HomeMy WebLinkAbout2016-06-13 Regular Meeting of the La Porte City Council MinutesLOUIS RIGBY
Mayor
JOHN ZEMANEK
Councilmember At Large A
DOTTIE KAMINSKI
Councilmember At Large B
DANNY EARP
Mayor Pro -Tem
Councilmember District 1
MINUTES OF THE REGULAR MEETING OF THE
CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF LA PORTE
JUNE 13, 2016
CHUCK ENGELKEN
Councilmember District 2
DARYL LEONARD
Councilmember District 3
KRISTIN MARTIN
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, June 13, 2016, 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:
Mayor Rigby called the meeting to order at 6:00 p.m. Members of Council present:
Councilmembers Engelken, Earp, Zemanek, Clausen, K. Martin, Leonard, Kaminski and J. 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 Assistant City Attorney Clark Askins.
3. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE — The Pledge of Allegiance was led by Councilmember Danny Earp.
4. PRESENTATIONS, PROCLAMATIONS, and RECOGNITIONS
(a) Presentation — Public Works Coloring Book Contest Winners — Mayor Rigby
Mayor Rigby congratulated the winners of the Public Works Coloring Book Contest, 3rd Place:
Lorelai Young; 2nd Place: Melonnie Pulido and 15t Place; Brandon Guerra.
5. PUBLIC COMMENTS (Limited to five minutes per person.)
Chuck Rosa, 812 S. Virginia, addressed Council regarding his thoughts on the City of La Porte
Municipal Court and the citation and trial processes.
6. 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 minutes of the meeting held on
May 23, 2016 — P. Fogarty
(b) Consider approval or other action awarding quote for the City of La Porte Fiscal Year 2016
Headworks Improvements — S. Valiante
(c) Consider approval or other action awarding Bid No. 16016 for the City of La Porte Fiscal
Year 2016 Concrete Street Repairs — S. Valiante
(d) Consider approval or other action regarding revisions to the Employee Policy Handbook,
Chapter 7, Section 13 "Bereavement Leave" — M. Hartleib
(e) Consider approval or other action awarding RFP No. 16506 for city group health plan
Insurance Benefits Consultant — M. Hartleib
Page 1 of 5
June 13, 2016, Council Meeting Minutes
(f) Consider approval or other action regarding a Resolution authorizing the resale of Lot 23,
Block 1219 Town of La Porte; Lot 24, Block 1219 and Tract 18, 19 and 20, Town of La Porte
— K. Powell
(g) Consider approval or other regarding acquisition of the power and cooling component for
the City's technology infrastructure update project — R. Valdez
Councilmember Engelken moved to approve the Consent Agenda items pursuant to staff
recommendations. Councilmember Leonard seconded. MOTION PASSED UNANIMOUSLY 9/0.
7. AUTHORIZATIONS
(a) Consider approval or other action authorizing the Mayor to execute an Interlocal Agreement
with Goose Creek Consolidated Independent School District for property tax collection
services — M. Dolby
Finance Director Michael Dolby presented a summary. Ms. Piggot, with Goose Creek Consolidated
Independent School District, presented a summary for property tax collection services.
Councilmember Engelken commented he would like to see a penalty clause in the Interlocal
Agreement.
Councilmember Earp asked where the records will be retained. Ms. Piggot responded on a virtual
server at the technology building for Goose Creek Consolidated Independent School District, and
back-up tapes are kept on-site and also off-site in Dallas.
Councilmember Zemanek made a motion to authorize the Mayor to execute an Interlocal
Agreement with Goose Creek Consolidated Independent School District for property tax collection
services. Councilmember Clausen seconded.
Councilmember Earp made a motion to amend the main motion to direct staff to continue searching
for a future employee to fill the City's Tax Manager position. Councilmember Kaminski seconded.
MOTION PASSED 6/3.
Ayes: Councilmembers Zemanek, Earp, Kaminski, K. Martin, J.
Martin and Engelken
Nays: Mayor Rigby, Councilmembers Leonard and Clausen
Absent: None
The amended motion for Council's consideration is as follows: to authorize the Mayor to execute an
Interlocal Agreement with Goose Creek Consolidated Independent School District for property tax
collection services, and to continue the search for an employee to fill the City's position of Tax
Manager. Councilmember Kaminski seconded. MOTION PASSED 7/2.
Ayes: Mayor Rigby, Councilmembers Zemanek, Earp, Leonard, K.
Martin, J. Martin and Engelken
Nays: Councilmembers Engelken and Kaminski
Absent: None
(b) Consider approval or other action authorizing the City Manager to execute a contract with
the Brook Agency, Inc., for turn -key presentation of the entertainment production for the City
of La Porte 125th Anniversary Celebration — T. Leach
Assistant City Manager Traci Leach presented a summary.
Councilmember Zemanek asked if the City Attorney reviewed the contract. Ms. Leach responded
yes.
Page 2 of 5
June 13, 2016, Council Meeting Minutes
8.
Councilmember Zemanek moved to authorize the City Manager to execute a contract with Brook
Agency, Inc., for turn -key presentation of the entertainment production for the City of La Porte 12511
Anniversary Celebration. Councilmember Kaminski seconded. MOTION PASSED
UNANIMOUSLY 9/0.
DISCUSSION AND POSSIBLE ACTION
(a) Discussion and possible action regarding recommendation of the 125th Anniversary
Celebration Committee for the City of La Porte 125th Anniversary Celebration — T. Leach
Assistant City Manager Traci Leach presented a summary and advised the Committee chose
May 12-14, 2017, as the dates for the City of La Porte 125th Anniversary Celebration.
Councilmember Zemanek moved to go forward with the Committee's recommended dates for the
City of La Porte 125th Anniversary Celebration. Councilmember Leonard seconded. MOTION
PASSED 8/1.
Ayes: Mayor Rigby, Councilmembers Zemanek, Engelken, Kaminski,
Earp, Leonard, K. Martin, and Engelken
Nays: Councilmember J. Martin
Absent: None
Assistant City Manager Traci Leach continued presenting the events suggested by the Committee.
Councilmember Earp asked Staff to be mindful of ticket prices for residents of La Porte so that most
can participate in the events.
Mayor Rigby commented he does not believe $125.00 a couple for a black tie event is reasonable.
Councilmember Leonard asked if the topic of sponsorships ever came up during the meeting; and if
so, what was the reaction of the Committee. Ms. Leach advised the Committee is in support of
sponsorships.
Councilmember Earp commented he is not expecting a free brunch or event where there is food
because there is a cost and a head count to be mindful of.
Councilmember Engelken suggested live streaming the event on the website for citizens who
cannot make the events.
(b) Discussion and possible action regarding proposal to include a portion of Bay Area Blvd. on
the City of La Porte truck route — T. Tietjens
Planning and Development Director Tim Tietjens presented a summary and introduced PPG
Representative Reid Wilson, who provided a proposal for modification of truck routes. Mr. Wilson
then introduced Dustin Qualls, with Traffic Engineers Inc., who presented a report of findings.
Councilmember Zemanek asked Mr. Qualls what is the definition of `significant impact.' Mr. Qualls
responded `level of services.'
Councilmember Engelken commented he does not see the change as proposed in the traffic study
as a viable option until Fairmont Parkway is fully widened.
Councilmember J. Martin asked why the land being proposed is for warehouses and not medical
care facilities. Doug Dickerson, with PPG, responded the use they want is for warehouses; and they
were trying to solve the problem of 18 wheelers going through to Spencer Hwy. and off Sens Rd.
Page 3 of 5
June 13, 2016, Council Meeting Minutes
Councilmember Zemanek questioned what is going to be stored in the proposed warehouses. Mr.
Dickerson responded PPG does not know who the future tenants will be.
Councilmember Kaminski asked Assistant Fire Chief Donald Ladd to comment on safety issues for
the community. Mr. Ladd commented his concern is the amount of truck traffic that will be coming
down Bay Area Blvd. and not the trucks coming to the proposed warehouse.
Councilmember Engelken moved to deny the request. Councilmember Earp seconded. MOTION
PASSED UNANIMOUSLY 9/0.
Ayes: Mayor Rigby, Councilmembers Zemanek, Engelken, Kaminski,
Earp, Leonard, K. Martin, J. Martin and Engelken
Nays: None
Absent: None
Councilmember Leonard left the meeting at 8:36 p.m.
9. ADMINISTRATIVE REPORTS
City Manager Corby Alexander thanked the 125th Anniversary Celebration Committee for their work
thus far.
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.
Councilmembers Earp and Clausen thanked the 125th Anniversary Celebration Committee for their
work; Councilmember J. Martin thanked the 125th Anniversary Celebration Committee and Assistant
City Manager Traci Leach for their work. In addition, Councilmember J. Martin commented he
would like to see over 500 homes built on the west side of Bay Area Blvd., and hopes something
can be worked out; and he is disappointed better plans were not made for succession planning due
to the retirement of Tax Manager Kathy Powell; Councilmember K. Martin congratulated the
winners of the Public Works Coloring Book Contest; reminded everyone of the Juneteenth
festivities this coming weekend; Councilmember Kaminski congratulated the winners of the Public
Works Coloring Book Contest and commented she is sad that Tax Manager Kathy Powell will be
leaving the City when she retires, and thanked the Committee for working so hard; Councilmember
Zemanek congratulated the winners of the Public Works Coloring Book Contest; recognized the
12511 Anniversary Celebration Committee and wished all the fathers a Happy Father's Day this
coming weekend; Councilmember Engelken congratulated the winners of the Public Works
Coloring Book Contest; thanked the 125th Anniversary Celebration Committee; commented he is
also disappointed with moving tax collections from the City, and hopes the collection rate continues
as it has been, and he hopes there is a contingency plan in place if they don't perform well, and
regarding truck routes, he advised Fairmont Parkway needs to be widened sooner rather than later,
and perhaps we can have a partnership with the applicant; and Mayor Rigby thanks Sharon
Valiante for all the department did during Public Works Week; he congratulated the winners of the
Public Works Coloring Book Contest; informed he was the official starter for the Triathlon held at
Sylvan Beach and how impressed he was with all the participants, but especially one young man
with a prosthetic leg. He was unable to wear his prosthesis during the water race and the bicycle
race because it was not allowed. However, despite that, he was first out of the water. After his bike
race, he was then able to put his prosthesis on for the run. He will be representing the U.S. at the
2016 Summer Paralympics in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.
Page 4 of 5
June 13, 2016, Council Meeting Minutes
11. ADJOURN - There being no further business, Councilmember Engelken made a motion to adjourn
the meeting at 8:42 p.m. Councilmember Clausen seconded. MOTION PASSED UNANIMOUSLY
8/0. Councilmember Leonard was absent.
P, I � b j'/ -41, A
Patrice Fogarty, Ci ecreta
Passed a �p rose on June 27, 2016.
Ma' or L uis R. R' by
Page 5 of 5
June 13, 2016, Council Meeting Minutes