The URL can be used to link to this page

Home My WebLink About07-25-22LOUIS R. RIGBY Mayor BRANDONLUNSFORD Councilperson At Large A BRE NT M cCAU LLEY Councilperson At Large B MANDI WILLIAMS Councilperson District 1 CHUCK ENGELKEN Mayor Pro Tern Councilperson District 2 MINUTES OF THE REGULAR MEETING OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF LA PORTE JULY 25, 2022 BILL BENTLEY Councilperson District 3 RICK HELTON Councilperson District 4 JAY MARTIN Councilperson District 5 ROBBIE McLARRIN Councilperson District 6 The City Council of the City of La Porte met in a regular meeting on Monday, July 25, 2022, 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, Brandon Lunsford, Brent McCaulley, Mandi Williams, Chuck Engelken, Bill Bentley, Rick Helton, Jay Martin, Robbie McLarrin Councilpersons attending remotely: None Councilpersons absent: None Council -appointed officers present: Corby Alexander, City Manager; Lee Woodward, City Secretary; Clark Askins, Assistant City Attorney CALL TO ORDER — Mayor Rigby called the meeting to order at 6:00 p.m. 2. INVOCATION — The invocation was given by Pastor Philip Dunn, Lighthouse Baptist Church, and pledges were led by Councilperson Brandon Lunsford. 3. PRESENTATIONS, PROCLAMATIONS, AND RECOGNITIONS a. Recognition of City employees for years of service. [Louis R. Rigby, Mayor] b. Receive Annual Report from Houston Port Region Economic Alliance. [Matt Daeumer, Assistant City Manager] (The report was provided after Citizen Comment.) 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.) David Janda spoke in opposition to local zoning that permits smokeltobacco/nape shops near schools and designated neighborhood commercial areas. Mark Follis spoke of his concern as to the role of the Planning and Zoning Commission regarding street and alleyway closures. Tim Larson, a Realtor from Friendswood, said that he has been having issues on the sale of a local property for two years. Alton Ogden of Oakland Land and Development shared his views on Oakland's attempts to close several alleys and streets. Ryan Mathis provided comment on the Council Community Fencing Project Ad Hoc Committee. S. CONSIDERATION OF COUNCILPERSON ABSENCES a. Presentation, discussion, and possible action to consider excusing the absences of Councilpersons Jay Martin and Mandi Williams from the July 11, 2022, City Council meeting, in accordance with the City Council Attendance Policy. [Louis R. Rigby, Mayor] Mayor Pro Tern Engelken moved to excuse the absence of Councilpersons Jay Martin and Mandi Williams from the July 11, 2022, City Council meeting: the motion was seconded by Councilperson Bentley: the motion was adopted, 9-0. 6. 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 regular meeting of the City Council held on July 11, 2022. [Louis R. Rigby, Mayor] b. Accept proposed adjustments to pay scale rates under terms of Meet and Confer Agreement between the City of La Porte and the La Porte Police Officers Association, to be effective October 1, 2022 [Matt Hartleib, HR Manager] Mayor Pro Tern Engelken moved to approve the consent agenda items; the motion was seconded by Councilperson Bentley: the motion was adopted, 9-0. 7. PUBLIC HEARINGS AND ASSOCIATED ORDINANCES a. Public hearing to receive comments regarding the La Porte Fire Control, Prevention, and Emergency Medical Services District proposed budget for the 2022-2023 fiscal year, as approved by the Board of Directors of the La Porte Fire Control, Prevention and Emergency Medical Services District at its meeting held on July 6, 2022; followed by discussion and possible action to approve or deny the FY22-23 proposed budget of the La Porte Fire Control, Prevention, and Emergency Services District [Carl Holley, Fire Chief] Mayor Rigby opened the public hearing at 6:51 p.m_ Fire Chief Holley provided a presentation; there were no comments from the public. Mayor Rigby closed the public hearin at 6:56 p.m. Mayor Pro Tem En elken moved to approve the FY22-23 proposed budget of the La Porte Fire Control, Prevention, and Emergency Services District; Councilperson Bentley seconded the motion; the motion was adopted, 9-0. 8. STATUTORY AGENDA a. Presentation, discussion, and possible action to award community fencing grants in accordance with the City of La Porte Community Fencing Policy and Procedures [Matt Daeumer, Asst. City Manager] Mayor Pro Tern Engelken moved to approve awarding the proposed community fencing grant Option #1 in accordance with the City of La Porte Community Fencing Policy and Procedures; Councilperson McCaulley seconded the motion; the motion was adopted, 8- 1. Councilperson Bentley voting against. b. Presentation, discussion, and possible action regarding addition of equipment and a collection crew for the Solid Waste Division of the Public Works Department and authorize the City Manager to issue a letter of intent for the purchase of a collection vehicle. [Ray Mayo, Director of Public Works] City Manager Alexander asked the item be pulled and addressed at a later meeting. There was no objection. c. Presentation, discussion and possible action regarding the street and alleyway closure procedures. [Teresa Evans, Planning and Development Director] Director Evans explained the process and the considerations being requested. Without objection, two items were considered separately. Councilperson Williams moved to have the applicant pay to relocate utilities: the motion was seconded by Councilperson Bentley; the motion was adopted, 9-0. Councilperson Bentley moved that street and alley closures be considered by the Planning and Zoning Commission before coming to the City Council: the motion was seconded by Mayor Pro Tern Engelken: the motion was adopted. 9-0. Mayor Rigby reminded the Council that these changes would return in the form of an ordinance to be adopted. 9. REPORTS a. Receive report of the La Porte Development Corporation Board of Directors meeting. [Mayor Pro Tern Chuck Engelken] Mayor Pro Tern Engelken said the Board had also received the Economic Alliance Port Region annual report and considered the LPDC FY 22-23 proposed budget. 10. ADMINISTRATIVE REPORTS • Zoning Board of Adjustment, July 28 • Fiscal Affairs Committee, August 8 • Drainage and Flooding Committee, August 8 • City Council, August 8 • Planning and Zoning Commission, August 18 • City Council, August 22 City Manager Alexander said there were no reports. 11. 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, Council persons, and City staff, for which no formal action will be discussed or taken. Councilpersons congratulated the employees recognized for longevity; thanked Mr. Janda for his comments; applauded Director Tim Miller and the Parks staff for the celebrations of Parks and Recreation Month; thanked the City Manager, OEM, and the Fire Department for their quick response to a recent odor issue; requested a status update on the Gold Star Families monument; thanked Lou Ann Martin for her many years of service on the Planning and Zoning Commission; and asked the City Manager to work with the Assistant City Attorney to craft an ordinance regarding smoke/tobacco/vape shops to mirror the placement of liquor stores. 12. EXECUTIVE SESSION a. City Council will meet in closed session pursuant to Texas Government Code, Section 651.074 - personnel matters regarding the appointment, employment, evaluation, reassignment, duties, discipline, or dismissal of a public officer or employee - concerning City Secretary Lee Woodward. The Council convened in executive session at 7:23 p.m. 11. RECONVENE into open session and consider action, if any, on item(s) discussed in executive session. The Council reconvened into open session at 8:16 p.m. Councilperson Martin moved the City Secretary's base pay be increased by 6%: the motion was seconded by Councilperson McCaulley, the motion was adopted, 9-0. ADJOURN — WAthout obiection, the Council adjourned at 8:17 p.m. Lee WWodward, City Secretary •�••••••