2004 07 22 WS MinutesMINUTES OF THE WORK SESSION
OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF BAYTOWN
July 22, 2004
The City Council of the City of Baytown, Texas, met in work session on July 22, 2004, at 4:45
p.m. in the Council Chamber, Baytown, Texas, with the following in attendance:
Ronnie Anderson
Sammy Mahan
Don Murray
Mercedes Renteria III
Scott Sheley
Calvin Mundinger
Gary M. Jackson
Bob Leiper
Ignacio Ramirez, Sr.
Gary W. Smith
Council Member
Council Member
Council Member
Council Member
Council Member
Mayor
City Manager
Assistant City Manager
City Attorney
City Clerk
The meeting was opened with a quorum present after which the following business was
conducted:
Receive presentation of the Buy Baytown Campaign by the Baytown Chamber of
Commerce.
Earl Wurzbach appeared on behalf of the Small Business Committee of the Baytown Chamber of
Commerce and explained the "Buy Baytown" campaign. He expressed appreciation for the
cooperation from Gary Jackson, City Manager, and Bob Leiper, Assistant City Manager, in
promoting the campaign.
Money spent in Baytown returns to Baytown as sales tax. The campaign asks the citizens to
shop in Baytown first. The campaign logo is utilized in window decals and in each Chamber
publication. The presentations concerning the campaign have been well received. The campaign
is introducing new programs to boost interest and participation.
Receive presentation on and discuss the Municipal Drainage Utility System Rate Study
recommendations.
Mr. Jackson introduced Bob McLain, Maximus, who performed the rate study. Mr. McLain
explained the six service levels, the total cost for each service level, the single - family living unit
equivalent and the suggested customer classes.
Service Level 1 covers the activities the City is currently engaged in to meet the mandates. The
cost is $169,000.
Page 2 of 3
Minutes of the Work Session — July 22, 2004
Service Level 2 adds the percentage of administrative overhead and additional activities to
provide minimum compliance with the rules as they are anticipated to be. The cost is $359,000.
Service Level 3 adds the drainage and maintenance division. The cost is $1,332,000.
Service Level 4 adds departmental overhead and reimburses the general fund for general and
administrative costs. The cost is $1,570,000.
Service Level 5 adds the proportionate share of the outstanding indebtedness that relates to
municipal drainage. The cost is $1,875,000.
Service Level 6 adds billing and collection costs. The cost is $2,113,000.
A single - family living unit equivalent is 1,979 square feet of impervious cover. Each residential
property is one SFLUE. Non - residential properties are divided into categories of 1 -10, 11 -20,
21 -30, 31 -40, 41 -50, 50 -100, and 100+ SFLUE.
Mr. McLain reviewed charts reflecting the cost to residential and non - residential customers of
each level of service and each possible exemption scenario.
In response to an inquiry, staff explained that Service Level 2 would meet the unfunded
mandated activities.
Mr. McLain exhibited the rates adopted by other cities in Texas.
Mike Lester, Director of Health and Emergency Medical Services, explained that the program
does not address drainage. The program addresses the quality of the run -off from storm water.
Bill Pedersen, City Engineer, explained that the City had performed a drainage study. The study
was performed by watershed. A fee to control drainage is based on the acreage of a tract and the
watershed in which the acreage is situated.
Mr. Leiper reminded Council that the bond funds for flood prevention were for land acquisition.
The acquisition will be based on the drainage study.
Consider the request for an audit on income on /generated by the Baytown Nature Center.
Council Member Sheley asked when the procedures for the Nature Center were adopted. He had
questions about the income from the Nature Center and how many visitors there had been. He
also asked how the Center was being promoted and stated that the sign of regulations was
confusing.
Mr. Jackson replied that information responsive to the Council Members' request was provided,
including a memorandum that explained the gate and reason for the gate, the fee schedule, the
funding and receipts from the Nature Center, and the visitor count.
Page 3 of 3
Minutes of the Work Session — July 22, 2004
Information from prior meetings was also provided. The rules were adopted after
recommendation from the Nature Center subcommittee and the Parks and Recreation Advisory
Committee. Funding for promoting the Nature Center will be discussed in the budget work
sessions. The entry project will assist visitors in locating the Nature Center. Staff will work
with TxDOT for placing directional signs for the Nature Center.
Receive and discuss the 2004 -2005 Utility Capital Improvements Program update
Mr. Jackson presented the update on the Utility Capital Improvements Program. Sewer
rehabilitation projects are projected in the amount of $12,068,000 in year 4 (2005). The City is
confronted by an older deteriorating system. Two hundred of the approximately 400 miles of
sanitary sewer collection lines are in need of repair. Growth is occurring and the system must be
expanded to accommodate the growth. Many applications for utility availability have been
granted. The Northeast Wastewater Treatment Plant is a 523,000,000 project. Growth requires
the expansion of the West District Treatment Plant. In 2001, the plan was $29,495,000. In 2005,
the plan is projected to be $67,230,000, with the Municipal Development District funding
$13,800,000. The costs to fund the program must come from either water and sewer rates or
from impact fees. The program includes elevated storage, automated reading of water meters
and the replacement of water meters.
Adjourn.
There being no further business, Council Member Anderson moved that the meeting adjourn.
Council Member Sheley seconded the motion. The vote follows:
Aye: Council Members Anderson, Mahan, Murray, Renteria, and Sheley
Mayor Mundinger
Nay: None.
The motion carried and the meeting adjourned at 6:25 p.m.
n n
Giry W. Smith
City Clerk