2018-08-13 Regular Meeting of the La Porte City Council

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Parks and Recreation Director Rosalyn Epting presented the 2018-2019 Fiscal Year proposed budget for the Parks Department that includes Parks Maintenance; Recreation; Special Services; and Administration. Council agreed to move $3,128.00 back into Special Services Account 2015. Councilmember Ojeda commented she, along with Fairmont Park HOA, would like to reinstitute the $1.00 admission fee at Fairmont Park Swimming Pool. City Council recessed for a break at 7:31 p.m. and reconvened at 7:44 p.m. City Planner Ian Clowes presented the 2018-2019 Fiscal Year proposed budget for the Planning Department, which includes GIS and Inspections. City Manager Corby Alexander provided an overview of the City's tuition reimbursement program. Human Resources Manager Matt Hartleib presented the proposed 2018-2019 Fiscal Year Budget for Liability and Employee Health Insurance. Council directed Mr. Hartleib to move forward with the proposed change to pharmacy formulary that was reviewed by the Chapter 172 Employee, Retiree Insurance and Benefits Board. They will also look at options on stop loss coverage. Economic Development Coordinator Ryan Cramer presented the 2018-2019 Fiscal Year proposed budget for Economic Development. Councilmember Ojeda commented that if the EDC meeting is a short meeting, maybe just provide an appetizer tray instead of a full meal. Parks and Recreation Director Rosalyn Epting presented the 2018-2019 proposed Fiscal Year Budget for the Hotel-Motel Fund. City Manager Alexander stated we can use some of this money for golf course advertising, because the goal of advertising dollars in this fund is for tourism. When questioned by Councilmember Zemanek, City Manager Alexander stated yes, we can use these funds to advertise for little league tournaments—heads in beds is the criteria to stay focused on with these advertising dollars. City Manager Corby Alexander presented the 2018-2019 proposed Fiscal Year Budget for Capital Improvement Projects. He added that the $650,000 for the private fiber network with be removed from this proposed budget, to be brought back next April during pre-budget workshops. What will be placed back in is the annual AT&T fee for this year and possibly next budget. Councilmember Ojeda brought up a question about the delinquent taxes the City pays on Habitat lots. She asked has the County and LPISD been approached to pay their share, to chip in? Mr. Alexander stated they've been approached, and they have taken the stance that it is unlawful for them to waive their taxes. Councilmember Ojeda asked to revisit the increase to the advertising budget so as to include both the Bay Area Observe and Around La Porte. She commented what about having one in print and maybe one electronic. That would probably save on advertising costs. Councilmember Zemanek stated that his desire is to share and share alike between the two papers. What's good for one is good for the other. Duplicate advertising may not occur because one paper is a weekly, and the other is a monthly. The weekly will have more varied advertising. Councilmember Engelken commented he would like to be provided: • some information on the number of donations for beautification trail system project advertisement that's found on our utility bills —that it has been on there a long time — Page 4 of 6 August 13-14, 2018, Council Meeting Minutes