2002-01-21 Special Called Workshop

Browse Search

City Council Special Called Workshop Minutes 1-21-02 -Page 2 Councilperson Alton Porter provided Council with a handout (see attached). He suggested adding comments regarding the Clean Air Act to the letter. He also expressed concern regarding the highway construction being 10-12 years behind the Port's planning. He feels the issue of the Port ignoring the Clean Air Act needs to be addressed. This problem is not just for the La Porte area alone, it will effect the eight county region. Councilperson Howard Ebow encouraged Council to look at all the options and questioned what other means/options we have to fight. Councilperson Chuck Engelken encouraged that information be sent to Washington and encouraged visiting the commission meeting, plus officially request to withdraw permit application. He also suggested other action in addition to the letter. Mayor Norman Malone recommended having a Committee, with Mr. Engelken as Chairman, members being Councilpersons Sutherland, Ebow, and Griffiths. They are to draft a letter and present it to Council. City Manager Bob Herrera brought up the fact that the Council asked Congressman Bentsen, at the NLC Meeting, how this would violate the Clean Air Act. This issue is not Bentsen's area, but Congressman Tom Delay's. 3. Assistant City Manager John Joerns provided Staff with a report regarding Texas Department of Transportation proposal rules regarding new frontage roads (see handout). Mr. Joerns attended a workshop regarding this last Friday. Council will continue to follow and take action at a later date. 4. PETITIONS, REMONSTRANCES, COMMUNICATIONS, AND CITIZENS AND TAXPAYERS WISHING TO ADDRESS CITY COUNCIL Bernard Legrand of 3115 Layne Court of La Porte, Texas, spoke in opposition of the Port Expansion. After the Workshop, he did not have much to say. He complimented the City on its report. Jim Suber of 3902 Bonita of La Porte, Texas spoke, on the Bayport Channel, responded to Mr. Herrera's comments regarding a need fora 20-foot berm to mitigate noise on the north shore of the Bayport channel. He also mentioned the fact, that approximately 2 years ago, the Port applied for a permit to install riff-raff on the north shore; there is no longer sufficient space to support construction. The Authority took the reins via the Community Advisory Group to propose sound walls, in a combination, where possible to build a soil berm and wall. There are 2 basic proposals; one a solid wall, two is berm /wall combination. On January 18, 2002 they had a Bay Colony Meeting and they rejected the proposals. Bill Scott of 1802 Lomax School Road of La Porte, Texas, provided Council with handouts. He spoke on diesel pollution studies, including a report compiled by Shore Acres Mayor Nancy Redmonson (the report is available from her upon request).