HomeMy WebLinkAbout2003-04-28 Regular Meeting and Workshop MeetingMINUTES OF THE REGULAR MEETING, AND
WORKSHOP MEETING OF LA PORTE CITY COUNCIL
APRIL 28, 2003
1. CALL TO ORDER
The meeting was called to order by Mayor Norman Malone at 6:00 p.m.
Members of City Council Present: Councilmembers Mike Mosteit, Chuck Engelken, Bruce
Meismer, James Warren, Charlie Young, Barry Beasley and Norman Malone
Members of Council Absent: Peter Griffiths and Howard Ebow
Members of City Executive Staff and City Employees Present: City Manager Debra
Feazelle, Assistant City Attorney John Armstrong, Assistant City Manager John Joems,
Assistant City Secretary Sharon Harris, City Secretary Martha Gillett, Director of Public
Works Steve Gillett, Director of Finance Cynthia Alexander, Assistant Director of Finance
Michael Dolby, Director of Parks and Recreation Stephen Barr, Police Chief Richard Reff,
Assistant Finance Director Mike Dolby, Director of Purchasing Susan Kelley, City Planner
Gwen Goodwin, Administrative Assistant Cherell Daeumer, Secretary Gina Ford, Human
Resources Specialist Cindy Gates, Human Resources Specialist Kendra Williams, Judge
Louie Ditta, Judge Denise Mitrano, "Houston Chronicle This Week" Journalist Carol
Christian, Administrative Assistant to the City Manager Crystal Scott and Director of
Administrative Services Carol Buttler
Others Present: Patty Welborn, Dottie Kaminski, Sue Gale Mock Kooken, Spero Pomonis,
Salim, Ben Ritchie, Imogene Pennison, Albert Pennison, Barbara Norwine, Betty Waters,
Roy Myers and Leon Waters
2. Reverend David Morgan of First Baptist Church delivered the invocation.
3. Mayor Malone led the Pledge of Allegiance.
4. Council considered approval of Minutes of Regular Meeting, Public Hearing and Workshop
Meeting held on April 14, 2003
Motion was made by Councilmember Warren to approve the Minutes of the Regular
Meeting, Public Hearing and Workshop Meeting held on April 14, 2003. Second by
Councilmember Meismer. The motion carried.
Ayes: Mosteit, Engelken, Meismer, Warren, Young, Beasley and Malone
Nays: None
Abstain: None
5. PRESENTATIONS
To celebrate Public Service Recognition Week, May 5-11, 2003, a proclamation was
presented to members of the Special Events Committee on behalf of all City employees.
6. PETITIONS, REMONSTRANCES, COMMUNICATIONS, AND CITIZENS AND
TAXPAYERS WISHING TO ADDRESS CITY COUNCIL
City Council Meeting - fril 28, 2003 Page 2 •
There were no citizens or taxpayers wishing to address Council.
7. Council to consider approval or other action regarding a resolution declaring intention to
reimburse certain expenditures with borrowing proceeds for Police Department
Headquarters and Emergency Operations Center.
Director of Finance Cynthia Alexander presented summary and recommendation and
answered Council's questions.
Assistant City Attorney read: RESOLUTION 2003-09 - A RESOLUTION DECLARING
INTENTION TO REIMBURSE CERTAIN EXPENDITURES WITH BORROWING
PROCEEDS; FINDING COMPLIANCE WITH THE OPEN MEETINGS LAW; AND
PROVIDING AN EFFECTIVE DATE HEREOF.
Motion was made by Councilmember Engelken to approve Resolution 2003-09 as presented
by Ms. Alexander. Second by Councilmember Warren. The motion carried.
Ayes: Mosteit, Engelken, Meismer, Warren, Young, Beasley and Malone
Nays: None
Abstain: None
8. Council to consider approval or other action regarding a resolution declaring intention to
reimburse certain expenditures with borrowing proceeds for Youth Baseball Complex and
Westside Park improvements.
Director of Finance Cynthia Alexander presented summary and recommendation and
answered Council's questions.
Assistant City Attorney read: RESOLUTION 2003-10 —A RESOLUTION DECLARING
INTENTION TO REIMBURSE CERTAIN EXPENDITURES WITH BORROWING
PROCEEDS; FINDING COMPLIANCE WITH THE OPEN MEETINGS LAW; AND
PROVIDING AN EFFECTIVE DATE HEREOF.
Motion was made by Councilmember Meismer to approve Resolution 2003-10 as presented
by Ms. Alexander. Second by Councilmember Mosteit. The motion carried.
Ayes: Mosteit, Engelken, Meismer; Warren, Young, Beasley and Malone
Nays: None
Abstain: None
9. Council to consider approval or other action adopting a resolution modifying the existing
Land Use Map; a revised map was distributed to them at the Council Meeting.
City Planner Gwen Goodwin presented summary and recommendation and answered
Council's questions.
Planning and Zoning Commission Chairman Betty Waters provided additional information.
Mayor and Council thanked Ms. Waters and the Commission for a job well done.
Assistant City Attorney read: RESOLUTION 2003-11 - A RESODUTION ADOPTING
AMENDMENTS TO THE COMPREHENSIVE PLAN OF THE CITY OF LA PORTE,
BEING THE UPDATE OF THE LAND USE MAP, UPON RECOMMENDATION OF
THE PLANNNG AND ZONING COMMISSION OF THE CITY OF LA PORTE;
City Council Meeting - oil 28, 2003 Page 3
FINDING COMPLIANCE WITH THE OPEN MEETINGS LAW; AND PROVIDING AN
EFFECTIVE DATE HEREOF.
Motion was made by Councilmember Beasley to approve Resolution 2003-11 as presented
by Ms. Goodwin. Second by Councilmember Engelken. The motion carried.
Ayes: Mosteit, Engelken, Meismer, Warren, Young, Beasley and Malone
Nays: None
Abstain: None
10. Council to consider approval or other action instructing the Director of Finance Cynthia
Alexander to amend (increase) the 2002-03 Adopted Budget for the Community Investment
Fund (036) by $170,000 from $400,000 to $570,000.
Director of Finance Cynthia Alexander presented summary and recommendation and
answered Council's questions.
Motion was made by Councilmember Young to approve amendment (increase) of the 2002-
03 Budget from $400,000 to $570,000 as presented by Ms. Alexander. Second by
Councilmember Beasley. The motion carried.
Ayes: Mosteit, Engelken, Meismer, Warren, Young, Beasley and Malone
Nays: None
Abstain: None
11. Council to consider approval or other action of authorizing an emergency, and subsequent
purchase of new 130-ton air-conditioning chiller unit for the La Porte Recreation and Fitness
Center.
Director of Parks and Recreations Stephen Barr presented summary and recommendation
and answered Council's questions.
Motion was made by Councilmember Warren to approve justification for Emergency
Purchase as presented by Mr. Barr. Second by Councilmember Engelken. The motion
carried.
Ayes: Mosteit, Engelken, Meismer, Warren, Young, Beasley and Malone
Nays: None
Abstain: None
12. Council considered a consent agenda as follows:
a. Consider consent to partial assignment of collection and disposal of solid waste contract
with BFI — Steve Gillett.
Councilmember Barry Beasley asked for clarification on the description of this project.
Mr. Gillett explained that the City has a contract with BFI to collect commercial solid
waste; this contract has been in effect since 1990, with renewal in 2000. In 2000, the
contract was revised where BFI would process all the billing, instead of the City. There
.were two things accomplished with this: 1) they had to send the bills out, also being
responsible for any bad debt that occurs and 2) 4% rebate on their gross billings in turn
for their usage of our City streets. With the parent company of BFI, Allied, who would
City Council Meeting - fril 28, 2003 Page 4 •
like to pool all their resources together, being able to obtain loans at a better rate; which
would be an advantage for the La Porte, with better rates.
b. Consider awarding bid for mold abatement of police, municipal court and Neighborhood
Center Buildings — Richard Reff.
Councilmember Mosteit was concerned with the range of prices in the bids.
c. Consider awarding bid for demolition of buildings — Doug Kneupper.
Councilmember Warren questioned the demolition of the buildings. Ms. Feazelle
explained that staff had worked with the property owners in allowing them certain
deadlines.
Motion was made by Councilmember Beasley to approve the consent agenda and bids as
presented. Second by Councilmember Meismer. The motion carried.
13. Workshop was called to order by Mayor Malone at 7:15 p.m.
a. Judge Ditta provided Mayor and Council with a progress report on his one-year
anniversary: Mayor and Council thanked Judge Ditta and staff for such a great report
and improvement in efficiencies.
b. Director of Administrative Services Carol Buttler discussed the youth summer
employment pilot program. This program consists of 20 or 40 hours per week for a 10-
week program. The program is intended to provide youth with training. Students would
provide a written report and receive a certificate of completion. The students would
receive from $5.15 to $7.00 an hour.
c. Director of Finance Cynthia Alexander discussed mid -year financial report (quarterly
report). She provided City Council with an overview and advised them they have made
changes so it is more user friendly to staff and citizens.
d. Assistant City Manager John Joems discussed tax resale properties and provided City
Council with a report on Tax Resale properties.
e. Steve Gillett discussed State Highway 146 major investment study. Steve Gillett
provided Mayor and Council with a report on State Highway 146 and the various
options provided by The Texas Department of Transportation. He provided the staff
with directions on how to prepare a letter and sent it to the DOT.
f. John Joerns discussed provision of service to property with Shoreacres. John Joems said
there are no changes, and to not force connection at this time on property owned by.
Judith Anderson. If the property changes owners, then we can connect and change the
water to the City of La Porte at that time.
Closed Workshop and reconvened Regular Meeting at 8:50 p.m.
14. Administrative Reports
City Manager Debra Feazelle reminded Council of the National Day of Prayer to be held
Thursday, May 1, 2003, at noon, at La Porte City Hall; the SEED Banquet to be held
Thursday, May 1, 2003, at 6:00 p.m. at the Hobby Hilton; the LPISD Trustee Election held
City Council Meeting - Oil 28, 2003 Page 5
Saturday, May 3, 2003; and the LPISD Board Meeting to be held Monday, May 5, 2003, at
7:00 p.m. Ms. Feazelle noted what a good report Judge Louie Ditta presented to City
Council; and was pleased with the .good turnout at the San Jacinto Reception.
Assistant City Manager John Joerns updated Council on his and Ms. Feazelle's favorable
meeting with Harris County's Mr. Garcia, who's responsible for the County's capital
projects, mostly their street and bond projects. An item that was very exciting about this
meeting was Canada Road, which was first and foremost on our list to discuss; the County
has agreed to 50150 participation in the roadway expansion portion of the expenses and up to
a cap of $1.75 million. There are some things which need to be addressed to formalize this;
such as, reviewing the plans to see if they meet Harris County Standards.
Regarding Sens Road, we asked the County to approve a particular design concept to
preserve the evacuation capabilities, this will be included in the engineering reports.
Fairmont Parkway maintenance funds have been released.
15. Councilmembers Charlie Young, James Warren, Barry Beasley, Chuck Engelken, Mike
Mosteit, Bruce Meismer and Mayor Norman Malone had comments.
21. 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 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).
Council retired into Executive Session at 9:18 p.m.
Council reconvened the Council Meeting at 10:38 p.m.
22. CONSIDERATIONS AND POSSIBLE ACTION ON ITEMS CONSIDERED IN
EXECUTIVE SESSION
There was no action taken during Executive Session.
23. There being no further business to come before Council, the Regular Meeting, Public
Hearing and Workshop Meeting was duly adjourned at 10:39 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Lartha Aw
Gillett
City Secretary
Passed and approved on this 12th day of May 2003.
Norman Malone, Mayor
PLEASE TYPE OR- PRINT LEGIBLY
PROVIDE ALL.REQUESTED INFORMATION
STATEMENT OF ELECTED/APPOINTED
OFFICER
(Pursuant to Tex. Const. art. XWI §1(6), amended 2001)
I, Norman L. Matone do solemnly
swear (or affirm), that I have not directly or indirectly paid, offered, promised to pay,
contributed, or promised to contribute any money or thing of value, or promised any
public office or employment for the giving or withholding of a vote at the election at
which I was elected or as a reward to secure my appointment or confirmation,
whichever the case may be, so help me God.
UNDER PENALTIES OF PERJURY, I DECLARE THAT I HAVE READ THE FOREGOING STATEMENT
AND THAT THE FACTS STATED THEREIN ARE TRUH
May 12, 2003
Date
Mayon
Position to Which Elected/Appointed
Form No. 2201
La Poxte Texan - HaAA" County
City and/or County
OATH OF
OFFICE
I, No,%man L. Mafone , do solemnly swear (or affirm), that I will faithfully
execute the duties of the office of
Mayan
of the City of La Porte, State of Texas, and will to the best of my ability preserve, protect
and defend the constitution and laws of the United States and of this State and the Charter
and ordinances of this City; and I furthermore solemnly swear (or affirm) that I have not
directly or indirectly paid, offered, or promised to contribute any money, or valuable
thing, or promised any public office or employment, as a reward to secure my
appointment or the confirmation thereof. So help me God.
Swornto and subscribed before me this the
may
12zh
2003.
Notary Public in and for the
State of Texas
day of
0
PLEASE TYPE OR PRINT LEGIBLY
PROVID&ALL REQUESTED INFORMATION
STATEMENT OF ELECTED/APPOINTED
OFFICER
(Pursuant to Tex. Const. art. XVI, §1(b), amended 2001)
I, Chuck Enge ken, Jn. , do solemnly
swear (or affirm), that I have not directly or indirectly paid, offered, promised to pay,
contributed, or promised to contribute any money or thing of value, or promised any
public office or employment for the giving or withholding of a vote at the election at
which I was elected or as a reward to secure my appointment or confirmation,
whichever the case may be, so help me God.
UNDER PENALTIES OF PERJURY, I DECLARE THAT I HAVE READ THE FOREGOING STATEMENT
AND THAT THE FACTS STATED THEREIN ARE TRUE.
May 12, 2003 �. 5�•
Date Affian
Counci f- Member - Di6t t i ct 2
Position to Which Elected/Appointed
Form No. 2201
Signature
La Porte, Texas - HaA iz . County
City and/or County
OATH OF
OFFICE
I, Chuck Engetken, Jn. , do solemnly swear (or affirm), that I will faithfully
execute the duties of the office of
Councit - U.i at i.c t 2
of the City of La Porte, State of Texas, and will to the best of my ability preserve, protect
and defend the constitution and laws of the United States and of this State and the Charter
and ordinances of this City; and I furthermore solemnly swear (or affirm) that I have not
directly or indirectly paid, offered, or promised to contribute any money, or valuable
thing, or promised any public office or employment, as a reward to secure my
appointment or the confirmation thereof. So help me God.
�S
Sworn to and subscribed before me this the 12th
May 2003.
day of
(Ad �Mj A-Z' U/ I
Notary Public in and for the
State of Texas
PLEASE TYPE OR -PR INT'L•EGIBLY
PROVIDE ALL REQUESTED INFORMATION
STATEMENT OF ELECTED/APPOINTED
OFFICER
(Pursuant to Tex. Const. art. XV1, §1(b), amended 2001)
I, Howah.d Ebow do solemnly
swear (or affirm), that I have not directly or indirectly paid, offered, promised to pay,
contributed, or promised to contribute any money or thing of value, or promised any
public office or employment for the giving or withholding of a vote at the election at
which I was elected or as a reward to secure my appointment or confirmation,
whichever the case may be, so help me God.
UNDER PENALTIES OF PERJURY, I DECLARE THAT I HAVE READ THE FOREGOING STATEMENT
AND THAT THE FACTS STATED THEREINARE TRUH
May 12, 2003
Date
Councit Membelr. - Dizt cis 3
Position to- Which Elected/Appointed
Form No. 2201
2-1111GU11, a Q16LIUt, ll1G
La Polite, Texas - -HaAA i,a , County
City and/or County
OATH OF
OFFICE
I, Ho=Ad Ebow , do solemnly swear (or affirm), that I will faithfully
execute the duties of the office of
Council - D.c st i.c t 3 ,
of the City of La Porte, State of Texas, and will to the best of my ability preserve, protect
and defend the constitution and laws of the United States and of this State and the Charter
and ordinances of this City; and I furthermore solemnly swear (or affirm) that I have not
directly or indirectly paid, offered, or promised to contribute any money, or valuable
thing, or promised any public office or emplo ent, as a rewar a my
appointment or the confirmation thereof. So hel me God �.
7
Sworn to and subscribed before me this the 12xh.
May 2003.
Notary Public in and for the
State of Texas
day of