HomeMy WebLinkAboutKLPB Committee Meeting Minutes 01-20-2026
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, Alternate 1
Leticia Thralls, Justin Gorashko, Michael Hanks, Martha Gillett, and
Alternate 4 Allison Vickery-Fowle.
Members Attending Remotely: None
Members Absent: Member Frank Nance (excused), Alternate 1 Leticia Thralls presided
in his place. Member Susie Burgess (excused), Alternate 4 Allison Vickery-Fowle
presided in his place. Vice Chairperson Erika Mendez-Gutierrez departed midway
through the meeting and Alternate 6 Tom Green presided in her absence.
Staff Present: Matt Daeumer, Assistant City Manager; Kayla O’Bryan, Parks &
Recreation Marketing and Special Events Coordinator; Shaun Lundy,
Parks Superintendent and 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
January 20, 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
5:30PM.
2. CITIZEN COMMENT – None.
3. APPROVE THE MINUTES – Member Gillett moved and Vice Chair Mendez-Gutierrez
seconded to approve the November 18, 2025, meeting minutes. The motion was
adopted unanimously.
4. COMMITTEE CHARGE, DISCUSSION, AND POSSIBLE ACTION
4.a Recognition of City of La Porte Parks and Recreation staff who assisted
with the KLPB Texas Arbor Day tree planting.
The Committee formally recognized Parks and Recreation staff for their assistance
and support with the Texas Arbor Day tree planting event and expressed
appreciation for their continued partnership.
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4.b Presentation, discussion, and possible action on plans to host a
community recycling day in coordination with the Public Works Department.
[Vice Chairperson Erika Mendez-Gutierrez]
Vice Chair Mendez-Gutierrez presented initial plans for a community recycling event.
After discussion, the Committee agreed to postpone the event planning to March,
April, or May due to staffing changes in City Manager’s Office. No action was taken.
4.c Presentation and discussion on the City of La Porte’s recommended
branding kit and logos. [Parks & Recreation Marketing and Special Events
Coordinator Kayla O’Bryan]
Kayla O’Bryan presented the City’s proposed branding kit and logo standards.
Committee members reviewed the materials and discussed consistency, visibility,
and application across programs and facilities.
4.d Presentation, discussion, and possible action on updates from the Keep
Texas Beautiful Research Ad Hoc Committee. [Vice Chairperson Erika Mendez-
Gutierrez]
Vice Chair Mendez-Gutierrez reported that the City of La Porte was officially
approved as a Keep Texas Beautiful affiliate on December 28, 2025. She was
recognized for leading the application process. A community recycling event is
planned for March or April, with the exact date to be determined to avoid conflicts.
4.e Presentation and discussion regarding the City of La Porte’s new
landscaping design services by DDG. [Assistant City Manager Matt Daeumer]
DDG landscape was absent and Assistant City Manager Daeumer presented two
conceptual designs for the La Porte Library grounds. Option 1, featuring a butterfly
and wildflower garden and a rain garden, was identified as the preferred concept by
both staff and committee members. Estimated project costs range from $140,000 to
$190,000, with a focus on native and drought-resistant plant species. The design will
proceed to 50 percent completion for future review.
4.f Presentation, discussion, and possible action on updates from Keep Texas
Beautiful subcommittees: Main Street and Enhancement Grants; Parks; and
Monuments and Special Projects. [Member Frank Nance]
Updates were provided on behalf of the subcommittees:
• Main Street and Enhancement Grants: Plans for business outreach, an
Adopt-a-Planter program, and a Business of the Quarter recognition program.
• Parks: Focus on tree planting at Spenwick and Creekmont, landscape review
for Little Cedar, Central, and Seabreeze Parks, and potential to investigate
landscape standards for parks.
• Monuments and Special Projects: Wayfinding signage project scheduled for
City Council consideration on January 26, 2026.
4.g KLPB Committee Attendance Policy. [Chairperson Virginia Pierson-Turner]
Chairperson Pierson-Turner reviewed the Committee’s attendance policy,
emphasizing the importance of responding to meeting notices and noting that
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absences with cause are acceptable. Member Susie Burgess requested to move to
alternate status due to family medical commitments.
4.h Committee Comments
Committee members shared announcements and general comments regarding
upcoming projects and continued beautification efforts.
5. ADJOURN – Without objection, Chairperson Pierson-Turner adjourned the meeting
at 6:47 p.m.
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Matt Daeumer
Assistant City Manager