HomeMy WebLinkAbout07-28-2025 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, Jay Martin
Councilpersons Attending Remotely: None
Councilpersons Absent: Robbie McLarrin
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 28, 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 6:01 p.m.
2. Invocation and Pledges of Allegiance
The invocation was given by Pastor Joey Whitener of Lighthouse Baptist Church, and
the pledges were led by Brooke Richards.
Recognitions
a. Recognition of Jeremy Borja, OEM Planner, for Earning His Bachelor's
Degree in Emergency and Disaster Management [Johnny Morales,
Emergency Management Coordinator]
b. Recognition of Employees for Years of Service
Theresa Riojas - Court Specialist (15 years)
Jeff Plemmons - PD Sergeant (20 years)
Raul "Andy" Davilla - Equipment Operator II (25 years)
Yvonne Stanley - Patrol Officer (30 years)
4. Citizen Comment - There were no comments.
5. Presentations
a. Code Enforcement Presentation - Receive a presentation from Planning and
Development Department staff regarding the City's Code Enforcement
process. [Ryan Hvitlok, Director of Planning & Development]
Mr. Hvitlok provided a presentation regarding the City's Code Enforcement
process.
6. Consent Agenda
a. Approve the minutes of the regular City Council meeting held on July 14,
2025. [Lee Woodward, City Secretary]
b. Five Points Plaza Play Area -Approve the purchase and installation of turf
play area and associated improvements for Five Points Plaza from
Kraftsman, through BuyBoard contract #679-22, in the amount of
$168,239.30 and a contingency amount of $16,823.93 for a total authorization
of $185,063.23. [Tim Miller, Director of Parks and Recreation]
c. Annual Consumer Price Index Rate Adjustment for Commercial Dumpster
Service - Approve a 2.31 % rate increase to commercial dumpster service
fees under contract between the City of La Porte, Texas, and GFL
Environmental, to take effect on November 1, 2025. [Ray Mayo, Director of
Public Works]
d. Certify Ad Valorem Tax Collection Rate - Receive report from tax assessor
regarding the anticipated combined 2025 Ad Valorem tax collection rate for
the City of La Porte, Texas. [Michael Dolby, Finance Director]
e. YAC Appointment/Reappointments - Approve the 2025-2026 Youth Advisory
Council appointees. [Matt Daeumer, Assistant City Manager]
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. Dangerous Building - 114 S. Iowa St. - The City Council will hold a public
hearing to receive comment on the adoption of Ordinance 2025-4092
ordering the condemnation of dangerous/substandard structures located at
114 S. Iowa St., La Porte, Texas; followed by discussion and possible action
to adopt Ordinance 2025-4092 ordering the condemnation of
dangerous/substandard structures located at 114 S. Iowa St. [Richard Glass,
Chief Building Official]
Mayor Helton opened the public hearing at 6:38 p.m. Richard Glass provided a
presentation. Robert Benz, attorney, Hector Allen, contractor, and property owner
Preston Brown addressed questions about the property, saying they expected to
complete the work in September and requested a 90-day postponement on
consideration of the ordinance. April and John Baggett spoke of their concerns
about the property. Mayor Helton closed the public hearing at 6:48 p.m. Messrs.
Benz, Allen, and Brown were permitted to answer additional questions from the
Council.
Councilperson Guerra moved to postpone further consideration of Ordinance
2025-4092 ordering the condemnation of dangerous/substandard structures
located at 114 S. Iowa St., La Porte, Texas, for 90 days; Councilperson Williams
seconded the motion; the motion was adopted, 8-0.
b. Dangerous Building - 401 S. Carroll St. - The City Council will hold a public
hearing to receive comment on the adoption of Ordinance 2025-4077
ordering the condemnation of dangerous/substandard structures located at
401 S. Carroll St., La Porte, Texas; followed by discussion and possible
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action to adopt Ordinance 2025-4077 ordering the condemnation of
dangerous/substandard structures located at 401 S. Carroll St. [Richard
Glass, Chief Building Official]
Mayor Helton opened the public hearing at 6:52 p.m. Richard Glass provided a
presentation. There were no comments. Mayor Helton closed the public hearing at
6:53 p.m. As there are no longer concerns with Code Enforcement, no action was
taken.
c. Ordinance 2025.4088 Zone Change #ZC-2025-0010 - The City Council will
hold a public hearing to receive comments regarding a recommendation by
the Planning and Zoning Commission to deny adoption of Ordinance 2025-
4088 for Zone Change #ZC-2025-0010, changing the zoning classification
from Business Industrial (BI) to Light Industrial (LI) on a portion of the
approximately 22.6 acres of land located on the south side of State Highway
225, north side of N. P Street; and east of Sens Road (HCAD Parcel
0401770010002), La Porte, Harris County, Texas; followed by discussion and
possible action to adopt Ordinance 2025.4088 for approval of Zone Change
#ZC-2025-0010, changing the zoning classification from Business Industrial
(BI) to Light Industrial (LI) on a portion of the approximately 22.6 acres of
land located on the south side of State Highway 225, north side of N. P Street;
and east of Sens Road (HCAD Parcel 0401770010002), La Porte, Harris
County. [Ryan Hvitlok, Planning Director, Planning and Development
Department]
This item was pulled before the meeting and was not considered.
d. Ordinance 2025-4089 FLU P Amendment #FLU P-2025-0008 - The City Council
will hold a public hearing to receive comments regarding a recommendation
by the Planning and Zoning Commission to adopt Ordinance 2025-4089 for
approval of Future Land Use Plan (FLUP) Amendment #FLU P -2025-0008, for
a city -initiated FLUP amendment from General Commercial to Medium
Density Residential on approximately 0.29 acres of land generally located
along the east side of North 1st St. between W. Madison St. to the south, and
W. Barbours Cut Blvd. to the north (HCAD Parcels: 0232180080009, and
0232180080012), La Porte, Harris County, Texas; followed by discussion and
possible action to adopt Ordinance 2025-4089 for approval of Future Land
Use Plan (FLUP) Amendment #FLUP-2025-0008, for a city -initiated FLUP
amendment from General Commercial to Medium Density Residential on
approximately 0.29 acres of land generally located along the east side of
North 1 st St. between W. Madison St. to the south, and W. Barbours Cut Blvd.
to the north (HCAD Parcels: 0232180080009, and 0232180080012), La Porte,
Harris County, Texas. [Ryan Hvitlok, Planning Director, Planning and
Development Department]
Mayor Helton opened the public hearing at 6:52 p.m. Mr. Hvitlok provided
information on the proposal. There were no comments. Mayor Helton closed the
public hearing at 6:57 p.m.
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Councilperson Guerra moved to approve Ordinance 2025-4089 for approval of
Future Land Use Plan (FLUP) Amendment #FLUP-2025-0008, for a city -initiated
FLUP amendment from General Commercial to Medium Density Residential on
approximately 0.29 acres of land generally located along the east side of North 1 st
St. between W. Madison St. to the south, and W. Barbours Cut Blvd. to the north
(HCAD Parcels: 0232180080009, and 0232180080012), La Porte, Harris County,
Texas; Councilperson Williams seconded the motion; the motion was approved,
8-0.
e. Ordinance 2025-4090 Zone Change #ZC-2025-0008 - The City Council will
hold a public hearing to receive comments regarding a recommendation by
the Planning and Zoning Commission to adopt Ordinance 2025-4090 for
approval of Zone Change #ZC-2025-0008 for a city -initiated Zone Change
changing the zoning classification from General Commercial (GC) to Mid -
Density Residential (R-2) for properties generally located on the east side of
North 1st St. between W. Madison St. to the south, and W. Barbours Cut Blvd.
to the north (HCAD Parcels: 0232180080009, and 0232180080012), La Porte,
Harris County, Texas; followed by discussion and possible action to adopt
Ordinance 2025-4090 for approval of Zone Change #ZC-2025-0008 for a city -
initiated Zone Change changing the zoning classification from General
Commercial (GC) to Mid -Density Residential (R-2) for properties generally
located on the east side of North 1 st St. between W. Madison St. to the south,
and W. Barbours Cut Blvd. to the north (HCAD Parcels: 0232180080009, and
0232180080012), La Porte, Harris County, Texas. [Ryan Hvitlok, Planning
Director, Planning and Development Department]
Mayor Helton opened the public hearing at 7:01 p.m. Mr. Hvitlok provided
information on the proposal. There were no comments. Mayor Helton closed the
public hearing at 7:02 p.m.
Councilperson Guerra moved to approve Ordinance 2025-4090 for approval of
Zone Change #ZC-2025-0008 for a city -initiated Zone Change changing the
zoning classification from General Commercial (GC) to Mid -Density Residential
(R-2) for properties generally located on the east side of North 1 st St. between W.
Madison St. to the south, and W. Barbours Cut Blvd. to the north (HCAD Parcels:
0232180080009, and 0232180080012), La Porte, Harris County, Texas;
Councilperson Williams seconded the motion; the motion was approved, 8-0.
8. Statutory Agenda
a. Ordinance 2025-4091 regarding City Manager's expenditure limits -
Presentation, discussion, and possible action to adopt Ordinance 2025-4091
amending Sec. 2-81 of the La Porte Code of Ordinances "Authority of city
manager to contract for expenditures; limits". [Matt Daeumer, Assistant City
Manager]
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Mr. Daeumer offered a presentation. Councilperson Engelken moved to approve
Ordinance 2025-4091 amending Sec. 2-81 of the La Porte Code of Ordinances
"Authority of city manager to contract for expenditures; limits"; Mayor Pro Tern
McCaulley seconded the motion; the motion was approved, 8-0.
b. Artwork at Fairmont Parkway and Wharton Weems Overpasses -
Presentation, discussion, and possible action to provide administrative staff
with direction on city logo placement on overpass structures at Fairmont
Parkway and Wharton Weems in conjunction with State Highway 146
construction project. [Ray Mayo, Director of Public Works]
Mr. Mayo offered a presentation. Councilperson Martin moved to approve City logo
option 2 on overpass structures at Fairmont Parkway and Wharton Weems in
coniunction with the State Highway 146 construction protect; Mayor Pro Tern
McCaullev seconded the motion; the motion was approved, 8-0.
c. Ordinance 2025.4093 for issuance of Certificates of Obligation -
Presentation, discussion, and possible action to adopt Ordinance 2025-4093
authorizing the issuance of up to $13,500,000 of Certificates of Obligation by
the City of La Porte, Texas, for a public works facility. [Michael Dolby, Finance
Director]
Mr. Dolby congratulated the City on its triple A rating and noted the COs went out
today, earning $505,000.00 on the sale. Councilperson Engelken moved to
approve Ordinance 2025-4093 authorizing the issuance of up to $13,500,000 of
Certificates of Obligation by the City of La Porte, Texas, for a public works facility;
Councilperson Williams seconded the motion; the motion was approved, 8-0.
d. Presentation, discussion, and possible action to appointfreappoint members
of boards, committees, and commissions. [Lee Woodward, City Secretary]
Councilperson Lunsford moved to approve all the appointments listed below
(including the appointment of Tom Green to the Altemate 6 vacancy created by the
appointment of Josh Gorashko to the At -Large Position A seat); the motion was
seconded by Councilperson Williams; the motion was adopted, 8-0.
Building Codes Appeals Board
Pat McCabe, reappointment
Bryan Moore, reappointment
Ch. 172 Employee, Retiree Insurance and Benefits Board
Sherri Ditrich, Citizen Pos. 1, reappointment
Charles Montgomery Pos. 2, reappointment
Civil Service Commission
Victor Peres, reappointment
Keep La Porte Beautiful Committee
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Justin Gorashko, moving from Alternate 6 to the At -Large Position A seat
Tom Green, initial appointment to Alternate 6
La Porte Area Water Authority Board of Directors
Cambria Beasley, reappointment
Stephen Barr, reappointment
Joshua Hollub, reappointment
La Porte Development Corporation Board of Directors
Chuck Engelken, reappointment
Nancy Ojeda, reappointment
John Blakemore, reappointment
La Porte Fire Control, Prevention, & Emergency Medical Services District Board
of Directors
Brian McClain, reappointment
Steve Gillett, reappointment
Ronald Nowetner, reappointment
Dewey Walls, Jr., reappointment
La Porte Tax Increment Reinvestment Zone Number One (TIRZ #1) Board of
Directors/also serve as the La Porte Redevelopment Authority
Peggy Antone, reappointment
Nicole Havard, reappointment
Joshua Lege, initial appointment
Planning & Zoning Commission
Dewey Walls, District 5 position, reappointment
Steve Gillett, At -Large A position, reappointment
ZBOA
Nettie Warren, reappointment to Position 5
Jon Willis, move from Alternate 2 to Alternate 1
Patty Hundley, initial appointment to Alternate 2
9. Reports
a. Report of the Fiscal Affairs Committee meeting held on July 28.
[Councilperson Engelken, Chair]
Councilperson Engelken said the Committee met, received the quarterly
investment and purchasing card reports, and noted the good work of the Finance
Department.
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b. Report of the La Porte Development Corporation Board of Directors meeting
held on July 28 [Councilperson Engelken]
Councilperson Engelken said the committee met, elected Nancy Ojeda as
president and John Blakemore as vice-president for the next fiscal year, approved
an extension of the deadline to commence construction of enhancements to
property located at 2151 Underwood Road, amended a previously approved
project of the La Porte Development Corporation for golf course pond remediation
at the Bay Forest Golf Course, by reducing the expenditure for the project by
$150,000.00, amended a previously approved project of the La Porte Development
Corporation for golf course land improvements at the Bay Forest Golf Course by
increasing the expenditure of the project by $200,000.00, approved the La Porte
Development Corporation's proposed 2025-26 Fiscal Year budget, and approved
publishing a notice to begin the 60-day comment period for fifteen proposed
projects, noting they touched all parts of the community.
c. Fund Balance Report [Michael Dolby, Finance Director]
Mr. Dolby provided the report, noting that, at the end of May, the general fund held
547 days of working capital and the Utility Fund had 154 days of working capital.
d. Administrative Reports [Corby Alexander, City Manager]
Mr. Alexander thanked everyone for the City's increase in bond rating to triple A
and also lauded the Finance Department by giving notice of a certificate of
distinction for investment policies it received from the Government Treasurers
Organization of Texas.
10.Items of Community Interest
Councilpersons thanked the police department for truck enforcement on Sens Road
and through the main streets of Lomax; congratulated those recognized for service
awards; congratulated the Finance Department for their work and recognitions;
recognized the Finance Department and City Manager's Office on the triple A rating;
thanked Lighthouse Baptist Church for the invocations and monthly desserts; thanked
Johnny Morales for today's weather program; and highlighted the recognition of the
La Porte Court team in a printed program from this year's luncheon where it was
recognized for its 17th consecutive year as a Texas Municipal Courts Education
Center's (TMCEC) Municipal Traffic Safety Initiatives Award (Medium Size Court)
winner.
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 Manager Corby Alexander.
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Mayor Helton convened the Council in executive session at 7:35 p.m.
12.Reconvene
Mayor Helton convened the Council in open session at 8:08 p.m. Councilperson
Engelken moved to increase the City Manager's compensation in accordance with
direction given to the HR Manager; Mayor Pro Tem McCaulley seconded the motion;
the motion was adopted. 8-0.
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