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2003 12 15 CC Minutes, SpecialMINUTES OF THE SPECIAL SESSION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF BAYTOWN December 15, 2003 The City Council of the City of Baytown, Texas, met in special session on December 15, 2003, at 10:30 a.m. at the Baker Road Overpass on the westbound Spur 330 section of Highway 146, Baytown, Texas with the following in attendance: Ronnie Anderson Coleman Godwin Calvin Mundinger Don Murray Mercedes Renteria III Pete C. Alfaro Gary M. Jackson Bob Leiper Ignacio Ramirez, Sr. Patti Merrell The following Council Member was absent: Scott Sheley Council Member Council Member Council Member Council Member Council Member Mayor City Manager Assistant City Manager City Attorney Assistant City Clerk Council Member The meeting was opened with a quorum present after which the following business was conducted: Joint transportation projects between the Texas Department of Transportation and the City of Baytown. Mayor Alfaro welcomed those present, including Texas State Representative Wayne Smith, Harris County Judge Robert Eckels, Gary Trietsch, P.E., District Engineer, Texas Department of Transportation (TxDot), and Reggie Brewer, Transportation Committee Chairman for the Baytown/West Chambers County Economic Development Foundation. Mayor Alfaro said that this was a memorable day, a long time in coming, and was due to the joint efforts of TxDot Commissioners Johnny Johnson, District Engineer Trietsch, Quincy Alan, P.E., Area Engineer, and Alan Clark, Transportation Manager for the Houston - Galveston Area Council. He noted that several, including the current, City Councils, members of the Baytown Municipal Development District, City Managers Fritz Lanham, Bobby Rountree, Monte Mercer and current City Manager Gary Jackson, Baytown and Harris County business and community leaders, and the Baytown Chamber of Commerce had all worked diligently toward this day. He informed the gathering of the special lobbying efforts made by Council Member Murray, the City's representative to the Houston - Galveston Area Council, toward the completion of the project. He particularly expressed gratitude for the efforts of Judge Eckels, State Senators Dan Shelly, David Bernsen, and Jon Lindsey and State Representatives Wayne Smith, Fred Bosse, and Joe Crabb for their hard work in the completion of the project. Page 2 of 2 Minutes of the Special Session — December 15, 2003 Mayor Alfaro noted that, due to the visionary leadership by the City's predecessors during the 1950's, the City and the State of Texas began working on a new roadway to serve east Hams County and provide the South Houston - Galveston area with an improved hurricane evacuation route. In 1959, the City Council approved an agreement with the State to develop Loop 201. Mayor Alfaro related four primary reasons for expediting the Spur 330 Project: • Readiness for construction – environment, design, and right -of -way acquisition for construction were completed in mid 1980; • Anticipated increase in truck traffic (due to the opening of the Fred Hartman Bridge); • As a result of the increased truck traffic through the heart of the City, there was an increased risk of accidents and public health problems; and, • Spur 330 would save 30 to 40 miles during a hurricane evacuation by avoiding the more congested and dense parts of Houston. The Mayor said that future work will include two connectors at Highway 146 to Decker (Spur 330) and a ramp from I -10 to Spur 330. Representative Smith, Judge Eckels, Engineer Trietsch, and Mr. Brewer made brief remarks on the importance of the cooperation of the community toward the completion of the project. In closing, the Mayor stated that accomplishing the completion of the Spur 330 Project will provide a safe traffic corridor and reliable hurricane evacuation route through Baytown, It will enhance the area's economic development potential, which will improve the socio- economic environment. Completion of this project will improve the health, safety, and welfare of the motorists and residents of the area. The Mayor thanked everyone for attending on this memorable day, and said that this project has changed the landscape of Baytown forever. The ceremony concluded with the Ribbon - Cutting Ceremony. Adjourn. The meeting adjourned at 11: 17 a.m. Patti Merrell, Assistant City Clerk