07-09-2003 Bayport Expansion Review Committee Meeting

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fort of Houston ExpanSio.View Committee - July 10, 2003 e Page 2 7-9-03 Bayport Expansion Review Committee Minutes Committee Member Mike Mosteit stated there is not enough citizen involvement to join the lawsuit against the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. Assistant City Manager John Joerns distributed a draft letter addressed to the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and explained its' contents. Mr, Joerns noted there might need to be a separate letter to the Port regarding being a good corporate neighbor. Committee Member Griffiths suggested creating a La Porte Area Citizen's Advisory Committee. With the Committee's agreement, Mr. Griffiths suggested bolding the second paragraph on the first page of Staffs letter; bolding the negative environmental impacts on the next to the last paragraph; and removal of the table and sentence above the table and the paragraph immediately below the table on the first page; add Spillman Island, as an alternative sight, on the next to last paragraph; and remove Fairmont Parkway from the last paragraph, on the last page. Mr. James Suber of 3902 Bonita, La Porte, Texas, urged Bay Colony Park to close. Laurence Tobin, Mayor Pro-Tern of Taylor Lake Village, noted that the use of the large cranes would cause loss of privacy to citizens. The Committee advised staff to determine ifthe Noise Ordinance would be violated. If so, the Committee would like Staff to note in their letter. Several handouts were provided to Committee. Mr. Joerns will revise the letter and distribute to Council by July 10,2003. Commissioner Sylvia Garcia will not participate in the Chronicle Editorial Board Meeting. The Committee would like to move forward with a response to the FEIS to the Corps of Engineers by July 16,2003. It was the consensus of the committee not to recommend to City Council to participate in the lawsuit at this time. The committee did not feel it had adequate time to study the lawsuit matter. In addition, the City Council only directed the Committee to recommend a response to the FEIS. 5. NEW BUSINESS Add request for a supplemental study to Staffs letter to the Corps. 6. COMMITTEE COMMENTS Chairperson Engelken wants the City to do the right thing, looking at both sides of the "no win" situation. Committee Member Mosteit noted looking at responsibilities for all citizens. Committee Member Griffiths had the same comments as the others, and thanked the citizens for attending the meeting, and thanked Mr. Joerns for his input.