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MIN CC 02/04/1992CITY COUNCIL MEETING OF FEBRUARY 4, 1992 BOOK 'R' 16 i '.. MINUTES OF THE HUNTSVILLE CITY COUNCIL MEETING HELD ON THE 4TH DAY OF FEBRUARY, 1992 IN THE CITY HALL COUNCIL CHAMBERS, 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: W. H. Hodges, Mayor William B. Green City officers present: Gary Bell William H. Knotts, Jr. Gene Pipes, Clty Manager Ilia G. Gaines Ronald L. Lange Scott Bounds, City Attorney James L Carter Dan S. Davis Dianna Welter, City Secretary Charles Robinson FORMAL MEETING CONVENED Mayor Hodges called the meeting to order at 5:15 P.M. PROCLAMATION NO. 92.2 `.. American Heart Association Proclamation and Presentation Mayor Hodges proclaimed February as American Heart Month.. Mrs Jill Elaine stated that the Walker County chapter of the American Heart Association is active in the community, and raised about $20,000 through the Jump Rope for Heart in the H.I.S.D. The money goes to research, new technology in cardiovascular care and medicine. RECESS INTO EXECUTIVE SESSION AT 5:30 P.M. RECONVENE REGULAR SESSION AT 6:45 P.M. CITIZEN INPUTANOUIRY Ms. Mahmuda: She stated that she came to Huntsville two years ago, and feels Huntsville is not a dean town. She feels one sweeper in riot enough to keep the streets dean. She feels we need a union to gather money to feed and house the poor. She also feels that the City should shut down alcohol, cigarette, and soda factories. Mayor Hodges stated that he would refer her concerns to staff. CONSIDER MINUTES OF JANUARY 28, 1992 Councilmember Bell asked that the minutes be tabled until the next meeting. Mayor Hodges asked staff to include the minutes In the next agenda packet for approval at the next meeting. PROCLAMATION NO. 92 -1 Proclamation honoring Mr. Terrell Lee Hoage for his participation in Super Bowl XXVI as a member of the Championship Washington Redskins. Mayor Hodges asked that Mrs. Mary Lee Hoage, mother of Terry Hoage, receive the proclamation. Mayor Hodges stated that Terry Lee Hoage should be recognized for outstanding citizenship, academic, athletic and professional and personal achievements. ATTENDING CITIZEN Randy Ellisor, Huntsville Cable TV: Mr. Ellisor presented Council with $55,862.19 for the 1991 annual cable TV franchise tax. CONSIDER BIDS FOR MISCELLANEOUS WATER LINE CONSTRUCTION Miscellaneous water line construction to Robert E Autery in the amount of $8578564 to be paid from Utility Fund C.I.P. Councilmember Gaines made the motion to approve the bid to Robert E. Autery in the amount of $85,785.64, and Councilmember Robinson seconded the motion All were in favor and the motion passed unanimously, 1 CITY COUNCIL MEETING OF FEBRUARY 4, 1992 BOOK 'R' 17 CONSIDER BID NO. 92.10 SACK CEMENT Consider Bid No 92-10 Sack Cement to Texas - Lehigh Cement Company in the amount of $3 60 per sack (annual contract). Councilmember Green made the motion to approve the annual bid for sack cement to Texas - Lehigh Cement company in the amount of $360 per sack and Coundlmember Carter seconded the motion All were in favor and the motion passed unanimously. CONSIDER AGREEMENT '. Consider a joint use agreement with H I S D for Ross Park athletic fadlities. Councilmember Bell made the motion to approve the icnt use agreement with H I S D for Ross Park athletic facilities and Councilmember Gaines seconded the motion All were in favor and the motion passed unanimously. CONSIDER CONTRACTS FOR SERVICES Consider contracts' 11 H B B A H D B and H G S A to provide youth recreational programs at Ross Park and 21 Huntsville Adult Softball to provide spring- summer softball league activities at City fields. Coundlmember Gaines made the motion to approve the contracts for H B B A H D B. H.G.S.A. and Huntsville Adult Softball Association and Councilmember Bell seconded the motion All were in favor and the nation passed unanimously. CONSIDER BUDGET REPORTS Consider quarteriv budget report, cumulative monthly investment reports and budget adjustments for the first quarter of FY '. 1991 -92. Mayor Hodges stated that the sales tax revenue is continuing to Increase, a sign of economic recovery- Councilmember Robinson made the motion to approve the quarterly budget report cumulative monthly investments reports and budget adjustments for the first quarter of FY 1991 -92 and Councilmember Green seconded the motion. All were in favor and the motion passed unanimously. CONSIDER PROPOSAL Consider a proposal to issue water works and sanitary sewer system revenue refunding bonds series 1992 as recommended by the Finance Committee of City Council and staff. Councilmember Bell made the motion to enter into an agreement with Masterson Moreland, Sauer, Whisman. Inc.. to underwrite the refinancing of the 1983 revenue bond issue with a floor savings for the City of $185000 and Councilmember Gaines seconded the motion All were in favor and the motion passed unanimously. CONSIDER GULF STATES PROPOSAL Consider 12th Street (between University Avenue and Avenue J) street lighting by Gulf States Utilities proposal estimated to cost $7,627.73 from the sales tax set aside reserve fund. Councilmember Lange made the motion to approve the proposal with Gulf States Utilities and Councilmember Knotts seconded the motion All were in favor and the motion passed unanimously. 1 Councilmember Carter asked H the property owners had been consulted as to the type of lighting they wanted. Mr. Schindler stated that property owners feel the security of the street lighting is needed; the ornamental lighting does not produce enough light by itself. The lighting would be identical to the north side of the square. CITY COUNCIL MEETING OF FEBRUARY 4, 1992 BOOK 'R' 16 CONSIDER PROPOSAL ' Consider a proposal to place Ross Park's name and the City's loco on the back of the A D I donated scoreboard in the �I amount of $1,535 from general fund unallocated funds Mayor Hodges stated that the back of the new scoreboard would be facing the highway and at this time we have the opportunity to put a large Huntsville sign on the back of this scoreboard. Councilmember Lange stated that he felt this proposal should have been presented when the scoreboard was approved. Councilmember Knotts stated that he would rather spend the money on a sign leading into the park on ground level Councilmember Carter stated he had no objection to placing the logo on the back of the scoreboard, but felt the ''. Councilmember Knotts' idea had merit. Councilmember Green stated that a sign at the entrance would be great, but would cost above the $1,535. Mayor Hodges asked Mr. Schindler to bring this Rem back to Council with the blue prints of the project, and also with other alternatives on the sign. CITY MANAGER'S REPORT Review available funds from FY 1990 -91 Mr. Pipes stated that given the state of economy, staff recommends that audited budget surplus be used to increase the unallocated reserve, maintain the sales tax reserve, transfer the balance as listed to adjust the reserve for future allocation. This would forego a mid -year budget adjustment due to the limited amount of funds. Councilmember Bell asked if staff warned to put the excess monies away for presumed lower ad valorem taxes. Mr. Pipes stated that the City would need all the carry forward accumulation next year if the valuation continues to fall and if the City maintains the current tax rate. Councilmember Bell stated he remembered specific items that were to be addressed at mid -year. Mr. Pipes stated that Council could look at these items and consider mid -year budget adjustments. Purchase of 27.3 acre tract on 7th Street from F D.I.0 or $73800 as approved Mr. Pipes stated that F.D.I.C. accepted the City's offer on the 27.3 acre tract on 7th Street for $73,800. He anticipated closing on the property in the near future. Announcement of public forums set by the Cultural Planning Council Mr. Pipes stated that in the packet were the dales, times and locations of the Cultural Planning Council's public input sessions on the cultural planning project. Notice of 911 System 'Turn On' Date Chief Eckhardt stated that on February 26 at 9:11 a.m., at Walker County Courthouse, the official turn on of the 911 system (ceremonial) would take place. Consider an utility extension request by St. Stephens Episcopal Church on South Sam Houston in the amount of $2525 to be paid from utility fund reserve Mr. Pipes stated that St. Stephens Episcopal Church requested an utility extension in the amount of $2,525. Councilmember Carter made the motion to approve the utility extension request by St. Stephens Episcopal Church in the amount of $2,525, and Councilmember Green seconded the motion All were in favor and the motion passed unanimously. Update on Historical Survey funding plan Mr. Pipes stated dim efforts on the part of several Individuals have succeeded; Walker County will take formal action C at their next meeting and approve the budgeted $3,000. A personal check guaranteeing the balance was delivered to City Hall, and there is good indication that a number of other people will be contributing to offset that personal individual guarantee. 77 I� CITY COUNCIL MEETING OF FEBRUARY 4 1992 MAYOR'S ACTIVITY REPORT BOOK "R" 19 Consider appointment to the office of City Secretary Mayor Hodges appointed Melba Byers as the new City Secretary. He stated that she is well qualified for the position. Councilmember Bell made the motion to approve the appointment of Melba Byers as City Secretary and Councilmember Gaines seconded the motion All were in favor and the motion passed unanimously. Mayor Hodges welcomed Ms. Byers and stated that she would start in her new position on March 1, 1992. Consider additional appointments for the Cultural Planning Council' Mr. Morris Johnson and Ms. Claudette Cooper Councilmember Robinson made the motion to approve the appointment of Mr. Moms Johnson and Ms Claudette Cooper to the Cultural Planning Council and Councilmember Gaines seconded the motion. All were in favor and the motion passed unanimously. Notice of solicitation of nominees for appointments to vacancies on various boards and commissions Mayor Hodges asked Council for suggestions for nominations to vacancies on our boards and commissions. Consider a proposal to commission an efficiency study review of City operations Mayor Hodges stated this item would be discussed in detail at a worksession to follow at a later date. COUNCILMEMBER ACTION Annual HGAC Board Meeting Councilmember Gaines stated that she had attended the annual meeting of the Houston- Galveston Area Council and met Jack Steele, President of the HGAC. She is excited about serving on this board. Tourism Council Councilmember Gaines stated that she and Councilmember Lange attended a subcommittee meeting of the Tourism Council, fiat the committee is working hard on their budget, and it returned $14,526 to the City. Projects the committee is working on include the visitors guide, Huntsville brochures, and a booth at the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo. The committee will host a regional workshop in the near future to develop regional concepts to promote our region. The committee sent over 2000 questionnaires to former visitors of our City asking questions about Huntsville. The questionnaire was sent out our days ago, and the Chamber already has 379 replies. The information will be compiled and studied. The Chamber is keeping a detail list of all time its employees spend on tourism in 15 minute increments. This information will be complied and reported to City Council to get a better idea of the time their staff is spending on tourism. Councilmember Lange slated that the booth at the Houston Livestock Slaw has to be manned during all times the livestock show is open, and the Chamber is strongly inviting all City Councilmembers and Staff to come and help promote our City. Lone Star Lunker Program Councilmember Knotts asked Staff to check into the fish hatchery and the 2 -1 matching grant program availability. Recycling Councilmember Bell asked that this subject be on the next agenda; several citizens in the community would like to come and speak to Council. Councilmember Carter stated he thought these cifizen were interested in salvaging, not recycling. CITY COUNCIL MEETING OF FEBRUARY 4, 1992 BOOK 'R" 20 Speed Limit on Lake Road Councilmember Bell asked Staff to check into the 30 mph speed zone on Lake Road to see if it could be increased. Speed Limn on Bearkat Councilmember Green noted that the speed limit on Bearkat east of Sycamore is also low and should be checked. MEDIA INQUIRIES Wayne Sorge stated that the seating of Council is different and asked if there was any rhyme or reason as to the seating order. Mayor Hodges stated that he had put the Finance Committee headed by Bill Green on the right side and the i' Personnel Committee headed by Gary Bell on the left. ADJOURNMENT