10-27-14 Regular Meeting of La Porte City Council

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Absent: None Emergency Management Coordinator Jeff Suggs presented a summary for Consent Agenda Item E, the purchase of Microsoft Office 2013 Standard instead of Professional with a cost savings of approximately $26,000.00. Councilmember Clausen questioned if the upgrade is a one-year license. Emergency Management Coordinator Jeff Suggs responded it is a volume license. Councilmember Martin questioned whether Office 365 is an option for the City. Emergency Management Coordinator Jeff Suggs stated he did not think so because of the limited features. Councilmember Zemanek stated there are 90 computers that will not be upgraded and asked why. Emergency Management Coordinator Jeff Suggs responded not all of the computers at the community centers require the Microsoft Office 2013 upgrade, and some employees have already been upgraded to the Microsoft Office 2013. Councilmember Earp moved to purchase Standard Microsoft Office 2013 instead of Professional MOTION PASSED. Microsoft Office 2013. Councilmember Leonard seconded. Ayes: Mayor Rigby, Councilmembers Engelken, Moser, Zemanek, Clausen, Kaminski, Earp, Leonard and Martin Nays: None Absent: None 7. PUBLIC HEARINGS AND ASSOCIATED ORDINANCES (a) Public hearing to receive comments regarding condemnation of eight (8) substandard buildings R. Davidson Deputy Building Official Russell Davidson presented a summary and advised Council the homeowner of 3322 Clarksville has established a plan of action for the property, and he has received a voluntary th consent to demolish property at 316 N. 5 Street. Mr. Davidson stated the City has five voluntary consents to demolish, and they are expected to be demolished this week. The public hearing was opened at 6:54 p.m. Rufina Lopez119 S. Carroll St., and advised she is in the process of obtaining estimates for foundation repair to determine whether the home is repairable. Her son did not state his name while addressing Council. Mayor Rigby questioned how much time is needed. The son responded two months. Mayor Rigby asked if the work can be completed in sixty days. The son responded yes if the foundation is fine to proceed with repairing the home; if not, they will sign a voluntary consent to demolish the home. Councilmember Zemanek asked whether the home is on a concrete foundation or pier and beam. The son responded pier and beam Gilbert Diaz, 500 W. Main, addressed Council and advised he has been trying to repair the structure for three years and seven months and has not been able to obtain a permit from the City to begin repairs. Mr. Diaz informed he has been fined for not making repairs, was told the building will be demolished; 412 Page of October 13, 2014, Council Meeting Minutes