Minutes - 10/20/2015
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MINUTES FROM THE HUNTSVILLE CITY COUNCIL MEETING HELD ON THE 20 DAY OF OCTOBER 2015, 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: Mac Woodward, Andy Brauninger, Lydia Montgomery, Don H. Johnson, Keith D. Olson, Joe
Emmett, Tish Humphrey, Ronald Allen, Joe P. Rodriquez
COUNCILMEMBERS ABSENT: None
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 Woodward called the meeting to order at 6:00 p.m.
2. INVOCATION AND PLEDGES – Councilmember Johnson gave the invocation and Van Brady from the YMCA led the pledges.
3. PRESENTATIONS AND PROCLAMATIONS
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 October 6, 2015 and Town Hall on October 13, 2015. \[Lee
Woodward, City Secretary\]
b. Authorize the City Manager to accept a Community Development Block Grant Disaster Recovery (CDBG-DR) grant.
\[Dr. Sherry McKibben, Neighborhood Resources Director\]
c. Authorize the City Manager to apply for a 2016/2017 Houston-Galveston Area Council Solid Waste Recycling Grant in
the amount of $28,600.00, plus $8,000.00 in matching funds, and adopt Resolution 2016-03 in support of same. \[Dr.
Sherry McKibben, Neighborhood Resources Director\]
d. Designate the Civil Rights Officer and Labor Standards Officer, reaffirm and adopt the Civil Rights Policies pursuant
to the Texas Community Development Block Grant Program (TxCDBG) Contract Number 7215240, and adopt
Resolution 2016-04 in support of same. \[Dr. Sherry McKibben, Neighborhood Resources Director\]
e. Designate the signatories for the 2015-16 Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) Award #7215240 and adopt
Resolution 2016-05 in support of same. \[Dr. Sherry McKibben, Neighborhood Resources Director\]
Councilmember Olson moved to approve the consent agenda; the motion was seconded by Councilmember Montgomery.
Councilmember Humphrey challenged Councilmembers to drink local water and reduce the number of plastic bottles in the
waste stream. The motion was adopted unanimously, 9-0.
5. STATUTORY
a. FIRST READING - Presentation, public comment, discussion, and possible action to accept funding from TxDOT for a
Transportation Alternatives Program (TAP) grant and authorizing the City Manager to enter into an Advanced
Funding Agreement (AFA), first reading. \[Dr. Sherry McKibben, Neighborhood Resources Director and Y. S. “Ram”
Ramachandra, City Engineer\]
Councilmember Olson moved to waive the second reading per the Charter proviso in Section 4.12, the motion was seconded
by Councilmembers Johnson and Montgomery. The motion was unanimously adopted. Councilmember Humphrey moved to
accept funding from TxDOT for a Transportation Alternatives Program (TAP) grant and authorize the City Manager to enter
into an Advanced Funding Agreement (AFA); the motion was seconded by Councilmember Olson. The motion was adopted
unanimously, 9-0.
b. FIRST READING - Presentation, public comment, discussion, and possible action to consider Ordinance 2016-03
changing the direction of traffic from bidirectional to one-way from University Avenue to Bobby K. Marks Drive on
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16 Street and from 16 Street to Bowers Boulevard on Bobby K. Marks Drive, directing the City Engineer to post all
necessary signs and perform appropriate public notifications, and authorizing the City Manager to sign an Interlocal
Agreement with Sam Houston State University for the lease of certain spaces to be created, first reading. \[Matt
Benoit, City Manager\]
First reading, no action taken. Councilmember Emmett proposed the City install its own meters and manage the parking itself.
Councilmember Allen said he disagreed with the interpretation of Charter Section 14.13 provided in the agenda packet and
that bids should be sought. Councilmember Brauninger referred to Charter Section 14.19, asking the City not risk
malfeasance. City Attorney Leonard Schneider reminded the Council of its ability to interpret its own charter and referred to
Charter Section 3.03 and the Council’s control over streets and public property. Citizen Rhys Blavier said he was a member of
Student Government and offered to take information back to them.
6. MAYOR/CITY COUNCIL/CITY MANAGER AND CITY ATTORNEY REPORT
a. Presentation, discussion, public comment, and possible action on nominations to City boards and committees.
\[Mayor Woodward\]
Mayor Woodward moved his nominations for consideration for appointment to City boards and committees (listed below). The
motion was adopted unanimously, 9-0.
Board of Adjustments and Appeals City of Huntsville, Texas Veterans Affairs Adv. Board
Helen Belcher - reappointment Mark Robinson – initial appointment to open position
Robert Ferguson– initial appt. to open position
Huntsville Main Street Advisory Board
Historic Preservation Commission
Heike Ness – initial appointment to open position
Dr. Caroline Crimm – initial appt. to open position
Tara Armstrong– initial appointment to open position
John Mathews– initial appointment to open position
Huntsville Public Library Board
Dr. Caroline Crimm – initial appt. to open position
Gwen Hardy – initial appointment to open position
Sam Moak - reappointment
James Anderson – initial appt. to open position
Laura Bruns – reappointment
Spencer Copeland – initial appt. to open position
Debra Daugette – initial appointment to open position
Parks and Recreation Advisory Board
Eddene Smith – reappointment
Chris Cirrito - reappointment
Jeannine Jacoby – reappointment
b. Presentation, public comment, discussion, and possible action to consider nominations for an ad hoc City Council
Long Range Planning Committee. \[Mayor Woodward\]
Mayor Woodward moved his nominations of Councilmembers Johnson, Rodriquez, and Montgomery for an ad hoc City
Council Long Range Planning Committee, The motion was adopted unanimously, 9-0.
c. FIRST READING - Presentation, public comment, discussion, and possible action to adopt Ordinance 2016-02 to
repeal ordinances creating the Huntsville Beautification Advisory Committee, Huntsville Economic Development
Council, and the Youth Advisory Board, first reading. \[Mayor Woodward\]
Mayor Woodward thanked the Board and Commission Review Ad Hoc Committee for their work and recommendations,
stressing that the Council was still seeking alternate methods to support local youth and schools. Councilmember Olson
moved to waive the second reading per the Charter proviso in Section 4.12, the motion was seconded by Councilmember
Johnson. The motion was unanimously adopted. Councilmember Olson moved to adopt Ordinance 2016-02 to repeal
ordinances creating the Huntsville Beautification Advisory Committee, Huntsville Economic Development Council, and the
Youth Advisory Board, the motion was seconded by Councilmember Humphrey. The motion was unanimously adopted, 9-0.
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.
a. Presentation, discussion, and public comment on a request from Jerry DeWitt concerning final cleanup and
landscaping in relation to the Safe Routes to School sidewalks project at 600 Highway 190 East.
Jerry DeWitt spoke of his concern about debris on 600 Highway 190 East that he alleged was from the Safe Routes to School
project. Mr. DeWitt was encouraged to follow the City’s claim process. (Councilmember Humphrey left the dais at 7:06 p.m.
and returned at 7:11 p.m. when discussion of this item closed.)
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.)
- Early voting for the November 3 election began yesterday and runs through October 30 at the Walker County Annex on Sam
Houston Avenue. Election Day is November 3.
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- The Lambda Phi Chapter of Kappa Sigma at SHSU will be holding a Zombie Run on October 31 at 7:30 a.m. For more
information, please contact Robert Ferguson at 936-662-1823.
- We are sending best wishes to all of the USA gymnasts competing in Glasgow this weekend, especially the Women’s Artistic
Team from Karolyi Ranch right here in Huntsville!
- Come out to the Sam Houston Statue on October 22 for “The Legend” Drink Competition! The Statue is turning 21, so we are
helping celebrate by selecting an official non-alcoholic drink to be called “The Legend.” Judging will be at 10 a.m., and public
tastings are from 11-1.
- The annual Heart Walk will be held on November 21, and representatives from Huntsville Memorial Hospital will fill us in on all
the details at our November 17 meeting. In the meantime, check out their Facebook page.
- The City Council will not be meeting on November 3, but City Hall will be open from 7 p.m. that night for election returns. The
next regular meeting is scheduled for November 17. If the need arises between now and then, a special session may be
scheduled.
- Because of the break in the regular meeting schedule, we would like to give an early acknowledgement to the City’s Municipal
Court staff, in recognition of Municipal Court Appreciation Week, which will be November 2-6 this year. Take a moment to
drop by the court, located in the Sheriff’s building on FM 2821, and let them know how much they are appreciated!
The Police Chief updated the Council on the successful wildfire containment on FM 247 last night. Mayor Woodward invited
everyone to attend the State of the City on October 27 at the Veterans Conference Center at 5:30 p.m.
10. EXECUTIVE SESSION
a. City Council will convene in closed session as authorized by Texas Government Code Chapter 551, Section 551.074 -
personnel matters regarding the evaluation and job duties of City Manager Matt Benoit. \[Mayor Woodward\]
b. City Council will convene in closed session as authorized by Texas Government Code Chapter 551, Section 551.071
legal advice on the following items:
(1) contract with fd2s design consultants; and
(2) denial of appeal request by Gilbreath Outdoor Advertising regarding off-premise billboard sign and Gilbreath v.
the City of Huntsville. \[Matt Benoit, City Manager, and Leonard Schneider, City Attorney\]
The Mayor adjourned the Council into Executive Session at 7:19 p.m.
11. RECONVENE
a. Take action, if necessary, on items addressed during Executive Session.
The Council reconvened at 8:47 p.m. Councilmember Olson moved to reflect a 6% increase in the City Manager’s contract;
the motion was seconded by Councilmember Montgomery. The motion was adopted 8-1, Councilmember Allen voting
against. Councilmember Olson moved to instruct the City Attorney to make an offer of $3,400 to fd2s; the motion was
seconded by Councilmember Montgomery. The motion was unanimously adopted, 9-0. Councilmember Olson moved the
Council instruct the City Attorney to go forward with a settlement proposal for item 10b(2) and come back with offer in writing;
the motion was seconded by Councilmember Johnson. The motion was unanimously adopted, 9-0.
12. ADJOURNMENT
Mayor Woodward adjourned the meeting at 8:49 p.m.
Lee Woodward, City Secretary