2002 01 24 WS MinutesMINUTES OF THE WORK SESSION
OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF BAYTOWN
January 24, 2002
The City Council of the City of Baytown, Texas, met in work session on January 24, 2002,
at 5:40 p.m. in the Hullum Conference Room of Baytown City Hall, 2401 Market Street,
Baytown, Texas, with the following in attendance:
Ronnie Anderson
Council Member
Coleman Godwin
Council Member
Calvin Mundinger
Council Member
Don Murray
Council Member
Mercedes Renteria III
Council Member
Scott Sheley
Council Member
Pete C. Alfaro Mayor
Monte Mercer City Manager
Ignacio Ramirez, Sr. City Attorney
Gary W. Smith City Clerk
The meeting was opened with a quorum present after which the following business was
conducted:
Discuss Ninfa's termination agreement.
City Manager Monte Mercer thanked Ignacio Ramirez and Bob Leiper for their work in
completing the project. An inventory of the equipment was completed. The past due
amounts, plus interest, were negotiated. A promissory note, payable over 60 months at
7.64% interest, has been signed and delivered. The first payment is due on February 15,
2002. The new operator is working to open the restaurant in March.
Discuss marina operator agreement in Bayland waterfront district.
City Manager Monte Mercer commended the hard work of Ignacio Ramirez and Bob
Leiper negotiating the agreement. The operator of the marina, subject to Council's
approval, will be Tim Hazelwood of Hazelwood Enterprises. The terms of the agreement
are three years, with three five -year extension options. The rent will escalate to $3,000 per
month by December, 2002. In 2003, a percentage of gross sales will be included with a
maximum rental of $5,000 per month, until 2005. A consumer price index factor has been
included.
Maintenance dredging of the marina channel will be required. A regular schedule will be
developed, based upon usage of the channel. The operator will be required to perform
light maintenance at the marina, ships store and fuel docks.
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Minutes of the Work Session — January 24, 2002
Tim Hazelwood stated that the first activity will be to show a daily presence at the marina.
Attention will be given to the tenants needs to increase tenancy. The goal is to make it a
first -class facility. Eventually, enclosed storage may be constructed. Relationships with
other marinas, sailboat clubs and powerboat clubs will be developed. A relationship with
the restaurant will be developed. The purpose is to make the marina a destination. The
clubs and other marina tenants are looking for a place to go to. Similarly, relationships
with marine accessory suppliers will be developed to add business and accessory sales to
the ships store. The marina will become a member of the boating associations and will
have a booth at the boat shows. A marketing plan will be developed to let boaters know
about the marina and facilities.
Mr. Mercer stated that the contract required that the marina be operated seven days each
week, fifty hours each week.
Discuss Convention Center Market study update.
Monte Mercer, City Manager, reported that the original plan for the convention center was
for it to be located on Bayland Island. The market did not support that location. Currently,
the focus is to locate the convention center along Interstate 10. Prior to any commitment,
it is necessary to look at the area, the uses, the sizing and the original assumptions. David
Parker was with the company (PFK) that prepared the original analysis. He will use the
original information and update it for $15,000. This is necessary due diligence.
When Council Member Renteria suggested saving the $15,000 and locating the convention
center on Bayland Island, Mayor Alfaro responded that the study is necessary before
money is spent on construction of the convention center. The 1996 study must be updated.
The proposed location is different. Council Member Mundinger stated that it is necessary
to seek out experts to assist in determining if the proposed location is the proper location
and to be prudent in the expenditure of funds. Mr. Mercer commented that the Bayland
Island location required an adjacent hotel. At the I -10 location there are available hotels.
The issue is whether the convention center can operate without the hotel.
Discuss amendments to the junk vehicle ordinance.
City Manager Monte Mercer announced that the item will not be ready for City Council
consideration during the regular meeting.
Ignacio Ramirez, Sr., City Attorney, reported that the state law was revised in 1999 to
lower the presumption of an inoperable vehicle from one that was not moved in 45 days to
one not moved in 30 days. In 2001, the Legislature amended the definition again to
require proof of no current registration or current safety inspection sticker and that the
vehicle is wrecked, dismantled, discarded or inoperable. The City staff must now meet the
higher level of proof to declare a vehicle junk or abandoned. Health had relied on a
vehicle not having a current registration or a current safety inspection sticker. The
proposed amendment will bring the ordinance in line with state law.
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Minutes of the Work Session —January 24, 2002
Council Member Murray asked about the impact of the proposed changes. Mike Lester,
Director of Health and Emergency Medical Services, replied that the staff will operate
under a higher burden of proof. The removal period will be longer. Of the 400 to 500
vehicles notices each year, only 15 go to final action. The others owners make the vehicles
compliant.
Council Member Mundinger asked if the City's home -rule status would allow it to impose
a different level of proof. Mr. Ramirez responded that the issue was being researched.
Discuss appointments
Emergency Medical Services Committee.
Council Member Mundinger stated that he would move appointment of Al
Weatherall, Randy Kimmey, Gail Kenney and Jess Navarre.
Community Development Advisory Committee.
Council Member Renteria announced that he was not ready for the appointment.
Growth Management and Development Advisory Commission and Planning
and Zoning Commission.
Council Members Renteria and Godwin announced that they were not ready for the
appointments.
Adjourn.
Council Member Sheley moved adjournment. Council Member Anderson seconded the
motion. The vote follows:
Ayes: Council Members Anderson, Godwin, Mundinger, Murray, Renteria and
Sheley
Mayor Alfaro
Nays: None.
There being no further business, the meeting adjourned at 6:16 p.m.
GaWW. Smith
City Clerk
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