2011 08 11 WS MinutesMINUTES OF THE REGULAR WORK SESSION OF THE
CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF BAYTOWN
August 11, 2011
The City Council of the City of Baytown, Texas met in a Regular Work Session
on Thursday, August 11, 2011, at 5:00 P.M., in the Council Chamber of the Baytown
City Hall, 2401 Market Street, Baytown, Texas with the following in attendance:
Brandon Capetillo
Robert Hoskins
David McCartney
Mercedes Renteria
Terry Sain
Scott Sheley
Council Member
Council Member
Council Member
Council Member
Council Member
Council Member
Stephen DonCarlos Mayor
Robert D. Leiper
City Manager
Kevin Troller
Assistant City Manager
Ignacio Ramirez
City Attorney
Leticia Brysch
City Clerk
Mike Holden
Assistant Sergeant of Arms
Mayor DonCarlos convened the August 11, 2011, City Council Regular Work Session
with a quorum present at 5:00 P.M., all members were present with the exception of
Council Member Robert Hoskins who arrived at 5:20 P.M.
1. DISCUSSIONS
a. Discuss World Wide Wetlands Sustainable Energy Building - Parks and
Recreation.
City Manager Leiper presented the agenda item to discuss the World Wide Wetlands, Inc.
proposal for the development of the Sustainable Energy Center at the Eddie V. Gray
Wetlands Education and Recreation Center.
Mr. Eddie Gray presented a presentation of the proposed development of the Sustainable
Energy Center which included the proposed layout of the building along with the terms
and conditions of the agreement. Mr. Gray stated that the land proposed for this
project will include the building, the parking lot which will be available on both sides of
the building with some specified priority parking, and two lakes. Mr. Gray indicated that
the building floor level will be at 14 ft., which is about 2 feet above the 100 year
floodplain and that one of the lakes being 15 ft. deep will act as a heat exchanger for the
geothermal air conditioning system. This system operates through piping connecting
from the air conditioning equipment going under the parking lot and into the big lake and
being positioned at the bottom of the lake to cool the water and return back into the
building to re- circulate and have a cost savings of approximately 50% on the air
conditioning bill. Additionally the roof will have solar panels, there will be wind
generators to generate electricity, there will be a circular shaded cover drop off area to
provide valet parking and there will be a screened outdoor cooking area with all of the
catering equipment on rollers for mobile transportation. Mr. Gray stated that the wetlands
center and the energy center will work as one unit and listed the terms and conditions of
the agreement as follow:
• the lease is for a term of 5 years or for the building period;
• upon completion the building will be exclusive property of the City;
• WWW is building the World Wide Wetlands Sustainable Energy
Building and giving it to the City with the City being willing to teach the
programs discussed by WWW and maintaining the building;
• the center will be built in accordance with plans and specifications approved by
the City;
Building permit fee for permits issued by the City will be waived;
• City is to pay water and sewer impact fees;
• Beer and wine consumption will be allowed at the site for special events to be
served with food or dinner;
• The center must be used in furtherance of its mission to support sustainable
energy and wetlands and the development programs: it also be used for city or
private events, special fundraisers, and seminars;
• The Advisory Board, which is to report to the City Council regarding the use of
the Center: which will be composed of nine members serving staggered three -year
terms consisting of three City employees, three WWW directors, and three
citizens appointed by the City Manager.;
• WWW has the right to terminate at any time prior to commencement of
construction activities; and
• The City will provide management, staffing and programming for the sustainable
Energy Center.
Mr. Gray stated that because he's planning to get the applications to the building donated
or at a minimal cost, getting the gifts bonded is challenging. City Manager Leiper stated
that staff would work on the bonding concern for the construction of the building and that
a rough draft of a contract is projected for the first meeting in September. City Manager
Leiper also recommended changes to the terms and agreements and stated to have
Council appoint citizens and the City Manager to appoint the employees to the Advisory
Board.
b. Discuss Amending the Alarm Permitting Process and Fees - Police /City
Clerk/Finance.
City Manager Leiper presented the agenda item to discuss amending the alarm permitting
process and fees and introduced Assistant Chief Holden to provide information on the
City of Baytown current process and the comparisons from other cities.
Assistant Chief Holden stated that the main problems in the police department regarding
alarm permits are the false alarms and the lack of information on the permits. He stated
that in the year of 2010, the percent of false alarm calls that officers responded to from
businesses were at 92% and 98% from residential. He indicated that because a minimum
of two (2) officers are dispatched to the alarm having an average of 30 minutes in
response time, and the lack of current information upon arriving at the location of the
call, recommendations are being made to help maintain the man power of the police
department.
Chief Holden stated that once someone exceeds five (5) false alarms, the information is
sent to the Community Service Bureau and one of the Crime Prevention Specialists
makes contact with the owner to see if they would like a survey done and a visit to the
location to see what may be the problem to help the owner to come into compliance. An
inquiry was made as to what is the liability of the City was if they did not respond to calls
when an exceeding number of false calls have been met. Assistant Chief Holden stated
that when talking with other agencies, typically the agency will revoke the permit and
would not respond to the alarm company, but would respond to a call from a person in
regards to the property. A recommendation was made to put the money into the general
fund and use it for more officers to respond to calls than to not respond to a call at all.
During the discussion an inquiry was made as to what happens when a payment is not
made to someone who exceeds the false alarms limit and the City Attorney Ignacio
Ramirez stated that a collection agency handles the situation.
City Manager Leiper stated that the recommendations are to have an initial permit fee of
$25; a renewal fee of $10; no fee for anyone over the age of 65; and having a fee of an
amount at least twice the annual fee if an officer responses to an alarm that is
not registered, and paying a fee for every false alarm of six (6) or more in a twelve month
period. City Manager Leiper stated that anyone who has a current permit would be
considered a renewal and would be charged a $10 renewal fee.
With consensus from the Council, Mayor DonCarlos requested information as to whether
other cities require Ilic alarm installers trt provide educational material from their local
entities to their constituents when installing a new alarm system.
C. Discuss the City of Baytown 2011-12 Proposed Budget - City Nianagenient.
City Manager 1-ciper presented the ageri(hi item to discuss the City of Baytown 2011-12
Proposed Budget and stated that the technical adjustment which reflects the $7.4 million
in borids that was added to the general debt serviecs fund that will raise $674,380 in
revenue and increase expenditures that same amount giving an updated total
of$] 22,470,701 for expenditUIVS. City Manager Leiper stated that possible technical
adjustments will be presented at the next meeting,
2. APPOINTNIENT
I
11. Appointinent: Civil Sei-vice Coinmission - City Clci-k.
City Mariager Leiper prcsetitcd the agenda item to CHSCLISS OIC C011111-111,1tiOn Of his
appointment of Mr. Dennis Araujo to the (,,ivil Set-vice Commission due to Mr. Kevin
Shipley no longer qualifying to serve on the Corilmissioll.
3. ADJOURN
With there being no further business to discuss, Mayor DoriCarlos adjourned the August
11, 2011, City Council Regular Work Session at 6:17 P M.
City of" Baytown