2004 05 04 WS MinutesMINUTES OF THE WORK SESSION
OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF BAYTOWN
May 4, 2004
The City Council of the City of Baytown, Texas, met in work session on May 4, 2004, at 4:30
p.m. in Tucker Hall, Lee College, Gulf Avenue at Lee Drive, Baytown, Texas, with the
following in attendance:
Coleman Godwin Council Member
Calvin Mundinger Council Member
Don Murray Council Member
Mercedes Renteria III Council Member
Pete C. Alfaro Mayor
Absent were: Ronnie Anderson Council Member
Scott Sheley Council Member
The meeting was opened with a quorum present after which the following business was
conducted:
Receive and discuss presentation from Dr. Robert Hodgin concerning socio - economic
information for the Baytown and Chambers County area.
Wander Garner Cash introduced Robert Hodgin, PhD., professor of Economics at University of
Houston -Clear Lake.
Dr. Hodgin explained that his firm had been retained by the Baytown/West Chambers County
Economic Development Foundation to establish the economic baseline for Baytown. Sixteen
thousand variables are involved in the baseline.
Dr. Hodgin reviewed population data for Baytown and Chambers County. Baytown has shown
one -half of one percent growth from 1990 through 2000. Chambers County's growth rate was
3.3% during the same period. The Hispanic growth rate was significant in both areas. Statistical
information on employment, income, housing values, education and building permit activity was
reviewed. Sales growth for the area was 6 %, the same as Houston. Manufacturing information
is underreported for the area because the reports are credited to the home office address. The
industrial sector responds to world events more than other sectors.
In Baytown no growth was shown in heavy construction, fabricated metals, apparel and
accessories, hotels and lodging, amusements, and general miscellaneous repairs. Moderate
growth was shown in agricultural services, wholesale - nondurables, and motion pictures. Rapid
growth was shown in specialty trade contractors, industrial machines, communications, retail
building materials, and engineering, research and management.
The benchmarks for economic development can be rating by year to the area and rating by year
to other areas. General indicators are population growth, income per capita or median income,
industrial growth, new establishment by subindustries, and sales by subindustries.
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Minutes of the Work Session —May 4, 2004
Dr. Hodgin suggested comparing graduation rates and drop -out rates to determine the
Ook effectiveness of the schools. People move to an area for jobs and the available job market
reflects the income, occupation and training levels for the community. He recommended
proactive programs to address the graduation and drop -out rate.
!^
Dr. Hodgin listed the five issues that attract individuals to a community as, job, income, family,
future, and dynamism.
He suggested that the next step is to develop the criteria to describe the area and determine which
businesses are interested in the profile that truly exists.
Broadly speaking, Baytown's economy is okay. The income is growing more rapidly than the
population and the graduation rate is okay.
Adjourn.
There being no further business, the meeting adjourned at 5:40 p.m.
Ofiry W. Smith
City Clerk