Minutes - 01/06/2015
TH
MINUTES FROM THE HUNTSVILLE CITY COUNCIL MEETING HELD ON THE 6 DAY OF JANUARY 2015, IN THE CITY
HALL, LOCATED AT 1212 AVENUE M, IN THE CITY OF HUNTSVILLE, COUNTY OF WALKER, TEXAS, AT 5:00 P.M.
The Council met in a regular session with the following:
COUNCILMEMBERS PRESENT: Mac Woodward, Andy Brauninger, Lydia Montgomery, Don H. Johnson, Keith D. Olson (arrived at 5:30), 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_____________________________
WORKSHOPS
\[5:00 P.M.\] - Presentation and discussion on recommendations from the Council Finance Committee on Sanitation Fund
rate adjustments.
Discussion as stated in agenda item, anticipated for action on January 20 agenda.
\[5:30 P.M.\] Presentation and discussion on possible ballot language to create an Economic Development Fund to include
eligible revenue increases as well as expenditure reductions.
Presentations on options for 4A, 4B, and voter mandate elections were offered and discussed.
MAIN SESSION \[6:00 P.M.\]
1. CALL TO ORDER – Mayor Woodward called the meeting to order at 6:00 p.m.
2. INVOCATION AND PLEDGES – Councilmember Lydia Montgomery gave an invocation and Evan Allen of the YMCA led the
pledges.
3. PRESENTATIONS AND PROCLAMATIONS
- Crimestoppers Month
4. PUBLIC HEARING – City Council will hold a public hearing concerning a request for a change in the zoning
classification of Far Hills Addition, Section 2, Lot 68 located at 53 State Highway 75 North from Neighborhood
Conservation to Management. \[Aron Kulhavy, Director of Community and Economic Development\]
Mayor Woodward opened the public hearing at 6:07 p.m. Aron Kulhavy, Director of Community and Economic Development,
noted the Planning and Zoning Commission had unanimously approved the request. Brian Croden expressed concerns about
commercial businesses and increased foot traffic. Mayor Woodward closed the public hearing at 6:09 p.m.
5. 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 meetings held on December 16 and 17, 2014. \[Lee Woodward, City
Secretary\]
b. Authorize the City Manager to apply for an Emergency Management Performance Grant (EMPG). \[Dr. Sherry
McKibben, Neighborhood Resources Director\]
Councilmember Olson moved to approve the consent agenda and was seconded by Councilmembers Johnson and
Humphrey. The motion passed unanimously, 9-0.
6. STATUTORY AGENDA
a. FIRST READING - Presentation, public comment, discussion, and possible action to adopt Ordinance 2015-10, a
approving a change in zoning classification of Far Hills Addition, Section 2, Lot 68, located at 53 State Highway
75 North from Neighborhood Conservation to Management, first reading. \[Aron Kulhavy, Director of Community
and Economic Development\]
Councilmember questions confirmed the zoning of the areas around the subject and that a car dealership had expressed
interest in relocating to the area, as well as bringing up ideas of a discussion of zoning planning community-wide. City
Attorney Leonard Schneider said courts had, he believed, limited ability to be involved in a city’s zoning decision. He said
citizens could bring forth litigation for a declaratory judgment if they had valid deed restrictions to enforce.
Councilmember Olson asked that information be brought forward at the next meeting.
7. MAYOR/CITY COUNCIL/CITY MANAGER AND CITY ATTORNEY REPORT
a. FIRST READING - Presentation, public comment, discussion, and possible action to adopt Ordinance 2015-11,
authorizing annual participation with other Entergy service area cities in matters concerning Entergy Texas, Inc.,
at the Public Utility Commission and the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission in 2015, first reading. \[Leonard
Schneider, City Attorney\]
Councilembmer Olson moved to adopt Ordinance 2015-11, authorizing annual participation with other Entergy service
area cities in matters concerning Entergy Texas, Inc., at the Public Utility Commission and the Federal Energy Regulatory
Commission in 2015 and waive the Rules of Procedure requirement for two readings and was seconded by
Councilmember Humphrey. The motion passed unanimously, 9-0.
b. City Manager’s Report
1. Updates on City construction, grants, studies, City projects, City purchases, and economic development.
The City Manager proposed the next Strategic Planning meeting be held at the library on January 13, 2015 at 8:30
a.m. There was no objection. City Engineer Ram Ramachandra updated the Council on the Avenue Q Sanitary
Sewer Replacement Project.
8. REQUESTS FOR CITIZEN PARTICIPATION
No requests were received by noon on Tuesday, December 30, 2014.
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 presented the following items:
- Recognition of death on December 22 of former City Councilmember James L. Carter (nine years in late 80s and 90s),
offering thanks for his service and condolences to his family.
- Deputy City Secretary Kristin Edwards is moving on to a new and different position with the City of Deer Park next week.
I’d like to thank her for her hard work here at the City for the past five years, and wish her all the best.
- A Confederate Heroes Day remembrance will be held at the Walker County Courthouse at 4 p.m. on Sunday, January 18,
and is open to the public.
- The Senior Center will be hosting a public meeting on open enrollment for the Affordable Care Act on January 12 from
5:30-7, featuring speakers from SHSU. It is free and open to all – for more information call the Senior Center at 936-295-
6151.
- Local quilter Mary Laura Gibbs will have an exhibit at the Wynne Home Arts Center from January 15-April 15. The
opening reception will be Thursday January 15 from 4-7 p.m., with remarks at 5:30. Admission is free and refreshments
will be served.
Councilmember Brauninger reminded all of the annual Wounded Warrior Banquet on January 15 at the fairgrounds at 5:30
p.m. Councilmember Humphrey said the Chamber of Commerce was looking for volunteers for the Choices program (295-
8113) for the junior high school students on January 21 and 22. She added that SHSU classed would begin on January 14
and asked all to drive safely.
11. EXECUTIVE SESSION
a. City Council will meet in Executive Session pursuant to Texas Government Code Section 551.074 (Personnel
Matters) to deliberate the appointment, employment, evaluation, reassignment, and duties of the City Attorney.
\[Leonard Schneider, City Attorney\]
b. City Council will convene in closed session as authorized by Texas Government Code Chapter 551, Section
551.071 – consultation with counsel on legal matters, and Section 551.072 – deliberation regarding purchase,
exchange, lease or value of real property, regarding a permanent utility easement and temporary construction
easement located upon a called 24.877-acre tract described in Vol. 75, page 477, Official Public Records of
Walker County, Texas. \[Matt Benoit, City Manager and Y.S. “Ram” Ramachandra, City Engineer\]
The Mayor adjourned the City Council into Executive Session at 6:38 p.m.
12. RECONVENE
a. Take action, if necessary, on items addressed during Executive Session.
The City Council reconvened at 7:12 p.m. Councilmember Humphrey moved to authorize the City Manager to acquire
utility easements that are necessary to construct Old Colony Road (OCR) Sanitary Sewer Project Phases V & VI from the
24.877-acre tract of land, in the James Strange Survey, A-530, recorded in Vol. 75, Page 477, GEO ID 0530-085-0-00100
and approve corresponding considerations to the property owners for agreeing to grant utility easements, and was
seconded by Councilmember Allen. The motion was adopted unanimously, 9-0.
13. ADJOURNMENT
Mayor Woodward adjourned the meeting at 7:13 p.m.
Lee Woodward, City Secretary