2020 02 20 CC Minutes, JointMINUTES OF THE JOINT MEETING OF THE:
CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF BAYTOWN
BAYTOWN MUNICIPAL DEVELOPMENT DISTRICT, AND
BAYTOWN PARKS AND RECREATION ADVISORY BOARD
February 20, 2020
The City Council, Baytown Municipal Development District, and Parks and Recreation
Advisory Board of the City of Baytown, Texas met in a Joint Meeting on Thursday, February 20,
2020, at 5:41 P.M., in the Council Chamber of the Baytown City Hall, 2401 Market Street,
Baytown, Texas with the following in attendance:
Brandon Capetillo
Mayor
Laura Alvarado
Mayor Pro Tom
Heather Betancourth
Council Member
David Himsel
Council Member
Chris Presley
Council Member
Brandon Capetillo
President
Chris Presley
Vice President
Laura Alvarado
Secretary
Suhey Rios -Alvarez
Director
Heather Betancaurth
Director
Mary Hernandez
Director
David Himsel
Director
Carmen Torres
Chairperson
Terry Sam
Board Member
Dr. Yvonne Thomas
Board Member
Thomas Capetillo
Board Member
Rick Davis
City Manager
Leticia Brysch
City Clerk
Mayor Brandon Capetillo convened the February 20, 2020, City Council, Baytown Municipal
Development District, and Parks and Recreation Advisory Board with a quorum present at 5:41
P.M., all members were present with the exception of Council Members Robert Hoskins and
Charles Johnson, MDD Directors David Jinels, Gary Englert, Robert Hoskins and Charles
Johnson, and Parks Board Members Agustin Loredo, Michelle Bitterly and Vice President Kevin
Jones, all whom were absent.
1. BAYTOWN 2030 PARKS AND RECREATION MASTER PLAN
a. Discuss the City of Baytown 2030 Parks and Recreation Master Plan.
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February 20, 2020
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Parks and Recreation Director Scott Johnson presented the item and stated that this meeting
allowed the City Council, the Baytown Municipal Development District (the "District), the Parks
and Recreation Advisory Board, and two members from the Planning and Zoning Commission
to sit together and discuss the Baytown 2030 Parks and Recreation Master Plan, which will guide
the City for the next ten years. Council Member Charles Johnson noted that this was the first
time that this many boards have come together for one meeting, so it was one for the history
books.
Mr. Johnson noted that the Parks and Recreation Department hired Halff and Associates (the
"consultants") to do the City's 2030 Parks and Recreation Master Plan that will include a Trails
Master Plan and the Baytown Nature Center Master Plan. He noted that the consultants started
their outreach yesterday with many meetings with different groups, and so far, they have
received a lot of good input from all over the city; including, sports leagues, Be Well Baytown,
city department heads, city administration and others. Mr. Johnson thanked everyone for their
attendance and willingness to participate in this process and noted that staff should have a final
product for Council's consideration next December. Mr. Johnson introduced the consultants as
follows:
• Mr. Aaron Tuley, Team Leader, Houston Office
• Mr. Jim Carillo, Vice President, Austin Office
• Ms. Fatima Wajahat, Mid -level Planner, Houston Office
Mr. Aron Tuley thanked the attendees and stated that this was the kick off phase of the Parks
Master Plan, and that the meeting was the culmination of many stakeholder meetings conducted
over the last two years. He noted that he and his team were undertaking this assignment with no
preconceived ideas of what this community needs or has, but is instead looking to listen to the
community about what it feels is important and desired for this city as it relates to parks, trails,
and facilities. Mr. Tuley noted that he would be giving the attendees an overview of the project
and process, which would then be followed with a question and answer period to engage the
group in a fruitful discussion.
As with all plans, the consultants will begin with the process with a comprehensive introduction
by looking at a range of comparison cities to see what other cities have done with their park
systems; comparison cities will include: Round Rock, Galveston, League City, Missouri City,
and other cities located by large metropolitan areas.
Mr. Tuley noted that in 2010, Halff and Associated developed a plan for Baytown, an since it
was developed ten years ago, it is now time to update it. He noted that they will look at what has
been accomplished from the last plan, and was pleased to announce that most of the
recommendations from the 2010 plan have been met and/or implemented. He noted they would
be analyzing the City's demographics and needs from then, now, and into the future, and that
their work would be based on several base line standards; such as, the National Recreation and
Parks Association. Mr. Tuley noted that they would be working with Parks and Recreation
Board to identify provisional goals and objectives at the beginning of the process, in order to
have a base level to work from and through, as well as, a set mission.
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Febnmy 20, 2020
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Mr. Tuley stated that they would have a very robust public engagement program, which begins
with stakeholder meetings, followed by at least three community visioning meetings, several
action plan meetings, and many other meetings with the Parks and Recreation Board. He noted
that they would compile all of the information and bring it before the City Council for thier
consideration in December of this year.
Mr. Tuley noted that in the next 30 days, they will conduct a community online survey through
the city website and social media outlets, in order to begin collecting and identifying what
citizens want in their parks. He noted that they will take the citizen comments seriously and in
many instances will incorporate many of their comments into the plan.
Mr. Tuley stated that following the initial base line analysis and community engagement portions
of the process, they will begin a comprehensive analysis by looking at all of the City's parks,
amenities, park locations, and other open areas that might be used for future developments. They
will look for any breaks services and connectivity to trails for its comprehensive trails plan; such
as connectivity from neighborhood to parks, or parks to schools, etc. He noted that it was
incumbent to a city to give its citizens options to drive, bike, walk, to a park; as no one should
have to drive.
Mr. Tuley noted that in looking at the National Parks and Recreation Association's national
standards and in looking at the types of facilities that need to be reviewed for the future, the
NRPA states that a community may want a certain amount of tennis courts or any other number
of amenities, but he noted that the amenity needs to be relevant to the community or it won't be
used; i.e. the City of Eagle Pass and tennis courts.
Mr. Tuley noted that following the analysis, they will conduct a needs assessment, a parks
conditions assessment, drainage assessments, locations that can have improved quality, etc., as
well as, they will work with Be Well Baytown to create options for programs that can have an
impact on the health of the community in a proactive way. They would also look at the Parks
Department from an operational standpoint to make sure that they have sufficient resources,
staff, etc. for now and in the future should there be any addition of parks and programs. This
will allow Parks and Recreation Director Scott Johnson to look at these items and put them in his
department's budget as needed.
Mr. Tuley further noted that they would be looking at the distribution of parks and their
classification; i.e. pocket parks, regional parks, and special use facilities. He noted that each
park has its own level of service, who it serves, and how; an example being a pocket park that
has a half a mile radius that is accessible by walking to the neighborhoods, this type of review
will help identify park land dedications, needs and gaps.
Afterwards, they will get into action -oriented points for strategies and recommendations that will
be focused on nature -based recommendations for the Wetlands Center and the Nature Center,
and how to include nature -related improvements throughout the city. He noted that additional
strategies that will be included will have to do with access to parks via the trails system and the
development of conceptual designs for three proposed parks as identified by the Parks
Department.
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February 20, 2020
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Mr. Tuley stated that once all of this is completed, they will create an Implementation Plan to
help prioritize strategies, their time frames (long vs. short), action types, needs assessments for
additional crew, design, etc., as well as, the potential for additional partnerships with other
departments and/or governmental entities, and any changes needed in the City's codes and
policies.
Mr. Tuley stated that unless there were any questions related to the development of the plan, Mr.
Jim Carillo would begin the question and discussion component of the evening.
Mr. Carillo stated that he would be asking a few questions and would go around the table to
allow all of the public officials an opportunity to answer.
Question 1: What are the strengths of the Baytown parks system?
Parks Board Member Thomas Capetillo: sports activities with basketball courts, and waterways.
Parks Board Member Terry Sain: variety of types of parks (skate, basketball, disc golf).
Parks Board Member Dr. Yvonne Thomas: the quantity of parks.
MDD Director Suhey Rios -Alvarez: the accessibility and being able to drive in and out of them
easily.
MDD Director Mary Hernandez: aquatics programs and facilities are good and have room to
grow.
Council Member Laws Alvarado: parks have really good footprint that can be better and good
attractions with the splash pads.
Council Member Chris Presley: their availability and proactive in getting citizen input and City's
response.
Mayor Brandon Capetillo: the variety of activities and some connectivity to parks that could be
better.
Council Member Heather Betancourth: diversity and variety of parks, connectivity is a strength,
and they are free.
Council Member David Himsel: good maintenance, not necessarily in capital, but they are
picked up, clean and no trash (housekeeping).
PZ Commissioner: ditto to Council Member Himsel's comments.
PZ Commissioner Donna Winfrey: starting to connect bike paths to parks
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Parks Board Member Carmen Torres: the walking trails and connectivity; older parts need the
same types of trails; i.e. balance and equity.
Mr. Tuley stated that in his opinion, one Baytown amenity that others don't have is Town Square
that can program community events and is a big economic development component that is a part
of the parks system.
Parks Board Member Thomas Capetillo: safety at the parks.
Parks Board Member Terry Sain: staff (Parks) is second to none, caring and responsible.
Question 2: What are the weaknesses of the Baytown parks system?
Parks Board Member Carmen Torres: the older parts of town could be revitalized, with activities,
similar to Town Square but in other parts of town.
PZ Commissioner Donna Winfrey: some parks can be better lit at night, making bike paths
longer, and filling in the gaps.
PZ Commissioner Pete Cote: need to build parks on the water front spaces; ramps for fishing,
kayaking, use the water resources better, i.e. canoeing.
Council Member David H nuel: there are gaps in activities; i.e. pickle ball, gold course; need
better shading at parks, need to be forward planning and acquiring acreage to leave a legacy for
future generations (land acquisition).
Council Member Heather Betancourth: connectivity could be better because there is a lack of
sidewalks to parks, need to develop parks on water front, safety could be better as it relates to
drug use and vandalism.
Mayor Brandon Capetillo: connectivity of parks and area neighborhoods, developers providing
ROW for parks, and connectivity access. Some parks that are safe and there are some other areas
between parks that could be better; need for cameras, blue phones, lighting.
Council Member Chris Presley: connectivity and getting more use of them, nice trails; bike rides
are missing having certain activities or attractions to tie the trails together; such as, dog parks,
markets, b-cycle stations; need dedicated bike lanes.
Mayor Brandon Capetillo: web based applications (apps) to include Baytown trails for hike and
bike trails and amenities.
Council Member Laura Alvarado: safety phones, more creative in leveraging relationships with
business partners and other agencies for grants and monies to use towards enhancing parks; lack
of inclusive play for special needs; early childhood development type parks and play equipment
(ages 3-5).
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February 20, 2020
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MDD Director Mary Hernandez: more parks that are focused on the needs of the handicap,
something to help facilitate the play experience for disabled persons; consider their needs of
those with physical limitations.
MDD Director Rios -Alvarez: need for sensory play (inclusive play).
Parks Board Member Dr. Yvonne Thomas: play opportunities for children 0-3 (playscapes);
connectivity of bike trails to Nature Center, parking availability at parks Huron and Town
Square.
Parks Board Member Terry Sain: lighting for trails behind El Toro and Rollingbrook to Animal
Shelter; provide shade at the parks.
Council Member Chris Presley: security and police presence on trails.
Parks Board Member Thomas Capetillo: more parking, security cameras, sensor lighting.
MDD Director Suhey Rios -Alvarez: availability of restroom facilities; such as Halloway Park.
Question 3: What are there opportunities for growth or enhancements to the Baytown parks
system?
Council Member David Himsel: water adjacent land acquisition, placing park at SH146 at King's
Bend on Thompkins Road.
Council Member Heather Betancourth: connect East Texas Avenue to Town Square, add bike
lanes; adding B-cycle stations at the mall and marina.
Council Member Chris Presley: add a B-cycle station at Town Square also.
Parks Board Member Donna Winfrey: bike racks along the trails and at parks.
Mayor Brandon Capetillo: add small parking areas (trail heads) throughout the city to create
access points to park system.
Council Member Heather Betancourth: kayak kiosk placed at water adjacent parks for rentals
(Roseland, Wetland Center, and Marina).
Council Member Laura Alvarado: enhance the marina for dinner cruises, kayaking, and
concentrate on water ways near convention mnter/hotel (Bayland Island).
Parks Board Member Carmen Torres: use of railroad for rails to trails program to create an east
to west connection for trials.
Mayor Brandon Capetillo: adding fish cleaning stations; develop Russell Park (130 acres of
land); wants to see something on the ground soon.
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February 20, 2020
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Mr. Carillo stated that their process starts with where the city is now, where it wants to go and
how does it get there; similar to the City's comprehensive plan. He noted that the fast pan will
build extensively on the data that is collected from Baytown citizens, taking that information,
shaping it and making it work for Baytown.
Mr. Tuley inquired about the interest from the group about the inclusion of public art in the park
system; the consensus was to definitely include public art as a part of the plan and parks system.
PZ Commissioner Pete Cote: potential for GCCISD & Lee College to have agreements for joint
use of facilities.
Parks Board Member Carmen Torres: parking for town square — Lee College.
Mayor Capetillo allowed Mr. Chet Theiss to make a comment, Mr. Theiss noted that the city
needs a golf worse at Evergreen Park, which was previously a golf course, and it is now a park ,
and that it should brought back to its original use of a golf course. Council Member David
Himsel stated that it would not be too expensive to retrofit the park into a golf course again.
Mayor Brandon Capetillo: opportunity to combine the Wetlands and Nature Center (relocating
the Wetlands to the Nature Center).
Mr. Carillo asked is the group felt that the City should enact a parkland dedication ordinance.
Mr. Tuley noted that as he noted in the beginning the 2010 plan has been very successful, but
one of the recommendations that never gained traction was that of a parkland dedication
ordinance. He noted that this type of ordinance is a vehicle in which the city can partners with
developers and require them to dedicate park land in their developments; this helps share the
burden of new parkland. He noted that there are two main ways to achieve the dedication, and
they are:
1. Fees in lieu of land: instead of giving land, the developer could put monies in a fund that
would then be used to create parks or improvements to parks in the area of the
development; or
2. Development fees: requires developers to make some modest improvements to a parcel
within the development; such as, the addition of some perimeter trails, picnic pavilions,
or other types of improvements.
Mr. Tuley noted that most national developers are used to complying with park land dedication
ordinances, and that they will be thinking of these types of amenities in order to sell the homes.
Council Member Chris Presley requested information on what surrounding cities are doing as it
relates to parkland dedication ordinances, so that Baytown maintains its competitiveness. Mr.
Tuley stated that they would research and bring back the requested information.
PZ Commissioner Donna Winfrey stated that the lots for new developments are getting smaller,
so is the developer has to dedicate land for parks, this will make the lots even smaller. She asked
if the dedicated park would be private to the neighborhood. Mr. Tuley noted that this would
depend on how it is done because it could be done in a way that it wouldn't impact the look of
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February 20, 2020
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the development and size of the lots because it's cumulative, and while the park could begin
private there would be a point where the park would become public.
Mayor Brandon Capetillo asked who would cover the cost is the developer would be required to
donate the land and make some modest improvements instead of the city. Mr. Carillo noted that
the cost would be given to the resident, but they would get a park in return.
Council Member Chris Presley requested that they get input from developers on this item. Mr.
Tuley stated that they have had development forums to look at this type of ordinance and could
look into something similar for Baytown.
To end the session, the members were asked to participate in an activity where they would on a
piece of paper write down the following:
• Words that come to mind when thinking of the parks today, and
• Words that come to mind in thinking about how the parks could look like 10 years.
Come of the words noted in the activity included: community parks, neighborhood and pocket
park, senior citizens having a nice to relax, bird watching, etc.
Mr. Carillo asked if the members of City Council, Baytown Municipal Development District,
Parks and Recreation Advisory Board and the Planning and Zoning Commission if they wanted
them to incorporate pocket parks or focus more on community parks. The consensus was for the
consultants to look at both pocket and community parks in the city's plans.
2. ADJOURN
With there being no further business to discuss, Mayor Brandon Capetillo adjourned
the February 20, 2020, City Council, Baytown Municipal Development District and Parks and
Recreation Advisory Board Joint Meeting at 7:18 P.M.