2005 08 11 WS MinutesMINUTES OF THE WORK SESSION
OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF BAYTOWN
August 11, 2005
The City Council of the City of Baytown, Texas, met in work session on August 11, 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
Brandon Capetillo
Sammy Mahan
Don Murray
Scott Sheley
Calvin Mundinger
Gary M. Jackson
Bob Leiper
Kelvin Knauf
Ignacio Ramirez, Sr.
Gary W. Smith
Absent was Mercedes Renteria, Council Member.
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:
Discuss repairs to the Ships Store.
Gary Jackson, City Manager, proposed asking the Architect & Engineer Committee to meet with
firms that specialize in the type of work required on the Ships Store to determine the extent of
repairs that are necessary. One issue that can be resolved by this process is the extent of repairs or
replacement of the roof. The firm of Hall, Barnum and Luchese has looked at the building. Other
firms will be contacted. Perhaps interviewing several firms can reduce the cost of repairs. The
meeting will be scheduled as soon as statements of qualifications are received.
Discuss H -GAC's Envision Houston Region.
Lily Wells, AICP, with the Houston - Galveston Area Council (H -GAC), addressed Council
describing the Envision Houston: Region program. Immense growth is projected for the region. The
population is projected to increase by 70% by 2035. The infrastructure is aging. There are
concerns with the ports and trucking. An additional 3.2 million people will live in the region.
The program intends to mesh transportation, environment, housing, and employment. The vision
will help determine how the region maintains its quality of life, economic development, jobs,
housing diversity, and recreational opportunities.
Other communities have created their visions. They have planned for the future through shared
community values. The plan must be tailored to each community in the region.
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Minutes of the Work Session – August 11, 2005
H -GAC covers an eight -county region. Large maps will be used to develop components of the
vision during workshops to be held around the region. In all categories, Hams County is the
leading component. The vision will include roads, toll roads, rail, water, wetlands, flood plain, land
use, and land cover issues.
Ms. Wells reviewed the analysis process. The suggestions for growth will be made into scenarios.
After the analysis, the scenarios will be brought back to each area for a presentation of the results
and discussion. The scenarios will show the difference in travel time, air quality, etc. The
discussions will include what action is to be taken, based on the information developed.
Council Member Murray stated that the program provides the opportunity for input from the eastern
part of the region and the opportunity for citizens and civic groups to be involved in the planning
process. It is important that the Economic Development Foundation, the Chambers of Commerce,
and civic groups be involved.
Ms. Wells thanked Council Member Murray and Greg Stubbs, Director of Planning and
Development Services, for their assistance in scheduling the workshop in Baytown. She noted that
Mr. Stubbs was a "dream."
Discuss Storm Water Management Plan — Minimum Control Measures
• Public Education and Outreach
• Public Involvement and Participation.
Rory Lang, Storm Water Coordinator, presented a review of the two minimum control measures.
Under Public Education and Outreach, existing brochures on managing storm water, homeowners'
solutions to storm water pollution, and anti- litter material from Neighborhood Protection will be
distributed. New brochures for nurseries and landscaping best management practices and for the
municipal drainage utility system frequently asked questions will be developed and distributed.
Event participation in Trash Off, Earth Day, Arbor Day, Water Works Camps, Nature Fest, and Bay
Day will be encouraged. Materials and exhibits will be prepared for the events. Education will be
provided through the schools. The fifth grade program at the Wetlands Center will continue, along
with the program at the Nature Center. The reference library will be maintained. A new eighth
grade program will be developed at the Wetlands Center. Storm Water educational events will be
developed. Other outreach will include website updates, event participation, the Marsh Matters
newsletter, interpretive signs, utility bill inserts, and the creation of a speakers bureau.
Public Involvement and Participation will include the involvement of the public in storm water
planning. Public workshops will be held on the storm water management plan. Legal notices will
be published. Quarterly public meetings will be held. In addition, there will be participation in
Trash Off, continued storm drain marking, the adopt -a- street program, and volunteer sampling
water quality.
Ms. Lang reviewed the educational materials available for the measures. The proposed
beautification commission's activities will be merged into the storm water management goals.
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Minutes of the Work Session — August 11, 2005
Discuss the creation of the beautification commission.
Gary Jackson, City Manager, explained that samples of ordinances from other cities were included
in the packet. The focus of the commission will include beautification programs (entryways, rights -
of -way, and internal roadways), litter abatement (education and public awareness and reviewing
ordinances and enforcement with recommendations for changes), and recognition programs. If City
Council approves of the focus, staff will prepare an ordinance for consideration at the next regular
Council meeting.
Mayor Mundinger stated that the tasks for the commission are somewhat open - ended. The first
goal is to join Keep Texas Beautiful and Keep America Beautiful, attend training, and get
organized.
Mike Lester, Director of Health and Emergency Medical Services, stated that if the commission
joins Keep Texas Beautiful (KTB), then KTB will provide the training locally. The program
provides timelines for reports to Council. The training should be accomplished within a four to six
hour block, performed at the discretion of the City.
Mayor Mundinger suggested fifteen members for the commission to have enough members to share
the work.
Council Member Murray asked staff to prepare frequently asked questions with answers for
commission service. He encouraged leveraging the active civic association participation by asking
civic associations to nominate a member to the commission.
Council Member Sheley reported on his fact - finding trip to Abilene and Midland. He attended the
KTB Conference. He encouraged asking civic associations to participate and provide funding for
the projects. Public education can be accomplished through the schools. A curriculum presently
exists. He noted that local artists were involved in the placement of public art in another city.
A general consensus was expressed that Council Members should not be bound by district lines
when making appointments.
Mr. Jackson stated that staff will prepare a proposed ordinance and frequently asked questions for
consideration during the next meeting.
Discuss appointments.
Baytown Housing Finance Corporation. Council was not ready to discuss appointments to
the Corporation.
Construction Board of Adjustments and Appeals. Council will discuss appointments to the
Board during the regular meeting.
Baytown Area Water Authority. Council Member Sheley stated that he would nominate
Bob Gillette, Dan Mundinger, and Dan Conejo to the Board.
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Minutes of the Work Session — August 11, 2005
Reinvestment Zone Number One, City of Baytown. Council Member Capetillo stated that
he would nominate Don Murray, Reggie Brewer, and Mike Wilson to the Reinvestment
Zone Board.
Adjourn.
Council Member Mahan moved that the meeting adjourn. Council Member Anderson seconded the
motion. The vote follows:
Ayes: Council Members Anderson, Capetillo, Mahan, Murray, and Sheley
Mayor Mundinger.
Nays: None.
The motion carried. There being no further business, the meeting adjourned at 5:40 p.m.
Gary W. Smith
City Clerk v?