2013-04-01 Special Meeting of La Porte City Council minutes

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LOUIS RIGBY Mayor JOHN ZEMANEK Mayor Pro Tem Councilmember At Large A DOTTIE KAMINSKI Councilmember At Large B MIKE MOSTEIT Councilmember District 1 CHUCK ENGELKEN Councilmember District 2 MINUTES OF THE SPECIAL MEETING OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF LA PORTE APRIL 1, 2013 DARYL LEONARD Councilmember District 3 TOMMY MOSER Councilmember District 4 JAY MARTIN Councilmember District 5 MIKE CLAUSEN Councilmember District 6 The City Council of the City of La Porte met in a special meeting on Monday, April 1, 2013, at the City Hall Council Chambers, 604 West Fairmont Parkway, La Porte, Texas, at 6:00 p.m. to consider the following items of business: 1. CALL TO ORDER Mayor Rigby called the meeting to order at 6:00 p.m. Members of Council present: Councilmembers Zemanek, Kaminski, Mosteit, Engelken, Leonard, Martin and Clausen. Absent: Councilmember Moser. Also present were City Secretary Patrice Fogarty, City Manager Corby Alexander and Assistant City Attorney Clark Askins. 2. PUBLIC COMMENTS (Limited to five minutes per person). There were no public comments. 3. AUTHORIZATIONS (a) Consider approval or other action awarding Bid #13012 for Farrington Boulevard Utility Relocation — D. Mick Public Works Director Dave Mick presented a summary. Councilmember Zemanek asked what the need is for a 10-percent contingency. Public Works Director Dave Mick responded that it would be used to address any unknown conditions once the aged water/sewer pipes were uncovered. Councilmember Leonard questioned that the City already has a $52,574.00 contingency; and if the amount of the job is increased by $67,000.00, will we still leave the contingency at $52,574.00 or does it have to go to $67,000.00. Public Works Director Mick responded there are no plans of an increase, and they are going to leave it at 10 percent of the original contract amount. Councilmember Martin added the County estimates this project to be $3.1 - $3.8 million and questioned why such a big spread. Public Works Director Mick responded that if you asked the County now for a project estimate, they would tell you $3.1 — $3.2 million, and that they are looking at other bids coming in at 15 percent. If that happens to them, they will be looking at another $500,000.00 or $600,000.00 into the project. Councilmember Clausen added that's what the County has been seeing on other road projects they have bid on recently. Mayor questioned how long it would take for the utility fund reserve to get back to 90 days. Public Works Director Mick responded that it depends on the conversations at the upcoming Budget Retreat and beyond as to how we are going to fund our capital improvements and the utility funds moving forward. Councilmember Martin asked City Manager Corby Alexander if a 60-day utility fund balance is within good accounting guidelines. Page 1 of 3 April 1, 2013, City Council Special Meeting Minutes