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
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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.
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September 14,2023
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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,
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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
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September 14,2023
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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.
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ngela Akson, Assistant Se y
City of Baytown