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HomeMy WebLinkAbout02-10-2025 CC minutesMINUTES OF THE REGULAR MEETING OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF LA PORTE Councilpersons Present: Rick Helton, Brandon Lunsford, Brent McCaulley, Mandi Williams [arrived at 6:18 p.m.], Chuck Engelken, Bill Bentley, Robert Guerra, Jay Martin, Robbie McLarrin Councilpersons Attending Remotely: None Council persons 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 February 10, 2025, 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 The invocation was given by Pastor Joey Whitener of Lighthouse Baptist Church and the pledges were led by Dylan Thatcher. 3. Recognitions a. Recognition of Employees for Years of Service Rafael Moreno - Equipment Services Supervisor (10 years) George Molnar - Senior Mechanic (30 years) b. Employee of the Fourth Quarter - Chris Wells [Tim Miller, Director of Parks and Recreation] c. Employee of the Year - Ashley Lovercheck [Michael Dolby, Director of Finance] d. Manager of the Year - Cherell Daeumer [Michael Dolby, Director of Finance] e. Recognition of LP Bulldogs youth football team and the LPHS Bulldogs to celebrate the younger team's recent win at the TIFI Super Bowl. 4. Citizen Comment James Livingston spoke about the FEMA requirements for installation of his generator. 5. Presentations a. Presentation by Emanuel Walker -Brown, Outreach, Education, and Prevention Coordinator A with Bay Area Turning Point, to share remarks on Teen Dating Violence Month. 6. Consent Agenda a. Approve the minutes of the January 27, 2025, regular City Council meeting. [Lee Woodward, City Secretary] b. City Hall Construction Materials Testing Services - Approve a professional services contract with Geotech Engineering and Testing for construction materials testing in connection with City Hall project and authorize the City Manager to execute a professional services contract in the amount of $139,923.00 [Jameson Appel, Assistant Public Works Director, CIP] c. RFC Parking Lot - Design Amendment - Approve an amendment to the professional services contract with Shelmark Engineering, LLC for the Recreation and Fitness Center Parking Lot project and authorize the City Manager to execute a contract amendment in the amount of $24,000.00 [Jameson Appel, Assistant Public Works Director, CIP] Mayor Pro Tern Enaelken moved to approve the consent agenda items a and c Counciloerson Bentley seconded the motion: the motion was adopted 9-0. Councilperson Guerra moved to deny item 6b. for a professional services contract with Geotech Engineering and Testing for construction materials testing in Mayor Pro Tern Enaelken: the motion was adopted. 6-3, Mayor Helton and Councilpersons Williams and Guerra voting against. Public Hearings and Associated Ordinances a. Ordinance 2025-4046 Zone Change ZC-2024-0005 - The City Council will hold a public hearing to receive comments regarding a recommendation by the Planning and Zoning Commission to adopt Ordinance 2024-4046, amending the Code of Ordinances of the City of La Porte, Chapter 106 'Zoning" by granting Zone Change # ZC-2024-0005, a change from Business Industrial (BI) zoning district to Planned Unit Development (PUD) zoning district, on approx. 15.42-acres out of a 130.56acre tract of land located at 11921 W Fairmont Pkwy., and legally described as Tracts 2A 3 4 4A & Tract 23D Bayport U/R Section 1 Abstract 625 R Pearsall, Harris County, Texas; followed by discussion and possible action to adopt Ordinance 2024-4046 amending the Code of Ordinances of the City of La Porte, Chapter 106 "Zoning" by granting Zone Change # ZC-2024-0005, a change from Business Industrial (BI) zoning district to Planned Unit Development (PUD) zoning district, on approx. 15.42-acres out of a 130.56-acre tract of land located at 11921 W Fairmont Pkwy., and legally described as Tracts 2A 3 4 4A & Tract 23D Bayport UIR Section 1 Abstract 625 R Pearsall, Harris County, Texas. [Yvonne Briscoe, Planner II, Planning and Development Department] Mayor Helton opened the public hearing at &36 p.m. Ms. Briscoe provided a presentation on both this item and the SCUP in the following item. Councilperson McLarrin asked to remove any allowance for outside storage of shipping containers at all from the SCUP. Mayor Helton closed the public hearing at 6:51 p.m. Councilperson McLarrin moved to adopt Ordinance 2024-4046 amending the Code of Ordinances of the City of La Porte Chapter 106 "Zoning' by granting Zone described as Tracts 2A, 3, 4. 4A. & Tract 23D Bayport U/R Section 1 Abstract 625 R. Pearsall, Harris County Texas: Councilperson Guerra seconded the motion: the motion was adopted. 7-2 Councilpersons Lunsford and Williams voting against. b. Ordinance 2025-4047 Special Conditional Use Permit SCUP-2024-0011 - The City Council will hold a public hearing to receive comments regarding a recommendation by the Planning and Zoning Commission to adopt Ordinance 2025-4047, amending the Code of Ordinances of the City of La Porte, Chapter 106 "Zoning" by granting Special Conditional Use Permit # SCUP-2024-0011, a request by Chris Couch, applicant, on behalf of Odia Fairmont LLC, owners, for approval of a Special Conditional Use Permit in the Planned Unit Development (PUD) zoning district, on a 130.56-acre tract of land, to allow for 1) various commercial and industrial uses as permitted with conditions and permitted with approval of a SCUP in the Planned Unit Development (PUD) zoning district, on approx. 58.42-acres out of the 130.56- acre tract of land located at 11921 W Fairmont Pkwy. (along Spencer Hwy. and W. Fairmont Pkwy.); and 2) for various commercial uses as permitted to provide goods and services to neighboring residents, on approx. 72-acres out of the 130.56-acre tract of land (along Bay Area Blvd.), located at 11921 W Fairmont Pkwy., and legally described as Tracts 2A 3 4 4A & Tract 23D Bayport U/R Section 1 Abstract 625 R Pearsall, Harris County, Texas; followed by discussion and possible action to adopt Ordinance 2025-4047 amending the Code of Ordinances of the City of La Porte, Chapter 106 "Zoning" by granting Special Conditional Use Permit # SCUP-2024-0011, SCUP-2024-0011, a request by Chris Couch, applicant, on behalf of Odia Fairmont LLC, owners, for approval of a Special Conditional Use Permit in the Planned Unit Development (PUD) zoning district, on a 130.56-acre tract of land, to allow for 1) various commercial and industrial uses as permitted with conditions and permitted with approval of a SCUP in the Planned Unit Development (PUD) zoning district, on approx. 58.42-acres out of the 130.56- acre tract of land located at 11921 W Fairmont Pkwy. (along Spencer Hwy. and W. Fairmont Pkwy.); and 2) for various commercial uses as permitted to provide goods and services to neighboring residents, on approx. 72-acres out of the 130.56acre tract of land (along Bay Area Blvd.), located at 11921 W Fairmont Pkwy., and legally described as Tracts 2A 3 4 4A & Tract 23D Bayport U/R Section 1 Abstract 625 R Pearsall, Harris County, Texas. [Yvonne Briscoe, Planner 11, Planning and Development Department] Mayor Helton opened the public hearing at 6:54 p.m. Ms. Briscoe provided a presentation on this item with the prior item. Chris Couch, representing the owner, was permitted to speak to the Council. Mayor Helton closed the public hearing at 7:10 p.m. Councilverson McLarrin, with an amendment to proposed SCUP condition 13, to strike unless affixed to a chassis, in order not to allow outside storage of shipping containers at all, moved to adopt Ordinance 2025-4047 amending the Code of Special Conditional Use Permit in the Planned Unit Development (PUD) zoning district, on a 130.56-acre tract of land, to allow for 1) various commercial and industrial uses as permitted with conditions and permitted with approval of a SCUP in the Planned Unit Development (PUD) zoning district on approx. 58.42 acres out of the 130.56-acre tract of land located at 11921 W Fairmont Parkway (along Spencer Hwy. and W Fairmont Pkwv.): and 2) for various commercial uses as permitted to provide goods and services to neighboring residents on approximately 72 acres out of the 130.56-acre tract of the motion was seconded by additional debate: the motion was adopted, 9-0 c. Dangerous Building -201 Edgewood St. -The City Council will hold a public hearing to receive comment on the adoption of Ordinance 2024-4008, ordering the condemnation of a dangerous/substandard structure located at 201 Edgewood St., La Porte, Texas; followed by discussion and possible action to adopt Ordinance 2024-4008, ordering the condemnation of dangerous/substandard structures located at 201 Edgewood St., La Porte, Texas. [Richard Glass, Chief Building Official] Mayor Helton opened the public hearing at 7:16 p.m. Mr. Glass reported on this property. There were no public speakers. Mayor Helton closed the public hearing at 7:18 p.m. adopted. 9-0. d. Dangerous Building - 711 W. Adams St. - The City Council will hold a public hearing to receive comment on the adoption of Ordinance 2024-4013, ordering the condemnation of a dangerous/substandard structure located at 711 W. Adams St., La Porte, Texas; followed by discussion and possible action to adopt Ordinance 2024-4013, ordering the condemnation of dangerous/substandard structures located at 711 W. Adams St., La Porte, Texas. [Richard Glass, Chief Building Official] Mayor Helton opened the public hearing at 7:20 p.m. Mr. Glass reported on the property. Candace Brooks, the owner, asked for additional days to demolish the building. Mayor Helton closed the public hearing at 7:25 p.m. Mayor Pro Tern Engelken moved to postpone for 60 days any further consideration of Ordinance 2024-4013, ordering the condemnation of dangerous/substandard structures located at 711 W. Adams St., La Porte, Texas: Councilperson McLarrin seconded the motion: the motion was adopted. 9-0. 8. Reports a. Brookglen Senior Center [Andrew Brady, Assistant Director of Public Works, and Tim Miller, Director of Parks and Recreation] Ray Mayo announced the Brookglen Senior Center had won the In -House Project of the Year in the Structures category by the American Public Works Association - Texas, constructed by City staff. Tim Miller shared the highlights of the programming and future planning. b. Report of the Retail Opportunities Ad Hoc Committee Town Hall held on February 10, 2025 [Councilperson McCaulley, Chair] Chair McCaulley noted the Town Hall was held and new opportunities and the ICSC conference were discussed. c. Report of the Drainage and Flooding Committee meeting held on February 10, 2025. [Councilperson Martin] Councilperson Martin said the Committee met and received updates from staff and from Jeremy Ratcliff of the Harris County Flood Control District. He noted that the City was conducting six drainage projects with Harris County totaling $42.2 million, $36.6 million of which is being funded by Harris County and $8.6 million from the City. d. 2024 Racial Profiling Report - City Council is provided with the 2024 Racial Profiling Report of the La Porte Police Department in accordance with Article 2B.0055 of the Texas Code of Criminal Procedure. [Scott Pullig, Chief of Police] There were no inquiries. e. Administrative Reports. [Corby Alexander, City Manager] Mr. Alexander encouraged the Council to see the Brookglen Center in person, praising the work done there. 9. Items of Community Interest Councilpersons commended tonight's service recognition and award winners and thanked them for their service and noted how well the range dedication in honor of Chief Ditrich had gone. 10. Executive Session a. Personnel Matter - Texas Government Code Section 551.074 - Personnel Matters. Deliberation regarding the appointment, employment, evaluation, reassignment, duties, discipline, or dismissal of a public officer or employee - City Council will meet in closed session with City Manager Corby Alexander. Mr. Alexander said the item was being pulled. The item was not considered and no action was proposed. 11. Reconvene — Not handled, as item 10 was pulled.