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MIN CC 10/16/1990MINUTES OF THE COUNCIL MEETING OF OCTOBER 16, 1990 BOOK "Q" 223 MINUTES OF THE HUNTSVILLE CITY COUNCIL MEETING HELD ON THE 16TH DAY OF OCTOBER, 1990 IN THE CITY HAL COUNCIL CHAMBERS, LOCATED AT 1212 AVENUE M IN THE CITY OF HUNTSVILLE, COUNTY OF WALKER, TEXAS AT 7:1 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 Its 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 /INQUIRY SESSION Mr. Charles Smither, Jr. Mr. Smither spoke concerning the item on the agenda entitled: "Consider waver of permit fees for buildings in the downtown renovation project as a participation incentive." He said the contractor working through the architect, based on his experience and knowledge, made his bid when he did those estimations and had the opportunity to modify those bids, and in fact, did make some modifications on that bid, based on the time lapse between the original estimations and the time of the project's commencement authorization. He ' said if the contractor had any reason to believe there would be no building permit fees, or if he did not want to pay those fees, there is a proper place on that standard AIA contract document to place responsibility for such fees. He said the copies of the signed contracts in the city files very clearly indicate that the contractor is responsible. He said waving those fees does not go to the financial benefit of the property owners, but to the out-of -town contractors. He said waving these fees would not be fair to local citizens and contractors who are subject to such fees. Mr. Smither said those original contracts contain approximately $27,000 worth of roof repairs, which, in any event, should not be subject to any kind of a waver unless the same benefit is offered to anybody who wants to undertake the same thing. FORMAL SESSION Mayor Monday then called the formal session to order at 7:30 P.M. after a ten minute break. Councilmember and Mayor Pro Tem Howard presented the invocation. CONSIDER THE MINUTES Consider the minutes of the previous meeting of October 2- 1990 Mayor Monday noted one correction has been noted by the City Secretary to add the word "not" to page 212 as the sixth last word in the last sentence of the first paragraph so that it now reads" . . . the home town people were 'not' treated right on this bid." Councilmember Barrett said he also noticed this word was missing. With this correction made. Councilmember Barrett then made the motion to approve the October 2 1990 minutes as corrected and Councilmember Gaines seconded the motion. All were in favor and the motion Passed unanimously. CONSIDER BIDS Consider bid No. 91 -2 for Police cars to Moore -Henry Motors in the amount of $51.200, as budgeted Mr. Gene Pipes, City Manager, advised two bids were received of the four bid requests mailed out, ranging in price from $51,200 to $59,000 (Holland Chevrolet Nissan] for four new 1991 full size cars with MINUTES OF THE COUNCIL MEETING OF OCTOBER 16, 1990 BOOK "C" 224 police packages. He noted the staff recommends the low bid submitted by Moore -Henry Motors in the amount of 812,800 per unit for a total of $51,200. He said this bid does meet specifications, however, the prices are subject to availability. Councilmember Barrett made the motion to approve of this bid for police cars as presented and Councilmember Gaines seconded the motion. I' Discussion: Councilmember Carter asked that in future budget years that the city think about how many fully equipped police cars it needs. He said a number of people have questioned him about whether we really need every car to be capable of hauling prisoners, for example, and how that impacts the budget. He said we should review what variations of police vehicles are really needed. He was concerned that we may be wasting some money over time by buying every car fully equipped. Mayor Monday noted this should be reviewed in the next budget session. All were in favor of the motion on the floor and it passed unanimously. CONSIDER SEWER EXTENSION RID Consider bids on Highway 75H sanitary sewer extension to Autery Construction Company in the amount of 814 - 062.51 Gene Pipes, City Manager, advised four bids were received ranging in price from 814,062.51 to 819,612.93 for the Highway 75N sanitary sewer extension [Project 89 -06- 04.21. He noted it is the recommendation of the staff to award the bid to Autery Construction in the amount of 814,062.51. Councilmember Howard made the motion to approve of the bid of Autery Construction and Councilmember Knotts seconded the motion. Councilmember Barrett abstained. All others were in favor and the motion passed with eight members voting_ CONSIDER ORDINANCES Consider Ordinance No 90 -23 establishirm a residential neighborhood conservation district for Far Hills I Section I as recommended by the Planning & Zoning Commission Mr. Gene Pipes, City Manager, advised that the Planning and Zoning Commission reviewed the application of Dr. B. Coker for a rezoning of the property known as Far Hills I Addition, Section 1 in its meeting of August 6, 1990. He said the Commission reviewed a petition requesting rezoning signed by all affected property owners, approved this request, and submitted a preliminary report to the Council on August 21, 1990. He noted as a result of the preliminary report, and as per the required notices to the public, a joint public hearing of the Council and the Commission was held on September 18, 1990, however, no comments were presented in opposition to the preliminary plan. The Council was advised, therefore, that the Planning and Zoning Commission finds the application for rezoning to be consistent with the Comprehensive Plan of the City, specifically, the objective stated in Goal One which states that "conflicts resulting from incompatible land uses should be minimized and the established characteristics and identity of the neighborhoods of the community protected" and recommends that the Official Zoning Map of the City be revised to rezone the aforementioned area from the Management District to the Neighborhood Conservation District. Mr. Pipes then presented an ordinance to effect this change, the caption of which is as follows: ORDINANCE NO. 90 -23 AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF HUNTSVILLE, TEXAS, AMENDING THE ' OFFICIAL ZONING MAP OF THE CITY OF HUNTSVILLE [rezoning of a portion of Far Hills - Addition, Section 1 from Management District to Neighborhood Conservation District, Ordinance No. 90 -231 MINUTES OF THE COUNCIL MEETING OF OCTOBER 16, 1990 BOOK 110" 225 motion. All were in favor and the motion Passed unanimously. Consider amendments to the commercial driveway standards as recommended by the Planning & Zoning Commission Mr. Gene Pipes, City Manager, advised that over the past year, the Planning and Zoning Commission has been reviewing the driveway standards for possible revision. He said the Commission determined there were several areas in which the city and the public would benefit from some modifications to the standards. He noted in the Commission's meeting of September 10, 1990, it adopted a recommended set of revisions to the standards, as presented in ordinance form tonight, involving the following three amendments: 1. Changing the method of measurement for driveway placement from street pavement to driveway and driveway to driveway to measurement from property line to driveway and driveway to driveway within each individual tract; 2. Revising the total number of driveways allowed per lot side from two to a sliding scale based on front footage; and 3. Adoption of the Texas Department of Highways and Public Transportation's recommended standards for driveways near off /on ramps on feeder roads. He noted the Commission also approved some standards which are not mandatory but available if the developer wishes to take advantage of them. It was noted a standard, with bonus provisions, is provided for encouraging adjacent tracts to share driveways, as well as alternatives for special driveways where it may be determined by the developer and the city that some limited movement driveways are most appropriate. The ordinance includes a table of sight distances to allow driveway layout and construction to be such that adequate views of vehicles traveling on adjacent streets are provided. Mr. Pipes then presented the ordinance, the caption of which is as follows: ORDINANCE NO. 90 -24 AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF HUNTSVILLE, TEXAS, AMENDING CHAPTER 30, THE DEVELOPMENT CODE, OF THE CODE OF ORDINANCE OF THE CITY OF HUNTSVILLE, TEXAS; MODIFYING DRIVEWAY STANDARDS; PROVIDING A SAVINGS AND SEVERABILITY PROVISION; AND PROVIDING FOR THE PUBLICATION AND EFFECTIVE DATE OF THIS ORDINANCE. CounciLmember Knotts made the motion to adopt Ordinance No 90 -24 and Councitmember Barrett seconded the motion. ALI were in favor and the motion passed unanimously. CITY MANAGER'S REPORT - -GENE PIPES Consider disposition of old Fire Department Pagers Mr. Gene Pipes, City Manager, advised on June 1, 1990, the Huntsville Fire Department placed an order for 42 new pagers with chargers and leather carrying cases. He advised after the order was filled, the Fire Department turned in the old equipment to the purchasing agent for disposal. During this time, the purchasing agent received two phone calls from Walker County volunteer agencies requesting the old pagers. He noted if the City were to auction them off, no other agency outside Walker County could use them without changing the frequency; changing the frequency would cost almost as much as purchasing a new one. Mr. Pipes advised if the Walker County Volunteer Fire Departments acquired the used radio equipment only, the tone would need to be changed, which is a minimum charge. He said it is his recommendation that these pagers be assigned within the county by the Huntsville Fire Department, as needed, to facilitate mutual aid assistance, and that the ownership still remain with the City of Huntsville as they will be checked out and turned in when they no longer operate. Councilmember Barrett made the motion to approve of this method of MINUTES OF THE COUNCIL MEETING'OF OCTOBER 16, 1990 BOOK "Oil 226 IF isposition of the Fire Department pagers and Councilmember Howard seconded the motion All were in favor id the motion Passed unanimously. I� onsider waver of Permit fees for buildings in the downtown renovation Project as a participation incentive Mr. Pipes reviewed a memorandum from Linda Pease, Project Coordinator, which advises that easements re signed for eight buildings on the Downtown Square which will have store front renovations by property :I wners in conjunction with architectural painting and historical murals under the Meadows Grant. She noted onstruction will begin the second week in October with substantial completion expected in mid - November. s. Pease then requested that the fees for building permits related to this construction be waived as one of he city incentives for participation in the project. Mr. Pipes said the amount of work totaling some 190,000 wouLd require permit fees somewhere in the neighborhood of $340.00 to $350.00, according to the ity fee scale. He said this is not a great deal of money but more of a gesture of support and ncouragement for the downtown area for this particular project. He said the proper permits have been oiled, subject to the Council's consideration of the permit fee waver. He said if it is not the Council's esire to do this, then the contractor will be required to purchase the permits at the regular price. Discussion: Councilmember Knotts said he would oppose this basically on principal, not on the int of money. He said the city is doing a lot already because it is giving free sidewalks, free �rground utilities, free supervision, has hired a $20,000 a year coordinator to insure things go th Ly; and while it is an awfully small amount of money, the incentive is after the fact as they already ' r the permit, so the permit reduction would have to be retroactive. He felt the city has to stop where on its incentives. He felt this would not be right unless this becomes a city -wide program; then, structure alleged to be historical restoration, should be exempt from these permit fees. Counci Lmember Barrett spoke in favor of waving these fees because the building owners are putting a lot of money and are going along with this program and will more than likely get very little rent for it buildings. He felt any incentive the city can give these people to go along with this project should encouraged and this was a very small amount to wave. Councilmember Green said he agreed with part of what Councilmember Knotts said in that it would be y worthwhile to make this a city -wide project on any historical structure if the city wants to create an entive. He said waving the fees would be a positive gesture on any historical structure that is subject renovation. Mayor Monday suggested when the survey is done, any of those that quality in the survey would alify for having the permit fee waved. CounciLmember Knotts said he would not have a problem with having em qualified. Councilmember Barrett said guidelines will be necessary or else everything in the whole wn will be historical. Councilmember Knotts said we do not have historical designations. Counc itmember rrett said we need to have some and guidelines need to be developed. Mayor Monday said the city is Lling for an historical survey to be done and when that List is in, this may be one of the incentives the ty will want to include when that List is adopted by the Council. Councilmember Green said he didn't have problem with this. Councilmember Knotts said he is thinking about an old residence that someone wants to renovate, but ich is not specifically on the historical map. Mayor Monday said this is a policy decision the Council ' Ad have to make, but going to the survey is one possible alternative. Councilmember Knotts asked that is policy be made. Mayor Monday said we will want to be able to document and have this nailed down. mcilmesber Carter said he would support the city -wide policy of waving permits on historical restoration i he would not vote to wave the fees tonight unless it is city -wide; noting he agrees with Mr. Knotts cause the buildings downtown that are being restored do not have documentation particularly saying they MINUTES OF THE COUNCIL MEETING OF OCTOBER 16, 1990 BOOK "g" 227 are historical at this point. He said Mr. Smither has raised a good question that this really isn't money that is going to the local people, therefore, he doesn't know that it is necessarily an incentive. Councilmember Carter suggested not waving these permits, because as Councilmember Knotts pointed out, it would have to be retroactive and these contractors have already bid. He said he feels it is a good idea to have a policy that says for historical restoration, the city will wave the cost of these permits city -wide. Councilmember Barrett said this is a downtown project and the City is already committed to that and the Council needs to follow - through with this tonight and then get an historicaL type of policy that would cover the whole city. Be felt that would be fine, but the Council needs to approve this tonight because this is already underway and the city is involved with it. He encouraged the Council to approve this request and Later on get guidelines for historical restoration for anything in the whole city. Councilmember Knotts asked why this was not included in the original proposal. Councilmember Barrett said he didn't know. CounciLmember Green felt there are a couple of other things that might be valid. He said he is not exactly sure how the fee process works relative to contractors; typicaLLy, if the contractor would be required to pay that, they would include that as a part of the bid, so ultimately then, the owner of the property really pays for it because it is included as a part of the bid price. He said if, in fact, the bid price is already done, assuming that the contractor was, in fact, going to have to pay that, then it is true that after the fact the money would go to the contractor and not to the person who owns the property. He asked if there is a way the city can stipulate if that is a concern that if this is passed, that the contractor's price would be reduced by the amount of the permit. Councilmember Barrett felt this could be done by subtracting it from the contract price. Councilmember Green said then there will be no question about where the funds are going; they are going right back to the Landowner and not to the contractor. Mayor Monday asked Councilmembers Barrett and Green if they will include this as an amendment to the motion on the floor. Both agreed to this amendment. Discussion: Councilmember Green said if they want to wave that fee, he would say the city will wave the fee subject to the contract price being reduced by the amount of the fee. Councilmember Knotts said he had the same question raised on the project with the Methodist Church and he is sure the Methodist Church didn't get the benefit of the reduction. COUnciLmember Carter said he Likes Councilmember Green's response on this question and he would consider voting under those conditions, but he still feels it is unfair to wave these fees just for the downtown area because we have Lots of historical restoration taking place in this town and those fees were paid in every instance. He said he would want a city -wide policy and then he will vote for it. He said we did this for the tree policy; we made the point that we wouldn't treat any neighborhood any differently than any other neighborhood. He said he agreed with Councilmember Knotts in that we are spending a lot of money downtown and we are spending it well. He said we are all committed to do that, but the city isn't just made up of downtown and if the city is going to provide this type of benefit for some, it ought to do it for most. Councilmember Barrett said the city is going to do it. Councilmember Green suggested we pass the amended motion on the floor and then Councilmember Carter can make the motion for a policy covering other historical structures. Mayor Monday then caLLed for a vote on the motion on the floor. All were in favor of this motion except Councilmember Knotts, who voted against the motion. The motion passed by a vote of eight to one. Counci Lmember Carter then made the motion that the city have a waver for permit fees for historical restoration city -wide. Mayor Monday asked what the qualifiers would be. Councilmember Carter suggested the same standard being used downtown. Mayor Monday said there is an adopted list of historical structures. ' Councilmember Carter said there is a map provided by the walker County Historical Commission. Mayor Monday asked if this would be the qualifier for historical structures. Councilmember Carter said that would suit him. Mayor Monday said we can add to it when the study is done. Councilmember Carter's motion was then restated: ". . . that the city wave permit fees for historical restoration city -wide based on the structure being on the adopted list /map of historical structures, as provided by the Walker County Historical MINUTES OF THE COUNCIL MEETING OF OCTOBER 16, 1990 228 �i Commission. Councilmember Knotts seconded that motion All were in favor and the motion passed unanimously. Consider the downtown sidewalk /paver project phases Mr. Gene Pipes, City Manager, presented a memorandum from Patricia Allen, Director of Finance, 'advising that at the December 12, 1989 council meeting, several alternate proposals were presented for sidewalk replacement in the downtown area; and again, on January 23, 1990, downtown sidewalks were considered. As a result of these discussions, her memo noted, $100,000 was encumbered for downtown Isidewalks pending formal council approval of the contracts for the work to be done; approximately 588,000 is (still encumbered. The Council was informed that the carry forward in the FY 90 -91 capital improvements budget (Fund 07 monies) are in addition to this encumbrance. Ms Allen reported that the estimated balance of Fund 07 monies remaining at the end of FY 90 -91 is 565,833, and if the Council elects not to spend these monies, the $65,833 unaLLocated reserve would be increased by $88,000. Mr. Pipes advised copies of the minutes of December 12, 1989 and January 23, 1990 indicate that approval was given for the relocation of the utility lines overhead and underground for the sidewalk construction work; primarily all of the sidewalks on the north side of the Square. He said the Council indicted their support of that overall project at that time. He said he and Ms. Allen then encumbered the amount of money estimated, and minus the cost that had been incurred to -date, there is a residual of 588,000 that could pay for the $77,552.75. estimated north side sidewalks considered last week. Mr. Pipes said the city provided Mr. Kim Williams' recommendations on the north side of the Square in support of the information provided last week. He said the Council will remember there were two segments on the church side of Sam Houston Avenue and the north side of the Square itself across from the Courthouse and down to Adams Furniture and proceeding north on Sam Houston on the east side of the street, past the Gibbs Building and the G & 0 Barber Shop down to 12th Street. He said the City covers the same distance it does on the west side. He said it is the same way on the east side of University and the west side of University. He said this will conclude the work on the north side of the Square in the estimate totaling $77,552.75. He said the money is there, the authorization is there previously, but the city's concern last week was proceeding without Council adding the areas that it is adding which had not been specifically enumerated. He said he also wished to clarify the Council's intent in doing the sidewalks in conjunction with the architectural and artistic work that will take place this fall and spring. He said the concern was that if the sidewalk work isn't done first, then there is a potential for a greater risk of damage to the murals. He said this is simply a matter of scheduling. He said again, the money is there and it is perfectly clear that if the Council decides, at a later time, to amend the Meadows Foundation grant contract that these costs incurred after receipt of the Meadows Grant are grant eligible, if this becomes the City's facilities improvement, then this $77,552.75 can be credited against the $80,000 in the budget for the Meadows Foundation matching money. He said if the Council decides, through consideration of the Arts Commission, Theatre Group, or some other group's proposal, to pursue the facilities angle in term of a performing or meeting facility downtown, than that is the way the grant is set up today. He said facilities is a broad enough area and a general enough characterization that it can include a number of things and would simply require an amendment to the Meadows Foundation grant. He said the Council did not have to make this decision yet and does not necessarily have to make the decision whether to do all of the sidewalks on the ,north side of the Square, but the staff simply needs to know which ones the Council wants to have done and in what order. He said if we are to do the ones in close proximity to the buildings, the Council must ';understand if they are not done now, there is a greater risk of damage to the murals and artwork and other (improvements after the fact. Discussion: CounciLmember Knotts asked Mr. Isbell if the City would be taking out the driveways, such as at the G & 0 Barber Shop. Mr. Isbell said they will not. Councilmember Knotts said the city did this on the driveway in front of Walker County Hardware and asked if that is going to stand up under traffic. Mr. IsbelL said it wilL because they have four inches of cement stabilized sand under it. Councilmember Knotts asked if the bricks are in the concrete and mortar in the driveway in front of Walker MINUTES OF THE COUNCIL MEETING OF OCTOBER 16, 1990 BOOK 'H7a 229 I County Hardware in order to stand the impact of traffic. Mr. Isbell said they are not, but they are in cement stabilized sand. Mr. Isbell said the concrete was torn out and four inches of cement stabilized sand was added and the bricks are on top of that. Councilmember Knotts said he would think that would be pretty unstable with traffic turning, etc. He asked if the city will be leaving the other driveways like they are at G & 0 Barber Shop. Mr. Isbell said they will be Left alone. Councilmember Barrett made the motion that the city use the money available for the sidewalks on the north side of the Square and Councilmember Bell seconded the motion. Discussion: Councilmember Knotts asked if this includes everything they talked about going down 11th Street and University Avenue. Mayor Monday said this includes all of the sidewalks the Council discussed for 877,552.75. Mr. Isbell said this includes University Avenue on both sides all the way to 10th and Sam Houston Avenue to 10th on both sides and 11th Street on the north side of the Square. Councilmember Knotts said on the grant, we added facilities improvements, etc., so he wouldn't think we would need any kind of an amendment. All were in favor of the motion on the floor and it passed unanimously. Consider the new sidewalk proiect priority list as recommended by staff Mr. Pipes presented a map showing existing sidewalks; approved sidewalks not yet built [Highway 75N both sides]; and those proposed around elementary schools. He then presented estimates to do the proposed work, based on recent bid prices on sidewalks of very short distance. He said the city expects to get better prices on this amount of work, however. He said this List does not address all of the previous areas of concern of the council, but then the money won't go that far. He said concerning the school sidewalks; ' i.e., at Martin Luther King Boulevard 1M111 BLvd.] from 91h Street to 1st Street, the staff suggests from 1st Street to the new elementary school that the students be routed around the old tat Street right -of -way to the school, because it is basically a rock road today and no one lives on it and the school has purchased ail of the property. He said this would be a safe way to travel; or that the HISD and the city, through right -of -way maintenance, keep that mowed very well along MLK Blvd. until such time as the HISD can determine where they want to put the sidewalk in the right -of -way since there is no curb and gutter from 1st Street on out. He said he is very reluctant to recommend to City Council the building of sidewalks that do not have a curb barrier or traffic separation from the pedestrians. He said certainly there is sufficient property there owned by the school district that a number of other alternatives, from 1st Street on, can be addressed by the School District and perhaps the city jointly. He said a sidewalk from 1st Street to 9th Street would address two schools, not just the new elementary school, but also Mance Park Junior High School, which has a Lot of pedestrians coming up MLK Blvd. and down by the cemetery and finally to the school grounds. He said this would collect a large quadrant of the city on two major arterial sidewalks, 9th Street and MLK Blvd. CounciLmember Bell asked Mr. Pipes if he was recommending those as the highest priority. Mr. Pipes said no, but that he is recommending the Council address all of the school areas at one time in each of these segments in turn. He said he feels they all ought to be bid at one time. Mayor Monday said the thought is that the bid will come in low enough that the city can accomplish all of the work without going into the City's reserve funds. Councilmember Knotts asked if the sidewalk would be on both sides of MLK Blvd. Mr. Pipes said only on the far west side aLL the way from 9th Street to 1st Street. Councilmember Knotts said the retaining wall is an expensive item and asked if we would have the same thing on the east side of the street. Mr. Pipes said it would be on the east side up in the area of the cemetery. Mr. Isbell said there are places on the east side where there is not enough right -of -way to ' buiLd a sidewalk. Mr. Pipes said the cemetery is right up against the fence. Mr. Isbell said when we get to the property that adjoins Emancipation Park, the fence is about two feet back of the curb. He said then we would have to cross back over MLK Blvd. or someplace to get to the school. Mayor Monday said we may also want to pick up the Housing Authority while we are there. MINUTES OF THE COUNCIL MEETING OF OCTOBER 16, 1990 BOOK wg" 230 r. Mr. Pipes said on the south end, for instance, one of the earliest school requests on the west side was the one block from Gibbs Elementary School to Normal Park and the Little Red Schoolhouse. He said this '! is on the south side of that street and that is the recommendation. He said there are a few trees there. Councilmember Carter said he would like to see curbed sidewalks, but he knows the city is not going in that direction, so he would not comment. Mr. Johnny Poteete, Director of Public Works, advised there are some trees that will be affected on MLK Blvd. Councilmember Carter expressed concern for Mr. McGlothen's trees. Mr. Poteete said those would not necessarily be affected, but those between 7th and 8th Streets will be affected. Mr. Pipes said there are cedar trees in that area. Councilmember Carter said he hates to see any trees go, but when we talk about the safety of children, we didn't have much choice; however, if there is any possibility of minimizing the impact, he knows the city will do that. Mr. Pipes said on the south end at Stewart Elementary School, starting where the sidewalk ends on Boettcher Drive and canes up Old Houston Road, the project is going to affect a sweet gum tree there that is very large. Councilmember Hell suggested putting cement around cedar trees because their root systems go straight down and this would have very little impact on the sidewalk over the next two decades. Mr. Poteete said those trees are in the bank and this is one of the areas where the city will have to install retaining walls, so it will need to take at least three feet of dirt out beside the trees . . . Councilmember Carter suggested building some sort of in -place container for those trees. Mr. Pipes said the city will consult the arborist and do everything it can . . . Mr. Isbell said the city is planning to put the sidewalk immediately in back of the curb to the Least distance it has to go back in order to build the retaining wall to the sidewalk. He said they will consult the arborist as to what they are going to do and it will be his recommendation as to whether the city can save those trees or not. Councilmember Knotts said on 19th Street, he didn't know whether the city had discussed and decided put the sidewalk on the south side, but he guesses they did. He said at those two driveways there, ' omobiles are often parked with their backends against the street. He said he didn't know how kids are ng to go around automobiles without going out into the street to get back on the sidewalk. Mr. Pipes d the Council has not discussed the south or north sides; the staff is recommending the south side, but y will be more than happy to switch it at the Council's pleasure. Councilmember Knotts said it is going be a problem with cars parked in both driveways. Mayor Monday said we have the park on the north side it would seem logical to have a sidewalk along side the park. Councilmember Knotts said the only action on the north side may be from Mr. Clyde Lavelle. Councilmember Bell noted there is a crossing rd at the intersection by the school but there is not a crossing guard at Normal Park and 19th Street re they would have to cross if the sidewalk is built on the north side to get to the Little Red oolhouse. Councilmember Knotts said the children have to cross two streets to get to the elementary ool. Councilmember Bell noted but there is a crossing guard there. Councilmember Knotts said one has to ss Avenue S and 19th Street to get to the school; this way one has to cross Normal Park and that is all. or Monday said one is still going to have to go to the south side without a guard and if we are on the th side, we'll have a guard at Gibbs, but we won't have one at Normal Park, so we are just trading off. ncilmember Knotts felt it would greatly enhance the park to have a sidewalk going down the south side of t park. Mayor Monday said she also prefers the sidewalk to be on the north side of 19th Street. Councilmember Bell asked what the rate of traffic is at the intersection of Normal Park and 19th treat as this always struck him as being one of our most highly used intersections. Mr. Pipes said the ount is available but he didn't have the number now. Councilmember Green noted there are two crossings to ake there. Councilmember Knotts said one crosses the same 19th Street traffic at the other intersection. ouncilmember Bell noted but we wouldn't have the Normal Park traffic. Mayor Monday felt the Little Red choolhouse had crossing guard help across Normal Park, but perhaps not 19th Street. Mr. Isbell said at the - ittle Red Schoolhouse, one has to cross Normal Park whether we put the sidewalk on the north or south side. ouncilmember Gaines asked if we are talking about the same amount of money involved. Mr. Pipes said it on't make any difference. Councilmember Knotts recommended that the sidewalk go on the north side of 19th treet because of the driveways and because the city would be putting sidewalks on that parking area. There eemed to be a concurrence that the sidewalk should go on the north side. Mayor Monday then asked for a MINUTES OF THE COUNCIL MEETING OF OCTOBER 16, 1990 BOOK "D" 231 motion to approve of the priority list with the amenciment that the sidewalk on 19th Street be along the north side of the street. Councilmember Howard made the motion to approve of the Priority sidewalk list as presented, with the stipulation that the 19th Street sidewalk be built on the north side of 19th Street and Councilmember Knotts seconded the motion. ALL were in favor and the motion passed unanimously. Mayor Monday suggested that someone share this information with the school district; someone may want to do a presentation at their next school board meeting. Mr. Pipes said he will see about getting on their agenda. Executive Session Mr. Pipes noted since the supplemental agenda item for an Executive Session to discuss real estate acquisition matters concerning Boettchers Mill and 10th Street property was not properly posted prior to this meeting, the Executive Session will not be held this evening in strict adherence to the Texas Open Meetings Law. He said this Executive Session will be held next week. MAYOR'S ACTIVITY REPORT- -JANE MONDAY Consider a resolution of endorsement for business retention and expansion program Mayor Monday then introduced Ms. Diane Lowe, President, Huntsville - Walker County Economic Development Corporation. Ms. Lowe noted this new program is currently underway in Walker County. She said this has been designated as a top priority item for the Economic Development Corporation. She said they have a joint task force with the EDC and members of the Chamber several months ago where priorities were ' made as Huntsville and Walker County enters the 1990s. She said the one item that kept coming to the surface was the need for a business retention and expansion program. She said this program has officiaLLy been initiated this week and the Mayor was in attendance at the press conference held yesterday, as presented in the Huntsville Item. She said it is cosponsored by Southwestern Bell Telephone Company, who has a program which is the model program adopted by the Texas Department of Commerce for the state of Texas for use throughout the state in their service territory as well as other territories. She said they are also in cooperation with the Chamber of Comm erce. She said this is also an active part of the Gulf States Utilities Team Cities Program, in which the City is involved. Ms. Lowe said the survey will be conducted through mail surveys as well as through one -on -one interviews with key businesses, industries, and major employers in Walker County. She presented a sample resolution with a fact sheet that outlined the background and objectives of this program as well as a copy of the four page survey that wiLL be used. She extended her appreciation to Councilmember Bill Green who has given a considerable amount of time in assisting with the development of the survey. Ms. Lowe also thanked Ruth DeShaw who attended their training session conducted for interviewers; noting she will be making some of the one-on -one interviews. She also thanked Mayor Monday for the time she has spent with them in their training session, noting she will also be a part of the team effort in conducting some of the interviews with the major employers. Ms. Lowe directed the Council's attention to the background information as to the length of the survey. She noted it will be done between October 15 and November 15; with the report summary of the results planned to be published in January to start the new year. She said the surveys are confidential and this is to be stressed with those to be interviewed. She said one of the main objectives to be accomplished is to develop a profile of what business we have in Walker County and to rate the locaL business climate to find out about the available business services. She said we will be rating such things as public services, ' utilities, labor market, etc. She said we will try to identify any needed assistance programs that are available to our local businesses but perhaps they are not aware of what is available to them either on a Local or state level. She said this program will also try to identify materials, products and services that are required by local businesses. She said this will assist them in their permitting program for the EDC and Chamber as well as developing recommendations for any improvements which are needed in the local business climate and provide them with much needed information as far as the EDC program is concerned. She MINUTES OF THE COUNCIL MEETING OF OCTOBER 16, 1990 BOOK "g" 232 i� noted this program will also open a much needed channel of communication between the local business community, the EDC and the Chamber of Commerce as well as with the public officials. She thanked the Council for their consideration of this resolution. The caption of this resolution is as follows: RESOLUTION NO. 90 -13 A RESOLUTION INDICATING A COMMITMENT BY THE CITY OF HUNTSVILLE TO DEVELOP IN CONJUNCTION WITH THE ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION, THE CHAMBER OF COMMERCE AND OTHER BUSINESS GROUPS, A WALKER COUNTY BUSINESS RETENTION AND EXPANSION PROGRAM Mayor Monday noted this resolution was adopted by the Walker County Commissioner's Court yesterday. Councilmember Barrett made the motion to adopt this resolution. and Councilmember Green seconded the motion. All were in favor and the motion passed unanimously. Councilmember Bell asked if the Council will be made aware of the results of this survey. Ms. Lowe said they will receive the summary report in January; perhaps preliminary results can be shared earlier than that with Councilmember Green's assistance. Recycling Program Mayor Monday said some time on the agenda, there will be something in which she is very, very interested. She noted last week she attended a recycling meeting in Conroe along with several members of the staff. She said she was very impressed with the information she gained there. She then called for a recycling initiative by the City Council. She said she would like to call for a full study that would result in a three year plan of implementation. She suggested that next week the following things be done: 1. Review and study the success of the City's recycling initiatives that were requested by the Council in January, and put into effect in April, to see where its successes and progress may be in those areas. 2. City staff to present to Council a brief summary of the information from the Conroe meeting. 3. Authorize a study that will incorporate the following options: a. Implementation of a program to consider private options b. Budget cycles as to how this implementation might be done; C. Consider market demand and how that would affect what the city will do; d. Residential recycling; and e. Commercial recycling Mayor Monday said one of the most interesting things at the meeting was the idea of having the commercial establishments involved in recycling. She said one of the ideas she would like to look at is to have the City pilot the first commercial program itself. She said once that is in -place at City Hall, we can share that information and how we handle that with the rest of the community and businesses throughout the comet unity. she said she also wants the staff to look at household hazardous wastes and how we will handle that. She called for a full -scale initiative to be implemented in its first stages next week through information from the city and once we have gleaned this information, then authorize the staff to do a full - fledged study next week to bring back to the Council when they are ready so that the Council can consider , the specifications. Councilmember Bell suggested that the Council has spent, over the last four years, quite a bit of time in the solid waste committee looking at some of the recycling alternatives which would include incineration. He asked that in next week's presentation, this information be summarized as far as the MINUTES OF THE COUNCIL MEETING OF OCTOBER 16, 1990 BOOK "Q" 233 state -of- the -art and why the city made some of the decisions it did about incineration vs. composting, etc. Mayor Monday noted this information can be updated as to where we are today. Councitmember Knotts asked if she means the study wouLd be done in -house with no outside consultant. Mayor Monday said that is correct. Mayor Monday said the city's staff, Johnny Poteete, Director of Public works and Cindy Kellgren, Sanitation Superintendent, are well up -to -date on this. She said she has spoken to both of them and they concur and are ready to go. She said with the Council's consensus, she will call for this initiative and this process will begin next week. Councilmember Carter said he doesn't equate recycling with incineration as recycling is the reuse of materiaL not just reduction of it . . . Mayor Monday noted Councitmember Bell just wants to review disposal methods. Councitmember BeIL pointed out, as a philosophical point, that, on a recent PBS program, incineration was considered recycling because it does burn waste and creates energy and thus recycles one product into another product. Councilmember Carter noted he is not ecologically ruling it out or philosophically ruling it out; he is just saying that in all of the information he has seen, it is probably the least attractive alternative. He said he is not saying the city should not consider it at some point under some certain conditions, but he does not rank it very highly as one of the alternatives. Councitmember Knotts said there is a lot of incineration going on in cities around Huntsville. He said Houston is pretty competent in some of their districts and areas about how they handle it; Bryan and College Station seem to be handling theirs pretty well. He said we might get a lot of information from cities around us. Mayor Monday said Cindy has already been in contact with same of them. Mayor Monday felt Huntsville has already made a lot of progress and complimented Mr. Poteete and Ms. itKeLlgren for the progress we have made. She said we need to look at this progress and take a definite leadership role in continuing this. She said with the Council's consensus then, the city will initiate this next week. COUNCIL ACTION Purchase Portable Illumination System Councitmember Bell said he was in attendance at a major accident along I -45 recently and commended the emergency services from Huntsville for their quick response to what seemed to be a very effective handling of the situation. He said there was a very striking lack of illumination. He noted this accident occurred at 8:00 P.M. and it struck him as being really quite intolerable for them to be moving passer -bys and pick -up trucks into place to throw illumination on the cars as they tried to cut the victims out of their vehicles. He said in the emergency work in which he was involved in California, they always had portable iLlumination units available to them on rescue trucks, forest service trucks and the sheriff's cars. He said he was surprised to learn from the Chief that we only have one such unit and it is carried on the fire truck. He recomaended that it is perhaps appropriate to put on the agenda for next week that the city immediately move to purchase some kind of portable, high powered illumination unit for the city's rescue truck. He said he really doesn't want to see flashlights and pick-up truck headlights as the only source of illumination when someone is bleeding to death in their vehicle. Mayor Monday asked the City Manager to put this item on the agenda. Mr. Pipes said he will do so. Possum Walk Road Speed Limit Questioned Councilmember Bell noted the state just repaved Possum Walk Road and did a marvelous job, and now what was a very narrow and somewhat treacherous route has become a rather safe and very attractive route in the south part of town. Much to his "incredulity," he said, the speed Limit went from 45 mph to 30 mph. He said he is not quite sure why that happened. He said for those of them who are used to driving along that road at 45 mph, 30 mph is very slow. Mr. Poteete, Director of Public Works, said the SDHPT would have done that study. Mr. Pipes said the SDHPT is in control of those speed limits on FM1374 (Possum Walk). Mr. Pipes said the speed limit was reduced during construction. He said he would check on this with the SDHPT. MINUTES OF THE COUNCIL MEETING OF OCTOBER 16, 1990 BOOK "0" 234 Councilmember Bell also noted that as one leaves the 30 mph zone and comes to the end of the new construction, the speed limit goes immediately to 55 mph along Possum Walk, which strikes him as being a bit unsafe, given how narrow Possum Walk is out to the City limit sign. He said he would advocate bringing that speed limit down as 55 may be a little high. City Picnic Enjoyed Councilmember Barrett commended the City staff who were involved in preparing the city picnic, noting they did a great job. He said he and Mr. Pipes did not do well in the egg throw but they are going to do better next time. Mayor Monday said she and Dr. Bell did pretty well until she dropped it, but next year they too are going to do better. Status_ of Avenue S and 1 -45 Frontage Road Signaiization Councilmember Knotts asked if Mr. Pipes has heard from the SDHPT concerning the signaLization of the 1 -45 Feeder Road at Avenue S. Mr. Pipes said it is on their List and they will get to it. He said it is not as high a priority as a number of other projects on which they are currently working, but it is on their List and they will get to it just as quickly as they can. 1 -45 and Highway 30 Overpass Sidewalk Request Should be Made Now Councilmember Knotts said if one notices the increase in traffic in the center lane on the Highway 30 overpass, it may not be too many years before the SDHPT will do something to make this a four Lane , overpass. He said the city may want to get a Letter on record that it wants the sidewalk there if they do widen that overpass. He said this needs to be done two or three years ahead of time just to let the district engineer know the city would like to have a walkway built across the interstate highway. Mayor Monday noted this is a good idea and suggested this be brought to the Walker County Metropolitan I Transportation Committee meetin District VIII Library Meetin Councilmember Gaines said she attended the District VIII Library Meeting Saturday along with Linda Pease and a group from Huntsville. She reported that of the hundreds of people that were there and on the ballot, Huntsville was able to get four regular members that wiLl be going to Austin (Oscar and Bonnie Thorne, Veronica Covington and Ralph Pease) in January and they also have three alternates (Linda Pease, Allena Pace and herseLf). City Picnic Councilmember Howard thanked the city for the very good "grub" at the picnic, a word which Mr. Pipes said he had never heard before. ADJOURNMENT pectfu y submi t Ruth DeShau, City Secretary ' October 16, 1990