06-14-21 Regular Meeting of the La Porte City Council

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b.Adopt Ordinance 2021-3829 amending Chapter 38 "Fire Prevention and Protection" of the Code of Ordinances of the City of La Porte, Texas, by adopting regulations mandating installation of key access boxes at certain commercial and residential facilities to expedite fire department ingress during an emergency. \[Carl Holley, Fire Chief\] Councilperson Garza moved to institute the program on a completely voluntary basis; the motion did not receive a second and was not considered. Councilperson Garza moved that no program like this be adopted. The Mayor ruled the motion out of order \[the result being the same as no motion being made at all; the member could urge defeat of the item in debate if a motion were made\]. There were no further motions made or considered. c. Presentation, discussion, and possible action to amend the City Council Rules of Procedure and Ethics Policy. \[Louis R. Rigby, Mayor\] \[This item was handled after items were pulled from the Consent Agenda but before any of them were considered.\] Mayor Pro Tem Martin moved to amend the Rules of Procedure to permit speakers to speak twice for five minutes each time \[this will require an ordinance to be adopted; the ordinance will be placed for the June 14, 2021, meeting\]; the motion was seconded by Councilperson McCaulley. Without objection, Mayor Pro Tem Martin amend the motion to include limits of debate for amendment was seconded by Councilperson McCaulley; the motion was adopted, 7-1, Councilperson Garza voting against. The main motion, as amended, was adopted, 7-1, Councilperson Garza voting against. d.Presentation and discussion concerning the possibility of amending the City Council Rules of Procedure to change deadline for posting of City Council agendas to allow for publication in the Bay Area Observer. \[Councilpersons Bentley and Lunsford and Mayor Pro Tem Engelken\] Councilperson Garza moved to direct staff to bring an ordinance revising the Rules of Procedure to approve moving back the agenda deadline and release by one day and ask the City Manager to come back with recommendations for increased transparency; the motion was seconded by Councilperson Bentley; the motion was adopted, 7-1, Mayor Rigby voting against. e. Presentation and discussion concerning the possibility of adopting changes website to increase ease of use. \[Councilpersons Bentley and Lunsford and Mayor Pro Tem Engelken\] No motion was made and no action was taken. 7.REPORTS Receive report on the La Porte Development Corporation Board meeting. \[Councilperson Chuck Engelken a.\] Councilperson Engelken said three of the four items had been handled and had no further report. 8.ADMINISTRATIVE REPORTS Zoning Board of Adjustment meeting, May 27 Drainage and Flooding Committee meeting, June 14 ssion meeting, June 17 Mr. Alexander said there were no reports. 9.COUNCIL COMMENTS Hear announcements concerning matters appearing on the agenda; items of community interest; and/or inquiries of staff regarding specific factual information or existing policy from the Mayor, Councilmembers, and City staff, for which no formal action will be discussed or taken. Councilpersons spoke in support of transparency and on legality of Council action; reminded that remote participation has been available for City Council meetings during COVID-19; noted that improper activity would be addressed by the Page 4 of 5 May 24, 2021, Council Meeting Minutes