HomeMy WebLinkAbout2003-03-22 Special Called City Council Retreat Workshop Meeting
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MINUTES OF THE SPECIAL CALLED
CITY COUNCIL RETREAT WORKSHOP MEETING
MARCH 22, 2003
1. CALL TO ORDER
Mayor Norman Malone called the meeting to orde,r at 8:00 a.m.
Members of City Council Present: Council members Mike Mosteit, Chuck Engelken, Howard
Ebow, Peter Griffiths, Barry Beasley, James Warren, Charlie Young and Norman Malone
Members of Council Absent: Bruce Meismer
Members of City Executive Staff and City Emolovees Present: City Manager Debra Feazelle,
City Secretary Martha Gillett, Director of Administrative Services Carol Buttler, Director of
Parks and Recreation Stephen Barr, Director of Public Works Steve Gillett, Director of Planning
Doug Kneupper, Police Chief Richard Reff, Assistant Finance Director Mike Dolby and
Administrative Assistant to the City Manager Crystal Scott
2. Mayor Norman Malone delivered the invocation.
3. Mayor Norman Malone led the Pledge of Allegiance.
4. Council and staff discussed establishing a Youth Commission for the City of La Porte to unify the
youth of the City.
Administrative Assistant to the City Manager Crystal Scott is the Staff Liaison for the
Commission. Ms. Scott explained the City would like to provide the youth of the community an
opportunity to respond and provide input to decisions and policies that will affect them.
Each Councilmember was in favor of this program and encouraged staff to move forward with
the project. City staff will work with the school district to coordinate the project. Staff will make
a presentation to the La Porte Independent School Board at an upcoming meeting. The number of
participants the program will be determined at a later date.
City Manager Debra Feazelle commented the Commission budget would be nominal. Ms. Scott
informed Council the Commission is responsible for their own funding through fundraisers. The
Commission will be required to produce an annual report regarding interactions, activities and
progress.
5. Council reviewed zoning development relationships. The Director of Planning Doug Kneupper
gave an overview of the Zoning Ordinance, the Comprehensive Plan; the Land Use Map, the
Board of Adjustment, the Zoning Map and City Council.
The Zoning Commission's review and recommendation is required for all actions relating to the
Zoning Ordinance (Zoning District Map and Zoning District Regulations). The Director of
Planning has limited authority on his own; the Commission is the approval authority for all major
developments.
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City Council Minutes - 3/213 - Page 2
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City Council is the approval authority for Special Conditional Use (SCU) Permits; which
Planning and Zoning recommends to Council. SCU is in Zoning Ordinance; which must have a
SCU permit. PUD must have SCU and City Council approval.
The Comprehensive Plan is a combination plan (physical plan plus goals and objectives); this
plan has more than the state plan.
Zoning laws for municipalities must follow the Texas Zoning Enabling Act (TZEA). This Board
provides the possibility of relief from unduly harsh applications of the zoning ordinance. A
person who is dissatisfied with a decision of The Zoning Board of Adjustment (ZBOA) can only
appeal to State Court.
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Counci1member Griffiths commented on the pre-existing lots by the Bayforest Golf Course.
Councilmember Warren suggested Planning and Zoning should have standard procedures
explaining the zoning process.
Councilmember Beasley questioned if we may ask Planning and Zoning for explanations
City Manager Debra Feazelle noted City Council appoints the Board and have the authority to
provide them with direction.
Council requested that Planning and Zoning provide Council with a better explanation, plus
copies of Planning and Zoning Minutes, when making recommendations to Council.
6. Council and staff reviewed and discussed Economic Development for the City of La Porte.
Ms. Feazelle provided City Council with an overview of the City's Commitment to Growth and
Development.
Planning Director Doug Kneupper and Public Works Director Steve Gillett provided City Council
with an overview of Infrastructure Planning.
City Council requested Ms. Feazelle replace former City Manager Robert T. Herrera on the
Southeast East Economic Development Board of Directors.
Director of Public Works Steve Gillett discussed infrastructure planning concerning the water
capacity well position for the future.
Parks and Recreation Director Stephen Barr provided City Council with an overview on green
spaces within the City of La Porte
City Secretary Martha Gillett provided City Council with an overview of past, potential and
future beautification efforts.
7. City Manager Debra Feazelle provided staff with an overview ofthe City of La Porte's
Legis1atative Bill tracking process. Ms. Feazelle informed Council she would have an item on
the upcoming Council agenda to authorize staff to write letters to support and oppose bills. Ms.
Feazelle informed Council if the Resolution is adopted, Council would be copied on letters. In
addition, direction from the Mayor would be provided, as needed.
City Council Minutes - 3/2. - Page 3
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8. Council and staff reviewed various Ordinance Provisions.
Councilmember Peter Griffiths questioned sign height, how to go about having uniform height.
Councilmembers Mike Mosteit and Charlie Young asked about restrictions on stacking containers
and screening. They suggested visiting with companies regarding screening. They commented
how some new landscaping businesses do not provide maintenance. Messrs Mosteit and Young
suggested pressure washing the overpass at Fairmont and Highway 146; Spencer Highway has
grass over the curb and other locations; the Highway Department cuts the grass and blows it onto
the streets and storm outlets.
Dire~tors Kneupper and Gillett are working on the storm water regulation, along with cleaning up
Old Highway 146.
Other subjects of discussion were Queens Bay demolition follow-up, Zoning Ordinance regarding
signing, meeting at City Hall during day versus night, parks add to cycle, paper towels,
custodians, check blind spot at City Hall and parks, double lights on Main Street (see if can
remove), 2nd 1 3rd Streets going North (Main Street) need lighting (close 1 parking spot center
street parking) and San Jacinto Tourism Effort (combined).
The Zoning Ordinance will be added to candidate packet regarding candidate signs; the
Ordinance will be enforced.
The County will be notified of ordinance enforcement on all other elections.
Council requested staff clean up the language in the ordinance with regards to mowing. They
would like to remove the three (3) times per year stipulation and see mowing occur when the
grass reaches 18 inches.
9. Council Roundtable
. Code of Ethics - Council did not provide staff with any direction on this matter.
Summer Youth Jobs - It was the consensus of Council to move forward with this program.
Councilmember Warren suggested providing youth jobs through the City, parks, and offices.
Harris County has a youth job program. Director of Administrative Services Carol Buttler was
asked to put together a program.
Staff was requested to move forward with Bayfront Development.
Bay Front Hotel Development and Conference Center; Baytown and NASA have developing
efforts now. Mrs. Feazelle was requested to contact Mr. Bert Cabanas to determine if there is still
an interest in the Sylvan Beach Project.
Staff was requested to improve marketing efforts of projects and programs. Channel 16 -
lettering cannot be red coloring, change music throughout, different photo of San Jacinto, LPISD.
Staff was directed to enhance Channel 16 and joint venture, where possible, with San Jacinto
College and La Porte Independent School District to make use of equipment available.
City Council Minutes - 3/13 - Page 4
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A Community Newsletter was discussed and Ms. Feazelle informed City Council this was one of
the items she will be implementing. .
Counci1member Mosteit suggested the FFA (Future Farmers of America) provide a livestock
facility for a program (possibly a landfill property). This would allow children, who do not live
on acreage to be involved. Mrs. Feazelle questioned who would manage the facility. Mr. Mosteit
assumed the school would. The FFA Committee is currently researching what they would need
for the program. Upon receiving their report, Mr. Mosteit will provide an update.
Councilmember Beasley suggested staff research the possibility of City Council agendas being
delivered a week prior to the Council Meeting.
City Council would like to have a float and participate in the Fourth of July Parade. Ms. Feazelle
will form a committee of staff members for this project.
Mr. Mosteit informed Council and staff that on March 30th at noon in the Lomax Arena, a tree
would be planted. March 31 through April 3 will be the Livestock Show. On April 3, there will
be an auction, Counci-l is to attend and be supportive, plus a proclamation will be presented.
City Council directed staff to host a breakfast with area Plant Managers.
Ms. Feazelle informed City Council she has already requested a meeting with Plant Managers,
but will follow-up on this at a full Council Meeting.
10. City Manager Announcements
Ms. Feazelle suggested having an Open House Presentation at City Hall in late summer.
Ms. Feazelle suggested City Council have work sessions on the third Monday off, after the
renovation of City Hall, the repaving of the parking lot, and the landscaping are complete.
11. There being no further business to come before Council, the Special Called Retreat Workshop
Meeting of La Porte was duly adjourned at 3:00 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
LfYI~~./tattI
Martha Gillett
City Secretary
;~X::riI2003
l-1!!an Malone, Mayor