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MIN CC 07/12/1988MINUTES OF THE COUNCIL MEETING OF JULY 12, 1988 BOOK "P" 116 NUTES OF THE HUNTSVILLE CITY COUNCIL MEETING HELD ON THE 12TH DAY OF JULY, 1988 IN THE CITY HALL COUNCIL AMBERS, 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: ane Monday, Mayor Member absent: City Officers Present: . Eugene Barrett ary Bell ames L. Carter la G. Gaines illiam B. Green ercy Howard, Jr. illiam H. Knotts, Jr. William L. Hammock FORMAL SESSION Gene Pipes, City Manager Scott Bounds, City Attorney Ruth DeShaw, City Secretary The meeting was called to order by the Honorable Jane Monday, Mayor. The invocation was presented Reverend Larry Petton of Believer's Fellowship Baptist Church. CONSIDER THE MINUTES OF THE PREVIOUS MEETING CONSIDER ELEMENTS OF THE COMPREHENSIVE PLAN Mayor Jane Monday noted as we celebrate our 153rd birthday today, we are presented with an exciting ortunity to receive a report on our first ten year plan which guided us from 1979 through 1989, and to r for the first time the proposed comprehensive strategy that will lead us from 1989 into the next tury. She noted this evening we will focus on the year 2000, define our goals, establish our strategy, dedicate the necessary resources over the next ten years which will guarantee the successful execution those goals. She thanked all involved for playing such an integral part in planning for Huntsville. Gene Pipes, City Manager, reviewed the existing comprehensive plan and listed the accomplishments hieved. Mr. Pipes advised most of the projects that were identified as priority items between 1982 and B5 in the comprehensive plan, have not only been adopted, but have gone beyond or exceeded what was laid t as a program of work. He said in conjunction with the voters, the City of Huntsville has passed two nd issues that enabled it to accomplish these capital improvement needs. He said this points out the asonableness, flexibility and usefulness of the comprehensive plan as a planning tool. He said we will be le to go forward from here based on this experience. Mrs. Linda Pease, Coordinator of the Huntsville Arts Commission and the Huntsville Enrichment ivities Program, presented and discussed her written report summarizing citizen input received concerning ommendations for revitalizing the Central Business District. Dr. Donald Coers, Vice Chairman of the Open ce Action Committee, presented the summary report of recommendations from his committee which addressed n and green space considerations. Mrs. Nancy Tiller, Chairman, Parks Advisory Board, discussed her mittee's report relative to recommendations for parks and recreation in the community. Finally, Mr. J. Schindler, Chairman, Planning Commission, advised the Council of the results of the Planning Commission's ommendations concerning basic city utility services in the city. All of the committee reports were sented in writing and are on file in the City Secretary's office for review. L MINUTES OF THE COUNCIL MEETING OF JULY 12, 1988 BOOK "P" 117a Consider adjustments in the benefits and costs of the employee health insurance self - funding program as administered by Employer Plan Services, Inc. Mr. Scott Bounds, City Attorney, advised the council of recommended proposed changes to the city's health plan, effective July 1, 1988, as follows: provide coverage for well baby care in the hospital after birth (it is normal for a newborn to have a pediatrician examine the baby for several days after birth and it is recommended these expenses become covered by the health plan); provide SOX coverage of intensive care (at the present time, intensive care is two times the average private room rate); provide that, with exception of those employees who carry dental or health coverage separately, all future participants must carry dental and health coverage together (that dental and health coverages be bundled in the future); and provide coverage beginning the first day of the month following employment (so that a date certain can be established by the plan administrator). Mr. Bounds also recommended the following adjustments to the premiums for city and employee costs, to be effective with the next pay period, advising the city's rate for dental coverage is higher than necessary and needs to be reduced and the rate for the health plan coverage must be increased (the health plan had been using money out of the dental fund to operate, and this change in rates will remedy that situation), as follows: City Cost Employee Cost Employee Coverage Dependent Coverage Proposed Current Proposed Current Health $69.57 $61.52 $149.80 $106.02 Dental 5 9.56 $17.61 $10.20 5 40.46 He then presented the ordinance that will adopt these changes, the caption of which is as follows: ORDINANCE NO. 88 -11 AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF HUNTSVILLE, TEXAS, AMENDING THE EMPLOYEE MEDICAL BENEFIT PLAN, STARTING EMPLOYEE PARTICIPATION THE FIRST DAY OF THE MONTH FOLLOWING EMPLOYMENT, ALTERING INTENSIVE CARE COVERAGE, COVERING NEWBORN HOSPITAL CARE, REQUIRING CERTAIN DEPENDENT COVERAGE TO INCLUDE BOTH MEDICAL AND DENTAL COVERAGE, AND MAKING OTHER PROVISIONS RELATED THERETO. After some comments and questions for discussion and clarification, Councilmember Howard made the motion to approve Ordinance No. 88 -11 and Councilmember Bell seconded the motion All were in favor and the motion Passed unanimously. Consider the bids on Avenue H drainage project to Grisham Construction in the amount of $18,750 as the only bidder on this proiect to be paid from capital improvement project funds Gene Pipes, City Manager, presented the only bidder on this drainage project of Grisham Construction Company in the amount of $18,750 and recommended it for approval. He said Robert Autery Construction Company completed the bid package, but failed to deliver it; SG &R Construction did not submit a bid. He said the engineer's estimate for this project is just slightly less than the amount bid. Councilmember Barrett made the motion to accept this bid and Councilmember Gaines seconded the motion All were in favor and the motion passed unanimously. MINUTES OF THE COUNCIL MEETING OF JULY 12, 1988 BOOK "P" 118 a Gene Pipes, City Manager, presented information from Mr. Glenn E. Isbell, Director of Engineering Design, advising the Texas Department of Highways and Public Transportation (TDHPT) is tentatively set for a bid opening on this project in September of 1988, so if the city is to relocate the existing water line out from under the proposed pavement, it needs to begin immediately with the design and construction; noting the project will entail constructing approximately 5,000 linear feet at an estimated cost of $100,000. Mr. Pipes said this project was not specifically budgeted in this year's CIP but was anticipated for some period of time. He said the TDHPT will be widening FM 1374 from Highway 75 South out to I -45 and then widening the overpass to four lanes to accommodate traffic and signalizing both feeder roads at the intersection of the I -45 overpass. Mr. Pipes said a great deal of this particular water line (old 6 inch line that goes to Spring Lake) lies very close to or underneath the pavement that already exists. He said widening to a four Lane would cover up a substantial portion of it and any future water main break would disrupt the service that would be put in place by the highway department. He said this main was planned to be a 12 inch water main in the comprehensive plan, but the city is recommending an 8 inch line because since the comprehensive plan was adopted in the early 19801s, the city has completed the analysis work on the water pressure system, and the 24 inch radial tie will be resolving the problem the 12 inch line was proposed to accomplish in the comprehensive plan at this particular location. He said unless we are going to bore the interstate to connect this water line that parallels FM 1374 to the outer loop, then it would have no purpose in being a 12 inch. He said the city does not expect an increased demand along this area that won't be able to be supplied by Lake Road or some other direction in terms of having 12 inch capacity already in place. He said we will simply be relocating the line that is there today outside the proposed pavement section at an estimated cost of $100,000. He said it is not a requirement of the TDHPT, but is something the city staff and the TDHPT encourages the council to consider. After some discussion of the project and consideration of a Possible alternative suggested by Councilmember Bell, Councilmember Knotts made the motion to approve this proiect and Councilmember Howard seconded the motion. All were in favor and the motion passed unanimously. CITY MANAGER'S REPORT - -GENE PIPES Report on June 28th Meeting of Highway 19 Association Mr. Pipes reported on the second meeting of the Highway 19 Association in Athens. He said the early Highway 19 Association began in February of 1962 and was active for a number of years trying to promote the Highway 19 route as a major divided highway. He said that Association went into limbo in the early 1970's and had not met, but there was a residual bank account in Crockett that had approximately $900.00 in dues fees and a little over $100 in interest earnings for approximately $1100 for the Association. All minutes of the meetings are still available along with the by -taws, which have been turned over the the new Association. The new Association accepted the by -laws and a plan of action was adopted by which to go forward to take this project to the TDHPT. He said members will travel to Austin on September 29 to support the proposed project, and all councilmembers are invited to participate. He said dues are $25.00 per voting member. He noted membership is open to anyone and is not limited to businesses or governmental entities. The Council was advised the Huntsville delegation is preparing an amendment encouraging the adoption of an additional title to the old Highway 19 Association name, not recommending that name change, but adding "Sam Houston Freeway" to the Highway 19 Association title and coupling that as a marketing tool and recognition element for all future references to this Association. He said it is felt the TDHPT will see it in a more favorable light by being able to remember what it is rather than just the Highway 19 number designation. 1 D MINUTES OF THE COUNCIL MEETING OF JULY 12, 1988 BOOK "Pig 119 a Consider Hiahway 19 Improvement Letter to TDHPT Mr. Gene Pipes, City Manager, then presented a draft of a letter proposed to be sent to representatives of the TDHPT in Austin requesting their support of the Highway 19 improvement project. Mr. Pipes also asked for approval of the City's Association $25.00 dues payment at this time. Councilmember Barrett made the motion to approve the sending of this letter and to fund the city's Highway 19 Association dues and Councilmember Howard seconded the motion. All were in favor and the motion passed unanimously. Consider calendar of scheduled meetings and events - -July through January Mr. Pipes then presented calendar pages showing all important meetings and events. He noted the next council meeting will concentrate on a review of the annexation schedule and procedures. Mr. Pipes advised the Council will meet at the City's Service Center on Saturday with the Planning Commission and the city staff concerning the comprehensive plan. He asked the Council to bring the comprehensive plan and proposed additions with them to the meeting. Councilmember Carter again reminded the City Manager he requested a review of the pick -up fleet in the city during the upcoming budget considerations. Also, Councilmember Carter noted Mr. Boyd Wilder, Director of Public Utilities, is to provide him with a report on the possibility of the city conducting laboratory water testing for local governmental entities. U.S. EPA Letter Recognition of City's Water Supply System Mr. Gene Pipes read a letter from the U.S. EPA to Mr. Boyd Wilder, complimenting him for having the Huntsville Water Supply System nominated for an Environmental Protection Agency Region VI Public Water Supply Operation Maintenance Excellence Award. The letter advised although the St. Charles Parish Water District Number It in Louisiana was the winner in the 10,000 to 50,000 population category, they believe it is a significant accomplishment to be nominated for the award. Congratulations and appreciations were sent to those involved in operating the Huntsville water supply system. MAYOR'S ACTIVITY REPORT- -JANE MONDAY Appointments to Huntsville Housing Authority Board Mayor Monday requested the Council's approval of her nominations to the Huntsville Housing Authority, as follows: the reappointment of Mr. Jay Griffin for an additional two year term, and the new appointments of Mrs. Judy Olson and Dr. Frank Leathers for two year terms, assuming the positions being vacated by Dr. Robert Eubanks and Reverend Larry Petton, who have completed their terms. She advised the other members of the board are Ms. Jayn Gebert and Dr. John Holcombe. Councilmember Barrett made the motion to approve of these appointments and Councilmember Knotts seconded the motion All were in favor and the motion Dassed unanimously. Drug and Alcohol Use /Abuse Task Force Meeting Mayor Monday advised the Council the first meeting of this task force was held and officers elected. She said the task force will meet again soon to form the committee structure which will reflect closely the charge given to it by the Council. Grant Workshop set for July 18 Mayor Monday advised there will be a grant workshop set for Monday, July 18 at City Hall involving various groups in Huntsville working for improvements in parks, open space, beautification, landscaping, downtown, parking, tourist attractions, economic developments, farmers market, museums and other historical areas. Ms. Sue Smith, grants consultant from the City of Paris, will advise these individuals by telephone conference call on that date and will join them at a later date for more discussions. MINUTES OF THE COUNCIL MEETING OF JULY 12, 1988 BOOK "P" 120 a ITML Resolutions Mayor Monday also reminded the Council that resolutions are due in Austin on September 19 so they can be considered for submittal to the general membership for consideration at the fall meeting. She said Huntsville has been the author of resolutions to TML in the past and she encouraged the Council to submit any ideas they may have. ADJOURNMENT Respectfully submitted, Ruth DeShau, City Secretary July 12, 1988