Minutes - 05/19/2015
TH
MINUTES FROM THE HUNTSVILLE CITY COUNCIL MEETING HELD ON THE 19DAY OF MAY 2015, 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: 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, Clasina Watson, Deputy City Secretary
RECEPTION \[5:30-6 P.M.\] – The City will recognize and congratulate the participants in the 2014-15 Youth Leadership Institute at a
public reception the large conference room at City Hall.
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 – Joseph Wiggins gave an invocation and Edgar Benegas from the YMCA led the pledges.
3. PRESENTATIONS AND PROCLAMATIONS
- Proclamation for Public Works Week
- Proclamation for Motorcycle Safety Awareness Month
- Recognition of the 2014-15 Huntsville High School Golf teams
- Recognition and presentation of certificates to the 2014-15 Youth Leadership Institute graduates
4. PUBLIC HEARING – The City Council will hear testimony concerning a request for a change in the zoning classification
of Lot 1A, Block 1, Southwood Area of Northcrest Terrace subdivision, located in the 1000 Block of State Highway 75
North, from Neighborhood Conservation to Management.
Mayor Woodward opened the public hearing at 6:22 p.m. With no citizens speaking for or against, Mayor Woodward closed the
public hearing at 6:22 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 meeting held on May 5, 2015. \[Lee Woodward, City Secretary\]
b. Authorize the City Manager to enter into a contract for the lease and purchase of various uniforms to be worn by
City crews and the leasing of building entry mats. \[Steve Ritter, Finance Director\]
c. Consider award of the bid for the Town Creek Sanitary Sewer Replacement Project Construction – Phase I & II
(Project #12-11-04), second reading. \[Y. S. Ram Ramachandra, City Engineer\]
d. Consider adoption of Ord. 2015-22, amending the City Code of Ordinances to allow the hauling to and disposal of
septic waste at the Robinson Creek WWTP, as was intended by the passage of Ord. 2007-28. \[Carol Reed, Director
of Public Works\]
Motion to approve the consent agenda was made by Councilmember Olson; the motion was seconded by Councilmember
Johnson. Councilmember Brauninger requested to pull item 5b; Councilmember Rodriguez requested to pull Item 5c; City
Attorney Leonard Schneider requested to pull item 5d. Motion to approve the minutes of the City Council meeting held on
May 5, 2015 was adopted unanimously, 9-0.
Motion to authorize the City Manager to enter into a contract for the lease and purchase of various uniforms to be worn by
City crews and the leasing of building entry mats was made by Councilmember Humphrey; the motion was seconded by
Councilmember Montgomery. The motion was adopted, 7-2; with Councilmembers Rodriguez and Brauninger voting
against.
Motion to authorize the City Manager to award the construction contract to Horseshoe Construction, Inc. for the Town
Creek Sanitary Sewer Replacement Project Construction – Phase I & II, Project No. 12-11-4, in the amount of
$1,216,386.50 was made by Councilmember Montgomery; the motion was seconded by Councilmember Humphrey.
Motion was adopted, 9-0.
Councilmember Olson moved for adoption of Ord. 2015-22 with a single-reading, per Section 4.12 of the City Charter,
amending the City Code of Ordinances to allow the hauling to and disposal of septic waste at the Robinson Creek WWTP,
as was intended by the passage of Ord. 2007-28 was made by Councilmember Olson; the motion was seconded by
Councilmember Humphrey. The motion was unanimously adopted.
Motion to adopt Ord. 2015-22, amending the City Code of Ordinances to allow the hauling to and disposal of septic waste
at the Robinson Creek WWTP, as was intended by the passage of Ord. 2007-28 was made by Councilmember Humphrey;
the motion was seconded by Councilmember Montgomery. The motion was adopted, 9-0.
6. STATUTORY AGENDA
a. FIRST READING - Presentation, public comment, discussion, and possible action to consider a request for a
change in zoning classification of Lot 1A, Block 1, Southwood Area, Northcrest Terrace subdivision, located in the
1000 block of State Highway 75 North from Neighborhood Conservation to Management and adopt Ordinance
2015-25 in support of same, first reading. \[Aron Kulhavy, Director of Community and Economic Development\]
First reading; no action taken. Director of Development Services Aron Kulhavy summarized the project for consideration
and noted that the Planning and Zoning Commission voted unanimously to approve the change.
b. Presentation, public comment, discussion, and possible action to consider authorizing the City Manager to sign
an Engineering Agreement with Freese and Nichols, Inc. for the A. J. Brown Wastewater Treatment Plant Condition
Assessment Study. \[Y. S. Ram Ramachandra, City Engineer\]
Motion was made by Councilmember Montgomery to authorize the City Manager to sign an Engineering Agreement with
Freese and Nichols, Inc. for the A. J. Brown Wastewater Treatment Plant Condition Assessment Study; the motion was
seconded by Councilmember Humphrey. Motion was adopted with a vote of 8-1; Councilmember Brauninger voting
against.
7. MAYOR/CITY COUNCIL/CITY MANAGER AND CITY ATTORNEY REPORT
a. Presentation, public comment, discussion, and possible action on nomination for the Council Board and
Commission Review Ad Hoc Committee. \[Mayor Woodward\]
Mayor Woodward moved his nomination of Councilmember Johnson to replace his previous nomination of Councilmember
Humphrey to serve on the Council Board and Commission Review Ad Hoc Committee and announced Councilmember
Montgomery would serve as the Chair of the committee. The motion was unanimously adopted.
b. City Manager’s Report
1. Updates on City construction, grants, studies, City projects, City purchases, and economic development.
The City Manager had no report.
8. 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.
a. Discussion of a Citizen Participation Request from Jerry Edgin, Raymond Burtt and Christie Clark for the City to
consider dredging/cleaning Robinson Creek (should read McDonald Creek) in the vicinity of 3702, 3704, and 3708
Summer Lane.
Jerry Edgin, Raymond Burtt and Christie Clark presented their concerns with silt and debris buildup minimizing water flow
to McDonald Creek and requested the City alleviate this issue by dredging. Councilmember Rodriguez urged Council to
look at the creek since it has not been dredged since 2004 and consider needs for long-term results. Councilmember
Montgomery noted the City Manager had requested more time to investigate the issue and make a formal recommendation
to Council; the Mayor confirmed it would be considered.
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:
- The Promoting Our Positives committee in support of HISD has kicked off their Feel the Sting Hornet Flag campaign.
Please contact the Chamber of Commerce or the City Secretary to order flags to fly downtown or at your home, to show
your support of our school district and its importance in our community.
Councilmember Humphrey expressed how important she felt it was that members of the community speak positively and
professionally to visitors to the area, and encouraged all to ask questions and seek accurate information.
11. EXECUTIVE SESSION
a. City Council will convene in closed session as authorized by Texas Government Code Chapter 551, Section
551.071 – consultation with counsel on legal matters; concerning disposition of old jail building and property.
\[Mayor Woodward\]
The Mayor adjourned the Council into Executive Session at 7:42 p.m.
12. RECONVENE
a. Take action, if necessary, on items addressed during Executive Session.
The Council reconvened at 8:18 p.m. No action taken.
13. ADJOURNMENT
Mayor Woodward adjourned the meeting at 8:18 p.m.
Clasina Watson, Deputy City Secretary