Minutes - 09/23/2013 MINUTES FROM THE HUNTSVILLE CITY COUNCIL MEETING HELD ON THE 23RD DAY OF SEPTEMBER 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,Lydia Montgomery,Keith D.Olson,Don H.Johnson,Joe Emmett,Tish Humphrey,Ronald Allen
COUNCILMEMBERS ABSENT:Clyde Loll
OFFICERS PRESENT:Leonard Schneider,City Attorney,Kristin Edwards,Deputy City Secretary
SPECIAL SESSION[6:00PM]
1. CALL TO ORDER
2. INVOCATION AND PLEDGES--Councilmember Johnson gave an invocation.
3. PUBLIC COMMENT
There were no public comments
4. MAYOR/CITY COUNCIUCITY MANAGER AND CITY ATTORNEY REPORT
a. Discussion pertaining to Council Rules of Procedure and agenda items 6a and 6b of the 9117113 City Council
agenda.[Council member Allen]
Mayor Woodward stated that, during the September 17 City Council meeting, two discussions pertaining to a budget
decision package and approval of the FY 13-14 budget were closed with a motion to call the question and that without a
second being made on either motion, the Council voted on each of the items,and both passed 7 to 1.
The Mayor said it was only after the meeting that the City realized a mistake may have been made, and after reviewing the
Council Rules of Procedure and speaking with a certified parliamentarian, confirmed that a second should have been made
to call the question during each discussion. Mayor Woodward stated Councilmember Allen had asked for a special session.
He apologized for the error and said he hoped the Council could move forward after the meeting.
Councilmember Allen stated he believed it appeared Councilmember Emmett was attempting to censor his comments
during both discussions, that Councilmember Johnson had attempted to divert attention to Emmett, and that more than one
Councilmember had been briefed prior to the meeting. Councilmember Allen directed video clips from the September 17
meeting to be shown and noted instances where he felt various Councilmembers had either attempted to interrupt him
directly or re-focus attention onto another Councilmember.
In closing, Councilmember Alien stated that the videos would be available and that the public could decide for themselves
how to interpret the events on September 17. He said he would not change his beliefs about his right to free speech, Mayor
Woodward suggested that the Council move forward with the knowledge that the video of the September 17 Council
meeting was available for public viewing.
Councilmember Olson stated that he had directed attention to other Council members as a matter of courtesy in the past
and had never meant any offense. He said he did not believe any Councilmember would treat another with disrespect and
regretted Councilmember Allen had gotten that impression. Councilmember Montgomery agreed with Councilmember
Olson,saying she also had directed the attention of Council to other speakers but had never meant any disrespect. She said
she appreciated Councilmember Allen's passion for what he believed was right, and that she would be very disappointed if
anything were found to be improper.
b. Presentation, discussion and possible action to amend the decision package on Main Street Program and Wynne
Home Arts Center approved by council vote on agenda item 6a at the 9117/13 regular City Council meeting. [Mayor
Woodward]
No motion was made nor action taken.
c. Presentation,discussion,and possible action to adopt Ordinance 2013-44 to amend the budget for FYI 3-14. [Mayor
Woodward]
No motion was made nor action taken.
5. PUBLIC COMMENT
Judge Charles Wagamon, 1624 Avenue O, said the Council was having an unnecessary meeting due to a mistake in
parliamentary procedure. He asked that each member of Council review the Rules of Procedure as well as Robert's Rules of
Order so as to avoid another mistake in the future.
6. MEDIA INQUIRIES RELATED TO MATTERS ON THE AGENDA
Brandon Scott from the Huntsville Item offered Councilmembers Emmett and Johnson an opportunity to respond to the
accusations made against them,but both declined. Mayor Woodward said Scott could address the Councilmembers following the
meeting.
7. ADJOURNMENT
Mayor Woodward adjourned the me ing at 6:25 p.
Respectfully submitted,
Kristin Edwards,Deputy City Secret