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2021 05 20 CC Minutes, JointMINUTES OF THE JOINT MEETING OF THE: CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF BAYTOWN, BAYTOWN PARKS AND RECREATION ADVISORY BOARD, AND BAYTOWN PLANNING AND ZONING COMMISSION May 20, 2021 The City Council, Baytown Parks and Recreation Advisory Board, and the Planning and Zoning Commission of the City of Baytown, Texas met in a Joint Meeting on Thursday, May 20, 2021, at 5:35 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 Council Member Chris Presley Council Member Charles Johnson Council Member Heather Betancourth Mayor Pro Tern Jacob Powell Council Member (Teleconference) Mike Lester Council Member Carmen Torres Chairperson Kevin Jones Vice Chairperson Michelle Bitterly Board Member Agustin Loredo Ill Board Member Dr. Yvonne Thomas-Chapa Board Member Terry Sain Board Member Thomas Capetillo Board Member Jeffrey Walters Commissioner Donna Winfrey Commissioner Agustin Loredo III Commissioner Mitchell Pearce Commissioner (Teleconference) Stanley Ballou Commissioner (Teleconference) Rick Davis City Manager Angela Jackson Acting City Clerk Trevor Fanning First Assistant City Attorney Mayor Brandon Capetillo convened the May 20, 2021, City Council, Baytown Parks and Recreation Advisory Board, and the Planning and Zoning Commission, with a quorum present at 5:35 P.M., all members were present with the exception of Planning and Zoning Commissioners Tracey S. Wheeler, Helen Berrott-Tiims, and Donald Spencer Carnes, Jr., all whom were absent. City Council Joint Meeting Minutes May 20, 2021 Page 2 of 7 1. DISCUSSIONS a. Present and discuss the City of Baytown 2030 Parks and Recreation Master Plan. Parks and Recreation Director Scott Johnson presented the item and stated that this meeting allowed the City Council, the Baytown Parks and Recreation Advisory Board, and 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. Mr. Johnson thanked everyone for their attendance and willingness to participate in this process which started in January 2020, however, it has been a challenge getting to where they are now due to the COVID-19 pandemic. If there was anything that needed to be changed, now was the time to bring it forward to their attention. Mr. Johnson introduced the consultants as follows: • Mr. Aaron Tuley, AICP, Planning Team Leader, Houston Office • Ms. Fatima Wajahat, Senior Planner, Houston Office Mr. Aaron Tuley thanked the attendees and reiterated what Mr. Johnson mentioned earlier, that they have been working on this Master Plan since about January of last year and although there were some COVID-related delays, they have been fairly diligent about carrying the ball forward and are just about over the finish line right now. Mr. Tuley stated that cities can be and are defined by their parks and recreation systems, and it is equally important and relevant for smaller cities the size of Baytown. What they are trying to underscore is that your park system is as integral piece of infrastructure just as your utilities, road network, and drainage system. Especially, during this whole COVID-related period, our parks have been really a saving grace for all of us as it enabled us to meet together, while socially distancing, but it has given us a place to go during this time. 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. He stated that this is a Texas Parks and Wildlife Department ("TPWD") compliant master plan , which they like for a city to basically update their Parks and Recreation Master Plan every five years, just to keep up with what are the current trends, how a city is growing, et cetera, and it also enables the city to be eligible for prioritize points when pursuing grant funding. He stated that the two focus areas that really drove the development of the master plan, were nature -based recreation and tourism. Additionally, they really focused on recreational trails development t throughout the City, mainly focused on, on -street bike lanes, blue ways, such as canoe paddling trails around the Baytown Nature Center, off-street recreational trails, and multi- use paths. The master plan has been basically divided into five key phases. In the first phase, they introduce the master planning process, the benefits of parks and recreation, or effective park systems. They then go through an extensive and exhaustive analysis of existing conditions, followed by conducting various needs assessments, which then informs our strategies and recommendation. Finally, the have an extensive implementation program for how the City and your partners will implement all of the provisions of this Master Plan. City Council Joint Meeting Minutes May 20, 2021 Page 3 of 7 Mr. Tuley noted that the Parks and Recreation Master Plan was divided into three principal volumes. The first volume provides the first three chapters: The Introduction, Baytown Parks Today, and Needs Assessment. The second volume is primarily focused on the strategies and recommendations on how to achieve the goals and objectives that they have identified. Finally, the third volume has a whole series of dependencies that basically goes over the public engagement program that they conducted throughout the duration of this planning process, but also, all of the park conditions, assessment forms, and evaluation and analysis that were conducted, and they provided an appendix on funding for implementation. Mr. Tuley then proceeded to provide a brief overview of each of the chapters within the Master Plan. Also, Mr. Tuley indicated that they worked with the Parks and Recreation Department to identify what are the top 15 strategies, and this is where they would welcome the committees input as far as how they prioritize these strategies. The top 15 strategies consist of the following: 1) Strategy 2.2.1: Improve facilities at Jenkins, Wayne Gray, Evergreen, and Baytown Soccer Parks to enhance the overall quality of these parks and increase their capacity for large events. 2) Strategy 5.2.2: Relocate the Eddie V. Gray Wetland Center to the Baytown Nature Center location to improve the alignment of educational programs and remove logistical impediments. Strategy 5.2.5: Develop George and Freda Chandler Arboretum at the Baytown Nature Center Site. 3) Strategy 1.1.5: Implement improvements in undeveloped parks and prioritize the development of waterfront parks; specifically — • Gene and Loretta Russell Park, • Lannie Park, • George and Freda Chandler Arboretum, and • Bayland Marina Park. 4) Strategy 1. IA: Update and improve all neighborhood parks. 5) Strategy 1.1.2: Formulate a Parkland Dedication Ordinance to require the dedication of neighborhood park space as part of new development. • Parkland dedication • Fee in lieu • Development At 6:16 P.M., Mayor Capetillo excused himself from the meeting as he had another commitment and Mayor Pro Tem Heather Betancourth took over as the presiding officer. Council Member Chris Presley stepped out of the joint meeting as well. 6) Strategy 2.2.4: Improve facilities at Pirates Bay to enhance visitor experience. • Action River • Family Raft Ride / Slide • Shade Structures • Splash Pad at Park Entrance • Additional Staff Room (60+ lifeguards) City Council Joint Meeting Minutes May 20, 2021 Page 4 of 7 • Replace Grass with Artificial Turf • Lighting and Seating Amenities 7) Strategy 4.1.1: Construct 10-foot wide off-street multi -use paths along key major and minor streets through Baytown to create an interconnected network of trails for cyclists and pedestrians — connecting homes, neighborhood facilities, and recreational destinations. 8) Strategy 4.1.5: Utilize the Goose Creek corridor segment between Lynchburg Reservoir Canal and Est Cedar Bayou Lynchburg Road to connect neighborhoods north of Interstate 10 to Baytown Soccer Park and other recreational facilities in central Baytown. 9) Strategy 2.2.7: Develop full-sized rectangular practice and game fields with lighting for soccer. 10) Strategy 5.1.2: Develop a blueway program for Baytown's waterways. 1 1) Strategy 2.2.6: Construct a recreation center with a gymnasium and facilities for indoor sports. 12) Strategy 2.2.3: Conduct a feasibility study for the development of a natatorium with an eight -lane competition swimming pool. 13) Strategy 5.1.5: Develop nature -based recreational programming at — • Baytown Nature Center, • Proposed George and Freda Chandler Arboretum, • Eddie V. Gray Wetlands Center, • Goose Creek Park, • Evergreen Bluff Park Site, • Roseland Park, and • Dittman Family Park — for fishing, birding, boating, and educational events and competitions. 14) Strategy 1.1.1: Fonnulate a long-range parkland acquisition program to ensure that all areas in Baytown are within a 10-minute walking distance to a park. 15) Strategy 2.2.5: Construct a sports complex with additional multi -use softball facilities. Lastly, in relation to Chapter 7, Mr. Tuley, stated that they did develop an implementation action table and it basically lays out all of the City's goals, strategies, and actions with respect to when they are to be pursued, when they should be implemented, whether it is within the next 1-3 years, 3-5 years, or longer. They have also identified action types, whether that strategy in order to pursue it is a capital project that will require capital resources. Also, whether that particular strategy may require a change in policy or programming, or change in regulations and standards, or whether or not additional partnerships and coordination will be required. This is important because there are a lot of very ambitious strategies in this plan, and they are not all going to be able to be achieved by the Parks department alone, so partnerships and coordination with other departments will be required. In conclusion, Mr. Tuley stated that this is where they are as far as the City of Baytown's Parks and Recreational, Open Space and Trails Master Plan. He believes they really took a comprehensive look at all the great things within the City's parks system, and also developed a realistic and realizable plan that is totally implementable over the next 5 to 10 years. He stated that he could answer questions from the committees and Council members at this time. City Council Joint Meeting Minutes May 20, 2021 Page 5 of 7 Mayor Pro Tern Betancourth stated that with it being such a large group, they would request direct feedback on the strategies or questions on the presentation in general, first from the Parks and Recreation Advisory Board, then the Planning and Zoning Commission, and finally from City Council. Parks and Recreation Advisory Board Member Terry Sain stated that it was a very good presentation, but was extremely disappointed since not one time did he hear golf course throughout the entire presentation as Baytown has none. Mr. Tuley stated that they did not focus on golf as much as other recreational activities primarily due to the fact that it did not come up in the man -based assessment in the community survey, nor in any of their stake -holder sessions so it did not seem to be a big demand. Parks and Recreation Director Scott Johnson stated that would consider probably adding a strategy to include a golf course somewhere in the future. Mr. Sain also emphasized the need for a good sports complex, which includes additional soccer complexes or a natatorium, as our kids are having to travel to nearby cities to be able to find these types of amenities. Parks and Recreation Advisory Board Member Agustin Loredo commented that there is a lot of vision within Baytown especially with the Parks and Recreation Department. He has been on the Board for a few years, but he noted that he read in an article last week about how the sport of cricket is going to be one of the up and coming sports in America and the fact that we have a cricket field is amazing and it speaks volume. Also, he stated that he agrees with Mr. Sain in that there is a need for a golf course in Baytown, especially in the area where they are building a recreation center, where there is a need for amenities. Planning and Zoning Commissioner Jeffrey Walters noted that that the golfing course with the convention center and hotel, it would be great to have something close by. He believes that we would draw more people to Baytown. The enhancements on the waterways, that is what the people love more and want. Planning and Zoning Commissioner Donna Winfrey stated that this was a great report and asked if it would be accessible to them online, which Mr. Tuley stated they would make it available to them in the near future once it is finalized. She also inquired on the proposed 10-minute walking distance to parks and if there were example of cities that have that available. Mr. Tuley provided examples and stated that it is a goal that is very achievable here in the community and it is something that they should all be striving to accomplish since no one should have to drive to parks. Ms. Winfrey also inquired on the required widths for bike trails or multi -use trails and also in regards to the density of developments within the City. Planning and Zoning Commissioner Stanley Ballou noted how there are a lot of economic development advantages from the City being able to host sports tournaments at sports complexes. He also inquired on the status of the mall in Baytown and Mr. Tuley stated that it was not covered in their report as that is outside the purview. Council Member Mike Lester commended the consultant on their presentation and would like to see a final version. He appreciated the concept of blue trails, they do have a couple of events on City Council Joint Meeting Minutes May 20, 2021 Page 6 of 7 an annual basis from Cedar Bayou such as kayaking, and the fact that they want people to access it from Bayland Island would spur a lot of activity. He agreed with most of the comments in that he believes we have some of the best parks in the state. However, for the past twenty years he has been with City of Baytown, he believes one of the gaps seen is that a large regional recreation center tied in with a natatorium is needed and would be a great amenity for the kids. Council Member Jacob Powell noted that it was a great presentation, a lot of data to digest, and answered a lot of questions he had as far as how the City compares to other cities in regards to acreage and types of parks. Again, he wanted to reiterate, as he has heard from several constituents, there being a need of bringing golf back to Baytown so that is an objective we need to add to the list of amenities. Council Member Charles Johnson stated he enjoyed the presentation and he liked the fact that they are seeing some plans hopefully of other entertainment venues that they could use in the City. He liked the concept of utilizing the area near Evergreen and thought that was wonderful as he believes they need to utilize the waterfront property better as other communities capitalize on it and we should too. He did mention that they do not have any neighborhood parks north of I-10, other than the Gene and Loretta Russell Park, but that is still undeveloped, so he suggested that the Parks department start looking at some land there to purchase or have people donate so that they can actually get smaller parks developed in the near future. Although they have new neighborhoods north of I-10, he would like to see parks not associated with HOAs, but city parks. Council Member Laura Alvarado stated that she agreed with a lot of comments shared already. When she first got on Council, the Parks Department had presented them with an idea of a coastline around Evergreen, and just to even see some sort of rendering, she is excited about that. On Council, she knows that they have discussed what other amenities can be brought to the City, such as a convention center and a golf course. They definitely need a recreation center and she knows that at one point they were entertaining two different locations for that, but they need to take into consideration the neighboring businesses that are there as they would not want to affect any of the existing small businesses. She thought the presentation was great, and really liked the way it was laid out. Ms. Alvarado also noted the need of being able to repurpose existing sports fields to meet the need of practice fields, but also serve as tournament -quality fields with all of the support facilities is critical. Parks and Recreation Advisory Board Member Thomas Capetillo stated that he loves live entertainment and asked if a lot of other small towns have venues available for a variety of different sizes of live music. Mr. Tuley agreed that he enjoyed live entertainment as well and that he understood his concern for that amenity as people have to travel to other cities for that type of entertainment. Mayor Pro Tern Heather Betancourth commented that improving the existing facilities was one of the top line items on the priority list and would support the renovation of the Jenkins Park Clubhouse as it is a highly utilized popular place for citizens to rent. Although she supports the concept of moving the Wetlands Center to the Baytown Nature Center, she expressed concern for vacating an existing waterfront building and would like for the City to come up with a City Council Joint Meeting Minutes May 20, 2021 Page 7 of 7 creative concept to repurpose the building. In regards to the Chandler Arboretum, although she supports it and the conceptual designs were stunning, she is surprised to see it so prioritized this early in the game. She stated that she supports the development of the Russell Park, north of I14- 10, as there is a need for parks in that area, but it needs to be a joint planning effort with Harris County. Again, she reiterated the need for a golf course in Baytown, and even football fields. She believes connecting mobility is a huge priority in Baytown and there is a need for more bike lanes and connection sidewalks. Ms. Betancourth also noted that she was a huge advocate of sports tourism and believes there is probably an opportunity there for public -private partnerships and economic development incentives in Baytown. In conclusion, Mr. Scott Johnson stated that once they finalize the Parks and Recreation Master Plan, it will come to Council for approval hopefully in the next month. Mayor Pro Tern Betancourth thanked the Parks Department and Halff Associates for all of the hard work that was put into the Parks and Recreation Master Plan and really appreciated their assistance in the community engagement that they all put into this to help guide their decisions for the future. 2. ADJOURN With there being no further business to discuss, Mayor Pro Tem Heather Betancourth adjourned the May 20, 2021, City Council, Baytown Parks and Recreation Advisory Board, and the Planning and Zoning Commission Joint Meeting at 7:01 P.M. C!O_CrJ? Angela Ja :son, Acting City Clerk City of Baytown