HomeMy WebLinkAbout06-27-11 Meeting of the La Porte Development Corporation Board of Directors minutes RICHARD WARREN, PRESIDENT MIKE CLAUSEN
Councilmember District 6
BOB PIZZITOLA, VICE PRESIDENT
0 A
RANDY WOODARD
JOHN ZEMANEK h ' Board member
Councilmember At -Large A a i \
NANCY OJEDA
CHUCK ENGELKEN ` Board member
Councilmember District 2
MINUTES OF LA PORTE DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION BOARD
MEETING OF JUNE 27, 2011
The City of La Porte Development Corporation Board met on Monday, June 27, 2011, at the City Hall
Council Chambers, 604 West Fairmont Parkway, La Porte, Texas, at 5:00 p.m. to consider the following
items of business:
1. Call to Order
President Warren called the meeting to order at 5:02 p.m. Members of the La Porte Development
Corporation Board present: Vice President Pizzitola; Board members Engelken, Zemanek,
Woodard, Clausen and Ojeda. Absent: Board member Clausen.
Staff Present:
City Manager's Office: Ron Bottoms and Stacey Osborne
City Secretary Patrice Fogarty
Assistant City Attorney Clark Askins
Finance Director Michael Dolby
2. Consider approval of Minutes of the La Porte Development Corporation Board Meeting held
on June 6, 2011 - P. Fogarty
Board member Zemanek moved to approve the minutes as presented. Board member Woodard
seconded. MOTION PASSED.
Ayes: President Warren, Vice President Pizzitola, Board members
Zemanek, Engelken, Ojeda and Woodard
Nays: None
Absent: Board member Clausen
3. Consider approval or other action awarding a grant amount not to exceed $25,000 for
Donald Hulen /Real Cheap Tools, for the Main Street Overlay District enhancement program
to be awarded at the completion of the project - S. Osborne
Economic Development Coordinator Stacey Osborne presented an application and evaluation
summary for grant amount not to exceed $25,000 for Donald Hulen /Real Cheap Tools, for the Main
Street Overlay District enhancement program to be awarded at the completion of the project. The
applicant stated the appraised value of the property is $75,000.
Board member Zemanek moved to award a grant amount not to exceed $25,000 for Donald
Hulen /Real Cheap Tools. Board member Pizzitola seconded. MOTION PASSED.
Ayes: President Warren, Vice President Pizzitola, Board members
Zemanek, Engelken, Ojeda and Woodard
Nays: None
Absent: Board member Clausen
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June 27, 2011, La Porte Development Corporation Board Minutes
4. Consider approval or other action regarding proposed budget for the 2011 -2012 La Porte
Development Corporation Board and provide staff with direction — S. Osborne
Economic Development Coordinator Stacey Osborne presented the 2011 -2012 Budget Summaries
for the La Porte Development Corporation Board.
City Manager Ron Bottoms and Economic Development Coordinator Stacey Osborne confirmed the
$75,000 budgeted in the 2010 -2011 was transferred into Capital Improvement Projects.
Board member Pizzitola requested pages be numbered in future agenda packets. Board member
Woodward requested a breakdown of accounts 3001 (Memberships & Subscriptions), 5007 (Other
Professional Services) and 6005 (Advertising). Board members Ojeda, Pizzitola and Woodard had
concerns with the Economic Development Corporation funding the website for the entire City and
underwriting projects. Board members also advised names of Board members were not current on
the website. Board member Ojeda commented she could justify the board sharing 25 percent of the
cost for the City's website.
Staff was directed to share the cost of the website with the City, bring back information regarding
the website, improvements for Lomax Arena and to be good stewards of the budget. The city
manager will bring back a budget update when the City has more information on the Lomax arena.
Board member Zemanek had questions and concerns regarding account 4001 (Building), the
building maintenance cost of $1,600 for 908 W. Main. Board member Zemanek had questions
regarding account 5001 (Accounting) and did not have an issue after staff advised the cost was to
share in the auditing process. Board member Zemanek questioned the funding of the Keels &
Wheels Project. Staff advised the funds are from hotel -motel monies and not Economic
Development monies.
Board member Engelken made a motion to table the 2011 -2012 proposed budget for the La Porte
Development Corporation Board until staff brings back more information. Board member Zemanek
seconded. MOTION PASSED.
Ayes: President Warren, Vice President Pizzitola, Board members
Zemanek, Engelken, Ojeda and Woodard
Nays: None
Absent: Board member Clausen
5. Receive Report regarding the directional signage bidding process — S. Osborne
Economic Development Coordinator Stacey Osborne provided a report regarding the directional
signage bidding process. Ms. Osborne recommended Saifee Signs go through the Purchasing
Department for a formal bidding process. Board member Zemanek questioned why the Purchasing
Department considered the bid improper. Staff advised that the Purchasing Department would have
preferred more detailed information.
Board member Engelken made a motioned to go out for bids, not quotes, regarding the directional
signage. Board member Pizzitola seconded. MOTION PASSED.
Ayes: President Warren, Vice President Pizzitola, Board members
Engelken, Ojeda and Woodard
Nays: Committee member Zemanek
Absent: Committee member Clausen
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June 27, 2011, La Porte Development Corporation Board Minutes
6. Discuss the possibility of the La Porte Development Corporation Committee Board funding a
low- powered FM radio station — R. Woodward
Board member Woodard discussed the possibility of the La Porte Development Corporation
Committee Board funding a low- powered FM radio station. Assistant City Attorney Clark Askins
advised the Board that the use of Economic Development funds could be used for a radio station to
promote the City.
Board member Zemanek advised other members he likes the idea and suggested the radio station
be used for emergencies services, as well as promoting the City.
Board member Woodard informed members after an application has been filed with the FCC, the
Board has three years to raise funds. Board member Pizzitola is in favor of a radio station.
Board member Woodard moved to have a specific proposal for a low- powered FM radio station be
brought to the Board for consideration. Board member Pizzitola seconded. MOTION PASSED.
Ayes: President Warren, Vice President Pizzitola, Board members
Zemanek, Engelken, Ojeda and Woodard
Nays: None
Absent: Board member Clausen
7. Executive Session — The City of La Porte Development Corporation reserves the right to meet in
executive session on any agenda item should the need arise and if authorized by the Texas Open
Meetings Act, Title 5, Chapter 551, of the Texas Government Code.
An executive session was not convened.
8. Board Comments: Board members Ojeda, Woodard, Engelken, Zemanek, Vice President Pizzitola
and President Warren
Board member Ojeda thanked Assistant City Attorney Clark Askins for his work gathering
information regarding the low- powered FM radio station, and wished good luck to Hulen /Real
Cheap Tools, and requested an item on an upcoming agenda regarding job training for workforce
development.
9. Adjournment
There being no further business, Board member Engelken moved to adjourn the meeting. Board
member Zemanek seconded. The meeting was adjourned at 6:12 p.m.
submitted,
Pr OO
Patrice Fogarty, Ci i• ecreta'
Passed and approved on this / 1 day of , 2011.
President Richard Warren
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June 27, 2011, La Porte Development Corporation Board Minutes