HomeMy WebLinkAbout01-12-2026 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, Robert Guerra, Jay
Martin, Robbie McLarrin
Councilpersons attending remotely: None
Councilpersons absent: None
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
January 12, 2026, at the City Hall Council Chambers,
604 West Fairmont Parkway, La Porte, Texas, at 6:00 p.m.
1. CaII to Order - Mayor Helton called the meeting to order at 6:03 p.m.
2. Invocation and Pledges of Allegiance
The invocation was given by Pastor Daniel Moore of Creekmont Baptist Church and
LPISD student Ozzie Gonzalez led the pledges.
3. Citizen Comment
Barry Plante of Shoreacres spoke in support of the consolidation election. Phillip and
Debbie Hoot shared permitting concerns for a building they own along Barbours Cut.
4. Consent Agenda
a. Approve the minutes of the regular City Council meeting held on December
8, 2025. [Lee Woodward, City Secretary/PIO]
b. 2026 Joint Election Agreement and Election Services Contract - Approve a
joint election agreement and election services contract between the City of
La Porte, Texas, and La Porte Independent School District for the May 2,
2026, election cycle. [Lee Woodward, City Secretary/PIO]
c. Animal Shelter Advisory Committee appointment - Appoint Emily Parsons to
an open position on the City of La Porte, Texas, Animal Shelter Advisory
Committee. [Lee Woodward, City Secretary/PIO]
d. Development Agreement Amendment for 9101 W. Fairmont Pkwy. -Authorize
the City Manager to execute an amended Development Agreement between
Barry Linn Seabranch/Storage Vault Self Storage, LLC and the City of La
Porte, Texas, for the development of a mini-warehouse/self-storage complex
on real property located at 9101 West Fairmont Parkway, La Porte, Texas.
[Ryan Hvitlok, Director of Planning & Development]
e. Field Lighting Project -Authorize the City Manager to execute a contract with
Techline Sports Lighting LLC in the amount of $776,475.00 for the purchase
and installation of upgraded lighting equipment for the Deotis Gay and
Fairmont Sports fields under Buy Board Contract Number 779-25. [Tim Miller,
Director of Parks and Recreation]
f. Award Bid #26004 - Award Bid #26004 "Plant 4 Ground Tank Replacement
Rebid" to S&S Bolted Tank, LLC, for replacement of 425,000-gallon
galvanized bolted tank and authorize the City Manager to execute a
construction contract in the amount of $516,765.00 and provide a
construction contingency in the amount of $50,000.00, for a total
authorization of $566,765.00. [Ray Mayo, Director of Public Works]
Mr. Alexander asked that item 4d be pulled for an update and separate vote.
Councilperson Engelken moved to adopt consent agenda items 4a-c and 4e-f;
Councilperson Bentley seconded the motion; the motion was adopted, 9-0.
Councilperson Engelken moved to authorize the City Manager to execute an
amended Development Agreement between Barry Linn Seabranch/Storage Vault
Self Storage, LLC and the City of La Porte, Texas, for the development of a mini-
warehouse/self-storage complex on real property located at 9101 West Fairmont
Parkway, La Porte, Texas; Councilperson Williams seconded the motion; the
motion was adopted, 9-0.
5. Public Hearings and Associated Ordinances
a. Ordinance 2026-5022 Special Conditional Use Permit (SCUP) #SCUP-2025-
0028 - The City Council will hold a public hearing to receive comments
regarding a recommendation by the Planning and Zoning Commission to
adopt Ordinance 2026-5022 for Special Conditional Use Permit #SCUP-2025-
0028 for the development of off -site parking within the General Commercial
(GC) zoning district, with conditions, on approximately 0.14 acres of land
located at the southeast corner of West C Street and South 16th Street, La
Porte, Harris County, Texas; followed by discussion and possible action to
approve or deny Ordinance 2026-5022 for Special Conditional Use Permit
#SCUP-2025-0028 for the development of off -site parking within the General
Commercial (GC) zoning district, with conditions, on approximately 0.14
acres of land located at the southeast corner of West C Street and South 16th
Street, La Porte, Harris County, Texas. [Ryan Hvitlok, Director of Planning &
Development]
Manor Helton opened the public hearing at 6:24 p.m. Ryan Hvitlok provided a
report. There were no public comments. Mayor Helton closed the public hearing at
6:30 p.m.
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Councilperson Engelken moved to adopt Ordinance 2026-5022 for Special
Conditional Use Permit #SCUP-2025-0028 for the development of off -site parking
within the General Commercial (GC) zoning district, with conditions, on
approximately 0.14 acres of land located at the southeast corner of West C Street
and South 16th Street, La Porte, Harris County, Texas; Councilperson Williams
seconded the motion; the motion was adopted, 9-0.
6. Statutory Agenda
a. Ordinance 2026-5025 - Street and Alley Closures - Presentation, discussion,
and possible action to approve Ordinance 2026-5025, amending Chapter 62
"Streets, Sidewalks and Other Public Places", Article II "Vacating,
Abandoning and Closing Streets and Alleys" of the La Porte, Texas, Code of
Ordinances by revising regulations related to applications for closure of
rights -of -way. [Ryan Hvitlok, Director of Planning & Development]
Councilperson Guerra moved to adopt Ordinance 2026-5025, amending Chapter
62 "Streets, Sidewalks and Other Public Places", Article II "Vacating, Abandoning
and Closing Streets and Alleys" of the La Porte, Texas, Code of Ordinances by
revising regulations related to applications for closure of rights -of -way;
Councilperson Martin seconded the motion; the motion was adopted, 9-0.
b. Receipt of certification of petition to order a consolidation election for
consolidation of the City of Shoreacres, Texas, with the City of La Porte,
Texas [Lee Woodward, City Secretary/PIO]
City Secretary Woodward confirmed the petition was received, signatures were
verified, the petition was certified, and the City Council was notified of the process
and result on December 15, 2025.
c. Shoreacres Infrastructure and Financials - Presentation, discussion, and
possible action to provide administrative staff direction on the City of
Shoreacres infrastructure and financial assessment. [Corby Alexander, City
Manager]
City Manager Alexander provided a report on his assessment of the City of
Shoreacres' infrastructure and financial position.
d. Executive session regarding consolidation - Texas Government Code Sec.
551.071(2) - Consultation with Attorney: The City Council will meet in closed
session with the City Attorney and City Manager to discuss legal issues
associated with potential consolidation of the City of Shoreacres, Texas, with
the City of La Porte, Texas.
Mayor Helton convened the City Council in executive session at 7:13 p.m. under
LGC 551.071(2) - Consultation with Attorney, to discuss legal issues associated
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with potential consolidation of the City of Shoreacres, Texas, with the City of La
Porte, Texas. The City Council reconvened in open session at 8:33 p.m.
e. Selection of consolidation election date - Presentation, discussion, and
possible action to adopt Ordinance 2026-5027 to select a uniform election
date to hold an election for consolidation of the City of Shoreacres, Texas,
with the City of La Porte, Texas. [Lee Woodward, City Secretary/PIO]
Councilperson Williams moved to adopt Ordinance 2026-5027 ordering an election
for consolidation of the City of Shoreacres, Texas, with the City of La Porte, Texas,
for May 2, 2026; Councilperson Guerra seconded the motion; the motion was
adopted, 9-0.
7. Reports
a. Report of the La Porte Drainage and Flooding Committee meeting held on
January 12, 2025 [Councilperson Martin]
Councilperson Martin said the committee met, received updates on current
projects, and set its next meeting for February 9.
b. Administrative Reports [Corby Alexander]
• Update on open staff positions
• Animal Shelter statistics.
• Update on the 45 mph sign at Spencer and 23rd.
City Manager Alexander discussed open positions; provided statistics on the
Animal Shelter; and said the 45 mph signs at Spencer and 23rd have been
returned to normal.
8. Items of Community Interest
Councilpersons wished all happy new year; wished Mr. Alexander a happy birthday;
congratulated Police Chief Pullig on a full patrol staff; recognized Ernie Quimby, OEM
summer intern, has been hired at Texas A & M's Engineering Medicine Center;
reported successful cat adoptions with Pet Care Supplies Plus; and shared the fun
events of the recent and first Mayor for a Day, with nine -year -old Kodah Pierce.
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vor Helton adjourned the meeting at 8:44 p.m.
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