MIN CC 01/12/1988CITY COUNCIL MINUTES OF JANUARY 12, 1988 ;`s BOOK "P"
MINUTES OF THE HUNTSVILLE CITY COUNCIL MEETING OF HELD ON THE 12TH DAY OF JANUARY, 1988 IN THE CITY HALL
COUNCIL CHAMBERS, LOCATED AT 1212 AVENUE MjN THE CITY OF HUNTSVILLE, COUNTY OF WALKER, TEXAS AT 6:00 P.M.
The Council met in a regular meeting with the following members present:
Jane Monday, Mayor Members Absent: City Officers Present:
0. Eugene Barrett Gary Bell Gene Pipes, City Manager
Jim Carter William L. Hammock Scott Bounds, City Attorney
Ita G. Gaines Ruth DeShaw, City Secretary
William B. Green
Percy Howard, Jr.
William H. Knotts, Jr.
EXECUTIVE SESSION
Mayor Monday convened the meeting and then recessed it into Executive Session to consider pending
litigation: Acker v. City, et. al.,; Schaper v. City; and consider acquisition of real estate for future
use by the City library. No action was taken in the executive session and it recessed at 6:55 P.M. to
reconvene the formal session. The executive session to reconvene at the conclusion of the formal session.
FORMAL SESSION
The formal City Council Meeting was reconvened by the Honorable Jane Monday, Mayor. The
invocation was presented by the Reverend Ron Sumter of the First Christian Church.
CONSIDER THE MINUTES OF THE PREVIOUS MEETING
Councilmember Barrett made the motion to approve of the minutes of December 15 1987 as presented
and Councilmember Howard seconded the motion. All were in favor and the motion Passed unanimously.
ATTENDING CITIZEN
Mr. Chris Cushman to offer input on the issue of tax abatement
Mr. Cushman said he is here to address the issue of a tax abatement program that the City Council
will be debating in the near future. He made the following comments: the small business community needs
the Council's help; Walker County's deposits are down by some five million dollars; thirty of the eighty
businesses that opened in 1987 are now no longer in existence; there is a surplus of over 500,000 feet of
Lease space available in the City and an incentive program is needed to fill these spaces; the City Council
has the opportunity at this time, through a tax abatement program, to help stabilize and expand small
businesses as well as attract large industries who are looking at Huntsville as a possible location; and,
currently, landlords who own these shopping centers in Huntsville are passing down to the tenants the burden
to pay these taxes. Mr. Cushman suggested the following: (1) that alt small businesses willing to
relocate or expand in their Present operation be eligible for this Proaram• and (2) that the tenants be
given an abatement for the first two Years and then Day one -third of these taxes for the third year:
two - thirds for the fourth Year: and the full tax on the fifth year. If the City Council passes this
abatement program, it should become effective January 1, 1988, he said. Mr. Cushman said now is the time
for the City Council to help stabilize its own economy from within by passing this tax abatement program.
With the Council's help, Huntsville can only grow and prosper, he said.
CONSIDER ELECTION CHANGE
Consider a change of election officers for Precinct 105 for the January 16 1988 City Officers' Election
Councilmember Howard made the motion to approve of the change of election officers in Precinct 105
from Randy Ellisor as the Presiding Judge to Elnora Hudley as Presiding Judge and from Elnora Hudlev as
Alternate Judge to Ethel Wilson as Alternate Judge due to a conflict in Mr. Etlisor's schedule
Councilmember Barrett seconded the motion. All were in favor and the motion Passed unanimously.
CITY COUNCIL MINUTES OF JANUARY 12, 1988 BOOK "P" 2
CONSIDER USED CAR
Consider rejection of bid no. 88 -5 for a used car for undercover work in the Police Department as
recommended by staff.
Gene Pipes, City Manager, advised bids were opened for the purchase of an undercover car from
Goodman Dodge, $6,200; and Charlie's Used Cars, $5,900; however, the Charlie's Used Cars' bid did not meet
specifications as the bids called for no more than 40,000 miles and Charlie's car had 51,000 mites. He
advised it is the staff's recommendation to reject the bids because they came in higher than anticipated.
He noted funds in the amount of $16,025 were budgeted for replacement vehicles. Councilmember Knotts made
the motion to reject these bids, as recommended. and Councilmember Gaines seconded the motion All were in
favor and the motion Passed unanimously.
CONSIDER BIDS
Consider bid no. 88 -4 for a landfill compactor to Mustana Tractor in the amount of $135.272, with trade-in,
to be paid by issuance of a certificate of obligation as authorized by Ordinance No 87 -41
Gene Pipes, City Manager, presented the four bids received and recommended accepting the low bid
meeting specifications submitted by Mustang Tractor in the amount of $135,272 with trade -in (base bid:
$150,272, less trade in value of $15,000 for a total bid price of $135,272). He noted funds in the amount
of $180,000 were allocated through a certificate of obligation to be charged to account 24 -24 -6902.
Councilmember Gaines made the motion to approve of the bid of Mustang Tractor, as outlined above and
Councilmember Howard seconded the motion. All were in favor and the motion Passed unanimously.
CONSIDER ORDINANCES
Consider ordinance no. 88 -1 authorizina the issuance of a certificate of obligation in the amount of
$135.272 to Purchase equipment for the Sanitation Division as Planned in the FY 87 -88 budget
Gene Pipes, City Manager, then presented this ordinance, the caption of which is as foltows:
ORDINANCE NO. 88 -1
AN ORDINANCE AUTHORIZING ISSUANCE OF A CITY OF HUNTSVILLE, TEXAS, EQUIPMENT ACQUISITION
CERTIFICATE OF OBLIGATION IN THE AMOUNT OF $135,272; AND CONTAINING OTHER PROVISIONS
RELATED TO THE SUBJECT (Four Year C.O. -- Landfill Compactor)
Councilmember Gaines made the motion to approve of Ordinance No 88 -1 and Councilmember Howard seconded the
motion. All were in favor and the motion passed unanimously.
CONSIDER RESOLUTION
Consider Resolution No. 88 -1 authorizing the execution of a contract with Southeast Texas Crime Information
Center, as Previously discussed
Mr. Gene Pipes, City Manager, then presented this resolution, the caption of which is as follows:
RESOLUTION NO. 88 -1
A RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING EXECUTION OF SETCIC CONTRACT BETWEEN THE CITY OF
HUNTSVILLE AND HARRIS COUNTY
Mr. Gene Pipes, City Manager, informed the Council that the Harris County Sheriff and the
Constables, in conjunction with the Justice Information Management System ( "JIMS "), and the Harris County
Data Services Department, as a computer resource utility, maintain records of outstanding criminal warrants
issued for the arrest of defendants charged with or convicted of felony and /or misdemeanor offenses in
Harris County. He said Harris County desired to have more of its outstanding warrants executed by making
such warrant information available to other law enforcement agencies and has implemented a computer system
known as the SouthEast Texas Crime Information Center (11SETCIC11) to accomplish this. He advised the
Huntsville Police Department is requesting participation in and access to SETCIC for the purpose of storing
CITY COUNCIL MINUTES OF JANUARY 12, 1988 BOOK "P° 3
and retrieving information regarding outstanding warrants of arrest held by the City and other participants.
He said each participating agency will improve law enforcement within its jurisdiction by arresting persons
within its jurisdiction which have outstanding warrants of arrest as contained in the said computer system.
He advised participation will cost $3,000 annually for access charge, in addition, full - service
participants will be assessed a monthly fee by invoice amounting to the prevailing per- warrant fee
multiplied by the number of warrants served or "Located" by an agency other than the agency originating the
warrant plus the prevailing per- warrant - entered fee. Attachment B of the contract specifies a service fee
of $ .20 per warrant entered during the monthly period and a monthly service fee of $3.00 per warrant
Located. Note, a located warrant is a warrant entered by Agency A but Agency B apprehends defendant,
verifies warrant and enters a locate. The annual fees are returned to the Harris County General Fund and the
monthly fees are placed in a special purpose account of the JIMS Department budget for exclusive use of
hardware upgrades. There is no annual fee for inquiry only. Mr. Pipes noted this contract will be reviewed
annually by the Police Chief for renewal advisability. After some questions for clarification,
Councitmember Green made the motion to approve participation in the SETCIC system and Councitmember Barrett
seconded the motion. All were in favor and the motion passed unanimously.
CONSIDER ORDINANCE
Consider Ordinance No. 88 -2 designating a portion of Sam Houston Avenue as a one hour parkins zone
Mr. Gene Pipes, City Manager, presented this ordinance, the caption of which is listed below:
ORDINANCE N0, 88 -2
AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF HUNTSVILLE, TEXAS, DESIGNATING
PORTIONS OF SAM HOUSTON AVENUE AS A 60 MINUTE PARKING ZONE; PROVIDING A PENALTY
OF UP TO $200 A DAY FOR CERTAIN VIOLATIONS; MAKING OTHER RELATED FINDINGS AND
PROVISIONS RELATED THERETO
Mr. Pipes advised this action is a follow -up to a request by area merchants to insure customer parking on
the east side of Sam Houston Avenue between 12th and 13th Street throughout the business day and he
recommended its permanent installation, noting the trial period has now passed without complaint or problem.
Councitmember Gaines made the motion to adopt Ordinance No 88 -2 and Councitmember Carter seconded the
motion. All were in favor and the motion passed unanimously.
CONSIDER CHANGE ORDER
Consider change order no. 1 to the contract with Grisham Construction Company for repairs to the Service
Center Warehouse Building, by reduction in the scope of the work to an amount totaling S84 134 as agreed to
by the insurance carrier.
Mr. Gene Pipes, City Manager, presented a change order totaling $9,066 for a reduction in the
contract price to $84,134. This change order deletes items 2.5 and 2.20 concerning replacement of roof
mounted lighting, fixtures, fans and electrical wiring in Rooms 116, 117, 118 and 203 and the replacement
of west end wall columns and framing, and in place of these replacements. The change order called for
specific and more defined items to be replaced or removed and further revises items 2.23 and 2.26 concerning
areas to inspect, thereby lowering the costs somewhat. Mr. Pipes advised the insurance company and Mr.
Grisham have agreed to the change order and new figure. Councilmember Knotts felt since this change order
reduces the scope of the work, and the contractor's notice to proceed has not vet been issued, that out of
courtesy, the city should have allowed the original bidders the opportunity to renegotiate their bid. He
was said this sort of thing may discourage future bidders. Councilmember Barrett made the motion to approve
of Change Order No. 1 and Councitmember Howard seconded the motion All were in favor and the nation passed
unanimously.
CITY COUNCIL MINUTES OF JANUARY 12, 1988 BOOK "P° 4
CITY MANAGER'S REPORT- -GENE PIPES
Consider the 1972 State Department of Highways and Public Transportation Department's request and recent
renewed request to the City for the City to regulate signs on the state highway system within its
jurisdiction
Mr. Gene Pipes, City Manager, advised the SDHPT is requesting the City's consideration in assuming
control and enforcement of all signs on interstate and Federal Aid Primary Highways within its jurisdiction.
He noted a similar request was made in 1972, but the city requested that the State issue all permits
relating to control of these signs. However, since that time, the City has passed a sign ordinance which
appears to be as restrictive as the State's regulations and they are again requesting that the City begin
issuing sign permits on these roadways. According to a Letter from Mr. Alfred L. Williams, Right -of -Way
Supervisor of the SDHPT, this assumption of control would eliminate sign applicants from having to obtain
approval from both the City and State and would eliminate any possible conflict that may arise in the
future. After some discussion by the Council, it was the consensus that the City not assume these
responsibilities and that they remain with the SDHPT.
Consider a request by the Huntsville Youth Baseball Association to fund and construct permanent press boxes
on the four fields at Ross Park
The City Manager, Gene Pipes, advised the type of metal, open ended press boxes proposed to be
funded and built by volunteers does meet the City's approval and will enhance the appearance of the baseball
complex. He said the staff will supervise the construction of the press boxes to insure they are built to
the proposed design. He then recommended the Council approve this request. Councilmember Green made the
motion to approve of this request, as outlined above, and Councilmember Knotts seconded the motion All
were in favor and the motion passed unanimously.
G.S.U. Pendino Rate Increase -- P.U.C. Public Hearin
Mr. Pipes, City Manager, reported on the public hearing held in Austin by the Public Utility
Commission on the pending rate increase for GSU. He said there are inequities existing between the Texas
utility rate payers in the GSU service region and the utility rate payers in the Louisiana portion of the
GSU service region. He said the Louisiana P.S.C. has seen fit to exclude a great deal more of the value of
the River Bend project from the Prudency Examination of that project and has proposed to implement a very
Limited one year rate increase in contrast to the multi -year (four year) estimated rate increase of the
Texas P.U.C. He said Mr. Draper, Chairman of the Board of GSU has indicated publicly that the company is
considering reorganization and a number of other methods that will perhaps rectify the problem of the
inequities between Louisiana and Texas, but in the final analysis, there has not been a solution identified.
However, he said, the focus has now gotten to the proper point in that the Louisiana -Texas rate payers are
going to have to get to a more equal footing or there will be continued conflict.
Consider acquisition of additional property on 13th Street for future use by the City Public Library
Mr. Gene Pipes, City Manager, noted as a follow -up from the Executive Session held prior to the
formal session this evening, he is requesting the Council's consideration to authorize the City Manager and
the City Attorney to make an offer to the ownership (J. A. Johnson estate) of that property in the amount of
$39,000, which is the established appraised value of the property. He said and to further authorize, if
this offer is accepted, a certificate of obligation for a five year period, to pay for this property with
the annual amounts ranging from $10,530 the first year to $8,346 on the fifth year, for a total of $46,644
with interest. Councilmember Green made the motion to approve of the authorization to make this offer for
this land and to approve a subsequent certificate of obligation to Day for the land as outlined above and
Councilmember Knotts seconded the motion. All were in favor and the motion passed unanimously.
CITY COUNCIL MINUTES OF JANUARY 12, 1988 BOOK 66P14 5
MAYOR'S ACTIVITY REPORT- -JANE MONDAY
Possible Targets for Developing Downtown Huntsville to a Greater Potential
Mayor Monday presented a draft letter suggested by a group of people interested in targeting and
developing downtown Huntsville to a greater potential. She said she hopes to send this letter out in the
near future. She invited the Council to participate and advise others who might be interested. She said
the focus is to develop the potential downtown and income and resources that can be tapped to bring money
into downtown to facilitate that development. She then presented the following list of possible projects
for development of downtown Huntsville:
Restoration of Henry Opera House (purchase -a -seat plan for fund raising)
Prison Museum -- temporary housing downtown
Clustering of buildings
Tour Brokers
Trading Post -- recreate Pleasant Gray's trading post originally located downtown and restoration of
of the spring.
Local Color -- retirees -- Stewart Cox (local artists to talk with people and display their art)
Artist Studios
Bed & Breakfast Apartments -- Uptown
Public Lecture Series
Inventory of Historic Structures
National Registry
Change opinion of downtown -- parking; signage
Establish Downtown Association -- umbrella group; free consultation
Farmers' Market -- community garden plot
Art -- landscaping- -city walks
Mark Historic Structures -- historic association
She noted these are all areas for this committee to brainstorm at this point in time. Any input from the
Council would be appreciated. She noted she would keep them advised of any developments.
Visit with the Trinity River Authority concerning Bedias Reservoir Project
Mayor Monday advised that Mr. Grady Manis, Regional Manager of the Southern Region of TRA in
Huntsville and Mr. Sam Scott, Chief Funding Officer of TRA, came to visit this morning with the City Manager
and herself. She then presented a map for the Council's review. The City Manager, Gene Pipes, discussed
the project known as the 8edias Reservoir. He said the project is a site selected along the Madison County
and Walker County lines that would back -water into the Grimes County area as the three counties come
together up in the northwest corner. He said the map shows three different routes that water could be
flowed to potential users. He noted the ever increasing demand for water, especially in the Houston area
and areas west of Houston. He said the elevation of this lake, as it is configured at this point by a
feasibility study of the Bureau of Reclamation, is 210. He said this would be a ten mile dam with reference
to the geographic location and distance and the ten mile dam would be just to the west of old U. S. 75 and
the Bedias Bottom. He said there is a rather rapid rise coming into Walker County from the Bedias Bottom
and that is why there would be some backwater into the Walker an Grimes County area, but most of the lake
would be in the Madison County area and then backing up into the western extremities of Madisonville itself.
He said the City of Huntsville was contacted today, first of all to get this report, and second to
see if it is appropriate to nave on to a secondary step which would be an environmental impact study. He
said so far the feasibility portions of this project have been paid for by the Bureau of Reclamation and
there are funds available to do the environmental impact study that would be the next phase of this
particular project. He said we are at a point that if the environmental impact study is done today, and
then it is some 20 -30 years before the project is built, then we would simply have to do the environmental
impact study over again. He said he needs to obtain a consensus from the Council on whether or not the City
of Huntsville is interested in participating in the Bedias Reservoir Project as far as being a future water
customer, so that he can so advise TRA.
CITY COUNCIL MINUTES OF JANUARY 12, 1988 BOOK "P" 6
Mayor Monday noted the water has a potential of going into three different watersheds:
Huntsville's for the city's use and the whole north area of the county; San Jacinto Watershed or the Brazos
Watershed; and potentially that water can go into three watersheds, depending on how it is released, from
where and in what quantity. She said it occurs to her that this is a time for truly long range planning.
She said Grimes, Walker and and Madison County all have a lot of potential value to be developed out of this
reservoir and the utilization of it. She said it is not too far fetched to also look at Brazos County as a
part of that mix. She said the Council may wish to state that it would be interested in the study occurring
to see what the environmental impact is and what the utilization could truly be of the reservoir. She said
if it looks like it could be practical and environmental and would not have any particular problems that
would eliminate its development, then she would suggest that the Council may wish to look at real regional
planning and perhaps set up a regional board, with representation from Madison, Grimes, Walker, and even
possibly Brazos Counties for the utilization of that water and how we could all benefit and what its impact
would be and do some truly regional planning out there. She said this is a great step that would entail
planning and long range benefit for all of us because where and how that is going to be utilized could be
critical, because it is possible that every bit of that water could be spoken for and taken down into the
Houston area and utilized there. She said the Council has a real step to make here and a commitment if it
is particularly interested in it. She said we will have to speak up and express an interest.
Mr. Pipes said some of TRA's questions are:
Do you have a specific water supply plan at this time?
He said our answer is yes - -we have a 10 million gallon, 20 -30 year commitment out of Lake
Livingston; but that doesn't mean our plan can't be altered to have another source, when in fact, growth an
future considerations- -while 10 million gallons seems like a lot today since we are using 4 million or less
on a daily basis - -we are three years behind an already planned expansion of that plant, and we have been
paying for 6 million gallons of raw water out of Lake Livingston now since 1984. He said there are future
considerations -- another 10 -20 million gallons, insuring the long term future of the City of Huntsville.
But, he said, we may wish, as a practical /financial matter, to take our water out of Lake Livingston, which
would be supplemented by the impoundment here in the first place. On the other hand, he said, we would not
want to stand by idly and have the entire yield of this reservoir bought up by entities such as the City of
Houston and create a situation where when it is right here in our back yard yet we don't have an opportunity
to use it.
Are You planning to work with other entities in getting surface water and if so which ones?
He said obviously the City has been working with TRA since 1976.
Would you be interested in considering Bedias Reservoir as a potential source of water?
Obviously today we have more water than we can use, he said, but it would be extremely short sited
to close the door and say we are not interested in Bedias, especially on a preliminary engineering report
that simply establishes that the lake will have a positive yield, will generate high quality water, and will
be at a certain elevation and will work financially; but at the same time, in terms of answering questions
further, the next question is immediately bated as to "What is the environmental impact ?" He said the
financial feasibility, apparently, is there, as that is the question the Bureau of Reclamation has been
dealing with for a couple of years.
Mr. Pipes said the final question is: "Is there still interest on the part of the City of
Huntsville that this process stay viable ?" He said TRA is asking, from an informational standpoint, whether
this area wants them to go on with this project. They are saying that if an environmental impact study is
done now and if it takes 10 years before the project can be done, another environmental impact study will
have to be done. He noted federal funds are available to pay for this, but the practical question is, does
TRA go on with this phase or not. It was noted TRA will need contracts to pay for the water before they
CITY COUNCIL MINUTES OF JANUARY 12, 1988 BOOK "P" 7
will develop the reservoir. Mr. Pipes said there will be no more federal reservoirs built just for the sake
of building reservoirs. He said if it is not a contractually viable project, it will never be built. He
said not alt of the water has to be contracted, but enough to pay for about $10 million a year in capital
cost recovery necessary to make the project a paying project. Mr. Pipes said the Nelson Creek Reservoir
will be built in conjunction with the power plant if the power plant is to be built and it will be used as a
cooling pond.
Mayor Monday noted there are no dollar costs to the city at this time for the Bedias Project.
Councilmember Green noted he cannot envision the need for this additional water for the City any time in the
near future, unless the quality is so much better or we needed a back -up supply in the next five years,
conservatively, ten years realistically. He asked what other entity in this watershed has water problems to
the extent that they would contract for all of it. Mr. Pipes said Bryan - College Station, Navasota, Grimes
County, and Madisonville are all in need of this water supply alternative and Bryan-Cotlege Station may be
in a position now to contract for this water. He noted there are some treatment problems with Brazos River
water because of its salinity.
Councilmember Knotts felt the City of Huntsville definitely ought to indicate its interest to the
TRA in this matter, especially if the Nelson Reservoir Project has been abandoned. Councilmember Green was
not ready to indicate the City would contract for the water, although he was not opposed to the
environmental impact study being conducted. Mayor Monday said all TRA is looking for now is interest.
Councilmember Carter said he agrees with Counciimember Green as he cannot see any particular water problem
with this part of Texas that can't be handled without building larger and new reservoirs. He said he would
Like to see the information and data on the needs that Navasota, Houston, etc. places have and why this
particular reservoir fits the needs they might express. He wanted to know how long the City of Huntsville
has to respond to TRA, hoping we have some length of time so that we can do an adequate investigation of the
data that says this reservoir is needed for any purpose. Mr. Pipes said TRA is not saying that this project
is needed- -that is why they are asking for interest to indicate whether they should even go on. He said all
TRA is saying at this point is that the project is feasible as a water producing impoundment that
financially can sustain itself. He said there is a positive yield out of this lake sufficient to make it
economically feasible, and that is all that has been determined at the present time.
Councilmember Carter noted to be economically feasible, there has to be some market for the water.
Mr. Pipes said that would be the third phase. The second phase, he said, would be an environmental impact
study to supplement the financial analysis of the lakes' yield and its productivity potential, etc. He
noted the third phase would be how much can you contract for to offset the bonds necessary to build the
project, acquire the property, etc. Councilmember Carter noted then all TRA is saying is that they have
spent the money to find out that they can build the lake - -but they don't have any of the other answers
yet - -they don't know if there is a market or if there is a reason to build it. He said he didn't understand
the expenditure of money in this way if there is no expressed need or reason to pursue the Bedias Reservoir.
Councilmember Knotts stated it would be 25 years before the water would be realized, even if we signed a
contract today.
Gene Pipes said the problem with Nelson Creek was that in its original configuration and location
the bowl of the lake simply would not hold water - -too many faults and the bottom of the lake leaked. This
is why it was moved back west of FM 247 to its current location. He said where the City's surface water
treatment plant sits now would have been on the south shore of Nelson Creek Reservoir, but after this
initial feasibility study was done, the site was moved west of there.
Mayor Monday said the matter at hand still is: "Can TRA build the lake ?" The answer is "yes, they
can build the lake." She said stage II is, and the only question they have is, shall we pursue the
environmental study. After that is done, they will look at the marketability and whether it ought to be
done, contracts, etc. Mr. Pipes said TRA wants the Council to understand that the environmental impact
study has no validity, but in a relative time frame to the time of the study- -five, six, seven years
CITY COUNCIL MINUTES OF JANUARY 12, 1988 BOOK "P" 8
maximum. He said the money spent on it, whether federal or not, is spent. The consensus of the Council
seemed to have been that it would merely indicate an interest in the Bedias Reservoir Project at this point
in time.
New Department of Commerce in Austin
Mayor Monday noted last Monday, several individuals from Huntsville went to meet with officials at
the new Department of Commerce in Austin to establish one on one contact with them to let them know that
Huntsville and Walker County are interested in economic development; to investigate the programs they have;
to see if there are any applicable to the City of Huntsville; how they are to be organized; how the money is
going to disseminated; to look for dollars to see if there is any way we can access those dollars and how
they are going to apportioned. She said they learned a great deal of information which she feels will be
applicable within Huntsville; namely, how the Tourism Department is going to be set up; how those dollars
are going to be disseminated; how the advertising will be handled out of the Department of Tourism. She
said they talked to them about the funds that will be available to small business, both for present business
and their expansion and what funds would be available for the start up of new businesses, etc. She said a
very warm reception was received and they were able to talk with the new directors one to one. r Monday
noted the Huntsville group also took some of the programs Sam Houston State University has and offered them
as possible resources and programs that might be designed to go along with the Department of Commerce. She
felt this was a good first step for this community with the Department of Commerce. She said the Council
will be advised of any developments off of this first meeting.
COUNCIL ACTION
Smoking Ordinance Signs in Place
Councilmember Barrett said he has noticed the new smoking ordinance signs are in place in various
businesses in the area now and it appears the ordinance is being used and that people are readily accepting
it.
Library Hours /Expansion
Councilmember Carter noted he is concerned about the reduction in the library service hours due to
reduced manpower; while noting we are providing additional land for future parking for the library. Mayor
Monday noted the only funds the Library lost were the Revenue Sharing funds, which everyone lost, across the
board. She said the City has not reduced its funds for books and periodicals. She said the City has funded
$5,000 each year for replacement books for the Library, and has sustained that funding. She said there are
also funds provided for periodicals, newspapers, etc. in the amount of $11,000 annually. The usual funding
Level has not been changed- -only revenue sharing - -which was lost by everyone who had been receiving it. She
said we are down on personnel and on service hours, but not on the funding for books and periodicals.
Gulf States Utilities
Councilmember Carter expressed his concern for the impact on the daily lives of the GSU rate payers
in our community, even if the rates are equalized with those of the rate payers in the Louisiana service
region. He said he hopes the battle is not over yet and that the rate payers' interests are being
represented in Austin.
Gene Pipes, City Manager, said the City cannot continue to hold the line and have one of our major
budgetary items go up by even 10-14 percent. He said we plan to spend this year $740,000 for power costs
from all funds and 10% added to that is more than we can generate with the maximum tax increase that would
be allowed under the Peveto Bill. He said that is incomprehensible to the individual, but it is not
difficult to understand that although our light bills have moderated over the last several years because of
ri
i]
CITY COUNCIL MINUTES OF JANUARY 12, 1988 BOOK "P" 9
roll backs an decreases, the increases that would be scheduled and planned and committed to over the next
four year period would put us right back on the top of the scale with the highest power costs in the Texas
service area.
Election is Set for January 16
Mayor Monday reminded everyone of the election for the at -large councilmembers which is set for
Saturday. She encouraged everyone to get out to vote.
ADJOURNMENT
EXECUTIVE SESSION CONTINUED
At 8:25 P.M., the Mayor and Council adjourned the formal session and reassembled in executive
session to continue the executive session discussions which were originally begun at 6:00 P.M. No action
resulted from this executive session. The Mayor and Council completed the executive session discussions at
9:00 P.M. A certified agenda was filed with the City Secretary at the conclusion of this session.
Respectfully submitted,
Ruth DeShaw, City Secretary
January 12, 1988