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MIN CC 09/08/1992CITY COUNCIL MEETING OF SEPTEMBER 9, 1992 BOOK "R" 107 MINI TES- OF`ffii fl Fffttt� ON THE 8TH OF SEPTEMBER, t992 IN THE CITY HALL COUNCIL CHAMBERS, LOCATED AT 1212 AVENUE M IN THE CITY OF HUNTSVH.LP„ COUNTY OF WALKER, TEXAS AT 5:15 P.M. The Council met in a regular session with the following members present: W. H. Hodges, Mayor Officers: Dan S. Davis William H. Knotts, Jr. Gene Pipes, City Manager -', Ronald L Lange Gary Bell Scott Bounds, City Attorney William B. Green James L Carter Melba Byers, City Secretary Charles Robinson Ila G. Gaines CITIZENS INPUTANQUIRY i Sue Russell addressed her concerns about Council's consideration of cutting down the trees on Avenue M at 20th Street. My husband I own several pieces of property on this street. We enjoy the beauty and shade of the trees, they are important to our bird population, and as a member of the CPC I have come to realize the importance of green space and trees to the citizens of Huntsville. I feel like the City should be planting more trees and not cutting them down. Paul Richards also addressed his concerns about Council's consideration of cutting down the trees on Avenue M at 20th Street. I live across the street and enjoy the beauty of the trees. My objections are: (1) cutting them down because of the sidewalk and (2) it takes a long time for trees to grow and I would like for Council to consider this before doing any cutting. Annie Kizzie addressed Council about buildings/houses needing to be torn down due to drug trafficking on 9th Street. I have visited the area on Roans Prairie Road, right in front of my house, and I found that they have utensils there which are being used that causes fires. We always have to call the fire department. Mayor Hodges requested City Manager Pipes check into this. Hattie Irvin¢ asked about two things: (1) the street condition on 7th street and why it has not been paved. It has been five years and water is standing, and (2) clarification on the salvaging and selling of landfill items and if the Health Department approved. Mayor Hodges responded that the City did take bids to allow landfill salvaging which was done through a City Ordinance and a contract. This operation is salvaging of materials that have a resale value which results in the life extension of the landfill space. The contractor pays the city $200.00 per month to operate this business. City Manager Pipes responded to the paving of 7th Street. This will be part of our regular routine paving program. I will get a definite date for you and call you tomorrow and let you know. George Russell discussed (1) the Lone Star Chapter, Sierra Club's emphasis on Urban Forestry/Sam Houston Homestead Forest Ecosystem in regard to trees and landscape on public lands, and also a reiteration of the Walker County Historical Commission on the same subject, and (2) an agenda packet item, 'No Parking" on the North side of 19th Street. I would like Council to table taking formal action, and have a study committee in regards to increasing the area of no parking on 19th Street all the way from Sam Houston Avenue to Avenue O. This would be for aesthetic reasons, since we are trying to showcase Sam Houston's home and park, and for safety reasons. There is a lot of congestion in the mornings. There could be several approaches to no parking on 19th Street, and yet, not preventing people from visiting the park. One suggestion might be, have no parking all the way down from L 1/2 to Avenue O on week days from 7 A.M. until 5 P.M., and then for evening activities those spaces would be available. Another idea could be to have this no parking at all temporarily and we how it works out. Then, maybe the 2020 goal would be to have 19th Street a walking street. Since my wife and I own all of the property on the South side from Sam Houston Avenue to Avenue O there wouldn't be the need to worry about property owner dissatisfaction. The only owners of this property are the State of Texas and myself. REGULAR SESSION - CALL TO ORDER Mayor Hodges called the regular session to order and informed everyone that there was a tragedy over the weekend with a City's family. A city employee, Michael Wayne Jordan, was in a fatal car accident. I would like to take about a 20 -30 second pause in remembrance. Invocation by Councilmember Robinson. CONSIDER MINUTES OF SEPTEMBER 1, 1992 Councilmember Bell made a motion to approve the minutes of September 1, 1992, and Councilmember Green seconded the motion. All were in favor and the motion passed unanimously. NOTE: Councilmember Cuter noted one correction on page ' 105, line 6. It should have read 'TWC". Correction made before printing of minutes for official bound book. ATTENDING CITIZENS None. CITY COUNCIL MEETING OF SEPTEMBER 8, 1992 BOOK "R" 198 4 Consider a request for tree removal in the City Right -Of -Way on Avenue M at 20th Street City Manager Pipes discussed the activity in the last few weeks: a survey marking the right -of -way indicating the direction of travel of 2" water line up Avenue M, connecting 19th Street to a water main, and the 10th Street water main on the left side of Avenue M as it approaches 20th Street. The presence of a hole and deteriorating rock wall has given the City Engineer reason to determine that despite the trees that are in the area and all of the other issues, this area should be bored so that an open trench won't contribute to the deterioration of that wall. At no time has there been any plans by the city to open cut this area or any deviation from our current policies. The property owner at that residence, Ms. Betty L. Tims, made the request that we consider removing eleven 11 trees because of the sidewalk. Mayor Hodges stated if the sidewalk were replaced and the trees cut down, the funds would come from the general fund. As you know, it has been a very tight budget year. My recommendation is that we do not honor this request. Councitm unber Knotts stated, since she is the property owner, she should have as much choice about taking down the trees as somebody who lives across the street has the choice to make her keep them. Councilmember Cuter stated, they are not her trees. She is a property owner in the area, but these trees are on a City Right -Of -Way, so they are City trees. Councilmember Knotts stated, you are making a property owner put up with a nuisance that she doesn't really want. When you buy a piece of property, you maintain it all the way to the pavement. I think she ought to have that right. Councilmember Green stated he had spent time looking at this situation and felt the sidewalk needed to be fixed because it is dangerous. I believe that some of the trees are not going to be a problem in fixing the sidewalk. There are some that probably should be removed. I think there may be a compromise so the sidewalk can be fixed and those trees that significantly influence whether the sidewalk will be buckling again possibly ought 11 to be removed. Councilmember Green stated he felt the sidewalk should be fixed but leave as many trees as absolutely possible. Councilmember Lange asked if they were all healthy trees. Councilmember Carter stated, all but possibly one (the Black Logust). Councilmember Gaines asked how badly is the sidewalk damaged? If we leave the trees, it is going to continue to be damaged. Mayor Hodges responded that it is in bad shape and has been for probably 10 to 15 years. Councilmember Green stated he has seen sidewalks with open areas around trees so the roots can grow. This sidewalk is built right up next to the trees so there is absolutely no place the roots can go except push the sidewalk up. It may very well be that at least around the trees we would want to do something that would be a little different from the typical sidewalk construction. Councilmember Green made a motion that while we are in the process of fixing the street that we also repair and fix the sidewalk rather than leave it like it is and save what trees we possibly tarn. Councilmember Knotts seconded the motion. The motion passed unanimously. CONSIDER "NO PARKING" REQUEST Consider a request by the City Traffic Engineer Doug Bvrne to designate "No Parking" along the North side of 19th Street from Sam Houston Avenue to Avenue L 1/2 Mayor Hodges stated that this would eliminate twelve parking spaces. The South side is already designated "No Parking ". This request is from a safety, liability viewpoint in regards to the anticipated turning movements and increased traffic volume resulting from the proposed signalization project. Mayor Hodges recommended this request be considered and if we need additional parking along 19th Street in the future, the day it becomes a problem we can then address that. Councilmember Knotts made a motion to approve this request with a second by Councilmember Gaines. The motion passed unanimously. CONSIDER ACCEPTANCE OF "ORGANIZED GANG UNIT" GRANT Consider acceptance of a grant entitled "Organized Gang Unit" in the amount of $29,434 from the Criminal Justice Division of Governor Richards office. Mayor Hodges recommended acceptance of this grant. City Manager Pipes stated this is a 100% first year grant, which would have to be applied for in subsequent years to renew on an annual basis. The second year terms me an 80 % -20 %, the third year is a 60To-400/, the fourth year is 40 % -60 %, and the fifth year is a 209i,-80%. I wanted to make sure the Council did understand, in fact, it requires some local match in subsequent years if we were to choose to continue it. In addition to that, there was a decision packet in this year's budget that requested $700.00 for support of this position. That is not needed at this time. We have a vacancy in the police department, cars available, uniforms and other equipment, but if we were at full staff, at the present time, that equipment would be a great deal more important concerning making this position work. Councilmember Knotts made a motion to accept this grant with a second by Councilmember Lange. Councilmember Green asked, is there a part in the grant to where you actually have to add to the police staff by this position or if you've got someone that is - doing at least some of these activities now, can you use that person as a full time person in that position. Police Chief Eckhardt responded. Generally, the understanding with these grants is that would be an addition to the police department. Councilmember Green then said. Are we committing ourselves to hire an additional policeman. City Manager Pipes answered, yes. Councilmember Robinson stated he did not think all disturbances were gang related but approved of acceptance of this grant. He also stated he would like staff to recommend various constructive social programs for youth involvement possibly resulting in 1 CITY COUNCIL MEETING OF SEPTEMBER S, 1992 BOOK 'R" 109 eliminating.. orkssemnggangactivities evu.cihnembc. Be" . in gang activities, and thus can work to neutralize or preclude some gang activities. Councilmember Lange stressed the need for ' a report back to Council at the end of one year reflecting what has happened to this individual, what he has accomplished, and see if the money spent is being well utilized. Mayor Hodges stated. We have a motion and a second. All in favor please say "aye ", opposed by like sign. The motion passed unanimously. CONSIDER BANK DEPOSITORY BIDS Mayor Hodges stated that the Finance Committee had met earlier today and will make their recommendation. Councilmember Green stated, the bids were reviewed. Two bids were received: one from First National Bank, and one from Nations Bank. The Committee and Staff are recommending that the First National Bank bid be accepted, and we would like to direct the City Manager to prepare an executed contract that would reflect the position of that bid. Councilmember Green stated that the Finance Committee recommendation is his motion. Councilmember Davis seconded the motion. The motion passed unanimously. CONSIDER CULTURAL PLAN REPORT Consider the Cultural Plan Report as jointly presented by the Huntsville Arts Commission and the Cultural Planning Council. Dr. Herb Muecke stated it was a privilege to present the report for Council's consideration. This report represents probably tens of thousands of hours of some our best and most dedicated citizens. The Huntsville Arts Commission met last Thursday and literally went over the report line by line, and voted unanimously to accept this proposal and to recommend it for your consideration. Also, the Arts Commission stands behind this report in the strongest possible way. This report started with a scientific survey. Many people were interviewed in groups and as individuals, and a plan of action was suggested. He thanked Diane Ratliff for her sharing the Cultural Planning Council, and Pam Anisman for her interaction with the City Council and Mayor. It was really interesting to see how many citizens care about the City. This report falls into three categories. There was a collection of information: survey sent out, open meetings people were invited to, and organizations representing the various artistic, cultural, sports, parks, historical, etc. People were actually sought out if we thought we were not hearing from some groups. Then these ideas were sifted through by a group of people, over and over. Then there was the task force that was not ' involved in the suggestions but they were involved in "what can we do about this ? ", "is this what the people want ?" So, they then met and hashed that out and came up with a plan. There are elements in this plan that people felt very strongly would reach the young people. I realize you are going to have to debate this plan and see if it is workable or not. I really think the ultimate objective will not be anywhere in the room at this time, it will be our children and grandchildren in the year 2020 who sit in this room or walk our streets and say, did the people back then do the best they could to enhance, preserve and protect the wonderful things we have. At this point, Dr. Muecke introduced Mrs. Diane Ratliff. It is my pleasure to come before you with the rough draft of the Huntsville Cultural 2020 Plan, stated Mrs. Ratliff. It has been an exciting time, and we had a great group of volunteers who helped bring you this document. She introduced the members of the Cultural Planning Council who were in attendance. In addition to the Cultural Planning Council members, we, after gathering all the data, had focus groups, assessments, interviews, and after that, the Council met and came up with the primary goals of the cultural plan and of course developed the vision statement. Everything had to pass the test of the Vision Statement first. We spent many hours and brought in different people, and as each process took place, we extended that realm of volunteers to come in for various assignments and input. The Task Force Chairs are the individuals who recently presented a report to you in a work session several weeks ago. Mrs. Ratliff also recognized those members in attendance. Mrs. Ratliff introduced Pam Anisman whom she described as the beacon in all of this. Without Pam you would not we this document before you. She spent hours of her time working with all of the different groups at committee meetings, executive sessions and playing the devil's advocate. She has been involved in the writing of this document, and the CPC and the Arts Commission has adopted this plan. It has been a very exciting yen, stated Pam Anisman. There are many issues in this report that I would like to point out to you. The spirit of the plan, the visions, and the main goals are supported by both groups. The word "recommendation" is taken very seriously. It means this is what the CPC views as an interpretation of what the people of Huntsville want. You already have copies of the assessments and the task force reports, so this report tries not to duplicate. Everything will be included in the document when we are ready to go to print. In addition, we will give an overview of last year and how we we it. The most -' important thing tonight is how we get started. Of primary importance is the fact that the first three months doesn't cost very much, and that is the Transition Team. When the report goes to the printer, you suddenly have no consultant and you have no Cultural Planning Council. That is a very dangerous thing. Based on discussion, the conclusion was to have a transition team made up of a widening circle of involvement. This team would be the one to actually set up the next phase. It would be a volunteer committee appointed by the Mayor, but would have voting power over several issues. Of course, they would have to CITY COUNCIL MELTING OF SEPTEMBER 8, 1992 BOOK "I2' 110 not everybody can vote and not everybody can be in the discussions. We did think that the transition team and advisory board should be represented from as many groups as possible. One of the things we suggest is that city council and city staff be on the advisory board. We did not put them on the voting council which would cause a conflict. The transition team would have a very 1 quick tenure. If this plan is approved October 1st, they would start two weeks later, which means we have to start developing the list immediately. The four aims of the transition team are: (1) publicize the plan, (2) define the new 2020 commission, (3) cultural activities facilitator, and (4) immediate implementation. Councilmember Carter stated he wanted to interrupt because he made some remarks two or three weeks ago about a cultural activities coordinator. Having read the plan and followed the results of your work, I have changed my mind and I am advocating and supporting the hiring of a Cultural Coordinator to the implementation of this plan and would like to encourage the remaining members of City Council to do so too. Since f was publicly !. stating not long ago that I didn't want this to happen in terms of hiring this person, I do want to go on record tonight in favor of it. Also, if we do that, we need to look very carefully for an individual with expertise, specialty and maybe experience in this '. kind of thing from other cities. Mrs. Anisman stated, hiring the right person is a crucial concern and probably the main goal of the transition team will be to help you. We did have a funding option. That is the overview of the Transition Team and we need Council's input very quickly. The Huntsville 2020 Cultural /Arts Commission is really not a name. We think there has to be a new name. We know that "Arts" is a catch word for grant and we don't want to lose grant money. It is a big responsibility for us to find some grant money to pay for some of the projects. We do believe that the Arts Commission has done such an admiral job at this point, it needs to be expanded for several reasons. We do feel that in defining that role, you not only have to expand it to five voting members but you have to make the Advisory Board, which was not defined as a working board, our that is willing to take on huge responsibilities, to be liaisons with the Walker County Historical Commission, and the Tourism Board. You need a series of leaders who are as responsible for funding as they are for ideas. In addition, we fully support the notion of County involvement. Councilmember Lange voiced his concern about the funding of this program. In reading this, it is county wide. If you will look around this room, you will see that everybody is a county resident, but everybody is not a city resident. How has your committee approached the county so far on helping with the funding of this? Mrs. Anisman answered, the County Commissioner sat in on ' our CPC meeting and voted for the plan. So, we assume that in the spirit of your vote is your word. We have a path into the county that will, right from the beginning, open us to dialogue. Councilmember Lange stated his concern is there are numerous services that have been done in years past that city taxpayers are paying double and triple for. Just because a person lives 10 feet over a particular line, they receive the same service but they don't receive the same taxation. A lot of those people make a lot more money than city residents. Mrs. Anisman stated, we firmly believe that we just keep going back. We make a very clear statement that if we cannot get guaranteed funds from the county that the city foot the bill no longer than two years. At some point, the county may have to sign on. Councilmember Lange stated the county is not receptive to many issues, namely the E.M.S., the Library, H.E.A.P., and it is not going to happen on this. It appears to me that the city is being asked to guarantee the funds 6; and the county probably will not again want to pick up the tab. Pam Anisman stated that the executive committee was not happy ' with this option and in Council's approval process the City could strike every county work and at the end of two years could reconsider county involvement and move the county projects out of the first phase (the short term phase) into the long range phase if the county would then be willing to support it financially. We really felt though, in fairness to the people that participated, that we could not in the first draft not include the county. We feel that is your decision to make not the spirit of the research. Councilmember Gaines stated she feels like we need to keep putting pressure on the County Commissioners. I know they don't have very much money either, but I don't think it is fair for the city to keep paying and paying. I think we must demand participation. Councilmember Lange stated, my only problem is I have seen too much asking on many, many projects, and the people sitting around this table have been chastised for our suggestion that we not pay for E.M.S. any more. I am very concerned about it Councilmember Davis stated that we need to see the E.M.S. issue as a first statement from the city as to where our new approach is in this area and I think we ought to look at the Cultural Plan as another opportunity to be inclusive - to invite the county to step up and join in the process. I think we ought to think positive and continue to invite them to become part of the process. Councilmember Lange stated he concurred but he wanted some results and didn't want to commit another City Council, `.. if I am not reelected, to such things. The Cultural Activities Facilitator would report directly to the project coordinator but would be in a large part responsible for the implementation of the cultural plan over the next ten years, including working with organizations, doing a calendar -- filling all of the recommendations that were actually approved, Councilmember Bell voiced a concern regarding the funding of this position for the next two years with the $51,000 remaining from the Downtown Project budget Is this going to be enough for the Facilitator and clerical support staff? Dr. Muecke stated he felt this would be sufficient to get this going, The CITY COUNCIL MEETING OF SEPTEMBER 8, 1992 BOOK "R" 111 -Arts- EndowHIVUL will begin Mth mranizatiun. _ in a vadety of ways;- std- - shmv ideas and mmtavvs eventually, the endowment will be able to secure the financial health of existing cultural activities while still able to assist in the birth of new ones. There are several recommendations regarding funding which includes an increase in hotel /motel tax. A short list of volunteer sources is provided which would provide a great deal of expertise and energy. .... - Basically, the recommendations fall into six categories: (1) accessibility, (2) county commitment, (3) natural, visual and historical concerns, (4) the Library/Cultural complex itself, (5) a financially stable and independent arts community, and (6) availability in all areas of artistic and cultural development Recommendations for action fall into three categories: (1) immediate (0 -3 months), (2) short term (3 months -2 years), and (3) long range (2 -20 years). Each category specifies "Key Issues" with recommendations (refer to pages 25 through 40) covering green space, zoning and planning, utility construction, portable signs, tree planting, tax incentives, public forums, a plan for reclamation, additional library materials, pedestrian walkways, acquisitions, publishing a directory, bond issues, volunteerism, expansion of historic sites, oral and visual histories, adoption of a Landmark Program, expansion of the Downtown revitalization, a plan for restoration and redevelopment of Boettcher's Mill, plan and promote a heritage trail, improve and expand communication, Children's Parade, Bicentennial Committee, Annual Vintage Christmas Celebrations, Sam Houston's Birthday, Cinco de Mayo, Martin Luther King day, a convenient area designated for public events, develop a permanent series of multi - cultural and heritage displays, and establish the arts as an integral part of education programming for all age groups both inside and beyond the classroom. II Councilmember Robinson noted that Stanford Douglas was present but his name was not included on the Task Force. I would like to hear his comments on this plan since he is the Director of the Samuel Houston Walker Cultural Museum. Mr. Douglas was at the second round of meetings. Mr. Douglas voiced his approval of this plan. Councilmember Green requested clarification on the Implementation Team and the Advisory Board, some voting and some non voting. It is not clear what they L are voting on or why they are or are not voting. Also, what does the Transition Team vote on? Mrs. Anisman stated, if they are recommending a job description for the Facilitator position, the people crafting it with advisors would be voting on the specific elements of that job description. Once they reached a consensus, it would then go to Council. There was consensus of council to accept this report for study. Council gave approval for printing of this report. Councilmember Bell recommended a work � session for study of this report. Mayor Hodges thanked Pam Anisman and her group for all of their work, dedication and presentation. v CITY MANAGER'S REPORT Consider T.M.L. Conference Bus Trio Proposal for City Employees. Attendance would be on Thursday, October 8, 1992. The chartered bus would be departing Huntsville at 6:30 A.M., arriving in Houston at 8:00 A.M., and returning to Huntsville at approximately 11:00 P.M. The total w' pp ty 1 cos[ will be approximately $2,153.50 which includes, bus faze, registration and refreshments on the trip down and the return trip. There was consensus of Council to approve this proposal with applicable expense distribution. Councilmember Gaines noted that 43 employees would be away on a work day. City Manager Pipes stated the work schedules would be structured very carefully. Resignation of Director of Planning and Z,On1nE. The letter of resignation from Dale Drown was read by City Manager Pipes. It was announced that Mr. Brown had accepted the position of City Manager of Jersey Village, Texas. 'I MAYOR'S ACTIVITY REPORT Mayor Hodges requested City Manager Pipes give council preliminary agendas for the next few weeks. First of all, our general plan for next week was to have a public hearing on the budget and then compose for your consideration the necessary ordinances to adopt the budget at that time. Or, you can wait and bring it back on September 22nd. If you take care of all of that business next week, then there probably wont be any reason to meet on the 22nd. Mayor Hodges instructed City Manager Pipes to prepare the agenda with everything because we can always postpone an item(s) if necessary. Following that, the next major matter to be discussed is the Solid Waste Report which will be in at the end of the month, and also set aside some time for the architect who was selected to work on the cultural plan. The first Saturday in October is the Fair on the Square, the following week of the 8th, 9th and 10th is TML The Tuesday after that, October 13th, we won't meet because we won't be here to put out the agenda. We probably will meet on October 6th in order to meet before the TML conference. At that point, we could go to October 13th and then October 20th. CITY COUNCILMEMBER ACTION Councilmember Carter commented that he never found anyone else on the city staff who was more helpful than Dale Brown. I think he is as competent as anybody. I had Dale to come speak to some of my classes on several occasions and he was ' extremely good with the classes, knew what he was talking about, and I like him as a person as well. I will miss him. Councilmember Davis stated he would like to echo previous remarks. As a former chairman of the Planning and Zoning j CITY COUNCIL MEETING OF SEPTEMBER S, 1992 BOOK 'R" 112 C; on record as saying that I will miss him too. - Councilmember Robinson stated when I call the city, the first person I ask for is Gene Pipes and the second one is Dale Brown. I am going to miss him too. Councilmember Robinson stated that all is quiet on the Eastern Front. However, I did talk with some people in the community that have asked some specific questions. They have asked for visibility where the Police Chief is concerned. Also, concerns were expressed with the manner in which the police respond to situations (maybe over reacting), and I understand that we need to protect our officers. The citizens are asking for some kind of task force to deal with cultural problems. Mayor Hodges suggested a need to sit down and talk about this. I think our Chief of Police is more than acceptable to be involved in that and we will talk about it. Councilmember Green stated when he received the CPC document, he was overwhelmed with the comprehensiveness of the whole process and what was there. It was much more than I had ever expected. It was eye opening from a number of standpoints and I want to compliment all of the people who put so many hours into putting this together. It is massive and I am impressed with the quality of the plan. Councilmember Green also echoed things already said about Dale Brown. I was a member of the City Planning Commission when Date was hired and we essentially had no plans, organized building codes, and in many areas in quite disarray. He has done an excellent job for the city in putting the whole process of things together with regard to the development code, building permits and plat approvals that we simply had not done prior to Date being here. Councilmember Green expressed concern about the traffic problem at IIWY 247 and 7th Street. It is increasingly becoming worse. The visibility is very poor there. I would like for staff to examine the possibility of a traffic light there that would at least operate in early morning and mid afternoon. Sometimes the traffic is backed up for well over a block and people are darting across at any slight opportunity. Mayor Hodges requested City Manager Pipes to check into this. Councilmember Bell wished Dale the very best and said he would miss him also. Also, he pointed out the CPC Plan came in on time and he was very impressed. So, I would encourage Council to take decisive action on the recommendations. I also want to point out that we have a personnel committee meeting after council session. Councilmember Knotts expressed his regrets with Dale leaving and stated that three comprehensive plans had been submitted to various councils and Dale's was the first one ever adopted by any council. He has done an excellent job and I wish him the best. Councilmember Lange stated he has known Date from the realm up here, but in addition to that, I had known him before I got on city council through my business and dealings with him and he has always been professional and I too will miss him very much. Councilmember Lange brought to Council's attention the report on the H.E.A.P. Organization, I hope everybody read it. I think it is one of the most professional, detailed reports that I have received in the last two yens on city council. It shows me exactly what that organization has done this summer and I appreciate it very much. In the same regard, a couple of facts in here have disturbed me. I would like Council to note that there is only a 5% difference in the number of city and non city I, residents who participated in the H.E.A.P. programs. I would like City Council to address the "funding" issue next week. The same fee is paid by everybody. I am probably the biggest backer of H.E.A.P. but there has to be some equity in the financing of the H.E.A.P. organization. Mayor Hodges requested staff come back with recommendations in the near future. Councilmember Gaines stated that Dale had been very helpful to her and had worked very closely with her in trying to secure the services of an architect. I think it is a compliment to the City of Huntsville that we are a training ground for so many people that are getting promotions. That speaks well for the work that he has done here. Councilmember Gaines also stated, I think what we have heard this evening regarding the Cultural Plan, just emphasizes what has already been said about Huntsville. Our greatest asset is our people. We see the results, the plan which has been brought before us this evening through untiring efforts and dedication. I think there are a few things that we need to look at very carefully in the overall project and concept in implementing this plan. ` MEDIA INQUIRIES None. ADJOURNMENT Mayor Hodges recessed the regular session to an executive session to conduct annual evalu tions of charter officers. Melba yers, City Secretary 1