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Home My WebLink About04-13-2026 CC minutes O� L .o � O,p v m rtes MINUTES 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, Robert Guerra, Jay Martin, Robbie MCLarrin Councilpersons Attending Remotely: None Councilpersons Absent: Bill Bentley 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 April 13, 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 6:01 D.M. 2_ Invocation and Pledges of Allegiance Father Houston Okonma of St. Mary's Catholic Church provided an invocation and Ethan Scroggins led the pledges_ 3_ Recognitions a_ Recognize Public Official of the Year, Corby Alexander[Rick Helton, Mayor] b_ Recognize National Telecommunicator Week,April 12-18 c_ Recognize National Animal Care and Control Week, April 12-18 d_ Recognize National Volunteer Week, April 19-25 4_ Citizen Comment Aaron [Daniel O'Neal spoke in support of the Ray of Light Food Pantry_ 5_ Presentations a_ Fleet Week Presentation - Presentation on Fleet Week Houston, highlighting its significance, regional impact, and the City of La Porte's role in hosting historic maritime events and community engagement opportunities_April 15- 22, 2026, the inaugural Fleet Week Houston will bring multiple U-S_ Navy vessels and Sailors, Marines, and Coast Guardsmen to the city for a series of events and experiences_ [Kayla O'Bryan, Marketing & Special Events Coordinator] 6. Consent Agenda a. Approve the minutes of the March 23, 2026, regular and March 28, 2026, special City Council meetings. [Lee Woodward, City Secretary/PIO] b. Updated Central Count Station appointments for May 2, 2026, election cycle [Lee Woodward, City Secretary/PIO] c. Northwest Park Bridge - Authorize the City Manager to execute a contract between the City of La Porte, Texas,and Kraftsman Commercial Playgrounds and Water Parks for purchase and installation of pedestrian bridge at Northwest Park, in the amount of $549,813.05, through BuyBoard Contract #679-22. [Tim Miller, Director of Parks and Recreation] d. Authorize the City Manager to execute an agreement between the City of La Porte, Texas, and the La Porte Livestock and Rodeo Association for the use of Lomax Arena. [Tim Miller, Parks & Recreation Director] Councilperson Engelken moved to approve the consent agenda items; Councilperson Williams seconded the motion; the motion was adopted, 8-0. 7. Statutory Agenda a. Linear Park Sound Wall - Design Services - Presentation, discussion, and possible action to authorize the City Manager to execute a professional services contract between the City of La Porte, Texas, and Cobb Fend ley & Associates, Inc. for design of the Linear Park Soundwall project, in the amount of$155,500.00. [Jameson Appel,Assistant Director of Public Works] Mr. Appel offered a presentation. Councilperson Guerra moved to authorize the City Manager to execute a professional services contract between the City of La Porte, Texas, and Cobb Fend ley & Associates, Inc. for design of the Linear Park Soundwall project, in the amount of $155,500.00; the motion was seconded by Councilperson Engelken; the motion was adopted, 8-0. b. Ordinance 2026-5037 - Repeal Chapter 22 Regarding Mobile Food Vendors - Presentation, discussion, and possible action to adopt Ordinance 2026-5037 repealing regulations applicable to mobile food vendors as codified in Chapter 22 "Businesses", Section 22-58 of the Code of Ordinances of the City of La Porte, Texas. [Ryan Hvitlok, Director of Planning of Development] Mr. Hvitlok provided an overview. Councilperson Guerra moved to adopt Ordinance 2026-5037 repealing regulations applicable to mobile food vendors as codified in Chapter 22 "Businesses," Section 22-58 of the Code of Ordinances of the City of La Porte, Texas; the motion was seconded by Councilperson Engelken; the motion was adopted, 8-0. c. Ordinance 2026-5039 - Bird Sanctuary - Presentation, discussion, and possible action to adopt Ordinance 2026-5039 amending Chapter 14 of the City of La Porte, Texas, Code of Ordinances to exempt Muscovy ducks and other non-protected birds from the City of La Porte's bird sanctuary 2 regulations and to allow for the removal of same by citizens and/or provide administrative staff with additional direction. [Councilpersons McLarrin, McCaulley, and Guerra] Chief Pullig shared background on the issue. Councilperson McLarrin moved to adopt Ordinance 2026-5039 amending Chapter 14 of the City of La Porte, Texas, Code of Ordinances to exempt Muscovy ducks and other non-protected birds from the City of La Porte's bird sanctuary regulations and to allow for the removal of same by citizens; the motion was seconded by Councilperson Guerra; the motion was adopted, 8-0. d. Presentation, discussion, and possible action to provide administrative staff with direction on staffing at the police department. [Rick Helton, Mayor] Mayor Helton and Chief Pullig offered information on the proposal. Without objection the addition of two LPPD officers was approved for inclusion in the proposed FY26-27 City budget, 8. Reports a. Report of the Drainage and Flooding Committee meeting held on April 13, 2026 [Councilperson Martin] Councilperson Martin said the committee met, received project updates, and set the next meeting for May 11 . b. Explanation of property tax valuation processes [Rick Helton, Mayor] City Manager Corby Alexander introduced Hugh Landrum from Landrum & Associates and provided an explanation of ad valorem taxation. c. Administrative Reports [Corby Alexander, City Manager] Mr. Alexander said there were no reports. 9. Items of Community Interest Councilpersons congratulated City Manager Corby Alexander on his award; thanked all those recognized at the beginning of the meeting; asked for attention to the traffic light timing at Fairmont and Canada Road; reminded all of the early voting dates for the May election; thanked Kayla Baez and Johnny Morales for their work on Fleet Week; congratulated Chief Pettis on being re-elected as Fire Chief, and thanked the Fire Department for the weekend's egg hunt and crawfish boil; and thanked the City Manager and City Secretary for attending the consolidation town halls. 3 10.Executive Session a. Personnel Matter - Texas Government Code Section 551.074 - Personnel Matters. Deliberation regarding the appointment, employment, evaluation, reassignment, duties, discipline, or dismissal of a public officer or employee - City Council will meet in closed session with Municipal Court Judge Janikka Bratton. b. Personnel Matter - Texas Government Code Section 551.074 - Personnel Matters. Deliberation regarding the appointment, employment, evaluation, reassignment, duties, discipline, or dismissal of a public officer or employee - City Council will meet in closed session with City Manager Corby Alexander. Mayor Helton convened the Council in executive session at 7:31 p.m. 11.Reconvene Mayor Helton reconvened the Council in open session at 8:57 p.m. Councilperson Engelken moved to approve a 4.16% salary increase for the municipal judge, with no change to the judge's car allowance;Mayor Pro Tern McCaulley seconded the motion; the motion was adopted, 8-0. 12.Adjourn -Without objection Mayor Helton adjourned the meeting at 8:58 p.m.k..ee oodward, i Sicreta �� '<r�) I 4