2011-04-09 Special Meeting of La Porte City Council

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recommendation as EMS Chief, that LPEMS continue to operate with two (2) ambulances from EMS headquarters; and when call volume reaches near the 4000 mark, the idea of implementing a third ambulance be revisited. Mayor Rigby requested information on average response time per council district. Chief Nolan will provide that information. Council's direction was to move forward with a third ambulance, especially if the special election passes to approve the sales tax increase for the creation of the fire district for medical services. If the election fails, council will revisit this issue. Chief Nolan and Chief Adcox will provide information regarding the response times which includes the dispatch time. Council states the idea is to put the new ambulance on the east side, even if the station is not yet built. b. Council Chambers Voting System — Mayor Rigby /Melisa Boaze /Jeff Suggs Melisa Boaze and Jeff Suggs presented information they gathered regarding a voting system in Council Chambers. Council indicated they look forward to receiving more information in the future as to the functionality and price regarding what best fits the City's needs in council chambers. c. Lomax Park/Arena Roof Improvements — Councilman Mosteit/Stephen Barr Regarding the roof replacement, the City budgeted and is in the process of repairing the roof leaks with patch material and an epoxy coating, and epoxy coating each screw head. This repair will provide a good, solid patch and prevent problems for the Arena roof for the next five years. The engineer does not anticipate any permanent danger to the columns or rafter through this delay. The consulting engineer, Dunham Engineering, recommended the current patch as a stop -gap measure, and recommended the City strongly consider, at the end of the approximate five -year period, removing the existing roof and purlins, sandblasting the columns and rafters, applying an epoxy paint/coating to exposed surfaces, and installing new purlins and Galvalume roofing material. Estimated cost for this process is approximately $400,000. Clark Askins, Asst. City Attorney, stated 4b monies may be used for this type of expenditure. Regarding Lomax Park improvements, Lomax Park is home to the La Porte Livestock Show and Rodeo Association (LPLSRA). The park was for many years also home to the La Porte Girl's Softball Association. In 1999 the Little Cedar Bayou Girl's Softball home was established, and the LPLSRA inherited the old softball concession stand, storage facility and restrooms. The LPLSRA also has a shipping container on site that they have used for many years for equipment storage. Both the concession stand and storage facility are in excess of 30 years old and in need of replacement. The storage container represents a City code violation, and the LPLSRA is ready to address that issue. After this year's Livestock Show, the LPLSRA is proposing to have the container hauled off and consolidate storage in the old softball storage facility. That will solve one initial problem. Another issue is the lack of meeting space for the LPLSRA's meetings. The LPLSRA is proposing a new building that would have storage capacity, restrooms, and a concession building. They would also like to consider a building that could be expanded in the future to accommodate a meeting room /show hall as well. The LPLSRA is proposing a joint venture in which the City provides building materials for construction and that the LPLSRA provide labor to perform the actual construction. Several local companies, including Oates Industries, have offered support to provide labor toward this joint project. Any construction would be completed according to the City's building codes, rules, and regulations. The City has the option of moving forward with formalizing the proposed plan for a new building at Lomax Park. The City has participated in two previous major joint ventures with sports associations (soccer and LPLSRA). The project would require design by an architect or engineer, or be a prefabricated building that is already engineer stamped and approved. The estimated cost to build such a building, with mechanical, plumbing, and electrical (MPE) to finish out the restrooms, concession, and storage, would be approximately $550,000. That cost to the City could be cut in half by having the LPLSRA provide the labor for construction and finishing. All MPE work would have to be supervised by Master craftsmen as is required by City Code. The new building would eliminate the need for the existing restroom /concession, the old storage facility, and allow those to be demolished. This project would be economical, and meet a large community need for La Porte. A second option would be to move forward with an agreement, and construct a Page 2 of 5 April 9, 2011, City Council Special Meeting Minutes