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2023 09 14 MDD Minutes, Special MINUTES OF THE SPECIAL MEETING OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS OF THE BAYTOWN MUNICIPAL DEVELOPMENT DISTRICT September 14, 2023 The Board of Directors of the Baytown Municipal Development District (MDD) met in a Special Meeting on Thursday, September 14, 2023, at 4:47 P.M., in the Council Chamber of the Baytown City Hall, 2401 Market Street, Baytown, Texas with the following in attendance: Bandon Capetillo President Laura Alvarado Vice President Sarah Graham Director Kenrick Griffith Director Heather Betancourth Director Jacob Powell Director Mike Lester Director Gary Englert Director Jason Reynolds General Manager Scott Lamond General Counsel Angela Jackson Assistant Secretary President Brandon Capetillo convened the September 14, 2023, MDD Board Special Meeting with a quorum present at 4:47 P.M., all members were present with the exception of Secretary David P. Jirrels, Directors Donna Winfrey, Suhey Rios-Alvarez, and Shaunna Bernshausen, who were absent. 1. DISCUSSION a. Discuss and consider the recommendation of the Boards and Commissions Ad Hoc Committee regarding the Municipal Development District Board. Vice President Laura Alvarado presented Agenda Item l.a. and opened the dialog by stating this item is not an action item and instead is to inform the Baytown Municipal Development District (MDD) Directors of recommendations that were presented by the Ad Hoc Committee. President Alvarado stated the Committee Members for the Boards and Commissions Review Committee are Council Members Laura Alvarado, District 1; Sarah Graham, District 2; and Heather Betancourth, District 4, and the purpose of the Ad Hoc Committee was to review and discuss polices, processes and procedures for all Boards and Commissions for the City of Baytown. Further Vice President Alvarado provided an overview of the purpose and make-up of the current Baytown Municipal Development District (MDD) Board as the following: MDD Current: Purpose: Manage sales taxes received to facilitate economic development growth that will enhance the quality of life for the City of Baytown. 0 13 members MDD Board Special Meeting Minutes September 14,2023 Page 2 of 5 0 7 elected (Mayor+ City Council) o 6 non-elected (at-large citizens appointed by City Council) • Meetings held monthly on the first Thursday of every month Lastly, Vice President Laura Alvarado provided an overview of the Committee's proposed recommended changes to the MDD Board purpose and makeup to the following: MDD Proposed: Purpose: Manage sales taxes received to facilitate economic development growth that will enhance the quality of life for the City of Baytown. • 7 members • Elected (Mayor - City Council) • Meetings held congruently with City Council meetings as needed Create a new Economic Development Advisory Committee Purpose: An advisory board who works with City Economic Development Staff to identify and review opportunities that will grow and enhance the quality of life for the City of Baytown, including but not limited to, reviewing Business Improvement Grants, and makes recommendations to City Council. • 7 non-elected members (at-large citizens appointed by City Council) • Meetings held quarterly, or as needed Make-Up of Members: to be reviewed if when the new structure is approved, the item will come before Council for direction/consideration. Director Gary Englert asked for clarification of the proposed changes as it relates to the current At-Large Citizen's that are appointed by City Council whore currently sit on the Baytown Municipal Development District (MDD) Board. Vice President Alvarado clarified the current citizens that sit on the MDD Board will roll over to the Economic Development Advisory Committee (EDAC) if they meet the requirements that are established for the EDAC. This could possibly entail parameters to include individuals with experience in items such as retail, realty, finance etc. The EDAC could have these specialty requirements as established by the Baytown City Council. Further, Director Englert questioned when this item would be approved established to which Vice President Alvarado responded, discussions will be presented to Council at the September 71h meeting and then the Ad Hoc Committee will come back together to review the feedback. Lastly, it will be brought back before Council for consideration. President Brandon Capetillo voiced his support of the proposed structure as he believes it will create an open forum in which the At-Large Citizens will have a free flow of communications and input. 2. PROPOSED RESOLUTIONS a. Consider a resolution approving a Business Improvement Grant application not to exceed $50,000.00. MDD Board Special Meeting Minutes September 14,2023 Page 3 of 5 Senior Economic Development Analyst Emilio Levario presented Agenda Item 2.a. and stated Resolution No. 467 authorizes reimbursement funding to be awarded under the Business Improvement Grant (BIG), per the guidelines of the grant in an amount not to exceed $50,000.00. Mr. Levario named the applicant, Lloyd Ligons, as the property owner of 1801 Decker Drive, which is located in the BIG program area. His company Species Gym LLC, is seeking a grant as part of their efforts to renovate and upgrade the interior and exterior of their facility for the use as a fitness gymnasium and smoothie shop. The following improvements entail the following items: Automatic Sprinkler System Replacement of Roof Backflow Prevention System Parking Lot Resurfacing Fire Alarm System Interior Improvements Door System The applicant has requested a waiver of Section 4.2.1.2 that states that there is a 70°o scoring limitation. Lastly, Mr. Levario stated that the applicant is in the audience if they have any questions. Vice President Laura Alvarado stated she has spoken to the City Manager Jason Reynolds in regards to this item and the threshold is relatively low, which at this time she is not in favor of approval of the waiver of the said threshold. However, she asked if there is another incentive that can be utilized elsewhere. Mr. Levario responded that the Revitalized Incentive Zone (RIZ) might apply to which Vice President Alvarado directed Staff to assist the applicant with information concerning the RIZ program. President Brandon Capetillo asked for clarification concerning the waiver that the applicant is seeking to which Mr. Levario responded Tiers 1 and 2 receive respective scores of 30 and 40 percent, which was based on the type and number of improvements, and how those individual improvements are weighed. The section of the policy requires a minimum score of 700o and they are requesting a waiver of that requirement to receive grant funds under Tier I (max of$5,000) and Tier 2 (max of$25,000), in addition to Tier 3 (max of$50,000). Director Sarah Graham asked for clarification of what items they lost points for to which Mr. Levario responded they did not have enough items in Tier I and Tier 2 to gain the additional points. These Tiers are designed to leverage the funding to get the most value out of the tax payers' funding that is being dispersed. Additionally, Director Graham asked if the type of business could potentially limit the type of improvements that can be done to which Mr. Levario responded that the system was not designed on a specific use, instead it was designed to encourage revitalizing the exterior of the properties as exterior improvements have a catalytic effect of overhauling those specific target areas in need of revitalizing. President Capetillo voiced his support of Staffs recommendations of the scoring mechanism that has been set forth, then introduced Mr. Lloyd Ligons to address Council. Mr. Ligons stated he is part owner of Species Gym LLC and they have been in business in Baytown since 2019. They have continued to expand and improve their location in Baytown. Mr. Ligons also stated the reason why they are requesting a Tier 2 waiver is because their location is one of the many entrances into the City of Baytown and specifically the entrance into the old part of Baytown, MDD Board Special Meeting Minutes September 14,2023 Page 4 of 5 and conducting work in the parking lot is something that could revitalize the area. Mr. Ligons thanked Council for their consideration. A motion was made by Vice President Laura Alvarado, and seconded by Director Sarah Graham to approve Resolution No. 467 as submitted, related to Item 2.a. The vote was as follows: Ayes: President Brandon Capetillo, Vice President Laura Alvarado, Director Sarah Graham, Director Kenrick Griffith, Director Heather Betancourth, Director Jacob Powell, Director Gary Englert, Director Mike Lester Nays: None Other: Secretary David P. Jirrels (Absent), Director Donna Winfrey (Absent), Director Suhey Rios-Alvarez (Absent), Director Shaunna Bernshausen(Absent) Approved RESOLUTION NO. 467 A RESOLUTION OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS OF THE BAYTOWN MUNICIPAL DEVELOPMENT DISTRICT APPROVING A BUSINESS IMPROVEMENT GRANT APPLICATION SUBMITTED BY SPECIES GYM, LLC; AUTHORIZING REIMBURSEMENT FUNDING UNDER THE BUSINESS IMPROVEMENT GRANT PROGRAM IN AN AMOUNT NOT TO EXCEED FIFTY THOUSAND AND NO 100 DOLLARS ($50,000.00); AND PROVIDING FOR THE EFFECTIVE DATE THEREOF. b. Consider a resolution approving a Business Improvement Grant application not to exceed $80,000.00. Senior Economic Development Analyst Emilio Levario presented Agenda Item 2.a. and stated Resolution No. 468 authorizes reimbursement funding to be awarded under the Business Improvement Grant (BIG), per the guidelines of the grant in an amount not to exceed $80,000.00. Mr. Levario stated that the applicants, Donovan Jones and Rebecca Peache, are the property owners of 510 W Texas Avenue, which is located within the BIG program area. They are seeking a grant as part of their efforts to renovate the building for use as an entertainment venue and loft. The proposed improvements entail the following items: Framing, Material and Labor Lawn/Leveling Overheard Glass Doors Sidewalk Restoration Storm Shutters Electrical Work Various Pedestrian Amenities Plumbing Work Interior and Exterior Demolition Foundation Repair Driveway Replacement Energy Code Compliance Landscaping/Edging Fire Suppression Fencing Improvements Wall Repairs MDD Board Special Meeting Minutes September 14,2023 Page 5 of 5 A motion was made by Director Sarah Graham, and seconded by Director Heather Betancourth to approve Resolution No. 468, related to Item 2.b. The vote was as follows: Ayes: President Brandon Capetillo, Vice President Laura Alvarado, Director Sarah Graham, Director Kem ick Griffith, Director• Heather Betancourth, Director•Jacob Powell, Director Gary Englert, Director Mike Lester Nays: None Other: Secretary David P. Jirrels (Absent), Director Donna Winfrey (Absent), Director Suhey Rios-Alvarez (Absent), Director Shaunna Bemshausen (Absent) Approved RESOLUTION NO. 468 A RESOLUTION OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS OF THE BAYTOWN MUNICIPAL DEVELOPMENT DISTRICT APPROVING A BUSINESS IMPROVEMENT GRANT APPLICATION SUBMITTED BY DONOVAN JONES AND REBECCA PEACHE; AUTHORIZING REIMBURSEMENT FUNDING UNDER THE BUSINESS IMPROVEMENT GRANT PROGRAM IN AN AMOUNT NOT TO EXCEED EIGHTY THOUSAND AND NO 100 DOLLARS ($80,000.00); AND PROVIDING FOR THE EFFECTIVE DATE THEREOF. 3. MANAGER'S REPORT General Manager Jason Reynolds stated the October MDD meeting is cancelled and the next meeting will be in November. 4. ADJOURN With there being no further business to discuss, President Brandon Capetillo adjourned the September 14, 2023, MDD Board Special Meeting at 5:12 P.M. L�C) ngela Akson, Assistant Se y City of Baytown