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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2010-4-10 MINUTES OF THE CITY COUNCIL RETREAT HELD ON SATURDAY, APRIL 10,2010 AT LA PORTE POLICE DEPARTMENT TRAINING CENTER Council Present: Mayor Beasley, John Zemanek, John Black, Mike Mosteit, Chuck Engelken, Daryl Leonard, Tommy Moser, Louis Rigby and Mike Clausen Staff Present: City Manager Ron Bottoms, Assistant City Manager John Joerns, City Secretary Martha Gillett, Finance Director Mike Dolby, Director of Public Works Steve Gillett, Director of Parks and Recreation Stephen Barr, Planning Director Tim Tietjens, Police Chief Ken Adcox, Golf Pro Alex Osmond, Fire Chief Mike Boaze, Assistant Fire Chief Donald Ladd, Office Manager Melisa Lanclos, Budget Officer Shelley Wolny, Budget Assistant Gay Collins, Building Official Debbie Wilmore, Judge Denise Mitrano, Human Resources Manager Heather Weger and EMS Chief Ray Nolen. Mayor Beasley called the Retreat to order at 9:00 a.m. Financial Overview: Finance Director Michael Dolby provided council with an overview of the financials. Council requested the interest from last year's budget. Shelley to provide them with the information. Council Initiated Items: Golf Course in General Fund - there was discussion on this item and Council directed staff to move the Golf Course to the General Fund during the budget process. IT Fund - there was discussion on this item and Council directed staff to move the IT Fund to the General Fund during the budget process. Concrete Street Program - the program was discussed and staff was directed to bring back the price of a study during the budget process. 8th Street Rehab - this project is to be designed now and the design will be funded in this year's budget. Staff will bring the design to council for approval. The project will be funded out of next year's budget from Street Maintenance Sales Tax approved at the May 8, 2010 Election. Close G Street and Open E Street - staff was directed not to close G street but to work on parking, traffic and safety issues. Some of the issues will need to be coordinated through La Porte Independent School District. Staff could consider the request from the school district to close E with subsurface rights. Boards and Commissions - board vacancies and applicants were discussed. Council requested the City Secretary's Office to contact board members to see if they are willing to continue serving. They will contact the City Secretary to send an application and handbook to prospective candidates as needed. This item needs to be brought back as a workshop item at the last meeting in May. Council member Daryl Leonard announced he had received a resignation from Kirby Linscomb on the Planning and Zoning Commission. Page 2 Council directed the City Secretary to find out the legalities of Alternate Members serving on the Planning and Zoning Commission. Council directed the City Secretary to find out how the Chairman's position on the La Porte Development Corporation is appointed. Council member Rigby noted he is awaiting an answer on the alternate positions' voting powers of the Chapter 172 Board of Trustees. Northside Neighborhood Plan - Staff was directed to update the Plan and fund in next year's budget. They want it as a separate plan and not a part of the Citywide Master Plan. Smoking Policy - The Smoking Policy was discussed and Council stated this is something that should go before the citizens for a vote next November. Outside Audit - Council suggested that citizens requesting the City to conduct an audit should be coordinated by the citizen and paid for by the citizen. If the audit results show the City has done something wrong, the citizen would be reimbursed for the audit cost. Council directed staff to check with legal on this approach. Employee Rewards - Council directed staff to budget for the following awards structure in the next budget: Employee of the Quarter $750.00 Employee of the Year - $1,000.00 Manager of the Year $1,000.00 Person Nominated - $25.00 Council additionally directed staff to change the policy and update it to what is actually being done. Parks Comparison - Stephen Barr provided a presentation on Parks. 80 acre Tract Deed Restrictions - Council noted the following conditions on this property: The Buyer should enter into an Industrial District Agreement. Staff needs to check with adjoining neighbors and ABC on any special conditions of the property next to the 80 acre tract. Container restrictions should be the same as they are for inside the City limits. Landscaping and or trees need to be required. Staff will bring this back to Council in the future. Page 3 Personal Code Enforcement Contact - Building Official Debbie Wilmore provided Council with an overview of code enforcement operations. Council directed staff to go above and beyond the call of duty and make more personal contact with citizens in dealing with code enforcement violations. Councilmember Tommy Moser requested to see a copy of the door hangars used by code enforcement officers. Council would like to see adjustments in the monthly code enforcement report to include number of inspections, type of inspections, etc. They also would like to know about complaints received and what options the citizens were given. During the hiring process, council directed staff to try and find applicants with electrical license. Staff initiated items: Mission Statement - The following Mission Statement was discussed: Positioning La Porte for success by embracing our heritage, community values, and future opportunities while being responsible for the well being of our citizens and employees. 5 year Capitol Improvement Projects - Assistant City Manager provided an overview. He noted the following two items had been overlooked and left off the list: Boardwalk Extension Trail Drainage Report Northwest Park Extension - B10G He additionally noted that Northwest Park and Spring Gulley had already been budgeted. Fire Station #1- Assistant Fire Chief Donald Ladd provided Council with an overview of the plans for Fire Station #1. Convention/Community Center - The City is still waiting on Harris County. Staff will keep trying to find out what the County is going to do. Happy Harbor and Klein Retreat Properties: Council discussed these properties and provided staff with the following comments: Keep Public Access to beach These sites could be a possible site for a convention center Start looking at what would fit on the site Council directed staff to move forward with extending the Boardwalk Employee Medical/Dental Insurance: Page 4 Council tabled discussion on this item until they receive a recommendation from the Chapter 172 Board of Trustees. Council directed staff to conduct a future workshop item to discuss the Chapter 172 Board roles and responsibilities. Council member Rigby requested TML be present for discussion. Planning Position: Staff was directed to bring this position back in the budget process. They directed staff to look at making it a separate department. Tax Abatements: Council directed staff to add in rail served distribution facility. 10% abatement (average over five years) - reduce trucks. Staff will bring back to Council in the future for approval. Shipping Containers: Building Official Debbie Wilmore was directed to bring back proposal where containers are screened with facade. Airport Beautification: Council directed staff to bring back as part of the budget process. Public Art: Council directed staff to survey citizens through the water bill on whether or not they want to be Egrets, Seagulls, Mermaids or Dolphins. The one that receives a majority vote will win. General Discussion: Councilmember Zemanek raised questions with regards to truck violations and how they are handled and processed in Municipal Court. There needs to be follow up with Assistant City Attorney Clark Askins. Councilmember Rigby inquired if the City Logo had changed. City Manager explained it had not changed and the Sylvan Beach Logo on the Agenda was part ofthe branding campaign and is used for marketing purposes only. The Seagulls are the official City Logo. fY/att/?tL /faLl! if) 2lf/O :=12~?