Minutes - 12/18/2018
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MINUTES FROM THE HUNTSVILLE CITY COUNCIL REGULAR MEETING HELD ON THE 18 DAY OF DECEMBER 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, Joe P. Rodriquez, Paul Davidhizar,
Tyler McCaffety (arrived at 5:12 p.m.), Clyde D. Loll, Mari Montgomery
COUNCILMEMBERS ABSENT: None
OFFICERS PRESENT: Aron Kulhavy, City Manager; Lee Woodward, City Secretary; Leonard Schneider, City Attorney
WORKSHOP \[5:00 P.M.\] The City Council will hear about the Rita B. Huff Humane Society and City of Huntsville partnership.
City Manager Aron Kulhavy and HPD Chief and Director of Public Safety Kevin Lunsford, and representatives of Rita B. Huff Humane
Society presented a proposal for an exchange of land for the metal building stored at the Transfer Station, and for the Society and
City to enter into an agreement for animal shelter services.
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 siblings Jaxen, Korbin, Braeden, and Ethen Benard of the Boys and Girls
Club led the pledges.
1. PROCLAMATIONS AND PRESENTATIONS
a. Recognition of the Huntsville High School 2018 championship football team
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 December 4, 2018. \[Lee Woodward, City Secretary\]
b. Approve the purchase of a Doosan DL Wheel Loader with Pemberton Loader Rake Model L500-8-LR12B. \[Brent S.
Sherrod, P.E., Public Works Director\]
c. Approve the purchase of an armored vehicle for the Huntsville Police Department. \[Chief Kevin Lunsford, Director
of Public Safety\]
Councilmember Davidhizar moved to approve the consent agenda; the motion was seconded by Councilmember McCaffety.
Councilmember Rodriguez pulled item c. The motion to approve items a and b was adopted, 9-0. Councilmember Humphrey
moved to authorize the City Manager to purchase one (1) armored vehicle from Alpine Armoring Inc. in the total amount of
$200,800; the motion was seconded by Councilmember Rodriguez. The motion was adopted, 9-0.
3. CITY COUNCIL/CITY MANAGER/CITY ATTORNEY
a. Presentation, public comment, discussion, and possible action to consider acceptance of a petition to annex 14.95
acres, described as Lot 1 of the Johnny Q. Griffin, II 31.12 Ac. Tract, a subdivision situated in the Alexander Brown
Survey, A-94, and the H. D. Ripley Survey, A-489, Walker County, Texas, as shown on the plat recorded in Volume
4, Page 151 of the plat records of Walker County, Texas. \[Janet Ridley, City Planner\]
Councilmember Loll moved to accept the submitted Petition Requesting Annexation by Weatherford US, LP.; the motion
was seconded by Councilmember McCaffety. The motion was adopted, 9-0.
b. Presentation, public comment, discussion, and possible action to consider adopting Resolution 2019-13 to set two
public hearings regarding the voluntary annexation of 14.95 acres, described as Lot 1 of the Johnny Q. Griffin, II
31.12 Ac. Tract, a subdivision situated in the Alexander Brown Survey, A-94, and the H. D. Ripley Survey, A-489,
Walker County, Texas, as shown on the plat recorded in Volume 4, Page 151 of the plat records of Walker County,
Texas. \[Janet Ridley, City Planner\]
Councilmember Humphrey moved to adopt Resolution 2019-13 setting the public hearing dates and authorizing staff to
publish the appropriate notifications as required; the motion was seconded by Councilmember Montgomery. The motion
was adopted, 9-0.
4. CITY COUNCIL/CITY MANAGER/CITY ATTORNEY
a. Presentation, public comment, discussion, and possible action to consider adopting Resolution 2019-14, opposing
state legislation that interferes with local services and local revenue or that limits local control. \[Mayor Brauninger\]
Councilmember Davidhizar moved to adopt Resolution 2019-14, opposing state legislation that interferes with local services
and local revenue or that limits local control; the motion was seconded by Councilmember Humphrey. 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 11, 2018.
6. MEDIA INQUIRIES RELATED TO MATTERS ON THE AGENDA
No media inquiries were made.
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 reminded citizens that the City’s projects page is available to make you the most informed diner at the holiday
table this Christmas! Visit HuntsvilleTX.gov/Projects to find out which businesses are coming to town, who’s building an
expansion, and more.
Councilmember Humphrey encouraged the public to take advantage of the Huntsville Lions Club’s plastic recycling with Trex,
which accepts plastics that our transfer station is not able to accept. Drop off plastic bags at Curves for Women, Citizens National
Bank, Snap Fitness, and Creekside Retirement Center. The products will be made into a bench to be placed in our community.
Councilmember Allen said HISD PTA is still selling these great Hornet magnets for $5 apiece, as a fundraiser. Contact your
school’s PTA liaison for more information.
Councilmember Davidhizar announced a special reception on Thursday, January 3, at 5 p.m., to thank Councilmember
McCaffety for his service and to welcome the newest Councilmember, Dee Howard. Swearing in will be conducted at the 6 p.m.
meeting.
Councilmember Montgomery predicted a 100% chance of “snow” at the Huntsville Public Library, during STEAM day: DIY Snow
at 4 p.m. Friday, December 21, in the Staggs Community Room. Elementary-aged students will be mixing various household
products to make fake snow. Registration is not required but space will be limited. For more information, call 936-291-5910.
Councilmember McCaffety congratulated LTC David Yebra on his new position as the first director of TDCJ’s Training Division.
He said Yebra has been SHSU’s Director of Emergency Management and has facilitated the University’s High Potential
Leadership Academy.
Councilmember Rodriguez asked citizens to stay safe on the roadway over the upcoming holidays.
8. EXECUTIVE SESSION
a. City Council will convene in closed session as authorized by Texas Government Code, Chapter 551, 551.074 –
personnel matters regarding the appointment, employment, evaluation, reassignment, duties, discipline, or
dismissal of a public officer or employee, concerning the position of city secretary.
a. City Council will convene in closed session as authorized by Texas Government Code, Chapter 551, 551.071 to
receive legal advice on claims asserted by George Russell and/or The Ethician Foundation for bricks previously
used for the headwall façade and sidewalk at 13th street.
The Council adjourned to Executive Session at 6:27 p.m.
9. RECONVENE
a. Take action on items discussed in executive session, if needed.
The Council reconvened at 7:34 p.m. Councilmember Montgomery moved to authorize the City Manager to hire an interim
City Secretary and to post the position of City Secretary for a permanent placement, subject to the provisions of the City
Charter; the motion was seconded by Councilmember McCaffety. The motion was approved, 9-0.
ADJOURNMENT
Mayor Brauninger adjourned the meeting without objection at 7:35 p.m.
Brenda Poe, Deputy City Secretary