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MIN CC 10/23/1990MINUTES OF THE COUNCIL MEETING Of OCTOBER 23, 1990 BOOK "0" 235 MINUTES OF THE HUNTSVILLE CITY COUNCIL MEETING HELD ON THE 23RD DAY OF 1990 IN THE CITY HALL COUNCIL CHAMBERS, LOCATED AT 1212 AVENUE M IN THE CITY OF HUNTSVILLE, COUNTY OF WALKER, TEXAS AT 6:00 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 CONVENE AND RECESS TO EXECUTIVE SESSION Mayor Monday called the formal session to order at 6:00 P.M. and then called for a recess to an executive session to consider real estate acquisition matters, as follows: a. 10th Street Lot sewer line easement; b. FM 1374 Pinehill Road sanitary sewer project; C. Boettcher Mill Drive, Avenue B historical site; d. Missouri- Pacific railroad property; e. Park property near 7th Street from the Thomason family and to discuss a pending Lawsuit: Williams et, al. vs. Walker et. at. At 7 :00 P.M. the Mayor reconvened the regular meeting with the understanding that the Executive Session would continue after the formal meeting concluded. RECONVENE FORMAL SESSION Mayor Monday reconvened the formal meeting. Councilmember and Mayor pro tem Howard presented the invocation. CONSIDER THE MINUTES OF THE PREVIOUS MEETING Councilmember Barrett made the motion to approve of the minutes of the Previous meetinw of October 16 1990 and Councilmember Gaines seconded the motion. All were in favor and the motion passed unanimously. CONSIDER ORDINANCE Consider Ordinance No. 90 -25 calling an election for city officers' positions: Mayor and Ward Councilmembers. for January 19, 1991. Mayor Monday presented this ordinance, the caption of which is as follows: ORDINANCE N0. 90.25 AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF HUNTSVILLE, TEXAS, ORDERING A MUNICIPAL ELECTION TO BE HELD ON THE 19TH DAY OF JANUARY, 1991, FOR THE PURPOSE OF ELECTING A MAYOR AT-LARGE, AND FOUR COUNCILMEMBERS, ONE FROM EACH OF THE CITY'S FOUR WARDS ONE, TWO, THREE AND FOUR; PROVIDING FOR ELECTION DESIGNATING THE PLACES AND MANNER OF HOLDING SAID ELECTION; AND PROVIDING FOR THE POSTING AND PUBLICATION OF NOTICE. Mayor Monday noted there have been several Alternate Judge changes and a Presiding Judge change from the ordinance presented in the packet, as follows: the following alternate judges: Bill Abbott [Pct. 3011; SherreLl Goodrow [Pct. 4011, and Barry Hawes [Pct. 3022 have been corrected changed to read as follows: Artresa Culpepper [Pct. 3011, Sherrell Overton [Pct. 4011, and Sharon Reynolds [Pct. 3021. In addition, the Presiding Judge for absentee voting was changed from Adele Simpson to Suter E. Ryan. The City Attorney noted there is a date error in the caption of the ordinance and it should read the 19th day instead of the 21st day of January, 1991. Councilmember Barrett made the motion to approve of this ordinance, as corrected. MINUTES OF THE COUNCIL MEETING OF OCTOBER 23, 1990 BOOK "O" 236 and Councilmember Gaines seconded the motion ALL were in favor of approving the ordinance except Councilmembers Carter and Bell. who voted against the ordinance. [Councilmember Carter noted this represents his annual protest against January elections and Councilmember Bell noted he is joining him in this "no" vote for the same reason.] The motion passed by a vote of six to two with one member absent [Hammock]. Consider an agreement for musical programs with the HuntsvjtLe Community Choral Society and Fine Arts Association for four performances in the amount of $6,000, as recommended by the Arts Commission Mr. Pipes presented these musical programs: Messiah Concert with Symphony Orchestra; City Birthday Party Concert; Gazebo Band Concert; and Fourth of July Bard Concert, for a total of $6,000 from the City, Arts Commission and the Texas Commission on the Arts, with payments made between October 17, 1990 and April 1, 1991. Councilmember Gaines made the motion to approve of this contract as outlined above and Councilmember Barrett seconded the nation. All were in favor and the motion passed unanimously. CONSIDER CONTRACT FOR JOINT ELECTION Consider a contract for ioint conduct /funding of the January election in conjunction with the Walker County Hospital District Mayor Monday presented this joint agreement outlining the contract provisions for the WaLker County Hospital District and the City of Huntsville for the January 19, 1991 joint elections. Councilmember Green made the motion to approve of this contract as presented and Councilmember Howard seconded the motion. Councilmember Carter voted against the contract because it relates to having January elections. ALL others were in favor of the motion and it passed by a vote of 7 to 1. CONSIDER GRANT APPLICATION Consider a request from the Huntsville Independent School District to use the Friends of the Library as a presentor organization to pursue a grant application from the Texas Commission on the Arts. The Council was presented a request from Clayton Waits, Assistant Superintendent for Special Programs, advising that HISD has contacted the Alley Theatre Sharp Young Company to schedule a one -time performance of the "Twelfth Night" at Huntsville High School on February 21, 1991. Mr. Waits noted the cost for this event is $600 plus $100 for travel. In negotiating with the Alley Theatre, he said, he was informed that HISD could get matching funds for this program through the Texas Commission on the Arts; however, in order to receive matching funds, an application must be submitted through an approved Texas Commission of the Arts Presentor Organization. He noted the Friends of the Huntsville City Library is the only approved organization in this area. Mr. Waits said HISD will be applying for this status for next year. He noted in visiting with Ms. Linda Pease of the city staff about applying for matching funds for this performance through the Friends of the Library, Ms. Pease encouraged him to forward the application to the City Council for approval. Mr. Pipes noted there is an implication in this draft application that it is a joint application between the Friends of the Library and the HISD which may be read to imply joint funding, but this is not the case at all. He said the City is simply the vehicle for the accomplishment of this grant application with HISD bearing all of the attendant costs. Councilmember Howard made the motion to approve of this grant application procedure and Councilmember Gaines seconded the motion. All were in favor and the motion passed unanimously. CITY MANAGER'S REPORT--GENE PIPES .Consider authorization for action on any of the real estate acquisition matters considered in executive session. Mr. Pipes advised the Council has considered a number of real estate matters that were discussed and are subject to the Council's official action at this time. Lot on 10th Street with sewer line across it. Mr. Pipes then presented information concerning a lot on 10th Street with a sewer line across it which the city has considered a number of times. He said ownership has been estabLished and it is the staff's recommendation that the Council consider acquiring the lot for the purpose of the sewer Line crossing that is already in -plate in the amount of $15,000. CounciLmember Howard made the nation to approve _l MINUTES OF THE COUNCIL MEETING OF OCTOBER 23, 1990 BOOK "0" 237 of this acquisition and Councitmember Carter seconded the motion. All were in favor and the motion passed unanimously. List of easements in the FM 1374 Pinehill Road sanitary sewer project Mr. Pipes said the Council also discussed a list of easements in the FM 1374 Pinehill Road sanitary sewer project, which is a housing and urban development project sponsored grant to provide sewer service to areas that had not previously been served. He said this is the first of three areas to be processed. He said the Council has been provided with a list of properties and values which have been certified by an appraiser and a review appraiser for determination of the market values. He said these amounts are offered for the Council's consideration. He said the Council's concurrence is requested to follow the procedures of HUD and to authorize the staff, by establishing these amounts of just compensation, to acquire the 1. easements. He said a question was raised about a possible alternate route, however, Mr. Isbell, City Engineer, has reviewed the alternate route that had been proposed earlier and has determined that the serving of the Everett Wilson property would be most difficult if the line didn't reach the center of that property. He noted the line distance on either side would be the same length, there would be no cost difference, but it is only a question of whether we locate the line significantly on one owner's property or the other, because there is no change in the value. He said if the Council would like for the staff to pursue that matter, then the appraiser's and review appraiser's determination of market value likely will not change; the just compensation amounts would also most likely not change; but the staff will have to go back and change this if the Council moves this from one owner to another. He said he wanted the Council to know that the alternate route was given consideration. Councitmember Green made the motion to approve the route selected for this sewer line to accept the appraiser's and review appraiser's determination of market value to approve of establishing these amounts as iust compensation for the easement, and to direct the staff to acquire the easements- and Councilmember Gaines seconded the motion. Discussion: Councitmember Knotts said he would like for the city to try to work something out for Mr. Charles Smither on this matter and to make it amicable to all parties out there. Councitmember Green asked Mr. Isbell what he meant when he noted serving what used to be the Everett Wilson property relative to the alternative proposal and why the staff's engineering proposal is superior to the alternate route suggested by Mr. Smither. Mr. Isbell noted the Wilson property has a25 foot private street [alley] which exists for about six lots, three on each side. He said if we ever have any hopes of bringing that subdivision up to some standard, then we are going to have to individually tie those lots to city sewer. He said the route the staff is currently proposing would meet that alley about in the center so that it could be extended up that alley. Councitmember Green asked if that is what the city would use to tie on the lines. Mr. Isbell said the place where the city is coming through the Charles Smither property would be almost in the center of that alley, so it could be continued up the alley and those lots tied on at some future date. Councilmember Green asked if he uses Mr. Smither's alternative, would it be possible to tie the three houses on the west side of the tract onto this line. Mr. Isbell said not without either running along Mr. Smither's south line or running along the Line on the back of those properties. Councitmember Green noted then if we go the alternate route, then we'll have to, at some point in time, acquire additional easements so we won't solve the problem. Mr. Isbell said at some point in time, even with the situation we have now, the line will need to be extended up the allow to pick up all six of those lots. He said all the city is doing now with the HUD project is making it available so that it can be extended at some future time. Councitmember Green noted this is the alley [street] that runs in front of the houses. Mr. Isbell said it is a private street in front of the houses. Upon a vote on the motion, all were in favor of the motion on the floor and it passed unanimously._ ' Boettcher's Mill Store and property at Avenue B and Boettcher Mill Drive Mr. Pipes said the city has also been notified by the Boettcher estate, principally Clint Boettcher, his sister and brother, to indicate their concurrence in presenting to the Huntsville Natural and Cultural Resources, Inc. [which is the receiving entity for the city for the purpose of making future grant applications] the Boettcher Mill's store and property at the corner of Avenue B and Boettcher Mill Drive. In addition, he said, access will be provided to several houses and lots interior of this block by MINUTES OF THE COUNCIL MEETING OF OCTOBER 23, 1990 BOOK "0" 238 rtue of a route or street to come around and access a cul -de -sac in the middle. At the present time, he id, those individuals access their property behind the middle store and enter through a very narrow ssage between structures on either side. He said the city is going to endeavor to complete his project what could be referred to as the extension of 16th Street although it doesn't Line up exactly. He said e city wilt give those people access, not only private access for themselves, but public access for rbage and emergency vehicles, in a standard form much tike the other paving projects throughout ettcher's Mill which were completed several years ago. He said this tract will be received with the storical building in -place by the Huntsville Cultural and Natural Resources, Inc. for the purpose of storation at a future time in compliance with plans that would be developed later. Councilmember Green ked if the City Manager is asking the Council to accept the easement where this street is to go, or the tire piece of property where the houses are located. Mr. Pipes said the location of the street, ecificatLy, is what is requested at this time; the city wilt need authorization to accept that ght -of -way. Councilmember Green made the motion to accept the right-of-way necessary for the construction Mayor Monday then announced the gift to the Natural and Cultural Resources, Inc. of the historic cher's MiLL building and the surrounding area to be later used for matching and for restoration. She she is extremely pleased that the City of Huntsville along with this Corporation is going to have this tunity. She said this will be discussed more Later in the agenda. ParK land 91tt Ot 55.4 acres trom estate of Marguerite Eastham Thomason Mr. Pipes advised one additional real estate matter is a gift deed from the estate of Marguerite Eastham Thomason for 33.45 acres on 7th Street and adjacent properties there just north of City Hall and Town Creek. He said the property being given is being matched in value by the Texas Department of Parks and wildlife in a grant to develop a park in this area. He said the City will agree to rock two streets on the R. A. Eastham Subdivision, to access Reserve B on the west side, to place gates on the ends of those two streets, to provide appraisal, and to pay the legal expenses of the family's attorney represented in this natter in the amount of $650.00. Councilmember Green made the motion to accept this gift deed as presented and Councilmember Howard seconded the motion. ALL were in favor and the motion passed unanimously. Consider bids on project No. 87 -11 -02 Texas Community Development Program Grant No. 708201 to Auter Construction in the amount of $207.336 to be paid from grant funds. Mr. Pipes advised five bids were received ranging in amount from $312,844.88 to $207,336.14. He said these are HUD funds that will begin the construction work the Council approved recently concerning FM 1374 /PineHill Road sanitary sewer project, the work on the Ryan's Ferry Road and the work on FM 247 in front of the Diagnostic Unit of TDCJ. Councilmember Knotts made the motion to approve of this bid as Discussion: Councitmember Carter asked about the people who live across from the Diagnostic Unit rning questions they have had on easements. He said he has assured them that the City will work with fairly. Mr. Pipes said these are the first easements that were approved tonight and there will be two sets: one set on Ryan's Ferry Road and one set on FM 247. He said the appraiser's are extremely ad this day and time and have a difficult time meeting their time deadlines. Mr. Dale Brown said er set of easements will be brought in tomorrow. Mr. Pipes said it is a time - consuming process when is an appraiser and then a review appraiser, but the staff wiLL contact these residents to negotiate them just as carefully as possible, under the HUD regulations prescribed, and wiLL take extreme care they understand and are allowed opportunities to express concerns and considerations. He said he is of the sensitivity. As soon as those appraisals are in, he said, the staff wiLL be back in contact them. Councilmember Carter said they are concerned that they are not even being contacted. Mr. Pipes it has been at least six weeks but that is the length of time that the city has been waiting for the isats. Councilmember Carter said if the appraisals do not come in soon, he would suggest the staff MINUTES OF THE COUNCIL MEETING OF OCTOBER 23, 1990 BOOK "U" 239 give those people a call to let them know they haven't been forgotten and that the easements are still to be done. Mr. Brown said the appraiser is required to send a letter to each property owner telling them what day he will be on their property to review it and that if they wish to talk to him or walk it with him, that he will make a specific time to be there for them so they could be with him. Councilmember Carter said this is just public relations; they need to know what is going on. All were in favor of the motion on the floor and it passed unanimously. Consider authorization of an historical architect's agreement with Kim Williams & Co.. AIA, in the amount of 82,790 Mr. Pipes presented a memorandum from Ms. Linda Pease, Project Coordinator, along with a report requested by the City Attorney on the Old Commissary Store at the Boettcher's Mill site. She noted it is expected that the cost for travel time could be saved if this proposal for Step I is adopted in an add -on to the City's basic contract with Mr. Williams. Mr. Pipes presented the historical architect's agreement in the amount of $2,790 for preliminary and initial work on the plan for the old Commissary Store at the Boettcher's Milt site. Mr. Pipes said since Mr. Williams is currently the city's historical architect working on the downtown area and is already periodically in Huntsville, this work can be done in a very expeditious and inexpensive manner. Councitmember Carter made the motion to approve of this agreement in the amount of $2,790 and Councilmember Gaines seconded the motion All were in favor and the motion passed unanimously. Citizen to speak in support of Boettcher's Mill as a cultural center-- Margarito Martinez Mayor Monday then introduced a special guest to speak concerning the Boettcher's Mill building. She noted as background that the city did receive information about 18 months ago that this building was in danger of being torn down; it had actually been publicized in the newspaper for someone to demolish it. She said when this information came forward, she immediately went to work and has been working ever since to try to secure the building. She said with the cooperation of the Boettcher family, the city has now been able to secure the building for Huntsville and for the generations yet to come. She said people from Austin have looked at it and know that it will qualify for a Texas historical marker and they think it has potential for a national marker. She said the city also wishes to do research to see if there is any other facility like it in all of East Texas. She said the staff is excited about this. She said there is a citizens group here tonight to speak about this. She then presented the President of the League of United Latin American Citizens [LULACI, Mr. Margarito Martinez. Mr. Margarito Martinez introduced Mr. Billy Juarez, LULAC's top salesman who is a life long resident of Huntsville, Mr. Andrew Martinez, Vice President of LULAC, and Mr. Clemente Rodriguez [responsible for LULAC's involvement in the Folk Life Festival this spring] and his wife Vicky. Mr. Martinez spoke briefly about LULAC, noting it is a national organization that has been in existence since May of 1929; it is a very traditional type of community organization involved in building up the hispanic communities in the different cities in the country. He said it has evolved into some traditional political activities and some real non - traditional political activities in the country. He said at the national level, LULAC is going through some turmoil. He said he wished to clarify that the Huntsville organization of LULAC, is autonomous and is concerned about the hispanic and other ethnic groups and the general residents of Huntsville and Walker County as they are their number one concern. He said their goals primarily concentrate on promoting education among the hispanic youth. He said they have had several fund raising activities in the city, all with the ultimate goal of using those proceeds for scholarships and other educational activities. He said they have a tremendous investment in this community. He said LULAC in Huntsville was a year old on October 19, 1990 and since then, it has been involved in the Run of Champions, the Christmas parade, and the Folk Life Festival. Mr. Martinez said one of the things they would like to see in Huntsville and Walker County is the recognition of the contributions that hispanics have made to this community and to this county. He said he feels confident that with the city's acquisition of the commissary [which was primarily a place for hispanics to buy, to visit, to congregate and to maintain aspects that were very important to their culture MINUTES OF THE COUNCIL MEETING OF OCTOBER 23, 1990 BOOK "0" 240 and their language] and in talking with Mayor Monday for over a year now about some of the goals the Mayor 1� and City Council see for the city for the future of Boettcher's Mill, that this can happen. He said he feels grateful that they have had some input into this project. He said he would like to see it developed further. He felt it would qualify very nicely as a National historical site in addition to a Texas historical site. He said he feels it will be very important to develop it, in the early stages, as a museum to the timber industry, which has been very important to this area; keeping in mind the greatest number of people involved in the timber industry in this area have been hispanics from Texas, Mexico, Nicaragua, etc. !. He said they are excited about the possibilities for the development of this center. He said he calls it a center because they, and other members of LULAC, and he knows from speaking with the Mayor and several other members of the Council, that it is envisioned as a cultural center, not restricted to hispanics, but an areaI� where hispanic culture can be promoted and expanded. He said the Mayor and a couple of other people were at the first anrwaL banquet that LULAC had in the city where they had Spanish music, dancers, and showcased their culture and their language. He said he would love to see that become more common, more accepted in Huntsville and walker County. He said it is something that really could be promoted through the Chamber of Commerce and is something that would add to the attraction of the tourism industry. He said in parting, LULAC wants to be a vital, dynamic part of Huntsville and Walker County. He thanked at[ those who had any part in acquiring the Boettcher Mill Commissary, because as community members, they sometimes feel they have no input into what the city does and that they have no inf Luence as to what happens in the city. He said sometimes the Council surprises them and comes up with some really beautiful things that are beneficial to the whole community. More often than that, he said, he thinks this feeling comes because people themselves j do not attend the meetings and are not learning what is going on in this governmental agency. He thanked the Council and said LULAC, as an organization, has already set up a committee and they will work very closely with Linda Pease, the Historical Commission, and all entities involved and will do a lot of the work, go after grants, do whatever they have to do to make sure that this becomes a showcase in Huntsville and something for which the whole community can be proud. Mayor Monday said Mr. Boettcher is also very excited about this and is researching pictures, etc. she said he did leave her with some of the original script that was used in the commissary. She thanked Mr. Martinez for volunteering to work with Linda Pease on the streetscape plan and noted in his role with the Texas Rehabilitation Commission, he is in a perfect position to do that and that he has pledged his entire staff's support to this project. Mayor Monday said the city will be drawing on him quite heavily for a number of projects. She said she feels we are beginning a very exciting phase for the city. Consider bids for a 1991 heavy 1/2 ton pickup truck to Moore Henry Motors for 811.330 to be paid from budgeted funds Mr. Gene Pipes, City Manager, advised three bids were received of the five mailed out, ranging from $11,330 to 512,581.45. He presented the staff's recommendation to award the bid to Moore Henry Motors for 811,300. Councilmember Howard made the motion to award the bid to Moore Henry Motors as noted above and Councilmember Barrett seconded the motion All were in favor and the motion passed unanimousty. Sales Tax Report Mr. Pipes then presented the sale tax report which indicates a 13.33 percent increase this reporting month over the prior year's reporting month, for a net total difference of 5.81 percent increase year -to -date. Councilmember Carter noted while this looks good, we should be careful because the national figures do not look good at all; however, he is happy for the city. Mr. Pipes said Huntsville may be the exception to the rule, but this represents three months consecutive in exceeding last year. He said the last month the city had that was "at" the prior year's number was in March. Review and report on the recycling incentives as requested by the Council Mr. Pipes advised this item is being moved to a work session type setting for discussion in the conference room immediately following the discussion of the other formal agenda items. MINUTES OF THE COUNCIL MEETING OF OCTOBER 23, 1990 BOOK "0" 241 Consider CIP /maintenance protect sod replacement policy Mr. Pipes said he also wishes to bring the Council's attention to questions being raised in the 19th Street low water pressure area construction project. He said they have done some sodding work in those areas where they needed to acquire additional easements in order to place the water line. He said they have been making painstaking progress in that after each day's work, the city completely cleans up the work area, rakes the yards out and takes a great deal of additional effort above and beyond what any other contractor does for the purpose of trying to keep the neighborhood in favor of the project as much as possible white it proceeds. He said many of the people in that area have noticed that in areas where the city has acquired easements, it has put sod. He said they are asking the city, almost on a daily basis, if the city is going to put sod back in their yards. He said the Council had specifically considered this question a year ago and made the determination that grass was too easy to grow and the city was not going to put sod back in the right -of -way adjacent to the streets; it would just allow that to recover as best it could. He said the other problem acknowledged at that time was that in the hot summer months, when grass is best to grow, if it isn't watered, it doesn't do any good to put sod out there as it just dies in -place and the city has wasted the money; and in the winter months, it doesn't do any good to put sod out there either. He said the expense of the sod is something also to be considered, but the question really boils down to the price to achieve the general concurrence and support of the project. He asked how we can explain to an individual that the grass put in citizen "IC's" yard was "in an easement' and grass not put in another's yard was because it was "in the street right-of- way.1' He said this is a fine line that a lot of people are not grasping willingly. He said the question before the Council is if they are still in the same general mind set that replacing the sod is not something it wishes the staff to pursue, then it will continue explaining the circumstances. If there has been a general reflection and change of mind on the matter, he said, now is the time because the city has a couple of streets torn up and putting sod or sidewalks back seems to have a real nice after Lull and taste of the project when the city works through an area. Obviously, he said, the city can't build sidewalks everywhere it builds a water line, but putting grass back does seem to create a very favorable attitude once the city is through. He said it is not a matter of disagreement but rather a matter of expectation than anything else. He said generally when they do utility repair work in someone's yard, the city puts the grass back for those types of expenses, but on this reconstruction work, the city has not done this up to this point and it looks to the Council for guidance in this matter. Discussion: Councilmember Knotts suggested where the city has good established sod, that it replace it; it could be reseeded. If the city tears up a San Augustine sodded yard, he said, the city certainly ought to replace it with the existing sod or new sod. Mr. Pipes said the city tries to scrap off the sod that is there and it lasts for a couple of days before it is replaced, but sometimes it is in pretty bad shape. On the other hand, he said, even putting it in is the issue. He said people have mowed, watered and maintained the grass aLL the way to the curb all this time and now the city digs it up and doesn't put it back and the question is why doesn't it because the city did over on so and so's yard. Councilmember Knotts said work was done in his front yard one time and there is still a hole there. He felt the city should replace it where it tears up good soil. Councilmember Bell agreed with Mr. Knotts and felt it is good public relations whether the city owns the property or not; it is in the city's best interest to make the landowner happy. Councilmember Bell noted the price of $295.00 for a 5' by 100' strip did seem expensive to him and he asked about sprigging as an alternative. Mr. Pipes said this can be done. Councilmember Bell suggested putting in half as much sod. Mr. Pipes said it will grow and cover but will not do so in the winter time and we'll have little ribs washed in there when we have rains and runoff during the winter time. on the other hand, he said, it will cover eventually if we don't do anything. He said it is a symbolic gesture as we can't put a yard back in absolute "kept' condition. He said it is definitely in the street right - of-way, it is the city's property, but it's the caretaker's syndrome that we're dealing with here and they are the caretakers and abutting property owners have generally mowed and maintained it for years. Councilmember BeLI also was concerned about aesthetics. Mr. Pipes said that is important, but it also costs more and takes more time, and the staff is taking a lot of time right now. MINUTES OF THE COUNCIL MEETING OF OCTOBER 23, 1990 BOOK "0" 242 Councilmenber Green felt there are a couple of issues here: 1) it doesn't sound like a lot of money if we say $295.00, but if we multiply this by a few lots, we may be talking about a lot of money; and 2) there is the implicit assumption here that everybody wants San Augustine; if they don't want San Augustine, do we then replace it with what they want? Councilmember Green asked if we do each yard as the owner wishes or do we, if we are going to do it, do it all in San Augustine regardless of what they want? He felt this is a little more complicated than just saying we want to have green grass there. He said he is not comfortable with the Council passing on anything like this until after he knows how many total dollars they are talking about and not just how much we are talking about to do one yard; and 2) are we talking about one kind of grass or are we talking about fixing each one, replacing it as it was? Mr. Pipes said the question is virtually self - answering and as he well knows there are three to four different specific strains of San Augustine or what is generally referred to as San Augustine. He said there is the same range and variety in Bermuda grass. Councilmember Green said he didn't think the Council should be making a decision with the kind of information it has tonight. Councilmember Knotts said he meant to replace the grass removed with the kind of grass that was there. Mayor Monday asked if there is a flower bed there of English ivy, should the city replace that. Mr. Knotts felt the city should try to do something to help them sprig it back. Councilmember Knotts felt the city can replace the grass with what was dug up and each lot owner would have to be dealt with individually and an overall policy wouldn't address the individual situations. Councilmember Green noted then we should create a sod bank while we are doing the work and then replace it. Councilmember Knotts said this is not a Problem if we are laying so many hundred feet a day, we can lay it aside backfill it and out it back down Councilmember Green said this may be workable and he would like to see this in a written Policy as to what that would cost rather than the other alternative. Mayor Monday asked then that this policy be brought back to the next council meeting. Hand- pressed bricks for sale - -Willis. Texas Mr. Pipes said the city has been advised that there are a number or hand- pressed bricks available in�I i the Willis area due to a fire in the downtown district that the city could use to accomplish some of the architectural work in the downtown area that is a part of the downtown model. He said the building ruin on the corner of the parking lot at 11th street and Sam Houston Avenue in front of the Harry Ahysen mural had a little wall type landscaping /ornamental work done with old bricks to make it look like it is the corner of an old building ruin. He said this was the idea of the concept. He said these bricks are available for 11 $200 a thousand, cleaned and brought to Huntsville and stored pending final completion of the plans. He said Linda Pease estimates approximately 3,000 bricks will be necessary to accomplish the concept originally intended, which would require about $600. He said the Council has previously authorized the City Manager to spend up to $1,000 out of reserves for nonbudgeted items. He said because this specific item and it situation had not been discussed, he felt compelled to inform the Council. If there is any specific . objection, he said, then the city will desist, but other than that, with this amount of brick available and a vehicle available by virtue of this individual who is cleaning them and wilting to stack them and transport them for $200 per thousand for an expenditure not to exceed $600, his intention will be to pursue this at this time so that they will have the resources available if the designs go forward; and if not, the city can sell the bricks to someone who wants the use of an older hand - formed, hand- pressed brick. The Council indicated no objection to this plan of action. MAYOR'S ACTIVITY REPORT--JANE MONDAY Mayor Monday said she attended this pep rally attended by all of the students, band, cheerleaders, football players, etc. She said they delivered a book of signatures of all students who are drug free. Mayor Monday shared an invitation with the Council to help the city of Coldspring celebrate their Christmas on the Square. She said while she will not be able to participate, she wanted to share this invitation with any of the other councilmembers should they wish to be in the parade on December B. MINUTES OF THE COUNCIL MEETING Of OCTOBER 23, 1990 BOOK "0" 243 Huntsville Building Inspector- -Mike Roempke Mayor Monday then read a letter from a company representative that recently completed a renovation project in Huntsville, namely Hastings Records & Tapes in the Timberhitl Shopping Center. She said the letter revealed that after having completed some 1,600 retail spaces in 46 of the continental states, it is without reservation that they say the City's Mike Roempke is as tough, realistic and fair as anyone they have had the privilege of working with; all the appropriate codes were enforced to the letter and items not in the code were fairly negotiated. She said the author of this letter said engineers and architects were called when needed, and that the Mayor and Huntsville are very fortunate to have a Mr. Roempke and the building department staff that they have in Huntsville. The author suggested that the city take very good care of them because they are quality and first class, Mayor Monday noted. Councilmember Bell suggested bringing this letter out to re -read when the city receives charges that the City is enforcing its codes "idiosyncratically" and sometimes too harshly. Mayor Monday congratulated the entire department. J D Schindler Director of Community Development Mayor Monday introduced and welcomed Mr. J. D. Schindler, the new Director of Community Development. COUNCIL ACTION Veterans' Graves Marked with Flags CounciLmember Knotts asked the media if they were familiar with what organization it is that has gone into Oakwood Cemetery to place flags on all of the veterans markers and asked if a story had been done on this. Mr. Greg Junek, Reporter, Huntsville Item, said this is the first news he has had of this project. Councilmember Knotts felt it would be a good story to follow. He said all of the veterans graves were marked with a flag since we have had the conflict in the Persian Gulf. Portable Lighting for Emergency Truck Councilmember Bell said he has received from the City Manager additional information on the cost for a portable Lighting unit for emergency vehicles. He asked that Mr. Pipes put this item on the agenda for formal action. FM 1374 Speed limit Changed Councilmember Bell noted there is now signage on FM 1374 for 45 mph. Mr. Pipes said the SDHPT signed it the day after he called to check on it. He said the signage with which Councilmember Bell was concerned was, indeed, only temporary for construction. He said once they declared the contract finished, they put the original posting back up. Councilmember Bell felt, however, that given the very narrow character of FM 1374, that going from that intersection on out west that the speed limit should be Lower. He said most drivers will interpret 55 mph to be 60 mph and moving along FM 1374 at that speed is a little unsafe. Mr. Pipes said the city can strongly recommend this within the city Limits, but beyond that on an FM, the SDHPT is going to hold onto the 55 mph designation. He said the city will request that they review that intersection for speed control. Councilmember Bell noted his concern is for the increasing amount of foot traffic along that road. He said there are vehicles pulling out into the roadway, children walking, and horse riders on this highway, so 55 mph is probably just too fast, Welcome to J. D. Schindler Councilmember Carter welcomed Mr. Schindler, noting he is one of the first people he met and worked with in Huntsville. He said when he was in charge of the Huntsville half and quarter marathon, Mr. Schindler did all he could to help, and over all those years, Mr. Schindler has supported the community. He felt sure that in this job, Mr. Schindler wilt do the same thing. Government Finance Officers Association Certificate for Excellence in Financial Reporting Mr. Pipes said the City has once again received this award for excellent achievement on the city's audit. He said Councilmember Green's committee worked with the auditor as they have for a number of years. This is one in a continuing series of awards on the city's financial statement and budget, he said. The MINUTES OF THE COUNCIL MEETING OF OCTOBER 23, 1990 BOOK "0" 244 city is just about to submit its budget for the next consideration, he said, and felt this is quite an accomplishment with the certificate in -hand and the plaque on its way. He noted these achievements go back in excess of ten years now. He said for a small city in East Texas, out of the 400+ in the country that have earned this award over time from cities of all sizes, this was quite a commendation. He presented the news release to the media. RECESS TO WORK SESSION To review and discuss report on recvclina incentives. EXECUTIVE SESSION After the work session, the Council recessed into the posted executive session to continue its discussions. No other items were discussed. The formal meeting did not Reconvene so no action was taken as a result of this portion of the Executive Session. ADJOURNMENT The meeting was adjourned at 9:30 P.M. yRe�ectfull submitted, r h S i ecr r October 23, 1990