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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2026 07 09 CC WS MINUTES OF THE WORK SESSION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF BAYTOWN July 09, 2026 The City Council of the City of Baytown, Texas, met in a Work Session on Thursday, July 09, 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 Tern Sarah Graham Council Member Kenrick Griffith Council Member James Franco Council Member Mike Lester Council Member Charles Johnson Mayor Jason Reynolds City Manager Kristin Holmes Assistant City Attorney Angela Jackson City Clerk John Stringer Sergeant at Arms Mayor Charles Johnson convened the July 09, 2026 City Council Work Session with a quorum present at 5:34 P.M. All members were present with the exception of Council Member Jacob Powell who was absent. 1. CITIZEN COMMENTS Mayor Charles Johnson announced no citizens signed up to speak. 2. DISCUSSIONS a. Receive a presentation regarding apartment related complaints and city's legal authority. Assistant City Manager Jamie Pruitt provided a presentation regarding apartment related complaints. (Exhibit A) City Attorney Scott Lemond informed the Mayor and Council Members of the legal policies presented to the City involving tenant, landlord discrepancies. Director of Planning and Development Services Martin Scribner, explained the process for addressing complaints and initiation of the citation process. Interim Director of Health Shawn Cochran provided the role of health when addressing their authority with local apartment complexes. City Council Work Session Minutes July 09, 2026 Page 2 of 2 Lieutenant Rene Hinojosa, shared the expectations from the partnerships with local apartment discrepancies and shared an upcoming event they will hold for the community on August 10th The Mayor and Council Members provided their recommendations regarding resources accessible to the residents and staff. Director of Planning Development Services Martin Scribner clarified the steps for issuing citations and how the process proceeds in ownership and management changes. Interim Director of Health Shawn Cochran, expressed to Council the relationship for addressing complaints and where code enforcement is put in place. 3. ADJOURN With there being no further business to discuss, Mayor Charles Johnson adjourned the July 09, 2026, City Council Work Session at 6:16 P.M. x:r Anf2. crel—L7- ela J c on City Clerk City of Baytown , N A 8/17/2026 EXHIBIT "A" a .l,. �z 1 Jam, n mil► -1 i U sl l l� l� 11 To provide Council with a clearer • M :� ® Purpose understanding of • y s 4, Volume and types of apartment-related complaints ' _ - +- + "'� • Legal limitations on COB authority • Resources currently dedicated to enforcement& resolution Council Work Session • Resources available through other agencies Apartments 1 1 ,,, Apartments in Baytown T 1; Apartments in Baytown •►Complaint Volume and Type IMO Complaint Volume and Type @ C 0 M P L A I N T S Legal Authority RR 12 Legal Authority Building Services I.• 11 8 Resources Building Services 4 r Resources Environmental Health •I r Resources.Environmental Health Resources Neighborhood Protection Resources Neighborhood Protection L-__. ■• , 6Resources Baytown PoliceResources Baytown Police e ','f • ,- Agencices Non-Governmental 105 11,269 Resources Non-Governmental iL Agencies Agencies 49 23 8 APARTMENT COMPLEXES APARTMENT UNITS - •- TOTAL SEPARAR NNE nPNIPUES COMPLARTS COMPLEXES MINE 4 OR MORE COIR>IAMTS 1 8/17/2026 • '«' Apartments in Baytown la PROPERTY CODE CHAPTER 92 � COMPLAINT FREQUENCY BY TYPE I • In Texas,no government agency has the legal authority to Complaint Volume and Type ompla!ui v„ nm an;i h� Type intervene,mediate,or force a resolution in private landlord- Legal Authonty 0 Fence 1 tenant disputes. Fence Resources.Building Services O i uwvb 2 \Resources:Budding Services Resources:Environmental Health • Texas Property Code"preempts"municipal ordinances Resources Environmental Health 0 Noise 2 Resources:Neighborhoody Protection related to a landlord's duty to its tenants. Resources Neighborhood Protection) ®Trash 4 Resources:Baytown town Police Resources:Baytown Police 0 Elad•ka,Sal•n' iiiiiin 4 i, Resources:Non-Governmental • Leases are agreements governed under Civil Courts Such as Resources:Non-Governmental PadAgencies Justice of the Peace. Agencies mac T MOrwn AOOI*wo 7 • If a property violates city safety,health,or zoning ztotd/uirorw 9 ordinances(e.g.,junk vehicles,unsafe structure),it is °tins 9 enforced by municipal Code Enforcement Officers. wa 9 k••r 11 o A 6 8 10 li ,t Building Services Building Services B �'rn fil„j Registration Inspection • Each complex must register yearly or • Exterior Walls • Foundation Walls whenever an ownership change occurs. • • Roof Flashing and Gutters • Exterior Lighting • Cooling and Heat Supply • Sidewalks and driveways Legal Authority Legal AtMority4 . Stairways,Decks,Porches • Means of Egress •Inspections take place once a year or • • Balconies&Handrails and • Fire Protection Systems Resources:Environmental Health continue until all violations have been 4 Resources Environmental Health Guards • Gates enclosing swimming Resources:Neighborhood Protection resolved after the complex applies for Resources:Neighborhood Protection • Window and door frames pools,spas&hot tubs r • Rubbish and Garbage Resources:Baytown Police registration. Resources.Baytown Police • Water and Sanitary System Resources Non-Governmental Agencies Resources.Non-Governmental Agencies • Accessory Structures •Includes all building and property exteriors,as well as all interior and exterior common areas. • 1 8/17/2026 • i. ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH myw Complaint Inspection e>= INSPECTIONS - - 0 Swimming pool issues • Roof leaks/Exterior Plumbing leaks • Existing Inoperable Cooling and Heat Supply • Structural deficiencies ® Sewage leaks/releases on property grounds Legal Authority • • Electrical Issues due to inoperable/defective equipment O Clean outs/lines not properly capped • Water and Sanitary System Issues(Ex:Stoppage,overflow) leading to release Resources:Environmental Health • Pest Infestation(public or shared areas only unless pests _,Q .• .LA t,-y Resources..Neighborhood Protection enter due to a defect in the structure) Resources Neighborhood Protection © Greywater discharge onto grounds Resources:Baytown Police Resources-Baytowm Police Resources Non-Governmental Agencies Resources.Non-Governmental Ageosies 0 Food sates from apartment units Enforcement is complaint driven. The Health Department will not enter any dwelling for investigation or enforcement actions. � q NEIGHBORHOOD PROTECTION Baytown Police Department BAIZN DM, High Grass/Weeds The goal is to strengthen relationships with 0 residents and property managers while Rubbish(on the grounds,in dumpster areas/enclosures) Legal Authority Autlgrf ty proactively reducing crime. �.- ou ce h:: !t Overflowing/non-serviced dumpsters .',,,,,,,ices. Env ronnreninl Ht nlfn • Increase resident trust • 'ie ,', • Improve quality of life Resources:Baytown Police 0 Junk/abandoned vehicles • Reduce opportunities for crime Resources:Non-Govemmental Agencies Resources.Non-Governmental Agencies • Create safer apartment communities The issues are addressed directly with the apartment manager.Violations must be visible from public view. 2 8/17/2026 • Baytown Police Department If you live in a HUD-assisted property,you can call the HUD it ,y Multifamily Housing Complaint Line at 1-800-685-8470. Community Outreach For public housing,you can also contact the Baytown Housing • aesid•,,�:_rngs 8 town halls Authorityat 281-427.6686. • Uf41005 engagement • Safety education • ,ovth&family evens Complainl Volu•.,.md Type Houston Apartment Association IHAA)does not enforce Legal Authonty maintenance,it provides resources and mediation services for Crime Prevention renters whose properties are HAA members • cptro assessments Resources Building Services Camera placement recommendations Resources:Envtrrnmentat Heigh, The Dispute Resolution Center)DRC):Offers free mediation lighting 8 access control • Security surveys Resources:Neighborhood Protector services conducted by trained professionals to help landlords • Trespass Aff•davns Resources:Baytown Police and tenants resolve conflicts privately and amicably. Resources-Non-Govemmental Agencies Partnerships al Resources:Non-Governmental Houston Landlord Tenant Legal Aid&Pro Bona Services • Apartment managers Agencies Fire,Cod,Enforcement&City partners Provide individuals with free or low-cost legal assistance with •• Patrol collaboration landlord tenant issues in the Houston,Texas area. A