Loading...
2016 05 12 WS MinutesMINUTES OF THE REGULAR WORK SESSION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF BAYTOWN MAY 12, 2016 The City Council of the City of Baytown, Texas met in a Regular Work Session on Thursday, May 12, 2106, at 5:30 P.M., in the Hullum Conference Room of the Baytown City Hall, 2401 Market Street, Baytown, Texas with the following in attendance: Brandon Capetillo Council Member David McCartney Council Member Chris Presley Council Member Terry Sain Council Member Stephen DonCarlos Mayor Rick Davis City Manager Ignacio Ramirez City Attorney Leticia Brysch City Clerk Keith Dougherty Sergeant at Arms Mayor DonCarlos convened the May 12, 2016, City Council Regular Work Session with a quorum present at 5:30 P.M., all members were present with the exception of Council Member Robert C. Hoskins and Council Member Mercedes Renteria III who were absent. 1. a. Discuss the Utility Customer Communication Plan. City Manager Rick Davis presented the item and stated that staff went back to review its conservation rate plan in order to consider possible options for the Council to consider regarding amendments to the rate structure. Finance Director, Wade Nickerson presented the Council with a quick comparison on water rates and capital between the City of Baytown (the "City ") and the City of LaPorte ( "LaPorte "). Mr. Nickerson stated that while on the surface the City's water rates are higher than that of LaPorte and the amount of output or monies spent on capital projects to fix and/or maintain the City's water and sewer infrastructure is significantly higher than that of LaPorte. It was noted that LaPorte spent an estimated $2 million dollars on water related capital projects per year, while the City spent at least twice that amount per year, without including the other large infrastructure projects; such as the upcoming $10 million dollar sewer replacement project in 2019. City Manager Davis stated that any changes to the rate structure at this time would cost the City anywhere from $100,000 to $1 million in revenue per year, which would negatively impact the high dollar capital projects that are on the City's horizon in the next few years. Further, he noted that the City City Council Regular Work Session Minutes May 12, 2016 Page 2 of 4 has not increased the water and sewer rates in a number of years, as recommended by the water /sewer rate study that was conducted a few years ago, and through good fiscal stewardship has managed to keep the course on the rates. City Manager Davis recommended that Council hold the rates structure as is, and see how revenues and capital expenditures come in for the next few years, before considering any significant changes. He further stated that he requested staff to come up with a plan in order to educate citizens in regards to the City's water rate structure (conservation rates) and the potential impact it will have on their bill with the hot summer months coming up. Mr. Nickerson presented Council with a public education plan that is being rolled out to the public by the Utility Billing Division, in conjunction with the City's Public Affairs Office. He stated that the plan includes the water rates structure and water use of each household on each water bill, in order for citizens to have a better understanding of their own water usage and what it is going to cost them. He further stated that water conservation tips and FAQs are now being distributed to every customer that visits the Utility Billing Office and will be placed at all City buildings that are open to the public. Additionally, he stated that this information will also be included on the back of the City's utility bills, the City's various social media outlets, Channel 16 and various publications; i.e. The Bridge. The Council encouraged staff to reach out The Baytown Sun, in order to disseminate this information to citizens through their publication. Utility Billing Coordinator, Gina Rivon presented a tri-fold of FAQs related to the Utility Billing Office and its operations, in order to get relevant information in the hands of citizens. Council reviewed the documents and voiced their recommended changes to be included in the final product. Ms. Rivon stated that she and her staff are committed to educating the public about the services provided by the Utility Billing Office and also provide them with the information needed to help them manage their water usage. City Manager Davis also noted that staff is researching new technology options that will allow staff to better inform customers of their water usage, about any abnormalities in their water consumption or allow for comparisons of water usage from one year to the next; this information could be transmitted through email, robo -calls (Blakcboard Connect) or text. During further discussion, a recommendation from Council was made that staff should change the name of the water conservation rates to just water rates, in order to limit consumer confusion as the City's rates are year round and not just when a water conservation order /notice is in place. b. Discuss proposed amendments to the City of Baytown Unified Land Development Code (ULDC) in relation to the Neighborhood Serving Commercial and Neighborhood Conservation zoning districts to be considered for the City Council Regular Meeting Agenda for May 12, 2016, which is attached. Planning and Community Development Services Director, Tiffany Foster presented that agenda item and some back ground information regarding two proposed amendments to the City of Baytown Unified Land Development Code (ULDC), which will be considered at the Regular Council meeting later in the evening. She reminded the Council that the ULDC is a relatively young Code and as such will continue to be tweaked and changed as the City evolves. City Council Regular Work Session Minutes May 12, 2016 Page 3 of 4 Mrs. Foster stated that the first amendment is a cleanup item to remove all references of the Neighborhood Conservation (NC) zoning district in the ULDC and Code of Ordinances. She noted that the NC district is similar to the Mixed Use (MU) district in that after the initial rezoning of the City in March 2013, these zoning districts were no longer available to be used within the City. She stated that this particular district was also a little different then MU since the district was completely replaced by new districts and does not exist on the zoning map anymore. During further discussion, Council stated that they were comfortable with the amendment as presented. Mrs. Foster presented the second proposed amendment changes the text of the ULDC by (1) adding a definition for a "vegetative buffer zone," (2) allowing for nursing homes and assisted living facilities in the Neighborhood Serving Commercial zoning district with conditions; and (3) adding vegetative buffer zones to the compatibility standards for the NSC zoning district. She stated that currently, nursing homes and assisted living facilities are not permitted in the NSC zoning district. She further stated that the ULDC characterizes the NSC district as a transition zone or protective barrier between commercial uses and adjacent residential uses, in which the appropriate uses in the NSC district would be smaller scale and lower impact: for example, a big box retailer located adjacent to residential development would not be an appropriate land use in NSC, but a medical clinic within a small strip center development would be appropriate. Mrs. Foster stated that in order to ensure that the uses permitted in the NSC zoning district are compatible, conditions like larger buffer areas, additional screening, and directional lighting can be placed on certain types of uses. She stated that staff's recommendation is that nursing homes and assisted living facilities be allowed uses in the NSC zoning district with the following conditions: 1. provide 20 -foot vegetative buffer zone along the property line that abuts any multi - family or residential zoning district; and 2. is located on an arterial or a collector. Additionally, she stated that staff is also requesting that the compatibility standards for the NSC zoning district be amended to include a 20 -foot vegetative buffer zone, as other commercial and industrial uses are required to provide protection when adjacent to residential uses through the use of vegetative buffer zones and open space. During further discussion, Council discussed whether the 20 -foot vegetative buffer zone was necessary for a nursing home adjacent to a neighborhood as this use seems more compatible with a neighborhood than a commercial business that is only required to have a 10 -foot vegetative buffer from residential areas. Mrs. Foster stated that the 20 -foot buffer seemed more reasonable for the nursing home as they would be in a much larger land area than those commercial businesses that are allowed in the NSC District. Specifically, she stated that there is a potential nursing home along Rollingbrook that would have an eight (8) acre foot print, which would have a large impact on the surrounding residential neighborhood. She stated that the 20 -foot buffer would allow for better mitigation of the large flood lights in the parking lot and screening from the property. Mrs. Foster also noted that the commercial businesses allowed in NSC are smaller and constitute your small coffee shops or other specialty /novelty shops, which do not require such a large buffer. City Council Regular Work Session Minutes May 12, 2016 Page 4 of 4 The Council agreed in the inclusion of the vegetative buffer language and that nursing homes and assisted living facilities be allowed uses in the NSC zoning district; however, Council did not agree on whether the size of the buffer needed as a condition of the allowed use. C. Discuss any or all of the agenda items on the City Council Regular Meeting Agenda for May 12, 2016, which is attached below. This item was not discussed. 2. ADJOURN With there being no further business to discuss, Mayor DonCarlos adjourned the May 12, 2016, City Council Regular Work Session at 6:08 P.M. nn��44# ch, City Cl City of Baytown