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Home My WebLink About04-05-2025 CC budget retreat minutesMINUTES OF THE REGULAR MEETING OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF LA PORTE Councilpersons Present: Rick Helton, Brandon Lunsford [until lunch break at 12:10 p.m.], Brent McCauley, Chuck Engelken, Bill Bentley, Jay Martin, Robert Guerra Councilpersons Absent: Mandi Williams, Robbie McLarrin Councilpersons Attending Remotely: None Council -appointed Officers Present: Corby Alexander, City Manager; Lee Woodward, City Secretary The City Council of the City of La Porte met in a special meeting on April 5, 2025, at the City Hall Council Chambers, 604 West Fairmont Parkway, La Porte, Texas, at 8:30 a.m. 1. Call to Order - Mayor Helton called the meeting to order at 8:30 a.m. 2. Citizen Comment - Virginia Pierson -Turner spoke in support of item 3k. 3. Statutory Agenda a. Storm and Incident Readiness Ad Hoc Committee -Presentation, discussion, and possible action to provide direction on assessing and enhancing the City's preparedness for storms and other significant incidents. [Mayor Pro Tern Engelken, Chair] Mayor Pro Tern Engelken and Emergency Management Coordinator Johnny Morales reviewed the recommendations. Mayor Pro Tem Engelken moved to Droceed with the plan: the motion was seconded by Councilperson McCaullev; the motion was adopted. 7-0. Mr. Morales noted there were individual items later in the agenda for the primary items. b. Retail Opportunities Ad Hoc Committee - Presentation, discussion, and possible action to provide direction on investigating and reporting back to City Council on potential retail opportunities within the City of La Porte, Texas. [Councilperson McCaulley, Chair] Economic Development Manager Haley Bowers discussed the Committee's considerations and the approach the City takes toward retail recruitment and retention and brand awareness for the City. She noted recommendations to increase the budget for trade show attendance and to continue to use a retail recruitment like the one currently with The Retail Coach. c. Conference -Multipurpose Center Ad Hoc Committee - Presentation, discussion, and possible action to provide direction on investigating the feasibility, design, location, and financial implications of building a new conference center/multipurpose center at 1106-1198 Bayshore Drive, La Porte, Texas. [Councilperson Martin, Chair] Assistant City Manager Matt Daeumer recapped the Committee's discussions for construction on the proposed site and recommended increased engagement of residents in the area. He noted the Committee liked the proposed facility for the golf course. Councilperson Martin agreed with the presentation. Councilperson McCaulley asked that Precinct 2 be brought into the discussion. d. Financial Overview [Michael Dolby, Director of Finance] Finance Director Michael Dolby offered the report and expressed caution in conservative planning for the coming year. e. City Funds Presentation [Matt Daeumer, Assistant City Manager] Assistant City Manager Matt Daeumer provided the overview. f. Presentation and Discussion of the Medical Fund Performance - Presentation, discussion, and possible action to provide direction to staff on the management of the City's Medical Fund [Matt Hartleib, HR Manager] HR Manager Matt Hartleib reviewed the city's Medical Plan Performance. g. Facilities Division Overview and 5-year CIP Plan - Presentation, discussion, and possible action to provide administrative staff direction on the Facilities division and Capital Improvement Plan. [Andrew Brady, Assistant Director of Public Works] Assistant Public Works Director Andrew Brady shared the presentation. h. Presentation on the City's Compensation Philosophy. [Corby Alexander, City Manager] City Manager Corby Alexander reviewed the City's compensation plan. Councilperson Martin requested comparisons target the higher end of the ranges rather than the midpoints. i. Proposal for Adding a Fourth Ambulance and Additional Personnel - Presentation, discussion, and possible action to provide administrative staff with direction regarding the addition of a fourth ambulance, six additional personnel, and the remodel of Fire Station 3 to house new ambulance and staff. [Shawn Kominek, EMS Chief] Without obiection. $312,745.00 for equipment and supplies for the fourth ambulance was approved to move forward for the proposed budget considerations. j. CSO Compliance Officer, reclassifications, and position substitution - Presentation, discussion, and possible action for the establishment of a Compliance Officer, the reclassification of the Deputy City Secretary and Open Government Analyst, and the substitution of a Department Coordinator for the position of Senior Administrative Assistant for the FY 25-26 budget. [Lee Woodward, City Secretary/PIO] considerations. k. Landscape Division - Presentation, discussion, and possible action to providing administrative staff direction on programs to improve aesthetics and goals for municipal facilities, parks and open spaces. [Rick Helton, Mayor] proposed budget considerations. Additionally, Mr. Daeumer confirmed City staff would talk with the current contractor to begin making changes now. I. Full -Time Airport Manager- Presentation, discussion, and possible action to provide administrative staff with direction regarding addition of the full-time position of Airport Manager. [Rick Helton, Mayor, Councilpersons Martin and Lunsford] Without objection $146 703.00 for a full-time airport manager was approved to move forward for the proposed budget considerations. m. Additional Senior Mechanic - Presentation, discussion, and possible action to provide administrative staff direction regarding the addition of a Senior Mechanic for the Equipment Services Division of Public Works [Ray Mayo, Director of Public Works] Without objection $91 592 00 for an additional senior mechanic was approved to move forward for the proposed budget considerations. n. Part -Time Records Specialist Position - Presentation, discussion, and possible action to provide administrative staff direction regarding the creation of a part-time Record Specialist position in the FY 26 Budget. [Scott Pullig, Chief of Police] Without objection, $28,300.00 for a Part-time Records Specialist was approved to move forward for the proposed budget considerations. o. Addition of Two Park Worker I Positions - Presentation, discussion, and possible action to provide administrative staff with direction regarding the addition of two (2) Park Worker I positions. [Tim Miller, Director of Parks & Recreation] Without objection, $115,614.68 for two (2) Park Worker I positions was approved to move forward for the proposed budget considerations. p. Part -Time Recreation Specialist at Brookglen Senior Program - Presentation, discussion, and possible action to provide administrative staff with direction regarding the addition of a Part -Time Recreation Specialist at the Brookglen Senior Program. [Tim Miller, Director of Parks & Recreation] Without objection $18,000.00 for a part-time Recreation Specialist at the Brookqlen Senior Center was approved to move forward for the proposed budget considerations. q. Golf Course Clubhouse and Multi -Purpose Center - Presentation, discussion, and possible action to provide administrative staff direction for funding and design for Bay Forest Golf Course Clubhouse and Multi -purpose Event Center. [Matt Daeumer, Assistant City Manager] Without objection $6 868 626.92 for the Event Center and Entrance Project and $7 351 752.12 for the Clubhouse Proiect was approved to move forward for the proposed budget considerations. Mr. Daeumer noted the City would discuss these with the TIRZ consultant about what portion it could potentially cover and that LPDC could provide some funding. r. Little Cedar Bayou Renovations - Presentation, discussion, and possible action to provide administrative staff direction regarding the continuation of renovations at Little Cedar Bayou or pursuing other options. [rim Miller, Director, Parks and Recreation Department] Without objection budgeting $2 000 000 00 for renovations at the Little Cedar Bayou Wave Pool was approved to move forward for the proposed budget considerations. Mr. Daeumer noted the City would discuss these with the TIRZ consultant about what portion it could potentially cover and that LPDC could provide some funding. At this point. Mayor Helton recessed the meeting for lunch from 12:10-1:11 p.m. Councilperson Lunsford did not attend the afternoon session. s. Pecan Park Turf Project - Presentation, discussion, and possible action to provide administrative staff direction regarding the installation of turf at the Pecan Park ballfields. [rim Miller, Director of Parks and Recreation Department] t. Installation of LED lights at Northside Park Ballfield and Fairmont Park - Presentation, discussion, and possible action to provide administrative staff with direction regarding the installation of LED lights at Northside Park Ballfield and Fairmont Park. [Tim Miller, Director of Parks and Recreation Department] Without objection $205 275.00 for Northside Park and $530,450.00 for Fairmont Park was approved to move forward for the oroposed budget considerations. u. Fire Department Vehicle/Apparatus Replacement Plan for FY2026 - Presentation, discussion, and possible action to provide administrative staff with direction on proposed Fire Department Vehicle/Apparatus Replacement Plan for FY2026. [Chris Pettis, Fire Chief] v. Door Access Control System Upgrade - Presentation, discussion, and possible action to provide administrative staff with direction on the upgrade of the door access control system. [Darren Withers, IT Manager] Without objection $361 000 00 for the door access control system upgrades was approved to move forward for the proposed budget considerations. w. Replacement of the Outdoor Warning Sirens - Presentation, discussion, and possible action to provide administrative staff direction on replacing the outdoor warning sirens. [Johnny Morales, Emergency Management Coordinator] Without objection, $750,000,00 for the replacement of outdoor warning sirens was approved to move forward for the proposed budget considerations. x. Enhancements to the Emergency Operations Center (EOC) - Presentation, discussion, and possible action to provide administrative staff with direction regarding enhancements to the Emergency Operations Center (EOC). [Johnny Morales, Emergency Management Coordinator] Without objection. $500,000.00 for EOC enhancements was approved to move forward for the proposed budget considerations. y. Upgrades to the Fire Department Mobile Command Vehicle - Presentation, discussion, and possible action to provide administrative staff direction regarding the addition of mobile steel barriers for Hostile Vehicle Mitigation. [Johnny Morales, Emergency Management Coordinator] Without objection. $130,000.00 for the Fire Department mobile command vehicle upgrades was approved to move forward for the proposed budget considerations. z. Hostile Vehicle Mitigation - Presentation, discussion, and possible action to provide administrative staff direction regarding the addition of mobile steel barriers for Hostile Vehicle Mitigation. [Johnny Morales, Emergency Management Coordinator] Without objection $168 500.00 was approved to move forward for the proposed budget considerations. aa.Mobile Coordination and Technology Center - Presentation, discussion, and possible action to provide staff direction regarding the addition of a Mobile Coordination and Technology Center. [Johnny Morales, Emergency Management Coordinator] Without objection $325 000 00 for a Mobile Coordination and Technology Center to support drones operations forensic investigations and communications was approved to move forward for the proposed budget considerations. ab.Drones as First Responders - Presentation, discussion, and possible action to provide administrative staff with direction regarding implementing Drones as First Responders program at the La Porte Police Department for inclusion in the FY 25-26 budget. [Scott Pullig, Chief of Police] Without objection $58 827 00 for the Drones as First Responders initiative was approved to move forward for the proposed budget considerations ac.Northside Soundwall - Presentation, discussion, and possible action to provide administrative staff direction regarding a Capital Improvement Project for 8-foot pre -cast fence panels placed along the northeast right-of- way, with an estimated cost of $760,000.00 [Rick Helton, Mayor] Without objection. $750,000.00 for Northside Soundwall and linear park was approved to move forward for the proposed budget considerations. ad. Potential Airport Hangars - Presentation, discussion, and possible action to provide administrative staff with direction regarding possible investment on La Porte Municipal Airport to construct T-hangars. [Rick Helton, Mayor] Without objection. $1,403,600.00 for investing in airport hangars was aoproved to move forward for the proposed budget considerations. ae.Golf Course Rate Increase - Presentation, discussion, and possible action to provide administrative staff with direction in relation to a green fee adjustment, effective October 1, 2025. [Billy Stoker, Golf Course Manager] Without objection, the proposed non-resident greens fees increases were approved to move forward for the proposed budget considerations.