Election Register, 1/19/1988-1/24/1989, 22 pages MINUTES OF THE JANUARY 19, 1988 CITY COUNCIL MEETING BOOK "P" 10 _
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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 City Officers Present:
0. Eugene Barrett William L. Hammock Gene Pipes, City Manager
Gary Bell Percy Howard, Jr. Scott Bounds, City Attorney
Jim Carter William H. Knotts, Jr. Ruth DeShaw, City Secretary
Ila G. Gaines
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 j
voting precincts in the City (nine polling places plus the absentee box). The following Resolution 1
accepting the results was then adopted by the City Council.
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® RESOLUTION NO. 88-2
A RESOLUTION CANVASSING THE RETURNS OF THE REGULAR MUNICIPAL ELECTION HELD WITHIN i
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 i
seconded the motion. The motion passed unanimously. The results of the canvass are presented below:
THE JANUARY 16, 1988 CITY OFFICERS ELECTION i
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VOTES CAST BY CITY PRECINCTS RESULTS i
CANDIDATES ABSENTEE 101 102 105 201 202 206 301 306 401 TOTAL %
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POSITION 1
GENE BARRETT 21 10 42 15 26 21 27 17 7 9 195 94%
WRITE-IN 1 1 2 0 0 4 2 3 0 0 13 6%
POSITION 2
ILA G. GAINES 20 13 43 15 25 21 27 17 7 9 197 96%
WRITE-IN 0 0 1 0 2 1 2 2 0 0 8 4%
POSITION 3
JIM CARTER 20 13 32 12 26 24 29 18 6 8 188 97%
WRITE-IN 0 0 5 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 6 3%
POSITION 4
WILLIAM GREEN 20 9 41 12 25 21 27 20 6 7 188 95%
WRITE-IN 0 2 1 0 1 3 2 1 0 0 10 5% i
MINUTES OF THE JANUARY 19, 1988 CITY COUNCIL MEETING BOOK "P" 11
NUMBER VOTERS VOTING BY PRECINCT: X OF TOTAL: NO. REGISTERED History of at-Large Elections
PCT. 101 . . . . . . . . 14 X OF TOTAL 6%. Registered: 678 Number voting in 1986: 2060++
PCT. 102 . . . . . . . . 45 X OF TOTAL 21%. Registered: 1274 Number voting in 1984: 1594*
PCT. 105 . . . . . . . . 15 X OF TOTAL 7%. Registered: 813 Number voting in 1982: 1685**
PCT. 201 . . . . . . . . 28 , % OF TOTAL 13%. Registered: 1014 Number voting in 1980: 189***
PCT. 202 . . . . . . . . 26 X OF TOTAL 12%. Registered: 851 Number voting in 1978: 755+
PCT. 206 . . . . . . . . 31 X OF TOTAL 14%. Registered: 531 Number voting in 1975: 634*
PCT. 301 . . . . . . . . 21 X OF TOTAL 9%. Registered: 1384 *Position 1 opposition
PCT. 306 . . . . . . . . 7 , X OF TOTAL 3%. Registered: .247 **Positions 1, 3,& 4 opposition
PCT. 401 . . . . . . . . 10 , X OF TOTAL 5%. Registered: 1434 ***Incumbents unopposed
ABSENTEE . . . . . . . . 22 , X 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, X 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, Ila 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
recommended 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. Alt 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 prosect
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 1
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 I
basketball players include Councilmembers Jim Carter and Gary Bell and City Manager, Gene Pipes.)
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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, i!
® 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. Councilmember 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.
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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
i 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 *Candy Dixon Ray Corkran Rhonda Ellisor
*Steve Bullard *Don Kraemer Dr. Mary Frances Park Geraldine Dickerson
*Jim Carroll *Ruth Lynn Parker Diane King Sidney Grisham
*Donna Coffen *William Wood Ken Johnson Scott Cherryholmes
*Sally Craycraft *Gloria Wright Dan Leasure Don Craven
*Candy Dixon Rhonda Ellisor Steve Balke
*Indicates a reappointment
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
j the motion passed unanimously.
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MINUTES OF THE JANUARY 19, 1988 CITY COUNCIL MEETING BOOK "P" 14
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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
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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 i
® Respectfully submitted,
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C��eRuWhDeShaw
City Secretary
January 19, 1988
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MINUTES OF THE COUNCIL MEETING OF JANUARY 24, 1989 BOOK "P" 220
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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: f
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.
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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 II
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.
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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. i
RESOLUTION NO. 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 II
FROM EACH OF THE CITY'S FOUR WARDS ONE, TWO, THREE AND FOUR; DECLARING THE RESULTS OF SAID ELECTION; FINDING Ii
THAT NOTICE OF THE ELECTION WAS DULY AND PROPERLY GIVEN AND THAT THE ELECTION WAS PROPERLY HELD AND RETURNS II
THEREOF MADE BY THE PROPER OFFICIALS IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE LAWS OF THE STATE i
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 II
JANUARY 21, 1989 CITY OFFICERS ELECTION I�
TOTAL WARD 1 BALLOTS CAST: 500, (41% OF TOTAL) INCLUDES ABSENTEE j
POSITION/CANDIDATE ABS.(%/WARD) PCT.102 (%/pct.) PCT.201 (%/pct.) TOTAL (%/WARD)
FOR MAYOR
KEVIN L. JONES * 36 3% 33 3% 69 3% W/0 ABSENTEE
JANE MONDAY * 211 17% 139 11% 350 28% W/O ABSENTEE
'WRITE-INS * 2 0% 0 O% 2 0% W/O ABSENTEE j
FOR WARD 1 j
® M.L. RICHARDSON 5 7% 36 14% 35 20% 76 15%
B. HAMMOCK 67 89% 189 75% 125 73% 381 76% III
WRITE-INS 0 2 1% 0 0% 2 0% jI
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PCT. 102 -- WALKER COUNTY DISTRICT COURTROOM--WARD 1; PCT. 201 -- HOLIDAY INN HOUSTON/DALLAS ROOMS--WARD 1 I�
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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. (%/WARD) PCT.101 (%/pct.) PCT.202 (%/pct.) TOTAL (%/WARD)
FOR MAYOR
KEVIN L. JONES * 18 29% 27 25% 45 27% W/0 ABSENTEE
JANE MONDAY * 40 63% 78 74% 118 70% W/O ABSENTEE
WRITE-INS * 3 5% 0 0% 3 2% W/0 ABSENTEE
FOR WARD 2
W.H.KNOTTS,JR. 18 78% 39 62% 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 (%/pct.) PCT.301 (%/pct.) TOTAL (%/WARD)
FOR MAYOR
KEVIN L. JONES * 7 13% 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 0% W/0 ABSENTEE
FOR WARD 3
P.HOWARD, JR. 21 78% 48 87% 108 79% 177 81%
WRITE-INS 0 0% 0 0% 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 (26% OF TOTAL) INCLUDES ABSENTEE
POSITION/ ABS. (%/WARD) PCT.206 (%/pct.) PCT.306 (%/pct.) PCT.401 (%/pct.) TOTAL (%/WARD)
CANDIDATE
FOR MAYOR
KEVIN L. JONES * 35 26% 6 24% 45 32% 86 28% W/O ABSENTEE
JANE MONDAY * 100 74% 19 76% 95 67% 214 71% W/O ABSENTEE
WRITE-INS * 1 O% 0 0% 0 0% 1 0%
FOR WARD 4
GARY M. BELL 21 95% 113 83% 15 60% 115 82% 264 81%
WRITE-INS 0 0% 5 4% 2 8% 7 5% 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
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MINUTES OF THE COUNCIL MEETING OF JANUARY 24, 1989 BOOK "P" 222
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SUMMARY--MAYOR IS RACE ALI Precincts LX, *Absentee i%—1 Total
KEVIN L. JONES 238 22% 20 14% 258 21%
JANE MONDAY 832 77% 124 84% 956 77%
WRITE-INS 7 1% 0 0% 7 1% I
TOTAL BALLOTS CAST IN THIS ELECTION: 1234;
TOTAL REGISTERED IN CITY: 9552; % WHO VOTED: 12.9%.
TOTAL BALLOTS CAST ABSENTEE (ALL WARDS): 147; PERCENT OF ALL BALLOTS CAST ABSENTEE CITYWIDE: 11.9%. II
CITY OF HUNTSVILLE
CITY REGULAR ELECTION
JANUARY 21, 1989 TOTAL BALLOTS CAST: 1234
STATISTICAL DATA SHEET
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TOTAL BALLOTS CAST IN PCT. 101 63. X OF TOTAL 5 X
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TOTAL BALLOTS CAST IN PCT. 102 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 253. % OF TOTAL . . . . 21 %
TOTAL BALLOTS CAST IN PCT. 105 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 55. % OF TOTAL . . . . 4 %
TOTAL BALLOTS CAST IN PCT. 201 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 172. % OF TOTAL . . . 14 %
TOTAL BALLOTS CAST IN PCT. 202 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 106. % OF TOTAL . . . . 9 % I�
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TOTAL BALLOTS CAST IN PCT. 206 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 136. % OF TOTAL . . . . 11 % i
TOTAL BALLOTS CAST IN PCT. 301 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 136. % OF TOTAL . . . . 11 X
TOTAL BALLOTS CAST IN PCT. 306 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 25. % OF TOTAL . . . . 2 % l
TOTAL BALLOTS CAST IN PCT. 401 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 141. % OF TOTAL . . . . 11 % I�
® TOTAL BALLOTS CAST ABSENTEE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ... ..
. 147 --%-OF-TOTAL
- - - - -12-% i
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Brief History of Ward Elections
YEAR WARD TOTAL VOTES CAST % ALL BALLOTS CAST
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1974 1 400 42%
1977 1 (Election 290 40% �)
1979 1 Pcts. 102 767 50%
1981 1 & 201) 696 42%
1983 1 762 39%
1985 1 576 35%
1987 1 481 32%
1989 1 425 (EXCLUDES ABSENTEE) 34%
1989 ABSENTEE 1 75 out of 147 absentee votes 51%
1974 2 77 8%
1977 2 130 18%
1979 2 (Election 322 21%
1981 2 Pcts. 101 345 21%
1983 2 & 202) 365 19%
1985 2 206 13%
1987 2 230 15%
1989 2 169 (EXCLUDES ABSENTEE) 14%
1989 ABSENTEE 2 23 out of 147 absentee votes 16%
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MINUTES OF THE COUNCIL MEETING OF JANUARY 24, 1989 BOOK "P" 223
1974 3 307 32%
1977 3 (Election 202 28%
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 28%
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
Ward Councilmembers. Each then signed the official Oaths of Office for their particular position.
CONSIDER NOMINATION OF MAYOR PRO TEM
Councitmember Barrett made the motion to nominate Councitmember Percy Howard, Jr. for re-election as
the Mayor Pro tem by acclimation and Councitmember Bell seconded the motion. All were in favor and the
tion 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.
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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. Councitmember �I
Barrett made the motion to approve of the low bid meeting specifications as recommended and Councitmember
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 S2,000 with
Festival Inc.
Mr. Gene Pipes, City Manager, presented the agreement which basically provides for a twenty minute j
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).
Councitmember Gaines made the motion to approve of the $2,000 contract as described above and Councilmember
Hammock seconded the motion.
Discussion: Councitmember 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
Pipes, advised last year the film was made to document the activities, and secondly, it wilt be used to
romote subsequent years' activities. Linda Pease, Arts Commission Coordinator, advised the film will be a Il
art of the Library's archives or oral history. She said it will be taken into the schools with people i
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. Councitmember Gaines noted the entire East Texas Folk Festival effort is to generate
money for the museum, while 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 programep r se, but is a separate entity altogether. f�
Councitmember Carter noted he believes in history for history's sake, and the museum is wonderful to I�
reserve just because it is there and is also a tourist attraction for the city. He said the point is he
thinks 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 wilt be taken from this and the cost to make the promotions will then be paid for by the
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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 $1,500
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 barye; 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: $750 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 NO. 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. ES87,0001
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
equipment. Councilmember Howard made the motion to adopt Ordinance No. 89-2 and Councilmember Knotts
seconded 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 id 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 $3,750. 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
glance in the current garage project which has a balance of approximately $48,000. Councilmember Green
sked how much extended life and reduced maintenance will be realized through this change order. Mr. Isbell
dvised they are essentially both a 20 year warranted roof as far as the material is concerned. He said
everything has a maintenance cost and he could not put a figure on that, but stated the standard seamless
roof on the existing warehouse is a better industry standard roof. Mr. Pipes said on the standard roof
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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
fasteners 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
said since there are no dollar figures, he moved to refect 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 i
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.
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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 i
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
)ready 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 $10,000 bid price for this other j
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.
Pipes said next item on the agenda was not instigated by this company. He said many years ago an old
concession stand was removed from Josey Park to the Service Center site and we began storing Portland Cement
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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.
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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 MANAGERIS 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
$1,500 estimated cost for the foundation slab which has to be poured. He said the city crews will erect
he steel and wi l l apply the sheet metal skin with the salvage from the old warehouse building in place
fore the insurance repairs were made. He said the city is using two parts of this: 1) the sheet metal
hat was damaged but not discarded that can be cut and pieced together where it will cover this necessary
pace; and 2) a large portion of the warehouse building roof was ripped away during the storm in the fall
f 1987 and that material will be available to make the roof on this structure. He then asked for the
ounciL's approval of $4,500 plus $1,500 for the concrete slab, excluding labor. Mayor Monday asked what
he costs would be if we were not able to do this as proposed. Mr. Wilder said he has not received a quote
n it Councilmember Barrett made the motion to approve of this expenditure for the building for the
ortland Cement and Councilmember Howard seconded the motion. All were in favor and the motion passed
nanimousl . Funding to be as recommended from the service center expansion fund, which should have a
emaining balance of $48,000 after the allocation of the garage construction costs.
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onsider a fire sprinkler water connection for the Steely Saw Mill kiln. The staff recommends policY B due
o 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 it
or a proposed fire sprinkler system for his new lumber mill kiln he is building at Steeley's Mill on
outhwood Drive. Mr. Sonny Davidson advised this facility is outside the city limits, therefore, the city
ould normally have no authority over, or responsibility for, construction of the facility. Mr. Davidson
ted he feels that this precedent-setting decision is one that should be made by Council. His concernsI
nvolved whether or not to a): treat this connection as a conventional tap, making a 4 inch connection and it
setting a meter at the property line, holding the property owner responsible for all facilities downstream
f 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 II
he sprinkler system. He also advised state health and fire codes apparently give the city authority for
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either 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.
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e said the uniqueness of this request is the location which is considerably far down the Southwood Drive
water corporation line. He said this line does go on to the Ponderosa Apartments, but in all other
nstaltations 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 i!
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. I�
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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 j
partments since approximately 1958-59. He said since our fire fighters will be obligated to respond to a I�
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,
�nstalLinq no meter, and assuming authority over the installation so that it can be seen by the City's
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)uitding inspectors that it is property installed since it will be connected to our system. Mr. Pi Des
ecommended that there be no meter involved and the City will do this for the economic development
xDansion considerations and because it is most desirous for our firefighters. Councilmember Green made the
tion to approve of the City Manager's recommendation as outlined and Councilmember Gaines seconded the 14
tion. I�
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Discussion: Councilmember Bell noted he does not object to fire services being provided, but he I�
oes object to city services being extended outside the city limits when in fact the city shows no I�
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. at. 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
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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
C
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 wilt 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
Councitmember 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
Linvitedm
is not a quorum, should do so. He said subcontractors and contractors should also be invited
® ings. He said when they are talking about electricity, the electrician subcontractors should
they can have some input into this review. He said perhaps we can come up with something to
building program within the city limits. Councilmember Barrett requested that Mr. Pipes bring
back to the Council for consideration.
MINUTES OF THE COUNCIL MEETING OF JANUARY 24, 1989 BOOK "P" 231
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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 took 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 white 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
Councitmember 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 Councitmember 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
i 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
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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
receiving 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
Manager mentioned by name and in some sense verbally assaulted. He said he would like at this point to
blicly 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 Halt, 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. II
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 jI
ited as a culprit as well as the Councilmembers and the Chamber of Commerce. He said he heard this from at i
east 30 people. He offered for discussion of the city council the possibility of the City Attorney II
ooking into exactly what happened to see to what extent the City ran Atari out of the city. He said he jl
fishes to publicly impose some damage/rumor control as this situation has gotten out of hand. Mayor Monday II
aid she was a part of the entire process and she can sequence for him every step of the way of the City's
evolvement. 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 i
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.
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ISD Bond Issue i
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
Dr something. He said one of the things we all should do is economic development and bringing businesses to
untsville 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 II
heir executives will be involved. He said the bond issue strikes him as being a relatively important issue II
n City affairs. He suggested the Council take under advisement some kind of public declaration of support li
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 I,
he school district. i
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® 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 fatting 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
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rcent hospital district turn out "good," and a 13 percent turnout in the city "good." He said neither
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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 SOX 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 r�
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."
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MINUTES OF THE COUNCIL MEETING OF JANUARY 24, 1989 BOOK "P" 234
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a anese 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
whereas 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
IL 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.
Crime Statistics
KSAM reporter Bill Shoening noted the police offense report states crime is up about 11% from the
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revious year. He said the Last increase from 1986 to 1987 was about 18%. Mayor Monday advised she will be
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ooking into these matters.
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ADJOURNMENT
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Respectfully submitted,
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;Ruth DeShaw, City Secretary it
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January 24, 1989
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