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2010 12 09 WS MinutesMINUTES OF THE REGULAR WORK SESSION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF BAYTOWN December 09, 2010 The City Council of the City of Baytown, Texas met in a Regular Work Session on Thursday, December 09, 2010, 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 David McCartney Mercedes Renteria Terry Sain Scott Sheley Stephen DonCarlos Garrison Brumback Bob Leiper Kevin Troller Ignacio Ramirez Leticia Garza David Alford Council Member Council Member Council Member Council Member Council Member Mayor City Manager Deputy City Manager Assistant City Manager City Attorney City Clerk Sergeant at Arms Mayor DonCarlos convened the December 09, 2010, City Council Regular Work Session with a quorum present at 4:35 P.M. 1. DISCUSSIONS a. Discuss Downtown Zoning - Planning and Development Services. City Manager, Garry Brumback presented the agenda item to conduct a Joint Work Session with the Planning and Zoning (P &Z) Commission to discuss potential zoning regulations for the downtown area. Planning Director, Kelly Carpenter stated the Council adopted the Downtown Plan in 2004 and the first implemented document was the design guidelines which were adopted in 2005. After 2005, lots of public and private implementation activities started to develop. In 2009, staff presented the overlay district to the Planning and Zoning Commission then to the Unified Land Development Committee. Ms. Carpenter stated that the Arts Cultural Entertainment (A.C.E.) District is recommended as the name of the district. Mayor DonCarlos inquired if there was no specific plan for the number of multi - family units or particular project contemplated in this plan. Ms. Carpenter stated that the overlay provides for a density up to 30 units per acre and does not place the apartments anywhere. Council Member McCartney inquired if permits for air conditioning or roofing are considered as improvements. Ms Carpenter stated that as long as the facade is not changing than it is considered maintenance. Council Member McCartney recommended approving the use portion of the plan and continues to work on the other portions. Mr. Barry Bobitt stated that the facade standards are too strict and may turn developers away. Mr. Floyd inquired if there was a Downtown Association. During the discussion, Council and the P &Z Commission agreed to approve the use portion of the plan. Mayor DonCarlos recommended that P &Z Commission concentrate on the uses portion then go directly to the design standards. Mayor DonCarlos also recommended for the P &Z Commission to articulate specific issues with the design standards to bring to Council to work through. Council Member McCartney inquired about the time frame of getting the use portion completed. Ms. Carpenter stated that a work shop could be done at the P &Z meeting on December 15th and the formal action could take place on January 19, 2011. City Manager, Garry Brumback stated that the permit department created a card, in English and Spanish, that allows customers to track their permits without having to come into the office. The Planning and Zoning members exited the work session. b. 2011 Legislative Preview - Administration. City Manager, Garry Brumback presented the agenda item to discuss the 2011 Baytown Federal Legislative Program and Preview the Upcoming 112th U.S. Congress and stated that the discussion will include the time -line of the legislative priorities. He also stated that the finalization of the priorities will be brought back to Council for discussion and approval at the January 13th meeting along with the State priorities then send to respective entities. Mr. Brumback stated that in February himself, Mayor DonCarlos, and Nick Woolery will go the Washington D.C. to meet with the congressman and Mr. Leiper will have a follow -up visit around March or April. Danielle McBeth, the City's Federal lobbyist, presented an overview of the 2011 Baytown Federal Legislative Program as it relates to the 112th Congress. Mayor DonCarlos inquired about the submission of funding for Spur 330 and Hwy 146. Mr. Brumback stated that other evacuation route projects that were almost complete were priority before this one. Mr. Leiper stated that TxDot will not design a project until it is funded and it can't be funded until it's designed. Mayor DonCarlos inquired about the estimate cost of the design. Mr. Leiper stated that an estimate for construction is about $9 million and TxDot normally does the design "In- House. Mr. Leiper stated that the probability of getting TxDot to design project will probably be at the stated level. Ms. McBeth stated that this project was on the list of 111th session of Congress, which was a two year term and were able to get some funds from the delegation to put forward toward the project and once it was completed the funding merged with the thought that the Spur was completed, so that's why it didn't end up back on the list. 2. ADJOURN With there being no further business to discuss, Mayor DonCarlos adjourned the December 09, 2010, City Council Regular Work Session at 6:03 P.M.