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MIN CC 08/22/1995CITY COUNCIL MEETING OF AUGUST 22, 1995 BOOK "R" 392 MINUTES OF THE HUNTSVILLE CITY COUNCIL MEETING HELD ON THE 22ND DAY OF AUGUST 1995, IN THE CITY 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 Dave Luning Officers: Dan S. Davis JoAnn Matthews Gene Pipes, City Manager Ronald L. Lange Ann James Damn Welter, City Secretary Marjorie Rex Scott Bounds, City Attorney ABSENT: Jim Carter, David Martinez INVOCATION Invocation by Reverend Kenneth Levingston, St. Paul United Methodist Church and St. James United Methodist Church. CONSIDER THE MINUTES OF AUGUST 15, 1995 Councilmember Rex made a motion to avorove the minutes of August 15 1995 and Councilmember James seconded the motion. All were in favor and the motion Passed unanimously. NOTE Councilmember Carter and Martinez absent. ATTENDING CITIZEN Dee McFarland. Chamber of Commerce. Ms. McFarland stated that a committee has been created to form a Christmas vision for Huntsville and requested the City's support in this project. The committee is proposing adding a line on the City's utility bill that '.. allows citizens to contribute monies for Christmas lighting and set up an account to receive these dollars. Ms. McFarland asked that J. D. Schindler be added to the committee to aid in the decision making process. The two high priority areas identified are the Sam Houston Statue and Visitor's Center, and Downtown. It is hoped that the City plans to decorate the Visitor's Center with City funds ' since the City owns the property. Ms. McFarland stated that she is also requesting that Mayor Green co -sign a letter with the President of the Chamber asking Entergy for seed money to start the project (up to $15,000). She bas talked with representatives from Entergy and feel this is a workable project. Ms. McFarland showed City Council an artist's sketches of decorations proposed. Mayor Green stated that he was in support of this project and asked about a minimum amount of money to get started. Ms. McFarland stated that $10,000 - $20,000 would be needed to get the project going, with $60,000 being needed to do all the areas proposed. Mayor Green stated that with a consensus of Council, he would sign the letter requesting seed money from Entergy for a Christmas lighting project. He asked Ms. Allen to research options regarding adding a line to the City's utility bill to be addressed at the next meeting. II CONSIDER AUTHORIZATION OF A STAFF REQUEST REGARDING DELINQUENT TAXES' FOR 27.33 ACRES ON 7TH STREET Mr. Schindler stated that the City purchased the 27.33 acres on 7th Street and is requesting that the Mayor send a letter to the taxing entities asking that the taxes be forgiven. Councilmember James made a motion that a letter is sent to the taxing entities asking that the taxes be forgiven on the City's 27.33 acres on 7th Street. and Councilmember Rex seconded the motion All were in favor and the motion Passed unanimously. CONSIDER AUTHORIZATION OF BID ON LEASE OF LAND AT HUNTSVILLE MUNICIPAL AIRPORT TO STEVE KERR IN THE AMOUNT OF $1,620.60 PER YEAR FOR A PERIOD OF FIVE YEARS BEGINNING JANUARY 1, 1996 Mr. Pipes stated that he and W. Wilder visited this site today and perhaps some of this property could be used for additional playing fields for youth sports. He suggested that this be tabled until the joint meeting between the organizations using the City's ball fields is held. Councilmember Lange made a motion to table the bid on the lease of land at the Huntsville Municipal Aimort. and Councilmember', , Matthews seconded the motion. All were in favor and the motion passed unanimously. CITY. COUNCIL.MUJfNG OF AUGUST_ 22,1995 - ____ BOOK "R" _ 393 i CONSIDER AUTHORIZATION OF BID ON 30 SANITARY SEWER RELOCATION j ' TO CRAWFORD CONSTRUCTION IN THE AMOUNT OF $111,780 � ($93,000 FROM BUDGETED FUNDS AND $18,780 FROM UNALLOCATED W/S CIP FUNDS) it Councilmember Davis made a motion to aoorove the bid to Crawford Construction in the amount of $111.780 for the 30" sanitary ewer relocation. and Councilmember Rex seconded the motion. All were in favor and the motion passed unanimous] CONSIDER ORDINANCE 95 -8 -22A ESTABLISHING A DAYTIME CURFEW FOR JUVENILES Chief Eckhardt stated that the officers in the bicycle division in the Martin Luther King area have been instrumental in working on this project They visited with the residents and there seems to be a need for this ordinance. There is a group of juveniles that have been expelled from school or choose not to go to school that are on the streets. These juveniles are involved in drug use, theft and other criminal mischief. Several other cities in Texas have similar ordinances in effect. Councilmember Davis asked about coordination with the H.I.S.D. police force. Chief Eckhardt stated yes, but that the problem is that somejuveniles cause themselves to be expelled from school so they do not have to attend. Thesejuveniles would not be covered by the H.I.S.D. police force. Councilmember Matthews stated that she does not agree with the ordinance, and feels that the State juvenile services should be taking care of these juveniles. There are many programs in operation dealing with juveniles and feels that this ordinance is just apiece of paper. It does not seem right that we would enact a daytime curfew and not a night time curfew. Mayor Green stated that he saw two potential problems: 1) if it is a defense that a parent sent the juvenile on an errand then before paying a $500 fine, the parent will probably say he sent the child; and 2) the wording will need to be changed to address the modified calendar. Councilmember Luning stated that he did not like passing an ordinance infringing on many when there are very few causing the problem. Mr. Pipes stated that with the questions raised, it would be appropriate to pass on this item and come back to Council at a later date with more information. Councilmember James made a motion to table Ordinance 95 -8 -22.1 establishine a daytime curfew for juveniles, and Councilmember Rex seconded the motion. All were in favor and the motion passed unanimously. CONSIDER VEHICLE USE AGREEMENT FOR LATE MODEL VEHICLES FOR THE POLICE DEPT. UNDERCOVER WORK TO COMBAT AUTO THEFT AND INSURANCE RELATED CRIMES Chief Eckhardt stated that Lt. Pemberton has been in contact with a group that has been previously called the United Insurance Bureau which is a privately funded law enforcement organization specifically targeting auto thefts. They have a program whereby the City can purchase a vehicle for one dollar to combat these crimes. The City would be responsible for maintenance, insurance and gas. When the City is ready to remove the vehicle from the fleet, the company will have the first option to purchase the vehicle back. Mayor Green asked if the officer assigned to this vehicle would be restricted to only auto related crimes. Chief Eckhardt stated that no, but the vehicle would be assigned to the officer whose primary duty assignments are these type crimes already. Councilmember James stated that she would like to see another bicycle patrol in the neighborhoods before more vehicles bought. Councilmember Luning asked for assurance that the City will comply with all the requirements in the agreement for the use of the vehicle. Chief Eckhardt stated yes. Councilmember Rex made a motion to aoorove a vehicle use agreement for a late model vehicle for the Police Department undercover work to combat auto theft and insurance related crimes. and Councilmember Davis seconded the motion. All were in favor except Councilmember James. The motion passed 6 -1 CONSIDER A GRANT APPLICATION FOR ONE OFFICER (75- 25/3YR. PERIOD) TO BE DEVOTED TO COMMUNITY POLICING THROUGH THE DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE COPS PROGRAM Chief Eckhardt stated that earlier in the year, the City was awarded through the COPS Fast program one officer and in a community policing mode. The City now has an opportunity to apply for a grant for another officer and is requesting approval of Council to apply for this grant. Councilmember Luning asked if this officer would be used to create a third team of bicycle patrols or would he be used on the South 1 side of Huntsville in the second team. Chief Eckhardt stated that he is hoping to create a third area around Boettcher Mill or Highway 190 and Highway 30. Councilmember Lange stated that he agreed with Councilmember Luning in that he hopes that the third team will be formed instead of adding to the second team. OF AUGUST 22, 1995 BOOK "R" 394 Councilmember Rex made a motion to approve a Brant application through the Department of Justice COPS Program for one offi cer to be devoted to community noticing, and Councilmember Imes seconded the motion. All were in favor and the motion nassed unanimously. CONSIDER A GRANT APPLICATION TO THE NATIONAL INSTITUTE OF JUSTICE IN THE AMOUNT OF $63,000 FOR THE PURPOSE OF CREATING A COLLABORATIVE PARTNERSHIP (COMPUTER LINK WITH THE POLICE RESEARCH CENTER AT SAM HOUSTON STATE UNIVERSITY Passed - grant period expired. j MAYOR'S ACTIVITY REPORT '! Mayor Green stated that he and City staff visited with TRA over issues related to water treatment and likewise have met with TDCJ i officials relating to the sale of water and water treatment. He will keep Council updated on the discussions. CITY" COUNCILMEMBER ACTION Rids Day. Councilmember James thanked the Police Department for a job well done with Kids Day in Emancipation Park on Saturday. Troop 98. Mr. Bounds introduced members of Troop 98 sponsored by the First United Methodist Church in Huntsville. They are working on their citizenship and community merit badge. MEDIA INQUIRIES None. Recess into a WORK SESSION to continue the presentation and discussion of the FY 1995 -96 proposed budget - CIP. .1.A1 Danna Welter, City Secretary fl