Minutes - 06/19/2012 MINUTES FROM THE HUNTSVILLE CITY COUNCIL MEETING HELD ON THE 19TH DAY OF JUNE 2012, IN THE CITY
HALL, LOCATED AT 1212 AVENUE M IN THE CITY OF HUNTSVILLE, COUNTY OF WALKER,TEXAS AT 5:00 PM.
The Council met in a regular session with the following:
COUNCILMEMBERS PRESENT:Mac Woodward,James Fitch,Lydia Montgomery,Don H.Johnson,Joe Emmett,Ronald Allen,Clyde Loll
COUNCILMEMBERS ABSENT: Keith D.Olson,Tish Humphrey
OFFICERS PRESENT:Leonard Schneider City Attorney Lee Woodward City Secretary
WORKSHOP SESSION [5:00 PM]—Presentations by firms seeking to assist the City in the search for a permanent
City Manager.
The Council heard presentations from five executive search firms and determined that Councilmembers absent for the June
26 Special Session may turn in their preferences to the City Secretary, to be available at the meeting. The workshop was
adjourned at 7:33 pm.
REGULAR SESSION [B:OOPM]
1. CALL TO ORDER Mayor Woodward called the meeting to order at 8.00 pm
2. INVOCATION AND PLEDGES — Mayor Woodward led the invocation. Nayana Ramachandra of Huntsville High
School led the pledges.
3. PRESENTATIONS AND PROCLAMATIONS
a. Presentation of Ms. Nayana Ramachandra and Mrs. Debbie Hightower on this year's UIL State Biology
competition.
4. PUBLIC COMMENT
William Elmer expressed complaint about local utility bills and options. He said the City proceeded with the TRA plant
expansion to supply water to Tenaska and TDCJ and should not. Mr. Elmer asked the Council evaluate the proposed
Research Park on its merits.
5. CONSENT AGENDA
a. Approve the minutes of the City Council Regular Session held on June 5, 2012, and budget sessions held
on May 29,2012 and May 31, 2012. [Lee Woodward, City Secretary]
b. Approve Ordinance 2012-30, authorizing the City of Huntsville to enter into all necessary agreements with
the Employees Retirement System of Texas (ERS) to extend federal health insurance benefits (Medicare)
to the officers and employees of the City of Huntsville,2nd reading. [Winston Duke, Finance Director]
c. Approve Ordinance 2012-31, amending the budget for FY11-12. [Winston Duke, Finance Director]
Councilmember Loll moved to approve the Consent Agenda and was seconded by Councilmember Johnson The
motion passed unanimously.[CouncilmemberAllen signed a Conflict of Interest and did not vote on item b.]
6. STATUTORY AGENDA
a. Presentation, discussion, and possible action to approve Ordinance 2012-31 authorizing the issuance of
City of Huntsville, Texas General Obligation Refunding Bonds, Series 2012; approving an official
Statement; authorizing execution of a paying agent/registrar agreement, a bond purchase agreement and
an escrow agreement; establishing procedures for selling and delivering the bonds; and authorizing other
,matters relating to the bonds, single reading required, pursuant to Section 1201.028 of the Texas
Government Code. [Winston Duke, Finance Director]
Councilmember Montgomery made a motion to approve the item and Councilmember Johnson seconded the
motion. Joe Morrow of FirstSouthwest presented information on current low interest rates and the opportunity to
lower annual payments by refunding through a parameter sale. Discussion centered on at what level the savings'
percentage should be set. City Attorney Leonard Schneider asked that any modification be subject to review of the
bond counsel. The motion passed, 6-1. Councilmember Allen voting against
b. Presentation, discussion, and possible action to consider the award of bid for the construction of Essex
Boulevard Extension Project. [Aron Kulhavy, Director of Public Works]
Councilmember Emmett made a motion to approve Councilmember Johnson seconded the motion passed
unanimously, 7-0.
c. Presentation, discussion,and possible action on award of a sealed bid for a chain link fencing contract for
purchase as required. [Billie Smith,Procurement Manager]
Councilmember Montgomery made a motion to approve Councilmember Fitch seconded the motion passed
unanimously, 7-0.
d. Presentation, discussion, and possible action to establish a contract to purchase solid waste containers
and container bottoms. [Billie Smith, Procurement Manager]
Councilmember Johnson made a motion to approve Councilmembers Montgomery and Emmett seconded the
motion passed unanimously,7-0
e. Presentation, discussion, and possible action to consider directing staff to initiate procedures for
annexation of territory within the City's extraterritorial jurisdiction (ETJ) to include the proposed SHSU
technology park. [Aron Kulhavy, Director of Public Works]
Mayor Woodward signed a Conflict of Interest and did not participate in the discussion. Councilmember Emmett
made a motion to approve and was seconded by Councilmember Loll Aron Kulhavy, Director of Public Works,
listed the steps the staff would take to begin the process. Mr.Schneider said the staff had produced some related
documents, which he had reviewed, saying a resolution would come to the next meeting if Council approved
proceeding.
Councilmember Allen asked about providing services to annexed areas and that he understood the grant for
waterline had not yet been applied for. He asked that University representatives attend Council meetings and
provide more information. Councilmember Johnson said it seemed to him that the Council was a long way from
voting on final annexation. Mr. Kulhavy agreed, echoing the need for answers. Councilmember Montgomery also
agreed but said this would enable a "discovery process" to find out if annexation was in the City's best interest
without the City being locked into a decision. Councilmember Fitch cautioned against haste as it had been a
necessity to complete before the anticipated liquor election, which was now no longer seemingly an issue and
gave the Council more time to consider.
The motion passed unanimously, 7-0
7. MAYORICITY COUNCIL AND CITY MANAGER REPORT
a. Presentation, discussion,and possible action on the revised lease of the lot at the corner of 12th and
Avenue M. [Mayor Woodward]
Mr. Schneider said the change was the addition of should legal cause exist in the termination clause. Mayor
Woodward made a motion to approve was seconded by Councilmember Loll and passed unanimously, 7-0.
b. Presentation, discussion,and possible action on the selection of a permanent City Manager. [Mayor
Woodward]
Mayor Woodward said the workshop held earlier was interviews with five search firms being considered and was
available for viewing on the City website. He noted a decision was expected to be made at the Special Session on
June 26. Councilmember Montgomery said she thought it was a positive learning experience and thought the
Council would work hard on identifying what was needed in a City Manager. The public was encouraged to share
observations and concerns.
c. Presentation, discussion,and possible action on the FY12-13 budget. [Mayor Woodward]
Mayor Woodward announced the Council had completed its initial review and that the Interim City Manager and
staff were working on balancing the budget to be returned to Council in mid-July. He noted the June 27 capital
improvements project budget workshop would be open to the public.
d. Presentation, discussion,and possible action on the proposed SHSU Research Park. [Mayor Woodward]
Mayor Woodward said the firm assisting the University on the project would make a presentation to Council at the
June 26 Special Session. He added that one of those working with SHSU was in charge of the same type project
at Louisiana State University.
e. Presentation, discussion,and possible action on providing support to the Huntsville Independent School
District(HISD)for their Bring Your Own Technology(BYOT)initiative. [Mayor Woodward]
Councilmember Johnson said Superintendent Dr. Steve Johnson had been making local presentations, noting
85% of middle school and older students owned smartphones, which were currently considered disruptive in the
classroom, but that it was as much a tool as a pen or pencil and could be utilized to enhance learning.
Councilmember Johnson said the district was spending the summer working on using technology in the classroom
and that AT&T had stepped in to provide smartphones to needy students for$0.99 apiece.
Councilmember Johnson noted the City was already equipped for WiFi. The Mayor added that the City was
providing support by having the IT staff run cable in schools this week.
f. Presentation,discussion,and possible action on Pride Points Customer Contact program. [Mayor
Woodward]
Councilmember Montgomery announced the City Secretary division had been inspired by the City of Tyler to.
create staff cards as conversation starters with members of the community. She described the employees as
ambassadors to the public and noted this would facilitate communications. Councilmember Fitch''noted the
Communications and Service Committee emphasized providing ways to get information disseminated. He said a
first look had been at a card with notes from all departments, but that discussion had led to the importance of each
department having a focus on their work and successes. Councilmember Fitch made a motion to allow staff to
move forward with the Program and was seconded by Councilmember Montgomery Councilmember Montgomery J
discussed pricing,and the Mayor thanked the staff for their work. The motion passed unanimously. 7-0.
g. City Manager's Report
1. Updates on City construction, grants,studies,City projects, City purchases,and economic
development.
There was no report,as the Interim City Manager was not present.
8. PUBLIC COMMENT
There were no public comments.
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.)
- The Mayor reminded the public not to forget to cast votes for the 2012 Communities Take Root program, a
program sponsored by Dryer's Fruit Bars. The City could win its own fruit orchard with enough citizen votes, and
citizens may vote for Huntsville daily at http://www.communitiestakeroot.com.
- The Mayor reminded the City Survey is in its last couple of weeks. Please go online, return the survey from the
City Connection this month,stop by City Hall,or look for it in The Huntsville Item.
- The Mayor encouraged visits to the Farmers Market every Saturday, 8-12, on the east side of the Courthouse
square.
- The Mayor said Spring resident Katie Boone visited Huntsville this spring,with her parents Jim.and Jodie and her
younger sister Shelby because Katie selected Huntsville to do her school report on, and made an A+! Her mom
says they had a good time and really impressed Katie's teacher.
- Mayor Woodward announced Deputy City Secretary Kristin Edwards has received a travel stipend from the Texas
Municipal Clerks Association to reimburse the City for part of her continuing education for state certification.
- The Mayor said the Houston-Galveston Area Council(H-GAC), elected officials, and community leaders in Walker
County will host a public meeting to receive comments on the draft Walker County Transit Plan(WCTP),June 20,
at 2:00 p.m. at the Library Community Room(1219 13th Street, Huntsville,Texas)and that the meeting will include
a presentation on survey results, public comments received before, and recommendations of this draft plan.
11. EXECUTIVE SESSION
a. City Council will convene in closed session as authorized by Texas Government Code, Section 551.071 —
consultation with counsel on legal matters and procedures regarding purchase, exchange, lease or value
lof real property. [Aron Kulhavy,Director of Public Works]
b. City Council will convene in closed session as authorized by Texas Government Code, Chapter 551;
Section 551.071 — consultation with counsel on legal matters and Section 551-074 — personnel matters
regarding the appointment, employment, evaluation, reassignment, duties, discipline, or dismissal of a
public officer or employee,; to consult with the City Attorney concerning the search for a permanent City
Manager. [Leonard Schneider, City Attorney]
The Council adjourned into Executive Session at 9:25 pm The Council reconvened at 1012 pm
12. RECONVENE
a. Take action, if necessary,on items addressed during Executive Session.
13. ADJOURNMENT
The Mavor adjourned the meeting at-00.12 pm
Respectfully submitted,
Lee Woodward, City Secretar