Minutes - 04/01/2014
ST
MINUTES FROM THE HUNTSVILLE CITY COUNCIL MEETING HELD ON THE 1 DAY OF APRIL 2014, IN THE CITY HALL,
LOCATED AT 1212 AVENUE M IN THE CITY OF HUNTSVILLE, COUNTY OF WALKER, TEXAS, AT 5:30 PM.
The Council met in a regular session with the following:
COUNCILMEMBERS PRESENT: Mac Woodward, Andy Brauninger, Lydia Montgomery, Don H. Johnson, Keith D. Olson, Joe Emmett, Tish
Humphrey, Ronald Allen, Joe P. Rodriquez
COUNCILMEMBERS ABSENT: None
OFFICERS PRESENT: Matt Benoit, City Manager, Leonard Schneider, City Attorney, Lee Woodward, City Secretary_____________________________
WORKSHOP SESSION \[5:30 PM\] - Discussion on monument entry and way-finding signage consultant.
City Manager Matt Benoit presented information on way-finding signage and monument entry consulting, design, and installation.
MAIN SESSION \[6:00PM\]
1. CALL TO ORDER – Mayor Woodward called the meeting to order at 6:02 p.m.
2. INVOCATION AND PLEDGES – Councilmember Humphrey gave an invocation and Mikiah Booker from the YMCA led the
pledges.
3. PRESENTATIONS AND PROCLAMATIONS
Fair Housing Month proclamation
National Crime Victims’ Rights Week proclamation
Presentation of City Secretary volunteer intern
4. PUBLIC COMMENT
Jerry DeWitt spoke on Highway 190 easements, stating he would sue the City for payment. Eric Johnson spoke in support of
traffic calming devices on River Oaks. Jerry DeWitt questioned the City finding money for such devices but not to pay him.
Charles Smither, Jr. asked the Council to consider modifications to the proposed Water Conservation and Drought
Contingency Plan. Mayor Woodward asked Mr. Smither to share his concerns with Carol Reed, Director of Public Works.
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.)
a. Approve the minutes of the City Council Regular Session held on March 18, 2014. \[Lee Woodward, City
Secretary\]
Councilmember Brauninger moved to approve the consent agenda and was seconded by Councilmember Montgomery.
The motion passed unanimously.
6. STATUTORY AGENDA
a. FIRST READING - Presentation, discussion, and possible action to adopt Ordinance 2014-25 revising the City of
Huntsville Water Conservation and Drought Contingency Plan, first reading. \[Carol Reed, Director of Public
Works\]
Councilmember Humphrey asked that conservation be included in library children’s programs for the summer.
Councilmember Montgomery stressed the need for public notification when restrictions were activated.
b. Presentation, discussion, and possible action to adopt Resolution 2014-10 to amend the budget for FY13-14 and
the Capital Improvement Projects budget for the installation of speed tables on River Oaks Drive. \[Aron Kulhavy,
Director of Community and Economic Development\]
Councilmember Olson moved to adopt Resolution 2014-10 to amend the budget for FY13-14 and the Capital
Improvement Projects budget for the installation of speed tables on River Oaks Drive and was seconded by
Councilmember Rodriquez.
Councilmember Rodriquez thanked residents for collecting signatures and City staff and local agencies for their work on
the item, and expressed his support. Councilmember Johnson asked for least aggressive type of devices.
Councilmember Humphrey expressed concern about such strategies in a neighborhood. Aron Kulhavy, Director of
Community and Economic Development, noted that perhaps just over 90% of the area residents had signed a petition in
support. Councilmembers Brauninger and Rodriquez asked the citizens be supported. Councilmember Emmett offered
that perhaps only the River Oaks residents had spoken, not all of the citizenry.
The motion passed, 7-2, Councilmembers Humphrey and Emmett voting against.
c. Presentation, discussion, and possible action on a presentation by Boyd London, Managing Director of
FirstSouthwest, of the City of Huntsville debt schedules and upcoming debt retirement. \[City Manager Matt
Benoit\]
Mr. London pointed out the City’s credit ratings, in recognition of its strong financial management and planning practices,
and the rapidly approaching retirement of significant amounts of debt, in both General Obligation and Waterworks and
Sewer System bonds, resulting in increasing financial flexibility.
Mayor Woodward moved to direct the City Manager to review the changing debt structure and bring suggestions for future
planning to the Council and was seconded by Councilmember Olson. The motion passed unanimously.
7. MAYOR/CITY COUNCIL/CITY MANAGER AND CITY ATTORNEY REPORT
a. Presentation, discussion, and possible action to nominate Joe Boaz to an open position on the Cemetery
Advisory Board. \[Mayor Woodward\]
Mayor Woodward moved his nomination. The motion passed unanimously.
b. Presentation, discussion, and possible action on Code Enforcement and neighborhood improvement policies
and procedures. \[Councilmember Allen\]
Councilmember Allen recounted recent Council discussions on neighborhood initiatives and asked why City-owned
properties in those areas were not in compliance.
c. City Manager’s Report
1. Updates on City construction, grants, studies, City projects, City purchases, and economic development.
There was no report.
8. PUBLIC COMMENT
Jerry DeWitt again discussed his displeasure with the easement acquisition on Highway 190. Eric Johnston spoke on the
River Oaks speed calming devices ad expressed his appreciation. Councilmember Allen offered a list of overgrown properties
and requested a list of City-owned lots and whether they were being maintained.
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.)
Mayor Woodward provided information on the following items:
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David DeKerlegand & Jeff Clark of Camp Hope of Houston are holding regular weekly hours at the HEARTS
Museum to help all veterans. Jeff is a PTSD-qualified counselor and they work with local law enforcement when a
PTSD-related issue arises. See them at the HEARTS Museum or call 800-273-TALK.
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The Texas State Association of Parliamentarians (TSAP) will be holding a parliamentary procedures workshop at the
library this Saturday. This is a great opportunity for those new to parliamentary procedure or needing a brush up to
help their meetings run more efficiently. Register online at www.texasparliamentarians.org.
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Get ready for the 7 Annual E-waste Day, from 9-noon this Saturday at the Recycling Center.
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The annual American Cancer Society’s Relay for Life will be held May 2 at the high school, beginning at 6 pm.
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Walker County Fair events begin with Thursday night’s parade and special events on Saturday.
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The Walker County Historical Commission, Texas A&M AgriLife Extension, the City’s Natural Preservation Ad Hoc
Committee, and the Texas Forest Service has begun the search for local big tree champions. Find the Big Tree
Registry and find nomination forms on the City’s web site.
Councilmember Rodriquez reminded everyone of the April 9 Town Hall meeting at 6 pm at the Elkins Lake
Clubhouse. Councilmember Humphrey said she, the Mayor, and Councilmember Montgomery had attended the
NAACP Banquet and recognized Walker County Tax Assessor-Collector Diana McRae as the Citizen of the Year for
her work in education on election education and outreach. Councilmember Humphrey also noted Able’s Gun Club
would host the Professional Sporting Clays Association Inaugural Tour on April 5-6. Councilmember Johnson lauded
this week’s issue of This Week in Huntsville and encouraged all sign to up. The Mayor challenged more citizens to
sign up overnight!
11. EXECUTIVE SESSION
a. City Council will convene in closed session as authorized by Texas Government Code, Chapter 551, Section
551.074 - personnel matters regarding the appointment, employment, evaluation, reassignment, duties,
discipline, or dismissal of a public officer or employee, of City Judge John Gaines. \[Councilmember Allen\]
b. City Council will convene in closed session as authorized by Texas Government Code, Chapter 551, Section
551.074 - personnel matters regarding the appointment, employment, evaluation, reassignment, duties,
discipline, or dismissal of a public officer or employee, for City Secretary Lee Woodward. \[Mayor Woodward\]
The Mayor adjourned the City Council into Executive Session at 8:06 p.m.
12. RECONVENE
a. Take action, if necessary, on items addressed during Executive Session.
The City Council reconvened at 10:13 p.m. Councilmember Olson moved to authorizing the Mayor to negotiate the
ongoing contract for the Municipal Judge and was seconded by Councilmembers Humphrey and Montgomery. The
motion passed unanimously.
13. ADJOURNMENT
Mayor Woodward adjourned the meeting at 10:14 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Lee Woodward, City Secretary