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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2012-04-14 Special Meeting of the La Porte City CouncilLOUIS RIGBY Mayor JOHN ZEMANEK Councilmember at Large A DOTTIE KAMINSKI Councilmember at Large B MIKE MOSTEIT Councilmember District 1 CHUCK ENGELKEN Councilmember District 2 Mayor Pro Tem MINUTES OF THE SPECIAL MEETING OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF LA PORTE APRIL 14, 2012 DARYL LEONARD Councilmember District 3 TOMMY MOSER Councilmember District 4 JAY MARTIN Councilmember District 5 MIKE CLAUSEN Councilmember District 6 The City Council of the City of La Porte met in a special meeting on Saturday, April 14, 2012, at 8:30 a.m., at the La Porte Police Department in the Training Room, located at 3001 N. 23rd Street, La Porte, Texas, to consider the following items of business: 1. Call to Order Mayor Rigby called the meeting to order at 8:30 a.m. Memb Councilmembers Zemanek, Engelken, Leonard, Kaminski, Clausen, Council absent: Councilmembers Mosteit and Moser. Councilmembe special meeting at 8:51 a.m. Members of City Executive Staff and City Employees Present: City Manager's Office: Steve Gillett and Traci Leach City Secretary's Office: Patrice Fogarty Finance: Michael Dolby, Gay Collins and Shelley Wolny Parks: Stephen Barr Planning: Tim Tietjens Police Department: Ken Adcox Fire: Mike Boaze and Clifton Meekins Municipal Court: Denise Mitrano r ers of Council present: and Martin. Members of Zemanek arrived at the 2. Discussion or other action — The purpose of this meeting is to discuss and formulate City Council and staff plans, operations, policies, and future projects, including the following: A. Citizen Survey Results — Traci Leach Assistant City Manager Traci Leach presented results of the citizen survey and answered questions by Council. Council directed staff to provide a brief summary at a future Council meeting of the citizen survey results in addition to providing a spreadsheet with the results on the website for the public. B. City iPhone App — Mayor Rigby Assistant City Manager Traci Leach discussed producing a City application for smart phones. Council directed staff to contact the cities of Deer Park and Huntsville with reference to utilization of their iPhone app and to go forward with development of an app for the new budget year in both the iPhone and Droid platforms. C. IT Overview — Traci Leach Assistant City Manager Traci Leach presented an overview regarding the operation of the IT Department. Council asked staff to determine whether an audit of IT has been performed in Page 1 of 3 April 14, 2012, City Council Special Meeting Minutes recent years, to assure the department is operating successfully. Council also advised staff they are receptive of future proposed IT items. D. Financial Overview and Projections — Michael Dolby Finance Director Michael Dolby presented a financial overview, with an update on revenues and expenditures, together with general fund long-range financial plan assumptions. He also gave an update on the utility fund and other enterprise funds. Mayor Rigby recessed for a break at 9:35 a.m. Mayor Rigby reconvened the special meeting at 9:50 p.m. E. Employee Health Insurance: Tiered Plan — Mayor Rigby Assistant City Manager Traci Leach discussed a tiered plan for employee health insurance. Councilmember Zemanek commented he would like to see options to limit out -of -network expenses. Mayor Rigby commented 60 to 70 percent of the claims are paid for dependents. Council informed staff they had no objections to the 172 Committee to look at all options for consideration. F. Charter Review — Mayor Rigby Mayor Rigby discussed the history of the city charter and asked if Council desired to appoint a committee to review the charter. Council advised they are in favor of the charter reviewed. Each councilmember will appoint someone to sit on the committee. Patrice Fogarty will be the liaison for the committee. G. Planning/Code Enforcement Operational Review — Mayor Rigby Mayor Rigby discussed performing an operational review of Planning/Code Enforcement Department/Division. Council directed staff to prepare a Request for Proposals that coincides with the budget to audit the operations of the Planning/Code Enforcement Department/Division. Mayor Rigby recessed for a break at 11:00 a.m. Mayor Rigby reconvened the special meeting at 11:10 a.m. H. Five Points Plaza Uses — S. Barr Parks and Recreation Director Stephen Barr gave a presentation regarding the usage of Five Points Plaza. Council indicated agreement with the suggested usages, and provided a few ideas, as well. Child Safety Program — K. Adcox Chief of Police Ken Adcox gave a presentation regarding a child safety program. City Council agreed unanimously to move forward with a Youth Safety and Alcohol Awareness Program for approval at a future Council Meeting. Mayor Rigby recessed for a lunch at 11:47 a.m. Mayor Rigby reconvened the special meeting at 11:57 a.m. 3. Receive Direction from City Council on upcoming 2012-2013 Fiscal Year Budget Interim City Manager Steve Gillett presented projections for 2012-2013 Fiscal Year Budget and received supportive comments. Page 2 of 3 April 14, 2012, City Council Special Meeting Minutes 4. Council Comments Mayor Rigby commented and informed Council he received a call from SGR (Strategic Governmental Resources) advising there are 14 City Manager candidates who have completed questionnaires. A copy will be provided for all councilmembers. Mayor Rigby also reported he had a meeting with the Port of Houston, and they informed de -silting will begin around the May/June timeframe. Mayor Rigby also expressed his appreciation of staff for preparing for the retreat. 5. Executive Session — The City Council reserves the right to meet in a closed session on any agenda item should the need arise and if applicable pursuant to authorization by Title 5, Chapter 551, of the Texas Government Code. There was no executive session. 6. Reconvene into Regular Session and Consider Action, if any, on items discussed in Executive Session. There was no executive session. 7. Adjourn The meeting was adjourned at 12:15 p.m. Respectfully submitted, Patrice Fogarty, City S etary Passed ed on April 23, 2012. Mayo Luis R. Ri y Page 3 of 3 April 14, 2012, City Council Special Meeting Minutes