by Bill Stewart, Huntington City Administrator
The City Council met Tuesday evening, June 27th, at 6:00 in the regular monthly business meeting. The agenda only contained a few action items, but Council members gave much consideration and devoted several minutes to each, which is the norm.
The meeting opened with the official swearing in of Kim Smith following her re-election to the Council for another two-year term. She was unopposed for the May election, as were the other two incumbents who signed up for another two-year stint on the Council.
A public forum was conducted as part of the regular monthly agenda so that anyone who signed up to speak prior to the meeting could address the Council and express their concerns. Those wishing to speak are given five minutes to share their thoughts with the members of the Council. Only one person, Mr. Steve DuBose, spoke in open forum.
Reports were given by all departments, as is the case for each regular Council meeting. Following the approval of the consent agenda, there were four action items considered.
The Council awarded a bit to Horton Excavating, as recommended by KSA Engineers, to relocate utilities on Highway 69 South where TxDOT is widening the highway. As has been reported before in these City articles, this is a project of the Texas Department of Transportation and not the City of Huntington. The work is expected to be completed by September, 2017.
The second action taken was to award a bid to JuneBug’s Lawn Service for mowing, trimming, and general lawn care for properties for which the City is responsible. This contract will begin August 1st.
The Council also approved guidelines for the use of City owned properties and properties for which the City has oversight accountability. These properties include the softball complex on Main Street, Centennial Park, the City Park, and the Civic Center. Copies of the guidelines are available at City Hall and on-line at the City website, as well as listed below.
The Council, in a workshop held on June 12th, discussed not only the aforementioned guidelines, but also the possibility of increasing utility rates due to the growing need to provide adequate water and sewer services to our residents. At the regular meeting, action on this item was tabled in order for the residents of the City to have another opportunity to voice their concerns. That meeting will be held on Monday, July 3rd at 5:30 pm at City Hall. All city residents are welcome to attend.
We would like for the community to know that all meeting agendas are posted on the front door of City Hall, at the post office, on our City website, and on social media. Everyone is invited to attend all meetings and workshops, most of which begin at 6:00 pm.
The property guidelines mentioned above are as follows.
GENERAL GUIDELINES FOR USE OF CITY PROPERTIES
Softball Complex - Electricity and utilities for the complex will be paid for by the City of Huntington.
The City will be responsible for mowing the facility two (2) times per month.
Any organization using the complex shall pay a $100 deposit. After inspection by City personnel, the deposit will be refunded if the complex is cleaned, all trash deposited in the dumpster, and no damages have been sustained to any part of the facility.
Any organization using the complex for an extended period of weeks or months shall pay a fee of $500 in addition to the deposit. The fee will be used to pay for utilities.
The complex includes all fields, parking area, concession stand, and all permanent structures.
The facility will be used on a first come, first served basis.
City Youth Softball Leagues - City youth leagues shall have priority use during their softball seasons from February through May. The leagues are required to provide the City with schedules of practice and game dates and times at least one week prior to the beginning of the season. If games must be canceled and rescheduled, make-ups shall be scheduled with the City employee designated as the coordinator.
At the end of the season, the leagues shall remove all foods and drinks from the concession stand, and conduct a thorough cleaning of the concession stand, restrooms, fields, and parking lot.
The City is not responsible for providing utensils, cleaning or paper products, or supplies of any nature to the leagues for operation, maintenance, or cleaning of the complex.
All locks placed on facility buildings/doors will be removed after the league season. Keys to all locks will be provided to the City Administrator for emergency use.
Select Teams - Select teams shall pay applicable fees and deposits as assessed by the City.
Select teams made up of a majority of Huntington girls shall not be assessed a fee to play except for the specified deposit.
Select teams shall pay a utility, (electricity, water, sewer), fee of $25 per hour per field .
Centennial Park - A fee of $150 per event shall be charged for the use of the pavilion, concession stand, and restrooms. Of that amount, $50 shall be refunded following an inspection by City personnel if the facility and area are cleaned and no damages have been sustained to any part of the facility or grounds, and if the facility keys have been returned. The remaining amount will be used to pay for use of utilities. Reservations are made with personnel at City Hall prior to the date of anticipated use.
There shall be no charge to use the park for other purposes if the facilities are not used.
City Park - No fee will be assessed for use of the park. The park closes daily at dark.
Civic Center - The Center is available to all persons and groups in the area and reserved on a first come, first served basis.
Reservations are to be made with personnel at City Hall prior to the date of anticipated use.
A fee of $200 per event shall be charged for the use of facility. Of that amount, $50 shall be refunded following an inspection by City personnel if the facility and area are cleaned and no damages have been sustained to any part of the facility, equipment, or grounds, and if the facility keys have been returned. The remaining amount will be used to pay for use of utilities.
Hours of use are 7:00 am until 12:00 midnight. Any function exceeding the time limits must have advanced approval by the City Administrator or designated employee.
IMPORTANT NOTICE:
The City of Huntington is not responsible for accidents, injury, or loss of personal items.
The City of Huntington reserves the right to refuse further rental or use to any individual or organization with a history of not having observed stated rules and regulations. A full refund may be made if an event must be canceled within a reasonable amount of time prior to a scheduled event date.
No City owned equipment or property shall be removed from City facilities or properties. All equipment, materials, and City owned items shall be inventoried before and after each rental and use of properties. The person reserving and paying the fee for use of a facility shall be billed for any missing or damaged property, equipment, or items.
No alcohol, illegal drugs or paraphernalia, or weapons are allowed on any City properties.
City of Huntington - P.O. Box 349 - Huntington, Texas 75949- Phone 936-422-4195; FAX 76-3327.
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