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HomeMy WebLinkAbout09-08-2001 Special Called Workshop Meeting~~ti~~.J ~~ ~ • ~~~ ~~~ c~ ~ ~ ~ / ~~ ~ ~,- ~ \ AGENDA `~ 1 SPECIAL CALLED WORKSHOP MEETING OF LA PORTE CITY COUNCIL SEPTEMBER 8, 2001, IN THE COUNCIL CHAMBERS OF CITY HALL, 604 PARKWAY, LA PORTE, TEXAS, BEGINNING AT 9:00 A.M. 1. CALL TO ORDER ~ ~ TO BE HELD W. FAIRMONT 2. PETITIONS, REMONSTRANCES, COMMUNICATIONS, AND CITIZENS AND TAX PAYERS WISHING TO ADDRESS COUNCIL ~p ~ 3. WORKSHOP ~ ~~ `~ OPEN WORKSHOP MEETING a. Overview b. Election Dates/Timeline c. Proposed Bond Projects d. Debt Service Plan lo.,'~~ . ~o.~s ~~~` ~ CLOSE WORKSHOP MEETING 4. ADMINISTRATIVE REPORTS - R. T. Herrera - ~larl~ 5. COUNCIL COMMENTS S~ j~~(`~ {~ (fj~ 6. EXECUTIVE SESSION -PURSUANT TO PROVISION OF THE OPEN MEETINGS LAW, CHAPTER 551.071 THROUGH 551.076, 551.086, TEXAS GOVERNMENT CODE, (CONSULTATION WITH ATTORNEY, DELIBERATION REGARDING REAL PROPERTY, DELIBERATION REGARDING PROSPECTNE GIFT OR DONATION, PERSONNEL MATTERS, DELIBERATION REGARDING SECURITY DEVICES, OR EXCLUDING A WITNESS DURING EXAMINATION OF ANOTHER WITNESS IN AN INVESTIGATION, DELIBERATION REGARDING ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT NEGOTIATIONS) 7. CONSIDERATIONS AND POSSIBLE ACTION ON ITEMS CONSIDERED IN EXECUTIVE SESSION 8. ADJOURNMENT I I . ~ S ~' ~~ If during the course of the meeting covered by this agenda the Council should determine that a closed or executive meeting or session of the Council should be held or is required in relation to an item noticed in this agenda, then such closed or executive meeting or sessions authorized by the Open Meetings Law, Chapter 551, Texas Government Code; will be held by the Council at that date, hour and place given in the meeting notice or as soon after the commencement of the meeting covered by the meeting notice as the Council may conveniently meet in such closed or executive meeting or session concerning any and all subjects and for any and all purposes permitted by Sections 551.071 through 551.076, and 551.086 of said Open Meetings Law, including, but not limited to: ~~:~ , ,,~~,w5 ~ ~ ~' ~ ~ C- f~u~~ - ~~i ~° y~ I,v'c(~51~~ ~~~ _ y~ P~1~,~Q _ Igo ~`2S ~L~-r~ ~ y-PS Po,~, - y.e5 (n~ai~a~ - ~(es GrkFl1~-~ -y ~ ~, i ~ Section 551.071 -For the purpose of a private consultation with the Council's attorney on any subject or matter authorized by law. Section 551.072 -For the purpose of deliberating the purchase, exchange, lease or value of real property. Section 551.073 -For the purpose of deliberating a negotiated contract for a prospective gift or donation to the City. Section 551.074 -For the purpose of deliberating the appointment, employment, evaluation, reassignment, duties, discipline or dismissal of a public officer or employee or to hear complaints or charges against a public officer or employee, unless the officer or employee requests a public hearing. Section 551.075 -For the purpose of conferring with an employee or employees of the City, only for the purpose of receiving information from the employee or employees or to ask questions of the employee or employees; provided, however, that no discussion of public business or City policy that affects public business shall take place between the members of the City Council during the conference. Section 551.076 - To consider the deployment, or specific occasions for implementation, of security personnel or devices. Section 551.086 - To discuss or deliberate regarding commercial or financial information that the governmental body has received from a business prospect that the governmental body seeks to have locate, stay, or expand in or near the territory of the governmental body and with which the governmental body is conducting economic development negotiations; or to deliberate the offer of a financial or other incentive to a business prospect described by Subdivision (1). THIS FACILITY HAS DISABILITY ACCOMMODATIONS AVAILABLE. REQUESTS FOR ACCOMMODATIONS OR INTERPRETIVE SERVICES AT MEETINGS SHOULD BE MADE 48 HOURS PRIOR TO THIS MEETING. PLEASE CONTACT CITY SECRETARY'S OFFICE AT 281-471-5020 OR TDD LINE 281-471-5030 FOR FURTHER INFORMATION. ~, ~: t b~ . . ~ '~ ~ ~' .~a ~ ~ _ s~ '~ ,~ tt~~ ~~~ ~~ t-3 ,~ ~~ ,~ '~ ' k ' ~1q„ 1 ~ ,~ ~ r 1! ~ ~~~1 t~ 4 1 i` ~ 5 ~~,- ! l4 ~:v~ ~.. ,i' ~ ~ xr err ~~ :,~ ~, ~~ ~~ ~~~ ~,;~~ ~~, ~~ ~ ay4~ ~,~r F~{ y ~° e~ =`,~,; ~~ '~ ~ _~ ~~ , ~ ,. ~ ~ ; ~. ~~ a ~ f .~~, t `rte ~., ~, ,. ~ ~~ ~ ~ ~, : ~~ ~ ,. ~~ ~ ~ ~ a ~~7 ~~ ~, ~ ` ~. ,,: ~ i y ~,- ~~ ,:, ,~~ ~, •,~ ,i4 .~, s~ `z. ~_ i. 7 , ~~ ~ Z ~' K ~ ~'s~ ~" ~!~~ ~~ }~ ~, ~: ~~ ~ ~ :` r ~ ~~ ~ ~° ~ a `i .~ ~FN ~~ a ..a ~ - RA~~' k ! Is ~ 3.. r~ Y ~,r _- ^ ~ ~~" + ~t._L _ _ -.r Bond Discussion City Council Half•Day Workshop Saturday, September 8, 2001 9.00 a.m. AGENDA SPECIAL CALLED WORKSHOP MEETING OF LA PORTS CITY COUNCIL TO BE HELD SEPTEMBER 8, 2001, IN THE COUNCIL CHAMBERS OF CITY HALL, 604 W. FAIRMONT PARKWAY, LA PORTS, TEXAS, BEGINNING AT 9:00 A.M. 1. CALL TO ORDER 2. PETITIONS, REMONSTRANCES, COMMUNICATIONS, AND CITIZENS AND TAX PAYERS WISHING TO ADDRESS COUNCIL 3. WORKSHOP OPEN WORKSHOP MEETING a. Overview b. Election Dates/Timeline c. Proposed Bond Projects d. Debt Service Plan CLOSE WORKSHOP MEETING 4. ADMIIdISTRATTVE REPORTS - R T. Herrera 5. COUNCIL CONIIvIENTS 6. EXECUTIVE SESSION -PURSUANT TO PROVISION OF THE OPEN MEETINGS LAW, CHAPTER 551.071 THROUGH 551.076, 551.086, TEXAS GOVE~ CODE, (CONSULTATION WITH ATTORNEY, DELIBERATION REGARDING REAL PROPERTY, DELIBERATION REGARDING PROSPECTIVE GIFT OR DONATION, PERSONNEL MATTERS, DELIBERATION REGARDING SECURITY DEVICES, OR EXCLUDING A ' WITNESS DURING EXAMINATION OF ANOTHER WITNESS IN AN INVESTIGATION, DELIBERATION REGARDING ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT NEGOTIATIONS) 7. CONSIDERATIONS AND POSSIBLE ACTION ON ITEMS CONSIDERED IN EXECUTIVE SESSION 8. ADJOt;fF~NMENT If during the course of the meeting covered by this agenda the Council should determine that a closed or '. executive meeting or session of the Council should be held or is required in relation to an item noticed in this agenda, then such closed or executive meeting or sessions authorized by the Open Meetings Law, Chapter 551, Texas Government Code; will be held by the Council at that date, hour and place given in the meeting ' notice or as soon after the commencement of the meeting covered by the meeting notice as the Council may conveniently meet in such closed or executive meeting or session concerning any and all subjects and for any and all purposes permitted by Sections 551.071 through 551.076, and 551.086 of said Open Meetings Law, including, but not limited to: ^ ^ Section 551.071- For the purpose of a private consultation with the Council's attorney on any subject or matter authorized by law. ^ Section 551.072 -For the purpose of deliberating the purchase, exchange, lease or value of real property. ' Section 551.073 -For the purpose of deliberating a negotiated contract for a prospective gift or donation to the City. Section 551.074 -For the purpose of deliberating the appointment, employment, evaluation, reassignment, duties, discipline or dismissal of a public officer or employee or to hear complaints or charges against a public officer or employee, unless the officer or employee requests a public hearing. ^ Section 551.075 -For the purpose of conferring with an employee or employees of the City, only for the purpose of receiving information from the employee or employees or to ask questions of the employee or ' employees; provided, however, that no discussion of public business or City policy that affects public business shall take place between the members of the City Council during the conference. Section 551.076 - To consider the deployment, or specific occasions for implementation, of security .personnel or devices. Section 551.086 - To discuss or deliberate regarding commercial or fmancial information that the governmental body has received from a business prospect that the governmental body seeks to have locate, stay, or expand in or near the territory of the governmental body and with which the governmental body is ' conducting economic development negotiations; or to deliberate the offer of a fmancial or other incentive to a business prospect described by Subdivision (1). ' THIS FACILITY HAS DISABILITY ACCOMMODATIONS AVAII~ABLE. REQUESTS FOR ACCOMMODATIONS OR INTERPRETIVE SERVICES AT MEETINGS SHOULD BE MADE 48 HOURS PRIOR. TO THIS MEETING. PLEASE CONTACT CITY SECRETARY'S OFFICE AT ^ 281-471-5020 OR TDD LINE Z81-471-5030 FOR FURTHER INFORMATION. _, 4'w F Bond Discussion Saturday, September 8, 2001 ': 9:00 a.m. I. Overview Attachment A '~ __~ II. Election Dates/Timeline Attachment B Attachment C '. III. Proposed Projects Attachment D '' IV. Debt Service Plan .Attachment E ,; ,. '' I. Overview The City of La Porte's last bond election was held on January 16, 1999. The City asked the voters for I permission to issue debt related to five capital improvement projects to support the growth of the community. The citizens agreed with a majority of the bond projects and voted 2 to 1 in favor of the projects. Only one proposition failed. ': The voters were also asked to approve a'/z cent (.5%) sales tax increase to be dedicated for infrastructure ~ improvements. The voters responded by a 2 to 1 vote in favor of the Section 4B sales tax. The wording on the ballot was designed for the general approval of the tax and did not limit it to specific projects. The first projects planned from this revenue source were the construction of a new library and the costs associated with the extension of Bay Area Boulevazd between Fairmont Pazkway and Spencer Highway. In January 2002, it will be approximately three yeazs since our last bond election and there is a need to introduce new projects to continue to support the growth of the community. At this time, we can safely issue approximately $18 million in new debt without having to incur a tax increase, assuming interest rates remain at a competitive level. Attachment A n (1) 1 -1 1 II. Election Dates/Timeline 1 Uniform election dates: 1. First Saturday in February 2/2/2002 in Ma 5/4/2002 2. First Saturday y ~::; 3. Second Saturday in September 9/14/2002 <;: 4. First Tuesday after first Monday in November ~ 11/5/2002 ~. ': ~., ;: ~' ~' t >~ ': ' Attachment B ~, : . ~2) -- -- - - PROPOSE D BOND ELECTION TIMELINE inDt .~rnt rot tit oam Nar'Ot o.orot Ln'o2 P.nnz u.rroa 02 roe ,J!nYl2 w TWc N.m. Marh t -aen 2 Marh a Marh • MarA a Marh a Marh ~ -~ a Marh a Marh to Marh t t Mara t2 Marh w t WORK 8E8810N8 WITH STAFF j . ~ REVIEW FISCAL STRATEGIES ; ~ ? ~ BOND MARKET i ~ ~ . ! F ~ DECIDE ON DEBT AMOUNT • . ? ' ~ • ~ a WORKSHOP WITH COUNCIL t j a COUNCIL CALLS FOR BOND ELECTION ~ ~ ADVISE F18CAL ADVISOR8 OF ELECTION DECISION j 3 f I a ADVISE BOND COUNSEL OF ELECTION DECISION a COUNCIL CONSIDER8 APPOINTING CITIZEN8 COMMITTEE TO HELP PROMOTE BOND ELECTION ! ! j ~ ~ ! to PREPARE BOND LITERATURE ! ~ i ! ' i • 1 I } i t t CITY SECRETARY ORDERS BALLOTS AND EQUIPMENT z ' • t2 ADVISE JU8TiCE DEPARTMENT OF ELECTION DECISION ` to MEET WITH LA PORTS 8PEt:lAL INTEREST GROUPS • i ' . i t4 HOLD ELECTION : ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ . i ~ . to MEET WITH RATWO AGENCIES • ; i ~ ~ 4 to SELL A PORTION OF BONDS APPROVED BY VOTERS ~ . Prol~,t 80ND ELECTION TtMiJJNPJ TW[ ~ ~ ^ ld~l Tads O~ n, ~ Tw WIW ^WMM tlPllt ~ .. ~ . ~ . ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ... ~ PnJ~at iwr~~ry ~ ~~ Pp~1 (3) ~~ The following projects are recommended by staff to be considered in a proposed bond election and to be financed by issuance of General Obligation Debt. The City can issue $18 million without a tax increase. 1 1. Building a new Police headquarters 2. Improvements to the City's Wastewater Treatment Plant 1 3. Development of Westside Park in conjunction with building a youth baseball complex (Park $800K, baseball complex $2.0 million -bringing utilities to site $400K) 4. Fire Department/EMS TOTAL III. Proposed Project Listing $ 7.7 million $ 3.5 million $ 3.2 million $ 1.9 million $16.3 million Section 4B Sales Tax 1 The following projects are recommended to be financed by the Section 4B Sales Tax. At this time, the City can issue $9.5 million from this revenue source. A bond election is not needed for these projects if approved by Council. 1. Our portion of Bay Area Boulevard extension/improvements from Fairmont Pazkway to Spencer Highway Road $ 4.5 million Install sanitary sewer trunk main $ 1.6 million TOTAL $ 6.1 million Staff would also recommend that a future project that would be a good candidate for use of the Section 4B Sales Tax Fund would be building the extension of Canada Road from Fairmont Parkway to Spencer Highway. The estimated cost for this proposal would be approximately $3.5 million and could be issued in 2003. 1 2. Construction, adjusting six pipelines, R.O.W. $3.5 million acquisition and engineering services Attachment D (3A) k- _ ¢~ B Police Department ~ In May 1978, the current Police Building at 915 South 8`" Street was dedicated with a total number of 24 personnel. This building is actually two complexes separated by a common wall and consists of approximately 26,000 ' square feet of which PD occupies 15,000 square feet. As of this date, the Police Department occupies both floors of the southern portion (915 South 8`") of the building with the Municipal Court occupying the upper floor of the northern portion of the building (913 South 8~') with Neighborhood Centers occupying the lower floor. ' Due to continued growth, the Police Department has outgrown the facility it now occupies. Today we employ 94 personnel. A needs assessment study was conducted by the firm of Budd Betts Harden Kolflat Architectures (B2HK) in ' which they assessed the needs of the Police Department and Municipal Court for a future complex. During this period, it was recognized that an EOC function needed to be built into this facility to become the Police/EOC/Municipal Court Complex, or the Criminal Justice Center. B2HK systematically analyzed the needs of the Police Department and Court with a vision toward the future of the City. B2HK additionally conducted a study of the existing building to determine ' if remodeling or usability of the existing building was an option. A report was submitted indicating that the only significant remodeling has been done in the Municipal Court in 1993 and that they identified a number of issues ' regarding the existing building. They did, however, find the building to be basically sound. "Although air conditioning components have been replaced as needed, the overall quality and condition of mechanical, electrical, plumbing materials and construction are of low standard for municipal police and court facilities. Fire protection, fire alarm, and emergency exit and egress lighting provisions are inadequate. " This report can be found in volume 1 of the ' Architectural Program report from B2HK. B2HK projected a Police/EOC/Municipal Court report based on the assessment study which would be approximately 43,500 square feet. It was decided that this project would need to be built in stages due to anticipated ' costs. The Municipal 3udge advised that they would remain in their existing facility until the Police/EOC structure was built. A master plan was developed for two separate construction phases with the Police/EOC structure to be built first. ' Phase I Police Department/EOC Center $7.7 million (land acquisition, site preparation, construction) ' Phase II Municipal Court Facility ' Depending on growth will be placed in front of Voters at a later date. 1 1 1 (4) 1 ~ ~ ' 1 r, '~ 1 ~~~; .:r. t An tf~ f / t Y „1 ~ ~ - 1 • k I ti ^ ~~! ^ ~~~ s 4` ,-_.~ ~_ - *r ~... .. , ~- 1 ~~ ~ - { s~- {~ 3 ~:;~~ r, .~- ~y• _ `? ~ .,p,~ 1 r~ ;= .a+ ~• ... .. . .. }~. 4 1 ~;~ ( ~ +.::~; r a lr iqr ' •~ r~''r ~: i - "',r _ - i ~~ ;, ~ ~~ ~x i ~~~ ~} d~ ~ ~ '' .. ~~~i~~i - ~, . ~. V 1~1 , ~1~~~~t t~tt~ ~ ~ ~ z ~ } 44 ~ • ~ i ~ ! ! ~ ~ ~ ~ ! ~ i~ ~ ~ ~ ~~ ~ ~ ~ R e ~ ~. g f ~ ~ ~ i , , . iw 1 1 ~ . , ~ ~ ~ i i ii f k [E ~ - ~ 1, r~ ... ~ , _ ,1 ~:. ++ ~ J 1~ 1~ ~ ~ r C `~ A ~ ~~~• ~ '~ sy r` i i ~t ~~,+ .. ~7:,.~ ~~. F~ 1 ~1'~ (5) ~ 4 d QJ ~ 1 '.'.. ~ ' '_ ~;. LITTLE CEDAR BAYOU WASTEWATER TREATMENT PLANT SOLIDS HANDLING IMPROVEMENTS Changes in design criteria by the Texas Natural Resource Conservation Commission (TNRCC) prompted the City to retain Camp Dresser and McKee (CDM) to perform an evaluation of the sludge processing facilities at the Little Cedar Bayou Wastewater Treatment Plant. CDM concluded that the sludge processing facilities at the Plant are not currently sized to handle the permitted flow of 7.56 million gallons per day (MGD) utilizing the new criteria. Should these facilities not be improved, the permitted flow at the Plant could be reduced by up to 50%. This reduction in capacity would require a plant expansion or perhaps moratorium on future development. The recommended approach was based on alternative evaluations. The recommended sludge handling facilities improvements include: • Modification to Waste Activated Sludge pump station for process control, • Expansion of the existing aerobic digestion process to provide for minimum sludge detention time required by the TNRCC, • Renovation of existing gravity sludge thickener, • Replacement of thickened sludge pumps, and • Construction of a new sludge dewatering/loading building, with the replacement of the existing belt filter press with two (2) new belt filter presses. The proposed cost for these improvements total $3,500,000. These improvements will provide for improved solids handling, ensure continued compliance with existing and upcoming TNRCC regulations and design criteria, and maintain the current 7.56 MGD capacity at the Plant. 1 (6) 3 1~.. r, M o ~.~ ~~ .fi Youth Baseball Complex The La Porte Boys' Baseball Association has identified a need for ten youth baseball fields coupled with ' additional practice fields in order to meet their projected growth pattern over the next ten to twenty years. The Association now conducts its youth baseball program at Fairmont Park. The program has almost 900 youth participants, using seven fields as their base of operations, with practice fields at various sites throughout the City. These seven ' fields are inadequate to meet the current demand for league and tournament play. The concession, restroom, and press box facility was constructed in 1976 and is close to the end of its useful life. The concession facility is overused and is too small to meet can ent demand. The press box serves only four of the seven fields and does not meet current demand. Parking and restroom facilities were not designed and are not adequate to meet the demands of such a large number of participants and their families, particularly on weekends. ~' ' Farrington Street is generally used for overflow parking creating a dangerous situation. Fairmont Park is built- out in terms of available space for additional fields or parking. - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - Option 1: Two years ago, the City purchased 33 acres of land on the west side of La Porte to be developed as a park (referred to hereinafter as Westside Park). The Westside Park property is heavily wooded with a number of large pecan trees. This option would propose developing five or six new youth baseball fields at this site. Advantages: - Would relieve the overcrowding at Fairmont Park. Five of the seven existing fields at Fairmont Park would be retained for use as league fields, giving the Association ten or eleven fields to use for league and tournament play. - Would reduce parking woes. Participants should not need to use Farrington for on-street parking. - The other fields would be returned to a more aesthetically pleasing, passive utilization at Fairmont Park that better fits the needs of the surrounding community. - Fairmont Pazk could be utilized for young age groups and Westside Park for the older groups. The Association generally doesn't schedule games for younger participants after 9:00 p.m. This would greatly reduce late night operation of Fairmont Park. Westside Park is much more isolated and 11:00 p.m. usage would not be detrimental to the surrounding community.. - This option would use about 20 of the 33 acres and would allow many of the mature pecan trees on the site to be saved, These pecan trees aze the focal point of the park and should be preserved for use by future generations. This option would allow the remaining +/- 13 acres to be developed as a passive pazk that would complement the ball field portion of the park. - Some of the new fields built at Westside Park would be larger than the existing fields at Fairmont Pazk, thereby better meeting the needs of the older Pony League age group. - Could be accomplished fairly quickly because we already own the land. Disadvantages: - Divides the youth baseball facilities by providing two sites. This will cause some problems for parents who have participants at both sites. Estimated Cost: - The estimated cost for five to six fields, including parking, concession and restroom facilities, utility service, etc., is approximately $2 million (estimate provided by Randall-Porte~eld Architects, Inc.). fig) ~I! Option 2: Staff believes the area southeast of Fairmont Parkway and SH 146 will begin development in the ' near future. When it does, there will be a need for detention areas for each of the parcels of land that will be developed. This proposal calls for consolidation of the detention areas into a single, twenty-acre site. This detention area could then be used for youth baseball facilities. Preliminary talks have begun with property owners regarding the possible consolidation of detention for this area, and use of some of his undeveloped land ' for this purpose. Advanta~ - Since the land development standards require detention areas, this dual use would be of benefit to both the developers as well as the City. - Property owner could get a tax write-off for donation of the land at parkland value rather than at detention area value. '; - All of the advantages listed in Option 1 apply here except that we do not own the land. Disadvantages: - As stated above, we do not own the land. This option may take somewhat longer to accomplish. ' - If the land has to be purchased, the cost of development as youth baseball complex goes up. - Disadvantages for Option 1 also apply here. Estimated Cost: - The estimated cost for five to six fields, including parking, concession and restroom facilities, utility service, etc., is approximately $2 million (estimate provided by Randall-Porte~eld Architects, Inc.) plus the possibility of land purchase if an agreement cannot be reached for donation. - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - Long Term Option: In the long term, there are two primary goals we are seeking to accomplish by moving youth baseball to another site(s). One is obviously to meet the Association's needs by providing excellent quality fields and infrastructure that is safe and suitable to showcase La Porte. The other is to return Fairmont Park to its original status as a community park. That's why we feel that a good option is to pursue both options listed above, with the first phase being Option 1, providing five or six fields at Westside, and funded in the proposed upcoming bond issue. It would be followed by a second phase, providing an additional five or six fields using the Haynesworth property, in a future bond issue. Advantages: - Fairmont Park is returned to its original purpose as a community park. - Youth baseball needs are met for the next fifteen to twenty years. - By phasing in development, there is less strain on our bond program, freeing up funding for other more pressing citywide infrastructure needs. Disadvantages: - Still results in two separate facilities. Whether the short-term or long-term options are exercised, the proposed new youth baseball facilities would meet the long-term needs of the baseball association here in La Porte by providing awell-designed layout(s) with adequate parking, restroom, and other support facilities to meet the needs of La Porte's youth baseball players and their families. (9) 1 (loD Westside Park Development The 33.6-acre tract purchased in 1999 on La Porte's west side is currently undeveloped. The property is located on Canada Street between Fairmont Parkway and Spencer Highway. In considering the development of the site part, there are several factors to be considered. - It is part of an old pecan plantation and there are approximately 120 mature pecan trees on the property. - Need for a regional park in the western portion of the City. - Need for passive recreation facilities in the parks system. Given these factors, the prevalent need for this site is for passive park use. Preliminary studies indicate that the park could be used for a variety of uses that would meet the recreational needs of a wide range of citizens, both in age and interests. Potential uses and facilities at the park include: - Offsite parking - Shelter Pavilion for family outings, company picnics and barbeques, reunions, etc. - A water feature - a small lake could provide for remote controlled boats, fly-casting, freshwater fishing, etc. - Picnic area for individual family outings - Volleyball and basketball facilities for pickup games - Walking/jogging trail - Practice baseball/softball fields The uses described above would provide some old and some new recreational activities that would enhance the recreation experience for La Porte residents and their guests. The contemplated development of this regional park would relieve pressures of overcrowded parks in the system for practice ball fields and picnic facilities, particularly for large groups such as family reunions and company outings. New recreational opportunities will attract park patrons as well as provide additional economic benefits to the community while improving the quality of life for residents of La Porte. Preliminary estimates for design and construction of the amenities described above for this park site is $0.8 million. (11) 1 1 (12) wru~ ~Qf9D{ ~Y[ ~~ar ~~ ~~`i r M ^~~ 0 1 1 Relocation of Fire Station Two Presently the response time to the western end of the City, the Brookglen area, may not be the same response time we offer to other neighborhoods. To add a fifth fire station in the City would cost $1.75 million dollars initially for land, station, and equipment. The annual operating budget would be approximately $400,000 for this station. To prevent the recurring annual costs of operating a fifth fire station, the proposal is to relocate Fire Station Two to a location west of its present location.. Several locations in the area of Spencer Highway and Underwood Road are under consideration. By relocating Fire Station Two westward and locating the previously approved new Fire Station Three to the east of its present location, response distances will be within acceptable guidelines. This will remove the need to add a fifth fire station in the City. Once a new station is constructed, the old Station Two would be updated with needed modifications and used for the EMS station. The projected costs for this project are: - Land $ 200,000 - New Station $1,500,000 - Renovate old fire station for EMS 2$ 00,000 TOTAL COST $1,900,000 (13) t t 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 •~ -.t~fil R~IU •'O .Rb• . .; . .. ~.: . ~ ~~ . .Z . ~; ~ ~ .. . r . ~ •' • •• ~ m .• ~ '_ . .' ~ 'SENS. O ,' S.H. (14) 9 C u rrc-.~ .~ ~ ~ ~~ i ~ 1 j .' ~ ,, ~ .. .. ~N D~ftW,00 D~..RD:: ~. : N 'D. . . '~' . ~~ ~ .. .t ' . ~.. . . .. ~.. ..rn . .. .. .. .. ~. s .'. •. ...~~.~ .... ., . . S.H. 146 n PY~~~s~~ (14A) 1 r .. ~~ ~ Canada Road from Fairmont Parkway to Spencer Highway The recently adopted Thoroughfare Plan identifies Canada Road as a needed improvement from Fairmont Parkway to Spencer Highway. The adopted plan shows Canada Road as a 4-lane divided, concrete curb and gutter road. With the County's completion of East Boulevard, Canada Road will be an additional extension of that thoroughfare while also providing another roadway link to SH 225. The City owns 33 acres of land immediately south of the Pecan Plantation Manufactured Home Park. This land is intended to be developed as a regional park and Canada Road would provide easy accessibility to this future park. (15) ~ .f ,. ~ a ... Executive Summary of Preliminary Engineering Report CANADA ROAD From Fairmont Parkway To Spencer Highway Report to City Council, August 13, 2001 Background -Canada Road is a north-south roadway located in West La Porte approximately 7/1 Os of a mile west of Underwood Road. From Fairmont Pazkway the road is substandard in width and is actually a private access street for the property owners in the azea. There is no public right-of--way for this section of the road and it crosses a pipeline corridor approximately 1000' north of Fairmont Parkway. The primary user of this section of Canada Road is apre-existing, nonconforming warehousing facility located at the northern end of the private street. Also, City staff uses this section of Canada Road to gain access to our 33-acre undeveloped park site. From Spencer Highway there is an asphalt roadway with open ditches and a 60' wide public right- of-way. This public and City-maintained section of Canada Road terminates just.south of its intersection with Carlow Lane. This section of the road has one bridge crossing a HCFCD channel. The Comprehensive Plan Update Thoroughfare Plan classifies (proposed) Canada Road as a primary arterial. Normally, a desirable right-of--way standard for primary arterials is 100' to 120'. However, the northern section of Canada Road is already developed making this type of acquisition very difficult .and expensive. When Harris County completed construction of East Blvd. the new thoroughfare created an awkward intersection with Canada Road at Spencer Highway. City staff worked with the developer of the Texaco Station at the southeast comer of Canada Road and Spencer Highway and the City acquired right-of--way for improvements to Canada Road. However, preliminary drawings indicated additional right-of--way would be necessary to construct a safe transition at the Canada /Spencer intersection. The City hired the engineering firm Walsh/Freese & Nichols to prepare a preliminary engineering report. The report looked at the Spencer Highway intersection along with options for the ultimate roadway all the way to Fairmont Parkway. Roadway Options -From Fairmont Parkway north to the warehousing facility, the report recommends a four-lane, curb and gutter, boulevazd roadway with a +30' wide raised median. The median area can be grassed and/or landscaped to provide an attractive entrance into the planned city park. Also, the median will be wide enough to allow turning vehicles a place to wait in a crossover without blocking a lane of traffic. This section will require a 100' wide right-of--way, which is feasible because there is no development within this section. . (16) From Spencer Highway south to the wazehousing facility, the report provides two options. The first option shows afour-lane, curb and gutter, boulevazd roadway with a +13' wide raised median. This option would require acquisition of an additional 20' ofright-of--way along Canada Road from Spencer Highway to the warehousing facility: The second option depicts afour-lane, curb and gutter, undivided roadway within the existing 60' wide right-of--way. Both options for this section would require modifications to the existing bridge at the HCFCD channel. The transition at the Spencer Highway intersection can easily blerid into either of these two options, however, final design of the intersection transition should not occur until an option for this section of Canada Road has been decided. Drainage -The report recommends dividing the roadway into three sections from a drainage perspective. ' From Fairmont Parkway north to the pipeline crossing would be one section. The engineers recommend utilizing the unimproved "H" Street right-of--way and construct an open ditch from Canada Road to the east and outfall into the HCFCD channel. The second section would be from the pipeline crossing north to Carlow ' Lane. The same HCFCD channel turns and runs parallel to Canada Road and would provide a potential outfall azea just north of the warehousing facility. The third section is from Cazlow Lane north to Spencer Highway. This section would drain into the HCFCD channel in the vicinity of the existing bridge. It should be noted that the last two drainage sections outfall into HCFCD facilities. Hams County may require the _ additional drainage impacts from Canada Road improvements to be mitigated. '; Estimated Construction Costs - We will define Option 1 to be the four-lane divided roadway for the south one-half and the four-lane divided roadway for the north one-half. The engineers have estimated construction related costs for this option at $2,190,000. This is for the entire roadway including the intersection transition ' at Spencer Highway. Option 2 will be the four-lane divided roadway for the south one-half, and the four-lane undivided roadway ' for the north one-half. The engineers have estimated construction related costs for this option at $2,078,000. This is for the entire roadway including the intersection transition at Spencer Highway. Please note that these estimated construction costs do not include any costs associated with land acquisition, engineering and surveying services, and pipeline protection/lowering requirements. The report did not review the proposed roadway's effect on the existing adjacent R-1 properties in the northern segment or the City's desire, if any, to provide landscaping along the right-of--way. As stated earlier, there are 9 ` ~' lots (6 existing houses) along this section of roadway. If the 60' right-of-way with no median is pursued (Option 2), there will be only 7'/:' behind the curb. Although cramped, this should be enough room for utilities and a sidewalk. Any further activity, i.e. plantings, berms, etc. would have to take place on the homeowner's property. However, these lots are fairly deep (200' - 338') and most have a generous front yard setback of approximately 50' which could accommodate homeowners' plantings. The 80' right-of--way with median (Option 1) would not be substantially different. Placement of a 13'median ' would leave 8'/z' behind the curbline. A variation of the 80' right-of-way could be elimination of the 13' median, leaving 15' behind the curbline for plantings, berms, etc. Summary and Recommendations -All options discussed in the engineering report provide afour-lane, concrete ' curb and gutter arterial roadway. The south one-half is constant and recommended to be a four-lane boulevard roadway within a 100' wide right-of--way. The north one-half of the road has two options: The first is to construct afour-lane boulevard with a narrow (13') median. The second is to construct afour-lane undivided roadway within the existing ' (17) 60' wide right-of--way. The Spencer Highway intersection transition will be able to accommodate either option. Adequate drainage facilities and/or right-of--way exist to provide drainage outfall locations for the entire roadway. Recommendations - (Option 2) South'/2 of the Project For the south one-half of the roadway, staff concurs with the 100' right-of--way width with the additiona140' coming off the west side of the private road. North % of the Project Because of the expediency, access to and from existing homes, cost and complicated/time consuming right-of- way acquisitions, staff suggests the existing 60' right-of--way. The Spencer Highway intersection transition has $190,000 budgeted for it and could be constructed as phase 1 of the Canada Road project although this transition project would require additional land acquisition. However, if the full Canada Road project is being contemplated for the near future, staff is recommending using the current amount budgeted to begin land acquisition, engineering. and surveying and then construct Canada Road as a single project. 1 1 (18) ~~ ~` Canada Road Right-of--Way Roadway Segment from Spencer Highway to Bridge Option 1 Option 2 Secure 80' Right-of--Way -/+ (20'additional) Use Existing 60' Right-of--Way -/+ Construct 4-lane roadway with 13' median Construct 4-lane roadway - more expensive/complicated and time consuming right-of--way acquisition (2 plus years) + potential exists to negotiate with mobile home park; lost rental spaces offset by future access to sanit sewer service from Ci + quicker: 60' right-of--way is there -approximately 8 %Z' behind curb: cramped for utilities/sidewalk -approximately 7'/2' behind curb cramped for utilities/sidewalk etc. - median placement will hamper residents' access to roadway and driveways. Residents will be forced to drive too enin sand U-turn + direct access to residents driveways + opportunity to landscape median - no significant landscaping available - additional costs to maintain median + no additional costs to maintain median (19) Long Range Plan for the General Debt Service Fund ~ , ' Estimated Projeded Projeded Projeded Projeded Projected Projeded Projeded Projeded 2000-01 2001-02 2002-03 2003-04 2004-05 2005-06 2006-07 2007-08 2008-09 Beginning Working Capital 1.089,292 1,068,901 1,051,783 681,137 551,767 505,456 827,794 1,295,561 1,916,600 Pius Revenues: PropertyTaxes-Current 1,880,000 1,936,400 1,994,492 2,054,327 2,115,957 2,179,436 2,244,819 2,312,164 2,381,529 Property Taxes -Delinquent 44,503 35,000 35,000 ~ 35,000 35,000 35,000 35,000 35,000 35,000 Transfer from Section 46 322,050 311,550 301,050 290,550 280,050 269,550 259,050 248,550 238,050 Industrial Payments 167,186 171,366 175,650 180,041 184,542 189.156 193,885 198,732 203,700 Interest income 70,804 48,101 47,330 30,651 24,830 22,746 37,251 58,300 86,247 Total Revenues 2,484,543 2,502,417 2,553,522 2,590,569. 2,640,379 2,695,888 2,770,005 2,852,746 2,944,526 Less Outstanding Issues: 1989 GO Bonds 246,938 232,313 - - - - - - - 1990 GO Bonds 88,125 82,875 T7,625 - - - - - - 1994 GO Refunding Bonds 1,271,008 1,134,298 1,215,305 1,137,514 928,078 - - - - 1998 GO Bonds 240,469 232,656 224,844 217,031 ~ 209,219 201,406 193,594 186,563 180,781 2000 GO Bonds 336,344 325,844 315,344 304,844 294,344 283,844 273,344 262,844 252,344 2000 CO Bonds 322,050 311,550 301,050 290,550 280,050 269,550 259,050 248,550 238,050 Total Outstanding Issues 2,504,934 2,319,535 2,134,168 1,949,939 1,711,690 754,800 725,988 697,956 671,175 Less Potentlal Issues Potential $8M GO Issue in 2002 200,000 790,000 770,000 750,000 730,000 710,000 690,000 670,000 Potential ~9M GO Issue in 2005 225,000 888,750 866,250 843,750 821,250 Total Potential Issues ~ - 200,000 790,000 770,000. 975,000 1,618,750 1,576,250 1,533,750 1,491,250 Total Outstanding & Potential Issues 2,504,934 2,519,535 2.924,168 2,719,939 2,686,690 2,373,550 2,302,238 2,231,706 2,162,425 Ending Working Capital 1,068,901 1,051,783 681,137 551,767 505,456 827,794 1,295,561 1,916,600 2,698,701 Estimated Tax Rate 0.135 0.135 0.135 0.135 0.135 0.135 0.135 0.135 0.135 Days of Working Capital 156 152 85 74 69 127 205 ~ 313 456 (21) City of La Porte, Texas Long Range Projection for the La Porte Development Corporation Section 4B 1/2 Cent Sales Tax Beg Working Capital Balance Plus Revenues: Sales Tax Interest Total Revenue Less Expenses: Operations $3Million Cos Potential 2002 $6M issue Issue $3.5 M in 2003 Total Expenses Ending Balance Days of Working Capital Estimated Projected Projected Projected Projected Projected Projected Projected Projected Projected 2000-01 2001-02 2002-03 2003-04 2004-05 2005-06 2006-07 2007-08 2008-09 2009-10 791,848 1,383,742 1,854,883 1,828,363 1,586,887 1,399,085 1,266,767 1,191,799 1,176,104 1,221,664 875,000 896,875 919,297 942,279 965,836 989,982 1,014,732 1,040,100 1,066,103 1,092,755 43,944 40,817 40,233 34,919 30,787 27,875 26,225 25,880 26,883 29,248 918,944 937,692 959,530 977,199 996,623 1,017,857 1,040,957 1,065,980 1,092,985 1,122,003 5,000 5,000 5,000 5,000 5,000 5,000 5,000 5,000 5,000 5,000 322,050 311,550 301,050 290,550 280,050 269,550 259,050 248,550 238,050 228,900 - 150,000 592,500 577,500 562,500 547,500 .532,500 517,500 502,500 487,500 - 87,500 345,625 336,875 328,125 319,375 310,625 301,875 293,125 327,050 466,550 986,050 1,218,675 1,184,425 1,150,175 1,115,925 1,081,675 1,047,425 1,014,525 1,383,742 1,854,883 1,828,363 1,586,887 1,399,085 1,266,767 1,191,799 1,176,104 1,221,664 1,329,142 1,544 1,451 677 475 431 402 390 397 426 478 (22)