2013-04-08 Regular Meeting of La Porte City Council minutes

Browse Search

questioned if La Porte Council received the press releases sent out by Bay Area Houston Convention and Visitor's Bureau. Ms. Quist responded yes. Councilmember Kaminski questioned how information is obtained for the public if the La Porte Bayshore Chamber of Commerce has not been contacted. Ms. Quist responded the information is found on the internet. Bob Mitchell, President of the Bay Area Houston Economic Partnership, provided a mid -year work progress and partnership report with the City of La Porte. Councilmember Leonard questioned Mr. Mitchell if he has attended the Workforce Development Program Luncheon held at La Porte High School for area businesses. Mr. Mitchell responded he has not attended but the Bay Area Houston Economic Partnership did assist the Economic Development Coordinator with issues at La Porte High School, as well as assisting other schools in the area. Chad Burke, President and CEO of the Economic Alliance Houston Port Region, provided a mid -year work progress and partnership report with the City of La Porte. Councilmember Mosteit questioned if the "epic art on one of the tanks was damaged by natural causes. Mr. Burke responded the damage to the mural is being investigated. He added there is a five-year warranty with the company, and it will be repaired soon. (b) Discussion or other action regarding Outdoor Warning Sirens — Mayor Rigby Emergency Management Coordinator Jeff Suggs presented a summary. Mayor Rigby commented the Outdoor Warning Sirens item was placed on the agenda for a policy decision by Council in regards to how various emergency warning systems are to be utilized. Councilmember Engelken questioned if the sirens have the ability to be voice activated. Emergency Management Coordinator Jeff Suggs responded yes; but in the past, when the voice feature was activated, Dispatch would be inundated with calls because citizens did not understand the message. Councilmember Martin questioned the estimated cost for visual warning lights per tower. Mr. Suggs responded approximately $25,000.00 for the entire city, but some of the sirens are not in a good location for visual alerts. Councilmember Zemanek commented he would like to continue with the sirens as currently being used. Council directed staff to continue with sirens as currently being used. (c) Discussion or other action regarding an Ordinance amending City smoking regulations — D. Wilmore Building Official Debbie Wilmore and Fire Marshal Cliff Meekins presented a summary. Councilmember Leonard moved to approve Ordinance 2013-3475 amending smoking regulations. Councilmember Clausen seconded. MOTION PASSED. Ayes: Mayor Rigby, Councilmembers Zemanek, Kaminski, Engelken, Mosteit, Clausen, Martin, Leonard and Moser Nays: None Absent: None Assistant City Attorney Clark Askins read the caption of Ordinance 2013-3475: AN ORDINANCE AMENDING CHAPTER 34 "ENVIRONMENT" OF THE CODE OF ORDINANCES OF THE CITY OF Page 6 of 8 April 8, 2013, City Council Meeting Minutes