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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2020-10-08 Regular Meeting of the La Porte City Council LOUIS RIGBY OF L A BILL BENTLEY Mayor Councilperson District 3 BRANDON LUNSFORD I. J.444 THOMAS GARZA Councilperson At Large A v I` \ Councilperson District 4 STEVE GILLETT Councilperson At Large B JAY MARTIN DANNY EARP / ,/ Councilperson District 5 Councilperson District 1 NANCY OJEDA Councilperson District 6 CHUCK ENGELKEN Councilperson District 2 Mayor Pro-Tern MINUTES OF THE REGULAR MEETING OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF LA PORTE AUGUST 10, 2020 The City Council of the City of La Porte met in a regular meeting on Monday, August 10, 2020, at the City Hall Council Chambers, 604 West Fairmont Parkway, La Porte,Texas, at 6:00 p.m.,with the following in attendance: Councilpersons present: Louis Rigby, Danny Earp, Bill Bentley, Thomas Garza (left before the Invocation), Jay Martin Councilpersons attending remotely: Brandon Lunsford, Steve Gillett, Chuck Engelken, Nancy Ojeda Councilpersons absent: None Council-appointed officers present: Corby Alexander, City Manager; Lee Woodward, City Secretary; Clark Askins, Assistant City Attorney 1. CALL TO ORDER — Mayor Rigby called the meeting to order at 6:00 p.m. Mayor Rigby reminded Councilperson Garza that the Council's adopted Rules of Procedure required Councilpersons to wear a mask during Council meetings. Councilperson Garza said he was exempted from wearing a face covering for medical reasons and would not be wearing one. The Mayor reminded Councilperson Garza that he had the opportunity to attend the meeting electronically and could go to his office in City Hall. Councilperson Garza declined to participate remotely. The Mayor asked the Sergeant-at-Arms to remove Councilperson Garza. Councilperson Garza moved that the Council contravene the Mayor's direction. The motion did not receive a second and was not considered. Councilperson Garza was escorted from the room. 2. INVOCATION — The invocation was given by Reverend Brian Christen, La Porte Community Church. and pledges were led by Councilperson Danny Earp. 3. PRESENTATIONS, PROCLAMATIONS, AND RECOGNITIONS There were no presentations, proclamations or recognitions. 4. 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.) Barbara Norwine spoke about the importance of face coverings and requested more mosquito spraying. 5. CONSENT AGENDA (Approval of Consent Agenda items authorizes each to be implemented in accordance with staff recommendations provided. An item may be removed from the consent agenda and added to the Statutory Agenda for full discussion upon request by a member of the Council present at this meeting.) a. Approve the minutes of the meeting held on July 27, 2020. [Mayor Rigby] b. Approve re-appointments to various City boards, committees, and commissions. [Mayor Rigby] c. Accept the anticipated combined 2020 Ad Valorem collection rate of 100.52%, in accordance with Texas Property Tax Code Sec. 26.04. [Michael Dolby, Finance Director] Mayor Pro Tem Engelken moved to approve the consent agenda; the motion was seconded by Councilperson Bentley and was adopted, 8-0. 6. STATUTORY AGENDA a. Presentation, discussion, and possible action regarding the appointment of a Charter Review Committee. [Mayor Rigby] Page 1 of 2 August 10, 2020, Council Meeting Minutes Councilperson Martin moved the establishment of a Charter Review Committee prior to the May 2021 election composed of citizens to be appointed by each Councilperson lone each/; the motion was seconded by Councilperson Bentley. Councilperson Gillett moved to amend by adding "and that the Committee itself will appoint its chairman"; the motion was seconded by Councilperson Martin and was adopted, 8-0. The amended main motion was adopted, 8-0. b. Presentation, discussion, and possible action regarding the City of La Porte Fiscal Year 2020-2021 Proposed Budget. [Corby Alexander, City Manager] Mayor Pro Tern Engelken moved that the Council stop the budget presentation at 8:15 p.m. to convene the Executive Session; the motion was seconded by Councilperson Bentley and was adopted 8-0. Staff provided an overview of all funds and expected year-end balances and an overview of budget proposals for the coming year. Mayor Rigby moved to accept the budget as presented, with the exception of adding Fire Inspection staff(more information will be returned to Council)and the evaluation of the fence at the T-ball park. The motion was seconded by Councilperson Earp and adopted, 8-0. 7. REPORTS a. Receive FY 2019-20 third quarter Capital Improvement Plan program update. [Jason Weeks, Assistant City Manager] Mr. Weeks provided the report. b. Receive a report on the Drainage and Flooding Committee Meeting. [Councilperson Jay Martin] Councilperson Martin said the Committee received project reports and updates and set the next meeting for September 14. 8. ADMINISTRATIVE REPORTS • Planning and Zoning Commission meeting, August 20 • La Porte Development Corporation Board meeting, August 24 • City Council meeting, August 24 There were no reports. 9. COUNCIL COMMENTS Hear announcements concerning matters appearing on the agenda; items of community interest; and/or inquiries of staff regarding specific factual information or existing policy from the Mayor, Councilmembers, and City staff, for which no formal action will be discussed or taken. Councilpersons thanked staff for their hard work on the presentations and said they look forward to adopting the budget; congratulated the Chamber of Commerce on the success of their third annual Fishing Tournament; and thanked the staff for the ability to complete the budget review in one evening. 10. EXECUTIVE SESSION — The City Council will meet in closed session pursuant to Texas Government Code Section 551.074 - personnel matters regarding the appointment, employment, evaluation, reassignment,duties,discipline,or dismissal of a public officer or employee-regarding City Secretary Lee Woodwa rd. The Council adjourned into executive session at 8:23 p.m. 11. RECONVENE into regular session and consider action, if any, on item(s) discussed in executive session. The Council reconvened into open session at 9:31 p.m. The Mayor said the Council had discussed goals for the City Secretary position and that he would meet with the HR Manager to develop a set of them for the City Secretary and Council to sign and file. ADJ I RN —Witr.bjection, Mayor Rigby adjourned the meeting at 9:32 p.m. II --- „,, l.' L _ , Le: oodwar., it -. , ary Page 2 of 2 August 10, 2020, Council Meeting Minutes