Minutes - 09/06/2011MINUTES FROM THE HUNTSVILLE CITY COUNCIL MEETING HELD ON THE 6TH DAY OF SEPTEMBER 2011, IN THE
CITY HALL, LOCATED AT 1212 AVENUE M IN THE CITY OF HUNTSVILLE, COUNTY OF WALKER, TEXAS AT 5PM.
The Council met in a workshop and regular session with the following:
COUNCILMEMBERS PRESENT: J. Turner, Mac Woodward, Jack Wagamon, James Fitch, Don H. Johnson, Keith D. Olson, Tom Cole, Wayne Barrett
COUNCILMEMBERS ABSENT: Lydia Montgomery
OFFICERS PRESENT; Bill Baine City Manager: Leonard Schneider City Attorney, Lee Woodward City Secretary
WORKSHOP SESSION [5:00] — LARGE CONFERENCE ROOM — Discussion of proposed FY 11 -12 budget. [Winston
Duke]
The Council, City Manager, and staff discussed staffing and other budget items. [Councilmember Wagamon was not present for
the workshop.]
REGULAR SESSION' [6:0013M]
1. CALL TO ORDER
Mayor Turner called the meeting to order at 6:00pm.
2. INVOCATION AND PLEDGES — Councilmember Barrett gave the invocation.
3. PROCLAMATIONS AND PRESENTATIONS
City Manager Bill Baine recognized Claire Willson of the Huntsville Police Department and Ed Farris of the Solid Waste
Transfer Station for their outstanding work and dedication to the City.
4. PUBLIC COMMENT
Mary Patron appeared on behalf of Walker County Unidos and LULAC to announce a Hispanic Heritage Month event to
take place on October 8 from 2 -5pm at Eastham- Thomason Park.
Carmen Irving gave information on a new daycare service provided by the Roxie Douglas Leaming Institute and asked that
the program be considered for the upcoming budget.
Kendall Scudder spoke about Councilmembers' opposition to the prior nomination of a board member and a
Councilmember's comments on student voting and asked that his complete comments be included in the minutes.
John Cromer asked the Council to vote for the grant on the agenda to provide assistance to firefighters' airpacks.
® George Russell asked his supporters not to donate to his campaign, encouraging donations to charity or religious
organizations of their choice. He spoke about the annexation on the agenda, suggesting the City annex Moffett Springs
and have its tax valuation increased. Mr. Russell also expressed concern over "exorbitant" costs of items on the agenda,
urging fiscal responsibility.
5. PUBLIC HEARING
Public hearing was held to receive comments from all interested persons on the proposed annexation of 74 acres
(three tracts). [Aron Kulhavy, Director of Public Works]
Tract No. 1 Being 1.91 acres of land, more or less, situated in the WARREN BIRDSELL LEAGUE, A-6, Walker
County, Texas, and being out of and a part of the called 219 acre "First Tract" conveyed by J.H. Thomason and wife,
Marguerite Thomason, and Mabel S. Eastham to Horace Smith and wife, Alverta Smith, by deed dated March 22,
1940, and recorded in Volume 94, Page 190, Walker County Deed Records.
Tract No. 2 Being 24.04 acres, more or less, situated in the WARREN BIRDSELL LEAGUE. A-6, Walker County,
Texas and being out of and a part of the called 71 acre "Second Tract" conveyed by J.H. Thomason and wife,
Marguerite E. Thomason, and Mabel S. Eastham to Horace Smith and wife, Alverta Smith, by deed dated March 22,
1940, recorded in Volume 94, Page 190, Walker County Deed Records.
Tract No. 3 Being 48.05 acres, more or less, situated in the, WARREN BIRDSELL LEAGUE, A-6, Walker County,
Texas, and being out of and a part of a called 219 acre "First Tract" and a called 71 acre "Second Tract ", conveyed
by J.H. Thomason and wife, Marguerite E. Thomason, and Mabel S. Eastham to Horace Smith and wife, Alverta
Smith, by deed dated March 22, 1940, recorded in Volume 94, Page 190, Walker County Deed Records.
The hearing was opened at 6:22pm. Aron Kulhavy, Director of Public Works, clarified the ownership concern of the 1.91
acres in Tract #1 and said his department would pursue this prior to Ordinance approval by the Council. The hearing was
closed at 6:23pm.
6. CONSENT AGENDA
(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 Regular Session held on August 16, 2011, the City Council Special
Session held on August 22, 2011 and Budget Workshops held on August 22 and August 25, 2011. [Lee
Woodward, City Secretary]
b. Consider approving additional Capital Improvements funding for improvements to Kate Barr Ross Park with a
project total of $169,508. [Matt Lumpkins, Director of Community Services]
c. Authorize the City Manager to approve the purchase of roof repair for the Huntsville Police Department and
NS Davidson WWTP buildings to The Garland Company in the amount of $108,533, and to approve of moving
funds to the CIP budget for the 2011 -2012 budget year. [Matt Lumpkins, Director of Community Services]
d. Consider purchase of a generator from Waukesah- Pierce Industries, Houston, TX to be placed at the
Huntsville Public Library for a total cost of $87,207. [Aron Kulhavy, Public Works Director /City Planner]
e. Consider purchase of a $101,752 tractor rig to be used to transfer solid waste materials. [Carol Reed, Public
Utilities Director]
E . Authorize the City Manager to apply for, accept if awarded, and implement the Assistance to Firefighter Grant
for the purchase of a High Pressure Breathing Air Compressor, Containment Fill Station and Multigas
Detector. [Dr. Sherry McKibben, Community Development Specialist]
Councilmember Johnson made a motion to approve the Consent Agenda and Councilmember Woodward seconded
City Manager Bill Baine said the Kate Barr Ross improvements would be an additional bail field and new bathrooms.
7. STATUTORY AGENDA
8. MAYOR/CITY COUNCIL AND CITY MANAGER REPORT
a. Possible action to approve nomination of Barry Shoemake to an open position on the Tax Increment
Reinvestment Zone No.1 Board. [Mayor Turner]
The Mayor nominated Barry Shoemake to the open position on the Tax Increment Reinvestment Zone No 1 Board
and was seconded by Councilmember Barrett.
The motion passed unanimously. 8-0.
b. Possible action to approve reappointments to City Boards and Commissions. [Mayor Turner]
The Mayor made a motion to approve the reappointments listed below and Councilmember Cole seconded
c. Possible action concerning forgiveness of the bond for sidewalks at Ravenwood. [Councilmember Wagamon]
Councilmember Wagamon said he had asked the City Attorney concerning the tax law on this item. City Attorney
Leonard Schneider said he would like the Council to adjourn into Executive Session with Mr. Kuihavy.
Councilmember Wagamon agreed to handle this with the other Executive Session item on the agenda.
Fall 2011— ReaooWntments ttun -'
(several have been appointed to unfinished terms in the last year,
however, that term has ended and is due for reappointment)
Arts Commission
Dr. James Carter
Public Ubrary bird
Patsy Ann Reed
Jim Balzaretti
Una Grace Nash
Julie Woods
Beautification Committee
Parks & Recreation Advisory Board
Katie Newman
Woody Woods
Hazel Wyatt
Maxie Farris
Deborah G'�ed
Planning & Zonina
Board of Adiustments
A Appeal s David Anderson
King Chandler
Big Knotts
Helen Belcher
Jerry Moorer
TiRZ $1 Board of directors
Sam Dominey
Cemetery Advisory
Board Wayne Barrett
Candyce Mon
Douglas Wright
veteran Affairs Advlwry Board
Stephanie Smfther
Lanny Ray
Kay King Mitchell
Gerald Norwood
Joyce Robinson
Tom Oleirsk
Bobbie Notan
Paid Lohmann
Economic Development
Court Walker County public Saftift Cornmunicallons
Bob Barregan
Center Executive Board
iany McGinty
James Filch, Ned unfinished tam
Tom Fordyce
Craig Sdrgcher, (appt. alternated between Ctty S
David Zuniga
County)
HOT Board
Youth Advisom Board
Lanny Ray
Kyle McKenzie
Sean Craig
Housina Authority
Renee Prkhard
Dr. Ross Lovell
Chat*" McFarland
Joe Sotiz
Deskw Cortez
Carolyn Lewis
Doge Hanetson
Frank Parker
Main Street Advisory
Board Nelson Amays
Robert Ernst, Jr.
Jaison
Lee m
Mkhega McK rWe
Jimmy Barnes
Sam Moak
ZoB. te lna Board of Adlustrnen
Laura Bums
Nate Grigsby
Karl Collins
Tina Felder
Matt Hennes
The Mayor summarized
the vote as unanimous. 8-0.
c. Possible action concerning forgiveness of the bond for sidewalks at Ravenwood. [Councilmember Wagamon]
Councilmember Wagamon said he had asked the City Attorney concerning the tax law on this item. City Attorney
Leonard Schneider said he would like the Council to adjourn into Executive Session with Mr. Kuihavy.
Councilmember Wagamon agreed to handle this with the other Executive Session item on the agenda.
d. City Manager's Report
1. Updates on City construction, grants, studies, City projects, City purchases, and economic development.
2. Water related items.
Mr. Baine said about half of the new hangar at the airport would be open at the end of the week. He said the
splash pad would be open more of the year than the pool but not all year. Mr. Baine said he was going to ask the
Council to tour the Library to understand the need for the generator. He said the TxDOT and paving projects
were proceeding, as well as Community Development and grant ventures. Mr. Baine said the Victim Assistance
Specialist grant had been awarded to the City. He discussed the recent demand on firefighters.
Fire Chief Tom Grisham reported on wildfires and local losses since August 31 and noting the support of the
community, thanking the City for its support. He said $20,000 had been raised today.
Mr. Baine said $40,000 had been included in the incoming budget for part-time firefighters, as the City had not
received a grant. He referred to a chart showing continuing lower levels in Lake Livingston. Carol Reed, Director
of Public Utilities, said the city had exceeded the daily trigger volume for Stage 2 drought but that the average
had not.
e. Possible action to approve the formation of a Fair Housing Committee and appointments to said committee to
include Councilmember Lydia Montgomery, City Planner Rose Kader, HISD Representative Rissie Owens,
Jimmy Spivey with J &M Construction, and contractor John Mathews.
(This item was handfed after item 8b.) The Mayor made a motion to aoorove and was seconded by Councilmembers
Woodward and Olson.
Mr. Baine said the State allowed the formation of the board to aid in fair housing when grants were bestowed on the
City and that he felt it would be necessary to expect to receive such grants.
The motion 2@ssed unanimously. 8-0.
9. PUBLIC COMMENT
There were no additional comments.
10. MEDIA INQUIRIES RELATED TO MATTERS ON THE AGENDA
There were no media inquiries.
11. ITEMS OF COMMUNITY INTEREST
(Hear announcements concerning items of community interest from the Mayor, Councfimembers, and City staff for which
no action will be discussed or taken.)
a. The Farmers Market will be held Saturdays from 8 -noon through September 24.
b. City participation in Sam Houston State University 9/11 Memorial event.
c. Public meeting to be held at the Martin Luther King Recreation Center on September 8 at 7 p.m. to discuss
local issues. [Dr. Sherry McKibben, Community Development Specialist]
Mr. Baine said he would be providing an update at Elkins Lake on September 12.
12. EXECUTIVE SESSION
a. City Council will convene in closed session as authorized by Texas Government Code, Chapter 551; Section
551.071 — consultation with counsel on status of ongoing claim between Walker County Special Utility District
(WCSUD) and City of Huntsville. [Leonard Schneider, City Attorney] (item 8c was also handled at this time.)
The Council adjourned into Executive Session at 6:58pm.
13. RECONVENE
a. Take action on Executive Session item, as needed.
The Council reconvened at 8:35pm. The Mgyor made
14. ADJOURNMENT
at
City Secretary