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MIN CC 08/17/1993CITY COUNCIL MEETING OF AUGUST 17, 1993 _ _ BOOK "R" 218 CITIZEN INPU FANQUIRY Dr. Billy Coker. Dr. Coker stated that he was speaking for the residents on east Pleasant Street and Gray Street, This area is zoned and specified as single family dwellings. A group of students have moved into the home at 1825 Pleasant, which is a direct violation of the zoning ordinance. He is asking the City to enforce the current ordinance. Mayor Hodges stated that staff is aware of the problem and he has asked staff to vigorously enforce the ordinance. The City i has contacted the residents at 1825 Pleasant. He recommended to the citizens that if there are problems with noise or parking to call the Police Department for assistance. Councilmember Green stated that he realizes that there we several other violations to this ordinance and would like citizens to be aware that there is a complaint form that can be filled out and filed with the City Attorney. Jill Baine, Ms. Baine presented the City of Huntsville with the 1st Place Award for the Texas Greatest Fitness Challenge that MINUTES OF THE HUNTSVILLE CITY COUNCIL MEETING HELD ON THE 17TH DAY OF AUGUST, 1993 IN THE CITY Mayor Hodges commended Ms. Baine on her commitment to the program. HALL CONFERENCE ROOM, LOCATED AT 1212 AVENUE M IN THE CITY OF HUNTSVILLE, COUNTY OF WALKER, REGULAR SESSION - CALL TO ORDER i TEXAS AT 5:15 P.M. ' INVOCATION The Council met in a regular session with the following members present: Invocation by Reverend Jeanne Leggett from Grace Chapel. W. H, Hodges, Mayor Officers: ' OLD COLONY ROAD (FROM GOODRICH AVENUE TO HIGHWAY 190) AND Dan S. Davis Harold L. Norton Gene Pipes, City Manager iI William B. Green JoAnn Matthews Scott Bounds, City Attorney Ili CONSIDER MINUTES OF JULY 27, 1993 Ronald L. Lange Ila G. Gaines Danna Welter, City Secretary Councilmember Gaines made the motion to approve the minutes of July 27. 1993, and Councilmember Matthews seconded Jim Carter Dave Luning CITIZEN INPU FANQUIRY Dr. Billy Coker. Dr. Coker stated that he was speaking for the residents on east Pleasant Street and Gray Street, This area is zoned and specified as single family dwellings. A group of students have moved into the home at 1825 Pleasant, which is a direct violation of the zoning ordinance. He is asking the City to enforce the current ordinance. Mayor Hodges stated that staff is aware of the problem and he has asked staff to vigorously enforce the ordinance. The City i has contacted the residents at 1825 Pleasant. He recommended to the citizens that if there are problems with noise or parking to call the Police Department for assistance. Councilmember Green stated that he realizes that there we several other violations to this ordinance and would like citizens to be aware that there is a complaint form that can be filled out and filed with the City Attorney. Jill Baine, Ms. Baine presented the City of Huntsville with the 1st Place Award for the Texas Greatest Fitness Challenge that was held in the month of May. Other cities participating in the challenge were Houston, Austin, San Antonio, and Dallas. Mayor Hodges commended Ms. Baine on her commitment to the program. I! REGULAR SESSION - CALL TO ORDER i Mayor Hodges called the meeting to order. li INVOCATION Invocation by Reverend Jeanne Leggett from Grace Chapel. PUBLIC HEARING REGARDING THE PROPOSAL TO CLOSE A PORTION OF: ' OLD COLONY ROAD (FROM GOODRICH AVENUE TO HIGHWAY 190) AND �I AVENUE J (FROM 7TH STREET TO 8TH STREET) There were no citizens present to speak at the public hearing. Mayor Hodges closed the hearing. CONSIDER MINUTES OF JULY 27, 1993 Councilmember Gaines made the motion to approve the minutes of July 27. 1993, and Councilmember Matthews seconded the motion. All were in favor and the motion passed unanimously. CONSIDER ORDINANCE 93 -8 -17.1 AUTHORIZING THE CLOSING OF OLD COLONY ROAD (GOODRICH AVENUE TO HIGHWAY 190) THROUGH THE MIDDLE SCHOOL CAMPUS Councilmember Green made the motion to approve Ordinance 93 -8 -17.1 authorizing the closing of Old Colony Road firm,. Goodrich Avenue to Highway 190 through the Middle School Campus. and Councilmember Luning seconded the motion. All were in favor and the motion passed unanimously. j CONSIDER ORDINANCE 93 -8 -17.2 AUTHORIZING THE CLOSING OF AVENUE J (7TH TO 8TH STREET) THROUGH THE MANCE PARK JUNIOR HIGH SCHOOL CAMPUS Councilmember Green made the motion to approve Ordinance 93 -8 -17.2 authorizing the closing of Avenue J from 7th to 8th Street through the Mance Park Junior High School Campus, and Councilmember Gaines seconded the motion. , Mr. Pipes stated that there is an 8" gas main in the area and an easement will need to be granted to Enmx for maintenance of this line. A quit claim deed to Entex for the utility easement and a quit claim deed to H.I.S,D. for the remaining right -of -way will be prepared and executed. A vote was taken. All were in favor and the motion passed unanimously. L I CITY COUNCIL MEETING OF AUGUST 17, 1993 BOOK "R" CONSIDER THE STAFF COST ESTIMATES AND REQUEST BY H.I.S.D. TO PARTICIPATE IN THE CONSTRUCTION EXTENSION OF GOODRICH AVENUE 219 Mayor Hodges stated that H.I.S.D. is requesting the City participate in the labor portion of the construction extension of Goodrich Avenue for an approximate cost to the City of $15,070. He recommends to Council that the City not participate because of the cost involved and the fact that this would delay other capital projects planned. Councilmember Luning made the motion to not participate in the construction extension of Goodrich Avenue, and Councilmember Gaines seconded the motion. Councilmember Green stated that it may slow the C.I.P. program, but as far as the cost, the City has the employees and the equipment on hand. Councilmember Gaines stated that she feels the C.I.P. program is important and too many projects are delaying the completion of the program. After further discussion, a vote was taken. Councilmembers Luning, Gaines, Norton, Lange and Mayor Hodges voted for, and Councilmembers Carter, Davis, Matthews, and Green voted against. The motion passed 5 -4. CONSIDER A REQUEST BY MR JIM STANDEFER AND OTHER PROPERTY OWNERS IN THE 1000 BLOCK OF EAST 12TH STREET TO RECONFIGURE THE PARKING AND TIME LIMITS Mayor Hodges stated that there is currently head -in parking with a 2 -hour limit. Mr. Standefer is recommending parallel puking on one side of the street (eliminating approx, one half of the spaces) and to change the 2 -hour limit to 1 -hour limit. Councilmember Matthews requested that staff check the possibility of making this portion of 12th Street one - way. Councilmember Luning stated that he felt the 2 -hour limit would be the minimal time for the shoppers on the square. He requested that staff put together an analysis on the parking in the area. CONSIDER RESOLUTIONS 93 -8 -17.1 AND 93- 8-17.2 ACKNOWLEDGING REVIEW OF THE MUNICIPAL WATER POLLUTION PREVENTION (MWPP) ENVIRONMENTAL AUDIT FOR THE N. B. DAVIDSON AND A. J. BROWN WASTEWATER TREATMENT FACILITIES AS REQUIRED BY REGION VI U. S. E.P.A. Councilmember Green made the motion to approve Resolutions 93 -8 -17.1 and 93 -8 -17.2 acknowledging review of the Municipal Water Pollution Prevention (MWPP) Environmental Audit for the N. B. Davidson and A. J. Brown Wastewater Treatment Facilities as reouired by the E.P.A., and Councilmember Norton seconded the motion. All were in favor and the motion passed unanimously. CONSIDER A PROPOSED PRELIMINARY ENGINEERING REPORT BY WISENBAKER, FIX AND ASSOCIATES TO FURTHER STUDY THE FISH HATCHERY ROAD SEWER LINES PROJECT AT A COST NOT TO EXCEED $2,750 Councilmember Carter made the motion to approve a preliminary engineering report by Wisenbaker, Fix and Associates to further study the Fish Hatchery Road sewer lines proiect at a cost not to exceed $2,750 to be funded from the unallocated reserve for water and sewer, and Councilmember Lange seconded the motion. All were in favor and the motion passed unanimously. CONSIDER PROPOSAL TO DO A GEOTECHNICAL INVESTIGATION OF SLOPE STABILITY ON TOWN CREEK NORTH OF THE CITY ADJACENT TO THE 30" SEWER MAIN BY PICKETT & JACOBS IN AN AMOUNT NOT TO EXCEED $10,000 Mr. Wilder stated that there is an erosion problem on a portion of a sewer line on Town Creek and proposes a geotechnical investigation for a method to stabilize the slope and enable the City to design a structure to hold the embankment. Councilmember Matthews stated that instead of only investigating a portion of the area, it might be feasible to do the geotechnical investigation on the entire line. Mr. Wilder stated that the investigation is expensive and may not be needed on many areas. Councilmember Gaines made the motion to approve a proposal for a geotechnical investigation of slope stability on Town Creek north of the City adjacent to the 30" sewer main to be funded from the unallocated reserve for water and sewer, and Councilmember Davis seconded the motion. A vote was taken. The motion passed 8 -1 [Councilmember Matthews voted nol. CONSIDER A UTILITY EXTENSION REQUEST BY JOHN W. WIESNER IN THE AMOUNT OF $41,222 WITH THE CITY'S PORTION BEING $12,265 (TO BE PAID FROM THE UTILITY EXTENSION RESERVE) Councilmember Green made the motion to approve a utility extension reouest (water and sewer) by Sohn W. Wiesner in the amount of $41,222 (City's portion - $12,265), to be paid from the utility extension reserve fund, and Councilmember Gaines seconded the motion. A vote was taken. The motion passed 8 -1 [Councilmember Carter voted no]. CITY COUNCIL MEETING OF AUGUST 17, 1993 BOOK "R" CONSIDER AWARD OF FOUR ADDITIONAL S.C.A.D.A. SITES TO THE SYSTEM BY ENVIROTECH CONTROLS, INC. IN THE AMOUNT OF $37,605 Mr. Wilder stated that $30,000 was budgeted for the addition of these four S.C.A.D.A. sites. The bids came in slightly above budget at $37,605. The additional $7,605 would be funded from the water and sewer unallocated reserve. unanimously. CONSIDER BIDS FOR THE NORMAL PARK AERIAL SEWER CROSSING TO BRAZOS VALLEY UTILITIES IN THE AMOUNT OF $13,430 (FUNDING SOURCE - 07 -97 -5303) CONSIDER A LIMITED OPTION DRAINAGE RESTORATION PROPOSAL FOR MCDONALD CREEK BY USE OF IN -HOUSE LABOR AND EQUIPMENT Mr. Wilder stated that the estimated labor and equipment cost to clean McDonald Creek would be $26,729. Staff estimat that this would require at least 30 working days for City crews. The paving program would be put on hold to work on the creek. Mayor Hodges stated that he felt the City should clean the creek since it is on City property and the silting is causing floodit for private property owners. Councilmember Gaines stated that she was not in favor of this project because of the delay in the paving program. Councilmember Carter stated that he did not feel this was a City problem and did not feel the need to clear 50 feet out of tl park area for the work Councilmember Green stated that he felt it was a worthy project, but did not feel it was a priority at this time. Councilmember Green made the motion to table the drainage restoration proposal for McDonald Creek until the C.I.P. mograrn ' scheduling is complete, and Councilmember Lange seconded the motion. All were in favor and the motion passed unanimously l! CONSIDER BIDS FOR A FLOW METER FOR T.D.C.J. WYNNE - ALBERTI UNIT and the motion passed unanimously. EMERGENCY CHANGE ORDER ON WELL 416 PLUGGING PROJECT Mr. Wilder stated that while pulling the pumping equipment out of the hole on well 416, the column pipe, oil tubing and pump shaft broke, dropping 550 feet into the well. Staff contacted the Texas Water Commission and requested that the City be allowed to continue plugging operations and let the pumping equipment remain in the well. T.W.C. stated that the City would have to make an attempt (one day) to remove the equipment. The estimated cost for one day's attempt at removing the equipment is estimated at $7,000. If the equipment is removed it may cost more. Staff is recommending that Council approve a change order to Weisinger Water Well,l Inc. at an estimated cost of $7,000 based on time and materials to be paid from budgeted maintenance funds. Councilmember Davis made the motion to approve an emergency change order to Weisinger Water Well, Inc. for an estimated!! cost of $7,000, and Councilmember Gaines seconded the motion All were in favor and the motion passed unanimously. CONSIDER THE QUARTERLY BUDGET REPORT AND BUDGET ADJUSTMENTS FOR THE PERIOD ENDED Davis seconded the motion. All were in favor and the motion passed unanimously CONSIDER THE MONTHLY TAX REPORT WITH ADJUSTMENTS TO THE LEVY AS RECOMMENDED BY GROVER COOK, CHIEF APPRAISER , Mr. Grover Cook presented Council with reports including: year to date collections, 1991 taxes compared to 1992 taxes' collected, tax collection policy, actual report for taxable value for the year with exemptions that have been granted, breakdown of taxable value in categories of property, and a six year history of net taxable value for the City, County and School. Current tax collections are at 95.3 %, compared to 94.9% last year. Delinquent tax collections are 92% as compared to 910N last year. The current tax roll is being adjusted by $122.70; and the delinquent tax roll is being adjusted by $1208.26. l�] r� CITY COUNCIL MEETING OF AUGUST 17, 1993 BOOK 'R" 221 Councilmember Green made the motion to approve the monthly tax report with adjustments to the levy as recommended by Grover Cook, and Councilmember Davis seconded the motion. All were in favor and the motion passed unanimously. REJECT A BID FOR A REPLACEMENT UTILITY PICKUP FOR THE CUSTOMER SERVICE DIVISION (DID NOT MEET SPECIFICATIONS) Councilmember Matthews made the motion to reject a bid for a replacement utility pickup for the Customer Service Division and re -bid, and Councilmember Luning seconded the motion. All were in favor and the motion passed unanimously. CONSIDER AN APPEAL BY MR. DAVID HAMMIT, COUNSEL FOR FIVE WRECKER SERVICE OPERATORS REGARDING SUSPENSIONS ORDERED BY THE CITY MANAGER UNDER THE PROVISIONS OF CHAPTER 4A § 14 OF THE CODE OF ORDINANCES Mr. Bounds stated that some time ago the City received a complaint regarding a police directed tow. As a result of the investigation, a hearing was held before the City Manager and he proposed to suspend certain services from the rotation call list for various periods of time. The attorney representing these services has filed an appeal to City Council as provided by the City Ordinance. The hearing will take approximately two hours. Consensus of Council was to schedule the hearing for late September or early October and delay the implementation of the City Manager's proposed disciplinary action until such time as the hearing takes place. CONSIDER APPROVAL OF 1993 TAX APPRAISAL ROLL AS PROVIDED BY WALKER COUNTY APPRAISAL DISTRICT Councilmember Green made the motion to approve the 1993 Tax Appraisal Roll (total value, $383,669,810; total exemptions, $16,749,470 and total taxable value, $366,920,340) as provided by Walker County Appraisal District, and Councihnember Gaines seconded the motion. All were in favor and the motion passed unanimously. CONSIDER APPROVAL OF CERTIFIED ANTICIPATED COLLECTION RATE AS PROVIDED BY WALKER COUNTY APPRAISAL DISTRICT Councilmember Green made the motion to approve the certified anticipated collection rate (100 0%) as provided by Walker Countv Appraisal District, and Councilmember Matthews seconded the motion. All were in favor and the motion passed unanimously. CONSIDER APPROVAL OF EFFECTIVE TAX RATE CALCULATION AS PROVIDED BY WALKER COUNTY APPRAISAL DISTRICT Councilmember Green made the motion to approve the effective tax rate calculation as provided by Walker Countv Appraisal District, and Councilmember Matthews seconded the motion. All were in favor and the motion passed unanimously, CONSIDER AGREEMENT WITH COOPERATIVE OF WOMEN ARTISTS FOR ART SHOW AT FAIR ON THE SQUARE Mr. Schindler stated this is an agreement with the Cooperative Women Artists for an art show to be held on the same day as the Fair on the Square. The agreement is for an amount not to exceed $812.50 to be funded from unallocated Arts Commission funds. Councilmember Carter made the motion to approve the agreement with Cooperative of Women Artists for an Art Show, and Councilmember Matthews seconded the motion. All were in favor and the motion passed unanimously. CITY COUNCILMEMBER ACTION Cutting of Timber by T.D.C.J. Councilmember Carter stated that T,D.C.J. had cut timber in the Joe Byrd Cemetery on Bowers Blvd. Councilmember Carter made the motion to send a letter to T.D.C.J. requesting them to check with the City and/or Chamber of Commerce in the future before harvesting trees or making significant changes on their property in the future. The motion died for lack of a second. ' Roofing Business. Councilmember Carter stated that under the new policies, the City is charging by weight instead of volume. It will cost a lot more to dump old shingles at the landfill now than in the past. Perhaps the City needs to take into consideration the impact the new policies will have on industry in the City. Spring Site. Councilmember Gaines stated that the City has completed its portion on the Spring site and has not seen the County CITY COUNCIL MEETING OF AUGUST 17, 1993 BOOK "R" completing their portion. Councilmember Lange seconded the motion All were in favor and the motion passed unanimously. Pleasant and Highway 75 North Guard Rail. Councilmember Gaines asked staff to check into the site problem for travel from onto Highway 75 North. The accident rate at that intersection is very high. H.G.A.C. Councilmember Gaines stated that she and Councilmember Davis went to Houston and visited with Richard Ladd, Health and Welfare Director. Mr. Ladd was very informative and additional information has been received through the mail. Recycling. Councilmember Norton stated that many citizens are contacting him about the City's recycling program. He urged the to continue publishing the availability of the newspaper recycling at 13th Street and Avenue M. State Champions. Councilmember Green stated that he would like City Council to present the Huntsville Minor League American with a proclamation for the HBBA's £ust Dixie State Championship. Fees Collected for Public Improvement. Councilmember Green stated that Council denied reimbursement of fees collected for improvement to developers recently, but felt this issue should be addressed by the Planning Commission as perhaps a policy c None. MEDIA INQUIRIES ADJOURNMENT Council recessed into an Executive Session to be followed by a Work Session on the 1993 Budget - General Fund. Donna Welter, City Secretary 1