2020-27-04 Regular Meeting of the La Porte City Council

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Councilperson Garza moved to direct staff move forward with livestreaming City Council meetings via Facebook through Zoom until Zoom meetings are no longer occurring or until citizens are permitted into the meetings; the motion was not adopted, 1-8, Councilperson Garza voting in support. b. Presentation, discussion, and possible action to reschedule or cancel the May 25, 2020, City Council meeting due to the Memorial Day holiday. [Mayor Rigby] Councilperson Garza moved to hold the May 25, 2020, City Council meeting on May 26, 2020; the motion was not adopted, 2-7, Councilpersons Garza and Gillett voting in support. Councilperson Engelken moved to cancel the May 25, 2020, City Council meeting for the Memorial Day holiday and hold a special meeting if necessary. Councilperson Garza moved to amend the motion by inserting that "the Council relinquish 4.16% of their annual pay due to the cancellation." The amendment was not seconded and was not considered. The main motion was adopted 8-1, Councilperson Garza voting against. 7. REPORTS a. Receive report on the La Porte Development Corporation Board meeting. [Councilperson Ojeda] Councilperson Ojeda reported the Board did not take action on a proposed COVID grant program for small businesses. 8. ADMINISTRATIVE REPORTS City Council meeting, May 11 City Manager Alexander said there were no reports. 9. COUNCIL COMMENTS regarding matters appearing on the agenda; recognition of community members, city employees, and upcoming events; inquiry of staff regarding specific factual information or existing policies. Councilpersons thanked the City Secretary's office for parliamentary efforts; expressed disappointment in some of the Council's actions; repeated the announcements of the Governor at today's press conference; shared concern that the City was allowing the Harris County Judge's order on masks to be followed; noted displeasure over the misuse of social media for personal attacks; thanked the City staff for maintaining services in spite of the pandemic; requested that HR share compensation information in advance with all Councilpersons for Charter officer reviews; reminded all of the CDC recommendations as local cases continued to increase and to respect each other by following the guidelines; expressed disappointment over current behavior of Councilpersons; announced the Office of the Municipal Clerk/City Secretary's office has received one of the eighteen inaugural Office of Excellence awards from the Texas Municipal Clerks Association, Inc. (TMCA); issued a reprimand concerning derogatory comments about the City on social media. ADJOU — ithout obiec on, May r Rigby adjourned the meeting at 7:14 p.m. 11 Le- W,,odward, City Secr ary Page 2 of 2 April 27, 2020, Council Meeting Minutes