2014-09-08 Regular Meeting of La Porte City Council minutes

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Ayes: Mayor Rigby, Councilmembers Clausen, Earp, Martin, Kaminski, and Leonard Nays: None Absent: Councilmembers Engelken, Moser and Zemanek Prior to council action, Assistant City Attorney Clark Askins read the caption of Ordinance 2014-3536: AN ORDINANCE WAIVING THE REQUIREMENTS OF SECTION 6-2 OF THE LA PORTE CODE OF ORDINANCES AND AUTHORIZING THE SALE OF ALCOHOLIC BEVERAGES FOR V&V SUAZCA INVESTMENTS, INC D/B/A BROADWAY CAFE, LOCATED AT 1023 S. BROADWAY ST., FOR ON - PREMISES CONSUMPTION OF ALCOHOLIC BEVERAGES WITHIN THREE -HUNDRED FEET OF LA PORTE HIGH SCHOOL, CONTAINING A SEVERABILITY CLAUSE, FINDING COMPLIANCE WITH THE OPEN MEETINGS LAW; AND PROVIDING AN EFFECTIVE DATE HEREOF. (c) Public Hearing to receive comments regarding the City of La Porter's Fiscal Year 2014-2015 Proposed Budget — M. Dolby The public hearing was opened at 6:14 p.m. Finance Director Michael Dolby presented a summary. Councilmember Leonard questioned what will Council have to do in the next year or two in regards to the Employee Health Insurance. Finance Director Michael Dolby responded a slide is forthcoming in the presentation that will show the health funds are going to be higher than revenues but 1.5 million dollars were set aside two years ago to transfer to the fund. Mr. Dolby also added the fund is monitored on a monthly basis and whenever the fund cash gets in a deficit position staff will come back to Council for a budget adjustment and transfer the funds at that time. Councilmember Martin commented the General Property Tax increase of 6.26% for the General Fund Revenue was due to Harris County and not the City. Finance Director Michael Dolby responded yes correct. Councilmember Leonard questioned if the increase also includes the new buildings coming into the City. Finance Director Michael Dolby responded yes. Councilmember Earp questioned Operating Transfers in the General Fund. Finance Director Michael Dolby responded funds that are transferred from Hotel/Motel and La Porte Area Water Authority. Councilmember Earp questioned the future of controlling and monitoring the Insurance Fund. Finance Director Michael Dolby responded since the City is self- funded employees are encouraged to stay In -network rather than Out -of network; the City is with Aetna an excellent carrier that offer large discounts; and 1.5 million dollars are set aside based on trends. Councilmember Earp suggested staff begin looking and discussing ways to control the future of the Insurance Fund. During the presentation of the Hotel/Motel Occupancy Fund, Councilmember Earp commented Jake Worthington advised him it may be a couple of years before he does a concert in La Porte due to Mr. Worthington wanting to organize his own acts and music. Councilmember Martin requested additional details for the $45,000 added for the San Jacinto Monument Museum Expansion. City Manager Corby Alexander responded the City was requested to fund Phase I of the expansion project which is the display of exhibits from the archeological work. Mayor Rigby added before the design of the museum can begin they will have to dig underground for metal detection of artifacts from the battle and use them for display in the museum. Councilmember Earp questioned the nature of the Airport Study for $91,000 in the Airport Fund. City Manager Corby Alexander responded the initial concept of the study was to see if the airport could be repurposed, and be something totally different than an airport, and staff has since then been advised by TxDOT that is an option they will not support. Mr. Alexander also added staff Page 3 of 6 September 8, 2014, Council Meeting Minutes