2002 11 14 WS MinutesMINUTES OF THE WORK SESSION
OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF BAYTOWN
November 14, 2002
The City Council of the City of Baytown, Texas, met in work session on November 14, 2002, at
5:55 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
Pete C. Alfaro Mayor
Gary M. Jackson Interim 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 proposed amendments to the carnival ordinance.
Gary Jackson, Interim City Manager, reminded City Council that the current ordinance makes it
an offense for a person to intentionally or knowingly charge admission to a regulated event
without having secured a permit from the City. The changes proposed are the result of study of
other ordinances. The proposed version is more stringent than the ordinances reviewed. The
permit fee is raised to $100 per day of the event. The cash bond is increased from $2,500 to
$5,000. Trailers and recreational vehicles used as living quarters are required to have waste
disposal systems. Two portable toilets are required per 100 persons expected to attend the event.
Local organizations that will hold a short-term event on their own property are exempt from the
fee requirements.
Council's discussion reflected concern over unintended impact on local non - profit organizations.
The item will be reviewed by the City Attorney to determine changes that will have less of an
impact on the local organizations.
Discuss proposed delinquent bidder requirements.
Mr. Jackson informed City Council that Dallas and Houston have developed procedures that
review whether a vendor or a contractor owes the City money. A similar procedure could be
,4m, developed for Baytown either by adoption of an ordinance or by amending the purchasing rules
and policies.
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Minutes of the Work Session — November 14, 2002
Council's discussion indicated that the concept was worth exploring. Council Member Murray
opined that if a principal owes money to the City, then the entity should be precluded from being
awarded the bid/contract.
Council Member Sheley arrived at 6:15 p.m.
Discuss Waterfront monumentation.
Mayor Alfaro introduced the subject and stated that the proposed signage is not required in the
contract with either tenant at the Waterfront, but it could boost publicity and attention to the area
by installing lettering on the oil derrick.
Mr. Jackson explained that the V -sign at the entrance to the Waterfront has been installed. The
question before Council concerns installation of lettering on the oil derrick.
Mayor Alfaro stated that the lettering would be paid from Hotel Occupancy Tax funds. These
funds are restricted in use, but are available for tourism promotion. There will not be an impact
on the general fund budget. Assistant City Manager, Bob Leiper, explained that the proposed
lettering would be four feet in height and would be neon lettering.
Council Member Godwin expressed his opposition to the proposed lettering as unnecessary.
Mayor Alfaro further explained that an amendment to the sign ordinance might be required for
the sign. Mr. Leiper responded to a question and explained that the lettering would be readable
from the foot of the Hartman Bridge and the lighting would be visible from the top of the bridge.
Council Member Murray stated his opposition to the lettering because the Waterfront is a
destination and the sign would not impact business. He expressed dissatisfaction with the
design. Council Member Anderson reminded Council of the City's interest in the property and
of the previous complaints of lack of signage and the lack of knowledge of the existence of the
restaurant at the Waterfront. Council Member Renteria supported the placement of the lettering
to increase the advertising of the area. Council Member Mundinger supported the concept but
requested more attractive lettering. Council Member Sheley asked Council to consider the long -
range plan for the Waterfront and suggested that the businesses at the Waterfront should
participate in the cost of any increased signage.
Discuss appointment.
Reinvestment Zone Number One, City of Baytown.
This appointment was delayed until the next meeting.
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Minutes of the Work Session — November 14, 2002
OP*- Adjourn.
There being no further business, Council Member Mundinger moved adjournment. Council
Member Anderson seconded the motion. The vote follows:
Aye: Council Members Anderson, Godwin, Mundinger, Murray, Renteria and Sheley
Mayor Alfaro.
Nay: None.
The motion carried and the meeting adjourned at 6:29 p.m.
GdYy W. §hiith
City Clerk