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1-19-1988 to 1-24-1989, 22 pagesMINUTES OF THE JANUARY 19, 1988 CITY COUNCIL MEETING BOOK "P" 10 MINUTES OF THE HUNTSVILLE CITY COUNCIL MEETING HELD ON THE 19TH DAY OF JANUARY, 1988 IN THE CITY HALL COUNCIL CHAMBERS, LOCATED AT 1212 AVENUE M IN THE CITY OF HUNTSVILLE, COUNTY OF WALKER, TEXAS AT 6:45 P.M. The Council met in a regular session with the following members present: Jane Monday, Mayor William B. Green 0. Eugene Barrett William L. Hammock Gary Bell Percy Howard, Jr. Jim Carter William H. Knotts, Jr. Ila G. Gaines City Officers Present: Gene Pipes, City Manager Scott Bounds, City Attorney Ruth DeShaw, City Secretary FORMAL SESSION Mayor Monday then called the formal session open. The invocation was presented by Pastor Mark Young of the Wesley Methodist Church. CONSIDER THE MINUTES OF THE PREVIOUS MEETING Mayor Monday noted the minutes of the meeting of January 12, 1988 will be presented for approval on January 19, 1988. CONSIDER ELECTION RESULTS Receive and canvass the results of the at -large City Officers' Election held on January 16, 1988. The Council then opened the Mayor's envelope containing the official election returns from the ten voting precincts in the City (nine polling places plus the absentee box). The following Resolution accepting the results was then adopted by the City Council. RESOLUTION N0. 88-2 A RESOLUTION CANVASSING THE RETURNS OF THE REGULAR MUNICIPAL ELECTION HELD WITHIN THE CITY OF HUNTSVILLE ON THE 16TH DAY OF JANUARY, 1988, FOR THE PURPOSE OF ELECTING FOUR COUNCILMEMBERS, ONE FROM EACH OF THE CITY'S FOUR AT -LARGE POSITIONS; DECLARING THE RESULTS OF SAID ELECTION; FINDING THAT NOTICE OF SAID ELECTION WAS DULY AND PROPERLY GIVEN AND THAT SAID ELECTION WAS PROPERLY HELD AND RETURNS THEREOF MADE BY THE PROPER OFFICIALS IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE LAWS OF THE STATE. Councilmember Knotts made the motion to approve of Resolution No. 88 -2 and Councilmember Howard seconded the motion. The motion passed unanimously. The results of the canvass are presented below: THE JANUARY 16, 1988 CITY OFFICERS ELECTION VOTES CAST BY CITY PRECINCTS RESULTS CANDIDATES ABSENTEE 101 102 105 201 202 206 301 306 401 TOTAL % POSITION 1 GENE BARRETT 21 10 42 WRITE-IN 1 1 2 POSITION 2 ILA G. GAINES 20 13 43 WRITE -IN 0 0 1 POSITION 3 JIM CARTER 20 13 32 WRITE -IN 0 0 5 POSITION 4 WILLIAM GREEN 20 9 41 WRITE-IN 0 2 1 15 26 21 27 17 7 9 195 94% 0 0 4 2 3 0 0 13 6% 15 25 21 27 17 7 9 197 96% 0 2 1 2 2 0 0 8 4% 12 26 24 29 18 6 8 188 97% 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 6 3X 12 25 21 27 20 6 7 188 95% 0 1 3 2 1 0 0 10 5% MINUTES OF THE JANUARY 19, 1988 CITY COUNCIL MEETING BOOK "P" 11 NUMBER VOTERS VOTING BY PRECINCT; % OF TOTAL; NO. REGISTERED History of at -Large Elections PCT. 101 14 , % OF TOTAL 6%. Registered: 678 Number voting in 1986: 2060++ PCT. 102 45 , % OF TOTAL 21%. Registered: 1274 Number voting in 1984: 1594* PCT. 105 15 , % OF TOTAL 7%. Registered: 813 Number voting in 1982: 1685 ** PCT. 201 28 , % OF TOTAL 13X. Registered: 1014 Number voting in 1980: 189* ** PCT. 202 26 , % OF TOTAL 12%. Registered: 851 Number voting in 1978: 755+ PCT. 206 31 , % OF TOTAL 14%. Registered: 531 Number voting in 1975: 634* PCT. 301 21 , % OF TOTAL 9%. Registered: 1384 *Position 1 opposition PCT. 306 7 , X OF TOTAL 3X. Registered: 247 * *Positions 1, 3,& 4 opposition PCT. 401 10 , % OF TOTAL 5%. Registered: 1434 ** *Incumbents unopposed ABSENTEE 22 , % OF TOTAL 10%. +Position 4 opposition + +Position 1 & 2 opposition TOTAL NUMBER OF VOTERS VOTING IN THIS ELECTION: 219. TOTAL REGISTERED VOTERS IN CITY: 8,226, % WHO VOTED 3%. Administration of the oath of office to the duly elected at -Large officials City Secretary, Ruth DeShaw, then administered the oaths of office to Councilmembers -at- large: 0. Eugene Barrett, lla G. Gaines, Jim Carter and William B. Green, for another two year term. CONSIDER BIDS Consider bid no. 88 -6 for electrical starter for replacement on water well no. 18 (as previously discussed) to A.C.C. Electrical Supplies in the amount of $5.122.50 to be paid from budgeted funds. Mr. Gene Pipes, City Manager, advised that bids were opened for the purchase of an electrical starter for water well no. 18, which malfunctioned on the weekend of December 12, 1987. He then recannended the lowest bid meeting specifications submitted by A.C.C. Electrical Supplies in the amount of $5,122.50. He advised funds are budgeted in account 22 -61 -5409, in the amount of $60,300. Councilmember Barrett made the motion to accept this bid as outlined above and Councilmember Knotts seconded the motion. All were in favor and the motion passed unanimously. Consider bid no. 88 -7 for water supplies to Municipal Pipe and Fabricating Company in the amount of $6,515 for capital construction, to be paid from capital improvements funds Mr. Gene Pipes, City Manager, advised the Council that bids were opened on January 13, 1988 for the purchase of water supplies for the installation of a water line on 17th Street (project No. 87 -5 -1) by the capital utilities construction division. He then recommended acceptance of the lowest bid meeting specifications submitted by Municipal Pipe and Fabricating Company in the amount of $6,515.00 to be funded from the capital improvements project funds. Councilmember Gaines made the motion to accept this bid as presented above and Councilmember Knotts seconded the motion. All were in favor and the motion passed unanimously. CITY MANAGER'S REPORT - -GENE PIPES Consider response to the Trinity River Authority on the proposed Bedias project Mayor Monday advised she visited with Mr. Grady Manis of the Trinity River Authority this week. Mr. Manis said the TRA has done further investigation this past week on the proposed Bedias Reservoir Project and they are now recommending that this project is not in their best interest to pursue at this time, noting this particular project is probably much farther down the line; therefore, it is TRA's recommendation that Phase II of this project not be done at this time. She said TRA is encouraging us, however, to look toward regional planning over an appropriate time frame. MINUTES OF THE JANUARY 19, 1988 CITY COUNCIL MEETING BOOK "P" 12 City Council Calendar Mr. Pipes, City Manager, noted there have been requests for several work sessions after the first of the year, the audit report is to be reported, and there are some mid -year budget considerations pending while the Council is in a holding pattern on the Acker Vs. City lawsuit, which may come to trial in early February. He noted it will be extremely difficult for the Council to meet the first two weeks in February with the trial pending. He said the audit report will be made on January 26, 1988 along with some other rudimentary business of the City. The next meeting will perhaps be the middle of February before all of the budget information can be ready; however, if the court case is postponed, we can get back on a regular Tuesday night schedule for our meetings. Benefit Basketball Game Mr. Pipes advised those present of the benefit basketball game between the Harlem Magicians and the Huntsville Stammers, at the Bernard G. Johnson Coliseum on February 2, at 8:00 P.M, sponsoed by the Sam Houston Rotary Club. Proceeds will be used to maintain the Sam Houston Museum and Park. (The local basketball players include Councilmembers Jim Carter and Gary Bell and City Manager, Gene Pipes.) Consider Emergency Medical Service board recommendations concerning restructuring of the board's membership. Mr. Pipes advised these recommendations will be delayed until the next time the EMS Board meets, noting a conflict in his schedule prevented him from meeting with the board in their last meeting. Review of Public Utility Commission Meeting in Austin Mr. Pipes advised that the negotiations between the GSU intervening parties and Gulf States broke down and there is still no resolution. He said only two options had been available: (1) that the Commission would rule on the rate increase, or (2) that there would be some sort of continuation or extension, etc. He said the PUC could not rule and the GSU could not compromise. He said the only offer that was made by the company was to extend the period for 90 days and open the files on the River Bend Project to some 3,000 summary documents concerning the River Bend plant and various cost overruns and change orders related to it. He said there was a great deal of discussion about this offer and most of it went to the direction that there was very little to be gained in going through the documents, 90 days would not be sufficient time and the costs would keep escalating. He said the intervenors were largely financed by individual cities and groups of cities. He said today was the last day the Commission has to rule and GSU's position was if there was no rule today, GSU would implement the rates it requested. He said that did not please the commission and the extension was the only way to get more time, however, along with that extension of time go the additional cost factors. He said GSU raised the specter of bankruptcy several times today. He reported if the rate increase is granted, it is expected in normal terms, over the next four years, that the average monthly residential bill will go from $74.00 to $141.00 or a 53% increase. He said that type of impact can be expected in industrial and commercial rates, and all other classes and categories. He said there will be a similar impact on the city's power costs, noting today we are paying $740,000 per year and that amount will increase significantly over the next four years. He said even half of that rate increase would automatically mandate an increase in water, sewer and tax rates, and yet the maximum tax increase that we could pass under the Peveto Bill--an 8 percent increase based on a 38 cent predicted tax rate for next October, would NOT generate sufficient funds to pay the Gulf States Utilities increase alone. Councitmember Green suggested the City look at computerized ways to significantly reduce its utility bills. Councilmember Carter noted the GSU ratepayers will be paying the bill for GSU's legal fees in this rate case and he would prefer to pay for the legal representation for the other side, the ratepayers. MINUTES OF THE JANUARY 19, 1988 CITY COUNCIL MEETING BOOK "P" 13 MAYOR'S ACTIVITY REPORT - -JANE MONDAY Consider reappointments to the Board of Adjustments and Appeals Mayor Monday submitted the names of Bill Nowlin and Curtis Skains for reappointment to the Board of Adjustments and Appeals for an additional two year term. Other members of the Board are: Allan Pritchard, Luther Jones and Ron Howell. Councilmember Barrett made the motion to approve of these reappointments and Councilmember Knotts seconded the motion. All were in favor and the motion passed unanimously. Consider reappointments to the Parks Advisory Board Mayor Monday then presented the names of Judge Horton and Nancy Tiller for reappointment to the Parks Advisory Board for another three year term. Other members currently serving are: Gary Bonner, Barry Tacker, Janet Fair, Dan Leasure, Ralph Pease and Laverne Warner. Councilmember Gaines made the motion to approve of these two reappointments and Councilmember Hammock seconded the motion. All were in favor and the motion passed unanimously. Consider a reappointment to the Police Promotional Review Board Mayor Monday asked the Council to consider approving the reappointment of Mr. Walter Bennett to the Police Promotional Review Board. She advised the other members are: Dr. Gerald P. Etheredge and Ken Sherrill. Councilmember Barrett made the motion to approve of this reappointment and Councilmember Knotts seconded the motion. All were in favor and the motion passed unanimously. Open Space Action Committee Mayor Monday asked the Council for their input on individuals to consider for appointment to this committee. She said there is an exciting program before this group now, submitted by Councilmember Carter, known as the Huntsville Champions. She noted she will be making appointments in the near future. Consider appointments to the Tourist Council Mayor Monday then presented the proposed slate of members for the Tourist Council, as recommended by the Chamber of Commerce, for the Council's consideration, as follows: *Toni Bruner *Steve Bullard *Jim Carroll *Donna Coffen *Sally Craycraft *Indicates a reappointment *Candy Dixon *Don Kraemer *Ruth Lynn Parker *William Wood *Gloria Wright *Candy Dixon Ray Corkran Rhonda Ellisor Dr. Mary Frances Park Geraldine Dickerson Diane King Sidney Grisham Ken Johnson Scott Cherryholmes Dan Leasure Don Craven Rhonda Ellisor Steve Balke Councilmember Gaines made the motion to approve all twenty one of these individuals for appointment to the Tourist Council and Councilmember Howard seconded the motion. All were in favor and the motion passed unanimously. MINUTES OF THE JANUARY 19, 1988 CITY COUNCIL MEETING BOOK "P" 14 CITY COUNCIL ACTION Board and Committee Position Openings-- Councilmember Bell again requested that when positions are open on these various boards and committees of the City that an application form be presented in the Huntsville Item for individuals to complete and mail in, even if the City has to pay for it to run. It was noted the public was advised of the openings currently available by an article in City News Notes in Sunday's paper, which indicated interested individuals could call Ruth DeShaw, City Secretary for more information or to pick up an application form. Election Date Concern-- Councilmember Bell expressed his concern for the low turn out for the January 16 City Councilmember election, and the fact that not many people were aware of the City Council Election being held. He asked the Council to reconsider the date for the city's annual elections. Councilmember Barrett noted there are other cities that have January elections and it is one of the statutory election dates from which the City can choose; the other dates do not coincide with the city's fiscal year and its budgeting and planning considerations; and the new Councilmembers would be at a major disadvantage if they are not elected well in advance of the planning cycle and subsequent budget approval deadline. He disagreed that the date had anything to do with the turnout, noting in 1980, there was an uncontested election held in April in which only 189 voters voted. He said the turnout is more related to the fact the election was uncontested rather than because of the date change. (Other statutory dates available to the City of Huntsville are: first Saturday in May and the second Saturday in August). Councilmembers Hammock, Carter and Green felt the turnout is related to the fact there was no opposition. Councilmember Carter noted however, that if the election had been held at another time, there well may have been opposition on the ballot because prospective candidates would not have been reoccupied with the upcoming holiday period. He said it is extremely difficult to campaign over a holiday period-- noting it is just the wrong time of year to be asking citizens to pay attention to these types of matters. He said there is no question in his mind that we need to change the date back to a fall or spring date. Councilmember Gaines noted there was a lot of information in the media about the election in addition to the legal notices, so it was well publicized. After some discussion among the Council, a vote was taken on whether to change the date, or to leave it on the third Saturday in January. Councilmembers Carter and Bell voted to reconsider the date of the city's election, and all of the other Councilmembers voted to leave the date on the third Saturday in January. The motion therefore passed by a vote of seven to two. City Manager, Gene Pipes, noted the Council may wish to pursue this matter with the State Legislature because the Super Tuesday election date (March 8 with runoff on April 12) is the reason why the cities' spring election date got changed in the first place. Repaint Signs Posts-- Councilmember Carter asked the city to consider repainting all of the sign posts in the city from yellow to green. Mr. Pipes noted when the signs are replaced or put up anew, they are put up with green posts, but the city does not have a repainting program for existing sign posts at this time. Street Lighting Needed-- Councilmember Howard advised the City the area on Highway 190 to the Loop is very dark at night and street lights would be a big improvement in that area. He noted he realizes the expense and potential ongoing expense with additional street lights, but made the request anyway for the City's consideration. Mr. Pipes said no funds are budgeted for that this year, but that funds could be budgeted for it next year, noting that is a very deserving area. Councilmember Knotts suggested removing street lights where they may coincide with all night private business lighting areas,' and use those lights and the cost to operate them in other more needed areas or delete them. ADJOURNMENT Respectfully submitted, Ruth DeShaw City Secretary January 19, 1988 MINUTES OF THE COUNCIL MEETING OF JANUARY 24, 1989 BOOK "P" 220 MINUTES OF THE HUNTSVILLE CITY COUNCIL MEETING HELD ON THE 24TH DAY OF JANUARY, 1989 IN THE CITY 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 0. Eugene Barrett City Officers' Present: Gary Bell James L. Carter Gene Pipes, City Manager Ila G. Gaines William B. Green Scott Bounds, City Attorney William L. Hammock Percy Howard, Jr. Ruth DeShaw, City Secretary William H. Knotts, Jr. FORMAL SESSION Mayor Monday advised no one is present for citizen input, so she opened the formal session. Reverend Larry Grubbs of First United Methodist Church presented the invocation. CONSIDER THE MINUTES OF THE PREVIOUS MEETING Councilmember Barrett made the motion to approve of the minutes of December 6, December 23, 1988 and January 9, 1989 and Councilmember Howard seconded the motion. Discussion: Councilmember Bell requested the word "that" be inserted on page 202 of the December 13 minutes to make the sentence grammatically correct. With this one correction, all were in favor and the motion passed unanimously. CANVASS ELECTION RESULTS Receive and canvass and consider certification of the results of the City Officers' election of January 21, 1989 by Ordinance No. 89 -1. The Mayor and Council then reviewed the tally sheets and returns from each of the nine city precincts and the absentee precinct. The records were found to be in order. RESOLUTION N0. 89-1 A RESOLUTION CANVASSING THE RETURNS OF THE REGULAR MUNICIPAL ELECTION HELD WITHIN THE CITY OF HUNTSVILLE ON THE 21ST DAY OF JANUARY, 1989, FOR THE PURPOSE OF ELECTING A MAYOR AT- LARGE, AND FOUR COUNCILMEMBERS, ONE FROM EACH OF THE CITY'S FOUR WARDS ONE, TWO, THREE AND FOUR; DECLARING THE RESULTS OF SAID ELECTION; FINDING THAT NOTICE OF THE ELECTION WAS DULY AND PROPERLY GIVEN AND THAT THE ELECTION WAS PROPERLY HELD AND RETURNS THEREOF MADE BY THE PROPER OFFICIALS IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE LAWS OF THE STATE Councilmember Gaines made the motion to adopt Resolution No. 89 -1 and Councilmember Knotts seconded the motion. ALL were in favor and the motion passed unanimously. The results are presented below: CITY OF HUNTSVILLE, TEXAS JANUARY 21, 1989 CITY OFFICERS ELECTION TOTAL WARD 1 BALLOTS CAST: 500, (41X OF TOTAL) INCLUDES ABSENTEE POSITION /CANDIDATE ABS.(X /WARD) PCT.102 (X /pct.) PCT.201 (X /pct.) TOTAL (X /WARD) FOR MAYOR KEVIN L. JONES * 36 3X 33 3% 69 3% W/0 ABSENTEE JANE MONDAY * 211 17% 139 11% 350 28% W/0 ABSENTEE 'WRITE -INS * 2 0% 0 OX 2 0X W/0 ABSENTEE FOR WARD 1 M.L. RICHARDSON 5 7% 36 14% 35 20% 76 15% B. HAMMOCK 67 89X 189 75% 125 73% 381 76% WRITE-INS 0 2 1% 0 0% 2 OX PCT. 102 -- WALKER COUNTY DISTRICT COURTROOM--WARD 1; PCT. 201 -- HOLIDAY INN HOUSTON /DALLAS ROOMS- -WARD 1 MINUTES OF THE COUNCIL MEETING OF JANUARY 24, 1989 BOOK "P" 221 TOTAL WARD 2 BALLOTS CAST: 192, (16% OF TOTAL) INCLUDES ABSENTEE POSITION /CANDIDATE ABS. (X /WARD) PCT.101 (% /pct.) PCT.202 (% /pct.) TOTAL (% /WARD) FOR MAYOR KEVIN L. JONES * 18 29X 27 25% 45 27% W/0 ABSENTEE JANE MONDAY * 40 63X 78 74% 118 70% W/0 ABSENTEE WRITE-INS * 3 5% 0 0% 3 2% W/0 ABSENTEE FOR WARD 2 W.H.KNOTTS,JR. 18 78% 39 62X 80 75% 137 71% WRITE -INS 2 9% 8 13% 5 5% 15 8% PCT. 101 -- FIRE STATION NUMBER TWO ON SAM HOUSTON AVENUE - -WARD 2 PCT. 202 -- FIRST PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH ON 19TH STREET--WARD 2 TOTAL WARD 3 BALLOTS CAST: 218 (18% OF TOTAL) INCLUDES ABSENTEE POSITION /CANDIDATE ABS. (% /WARD) PCT.105 (X /pct.) PCT.301 (% /pct.) TOTAL (% /WARD) FOR MAYOR KEVIN L. JONES * 7 13X 31 23% 38 20% W/0 ABSENTEE JANE MONDAY * 48 87% 102 8% 150 79% W/0 ABSENTEE WRITE -INS * 0 0% 0 0% 0 OX W/0 ABSENTEE FOR WARD 3 P.HOWARD, JR. 21 78% 48 87% 108 79% 177 81% WRITE -INS 0 0% 0 0X 1 0% 1 0% POLLING PLACES: PCT. 105 -- FIRST BAPTIST CHURCH ON 10TH STREET--WARD 3 PCT. 301 -- MARTIN LUTHER KING NEIGHBORHOOD CENTER- -WARD 3 TOTAL WARD 4 BALLOTS CAST: 324 (26X OF TOTAL) INCLUDES ABSENTEE POSITION/ ABS. (% /WARD) PCT.206 (% /pct.) PCT.306 (X /pct.) PCT.401 (% /pct.) TOTAL (X /WARD) CANDIDATE FOR MAYOR KEVIN L. JONES * 35 26X 6 24% 45 32X 86 28X W/0 ABSENTEE JANE MONDAY * 100 74X 19 76% 95 67% 214 71% W/0 ABSENTEE WRITE-INS * 1 0% 0 0% 0 0% 1 0% FOR WARD 4 GARY M. BELL 21 95% 113 83% 15 60X 115 82% 264 81% WRITE -INS 0 OX 5 4% 2 8% 7 5X 14 4% POLLING PLACES: PCT. 206 -- EDUCATION SERVICE CENTER, REGION VI, FM 1374 - -WARD 4 PCT. 306 -- FAITH MEMORIAL BAPTIST CHURCH ON 16TH STREET --WARD 4 PCT. 401 -- WALKER COUNTY APPRAISAL OFFICE ON SYCAMORE --WARD 4 MINUTES OF THE COUNCIL MEETING OF JANUARY 24, 1989 BOOK "P" 222 • • SUMMARY- - MAYOR'S RACE All Precincts (X) *Absentee iX1 Total KEVIN L. JONES 238 22X 20 14% 258 21X JANE MONDAY 832 77X 124 84% 956 77% WRITE-INS 7 1X 0 OX 7 1% TOTAL BALLOTS CAST IN THIS ELECTION: 1234; TOTAL REGISTERED IN CITY: 9552; X WHO VOTED: 12.9%. TOTAL BALLOTS CAST ABSENTEE (ALL WARDS): 147; PERCENT OF ALL BALLOTS CAST ABSENTEE CITYWIDE: 11.9%. CITY OF HUNTSVILLE CITY REGULAR ELECTION JANUARY 21, 1989 TOTAL BALLOTS CAST: 1234 STATISTICAL DATA SHEET TOTAL BALLOTS CAST IN PCT. 101 TOTAL BALLOTS CAST IN PCT. 102 TOTAL BALLOTS CAST IN PCT. 105 TOTAL BALLOTS CAST IN PCT. 201 TOTAL BALLOTS CAST IN PCT. 202 TOTAL BALLOTS CAST IN PCT. 206 TOTAL BALLOTS CAST IN PCT. 301 TOTAL BALLOTS CAST IN PCT. 306 TOTAL BALLOTS CAST IN PCT. 401 TOTAL BALLOTS CAST ABSENTEE 63. X OF TOTAL . . . 5 X 253. X OF TOTAL . • . . 21 X 55. % OF TOTAL . . . . 4 X 172. X OF TOTAL • • • . 14 X 106. % OF TOTAL • . . . 9 X 136. X OF TOTAL . . • . 11 X 136. X OF TOTAL . . . . 11 X 25. X OF TOTAL . . . 2 % 141. X OF TOTAL . 11 X 147. X OF TOTAL . 12 X Brief History of Ward Elections YEAR WARD TOTAL VOTES CAST X ALL BALLOTS CAST 1974 1 400 42X 1977 1 (Election 290 40X 1979 1 Pcts. 102 767 50X 1981 1 & 201) 696 42% 1983 1 762 39% 1985 1 576 35X 1987 1 481 32% 1989 1 425 (EXCLUDES ABSENTEE) 34X 1989 ABSENTEE 1 75 out of 147 absentee votes 51X 1974 2 77 8X 1977 2 130 18X 1979 2 (Election 322 21X 1981 2 Pcts. 101 345 21X 1983 2 & 202) 365 19% 1985 2 206 13X 1987 2 230 15X 1989 2 169 (EXCLUDES ABSENTEE) 14X 1989 ABSENTEE 2 23 out of 147 absentee votes 16% MINUTES OF THE COUNCIL MEETING OF JANUARY 24, 1989 BOOK "P" 223 1974 3 307 32% 1977 3 (Election 202 28X 1979 3 Pcts. 301 280 18% 1981 3 & 105) 267 16% 1983 3 329 17% 1985 3 340 21% 1987 3 226 15% 1989 3 191 (EXCLUDES ABSENTEE) 15.5% 1989 ABSENTEE 3 27 out of 147 absentee votes 18% 1974 4 163 17% 1977 4 (Election 100 14% 1979 4 Pcts. 206, 138 9% 1981 4 306 & 401) 351 21% 1983 4 501 25% 1985 4 514 31% 1987 4 432 28X 1989 4 302 (EXCLUDES ABSENTEE) 24.5% 1989 ABSENTEE 4 22 out of 147 absentee votes 15% Prepared by Ruth DeShaw, City Secretary, January 21, 1989. CITY OF HUNTSVILLE CITY OFFICERS/ ELECTION BALLOT JANUARY 21, 1989 PRECINCTS AND POLLING PLACES PCT. NUMBER NO. VOTING WARD PRECINCT LOCATIONS NO. REGISTERED IN 1989 101 891 63 2 Fire Station No. 2, Sam Houston Avenue 2109 Sam Houston Avenue 102 1454 253 1 District Courtroom, Courthouse 1100 University Avenue 105 856 55 3 First Baptist Church, 10th Street 1530 10th Street 201 1272 172 1 Holiday Inn, I -45 1407 I -45 202 1043 106 2 First Presbyterian Church 1801 19th Street 206 526 136 4 Education Service Center, Region VI 3332 Montgomery Road (FM 1374) 301 1465 136 3 Martin Luther King Neighborhood Center, 300 Avenue F 306 374 25 4 Faith Memorial Baptist Church 314 16th Street 401 1671 141 4 Walker County Appraisal District 1819 Sycamore Avenue 9552 1234 NUMBER REGISTERED BY WARDS: WARD 1 2,726 WARD 3 2,321 WARD 2 1,934 WARD 4 2,571 MINUTES OF THE COUNCIL MEETING OF JANUARY 24, 1989 BOOK "P" 224 OATH OF OFFICE ADMINISTERED City Secretary, Ruth DeShaw, then administered the oath of office to the newly re- elected Mayor and and Councilmembers. Each then signed the official Oaths of Office for their particular position. CONSIDER NOMINATION OF MAYOR PRO TEM Councilmember Barrett made the motion to nominate Councilmember Percy Howard. Jr. for re- election as the Mayor Pro tem by acclimation and Councilmember Bell seconded the motion. All were in favor and the Lion passed unanimously. CONSIDER LIBRARY AIR CONDITIONING EQUIPMENT Consider bids for the replacement of the air conditioning equipment for the Library to Service Repair in the amount of $5,400 to be paid from budgeted funds. Mr. Gene Pipes, City Manager, presented the four bids received, ranging from $6,385 to $5,400. He advised this bid is for the purchase of a 20 ton air conditioning condensing unit for the City Library. The recommendation of Mr. Mark Bosma, Purchasing Agent, was presented which was to accept the lowest bid meeting specifications submitted by Service and Repair in the amount of $5,400 from budgeted funds. Councilmember Barrett made the motion to approve of the low bid meeting specifications as recommended and Councilmember Howard seconded the motion. All were in favor and the motion passed unanimously. CONSIDER EAST TEXAS FOLK FESTIVAL VIDEO PRODUCTION Consider an agreement for a video production of the East Texas Folk Festival in the amount of $2,000 with Festival, Inc. Mr. Gene Pipes, City Manager, presented the agreement which basically provides for a twenty minute one -half inch VHS video production showing lifeskills and culture of selected artisans who performed at the first East Texas Folk Festival (including blacksmithing, weaving, spinning and various other skills and traditional music recorded at the Festival), among other contract provisions. The contract states the total cost of this project will be approximately $3,500. The contract provides the City will pay Festival, Inc. $2,000 as follows: $1,000 at the beginning of the project and $1,000 at the completion of the project. The project is supported in part by funding from the Huntsville Arts Commission (hotel -motel occupancy tax). Councilmember Gaines made the motion to approve of the $2,000 contract as described above and Councilmember Hammock seconded the motion. Discussion: Councilmember Carter advised he supports both the Arts Commission and the East Texas Folk Festival, but he asked what the purpose is for this film and how it will be used? City Manager, Gene ipes, advised last year the film was made to document the activities, and secondly, it will be used to •romote subsequent years' activities. Linda Pease, Arts Commission Coordinator, advised the film will be a •art of the Library's archives or oral history. She said it will be taken into the schools with people peaking to the children about the film as well as being available for the Festival's promotion. Mayor onday advised that in addition to its use as an educational tool, clips from that footage will be used for •romotionals for the 1989 Festival. She said it has a multipurpose use. Councilmember Carter said in regard to the promotional /tourism aspect of the use of the film, white all of these funds come from the otel-motel occupancy tax, there are two budgets there, one goes to the Arts Commission and one goes to the ourism Division. He said to the extent this is used for tourism, some of that money should come out of the tourism budget. Councilmember Gaines noted the entire East Texas Folk Festival effort is to generate •ney for the museum, white it may also promote tourism, the main thrust is not for tourism but for the useum. She said it is not a part of the tourism program per se, but is a separate entity altogether. ouncilmember Carter noted he believes in history for history's sake, and the museum is wonderful to •reserve just because it is there and is also a tourist attraction for the city. He said the point is he hinks some of the money should come out of tourism rather than arts and that we should distinguish between he two things. Mayor Monday said this simply pays for the raw footage, the production costs and the information that will be taken from this and the cost to make the promotions will then be paid for by the MINUTES OF THE COUNCIL MEETING OF JANUARY 24, 1989 BOOK "P" 225 tourism division, so she felt there is a separation of funds there. Upon a vote of the motion on the floor, the ,motion passed unanimously. CONSIDER SAM'S FOOTWORKS AND HISD LECTURE DEMONSTRATION IN DANCE Consider an agreement for a lecture - demonstration in dance with Sam's Footworks and H.I.S.D. in the amount of 51.500 Mr. Gene Pipes, City Manager, presented this agreement between the City and Sam's Footworks (Footworks), a dance organization; and the HISD, a public school, as co- sponsor; to sponsor a lecture - demonstration designed to enhance the dance component of the physical education curriculum in the fourth grade and to help students develop audience skills. The lecture demonstration shall include: ballet /modern warm -up and /or barre; center work; performance of choreographed works; improvisation session; student participation in improvisation; and question and answer period. The contract provides for one public performance of a dance concert, among other contract provisions. The City agrees to pay to Footworks $1,500, as follows: S750 when the project begins and 5750 upon completion of the project. HISD agrees to provide administrative coordination with Footworks for the project and to pay them 51,500 for the project. This project is supported in part by funding from the Huntsville Arts Commission of the City. Councilmember Hammock made the motion to approve of this contract as described above and Councilmember Barrett seconded the motion. All were in favor and the motion passed unanimously. CONSIDER STOP SIGNS AT THREE INTERSECTIONS Consider an Ordinance amending the Code of Ordinances, Chapter 12, Motor Vehicles and Traffic, to authorize placement of stop signs at three intersections Mr. Gene Pipes, City Manager, presented this ordinance, the caption of which is as follows: ORDINANCE N0. 89-1 AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF HUNTSVILLE, TEXAS, AMENDING CHAPTER 12, MOTOR VEHICLES AND TRAFFIC, OF ITS CODE OF ORDINANCES BY PROVIDING A STOP SIGN ON WINTER WAY AT SPRING DRIVE; PROVIDING A STOP SIGN ON WINTER WAY AT SUMMER LANE; AND PROVIDING A STOP SIGN ON CEDAR DRIVE AT OAK DRIVE; PROVIDING A PENALTY OF UP TO $200 A DAY FOR CERTAIN VIOLATIONS; AND PROVIDING FOR THE PUBLICATION AND EFFECTIVE DATE HEREOF. Mr. Pipes advised the City received a request in December to place stop signs at the intersections of Winter Way with Spring Drive; Winter Way with Summer Lane; and Cedar Drive with Oak Drive. He said they seem to be operating very effectively and he recommended that they be made permanent. Councilmember Bell made the motion to adopt Ordinance No. 89 -1 and Councilmember Howard seconded the motion. All were in favor and the motion passed unanimously. CONSIDER ORDINANCE AUTHORIZING STREET SWEEPER PURCHASE Consider an Ordinance giving notice of intention to issue certificates of obligation to purchase equipment, street sweeper, and authorizing bids and advertising. Mr. Gene Pipes, City Manager, presented this ordinance, the caption of which is as follows: ORDINANCE NO. 89 -2 AN ORDINANCE AUTHORIZING PUBLICATION OF NOTICE TO BIDDERS AND NOTICE OF INTENTION TO ISSUE CRTIFICATES OF OBLIGATION FOR STREET SWEEPER, AND MAKING VARIOUS PROVISIONS RELATED THERETO. ($87,000] Mr. Pipes advised this is a planned certificate of obligation for the purchase of a street sweeper in the Sanitation Budget for the 1988 -89 fiscal year. He recommended adoption of this ordinance to authorize advertisement of bids and notice of intention to issue a certificate of obligation to pay for this MINUTES OF THE COUNCIL MEETING OF JANUARY 24, 1989 BOOK "P" 226 quipment. Councilmember Howard made the motion to adopt Ordinance No. 89 -2 and Councilmember Knotts econded the motion. All were in favor and the motion passed unanimously. CONSIDER ROOF ON GARAGE onsider a change order for the roof on the new municipal garage in the amount of $3,750 to be paid from the •.lance in project funds Mr. Gene Pipes, City Manager, advised that Southwest Builders has made an extraordinary proposal for better roof for the new garage currently under construction, consisting of a standing seam roof system, in he amount of S3,750. He said the same type system was originally bid at $10,000 and was not originally ccepted because the difference in cost from the Standard R panel roof was not considered justified. He aid Mr. F. Boyd Wilder, Director of Public Utilities, and Glenn Isbell, Director of Design Engineering, ••th recommend acceptance of this offer through a change order as it will drastically reduce the maintenance •f the roof over the next 20 years. Mr. Wilder advised funding for this change order could come from the •alance in the current garage project which has a balance of approximately $48,000. Councilmember Green asked how much extended life and reduced maintenance will be realized through this change order. Mr. Isbell advised they are essentially both a 20 year warranted roof as far as the material is concerned. He said verything has a maintenance cost and he could not put a figure on that, but stated the standard seamless oof on the existing warehouse is a better industry standard roof. Mr. Pipes said on the standard roof here will be screw holes through the exterior which may need to be sealed or caulked to keep them from leaking and thereby initiating deterioration of the roofing material. He said the proposed roof has its asteners interior to the material and not exposed and therefore is longer lasting and durable. He said it is generally accepted the interlocking roof is a superior, high quality installation. Councilmember Green aid since there are no dollar figures, he moved to reject this proposal and go with what was originally warded. Councilmember Knotts seconded the motion. Discussion: Councilmember Barrett expressed his opinion that the city hires people to give rofessionat opinions about saving labor and maintenance and he felt the staff would not have written this ecommendation if they did not feet we were getting a bargain. He felt they are better able to make this ecision than lay people who may not be as aware. He said he would oppose the motion on the floor. ouncilmember Gaines advised her business building has the metal with the screw holes exposed and after 13 ears, it is leaking around the screw holes and they are working on it this week to repair the problem. She aid this is not covered under the warranty. Mr. Pipes said leaks are somewhat common on a metallic ilding roof that has exterior fasteners. Mr. Knotts said all the roofs will be installed with neoprene crews and whether they are uncovered or not they both will need replacing in time. Councilmember Carter aid originally the Council asked about the overlapping as to whether it made a difference and no one made ny comments at that time about the problem with rust and leaking (on the siding bid). Secondly, ouncilmember Carter said he is not completely a lay person as he has worked on a metal roof recently. He aid most do have the screw fasteners exposed with a rubber washer and are then covered with a material that eeps them from leaking. He said he is always for the savings of money, but he does not like coming back nd undercutting bids and wonders about the whole process of someone who has already bid and some who have lready had the chance to get the job and then come back with a lower price. Councilmember Green then ithdrew his motion and Councilmember Knotts seconded the withdrawal. Mayor Monday asked that Councilmember arter's questions now be answered. Mr. Pipes said the proposal on the table is from the low bidder so no one is being undercut so this s not an issue. He said also the only unique aspect of this is that the S10,000 bid price for this other tyle and type of roof was reduced to $3,750 and he felt it worthwhile to bring it back to the Council to ee if it is worth the money. Councilmember Carter noted there is also an additional cost structure from his company in this process and it bothered him that we are going to be asked to reduce the price of one nd then maybe do something else that may be business with this company and this may be a problem. Mr. ipes said next item on the agenda was not instigated by this company. He said many years ago an old oncession stand was removed from Josey Park to the Service Center site and we began storing Portland Cement MINUTES OF THE COUNCIL MEETING OF JANUARY 24, 1989 BOOK "P" 227 in that facility to keep it out of the weather and to keep it out of the warehouse because of the dust problem_ He said there is no relationship between these bids except by circumstance. He said over the years the old framed siding concession stand building fell down and has not been serviceable for over one year. He said the City began storing Portland Cement in the Service Center just after the building became weatherproof last spring with the result that cement dust is all over the inside of the warehouse building which then goes through the ventilation system and throughout the computer, etc. He said it is a serious problem. He said after the bids were awarded to Southwest Builders for the Service Center project, and McSand being the local building vendor who is supplying to the general contractor the structure itself, the city asked what he would estimate the cost of a suitable building on that site that is 20 X 40 feet in size would cost. His estimate was that he could bid on a building, but it would be far cheaper to include it in the bid work already being done with Southwest Builders, so the City asked Southwest Builders for a quote, which the city did as an eligible change order item because of the outstanding general contract on the remainder of the original work at the service center. He said therefore the city could get the framed structure for the 20 X 40 foot metallic building from McSand through Southwest Builders by change order in the amount of $4,551. He said the city will have to build the slab for $1,500 and would be using the sheet metal /siding that was replacement of some of the storm damage last year that can be cut to fit. He said the temporary roof materials provided by the insurance company can be used as well. He said the only relationship between the present item on the floor and the next agenda item is the vehicle, which is the Southwest Builders and the McSand Fabricating Company located in Huntsville, who could not, without bidding a new project outright, supply the building. He said the city feels, based on research of other comparable buildings at a prebid, that it would not be comparable in cost. He said the city felt obligated to present this because of the savings overall. Mr. Pipes said the city will be erecting the building at a cost over and above that price. He said the $4,500 is the building delivered to the site and erected by Southwest Builders. Councilmember Barrett asked if Mr. Wilder and Mr. Isbell feel they can more than recover this $3,750 in future repairs to the building over a 20 year period? Mr. Wilder said he feels they can but cannot definitely say it can because it is unknown whether it would leak or not over a 20 year period. Mr. Pipes said the original service center roof, built in 1974, has had work done on it. Mr. Wilder said the city spent about $3,200 in repairs to the service center roof and about 24 months ago the city spent $1,600 to $1,700 on it. He said the only interlocking roof the city has is the new warehouse. Councilmember Carter said if this is the same company, it may be silly to turn it down because they are lowering the price. He said we are going to add on to the contract $3,750, but this same add on would have been $10,000 under the original bid. Councilmember Barrett made the motion to accept the change order of $3,750 and Councilmember Carter seconded the motion. [Councilmember Knotts said he will vote against it because he does not think it is worth the extra cost.] All were in favor and the motion. CITY MANAGER'S REPORT Consider a proposal to construct a storage building for Portland Cement separate from the warehouse facilities in the amount of $4,551 as a change order to the Service Center garage project, plus $1,500 for slab materials to place the structure. Mr. Pipes then presented this item, as discussed above, noting the city had not planned to replace this building as a part of the overall service center project, but the deterioration of the old Josey Street concession stand was such that the city had to move the cement out of the building last July. He said the dust created from it has become a subsequent problem and it needs to be relocated. He said the building size was selected to accommodate two transport loads at one time for greater economy and efficiency in handling because currently one transport load is all we can handle and we cannot order a subsequent load until that one is virtually gone because we simply cannot move it around. He said the city planned to use the change order process through Southwest Builders so as to make the McSand Fabricating Company able to supply the building through an existing contract for $4,551, but this is not all the cost. He said there is MINUTES OF THE COUNCIL MEETING OF JANUARY 24, 1989 BOOK "P" 228 a $1,500 estimated cost for the foundation slab which has to be poured. He said the city crews will erect the steel and will apply the sheet metal skin with the salvage from the old warehouse building in place efore the insurance repairs were made. He said the city is using two parts of this: 1) the sheet metal that was damaged but not discarded that can be cut and pieced together where it will cover this necessary space; and 2) a large portion of the warehouse building roof was ripped away during the storm in the fall of 1987 and that material will be available to make the roof on this structure. He then asked for the 2ouncil's approval of $4,500 plus $1,500 for the concrete slab, excluding labor. Mayor Monday asked what the costs would be if we were not able to do this as proposed. Mr. Wilder said he has not received a quote on it Councilmember Barrett made the motion to approve of this expenditure for the building for the Tortland Cement and Councilmember Howard seconded the motion. All were in favor and the motion passed unanimously. Funding to be as recommended from the service center expansion fund, which should have a remaining balance of $48,000 after the allocation of the garage construction costs. 2onsider a fire sprinkler water connection for the Steely Saw Mill kiln. The staff recommends policy B due to the advantageous position to our fire fighters who may be called for service at a future time. Mr. Gene Pipes, City Manager, advised Mr. Kevin Steeley has applied for a four inch water connection or a proposed fire sprinkler system for his new lumber mill kiln he is building at Steeley's Mill on Southwood Drive. Mr. Sonny Davidson advised this facility is outside the city limits, therefore, the city would normally have no authority over, or responsibility for, construction of the facility. Mr. Davidson noted he feels that this precedent- setting decision is one that should be made by Council. His concerns nvolved whether or not to a): treat this connection as a conventional tap, making a 4 inch connection and setting a meter at the property line, holding the property owner responsible for all facilities downstream laf the meter; or b): treat this connection as we would if it were inside the city limits, installing no ter and assuming authority over (and responsibility for) inspection of construction of the supply line and he sprinkler system. He also advised state health and fire codes apparently give the city authority for ither alternative, although the fire codes recommend (not require) that there be no meter installed. Mr. Pipes said the insurance company will not insure the kiln without a sprinkler system involved. e said the uniqueness of this request is the location which is considerably far down the Southwood Drive ater corporation line. He said this line does go on to the Ponderosa Apartments, but in all other nstallations for sprinkler systems within the city limits, they are simply there for stand -by power ervices and there is no metering mechanism. He said the options are: the water line is there and all xpenses for connecting the six inch line; which connection will be totally at the Steely Saw Mill expense nd, in fact, would afford a great deal of protection for our fire department should it be called to that ite. He said there was a similar kiln fire at Walker Byrd and it took a long time to control and did enerate a lot of heat. He said that is an old kiln that does not have a sprinkler system in it. Mr. Pipes clarified Mr. Steeley already has water service for the other aspects of his operation and his will be a static connection for fire protection services only. Mr. Pipes also advised the city has had six inch line running from Highway 75 south down Southwood Drive beyond Steeley Mill to the Ponderosa partments since approximately 1958 -59. He said since our fire fighters will be obligated to respond to a ire, he has much less problem in terms of connecting. He said he also does not see any value in putting a ter on the Line and have it sit there at static pressure for five years and freeze up the meter before the iln ever requires the sprinkler system to come on. Mr. Pipes then recommended a direct connection. nstalling no meter, and assuming authority over the installation so that it can be seen by the City's ilding inspectors that it is properly installed since it will be connected to our system. Mr. Pipes ecommended that there be no meter involved and the City will do this for the economic development expansion considerations and because it is most desirous for our firefighters. Councilmember Green made the motion to approve of the City Manager's recommendation as outlined and Councilmember Gaines seconded the motion. Discussion: Councilmember Bell noted he does not object to fire services being provided, but he oes object to city services being extended outside the city limits when in fact the city shows no MINUTES OF THE COUNCIL MEETING OF JANUARY 24, 1989 BOOK "P" 229 inclination to annex anything outside the city. He said he would feel more comfortable with these deals if the city had a systematic annexation program to bring these areas into the city at some point in the near future. He said it is another case, in his judgment, of the city providing everything to people who are not willing to pay taxes in return. Mr. Pipes agreed that if the city were extending this line further down Southwood Drive, he would be very hesitate without some sort of program. Councilmember Bell agreed with Mr. Pipes and noted the next time the city has a group of anti - annexation forces coming down and disagreeing to annexation to perhaps remember that the city does do a great deal for non -city residents. Mr. Pipes noted this is an excellent example. Councilmember Knotts said he agrees with Councilmember Bell as this represents "representation without taxation." Councilmember Carter asked while this is a limited use facility, what would the city say to another business who wants to do something like this on Southwood Drive? Mr. Pipes said in terms of accessing the line, they pay a connection fee just like any other user would. Mr. Pipes said the city owns the water lines in this area as the Southwood Drive Water Corporation dissolved some years ago. Councilmember Carter noted his point here is that the city could have a lot of economic development making use of this line, even in a limited capacity, outside the city limits while we are not getting any tax dollars for it. He said he wanted to add his voice to those of Councilmembers Knotts and Bell in that we have to do something and not keep servicing people outside the city if they don't want to be inside the city. ALL were in favor and the motion on the floor and it passed unanimously. CONSIDER HEALTH PLAN Consider ordinance authorizing approval of the City of Huntsville's annual health plan and document as revised July 1, 1988 Mr. Pipes advised the Council approved the changes in this document in July and the document now in hand has been in preparation since that time. He said when the document was received, it was very exhaustively reviewed by Scott Bounds, City Attorney and Lee Ann Victery, Personnel Coordinator, et. al. to see that it did reflect exactly what the Council was doing in the employee health plan services administration. He then recommended approval of the ordinance adopting by reference and authorizing the annual health plan document, as revised July 1, 1988. Mr. Bounds said basically the city has retyped the health plan document since July of 1988 and this ordinance adopts this as our plan as of July of 1988 and the City has been paying benefits in accordance since the Council made the changes. He said the substantive amendments to the plan in the prior year were approved by ordinance in July in connection with the budget. Councilmember Green made the motion to adopt Ordinance No. 89 -3 and Councilmember Knotts seconded the motion. All were in favor and the motion passed unanimously. The ordinance caption is as follows: ORDINANCE NO. 89-3 AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF HUNTSVILLE, TEXAS, ADOPTING THE CITY OF HUNTSVILLE EMPLOYEE HEALTH PLAN AND TRUST, AND MAKING OTHER PROVISIONS AND FINDINGS RELATED THERETO. MAYOR'S ACTIVITY REPORT Upcoming Meetings Mayor Monday advised the Council of upcoming meetings: TML Legislative Briefing; Highway 19 Meeting in Athens; Meeting on Recycling and an H -GAC Meeting. She said if anyone is interested in attending any of these they should contact Mr. Pipes to schedule those arrangements. Mayor's Update Mayor Monday advised that she met with the Walker County Transportation Committee (consisting of the County Judge, the Mayors of Huntsville, New Waverly, Riverside, a Chamber of Commerce representative, a County Commissioner, the City Manager, and the Texas Department of Highways and Public Transportation (TDHPT) staff) where one of the guests was Charles Ziegler, District Engineer, TDHPT, Bryan. She noted the priorities were presented for roads in Walker County. She said Mr. Ziegler gave an update as to Walker County's priority in the District Office. She advised the Highway 19 widening project is to widen Highway 19 to four lanes to Paris, Texas, and was presented in November in Austin. She said Congressman Chapman advised the City that at the Highway Commission's next meeting they authorized funding for this project. She said Mr. Ziegler advised he will have a meeting soon with the other three district engineers that will MINUTES OF THE COUNCIL MEETING OF JANUARY 24, 1989 BOOK "P" 230 be coordinating this program and that he will be keeping the City up- to-date on this study and its progress. She said he was as encouraged as the City. She noted the latest update on the SDHPT's latest work schedule is that Highway 75 North, from 11th Street north, has remained in the projection for the five year plan and we can anticipate it is in a position to hold there and if funding comes through and things go well, it could even be projected ahead of that five year plan. She said FM 980 and FM 247 were discussed as to their increasing volume. She noted the County has passed a resolution encouraging interest in FM 980 and the members of the Committee join together in that encouragement. Harris County Junior Possee Mayor Monday said she met with members of the Harris County Junior Possee last Saturday when they came through to present a proclamation inviting us to come to the Houston Livestock Show. Bearkat Club Mayor Monday said she spoke to the Bearkat Club concerning the cooperation between the City and Sam Houston State University and the progress being made in that area and some new avenues that can be explored in working with them. Sam Houston Speech Club Mayor Monday advised she spoke to the "Speakeasy Forum" last evening. Barnes Chapel and Methodist Dedication Mayor Monday informed the Council she attended this dedication on Sunday. NEW PROJECTS--MAYOR MONDAY Better Communication from City Hall Mayor Monday noted she also wishes to discuss with the Council in the near future a way that we might better communicate some of the things that are going on at City Hall and some of the things we have going that she would like to better inform people about to make them a part of what we are doing. She said she will be wanting to look at possible vehicles as to how we will want to do that in the next several weeks or months to come. Reorganization of the One Stop Center Mayor Monday also suggested a possible reorganization of the One Stop Center that has been set up to facilitate business and development and business interests as they come to do business with the City and perhaps assist them and better facilitate them into the City's goals to make this a very excellent service organization and serve our people even better this year than ever before. COUNCIL ACTION Review of Development /Building Codes Councilmember Barrett stated most of the building is going on outside the city limits; therefore, the Planning Commission is not very busy. He said he would like to see the Planning Commission take upon itself a study and review of all of the building codes of Huntsville, Texas. He said white he is not saying there is anything wrong there, he would like to find a way so that these people who don't want to be annexed will like what is going on in the City. He said if we can improve anything in this manner, he feels this would be a good thing for the city to undertake. He said any councilmembers that wanted to attend this, as long as there is not a quorum, should do so. He said subcontractors and contractors should also be invited to these meetings. He said when they are talking about electricity, the electrician subcontractors should be invited so they can have some input into this review. He said perhaps we can come up with something to activate the building program within the city limits. Councilmember Barrett requested that Mr. Pipes bring this proposal back to the Council for consideration. MINUTES OF THE COUNCIL MEETING OF JANUARY 24, 1989 BOOK "P" 231 Flashing Light - -I -45 East Frontage Road at Avenue S Councilmember Knotts asked Mr. Pipes if he has had a chance to visit with the Texas Department of Highways and Public Transportation Office about the possibility of installing a flashing signal light at the Avenue S intersection with the I -45 feeder road. Mr. Pipes said while he did not talk specifically about the flashing light configuration because the state had been underway with the overlay project and was going to look again at the travel speeds and the traffic counts, etc. that are contributors to that particular intersection. He said the city asked them to take particular care and concern to the notice of that hill, especially from the north traveling south at Avenue S. He said people traveling north on the feeder road cannot see the intersection in advance at all, but whether it is a flashing light or some other sign configuration, etc., the Highway Department has been asked to look at this. He said the traffic engineer was not with Mr. Ziegler when he was here recently, however, he will ask Dale Brown, City Planner, to contact him again tomorrow to check on the status of this matter. Christmas Decorations for Huntsville Councilmember Knotts said Huntsville needs to have Christmas decorations throughout he city and not just downtown. He said Huntsville was way down scale on what our town looked like over the Christmas holidays. He said several towns around us looked real good. He said we spent $17,000 on a study with this illusionary architect and he would like to take some of the hotel -motel tax money and obtain professional decorations and hire a professional. He said let's decorate this year. Mayor Monday said his points are well made. She said she met with the "Downtowners" who are interested in doing something in a permanent fashion in the downtown square area. She said they are considering making their project a design and will bring that to the City Council for approval and input. She said we could then build upon that year by year and develop something very nice. Councilmember Knotts said Huntsville needs to do something to initiate some civic pride. He said while we have individual pride in our homes, etc., we need to display our spirit as a unit in Huntsville. He said many of the ethnic towns, such as the German towns, have this. He suggested in regard to the Old Time Christmas Celebration, instead of using individual homes, if we would center the celebration at Sam Houston's Home, we might be able to generate something there that the whole town could work on. He felt having it there would make people feel it is open to everyone. Mayor Monday noted it is something to consider and should be brought to the Tourist Council for consideration. FM 2821 left turn at Intersection of FM 247 Councilmember Green asked if the City Manager has any information to follow up his request for a review of the left turn lane for traffic traveling east at the intersection of FM 247 with FM 2821. He said that turn signal only lasts about 15 seconds. Mr. Pipes advised it has been discussed at great length with the TDHPT's resident and district engineers. He said it is their conclusion, at this point in time, that the lights have been set properly and move the traffic volume from all directions through the intersection in a most efficient fashion. He said the short cycles are on those radiuses that produce the least amount of traffic overall. He said they wanted to get all of the paving done and then check it again. At our last meeting, he said, Mr. Pritchard, Resident Engineer, acknowledged this matter was a pending request, that he would be looking at it, but his determination some month to six weeks ago was that everything at that intersection was in first class order. Mayor Monday asked that Councilmember Green's continuing interest be expressed to the TDHPT. Commendation to Police Officer Craig Grounds Councilmember Green publicly commended Police Officer Craig Grounds for recovering a VCR that had been stolen form his office in June of 1987 as he traced it to a pawn shop in December here in Huntsville. He said he actually only found a pawn ticket for it as it had already been picked up. However, through his efforts and that of Officer Culak at SHSU's Police Department, they have found the person who did it and he made a full confession. He said he has not yet received his VCR back and assumes it is being used as evidence. MINUTES OF THE COUNCIL MEETING OF JANUARY 24, 1989 BOOK "P" 232 ommendation to Police Chief and Police Department on Letters Received Councilmember Gary Bell commended the Chief and the Department on the Letters they have been eceiving which are indicative of the fine job being done there. He said in looking at the crime tatistics, despite some of the innuendoes that were going on during the election campaign, it Looks very ch like the city is being kept well policed, noting we are up on burglaries, but in other categories the tatistics are down. He said it seems we have no particular police problem, despite the campaign iterature. ampaign Literature Councilmember Bell said he found it a little uncomfortable during the campaign to hear our City anager mentioned by name and in some sense verbally assaulted. He said he would like at this point to • blicty call for a Personnel Committee Meeting to evaluate all of the city charter officers. He said we ould do this on a twice a year basis and maybe the time has come to make it clear to the public that the ity manager does not act as an autonomous agent at City Hall, but rather he reflects the will of the City ouncil. He said if his performance of the last six months is adequate, then perhaps it behooves us as a ouncil to indicate that; to indicate Mr. Pipes represents us and does not represent Mr. Pipes. He asked, t the discretion of the Chairman of the Personnel Committee (Councilmember Percy Howard, Jr.), that we have personnel committee meeting as soon as possible. tari Toy Company Rumors Councilmember Bell noted he has been receiving numerous phone calls during this election season oncerning the rumors surrounding the way the city handled the Atari Toy Company, as the callers cited this ituation as another example of when the city did not cooperate as much as possible in attracting business nd actually ran the people out of town. He said the Mayor was cited as a culprit and the City Manager was ited as a culprit as well as the Councilmembers and the Chamber of Commerce. He said he heard this from at east 30 people. He offered for discussion of the city council the possibility of the City Attorney ooking into exactly what happened to see to what extent the City ran Atari out of the city. He said he ishes to publicly impose some damage /rumor control as this situation has gotten out of hand. Mayor Monday aid she was a part of the entire process and she can sequence for him every step of the way of the City's nvolvement. She said she can personally assure him the City was very supportive of this effort all the ay, but it may well be a good thing to have this done and presented to this Council as a complete tracking •f every contact that was made and how it was handled. She said we can have this for him at the next ouncil meeting. Councilmember Bell said he believes in rumor control and if there is a rumor going around, t should be confronted publicly. He said he feels an independent documentation of what happened is needed. ity Manager Gene Pipes said a copy of the Atari proposal is available for review. 1SD Bond Issue Councilmember Gary Bell said the HISD bond issue is upcoming and he would like to suggest for the ouncilmembers consideration the idea that perhaps the City should get involved in the form of a resolution •r something. He said one of the things we all should do is economic development and bringing businesses to untsvitle if we possibly can. He guaranteed to the Council that one of the first things outsiders look at, • sides transportation and communications facilities, is the needs of the school district as children of heir executives will be involved. He said the bond issue strikes him as being a relatively important issue n City affairs. He suggested the Council take under advisement some kind of public declaration of support o the School Board if the council feels it is appropriate. Councilmember Carter reminded Councilmember :ell there are also children of workers of these companies, not just children of executives who will look at he school district. lection Results Councilmember Carter said while he has criticized the January election, the election results in the ecent election were "normal for Huntsville." He said he didn't see any falling off in terms of the turn •ut from what we normally get. However, he said, he saw a few comments in the paper that called the 7 • rcent hospital district turn out "good," and a 13 percent turnout in the city "good." He said neither MINUTES OF THE COUNCIL MEETING OF JANUARY 24, 1989 BOOK "P" 233 one of those are good turnouts. He said it was a normal election for Huntsville, but we did not have a good turn out in either election. He said most cities across the nation would have a 20 or 25% turnout in a local election and we are way off of that average. He said he understands the Council will now start working on the budget since that is the rationale for holding the election in January. Historical Preservation Councilmember Carter advised he is still concerned about historical preservation. He noted in the minutes of December 6, 1988, the Mayor said a report on historical preservation will be available right after the first of the year. He said he is curious as to the status of that report. Mayor Monday said that committee has met, on which Councilmember Carter is a participant, and the report is ready. She said the subcommittee will probably meet again to review it and then it will be brought to the Council within the next two weeks. Big Tree Program in Walker County Councilmember Carter noted there is now a "Big Tree Program" in Walker County and the committee is meeting tomorrow. He encouraged the Council to publicize this program by word of mouth to their children and neighbors that we are trying to identify the biggest trees of all species within the County. Membership Directory of the Chamber Councilmember Carter noted in the membership directory of the Chamber, it lists Roy Williams as President and Dee McFarland as Vice President of the Chamber. He said in the contract the Council recently signed, the Council was of the understanding Dee McFarland would spend 80% of her time on tourism. He said while he does not know what she is doing, he thinks if she is spending 80% of her time on tourism, she should probably be listed as Tourism Director rather than Vice President. He said if she is performing as Vice President of the Chamber, he could not see how she spends 80% of her time on tourism. He said we may wish to ask the Chamber about this as he feels this problem has not been settled as it concerns tourism. Art in Vacant Building Windows Councilmember Carter referred to the Arts Commission minutes and the idea of putting art objects in vacant building windows. He suggested bringing this idea forward to see if this could be done around the square and other places as it would pick up the appearance of them and may even attract someone to look at that building for some reason. Gulf States Utilities Rate Hike Councilmember Carter noted there is another notice of a GSU rate hike request. He said the Council should remember this is a company that is going to try to pass on to us unreasonable costs that they have incurred because of their mistakes in management and we as rate payers are going to be paying for them. He said he hopes we will support those people who are fighting this effort, both as a city and as individuals. Team Effort Councilmember Howard congratulated those newly re- elected. He said he feels these next two years are going to be real special for him. He said he watched the olympics and the super bowl and he looked at all the effort that team people put forth. He said he thought of the people at City Hall and felt maybe we can work together with that kind of initiative to strive to win for the community. He said he was very interested in what Councitmembers Barrett and Bell had to say this evening. He said he feels we should look in those directions [review development codes and support the HISD bond issue]; particularly with the schools. He said in listening to the national speakers today, they are urging cities to get involved with the schools because we need them so much in meeting the needs of our youngsters at a young age. He felt the city should find its niche where it can help because "education is the key." MINUTES OF THE COUNCIL MEETING OF JANUARY 24, 1989 BOOK "P" 234 apanese Education Councilmember Hammock agreed with Councilmember Howard's comments about the need for education, oting he has read articles lately concerning how the U. S. has many natural resources and raw materials hereas Japan has no raw materials, etc.; however the way Japan has beaten the United States is with education." He said we are going to have to concentrate on that. He said as people are saying, it is not 11 dollars, but we have to start educating the kids before the schools get them. He said while we keep ttributing the problem to the schools, we really need to start educating the kids before they get to chool; that is a family problem too. ouis Davis Gymnasium Street Councilmember Howard asked the City Manager to check on the condition of the street, especially here the school buses stop, that runs beside the Louis Davis Gym. He said there is a spring under the treet there and it is cause the street to deteriorate. rime Statistics KSAM reporter Bill Shoening noted the police offense report states crime is up about 11% from the revious year. He said the last increase from 1986 to 1987 was about 18%. Mayor Monday advised she will be ooking into these matters. ADJOURNMENT Respectfully submitted, Ruth DeShaw, City Secretary January 24, 1989