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.