2002 10 24 WS MinutesMINUTES OF THE WORK SESSION
OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF BAYTOWN
October 24, 2002
The City Council of the City of Baytown, Texas, met in work session on October 24, 2002,
at 5:30 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
Don Murray
Scott Sheley
Pete C. Alfaro
Gary M. Jackson
Ignacio Ramirez, Sr.
Gary W. Smith
Absent: Mercedes Renteria, III
Council Member
Council Member
Council Member
Council Member
Council Member
Mayor
Interim City Manager
City Attorney
City Clerk
Council Member
The meeting was opened with a quorum present after which the following business was
conducted:
Receive presentation concerning and discuss Port of Houston Goat Island restoration
project.
Interim City Manager Gary Jackson introduced Richard Gorini, J. Simmons Group, who
began the presentation. Mr. Gorini is the Chair of the Beneficial Uses Group. He
introduced Martha Goolsby, Dalton Krueger of the Corp of Engineers, Allan Jeffs of
Turner, Collie and Braden, Ted Hollingsworth of Texas Parks and Wildlife, and Catherine
Rogan of Hill & Knowlton.
Mr. Gorini described the project as consisting of two islands, built within rock levees and a
rock levee connecting the islands. The northern island will be approximately 70 acres in
size and the southern island will be approximately 125 acres in size. The islands and the
levee will be situated between the ship channel and Crystal Bay, off the Baytown Nature
Center.
Mr. Jeffs described the rocker perimeter dikes that will surround each island and the levee
and the protection for Crystal Bay and the Nature Center. He projected that it would take
six months to place the rocks and then the dredge spoil would be pumped to form the
islands. They would initially be built to a height of thirteen feet. Spill boxes will drain the
excess water into the ship channel. After the islands are constructed, additional rocks will
be placed on the channel side of the islands. A rock dike will be built at San Jacinto State
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Minutes of the Work Session — October 24, 2002
Park and fill will be pumped behind the dike. The rock will be delivered around the first of
the year. Dredging will begin in the summer of 2003.
Mr. Gorini explained that Texas Parks and Wildlife will manage the islands. After the salt
leaches out, then the islands will be planted and graded. Mr. Hollingsworth described the
proposed landscape as native salt grasses and tree motts.
Discuss selection of a city manager.
Mayor Alfaro reminded Council that at the meeting held on October 10, 2002, Council
finalized the City Manager selection process. An item for the final selection of a city
manager and authorization of contract negotiations is on the agenda for action during the
regular council session. In response to a question, Alison Smith, Director of Human
Resources, reported that no new information had been developed.
Mayor Alfaro noted that the final appointment of the manager will be on the November 14
agenda. The Mayor and Human Resources are the proposed negotiators for the contract.
Council Member Sheley inquired if another two council members could join in the
negotiations. Ms. Smith responded that the City Attorney will draft the contract. Mayor
Alfaro replied that there was not too much to negotiate. Contracts from other cities and
from the International City Managers Association have been reviewed.
Discuss dates for Council strategic planning session.
City Council's approval of the fiscal year 2002 -2003 budget was contingent upon a
commitment to a long -term financial strategic planning process. City staff initiated the
process with a strategic planning session on October 4, 2002. A strategic planning session
for the Mayor and Council Members is recommended to be conducted in the month of
November. Mayor Alfaro asked that Council reach on consensus on the dates for the
strategic planning meeting. The recommended dates are Friday, November 8, in the
evening and Saturday, November 9. After a discussion of the dates, advantages and
potential conflicts, the consensus was that the strategic planning session will be scheduled
for November 8`h and 91h at Goose Creek Country Club, with Dr. Gary Halter as moderator.
Discuss appointment
Reinvestment Zone Number One, City of Baytown
Board Member Tom Gidley tendered his resignation from the Reinvestment Zone Number
One, City of Baytown Board of Directors on September 30, 2002. His resignation was
necessitated by his relocation from Baytown due to acceptance of a position with a
commercial real estate firm in San Antonio. Mr. Gidley served in Position 1 of the Board
that is appointed by City Council. Mr. Gidley was reappointed in August 2002 and his
tern expires on August 31, 2004.
Mayor Alfaro reported that he has contacted Gilbert Santana to fill the position, but has not
received an application from Mr. Santana. Council Member Anderson indicated that he
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Minutes of the Work Session — October 24, 2002
00' might have an applicant to consider, also. The item will be considered at the November
14, 2002 Council meeting.
Adjourn.
There being no further business, the meeting adjourned at 6:09 p.m.
GaryW. Smith
City Clerk