2001 06 14 WS MinutesMINUTES
CITY COUNCIL WORK SESSION
June 14, 2001
Members present: Council Member Mercedes Renteria, III
Council Member Calvin Mundinger
Council Member Don Murray
Council Member Ronnie Anderson
Council Member Coleman Godwin
Pete C. Alfaro Mayor
Staff present: Monte Mercer City Manager
Ignacio Ramirez, Sr. City Attorney
Gary W. Smith City Clerk
Absent: Council Member Scott Sheley
The work session was called to order by Mayor Alfaro at 5:15 p.m.
Consider criteria for and appointments to the board of directors of the Baytown
Municipal Development District.
City Manager, Monte Mercer, reviewed the options of City Council in setting criteria for
the Municipal Development District Board of Directors. He recommended that the
number of directors in addition to the Council Members be limited to no more than four.
Other persons could be appointed in an ex officio capacity, without the authority to vote.
For possible criteria, he suggested as mandatory criteria that the person be a resident of
the city and that the person have no personal interest in contracts entered by the board, as
statutorily mandated, and the person have community service involvement and evaluate
projects based on the impact to the community as a whole. As preferred qualifications,
the person should have experience in economic development, real estate and the business
community.
Mayor Alfaro stated his preference for persons other than Council serving on the board,
but stated that they must look at the entire community. He noted that advisory groups
might be asked to bring expertise to the board. He supported an eleven- member board
meeting the criteria that the City Manager outlined.
Council Members Anderson, Mundinger and Murray each expressed his support for an
eleven- member board.
City Council Work Session
June 14, 2001
Page 2 of 3
Council Member Godwin stated his opposition to adding at -large members to the board.
The Council was elected to make decisions. There exist sufficient restrictions on the
expenditure of funds. Input will be received from the public without additional members.
Council Member Anderson related that the closeness of the vote on Proposition 7 lead
him to support the at -large members.
Mayor Alfaro noted that the board would have broader responsibilities than approving
projects. The board would develop the policy that would diversify the economy of
Baytown and meet the requirements of the state implementation plan.
Council Member Renteria joined Council Member Godwin in opposing expanding the
board beyond the members of City Council. Other means can be developed to obtain
feedback from the citizens.
Council Member Murray expressed that the approval margin likely would have been
greater if the Council had been able to assure the electorate that there would be broad
citizen participation on the board. Council Member Murray recommended that none of
the appointees have any interest in any action taken by the board, to avoid the perception
of a conflict of interest. The impact of a decision on a director must be no greater than
the impact on the members of the community at large.
Mayor Alfaro outlined the selection process as follows: Resumes are to be forwarded to
him. He will compile them and provide them for review at the June 21 meeting, at which
appointments can be made. Mayor Alfaro anticipated that the directors would spend up
to four hours each week on the business of the district.
Council Member Mundinger expressed support for discussion of all names, without
interviews, before appointments are made to the board.
Council Member Godwin asked if an advisory committee would be acceptable in lieu of
the additional directors. Council Member Murray responded that the board will need the
assistance from other specialists in the community other than the four additional
directors.
Discussion of the temporary closure of Garth Road Fire Station No. 1.
Fire Chief Leiper reviewed the facts that lead to the temporary closure. A new consultant
recommended the closure, therefore the action was taken. The territory assigned to the
Bayway Fire Station has been adjusted to balance response times. The EMS unit is kept
in the northern part of the City during the periods of high demand.
Essential equipment has been removed from the building. Other equipment is being
removed. The contamination is in the living quarters. The electronics have been
salvaged. The bedding and furniture is being discarded and will be replaced.
City Council Work Session
June 14, 2001
Page 3 of 3
Mold is not a problem until it is disturbed. The air levels have not reached a level that
would cause harm to an occupant, however, destructive work must be done to solve the
problem.
City Manager Mercer reported that it could take up to one year to solve the problems in
the station and that negotiations have been begun with the old Ron Craft Chevrolet
facility as a temporary location for the occupants of Fire Station No. 1.
In response to questions, opportunities for legal recourse are being studied. There
appears to be no insurance coverage for the loss.
Consider appointments.
Baytown Area Long Range Planning Commission. The appointment will be deferred
until the next Council meeting.
Tow Truck Committee. The appointment will be deferred until the next Council meeting.
Mayor Pro Tem. City Manager Mercer reported that the appointment was made by the
City Council. Council Members Godwin and Mundinger had served as Mayor Pro Tem
before.
Mayor Alfaro stated that the position rotated on an annual basis after the general election.
Council Member Mundinger stated that he would nominate Council Member Murray for
Mayor Pro Tem.
Council Member Renteria asked how the selection was traditionally made. In response
Mayor Alfaro stated that it was the choice of Council, but the tradition was to go with the
senior member of Council who had not served as Mayor Pro Tem. Council Member
Sheley is the most senior, then Council Members Anderson and Murray followed in
seniority, of the members who had not served as Mayor Pro Tem.
Adjourn.
There being no further business, the meeting adjourned at 6:21 p.m.
G k W. Smith
City Clerk