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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2018-08-13 Regular Meeting of the La Porte City Council LOUIS RIGBY OF - A BILL BENTLEY Mayor 0 Councilmember District 3 JOHN ZEMANEK P.A. KRISTIN MARTIN Councilmember At Large A DOTTIE KAMINSKI ti /� T Councilmember District 4 JAY MARTIN g Councilmember At Large B w /// Councilmember District 5 DANNY EARP 77 Councilmember District 1 NANCY OJEDA Councilmember District 6 CHUCK ENGELKEN Mayor Pro-Tern Councilmember District 2 MINUTES OF THE REGULAR MEETING OF THE LA PORTE CITY COUNCIL CONVENING ON AUGUST 13, 2018, AND CONCLUDING ON AUGUST 14, 2018 The City Council of the City of La Porte met in a regular meeting on Monday, August 13, 2018, and concluded said meeting on Tuesday, August 14, 2018, at the City Hall Council Chambers, 604 West Fairmont Parkway, La Porte, Texas, beginning each evening 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., on Monday, August 13, 2018. Members of Council present: Councilmembers Ojeda, J. Martin, K. Martin, Engelken, Bentley, Zemanek, Kaminski and Earp. Also present were City Secretary Patrice Fogarty and City Manager Corby Alexander. 2. INVOCATION —The invocation was given by Assistant City Attorney Clark Askins. 3. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE—The Pledge of Allegiance was led by Councilmember Bill Bentley. 4. PUBLIC COMMENTS (Limited to five minutes per person.) Chuck Rosa, 812 S. Virginia St., addressed Council and commented on the vehicle citations written by the Police Department; he is pro trucking industry. Jeff Martin, 3118 Silver Spring Dr., addressed Council on behalf of the Board of Directors of the La Porte Bayshore Chamber of Commerce, and thanked City Council and Staff for their support. Bill Scott, 1722 Lomax School Rd., addressed Council regarding lowering tax rates in the City. Steve Gillett, 2601 S. Broadway, addressed Council and commented he is pleased with the current tax rate and services of the City. 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 Council Meeting held on July 23, 2018 — P. Fogarty (b) Consider approval or other action authorizing the City of La Porte Mayor to sign a thirty-six (36) month economic development services agreement with the Economic Alliance Houston Port Region beginning July 1, 2018 and ending June 30, 2021 —J. Weeks Page 1 of 6 August 13-14, 2018, Council Meeting Minutes (c) Consider approval or other action regarding an Interlocal Agreement between the City of La Porte and San Jacinto Community College District for use of backup facilities during an emergency or disaster— K. Gauthier Councilmembers Zemanek and Ojeda had questions on Item B. Assistant City Manager Jason Weeks answered Councilmember Ojeda's questions and advised Councilmember Zemanek he would provide the individual appointed as designee and the process of appointment to the Economic Alliance Houston Port Region. Councilmember Engelken made a motion to approve Consent Agenda Items pursuant to staff recommendations. Councilmember Jay Martin seconded the motion. MOTION PASSED UNANIMOUSLY 9/0. 6. DISCUSSION AND POSSIBLE ACTION (a) Consider approval or other action regarding an Ordinance providing for condemnation of a dangerous/substandard building located at 9906 Rocky Hollow Rd., based on the recommendation of the Dangerous Building Inspection Board — M. Kirkwood (This item was postponed from the July 9, 2018, City Council Meeting.) Deputy Building Official Mike Kirkwood presented a summary. Councilmember Ojeda made a motion to remove 9906 Rocky Hollow Rd., from the dangerous building list. Councilmember Bentley seconded the motion. MOTION PASSED UNANIMOUSLY 9/0. (b) Presentation for City of La Porte Fiscal Year 2018-2019 Proposed Budget— M. Dolby Mayor Rigby proposed 9:00 p.m. as the time to recess each evening until business is concluded, and Council agreed. Finance Director Michael Dolby began the presentation by providing an overview of the budget. IT Manager Grady Parker provided information on a project for City-Owned Private Fiber. Fire Chief Carl Holley presented the 2018-2019 Fiscal Year proposed budget for Fire Suppression and Fire Prevention. Emergency Medical Services Chief Ray Nolen presented the 2018-2019 Fiscal Year proposed budget for Emergency Medical Services. Interim Police Chief Ron Parker presented the 2018-2019 Fiscal Year proposed budget for the Police Department. City Council recessed for a break at 7:30 p.m. and reconvened at 7:43 p.m. Golf Course Manager Alex Osmond presented the 2018- 2019 Fiscal Year proposed budget for the Golf Course. Assistant City Manager Jason Weeks presented the 2018-2019 proposed Fiscal Year Budget for the City Manager's Office. Emergency Management Manager Kristin Gauthier presented the 2018-2019 proposed Fiscal Year Budget for Emergency Management. Page 2 of 6 August 13-14, 2018, Council Meeting Minutes Assistant City Manager Jason Weeks presented the 2018-2019 proposed Fiscal Year Budget for Community Investment. Human Resources Manager Matt Hartleib presented the 2018-2019 Fiscal Year proposed budget for the Human Resources Department. Municipal Court Judge Denise Mitrano presented the 2018-2019 Fiscal Year proposed budget for the Municipal Court. IT Manager Grady Parker presented the 2018-2019 Fiscal Year proposed budget for Information Technology. City Secretary Patrice Fogarty presented the 2018-2019 proposed Fiscal Year Budget for the City Secretary's Office. Assistant City Manager Jason Weeks presented the 2018-2019 proposed Fiscal Year Budget for Legal. City Secretary Patrice Fogarty presented the 2018-2019 proposed Fiscal Year Budget for City Council. Finance Director Michael Dolby presented the 2018-2019 proposed Fiscal Year Budget for the Finance Department. Director of Public Works, Don Pennell, presented the 2018-2019 Fiscal Year proposed budget for the Public Works Department, including the Street Division; Residential Solid Waste; Commercial Solid Waste; Water Production; Water Distribution; Wastewater Collection; Wastewater Treatment; Airport; La Porte Area Water Authority; and the Vehicle Maintenance and Replacement Funds. The meeting was recessed at 9:11 p.m. to reconvene on Tuesday, August 14, 2018, at 6:00 p.m. Tuesday, August 14, 2018 Mayor Rigby reconvened the August 13, 2018, Council meeting at 6:00 p.m. on Tuesday, August 14, 2018. Members of Council present: Councilmembers Engelken, Ojeda, J. Martin, K. Martin, Bentley, Zemanek, Kaminski and Earp. Also present were City Secretary Patrice Fogarty and City Manager Corby Alexander. City Manager Corby Alexander and Staff provided information requested from the August 13, 2018, meeting regarding the following: cell phone usage; City-Owned Private Fiber; advertisement of community events in the Bay Area Observer; cost analysis for an in-house attorney; memberships at the Golf Course; and vehicles for the Police Department. Council directed Staff to do the following: • bring back a discussion about City-Owned Private Fiber in April 2019 during the Budget Retreat; • add additional funds to budget to run monthly ads in the Bay Area Observer; • obtain cost analysis for a full-time prosecutor. City Manager Corby Alexander advised Council he and Golf Course Manager Alex Osmond will work on proposed fees for the Golf Course. Council agreed continuing with Tahoe vehicles for the Police Department. Page 3 of 6 August 13-14, 2018, Council Meeting Minutes Parks and Recreation Director Rosalyn Epting presented the 2018-2019 Fiscal Year proposed budget for the Parks Department that includes Parks Maintenance; Recreation; Special Services; and Administration. Council agreed to move $3,128.00 back into Special Services Account 2015. Councilmember Ojeda commented she, along with Fairmont Park HOA, would like to reinstitute the $1.00 admission fee at Fairmont Park Swimming Pool. City Council recessed for a break at 7:31 p.m. and reconvened at 7:44 p.m. City Planner Ian Clowes presented the 2018-2019 Fiscal Year proposed budget for the Planning Department, which includes GIS and Inspections. City Manager Corby Alexander provided an overview of the City's tuition reimbursement program. Human Resources Manager Matt Hartleib presented the proposed 2018-2019 Fiscal Year Budget for Liability and Employee Health Insurance. Council directed Mr. Hartleib to move forward with the proposed change to pharmacy formulary that was reviewed by the Chapter 172 Employee, Retiree Insurance and Benefits Board. They will also look at options on stop loss coverage. Economic Development Coordinator Ryan Cramer presented the 2018-2019 Fiscal Year proposed budget for Economic Development. Councilmember Ojeda commented that if the EDC meeting is a short meeting, maybe just provide an appetizer tray instead of a full meal. Parks and Recreation Director Rosalyn Epting presented the 2018-2019 proposed Fiscal Year Budget for the Hotel-Motel Fund. City Manager Alexander stated we can use some of this money for golf course advertising, because the goal of advertising dollars in this fund is for tourism. When questioned by Councilmember Zemanek, City Manager Alexander stated yes, we can use these funds to advertise for little league tournaments—heads in beds is the criteria to stay focused on with these advertising dollars. City Manager Corby Alexander presented the 2018-2019 proposed Fiscal Year Budget for Capital Improvement Projects. He added that the $650,000 for the private fiber network with be removed from this proposed budget, to be brought back next April during pre-budget workshops. What will be placed back in is the annual AT&T fee for this year and possibly next budget. Councilmember Ojeda brought up a question about the delinquent taxes the City pays on Habitat lots. She asked has the County and LPISD been approached to pay their share, to chip in? Mr. Alexander stated they've been approached, and they have taken the stance that it is unlawful for them to waive their taxes. Councilmember Ojeda asked to revisit the increase to the advertising budget so as to include both the Bay Area Observe and Around La Porte. She commented what about having one in print and maybe one electronic. That would probably save on advertising costs. Councilmember Zemanek stated that his desire is to share and share alike between the two papers. What's good for one is good for the other. Duplicate advertising may not occur because one paper is a weekly, and the other is a monthly. The weekly will have more varied advertising. Councilmember Engelken commented he would like to be provided: • some information on the number of donations for beautification trail system project advertisement that's found on our utility bills —that it has been on there a long time — Page 4 of 6 August 13-14, 2018, Council Meeting Minutes and suggests replacing that one with a request for donations to the La Porte Animal Shelter; • a report of the number of injuries/incidents since the position of the Safety/Risk Specialist; he would like to know what the impact of that position has been as far as the number of preventable accidents, number of recordable injuries and lost time and the dollars associated with each, to see if there's a trend downward to see if the position has paid for itself and/or improved the safety record for the City; and • He commented he does not want to see another mitigation analysis/study for Brookglen due to the number of times it has been studied in the past. We've done enough analyses to know what the problems are; don't spend the budgeted $275,000 on another analysis. Councilmember Earp reviewed in depth more opportunities for additional cuts or more discussion regarding the cuts provided to all of Council by City Manager Alexander and asked for opinions from Council on the following subjects: IT computer software and consulting; Planning and Development director position; Insurance fund and reduction in liability insurance; Legal regarding in-house council; Golf Course regarding an increase in fees; Special Programs; Pharmacy Formulary; Stop Loss Coverage; Motor Pool Lease Fees; Refund back to general fund for drainage interconnect under Wharton Weems; Eliminate CIP project for fencing and sidewalk on Spencer on the north side; Public Works reduction of force; In-house mechanic repairs; Contingency Fund; Tax Collector Assessor position; Franchise Fee (Enterprise); and Fiber Project Proposal. Mayor Rigby asked if an option can be for a penny decrease a year for 5 years or a penny and a half for 3 years to sustain the budget presented. Councilmember Earp stated he would be in favor of it. City Manager Corby Alexander responded he can work on saving a penny and half for 3 years. Councilmember Jay Martin commented he has not been approached by any citizen requesting a tax rate reduction and the City is negotiating agreements with the Industrial Districts and now is not the time to do tax cuts. Councilmember Zemanek commented the LPISD bond election was overwhelmingly embraced by the citizens because it benefited our youth, and maybe it is time for the City to do the same thing. He stated for the average household in La Porte, a $.05 increase or decrease would be $3.76/month, and he stated if it was an increase, the IDA folks would pay the increase, as well. He believes the money could be used in several ways, with earmarks for a new standalone fitness center on a separate piece of property; revamp the senior facility; do away with merit increases and, instead, give each employee a $1,500 stipend paid on their November check; turf baseball fields which will put heads in beds; increase can assist with legal costs and drainage improvements that we need; projects for kids in the summer. He would like Council to consider this and advertise it as enhancements for the community. Council directed City Manager Corby Alexander to come back at the next council meeting, or call a special meeting, with options for additional cuts and provide information on how close the City is to the tax roll back and how the City can accomplish a savings of a penny. 7. REPORTS (a) Receive report of the Drainage and Flooding Committee Meeting on Monday, August 13, 2018— Councilmember Jay Martin Councilmember Jay Martin provided a report on the August 13, 2018, Drainage and Flooding Committee Meeting. Page 5 of 6 August 13-14, 2018, Council Meeting Minutes 8. ADMINISTRATIVE REPORTS City Manager Corby Alexander thanked Council and Staff for their patience and support during the budget preparations. 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 Bentley thanked Staff for their work during the budget preparations and commented he would like to see a cost of living for employees built into the budget; Councilmembers Engelken, Earp, Kaminski, and Zemanek thanked Staff for their work during the budget; Councilmember Ojeda thanked Staff and Council for the budget preparations; Councilmember J. Martin thanked City Manager Corby Alexander and Staff for the budget preparations and wished the best to Councilmember K. Martin on the birth of her new baby; Councilmember K. Martin commented she is not in favor of a tax rate reduction and feels the City is in good condition and capital items should be eliminated before control of needed items are taken away from Staff; and Mayor Rigby thanked City Manager Corby Alexander, the Finance Department and Directors for their work preparing the budget; commented this was the first budget for Assistant City Manager Jason Weeks, and he did a good job; and reminded everyone that school begins tomorrow and to look out for the children. 10. ADJOURN There being no further business, Councilmember Engelken made a motion to adjourn the meeting at 9:23 p.m. Councilmember Zemanek seconded the motion. MOTION PASSED UNANIMOUSLY 9/0. PaP.V..& ,,,, ',JO/ _ Patrice Fogarty, Ci,s ecret Passed aj a.. ov-. on August 27, 2018. Agit A M. or Louis Rigb 1 Page 6 of 6 August 13-14, 2018, Council Meeting Minutes