chief Eckhardt agreed that it made more sense if it !was the business itself and not the applicant. Councilmember Green also asked that Section 16 -36, Item B, be I, modified to have Council set the price for inspection and the Location set to be a City facility. i,Councilmember Green amended the ordinance with the changes specified and Councilmember Barrett seconded the motion. All were in favor and the nation passed unanimously. Councilaamber Green stated the ordinance should be monitored closely and changes made as fount necessary. Councilmember Carter addressed Mr. Justice and stated that this ordinance can be amended and changes I' made, but work has been in progress for quite some time on this ordinance and need something in place and ,working for downtown and encouraged him to talk to Mr. Bounds, with problems with the ordinance as written. MANAGEMENT STUDY PLAN Mayor Hodges postponed discussion on the management study plan and stated it would be discussed in a worksession in February. CITY MANAGER'S REPORT�� Il Consider Library Board recommendations. Mr. Pipes stated the Library Board has recommended changes in the Library hours, expanding to 50 hours per week. The hours proposed are to go into effect on January 6, 1992. other Library Board recommendations will be brought to Council during the mid -year budget review. Councilmeaber Carter asked if additional costs ' were required to expand the hours. Mr. Pipes stated that adequate personnel are at the Library to accommodate patrons during the expanded hours. Texas Commission of the Arts Mr. Pipes stated that the Texas Commission of the arts granted the City 83,860 to assist with the '.. projects applied for some months previously. Arts Commission Minutes Mr. Pipes stated that the Arts Commission minutes of December 13, 1991, were in the Council packet. i Christmas Trees ;! Mr. Pipes stated a memo was provided to Council from Cindy Kellgren, Sanitation Superintendent, requesting permission to offer to Lake and pond owners in Walker County used the Christmas trees for spawning habitat. The Council had no objections. MAYOR'S ACTIVITY REPORT Texas Department of Criminal Justice Mayor Hodges stated that the Chamber of Commerce and the E.D.C. have received a request for proposal from TDCJ for location of a prison unit in the Huntsville area. If successful, it wilt be an approximate 816 million payroll. Discussion will follow on the January 7 agenda. January Schedule January 7 Council meeting January 14 Dr. Barrett retirement January 21 Council meeting (election canvassing) CITY COUNCIL MEETING OF DECEMBER 17, 1991 1 COUNCILP031BER ACTION BOOK "O" 539 T.D.C.J. Proposal jI Councilmember Green stated that it was his understanding that the proposal for the new prison unit was due on January 15, that there was not time for adequate discussion on the issue, and that a worksession prior !i to the Council meeting on January 7 might be appropriate. Mayor Hodges stated that, if necessary, a worksession r. could be scheduled on the 7th after the Executive Session. TabLing Issues Councilmember Carter stated that he thought a gentleperson's agreement had been made to automatically table an issue if a Councilmember requested. He asked for the minutes regarding this subject be investigated and he be provided with a copy at the next meeting. Mayor Hodges stated that CounciL had discussed this issue, and Council did not approve such an agreement. Lighting at the Geriatric Center on 11th Street Councilmember Robinson stated that he was concerned about the Lighting on 11th Street at the geriatric center. He felt the safety of the elderly residents that are in residence at the center should outweigh the cost of a few trees. Mayor Hodges asked the City Manager to Look into the lighting problem. HGAC Meeting Councilmember Barrett stated he attended the monthly HGAC meeting and the HGAC approved a $31 million dollar budget and HuntsviLLe would receive some benefits. ADJOURNMENT