2004-01-26 Regular Meeting and Public Hearing

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City Council Regular Meeting and Put Hearing — January 26, 2004 - Page 5 0 The City Council Travel Policy was reviewed, clarified of various concerns. This policy will return to a future Audit Committee Meeting in draft form. The City had eight resale tax properties, seven passed and one was rejected due to not meeting the criteria. The Credit Card Report met all regulations and was certified by the City's Certified Public Accountant. The Investment Report complied with investment strategies established by the Investment Pool fund and met the Public Fund Investment Act. 13. The Regular Meeting closed and the Workshop Meeting opened at 6:40 p.m. A. Parks and Recreation Director Stephen Barr gave staff and Council direction regarding the City of La Porte's participation in the Tree City, U.S.A. program sponsored by the National Arbor Day Foundation. Council requested Mr. Barr move forward, returning this item to Council with a cost comparison and projections of any expenditures, plus grant information. B. Parks and Recreation Director Stephen Barr gave staff and Council a report regarding the City of La Porte's participation in the Keep Texas Beautiful program. Councilmember Meismer requested contact information. This project is to move forward. C. Parks and Recreation Director Stephen Barr gave direction regarding the City of La Porte's participation in the voluntary utility billing program to benefit beautification and trails initiatives in La Porte. This program will be promoted through press releases, education of the public, informing citizens what and how monies would be spent. Council requested reports on a regular basis. At a later date, will be the probability of adding donations for the needy families within our Community. D. Planning & Engineering Interim Director Nick Finan presented direction on enforcing the Shipping Containers Ordinance. Mr. Finan is working with Assistant City Attorney John Armstrong on a letter with opinions and thoughts of the ordinance, with Mr. Finan feeling all aspects could be considered health and safety. The main components of the ordinance include setback, stacking levels, how they are stacked, as well as the landscaping and height of stacking. A letter has been drafted and is in the Council packet, with an approach of awareness, informing people there is an ordinance and asking for voluntary compliance at this time. The next step would be to send out a notice, and the following step would be a citation. E. City Secretary Martha Gillett discussed the Tree Lighting Ceremony and provided staff with future plans for 2004's Tree Lighting/Main Street Ceremony. The event will be scheduled for a weekday, perhaps a Thursday or Friday night. Ms. Gillett will meet with the Committee and report further at a later date. 14. The workshop closed and the Regular Meeting reconvened at 7:25 p.m. 15. ADMINISTRATIVE REPORTS City Manager Debra Feazelle introduced new Fire Marshal Laurie Christensen. Ms. Feazelle reminded Council of the Pat Summerall video viewing on Thursday, February 12, 2004. Ms. Feazelle also reminded Council she is trying to establish a retreat date for a City Council Visioning Session. 16. COUNCIL COMMENTS Councilmembers Meismer, Young, Beasley, Griffiths, Engelken had comments. 17. EXECUTIVE SESSION — PURSUANT TO PROVISION OF THE OPEN MEETINGS LAW, CHAPTER 551.071 THROUGH 551.076, 551.086, TEXAS GOVERNMENT CODE, (CONSULTATION WITH ATTORNEY, DELIBERATION REGARDING REAL PROPERTY,