Minutes - 09/01/2015
st
MINUTES FROM THE HUNTSVILLE CITY COUNCIL MEETING HELD ON THE 1 DAY OF SEPTEMBER 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, Don H. Johnson, Keith D. Olson, Joe Emmett, Tish
Humphrey, Ronald Allen, Joe P. Rodriquez
COUNCILMEMBERS ABSENT: Lydia Montgomery
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 Mikiah Booker from the YMCA led the
pledges.
3. PUBLIC HEARING - The City Council will hold a public hearing to receive citizen input regarding the maximum
proposed tax rate for the 2015 Tax Year (City Fiscal Year 2015 - 2016). (City Council will vote on a tax rate for the 2015
Tax Year at its September 15, 2015, 6:00 P.M. meeting at City Hall, 1212 Avenue M.)
City Council will hold a public hearing to receive citizen input regarding the Fiscal Year 2015-2016 Annual Budget.
Mayor Woodward opened the hearing at 6:02 p.m. Linda Thompson, George Russell, Charles Wagamon, Jerry DeWitt, Leroy
Hilton, Bonnie Smith, John Smither, and Marion Wagamon spoke at the hearing. Mayor Woodward closed the hearing at 7:07
p.m.
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 meeting held on August 18, 2015. \[Lee Woodward, City Secretary\]
b. Adopt Ordinance 2015-38 to update the City Council Rules of Procedure, second reading. \[Councilmember
Emmett\]
c. Approve the 2014 TIRZ Annual Report. \[Steve Ritter, Finance Director\]
d. Adopt Resolution 2015-16 to authorize the creation of the Houston-Galveston Area Regional 9-1-1 Emergency
Communications District. \[Mayor Woodward\]
e. Consider authorizing the City Manager to accept funding from the Department of Justice Bulletproof Vest Program
for $3,759.19 in grant funds, with a match of $3,759.19. \[Dr. Sherry McKibben, Director of Neighborhood
Resources\]
f. Adopt Resolution 2015-19 funding for the restoration and preservation of the City mural located on the east wall of
the Smither Building on University Avenue. \[Mayor Woodward\]
Councilmember Humphrey moved to approve the consent agenda; the motion was seconded by Councilmember Johnson
Councilmember Allen asked to pull item f and Councilmember Olson asked Councilmember Johnson to address item c, as
he is the TIRZ #1 Board of Directors Chair, which Councilmember Johnson did. Jerry DeWitt spoke on item b. The motion
was adopted unanimously, 8-0.
Mayor Woodward moved to adopt Resolution 2015-19 on funding for the restoration and preservation of the City mural
located on the east wall of the Smither Building on University Avenue, the motion was seconded by Councilmember Olson.
Scotty Cherryholmes spoke in support of the item. City Attorney Leonard Schneider referred to Texas Tax Code
351.101a(5) in reference to the use of funds for the item. The motion was adopted unanimously, 8-0.
5. STATUTORY AGENDA
a. Presentation, discussion, public comment, and possible action to consider Decision Packages for the 2015-16
budget.
1. Proposed funding sources and levels of various employee benefits
2. General Fund Capital Improvement Projects
3. Water Fund Capital Improvement Projects
4. Wastewater Fund Capital Improvement Projects
5. Proposed funding sources and levels of various position additions and changes
6. Proposed Uses of Unallocated Reserves from each fund
Councilmember Olson moved to approve decision packages 2,3,4, and 6 (General Fund Capital Improvement Projects, 3.
Water Fund Capital Improvement Projects, Wastewater Fund Capital Improvement Projects, and Proposed Uses of
Unallocated Reserves from each fund) for the FY15-16 budget; the motion was seconded by Councilmember Humphrey.
Councilmember Brauninger pulled items 1 and 5. The motion was adopted unanimously, 8-0.
Councilmember Olson moved to approve decision package 1, proposed funding sources and levels of various employee
benefits, for the FY15-16 budget; the motion was seconded by Councilmember Humphrey. A prepared statement from
Councilmember Montgomery was read, in addition to deliberation among other Councilmembers.
Councilmember Rodriquez moved to amend by striking “5%” and inserting “3%” for the market adjustment (no change to
the potential for a 2.5% merit increase). The amendment was seconded by Councilmember Brauninger. The amendment
failed, 4-4, Councilmembers Allen, Brauninger, Emmett, and Rodriquez voting in support.
The main motion failed, 4-4, Mayor Woodward, and Councilmembers Humphrey, Johnson, and Olson voting in support.
Councilmember Olson moved to amend by striking “5%” and inserting “4%”, the motion was seconded by Councilmember
Olson Johnson (correction adopted 10/6/15). The motion failed, 4-4, Mayor Woodward, and Councilmembers
Humphrey, Johnson, and Olson voting in support.
Councilmember Olson moved to approve decision package 5, proposed funding sources and levels of various position
additions and changes, for the FY15-16 budget; the motion was seconded by Councilmember Humphrey. The motion was
adopted unanimously, 8-0.
b. Presentation, discussion, public comment, and possible action to consider an airport decision package for the
2015-16 budget. \[Aron Kulhavy, Director of Community and Economic Development\]
Councilmember Olson moved to consider the airport decision package for the 2015-16 budget (including Relocation of the
Existing Weather Station, Airport Drive Relocation and Alignment, and an Airport Master Plan and Business Plan); the
motion was seconded by Councilmember Johnson. The motion was adopted, 7-1, Councilmember Brauninger voting
against.
c. Presentation, discussion, public comment, and possible action to consider authorizing the City Manager to apply
for a Texas Department of Agriculture Main Street grant for $116,620, plus $49,980 in matching funds, designating
the City Manager as the City’s Authorized Representative, and adopting Resolution 2015-18. \[Dr. Sherry McKibben,
Director of Neighborhood Resources, and Aron Kulhavy, Director of Community and Economic Development\]
Councilmember Humphrey moved to authorize the City Manager to apply for a Texas Department of Agriculture Main
Street grant for $116,620, plus $49,980 in matching funds, designating the City Manager as the City’s Authorized
Representative, and adopting Resolution 2015-18; the motion was seconded by Councilmember Johnson. The motion was
unanimously adopted, 8-0.
d. Presentation, discussion, public comment, and possible action to consider adoption of Resolution 2015-17 to
redeem the remaining aggregate principal of $715,000 on the Series 2009 General Obligation Bonds, and adoption
of Ordinance 2015-41 to amend the budget for FY14-15. \[Steve Ritter, Finance Director\]
Councilmember Rodriquez moved to adopt Ordinance 2015-17 to redeem the remaining aggregate principal of $715,000
on the Series 2009 General Obligation Bonds, and adoption of Ordinance 2015-41 to amend the budget for FY14-15. The
motion was seconded by Councilmember Brauninger. The motion was adopted, 5-3. Councilmembers Humphrey, Johnson,
and Olson voting against.
6. MAYOR/CITY COUNCIL/CITY MANAGER AND CITY ATTORNEY REPORT
a. Presentation, public comment, discussion, and possible action on nominations to the Huntsville Housing
Authority. \[Mayor Woodward\]
The Mayor moved his nominations of Carolyn Lewis, Dr. Ross Lovell, and Joe Soliz to reappointment to the Huntsville
Housing Authority; they were approved unanimously, 8-0.
b. Presentation, discussion, public comment, and possible action to consider request by Councilmember Humphrey
to clarify and amend previous City Council action related to consideration and approval of subdivision plats.
\[Councilmember Humphrey\]
Councilmember Humphrey moved to clarify and amend City Council’s action at the July 21 meeting on the subject of
Subdivision Plat Approval to:
1. Call for joint work sessions to be held with the City Council and Planning Commission on all subdivision plats
consisting of more than four (4) lots and the creation of a new street or extension of municipal facilities, and
2. Vest final approval authority in the hands of the Planning Commission, and
3. Direct staff to conduct a work session with the City Council as soon as practical after two (2) joint work sessions with
the Planning Commission (with a subdivision plat on the agenda) have been held to provide the City Council with an
opportunity for further consideration on the matter, and
4. Clarify no changes on the subject of Subdivision Plat Approval are required for Development Code adoption.
The motion was seconded by Councilmember Olson. The motion was adopted unanimously, 8-0.
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 August 25, 2015.
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.)
-
Please make plans to attend a session of the HISD Education Summit September 28 or 29 from 6-8 p.m. at the
Huntsville High School Commons area or on September 29 from 11 a.m.-1 p.m. at the Support & Learning Center on
the Mance Park Middle School campus to help our community come together and provide valuable input about
education.
-
The Senior Center’s annual fundraiser will be held on Sept. 24 at the Veterans Conference Center. Call 295-6151 for
tickets and information.
-
September is Library Card Month. All the coolest kids carry cards from the Public Library – get yours today.
Councilmember Humphrey reminded all of the guidelines for storage of the City garbage bins in a recent issue of This
Week in Huntsville and lauded the Solid Waste/Recycling Division for assisting in relaying this information. She also noted
Harvey would be on at Old Town Theater.
10. ADJOURNMENT
Mayor Woodward adjourned the meeting at 8:52 p.m.
Lee Woodward, City Secretary