2011-09-12 Regular Meeting of La Porte City Council minutes

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Councilmember Zemanek nominated Martha Gillett to fill the vacant position on the Chapter 172 Employee Retiree Insurance and Benefits Committee Board. Councilmember Engelken concurred. Councilmember Leonard made a motion to reappoint all members to all boards and to appoint Martha Gillett to the Chapter 172 Board. Councilmember Engelken seconded. MOTION PASSED The vacant alternate position for the Chapter 172 Employee Retiree Insurance and Benefits Committee Board will be brought back at a future council meeting. (b) Consider approval or other action authorizing the City Manager to execute a contract with Klotz Associates, Inc., for the Preliminary Engineering Design of Battleground Estates and with Civil Tech Engineering for the Preliminary Engineering Design of Shady River — J. Garza City Engineer Julian Garza presented a summary. Councilmember Zemanek questioned why council would need to approve the cost of the entire project at this time rather than simply approve Phase one at this time, since it is unknown whether Phase two will be necessary. Mr. Garza advised that the proposal can be amended at any time. Councilmember Zemanek moved to accept a proposal of $23,478.00 with reimbursables included (combined total $26,000.00) for the preliminary engineering designs of Battleground Estates and for $57,800.00 for the preliminary engineering designs of Shady River. Councilmember Martin seconded. MOTION PASSED. Ayes: Mayor Rigby, Councilmembers Leonard, Clausen, Zemanek, Mosteit, Engelken, Moser, Kaminski and Martin Nays: None 8. PUBLIC HEARING AND ASSOCIATED MATTERS (a) Public Hearing to receive comments regarding the City of La Porte's Fiscal Year 2011- 2012 Proposed Budget — M. Dolby. The public hearing was opened at 6:55 p.m. Finance Director Dolby presented a summary of the Mission Statement, followed by the proposed FY 2011 -2012 budget. Councilmember Moser had questions about the insurance fund and also asked if the consultant of the Tax Increment Reinvestment Zone adheres to the same expenditure policy as the City does. Councilmember Zemanek questioned whether any changes to the insurance fund would increase out of pocket expenses to the employees. Councilmember Martin asked if a certain figure should remain in the contingency fund at all times. Public comments were taken. Phillip Hoot, 927 Seabreeze, asked if the City Manager's contingency fund could be used to pay employee stipends. Ted Powell, 1700 Roscoe, commented that the present drought has contributed to the road problems around the bridge on "E" Street just to the east of Ohio, and asked that a workshop be Page 3 of 8 September 12, 2011, City Council Meeting Minutes