Minutes - 03/07/2017MINUTES FROM THE HUNTSVILLE CITY COUNCIL REGULAR MEETING HELD ON THE 7TH DAY OF MARCH 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, Keith D. Olson, Joe Emmett, Tish Humphrey, Ronald
Allen, Joe P. Rodriquez, Clyde D. Loll
COUNCILMEMBERS ABSENT: Tyler McCaffety
OFFICERS PRESENT: Matt Benoit, City Manager; Leonard Schneider, City Attorney; Lee Woodward, City Secretary
MAIN SESSION [6:00 p.m.]
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. The Mayor shared the news that Sharon Holland had just recently had her
citizenship finalized and all congratulated her. Jake, Sharon, and Paige Holland from HISD led the pledges.
3. PRESENTATIONS AND PROCLAMATIONS
a. Financial Literacy Month proclamation
b. Severe Weather Awareness Week proclamation
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 February 21, 2017. [Lee Woodward, City Secretary]
b. Authorize the City Manager to award the purchase of one package fiberglass lift station from Pump Wrxs and
Controls in the amount of $33,749, with installation not to exceed $28,500. [Carol Reed, Director of Public Works]
c. Authorize the City Manager to award the purchase of a sewer combination truck, a Vac -Con body with a Mack
chassis, to be used in the Wastewater Division, in the amount of $357,036, from Grande Truck Center. [Carol Reed,
Director of Public Works]
Councilmember Humphrey adopt the consent agenda; the motion was seconded by Councilmember Davidhizar. The motion
was unanimously adopted, 8-0.
5. STATUTORY AGENDA
a. Presentation, public comment, discussion, and possible action to consider adopting Ordinance 2017-21, creating
paid parking spaces along University Avenue, 150, Street, and Avenue I, second reading. [Y. S. "Ram"
Ramachandra, City Engineer; Kevin Lunsford, Police Chief; Steve Ritter, Finance Director]
Councilmember Rodriquez moved adopt Ordinance 2017-21, creating paid parking spaces along University Avenue, 15th
Street, and Avenue I.; the motion was seconded by Councilmember Emmett. Public comment was given by Jacqueline
Bolden and Logan Ellis. Councilmember Rodriquez moved to amend Ordinance 2017-21 by adding that the hourly rate for
this paid parking and all other paid parking will remain $1 per hour and the daily rate for this and all other paid parking will
be reduced to $3 per day. The City Attorney recommended that such a rate change would best be handled by a budget
amendment ordinance and Mayor Pro Tem Olson suggested bringing both back together at a future meeting.
Councilmember Rodriquez withdrew his amendment without objection and moved to postpone the original motion to the
next meeting. The motion to postpone was adopted, 7-1, Councilmember Emmett voting against.
b. Presentation, public comment, discussion, and possible action to consider authorizing the City Manager to apply
for a grant under the 2017 Texas Community Development Planning Program from the Texas Department of
Agriculture in the amount of $55,000, plus $145,000 in matching funds, and adopt Resolution 2017-11 in support of
same. [Dr. Sherry McKibben, Director of Neighborhood Resources; Aron Kulhavy, Director of Community and
Economic Development]
Councilmember Loll moved to authorize the City Manager to apply for a grant under the 2017 Texas Community
Development Planning Program from the Texas Department of Agriculture in the amount of $55,000, plus $145,000 in
matching funds, and adopt Resolution 2017-11 in support of same; the motion was seconded by Councilmember Humphrey.
Dr. Sherry McKibben, Director of Neighborhood Resources; Aron Kulhavy, Director of Community and Economic
Development, informed the Council that the grant would provide a comprehensive transportation for the city and ETJ, that
it would be the first such since 2001, and that this item was for the grant application and not the expenditure of the match.
The motion was adopted, 7-1, Mayor Brauninger voting against.
c. 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, third reading. [Aron Kulhavy, Director of Community and Economic Development]
Councilmember Davidhizar moved to adopt Ordinance 2017-20, to change the Development District Classification of Block
3 of the G. A. White Subdivision from Neighborhood Conservation to Management, as recommended by the Planning
Commission; the motion was seconded by Mayor Pro Tem Olson.
Mr. Kulhavy confirmed the petition had been determined by staff not to be valid and that a simple majority vote would adopt
the motion. Tom Morris, Debra Tinsley Humphries, Jeff Tinsley, Micah Slaughter, Rob McCaffety, Jan Lawrence, Scott
Hornung, and Debra Durda offered public comment.
The motion was adopted, 6-2, Mayor Brauninger and Councilmember Allen voting against.
d. Presentation, public comment, discussion, and possible action to consider authorizing the City Manager to enter
into a contract with HDR Engineering for $229,480.01, to provide professional services in the development of a
TIGER Grant Application, and adopting Ordinance 2017-22 to amend the budget for FY 16-17. [Dr. Sherry McKibben,
Director of Neighborhood Resources]
Councilmember Rodriquez moved to authorize the City Manager to enter into a contract with HDR Engineering for
$229,480.01, to provide professional services in the development of a TIGER Grant Application and adopt Ordinance 2017-
22 to amend the budget for FY 16-17; the motion was seconded by Councilmembers Davidhizar and Loll. The motion was
adopted, 6-2, Mayor Brauninger and Councilmember Allen voting against.
6. CITY COUNCIL/CITY MANAGER/CITY ATTORNEY
a. Presentation, public comment, discussion, and possible action to approve the Mayor's nomination to re -appoint
Stan Foley to a position on the Board of Adjustments and Appeals. [Mayor Brauninger]
The Mayor moved his nomination for Stan Foley. The motion was unanimously adopted, 8-0.
b. Presentation, public comment, discussion, and possible action to nominate and select a nominee to be considered
for the Walker County Appraisal District Board of Directors and adopt Resolution 2017-09 in support of same.
[Mayor Brauninger]
(Councilmember Loll signed an Affidavit of Conflict of Interest and did not participate in the discussion.) The Mayor
suggested Councilmembers bring a nominee to the next meeting if they chose.
c. Presentation, public comment, discussion, and possible action to consider adopting Resolution 2017-10 in
opposition to revenue caps proposed by Texas Senate Bill 2. [Mayor Brauninger]
Mayor Pro Tem Olson moved adopt Resolution 2017-10; the motion was seconded by Councilmember Davidhizar. The
motion was unanimously adopted, 8-0.
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.
No requests were received by noon on Tuesday, February 28, 2017.
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.)
Councilmember Loll offered information on the upcoming 21st Historically Underutilized Businesses (HUB)/Vendor Show at
the storm shelter on March 23 from 11:30-2:30.
Mayor Brauninger announced:
We are delighted to note some special days this week. Today marks the first anniversary that Deputy City Secretary Megan
Kaltenbach has been with the City of Huntsville. Also, Friday is Councilmember Allen's birthday, and Saturday is Chief Kevin
Lunsford's birthday.
Four teams of local kids are heading to the National Little Dribblers Tournament in April. Please help them raise the funds
needed for this special trip. Contact Sherry at 979-739-2045.
Check the Wynne Home page on the City website for their full schedule of spring classes and events. There are things for
all ages and some are free. Learn something new or develop a skill!
He gave out awards at the YMCA's Great Muddy Escape last Saturday and a good time was had by all!
HISD Minute! Mayor Pro Tem Olson reminded all that the Chamber of Commerce's Promoting Our Positives (POP)
Committee is leading a drive for the district's over 350 housing insecure students. Some students don't know what home
they'll be in or where they will sleep from night to night. Many times these students stay with others who already have
income difficulties or would have a hard time feeding an additional child.
To help, POP is collecting gift cards to grocery stores, large retailers, and fast food restaurants in suggested increments
from $5-$25. A child who stays in another's home can help out by bringing these cards when they stay, to defray expenses.
The cards will be tracked by the district and issued to students based on determined need.
Make donations at the Chamber of Commerce or at the HISD Administration Building on FM 2821, to the attention of
Shannon Duncan. Many area churches are also collecting in house, so that parishioners can properly receive a tax write-
off for the donation. Call 295-8113 for more information. The Mayor noted his church's Sunday School had taken up a
collection for the POP's gift card drive.
Mayor Pro Tem Olson also shared that HISD recently honored the City with a Certificate of Appreciation. They were
submitting the names of local supporting businesses to TASB for recognition.
Councilmember Emmett announced that, speaking of calendars, all should be on the lookout for the City's third annual
calendar, with the theme of Above and Beyond! They will be available soon. Make sure you follow the City on social media
like I do, so you will be the first to know! He also mentioned the progress on the Transfer Station construction.
CoH Clean Minute! (Councilmember Humphrey) — She said the Council Finance Committee had reviewed some options
for cleanup as part of the Strategic Plan and that all will see a larger cleaning initiative including litter control.
Mark your calendar for the 10th annual E -Waste Day, a.k.a. E -Recycling Day, at the City Transfer Station on April 1. It's no
joke! From 9 -noon, you can drop off computers, printers, scanners, copiers, cell phones, rechargeable batteries, and more
- and vehicle batteries - all free of charge! And, special this year, you can recycle up to eight passenger car or light truck
tires for free, too!
Mayor Brauninger also discussed the great visit by the group of thirty visitors from Tennessee for Texas Independence Day
and Sam Houston's Birthday last week. Councilmember Humphrey said the Sam Houston Folk Festival training for
"characters" was available and fun to try!
Councilmember Davidhizar noted the AOA boy's basketball had a wonderful 34-4 season that ended last week.
10. EXECUTIVE SESSION
a. 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 Secretary Lee Woodward.
The City Council adjourned into executive session at 8:12 p.m.
11. RECONVENE
Take action, if necessary, on items addressed during Executive Session.
Councilmember Rodriquez moved to renew the City Secretary's contract effective April 1, with a 3% increase; the motion
was seconded by Councilmember Humphrey. The motion was adopted 6-1, Councilmember Allen voting against.
12. ADJOURNMENT
Mayor Brauninger adjourned the meeting without objection at 8:45 p.m.
Lee Woodward, City Secretary