HomeMy WebLinkAbout2020-09-05 Special Meeting of the La Porte City Council LOUIS RIGBY04 ,F BILL BENTLEY
Mayor Councilmember District 3 Mayor Pro Tem
BRANDON LUNSFORD :9�
Councilmember At Large A \
STEVE GILLETT
!� THOMAS GARZA
Councilmember At Large B Councilmember District 4
DANNY EARP � JAY MARTIN
Councilmember District 1 Councilmember District 5
NANCY OJEDA
CHUCK ENGELKEN
Councilmember District 6
Councilmember District 2
MINUTES OF THE SPECIAL MEETING OF THE
CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF LA PORTE
MAY 9, 2020
The City Council of the City of La Porte met in a special meeting on Saturday, May 9, 2020, at the City
Hall Council Chambers, 604 West Fairmont Parkway, La Porte, Texas, at 8:30 a.m., with the following
in attendance:
Councilmembers present: Louis Rigby, Steve Gillett, Danny Earp, Chuck Engelken, Bill Bentley, Thomas
Garza, Jay Martin
Councilpersons attending remotely: Nancy Ojeda
Councilmembers absent: Brandon Lunsford
Council-appointed officers present: Corby Alexander, City Manager; Lee Woodward, City Secretary
CALL TO ORDER — Mayor Rigby called the meeting to order at 8:30 a.m.
2. CITIZEN COMMENT (Generally limited to five minutes per person; in accordance with state law, the time
may be reduced if there is a high number of speakers or other considerations.)
Chuck Rosa spoke in opposition to several of the items on the agenda and asked the Council to assist
local businesses affected by COVID-19.
Mayor Rigby reminded the Council of the rules of procedure and noted a motion, second, and vote would
be necessary to establish the interest of the Council to consider an item.
3. STATUTORY AGENDA The purpose of this meeting is to discuss and formulate City Council and
staff plans, operations, policies, and/or future projects, including the following:
(a) Financial Overview. [Michael Dolby, Finance Director]
City Manager Corby Alexander gave a brief update on COVID-19, saying the City would be
okay, provided there was only a single round of the restrictions experienced. Mr. Dolby shared
the annual financial overview.
(b) Utility Rate Comparison and Update (Requested by Councilmember Engelken).
[Michael Dolby, Director of Finance]
Councilperson Engelken moved to have the item discussed for information only; the motion
was adopted, 8-0.
(c) Employee Compensation, Retention & Training Update (Requested by Mayor Pro-tem
Bentley & Councilmember Earp). [Matt Hartleib, Human Resources Manager]
Mayor Pro Tern Bentley moved to have the item considered; the motion was adopted, 8-0.
Mr. Hartleib provided the report.
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May 9, 2020, Council Meeting Minutes
(d) Medical Plan Update. [Matt Hartleib, Human Resources Manager]
Councilperson Garza moved to have the update presented; the motion was adopted, 8-0. Mr.
Hartleib presented the update.
(e) Property Tax Waiver for Volunteer Firefighters (Requested by Councilmember Garza).
[Michael Dolby, Director of Finance]
Councilperson Garza moved to postpone the item indefinitely; the motion was adopted, 8-0.
(f) Utility Bill Waiver for First Responders (i.e. Fire, EMS, Police & Dispatch) (Requested
by Councilmember Garza). [Michael Dolby, Director of Finance]
Councilperson Garza moved to consider a utility bill waiver for first responders. The motion
did not receive a second and was not considered.
(g) New City Hall (Requested by Mayor Rigby). [Ray Mayo, Director of Public Works]
Mayor Rigby moved to consider plans for a new City Hall; the motion was adopted 7-1,
Councilperson Garza voting against. Mr. Mayo gave a presentation on condition and next
steps in order to proceed.
(h) EMS Billing Fees and Collection Options. [Lisa Camp, EMS Chief]
Mayor Pro Tem Bentley moved that the item be considered; the motion was unanimously
adopted, 8-0. Chief Camp provided a report recommending third-party billing. The Council
adjourned for lunch at 11:42 a.m. and reconvened at 12:17 p.m.
(Without objection, item I was taken out of order.)
(i) Wrought-iron Fence to Replace Chain-link Fence area at Bay Forest Golf Course
(Requested by Mayor Rigby). [Billy Stoker, General Manager]
The Mayor moved that the item be considered; the motion was adopted, 8-0. Mr. Stoker
provided an overview.
(j) Parking Logistics at Pecan Park(Requested by Councilmember Engelken). [Ray Mayo,
Director of Public Works]
Councilperson Engelken moved to discuss the item; the motion was unanimously adopted, 8-
0. Mr. Mayo provided several options.
Councilperson Garza moved to fix the time to which to adjourn to Saturday, May 16, at 8:30
a.m.; the motion was unanimously adopted, 8-0. The meeting was adjourned at 2:07 p.m.
(k) Fairmont Park West Park and Pool Update(Requested by Mayor Pro-tem Bentley). [Roz
Epting, Director of Parks & Recreation]
(I) Recreation and Fitness Center Update (Requested by Councilmember Earp). [Roz
Epting, Director of Parks & Recreation]
(Without objection, item I was taken out of order, following lunch.) Councilperson Earp moved
to consider the report on the Recreation and Fitness Center; the motion was adopted, 8-0.
Paul Bonnette of PGAL provided the presentation.
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May 9, 2020, Council Meeting Minutes
(m) Drainage Concerns: Ditch F101 clean-out and fix to get over pipeline corridor, East end
of H Street at Sens Road flooding solution, Detention ponds on north side of airport,
and Drainage for Battleground Estates (Requested by Councilmember Earp). [Lorenzo
Wingate, Assistant Director of Public Works]
(n) Mobile Animal Adoption Program (Requested by Councilmember Ojeda). [Matt
Daeumer, Assistant Police Chief]
(o) Decorative Street Lights on Main Street (4th Street to Broadway) (Requested by
Councilmember Garza). [Ray Mayo, Director of Public Works and Roz Epting, Director
of Parks & Recreation]
(p) Decorative Traffic/Street Signs on Main Street (2 Phases - 4th Street to Broadway and
SH146 to 4th Street) (Requested by Councilmember Garza). [Ray Mayo, Director of
Public Works]
(q) Benches on Main Street - 4th Street to Broadway (Requested by Councilmember
Garza). [Roz Epting, Director of Parks & Recreation]
(r) Plant 1,000 Trees (Requested by Councilmember Garza). [Roz Epting, Director of Parks
& Recreation]
(s) Live-stream City Council Meetings (Requested by Councilmember Garza). [Grady
Parker, IT Manager]
(t) Animal Shelter Vet (Requested by Councilmember Garza). [Matt Daeumer, Assistant
Police Chief]
(u) Traffic (Speed) Enforcement Cameras (Requested by Councilmember Garza). [Doug
Ditrich, Assistant Police Chief]
(v) SPORT Uniforms (Requested by Councilmember Garza). [Roz Epting, Director of Parks
& Recreation]
(w) La Porte ISD Intergovernmental Agreement for Use of School Gym(s) (Requested by
Councilmember Garza). [Roz Epting, Director of Parks & Recreation]
(x) Dispatch Console Radio Replacement. [Matt Daeumer, Assistant Police Chief]
(y) Planning and Inspections Software. [Grady Parker, IT Manager]
(z) San Jacinto Pool Renovations. [Roz Epting, Director of Parks & Recreation]
(aa) Wave Pool - Pool House. [Roz Epting, Director of Parks & Recreation]
4. COUNCIL COMMENTS regarding matters appearing on the agenda; recognition of community
members, city employees, and upcoming events; inquiry of staff regarding specific factual
information or existing policies.
ADJOURNMENT —Without objection. Mayor Rigby adjourned the meeting at 2.07 p.m.
Lee)9/codward, City-Sere ary
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May 9, 2020, Council Meeting Minutes