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Home My WebLink About2015-04-18 Retreat/Special Meeting of La Porte City Council minutes LOUIS RIGBY DARYL LEONARD Mayor OF A Councilmember District 3 JOHN ZEMANEK .� :r O,D TOMMY MOSER Councilmember at Large A Councilmember District 4 DOTTIE KAMINSKI v m JAY MARTIN Mayor Pro Tem Councilmember at Large B Councilmember District 5 DANNY EARP MIKE CLAUSEN Councilmember District 1 reXA® Councilmember District 6 CHUCK ENGELKEN Councilmember District 2 MINUTES OF THE SPECIAL MEETING OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF LA PORTE APRIL 18, 2015 The City Council of the City of La Porte met in a special meeting on Saturday, April 18, 2015, 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 8:33 a.m. Members of Council present: Councilmembers Engelken, Earp, Kaminski and Martin. Absent: Councilmembers Leonard, Zemanek, Moser and Clausen. 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: Rosalyn Epting Planning: Tim Tietjens Police Department: Ken Adcox Fire Department: Mike Boaze Public Works Department: Dave Mick Human Resources: Allison Curry Municipal Court: Denise Mitrano City Manager Corby Alexander provided an update on the storm damages from the previous night. 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 with a financial overview. Mayor Rigby asked what$14,000,000 represented in Property Tax Growth. Finance Director Michael Dolby responded it represents entry from the certified tax rolls. Mayor Rigby asked if the 9 percent increase is based on new growth. Mr. Dolby advised it is based on the certified tax rolls. Councilmember Martin asked if the City sold treated waste water to Enterprise, would it have an effect on long range projections. Mr. Dolby responded, yes; it will increase revenue. Page 1 of 5 April 18,2015,City Council Special Meeting Minutes B. Capital Improvement Plan Outlook— D. Mick Public Works Director Dave Mick provided an overview of the Capital Improvement Plan for 2016-2017. Councilmember Martin asked if any airport runways will be extended. Mr. Mick responded no; it is not an option. C. Benefits Discussion (Stop Loss and Proposals for consideration to control costs for medical)—C. Alexander City Manager Corby Alexander discussed Benefits (Stop Loss and Proposals for consideration to control costs for medical.) Councilmember Earp requested the Current Medical Plan Premiums be sent to Council by employee election over the 26 pay periods. Councilmember Martin commented he is not interested in evaluating alternatives for the prescription plan. Councilmember Earp commented he is interested in pursuing all avenues to reduce health care costs to the City. Councilmember Earp also advised he is not in favor of an On-Site Employee Health Clinic. Mayor Rigby commented he is not in favor of mandatory generic prescriptions but does not have an issue with a prescription being dispense as written. Councilmember Earp also agreed. Mayor Rigby commented there can be different benefit enrollment options for new employees. City Manager Corby Alexander advised Council that staff will bring back options on Stop Loss. Mayor Rigby recessed for a break at 9:58 a.m. Mayor Rigby reconvened the special meeting at 10:15 a.m. D. Lomax Equestrian Trail—Councilmember Danny Earp (R. Epting) Parks Director Rosalyn Epting discussed a Lomax Equestrian Trail. Mayor Rigby suggested staff discuss the plan of an equestrian trail with Harris County Flood Control District to see if they are interested; if they are not, save funding over a three-year period for the trail. E. Safe Sidewalk Connector to Lomax Jr. High —Councilmember Danny Earp (R. Epting) Parks Director Rosalyn Epting discussed a Safe Sidewalk Connector to Lomax Jr. High. Council directed .Staff to discuss a Safe Sidewalk Connector to Lomax Jr. High with Harris County Flood Control District, as well. F. Revitalization/Beautification Fund—Councilmember Jay Martin (T. Leach) Assistant City Manager Traci Leach discussed a Revitalization/Beautification Fund. Page 2 of 5 April 18,2015,City Council Special Meeting Minutes Mayor Rigby commented he does not personally think the City will be able to accomplish setting aside a fund for revitalization/beautification and questioned what will be done with a piece of property, if available. Mayor Rigby also commented he would like a more clear definition of the word "blight." Councilmember Martin commented Council can revisit this down the road. Mayor Rigby questioned how many of the properties that were demolished have been rebuilt. City Manager Corby Alexander advised staff will have to confirm the information. G. Christmas Lighting Display Leasing —Councilmember Jay Martin (R. Epting) Parks Director Rosalyn Epting discussed leasing a Christmas Lighting Display. Ms. Epting informed Council the display would be leased for$25,000 each year for four years. Shipping annually is $3,500. The first year will be $39,930 — which includes the new light theme ($25,000), shipping ($3,500), refurbishing the City's 26-foot tree ($9,350), and refurbishing the garland mount ($2,080). Councilmember Martin commented he would like a religious display if one is offered. Councilmember Kaminski agreed. Mayor Rigby commented he would also like the displays to read "Merry Christmas" instead of Happy Holidays. Councilmember Martin commented he is more interested in buying new displays every year and adding to what the City already has, including a religious theme. H. 125th Anniversary of La Porte—Mayor Louis Rigby(C. Alexander) City Manager Corby Alexander discussed the 125th Anniversary of La Porte in 2017. Mayor Rigby suggested funding be set aside this year and next year to celebrate the 125th Anniversary of La Porte during the 4th of July in 2017. Mayor Rigby advised music entertainment will need to be reserved at least a year in advance. Councilmember Martin commented that including the school district would be a good idea, as well, and to focus on the talent from La Porte—Jake Worthington and Robert Earl Keene. Councilmember Engelken commented celebrating over a period of months is also a good idea for individuals who cannot attend a "one-day event." Councilmember Engelken also suggested hosting a golf or baseball tournament to raise additional funds and to use Hotel Motel Funds, if applicable. Mayor Rigby asked if Council desired to budget for the 125th Anniversary of La Porte in 2017. Councilmember Earp asked how much should be budgeted each year. Mayor Rigby commented entertainment is the most expensive item. Councilmember Engelken suggested allowing $400,000 - $500,000 from Hotel Motel Funds for the entire event and allow staff time to plan for the event. Page 3 of 5 April 18,2015,City Council Special Meeting Minutes Councilmember Martin commented he would like to see a committee formed involving the school district, Chamber of Commerce, and volunteers throughout the community with organizing the event. City Manager Corby Alexander suggested an outside consultant to assist with organizing the event. Mayor Rigby commented a City coordinator will still need to be involved. Finance Director Michael Dolby advised staff will have to determine if the event is eligible for funds from the Hotel Motel Fund. Mr. Dolby recommend budgeting $250,000 per year. Mayor Rigby asked the funds be placed in the General Fund and then supplemented by Hotel Motel Funds. Mayor Rigby asked City Manager Corby Alexander when the committee will be formed for the 125th Anniversary of La Porte in 2017. Mr. Alexander responded at least by the beginning of the fiscal year. I. Shade Structures for Lomax Arena Catwalk—,Councilmember Danny Earp (R. Epting) Councilmember Earp withdrew his request for Shade Structures for the Lomax Arena catwalk. J. Park Street Sidewalk—Councilmember Dottie Kaminski (R. Epting) Parks Director Rosalyn Epting discussed installing a 6-foot concrete sidewalk on Park Street from Fairmont Parkway to Blackwell. Ms. Epting advised an estimate of$357,000. Mayor Rigby asked if Park Street belongs to the City or Harris County. Public Works Director Dave Mick responded Harris County. Councilmember Martin asked if the City would have to purchase easements. Ms. Epting responded there may be some purchases, she would have to confirm if it is wide enough. Ms. Epting asked Council if they would like Staff to move forward. Councilmembers Martin and Kaminski agreed to move forward and commented it is a safety issue not to have a sidewalk. Council directed City Manager Corby Alexander to discuss with Harris County to partner or for approval for the entire cost. K. Possible Spray Park—Councilmember Dottie Kaminski (C. Alexander) City Manager Corby Alexander brought up the possibility of adding another Spray Park at Councilmember Kaminski's suggestion. Councilmember Kaminski stated a possible location would be in either District 1 or District 5. Councilmember Martin commented District 5 has enough amenities, and Councilmember Earp commented having a trail in District 1 is more important. Mayor Rigby asked if Councilmember Kaminski is fine with waiting another year for a spray park. Councilmember Kaminski advised she is okay with waiting another year. 3. Receive Direction from Council on upcoming 2015-2016 Fiscal Year Budget This item was combined with Council Comments. Page 4 of 5 April 18,2015,City Council Special Meeting Minutes i 4. Council Comments Councilmember Engelken commented Finance does a good job preparing the budget and encouraged staff to look for additional cost savings; Councilmember Earp echoed Councilmember Engelken's comments; and Mayor Rigby thanked City Manager Corby Alexander and staff for preparing the Council Retreat agenda and agreed with Councilmembers Engelken and Earp's comments about looking at the City as a whole for needs and tax savings. City Manager Corby Alexander asked Council if they are interested in pursuing smoking cessations and perhaps charging more for health benefits for employees who smoke. Council was fine with moving forward with this. 5. Adjourn There being no further business, Councilmember Engelken moved to adjourn the meeting at 11:20 a.m. Councilmember Earp seconded. MOTION PASSED Respectfully submitted, Patrice Fogarty, C&Secretify Passed an p M 7v on 11, 2015. r "4q, 6 May r Lo is R. Rig y Page 5 of 5 April 18,2015,City Council Special Meeting Minutes