2020-27-07 Regular Meeting of the La Porte City Council

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LOUIS RIGBY cF A BILL BENTLEY Mayor Qp Councilmember District 3 BRANDON LUNSFORD Councilmember At Large A ` THOMAS GARZA STEVE GILLETT (flk Councilmember District 4 Councilmember At Large B `� #- JAY MARTIN DANNY EARP � Ed , Councilmember District 5 Councilmember District 1 _ NANCY OJEDA Councilmember District 6 CHUCK ENGELKEN Councilmember District 2 Mayor Pro Tern MINUTES OF THE REGULAR MEETING OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF LA PORTE, JULY 27, 2020 The City Council of the City of La Porte met in a regular meeting on Monday, July 27, 2020, at the City Hall Council Chambers, 604 West Fairmont Parkway, La Porte, Texas, at 6:00 p.m., with the following in attendance: Councilpersons present: Louis Rigby, Danny Earp, Bill Bentley, Thomas Garza (6-6:21 p.m.) Councilpersons attending remotely: Brandon Lunsford, Steve Gillett, Chuck Engelken, Jay Martin, Nancy Ojeda Councilpersons absent: None Council-appointed officers present: Corby Alexander, City Manager; Lee Woodward, City Secretary; Clark T. Askins, Assistant City Attorney CALL TO ORDER — Mayor Rigby called the meeting to order at 6:00 p.m. 2. CITY COUNCIL RULES OF PROCEDURE AMENDMENT a. Presentation, discussion, and possible action to adopt Ordinance 2020-3796, amending the City Council Rules of Procedure and Ethics Policy, in reference to face masks and face coverings by the City Council. [Mayor Rigby] Councilperson Martin moved to adopt Ordinance 2020-3796, amending the City Council Rules of Procedure and Ethics Policy, for a second paragraph to be inserted in Section 6.09. Decorum. item (A) to provide that, during any period in which face masks or face coverings are required in public by a local disaster declaration or other law, all Councilpersons in the Council chamber must wear an appropriate face mask or face covering during City Council meetings; the motion was seconded by Councilperson Bentley. Councilperson Garza spoke in opposition to the amendment, contending that the change was not prompted by public health concerns. Randy Rowan offered a public comment of reiteration of the current law. The motion was adopted, 8-1, Councilperson Garza voting against. The Mayor reminded Councilperson Garza that he could attend the meeting remotely or wear a face mask, Councilperson said he would not wear a mask as he had a medical condition that exempted him from the requirement, and, further, that he would not leave the meeting until the Mayor asked the Sergeant-at-Arms to remove him, per the Rules of Procedure. The Mayor asked the officers present to ask Councilperson Garza to put on a mask or leave and attend the meeting from his office. Councilperson Garza moved that Mayor be overruled and the Sergeant-at-Arms be directed otherwise by the Council. The motion was not seconded and was not considered by the Council. Councilperson Gillett asked that the City request an opinion from the Attorney General, either directly or through TML, as to what level of proof is required from a person claiming a medical exemption from a face mask/face covering requirement due to a medical issue. 3. INVOCATION AND PLEDGES - The invocation was given by Reverend Jackie King, Victory Tabernacle Church, and the pledges were led by Mayor Pro Tern Chuck Engelken. 4. PRESENTATIONS, PROCLAMATIONS, AND RECOGNITIONS Page 1 of 4 July 27, 2020, Council Meeting Minutes