2003 08 01 WS MinutesMINUTES OF THE WORK SESSION
OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF BAYTOWN
August 1, 2003
The City Council of the City of Baytown, Texas, met in work session on August 1, 2003, at 2:00
p.m. in the Hullum Conference Room of Baytown City Hall, 2401 Market Street, Baytown,
Texas, with the following in attendance:
Ronnie Anderson
Coleman Godwin
Calvin Mundinger
Don Murray
Mercedes Renteria III
Scott Sheley
Pete C. Alfaro
Gary M. Jackson
Ignacio Ramirez, Sr.
Gary W. Smith
Also present were:
Sylvia Garcia
Roel Garcia
Kim Harrison
Council Member
Council Member
Council Member
Council Member
Council Member
Council Member
Mayor
City Manager
City Attorney
City Clerk
Harris County Commissioner, Precinct 2
Chief of Staff- Administrative/Infrastructure
Community Liasion
The meeting was opened with a quorum present after which the following business was
conducted:
Discuss Harris County and City of Baytown projects, issues and concerns.
Council members and staff were introduced to Commissioner Garcia. Commissioner Garcia
introduced her staff that accompanied her. Commissioner Garcia thanked all for attending and
stated, "Working together works." Commissioner Garcia announced that the preliminary "go-
ahead" had been received for County participation in the TIRZ.
Status of Garth Road reconstruction, north of I -10.
Roel Garcia reported that the in -house engineers had met in July and necessary revisions have
been made to the geotechnical report. The roadside ditches must be widened for a gentler slope,
requiring redesign of the project. The project is projected to be out for bid in 18 months.
Council Member Mundinger requested that the road have same configuration as the roadway
south of I -10.
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Minutes of the Work Session — August 1, 2003
Raccoon Drive reconstruction.
Mr. Garcia reported that the preliminary engineering report was released on July 30, 2003. The
County Engineering staff will have two weeks to review the report and make comments to the
consultant. The consultant will have one month to respond to the comments. The design is
projected to be complete in two months.
Council Member Anderson expressed strong community support for the improvements to
Raccoon Drive. A petition is being circulated supporting the project.
Mr. Garcia stated that the project should start construction by the end of 2004.
Status of East Harris County Soccer Complex.
Commission Garcia stated that the complex was to be developed in phases with cooperation from
the City. She has heard concerns from the City about supplying water to the complex. Bob
Leiper, Assistant City Manager, explained that the original plan was for the City to provide a
waterline to the complex. Upon further investigation, Public Works warned that a 2.6-mile dead -
end waterline would not maintain the chlorination levels required for potable water. Either the
line would need to be over - sized, a chlorination plant installed at the complex, or the line would
require regular flushing. An alternate to the waterline is the installation of a water well for the
complex. The original projected cost of the waterline was $1,000,000. A 4 -inch water well can
serve the current phase of the complex, as well as the planned expansions. The Coastal
Industrial Water Canal could be used to provide water for irrigation. An 8 -inch waterline could
be installed from the canal to irrigate the complex.
Commissioner Garcia asked if future development of the area along North Main would support
the installation of the waterline. Gregory Stubbs, Director of Planning and Development
Services, reviewed the development potential for the area and concluded that growth in that area
was not imminent. Commissioner Garcia asked for a continued commitment to provide water to
the complex. Gary Jackson, City Manager, confirmed that the Baytown Municipal Development
District supports providing water to the complex.
Kilgore Road reconstruction.
Fred Pack, Director of Public Works, stated that Kilgore Road was on the County road log. The
City provides the routine maintenance, much like Bayway Drive. Council Member Godwin
stated that Kilgore Road is a little over two miles long, extending from James Street to Cedar
Bayou Road. The homes along the road range from modest to estate - sized. The road parallels
Cedar Bayou and has been the scene of numerous fatal accidents. On the east side of the road is
a deep ditch. He stated that he recalled no major maintenance of the roadway in the 50 years he
has lived near the road. Mayor Alfaro stated that the City proposed that the City and County
engage in a cooperative project to repair the roadway.
Commissioner Garcia reported that Kilgore Road is not on the County road log. If a cooperative
project is proposed, she will insist that the agreement be reduced to writing.
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Minutes of the Work Session – August 1, 2003
East Baker Road extension.
Mr. Leiper explained that it has been a long -term plan to extend Baker Road to the east to
intersect Crosby -Cedar Bayou Road. The property owners along the proposed route have agreed
to donate the right -of -way. The City would like to enter into a joint project with the County to
build the roadway in phases —to build one side of the eventual roadway now and add the other
half, as development requires. This system was employed with West Baker Road.
Wayne Gray Sports Complex renovation.
Scott Johnson, Director of Parks and Recreation, described the proposed expansion of the Wayne
Gray Sports Complex. He explained that the City had been in discussions with Harris County
Flood Control for Flood Control's assistance with the development of a detention/retention pond
for the park. Staff changes occurred and the discussions ended. The City asks for in -kind labor
to dig the detention/retention pond or to provide funding for development of the pond. The pond
would be used for children's fishing and for storm water control.
Commissioner Garcia explained the limitations of County funding for parks. She supports parks
as they provide a benefit to all citizens. She explained her desire to create a parks and trails
master plan for the precinct. She indicated her support for development of a skateboard park if
the City provides the land.
Economic development and revitalization.
Commissioner Garcia stated that she has planned town hall meetings in each quadrant of the
precinct to seek input form the citizens. She is working to keep all the health clinics open, in
spite of the significant cuts in health care funding from the national and state levels.
On August 22 a Homeland Security Seminar will be held with representatives from all levels of
government. She will authorize her staff to work with cities to help with grant writing to obtain
funding for homeland security.
The County is moving forward to approve participation in Baytown's TIRZ.
An economic development summit will be held to bring people together to work on the
development of East Harris County. The area can do more if it works together. She proposed
development divisions to work with the various industries in the precinct; chemical, aerospace,
and port.
Mayor Alfaro noted that revitalization is important to the older areas in Baytown. The City
wants to work with Commissioner Garcia to help with the revitalization.
Mayor Alfaro asked for feedback from the Council Members on the meeting and reviewed the
discussions. Commissioner Garcia expressed hope that a similar meeting could be held on a
regular basis.
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Minutes of the Work Session — August 1, 2003
Adjourn.
There being no further business, Council Member Mundinger moved adjournment. Council
Member Anderson seconded the motion. The vote follows:
Aye: Council Members Anderson, Godwin, Mundinger, Murray, Renteria, and Sheley.
Mayor Alfaro
Nay: None.
The motion carried and the meeting adjourned at 3:29 p.m.
Gaffy W!Smi-tfi
City Clerk