2004 08 05 MDD Minutesr
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MINUTES OF THE MEETING OF THE
BAYTOWN MUNICIPAL DEVELOPMENT DISTRICT
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August 5, 2004
4:30 p.m.
The Board of Directors of the Baytown Municipal Development District met on August 5, 2004, at
4:30 p.m. in the Council Chamber of the Baytown City Hall, 2401 Market Street, Baytown, Harris
County, Texas with the following in attendance:
Kitty Allen Secretary
Ronnie Anderson Director
Fritz Lanham Director
Sammy Mahan Director
Don Murray Director
Mercedes Renteria III Vice-President
Terry Sain . Director
Scott Sheley Director
Leonard Stasney Director
Calvin Mundinger President
Gary Jackson General Manager
Karen Horner First Assistant City Attorney
• Gary W. Smith Assistant Secretary
The meeting was called to order with a quorum present after which the following business was
conducted:
Consider approval of the minutes of the meeting held on July 15, 2004.
Director Stasney moved approval of the minutes of the meeting held on July 15, 2004. Director Sheley
seconded the motion. The vote follows:
Ayes: Directors Allen, Lanham, Mahan, Murray, Renteria, Sain,Sheley and Stasney
President Mundinger
Nays: None.
Abstentions: Director Anderson.
The motion carried.
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Minutes of the Regular Meeting—August 5, 2004
Receive and discuss an update from Harris County on the East Harris County Soccer Complex.
• John deBessonet, Parks Planner for Harris County, reviewed the acquisition of the 150 acres now al
intended for use as the East Harris County Soccer Complex. A master plan for the complex has been
developed and, when built-out, it will be one of the largest soccer complexes in the United States.
Baytown's contribution to the complex has been to bring water to the park. Initially,the plan was for a
water line to be extended along North Main Street. Engineers have explained that such a long dead-
end line with limited usage would not provide quality water. The plan is now for a water line to be run
from Houston raw water canal to the complex to provide water for irrigation purposes. Potable water
will be provided from a well.
The total construction cost for Phase I of the complex is $3,725,000. When combined with acquisition
costs, the total is $5,296,000. The projected economic impact of the complex totals $1,025,600 per
year.
Gary Jackson, General Manager, reported that the construction of the line to the Houston raw water
supply and the drilling of the well is $500,000. He reviewed the statutory limitations on the authority
of the District to expend funds outside its boundaries.
Dan Caspernak, East Harris County Soccer Association, spoke in favor of the complex and project.
Mr. deBessonet explained that a non-profit organization would operate the complex. He also reported
the potential for a European soccer team to use the complex as an off-season training facility.
Receive and discuss an update on the Economic Development Strategic Plan.
Ken Courville, Chairperson of the Economic Development Steering Committee, presented the analysis
developed by Angelou Economics.
Baytown is a prosperous manufacturing community, whose strengths outweigh its weaknesses. It has
an excellent industrial park. Other strengths include Lee College, the quality of life, and its location.
It has an excellent educational system in Goose Creek Consolidated Independent School District and
Lee College. .It has a growing economy with growth in retail sales and in the services sector. The
population is 71,000, with only 28% of the population within the entrepreneurial age group. There is a
high percentage of manufacturing. The median home value is $42,911, which is relatively low. The
median age is 32. Growth has been seen in the Hispanic population. No growth is expected in the
petrochemical industry, but it remains important in the economy. The community has a poor self-
image.
The business climate is exceptional. However the poor self-image is limiting. The petrochemical
industry would prefer to hire locally, but is not able to do so. The community has an underdeveloped
entrepreneurial base. There is a large workforce, but transportation is lacking. There is a need to train
the local workforce for the local industry.
The connection between the community college and businesses should be enhanced. The reputation of
• Goose Creek Consolidated Independent School District is not warranted. Efforts should be made to 11)
meet the needs of local industry.
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Minutes of the Regular Meeting—August 5, 2004
Cedar Crossing Industrial Park is exceptional. The wastewater system limits opportunity. Traffic
problems can be expected as urban sprawl develops in the area.
• The qualityof life isgood. The people are friendly and welcoming. The community has a relaxed
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pace with outdoor recreation opportunities. The close proximity to Houston provides opportunities but
makes it hard for a new business to establish. The general appearance should be improved. Quality
retail and restaurants are needed to attract disposable income. The lack of mass transit should be
addressed.
The economic development program has been a successful industrial recruitment program. There has
been limited coordination between stakeholders. There is a division in the community on what
economic development should accomplish. The Economic Development Foundation covers two very
different counties.
The on-line survey provided 353 responses, including 103 businesses. Mr. Courville reviewed the
survey results relating to satisfaction with various elements of the community, the assets of the
community, and the outlook for the future for local businesses.
Director Murray left the meeting at 5:15 p. m.
The Board expressed appreciation for the work Mr. Courville has done with the Committee and the
need to address the negative image of the community.
Mr. Courville concluded by reporting that the assessment will be posted on the website when in final
form and that the Economic Development Strategic Plan will be presented at a Town Meeting in late
September.
Receive and discuss a proposed plan of work for fiscal year 2004-2005 from the Executive
Director of the Baytown/West Chambers County Economic Development Foundation.
Mr. Jackson explained that the District has budgeted funding for the Economic Development
Foundation. This provides for basic services and special services. Mr. Shields will present a work
plan for basic and expanded services.
The meeting recessed at 5:51 p.m.
The meeting reconvened at 5:59 p.m.
Mike Shields, Executive Director of the Baytown/West Chambers County Economic Development
Foundation, presented the proposed work plan. The work plan includes implementation of the
Economic Development Strategic Plan, development of a program to support the downtown
redevelopment plan (when approved), administration of a small business revolving loan program, trade
show and marketing services, attracting new and retaining existing businesses, provide assistance,to
the Alliance with the chemical industry, and general administration.
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Minutes of the Regular Meeting—August 5, 2004
Support of the downtown redevelopment plan may include sharing office space and soliciting outside
funds for the downtown coordinator position. The small business loan program will coordinate with
traditional lenders to assist small businesses in obtaining financing through the traditional lenders. The ill
criteria for the loans will be developed and approved by the District. Assistance to the Alliance is a
coordinated effort through Harris County, Precinct 2, to have a coordinated economic development
effort and to assist the petrochemical industry.
The Board discussed the merits of the various aspects of the work program. Concern over dependence
on the District for funding for the EDF was expressed. In response, it was explained that efforts were
underway to expand membership in the EDF and to attract new members.
Consider audit of the Baytown Nature Center.
Director Sheley stated that the District should pay attention to the cost of the gatekeeper at the Nature
Center and the revenues produced by visits to the Nature Center. If the Nature Center does not provide
sufficient revenues to offset the costs of security, then there should be concern. Promotion of the
facility is necessary.
Director Mahan encouraged the development of facilities for the parking of recreational vehicles to
attract tourists.
Review and discuss draft of the proposed 2004-2005 fiscal year budget.
Mr. Jackson reminded the Board that the budget had been reviewed on July 15. It is scheduled for
adoption on September 2, 2004. The only changes were in the lines related to the EDF. $100,000 is
proposed for basic services. $100,000 is proposed for the revolving loan program. $10,000 is
proposed for the Trade Show/Marketing reimbursements. $90,000 is proposed to attract new and
retain and expand existing businesses. The additional information requested at the July 15 meeting
was presented in today's meeting.
The Board discussed the potential for change to the enabling statute that limits the expenditure of funds
outside the district's boundaries. The author of the original legislation has provided a letter explaining
that the proposed amendment states the original intention for the bill.
General Manager's report.
Mr. Jackson reported that the sales tax collection report received in June 2004 was down 0.6% over the
same period in the preceding year.
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Minutes of the Regular Meeting—August 5, 2004
Adjourn.
1110 Director Sain moved adjournment. Director Renteria seconded the motion. The vote follows:
Ayes: Directors Allen,Anderson, Lanham, Mahan, Renteria, Sain, Sheley, and Stasney
President Mundinger
Nays: None.
The motion carried.
There being no further business, the meeting adjourned at 6:56 p.m.
Gary W. Smith, Assistant Secretary
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