Published: June 15, 2009 09:47 pm      

Architect’s contract for library tops city agenda

The Huntsville City Council will consider approving an architectural contract for the expansion and renovation of the Huntsville Public Library when it meets at 6 p.m. today at City Hall.

The nine-member council will decide whether to authorize city manager Bill Baine to enter into an architectural contract with Aguirre/Roden Inc. of Dallas in the amount of $430,000 and also authorize the start of the schematic phase of the referenced contract for $140,400 to be funded from a capital contingency account with an additional amount of $50,504.

The architect’s fee totals $250,000.

The proposed library project will consist of 18,000 to 20,000 square feet (two-story) linked to the existing 7,000 square-foot library building located east of Avenue M between 13th and 14th streets.

The plan calls for the existing library building to be renovated in the project and one half of the new building will be finished on the interior and one half left an unfinished shell building.

The project’s budget is estimated to cost $2.5 million to $3 million to include design fees, construction cost, furniture, fixtures and equipment.

In addition, council member Mac Woodward is calling for a discussion regarding traffic concerns relating to Veterans Memorial Parkway.

“Since Mr. (John) Harvey was at the last meeting and made some comments, we’ve had a number of letters and calls,” Woodward said Monday. “I just want to make a few comments about the situation and acknowledge the concerns. I’ve had a number of concerns.”

Harvey’s wife, Marian, was injured in a two-vehicle accident May 14 at an intersection on Veterans Memorial Parkway.

The stop signs on Veterans Memorial at that intersection had been draped with black bags three days earlier after the Huntsville City Council voted at an April 7 meeting to remove them from the roadway.

She was airlifted to Memorial Hermann Hospital in Houston where she spent eight days with multiple injuries, including two fractures in her pelvis, a fractured vertebrae, three fractured ribs and a bruised lung.

On May 15, the day after Harvey’s accident, the bagged stop signs were removed from Veterans Memorial Parkway.

The council will also consider authorizing Baine to apply for and accept, if awarded, the Economic Development Administration American Recovery Program matching grant for funds to construct infrastructure improvements, including a new street with sidewalks connecting Veterans Memorial Parkway with Interstate 45 in West Hill Park to include extending West Hill Parkway.

“Currrently, access to land between The Home Depot and Luby’s has limited access for economic development because no street links Veterans Memorial Parkway with IH-45,” Baine said.

Baine said he has been approached by hotel and restaurant businesses in developing the area if the infrastructure improvements are provided.

“Estimates are that at least 30 to 60 new jobs will be created upon completion of this project,” Baine said.

The grant application will be for $2,589,000 to construct infrastructure improvements in the West Hill Park area and the city shall contribute $517,800 or 20 percent in the form of cash and/or in-kind match for the purppose of labor, renovation and/or disposal of waste for completion of the project.

Items on tonight’s agenda include:

• Walker County Judge Danny Pierce will swear in Beth Greenwell as the city secretary for the City of Huntsville.

• Approve the minutes of the City Council meetings held on June 2, 2009. [Kristin Edwards, Interim City Secretary]

• Presentation, discussion, and/or action with respect to authorizing the Microsoft Volume License Agreement annual contract payment with SHI Government Solutions for Microsoft Licensing, software assurance and desktop true ups in the amount of $65,265. [Victor Pena, Assistant City Manager]

• Presentation, discussion, and/or action with respect to Resolution #2009-19, authorizing the city manager to apply for and accept, if awarded, the Homeland Security Fire Station Grant with no matching requirements. [Dr. Sherry McKibben, Community Development Specialist]

• Presentation, discussion, and/or action with respect to Resolution #2009-20, authorizing the city manager to apply for and accept, if awarded, the TDHCA Weatherization Assistance Program Grant with no matching requirements. [Dr. Sherry McKibben]

• Presentation, discussion, and/or action with respect to authorizing the city manager to enter into an Library Architectural Contract with Aguirre/Roden in the amount of $430,000, and authorize the commencement of the schematic phase of the referenced contract in the amount of $140,400 with an additional amount of $50,504. [Glenn Isbell, P.E., Director of Public Works]

• Presentation, discussion, and/or action with respect to Resolution #2009-21, authorizing the city manager to apply for and accept, if awarded, the Economic Development Administration (EDA) American Recovery Program matching grant for funds to construct infrastructure improvements, including a new street with sidewalks connecting Veterans Memorial Parkway with Interstate 45 in West Hill Park to include extending West Hill Parkway North to connect thereof. Tabled May 19, 2009 Meeting. [Bill Baine, City Manager]

• Adopt Ordinance #2009-42 to allow the city manager to enter into an agreement amending the franchise between the City of Huntsville and Entergy Texas, Inc. [Leonard Schneider, City Attorney]

• Discussion regarding the City Council Charter review and future Council work sessions and public meetings. [Mayor Turner]

• Discussion regarding the annual City Council retreat. [Mayor Turner]

• Appointment of Dave DeShaw to the Hotel Occupancy Tax Board to fill the vacancy. [Mayor Turner]

• Discussion and possible action regarding reduction in minimum water and sewer rates. [Councilmember Wagamon]

• Discussion and possible action regarding capital improvement projects plan, specifically including (1) Bobbitt addition/ Highway 75 North/Moffitt Springs, (2) Badger Lane, (3) Old Colony Road - Phase V, (4) Old Colony Road - Phase VI, and (5) 21st Street to 20th Street. [Councilmember Wagamon]

• Discussion regarding traffic concerns relating to Veterans Memorial Parkway. [Council member Mac Woodward]