2020-28-09 Regular Meeting of the La Porte City Council

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LOUIS RIGBY BILL BENTLEY Mayor Councilperson District 3 BRANDON LUNSFORD OF Councilperson At Large A AO,ATHOMAS GARZA STEVE GILLETT .1 Councilperson District 4 Councilperson At Large B V ANTIJAY MARTIN DANNY EARP Councilperson District 5 Councilperson District 1 NANCY OJEDA CHUCK ENGELKEN Councilperson District 6 Councilperson District 2 Mayor Pro-Tern MINUTES OF THE REGULAR MEETING OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF LA PORTE SEPTEMBER 28, 2020 The City Council of the City of La Porte met in a regular meeting on Monday, September 28, 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, Steve Gillett, Danny Earp, Chuck Engelken, Bill Bentley, Thomas Garza (left at 6:02 p.m.), Jay Martin Councilpersons attending remotely: Brandon Lunsford, Nancy Ojeda Councilpersons absent: None Council-appointed officers present: Corby Alexander, City Manager; Lee Woodward, City Secretary; Clark Askins, Assistant City Attorney 1. CALL TO ORDER — Mayor Rigby called the meeting to order at 6:00 p.m. Mayor Rigby reminded Councilperson Garza that the Council's adopted Rules of Procedure required Councilpersons to wear a mask during Council meetings. The Mayor reminded Councilperson Garza that he had the opportunity to attend the meeting electronically and could go to his office in City Hall. Councilperson Garza said he was exempted from wearing a face covering for medical reasons and because he was eating and drinking and would not be wearing one. The Mayor asked the Sergeant-at-Arms to remove Councilperson Garza. Councilperson Garza moved that the Council oppose the Mayor's direction, which he termed as illegal. The motion did not receive a second and was not considered. Councilperson Garza was escorted from the room. 2. INVOCATION—The invocation was given by Pastor Paul Mc Wherter, Underwood Baptist Church, and pledges were led by Councilperson Steve Gillett. 3. PRESENTATIONS, PROCLAMATIONS, AND RECOGNITIONS a. Proclamation in recognition of Domestic Violence Awareness and Prevention Month. [Mayor Rigby] 4. CITIZEN COMMENT (Generally limited to five minutes per person; in accordance with state law, the time may be reduced if there is a high number of speakers or other considerations.) • Alton Porter spoke on behalf of Gas Innovations in support of item 5c. • Sam Maknojia, spoke as the owner of SV Sons Hwy. 146, requesting the consideration of a temporary occupancy permit for his development in order to partially open his fueling station/Dunkin' Donuts location. • Amin Ali Jafar spoke as an employee seeking to work at Mr. Maknojia's business. • Cindy Kranzfelder spoke as an employee seeking to work at Mr. Maknojia's business. • Madison Yellott spoke as an employee seeking to work at Mr. Maknojia's business. • Brenda Thompson,2020 Chairman of the Board, and Jeff Martin, President, of the La Porte-Bayshore Chamber of Commerce, who presented the City with a copy of a poster of drawings of local buildings, including City Hall, they had commissioned, as a commemoration before the Chamber moves to its new location. Thompson and Martin also shared that the Chamber has provided masks for all City first responders, has commissioned a drawing for the City's three chiefs rendered by a former City employee, and is encouraging visible local support for first responders, including on business signage, on October 1. Martin thanked the City for its ongoing support of the Chamber. • Randy Rowan asked for information on the facilities Harris County considered for an early voting location in La Porte and whether the election was still a joint election between the City and LPISD. Page 1 of 4 September 28, 2020, Council Meeting Minutes