CITY COUNCIL MEETING AGENDA

Monday, April 08, 2024 at 6:00 P.m. - 9:00 P.m.

City Hall Council Chamber

604 West Fairmont Parkway, La Porte, Texas, 77571

Notice is hereby given of a regular meeting of the La Porte City Council to be held on April 8, 2024, at 6:00 p.m. in the City Hall Council Chamber, 604 West Fairmount Parkway, La Porte, Texas, for the purpose of considering the following agenda items. All agenda items are subject to action. 

 

Remote participation is available. Attend via a screen using the link.

https://us02web.zoom.us/j/89932677930?pwd=K29LV2cxNitaRkwzVFdPalFUeUcyQT09

Join by phone at 877-853-5257 or 888-475-4499. The meeting ID is 899 3267 7930 and the passcode is 286993. 

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1.

CALL TO ORDER

2.

INVOCATION/PLEDGES

INVOCATION - The invocation will be given by Walter Brumley, La Porte River of God Church.
PLEDGES - Will be led by Councilperson Mandi Williams.

U.S. Flag

Texas Flag: Honor the Texas Flag.  I pledge allegiance to thee, Texas, one state, under God, one and indivisible.

3.

PRESENTATIONS, PROCLAMATIONS, AND RECOGNITIONS

a.

Proclamation in recognition of Sexual Assault Awareness Month. [Louis R. Rigby, Mayor]

b.

Proclamation in recognition of National Animal Control Officer Appreciation Week. [Louis R. Rigby, Mayor]

c.

Proclamation in recognition of National Telecommunicators Week. [Louis R. Rigby, Mayor]

d.

Proclamation in recognition of National Records and Information Management Month. [Louis R. Rigby, Mayor]

e.

State Highway 146 Improvements

Presentation from the Texas Department of Transportation on State Highway 146 Improvements from Spencer Highway to Red Bluff Road. [Ray Mayo, Director of Public Works]

4.

CITIZEN COMMENT

(Generally limited to five minutes per person; in accordance with state law, the time may be reduced if there is a high number of speakers or other considerations.)

5.

CONSENT AGENDA

(Approval of Consent Agenda items authorizes each to be implemented in accordance with staff recommendations provided. An item may be removed from the Consent Agenda and added to the Statutory Agenda for full discussion upon request by a member of the Council present at this meeting.)

a.

Approve the minutes of the March 25, 2024, regular City Council meeting. [Louis R. Rigby, Mayor]

b.

SRO Agreement Extension

Authorize the City Manager to exercise an option for a two-year extension of the School Resource Officer agreement with La Porte Independent School District for the 2024-2025 and 2025-2026 school years. [Bennie Boles, Interim Chief of Police]

c.

CenterPoint Rate Suspension

Adopt Ordinance 2024-3983 suspending the rate increase request and revised rate schedules proposed by CenterPoint Energy Houston Electric, LLC in its application filed with the Public Utility Commission on or about March 6, 2024, and maintaining current rates in effect for delivery of electricity proposed. [Matt Daeumer, Assistant City Manager]

d.

Houston Coalition of Cities

Adopt Resolution 2024-09 authorizing the City of La Porte, Texas, to join with other municipalities as part of the Houston Coalition of Cities, in connection with CenterPoint Energy Houston Electric, LLC's application for approval to increase the retail rate for delivery of electricity. [Matt Daeumer, Assistant City Manager]

e.

Sylvan Beach Letter of Support

Authorize the City Manager to sign a letter of support for the allocation of Fiscal Year 2025 Community Project Funding for the development and enhancement of Sylvan Beach Park in La Porte. [Matt Daeumer, Assistant City Manager]

6.

PUBLIC HEARINGS AND ASSOCIATED ORDINANCES

7.

STATUTORY AGENDA

a.

Police Chief Appointment

Presentation, discussion, and possible action to adopt Resolution 2024-10 confirming the appointment of J. Scott Pullig as the Department Head and Chief of Police of the La Porte Police Department, commencing April 8, 2024. [Corby Alexander, City Manager]

b.

Tobacco and Smokers' Supply Stores

Presentation, discussion, and possible action to direct administrative staff to publish public hearing notices for the La Porte Planning and Zoning Commission and La Porte City Council to consider adoption of a moratorium on the development of Tobacco and Smokers’ Supply Stores within the city limits of La Porte, Texas, in accordance with Chapter 212 of the Texas Local Government Code. [Councilpersons McCaulley, Martin, and Mayor Rigby]

c.

Taser Purchase

Presentation, discussion, and possible action to provide direction on the La Porte Police Department’s taser program. [Bennie Boles, Interim Chief of Police]

8.

REPORTS

a.

Receive report of the April 8, 2024, La Porte Drainage & Flooding Committee meeting. [Councilperson Martin]

9.

ADMINISTRATIVE REPORTS

• La Porte Development Corporation Board of Directors budget planning meeting, April 11
• Planning & Zoning Commission meeting, April 18
• La Porte Development Corporation Board of Directors meeting, April 22
• City Council meeting, April 22

10.

COUNCIL COMMENT

Hear announcements concerning matters appearing on the agenda; items of community interest; and/or inquiries of staff regarding specific factual information or existing policy from the Mayor, Councilpersons, and City staff, for which no formal action will be discussed.

11.

EXECUTIVE SESSION

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 - Municipal Court of Record Judge Janikka Bratton.

12.

RECONVENE into open session and consider action, if any, on item(s) discussed in executive session.

13.

ADJOURN

 

If, during the course of the meeting and discussion of any items covered by this notice, City Council determines that a Closed or Executive Session of the Council is required, then such closed meeting will be held as authorized by Texas Government Code, Chapter 551, Section 551.071 consultation with counsel on legal matters; Section 551.072 - deliberation regarding purchase, exchange, lease or value of real property; Section 551.073 - deliberation regarding a prospective gift; Section 551.074 - personnel matters regarding the appointment, employment, evaluation, reassignment, duties, discipline, or dismissal of a public officer or employee; Section 551.076 - implementation of security personnel or devices; Section 551.087 - deliberation regarding economic development negotiation; Section 551.089 - deliberation regarding security devices or security audits, and/or other matters as authorized under the Texas Government Code. If a Closed or Executive Session is held in accordance with the Texas Government Code as set out above, the City Council will reconvene in Open Session in order to take action, if necessary, on the items addressed during Executive Session.

Persons with disabilities who plan to attend this meeting and who may need auxiliary aids or services are requested to contact the City Secretary's office (281-470-5019), two working days prior to the meeting for appropriate arrangements.

Pursuant to Texas Government Code Sec. 551.127, on a regular, non-emergency basis, members may attend and participate in the meeting remotely by video conference. Should that occur, a quorum of the members will be physically present at the location noted
above on this agenda.

CERTIFICATE

I, Lee Woodward, City Secretary, do hereby certify that a copy of the April 8, 2024, City Council agenda was posted on the City Hall bulletin board, a place convenient and readily accessible to the general public at all times, and to the City's website, www.LaPorteTX.gov, in compliance with Chapter 551, Texas Government Code.

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