Lakewood Civic

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.