MIN CC 11/19/2002CITY COUNCIL MEETING OF NOVEMBER 19, 2002 BOOK "S" 427
MINUTES OF THE HUNTSVILLE CITY COUNCIL MEETING HELD ON THE 19TH DAY OF NOVEMBER, 2002, 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 a regular session with the following members present:
COUNCILMEMBERS: OFFICERS:
William B. Green, Mayor Mark Erb Bob Hart, City Manager
I� Gary Crawford John Escobedo Paul Isham, City Attorney
�i Jack Choate Vance Howard Danna Welter, City Secretary
Ralph A. Davis, Jr. Judy Kayse
ABSENT: Steed Smith
FINANCE COMMITTEE MEETING [4:37 -5:10 p.m.]
The Finance Committee met to discuss:
1. Budget adjustments /encumbrances;
2. Quarterly financial report; and
3. Sale of bonds for capital projects.
CALL TO ORDER [5:15 p.m.]
Mayor Green called the meeting to order.
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE to US AND TEXAS FLAGS, INVOCATION
City Manager Bob Hart led the invocation.
1
2.
PUBLIC COMMENTS
Mayor Green read Proclamation 2002 -33: Storytelling Month and presented it to Mike Morrow, Colonneh Storytellers'
Guild.
Suzann Vaughn — Request Huntsville Girls Softball Association be able to put registration signs in the City's right of
ways for two weeks (January 20 — 27 and February 3 —10).
3. William Elmer, Mr. Elmer expressed his concern about the increase in water rates.
4. John Strickland. Mr. Strickland stated that he had a parking dilemma in front of Texas Cafe. He is in need of parking
spaces and eliminating the parking space for a park bench in costing him business. He asked who he needs to contact
to move the bench. Mayor Green asked that he talk with Mr. Isbell to solve this problem.
5. Charles Smither. Jr. Mr. Smither asked about the sidewalk display ordinance on the agenda tonight. The ordinance
calls fora Main Street Advisory Board and after asking fora list of this Board, he found that the name is the Main Street
Program Advisory Committee. He asked who was on the Main Street Infrastructure committee. The ordinance
contemplates guidelines, but are not available at this time. He is also concerned about the committee allowing the use
of the sidewalks in front of property owners business without their permission.
6. Karl Davidson. Mr. Davidson spoke in opposition of the water and sewer expenditures planned for this fiscal year, and
also in opposition of the City using funds for private developers.
7. Mona Harrell. Ms. Harrell spoke in opposition of the Golf Course cost over runs.
Mayor Green recognized Chancellor Lamar Urbanovsky and Vice Chancellor Ken Craycraft, both of the Texas State University
System.
CONSENTAGENDA
1. Authorize the City Manager to contract with Dataprose for print production, mailing and support of utility bills and
information inserts to customers at cost not to exceed $24,000 to be paid from budgeted funds.
2. Approve budget adjustments for FY 01 -02 and FY 02 -03 as presented.
3. Approve the Commercial Services Agreement with Cox Communications for intemetservices fore three-year period ata
cost not to exceed $30,000 to be funded from budgeted funds.
4. Authorize the purchase of three police vehicles (2 Crown Victoria sedans and 1 Ford Explorer) in the amount of
$63,961.84 through H -GAC contract pricing from budgeted funds in the Capital Equipment Replacement Fund; and
approve the purchase of four sedans totaling $83,630.68 contingent upon the approval of the HISD contract for the
School Resource Officer Program.
5. Approve Resolution 2002 -11 -19.1, waiving the City's rights to Juvenile Accountability Incentive Block Grants funds and
requesting that Walker County receive the funds.
6. Approve Resolution 2002 -11 -19.2, authorizing the Mayor as a signatory on the 2001 TDCP Grant Purchase Vouchers
and Request for Payment forms.
7. Approve Change Order No. 1 to continue progress in the construction of the Waters Edge Lift Station and Force Main at
a cost not to exceed $5,300 to be funded from Unallocated CIP Funds.
CITY COUNCIL MEETING OF NOVEMBER 19, 2002 BOOK "S"
428
8. Approve Ordinance No. 2002 -11 -19.1, amending Title 28 'Taxicabs and Other Vehicles for Hire" of the Code of
Ordinances.
9. Approve sale of these four properties held intrust, totaling $3,551 and as identified by Grover Cook, Chief Appraiser, to
the highest bidders.
10. Approve expenditure of travel funds (registration, hotel, meals, transportation) per Councllmemberto attend the National
League of Cities Annual Conference in Salt Lake City, UT on December 3 -7, 2002 to be funded from budgeted funds.
11. Ratify the Plan Document and Summary Plan Description for the City of Huntsville Employee Health Plan and Trust.
4.
11.
Authorize the City Manager to contract with Dataprose for print production, mailing and support of utility bills and
information inserts to customers at cost not to exceed $24,000 to be paid from budgeted funds.
The City sends monthly utility bills and it has become common practice to include multiple inserts in the bills. The
current equipment often malfunctions and will not meet the need of multiple inserts. Replacing the equipment was':!
looked at as an option. The City talked with several other cities that use a service of this type and the cities had very '
positive responses for contracting out the service indicating a better use of their employees and increased customer i!
service. The City solicited proposals for providing the service. Dataprose in Irving, TX is the recommended vendor. is
They currently provide this service for other cities including Nacogdoches, Plano and Corsicana. The cost includes all V
supplies, bills, envelopes, inserts, etc. The cost estimate provided includes two stuffers per bill. Funds to contract for
this service were included in the budget.
After discussion, City Council asked that more information be provided on this item.
Councilmember Choate made a motion to table the contract with Dataprose for print production mailing and
support of utility bills and information inserts to customers. and Councilmember Crawford seconded the motion. The
motion passed unanimously.
Authorize the purchase of three police vehicles (2 Crown Victoria sedans and 1 Ford Explorer) in the amount of ;'
$63,961.84 through H -GAC contract pricing from budgeted funds in the Capital Equipment Replacement Fund; and
approve the purchase of four sedans totaling $83,630.68 contingent upon the approval of the HISD contract for the
School Resource Officer Program.
Pricing has been obtained from the Houston Galveston Area Council (H -GAC) for 3 police vehicles which include 2 -'.
2003 Crown Victoria Sedans and 1 -Ford Explorer, all with police package upgrades. These vehicles are replacement 1;
vehicles for the City of Huntsville police force. Four additional sedans will also be purchased subject to the authorization.!
and approval of the HISD contract for the School Resource Officer Program.
Pricing through H -GAC meets all competitive bidding regulations and guidelines as mandated by the State of
Texas. Pricing is as follows:
2003 Crown Victoria Sedans $20,907.67
2003 Ford Explorer Police Package $22,146.50 „
Ratify the Plan Document and Summary Plan Description for the City of Huntsville Employee Health Plan and Trust.
Changes made to the employee health plan in the past year have been implemented into this plan document. In
addition, Employers Plan Services, Inc. has utilized new software for the production of the plan, giving it anew look as
well as incorporating the changes. This action will ratify the new document in its entirety.
Councilmember Davis asked if the changes had been approved by City Council. Danna Welter responded that
yes, all the changes to the Plan Document had been previously approved by City Council.
STATUTORY AGENDA
Approve Ordinance 2002 -11 -19.2, authorizing the City of Huntsville, Texas Waterworks and Sewer System Revenue
Bonds, Series 2002; authorizing the pledge of certain revenues in support of the bonds; approving and authorizing an
official statement and a paying agent/registrar agreement; awarding the sale of those bonds; and authorizing other
matters related to the issuance of the bonds.
Included the FY02 -03 capital budget were several projects to be funded from debt proceeds. Ordinance 2002.11-
19.2 will authorize water and wastewater bonds, series 2002 in the amount of $7,255,000 and pledge revenues in the
support of the bonds. The bonds will be repaid over 20 -year period from wastewater revenues. The rate structure was
put in place October 1, 2002 to provide revenues for the payment of the debt.
A rating presentation was made to Moody's Investment Service and Standard & Poor Rating Service in early
November. As a result of the presentations, Moody's issued a reconfirmation of A3 on revenue debt and an upgrade to
CITY COUNCIL MEETING OF NOVEMBER 19, 2002 BOOK "S" 429
A2 on general obligation debt; and Standard & Poor's issued a first time rating of A- on the revenue debt, reconfirmed
the A- on the TRA debt, and reconfirmed the A on general obligation debt.
RBC Dain Rauscher, Inc. was awarded the bid at a rate of 4.574708 %.
2. Approvethelntedocal Cooperation Agreementwith Huntsville Independent School Distdctfora School ResourceOffcer
Program.
The City and HISD have engaged in discussions about the City providing a school resource officer program to
HISD. The City also applied for a grant with the Department of Justice (DOJ) to help fund the program and was awarded
approximately $600,000 for a 3 -year SRO program. In addition to the monies received from DOJ, HISD has agreed to
pay $224,000 annually to fund the program for a 5-year term. Three out of the four HISD police officers will be hired by
the City; and the City will provide a sergeant and four officers for the SRO Program. In addition, one vehicle and all
police equipment will be transferred from HISD to the City and the Citywil I purchase four additional vehicles. Each SRO
officer, including the sergeant, will have a'Yake -home° vehicle. This contract will be considered by the HISD Board at its
meeting on November 22, 2002.
3. Approve the Developer's Agreement for the Dawson tract for the future site of the Huntsville Fire Station.
j The City has been negotiated with the Dawson family an agreement for the acquisition of land for the new fire
ii station. This agreement provides for an equitable exchange of land and services to enable the fire station project to
continue. All parties are agreeable to this agreement. The City has budgeted Funds 701 -07 -623 for $28,810 and 800-
8680 for $240,018.
I!
Councilmember Howard made a motion to approve the Developers Aqreement for the Dawson tract for the future
site of the Huntsville Fire Statiom and Councilmember Erb seconded the motion. The motion passed unanimously.
4. Approve Ordinance 2002 -11 -19.3, amending the sidewalk ordinance to allow displays in the downtown district.
One challenge to downtown businesses identified by many business owners is the current sidewalk ordinance
which prohibits the placement of merchandise, tables, potted plants, etc. on the sidewalk. In many communities, the use
of these sidewalk displays is effective in marketing products and services and making the downtown district more
attractive and unique.
The current sidewalk ordinance states the following:
it shall be unlawful forany person to obstruct, or encumber, to any extent, any portion of any street, alley, sidewalk
or public ground in the city with lumber, boxes, timber, firewood, posts, vehicles, merchandise offered for sale or
displayed or anything whatever in any manner whatsoever.
This ordinance restricts the economic opportunity of business owners who, in many cases, are dependent upon the
visibility of products and services to succeed. Downtown merchants reviewed a similar sidewalk plan at a downtown
business meeting; the Main Street Economic Development Committee has approved this proposal; and the Main Street
Advisory Board recommends it to Council for approval.
5. Adopt the Airport Master Plan for the Huntsville Municipal Airport.
An Airport Advisory Committee, working with City Staff, TXDOT and members of Coffman and Associates, began
working on this plan in June 2001. Public meetings were held on: September 27, 2001; December 17, 2001; April 22,
2002; July 2, 2002; and October 29, 2002. Aworkable and satisfactory plan has been achieved through numerous public
meetings, work sessions and open houses. Huntsville's airport needs have been addressed for both short- and long-
. term planning horizons. The Airport Master Plan will assure the City of a well - planned airport compliant with regards to
federal grant funding.
Councilmember Crawford made a motion to adopt the Airport Master Plan for the Huntsville Municipal Airport.: and
Councilmember Erb seconded the motion. The motion passed unanimously.
MAYOR/CITY MANAGER ACTIVITY REPORT
1. City Manager Program /Project Status.
a) EDA grant information
b) Future Events:
December 3 -7 National League of Cities Conference
December 17 5:15pm City Council Meeting
CITY COUNCIL MEETING OF NOVEMBER 19, 2002 BOOK "S" 430
MEDIA INQUIRIES
Bob Sablatura of the Huntsville Observer, asked about the projects that will be funded from the debt issue.
EXECUTIVE SESSION (Councilmembers Smith, Erb and Kayse absent) [6:55 p.m. - 6:05 p.m.]
The City Council conducted a closed session under Texas Government Code, Chapter 551, for the following matter.
Section 551.074 - Consultation with CityAttomeywith regard to pending or contemplated litigation including the status of
Thomas Cole matter, 1 "Street right -of -way acquisition, and possible suit for injuries; and other legal matters where the
duty of the city attomey to his client, pursuant to the Cade of Professional Responsibility of the State Bar of Texas clearly
conflicts with the Open Meetings Act.
RECONVENE
expressed their wish for her happy retirement.
ADJOURNMENT [8:15 p.m.]
Danna Welter, City Secretary