Loading...
MIN CC 12/12/1989L-11 MEETING OF THE COUNCIL MEETING OF DECEMBER 12, 1989 BOOK "p" 575 NUTES OF THE HUNTSVILLE CITY COUNCIL MEETING HELD ON THE 12TH DAY OF DECEMBER, 1989 IN THE CITY HALL UNCIL CHAMBERS, LOCATED AT 1212 AVENUE M IN THE CITY OF HUNTSVILLE, COUNTY OF WALKER, TEXAS AT 6:25 P.M. The Council met in a regular meeting with the following members present: ane Monday, Mayor 0. Eugene Barrett City Officers Present: ary Bell James L. Carter Gene Pipes, City Manager La G. Gaines William L. Hammock Ruth DeShaw, City Secretary illiam B. Green Percy Howard, Jr. Scott Bounds, City Attorney Absent: William H. Knotts, Jr. FORMAL MEETING Mayor Jane Monday convened the formal meeting at 7:00 P.M. Mayor Pro tem Percy Howard, Jr. I the invocation. CONSIDER MINUTES OF DECEMBER 5. 1989 Councilmember Barrett made the motion to approve of the minutes of December 5. 1989 and CONSIDER RECOMMENDATIONS OF THE MAYOR'S ALCOHOL /DRUG USE /ABUSE TASK FORCE nrnn.vlsr:­ of r6a M-ric Alrnhnl /nnin Ilse /ANica TAclr Fnrra fnr imnlam Ms. Matthews presented the recommendations of the Task Force, as follows: The creation of a newly appointed Task Force for the implementation phase. This Task Force should be actively led by the Mayor and its membership selected by her. In addition, she should determine the size of the working body. It is this body that will provide over the next year the focus of action for implementing the recommendations and the networking of individuals and agencies for effective prevention. The Task Force should develop and adopt an official "position statement." It could include such ideas as: a.) drug abuse is the use of any illegal drug; and b.) zero tolerance for illegal drug use. The adoption of a position statement is crucial to providing and achieving a consistent direction for the entire community. Appoint a Community Coordination Unit for all alcohol and drug use /abuse prevention efforts. This unit may provide a variety of services such as referral, and a resource database on speakers, audiovisuats, instructional materials /programs. This Unit will serve as a quality control check for all alcohol and drug prevention efforts. Designate, officially, the time period from January 1, 1990 to December 31, 1990, as Huntsville's formalized effort to join in the National and State "War on Drugs." This year should be characterized by a variety of activities such as initiating a "program of commitment" for public education, youth clubs and organizations, public health and service organizations, law enforcement, treatment programs, churches, etc., to provide at least one maior program related to alcohol and drugs. The programs should emphasize and be consistent with the basic position statement of the Task Force. Develop a comprehensive "awards and incentives" program for alcohol and drug abuse prevention activities and for drug -free behavior. This program could be directly tied to the Mayor's office by awarding the "Mayors' Certificate of Excellence" in a variety of different efforts. Develop and implement a volunteer group of citizens for the purpose of criminal case and court monitoring. This group would be designated as an official "Court Watchers" group. Their primary purpose would be to help keep the victims of crime, the community at- large, and the local media updated on the status of offenses. MEETING OF THE COUNCIL MEETING OF DECEMBER 12, 1989 BOOK "P" 576 8J 9! 11 Develop other mandatory programs such as the D.W.I. Program and Defensive Driving Program for individuals found guilty of alcohol /drug related offenses. For instance, another element of this recommendation could consist of mandatory parental involvement in programs for parents whose children are involved with illegal drugs (alcohol included when used below the age of 21). Encourage the staffing of our Sheriff's Department and Municipal Police Department with a full time officer dedicated to community services and education. Encourage and provide the leadership for a coordinated effort of community businesses to provide an employee's assistance program. Encourage and provide the leadership in developing a "Student Assistance Program" in the Huntsville schools, as well as at Sam Houston State University. Encourage the Huntsville Independent School District to explore the feasibility of joining programs such as TARGET. This program is sponsored by the National Association of State High School Associations and provides treatment coverage at a group purchase price of $1.00 per student. Maintain present officers as a Coordinating Board to the new Task Force. This will serve to provide continuity in both process and content. TMatthews strongly encouraged the Council to adopt these recommendations, noting the Task Force is not I miting or excluding additions to this, but any other recommendations will be brought back to the Council. itmember Howard seconded the motion. All were in favor and the motion passed unanimously. [The it then recessed into a reception to honor members of the 100 plus citizens group who served on the Force.] CITIZEN INPUT /INQUIRY SESSION Mr. Gamble advised Mr. Pete Johnson has a wrecker storage yard on Roans Ferry Road which operates 24 urs a day. He said he and his family have had no rest since he began operations. He asked the city to do mething about the noise because they cannot go on this way; chains are rattling, trucks idling loudly, esel motor noises are made intermittently 24 hours a day as wrecked cars, etc. are deposited there. He id he lives about 140 feet from the yard, or "right on it "; one cannot sleep through this noise and that has been a nightmare ever since the yard has been there. Mayor Monday said Mr. Gamble does have a oblem and the city has visited with him before and tried to work out some solutions. She asked Mr. Scott Mayor Monday advised Sam Sandal, Gretchen Durham and Patsy Robinson were to be recognized for their work this evening, but since they are not in attendance, the presentations will be made at another time. CONSIDER ORDINANCES Mr. Pipes, City Manager, advised six bids were received for one new and unused triple combination umping engine (1990 Fire Truck), ranging from $116,898 to $191,889. He said the staff recommends the econd lowest bidder, in the amount of $119,839, or some $2,941 more than the low bidder. This bid is being :commended by the Fire Chief because the proposal from A.R.T. Texas Apparatus is for a completely aluminum umper body, and has a polyproplene water tank instead of a fiberglas tank [the city has had problems with iberglas tanks in the past]. He said while the two lowest bidders each met the minimum specifications, all idders are given the flexibility to bid whatever items of equipment they have. Mr. Pipes said the city idn't bid an aluminum body, because that would have excluded a number of companies, however, having a bid or an aluminum body gives the city that much more value, and while it is in excess of the minimum U C JJ MEETING OF THE COUNCIL MEETING OF DECEMBER 12, 1989 BOOK "P" 577 specifications, it is acceptable. Mr. Pipes advised the Fire Chief feels the difference is negligible when one considers the cost over the 30 year life expectancy of the truck, as a totally aluminum body would not rust or corrode over its life expectancy and it would be a stronger and lighter unit. Mr. Scott Bounds, City Attorney, said while he always advises the Council to take the lowest bid meeting specifications, the specifications provide not just a starting point for negotiations but an accurate set of specifications so that everyone is basically bidding on the same item. He said the statutes do allow the council to determine who is the lowest "responsible" bidder prior to awarding the bid and there is some discretion given to the Council in that determination, and in rejecting bids for "good reason." He said within this framework, he asked that the Fire Chief give notice to the apparent low bidder so they would have the opportunity to present evidence to the Council why they didn't think that decision is fair. Mr. Pipes said the city has notified the low bidder via an "overnight" letter regarding the reasons the city wishes to award the bid to the second low bidder and when they received it Friday, they telephoned Mr. Joe French, Fire Chief, to discuss their questions as to why they were not chosen. Mr. French said after explaining the reasons, as outlined above, the low bidder [Ferrara Fire Fighting Equipment] indicated they understood the reason for taking an aluminum body over their bid. Mr. Pipes advised the total bid from A.R.T. Texas Apparatus is $145,079 and includes all necessary tools, appliances, air packs, hose, generator and nozzles to make a complete unit. The Council was advised the $79.00 that is over the approved amount of $145,000 could come from the general fund account. He then presented the ordinance, the caption of which is as follows: ORDINANCE NO. 89 -41 AN ORDINANCE AUTHORIZING ISSUANCE OF A CITY OF HUNTSVILLE, TEXAS, EQUIPMENT ACQUISITION CERTIFICATE OF OBLIGATION IN THE AMOUNT OF $145,000; AND CONTAINING OTHER PROVISIONS RELATED TO THE SUBJECT. [$145,000; TRIPLE COMBINATION PUMPING ENGINE; FOUR YEAR C.O.; WITH $79 COMING FROM GENERAL FUND] Councilmember Barrett made the motion to adopt Ordinance No. 89 -41 and to accept the bid of A.R.T. Texas Apparatus in the amount of $145.079 and Councilmember Carter seconded the motion After some further discussion for clarification, all were in favor and the motion passed unanimously. Consider Ordinance No. 89 -42. Certificate of Obligation for acquisition of front loading refuse truck for the sanitation division in the amount of $115.000 and award of bid to Industrial Disposal Supply Company in the amount of $115.095. Mr. Gene Pipes, City Manager, presented the city's recommendation to accept the lowest bid meeting specifications from Industrial Disposal Supply Company in the amount of $115,095 for one new 1990 diesel powered front loading refuse truck, with a trade -in of one used 1981 Peterbilt front loading refuse truck, to be funded with a certificate of obligation. He said this bid also exceeds the budgeted amount by some $95.00 which will be funded from the general fund. He then presented the ordinance, the caption of which is as follows: ORDINANCE NO. 89 -42 AN ORDINANCE AUTHORIZING ISSUANCE OF A CITY OF HUNTSVILLE, TEXAS, EQUIPMENT ACQUISITION CERTIFICATE OF OBLIGATION IN THE AMOUNT OF $115,000; AND CONTAINING OTHER PROVISIONS RELATED TO THE SUBJECT. [$115,000, 4 YEAR C.O. DIESEL POWERED FRONT LOADING REFUSE TRUCK] Councilmember Howard made the motion to approve of Ordinance No 89 -42 and the bid of Industrial Disposal Supply Company in the amount of $115,095 and Councilmember Gaines seconded the motion All were in favor and the motion Passed unanimously. MEETING OF THE COUNCIL MEETING OF DECEMBER 12, 1989 BOOK "P" 578 CONSIDER BIDS Consider b:d Flo. 90 -14 for - ndercarriaae repair as recommended by staff Mr. Gene Pipes, City Manager, said three bids were received for undercarriage repairs for the caterpillar 977L track loader. Ile presented the staff's recommendation of the low bid submitted by East Texas Welding and Press, Inc. for $10,371.x2. He advised since the majority of the work this machine performs is at the landfill, the staff recommends payment from account 24 -24 -5404, which has a balance of $28,301.92. Councilmember Barrett made the motion to award the bid to East Texas Welding and Press Inc for $10.371.52, as recommended. and CounciLam-iber Gai.-Pea seconded the motion All were in favor and the motion passed unanimously. Consider budget adjustments and carry forward C.I.P. projects Mr. Gene Pipes, City Manager, presented a surim:.ry of the C.I.P. projects and funds that the Council requested be carried forward. He said these projects were approved in prior years, but are, to -date, not completed. He asked the Council to approve the project list and the associated funds for carry forward. He also presented budget adjustments for their approval. Councilmember Bell made the motion to approve of the C.I.P. project and funds list and the budget adjustments and Councilmember Howard seconded the motion All were in favor and the motion passed unanimously. Consider an agreement for Musical Programs as recommended by the Arts Commission in the aggregate amount of $8.000 Mr. Gene Pipes, City Manager, presented this agreement between the City and Huntsville Community Choral Society and Fine Arts Association, Inc. to conduct a series of musical programs: Messiah Concert with Symphony Orchestra; Gilbert and Sullivan Operetta; HEAP /Gazebo Sumner Concert; and Fourth of July Band Concert. He advised payment for the $8,000 contract will be in three installments, with the final payment made April 1, 1990. It was noted this project is supported in part by funding from the Huntsville Arts Commission. Councilmember Gaines made the motion to approve of this agreement as outlined above and CounsiLmember Howard seconded the motion. All were in favor and the motion passed unanimously. CONSIDER C.I.P. STREET PROJECTS /1990 PRIORITY LIST Review the completed C.I.P. street proiects and consider the 1990 street priority list as presented by Public Works Director. Johnny Poteete Mr. Poteete made a presentation to the Council concerning the streets completed under the capital improvements program. The Council was advised since the start of the CIP street program in 1987, some 98 projects have been completed at a cost of $1,668,780 fcr materials and contract labor. He also reviewed the plans for the 1990 street work, which includes 82 projects with a total estimated cost of $927,985,98 with most of the individual projects estimated to cost less than $20,000. Mr. Poteete then presented the paving priority list for 1990 for their approval. After some discussion and review, Councilmember Barrett made the motion to adont the 1990 street paving priority list as presented and Councilmember Howard seconded the CITY MANAGER'S Nr'PORT- -GENE PIPES Mr. Pipes, City Manager, advised it is time to coordinate the city's planned water line work with the work planned by the Methodist Church, which means taking the water line project out of sequence. Mr. Glenn Isbell, Director of Design Engineering, said the water line will be built along 11th Street between Avenue M and Sam Houston Avenue and along Sam Houston Avenue between 10th and 11th Streets. He said to do this the sidewalks will have to come out. He presented four options, as follows: tion 1 is to complete only the water line adjacent to the Methodist Church and replace sidewalk. No power Les can be removed with this option alone, he said, and the costs with concrete sidewalk are between 3,735 and $31,255; 9nd with havers, '.)etween $33,775 and $36,295. A 1 MEETING OF THE COUNCIL MEETING OF DECEMBER 12, 1989 BOOK "P" 579 Option 2 is to complete Option 1, plus provide underground power on the south side of 11th Street from Sam Houston Avenue west approximately 1/2 block; place interconnect cable underground from Avenue M to the east side of Sam Houston Avenue and provide underground power feed to traffic signals at Sam Houston Avenue and 11th Street; reroute telephone at Fidelity Savings and the Federal Building and replace sidewalk.:; - eroute telecable. Mr. Isbell said the costs are between $56,297 to $30,947 with concrete sidewalks an; between $65,597 to $70,247 with pavers for the sidewalk. Option 3 is to do Option 1 and 2, plus lay interconnect cable underground from Sam Houston Avenue to University and feed traffic signals at University and 11th Street with underground power, continue water Line to University Avenue; provide underground power for street lights; and assumes that this work can be accomplished in the parking area of 11th Street without disturbing sidewalk on the north side of the Square. Mr. Isbell advised the costs for this work are between $86,110 to $91,270 with a concrete sidewalk and between $ 96,430 to $101,590 with pavers. Option 4 is to do Options 1, 2 and 3, plus remove and replace the sidewalk on the north s ;de of the Square at a cost of between $93,535 to $100,045 with a concrete sidewalk, and between $106,555 to $113,047 for pavers. Mr. Isbell presented a breakdown as to how these costs were derived and an associated map showing the areas involved. Mr. Pipes said none of this work is arant eliaible because what was specifically stipulated as local match was the theater project the downtown otanner and those speci'ic projects He said the city does not know if the grant will be approved and the grant would have to be amended to include "hard" projects like this as a grant eligible match. He said what we are applying for is a National Endowment for the Arts Grant and they would tike to see art type projects as the matching grant. Mayor Monday said in the second and third year of the grant, the city can, however, amend the grant to include hard costs, but just cannot do so in the first year. Mr. Pipes said the Methodist Church project will ;.ot wait until year two and three and the time is now on that utility line. He said the city must get the water Line in before the church begins construction so that it can be coordinated. Mr. Pipes said the general fund balance his $98,242. Ms. Patricia Allen advised there is approximately $200.000 available in the city's unallocated capital projects fund that could be a source for this Project rather than using the general operating funds. After some discussion concerning associated situations with each option, Councilmember Carter made the motion to do Option 3. as outlined above with approximately half of the costs to be paid from water and sewer funds for those costs associated with water and sewer and approximately half of the other costs from the unallocated capital Projects fund, and that the decision on the type of Pavers shaLid be made on January 9. Councilmember Green seconded this motion Discussion: Mayor Monday asked Linda Pease, Arts Commission Coordinator, to visit with Mr. Kim Williams, Restoration Architect, concerning researching the type of pavers the city should use, and noted some people were unhappy with the ty?: of pavers the city used on the south side of the Square. All were in favor and the motion Passed unanimously. Thirteenth Street Sidewalk Entrance to Dr. Raymond Blalp-k's Offices City Manager Gene Pipes advised when the city does the 13th street curb, gutter and sidewalk work, it will mean the removal of the carpet covered sidewalk leading into Dr. Blalock's clinic He asked the Council to reaffirm the city's policy regarding the type of sidewalk the city is to replace upon completion of the city's construction work. The City Council discussed the matter and reaffirmed its previously adopted sidewalk policy that whenever the city's construction work causes the removal of a sidewalk, the City will only replace it with the gray concrete type sidewalk unless the adjoining property owner prefers some other sidewalk treatment, with the cost for the additional treatment [coloration /brick look /glued outdoor carpeting, etc.] to be paid by the property owner in advance of the work being done. The Council also felt, however, that if Dr. Blalock is concerned about the need for traction in front of his clinic, the city could consider working with him to do a rough brush concrete finish or some other skid resistent finish MEETING OF THE COUNCIL MEETING OF DECEMBER 12, 1989 BOOK "p" 580 o provide the same slip resistance that his carpet treatment had been providing. Mr. Pipes said the city ill propose that to Dr. Blalock as an option to the regular finish. City Manager Gene Pipes asked the Tourism Committee members on the council to determine when they can meet next week so that the City Attorney can review with them the tourism contract. MAYOR'S ACTIVITY REPORT - -JANE MONDAY Mayor Monday advised that: -- the Huntsville-Alabame Storm Relief Furd will be sent to the City of Huntsville, Alabama next Friday, December 15, 1989 and now totals about $1,700; -- she has received a request for security lights for the Forest Hills [triangular] Park and asked the City Manager to review this; -- she visited with the 3rd, 4th and 5th grade students of Gibbs Elementary School recently and enjoyed the experience; -- she attended the Library Volunteer Appreciation Lunch at the Library, where she learned the Genealogy Association members help staff the library for half a day and assist local citizens ab well as those from other states who wish to do genealogy work; noting a section has been set up for them, more books have been contributed to this area; and this is a popular service; -- she attended the Walker County Extension Luncheon where they featured the number of programs that are currently ongoing; -- she attended the Huntsville Housing Authority Annual Banquet along with others from the council and noted they have been successful in acquiring a number of grants to upgrade their facilities, thanks to the work of their Executive Director, Mrs. Jean Campbell [Mr. Pipes advised the city was presented a check for approximately $7,000 which is "payment in Lieu of taxes" from the Watkins Clark Housing Project.]; and finally, -- she wishes to express her appreciation to the Huntsville Police Department for their efficient coordination of the 1989 Huntsville Christmas Parade, noting it went very well in spite of the cold, misty night. COUNCIL ACTION Councilmember Green expressed his appreciation for the turn lanes recently installed on Normal Park, ing it has made a difference. Councilmember Bell advised that the Spring Lake Subdivision Association met recently to consider the donation, before Christmas. of an additional city park from Mr. M B Etheredge and that the ighbors expressed their willingness to see the land dedicated for this purpose. ADJOURNMENT Respectfully submitted, Ruth DeShaw, City Secretary December 12, 1989 R1