HomeMy WebLinkAbout03-28-2026 CC minutesMINUTES OF THE SPECIAL MEETING OF THE
CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF LA PORTE
Councilpersons Present: Rick Helton, Brandon Lunsford (arrived at 1:00 p.m.),
Brent McCaulley, Chuck Engelken (left at 1:19 p.m.), Bill
Bentley, Robert Guerra, Jay Martin, Robbie McLarrin
Councilpersons Attending Remotely: None
Councilpersons Absent: Mandi Williams
Council -appointed Officers Present: Corby Alexander, City Manager; Lee
Woodward, City Secretary
The City Council of the City of La Porte held a special meeting on
March 28, 2026, at the City Hall Council Chambers,
604 West Fairmont Parkway, La Porte, Texas, at 8:30 a.m.
1. Call to Order
Mayor Helton called the meeting to order at 8:30 a.m. He established, without
objection, that speaking limits would not be enforced for Council debate, recesses
would occur every hour to 90 minutes, there would be a lunch break at noon, and that
items would be presumed to be accepted for advancement/budget planning inclusion
unless there was significant division or a member requested a vote.
2. Citizen Comment - Virginia Pierson -Turner spoke in support of Susie Burgess' work
on the La Porte and said she hoped the golf course club house would become a ballot
item.
3. Items for Consideration for the 2026-2027 Budget
a. Financial Overview - Presentation of City of La Porte financial overview.
[Michael Dolby, Director of Finance]
Mr. Dolby provided an overview.
b. Certified Appraisal Roll Options - Provide information on certified appraisal
roll options. [City Council]
Assistant Finance Director Shelly Wolny provided information on the prohibition on
using a different appraisal roll certifier than Harris Central Appraisal District, per
the Texas Tax Code.
c. Addition of 3 Paramedic Is and 3 Paramedic lls - Presentation, discussion,
and possible action to provide administrative staff with direction regarding
the addition of three (3) Paramedic Is and three (3) Paramedic Its to staff an
additional 24/7 ambulance. [Shawn Kominek, EMS Chief]
EMS Chief Kominek provided the justification.
d. Addition of Facility Technician I for City Hall - Presentation, discussion, and
possible action to provide administrative staff direction regarding the
addition of a Facility Technician I for the Facilities division of the Public
Works Department. [Ray Mayo, Director of Public Works]
PublicWorks Director Ray Mayo explained the position request. Without objection,
the Council requested that the position have a holdback vehicle for the first year
and begin pre -funding a future replacement.
e. Addition of Parks Worker 1 - Presentation, discussion, and possible action
to provide administrative staff with direction regarding the addition of one
(1) Park Worker I position. [Mayor Helton]
Parks and Recreation Director Tim Miller discussed adding a roaming worker to
address refuse pickup in parks and to proactive spot response for dumping.
f. Addition of Recreation Specialist - Presentation, discussion, and possible
action to provide administrative staff with direction regarding the addition of
one (1) Recreation Specialist position. [Mayor Helton]
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Parks and Recreation Director Tim Miller discussed adding the recreation
specialists to provide support for the Keep La Porte Beautiful Committee and
Marketing/Special Events.
Addition of Community Service Inspector - Presentation, discussion, and
possible action to provide administrative staff direction regarding the
addition of one (1) Community Service Inspector position. [Mayor Helton]
Planning and Development Director Ryan Hvitlok shared an overview.
h. Addition of HR Generalist - Presentation, discussion, and possible action to
provide administrative staff with direction regarding the addition of one (1)
HR Generalist position. [Matt Hartleib, HR Manager]
Human Resources Manager Matt Hartleib explained the new position. Following
this item, the Council recessed from 9:43 to 10:01 a.m.
i. Addition of Residential Garbage Collection Crew - Presentation, discussion,
and possible action to provide administrative staff direction regarding the
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addition of one 3-man garbage crew and additional equipment for the Solid
Waste division of the Public Works Department. [Ray Mayo, Director of
Public Works]
Mr. Mayo noted this item and the two following are related to the potential
consolidation with the City of Shoreacres.
Addition of Heavy Trash Collection Crew - Presentation, discussion, and
possible action to provide administrative staff direction regarding the
addition of one Senior Operator, one Equipment Operator I, and additional
equipment for the Solid Waste division of the Public Works Department. [Ray
Mayo, Director of Public Works]
Mr. Mayo noted this item is related to the potential consolidation with the City of
Shoreacres. Without objection, the Council directed staff to proceed with this item
regardless of the outcome of the consolidation election.
k. Addition of Equipment Operator 1 - Presentation, discussion, and possible
action to provide administrative staff direction regarding the addition of an
Equipment Operator I and additional equipment for the Street division of the
Public Works Department. [Ray Mayo, Director of Public Works]
Mr. Mayo noted this item is related to the potential consolidation with the City of
Shoreacres.
I. Addition of Court Specialist - Presentation, discussion and possible action
to provide administrative staff direction regarding the addition of a Court
Specialist in the FY 26 budget. [Janikka Bratton, Judge]
Municipal Court Judge Janikka Bratton noted this item is related to the potential
consolidation with the City of Shoreacres.
m. Review Solid Waste Rates - Presentation, discussion, and possible action to
provide administrative staff direction regarding Solid Waste Rates and
Impacts of Consolidation with City of Shoreacres. [Ray Mayo, Director of
Public Works]
Mr. Mayo explained potential rate increase options. Mayor Pro Tem McCaulley and
Councilperson Martin supported Option 1 of an increase of $8.26/month, if
consolidation is approved. Mayor Helton and Councilpersons Engelken, Bentlev,
Guerra, and McLarrin supported no increase, regardless of the outcome of the
consolidation election.
n. Transfer Station Report - Presentation, discussion, and possible action to
provide administrative staff direction for the Feasibility Study and Needs
Assessment for a Solid Waste Transfer Station. [Councilperson Bentley]
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Mr. Mayo recapped the ad hoc committee's work in 2024-2025 and the grant
sought through H-GAC.
o. Wastewater Treatment Plant Needs Assessment - Presentation, discussion
and possible action to provide administrative staff direction for a Needs
Assessment for Little Cedar Bayou Wastewater Treatment Plant. [Ray Mayo,
Director of Public Works]
Mr. Mayo provided an overview of the facility. Without objection, the Council
supported proceeding with the needs assessment. City Manager Corby Alexander
said conversations would begin later with the City's financial advisor if certificates
of obligation for construction were then to be considered. Mr. Mayo confirmed that
the City of Shoreacres' sewage does not come through City of La Porte facilities
and no change to that would be anticipated following consolidation.
p. Fire Station 1 Remodel - Presentation, discussion and possible action to
provide administrative staff direction for construction funding for Fire
Station # 1 remodel. [Jameson Appel, Assistant Director CIP]
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Assistant Public Works Director, CIP, Jameson Appel covered the renovation
scope. Without objection, the Council recessed from 11:02 to 11:15 a.m.
Emergency Operations Center (EOC) Enhancements - Presentation,
discussion, and possible action to provide administrative staff direction
regarding the enhancements to the Emergency Operations Center (EOC).
[Johnny Morales, Emergency Management Coordinator]
Emergency Management Coordinator Johnny Morales shared the proposal and
updated estimates. Without objection, the Council approved moving forward with
pre funding of $500,000.00 each in FY 27 and 28.
r. Mobile Digital Forensics and Incident Support Vehicle - Presentation,
discussion, and possible action to provide administrative staff direction
regarding the addition of a Mobile Digital Forensics & Incident Support
Vehicle. [Mayor Helton]
Mr. Morales noted some grant opportunities had been unsuccessful and some
were still awaiting response. The Council supported Option 3, fully funding for the
budget.
s. Satellite or Cell on Wheels (COW) - Presentation, discussion, and possible
action to provide administrative staff direction regarding the addition of a
Cell on Wheels (COW). [Mayor Helton]
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Mr. Morales provided highlights of the possible equipment choices. Without
objection, the Council supported the purchase of three more portable emergency
response centers (PERCs). Mr. Morales said his team would still pursue
agreements with cell vendors for quick response in times of need.
t. Prefund PD Datacenter HVAC system - Presentation, discussion, and
possible action to provide staff direction regarding the City's Cisco network
infrastructure refresh. [Darren Withers, IT Manager]
Assistant City Manager Matt Daeumer gave an overview. Without objection, the
Council recessed from noon to 12:40 p.m.
u. Golf Course Club House and Events Center - Presentation, discussion, and
possible action to provide administrative staff direction for funding the
construction for Bay Forest Golf Course Clubhouse and Multi -purpose Event
Center. [Matt Daeumer, Assistant City Manager]
Mr. Daeumer presented the proposed imagery and funding options. Without
objection, the Council requested an option for the clubhouse and event center in a
connected or combined facility. The City Manager's Office will proceed with a
consideration for a possible bond election in November and will update the
Council.
v. Replacement of Current Toro Irrigation System with New Rain Bird Irrigation
System - Presentation, discussion, and possible action to replace current
Toro Hydraulic Irrigation System with new modern Rain Bird Irrigation
System. [Billy Stoker, General Manager, Bay Forest Golf Course]
Golf Course Manager Billy Stoker explained the irrigation systems. Councilperson
Lunsford arrived at 1 p.m. Councilperson Engelken left the meeting at 1:19 p.m.
Without objection, the Council agreed to move forward with including funding for
an irrigation design proposal in the budget and a proposed budget of $2.6 million
for FY28.
w. Replacement of La Porte Girl's Softball Restroom and Concession Stand -
Presentation, discussion, and possible action to provide staff direction
regarding the replacement of the restroom and concession stand facility for
La Porte Girl's Softball. [Lindsay French, Recreation Superintendent]
Recreation Superintendent Lindsay French provided an overview. Mr. Daeumer
said this will also be run by the TIRZ Board of Directors. The Council, without
objection, agreed to fund half in each of FY 27 and 28 if TIRZ was not willing to
fund the project.
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x. Flock Camera Grant - Presentation, discussion, and possible action to
provide administrative staff direction relating to the Flock Camera Grant
Program. [Councilperson Bentley]
Mr. Daeumer provided an overview. Police Chief Scott Pullig expressed support of
the program. Without objection, the Council chose to proceed with the option for a
50% cost -share.
y. Parks Tree Install - Presentation, discussion, and possible action to provide
administrative staff direction on a project that proposes an investment to
plant 40 trees a year, as needed, in parks across the city to enhance our
green spaces. [Councilperson Bentley]
Parks Superintendent Shaun Lundy provided options. Without objection, the
Council chose option 1.a., the free donation from Trees of Houston.
z. Addition of Half -Court Basketball Court at Monarch Park - Presentation,
discussion, and possible action to provide administrative staff direction on
the addition ofa half -court basketball court at Monarch Park. [Councilperson
Bentley]
Ms. French covered the design specifications. Without objection, the Council
chose not to proceed with further amenities at this park.
aa. Fairmont Park Fencing Project - Presentation, discussion, and possible
action to provide administrative staff direction relating to the fencing in of
Fairmont Park to limit 4-wheeler and ATV access to the park. [Mayor Helton]
Mr. Miller provided fencing options. Without objection, the Council supported
Option 2 and requested pricing on bollards.
ab.Fire Department Operational Changes - Shift Model - Presentation,
discussion, and possible action to provide administrative staff direction
regarding recent Fire Department operational changes. [Chris Pettis. Fire
Chief]
Fire Chief Chris Pettis updated the Council on the new LPFD shift model of service.
ac. Fire Department Stipend Program - Presentation, discussion, and possible
action to provide administrative staff direction regarding the establishment
of a stipend program for fire department volunteer personnel. [Chris Pettis,
Fire Chief]
Fire Chief Chris Pettis presented the proposed LPFD stipend program to the
approval of the Council. Without objection, the Council recessed from 2:25 to 2:38
p.m.
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ad.KLPB fee for Developers - Presentation, discussion, and possible action to
provide administrative staff direction on creating developer fee that funds
Keep La Porte Beautiful activities. [Matt Daeumer, Assistant City Manager]
Mr. Daeumer offered an overview. Without objection, the Council requested the
City Manager's Office look in to options and provide an update.
ae. Parks Yard Expansion - Presentation, discussion, and possible action to
provide administrative staff direction on a project to expand the current
capacity of the Parks Department's storage area and add covered parking
designed to provide high -clearance, weather -protected storage for
materials, high -value city vehicles and equipment. [Mayor Helton]
Mr. Lundy explained the project. Without objection, the Council supported
providing a full-scale proposal with options, as well as a more professional design
estimate for preliminary design for an opinion of probable cost.
af. Depot Museum - ADDED 03.23.26 - Presentation, discussion, and possible
action to provide administrative staff direction on maintenance of the Depot
Museum. [Councilperson Bentley]
Mr. Mayo provided the proposed scope of repairs.
4. Items of Community Interest
Councilpersons thanked staff for their preparation and presentations.
5. Ad' urn hout objection, Ma or He n adjourned the meeting at 3:03 p.m.
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