2020 12 15 CC Minutes, Retreat Day 2MINUTES OF THE RETREAT, DAY 2 MEETING OF THE CITY
COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF BAYTOWN
December 15, 2020
The City Council of the City of Baytown, Texas, met in a Retreat, Day 2 Meeting on Tuesday,
December 15, 2020, at 8:00 A.M. in the LaLique Meeting Room, of the South Shore Harbor
Hotel, 2500 South Shore Boulevard, League City, Texas 77573, with the following in
attendance:
Laura Alvarado
Chris Presley
Charles Johnson
Heather Betancourth
Brandon Capetillo
Rick Davis
Kevin Troller
Nick Woolery
Brian Moran
Council Member
Council Member
Council Member
Council Member
Mayor
City Manager
Assistant City Manager
Assistant City Manager
Assistant to the City Manager
Mayor Capetillo convened the December 15, 2020, City Council Retreat, Day 2 Meeting with a
quorum present at 8:00 A.M., all members were present with the exception of Council Member
Alvarado who arrived during lunch, and Council Members Hoskins and Himsel who were
absent. Also, in attendance were Jacob Powell and Mike Lester.
1. DISCUSSIONS
a. Welcome remarks from Mayor and City Manager.
After presenting welcoming remarks, Mayor Capetillo noted that Council Member Betancourth
replaced Bob Hoskins on the Finance Committee and Mr. Mike Lester would join Council
Member Presley on the A&E Committee.
City Manager Davis presented an overview of the agenda and noted that the city's budget would
be comprised by council setting priorities based on a strategic plan that would then be crafted
into an implementation plan for the city's department heads to create a budget. He stated that
there would be a workshop scheduled to discuss the proposed budget and that council would
receive a report on the progress of the priorities as implemented reflecting the impact on the
quality of life on the community.
Additionally, City Manager Davis noted that the directives discussed during the retreat were as
follows: infrastructure and mobility; neighborhood quality; community amenities; community
reputation and image; and organizational excellence.
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b. Discuss the City of Baytown Fiscal Year 2021-2022 Budget Process.
Mr. Nick Woolery presented an overview of the budget process and noted that the current budget
was conservatively set based on the potential impacts of COVID, which positioned the city on a
good foundation for the upcoming fiscal year. He also stated that because the expenditures were
put on hold as much as possible and the revenues came in better than expected, this provides the
city with some flexibility going into the budget process. Additionally, he stated that the budget is
typically brought before the council at the second meeting in July; however, it could possibly be
presented to council later than usual and thus extend its adoption timeframe into August or
September.
Mr. Woolery stated that the budget process included decisions made on the budget expenditures
and revenues. With regards to expenditures he noted that the focus would be on getting the CIP
updated along with the city's growth needs and revenues. He further noted that the focus would
be on council's direction as it related to the city's tax rates; completing an updated water and
sewer rate study along with an updated impact fee study; and completing a debt analysis. Mr.
Woolery noted that both studies were critical as projects are being paid by existing rate payers or
new development into the city. Additionally, he noted that there were various types of debt
structures utilized in the past and the debt analysis would detennine where the City remained
with regards to its debt, as well as, to provide recommendations on how to fund the CIP's. Mr.
Woolery stated that the Finance Committee would review policies related to CO's that may be
impacted by upcoming legislative decisions. He stated that the staff was working on alternative
revenue sources to include grant opportunities; such as, the Texas Water Development Board
which partakes in low interest loans that the City could consider for future water and sewer and
drainage projects.
Mr. Woolery stated that the base budget would be developed by staff in March, revised around
June based on the revenue projections, then presented to council for adoption by the end of
September.
Mr. Woolery noted that there would be a special council meeting on Monday, December 21,
2020, to discuss two projects in conjunction with the county that need funding: 1) the widening
of Cedar Bayou Lynchburg from Garth to west of John Martin to Ginger Creek and 2) from John
Martin from I-10 to Wallisville. He stated that Cedar Bayou Lynchburg was a county road totally
surrounded by the city limits and once widened the City would take over the maintenance od said
road. He further stated that the area north of I-10 would have to be figured out as the
determination would be based on what's considered in the city limits or county. He also stated
that the city agreed with the county commissioner to split the costs of both projects 50150, with
an approximate total being $20 million each. Mr. Woolery stated that most of the land along
John Martin from Cedar Bayou Lynchburg up to Wallisville into the TIRZ would give the city
revenue over the next 20 years to pay for those projects. He stated that the county agreed to
provide their increments for these projects that also includes the western portion of the
Friendswood development, which is outside of the city limits. Additionally, he stated that the
annexation for these projects would be done without impacting the city's general debt and
finances.
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Council Member Betancourth inquired of the timeframe that the projects would start. In response
to Council Member Betancourth's inquiry, Mr. Woolery stated that the Cedar Bayou project
would possibly go first as the preliminary engineering was already done and would be
detennined as to whether the city or the county would do the project. He stated that the design
would take about one year and the start would be approximately the latter half of 2022, but
further noted that more information would be provided after the TIRZ meeting.
During further discussion, Mr. Woolery noted that the last connection of the Goose Creek trails
would cross Cedar Bayou Lynchburg, whereas, the next phase would go through the Centerpoint
corridor and designed to include a 10-foot trail that would connect over to Bush and San Jacinto.
C. Discuss accomplishments from the prior year's Implementation Plan.
City Manager Davis presented the agenda item and noted that the Implementation Plan was in
Year 4.
Mr. Brain Moran provided highlights of the five (5) strategic directives accomplishments from
the prior year's plan as follows:
• Community Image and Reputation:
o Public Affairs provided local and regional media, as well as, implemented
Baytown Engage
o Public Works/Engineering put together the capital improvement program Story
Map on Better Baytown page
• Infrastructure and Mobility:
o Constructed a finance plan, developed a construction phase plan, and
commissioned the redesign for the reconstruction of Garth Road
• Community Amenities:
o Elevated park safety by an increased police presence
o Perfected the trail at Jenkins Park
• Neighborhood Qualities:
o Increased vibrancy and citizen engagement to support cultural events such as,
Black History Month, Juneteenth, Grito Fest and Neighborhood Coordination
Program.
• Operational Excellence:
o Foster positive relationships and trust in and outside of our organization by
highlighting city progress and departmental credentials
Additionally, Mr. Moran stated that on an annual basis approximately 80% of the strategies are
closed out and further noted that some projects would start but may take longer to complete.
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Council Member Charles Johnson inquired as to what falls under the umbrella of community
image and reputation. City Manager Davis stated that aesthetics and accreditation falls under
such, but further noted that the initiatives would derive from the departments.
d. Discuss community priorities and initiatives for Year 5 of the Community -Based
Strategic Plan.
Mayor Capetillo inquired if the Sidewalk Master Plan was done. City Manager Davis stated that
the plan was still in process but almost complete.
City Manager Davis presented the agenda item and the council members listed their initiatives to
be discussed as follows:
Infrastructure and Mobility
Mayor Capetillo
• Sidewalks, trails and connectivity to Harris County areas
• Identify regional detention ponds in North Baytown and Cedar Bayou area
• Airhart Drive railroad crossing to market complete reconstruction and walkability
• 146 and I-10 on TPC, TIP
• Hutto to 146
• Continuance of Hunt Road to Sjolander and Cedar Bayou Crossing
• Complete 146 Ferry Road area
• Bayway Trail to Nature Center and West Baytown
Mr. Lester
• Alexander medians and intersections
• Mobility and conjunction with the Grand Parkway
• Drainage maintenance and ditches
• Harris County Flood Control
• Sanitary sewer residential rehabilitation
Mr. Powell
• Sidewalk Trail Connectivity also including Chambers County
• Sidewalks Improvements Jenkins to Blue Herron
• 146 Improvements
• Flood Control — Cary Bayou, Whispering Pines, Kings
• Flood Control — Bayou Oaks
0 3d Cedar Bayou Crossing
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Council Member Betancourth
• HGAC/TXDOT funding priority process for San Jacinto Bridge and future phases of
Garth Road
• Coastal Barrier system
• PILOT sidewalk solution for deep ditches (McKinney Road)
• Allenbrook sidewalk improvements and traffic calming issues
Council Member Johnson
• Lighting on John Martin and Wallisville Road, as well as, Wade Road
• Widening and connectivity Wade Road — County
• Sidewalks north of I-10
• Traffic calming measures on Busch
• Improve Traffic flow Wade Road at Spur 330
• Sidewalks repair on Craigmont
• Trails north of I-10
• Sidewalks on the north side of Baker — Quail Hollow to Spur 330
Council Member Presley
• Regional detention pond
• Continued emphasis on drainage
• Install drainage in areas without street reconstruction
• Sidewalk widths
• Protected bike lanes
• Cedar Bayou Crossing
• North Main from Cedar Bayou to Sterling — narrow lanes
• Changing one -ways around Deefee
Further during the discussion regarding infrastructure and mobility, Mr. Lester made mention of
obtaining a program to assist with the residential sanitary sewer issue. Mr. Wooley stated that the
funds derived from violations from entities would be used to assist with such efforts, in which
was approved by TCEQ to do so. Mayor Capetillo further inquired if staff had the ability to
advance funds the repair or reconstruction and allow residents to reimburse the cost. In response
to Mayor Capetillo's inquiry, Mr. Woolery noted that the city was not currently doing such
advancement.
Mayor Capetillo noted that many of the initiatives were already in process or on the radar to be
worked on and that the Better Baytown page was created so that the status and progress of such
projects could be viewed.
Mayor Capetillo inquired that at the point when the county reconstructs Wallisville from Main to
Garth and from Garth to John Martin if those streets would be put into the city limits or remain
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in the county. Mr. Woolery stated that the streets would remain in the county. Mayor Capetillo
further noted for infonnational purposes that the county was doing safety improvements such as,
traffic control and widening to the intersections of Thompson, Main Street in Highlands and
Wade Road.
Additionally, during the discussion regarding sidewalks, Mr. Woolery stated that having a buffer
was part of the standard and that staff was working on how to improved mobility on the south
side of town.
Neighborhood Quality
City Manager Davis defined neighborhood quality as the environment in which people are living.
Mayor Capetillo
• Speed cushions/bumps
o work session discussion item
• Expansion of the neighborhood empowerment grant
• Street lights
• Pen -nit fee amnesty period
• Infill property — Development/Inspection
• Repair curbs and sidewalks
• How to address general blight — personal cleanliness
Mr. Lester
• Improve curbs
• Improve street lighting at intersections
• Light pollution — down lighting
• Sidewalk rehabilitation
• Connect to establish sidewalks
• More productive
Mr. Powell
• Completing sidewalks
• Speeding in neighborhoods
• Reviewing building standards in neighborhoods
• Homelessness
• Neighborhood lighting
• Digitalization of information — social media
Council Member Betancourt
0 Code enforcement - evolve neighborhood program for codes enforcement
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• Dedicated bike lanes and connecting point of interests
• More mini -murals
Council Member Johnson
• Umbrella Alley or something similar
• Local artists used for mini -murals
• Speeding/Speed Cushions Goose Creek Landing
• Homeless population - Library
• Bay -way Plan Corridor
• Code Enforcement
• Speeding on Texas Avenue
Council Member Presley
• D2 elevate safety and appearance
• General blight
• Neighborhood Empowerment Zone
o Examine if there's anything to add, increase or improve to be more effective
• Crime, drugs
• Substations and police presence
• Homelessness
• Vacant buildings
o Work session discussion — ordinance adding mural, fees, incentives etc.
Council Member Alvarado
• ADA Sidewalks
• Better access to WIFI and fiber technologies
• Add more money to empowerment grant
• Additional beautification of medians and curbs
• Code enforcement
• Gateway signs
During discussion regarding neighborhood quality, Council Member Presley recommended that
a policy or rule be set in place so that the neighborhood empowenment grant program be divided
equally amongst the districts and also be eligible for things that are not already being done.
Further in the discussion it was noted to clarify whether a council member could apply for such
grant and how do a neighborhood that's in need but not organized apply for the grant.
City Manager Davis noted the importance of volunteers in the City of Baytown investing time in
connection with the municipal government and recommended the United Way portal for
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volunteer services. Council Member Lester mentioned the need to provide routine services for
the elderly.
Mayor Capetillo inquired as to who made the decision to stop the murals when it was a decision
council should have made. City Manager Davis stated that he made the decision to stop the
murals based on staff s feedback on them being switched out along with other discussions on
keeping the public art fresh.
Community Amenities
Mr. Lester left the meeting after providing his below listed initiatives with regards to community
amenities and afterwards the meeting was convened for lunch.
Mr. Lester
• Quality retail and development along Grand Parkway
• Improve visual aesthetics along Alexander and encourage vegetative requirements
• Develop park areas along Kilgore, access along Cedar Bayou - rustic feel
• Continue park improvements for smaller area parks
The meeting was reconvened.
Council Member Betancourth
• Funding New Castle Park
• Russel Park
o Work Session discussion
o Competition Gym for profit; youth athletics— Round Rock
Council Member Alvarado
• Playground amenities for children 0-3
• Public gathering space around Minnesota/Market Street triangle area
• Stage areas in parks
• Golf course
• Public Art in parks that's interactive
• RUDIT Report
Mr. Powell
• Parks in Chambers County/Baytown
• Family entertainment
• Public Wi-Fi in parks, Town Square
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Council Member Johnson
• Dog Park — Lakewood
• Park for seniors
• Entertainment for families
• Russel Park timeline
• Football and Softball Fields
• Attraction at the Nature Center
o Zip line
o Obstacle course
Council Member Presley
• Utility Services Building
• Rear of the Brunson
o Police substation
o Broker for entire building
Mayor Capetillo
• UB Options
• Public Wi-Fi
• Pop up restaurants
• Tranquility Park — passive area
• Sports tourism
With regards to community amenities, Council Member Betancourth presented information on
funding the Newcastle Park which is located in and only accessible through the Glen Meadow
neighborhood which is located off of Bob Smith Road. She stated that there was a three (3) phase
plan developed for the park, whereas, there was an oversight in including Phase I (approximately
$250,000) in the current budget year. In an effort to correct such oversight, she recommended
delaying the Goose Creek Trail Section-7, which will cross over Cedar Bayou Lynchburg for the
next budget year since Cedar Bayou Lynchburg would not be widened until then and add Phase 1
of the Newcastle Park project with in the current budget year. Additionally, she noted that the
park would benefit the adjacent neighborhoods along with the extended trail in that area of town.
City Manager Davis noted that grant funding would sought and applied for with regards to
Section-7 of the trail.
Further during the discussion of community amenities, Mayor Capetillo inquired with regards to
sales tax/hotel occupancy tax, if some sort of sports and convention fee was allowed. Mr.
Woolery noted that each county has a 2% HOT tax allowable, but noted that it was dedicated to
the Houston Sports Authority in Harris County.
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City Manager Davis made mention that Chambers County was looking to sell approximately 4.5
acres the side of the old Victoria Walker school by Cedar Bayou adjacent to the TxDot rest stop.
Council Member Presley made mention of enhancing the experience at Jenkins Park.
Additionally, it was recommended to possibly adjust the hours of operation for the utility billing
services and incentivize for autopayments.
Reputation and Image
Council Member Alvarado
• Code Enforcement
• Better partnership with the Chamber of Commerce
• Utilize alternate communication media to share project updates -other than Ch.16
• Safety in parks
• Affordable housing
• Utilize citizens in branding opportunities
Council Member Presley
• Appearance and safety
• Enforce city ordinances
• Beautification projects i.e. black powdered coated poles, medians, landscaping
• Optimize Neighborhood Empowennent Zone — owner occupied homes
• Better partnership between city and Baytown Chamber of Commerce
• Battleship Texas clear direction
Council Member Johnson
• Culture of PD support for police strategic planning committee
• Expand program on interns with administration
• Interview applicants prior to appointing to committee
• African American heritage recognition - multicultural event funding
Mr. Powell
• Survey communities
• Adopt -a -street follow-up
• Condominiums and townhomes
Mayor Capetillo
• Beautification of medians and public spaces
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• Annual brochure
During the discussion of reputation and image with regards to African American funding, it was
agreed to have funding for multicultural events, such as Juneteenth and Grito Fest. Council
Member Johnson noted that Mr. Scott Johnson from the Parks and Recreation department stated
that the entertainment for Juneteenth event would be funded from money received back from last
year's entertainment.
Assistant City Manager Kevin Troller noted for clarity that the Juneteenth event, much like the
Grito event, had a committee, In which they worked with Scott Johnson on entertainment and
sound. Council Member Johnson agreed with Mr. Troller's inquired clarification.
Additionally, with regards to condominiums and townhomes, City Manager Davis noted that he
had a conversation with someone interested in developing townhomes in Baytown.
Organizational Excellence
Mayor Capetillo
• Incentive for city employees to move inside city limits — home purchase
• Review of local codes — include end users' perspective
• Police chief selection process — inclusive community involvement
• Five (5) days for pothole fixes
Council Member Alvarado
• Proactive videos for capital projects
• Outreach for the new city website
• Employee engagement survey timeline
• Review local ordinances for older homes
Council Member Presley
• Amendments to international building code — possible trade off
o City of Seabrook, Galveston, Houston — already made amendments
Council Member Johnson
• Employee Engagement Survey
Mr. Powell
0 Improving permit process
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Council Member Betancourth
• Baytown App perfonnance and updates (status of inquiry or request)
• Upgrading Animal Control and Adoption Center software
During the discussion of operational excellence with regards to animal control, Mr. Troller noted
that currently there was a software program initiated at the facility.
Council Member Alvarado inquired if the facade program included non -profits or was it strictly
for businesses, but it was never confinned if non -profits qualified for such.
Council Member Alvarado was not present at the beginning of the meeting; therefore, she
presented her initiatives with regards to the directives discussed during such time as follows:
Infrastructure and Mobility
Council Member Alvarado
• Drainage improvements — Pelly area
• Partner with GCCISD for bus shelters
• Rail to trails
• Bike racks around the City of Baytown
• Designated and protected bike lanes
• ADA sidewalks
• Partner with telecom for better WI-FI and highspeed internet — older areas of town
Neighborhood Quality
Council Member Alvarado
• ADA Sidewalks
• Better access to WIFI and fiber technologies
• Add more money to empowerment grant
• Additional beautification of medians and curbs
• Code enforcement
• Gateway signs
During further discussion regarding Wi-Fi, Council Member Betancourth inquired of the issue
with cable infrastructure. In response to Council Member Betancourth's inquiry, Mr. Woolery
noted that the cable company didn't want to invest infrastructure in a low-income area.
e. Discuss the development of the San Jacinto Marketplace, including the site
plan presented by San Jacinto Retail Associates, LLC.
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City Manager Davis presented the agenda item and stated that the marketplace plan had four
components: retail (450,000 sq. ft); multifamily; office and hotel. He noted that Fidelis Realty
Partners uses the primary strategies of visibility, access, parking and signage (YAPS) for
developing new commercial sites, which was the basis for the proposed plan presented at the
meeting. He stated that according to the plan many of the buildings faced Garth Road to capture
visibility and further recommended that some of the buildings face each other more north and
south.
During further discussion, some of the following listed items were recommended:
• More protected public gathering area similar to Baybrook Mall
• Multi -family — owner occupied type or urban mixed use
• Shift the green space to north/south and add connectable walkability
• Full service hotel/boutique hotel
• More office space
• No incentive for existing/migratory development
• Bike trail connector
• Integrate office and residential
• Increase retail to minimum 500,000 non -inclusive restaurant/entertainment with a
minimum of 10% respectively
• Build to ULDC landscaping and construction standards
• Indoor kid/walk area
• Distinct crosswalk from buildings
Additionally, City Manager Davis stated that he would inform council's further direction in the
event Fidelis said no to any of the recommendations.
f. Discuss the City of Baytown Comprehensive Plan and the City of Baytown Strategic
Plan; their respective processes, committees, and recruitment efforts.
Mr. Woolery presented the agenda item and stated that council's vision for Imagine Baytown
Implementation Plan was for Year 5, which starts for October -September of 2021. He stated that
both the Strategic Plan and Comprehensive Plan would be done in sync with one consultant
undertaking both plans. He stated that at the last work session in January there would be a joint
presentation with council and the Planning and Zoning Commission "P&Z" to discuss the details
of the plans. He stated that there has to be a Comprehensive Plan Committee which has to be the
"P&Z'; therefore, a subcommittee would be appointed by the "P&Z'. It was noted that the
council should be able to appoint members to the subcommittee. Mr. Woolery stated that he
would further discuss with Karen Horner, City Attorney about council appointing the members
of the subcommittee.
During further discussion, Mr. Woolery inquired of council's direction on selecting members to
the Strategic Planning Advisory Committee. City Manager Davis noted that there were various
characteristics sought for in selecting members to this specific board and further recommended
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that council send names to him for consideration, in which he would then provide the selection to
the mayor for consideration. Mr. Woolery noted that the committee did not make editorial
decisions, but synthesized a list from data received from the survey distributed. He stated that the
survey would be similar to the previous and further noted for clarity that the distribution of the
survey was done through the normal mechanisms of social media, the newspaper, mail outs.
Council Member Johnson requested to include all churches on the distribution list and for all
areas of town be targeted for community participation in the survey.
Lastly, City Manager Davis noted that he would send recommendations to the Mayor to send out
invitations to prospected individuals for consideration of the committee.
2. ADJOURN
With there being no further business to discuss, Mayor Capetillo adjourned the December 15,
2020, City Council Retreat, Day 2, Meeting at 4:00 P.M.
Leticia Brysch, City Cler,
City of Baytown a < `