MIN CC 08/05/2003CITY COUNCIL MEETING OF AUGUST 5 2003 BOOK'T 53
MINUTES OF THE HUNTSVILLE CITY COUNCIL MEETING HELD ON THE 5TH DAY OF AUGUST, 2003, IN THE CITY
it HALL, LOCATED AT 1212 AVENUE M IN THE CITY OF HUNTSVILLE, COUNTY OF WALKER, TEXAS AT 6:00 P.M.
The Council met in a regular session with the following members present: jj
COUNCILMEMBERS:
Judy Kayse
OFFICERS:
Karl Davidson, Mayor
Steed Smith
Paul Isham, Acting City Manager
Jack Choate
Bob Tavenner
Danna Welter, City Secretary
Gary Crawford
Jim Willett
Authorize the Acting City Manager to execute the two -year extension with Brazos Transit District for transportation
Vance Howard
Mac Woodward
5.
WORK SESSION [5:00 -5:45 p.m.]
The City Council conducted a work session to discuss protocol procedures. Mayor Davidson proposed passing
ordinances only after a second reading, and suggested the following procedure for action items on the agenda: presentation,
discussion, motion, second, vote.
Stan Foley, Entergy Customer Service Manager, presented information to the Council on current practices for providing
their services in Huntsville.
The Council discussed the City Manager selection process. Mayor Davidson proposed the use of Waters Consulting to
conduct the search.
CALL TO ORDER [6:00 p.m.]
Mayor Davidson called the regular session to order.
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE to US AND TEXAS FLAGS, INVOCATION
Councilmember Mac Woodward led the pledges; Director of Parks and Recreation Ray Black led the invocation.
PRESENTATIONS
Keep Huntsville Beautiful Chair Sue Harris presented the Award of Outstanding Contribution to Keep Huntsville Beautiful
Education Program to Marjorie Rex, Whitney Garrity and Jennifer Mears, and the Keep Texas Beautiful Award of Excellence
for Community Enhancement and Honorable Mention for the City's entry in the KTB Governor's Community Achievement
Award to the City Council.
A representative from Reed, Stowe & Yanke presented a report on the Regional Recycling Transfer Station Feasibility
Study.
PUBLICCOMMENTS
1. Chuck Fields. Mr. Fields complained that the ordinance regarding not placing signs in the Citys rights -of -way are only
being enforced with respect to the Huntsville Youth Soccer Association.
2. Brian Woodward. Mr. Woodward spoke in opposition to the Charles Thompson /Elkins Lake proposed agreement and
the J &S /Little Thicket proposed agreement.
3. Darrell Hall. Mr. Hall questioned why the Charles Thompson /Elkins Lake proposed agreement was placed on the
agenda after it failed at the last meeting. Mr. Hall also questioned when the City Council was going to reduce taxes,
reduce water and sewer rates, and by what percentage?
CONSENT AGENDA
1.
Approve the minutes of the July 15, 2003 City Council regular meeting.
2.
Authorize expenditure of funds for the construction costs for office space for the Mayor and Council at City Hall in an
amount not to exceed $500.
3.
Approve sale of two properties held in trust, as identified by Grover Cook, Chief Appraiser, to the highest bidders.
4.
Authorize the Acting City Manager to execute the two -year extension with Brazos Transit District for transportation
services at a cost not to exceed $21,000 per year to be paid from budgeted funds.
5.
Approve Resolution 2003 -08-05.1, accepting the City of Huntsville Regional Recycling Transfer Station Feasibility Study
to serve as a recommendation for future development of a Regional Recycling Transfer Station.
6.
Approve delegating to the Huntsville Arts Commission the responsibility for decisions regarding levels of contributions
.,
and recoqnition for the various levels with respect to contributions made for the Wynne Home renovations.
CITY COUNCIL MEETING OF AUGUST 5, 2003 BOOK "T" 54
STATUTORY AGENDA
Authorize the Acting City Manager to execute a contract with the J &S Development, LLC, for the extension of water and
wastewater service to the Little Thicket Mobile Home Park.
City Council approved a Developer's Agreement with United Financial Consultants, LLC, the owners of Little
Thicket Mobile Home Park ( "Park"), concerning correcting the water /wastewater system within the Park. The Park was
built some twenty years ago before it was within the City limits. Consequently, the Park was not built to current
standards. The Park is located near the Sam Houston Statue site. The City has received a grant to extend water and
wastewater lines to service business properties in this area. The Park will be able to tie into the same line. With the
extension of the water and wastewater service to the north corner of the property, the owner would have a means to
bring the Park into compliance with a sanitary system.
United Financial Consultants has defaulted on its mortgage and J &S Development, LLC (Russell Humphrey), has
signed a contract to purchase Little Thicket provided that the City will enter into a similar contract concerning water and
wastewater service to the property.
The Developer's Agreement will require the property owner to extend the water /wastewater lines to the south
corner of the property as well as to install the internal system for water and wastewater. This would enable the residents
who have homes within the Park to be assured of a safe environment. The owner would be required to post a letter of
credit or bond to ensure their portion of the work prior to the City making a final commitment to have the line terminate at
the north corner of their property. The extension of the water /wastewater lines are the same lines that would serve the
industries in the area; hence the cost of this extension has already been accounted for in the budget.
2. Authorize the Acting City Manager to execute the submitted Agreement to Construct Public Improvements for Canyon
Ranch, Section One.
Canyon Ranch Section One was submitted to the Planning and Zoning Commission by Canyon Ranch
Development, L.P. and Kyle Hoegemeyer, President, and received approval of the plat far a rural residential subdivision
on April 7, 2003. 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 for the rural'.'
residential road.
.,,,.. . ..............,.,, �.. ..a QY� .., coax „�...,., �� U ,
to Construct Public Improvements for Canvon Ranch Section One and Councilmember Woodward seconded the
motion. The motion passed unanimously.
3. Approve the Oakwood View SubdivisionPlatofLots1 -7 of the Oakwood View Subdivision, located along AvenueHand
9" Street in the Pleasant Gray League, A -24.
This item was removed for discussion at a future work session.
4. Consider and take action on the issuance of a letter of proposed changes with respect to downtown parking
recommendations as requested by the Texas Department of Transportation.
With regard to the request to changk a from angle parking to parallel parking between University Avenue and Sam
Houston Avenue on the north side of 11' Street, the City does not concurwith this proposed change. However, the City
understands TxDOT concerns that vehicles of a certain length that are angle parked on the north side of 11 m Street
cause an obstruction in the outside westbound lane of 11'" Street and it is willing to restrict the types of vehicles thatcan
use angle parking in this block to eliminate obstructions.
Likewise, the City does not ooncurwith a similar change from angle parking to parallel parking between Avenue J
and University Avenue on the north side of 11"' Street, but is willing to restrict the types of vehicles that can use the
angle parking in this area of 11'" Street in the same manner as stated above. The City realizes that two parking spaces
will be lost in this block because of the requirements related to pedestrian crossing at the intersection of University Drive
and 110 Street.
5. Consider and take action on the amended participation and the attached contract with Elkins Lake Recreation
Corporation regarding the extension of water and wastewater service to a 1.99 acre tract owned by Charles Thompson.
This item was tagged by Mayor Davidson
6. Authorize expenditure of funds for the construction costs for office space for the Mayor and Council at City Hall in an
amount not to exceed $500.
Several Councilmembers expressed the need for all Councilmembers to take care of business at City Hall in a
timely fashion, to allow the staff time and space to perform their roles and duties, and maintain a professional distance
as the City's policy makers.
This item was removed from the agenda
1
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CITY COUNCIL MEETING OF AUGUST 5 2003 BOOK T 55
1.
A
Authorize the Acting City Manager to execute the two -year extension with Brazos Transit District for transportation
services at a cost not to exceed $21,000 per year to be paid from budgeted funds.
RECESS [7:25 p.m.]
EXECUTIVE SESSION [7:45 -8:20 p.m.]
The City Council will conduct a closed session under Texas Government Code, Chapter 551, Section 551.074, with
regard to obtaining the easement across the Thomas Cole property.
RECONVENE [8:20 p.m.]
WORK SESSION [8:20 -8:45 p.m.]
The City Council conducted a work session to discuss: an action item on the August 12 agenda for the purpose of
contracting with Waters Consulting to conduct the City Manager search; issues to consider for a Council Planning Retreat; and
the proposed tax rate for FY 2003 -2004.
ADJOURNMENT [8:45 p.m.]
0g4 i 1 L- Qt
Danna Welter, City Secretary
MAYOR/CITY MANAGER ACTIVITY REPORT
Mayor /City Manager /Councilmember
Report.
a. Mayor Davidson will bring
appointment recommendations for a Charter Review Committee at the next meeting.
b. Council directed staff to proceed with brick regarding the fagade of the Raven Nest club house and cart barn.
Future Events:
August 19 6:OOpm
City Council Meeting (work session begins at 5:OOpm)
September 1
Labor Day (City offices closed)
September 2 6:OOpm
City Council Meeting (work session begins at 5:OOpm)
September 16 6:OOpm
City Council Meeting; Budget Adoption (work session begins at 5:00pm)
September 30
Boards & Commissions Reception
October 7 6:OOpm
City Council Meeting (work session begins at S:OOpm)
October 21 6:OOpm
City Council Meeting (work session begins at 5:00pm)
RECESS [7:25 p.m.]
EXECUTIVE SESSION [7:45 -8:20 p.m.]
The City Council will conduct a closed session under Texas Government Code, Chapter 551, Section 551.074, with
regard to obtaining the easement across the Thomas Cole property.
RECONVENE [8:20 p.m.]
WORK SESSION [8:20 -8:45 p.m.]
The City Council conducted a work session to discuss: an action item on the August 12 agenda for the purpose of
contracting with Waters Consulting to conduct the City Manager search; issues to consider for a Council Planning Retreat; and
the proposed tax rate for FY 2003 -2004.
ADJOURNMENT [8:45 p.m.]
0g4 i 1 L- Qt
Danna Welter, City Secretary