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