City of la porte
HONORING OUR PAST
~
ENVISIONING OUR FUTURE
COMMUNITY INFORMATION
2009
Dear Citizens,
The City has many exciting things happening that will not only enhance the quality of life in our city but also help to diversify our economy and keep our tax base healthy. The City Council along with our various Boards and Commissions and the City Manager are all committed to quality, sustainable, and environmentally friendly growth to insure the continued prosperity of our City as a preferred place to live, work and play! My hope is that we can all work toward achieving the possibility of making our community that special place. I am pleased to offer you this update of city activities and services. Sincerely,
Alton Porter Mayor
COUNCIL MEMBERS
Mike Mosteit District 1
Louis Rigby District 5
Chuck Engelken District 2
Mike Clausen District 6
Howard Ebow District 3
Georgia A. Malone At Large “A”
Ron Bottoms
City Manager
Alton E. Porter
Tommy Moser District 4
John Black
At Large “B”
CONTENTS
3
Sylvan Beach
4
Bay Forest Golf Course
5
Enhancing Our Quality Of Life
7
Town Plaza & Gateway Entry Projects
9
Main Street
10
Community Events
11
Infrastructure
13 14
Beautification Efforts Emergency Services
OFFICE LOCATIONS City Hall 604 W. Fairmont Pkwy. La Porte, TX 77571 281-471-5020 281-470-5009 (Fax) Police Department 3001 N. 23rd St. La Porte, TX 77571 281-471-3810 281-470-1639 (Fax) Fire Department 124 S. 2nd St. La Porte, TX 77571 281-471-3607 281-470-8523 (Fax) EMS 10428 Spencer Hwy. La Porte, TX 77571 281-471-9244 281-471-0688 (Fax) Municipal Court 913 S. 8th St. La Porte, TX 77571 281-471-4683 281-842-0410 (Fax) Parks and Recreation 604 W. Fairmont Pkwy. La Porte, TX 77571 281-470-7275 281-470-1361 (Fax) Public Works 2963 N. 23rd St. La Porte, TX 77571 281-471-9650 281-470-5129 (Fax) Bay Forest Golf Course 201 Bay Forest Dr. La Porte, TX 77571 281-471-4653 281-470-1417 (Fax)
Sylvan Beach Re-nourishment Project
Project Benefits, Economic, and Environmental Impacts
This project would provide restoration and conservation of an This project, costing approximportant coastal resource in imately $3 million, will give Harris County and La Porte. HisLa Porte back its beach that torically, it is the most important recreational site and focal it lost so many years ago. point in La Porte and East Harris Citizens can once again, enCounty. Its restoration will add a joy the sand between their tremendous recreational amenity toes and building sand casto the park and the community. Sylvan Beach will be the only tles with the kids. Visitors public park with Galveston Bay coastal beach access in all of Harwill appreciate it as well. The construction consists of approximately ris County. It is intended to provide safe, quality shoreline access to 2,000 linear feet of shoreline protection. The re-nourishment will staover 100,000 annual visitors from Harris County and serve as a way bilize the shoreline of Sylvan Beach Park, which is part of the Harris to educate the public on the importance of coastal natural resources. County parks system. The United States Army Corps of Engineers, the Port of Houston Authority, the City of La Porte, Harris County, and the Texas General Land Office are all supporting this project. La Porte and Harris County are committed to future maintenance and upkeep of the site as well.
Historical Overview
Bay Forest Golf Course
Winding through a natural bayside setting of stately trees and bayou-fed waterways, La Porte’s Bay Forest Golf Course has been acclaimed as one of the top 20 municipal golf courses in the State of Texas. Offering amenities for both the casual and champion player, it is a true golfing test at an affordable price.
Sylvan Beach Park is located in La Porte, eastern Harris County,on Galveston Bay. The pre-existing beach began a steady decline as a direct impact of the completion of the Houston Ship Channel in 1928 due primarily to erosion caused by wind, ships’ wake damage, and subsidence over the ensuing years culminating with the loss of this historic beach in 1961 (Hurricane Carla), making it a “beach” in name only. Erosion con-
Lakes at Fairmont Green
Surrounding the Bay Forest Golf Course will be 511 executive style homes. Several parks and hike and bike trails featured along the lakes will culminate at Taylor Bayou, which will be improved as a public amenity. The community will be buffered along SH 146 by a masonry sound wall and the lots bordering the golf course will have an unobstructed view of the playing greens. tinues substantially in portions of the shoreline where the bulkhead has failed. This project will restore the beach and provide erosion protection for the park shoreline, allowing future generations to enjoy the only public beach in Harris County.
In addition, the project will provide economic stimulation for area businesses, restaurants, and hotels, as well as stimulate community development and improve quality of life for the area. Completion of this project will protect historic and valuable public property for the recreational and environmental education and enjoyment of present and future Texas residents. 3 Community Information
Community Information 4
Enhancing Our Quality Of Life Municipal Court Building
The City’s Municipal Court will be moving to a new location this year adjacent to the new Police Department Facility on Spencer Highway and North 23rd Street. Official ground breaking occurred in December with construction currently underway at a cost of $3 Million, with an expected completion this fall. The age and condition of the current building, combined with a significant increase in the number of court dockets associated with the volume of court activity, has resulted in the need for this new 11,000 square foot facility.
is chipped using a tub grinder and allowed to much. The mulch is used by the City’s Parks and Recreation Department in city parks and nature trails. Mulch is available to residents of the city at no cost, as long as it is available.
Entrance Signs La Porte Recycling Center 2963 North 23rd St. 281-471-9650
Why Recycle?
New entryway signs have been constructed on all major thoroughfares into our City with the intention of welcoming the traveling public to our community and conveying a sense of community pride. Issues with landscaping, lighting and irrigation are still being addressed and should be completed soon. 5 Community Information
The City’s solid waste disposal is a large portion of the City’s annual sanitation budget. By recycling as much of the waste as possible, the City is able to lower the disposal costs. Every cubic yard of waste recycled is a cubic yard of landfill and citizen dollars saved. Recycling of yard wastes allows the city to produce mulch and compost which is used in City parks and nature trails. The City is able to make this product available to our citizens at no cost most of the year. Oil recycling allows the citizen a way to properly dispose of used motor oil in an environmentally responsible way and keep oil out of our waterways. Recycling allows the reuse of precious resources which have become more expensive and less available over the years.
Free Mulch
Brush is collected separately from residences on the regularly scheduled heavy trash day and transported to Public Works. The brush
The City of La Porte has at eight locations where you can pick up the mulch. These locations are: Spenwick Park, 9300 block of Carlow • 8610 Bandridge, by old recycler • Hillridge, in the area of the oil recycler 10211 • 1508 Lomax Schooled Road • East “E” Street @ Arizona • South Broadway @ Lift Station 3, 1700 S. Broadway • City Park at Tyler and 4th St • 12202 N C St, behind Public Works Building In 2000, the City of La Porte purchased a tub grinder to grind brush, wood and yard waste set at the curb by La Porte residents on their regular heavy trash scheduled pickup. We are able to offer our residents free mulch for their landscaping and gardening needs. The mulch has been available for eight years at the Public Works facility at 2963 North 23rd street, from 8am to 4pm. Residents wishing to pick up mulch should call the Public Works Department at 281-471-9650 to determine if mulch is available and for directions. Compost must be picked up and transported by the resident. Mulch can not be delivered.
Parks, Trails, and Open Spaces The La Porte Youth Baseball Complex and Leisure Park:
The City is developing a new 33 acre baseball complex and leisure park at 3600 Canada Road that is expected to be completed by early fall 2009, at a cost of $4.1 million. The park consists of ten youth baseball fields and several passive park features – including a jogging trail, pavilion and picnic areas. The park incorporates a number of magnificent pecan trees, remnants of an old pecan plantation, and a small pond. Clearing of the site is currently underway with major dirt work commencing in mid to late February. Partial funding for this project is being provided by proceeds from the 2002 bond sale.
Hike & Bike Trails System
The City’s hike and bike trail system will be expanded by over 6 miles this year, including a 5.2 mile trail
that will connect the Central Business District of La Porte to the Pasadena Trail System. This trail segment will begin at Little Cedar Bayou Park, move
north to Fairmont Parkway, and then run east along
the south side of Fairmont Parkway to the Pasadena Convention Center; interconnections will be made
at Canada Road to the new park complex and at Bay
Area Boulevard to Spencer. The construction of this
trail segment is in keeping with the 2003 Bicycle Pe-
destrian Trail System Implementation Plan that seeks to create pedestrian and bike access throughout our community. Community Information 6
TOWN PLAZA PROJECT
The Historic Downtown District is now undergoing several revitalization projects designed to draw the community back to the heart of the City and stimulate new economic development in this vital region of our city. Included in these revitalization efforts is the creation of a town plaza and a gateway into Main Street.
GATEWAY ENTRY PROJECT Design is currently underway for developing a “gateway” into the City’s historic downtown at Main Street and Highway 146. Our City was founded in 1889 by French settlers and given the name La Porte, meaning “the door” or “gateway.” As a tribute to our heritage and to welcome to visitors into the historic downtown district, the west end of Main Street will have a gateway erected in 2009.
The City is in the process of developing a town plaza at Five Points located at the east end of Main Street in historic downtown. This triangular-shaped intersection and adjoining property is currently being redeveloped into a focal point for community activities such as outdoor festivals, community gatherings, and public art shows. The 48,000 square foot plaza will be bordered by Broadway Street, San Jacinto Avenue and East A Street, and will feature architectural gateways, an outdoor performance pavilion, outdoor spray fountains, abundant landscaping and public artwork. Set as an art-deco design style, the plaza will allow visitors to recall the leisure of the past while embracing its presentday community. 7 Community Information
The gateway will feature two brick towers on either side of Main Street that will offer a visual grand welcome into La Porte’s original marketplace. In addition to the towers the gateway will include pavement improvements, landscaping, ornamental iron fencing and lighting. This significant project is being funded in part by Harris County Precinct 2’s Project Stars program.
Community Information 8
La Porte’s Historic
FALL BACK FESTIVAL - OCTOBER
MOTORHEAD MANIACS - MARCH
In the hey days of the 1920’s and 1930’s Sylvan Beach was known as the “Coney Island of the South”. During this era approximately 200,000 people travelled annually via train from Houston to La Porte so they could enjoy the cool bay breezes, family entertainment, and dancing.
Motorhead Maniacs features Don Schumacher Racing drivers and crew. The drivers attend the festivities to sign autographs and meet the public. Don Schumacher Racing displays an assortment of their racing vehicles and competes in the O’Reilly NHRA Spring Nationals, at the Houston Raceway Park in Baytown over the weekend. All types of cars, trucks, motorcycles, and racing vehicles are on display. The motto for the event is “If it’s cool, fast, and looks good bring it on!” This is a family friendly event that includes an evening of live music, food, vendors, and moonwalks.
REFLECTING ON LA PORTE’S HERITAGE
MAIN STREET The City of La Porte and the La Porte Development Corporation are partnering in three Main Street projects, two are outlined on the previous pages. Three-million dollars is being invested in the Gateway Entry and Town Plaza projects to enhance the quality of life for La Portians, businesses, and visitors.
CHRISTMAS ON MAIN DECEMBER
To encourage beautification of downtown
Receives National Recognition
La Porte celebrates Christmas in traditional family style with Santa and Mrs. Claus, elves, and reindeer. Photos are taken with Santa La Porte is one of 54 Texas Main Street cities and Mrs. Claus throughout the evening while to be nationally recognized in 2009 by the Nachildren’s choirs, orchestra, band, and drama tional Trust for Historic Preservation and the are being performed along Main Street. This Texas Historical Commission. Main Street is a packed evening of fun for everyone and cities are judged in 10 categories, focusing on includes vendors, food, Christmas tree lightplanning, staff and volunteers, preservation in a historically accurate manner, the Main ing, and snow! ethic, training and program assessment. Street Design Package is being developed to serve as an economic driver and incentive for PORTE OF CALL - MONTHLY Main Street Development downtown business and property owners. A MUSIC & ART, THE combination of design guidelines, design certificate, review team, and enhancement grant UNIVERSAL LANGUAGE are being developed. The Main Street Enhancement Grant is being designed as a reimbursement grant, with a minimum and maximum amount that may be awarded. Projects that will be considered for the Main Street Enhancement Grant once it is in place will be façade improvements, awnings, signs, public art, landscaping, etc.
Since being selected to participate in the Texas Main Street Program four years ago we have worked diligently to revitalize the historic downtown. Over two-million dollars of public and private monies have been reinvested in La Porte’s Main Street District so far. 9 Community Information
2nd weekend of each month: La Porte is strategically positioned between two world renowned ports, with cruise lines being scheduled to take people to exotic locations. It is only fitting for this venue to be named the “Porte of Call – Music & Art, the Universal Language”. We are symbolically connecting with the rest of the world by bringing the arts to our historic downtown. Join us each month for an evening of live music on Friday hosted in one of our fine downtown restaurants. Enjoy the visual arts on Saturday along Main Street.
OTHER COMMUNITY EVENTS
SYLVAN BEACH FESTIVAL
For over 50 years this festival has been sponsored by the La Porte-Bayshore Chamber of Commerce and held the last Saturday in April each year. The event is located at the Historic Sylvan Beach Park on Galveston Bay. It kicks off with a parade followed by a day filled with many fun events and activities for the whole family. The big highlight of the event is the crowning of Miss Sylvan Beach.
EASTER EGG HUNT
The Annual Easter Egg Hunt will take place at the Little Cedar Bayou Multi-Purpose Field Age groups: infants through 11 years.
CINCO DE MAYO CELEBRATION
Enjoy refreshments, festivities and learn about Hispanic History. The celebration is held in May 4, 2009 from 6 p.m. to 7 p.m. Bring the entire family!
4TH OF JULY CELEBRATION
This annual event starts with a parade down Main Street and South Broadway and ends with Fireworks at the Sylvan Beach Park. Bring the entire family for a picnic prior to the start of the fireworks show. The fireworks are scheduled to begin at dark (about 9:15 p.m.).
JUNETEENTH CELEBRATIONS This annual event is held every June with a parade and other family activities.
SPOOKY SPECTACULAR FALL CARNIVAL The fall carnival is held in October. Costume contest starts promptly after registration, which will be from 5:30 p.m. to 6:15 p.m. The contest will be judged in three categories: Most Original, Funniest and Scariest. The La Porte High School Drama Club will be hosting a Haunted House. Admission proceeds benefit the La Porte High School Drama Club.
BEST DOGGONE DOG CONTEST
Bring your furry friend to the Second Annual “Dog Gone Dog” Contest. There will be several categories for your pet to compete in. It will be held at Central Park located at 618 San Jacinto Street. It will be held at the Roller Hockey Rink unless it is raining, then the event will be moved into the Evelyn Kennedy Civic Center. Registration will begin at 9 a.m. and judging begins at 10 a.m. Proof of vaccination must be provided in order to enter the contest.
ANNUAL BATTLE OF SAN JACINTO TRIATHLON The City, along with Texas Parks and Wildlife and San Jacinto Museum, Tri On the Run, Webster Bicycle, and On the Run have sponsored this triathlon for the last 3 years. The Battle of San Jacinto Triathlon consists of an International Distance Triathlon, Duathlon and an Aquabike. It will be the area’s only point to point triathlon beginning with a bay swim at Sylvan Beach Park, riding over the Fred Hartman Bridge and finishing with a run in the shadow of the San Jacinto Monument. Community Information 10
INFRASTRUCTURE Street Improvements
Waste Water Treatment
Fairmont Parkway Widening
Plant The City’s Waste Water Treatment
Fairmont Parkway is being expanded to a
$6 Million expansion that should
16th Street, with construction expected to
Plant is currently undergoing a
6-lane roadway between Highway 146 and
ensure adequate capacity for our
begin this year. This is a Harris County
community for the next 20 years.
bond project with the City responsible for
Improvements include increasing
relocating utilities for the expansion. This
the aeration capacity of the plant..
roadway improvement is long overdue and will go a long way towards relieving con-
The City obtains the majority of its
gestion along this heavily utilized section of Fairmont Parkway. water from the City of Houston through the La Porte Area Water Authority and operates the Waste Water Treatment Plant located on South 4th Street
at Cedar Bayou. The most southeasterly portion of the City receives waste water treatment capacity from the Gulf Coast Regional Water Authority.
Drainage The City is in the process of completing a Citywide Drainage Master Plan
that has identified a number of projects for improving drainage within our city. The projects fall into two categories, those requiring coordination with other entities, such as Harris County Flood Control and those that don’t
require coordination. Fortunately the City has the funds available and is moving forward with implementing those projects that have been identified
that do not require any coordination. In the meantime we will be working
with Harris County Flood Control and others to implement the remaining projects. 11 Community Information
Sens Road Widening
The City of La Porte is partnering with Harris County to widen Sens Road to four lanes from Spencer to Highway 225. The City has budgeted and is responsible for relocating utilities in preparation for the widening, with Harris County responsible for the actual road improvements. Relocating the utilities in the Sens Road right-of-way will also allow the City to redesign the wastewater collection infrastructure, making it more efficient by eliminating a number of lift stations. Relocating the utilities should begin by early summer. Community Information 12
BEAUTIFICATION EFFORTS
Like many older cities, La Porte suffers with the natural aging process of its structures. To alleviate this problem, the City of La Porte has undertaken several major initiatives to improve its image, including the removal of dilapidated structures and the Northside Community Neighborhood Plan Grant Program. These efforts have resulted in a remarkable facelift for many areas of the city.
IKE RECOVERY
Hurricane Ike, a Category 3 storm, led to a mandatory evacuation of our City. The City’s Emergency Management Team manned the
BUILDING DEMOLITION
CITY OF LA PORTE NORTHSIDE COMMUNITY NEIGHBORHOOD PLAN GRANT PROGRAM
Early in 2008, staff oversaw the completion of the final (3) of the 2007 condemned structures. The original group had a total of (17) structures identified. The City of La Porte and Harris County Later in the year, (30) demolition permits have partnered together to provide affordable housing opportunities. were issued. Permits were issued on the following basis: (1) owner initiated ac-
Emergency Operations Center responding to the changing conditions before, during and after the storm.
In the aftermath of Hurricane Ike, the City of La Porte, citizens and volunteers came
tion; (2) code enforcement by city staff; (3) Ike related damage and (4) Port of Houston Authority buy-outs. One major demolition was the Garfield Apartments on South Broadway. together and proved that, while we may be The condemnation process is overseen by down, we are not out. the Inspection Services Division. ViolaWe remained a strong cohesive communi- tions are identified, owners are contactty, filled with caring citizens committed to ed and communication begins. Should working with the City and proving that our violations not be abated, staff takes the community’s commitment to our City’s safety, security, and survival were more evident. structures to Council for a preliminary
Five homes have already been built. One has been sold and there are four newly built, cozy 3 bedrooms, 2 bath homes ready to be occupied. There are plans to build more homes in the near future. The floors plans are great, with spacious rooms and fenced backyards. $14,200 down payment assistance is available for qualified buyers. To qualify, you must at-
review and a follow-up public hearing where formal condemnation can occur. Once structures are condemned, Inspection Services Division handles obtaining demolition bids and overseeing the actual tend a Homebuyer Education Class, have demolition projects. a household income at or below 80% of This program is an attempt to eliminate area median income, and have a credit score of 620. insightful, dangerous buildings in our community.
13 Community Information
EMERGENCY SERVICES
EMS DIVISION The Emergency Medical Services Division is responsible for providing emergency life support services at the basic and advanced level. EMS utilizes three fully stocked Mobile Intensive Care Unit (MICU) ambulances in its fleet and has two MICU ambulances on duty at all times along with the ALS equipped 1st responder vehicle that is operated by the on-duty EMS supervisor. EMS moved into their new facility in 2007.
FIRE DEPARTMENT The Fire Department is responsible for providing the community with all aspects of Fire Protection Services. The Department has four stations throughout the city and operates with a combination of 14 career paid and 90 volunteer fire fighters
POLICE DEPARTMENT The function of the Police Department, under the direction of the Chief, is to provide for the public’s safety and to enforce Federal, State, and Local laws, as well as the ordinances of the City of La Porte. The Police Department moved into their new facility in 2007.
OFFICE OF EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT The Emergency Operations Center is where the Emergency Management Coordinator and select staff coordinate the response to all emergency events such as hurricanes, chemical leaks, etc. This center is housed in the Police Department. Community Information 14
U.S. Postage Paid Bulk Rate
City of La Porte
604 West Fairmont Pkwy La Porte, TX 77571
Permit No. 23 La Porte, Tx.
LA PORTE CONTACTS CITY MANAGER Ron Bottoms bottomsr@laportetx.gov
HUMAN RESOURCES Heather Weger wegerh@laportetx.gov
CITY SECRETARY Martha Gillett gillettm@laportetx.gov
MAIN STREET COORDINATOR Debra Dye dyed@laportetx.gov
ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT COORDINATOR Debbie Westbeld westbeldd@laportetx.gov
MUNICIPAL COURT Judge Denise Mitrano mitranod@laportetx.gov
CHIEF OF POLICE Kenneth Adcox adcoxk@laportetx.gov
PERMITS/INSPECTIONS Debbie Wilmore wilmored@laportetx.gov
EMS CHIEF Ray Nolen ems@laportetx.gov
PARKS & RECREATION Stephen Barr barrs@laportetx.gov
FINANCE Michael Dolby dolbym@laportetx.gov
PLANNING Tim Tietjens tietjenst@laportetx.gov
FIRE MARSHAL Clif Meekins meekinsc@laportetx.gov
PUBLIC WORKS Steve Gillett gilletts@laportetx.gov
ASSISTANT FIRE CHIEF Donald Ladd laddd@laportetx.gov
PURCHASING Susan Kelley kelleys@laportetx.gov EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT Jeff Suggs suggsj@laportetx.gov
www.laportetx.gov
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