Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAbout2004-10-02 Special Called Retreat Meeting MINUTES OF SPECIAL CALLED CITY COUNCIL RETREAT MEETING OF LA PORTE CITY COUNCIL October 2, 2004 1. CALL TO ORDER The meeting was called to order by Mayor Alton Porter at 9:00 a.m. Mayor Porter provided the group with opening remarks. Members of City Council Present: Councilmembers Chuck Engelken, Barry Beasley, Tommy Moser, Louis Rigby, Howard Ebow, Peter Griffiths, Mike Clausen, Mike Mosteit and Mayor Alton Porter Members of Council Absent: None Members of City Executive Staff and City Employees Present: City Manager Debra Feazelle, Assistant City Manager John Joems, Assistant City Manager Cynthia Alexander, City Secretary Martha Gillett, Public Works Director Steve Gillett, Parks and Recreation Director Stephen Barr, Interim Planning Director Wayne Sabo, Assistant to the City Manager Crystal Scott, EMS Chief Ray Nolen and Assistant Fire Chief Champ Dunham Others Present: None 2. City Manager Debra Feazelle provided City Council with an overview of the agenda. 3. The following items were discussed regarding Economic Development: Mayor Porter noted the importance of Economic Development due to the loss in taxes. City Manager Debra Feazelle provided Mayor and Council with an overview and focus on Economic Development efforts including current incentives, potential incentives and community input for Council consideration. Current Incentives include local Industrial District Agreements, Tax Abatement, including Inner City Tax Incentive Program for projects $21 Million and over, the Harris County Abatement Program, Freeport Tax Exemption (LPISD participates, Tax Increment Reinvestment Zone (TIRZ), State programs including Tax Increment Reinvestment Zone (TIRZ - LPISD and Harris County participate), Tax Increment Financing (TIF - LPISD and Harris County participate), Specific Purpose Incentives, including, Section 4b Y2 Cent Sales Tax Fund, Hotel/Motel Tax and Utility Oversizing/Participation. Potential Incentives were discussed, including Section 4A Economic Development Sales Tax, Job Creation Incentives and Workforce Development. Assistant City Manager John Joems provided City Council with policy examples. City Manager Debra Feazelle noted staff would need direction. Offers and leads from Alliance and Bay Area Houston were discussed. Assistant City Manager John Joems provided an overview ofTIRZ and development agreements. Interim Planning Director Wayne Sabo provided an overview of Impact Fees, and noted timing is a critical part of implementation of these types of fees. He further noted areas, such as Pearland, that are currently in high demand. Council provided staff with direction by requesting they get more information on the City's web page about TIRZ, Main Street, Industry and Industrial District Agreements. Council requested additional information regarding 380 grants and requested more information and examples from other cities. Additionally, they wanted to know how to utilize advantages and overcome disadvantages. City Council Retreat Meeting - October 2, 2004 - Page 2 Council also requested additional information for Empowerment Zones and Enterprise Zones. City Manager Debra Feazelle requested direction on economic development leads, inquiring as to whether or not we want to make incentive offers. Council advised staff to research further and bring forward, while looking at all options and current competition. Council wants additional research on why Wal-Mart opened a new location in Deer Park and why Target opened a site in Kemah. Council noted they would like to see available land noted on the City's web site, including a resource inventory and map of location of land. Council requested to bring back proposal for expanding GIS on web. Council requested we review the City of Pearl and's web site. Council advised staff to do additional research on impact fees and look at option level. City Manager Debra Feazelle told Council to be thinking of what target industries they would like staff to pursue and provide direction. 4. Assistant City Manager John Joems and Police Chief Richard Reffprovided Council with an overview of the designlbuild concept for the new police station site. Council directed staff to keep moving forward with this project and expedite. 5. Assistant City Manager John Joems provided Council with an overview of City owned properties. Staffwas requested to get appraisals and set a timeline on possible sale of properties not being to be utilized by the City. 6. City Manager Debra Feazelle provided Council with an overview of the hotel/motel study, site visit, and noted she will be following up with Harris County since the ball is in their court. 7. Assistant City Manager Cynthia Alexander provided Council with an overview of potential sick time buy back program and disability benefits. It was noted that Council was not in favor of changing current employee's benefits. Council directed staff to provide options and survey data with other cities and Harris County indicating what programs and policies they utilize. Council requested to bring back proposal to reduce City liability, while not harming current benefits. 8. Assistant City Manager Cynthia Alexander provided Council with an overview of financial policies and a budget contingency plan. Council requested to be notified and kept in the loop on all levels of activation of the budget contingency plan. In addition, Ms. Alexander provided Council with an overview the General Fund Long Range Plan. 9. EMS Chief Ray Nolen provided Council with an overview of the future needs for the Emergency Medical Services Division. The following items were discussed: Policies Regarding Where We Transport and Why Orientation of 1 sl Responder Program Private Ambulance Permitting Ordinance Needs and Logistics of Putting on a Third Ambulance Council directed Mr. Nolen to move forward with the Private Permitting Ordinance. 10. Assistant City Manager Cynthia Alexander provided Council with an overview of the Capital Improvements Projects. City CouncIl Ketreat Meeting - October 2, 2004 - Page 3 11. Council requested Staff to begin reviewing the projects they would like to consider for future bonds. In addition, they need to be prepared to make appointments to the Blue Ribbon Committee. A future Bond Election could be held in 2005 or 2006. 12. Council comments were made by Mayor Porter, Mike Mosteit, Chuck Engelken, Howard Ebow, Peter Griffiths, Barry Beasley, Tommy Moser, Mike Clausen and Louis Rigby. Council had favorable comments on all staff presentations being well received. 13. There being no further business to come before Council, the Regular Meeting was duly adjourned at 5:00 p.m. Respectfully yours, L1JiUMrl4td Martha Gillett, TRMC City Secretary Passed and approved on this the 13th day of December 2004 ~ i.P...k.- Mayor Alton E. Porter