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Home My WebLink About07-14-2025 CC minutesMINUTES OF THE REGULAR MEETING OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF LA PORTE Councilpersons Present: Rick Helton, Brandon Lunsford, Brent McCaulley, Chuck Engelken, Bill Bentley, Robert Guerra, Jay Martin, Robbie McLarrin Councilpersons Attending Remotely: None Councilpersons Absent: Mandi Williams 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 July 14, 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 Tyrone Jones of Zion Hill Baptist Church and the pledges were led by Aliyah Crawford. 3. Recognitions a. Donnie Poplaski - Professional Manager of the Year, Public Fleet [Ray Mayo, Director of Public Works] b. Recognition of the La Porte Baseball Association's 6U boys' baseball team. [Justin Crow, Assistant Fire Chief] c. Recognition of Employees for Years of Service Heliodoro Jauregui - Senior Equipment Operator (30 years) Frank Fullbright - Patrol Officer (25 years) Matthew Novosad - Lieutenant Support Services (25 years) 4. Citizen Comment Virginia Pierson -Turner thanked Jameson Appel, Councilperson Martin, and City staff for hard work on the Bayside Terrace project, and discussed her concerns about its design. Beth Wilhite expressed her experiences and frustrations with the same project and contractor Environmental Allies. 5. Presentations a. Presentation on Bayside Terrace Street and Drainage Improvement Project. [Ray Mayo, Director of Public Works] Mr. Mayo presented awards from the American Public Works Association (APWA) Texas Chapter to the City, having named the Bayside Terrace Street and Drainage Improvement Project as its Public Works Project of the Year Award -Small Cities and Rural Communities — Environment winner. 6. Consent Agenda a. Approve the minutes of the regular City Council meeting held on June 23, 2025. [Lee Woodward, City Secretary] b. Amend Authorized Investment Representatives - Adopt 1) Resolution 2025- 17 amending the authorized representatives for Texpool Investment Pool; 2) Resolution 2025-18 changing authorized representatives for LOGIC Investment Pool; and 3) Resolution 2025-19 amending the authorized representatives for TexSTAR Investment Pool. [Shelley Wolny, Assistant Finance Director] c. Set Date for Public Hearing on the Fiscal Year 2025-26 Proposed Budget - Approve the recommended date of September 8, 2025, for the Public Hearing on the City's 2025-2026 Fiscal Year Proposed Budget. [Shelley Wolny, Assistant Finance Director] d. Animal Shelter Advisory Committee appointment - Appoint Charmel Rodick to the open position on the City of La Porte, Texas, Animal Shelter Advisory Committee. [Lee Woodward, City Secretary] e. Interlocal agreement between Harris County Precinct 2 and the City of La Porte for proposed Hike and Bike Trail expansions - Authorize the City Manager to execute an interlocal agreement between Harris County and the City of La Porte for the study and preparation of plans, specifications, and estimates for the proposed 5.5-mile Hike and Bike Trail expansion, including commitment of La Porte's share of the project at $300,000.00. [Tim Miller, Director of Parks & Recreation] f. Pool Chemical Purchase - Approve expenditure of an additional $12,220.00 to purchase Pulsar Briquettes from sole source vendorR&K Aquatics/Glade Family Enterprises LLC, for swimming pool chemical treatment supplies, for a total expenditure in City of La Porte Fiscal Year 2024-2025 of $61,276.00. [Tim Miller, Director of Parks & Recreation] g. Reject Bids for City of La Porte Bid #25012, Plant 4 Ground Tank Replacement - Reject Bids for City of La Porte Bid #25012 "Plant 4 Ground Tank Replacement" [Ray Mayo, Director of Public Works] Councilperson Engelken moved to approve the consent agenda; Councilperson Bentley seconded the motion; the motion was adopted; 8-0. 7. Public Hearings and Associated Ordinances a. Public Hearing on Emergency Services District Fiscal Year 2025-26 Adopted Budget - The City Council will hold a public hearing to receive comments on F the proposed budget of the La Porte Fire Control, Prevention, and Emergency Medical Services District for Fiscal Year 2025-26, as approved by the La Porte Fire Control, Prevention, and Emergency Medical Services District Board of Directors at its meeting held on June 17, 2025; following by discussion and possible action to approve or deny the Fiscal Year 2025-26 proposed budget of the La Porte Fire Control, Prevention, and Emergency Medical Services District. [Chris Pettis, Fire Chief] Mayor Helton opened the public hearing at 6:50 p.m. Chief Pettis offered a presentation. There were no public comments. Mayor Helton closed the public hearing at 6:53 p.m. Councilperson Engelken moved to approve the proposed budget of the La Porte Fire Control, Prevention, and Emergency Medical Services District for Fiscal Year 2025-26, as approved by the La Porte Fire Control, Prevention, and Emergency Medical Services District Board of Directors; Councilperson Bentley seconded the motion; the motion was adopted, 8-0. 8. Statutory Agenda a. Five Points Plaza Concerts - Presentation, discussion and possible action to provide administrative staff with direction regarding policy for concerts and festivals based at the Five Points Plaza and Main Street area. [Matt Daeumer, Assistant City Manager] Mr. Daeumer offered a presentation. Mayor Pro Tem McCaulley moved to direct staff to continue with First Fridays and special events, and to continue mitigating factors to reduce noise such as facing performers to the north; Councilperson Guerra seconded the motion; the motion was adopted, 8-0. b. Main Street Station LLC - Economic Development Incentive Agreement - Presentation, discussion, and possible action to authorize an expenditure by the La Porte Development Corporation in an amount not to exceed $87,588.00 to fund an economic development incentive agreement between the La Porte Development Corporation and Main Street Station LLC for site improvements for the building located at 115 W. Main Street, La Porte, Texas. [Haley Bowers, Economic Development Manager] Mrs. Bowers provided a presentation. Councilperson Engelken moved to authorize an expenditure by the La Porte Development Corporation in an amount not to exceed $87,588.00 to fund an economic development incentive agreement between the La Porte Development Corporation and Main Street Station LLC for site improvements for the building located at 115 W. Main Street; Mayor Pro Tern McCaullev seconded the motion; the motion was adopted, 8-0. c. Presentation, Discussion and Possible action to Award Bid #25001, Lomax Lift Station Consolidation Phase 2 - Presentation, discussion and possible action to Award Bid #25001 "Lomax Lift Station Consolidation Phase 2 and 3 Coupland Drive Street and Drainage Improvements" to Reytech Construction Resources and authorize the City Manager to execute a construction contract for $14,714,755.00 and provide a construction contingency of $1,470,000.00 for a total authorization of $16,184,755.00 [Ray Mayo, Director of Public Works] Mr. Mayo provided a presentation. Councilperson Engelken moved to award Bid #25001 "Lomax Lift Station Consolidation Phase 2 and Coupland Drive Street and Drainage Improvements" to Reytech Construction Resources and authorize the City Manager to execute a construction contract for $14,714,755.00 and provide a construction contingency of $1,470,000.00 for a total authorization of $16,184,755.00; Councilperson Bentley seconded the motion; the motion was adopted, 8-0. 9. Reports a. Report of the Drainage and Flooding Committee meeting held on July 14 [Councilperson Martin] Councilperson Martin said the Committee met, received updates on projects, including one on the 100-acre foot pond projectwith the City of Pasadena from Jim Billstein of Halff Associates, and set the next meeting for August 11. b. Administrative Reports [Corby Alexander, City Manager] Mr. Alexander said there were no reports. 10.Items of Community Interest Councilpersons congratulated those recognized earlier in the meeting for service and awards; wished the boys baseball team good luck; expressed understanding over frustrations with projects and hope.for successful outcomes with the involvement of staff and evaluation of items for which contractors are accountable; thanked Zion Hill Baptist Church for the event they invited the Mayor to this weekend; and wished Mr. Daeumer a happy birthday. 11. Executive Session a. Texas Government Code Section 551.074 - Personnel Matters - 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 Secretary Lee Woodward. Mayor Helton convened the Council in executive session at 7:29 p.m. 12.Recorivene Mayor Helton convened the Council in open session at 8:48 p.m. Mayor Pro Tern McCaulley moved to offer the City Secretary a $5,000.00 lump sum and to be eligible 4 for the possible cost of living increase in the FY25-26 budget; Councilperson Guerra seconded the motion; the motion was adopted, 8-0. 13.Adjourn r.Vithout objection, MUor Helton adjourned the meeting at 8:49