2002 11 08 WS MinutesMINUTES OF THE WORK SESSION
OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF BAYTOWN
November 8, 2002
The City Council of the City of Baytown, Texas, met in work session on November 8,
2002, at 5:00 p.m. in the Sun Deck Room of Goose Creek Country Club, 5000 Country
Club Drive, Baytown, Texas, with the following in attendance:
Ronnie Anderson
Coleman Godwin
Calvin Mundinger
Don Murray
Mercedes Renteria III
Scott Sheley
Pete C. Alfaro
Gary M. Jackson
Gary W. Smith
Council Member
Council Member
Council Member
Council Member
Council Member
Council Member
Mayor
Interim City Manager
City Clerk
The meeting was opened with a quorum present after which the following business was
conducted:
Discuss strategic plan /team building.
Dr. Gary Halter and Mr. Ernie Clark were introduced and led the meeting. Introductions of
the moderators, Mayor and Council Members and City Manager followed. Ground rules
for the meeting were discussed and included that everyone is entitled to an opinion; you
should enjoy what you are doing; and better performance results from higher expectations.
Character was defined as the internal regulator compelling one to do the right thing,
regardless of consequences or rewards. Integrity is the following of a code of conduct,
laws and values.
The discussion turned to Council's relationship with staff. Communication is critical in
the relationship. If a council member is not receiving information as desired, that must be
communicated to the manager.
Various possible roles of council members were discussed. An effective council must
have good relations.
Council requested that packets be delivered earlier to provide time to review the
information and to avoid the perception of selective information to council members.
Council members should pay attention when the public is addressing them. Do not insult
the public.
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Minutes of the Work Session — November 8, 2002
op� The Mayor is the lead of the Council and must control the relationships between the
council members and the meetings.
Keirsey Temperament Test was administered to the participants and the results discussed
The council should avoid "group think" as crifical thinking and review can be lost.
Actions must be examined in light of alternatives.
A good community is built on support from civic organizations, religious groups, a council
that cares, and a media that cares.
The views of Council concerning authority over particular situations were discussed.
Interim City Manager, Gary M. Jackson, reviewed the budget concerns with City Council.
The loss of CCPD funding ($3 million), the increased fire staffing ($1.8 million), long-
term solvency of the city, financial strategic planning, and new growth vs. existing
infrastructure dilemma. The spending vs. revenue trend was reviewed. If the trend
continues, expenditures exceed revenues in the next fiscal year. It is very important to
maintain a 60 -day fund balance. In order to do so, expenditures must be reduced and
revenues increased in a total amount of $3 million. The timetable for the strategic plan
development was reviewed with Council.
Adjourn
There being no further business, the meeting adjourned at 9:00 p.m.
GaTy W. S " ith
City Clerk
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