Minutes - 03/18/2013
TH
MINUTES FROM THE HUNTSVILLE CITY COUNCIL MEETING HELD ON THE 18 DAY OF MARCH 2013, IN THE CITY HALL,
LOCATED AT 1212 AVENUE M IN THE CITY OF HUNTSVILLE, COUNTY OF WALKER, TEXAS, AT 5:00 PM.
The Council met in a regular session with the following:
COUNCILMEMBERS PRESENT: Mac Woodward, James Fitch, Lydia Montgomery, Don H. Johnson, Keith Olson, Joe Emmett, Tish Humphrey, Ronald Allen,
Clyde Loll
COUNCILMEMBERS ABSENT: None
OFFICERS PRESENT: Matt Benoit, City Manager, Lee Woodward, City Secretary_________________________________________________________________
WORKSHOP SESSION [5:00 PM – LARGE CONFERENCE ROOM] – The City Council will meet to discuss revisions to the City
Council Rules of Procedure.
In the presence of a quorum, the Mayor called the workshop to order at 5:00 pm. The Mayor stated the Rules were a suggested group of
guidelines for the Council to follow and that civility and respect were values owed to those who were served and that members should
conduct themselves in this way in all venues. He added that he did not believe there had been any intent to restrict anyone’s rights, to
speak or otherwise, noting the Council oath to uphold the U.S. Constitution.
Sections 4.01 and 4.02 were handled first, with Councilmember Allen expressing his disbelief at portions he thought violated the Bill of
Rights due to the inclusion of the words “private conversations.” Councilmember Montgomery suggested that simply be removed.
Councilmember Allen asked how much of the additional material proposed was from the City of Hutto documents and the City Secretary
said it was the majority. Councilmember Allen felt that it should have been identified as “wrong” as soon as it was seen. The Mayor asked
for Councilmember Allen’s suggestions. Councilmember Allen said he felt the rules were fine as they were, but offered the idea of
appointing two more Councilmembers to the committee and beginning the process again.
Councilmember Montgomery said she believed that all nine members of the Council would discuss any proposed updates and work
together to review and finalize them, but that the process had become a larger issue. Councilmember Humphrey expressed disagreement
with Councilmember Allen’s implication that the committee was led by the City Secretary and City Manager, saying she did not allow
others to tell her what to do but recognized the value of staff who had been exposed to other material, adding that she was upset at
anyone getting hung up on where the proposed language came from. Councilmember Humphrey said it was absurd to think that any
member had the intent of opposing the Bill of Rights or the Constitution and that Councilmembers had an obligation to listen and be
discerning. She reminded all of the previous workshop and Councilmember Allen’s refusal to reveal his concerns until the last moment.
Councilmember Loll suggested focusing on current issues and policies, saying it didn’t matter where a good policy came from if it was a
good fit, working to “make what we have better.” He asked that the Council “focus on the task at hand.” Councilmember Emmett
expressed appreciation of the committee’s work and said he had not found any issues on his part but suggested the Council simply go
back to the existing Rules.
Councilmember Johnson noted the document was a draft for discussion in the last workshop and tasked all Councilmembers for not
having responded more fully then. He acknowledged concerns over the private conversation language but that civility was key for the
group to work together. Councilmember Fitch expounded on the individuality of the Council members with a common goal to serve the
people of Huntsville and his disappointment that things were too often taken personally when not intended. He asked that all respect each
other and their differences.
Councilmember Olson recalled serving on the Rules of Procedure committee previously and that revisions were always a negotiated
conversation among the members. He asked that the draft not be labeled and for the Council to work together. Councilmember Allen
expressed again his surprise and discomfort that so much of the draft material came from the City of Hutto. Mayor Woodward observed
that he felt the Council had no issues with perhaps ninety percent of the document and suggested the Council review the draft again and
submit concerns in preparation for a third workshop on the topic. He said he disliked the reference to sanctions and Councilmember Allen
agreed that had held his focus. Conversation continued on the appropriateness of revealing material from Executive Session.
Councilmembers Humphrey and Montgomery noted proposed revisions and feedback had been requested previously.
Councilmember Allen reminded all that the City Attorney had offered an opinion to remove the “private conversation” references.
Councilmember Humphrey asked the Council’s opinion on when the Rules were to be enforced, if they felt it was only in meeting situations
or at all times. The Mayor reminded all that it seemed the public viewed them in their elected roles regardless of the situation but that at
meetings the “people’s business” should be conducted in a respectful and orderly manner and that sanctions would be imposed by the
voters. The Mayor pointed out that no member could speak for the Council, only for themselves, unless the Council had taken action that
could be relayed. Councilmember Fitch requested each member’s suggestions be noted so their opinions could be heard.
Mayor Woodward adjourned the meeting at 6:00 pm.
Respectfully submitted,
Lee Woodward, City Secretary