HomeMy WebLinkAboutKLPB Committee Meeting Minutes 6-31-25 FINAL
MINUTES OF THE MEETING OF THE
KEEP LA PORTE BEAUTIFUL COMMITTEE
OF THE CITY OF LA PORTE
Members Present: Virginia Pierson-Turner, Chairperson; Erika Mendez-Gutierrez, Vice
Chairperson; Michael Hanks, Susie Burgess, Travis Barnettt, Peggy
Antone, Martha Gillett, Justin Gorashko
Members Attending Remotely: None
Members Absent: Frank Nance with Alternate 1, Leticia Thralls present in his absence.
Staff Present: Matt Deamuer, Assistant City Manager; Tiffaney Bradley, Special Projects
& Communications Manager; Tim Miller, Director of Parks and Recreation;
Andrew Brady, Assistant Director of Public Works
The Keep La Porte Beautiful Committee of the City of La Porte met on
July 31, 2025, at the City Hall Council Chambers,
604 West Fairmont Parkway, La Porte, Texas, at 5:30 p.m.
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1. CALL TO ORDER – Matt Deamuer called the meeting to order at 5:30 p.m.
2. Chairperson and Vice-Chairperson Election - Presentation, discussion, and
possible action to elect the Chairperson and Vice-Chairperson of the Keep La
Porte Beautiful Committee.
Peggy Antone nominated Virginia Pierson-Turner to serve as Chair; the motion was
adopted. Travis Barnett nominated Erika Mendez-Gutierrez to serve as Vice Chair;
the motion was adopted.
3. CITIZEN COMMENT - There were no comments.
4. COMMITTEE CHARGE, DISCUSSION, AND POSSIBLE ACTION
4.a. Upcoming Meetings - Discussion and confirmation of future meeting
schedule and frequency.
Martha Gillett moved that the committee meet every third Tuesday at 5:30 p.m.;
the motion was adopted.
4.b Keep Texas Beautiful Affiliate Discussion - Status update, discussion and
possible action on the Committee’s application for Keep Texas Beautiful
affiliate status.
2
Chair Pierson-Turner requested printed Keep Texas Beautiful binders for all
members and that the Keep Texas Beautiful newsletter, along with Regional
Training information and staff contact details, be emailed to all members.
Without objection, members Mendez-Gutierrez, Gillett, Burgess, and Thralls
were appointed to an ad hoc committee to research other Keep Texas Beautiful
affiliate facilities.
It was confirmed that members will complete Keep Texas Beautiful and Texas
Open Meetings Act training.
4.c Priority Projects - Discussion and possible action for future Keep La Porte
Beautiful Committee projects and initiatives.
Without objection, the Committee agreed to provide a quarterly report to the City
Council.
Presentations from Public Works, Parks and Recreation, Code Enforcement, and
Planning and Development will be scheduled at future meetings to give members
a better understanding of each department’s operations and responsibilities
within the City of La Porte.
At the next committee meeting, Parks and Recreation will present budget
considerations for both in-house and contracted landscaping options for the 2026
budget. In addition, each member will submit five priority project ideas to help
guide the Committee's direction.
Vice Chairperson Mendez-Gutierrez proposed launching a media campaign to
raise public awareness and engagement. Chairperson Pierson-Turner
suggested recommending extended or improved hours for the Recycling Center.
Member Thralls proposed the formation of a Junior Committee to involve local
youth in beautification efforts.
5. ADJOURN – Without objection, Chair Pierson-Turner adjourned the meeting at 7:42
p.m.
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Tiffaney Bradley
Special Projects & Communications Manager