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MIN CC 03/26/1996CITY COUNCIL MEETING OF MARCH 26, 1996 BOOK "S" 17 MINUTES OF THE HUNTSVILLE CITY COUNCIL MEETING HELD ON THE 26TH DAY OF MARCH, 1996, IN THE CITY HALL, LOCATED AT 1212 AVENUE M IN THE CITY OF HUNTSVILLE, COUNTY OF WALKER, TEXAS AT 11:15 A.M. The Council met in regular session with the following members present: COUNCILMEMBERS: William B. Green, Mayor Dave Luning Officers: Dan S. Davis David Martinez Gene Pipes, City Manager Ronald L. Lange Andrew Holmes Danna Welter, City Secretary Marjorie Rex JoAnn Matthews Scott Bounds, City Attorney Ann James CITIZEN INPUT/INQUIRY Diane McOuirter. Ms. McQdrter stated that she was representing the McQuirter family and is addressing Council to obtain help in solving their problem of landlocked land at 109 Avenue D. For the past 46 years, the Smithers have allowed the McQuirter family to cross their property for access to their landlocked residence. There is no written agreement for this access and the Smithers now desire to put a fence on their property which would block the access for the McQuirter family. She is requesting that the City Council unlock this land. Mayor Green stated that staff would look at this landlocked problem and try to find a solution. INVOCATION Invocation by Robert McConkie, President of the Prison Service Branch of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. ATTENDING CITIZENS 1. Roger Johnson, TML Risk Pool. Mr. Johnson stated that the City has been a member of the TML Risk Pool for over ten years and he is the Service Representative for this area. The Board has decided this year to give back a member equity return based on actual contributions made for workers compensation. Mr. Johnson presented City Council with a check in the amount of $11,136.10. The Board is refunding $2.7 million to members this year that qualify based on certain criteria. Mayor Green thanked Mr. Johnson. 2. Alan Plummer & Associates to report on the Safe Drinking Water Act Study. Mr. Head and Mr. Tomata presented an evaluation of the City's water distribution system and how it complies with current and proposed requirements of the Safe Drinking Water Act. Recommendations basically dealt with three areas: 1) coordination of operations between TRA water treatment plant and the City's water distribution system; 2) hydraulic improvements to various areas of the distribution system; and 3) taste, odor and color problems. The last recommendation in the report is to design and construct improvements to the HRWSS plant. The probable costs for the recommendations total $331,200. This includes both improvements and studies recommended, but not the HRWSS plant improvements. CITY COUNCIL MEETING OF MARCH 2b, 1996 BOOK "S" 18 IMPROVEMENT ITEM CAPITAL COST - $ Chloramine disinfection equipment 45,000 Disinfectant residual analyzer /recorder 30.000 Palm Street Plant piping modifications 100,000 Well system pump study 10,000 Demolition and disposal of the Avenue I elevated tank 100,000 Well No. 19 iron bacteria study 3,000 Improvement Cost Subtotal $288,000 Engineering, Testing, Surveying, Inspection (15 1) 43,200 TOTAL OPINION OF PROBABLE COST 331.200 Overall, the Huntsville system is in very good shape to comply with the regulatory requirements. The City has been efficient in keeping the system up to date to meet the new requirements and staying ahead of the game. CONSIDER FEBRUARY TAX REPORT WITH ADJUSTMENTS TO THE TAX ROLL AS RECOMMENDED BY GROVER COOK, CHIEF APPRAISER Councilmember Rex made a motion to anprove the Febmary tax report with adjustments to the tax roll as recommended by Grover Cook Chief Appraiser. and Councilmember Holmes seconded the motion The motion passed unanimously. CONSIDER PROFESSIONAL ENGINEERING SERVICES REQUIRED FOR DESIGN OF THE CHANNEL RESTORATION OF MCDONALD CREEK BY RUST LICHLITER/JAMESON IN THE AMOUNT OF $33,000 Scott Bounds recommended that City Council proceed with Option 1 of the contract - delineation of wetlands. The cost of this option would be approximately $10,000. After the determination is reached on the wetlands issue, then decisions on design and requirements to meet could be addressed. Councilmember Rex made a motion to approve the portion of the professional engineerine services on the delineation of wetlands at McDonald Creek by Rust Lichliter /Jameson at a cost not to exceed $10.000. and Councilmember Davis seconded the motion. The motion passed unanimousl CONSIDER UTILITY EXTENSION CONTRACT AND PAYMENT WITH CEDRIC LANDRUM FOR WATER AND SEWER IMPROVEMENTS WITH LIEN This item was postponed to the next agenda. CONSIDER A REQUEST TO INCREASE RATES FOR COMMERCIAL ROLL -OFF SERVICE FROM WASTE MANAGEMENT Mr. Wilder stated that the City has received a request from Waste Management to increase their fees on commercial roll -off service. This is part of the collection system is contracted out because the type of debris that goes into these containers cannot be hauled to Security Landfill in the City's transfer vehicles. The contract allows Waste Management to increase the fees annually based on the annual consumer price index. Waste Management is requesting to increase the fees 22 %. Councilmember Davis made a motion to approve the 2.2% increase in rates for commercial roll -off service for Waste Managemept to be effective April 1. 1996. and Councilmember Lange seconded the motion. The motion passed unanimously. t Councilmember Lange stated that the Waste Management contract has 2 V2 years left and City Council needs to seriously consider its options upon expiration of the contract. Mr. Pipes stated that there were some discussions ongoing related to the Polk County landfill. CITY COUNCIL MEETING OF MARCH 26, 1996 BOOK "S" - 19 CONSIDER A REQUEST TO FINANCE THE PURCHASE OF SERVICE WEAPONS FOR POLICE OFFICERS Chief Eckhardt stated that currently Police Officers provide their own handguns when hired. These guns cost between $400 and $800. Staff is proposing that the City front the money for the cost of the gun and the officer repay (by payroll deduction) the cost within one year. There would be minimal cost to the City and would be an extreme benefit for the officers. The City would maintain ownership of the guns until paid in full, there would be a written agreement signed by the officer acknowledging this and that if they leave employment before the year is up, the officer will have the opportunity to pay the remainder of the balance or if they chose not •i to, the gun would remain a City asset to be resold to another officer. Mayor Green suggested that guns forfeited by officers be sold for market value rather than the amount owing. Councilmember Matthews made a motion to approve the City financing the purchase of service weanons for Police Officers. and Councilmember James seconded the motion. The motion passed unanimously. MAYOR'S ACTIVITY REPORT 1. Consider tenant appointment to the Huntsville Housing Board of Directors. Mayor Green recommended Mrs. Norma Howard to fill the tenant appointment to the Huntsville Housing Authority Board. Councilmember Rex made a motion to approve the tenant appointment of Norma Howard to the Huntsville Housing Authority Board of Directors and Councilmember Davis seconded the motion. The motion passed unanimously. 2. Consider appointment of Robin Murtishaw to the Board of Adjustment and Appeals. Councilmember Holmes made a motion to approve Robin Murtishaw to the Board of Adiustments and Anneals. and Councilmember Lange seconded the motion. The motion passed unanimously. ' 3. Consider a fuel adjustment request by Entergy /GSU. Mayor Green stated that the City has received a request from Entergy for a change in the fuel adjustment at a 1.13% increase ($.83 per customer for the average customer). Mayor Green recommended that Council vote no to this adjustment, and also pursue the possibility of a full rate study. As a result of the merger of Gulf States with Entergy, there should have been cost savings, which are not automatically passed on to the City - they must be requested. Councilmember Lange made amotion to deny the request by Energy for a fuel adiustment, and Councilmember Rex seconded the motion. The motion passed unanimously. 4. Consider resignation of Robert Bruner from the Planning and Zoning Commission and the appointment of John Escobedo. Councilmember Matthews made a motion to approve the appointment of John Escobedo to the Planning and Zoning Commission. and Councilmember Lange seconded the motion. The motion passed unanimously. CITY COUNCILMEMBER ACTION 1. Consider a request to fund a portion of the Walker County Proud Day disposal costs, as presented by Councilmember James. Councilmember James stated that Walker County has been awarded a grant for $78,000 for a full time environment police officer. Nestle Corporation has donated $3,000, Trinity River Authority will pay all transfer fees, and Waste Management is donating the use of four large roll -off containers for the event. Councilmember James made a motion to approve the garbage crews work overtime on April 13th at a cost not to exceed $1500. and Councilmember Rex seconded the motion. The motion passed unanimously. 2. Consider selection of a broker dealer as recommended by the Finance Committee, as presented by Councilmember Davis, Chairman. Councilmember Davis. based on the recommendation of the Finance Committee, made a motion to select Smtih -Bamev as one of the Citv's broker dealer. and Councilmember James seconded the motion The motion passed unanimously. 3. Consider recommendation by the Personnel Committee of firm to perform the City's Position Classification and Pay Survey, as presented by Councilmember Lange, Chairman. CITY COUNCIL MEETING OF MARCH 26, 1996 BOOK "S" 20 Councilmember Lange, based on the recommendation of the Personnel Committee made a motion to authorize the City Manager to negotiate a contract at an amount not to exceed $32,000 with Waters Consulting hm for a nav and classification study (to be funded 1/3 from General Fund reserve. 1/3 from Sanitation reserve. and 1/3 from Water /Sewer reserve), and Councilmember Rex seconded the motion. The motion Passed unanimously. Councilmember Lange stated that at the budget meetings this summer the Personnel Committee may recommend that an additional $8,000 be set aside for another portion of the study. Trash Ordinances. Councilmember Rex stated that she is waiting to see the City's ordinances regarding trash in yards, etc. Regional Grant Review Committee. Councilmember Martinez stated that on March 27th, he and Councilmember James would be attending a meeting of the Regional Grant Review Committee. Fire Report. Councilmember James stated that there has been a six week moratorium on burning, yet on the fire report is shows that 24 permits for February have been issued. Mr. Pipes stated that he would check these figures. _ MEDIA INQUIRIES None. EXECUTIVE SESSION Recess into an EXECUTIVE SESSION to consider: 1) real estate acquisition: land acquisition for the Robinson Creek Wastewater Treatment Plant; and Willow Street R.O.W; and 2) contemplated litigation: Walker County Rural Water Supply System. ADJOURNMENT I Danna Welter, City Secretary