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.
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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