Minutes - 01/02/2018
MINUTES FROM THE HUNTSVILLE CITY COUNCIL REGULAR MEETING HELD ON THE 2 ND DAY OF JANUARY 2018, IN THE
CITY HALL, LOCATED AT 1212 AVENUE M, IN THE CITY OF HUNTSVILLE, COUNTY OF WALKER, TEXAS, AT 5:15 P.M.
The Council met in a regular session with the following:
COUNCILMEMBERS PRESENT: Andy Brauninger, Joe Emmett, Tish Humphrey, Ronald Allen, Joe P. Rodriquez, Paul
Davidhizar, Tyler McCaffety, Keith D. Olson, Clyde D. Loll
COUNCILMEMBERS ABSENT: None
OFFICERS PRESENT: Matt Benoit, City Manager, Leonard Schneider, City Attorney; Lee Woodward, City Secretary
WORK SESSION \[5:15 P.M.\] – The City Council will discuss the proposed Huntsville Animal Shelter.
The Council discussed the options for a contract with the City of Conroe, the proposed Huntsville Animal Shelter, and/or a possible
collaboration with the Rita B. Huff Humane Society.
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 Humphrey gave an invocation and Mayor Brauninger led the pledges. Mayor Brauninger (wearing the North
Dakota State Bison jersey) offered a message to Fargo, North Dakota Mayor Dr. Tim Mahoney ceding their challenge for the
SHSU-NDSU game and wishing the Herd the very best for their championship game coming up in Frisco.
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 December 19, and the special session held on December
27, 2017. \[Lee Woodward, City Secretary\]
b. Adopt Ordinance 2018-09, 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 2018, second reading. \[Leonard Schneider, City Attorney\]
Mayor Pro Tem Olson moved to approve the consent agenda; the motion was seconded by Councilmember Loll. The motion
was adopted, 9-0.
4. 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. \[Kevin Lunsford, Director of Public Safety; Matt Benoit, City
Manager\]
Councilmember Davidhizar 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 Competitive Sealed Proposal for construction of an animal shelter; the motion
was seconded by Mayor Pro Tem Olson.
Councilmember Allen moved to amend by striking, “Thereafter, for each animal impounded that exceeds the 480 limit, the
City of Huntsville agrees to and promises to pay to the City of Conroe an additional payment in the amount \[sic\] $1000.00.”
and wished to include that the price would be the same after 480. (Debate was permitted, a second was not required.)
Without objection, the Council permitted that the second sentence of Section 2.02 be struck and “This contract is capped at
480 animals per year.” be inserted. The amendment was adopted, 7-2, Mayor Pro Tem Olson and Councilmember
Humphrey voting against. The main motion for the amended contract was adopted, 9-0.
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. \[Matt Benoit, City Manager\]
The item was pulled from consideration following the adoption of 4a.
c. Presentation, public comment, discussion, and possible action to consider authorizing the City Manager to
approve a contract with Public Sector Personnel Consultants to conduct a classification and compensation study
in the amount of $48,000. \[Julie O’Connell, Human Resources Director\]
Councilmember Rodriquez moved to authorize the City Manager to approve a contract with Public Sector Personnel
Consultants to conduct a classification and compensation study in the amount of $48,000; the motion was seconded by
Councilmember Humphrey. Councilmember Allen moved to postpone consideration until after the Interim City Manager has
begun; the motion was seconded by Councilmember Emmett. Mayor Pro Tem Olson stated he would like the next agenda
to include a resolution in support of the current City Manager and an additional resolution in support of the Interim City
Manager when that individual has been chosen. The motion failed, 1-8, Councilmember Allen voting in support. The main
motion was adopted, 9-0.
d. Presentation, public comment, discussion, and possible action to consider authorizing the City Manager to
approve renewal of the contract with TML MultiState Intergovernmental Employee Benefits Pool (IEBP) for health
insurance administrative fees, and to authorize payment. \[Julie O’Connell, Human Resources Director\]
Councilmember Davidhizar moved to authorize the City Manager to approve renewal of the contract with TML MultiState
Intergovernmental Employee Benefits Pool (IEBP) for health insurance administrative fees, and to authorize payment; the
motion was seconded by Councilmember Loll. The motion was adopted, 9-0.
5. 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.
No requests were received by noon on Tuesday, December 26, 2017. The Mayor permitted Mr. Boyd to discuss his request
submitted on December 27.
6. MEDIA INQUIRIES RELATED TO MATTERS ON THE AGENDA
There were no inquiries.
7. 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 that City facilities will be closed on Monday, January 15, in observance of Martin Luther King, Jr.
Day, but that there would be normal Solid Waste service that day.
HISD Minute! from Mayor Pro Tem Olson – It’s a new year and a time when many of us make resolutions. If you’re a student,
please resolve to work hard in school to create lots of choices for your future. If you’re an adult, please resolve to help a student
this year. Working together, we can support a vibrant community and workforce. Let’s all learn something in 2018!
CoH Clean Minute! Councilmember Humphrey encouraged everyone to learn more about the Choices program through the
Chamber of Commerce. She also shared - Thanks for helping keep Home Sweet Huntsville clean by being thoughtful about
Thanks for helping keep Home Sweet Huntsville clean. The City’s Solid Waste Division had a number of changes in the last few
weeks for the holidays, but everything is back on the regular schedule beginning this Thursday. Thanks to everyone for their
patience! Also, put January 12 on your calendar for the next Common Ground Brown Bag Picnic Lunch at noon at the Sam
Houston Memorial Museum, near the gift shop. Bring your lunch, bring a friend, and come meet someone new or catch up with
old acquaintances!
8. 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, concerning an interim City Manager.
The Council adjourned to Executive Session at 6:37 p.m.
9. RECONVENE
The Council reconvened at 7:05 p.m.
10. ADJOURNMENT
Mayor Brauninger adjourned the meeting without objection at 7:05 p.m.
Lee Woodward, City Secretary