2011 01 27 WS MinutesMINUTES OF THE REGULAR WORK SESSION OF THE
CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF BAYTOWN
January 27,2011
The City Council and Planning and Zoning Commission of the City of Baytown,Texas
met in a Joint Work Session on Thursday,January 27,2011,at 4:35 P.M.,in the Council
Chamber of the Baytown City Hall,2401 Market Street,Baytown,Texas with the
following in attendance:
Brandon Capetillo Council Member
Lynn Caskey Council Member
David McCartney Council Member
Mercedes Renteria Council Member
Terry Sain Council Member
Scott Sheley Council Member
Stephen DonCarlos Mayor
Joe Floyd Commissioner
Gil Chambers Commissioner
Bob Leiper Interim City Manager
Kevin Trailer Assistant City Manager
Ignacio Ramirez City Attorney
Leticia Brysch City Clerk
Keith Dougherty Sergeant at Arms
Mayor DonCarlos convened the January 27,2011,City Council Regular Work Session
with a quorum present at 4:35 P.M.
1.DISCUSSIONS
a.Discuss Baytown Mobility Plan -Planning and Development Services.
Planning Director,Kelly Carpenter presented the agenda item to discuss the Mobility
Plan Study and Schedule with the City Council and Planning and Zoning
Commission.Ms.Carpenter stated that the Mobility Plan will evaluate long-term multi
modal needs based on:population projections and future land use;regional transportation
demands;parks,trails,and greenway connectivity;increased freight trips;the need for
safe sidewalks;partnership with Lee College;and industrial growth.Ms.Carpenter stated
that the 2007 Plan does not address the movement of freight and does not work with the
factthat the City has the transit system with Harris County.
Mayor DonCarlos stated that the Heavy Haul Plan was discussed at the Alliance Meeting
he attended,and it did not include Baytown so he inquired for the Alliance to
consider the Heavy Haul Plan to run over the Fred Hartman Bridge down Business Hwy
146 towards Cedar Crossing.
Ms.Tina Walker,the URS Project Manager,presented an overview of the beginning
stages and projected outcomes of the plan then introduced Mr.Jim Harvey,Planning
Director of the Alliance Transportation Group to present the public involvement process
used for this project.
Mr.Harvey stated that process involves educating the public and obtaining their
participation.Mr.Harvey indicated that the public participation comes from various
aspects and includes City residents,those in the ETJ,and stakeholders.
Mr.Floyd stated that he would like to see safe sidewalks along the commercial corridors
to allow people the freedom of walk to shopping stores safely.
Mayor DonCarlos stated that he received many complaints from residents regarding the
congestion on Garth Road,the crossing over Cedar Bayou,and recommended for the
future consideration that streets parallel to Garth to run long distance.
Mr.Chambers stated that there should be more contacts and connectivity to Chambers
County.
Council Member Capetillo stated that he would liketo see work done on Cedar Bayou
Lynchburg and the surrounding streets to accommodate the traffic coming on and off of
Garth Road.
Council Member Sain suggested adding a flyover to the Spur330 to N.Hwy 146.
Council Member McCartney inquired if an evaluation of the signals and signs would be
part of the plan and if a lane can be dedicated to vehicles turning right only.Ms.
Carpenter stated that if signs and signals become an area of interest in the evaluation,
recommendations would be made and included in the plan.Mr.Harvey stated that this
plan does not target dedication to right lane turns,but if this is noted as a systematic
problem,the plan would recommend a proposal to incorporate policies and engineering
standards to address the concern.
Mr.Harvey inquired of Council if there were some specific locations that causes the
traffic flow to become congested.Council stated the following areas were suggested as
causes forthe traffic congestion:
Baytown Central and Garth,
Ricetand Manor and Garth (street next to Kroger shopping center),and
W.Main and Airhart (traffic from Exxon plant)
Mr.Chambers inquired if video studies are done to observe motorists behavior.Mr.
Harvey stated that no video will be done,but engaging with the motorists will be part of
the study.
Council Member Renteria suggested that with future planning regarding sidewalks to
consider them for multiple uses Cogging,walking,biking,exercising,etc.).
Mr.Harvey stated that various types of advertisements would be utilized to get the word
out regarding the plan including the website and broadcasting channel.
Council Member Renteria inquired if there was a number to call to submit suggestions.
Mr.Leiper stated that there is a number to call to report problems,but there will bean
ability to submit comments on the website.
Ms.Walker stated that the next steps in the plan process is to submit information to staff
to put on the website,study the results from the website,then proceed with the following
scheduled meetings:
Community Kickoff -March 8th
Land Use Stakeholder -March 9th
Economic Development Stakeholder -March 17th
Technical Analysis -February through August
Public Meeting -Mid-August
Anticipated Adoption -January 2012
2.APPOINTMENTS
a.Baytown Library Board Appointments -City Clerk.
Interim City Manager,Bob Leiper presented the agenda item to discuss three (3)
appointments and one (1)vacancy to the Baytown Library Board.
Mr.Leiper stated that there was one (1)application for the vacancy and recommended
reappointing the other three (3)appointments.
3.ADJOURN
With there being no further business to discuss,Mayor DonCarlos adjourned the January
27,2011,City Council Regular Work Session at 6:03 P.M.
Lcticia B
City ofBayt