HomeMy WebLinkAbout2013-12-09 Regular Meeting of 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
MINUTES OF THE REGULAR MEETING OF THE
CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF LA PORTE
DECEMBER 9, 2013
DARYL LEONARD
Councilmember District 3
TOMMY MOSER
Councilmember District 4
JAY MARTIN
Mayor Pro Tem
Councilmember District 5
MIKE CLAUSEN
Councilmember District 6
The City Council of the City of La Porte met in a regular meeting on Monday, December 9, 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:
2.
3.
4.
5.
CALL TO ORDER
Mayor Rigby called the meeting to order at 6:00 p.m. Members of Council present:
Councilmembers Engelken, Leonard, Zemanek, Kaminski, Mosteit, Martin, Clausen, and Moser.
Also present were City Secretary Patrice Fogarty, City Manager Corby Alexander, and Assistant
City Attorney Clark Askins.
INVOCATION - The invocation was given by Brian Christen, La Porte Community Church.
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE - The Pledge of Allegiance was led by Councilmember John Zemanek.
PUBLIC COMMENTS (Limited to five minutes per person.)
Chuck Rosa, 812 S. Virginia St., spoke in opposition to the Centennial Gate Concept.
Dave Klingman, 3810 Pecan Circle, spoke in favor of Item 8a, the Fiscal Year 2014 Marketing Plan
for tourism promotion.
Executive Director of Bay Area Houston Economic Partnership Dan Seal, 18045 Saturn Lane,
Houston, spoke in favor of Item 6b, the Ike Dike structural protection system and thanked City
Council for opposing the Centennial Gate Concept that was voted against at the
November 11, 2013.
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 the regular council meeting
held November 11, 2013 — P. Fogarty
(b) Consider approval or other action awarding Bid # 14002 for plastic garbage bags — D. Mick
(c) Consider approval or other action awarding Bid # 14003 for Vehicles — D. Mick
(d) Consider approval or other action awarding Bid # 14005 for Heavy Trucks — D. Mick
(e) Consider approval or other action awarding Bid #14008 for Fairmont Park Pool
Renovations — S. Barr
(f) Consider approval or other action awarding Bid # 14010 for Portable Scales — K. Adcox
Page 1 of 6
December 9, 2013, Council Meeting Minutes
(g) Consider approval or other regarding a Resolution authorizing the resale of certain surplus
real property located in Blocks 68 and 719, Town of La Porte — K. Powell
(h) Consider approval or other action regarding contract with ING for stop loss coverage
from January 1, 2014, through December 31, 2014 — A. Curry
(i) Consider approval or other action regarding adoption of changes to the City self -funded
health plan as mandated by the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act — A. Curry
(j) Consider approval or action regarding an Ordinance authorizing the City Manager to
execute a contract between the City of La Porte and La Porte Independent School District
for Property Tax Collection Operations — K. Powell
(k) Consider approval or other action regarding Amendment No. 1 to the agreement between
the City of La Porte and the La Porte -Chamber of Commerce — T. Leach
(1) 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 surplus fire engine — T.
Leach
(m) Consider approval or other action amending Fiscal Year 2013 outstanding purchase orders
— M. Dolby
Councilmember Leonard moved to approve the Consent Agenda pursuant to staff
recommendations. Councilmember Engelken seconded. MOTION PASSED.
Ayes: Mayor Rigby, Councilmembers Clausen, Engelken, Kaminski,
Zemanek, Mosteit, Martin, Leonard and Moser
Nays: None
Absent: None
Prior to Council vote, Assistant City Attorney Clark Askins read the caption of Ordinance 2013-3602: AN
ORDINANCE APPROVING AND AUTHORIZING A CONTRACT BETWEEN THE CITY OF LA PORTE AND
LA PORTE INDEPENDENT SCHOOL DISTRICT, FOR THE CITY OF LA PORTE TO PROVIDE THE TAX
COLLECTING OPERATION OF THE LA PORTE INDEPENDENT SCHOOL DISTRICT; MAKING VARIOUS
FINDINGS AND PROVISIONS RELATING TO THE SUBJECT; FINDING COMPLIANCE WITH THE OPEN
MEETINGS LAW; AND PROVIDING AN EFFECTIVE DATE HEREOF.
6. AUTHORIZATIONS/RESOLUTIONS/ORDINANCES
(a) Consider approval or other action regarding an agreement between the City of La Porte
and the City of Shoreacres for city jail and dispatch services — K. Adcox
Police Chief Ken Adcox presented a summary.
Councilmember Kaminski moved to approve an agreement between the City of La Porte and the
City of Shoreacres for city jail and dispatch services as presented by staff. Councilmember
Leonard seconded. MOTION PASSED.
Ayes: Mayor Rigby, Councilmembers Clausen, Engelken, Kaminski,
Zemanek, Martin, Mosteit, Leonard and Moser
Nays: None
Absent: None
(b) Consider approval or other action regarding a Resolution supporting the Ike Dike structural
protection system — T. Tietjens
Page 2 of 6
December 9, 2013, Council Meeting Minutes
Planning Director Tim Tietjens presented a summary, as well as Texas A&M Galveston Professor
Dr. Bill Merrell, who studied and proposed a structural protection system known as "Ike Dike" to
protect the Houston Galveston region from storm surge of a major hurricane. Located along the
Gulf of Mexico at the mouth of Galveston Bay, it would include a combination of movable gate
systems and revetment levees covered with natural materials on Galveston Island and the Bolivar
Peninsula, which would protect the entire Galveston Bay area. It would not only protect the Houston
Ship Channel industries from environmental catastrophe, but also the Bayport, Texas City and
Galveston Industrial areas, as well as every community fronting Galveston Bay, including La Porte.
Such a system along the Gulf of Mexico and the mouth of Galveston Bay would also
mitigate the rising surge that tends to increase in height as it moves further up into a bay
system like Galveston Bay.
Councilmember Zemanek moved to approve Resolution 2013-28 as presented by staff.
Councilmember Leonard seconded. MOTION PASSED.
Ayes: Mayor Rigby, Councilmembers Clausen, Engelken, Kaminski,
Zemanek, Martin, Mosteit, Leonard and Moser
Nays: None
Absent: None
Assistant City Attorney Clark Askins read the caption of Resolution 2013-28: A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY
OF LA PORTE, TEXAS SUPPORTING THE "IKE DIKE" CONCEPT BEING PROPOSED BY
TEXAS A&M UNIVERSITY-GALVESTON'S DR. BILL MERRELL AS THE MOST EFFECTIVE AND
EQUITABLE MEANS OF PROTECTING LA PORTE AND THE ENTIRE HOUSTON-GALVESTON REGION
FROM STORM SURGE AND SUB -TROPICAL RAIN EVENTS; AND PROVIDING FOR THE DELIVERY OF
SUCH RESOLUTION TO TEXAS A&M UNIVERSITY AT GALVESTON, THE GULF COAST COMMUNITY
PROTECTION AND RECOVERY DISTRICT, AS WELL AS THOSE STATE AND FEDERAL LEGISLATORS
THAT REPRESENT THE LA PORTE AREA.
(c) Consider approval or other action changing Employee Handbook Chapter 10, Section
10.03 Non -Civil Service Employees and 24 Hour Employees to properly designate the
payout bank from Sick Bank 1 to Sick Bank 3 — A. Curry
Human Resources Manager Allison Curry presented a summary.
Councilmember Mosteit moved to approve changes to the Employee Handbook in Chapter 10,
Section 10.03 Non -Civil Service Employees and 24 Hour Employees to properly designate the
payout bank from Sick Bank 1 to Sick Bank 3 as presented by staff. Councilmember Engelken
seconded. MOTION PASSED.
Ayes: Mayor Rigby, Councilmembers Clausen, Engelken, Kaminski,
Zemanek, Martin, Mosteit, Leonard and Moser
Nays: None
Absent: None
(d) Consider approval or other action regarding an incentive grant request to the Richard
Industrial Group to open a new office and relocate and/or hire at least 74 full-time
employees in La Porte — S. Livingston
Economic Development Coordinator Scott Livingston presented a summary.
Councilmember Clausen moved to approve an incentive grant request to the Richard Industrial
Group to open a new office and relocate and/or hire at least 74 full-time employees in La Porte as
presented by staff. Councilmember Mosteit seconded. MOTION PASSED.
Ayes: Mayor Rigby, Councilmembers Clausen, Engelken, Kaminski,
Zemanek, Martin, Mosteit, Leonard and Moser
Page 3 of 6
December 9, 2013, Council Meeting Minutes
Nays: None
Absent: None
(e) Consider approval or other action regarding proposed TIRZ Development Agreement
between the City of La Porte, La Porte Redevelopment Authority, Reinvestment Zone No.
1, and Beazer Homes Texas, LP - S. Livingston
Economic Development Coordinator Scott Livingston presented a summary.
Councilmember Moser moved to postpone Items 6e, f, g, and Items 7a, b, c, and d until the
January 27, 2014. Councilmember Engelken seconded. MOTION PASSED.
Ayes: Mayor Rigby, Councilmembers Clausen, Engelken, Kaminski,
Zemanek, Martin, Mosteit, Leonard and Moser
Nays: None
Absent: None
(f) Consider approval or other action regarding an Ordinance enlarging the boundaries of TIRZ
No. 1, City of La Porte, Texas - S. Livingston (Postponed at the October 28, 2013,
meeting until the December 9, 2013, meeting.)
Item postponed until the January 27, 2014, meeting. See minutes for Item 6e.
(g) Consider approval or other action regarding an Ordinance accepting and adopting the
amended TIRZ No. 1 Project Plan and Reinvestment Zone Financing Plan - S. Livingston
(Postponed at the October 28, 2013, meeting until the December 9, 2013, meeting.)
Item postponed until the January 27, 2014, meeting. See minutes for Item 6e.
7. PUBLIC HEARING AND ASSOCIATED ORDINANCES
(a) Public Hearing to receive comments regarding recommendation by the Planning and
Zoning Commission to approve an update to the Future Land Use Plan component of the
Comprehensive Plan of the City of La Porte to change future land use classification for tract
located northwest of Sens Road and Spencer Highway from commercial to low -density
residential - T. Tietjens (Postponed at the October 28, 2013, meeting until the
December 9, 2013, meeting.)
Item postponed until the January 27, 2014, meeting. See minutes for Item 6e.
(b) Consider approval or other action regarding an Ordinance adopting an update to the Future
Land Use Plan component of the Comprehensive Plan of the City of La Porte to change
future land use classification for tract located northwest of Sens Road and Spencer
Highway, from commercial to low -density residential - T. Tietjens
Item postponed until the January 27, 2014, meeting. See minutes for Item 6e.
(c) Public Hearing to receive comments regarding recommendation by the Planning and
Zoning Commission to approve Rezone Request # 13-92000002, for the rezoning of a
17.3705-acre-tract of land located northwest of Sens Road and Spencer Highway, from
General Commercial (GC) to Low Density Residential (R-1) - T. Tietjens (Postponed at the
October 28, 2013, meeting until the December 9, 2013, meeting.)
Item postponed until the January 27, 2014, meeting. See minutes for Item 6e.
(d) Consider approval other action regarding an Ordinance amending Chapter 106 "Zoning" of
the Code of Ordinances of the City of La Porte by changing the zoning classification of a
Page 4 of 6
December 9, 2013, Council Meeting Minutes
17.3705-acre-tract of land located northwest of Sens Road and Spencer Highway from
General Commercial (GC) to Low Density Residential (R-1) — T. Tietjens
Item postponed until the January 27, 2014, meeting. See minutes for Item 6e.
8. DISCUSSION OR OTHER ACTION
(a) Discussion or other action regarding the proposed Fiscal Year 2014 Marketing Plan for
tourism promotion — T. Leach
Assistant City Manager Traci Leach presented a summary. Ms. Leach discussed development of a
Friday Night Special Event on Main Street and shuttle service for pre -cruise hotel guests.
Councilmember Zemanek commented the shuttle service is too much of a liability to the City, and it
is a value the hoteliers should take care of.
Mayor Rigby commented more information would be needed before he would be able to consider a
shuttle service for pre -cruise hotel guests.
Councilmember Martin requested a little more detail on the proposed single -sided digital signs.
Councilmember Moser commented he and the business owners would like to see signage for the
historical district.
Council directed staff to bring back more information on signs; shuttle; sales tax projections; Friday
Night Special Event, and conflicts for events.
Councilmember Kaminski commented she does not want to limit events to Main Street, but would
like to see other restaurants be involved, as well.
(b) Discussion or other action regarding the video sponsorship for the 100th Anniversary of the
Battleship Texas — T. Leach
Assistant City Manager Traci Leach and Bruce Bramlett with the Battleship TEXAS Foundation
presented a summary. The 100th Anniversary of the Battleship Texas will be celebrated in March
2014 with a huge commemorative event. The $850,000 event will include a Welcome Home
parade for the remaining 40+ veterans of the ship, plus a daylong celebration featuring displays of
historical vehicles and aircraft, fireworks, food trucks, children's area, and a flyover. The event will
conclude with a concert by Robert Earl Keen, Charlie Robison, Reckless Kelly, and Kelly Willis and
Bruce Robison.
The proposal for Council consideration includes sponsoring the tribute video. This event is of
particular importance to the City of La Porte due to the fact that the monument and Battleship are
within the City's ETJ. While the "ownership" of the Battleground attractions has been claimed by
some, this is an area that staff intends on aggressively marketing and associating with La Porte.
The first step in this effort will be to ensure that the City's name is prominent among this event,
which is estimated to bring upwards of 20,000 visitors.
Councilmember Moser moved to sponsor the video to the 100th Anniversary of the Battleship Texas
as presented by staff. Councilmember Leonard seconded. MOTION PASSED.
Ayes: Mayor Rigby, Councilmembers Clausen, Engelken, Kaminski,
Zemanek, Martin, Mosteit, Leonard and Moser
Nays: None
Absent: None
9. REPORTS
(a) Receive report of La Porte Development Corporation Board — Councilmember Engelken
Page 5 of 6
December 9, 2013, Council Meeting Minutes
Councilmember Engelken provided a report of the actions by the La Porte Development
Corporation which took place at a meeting held just prior to this council meeting.
(b) Receive Delinquent Tax Report — T. Leach
Assistant City Manager Traci Leach provided the report.
10. ADMINISTRATIVE REPORTS
(a) Receive report from City Manager
• Christmas Holidays: Tuesday, December 24 and Wednesday, December 25, 2013
• New Year Holiday: Wednesday, January 1, 2014
• City Council Meeting: Monday, January 13, 2014
• Fiscal Affairs Committee Meeting: Monday, January 27, 2014
• City Council Meeting, Monday: January 27, 2014
City Manager Corby Alexander reminded Council of the Employee Christmas Party and Service
Awards on Friday, December 13, 2013, beginning at 6:00 p.m.
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 Zemanek, Leonard, Engelken, Mosteit, Clausen,
Martin, Moser, Kaminski and Mayor Rigby.
Councilmembers Zemanek and Engelken wished everyone a safe Merry Christmas and a Happy
New Year; Councilmember Leonard wished everyone a safe Merry Christmas and a Happy
New Year and commented he was glad the hoteliers are happy with the City's marketing
efforts; Councilmember Mosteit commented he was glad the City is moving forward with marketing,
supporting the Ike Dike structural protection system and wished everyone a safe Merry Christmas
and a Happy New Year; Councilmember Clausen wished everyone a safe Merry Christmas and a
Happy New Year and thanked Assistant City Manager Traci Leach for the marketing presentation;
Councilmember Martin thanked Albemarle for the first Thanksgiving By the Bay event and City
employees for volunteering, commented the La Porte Heritage Society Christmas Coffee was a
nice event this past Saturday. In addition, Councilmember Martin advised staff that he has been
approached by citizens that attend City Council meetings looking for a solution, to be able to hear
speakers presenting items to Council that are facing way from the audience; Councilmember Moser
commented on the passing of Nelson Mandela; Councilmember Kaminski wished everyone a safe
Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year and commented she was excited about the marketing in
La Porte and Mayor Rigby commented he attended a Groundbreaking for Intergulf and it was good
to have new businesses coming to La Porte, advised everyone the organizer for the Half Marathon
has plant on attending a Council meeting in January to thank the City for their support; reported the
President of UCR complimented the Inspections Department for their work during the construction
of the First Choice urgent care facility in La Porte and commented Christmas on Main Street was a
wonderful event, and he hopes it continues in the future.
12. ADJOURN
There being no further business, Councilmember Engelken moved to adjourn the meeting at
8:17 p.m. Councilmember Leonard seconded. MOTION PASSED.
ht� L4A,-J"
Patrice Fogarty, Cit cretary
Passed,aQ6�p v d or January 13, 2014.
Mayor Luis R. Rib
Page 6 of 6
December 9, 2013, Council Meeting Minutes