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MIN CC 11/15/1988MINUTES OF THE NOVEMBER 15, 1988 MEETING BOOK "P" 192 I CrNCII CHAMBERS, LOCATED AT CITY 1212 AVENUE MEETING IT E CITY OF UNTS DAY OF FEWALKER,9TT TEXAS AT 6:30TP,MALL II W The Council met in a regular session with the following members present: ne Monday, Mayor 0. Eugene Barrett City officers present: ry Bell James L. Carter Gene Pipes, City Manager a G. Gaines William B. Green Ruth DeShaw, City Secretary lliam L. Hammock Percy Howard, Jr. Scott Bounds, City Attorney lliam H. Knotts, Jr. CALL TO ORDER Mayor Monday called the meeting to order and then recessed into an executive session to discuss the of the Schaper V. City litigation. No action was taken in this executive session. At 6:30 P.M., the and Council convened for citizen input. CITIZEN INPUT Reverend McKee thanked the Council for their support and encouragement of the Election Eve Prayer ing held on November 7 on the east lawn of the Courthouse, noting it was a success with some 250 people ent. He said Mayor Monday brought a very special message to the gathering. Ms. Foster advised she is a resident on 20th Street and attends classes at Sam Houston State iversity. She said she has had extreme difficulty in crossing Sam Houston Avenue at 20th Street, even th the signalization. She said pedestrians have difficulty crossing the 20th Street right turn lane, once ey get across Sam Houston Avenue to the median island on the east side of the intersection with 20th reet. She said there is no pedestrian assistance signalization to get from the island, across 20th reet's right turn lane, to the University. She advised she has been hit in her attempt to negotiate that ossing. She said the motorists do not seem to be aware to watch for pedestrians in this area. She said e did get a license plate number and did report it to the police, but felt the police did not express the nd of concern she felt was warranted and did not want to issue a report about the accident. She said eir attitude was very blase. She asked that pedestrian safety measures be taken. Mayor Monday advised e City will review this problem and get back to her. Mr. Pipes, City Manager, indicated he will telephone . Foster to let her know what can be done, because the Council will not meet again until December 6. uncilmember Barrett requested that adequate markings be placed at that particular intersection and that e police department follow up on that license plate information. Councilmember Bell expressed his preciation for Ms. Foster's presentation. FORMAL SESSION RECONVENED Mayor Monday then reconvened the formal session. Reverend Ray Felder of First United Methodist presented the invocation. CONSIDER THE MINUTES OF THE PREVIOUS MEETING Councilmember Barrett made the motion to approve of the minutes of the Meeting of November 1 1988 1 I MINUTES OF THE NOVEMBER 15, 1988 MEETING BOOK "P" 193 ATTENDING CITIZEN Mr. Dennis Powell to request consideration for sidewalks around the neighborhood schools Mr. Powell advised the Council he considers it an honor to speak to the City Council, noting he has traveled to many Communist countries and realizes that so many times we take for granted our freedom. The Council was advised of his concern regarding the lack of sidewalks in and around the elementary school campuses in Huntsville, especially the schools where the younger children attend. He noted there is an increasing need for sidewalks because of the HISD'S change from a unitized system to a neighborhood schools system which has created the situation where some 400 -500 children throughout the district are now walking to the schools if they live within two miles of the schools, whereas previously school buses transported even those children who lived one -half block from school and dropped them off at day care after school; every school age child could ride the buses. He noted there are 998 children attending Stewart Elementary School, which was designed and built for 600 kids. He said while the teachers and staff do an excellent job with this situation, the problems with children walking to this school are even greater. He said Stewart Elementary has approximately 100 -150 children walking; Gibbs Elementary and Scott E. Johnson Elementary have approximately 50 -75 children who walk to school; and Sam Houston Elementary has in excess of 75 children walking to school. The assistant principal at Sam Houston Elementary expressed real concern about the crossing at 7th Street and Old Madisonville Road and Pleasant Street areas as the kids sort of come out of the woodwork in this area. He said the School Board has approved crossing guards, a fence along Boettcher Drive, and a sidewalk to the end of the school property at Stewart Elementary. He said what needs to be done now is to have that sidewalk extended on out to Old Houston Road to Sandbrook Subdivision so that children do not have to walk in the mud on the side of the road or on the street where they could be hit as they sometimes walk three abreast. Mr. Powell said this problem really needs to be addressed. He asked the Council to take the time to notice this situation over the next two weeks. He said Huntsville is no Longer a little East Texas "pig trail," but a large city with lots of students here who are usually in a hurry. He said with that many school children on the streets, someone is going to get hit. He encouraged the Council to use common sense, wisdom and judgment to took into this matter. City Resoonse Mayor Monday noted the city has been aware of this problem since two years ago when the busing system was first discussed for revision. She said the Council has taken some action on this in anticipation of this situation and in response to other requests. Mr. Gene Pipes, City Manager, advised him of the city's new sidewalk construction policy whereby the city will provide the labor if the homeowner or Landowners will provide the materials to build the sidewalk, with the only stipulation being that it had to be at least a block in length. There has been no projects done under this policy to date, he said. The City has also been painting crosswalks and installing flashing school zone lights at the various schools in an effort to assist with the pedestrian traffic. The City did build a sidewalk up old Madisonville Road from 10th Street to 7th Street because of the need for a walk there, he said. He said a great deal of thought has been given to the sidewalk situation and the needs of the pedestrian traffic. At the same time, Mr. Pipes said the city, has been under a evere financial situation for the last several years just to maintain operations at the same time reducing staff, and last year reduced the tax rate from 52 cents to 38.44 cents with the one -half cent increase in sales tax to the city. He said there is no planned program for new sidewalk construction. He said the Council would have to prioritize sidewalks in with other projects if money were to come available. Mayor Monday summarized by saying the budget was just approved in September for the next fiscal year. However, in January, she advised, the city reviews the mid -year budget adjustments and the city council will have the opportunity to review any carry - forward funds from the last fiscal year and may be able to reallocate some of those funds for other projects. Mr. Powell said he will advise the concerned parents and property owners adjacent to the schools of the city's sidewalk participation policy so that they will have an opportunity to think about such participation. Mayor Monday said that would be an excellent idea. She said Mr. Pipes can provide estimates for the cost of the materials to construct sidewalks in a MINUTES OF THE NOVEMBER 15, 1988 MEETING BOOK "P" 194 certain area. Councilmember Barrett added this Council is very concerned about sidewalks and if it had the money, sidewalks would have a high priority. Councilmember Bell urged the Council to set aside a work session to discuss with the school board, where the sidewalks are most needed and which areas are the most dangerous, so that if there are some mid -year budget adjustments to be made to fund sidewalks, we will know where they need to be placed. Mayor Monday noted this is a good idea and there is no difference in opinion as it is just a matter of the budget. CONSIDER YEAR END FINANCIAL REPORTS Consider budget adjustments for F.Y. ended September 30. 1988 for approval The Council then reviewed these budget adjustments. After a brief review by the City Manager and some questions for clarification. Councilmember Howard made the motion to approve the budget adjustments and Councilmember Gaines seconded the motion. All were in favor and the motion Passed unanimously. Consider encumbrances for approval Gene Pipes, City Manager, then presented the list of items in a memorandum from Patricia Allen, Director of Finance, dated November 10, 1988, that have been requested to be encumbered (carry forward) from FY 87 -88 to FY 88-89. Mr. Gene Pipes, City Manager, advised one item that was inadvertently excluded from this report is the repair work being done on the Spring Creek Water Plant in the amount of $134,279.00, which has been ongoing since August. It is necessary to encumber the funds already approved for that project. After a brief review. Councilmember Howard made the motion to approve of these encumbrances as presented and amended and Councilmember Gaines seconded the motion. All were in favor and the motion passed unanimously. Consider budget report for information The Mayor and Council then reviewed the budget report for the month ending September 30, 1988. After some discussion the Council generally approved of the information. Consider tax collection report for information The City Manager then presented the tax collection report for the month of September, 1988 which indicates the collections have been very steady. CONSIDER LONG DISTANCE SERVICE Consider long distance service to Cambridge Communications Mr. Gene Pipes, City Manager, presented Cambridge Communications as the low bidder on the long distance service. Ms. Patricia Allen, Director of Finance, advised however that the only negative feature to this low bidder's proposal is that their system is designed for calls from the city switch and calls made by employees in other towns or locations while attending seminars, etc., would best be made using some other Long distance carrier. She noted Cambridge has also presented the city with an alternative to provide Houston Line calls at a reduced rate. Ms. Allen recommended approving Cambridge as the provider for long distance service for the city. She also recommended that the alternative presented for Houston calls be reviewed later. She noted once the installation of the new phone system is complete, the needs as related to the Houston line can be better evaluated. Councilmember Barrett made the motion to approve of Cambridge Communications and Councilmember Howard seconded the motion All were in favor and the motion passed unanimously. Consider hand held meter - reading devices to Ad Valorem Records in the amount of $6,450 plus $600 annual maintenance to be paid from budgeted rental and $903 from general fund reserve 1 1 MINUTES OF THE NOVEMBER 15, 1988 MEETING BOOK "P" 195 Gene Pipes, City Manager, advised the bid of Ad Valorem Records was the low bidder and he recommended approval of their bid. Councilmember Gaines made the motion to accept the bid of Ad Valorem Records as outlined and Councilmember Hammock seconded the motion. All were in favor and the motion passed unanimously. Consider Replacement Copier for Inspection /Planning Division, to Canon for $2,693 Dlus $360 annual maintenance to be paid from budgeted rental and $903 from general fund reserve Mr. Gene Pipes, City Manager, advised this bid is through the state purchasing contract for a Canon Model 2015. He said the current annual cost is $2,420. He said monies currently budgeted for rental and maintenance would need to be transferred to the capital account and funds in the amount of $903 would need to be transferred from the reserve for future allocation. Councilmember Howard made the motion to approve of the bid of Canon and Councilmember Bell seconded the motion. Discussion: Councilmember Green and Gaines questioned the quality of a copier at this cost, noting it may not be sufficient to handle the toad we anticipate. The staff assured the Council that while the price is very tow via the state contract, the staff has seen the copier and it is a good quality copier for the intended application. All were in favor and the motion passed unanimously. CITY MANAGER'S REPORT --GENE PIPES Sales Tax Report for June. July and Auaust Gene Pipes advised the Council there is a 9.70 percent increase in sales tax volume from last year, excluding the 1/2 cent sales tax impact. Patricia Allen noted this is a $33,000 increase, or a 17% increase. He said this is a very positive indication that there is an economic rebound. Consider recommended funding for service center construction - -final phase (garaae) Gene Pipes, City Manager, presented the funding recommendations from Patricia Allen, Director of Finance, for the construction of the garage addition to the Service Center. Ms. Allen advised with the approval of the construction contract last council meeting and the expected plumbing, electrical costs, etc., of the Service Center, approximately $175,600 will be needed to complete this phase of the project. She recommended funding the $175,000 by charging the general fund, sanitation fund, and water and sewer fund one -third each, or approximately $58,550 each. The general fund portion could come from monies already available in the capital projects fund, she advised, and the water and sewer and sanitation monies could come from their respective capital improvements monies. After some review. Councilmember Barrett made the motion to approve of the funding as outlined above and Councilmember Gaines seconded the motion After some discussion, a vote was taken on the motion. All were in favor and the motion passed unanimously. Consider an adjustment in the per call Day for the part -time firefighters retroactive to October 1 1988 as agreed by Walker County, from $7.50 to $8.50 per call Mr. Pipes, City Manager, requested the Council's consideration to amend the budget to increase the salary portion of the fire budget by the amount necessary to pay the firefighters the extra dollar that the County had agreed to pay firefighters some time late in September. He said he failed to come back to the Council at the next available Council meeting to ask the Council to amend the budget by that amount. He requested the Council's amendment of the budget in the amount of $7,260 which will make the County responsible for $3,630 of that amount. Councilmember Bell made the motion to approve of this increase in firefiahters pay and Councilmember Carter seconded the motion All were in favor and the motion passed unanimously. Consider Ordinance authorizina bids to be taken and giving notice of intent to issue certificates of obligation to replace a rear - loading residential collection truck as planned in the FY 88 budget MINUTES OF THE NOVEMBER 15, 1988 MEETING BOOK "P" 196 Mr. Pipes advised approximately one year ago the city approved bids for a rear - loading residential garbage truck to a Houston vendor who subsequently went bankrupt by the end of that week. He said the city contacted the Heil Company, the manufacturer of the packer body that goes on the back of the chassis, to see if the bid would be honored and the Heil Company said it would be so the city went forward with the purchase. He noted a few months later, the city received word the Heil Company was working to put the unit together and that the GMC chassis had come in. Mr. Poteete, Director of Public Works, questioned that information and advised the GMC was the chassis the city had eliminated because it had not met specifications. Mr. Pipes said the Heil Company, in their effort to honor the bid, had picked up on the salesman's notes who had bid two units, one GMC chassis and the other a Ford chassis that did meet specifications (the latter is the one the city ordered) and the Heil Company simply picked up on the wrong notes and ordered the wrong chassis, not knowing what was actually awarded. He said after some deliberation with the Heil Company, they decided to assume the cost of the truck and place another bid or order for the chassis and then when they started to put it together again, discovered the front tire take -off pump, which the city had gone to a couple of years ago on the other trucks, could not be fitted to the truck they had ordered. The City has determined, in the interest of good faith effort on the part of the Heil Company through two complete units and a lot of time (one year), that the best thing for the City to do at this time is to reject the original bid and rebid the whole project. He said the Heil Company has made a very diligent effort to put together an appropriate vehicle as per the specifications and the Heil Company feels the city has done all it can to communicate with them, but their salesman has just made a few too many mistakes. Mr. Pipes said rather than start all over again, considering every other bidder who bid last year bid an F series truck to which the front pump could not be fitted (it can only be fitted to a "L" series truck), he is recommending the Council reject the original bid of Refuse Technology and authorize through Ordinance No. 88 -19 giving notice and intent to deliver a certificate of obligation to acquire the vehicle and authorizing the staff to proceed. Mr. Pipes then presented this ordinance, the caption of which is as follows: ORDINANCE NO. 88-19 AN ORDINANCE CANCELING AUTHORIZATION TO ISSUE CERTIFICATES OF OBLIGATION FOR A GARBAGE TRUCK; AND AUTHORIZING PUBLICATION OF A NEW NOTICE TO BIDDERS AND A NEW NOTICE OF INTENTION TO ISSUE CERTIFICATES OF OBLIGATION FOR A REAR-LOADING GARBAGE TRUCK, AND MAKING VARIOUS PROVISIONS RELATED THERETO. Councilmember Howard made the motion to approve of Ordinance No 88 -19 and Councilmember Hammock seconded the motion. All were in favor and the motion passed unanimously. Mr. Johnny Poteete, Director of Public Works, advised the Council since the start of the street rehabilitation program (1987 bond issue), work has been completed on 61 of the 69 streets scheduled for maintenance. Of the eight streets on which work is pending, he said, Avenue M is from the 1987 list. The other seven streets are from the 1988 list, as follows: 7th Street -- from Avenue I to Avenue M Avenue G -- from 6th Street to 8th Street Avenue G -- from 11th Street to 14th Street Avenue I -- from 20th Street to Sam Houston Avenue Baker Street -- Off FM 1374 Crawford Street -- Off FM 1374 Normal Park -- 19th Street to Avenue S The estimated cost to complete these streets is $156,000, Mr. Poteete noted. He also advised that the 61 projects were estimated to cost $1,554,000 but actually cost $1,074,000, or a savings of $480,000 due to the cost of asphalt and the fact less rehabilitation and reconstruction work was needed on some streets than originally estimated. 1 MINUTES OF THE NOVEMBER 15, 1988 MEETING BOOK "P" 197 Mr. Poteete then requested the Council's consideration to remove from the original 1988 priority List the following streets: Bowers Boulevard, pending water line work; and Majestic Drive, Majestic Forest Way, pending possibility of the installation of sewer lines there. Mr. Pipes said the staff also wishes to reduce the scope of the work on Sam Houston Avenue (end to 11th Street) and University Avenue (FM 247 to 10th) to just University Avenue between 7th and 10th Streets, with the remainder (FM 247 to 10th Street) awaiting possible revisions to the comprehensive plan concerning the possible extension of Sam Houston Avenue out to FM 247, to be coordinated with the transportation plans of the Texas Highway Department. These changes will realize some $188,145 in funds to be used on replacement streets, as follows, for 1989: Avenue B -- Hwy 190 to 16th Street $25,508.00 Angier -- Old Houston Road to Sam Houston 519,947.73 Boettcher Dr. -- Old Houston Road to I -45 (38,478.01 Crosstimbers -- 1 -45 to Normal Park $21,602.80 Heaton Avenue -- 75 N. to dead end S 8,812.20 Inverness -- Lake Road to College Farm S 6,449.80 Mcleod (dirt) -- Hwy 30 to dead end S 5,185.60 East Mosely (dirt) -- Sam Houston to dead end S 7,360.12 Ryans Ferry (dirt) -- Loop 19 to FM 2821 527,000.00 Simmons (dirt) -- Existing pavement to dead end S 4,827.60 Sweetgum (dirt) -- Hwy 190 to dead end S 4,928.57 $170,100.45 Mr. Poteete said this will pretty much take care of the dirt streets in Huntsville. Councilmember Carter asked if the city has talked to the residents of East Mosely Lane as they may not want that street paved and may prefer the dirt street. Mr. Pipes said the city has had a standing request since 1984 from the people at the end of East Mosely, who are not in the city, to pave it, noting the only residence facing it is a rental unit. Councilmember Carter asked that the city consider the wishes of residents as to whether or not they want paving on their particular streets. Mr. Poteete said maintaining the dirt road is also expensive to the city. Councilmember Green noted the city could probably send the grader out there a lot of times for the amount it will cost to pave it ($7,360.12). Mr. Poteete noted the two remaining dirt streets in this area will be Renfro Valley Drive and Johnson Street which may be covered in the grant for which the city recently applied. After some questions by the Council for clarification, the Council generally approve of these changes to the previously approved paving program for 1988. MAYOR'S ACTIVITY REPORT - -JANE MONDAY KHUN Reporter Introduced Mayor Monday introduced Lee Ann Lewis, reporting for KHUN, who has joined us for the first time this evening. Consider requests for joint park maintenance and operation and joint street construction at Huntsville High School by H.I.S.D. Board through Superintendent Dr. Barry Tacker Mayor Monday advised she and Mr. Pipes visited with Dr. Tacker today concerning this matter. She then introduced the Chairman of the Board of Trustees for H.I.S.D., Dr. Charles Wagamon. Mayor Monday said she feels this represents an excellent opportunity for a cooperative effort for two vital projects. She advised the Board of Trustees has authorized the Superintendent to propose the development of two joint projects involving the school district and the city, as follows: the Park Project- -the District proposes the joint development of a park on District property located on Old Madisonville Road and 7th Street; and the Paving Project - -The District proposes the development of a street from FM 2821 to Martin Luther King Boulevard to enhance the safety of students and citizens traveling to and from Huntsville High School. She noted the Board is suggesting the school and city staff work jointly to develop a master plan for both projects and submit the final plans to both entities for approval. After some discussion. Councilmember MINUTES OF THE NOVEMBER 15, 1988 MEETING BOOK "P" 198 Discussion: Councilmember Bell asked if the buildings would have to be removed in the park area. Mr. Pipes said the framed, enclosed, added-on structure adjacent to the intersection of Old Madisonville Road and 7th Street probably has its greatest value as scrap materials and lumber. He noted the other very sound and unique red brick building could not be moved but could be used as a HEAP activity building or office or a parks activities office, etc., noting it has a lot of possibilities. It was noted the HISD would retain title to the property. Councilmember Knotts advised his aunt, Eunice Gilbert, had owned that house and was a member of the Alphin family, who built the house. He suggested that would be a good name for the park -- Alphin Park. Councilmember Barrett said this plan needs to be prioritized, noting he believes in parks, etc., but Dennis Powell's project - -the sidewalks for the children -- should come before anything like this. Councilmember Carter asked about the possible costs of this street. Mr. Pipes said no construction estimates are available yet, but that is the only thing the city would be committing to as far as costs plus some engineering time to look at the potential costs. He said this is not part of our ongoing street program schedule yet, but if we are going to get it done in a timely fashion, it will have to be factored into that overall program of work. He said the city is also aware of the traffic problems with having only one way in and out of the high school. He said there are some general public benefit considerations. He said the flow of traffic to and from the schools is enhanced by the building of Martin Luther King Boulevard and an alternate route should also relieve the traffic problem as well as provide a route around the back of the school for general traffic and fire access. He said no estimate are available yet, but we would be committing staff time to look at this. He said the creek crossing will be expensive. Councilmember Bell asked if it would be a dangerous precedent to build a road on private property. Mr. Pipes said it is private from the standpoint that the school district is the sole owner of the entire project, but the city did the same thing in building Martin Luther King Boulevard from 1st Street out to FM 2821 as it cuts through HISD owned property. He said a taxing governmental agency is somewhat different from a private property ownership situation. At the same time, he said, when that original tract was under the ownership of the industrial foundation, the Council held that if a road was built it would have to be built by private funds. He said the city would not have built MLK Boulevard if the land had not been owned by the school. All were in favor and the motion passed unanimously. Mayor's Recent Activities /Involvement Mayor Monday advised she has participated in the following activities: made a United Way Telethon commercial for KSAM; met with Laurelwood Hospital treatment facility representatives concerning their services that would be available to the Drug Abuse Task Force; worked with a Planning Session on "Spend Christmas in Huntsville" and they will be asking the City to voluntarily participate in this by wearing buttons and pins and putting up posters; met with the Economic Development Council concerning networking area businesses for business referral purposes; judged a poster contest at Huntsville High School for the alumni group; presented the keynote address for the Electoral College at the High School; participated in the election eve election prayer meeting; gave a city update at the Chamber of Commerce breakfast; met with the Tourism subcommittee; met with the area museum groups and a Galveston Historical Association advisor to talk about cooperative efforts in expertise, purchasing, knowledge and the possibility of setting up a formal organization of those museums for the interchange of ideas, exhibits, and networking with each other to support each others' efforts; talked to well over 100 third graders who have visited city hall; attended the Huntsville Housing Authority dinner and received an update on their activities, including the success of Kenny Ross, who grew up in the housing projects, who spoke about the success of that facility and its importance to him and his family; attended the kick -off of "Spend Christmas in Huntsville" campaign; met with the community grant writing committee involving representatives from all entities with Joyce Hilliard serving as chairman and Dale Brown representing the city; and met with the Drug Abuse and Substance Abuse Task on Sunday afternoon from 1:30 until 5:30 for a kick -off meeting, with speakers, and the development of subcommittees that will be drawing up goals and an action plan, which will be brought back to the Council. 1 1 MINUTES OF THE NOVEMBER 15, 1988 MEETING BOOK "P" 199 COUNCIL ACTION Texas Municipal League Meeting Councilmember Barrett reported on the TML Meeting he recently attended. He said one topic much discussed was solid waste disposal and incineration. He mentioned the City of Carthage has had their incinerator in operation for three years and has had only one "down" day. He said they are saving money and he would like to discuss it with anyone who is interested. He noted he also attended a workshop on economic development presented by Carthage. He encouraged the Council to attend the conference next year. Police Department Commendation Councilmember Gaines expressed her appreciation for the police department's quick action concerning the fact that her business place was left unlocked last night but the burglar alarm was engaged. She noted when a customer came into the shop early this morning, the alarm was set off and within five minutes the police were there and called her to advise her that they checked and everything is okay. She said it is very comforting to know that kind of protection is there. Appreciation for Mayor's Update Councilmember Bell expressed his appreciation for the Mayor's activity report, noting it is good for the Council to know all the things in which the Mayor is involved. Request to Schedule Sidewalk Work Session Councilmember Bell requested that a date be set for a work session to discuss the sidewalk situation either toward the end of the year or just after the first of the year. Mayor Monday asked Mr. Pipes to check the calendar for an appropriate date. Sidewalk Problem Councilmember Carter said while the problems with the school children having to walk to school may not be a city problem, the lack of sidewalks is still a problem, and not just with school children. He supported Councilmember Bell's request for a work session, noting if more sales tax funds are available in the mid -term budget review, perhaps some allocations can be made at that time. Mayor Monday advised that the sales tax funds cannot be used for that purpose and that Councilmember Carter should remember the sales tax fund and the general fund are two separate funds. Councilmember Carter noted he is asking that any additional funds that come available that can be used for sidewalks be seriously considered for that purpose. Social Worker needed for Watkins Clark Housing Addition Councilmember Carter advised he attended the Huntsville Housing Authority dinner last week and heard the speaker, Mr. Kenny Ross, who has become a success in his adult life, talk about growing up in the Watkins Clark Addition. He said one of the serious problems in this addition now is that there are some 141 children, who are unsupervised most of the time and have no programs and no guidance to any great extent. He said if there is some extra budget money available, he felt the city should hire a social worker at approximately $24,000 to work with those children to create programs for them and to help them do the kinds of things that Mr. Kenny Ross was able to do on his own when he was growing up there. He said most people can't do what Mr. Ross has done by themselves, because Mr. Ross is a special person to have achieved what he has having been in that environment. He encouraged the Council to possibly hire someone such as a social worker to work with the children at Watkins Clark or other children in the neighborhood to help them achieve something in their lives. MINUTES OF THE NOVEMBER 15, 1988 MEETING BOOK "P" 200 Texas Municipal League--Solid Waste Disposal Discussions Councilmember Carter noted one of the topics at the recent TML meeting was the solid waste issue. He said he would not favor incineration, but would favor, and hoped soon the Council will being discussing, recycling, salvaging, composting and landfilling as Huntsville's future in terms of solid waste disposal. He said everyone at TML favored recycling as it does save the city money and solves some of our landfill problems. He said we have talked about this for almost a year, but we still have not had a work session to discuss serious efforts toward recycling. He said he has asked recently whether or not the city purchased recycled paper in the city. He said he would like to know how much money the city spends on paper and why it does not purchase only recycled paper. He said we need to create markets for recycled paper and the city should do its part in purchasing recycled goods. He requested a work session to discuss recycling so that the city can make some major effort toward creating a recycling system within the City of Huntsville before very long. Texas Municipal League Meeting Report Councilmember Howard reported on the meeting as well. He said it covered a wide range of problems all over the state for which solutions are being sought. He advised the opening session speaker, Pam Plumb, Councilor, Portland Maine, and National League of Cities President,talked about national issues and that the Congress in January will talk about clean air and clean water. He noted Houston's Mayor Kathy Whitmire said the fair housing law and tax abatement would be the issues of 1988-89 in Texas. He said Lt. Governor Hobby advised human investment would be stressed in the next year, noting it is much cheaper to invest in the young than to incarcerate them as adults. Lt. Gov. Hobby said there is a great need for cities and other entities to combine forces to educate through the schools so that the young can be better trained and cared for in the early ages. Lt. Gov. Hobby noted cities can no longer continue to spend money in long incarcerations and we are spending too much money on the lower end and we need to spend money meeting their needs as early as possible. Mr. Howard reported all of the resolutions presented to the general membership passed except for one. A new resolution concerning the Galveston Bay area subsidence problem was submitted on the floor and approved. United Way Telethon Participation Encouraged City Manager, Gene Pipes, said he will be assisting with the United Way Telethon again this year and reminded those present of the dates of November 21 and 22. He encouraged everyone's participation and bidding for the benefit of Huntsville's United Way. He commended the work of Kelly Wade and Bruce Bierman, co- producers, noting they have done a very professional job. ADJOURNMENT Respectfully submitted, Ruth Desfiaw, City Secretary November 15, 1988