Minutes - 04/03/2018
MINUTES FROM THE HUNTSVILLE CITY COUNCIL REGULAR MEETING HELD ON THE 3 RD DAY OF APRIL 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 (arrived at 5:42 p.m.), Keith D. Olson, Clyde D. Loll (arrived at 6:00 p.m.)
COUNCILMEMBERS ABSENT: None
OFFICERS PRESENT: Aron Kulhavy, Interim City Manager; Lee Woodward, City Secretary; Leonard Schneider, City
Attorney
WORKSHOP \[5:30 p.m.\] – The City Council will discuss the Federal Emergency Management Agency’s (FEMA) 2018 Staffing
for Adequate Fire and Emergency Response (SAFER) grant program.
Director of Public Safety Chief Kevin Lunsford, and Interim City Manager Aron Kulhavy shared the basics of the SAFER grant proposal
they said would be on the April 17 Council agenda, which they said would contain a recommendation to apply for four new firefighter
positions.
MAIN SESSION \[6:00 p.m.\]
CALL TO ORDER – Mayor Brauninger called the meeting to order at 6:00 p.m.
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.
Paul Davidhizar gave the invocation and Mayor Brauninger led the pledges.
PROCLAMATIONS AND PRESENTATIONS
- Presentation to the City by former Councilmember Dr. Wayne Barrett – postponed to a later date
- National Book Award Festival invitation, Dr. Amanda Nowlin O’Banion – not able to attend
- Sexual Assault Awareness Month proclamation
- National Library Week proclamation
- Parliamentary Law Month proclamation
1. 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 March 20. \[Lee Woodward, City Secretary\]
b. Adopt Ordinance 2018-14, amending the FY17-18 budget to move $45,000 from the Visitors Center Restroom
Project to the Visitors Center Expansion and Renovation project. \[Aron Kulhavy, Interim City Manager\]
Mayor Pro Tem Olson moved to approve the consent agenda; the motion was seconded by Councilmember Davidhizar.
The motion was approved, 9-0.
2. STATUTORY AGENDA
a. Presentation, discussion, public comments, and possible action to receive and consider a report from the Main
Street Advisory Committee concerning parking in the downtown area (particularly around the square) as requested
by the Council. \[Aron Kulhavy, Interim City Manager\]
Cheryl Spencer, Chair of the Main Street Advisory Board, shared the summary of the committee’s recommendations.
Councilmember Emmett proposed the Council have a workshop on the topic and the Interim City Manager said staff would
be happy to schedule it.
b. FIRST READING - Presentation, discussion, public comments, and possible action to consider authorizing the
Interim City Manager to award the construction contract for the construction of 2016 Bond Proposition 3 – a new
2.5-million-gallon elevated storage tank at Fire Station No. 1 site and modifications to the existing 2-million-gallon
elevated storage tank – Project No. 17-10-01.1, first reading. \[Y. S. “Ram” Ramachandra, City Engineer\]
First reading, no action taken.
3. CITY COUNCIL/CITY MANAGER/CITY ATTORNEY
a. Presentation, discussion, public comments, and possible action to consider approval of the Mayor’s nomination
of the firm Pattillo, Brown & Hill, L.L.P. as the independent auditors for the City of Huntsville, for fiscal year 2017-
18. \[Steve Ritter, Finance Director\]
Mayor Brauninger moved to approve the firm Pattillo, Brown & Hill, L.L.P. as the independent auditors for the City of
Huntsville for fiscal year 2018. The motion was approved, 9-0.
b. Presentation, discussion, public comments, and possible action to consider approval of the Mayor’s nominees for
the Master Planning Advisory Committee (MPAC) for the Bruce Brothers Regional Airport’s Master Plan.
Mayor Brauninger moved his nominees: Judge Danny Pierce, Dale Story, Trey Harris, Casey Collum, Oscar Mendoza,
Wade Gillespie, Paul Davidhizar, Keith Olson, Lindsay Owings, Tim Davis, and a representative of SHSU and asked that
the committee select its own chair. The motion was approved, 9-0.
4. 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.
a. Hear a request from Patricia Powers concerning being a local renter.
Ms. Powers shared her observations concerning being a local renter.
b. Hear a request from Sarah Countryman on animal advocacy.
Ms. Countryman was unable to attend.
5. MEDIA INQUIRIES RELATED TO MATTERS ON THE AGENDA
There were no inquiries.
6. 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 spoke aboutFormer U.S. Attorney General Alberto Gonzales visit to Huntsville on March 23. Gonzales
stopped by City Hall and spoke with staff and Councilmembers Joe Emmett and Joe Rodriquez. He also noted that today is
National Service Recognition Day, noting acts of service in the community and urged citizens to consider running for City Council.
Mayor Pro Tem Olson announced the annual SHSU National Book Awards Festival at the LSC on the evening of Monday, April
16. Nationally recognized writers will be on hand for readings, an authors talk, and book signing. The event is free but you have
to get a ticket in advance at shsu.edu/nba.
Councilmember Humphrey shared this year’s SHSU Bearkat All Paws In will begin at 8 a.m. on Saturday, April 14, at the LSC.
Visit the Student Government webpage at shsu.edu/sga to register projects or to participate.
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Councilmember Davidhizar 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. The Mayor noted he and Mr. Kulhavy would be attending
the Lone Star Legislative Summit in Nacogdoches next week.
Councilmember Loll announced the Huntsville Police Department’s BBQ Lunch Fundraiser benefitting the Jose Valles. He said
Sgt. Valles is a 25-year veteran with HPD recently diagnosed with cancer. Olson said the event will be held on Friday, April 6, at
HPD, and that pre-orders and walk-ins are welcome. Call 936-291-5480 for more information.
Councilmember Emmett said Spring Classes at the Wynne Home have begun. The City’s Secretary’s Arm Knitting was held last
week, and parliamentary procedure began last night. Visit www.HuntsvilleTX.gov/Wynne to find the full schedule and other
upcoming events!
Councilmember Rodriquez invited the public to participate in the City of Huntsville’s 11th annual Tire and Electronics Recycling
Day will be held Saturday, April 7, from 9 a.m. to noon, at the Recycling Drop-Off Center, located at 590 Interstate 45 North. For
more information, call 936-294-5712.
Councilmember McCaffety gave a shout out to the undefeated SHSU Men’s Baseball team. And the Mayor announced the TML
Region 14 Spring Meeting at Sam Houston Race Park and encouraged Councilmembers to attend. Councilmember Humphrey
noted Prescription Drug Take Back Day would be held on April 28 at HHS from 10-2.
7. EXECUTIVE SESSION
a. City Council will meet in Executive Session pursuant to Texas Government Code Sections 551.071 and 551.072,
regarding consultation with counsel on legal matters concerning the deliberation of and regarding purchase,
exchange, lease or value of real property, concerning Proposition 1 properties.
b. 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 Attorney Leonard Schneider.
The Mayor introduced new Fire Chief Greg Mathis. The Council adjourned to Executive Session at 6:58 p.m.
8. RECONVENE
a. Take action on Executive Session items, if necessary.
b. FIRST READING - Presentation, public comment, discussion, and possible action to consider authorizing the
Interim City Manager and the City Attorney to execute all documents necessary to purchase the property located
in the 200 block of State Highway 75 North, Lots 2A and 2B of the OE Barrett Subdivision, in an amount not to
exceed $1.069 million, first reading. \[Aron Kulhavy, Interim City Manager\]
The Council reconvened at 7:42 p.m. First reading, no action taken.
9. ADJOURNMENT
Mayor Brauninger adjourned the meeting without objection at 7:42 p.m.
Lee Woodward, City Secretary