Minutes - 04/01/2013
ST
MINUTES FROM THE HUNTSVILLE CITY COUNCIL MEETING HELD ON THE 1 DAY OF APRIL 2013, 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, Keith Olson, Tish Humphrey, Ronald Allen, Clyde Loll
COUNCILMEMBERS ABSENT: Joe Emmett
OFFICERS PRESENT: Matt Benoit, City Manager, Lee Woodward, City Secretary_________________________________________________________________
WORKSHOP SESSION [5:00 PM – LARGE CONFERENCE ROOM] – The City Council will meet to discuss revisions to the City
Council Rules of Procedure.
In the presence of a quorum, the Mayor called the workshop to order at 5:00 pm. The Mayor presented a revision of portions of the Rules
of Procedure draft from the last workshop, from which had been removed wording relating to sanctions and private conversations and to
which other changes had been made to incorporate Councilmember preferences. The Council reviewed this version, evaluating and
selecting to remove and update additional terminology, particularly in reference to Council Relations with the Media.
The Council discussed and confirmed a rewrite regarding claims against the City, to read “Final offers for legal settlements for claims or
litigation against the City must be submitted in writing.” rather than “All offers…”
Councilmember Fitch discussed a concern about items 9.05 and 11.01. Conversation included a reluctance to tie the Council’s hands or
slow the City’s business, particularly as workshops were posted with the same amount of notice as other meeting items. Mayor Woodward
pointed out that a change to the provision could be revisited if it were determined to be inappropriate in action. Wording was added to
11.01 to state, “except for items arising under 9.05.”
Councilmember Allen expressed confusion over accessibility of staff. Matt Benoit, City Manager, requested that Councilmembers notify
him or a Department Director of their inquiry when they wish to visit with staff. He said that he would like to hear what is covered and may
have material to share also. Mr. Benoit added that he has given staff a responsibility of briefing him when they visit with Councilmembers.
Councilmember Humphrey reminded all that staff may often feel uncomfortable when approached directly by Councilmembers, as they are
technically employees of the City Manager. Councilmember Olson gave an example of the City Manager’s ability to provide access on
general topics, such as encouraging the Council to contact Finance Department personnel for budget questions. It was noted that material
in the Rules of Procedure that deal with interactions outside Council meetings had now been placed in a draft annex to the Rules.
Mayor Woodward asked that a revised draft be prepared and sent to Councilmembers for review and possible consideration at the April 16
and May 7 meetings.
Mayor Woodward adjourned the meeting at 6:25 pm.
Respectfully submitted,
Lee Woodward, City Secretary