Lakewood Civic

ExxonMobil has purchased the property next to St. James House on Baker Road. There were previously safety and health concerns when Vopak Moda attempted to gain approval from the City of Baytown to build a tank farm at this location that could store up to 105 million gallons of crude oil. ExxonMobil currently does not have plans to build on this property and is well aware of concerns expressed by many Lakewood residents regarding potential development at this site.

New officers and positions were elected on June 26, 2018 at the first board meeting since the annual meeting.

The 2018 -2019 Lakewood Civic Association Board member positions are:

Board members are volunteers elected for 2 year terms by association members that are paid up with dues.

Treasurer’s report from Frank McKay indicated a slight decrease in funds from 2017 to 2018, with expenditures being about equal to the year before but less members/dues collected.

Newly elected board members were announced: Mary Bagwell, Randy Dickey, Randee King and Frank McKay. The new members join existing board members Dell Cantrell, Spencer Carnes, Wayne Hanson, and Dan Poirot. The board thanked leaving member Delilah Cranford who complete the term for Pat Cauley. New officers will be elected at the first board meeting in June.

Representatives from the ExxonMobil Baytown Complex and the pipeline company provided updates on activities and projects that impact Baytown and Lakewood. Connie Tilton, ExxonMobil Public and Government Affairs, introduced the representative and assisted with questions.  Link to ExxonMobil presentation

• Michelle Belisle, Environmental Section Supervisor, discussed the difference associated with the ground flare located in the new North American Growth Project along Spur 330. This flare system provides more complete combustion (less pollution) and lower noise during start-ups, shutdowns, and large upsets; however, since it is located on the ground, surrounded by a 40 foot high metal wall, from some position, it could appear to look like the facility is on fire (especially from Spur 330). Also, while the facility is beginning to start up, there would be some noise as they cleaned out pipe with steam.
• Gary Hartmann, Venture Advisor, provided an overview of two new projects that ExxonMobil is considering for the Baytown complex, one making a rubber-like polymer and the other making linear olefins. Neither project would be allowed to increase environmental emissions and would be located a distance from existing roads.
• Nicolas Medina, ExxonMobil Pipeline Co., provided an overview of a 4-6 week project planned for 2019 that would replace an older pipeline that currently is buried along I-10 and through Lakewood.

There was a question about the long waits at the Baker and Cedar Bayou railroad crossing. Connie Tilton indicated that ExxonMobil has tried to get Union Pacific to agree to install warning lights further up the roads so people could take a different route when the train was crossing but had not been successful. She also indicated that much of the railroad traffic was not deliveries to ExxonMobil but just passing through.

Regarding a question about Spur 330/I-10 traffic, Connie explained that the study into this indicated the solution was to increase the I-10 bridge size and government funding was the issue. The ExxonMobil group were thanked for being a good neighbor over the years and by the Lakewood Pool for helping them with funding.

Charles Johnson, District 3 Councilman, provided an update about the proposed Baker tank farm (the company decided not to proceed with the project) answered questions about the 19 room Bayway Inn under construction at the corner of Bayway and Spur 330. He also indicated he was working on a Bayway redevelopment plan and would be discussing that with focus groups/citizens in the future. Charles said that the Council was reviewing the zoning map for Baytown to see if changes were needed based on recent issues. There was a question about the  permit status of the awning at the tire shop near the corner of Bayway and Spur 330. There also was a question about how to know about land development projects around Lakewood and why the Lakewood Civic Association did not represent the residents to the city on this; however, it is the responsibility of the District 3 Councilman to represent citizens to the city. Charles provided his business cards and encouraged neighbors to contact him with any issues.

The Garden Club, Boat Club, Neighborhood Watch and the Lakewood Pool Club provided updates.

The four new board members elected in May 2018 for 2 year terms are: Mary Bagwell, Randy Dickey, Randee King, and Frank McKay.

The existing board members with 1 year remaining on their terms are Dell Cantrell, Spencer Carnes, Wayne Hanson, and Dan Poirot.

Board officer elections are planned for June.

Thanks to retiring board member Delilah Cranford for her service!

The May 2018 Lakewood Civic Association newsletter and Board member ballot has been mailed to all residents in Lakewood. If you did not get your copy of the newsletter, you can read a version using the following link:  May 2018 Newsletter

If you want a copy of the Association Board Member Ballot, please use Contacts -> LCA Board to send an email to obtain a copy.  Ballots must be received by May 16, 2018 and include LCA paid up dues to be counted in the election of Board members.

Delilah Cranford was appointed to the Lakewood Civic Association Board to complete the term vacated by Pat Cauley, who pasted away last month. We will miss Pat but welcome Delilah onto the board. Delilah’s term will end May of 2018.

New officers and positions were elected on June 29, 2017.

The 2017 -2018 Lakewood Civic Association Board member positions are:

Lakewood Civic Association Annual Meeting Minutes – May 4, 2017

Treasurer’s report indicated no significant change in funds from 2016 to 2017, with expenditures and dues being about equal but less than the year before.

Newly elected board members were announced: Dell Cantrell, Spencer Carnes, Wayne Hanson, and Dan Poirot. The new members join existing board members Mary Bagwell, Pat Cauley, Randy Dickey, and Frank McKay. The board thanked leaving members Elaine Brainard and Tim Christensen. The board also thanked Delilah Cranford, Lisa Little and Ed Rios for running in a close election.

The attempt to obtain grant money for boat launch improvements last year was discussed. We did not receive the grant money mainly because we did not want to open the launch up as a public boat launch.

Charles Johnson, District 3 Councilman, answered questions about how the city deals with high grass/weeds property, speeding cars in neighborhood, operating a business in the neighborhood, trailers in flood zones, and the recent zoning decision on the property on Bayway. Charles provided his email and encouraged neighbors to contact him with any issues. He also indicated he would be having another town meeting in June.

Officer Stewart Beasley discussed the 2017 Lakewood crime statistics (no reported home or car burglaries, a few mischief calls and several reported gun shots in the neighborhood. There were discussions about watching out for your neighbors and reporting unusual activities.

The Garden and Lakewood Pool Clubs provided updates.

The four new board members elected in May 2017 for 2 year terms are: Dell Cantrell, Spencer Carnes, Wayne Hanson, and Dan Poirot.

The existing board members with 1 year remaining on their terms are Mary Bagwell, Pat Cauley, Randy Dickey, and Frank McKay.

Board officer elections are planned for June.

Thanks to retiring board members Elaine Brainard and Tim Christensen for their service!

The Lakewood Civic Association is accepting potential candidates for the board. Four of the eight board positions are up for election each year. The ballot of the candidates is finalized and mailed out mid April. The returned ballots of dues paying association members are counted and the elected board members are announced at the annual meeting on May 4th.

Submission of potential candidates can be made to any board member or via this website using the “Contacts” -> “Lakewood Civic Board” tab in the top left hand corner.