Minutes - 07/02/2013 (3) MINUTES FROM THE HUNT8VLLE CITY COUNCIL MEETING HELD ONTHE 2 Nm DAY OF JULY 20n3, QuTHE CITY HALL,
LOCATED A71212 AVENUE N8|MTHE CITY OFHWNTMVLLE.COUNTY OF WALKER,TEXAS,AT$:UuPM.
The Council met mn regular session with the following:
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COUNCILMEMBERS PRESENT:Mac Woodward,Lydia Montgomery,Don H.Johnson,Keith Olson,Joe Emmett.Tish Humphrey,Ronald Allen,Clyde
Loll
nouwmLMswasna ABSENT:None
OFFICERS PRESENT:Matt Benoit,City Manaaer.Leonard Schneider,91ty Attorney,Lee Woodward,City Secretary
REGULAR SESSION/6:VWP&)
1. CALL TO ORDER
2. INVOCATION AND PLEDGES
U.S.Flag
Texas Flag: Honor the Texas Flag. /pledge allegiance to thee, Texas, one state, under God, one, and indivisible.
3. PUBLIC HEARING .
The City Council will receive public input on proposals for Charter amendments for the November ballot.
Mayor Woodward began the public hearing at 6:03 p.m.
Mr. Charles 8mither. Jr. spoke on the Charter Conflict ofInterest pmv/oion, addressing utuua law exceptions and urging equal
treatment ofall businesses, including GH8V.
Dick Lindeman echoed Mr. Gmither'o comment that having individuals from 8HGU on the Council but asked hornecugnition of
potential conflict. He asked the Council to consider options on At-Large versus Ward makeup of the City Council before
making a decision. Mr. Lindeman also suggested options for residency requirement, either eliminating the requirement or
establishing m|ea, perhaps including o requirement for being a qualified voter. FinaUy, he addressed transparency and his
pmpuoa|o for additional recording of City Council,and City Board and Commission meetings.
Karl Davidson asked the City Council to consider proposals with an open mind. He said he believed the Council size should
be reduced to five members 8o prevent undue representation from a geographic area of the City. He also suggested the
Council term remain ot two years, N|c Davidson recommended the Charter include a requirement for o State of the City bythe
Mayor after the passage of the budget, and for annual ward meetings. Me also recommended regular updates from the City
Manager.
Mayor Woodward
4. PUBLIC COMMENT
m' Related mm any City business not on the agenda 2 minutes per mmeehmx
Ramiro /o/ma. Jr. re-introduced himself to the City Council in his new role as the GHSU Student Council President and
announcing initiatives for his term.
b. Related to any matter on the agenda—6 minutes per speaker
A| Hoohan. GHGU Vice-President uf Finance and Operation, rao requested the City not approve Resolution 2O13'
11 (item 6a), noting the University had identified the building as important to expansion of its programs, particularly those
dealing with ROTC and veterans affairs services. Ho said the University had not had the opportunity ho submit o bid, and
asked the City 0orebid.
LTC David Yebno. Ret., said he spoke as a veteran and member of the community, extending the Fie Chief
condolences on the nineteen fimfighhsm |m* recently in Arizona. He said the Reserve facilities would help in
consolidation of the University's veterans services. Ha thanked the Council for its consideration and support.
T.J. Burdett said he was a veteran but was speaking as a businessman, He read an email he had sent to Councilmember
Humphrey in opposition to the University's request.
Robert Ernst also thanked the military and referred to a letter he had provided previously, in opposition to the University's
request. He stated he believed the University had the information on the bid process in advance and did not take action.
Taeh K0aa|oufsmid he had not intended to speak bud, from hearing the cummentu, felt that his purchase of the building
was derailing the University's ROTC program. He said he was willing to provide property to their program, but that hefelt
that this prime dy was more appropriate for business. Mr. N|ea|ouf said the University was made aware of the bid
on June 5 and had opportunity resources to submit, but did not. He added that he had been waiting for property to
become available, had worked hard on his bid, and was pleased that his was the only one,again encouraging fair play.
s. C��N��mT AGENDA
of Consent Agenda authorizes th*City Manager/n implement each item/n 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
member ofCouncil./
m. Approve the minutes mf the City Council Workshop and Regular Session held on June 18. 2013.[Lee Woodward,
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City Secretary]
b. Adopt Ordinance 2013-30 amending the City of Huntsville, Texas Code of Ordinances, specifically Chapter 32
"OFFENSES AND MISCELLANEOUS PROVISIONS", more specifically "Sec. 32-33 Door-to-door solicitors,
hawkers,etc."; providing for a penalty; making other provisions and findings thereto; and declaring.an effective
date,2nd reading.[Chief Kevin Lunsford,Director of Public Safety]
c. Approve Resolution 2013-10 authorizing the submission of the 2013 Edward Byrne Justice Assistance Formula
Grant(JAG)application.[Dr.Sherry McKibben,Community Development Specialist]
d. Approve Ordinance 2013-32 to amend the budget for FY 12-13.[Steve Ritter,Interim Finance Director]
Councilmember Montgomery moved to approve the Consent Agenda and was seconded by Councilmembers Olson and
Emmett The motion passed unanimously, 8-0.
6. STATUTORY AGENDA
a. Presentation, discussion, and possible action to approve Resolution 2013-11, accepting a bid for the sale of city
owned property located at 2257 Sam Houston Avenue, more commonly known as the Army Reserve Building,
and authorize the City Manager, City Attorney and City Secretary to sign all necessary documents to complete
the sale subject to final approval by the City Attorney.[Matt Benoit,City Manager]
(The Mayor filed a Conflict of Interest form and did not participate in the discussion or vote.)
Councilmember Loll moved to adiourn into Executive Session and was seconded by Councilmember Emmett. The motion
was approved 6-1 Councilmember Allen voting against Mayor Pro Tern Johnson adjourned the Council into Executive
Session as 6:45 pm. The Council reconvened at 7:08 pm.
Councilmember Olson moved to approve Resolution 2013-11 accepting a bid for the sale of city owned property located
at 2257 Sam Houston Avenue more commonly known as the Army Reserve Building, and authorize the City Manager,
City Attorney and City Secretary to sign all necessary documents to complete the sale subject to final approval by the City
Attorney_ and was seconded by Councilmember Loll. The motion passed unanimously. 6-1. Councilmember Emmett
voting against.
7. MAYOR/CITY COUNCILMITY MANAGER AND CITY ATTORNEY REPORT
a. Presentation,discussion,and possible action pertaining to City ordinance on noise standards and recent citizen
complaints.[Council member Allen]
Councilmember Allen said he had asked the City Manager to review his research on the item. City Manager Matt Benoit
said he had discovered noise ordinances in the Development Code (which included decibel readings) and a
"reasonableness"standard in the City's Code of Ordinances. Mr. Benoit said he did not feel it appropriate for the City to
continue with both or to have one in the Development Code, saying he favored one including decibel.levels and
suggested he and the Police Chief conduct further research. He said he intended to make recommendations to the
Council then and was open to the Council's input. The Mayor and Councilmember Allen supported working with the
citizens and business owners,and Councilmember Loll offered his assistance.
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b. City Manager's Report
1. Updates on City construction, grants,studies,City projects,City purchases,and economic development.
Aron Kulhavy, Director of Community and Economic Development, presented on possible speed calming devices on
River Oaks and Avenue S.
Matt Benoit spoke on current water conservation concerns, noting a pump down combined with annual increased
water use. He said the public was being asked to pay attention to their water use and thoughtful about irrigation and
outdoor washing.
Kristin Edwards, Deputy City Secretary, presented an update on the recently introduced This Week in Huntsville e-
newsletter. The Council and City Manager lauded her work and agreed to provide topics.
8. PUBLIC COMMENT
a. Related to any City business—2 minutes per speaker
Dick Lindeman spoke in opposition to extending City Council terms from two to three years, saying the underlying
argument for continuity and stability was very weak. He said a three-year term reduced the ability of the citizenry to
impact the Council and that he did not believe a three-year Council would be any more responsive.
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 encouraged the public to sign up for This Week in Huntsville and reminded all the farmers market would continue
through July 27. Mayor Woodward said another Charter public hearing would be held on July 16 and proposals would be
considered by the Council at upcoming meetings. He announced the City was still accepting applications for City Boards and
Commissions. The City Manager and City Secretary gave information on the City fourth of July celebration to be held at Kate
Barr Ross Park. Cound|memterEmmett thanked Mr. Lindeman for his comments and acknowledged the0mmenkamps
property on18mStreet, commending the appearance of the property, while also noting there had been elot of general
improvement in VVond 1. Counci|member Humphrey asked that the community welcome visitors in town for freshman
orientation and encouraged chioanototaho part in local activities and be good neighbors. The Mayor reminded all the City
would bo closed on the fourth and wished everyone a very safe holiday.
11. ADJOURNMENT from Regular Meeting. Workshop omfollow.
Mayor Woodward adiourned the meeting at 7:49 Pm.
WORKSHOP
Council will reconvene for the WORKSHOP in the LARGE CONFERENCE ROC`k8 [TO IMMEDIATELY FOLLOW
COUNCIL MEETING]
The City Council will discuss proposals for Charter amendments for the November ballot.[Mayor Woodward)
Mayor Woodward convened the workshop at 8:00 p.m,
The Council reviewed the Charter Review Committee's report on its work. Citizens and Charter Review Committee members in
attendance discussed how aavem| of the suggestions had been reached and the Council evaluated options and the ballot
requirements for charter amendments.
Mayor Woodward adiourned the workshop at 9:40 p.m.
Respectfully submitted
Lee W1 ard,C
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