11-15-11 Meeting of the La Porte Development Corporation Board of Directors

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MINUTES OF JOINT MEETING OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF LA PORTE AND THE LA PORTE DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION BOARD HELD ON OCTOBER 3, 2011 The City of La Porte Development Corporation Board met on Monday, October 3, 2011, at the City Hall Council Chambers, 604 West Fairmont Parkway, La Porte, Texas, at 6:00 p.m. to consider the following items of business: Call to Order Mayor Pro -Tem Engelken called the meeting to order at 6:05 p.m. Members of Council present: Councilmembers Zemanek, Kaminski, Clausen, Mosteit and Martin. Absent: Mayor Rigby, and Councilmembers Leonard and Moser. Members of the La Porte Development Corporation Board present: Vice President Pizzitola; Board members Woodard and Ojeda; Councilmembers /Board members Zemanek, Engelken and Clausen. Members of the La Porte Development Corporation Board absent: President Richard Warren. Staff Present Ron Bottoms, Patrice Fogarty, and Assistant City Attorney Clark Askins. 2. Discuss future goals and focus of the La Porte Development Corporation — R. Woodard La Porte City Council and the La Porte Development Corporation Board discussed future goals and main focus of the La Porte Development Corporation. Board member Woodard commented he did not have a concern with funding quality of life issues because these types of projects are what have typically been funded in the past. He requested, however, that City Council provide clarification on the direction of the La Porte Development Corporation Board in terms of focusing on economic development. Councilmember Clausen commented funds are available for economic development AND quality of life projects. Councilmember Clausen also suggested dedicating funds for job creation. Vice President Pizzitola discussed the possibility of allocating funds for both Type A and Type B projects. Councilmember Clausen advised he did not see a need for two separate corporations if City Council and the La Porte Development Corporation Board agreed there is a need for economic development and quality of life projects. Board member Ojeda suggested Board members be allowed to choose projects, contractors and determine funding amounts. Mayor Pro -Tem Engelken commented and advised laws have changed; the La Porte Development Corporation has been in the city for many years and the city has benefited from many projects. Mayor Pro -Tem Engelken informed Boards members that City Council has full authority of funding over the budget. The Mayor Pro -Tem also advised Board members have the freedom to create jobs and work on economic development projects within the annual budget and should not place restrictions on the budget. Mayor Pro -Tem Engelken also added jobs created would benefit the Board, city and the community as a whole. Board member Ojeda agreed with Mayor Pro -Tem Engelken and added Page 1 of 2 October 3, 2011, Joint La Porte City Council and La Porte Development Corporation Board Minutes