HomeMy WebLinkAbout2017-09-25 Regular Meeting of the La Porte City Council Minutes LOUIS RIGBY CF DARYL LEONARD
Mayor ,O Councilmember District 3
JOHN ZEMANEK I KRISTIN MARTIN
Councilmember At Large A w Mayor Pro-Tern
DOTTIE KAMINSKI Councilmember District 4
Councilmember At Large B JAY MARTIN
DANNY EARP pi
Councilmember District 5
Councilmember District 1 mks NANCY OJEDA
CHUCK ENGELKEN Councilmember District 6
Councilmember District 2
MINUTES OF THE REGULAR MEETING OF THE
CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF LA PORTE
SEPTEMBER 25, 2017
The City Council of the City of La Porte met in a regular meeting on Monday, September 25, 2017, 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 6:00 p.m. Members of Council
present: Councilmembers Ojeda, J. Martin, K. Martin, Kaminski, Engelken, Zemanek, Leonard, and
Earp. Also present were City Secretary Patrice Fogarty, City Manager Corby Alexander, and
Assistant City Attorney Clark Askins.
2. INVOCATION —The invocation was given by Shane Klinkerman, First Assembly of God.
3. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE —The Pledge of Allegiance was led by Councilmember Daryl Leonard.
4. PUBLIC COMMENTS (Limited to five minutes per person.)
Chuck Rosa, 812 S. Virginia St., addressed Council in regards to the tax rate and commented
citizens in La Porte need a decrease in property taxes.
Steve Gillett, 2601 S. Broadway#27, addressed Council in regards to water rates versus tax rates.
Drue Adams, 200 Cresent View, addressed Council in regards to the gate blocking access to the
bay.
Walter Bannerman, 9634 Belfast, addressed Council in regards to safety concerns with the lack of
stop signs and unsafe sidewalks in his neighborhood.
Charles Breitenbach, 10110 Roseberry Dr., addressed Council in regards to the lack of drainage
and speeding vehicles in his neighborhood.
David Sanchez, 10026 Clairmont, addressed Council in regards to the lack of drainage in his
neighborhood.
Mr. Breitenbach spoke again and advised he left contact information with the City but has not
received a response.
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September 25, 2017, Council Meeting Minutes
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 the City Council meeting held
September 11, 2017 and minutes of City Council members attending the Chapter 172
Employees/Retiree Insurance and Benefits Board meeting held on September 18, 2017— P.
Fogarty
(b) Consider approval or other action authorizing the City Manager to execute an agreement
with companies located within the Battleground Industrial District for provision of emergency
medical services by the City of La Porte — R. Nolen
(c) Consider approval or other action regarding a Resolution authorizing the City Manager to
sign a grant for participation in the La Porte Rifle Resistant Body Armor— K. Adcox
(d) Consider approval or other action awarding Bid #17025 for Annual Mowing Contract — M.
Huber
Consent Agenda Items C and D were singled out for questions.
Councilmember Engelken made a motion to approve all Consent Agenda Items pursuant to staff
recommendations. Councilmember K. Martin seconded the motion. MOTION PASSED
UNANIMOUSLY 9/0.
6. PUBLIC HEARINGS AND ASSOCIATED ORDINANCES
(a) Public hearing to receive comments on the recommendation of the Dangerous Building
Inspection Board for condemnation of dangerous/substandard building located at 621 W.
Main St.; consider approval or other action regarding an Ordinance providing for
condemnation of dangerous/substandard building located at 621 W. Main St. — M. Huber
The public hearing opened at 6:28 p.m.
Building Official Mark Huber presented a summary.
Engineer Rodney Slaton with Trinity Bay Engineering provided paperwork and additional
information.
There being no further public comments, the public hearing closed at 6:39 p.m.
Councilmember Zemanek made a motion to deny the request to grant additional time and directed
Staff to move forward with demolition of the building. Councilmember K. Martin seconded.
MOTION PASSED 8/1.
Ayes: Mayor Rigby, Councilmembers J. Martin, K. Martin, Earp,
Leonard, Zemanek, Kaminski, and Engelken
Nays: Councilmember Ojeda
Absent: None
Prior to council action, Assistant City Attorney Clark Askins read the caption of Ordinance 2017-3682: AN
ORDINANCE DECLARING THE COMMERCIAL BUILDING LOCATED AT LOTS FOUR (4), FIVE (5) AND SIX (6),
BLOCK 42, TOWN OF LA PORTE, HARRIS COUNTY, TEXAS, MORE COMMONLY KNOWN AS 621 W. Main St. TO
BE IN FACT A NUISANCE; ORDERING SUCH BUILDING CONDEMNED; FINDING THAT 8200 V MEMORIAL. LLC., IS
THE RECORD OWNER OF SAID PROPERTY; ORDERING THE SAID OWNER TO ENTIRELY REMOVE OR TEAR
DOWN SUCH BUILDING; ORDERING THE SAID OWNER TO COMMENCE SAID REMOVAL OR DEMOLITION
WITHIN TEN (10) DAYS FROM THE EFFECTIVE DATE OF THIS ORDINANCE; AND TO COMPLETE SAID REMOVAL
OR DEMOLITION WITHIN FORTY-FIVE (45) DAYS FROM THE EFFECTIVE DATE OF THIS ORDINANCE, ORDERING
THE DANGEROUS BUILDING INSPECTIONS BOARD TO PLACE A NOTICE ON SAID OWNER; PROVIDING FOR
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September 25, 2017, Council Meeting Minutes
THE REMOVAL OF SAID BUILDING BY THE CITY OF LA PORTE IF NOT REMOVED BY SAID OWNER IN THE
MANNER PROVIDED HEREIN; PROVIDING AN EFFECTIVE DATE HEREOF; AND FINDING COMPLIANCE WITH
THE OPEN MEETINGS LAW.
7
(a) Consider approval or other action regarding recommendation from the Chapter 172
Employee/Retiree Insurance and Benefits Board concerning plan design and premium schedule
change for the 2018 plan year— M. Hartleib
Human Resources Manager Matt Hartleib presented a summary.
Councilmember Engelken made a motion to adopt the recommendations of the Chapter 172
Employee/Retiree Insurance and Benefits Board. Councilmember J. Martin seconded. MOTION
PASSED UNANIMOUSLY 9/0.
Ayes: Mayor Rigby, Councilmembers J. Martin, K. Martin, Ojeda,
Earp, Leonard, Zemanek, Kaminski, and Engelken
Nays: None
Absent: None
(b) Consider approval or other action regarding an Ordinance approving and adopting the City of La
Porte, Texas' Fiscal Year 2017-2018 Proposed Budget — M. Dolby (This item was postposed
at the September 11, 2017 City Council Meeting)
Finance Director Michael Dolby presented a summary.
Councilmember Zemanek made a motion to approve an Ordinance adopting the City of La Porte,
Texas' Fiscal Year 2017-2018 Proposed Budget including an additional $60,728 for the Park Street
Sidewalk Project and an additional $35,000 for the Battleship Texas video sponsorship.
Councilmember Engelken seconded. MOTION PASSED UNANIMOUSLY 9/0.
Ayes: Mayor Rigby, Councilmembers J. Martin, K. Martin, Ojeda,
Earp, Leonard, Zemanek, Kaminski, and Engelken
Nays: None
Absent: None
Prior to council action, Assistant City Attorney Clark Askins read the caption of Ordinance 2017-3683: AN
ORDINANCE APPROVING AND ADOPTING THE BUDGET FOR THE CITY OF LA PORTE, TEXAS, FOR
THE PERIOD OF OCTOBER 1, 2017, THROUGH SEPTEMBER 30, 2018; FINDING THAT ALL THINGS
REQUISITE AND NECESSARY HAVE BEEN DONE IN PREPARATION AND PRESENTMENT OF SAID
BUDGET; FINDING COMPLIANCE WITH THE OPEN MEETINGS LAW; AND PROVIDING AN EFFECTIVE
DATE HEREOF.
(c) Consider approval or other action regarding vote ratifying increase of revenue from property tax
reflected in 2017-2018 Fiscal Year Budget — M. Dolby (This item was postponed at the
September 11, 2017 City Council Meeting)
Finance Director Michael Dolby presented a summary.
Councilmember Leonard made a motion to ratify the increase of revenue from property tax reflected
in 2017-2018 Fiscal Year Budget. Councilmember Engelken seconded. MOTION PASSED
UNANIMOUSLY 9/0.
Ayes: Mayor Rigby, Councilmembers J. Martin, K. Martin, Ojeda,
Earp, Leonard, Zemanek, Kaminski, and Engelken
Nays: None
Absent: None
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September 25, 2017, Council Meeting Minutes
(d) Consider approval or other action regarding a Resolution adopting the 2017 Appraisal Roll of
the Harris County Appraisal District — M. Dolby (This item was postponed at the
September 11, 2017 City Council Meeting)
Finance Director Michael Dolby presented a summary.
Councilmember Zemanek made a motion to approve a Resolution adopting the 2017 Appraisal Roll
of the Harris County Appraisal District. Councilmember Kaminski seconded. MOTION PASSED
UNANIMOUSLY 9/0.
Ayes: Mayor Rigby, Councilmembers J. Martin, K. Martin, Ojeda,
Earp, Leonard, Zemanek, Kaminski, and Engelken
Nays: None
Absent: None
(e) Consider approval or other action regarding an Ordinance establishing the tax rate of the
current tax year (2017) for a total tax rate of$0.71 per hundred dollar valuation — M. Dolby
Finance Director Michael Dolby presented a summary.
Councilmember Engelken made a motion to approve an Ordinance establishing the tax rate for the
current tax year (2017) for a total tax rate of $0.71 per hundred dollar valuation. Councilmember
Kaminski seconded. MOTION PASSED UNANIMOUSLY 9/0.
Ayes: Mayor Rigby, Councilmembers J. Martin, K. Martin, Ojeda,
Earp, Leonard, Zemanek, Kaminski, and Engelken
Nays: None
Absent: None
Prior to council action, Assistant City Attorney Clark Askins read the caption of Ordinance 2017-3684: AN
ORDINANCE LEVYING TAXES UPON TAXABLE PROPERTY LOCATED WITHIN AND SUBJECT TO
TAXATION IN THE CITY OF LA PORTE, TEXAS; MAKING APPROPRIATIONS FOR SUPPORT;
MAINTENANCE, AND IMPROVEMENTS OF THE CITY GOVERNMENT OF SAID CITY OF LA PORTE;
FINDING THAT ALL REQUIRED NOTICES HAVE BEEN PUBLISHED AND ALL REQUIRED HEARINGS
HELD; CONTAINING A REPEALING CLAUSE; CONTAINING A SEVERABILITY CLAUSE; FINDING
COMPLIANCE WITH THE OPEN MEETINGS LAW; AND PROVIDING AN EFFECTIVE DATE HEREOF.
(f) Consider approval or other action regarding adopting a Resolution nominating a candidate to
the Harris County Appraisal District's board of directors — P. Fogarty
City Secretary Patrice Fogarty presented a summary.
Councilmember J. Martin made a motion to nominate Mike Sullivan to the Harris County Appraisal
District's board of directors. Councilmember Earp seconded. MOTION PASSED UNANIMOUSLY
9/0.
Ayes: Mayor Rigby, Councilmembers J. Martin, K. Martin, Ojeda,
Earp, Leonard, Zemanek, Kaminski, and Engelken
Nays: None
Absent: None
8. ADMINISTRATIVE REPORTS
City Manager Corby Alexander gave an update on a Town Hall meeting held in La Porte and FEMA
services that are available; suggested a future workshop meeting to discuss the concerns of Mr.
Adams and advised Council a study will be done to see if stop signs are needed in the areas
mentioned by Mr. Bannerman and Mr. Breitenbach.
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September 25, 2017, Council Meeting Minutes
9. COUNCIL COMMENTS regarding matters appearing on the agenda; recognition of community
members, city employees, and upcoming events; inquiry of staff regarding specific factual
information.
Councilmember Engelken commented the budget process was great; thanked the City for notifying
the community of actual FEMA representatives who are out in the community and encouraged the
City to continue with the collection of debris throughout the community; Councilmember Earp
thanked the Chapter 172 Employee/Retiree Insurance and Benefits Board for their hard work and
Council for moving in this direction; Councilmember Ojeda thanked Human Resources Manager
Matt Hartleib and the Chapter 172 Employee/Retiree Insurance and Benefits Board for working
together; commented she does not want to lose another building on Main Street; and thanked
Emergency Medical Services for their work at the Health Fair: Councilmember J. Martin thanked the
Chapter 172 Employee/Retiree Insurance and Benefits Board and Human Resources Manager
Matt Hartleib for their hard work; encouraged Staff to continue identifying and addressing drainage
issues in the community; and thanked Pastor Klinkerman of First Assembly of God for providing the
dinner tonight; Councilmember K. Martin thanked the Chapter 172 Employee/Retiree Insurance and
Benefits Board for their work and sent a special thanks to the La Porte Fire and Police Departments
for welcoming Officer Jason Kraatz home; Councilmember Kaminski thanked the Chapter 172
Employee/Retiree Insurance and Benefits Board; everyone that assisted with the Heath Fair and
Human Resources Manager Matt Hartleib for his presentation; Councilmember Zemanek thanked
the Chapter 172 Employee/Retiree Insurance and Benefits Board; commented he does not think
the City is losing a building on Main Street and the outcome of that item is good because if the
owner builds, it will be built to the current codes; commented he could like a short synopsis on
where the City is rather than a workshop regarding the gate that is blocking access to the bay and
the concerns of Mr. Adams; and commented he stands with law enforcement and not the NFL; and
Mayor Rigby thanked the Finance Department, the Chapter 172 Employee/Retiree Insurance and
Benefits Board for their recommendations, advised he attended the Hood Regatta at the Houston
Yacht Club and showed everyone a framed 'thank you' the City was presented with at the event.
10. ADJOURN - There being no further business, Councilmember Engelken made a motion to adjourn
the meeting at 7:25 p.m. Councilmember Leonard seconded the motion. MOTION PASSED
UNANIMOUSLY 9/0.
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Patrice Fogarty, C.I.ecretji
Passed an., .pp ,Av-: on October 9, 2017.
4011111161
M:yor Luis R. Rill!
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September 25, 2017, Council Meeting Minutes