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HomeMy WebLinkAbout10-28-24 CC minutesu m [Y[[ MINUTES OF THE REGULAR MEETING OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF LA PORTE Councilpersons Present: Brent McCaulley, Mandi Williams, Chuck Engelken, Bill Bentley, Rick Helton, Jay Martin, Robbie McLarrin CouncilpersonsAbsent: Brandon Lunsford Council -appointed Officers Present: 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 October 28, 2024, at the City Hall Council Chambers, 604 West Fairmont Parkway, La Porte, Texas, at 6:00 p.m. t. Call to Order The Mayor will determine that a quorum of Councilpersons is present and open the business meeting. Mayor Helton called the meeting to order at 6:00 p.m. 2. Invocation and Pledges of Allegiance The invocation was given by Nolan Allen and the pledges were led by Liz Olivera of LPHS. 3. Recognitions a. Life Saving Awards presented to Pedro Ortega and Arturo Vasquez for resuscitating a drowning victim through bystander CPR [Shawn Kominek, EMS Chief] b. Recognition of Chief Pettis and Captain Meekins completion of the TFCA Fire Chiefs Academy [Matt Daeumer, Assistant City Manager] 4. Citizen Comment Cliff Willson spoke in opposition to the proposed Union Pacific development. Donna Medford Tobias spoke in opposition to large lot rezoning and in concern about additional traffic it might bring. 5. Presentations a. Presentation on Union Pacific Railroad's proposed development in Lomax by Jason Sokolewicz [Rick Helton, Mayor] David Welch and Jason Sokolewicz of Union Pacific and George Farrish of Trammell Crow discussed the two options being proposed. 6. Consent Agenda a. Approve the minutes of the October 14, 2024, regular City Council meeting. [Lee Woodward, City Secretary] b. 14th Annual San Jacinto Texas Independence Fun Run Sponsorship - Authorize a sponsorship request from the San Jacinto Museum of History in an amount not to exceed $10,000.00 for the 141h Annual San Jacinto Texas Independence Fun Run. [Matt Daeumer, Assistant City Manager] c. Bay Area Houston Economic Partnership (BAHEP) Renewal - Authorize the City Manager to execute a thirty-six- (36-) month economic development services agreement between the City of La Porte, Texas, and the Bay Area Houston Economic Partnership, with term beginning January 1, 2025, and ending December 31, 2027, in the amount of $20,000.00 per year, with a total authorization of $60,000.00. [Haley Bowers, Economic Development Manager] d. Approve Purchases of Vehicles and Equipment for FY24-25 through Cooperative Purchasing Programs - Approve purchases of vehicles and equipment through cooperative purchasing contracts - BuyBoard 706- 23,672-22; HGACBuy HT06-20; and TIPS 210907, totaling $912,325.24. [Ray Mayo, Director of Public Works] Mayor Pro Tem Enoelken moved to approve the consent agenda: Councilperson Bentley seconded the motion: the motion was adopted 8-0. 7. Public Hearings and Associated Ordinances a. Ordinance 2024-4025 Zone Change ZC-2024-0001 -The City Council will hold a public hearing to receive comments regarding a recommendation by the Planning and Zoning Commission to adopt Ordinance 2024-4025, amending the Code of Ordinances of the City of La Porte, Chapter 106 "Zoning" by granting Zone Change # ZC-2024-0001, a change from General Commercial (GC) zoning district to Low Density Residential (R-1) zoning district, for a 0.51 acre -tract of property located at 202 S. 8th St., and legally described as Lots 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, and 32, Block 28, La Porte, Harris County, Texas; followed by discussion and possible action to adopt Ordinance 2024-4025 amending the Code of Ordinances of the City of La Porte, Chapter 106 "Zoning" by granting Zone Change # ZC-2024-0001, a change from General Commercial (GC) zoning district to Low Density Residential (R-1) zoning district, for a 0.51 acre -tract of property located at 202 S. 8th St., and legally described as Lots 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, and 32, Block 28, La Porte; Harris County, Texas. [Yvonne Briscoe, Planner II, Planning and Development Department] Mayor Helton opened the public hearing at 6A7 p.m. Yvonne Briscoe provided a presentation. There were no comments. Mayor Helton closed the hearing at 6:49 p.m. Councilperson Guerra moved to adopt Ordinance 2024-4025, amending the Code of Ordinances of the City of La Porte Chapter 106 "Zoning' by granting Zone Change # ZC-2024-0001 a change from General Commercial (GC) zoning district Councilperson Williams: the motion was adopted, 8-0. Debate expressed the Council's desire to have staff come back with a plan to be considered to also change similar properties in this area to be consistent with the future land use map and Mr. Alexander agreed to take this forward. b. Dangerous Building Updates, 209 S. Carroll St. - The City Council will hold a public hearing to receive comments on the recommendation of the Dangerous Buildings Inspection Board for condemnation of a dangerous/substandard structure located at 209 S. Carroll St., La Porte, Texas; followed by discussion and possible action to adopt Ordinance 2024- 3975 ordering the condemnation of dangerous/substandard structures located at 209 S. Carroll St., La Porte, Texas. [Richard Glass, Chief Building Official] Mayor Helton opened the public hearing at 6:57 p.m. Richard Glass provided a presentation. Jean Shipp said she was working on the house. Mayor Helton closed the public hearing at 7:00 p.m. Councilperson Martin moved to remove the property from the dangerous buildings list; Mayor Pro Tern Engelken seconded the motion: the motion was adopted 8-0. c. Dangerous Building Updates, 601 S. Carroll St. - The City Council will hold a public hearing to receive comments on the recommendation of the Dangerous Buildings Inspection Board for condemnation of a dangerous/substandard structure located at 601 S. Carroll St., La Porte, Texas; followed by discussion and possible action to adopt Ordinance 2024- 3977 ordering the condemnation of dangerous/substandard structures located at 601 S. Carroll St., La Porte, Texas. [Richard Glass, Chief Building Official] Mayor Helton opened the public hearing at 7:01 p.m. Richard Glass provided a presentation. Gabriel Suarez detailed the efforts he was making on the house. Mayor Helton closed the public hearing at 7:04 p.m. d. Dangerous Building Update, 9404 Carlow Ln. - The City Council will hold a public hearing to receive comments on the recommendation of the Dangerous Buildings Inspection Board for condemnation of a dangerous/substandard structure located at 9404 Carlow Ln., La Porte, Texas; followed by discussion and possible action to adopt Ordinance 2024- 3979 ordering the condemnation of dangerous/substandard structures located at 9404 Carlow Ln., La Porte, Texas. [Richard Glass, Chief Building Official] Mayor Helton opened the public hearing at 7:06 p.m. Richard Glass provided a presentation. Owner Kumarie Runwal asked for more time to work on the home. Mayor Helton closed the public hearing at 7:09 p.m. e. Dangerous Building Updates, 9406 Carlow Ln. - The City Council will hold a public hearing to receive comments on the recommendation of the Dangerous Buildings Inspection Board for condemnation of a dangerous/substandard structure located at 9406 Carlow Ln., La Porte, Texas; followed by discussion and possible action to adopt Ordinance 2024- 3980 ordering the condemnation of dangerous/substandard structures located at 9406 Carlow Ln., La Porte, Texas. [Richard Glass, Chief Building Official] Mayor Helton opened the public hearing at 7:10 p.m. Richard Glass provided a presentation. There were no comments. Mayor Helton closed the public hearing at 7:10 p.m. Mayor Pro Tern Engelken moved to postpone further consideration of the ordinance for 90 days: Councilperson Williams seconded the motion: the motion was adopted. 8-0. 8. Statutory Agenda a. 2025 Election Services Contract and Joint Election Agreement with LPISD - Presentation, discussion, and possible action to approve an election services contract and joint election agreement between the City of La Porte, Texas, and La Porte Independent School District for the May 3, 2025, election cycle. [Lee Woodward, City Secretary] seconded the motion: the motion was adopted. 8-0. b. Construction Manager at Risk for new Public Works Building - Presentation, discussion, and possible action to award Public Works Facility Improvements Construction Manager at Risk to Construction Masters of Houston and authorize the City Manager to execute the contract, including award for a $15,000.00 preconstruction services fee to be used during the design phase, a future cost of $796,330.00 for general conditions, and a profit and overhead rate of 4.25%, both to be included in the guaranteed maximum price (GMP). [Jameson Appel, Assistant Director Public Works-CIP] Mayor Pro Tern Engelken moved to award the Public Works Facility Improvements Construction Manager at Risk to Construction Masters of Houston and authorize the City Manager to execute the contract, including an award for a $15,000.00 pre by Councilmrson Williams: the motion was adopted. 8-0. c. Medical Plan Recommendations from Employee and Retiree Benefits Board (Chapter 172) - Presentation, discussion, and possible action to authorize the City Manager to execute agreements as recommended by Chapter 172 Committee as follows: • Aetna for city medical plan third -party administrator (TPA) and Network Provider Services in the amount of $180,683 annually for three years with two optional years that carry a rate increase cap of 3%. • RxBenefits as the Prescription Benefit Manager in the amount of $9,700 annually for three years with two optional years that carry a rate increase cap of 3%. • RetireeFirst and United Health Care for Post-65 Medicare Advantage plan and provide expanded member support in the amount of $386,738.64 for the 2025 plan year. [Matt Hartleib, HR Manager] Mayor Pro Tern Engelken moved to authorize the City Manager to execute agreements as recommended by Chapter 172 Committee as follows: • RxBenefits as the Prescription Benefit Manager in the amount of $9,700 annually for three years with two optional years that carry a rate increase cap of 3%. • RetireeFirst and United Health Care for Post-65 Medicare Advantage plan and provide expanded member support in the amount of $386,738.64 for the 2025 plan year. The motion was seconded by Councilperson Williams and was adopted. 8-0. d. Food Truck Regulations - Presentation, discussion, and possible action to adopt Ordinance 2024-4023 amending Chapter 22 of the La Porte Code of Ordinances by adopting regulations for the operation of Mobile Food Vendors within the City of La Porte. [Matt Daeumer, Assistant City Manager] Councilperson McLarrin moved to adopt Ordinance 2024-4023 amending Chapter 22 of the La Porte Code of Ordinances by adopting regulations for the operation of Mobile Food Vendors within the City of La Porte, as amended from the document presented by: In the proposed text for the Code of Ordinances. Sec. 22-58 — Mobile food In Section 7 of Ordinance 2024-4023, update the effective date by striking fourteen (14) days and inserting February 1. 2025, in its place. The motion was seconded by Counciloerson Guerra: the motion was adopted. 6- 2. Councilpersons Martin and McCaulley voting against. 9. Reports a. Monthly Fund Balance Report [Michael Dolby, Director of Finance] Mr. Dolby provided the report. b. Presentation on FEMA Community Rating System (CRS). [Malik Michel, Engineering Manager] Mr. Alexander noted that items 9.b. and 9.c. were opportunities to highlight the ways team members make La Porte a little better every day! Mr. Michel provided an overview of the FEMA CRS. c. Presentation of the Permits Section. [Richard Glass, Chief Building Official] Mr. Glass shared the work of and compliments about the Permitting Technicians. d. Recognition of City Employees for Years of Service. [Matt Hartlieb, Human Resources Manager] Jessica Rodriguez - Financial Services Technician (10 years) Dequincy Hawkins - Utility Operator II (10 years) Christopher Gaitan - Parks Maintenance Worker II (15 years) e. Report of the Conference -Multipurpose Center Ad Hoc Committee meeting on October 17 [Councilperson Martin, Chair] Chair Martin said the committee had met, reviewed preliminary drawings, and discussed similar facilities in other communities. He said the committee will hold a public hearing [town hall] on December 10. f. Report of the New City Hall Ad Hoc Committee meeting on October 21 [Councilperson McCaulley, Chair] Chair McCaulley said the committee had met and reviewed updates to reduce the overall cost estimate, which they have done by several million dollars, from $27M- $22M. He added that there should be a guaranteed maximum cost and the committee will meet again after the first of the year. g. Report of the Storm and Incident Readiness Ad Hoc Committee meeting on October 22 [Mayor Pro Tern Engelken, Chair] Chair Engelken said the committee had met; reviewed the findings from AARs of prior events; and set a town hall on December 11 at the EOC. He noted the City has an excellent response team and process. h. Report of the Retail Opportunities Ad Hoc Committee meeting [Councilperson McCaulley, Chair] Chair McCaulley said the committee met and discussed definitions; received updates on projects; and will set a town hall meeting for December 4. L Report of the La Porte Development Corporation Board of Directors meeting [Mayor Pro Tem Engelken, Chair] Mayor Pro Tem Engelken said the Board met, noting the Council had also authorized an economic development services agreement between the City and the Bay Area Houston Economic Partnership; that the LPDC had declined to join Power Up Texas; had approved amendments to the La Porte Development Corporation Enhancement Grant Policy; approved a reimbursement payment in an amount not to exceed $6,250.00 to the applicant Shelley Whalen for enhancements to her business Dimensions Comics, Music, and More, located at 321 W. Main Street; held a public hearing on and then approved fifteen (15) proposed Capital Improvement Projects (CIP) of the La Porte Development Corporation for recreational or community facilities throughout the city. j. Administrative Reports. [Corby Alexander, City Manager] Mr. Alexander shared the giant greeting card of appreciation from the Public Works Department for the salary changes in the new budget. 10.Items of Community Interest Councilpersons congratulated employees recognized this evening; expressed disappointment with the Union Pacific presentation; commended the employees involved in cleaning up the city, especially the alleys downtown; spoke in concern about the additional ad hoc committees taxing team members; thanked Richard Glass for work on the dangerous buildings issues and for bringing the positive comments about the Permitting staff; thanked Matt Daeumer for his'exceptional' work on the food truck ordinance; offered gratitude to Pedro Ortega and Arturo Vasquez; and thanked Parks and the Police Department for the Cycle the City event and for the Treats on the Trail event, attended by over 1700 people. 11. Executive Session a. Texas Government Code Sec. 551.071(1)(A)-Pending or Contemplated Litigation: The City Council will meet in closed session with the City Attorney and City Manager to discuss a damage claim by developer of property at 11811 North H St., La Porte. The Council convened in executive session at 8:33 p.m. 12.Reconvene The Council convened in oven session at 9:13 o.m. Counciloerson Guerra moved to not take any action: the motion was seconded by Mayor Pro Tern Enaelken: the motion was adopted. 8-0.