MIN CC 02/21/19891
MINUTES OF THE COUNCIL MEETING OF FEBRUARY 21, 1989 BOOK "P" 249
MINUTES OF THE HUNTSVILLE CITY COUNCIL MEETING HELD ON THE 21ST DAY OF FEBRUARY, 1989 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 Percy Howard, Jr. City officers present:
0. Eugene Barrett William H. Knotts, Jr. Gene Pipes, City Manager
Gary Bell William B. Green Ruth DeShaw, City Secretary
James L. Carter Ila G. Gaines Scott Bounds, City Attorney
William L. Hammock [present for council action, worksession and executive session]
FORMAL SESSION
The meeting was called to order by the Honorable Jane Monday, Mayor. The invocation was presented
by Pastor Paul Morris, New Hope Free Will Baptist Church.
CONSIDER THE MINUTES OF THE PREVIOUS MEETING
Councilmember Barrett made the motion to approve of the minutes of January 31 1989 and
Councilmember Howard seconded the motion. Discussion: Councilmember Bell requested that the word "snuffed"
be changed to "snubbed" on page two of the minutes, second paragraph under the Report on the Atari
relocation discussion. With this one correction, and it being accepted by Councilmembers Barrett and
Howard, all were in favor and the motion passed unanimously.
CONSIDER ORDINANCES
Consider Ordinance No. 89 -4 amending the residential deposit requirement for persons not receiving water,
sewer or garbage service from the City
Gene Pipes, City Manager, presented this ordinance, the caption of which is as follows:
ORDINANCE NO. 89 -6
AN ORDINANCE AMENDING THE RESIDENTIAL DEPOSIT REQUIREMENT FOR PERSONS NOT RECEIVING WATER,
SEWER, AND GARBAGE SERVICE FROM THE CITY; AND MAKING OTHER FINDINGS AND PROVISIONS RELATED
THERETO
Mr. Pipes reminded the Council that last fall they authorized a study of the sanitation rates and related
ordinances during the budget process. He said the staff has been studying the possibility of including a
comprehensive rate study for the utility rates (water, sewer and garbage) in the process of the cost of the
analysis of the sanitation rates. He said concurrence on this idea was to be requested during mid -term
budget analysis. The staff has done some preliminary work to determine what rate consultants will be
available to do a comprehensive study and at what cost. He advised that Councilmember Barrett felt this
action should be taken independently and this ordinance is in response to that idea. Councilmember Barrett
said this matter was brought to his attention by some residents who felt the current system was not
equitable. He said the city did make adjustments for some of the other ETJ areas and gave them a better
water rate; and we have negotiated some terms with the residents of Elkins Lake. He said he feels this
proposed ordinance will be more equitable and fair to everyone. Mr. Pipes said the ordinance itself splits
up the $60.00 total deposit presently required into three equal parts of $20.00 for each of the services
rendered, so that those customers who don't receive water, sewer and garbage, would only be required to
deposit an amount for the actual service rendered; garbage, sewer or water, or any combination of the three
at a deposit rate of $20.00 each. He reminded the Council the residential deposits are on deposit for a
period of three years and with a satisfactory payment record, those deposits are returned to the residential
customer at that time.
MINUTES OF THE COUNCIL MEETING OF FEBRUARY 21, 1989 BOOK "P" 250
Mr. Scott Bounds, City Attorney, advised that at the present time, the $60.00 deposit is too low
nd should be increased. Mr. Pipes said his only discomfort is in the nature of needing to review all of
he city's rate structure, ordinances, deposits, etc. in a more comprehensive vein. He said there has never
een a question raised about the adequacy of the current deposit as all this ordinance does is to split that
nto three equal parts. He said he didn't feel there is any other way to ratio it; water would carry a
eavier burden than the other two. He said there are some areas, such as Westridge, that do not have
arbage or sewer but do have water. Mayor Monday asked if this matter should be a part of the overall study
s opposed to being approved outright ahead of that. Councilmember Knotts said he thinks that would be the
etter way as he felt we should devise a definite figure - -three times a minimum rate, or whatever we
isconnect them on. Mayor Monday said then this would give us a standard. Councilmember Knotts said we
eed to go with the same figure on a prorated basis. Councilmember Gaines asked what would be the amount of
eturn we would need on Section II of Westridge. She asked how many people might be coming in for a refund.
r. Pipes said the city commonly refunds deposits after the third year. He said the city does not use this
oney; while it does earn interest, it is not a financial concern when we have to refund it. He said the
ast majority of customers have all three services and it is not that type of concern. Councilmember
arrett said the concern is that when someone is just using sewer, he had to come up with the $60.00 and
hat didn't seem equitable for someone who is just using one service to have to pay a deposit for three.
r. Pipes said various utilities in town allow for cosigning deposits by people with a proven payment
ecord; however, the city does not allow this. He said there are a number of ways the city is significantly
ifferent than GSU or Entex. After some further discussion. Councilmember Green said whether we have a
Mr. Gene Pipes, City Manager, presented a comprehensive rewrite of the entire wrecker ordinance,
caption of which is as follows:
ORDINANCE NO. 89 -5
AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF HUNTSVILLE, TEXAS, AMENDING CHAPTER 4A, AUTOMOBILE
WRECKERS, OF THE CODE OF ORDINANCES OF THE CITY; PERMITTING TOW TRUCKS USED FOR NON-CONSENT TOWS,
POLICE DEPARTMENT TOWS, AND TOWS FROM THE SCENE OF ACCIDENTS; DELETING PERMIT REQUIREMENTS FOR
CERTAIN TOW TRUCKS MAKING CONSENT TOWS ONLY; CHANGING PERMIT DATES FROM JANUARY 1 TO FEBRUARY 1;
ESTABLISHING A FEE WHEN TOW NOT COMPLETED; ESTABLISHING EVIDENTIARY RULES REGARDING SOLICITING
BUSINESS; PROHIBITING USE OF NON-PERMITTED WRECKERS FOR NON- CONSENT OR POLICE DIRECTED TOWS;
REQUIRING CERTAIN TOW SLIP RECORDS TO BE MAINTAINED; MAKING OTHER PROVISIONS RELATED THERETO;
REPEALING PRIOR ORDINANCES INCONSISTENT HEREWITH; PROVIDING A FINE OF UP TO $200.00 A DAY FOR
VIOLATIONS OF THE ORDINANCE; REQUIRING PUBLICATION OF THE ORDINANCE; AND PROVIDING FOR THE EFFECTIVE
DATE HEREOF.
Mr. Pipes advised this ordinance arose out of a meeting in the City Hall Council Chambers in
ember in which a number of the wrecker operator /drivers were expressing concerns at that time about the
blems that have been created by the state legislature adopting a set of rules last year through the Texas
artment of Labor Standards, which made it a requirement that every wrecker operator in the state of Texas
Licensed by the state by the end of January of each year. He said the current city ordinance required a
licensing of wreckers each year in December. The concern was that the city's separate permitting process
a duplication of paperwork; was costly; and in fact, no one should be operating a wrecker in the city
er city rules that was not licensed by the state in the first place. He said there was also a request to
sider a rate increase for the ordered tow that the Police Department authorized under the city's rotation
tem. The concern was that the wrecker drivers were having a difficult time making ends meet along the
sent rate structure. Mr. Pipes said they assured the operators at that time that the Police Department
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MINUTES OF THE COUNCIL MEETING OF FEBRUARY 21, 1989 BOOK "P" 251
would conduct a survey of towns and communities in our area -and of comparable size across the state. This
ordinance has no provision for an increase in the current authorized rates. He said it is merely a re -write
to dispense with the duplication of paperwork that the certification by the state and permitting by the city
created for them, in hopes of reducing their paperwork and their overhead in that regard. He said the city
has never made an effort in determining what is the optimum number of wreckers operating within the city
system where there could be a reasonable expectation that everyone would make a reasonable rate of return or
have a reasonable amount of business in order to stay in operation.
He said the city has had a request to add two additional wreckers to the rotation list that are
owned by an individual already on the list and under current provisions, they would just be adding two more
wreckers to the list. He said in his view, that simply reduces the amount of business that all of the
wrecker drivers and companies on the list can possibly have. He said it creates a situation of how many
ways can one divide a pie. He said we are rapidly approaching the time that no matter what the rates are,
by virtue of the number of wreckers on rotation, one is only going to get one call a week. He said there is
probably not enough money on one call to make a living by shear numbers. He said the city has no way to
check and it is not likely the wrecker owners are going to want to provide the amount of business
information necessary for the city staff to make a determination of whether a reasonable rate of return is
to be expected under the city's rate structure. He said they can compare themselves to other towns and
cities and will do that just as we pledged to do, but ultimately, it is going to come down to the decision
as to how we can best administer the city's rotation service or calls for service by ordered police tows and
ultimately the free market system is going to need to take hold by virtue of competitive bidding of all of
the city tows on a yearly basis, etc., because the proliferation of numbers will simply arithmetically make
it impossible for anyone to make a living and there are no limitations under our system as to how many we
can have.
Mr. Scott Bounds, City Attorney, make some typographical corrections in the document under review to
change "auto wrecker" to "tow truck" and everywhere police chief appears in the old ordinance to change to
city manager. Mr. Bounds presented a memorandum describing his interpretation of the intent of state law.
He said in August of 1988, the Texas Department of Labor Standards finally adopted some rules that dealt
with the regulation of tow trucks. These rules were the result of a bill that was passed in the previous
Legislature authorizing the state to regulate tow trucks. He said the statute that gave the Texas
Department of Labor Standards the authority to regulate, defined the rights and some limitations on rights
of cities regarding tow truck regulations. He said the legislature said no city may require a tow truck,
registered with the state, to get a city permit for a consent tow unless the tow truck owner has a place of
business located in the city. He said the city has one wrecker service in the city whose place of business
is outside the city. He said we have at least one wrecker service that is permitted to a consent tow. A
consent tow is if one's car breaks down at one's house, and one wants a wrecker to take the car to a garage,
the city has no right to regulate that service, he reported. Secondly, the legislature said a city may
regulate tow trucks performing non - consent tows within the city regardless of where the business is located.
He said a non - consent tow is when one's car is illegally parked in a parking lot of an apartment complex
that is signed as no parking and a non - permitted tow truck tows that vehicle and the owner did not consent
to it, the city has a right to regulate it although the city does not have to authorize that tow. He said
state law authorizes that. He said the third thing is that the state says that these laws adopted by the
Department of Labor Standards provide that a tow from a custodial arrest, is regarded as a non- consent tow.
He said if the police arrested an owner - driver, then that driver cannot make a consent tow; the city has the
right to regulate that tow. He said the state says the city still has the authority to regulate or patrol a
traffic accident scene, which implies that at a traffic accident scene, the city can still regulate the tow
businesses.
He said the state says the city permits are in addition to the state requirements. He said many of
the minimum standards adopted by the state follow almost verbatim the requirements the city had in its
ordinance, the 8000 pound winch, the broom, etc. as far as what has to be on the truck when it goes to an
accident. Since the tow trucks have to be regulated to be in that business, to the extent the cities
MINUTES OF THE COUNCIL MEETING OF FEBRUARY 21, 1989 BOOK "P" 252
mtinue to regulate them, it is redundant and is not necessary. Mr. Bounds said the ordinance restricts
egulation to non - consent tows and to tows related to accidents and custodian arrests, because that is
3sically what the state says we have the right to regulate. He said the city eliminated its transfer
Lass B wrecker where on a consent basis, a vehicle was towed from one spot to another. He said those
equirements are eliminated because basically the state had adopted regulations very similar. He said this
rdinance restricts regulations to non - consent tows, tows from scenes of accidents and custodial arrests.
Councilmember Carter asked if the city could still enforce those provisions now regulated by the
tate. Mr. Bounds said the Department of Labor Standards will enforce those provisions. He said the Police
epartment may have some enforcement authority under state law and he would check on that, but basically the
tate assumes primary responsibility for enforcement. Councilmember Carter said if we are going to have to
Mr. Bounds advised of some other small changes.
Mr. Bounds noted in Section 6 much has been deleted, but it basically states that all city tow
rucks shall, in addition to the state's tow truck standards, meet the following requirements: that the
ruck have a 3/4 ton capacity - -under state law it could be a half -ton truck. He said the second standard
etained is that a dolly be available on the truck - -the state does not require a dolly. He said the
otation list basically stays the same except he did add a provision regarding tow slips. He also advised a
rovision has been added whereby "The fee when the tow truck has been called to the scene but not towed from
he scene is one /half the regular towing fee." Mayor Monday was concerned that this provision may cause a
cene at the scene in itself. City Attorney, Scott Bounds, felt there is less potential for a scene than in
he current situation. Councilmember Carter asked how the one -half fee would be collected after the person
ets his car back because they are probably not going to be willing to pay it without something being held
ostage so- to- speak. Mr. Bounds said it may be the city will end up with a policy that unless the owner
ndicates a willingness to pay they will receive a ticket for leaving their vehicle in a potentially
azardous position. Councilmember Bell asked if that could be written into the ordinance that the owner has
o agree to consent to pay and make it a legally binding contract. Mr. Bounds said he would be more
omfortable doing this in a more flexible policy outside the ordinance because it is an area that really
equires some officer discretion. Councilmember Carter asked what the City of Houston does to collect
Mr. Bounds said the city has some citizens who insist on driving on the streets when they are
looded or covered with ice and they often get into trouble. He said technically it would be a violation
or a tow truck to drive around town helping citizens out in that situation as it would be soliciting
recker service. He said as long as there is no collision, this will be permitted under this ordinance.
ouncilmember Carter noted, in those circumstances, if all our tow trucks are cruising town looking for
omeone to help and competing for business, rushing to places where cars are in ditches, off the road, etc.,
ill there be confrontations over who got there first? Mr. Pipes, City Manager, noted while there are some
own sides to this provision, with the limited number of officers on duty and available and with their
rimary concern being accidents and situations they have to work, the person who slides off the road into
he bar ditch with no inherent danger to traffic, etc., may sit there for a long time waiting for an officer
o come by to authorize a tow. Mr. Bounds said if that becomes a problem, we can always come back to amend
he ordinance.
Mr. Bounds said the ordinance further provides it is an offense to make non-consent tows without a
ity permit. He said he codified a couple of exceptions which are consistent with state law, as follows:
t is an affirmative defense if a car being towed is your own vehicle as one would not be deemed to be in
he tow truck business, but if you are towing your neighbor's vehicle, you are in the tow truck business and
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MINUTES OF THE COUNCIL MEETING OF FEBRUARY 21, 1989 BOOK "P" 253
need a permit and one would be violating state law without a permit. Secondly, he said, he provides in the
ordinance that it is a defense that the vehicle is just being carried through town and the ordinance does
not apply. Thirdly, he said, not covered in this ordinance are repossessions; noting if a bank is
repossessing a vehicle, that is not considered a regulated tow. Mr. Bounds explained the city does still
regulate consent tows at scenes of accidents and a permit is stilt needed in that situation.
Mr. Bounds deleted a large portion of Section 4A-18 of the old ordinance and added a new section
requiring wreckers to keep copies of their tow slips basically recording the price charged for the tow. It
now reads: "Each city permittee of a tow truck shall keep tow slips issued by the city for one year from
the date of the latest transaction." He said the city is really only interested in the tow slips here.
Mayor Monday asked since we have had so many corrections that perhaps this should be tabled until
Mr. Bounds can research that one section and resubmit this ordinance with corrections for review at a later
time. Mr. Bounds said he can do that administratively, but wrecker drivers were supposed to re- permit their
vehicles on January 1. He said the city has not re- permitted them awaiting the Council decision as to what
to do since there are inconsistencies between the city ordinance and state law and this is the urgency is
bringing this to the Council.
Councilmember Green made the motion to approve this ordinance as Presented discussed and amended
here and Councilmember Gaines seconded the motion. Councilmember Carter noted he would prefer tabling it,
but as long as people know the Council will be reviewing it again one more time even if it is an ordinance
after tonight, he will vote on it now. Councilmember Bell asked if there were tow truck operators present
who would like to speak to it. Mr. Buddy Yidner advised he visited with the City Attorney today concerning
his questions which were basically all answered. The tow truck representatives were encouraged by the Mayor
and Council to bring any questions they may have to Mr. Bounds or back to them in a council meeting. All
were in favor and the motion Passed unanimously. Mayor Monday asked Mr. Bounds to bring back the corrected
and amended version for review at the next meeting.
CITY MANAGER'S REPORT- -GENE PIPES
Planning Commission & Board of Adiustments and Appeals Building Code Review
Gene Pipes, City Manager, advised these boards have met with the city staff to initiate the code
review process requested by the Council. He there has been media coverage on this. The Board and
Commission are devising a review system for each of their areas of responsibility. He said the Board of
Adjustments and Appeals met this morning and they propose to develop a survey form to mail out to all of the
contractors and tradesmen working in the local market in recent times. The survey will ask for specific
reference to various chapters and sections of the building, electrical, plumbing and mechanical codes that
have been offered for review. He said the Board will meet in April to evaluate the information in a closed
meeting and they will set a subsequent public meeting for verbal input if any is indicated at that time.
The Planning Commission will be sending to the Council soon a letter determining what method of
communication would be advised. He said some sentiment was expressed for some sort of registered letter to
the individual developers so those impacted in the field would be formally notified. He said the
development code is obviously one that is more unique in the Huntsville market and tailored in the
performance standards to fit Huntsville's situation. He said it is not as standard as the building codes,
plumbing codes, etc. He said both of these bodies are under review of this process. The staff will keep
the Council advised of the meeting schedules.
Increased Cost for Self - Funding Employee Insurance Plan
Mr. Pipes advised the Council of recent regulations which have apparently contributed to the 65 cent
per employee per month cost increase for the administration of our employee health plan system as of March
1. He said he has not been in receipt of information to substantiate or justify that increase, but rather
has just received this notice. Mayor Monday asked if this is covered in our contract. Mr. Pipes said it is
MINUTES OF THE COUNCIL MEETING OF FEBRUARY 21, 1989 BOOK "P" 254
not because this is a regulatory board increase of administrative costs in reporting to the state insurance
board. He said for the first time, self - funded plans have come under their regulatory scrutiny. Mr. Bounds
said he will be meeting with the plan representatives to obtain an itemized statement concerning how the
increase is derived. Mr. Pipes said he presents this for the Council's information as trustees of the plan.
Steve Brewer, The Huntsville Item Reporter Introduced
Mr. Gene Pipes, City Manager, introduced Mr. Brewer as The Huntsville Item's new reporter covering
the City Council meetings.
MAYOR'S ACTIVITY REPORT - -JANE MONDAY
1989 Cost of Service Calculation for Entex
Mayor Monday presented information concerning the 1989 Cost of Service calculation which, after
adjusting to eliminate non - recurring expenses, results in a net increase of S.04 per customer per year or
S.00 per customer bill. She noted the existing rates, which have not changed in two years, will remain in
effect. She said Entex customers will enjoy lower total gas bills in 1989 as compared to 1988 and the
average residential customer will experience a $37 per year savings in 1989 as a result of the gas cost
decrease.
Highway 19 Meeting
Mayor Monday advised all of the counties and cities were represented at the recent Highway 19
meeting and that the enthusiasm is still there. Bylaws were adopted and a May date was set for the next
meeting, she reported. She said there is a transportation questionnaire from Bill MCCooL, Vice Chairman,
Highway 19 Association, to commercial users of Highway 19, which requests their assistance in compiling
data to determine the economic value of Highway 19 becoming a four lane divided highway from the
Texas - Oklahoma border north of Paris to Huntsville, connecting to I -45 and to the Houston-Gulf Coast area.
Mayor Monday said these data will be used in the presentation to the Texas Highway Commission. She asked
the Council for their input as to who should receive this questionnaire in Walker County.
Banking Women Presentation
Mayor Monday advised she and Councitmember Gaines made a presentation to the Banking Women
concerning women in politics recently.
School Visitation Month Proclamation
Mayor Monday advised she presented this proclamation to the principals at HISD.
Walker County Chamber of Commerce Trade Expo
Mayor Monday encouraged everyone to attend this event from 4:00 P.M. until 8:00 P.M. at the
Fairgrounds on Thursday evening where 80 businesses will be showcased. She said the slogan is "Buy Walker
County - -Help One Another."
Citizens Group Concerned with Economic Development
Mayor Monday advised she attended a meeting last week of a citizen's group interested in expressing
their concern for economic development and business development in Huntsville and Walker County. She said
they would like to be a part of looking at some positive ways they could help and perhaps bring us further
business or industrial development than what we have already. She said Councilmember Barrett also attended.
She said they would like to post a Town Meeting on Thursday, March 2 at 7:30 P.M. She encouraged all of
the Council to be there. She said city, county, HISD, SHSU, Chamber of Commerce, Economic Development
Corporation, and perhaps TDC representatives will be there to speak for five to ten minutes about what they
are doing in the area of economic development. There will be a question and answer period, she said.
Team Cities Proaram
Mayor Monday gave an update on the progress of the Team Cities Program through GSU, noting the
program is progressing.
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East Texas Familiarization Tour
Mayor Monday advised on Sunday afternoon that an East Texas Familiarization Tour is coming through
Huntsville. She said it is a tour that comes through a broker who then will be scheduling bus tours
throughout East Texas. She said they come through each community so they can become familiar with what
there is to see there, to sample the restaurants, and get other information, and then go back to book the
tours themselves. She said they will be here at 4:00 P.M. on Sunday. All of the Council are encouraged to
be at the Chamber to greet them. Councilmember Bell will be assisting with the bus tour. The Council is
encouraged to come in costume. She encouraged Councilmember Knotts to wear his fishing gear complete with
rod, reel and hat. She said she will be wearing a period gown and hoped Councilmember Gaines will do
Likewise. She said it is an opportunity for us to roll out the red carpet and support tourism.
One Stop Development Center Coordination
Mayor Monday asked Mr. Pipes to continue to look at the coordination of the one stop development
center and the inspection department as we go into mid -year budget adjustments. She said she will be
Looking forward to his recommendations for facilitating improved services.
COUNCIL ACTION
Zoning Article -- Bryan, Texas
Councilmember Bell referred to a newspaper article in the council's packet concerning zoning in
Bryan. He said when Huntsville studied zoning three years ago, Bryan was held out as an example why
Huntsville could not zone as it was not feasible there. He said now Bryan is starting to take the
initiative, perhaps Huntsville should also look at it.
Central Business District Plan
Councilmember Carter noted from the information in the packet there is some intention to obtain
underground utilities in the Central Business District. He said there are two or three things we should do
about utilities. He said we now have a new Gulf States Utilities manager and perhaps there will be new
discussion about the subject. He said the city is working on 19th Street near the museum and we have some
new historical quarters as listed on the historical map. He said it may be good to work on getting
utilities placed underground along the museum quarter, along this historical thoroughfare at least and
downtown. He said the old Brown OR Tool building, now TDC offices, has no wires hanging out and around
that building as corporations learned long ago to put utilities underground. Councilmember Carter said now
that we have the Board of Adjustments and Appeals and Planning Commission looking at regulations for
development, we should not just consider that the city is being too restrictive. He said he would like to
throw out as a consideration that in this concern over development regulations that we present to those who
are looking at it the notion that for new construction we require underground utilities for all new
construction. He said he would like to see that as part of the agenda on these discussions.
Economic Development
Councilmember Carter advised we have a very fine group of artists at Sam Houston State University
and in this community. He said anyone who has been to the Gallery at 1212 University or has seen the
product of these artists will see this is a clean and attractive industry for any town. He said as we are
planning economic development, he hoped we will acknowledge this art community and sell that with this
tourist development.
Code Review
Councilmember Barrett noted he is very pleased that the review of the codes is ongoing. He
encouraged any citizen involved in this area to become involved in the review as well. Councilmember Knotts
said we must not forget why we have these codes and perhaps we need to educate the public more as to why
those regulations are there and that they are not just taken arbitrarily out of the air and passed down.
He said they are time- proven and have been in the cities for hundreds of years. He said the city is not
originating anything that is particularly unusual here. He said it may be just a lack of good understanding
MINUTES OF THE COUNCIL MEETING OF FEBRUARY 21, 1989 BOOK "P" 256
and education of the people that use the regulations. He said perhaps the Board and Commission could took
at some kind of educational process to explain why those regulations are there and what is their purpose.
East Texas Folk Festival
Councilmember Gaines reminded everyone that the East Texas Folk Festival is only seven weeks away.
She encouraged everyone to get involved, noting it is really going to be fantastic this year and much bigger
than last year.
Chamber of Commerce Tourist Commission in the Vallev
Councilmember Gaines advised the Councilmembers that the city's Tourist Council went to the Valley
for a four day stay to talk to the Winter Texans. She said they have had a very positive response in
getting these people interested in Huntsville.
H -GAC Meeting in Houston
Councilmember Howard advised he attended this meeting in Houston recently. He said the speaker was
Senator Phil Gramm and he talked about economic development. He said he will make a report on this meeting
at the next meeting.
RECESS TO WORK SESSION AND EXECUTIVE SESSION
Mayor Monday advised there will be a five minute break and then the Council will enter the work
session to review the draft of the rewritten comprehensive plan: overview and downtown central business
district. After the work session, it will enter into an executive session to review city charter officers.
She advised no action is anticipated and the Council will not reconvene into the formal session.
ADJOURNMENT
CjRuffthDeS haw,� pectfully submitted
City Secretary
February 21, 1989