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MIN CC 11/16/2010City Council Meetings of November 2010 Book °V° MINUTES FROM THE HUNTSVILLE CITY COUNCIL MEETING HELD ON THE 16TH DAY OF NOVEMBER 2010, 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 regular session with the following: COUNCILMEMBERS PRESENT: J. Turner, Tom Cole, Mac Woodward, Jack Wagamon, Wayne Barrett, James Fitch, Lydia Montgomery, Don H. Johnson, Keith D. Olson COUNCILMEMBERS ABSENT: None OFFICERS PRESENT: Bill Baine, City Manager, Leonard Schneider, City Attorney, Lee Woodward, City Secretary REGULAR SESSION* [6 :00PM] 1. CALL TO ORDER Mayor Turner called the meeting to order at 6:00pm. 2. PLEDGES OF ALLEGIANCE 3. INVOCATION Counciimember Barrett gave the invocation. 4. ELECTION MATTERS a. Administer the Oath of Office to the elected members of City Council. [Judge Danny Pierce] Walker County Judge Danny Pierce officiated the oath taking for newly elected Councilmembers James Fitch, Lydia Montgomery, Don H. Johnson, and Keith D. Olson. b. Presentation, discussion and possible action to consider election of a Mayor Pro-Tem. [Mayor J. Turner] Counciimember Cole made a motion to nominate Counciimember Barrett as Mayor Pro Tem. Counciimember. Waoamon seconded the motion. Counciimember Olson made a motion to nominate Counciimember Woodward. Counciimember Fitch seconded the motion. The motion for Counciimember Barrett received the votes of Mayor Turner, and Councilmembers Cole. Wagamon, end Barrett. The motion for Counciimember Woodward received the other five votes. 5. PUBLIC COMMENT William Elmer welcomed the new Councilmembers, saying he hoped they would build on the achievements of those whom they replaced. Carl Branch said he lived on Sleepy Hollow Circle and that the City lot there was not wide enough for a house. He said he believed it was the wrong thing to do and run down their neighborhood. The City Manager said he had pulled the item [6d], and that it was his Intention to find another lot for the Brazos Valley Housing Authority. He said he didn't want to upset people by building houses where they're not wanted, that he should have looked at the issue harder, would not resurrect it, and apologized. Shannon Krempin said she also lived on Sleepy Hollow, and thanked the Council for looking into it. She said she had recently bought a home there, and had moved there for my children. Cindy Parker said she was very disturbed at the way in which the residents had learned of the item, and that she thought someone should have canvassed the neighborhood in advance. Mrs. Parker said she appreciated consideration of their feelings. Louis Parker said he also lived on Sleepy Hollow, and had concerns about flooding of the lot In question. He asked what the City's intention was for the lot. The City Manager said he intended to sit on fit, that he didn't like the ally to own a lot of lots. He sald It was a lot larger than 28', but that there was a water line easement. Mr. Baine said he was at fault. Julie Knight congratulated the new Councilmembers and that she looked forward to all the City Councilmembers working together to make Huntsville better. Joe Brock spoke to oppose the proposed building of low - income housing on Sleepy Hollow Circle. City Council Meetings of November 2010 Book `V" Marion Wagamon welcomed the new Counciimembers, saying a high standard had been set by those whom they were replacing, the common goal being to provide the best affordable service to all residents, and said she was confident the new members would do the same, voting conservatively and fairly. She wished the new members well. Charles Wagamon congratulated the new members on their victory, saying he could remember when City elections could barely bring out 300 people. He said he hoped they would give thoughtful consideration to any action, and do their homework on each vote. He said they would have more information than the public, and that issues look much simpler from the outside, but said he had the faith and conviction that they would always act in best interests of the City and its citizens in all endeavors. Mr. Wagamon told them to go home tonight and prepare themselves for their watch, giving them best wishes and the support of all who desire the continuing progress in the city, and wished them good luck. 6. 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 meeting held on the 9'" of November 2010. [Lee Woodward, City Secretary] b. Approve Ordinance 2011 -06, amending the budget for FY09 -10. [Winston Duke, Finance Director] c. Approve Ordinance 2011 -07, amending the budget for FYI 0-11. [Winston Duke, Finance Director] d. Authorize the City Manager to allocate Sleepy Hollow Circle (GEO ID 7773- 006-0- 00200) and deed the property to Brazos Valley Affordable Housing Corporation. [Dr. Sherry McKibben, Community Development Specialist] e. Authorize the City Manager to apply for, accept, If awarded, and implement the Texas Department of Community Affairs HOME grant [Dr. Sherry McKibben, Community Development Specialist] Counciimember Woodward made a motion to approve the Consent Agenda Rem d nulled earlier in the day by the City Managers. Councilmember Barrett seconded the motion. Councilmember Woodward said the budget amendments were normal items that had been reviewed by the Finance Committee with the Finance Department. He said there are normally budget adjustments to close out previous year, and then periodically have new adjustments for the current year. Carla Vasquez, Budget Manger, said adjustments might be items missed while making the budget, or for things purchased at year -end. Councilmember Montgomery noted that in many funds in the budget amendments there were adjustments in health insurance, and asked if that was due to change In cost. Councilmember Woodward and Mrs. Vasquez said it was due is to variations in cost, which come in near the end of the year and are not always known in advance. Mrs. Vasquez said it was budgeted a little bit under last year. The motion passed unanimously. 7. MAYORICITY COUNCIL AND CITY MANAGER REPORT a. Presentation, discussion and possible action to approve Ordinance 2011 -03, revising Ordinance 2010 -45 to expand the Veterans Affairs Advisory Board to fifteen (15) members, and a quorum of eight (8) members, 2"d reading. [Mayor Turner] The Mayor made a motion to approve Councilmember Barrett seconded the motion The Mayor said the Board was set up to build upon momentum in veterans events in the community. He said they anticipated holding a dinner in February to celebrate returned Citizen Soldiers. The motion passed unanimously. b. Presentation, discussion and possible action to approve nomination of Eric Armstrong to the Veterans Affairs Advisory Board. [Mayor Tumor] The Mayor made a mo tion to approve his nomination Counciimember Barrett seconded the motion. The mptlon passed unanimously. c. City Manager's Report 1. Zumba class The City Manager had a short video of a recent Zumba class shown, saying the attendance had outgrown the available space, and asked that local facilities with gyms consider sharing their spaces with the City. Mr. Baine thanked Kimberly Barnes and Penny Joiner of the Community Services Department for their efforts in Recreational Services. 2. Employee recognition Mr. Baine thanked Michael Clouds, Fleet Manager, for fine work done down at fleet. Mr. Baine reminded all that the last Fleet Manager was there for 32 years, and he said Mr. Clouds had made a significant contribution in City Council Meetings of November 2010 Book "V" record time. Mr. Baine recognized Joseph Wiggs, Parks Superintendent, as and "absolute superstar', saying the City never is had enough facilities, but that Mr. Wiggs was "a multiplier," working efficiently and effectively as a "hidden weapon.- E Next thanked was Kim McAuliffe, Main Street Coordinator, and noted that the Main Street had not been recognized in the last three years, but that under Kim's care, the City now had a recognized program. Mr. Baine lauded Michael Clarke. Animal Control Officer, saying he served as a single animal control person for entire city, which was quite a load. Also thanked was Natalie Reed, whom was said to be teaching Zumba at the moment, as she had been recently certified. Mary Joyner, the City Managers Administrative Assistant, was noted as "one of the most Important people" In the City. Mr. Baine said he appreciated her service, and described some of her hard work. Mr. Baine said he would recognize several employees at each Council meeting. 3. Christmas events KlImm Thomas, Director of Tourism and Cultural Arts, spoke about Huntsville for the Holidays events, saying Kim McAuliffe was taking charge of many of the downtown events. She also discussed this weekend's Wynne Home- Gibbs Powell House Crepe Dinner Fundralser. Mrs. Thomas also announced the Statue Visitors Center Volunteers Appreciation open house on December 2. Kevin Lunsford, Director of Public Safety, spoke on the Santa's Helpers Softball Tournament to be held on December 0, at the SHSU softball field, as a fundraiser to benefit local children. He said teams from the Huntsville Police Department, EMS, the Huntsville Fire Department, a team from state agencies, a team from Walker County, and Coundimember Fitch would all compete. Mrs. Thomas announced Main Street has Incorporated Mr. and Mrs. Main Street into the Huntsville for the Holidays events, and that registration had been extended. 8. PUBLIC COMMENT Tyler Eberhart, President of Lambda Alpha Epsilon Criminal Justice Fraternity, said they and the SHSU ROTC would hold a supply drive for Soldiers overseas. He said they would be collecting items Tuesday through Friday, from 10-2 In front of the LSC, and 10-6 Friday and Saturday at the Walgreen's parking lot, to be concluded with a car show at Bower Stadium an Sunday, November 21, from 10-6. 9. MEDIA INQUIRIES RELATED TO MATTERS ON THE AGENDA There were no Inquiries. 10. ITEMS OF COMMUNITY INTEREST (Hear announcements concerning Items of community Interest from the Mayor, Councilmembers, and City staff for which no action W11 be discussed or taken.) The Mayor announced the Huntsville Community Theatre Songs of the Season musical production on Saturday, December 18, at 7:30pm and December 19 at 2pm, at the J. Philips Gibbs Center. Councilmember Woodward said a minister in the community had told him that, due to great concern over community division, there were plans for a service of healing & reconciliation in mid-December. Councilmember Woodward also said this Council was going to work together, and had asked Councilmember Wagamon to co-host a town hall meeting In January. Coundimember Barrett said that tonight at 7:30pm at the SHSU Performing Arts Center John Rutter was conducting Requiem, accompanied by a community choir directed by Clay West, and encouraged everyone to go. 11. ADJOURNMENT The meeting was adjourned at 6:51 p.m.