City Council
Regular MeetingHuntsville, TX · March 2, 2021
Minutes
MINUTES FROM THE HUNTSVILLE CITY COUNCIL REGULAR MEETING HELD ON THE 2nd
DAY OF MARCH 2021, 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: Daiquiri Beebe, Blake Irving, Russell Humphrey, Bert Lyle, Joe P.
Rodriquez, Andy Brauninger, Pat Graham, Vicki McKenzie
COUNCILMEMBERS ABSENT: Dee Howard Mullins
OFFICERS PRESENT: Aron Kulhavy, City Manager; Leonard Schneider, City Attorney
MAIN SESSION [6 P.M.]
CALL TO ORDER – Mayor Brauninger called the meeting to order at 6:00 p.m.
INVOCATION AND PLEDGES
U.S. Flag and Texas Flag: Honor the Texas Flag. I pledge allegiance to thee, Texas, one state, under God,
one, and indivisible.
Councilmember Lyle gave the invocation and Mayor Brauninger led the pledges.
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 February 23, 2021. [Ashley Newsome,
Deputy City Secretary]
b. Consider authorizing the City Manager to apply for and accept the FY 2021-2022
Victims’ Service Coordinator Grant for $79,394.50, plus $20,348.62 City match and
adopting Resolution 2021-07 in support of same. [Kristie Hadnot, Grants Manager]
c. Consider the award of a fiber optic line installation project to Network Cabling Services, Inc
(NCS) to route conduit and fiber optic line from the Aquatic Center to the Lower Pressure Plane
Water Plant facility. [Bill Wavra, IT Director, Y.S. “Ram” Ramachandra, City Engineer]
Councilmember Graham made a motion to approve the consent agenda of the draft minutes; the motion
was seconded by Councilmember Lyle . The motion was adopted, 8-0.
2. STATUTORY AGENDA
a. FIRST READING-Consider authorizing the City Manager to enter into a contract with Burditt
Consultants, LLC for design and construction of the Martin Luther King, Jr. Community Center.
[Penny Joiner, Parks and Leisure Director]
First Reading, No action necessary.
b. Consider authorizing the City Manager to apply for the FY 2020 Staffing for Adequate Fire and
Emergency Response (SAFER) Grant through the U.S. Department of Homeland Security for
$973,804.44 and adopting Resolution 2021-08 in support of same. [Greg Mathis, Fire Chief]
Councilmember Beebe made a motion to authorize the City Manager to apply for the FY 2020 Staffing
for Adequate Fire and Emergency Response (SAFER) Grant through the U.S. Department of Homeland
Security for $973,804.44 and adopting Resolution 2021-08; the motion was seconded by Councilmember
Graham. The motion was adopted, 8-0.
3. CITY COUNCIL/CITY MANAGER/CITY ATTORNEY
a. Consider resolution 2021-09 in opposition to House Bill 749 and Senate Bill 234 that would end the
use of public funding for lobbyists. [Daiquiri Beebe, Councilmember Ward 1]
Councilmember Beebe made a motion adopt resolution 2021-09 in opposition to House Bill 749
and Senate Bill 234 relating to the use of public funding for lobbying activities. ; the motion was
seconded by Councilmember Lyle. The motion was adopted, 8-0.
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.
None submitted.
5. MEDIA INQUIRIES RELATED TO MATTERS ON THE AGENDA
None
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 the events that he attended on Feb 27, South End cemetery historical marker and
the 40th Annual Texas Independence and Sam Houston birthday celebration on March 2. The Walker County
Historical Commission hosted the unveiling and dedication of the newest historical marker at Southend
Cemetery located on Montgomery Rd between Bowers Blvd and South Sam Houston Ave. This cemetery is
the first African American cemetery in Huntsville/Walker County to receive this historic recognition. March
2 was a special day as; the City of Huntsville celebrated the 40th annual Texas Independence Day and General
Sam Houston Birthday Celebration to celebrate the birth of an American hero and a great state.
Councilmember Beebe spoke about her experience at the Prison City film festival dinner celebration that
ended the four-day event in Huntsville. She thanked the Prison City Film Festival for bringing their films
and filmmakers to Huntsville. The four-day festival brought out the best of the best in film.
Councilmember McKenzie announced that the Huntsville Walker County Chamber of Commerce will be
hosting the 11th Annual DIVA NIGHT on April 23rd. This event will be sponsored by Wisner of Huntsville
at the Walker County Fairgrounds. The first 350 ladies through the door will get a "Swag Bag"!! Tickets will
be on sale soon.
Councilmember Lyle announced that the 18th Annual Shot in the Dark Golf Tournament and Helicopter Golf
Ball Drop sponsored by Wiesner of Huntsville will be held Friday, May 14th at Raven Nest Golf Club. For
more information, call 936-295-8113.
7. EXECUTIVE SESSION
a. City Council will convene in closed session as authorized by Texas Government Code, Chapter
551,Section 551.071 – to receive legal advice in regards to the Walker County Hospital Corporation
d/b/a Huntsville Memorial Hospital (Bankruptcy No. 19-36300) filed in US Bankruptcy Court for
the Southern District of Texas
b. City Council will convene in closed session as authorized by Texas Government Code, Chapter
551,Section 551.074 – personnel matters regarding the appointment, employment, evaluation,
reassignment, duties, discipline, or dismissal of a public officer or employee, concerning the position
of City Secretary.
The Council convened into Executive Session at 6:42 p.m.
8. RECONVENE
The Council reconvened at 7:40 p.m.
ADJOURNMENT
Mayor Brauninger adjourned the meeting without objection at 7:42 p.m.
Ashley Newsome, Deputy City Secretary
ATTEST: CITY OF HUNTSVILLE
________________________________ ________________________________
Ashley Newsome, Deputy City Secretary Andy Brauninger, Mayor
Agenda
CITY OF HUNTSVILLE, TEXAS
Andy Brauninger, Mayor
Bert Lyle, Position 1 At-Large Daiquiri Beebe, Ward 1
Dee Howard Mullins, Position 2 At-Large Russell Humphrey, Ward 2
Vicki McKenzie, Position 3 At-Large Blake Irving, Ward 3
Pat Graham, Position 4 At-Large Mayor Pro Tem Joe P. Rodriquez, Ward 4
HUNTSVILLE CITY COUNCIL AGENDA
TUESDAY, MARCH 2, 2021
REGULAR SESSION 6 P.M. IN CITY COUNCIL CHAMBERS,
HUNTSVILLE CITY HALL, 1212 AVENUE M, HUNTSVILLE, TEXAS 77340
City hall will implement 6-foot social distancing for those in attendance. The City reserves the right to take temperatures of those
wanting to attend and requires attendees to wear face masks, subject to Attorney General Order GA-029. The City reserves the
right to deny access to the meeting because of the above requirements for the safety of its citizens. For those who cannot attend
because of the social distancing requirements or for the reasons listed above, the meeting will be broadcast live on the City website
at www.HuntsvilleTX.gov/Meetings or on Facebook. The meeting will be recorded, and such recordings will be made available on
the City website at www.HuntsvilleTX.gov. Persons with disabilities who plan to attend this meeting and who may need auxiliary
aids or services are requested to contact the City Secretary’s office (936.291.5413), two working days prior to the meeting for
appropriate arrangements.
MAIN SESSION [6 P.M.]
CALL TO ORDER and INVOCATION AND PLEDGES - U.S. Flag and Texas Flag: Honor the Texas Flag.
I pledge allegiance to thee, Texas, one state, under God, one, and indivisible.
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 February 23, 2021. [Ashley Newsome, Deputy City
Secretary]
b. Consider authorizing the City Manager to apply for and accept the FY 2021-2022 Victims’ Service
Coordinator Grant for $79,394.50, plus $20,348.62 City match and adopting Resolution 2021-07
in support of same. [Kristie Hadnot, Grants Manager]
c. Consider the award of a fiber optic line installation project to Network Cabling Services, Inc (NCS) to route
conduit and fiber optic line from the Aquatic Center to the Lower Pressure Plane Water Plant facility. [Bill
Wavra, IT Director, Y.S. “Ram” Ramachandra, City Engineer]
2. STATUTORY AGENDA
a. FIRST READING- Consider authorizing the City Manager to enter into a contract with Burditt
Consultants, LLC for design and construction of the Martin Luther King, Jr. Community Center. [Penny
Joiner, Parks and Leisure Director]
b. Consider authorizing the City Manager to apply for the FY 2020 Staffing for Adequate Fire and Emergency
Response (SAFER) Grant through the U.S. Department of Homeland Security for $973,804.44 and
adopting Resolution 2021-08 in support of same. [Greg Mathis, Fire Chief]
3. CITY COUNCIL/MAYOR/CITY MANAGER
a. Consider resolution 2021-09 in opposition to House Bill 749 and Senate Bill 234 that would end the use of
public funding for lobbyists. [Daiquiri Beebe, Councilmember Ward 1]
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.
None submitted.
5. MEDIA INQUIRIES RELATED TO MATTERS ON THE AGENDA
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.)
7. EXECUTIVE SESSION
a. City Council will convene in closed session as authorized by Texas Government Code, Chapter 551,
Section 551.071 – to receive legal advice in regards to the Walker County Hospital Corporation d/b/a
Huntsville Memorial Hospital (Bankruptcy No. 19-36300) filed in US Bankruptcy Court for the Southern
District of Texas.
b. City Council will convene in closed session as authorized by Texas Government Code, Chapter 551,
Section 551.074 – personnel matters regarding the appointment, employment, evaluation, reassignment,
duties, discipline, or dismissal of a public officer or employee, concerning the position of City Secretary.
8. RECONVENE
Take action on items discussed in executive session, if needed.
ADJOURNMENT
*If, during the course of the meeting and discussion of any items covered by this notice, City Council determines that a Closed or Executive
session of the Council is required, then such closed meeting will be held as authorized by Texas Government Code, Chapter 551, Section
551.071 – consultation with counsel on legal matters; 551.072 – deliberation regarding purchase, exchange, lease or value of real property;
551.073 – deliberation regarding a prospective gift; 551.074 – personnel matters regarding the appointment, employment, evaluation,
reassignment, duties, discipline, or dismissal of a public officer or employee; 551.076 – implementation of security personnel or devices;
551.087 – deliberation regarding economic development negotiation; Sec. 551.089 - deliberation regarding security devices or security audits;
and/or other matters as authorized under the Texas Government Code. If a Closed or Executive session is held in accordance with the Texas
Government Code as set out above, the City Council will reconvene in Open Session to take action, if necessary, on the items addressed
during Executive Session.
CERTIFICATE
I, Ashley Newsome, Deputy City Secretary, do hereby certify that a copy of the March 2, 2021 City Council agenda was posted on
the City Hall bulletin board, a place convenient and readily accessible to the general public at all times, and to the City’s website,
www.HuntsvilleTX.gov, in compliance with Chapter 551, Texas Government Code.
DATE OF POSTING: 2/25/2021 ______________________________________
TIME OF POSTING: 3:15 pm Ashley Newsome, Deputy City Secretary
TAKEN DOWN:
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