Minutes - 02/07/2017MINUTES FROM THE HUNTSVILLE CITY COUNCIL REGULAR MEETING HELD ON THE 7111 DAY OF FEBRUARY 2017,
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, Paul Davidhizar, Tyler McCaffety, Keith D. Olson, Joe Emmett,
Tish Humphrey, Ronald Allen, Joe P. Rodriquez
COUNCILMEMBERS ABSENT: Clyde D. Loll
OFFICERS PRESENT: Matt Benoit, City Manager; Leonard Schneider, City Attorney; Lee Woodward, City Secretary
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 McCaffety gave an invocation and Brandon Franklin from HISD 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 January 17, 2017. [Lee Woodward, City Secretary]
b. Authorize the City Manager to reduce Garney Construction's contract by $98,109.80. [Dr. Sherry McKibben,
Director of Neighborhood Resources]
c. Authorize the City Manager to apply for a Dollar General Literacy Foundation Grant for $15,000.00, with a $16,000
match. [Dr. Sherry McKibben, Director of Neighborhood Services]
d. Authorize the City Manager to apply for the 2017 Victims' Service Coordinator Grant for $141,322.83, plus a
$35,330.71 cash match, and adopt Resolution 2017-05 in support of same. [Dr. Sherry McKibben, Director of
Neighborhood Services]
e. Authorize the City Manager to apply to the Governor's Office for a 2017 Homeland Security Grant in the amount
of $92,270.00 and adopt Resolution 2017-06 in support of same. [Dr. Sherry McKibben, Director of Neighborhood
Services]
f. Authorize the City Manager to apply for the 2017 Houston -Galveston Area Council (H -GAC) Justice Assistance
Grant (JAG) for $125,000.00 and adopt Resolution 2017-07 in support of same. [Dr. Sherry McKibben, Director of
Neighborhood Services]
g. Authorize the City Manager to award the purchase of a Caterpillar 938M Wheel Loader to be used at the Solid
Waste Transfer Station, in the amount of $213,778. [Carol Reed, Director of Public Works]
Without objection, the Consent Agenda was approved as presented. Councilmembers Davidhizar and Humphrey lauded
the work of the City Manager and staff on these items.
4. STATUTORY AGENDA
a. FIRST READING - Presentation, public comment, discussion, and possible action to consider authorizing the City
Manager to award the construction contract for the 11th Street (IH 45 to University Avenue) Waterline Replacement
Project construction project, Project No. 12-11-01, and adopting Ordinance 2017-18 in support of the associated
budget amendment, first reading. [Y.S. "Ram" Ramachandra, City Engineer]
First reading, no action taken.
b. FIRST READING - Presentation, public comment, discussion, and possible action to consider authorizing the City
Manager to award a construction contract for the Sam Houston Avenue (11th Street to 22^c Street) Waterline
Replacement Project construction, Project No. 12-11-03, first reading. [Y.S. "Ram" Ramachandra, City Engineer]
First reading, no action taken.
c. FIRST READING - Presentation, public comment, discussion, and possible action to consider adopting Ordinance
2017-20, to change the Development District Classification of Block 3 of the G. A. White Subdivision from
Neighborhood Conservation to Management, first reading. [Aron Kulhavy, Director, Community & Economic
Development Department]
Councilmember McCaffety signed a Conflict of Interest affidavit and did not participate in the discussion. Aron Kulhavy,
Director of Community and Economic Development, noted that the Public Hearing for this item has been postponed to
February21, 2017. Steve Covington, Scott Hornung, Maureen McIntyre, Rob McCaffety, Micah Slaughter, and Hollis Murray
offered public comment. First reading, no action taken.
5. 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 legal matters on Ernst parking lot lease. [Leonard Schneider, City
Attorney; Matt Benoit, City Manager]
b. City Council will convene in closed session as authorized by Texas Government Code Chapter 551, Section
551.071 - consultation with counsel on legal matters on 7th Street sewage damage claims and Rose Hill
Court street litigation. [Leonard Schneider, City Attorney; Matt Benoit, City Manager]
The City Council adjourned into executive session at 6:44 p.m.
6. RECONVENE
Take action, if necessary, on items addressed during Executive Session.
The City Council reconvened at 8:47 p.m. No action was taken.
7. CITY COUNCIL/CITY MANAGER/CITY ATTORNEY
a. Presentation, public comment, discussion, and possible action to approve the Mayor's nomination of Ken Holland
for a position on the Tax Increment Reinvestment Zone #1 Board of Directors and Scott Nichols to a position on
the Planning Commission. [Mayor Brauninger]
Mayor Brauninger moved his nominations individually. The motions were passed, 8-0.
b. Presentation, public comment, discussion, and possible action to adopt the 2017 Strategic Plan. [Matt Benoit, City
Manager]
Mayor Pro Tem Olson moved to adopt the City Council's 2017 Strategic Plan; the motion was seconded by Councilmember
Davidhizar. The motion was approved, 8-0.
c. Presentation, public comment, discussion, and possible action to authorize the City Manager to sign a change
order to the 7th Street Reconstruction Project Construction Contract with Doughtie Construction in the amount of
$108,516.78, and adopting Ordinance 2017-19 amending the Fiscal Year 2016-2017 Budget. [Matt Benoit, City
Manager]
Councilmember Humphrey moved to authorize the City Manager to sign a change order to the 7th Street Reconstruction
Project with Doughtie Construction in the amount of $108,516.78, and adopt Ordinance 2017-19 amending the Fiscal Year
2016-2017 Budget. The motion was seconded by Mayor Pro Tem Olson. The motion was approved, 8-0.
d. Presentation, public comment, and discussion on Councilmember Allen's request concerning the 7th Street
wastewater infrastructure.
Councilmember Allen noted an Executive Session had been held and he would try to keep the property owners as up to
date as possible.
8. 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.
a. Joye Aubrey, Denim & Diamonds Daycare
This item was pulled prior to the meeting.
9. MEDIA INQUIRIES RELATED TO MATTERS ON THE AGENDA
There were no media inquiries.
10. 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.)
Councilmember Humphrey announced Walk Across Texas teams were active locally and noted there would be a free cooking
class at the Huntsville Public Library, both events sponsored by the Walker County Extension Agent's office. Councilmember
McCaffety gave kudos to the SHSU men's basketball team and recently beat SFA for the first time in sixteen games in front of a
great crowd of over 3,000. (Mayor Pro Tem Olson suggested donations be taken to purchase Aron Kulhavy and orange shirt.)
City Librarian Linda Dodson announced the Kiwanis' annual Pancake Breakfast for literacy and also encouraged attendance at
the upcoming Genealogy Lock -In event on the afternoon of February 19, in concert with the Walker County Genealogical Society.
Mayor Brauninger announced:
- Major Mark Davis of the SHSU Military Science Dept. let us know the SHSU Bearkat Battalion is fundraising this spring for
the March of Dimes. Call him at 936-294-1297 to help them reach their goal by April 1.
- On January 22, I enjoyed lunch at McKenzie's Barbecue, served by these lovely ladies! Congratulations to the Pregnancy
Care Center for a successful fundraiser.
- Reading of a letter of congratulations to the Council from the Texas Municipal Clerks Association on City Secretary Lee
Woodward's recent recertification.
11. ADJOURNMENT
Mayor Brauninger adjourned the meeting without objection at 9:00 p.m.
Lee Woodward, City Secretary