2003-05-19 Special Called Workshop Meeting of La Porte City Council Minutes

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City Council Meeting - May 19, 2003 Page 2 Dusty Cook the owner of Dynamic Plumbing of Pasadena, Texas is in supported the C3 consensus codes. A. Port of Houston Authority Commissioner Jimmy Burke chairs the Community Relations Committee; which works with the local city, the chamber, civic events, etc. Commissioner Burke provided Mayor and Council with an update on projects and encouraged City Council to call him on project status. Commissioner Burke stated we are the number one port importer in foreign tonnage in the United States and second in total tonnage in the United States in imports. Commissioner Burke also stated the Port of Houston is the sixth largest port in the world and there are 175 million tons of cargo per year. One of the current road projects is the Fairmont Parkway overpass. The Port now sponsors the project through HGAL Design. As of now, the project is 30% complete. Choate Road is an opportunity for our area, which the Port will participate in, this is a $7.7 million dollar project that will enhance grade separation. Strang Yard and Strang Road have helped enhance traffic and environmental issues in the east end of Harris County. Barbours Cut Boulevard will be enhanced and beautified after Harris County has completed the reconstruction of the Boulevard. Kent Marsh provided Council with an overview of history and project status to date. Homeowners concerns were addressed - noise pollution and property values (The Port of Houston has a value assurance program; zone change request from business industrial to planned unit development; and have an Information Workshop with homeowner and the City. The site plan was explained to Mayor and Council; lighting, drainage, sanitary sewer, and landscaping. B. Jimmy Jamison updated Council on the Port's Proposed Pre-gate Facility. The Port's goal is to build a state-of-the-art facility that meets our business needs. The proposed facility will convert a 22-minute truck process into a 6-minute process. In doing so, this will improve air quality, traffic flow, with improvements to Port security. This will cost approximately $15 million. C. Building Official Debbie Wilmore provided a presentation, by Mr. Carroll Pruitt, introducing C3 and ICC Published Building Codes. D. Assistant City Manager John Joerns discussed the Flamingo Bay Apartments. Mr. Joerns stated the owner is in violation of their loan agreement; asbestos was found in the buildings, SETH wants quotes on asbestos removal and possible purchase of the property. The property could be used for a Retirement Community. The City could have possible action, however, must wait on SETH or have the Attorney move forward with a sale. E. Police Chief Richard Reff discussed rebuilding the La Porte Firing Range. The La Porte Firing Range has been closed due to damage from Tropical Storm Allison; the Police Department are determined to clean it up. The cost is $147,910.00 for total replacement. City Council directed Chief Reffto find additional funding sources.