1999 01 14 CC Minutes, SpecialMINUTES OF THE SPECIAL SESSION
OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF BAYTOWN
January 14, 1999
The City Council of the City of Baytown, Texas, met in special session on
January 14, 1999, at 5:45 p.m., in the Don Hullum Conference Room at City Hall
with the following in attendance:
Victor Almendarez
Council Member
David Byford
Council Member
Manuel Escontrias
Council Member
E. Frank Hinds, Jr.
Council Member
Coleman Godwin
Council Member
Scott Sheley
Council Member
Pete C. Alfaro Mayor
Bobby Rountree City Manager
Ignacio Ramirez City Attorney
Eileen P. Hall City Clerk
The meeting was opened with a quorum present after which the following
business was conducted:
Hold Appeal Hearing on the Urban Rehabilitation Standards Review Board
Order to Demolish Structure at 2007 West Gulf
Mayor Alfaro called to order the hearing on the appeal of the Urban
Rehabilitation Standards Review Board's decision to demolish the structure at
2007 West Gulf. He said that the appeal was held at the request of Mr. R. W.
Burrell the owner of the property. Mayor Alfaro stated that the rules of evidence
would be informal; however, irrelevant or redundant testimony should not be
considered. He said that both the appellant or his representative and the
administration would be allowed an opening and a closing statement; both
parties could present witnesses and cross examine witnesses; and the Council
can ask questions.
Mr. Burrell's attorney, Fred Jackson, spoke to Council regarding the
repairs that needed to be made to the property and requested an extension of
120 days to complete the work.
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Minutes of Special Session —January 14, 1999
He explained that Mr. Burrell would be making the repairs himself except for
plumbing and electrical work. He also mentioned that Mr. Burrell was unable to
effect the necessary repairs due to injuries he had sustained in two accidents.
Secondly, Mrs. Burrell has had three operations since 1995. For these reasons,
Mr. Jackson felt that Council should view this as a hardship case.
Mr. Bobby Rountree, City Manager, asked Council to consider the
extensions and time already granted. He stated that the investigation of the
property began in November 1995; that enough time had passed for the repairs
to be made; and that it was not safe to further delay demolition.
Mayor Alfaro closed the hearing.
Consider Affirming, Reversing, or Modifying the Decision of the Urban
Rehabilitation Standards Review Board to Demolish the Structure Located
at 2007 West Gulf
The administration recommended affirming the decision of the Urban
Rehabilitation Standards Review Board. Council Member Almendarez moved to
affirm the board's decision. Council Member Escontrias seconded the motion.
Council Member Sheley said that he thought it would not be inappropriate
to give Mr. Burrell another ninety days to complete the work with demolition to
take place within ten days if the deadline was not met. Council Member
Almendarez stated that he had received several calls from residents of the
neighborhood expressing their concern.
The vote follows:
Ayes: Council Members Almendarez, Byford, Escontrias
Hinds, and Godwin
Mayor Alfaro
Nays: Council Member Sheley
The decision or the Urban Rehabilitation Standards Review Board to
demolish the property was affirmed.
VW
Minutes of Special Session —January 14, 1999
Adjourn
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As there was no further business to be transacted, the meeting was
adjourned.
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Eileen P. Hall, City Clerk
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