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Home My WebLink About2026 03 23 CC WS MINUTES OF THE WORK SESSION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF BAYTOWN March 23, 2026 The City Council of the City of Baytown, Texas, met in a Work Session on Monday, March 23, 2026, at 5:30 P.M. in the Council Chamber of Baytown City Hall, 2401 Market Street, Baytown, Texas, with the following in attendance: Laura Alvarado Mayor Pro Tem Sarah Graham Council Member Kenrick Griffith Council Member James Franco Council Member Jacob Powell Council Member Mike Lester Council Member Charles Johnson Mayor Jason Reynolds City Manager Scott Lemond City Attorney Angela Jackson City Clerk John Stringer Sergeant at Arms Mayor Charles Johnson convened the March 23, 2026 City Council Work Session with a quorum present at 5:34 P.M. All members were present. 1. CITIZEN COMMENTS Mayor Charles Johnson announced citizens signed up to speak. Joseph Fallin, 170 N. Burnett Dr., expressed his concerns regarding an ordinance for firearms discussed at a Parks and Recreation Advisory Board meeting. A motion was made by Council Member Kenrick Griffith and seconded by Mayor Pro Tem Laura Alvarado to extend Mr. Fallin's time by two minutes. The vote was as follows: Ayes: Mayor Charles Johnson, Mayor Pro Tem Laura Alvarado,Council Member Sarah Graham, Council Member Kenrick Griffith, Council Member James Franco, Council Member Jacob Powell and Council Member Mike Lester Nays: Approved 2. DISCUSSIONS City Council Work Session Minutes March 23, 2026 Page 2 of 2 a. Receive a safety plan for large events at Bicentennial Park. Mayor Charles Johnson announced citizens signed up to speak. Director of Parks Recreation and Tourism Clifford Hatch shared with the Mayor and Council Members an overview regarding the Safety Plan Measures. (Exhibit A) City Attorney Scott Lemond informed the Mayor and City Council any discussions regarding the implementation of security personnel be taken in an executive session. June Stansky, 4601 Driftwood Dr., expressed her concerns and recommendations regarding the discussion of barriers around events. At 5:45 P.M., Mayor Charles Johnson recessed and convened in to an Executive Session pursuant to Section 551.071 thru 551.090 of the Texas Government Code to to discuss matters listed on the agenda. At 6:40 P.M., Mayor Charles Johnson reconvened the meeting and announced that, in accordance with Section 551.102 of the Texas Government Code, no action was taken in the Executive Session. Mr. Hatch expressed appreciation for the input received by the Mayor and Council Members. Parks Recreation and Tourism will continue to revise the safety plan with the Baytown Police Department. 3. ADJOURN With there being no further business to discuss, Mayor Charles Johnson adjourned the March 23 2026, City Council Work Session at 6:41 P.M. Angela Ja on, City'Clerk City of Ba own' 5/18/2026 EXHIBIT "A" cii Current vs. Future La outa....„. ,,,, BAYT ti ,`" � ` f "S Bicentennial Park Safety Plan k • tt't '''' 4,,,,,/4.4-, , .., 't„..:., ' �; Juneteen' fly 4th, and Grit, _tt �"` .a, „. Fenced Layout 2 Parks Advisory Board Suggestions January 7�°Meeting Et)INN • Parks Advisory Board reviewed safety plans that included perimeter SecurityTopics fencing and checkpoints at major events. (it Timeline y:. • 2n0 Amendment Considerations Parks Advisory Board • However,the Board did not recommend moving forward with the • Searches Safety Plan Presentation plan due to the fencing component. • Removal of Unruly Persons Safety Plan Q&A i rp Next Steps • Their main concern was perception—that fencing could feel exclusive r, v e+ ^and create a slippery slope toward ticketed events or alcohol sales. ' '— �) � r ' ' —' 'eft• The board supported additional security,and the use of HOT funds to s w, t "*,y-'" , .>_ help offset increased event security costs,if needed. k` -> -_. F , ,;,, .k: 4 N t, ;,. I. 1 5/18/2026 • POLICEei El POLICE WOWN CI Cameras/Drones/Command Post Personnel Manning Gates • Command post outside of fenced area on Lee Drive-Unified • One(1)Harris County Constable&One(1)non-sworn security Command personnel at each main entry/exit Timeline • Deploy CP mast camera overlooking crowd area Timeline • One(1)Harris County Constable monitoring emergency exits Parks Advisory Board Parks Advisory Board Safety Plan Presentationu� • Covert camera placement throughout Bicentennial Park with off- Safety Plan Presentation • All entrances/exits must be ADA compliant Safety Plan Q&A site monitoring by S10 Tech Detective Safety Plan Q&A Next Steps Next Steps • Drone operations will be monitored from the Unified Command Post • Po11C, Non BPD sworn&non sworn staff BPD sworn personnel MINN zi •TON Private Security,Harris County Constables,Blue Lobel Security S Eil • Six(6)Foot patrol units • Six(6)Non sworn personnel for gate Staffing Timeline Timeline • Six(6)Bike Patrol units Parks Advisory Board • Eleven(11)Non BPD sworn personnel for gate staffing - Parks Advisory Board Safety Plan Presentation Safety Plan Presentation • Four(4)ATV/UTV units Safety Plan Q&A Constables Safety Plan Q&A Next Steps Next Steps • One(1)Off sight surveillance • 17 Non BPD personnel • One(1)Drone Operator • Two(2)Field Supervisors-Sergeants • One(1)Incident Commander-Lieutenant • 21 total BPD personnel 1 5/18/2026 e pa,,,0 Council Consensus Regarding Next Steps for Implementation BAYTOWN BAYTOWN s s • If Council chooses to approve the requested safety plan,PRT will work with BPD to implement the safety plan as discussed/revised fc the City's 3 regional events at Bicentennial Park. Timeline Timeline Parks Advisory Board Parks Advisory Board • If Council chooses to move forward with this plan,short term buds• Safety Plan Presentation Safety Plan Questions? Safety Plan Presentation solutions may be implemented for FY26. Safety Plan r' Safety Plan Q&A Next Steps Next Steps • Special Notes for FY26: • Resources may be limited due to FIFA World Cup Security • Shifts in events budget subject to timing(Grrto Festl • Budget and program scope changes will be fully implemented in th. FY27 budget process. . . . „, , __ ", iie - raa�' fit.`�'� t' :,p BAYTOWN • ` BAYTOWN S J M Timeline z r ; THANK YOU! ° e+ Parks Advisory Board F f P t: Safety Plan Presentation Safety Plan Q&A ' 'i Next Steps , �I i ;- . . '4%;"''.. .',.i,, * 'r • .a 4 +�., rP,.a .r f_ f ' r V Q 5/18/2026 PBudget Work Session: BAYTO p O L I C E ,! ;: August 5,2025 S Meetings with BPD: August 13,1015-November 11,1025 Timeline Timeline Entertainment Presentation with Parks Board: Parks Advisory Board I Parks Advisory Board Safety Plan Presentation Safety Plan Presentation Safety Plan Q&A Safety Plan Q&A Safety Plan Presentation with Parks Board: Next Steps Next Steps January 7,2026&February 4,2026 1215 Follow uP meeting PRTf BPD: 8.4 February 19,2026 {n. SOS Council Work Session: •l oU�� 1S S March 23,2026 Additional Costs (As of 12/16/25) Reduce Event Operations by $33,987 - Fencing: $6,839 x 3 = $20,517 Eliminate the VIP AREA - Non Sworn Personnel: $1,440 x 3 = $4,320 - Backstage Comfort Station: $8,625 - Non PD Sworn Personnel: $2,800 x 3 = $8,400 - Backstage Snack Cart: $2,250 - TOTAL COST = $33,237 Reduce Fireworks 52%: $23,112 (FY26) Reduce Entertainment in future years to Total: $33,987fal BAYTM BMA