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Home My WebLink About2026 05 28 CC WS MINUTES OF THE WORK SESSION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF BAYTOWN May 28, 2026 The City Council of the City of Baytown, Texas, met in a Work Session on Thursday, May 28, 2026, at 4:30 P.M. in the Council Chamber of Baytown City Hall, 2401 Market Street, Baytown, Texas, with the following in attendance: Kenrick Griffith Council Member James Franco Council Member Jacob Powell Council Member Mike Lester Council Member Laura Alvarado Mayor Pro Tem Jason Reynolds City Manager Scott Lemond City Attorney Angela Jackson City Clerk John Stringer Sergeant at Arms Mayor Pro Tern Laura Alvarado convened the May 28, 2026 City Council Work Session with a quorum present at 4:37 P.M. All members were present with the exception of Mayor Charles Johnson,Council Member Sarah Graham,and Council Member Kenrick Griffith who were absent. 1. CITIZEN COMMENTS Mayor Pro Tern Laura Alvarado announced no citizens signed up to speak. 2. DISCUSSIONS a. Receive a presentation regarding the Utility Billing Leak Adjustment practices. Director of Finance Teresa McKenzie provided a presentation regarding the utility billing leak adjustment practices. (Exhibit A) Mayor Pro Tem and Council Members, provided their recommendations regarding adjustment practices for utility leaks. Mayor Pro Tern and Council Members provided the following suggestions to address before moving forward with any regulations: • 2 adjustments per year • Clarified the document requirements for repairs. • Next Steps for the ordinance and implementation of new policies. City Council Work Session Minutes May 28, 2026 Page 2 of 2 b. Discussion regarding a proposed Unified Land Development Code amendment pertaining to Short Term Rentals. Director of Planning and Development Services Martin Scribner presented a recap of the proposed amendments for short term rentals. (Exhibit B) Council Member Kenrick Griffith entered the meeting at 6:16 P.M. Council Members provided feedback for City Staff direction: • Provide a disclaimer on behalf of the City of Baytown. • Clarification on enforcement requirements of the City of Baytown. • Required minimum stay duration. 3. ADJOURN With there being no further business to discuss, Mayor Pro Tem Laura Alvarado adjourned the May 28, 2026, City Council Work Session at 5:53 P.M. eZ-Arv:fro.r! 3,,qiN Angela '.ckson, City Ole ' City of Baytown / EXHIBIT "A" 6/22/2026 • Leak Adjustments • Current Process Agenda • Recommendation • City Standards Utility Billing Leak Adjustment • Summary • Discussion/Questions Baytown City Council Work Session May 28, 2026 e .. , . T.\ Lt I What is a leak adjustment? • Request must be submitted in writing • Utility Billing Manager reviews _ A leak adjustment is a billing credit provided to a utility customer Current Process • Adjustment is based on the 6-month Leak Adjustment`' when they have an unusually high water bill. average The adjustment reduces or removes a portion of the charges on • No limit on the number of adjustments sewer 1 6/22/2026 19) Sewer Leak Adjustments BAYTM Fiscal Year(FY24) t`lI ,• • 510 Residential-$89,817 • Adjustment on Water and Sewer portion of the Bill • 1,199 Commercial-$68,206 • Residential Only Fiscal Year(FY25) • 218 Residential $12,143 Financial • 510 Commercial-$66,369 Recommendations • Remove the Adjustment for Commercial Impact Fiscal Year(FY26)as of May 8,2026 • Limit Adjustments to 2 per year • 132 Residential-$6,712 • 325 Commercial-$162,288 • Require documentation for the adjustment 3 Year Residential Total-$108,672 3 Year Commercial Total-$296,863 3 Year Grand Total-$405,535 Comparison — 15 Cities Sample High Bill a No Standard 9a " � "'� ""5.... 25,000 Gallons 'lit "S 2 No Adjustments Offered Proposed Customer Invoke Aware('Sill Nigh Bill Adjusted Water&Sewer 2 Water&Sewer Adjustments for Residential&Commercial 6,000 gallons 25,000 gallons I Sewer Bill Adjusted BIB 2 Water Adjustment for Residential only&Water&Sewer for Commercial waver $ 48.31 5 245.53,S 24553 S 48.31 for Residential onlySewer 53.00 102.42 53.68 53.88 5 Sewer Adjustment Garba6e/Recrde 40.00 40.00 40.00 40.00 1 Sewer Adjustment for Commercial only sous 4.00 4.OD1 4.00 4.00 1 Total B/ S 14619 $ 391.96I$ 34341 $ 146.19 1 Water Adjustment for Residential only ma ch.... S 48.94 $ 245.76 7 6/22/2026 , , / Current Proposed Adjustment Sewer Only Water and Sewer - Residential/Commercial Residential Only " w G, a of Adjustments unlimited 2 per year Discussion & Summary Documentation Reason Documentation of leak Repair Feedback 1cc {JG� Financial Impact 405,535 217,344nr° . •..' rz.. «.:irk 1 6/22/2026 EXHIBIT "B" B •.r"' Where Are We? STRs R E N • 2014 ULDC-Silent on STR • 2025 ULDC-Allowed by SUP _ • SUP case Ashwood Drive-approved • March 17,2026-Planning&Zoning Commission recommendation SHORT-TERM RENTALS • TonApright-23, Pub6 CitInputy Council • Tonight-Publiclnput Baytown City Council Work Session May 28, 2026 Purpose Proposed STR Regulations 0% • Clear direction on potential UDLC text ■Hotel Occupancy Tax STRs amendment addressing short term rentals in a way that manages growth and adds value to •Required by state law Proposed the city while maintaining public health and •Not required for stays longer than 30 days-no permit required Regulations safety. • Allows the city to proactively address the •Permit required changing markets and sets clear expectations • Requires local 24 hour contact person for property owners and residents. • Renew annually • Post permit inside the dwelling 1 6/22/2026 Proposed STR Regulations Proposed STR Regulations b1tMOM •Inspection required •Residential character— •Number of bedrooms being rented •Parking-one space per bedroom listed plus one additional space. •Number of parking spaces provided •Number of occupants-two persons per bedroom plus two additional •Fire extinguishers persons. •Smoke detectors •Can't be advertised as a party venue. •Carbon monoxide detector •Minimum stay is 24 hours. • Permit,local contact,and property rules must be posted inside •Prior to permit issuance and reinspect annually •lote+ror-set►r:d°r uaitoring.deweaer t+raged•, •City can reinspect as needed Proposed STR Regulations Proposed STR Regulations &YR 1'S OWN •Revocation or Suspension of STR Permit •HOA Rules/Deed Restrictions •Director of Planning and Development Services •The property owner is responsible for complying with •Violation of law or regulations all applicable rules, covenants, and restrictions of any •Failure to pay hotel occupancy tax Homeowners'Association(HOA)or similar subdivision •False information given management organization. •Revoke after 3 violations in 12 months or failure to correct violation •Cannot reapply for 12 months •Appeals can be made to the Board of Adjustment. 6/22/2026 STR Regulation Enforcement Public Input Bt1 E7 OI1S •3rd Party Consultant enforcement • Heard at public hearings: • Software provided • Define bedrooms strictly on original home plans • Implementation.tracking,violation letters • No converting of other rooms to sleeping areas • -$25.000-$30,000 per year • Limit each property to one rental unit •Pay for cost through annual STR permit fees • Implement permit fees,renewal fees,and inspection fees • Estimate of 85 STRs in Baytown currently • Clearly define parking rules • Example of fee at$300tyr=$25,500 • Require posting of emergency contact,evacuation routes,and inspection documentation •HOT revenues could be approximately$75,000-$80,000 • Establish clear responsibility for enforcement • Cap number of STRs at 2 per neighborhood • Require background checks for all adult renters • Provide HOAs with an ongoing list of STR properties • Limit STRs to mixed use and commercial districts only Direction MI VN •Permit •Annual •Inspections •Use •Residential Character • No Party Venue •Parking •Occupants •Posting •Post permit •Local 24 hour contact person