2011 07 28 WS MinutesMINUTES OF THE REGULAR WORK SESSION OF THE
CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF BAYTOWN
July 28, 2011
The City Council of the City of Baytown, Texas met in a Regular Work Session
on Thursday, July 28, 2011, at 4:32 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
Robert Hoskins
Council Member
David McCartney
Council Member
Terry Sain
Council Member
Scott Sheley
Council Member
Stephen DonCarlos Mayor
Robert D. Leiper
City Manager
Kevin Troller
Assistant City Manager
Ignacio Ramirez
City Attorney
Leticia Brysch
City Clerk
Keith Dougherty
Sergeant at Arms
Mayor DonCarlos convened the July 28, 2011, City Council Regular Work Session with
a quorum present at 4:32 P.M., all members were present with the exception of Council
Member Renteria who was absent and Council Member Sheley who arrived at 4:40 P.M.
1. DISCUSSIONS
a. Discuss and Review Proposed Redistricting Maps - Administration.
City Manager Leiper presented the agenda item to discuss and review proposed
redistricting maps. City Manager Leiper stated that Dr. Robert Stein from Rice University
will present Council with maps he believes meets the legal requirements necessary for
approval by the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) and that the purpose of this item is to
review the maps, incorporate Council's comments and receive direction from Council on
the next steps to follow. City Manager Leiper stated that if the consensus of Council is to
make changes, then it will go back to Dr. Stein for recalculations and changes. He also
stated that the maps are based on census calculated numbers.
Mr. John Alford, a colleague of Dr. Stein presented the redistricting plan presentation and
stated that due to the one person one vote requirement, they were tasked with evening out
the population growth within the City of Baytown with some restrictions. He also stated
that because the numbers are based on census numbers, it can be difficult to
accommodate all requests in regards to redistricting.
Dr. Stein stated that because the City did not meet the one person one vote
requirement, the district lines were redrawn but the minority districts were preserved
along with where possible the incumbents' districts.
Dr. Stein stated that a mistake was made on District 5 where an unpopulated area (east
side of Sjolander, north side of Needlepoint Road) was not included on the maps that they
originally received but with the area being unpopulated, it had no effect on the
recommendations.
Mayor DonCarlos stated that he received calls from residents in the old County Club area
objecting to being split from the new sections of Country Club and asked if there were
any trade offs possible. City Manager Leiper stated that those residents are being moved
from District 4 to District 3 and although there were no minority issues, the challenge
was moving some of the population out of District 5 to District 4.
Council Member Sain stated that the calls he received from the residents objecting to the
change was because the change separates the Country Club Home Owners Association.
Dr. Stein requested that Council identify on the map their proposed changes and they will
modify the map and then bring in the results of the adjustments.
Council Member Sheley inquired about West Main Street and Goose Creek Stream
becoming a boundary line and what the racial make up would be in District 2, if
expanded.
City Manager Leiper stated that the population growth has no bearing on drawing the
maps for the 2010 Council Districts. He stated that the census data is the only data that
the maps are based off of.
b. Discuss Municipal Election Alternatives to Accommodate the Challenges
Resulting from the Passage of Senate Bill 100 - City Clerk.
City Manager Leiper presented the agenda item to discuss Municipal Election
alternatives to accommodate the challenges resulting from the passage of Senate Bill 100
and stated that Senate Bill 100 was passed by the Texas Legislature in June 2011, in
order to bring the state into compliance with the Federal MOVE Act (Military and
Overseas Empowerment Act), which requires ballots for federal office be transmitted out
to voters no later than 45 days before an election.
City Manager Leiper stated that after Senate Bill 100 was signed, Harris County indicated
via a letter that they will no longer be able to provide election equipment and services to
political entities that hold their May General Elections on even numbered years.
City Manager Leiper stated that staff compiled a number of alternatives, along with their
pros and cons for Council's consideration and they are as follows:
• (1) Move the City General Elections to November;
• (2) Keep election in May and purchase or lease equipment costing a capital
investment of approximately $300,000 with about $20,000 to $40,000 yearly in
maintenance;
• (3) Change terms to (2) years (November Charter Election required); or
• (4) Change terms to (4) years staggered (November Charter Election required)
City Manager Leiper did not recommend the following alternatives for the following
reasons:
Alternative (2) — The risk the City takes on as far as allegations of votes not being
properly counted. City Manager Leiper recalled when the City processed punch
cards and mentioned that this did occur then. As well as the possible voter
confusion that could occur if two different types of machines are used for
elections;
• Alternative (3) — Educating new Council on the budgeting process would be a task;
and
• Alternative (4) - There are things that will need to be discussed for the Charter for
this winter and there is not enough time to discuss these items before November.
City Manager Leiper stated that if Council elected to change the terms, the process would
need to start immediately and reminded Council that (1) there was no guarantee that the
change would be approved and (2) if changed, they would be excluded from any other
charter activity for two years.
City Manager Leiper stated he recommended moving the election to November as there
is no Charter Election required and there are minor related expenses. He stated that the
deadline to change the election date is December 2012 by Resolution.
All present Council members agreed to choose alternative 1 and consented to moving
the general election to November.
2. APPOINTMENTS
a. Appointments: Baytown Area Water Authority - City Clerk.
City Manager Leiper presented the agenda item to discuss the three (3) reappointments of
Mr. Wayne Baldwin, Mr. Dan M. Mundinger, and Mr. Mike Wilson to the Baytown Area
Water Authority Board. City Manager stated that they are all eligible and desire to be
reappointed.
b. Appointments: Baytown Crime Control and Prevention District - City Clerk.
City Manager Leiper presented that agenda item to discuss the two (2) reappointments of
Ms. Emily Wallace and Mr. Joseph K. Whitehead and one (1) opening to the Crime
Control and Prevention District Board. City Manager Leiper stated that they are
all eligible and desire to be appointed with the exception of Mr. Daniel C. Blackford,
who did not seek to be reappointed.
C. Appointments: Baytown Fire Control, Prevention, and Emergency INIedical
Services District - City Clerk.
City Manager Lciper presentcd that agenda item to discuss the two (2) reappointnients of
Mr. Gerald Baldwin and Mr. N/launce Watts arid one (1) opening to the Baytown Fire
Control, Prevention, arid Emergency Medical Services District. City Manager Leiper
stated that they are all eligible and desire to be reappointed with tile exception of' Mr.
Ryan I-lightowu who requested to not be reappointc(l.
CoLmell Member Capetillo stated that lie has a recommendation for the opening and will
provide at JLIIy 28, 2011 ('OLIIICil Meeting.
d. Appointments: Baytown Redevelop tent Authority and Reinvestment Zone
Number One and Baytown Redevelopment Authority - City Clerk.
City Manager Leiper presented the agenda itern to discuss the three (3) reappointments of"
Mr. Reggie Brewer, Mr. Terry Sain, and Mr. Mike Wilson to the Baytown Tax Increment
Rcitivestment Zone No. One and tile Bayto\tin Redevclopment Authority, City Manager
I-eiper stated that they are all eligible and (Icsire tca be reappointed.
Appointments: Board of Adj ustinent - City Clerk.
City Manager Leiper presented the agenda item to discuss the five (5) reappoititnients of
Ms. Kay Carnion, Mr. Gilbert Santana, Ms. Barbara Wooster, Mr. Mike Wilson, and Dr.
David Corder to the City of 13aytowti Board ofAdJustment. City Manager Leipc• stated
that they are all eligible nand desire to be reappointed.
t. Appointments: Parks and Recreation Board - City Clerk.
City Manager Lciper presented the agenda item to discuss tile two (2) reappointments of
Mr, Wayne Baldwiri and Mr, Agustin Loredo tsa tile Parks and Recreation Board. City
Manager Leiper stated that they are both eligible and desire to be reappointcd.
UNNEERVINS-11ML
With there being no furthcr business to discuss, Mayor DoriCarlos adjourned the July 28,
2011, City Council Regular Work Session at 5:34 P.M.