Minutes - 07/05/2016
MINUTES FROM THE HUNTSVILLE CITY COUNCIL REGULAR MEETING HELD ON THE 5th DAY OF JULY 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, Keith Olson (not present for the workshop), Ronald
Allen, Joe P. Rodriquez, Tish Humphrey, Paul Davidhizar
COUNCILMEMBERS ABSENT: Joe Emmett, Don H. Johnson
OFFICERS PRESENT: Matt Benoit, City Manager; Leonard Schneider, City Attorney; Lee Woodward, City Secretary
WORK SESSIONS \[4:00 P.M.\] – City Council will hear presentations on development agreements for construction of sewer
and roadway facilities and on the work of the Gulf Coast Strategic Highway Coalition.
Aron Kulhavy, Director of Community and Economic Development, shared the details of the proposed developer’s agreements on
the agenda for consideration. Gary Bushell, Executive Director of the GGulf Coast Strategic Highway Coalition, laid out the plan for
the I-14 corridor.
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 Humphrey gave an invocation and Rachel Goodman,Jeremiah Warr,Garrett Buchanan, andEmma Malak of
the YMCA led the pledges.
3. PRESENTATIONS AND PROCLAMATIONS
- Recognition of 2015-16 SHSU Baseball Team
- Recognition of Jamie Mathews for TTIA Certification
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 meeting held on June 21, 2016. \[Lee Woodward, City Secretary\]
The minutes were approved without correction.
5. STATUTORY AGENDA
a. FIRST READING - Presentation, public comment, discussion, and possible action to authorize the City Manager
th
to award the construction contract for 7 Street Rehabilitation Project Construction (No. 13-12-04), and adopt
associated budget amendment Ordinance 2016-30, first reading. \[Y. S. “Ram” Ramachandra, City Engineer\]
Councilmembers and the City Engineer compared the estimated cost and the bids received.
b. Presentation, public comment, discussion, and possible action to authorize the City Manager to enter into a
development agreement with Lake Road HBJ Housing, L.P. for construction of sewer and roadway facilities for
a project located in the 2800 block of Lake Road. \[Aron Kulhavy, Director of Community and Economic
Development\]
Councilmember Montgomery moved to authorize the City Manager to enter into a development agreement with Lake
Road HBJ Housing L.P. for construction of sewer and roadway facilities for a project located in the 2800 block of Lake
Road.. The motion was seconded by Mayor Pro Tem Olson and Councilmember Davidhizar. The motion was adopted,
7-0.
c. Presentation, public comment, discussion, and possible action to authorize the City Manager to enter into a
development agreement with SFG Huntsville-1, LLC for construction of sewer facilities for a project located in
the 2200 block of Sam Houston Avenue. \[Aron Kulhavy, Director of Community and Economic Development\]
Councilmember Humphrey moved to authorize the City Manager to enter into a development agreement with SFG
Huntsville-1, LLC for construction of sewer facilities for a project located in the 2200 block of Sam Houston Avenue. The
motion was seconded by Councilmember Davidhizar. The motion was adopted, 7-0.
6. 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.
Consideration and discussion on Citizen Participation Request from Mac Woodward for the Rita B. Huff Humane
Society and Adoption Center FY 16–17 budget request.
Former Mayor and Rita B. Huff Board member Mac Woodward presented a reduced request and discussed the Center’s
refocused mission, and discussed funding and budget amounts with Board members Debbie Toney and Misty Harrelson. Ron
Fielding, Jr. spoke in concern on the item.
7. MEDIA INQUIRIES RELATED TO MATTERS ON THE AGENDA
There were no media inquiries.
8. 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, discussing the HEAP activities and reminding all that the Green Hornet Food
Bus is delivering hot lunches this summer in neighborhoods around town. Mayor Brauninger lauded the many volunteers
throughout the community.
Mayor Brauninger announced:
- The Wynne Home was ranked #5 for cheap date spots in Huntsville on an online blog, The Odyssey! We are proud of the
events and reputation the historic Wynne Home has brought to our community.
- Huntsville was also ranked #5 out of 20 on www.SaveOnEnergy.com for being one of the fastest growing cities in Texas.
- Kudos to the City’s Parks and Leisure and Public Safety Departments, including the Parks crews and staff and the men and
women of the Police and Fire Departments, for putting on an excellent Fourth of July event yesterday at Kate Barr Ross Park!
- Your City’s birthday is July 12! Please take a moment that day to visit one of the many local historic sites and remember all
those who worked hard to found and those who have continued to enrich our special community.
- Candidate packets are ready for the At-Large Councilmember elections this November. They are available on the City
website’s Elections page or from the City Secretary. Filing will be held July 23-August 22.
- He shared how much he has enjoyed welcoming the parents at the SHSU incoming student orientations this summer.
Councilmember Humphrey called attention to the City publications City Connections and This Week in Huntsville and
emphasized several articles in the latest issues.
9. EXECUTIVE SESSION
a. City Council will meet in Executive Session pursuant to Texas Government Code Section 551.071 -consultation
with counsel on legal matters regarding the City of Huntsville agreement No.95-53 with the Texas Department of
Criminal Justice.
b. City Council will meet in Executive Session pursuant to Texas Government Code Section 551.071 - consultation
with counsel on legal matters on the contract between the City of Huntsville and Walker County regarding the old
County jail.
The Council adjourned into Executive Session at 7:24 p.m.
10. RECONVENE
Take action, if necessary, on items addressed during Executive Session.
The Council reconvened at 8:12 p.m. Mayor Pro Tem Olson moved to authorize the Mayor and City Attorney to draw up and
sign a release of real property as agreed to with Walker County for the County Jail; the motion was seconded by
Councilmember Humphrey. The motion was adopted, 5-0 (Councilmembers Montgomery and Allen had not returned to the
dais.)
11. ADJOURNMENT
Mayor Brauninger adjourned the meeting at 8:12 p.m.
Lee Woodward, City Secretary