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MIN CC 05/09/1995CITY COUNCIL MEETING OF MAY 9, 1995 BOOK "It" 369 MINUTES OF THE HUNTSVILLE CITY COUNCIL MEETING HELD ON THE 9TH DAY OF MAY, 1995, IN THE CITY i HALL, LOCATED AT 1212 AVENUE M IN THE CITY OF HUNTSVILLE, COUNTY OF WALKER, TEXAS AT 5:15 P.M. The Council met in regular session with the following members present: COUNCILMEMBERS: William B. Green, Mayor Ann James Officers: Dan S. Davis JoAnn Matthews Gene Pipes, City Manager Ronald L. Lange David Martinez Danna Welter, City Secretary Marjorie Rex Dave Luning Scott Bounds, City Attorney ABSENT: Jim Carter 4:50 P.M. EXECUTIVE SESSION to discuss land acquisition (White and River lots); and pending litigation (Grock, Carroll, Townsend, Lyon and Clements). CITIZEN INPUT /INQUIRY 1. Bette Nelson. Ms. Nelson stated that she has been a member of the Walker County Historical Commission for seven years. Texas brings in 22.9 billion in tourism dollars, which is the third largest industry in Texas and in Huntsville (in 1992, 38 million was brought into the Huntsville economy in overnight stays). Ms. Nelson attended the Governor's conference on tourism last year and returned after the conference full of ideas and began action. She attended Planning and Zoning forums and asked that the Downtown area be designated as a historic district and that a committee under the Planning and Zoning Commission be formed on preservation. To date no action has been taken. She stated that it is imperative the preservation begin now for our - historic natural and cultural environment, and under the umbrella of the City, grants could be forthcoming and hotel -motel taxes - utilized. In 1988 a survey was done of the important structures in Huntsville and many are now gone. She hopes that before the Development Code is adopted, City Council will consider preservation of our historic sites. 2. Jean Manford. Ms. Manford stated that the 2400 and 2500 blocks of Sycamore, Palm and Walnut still needs a stop sign. She and her neighbors are interested in the reports from the data collected regarding this intersection. Stewart Fence Company is installing a fence in the wooded area from the Water Plant site to the third house on Sycamore and hopes this will not create a sight problem after a few months of growth. Mayor Green stated that data would be available at the City Council meeting on June 6, 1995. Ms. Manford stated that in her SWB bill it stated that Bedias, Anderson, Iola, Madisonville, and Normangee would not be long distance from Huntsville. She has checked with the phone company regarding Willis, Riverside, Trinity, Conroe, and Spring and they stated that if 50% of the voters agree to pay $3.50 per month, the service could be added. INVOCATION Invocation by Boyd Wagner, First United Methodist Church. CONSIDER MINUTES OF APRIL 11 AND 25, 1995 Councilmember Rex made a motion to approve the minutes of April 11, 1995, and Councilmember James seconded the motion. Councilmember James made a correction. A vote was taken. All were in favor and the motion passed unanimously. NOTE: Councilmember Carter absent. Councilmember Rex made a motion to approve the minutes of April 25, 1995, and Councilmember Martinez seconded the motion All were in favor and the motion passed unanimously. ATTENDING CITIZENS 1, Carter L. White, Carter's Cycle and Marine. Mr, Curtis White representing Carter's Cycle and Marine stated that he was addressing Council to propose a change in the sign ordinance on Loop 19. With a 55 mph speed zone on Loop 19 and being a thoroughfare it would be beneficial to the businesses to increase the sign height on this loop. Due to the easements owned by the State and City, his business is located 84 yards off the highway, and the maximum sign height is 20 foot. The ordinance does state that the sign can be erected on top of the business at a maximum of 24 feet, which would be higher than the proposed sign would be free standing. There are concerns about leakage with installing the sign on top of the building. CITY COUNCIL MEETING OF MAY 9, 1995 BOOK "R" This issue was brought before the Board of Adjustment and the committee agreed that this was a situation that should dealt with, but felt changes in policy should be approved through Council. Mayor Green stated that this chapter in the Development Code would be reviewed in a work session following the meeting and welcomed Mr. White to stay for the work session and be a part of that discussion. CONSIDER THE QUARTERLY BUDGET REPORT AND ADJUSTMENTS (INCLUDING STATUE PROJECT) Mr. Pipes stated that the statue project is closed with monies expended as indicated in the budget adjustments, other tt some funds set aside for furnishings and fixtures not yet expended by the Chamber of Commerce. Future work (completion walking trails, lakes, etc.) will be under separate budgets as approved by Council at a later date. the motion, All were in favor and the motion passed unanimously. CONSIDER SALE OF TAX PROPERTY and Councilmember James seconded the motion All were in favor and the motion passed unanimously. CONSIDER THE TAX REPORTS FOR MARCH AND APRIL WITH ADJUSTMENTS TO THE LEVY AS RECOMMENDED BY GROVER COOK, CHIEF APPRAISER Councilmember Davis made the motion to approve the tax reports for March and April with adjustments to the levy as recommended by Chief Appraiser Grover Cook and Councilmember Rex seconded the motion All were in favor and the motion passed unanimously. CONSIDER THE CAPITAL IMPROVEMENTS STATUS REPORT AND STREET PAVING PRIORITY LIST FOR THE 1995 PAVING SEASON Mr. Wilder stated that in the packet is an update of the Public Works capital improvements program. The program began in 1984 with a $2 million bond issue related to streets. In that same year, a grant of $2.25 million was award to the City by HUD which provided for water /sewer, street and housing improvements in the New Addition area. In 1987 there was a two phase $4.5 million bond issue approved by voters to rehabilitate all the streets in the City, which should be completed by the end of 1996. The project was extended somewhat for several reasons: 1) pan of the CIP crew was absorbed in to the Street Division; and 2) special projects (paving at the Statue Site and Transfer Station, etc.). The streets in the newly annexed areas are not included within these issues, but are currently being inventoried with recommendations to be made during the budget process this year. An update on the transfer station and solid waste project is also in the agenda for review. Mayor Green congratulated staff on the street paving project, water pressure, quality of water, and many that have improved the quality of life in Huntsville over the past years. CONSIDER A REQUEST TO PARTICIPATE IN A JOINT VENTURE WITH THE ABUTTING PROPERTY OWNERS OF PARKWOOD DRIVE TO UPGRADE AND IMPROVE THE PRIVATE ACCESS EASEMENT TO PUBLIC STREET STANDARDS Mr. Wilder stated that staff has met with Mr. Curtis regarding development on the west side of the Interstate. He has', requested that the City participate in the construction of Parkwood Drive (an existing private street). Mr. Curtis has proposed to construct a public street, but feels that improvements to and dedication of Parkwood Drive would be a good alternative. He isl'i . offering to pay for 50% of the construction costs, with the adjacent property owners also participating. Mr. Wilder stated that Mr.''j Curtis was to provide documentation from the property owners regarding right -of -way easements. Mr. Curtis stated that there are four property owners along Parkwood Drive. The right -of -way documents have been'','! delivered to these property owners for signatures. There is currently a 50 foot easement for the street, and the City engineer is requesting another 20 feet for a total of 70 feet. The documents are not signed in hand as yet. Conditional approval is requested', contingent on receiving the signed documents. City Engineer Glenn Isbell stated that a preliminary cost estimate of $70,000 is anticipated to improve Parkwood Drive. Mayor Green stated that there are several streets similar to this private street that were built before the existing'. development code. He feels that this project would give the City a chance to fix one of these problem private streets. I I 0 CITY COUNCIL MEETING OF MAY 9, 1995 BOOK "R" 371 Councilmember Rex made a motion to authorize the City Manager to enter into a contract with Curtis Development Corporation for the construction and dedication (pending signed documents) of Parkwood Drive for an amount not to exceed $39,000, and Councilmember Martinez seconded the motion. All were in favor and the motion passed unanimously. CONSIDER REJECTION OF BIDS TO RESURFACE THE SWIMMING POOL Mr. Wilder stated that $31,000 was budgeted for the resurfacing of the swimming pool with a "fiberglass" type surface at Kate Barr Ross Park. This type resurfacing is a longer lasting system and easier to maintain. The low bid received is $38,937 (over budget) by Fibre Tech, Inc. and staff is recommending all bids be rejected. Staff will come back at a later date with a different plan on how to accomplish the resurfacing of the pool at a more reasonable cost. Councilmember Luning made a motion to reiect bids received on resurfacing the swimming pool at Kate Barr Ross Park, and Councilmember Matthews seconded the motion. All were in favor and the motion passed unanimously. Councilmember Lange asked about the time frame for re- bidding and stated that the swimming pool is one of the few recreational facilities in the City that every person can use without being organized. Mr. Wilder stated that it would be addressed after this swim season. CONSIDER REPLACEMENT OF A MOTOR GRADER FOR THE STREET DIVISION Mr. Wilder stated that the City owns two motor graders, both old and with a great deal of wear (a 1973 and a 1976 model). Major failures have occurred to the larger grader which is used in the daily operations in the Street Division. Staff is recommending trading in both graders and purchasing a new model with funding to be from the C.I.P. street bond proceeds which has a balance of $1,077,572. Replacement cost is estimated at $140,000. Councilmember Davis made a motion to authorize staff to take bids for a motor grader for the Street Division, and Councilmember Lange seconded the motion All were in favor and the motion passed unanimously. CONSIDER BIDS 1. Bid 95 -I5, annual contract for chlorine and sulfur dioxide, to Tones Chemical in the amount of $350/ton for chlorine and $550 /ton for sulfur dioxide. Mr. Schindler stated there have been some problems with large trucks maneuvering into the plant location and the bid documents specified a smaller vehicle. The low bidder does not have a smaller vehicle available and therefore did not meet specifications, but staff is recommending approval of this bid due to an estimated annual savings of $8,000. Councilmember Davis made a motion to approve the annual bid for chlorine and sulfur dioxide to Jones Chemical in the amount of $350 /tan for chlorine and $550 /ton for sulfur dioxide, and Councilmember Lunine seconded the motion. All were in favor and the motion passed unanimously. Councilmember James asked if there was an alternate route for the trucks to take so the streets in Elkins Lake would not be torn up. Mr. Schindler stated that staff has discussed this problem and although there is not an alternate route available, as few deliveries as possible will be scheduled. 2. Bid 95 -16, janitorial services, to Maintenance Services, Inc., in the amount of $32,937/year. Councilmember Matthews made the motion to approve the bid for janitorial services to Maintenance Services, Inc., in the amount of $32,937 per year, and Councilmember Martinez seconded the motion. All were in favor and the motion passed unanimously. CONSIDER ORDINANCE 95 -05 -09.1 AMENDING CHAPTER 12, MOTOR VEHICLES AND TRAFFIC BY ESTABLISHING A NO PARKING ZONE ON NORMAL PARK (WEST SIDE) FROM 22ND STREET NORTH TO 21ST STREET CONSIDER ORDINANCE 95 -05 -09.2 PROVIDING STOP SIGNS GREENWOOD AT OAKLAWN (4 -WAY), MARY AVENUE AT ROOSEVELT STREET (1 -WAY), AND ROOSEVELT STREET AT SMITH HILL ROAD (1 -WAY) Councilmember Lunine made a motion to approve Ordinance 95 -05 -09.1 amending Chapter 12 by establishing a no parking zone on Normal Park from 22nd Street north to 21st Street, and Ordinance 95 -05 -09.2 providing stop signs on Greenwood at Oaklawn Mary Avenue at Roosevelt Street and Roosevelt Street at Smith Hill Road, and Councilmember Rex seconded the motion All were in favor and the motion passed unanimously. CITY COUNCIL MEETING OF MAY 9, 1995 BOOK 'R" 372____.____, -_. CONSIDER ORDINANCE 95 -05 -09.3 AMENDING THE EMPLOYEE MEDICAL BENEFIT PLAN Mr. Schindler stated that the Employee Medical Benefit Plan was being amended to extend coverage to nine months fod a dependent who (subject to age limitations) graduates from high school, and to include dental coverage for use of some sealants for children under age 16. 1! Councilmember Martinez seconded the motion All were in favor and the motion passed unanimously. MAYOR'S ACTIVITY REPORT 1. Consider appointment of an Associate Municipal Judge as recommended by the Personnel Committee of City Coum Mayor Green stated that the Personnel Committee of Council had met and interviewed candidates for Associate Municip Judge. Upon the Committee's recommendation, Mayor Green nominated Dale Duff as the City's Associate Municipal Judge. per month and Councilmember Martinez seconded the motion All were in favor and the motion passed unanimously. 2. Consider appointment of Jim R. Sims to the Planning and Zoning Commission in place of retiring member Grady Mams. Councilmember Lange made a motion to approve the appointment of Jim R Sims to the Planning and Zoningl Commission and Councilmember Luning seconded the motion All were in favor and the motion passed unanimously. CITY COUNCILMEMBER ACTION Purchase of Real Estate, All were in favor and the motion passed unanimously. Tree on Smith Hill at Thomason Street. Councilmember James requested that staff check the tree at this location as to its need to' be trimmed or removed as per Councilmember Matthews. MEDIA INQUIRIES None. ADJOURNMENT Recess into a WORK SESSION to consider Chapters 8 -11 of the proposed Development Code. Danna Welter, City Secretary