2005-02-28 Regular Meeting, Public Hearing and Workshop Meeting of the La Porte City Council

Browse Search

City Council Regular Meetin~ Iblic Hearing and Workshop Meeting - Fe. lry 28, 2005 Page 3 Barbara Norwine of202 South Lobit apologized regarding the comment made at the Town Hall Meeting; she takes back the comment about Public Works. Ms. Norwine stated Public Works is very helpful and has assisted her each time she has called them. At this point Mayor went back to item C on the consent. See motion and vote as noted above on consent item. 11. This item was presented out of order. Council to receive annual report and survey results on image from Bay Area Houston Economic Partnership President Jim Reinhartsen. Mr. Reinhartsen provided Mayor and Council with an overview of what Bay Area Houston handles for the City of La Porte. Mr. Reinhartsen informed Mayor and Council that the most significant promotional material has been the CD's that were used on 48,000 Continental Airline flights to promote regional cities, which one was La Porte. Bay Area is going to have another 30 minute CD which will promote each of the cities in our organization, which should go on the same flights. They have also developed a marketing material to be used at National Trade Shows and Distribution Centers, while it promotes entire region, there's a separate tab for La Porte, which Bay Area is excited about and excited about La Porte's assistance. Mr. Reinhartsen took a few moments to define who Bay Area Houston Economic Partnership is regional economic development organization, with their primary focus being to retain, expand, recruit and develop primary jobs. We have about 225 members, including nine cities, and two counties. They have three revenue sources; City of La Porte and other cities, petrochemical companies, school districts, universities, aerospace companies, about $800,000 year from the State of Texas for technology outreach program, which they are using in the City of La Porte of $100,000 year, from the State of Florida $565,000 for technology outreach program. Their staff is about 15 people; marketing people, demographic people, people to purchase technical data, and one lone NASA executive. They focus on three primary industries; aerospace and aviation, bio-industries, and chemicals and commodities. Since they formed, they have had a 300% increase. 16. This item was presented out of order. EXECUTIVE SESSION - PURSUANT TO PROVISION OF THE OPEN MEETINGS LAW, CHAPTER 551.071 THROUGH 551.076, 551-087, TEXAS GOVERNMENT CODE (CONSUL T A TION WITH ATTORNEY, DELIBERATION REGARDING REAL PROPERTY, DELIBERATION REGARDING PROSPECTIVE GIFT OR DONATION, PERSONNEL MATTERS, DELIBERATION REGARDING SECURITY DEVICES, OR EXCLUDING A WITNESS DURING EXAMINATION OF ANOTHER WITNESS IN AN INVESTIGATION, DELIBERATION REGARDING ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT NEGOTIATIONS) 551.071 - (LEGAL MATTERS) - MEET WITH CITY MANAGER AND CITY ATTORNEY ON LEGAL MATTERS 551.074 - (PERSONNEL MATTER) - MUNICIPAL JUDGE'S EVALUATION Council retired to Executive Session at 6:40 p.m. Council returned to the table at 8: 1 0 p.m. with no action taken.