Minutes - 08/02/2011MINUTES FROM THE HUNTSVILLE CITY COUNCIL MEETING HELD ON THE 2ND DAY OF AUGUST 2011, IN THE CITY
HALL, LOCATED AT 1212 AVENUE M IN THE CITY OF HUNTSVILLE, COUNTY OF WALKER, TEXAS AT 6PM.
The Council met in a workshop and regular session with the following:
COUNCILMEMBERS PRESENT. J. Turner, Mac Woodward, Jack Wagamon, Wayne Barrett, James Fitch, Lydia Montgomery. Don H. Johnson, Keith D.
Olson, Tom Cole
COUNCILMEMBERS ASSENT: None
OFFr-ERS PRESENT: 801 Balne. City Manaaer Leonard Schneider. City Attornev. Lee Woodward . City Secretary
REGULAR SESSION* [6:OOPM]
1. CALL TO ORDER
Mayor Turner called the meeting to order at 6:00pm.
2. INVOCATION AND PLEDGES
Councilmember Barrett gave the invocation.
3. PROCLAMATIONS AND PRESENTATIONS
a. Presentation of Jerry Phillips, volunteer Public Safety Chaplain
Mr. Phillips was not able to attend and the item was postponed.
4. PUBLIC COMMENT
Kenneth John Callahan spoke about his feeling that Suddenlink holds a monopoly on local cable.
Ian Overton asked the Council to pass a resolution encouraging the federal government to restore the Glass-Steagall
banking regulations.
Lugina Ohespe continued speaking on the issue presented by Mr. Overton, discussing the Glass-Steagall regulations as
established.
Memo Granados said he had come with Overton and Qhespe to represent the American people, their anger at Congress
and organizing people around this issue.
Jerry Anglin, owner of OK Pawn & Salvage, spoke in concern about the proposed Ord. 2011-48, saying he had been in the
pawn business for 35 years and had always complied with all local regulations. He said he was concerned about having to
keep a record book for this ordinance.
Ben Bius spoke on item 7g, saying he recently approached the City in a private matter about recruitment of retailers to fill a
building he owned. He said his competitors had received a 380 agreement from the City and he had wanted to know what
would be available to him. Mr. Blus said he felt the confidence would be kept. He asked the Council to consider what its
policy was, said he was wrong to have opposed the tools of economic development for previous developments, although
he still felt they were wrong on principle, and asked that he be afforded a level playing field.
James Murff brought copies of a bill passed in the last Legislature, asking the Council review the material, as he was of the
opinion that the State regulations covered the City's concerns. He read applicable portions of the bill and the ordinance
with which he had concerns.
Kendall Scudder said he was disheartened to see Map E on the agenda for consideration, saying he felt students had
attempted to compromise felt this was repudiation.
5. CONSENT AGENDA
{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 Regular Session held on July 19, 2011 and the Budget Workshop on
July 20, 2011. [Lee Woodward, City Secretary]
b. Approve Ordinance 2011-44 temporarily changing the posted speed limit on sections of Interstate 45 for the
duration of the Taxes Department of Transportation's improvement project IM0452(121), CSJ 0675-06-081 and
0675-07-083, 2"d reading. [Aron Kulhavy, Director of Public Works]
c. Approve contract with PoliceReports.US to make traffic accident reports available online. [Kevin Lunsford,
Director of Public Safety]
d. Authorize the City Manager to sign amendments to correct Weatherford's 2007 and 2008 tax abatement
agreements. [Winston Duke, Finance Director]
e. Approve Ordinance 2011-62, amending the budget for FY201 0-11. [Winston Duke, Finance Director]
f. Consider approval of Utility Extension Request agreement with Casey Collum for a sanitary sewer line
extension located near the intersection of Woodward Drive and Robinson Crook Parkway. [Aron Kulhavy,
Director of Public Works]
Councilmember Cole made a motion to aggrove the Con1pnt Agenda and Councilmember Montgomery seconded.
Councilmember Olson received confirmation from Chief Kevin Lunsford, Director of Public Safety, that sensitive
information would not be released on accident reports. The Chief also said specific information had to be provided to
acquire the reports online. Councilmember Montgomery was told the agreement could be cancelled at any time and
that the pricing was standard. City Attorney Leonard Schneider assured the Council that particular information would
be redacted if someone went to the Police Department and attempted to access reports about which they did not have
specific information.
The motion passed unanimously. 9-0. item f 8 -0. (Councilmember Woodward had previously signgd a Conflict of
interest and did not vote on item 5f.)
STATUTORY AGENDA
a. Presentation, discussion, and possible action to approve Ordinance 2011.51, providing for changes to the on-
call pay policy in the Personnel Policies and Procedures Manual, 1a reading. [Winston Duke, Finance
Director]
City Manager Bill Baine asked the Council consider move to waive the 2- reading rule.
Councilmember Woodward moved to waive the rule and Councilmember Wag-amon seconded.
Councilmember Cole said there should be two readings. Councilmember Montgomery confirmed that the recent
number of water line breaks and amount of overtime was a primary reason the City Manager asked for the waiving of
the rule. Mr. Baine said he did not consider it an emergency.
The motion to waive passed. 8-1. Councilmember Cole voting against.
Councilmember Fitch moved to adopt the Ordinance and was seconded by Councilmember Mon oomery,
Councilmember Cole said he was in support of the ordinance, just not the waiving of the rule.
The motion gassed unanimously.
b. Consider the award of bid for future sewer In the Phase fl area of the Bobbitt Addition. [Aron Kulhavy, Director
of Public Works]
Councilmember Woodward moved to approve the bid and Councilmember Olson seconded.
Councilmember Woodward said this was part of an area the Council had committed sewer service to.
The motion gassed unanimously.
C. Presentation, discussion, and possible action to approve Ordinance 2011 -50 to amend Chapter 12, Building
and Building Regulations; Chapter 14, Business and Business Regulations; Chapter 20, Fire and Fire
Prevention; and Chapter 22, Health and Sanitation to adopt the 2009 International Codes and associated
amendments, l" reading. [Aron Kulhavy, Director of Public Works]
The Mayor noted International Building codes were updated every few years. Mike Roempke, Building Official, said
updating the codes helped the City stay up with new technology and clarify verbiage. He confirmed the City was
updating from the 2003 edition of the codes. Councilmember Johnson received confirmation from Mr. Roempke that
the updates would facilitate business and building, and Mr. Roempke gave an example from the plumbing guidelines.
Councilmember Montgomery asked about the increase from $20 to $200 in on -site sewer permitting fees. Mr.
Roempke said the City had been questioned by the State as to why the fee had been so low, noting this was what the
County charged, and addressed the costs associated with permitting.
d. Presentation, discussion, and possible action to award of bid for future sewer, water, and fiber in the airport
area. [Aron Kulhavy, Director of Public Works]
Councilmember Olson made a motion to award the bid and Councilmember Wagamon seconded
Aron Kulhavy, Director of Public Works, confirmed this was approved for the Routine Airport Maintenance Program
grants. Councilmember Woodward noted this was a budgeted item and that the project was coming in under budget.
Councilmember Olson pointed out that this also addressed work on the adjacent ball field.
The motion passed unanimously.
7. MAYORICiTY COUNCIL AND CITY MANAGER REPORT
a. Presentation, discussion, and possible action to discuss water policy issues. [Standing item on first agenda
of each month.] [Mayor Turner]
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Councilmember Barrett said he felt it was good to have the metered irrigation revenue, as long as the City had the
water to sell. Councilmember Wagamon noted metered irrigation did not count toward an owner's amount for
wastewater fees. He said he felt water rationing or water conservation would affect the City negatively in revenue, but
was a good thing. Ms. Reed said Councilmember Wagamon was correct and that altemate -day watering was
included in the Stage 2 Drought Conservation plans. The Mayor noted TDCJ had cut back on their usage recently.
b. Presentation, discussion, and possible action to approve Ordinance 2011 -47 to redistrict the City's Wards in
accordance with proposed Map C, 1d reading. [Councilmember Fitch]
The Mayor said the City Attorney and the attorney hired for redistricting had both recommended the final vote not be
taken until the second meeting in September. Mr. Schneider said filing for a place on the ballot would continue until
September 7 and this would be less likely to have a candidate file that would later be in a different ward.
Councilmember Fitch said the County would be delayed if the City did not select a proposal. He noted the comments
for and against Map B, saying he thought Map C was a nice compromise. He said Map C and Map E were not that
different, which caused him to review the population numbers, and that Map C was a little closer. Councilmember
Olson said he was opposed to have Councilmembers individually sponsoring maps and the expense created in
bringing three separate ordinances.
Councilmember Cole spoke in favor of Map B, saying this map was produced first and was likely the best map for that
reason, its symmetry, and its acknowledgment of the increasing student population. Councilmember Johnson said he
disagreed, that one of the major issues and the major flaw of Map B was having three wards on one side of the
freeway and one on the other, where many felt great growth would occur. He said he did not feel Map B approached
a fair representation.
Councilmember Fitch said he felt the Council was told at the last meeting that the preparation of the ordinance was
necessary. The Mayor said the language of the ordinance was required for the two reading rule, and allowed that the
Council could have chosen a map, then produced the ordinance and held two readings.
Councilmember Montgomery asked if Councilmembers could vote for more than one map. The Mayor said each
would vote once and that discussion would be continued in the event of a tie. Mr. Schneider suggested having all
options on a single agenda item, with sequential motions made and voted. Councilmember Olson suggested
eliminating one map, then having the Council vote again on the remaining two maps. Councilmember Barrett agreed,
saying similar proposals could split the vote, but the Mayor said it would be a majority vote, not a plurality.
Councilmember Woodward suggested voting a map, then the ordinance. Councilmember Fitch agreed.
Councilmember Johnson said he was concerned that Map B was back under consideration, as most of its public
proponents at the last meeting had offered Map C as a compromise.
Councilmember Olson asked if a map could be voted down or a motion could be made to waive the two-reading rule.
Councilmember Wagamon said a map's sponsor could withdraw a map. Councilmember Olson supported a weighted
vote strategy. Councilmember Montgomery confirmed the maps would be weighted, the lowest - scoring map
eliminated, and then the final two maps voted. Councilmember Fitch expressed concern that members would
strategically vote and eliminate the mid - range - valued map. The Mayor recalled how the City Manager was selected,
using a majority vote and a runoff.
Councilmember Wagamon supported the weighted vote, acknowledging it was not perfect. Councilmember Barrett
said the elimination through scoring could be misused and that the Council could reach a solution. Councilmember
Johnson confirmed the Council could not take a secret ballot. Councilmember Montgomery confirmed all three maps
would have to be weighted by each Councilmember, and that she was leaning toward a straight vote. Councilmember
Fitch pointed out how that process could also be manipulated. Councilmember Olson said he hoped the Council's
integrity would not permit that. City Manager Bill Baine said the Council just needed to eliminate one map and vote on
the other. Mr. Schneider asked the Council go into Executive Session. Councilmember Olson said the students had
supported Map C as an alternative.
Councilmember Olson made a motion to remove Mau B from consideration. Councilmember Cole called a point of
order. The Mayor recessed the Council into Executive Session.
The Council reconvened at 8:11 pm.
The Mayor said each Councilmember would have one opportunity to speak on the maps. Councilmember Olson said
he had talked to many students and heard all possible responses and would like to vote for Map C or Map E, with
neither preferred over the other. Councilmember Montgomery said she did not support Map B because she felt it split
the City and it was appropriate to have two Council seats on the west side of town. She said Map C had merit but had
heard from residents of Spring Lake who would like their own representation, as in Map E.
Councilmember Fitch said he supported Map C. Councilmember Woodward said he thought Map B was two drastic
and was supporting Maps C or E. Councilmember Cole said he thought Map B the best map, took into account the
changes in the last ten years, and had the most equal representative population counts. He said an ordinance was a
law and a law was a lesson to the community saying traditional "communities -of- interest" would be respected.
Councilmember Wagamon said he thought Map C represented the best compromise. He said the very reason he was
against Map E because of another Councilmember's comment that evening that the west side [of town] needed "a
couple of [Council] seats. Councilmember Barrett said he supported Maps C or E, that his personal preference was
Map E, as it was most similar to the current map. He said that in his time on Council no one had ever expressed any
concern about the ward set up. He also said he had heard that divergent groups found Map C to be a compromise but
that he had also heard from Spring Lake residents, although he thought they would be well - served by being in a ward
with Elkins Lake.
Councilmember Johnson said he had consistently said it was a mistake to have one ward on the west side of town.
He said he found the current map lines to be "healthy" and that he believed carving out the new ward in Map B was
misrepresentative, saying "if it ain't broke, don't fix it." Councilmember Johnson said he supported Map E because it
was a continuation of a good balance of government and that it was the fairest, better than Map C because Spring
Lake was not "swallowed up" by Elkins Lake. He said Map E did not disrupt traditional neighborhoods and honored all
voters. The Mayor said he very much supported Map C because he saw it as a compromise and had been very
impressed by the students' interest. He said he thought Map C created an opportunity for the City and that this did the
best job of creating Wards with like interests.
c. Presentation, discussion, and possible action to approve Ordinance 2011 -47 to redistrict the City's Wards in
accordance with proposed Map E,1' reading. [Councilmember Johnson]
(Covered above.)
d. Presentation, discussion, and possible action to approve Ordinance 2011 -47 to redistrict the City's Wards in
accordance with proposed Map B, 1`r reading. [Councilmember Cole]
(Covered above.)
e. Presentation, discussion, and possible action to approve Ordinance 2011 -48 to amend Chapter 14 of the Code
of Ordinances by adding a new article VI "Secondhand Jewelry and Precious Metal"; making other provisions
and findings thereto; and declaring an effective date, l" reading. [Councilmember Fitch]
Councilmember Fitch said this had been crafted from several other ordinances, noting pawnshops were already
closely regulated by the State. He said stores or traveling salespersons that buy and sell gold, coins, and jewelry are
not governed the same way, so that stolen items could potentially be quickly melted and converted. He said he felt
the Council had a responsibility to citizens to make things harder for crooks.
Councilmember Fitch suggested removing the record book requirement to permit modem technology and adding
language to exclude pawnshops. He also said the police department could pick up the information from the
businesses. Councilmember Olson said this affected how he did business and said he would recuse himself from the
vote. He said he supported Councilmember Fitch's efforts, was concerned about investments in precious metals and
the privacy of his customers. Councilmember Woodward said he agreed and supported the ordinance, but did not
want to place an additional burden on local business.
Councilmember Wagamon said he felt the City lucky to have local businesspeople who wanted to work with law
enforcement. Councilmember Fitch said he felt the ordinance addressed the sale of items, rather than donations, a
concern of Councilmember Montgomery. Councilmember Fitch said this ordinance was primarily for the victims of
theft and burglary, but he did not mind removing gold bars and bullion from the ordinance.
Councilmember Barrett said he agreed but was not convinced that increased regulation would deter persons who
likely already knew they were breaking the law. Councilmember Fitch said the photo of the purchase held for fifteen
days would help in complete investigation of theft. Councilmember Fitch confirmed the County did not have an equal
provision. Councilmember Barrett encouraged consultation with affected businesses. Councilmember Olson
reiterated his support for the ordinance but said that the Patriot Act governed those with $50,000 or more in precious
metal sales annually. Mr. Schneider confirmed modifications could be made on the ordinance and it come back for a
second reading at the next meeting.
f. Presentation, discussion, and possible action to approve Ordinance 2011 -49 to amend Chapter 14 of the Code
of Ordinances by adding a new article VII "Metal Recycling Entities"; providing for a penalty; making other
provisions and findings thereto; and declaring an effective date, l" reading. Councilmember Fitch]
Councilmember Fitch said this ordinance was primarily driven by local copper theft and noted he would like to remove
the permit fee and the requirement for payment by check and permit cash. He read the State bill and noted the
municipality was enabled to pass additional restrictions. Councilmember Fitch said the ordinance could also be
adjusted for minors selling aluminum cans, that the wording had been due to crooks having young people sell stolen
goods for them. He acknowledged that recyclers are under State controls, as are wrecker drivers, about whom there
are also City restrictions, noting it was extremely difficult to get state involvement in local crime.
Councilmember Wagamon noted the changes Councilmember Fitch was willing to make, but questioned the need for
as much paperwork, suggesting swom affidavits. Councilmember Wagamon addressed the holding requirement in
items the Police Dept. felt was stolen, which Councilmember Fitch said was common in other items such as cars and
wrecker services. Councilmember Wagamon asked that period be as short as possible.
Councilmember Olson said he had received calls from citizens and businesspeople, noting wrecker drivers do not deal
in a commodity that changes value quickly, asking that holding periods be adjusted or that law enforcement notify
businesspeople of items of which to be aware. He asked for care and diligence from law enforcement and urged
caution in dealing with Issues involving minors.
g. Presentation, discussion, and Possible action regarding tax incentives for retail development including, but
not limited to, Academy Sports & Outdoors store. [Councilmember Wagamon]
Councilmember Wagamon made a motion to direct the City Manager to cease further neaotiations for retail incentives
for an Academy Sports & Outdoor Store Councilmember Cole seconded the motion.
Councilmember Wagamon said prime, heavily subsidized real estate in the TIRZ was available. He also recounted a
call received from Mr. Bius and said Mr. Bius told him in no uncertain terms, including expletives, he would make
Councilmember Wagamon "suffer." Councilmember Woodward said this item had been discussed in Executive
Session and that he had told Councilmember Wagamon that he opposed this item being placed on the agenda. He
said the citizens should be able to have trust that the City would honor Executive Session and that the Council was to
encourage and facilitate business.
Councilmember Cote said this was the logical outcome of the tax giveaways in the TIRZ, that others would expect the
same incentives, saying it set a precedent causing infinite trouble. Councilmember Olson said he understood
Councilmember Wagamon's concerns about the TIRZ and retail incentives, but that he felt Executive Session was
designed for sensitive items and that action was never taken until an item was brought public, saying he shared that
responsibility and was concerned that, in the future, Executive Sessions be kept confidential until there was no harm
to either party involved. Councilmember Olson said his business plan when he moved to Huntsville did not fit being in
the TIRZ, but that it should be honored for other businesses. He said he also empathized with Councilmember Cole
but that no two businesses were the same or deserved the same response.
Councilmember Johnson said he agreed with Councilmember Olson, that he supported aggressive economic
development, but that the basic philosophical issue would need to be resolved. Councilmember Fitch said he would
like to view all on a case -by -case basis, neither guaranteeing nor precluding anything. He said he didn't want things to
get to a situation where businesses did not even want to come to Huntsville, or that the City was known for negativity.
Councilmember Montgomery concurred, saying she believed discussions in Executive Session should remain private
until brought forth properly, and that she would like to review every possibility brought to the City. Councilmember
Wagamon said there must be something valid to have in Executive Session and said the Council had the discretion to
keep things confidential. He said he brought this item because he wanted the Council to go on record about this. He
said he thought it a positive message to current local businesses and that a business did not ask for public money did
not have to face this type of discussion.
The Mayor said he felt this motion was too broad for him to support, but that any time the Council could encourage
value to be created he was supportive. He said the TIRZ was not on the table tonight and that there were other ways
of doing incentives, that he started with skepticism but kept an open mind and reserved the right to vote for something
with which he agreed. Councilmember Fitch said he agreed on the need to vote, but only for specifies. He said he
agreed with Councilmember Wagamon that the Council toed the line in Executive Session and supported a work
session on the topic. Mr. Schneider said the discussion on Executive Session was straying from the motion.
Councilmember Olson said he had a concern about Councilmember Wagamon saying Academy 'had failed" or
"couldn't make it" because he did not have that knowledge. He said Councilmember Wagamon was a steward of the
City but did not make the decisions for the City [unilaterally], while he agreed with him about open government.
Councilmember Woodward clarified that Mr. Bius was a property owner and businessperson and confirmed that
Academy had not contacted the City to ask for anything. He said he thought it sent the wrong message to say "if
you're going to come to Huntsville, don't ask us for anything.' Councilmember Barrett said he understood that to be
the motion, to have the City Manager cease negotiations with Academy, but that he felt the City owed people coming
to the City to listen to them without owing them anything for listening. Councilmember Barrett said he felt the City
needed to be known as able to keep things confidential and a mechanism for doing so. Mr. Schneider recalled the
Council. Councilmember Barrett said he could not support a motion that "told the City Manager not to listen to
someone."
Councilmember Wagamon said he had heard Mr. Baine say there was no offer on the table and asked if he was the
only Councilmember who had heard Mr. Baine say, at the Executive Session, that half the ad valorem and sales tax
for five years would be required to get an Academy store. Mr. Schneider said the Executive Session discussed was
under two exceptions, legal advice and economic development, but that the exception requirement was not met
because the business was not present. He said there was no legal reason for Academy to be kept confidential, as
that requirement was not met.
The motion failed 2-7. Councilmembers Waaamon and Cole voting in support.
h. Presentation, discussion, and possible action to approve Ordinance 2011-63 amending the Code of
Ordinances Chapter 32 "Offenses and Miscellaneous Provisions" by adding a now "Division 3 — Child Safety
Zone" to Article 11 "Public Safety and Protection"; Amending Division 2 by changing the reserved sections;
providing for a penalty; making other provisions and findings thereto; and declaring an effective date.
[Councilmember Fitch]
Councilmember Fitch said this was also an ordinance to protect victims, that in his 20 years in law enforcement he had
never seen a convincing case that sex offenders could be rehabilitated. The Mayor asked that a 300 -foot area around
schools be added to prohibited areas in the ordinance. Mr. Schneider confirmed that violators of the ordinance would
be subject to parole violation hearings. Councilmember Fitch said the State had enacted lifetime registration and
other requirements.
Councilmember Barrett moved to waive the two - reading rule and was seconded by Councilmember Fitch.
Councilmember Cole recalled the two-reading rule was to allow for deliberation and that this was not an emergency.
Councilmember Barren said he was very alarmed and that there was nothing to prevent the Council from amending
the ordinance at the next meeting. The Mayor respectfully disagreed, saying he felt the ordinance could be supported
without supporting waiving the rule. Councilmember Wagamon said he did not like to rush things either but would take
the sponsors at their word that the ordinance could be amended.
The motion passed, 6-3. Mayor Turner and Councilmembers Woodward and Cole voting against.
The Mayor asked for assurance that modification would be brought to the next Council meeting and received such.
Councilmember Cole asked for a report, and Chief Lunsford said there were 91 registered sex offenders in the
County, 77 being child sex offenders, and 61 were no longer on parole. He said the most recent incident was in the
last couple of weeks. Councilmember Olson confirmed with Chief Lunsford that this was a misdemeanor offense and
not an enhancement of a charge, that post-parole offenders could be warned, ticketed, or taken to jail. The Chief said
he believed there was a provision that sex offenders under 18 could be enrolled in schools.
Councilmember Fitch noted there could be a problem with amending the ordinance to include schools because of the
provision for enrollment. He also said this was a much less restrictive ordinance than passed in many cities but
increased law enforcement's ability to remove them from particular situations. Councilmember Olson asked about sex
offenders who became parents. Chief Lunsford said it was his understanding that the state would soon be enacting a
provision for petition in such situations.
Councilmember Fitch made a motion to approve and was seconded by Councilmember Olson. The motion gassed
unanimously.
Mr. Baine said he would be very careful in the future not to release names.
City Manager's Report
1. Updates on City construction, grants, studies, City projects, City purchases, and economic development.
Mr. Baine said there had been another eleven breaks in the water lines and that overtime was increasing, also
that the Parks Dept. has cut down over 100 mature trees this summer due to drought. He said tomorrow was a
severe weather day and reminded the public to have care for pets and the elderly. He noted the water line to FM
980 was to be finished tomorrow. Mr. Baine also displayed the upcoming issue of Texas Farm & Home with the
Statue on the cover and a nine-page article inside. Mr. Baine said he had asked Councilmembers to sponsor
several of the items on tonight's agenda and thanked the Council for giving law enforcement the tools they
needed.
8. PUBLIC COMMENT
T.J. Burdett spoke on the recycling ordinance, saying the businesses had enough recordkeeping, but gave "kudos" to
Councilmember Fitch. He suggested a combination of businesspeople, victims, and law enforcement.
John Cromer noted his area was receiving fire hydrants tomorrow and thanked the City Manager and Council for seeing the
project through.
Tyler Eberhardt spoke on behalf of Student Government, discussing their participation in the redistricting process and
saying they were still in support of Map B.
Katie Newman said she was glad Councilmembers Fitch and Montgomery had spoken with Diana McRae about the
redistricting timeline. She also said Spring Lake could still elect a representative to other positions on Council.
Kendall Scudder reiterated that neither he nor Ms. Rogers said they did not support Map B and that he still believed it to be
the best map. He said he also wanted to point out that the Councilmembers who said they like the wards the way they are,
but they have the easiest time of voting in Elkins Lake. He further addressed individual Councilmembers about their
comments on redistricting. Finally, he asked the City be hospitable to students again moving and having to move their
registration.
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.)
a. The Farmers Market will be held Saturdays from 8-noon.
The Mayor noted that he had misspoken about Joe Clark at the last meeting, that he was not a veteran but very active
in veterans groups and support. He also noted that Main Street had received 2011 National Trust accreditation. The
Mayor announced the upcoming annual Back to School Drive on August 13. He announced Councilmember Fdch's
birthday on July 31 and Councilmember Barrett's birthday to come on August 4 and the assembly sang Happy
Birthday to them. The Mayor announced that he and Councilmembers Barrett and Johnson had gone to College
Station the day before to have lunch with an Economic Development director, noting they said they had trouble getting
A &M professors to live in College Station.
Councilmember Olson announced that there would be a fifty -gun raffle for Boys & Girls Club on August 5 or 6 at the
Fairgrounds and encouraged support of the organization. The Mayor announced the Emergency Responders Dinner
on Saturday at the Shelter. Councilmember Wagamon reminded everyone of the Farmers Market Saturday morning.
11. EXECUTIVE SESSION
a. Discussion and possible action under Section 551.071, consultation with Council on legal matters, regarding
contract for lobbying services associated with Town Creek grant. [ Councilmember Wagamon]
The Council adioumed into Executive Session at 10:37pm.
12. RECONVENE
a. Take action, if needed, on items discussed in Executive Session.
The Council reconvened at 11:42om.
13. ADJOURNMENT
The meeting was adjoumeii at 11:42p.m.
City