City of Baytown voters will go to the polls on Nov. 6 to consider an $82.5 million bond proposal for community improvements.
The bond package, which includes projects identified by a citizens’ Steering Committee, is made up of six propositions. The projects deal with issues related to safety, efficiency, infrastructure repairs and improvements, and quality of life for Baytown residents.
The Steering Committee divided into three subcommittees to review proposed projects and prioritize them for presentation to City Council. The committee presented a final proposal to City Council in June. In August, City Council adopted an ordinance calling for the Nov. 6 bond election.
Proposition 1 addresses streets, sidewalks and related drainage and utilities improvements. The $36,850,000 proposition includes funds for street improvements identified by City Council and City staff, matching funds for Harris County/Texas Department of Transportation street and highway projects; and sidewalks to parks and schools.
Proposition 2, which includes the issuance of $22,995,000 in bonds, focuses on public safety, emergency medical service, police and fire buildings and equipment. The proposal includes construction of fire stations in the north central and northeast areas of the city, upgrading to a digital radio system for police, fire and other emergency services, and expansion of the Emergency Medical Services facility. In addition, the proposition calls for the construction of a 911 Center and expansion of the fiber optic network, public safety facilities improvements and warning siren replacement, including the addition of six siren sites along the Interstate 10 corridor.
The purchase and improvement of parks and recreation facilities, as well as citywide beautification, are included in Proposition 3. The $10,940,000 proposal includes additional aquatics facilities, such as the Wayne Gray Family Aquatics Center, replacement of the N.C. Foote Park pool, new spray grounds at McElroy Park and the future East Side park and new splash pads at Bergeron Park, Pelly Park and Downtown.
Proposition 3 also calls for the purchase of land north of Interstate 10 for future parks and beautification projects throughout Baytown. The Trust for Public Lands is helping the City look for suitable regional park sites, and the purchase of the land is planned for Year Two of the bond program.
The $7,170,000 Proposition 4 provides for an extension of East Baker Road and related utility, sidewalk and drainage improvements. The extension, which would be located between North Main Street and Sjolander Road, would add another east-west thoroughfare to the city.
Proposition 5 includes Texas Avenue infrastructure improvements, such as sidewalks, drainage and more, with the issuance of $2,525,000 in bonds. These improvements build upon the work begun by a federal grant. These projects were identified by the Bond Steering Committee to address community revitalization, the livability of the downtown area, expansion of the Lee College redevelopment zone and private investment in downtown. The committee also proposed these projects for pedestrian mobility, improvement of infrastructure and the reduction of maintenance costs.
Proposition 6, which includes $2,020,000, will provide for a variety of drainage improvements. Among the purposes of this proposition, as defined by the Bond Steering Committee, are the reduction of street flooding, property damage due to flooding and the health hazards associated with standing water. According to the committee, the bond program would also provide for the management of storm water through a comprehensive drainage plan, the ability to fund larger drainage improvement projects that will have a regional impact, and improvement of current drainage.
The Steering Committee included 25 citizens who began meeting regularly in April 2007 to consider the proposed bond package. Ronnie Anderson and Gilbert Santana served as Co-Chairs of the Steering Committee.
Members of the Streets, Sidewalks, Signalization and Drainage Committee were Chairperson Mike Wilson, Fred Aguilar, Mike Beard, Dr. Keith Coburn, Steven Fess, Vivian Hemphill, Tommie Jones, DeeAnne Navarre, Jon Pfennig and Al Weatherall. Members of the Buildings, Automation, Equipment and Parks Committee were Chairperson Susan Milner, Ralph Elledge, Merle Hunt, Peter Hyland, Bennie Kadjar and Earl Wurzbach.
Members of the Finance Committee include Chairperson Reggie Brewer, John Adams, Carl Brandon, Paul Edwards, Gary Englert, Ralph Kunz and Hal Thomas.
Early voting will be held Monday through Friday, Oct. 22 through 26, from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., and Saturday, Oct. 27, from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. In addition, early voting will be held on Sunday, Oct. 28, from 1 to 6 p.m., and Monday through Friday, Oct. 29 through Nov. 2, from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m.
Branch early voting for Chambers County residents will be held at the Chambers County Community Building, Cedar Bayou Annex, at 7711 Hwy. 146. Branch early voting for Harris County residents will be held at Remington Park Assisted Living, 901 W. Baker Rd.
For more information, visit the City of Baytown web site at www.baytown.org or call (281) 422-8281.