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2012 04 26 WS MinutesMINUTES OF THE REGULAR WORK SESSION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF BAYTOWN April 26, 2012 The City Council of the City of Baytown, Texas met in a Regular Work Session on Thursday, April 26, 2012, at 5:30 P.M., in the Council Chamber of the Baytown City Hall, 2401 Market Street, Baytown, Texas with the following in attendance: Brandon Capetillo Council Member Robert Hoskins Council Member David McCartney Council Member Terry Sain Council Member Scott Sheley Council Member Stephen DonCarlos Mayor Ron Bottoms Deputy City Manager Kevin Troller Assistant City Manager Ignacio Ramirez City Attorney Leticia Brysch City Clerk Keith Dougherty Sergeant at Arms Mayor DonCarlos convened the April 26, 2012, City Council Regular Work Session with a quorum present at 5:31 P.M., all members were present with the exception of Council Member Mercedes Renteria who was absent. 1. DISCUSSIONS a. Presentation from YAC Regarding What They Like and Dislike About Baytown Assignment - Parks and Recreation. Mr. Mike Flinn presented the agenda item to receive and discuss a presentation from the Baytown Youth Advisory Commission regarding an assignment focusing on what the Baytown youth like and dislike about our city. Mr. Flinn stated that in 2009, YAC was given the task of providing a survey of the needs and recreational habits from the youth's perspective. He stated that since then, the following recommendations have come to Baytown: Academy, Olive Garden, upcoming Texas Road House, Orange Leaf, Pirates Bay, and Calypso Cove. Mr. Flinn stated that with much appreciation and gratitude from the results of the first survey, in March the youth were asked by Council Member Sheley to identify how the city could continue to improve. In response to Councilman Sheley's request, the following information was presented by various YAC members. City Council Regular Work Session Minutes April 26, 2012 Page 2 of 3 The YAC member stated that although, Lee College, the Sterling Municipal Library, the Baytown trails, the improved spray parks, the dog park, the new marina, the sports complex, the wetlands center, the community center, the restaurants (old and new), the local businesses (some who funds youth programs), many private clubs, and the Chamber of Commerce have provided a positive impact on the youth and the city, there is still work to be done. YAC inquired of the status of the San Jacinto Mall, how streets get repaired and in what order, and spoke to the abandoned buildings are eye sores, specifically, the Old San Jacinto Hospital. The youth stated that littering and abandoned properties need to be addressed, high grass in undeveloped land is a safety hazard to everybody, the community center is severely out of date, that there is no Wi -fi in the meeting rooms, inquired that with the size of our city why do we not have a nicer recreation center that appeals to all. YAC also commented that they believe that the Pirates Bay Waterpark needs to be expanded. All of Council provided much appreciation to YAC for providing information from the voice of the youth in Baytown. Council Member Capetillo responded to an inquiry from YAC in regards to the street repairs and stated that the streets are indexed and repaired according to their condition code or repair needs and funding source. Council Member Capetillo explained that some streets can be repaired, which means they have enough life and just need to be overlaid, and some must be reconstructed which means it must be redone. Council Member Capetillo stated that regarding the mall and the old hospital, that constant communication is continuing with the owners of the mall and that there is a plan in place with the expectation that all parties involved would follow through with their commitment, to have a mall that we can be proud of. Council Member Hoskins recommended to the YAC to provide Council with information of things that the youth in Baytown would like to have that is currently not available. Mayor DonCarlos stated that in order to expand the Pirates Bay Waterpark a feature has to be added to give it more capacity and this is the last year that it would have its current configuration. He stated that initially the plan was to generate enough money to expand and this year would be the planning stage for the expansion for next year. He agreed that the community center building needed updates and the possibility of renovation has been discussed. Mayor DonCarlos stated that Council can not make a private owner tear down a building just because it doesn't look good but there's been discussion for the future development of the old hospital as well as the mall. Mayor DonCarlos also recommended for the YAC to come back before Council with ideas of what the youth would like to have in Baytown. City Council Regular Work Session Minutes April 26, 2012 Page 3 of 3 2. ADJOURN With there being no further business to discuss, Mayor DonCarlos adjourned the April 26, 2012, City Council Regular Work Session at 5:59 P.M.