HomeMy WebLinkAbout01-11-06 Special Called Regular Meeting and Public Hearing of La Porte Wrecker Committee
CITY OF LA PORTE
WRECKER COMMITTEE
MINUTES OF JANUARY 11,2006
Committee Members: Wayne Sabo, Planning Director; Martha Gillett, City Secretary; and Aaron
Corrales, Assistant Police Chief
Staff Members: John Armstrong, Assistant City Attorney; Debbie Wilmore, Chief Building
Official; Tammy Noel, Community Service Inspector; Mike Kirkwood, Inspector
I; and Peggy Lee, Office Coordinator
1. CALL TO ORDER
Meeting called to order by Chairman Wayne Sabo at 2:23 PM.
Meeting recessed at 2:24 PM for the City Attorney to continue conferring with other Counsel.
Meeting reconvened at 2:56 PM.
Meeting deferred to John Armstrong, Assistant City Attorney, prior to conducting the public
hearing. Mr. Armstrong stated he had conferred with Mr. Williamson, Counsel for Mr. Tim
DeWalt, and announced a possible agreement.
Mr. Armstrong stated the elements of the agreement as understood, and asked Mr. Williamson to
add to, modify, or take away. Elements of the agreement are as follows:
1. Sign in City right-of-way: Sign has been abated and removed.
2. Weeds: Mr. DeWalt is agreeable to mow, weed eat and keep up the interior and exterior
of the property with regard to weeds, brush, and rubbish.
3. Objectionable, unsightly property: Mr. DeWalt will continue removal process currently
underway, ofthe stacked vehicles, at the rate ofthree per day. Mr. DeWalt will provide
the City with verifiable paperwork for City verification of compliance.
4. Shipping container(s): One (1) container has been removed. Another container, referred
to as the "tool" container is to be removed. And one (1) container will remain in the
yard, tentatively. The remaining container has been represented as being subject to an
insurance claim, being brought into the yard from a wreck site by Mr. DeWalt, at the
request of the Police Department. Mr. DeWalt shall furnish to the City, proof that the
container is subject to an insurance claim and if unable to do so, the container is to be
removed within the time frame of the agreement.
5. Use, Screening: Mr. DeWalt is agreeable to completely screen the yard in compliance
with the zoning permit. This may require repair and/or replacement of the existing fence
in order to obtain a complete opaque screening around the property.
Wrecker Committee
Minutes of January 11, 2006
Page 2 of3
6. Fire Fighting Access: Mr. DeWalt is agreeable to arrange materials within the yard so
the Fire Department may move around within the yard, pursuant to the Fire Code.
7. Tractor trailer vehicles: Mr. De Walt will provide proof to the City on the status of the
vehicles as being needed for his business and understands that tractor trailers are not
allowed and a truck terminal may not be operated at the site.
8. Committee to reconvene in 60 days to monitor the items and ascertain compliance, at
such time the City may continue to proceed with attempted abatement of violations.
Mr. Williamson agreed that Mr. Armstrong had given a fair presentation of the agreement. He
noted there would be an opportunity, by the terms of the agreement, to show satisfactory proof to
the City that the tractor trailers are used in conjunction with the lawful permits. Mr. Williamson
also noted the scrap metal outside the fence in the City right-of-way will be removed.
Motion by Martha Gillett to accept the elements of the agreement as presented, agreed upon, and
recommended by the Attorneys. Second by Aaron Corrales. The motion carried with all
Committee Members in favor.
Mr. Sabo stated the Wrecker Committee will convene again at 2:00 PM on March 15, 2006, in the
City Hall Council Chambers.
2. CONDUCT PUBLIC HEARING TO REVIEW EVIDENCE OF ALLEGED STATE LAW AND
LA PORTE CITY ORDINANCE VIOLATIONS BY DE WALT'S TOWING, LLC,
(WRECKER PERMIT NUMBERS 475, 476, 477 AND 478) ASSOCIATED WITH THE
BUSINESS LOCATED AT 400 EAST MAIN STREET, IN LA PORTE, TEXAS.
Public hearing was not held. Refer to Item 1.
A. OPEN PUBLIC HEARING
B. STAFF COMMENTS
C. PUBLIC COMMENTS
D. CLOSE PUBLIC HEARING
3. CONSIDER POSSIBLE ACTION TO SUSPEND, CANCEL, OR REVOKE WRECKER
PERMIT NUMBERS 475, 476, 477 AND 478, ISSUED TO DEWALT'S TOWING, LLC.
No action was taken.
4. ADMlNISTRA TIVE REPORTS
There were no reports.
5. COMMITTEE COMMENTS
There were no committee comments.
Wrecker Committee
Minutes of January 11, 2006
Page 3 of3
6. ADJOURN
Meeting adjourned by Mr. Sabo at 3 :06 PM.
day of
M tMcL
, 2006.