MIN CC 01/19/1988MINUTES OF THE JANUARY 19, 1988 CITY COUNCIL MEETING BOOK "P"
10
MINUTES OF THE HUNTSVILLE CITY COUNCIL MEETING HELD ON THE 19TH DAY OF JANUARY, 1988 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, Mayor William B. Green City Officers Present:
0. Eugene Barrett William L. Hammock Gene Pipes, City Manager
Gary Bell Percy Howard, Jr. Scott Bounds, City Attorney
Jim Carter William H. Knotts, Jr. Ruth DeShaw, City Secretary
Ila G. Gaines
FORMAL SESSION
Mayor Monday then called the formal session open. The invocation was presented by Pastor Mark
Young of the Wesley Methodist Church.
CONSIDER THE MINUTES OF THE PREVIOUS MEETING
Mayor Monday noted the minutes of the meeting of January 12, 1988 will be presented for approval
on January 19, 1988.
CONSIDER ELECTION RESULTS
Receive and canvass the results of the at -large City Officers' Election held on January 16, 1988.
The Council then opened the Mayor's envelope containing the official election returns from the ten
voting precincts in the City (nine polling places plus the absentee box). The following Resolution
accepting the results was then adopted by the City Council.
RESOLUTION NO. 88 -2
A RESOLUTION CANVASSING THE RETURNS OF THE REGULAR MUNICIPAL ELECTION HELD WITHIN
THE CITY OF HUNTSVILLE ON THE 16TH DAY OF JANUARY, 1988, FOR THE PURPOSE OF ELECTING FOUR
COUNCILMEMBERS, ONE FROM EACH OF THE CITY'S FOUR AT -LARGE POSITIONS; DECLARING THE RESULTS
OF SAID ELECTION; FINDING THAT NOTICE OF SAID ELECTION WAS DULY AND PROPERLY GIVEN AND
THAT SAID ELECTION WAS PROPERLY HELD AND RETURNS THEREOF MADE BY THE PROPER OFFICIALS IN
ACCORDANCE WITH THE LAWS OF THE STATE.
Councilmember Knotts made the motion to approve of Resolution No. 88 -2 and Councilmember Howard
seconded the motion. The motion passed unanimously. The results of the canvass are presented below:
THE JANUARY 16, 1988 CITY OFFICERS ELECTION
�J
VOTES CAST
BY CITY
PRECINCTS
RESULTS
CANDIDATES
ABSENTEE
101
102
105
201
202
206
301
306
401
TOTAL
%
POSITION 1
GENE BARRETT
21
10
42
15
26
21
27
17
7
9
195
94%
WRITE -IN
1
1
2
0
0
4
2
3
0
0
13
6%
POSITION 2
ILA G. GAINES
20
13
43
15
25
21
27
17
7
9
197
96%
WRITE -IN
0
0
1
0
2
1
2
2
0
0
8
4%
POSITION 3
JIM CARTER
20
13
32
12
26
24
29
18
6
8
188
97%
WRITE-IN
0
0
5
0
0
1
0
0
0
0
6
3%
POSITION 4
WILLIAM GREEN
20
9
41
12
25
21
27
20
6
7
188
95%
WRITE-IN
0
2
1
0
1
3
2
1
0
0
10
5%
�J
MINUTES OF THE JANUARY 19, 1988 CITY COUNCIL MEETING BOOK NPN 11
NUMBER VOTERS VOTING BY PRECINCT: X OF TOTAL: NO REGISTERED
PCT. 101 . . . . . . . .
14 , X OF TOTAL
6%.
Registered:
678
PCT. 102 . . . . . . . .
45 , X OF TOTAL
21X.
Registered:
1274
PCT. 105 . . . . . . . .
15 , X OF TOTAL
7%.
Registered:
813
PCT. 201 . . . . . . . .
28 , % OF TOTAL
13%.
Registered:
1014
PCT. 202 . . . . . . . .
26 , X OF TOTAL
12%.
Registered:
851
PCT. 206 . . . . . . . .
31 , X OF TOTAL
14%.
Registered:
531
PCT. 301 . . . . . . . .
21 , X OF TOTAL
9%.
Registered:
1384
PCT. 306 . . . . . . . .
7 , % OF TOTAL
3%.
Registered:
247
PCT. 401 . . . . . . . .
10 , % OF TOTAL
5%.
Registered:
1434
ABSENTEE . . . . . . . .
22 , X OF TOTAL
10%.
TOTAL NUMBER OF VOTERS VOTING IN THIS ELECTION: 219.
TOTAL REGISTERED VOTERS IN CITY: 8.226, X WHO VOTED 3%.
History of at -Large Elections
Number voting in 1986: 2060++
Number voting in 1984: 1594*
Number voting in 1982: 1685 **
Number voting in 1980: 189* **
Number voting in 1978: 755+
Number voting in 1975: 634*
*Position 1 opposition
* *Positions 1, 3,8 4 opposition
** *Incumbents unopposed
+Position 4 opposition
—Position 1 & 2 opposition
Administration of the oath of office to the duly elected at-large officials
City Secretary, Ruth DeShaw, then administered the oaths of office to Councilmembers -at- large: 0.
Eugene Barrett, Ila G. Gaines, Jim Carter and William B. Green, for another two year term.
CONSIDER BIDS
Consider bid no. 88 -6 for electrical starter for reDlacement on water well no 18 (as previously
discussed) to A.C.C. Electrical Supplies in the amount of $5,122.50 to be paid from budgeted funds
Mr. Gene Pipes, City Manager, advised that bids were opened for the purchase of an electrical
starter for water well no. 18, which malfunctioned on the weekend of December 12, 1987. He then
recommended the lowest bid meeting specifications submitted by A.C.C. Electrical Supplies in the amount of
$5,122.50. He advised funds are budgeted in account 22 -61 -5409, in the amount of $60,300. Councilmember
Barrett made the motion to accept this bid as outlined above and Councilmember Knotts seconded the motion
All were in favor and the motion passed unanimously.
Consider bid no. 88-7 for water supplies to Municipal Pipe and Fabricating Company in the amount of $6,515
for capital construction to be paid from capital improvements funds
Mr. Gene Pipes, City Manager, advised the Council that bids were opened on January 13, 1988 for
the purchase of water supplies for the installation of a water line on 17th Street (project No. 87 -5 -1) by
the capital utilities construction division. He then recommended acceptance of the lowest bid meeting
specifications submitted by Municipal Pipe and Fabricating Company in the mount of $6,515.00 to be funded
from the capital improvements project funds. Councilmember Gaines made the motion to accept this bid as
Presented above and Councilmember Knotts seconT the motion All were in favor and the motion Dassed
unanimously.
CITY MANAGER'S REPORT - -GENE PIPES
Consider response to the Trinity River Authority on the proposed Bedias project
Mayor Monday advised she visited with Mr. Grady Manis of the Trinity River Authority this week.
Mr. Manis said the TRA has done further investigation this past week on the proposed Bedias Reservoir
Project and they are now recommending that this project is not in their best interest to pursue at this
time, noting this particular project is probably much farther down the line; therefore, it is TRA's
recommendation that Phase II of this project not be done at this time. She said TRA is encouraging us,
however, to look toward regional planning over an appropriate time frame.
MINUTES OF THE JANUARY 19, 1988 CITY COUNCIL MEETING BOOK "P" 12
City Council Calendar
Mr. Pipes, City Manager, noted there have been requests for several work sessions after the first
of the year, the audit report is to be reported, and there are some mid -year budget considerations pending
while the Council is in a holding pattern on the Acker Vs. City lawsuit, which may come to trial in early
February. He noted it will be extremely difficult for the Council to meet the first two weeks in February
with the trial pending. He said the audit report will be made on January 26, 1988 along with some other
rudimentary business of the City. The next meeting will perhaps be the middle of February before all of
the budget information can be ready; however, if the court case is postponed, we can get back on a regular
Tuesday night schedule for our meetings.
Benefit Basketball Game
Mr. Pipes advised those present of the benefit basketball game between the Harlem Magicians and
the Huntsville Stammers, at the Bernard G. Johnson Coliseum on February 2, at 8:00 P.M, sponsoed by the
Sam Houston Rotary Club. Proceeds will be used to maintain the Sam Houston Museum and Park. (The local
basketball players include Councilmembers Jim Carter and Gary Bell and City Manager, Gene Pipes.)
Consider Emergency Medical Service board recommendations concerning restructuring of the board's
membership.
Mr. Pipes advised these recommendations will be delayed until the next time the EMS Board meets,
noting a conflict in his schedule prevented him from meeting with the board in their last meeting.
Review of Public Utility Commission Meeting in Austin
Mr. Pipes advised that the negotiations between the GSU intervening parties and Gulf States broke
down and there is still no resolution. He said only two options had been available: (1) that the
Commission would rule on the rate increase, or (2) that there would be some sort of continuation or
extension, etc. He said the PUC could not rule and the GSU could not compromise. He said the only offer
that was made by the company was to extend the period for 90 days and open the files on the River Bend
Project to some 3,000 summary documents concerning the River Bend plant and various cost overruns and
change orders related to it. He said there was a great deal of discussion about this offer and most of it
went to the direction that there was very little to be gained in going through the documents, 90 days
would not be sufficient time and the costs would keep escalating. He said the intervenors were largely
financed by individual cities and groups of cities. He said today was the last day the Commission has to
rule and GSU's position was if there was no rule today, GSU would implement the rates it requested. He
said that did not please the commission and the extension was the only way to get more time, however,
along with that extension of time go the additional cost factors. He said GSU raised the specter of
bankruptcy several times today. He reported if the rate increase is granted, it is expected in normal
terms, over the next four years, that the average monthly residential bill will go from $74.00 to $141.00
or a 53% increase. He said that type of impact can be expected in industrial and commercial rates, and
all other classes and categories. He said there will be a similar impact on the city's power costs,
noting today we are paying $740,000 per year and that amount will increase significantly over the next
four years. He said even half of that rate increase would automatically mandate an increase in water,
sewer and tax rates, and yet the maximum tax increase that we could pass under the Peveto Bill - -an 8
percent increase based on a 38 cent predicted tax rate for next October, would NOT generate sufficient
funds to pay the Gulf States Utilities increase alone. Councilmember Green suggested the City look at
computerized ways to significantly reduce its utility bills. Councilmember Carter noted the GSU
ratepayers will be paying the bill for GSU's legal fees in this rate case and he would prefer to pay for
the legal representation for the other side, the ratepayers.
MINUTES OF THE JANUARY 19, 1988 CITY COUNCIL MEETING BOOK "P" 13
MAYOR'S ACTIVITY REPORT- -JANE MONDAY
Consider reappointments to the Board of Adiustments and Appeals
Mayor Monday submitted the names of Bill Nowlin and Curtis Skains for reappointment to the Board
of Adjustments and Appeals for an additional two year term. Other members of the Board are: Allan
Pritchard, Luther Jones and Ron Howell. Councilmember Barrett made the motion to approve of these
reappointments and Councilmember Knotts seconded the motion All were in favor and the motion passed
unanimously.
Consider reappointments to the Parks Advisory Board
Mayor Monday then presented the names of Judge Horton and Nancy Tiller for reappointment to the
Parks Advisory Board for another three year term. Other members currently serving are: Gary Bonner,
Barry Tacker, Janet Fair, Dan Leasure, Ralph Pease and Laverne Warner. Councilmember Gaines made the
motion to approve of these two reappointments and Councilmember Hammock seconded the motion All were in
favor and the motion Passed unanimously.
Consider a reappointment to the Police Promotional Review Board
Mayor Monday asked the Council to consider approving the reappointment of Mr. Walter Bennett to
the Police Promotional Review Board. She advised the other members are: Dr. Gerald P. Etheredge and Ken
Sherrill. Councilmember Barrett made the motion to approve of this reappointment and Councilmember Knotts
seconded the motion. All were in favor and the motion Passed unanimously.
Open Space Action Committee
Mayor Monday asked the Council for their input on individuals to consider for appointment to this
committee. She said there is an exciting program before this group now, submitted by Councilmember
Carter, known as the Huntsville Champions. She noted she will be making appointments in the near future.
Mayor Monday then presented the proposed slate of members for the Tourist Council, as recommended
by the Chamber of Commerce, for the Council's consideration, as follows:
*Toni Bruner
*Steve Bullard
*Jim Carroll
*Donna Coffen
*Sally Craycraft
Indicates a reappointment
*Candy Dixon
*Don Kraemer
*Ruth Lynn Parker
*William Wood
*Gloria Wright
*Candy Dixon
Ray Corkran
Dr. Mary Frances Park
Diane King
Ken Johnson
Dan Leasure
Rhonda Ellisor
Rhonda Ellisor
Geraldine Dickerson
Sidney Grisham
Scott Cherryholmes
Don Craven
Steve Balke
Councilmember Gaines made the motion to approve all twenty one of these individuals for
appointment to the Tourist Council and Councilmember Howard seconded the motion All were in favor and
the motion Passed unanimously.
MINUTES OF THE JANUARY 19, 1988 CITY COUNCIL MEETING BOOK "P° 14
CITY COUNCIL ACTION
Board and Committee Position Openings-- Councilmember Bell again requested that when positions are open on
these various boards and committees of the City that an application form be presented in the Huntsville
Item for individuals to complete and mail in, even if the City has to pay for it to run. It was noted the
public was advised of the openings currently available by an article in City News Notes in Sunday's paper,
which indicated interested individuals could call Ruth DeShaw, City Secretary for more information or to
pick up an application form.
Election Date Concern- - CounciImember Bell expressed his concern for the low turn out for the January 16
City Councilmember election, and the fact that not many people were aware of the City Council Election
being held. He asked the Council to reconsider the date for the city's annual elections. Councilmember
Barrett noted there are other cities that have January elections and it is one of the statutory election
dates from which the City can choose; the other dates do not coincide with the city's fiscal year and its
budgeting and planning considerations; and the new Councilmembers would be at a major disadvantage if they
are not elected well in advance of the planning cycle and subsequent budget approval deadline. He
disagreed that the date had anything to do with the turnout, noting in 1980, there was an uncontested
election held in April in which only 189 voters voted. He said the turnout is more related to the fact
the election was uncontested rather than because of the date change. (Other statutory dates available to
the City of Huntsville are: first Saturday in May and the second Saturday in August). Councilmembers
Hammock, Carter and Green felt the turnout is related to the fact there was no opposition. Councilmember
Carter noted however, that if the election had been held at another time, there well may have been
opposition on the ballot because prospective candidates would not have been reoccupied with the upcoming
holiday period. He said it is extremely difficult to campaign over a holiday period -- noting it is just
the wrong time of year to be asking citizens to pay attention to these types of matters. He said there is
no question in his mind that we need to change the date back to a fall or spring date. Councilmember
Gaines noted there was a lot of information in the media about the election in addition to the legal
notices, so it was well publicized. After some discussion among the Council, a vote was taken on
whether to change the date, or to leave it on the third Saturday in January. Councilmembers Carter and
Bell voted to reconsider the date of the city's election, and all of the other Councilmembers voted to
leave the date on the third Saturday in January. The motion therefore passed by a vote of seven to two
City Manager, Gene Pipes, noted the Council may wish to pursue this matter with the State Legislature
because the Super Tuesday election date (March 8 with runoff on April 12) is the reason why the cities'
spring election date got changed in the first place.
Repaint Signs Posts- - Councilmember Carter asked the city to consider repainting all of the sign posts in
the city from yellow to green. Mr. Pipes noted when the signs are replaced or put up anew, they are put
up with green posts, but the city does not have a repainting program for existing sign posts at this time.
Street Lighting Needed-- Councilmember Howard advised the City the area on Highway 190 to the Loop is very
dark at night and street lights would be a big improvement in that area. He noted he realizes the expense
and potential ongoing expense with additional street lights, but made the request anyway for the City's
consideration. Mr. Pipes said no funds are budgeted for that this year, but that funds could be budgeted
for it next year, noting that is a very deserving area. Councilmember Knotts suggested removing street
lights where they may coincide with all night private business lighting areas, and use those lights and
the cost to operate them in other more needed areas or delete them.
ADJOURNMENT
Respectfully submitted,
Ruth DeShaw
City Secretary
January 19, 1988
r.'