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HomeMy WebLinkAbout03-24-2025 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 March 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 6:02 p.m. 2. Invocation and Pledges of Allegiance The invocation was provided by Pastor Ryan Walling of Bayshore Baptist Church and the pledgers were led by Cristiano Garay. 3. Citizen Comment - There were no comments. 4. Presentations a. Donation from GFL Environmental - Donation of $5,000.00 from GFL Environmental as a sponsor of the Household Hazardous Waste collection event to be held May 10, 2025. [Ray Mayo, Director of Public Works] b. Presentation by Virginia Pierson -Turner on the importance of green infrastructure. [Rick Helton, Mayor] 5. Consent Agenda a. Approve the minutes of the regular City Council meeting held on March 10, 2025. [Lee Woodward, City Secretary] b. Lomax Arena Extension and Site Improvements - Design Services - Authorize the City Manager to execute a professional services contract with Cobb Fendley and Associates, Inc. for the Lomax Arena Extension and Site Improvements Project, in the amount of $58,803.00. [Jameson Appel, Assistant Director of Public Works] c. Harris County Flood Control Easement - Authorize the City Manager to execute an easement agreement with Harris County for the stormwater outfall pipe of the south detention pond to benefit the Brookglen subdivision. [Ray Mayo, Director of Public Works] d. ILA - Harris County Housing and Community Development - Sidewalk/Crosswalk Improvements - Authorize the City Manager to execute an Interlocal Agreement between Harris County and City of La Porte for construction of sidewalk improvements and a commitment of La Porte's share of the project at $35,265.60. [Jameson Appel, Assistant Director of Public Works] e. Fiscal Year 2024-25 Budget Amendment - Adopt Ordinance 2025-4055, amending the City of La Porte, Texas' Fiscal Year 2024-25 Budget by appropriating a total of $173,000.00 in the general fund for necessary computer replacements and associated hardware for Windows 11 operating system upgrades. [Shelley Wolny, Assistant Finance Director] f. PC Purchase Due To Windows 10 limitations - Approve the purchase of computers and associated hardware in the amount of $57,956.00 from InTech Southwest through cooperative purchasing contract DIR-TSO-4159 and $83,381.99 from Dell through cooperative purchasing contract TX-DIR-TSO- 3763 with a contingency of $8,622.01 for a total authorization not to exceed $150,000.00. [Darren Withers, IT Manager] g. CenterPoint Rate Suspension - Approve Resolution 2025-11 suspending for forty-five (45) days the effective date proposed by CenterPoint Energy Resources Corp., d/b/a CenterPoint Energy Entex and CenterPoint Energy Texas Gas — Texas Coast Division, for an increase to gas utility rates under the Gas Reliability Infrastructure Program (GRIP) in its application filed on or about February 18, 2025. [Matt Daeumer, Assistant City Manager] Councilperson Martin moved to adopt the consent agenda except item 5g: the motion was seconded by Mayor Pro Tern Engelkem the motion was adopted. 9-0. Mayor Pro Tem Engelken filed a conflict -of -interest affidavit and did not participate in the consideration or vote of item 5g. Councilperson Martin moved to approve item 5g: the motion was seconded by Councilperson McCaullev: the motion was adopted. 8-0. 6. Public Hearings and Associated Ordinances a. Ordinance 2025-4052 Future Land Use Plan Amendment FLUP-2025-0006 - The City Council will hold a public hearing to receive comments regarding a recommendation by the Planning and Zoning Commission to adopt Ordinance 2025-4052 for approval of FLUP-2025-0006, an amendment to the Future Land Use Plan (FLUP) from Commercial to Low -Density Residential on approximately 1.16 acres of land generally located between W. A St. to the north, W. B St. to the south; and between S. 12th St. to the west and S. 11th St. to the east and legally described as Lots 7-12, Block 25; Lots 21-29 & S'/2 of Lot 6, Block 25 and TRA Part of Abandoned Alley, La Porte, Harris County, Texas; followed by discussion and possible action to adopt Ordinance 2025- 4052 for approval of FLUP-2025-0006, an amendment to the FLUP from Commercial to Low -Density Residential on approximately 1.16 acres of land generally located between W. A St. to the north, W. B St. to the south; and between S. 12th St. to the west and S. 11th St. to the east and legally described as Lots 7-12, Block 25; Lots 21-29 & S 1/2 of Lot 6, Block 25 and TRA Part of Abandoned Alley, La Porte, Harris County, Texas. [Johnna Matthews, Planning Manager, Planning and Development Department] Mayor Helton opened the public hearing at 6:46 p.m. Ryan Hvitlok, Planning and Development Director, gave an overview. There were no public speakers. Mayor Helton closed the public hearing at 6:49 p.m. Counciloerson Williams moved to adopt Ordinance 2025-4052 for approval of 12, Block 25; Lots 21-29 & S '% of Lot 6, Block 25 and TRA Part of Abandoned Alley, La Porte, Harris County. Texas: the motion was seconded by Mayor Pro Tem Engelken: the motion was adopted. 9-0. b. Ordinance 2025-4053 Zone Change ZC-2025-0006 - The City Council will hold a public hearing to receive comments regarding a recommendation by the Planning and Zoning Commission to adopt Ordinance 2025-4053 for approval of ZC-2025-0006, a zone change from General Commercial (GC) to Low -Density Residential (R-1) on approximately 1.16 acres of land generally located between W. A St. to the north, W. B St to the south; and between S. 12th St to the west and S. 11th St. to the east and legally described as Lots 7-12, Block 25; Lots 21-29 & S % of Lot 6, Block 25 and TRA Part of Abandoned Alley, La Porte, Harris County, Texas; followed by discussion and possible action to adopt Ordinance 2025-4053 for approval of ZC-2025- 0006, a zone change from General Commercial (GC) to Low -Density Residential (R-1) on approximately 1.16 acres of land generally located between W. A St. to the north, W. B St. to the south; and between S. 12th St. to the west and S. 11th St. to the east and legally described as Lots 7-12, Block 25; Lots 21-29 & S % of Lot 6, Block 25 and TRA Part of Abandoned Alley, La Porte, Harris County, Texas. [Johnna Matthews, Planning Manager, Planning and Development Department] Mayor Helton opened the public hearing at 6:52 p.m. Ryan Hvitlok, Planning and Development Director, gave an overview. There were no public speakers. Mayor Helton closed the Dublic hearing at 6:53 D.m. Mayor Pro Tem Engelken moved to adopt Ordinance 2025-4053 for approval of ZC-2025-0006 a zone change from General Commercial (GC) to Low -Density Residential (R-1) on approximately 1.16 acres of land aenerally located between W. A St. to the north. W. B St. to the south: and between S. 12th St. to the west was adopted. 9-0. c. Ordinance 20254054 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 2025-4054 amending Chapter 106, Section 106-310, Table A (Commercial and Industrial Uses), Footnote 15 by establishing screening requirements for vehicles at automotive repair businesses; followed by discussion and possible action to adopt Ordinance 2025-4054 amending Chapter 106, Section 106-310, Table A (Commercial and Industrial Uses), Footnote 15 by establishing screening requirements for vehicles at automotive repair businesses. [Johnna Matthews, Planning Manager, Planning and Development Department] Mayor Helton opened the public hearing at 6:55 p.m. Ryan Hvitlok, Planning and Development Director, gave an overview. There were no public speakers. Mayor Helton closed the public hearing at 6:57 p.m. repair businesses: the motion was seconded by Councilperson McLarrirc the motion was adopted. 9-0. Statutory Agenda a. Signage Project Status and Recommendation - Presentation, discussion, and possible action to approve the purchase of the Ezzi Signs scope of work under Choice Partner contract #24/047TC to purchase two (2) building LED marquee signs, one (1) non -LED entrance sign, and one (1) LED entrance sign, in the amount of $279,750.00. [Johnny Morales, Emergency Management Coordinator] b. New Dangerous Buildings Presentation 2025 - Presentation from the Dangerous Buildings Inspections Board reporting their inspection results on sixteen (16) dangerous/substandard properties located at: 1)113 N. 3rd St., La Porte, Texas, 4 2) 115 S. Virginia St., La Porte, Texas, 3) 201 S. 7th St.., La Porte, Texas, 4) 201 Pine Bluff#4., La Porte, Texas, 5) 208 S. 7th St., La Porte, Texas, 6) 303 S. Iowa St., La Porte, Texas, 7) 401 S. Carroll St., La Porte, Texas, 8) 401 S. Iowa St., La Porte, Texas, 9) 405 S. Iowa St., La Porte, Texas, 10) 514 S. Blackwell, La Porte, Texas, 11) 531 S. Shady Ln., La Porte, Texas, 12) 801 S. 7th St., La Porte, Texas, 13) 832 S. 3rd St., La Porte, Texas, 14) 914 S. Broadway, La Porte, Texas, 15) 1211 N. Bayshore, La Porte, Texas, and 16) 3030 Carlisle St., La Porte, Texas; followed by discussion and possible action authorizing administrative staff to notify the owners of those buildings determined by the Dangerous Building Inspections Board to be dangerous. [Richard Glass, Chief Building Official] Counciloerson McCaullev moved to authorize administrative staff to notify the c. Beautification Committee - Presentation, discussion, and possible action to provide administrative staff direction or approve Ordinance 2025-4056 creating the Keep La Porte Beautiful Committee. [Matt Daeumer, Assistant City Manager] Resolution 2025-12 - Presentation, discussion, and possible action to approve Resolution 2025-12 expressing opposition to Senate Bill 2722 and House Bill 5177 and urging the Texas Legislature to reject these measures in their current form. [Matt Daeumer, Assistant City Manager] e. Foreign Trade Zone Request - Frontier Logistics - Presentation, discussion, and possible action to authorize the City Manager to sign a letter of no objection for the Frontier Logistics foreign trade zone application, and approve the foreign trade zone agreement between the City of La Porte, Texas, and Frontier Logistics LP for payment in lieu of ad valorem taxes. [Haley Bowers, Economic Development Manager] Mayor Pro Tern Engelken; the motion was adopted. 7-2, Councilperson Guerra and Williams voting against. 8. Reports a. Report of the La Porte Development Corporation Board of Directors meeting [Mayor Pro Tem Engelken] Mayor Pro Tern Engelken said the Board met, received a presentation from the District Director of the Small Business Administration, approved a 60-day public comment period for Main Street Station, approved an enhancement grant for Main 101 Grill and Bar Inc., in an amount not to exceed $44,938.28, approved publishing a notice to begin the 60-day comment period for an amendment to the previously approved project of the La Porte Development Corporation for a fitness center parking lot, by amending the scope of the project to include sidewalks and other related improvements, and received a CIP report. b. Fund Balance Report [Michael Dolby, Finance Director] Mr. Dolby reported that, for the month of January, the General Fund has 614 days of working capital and expects it to end the year with around 378 days, at a value of $207,000 per day. He said the Utility Fund has 192 days of working capital. c. Notification of informational document on ESD continuation election [Corby Alexander, City Manager] Mr. Alexander explained the purpose and constraints around the continuation election information provided. d. Administrative Reports [Corby Alexander, City Manager] The new video from the recent State of the Cities and LPISD luncheon was shown. 9. Items of Community Interest Councilpersons congratulated the City on the State of the City video; thanked Public Works and Jameson Appel for handling the water leak yesterday and the management of the drainage project in Brookglen; expressed appreciation of Mr. Dolby's report; and thanked Mrs. Pierson -Turner and Councilperson Martin for their review of the landscaping issues.