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HomeMy WebLinkAbout07-07-04 Bayport/POH Expansion Review Committee Minutes MINUTES OF THE BAYPORT EXPANSION REVIEW COMMITTEE JULY 7,2004 1. CALL TO ORDER The meeting was called to order by Chairperson Engelken at 3: 10 p.m. Members of the Committee Present: Chairperson Chuck Engelken, Councilmembers Mike Mosteit and Peter Griffiths Other Councilmembers Present: Mayor Pro Tern Barry Beasley MembersAbsent:~one Members of City Executive Staff and City Employees Present: City Manager Debra Feazelle, Assistant City Manager John Joerns and City Secretary Martha Gillett BaVlJort Members Present: Tom Kornegay, Brenda McDonald and James Jackson 2. DISCUSS THE IMPACT OF THE CITY OF LA PORTE FROM THE CONSTRUCTION AND OPERATION OF THE BAYPORT FACILITY Tom Kornegay provided an overview of Bayport's project status. Bayport received their permit from the Corp of Engineers the first of2004. Lawsuits were filed against Bayport; the first part of May the judge ruled on the hearings, in favor for Bayport. At that point, the Port of Houston began awarding contracts. Zachary was awarded both bids even though they were not the low bidder on both. Bayport chose them to keep air emissions low; this method of construction will reduce costs by half compared to the other vendors. In order to influence air emission, they will not build sheet pile bulkhead. Zachary will construct a wall by digging holes in the ground; and freezing the ground to make a container wall. They will dig dirt, instead of dredging, in order to save costs. There will not be dump trucks driving between the excavation and the stack; a conveyor belt and concrete will be on-site for utilization. This will help save air emissions and noise nuisance from the trucks. Construction has already begun and will take approximately two years to build the first container dock and the concrete paving area. Special lighting, special drainage and retention ponds are still in the plans. Bayport Expansion Review Committee - July 7, 2004 - Page 2 Bayport is still working on a design for the first cruise ship. All cruise lines will be building larger vessels and bringing them to the Houston site. The cruise line would like to bring the ship in the next couple of years. It will take the Port of Houston approximately three years to build the birth. Chairperson Engelken questioned if this would change the depth? Mr. Kornegay assured Mr. Engelken that cruise ships do not draw a lot of water. Councilmember Griffiths questioned how the market is in Galveston? Mr. Kornegay informed him Galveston is doing well with three ships. If the Port of Houston had a larger birth, they would not have gone to Galveston. Mr. Engelken questioned the pending appeal to the 5th Circuit Court in New Orleans, what will happen. Mr. Kornegay responded that if there is a bad ruling from the 5th Circuit Court, it will cause problems. Their attorneys have advised them to move forward with an excellent chance of the courts deciding not to hear the appeal. If they decide to hear the appeal it would more than likely be in front of a panel of three Judges. The Port's past experience has been that each side has approximately 20 minutes to present their case. A letter is mailed with the court's decision. The Port has no stay order; so they are continuing to move forward. The case will not be final until the final appeal has been decided on. Mr. Kornegay informed the Committee that Los Angeles and the West Coast had the corner on the market. Due to slow downs and walk-outs on steamships merchandise is being sent to other areas. The Wal-Mart Distribution Center near Baytown was built near the Baytown area due to its close proximity to the Port. Mr. Kornegay is in contact with a barge service company so the Port can get containers off-site in 24 hours, which will help in capacity issues. Mr. Griffiths questioned if the county is going to provide landscaping. If so, will it be palm trees. Mr. Kornegay thinks it will be palm trees. John Joerns indicated the project is on hold and delayed. Mr. Kornegay is not sure for the reason ofthe delay. Mr. Griffiths questioned how we can expedite the situation. Mr. Kornegay suggested contacting or sending letters to our Commissioners. Mr. Engelken questioned if the project is funded? Mr. Kornegay stated the County could provide a schedule of the project. Mr. Beasley suggested following up with the County. Mr. Griffiths asked about beautification for Highway 146? Who would do the beautification? The City of La Porte? Bayport? Texas Department of Transportation? Mr. Kornegay informed Mr. Griffiths that they will put the beautification request on their list and work on this project. Bayport Expansion Review Committee - July 7, 2004 - Page 3 Mr. Kornegay asked how far the City wants the beautification to go? Mr. Griffiths would like to focus on the main entrances at SH 146 and the overpasses. Mr. Kornegay asked what is going on with Highway 146? Is SH 146 and Seabrook the hold up? Mr. Joerns responded "yes", they slowed down the process by 2 years. Mr. Engelken questioned if we will divide overpass projects and fast track? Mr. Joerns has asked Gabe Johnson about this. They have rules and want all the designs complete for all 23 miles. Mr. Joerns will review and meet with them regarding options. Mr. Engelken encouraged the Port to get involved to expedite. Mr. Kornegay agreed they need to meet with TXDOT staff and move up the ladder. Mr. Griffiths questioned if the Port has any dredging materials the City of La Porte could use on our shoreline. Mr. Kornegay asked if the City has a permit. Mr. Joerns assured him we have a valid permit until 2008. Mr. Kornegay asked how much fill the City needs. Mr. Joerns will we give him the amount. There may be something the Port can do. Mr. Joerns needs to provide Mr. Kornegay with the amount of cubic yards needed. Mr. Griffiths asked about a sound barrier on the North side. Mr. Kornegay stated there is not one. The Port is required to monitor sound and monitors have been placed on the North side, monitoring started around the time of the ground breaking. The sound can not be above what the City of La Porte's and the City of Pasadena's Ordinances allow. Mr. Griffiths questioned how the City will get that data. Mr. Kornegay was not sure, but will inform the City. Mr. Beasley commented how citizens and other cities continue noting La Porte will not receive any benefits from the Port. Will the Port use local contractors for the work? Zachary has committed to working with the community and has hired a firm to assist them. Mr. Beasley asked him to make sure the Port does not just focus on Pasadena, but share with La Porte and other cities, as well. Mr. Kornegay assured him the Port will do that. Mr. Engelken questioned if they will put an employment office in the La Porte area. Mr. Kornegay stated they already employ many people who live in La Porte and will provide the City with the data. The Port will speak with Zachary again on this issue. Mr. Mosteit informed the Port that the City is working with the County to pursue a medical facility; and asked if the Port will contact the County regarding this matter. Mr. Kornegay informed Mr. Mosteit that Commissioner Sylvia Garcia has already spoken with the Port, noting the County said the facility will be in East Harris County. Mr. Kornegay questioned if they had an area designated for a facility in La Porte. Mr. Mosteit responded the City has spoke of several areas to locate the facility. Ms. Feazelle noted it must be on a major corridor with access. Mr. Mosteit stated there are other access areas, such as, Bay Area Boulevard; and questioned if the Port has done projections on that. Mr. Kornegay stated that Port traffic would not typically go to Bayport Expansion Review Committee Minutes -717/04 - Page 4 Fairmont Parkway. The Port will go up SH 146 to SH 225; a percentage will go South of Barbours Cut Boulevard, 95% will go North towards SH 225 or Bay town. Mr. Mosteit asked about the status of the rail plan. Mr. Kornegay is still working on the rail plan, according to the master plan. Mr. Mosteit wants to confirm that all contractors work with the community and the youth groups. Mr. Griffiths suggested the Port assist with the Youth Summit. Mr. Kornegay indicated Port Commissioner Jimmy Burke likes to be involved with these types of projects. Mr. Kornegay will let the City know. Mr. Beasley advised the City will get the information to Mr. Burke and will set-up the meeting. Mr. Joerns asked if the properties near the pre-gate facility are zoned improperly; is there any community use for residential properties? Ms. McDonald suggested we wait until they have purchased all the lots and see how much property they end up with. Mr. Griffiths asked when the pre-check facility starts. Ms. McDonald stated the Port is waiting on the permit confirmation. Mr. Engelken questioned if the cruise terminal and possible hotel would benefit Economic Development. Mr. Kornegay commented they do not know the market well enough. Mr. Engelken asked if other opportunities arise that the Port is aware of, please notify the City. Mr. Kornegay assured they will send opportunities our way. He stated that Wal-Mart and Home Depot were done deals before the Port was aware. Mr. Engelken questioned if property buyouts are still options. Mr. Kornegay answered they are part ofthe monitoring and if they find elevated levels, the Port will have to do something to look at all options. If problems are determined, solutions need to be found. All options are still on the table. Action items as a result of the meeting: City of La Porte needs to send letters inquiring as to the status of the landscaping project on Barbours Cut. Mayor Pro Tern Beasley will follow up with the County on a project schedule for the landscaping at Barbours Cut. Mr. Joems will follow up review and follow up on the overpass options. Mr. Kornegay will meet with TXDot regarding the overpass status and options. Mr. Joerns will provide Mr. Kornegay with the amount of cubic yards needed from dredging to fill the shoreline area. Mr. Kornegay will speak again with Zachary on employment and subcontracting opportunities within the City of La Porte and provide data. Bayport Expansion Review Committee Minutes -7/7/04 - Page 5 Mr. Kornegay will let the City know if the Port can assist with the upcoming Youth Summit. Mr. Griffiths will get the Youth Summit Information to Mr. Kornegay. After all property has been purchased near pre-gate facility, the Port will contact the City to determine ifthere is any community use for residential property. 3. COMMITTEE COMMENTS The Committee had no further comments. 4. ADJOURNMENT There being no further business to come before the Committee, this meeting was duly adjourned at 5:00 p.m. Respectfully submitted, ~tad~~ Martha' A. Gillett, TRMC City Secretary Passed and approved on this 7th day of October 2004. Chairperson Chuck Engelken ~~