MIN CC 03/07/2006CITY COUNCIL MEETING MARCH 7, 2006 BOOK "T"
292
MINUTES OF THE HUNTSVILLE CITY COUNCIL MEETING HELD ON THE 7TH DAY OF MARCH 2006, IN THE CITY
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:
COUNCILMEMBERS:
OFFICERS:
J. Turner
Bob Tavenner
Kevin Evans, City Manager
Mickey Evans
Jim Willett
Danna Welter, City Secretary
Judy Kayse
Mac Woodward
Thomas Leeper, City Attorney
Steed Smith
Clarence W. Griffin
Jack Choate
CALL TO ORDER [6:00 p.m.]
Mayor Turner called the regular session to order.
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE to US AND TEXAS FLAGS, INVOCATION
Parks and Recreation Director Ray Black led the invocation.
PUBLIC COMMENTS (Agenda Items Only)
a. Charles W. Smither, Jr. Mr. Smither stated that this is the first he has heard about the Main Street Signage Program
and stated that he did not feel that the agenda cover sheet provided enough information.
CONSENTAGENDA
a. Approve minutes of February 21 and 28, 2006. [Danna Welter, City Secretary]
b. Approve Resolution 2006 -03 -07.1 adopting accessible voting system for Municipal Elections. [Danna Welter]
C. Approve Ordinance 2006 -03 -07.1 repealing Part 13.03 of the Code of Ordinances. [Thomas Leeper, City Attorney]
Councilmember Kayse made a motion to approve the consent agenda as amended and Councilmember Choate ,!
seconded the motion. The motion passed unanimously.
STATUTORY AGENDA
a. Approve Police Department Directive 7.5, Take Home Car Program, as presented by Jean Sanders, Directorof Public
Safety.
Staff is recommending approval of the take home car program, Huntsville Police Directive 7.5, allowing take home
vehicles to police officers.
BACKGROUND:
Currently the School Resource Officers, Criminal Investigations Division Sergeant and Detectives are assigned take
home vehicles. This directive is expanding the policy to officers meeting the stated guidelines of the policy. This policy will
expand police presence around neighborhoods enhancing response to requests for service and citizens' feelings of security.
FISCAL IMPACT / FUNDING SOURCE:
Projected savings in the fleet account will a total estimated savings of $5,415.00 per year.
Uouncllmernber Woodward seconded the motion. The motion passed unanimously.
b. Authorize the City Manager to enter into a contract with Huntsville Independent School District for the HEAP Contract
(summer activity program) in an amount not to exceed $28,000, as presented by Ray Black, Parks and Recreation
Director.
The City has contracted with HISD to administer the HEAP program since 1998. Team sports, dance, indoor games,
music, tennis are just a few of the activities that will be available for the students to choose from. In 1998 — 200 students
participated in HEAP activities, 1999 — 250, 2000 — 326, 2001 — 398, 2002 — 394, 2003 — 453, 2004 — 394, 2005 — 328, and
they anticipate over 400 kids in this year's program.
FISCAL IMPACT/ FUNDING SOURCE:
The City will pay HISD, from Parks and Recreation budgeted funds, an amount not to exceed $28,000 to administer and
conduct the HEAP program. Payment schedule is as follows: (A) March - $2,000, May- $4,000, for publicity and supplies (B)
After registration for each two week session, the City agrees to pay HISD $48.00 for each child per session participating in the
HEAP program, not to exceed $22,000. 101- 421 -55240
C. Approve Main Street Signage Grant Program, as presented by Harold Hutcheson, Main Street Program Manager.
Many of the businesses in downtown operate with marginal profits and very little capital to reinvest in marketing and
promotion. Even though the Texas Historical Commission (THC) furnishes free sign design services, these businesses find it
difficult to invest the money required to build the signs submitted. Small business reinvestment is a common issue statewide;
and many Texas Main Street cities have adopted programs to help address this need. This program is aimed to add new
business signs and renew pre- existing signs in downtown. The program will further aid the City in controlling the quality, and in
some ways, the design and colors used on signage by setting forth strict guidelines and approval requirements.
CITY COUNCIL MEETING MARCH 7, 2006 BOOK T" _ — 293 -
,I THC has provided a number of sign designs, and not even one of the businesses in downtown has built a new sign in
ii almost two years. This prompted my researching what other Main Street cities have done. The proposed Huntsville Main
fiStreet Signage Grant Program as presented is soundly based on the successful programs of some of these cities.
FISCAL IMPACT or FUNDING SOURCE:
Funds to operate this program will be generated solely by fundraising events sponsored by the Main Street Program
!� Office (much like the Summer Film Festival of 2005 proceeds were used to purchase garbage cans for downtown). No funds
will be used from the annual Main Street operating budget. A revenue line item will be established for depositing funds raised
ij by the Main Street office, such as a quarterly film festival, participation in other street fairs, etc. Approved projects will be paid
ii out of 'grant' funds as they are available.
Councilmember Woodward made a motion to approve Main Street Sianage Grant Prooram and Councilmember Choate
seconded the motion.
Mayor Turner and Councilmember Smith both stated they had a conflict of interest.
d. Approve purchase of John Deere Tractor, Model 5103, from Brookside Equipment for an amount of $16,605, to be
funded from budgeted funds, as presented by Bill Daugette, Operations Manager.
The tractor at the Robinson Creek W WTP is used to mow approximately 30 acres, move the large container used for
sludge removal, and load grit into dump truck for disposal. The tractor was stolen in the spring of 2005 and has not been
recovered. The City received an insurance check in the amount of $14,120 which was deposited into the Equipment
Replacement fund. Bids were solicited and received with following prices:
Brookside Equipment: $16,605
Huntsville Tractor: $17,750
Normangee Tractor $18,225
Allied Power Mart $18,255
' Peters Tractor $22,982
FISCAL IMPACT or FUNDING SOURCE:
306 - 379 -69020 -- $16,605
Insurance proceeds received in the amount of S14,370.
Replacement cost on the insurance will be applied to pay the remainder.
t,ouncumemoer Nayse I Have a IT utu i w duuFuvn uw uidac U1 JU111I �cmc
Equipment for an amount of $16,605, to be funded from budgeted funds and Councilmemb
The motion Passed unanimously.
e. Discuss Fire Station #1. This item was discussed in Executive Session.
MAYOR I COUNCILMEMBER / CITY MANAGER REPORT
a. Update on pending or contemplated litigation.
b. Update on land acquisition.
Items a and b were discussed in executive session.
C. Approve appointment of Danny Sale to the Planning and Zoning Commission.
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d. City Attorney Thomas Leeper stated that the hearing at the Railroad Commission on the Centerpoint case will be held in
Austin on March 14'".
e. Stephanie Brim, Assistant to the City Manager, gave City Council a FEMA update.
j f. Councilmember Woodward thanked staff for their assistance in greeting the HISD 3rd graders on a tour this week.
PUBLIC COMMENTS
a. Delora King. Ms. King asked for clarification on the ordinance repealing Part 13.03 of the Code of Ordinances. Mr.
Leeper stated that this was a clean up ordinance. This section has not been in effect for some time.
MEDIA
None.
EXECUTIVE SESSION [6:50 p.m. - 7:18 p.m.]
If, during the course of the meeting and discussion of items covered by this notice, City Council determines that a closed or
executive session of the Council is required, then such closed meeting will be held as authorized by Texas Govemment Code,
Chapter 551, Sections:
551.071 - consultation with counsel on legal matters;
'! 551.072 - deliberation regarding purchase, exchange, lease or value of real property;
551.073 - deliberation regarding a prospective gift;
'.. 551.074 - personnel matters regarding the election, appointment and /or duties of one or more officers and /or
employees;
,; 551.076 - implementation of security personnel or devices;
CITY COUNCIL MEETING MARCH 7, 2006 BOOK "T" 294
551.087 deliberation regarding economic development negotiation; and /or
jj Other matters as authorized under the Texas Government Code.
RECONVENE
L' City Attorney Thomas Leeper updated the public on the status of Fire Station #1. He stated that St. Paul's Travelers
Insurance Company has identified an apparent low bidder for the project. The home office is evaluating the bids and we are
!' awaiting further information.
i
if ADJOURNMENT [7:20 p.m.]
li
0&tA �
�; Danna Welter, City Secretary