HomeMy WebLinkAbout02-24-2025 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, Chuck Engelken, Bill Bentley, Robert Guerra, Jay
Martin, Robbie McLarrin
Councilpersons Attending Remotely: None
Councilpersons 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 24, 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 6:00 p.m.
2. Invocation and Pledges of Allegiance
Reverend Brian Christen of La Porte Community Church provided an invocation and
Victoria and Giuliana Olivares led the pledges.
3. Citizen Comment
Suzy Smith thanked the Council for the improvements at Brookglen and for Victor.
She also asked the Council to consider a second person at the Center, having two
persons on field trips, working on expansion for the future, and a shed for the
decorations and programming materials. Gus Brieden said his property at 1911 West
Main was taken off the truck route and asked how to get it back on it. William Whitney
of Bayside Terrace asked for compensation for his and his wife's vehicles due to
damage during the drainage work near their home and was directed to speak with
Assistant City Manager Matt Daeumer.
4. Consent Agenda
a. Approve the minutes of the February 10, 2025, regular City Council meeting.
[Lee Woodward, City Secretary]
b. Sponsorship LPEF Golf Tournament - Approve a request for City of La Porte
sponsorship of the La Porte Education Foundation in an amount not to
exceed $2,500.00, as the presenting sponsor for the 219t Annual Golf
Tournament for Fiscal Year 2024-2025. [Assistant City Manager Matt
Daeumer]
c. S. Iowa Street Waterline Replacement - Design Services - Authorize the City
Manager to execute a professional services contract for Professional
Engineering Services with ARKK Engineers for South Iowa Street Waterline
Replacement Project in the amount of $144,630.00. [Jameson Appel, Asst.
Director Public Works - CIP]
Mayor Pro Tern Engelken moved to approve the consent agenda; Councilperson
Williams seconded the motion the motion was adopted. 9-0,
5. Public Hearings and Associated Ordinances
a. Ordinance 2025-4048 Chapter 106 (Zoning) Amendment - The City Council
will hold a public hearing to receive comments regarding a recommendation
by the Planning and Zoning Commission to adopt Ordinance 2025-4048,
amending the Code of Ordinances of the City of La Porte, Chapter 106
"Zoning" of the Code of Ordinances of the City of La Porte, Texas, by adding
a minimum 26-foot width requirement for single-family dwellings; followed
by discussion and possible action to adopt Ordinance 2025-4048 amending
the Code of Ordinances of the City of La Porte, Chapter 106 'Zoning" of the
Code of Ordinances of the City of La Porte, Texas, by adding a minimum 26-
foot width requirement for single-family dwellings. [Johnna Matthews,
Planning Manager, Planning and Development Department]
Mayor Helton opened the public hearing at 6:14 p.m. Yvonne Briscoe provided a
presentation. There were no public comments. Mayor Helton closed the public
hearing at 6:18 p.m.
Councilperson McLarrin the motion was adopted 7-2 Mayor Pro Tern Engelken
and Councilperson McCaullev voting against.
6. Statutory Agenda
a. ESD Election Services Agreement - Presentation, discussion, and possible
action to approve a joint election agreementlelection services contract with
the Board of Directors of the City of La Porte Fire Control, Prevention, and
Emergency Services District for its continuation referendum election called
for May 3, 2025. [Lee Woodward, City Secretary, and Clark Askins, City
Attorney]
Bentley' the motion was adopted. 9-0.
b. Termination of Campaign Treasurer Appointments - Presentation,
discussion, and possible action to approve Ordinance 2025-4049 amending
the City of La Porte, Texas, Code of Ordinances, Chapter 2, "Administration",
by adding new Article VI, "Elections", and adopting procedures for the
termination of a campaign treasurer appointment for an inactive candidate
or political committee, as authorized by the Texas Election Code. [Lee
Woodward, City Secretary]
Mayor Pro Tern Engelken moved to approve Ordinance the motion was seconded
by Councilperson Williams: the motion was adopted 9-0.
c. Food Truck Regulations - Presentation, discussion, and possible action to
adopt Ordinance 2025-4050 amending Chapter 22 "Businesses" of the La
Porte Code of Ordinances by adopting amendments to existing regulations
for the operation of Mobile Food Vendors within the City of La Porte, Texas.
[Matt Daeumer, Assistant City Manager]
was adopted, 9-0.
Reports
a. Report of the Storm and Incident Readiness Ad Hoc Committee meeting on
February 11 and town hall on February 24. [Mayor Pro Tern Engelken, Chair]
Mayor Pro Tem Engelken said the Committee had met, approved its final
recommendations for the City Council budget retreat, and would meet again, if
needed.
b. Report of the Transfer Station Ad Hoc Committee meeting held on February
17. [Councilperson Williams, Chair]
Councilperson Williams noted the February 1711 meeting was cancelled and that
the Committee will meet again on March 6. The Committee is scheduled to hold a
town hall on March 6 and a meeting on March 10.
c. Report of the Conference -Multipurpose Center Ad Hoc Committee meeting
held on February 17. [Councilperson Martin, Chair]
Councilperson Martin said the Committee met to continue its feasibility discussion,
considered options, and chose to recommend contracting for a conceptual design
to move forward with.
d. Administrative Reports. [Corby Alexander, City Manager]
Mr. Alexander thanked Ms. Smith for her comments on the Brookglen Senior
Center and said some items would come to the budget retreat. He also introduced
and welcomed Ryan Hvitlock, the new Planning and Development Director.
e. Fund Balance Report [Michael Dolby, Finance Director]
Mr. Dolby noted the General Fund currently holds 559 days of working capital and
is expected to have 378 days at the end of the fiscal year. For the Utility Fund, he
said there were currently 191 days of working capital, and 116 days expected at
the fiscal year's end.
8. Items of Community Interest
Councilpersons welcomed Mr. Hvitlock; commended Kayla and all for their hard work
at Marci Gras on Main, even though it had to be canceled for the rainy weather; asked
that staff clarify Mr. Brieden's request; shared the LPISD Battlebots experience; noted
the excellent work of the Police Department on enforcement on Sens Road; lauded