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1999 02 25 CC Minutes, SpecialMINUTES OF THE SPECIAL SESSION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF BAYTOWN February 25, 1999 The City Council of the City of Baytown, Texas, met in special session on at 6:00 p.m., in the Council Chamber of the Baytown City Hall with the following in attendance: Victor Almendarez Council Member Manuel Escontrias Council Member E. Frank Hinds, Jr. Council Member Coleman Godwin Council Member Scott Sheley Council Member Pete C. Alfaro Mayor Monte Mercer City Manager Ignacio Ramirez City Attorney Eileen P. Hall City Clerk Absent: David Byford Council Member The meeting was opened with a quorum present after which the following business was conducted: Appeal Hearing on the Urban Rehabilitation Standards Review Board Order to Demolish Structures at 410 Laredo and/or 410 -112 Laredo Described as: Office /House; Laundry Room; Metal Building 410 -112 Laredo No. 3 and 410- 112 Laredo No. 13. Mayor Alfaro called to order the appeal of the decision of the Urban Rehabilitation Standards Review Board of the City of Baytown to demolish structures located at 410 Laredo and /or 410 -112 Laredo, Baytown, Texas. This appeal is being held at the request of Mrs. Dorothy Powell the owner of the property. Mayor Alfaro attempted to recognize Mrs. Powell and asked if she was present and if she desired to pursue her appeal? Mrs. Powell was not present. 990225 -2 Minutes of Special Session — February 25,1999 City Clerk Eileen Hall said that she had checked in the hallway and did not see Mrs. Powell. She said that Dorothy Powell was sent a certified letter that was signed for by Don Powell notifying them that the appeal hearing would be held today at 6:00 p.m. in the Don M. Hullum Conference Room. Assistant City Manager Leiper said that he had checked in the lobby and parking lot and could not locate Mrs. Powell. City Attorney Ramirez stated that it was necessary to proceed with the appeal hearing regardless of attendance. Mayor Alfaro said that as with all hearings before the city council, the rules of evidence would be informal but asked that all parties refrain from using irrelevant or redundant testimony. He swore in all witnesses expected to testify who were present. He said that each side was entitled to an opening statement of two minutes. Since Mrs. Powell was not present, the Mayor asked the City Manager to proceed for the City. The City Manager said that the administration had been working on this since September of 1998 with multiple meetings with Mrs. Powell and her representatives. He said the Urban Rehabilitation Board had recommended demolition after giving Mrs. Powel several opportunities to address these issues and several extensions. Mayor Alfaro said that each side was entitled to a presentation of six minutes. Since Mrs. Powell was not present, the Mayor asked the City Manager to proceed for the City. The City Manager showed photographs of the structures that were red tagged by the inspectors and explained why the decision to demolish was made. Mayor Alfaro said that each side was entitled to a closing statement of up to ten minutes. Since Mrs. Powell was not present, the Mayor asked the City Manager to proceed for the City. The City Manager reiterated that the City had been working with Mrs. Powell since September 1998, that multiple meetings had been held with her, that she had been given numerous opportunities to address these issues, and the Urban Rehabilitation Standards Review Board had voted unanimously to demolish these structures. Mayor Alfaro declared the hearing closed. 990225 -3 Minutes of Special Session — February 25, 1999 Consider Affirming, Reversing, or Modifying the Decision of the Urban Rehabilitation Standards Review Board to Demolish the Structures Located at 410 Laredo and/or 410 -1/2 Laredo Council Member Almendarez moved to affirm the decision of the Urban Rehabilitation Standards Review Board. Council Member Sheley seconded the motion. The vote follows: Ayes: Council Members Almendarez, Escontrias Hinds, Godwin, and Sheley Mayor Alfaro Nays: None Adjourn As there was no further business to be transacted, the meeting was adjourned. Eileen P. Hall, City Clerk