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Home My WebLink About2018-04-14 Special Meeting of the La Porte City Council LOUIS RIGBY DARYL LEONARD Mayor O*. A Councilmember District 3 JOHN ZEMANEK •O KRISTIN MARTIN Councilmember at Large A Councilmember District 4 DOTTIE KAMINSKI m Councilmember at Large B JAY MARTIN Councilmember District 5 DANNY EARP NANCOJDA Mayor Pro Tem Councilmember'Districtt 6 Councilmember District 1 ,,�' CHUCK ENGELKEN Councilmember District 2 MINUTES OF THE SPECIAL MEETING OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF LA PORTE APRIL 14, 2018 The City Council of the City of La Porte met in a special meeting on Saturday, April 14, 2018, 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 8:30 a.m. Members of Council present: Councilmembers Engelken, Earp, K. Martin, Zemanek, Ojeda, Kaminski and J. Martin. Absent: Councilmember Leonard Members of City Executive Staff and City Employees Present: City Manager's Office: Corby Alexander, Jason Weeks and Ryan Cramer City Secretary's Office: Patrice Fogarty Finance: Michael Dolby, Gay Collins and Shelley Wolny Parks: Rosalyn Epting Planning: Richard Mancilla Police Department: Ken Adcox, Steve Deardorff and Matt Daeumer Fire Department: Mike Boaze Public Works Department: Don Pennell Human Resources: Matt Hartleib Municipal Court: Cathy Haney I.T.: Grady Parker 2. Discussion and possible 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. There were no questions from Council. B. Property Tax Rate Reduction—(Councilmember Earp) —C. Alexander City Manager Corby Alexander presented a summary. There were questions on homestead exemptions. Councilmember Earp commented he is not asking to cut City services. Council directed Staff to come back with some ideas for reducing property tax rates and its effects. Page 1 of 5 April 14,2018,City Council Special Meeting Minutes Items L, U, C, R, S and T were discussed and taken out of order at this time due to Councilmembers Earp and J. Martin having to leave the meeting at 12:00 p.m. See items for discussions. C. City Attorney/City Prosecutor ((Councilmember Earp) — C. Alexander City Manager Corby Alexander presented a summary. Councilmember Earp questioned the current attorneys being provided health insurance and not being employed by the City and not having a contract with the City. Mayor Rigby commented City Council has to decide if an attorney/prosecutor is needed in-house or by contract. Staff was directed to bring back options for a full time in-house city attorney vs. a city attorney with a contract. Staff was also directed to bring back options for revising the existing city attorneys' arrangement. D. Public Works Facility Improvements — (Mayor Rigby) — D. Pennell Public Works Director Don Pennell presented a summary and recommended a thorough evaluation be conducted to see what improvements are required rather than a total rebuild. Council agreed for Staff to get an engineered assessment of how to proceed. Mayor Rigby recessed for a break at 9:55 a.m. Mayor Rigby reconvened the workshop at 10:08 a.m. E. Discuss GASB 75 and OPEB — M. Dolby Finance Director Michael Dolby presented a summary and recommended pre-funding and setting aside $2.3 million to lower the liability. Staff was directed to get actuarial information and report back. F. Parking Lot Renovation at Fairmont Park (Councilmember Ojeda) — R. Epting Parks and Recreation Director Rosalyn Epting presented a summary. There were no objections to moving forward with the project. G. Library Security Cameras and Summer Reading Program — (Councilmember Ojeda) — E. Epting Parks and Recreation Director Rosalyn Epting presented a summary. Councilmember Ojeda advised she is a volunteer at the library and has heard of vandalism and mischief at the library and requested the city provide security cameras and a summer reading program. There were no objections to moving forward with the project. H. Playground at Woodfalls Park— (Councilmember Ojeda) — R. Epting Parks and Recreation Director Rosalyn Epting presented a summary. Page 2 of 5 April 14, 2018, City Council Special Meeting Minutes Councilmember Ojeda informed residents are displeased with the playground equipment at Woodfalls Park. There were no objections to moving forward with the project Police Chief Ken Adcox added if three apparatus are added, the park can be designated a drug free zone. Council directed Staff to reconfigure removing parking south of the parking lot for more playground equipment, if necessary. Fairmont Park West Park & Pool —(Councilmember Kaminski) — R. Epting Parks and Recreation Director Rosalyn Epting and Mayor Rigby presented a summary. President of Fairmont Park West Homeowners Association Mike Patterson spoke and asked the City consider taking on the maintenance at the pool and the homeowners association continue to provide lifeguards. Mr. Patterson also asked the City to consider a 2-year agreement and keep the park and pool operable. Bill Bentley spoke and informed Council of concerns regarding the maintenance of the pool and the playground at Fairmont Park West. Staff was directed to go out and confirm what needs to be done at Fairmont Park West Park & Pool. J. Recycling Options —(Councilmember Ojeda) — D. Pennell Public Works Director Don Pennell presented a summary. Staff was directed to research subscription based options; installing cameras at the current recycling location and to place the signage back on Sens Rd. K. Animal Testing Protocol —(Councilmember Ojeda)— K. Adcox Lieutenant Matt Daeumer presented a summary. Councilmember Ojeda commented there should be medical funds to assist individuals that adopt animals from the shelter. Council agreed on Proposal I, testing and treatment of animals. L. Decorative Street Lighting for S. Broadway— (Councilmember J. Martin)— R. Epting Parks and Recreation Director Rosalyn Epting presented a summary. Councilmember J. Martin commented he would like to see S. Broadway lighted and advised he has asked the City Manager to visit with Harris County to see if funding is available. City Manager Alexander advised he has an appointment with Harris County on Friday. Councilmember Zemanek asked if this project qualifies as beautification under the Economic Development Corporation. City Manager Corby Alexander responded it is a possibility. Staff was directed to come back with more information. Page 3 of 5 April 14, 2018,City Council Special Meeting Minutes M. Convert Klein Retreat into a Beach—(Councilmember Kaminski)— R. Epting Parks and Recreation Director Rosalyn Epting presented a summary. Staff was directed to get figures together for Klein Retreat to become a park. N. Vehicle Storage Regulations —(Councilmember Kaminski)— R. Mancilla Economic Development Coordinator presented a summary. Council requested Planning and Development Director Richard Mancilla to bring the item back for discussion at a future City Council meeting. O. Gateway Flagpoles —(Councilmember Kaminski) — R. Epting Parks and Recreation Director Rosalyn Epting presented a summary. Council agreed to go with Option 2- Three (3) Flagpoles: $9,568.00. P. East Main Street Sidewalk Project—(Councilmember Kaminski) — D. Pennell Public Works Director Don Pennell presented a summary. Council agreed to fund the project for the next two years. Q. City Council Office Space—(Councilmember Engelken)—J. Weeks Assistant City Manager Jason Weeks provided the summary for discussion. Councilmember Engelken commented he does not utilize his office on a regular basis. Councilmembers Kaminski and Ojeda informed they do utilize their offices on a regular basis. Councilmember J. Martin informed he does utilize his office but is willing to provide it to someone if needed. Councilmembers Zemanek and Earp also commented they do not utilize their offices on a regular basis and advised the offices are available if needed. R. Medical Plan Performance Update (Councilmember Earp)— M. Hartleib Human Resources Manager Matt Hartleib presented a summary. Councilmember Earp thanked Mr. Hartleib for the update. S. F216 Channel De-silting/Cleaning —(Councilmember Earp)— D. Pennell Public Works Director Don Pennell presented a summary and reported Harris County will de-silt the ditches. Page 4 of 5 April 14,2018,City Council Special Meeting Minutes T. Lomax Roadside Ditches De-silting/Cleaning — (Councilmember Earp) — D. Pennell Public Works Director Don Pennell presented a summary and reported cleanouts of H. L and P Streets will be mobilized within the next month. U. Northwest Park Walking Trail — (Councilmember Earp) — R. Epting Parks and Recreation Director Rosalyn Epting presented a summary. City Manager Corby Alexander advised the item is currently budgeted at $25,000.00 for this year and will be done in-house. V. Options/Ideas to revive Main Street— (Councilmember Kaminski) — R. Cramer Economic Development Coordinator Ryan Cramer presented a summary. Councilmember Kaminski asked if business owners have been provided information regarding grants. Mr. Cramer responded yes. Councilmember Zemanek shared ideas of a joint venture process between the City and the Chamber of Commerce to revitalize Main Street. Staff was directed to look at other downtowns and bring back ideas to revitalize Main Street. 3. Council Comments Mayor and Council thanked Staff for the budget presentations and attending the meeting. 4. Adjourn There being no further business, Councilmember Engelken moved to adjourn the meeting at 12:12 p.m. Councilmember J. Martin seconded. MOTION PASSED UNANIMOUSLY. Respectfully submitted, C?ttrt,t-zt Jo Patrice Fogarty, City 4retar Passed alp • e• on M. . 4, 2018. ii/ A Mayor Lluis R. Rig ay Page 5 of 5 April 14, 2018, City Council Special Meeting Minutes