Minutes - 11/17/2015
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MINUTES FROM THE HUNTSVILLE CITY COUNCIL SPECIAL SESSION HELD ON THE 17 DAY OF NOVEMBER 2015, 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: Mac Woodward, Andy Brauninger, Lydia Montgomery, Don H. Johnson, Keith D. Olson,
Tish Humphrey, Ronald Allen, Joe P. Rodriquez
COUNCILMEMBERS ABSENT: Joe Emmett
OFFICERS PRESENT: Matt Benoit, City Manager, Leonard Schneider, City Attorney, Lee Woodward, City Secretary
MAIN SESSION \[6:00 P.M.\]
1. CALL TO ORDER - Mayor Woodward called the meeting to order at 6:00 p.m.
2. INVOCATION AND PLEDGES – Councilmember Johnson gave an invocation and Mikel Vossler from the YMCA led the
pledges.
3. PRESENTATIONS AND PROCLAMATIONS
a. Huntsville Pets Helping People recognition (rescheduled due to weather)
b. Heart Walk presentation by Huntsville Memorial Hospital
c. Proclamation for Municipal Court Week
d. SHSU Priority One “Mayor for a Day” Taylor Shepard.
4. ELECTION MATTERS
a. Adopt Ordinance 2016-06 calling the December 12, 2015 runoff election for the purpose of electing the Mayor at-
large, single reading required. \[Lee Woodward, City Secretary\]
Councilmember Humphrey moved to adopt Ordinance 2016-06 calling the December 12, 2015 runoff election for the
purpose of electing the Mayor at-large; the motion was seconded by Councilmember Montgomery. The motion was
unanimously adopted, 8-0.
5. 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 October 20, 2015, the Combined Workshop with the
Planning Commission on November 5, 2015, and the Special Sessions held on November 10 and 16, 2015. \[Lee
Woodward, City Secretary\]
b. Designate the Civil Rights Officer and Labor Standards Officer, reaffirming the Civil Rights Policies pursuant to
the Texas Community Development Block Grant Program–Disaster Recovery (CDBG-DR) Contract Number
7215057, and adopting Resolution 2016-06 in support of same. \[Dr. Sherry McKibben, Director of Neighborhood
Resources\]
c. Designate the signatories for the Texas Community Development Block Grant – Disaster Recovery (CDBG-DR)
Contract Number 7215057 and adopting Resolution 2016-07 in support of same. \[Dr. Sherry McKibben, Director of
Neighborhood Resources\]
d. Approve tax sale bids for trust properties, Property IDs 26306, 26501, 25976, 25836, 25612 and 25914, as
recommended by the Walker County Appraisal District. \[Steve Ritter, Finance Director\]
e. Adopt Resolution 2016-08, authorizing the City Manager to approve purchase orders for the annual purchase of
various road materials from Cleveland Asphalt, Pavers Supply, and Martin Marietta. \[Carol Reed, Public Works
Director\]
Councilmember Olson moved to approve the consent agenda; the motion was seconded by Councilmember Humphrey.
The motion was adopted unanimously, 8-0.
6. STATUTORY AGENDA
a. FIRST READING - Presentation, public comment, discussion, and possible action to award of bid for Avenue M
and Normal Park Drive Waterline Replacement Project Construction – (Nos. 14-11-06 & 14-11-07) and adopt
associated budget amendment Ordinance 2016-05, first reading. \[Y. S. Ram Ramachandra, City Engineer\]
First reading, no action taken. Janice Adams and Jerry Dewitt gave public comment about the item.
b. FIRST READING - Presentation, public comment, discussion, and possible action authorizing the purchase of one
Automated Residential Garbage Truck, first reading. \[Mike Clouds, Fleet Manager\]
Councilmember Humphrey moved to suspend Section 3.05(c) of the Rules of Procedure and allow purchase of this vehicle
with one reading upon a two-thirds vote of the members of the City Council present; the motion was seconded by
Councilmember Humphrey. The motion was adopted unanimously, 8-0.
Councilmember Humphrey moved to approve the purchase of one 2016 Autocar ACX64 with Heil Multipack 24-yard body,
through the H-GAC Buy, from Chastang Ford/Autocar for $329,872.00; the motion was seconded by Councilmember
Montgomery. The motion was adopted unanimously, 8-0.
c. Presentation, public comment, discussion, and possible action authorizing the purchase of one Ford Explorer, two
Ford F150 Trucks, and two Ford Fusions. \[Mike Clouds, Fleet Manager\]
Councilmember Montgomery moved to authorize the purchase of one Ford Explorer, two Ford F150 Trucks, and two Ford
Fusions, through BuyBoard and H-GAC Buy, from Silsbee Ford, for $100,703.30; the motion was seconded by
Councilmember Olson. The motion was unanimously adopted8-0.
d. Presentation, public comment, discussion, and possible action authorizing the purchase of one Travis Refuse
Trailer. \[Mike Clouds, Fleet Manager\]
This item was pulled and not handled.
e. Presentation, public comment, discussion, and possible action authorizing the purchase of one Commercial Roll
Off Truck. \[Mike Clouds, Fleet Manager\]
Councilmember Olson moved to authorize the purchase of one 2016 Western Star/Seller Commercial Roll Off Truck, from
Waco Freightliner for $146,013.00; the motion was seconded by Councilmember Johnson. The motion was unanimously
adopted8-0.
f. Presentation, public comment, discussion, and possible action to adopt Resolution 2016-12, authorizing the City
Manager to approve purchase orders for items 6b-e. \[Mike Clouds, Fleet Manager\]
Councilmember Olson moved to adopt Resolution 2016-12, authorizing the City Manager to approve purchase orders for
items 6b, c, and e (item d has been pulled); the motion was seconded by Councilmember Humphrey. The motion was
unanimously adopted8-0.
g. Presentation, public comment, discussion, and possible action to adopt Resolution 2016-11, authorizing the City
Manager to sign a Design-Phase Construction Manager-at-Risk Contract with Garney Companies, Inc. for
construction of Town Creek. \[Y. S. Ram Ramachandra, City Engineer, Dr. Sherry McKibben, Director of
Neighborhood Resources\]
Councilmember Humphrey moved to adopt Resolution 2016-11, authorizing the City Manager to sign a Design-Phase
Construction Manager-at-Risk Contract with Garney Companies, Inc. for construction of Town Creek; the motion was
seconded by Councilmember Montgomery. Mayor Woodward moved to accept a legal opinion in open session and was
seconded by Councilmember Olson. The motion was unanimously adopted8-0. The main motion was adopted, 6-2,
Councilmembers Allen and Brauninger voting against.
h. Presentation, public comment, discussion, and possible action to adopt Resolution 2016-10 authorizing the City
Manager to amend the agreement with Gessner Engineering for professional engineering services to include final
design and construction support services for Transportation Alternatives Program (TAP) grant Sidewalk project -
#14-02-01, and adopt Ordinance #2016-07 amending the CIP budget and the Fiscal Year 15-16 operating budget. \[Y.
S. Ram Ramachandra, City Engineer\]
Councilmember Olson moved to adopt Resolution 2016-11, authorizing the City Manager to amend the agreement with
Gessner Engineering for professional engineering services to include final design and construction support services for
Transportation Alternatives Program (TAP) grant Sidewalk project - #14-02-01, and adopt Ordinance #2016-07 amending
the CIP budget and the Fiscal Year 15-16 operating budget; the motion was seconded by Councilmember Humphrey. The
motion was unanimously adopted, 7-1, Councilmember Allen voting against.
7. MAYOR/CITY COUNCIL/CITY MANAGER AND CITY ATTORNEY REPORT
a. Presentation, public comment, discussion, and possible action on nominations for City boards, committees, and
commissions. \[Mayor Woodward\]
Mayor Woodward presented his nominations to the City Council for City boards, committees, and commissions. The
motion was unanimously adopted, 8-0.
Arts Commission – all re-appointments Parks & Recreation Advisory Board
Dr. Jacqueline Smith John Smither – re-appointment
Paul Olle Rhonda Reddoch – re-appointment
Jaspyr Sanford
Planning Commission
Historic Preservation Commission
Leroy Hilton – re-appointment
Linda Patteson – re-appointment
Eric Johnston – re-appointment
Todd Armstrong – re-appointment
Debra Durda – initial appointment
Cheryl Spencer – re-appointment
City of Huntsville, Texas Veterans Affairs Advisory
Zoning Board of Adjustments
Board
Matt Hannes – reappointment
Johnny Holland – re-appointment
Ken Holland – initial appointment
Fernando Chavez – initial appointment
Nate Grigsby – reappointment
Stephen Bright – re-appointment
Hotel Occupancy Tax Board
Dana Nicolay – re-appointment
b. Presentation, public comment, discussion, and possible action on ballot for Walker County Appraisal District
Board of Directors for the 2016-2017 term. \[Mayor Woodward\]
Mayor Woodward moved that all of the City’s votes be allotted to Clyde Loll, the motion was seconded by Councilmember
Olson. The motion was adopted unanimously, 8-0.
8. 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, November 10, 2015.
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 runoff election for Mayor has been set for Dec. 12. Early voting will begin on Nov. 25, a week from tomorrow, at the
Walker County Annex. There will be NO early voting on Thanksgiving or the day after. There will be 7 a.m.-7 p.m. early
voting on Tuesdays Dec. 1 & 8. Election day voting on Dec. 12 will take place at the Walker County Annex for all City voters.
- You did not have to vote on Nov. 3 in order to vote in this election, you must simply be a qualified voter of the city of
Huntsville. If you are unsure about your registration, contact the County Voter Registrar at 936-436-4950 or at the office at
the Walker County Annex.
- Richard Haas, a noted artist and muralist who did the trompe l’oeil works on the buildings downtown, will have an exhibition
hosted by the Huntsville Arts Commission on Thursday, November 19, from 4:30-6:30 p.m., at the Library’s Community
Room.
- The annual Heart Walk will be held on November 21, and representatives from Huntsville Memorial Hospital will fill us in on all
the details at our November 17 meeting. In the meantime, check out their Facebook page.
- We were talking about new business openings at the end of the November 10 Special Session, I wanted to also mention that
the Hampton Inn & Suites is now open. General Manager Kazya Gillis would like to welcome the community and their guests,
especially during this holiday season.
- Mayor Pro Tem Olson is debuting the HISD Minute! tonight. Councilmember Olson congratulated the Hornet Cross Country
Team on their UIL state meet, and five students from Mance Park Middle School who made UIL All-Region band.
Councilmember Humphrey shared her experience at the Friends of the Library’s Authors’ Night, including HISD’s Special
Education Counselor Judy Phillips and SHSU’s LadyKats Basketball Coach Brenda Nichols. Councilmember Brauninger
thanked Councilmember Montgomery for her leadership of the Board and Commission Review Ad Hoc Committee. Mayor
Woodward wished everyone a very happy and safe Thanksgiving.
11. EXECUTIVE SESSION
a. City Council will convene in closed session as authorized by Texas Government Code Chapter 551, Section
551.071 legal advice on the following items:
(i) Gilbreath v City of Huntsville;
(ii) claim by fd2S;
(iii) Randolph v City of Huntsville.
The Mayor adjourned the Council into Executive Session at 7:05 p.m.
12. RECONVENE
a. Take action, if necessary, on items addressed during Executive Session.
The Council reconvened at 7:55 p.m. Councilmember Olson moved to allow the Mayor to sign the settlement agreement
with Gilbreath, the motion was seconded by Councilmember Montgomery, and was unanimously adopted, 8-0.
Councilmember Olson moved to let the City Attorney make a settlement offer to fd2s, not to exceed $10,000, the motion
was seconded by Councilmember Johnson. The motion was adopted 6-2, Mayor Woodward and Councilmember Allen
voting against.
13. ADJOURNMENT
Mayor Woodward adjourned the meeting at 7:57p.m.
Lee Woodward, City Secretary