2019 06 13 WS MinutesMINUTES OF THE REGULAR WORK SESSION OF THE
CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF BAYTOWN
June 13, 2019
The City Council of the City of Baytown, Texas met in a Regular Work Session on Thursday,
June 13, 2019, at 5:31 P.M., in the Hallam Conference Room of the Baytown City Hall, 2401
Market Street, Baytown, Texas with the following in attendance:
Laura Alvarado
Council Member
Chris Presley
Council Member
Charles Johnson
Council Member
Heather Betancourth
Mayor Pro Tem
Robert Hoskins
Council Member
David Himsel
Council Member
Brandon Capetillo Mayor
Rick Davis
City Manager
Ignacio Ramirez
City Attorney
Leticia Brysch
City Clerk
Keith Dougherty
Sergeant at Arms
Mayor Capetillo convened the June 13, 2019, City Council Regular Work Session with a quorum
present at 5:31 P.M., all members were present.
1. DISCUSSIONS
a. Present and discuss a plan to adopt the Texas Municipal Retirement System
(TMRS) Buyback Policy.
City Manager Rick Davis presented the item and stated that the Texas Municipal Retirement
System (TMRS) Buyback Policy (the "policy") allows city employees the opportunity to
purchase previously forfeited service with TMRS. He noted that other cities have adopted this
type of policy and the City of Baytown did this type of program sometime in the 1980's and it is
nice thing that cities do for their employees from time to time.
Mayor Capetillo noted that this is one of three types of incentives for employees that he thought
would help with employee recruitment and retention. Human Resources Director Carol Flynt
noted that this policy is not necessarily a retention tool and noted that an existing employee who
had withdrawn monies from TMRS when he/she left another city could, under this policy,
deposit a lump sum in the amount of the original withdrawal plus a withdrawal charge of five
percent (5%) for each year from the date of the withdrawal, which would then allow the
deposited monies to earn the full credit time, matching monies, and interest rates, as if the money
had never been withdrawn. Ms. Flynt further noted that the City would through this policy take
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June 13, 2019
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on the liability of other cities, but had no options to retain the employee for any given period of
time, in other words, an employee could potentially participate in the buyback and then leave the
City the next day. Finance Director Wade Nickerson noted as a point of clarification that this
buyback policy, depending on how many of the eligible employees participate, would impact the
City's budget and become a part of the City's debt and liabilities.
Mr. Davis noted that he felt this policy was a good option for employees and would place this
item on the next agenda for Council action.
b. Present and discuss plans regarding realignments to the City's organizational
structure and departments.
Mr. Davis presented the item and noted that he had spoken to the Council about his desire to (1)
promote Mr. Nick Woolery to the position of Assistant City Manager in order to replace Deputy
City Manager Ron Bottoms who is set to retire in a few months; (2) to make the Public Works
Director Frank Simoneaux the director over the Engineering Department; and (3) to make
combine the Strategic Initiatives Department and the Library Department into the Community
and Engagement Department that would be overseen by the Library Director Jamie Eustace.
The Council discussed the three options and had mixed feelings about the Assistant City
Manager position with some requesting that the City conduct a thorough and competitive search
for the person that would fill this position, while others agreed that the hiring of said position
was an operational decision that should be left up to the City Manager. In the discussion it was
identified that Mr. Woolery was not appointed to serve as Director of Strategic Initiatives by the
Council, which is a requirement of the Charter.
The Council discussed the Charter's wording that did not allow for the elimination of the
Engineering Department, but agreed with the City Manager's assessment of having Frank
Simoneaux serves as department head of both the Public Works Department and the Engineering
Department.
The third item regarding restructuring of the Strategic Initiatives Department and the Library
Department were not discussed at length as its future is dependent on whether or not Mr.
Woolery is selected for the Assistant City Manager position. The City Manager noted that he
would bring back his department head appointments at a future meeting.
C. Discuss any or all of the agenda items on the City Council Regular Agenda for June
13, 2019, which is attached below.
This item was not taken.
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June 13, 2019
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2. ADJOURN
With there being no further business to discuss, Mayor Capetillo adjourned the June 13, 2019,
City Cot cil Regulaz Work Session at 6:13 P.M.
Leticia rysch, City Clerk
City of Baytown ,al d0 J .