Minutes - 02/02/2016
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MINUTES FROM THE HUNTSVILLE CITY COUNCIL REGULAR MEETING HELD ON THE 2 DAY OF FEBRUARY 2016, IN
THE CITY HALL, LOCATED AT 1212 AVENUE M, IN THE CITY OF HUNTSVILLE, COUNTY OF WALKER, TEXAS, AT 4:30 P.M.
The Council met in a regular session with the following:
COUNCILMEMBERS PRESENT: Andy Brauninger, Joe Emmett, Lydia Montgomery, Don H. Johnson, Keith Olson, Tish
Humphrey, Ronald Allen, Joe P. Rodriquez
COUNCILMEMBERS ABSENT: None
OFFICERS PRESENT: Matt Benoit, City Manager; Leonard Schneider, City Attorney; Lee Woodward, City Secretary
WORK SESSION \[4:30 P.M.\] – The City Council will discuss and hear presentations on economic development and future
initiatives. \[Mayor Brauninger\]
Terry Stokes of SHSU’s HA/tch Center and Betty Russo of the Governor’s Office of Economic Development visited with the
Council on initiatives from 2015 and opportunities for the future.
MAIN SESSION \[6:00 P.M.\]
1. CALL TO ORDER - Mayor Brauninger called the meeting to order at 6:00 p.m.
2. INVOCATION AND PLEDGES – Councilmember Rodriquez gave an invocation and Grace Manning of Huntsville High School
led the pledges.
3. PRESENTATIONS AND PROCLAMATIONS
- HISD Family, Career, and Community Leaders of America Week proclamation
- HISD Career and Technical Education Month proclamation
4. ELECTION MATTERS
a. Presentation, public comment, discussion, and possible action to enter into an Election Services Contract with
Walker County for the May 7, 2016 Special Election to Fill a Vacancy to elect a Councilmember At-Large Position 1.
\[Lee Woodward, City Secretary\]
Mayor Pro Tem Olson moved to enter into an Election Services Contract with Walker County for the May 7, 2016 Special
Election to Fill a Vacancy to elect a Councilmember At-Large Position 1; the motion was seconded by Councilmember
Johnson. The motion was adopted, 8-0.
5. CONSENT AGENDA
Public Comments will be called for by the presiding officer before action is taken on these items. (Approval of Consent Agenda
authorizes the City Manager to implement each item in accordance with staff recommendations. An item may be removed from
the Consent Agenda and added to the Statutory Agenda for full discussion by request of a member of Council.)
a. Approve the minutes of the City Council meeting held on January 19, 2016. \[Lee Woodward, City Secretary\]
Councilmember Johnson moved to approve the consent agenda; the motion was seconded by Councilmember
Montgomery. The motion was adopted, 8-0.
6. MAYOR/CITY COUNCIL/CITY MANAGER AND CITY ATTORNEY REPORT
a. Presentation, public comment, discussion, and possible action to adopt Ordinance 2016-09, authorizing annual
participation with other Entergy service area cities in matters concerning Entergy Texas, Inc., at the Public Utility
Commission and the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission in 2016, second reading. \[Leonard Schneider, City
Attorney\]
Councilmember Humphrey moved to adopt Ordinance 2016-09, authorizing annual participation with other Entergy service
area cities in matters concerning Entergy Texas, Inc., at the Public Utility Commission and the Federal Energy Regulatory
Commission in 2016; the motion was seconded by Councilmember Montgomery. The motion was adopted, 8-0.
b. Presentation, public comment, discussion, and possible action on Mayor’s nomination of Mike Belovsky to an
open position on the City of Huntsville, Texas Veterans Affairs Advisory Board. \[Mayor Brauninger\]
Mayor Brauninger moved the nomination of Mike Belovsky to an open position on the City of Huntsville, Texas Veterans
Affairs Advisory Board. The motion was adopted, 8-0.
7. REQUESTS FOR CITIZEN PARTICIPATION
An opportunity for citizens to be heard on any topic and for the City Council to participate in the discussion. No action will be
taken.
No requests were received by noon on January 26, 2016.
8. MEDIA INQUIRIES RELATED TO MATTERS ON THE AGENDA
There were no media inquiries.
9. ITEMS OF COMMUNITY INTEREST
(Hear announcements concerning items of community interest from the Mayor, Councilmembers, and City staff for which no
action will be discussed or taken.)
Mayor Pro Tem Olson shared an HISD Minute!, announcing the Board of Trustees’’ approval of the community-inspired
strategic plan for the future of HISD. Councilmember Humphrey announced that Relay for Life of Walker County and SHSU will
be held on April 16-17 and that more information is available at 936-581-4367. She also reminded everyone of the upcoming
General Sam Houston Folk Festival in mid-May and that they were looking for costumed enactors to be trained.
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Councilmember Montgomery announced the 3 annual Black History celebration at SHSU to be held on 2/11 at 6:30 at the
LSC. More information is available by emailing Jacqueline Bolden at Jrb088@shsu.edu.
Mayor Brauninger shared his pleasure in attending the Unity of Faith’s MLK Day weekend of events and the HMH Auxiliary’s
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60 anniversary dinner.
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Filing is open for a place on the ballot for the May 7 Special Election to Fill a Vacancy. A candidate packet with forms is
available on the Election page of the City’s website, or you can call 936-291-5403. Applications are accepted in the office
of the City Secretary until 5 p.m. on Monday, March 7. The Mayor encouraged volunteer involvement in the City and
expressed his appreciation of those who serve on Council.
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Just a reminder that the Texas Dept. of Health Services conducts Car Seat Inspections training and inspections. Those
who qualify will receive a car seat. Call 294-2170 for more information.
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The Huntsville Public Library & Walker County Genealogy Society will host the annual Genealogy Winter Lock-In on
Sunday, February 21, from 12:00–6:00 PM. Beginners and longtime researchers are all invited, and Society members will
be available to assist. Register online at www.myhuntsvillelibrary.com or contact Mary Kokot at 936-291-5471.
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NobleMotion Dance Company headed by SHSU alums Andy and Dionne Noble will be featured on American Crime tv
drama tomorrow night.
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Award-winning authors will be in Huntsville March 16-18 for the 3 Annual National Book Awards Festival. There will be
public events at the library and the SHSU campus, so stay tuned!
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Councilmember Rodriquez complimented The Huntsville Item and Marissa on their coverage of the HMH Auxiliary’s 60
anniversary dinner.
10. EXECUTIVE SESSION
a. City Council will convene in closed session as authorized by Texas Government Code Chapter 551, Section
551.071 legal advice on the following items:
(i) claims regarding McDonald Creek;
The Mayor adjourned the Council into Executive Session at 6:20 p.m.
11. RECONVENE
Take action, if necessary, on items addressed during Executive Session.
No action was taken.
12. ADJOURNMENT
Mayor Brauninger adjourned the meeting at 6:55 p.m.
Lee Woodward, City Secretary