2005 07 28 WS MinutesMINUTES OF THE WORK SESSION
OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF BAYTOWN
July 28, 2005
The City Council of the City of Baytown, Texas, met in work session on July 28, 2005, at 4:30 p.m.
in the Council Chamber, Baytown City Hall, 2401 Market Street, Baytown, Texas, with the
following in attendance:
Ronnie Anderson
Sammy Mahan
Don Murray
Scott Sheley
Calvin Mundinger
Gary M. Jackson
Bob Leiper
Kelvin Knauf
Ignacio Ramirez, Sr.
Gary W. Smith
Absent was Brandon Capetillo, Council Member.
Council Member
Council Member
Council Member
Council Member
Mayor
City Manager
Deputy City Manager
Assistant City Manager
City Attorney
City Clerk.
The meeting was opened with a quorum present after which the following business was conducted:
Presentation from Baytown Chamber of Commerce on current activities related to visitors
services.
Council Member Mahan filed a conflict of interest affidavit related to the discussion involving the
Chamber of Commerce and did not participate.
Gary Jackson, City Manager, commended the Chamber of Commerce for the work programs it
conducts and the visitor services provided.
Tracey Wheeler- Martinez, Executive Director of the Baytown Chamber of Commerce, addressed
City Council. She stated that the Chamber was the primary organization involved in promoting the
Baytown community. In June 2003, 484 calls were received concerning visitors to the community.
In June 2005, the number of calls increased to 940. Visitors include family and friends, group
meetings, business related trips, special events, personal, medical, and educational visits, and youth
and adult sports tournaments.
The Chamber provides visitor services through telephone calls, directions, mail outs, welcome bags,
cook -offs, hotel information, and administrative support. The average visitor spends $92 per day in
the City. There were 700 visitors for the Bayou Bowl in 2005. The fiscal impact from visitors
warrants the continuation and expansion of the Chamber's efforts.
Thirty-seven percent of the Chamber budget ($119,584) is directed toward visitor services. There
are additional marketing needs, including a new video, a tourism website, services for conferences,
Page 2 of 5
Minutes of the Work Session — July 28, 2005
promotion in travel magazines, promotional brochures, promotional items, and trade and travel
show participation and display.
Ms. Wheeler- Martinez requested support to enhance tourism.
Mayor Mundinger commended the work and effort of the Chamber. He cautioned that
enhancement of the program will generate additional work.
Responding to a question, Ms. Wheeler- Martinez stated that the revenue sources of the Chamber are
the dues and special events (banquet, trade show, and Chili When its Chilly).
Mr. Jackson stated that the activities discussed would qualify for hotel occupancy tax funding and
that proposals will be presented during the budget work sessions during the first three days in
August.
Discuss storm water management plan.
Rory Lang, Storm Water Management Coordinator, reviewed the storm water management plan.
The federal government amended the Clean Water Act to regulate non -point source pollution (storm
water runoff) to apply to large cities (over 100,000 population) in Phase I and smaller cities (under
100,000 population) in Phase II. The Texas Commission on Environmental Quality oversees the
program. Permitting of Phase II cities has been delayed by a lawsuit. The guidelines for permitting
are being revised.
Under the law, the City must have authority to discharge storm water. The City must have a storm
water management plan in order to get the permit that authorizes the discharge of storm water. The
City will have five years to implement the plan after the granting of the permit.
City Council has created the storm water division, authorized the storm water fee, completed a rate
study, and directed staff to develop a storm water management plan. The plan is now ready for
review and adoption. The plan contains six minimum control measures to reduce pollution. The
control measures include best management practices, measurable goals, and a schedule for
implementation. The measures include education, mapping, construction site runoff control, post
construction storm water management, and municipal housekeeping. Future work sessions will be
held to explain the elements of the plan. Adoption of the plan prior to the granting of the permit
will allow extra time for implementation.
Receive update on the street bond program.
Bob Leiper, Deputy City Manager, reported that Phase II of the street bond program was ready for
closeout. Year 3 is at the 90% design stage with bidding of the project projected for October.
Funding for Year 4 includes $2,718,098 for construction and $3,397,622 for the total project.
Staff is asking City Council to establish the criteria for the selection of the streets to be included in
rTIN Year 4. The Year 4 project will not affect the funding for Year 5 (Raccoon and Kilgore). The next
cost estimate on the Raccoon project will be at the 90% design stage, anticipated to be in December
2005.
Page 3 of 5
Minutes of the Work Session — July 28, 2005
After Council selects the streets for the Year 4 project, Klotz & Assoc. will make a preliminary
estimate. The project may be adjusted at that time. Thereafter, Klotz & Assoc. will move to the
design phase.
Council Member Murray asked if a detailed review of the streets would be performed prior to the
development of the preliminary list.
Mr. Jackson stated that the PCI list is a tool and that the observations of the members of City
Council are important in the development of the preliminary list.
Discuss the Community Development Block Grant Consolidated Plan.
Tiffany Foster, Planning Manager, introduced Kay Purser, MKP Consultants, who assisted in the
development of the consolidated plan. The consolidated plan is needed to receive block grant
funds.
Ms. Purser stated that the plan controls the use of funds from Housing and Urban Development
(HUD). It sets the priorities for improving the city. Other agencies seek funding form HUD. In
order to receive the funds, the other agencies must address the concerns set out in the consolidated
plan in their own projects.
The consolidated plan addresses housing for the homeless, elderly, severely ill, mentally ill, and
those suffering from HIV and AIDS. The plan addresses parks and infrastructure. Public
involvement is garnered through cooperation with other agencies.
The plan addresses housing rehabilitation, homebuyer assistance, new affordable rental housing,
barriers to affordable and fair housing, and the reduction in the number of units with lead based
paint. There is a gap in affordable rental housing. Approximately 3,776 units are needed. In
owner- occupied housing, approximately 2,835 units are needed.
In public service the areas addressed are transportation for the seniors and mentally ill, literacy,
homeless, and job training. In the infrastructure field, the areas addressed are code enforcement,
repair of structures, and demolition of substandard structures.
The Action Plan for 2005, effective October 1, 2005, includes Briarwood Park, alleyways and
sidewalks, code enforcement, etc.
Discuss the Chambers County Improvement District No. 1 Fire Protection Agreement.
Mr. Jackson stated that there has been a good deal of interest in development in Cedar Crossing.
The industrial park holds great potential. It is outside the City and the City provides no services to
the area. The industrial park is within an industrial district and the industries have signed industrial
district agreements. Public safety services are not provided under these agreements. The area also
constitutes Chambers County Improvement District No. 1, which has been reactivated. The
Improvement District can receive revenues. Presently the area receives fire protection from a
volunteer fire department.
Page 4 of 5
Minutes of the Work Session — July 28, 2005
The District has approached the City requesting a contract to provide fire protection service within
the District. The District will pay the City $150,000 annually. The City will hire three additional
fire fighters to respond to fires within the District. The proposed contract is beneficial to the City
and District and provides an opportunity for economic development and jobs.
Mike Shields, Executive Director of the Baytown/West Chambers County Economic Development
Foundation, stated that the lack of fire service is a significant impediment to development by small
companies. The risk of loss is great and the fire insurance rates are very high. The volunteer fire
department has limited manpower and services. The Baytown Fire Department is a better option.
Mayor Mundinger stated that growth is occurring and will continue to occur. The City must be
ready to respond to support the economic development of the area. He noted that the contract
provides for the replacement of materials and equipment consumed while fighting a fire in the
District.
Council Member Anderson questioned whether the $150,000 would cover the cost of the three
additional fire fighters. Shon Blake, Fire Chief, responded that it will cover the cost and that the
fire fighters will be primarily stationed at Fire Station 4 (Fayle & I O h). The Department has
sufficient resources to cover the District and the City.
Mr. Leiper stated that the City has mutual aid agreements with Harris County agencies and
Chambers County agencies. The City is currently providing fire protection services to the District
through the mutual aid agreements. The contract will provide compensation for the services
currently provided. The contract will provide recovery for expended materials, consumables, and
overtime required by a response in the District. The contract also covers Channel Industry Mutual
Aid costs, if incurred.
In response to a query of any disadvantage, Chief Blake stated that the only disadvantage is taking
resources out of the City, but the benefits outweighed the disadvantage.
Discuss appointments.
Baytown Housing Finance Corporation. Council was not ready to discuss appointments to
the Corporation.
Construction Board of Adjustments and Appeals. Council was not ready to discuss
appointments to the Board.
Beautification Commission. Mayor Mundinger suggested that each Council Member be
ready to appoint two representatives and the City Manager appoint one representative to the
Commission.
Council Member Renteria arrived at 5:57 p.m.
Adjourn.
Council Member Mahan moved that the meeting adjourn. Council Member Sheley seconded the
motion. The vote follows:
Page 5 of 5
rdli
Minutes of the Work Session — July 28, 2005
Ayes: Council Members Anderson, Mahan, Murray, Renteria, and Sheley
Mayor Mundinger.
Nays: None.
The motion carried. There being no further business, the meeting adjourned at 5:59 p.m.
Gary W' Smith ✓hy.`•',
City Clerk v:
J