Minutes - 07/01/2014
ST
MINUTES FROM THE HUNTSVILLE CITY COUNCIL MEETING HELD ON THE 1 DAY OF JULY 2014, 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, Andy Brauninger, Lydia Montgomery, Keith D. Olson, Joe Emmett, Tish Humphrey, Ronald Allen,
Joe P. Rodriquez
COUNCILMEMBERS ABSENT: Don H. Johnson
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 Humphrey gave an invocation and Connor and Cullen Coffey of the YMCA
led the pledges.
3. PRESENTATIONS AND PROCLAMATIONS
4. 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 Regular Session held on June 17, 2014 and Special Session with the
Planning and Zoning Commission on June 24, 2014. \[Lee Woodward, City Secretary\]
b. Adopt Ordinance 2014-38, amending the FY13-14 budget for Capital Improvement Projects. \[Steve Ritter, Finance
Director\]
c. Consider authorizing the City Manager to accept a Houston–Galveston Area Council (H-GAC) Municipal Solid
Waste Grant for $22,500.00 with a $2,500.00 match. \[Dr. Sherry McKibben, Neighborhood Resources Director\]
Councilmember Olson moved to approve the consent agenda and was seconded by Councilmember Montgomery. The
motion passed unanimously, 8-0.
5. STATUTORY AGENDA
a. Presentation, public comment, discussion, and possible action to consider a contract for the design and contract
administration of way-finding signage for the City of Huntsville. \[Dr. Sherry McKibben, Neighborhood Resources
Director\]
Councilmember Humphrey moved to consider a contract for the design and contract administration of way-finding signage
for the City of Huntsville and was seconded by Councilmember Olson. Curtis Roberts of fd2s presented other projects
and conceptual planning processes his company had pursued (the full presentation is available on the City website).
Councilmember Brauninger encouraged more incorporation of Sam Houston State University (SHSU) and moved to
postpone the item to the July 15 City Council meeting, following a meeting he and the City Manager would have with Dr.
Shields and was seconded by Councilmembers Allen and Rodriquez. Councilmember Allen expressed displeasure in the
manner of dividing the proposal into phases. Councilmember Rodriquez praised fd2s’ proposal but reminded the body of
his reasons for opposing the initial amount considered for way-finding signage. The motion to postpone was adopted, 6-2,
Councilmembers Olson and Humphrey voting against.
b. FIRST READING Presentation, public comment, discussion, and possible action to consider adopting Ordinance
2014-36, amending Chapter 14 Business and Business Regulations, Article IV, Pawnbrokers, to change the hours
of operations of pawnshops, first reading. \[Chief Kevin Lunsford, Director of Public Safety\]
Mayor Woodward proposed the item be updated to come in line with state law. Chief Kevin Lunsford, Director of Public
Safety said the Department was in support and had a good relationship with local pawn shops. Leonard Davis of EZ
Pawn offered his support, stating he felt it would keep money local. Councilmember Humphrey confirmed the update to
the proposed ordinance would state accordance with state law rather than stating the current specifics in the code.
No action was taken for this first reading.
6. MAYOR/CITY COUNCIL/CITY MANAGER AND CITY ATTORNEY REPORT
a. City Manager’s Report
1. Updates on City construction, grants, studies, City projects, City purchases, and economic development.
There was no report.
7. REQUESTS FOR CITIZEN PARTICIPATION
No requests were submitted.
8. MEDIA INQUIRIES RELATED TO MATTERS ON THE AGENDA
There were no media inquiries.
9. 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.)
Mayor Woodward made the following announcements:
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The City of Huntsville’s birthday is July 12! The City was formed first in 1835 under the Mexican gov’t., then
incorporated by Act under the Republic of Texas in 1845 as part of Montgomery County. In 1852 and 1871, the City
was incorporated as part of the County of Walker under the laws of the State of Texas. Happy Birthday, Huntsville!
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Please make your nominations for the Walker County Big Tree Registry! Visit the Natural Preservation Ad Hoc
Committee page on the City web site.
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Join the City of Huntsville Recreation Services at Kate Barr Ross Park on Friday, July 4, beginning at 4 p.m. with
family entertainment and a large-scale fireworks show beginning at dark, weather permitting. There will be a rock
wall, a face painter, balloon art, moonwalks, and karaoke, and a variety of food and drink for sale. Don’t forget to
bring your coolers, blankets and chairs, and get there early to reserve your spot for the fireworks show. Alcohol and
glass bottles will NOT be allowed on the premises. For more information call 936-294-5725 or visit the City’s
website.
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The Texas Criminal Defense Attorneys will be hosting the annual reading of the Declaration of Independence at the
Courthouse gazebo on Thursday, July 3, at noon. Enjoy hearing local citizens and officials share in this special
reading.
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Join the Huntsville Fire Dept. on July 8 at 6 p.m. at Fire Station #2 (Sam Houston Avenue) to see the City’s newest
fire truck, enjoy free hot dogs and beverages, and learn how to prevent wildfires with the “Ready, Set, Go!” program
presentation!
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Happy Birthday today (July 1) to former Councilmember Clyde Loll and on July 7 to City Manager Matt Benoit!
Councilmember Rodriquez said he felt Huntsville was a very friendly community and urged people to reach out and become
involved. Councilmember Humphrey said Saturday July 12 was also the Huntsville Pets Helping People Rummage Sale at St.
Stephens’ Episcopal Church, along with their ongoing book drive, to support their services. She added that she would be
holding community engagement meetings in Ward 2 this summer.
10. ADJOURNMENT
Mayor Woodward adjourned the meeting at 7:00 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Lee Woodward, City Secretary