2004 08 26 WS MinutesMINUTES OF THE WORK SESSION
OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF BAYTOWN
August 26, 2004
The City Council of the City of Baytown, Texas, met in work session on August 26, 2004, at
5:00 p.m. in the Council Chamber, Baytown City Hall, 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:
Discuss the H -GAC Solid Waste Grants for fiscal year 2005 for the Community Service
program and the surveillance camera program.
Mike Lester, Director of Health and EMS, explained that the surveillance camera grant is a
continuation of an existing grant. To be effective, the cameras must be mobile. The purpose of
the program is to control illegal dumping. The program has been effective in reducing the
dumping of tires on Wismer.
The grant for the Community Service program allows the City to be a walk -in site for
community service workers. The grant will allow the City to have a supervisor and a van. The
program will operate Tuesdays through Saturdays, from 8 a.m. until 5 p.m. The focus of the
work by the community service workers will be the cleaning of illegal dumpsites and litter
abatement.
Receive update on and discuss Harris County Organized Crime Task Force grant funding.
Gary Jackson, City Manager, explained that legislative activity is underway to reduce grant
funding. The Task Force has been successful, however, the continuation of grant funding is in
jeopardy.
Roger Clifford, Police Captain, stated that the grant funding is uncertain. The Task Force has
been in existence since the early 1970's. In 1990 the Task Force was funded by a federal Byrne
grant. The purpose of the Byrne grants is to join federal, state and local agencies as a unified
investigative body.
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Minutes of the Work Session — August 26, 2004
The proposed federal budget combines the Local Law Enforcement Block Grants and the Byrne
grants into JAG grants. The funding is reduced by 42 %. The COPS grant funding is reduced by
87 %. These reductions are made in order to enhance homeland security. The proposed budget
has passed in the House and is pending in the Senate. It is projected to pass in the Senate as it is
written. If the budget is passed as it is presently written, the grant funding for the Task Force
will be reduced by 36 %.
At the state level, Texas has reevaluated drug trends. State funding will be refocused where the
greater problems exist.
The Task Force has $2,035,044 in generated program income as of July 31, 2004. Presently the
Task Force asks each entity to contribute 30% of the expenses. This can be increased to 50 %.
Another option is to take the difference from the generated program income. This approach will
provide funding for two more years.
The civilian employees of the Task Force are funded 100% by the Task Force and are employees
of the City of Baytown. Each entity pays for 25% of the personnel cost of each peace officer
assigned to the task force.
Discuss the Parks Board's recommendation for facility rental fee increases.
Mr. Jackson stated that the Parks Board had reviewed the facility rental rates and compared the
fees with nearby communities and made recommendations related to the rates.
Scott Johnson, Director of Parks and Recreation, recalled that the Council increased certain
rental rates on May 1, 2003. The proposal presented is the second phase. It involves set -up fees
and discounts to citizens. Mr. Johnson reviewed the rates that have been recommended by the
Parks Board and compared them to the current rates. The changes involved increases in
deposits, increased hourly rates with mandatory set -up and clean-up fees, a flat rate for use of the
kitchen, and charges for other equipment (overhead projector, television, VCR). Mr. Johnson
reviewed the comparable rates of other cities. The increased rates are projected to yield a 20%
increase in revenues.
Council discussed the rates after improvements are made to other facilities. The discussion
included a comparison of rates and the cost of operating the facility and of charging for the total
time that a rental occupies a room or facility.
Discuss annexation model.
Mr. Jackson explained that staff had searched for a method to evaluate the cost of an annexation.
No existing model was found; therefore, staff developed a model to show the cost and benefit of
development, both inside and outside the City. The model may be used as a tool to help evaluate
whether or not to approve an annexation or a development.
Travis Doughty, Purchasing Manager, explained that the model is based on residential
development and the cost and benefit of the development. The premise for the model includes:
maintaining the current service levels and capital improvements. The premise does not include
inflation or water and sewer improvements, as they are funded through an enterprise fund.
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Minutes of the Work Session — August 26, 2004
The population of the area or development is estimated at the time of the request and the time of
build -out. The service levels are calculated. The costs are based on the current budget and the
population projection at build -out. Special costs that are unique to the area are included, such as
roadways and water and sewer lines. Any debt from a MUD or other district is also included.
Revenue is calculated from all sources.
The model compares the costs and revenues on a year -to -year basis to determine the sum of the
eventual impact.
Mr. Doughty reviewed the model of a development that will be built out in four years, with 100
homes being completed each year. The projected revenues for each year were reviewed. The
difference in locations related to the Public Safety Response Area was included. No additional
revenue is provided if the development is within or outside the Public Safety Response Area.
In order to break even, a development outside the City limits must have an average home value
of $400,000. In order to break even, a development inside the City must have an average home
value of $250,000.
Council discussed the benefits of residential growth through the addition of buyers in the retail
marketplace and the increase and variety of retail and service amenities that will be attracted to
the community with a greater population.
Discuss impact fees.
Mr. Jackson stated that he would attempt to address the questions concerning impact fees that
were raised at the meeting on August 12, 2004.
One issue raised was applying a different impact fee in unique zones within the City. Mr.
Jackson reminded Council that the study of the City, i.e., the land use assumptions, was based on
the City as a whole. To provide zones for differing fees, the studies must be redone, specific to
each zone.
Mr. Jackson reviewed the wastewater plants and stated that the impact fee is designed to pay the
cost of capital expansion that is related solely to the development. He reminded Council that the
entire City is being asked to pay for the I &I problems. If zones were developed, the impact fee
would double in the northeast district, stay approximately the same in the east and west districts
and be reduced significantly in the central district.
Council discussed the impact of the I &I problem in the older and newer parts of town, while all
ratepayers are paying for the I &I repair work.
Council discussed the application of impact fees to in -fill development and affordable housing.
Staff replied that in -fill development must be treated the same as new development. Affordable
housing is defined by federal statute. The impact fee law allows the exemption of all affordable
housing, but does not allow selective exemption of affordable housing.
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Minutes of the Work Session — August 26, 2004
Consider appointments.
Local Law Enforcement Advisory Board.
Council Member Sheley stated that he would move the appointment of Judge Tony
Polumbo (local court), Reverend Silverio Sanchez (religion), Lavon Heintschel (local
community group), Kathy Clausen (school), Julie Escalante, Assistant City Attorney
(prosecutor's office), Jackie E. Erikson, Captain (police), and Reverend Richard Turner
and Sgt. Lisa Rynearson (new appointment) as alternates.
Adjourn.
There being no further business, Council Member Murray moved that the meeting adjourn.
Council Member Mahan 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 6:23 p.m.
Gary . Smith
City Clerk