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CITY COUNCIL MEETING OF APRIL 22, 2003 BOOK `17' 29
MINUTES OF THE HUNTSVILLE CITY COUNCIL MEETING HELD ON THE 22ND DAY OF APRIL, 2003, 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 John Esoobedo Paul Isham, Acting City Manager
Jack Choate Vance Howard Danna Welter, City Secretary
Gary Crawford Judy Kayse
Ralph A. Davis, Jr. Steed Smith
CALL TO ORDER [5:15 p.m.]
Mayor Green called the meeting to order.
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE to US AND TEXAS FLAGS, INVOCATION
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Ray Black, Director of Parks and Recreation, led the invocation.
MAYOR PRESENTATIONS
Mayor Green and Chief Eckhardt presented a Community Service Award plaque to Dr. Gerry Etheredge for his service
with the Huntsville Police Department — K -9 Program. Mayor Green also read Proclamation 2002 -17, proclaiming April 22,
2003 as Dr. Gerry Etheredge Day.
Mayor Green read Proclamation 2002 -16, proclaiming April 2003 as Fair Housing Month, accepted by Mark Leonard,
Grant Coordinator for the City of Huntsville.
Mayor Green read Proclamation 2002 -18, proclaiming April 22, 2003 as Men's Bearkat Basketball Day, and recognized
the Sam Houston State University Men's Basketball Team. Mayor Green thanked the players for their representation ofSHSU
and the community and thanked Coach Bob Marlin for the recognition he has brought to the City of Huntsville through the
SHSU Bearkats' first trip to the NCAA playoffs.
PUBLIC COMMENTS
1. Dee McFarland. Chamber of Commerce. Ms. McFarland gave a report on the tourism aspect of the Convention and
Visitor's Bureau. Highlights from the first six months of this year include: Walker Countys ranking in the top 18% of
Texas counties based on travel spending (by visitors); New advertising campaign over the last year ( "Home of Sam
Houston "); New 28 -page visitors guide; 2003 National Communicator Award Distinction for Websites; Coordinating
advertising jointly among entities for national magazines such as Texas Highway and Southern Living; Greeted over
28,000 visitors in the first six months of this year; Distributed more than 24,500 pieces of literature in welcome bags or on
request; Guided more than 116 groups/tours; Hosted /serviced several groups this year; Coordinated public relation
efforts for various entities and programs; Partnering with Texas Parks and Wildlife, Central Texas Bluebonnet Council,
Houston CVB, East Texas Tourism, Texas Tourism Industry Association, and the City of Huntsville. Ms. McFarland
thanked the City for their partnership with the Chamber and presented Council with a check for $59 million dollars, the
City's return on their investment in the tourism program.
2. Chuck Fields, Huntsville Youth Soccer. Mr. Fields requested at the April 8 City Council meeting for approval to post
signs from May 31 -June 7 and July 26- August 10 for soccer registration.
3. Charles Smither, Jr. Mr. Smither asked that the Council notify the citizens of the status of contracts through the golf
course with other entities /organizations. Mr. Smither commented that he did not receive the information on the golf
course financing until Monday. Mr. Smither stated he hoped the Council would make the right decision on the golf
course. Mr. Smither also voiced opposition to the proposed PGM program.
4. SaraO'Bryant. Ms. O'Bryant went to Municipal Court last week with her daughter and was ordered to go to school, boot
camp and community service with her daughter. Ms. O'Bryant stated she could not do this because she is a single
parent.
5. John Strickland. Mr. Strickland voiced opposition to the proposed PGM program.
6. Brian Woodward. Mr. Woodward voiced opposition to the proposed PGM program, stating the Council should not vote
on this item until after the election.
7. Mitchell Muehsam. Mr. Muehsam spoke in support of the PGM program, citing it would attract students, families and
visitors to this community.
8. Mona Peck. Ms. Peck stated she was never given an answer to her question of how much money had been reallocated
to the golf course to date and stated the Council should not vote on the PGM program until that funding is clarified.
9. Jack Ross. Mr. Ross voiced opposition to the proposed PGM program.
CITY COUNCIL MEETING OF APRIL 22, 2003 BOOK "T"
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CONSENT AGENDA
1. Adopt Ordinance 2003 -04 -22.1, making emergency appointments for presiding judges for precincts 102 and 401forthe
municipal election to be held on May 3, 2003.
2. Authorize the Acting City Manager to execute the letter of agreement accepting the terms of the Houston Endowment
Inc. grant toward the renovation of the future Wynne Home Arts Center.
3. Authorize the City's participation in the Tides in Early Texas History Grant process at a cost not to exceed $800 to be
funded from budgeted funds.
4. Authorize the Mayor to approve the interlocal agreement between the Cityof Huntsville and the Houston - Galveston Area
Council for the purpose of developing a federally approved hazard mitigation plan in an amount notto exceed $5,000.00
from in -kind services and budgeted funds.
5. Authorize the Acting City Manager to enter into an Engineering Contract with Ash & Browne Engineering, Inc., in an
amount not to exceed $12,800 for the design of the extension of a 6" water line from Bowers Boulevard easterly along
Bearkat Boulevard to the end of the proposed development to be funded from Developer participation and Water
Reserve for Future Allocations.
Councilmember Kayse made a motion to approve the Consent Agenda: and Councilmember Choate seconded the
motion. The motion passed unanimously.
STATUTORY AGENDA
Authorize the Mayor to sign the attached letter on behalf of the City setting out the City of Huntsville's commitment
through its Raven Nest Golf Course to Sam Houston State University with regard to the proposed Professional Golf
Management degree program.
SHSU is seeking to establish a Professional Golf Management ( "PGM ") degree program which must be approved
by the Professional Golf Association. No Texas University presently has such a program. In order to have such a
program, the students must have access to a golf course. SHSU officials have been discussing an arrangement with the
City's Raven Nest Golf Course to assist in providing facilities to students in the PGM program if SHSU's proposal is
approved and the degree program is established. The proposal allows, during the first year of the program, for the
students to use the golf course and driving range facility fora lump sum charge. It is anticipated that 40 to 50 students
will enroll in the program during the first year with an anticipated regular enrollment of approximately 300 students.
SHSU has requested that the City provide the attached letter be provided to include with its application to the PGA.
Mayor Green reported speaking with other universities that operate the same program with much success, and
encouraged the Council to approve this agreement. The program could bring net additions to University enrollment and
to the community. Raven Nest Pro Kit Thomson also pointed out the possibility of using PGM students to defray the
'hard' costs of running the course; and the tee times made available to the PGM students would be off -peak, not prime
time slots. Dean Lewis, Assistant Dean Muehsam, and Pro Thomson answered questions from Council: if approved,
there would not be students in the program until Fall 2004; there are currently only 14 PGM programs across the nation
and the PGA will cap the number of programs at 20; they can provide a list of the programs that partner with golf
course(s); internships would also be expected; other golf courses would probably be approached for use as well.
Dean Lewis expanded on the program's requirements, stating the students will not only be working on their golf
skills but also be in classes throughout the day, graduating from the program with the skills necessary to
manage /operate a golf course. In talking to other PGM program administrators, there is a waiting list to be accepted.
We would be fortunate to have the only program of this type in Texas.
Councilmember Smith stated he thought the price should be renegotiated; Dean Lewis was amenable to
renegotiating the fees. Dean Lewis did state he needed a commitment of some sort to apply for the PGA program.
Councilmember Smith made a motion to authorize the Ma orto sign the attached letter on behalf of the Cit settin
Councilmember Davis asked who pays the student's tuition. Dean Lewis stated the students are responsible for
their own tuition and fees in addition to the PGA materials they must purchase. Councilmember Davis asked that the
item be delayed. Councilmember Choate asked Dean Lewis if he were 100% comfortable with the agreement. Dean
Lewis stated he thought the proposition needed to be fair to the students and the City and University needed to be in
agreement in order to pass muster for the PGA.
Councilmember D avis made a motion to amend the original motion to approve the contract with the price
Councilmember Escobedo requested that the item be tabled until some doubts could be clarified. City Manager
Isham suggested that they table the item until May 6. Dean Lewis stated the University will be ready to submit their
proposal to the PGA once the golf course use agreement is reached with the City.
Councilmembers Smith and Kayse rescinded the original motion. Councilmembers Choate, Kayse and Howard
will research the issue before the next Council meeting.
Crawford seconded the motion. The motion Passed unanimously.
2. Authorize the Acting City Manager to execute the new contract between the City of Huntsville and the Walker County
Appraisal District.
The City has had an agreement with the Walker County Appraisal Office since March of 1992 to perform duties
related to the assessment and /or collection of taxes. The revised agreement adds the following:
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"TY COUNCIL MEETING OF APRIL 22, 2003
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BOOK `7
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1) Approximately four years ago, the City furnished the appraisal district computers to do computerized mapping. This
agreement establishes the Citys maintenance responsibility and the Appraisal District's responsibility to provide the
staff to continue the computerized mapping program.
2) The appraisal district has agreed to pay $11,000 for the City to construct a tower at the site for wireless
communications between the City and the Appraisal District.
MEDIA INQUIRIES
Mr. Sablatura of the Huntsville Observer asked when the Mayor became aware that the University was interested in
pursuing a PGM program. Mayor Green answered approximately one year ago.
RECESS [7:00 — 7:20 p.m.]
WORK SESSION [7:20 -8:46 p.m.]
City Council conducted a work session to discuss Raven Nest Golf Course financing.
ADJOURNMENT [8:46 p.m.]
Danna Welter, City Secretary
MAYORICITY MANAGER ACTIVITY REPORT
Future Events:
April 16
B:OOam
Early Voting Begins at City Hall and HISD Administration
April 18
Good Friday (City offices closed); NO EARLY VOTING
April 22
5:15pm
City Council Meeting
May 3
7:OOam- 7:00pm
City Officer's Election
May 5
Cinco de Mayo (City offices closed)
May 6
5:15pm
City Council Meeting; Canvass Election
May 20
5:15pm
City Council Meeting
May 26
Memorial Day (City offices closed)
June 3
5:15pm
City Council Meeting
June 5
5:00- 9:OOpm
Council Budget Workshop
June 6
9:OOam- 5:OOpm
Council Budget Workshop
June 7
B:OOam- 12:o0pmCouncil
Budget Workshop
June 17
5:15pm
City Council Meeting
June 19
Juneteenth (City offices closed)
MEDIA INQUIRIES
Mr. Sablatura of the Huntsville Observer asked when the Mayor became aware that the University was interested in
pursuing a PGM program. Mayor Green answered approximately one year ago.
RECESS [7:00 — 7:20 p.m.]
WORK SESSION [7:20 -8:46 p.m.]
City Council conducted a work session to discuss Raven Nest Golf Course financing.
ADJOURNMENT [8:46 p.m.]
Danna Welter, City Secretary