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2018 06 28 WS MinutesMINUTES OF THE REGULAR WORK SESSION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF BAYTOWN JUNE 28, 2018 The City Council of the City of Baytown, Texas met in a Regular Work Session on June 28, 2018, at 5:30 P.M., in the Hullum Conference Room of the Baytown City Hall, 2401 Market Street, Baytown, Texas with the following in attendance: Laura Alvarado Mayor Pro Tem Robert Hoskins Council Member Charles Johnson Council Member David Himsel Council Member Chris Presley Council Member Heather Betancourth Council Member Stephen DonCarlos Mayor Rick Davis City Manager Ignacio Ramirez City Attorney Leticia Brysch City Clerk Mayor DonCarlos convened the June 28, 2018, City Council Regular Work Session with a quorum present at 5:30 P.M., all members were present with the exceptions of Council Member Johnson who arrived at 5:35 P.M. and Council Member Betancourth who arrived at 5:49 P.M. 1. DISCUSSIONS a. Discuss possible projects resulting from the Houston -Galveston Area Council (H - GAC) State Highway 146 Subregional Study. Deputy City Manager Ron Bottoms presented the item and stated that staff would be giving the Council a very brief overview of a plan based on the H -GAC study that was presented to them at their last meeting, along with a list of the potential projects that will be presented to the TIP for their consideration sometime in July or August. Mr. Bottoms noted that staff had reached out to Chambers County regarding a lot of the projects presented in the H -GAC study and was pleasantly surprised to find that they wanted to sponsor many the projects the City was interested in, which is good for the City because they will cover the 20% cost share for those projects and not the City. However, there is one project from this study that staff would like to submit to the TIP as a City of Baytown sponsored project, which staff will be presenting tonight in more detail. Mr. Bottoms also noted that staff placed a list of all of the proposed projects that staff is going to recommend be included in the TIP; if there are any questions or additions, please let staff know as soon as possible. City Council Regular Work Session Minutes June 28, 2018 Page 2 of 6 Council Member Hoskins noted that in looking at the map with the proposed TIP projects most were located in certain areas of Harris County and staff needs to work towards getting some of that funding in the City's jurisdiction. He noted that one of the biggest needs he sees is on the northeast side of town, specifically another bridge over Cedar Bayou, which is a very costly project. City Engineer Jose Pastrana stated that this was the exactly the project he wanted to discuss. He noted that the results of the sub -regional study for Highway 146 was a partnership between the City of Baytown, City of Mont Belvieu, Chambers County and Harris County and was limited to the area just north of Massey Tompkins Road to the Liberty County line only. He also noted that this study helps develops several short-term and long-term projects that are intended to be done within the next five (5) years. The estimated costs for all of the proposed projects add up to an estimated $825,000,000 with the long-term projects being the more expensive and include (1) the configuration of S146 at I10, (2) the widening of roadways and (3) the Cedar Bayou Crossing, which is going to be the City's focus. Mr. Pastrana noted that because these projects are so expensive, they cannot be done a one time and will be scheduled based on the sponsor and the owner of the jurisdiction. Mr. Pastrana noted that there may be opportunities to work with other jurisdictions on some of these projects, but it will depend on the economy at the time and the priorities of all of the parties involved. Mr. Pastrana further noted that as it relates to the Cedar Bayou Crossing, Baytown is the responsible party and as such will fund the preliminary engineer report and other such items soon. Mr. Pastrana noted that even through the City is the responsible party; this does not exclude other jurisdictions from participating or partnering with the City on this project. He also noted that the City will be funding the hydraulic and hydrological studies, any needed coordination with the Army Corps of Engineers, permits and of course, the design and construction cost, so any partnering opportunities will be welcomed. Mr. Pastrana stated that the Cedar Bayou Crossing is estimated to costs 36 to 40 million dollars, plus an additional 3 to 4 million dollars for the design and studies. Mr. Pastrana noted that there are three options for this crossing: 1) begins at Gilmore Lane and goes westward over the railroad tracks, just north of Pinehurst where it would then cross a creek; it is at this point that the crossing would have to be elevated across another railroad crossing in order to eventually merge with Archer Road. However, Archer Road currently dead ends at Garth, so that does pose a limitation on the movement of traffic to the west of the City; 2) the next option is the extension of East Cedar Bayou Lynchburg Road across the creek and connecting into SH146; and 3) the last option extends Blue Heron Parkway and merges into SH146 at its intersection with CR1405, which will then continue on to 565 and, while 565 and City Council Regular Work Session Minutes June 28, 2018 Page 3 of 6 1405 is currently a traffic nightmare, there has been a plans to elevate 565 across 1405 and to put something in place to alleviate the merging congestion at 1405 with 565; however, there is not time frame on those as of now. Mr. Pastrana noted that these are all estimated routes as the exact locations will be determined by an alignment study, which is first on the list of things to do. Mr. Bottoms noted that the City will work with however many jurisdictions want to participate with this project to share the costs and responsibilities, but noted that this is a priority of the City, which is why it is going to be submitted as the top priority for Baytown. He further noted that there are many short-term projects that can be included in the City's Capital Improvement Plan and/or considered for funding in the next few years; such as signaling, right hand turns, striping, etc., and noted that if the Council had any suggestions to submit those to the staff for further review and processing. b. Discuss the City of Baytown Community Wayfinding Signage Project and the naming of the Arts, Cultural and Entertainment District area located in and around W. Texas Avenue. Director of Strategic Initiatives Nick Woolery presented the item and noted that to begin he wanted to apologize to the Council for not providing them sufficient time at the last work session to fully discuss this topic. He stated that at the last meeting, staff provided the Council with a good explanation of wayfinding, why is it important, why is staff recommending that this be done here in Baytown, and noted that be believed that they were able to come to a consensus on the citywide signs and major locations. So, moving forward the only things left to determined are: (1) what to name the currently call A.C.E. District, and (2) the design of the signage for this particular area. From the last discussion, Mr. Woolery noted that it sounded like the Council was leaning toward a name between the Historic District and the Arts District. Mr. Woolery noted that staff did have a discussion with some of the business owners from the area and they were definitely interested in not just what has been in that area, but in what the future is going to look like and this is something to keep in mind when considering a name for this area. He noted that his favorite slogan is to honor the past, capture the present, and shape the future, which is kind of a perfect thing to think of as Council moves forward with the selection of a name. Mr. Woolery further noted that in just kind of listening to the discussion last time, it sounded like maybe there was a consensus towards potentially moving towards Arts District, which is currently a part of the A.C.E. District name and would definitely work with what is going on down there right now. He further noted that a lot of the positive buzz that the City has gotten down in that area is really all tied to the arts, and fits with the things that are down there now; such as the Baytown Little Theater, the Lee College Performing Arts Center Fits and the soon to be completed Brunson Theater. City Council Regular Work Session Minutes June 28, 2018 Page 4 of 6 Council Member Presley asked if staff had mentioned the name options to the merchants because he had heard that the merchants had not liked the Umbrella District option at all. Mr. Woolery noted that staff did mention the names and noted that the merchants had actually done their own survey and their number one name was the Texas Avenue Arts District. Unfortunately, that name is too long. But that was actually their top vote, Texas Avenue Arts District, and the Umbrella District was their second choice. He further noted that ultimately what staff was looking for are names that would brand the area with something that is really unique, in order to create some buzz for people; however, if the consensus is to stick with something that is maybe a little bit safer; such as Historic District or Arts District, staff will move forward as directed. The Council discussed the changing out of the signs and maybe doing some of them in-house through the Public Works Department. Council Member Presley noted that he has been a part of the Texas Avenue groups and business member for many years, even prior to him representing the area as a council member and stated that this area has some historical significance to Baytown, so it is a historic district, it does have some arts and different retail shops, so it really has a lot of different components to it. He stated that he wished there was a perfect name. He also noted that he felt Arts District name was lacking, but liked the words Historical, Arts and Cultural. Overall, Council Member Presley noted that the main thing that they all agree on is that once the name is selected, that is the name that everyone is going to stick with. The Council discussed the potential of using the Historic Arts District or the Heritage District for this area. Mayor DonCarlos noted that the area in question does not have what would be classified as a classic, really pretty historical looking building, but noted that Council Member Alvarado's suggestion of the Heritage District seemed to have a little bit more meaning as this area is a part of the City; is where the city was born. The Council discussed aspects of the area that could be considered historic; such as the Brunson Theater, the Citizen's Bank building, the TSO Building that was originally a Masonic Lodge, etc. They also discussed moving the old locomotive from Roseland Park and placing it along Texas Avenue to add to the historical value of the area. Mr. Woolery noted that he could take those names to the stakeholders to see how they feel about the suggested Historical District and Heritage District. Council Member Presley asked if the name being selected impacted the actual zoning of the A.C.E. District. Planning and Community Development Director Tiffany Foster noted that the name "A.C.E" is a zoning district designation. She noted that if Council decided that they want to change it to heritage and they wanted to change zoning district, they could; however, she noted that staff would have to look at it in more detail because the whole A.C.E. District is a little bit wider than the area that is being discussed tonight. Mr. Woolery stated that regardless of the name for this area, he understood that the consensus on the sign was to use the second option with a space for a logo. The Council agreed with the sign, City Council Regular Work Session Minutes June 28, 2018 Page 5 of 6 but not the logo. The Council was split on the use of the oak tree as the logo and discussed whether or not the information circulating about its use as a lynching tree was real or an urban legend. Council Member Johnson stated that as it related to the tree he had received numerous phone calls, which prompted him to do his own research on the tree. He noted that he was not able to find any evidence of this type of activity ever happening on that tree. He further noted that when he inquired why the oak tree was removed from City vehicles and buildings he was told that if it offended some people, it was not good enough for Baytown. Council Member Hoskins stated that the stories behind the tree were incorrect, and that according to his research, said tree belonged to the Pruett family, which was located on their farm property where local kids used to play on it. He also noted that if what people are saying is true about that tree, then it needs to be down and done away with. City Librarian Jamie Eustace stated that this is one of the more common questions the Library receives, especially in the last five to ten years ago. She noted that she had done a lot of research on this topic and noted that there is no evidence lynching on this tree, but noted that in the early 1900's, Baytown had a very active KKK on Texas Avenue, and they held their parades there and around the tree. So while there is no written record on lynching happening on this tree, there is a perception that it has happened because staff gets asked this question a lot. Council Member Johnson stated that people's perceptions are their reality, so if it is real for them, no one can say enough to make it not be true. The Council discussed other logo options for the Texas Avenue area sign; such as an oil derrick, the locomotive, a gas pump, the bridge, the bird, the modified City logo on the main wayfinding signs. Council Member Betancourth stated that she was going to give a different opinion about the tree. She noted that as someone who is new to Baytown and was not born or raised in the area, or knew Texas Avenue in its heyday, the oak tree did not resonate with her. She noted that there is a large segment of the City's population who are now new to Baytown and would not understand or correlate an oak tree as a logo with Texas Avenue. Mr. Woolery stated that maybe the Art Committee can take on the challenge of the logo and come up with two or three options on the whole derrick idea or anything else they can come up with for the Council's consideration. C. Discuss any or all of the agenda items on the City Council Regular Meeting Agenda for June 28, 2018, which is attached below. Mr. Bottoms noted that on the item related to the CenterPoint franchise agreement, the Charter requires that the related ordinance, which is 14 pages, be ready in its entirety. In order to City Council Regular Work Session Minutes June 28, 2018 Page 6 of 6 facilitate this process, staff has pre-recorded and sped up the reading; the recording should last about eleven minutes. 2. ADJOURN With there being no further business to discuss, Mayor DonCarlos adjourned the June 28, 2018, City Council Regular Work Session at 6:14 P.M. Leticia 6rysch, City Cler °®"n•aa•o, :� i ��• • y City of Baytown