Minutes - 08/21/2018
MINUTES FROM THE HUNTSVILLE CITY COUNCIL REGULAR MEETING HELD ON THE 21 st DAY OF AUGUST 2018, 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: Andy Brauninger, Joe Emmett, Tish Humphrey, Ronald Allen, Paul Davidhizar, Tyler McCaffety
(arrived at 5:36 p.m., Clyde D. Loll, Keith D. Olson (arrived at 5:33 p.m.)
COUNCILMEMBERS ABSENT: Joe P. Rodriquez
OFFICERS PRESENT: Aron Kulhavy, City Manager; Lee Woodward, City Secretary; Leonard Schneider, City Attorney
WORK SESSION \[5:30 p.m.\] - The City Council will hear and discuss comment from the Brand Review, as part of the 2018
Strategic Plan.
City Secretary Lee Woodward provided an update on Brand Review feedback per the City Council’s 2018 Strategic Plan directive.
MAIN SESSION \[6:00 p.m.\]
CALL TO ORDER – Mayor Brauninger called the meeting to order at 6:00 p.m.
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 Davidhizar gave the invocation and Caroline Yarabeck led the pledges.
1. PUBLIC HEARING
a. The City Council will receive public comment regarding consideration to adopt Ordinance 2018-33, to change the
Development District Classification of a portion of 1107 Southwood Drive from Neighborhood Conservation to
Management.
The Mayor opened the public hearing at 6:02 p.m. City Planner Janet Ridley provided a staff update. Jack Ali, John Nabors,
William Piper, Steve Kelley, Trey Gordy, Genevieve Stone, Darrel Wells, Joel Stone, Gary Dial, Timothy Davis, and Debra Durda
gave public comment. The Mayor announced that the public hearing closed at 6:34 p.m.
b. The City Council will receive public comment regarding their consideration to adopt a maximum property tax rate of
$0.3666 per $100 valuation for the City’s 2018 – 2019 Fiscal Year (Tax Year 2018). \[Steve Ritter, Finance Director\]
The Mayor opened the public hearing at 6:36 p.m. City Manager Aron Kulhavy provided a staff update. There was no public
comment given. The Mayor closed the public hearing at 6:37 p.m.
2. 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 August 7. \[Lee Woodward, City Secretary\]
b. Adopt Ordinance 2018-34 to amend the budget for FY 17-18. \[Steve Ritter, Finance Director\]
c. Authorize the City Manager to award a construction contract to Horseshoe Construction, Inc., in the amount of
$777,505.00, for the construction of the Sanitary Sewer Line Replacement (IH-45 to the Water’s Edge Lift Station)
Project, Project #16-10-05, and adopt Ordinance 2018-29 for the associated budget amendment, second reading.
\[Y. S. Ram Ramachandra, City Engineer\]
Mayor Pro Tem Olson moved to approve the consent agenda; the motion was seconded by Councilmember Davidhizar.
The motion was adopted, 8-0.
3. STATUTORY AGENDA
a. Presentation, discussion, public comment, and possible action to consider adopting Ordinance 2018-33, to change
the Development District Classification of a portion of 1107 Southwood Drive from Neighborhood Conservation to
Management, first reading. \[Janet Ridley, City Planner\]
First reading, no action.
b. Presentation, discussion, public comment, and possible action to consider authorizing the City Manager to enter
into a contract for the construction of the West Fork Tanyard Creek Sanitary Sewer Project, Project No. 16-10-03,
first reading. \[Y. S. “Ram” Ramachandra, City Engineer\]
First reading, no action.
4. CITY COUNCIL/CITY MANAGER/CITY ATTORNEY
a. Presentation, discussion, public comment, and possible action to consider approving nominees for City boards,
committees, and commissions. \[Mayor Brauninger\]
Mayor Brauninger moved his nominations (below). The motion was adopted 8-0,
Board of Adjustments and Appeals
Stan Foley – reappointment Parks and Recreation Advisory Board
Debra Durda – initial appointment John K. Smither - reappointment
Cemetery Advisory Board Planning Commission
Donna Coffen – reappointment Scott Nichols – reappointment
Gary Garrison – reappointment
Hotel Occupancy Tax Board (HOT) Les Thompson – initial appointment
Dana Nicolay – reappointment
Tax Increment Reinvestment Zone #1 Board of Directors
Main Street Program Advisory Board Dalene Zender - reappointment
Gaye Clements – reappointment
b. Presentation, public comment, discussion, and possible action to consider adopting Ordinance 2018-32 in
opposition to a proposed Entergy rate increase, first reading. \[Leonard Schneider, City Attorney\]
Councilmember Humphrey moved to waive the second reading per Section 4.12 of the City Charter and adopt Ordinance
2018-32 in opposition to a proposed Entergy rate increase; the motion was seconded by Mayor Pro Tem Olson and
Councilmember Davidhizar. The motion was adopted, 8-0.
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.
Carmen Irving was scheduled to again present a request for City property along 10th Street, but did not attend the meeting.
6. MEDIA INQUIRIES RELATED TO MATTERS ON THE AGENDA
The Mayor asked Joseph Brown, the new editor at The Huntsville Item, to introduce himself.
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 the November 6, 2018, election and noted complete election information is available online at
HuntsvilleTX.gov/Elections. The Mayor also talked about attending the TML Region 14 event in Galveston, as well as meeting
new pastor Andrew Njeri with the Kisima Community Church.
Councilmember Humphrey encouraged residents to “accentuate the positive!” by emailing her good news about the community
at THumphrey@HuntsvilleTX.gov. She shared information about Entergy’s upcoming charity BBQ lunch for the 2018 Light the
Night fundraiser, benefitting Leukemia and Lymphoma Society from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Wednesday. Councilmember Humphrey
also applauded James Bounds, who earned his Eagle Scout designation recently and built an accessibility ramp at the SAAFE
nd
House. Mayor Pro Tem Olson had Mr. Kulhavy share that his father, David “Dr. Bug” Kulhavy, just became the 52 recipient of
a prestigious gold level William T. Hornaday medal from the Boy Scouts of America, which recognizes Scouts who undertake
and complete truly exceptional conservation projects.
Councilmember Davidhizar asked the public to attend the Ice Cream and Cookies on the Square from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday,
August 25 in Downtown Huntsville.
Councilmember Allen encouraged all to look into Microsoft Word classes at the Huntsville Public Library to be held from 10:30
to 11:30 a.m. on Tuesdays in September. He noted that classes are free, but limited to space available and that those interested
may register online at MyHuntsvilleLibrary.com or call 936-291-5485.
Councilmember McCaffety reminded residents that City of Huntsville Solid Waste Services will have free roll offs for residential
community-wide cleanup efforts through Saturday, August 25, adding that no commercial dumping or tires are allowed and more
information is available at 294-5712.
ADJOURNMENT
Mayor Brauninger adjourned the meeting without objection at 7:11 p.m.
Lee Woodward, City Secretary