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MIN CC 04/15/1997CITY COUNCIL MEETING OF APRIL 15, 1997 BOOK "S" 84 MINUTES OF THE HUNTSVILLE CITY COUNCIL MEETING HELD ON THE 15TH DAY OF APRIL, 1997, IN THE CITY HALL, LOCATED AT 1212 AVENUE M IN THE CITY OF HUNTSVILLE, COUNTY OF WALKER, TEXAS AT 5:15 P.M. The Council met in regular session with the following members present: William B. Green, Mayor Dave Luning Officers: Dan S. Davis David Martinez Gene Pipes, City Manager Ronald L. Lange Ann James Scott Bounds, City Attorney Vance Howard Marjorie Rex Danna Welter, City Secretary JoAnn Matthews CITIZEN INPUTANQUIRY 1. Max Threadvill. Evelyn Lane and Highway 75 South. Mr. Threadgill stated that he lived on Evelyn Lane and was representing four homeowners who are against annexation. He stated that he is a "certified gun freak" and has been target shooting since he was a teenager. He realizes that it is against the City ordinance to shoot weapons in the City limits. He moved to the rural area fora reason and does not want to be a part of the City of Huntsville. 2. Stan Foley. Enters . Mr. Foley introduced Mr. Ronnie Steptoe, the new Huntsville Network Manager. He will supervise the construction and service men. Mr. Steptoe stated that he was happy to be in Huntsville and wanted to reaffum the Company's commitment to provide reliable service. There is a storm preparedness drill in May and he would be happy to have the emergency coordinator for the City to attend. 3. Nancy Goodwin. Ms. Goodwin invited the City Council to the Citizens for Community Recycling meeting on Thursday, April 24th at 7:30 p.m. in the City Hall Chambers to learn more about recycling possibilities in our community. Mr. Chuck Hayes, Conroe ' Recycling, will present a program concerning a project that their company did with The Woodlands and establishing a successful recycling center. The company is a 12 year old family business, and they receive for recycling clear and brown glass, #1 and #2 plastic, steel and aluminum cans, all kinds of paper and magazines and numerous other materials. INVOCATION Invocation by Reverend Kenneth Levingston, St. James United Methodist Church and St Paul United Methodist Church. CONSIDER THE MINUTES OF MARCH 11 AND 25, 1997 Councilmember Rex made a motion to approve the minutes of March IL 1997. and Councilmember Davis seconded the motion. The motion passed unanimously. Councilmember Rex made a motion to approve the minutes of March 25. 1997. and Councilmember James seconded the motion The motion passed unanimously. 97 -04 -15.1 ADOPTING THE PROPOSED SERVICE PLANS FOR AREAS TO BE CONSIDERED FOR ANNEXATION TO THE CITY OF HUNTSVILLE AND CALLING PUBLIC HEARINGS ON THE PROPOSED ANNEXATIONS Councilmember Rex made a motion to approve Ordinance 97-04-15.1 adopting the uroposed service plans for the areas being considered for annexation to the City and calling public hearings and Councilmember Lange seconded the motion The motion passed unanimously. CONSIDER APPROVAL OF TAX SALE TRUST PROPERTIES AS RECOMMENDED BY THE WALKER COUNTY APPRAISAL DISTRICT Councilmember Davis made a motion to approve the tax sale trust properties as recommended by the WCAD and Councilmember Lange seconded the motion. The motion passed unanimously. CONSIDER THE MARCH TAX REPORT WITH AD.JUSTTvIENTS TO THE LEVY AS RECOMMENDED BY GROVER COOK, CHIEF APPRAISER Councilmember Davis made a motion to approve the March tax renort with adjustments to the levy as recommended by Chief Aporaiser Grover Cook and Councilmember Rex seconded the motion The motion passed unanimously, CITY COUNCIL MEETING OF APRIL 15, 1997 BOOK "S" 85 CONSIDER BUDGET ADJUSTMENTS FOR THE QUARTER ENDED MARCH 31, 1997 Councilmember James made a motion to approve the budget adjustments for the quarter ended March 31. 1997. and Councilmember Matthews seconded the motion The motion passed unanimously. CONSIDER MUNICIPAL MAINTENANCE AGREEMENT WITH THE TXDOT BY APPROVAL OF ORDINANCE 97 -04 -15.2, AND ORDINANCE 97 -04 -15.3 PROVIDING FOR THE MAINTENANCE OF CERTAIN STATE HIGHWAYS AND /OR PORTIONS OF STATE HIGHWAYS IN THE CITY Councilmember Lange made a motion to approve the TXDOT municipal maintenance aueement by approval of Ordinance 97-04- 15,2. and Councilmember James seconded the motion The motion passed unanimously. Councilmember Lange made a motion to approve Ordinance 97-04-15.3 providing for the maintenance of certain state highways and /or portions of state highways in the City. and Councilmember Davis seconded the motion. The motion passed unanimously. CONSIDER PURCHASE OF SAFETY EQUIPMENT IN THE AMOUNT OF $22,750 TO BE PAID FROM WATER AND SEWER RESERVE Councilmember Rex made a motion to approve the purchase of safety equipment in the amount of $22,750 (from the water and sewer rPserve) and Councilmember Lange seconded the motion The motion passed unanimously. CONSIDER REQUEST FOR ADDITIONAL FUNDS IN THE AMOUNT OF $6,000 FOR REPAIRS TO WATER WELL #14 TO BE PAID FROM THE WATER AND SEWER RESERVE Councilmember James made a motion to approve $6,000 additional funds for repairs to water well # 14 (from the water and sewer reserve), and Councilmember range seconded the motion The motion passed unanimously. CONSIDER REQUEST TO REDIRECT BUDGETED FUNDS IN THE AMOUNT OF $14,000 FOR THE CITY HALL REMODELING - PHASE III Councilmember James made a motion to approve the redirection of $14,000 for City Hall remodeling for renovation of the conference room kitchen and Councilmember Rex seconded the motion. The motion passed unanimously. MAYOR'S ACTIVITY REPORT 1. Consider Resolution 97 -04 -15.1 nominating a candidate to fill the vacancy on the Walker County Appraisal District Board of Directors. Mayor Green stated that his recommendation was to nominate Mrs. Fred Cherry to fill the vacancy on the WCAD Board of Directors. Councilmember Lange made a motion to approve Resolution 97-04-15.1 nominating Mrs Fred Chem to fill the vacancy on the WCAD Board of Directors and Councilmember Matthews seconded the motion. The motion nassed unanimously. 2. Consider appointments to the Tourism Council. Mayor Green stated that the Chamber of Commerce has sent its list for the Tourism Council and he needed Council's concurrence on the appointments. Councilmember tamps made a motion to approve the Tourism Council and Councilmember Rex seconded the motion The motion passed unanimously. 3. Consider Entergy's motion to consolidate the rate case. Mayor Green stated that Entergy's motion to consolidate the rate case, which has been received by the City, was anticipated. This is notification and does not require Council action. CITY COUNCILMEMBER ACTION Discuss EMS request for provision of water and sewer utility service - Councilmember Rex Councilmember Rex stated that the EMS is requesting the City to pay the water /sewer and garbage fees for their new building. The bill is anticipated to run approximately $50.00 per month. Mr. Bounds stated that the City cannot give public money away, even to another public entity, but EMS is created by an interlocal agreement and it could be amended to allow for these services. A monetary value would need to be established and budgeted by the City. CITY COUNCIL MEETING OF APRIL 15, 1997 BOOK "S" 86 Consensus of Council was to update the interlocal agreement adding funding for water /sewer and garbage service. The agreement will be presented to Council at a later meeting once an approximate cost can be established. Report on Walker County Proud "Trash Bash" activities - Councilmember Luring. Councilmember Luning stated that he spent the day at the transfer station during the Trash Bash activities and was pleased with the efficiency by the City's Sanitation Department in setting up the operation. Cindy Blaylock and Charles Stark did an outstanding job in organizing the collection of refuse. Approximately 58 tons of waste was collected. Two items that will need to be better publicized by Walker County Proud next year are: citizens that bring in metal can either pay the tipping fee or take the metal to Burdett's, and 2) commercial haulers will be weighed and pay the tipping fee. Another area of concern is the amount of used tires entering the transfer station. Also, there were many bicycles brought into the transfer station and perhaps next year these bicycles could he donated to Wiesner's to be reconditioned and given as Christmas gifts to the needy. Councilmember Rex thanked Councilmember Lining for his hard work during the trash bash. FYI- Enterey Rate Case. Councilmember Luning stated that some of the articles in the FYI section indicate that the Texas Legislature is getting involved in utility deregulation. He suggested that it may be time to begin lobbying our legislators. Newsoaoer Recvcline. Councilmember Luning stated that in the report on newspaper recycling, it notes that the City is no longer receiving $10 per ton for the newspaper, although Champion continues to pay the lease of the newspaper recycling trailer and the transportation cost to the Sheldon De- inking Facility. Report on the Finance Committee meeting and the TML Region 14 meetine - Councilmember Davis 1) Councilmember Davis stated that at 10:00 a.m. this morning, the $14,395,000 was received. The money has been routed in a , number of ways. The bulk of the money is in a repurchase agreement, with 6.37% interest. This will represent several hundred thousand dollars in additional interest to the City over the next few years to help offset the costs of the bond issue. 2) Councilmember Davis stated that the Finance Committee has reviewed the City's Fixed Asset Policy. 3) Councilmember Davis stated that the Committee also discussed a status report on the IRA bond issue for the surface water treatment plan improvements. The IRA will issue $3.4 million for improvements for this plant. It was recommended to the TRA to capitalize the interest for purpose of the issue. TML Spring Meeting. Councilmember Davis stated that 14 members of Council and Staff attended the Spring Meeting of the TML Region 14. Mayor Bob Lanier, City of Houston, was the speaker. Mayor Green stated that Councilmember Davis is currently I st Vice President of TML Region 14 and will take over w President this summer, presiding over the TML Fall Meeting to be held August 9 -10 in League City. This will be the first time an elected official from the City of Huntsville has held the position of President. TIGAC Board Meeting. 1) Councilmember Davis stated that it is beneficial to stay abreast of the current Legislation being discussed in Austin regarding cities and affiliates. 2) Councilmember Davis cautioned staff that grants through HGAC are affected if not timely submitted. It is very important to meet the grant deadlines. Illegal Dumping. Councilmember Lange stated that there is large amount of illegal dumping inside the City of Huntsville. Businesses with dumpster are paying for the service, and it is illegal for citizens to dump trash in these dumpsters. MEDIA INQUIRIES None. ADJOURNMENT Recess into EXECUTIVE SESSION to discuss: a) pending litigation: McDonald Creek, Sam Houston Inn, Attorney General Opinion, and Townsend; and , b) land acquisition: Robinson Creek Wastewater Treatment Plant site, and South Sam Houston property. - Danna Welter, City Secretary t