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Home My WebLink About10-27-2025 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, Robbie McLarrin Councilpersons Attending Remotely: None Councilpersons Absent: Mandi Williams, Jay Martin 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 held a regular meeting on October 27, 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 6:00 p.m. 2. Invocation and Pledges of Allegiance - Pastor Daniel Moore gave the invocation, and Elias and Elijah Bernstein led the pledges. 3. Recognitions a. Recognition of Fire Chief Chris Pettis [Corby Alexander, City Manager] b. Recognition of Employees for Years of Service Flor Vazquez - Facilities Maintenance Technician (10 years) Lino Izaguirre - Meter Reader (10 years) Gilbert Bayer - Pool Maintenance Technician (10 years) Neil Badall - Solid Waste Supervisor (25 years) Scott Medaris - Fire Engine Operator (30 years) c. Recognition of Employee of the Quarter - Greg Bernstein [Matt Hartleib, HR Manager] 4. Citizen Comment Phillip Hoot shared his appreciation for the City's Mission Statement being added to the home page of the City website and his feelings about the CSS permitting software, and urged everyone to vote in the current state constitutional amendment election. 5. Presentations a. Quarterly report from the Keep La Porte Beautiful Committee [Virginia Pierson -Turner, Chairperson KLPB] Item 8f on the PICM was taken up before this item without objection. Keep La Porte Beautiful Committee Chairperson Virginia Pierson -Turner provided a quarterly report. 6. Consent Agenda a. Approve the minutes of the regular City Council meeting held on October 13, 2025. [Lee Woodward, City Secretary/PIO] b. Award Bid #25021, Annual Requirements Contract for Plastic Trash Bags to Houston Poly - Award Bid #25021 "Annual Requirements Contract for Plastic Trash Bags", to Houston Poly and authorize the City Manager to execute a purchasing contract for $255,184.00, not to exceed budgeted amounts. [Andrew Brady, Assistant Director Public Works] c. Appoint City's representative and alternate to the 2026 H-GAC Board of Directors. [Rick Helton, Mayor] d. Stryker Equipment and Maintenance Contract Purchase - Approve $445,765.83 for the purchase of essential equipment from Stryker, including equipment for new ambulance approved in FY 2024-2025, replacement of aging/outdated equipment, and a service contract for existing assets. [Shawn Kominek, EMS Chief] e. Authorize replacement equipment purchases for FY25-26 - Authorize replacement equipment purchases through BuyBoard contract 698-23, 706- 23 and Sourcewell contract 112624-DAC totaling $137,215.53. [Ray Mayo, Director of Public Works] f. Bayside Terrace Civic Club - ROW dedication deed - Accept a street right-of- way dedication from the Bayside Terrace Civic Club consisting of a 162 square foot tract out of Lot 1, Block 18, Bayside Terrace, and authorize the execution of a right-of-way dedication deed. [Jameson Appel, Assistant Director of Public Works] g. Award Bid #25022 -Temporary Labor Services - Award Bid #25022 "Temporary Labor Services" to L.C. Personnel, d/b/a Labor Finders at a base rate of $19.25 per manhour and authorize the City Manager to execute a service contract to not exceed budgeted amounts. [Ray Mayo, Director of Public Works] h. Award Bid #25023 - Seabreeze Park Pier Construction - Award construction Bid # 25023 "Seabreeze Park Pier" and authorize the City Manager to execute a contract with Orion Construction, LLC, awarding a total bid of $990,099.00 with a construction contingency of $100,000.00 for a total amount of $1,090,099.00. [Jameson Appel, Assistant Director Public Works] i. Award Bid #25015 - S. Iowa Street Waterline Replacement Construction - Award construction Bid # 25015 "South Iowa Waterline Replacement" and authorize the City Manager to execute a contract with Texkota Enterprises, LLC, awarding a total bid of $914,000.00 with a construction contingency of $71,370.00 for a total amount of $985,370.00. [Jameson Appel, Assistant Director of Public Works] j. TIRZ Amendment - Authorize the Mayor to execute Amendment No. 1 to the Interlocal Agreement between the City of La Porte Investment Zone Number One (TIRZ), Harris County, and the City of La Porte. [Matt Daeumer, Assistant City Manager] 2 Councilperson Engelken moved to approve the consent agenda; Councilperson Bentley seconded the motion; the motion was adopted, 7-0. 7. Public Hearings and Associated Ordinances a. Ordinance 2025-5005 Chapter 106 (Zoning) Amendments - The City Council will hold a public hearing to receive comments regarding a recommendation by the Planning and Zoning Commission to approve amendments to Chapter 106 "Zoning" of the Code of Ordinances of the City of La Porte, Texas, to update Sections 106-1, 106-741, 106-751 regarding accessory structures; Sections 106-1 and 106-807, regarding sound walls; Section 106-333, Table B, regarding lot width measurement within the Large Lot (LL) Residential zoning district; and Sections 106-334, 106-751, 106-928, 106-938, and 106- 948 regarding building material requirements; followed by discussion and possible action to approve or deny Ordinance 2025-5005 amending Chapter 106 "Zoning" of the Code of Ordinances of the City of La Porte, Texas, to update Sections 106-1, 106-741, 106-751 regarding accessory structures; Sections 106-1 and 106-807, regarding sound walls; Section 106-333, Table B, regarding lot width measurement within the Large Lot (LL) Residential zoning district; and Sections 106-334, 106-751, 106-928, 106-938, and 106- 948 regarding building material requirements. [Ryan Hvitlr k, Planning Director, Planning and Development Department] Mayor Helton opened the public hearing at 6:35 p.m. Mr. Hvitlok provided a presentation. Mayor Helton closed the public hearing at 6:53 p.m. Councilperson Engelken moved to approve Ordinance 2025-5005 amending Chapter 106 "Zoning" of the Code of Ordinances of the City of La Porte, Texas, by updating Sections 106-1, 106-741, 106-751 regarding accessory structures; Sections 106-1 and 106-807, regarding sound walls; Section 106-333, Table B, regarding lot width measurement within the Large Lot (LL) Residential zoning district; and Sections 106-334,106-751, 106-928,106-938, and 106-948 regarding building material requirements; the motion was seconded by Councilperson Bentley ; the motion was adopted, 7-0. 8. Statutory Agenda a. Ordinance 2025-5009 - Budget amendment - Presentation, discussion, and possible action to adopt Ordinance 2025-5009 to amend the 2025-2026 Fiscal Year City of La Porte, Texas, Budget. [Rick Helton, Mayor] Mr. Alexander provided an explanation that the budget amendment is to address the two following bid awards. Mayor Pro Tem McCaulley moved to adopt Ordinance 2025-5009, amending the 2025-2026 Fiscal Year City of La Porte, Texas, Budget; Councilperson Guerra seconded the motion; the motion was approved, 7-0. b. Bid #25017- Citywide Infill Sidewalk Project - Presentation, discussion, and possible action to award Bid #25017 "City -Wide Infill Sidewalks Project" for an amount not to exceed $684,500.00 and authorize the City Manager to 3 execute a construction contract with Greenscapes Six, LLC or to reject Bid #25017 "City -Wide Infill Sidewalks Project" [Jameson Appel, Assistant Director of Public Works] Mr. Appel offered a presentation. Councilperson Engelken moved to award Bid #25017 "City -Wide Inn Sidewalks Project" for an amount not to exceed $684,500.00 and authorize the City Manager to execute a construction contract with Greenscapes Six, LLC; Councilperson Bentley seconded the motion; the motion was approved, 7-0. c. Bid #25013 - Recreation Center Parking Lot and Sidewalk Improvement Phase II - Presentation, discussion, and possible action to award Bid #25013 "Recreation Center Parking Lot and Sidewalk Improvements Phase II" for an amount not to exceed $973,545.00 and authorize the City Manager to execute a construction contract with Tandem Services, LLC or to reject Bid #25013 "Recreation Center Parking Lot and Sidewalk Improvements Phase II". [Jameson Appel, Assistant Director of Public Works] Mr. Appel offered a presentation. Councilperson Engelken moved to award Bid #25013 "Recreation Center Parking Lot and Sidewalk Improvements Phase II" for an amount not to exceed $973,545.00 and authorize the City Manager to execute a construction contract with Tandem Services, LLC; Councilperson Bentley seconded the motion; the motion was approved, 7-0. d. Post 65 Medicare Advantage Plan - Presentation, discussion, and possible action to approve the selection of the City of La Porte, Texas' post-65 Medicare Advantage Plan administrator. [Matt Hartleib, HR Manager] Mr. Hartleib offered an update on the corrections to the plan design details. Councilperson Engelken moved to approve the selection of the City of La Porte, Texas' post-65 Medicare Advantage Plan administrator; Councilperson Bentley seconded the motion; the motion was approved, 7-0. e. 15th Annual San Jacinto Texas Independence Fun Run Sponsorship - Presentation, discussion and possible action to approve a sponsorship request from the San Jacinto Museum of History in an amount not to exceed $10,000.00, for the 15th Annual San Jacinto Texas Independence Fun Run. [Matt Daeumer, Assistant City Manager] Mr. Daeumer offered a presentation. Mayor Pro Tem McCaulley moved to approve a sponsorship request from the San Jacinto Museum of History in an amount not to exceed $10,000.00, for the 15th Annual San Jacinto Texas Independence Fun Run; Councilperson McLarrin seconded the motion; the motion was approved, 7- 0. f. Public Improvement Criteria Manual (PICM) Update - Presentation, discussion, and possible action to provide administrative staff of the City with direction, if necessary, regarding updates to the Public Improvement Criteria Manual (PICM). [Malik M. Michel, Engineering Manager] 4 This item was taken up without objection before item 5. Mr. Michel and Kerry Lackey and Candyce Ward of CobbFindley provided a brief overview of the recommended changes and the review process. Councilperson Engelken moved to approve the recommended updates to the Public Improvement Criteria Manual (PICM); Councilperson Bentley seconded the motion; the motion was approved, 7-0. 9. Reports a. Report of the La Porte Development Corporation Board of Directors meeting held on October 27, 2025 [Councilperson Engelken] Councilperson Engelken said the Board met; approved projects totaling $8.2 million; approved an enhancement grant for 914 S. Broadway; and set the next meeting for December 8. b. Presentation on improved landscaping at city facilities. [Tim Miller, Director of Parks and Recreation] Mr. Miller presented information and shared images on landscape improvements thus far. c. City of La Porte Fund Balance Report [Michael Dolby, Finance Director] Mr. Dolby noted the General Fund, as of the end of August, was set to end the fiscal year with 505 days of working capital ($97.7 million) and the Utility Fund would have 150 days of working capital ($4 million). d. Administrative Reports [Corby Alexander, City Manager] Mr. Alexander updated the Council on new positions still unfilled and that are posted to be filled and discussed the postponement of Fleet Week Houston until the spring. 10.Items of Community Interest Councilpersons congratulated all those recognized this evening; thanked the Keep La Porte Beautiful Committee for their update and work; and said former Councilperson Danny Earp lauded EMS when an employee of his had an accident recently and EMS responded. 11. Executive Session a. Real Property - Texas Government Code 551.072 - Deliberation regarding purchase, exchange, lease, or value of real property: The City Council will meet in closed session with the City Manager and the City Attorney to discuss purchase of real property located in the City of La Porte, Texas. Manor Helton convened the Council in executive session at 7:33 p.m. 5 12.Reconvene Mayor Helton reconvened the council in open session at 7:55 p.m. Councilperson McLarrin made a motion for staff to get further information on the property in question; the motion was seconded by Councilperson Bentley; the motion was adopted, 7-0. 13.Adjourn - _thout objection, Mayor Helton adjourned the meeting at 7:55 p.m. CL oodward, C 44 6