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MIN CC 08/19/2008CITY COUNCIL MEETING of AUGUST 19, 2008 BOOK "U" 142 UTES OF THE HUNTSVILLE CITY COUNCIL MEETING HELD ON THE 19TH DAY OF AUGUST, 2008, IN THE CITY L, LOCATED AT 1212 AVENUE M IN THE CITY OF HUNTSVILLE, COUNTY OF WALKER, TEXAS AT 6:OOPM. Council met in a regular session with the following: CILMEMBERS PRESENT: J. Turner, Wayne Barrett, Tom Cole, Charles Forbus, Clarence Griffin, Melissa Mahaffey, Ray, Mac Woodward, Dalene Zander ERS PRESENT: Victor Pena, Interim City Manager; Thomas Leeper, City Attorney; Stephanie Brim, City Secretary TO ORDER [6:OOpm] Turner called the meeting to order. EDGE OF ALLEGIANCE to US and TEXAS FLAGS, INVOCATION incilmember Barrett led the invocation. for Turner reported that the Huntsville Main Post Office is now accepting passports; and that due to an unexpected issue ted to an Internet posting, the Council will not be taking action on item 6a (FY 2008 -09 budget). Citizens will give be given opportunity to address the Council, but no action is anticipated to be taken. .IC COMMENTS (Agenda items only.) Crawford. Mr. Crawford spoke against eliminating the Special Projects Director position. Nemec. Mr. Nemec spoke on behalf of retaining Glenn Isbell. amfield. Mr. Camfield stated the Council should follow the Comprehensive Plan; and spoke on behalf of Glenn Isbell. , een. Dr. Green spoke on behalf of retaining the Special Projects Director position, since there is still a need for staffing imic development efforts. Greening. Mr. Greening spoke on behalf of SHSU President Jim Gaertner in support of Glenn Isbell. )rely. Mr. Mosely spoke on behalf of Wayne Scott, Former Executive Director of TDCJ, and in support of Glenn Isbell's citing several projects that he assisted on in providing service to TDCJ, and suggesting that the Council find a way of cing the 2008 -09 budget that does not eliminate the position, or at least let the new City Manager get on board. Stephens. Mr. Stephens spoke not on behalf of TXDOT but his self, in support of Glenn Isbell. m Nash. Mr. Nash requested the Council reconsider for this and future budgets, to take a strong positive position for i, the TIRZ, and reconsider eliminating the Special Projects Director position. )avis. Mr. Davis requested the Council reconsider eliminating the Special Projects Director position. Is Miles. Mr. Miles spoke on behalf of Glenn Isbell, having worked closely in his capacity serving on the EDC. Monday. Mrs. Monday commented on the Special Projects Director position, in favor of keeping Glenn Isbell. Waller. Mr. Waller spoke on behalf of retaining Special Projects Director Glenn Isbell. ammock. Mr. Hammock recommended that the City Council not run the City outside of the Charter and City Manager's cv Franklin. Mrs. Franklin stated she was glad to hear that the Council won't vote on the budget tonight, and urged the ncil to listen to everybody tonight and take that into consideration. Willett. Mr. Willett spoke in favor of Economic Development and reminded Council to not delay ED efforts. Referencing in Isbell, asked who would be more valuable to a new city manager than someone who knows where all the sewer lines skeletons are? d Moorman. Mr. Moorman urged the Council to reconsider eliminating the Special Projects Director position, and allow the ming City Manager to decide on Glenn's role. an official vote, the City Council agreed to extend the Public Comments time to accommodate the citizens signed up to Rex. Mrs. Rex urged the Council to allow the new City Manager to make a decision regarding the Special Projects or position. an e. Mr. Lange shared that the City cannot afford to eliminate the Special Projects Director position and lose Glenn in that position. , fines. Mrs. Gaines spoke on behalf of retaining Special Projects Director Glenn Isbell. Smith. Mr. Smith spoke on behalf of retaining Special Projects Director Glenn Isbell. an Davis. Mr. Davis spoke on behalf of retaining Special Projects Director Glenn Isbell, and not to eliminate any ins except Charter Officers. tl�. Mr. Gulley stated the Council should take a step back; and let the City Manager you've unanimously hired make a rd. Mr. Howard encouraged the Council to look at this situation, hold [their] own, and do the right thing. Mr. Johns stated that how the Council embraces change will allow them to define how Huntsville will change; and the Council to keep Glenn Isbell. I MEETING of AUGUST 19, 2008 BOOK "U" 143 Jack Choate. Mr. Choate questioned why Glenn Isbell has become a hot topic in the last three months, and stated concern over actions to add duties to Mr. Leeper's activities, and stated that Councilmember Ray may have a conflict of interest in participating in this discussion since his firm handles clients in the City's Municipal Court. Mike Yawn. Mr. Yawn urged the Council to show confidence in the new City Manager, trust in his decision making. Helen Belcher. Mrs. Belcher spoke from a different perspective — as an employee of Glenn Isbell's in the private and public arenas, and spoke in support of retaining him on the City's staff. John Wagamon. Mr. Wagamon implored the people here tonight to ask themselves why they have lost the last three elections in a row; stated whether or not the new City Manager decides to keep the Special Projects Director position is his call. Dick Lindeman. Mr. Lindeman stated in the audience were a large number of folks tonight with an opinion different than the majority, and complimented the Council and staff on budget and city manager search, and stated the Council is working togetherwith the staff. Sam Dominev. Mr. Dominey spoke as one of the self - proclaimed rich owners on the west side of Huntsville and the biggest taxpayer in the City, stating that Glenn Isbell is an asset and needed to bring in the businesses to Huntsville. PUBLIC HEARING City Council conducted a public hearing to receive citizen input regarding the Fiscal Year 2008 -2009 Annual Budget. Joseph Eugene Milam. Mr. Milam spoke at length on electromagnetic fields. Cheryl Lawson. Ms. Lawson addressed growth in Huntsville, stating a favorable position. CONSENT AGENDA a. Approve minutes of City Council meeting held on July 15 and 16, 2008. b. Authorize the City Manager to execute the automotive contract with Reliable Auto, of Huntsville, Texas and NAPA Automotive of Huntsville, Texas to expire on August 5, 2009. Councilmember Forbus moved to approve the Consent Agenda with a minor edit to the July 15 meeting minutes: and Councilmember Barrett seconded the motion. The motion passed 9 -0. 'UTORY AGENDA Presentation, discussion and/orpossible action on Ordinance 2008 -29, adopting the Fiscal Year 2008 -2009 Annual Budget. No action was taken on this item. )RICITY COUNCILMEMBERf CITY MANAGER REPORT Presentation, discussion and/or possible action on Rayford Jenkins' claim against the City as presented by Carmen Irving. Ms. Irving read a prepared statement on behalf of Mr. Jenkins. No action was taken on this item and Mayor Turner requested that this item be rescheduled for the City Council meeting in September 2008. b. Presentation, discussion and /orpossible action on Ordinance 2008 -30, regarding the City Council Rules of Procedure, specifically Section 3.0 - Sessions. COMMENTS (Open.) INQUIRIES JRNMENT [8:43pm] Turner adjourned the regular meeting. AtephaA. Brim, CiTy Secretary