Minutes - 01/08/2013
TH
MINUTES FROM THE HUNTSVILLE CITY COUNCIL MEETING HELD ON THE 8 DAY OF JANUARY 2013, IN THE CITY
HALL, LOCATED AT 1212 AVENUE M IN THE CITY OF HUNTSVILLE, COUNTY OF WALKER, TEXAS AT 6:00 PM.
The Council met in a regular session with the following:
COUNCILMEMBERS PRESENT: Mac Woodward, James Fitch, Lydia Montgomery, Don H. Johnson, Keith D. Olson, Joe Emmett, Tish Humphrey,
Ronald Allen, Clyde Loll
COUNCILMEMBERS ABSENT: None
OFFICERS PRESENT: Matt Benoit, City Manager, Leonard Schneider, City Attorney, Lee Woodward, City Secretary_____________________________
REGULAR SESSION [6:00PM]
1. CALL TO ORDER
2. INVOCATION AND PLEDGES– In the presence of a quorum, Councilmember Loll gave the invocation and Caitlin McCaig of
the San Jacinto Girl Scouts led the pledges.
3. PRESENTATIONS AND PROCLAMATIONS
a. Presentation of commemorative item from U.S. Olympics Women’s Gymnastics Team from London Olympics
b. Proclamation in recognition of Crime Stoppers Month
4. PUBLIC COMMENT
There were no public comments.
5. CONSENT AGENDA
(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.)
Approve the minutes of the City Council Regular Session held on December 18, 2012 and Special Session held
a.
on December 27, 2012. [Lee Woodward, City Secretary]
Councilmember Loll moved to approve the Consent Agenda and was seconded by Councilmember Olson. The motion
passed unanimously, 9-0.
6. STATUTORY AGENDA
a. Presentation, discussion, and possible action to approve Ordinance 2013-10 granting Montgomery Gas
Transmission, Inc. a franchise to lay a gas line within the city limits and right-of-way to serve Paver’s Supply for a
period of ten (10) years, first reading. [Aron Kulhavy, Director of Community and Economic Development, and
Leonard Schneider, City Attorney]
There was no discussion on the item.
b. Presentation, discussion, and possible action to approve Ordinance 2013-11, amending the budget for FY 12-13.
[Steve Ritter, Interim Finance Director]
Councilmember Olson made a motion to approve the Ordinance and was seconded by Councilmember Johnson.
Councilmember Allen asked if the wall caused the issue with the mural. Aron Kulhavy, Director of Community and
Economic Development, said the engineering report gave the likely causes were the effect of the drought on the soil
causing cracks, then allowing moisture in at the top of the mural between it and the wall. He added that the structure of
the wall was in “good shape.” He continued that the wall was a brick masonry wall and the tie-in of the mural to the wall
was the concern.
Councilmember Allen asked if the wall caused the mural to separate in any way. Mr. Kulhavy allowed that it could have
been a contributing factor. Councilmember Allen asked if any City employee had been to check the wall. Mr. Kulhavy
said there had not but that the owner had hired a structural engineer to evaluate the wall and read from the report the
notation that the soil had caused the minute cracks in the brickwork. Councilmember Allen asked why the City spent
$17,600 to attach the mural to a wall with issues rather than waiting until the wall was repaired, and if there were bolts in
the holes. Mr. Kulhavy said he did not know. Councilmember Allen asked if the building owner would do the repairs and
Mr. Kulhavy said the owner had told him the repairs were in process.
Councilmember Allen averred that the City should have done the inspection. Councilmember Allen moved to table the
item and was seconded by Councilmember Humphrey. The motion passed 8-1, Councilmember Olson voting against.
The Mayor asked that someone from the engineering firm be present at the next meeting. Councilmember Olson noted
the money had been spent and the question was the appropriation of funds.
c. Presentation, discussion, and possible action to consider the bid for the Magnolia Way Street Reconstruction
Project. [Aron Kulhavy, Director of Community and Economic Development]
Councilmember Fitch made a motion to award the contract and was seconded by Councilmember Johnson. The motion
was approved unanimously, 9-0.
7. MAYOR/CITY COUNCIL/CITY MANAGER AND CITY ATTORNEY REPORT
Annual update from the Finance Committee. [Councilmember Olson]
a.
Councilmember Olson noted the work of the Finance Committee in their sixteen meetings in the prior year, concentrating
on contracts, policies, and budgeting. The Mayor thanked the committee members for their work.
b. City Manager’s Report
1. Updates on City construction, grants, studies, City projects, City purchases, and economic development.
Mr. Benoit announced the City’s receipt of the SAFER grant to fund four firefighter positions and noted he hoped to
have these positions hired by March 1.
8. PUBLIC COMMENT
There were no public comments.
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.)
The Mayor encouraged everyone to be prepared for high winds and heavy storms tonight.
11. ADJOURNMENT
The Mayor adjourned the meeting at 6:29 pm.
Respectfully submitted,
Lee Woodward, City Secretary