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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1995-03-29 Special Called Town Meeting~ ~ MINUTES OF THE SPECIAL CALLED TOWN MEETING LA PORTE CITY COUNCIL MARCH 29, 1995 1. CALL TO ORDER The meeting was called to order by Mayor Norman L. Malone at 7:00 P.M. Members of City Council Present: Mayor Norman L. Malone, Councilpersons Mike Cooper, Bob Thrower, Bob McLaughlin, Deotis Gay, Jack Maxwell and Jerry Clarke (Councilperson Guy Sutherland was seated in the Council Chambers at 7:35 P.M.) Members of City Council Absent: Councilperson Alton Porter Members of City Staff and City Employees Present: City Manager Robert T. Herrera, Assistant City Manager John Joerns, City Secretary Sue Lenes, Police Chief Bobby Powell, Director of Administrative Services Louis Rigby, Director of Finance Jeff Litchfield, Director of Parks and Recreation Stephen Barr, Assistant Public Works Director Buddy Jacobs, Chief Building Official Mark Lewis, Secretary to the City Manager Carol Buttler Others Present: Members of the Steering Committee - Chairpersons Betty Stoumbaugh and John Willis, Recording Secretary Brenda Harper, Publicity Rob Roy, other members Sandy Staniszewske and Flo Schelling, and a number of La Porte Citizens 2. OPENING COMMENTS - MAYOR NORMAN L. MALONE Mayor Malone welcomed those attending tonight's Town Meeting and stated the format to be followed at this session. Mayor Malone reviewed the many amenities the citizens have at their disposal for recreational purposes. He stated, "We are proposing to the people of La Porte that at the May 6th election a referendum be passed to allow the City to purchase approximately 3.1 acres of property for those who would like a nice place to fish in the bay and have a place to take our family for a nice outing." Mayor Malone read a list of questions and answers which had been asked by citizens regarding the purchase and proposed improvements to be made to the property. (Exhibit A) • • QiTESTIONS AND ANSWERS 1) Will my taxes go up because of the purchase of this property? No tax increase is needed for the purchase of this land for a family park. Funds have been set aside to purchase the land through the City's annual budgeting process. 2) Who will have access to the park land? All residents of La Porte will have access to the property. 3) Will there be an admission fee to visit the park? No admission fees will be charged to ]:.a Porte residents. 4) Will there be a charge to use the fishing pier? No fee will be charged to residents of La Porte to use the pier. 5) Will non-residents be allowed to use this park and its facilities? Non-residents will not be allowed to use this facility without being accompanied by a resident of La Porte. 6) Will the boat ramp be opened? The boat ramp will not be reopened. We want the park to stay in a tranquil state. '~ What are the hours of the park? We contemplate the park will be opened at dawn by City personnel and will be closed at dusk by City personnel. 8) What is going to keep down the noise level from electronic devices? The park will have rules and regulations that patrons will need to abide by. These rules will address noise levels. City personnel will enforce the rules (park and police departments), as well as any City ordinance violations. 9) Will the City allow alcoholic beverages in the park? No alcoholic beverages will be allowed or permitted. EXIiIBIT A, Questions and Answers • Page 2. • 10) What improvements are planned for the park and how much will they cost? The City's plans for this water-related park are simple in that the park will remain passive, and the improvements planned are ones that are designed to meet the needs for a family outing. All plans for the park are tentative at this tune, because the City Council will appoint a citizens committee to master plan the site. Once the committee forwards their recommendations to City Council, the Council will then appropriate a funding level to begin the improvements. 11) There are two houses on the property; what is the City going to do with them? Both houses will be removed. The City does not intend to rent out the houses. 12) Will the park create a traffic problem? The park itself will create an increase in transportation within the neighborhood. However, it is not believed that a traffic problem will exist. An on-site parking lot will be built and no street parking will be allowed. 13) Will the property values adjacent to the park go down? No. Well maintained public parks do not take away from surrounding land values. 14) What are the City's plans for the cemetery that is on the property? The City intends to preserve and enhance the cemetery for historical purposes. r: Minutes of Special Called Town Meeting La Porte City Council March 29, 1995, Page 2 • 3. DESCRIPTION OF PARK PROJECT - Director Parks and Recreation Stephen Barr Director of Parks and Recreation Stephen Barr reviewed the demographics of the proposed park and reported there is approximately 500 feet of bay frontage on the property. Mr. Barr reviewed some of development plans for this bay-related park. A short discussion was held regarding the bulkheading on the property. Peggy Johnson, 921 Seabreeze, commented regarding her desire to have the City consider a fishing pier rather than providing a sailing facility. 4. RECEIVE PUBLIC INPUT Jarrell Burke, 1301 Bayshore Drive, representing the Bayshore Citizens Association, spoke in opposition. Ginnie Groda, 926 Seabreeze, as a member of the Bayshore Citizens Association, spoke in opposition. Florence Helm spoke in favor of the City purchasing the property known as Bay Green Colony Tract rather than the Seabreeze property. Charlie Young, 214 Reynolds, spoke regarding Bay Green Colony which is in his neighborhood stating it would not be practical for the park purposes. He spoke in favor of purchasing the Seabreeze property. Stephanie Maynard, 1202 Bayshore Drive, had questions regarding the site plan for the proposed property. She also asked how the City will control the parking situation, noise and drinking situation in the park area. Lawrence Maynard, 1202 Bayshore Drive addressed the present parking situation, the potential noise in the park, and the bulkheading on the bay front. He had questions regarding the future expenditures for park improvements. Larry Wright 1026 Oak Leaf, reminded the audience of the study by the City and a citizens group, Visions 89 committee, on what we could do to better the city. He stated, "One of the things that report did was say La Porte should take advantage of its Bay front". He spoke in favor of the purchase. Minutes of Special Called Town Meeting La Porte City Council March 29, 1995, Page 3 Betty Stoumbaugh, 10114 Willmont, spoke in favor of the purchase. 5. COUNCIL COMMENTS Councilpersons Cooper, Thrower, McLaughlin, Gay, Clarke and Mayor Malone spoke in favor of purchasing the Seabreeze property. Councilperson Maxwell stated his support for the referendum to be placed on the May 6th ballot and will support the vote of the citizens. City Manager Robert T. Herrera stated that the City Council will set the rules and regulations for any of the operations that will take place there. Those are things the Council will have to address whether it be with the citizens advisory committee or problems that arise once the park is acquired. Councilperson Gay addressed the questions of wet lands. 6. ADJOURNMENT There being no further business to come before the Council, the meeting was duly adjourned at 8:12 P.M. Passed and Approved on this 10th day of April, 1995 N rman L. Malone, Mayor Respectfully submitted, Sue Lenes, City Secretary