Minutes - 06/07/2016
th
MINUTES FROM THE HUNTSVILLE CITY COUNCIL REGULAR MEETING HELD ON THE 7 DAY OF JUNE 2016, IN THE
CITY HALL, LOCATED AT 1212 AVENUE M, IN THE CITY OF HUNTSVILLE, COUNTY OF WALKER, TEXAS, AT 1:00 P.M.
The Council met in a regular session with the following:
COUNCILMEMBERS PRESENT: Andy Brauninger, Joe Emmett, Lydia Montgomery, Don H. Johnson (attended work
sessions and arrived for main session at 6:07 p.m.), Keith Olson, Paul Davidhizar, Ronald Allen (not in attendance for the work
sessions), Joe P. Rodriquez, Tish Humphrey
COUNCILMEMBERS ABSENT: None
OFFICERS PRESENT: Matt Benoit, City Manager; Leonard Schneider, City Attorney; Lee Woodward, City Secretary
WORK SESSION \[1:00pm\]
1. Call to Order - Mayor Brauninger called the session to order at 1:00 p.m.
2. Consideration and Discussion of proposed capital improvement projects and potential bond issuance.
City Manager Matt Benoit discussed the components of potential ballot propositions.
3. \[2:00 P.M.\] Walker County Commissioners Court will convene to conduct a joint session with the City Council for
consideration and discussion on future use or disposition of the Old County Jail and property located at 717 FM
2821. (Present were Walker County Judge Danny Pierce, Commissioners B. J. Gaines, Glen Reader, Ronnie White,
and Jimmy Henry, along with District Attorney David Weeks and Assistant District Attorney Quentin Russell)
Judge Pierce convened the Commissioners Court at 2:00 p.m. Mr. Weeks noted that the County originally had an 85%
interest in the facility and the City had a 15% interest facility, discussed the County’s obtaining the land prior to the
agreement and that the City’s and the Texas Department of Criminal Justice’s (TDCJ) investments had gone to
construction, leading him to believe the City has no interest in the land. He noted further improvements made to the facility
by the County and that the facility seemed to have a negative value at this time due to concerns such as asbestos.
City Attorney Schneider said he may wish to later discuss with the Council title issues and other possible topics, noting that
both entities had worked well together but had differing viewpoints. Mr. Russell noted estimates for demolition ranged from
$80,000-$120,000, even before noting a possible $27,000 abatement cost, and that there was perhaps $20,000 in
salvageable material. He acknowledged the building had been vacant about two years now and the group considered the
oddities of the property’s size, shape, and surroundings.
4. County Commissioners Court adjourns. – Judge Pierce adjourned the Court session at 2:29 p.m.
5. City Council will continue the workshop to receive a report from IMS Infrastructure on the Condition Assessment
of City Streets study and potential financing options.
The Council received a presentation from IMS on the City’s street assessment and discussed future maintenance funding.
6. Possible continued discussion on the above item 1. - There was continued discussion on item 2.
7. Adjourn Work Session. – The Mayor adjourned the work session at 4:20 p.m.
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
U.S. Flag
Texas Flag: Honor the Texas Flag. I pledge allegiance to thee, Texas, one state, under God, one, and indivisible.
Councilmember Montgomery gave an invocation and members of Boy Scout Troop 98 led the pledges.
3. 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 May 17, 2016 and the Special Session workshop on May
31, 2016. \[Lee Woodward, City Secretary\]
b. Authorize the City Manager to apply for the 2016 Edward Byrne Memorial Justice Assistance Grant (JAG)
Program and enter into an interlocal agreement with Walker County and adopt Resolution 2016-28 in support of
same. \[Dr. Sherry McKibben, Director of Neighborhood Resources\]
c. Adopt Ordinance 2016-27 to amend the budget for FY 15-16. \[Steve Ritter, Director of Finance\]
d. Award the purchase of Heating, Ventilation and Air Conditioning (HVAC) Services for City buildings to EC
Heating & Cooling LLC, Huntsville, TX. \[Joseph Wiggs, Director of Parks and Leisure\]
Mayor Pro Tem Olson moved to adopt the consent agenda; the motion was seconded by Councilmember Montgomery.
The motion was unanimously adopted, 9-0.
4. STATUTORY AGENDA
a. Presentation, public comment, discussion, and possible action to authorize the City Manager to sign Amendment
1 to the Pre-Construction Contract with Garney Construction in the amount of $68,750.00 for sub-surface utility
exploration (SUE) services for the Town Creek Drainage Improvement Project and approve Ordinance 2016-26 to
amend the budget. \[Dr. Sherry McKibben, Director of Neighborhood Resources\]
Councilmember Humphrey moved to authorize the City Manager to sign Amendment 1 to the Pre-Construction Contract
with Garney Construction in the amount of $68,750.00 for sub-surface utility exploration (SUE) services for the Town
Creek Drainage Improvement Project and approve Ordinance 2016-26 to amend the budget. The motion was seconded
by Mayor Pro Tem Olson and Councilmember Johnson. The motion was adopted, 7-2, Councilmembers Allen and
Emmett voting against.
5. 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 May 31, 2016.
6. MEDIA INQUIRIES RELATED TO MATTERS ON THE AGENDA
There were no media inquiries.
7. 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 congratulated all local graduates and the HHS graduating seniors in the HISD Minute. He reminded all
that the Council had celebrated graduating seniors who were children of City employees at the last meeting and said those
scholarships were also included in the nearly $3.5 million in overall scholarships given to HHS students this year at their
annual recognition evening. Councilmember Humphrey reminded everyone that the HEARTS Museum was sponsoring a
patriot motorcycle ride and filming of Stronger, a movie about a veteran suffering from PTSD, at the City’s July 4 events at
Kate Barr Ross Park.
Mayor Brauninger announced:
- This Friday is Family Movie Night with the City! Be at the library at 5:30 p.m. for popcorn and drinks to see Norm of the
North, then join the Parks & Leisure Department at Kate Barr Ross Park at 10 p.m. to watch Zootopia.
- Take a look at this Facebook post of Greg Mathis, Huntsville Fire Department Firefighter and Inspector, helping out during
the recent floods in Houston. Our first responders have great training and are often called on to help in all kinds of
weather and emergency events. Hurricane season began June 1, so keep an eye out for an upcoming special issue of
This Week in Huntsville, focused on preparing yourself and your family for whatever may occur.
- Please participate in the Huntsville Public Library’s Summer Reading Program - Here’s the video!
- The Fire Department is holding a raffle to refurbish their old fire truck. Contact Assistant Fire Chief John Hobbs at 936-
291-5943 to buy tickets. The drawing will be held at the July 4 celebration.
- The Mayor shared his experience and enjoyment at the recent SHSU new students’ parents orientation.
8. EXECUTIVE SESSION
a. City Council will meet in Executive Session pursuant to Texas Government Code Section 551.071- to receive
legal advice on the interlocal agreement between the City and County regarding the Old County Jail.
b. City Council will meet in Executive Session pursuant to Texas Government Code Section 551.074 – personnel
matters regarding the appointment, employment, evaluation, reassignment, duties, discipline, or dismissal of a
public officer or employee, concerning City Attorney Leonard Schneider.
The Council adjourned into Executive Session at 6:51 p.m.
9. RECONVENE
Take action, if necessary, on items addressed during Executive Session.
The Council reconvened at 7:53 p.m. Mayor Pro Tem Olson to approve the City Attorney’s contract for another year with
another review in a year and was seconded by Councilmember Davidhizar. The motion passed unanimously, 9-0.
10. ADJOURNMENT
Mayor Brauninger adjourned the meeting at 7:54 p.m.
Lee Woodward, City Secretary