HomeMy WebLinkAbout2020-12-10 Regular Meeting of the La Porte City Council LOUIS RIGBY BILL BENTLEY
Mayor L, Councilperson District 3
BRANDON LUNSFORD OF A
Councilperson At Large A 0.6 THOMAS GARZA
STEVE GILLETT - A Councilperson District 4
Councilperson At Large B v m JAY MARTIN
DANNY EARP Councilperson District 5
Councilperson District 1 r��_ NANCY OJEDA
CHUCK ENGELKEN Councilperson District 6
Councilperson District 2
Mayor Pro-Tern
MINUTES OF THE REGULAR MEETING OF THE
CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF LA PORTE
OCTOBER 12, 2020
The City Council of the City of La Porte met in a regular meeting on Monday, October 12, 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, Chuck Engelken, Bill Bentley, Thomas Garza (left
at 6:04 p.m.)
Councilpersons attending remotely: Brandon Lunsford, Steve Gillett, Jay Martin, 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.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 said he
was exempted from wearing a face covering for medical reasons and would not be wearing one. The
Mayor asked the Sergeant-at-Arms to remove Councilperson Garza. Councilperson Garza moved that
the Council oppose the Mayor's direction, which he termed as hypocritical and illegal. 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 Brandon Lunsford.
3. 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.)
No public comments were offered.
4. 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 City Council meeting held on September 28, 2020. [Louis R.
Rigby, Mayor]
b. Approve the adoption of Resolution 2020-24 supporting changes to state law that would
allow use of hotel occupancy tax revenue to fund improvements to City park system for
benefit of tourism industry. [Corby Alexander, City Manager]
c. Authorize the City Manager to execute a contract with Public Management, Inc. for grant
application preparation and overall management of grant program projects in response to
RFP#20512 -Grant Administration Services. [Ray Mayo, Public Works Director]
d. Approve purchase of dispatch consoles through Motorola under HGAC Contract#RA05-18.
[Steve Deardorff, Police Chief]
e. Approve purchases for Vehicle and Equipment Replacement for the FY 2020-21 budget year
through Texas BuyBoard Cooperative Purchasing Program. [Ray Mayo, Public Works
Director]
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October 12, 2020, Council Meeting Minutes
f. Approve payment to Software House International(SHI)under BuyBoard contract 579-19 for
the purchase of the Darktrace security appliance for a 4-year term. [Grady Parker, IT
Manager]
g. Approve payment to Ford Audio Video under BuyBoard contract#563-18 for the upgrade of
the City Hall City Council Chamber's audio visual equipment. [Grady Parker, IT Manager]
h. Authorize the City Manager to execute contract with AT&T for the migration and upgrade of
the City's phone system, in the amount of$153,404.96. [Grady Parker, IT Manager]
City Manager Corby Alexander noted the amount of the proposed expenditure for item e was
incorrect and should be reduced by $6553.63. Councilperson Engelken moved to approve the
consent agenda, with the reduction of expenditure by$6553.63 to item e; the motion was seconded
by Councilperson Bentley adopted, 8-0.
5. STATUTORY AGENDA
a. Presentation, discussion, and possible action to approve the proposed Coronavirus Relief
Fund (CRF) small business relief funding plan. [Corby Alexander, City Manager]
The City Manager recommended a review board including members of the La Porte Development
Corporation Board of Directors and a representative from his office. Councilperson Earp moved to
approve the proposed Coronavirus Relief Fund (CRF) small business relief funding plan Option 2
and setting annual gross revenue under 5 million; the motion was seconded by Mayor Pro Tern
Engelken; the motion was adopted, 8-0.
6. REPORTS
a. Receive a report on the Drainage and Flooding Committee meeting. [Councilperson Martin]
Mayor Pro Tem Engelken reported on behalf of the Committee, noting a report was received from
the City of Pasadena. He said the Committee had asked the Assistant City Attorney to provide legal
options for the next Council meeting. Mayor Pro Tern Engelken said other updates were received
and the next meeting of the Committee was set for November 9.
7. ADMINISTRATIVE REPORTS
• Planning and Zoning Commission meeting, October 15
• Zoning Board of Adjustment meeting, October 22
• City Council meeting, October 26
City Manager Corby Alexander said there were no reports.
8. 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 congratulated EOC staff on the Municipal Excellence Award they received from the
Texas Municipal League; expressed appreciation for sidewalk projects; thanked the Drainage and
Flooding Committee members for handling the meeting in the absence of the chair; recognized the
Chamber of Commerce on their unique event honoring first responders on October 1; requested that
the parliamentarian speak on the objections from Councilperson Garza; asked the City furnish
Councilperson Garza with a face shield to assist him without interfering with his medical condition
(Mayor Rigby recounted the information included in the Council's adopted Rules of Procedure and
suggested the Council determine what fit the definition provided therein); offered appreciation for the
lights on Broadway between Wharton Weems and the City limits; shared congratulations to
Councilperson Lunsford on the upcoming opening of his new venture at the airport.
ADJOURN — sill,out ob.ection Ma or Ri•b adourned the meetin• at 6:35 •.m.
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October 12, 2020, Council Meeting Minutes