HomeMy WebLinkAbout2021-13-9 Regular Meeting of the La Porte City CouncilLOUIS R. RIGBY
Mayor
BRANDON LUNSFORD
Coundperson At Large A
BRENT McCAULLEY
Counbliaerson At Large B
MANDI WILLIAMS
Councilperson District I
CHUCK ENGELKEN
Coundiperson District 2
M�INUTES OF'THE REGULAR MEETING OF THE
CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF LA PORTE
SEPTEMBER 13, 2021
BILL BENTLEY
Councilperson District 3
THOMAS GARZA
Councilperson District 4
JAY MARTIN
Mayor Pro Tern
Councilpt.,non District 5
ROBBIE McLARRIIN
COL"Idperson District 6
The City Council of the City of La Porte met in a regular meeting on Monday, September 13, 2021,
at the City Hall Council Chambers, 604 West Fairmont Parkway, La Porte, Texas, at 6:00 p.m., 2021,
with the following in attendance:
Councilpersons present: Louis Rigby, Brandon Lunsford, Brent McCaulley, Mandi Williams, Chuck
Engelken, Bill Bentley, Jay Martin, Robbie McLarrin
Councilpersons attending remotely: Thomas Garza
Councilpersons absent: None
Council -appointed officers present: Corby Alexander, City Manager; Lee Woodward, City Secretary;
Clark Askins, Assistant City Attorney
2. INVOCATION —The invocation was given by Reverend Brian Christen and pledges were led by Mayor
Pro Tern Jay Martin.
3. CITIZEN COMMENT (Generally limited to five minutes per person; in accordance with state law, the
firne may be reduced if there is a high number of speaker's of, other considerations)
Terry Matthews spoke of the difficulties with her next door neighbor.
4. CONSIDERATION OF COUNCILPERSOiN ABSENCES
a. Presentation, discussion, and possible action to consider classification of absences of
Mayor Pro Tem Jay Martin and Councilperson Brent McCaulley at the August 23, 2021, City
Council meeting, under the City Council Attendance Policy. [Louis, R. Rigby, Mayor]
Councilperson Engelken moved that the absences of Mayor Pro Tern Jay Martin and Councilperson
Brent McCaulley at the August 23, 2021, City Council meeting be excused: the motion was
seconded by Councilperson Bentley. The motion was adopted, 9-0.
5. CONSENT AGENDA (Approval of Consent Agenda items authorizes each to be implemented in
accordance with staff recommendations provided. An itern may be removed trorn 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 regular City Council meeting, held on August 23, 2021. [Louis
R. Rigby, Mayor]
b. Adopt Resolution 2021-56 authorizing the City Manager or his designee(s) to post signage
authorized by Texas Penal Code Sec., 46.16(o) prohibiting the carrying of firearms in, the
room or rooms where a meeting of a governmental entity is held, and repealing Resolution
2016-06. [Corby Alexander, City Manager]
c. Approve three- (3-) year renewal and upgrade of the City's ASEIDD services with AT&T in the
annual amount of $152,940.00 [Grady Parker, IT Manager]
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September 13, 2021, Council Meeting Minutes
d. Approve proposed Meet and Confer Agreement between the City of La Porte and the La
Porte Police Officers Association, for a four- (4-) year term beginning October 1, 2021. [Matt
Hartleib, HR Manager]
e. Award the purchase of two (2) Dodge Chargers from Grapevine Dodge through BuyBoard
Contract 601-19 and approve issuing a future Purchase Order to reserve the vehicles, with
payment to be made from the FY2021-22 budget after October 1, 2021. [Ray Mayo, Director
of Public Works]
f. Ratify the Emergency Purchase authorized by the City Manager to replace the chiller for the
Municipal Court Building, at a cost of $74,680.00 and additional expense for a temporary
rental unit at $4,697.71, for a total cost of $79,377.71. [Ray Mayo, Director of Public Works]
g. Authorize the City Manager to execute a professional services contract with CONSOR
Engineers for the Pecan Park Parking Lot Improvements Project in the amount of
$166,003.15. [Ray Mayo, Director of Public Works]
h. Adopt Ordinance 2021-3844 authorizing the City Manager to execute a Water Service
Agreement and a Sanitary Sewer Service Agreement with Matheson Tri-Gas for its
development at 12204 Fairmont Parkway, in the Bayport Industrial District. [Ray Mayo,
Director of Public Works]
Councilperson Engelken moved to adopt the consent agenda: the motion was seconded by
Councilperson Bentlev: the motion was adopted. 9-0.
6. PUBLIC HEARINGS AND ASSOCIATED ORDINANCES
a. The City Council will hold a public hearing to receive comments regarding a
recommendation by the Planning and Zoning Commission to adopt Ordinance 2021-3837
amending the City's Future Land Use Map Component of the Comprehensive Plan for an
approximately 2.1-acre tract of land located at the northwest corner of E. Main St. and S.
Utah St, legally described as Lots 1-27, Block 184, Town of La Porte, by changing the land
use designation from "Commercial" to "Mid -High Density Residential"; followed by
discussion and possible action to adopt Ordinance 2021-3837 amending the City's Future
Land Use Map Component of the Comprehensive Plan for an approximately 2.1-acre tract of
land located at the northwest corner of E. Main St. and S. Utah St, legally described as
Lots 1-27, Block 184, Town of La Porte, by changing the land use designation from
"Commercial" to "Mid -High Density Residential". [Ian Clowes, City Planner]
Mayor Rigby opened the public hearing at 6:22 p.m. Raj Shafaii, Bryan Moore, and Rami Shafaii
spoke in support of the development. Barbara Norwine, April Baggeft, John Baggett, Mike
Shannahan, and Jim Yancey spoke in opposition to the project. Mayor Rigby closed the public
hearing at 6:50 p.m. Councilperson Bentley moved to deny Ordinance 2021-3837 amending the
City's Future Land Use Map Component of the Comprehensive Plan for an approximately 2.1-acre
tract of land located at the northwest corner of E. Main St. and S. Utah St. legally described as
Lots 1-27 Block 184, Town of La Porte, by changing the land use designation from "Commercial"
to "Mid-Hiah Density Residential": the motion was seconded by Councilperson Garza. The motion
was not adopted. 4-5. Councilpersons McLarrin, Martin. McCaulley, and Engelken, and Mayor
Rigby voting against.
Councilperson McCaulley moved to adopt Ordinance 2021-3837 amending the City's Future Land
Use Map Component of the Comprehensive Plan for an approximately 2.1-acre tract of land located
at the northwest corner of E. Main St. and S. Utah St. legally described as Lots 1-27, Block 184,
Town of La Porte, by changing the land use designation from "Commercial" to "Mid -High Density
Residential": the motion was seconded by Councilperson McLarrin. The motion was adopted. 5-4.
Councilpersons Bentlev, Lunsford. Garza. and Williams voting against.
b. The City Council will hold a public hearing to receive comments regarding a
recommendation by the Planning and Zoning Commission to adopt Ordinance 2021-3834
amending the Code of Ordinances of the City of La Porte, Chapter 106 "Zoning" by granting
Zone Change #21- 92000001, a change from General Commercial (GC) to Medium Density
Residential (R-2) for a 2.1-acre tract of land located at the northwest corner of E. Main St.
and S. Utah St. and legally described as Lots 1-27, Block 184, Town of La Porte; followed by
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September 13, 2021, Council Meeting Minutes
discussion and possible action to consider adopting Ordinance 2021-3834 amending the
Code of Ordinances of the City of La Porte, Chapter 106 "Zoning" by granting Zone Change
#21-92000001, a change from General Commercial (GC) to Medium Density Residential (R-
2) for a 2.1-acre tract of land located at the northwest corner of E. Main St. and S. Utah St.
and legally described as Lots 1-27, Block 184, Town of La Porte. [Ian Clowes, City Planner]
Mayor Rigby opened the public hearing at 7:12 p.m. Raj Shafaii spoke in clarification of
Councilperson Garza's comments. Mayor Rigby closed the public hearing at 7:17 p.m.
Councilperson McCaullev moved to adopt Ordinance 2021-3834 amending the Code of
Ordinances of the City of La Porte, Chapter 106 "Zoning" by granting Zone Change #21-92000001,
a change from General Commercial (GC) to Medium Density Residential (R-2) for a 2.1-acre tract
of land located at the northwest corner of E. Main St. and S. Utah St. and legally described as Lots
1-27, Block 184, Town of La Porte: the motion was seconded by Councilperson McLarrin. The
motion was adopted, 5-4. Councilpersons Garza, Lunsford, Bentley, and Williams voting against.
c. The City Council will hold a public hearing to receive comments regarding their
consideration of the proposed City of La Porte, Texas budget for the 2021-22 Fiscal Year;
followed by discussion and possible action to adopt Ordinance 2021-3843, approving the
City of La Porte Fiscal Year 2021-22 Proposed Budget. [Michael Dolby, Finance Director]
Mayor Rigby opened the public hearing at 7:22 p.m. Wyatt Smith asked questions about the City.
Mayor Rigby closed the public hearing at 7:44 p.m.
Mayor Pro Tem Martin previously signed a conflict of interest affidavit and did not participate in the
vote taken on the line item for the Chamber of Commerce funding. Councilperson McCaullev
moved to adopt the line item for the Chamber of Commerce funding: the motion was seconded by
Councilperson Bentley. The motion was adopted. 8-0.
Councilperson McCaulley moved to adopt Ordinance 2021-3843, approving the City of La Porte
Fiscal Year 2021-22 Proposed Budget: the motion was seconded by Councilperson Bentley. The
motion was adopted. 8-1. Councilperson Garza voting against, taken as a roll call vote.
7. STATUTORY AGENDA
a. Presentation, discussion, and possible action regarding vote ratifying increase of revenue
from property tax reflected in the La Porte 2021-2022 Fiscal Year Budget. [Michael Dolby,
Finance Director]
Councilperson Garza stepped away from the meeting and did not vote on the item. Councilperson
Engelken moved to ratify the increase of revenue from property tax reflected in the La Porte 2021-
2022 Fiscal Year Budget: the motion was seconded by Councilperson Bentley. The motion was
adopted. 8-0.
b. Presentation, discussion, and possible action to adopt Resolution 2021-54, accepting the
2021 Harris County Appraisal District certified appraisal roll for property situated within the
City of La Porte. [Michael Dolby, Finance Director]
Councilperson Garza stepped away from the meeting and did not vote on the item. Councilperson
Engelken moved to adopt Resolution 2021-54, accepting the 2021 Harris County Appraisal District
certified appraisal roll for property situated within the City of La Porte: the motion was seconded by
Councilperson Bentley. The motion was adopted, 8-0.
c. Presentation, discussion, and possible action to approve the City's proposed ad valorem
tax rate of $0.71 for the 2021-22 Fiscal Year. [Michael Dolby, Finance Director]
Councilperson Garza stepped away from the meeting and did not vote on the item. Councilperson
Engelken moved to approve the City's proposed ad valorem tax rate of $0.71 for the 2021-22 Fiscal
Year: the motion was seconded by Councilperson Bentley. The motion was adopted, 8-0. taken as
a roll call vote.
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September 13, 2021, Council Meeting Minutes
d. Presentation, discussion, and possible action to approve appointments and reappointments
to various City boards, committees, and commissions. [Louis R. Rigby, Mayor]
Councilperson Garza stepped away from the meeting and did not vote on the item. Councilperson
Engelken moved to approve appointments and reappointments to various City boards, committees,
and commissions: the motion was seconded by Councilperson Bentley. The motion was adopted.
8-0.
Building Code Appeals Board (3-year terms
— Position 5 remains unfilled)
Paul Larson for Position 3
La Porte Area Water Authority Board of
Directors (2-year terms)
Frank Nance, initial appointment
La Porte Fire Control Prevention and
Emergency Medical Services District Board
of Directors (2-year terms)
Patrick McElroy
Steve Gillett
Ronald Nowetner
Dewey Walls, Jr.
Fire Code Review Board (3-year terms)
Jeff Brown for District 2 position
Jim Bridge for District 5 position
Bryan Moore for At -Large A position
Lynn Green for Mayoral position
La Porte Development Corporation (2-year
terms)
Richard Warren
La Porte Health Authority (2-year terms)
Abdul R. Moosa, M.D.
La Porte Tax Increment Reinvestment Zone
Number One (TIRZ #1) Board of
Directors/La Porte Redevelopment
Authori
Peggy Antone
Alton Porter
Doug Martin
Planning and Zoning Commission (3-year
terms/to coincide with term of office of the
appointing Councilperson)
Hal Lawler for Chair/Mayoral appointee
Zoning Board of Adjustments (2-year terms)
Nettie Warren for Position 5
e. Presentation, discussion and possible action to establish a three- (3-) member committee
of elected officials to work with City staff for FY 2021-22 community fencing project
applications and provide staff with direction on possible policy guidelines or other action
regarding requests for community fencing. [Corby Alexander, City Manager]
City Manager Alexander said he understood the committee to be an ad hoc committee that would
meet only in years when community fencing was budgeted and that the committee could review
the policy and procedures staff has assembled. Councilperson Garza moved to alter the policy so
that no particioant receives more than zero points: the motion did not receive a second and was
not considered
Councilperson McCaullev moved to establish a three- (3-) member committee [of elected officials
to work with City staff for FY 2021-22 community fencing project applications and provide staff with
direction on possible policy -guidelines or other action regarding requests for community fencingl
and that the Mayor make the appointments: the motion was seconded by Councilperson Enaelken.
The motion was adopted. 8-1. Councilperson Garza voting against. Mayor Rigby moved to appoint
Councilperson McCaullgy as the chair and Councilpersons Enaelken and Bentley as the members:
the motion was seconded by Mayor Pro Tern Martin. The motion was adopted. 7-1. Councilperson
Garza voting against. Councilperson Bentley had stepped away from the dais.
f. Presentation, discussion, and possible action to provide direction to administrative staff on
implementation of remote participation platforms for meetings in City Council Chambers.
[Louis R. Rigby, Mayor]
Councilperson Garza moved to continue allowing remote participation by citizens and selected the
proposed option 2b for integration for remote participation for Council and staff: the motion was
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September 13, 2021, Council Meeting Minutes
seconded by Councilperson Bentley. The motion was adopted. 9-0. Councilperson Garza left the
meeting at 8.40 p.m.
8. REPORTS
a. Receive FY 2020-2021 third quarter Capital Improvement Plan program update. [Jason
Weeks, Assistant City Manager]
The Council had no questions regarding the report.
b. Receive report regarding the September 13, 2021, meeting of the La Porte Drainage and
Flooding Committee. [Mayor Pro Tern Martin, Chair]
Chair Martin reported that the Committee received updates on FEMA's CRS plan and how it might
impact residents. The next meeting was set for October 11.
9. ADMINISTRATIVE REPORTS
• Planning and Zoning Commission meeting, September 16
• Zoning Board of Adjustment meeting, September 23
• La Porte Development Corporation, September 27
• City Council meeting, September 27
City Manager Alexander said the EOC had been partially activated and non -essential employees had
been asked to stay home on Tuesday.
10. 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 said housing was necessary to attract other amenities to La Porte; expressed
appreciation for the Emergency Management division and other City staff working on storm
preparations; and addressed comments made during the meeting concerning Council conduct.
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