The Huntsville City Council unanimously approved the purchase of 4.3 acres of land for the construction of a new fire station on the northeast side of town.

Councilmembers met in regular session on Tuesday evening at City Hall to discuss the issue along with several other items on the agenda.

The land, being sold by resident William Tony, is being purchased for $112,500, according to councilmember Mac Woodward.

The council unanimously supported the purchase.

“We’re well under the budget proposed in the bond issue (in November) of $300,000,” he said. “And we’re well under the original number approved by council.”

Woodward said experts reviewing the site indicated that it was a good spot for the station.

“We have plenty of frontage on Highway 30 ... and the site offers availability for the services we need,” he said. “What we have will work fine for what we want to do.”

Mayor J. Turner, a member of the fire station committee along with Woodward, said a contract is being finalized with Joiner Partnership Inc. of Kingwood, the architect selected for the project by the committee.

“The contract is being prepared to go before council,” he said. “Once that is approved, the committee will move forward, working on designs and ideas for the station.”

During the regular session, the council also voted to discontinue the passport service currently offered by the City of Huntsville.

Councilmembers voted 8 to 1 with Woodward in opposition.

City secretary Stephanie Brim said upon the resignation of the part-time passport acceptance clerk, responsibilities have been taken on by existing city staff members.

According to a report provided to council, passport applications have increased since the U.S. Department of State required that all international travelers obtain a passport book or card in January 2007.

Due to both increased activity and the vacant passport acceptance clerk position, addtional work load has been absorbed by the existing or “back-up” staff who have filled in on passport issues when needed.

Brim said the service will continue through July 31.

“Our existing staff will continue the passport services through July,” she said. “This gives the staff a six-week period to wrap things ups and inform the public of the change. We will immediately begin a marketing campaign, notifying the public that we will no longer be a passport acceptance office.”

Brim said communication was made with the local post office, offering the idea to take over the passport responsibilities, but no indication of when or if it would assume the responsibility was given.

The three nearest passport facilities outside of Huntsville include the New Waverly Post Office, the Willis Post Office and the Madison County District Clerk’s Office.

During the meeting, the council also defeated a motion to approve to consider a development agreement for the Yorkshire Estates, consisting of two large tracts west of Huntsville at the intersection of state Highway 30 and FM 1791.

The council voted 5 to 2 with Woodward and Councilmember Clarence Griffin in favor and Turner and councilmembers Dalene Zender, Melissa Mahaffey, Charles Forbus, Wayne Barrett and Lanny Ray in opposition.

Councilmember Tom Cole abstained from the vote.

Prior to the regular session, the council conducted a work session, discussing a busy summer schedule that includes steps in the budget process and city manager search.

The council also received an report on the solid waste automation system.

During the regular session, the council also:

• Approved minutes of City Council meetings held on April 15, May 6 and May 13, 2008,

• Tabled approval for the annual maintenance agreement in the amount of $25,000 for Bentley software licensing and support,

• Withdrew Ordinance 2008-23 from the agenda, considering a petition of Dorothy Thomason, petitioner, for voluntary annexation by the city of approximately 51.0393 acres of land owned by petitioner and located in the Pleasant Gray Survey,

• Approved Ordinance 2008-24, to amend Section 21.01.09 “Sale or Use of Fireworks Prohibited; Exceptions,”

• Approved Resolution 2008-06, denying UniGas rate increase request,

• Tabled Ordinance 2008-25, to amend the Code of Ordinances, Section 16.01.05 — Fees, increasing the fee for a single grave lot from $750 to $1,000,

• Tabled Ordinance 2008-26, to amend Title 16 Cemeteries, Section 16.01.08 — Plants, decorations and containers,

• Tabled the appointment of members to the City Council Committees: Finance, personnel, technology, and communications and service,

• Approved the appointment of Councilmember Forbus to the Walker County Public Safety Communications Center Board.