City Council - 2026-03-28

Council approved adding 3 paramedic ones and 3 paramedic twos to staff an additional 24/7 ambulance at Fire Station 1 East Side. First year cost $349,500 (half year), recurring $699,000-$810,000 annually. Current call volume exceeds 5,000 annually, up from 3,875 in 2013.

Council approved adding one facility technician one position for the 36,000 square foot new City Hall building. First year cost $125,045 including salary, benefits, workstation. Vehicle will be a holdback from another department rather than new purchase.

Council approved one park worker one position as roving garbage collector for high-visibility corridors, illegal dumping response, and rapid response to complaints. First year cost $105,869 including new truck, recurring $66,967.

Council approved one recreation specialist position to serve as primary liaison for Keep La Porte Beautiful while supporting parks marketing and special events. First year cost $77,503, recurring $74,446. Position split 60% KLPB support, 40% departmental support.

Council approved adding one community service inspector to planning development department for code enforcement. First year cost $133,848 including vehicle. Position will manage neighborhood liaison volunteer program generating 25-30 potential violations weekly.

Council approved adding one HR generalist to bring HR staffing ratio from 0.73 to 0.91, closer to regional average of 0.97. First year cost $88,000, recurring $84,000. HR headcount unchanged since 2016 despite adding 130 FTEs.

Council approved three-man garbage crew and rear loader collection vehicle for Shore Acres consolidation (709 homes, 780 tons annually). First year cost $576,695. Council directed this be approved regardless of consolidation outcome.

Council approved one senior operator and one equipment operator plus two vehicles for heavy trash collection serving Shore Acres (estimated 4,900 cubic yards annually). Council directed this be approved regardless of consolidation.

Council approved one equipment operator and two mowing equipment pieces for 22 miles of open ditches in Shore Acres. First year cost $329,711. Contingent on consolidation.

Council approved one court specialist position for municipal court to handle Shore Acres caseload (825 cases annually). Cost $61,063.87 salary/benefits. City retains $102,169 of $158,904 in court revenue.

Council deferred decision on solid waste rate increase. Current rate $18/month established in 2011; actual cost $30.75/month creating $1.8M annual shortfall subsidized by general fund. Staff proposed $8.26/month increase to cover consolidation costs.

Council received update on transfer station feasibility study. RFQ advertised with only one respondent (Geosyntech Consultants). $250,000 budgeted for consultant study. Baytown Landfill projected at capacity by 2037.

Council approved $320,000 needs assessment for 1980-era wastewater treatment plant approaching 50 years age. Assessment will provide 10-year capital improvement plan with estimated costs exceeding $10M. Ardura to provide proposal.

Council approved moving forward with Fire Station 1 renovation at approximately $2M. Project includes HVAC replacement for entire facility and fire marshal wing conversion to dormitories after fire marshals move to new City Hall.

Council approved $1.5M total for EOC upgrades: $500,000 already pre-funded, $500,000 in FY27, $500,000 in FY28. Project includes new workstations, video walls, increased seating from 20 to 26 positions, improved AV systems.

Council approved $325,000 general fund allocation in FY27 for drone vehicle/incident support vehicle. Vehicle will support drone operations, digital forensics, and provide workspace for responders with cell and satellite internet capabilities.

Council approved purchase of 3 additional portable emergency response centers at approximately $8,000 each ($34,000 total) instead of larger satellite communications trailer. PERCs provide WiFi coverage using cellular data with multiple carrier SIMs.

Council approved proceeding with architectural design for golf course clubhouse ($7.35M) and multipurpose event center ($6.86M), total approximately $14-16M. $1.8M already budgeted for design. Ad hoc committee to be formed for oversight.

Council approved proceeding with Rain Bird irrigation system replacement for golf course. Estimated cost $2.2-2.6M. Current Toro hydraulic system installed 1986 is failing. Design fee approximately $35,000. Will seek EDC funding from returned baseball field funds ($1.5M).

Council approved pre-funding replacement of 40-year-old restroom and concession stand at Little Cedar Bayou Park girls softball fields. Total cost $1.53M. Will seek TERS funding; if declined, pre-fund 50% FY27 and 50% FY28.

Council voted to maintain current 50% grant match for HOA Flock cameras rather than moving to 100% city funding. Current program has 7 cameras across 4 HOAs. Police to evaluate if additional city-owned cameras needed in strategic locations.

Council approved Option 1A: accepting free tree donations from Trees for Houston, with city handling installation. Partnership with Keep La Porte Beautiful for community planting events. 15-gallon trees (Texas red oak, live oak) for parks.

Council declined proposal to install half court basketball court at Monarch Park. Only feasible location was parking lot, which would eliminate 12 of 19 parking spaces. Fairmont Park has full basketball court less than half mile away.

Council approved Option 2 for ornamental fencing along Collingswood and parking lot interior ($50,000-$55,000) to restrict ATV/four-wheeler access. Staff to research bollards with cable for backside along bayou as potentially cheaper alternative to chain link.

Council received update on new volunteer shift model launched February 2026. Volunteers can now fulfill requirements through 40 hours monthly in 4-hour blocks instead of 25/40 response rule. Program opened to non-residents. Currently 11 volunteers enrolled, 17 expected by June.

Council approved $173,000 for volunteer firefighter stipend program. 25/40 model volunteers receive $5 per general alarm, $2 per station call. Shift model volunteers receive $32 per 4-hour block. Includes Social Security and Medicare costs.

Council directed staff to research creating developer fee on new construction to fund Keep La Porte Beautiful activities. Current FY27 proposed budget: $14,800 operating, $500,000 landscaping, $77,503 personnel ($592,303 total).

Council directed staff to return with expanded options for covered parking and storage at parks department. Initial estimate $765,000 for 4,000 sq ft metal building and 25,000 sq ft stabilized surface. Council requested options covering entire equipment area.

Council approved pre-funding $244,000 annually over 5 years for eventual replacement of 2016 rack-mounted HVAC system supporting IT infrastructure at police department. Current system functioning properly but no longer manufactured. Replacement estimated at $1.2M.

Staff provided update on 7 ongoing projects at depot museum including foundation leveling for depot and library buildings (permits in review), siding repairs, deck and handrail work. Caboose repairs not budgeted; seeking specialized rail car restoration contractor for estimates.