HomeMy WebLinkAbout07-13-2026 CC minutesMINUTES OF THE REGULAR MEETING OF THE
CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF LA PORTE
Councilpersons Present: Rick Helton, Brent McCaulley, Mandi Williams, Chuck
Engelken, Bill Bentley, Robert Guerra, Jay Martin, Robbie
McLarrin
Councilpersons Attending Remotely: None
Councilpersons Absent: Brandon Lunsford
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 held a regular meeting on July 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 6:02 p.m.
2. Invocation and Pledges of Allegiance
Pastor Whitener provided an invocation and Landon and Chase Dobson led the
pledges.
3. Citizen Comment
John Callaway spoke in opposition to the establishment of a mosque in La Porte.
Charles Brieden, Gus Brieden, Sam Giammalva, German Rosledo, and Mason
Lamberton asked that Gus Brieden's business be placed back on the truck route.
Pastor Joey Whitener asked that the Council look in to the Muslim religion before
permitting a mosque to be established in the community.
4. Presentations
a. Presentation of the Rotary Club 4th of July parade awards. [Matt Daeumer,
Assistant City Manager]
Mason Peres and Rotary Club members congratulated winning entries from Next
Level Dance, Anchor Ministries, and the LEPC.
b. Presentation from Kendig Keast Collaborative (KKC) - Presentation from
KKC regarding their analysis of the City's current zoning and development
regulations (Chapters 106 and 86 of the Code of Ordinances). [Ryan Hvitlok,
Director of Planning and Development]
Steve Sizemore of Kendig Keast Collaborative provided an update.
5. Consent Agenda
a. Approve the minutes of the June 22, 2026, City Council meeting. [Lee
Woodward, City Secretary/PIO]
b. Ordinance 2026-5052 - Alternate Judge - Adopt Ordinance 2026-5052 to
appoint Kelly Benavides as an alternate judge to the City of La Porte
Municipal Court of Record for the unexpired term expiring on September 30,
2028. [Janikka Bratton, Municipal Court Judge]
c. Appoint/reappoint members of boards, committees, and commissions. [Lee
Woodward, City Secretary]
Building Codes Appeals Board
Omar Jaimes, reappt.
Johnny Guadarrama, reappt.
Mark Follis, reappt.
Ch. 172 Employee, Retiree Insurance and Benefits Board
Aaron Corrales, Retiree Representative, reappt.
Civil Service Commission
Tendai Lynch, reappt.
Fire Code Review Board
Champ Dunham, District 1 appointee, reappt.
La Porte Area Water Authority Board of Directors
Charles Rothmund, reappt.
Nicole Havard, reappt.
La Porte Development Corporation Board of Directors
Brent McCaulley, reappt.
Danny Earp, reappt.
Josh Pressly, initial appt. to this board
Mason Peres, initial appt.to this board (term to begin 9/1/2026)
La Porte Fire Control, Prevention, & Emergency Medical Services District Board
of Directors
Charles Rothmund, reappt.
Champ Dunham, reappt.
Johnny Jones, reappt.
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La Porte Tax Increment Reinvestment Zone Number One (TIRZ #1) Board of
Directors/also serve as the La Porte Redevelopment Authority
Barry Beasley, Position 2, reappt.
Brian Kinkopf, Postion4, reappt.
Mark Goodwin, Position 6, reappt.
Mercy Estrada, Position 7, reappt.
Planning & Zoning Commission
Wayne Landin, District 1 position
Nancy Ojeda, District 6 position
Joe Mock, At -Large B position
ZBOA
Phillip Hoot, reappt. to Position 1
Pat McCabe, reappt. to Position 2
John Willis, currently Alt. 1, initial appt. to Position 3
Patty Hundley, currently Alt. 2, initial appt. to Alt. 1
Barry Plante, initial appt. to Alt. 2
d. Harris County Transit Authority Fixed Bus Route Agreement - Authorize the
Mayor to execute an interlocal agreement between Harris County and the
City of La Porte, Texas, for local bus transit services with an expenditure of
$85,000.00 for the period of twelve (12) months with two (2) automatic
additional one-year terms. [Matt Daeumer, Assistant City Manager]
e. Approve Purchases of Solid Waste Equipment - Approve the purchases of
heavy trash and garbage collection equipment from Houston Freightliner
through BuyBoard Contract HT06-20 for a total expenditure of $694,293.03
[Ray Mayo, Director of Public Works]
f. Resolution 2026-14 — SETH - Adopt Resolution 2026-14 to approve the
assignment of private activity bond authority to the Texas Department of
Housing and Community Affairs in accordance with Texas Government Code
Sec. 1372.044. [Matt Daeumer, Assistant City Manager]
g. Approve Commercial Solid Waste Rate Increase - Approve a 3.81% cost of
living rate adjustment to commercial dumpster service fees to take effect
November 1, 2026, in accordance with contract between GFL Environmental
and the City of La Porte, Texas. [Ray Mayo, Director of Public Works]
h. Resolution 2026-11 - Hazard Mitigation Plan - Adopt Resolution 2026-11, a
resolution adopting the 2025 Harris County Multi -Jurisdictional Hazard
Mitigation Plan. [Johnny Morales, Emergency Management Coordinator]
i. Brookglen Drainage Improvements Phase II - Construction Materials Testing
- Authorize the City Manager to execute a professional services contract
between the City of La Porte, Texas, and Terracon Consultants, Inc., for
construction materials testing for the Brookglen Drainage Improvements
Phase II project, in the amount of $120,855.00. [Jameson Appel, Assistant
Director of Public Works]
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j. Main Street Water Tower Lighting - Authorize the City Manager to execute a
construction contract between the City of La Porte, Texas, and National LED
to provide equipment and lighting installation for Main Street Water Tower
through BuyBoard Contract #779-25 in the amount of $113,800.00 and
provide a construction contingency of $939.00 for a total authorization of
114,739.00. [Ray Mayo, Director of Public Works]
Councilperson Williams pulled item 5.i. Councilperson Engelken moved to approve
the consent agenda, less item 5.i.; Councilperson Williams seconded the motion;
the motion was adopted, 8-0.
Councilperson Engelken moved to authorize the City Manager to execute a
construction contract between the City of La Porte, Texas, and National LED to
provide equipment and lighting installation for Main Street Water Tower through
BuyBoard Contract #779-25 in the amount of $113,800.00 and provide a
construction contingency of $939.00 for a total authorization of 114,739.00; the
motion was seconded by Councilperson Bentley; the motion was adopted, 8-0.
6. Public Hearings and Associated Ordinances
a. Public Hearing on Emergency Services District Fiscal Year 2026 - 2027
Adopted Budget - The City Council will hold a public hearing to receive
comments on the proposed budget of the La Porte Fire Control, Prevention,
and Emergency Medical Services District for Fiscal Year 2026-27, as
approved by the La Porte Fire Control, Prevention, and Emergency Medical
Services District Board of Directors at its meeting held on June 16, 2026;
followed by discussion and possible action to approve or deny the Fiscal
Year 2026-27 proposed budget of the La Porte Fire Control, Prevention, and
Emergency Medical Services District. [Chris Pettis, Fire Chief]
Mayor Helton opened the public hearing at 7:13 p.m. Assistant Chief Crow
provided a report. There were no comments. Mayor Helton closed the public
hearing at 7:16 p.m.
Councilperson Engelken moved to approve the FY2026-27 proposed budget of the
La Porte Fire Control, Prevention, and Emergency Medical Services District; the
motion was seconded by Councilperson Williams; the motion was adopted, 8-0.
b. Chapter 106 Amendment - Section 106-746 "Location of Heavy Truck Uses"
- The City Council will hold a public hearing to receive comments regarding
a recommendation by the Planning & Zoning Commission to adopt
Ordinance 2026-5050 on proposed amendments to Chapter 106 "Zoning" of
the Code of Ordinances of the City of La Porte, Texas, by amending Sec. 106-
746 "Location of Heavy Truck Uses" by adding 1) West Main Street/Spencer
Highway from South 16th Street approximately 1,000 feet west to the rail line
corridor, and 2) West A Street from South 16th Street approximately 630 feet
west to its terminus, to the high frequency truck route; followed by
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discussion and possible action on the same. [Ryan Hvitlok, Director of
Planning and Development].
Mayor Helton opened the public hearing at 7:18 p.m. Mr. Daeumer provided an
overview. Planning and Zoning Commission Chair Victor Peres spoke in opposition
to the ordinance. Gus Brieden spoke in support of the proposal. Mayor Helton
closed the public hearing at 7:42 p.m.
Councilperson McLarrin moved to deny Ordinance 2026-5050 on proposed
amendments to Chapter 106 "Zoning" of the Code of Ordinances of the City of La
Porte, Texas, by amending Sec. 106-746 "Location of Heavy Truck Uses" by
adding 1) West Main Street/Spencer Highway from South 16th Street
approximately 1,000 feet west to the rail line corridor, and 2) West A Street from
South 16th Street approximately 630 feet west to its terminus, to the high
frequency truck route; the motion was seconded by Councilperson Guerra; the
motion was adopted, 8-0.
7. Statutory Agenda
a. Resolution 2026-15 appointing new alternate to the 2026 Houston -Galveston
Area Council Board of Directors/General Assembly [Rick Helton, Mayor]
Councilperson Engelken moved to adopt Resolution 2026-15 to appoint
Councilperson Brent McCaulley as the City's alternate to the 2026 Houston -
Galveston Area Council Board of Directors/General Assembly; Councilperson
Williams seconded the motion; the motion was adopted, 8-0.
b. Nominations for TML IRP Board of Trustees - Presentation, discussion, and
possible action to make nominations to the Texas Municipal League's
Intergovernmental Risk Pool Board of Trustees. [Lee Woodward, City
Secretary/PIO]
Councilperson Engelken moved that the Council put forward Corby Alexander as
a nominee for the TML IRP Board of Trustees ballot; the motion was seconded by
Councilperson Williams; the motion was adopted, 8-0.
c. Benefits Consultant - Presentation, discussion, and possible action to
authorize the City Manager to execute an agreement between the City of La
Porte, Texas and Higginbotham Insurance Agency, Inc. to serve as the City
of La Porte's employee benefits consultant. [Matt Hartlieb, HR Manager]
Mr. Hartlieb provided an overview. Councilperson McCaulley moved to authorize
the City Manager to execute an agreement between the City of La Porte, Texas
and Higginbotham Insurance Agency, Inc. to serve as the City of La Porte's
employee benefits consultant; the motion was seconded by Councilperson
McLarrin; the motion was adopted, 8-0.
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d. Dangerous Buildings - 4901 Valley View Drive - Presentation from the
Dangerous Building Inspections Board on inspection results for building
located at 4901 Valley View Drive, La Porte, Texas, followed by discussion
and possible action authorizing administrative staff to notify the owner of
the determination of the Dangerous Building Inspections Board that the
building at 4901 Valley View Drive, La Porte, Texas, is dangerous, and to
schedule a public hearing. [Ryan Hvitlok, Director of Planning and
Development]
Mr. Daeumer provided an overview. Mayor Pro Tem Guerra moved that staff notify
the owner and bring this property back for a public hearing; the motion was
seconded by Councilperson McCaulley; the motion was adopted, 8-0.
e. Ordinance 2026-5043 - Feeding Feral Ducks and Feral Cats - Presentation,
discussion, and possible action to approve Ordinance 2026-5043, amending
Chapter 14, "Animals" of the City of La Porte Code of Ordinances, to regulate
the feeding of feral ducks and feral cats. [Scott Pullig, Chief of Police]
Chief Pullig offered a presentation. Councilperson Williams expressed concern
that feeding on large lot properties was not exempted. Councilperson McCaulley
moved to adopt Ordinance 2026-5043, amending Chapter 14, "Animals" of the City
of La Porte Code of Ordinances, to regulate the feeding of feral ducks and feral
cats; the motion was seconded by Councilperson Engelken the motion was
adopted, 7-1, Councilperson Williams voting against.
f. Ordinance 2026-5047 - Street and Alley Closure (SAC) Request #SAC-2025-
0016 and #SAC-2026-0003 — Presentation, discussion, and possible action to
adopt Ordinance 2026-5047 for approval of Street and Alley Closure SAC-
2025-0016 and SAC-2026-0003 for the purpose of vacating, abandoning, and
closing the North Iowa Street 60-foot right-of-way between Barbours Cut
Boulevard and North E Street and consisting of approximately 24,000 square
feet, and the north half of North E Street 60-foot right-of-way between North
Broadway Street and center line of North Iowa Street, La Porte, Harris
County, Texas and consisting of approximately 8,800 square feet. [Matt
Daeumer, Assistant City Manager]
g•
This item was pulled for the Planning and Zoning Commission to hear again and
was not considered by the Council.
Brookglen Drainage Improvements Phase II - Construction Award -
Presentation, discussion, and possible action to award construction bid
#26012 for the Brookglen Drainage Improvements Phase II project and
authorize the City Manager to execute a contract with Tandem Services, LLC,
awarding a total bid of $6,957,404.00 with a construction contingency of
$500,000.00 for a total amount of $7,457,404.00 [Jameson Appel, Assistant
Director of Public Works]
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Mr. Appel offered a presentation. Councilperson Engelken moved to award
construction bid #26012 for the Brookglen Drainage Improvements Phase II project
and authorize the City Manager to execute a contract with Tandem Services, LLC,
awarding a total bid of $6,957,404.00 with a construction contingency of
$500,000.00 for a total amount of $7,457,404.00; the motion was seconded by
Councilperson Williams; the motion was adopted, 8-0.
h. Ordinance 2026-5051 - Authorized Emergency Vehicles - Presentation,
discussion, and possible action to adopt Ordinance 2026-5051, designating
City of La Porte Emergency Management vehicles as authorized emergency
vehicles for purposes of Texas Transportation Code Section 541.201 and
authorizing submission of the designated vehicles to the Harris County Toll
Road Authority for authorized emergency vehicle verification. [Johnny
Morales, Emergency Management Coordinator]
Mr. Morales offered an overview. Councilperson Williams moved to adopt
Ordinance 2026-5051, designating City of La Porte Emergency Management
vehicles as authorized emergency vehicles for purposes of Texas Transportation
Code Section 541.201 and authorizing submission of the designated vehicles to
the Harris County Toll Road Authority for authorized emergency vehicle
verification; the motion was seconded by Councilperson Engelken; the motion was
adopted, 8-0.
8. Reports.
a. Receive report of the La Porte Drainage and Flooding Committee meeting
held on July 13, 2026. [Councilperson Martin, Chair]
Councilperson Martin said the committee met; received project updates; heard a
proposal from the new Chief Building Official on to require topographical surveys
for lot grading; and set its next meeting for August 10.
b. Administrative Reports [Corby Alexander, City Manager]
Mr. Alexander reiterated that the City has not received any materials from any
organization with reference to a mosque or for the site being discussed on social
media or any other communication to validate the rumors.
9. Items of Community Interest
Councilpersons thanked the City Manager's Office, Public Works, and the La Porte
Police Department for responsiveness to construction and other issues in Lomax;
thanked the City Council and City staff for work on the drainage projects in Brookglen;
thanked Parks for the landscaping at City Hall; congratulated the City on a successful
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Fourth of July celebration and asked for increased safety for children and golf carts in
the parade; and thanked Public Works for working extended hours last Tuesday.
10. Executive Session
a. Texas Government Code Section 551.074 - Personnel Matters - 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 Secretary Lee Woodward.
Mayor Helton convened the Council into executive session at 8:18 p.m.
11. Reconvene - Mayor Helton reconvened the Council into open session at 9:08 p.m.
Councilperson Engelken moved to increase the City Secretary's base pay by five
percent; the motion was seconded by Councilperson Bentley; the motion was
ado.ted 8-!
1 • .A •'ou n - Without„ R c'. s 'on, Mayor Helton adjourned the meeting at 9:08 p.m.
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