Minutes - 03/06/2018
MINUTES FROM THE HUNTSVILLE CITY COUNCIL REGULAR MEETING HELD ON THE 6 TH DAY OF MARCH 2018, IN THE
CITY HALL, LOCATED AT 1212 AVENUE M, IN THE CITY OF HUNTSVILLE, COUNTY OF WALKER, TEXAS, AT 6:00 P.M.
The Council met in a regular session with the following:
COUNCILMEMBERS PRESENT: Andy Brauninger, Joe Emmett, Tish Humphrey, Ronald Allen, Joe P. Rodriquez, Paul
Davidhizar, Tyler McCaffety, Keith D. Olson, Clyde D. Loll
COUNCILMEMBERS ABSENT: None
OFFICERS PRESENT: Aron Kulhavy, Interim City Manager; Lee Woodward, City Secretary; Leonard Schneider, City
Attorney
MAIN SESSION \[6:00 p.m.\]
1. CALL TO ORDER – Mayor Brauninger called the meeting to order at 6:00 p.m.
2. INVOCATION AND PLEDGES
U.S. Flag
Texas Flag: Honor the Texas Flag. I pledge allegiance to thee, Texas, one state, under God, one, and indivisible.
Mayor Brauninger gave an invocation and Calliope Lolley and Hailey Salazar of HISD led the pledges.
3. 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 meeting held on February 20. \[Lee Woodward, City Secretary\]
b. Authorize the Interim City Manager to approve purchase orders with several hardware and/or supply stores with
terms of one year and one-year options to renew. \[Steve Ritter, Director of Finance\]
c. Approve the 2017 Annual Report for Tax Increment Reinvestment Zone #1 (TIRZ). \[Steve Ritter\]
d. Approve the nomination of Taylor Morrison to an unexpired term on the Cemetery Advisory Board. \[Mayor
Brauninger\]
e. Ratify correction to property IDs 57003 and 57004 to 30203 and 30204 for the earnest money contract authorized at
the February 6, 2018, City Council meeting. \[Leonard Schneider, City Attorney\]
Councilmember Allen asked to pull item e. Councilmember Humphrey moved to approve the consent agenda; the motion
was seconded by Councilmember Davidhizar. The motion for items a-d was approved, 9-0.
Councilmember Humphrey moved to ratify correction to property IDs 57003 and 57004 to 30203 and 30204 for the earnest
money contract authorized at the February 6, 2018, City Council meeting; the motion was seconded by Mayor Pro Tem
Olson. The motion was adopted, 8-1, Councilmember Allen voting against.
4. EXECUTIVE SESSION
a. City Council will convene in closed session as authorized by Texas Government Code Chapter 551, Section 551.071
-consultation with counsel on legal matters to receive legal advice on amendment to the City’s Water Use Permit
No. 12754 and amendments to the Option Agreement and Water Supply Agreement between the City of Huntsville
and Montgomery County Municipal Utility District Nos. 8 and 9. \[Leonard Schneider, City Attorney, and Emily
Rogers, Attorney, Bickerstaff, Heath, Delgado, & Acosta\].
The Council adjourned to Executive Session at 6:09 p.m.
5. RECONVENE
a. Take action on Executive Session items, if necessary.
The Council reconvened at 6:36 p.m. Mayor Pro Tem moved to authorize the City Manager, or his designee, to prepare,
file, and prosecute an application to amend Water Use Permit No. 12754; the motion was seconded by Councilmember
Humphrey. The motion was adopted, 9-0. Councilmember Davidhizar moved to approve the amendments to the Option
Agreement and Water Supply Agreement between the City of Huntsville and Montgomery County Municipal Utility District
Nos. 8 and 9; the motion was seconded by Councilmember Loll. The motion was adopted, 9-0.
6. CITY COUNCIL/CITY MANAGER/CITY ATTORNEY
a. Presentation, public comment, discussion, and possible action to consider agenda item submitted by Mayor
Brauninger to discuss, consider, and possibly take action to direct City staff to take all necessary steps to make
the remainder of the property located at 1930 A Sam Houston Avenue, Property ID #30286 (more specifically, the
front 0.102 acres), available for sale to the public in accordance with state law, the City Charter, and the City’s
purchasing policies, second reading. \[Aron Kulhavy, Interim City Manager\]
At the February 20, 2018, meeting, Councilmember Allen moved to direct City staff to take all necessary steps to make the
remainder of the property located at 1930 A Sam Houston Avenue, Property ID #30286 (more specifically, the front 0.102
acres), available for sale to the public in accordance with state law, the City Charter, and the City’s purchasing policies, and
the motion was seconded by Councilmember Rodriquez. The motion was postponed until this meeting and debate was
resumed. The motion was adopted, 7-2, Councilmember Emmett and Mayor Pro Tem Olson voting against.
7. REQUESTS FOR CITIZEN PARTICIPATION
An opportunity for citizens to be heard on any topic and for the City Council to participate in the discussion. No action will be
taken.
No requests were received by noon on Tuesday, February 27, 2018.
8. MEDIA INQUIRIES RELATED TO MATTERS ON THE AGENDA
There were no 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 Brauninger noted the return of the coveted Mayors Bowl Trophy. Established by former Mayor J. Turner, the Brenham
High School vs. Huntsville High School annual football game was celebrated each year starting in September 2006. At the time,
Lois Kolkhorst was the state representative for both cities. After the season, the losing team would bring Kolkhorst’s favorite Blue
Bell flavor, peppermint, to the winning team, to share neighborly camaraderie. It’s been many years since Huntsville was able to
claim the win, so we are excited that the trophy is back home! The Mayor also reported the Career & Technology Education
Showcase held recently at Huntsville High School was a success, with the program running 16 career clusters that are approved
by the Texas Education Agency. He shared that the 22nd Annual HUB/Vendor Show will be held March 29, from 11:30 a.m. –
2:30 p.m., at the Walker County Storm Shelter.
HISD Minute! Mayor Pro Tem Olson said that activities in the community for the National Book Awards Festival will begin around
the end of March, and added that, for the fifth year, NBA at SHSU will partner with HISD and the City of Huntsville to bring
critically acclaimed authors and literary activities to schools and public events. Mayor Pro Tem Olson invited the public to visit
SHSU.edu/NBA for more details.
CoH Clean Minute! Councilmember Humphrey asked residents who are out planting new bulbs and spreading new seeds to
think about the appearance of the city, as there may be many visitors in the community during spring break. She added that
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March 11 will be daylight saving time and one of two great times a year to check the batteries in smoke alarms. She also noted
SHSU was fourth seed at the upcoming tournament in Katy, and wished them well. Councilmember Humphrey also wished Chief
Kevin Lunsford a happy birthday.
Councilmember Rodriquez shared that the Huntsville Main Street Program is hosting its first annual Bacon and Brew Fest on
the square in downtown Huntsville on Saturday, March 24, 2018. The family-friendly event is from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. and is free
and open to all ages.
Councilmember Davidhizar reminded all of the upcoming permanent traffic changes around SHSU that will take place over
Spring Break and take effect March 19.
Councilmember Allen announced the City’s next Brand Review presentation which will be here at City Hall at 5:30 p.m. on
Monday, March 19. There is also a questionnaire available online, via the City’s website and our social media pages. If you
would like a presentation for your group, church, or workplace, call 291-5403 – we’re happy to come visit you!
Councilmember Loll noted that Coffee with a Cop is on again Saturday, March 10, from 5:30-7 p.m. at Starbucks. Drop by to visit
with HPD about neighborhood watch and more!
Councilmember Emmett announced the Huntsville Lions Club will be collecting used eyeglasses on April 14th. If you would like
to donate a pair of glasses, find a drop-off box like the one located in the lobby here at City Hall.
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Councilmember McCaffety announced Sam Houston State University is hosting Leadercast on May 4 at the Gaertner
Performing Arts Center. Tickets are available by calling 936-294-2277.
Mayor Brauninger let everyone know what a great day last March 2 was for the Sam Houston Birthday and Texas Independence
Day events. He said a descendent of Davy Crockett attended and 32 people were “baptized Texan.” The Mayor also recalled
the packed house for Fire Chief Tom Grisham’s retirement event on February 28, recognizing 44 years of service.
Councilmember Humphrey asked to let all know that a Neighborhood Watch meeting will be held at HPD on March 8, at 6 p.m.
10. EXECUTIVE SESSION
a. City Council will meet in Executive Session pursuant to Texas Government Code Section 551.074 – personnel
matters regarding the appointment, employment, evaluation, reassignment, duties, discipline, or dismissal of a
public officer or employee, concerning City Secretary Lee Woodward.
The Council adjourned to Executive Session at 6:53 p.m.
11. RECONVENE
a. Take action on Executive Session items, if necessary.
The Council reconvened at 7:58 p.m.
12. ADJOURNMENT
Mayor Brauninger adjourned the meeting without objection at 7:58 p.m.
Lee Woodward, City Secretary