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.
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June 28, 2018
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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
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June 28, 2018
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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.
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June 28, 2018
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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,
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June 28, 2018
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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
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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, :�
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City of Baytown