HomeMy WebLinkAbout05-13-24 CC minutes (2)MINUTES OF THE REGULAR MEETING OF THE
CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF LA PORTE
May 13, 2024, 6:00 p.m., City Hall Council Chamber
604 West Fairmont Parkway, La Porte, Texas, 77571
Councilpersons
Present:
Councilpersons
Absent:
Council -appointed
Officers Present:
Louis Rigby (for items 1-5), Brandon Lunsford, Brent McCauley,
Mandi Williams, Chuck Engelken, Bill Bentley, Rick Helton, Jay
Martin
Robbie McLarrin
Corby Alexander, City Manager, Clark T Askins, City Attorney,
Lee Woodward, City Secretary
The City Council of the City of La Porte met in a regular meeting
on May 13, 2024, at the City Hall Council Chambers,
604 West Fairmont Parkway, La Porte, Texas, at 6:00 p.m.
CALL TO ORDER
Without objection, Mayor Rigby called the meeting to order at 6:00 p.m.
2. I NVOCATIONIPLEDGES
The invocation was given by Reverend Jackie King of Victory Tabernacle Church
and the pledges were led by Councilperson Bill Bentley.
3. PRESENTATIONS, PROCLAMATIONS, AND RECOGNITIONS
a. Proclamation in recognition of National Police Week. [Louis R. Rigby,
Mayor]
b. Proclamation in recognition of Emergency Medical Services Week.
[Louis R. Rigby, Mayor]
C. Proclamation in recognition of National Public Works Week. [Louis R.
Rigby, Mayor]
d. Proclamation in recognition of Municipal Clerks Week. [Louis R.
Rigby, Mayor]
e. Proclamation in recognition of Assistance League of the Bay Area Day.
[Louis R. Rigby, Mayor]
Recognition of the Employee of the 1st Quarter 2024. [Louis R. Rigby,
Mayor]
g. Recognition of employees for years of service. [Louis R. Rigby, Mayor]
4. CITIZEN COMMENT - (Generally limited to five minutes perperson; in accordance
with state law, the time may be reduced if there is a high number of speakers or
other considerations.)
Mark Goodwin, Sharon Van Winkle, Steve Gillett, Virginia Pierson -Turner, Thomas
Garza, Mark Follis, Bryan Moore, John Kling, Amanda Gerrish, D. Paul Larson,
Daniel Large, and Randall Hayes spoke in opposition to the new city hall project.
5. ELECTION MATTERS
a. Presentation, discussion, and possible action to adopt Ordinance
2024-3986 canvassing the returns of the May 4, 2024, City of La Porte,
Texas, general and special elections. [Louis R. Rigby, Mayor]
Mayor Pro Tern Engelken moved to adopt Ordinance 2024-3986 canvassing
was adopted. 8-0. A runoff election will be held on June 15, 2024, for the
special election for District 4.
b. Swearing in of Councilpersons elected in the May 4, 2024, City of La
Porte, Texas, general and special elections. [Louis R. Rigby, Mayor]
The Honorable Janikka Bratton, City of La Porte Municipal Court Judge,
swore in Rick Helton as Mayor, Charles Engelken as Councilperson District
2, and Bill Bentley as Councilperson District 3. Former Mayor Rigby left the
meeting after this item.
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 April 22, 2024, regular City Council
meeting. [Lee Woodward, City Secretary]
b. Building Code of Appeals Appointment - Approve appointment of
Johnny Guadarrama to an unexpired term on the City of La Porte
Building Codes Appeal Board. [Lee Woodward, City Secretary]
C. Chapter 172 Board Appointment - Appoint Charles Montgomery to
Citizen Position 2 and reappoint Donna O'Conner to Citizen Position 1
on the Chapter 172 Employee, Retiree Insurance and Benefits Board.
[Lee Woodward, City Secretary]
d. Award Bid 24010 -Award Bid 24010 "Annual Requirements for Waste
and Drinking Water Lab Testing and Analysis" to Eastex Laboratory,
Inc. and authorize the City Manager to execute a services contract for
water and wastewater laboratory testing and analytical services, not
to exceed annual budgeted amounts. [Andrew Brady, Assistant
Director of Public Works]
e. Houston Freightliner - Approve continued expenditures exceeding
$50,000.00 to Houston Freightliner for replacement parts and repairs
for Freightliner vehicles in City fleet, not to exceed annual budgeted
amounts. [Ray Mayo, Director of Public Works]
Mayor Pro Tern Engelken moved to approve the consent agenda: the
motion was seconded by Councilperson Bentley: the motion was adopted.
7-0.
PUBLIC HEARINGS AND ASSOCIATED ORDINANCES
a. Ordinance 2024-3985 for SCUP 24-91000001 - The City Council will
hold a public hearing to receive comments regarding a
recommendation to adopt Ordinance 2024-3985 amending the Code of
Ordinances of the City of La Porte, Chapter 106 "Zoning" by granting
Special Conditional Use Permit (SCUP) 24-91000001 to allow a
Tobacco and Smokers' Supply Store ( NAICS 453991) on a 2.3-Acre
tract of land located in the General Commercial (GC) zoning district at
112 Hwy. 146 S., and legally described as Lots 1, 2, 3, 4, 29, 30, 31, 32
and Tract B, Block 26 and Lots 9-24 and Tracts D, 8, 25 & 33, Block 47,
La Porte, Harris County, Texas; followed by discussion and possible
action to consider adopting Ordinance 2024-3985 amending the Code
of Ordinances of the City of La Porte, Chapter 106 "Zoning" by
granting Special Conditional Use Permit (SCUP) 24-91000001 to allow
a Tobacco and Smokers' Supply Store ( NAICS 453991) on a 2.3-Acre
tract of land located in the General Commercial (GC) zoning district at
112 Hwy. 146 S., and legally described as Lots 1, 2, 3, 4, 29, 30, 31, 32
and Tract B, Block 26 and Lots 9-24 and Tracts D, 8, 25 & 33, Block 47,
La Porte, Harris County, Texas. [Teresa Evans, Director of Planning
and Development]
Mayor Helton opened the public hearing at 7:21 p.m. Director of Planning
and Development Teresa Evans provided a presentation. Applicants
Gunner Gaines and Helton Tuley spoke in support of the project. Mayor
County. Texas: the motion was seconded by Mayor Pro Tem Engelkem the
motion to deny adoption of the ordinance was adopted 7-0
8. STATUTORYAGENDA
a. Sylvan Beach - Presentation of the Sylvan Beach Master Plan,
followed by discussion and possible action to authorize the City
Manager to sign a letter of support for the allocation of Fiscal Year
2025 Community Project Funding for the development and
enhancement of Sylvan Beach Park in La Porte. [Matt Daeumer,
Assistant City Manager]
George Bustamonte, Senior Planning Manager for Harris County Precinct
2 Commissioner Adrian Garcia, provided a presentation. Councilpersons
offered suggestions for understandings to be considered for a letter of
support for the project. Byron Acevedo, Senior Director of Transportation for
Harris County Precinct 2 Commissioner Adrian Garcia, elaborated on plans
for Fairmont Parkway. Without obiection the Council directed the City
- that the Sylvan Beach Park Proiect include funding for property
purchases:
- that City support be tied to Fairmont Parkway improvements and repairs'
and
clarity on and citizen feedback as to whether Seabreeze Park will be
included or remain a citizen -only park:
the motion was seconded by Counciloerson Bentlev: the motion was
adopted. 7-0.
b. Planner II Position - Presentation, discussion, and possible action to
upgrade the Planning Technician position to a Planner II position in
the Planning and Development Services Department during the
current fiscal year budget. [Teresa Evans, Director of Planning and
Development]
C.
Brookglen Drainage Improvements - streetlight relocation -
Presentation, discussion, and possible action to authorize the City
Manager to execute agreements with CenterPoint Energy for
streetlight relocation for the Brookglen Neighborhood Drainage
Project Phases I & II, in the total amount of $83,686.00. [Jameson
Appel, Assistant Director of Public Works]
Pro Tern Engelken signed a conflict of interest affidavit and did not
rate in the discussion or vote on the item. Councilperson Martin
CenterPoint Enerov for streetliaht relocation for the Brookglen
d. Texas Petroleum Group - Presentation, discussion, and possible
action to authorize the approval of site plan for proposed gas station
at 111 N. Highway 146. [Corby Alexander, City Manager]
No action was taken. The City Manager will share the Council's concerns
with the applicant. Without objection, the Council recessed from 8:16-8:27
P.M.
e. New City Hall Presentation - Presentation, discussion, and possible
action regarding proposed New City Hall project. [Rick Helton, Mayor -
Elect]
City Manager Corby Alexander provided the presentation. Councilperson
Williams moved to stop the City Hall proiect altogether, to regroup, and allow
the citizens to have a say: the motion was seconded by Councilperson
Lunsford. Councilverson Lunsford moved to postpone the motion, but the
postponement did not receive a second and was not considered.
Councilmember Williams moved to postpone the main motion to stop the
City Hall proiect to the June 24, 2024, City Council meeting: the motion was
seconded by Councilperson Lunsford.
Without objection. Mayor Pro Tern Engelken was permitted to amend the
- allow a full Council to have been seated:
- allow staff to research legal issues related to ceasing the project:
- calculate the money spent on the project thus far: and
- determine the repairs needed to the current building.
CMAR City Hall - Presentation, discussion, and possible action to
award construction contract to Bellows Construction for Construction
Manager at Risk Services for City of La Porte City Hall Project and
authorize the City Manager to execute such contract, including an
award for a $25,000.00 preconstruction services fee to be used during
the design phase, and a future cost of $1,592,039.00 for general
conditions and a profit and overhead rate of 4.25% to both be included
in the guaranteed maximum price (GMP). [Councilpersons McCaulley,
Bentley, and Martin]
Without objection the item was pulled from consideration Mr. Alexander
agreed to find out if Bellows Construction would extend its bid to be
considered at the July 8 meeting.
9. REPORTS
a. Receive a report of the May 13, 2024, La Porte Drainage and Flooding
Committee meeting. [Councilperson Martin]
Councilperson Martin said the Committee met, received updates on
projects, and set its next meeting for June 10.
10. ADMINISTRATIVE REPORTS
• La Porte Development Corporation Board of Directors budget and strategic
planning meeting, May 29
• Drainage and Flooding Committee meeting, June 10
• City Council meeting, June 10
Mr. Alexander and Mayor Pro Tem Engelken noted the Fiscal Affairs Committee
met earlierthis afternoon, its reports were favorably received, and the next meeting
was set for July 22.
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.
Councilpersons thanked members of the public for attending the meeting and
wished for this turnout on a more frequent basis, congratulated Councilpersons
Engelken and Bentley and Mayor Helton on their election and thanked Mayor
Rigby for his service and wished him well, welcomed the discussion and sharing
of opposing views; and congratulated those recognized at the beginning of the
meeting.
12. EXECUTIVE SESSION - The Council will adjourn into executive session without
vote unless an objection is raised.
a. Texas Government Code 551.072 - Deliberation regarding purchase,
exchange, lease, or values of real property
The Council convened into executive session at 9:37 p.m.
13. RECONVENE into open session and consider action, if any, on item(s)
discussed in executive session.
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