HomeMy WebLinkAbout2002-01-21 Special Called Workshop
MINUTES OF THE SPECIAL CALLED WORKSHOP
OF LA PORTE CITY COUNCIL
JANUARY 21, 2002
1. CALL TO ORDER
The meeting was called to order by Mayor Norman Malone at 6:00 p.m.
Members of CitX Council Present: Councilpersons Guy Sutherland, Chuck Engelken,
Peter Griffiths, Alton Porter, James Warren, Charlie Young, Jerry Clarke, Howard Ebow,
and Norman Malone.
Members of Council Absent: None
Members of City Executive Staff and City Employees Present: City Manager Robert T.
Herrera, Assistant City Manager John Joerns, City Secretary Martha Gillett, City
Manager's Administrative Assistant Crystal Scott, Director of Planning Doug Kneupper,
Police Chief Richard Reff, and Director of Administrative Services Carol Buttler.
Others Present: Bill Scott, Bill Manning, James Suber, Bernard Legrand, Nick Barrera,
Bob Capen, and Marty McNoir, Spero Pomonis, Colleen Hicks, and a number of citizens.
Councilperson Howard Ebow delivered the invocation.
2. City Manager Robert Herrera provided Council with a presentation on the proposed
Bayport Channel. A Timeline of Events is attached. Council to discuss studying and
reviewing draft letter to the Corp of Engineers.
Councilperson Guy Sutherland expressed the letter was very well written; and it
demonstrated or summarized the discussions we have had in small groups or in larger
groups with each other. Councilperson Sutherland had comments on the letter of position
paper. Under the air pollution attachment, he would like to see the "short term adverse
impact" statement removed completely, due to this construction term not being short
term, but approximately 20 years. Mr. Sutherland would also like "less than significant"
removed from the last sentence. Anything to do with the Port will be long term.
Councilperson Charles Young expressed concern regarding the noise pollution. When the
wind is out of the south, he can currently hear loud pitches.
Councilperson Jerry Clarke suggested that dangers of security to residents in the event of
catastrophic problems, be added to the letter.
Councilperson Peter Griffiths suggested that erosion and Clean Air Act issues need to be
addressed.
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).
City Council Special Called Workshop Minutes 1-21-02 -Page 3
Bob Capen of 807 Oak Leaf of La Porte, Texas, questioned where the containers would
be. He is disappointed/surprised that the Public is not more rabid against the Bayport
Expansion. He thanked Council for a good job.
5. ADJOURNMENT
Mr. Herrera asked that the Committee members coordinate with the City Secretary for
any needs.
There being no further business to come before Council, the Regular Meeting was duly
adjourned at 7:40 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
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Martha Gillett
City Secretary
Passed and approved on this 28th day of January 2002.
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Norman Malone, Mayor