2001 04 05 CC Minutes, SpecialMINUTES OF THE SPECIAL SESSION
OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF BAYTOWN
April 5, 2001
The City Council of the City of Baytown, Texas, met in regular session on April 5, 2001, at 4:00 p.m. in
the Hullum Conference Room of the Baytown City Hall with the following in attendance:
Victor Almendarez
Council Member
Scott Sheley
Council Member
Ronnie Anderson
Council Member
Calvin Mundinger
Council Member
Don Murray
Council Member
Coleman Godwin
Council Member
Pete C. Alfaro Mayor
Monte Mercer City Manager
Ignacio Ramirez, Sr. City Attorney
Gary W. Smith City Clerk
The meeting was called to order at 4:00 p.m., after which the following business was conducted:
Consider confirmation of the City Manager's appointment of the City Engineer.
Council Member Mundinger moved confirmation of Don Pederson as Director of Engineering. Council
Member Sheley seconded the motion. The vote follows:
Ayes: Council Members Almendarez, Anderson, Godwin, Mundinger, Murray and Sheley
Mayor Alfaro.
Nays: None.
The motion carried.
Consider appointment and compensation of a Municipal Court Judge and /or an Associate
Municipal Court Judge(s).
The members of City Council discussed whether consensus had been reached over the person who
would be appointed as interim Municipal Court Judge. With some dissent, the discussion moved to the
appointment of Lang Bailey as the interim Municipal Court Judge, subject to change by Council, at a
compensation of $200 per day for each day presiding in Court.
Council Member Murray moved the appointment of Larry Bailey as interim Municipal Court Judge.
Council Member Godwin seconded the motion. Council Member Sheley spoke against the motion,
expressing concern that the action would give a perception of an entitlement to the appointment for the
remainder of the unexpired term. The vote follows:
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Minutes of the Special Session —April 5, 2001
!`' Ayes: Council Members Anderson, Godwin, Mundinger, and Murray
Mayor Alfaro.
Nays: Council Members Almendarez and Sheley.
The motion carried.
The Council then discussed the procedure for selection of an interim associate municipal judge. Council
Member Murray suggested a subcommittee of Council review the applications, interview the candidates
and make a recommendation to Council and that the subcommittee continue with a limited purpose to
determine the future issues confronting the Council related to the municipal judge position (full -time and
how many part-time judges) and to provide stewardship for the court. Other members of Council
preferred to conduct the interviews without use of a subcommittee. The City Manager stated that staff
would prepare a list of interested parties, proposed questions for the interviews and an interview
schedule for Council by the April 12 meeting.
Consider adjustment of the compensation of the Associate Municipal Court Judge.
No action.
Update on redistricting efforts.
Mayor Alfaro reported on his testimony before the House Redistricting Committee on March 28 and the
Senate Redistricting Committee on March 29. The testimony was well received. The community was
spoken of highly. Mayor Alfaro reported that he testified as follows: that he represented the City
Council, the Chamber of Commerce, and the Baytown -West Chambers County Economic Development
Foundation; the population was greater than the census reported; Baytown is located in two counties;
City Council had approved one resolution and would consider a second, which, upon approval would be
forwarded to the Senate Redistricting Committee; the citizens were well served by the present elected
officials, but the districts were distorted resulting in voter confusion; none of the elected officials have
an office in Baytown; and Baytown requests the minimum number of districts.
All of the districts are within the accepted population deviation, except Senator Gallegos. Mayor Alfaro
reported that he is somewhat optimistic about redistricting, especially in the Senate.
Consider Resolution No. 010405 -1, concerning state senate districts affecting the City of Baytown.
Council Member Almendarez moved approval of the resolution. Council Member Sheley seconded the
motion. The vote follows:
Ayes: Council Members Almendarez, Anderson, Godwin, Mundinger, Murray and Sheley
Mayor Alfaro.
Nays: None.
The motion carried.
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Minutes of the Special Session —April 5, 2001
RESOLUTION NO. 1481
A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF BAYTOWN, TEXAS, SUPPORTING A
REDISTRICTING PLAN THAT WILL PLACE THE CITY OF BAYTOWN IN A MINIMUM NUMBER OF
STATE SENATE DISTRICTS; AND PROVIDING FOR THE EFFECTIVE DATE THEREOF.
Consider Resolution No. 010405 -2, concerning congressional districts affecting the City of
Baytown.
Council Member Murray moved approval of the resolution. Council Member Almendarez seconded the
motion. The vote follows:
Ayes: Council Members Almendarez, Anderson, Godwin, Mundinger, Murray and Sheley
Mayor Alfaro.
Nays: None.
The motion carried.
RESOLUTION NO. 1482
A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF BAYTOWN, TEXAS, SUPPORTING A
REDISTRICTING PLAN THAT WILL PLACE THE CITY OF BAYTOWN IN A MINIMUM NUMBER OF
U.S. CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICTS; AND PROVIDING FOR THE EFFECTIVE DATE THEREOF.
Mayor Alfaro announced that casual dress for Council meetings will be effective from May 1 through
September 30.
City Manager Monte Mercer announced that a special Council meeting will be held on Monday, April 9,
2001, at 8:00 a.m. to reschedule the regular Council meeting of April 12 to resolve conflicts with
Maundy Thursday services.
Adjourn.
There being no further business, the meeting adjourned at 4:56 p.m.
GaVy W. Smith
City Clerk