Minutes - 04/23/2015
RD
MINUTES FROM THE HUNTSVILLE CITY COUNCIL MEETING HELD ON THE 23 DAY OF APRIL 2015, 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: Mac Woodward, Andy Brauninger, Keith D. Olson, Joe Emmett, Tish Humphrey, Ronald
Allen, Joe P. Rodriquez
COUNCILMEMBERS ABSENT: Lydia Montgomery, Don H. Johnson
OFFICERS PRESENT: Matt Benoit, City Manager, Lee Woodward, City Secretary____________________________________
WORKSHOP \[5:00 P.M.\] – The City Council will consider authorizing the City Manager to apply for a Transportation
Alternatives Program (TAP) grant, designate projects to be included in the application, and determine a match, and
adopting Resolution 2015-08 in support of same.
City Manager Matt Benoit and Dr. Sherry McKibben, Director of Neighborhood Resources, reviewed options for projects and match
amounts with the Council. Discussion centered on whether to build on single sides of each street considered or on both, and
whether the chances of receiving a grant would be enhanced in relation to the amount of match offered.
MAIN SESSION \[6:00 P.M.\]
1. CALL TO ORDER – Mayor Woodward called the meeting to order at 6:04 p.m.
2. INVOCATION AND PLEDGES – Councilmember Joe Rodriquez gave an invocation.
3. STATUTORY AGENDA
a. Presentation, public comment, discussion, and possible action to consider authorizing the City Manager to apply
for a Transportation Alternatives Program (TAP) grant, designate projects to be included in the application, and
determine match, and adopting Resolution 2015-08 in support of same. \[Dr. Sherry McKibben, Director of
Neighborhood Resources; Y. S. Ram Ramachandra, City Engineer\]
Without objection, the Mayor recessed the Council at 6:06 p.m. and reconvened at 6:16 p.m. Spencer Copeland spoke
in support of the project and local transportation needs. Councilmember Humphrey moved to apply for a Transportation
Alternatives Program (TAP) grant for the staff-recommended projects and provide a match of $589,421.00 , to be included
in the application, and adopting Resolution 2015-08 in support of same. The motion was seconded by Councilmember
Emmett. Councilmember Olson and Mr. Benoit noted the 10% of construction costs would bring the total City expenditure
to $845,691.00. Mr. Benoit answered Councilmember Brauninger’s concern about the possibility of the true expense of
the project coming in higher than anticipated, saying the Council would be able to re-address the budget and options on
the scope of work if that occurred. Mayor Woodward reminded all that TxDoT would administer the grant rather than City
staff, making this advantage very favorable to the City, The motion was lost, 3-4, Councilmembers Allen, Olson,
Brauninger, and Rodriquez voting against.
Councilmember Olson moved to apply for a Transportation Alternatives Program (TAP) grant, including the west side of
Montgomery Road, the South side of Sam Houston Avenue, and the West side of Lake Road, and to provide a match of
$371,341.00, and provide an estimated engineering costs of $161,453.00. The motion was seconded by Councilmember
Brauninger.
Councilmember Humphrey moved to amend the motion to add the other side of Montgomery Road, the motion was
seconded by Mayor Woodward. The amended motion was lost, 3-4, Councilmembers Allen, Brauninger, Olson, and
Rodriquez voting against.
The main motion was unanimously adopted, 7-0.
Mayor announced the Huntsville Community Theater production of Arsenic and Old Lace and encouraged all to attend.
4. ADJOURNMENT
Mayor Woodward adjourned the meeting at 6:30 p.m.
Lee Woodward, City Secretary