HomeMy WebLinkAbout2014-04-12 Special Meeting of La Porte City Council minutesLOUIS 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 SPECIAL MEETING OF THE
CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF LA PORTE
APRIL 12, 2014
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 special meeting on Saturday, April 12, 2014, at
8:30 a.m., in the Council Chambers of City hall, 604 West Fairmont Parkway, La Porte, Texas to
consider the following items of business:
1. Call to Order
Mayor Rigby called the meeting to order at 8:31 a.m. Members of Council present:
Councilmembers Engelken, Mosteit, Kaminski, Clausen, and Martin. Members of Council absent:
Councilmembers Moser and Leonard
Members of City Executive Staff and City Employees Present:
City Manager's Office: Corby Alexander and Traci Leach
City Secretary's Office: Patrice Fogarty
Finance: Michael Dolby, Phyllis Rinehart, Gay Collins and Shelley Wolny
Parks: Stephen Barr
Planning: Tim Tietjens
Police Department: Ken Adcox
Public Works Department: Dave Mick
Fire: Mike Boaze
Municipal Court: Denise Mitrano
Emergency Management: Jeff Suggs
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. Financial Overview — Michael Dolby
Finance Director Michael Dolby presented a PowerPoint 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 Long Range Financial Plan and
advised the rates will need to be reviewed. He presented a comparison of key financial
information for the City's major revenue sources and operating funds. While the City's
finances as a whole appear to be following the upward trend of the economy, the finances
are not without areas of concerns. One area is the Utility Fun, which has not be
self-sustaining for several years and does not have the revenue stream necessary to
support continued infrastructure maintenance and investment.
Councilmember Zemanek questioned which rates need to be reviewed. Finance Director
Michael Dolby responded the utility rates for water and sewer.
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Councilmember Martin questioned why is there a need to increase in utility rates. Finance
Director Michael Dolby responded that the cost is due to inflation, the rates are back in 2008
and the cost is in 2014.
Councilmember Zemanek questioned the amount of the fund balance five years ago.
Mr. Dolby responded he will get the amount to Council, but the fund was probably not doing
well five years ago, either.
Councilmember Martin questioned how the new homes near the Golf Course will affect the
fund. Mr. Dolby responded the homes will probably add revenue.
Council has requested more information on all funding options available to address this
situation.
Council moved to take Item 2n as the next item for discussion. See Item 2n below for details
on the discussion.
B. Comprehensive Plan/Northside Plan Implementation Discussion — Mayor Rigby (T.
Leach)
Mayor Rigby commented he requested this item for discussion to include proposed projects
into the Comprehensive Plan for guidelines and clarification in the future.
Assistant City Manager Traci Leach presented the Comprehensive Plan and Northside Plan
Implementation discussion.
Regarding Exhibit C, Unified Development Code, Mayor Rigby questioned if a developer
had been redefined in the Development Code because a developer is required to pay a park
maintenance fee even if they build only one home. Assistant City Manager Traci Leach
advised she will confirm the definition.
Regarding Exhibit E, Small Business Incubator, Assistant City Manager Leach advised it will
be funded through La Porte Development Corporation and in conjunction with the San
Jacinto College Small Business Development Center.
Regarding Exhibit F, Safe Sidewalk Program, Assistant City Manager Leach presented a
La Porte map developed by staff and prioritized showing sidewalk areas that would be
desirable for safe routes to school totaling close to $1.2 million. Staff will bring back a
phased plan for the Safe Sidewalk Program.
Councilmember Martin questioned if Harris County Flood Control would have a say in the
construction of the bridge and if they have been contacted. Ms. Leach responded yes.
Councilmember Mosteit commented on the west side of town, the program will also connect
the Meadowcrest neighborhood to a park that is located in Creekmont and give children in
the community access and a safe trail to the park.
Councilmember Martin commented $1.2 million is a lot of money, but it is an important
project; and he suggested the City move forward with the project, if possible.
Staff was directed to provide options for phasing Priority 1 & 2.
Regarding Exhibit L, Northside Plan Recommendation 47: Code Enforcement Amnesty
Program, Assistant City Manager Traci Leach provided information that was recommended
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in the Northside Plan. Council supported the concepts of proactive neighborhood tenant
association that could help improve safety and quality of life for the Northside. In
conjunction with this effort, advocacy based code enforcement and an amnesty program for
code enforcement were also concepts that the Council supported; staff will be bringing more
solid proposals to the Council for additional discussion.
Mayor Rigby commented if the program is something the City moves forward with, he thinks
it should be applied to the entire City with requirements and guidelines.
Council supported the concept of incorporating drought tolerant plantings into new City
landscape installations.
Council supported the installation of a vegetative buffer at the Children's Park on the
Northside.
Comprehensive Plan Objective for Strategic Corridors: Proceed with including an entryway
monument at Bay Area Boulevard and Fairmont (for northbound traffic on Bay Area) within
the 5-year capital plan.
C. Building Security — Mayor Rigby (T. Leach)
City Manager Corby Alexander discussed City Hall security improvements. In 2012, the
Police Department conducted a security assessment of City Hall. Several vulnerable areas
were identified including the main receptionist area, the Code Enforcement front desk, and
the Utility Billing windows. Staff prepared a preliminary estimate of $143,700 to address
these areas of vulnerability, such as securing the area by the reception desk, securing the
Inspections counter, and fortifying the Utility billing windows. Council directed staff to
include this in the upcoming fiscal year budget.
D. Council Chambers A/V Dais Renovations — (T. Leach)
Assistant City Manager Traci Leach discussed options for Council's audio visual equipment
and improvements to the dais. Staff has received Council feedback regarding the current
state of the Council dais. The area is cluttered, and the monitors have a tendency to
obstruct the view to and from the Council chairs given the angle of the seating and the
raised nature of the dais. In August 2013, staff visited the Baytown Council Chambers and
discussed options with them, as they had recently re -done their Chambers. Staff presented
a couple of options, and Council requested staff bring back a line item estimate for various
components for consideration.
Council directed Staff to bring back a line item estimate for various components for
consideration.
E. New Website — (T. Leach)
Assistant City Manager Traci Leach discussed re -design of the City's website and the
possibilities of changing the website provider. Staff presented this item based on difficulties
in dealing with the current website/web provider. The current site is difficult to manage, has
spotty uptime/reliability, and the operating system is using an obsolete Internet Explorer
version. Based on preliminary discussions with several website design companies, staff
estimates that the cost of a new website would run between $40,000 and $60,000.
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Councilmember Martin questioned if funds from either Hotel/Motel or the La Porte
Development Corporation can pay for the new website. Ms. Leach responded tourism can
be rolled over into the overall City Website.
Council directed staff to include this in the FY 2015 budget.
Mayor Rigby recessed for lunch at 11:23 a.m.
Mayor Rigby reconvened the special meeting at 11:58 a.m.
F. Tourism Initiatives (T. Leach)
Assistant City Manager Traci Leach addressed Council stating staff began an aggressive
tourism/hotel promotion campaign. To continue that momentum, staff proposed the idea of
a new special event. While two ideas were presented in the agenda request, only one was
viable at this time — the industry barbecue cook -off at Lomax. Staff is meeting with hotels to
get their input on ideas and is currently brainstorming other ideas as well. Once staff meets
with hoteliers, information will be brought back to the Council for consideration.
Councilmember Martin proposed a Chili -Cook Off for the month of March instead of a BBQ
Cook -Off.
Councilmember Clausen commented spring -time is full of events, and fall may better to
schedule events.
G. Sidewalk Program Expansion (T. Tietjens)
Councilmember Zemanek proposed an increased annual budget allocation of $150,000.00
per year for a Sidewalk Program Expansion.
City Manager Corby Alexander advised Council the Five -Year Capital Plan for Streets and
Utilities previously presented included an increased annual budget allocation of $150,000.00
annually for sidewalks. Council approved of this amount.
H. DOT Flex -time — Councilmember Zemanek (K. Adcox)
Councilmember Zemanek discussed DOT Flex -time and commented he would like to see
less concentration of inspections and more on weighing of vehicles. Councilmember
Zemanek commented the officers can use flex time because they have their own scales and
more enforcement can be continued after 3:00 p.m.
Police Chief Ken Adcox provided options for the next fiscal year and recommended to
continue the program at the current funding level and continue to pay overtime.
Mayor Rigby questioned Judge Mitrano if the increased citations equate to increased
revenue. Ms. Mitrano responded yes.
Councilmember Zemanek suggested continuing with the overtime.
Councilmember Martin commented he agrees with the Chief's recommendation to continue
in the next fiscal year that is currently being done which includes the overtime program and
allowing the Police Department to deploy their options as they currently are doing.
Councilmember Zemanek commented if none of the violations affect driving records, why is
a "Failure to Appear' issued?
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April 12, 2014, City Council Special Meeting Minutes
Council directed to continue the program in its current format.
Transitioning the Police Department's General Patrol Fleet — (K. Adcox)
Chief of Police Ken Adcox discussed the possible transition from Dodge Chargers to Chevy
Tahoes beginning Fiscal Year 2015.
Assistant Chief of Police Stephen Deardorff presented a feasibility study.
Mayor Rigby questioned the benefits of transitioning to Tahoes. Assistant Chief of Police
Deardorff responded maintenance. Over the course of 5 years (the average life of a police
vehicle), the additional cost for Tahoes was $3,191 more for initial purchase and $281 more
to operate. Council directed Staff to move forward with 2 Tahoes for the upcoming year and
re-evaluate next year.
J. Beautification at Wharton Weems and SH 146 — Councilmember Martin (S. Barr)
Councilmember Martin began by commenting that Wharton Weems has become a very
visible road with the new homes and Bayshore Elementary School and, to his knowledge, it
is the only entry road in the City that does not have any beautification or notification that you
are in the City of La Porte, and suggested consideration for beautification at Wharton
Weems and SH 146.
Parks and Recreation Director Stephen Barr presented an option to beautify the entryway to
include a monument sign and landscaping with an estimated proposal between
$31, 922.00 - $36, 322.00.
Council directed staff to include this in the FY 2015 budget and also consider low profile
plantings for this entryway.
K. Expansion of Park Maintenance Barn — S. Barr
Parks and Recreation Director Stephen Barr presented a proposal to expand the Park
Maintenance Barn with an estimated cost of approximately $70,000.00. Thirteen years ago,
the Parks Department created the current maintenance yard, which satisfactorily met the
department's needs at the time. However, over time, the equipment and vehicles that are
used by the Department have increased; and there are pesticides/chemicals that need to be
stored separately from other materials. The proposed expansion would include improving
the space between the existing yard and the tree farm. Estimated cost is approximately
$70, 000.
Council directed staff to include this in the FY 2015 budget.
L. Curbside Recycling — Councilmember Martin (D. Mick)
Councilmember Martin began by discussing the feasibility for Curbside Recycling and
suggested the possibility of placing a nonbinding referendum on a ballot for voting.
Public Works Director Dave Mick presented options for a Curbside Recycling Program.
Currently, the City offers a drop off site for recycling at the Public Works yard. In reviewing
feasibility for curbside recycling, several options were considered. The cost per account
would be between $3 and $3.50 per month. At this time, Council directed staff to conduct a
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April 12, 2014, City Council Special Meeting Minutes
survey of residents to determine if there is any interest in curbside recycling; and if so, at
what level are residents willing to pay for such a service.
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Fairmont Parkway Corridor Traffic Study — D. Mick
Public Works Director Dave Mick presented options for a feasibility study along the Fairmont
Parkway Corridor and recommended a joint study with Harris County for the Fairmont
Parkway corridor between 6th Street to 16th Street. The estimated cost for such a study is
approximately $75,000.
Councilmember Zemanek commented the signal needs to be moved from 7th Street to 8th
Street.
Councilmember Engelken commented the City was told the traffic signal was at 7th Street
and not 8th Street because the ditch that runs between Mc Donald's and the La Quinta hotel,
there is not enough clearance to install a left turn lane heading northbound on 8th Street.
Mayor Rigby asked Public Works Director Dave Mick if Harris County was asked to half
costs with the City on a study. Mr. Mick responded no. Council directed staff to speak with
Harris County regarding their level of willingness to participate, both in the findings and in
the funding for the study.
Financial Report and Five Year Capital Plan for Streets/Utilities — D. Mick
City Manager Corby Alexander and Assistant City Manager Traci Leach proposed additional
audits of various City functions, services, departments and other key revenue sources.
Public Works Director Dave Mick presented a Financial Report and Five -Year Capital Plan
for Streets/Utilities and recommended about $2 million a year for Capital Improvements.
Staff has identified projects totaling approximately $5 million per year.
City Manager Corby Alexander advised Council the proposed Five -Year Capital Plan for
Streets/Utilities presented by Dave Mick has some funding from the current revenue stream
from the street maintenance tax. Additional funding for this plan is currently identified as
bonds that could be sold as current capacity is freed up in the next several years, which
would allow the City to maintain the current tax rate. However, given the direction from the
Financial Overview discussion, all options, including the debt strategy, is up for discussion in
the near future.
Finance Director Michael Dolby advised Council the Utility Fund needs to be self-sustaining
without being supported by the General Fund, and revenues will need to be reviewed.
Mr. Dolby also advised that projects are funded by tax revenue.
Finance Director Michael Dolby advised Council staff will come back with different
suggestions after reviewing the rates, fees and steps.
Consolidated Card Access System — J. Suggs
Emergency Management Coordinator Jeff Suggs presented a new security and card access
system for implementation across City buildings.
Currently, the City owns and operates a variety of card access systems throughout City
buildings. In certain cases, each department has a separate system, while only one card is
used throughout the city. This has causes issues with granting/terminating employee
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April 12, 2014, City Council Special Meeting Minutes
access. Additionally, there are software issues, as some systems are not supported at this
time. Staff proposed consolidating all access systems into a single system. Buildings to be
addressed include:
• Police Building/EOC
• Animal Control
• Court
• Fire — (IT closets. Bay doors for volunteers would still be maintained by the FD)
• City Hall
• EMS
• Recreation and Fitness Center Office Area
• Public Works
Council directed staff to include this in the FY 2015 budget.
P. Window Coverings at additional City Buildings — J. Suggs
Emergency Management Coordinator Jeff Suggs presented information for installation of
permanent window coverings at additional City buildings.
Council directed Staff to wait until the generator project is complete to see what additional
funds are available.
3. Receive Direction from Council on upcoming 2014-2015 Fiscal Year Budget
This item was combined with Council Comments.
4. Council Comments
Councilmember Martin commented if there is additional revenue, he would like to see it spent on
the infrastructure and thanked Staff for the presentations; Councilmember Kaminski thanked City
Manager Corby Alexander, Assistant City Manager Traci Leach and all of Staff for the presentations
and requested there be extra patrol from DOT at Lobit and Blackwell for 18 wheelers;
Councilmember Zemanek thanked Staff for all of their hard work and expressed his appreciation to
the City of La Porte during the passing of his mother, Jeanne Zemanek; Councilmember Engelken
thanked Staff for the presentations; Councilmember Mosteit thanked Staff for the presentations and
directed Staff to work with Harris County during the widening of Sens Road to make sure traffic
signals are included on H Street and L Street; reported an update will be provided on Monday night
on the F101 Project and to expand to Precinct 2 where the Pipeline Corridors cross Harris County
roads throughout the City of La Porte in regards to drainage; and Mayor Rigby thanked City
Manager Corby Alexander and Staff for their hard work preparing presentations and commented he
is looking forward to the upcoming budget process, and added that Council will have to look at
taxes and fees.
City Manager Corby Alexander thanked Council for their time.
5. Adjourn
There being no further business, Councilmember Engelken moved to adjourn the meeting at
1:56 p.m. Councilmember Zemanek seconded. MOTION PASSED
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Respectfully submitted,
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April 12, 2014, City Council Special Meeting Minutes