2021 08 12 WS MinutesMINUTES OF THE REGULAR WORK SESSION OF THE
CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF BAYTOWN
August 12, 2021
The City Council of the City of Baytown, Texas met in a Regular Work Session on Thursday,
August 12, 2021, at 5:32 P.M., in the Council Chamber of the Baytown City Hall, 2401 Market
Street, Baytown, Texas with the following in attendance:
Laura Alvarado
Chris Presley
Charles Johnson
Heather Betancourth
Jacob Powell
Mike Lester
Brandon Capetillo
Rick Davis
Karen Horner
Angela Jackson
Mayor Pro Tern
Council Member
Council Member
Council Member
Council Member
Council Member
Mayor
City Manager
City Attorney
Acting City Clerk
Mayor Capetillo convened the August 12, 2021, City Council Regular Work Session with a
quorum present at 5:32 P.M., all members were present.
1. DISCUSSIONS
a. Receive and discuss the updates to the Baytown 2030 Parks and Recreation Master
Plan.
Director of Parks and Recreation Scott Johnson presented the item and noted that the Council
Members should have received the thumb drive with the Executive Summary of the Baytown
2030 Parks and Recreation Master Plan for review. The City hired Halff Associates to begin the
Master Plan in December 2019 and had an original completion date of Christmas 2020, but there
was a delay due to COVID-19. The consultants have met with the Parks and Recreation
Advisory Board several times and with City Council and the Planning and Zoning Commission
twice. The Parks and Recreation Advisory Board approved the Master Plan at their June 30"'
meeting, with a few additions to the priorities. Parks Planner Cornell Gordan has worked closely
with the consultants through the whole process. Mr. Johnson noted that staff and the consultant
were available to answer questions.
Mr. Johnson proceeded to provide an overview of the few changes they implemented in the
Master Plan since their Joint Meeting in May 2021. He noted that the resolution to adopt the
Master Plan was on the regular meeting agenda, and once it is approved, the staff will submit it
to the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department later this month. The Texas Parks and Wildlife grant
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August 12 2021
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requirements and require an approved master plan to get additional points, which will be helpful
as they do the Lannie property project that Council should see later in the next couple of weeks.
Mayor Capetillo opened the floor for questions or comments from the Council.
In regards to the new additions in the Master Plan, Council Member Lester inquired if staff
would be modifying the Municipal Development District ("MDD") Budget for parks' activities
and Mr. Johnson confinned that they would be making some adjustments. Council Member
Lester then expressed that they would like to receive the Master Plan in a timelier manner in the
future, prior to approving the budget for MDD in order to fit some of the newer projects.
Council Member Powell noted that nearly every single of the projects is in the one to three-year
teen timeline, which does not seem feasible, and requested that they go back and prioritize the
projects accordingly. Mr. Gordan mentioned that some of the projects such as the trail
connectivity and sports complex renovations have already been captured and others are in the
works already, but the staff will go back and tweak the timeline column based on the proposed
schedules.
Council Member Johnson reiterated on the need of dedicating some park land to the north of IH-
10 due to a lot of growth in that area. Director of Parks and Recreation Scott Johnson noted a
couple of options for funding parks and assuring that each subdivision has adequate parkland and
require the developer to build a park to the City's standards based on the population or size of
each subdivision. Director of Planning and Development Services Martin Scribner noted that it is
something they are considering as they are working on the Comprehensive Plan and will be
doing some major updates to the ULDC over the next two years. However, staff tries to
incorporate park facility requirements or standards in development agreements, whether it is for
a Public Improvement District ("PID") or Public Utility District ("PUD") or Municipal Utility
District ("MUD"), which Council Member Presley noted that Council has quite a bit of input
when approving those types of developments.
Council Member Presley further noted the need to adjust some of the proposed timelines on the
proposed completion of the projects.
Council Member Alvarado thanked the Parks and Recreation staff for all their hard work in
producing the Master Plan and commented on the need of installing shades to some of the Porta-
Can enclosures at different parks.
Mayor Capetillo provided some final comments in regards to the development of Russell Park
and the Arboretum and would like for Council to discuss the projects further before approval of
the Master Plan. He further noted on the possible opportunity of partnering up on events with the
ACE District as a benefit to the community. At the end of the day they are very proud of the
City's park system as it is a shining star of the community and they like to see everyone enjoying
themselves at the parks.
b. Discuss any or all of the agenda items on the City Council Regular Meeting Agenda
for August 12, 2021.
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August 12 2021
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City Manager Rick Davis asked the Director of Planning and Development Services Martin
Scribner to provide an overview of the proposed rezonings for Items 3 and 4 on the agenda.
Mayor Capetillo inquired on the petitions for the proposed annexations found under the Consent
Agenda Items. Mr. Scribner noted that they were just an acceptance of the applications and they
would get into the details at the upcoming public hearings. City Manager Davis indicated that by
accepting the petitions, Council is directing staff to prepare a service plan to present to Council
at a future meeting.
2. ADJOURN
With there being no further business to discuss, Mayor Brandon Capetillo adjourned the August
12, 2021, City Council Regular Work Session at 6:10 P.M.
City of Baytown