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Home My WebLink About11-10-2025 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, Jay Martin, Robbie McLarrin Councilpersons Attending Remotely: None Councilpersons Absent: Mandi Williams 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 November 10, 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 Lanier Young gave the invocation and led the pledges. The JROTC of LPHS presented the colors. 3. Recognitions a. Recognition of CoLP team members who are veterans of the U.S. Armed Services [Rick Helton, Mayor] T. J. Alessi T. J. Babin, V Sam Bass Bill Bentley Tobie Bogue Bennie Boles Jeremy Borja Matt Brewer Rodney Broussard Lane Crow Isaac Cruz Michael Dolby Chris Forsythe Frank Fullbright Thomas Galindo Makhi Garrick Michael Harness Dan Hoffman Jeff Kominek John Krueger Dutch Lane Robert Macias Alex Maldonado Jeff McDougall David Oliver Chris Paige Tracy Phelan Lee Pinon Blade Pitts Jeff Plemons Brett Salter William Shock Landon Smith Ehren Torres Emilio Trevino Chris Wynslow b. Recognition of Amber Castro -Beltran and Jeremy Borja — Newly Certified Emergency Managers [Johnny Morales, Emergency Management Coordinator] c. Recognition of Employees for Years of Service Ashley Breeding - Detective (10 years) Bonnie Schoellkopf - Senior Services Coordinator (10 years) Tammy Adams - Telecommunicator (30 years) d. Recognition of City University Participants [Lindsay French, Recreation Superintendent] Rhonda Davis Jackie Sanford Lisa Moreno Hugh Hudelson Jerri Parker Patty Hundley Teofila Villegas 4. Citizen Comment - There were no comments. Kimberly Hargraves Alyssa Shotwell Darla Obanion 5. Consent Agenda a. Approve the minutes of the regular City Council meeting held on October 27, 2025. [Lee Woodward, City Secretary/PIO] b. Purchase of Neptune Meters - Authorize the purchase of Neptune meters and parts from Core and Main of Houston, not to exceed the budgeted amount of $438,500.00. [Michael Dolby, Finance Director] c. Homeland Security Grant for Protective Barriers - Approve a resolution authorizing the City Manager to approve and accept appropriations of a grant from the Urban Area Security Initiative (UASI) in the amount of $141,052.63 for the Mobile Barricade Project. [Johnny Morales, Emergency Management Coordinator] d. Homeland Security Grant for Camera Trailer - Approve a resolution authorizing the City Manager to approve and accept appropriations of a grant from the Urban Area Security Initiative (UASI), in the amount of $30,000.00 for the La Porte Police Department Surveillance Trailer Project. [Johnny Morales, Emergency Management Coordinator] e. Approve the FY 2025 Audit/Asset Forfeiture Report -Approve the Fiscal Year 2025 audit/asset forfeiture report and associated financial records of the La Porte Police Department as required by Chapter 59 of the Texas Code of Criminal Procedure. [Scott Pullig, Chief of Police] f. Bid #25020 - Mowing Contract - Award Bid #25020 "PARD Mowing Services" and authorize the City Manager to execute a ten- (10-) month contract with option for two (2) one- (1-) year extensions to NeoGlobal Enterprises, LLC, d/b/a Horticare Landscape Management, for mowing of various City properties, not to exceed the annual budgeted amount. [Tim Miller, Director of Parks & Recreation] 2 g. TIRZ Interlocal Agreement - Sylvan Beach Pier - Authorize the City Manager to execute an Interlocal Agreement between the City of La Porte, Texas, and the Reinvestment Zone Number One, City of La Porte, Texas, to bid, construct and manage renovations and improvements to the Sylvan Beach Pier located at 636 Bayshore Drive, La Porte, Texas. [Matt Daeumer, Assistant City Manager] h. TIRZ Interlocal Agreement - Pickleball Courts - Authorize the City Manager to execute an Interlocal Agreement between the City of La Porte, Texas, and the Reinvestment Zone Number One, City of La Porte, Texas, to bid and construct new pickleball courts located at 600 Little Cedar Bayou Drive, La Porte, Texas. [Matt Daeumer, Assistant City Manager] i. Approve the City of La Porte, Texas' Investment Policy. [Shelley Wolny, Assistant Finance Director] j. Cisco Smartnet FY26 Annual Renewal - Authorize the purchase of hardware support and software support in the amount of $114,720.97 from DataVox through cooperative purchasing contracts DIR-CPO-5347. [Darren Withers, IT Manager] k. Interlocal Agreement with City of Morgan's Point for Emergency Management Services - Authorize the Mayor to execute an Interlocal Agreement between the City of La Porte, Texas, and the City of Morgan's Point, Texas, for Emergency Management Services. [Johnny Morales, Emergency Management Coordinator] Councilperson Engelken moved to approve the consent agendas 5.a.-5.k. (5.1, was pulled for individual consideration); Councilperson Bentley seconded the motion; the motion was adopted, 8-0. I. Ordinance 2025-5010 - Adopt Ordinance 2025-5010 repealing regulations pertaining to mobile food vendors as codified in Chapter22 "Businesses" of the Code of Ordinances of the City of La Porte, Texas. [Ryan Hvitlok, Director of Planning & Development] This item was pulled from the consent agenda and considered separately. The Council chose to take no action but clarified that staff would continue not charging mobile food vendor application fees for the moment, but would bring an item to the December 8, 2025, Council meeting to make that action official, and will bring proposed City Code revisions regarding zoning and location regulations applicable to mobile food vendors to the Council in February. 6. 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., La Porte, Texas. [Richard Glass, Chief Building Official] 3 Mayor Helton opened the public hearing at 6:49 p.m. Mr. Glass provided a 90-day update. Mayor Helton closed the public hearing at 6:51 p.m. There was no action. 7. Statutory Agenda a. Ordinance 2025-4065 - Presentation, discussion and possible action to adopt Ordinance 2025-4065 amending Chapter 50 "Parks and Recreation" and Appendix A "Fees" of the Code of Ordinances of the City of La Porte, Texas, by revising regulations applicable to the operation of city parks and related facilities. [Tim Miller, Director of Parks & Recreation] Lindsay French provided an update. Councilperson Engelken moved to adopt Ordinance 2025-4065 amending Chapter 50 "Parks and Recreation" and Appendix A "Fees" of the Code of Ordinances of the City of La Porte, Texas, by revising regulations applicable to the operation of city parks and related facilities; Councilperson Bentley seconded the motion; the motion was approved, 8-0. b. Construction Manager at Risk for Public Works Phase III & IV - Presentation, discussion, and possible action to award Public Works Facility Improvements Phase III & IV Construction Manager at Risk to Comex Corporation and authorize the City Manager to execute said contract, providing for an award of an $8,000.00 preconstruction services fee to be used during the design phase, a future cost of $637,250.00 for general conditions, and a profit and overhead rate of 2.95%, both to be included in the guaranteed maximum price (GMP). [Jameson Appel, Assistant Director of Public Works] Mr. Appel offered a presentation. Councilperson Engelken moved to award Public Works Facility Improvements Phase III & IV Construction Manager at Risk to Comex Corporation and authorize the City Manager to execute said contract, providing for an award of an $8,000.00 preconstruction services fee to be used during the design phase, a future cost of $637,250.00 for general conditions, and a profit and overhead rate of 2.95% both to be included in the guaranteed maximum price (GMP); Councilperson Bentley seconded the motion; the motion was approved, 8-0. c. Fire Station 1 Remodel - Design Services - Presentation, discussion, and possible action to authorize the City Manager to execute a professional services contract with Joiner Architects for the Fire Station # 1 Remodel, in the amount of $240,000.00. [Jameson Appel, Assistant Director of Public Works] Mr. Appel offered a presentation. Councilperson Engelken moved to authorize the City Manager to execute a professional services contract with Joiner Architects for the Fire Station #1 Remodel, in the amount of $240,000; Councilperson Bentley seconded the motion; the motion was approved, 8-0. 4 d. Cast City's Ballot for HCAD Board - Presentation, discussion, and possible action to cast the City of La Porte's ballot for person(s) to be appointed to serve on the board of directors of the Harris Central Appraisal District, for a term beginning January 1, 2026. [Lee Woodward, City Secretary] The Council was not familiar with the candidates and chose to take no action in allocation of the City's votes or casting of its ballot. e. Chapter 172 Committee Insurance Recommendations - Presentation, discussion, and possible action to approve recommendations from the Chapter 172 Employee and Retiree Insurance Advisory Committee regarding Dental, Vision, Life, AD&D, and Disability lines of coverage. [Matt Hartleib, HR Manager] Mr. Hartleib offered a presentation. Councilperson Engelken moved to approve the recommendations from the Chapter 172 Employee and Retiree Insurance Advisory Committee regarding Dental, Vision, Life, AD&D, and Disability lines of coverage; Councilperson Bentley seconded the motion; the motion was approved, 8-0. 8. Reports a. Presentation on Flock Cameras [Lieutenant Anthony Bish, Police Department] Lt. Bish provided an update on the use of Flock cameras in the city. b. Report of the Fiscal Affairs Committee meeting held on November 10, 2025 [Councilperson Engelken] Councilperson Engelken said the committee met, reviewed the fourth quarter investment report, approved the City's investment policy, reviewed the purchasing card report, and set its next meeting for January 26. c. Report of the La Porte Drainage and Flooding Committee meeting held on November 10, 2025 [Councilperson Martin] Councilperson Martin said the committee met, received updates on Harris County Flood Control District (HCFCD) projects, noting the HCFCD representative had attended the meeting, received updates on other City drainage projects, found no new drainage concerns, and set its next meeting for January 12. d. Administrative Reports [Corby Alexander, City Manager] Mr. Alexander noted the City continued to work on the employment process for new positions approved in the current budget. 5 9. Items of Community Interest Councilpersons thanked the veterans for their service and sacrifices; congratulated the City U. participants; cheered those recognized at the beginning of the meeting; wished all a happy Thanksgiving; reminded everyone of the Bulldogs playoff game this Friday; thanked Lt. Bish for his report; thanked LPISD and Superintendent Jackson for veteran recognition and inclusion at last Friday's LPHS football game; congratulated the LPHS band in San Antonio at competition; thanked Tracey Farris for $20,000 grant for the library to digitize newspapers; noted the Keep La Porte Beautiful Committee planted nineteen trees at Martin Luther King, Jr. Park on Friday; and congratulated La Porte Community Church on its 100th anniversary, celebrated this weekend. 10.Executive Session - Texas Government Code Sec. 551.087(2) - DELIBERATION REGARDING ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT NEGOTIATIONS. The City Council will meet in closed session with the city manager and city attorney to deliberate the offer of a financial incentive to a business prospect that the City Council seeks to have locate in the City of La Porte. Mayor Helton convened the Council in executive session at 7:25 p.m. 11. Reconvene Mayor Helton reconvened the Council in open session at 7:58 p.m. Councilperson Engelken moved that the Council had given staff direction to continue work on discussions with the business prospect regarding an economic development incentive; Mayor Pro Tem McCaullev seconded the motion; the motion was adopted, 8-0. 12.h4djourn — out objection, M ®mdat�� --G09FLA oodwar., 'sty =creta 1*1 r :* ,Fo % o Helton adjourned the meeting at 7:58 p.m. 6