2000 10 16 CC Minutes, SpecialMINUTES OF THE SPECIAL SESSION
OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF BAYTOWN
October 16, 2000
The City Council of the City of Baytown, Texas, met in special session on
October 16, 2000, at 6:30 p.m., in the Auditorium of the Community Center, 2407
Market Street, with the following in attendance:
Absent were:
Victor Almendarez Council Member
Don Murray Council Member
Coleman Godwin Council Member
Pete C. Alfaro Mayor
Monte Mercer City Manager
Danny Jackson Assistant City Attorney
Gary W. Smith City Clerk
Scott Sheley Council Member
Calvin Mundinger Council Member
Ronnie Anderson Council Member
The meeting was opened with a quorum present after which the following
business was conducted:
Consider Approval of the Minutes of the October 12, 2000, Regular Council
Meeting
Council Member Almendarez moved approval of the minutes. The motion
was seconded by Council Member Murray.
The motion carried.
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Hearing on appeal of the decision of the Urban Standards Rehabilitation
Board to demolish the structure at 1000 W. Murrill (Lot 2, Block 13, Pruett
Estates, Section 2).
Mayor Alfaro opened the hearing and asked the City Manager to brief the
Council on the circumstances concerning the property.
The City Manager announced that Ms. Kay Arwood, appellant and owner
of the property had entered into an agreement with the City that would provide for
the repair and restoration of the structure on or before December 16, 2000. Ms.
Arwood stated that she did not desire to offer any testimony.
The hearing was closed.
Consider affirming, reversing, or modifying the decision of the Urban
Standards Rehabilitation Board concerning the structure at 1000 W. Murrill
(Lot 2, Block 13, Pruett Estates, Section 2)
Council Member Murray moved modification of the decision of the Urban
Standards Rehabilitation Board to accept the agreement entered by Ms. Arwood
for the rehabilitation of the property. The motion was seconded by Council
Member Godwin.
Ayes: Council Members Almendarez, Murray and Godwin and
Mayor Alfaro.
Nays: None.
The motion carried.
Baytown 2020 Public Hearing
Mayor Alfaro opened the public hearing on the proposed Baytown 2020
Comprehensive Plan. He introduced Lisa Urban, Co -Chair of the Steering
Committee, and the other members of the Steering Committee present. Lisa
Urban then reviewed the proposed plan.
The plan has been two years in development, through town meetings and
interviews with leaders of the community. The plan will be reviewed and
presented to Council for consideration on November 1. A review of the existing
comprehensive plan, RUDAT and other studies lead to the formation of the
Steering Committee to update the existing plan. The proposed plan will provide
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Minutes of Special Session — October 16, 2000
a guide for decisions of community leaders in the future. The plan is to be
regularly reviewed and updated as goals are met.
The Baytown 2020 Plan is designed to be community first, to provide for
balanced development, to manage quality development, to provide for
progressive leadership, and to develop Baytown to be a true hometown.
The priorities of the Plan are:
1. Infrastructure
2. Beautification /Image
3. Code Enforcement
4. Transportation
5. Compatibility in neighborhoods
6. Regional storm water detention
7. Traffic synchronization
8. Air/Water Quality
9. Parks improvements
10. Future growth areas.
The chapters and purposes were reviewed:
Land Use
Review Zoning.
Encourage infill
Plan for annexation.
Appearance
Improve aesthetic appearance
Reduce litter
Transportation
Meet minimum standards for all streets
Provide alternate modes of transportation
Signal synchronization
Parks and Recreation
Maintain a blend of well- maintained parks
Focus on water resources
Provide connections between parks
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Minutes of Special Session — October 16, 2000
Housing
Protect low- density neighborhoods
Provide a variety of housing options
Provide minimum standards for all neighborhoods
Utility Infrastructure
Regional storm water detention
Protect against 100 -year storm
Public Input
David Dauphin spoke to commend the committee for its hard work and
encourage adoption of the Plan. Requested development of Cedar Bayou as a
recreational water resource. Suggested a "Welcome to Baytown" sign on Hwy.
146 just south of 1 -10.
James Haarmeyer expressed that the Plan would stifle the growth of small
businesses and make properties totally useless. Stated that the eight -foot strip
taken for veggies and the additional six -foot strip proposed in the plan fails to
provide for grandfathering and causes significant harm to businesses. Council
does not read the plan. The $5,000 expense for landscaping will result in more
empty buildings. The City does not own the empty lots the plan wants to have
collected and given to developers. If the strong -arm tactics are continued, as
were used with the start of the implementation of this Plan, there will be no
support from businesses for the bond issue.
Gloria Bashrum waived her request to speak.
John Darland requested a more fully equipped and developed Seniors
Center. There is a need for a Senior Citizens Activity Building, providing for
exercise. Perhaps there is a need for more than one facility.
J. S. DiPietro declined to speak.
R. E. Christensen spoke to request strict enforcement of standards to
protect the value of homes in neighborhoods. In particular, he complains of
activities at Rollingwood and Decker Drive.
Luther Haddock spoke to the need for public transportation in Baytown.
He requested the formation of a committee to develop a system as is being
developed across the Channel. He understands that the SIP will require public
transportation.
IM
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Minutes of Special Session — October 16, 2000
Mayor Alfaro addressed the audience and reported that Council is
scheduled to consider acceptance of the Plan on November 9. The Council will
act as the community desires. The action items will be addressed after further
evaluation. A plan is necessary to go into the future. Thanks were expressed to
the members of the Steering Committee for their hard work.
Stan Reed then spoke protesting policies being adopted by 15 or 16
people controlling everyone. A committee of five old ladies banned billboards.
The system is turning into a dictatorship. No one in business is involved in the
committees. They would know better than to propose such things.
Mayor Alfaro replied that he was for a limited government.
The Public Hearing was closed.
Adjourn
As there was no further business to be transacted, the meeting was
adjourned.
It h
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G4 W. Smit , City Clerk