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Home My WebLink About05-11-2026 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; Janikka Bratton, Municipal Court Judge The City Council of the City of La Porte held a regular meeting on May 11, 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 Reverend Brian Christen provided an invocation and Cale Ebersole led the pledges. 3. Recognitions a. Recognition of National Public Works Week - May 17 - 23, 2026 Recognition of National Public Works Week - May 17 - 23, 2026 [Andrew Brady, Assistant Director of Public Works] b. Recognition of National EMS Week - May 17-23, 2026 Recognition of EMS Week, May 17-23, 2026. 4. Citizen Comment Steve Gillett spoke about 1727 S Broadway, which he termed a junkyard and inquired about zoning implication. Phillip Hoot said Seabreeze Pier looks great and encouraged all to go out and see it. Connie Ramirez thanked the City of La Porte for their work during the consolidation election process. Councilperson Williams came to the public podium asked that the piers at Sylvan Beach and Seabreeze be made in to rock jetties. Without objection, items 7.a. and 7.b. were handled after this item. 5. Presentations a. Presentation on Navy Fleet Week. [Kayla O'Bryan, Marketing and Events Coordinator] Mrs. O'Bryan offered a presentation highlighting the overwhelming success of the first Houston Fleet Week and La Porte's key role in hosting the opening breakfast and hosting and participating in several events throughout. b. Presentation introducing the Unified Land Development Code (ULDC) project. [Ryan Hvitlok, Director of Planning and Development] Mr. Hvitlak introduced Steve Sizemore, PhD, AICP, from Kendig Keast Collaborative, who provided a presentation. c. Presentation and update on the Youth Advisory Council projects. [Matt Daeumer, Assistant City Manager] Mr. Daeumer introduced YAC President Mallory Blagg and Vice President Melissa Hemandez, who revealed the YAC's sculpture design competition winner. Without objection, the Council recessed from 6:48-6:53 p.m. Mayor Helton announced that word has been received that the City of Shoreacres had canvassed its election and consolidation of the two cities had occurred. 6. Consent Agenda a. Approve the minutes of the regular City Council meeting held on April 27, 2026. [Lee Woodward, City Secretary/PIO] b. IDAAgreement-AdoptOrdinance 2020-IDA-167 authorizing the execution by the City of La Porte, Texas, of an Industrial District Agreement with 8803 Hwy 225, LLC for property located at 8803 State Hwy 225, in the Battleground Industrial District. [Shelley Wolny, Assistant Finance Director] c. Recreation & Fitness Center Cardio Equipment -Authorize the City Manager to execute contract for the purchase and installation of new cardio equipment for the Recreation & Fitness Center in the amount of $158,424.00 from CommFit, through BuyBoard Contract #764-25. [Lindsay French, Recreation Superintendent] d. Approve the appointment of David Janda to an open position on the La Porte Development Corporation Board of Directors. [Rick Helton, Mayor] Councilperson Engelken moved to approve the consent agenda items; Councilperson Williams seconded the motion; the motion was adopted, 9-0. 7. Statutory Agenda a. Presentation, discussion, and possible action to adopt Ordinance 2026-5038 canvassing the returns of the May 2, 2026, City of La Porte, Texas, general and special elections. [Lee Woodward, City Secretary] 2 [Items 7.a. and 7.b. were taken up without objection after item 4.] Ms. Woodward provided the results and Mayor Helton declared candidates elected and measures adopted. Councilperson Engelken moved to adopt Ordinance 2026-5038, canvassing the returns of the May 2, 2026, City of La Porte, Texas, general and special elections; the motion was seconded by Councilperson Williams; the motion was adopted, 9-0. The election was held for the purpose of electing members to the offices of Council At -Large Position B, Councilperson District 1, and Councilperson District 6; and the special elections to approve or deny the proposition "The reauthorization of the local sales and use tax in the City of La Porte, Texas, at the rate of one-fourth of one percent to continue providing revenue for maintenance and repair of municipal streets. the tax expires on the fourth anniversary of the date of this election unless the imposition of the tax is reauthorized." and to approve or deny the proposition "Shall the City of Shoreacres, Texas, be consolidated with and known as the City of La Porte, Texas" and the results were as follows: COUNCILPERSON AT -LARGE POSITION B Brent McCaulley 764 Krystle Hammers 519 COUNCILPERSON DISTRICT 1 Mandi Williams 161 COUNCILPERSON DISTRICT 6 Wyatt Smith 107 Robbie McLarrin 225 PROPOSITION A - MUNICIPAL STREET TAX REAUTHORIZATION For 946 Against 394 PROPOSITION B - SHOREACRES CONSOLIDATION WITH LA PORTE For 860 Against 487 b. Swearing in of the newly elected Councilperson At -Large Position B, Councilperson District 1, and Councilperson District 6 [Lee Woodward, City Secretary] Municipal Court Judge Janikka Bratton administered the statements and oaths of office and Mayor Helton presented certificates of election. c. Ordinance 2025-4036 Special Conditional Use Permit (SCUP) #SCUP-2026- 0001 - Presentation, discussion and possible action to adopt Ordinance 2025-4036 for Special Conditional Use Permit #SCUP-2026-0001, a request 3 by Mario Lanza, applicant, on behalf of 92 FAIRMONT LAKES INC, property owner, to allow for a residential subdivision including 204 lots, generally located at the northeast corner of Wharton Weems Blvd and State Highway 146, La Porte, Harris County, Texas. [Ryan Hvitlok, Director of Planning & Development] Mr. Hvitlok provided details on the updated SCUP. Mercy Estrada spoke in appreciation of the work on the changes. Mayor Helton confirmed the correct version of ExhibitAto SCUP-2026-0001 provides for a 12' high masonry fence with soundproofing materials along the western boundary of the project and 8' high masonry fence with soundproofing materials along southern boundary of the project. Mayor Helton moved to adopt Ordinance 2025-4036 for Special Conditional Use Permit #SCUP-2026-0001, a request by Mario Lanza, applicant, on behalf of 92 Fairmont Lakes Inc., property owner, to allow for a residential subdivision including 204 Tots, generally located at the northeast comer of Wharton Weems Blvd and State Highway 146, La Porte, Harris County, Texas; the motion was seconded by Councilperson Williams; the motion was adopted, 9-0. d. Unified Land Development Code Advisory Committee - Presentation, discussion, and possible action to appoint members to the Unified Land Development Code Advisory Committee (ULDCAC). [Ryan Hvitlok, Director of Planning & Development] Mr. Hvitlok provided an overview. Mayor Helton said he would like his nominations to be Councilpersons Engelken and Lunsford. Mayor Pro Tem McCaullev moved to appoint members to the Unified Land Development Code Advisory Committee (ULDCAC) as presented, including the Mayor's nominees; the motion was seconded by Councilperson Guerra; the motion was adopted, 9-0. The appointed members are: Councilperson Chuck Engelken Councilperson Brandon Lunsford Jeff Martin, La Porte/Bayshore Chamber of Commerce Mark Follis, Planning and Zoning Commission Wayne Landin, Planning and Zoning Commission Sean McCabe, Planning and Zoning Commission Nancy Ojeda, Planning and Zoning Commission Tyrone Jones Terry Medders Geovanny Bejar Travis Barnett 4 e. School Resource Officer Contract - Presentation, discussion, and possible action to authorize the City Manager to execute a three-year agreement between the City of La Porte, Texas, and the La Porte Independent School District (LPISD) to post law enforcement personnel at LPISD facilities during academic school year. [Scott Pullig, Chief of Police] Chief Pullig introduced Matt Novosad as the new Assistant Police Chief and provided an overview. Councilperson Engelken moved to authorize the City Manager to execute a three-year agreement between the City of La Porte, Texas, and the La Porte Independent School District (LPISD) to post law enforcement personnel at LPISD facilities during academic school year; the motion was seconded by Councilperson Williams; the motion was adopted, 9-0. f. La Porte Girl's Softball Contract - Presentation, discussion and possible action to authorize the City Manager to execute an agreement between the City of La Porte, Texas, and La Porte Girl's Softball Association for the use of Little Cedar Bayou Park, Deotis Gay Softball Field and Fairmont Park ballfield #4 with term ending December 31, 2031. [Tim Miller, Parks & Recreation Director] Mr. Miller introduced Megan Smith of the La Porte Girls Softball Association, who provided an overview. Councilperson McLarrin moved to authorize the City Manager to execute an agreement between the City of La Porte, Texas, and La Porte Girl's Softball Association for the use of Little Cedar Bayou Park, Deotis Gay Softball Field and Fairmont Park ballfield #4 with term ending December 31, 2031; the motion was seconded by Councilperson Engelken; the motion was adopted, 9- 0. g. Facility Naming - Presentation, discussion, and possible action to name the front plaza of the new La Porte City Hall in honor of Doris Pauline Lewis. [Rick Helton, Mayor] Mayor Helton provided an overview. Councilperson Engelken moved to authorize the naming of the front plaza of the new La Porte City Hall in honor of Doris Pauline Lewis; the motion was seconded b _Mayor Pro Tem McCaulley; the motion was adopted, 9-0. 8. Reports a. Presentation on Small Business Workshops [Haley Bowers, Economic Development Manager] Mrs. Bowers provided a report on the City's ongoing partnership with the Small Business Administration's (SBA) Houston District Office to provide training and resources to local businessowners and potential businessowners. She also shared information on an upcoming workshop for franchisees with a company called FranNet. 5 b. Report of the Drainage and Flooding Committee meeting held on May 11, 2026 [Councilperson Martin] Councilperson Martin said the committee met, received updates from staff and the Harris County Flood Control District (HCFCD), and set its next meeting for June 8, 2026. c. Administrative Reports [Corby Alexander, City Manager] Mr. Alexander noted the consolidation is complete and that his office will be providing regular updates as projects commence, such as water meter replacement. 9. Items of Community Interest Councilpersons congratulated the newly elected Councilpersons, new Asst. Police Chief Matt Novosad, and the residents of Shoreacres; thanked the HR and Public Works teams for the Public Works Week event; encouraged all to come out to the Seabreeze Pier ribbon cutting tomorrow; lauded the murals and season closing events last weekend for the Boys Baseball Association; expressed appreciation for Kayla's coverage of Fleet Week; shared a tour of the new city hall and wished that citizens will come in to the building to use it and get involved; and shared a conversation with a resident who was thankful for Kennard and Jameson and the work for their senior sidewalk and garden. 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 City Manager Corby Alexander. Mayor Helton convened the Council into executive session at 7:39 p.m. 11. Reconvene - Mayor Helton reconvened the Council into open session at 8:52 p.m. .A o journ - Without ob'e• '. a or Helton ad'ourned the meetin• at 8:53 1 6