2021 03 11 CC MinutesMINUTES OF THE REGULAR MEETING OF THE CITY
COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF BAYTOWN
March 11, 2021
The City Council of the City of Baytown, Texas, met in a Regular Meeting on Thursday, March
I I, 2021, at 6:30 P.M. in the Council Chamber 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
Jacob Powell
Council Member
Mike Lester
Council Member
Heather Betancourth Mayor Pro Tern
Kevin Troller Assistant City Manager
Karen Horner City Attorney
Leticia Brysch City Clerk
Mike Holden Interim Sergeant at Arms
Mayor Pro Tern Betancourth convened the March 11, 2021, City Council Regular Meeting with
a quorum present at 6:30 P.M., all members were present with the exception of Mayor Capetillo
who was absent.
Pledge of Allegiance, Texas Pledge, and Invocation was led by Council Member Chris Presley.
Due to the COVID 19 Disaster and the CDC's recommendation regarding social distancing
measures there was limited amount of space when maintaining the required 6-feet separation
from others. However, the meeting allowed for two-way communications for members of the
public who were not allowed to be physically present at this meeting.
1. THE CROSSINGS AT BAYTOWN PUBLIC IMPROVEMENT DISTRICT
a. Conduct a public hearing regarding the advisability of the proposed improvements
associated with The Crossings at Baytown Public Improvement District.
At 6:32 P.M., Mayor Pro Tern Betancourth opened and conducted the public hearing regarding
the advisability of the proposed improvements associated with the Crossings at Baytown Public
Improvement District (PID).
Economic Development Manager Bret Gardella summarized the public hearing and stated that
the developers made a presentation to council in November of last year and also before the
Planning and Zoning Commission which was very well received by both. He noted that the
second meeting before Planning and Zoning was scheduled for Tuesday, which was the reason
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March 11, 2021
Page 2 of 6
for the public hearing at this current meeting. Mr. Gardella stated that there were only two (2)
property owners that would be impacted by such request, in which both are members of the PID,
the PUD, and the development. Additionally, he stated that the property owners received the
publications along with the letters sent to them and were interested in this PID being created.
Harvey Oyler and David Isaac registered to speak at the public hearing regarding agenda item
La.
Mr. Harvey Oyler, 6722 Crosby Cedar Bayou Road, noted that his property adjoins the subject
property. He stated that he was unable to find a website or information concerning the two (2)
applicants that signed a petition and inquired if the City vetted those companies as to their ability
to financially and technically complete this project. In response to Mr. Oyler's inquiry, Mr.
Gardella stated that both of the property owners were vetted along with the PID counsel and the
PID consultant.
Mr. Oyler further inquired if the multifamily units would be low-income or rent -subsidized units
and what type of fencing barrier wall would be expected next to his property line as he was
concerned of the noise and trespassing. Mr. Gardella stated that the units would not be
subsidized units or low-income in any sense, but probably be at the top end of the market. With
regards to the fence barrier, Mr. Nathan Dietrich, Assistant Director of Planning and
Development Services, stated that along the major thoroughfares of the collectors that share the
property's development or property line would be masonry -type walls. He stated that on the
backsides where there are single-family residential developments there should be a 6-foot-high
wooden fence that borders around the rest of the property.
Additionally, Mr. Oyler inquired when Phase 1 would start. Mr. Gardella stated that Phase 1
could start as early as the end of the third quarter or potentially the fourth quarter of this current
year.
Mr. David Isaac stated that he kept in touch with such developments throughout the few months,
particularly on how the tax dollars were spent. Additionally, he stated that this was an adequate
proposal that would do well and perhaps even create jobs that would spur the Baytown economy.
At 6:37 P.M., Mayor Pro Tem closed the public hearing regarding agenda item La. Human
Resources Director Carol Flynt presented the item and provided a video presentation for all the
individuals that received years of service awards for the month of February.
2. CONSENT
A motion was made by Council Member Charles Johnson, and seconded by Council Member
Mike Lester approving the consent agenda items 2.a. through 2.d. The vote was approved as
follows:
Ayes: Council Member Laura Alvarado, Council Member Chris Presley, Council
Member Charles Johnson, Mayor Pro Tem Heather Betancourth, Council
Member Jacob Powell and Council Member Mike Lester
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March 11, 2021
Page 3 of 6
Nays: None
Other: Mayor Brandon Capetillo (Absent)
Approved
a. Consider an ordinance authorizing the purchase and installation of micro -surfacing
from Intermountain Slurry Seal, Inc., utilizing the City of Baytown's Cooperative
Purchase Agreement with the City of North Richland Hills.
ORDINANCE NO. 14,684
AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF
BAYTOWN, TEXAS, AUTHORIZING THE PAYMENT OF FOUR
HUNDRED FIFTY THOUSAND AND NO/100 DOLLARS ($450,000.00)
TO INTERMOUNTAIN SLURRY SEAL, INC., FOR THE PURCHASE
AND INSTALLATION OF MICRO -SURFACING, THROUGH A
COOPERATIVE PURCHASING AGREEMENT WITH THE CITY OF
NORTH RICHLAND HILLS; MAKING OTHER PROVISIONS
RELATED THERETO; AND PROVIDING FOR THE EFFECTIVE DATE
THEREOF.
b. Consider an ordinance authorizing a lease and installation of a 12,000-gallon
propane tank from Propane Specialty Services through the Texas Local
Government Purchasing Cooperative for the industrial fire props at the Fire
Training Center.
ORDINANCE NO. 14,685
AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF
BAYTOWN, TEXAS, AUTHORIZING THE PAYMENT OF AN
AMOUNT NOT TO EXCEED SEVENTY THOUSAND AND NO/100
DOLLARS ($70,000.00) TO PROPANE SPECIALTY SERVICES FOR
THE PURCHASE AND INSTALLATION OF A 12,000-GALLON
PROPANE TANK THROUGH THE TEXAS LOCAL GOVERNMENT
PURCHASING COOPERATIVE (BUY BOARD); MAKING OTHER
PROVISIONS RELATED THERETO; AND PROVIDING FOR THE
EFFECTIVE DATE THEREOF.
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March 11, 2021
Page 4 of 6
C. Consider a resolution amending the 2020-2024 Citizen Participation Plan adopted
via Resolution No. 2667 on July 23, 2020.
RESOLUTION NO. 2,707
A RESOLUTION OF TIIE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF
BAYTOWN, TEXAS, AMENDING TIIE 2020-2024 CITIZEN
PARTICIPATION PLAN FOR THE COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT
BLOCK. GRANT PROGRAM, WHICH PLAN WAS ADOPTED VIA
RESOLUTION 2667 ON JULY 23, 2020; AND PROVIDING FOR THE
EFFECTIVE DATE THEREOF.
d. Consider a resolution authorizing the City Manager to accept a grant from the
Texas Department of Housing and Community Affairs for the Texas Emergency
Rental Assistance Program and authorizing the City to participate in the Texas
Eviction Diversion Program.
RESOLUTION NO. 2,708
A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF
BAYTOWN, TEXAS, AUTHORIZING THE CITY MANAGER TO
ACCEPT A GRANT FROM THE TEXAS DEPARTMENT OF
HOUSING AND COMMUNITY AFFAIRS FOR THE TEXAS
EMERGENCY RENTAL ASSISTANCE PROGRAM; DESIGNATING
AN AUTHORIZED REPRESENTATIVE FOR ALL PURPOSES UNDER
SUCH GRANT; AUTHORIZING THE CITY OF BAYTOWN TO
PARTICIPATE IN THE TEXAS EVICTION DIVERSION PROGRAM;
AND PROVIDING FOR THE EFFECTIVE DATE THEREOF.
3. APPOINTMENTS
a. Consider confirmation of the City Manager's appointment of the City of Baytown
Director of Public Affairs.
Consider confirmation of the City Manager's appointment of the City of Baytown Director of
Public Affairs.
Assistant City Manager Kevin Troller presented the agenda item and acknowledged staff, as well
as, the recruiter for their hard work on the appointment. He stated that there were several vetting
processes that ultimately determined the top 12 from over 100 applicants. He stated that the top
four (4) were invited for interviews and the top two (2) were invited back a second time.
Additionally, he stated that the City Manager selected Thomas Reeves to be the Public Affairs
Director.
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March 11, 2021
Page 5 of 6
Mr. David Isaac registered to speak regarding agenda item 3.a. He acknowledged his
appreciation for the position being filled and further noted that the public affairs office should
also be adequately staffed. Additionally, he recommended that the Public Affairs Director play a
part of the business incubation efforts.
Council Member Presley stated that the City of Baytown had never had a public affairs position
until around the year 2009 and because he always has the taxpayers' dollars in mind he believed
that things worked okay without the position. He stated that to increase the position from one (1)
to three (3) was not exactly transformative as there was no need to fix what was not broken. He
further stated that he subscribes to the City Manager being front and center of issues related to
the media and think council members are elected to play a role as well. Additionally, he stated
that Mr. Reeves was highly qualified and he was willing to give the idea another try.
Further during the discussion, Mr. Troller noted that he has been with the City through the entire
time of the initial position and due to the legislative needs along with the complexities of the
City there should be a professional who is focused and specifically trained on crafting the
message of challenging issues to assist the City Manager and Mayor.
Lastly, Council Member Alvarado acknowledged Alice Jauregui for her tremendous work as the
interim during the process of staffing the public affairs director position and extended welcome
to Mr. Reeves.
A motion was made by Council Member Charles Johnson, and seconded by Council Member
Chris Presley approving the appointment of Thomas Reeves as the City of Baytown Director of
Public Affairs. The vote was approved as follows:
Ayes: Council Member Laura Alvarado, Council Member Chris Presley, Council
Member Charles Johnson, Mayor Pro Tern Heather Betancourth, Council
Member Jacob Powell and Council Member Mike Lester
Nays: None
Other: Mayor Brandon Capetillo (Absent)
Approved
4. MANAGER'S REPORT
a. Present information regarding the opening of the City's six (6) spray parks for the
2021 Summer season.
Assistant Manager Kevin Troller presented the agenda item and stated that the city's six (6) spray
parks located at Roseland, Bergeron, McElroy, Pelly, Central Heights, and Jenkins Park open for
the 2021 summer season on Saturday, March 13, 2021, 10:00 A.M. He stated that all of the parks
would remain open through Sunday, November 7, 2021.
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March 11, 2021
Page 6 of 6
Mr. Troller recognized Mr. Dietrich for doing a phenomenal job on a situation during a board of
adjustment meeting that took well over 45 minutes to resolve. He further recognized some of
great activities throughout the community during the past weekend to include but not limited to a
dog medicine give away that went extremely well, a dog frisbee tournament at Jenkins Park, a
pop-up park at Carver and Oakwood neighborhoods, and the Hearts and Hands distribution at
Lee High School. Lastly, he recognized Zachary Start for his customer service, Benny Schafer
from Public Works and Engineering who received his Hot Mix Asphalt Certification, and Officer
Jason Cox who got his Masterpiece Officer Certification.
Additionally, all city staff involved during the Board of Adjustments meeting was also
recognized for doing a great job.
5. ADJOURN
With there being no further business to discuss, Mayor Pro Tern Betancourth adjourned the
March 11, 2021, City Council Regular Meeting at 6:52 P.M.
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Angela Ja on, Acting City Clerk 2 4� "
City of Baytown