HomeMy WebLinkAbout02-23-2026 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 held a regular meeting on
February 23, 2026, 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
Darrell Herrin offered an invocation and Slade Stringer led the pledges.
3. Recognitions
a. 2025 Employee Recognition
Employee of the Fourth Quarter - Lindsay Ellison
Employee of the Year - Chad Musgrove
Manager of the Year - Ray Mayo
4. Citizen Comment
Stephen Bailey of the La Porte Baseball Association thanked the Council for the
investments at the Pecan Park fields.
5. Consent Agenda
a. Approve the minutes of the regular City Council meeting held on February 9,
2026. [Lee Woodward, City Secretary/PIO]
b. Pipeline Permit - Approve a pipeline permit to Linde, Inc. to install
approximately 6.91 miles of a 20-inch hydrogen pipeline within the City of La
Porte, Texas. [Ryan Hvitlak, Director of Planning & Development]
c. Brookglen Drainage Improvement Phase II - Professional Services
Amendment - Authorize the City Manager to execute an amendment to the
professional engineering services contract between the City of La Porte,
Texas, and Halff Associates, Inc. for Brookglen Drainage Improvements
Phase II project, in the amount of $183,191.00. [Jameson Appel, Assistant
Director of Public Works]
Councilperson Guerra pulled item 5.b. for individual consideration.
Councilperson Engelken moved to approve items 5.a. and 5.c.; Councilperson
Williams seconded the motion; the motion was adopted, 9-0.
Clark Randle of Pergeron, and agent for design for Linde, Inc, was permitted to
answer questions from the Council.
Councilperson Guerra moved to approve a pipeline permit to Linde, Inc. to install
approximately 6.91 miles of a 20-inch hydrogen pipeline within the City of La Porte,
Texas; the motion was seconded by Councilperson Engelken; the motion was
adopted, 9-0.
6. Public Hearings and Associated Ordinances
a. Ordinance 2026-5023 Future Land Use Plan (FLUP) Amendment #FLUP-2025-
0015 - The City Council will hold a public hearing to receive comments
regarding a recommendation by the Planning and Zoning Commission to
adopt Ordinance 2026-5023 for approval of Future Land Use Plan
Amendment #FLUP-2025-0015, a request submitted by the City of La Porte,
Texas, applicant, for a city -initiated FLUP Amendment from General
Commercial to Low Density Residential for approximately 1.15 acres of land
generally located on the east side of North 11th Street between North E Street
to the north and West Madison Street to the south, La Porte, Harris County,
Texas; followed by discussion and possible action to approve or deny
Ordinance 2026-5023 for Future Land Use Plan Amendment #FLUP-2025-
0015, for a city -initiated FLUP Amendment from General Commercial to Low
Density Residential for approximately 1.15 acres of land generally located on
the east side of North 11th Street between North E Street to the north, West
Madison Street to the south, and the alley between North 11th Street and the
SH 146 Feeder Road on the east, La Porte, Harris County, Texas. [Ryan
Hvitlok, Planning Director, Planning and Development Department]
Mayor Helton opened the public hearing at 6:26 p.m. Ryan Hvitlok provided a
report about this item and item 6.b. Phillip Hoot spoke In concern of surrounding
commercial properties and development. Mayor Helton closed the public hearing
at 6:52 p.m.
Councilperson Guerra moved to deny Ordinance 2026-5023 for Future Land Use
Plan Amendment #FLUP-2025-0015, for a City -initiated FLUP Amendment from
General Commercial to Low Density Residential for approximately 1.15 acres of
land generally located on the east side of North 11th Street between North E Street
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to the north, West Madison Street to the south, and the alley between North 11th
Street and the SH 146 Feeder Road on the east, La Porte, Harris County, Texas;
Councilperson Bentley seconded the motion; the motion was adopted, 7-2,
Councilpersons Martin and McCaulley voting against.
b. Ordinance 2026-5024 Zone Change #ZC-2025-0015 - The City Council will
hold a public hearing to receive comments regarding a recommendation by
the Planning and Zoning Commission to adopt Ordinance 2026-5024 for
Zone Change #ZC-2025-0015, a request submitted by the City of La Porte,
Texas, applicant, for a city -initiated Zone Change from General Commercial
(GC) to Low Density Residential (R-1) for approximately 1.15 acres of land
generally located on the east side of North 11th Street between North E Street
to the north and West Madison Street to the south, La Porte, Harris County,
Texas; followed by discussion and possible action to approve or deny
Ordinance 2026-5024 for Zone Change #ZC-2025-0015, for a city -initiated
Zone Change from General Commercial (GC) to Low Density Residential (R-
1) for approximately 1.15 acres of land generally located on the east side of
North 11th Street between North E Street to the north, West Madison Street
to the south, and the alley between North 11th Street and .the SH 146 Feeder
Road on the east, La Porte, Harris County, Texas. [Ryan Hvitlok, Planning
Director,. Planning and Development Department]
Mayor Helton opened the public hearing at 6:54 p.m. Ryan Hvitlok recommended
denial of the rezone based on the motion adopted for the prior item to deny an
amendment to the FLUP, as the preference is for the FLUP and the zoning
classification of the property to correlate. Mayor Helton closed the public hearing
at 6:55 p.m.
Councilperson Guerra moved to deny Ordinance 2026-5024 for Zone Change
#ZC-2025-0015, for a city -initiated Zone Change from General Commercial (GC)
to Low Density Residential (R-1) for approximately 1.15 acres of land generally
located on the east side of North 11th Street between North E Street to the north,
West Madison Street to the south, and the alley between North 11th Street and the
SH 146 Feeder Road on the east, La Porte, Harris County, Texas; Councilperson
Bentley seconded the motion; the motion was adopted, 8-1, Councilperson Martin
voting against
7. Statutory Agenda
a. Ordinance 2026-5026 - Street and Alley Closure (SAC) #SAC-2025-0013 -
Presentation, discussion, and possible action to adopt Ordinance 2026-5026
for approval of Street and Alley Closure #SAC-2025-0013 filed by Twilight
Cemetery, Inc. for the purpose of vacating, abandoning, and closing 1) an
approximately 6,520 square foot portion of the developed 80-foot W. Adams
Street right-of-way between N. 13th Street to the west and N. 12th Street to the
east, 2) an approximately 24,000 square foot portion of the undeveloped 60-
foot N. 12th Street right-of-way between W. Polk Street to the south and W.
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Adams Street to the north, and 3) an approximately 6,400 square foot portion
of an undeveloped 16-foot alleyway between Lots 1-16 and 17-32, Block 685
of the Town of La Porte subdivision, La Porte, Harris County, Texas, and
authorizing the execution and delivery of a deed to the adjoining landowner,
subject to City Council's determination to require an appraisal reflecting fair
market value or to approve donation of the subject right-of-way in
accordance with Chapter 62 of the City Code. [Ryan Hvitlok, Director of
Planning & Development]
Mr. Hvitlok offered a presentation. Councilperson Guerra moved to adopt
Ordinance 2026-5026 for approval of Street and Alley Closure #SAC-2025-0013
filed by Twilight Cemetery, Inc. for the purpose of vacating, abandoning, and
closing 1) an approximately 6,520 square foot portion of the developed 80-foot W.
Adams Street right-of-way between N. 13th Street to the west and N. 12th Street to
the east, 2) an approximately 24,000 square foot portion of the undeveloped 60-
foot N. 12th Street right-of-way between W. Polk Street to the south and W Adams
Street to the north, and 3) an approximately 6,400 square foot portion of an
undeveloped 16-foot alleyway between Lots 1-16 and 17-32, Block 685 of the
Town of La Porte subdivision, La Porte, Harris County, Texas, and authorizing the
execution and delivery of a deed to the adjoining landowner and that the property
be conveyed without charge for payment of fair market value; Councilperson
Engelken seconded the motion; the motion was adopted, 9-0.
b. Noise Pollution Ordinance - Presentation, discussion, and possible action to
provide administrative staff direction on possible amendments to Chapter
34, Article III "Noise Pollution" of the City of La Porte Code of Ordinances.
[Councilpersons Lunsford, Williams, and Bentley]
Councilpersons discussed their concerns and asked the team to look into
strengthening the noise ordinance with options including escalating fines for
repetitive violations with a maximum fine of $2000 and a potential certificate of
occupancy revocation or suspension policy, clarification on whether business
operators, property owners, or others should be cited for violations, as well as
protections for properties in the Main Street district/Main Street overlay and pre-
existing business properties adjacent to newly constructed residential properties.
Mr. Hvitlok noted City events already have an exception in the City Code.
Additionally, protections for pre-existing businesses were discussed.
c. City Hall Update - Presentation, discussion, and possible action to give
direction to administrative staff regarding reinstatement of previously
removed project items in connection with City Hall project. [Jameson Appel,
Assistant Director of Public Works]
Mr. Appel offered a presentation. Councilpersons asked that pricing and
maintenance numbers be provided for the fountain and the IT canopy (both for a
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cantilevered and fitted version) and that the first responder booster be evaluated
after the building is almost completed.
d. Presentation, discussion, and possible action on the appointments of
election judges and alternate election judges for the May 2, 2026, City of La
Porte, Texas, and La Porte ISD election cycle. [Lee Woodward, City
Secretary/PI0]
Ms. Woodward offered a presentation. Councilperson Engelken moved to approve
the list of Judges and Alternate Judges, as presented, for the May 2, 2026, City of
La Porte and LPISD General and Special Elections; the motion was seconded by
Mayor Pro Tem McCaulley; the motion was adopted, 9-0.
e. LPEF Golf Tournament Sponsorship Request - Presentation, discussion, and
possible action to approve a request for City of La Porte sponsorship of the
La Porte Education Foundation in an amount not to exceed $2,500.00, as the
presenting sponsor for the 22nd Annual Golf Tournament for Fiscal Year 2025-
2026. [Matt Daeumer, Assistant City Manager]
Mr. Daeumer offered a presentation. Councilperson Engelken moved to approve
the request for sponsorship to the LPEF Golf Tournament in an amount not to
exceed $2,500; Mayor Pro Tem McCaulley seconded the motion; the motion was
approved, 8-0 (Councilperson Bentley had briefly stepped away from the meeting).
f. Shoreacres Update - Presentation, discussion, and possible action to
provide administrative staff direction on an assessment of the City of
Shoreacres, Texas' financials, infrastructure, and capital assets, and any
Fiscal Year 2027 budget items in connection with a possible consolidation
of the City of La Porte, Texas, and the City of Shoreacres, Texas. [Corby
Alexander, City Manager]
Mr. Alexander provided an update on the financials and likely revenue impacts if
consolidation is approved by the voters of both cities at the May 2 election.
8. Reports
a. Present the La Porte Police Department Racial Profiling Report [Scott Pullig,
Chief of Police]
Chief Pullig announced the annual report had been provided, indicating that, from
the data in the just over 19,000 traffic stops in La Porte in 2025, the La Porte Police
Department is operating appropriately and without bias with respect to an
individual's race, ethnicity, or national origin.
b. Report of the Fiscal Affairs Committee meeting held on February 23, 2026
[Councilperson Engelken]
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Councilperson Engelken said the Committee met and received the purchasing
card and investment reports and that both were in good condition.
c. Report of the La Porte Drainage and Flooding Committee meeting held on
February 23, 2026 [Councilperson Martin]
Councilperson Martin said the Committee met, received updates on Harris County
Flood Control and City projects, and heard a brief presentation from Candyce Ward
with CobbFindley.
d. City of La Porte, Texas, Fund Balance Report [Michael Dolby, Finance
Director]
e.
Mr. Dolby said the City had $109 million in the general fund balance as of
December, equivalent to 515 days of working capital, and a projection to have 380
days of working capital at the end of the fiscal year. For the Utility Fund, Mr. Dolby
said it now has 170 days of working capital and is expected to end the fiscal. year
with 88 days of working capital.
Administrative Reports [Corby Alexander, City Manager]
• Update on open staff positions
• Animal Shelter. statistics .
Mr. Alexander said the City currently had eleven positions open but that summer
(temporary, seasonal) staffing was also being sought and that the City had
extended an offer to an airport manager. For the animal shelter update, he said
there were 155 animals being housed and noted the animal species recently
handled.
9. Items of Community Interest
Councilpersons congratulated the employees recognized at the beginning of this
evening's meeting and recognized City Manager Corby Alexander, as he has been
selected as a Public Official of the Year by the University of Houston Hobby School of
Public Affairs.
10.Adjourn - Without objection, or Helton adjourned the meeting at 8:39 p.m.
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