2005-12-12 Regular Meeting and Public Hearing

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REQUEST FOR CITY COUNCIL AGENDA ITEM Requested By: Acc't Number: - Department: Report: -LResolution: _Ordinance:_ Amount Budgeted: N/A Exhibits: Amount Requested: N/A Exhibits: Bud eted Item: YES NO N/A Exhibits: SUMMARY & RECOMMENDATION In 2002 citizens of La Porte approved the sale of General Obligation bonds to provide a) $l.4M for the development of the City's 33 acre west side park property located on Canada Road, and b) $2M for the development of a youth baseball complex. Because the proposed baseball field quantity at the west side park property was reduced from ten fields to six, ballot language was developed to allow these two issues to be dealt with independently. Since that time the City has undergone preliminary discussion with the City of Pasadena and, to a lesser degree with Harris County, to participate in a joint venture sports complex located just south of Fairmont Parkway and east of the Pasadena Convention Center on land owned by the City of Pasadena, but located in the City of La Porte's extra-territorial jurisdiction. In our review of the various problems associated with such a large undertaking, we asked the City's Bond Attorney to review as well. -- The Bond Attorney's "opinion" is that, while the ballot language was sufficient to separate the west side park property development and the baseball complex, the supporting documentation that was provided to the public regarding the bond issue did not adequately separate the two; consequently we would not be able to sell the General Obligation bonds, if we proceeded with the joint venture with Pasadena. We would only be able to use those bonds if we built the baseball fields at the west side park property. While this is an option, we would rather participate with Pasadena as a joint venture for several reasons, including isolation from residential areas, and support from the LPBBA who would rather not operate two separate locations for their leagues, for example. We do have an option other than G.O. bonds and that is, to issue Certificates of Obligation to fund the joint venture with Pasadena. This can be accomplished through City Council direction and would not require voter approval to sell. This option fulfills the spirit of the original bond intent by allowing the provision of baseball fields for La Porte youth, with all of the additional benefits that make the joint venture so appealing in the first place. Action Reauired bv Council: Consider and provide direction regarding funding of proposed baseball fields utilizing General Obligation bonds for development at Westside park property, or Certificates of Obligation to participate in the proposed joint venture sports complex with the City of Pasadena and Harris County. Aooroved for City Council A2enda -- , lu, Debra Feazelle, City Manager / -L/-D0 Date