2011 12 01 MDD MinutesMINUTES OF THE REGULAR MEETING OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS
OF THE BAYTOWN MUNICIPAL DEVELOPMENT DISTRICT
December 01 , 2011
The Board of Directors of the Baytown Municipal Development District (MDD) met in a
Regular Meeting on Thursday, December 01, 2011, at 6:00 P.M., in the Council Chamber
of the Baytown City Hall, 2401 Market Street, Baytown, Texas with the following in
attendance:
Stephen DonCarlos
President
Brandon Capetillo
Director
Robert Hoskins
Director
Ruben Linares
Director
David McCartney
Director
Dee Anne Navarre
Director
Terry Sain
Director
Robert D. Leiper General Manager
Kevin Troller Assistant General Manager
Ignacio Ramirez, Sr. General Counsel
Jason Cozza Deputy Assistant Secretary
President DonCarlos convened the December 01, 2011, Municipal Development District
(MDD) Board Regular Meeting with a quorum present at 6:00 P.M., all members were
present with the exception of Vice President Scott Sheley, Directors Reggie Brewer,
Mary Hernandez, and Mercedes Renteria who were absent.
1. MINUTES
a. Consider Approving the Minutes of the Municipal Development District
(MDD) Board Meeting held on November 03, 2011- Assistant Secretary.
A motion was made by Director David McCartney and seconded by Director Robert C.
Hoskins approving the November 03, 2011, MDD Board Meeting Minutes. The vote was
as follows:
Ayes: Director Brandon Capetillo, President Stephen H. DonCarlos,
Director Robert C. Hoskins, Director Ruben Linares, Director
David McCartney, Director Dee Anne Navarre, Director Terry
Sain
Nays: None
MDD Regular Meeting Minutes
December 01, 2011
Page 2 of 5
Other: Director Reggie Brewer (Absent), Director Mary Hernandez
(Absent), Director Mercedes Renteria (Absent), and Vice President
Scott Sheley (Absent)
Approved
2. REPORTS
a. Receive Fourth Quarter Report from the Economic Development Foundation
- Administration.
Mr. BJ. Simon presented the fourth quarter report from July through September for the
Baytown West Chambers County Economic Development Foundation and stated that
there were 22 prospects and four (4) site visits. Mr. Simon stated that the EDF
attended the ICS Conference in San Antonio and had the opportunity to visit with retail
developers that were interested in developing in Baytown. He also expressed that there
are restaurant developers interested in Baytown, but that there was a lack of franchisees
or licensees in the area. Mr. Simon stated that the EDF visited with the small business
developers from the Port of Houston to develop a partnership to get those interested
developers into Baytown. Mr. Simon stated that attending a franchisee development
seminar in Houston was the first step to the partnership and that hopefully in the first
quarter of 2012 the EDF will be able to sponsor a sort of regional franchisee seminar or
workshop in Baytown for recruitment purposes.
Mr. Simon stated that the Goldman Sachs 10,000 Business Initiatives is partnering with
Houston Community College, San Jacinto College, and Lee College to sponsor an
entrepreneurship seminars and institutes and the hope is to get one sponsored in the first
quarter of 2012.
Mr. Simon stated that in an effort to enhance cellular phone service in the area around
Cedar Crossing and Beach City, the EDF worked with the Chambers County Judge and
Commissioner and cellular companies to accelerate plans to build towers in that area.
Mr. Simon stated that the EDF along with some of the Goose Creek
representatives recently visited Samson Controls, which is a company, located in the
Cedar Crossing area that provides advanced manufacturing such as control valves for
multiple applications and industries.
Mr. Simon stated that the EDF is working with United Way on targeted impact
initiatives and hopes to provide a work shop with City Council and have the Executive
Director of United Way explain how their efforts ties in to work force development.
MDD Regular Meeting Minutes
December 01, 2011
Page 3 of 5
Mr. Simon stated that the EDF continued to provide assistance to various applicants and
collaborated with the Chambers County to help develop Chapter 381 Economic
Development Guidelines. He stated that the Chapter 381 is a County's equivalent to
Chapter 380, which enhances the capacity to do projects in the ETJ. Director Capetillo
inquired if an applicant was awarded the Chapter 381 from the County could they also be
awarded the Chapter 380 from the City. Mr. Simon stated that Chapter 380 and 381 were
complimentary.
Mr. Simon stated that he attended a consultant's forum in New Orleans, which gave an
opportunity to interact and build relationships with site selecting consultants.
Director Sain stated that he continues to get comments that there are not adequate
clothing and furniture stores in Baytown and inquired when the EDF will focus on those
concerns. Mr. Simon stated that the demand and space is there, but the dilemma is having
quality space. Mr. Simon stated that the retailers were misinformed about Baytown being
marketable, but are now aware of the Baytown area and its ability to be
marketable. Director Capetillo stated that the website's home page should have the
updated demographics of Baytown to show that there is buying power in this area.
In an effort to address Director Sain's inquiry of adequate clothing and furniture stores,
Mr. Simon stated the 2008 analysis showed over five (5) million square feet of available
retail space in the Baytown trade area with a lot of it being in less than adequate
locations such as the mall, bay plaza, and west town. Mr. Simon stated that all but only
4% of the space was represented by quick serve and sit down restaurants so there was a
significant deficit for the trade area current and anticipated for 2012. He stated that the
trade area space should be in the 8 to 12 percent range and we are gradually growing
toward that area as some of the space that was idle is being encumbered. During the
discussion, an inquiry was made as to why the mall does not meet the demand for sit
down restaurant and quick serve space. Mr. Simon stated that during a discussion with
representatives from the mall, the representatives stated that they are open to doing what
they can to help but they are waiting on a settlement from an insurance claim as a source
of revenue.
b. Present Update on 700 West Texas Avenue - Chris Presley.
Mr. Chris Presley presented to the Municipal Development District an update regarding
700 West Texas Avenue and stated that the building has been renovated and put back to
use. He stated that the boat yard is gone and twelve of the thirteen apartments are leased.
Mr. Presley stated that the one (1) bedroom apartments went fairly quick but the two (2)
bedrooms were more challenging so they were advertised for one (1) month free. He
stated that although the parking garage was a big hit; from the front and as your drive
by, it doesn't have an occupied feel which hides the cars and the activity as well. Mr.
Presley stated that back in August he talked about leasing to the Lee College Athletes but
believes that it may not be worth while to pursue the Athletes at this point being that they
don't have a tennis team now other programs being looked at for potential cuts.
MDD Regular Meeting Minutes
December 01, 2011
Page 4 of 5
Mr. Presley stated that the flex (commercial) space had interested participants but the
challenges were that it is 3,000 square foot space, the ceilings are 17 feet, there is one
entry door, there are sprinkler issues, it shares two common walls with two different
apartments, and it doesn't have adjacent parking. Mr. Presley stated that the space is very
difficult to divide so its sort of a take it all or none type of situation and the market for
that area is small entrepreneurship. He stated that he spoke with a representative that was
interested in opening up a coffee shop with live music and a representative from
Starbucks in regards to occupying the flex space. Mr. Presley stated that the corner of W.
Texas and Felton really has the potential of possibly being occupied for some non-
residential use. He stated that there is the potential for some commercial use if you look
at the demographics surrounding the property. Also, the traffic counts show that the area
around the property is fairly well traveled.
Council Member Sain made a comment regarding Starbucks' desire for to place a drive -
thru with their new stores and if this could potentially be accommodated. Mr. Presley
responded that there was one person that was interested in the space and potentially
building a drive -thru, but then said that it didn't turn out.
Mr. Presley then moved to discuss his proposal for an incubator with walls for the site.
Potentially, the spaces could house small businesses, including a mom and pop
restaurant. This space would be lower rent and maintenance -free. Mr. Presley then
requested about a month's time to come up with a more concrete plan to present to the
board at a later date.
Mr. Sain asked if the idea of a pharmacy could work at the site. Mr. Presley responded
that he does not think the site is big enough.
3. MANAGER'S REPORT
There was no report.
4. ADJOURN
A motion was made by Director Terry Sain and seconded by Director David McCartney
adjourning the December 01, 2011, MDD Board Meeting. The vote was as follows:
Ayes: Director Brandon Capetillo, President Stephen H. DonCarlos,
Director Robert C. Hoskins, Director Ruben Linares, Director
David McCartney, Director Dee Anne Navarre, Director Terry
Sain
Nays: None
MDD Regular Meeting Minutes
December 01, 2011
Page 5 of 5
Other: Director Reggie Brewer (Absent), Director Mary Hernandez
(Absent), Director Mercedes Renteria (Absent), and Vice President
Scott Sheley (Absent)
Approved
With there being no further business to discuss, President DonCarlos adjourned the
December 01, 2011, Municipal Development District (MDD) Board Regular Meeting at
6:47 P.M.