2013/07/15
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City news,
features
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updates
July 15, 2013
The City of Huntsville will launch a new and im-
proved Geographic Information System (GIS) Web
site this summer, designed to be easier to use for
both residents and entities with which the City
conducts business.
According to Eric Peña, GIS Manager, the site will
offer new features that will make it simple and
quick for users to create their own maps, answer
questions about local property and more.
“The plan for our new Web site is to have a more
intuitive, easier-to-use interface,” Peña said. “It
includes the features users need to create and
mark up their own maps, add arrows and text and
much more.
“With our new system, users will basically be able
to find a piece of property, draw any kind of map
shape they want, label it, send it to print as a high
-quality PDF and have a custom-made map in
their hands.”
Peña said visitors to the site will be able to
choose from display features including utility
lines, property lines, address information, political
boundaries, City limits, topography and other lay-
ers.
“The various ‘layers’ available on the Web site
can be added or removed based on the kind of
map the user wants to create,” Peña said.
“Basically, a person using the site can get infor-
mation for each and every object just by a sim-
ple click on the map.
“One of the really useful and interesting sets of
features we’ve added are historic imagery base
maps. They go back to 1995 for certain areas,
so users will be able to see how the City has
changed over time and how land has been de-
veloped.”
Peña said the site would also include download
features to allow users access to native or
source GIS data in different formats.
“Our data download features will allow engi-
neers, surveyors, students and anyone with GIS
software to download and use our data,” he
said. “In the long-term, I believe providing this
data to our business partners will make con-
tracting with the City easier, because they will
have better access to information they need.”
Peña said the GIS Web site will still be available
at www.huntsvillegis.com.
For more information, contact Peña at (936)
294-5784.
City GIS Department to unveil improved Web site
Exciting new features on www.huntsvillegis.com
Expert in Every Office
Title:Title:Title:Title: Geographic Information Sciences (GIS) Manager
Time employed with City of Huntsville:Time employed with City of Huntsville:Time employed with City of Huntsville:Time employed with City of Huntsville: 4.5 Years
Education: Education: Education: Education: Master of Science, Geographic Information Science &
Technology – University of Southern California
Graduate Certificate in GIS, Geography & Forest Science – Texas
A&M University
Bachelor of Science, Biology – University of Texas-Pan American
Job description: Job description: Job description: Job description: As GIS Manager, Peña manages all aspects of
city-wide enterprise GIS utilizing ESRI ArcInfo Desktop, Enterprise
Server, and ArcSDE software. He also creates and maintains
spatial databases for various departments and initiatives includ-
ing property, utilities, engineering, planning, emergency services,
and community services.
Certifications/Memberships/Activities:Certifications/Memberships/Activities:Certifications/Memberships/Activities:Certifications/Memberships/Activities:
GISP Certification, Awarded May 2011 from the GIS Certification
Institute (GISCI); Member, South Central Arc User Group
(SCAUG); Member, Urban and Regional Information Systems
Association (URISA); Volunteer, GISCorps - Mission with iMMAP /
UN World Food Program – North Korea Map Digitization
Recent training:Recent training:Recent training:Recent training:
Introduction to ArcGIS Server - Sep 09, 2008; ArcGIS Server En-
terprise Configuration and Tuning for SQL Server - Sep 16, 2008;
ArcGIS Survey Analyst: Maintaining Land Records - Dec 18,
2008; Data Management in the Multiuser Geodatabase - Aug 28,
2009; Creating, Editing, and Managing Geodatabases for ArcGIS
Desktop – Nov 07, 2010; Working with Geodatabase Subtypes
and Domains – Nov 14, 2010; and Migrating to ArcGIS 10.1 for
Server - Oct 12, 2012
Unique contribution to Unique contribution to Unique contribution to Unique contribution to
City of Huntsville:City of Huntsville:City of Huntsville:City of Huntsville:
“I have been with the City for 4.5 years, and in that time, we have
made GIS available to the public through our Web site,
www.huntsvillegis.com. It provides a variety of mapping capabili-
ties for use by anyone interested in the area. We hear through
word-of-mouth from realtors, surveyors, and others doing busi-
ness in Huntsville that they use the site as a valuable application.
Colleague perspective: Andrew Isbell, Walker CountyColleague perspective: Andrew Isbell, Walker CountyColleague perspective: Andrew Isbell, Walker CountyColleague perspective: Andrew Isbell, Walker County
““““I have known and worked with Eric Pena for several years in my
capacity as Director of Planning and Development for Walker
County. Eric is an unbelievable asset to our community in that he
possesses a rare combination of technical ability, knowledge, and
communications skills which allow him to provide excellent bene-
fits to the citizens of Huntsville. He and I have collaborated on
several projects in the past including 911 services, emergency
management projects, and various planning needs. I work with
many people in GIS services all over the region and across the
state, and there is no one I have worked with that is more helpful
or qualified in my experience than Eric.
Eric Peña
GIS Manager
(936) 294-5784
Offices at the City of
Huntsville
Service Center
Thoughts from
City Manager Matt Benoit
Budget Season Underway: Citizen participation welcome
City Council will hold its first budget workshop on July 23,
the first opportunity for the group to see the document as
it stands, ask questions and address any concerns.
According to Matt Benoit, City Manager, the workshop is
the first of several tentatively scheduled for budget sea-
son, which according to the City’s Charter, must come to a
close no later than September 27 with the passing of the
budget and tax rate by ordinance.
The workshop is tentatively scheduled for 5 p.m. in the City
Hall Council chambers.
“The July 23 workshop will be a public meeting, so any
documentation that night will be available for citizens to
view,” said Steve Ritter, Interim Finance Director. “Last
year around this time, the City Manager gave a brief
presentation including the summaries of various funds
and the departments’ initial budget drafts with some of his
proposed changes, and we expect to cover similar material
during this workshop.”
In mid-August, the City Manager is expected to deliver his
recommended budget to Council, after which Ritter said
two budget hearings would likely be held.
“At this point, we’re considering tentative budget hearings
for the Council meetings on September 3 and 17,” he said.
“According to state law, the City is required to hold two
budget hearings during the month of September, and the
Council must pass the budget and tax rate before the end
of the month, as well.”
Ritter said updated budget information would be available
for residents to review on the City’s Web site,
www.huntsvilletx.gov.
Process updatesProcess updatesProcess updatesProcess updates
According to Becky Rowley, Budget Manager, the City is
utilizing new software entitled “New World” to create the
budget this year which should simplify the process.
“We had a kick-off training meeting on April 8, which al-
lowed enough time for departments to go in and estimate
their spending for the coming fiscal year,” she said. “The
software we’re using now is what is in place for the rest
of our financial system, so all of the data is current, and
users are able to see five-year cost trends.
“We feel this change will have a simplifying effect on the
process, allowing our staff to use a lot more analytical
data during the budget season.”
Want more information on the
City’s budget and finances?
The City’s Web site features not only current and
recent budget information, but also monthly and
quarterly financial reports, tax information, pur-
chasing documentation, accounting records and
more. Information is also available on the Govern-
ment Finance Officers Association’s Distinguished
Budget Presentation Award, which the City has
received for the last 26 years.
Navigate to www.huntsvilletx.gov, scroll over
“Departments” and “Finance,” and select the cate-
gory of information you want to know more about.
With the fiscal year 2013-14 budget season in full swing, it is an
especially important time for citizens to participate in local mat-
ters.
Over the next few months, budget workshops, Council meetings
and many other opportunities will present themselves for citi-
zens interested in sharing their opinions, weighing in on current
issues and effectively providing a basis for official decisions.
The budget is only the first area we would like to encourage citi-
zen involvement. Pay close attention to our City’s Web site,
www.huntsvilletx.gov, for workshop and Council agendas per-
taining to budget matters, and please come prepared with your
comments and any suggestions.
I would also like to encourage our residents – especially those
who drive along Avenue S and River Oaks – to be aware of on-
going travel studies and the potential for installation of traffic
calming devices. It is my hope that we get a broad range of citi-
zen opinion before we move forward, and I would encourage
anyone who travels on those streets to get in touch with their
Council representative or an at-large representative to share
their thoughts.
Finally, with respect to the City Charter review process, I feel
this issue is a really important matter that only a small number
of people have been involved in. At the next two Council meet-
ings, the whole document that governs governance in the City
of Huntsville will be explored and considered, and we are look-
ing for input on huge issues like Council terms, the number of
seats on Council, the age of people who can serve and many
other areas. I would strongly encourage people to reach out to
their Council members if they have strong feelings on any mat-
ter that has been approached so far or if they have other
thoughts. We only review the Charter once every five years, so
this is not an opportunity to let pass by.
Overall, I just want to emphasize, that my staff, the members of
the City Council and I will be available for you. If you have a
thought or a concern, please do not hesitate to get in touch
with us.
How were the five steps of the Development Code revision process How were the five steps of the Development Code revision process How were the five steps of the Development Code revision process How were the five steps of the Development Code revision process
determined, when were they determined, and what is the entire time-determined, when were they determined, and what is the entire time-determined, when were they determined, and what is the entire time-determined, when were they determined, and what is the entire time-
line? line? line? line?
With City approval, the five tasks were determined by Duncan Associ-
ates in their contract for deliverables. They anticipate the process to
come up with a new draft of the Development Code will take about nine
months, and the public hearing process for adoption will begin after
that.
How was the decision made to change/update the development code, How was the decision made to change/update the development code, How was the decision made to change/update the development code, How was the decision made to change/update the development code,
who made it, and why?who made it, and why?who made it, and why?who made it, and why?
The Development Code, which was adopted in 1986, needs to be up-
dated in order to meet the guidelines set forth in the 2007 Huntsville
Horizon Comprehensive Plan. As well, technology has changed signifi-
cantly over the last several decades and updating the Code with those
technologies and industry standards will put Huntsville on a level play-
ing field with other cities in order to attract the right kind of develop-
ment and re-development.
Despite several attempts to complete a full revision of the Code, staff
has only been able to make minor updates as vitally necessary due to
the day-to-day requirements of their jobs. A budget request was ap-
proved by City Council in the fiscal year 2012-13 budget to outsource
this major project.
What did Tasks 1 and 2 entail?What did Tasks 1 and 2 entail?What did Tasks 1 and 2 entail?What did Tasks 1 and 2 entail?
Task 1 was Mobilization and Issue Identification, which was completed
in May. Duncan Associates staff toured the City and went over the
Punch List that P&Z has been putting together since 2010 in detail,
identifying issues and wants that need to be addressed in the revised
Code.
Task 2 was basically the Table of Contents, presented to P&Z during a
workshop on June 6, 2013 to keep them informed and get their feed-
back on the organization of chapters and topics the new code will have.
Development Code revision update, process overview
Is the current work being done considered Task 3 of 5? If so, how will the Is the current work being done considered Task 3 of 5? If so, how will the Is the current work being done considered Task 3 of 5? If so, how will the Is the current work being done considered Task 3 of 5? If so, how will the
code be reorganized? code be reorganized? code be reorganized? code be reorganized?
Task 3, reorganization of the Code, is the current focus and is anticipated
to take four months. The reorganization is to make the Code more user-
friendly – for example, the current code has sign regulations in two differ-
ent chapters, and the new version will have all the sign regulations in one
chapter. There are also many technical standards in other documents
adopted by the City that will be removed to reduce conflicting information.
What about the public hearing draft? How will that work, how many pub-What about the public hearing draft? How will that work, how many pub-What about the public hearing draft? How will that work, how many pub-What about the public hearing draft? How will that work, how many pub-
lic hearings are anticipated and when they will start? lic hearings are anticipated and when they will start? lic hearings are anticipated and when they will start? lic hearings are anticipated and when they will start?
Task 4 is the public hearing draft. After Task 3, where staff and P&Z will
review and comment on the initial, non-illustrated draft, Duncan Associ-
ates will prepare a public hearing draft document, incorporating the pro-
posed changes that respond to the comments received from Task 3. At
this point in the drafting process, illustrations and graphics will be com-
pleted and inserted into the Code and an index and final document layout
will be completed. Task 4 will take about three months to complete.
Task 5 will begin when the document created in Task 4 is presented in a
joint workshop with P&Z and City Council. This workshop is anticipated
for January 2014. Duncan Associates will present an overview of the
changes and discuss the revisions in the Code to educate P&Z and City
Council for the public hearing portion of the Code.
After the Joint Workshop, Duncan Associates’ contract with the City will be
complete and they will turn over the Code to staff to begin the public
hearing process and make any final changes. The public hearing process
can take one month or up to one year. We encourage our citizens to at-
tend the P&Z meetings where staff will present the information Duncan
Associates send us for review in Task 3 and 4. P&Z meetings are always
open to the public. During these meetings, comments are welcome,
where appropriate, and staff can answer any questions citizens have
regarding the Code update as it progresses.
The City of Huntsville and the Planning and Zoning Commission are currently working with Duncan Associates to complete a new outline
for the Development Code. The outline is the first step in reorganizing the Code to make it more user-friendly.
Rose Kader, City of Huntsville Planner, provided answers to several key questions during a July 10 interview. Her answers are below:
Two long-time City employees reach retirement
Bobby Wilson, Assistant Fleet Superintendent, retired after 30
years of employment on July 11. Wilson said he was very grateful
for his time with the City, and that his future plans include travel
and the potential of a new career. Wilson is pictured above with his
wife, Deanna.
Huntsville Police Department Senior Officer Joe Thornton - third from left - retired
July 12 after what HPD Chief Kevin Lunsford described as a “very long and distin-
guished career by any standards.” Thornton, who spent 24 years at HPD, was one of
the first certified forensic artists in the State of Texas, and he introduced and
worked as part of the department’s first K-9 unit with his dog, Raico, with whom he
made over 500 arrests. On Tuesday, July 16, Thornton will embark on a new career
with the Sam Houston State University Police Department, which he said he is very
excited to begin. Thornton is pictured with his 15-year-old daughter, Catherine, his
wife of 25 years, Melissa, and his 18-year-old son, Duncan.
Where’s Waldo?
Attention all residents! The City’s Emergency Management
Coordinator, John Waldo, is pictured to the left at a Hunts-
ville facility - can you guess where?
The first citizen to call (936) 291-5413 and tell us where
Waldo is pictured will get the chance to suggest the loca-
tion of the next Where’s Waldo? photo shoot.
We’ll give you a hint:
Waldo is standing at the site that is believed to be the origi-
nal Huntsville trading post.
Last issue, Waldo was at the Trinity River Authority surface
water plant with a live alligator named “Al.”
The City of Huntsville Solid Waste and Recycling Division will
hold an informational meeting Thursday, July 18 to provide infor-
mation on the curbside recycling program and general guide-
lines.
All residents are welcome to attend, especially those in Area #7,
where curbside recycling commenced on July 4. The meeting will
be held at the Walker Education Center, 1400 19th Street, be-
ginning at 6 p.m.
“During our recycling guideline meetings, I provide an in-depth
presentation on why and how we recycle in the City of Huntsville,
as well as tips on what can be processed and how to prepare
those items,” said Carol Reed, Director of Public Works.
“Attending one of these meetings is a great way to begin partici-
pation in a curbside recycling area, and we would especially
encourage residents who are new to the program to attend.”
For those who were unable to attend the June 27 meeting, this
meeting will provide similar information.
“We’ll hold a second recycling guidelines meeting on July 18 at
the same time and location,” Reed said. “We like to make our-
selves available both right before an area begins recycling and
right after, in order to answer any new questions and catch
those who couldn’t attend the first time.”
Area #7 includes customers within Hwy. 75 South of Hwy. 19,
Southwood Drive Area, Graham Road area, Hwy. 75 North of I-
45, Sumac Road area and Westridge Subdivision. For map de-
tails, please visit www.huntsvilletx.gov under City News. Area
#7 garbage pickup will be on Mondays only and recycling
pickup will be on Thursdays only.
For more information on the City’s curbside recycling program
as well as details on Area #7, visit the City’s Web site or call the
Solid Waste and Recycling Division at 936-294-5743.
City to hold curbside recycling guidelines program - July 18
The City of Huntsville Public Works Department anticipates
construction of Well 21, located at the Palm Street Water
Plant, will be complete by mid-August.
According to Carol Reed, Public Works Director, the well –
which is placed in the former site of Well 12 – lacks only one
major component before final testing.
“The final step in the construction process is the installation of
the level transducer, which monitors water levels for the well,”
Reed said. “All of the other components of the well have been
successfully tested individually, so once the transducer is in,
we’ll be able to conduct a full-system test to ensure that all of
the parts work together.
“We’re very proud of this new addition to our water infrastruc-
ture - Well 21 is a 250-horsepower, 1,200-foot deep well capa-
ble of pumping up to 1000 gallons per minute. We want to
thank Weisinger, Inc., the contractor for the project, as well as
Klotz Associates, the design engineers and project manager,
for the work they have done on the project since 2012.”
Following local testing, Water Services Superintendent Joyce
Hubbard said a final review and approval by the Texas Com-
mission on Environmental Quality will be required before the
well can be used.
“When we complete testing on-site, we’ll be waiting for final
approval from TCEQ to designate Well 21 as an approved
drinking water source,” she said. “After that, we’ll be ready to
begin utilizing the well.”
According to Reed, Well 21 will become an extremely im-
portant part of supplying the City’s required water supply.
“While approximately 75 percent of the City’s drinking water
comes from the Trinity River Authority surface water plant, the
City does depend on its seven wells to make up the remaining
25 percent,” she said. “As we have seen throughout Texas and
any location in the United States that has experienced
drought, the advantages of having more than one source of
water are very obvious”.
“Locally, when there have been repairs on the 30-inch water
line that brings water from the TRA plant to Huntsville, the only
way we’re able to provide water is through the use of our wells,
which pump groundwater from the Catahoula aquifer. The val-
ue of having an additional water source in such a situation
can’t be overstated.”
For more information, contact Hubbard at (936) 294-5762.
Well 21 nearing completion at Palm Street Water Plant