HomeMy WebLinkAboutKLPB Committee Meeting Minutes 02-17-2026
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; Members Peggy Antone, Travis Barnett, Martha Gillett,
Leticia Thralls, Susie Burgess, Allison Vickery-Fowle, and Alternate
Michael Hanks.
Members Attending Remotely: Joshua Lege (via Zoom).
Members Absent: Justin Gorashko (excused) and Tom Green (unexcused) were absent.
Staff Present: Councilperson Bentley, Corby Alexander, City Manager; Tim Miller, Parks
& Recreation Director; Andrew Brady, Assistant Public Works Director;
and other City staff as applicable.
The Keep La Porte Beautiful Committee of the City of La Porte met on
February 17, 2026, at the City Hall Council Chambers,
604 West Fairmont Parkway, La Porte, Texas, at 5:30PM
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1. CALL TO ORDER – Chairperson Pierson-Turner called the meeting to order at
5:33PM.
2. CITIZEN COMMENT – None.
3. APPROVE THE MINUTES – Member Gillett moved and Member Allison Vickery-
Fowle seconded to approve the January 20, 2026, meeting minutes. The motion was
adopted unanimously.
4. COMMITTEE CHARGE, DISCUSSION, AND POSSIBLE ACTION
4.a Consideration and possible action on a request from Michael Hanks to
rotate to an Alternate position and appoint Allison Vickery-Fowle (Alternate 2)
to the regular position. [Chairperson Virginia Pierson-Turner]
Chairperson Pierson-Turner presented updates regarding recent committee roster
changes. Member Michael Hanks requested to rotate to an alternate position due to
attendance conflicts. Alternate Member Allison Vickery-Fowle was moved to position
2. The Committee also acknowledged the resignation of Member Frank Nance and
the appointment of Brady Nance to the committee. Member Gillett moved and
Member Barnett seconded to approve the recommended roster changes pending
City Council ratification. The motion was adopted unanimously.
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4.b Updates to KLPB on Community Items [Chairperson Virginia Pierson-
Turner]
Chairperson Pierson-Turner provided updates on several City projects related to
beautification efforts. She reported that the City is currently negotiating design
contracts with design projects related to the sound wall project on the north side
near Barbour’s Cut. She also requested the opportunity to review the landscaping
design for that project when available. She also shared that the City is working
through a Unified Code update, including Section 106 and 82, which will consolidate
development codes over an estimated 18-month timeline. A presentation on newly
designed way finding signs as well as updates on code enforcement initiatives are
forthcoming.
4.c Presentation, discussion, and possible action regarding the Community
Recycling Event rescheduled for April 18. [Vice Chairperson Erika Mendez-
Gutierrez]
Vice Chairperson Erika Mendez-Gutierrez provided updates on several upcoming
community events at which the Keep La Porte Beautiful Committee will participate.
The Springfest event, scheduled for April 11 from 10:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. at Five
Points Plaza, will include a Keep La Porte Beautiful booth, participation from Trees
for Houston distributing trees, food trucks, a rock-climbing wall, and the new play
area. Three recycling bins will be distributed during the event.
Vice Chairperson Erika Mendez-Gutierrez also discussed the Community Recycling
Event scheduled for April 18 from 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. at the Recycling Center.
The event will be hosted in an open house format and will include educational
demonstrations on proper recycling practices. LyondellBasell will sponsor a booth,
and six recycling bins have been donated, with three planned for distribution at this
event and three reserved for Springfest. A flyer promoting the event will be included
in upcoming water bills.
Vice Chairperson Erika Mendez-Gutierrez further discussed participation in the
Great American Cleanup, which runs from March 1 through May 31, with a target
cleanup date of May 9. The goal is to recruit approximately 50 volunteers. A cleanup
kit has been ordered that includes trash bags, gloves, safety vests, and Sponsors
are being sought for other needed supplies.
4.d Presentation and discussion on updates from Keep La Porte Beautiful
subcommittees. [Vice Chairperson Erika Mendez-Gutierrez]
Committee members provided updates regarding subcommittee activities. Member
Barnett reported the Main Street/Facades Enhancement subcommittee meeting was
postponed, but discussions continued regarding potential commercial beautification
incentives for local businesses.
Members Thralls and Pierson-Turner reported on the Parks and Landscaping
subcommittee, noting they met with Tim Miller and Shaun Lundy to discuss several
items, including potential tree planting at Spenwick Park and Creekmont Park,
pending confirmation of pipeline locations. Additional items discussed included
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landscaping opportunities at Little Cedar Bayou, Central Park, and Seabreeze Park,
as well as the need for additional natural green space.
The subcommittee also discussed the historic tree at Fairmont Park and potential
protective measures. Additional Park standards reviewed included City-provided
benches, park boundary definition for safety, and improved signage placement with
landscaping, and screens around the dumpsters.
Member Peggy Antone reported for the Monuments and Special Projects
subcommittee, that the landscaping along Fairmont……. irrigation and revitalization
of the current landscape both short term for immediate beautification and long-term
addressing the irrigation.
4.e Presentation, discussion, and possible action on updates from the Keep
Texas Beautiful Research Ad Hoc Subcommittee. [Vice Chairperson Erika
Mendez-Gutierrez]
Vice Chairperson Erika Mendez-Gutierrez provided an update regarding the City’s
participation in Keep Texas Beautiful (KTB) initiatives. The Committee discussed the
$200 annual fee required to maintain the City’s good standing with the organization.
Vice Chairperson Mendez-Gutierrez also reported that the committee has registered
for the Great American Cleanup, held March 1 through May 31, and has received a
cleanup kit containing gloves, trash bags, bug spray, and safety vests. Potential
cleanup locations discussed included Dolphin Park, the southwest corner of
Fairmont Parkway and 16th Street, and Bayside Crossing Drive on Sens Road,
along with other areas within the city.
The Committee discussed recruiting volunteers from local schools and community
organizations, coordinating volunteer sign-ups, and the use of litter grabbers and
other supplies. May 9 was proposed as the preferred cleanup date. Vice
Chairperson Mendez-Gutierrez will submit a report to Keep Texas Beautiful by June
10 documenting the results of the cleanup effort.
• 4.h Committee Comments – New Member Brady Nance introduced himself to
the committee. In addition, the committee expressed their gratitude for all the
contributions made by Frank Nance, with the committee and the community at
large.
5. ADJOURN – Without objection, Chairperson Pierson-Turner adjourned the
meeting at 6:24PM.
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Matt Daeumer
Assistant City Manager