Minutes - 01/22/2013
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MINUTES FROM THE HUNTSVILLE CITY COUNCIL MEETING HELD ON THE 22DAY OF JANUARY 2013, IN THE CITY HALL,
LOCATED AT 1212 AVENUE M IN THE CITY OF HUNTSVILLE, COUNTY OF WALKER, TEXAS AT 6:00 PM.
The Council met in a regular session with the following:
COUNCILMEMBERS PRESENT: Mac Woodward, James Fitch, Lydia Montgomery, Don H. Johnson, Keith D. Olson, Tish Humphrey, Ronald Allen, Clyde Loll
COUNCILMEMBERS ABSENT: Joe Emmett
OFFICERS PRESENT: Matt Benoit, City Manager, Leonard Schneider, City Attorney, Lee Woodward, City Secretary_____________________________________
REGULAR SESSION [6:00PM]
1. CALL TO ORDER
2. INVOCATION AND PLEDGES - In the presence of a quorum, Councilmember Humphrey gave the invocation and Iicia Sykes of the
San Jacinto Girl Scouts led the pledges.
3. PRESENTATIONS AND PROCLAMATIONS
a. Proclamation honoring Sam Houston State University Bearkat Football program.
4. PUBLIC HEARING
a. City Council will hold a public hearing on the City’s Fair Housing Activity Statement (FHAST Form) and to receive input from
Huntsville residents. [Dr. Sherry McKibben, Community Development Specialist]
The Mayor opened the public hearing at 6:05 pm. The Mayor closed the public hearing at 6:05 pm.
5. PUBLIC COMMENT
Ramiro Jaime, Jr., Attorney General for SHSU Student Government, gave March 2 as the date for this year’s All Paws In, encouraging
participation and notification of those who needed assistance. He announced the registration deadline was February 14 and said more
information was available through the SHSU website.
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.)
Approve the minutes of the City Council Regular Session held on January 8, 2013. [Lee Woodward, City Secretary]
a.
b. Approve Ordinance 2013-10 granting Montgomery Gas Transmission, Inc. a franchise to lay a gas line within the city limits and
right-of-way to serve Paver’s Supply for a period of ten (10) years, second reading. [Aron Kulhavy, Director of Community and
Economic Development, and Leonard Schneider, City Attorney]
Councilmember Olson moved to approve the Consent Agenda and was seconded by Councilmember Humphrey. The motion
carried unanimously, 9-0.
7. STATUTORY AGENDA
a. Presentation in regards to enclosing an existing balcony located at 1105 12th Street in the Downtown district.[Aron
Kulhavy, Director of Community and Economic Development]
Aron Kulhavy, Director of Community and Economic Development, said Facemaker owner Bert Lyle had approached the City to
enclose a balcony on his building which would encroach over the City right-of-way. Councilmember Johnson asked if there would
still be an ability to photograph downtown from the balcony and Mr. Lyle said he envisioned “a lot of glass” and an open area.
Councilmember Montgomery asked and was told that the balcony was already in place and part of the building when Mr. Lyle
purchased the building in 1990. Mr. Kulhavy responded to Councilmember Humphrey’s question about similar situations by noting
that although there were a number of such structures downtown, but they were not typically enclosed for occupancy. Mr. Kulhavy
added that there were some small adjustments to be made for required permitting but that the City would still be able to access
public utilities.
b. Presentation, discussion, and possible action to approve Ordinance 2013-12, authorizing participation with other Entergy
service area cities in matters concerning Entergy Texas, Inc., at the Public Utility Commission and the Federal Energy
Regulatory Commission in 2013, 1st reading. [Leonard Schneider, City Attorney]
City Attorney Leonard Schneider noted this was an annual item and that the coalition of cities worked through the Lawton Law
Firm to minimize the potential impact of increased fees through Entergy.
c. Authorize the City Manager to purchase a wheel loader from RB Everett, Pasadena, TX. [Steve Ritter, Interim Finance
Director]
Councilmember Olson made a motion to approve the purchase and was seconded by Councilmember Loll. The motion passed
unanimously, 9-0.
d. Authorize the City Manager to approve the purchase of nine vehicles as listed on the Vehicle Replacement Schedule for
FY 12-13 with a total purchase price of $252,423.00.[Steve Ritter, Interim Finance Director]
Councilmember Montgomery made a motion to approve the purchase and was seconded by Councilmember Olson.
Councilmember Allen asked how the City could determine what amount could be expected to receive and was told by Billie Smith,
Procurement Manager, that it was an estimate from the bid site. She also answered Councilmember Allen’s question about not
receiving the amount by saying that a bid could be rejected and rebid. Mrs. Smith was asked about the $16,000 budgeted for the
fleet replacement schedule and Councilmember Allen asked why less was budgeted for 2013 than the truck cost in 2001 and said
that lower prices had been received. She said the truck in question cost just over $19,000. Councilmember Humphrey recalled
the previous Council conversation about budgeting for fleet and asked if there was a percentage increase applied across the
schedule or reviewed vehicle by vehicle. Steve Ritter, Interim Finance Director, said a percentage increase had been used in the
past but not for the last few years, instead, review was used. Councilmember Humphrey requested that the relevant schedule be
attached in the packet. Mr. Ritter noted the amounts on the agenda item were from that schedule. Councilmember Humphrey
about identification of vehicles brought forth that were not part of the current budget year and Mr. Ritter said it would be noted.
Councilmember Johnson confirmed that Mr. Ritter and Mrs. Smith received the amounts from the replacement schedule and did
not set the values themselves. Councilmember Johnson also received confirmation that the amounts were for net-buy-new and
trade-in amounts were not reflected. Councilmember Olson noted a difference of less than 2% from budget without the upgrade
that was not budgeted. Councilmember Fitch asked if the schedule was fluid and if vehicles could be delayed if not needing
replacement when scheduled, and Mr. Ritter noted that did occur in consultation with Fleet and the appropriate Director(s).
Councilmember Fitch requested the inclusion of this information. Councilmember Allen asked about the trailer [Asset 374-332] for
$46,610 with maintenance for $23,947.26, and was told they believed it was the replacement of the live floor. Councilmember
Montgomery noted that, with the exception of the 2007 riding motor, eight of the vehicles were ten years or older and the other
eight vehicles were 7-8 years old.
The motion passed unanimously, 9-0.
e. Adopt the updated Fair Housing Activity Statement (FHAST) Form as the City of Huntsville's Fair Housing Action Plan.
[Dr. Sherry McKibben, Community Development Specialist]
Councilmember Montgomery made a motion to approve the purchase and was seconded by Councilmember Johnson. The
motion passed unanimously, 9-0.
8. MAYOR/CITY COUNCIL AND CITY MANAGER REPORT
a. Presentation and discussion on establishing a Charter Review Committee in 2013. [Mayor Woodward]
Mayor Woodward announced the Charter was to be reviewed every five years but that it was last reviewed a year late, in 2009, noting the
review was due again in 2013. The Mayor noted a committee would be appointed to review and possibly make recommendations to the
Council. He said the Council might choose to make additional or other recommendations and the approved propositions would be brought
before the voters for the November election. The Mayor said he would bring nominations forward at the February 5 meeting.
b. Annual update from the Personnel Committee. [Councilmember Montgomery]
Councilmember Montgomery announced Committee Councilmembers Humphrey, Loll, and Fitch. She said the ten 2012 meetings
included transitioning the City’s medical benefits to one plan, a wellness program, a lump-sum payment to the retirement system
to reduce liabilities, and the possibility of a local health clinic for employees. Councilmember Montgomery noted significant cost
savings due to hiring a new benefits consultant. The Mayor thanked the Committee for their service.
c. Possible action to nominate an informal committee for annual review of the City Council Rules of Procedure. [Mayor Woodward]
The Mayor nominated Councilmembers Humphrey and Montgomery. The motion passed unanimously, 9-0.
d. City Manager’s Report
1. Updates on City construction, grants, studies, City projects, City purchases, and economic development.
City Manager Matt Benoit noted that the City had 972,849 visitors who had come through the Visitor’s Center by December
31, 2012. He noted there was a big push to reach 1,000,000 by May 2013, adding there would be prizes and giveaways and
encouraged everyone to go. Mr. Benoit said the campaign would begin February 8. He followed up by noting the mural item
delayed at the last meeting was being reviewed and would come back on a future agenda, possibly February 5.
9. PUBLIC COMMENT
Councilmember Montgomery said All Paws In had been a huge benefit to the thrift shop at the New Life Resale Shop, lauding the
service and hard work of the students who participated.
10. MEDIA INQUIRIES RELATED TO MATTERS ON THE AGENDA
There were no media inquiries.
11. ITEMS OF COMMUNITY INTEREST
The Mayor announced that there was a tentative joint workshop scheduled to include the City Council, HISD Board of Trustees, and
County Commissioners at the HISD Administrative Building and had been requested by Superintendent Dr. Steve Johnson and would
be open to the public. Mayor Woodward also noted the annual Walker County Proud Communities Tree Sale on February 2 from 8-
noon at the Storm Shelter. The Mayor reported the annual Trash Bash on March 2 from 7:30-noon all over the community.
12. ADJOURNMENT
The Mayor adjourned the meeting at 6:50 pm.
Respectfully submitted,
Lee Woodward, City Secretary