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• <br />City Council Minutes -April 17, 2000 -Page 2 <br />Mayor and Council requested Louis Rigby to do the following items outlined <br />below and bring this matter back to a future Council Meeting. <br />1) Calculate numbers suggested by Councilman Peter Griffiths and determine <br />the budget impact over the next five (5) years. <br />2) Review supplemental insurance policies to cover employee medical costs. <br />3) Review changing retroactive date of January 1, 2001. <br />Mayor and City Council permitted employees in the audience to share their <br />concerns. <br />Retiree Jim Vann informed Council he had concerns with insurance costs <br />changing after an employee retires. Retirees base their budget and retirement <br />decisions. <br />Lt. Carl Crisp shared his concerns with Council regarding the retiree medical <br />insurance. He pointed out that he believes City employees work for less money <br />than private sector employees in return for better benefits. <br />B. DISCUSS HOTEL PROJECT AT SYLVAN BEACH <br />City Manager Robert T. Herrera briefed City Council on the history of the Hotel <br />Project at Sylvan Beach and previous studies conducted. <br />Mr. Herrera reminded Council the City previously hired a firm on November 11, <br />1996. The City entered into a contract with them to do a study of the hospitality <br />industry in La Porte and to research the convention center side as well. The <br />study came back indicating La Porte had a positive hotel market study. The <br />market for financing has been very weak. The study cost was approximately <br />$20,000 and was paid for from hoteUmotel funds. In addition, the City reached <br />an agreement with Benchmark Corporation to pick up fifty percent (50%) of the <br />cost of the study. Over time, the City has met with the County Commissioner <br />and he is in favor of a project at Sylvan Beach, but the City has not been able to <br />launch this project. <br />Mr. Herrera reported he had a previous meeting with Jeff Litchfield, former <br />Assistant City Manager and David Hawes of Hawes, Hill and Patterson regarding <br />the Tax Reinvestment Increment Zone (T1.RZ) helping this project. It was <br />determined the TIRZ could help in this project. <br />Mr. Herrera also reported he visited with the Harris County Corporation for <br />Economic Development and they would like to participate in this project on the <br />hotel or convention side. <br />Mr. Herrera informed Council the two things he will be asking Council to <br />consider approving in the future are as follows: <br />