2001 07 12 WS MinutesMINUTES OF THE WORK SESSION
OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF BAYTOWN
July 12, 2001
The City Council of the City of Baytown, Texas, met in work session on July 12, 2001, at
6:00 p.m. in the Hullum Conference Room of Baytown City Hall, 2401 Market Street,
Baytown, Texas, with the following in attendance:
Ronnie Anderson
Coleman Godwin
Calvin Mundinger
Mercedes Renteria, III
Pete C. Alfaro
Monte Mercer
Karen Horner
Gary W. Smith
Absent: Scott Sheley
Don Murray
Council Member
Council Member
Council Member
Council Member
Mayor
City Manager
First Assistant City Attorney
City Clerk
Council Member
Council Member
The meeting was opened with a quorum present after which the following business was
conducted:
Receive and discuss the final report from the Building Ordinance Review
Committee.
Mayor Alfaro complemented the Committee for a concise, easy to read report.
Committee Chair, Carl Herring, reported that the Committee met for two hours each
week from October, 2000 through June, 2001. The members of the Committee, Bob
Crunk, Doug Relyea, Gil Chambers and Kenneth Mayo were introduced.
The Committee was guided by the charge from City Council. To meet the obligation, the
Committee solicited information in public forums and interviews from a broad spectrum
of persons, including members of the public that spoke at three public forums, guests
invited to the meetings of the Committee, City staff and members of all major trades, to
obtain relevant information. The information was analyzed in an unbiased manner.
The progress of the Committee was documented. All minutes were recorded and
forwarded to the Mayor. Changes recommended by the Committee were reported as they
were made. An interim report was given to City Council in January.
Positive discoveries include:
• the majority of the ordinances are providing the desired results,
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Minutes of the Work Session —July 12, 2001
• the national codes are effective and diminish the need for local codes,
• the public viewed the review as positive,
• City staff is willing to help permit applicants and to improve performance,
• Inspection Division is responsive, even if understaffed, and
• Builders and the public will accept higher fees, if they lead to better service.
The following difficulties were discovered:
• administration of the ordinances
• hiring and retaining qualified personnel
• inconsistent interpretations of codes /ordinances
• inadequate training/qualifications
• interpretations /requirements seem to change after plans have been
approved
• undue number of reinspections
• poor quality of submitted plans
• Chief Building Official has been used as a substitute for the variance
program;
• ordinances
• structure of ordinances
• inconsistencies between Zoning and other ordinances
• poorly constructed landscape ordinance
• previous reviews have been largely ignored
• certain ordinances are perceived to be restricting business growth
in the older areas of the City;
• variances
• a vital part in administering the ordinances
• Variance and Appeals boards seem to be inactive or non - existing
• use of variance process has been discouraged
• variance procedure is not well understood.
The Committee recommends the adoption of the proposed changes to the ordinances,
including the landscape ordinance; a referendum to delegate control of changes to the
Zoning ordinance to City Council; revitalization of the appeals and variance boards,
requiring active functioning of the boards; continuation of the upgrade of the inspection
and permitting functions (full staffing of the division, thorough training, consistent
interpretation and application, participation in professional organizations, proper pay
scale, pay scale based on increased training and skills, review of all fees to provide
proper funding of division and all insurance to properly cover risks, and improve the
documentation of the inspection process (central location of inspection tags, references to
codes to support findings, and computerization for access by contractors); activation of a
building conservation district; and establish a review cycle for city ordinances.
The Committee reported the items that had been brought to their attention, but were not
within the charge from City Council. The Committee acknowledged the citizens of the
community who took time to participate and give their input, the City staff who
supported the work of the Committee, and John Urban for his participation. Mr. Herring
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Minutes of the Work Session —July 12, 2001
extended personal thanks to the families of the Committee members, his office manager
for assistance in preparing documents for the Committee and to the Committee members
for their dedicated service.
Mayor Alfaro responded that the Council would review the report in detail and if needed
would call the Committee back to explain their intent. Council Member Godwin stated
that he was impressed with the professional job and extended his thanks to the
Committee. Council Members Anderson joined in expressing thanks.
Review the year 2000 Consumer Confidence Report on water quality.
Fred Pack, Assistant City Manager/Public Services, stated that the report had been mailed
to the water customers of the City. The test results in the report are for year 2000 and
from the Texas Natural Resource Conservation Commission or an EPA approved
laboratory. There were no violations reported in the test results.
Adjourn.
Council Member Anderson moved adjournment. Council Member Renteria seconded the
motion. The vote follows:
Ayes: Council Members Anderson, Godwin, Mundinger and Renteria
Mayor Alfaro
Nays: None.
There being no further business the meeting adjourned at 6:25 p.m.
G4 W. 9mith
City Clerk