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Votes at a glance: La Marque council approves zoning, code updates, equipment purchases and appointments
Summary
At its Feb. 10 meeting the La Marque City Council approved zoning-ordinance text for heavy industrial uses, updated building and fire codes, rezoned several parcels to light industrial, approved public art and police equipment purchases, and confirmed board appointments.
Lamarque City Council acted on multiple ordinance readings, equipment purchases and appointments during its Feb. 10 regular meeting. Most items were routine or followed planning commission recommendations; two items generated brief council discussion before approval.
Key votes and outcomes
- Ordinance O-2025-0002: 2024 Building and Fire Codes — Final reading approved. The council approved updates to the city’s building and fire codes. A councilmember recorded an opposition vote during the roll call.
- Ordinance O-2025-0003: Creation of I-3 (heavy industrial) zoning text — Final reading approved. After discussion and public questions from rail and port representatives, council voted to add a heavy-industry district to the zoning code to provide a framework for rail-served industrial development. Planning & Zoning had recommended the text; one councilmember recorded a nay vote.
- Ordinance O-2025-0004: Rezoning of multiple Carter and Alexander LLC parcels from R-1 / C-1 to L-1 (light industrial) — Final reading approved. Council approved rezoning requested by a local industrial operator (land-and-sea-related campus expansion), following presentation from staff and the applicant.
- Ordinance O-2025-0001: Rules of Procedure for council meetings — Final reading approved. Council adopted updated meeting rules after a lengthy discussion and a recorded opposed vote by at least one member.
- Appointments / Boards and Commissions — Council reappointed and appointed members to multiple boards (building standards, cemetery, parks, and related committees) and named ex officio or nonvoting members where needed. The council confirmed a package of nominations at the meeting by majority vote.
- Contract approvals and equipment purchases: • Armored personnel carrier (vendor: Linco armored vehicles) — approved. The council authorized the city manager to sign a purchase contract funded by ARPA in the amount of $320,067 for an armored response vehicle for the police department. Council discussion noted the vehicle’s operational uses for barricade incidents, high-risk warrants and rescue operations and confirmed warranty/support and maintenance paths. • 3D crime-scene laser scanner (vendor: Alterra) — approved. Council authorized purchase of a 3D laser scanner for crime-scene documentation ($8,515.24); council discussion emphasized training and faster, more precise digital documentation.
- Lamarque Police Station mural — approved. La Marque Beautiful and volunteers will fund and install a mural at the police station; the council approved the recommendation.
What council did not approve at the meeting: none of the above votes failed; several items drew one or more opposed votes on the roll call but were approved by majority.
Why these votes matter: together the zoning changes and rezoning approvals set a path for industrial development and potential new tax base and job growth near the rail and port facilities. The equipment purchases (armored carrier and 3D scanner) are operational investments for the police department intended to improve tactical safety and forensic capability.
Attribution: vote outcomes and motions are recorded in the official minutes of the Feb. 10, 2025 La Marque City Council meeting; article quotes and results are drawn from the council transcript and on-record motions. Council requested staff follow-up on legal questions tied to public-fund use for possible fee swaps and on implementation steps for equipment and zoning amendments.
