2014-04-12 Special Meeting of La Porte City Council minutes

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Councilmember Martin questioned if funds from either Hotel/Motel or the La Porte Development Corporation can pay for the new website. Ms. Leach responded tourism can be rolled over into the overall City Website. Council directed staff to include this in the FY 2015 budget. Mayor Rigby recessed for lunch at 11:23 a.m. Mayor Rigby reconvened the special meeting at 11:58 a.m. F. Tourism Initiatives (T. Leach) Assistant City Manager Traci Leach addressed Council stating staff began an aggressive tourism/hotel promotion campaign. To continue that momentum, staff proposed the idea of a new special event. While two ideas were presented in the agenda request, only one was viable at this time — the industry barbecue cook -off at Lomax. Staff is meeting with hotels to get their input on ideas and is currently brainstorming other ideas as well. Once staff meets with hoteliers, information will be brought back to the Council for consideration. Councilmember Martin proposed a Chili -Cook Off for the month of March instead of a BBQ Cook -Off. Councilmember Clausen commented spring -time is full of events, and fall may better to schedule events. G. Sidewalk Program Expansion (T. Tietjens) Councilmember Zemanek proposed an increased annual budget allocation of $150,000.00 per year for a Sidewalk Program Expansion. City Manager Corby Alexander advised Council the Five -Year Capital Plan for Streets and Utilities previously presented included an increased annual budget allocation of $150,000.00 annually for sidewalks. Council approved of this amount. H. DOT Flex -time — Councilmember Zemanek (K. Adcox) Councilmember Zemanek discussed DOT Flex -time and commented he would like to see less concentration of inspections and more on weighing of vehicles. Councilmember Zemanek commented the officers can use flex time because they have their own scales and more enforcement can be continued after 3:00 p.m. Police Chief Ken Adcox provided options for the next fiscal year and recommended to continue the program at the current funding level and continue to pay overtime. Mayor Rigby questioned Judge Mitrano if the increased citations equate to increased revenue. Ms. Mitrano responded yes. Councilmember Zemanek suggested continuing with the overtime. Councilmember Martin commented he agrees with the Chief's recommendation to continue in the next fiscal year that is currently being done which includes the overtime program and allowing the Police Department to deploy their options as they currently are doing. Councilmember Zemanek commented if none of the violations affect driving records, why is a "Failure to Appear' issued? Page 4 of 8 April 12, 2014, City Council Special Meeting Minutes