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HomeMy WebLinkAbout09-11-23LOUIS R. RIGBY Mayor BRANDON LUNSFORD i'O � L A'0 Councilperson At Large A BRENT McCAULLEY m Councilperson At Large B ; V MANDI WILLIAMS Councilperson District 1 CHUCK `' f / ENGELKEN� g Mayor Pro Tem Councilperson District 2 MINUTES OF THE REGULAR MEETING OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF LA PORTE SEPTEMBER 11, 2023 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, September 11, 2023, 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, Chuck Engelken, Bill Bentley, Rick Helton, Jay Martin, Robbie McLarrin, Mandi Williams Councilpersons attending remotely: None Councilpersons absent: None Council -appointed officers present: Corby Alexander, City Manager; Clark Askins, City Attorney; Lee Woodward, City Secretary CALL TO ORDER — Mayor Rigby called the meeting to order at 6:00 P.M. 2. INVOCATION — The invocation was given by Lanier Young, St. John's Episcopal Church. PLEDGES — Will be led by Councilperson Brent McCaulley. U.S. Flag Texas Flag: Honor the Texas Flag. I pledge allegiance to thee, Texas, one state, under God, one, and indivisible. 3. PRESENTATIONS, PROCLAMATIONS, AND RECOGNITIONS a. Proclamation recognizing National Preparedness Month. [Louis R. Rigby, Mayor] b. Employee of the Quarter for Quarters 1 and 2. [Louis R. Rigby, Mayor] 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.) Charlie Hinds and Joe Davis spoke in support of increasing consent towing rates. 5. CONSIDERATION OF COUNCILPERSON ABSENCES a. Presentation, discussion, and possible action to excuse the absence of Councilperson Mandi Williams from the August 28, 2023, regular City Council meeting. [Louis R. Rigby, Mayor] Mayor Pro Tem Engelken moved to excuse the absence of Councilperson Mandi Williams from the August 28, 2023, regular 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 August 28, 2023, regular City Council meeting. [Louis R. Rigby, Mayor] b. Adopt Ordinance 2023-3950 appointing Janikka Bratton as the Presiding Judge of the City of La Porte Municipal Court of Record and Denise Mitrano as Alternate Judge of the City of La Porte Municipal Court of Record, effective September 25, 2023. [Mayor Louis R. Rigby] c. Adopt Resolution 2023-11 establishing a Youth Advisory Council for La Porte, Texas, and abolishing the Youth Commission of La Porte. [Matt Daeumer, Assistant City Manager] d. Award Bid #23031 'Bayshore Water Tower Rehabilitation Project' to O&A Classic Coatings and Painting Corporation in the amount of $208,200.00 and authorize the City Manager to execute a construction contract, including a contingency of $21,000.00, for a total authorization of $229,200.00. [Ray Mayo, Director of Public Works] e. Award Bid #23025 'Chlorine Gas Detector Rebid' to JCS Industries Inc. in the amount of $66,620.00, authorize the City Manager to execute a contract with JSC Industries Inc., and provide a contingency of $3,380.00, for a total authorization of $70,000.00. [Ray Mayo, Director of Public Works] Councilperson Williams pulled item b for individual consideration. Mayor Pro Tem Engelken moved to adopt Ordinance 2023-3950 appointing Janikka Bratton as the Presiding Judge of the City of La Porte Municipal Court of Record and Denise Mitrano as Alternate Judge of the City of La Porte Municipal Court of Record, effective September 25, 2023; the motion was seconded by Councilperson Bentley; the motion was adopted, 9-0. Mayor Pro Tem Engelken moved to approve consent agenda items a, c, d, and e; the motion was seconded by Councilperson Bentley; the motion was adopted, 9-0. 7. PUBLIC HEARINGS AND ASSOCIATED ORDINANCES a. The City Council will hold a public hearing to receive comments on the recommendation of the Dangerous Buildings Inspections Board for condemnation of a dangerous/substandard structure located at 125 Bayshore Ave., La Porte, Texas; followed by discussion and possible action to adopt Ordinance 2023-3937 ordering condemnation of dangerous/substandard structures located at 125 Bayshore Avenue, La Porte, Texas. [Richard Glass, Chief Building Official] Ma oy r Rigby opened the public hearing at 6:27 p.m. Richard Glass said the owner had contacted the City to have the dangerous building on the property demolished by the end of the month (the ordinance permits 45 days to do so). Mayor Rigby closed the public hearing at 6.30 p.m. Mayor Pro Tem Engelken moved to adopt Ordinance 2023-3937 ordering condemnation of dangerous/substandard structures located at 125 Bayshore Avenue, La Porte, Texas. the motion was seconded by Councilperson Bentley; the motion was adopted, 9-0. b. The City Council will hold a public hearing to receive comments on the recommendation of the Dangerous Buildings Inspections Board for condemnation of a dangerous/substandard structure located at 218 Bay St., La Porte, Texas; followed by discussion and possible action to adopt Ordinance 2023-3934 ordering condemnation of dangerous/substandard structure located at 218 Bay St., La Porte, Texas [Richard Glass, Chief Building Official] Mayor Rigby opened the public hearing at 6:32 p.m. Richard Glass noted the owner had not responded to notification. Mayor Rigby closed the public hearing at 6:33 p.m. Mayor Pro Tem Engelken moved to adopt Ordinance 2023-3934 ordering condemnation of dangerous/substandard structures located at 218 Bay St., La Porte, Texas; the motion was seconded by Councilperson Bentley, the motion was adopted, 9-0. c. The City Council will hold a public hearing to receive comments on the recommendation of the Dangerous Buildings Inspections Board for condemnation of a dangerous/substandard structure located at 226 S. Bayshore Dr., La Porte, Texas; followed by discussion and possible action to adopt Ordinance 2023-3932 ordering condemnation of dangerous/substandard structure located at 226 S. Bayshore Dr., La Porte, Texas [Richard Glass, Chief Building Official] Mayor Rigby opened the public hearing at 6.35 p.m. Richard Glass said the City provided the owner 90 days and have received incomplete documents and additional materials today. Jose Jimenez spoke on behalf of Aaron Castoneda. Without objection, Councilperson Helton moved to hold the public hearing open until September 25, 2023; the motion was seconded by Councilperson Williams; the motion was adopted, 9-0. d. The City Council will hold a public hearing to receive comments on the recommendation of the Dangerous Buildings Inspections Board for condemnation of a dangerous/substandard structure located at 411 S. Blackwell St., La Porte, Texas; followed by discussion and possible action to adopt Ordinance 2023-3930 ordering condemnation of dangerous/substandard structure located at 411 S. Blackwell St., La Porte, Texas [Richard Glass, Chief Building Official] Mayor Rigby opened the public hearing at 6.53 p.m. Richard Glass said the City had not had a recent response. Mayor Rigby closed the public hearing at 6.54 p.m. Mayor Pro Tem Engelken moved to adopt Ordinance 2023-3930 ordering condemnation of dangerous/substandard structures located at 411 S. Blackwell St., La Porte, Texas; the motion was seconded by Councilperson Bentley; the motion was adopted, 9-0. e. The City Council will hold a public hearing to receive comments regarding request by applicant Wings Etc. to authorize a variance to Section 6-2 of the Code of Ordinances of the City of La Porte to allow the sale of alcoholic beverages for on -premise consumption at Wings Etc., located at 1023 S. Broadway, La Porte, Texas, within 300 feet of a public school; followed by possible action to adopt Ordinance 2023-3949 authorizing a variance to Section 6-2 of the Code of Ordinances of the City of La Porte, by allowing the sale of alcoholic beverages for on -premise consumption at Wings Etc., located at 1023 S. Broadway, La Porte, Texas, within 300 feet of a public school. (Teresa Evans, Director of Planning and Development) Mayor Rigby opened the public hearing at 6:56 p.m. Teresa Evans provided the staff analysis and findings. Lance Stephens spoke in support of the variance. Mayor Rigby closed the public hearing at 7: 03 p.m. Councilperson Martin moved to adopt Ordinance 2023-3949 authorizing a variance to Section 6-2 of the Code of Ordinances of the City of La Porte, by allowing the sale of alcoholic beverages for on -premise consumption at Wings Etc., located at 1023 S. Broadway, La Porte, Texas, within 300 feet of a public school; the motion was seconded by Councilperson McCaulley; the motion was adopted, 9-0. 8. STATUTORY AGENDA a. Presentation, discussion, and possible action to approve the City of La Porte's proposed ad valorem tax rate for the 2023-24 Fiscal Year. [Michael Dolby, Finance Director] Mayor Pro Tem Engelken moved to approve the City of La Porte's proposed ad valorem tax rate of $0.71 per $100.00 of assessed valuation for the 2023-24 Fiscal Year; Councilperson Bentley seconded the motion; the motion was adopted by a roll call vote, 9-0. b. Presentation, discussion, and possible action to provide administrative staff with direction regarding proposed amendments to the Airport Advisory Board as established in Ordinance 2016-3652 and return to City Council for adoption at a future meeting. [Councilpersons Lunsford, Williams, and Helton] Mr. Mayo was tasked to gather additional information, visit with the City Manager, and return recommendations at the first meeting in October. c. Presentation, discussion, and possible action to provide administrative staff with direction regarding proposed amendments to the City Council Rules of Procedure and Ethics Policy and return to City Council for adoption at a future meeting. [Councilpersons McCaulley, Engelken, and Helton] The City Attorney was tasked to draft some alternative proposals. Mayor Pro Tem Engelken also expressed a wish that the items become part of the consent agenda rather than separately. d. Presentation, discussion, and possible action on proposed change to the City of La Porte Employee Handbook Chapter 8: 'Employee Wage & Benefits', to require twenty (20) cumulative years of service as opposed to twenty (20) consecutive years of service as a criterion for eligibility for retiree medical benefits. [Councilpersons McCaulley, Martin, and Helton] Councilperson McCaulley moved to direct administrative staff to change the City of La Porte Employee Handbook Chapter 8: 'Employee Wage & Benefits', to require twenty (20) cumulative years of service as opposed to twenty (20) consecutive years of service as a criterion for eligibility for retiree medical benefits and bring back to a future meeting for formal approval [by ordinance]; Councilperson Bentley seconded the motion; the motion was adopted, 9-0. e. Presentation, discussion, and possible action to provide administrative staff direction based on information provided for a potential pilot program for utilization of hybrid or electric vehicles for non -emergency fleet assets. [Ray Mayo, Director of Public Works] Councilperson Helton moved to direct administrative staff to cease work on a potential pilot program for utilization of hybrid or electric vehicles for non -emergency fleet assets; Councilperson Martin seconded the motion, the motion was adopted, 9-0. f. Presentation, discussion and possible action to adopt Ordinance 2023-3944, amending Appendix A 'Fees' of the Code Ordinances of the City of La Porte by increasing the maximum allowable charge for non -consent tows performed by automobile wreckers and towing vehicles in the City of La Porte. [Doug Ditrich, Chief of Police] Councilperson Martin moved to adopt Ordinance 2023-3944, amending Appendix A 'Fees' of the Code Ordinances of the City of La Porte by increasing the maximum allowable charge for non - consent tows performed by automobile wreckers and towing vehicles in the City of La Porte from $145 to $185 and include that the tow fee schedule be reviewed every two years; Mayor Pro Tem Engelken seconded the motion; the motion was adopted, 9-0. 9. REPORTS a. Receive report of the Drainage and Flooding Committee meeting. [Councilperson Martin] Councilperson Martin reported the Committee received updates on drainage projects and set its next meeting for October 9. 10. ADMINISTRATIVE REPORTS • Planning and Zoning Commission meeting, September 21 • City Council meeting, September 25 • La Porte Development Corporation Board meeting, September 25 City Manager Corby Alexander said there were no reports. 11. COUNCIL COMMENT 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, Councilpersons, and City staff, for which no formal action will be discussed or taken. Councilpersons congratulated the Employees of the Quarters and incoming Judge Bratton and wished Judge Mitrano well; requested an update on the redesign of Pecan Park; and congratulated the City Secretary on beginning her fifteenth year. 12. ADJOURN — \A/ithdut objection. the mega was adiourned at 8.08 D.M. roRT�'e� Le odward�'Ci ecr • S C0U . 'VkNN: '