HomeMy WebLinkAbout2013-03-25 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
DARYLLEONARD
Councilmember District 3
TOMMY MOSER
Councilmember District 4
JAY MARTIN
Councilmember District 5
MIKE CLAUSEN
Councilmember District 6
MINUTES OF THE REGULAR MEETING OF THE
CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF LA PORTE
MARCH 25, 2013
The City Council of the City of La Porte met in a regular meeting on Monday, March 25, 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 6:01 p.m. Members of Council present:
Councilmembers Zemanek, Engelken, Kaminski, Mosteit, Clausen, Leonard and Moser. Absent:
Councilmember Martin. Also present were City Secretary Patrice Fogarty, City Manager Corby
Alexander and Assistant City Attorney Clark Askins.
2. INVOCATION - The invocation was given by Brian Christen, La Porte Community Church.
3. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE - The Pledge of Allegiance was led by Councilmember John Zemanek.
4. PUBLIC COMMENTS (Limited to five minutes per person.)
Mike Henley, who had previously phoned in that he was attending to speak, was not present to
address Council regarding the closing of Main Street for community events.
John Kling, 11025 Pinewood, La Porte, addressed Council informing his wife fell some time ago
due to a cracked sidewalk in their subdivision. Mr. Kling advised a claim was filed with the City; and
as per procedure, it was sent to the Texas Municipal League. They are not expecting
compensation for the accident; he just wanted to report it and make the City aware of the conditions
of sidewalks. Mr. Kling also noted a broken sidewalk that he reported in 2000 has still not been
replaced or repaired. In addition, Mr. Kling addressed Council regarding an oil slick area, which is
hazardous material on the road in the subdivision. He provided photos of sidewalks and the oil slick
area.
Carl Blankenship, 5429 Rock Springs Dr., La Porte, addressed Council regarding the paving of a
dirt road located at Bayshore Drive, Broadway and A Street. Mr. Blankenship advised Council a
vehicle and trailer should be removed before the road is paved. Mr. Blankenship also addressed
the situation of the ditch along that dirt road. He stated some culvert is being placed, but not
enough in order for the ditch area to be accessible for parking. That area has been used for parking
for many years according to Mr. Blankenship. He provided photographs for Council's review.
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 March 11, 2013 — P. Fogarty
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March 25, 2013, City Council Meeting Minutes
(b) Consider approval or other action regarding an ordinance authorizing the City Manager to
execute a Water Service Agreement with Kuraray Inc., located at 13100 Bay Area Blvd. —
T. Tietjens
(c) Consider approval or other action authorizing the City Manager to execute a contract with
Sweetwater Pools, Inc. for lifeguarding services and approving a base line purchase order
for services to be provided for the 2013 swim season — S. Barr
Regarding Consent Item 5b, Assistant City Attorney Clark Askins read the caption of Ordinance 2013-3472:
AN ORDINANCE APPROVING AND AUTHORIZING AN INTERLOCAL WATER SERVICE AGREEMENT
BETWEEN THE CITY OF LA PORTE AND KURARAY, INC., FINDING COMPLIANCE WITH THE OPEN
MEETINGS LAW, AND PROVIDING AN EFFECTIVE DATE HEREOF.
Councilmember Engelken moved to approve the Consent Agenda pursuant to staff
recommendations. Councilmember Mosteit seconded. MOTION PASSED.
Ayes: Mayor Rigby, Councilmembers Zemanek, Kaminski, Engelken,
Mosteit, Clausen, Leonard and Moser
Nays: None
Absent: Councilmember Martin
6. AUTHORIZATIONS
(a) Consider approval or other action awarding Bid #13012 for Farrington Boulevard Utility
Relocation — D. Mick
Public Works Director Dave Mick recommended tabling the award of Bid #13012 for Farrington
Boulevard Utility Relocation and Council address it at another meeting. A special meeting could be
called.
Councilmember Zemanek questioned if staff considered rebidding the work
Public Works Director Dave Mick responded staff has considered rebidding but it would take
additional time and the City utility relocation in the northern part of the project has to be complete by
June 1, 2013.
Councilmember Zemanek commented that someone procrastinating does not make it his
emergency.
Councilmember Clausen commented the southern portion of Farrington can be rebid; but if Council
did not move forward relocating utilities, they would miss the opportunity to complete the portion of
Collingswood to Spencer this summer. Councilmember Zemanek responded his comments are
noted.
Councilmember Moser questioned whether Harris County could move forward with the project if the
City did not relocate the water lines. Mr. Mick responded no; Harris County has a large storm
sewer down Farrington for relieving drainage and cannot move forward with the City utilities in the
way.
Mayor Rigby asked when did Harris County decide they would do the project. Mr. Mick responded
the City was notified in December, but he is not sure when Harris County actually decided.
Councilmember Kaminski asked City Manager Corby Alexander if Harris County indicated at a
previous meeting with Jack Rodriquez that they were ready to move forward with the project and
were waiting on the City. Mr. Alexander responded he understood they were at 60 percent plans
and will be ready to move forward. Public Works Director Dave Mick commented they were at 90
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March 25, 2013, City Council Meeting Minutes
percent plans unless there were additional changes which he has not seen and the changes were
forwarded to Senior Engineer Julian Garza.
Councilmember Zemanek asked what change took place to make the estimated project for the City
go from $400,000.00 to $578,000.00. Mr. Mick responded a couple of sanitary sewer extensions in
conflict that were not noticed by either the City or the consultant for Harris County, and higher
bidding than anticipated. Councilmember Zemanek commented he is not opposed to the project,
but the City knew about it four months ago and now a Special Meeting is being proposed.
Councilmember Clausen commented it was a Harris County project, and the City was requested to
relocate the utilities in December.
Councilmember Engelken asked Councilmember Clausen how long Harris County has been
holding the grant. Councilmember Clausen advised he did not know.
Mayor Rigby questioned Paskey bidding $.99 per square yard for removal of existing concrete
pavement on Section A (Waterline) of the Bid Tabulation and bidding $10.00 per square yard for
removal of existing concrete pavement on Section B (Sanitary Sewer). Public Works Director Dave
Mick responded Paskey was not expecting to remove concrete for waterline installation and bid a
nominal amount, and there are too many constraints with setting the boring machine to install the
sanitary sewer system.
Councilmember Clausen moved to go forward with the project. Councilmember Mosteit seconded.
MOTION FAILED.
Ayes: Mayor Rigby, Councilmembers Engelken, Mosteit, and
Clausen
Nays: Councilmembers Moser, Kaminski, Zemanek and Leonard
Absent: Councilmember Martin
Councilmember Zemanek moved to table this item until a special meeting on April 1, 2013, as
recommended by the Director of Public Works. Councilmember Leonard seconded. MOTION
PASSED.
Ayes: Mayor Rigby, Councilmembers Engelken, Mosteit, Clausen,
Moser, Zemanek, Leonard and Kaminski
Nays: None
Absent: Councilmember Martin
(b) Consider approval or other action awarding Bid #13014 for Wave Pool Mechanical Building
Renovation — S. Barr
Parks and Recreation Director Stephen Barr presented a summary
Councilmember Engelken asked why is there a delay to just now doing the project with the summer
coming on. Parks and Recreation Director Barr advised additional issues were discovered after the
engineer's assessment.
Mayor Rigby questioned if the bid from Aztec meets the scope of work. Mr. Barr responded yes.
Councilmember Moser questioned if the building could be utilized an additional year. Mr. Barr
responded the building has severe structural issues.
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Councilmember Zemanek moved to accept the bid proposal for Wave Pool Mechanical Building
Renovation and open the Wave Pool as scheduled. Councilmember Clausen seconded. MOTION
PASSED.
Ayes: Mayor Rigby, Councilmembers Zemanek, Kaminski, Engelken,
Mosteit, Clausen, Leonard and Moser
Nays: None
Absent: Councilmember Martin
Mayor Rigby left the table at 6:50 p.m. and returned at 6:51 p.m.
7. DISCUSSION OR OTHER ACTION
(a) Discussion or other action regarding Utility Infrastructure Report — D. Mick
Public Works Director Dave Mick Public Works presented a report regarding Utility Infrastructure
and recommended $2 million a year for capital improvements. He stated one way to fund this is a
$1.50 fee per 1000 gallons.
Councilmember Zemanek commented a citizen owning a $150,000.00 home would see a 12.7
percent increase, which amounts to a tax that is not deductible.
Councilmember Engelken questioned the current capacity to issue debt. City Manager Corby
Alexander responded around $7 million. Councilmember Engelken commented debt has not been
issued in a while; so, there is capacity, and a $9.00 a month fee is not the way to go.
Councilmember Moser questioned if the increase in fund balance was $4,600,000. City Manager
Corby Alexander responded yes.
Councilmember Mosteit questioned Public Works Director Dave Mick when staff rehabilitates the lift
stations on L Street, will they consider the potential for Harris County to expand L Street in the
future. Mr. Mick responded yes.
Council directed staff to look at other options to maintain the system without adding a fee to fund it.
(b) Discussion or other action regarding Street Report — D. Mick
Public Works Director Dave Mick and provided a report regarding the condition of streets in the City
of La Porte. HDR Project Manager, John Peterson, was present. Mr. Mick presented Council
with the following four options for funding street repairs.
Councilmember Mosteit left the table at 7:30 p.m. and returned at 7:33 p.m.
Option 1: Maintain current funding levels equal to the street tax revenue of approximately
$870,000.00 per year.
Option 2: Consider funding for replacing concrete 1/60 of the city streets assuming a 60-year life
cycle. This requires an increase in street maintenance funding of approximately $1,870,000 per
year over existing levels. With nearly two-thirds of the existing concrete streets maintained by the
City now over 40 years old, the City will not keep up with all streets reaching the projected 60-year
service life over the next 20 years.
Option 3: Consider funding for replacing concrete streets at an average age of concrete pavement
equal to 55 years old and re-evaluate after a follow-up comprehensive inspection in 4 years. This
requires an increase in street maintenance funding of approximately $3,400,000 per year over
existing levels. This option assumes 100 percent removal and replacement of concrete streets and
100 percent City funded over the next 20 years. Staff is not recommending this option.
Option 4: Consider funding an amount midway between Option 2 and Option 3. This requires an
increase in street maintenance funding of approximately $2,635,000 per year over existing levels.
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March 25, 2013, City Council Meeting Minutes
Mayor Rigby advised Council the item will be on the Council Budget Retreat Agenda on April 13,
and they will have time to review options for funding street replacement repairs.
8. REPORTS
(a) Receive Planning Audit Report — C. Alexander/T. Tietjens
Planning Director Tim Tietjens provided the Planning Audit Report and requested recommendations
from Council.
Councilmember Mosteit recommended staff review the input and recommendation from the Building
Codes Review Committee. Councilmember Moser agreed.
City Manager Corby Alexander suggested staff can provide a quarterly report as a consent item on
future Council agendas. Council directed staff to provide quarterly reports as suggested by Mr.
Alexander.
(b) Receive Delinquent Tax Report — Mayor Rigby
No action was taken; item for information only.
9. ADMINISTRATIVE REPORTS
(a) Receive report from City Manager
• La Porte Chamber of Commerce, State of the Cities Luncheon, Wednesday, March 27,
2013
• Zoning Board of Adjustment Meeting, Thursday, March 28, 2013
• City Council Meeting, Monday, April 8, 2013
• La Porte Development Corporation Board Meeting, Monday, April 22, 2013
• City Council Meeting, Monday, April 22, 2013
City Manager Corby Alexander provided Administrative Reports in addition to informing Council that
Finance Director Michael Dolby is expected to return to work on April 1, 2013.
10. 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, Zemanek, Leonard, Engelken, Mosteit, Clausen,
Martin, Moser, Kaminski and Mayor Rigby.
Councilmember Engelken thanked the City Secretary's Office and others who helped a constituent;
Councilmember Mosteit thanked everyone that attended the La Porte Live Stock Show and Rodeo
Future Farmers' Association and Bar-B-Q Cookout and reminded of the upcoming Live Stock Show
and Auction; Councilmember Moser thanked the Fire Department for a wonderful dedication for Fire
Station No. 1; Councilmember Kaminski commented on her attendance at the dedication for Fire
Station No. 1, Senior Citizens' Chili Cook -off and Open Day Baseball, and Mayor Rigby commented
on the dedication for Fire Station No. 1 and the impressive building and informed everyone San
Jacinto College is excited and grateful for the fire truck from the City.
11. 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.
There was no executive session.
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March 25, 2013, City Council Meeting Minutes
12. RECONVENE into regular session and consider action, if any, on item(s) discussed in executive
session.
There was no executive session.
13. ADJOURN
There being no further business, Councilmember Engelken moved to adjourn the meeting at
7:53 p.m. Councilmember Zemanek seconded. MOTION PASSED UNANIMOUSLY.
Patrice Fogarty, i S�e-cretgWy
Passed n ved on April 8, 2013.
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March 25, 2013, City Council Meeting Minutes