HomeMy WebLinkAbout2012-09-24 Regular Meeting of La Porte City CouncilLOUIS RIGBY
Mayor
JOHN ZEMANEK
Mayor Pro Tem
Councilmember at Large A
DOTTIE KAMINSKI
Councilmember at Large B
MIKE MOSTEIT
Councilmember District 1
CHUCK ENGELKEN
Councilmember District 2
MINUTES OF THE REGULAR MEETING OF THE
CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF LA PORTE
SEPTEMBER 24, 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 regular meeting on Monday, September 24, 2012, at the
City Hall Council Chambers, 604 West Fairmont Parkway, La Porte, Texas, at 6:00 p.m. to consider the
following items of business:
1. CALL TO ORDER
Mayor Rigby called the meeting to order at 6:00 p.m. Members of Council present:
Councilmembers Zemanek, Engelken, Mosteit, Martin, Kaminski, Clausen and Moser. Also present
were City Secretary Patrice Fogarty, City Manager Corby Alexander, Assistant City Manager Traci
Leach and Assistant City Attorney Clark Askins. Councilmember Leonard was absent.
2.
3.
4.
5.
INVOCATION - The invocation was given by Rev. Brian Christen, La Porte Community Church.
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE - The Pledge of Allegiance was led by Councilmember Tommy Moser.
PRESENTATIONS, PROCLAMATIONS and RECOGNITIONS
(a) Proclamation — "Airport Appreciation Month" — Mayor Rigby
Mayor Rigby presented the "Airport Appreciation Month" proclamation to Gideon Jones.
PUBLIC COMMENTS (Limited to five minutes per person.)
Larry Haller, 122 S. 171h, addressed Council in favor of amendments to construction requirements
for dust free surfaces.
Charles Childress, #1 Bellchase Gardens, Beaumont, TX, addressed Council in favor of Item 7c,
reimbursing permit fees paid by La Porte Real Properties in the amount of $24,587.00.
Phillip Hoot, 927 Seabreeze, addressed Council opposed to Item 7c, reimbursing permit fees paid
by La Porte Real Properties in the amount of $24,587.00 due to the environmental impact adding fill
dirt to a property may cause. Mr. Hoot also addressed Council opposed to Item 8a, possible
amendments to construction requirements for dust free surfaces due to the item not being
discussed by the Planning and Zoning Commission prior to being considered by Council.
Mark Follis, 831 S. 7th, addressed Council regarding Item 7c, reimbursing permit fees paid by
La Porte Real Properties in the amount of $24,587.00. He believes there should be a cap on permit
fees paid for a fill dirt permit. In addition, Mr. Follis addressed Council concerning Item 8a, possible
amendments to construction requirements for dust free surfaces, and advised Council he was not
sure of the definition of a dust free surface and felt the item should be discussed by the Planning
and Zoning Commission prior to being considered by Council.
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September 24, 2012, City Council Meeting Minutes
6. CONSENT AGENDA (All consent agenda items are considered routine by City Council and will be enacted
by one motion. There will be no separate discussion of these items unless a Councilmember requests an
item be removed and considered separately.)
(a) Consider approval or other action regarding the minutes of regular City Council meeting
held on September 10, 2012 — P. Fogarty
(b) Consider approval or other action regarding an Interlocal Agreement between Harris County
Transit Authority and the City of La Porte for local bus service through October 31, 2013 —
T. Leach
(c) Consider approval or other action authorizing the City Manager to execute a Land Lease
Agreement with Trees for Houston — S. Barr
(d) Consider approval or other action regarding an ordinance authorizing the City Manager to
execute a Water Service and Sanitary Sewer Service Agreement with Vigavi Realty LLC., at
11804 Fairmont Parkway, in the Bayport Industrial District — T. Tietjens
(e) Consider approval or other action regarding an agreement with AT&T for Hosted Exchange
services utilizing DIR Contract No. DIR-SDD-646 — J. Suggs
(f) Consider approval or other action authorizing the City Manager to execute the First
Amendment to Interlocal Agreement with Harris County for the use of Harris County's Public
Safety Radio System — K. Adcox
(g) Consider approval or other action amending a Resolution that discloses the authority to
commit fund balances and set a reserve policy and commit funds for current capital
projects — M. Dolby
(h) Consider approval or other action regarding an ordinance amending the City of La Porte
Development Ordinance by capping fill dirt permit fees for project sites — T. Tietjens
Regarding Consent Item 6g, Mayor Rigby removed the item for voting separately.
Regarding Consent Item 6d, Assistant City Attorney Clark Askins read the caption of Ordinance
2012-3435: AN ORDINANCE APPROVING AND AUTHORIZING A WATER SERVICE AGREEMENT AND
A SANITARY SEWER SERVICE AGREEMENT BETWEEN THE CITY OF LA PORTE AND VIGAVI
REALTY, LLC (11804 FAIRMONT PARKWAY, BAYPORT INDUSTRIAL DISTRICT), MAKING VARIOUS
FINDINGS AND PROVISIONS RELATING TO THE SUBJECT; FINDING COMPLIANCE WITH THE OPEN
MEETINGS LAW; AND PROVIDING AN EFFECTIVE DATE HEREOF.
Regarding Consent Item 6f, Assistant City Attorney Clark Askins read the caption of Ordinance
2012-3436: AN ORDINANCE APPROVING AND AUTHORIZING AN AMENDMENT TO AN INTERLOCAL
AGREEMENT BETWEEN THE CITY OF LA PORTE AND HARRIS COUNTY, RELATING TO PAYMENT
TERMS FOR THE USE OF THE HARRIS COUNTY PUBLIC SAFETY RADIO SYSTEM, MAKING VARIOUS
FINDINGS AND PROVISIONS RELATING TO THE SUBJECT; FINDING COMPLIANCE WITH THE OPEN
MEETINGS LAW; AND PROVIDING AN EFFECTIVE DATE HEREOF.
Councilmember Engelken moved to approve Consent Agenda Items a-f and h, pursuant to
recommendations by staff. Councilmember Mosteit seconded. MOTION PASSED.
Ayes: Mayor Rigby, Councilmembers Engelken, Zemanek, Kaminski,
Clausen, Mosteit, Martin and Moser
Nays: None
Absent: Councilmember Leonard
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September 24, 2012, City Council Meeting Minutes
Councilmember Engelken moved to approve Consent Agenda Item G, with an amendment in the
body of the Resolution to show adoption is by a majority and not by resolution. Councilmember
Mosteit seconded. MOTION PASSED.
Ayes: Mayor Rigby, Councilmembers Engelken, Zemanek, Kaminski,
Clausen, Mosteit, Martin and Moser
Nays: None
Absent: Councilmember Leonard
Regarding Consent Item 6g, Assistant City Attorney Clark Askins read the caption of Resolution
2012-10: A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY OF LA PORTE, TEXAS ESTABLISHING FUND BALANCE
POLICIES AS REQUIRED BY GASB 54; FINDING COMPLIANCE WITH THE OPEN MEETINGS LAW; AND
SETTING AN EFFECTIVE DATE THEREOF.
7. AUTHORIZATIONS/ORDINANCES/RESOLUTIONS
(a) Consider approval or other action authorizing the City Manager to execute a professional
services agreement with Mueller Management for the Planning Department audit — T. Leach
Assistant City Manager Traci Leach presented a summary. Alan Mueller and Ron Cox were in
attendance at the meeting and provided brief comments. This audit will entail analyzing
development processes and City management of those processes. There will be input from the
public sector, as well as from developers.
Councilmember Engelken moved to authorize the City Manager to execute a professional services
agreement with Mueller Management for a Planning Department audit. Councilmember Martin
seconded. MOTION PASSED.
Ayes: Mayor Rigby, Councilmembers Engelken, Zemanek, Kaminski,
Clausen, Mosteit, Martin and Moser
Nays: None
Absent: Councilmember Leonard
At this time Assistant City Attorney Clark Askins read the caption of Ordinance 2012-3437, which
was adopted under Consent Item 6h, as reading the caption was inadvertently overlooked at the
time. AN ORDINANCE AMENDING SECTION 11.02, DRAINAGE AND STORM SEWERS, AS
ESTABLISHED IN LA PORTE ORDINANCE NO. 1444-A, AND AS AMENDED, REGULATING THE
PLATTING OR REPLATTING OF LAND INTO SUBDIVISIONS IN THE CITY OF LA PORTE AND WITHIN
THE EXTRATERRITORIAL JURISDICTION OF THE CITY OF LA PORTE; PROVIDING THAT ANY
PERSON VIOLATING THE TERMS OF THIS ORDINANCE SHALL BE DEEMED GUILTY OF A
MISDEMEANOR AND SHALL UPON CONVICTION BE FINDED IN A SUM OF NOT MORE THAN TWO
THOUSAND DOLLARS ($2,000.00) FOR EACH VIOLATION; FINDING COMPLIANCE WITH THE OPEN
MEETINGS LAW; PROVIDING A SAVINGS CLAUSE AND A SEVERABILITY CLAUSE; AND PROVIDING
AN EFFECTIVE DATE HEREOF.
(b) Consider approval or other action authorizing the Parks and Recreation Director to execute
an agreement with Robin and Leticia Rollins for continued operation of a Vendor's Market at
Five Points Plaza — S. Barr
Parks and Recreation Director Stephen Barr presented a summary.
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September 24, 2012, City Council Meeting Minutes
Councilmember Martin moved to authorize the Parks and Recreation Director to execute an
agreement with Robin and Leticia Rollins for continued operation of a Vendor's Market at Five
Points Plaza. Councilmember Moser seconded. MOTION PASSED.
Ayes: Mayor Rigby, Councilmembers Engelken, Zemanek, Kaminski,
Clausen, Mosteit, Martin and Moser
Nays: None
Absent: Councilmember Leonard
(c) Consider approval or other action reimbursing permit fees paid by La Porte Real Properties
in the amount of $24,587.00 — T. Tietjens
Planning Director Tim Tietjens presented a summary.
Councilmember Martin moved to reimburse permit fees paid by La Porte Real Properties in the
amount of $24, 587.00. Councilmember Zemanek seconded. MOTION PASSED.
Ayes: Mayor Rigby, Councilmembers Engelken, Zemanek, Kaminski,
Clausen, Mosteit and Martin
Nays: Councilmember Moser
Absent: Councilmember Leonard
(d) Consider approval or other action regarding proposed Meet and Confer Agreement between
the City of La Porte and the La Porte Police Officers' Association — K. Adcox
Chief of Police Ken Adcox presented a summary.
Councilmember Engelken moved to approve the Meet and Confer Agreement between the City of
La Porte and the La Porte Police Officers' Association. Councilmember Zemanek seconded.
MOTION PASSED.
Ayes: Mayor Rigby, Councilmembers Engelken, Zemanek, Kaminski,
Clausen, Mosteit, Martin and Moser
Nays: None
Absent: Councilmember Leonard
(e) Discussion or other action regarding comprehensive street evaluation — D. Pennell
Assistant Public Works Director Don Pennell presented a summary.
Councilmember Moser questioned the process for repair of roads after the rating. Assistant Public
Works Director Don Pennell responded after the rating of the worst roads, there will need to be a
condition assessment and re-evaluation the base and sub -grade. City Manager Corby Alexander
commented after the ratings are presented to Council for review, staff will need direction from
Council on an approach for moving forward.
Councilmember Zemanek questioned if when the evaluation is being performed will Council be
advised why the streets failed during the rating. Assistant Public Works Director Don Pennell
responded Council will be advised if there is base failure on the roads but not the severity of the
base failure.
Councilmember Engelken questioned how many City streets vs. the streets in the county will be
evaluated. Assistant Public Works Director Don Pennell responded all 125 miles of streets will be
evaluated.
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September 24, 2012, City Council Meeting Minutes
Councilmember Moser moved to authorize the City Manager to execute a professional services
agreement with HDR Engineering Inc., in the amount of $28,670.00 to be funded from the Street
Tax (Fund 033) reserve balance. Councilmember Engelken seconded. MOTION PASSED.
Ayes: Mayor Rigby, Councilmembers Engelken, Zemanek, Kaminski,
Clausen, Mosteit, Martin and Moser
Nays: None
Absent: Councilmember Leonard
8. DISCUSSION OR OTHER ACTION
(a) Discussion or other action regarding possible amendments to construction requirements for
dust free surfaces — T. Tietjens
Planning Director Tim Tietjens presented a very brief summary and advised the item was being
presented to Council in order to receive general direction.
Councilmember Engelken moved to send this item to the Planning and Zoning Commission for their
consideration and recommendation of amendments, if any, to construction requirements for dust
free surfaces prior to coming back to Council. Councilmember Moser seconded. MOTION
PASSED.
Ayes: Mayor Rigby, Councilmembers Engelken, Zemanek, Kaminski,
Clausen, Mosteit, Martin and Moser
Nays: None
Absent: Councilmember Leonard
(b) Discussion or other action regarding ordinance establishing guidelines for travel and
business expenses by City Council members when attending educational meetings — Mayor
Rigby
Mayor Rigby presented this item for consideration by Council for any questions or suggested
changes.
Council expressed no comments and posed no amendments to this ordinance which establishes
guidelines for travel and business expenses by City Council members when attending educational
meetings.
(c) Discussion or other action regarding letter of support for the Port of Houston Sunset
Advisory Commission — Mayor Rigby
Mayor Rigby presented a summary.
Councilmember Martin moved to send a letter of support for the Port of Houston Sunset Advisory
Commission. Clausen seconded. MOTION PASSED.
Ayes: Mayor Rigby, Councilmembers Engelken, Zemanek, Kaminski,
Clausen, Mosteit, Martin and Moser
Nays: None
Absent: Councilmember Leonard
(d) Discussion or other action regarding vote for nominees for the Texas Municipal League
Intergovernmental Risk Pool Board of Trustees — P. Fogarty
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September 24, 2012, City Council Meeting Minutes
City Secretary Patrice Fogarty presented this item with suggestions for candidates on whom
Council may wish to vote.
Councilmember Clausen moved to cast the City's vote for Greg Ingham, Place 11, Larry Gilley,
Place 12, Byron Black, Place 13 and Michael S. Nyren, Place 14, for TML-IRP Board of Trustees.
Martin seconded. MOTION PASSED.
Ayes: Mayor Rigby, Councilmembers Engelken, Zemanek, Kaminski,
Clausen, Mosteit, Martin and Moser
Nays: None
Absent: Councilmember Leonard
(e) Discussion or other action appointing members to various boards, commissions and
committees — P. Fogarty
City Secretary Patrice Fogarty presented this item by asking Council if there were any nominations
for the vacancy on the Building Codes Appeals Board and for the Governmental Body's
Representative on the Firefighter's Pension Board.
Councilmember Zemanek moved appoint Lindsay Pfeiffer, to Position 4, on the Building Codes
Appeals Board and John Kling, as the Governmental Body Representative on the Firefighter's
Pension Board. Councilmember Moser seconded. MOTION PASSED.
Ayes: Mayor Rigby, Councilmembers Engelken, Zemanek, Kaminski,
Clausen, Mosteit, Martin and Moser
Nays: None
Absent: Councilmember Leonard
9. STAFF REPORTS
(a) Receive report of Fiscal Affairs Committee — Councilmember Engelken
Councilmember Engelken provided a report from the Fiscal Affairs Committee meeting which took
place prior to the council meeting.
(b) Receive Delinquent Tax Report — Mayor Rigby
There were no questions from Council.
10. ADMINISTRATIVE REPORTS
(a) Citizens Charter Review Advisory Commission Meeting, Tuesday, September 25, 2012
(b) Salute to Industry Golf Tournament, Wednesday, October 3, 2012
(c) Salute to Industry Dinner, Thursday, October 4, 2012
(d) City Council Meeting, Monday, October 8, 2012
(e) City Council Meeting, Monday October 22, 2012
City Manager Corby Alexander advised Council that staff will soon be advising of any deficiencies
that need to be addressed due to a natural disaster, and he thanked the La Porte Police Officers'
Association for working hard and reaching an agreement for the upcoming year.
11. COUNCIL COMMENTS regarding matters appearing on the agenda; recognition of community
members, city employees, and upcoming events; inquiry of staff regarding specific factual
information or existing policies — Councilmembers Moser, Kaminski, Zemanek, Leonard, Engelken,
Mosteit, Clausen, Martin and Mayor Rigby.
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September 24, 2012, City Council Meeting Minutes
Councilmember Moser expressed his thanks to Habitat for Humanity for assisting citizens in the
community; Councilmember Zemanek welcomed Councilmember Kaminski back after being ill;
Councilmember Mosteit congratulated the La Porte Police Officers' Association on their agreement
and congratulated the recipients of the "Airport Appreciation Month" proclamation; Councilmember
Martin thanked La Porte High School students for attending the meeting; and Mayor Rigby
expressed his desire to see a large attendance at the Second Annual La Porte Airplane and Auto
Show on October 6. He also informed Council he had been advised by State Representative
Wayne Smith that he will support Council if they do not favor a heavy haul corridor.
12. EXECUTIVE SESSION
The City Council reserves the right to meet in 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, including, but not limited to, the following:
Texas Government Code, Section 551.071(1)(A) — Pending or Contemplated Litigation — State
vs. Port of Houston - Sound Mediation
Texas Government Code, Section 551.071(1)(A) — Pending or Contemplated Litigation — Tammy
Cooper vs. City of La Porte
Texas Government Code, Section 551.074 — Deliberation concerning the appointment,
employment, evaluation, reassignment, duties, discipline, or dismissal of a public officer or
employee: Corby Alexander, City Manager
City Council recessed the regular meeting to convene an executive session at 7:03 p.m. to discuss
the State vs. Port of Houston — Sound Mediation; Tammy Cooper vs. City of La Porte; and the
appointment, employment, evaluation, reassignment, duties, discipline, or dismissal of a public
officer or employee: Corby Alexander, City Manager.
13. RECONVENE into regular session and consider action, if any, on item(s) discussed in executive
session.
The regular meeting was reconvened at 7:56 p.m. Mayor Rigby commented the item State vs. Port
of Houston - Sound Mediation had been postponed until the next meeting due to additional pending
information; regarding the item Tammy Cooper vs. City of La Porte, information was received from
the Texas Municipal League -appointed attorney; and there were no comments or Council action
regarding the item on City Manager Corby Alexander.
14. ADJOURN
There being no further business, Councilmember Engelken moved to adjourn the meeting at 7:58
p.m. Councilmember Zemanek seconded. MOTION PASSED UNANIMOUSLY.
R ectfully submitted,
&M4 & -Aq4A :tAi
Patrice Fogarty, C' ecreta
Passed an p r don ctober 8, 2012.
May r Lo is R. i by
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September 24, 2012, City Council Meeting Minutes