1998-02-23 Regular Meeting of City Council

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City Council Meeting Minutes - February 23, 1998 Page 7 Ayes: Councilpersons Sutherland, Engelken, Ebow, McLaughlin, Porter, Gay and Clark. Nays: Councilperson Maxwell. Abstain: Councilperson Clarke. 11. CONSIDER APPROVAL OR OTHER ACTION REGARDING AN ORDINANCE AMENDING CHAPTER 62, ARTICLE II, "VACATING, ABANDONING AND CLOSING STREETS AND ALLEY", SECTIONS 62-31, 62-32 AND 62-35, OF THE CODE OF ORDINANCES OF THE CITY OF LA PORTE (Ord. 98-2225) - J. Litchfield City Manager Robert T. Herrera presented summary and recommendation. Mr. Herrera advised Council due to the increased construction and completion of the Fred Hartman bridge, staff does not believe the HCAD values are updated frequently enough to provide consistent application across the City. Staff believes the City has grown to a point where a change in the closure method is warranted and proposes to completely do away with the HCAD method and close all properties based on an independent appraisal. By increasing the application fee to $400, the city will be able to include the price of the appraisal in the fee. Staff also proposes solidifying the wording by stating the property will be closed at 75 % of the value obtained in the independent appraisal. This will get away from the perception that staff can negotiate prices with applicants. This Ordinance will also place a time frame of six months to close the property after they have been notified by the City that all administrative activity has been complete, including the closure price. Mr. 'Herrera recommended City Council approve this Ordinance making changes to the Street and Alley Closing process. City Attorney read: ORDINANCE 98-2225 - AN ORDINANCE AMENDING CHAPTER 62, ARTICLE II, "VACATING, ABANDONING AND CLOSING STREETS AND ALLEYS', SECTIONS 62-31, 62-32 AND 62-35, OF THE CODE OF ORDINANCES OF THE CITY OF LA PORTE; CONTAINING A REPEALING CLAUSE; CONTAINING A SEVERABILITY CLAUSE, FINDING COMPLIANCE WITH THE OPEN MEETINGS LAW; AND PROVIDING AN EFFECTIVE DATE HEREOF. A motion was made by CouncilMrson Clarke to approve the Ordinance as as presented. Second by Councilperson McLaughlin. The motion carried, 7 ayes and 1 nay.