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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2013-02-11 Regular Meeting of La Porte City Council minutesLOUIS 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 FEBRUARY 11, 2013 DARYLLEONARD 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, February 11, 2013, 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, Clausen, Kaminski, Martin, Leonard and Moser. Also present were City Secretary Patrice Fogarty, City Manager Corby Alexander and Assistant City Attorney Clark Askins. 2. INVOCATION - The invocation was given by Dee Spears, Fairmont Park Baptist Church. 3. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE - The Pledge of Allegiance was led by Councilmember Jay Martin. 4. PUBLIC COMMENTS (Limited to five minutes per person.) There were no public comments. 5. 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 January 28, 2013 — P. Fogarty (b) Consider approval or other action regarding an Ordinance calling a Special Election of the City of La Porte, Texas for proposed amendments to the La Porte Home Rule Charter, for May 11, 2013 — P. Fogarty (c) Consider approval or other action authorizing the Mayor to execute an agreement between San Jacinto College and the City of La Porte for the transfer of a used fire engine for training purposes — T. Leach (d) Consider approval other action to authorize the expenditure of La Porte Development Corporation Board funds for a service contract with Catalyst Commercial for a Retail Study and Market Analysis — T. Leach (e) Consider approval or other action regarding Ordinances authorizing execution by the City of La Porte of an Industrial District Agreement with Clark Freight Lines, Inc., and an Industrial District Agreement with Strang Road Industrial LLC — K. Powell (f) Consider approval or other action regarding an Ordinance authorizing the Mayor to execute a Special Warranty Deed for Lots 7 & 8, Block 66, and Lots 7-9, Block 105, Town of La Porte to the Bay Area Habitat for Humanity — T. Tietjens Page 1 of 5 February 11, 2013, City Council Meeting Minutes 6. Regarding Consent Item 5c, Councilmember Zemanek questioned the value of the used fire engine. Assistant City Manager Traci Leach responded $5,000.00 to $15,000.00 if auctioned. Councilmember Zemanek questioned if the fire engine is in service at the present time. Assistant City Manager Traci Leach responded the fire engine is in reserve due to the new fire engine being in service. Mayor Rigby commented the proposed fire engine is located at the fire training facility and is an additional fire engine at the fire training facility. Mayor Rigby asked if Councilmember Zemanek wished to vote on this item separately, and he responded no. Regarding Consent Item 5b, Assistant City Attorney Clark Askins read the caption of Ordinance 3466: AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF LA PORTE, TEXAS ORDERING A SPECIAL ELECTION ON PROPOSED AMENDMENTS TO THE LA PORTE, TEXAS HOME RULE CITY CHARTER TO BE HELD ON MAY 11, 2013, CONCURRENT WITH THE REGULAR MUNICIPAL ELECTION FOR CITY COUNCIL MEMBERS; PROPOSING AMENDMENTS TO THE CITY OF LA PORTE, TEXAS, HOME RULE CITY CHARTER; PROVIDING FOR THE PUBLICATION AND POSTING OF NOTICE; CONTAINING A SEVERABILITY CLAUSE, FINDING COMPLIANCE WITH THE OPEN MEETINGS LAW; PROVIDING FOR PUBLIC NOTICE; AND PROVIDING AN EFFECTIVE DATE HEREOF. Regarding Consent Item 5e, Assistant City Attorney Clark Askins read the caption of Ordinance 3467: AN ORDINANCE AUTHORIZING THE EXECUTION BY THE CITY OF LA PORTE OF AN INDUSTRIAL DISTRICT AGREEMENT WITH CLARK FREIGHT LINES INC., A TEXAS CORPORATION FOR THE TERM COMMENCING JANUARY 1, 2008, AND ENDING DECEMBER 31, 2019, MAKING VARIOUS FINDINGS AND PROVISIONS RELATING TO THE SUBJECT, FINDING COMPLIANCE WITH THE OPEN MEETINGS LAW, AND PROVIDING AN EFFECTIVE DATE HEREOF. Ordinance 3468: AN ORDINANCE AUTHORIZING THE EXECUTION BY THE CITY OF LA PORTE OF AN INDUSTRIAL DISTRICT AGREEMENT WITH STRANG ROAD INDUSTRIAL LLC., A TEXAS LIMITED LIABILITY COMPANY FOR THE TERM COMMENCING JANUARY 1, 2008, AND ENDING DECEMBER 31, 2019, 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 5f, Assistant City Attorney Clark Askins read the caption of Ordinance 3469: AN ORDINANCE APPROVING AND AUTHORIZING THE DONATION OF LOTS 7 AND 8 OF BLOCK 66, AND LOTS 7, 8, AND 9 OF BLOCK 105, TOWN OF LA PORTE, HARRIS COUNTY , TEXAS, TO LA PORTE CHAPTER, BAY AREA HABITAT FOR HUMANITY, A TEXAS NON-PROFIT CORPORATION, FOR THE CONSTRUCTION OF AFFORDABLE HOUSING, MAKING VARIOUS FINDINGS AND PROVISIONS RELATING TO THE SUBJECT; FINDING COMPLIANCE WITH THE OPEN MEETINGS LAW; AND PROVIDING AN EFFECTIVE DATE HEREOF. Councilmember Leonard moved to approve the Consent Agenda pursuant to recommendations by staff. Councilmember Engelken seconded. MOTION PASSED. Ayes: Mayor Rigby, Councilmembers Martin, Engelken, Zemanek, Kaminski, Leonard, Clausen, Mosteit, and Moser Nays: None Absent: None AUTHORIZATIONS (a) Consider approval or other action appropriating an additional $8,700.00 to fund a design -build contract for installation of a satellite restroom facility for Pecan Park Sports Complex — S. Barr Parks and Recreation Director presented a summary. Councilmember Engelken moved to appropriate an additional $8,700.00 to fund a design -build contract for installation of a satellite restroom facility for Pecan Park Sports Complex. Councilmember Martin seconded. MOTION PASSED. Page 2 of 5 February 11, 2013, City Council Meeting Minutes Ayes: Mayor Rigby, Councilmembers Engelken, Zemanek, Kaminski, Leonard, Mosteit, Clausen, Martin and Moser Nays: None Absent: None 7. REPORTS (a) Receive 2012 La Porte Police Department Racial Profiling Report — K. Adcox Chief of Police Ken Adcox presented the 2012 La Porte Police Department Racial Profiling Report. There were no questions from Council. (b) Receive Blue Tarp Report — D. Wilmore Planning Director Tim Tietjens presented an update on the Blue Tarp Report, as Building Official Wilmore was not in attendance. Councilmember Kaminski questioned which home was rebuilding. Planning Director Tim Tietjens responded 426 S. 4th St. Councilmember Zemanek questioned if the homeowners had any contact with the City advising of remediation plans. Mr. Tietjens responded no. Councilmember Martin questioned if other citizens complain about the blue tarps. Mr. Tietjens responded he is not aware of any specific complaints in the last year. Councilmember Kaminski questioned if any code enforcement reports were received on 514 S. Blackwell St. Mr. Tietjens responded not that he recalls. Councilmember Clausen questioned whether all of the homes are inhabited. Mr. Tietjens responded all of the homes are homestead exempted except two. Councilmember Moser commented he has not heard of any complaints regarding the homes with blue tarps; and he believes if the owners had the money to repair the roofs, they will. Mayor Rigby questioned what would happen if Council advised that blue tarps need to be removed within a certain amount of time. Mr. Tietjens responded the City can move forward with code enforcement actions. Mayor Rigby then questioned if staff had contacted groups to provide assistance to homeowners. Mr. Tietjens responded staff had in the past and will contact groups for assistance, again. Councilmember Martin commented he has approached groups for assistance and advised they do not like to repair roofs due to liability issues. Councilmember Zemanek questioned the current tax status of the homes. Mr. Tietjens advised he will send Council a report of the current tax status of the homes. Councilmember Moser advised Council of a situation with a citizen (Mr. Morrison) on the Northside. Mr. Morrison received a citation for his roof and did not have money for repairs. Fortunately, St. John's Episcopal Church assisted with the repair. Councilmember Moser questioned how will citizens repair their roofs if there is not any financial means with which to do so. Mayor Rigby commented he, too, is concerned if homeowners do not have financial means, but he's also concerned if they did not take advantage of the list of opportunities provided to them by the City. Page 3 of 5 February 11, 2013, City Council Meeting Minutes Councilmember Moser commented if there are no complaints from neighbors, there is no urgency. Mayor Rigby then asked Council whether they have some direction to provide to staff. Councilmember Moser commented to let the blue tarps remain another year with the same standards as the previous year. Councilmember Martin commented the City should move forward with code enforcement actions if a home is vacant. Councilmember Kaminski commented the owner of 514 S. Blackwell probably has the means to repair the roof, but the City is not enforcing the issue. Mayor Rigby directed staff to check with Lubrizol and Albemarle, and others, for possible assistance, in addition to contacting homeowners; and report back at the next Council Meeting or a meeting in March. 8. ADMINISTRATIVE REPORTS (a) Receive report from City Manager • La Porte Development Corporation Board Meeting, Tuesday, February 12, 2013 • La Porte Area Water Authority Meeting, Tuesday, February 12, 2013 • Special City Council Meeting, Monday, February 18, 2013 • La Porte Wrecker Committee Meeting, Tuesday, February 19, 2013 • Planning and Zoning Commission Meeting, Thursday, February 21, 2013 • City Council Meeting, Monday, February 25, 2013 City Manager Corby Alexander provided Administrative Reports, thanked everyone for their well wishes during his medical procedure last week, informed Council of the Meet and Greet on Tuesday, February 12, 2013, for the candidates of the Economic Development Coordinator position, and advised he is planning a tour of streets in problematic areas within the city. 9. 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 Martin, Moser, Kaminski, Zemanek, Leonard, Engelken, Mosteit, Clausen and Mayor Rigby. Councilmember Martin expressed his thoughts and prayers to the Ortiz family for their loss during the accident at Air Liquide and expressed gratitude to the Firefighters and First Responders; Councilmember Zemanek thanked the Fire Department and Emergency Medical Services for their hard work; Councilmember Leonard informed La Porte High School had several students competing in the Skills USA Competition on Friday and Saturday; Councilmembers Mosteit and Clausen welcomed City Manager Corby Alexander back and wished Finance Director Michael Dolby well upon his return to work. Mayor Rigby shared he attended an event at La Porte Community Church and seven Boy Scouts had received the Eagle Award. Mayor Rigby also informed Council that he and Assistant City Manager Traci Leach met at the City of Shoreacres with the Corps of Engineer and the company performing maintenance dredging on the Bayport side. The presentation included a noise plan submitted by the company and the need to utilize electricity to run the dredge and eliminate noise. Mayor Rigby advised an energy provider had been obtained, and it was not the deepening and widening expected next year. 10. 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. Page 4 of 5 February 11, 2013, City Council Meeting Minutes There was no executive session. 11. RECONVENE into regular session and consider action, if any, on item(s) discussed in executive session. There was no executive session. 12. ADJOURN There being no further business, the meeting adjourned at 6:36 p.m. Respectfully submitted, T Patrice Fogarty, Ci ecretar Passed y^,approved on February 25, 2013. Mayor Louis R. Page 5 of 5 February 11, 2013, City Council Meeting Minutes