Huntsville City Council Regular Meeting - August 10, 2023

The Huntsville City Council met in regular session on Thursday, August 10, 2023 (2023-08-10) at 5:30 p.m. in City Council Chambers. Councilmember Jennie Robinson was absent. The agenda was approved with the addition of Item 21A, which required unanimous consent. The meeting included special recognitions, a Land Trust presentation, introduction of a water rate increase ordinance, numerous approvals, and one public comment.

Consent Calendar

• Approved the agenda, including late-added Item 21A.
• Approved the minutes of the July 27, 2023 regular meeting and the July 25, 2023 work session.
• Approved Resolution 23-623 authorizing expenditures totaling $18,543,153.39.
• Approved appointments: James Cochran to the Beautification Board; Dr. Michael Cosgrove and Sally Warden to the Medical Clinic Board; Dr. Calame Sammons to the Museum Board.
• Noted board nominations: Bobby Massey to the Madison County Department of Human Resources Board and Donald Taylor to the MidCity Improvement District.
• Approved, in one consolidated motion, ordinances 23-629 through 23-635 vacating utility and drainage easements at The Market at Hays Farm, Owen Subdivision, and Vista Councill Square (Items 18A-18G).
• Approved Ordinance 23-617 naming the John Hunt Park soccer complex as the Loretta P. Spencer Sports Complex; Ordinance 23-618 authorizing a lease of surplus property to Lendon Commercial, LLC; and Ordinance 23-619 donating surplus property to the Alabama School of Cyber Technology and Engineering.
• Approved new business items 20A-20E and 20G-20U in one motion, including travel, donations, bid awards, a contract assignment to Peace Communications, a budget amendment, engineering and construction agreements (SAIN Associates, Garver, Dunlap Contracting), Jazz in the Park performance agreements, software licensing, Health Care Authority and ALEA agreements, letter of credit invocations, a Rocket City Fair facility use agreement, a TraX subscription, and a special employee agreement.
• Approved Item 20F, the District 1 Council Improvement Fund ordinance, 3-0-1. Councilmember Keith voted aye, Councilmember Little abstained, Councilmember Kling voted aye, and the President voted aye.

Public Comments & Testimony

• Richard Chandler (112 Wild Turkey Way, Riverwood subdivision) voiced concern about a proposed Phase 4 of Cambridge subdivision on Zert Road. He stated that Phases 1-3 contain 117 homes and the new plan would add at least 32 multifamily structures, potentially up to 240 units, far more than the previous density. He argued that a new entrance near a sharp curve on Zert Road would create blind spots and unsafe turning conditions, especially for northbound drivers crossing the existing left-turn hash marks, and that rain, snow, dump trucks, and sanitation vehicles would make accidents more severe. He asked the council to pause construction on the access point. Councilmember David Little, whose district includes the area, said he travels Zert Road often, shares the concern, and questioned why the entrance was not located on Fox Road.

Discussion Items

• Public hearing set: The council adopted Resolution 23-621 setting a public hearing for September 28, 2023, on the rezoning of 3.00 acres east of Rideout Drive and north of Willow Pointe Drive from Residence 1-B to Residence 2 District; Ordinance 23-622 was introduced.
• Land Trust of North Alabama presentation: Executive Director Marie Bostick described the organization's work and statistics. The Land Trust has conserved more than 10,000 acres, about 6,900 within Huntsville city limits, a 24% increase over five years. It added 525 acres in the past year, including 145 acres of Hickory Cove Nature Preserve. Its preserves draw about 200,000 annual visitors (400,000 during COVID), offer 80 miles of trails (65 within the city), and feature free access. A new nature discovery center is planned for Hickory Cove. No action was requested.
• Huntsville Utilities water rate increase introduction: Joe Gergis presented Ordinance 23-628, which would increase the water fee schedule. He cited aging infrastructure, material cost inflation, and projected 50% system growth over 30 years. He said the utility has no current supply constraints and that the last water rate increase was in 2016. Illustrative average impacts would include a shower rising from roughly 2 to 3 cents, a toilet flush from 0.35 to 0.5 cents, a load of laundry from 1.5 cents to just over 2 cents, and washing dishes from under 1 cent to just over 1 cent. Councilmembers asked for clear public communication and comparisons; Gergis said deeper justification and a 20-year master plan would be presented at the next meeting. No vote was taken on the rate increase itself.

Special Recognitions & Presentations

• Chamber of Commerce representative Chip Cherry presented a display thanking Huntsville for hosting the World Cup and showcasing the city's hospitality.
• Police Chief presented the Life Saving Medal to Officer Taylor Grenier for his actions on February 5, 2023, in response to a shooting. Officer Grenier applied a tourniquet to a gunshot victim's upper right thigh; three medical professionals said the victim would not have survived without his intervention.
• Councilmember Devyn Keith presented "A Cut Above" awards to the Parks family (best curb appeal), the Harris family (best landscape), and the Nance family (most captivating floral display) in District 1, with yard signs and gift bags.

Mayor and Councilmember Comments

• Mayor Tommy Battle reported on the Space and Missile Defense Conference, which drew 6,500 attendees with sold-out space and 14-15 prospects met. He also discussed the new City Hall being built for future needs, the announced 2026 cycling world championships, the birthday of Huntsville Symphony conductor Gregory Vodja, and the upcoming retirement of NASA Marshall Space Flight Center Director Jody Singer after 38 years.
• Councilmember Kling extended well wishes to Councilmember Robinson, noted the passing of former councilmember Dr. Jimmy Wall, commented on the Space Command decision, thanked city departments for storm response, and requested review of dried sod at Hastings Park.
• Councilmember Little discussed Leadership Huntsville's SPARK class, a Hampton Cove town hall on the Drake property development, and thanked departments for response to power outages and speeding concerns.
• Councilmember Meredith announced upcoming town halls, updates on Slaughter Road improvements, a meeting with Limestone County officials, and praise for Congressman Dale Strong.

Key Outcomes

• The council approved all consent and regular agenda items, with no recorded "no" votes. The only split vote was Item 20F, which passed 3-0-1.
• The council approved by unanimous consent the introduction and approval of Ordinance 23-657 authorizing a General Obligation Warrant, Series 2023-E, dated August 16, 2023. Finance Director Penny Smith explained it was an $11 million private placement at a 4.19% true interest cost, with a 15-year term and 8-year call, reimbursing about $9 million in Von Braun Center improvements from lodging tax funds.
• The council set the Rideout Drive rezoning public hearing for September 28, 2023.
• The council introduced Ordinance 23-628 (water rate fee schedule), Ordinance 23-658 (annexation of 9.83 acres south of US Highway 72 W and east of Springhill Road), and Ordinance 23-659 (annexation of 695.35 acres west of Interstate 65 and east of Alabama Highway 31). These introductions will be subject to future votes.
• Huntsville Utilities will give a detailed rate justification presentation at the next council meeting on August 24, 2023.