City commits to youth, families

Kelly Prew
Managing Editor

Following a passionate speech during the Huntsville City Council meeting Tuesday, Councilman Jack Choate won unanimous support for a resolution pledging a commitment by the city to focus on youth and family issues.

“As a council, we’ve done a lot of talking about golf courses and (other structural improvements), but now it’s time to change the tone of what we’re discussing,” Choate said. “I think it’s time we recognize our roles as community leaders. ... We don’t need to forget we owe a duty to the children and families of this community.”

He continued by citing the fact children in Huntsville are exposed to dangers of drugs, abuse, virtual predators and other issues that make it hard for them to feel safe or achieve greater levels of personal success.

“We have children in Huntsville who live in the shadows of a university and have no idea what a university does,” he said. “... We need to protect out kids like we’re willing to go to war. There are things quietly more dangerous to them than what a terrorist could bring.”

Choate’s resolution also brought positive comments from other council members and the audience, including comments from the Huntsville Family YMCA, Boys and Girls Club and Diversity Forum organizers, who will commit a meeting Monday night to the focus of youths and their roles in the community.

William Powell spoke during public comments, not only to laud the resolution, but to vie for attention for Habitat for Humanity on behalf of council. He asked for consideration for home sites the city currently owns on Avenue H for more development.

“We have more than 100 applicants,” he told council members. “It’s been years since we built a home, and that just shows the level of need.”

Council approved Tuesday, after a public hearing, several ordinances concerning the Development Code, International Building Code and the Residential Code, addressing site plans and inspections.

Council divided the agenda item for clarity.

All members agreed to change the development code which allows the planning officer to determine when additional information is required to verify correct property placement. This includes an additional site plan to be prepared by a registered design professional.

Councilwoman Dalene Zender was the only member to vote against a change to both the International Building Code and the Residential Code that would require site surveys prior to inspection involving footings, foundations, concrete slabs or any item requiring under-floor inspection, saying the added expense of a survey for some residents would be unfair financially.

Councilwoman Melissa Mahaffey spoke up, saying requiring surveys would better serve taxpayers who pay for city inspectors. By saving time on that front, the city could save money as a whole and better utilize the time of its inspectors.

Another code change approved unanimously specifically targeted driveway maintenance under the Development Code and the International Property Maintenance Code. The property owner will be responsible for driveway maintenance from the street to the property according to city specifications, including where a private drive connects to the roadway.

An item that would allow a sewer project on Pine Hill Road was tabled by council after members questioned the lowest bid for the project, $122,167.69, might better be utilized to bring service to more people in other areas of the city, rather than the two to four proposed Pine Hill residences.

Zender was appointed to the Tax Increment Reinvestment Board, with only Evans rejecting the nomination. Todd Armstrong was re-appointed to the board and also appointed chairman with no objection from council.

10/04/06