HomeMy WebLinkAbout07-27-2026 CC minutesMINUTES OF THE REGULAR MEETING OF THE
CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF LA PORTE
Councilpersons Present: Rick Helton, Brandon Lunsford, Brent McCaulley, Bill Bentley,
Robert Guerra, Jay Martin, Robbie McLarrin
Councilpersons Attending Remotely: Mandi Williams
Councilpersons Absent: Chuck Engelken
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 27, 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 p.m.
2. Invocation and Pledges of Allegiance
Reverend Jackie King of Victory Tabernacle provided an invocation and Mallorie Blagg
led the pledges.
3. Recognitions
a. Recognition of Employees for Years of Service
Shane Neal - School Resource Officer
Kennard Givens - CIP Manager
Jacob Deering - Solid Waste Worker
Tim Wells - Senior Equipment Operator
4. Citizen Comment
Phillip Hoot expressed concerns about the control of alarms going off in the city.
Michael Maglitto said he felt it unfair to judge a religion based on the activities of a
portion of its adherents. Barry Plante applauded the work, behavior, and friendliness
of the Public Works and Parks teams in the Shoreacres neighborhood. He suggested
added signage for parking issues in parks and offered his support for redistricting.
5. Presentations
a. Gulf Coast Protection District Presentation - Presentation by Michel Bechtel,
Vice President of the Gulf Coast Protection District on their project's progress.
[Haley Bowers, Economic Development Manager]
Michel Bechtel, Vice President of the Gulf Coast Protection District, provided an
update.
6. Consent Agenda
a. Approve the minutes of the July 13, 2026, City Council meeting. [Lee
Woodward, City Secretary/PIO]
b. Appoint/reappoint members of boards, committees, and commissions. [Lee
Woodward, City Secretary]
c. Set Date for Public Hearing on the Fiscal Year 2026-27 Proposed Budget -
Approve the recommended date of September 14, 2026, for the Public
Hearing on the City of La Porte, Texas' 2026-2027 Fiscal Year Proposed
Budget. [Shelley Wolny, Assistant Finance Director]
d. Certify Ad Valorem Tax Collection Rate - Receive report from tax assessor
regarding the anticipated combined 2026 Ad Valorem tax collection rate of
for the City of La Porte, Texas. [Michael Dolby, Finance Director]
e. Meet and Confer Pay Scale - Approve adoption of the proposed 2026-27 pay
scale for positions covered by the Meet and Confer Agreement between the
City of La Porte, Texas, and the La Porte Police Officers Association. [Matt
Hartleib, HR Manager]
f. Brookglen Parking Lot - Construction Award - Authorize the City Manager to
execute a construction contract between the City of La Porte, Texas, and
Brooks Concrete Inc. for the expansion of the Brookglen Community Center
Parking Lot, and awarding a total bid of $164,181.72 with a construction
contingency of $30,000.00 for a total expenditure of $194,181.72. [Jameson
Appel, Assistant Director Public Works]
Councilperson Bentley moved to approve the consent agenda; Councilperson
Martin seconded the motion; the motion was adopted, 8-0.
7. Public Hearings and Associated Ordinances
a. Ordinance 2026-5053 for Special Conditional Use Permit (SCUP) #SCUP-
2026-0004 - The City Council will hold a public hearing to receive comments
regarding a recommendation by the Planning & Zoning Commission to adopt
Ordinance 2026-5053 for Special Conditional Use Permit #SCUP-2026-0004,
a request by Heather Carter, applicant, on behalf of KBK Petroleum Inc.,
owner, to allow Pet Care (Except Veterinary) Services (NAICS 812910) on
approximately 0.91 acres of land within the Neighborhood Commercial (NC)
zoning district and located at 9805 W. Fairmont Parkway, Suite A , La Porte,
Harris County, Texas (HCAD Parcel No. 023-146-000-0798) followed by
discussion and possible action on the same. [Matt Daeumer, Assistant City
Manager]
Mayor Helton opened the public hearing at 6:34 p.m. Mr. Daeumer provided a
report. There were no public comments. Mayor Helton closed the public hearing at
6:39 p.m.
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Councilperson Bentley moved to approve Ordinance 2026-5053 for Special
Conditional Use Permit #SCUP-2026-0004, a request by Heather Carter,
applicant, on behalf of KBK Petroleum Inc., owner, to allow Pet Care (Except
Veterinary) Services (NAICS 812910) on approximately 0.91 acres of land within
the Neighborhood Commercial (NC) zoning district and located at 9805 W.
Fairmont Parkway, Suite A , La Porte, Harris County, Texas; the motion was
seconded by Councilperson Lunsford; 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 2026-5054 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 West M Street from S. 16th
Street west to the terminus at the rail line, for an approximate distance of 640
feet, to the high frequency truck route; followed by discussion and possible
action on the same. [Matt Daeumer, Assistant City Manager].
Mayor Helton opened the public hearing at 6:41 p.m. Mr. Daeumer provided a
report. Alton Ogden provided public comment on the gate access to M Street.
Mayor Helton closed the public hearing at 7:07 p.m.
Councilperson McCaulley moved to DENY approval of Ordinance 2026-5054 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 West M Street from S. 16th Street west to the terminus at the rail line, for
an approximate distance of 640 feet, to the high frequency truck route and ask staff
to bring an ordinance to add West M Street from S. 16th Street west to the terminus
at the rail line, for an approximate distance of 640 feet, to the truck route in Chapter,
70 of the City's Code of Ordinances; the motion was seconded by Mayor Pro Tem
Guerra; the motion was adopted, 8-0.
8. Statutory Agenda
a. Appointment to SETH Finance Corporation Board of Directors -
Presentation, discussion, and possible action to appoint Pinkie Ned as the
City's representative to the SETH Finance Corporation Board of Directors
beginning September 1, 2026, and setting the term length of the
appointment.
Councilperson Bentley moved to appoint Pinkie Ned as the City's representative
to the SETH Finance Corporation Board of Directors beginning September 1,
2026, for a term of six years; Councilperson Lunsford seconded the motion; the
motion was adopted, 8-0.
b. Facility Naming - Presentation, discussion, and possible action to adopt
Ordinance 2026-5049 naming the real property located at 113 South 2nd
Street, La Porte, Texas as La Porte Veterans Park. [Haley Bowers, Economic
Development Manager]
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Mrs. Bowers provided an overview. Mayor Pro Tem Guerra moved to approve
Ordinance 2026-5049 naming the real property located at 113 South 2nd Street,
La Porte, Texas as La Porte Veterans Park; the motion was seconded by
Councilperson McLarrin; the motion was adopted, 8-0.
c. Park Dedication - Presentation, discussion, and possible action to adopt
Ordinance 2026-5048 dedicating a 0.215-acre tract of land located at 113
South 2nd Street, legally described as lots Eight (8), Nine (9), and Ten (10)
block Thirty -Eight (38), Town of La Porte, as a public park to be known as La
Porte Veterans Park and amending Chapter 50 "Parks and Recreation" of the
City of La Porte Code of Ordinances to add said park to the city park system
and to update existing park names and addresses. [Haley Bowers, Economic
Development Manager]
Mrs. Bowers provided an overview. Mayor Pro Tem Guerra moved to approve
Ordinance 2026-5048 dedicating a 0.215-acre tract of land located at 113 South
2nd Street, legally described as lots Eight (8), Nine (9), and Ten (10) block Thirty -
Eight (38), Town of La Porte, as a public park to be known as La Porte Veterans
Park and amending Chapter 50 "Parks and Recreation" of the City of La Porte
Code of Ordinances to add said park to the city park system and to update existing
park names and addresses; the motion was seconded bv councilperson Bentley;
the motion was adopted, 8-0.
d. Incentive Agreement - Presentation, discussion, and possible action to
approve expenditure of the La Porte Development Corporation in an amount
not to exceed $850,000.00 in connection with economic development
Incentive agreement between the La Porte Development Corporation and
Pfeiffer & Son, Ltd. [Haley Bowers, Economic Development Manager]
Mrs. Bowers presented the proposal. Mayor Helton announced he would be filing
a conflict -of -interest affidavit, left the Council chamber, and did not participate in
discussion or the vote on the item. Councilperson Martin moved to approve the
expenditure of the La Porte Development Corporation in an amount not to exceed
$850,000.00 in connection with economic development Incentive agreement
between the La Porte Development Corporation and Pfeiffer & Son, Ltd.; the
motion was seconded bv Councilperson McCaullev; the motion was adopted, 7-0.
e. Northwest Basketball Pavilion - Presentation, discussion, and possible
action to authorize the City Manager to execute a contract with Kraftsman
Commercial Playgrounds and Water Parks utilizing BuyBoard Contract No.
781-25 in the amount of $449,247.29 for the surfacing of two full-size
basketball courts, installation of new basketball goals, and construction of a
lighted pavilion over the courts with a contingency in the amount of
$44,925.71 for a total authorization of $494,173.00. [Tim Miller, Director, Parks
& Recreation]
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Mr. Daeumer and Mr. Mayo provided information on the plans. Councilperson
Williams moved to authorize the City Manager to execute a contract with
Kraftsman Commercial Playgrounds and Water Parks utilizing BuyBoard Contract
No. 781-25 in the amount of $449,247.29 for the surfacing of two full-size
basketball courts, installation of new basketball goals, and construction of a lighted
pavilion over the courts with a contingency in the amount of $44,925.71 for a total
authorization of $494,173.00; the motion was seconded by Councilpersons
Bentley and McLarrin; the motion was adopted, 8-0.
f. Redistricting - Presentation, discussion, and possible action to 1) authorize
the city manager to execute a contract with the firm of Bickerstaff, Heath,
Delgado & Acosta, LLC to prepare plan for redistricting of La Porte City
Council single -member districts effective for the May 2027 municipal
election, and/or 2) form a Redistricting Advisory Committee, in connection
with the consolidation of the City of Shoreacres, Texas, with the City of La
Porte, Texas, in May of 2026. The City Council reserves the right to convene
in executive session to discuss legal issues associated therewith in
accordance with Texas Government Code Sec. 551.071(2) - Consultation with
Attorney. [Rick Helton, Mayor]
Bob Heath of Bickerstaff Heath provided explanations on redistricting. Mayor Pro
Tem Guerra moved to authorize the city manager to execute a contract with the
firm of Bickerstaff, Heath, Delgado & Acosta, LLC to prepare plan for redistricting
of La Porte City Council single -member districts effective for the May 2027
municipal election and form a Redistricting Advisory Committee, in connection with
the consolidation of the City of Shoreacres, Texas, with the City of La Porte, Texas,
in May of 2026; the motion was seconded by Councilperson Martin; the motion
was adopted, 8-0.
9. Reports
a. Report of the Fiscal Affairs Committee meeting held on July 27, 2026
[Councilperson Engelken]
Councilperson Martin said the committee received P-card and investment reports
and lauded the Finance Department for their work, and announced the Committee
set its next meeting for November 9.
b. Report of the La Porte Development Corporation Board of Directors meeting
held on July 27, 2026 [Councilperson Engelken]
Councilperson McCaulley the Board met, approved changes to the enhancement
grant policy, approved the Board's proposed budget for 2026-2027, approved
amendments to grants for Pfeiffer & Son and Main 101, approved an enhancement
grant for Roustabouts Icehouse, approved an deadline extension to an agreement
with Panacea, approved funds for a Purple Heart Monument at La Porte Veterans
Park, and set the next meeting for August 24.
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c. City of La Porte, Texas, Fund Balance Report [Michael Dolby, Finance
Director]
Mr. Dolby said the General Fund was expected to end the fiscal year with a fund
balance of approximately $94M and currently has 549 days of working capital. Mr.
Dolby said the Utility Fund has 151 days of working capital.
d. Administrative reports [Corby Alexander, City Manager]
• Update on staff positions
• Animal Shelter statistics
• Linear Park Sound Wall
Mr. Alexander provided a report of open staffing; noted Fire Marshal Clif Meekins
is out indefinitely due to illness; shared statistics from the Animal Shelter; and
discussed the construction plans for the linear sound wall.
10.Items of Community Interest - Councilpersons shared compliments on City staff
from LPISD on Johnny Morales and the Storm Bertha weather updates, and from an
HPD Captain for LPFD and LP EMS personnel.
11. 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 Manager Corby Alexander.
This item was pulled before the meeting and rescheduled for the August 24, 2026
agenda.
12. Reconvene — The Council did not convene in executive session.
13.djourn
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ithout objection, �Vlayor Helton adjourned the meeting at 8:14 p.m.
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