Loading...
2003 08 07 MDD Minutes 1. ' MINUTES OF THE MEETING OF THE BAYTOWN MUNICIPAL DEVELOPMENT DISTRICT August 7, 2003 4:30 p.m. The Board of Directors of the Baytown Municipal Development District met on August 7, 2003, at 4:30 p.m. in the Council Chamber of the Baytown City Hall, 2401 Market Street, Baytown, Harris County, Texas with the following in attendance: Kitty Allen Director Coleman Godwin Director Fritz Lanham Director Calvin Mundinger Director Don Murray Director Mercedes Renteria III Director Scott Sheley Director Pete Alfaro President Bob Leiper Acting General Manager Ignacio Ramirez, Sr. General Counsel Gary W. Smith Assistant Secretary • Absent: Ronnie Anderson Vice-President Bill Gilbert Secretary Leonard Stasney Director The meeting was opened with a quorum present after which the following business was conducted: Consider approval of the minutes of the meeting held on July 17, 2003. Director Mundinger moved approval of the minutes of the meeting held on July 17, 2003. Director Renteria seconded the motion. The vote follows: Ayes: Directors Godwin, Lanham, Mundinger, Murray and Renteria President Alfaro Nays: None Abstentions: Allen and Sheley. The motion carried. Page 2 of 4 Minutes of the Special Meeting—August 7, 2003 Conduct public hearing on the proposed 2003-2004 fiscal year budget. • President Alfaro called the public hearing to order at 4:31 p.m. • Acting General Manager Bob Leiper made the following report: The estimated revenue from sales tax collections ($2,961,000) in the current year is less than the adopted budget ($3,104,000). No increase in revenues is included in the proposed budget. The 90-day reserve or fund balance included in the proposed budget will allow the Board the flexibility to take advantage of economic development opportunities that may arise through the appropriation of funding for economic development and utility expansion projects. • The first two years of the Municipal Development District (MDD) have been productive. The Decker Drive project is progressing. This project was made possible by the MDD's success in securing funding to advance the project on the Texas Statewide Transportation Improvement Plan. The proposed budget includes the debt service payment of$377,478. Funding for economic development projects will continue at the planned level of $300,000 for the 2004 budget. A significant function of this budget allocation is the development of new and expansion of existing businesses. $50,000 is proposed for the basic economic development services contract with EDF. Development of a Unified Land Development Code is also proposed at a cost of $75,000. Expenses for professional services in the amount of $36,000 related to the Tax Increment Reinvestment Zone (TIRZ) No.1 is again proposed to be contractually advanced by MDD to the TIRZ until the TIRZ generates sufficient tax increment to reimburse the MDD. The Northeast Wastewater Treatment Plant project design is scheduled for fiscal year 2004. The 411) completion of this project is critical to the future economic development of Baytown as current plant capacities are not able to sustain current growth. The 2004 budget includes the first year's principal and interest payment for the issuance of bonds for sixty percent (60%) of the cost of design of the plant. The City of Baytown Water and Sewer Fund will provide forty percent (40%) of the cost for the design. The Project Plan also reschedules construction in 2005 as opposed to the current schedule in 2006. A low interest loan application for funding of the design and construction of the Northeast Wastewater Treatment Plant project was submitted to the Texas Water Development Board (TWDB). The TWDB provides low interest funding to eligible projects. Improvements to the signalization of major transportation corridors of the city are another component of MDD's economic development initiatives. The bid for the Garth Road signal synchronization project was awarded by the City Council on July 10, 2003. The MDD Project Plan includes traffic synchronization projects along N. Main and N. Alexander. Based upon our grant request, the Harris- Galveston Area Council (H-GAC) has included these two projects in their Transportation Improvement Plan for funding in 2005. The planned 2004 funding has been shifted to 2005. Upon actual award of these grants, this amount may be available for reprogramming. Land acquisition for new thoroughfares is funded for $50,000 and the Baker Road extension project continues to progress. The environmental work and traffic design plan are complete and actual ROW surveying will begin soon. A reminder that no construction dollars have yet been identified. • The economic development cost share to upsize utilities is also funded at $100,000 in the proposed budget. Page 3 of 4 Minutes of the Special Meeting—August 7, 2003 The final funding for Goose Creek Stream phase IV ($150,000) is proposed, along with$1,1 million to initiate the construction at the Wayne Gray Sports Complex. $100,000 is budgeted for water service the planned East Harris County Soccer Complex. Discussions are continuing on the use of a water well for potable water and a water line from the Coastal Water Authority canal for irrigation. Once an agreement with Harris County is developed it will be presented to the MDD Board for discussion and approval. Project Administration is again budgeted at $150,000 and a contingency of$150,000 is included for unforeseen occurrences or project needs. The total proposed 2003-2004 budget is $2,573,478. No one requested to speak at the public hearing. President Alfaro closed the public hearing at 4:37 p.m. Consider adopting the 2003-2004 fiscal year budget. Board Member Allen informed the Board that she was leaving employment with Chevron Phillips and is exploring other opportunities. She explained that she was interested in participating in economic development activities in her personally and professionally. She stated that she would prefer to abstain from voting on that portion of the budget that relates to the Baytown-West Chambers County Economic Development Foundation. General Counsel Ignacio Ramirez, Sr. stated that he had conversations with Board Member Allen and, in his opinion; she did not have a conflict of interest. Board Member Allen stated that her intention was to make a full disclosure and to avoid even the appearance of impropriety. Board Member Mundinger moved adoption of the 2003-2004 fiscal year budget as presented. Board Member Murray seconded the motion. The vote follows: Ayes: Directors Allen, Godwin, Lanham, Mundinger, Murray, Renteria, and Sheley President Alfaro Nays: None The motion carried. RESOLUTION NO. 37 A RESOLUTION OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS OF THE BAYTOWN MUNICIPAL DEVELOPMENT DISTRICT ADOPTING A BUDGET FOR THE ENSUING FISCAL YEAR, BEGINNING OCTOBER 1, 2003, AND ENDING SEPTEMBER 30, 2004; AND PROVING FOR THE EFFECTIVE DATE THEREOF. General Manager's report. Mr. Leiper stated that he had no report. Adjourn. Board Member Mundinger moved adjournment. Board Member Lanham seconded the motion. The vote follows: Page 4 of 4 Minutes of the Special Meeting—August 7, 2003 ___. Ayes: Directors Allen, Godwin, Lanham, Mundinger, Murray, Renteria, and Sheley • President Alfaro • Nays: None. The motion carried. There being no further business, the meeting adjourned at 4:47 p.m. �ary o tt „,, Smith, Assistant Secreta ry •