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MIN CC 05/01/1990CITY COUNCIL MINUTES OF MAY 1, 1990 BOOK "0" 101 MINUTES OF THE HUNTSVILLE CITY COUNCIL MEETING HELD ON THE 1ST DAY OF MAY, 1990 IN THE CITY HALL COUNCIL CHAMBERS, LOCATED AT 1212 AVENUE M IN THE CITY OF HUNTSVILLE, COUNTY OF WALKER, TEXAS AT 6:45 P.M. The Council met in a regular session with the following members present: Jane Monday 0. Eugene Barrett City officers present: Gary Bell James L. Carter Gene Pipes, City Manager Ila G. Gaines William B. Green Scott Bounds, City Attorney William H. Knotts, Jr. Percy Howard, Jr. Ruth DeShaw, City Secretary Member absent: William L. Hammock CITIZEN INPUT Charles W. Smither. Jr.. P. 0. Box 552- -City Development Lode -- Current Revision and its Availability to Citizens Mr. Smither said he was at the Public Hearing last week to try to figure out what was going on and how to best interpret the information given. He said he finally determined that it would be necessary to actually compare the Development Code and Vernon's Annotated Civil Statutes against the proposed zoning ordinance. He said he has a copy of the Development Code of the City of Huntsville, Texas adopted June 10, 1986, which was handed out at that time. He said he knows there have been some changes since then, so he came down to City Hall this morning to get a copy to use to make this comparison. He said he received and dated the Development Code of the City of Huntsville, Texas adopted June 10, 1966. He said it is different from this one and has no adoption date as far as amended on such and such a date. He said it has no date on the fee schedule that is in the back and after spending a couple of hours making his comparisons, the numbers, code sections, etc. started diverging. He said he believes there must be another more recent edition that was used as the basis for the proposed zoning ordinance. He said he doesn't know how one would find out because he thought he did what was necessary to come down to City Hall to ask for the current document. He said he would like some help tomorrow when he comes down to ask for it so that someone will be able to hand him the right document. Mayor Monday asked Mr. Smither to visit with Mr. Pipes, City Manager, in the morning. Councilmember Barrett asked that an explanation of this matter be brought back to the Council as he is also interested to know why there is confusion. Mayor Monday noted there will be a report back to the Council at the next council meeting. Troy Allen. Rt. 5. Box 419 --Gold Wing Roadriders Rally Mr. Allen advised of the success of the weekend's rally of the Gold Wing Roadriders Association IGWRAI. He said Mayor Monday was of assistance in getting this group to Huntsville, which amounted to 630 registered motorcyclists from throughout this state and other states. He said it was an extremely successful rally as was reported in the newspaper this morning. He said an informal survey he conducted revealed that a conservative figure of the money this group spent in Huntsville is approximately $200,000, a good boost to Huntsville's economy. He said these people are very much interested in coming back to Huntsville as the people here were very cordial to them. He thanked the Council and the Chamber of Commerce for their support of this Association, noting everyone worked hard to get them here. He said he has also been contacted by the Christian Motorcycle Association and they are interested in coming back. He said the Council's support will be appreciated in getting these groups to came back again. Mayor Monday said two years ago, they were here in the Fair parade and Mr. Allen got interested in them and their group and in facilitating a district meeting for them at the Walker County Fairgrounds, which then led to a state rally in Huntsville. Mr. Allen-said this group has members in every state in the U.S. and 24 countries. Mayor Monday noted there are some 50,000 members. She said it is hoped they will have regional rallies in Huntsville. Mr. Allen said they are now looking at an event for Huntsville in the near future. Mayor Monday said this group is going to Arkansas in May or June; they travel; have a good time; and includes families as it is very family oriented. She felt it was a really nice group of people and she heard real pluses for them. Mayor Monday noted Mr. Allen spoke about the economic benefit and she noticed CITY COUNCIL MINUTES OF MAY 1, 1990 - BOOK "O" 102 she drove through Huntsville Saturday and Sunday, that motorcycles were parked in front of a lot of staurants. She said there was not a motel room available in Huntsville, Trinity, Madisonville, or on the ke. Mr. Allen said people were even driving back and forth from Houston. He said he heard nothing but mpliments from them and so far he has heard nothing but compliments about them. He said this is a group want to have back. Mayor Monday congratulated the Fair Association as this opens up an exciting portunity with the Fairs facility as this is another whole aspect of use for the facility, which is obably unequaled in its type anywhere in its adapted use year around. Mayor Monday congratulated Mr. ten for his work on this and noted if more people like Mr. Allen in this community would reach out with eir contacts, and if everyone would do this once a weekend, we could forget trying to promote, and just rvice what we could get here. Councilmember Green suggested renaming the Walker County Fairgrounds as he Walker County Fair Association and Convention Center." Mayor Monday said their facility lends itself a whole different aspect of conventions, because a traditional convention center does not necessarily ways Lend itself to meeting, space -wise, but what the Fair Association is doing services a whole different oup. She said there are lots of possibilities yet to be explored and this is a good beginning. FORMAL MEETING CONVENED Mayor Monday called the formal session to order. Mayor Pro tem and Councilmember Howard presented invocation. CONSIDER THE MINUTES OF THE PREVIOUS MEETING Councilmember Barrett made the motion to approve of the City Council minutes of April 24, 1990 and CONSIDER FINAL REPORT ON PROPOSED ZONING PLAN Mr. Pipes advised the Planning Commission did not meet at noon on April 30 due to an agenda posting aution, noting although the agenda was timely posted in the City Hatt lobby bulletin board, it was not ble to the public for the full 72 hours over the weekend because a second copy of the agenda was not ed on the bulletin board in the window facing the outside. The meeting has been rescheduled for Monday, 7 at noon, to insure compliance with the Open Meetings Act. Mr. Pipes said the City Council will not be meeting on May B to take action on the Planning mission's recommendations, because it is finals week at the University and consideration is being given the Councilmembers who are University professors. He said on Tuesday, May 15, the Highway 19 Association ting will be held in Athens, however, a Council Meeting may be set for this week, or the next meeting dd possibly be on May 22. CONSIDER ELMUD ROAD PAVING ASSISTANCE Mayor Monday noted Mr. Hoover will not be with the Council this evening. She said she will be the subcommittee of the Council that worked with Elkins Lake previously to reconvene in the near to meet with the Elkins Lake committee to discuss any common issues. She said she expects this to Later on down the line and the city will be contacting them and setting a date and getting back with CONSIDER THOMASON PARK STATUS ' ider a status report on Thomason Park as requested by Councilmember Carter Mr. Gene Pipes, City Manager, presented a park development plan which contains a jogging path from Street north to the intersection of Mesquite Street, at which point there will be facilities such as rooms on that portion which is the old Huntsville wastewater treatment plant. He said the balance of property north of that is also part of the old Huntsville plant, and depicts two multipurpose playing CITY COUNCIL MINUTES OF MAY 1, 1990 BOOK "G" 103 fields and some parking areas. He said all of the development then will be on the eastern side of what is now Town Branch. He said there is another part of this 35 acres not presently planned for active development which is not covered under the Texas Parks 8 Wildlife grant. He said the grant involved underground Lighting with jogging path, parking Lot, restrooms, and multipurpose fields. He said the TPBW struck out one of the multipurpose pLaying fields on the north end because it did not meet their requirements /standards, so its development will be at Local expense., The Council was advised the Parks Board took a field trip into the area that is pLamed from 7th Street north. He then presented 1973 and 1983 aerial photographs of this area, which indicated the condition of that entire track of land for the last 20 years. He noted at one time it was a very active pasture land being used by the Thomason and Eastham family heirs for grazing property and within 10 years, the 1983 picture shows a lot of overgrowth, except for the sewer line utility that had been put there by Lighting Construction in 1981, as the only part that remains somewhat clear of the volunteer overbrush and vegetation over the grazing Land. He said the various clumps of trees, shown in 1973 to be somewhat Limited, have acquired spread and stature since then. He said in almost every adjacent area, there is a great deal more forest growth in Huntsville in the space between 1973 and 1983. He said if we had a 1993 picture, there would be quite a contrast as to how the urban forest has grown in Huntsville in the last 10 -20 years. Mr. Pipes said the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department will approve the value of the land through an appraisal submitted to them, then a transfer can be made from the family to the city as a gift to be used for matching the $106,000 grant. He said the Parks Board will then be making specific recommendations to the City Council on the plan for development. He said an on-site visit by the Council can be arranged, perhaps on Saturday morning. He said rugged clothing is needed because it is difficult to get through this area. CounciLmember Carter said this is not an attempt to interfere with any of the plans that have already been made, but rather, he is trying to head off any debate, discussion, arguments that might occur, rather than get into them. He said he needs to know as we go along what is going on in the park. He said there are a lot of thorn bushes and briars in the park area and he understands some of this is going to have to be cleared out. He said his primary concern is how much of an impact the city may have on it. He asked how close the city will be clearing to the creekbeds with any type of heavy machinery. Mr. Pipes said the city has given a general description on the establishment of a jogging trail adjacent to the Long creekbed, but it has not been specificaLLy Located. He said they have had Mr. Mark Erb, consulting arborist, and Mr. David 2ellar, the city's arborist on the site, and they have flagged and tagged and identified all of the species and types of trees, etc. He said the city has not moved the survey crew in to establish an exact route for the path or how much should be cleared either side. He said there should be some concern for a clear view /pedestrian/ safety consideration. CounciLmember Carter said he is concerned about how close we will be getting to the creek banks not how wide the logging oaths will be He said if and when they get to the point where they establish some Policy about how close we are going to get to the creek banks with any type of heavy machinery, he would like to be notified in some way. Secondly, CounciLmember Carter noted, there are some Large trees here that have been identified of various species and he already has the assurance from the Mayor in an earlier meting that those trees will be protected and secured. He asked about the width of the sewer easement clearing. Mr. Pipes said the easement width is 20 feet. CounciLmember Carter asked about the prairie areas up on the higher side of the park. Mr. Pipes said according to what has been involved in the grant procedures for the Texas Parks and ' Wildlife Department, none of the area on the west side of Town Branch has been identified for activity at this time. CounciLmember Carter said he may not know where the boundaries are, but there are some meadows and prairie areas that are not overgrown and then there are some that are overgrown with some type of wild rose, which is in a briarpatch. He asked that a visit be arranged to the Park site as he would be interested to learn more about the development plans Mayor Monday asked that a time be selected when the majority of them could go. CounciLmember Carter noted he appreciates the maps. CITY COUNCIL MINUTES OF MAY 1, 1990 BOOK "p" 104 Mayor Monday asked the Council to net their schedules in to the City Manager so he can plan the TRA CONSIDER BIDS Mr. Pipes advised two bids were received. He reconmerded acceptance of the low bid submitted by Plunbing in the amount of $7,600, contingent upon the deposit of $5,300 by the First Methodist He noted the city's cost will be $2,300 out of the utility extension budget. Counci Lmember Howard Mr. Pipes advised it is the City's intention to purchase an annual service /maintenance contract for the radio communication system. He presented the two bids received and recommended acceptance of the lowest bid meeting specifications presented by Motorola, Inc. in the amount of $1,952.80. Councilmember Barrett CITY MANAGER'S REPORT - -GENE PIPES er mepiLBl wBSLe OISPOSaI reCPmmenpaLl0n by the 58n1tat ton DIViSion Mr. Pipes, City Manager, presented information from Ms. Cindy Kellgren, Sanitation Superintendent, ring the necessity for a medicaL waste disposaL ordinance to prevent the improper disposal of medical from becoming a health hazard to the city's sanitation workers as well as the general public. Mr. - effective manner to handle this specific waste problem He said there are a number of technical ers involved in this. He said because of the particular impact on the medical field, he urged the cil to consider the establishment of a task force to work with Johnny Poteete, Director of Public Works Cindy Kellgren, Sanitation Superintendent, to analyze the current standards, what is expected in the term future, and the Long term future and then make recommendation back to the Council for action. r Monday asked Councilmember Barrett to chair this committee CounciLmember Barrett advised he will be v to do so. CONSIDER MID -YEAR BUDGET AMENDMENTS Mayor Monday advised the Arts Commission has submitted its proposal for funding the downtown project the Meadows Foundation. She noted she met with representatives of the Meadows Foundation in Huntsville s week. She said the Meadows Foundation prefers to allocate their grants in lump sun, and if they decide fund Huntsville's project, they will fund in the amount of 8150,000. She said the City of Huntsville is ler consideration for this grant in 1990, and, if granted, this witL require the City's share to be dged at the same time. She noted in visiting with Ms. Patricia Allen, Director of Finance, that these ies could be pledged for the Meadows Foundation grant match out of the sales tax funds, which now total 5,000, and then paid back to the city over a three year period as was discussed previously when the ginaL grant was set up for submission to the National Endowment of the Arts. Mr. Pipes presented the mid year budget requests. A thorough review and discussion of each item ' ued. He noted the amount funded for the Police parking control employee is set at the same pay ssification grade as had previously been established by the employee holding that job for a number of rs 88,689. He said it is not necessary to establish this position at pay grade v and it could be ablished at pay grade Iv or III. He said the Council had expressed a very strong initial consideration CITY COUNCIL MINUTES OF MAY 1, 1990 BOOK "0" 105 of this position earlier in the year and he wanted to make sure there was a salary range on which it could base its discussion. Mayor Monday noted the city is proposing a full time position or a half -time position. She suggested hiring a part-time person and try it that way until we get to the new year budget and than decide whether that position needs to be full -time. Mr. Pipes suggested another alternative would be two part -time people who work irregular schedules. Mayor Monday noted it may be that an irregular schedule would be more effective so that those who continually park downtown will not take advantage of knowing the parking control attendant's scheduLe. Councilmember Barrett felt a full time employee would be better as they would then have the history of the situation and know what is happening all of the time instead of just part of the time. Mayor Monday noted than the budget figure for the balance of this fiscal year for a full time employee would be about $7,500. Mr. Pipes said the tree spade and the front end Loader is a combination with the Water and Sewer Division request for a rubber tired front and loader to do the various work and the tree spade would be an attachment to it. He said it will help in the right -of -ways and utiLity work to relocate vegetation that is in the route of a proposed utility line or to make plantings in other areas that would be useful to the parks department and for the general green space, beautification and landscaping program. He said the tractor would be bought out of the utility department and the spade would be bought out of general fund because those would be the primary applications for those two items. Councilmember Knolls expressed his concern on using a 2 1/2 ton machine to go back and forth on the city streets and felt going out to Load trucks and back can be very dangerous in traffic. He said if the city had a hopper system or a radial stacker or perhaps they could take a large dump bed and make the city's own bin with a conveyer belt on the bottom of it to to to the trucks. He said for something that occurs daily, he would set up something out there where they could handle it without shuttling equipment back and forth. it Councilmember Gaines inquired about the program assistant position for the HEAP division, noting she did not realize the discussions at budget time were for this to be a full time person. She said this will be a salary of about $23,000 on a fuLL time basis for servicing that program. She expressed her concern that the city is spending so much money on the HEAP program, and while it is a wonderful program, she feels right now there are other programs avaiLabLe in Huntsville in the form of the YMCA, etc. and she wonders if the city should take a Look at the city's program to see where the duplications are that might be picked up in some other areas. She said she understands when HEAP started, there were no alternatives for these programs, but there are alternatives now. She felt the city may need to take a Look at the overall cost of the city's HEAP program. To clarify this, she asked if the city proposed to put another person on staff full time to work just with the HEAP program. Mayor Monday advised this person will do more than just HEAP, but will work in nine different areas, primarily: the Preschoolers' Outreach Program, Programs at the Library for Students, and Exhibits and Performances. In addition, she noted, Ms. Pease advises this position will also assist in Library program areas concerning: Reading is Fundamental, summer movies for children, summer reading club, national library week /national children's book week, bulletin boards and displays and story hour. Mayor Monday said in visiting with County Judge Frank Robinson recently, he was interested in seeking a solution to the city's requirement that county residents purchase a Library card in order to use the library. She said several years ago the city did want the county to participate in a portion of the Library operations, but they declined to do so. She said the city then initiated a Library card fee for county residents to use the library. She suggested the county may agree to fund a portion of this position in Lieu of the fee to county residents, because it is an outreach position, and it works with children and other outreach programs throughout the community. She said she would like to approach the judge and the court to see if perhaps at this time they may want to consider this. She said she supports this position strongly, and it is a good opportunity to seek county assistance for its funding. Councilmember Barrett felt the city should compare apples to appLes, and get the figures together on what ' the library card income brings in by comparison to the County funding a portion of this position. Mayor Monday asked if the Council likes this concept, this can be explored. CounciLmember Barrett said he feels this is a good concept. CITY COUNCIL MINUTES OF MAY 1, 1990 BOOK "0" 106 Chief Eckhardt explained the proposed K -9 program for the Police Department. After some discussion, Councilmember Carter made a motion to remove the K -9 Program for the Police Department [two police dogs] from the mid -year budget adjustments because he just didn't see a need for this program in Huntsville now. His motion, however, failed to receive a second. Mayor Monday complimented the Police Department for the very comprehensive report on the K -9 program, noting she felt it was an excellent presentation. Mayor Monday also complimented Mr. Johnny Poteete, Director of Public Works, for his move toward recycling, noting she thinks this action is excellent, right in line with what the city ought to be doing, and was delighted with his innovation. She wanted to highlight this program and encouraged an education program to complement it, if adopted this evening, and to disseminate that information to the public. Upon a vote for approval of the mid -year budget requests, all were approved with the exception of the tree spade and the front loader, as questioned by Councilmember Knotts; the staff was asked to re- evaluate this request. Councilmember Barrett made the motion to approve the mid -year budget requests as resented and discussed excluding the tree spade and front loader, and Councilmember Bell seconded the motion All were in favor and the motion passed unanimously. Review responsibilities of a Director of Community Development and Services Position, as budgeted II Mr. Pipes said this position would involve the development and coordination of a one -stop shop and aLL of the activities related to the coordination of the activities between the Planning Department, the Engineering Department's proposed improvements, Public Works and Utilities involvement, if any; and Code lid Enforcement, when appropriate, for all developed areas or areas that come into the supervision of the city for development purposes. In addition, this position would be directly involved in inspection and code , enforcement and it would also involve public information which would be the various articles provided to the news media for public dissemination and also the newsletter that the city was doing with some regularity earlier in the year and which has since been suspended for a lack of time. He said in regard to Personnel Services, Purchasing and Warehouse, with the items approved tonight, the city will be involved with purchasing and warehouse records conversion to the on -line computer system throughout the summer and those specific duties may be transferred somewhat later. He said there is no determination as to the time from required to try to locate and identify a person with these varied skills and responsibilities. He said he will be proceeding under that process, subject to the Council's concurrence or suggestions. He said this is the departmental reorganization for mid -year. He said he will be looking for any other changes and will I!bring them back to the Council in the long term budget. Mayor Monday noted he will be advertising for this position as proposed. Councilmember Bell said he missed what is the thrust of this position. He asked for at least one or two weeks to review it. He said he has some real questions about reorganization and would like to sort it out but didn't feel a public forum was necessarily the proper place to do that. He asked that "a hold" be placed on this particular plan. COunci Lmember Green asked then if we are not going to discuss this at this time. Mayor Monday noted it can be discussed now and we can discuss it later after it is reviewed further. Councilmember Green noted with regard to community development services and the notion of a one -stop shop, he didn't see how this works with the way it is configured. Mr. Pipes said there is no in -line supervisory responsibility among any of the departments as this is his responsibility. He said this particular job would be a central location in which coordination of all building and development activities could be done by one individual. Councilmember Green asked how this relates to planning. Mr. Pipes said the position would consult with planning, engineering, the utilities departments and any other areas where city participation is involved in any project, including the inspection of public improvements or code enforcement for private improvements. ( , He said it would be one individual with those direct responsibilities to coordinate or expedite the building and development problems associated with the city by coordination between departments and not create a necessity to run between the Service Center and City Hall or any of the various departments that may be involved. Mr. Pipes said he did discuss an assistant city manager's position last spring that would have direct in -line authority to mandate such cooperation, but that wasn't considered necessary at the time and therefore, a departmental structure involving those things is the only other approach that he is aware is CITY COUNCIL MINUTES OF MAY 1, 1990 BOOK "Q" 107 possibly available. Councilmember Green said he still has a problem with purchasing, warehouse and personnel services. Mr. Pipes said they are certainly dissimilar. Counci Lmember Green noted "absolutely," and he could not see how that relates to the concept. Mr. Pipes said as the memo indicates, if an individual is not found that can, in fact, manage all the varied requirements, then those areas -- purchasing, warehouse, personnel services - -will be deleted from the job description and other duties added as may be more attendant to their individual skills. He said the primary focus will remain on the one -stop shop and the public information aspects of the primary consideration. Mayor Monday noted one of the thoughts was that if we have someone with a business background that fits these qualifications that was involved in the private sector, they my very well have a personnel and purchasing background and therefore be able to relieve that load. Counci (member Green asked if we are also talking about enforcing the development code through this position. Mr. Pipes said "no" as there are people in positions for that at the present time, but they are without any direct in -line supervision. Councilmember Green asked what code we are enforcing. Mr. Pipes said the Southern Standard, Fire, Building, Electrical, etc. j' Mayor Monday clarified the one -stop concept, which was envisioned to be a one person contact who would coordinate all of the efforts --code enforcement of building codes, subdivision code, the tracking of each so that when a plat or building plan came in, there would be one person there to track it and communicate back and forth to make sure it was moving along; to troubleshoot if there is a problem; and to I coordinate that all the way through to take it to fruition as opposed to a citizen /individual having to solve the problems, figure out who to go to, where, when it will come back, etc. She said even though the city implemented a tracking system before, if there is not someone following the project and checking the progress or communicating, we are not doing a whole lot of good for the person on the other end. Councilmember Knotts said he thought this was being done now through Dale Brown's office [City Planner], and that this was Mr. Davidson's primary purpose. Mr. Pipes said the city continues to make an effort at all times to expedite, but their primary function obviously is on the front end of the planning and development area. He said someone is needed to shepherd and oversee the overall program all the way through the various code enforcement mechanisms, etc. Councilmember Barrett said he does not mind waiting two weeks to pass this, but feels the council has gone over this time and time again and it lost two directors over the Last five years and its current directors are overloaded with a Lot of things they cannot do in the realm of their own jobs and they are having to take up extra duties. He said he feels we need to act on this as soon as possible because we have been talking about this position for over a year. Councilmember Knotts said this is the first time we have seen what the duties and responsibilities would be. Councilmember Bell said while we have discussed doing this for a year, we also talked about having the personnel committee take a look at this particular situation. Mayor Monday asked that the Council refer this to the Personnel Committee to let them take a Look and bring it back at the next council meeting. Councilmember Knotts felt the position should have mob qualifications. educational requirements, etc. identified The Council generally concurred to refer the matter to the Personnel Committee. MAYOR'S ACTIVITIES REPORT- -JANE MONDAY Meadows Foundation Grant for Downtown Mayor Monday noted Ms. Linda Pease and the Arts Commission made a good presentation to the Meadows Foundation. She advised the city should learn by the end of June whether its proposal is successful. She said the Arts Commission will also give the Council an update on the other grant they have written and submitted. Activities Mayor Monday said she did a radio interview for SHSU; participated in doing a reading as a part of a Library Literacy Program; did a program on Huntsville today; worked with the Golden Wing Roadriders Association; attended a ribbon cutting for Planned Parenthood; signed proclamations for Just Kids Day care CITY COUNCIL MINUTES OF MAY 1, 1990 BOOK "0" 108 for a preschool drug program; for Senior Games at the Nursing Home; and in honor of Eddie Dye upon his retirement. COUNCIL ACTION Lake Road Easement Clearing Councilmember Carter noted on the easement the city cleared on Lake Road to College Farm Road, there was a Lot of organic material [debris], and it is his understanding the city burned this material. He requested again that if the city has organic material that the city not burn it because that creates air pollution and simply wastes good organic material. He suggested pushing this material off into the woods and let it rot away because lots of animals could benefit from it and it has a place in nature. He could not understand why the city would burn this especially when the country is passing a clean air act on the national level at this time. He urged the city to think about doing something else with organic material besides burning it. Request to Review Tree Policy Councilmember Knotts suggested a review of the city's tree policy because he felt the city is incurring exorbitant expense on Angier Road where it has 1140 feet of ditch and the city bored some 580 feet. He said CounciLmember Carter is perhaps the most restrictive on trees of all the Councilmembers, and this is aLso not his understanding. He advised the City Manager notes the city's policy is that any tree 12 inches or larger is not cut. He said he feels this is not the Council's interpretation of the tree policy and felt the scope of the policy did not go any further than the street right -of -way on the current projects on which the city is working. He said he didn't think this extends into the drainage areas. He felt this needed to be looked at separately. He felt the city is incurring a lot of delay and cost because the policy is being misinterpreted. He said the city does not even have the policy in writing, so it is arbitrary ' anyway. He requested an informal discussion on what the city really agreed to in this policy. He said the city prioritized the species of trees and every tree did not have the same priority. He felt the city is bringing upon itself a Lot of its own problems. Mayor Monday felt this is a good idea. She noted there was a priority Listing of trees and the diameter did vary according to species of trees, but the tree policy did apply aLL over town. Councilmenber Knotts said he felt it applied to street right -of -ways and not drainage areas. Mayor Monday said we may need to look at its application in the drainage areas. Councilmenber Knotts said he doesn't think people wiLl believe the city can save every 12 inch tree in the City of HuntsviLLe. He said some are going to have to go. Mayor Monday asked that the tree policy be brought back for discussion as to how it applies in the drainage areas. Councilmember Carter said to be clear on this, he does not think any policy is absolute and he didn't think this policy should be interpreted to mean every tree has to be saved, although his preference is that, but he didn't think the policy meant that type of absolute statement. He said his preference is that if we make an error, it is in favor of saving a tree, not in taking it out. Welcome at District Association at Good Hope Councilmember Howard advised he gave a welcome at a district association at Good Hope last Thursday night. FAREWELL RECEPTION The Council and staff then recessed the formal meeting and met in the conference room to bid their fareweLLs to Mr. Don Norman, KSAM-KHUN News Reporter. ADJOURNMENT , 3RAspqctfuLLY submitted, uth aw, City Secretary May 1, 1990