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HomeMy WebLinkAbout09-13-11 Meeting of the La Porte Development Corporation Board of DirectorsRICHARD WARREN, PRESIDENT BOB PIZZITOLA, VICE PRESIDENT JOHN ZEMANEK Councilmember At -Large A CHUCK ENGELKEN Councilmember District 2 MIKE CLAUSEN Councilmember District 6 RANDY WOODARD Board member NANCY OJEDA Board member CITY OF LA PORTE DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION MEETING AGENDA Notice is hereby given of a meeting of the City of La Porte Development Corporation to be held on Tuesday, September 13, 2011, at the City Hall Council Chambers, 604 West Fairmont Parkway, La Porte, Texas, at 5:30 p.m. to consider the following items of business: 1. Call to order 2. Consider approval of Minutes of the meeting of the City of La Porte Development Corporation held on August 23, 2011 — P. Fogarty 3. Consider approval or other action to accept the expenditure of $180,000 to fund 100 percent of the installation of bulkheads at the City of La Porte Golf Course as part of a project previously approved by the La Porte Development Corporation Board — S. Osborne 4. Receive report from staff and discuss direction received by City Council regarding the La Porte Development Corporation Board — S. Osborne 5. Set date for next meeting — S. Osborne 6. Executive Session — The La Porte Development Corporation will convene an executive session as authorized by the Texas Open Meetings Act, Title 5, Chapter 551, of the Texas Government Code, pursuant to: 7. Board comments regarding matters appearing on agenda; recognition of community members, city employees, and upcoming events; inquiry of staff regarding specific factual information or existing policies — Board members Clausen, Engelken, Zemanek, Ojeda, Woodard, Vice President Pizzitola, and President Warren. 8. Adjourn In compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act, the City of La Porte City will provide for reasonable accommodations for persons attending public meetings. To better serve attendees, requests should be received 24 hours prior to the meetings. Please contact Patrice Fogarty, City Secretary, at 281.470.5019. CERTIFICATION I certify that a copy of the September 13, 2011, agenda of items to be considered by the Board of the La Porte Development Corporation was posted on the City Hall bulletin Board on September 8, 2011. Sharon Harris, Assistant City Secretary I certify that the attached notice and agenda of items was removed by me from the City Hall bulletin board on the day of 1 2011. Page 1 of 1 September 13, 2011, La Porte Development Corporation Agenda RICHARD WARREN, PRESIDENT BOB PIZZITOLA, VICE PRESIDENT JOHN ZEMANEK Councilmember At -Large A CHUCK ENGELKEN Councilmember District 2 MIKE CLAUSEN Councilmember District 6 RANDY WOODARD Board member NANCY OJEDA Board member MINUTES OF LA PORTE DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION BOARD MEETING OF AUGUST 23, 2011 The City of La Porte Development Corporation Board met on Tuesday, August 23, 2011, at the City Hall Council Chambers, 604 West Fairmont Parkway, La Porte, Texas, at 5:00 p.m. to consider the following items of business: 1. Call to Order President Warren called the meeting to order at 5:00 p.m. Members of the La Porte Development Corporation Board present: Vice President Pizzitola; Board members Clausen, Engelken, Zemanek, Woodard, and Ojeda. Board member Clausen arrived at 5:02 p.m.; and Board member Engelken arrived at 5:23 p.m. Councilmembers present: Councilmember Kaminski Staff Present City Manager's Office: Ron Bottoms, Traci Leach and Stacey Osborne City Secretary's Office: Sharon Harris Legal: City Attorney Knox Askins Finance: Michael Dolby Parks Dept: Stephen Barr 2. Consider approval of Minutes of the La Porte Development Corporation Board Meeting held on August 1, 2011 - P. Fogarty. Board member Zemanek moved to approve the minutes as presented. Board member Ojeda seconded. MOTION PASSED. Ayes: President Warren, Vice President Pizzitola, Board members Zemanek, Clausen, Ojeda and Woodard Nays: None Absent: Engelken 3. Discussion regarding future direction and objectives of the La Porte Development Corporation — R. Woodard. Board member Woodard discussed quality of life and economic development issues relating to the Five Points Town Plaza, ball fields, the library, the extension of Bay Area Blvd., and the need to have a workshop meeting to educate new board members by defining economic development and quality of life issues, and by discussing proposals being considered by board members, and the future direction and objectives of the La Porte Development Corporation. Page 1 of 5 August 23, 2011, La Porte Development Corporation Board Minutes Board member Woodard moved to hold a Workshop Meeting of the La Porte Development Corporation on a Saturday from 9:00 a.m. until 12:00 p.m. as soon as possible. Board member Pizzitola seconded. The motion was not put to a vote, and discussion continued. The board discussed posting requirements, preparation and deadlines of agenda items, meeting dates and a possible Joint Workshop meeting with the full City Council. Board member Woodard commented a list of questions could be prepared by the board and addressed by staff at a workshop meeting in addition to receiving guidance from City Council. City Manager Ron Bottoms questioned Board member Woodard if there was more of a need for Council input rather than staff input. Board member Woodard responded yes. Committee member Zemanek commented the issue and confusion to new members is the name of the board, and that the board is dealing with quality of life issues which are all approved expenditures by the rules. City Manager Ron Bottoms commented board members had been presented with economic development ideas in the past and that funds are spent on projects when they become available. Mr. Bottoms also commented City Council had requested the board fund Lomax Improvements and the Dog Park at the Council Retreat in April, which he considered a form of direction by Council. Councilmember Clausen agreed the board should work on economic development and commented funds that are legally spent on quality of life issues contribute to economic development by people wanting to live and work in the city. Board member Woodard moved to schedule a Workshop Meeting on Monday. The motion died for lack of a second. The board continued discussion. City Manager Ron Bottoms questioned how a Workshop Meeting would be held without any direction from City Council as previously mentioned. Mr. Bottoms also informed the La Porte Development Corporation Board 2011 -2012 proposed budget required approval by board members. Committee member Woodard questioned if City Council had directed staff to bring the Lomax Improvements to the La Porte Development Corporation for consideration of funding. Committee member Clausen responded yes and added that the City of La Porte 2011 -2012 budget has not yet been approved by City Council. Committee member Zemanek informed at the Budget Workshop Meeting he recommended the La Porte Development Corporation and Hotel /Motel tax collections fund all improvements to the Lomax Rodeo Arena because it would bring tourism and economic development to the city. Board member Woodard moved to hold a workshop meeting whenever City Council could join. Board member Pizzitola seconded. There was no vote taken, and the board continued discussion. City Manager Ron Bottoms suggested staff adding an agenda item for the September 12 City Council Meeting advising Council the La Porte Development Corporation requested input and direction from City Council. Mr. Bottoms also suggested board members be in attendance at the meeting to hear discussion. Page 2 of 5 August 23, 2011, La Porte Development Corporation Board Minutes Board members agreed a list of questions requesting input and direction would be generated and forwarded to staff by September 1, 2011, for the September 12 City Council Meeting. Board member Woodard amended his motion to provide staff with a list of questions requesting input and direction from City Council at the September 12 City Council Meeting. Board member Pizzitola seconded. MOTION PASSED. Ayes: President Warren, Vice President Pizzitola, Board members Zemanek, Clausen, Engelken, Ojeda and Woodard Nays: None 4. Discussion regarding job training for workforce development — S. Osborne Board member Ojeda discussed campaign literature she observed from a neighboring city advertising job training for workforce development. In addition she had a conversation with a person at the other city in regards to quality of life issues and working with existing businesses on creating jobs. Board member Ojeda suggested the possibility of this person speaking at a future meeting to board members. 5. Consider approval or other action regarding proposed budget for the 2011 -2012 La Porte Development Corporation Board and provide staff with direction - S. Osborne Economic Development Coordinator Stacey Osborne presented the proposed budget for the 2011 -2012 La Porte Development Corporation Board. Board member Woodard questioned which items were added to the proposed budget since the last meeting. Economic Development Coordinator Stacey Osborne and City Manager Ron Bottoms advised the Dog Park, Playground Renovations and the Golf Course Bathroom had been added since the last meeting and funding amount had been changed regarding Bulkheads. City Manager Ron Bottoms also provided clarification to board members on Hotel /Motel funds and revenues. Parks and Recreation Director Stephen Barr provided a detailed description of cost estimates for Lomax Park Improvements. Board member Woodard questioned if the old Lomax City Hall was included in the demolition. Parks and Recreation Director Stephen Barr responded yes. Board member Zemanek moved to approve the Lomax Rodeo Arena Improvements with a maximum expenditure of $1,200,000 with the La Porte Development Corporation to fund 50 percent and the Hotel /Motel Tax revenues to fund the remaining 50 percent. Board member Ojeda seconded. MOTION PASSED. Ayes: President Warren, Vice President Pizzitola, Board members Zemanek, Clausen, Engelken, Ojeda and Woodard Nays: None Page 3 of 5 August 23, 2011, La Porte Development Corporation Board Minutes City Manager Ron Bottoms presented the La Porte Dog Park project for funding by the La Porte Development Corporation. Board member Zemanek moved to approve the La Porte Dog Park expenditure of $45,000.00 Board member Ojeda seconded. MOTION PASSED. Ayes: President Warren, Vice President Pizzitola, Board members Zemanek, Clausen, Engelken, and Ojeda Nays: Woodard City Manager Ron Bottoms presented the Playground Renovations project for funding by the La Porte Development Corporation. Board member Engelken moved to approve the Playground Renovations expenditure of $105,000.00. Board member Zemanek seconded. MOTION PASSED. Ayes: President Warren, Board members Zemanek, Clausen, Engelken, and Ojeda Nays: Vice President Pizzitola and Woodard City Manager Ron Bottoms presented the Golf Course Bathroom project for funding by the La Porte Development Corporation. Board member Engelken commented he did not have a concern with the expenditure but had concerns with the location of the facility at the Golf Course. Board member Ojeda questioned if the Golf Course is self sustaining. City Manager Ron Bottoms responded no. Board member Clausen moved to approve the Golf Course Bathroom expenditure of $40,000.00 Board member Pizzitola seconded. MOTION PASSED. Ayes: President Warren, Board members Zemanek, Clausen, Engelken, and Ojeda Nays: Vice President Pizzitola and Woodard City Manager Ron Bottoms presented the Bulkheads project for funding by the La Porte Development Corporation. Board member Engelken moved to approve the Bulkheads expenditure of $180,000.00. Board member Pizzitola seconded. MOTION PASSED. Ayes: President Warren, Vice President Pizzitola Board members Woodard, Zemanek, Clausen, Engelken, and Ojeda Nays: None Board member Zemanek moved to approve the budget for the 2011 -2012 La Porte Development Corporation Board and to reduce the contingency from $25,000.00 to $1,000.00. Board member Ojeda seconded. MOTION PASSED. Ayes: President Warren, Vice President Pizzitola Board members Woodard, Zemanek, Clausen, Engelken, and Ojeda Nays: None Page 4 of 5 August 23, 2011, La Porte Development Corporation Board Minutes 6. Set date for next meeting — S. Osborne Board members set the next meeting date for September 13, 2011 at 5:00 p.m. 7. Executive Session — The City of La Porte Development Corporation reserves the right to meet in executive session on any agenda item should the need arise and if authorized by the Texas Open Meetings Act, Title 5, Chapter 551, of the Texas Government Code. Texas Government Code, Section 551.071(2) — Consultation with attorney on any subject or matter authorized by law - Meet with City Attorney to discuss the status of agreement between the La Porte Development Corporation and East "A" Developments, L.L. C. The La Porte Development Corporation Board recessed the regular meeting to convene an executive session at 6:12 p.m. to discuss the status of the agreement between the La Porte Development Corporation and East "A" Developments, L.L.C. 8. RECONVENE into regular session and consider action, if any, on items discussed in executive session. The meeting reconvened at 7:00 p.m., and no action was taken in executive session. 9. Board Comments: Board members Woodard, Clausen, Engelken, Zemanek, Ojeda, Vice President Pizzitola and President Warren. Regarding the minutes of the August 1, 2011, meeting, Board member Woodard noted he left the meeting early, and should not have been reflected as voting on agenda Item 7. Assistant City Secretary advised the minutes would be corrected. 10. Adjournment There being no further business, Board member Engelken moved to adjourn the meeting. Board member Woodard seconded. The meeting was adjourned at 7:01 p.m. Respectfully submitted, Sharon Harris, Assistant City Secretary Passed and approved on this 13 day of September, 2011. President Richard Warren Page 5of5 August 23, 2011, La Porte Development Corporation Board Minutes REQUEST FOR LA PORTE ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION AGENDA ITEM Agenda Date Requested: 9/13/11 Requested By: Stacey Osborne Department: CMO Report: Resolution: Ordinance: Exhibit Appropriation Source of Funds: 015 & 038 (currently) Account Number: 015 -9892- 706 -1100 Amount Budgeted: S360,000 Amount Requested: Budgeted Item: YES NO SUMMARY & RECOMMENDATION In FY 2010 -11, the EDC Board approved the addition of $180,000 to the 2010 -11 budget for expenditure on bulkheads for the Bay Forest Golf Course, which was half the cost of the entire project. Council has requested that the EDC Board pay for the entire project, which will require the Board's approval of the expenditure of an additional $180,000. On August 23, 2010 the Board approved the addition of $180,000 to the budget for expenditure on this project, and it was approved as a project on November 15, 2010. On August 23, 2011 the Board voted to add another $180,000 to the budget for FY 2011 -12, and this evening the Board is being asked to approve the expenditure of those funds for this project. Project Summary: The Bav Forest Golf Course is in need of additional bulkheads in kev locations around the course. The entire cost of new bulkheads will be $360,000. Funds will be used to purchase 5,000 bulkheads which will be placed at key locations around the golf course. Staff recommends that the Board accept the expenditure of and additional $180,000 to fund the installation of bulkheads at the City of La Porte Golf Course as part of an already approved project of the La Porte Development Corporation. Action Required by Economic Development Corporation: Consider approval or other action to accept the expenditure of an additional $180,000 to fund 100% of the installation of bulkheads at the City of La Porte Golf Course as part of an already- approved project of the La Porte Development Corporation. Approved for La Porte Development Corporation Agenda Ron Bottoms, City Manager date REQUEST FOR LA PORTE ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION AGENDA ITEM Agenda Date Requested: 9/13/11 Appropriation Source of Funds: Requested By: Stacey Osborne Department: CMO Report: X Resolution: Ordinance: Exhibits: Account Number: Amount Budgeted: YES NO Amount Requested: Budgeted Item: SUMMARY & RECOMMENDATION At the meeting of the La Porte Economic Development Corporation on August 23, the Board asked staff to request Council's direction on what Council priorities are for the Board and how Council views the role of the EDC. Primarily, the EDC Board wanted to know what is important to the Council in terms of 4B dollars when the Board is evaluating, considering, and recommending projects. The following specific question was submitted by EDC Board member Bob Pizzitola for Council discussion: My primary question regards how the City Council sees our 4B Corporation. Is it viewed as a "funding source" for projects initiated by the Council or a "think tank" providing ideas and concepts to foster economic development for the community utilizing the tax generated funds toward completion? Staff is on hand this evening to report back with Council's response. Action Required by Economic Development Corporation: Receive report from staff and discuss. Approved for La Porte Development Corporation Agenda Ron Bottoms, City Manager date