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HomeMy WebLinkAbout11-11-2024 CC minutesA MINUTES OF THE REGULAR MEETING OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF LA PORTE Councilpersons Present: Rick Helton, Brandon Lunsford, Brent McCaulley, Chuck Engelken, Bill Bentley, Robert Guerra, Jay Martin, Robbie McLarrin Councilpersons Attending Remotely: Mandi Williams Councilperson Absent: None 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 November 11, 2024, at the City Hall Council Chambers, 604 West Fairmont Parkway, La Porte, Texas, at 6:00 p.m. 1. Call to Order - Mayor Helton called the meeting to order at 6:03 p.m. 2. Invocation and Pledges of Allegiance Student Pastor Shavaree Lacy of La Porte First Church offered the invocation. The La Porte High School ROTC, under the direction of Captain Hector Echevarria, posted the colors. Cadet Chessborough led the pledges. 3. Recognitions a. Recognition of 2024 City University Participants [Lindsey French, Recreation Superintendent] The 2024 City University graduates are Tyler Bryan, Catherine (Cathy) Crate, James Denno, Darrell Herrin, Steffanie Purucker, Naomi Richison, and Aly Shocknesse. b. Recognition of Officer Lee Piflon as the C.L.E.A.T. Region 6 Officer of the Year [Scott Pullig, Chief of Police] c. Recognition of Ashley Lovercheck as Employee of the 3rd Quarter 2024 [Matt Hartleib, HR Manager] d. Recognition of Employees for Years of Service [Matt Hartleib, HR Manager] Barrence Rodgers - Patrol Sergeant (10 years) Gus Alfaro - Solid Waste Supervisor (25 years) Shelley Wolny Assistant Director, Finance (25 years) 4. Citizen Comment Terri Hayes spoke in opposition to the Union Pacific development, offering appreciation to the Council for their consideration, resulting in the resolution in item 6.c. Frank Hernandez spoke of concern about students parking at the Evelyn Kennedy Community Center while the Senior programming is being held there. 5. Consent Agenda a. Approve the minutes of the October 28, 2024, regular City Council meeting. [Lee Woodward, City Secretary] b. Annual election of H-GAC Representative and Alternate Representative - Adopt Resolution 2025-01, appointing members of the La Porte City Council to serve as the City of La Porte's 2025 Representative and Alternate Representative to the H-GAC General Assembly and Board of Directors (annual item). [Rick Helton, Mayor] c. Houston -Galveston Area Council (H-GAC) Regional Transportation Plan (RTP) Letter of Support - Authorize the Mayor to sign a letter of support to the Houston -Galveston Area Council (H-GAC) Transportation Policy Council Chair expressing endorsement for including the TxDOT SH 225 redevelopment, IH 610 Ship Channel Bridge replacement, and the Bayport Container Terminal Southern Access Road projects in the 2045 Regional Transportation Plan Update. [Haley Bowers, Economic Development Manager] d. Flock Safety Grant - Approve the Flock Safety Automated License Plate Reader (ALPR) Grant application and policy document. [Matt Daeumer, Assistant City Manager] e. Water Meters - Approve purchase of Neptune meters and parts from Core and Main of Houston, not to exceed the budgeted amount of $649,233.00. [Michael Dolby, Director of Finance] f. Amazon Business Account - Approve utilizing Choice Partners Cooperative Contract 22/045KN-01 to purchase maintenance, repair, and operation supplies through an Amazon Business Account up to total budget amounts for each Department. [Cherell Daeumer, Purchasing Manager] g. Brookglen Drainage Improvements - Professional Services Amendment - Authorize the City Manager to execute a professional services contract amendment to the Professional Engineering Services contract for Brookglen Drainage Improvements with Halff Associates, in the amount of $69,559.00. [Jameson Appel, Assistant Director of Public Works, CIP] h. Investment Policy -Approve the City of La Porte's Investment Policy. [Shelley Wolny, Asst. Finance Director] i. Award Beautification and Landscaping Bid - Award Bid #24109 Annual Beautification and Landscaping Maintenance to Horticare in the amount of $55,610.00, and a 25% contingency of $13,902.50, for a total authorization of $69,512.50. [Tim Miller, Director of Parks and Recreation] j. Approve the FY 2024 Chapter 59 Audit/Asset Forfeiture Report -Approve the FY 2024 audit/asset forfeiture report and associated financial records as required by Chapter 59 of the Texas Code of Criminal Procedure. [Scott Pullig, Chief of Police] k. Fairmont Playground -Approve the purchase and installation of playground equipment and authorize the City Manager to execute a construction contractwith GameTime, through Buy Board Contract#679-22, in the amount of $386,003.64 and a contingency amount of $13,996.60, for a total authorization of $400,000.00, for replacement playground at Fairmont Park. [Lindsey French, Recreation Superintendent] I. Stop Loss Insurance - Approve the selection of Wellpoint to provide Stop Loss insurance coverage in the amount of $1,101,738, as recommended by the Chapter 172 Employee, Retiree Insurance and Benefits Board. [Matt Hartleib, HR Manager] m. Siren Tower Replacement at the Farrington Baseball Field - Approve the purchase and installation of a replacement Modulator® High -Powered Speaker Array in the amount of $54,264.00 through The Interlocal Purchasing System (TIPS) under Contract #220105 at the Farrington Baseball Field. [Johnny Morales, Emergency Management Coordinator] n. Datavox Services - Approve the purchase of hardware, software and technical support hours in the amount of $239,332.93 from DataVox through Cooperative purchasing contracts: DIR-TSO-4160 and TIPS #230105. [Darren Withers, IT Manager] o. EMS Contract for Shoreacres - Authorize the City Manager to execute the nineteen (19) month agreement for the City of La Porte to provide Emergency Medical Services to the City of Shoreacres for the period beginning February 1, 2025, at total monthly rate of $15,826.66. [Matt Daeumer, Assistant City Manager] p. Approval of Harris County Area Agency on Aging Food Program Contract - Approve expenditure of $74,104.08 for expenses associated with the operation and administration of the Senior Nutrition Program at the Norman Malone and Brookglen Senior Centers for FY 2024-2025. [Tim Miller, Director of Parks and Recreation Department] Mayor Pro Tern Enoelken moved to adopt the consent agenda; the motion was seconded by Councilperson Bentley' the motion was adopted 9-0. 6. Statutory Agenda a. Cast City's Ballot for HCAD Board - Presentation, discussion, and possible action to cast the City's votes for person(s) to be appointed to serve on the board of directors of the Harris Central Appraisal District, for a term beginning January 1, 2025. [Lee Woodward, City Secretary] Mayor Pro Tem Engelken moved to cast all votes on the City's ballot for the HCAD Board of Directors for Mike Sullivan: the motion was seconded by Councilperson Bentley: the motion was adopted. 9-0. b. TikTok Policy - Presentation, discussion, and possible action to approve an amendment to the City of La Porte Employee Policies Handbook regarding the prohibition of TikTok and other covered applications as required by S.B. 1863. [Matt Hartleib, HR Manager] Mayor Pro Tern Engelken moved to adopt the policy' the motion was seconded by Councilperson Bentlev: the motion was adopted. 9-0. c. Resolution 2025-04 Union Pacific Railroad - Presentation, discussion, and possible action to adopt Resolution 2025-04 in opposition to the Union Pacific Railroad's development of a 269-acre tract in the City of La Porte, Texas. [Rick Helton, Mayor] Councilperson Williams moved to adopt Resolution 2025-04: the motion was seconded by Councilperson Guerra: the motion was adopted. 9-0. 7. Reports a. Presentation on Solid Waste Department. [Ray Mayo, Director of Public Works] Mr. Mayo provided an inspiring and positive report on the Solid Waste Division of the Public Works Department. The Council thanked the crews for all they do. b. Report of the Drainage and Flooding Committee meeting. [Councilperson Martin] Chair Martin said the Committee met, received updates on drainage projects, and set the next meeting for January 13. c. Administrative Reports. [Corby Alexander, City Manager] Mr. Alexander said the Fiscal Affairs Committee also met and the City's finances and investments were looking very good. Mayor Pro Tern Engelken thanked Finance for their stewardship. 8. Items of Community Interest Councilpersons congratulated those recognized this evening; wished all a safe and happy Thanksgiving; thanked the Parks Department for the new facility at Fairmont Park; expressed desire to look into the parking issue at Evelyn Kennedy; offered concern about Union Pacific's presentation at the last meeting; and gave appreciation to all veterans.