Minutes - 11/21/2017
MINUTES FROM THE HUNTSVILLE CITY COUNCIL REGULAR MEETING HELD ON THE 21 ST DAY OF NOVEMBER 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, Tish Humphrey, Ronald Allen, Joe P. Rodriquez, Paul Davidhizar, Keith
D. Olson, Clyde D. Loll
COUNCILMEMBERS ABSENT: Tyler McCaffety, Joe Emmett
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 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 Loll gave an invocation and Kaelan and Mikhil Patel led the pledges.
3. 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 14, 2017. \[Lee Woodward, City Secretary\]
b. Authorize the City Manager to accept an Emergency Management Performance Grant (EMPG) for $21,759.07. \[Dr.
Sherry McKibben, Director of Neighborhood Resources\]
Mayor Pro Tem Olson moved to approve the consent agenda; the motion was seconded by Councilmember Davidhizar.
The motion was adopted, 7-0.
Item 5f was handled without objection following the Consent Agenda.
4. STATUTORY AGENDA
a. Presentation, public comment, discussion, and possible action to consider adopting Ordinance 2017-43 amending
the Huntsville Code of Ordinances, specifically Chapter 12, Buildings and Building Regulations, second reading.
\[Kevin Byal, Building Official\]
Councilmember Davidhizar moved to adopt Ordinance 2017-43 amending the Huntsville Code of Ordinances, specifically
Chapter 12, Buildings and Building Regulations; the motion was seconded by Councilmembers Loll and Humphrey. The
motion was adopted, 7-0.
b. Presentation, public comment, discussion, and possible action to consider adopting Ordinance 2018-03 amending
the Huntsville Code of Ordinances, specifically Chapter 12, Buildings and Building Regulations, second reading.
\[Kevin Byal, Building Official\]
Councilmember Rodriquez moved to adopt Ordinance 2018-03 amending the Huntsville Code of Ordinances, specifically
Chapter 12, Buildings and Building Regulations; the motion was seconded by mayor Pro Tem Olson. The motion was
adopted, 7-0.
c. Presentation, public comment, discussion, and possible action to consider adopting Ordinance 2018-07 amending
the Huntsville Code of Ordinances, specifically Chapter 12, Buildings and Building Regulations, second reading.
\[Kevin Byal, Building Official\]
Councilmember Loll moved to adopt Ordinance 2018-03 amending the Huntsville Code of Ordinances, specifically Chapter
12, Buildings and Building Regulations; the motion was seconded by Councilmember Davidhizar. The motion was adopted,
7-0.
d. Presentation, public comment, discussion, and possible action to consider adoption of Ordinance 2018-04 to
change the Development District Classification of the approximate 66-acre tract of land located at 907 State
Highway 19 from Management to Planned Development, and approval of the Concept Plan for the Planned
Development, second reading. \[Aron Kulhavy, Director of Community and Economic Development\]
Councilmember Allen moved to adopt Ordinance 2018-04 to change the Development District Classification of the
approximate 66-acre tract of land located at 907 State Highway 19 from Management to Planned Development, and
approval of the Concept Plan for the Planned Development; the motion was seconded by Mayor Pro Tem Olson. The motion
was adopted, 7-0.
5. CITY COUNCIL/CITY MANAGER/CITY ATTORNEY
a. Presentation, public comment, discussion, and possible action to consider authorizing the City Manager to sign
an interlocal agreement with the City of Conroe for the sheltering of animals and move to reject Competitive Sealed
Proposal for construction of an animal shelter. \[Matt Benoit, City Manager\]
Councilmember Loll moved to authorize the City Manager to sign an interlocal agreement with the City of Conroe for the
sheltering of animals and move to reject the Competitive Sealed Proposal for construction of an animal shelter. The motion
was seconded by Mayor Pro Tem Olson. Councilmember Loll moved to call the question but the motion was lost for lack of
a second. Councilmember Allen moved to postpone until the Council holds a work session on the item. Councilmember Loll
asked to withdraw his original motion. Mayor Pro Tem Olson objected. The motion to permit withdrawal was adopted, 5-2,
Mayor Pro Tem Olson and Councilmember Humphrey voting against.
Mayor Pro Tem Olson moved to postpone until the Council can hold a workshop and put the item back on the agenda at
the first meeting in January. The motion was seconded by Councilmember Allen. The motion passed unanimously, 7-0.
Councilmember Davidhizar asked the staff to recommend an increase in the amount per animal paid to Conroe out of
consideration.
b. Presentation, public comment, discussion, and possible action to consider authorizing the City Manager to
negotiate with Legacy Builders for the finish-out construction of an animal shelter for an amount not to exceed
$350,000. \[Matt Benoit, City Manager\]
Councilmember Allen moved to postpone the item to the first meeting in January. The motion was seconded by
Councilmember Loll. Walter Boyd and Timothy Davis offered public comment. The motion was adopted, 7-0.
c. Presentation, public comment, discussion, and possible action to consider adopting Resolution 2018-04 allocating
the City’s voting entitlement for candidates for the 2018 Walker County Appraisal District’s (WCAD) Board of
Directors for the 2018-2019 term. \[Mayor Brauninger\]
Councilmember Davidhizar moved to adopt Resolution 2018-04 allocating the City’s voting entitlement for candidates for
the 2018 Walker County Appraisal District’s (WCAD) Board of Directors for the 2018-2019 term. The motion was seconded
by Councilmember Rodriquez. The motion was adopted, 7-0.
d. Presentation, public comment, discussion, and possible action to approve Mayor’s nominations for City Council
Committees. \[Mayor Brauninger\]
Mayor Brauninger nominated Councilmembers Emmett, Rodriquez, Humphrey, and Davidhizar to continue serving on the
Council Finance Committee. The motion was adopted, 7-0.
e. Presentation, public comment, and discussion to consider agenda item submitted by Councilmember Allen
regarding regional University Interscholastic League (UIL) cross country events. \[Councilmember Allen\]
Councilmember Allen discussed his concerns over a UIL meet held at Kate Barr Ross Park by SHSU.
f. Presentation, public comment, discussion, and possible action toconsider agenda item submitted by
Councilmember Humphrey and Mayor Pro Tem Olson to name the Sam Houston Statue Visitor Center Expansion
for former Mayor Bill Hodges. \[Councilmember Humphrey and Mayor Pro Tem Olson\]
This item was handled without objection following the Consent Agenda. Supportive comments were made by former Mayor
Jane Monday, Gene Blair, former Councilmember Ron Lange, Todd Robinson, former Mayor Mac Woodward, and Walker
County Judge Danny Pierce. Councilmember Humphrey and moved to name the Sam Houston Statue Visitor Center
Expansion for former Mayor Bill Hodges. The motion was seconded by Mayor Pro Tem Olson. The motion was adopted, 7-
0.
g. City Manager’s Report - Updates on City construction, grants, studies, City projects, City purchases, and economic
development
- Update from American Civil Engineering Services, L.P. (ACES) on Freese & Nichols and Enprotec/Hibbs & Todd,
Inc., (eHT) on Proposition 3 projects.
Brent Sherrod of American Civil Engineering Services (ACES) informed the Council that, around 60 days in, on progress.
All was on schedule and within budget at this time. The Mayor asked if communications and the ongoing relationships had
improved, and Sherrod said different approaches had been discussed in great detail and he felt all was in good shape to
move forward. He said they were still hitting timelines in spite of some issues. The need for the easement at Elkins Lake
was great, he continued, although there were other options if it were not obtained. Mayor Brauninger expressed how
important he felt the project. City Manager Matt Benoit advised the City wait a little longer before issuing debt, based on the
plan and review schedules.
6. 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.
Consideration and discussion on Citizen Participation Request from Timothy Charles Owl Davis for an “update on the
Ernst Parking Lot Lease agreement and Stop signs placed in the Avenues in cautious/dangerous foot and vehicle traffic
areas.”
Mr. Davis confirmed the Ernst lot lease had been renewed and requested that crosswalk paint and speed bumps be considered
for heavily trafficked intersections, especially along Avenue O. Councilmember Humphrey said she and Councilmember
Rodriquez had attended the annual SHSU Safety Walk and noted they had a list of concerns on and off campus.
7. MEDIA INQUIRIES RELATED TO MATTERS ON THE AGENDA
There were no inquiries.
8. 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.)
Mayor Brauninger announced: The Emergency Management Coordinator and Dept. of Neighborhood Resources need your help
in creating the City’s new Hazard Mitigation Plan. Go to www.HuntsvilleTX.gov/Hazard by December 6 to fill out a survey. There
will be a public meeting in January. Call 291-5428 for more information.
HISD Minute! (Mayor Pro Tem Olson) – Congrats to the Hornets on a great football season. We were sorry to hear of Friday
night’s loss, but know there are lots more successes happening in the district as well. Keep up the good work!
CoH Clean Minute! (Councilmember Humphrey) – Thanks for helping keep Home Sweet Huntsville clean by being thoughtful
about waste during the holidays. REDUCE – REUSE – RECYCLE! Reduce by buying less and serving and volunteering more.
There are so many in our community who will welcome the work of your heart and hands. Reuse in creative ways. Recycle as
much as you can, from wine and beer bottles to upcycling bags and boxes, and so on. The holidays start this week, so visit with
your family around the Thanksgiving table about ways you can all enjoy them without just creating more trash! She reminded
everyone that Solid Waste gives out rubber lids for cans to remind all not to pour grease down drains. She added kudos for
SHSU and noted their playoff game is December 2.
Christmas Fair & Winter in the Park (Councilmember Rodriquez) will be December 2 from 10-5. There are lots of other activities
in town that weekend, so be sure to follow the City’s website and on social media so you don’t miss out!
There’s also a Lamp Post Decorating Contest (Councilmember Loll) going on to get the downtown area looking festive! Take
time this holiday season to visit the square with your family and friends and see all the entries. Winners will be named on
December 2.
The Huntsville Volunteer Fire Department’s annual Toy Drive (Councilmember Davidhizar) is happening this Friday and
Saturday from 10-4 at Kroger. Drop off new toys for kids of all ages or make a donation. Thank you from the Huntsville VFD!
The Mayor noted Councilmember Rodriquez’ birthday is November 25! He added that he and his wife had been traveling over
the last few weeks and shared how much he appreciated Councilmembers filling in for him at activities around town. He reminded
everyone of how much there is to be thankful for in our community.
9. EXECUTIVE SESSION
a. City Council will meet in Executive Session pursuant to Texas Government Code Section 551.071 - consultation
with counsel on legal matters and Section 551.072 - deliberation regarding purchases, exchanges, lease or value
of real property, regarding:
- An area generally bounded by Highway 19, Old Colony Road, Geneva Road, and Highway 190
- An area located at the southwest part of the Elkins Lake subdivision. \[Ram Ramachandra, City Engineer\]
b. City Council will meet in Executive Session pursuant to Texas Government Code Section 551.071 - consultation
with counsel on legal matters and Section 551.072 - deliberation regarding purchases, exchanges, lease or value
of real property, regarding project Cardinal.
c.
City Council will meet in Executive Session pursuant to Texas Government Code Section 551.074 – personnel
matters regarding the employment and duties of a public officer or employee, regarding City Manager Matt Benoit.
The Council adjourned to Executive Session at 8:29 p.m
11. RECONVENE
The Council reconvened at 9:22 p.m. Mayor Pro Tem Olson moved to proceed with acquisition of the Kennedy easement. The
motion was seconded by Councilmember Davidhizar. The motion was adopted, 7-0.
12. ADJOURNMENT
Mayor Brauninger adjourned the meeting without objection at 9:22 p.m.
Lee Woodward, City Secretary