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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. Page 2 of 4 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. Page 3 of 4 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. Page 4 of 4 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