MIN CC 05/06/2003CITY COUNCIL MEETING OF MAY 6, 2003 BOOK "T" 32
MINUTES OF THE HUNTSVILLE CITY COUNCIL MEETING HELD ON THE 6TH DAY OF MAY, 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: Mark Erb OFFICERS:
William B. Green, Mayor John Escobedo 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
Pastor Richard Wuensche of Faith Lutheran Church led the invocation.
ELECTION MATTERS
1. Approve Ordinance 2003 -05 -06.1, canvassing the regularelection held within the City of Huntsville on the 3rd day of May
',.
2003, for the purpose of electing Mayor At -Large and Councilmembers, Wards One, Two and Four.
CouncilmemberKayse made a motion to Approve Ordinance 2003 -05 -06.1 canvassing the regular election held
2. Official Returns for the City of Huntsville City Officers Election held Saturday, May 3, 2003 for the purpose of electing At-
Large Mayor and Councilmember, Ward 4:
Davidson
432
184
136
97
57
145
365
98
S. Davis
414
119
129
61
29
36
348
74
Ward 1
Early
1,02
Total
Emmett
68
79
147
Willett
112
107
keene
9 15 24
37 46 83
Woodward
96
127 1
51 274
Strickland
37
55 1
36 128
a Harrell Peck
29
40
34 103
Escobedo
33
41
30 104
Ward 4
Earl
205
401 Total
keene
95
273
81 449
Tavenner
127
399
81 607
Registered
Voters Voted
Percentage
Voters
Early
Election Da v
Total
Ili
Precinct 101
1,057
30
86
116
11%
Precinct 102
2,694
293
303
596
22%
Precinct 201
2,248
144
269
413
18%
Precinct 205
2,076
190
713
903
43%
Precinct 206
687
56
162
218
32%
Precinct 301
2,142
84
181
265
12°%
Precinct 401
1,950
49
172
221
11%
Total
12,854
846
1,886
2,732
21 %li
III
atat
1514
1210
CITY COUNCIL MEETING OF MAY 6, 2003 BOOK "T' 33
3. Administration of the Oath of Office to the newly elected members of City Council: Councilmembers Gary Crawford TTTI
�j (Ward 3) and Bob Tavenner (Ward 4) and Mayor Karl Davidson, by City Secretary Danna Welter. Outgoing Mayor III
Green said a few words to the Council and Mayor Davidson said a few words. ;a
PUBLIC COMMENTS
1. Darrell Hall. Mr. Hall asked the Council to tag certain items on the statutory agenda in orderto allow the new mayorand
councilmembers time to become familiar with the items. He also asked the conditions of the repayment of the loan on
the golf course. Acting City Manager (ACM) Paul Isham responded that the loan was intended to be a 30 -year, no
interest loan with a balloon payment in the thirtieth year.
2. George and Sandi Grock. Mr. and Mrs. Grock complained about their utility and property tax rates. Mayor Davidson
stated reduction in rates was a high priority for him.
3. Charles Smither, Jr. Mr. Smither spoke in opposition to the PGM program because the information requested at a
previous Council meeting has not yet been made available to the public; he also requested that the loan not be made
interest -free to the golf course, but rather charge the highest rate possible and make the decision to not pay back the
interest until after 20 years. Mr. Smither also questioned the Council's objectives being filled out appropriately under the
Council adopted policy governance model.
4. John Strickland. Mr. Strickland stated the golf course should be run as a business, and the proposed PGM program did
not make'business sense' on the Citys part.
5. John Smither. Mr. Smither spoke at length in support of adoption of the revised Parks Master Plan. ACM Isham stated
there would be a work session in conjunction with the Parks and Recreation Advisory Board to update the Council on
their progress, and public hearings have been scheduled on May 12 and prior to the Council meeting on May 20. Please
attend the public hearing and provide input.
6. Chuck Fields. Mr. Fields complained about the process to request permission to post signs for sports registration, etc.
and the fact that Council meeting minutes have not been posted to the web site since March. Mr. Fields also stated the
City staff has not been responsive to his calls.
7. Mona Peck. Mrs. Peck stated opposition to the proposed no-interest loan to the golf course, and stated the City should
not lose out on the interest that would have been earned. She also stated the proposed PGM program should include
other golf courses in our area to offer other places for those students to playand reduce the number of rounds played at
the reduced rate on our course. Ms. Peck also stated the utility rates are not reviewed automatically and must be
personally requested.
8. Leigh Ann Byrd. Ms. Byrd presented Mayor Davidson with a Capitol flag on behalf of his campaign staff and volunteers.
STATUTORY AGENDA
1. Consider the election of a Mayor Pro Tem.
Councilmember Smith made a motion to table this item until after the runoff election scheduled for May 31.2003:
and Councilmember Howard seconded the motion The motion Passed unanimously.
2. Take action if needed with respect to Ordinance 2003 -05 -06.2, calling a runoff election on May 31, 2003.
3. Authorize the Acting City Manager to execute the Agreement to Construct Public Improvements as submitted by
ROBO Investments for development at Elks Drive and FM 1374.
ROBO Investments has submitted to the Planning and Zoning Commission and received approval of a plan to
build a 96 unit townhouse/duplex unified development on a 10.96 acre tract located at Elks Drive and FM 1374. The
development will include the extension of water, sewer, drainage and streets. Molly Drive will be extended as a public
street with construction of two connecting private streets, Sendero Drive and Bolero Way. The Development Code
requires the developer to enter into an agreement to construct the public improvements and provide surety to file the
final plat. There is no City participation in the development.
4. Authorize the Acting City Manager to sign the letter of understanding on behalf of the City, outlining the Citys initial
commitment for participation in a professional golf management degree program with Sam Houston State University.
Sam Houston State University (SHSU) is seeking to establish a Professional Golf Management (PGM) degree
program which must be approved by the Professional Golf Association (PGA). One requirement for PGA approval is
student access to a golf course for play, practice and internships, which can be accommodated by Raven Nest Golf
Course. If selected, SHSU will be the only university in Texas to have such a program.
The letter of understanding outlines the City of Huntsville's initial three -year commitment through Raven Nest Golf
Course to SHSU for the proposed PGM degree program through the College of Business Administration. Raven Nest
Ij will charge a fixed fee per PGM student per semester for use of the course and driving range practice facility under the
i; direction of the Golf Pro asset forth in the letter of agreement. The proposed per semester fee schedule is $150 for the
first year, $200 for the second year, and $250 for the third year. The fee for future years will be negotiated, and any
"� adjustments will be made upon joint agreement by the appropriate City and University officials.
CITY COUNCIL MEETING OF MAY 6, 2003 BOOK "T"
34
It is anticipated that 40 to 50 students will enroll in the program during the first year, with a projected regularannual
enrollment of approximately300students. SHSU has requested that the City provide the signed lefterof understanding
to be included with its application to the PGA.
5. Approve transfer of funds from the FY02 -03 CIP Street Funds to Golf Course Fund and prepare no- interest, 30 -year !'.
promissory notes from Golf Fund to CIP Fund and Water Reserve Fund to document loans to Golf Course Fund. j
The cost of constructing Raven Nest Golf Course and the start-up costs for Raven Nest have caused a need for 1j
additional funds to the Golf Course Fund. The City Council conducted a workshop on the golf course on April 22, 2003. 1!
During the workshop, the Council identified several CIP street projects that could be delayed or canceled and the FY02- 9
03 monies be loaned to the Golf Course Fund. Those projects are: 111"- 10"Street ($366,179); Economic Development
($400,000); Funding of TXDOT Projects ($200,000); Metro National E.D. ($90,033); Land ($160,000); for a total of
$1,216,212.
Staff understands that Council desires to transfer (loan) $1,216,212 from the FY02 -03 CIP Street Budget to the
FY02 -03 Golf Fund Budget and to document such transfer with a no-interest, 30 -year note. In addition, on February 18,
2003, the Council approved a $612,964 loan from the Water Reserve Fund to the Golf Course Fund. Staff further
understands that Council desires to keep that loan in place, but to treat it as a no- interest, 30 -year note.
Councilmember Howard made a motion to table this item until a future meeting: and Councilmember Crawford 4'
seconded the motion. The motion passed unanimously.
MEDIA INQUIRIES
Mr. Sablatura of the Huntsville Observer asked about the terms of the loan. Will the golf course make periodic payments !!
or is there a balloon note at the end? Will this money ever truly be paid off or is this a way to write off three million dollars
worth of loans? ACM Isham stated that the intention was for the loan to be paid off once the golf course becomes profitable.
Misty Foster of the Huntsville Item introduced herself as the new reporter covering the City.
RECESS [6:55 - 7:15 p.m.]
WORK SESSION [7:15 — 8:50 p.m.]
City Council conducted a joint work session with the Parks & Recreation Advisory Board to discuss updates to the Parks
Master Plan.
ADJOURNMENT [8:50 p.m.]
Danna Welter, City Secretary
MAYORICITY MANAGER ACTIVITY REPORT
1. Mayor /City Manager /Councilmember Report.
a. City Auction
Report
2. Future Events:
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- 9:00pm
Council Budget Workshop
June 6
9:OOam- 5:00pm
Council Budget Workshop
June 7
8:OOam- 12:OOpm Council Budget Workshop
June 17
5:15pm
City Council Meeting
June 19
Juneteenth (City offices closed)
MEDIA INQUIRIES
Mr. Sablatura of the Huntsville Observer asked about the terms of the loan. Will the golf course make periodic payments !!
or is there a balloon note at the end? Will this money ever truly be paid off or is this a way to write off three million dollars
worth of loans? ACM Isham stated that the intention was for the loan to be paid off once the golf course becomes profitable.
Misty Foster of the Huntsville Item introduced herself as the new reporter covering the City.
RECESS [6:55 - 7:15 p.m.]
WORK SESSION [7:15 — 8:50 p.m.]
City Council conducted a joint work session with the Parks & Recreation Advisory Board to discuss updates to the Parks
Master Plan.
ADJOURNMENT [8:50 p.m.]
Danna Welter, City Secretary