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1989 02 02 CC Minutes, SpecialMINUTES OF THE SPECIAL MEETING OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF BAYTOWN February 2, 1989 l The City Council of the City of Baytown, Texas, met in special session on Thursday, February 2, 1989, at 5:00 p.m. in the Council Chamber of the Baytown City Hall with the following attendance: Fred T. Philips Jimmy Johnson Perry Simmons Roy Fuller Rolland Pruett Emmett O. Hutto Fritz Lanham Randy Strong Bobby Rountree Lynda Kilgore Councilman Councilman Councilman Councilman Councilman Mayor City Manager City Attorney Assistant City Manager Deputy City Clerk The meeting was called to order with a quorum present. The following business was conducted: Consider Appointment to Council District No. 6 Mayor Hutto stated that the purpose of this meeting is to consider the appointment to Council District No. 6. He asked that those addressing council please confine their remarks to this particular item on the agenda. Council has received resumes from three individuals who have indicated an interest in this position -- Cheryl Cole, Ambrose Rios, Jr., and Pete Alfaro. He inquired if any council members had received other resumes. Mayor Hutto recognized Vernon Shields who stated that he does have a resume he would like to submit to council. Mr. Shields presented his resume at this time. Mayor Hutto announced that several people have signed the roster to address council and that there is a three minute limit. 890202 -2 Minutes of the Special Meeting - Feb. 2, 1989 Rocky Rodriguez, 601 West Cleveland, read a letter addressed to council and signed by Rocky Rodriguez, Judy Hardy and Tony Campos. The letter explained that a group of sixty --five minority citizens had met on January 30, 1989, to discuss the vacancy created by the resignation of Ron Embry. Mayor Hutto was invited for the purpose of explaining the selection process. The topics discussed at the meeting were the selection process involved in filling the vacancy, and the affect the appointment of a minority would have on the lawsuit against the city on the issue of single member districts. The letter contained the names and a brief summary of remarks about single member districting by four citizens who were interested in the vacant council position. The letter closed stating that this group hopes that the decision in filling this vacancy is based on sincere motivation to bring minorities into the decision - making process of Baytown city government and not a last ditch effort to affect the pending litigation. Mayor Hutto explained that he talked to Mr. Tony Campos about that meeting on two occasions and informed him that it would be very inappropriate for the Mayor to attend that meeting because of pending litigation. Steve Fischer, 2001 Wright Blvd., addressed council to speak on behalf of Cheryl Cole. He stated that she has been a friend for six years, and he has also worked very closely with her. As a member of his union, she has been involved in contract negotia- tions and has the inherent ability to look at both sides fairly and objectively and to meet middle- ground compromises very well. She has a bachelor's degree in Political Science and would be an asset to the council. W.J. Reineke, 2000 Alabama, stated that he is a fifty year resident of Baytown. He would like to speak for Mr. Pete Alfaro whom he has known for twenty years. He added that Mr. Alfaro is a fair person and a fine gentlemen. His skills in management and judgement are very good, and he would like to recommend Pete Alfaro for council position, District 6. n 890202 -3 Minutes of the Special Meeting - Feb. 21 1989 Gene Kinney, 5100 Parsley, addressed council and asked that the council vacancy not be filled. He feels that the present council is serving under mitigating circumstances, and he would like for the citizens of Baytown to elect someone for that vacancy. Jim Entringer, 5103 Glen Haven, President of the Country Club Civic Association, addressed council not on behalf of that entire organization, but for some of its Board of Directors. He stated that he has worked with Pete Alfaro, in many activities over the years. He finds Mr. Alfaro to be an extremely dedicated and capable individual. He stated that Mr. Alfaro had very strong organizational and leadership skills and would make a very good councilman. Tony Campos, 1518 W. Humble, addressed council. He stated that his remarks were directed to Mayor Hutto. He felt that Mayor Hutto showed insensitivity in refusing to meet with the minority citizens at the Monday night meeting. Dan Conejo, 5519 East goad, addressed council to express his support for Fete Alfaro. He stated that Mr. Alfaro would work with the existing council and help make decisions for the entire City of Baytown. He added that some of the minorities who are here do not represent the entire Hispanic body of Baytown. Mary Jane Samara, 1906 McFarland, addressed council to show her support for Pete Alfaro. She has known him for years and has been aware of his involvement in civic affairs. She felt Mr. Alfaro would bring special qualities such as honesty and integrity to council. He represents every segment of the Baytown community, and his views reflect the views of the majority of Baytonians. 690202 -4 Minutes of the Special Meeting - Feb. 2, 1989 Vernon Shields, 3300 Rollingbrook, appeared to solicit the appointment to the unexpired term of Ron Embry, Council District 6. Mr. Shields stated that he had served on many committees with the city and has shown interest in all causes in Baytown. He served on the Baytown Housing Authority Board for five years, one year as chairman of that Board. He has been involved in youth basketball with the YMCA and many other activities in the community. His Master's Degree is in Public Administration. Mr. Shields stated that he would like to be seriously considered for the vacancy in District 6. Lynne Foley, 204 Post Oak, addressed council to express her support for Pete Alfaro. She has known him for many years and feels that he possesses the leadership skills necessary for this position. She stated that he is very people- oriented, thinks before he speaks, and has demonstrated his skills in the various activities in which he has been involved. Mrs. Foley stated that Mr. Alfaro is proud of Baytown and will be a respected member of council. Woody Crawford, 906 Friars Lane, President of the Allenbrook Civic Association, appeared to express his support and the support of many of the civic association members for Mr. Ambrose Rios. Mr. Crawford added that Mr. Rios had represented the association well and had also been instrumental in the acqui- sition of park property for Allenbrook Subdivision. He felt that Mr. Rios would represent all of Baytown, and would be a good choice for Council District 6. Angie Rios, addressed council to express support for a minority on council. She stated that one minority would not have much of an impact on council, but would be a good thing for minorities in our city. She felt an appointment of a minority to council would show sensitivity on the part of council to the minorities. She would like to see this change now so that her children would feel that there was someone on council sensitive to their needs as would all minorities. 890202 -5 Minutes of the Special Meeting - Feb. 21 1989 Jean Shepherd, 7616 Bayway, appeared to express concern for the seriousness of this appointment. She stated that council would be making a decision for District 6 and for the City of Baytown. She hoped that council would pay close attention to the resumes submitted and how these candidates have served the com- munity. She added that she did not support any candidate, but does support single member districts. Ray Robinson, 2004 Texama Street, addressed council to encourage them to fill this council vacancy. He stated that he had heard many times that justice delayed is justice denied. Mr. Robinson felt it would be a mistake not to fill this position. He encouraged council to try very hard to appoint the right man for the job. Pete Alf aro, 5020 Glen Haven, appeared before council to express his interest in being named to fill the council vacancy in District 6. He briefly discussed his resume naming many of the community activities in which he has been involved. Mr. Alf aro stated that he had been considering running for council over the last two years, and his decision to ask to be considered for this vacancy was not an overnight decision. He added that one point that did bother him was that he would not be considered as a serious candidate for this position but be considered a token minority. Mr. Alf aro stated that even if this were the case he would swallow his pride for the betterment of the commun- ity and try to work for the best efforts of this community. He wants to utilize his experience as a community leader to accom- plish the goals and objectives that are developed by citizen input. He stated that the community needs to move forward in economic development, representation on council, and more citizen participation at all levels of city government. Mr. Alfaro stated that if appointed, his goal would be to be the best city councilman that Baytown has ever had. Sometimes when the makeup of a group is changed, one person can be enough to start causing a change. He stated that his intent is to be remembered not as a token, but as a facilitator that was able to revitalize Baytown city government and to make Baytown a better place for everyone. 890202 -6 Minutes of the Special Meeting - Feb. 29 1989 Ambrose Rios, 906 Sunnybrook, appeared to express his desire to seek the appointment to the council vacancy. He stated that he was not sent to Baytown by Exxon, he was born here. He stated his resume indicates that his experience is directly related to the business of the city. He has been involved in many community activities. Mr. Rios pledged that he would do his very best to represent this city proudly. He felt that the other people vying for this position are to be commended, but that he was the best man for the job. Cheryl A. Cole, 52 Park Briar Circle, addressed council to be considered for the council vacancy. She stated she had heard many good comments tonight. She discussed her involvement in community affairs. Mrs. Cole stated she is a third generation Baytonian and has yet to see representation on the Baytown City Council. She stated she does not come just as a minority, but as a concerned citizen and a member of District 6 who is concerned about Baytown as a whole. She pledged sensitivity to everyone in Baytown and for the betterment of the community. Ms. Cole stated that there is a golden opportunity here in the replacement of a very fine councilman, Ron Embry. She hoped that concern for every citizen would be shown here tonight and urged council to consider her for this position. Mayor Hutto stated that there were four individuals submitting resumes for the council vacancy and added that council was not bound to appoint any of the four if they did not choose to do so. He announced that this appointment would not be made in executive session but at the council table. He expressed appreciation for the people interested in serving. Councilman Johnson asked for a few minutes to read through the resumes. After a brief break to read through resumes, Mayor Hutto asked for comments from council. Councilman Simmons stated that he felt that all four candi- dates were fine people and friends of his. He has had a long relationship with the Hispanic and Black races in this town since living on this side of the creek for fifty years. He's been in business here and has seen many of these people grow up, and has 894202 -7 Minutes of the Special Meeting - Feb. 2, 1989 worked with these minorities. He knows he does not think as they do, but has tried to serve them to the best of his ability. The selection of one of these candidates will not be a reflection on the other candidates and applauded their interest in city govern - ment and wished them well. Councilman Fuller added that he felt good about the qualifi- cations of these people who were seeking this position. He felt that the city could not go wrong with any one of the four presented tonight. Baytown can be proud and look to the future to have qualified people represent this segment of the society that is here tonight. Mayor Hutto stated he felt that all of the candidates are community minded, and he has had the pleasure of appointing probably all of them to different boards and committees through the years. Councilman Philips added that no one knew why Councilman Embry chose to resign, but for whatever reason he did. In that resignation, this situation here tonight was created. Citizens coming forward and showing interest and concern about their special interest is a good thing. He would like to believe that tonight brings about a new era in Baytown where there would be a lot of this type input and people coming to council meetings. We need it and from that standpoint Mr. Embry created a good, positive thing. He added he was pleased to see these candidates being endorsed by their friends and neighbors. He felt that any one of the four would do a good job. He is more familiar with Mr. Alfaro having worked with him on numerous occasions, and would rise to the support of him. Councilman Pruett added that he was pleased to see people from all districts here tonight to see this District 6 vacancy filled. He added that he was glad to live in a country where this vacancy could be filled with a vote and not by force. It would be hard to go wrong with any one of the four. Councilman Pruett moved to appoint Pete Alfaro to fill the District 6 council vacancy. Councilman Philips seconded the motion. The vote follows: Ayes: Council members Philips, Johnson, Simmons Fuller and Pruett Mayor Hutto Bays: None 890202 -8 Minutes of the Special Meeting - Feb. 2, 1989 Adjourn There being no further business to be transacted, the meeting was adjourned. Approved By: -/ Q-: - - ------ - - - - -- Eileen -P. Hall City Clerk 3.3.3 0 -Lyn Kilgore Deputy City Clerk