2016 03 24 WS MinutesMINUTES OF THE REGULAR WORK SESSION OF THE
CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF BAYTOWN
MARCH 24, 2016
The City Council of the City of Baytown, Texas met in a Regular Work Session on Thursday,
March 24, 2016, at 5:30 P.M., in Hullum Conference Room of the Baytown City Hall, 2401
Market Street, Baytown, Texas with the following in attendance:
Brandon Capetillo
Robert Hoskins
David McCartney
Chris Presley
Mercedes Renteria
Terry Sain
Council Member
Council Member
Council Member
Council Member
Council Member
Council Member
Stephen DonCarlos Mayor
Rick Davis
City Manager
Ignacio Ramirez
City Attorney
Leticia Brysch
City Clerk
Keith Dougherty
Sergeant at Arms
Mayor DonCarlos convened the March 24, 2016, Regular Work Session with a quorum present
at 5:35 P.M., all members were present with the exception of Council Member Sain who was
absent.
1. DISCUSSIONS
a. Discuss grant funding through the RESTORE Act to move the Eddie V. Gray
Wetlands Center to the Baytown Nature Center.
Director of Parks and Recreation, Scott Johnson, presented the agenda item and stated that the
Parks Department present to Council three grant opportunities. He stated that the first grant
opportunity of approximately $56 million is related to the Resources and Ecosystems
Sustainability, Tourist Opportunities and Revived Economies of the Gulf Coast States Act of
2012 (RESTORE Act), which requests proposals for grants that will primarily benefit the Texas
Gulf Coast Region and is funded by penalties incurred as a result of the BP Deepwater Horizon
Oil Spill. He stated that the grant submissions must support projects that: restore and /or protect
natural habitats; mitigate damage to fish and /or wildlife; improve state parks in coastal areas;
protect against coastal floods; promote tourism and /or consumption of Gulf Coast seafood; or
develop the workforce and /or create jobs in the coastal region. He further stated that the Eddie V.
Gray Wetlands Center is pursuing funding of approximately $11 million to construct a new
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March 24, 2016
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building onsite at the Baytown Nature Center to allow the growth of education programs and
ecotourism.
Ms. Tracey Prothro, Superintendent of Natural Resource Programs at the Eddie V. Gray
Wetlands Center, stated that this is the perfect time to submit for this grant as the City is
currently in the process of the design for the new Eddie V. Gray Wetlands Center that is to be
built in the Baytown Nature Center. She presented to Council the design of the future center,
along with details of the amenities, such as meeting space, LEEDS certification, training areas,
etc. She stated that, as the new construction would be 25 feet above sea level, the building is not
in the flood zone and is outside of the 100 year floodplain. Additionally, she stated that the
deadline to submit the grant application is April 15th, in which they are working diligently to
submit the information as soon as possible to avoid any issues.
During further discussion, Mr. Johnson stated that only counties on the coast of the San Jacinto
River waste pits are eligible to submit grants related to eco- tourism and economic
development. He stated that he believed the City's grant would be very competitive as it has a
design, a plan and land already in place for this new center. In response to an inquiry about
matching monies from the City, Mr. Johnson stated that the design cost and the land from the
City is considered the match in the grant application.
Mayor DonCarlos stated that Congressmen Green, Poe and Babin were all willing to write a
letter of support for the City's grant submission.
Council was supportive of the grant application and recommended that staff move forward on
this item.
b. Discuss the exploration of grant funding through the Texas Parks and Wildlife
Department and Harris County, for the San Jacinto Waste Pit grant program for repair
and improvements to the three City of Baytown Boat Ramps and the acquisition and
development of the Evergreen Bluff property.
Mr. Johnson stated that the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department and Harris County are
requesting proposals for the San Jacinto Waste Pit Grant Program grants that will primarily
benefit the Lower San Jacinto Watershed. He stated that this grant has a $10 million award for
deserving applications, in which the City intends to submit two grants that meet the grant criteria
at a total of $3 million. He stated that the first application will be for the repairs and
improvements of the City's three boat ramps located at Roseland Park, Bayland Park and the
Eddie V. Gray Wetlands Education Center including repairs to the ramps, finger piers,
replacement of bulkheads, changing the lighting to LED lighting, post pilings, parking
improvements, and per Mayor DonCarlos' request adding the potential expansion of the "L"
shaped boat ramp at Bayland Island with LED lighting also.
Mr. Johnson stated that the second application will provide funding for the acquisition and
development of 21.8851 acres of land with Tabbs Bay waterfront and Evergreen Road access
which includes parking, trails, picnic sites, beach access to Tabbs Bay, protection of a healthy
smooth cord grass meadow, and a 600 foot lighted fishing pier. He stated that this area used to be
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March 24, 2016
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the City's original swimming area, and the grant will allow the City to purchase and develop this
area into a waterfront park similar to that of neighboring cities.
Council Member Hoskins stated that if the City is looking to develop this area, Evergreen Road
needed some attention as it is not in the best conditions.
The Council was supportive of the two grant applications and asked staff to move forward on
them.
C. Discuss any or all of the agenda items on the City Council Regular Meeting Agenda
for March 24, 2016, which is attached below.
This item was not discussed.
UNEVVI LIM 11
With there being no further business to discuss, Mayor DonCarlos adjourned the March 24,
2016, City Council Regular Work Session at 6:07 P.M.
eticia Brysch, City Clerl.
City of Baytown