Minutes - 01/19/2016
th
MINUTES FROM THE HUNTSVILLE CITY COUNCIL REGULAR MEETING HELD ON THE 19 DAY OF JANUARY 2016, IN THE
CITY HALL, LOCATED AT 1212 AVENUE M, IN THE CITY OF HUNTSVILLE, COUNTY OF WALKER, TEXAS, AT 6:00 P.M.
The Council met in a regular session with the following:
COUNCILMEMBERS PRESENT: Andy Brauninger, Lydia Montgomery, Don H. Johnson, Keith Olson, Tish Humphrey,
Ronald Allen, Joe P. Rodriquez
COUNCILMEMBERS ABSENT: Joe Emmett
OFFICERS PRESENT: Matt Benoit, City Manager, Lee Woodward, City Secretary
WORK SESSION \[4:30 P.M.\] – City Council will hear presentations on public safety technical equipment and HR initiatives.
Chief Kevin Lunsford, Director of Public Safety, discussed law enforcement equipment and technology. Human Resources Director
Julie O’Connell shared plans for new employee orientation, on-boarding, and other staff initiatives.
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 Johnson gave an invocation.
3. ELECTION MATTERS
a. Presentation, public comment, discussion, and possible action to adopt Ordinance 2016-11 calling 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 adopt Ordinance 2016-11 calling the May 7, 2016 Special Election to Fill a Vacancy to
elect a Councilmember At-Large Position 1; the motion was seconded by Councilmembers Humphrey and Rodriquez. The
motion was adopted, 7-0.
4. 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 meetings held on December 20, 2015 and January 5, 2016. \[Lee
Woodward, City Secretary\]
b. Authorize the City Manager to apply for an Emergency Management Performance Grant (EMPG). \[Dr. Sherry
McKibben, Director of Neighborhood Resources\]
Councilmember Montgomery moved to approve the consent agenda; the motion was seconded by Councilmembers
Johnson and Rodriquez. The motion was adopted, 7-0.
5. STATUTORY AGENDA
a. Presentation, public comment, discussion, and possible action to consider authorizing the City Manager to enter
into a contract for the manufacturing and installation of way-finding signage with National Signs for $237,000, and
adopting Ordinance 2016-10 for the associated budget amendment. \[Dr. Sherry McKibben, Director of
Neighborhood Resources\]
Councilmember Humphrey moved to authorize the City Manager to enter into a contract for the manufacturing and
installation of way-finding signage with National Signs for $237,000, and adopt Ordinance 2016-10 for the associated
budget amendment; the motion was seconded by Councilmembers Johnson and Rodriquez.
Karl Davidson spoke in opposition to the project.
The motion was adopted, 6-1, Councilmember Allen voting against.
6. MAYOR/CITY COUNCIL/CITY MANAGER AND CITY ATTORNEY REPORT
a. FIRST READING - 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, first reading. \[Leonard
Schneider, City Attorney\]
Councilmember Humphrey moved to waive the second reading per the provision of Charter Section 4.12 and was
seconded by Mayor Pro Tem Olson. The motion failed, 0-7.
b. Presentation, public comment, discussion, and possible action on nominations for the City Council Finance
Committee (the Mayor will select a member to serve as chair, per 8.02 of the City Council Rules of Procedure).
\[Mayor Brauninger\]
Mayor Brauninger moved the nominations of Councilmembers Don H. Johnson (as Chair), Joe Emmett, and Joe P.
Rodriquez to serve on the City Council Finance Committee. The motion was adopted, 4-3, Councilmembers Olson,
Johnson, and Montgomery voting against.
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 12, 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.)
th
Councilmember Rodriquez recounted the excellence of the HMH Auxiliary 60 Anniversary event the night before and lauded
the volunteers who were recognized. Mayor Pro Tem Olson’s HISD Minute noted that January was the School Board of
Trustees Appreciation Month. He said HISD’s Strategic Plan would be presented to the Board on January 28 at their meeting.
Mayor Brauninger announced:
-
It’s a new year and a good time to be sure you are subscribed to all the City information you need. On the City’s home
page, at HuntsvilleTX.gov, click on the blue button titled Stay Notified. You can get newsletters, meeting agendas, and
press releases sent directly to your email inbox, as soon as they are issued.
-
The Huntsville Public Library is hosting its 6th Annual Art Contest for all students ages 5-18. Entries are due by February
th
16, and winners will be announced at a ceremony on March 12. For more information, call Rachel at the library.
-
Ken Zonker’s exhibit will open at the Wynne Home on January 30 with a public reception
-
Councilmember Joe Emmett is celebrating a birthday on January 30, please join us in congratulating him!
-
He shared how much he enjoyed being at some of the events at the Unity of Faith Church’s MLK, Jr. Day celebrations over
the weekend
Councilmember Humphrey noted Councilmember Rodriquez also volunteered at the hospital and Councilmember Johnson
said he had been recognized for that last night.
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;
(ii) log cabin located at 1103 and 1105 University Avenue and Notice to Vacate.
The Mayor adjourned the Council into Executive Session at 6:59 p.m.
11. RECONVENE
Take action, if necessary, on items addressed during Executive Session.
The Council reconvened at 7:34 p.m. Mayor Pro Tem Olson moved to accept the terms of the lease the City Attorney had
presented to negotiate a fair settlement on item 10a.(ii), the motion was seconded by Councilmembers Montgomery and
Rodriquez. The motion was adopted unanimously, 7-0.
12. ADJOURNMENT
Mayor Brauninger adjourned the meeting at 7:36 p.m.
Lee Woodward, City Secretary