Minutes - 12/03/2013
RD
MINUTES FROM THE HUNTSVILLE CITY COUNCIL MEETING HELD ON THE 3 DAY OF DECEMBER 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, Andy Brauninger, Keith D. Olson, Don H. Johnson, Joe Emmett, Tish Humphrey, Ronald Allen, Joe
P. Rodriquez
COUNCILMEMBERS ABSENT: Lydia Montgomery
OFFICERS PRESENT: Matt Benoit, City Manager, Leonard Schneider, City Attorney, Lee Woodward, City Secretary_____________________________
MAIN SESSION \[6:00PM\]
1. CALL TO ORDER
2. INVOCATION AND PLEDGES – Councilmember Humphrey gave an invocation and guest pledgers from Faith Lutheran
School led the pledges.
Councilmember Humphrey presented the Faith Lutheran School third and fourth grade class with a proclamation in
recognition of their political engagement study unit and conduct of their student council elections.
3. PUBLIC COMMENT
There were no public comments.
4. 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.)
a. Approve the minutes of the City Council Regular Session held on November 19, 2013. \[Lee Woodward, City
Secretary\]
b. Adopt Ordinance 2014-13, to amend the FY 2013-14 budget. \[Steve Ritter, Director of Finance\]
Councilmember Olson moved to approve the consent agenda and was seconded by Councilmember Humphrey.
Councilmember Brauninger asked to pull item b. The motion passed unanimously, 8-0.
Councilmember Johnson moved to approve item b and was seconded by Councilmember Brauninger. The motion
passed unanimously, 8-0.
5. STATUTORY AGENDA
a. Presentation, discussion, and possible action to consider a request to change the name of Legion Road to
Gordon Road and adopt Ordinance 2014-11, first reading. \[Aron Kulhavy, Director of Community and Economic
Development\]
Councilmember Olson moved to suspend the two-reading requirement and was seconded by Councilmember Allen. The
motion passed unanimously. Councilmember Olson moved to approve the request to change the name of Legion Road to
Gordon Road and adopt Ordinance 2014-11 and was seconded by Councilmember Allen. The motion passed
unanimously, 8-0.
b. Presentation, discussion, and possible action to adopt Ordinance 2014-05 to establish City of Huntsville’s
retirement provisions in the Texas Municipal Retirement System (TMRS) on the “50% repeating COLA (cost-of-
living adjustment)” and the “50% repeating Updated Service Credits” basis, first reading. \[Steve Ritter, Finance
Director\]
Councilmembers Allen and Humphrey signed conflict of interest forms and did not participate in the item. Steve Ritter,
Finance Director, recapped a budget presentation on the provisions (available on the City web site). Councilmember
Brauninger requested acceptable levels for unfunded liability on the issue and raised the possibility of self-funding.
Councilmember Johnson asked for a set of clear definitions on terms and clarification on historical expenses.
c. Presentation, discussion, and possible action to adopt Ordinance 2014-13 to amend Chapter 14 of the Code of
Ordinances, specifically article VI “Secondhand Jewelry and Precious Metals”; making other provisions and
findings thereto; and declaring an effective date, first reading. \[Chief Kevin Lunsford, Director of Public Safety\]
Councilmember Olson signed a conflict of interest form and did not participate in the item. Chief Kevin Lunsford, Director
of Public Safety, discussed the intent to refine the efficiency of the ordinance in practice.
d. Presentation, discussion, and possible action to adopt Ordinance 2014-14, removing Section 2-26 from Chapter
2, Administration, of the Code of Ordinances, pursuant to the Charter election removal of the employee grievance
appeal to the City Council, first reading. \[Matt Benoit, City Manager, and Leonard Schneider, City Attorney\]
The Mayor noted this Ordinance was intended to bring the Code of Ordinances in line with the Charter, following the
November 5, 2013 Charter election. Councilmember Humphrey moved to suspend the two-reading rule and was
seconded by Councilmember Olson. The motion passed unanimously, 8-0. Councilmember Humphrey moved to adopt
Ordinance 2014-14, removing Section 2-26 from Chapter 2, Administration, of the Code of Ordinances, pursuant to the
Charter election removal of the employee grievance appeal to the City Council and was seconded by Councilmember
Johnson. The motion passed unanimously, 8-0.
6. MAYOR/CITY COUNCIL/CITY MANAGER AND CITY ATTORNEY REPORT
a. Presentation, discussion, and possible action to approve amendment to the City Manager’s contract. \[Mayor
Woodward\]
Councilmember Olson moved to approve the amendment to the City Manager’s contract and was seconded by
Councilmember Johnson. The motion passed unanimously, 8-0.
b. Presentation, discussion, and possible action to appoint Stacy Godby to an open adult position on the Youth
Advisory Board. \[Mayor Woodward\]
Mayor Woodward moved to nominate Stacy Godby to an open adult position on the Youth Advisory Board. The motion
passed unanimously, 8-0.
c. City Manager’s Report
1. Updates on City construction, grants, studies, City projects, City purchases, and economic development.
Fire Chief Tom Grisham updated the City Council on renovations and repairs at Fire Station #2, hoping for
completion under budget in late January or February. He thanked the City crews who had done so much of the work,
and Dr. Sherry McKibben and Billie Smith for their assistance in donations, acquisitions, and purchasing, also noting
McCoys Lumber donated all the kitchen cabinetry. Police Chief Kevin Lunsford thanked Chief Grisham and called
his work on the project “outstanding.”
Chief Lunsford reported on implementation of the alarm ordinance, saying it was going well but that notification was
their greatest current challenge. He said the department’s grace period would end in January, but noted (with
caution) there already seemed to be some reduction in false alarms. The Chief added that alarm information could
be had at the Police Department or on their web site. The Chief announced that the officer who had been hit recently
was doing well and very appreciative of the response to his accident.
Jamie Mathews of the Sam Houston Visitor Center invited all to their volunteer appreciation the afternoon of
December 5 and the December 6 kickoff of Huntsville for the Holidays with innumerable events around the
community all weekend, listed on the City website. Mrs. Mathews thanked all the volunteers making the events
possible.
d. Presentation, discussion, and possible action to authorize the City Manager to enter into a contract for strategic
planning services. \[Mayor Woodward\]
Mayor Woodward noted he and Councilmembers Johnson and Rodriquez recommended Marcel Brunel. Councilmember
Johnson moved to approve the selection of Marcel Brunel and was seconded by Councilmember Rodriquez.
Councilmember Rodriquez said Mr. Brunel’s presentation was to assist the City Council to complete a plan that it could
revise annually itself thereafter. Councilmember Johnson stated Mr. Brunel seemed to be willing to invest a great deal in
the work and make it possible for the Council to refine its current strategic plan. Councilmember Allen moved to postpone
to the next meeting and was seconded by Councilmember Rodriquez. Councilmembers Humphrey and Johnson urged
voting tonight to move forward with the process and complete it timely. Councilmember Olson reminded all the Finance
Committee had approved the funds and reviewed the general proposal. The motion failed, 4-4. Councilmembers Emmett,
Johnson, Olson, and Humphrey voting against the motion. The main motion passed unanimously, 8-0.
7. PUBLIC COMMENT
There were no public comments.
8. MEDIA INQUIRIES RELATED TO MATTERS ON THE AGENDA
There were no 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 Humphrey announced Gibbs Bros. was one of fifty historic Texas Treasured Businesses recognized by the
state, proposed by State Senator Charles Schwertner and nominated by Representative John Otto. She reminded all citizens
to subscribe or view This Week in Huntsville online to review the Solid Waste schedule for Christmas. Councilmember
Humphrey shared the ribbon cutting for Tesla powering stations at the Holiday Inn Express. She announced SHSU was in
round two of the playoffs and would play in Hammond, Louisiana on Saturday. Councilmember Johnson reminded all that the
SHSU Christmas Music Festival would be Thursday evening at the Performing Arts Center.
10. ADJOURNMENT
Mayor Woodward adjourned the meeting at 7:28 pm.
Respectfully submitted,
Lee Woodward, City Secretary