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MIN CC 02/22/1994CITY COUNCIL MEETING OF FEBRUARY 22, 1994 BOOK "R" 974 1 MINUTES OF THE HUNTSVILLE CITY COUNCIL MEETING HELD ON THE 22ND DAY OF FEBRUARY, 1994, IN THE CITY HALL, LOCATED AT 1212 AVENUE M IN THE CITY OF HUNTSVILLE, COUNTY OF WALKER, TEXAS AT 5:1 I P.M. The Council met in regular session with the following members present: COUNCILMEMBERS: W. H. Hodges, Mayor Officers: Dan S. Davis Marjorie Rex Gene Pipes, City Manager JoAnn Matthews David Martinez Danna Welter, City Secretary Ronald L. Lange Dave Luning Scott Bounds, City Attorney Harold Norton Jim Carter i' CITIZEN INPUT/INQUIRY �I REGULAR SESSION - CALL TO ORDER Mayor Hodges called the meeting to order. INVOCATION I Invocation by Reverend Donny Tubbs, Sr. ii CONSIDER A REQUEST FROM HUNTSVILLE BOYS BASEBALL ASSOCIATION j TO ADD ON TO THE CONCESSION/RESTROOM BUILDING AT THE ROSS PARK 4 -PLEX I� TO PROVIDE STORAGE OF EQUIPMENT Mr. Joe Boaz, H.B.B.A., stated that the organization is requesting funds to build a storage facility (a permanent addition)] . at Kate Barr Ross Park to expand equipment and concession storage space. A temporary building is on site, but is in a dilapidated shape and needs to be removed or repaired. The league is requesting $9,250 from the City to add to their $8,700 for material and labor, for the construction of the facility. Approximately 700 children are involved in the boys baseball program each summer. The H.B.B.A. will host the Minor's League State Tournament this yew, bringing in about 1,000 players /spectators from other cities. Mayor Hodges stated that he feels Council should support the H.B.B.A. in this permanent addition to the City- owned 'I facility. The building will be built in conjunction with the architectural beauty of Kate Barr Ross Park and will work with City staff to make sure all codes and permits are taken care of, Councilmember Lange asked if the County Commissioner's have been approached to help fund this project. Mr. Boaz stated that they had been approached this morning and the response was negative. !' After Council discussion a vote was taken. motion passed 6 -3. RECEIVE THE ANNUAL FINANCIAL REPORT FOR FY 1992 -93 AS PREPARED BY BICKLEY, PRESCOTT & CO. Mr. Bickley stated that his firm has concluded their audit of the City of Huntsville in accordance with generally accel auditing standards. He thanked Mr. Pipes, Danna Welter, Patricia Allen and other staff who helped in the preparation of document. The examination of the City was very clean. Prescott & Co.. and Councilmember Luning seconded the motion All were in favor and the motion passed unanimously. Mayor Hodges thanked Mr. Bickley for the report, but requested that next year it be presented at an earlier date. CONSIDER AN INTERLOCAL GOVERNMENTAL AGREEMENT WITH THE T.D.C.d: I.D. TO RECEIVE AND MAINTAIN A LADDER TRUCK FOR THE FIRE DIVISION IN RECIPROCAL RESPONSE TO THE AGENCY'S FIRE EMERGENCIES This item was postponed until a later agenda. CITY COUNCIL MEETING OF FEBRUARY 22, 1994 BOOK "R" 275 CONSIDER A RESOLUTION AUTHORIZUSG APPLICATION FOR A CRIMINAL JUSTICE DIVISION GRANT TO CONTINUE THE CENTRAL EAST TEXAS NARCOTICS TASK FORCE PROGRAM Mr. Curtis Beckham, D.P.S. and Chairman of the C.E.T.N.T.F. stated that this grant would be for the period beginning June 1, 1994, to May 31, 1995. The total grant is for $433,951. Of this, $108,486 will be the cash match. This match has been paid by seizures from the task force in the past and is anticipated to be funded from seizures during this grant period. If the seizures did fall short, the City's cap on the matching funds is $10,000. Councilmember Norton made a motion to approve a resolution authorizing application for a criminal justice division ¢rant to continue the Central East Texas Narcotics Task Force, and Councilmember Carter seconded the motion. All were in favor and the motion passed unanimously. CONSIDER THE MONTHLY ACTIVITY REPORTS, 1993 AUDIT REPORT AND A REQUEST TO HOLD RESERVE FUNDS UNTIL JUNE 1, 1994, BY THE TOURISM DIVISION OF THE HUNTSVILLE- WALKER COUNTY CHAMBER OF COMMERCE Mayor Hodges stated that the Chamber has $2,752 in unspent occupancy tax funds and requests that the Chamber hold these funds until June I when they will issue a check for this amount to the City of Huntsville. Many of the Chamber's large projects occur in the first quarter of the calendar year and since the Chamber receives equal monthly payments, cash flow could be improved if the Chamber holds these funds until June 1. Councilmember Matthews made the motion to approve the Chamber of Commerce monthly activity reports, the 1993 audit report and the request to hold reserve funds until June L 1994, and Councilmember Rex seconded the motion. All were in favor and the motion passed unanimously. CONSIDER AN INTERLOCAL GOVERNMENTAL AGREEMENT TO PARTICIPATE IN EMERGENCY MEDICAL SERVICE FOR 1994 AS RECOMMENDED BY THE HUNTSVILLE- WALKER COUNTY EMERGENCY MEDICAL SERVICE BOARD Councilmember Davis stated thatthe Hospital District has made some modifications to the Interlocal Agreement for E.M.S. that was approved by the City and County. He stated that this is an inferior document and does require the City to take action again this year in our phased withdrawal. Councilmember Davis and Gene Pipes have strongly reminded the representatives of the Hospital District that the City is resolute in its determination to continue in its withdrawal, but in order to get an agreement in place for the E.M.S. service, they are prepared to recommend the approval of this agreement (with the understanding that the City will renegotiate later this year). Councilmember Davis made a motion to approve the Interlocal Governmental Agreement to participate in Emergency Medical Service for 1994, and Councilmember Luning seconded the motion. All were in favor and the motion passed unanimously. Mayor Hodges read the letter to Council that was written and approved by Council in June of 1993. The letter dated July 27, 1993, stated that "The City of Huntsville hereby gives notice of intent to decrease subsidy funding by 50% effective December 31, 1993, and cease funding of the Emergency Medical Services Interlocal Agreement under provision Section IX, Term of Agreement effective December 31, 1994. This process will allow for transition funding to a date concurrent with the Hospital District fiscal year and implement a phased withdrawal. This action is solely predicated on the tax equity principal that County -wide taxing jurisdictions should provide all needed tax subsidy to support our E.M.S. Individual tax payers within the corporate limits of Huntsville should pay no more for the service than any other Walker County resident. The City would be amenable to renegotiating the E.M.S. agreement to provide for administrative oversight or other in -kind services that may be desirable to assure the continuation of quality services to our community." An analysis was attached to the letter indicating that the average City resident pays $35 for E.M.S. service, while a County resident pays $16 for the same service. Mayor Hodges reiterated the City's commitment to withdraw from the contract and requested that staff revise this contract and bring it to Council for action in June. CONSIDER SUMMER BASEBALL AND SOFTBALL PROGRAM AGREEMENT FOR 1994, AND ADULT SOFTBALL PROGRAM AGREEMENT FOR 1994 Councilmember Carter made the motion to approve the Summer Baseball and Softball Program Aereement for 1994, and the Adult Softball Proaram Agreement for 1994, and Councilmember Matthews seconded the motion. All were in favor and the motion passed unanimous] CITY COUNCIL MEETING OF FEBRUARY 22, 1994 MAYOR'S ACTIVITY REPORT 1. City Attorney Scott Bounds to update Council on the following: a) pending litigation, b) compliance with Texas Ope Meetings/Records; c) City Charter; and d) liability insurance. I Mr. Bounds stated that at the present time the City is involved in only one active lawsuit pending in civil court involvinA a former City employee suing the City for wrongly retaliation against him because of his workers compensation claim. Mr. Bounds stated that he was one of four at -will employees; the other three include the City Manager, City Secretary an City Judge. j Mr. Bounds informed Council about the Open Meetings/Records laws, gave an overview of the City Charter and the City' liability insurance. Mayor Hodges stated that the City had received a $64,000 check for Telecable's franchise tax, of which $13,000 is to the University for Channel 7. CITY COUNCILMEMBER ACTION Wildflowers. Councilmember Carter stated that instead of calling for a moratorium on mowing, perhaps David Zellar, Horticulturist, to identify some areas in the City where wildflowers might be allowed to grow this year. These areas r correspond with the areas the Mayor is identifying as entrances to the City. Clean-Up Day. Councilmember Carter stated that he would like to see City crews clean up along the sides of the roads, clean up days twice a year could be set up to clean the City. Adoot- a- Highway. Councilmember Luning stated that Council could adopt a piece of highway to clean up. Thank you to City. State and Gulf Coast Crews. Councilmember Lange stated that the City should commend these groups for their efforts and perhaps write a letter to T.D.C.J. and the Gulf Coast Trade Center. On Saturday, February 26th at 2:00 p.m, the youth at the Greater Zion Missionary Baptist Church will hold a march for Black ll� History Month. This is a peaceful march and a way of speaking out in the community to rid their streets of drugs and violendg. None. MEDIA ADJOURNMENT ,0)vt� Danna Welter, City Secretary I