Minutes - 09/18/2018
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MINUTES FROM THE HUNTSVILLE CITY COUNCIL REGULAR MEETING HELD ON THE 18 DAY OF SEPTEMBER 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 (not present for work session), Keith
D. Olson (not present for work session), Paul Davidhizar, Clyde D. Loll, Joe P. Rodriquez, Tyler McCaffety
COUNCILMEMBERS ABSENT: None
OFFICERS PRESENT: Aron Kulhavy, City Manager; Lee Woodward, City Secretary; Leonard Schneider, City Attorney
WORK SESSION \[5:30 p.m.\] - The City Council will receive information on wellness initiatives.
Human Resources Director Julie O’Connell briefed the Council on a staff clinic proposed for 2019, along with other wellness updates.
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 Rodriquez gave the invocation and led the pledges.
1. 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 September 4. \[Lee Woodward, City Secretary\]
b. Approve memorandum of understanding transferring ownership of antenna tower located at 705 FM 2821 to Walker
County. \[Bill Wavra, IT Director\]
Mayor Pro Tem Olson moved to approve the consent agenda; the motion was seconded by Councilmember Davidhizar.
The motion was adopted, 9-0.
2. CITY COUNCIL/CITY MANAGER/CITY ATTORNEY
a. Presentation, discussion, public comment, and possible action to continue consideration of Decision Package 7,
postponed from the September 4, 2018, meeting. \[Aron Kulhavy, City Manager\]
The Mayor noted that at the last meeting, there was a motion to approve Decision Package 7 and then a motion to amend
that Decision Package and that those motions were postponed to this meeting. He added that with the agenda packet for
tonight's meeting, as requested, the City Manager has provided the Council with some additional options to consider.
Without objection, the motions that were postponed from the last meeting were withdrawn. Councilmember Rodriquez to
approve Decision Package 7, Option 1 for the FY 2018-19 budget; the motion was seconded by Councilmember Humphrey.
Councilmember Allen moved to amend the main motion by striking “Option 1” and inserting “Option 2 \[Approve funding the
difference between the recommended budget and 100% implementation of the pay and compensation study for FY2018-
19 using unallocated reserves knowing that funding for next year may not be available.\]“; the motion was seconded by
Mayor Pro Tem Olson. After discussion, Councilmember Loll moved the previous question; the motion was seconded by
Councilmember Humphrey. The motion for the previous question was adopted, 8-1, Councilmember Allen voting against.
The motion to amend failed, 1-8, Councilmember Allen voting in favor. The main motion was adopted, 8-1, Councilmember
Allen voting against.
b. Presentation, public comment, discussion, and possible action to consider adoption of Ordinance 2018-36 to adopt
the Fiscal Year 2018-2019 Budget. \[Steve Ritter, Finance Director\]
Councilmember Davidhizar moved to adopt Ordinance 2018-36 to adopt the Fiscal Year 2018–2019 Budget, with all policies,
fees, rates, and provisions as referenced therein; the motion was seconded by Mayor Pro Tem Olson and Councilmember
Humphrey. The Mayor and Council thanked City Manager Aron Kulhavy and City staff for work on the budget. A roll call
vote was taken and the motion was adopted, 9-0.
c. Presentation, public comment, discussion, and possible action to consider ratifying the increased property tax
revenues of $230,008 reflected in the Fiscal Year 2018-2019 Budget as adopted. \[Steve Ritter, Finance Director\]
Councilmember Humphrey moved to ratify the increased property tax revenues of $230,008.00 reflected in the Fiscal Year
2018-2019 Budget as adopted; the motion was seconded by Councilmember Loll. The motion was adopted, 9-0.
d. Presentation, public comment, discussion, and possible action to consider adopting Ordinance 2018-37 adopting
the Tax Rate and levying taxes for the City of Huntsville for the Fiscal Year 2018-2019. \[Steve Ritter, Finance
Director\]
Councilmember McCaffety moved to adopt Ordinance 2018-37 adopting the Tax Rate of $0.3422 and levying taxes for the
City of Huntsville for the Fiscal Year 2018-2019; the motion was seconded by Mayor Pro Tem Olson. The motion was
adopted, 9-0.
e. Presentation, public comment, discussion, and possible action to approve the reappointment of Gene Barrett to
the Cemetery Advisory Board. \[Mayor Brauninger\]
Mayor Brauninger moved his nomination to reappoint Gene Barrett to the Cemetery Advisory Board. The motion was
adopted, 9-0.
3. 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, September 11, 2018.
4. MEDIA INQUIRIES RELATED TO MATTERS ON THE AGENDA
No media inquiries were made.
5. 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 reminded citizens that voter registration is open until October 9 for this fall’s election.
Councilmember Humphrey encouraged residents to “accentuate the positive!” by emailing her good news about the community
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at THumphrey@HuntsvilleTX.gov. She also noted that the 44 Annual Fair on the Square will be October 6, and asked residents
to spruce up their homes and businesses.
Mayor Pro Tem Olson echoed putting our best foot forward as a community by asking residents to welcome SHSU’s Parents
Weekend, September 29-30. He added that Potter Night at Pritchett Field will be held Friday, September 28 featuring Harry
Potter treats. The Mayor noted he attended the HHS National Honor Society induction last night and was very reassured by the
students.
Councilmember McCaffety encouraged residents to volunteer for Arise2Read, taking place in HISD elementary schools.
Councilmember Emmett invited citizens to attend the 2018 State of the City being held from 5:30 to 7 p.m. Tuesday, October
30, at the Walker County Storm Shelter.
Councilmember Davidhizar announced the SHSU’s LEAP Center’s annual heART of Huntsville program will run October 11, 18,
25 and November 1, and that those interested may contact Mike Yawn at 936-294-1456.
Councilmember Loll told attendees about the American Legion Post 95 BBQ Sandwich Sale happening Friday, October 5.
Councilmember Allen reminded everyone that September is Suicide Prevention Month. Councilmember Humphrey challenged
her fellow Councilmembers to give to Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library project through Tomorrow’s Promise Montessori School.
6. 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 consideration to adopt Ordinance 2018-39
amending ballot language in Ordinance 2018-28, regarding the November 6, 2018, Charter amendment election.
\[Lee Woodward, City Secretary\]
The Council adjourned to Executive Session at 6:52 p.m. Councilmember Allen entered the Executive Session and then left
the meeting.
7. RECONVENE
a. Take action on Executive Session items, if necessary.
The Council reconvened at 7:22 p.m. Mayor Pro Tem Olson moved to waive attorney-client privilege and announce what
was discussed in Executive Session. City Attorney Leonard Schneider said the Council had reviewed a scrivener’s error in
Proposition BB, concerning Charter Section 14.11. Mr. Schneider said he advised the Council they could correct a ballot in
accordance with Texas Election Code 52.006 and that it was his opinion that the current ballot language was sufficient for
the Council to carry out its duties under the Charter.
ADJOURNMENT
Mayor Brauninger adjourned the meeting without objection at 7:25 p.m.
Lee Woodward, City Secretary