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2021 12 14 CC Minutes, Retreat Day 2MINUTES OF THE RETREAT, DAY 2 OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF BAYTOWN December 14, 2021 The City Council of the City of Baytown, Texas met in a Retreat, Day 2, on Tuesday, December 141 2021, at 8:00 A.M., in the Executive Board Room at the Galveston Island Convention Center, The San Luis Resort, located at 5222 Seawall Blvd., Galveston, Texas 77551, 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 Brandon Capetillo Mayor Rick Davis City Manager Kevin Troller Assistant City Manager Brian Moran Assistant to the City Manager Mayor Capetillo convened the December 14, 2021, City Council Retreat, Day 2, with a quorum present at 8:00 A.M., all members were present with exception of the absence of Council Member Heather Betancourth. 1. BREAKFAST (8:00 A.M. - 8:30 A.M.) 2. TEAMBUILDING a. Conduct an icebreaker and teambuilding exercise with the Mayor and City Council. Assistant to the City Manager Brian Moran facilitated the icebreaker and teambuilding exercises, "Two Truths, One Lie" and "Movie Charades." The members of the Council discovered more about each other through the activities by communication and teamwork. 3. DISCUSSION a. Receive and discuss a presentation regarding Strategic Directives. City Manager Davis explained they were fairly deep into the strategic planning process, but they had yet to compose it. The goal was to make sure they had a few concrete ideas about what their strategic directives were. The Committee started with eight strategic directives and consolidated those into five areas. Mr. Davis noted it was remarkably different from their last strategic plan. Specifically, priorities that had risen in the last five years were no longer present. City Council Retreat, Day 2 December 14, 2021 Page 2 of 10 Assistant to the City Manager Brian Moran presented the summary of Years 1 through 4. They had cleared about 85% of the initiatives identified by Council and noted there was a greater emphasis on infrastructure -type projects. He identified an example being addressing the chronic neighborhood flooding issues on Texas Avenue, Bayou Oaks, Fayle Street, etc. with a new storm water master plan. The next slide of the presentation detailed citizen satisfaction. Assistant to the City Manager Moran exhibited a graph, referred to as the "satisfaction matrix," that was taken earlier that year by the means of surveys. The four categories were what they exceeded in expectations, continued emphasis, opportunities for improvement, and the less important. He noted they would have their consultants in January go through and see where they started in 2016 and how the four services had changed over time in regards to the level of satisfaction. Assistant to the City Manager Moran then began listing Year 5 priorities identified at the March 2021 Retreat and implemented in the current fiscal year. Those priorities were as followed: YEAR 5 PRIORITIES Community Image & Reputation I . Continue Implementation of Parks Safety Measures 2. Address More Curb Degradation/Median Enhancement 3. Paint Bridge Railings and Signal Masts 4. Consider/Fund Additional Cultural Diversity Celebrations 5. Provide Celebration and Continue Marking Juneteenth 6. Continue to Cultivate Participation in the Neighborhood Empowerment Zone 7. Clean/Repaint Overpasses 8. Continue Strict/Proactive Code Enforcement Infrastructure & Mobility 1. Continue Advocacy for San Jacinto Bridge 2. Address Trail Connectivity between Bayway and Historic West Baytown 3. Continue to Address Drainage on Main, Texas Ave, Danubina, and Fayle 4. Begin Acquisition of Hunt to 146 5. Continue Refining PSLIP Program 6. Continue Addressing SSOI Overflow Projects 7. Develop/Pilot Method for Utilizing Ditches to Improve Pedestrian Mobility 8. Continue Efforts to Address West Baytown Drainage Community Amenities 1. Continue Recruitment of Family Entertainment 2. Invest in Wi-Fi at Parks 3. Commit to Plan for Aesthetic Improvements Along Alexander 4. Fund and Develop Park Amenities for Elderly, Toddlers, and Special Needs 5. Diversity and Decentralize Community Activities 6. Develop Additional Park Amenities for Dogs City Council Retreat, Day 2 December 14, 2021 Page 3 of 10 7. More Access to Cedar Bayou for Recreation 8. Begin Planning for Future Tournament -Oriented Facilities Neighborhood Quality 1. Expand Neighborhood Empowerment Grant 2. Maintain Curbs and Sidewalks in Good Repair 3. Incentivize the Acquisition and Development of City -Owned Properties 4. Continue to Demand Neighborhood Development Standards that Enhance Neighborhood Life 5. Audit Lighting Needs and Create Strategy to Address 6. Address Neighborhood Spending 7. Partner to Address and Develop Vagrancy and Homelessness Strategy 8. Engage Volunteers in Assisting Less Able Residents to Comply with Code Requirements Operational Excellence 1. Refine Process and Code to Support, Facilitate, and Incentivize the Rehabilitation of Older Buildings 2. Implement a System of Regular Customer Satisfaction Evaluation Pertaining to the Planning Services 3. Continue Engagement Survey 4. Re -Examine the City's Mobile App. 5. Ensure Animal Control Services Enjoys Access to Best Possible Technology 6. Develop and Congregate Accessible Videos that Explain Basic/Recurring Processes/Projects 7. Fully Implement EnerGov 8. Hold Regular Interactions with Develop/Building Community Assistant City Manager Kevin Troller gave kudos to Council Member Johnson for his passion for the Juneteenth celebration. He also believed the Parks and Recreation department did a wonderful job on Juneteenth, Grito Fest, and the 4"' of July, and recognized the quality of those events. Council Member Johnson commented that in Juneteenth, Assistant Director of Parks & Recreation Clifford Hatch received an award for the best event held from Katy to the Louisiana border. The discussion then revolved around those events and their future. The general consensus leaned positive and hopeful. As the conversation centered on future acts, Mr. Troller did note $ 150,000 covered base acts and the city could not afford the requested big -names. Mayor Capetillo relayed this encompassed two parts: production and entertainment. He noted if they hoped to enlist bigger names, they would need the right stage. City Manager Davis then discussed the logistics of building a new stage and the needs of the facility for the incoming artists. Council Member Presley initiated the discussion of Bicentennial's capacity limitations. Council Member Johnson voiced his concerns of packing in crowds where they could run in to the situation in Houston with Travis Scott and the possibility of state legislature passing laws on such events. City Manager Davis recommended drawing no more than about 3,000 people and City Council Retreat, Day 2 December 14, 2021 Page 4of10 entertained the thought of having control entry. Council Member Johnson questioned would they then be selling tickets at that point and City Manager Davis confirmed they were because they would then hold concert series and sell season passes. In having such a facility, and if they do hold controlled access events, Mayor Capetillo noted they could at that point partner with sponsors. Council Member Johnson commented he had already been approached by Red Bull for Juneteenth for $50,000. Red Bull also would take care of the main stage and main act. Council Member Johnson had also already been in contact with Director of Public Affairs Thomas Reeves and Assistant Director of Parks & Recreation Clifford Hatch who were having discussions regarding sponsorships. City Manager Davis commented they were also missing the opportunity to have sponsored events at Bicentennial Park. With the creation of a new stage, Council Member Johnson suggested also considering either Gene or Russell Park. City Manager Davis noted the stage at Bicentennial regardless needed to be replaced, and then they could do an outdoor performing arts center over at Russell Park. He stated back in 1998, they paid $4.7 million for the amphitheater at Bicentennial. Assistant City Manager Troller noted they had an opportunity to go small, medium, and large. Small, for example, could be hosting an event at the Nature Center. Medium could be Bicentennial Park, and eventually building up to something big at Russell Park. City Manager Davis suggested they could discuss upgrading the stage at Bicentennial. Council Member Presley agreed upon upgrading, yet liked the vision of a bigger venue at Russell. There was then further discussion of the projected success of such venue. With that, Assistant to the City Manager Moran listed the five new directives: 1) Economic prosperity; 2) Critical infrastructure and traffic flow; 3) Outdoor recreation and amenities; 4) Beautification and environmental stewardship; and 5) Vibrant, transparent, and connected communities. Mayor Capetillo requested elaboration on environmental stewardship. Mr. Moran replied an example of that would be dealing with residents' code and littering in their waterways. Council Member Alvarado recommended a better relationship with TxDOT, in terms of the littering of their right of ways, due to the constant calls she received about 330. She believed that was what was applicable in teens of environmental stewardship. There was then further discussion on the conditions of the city's roads and highways. The general consensus was there needed to be a better plan. Council discussed options as to who would clean the litter, including: a youth project; community service; and or third -party involvement. Before the break, City Manager Davis structured the dialogue of the following item, 5.a., into each Council member discussing each directive individually. 4. BREAK (9:30 A.M. - 10:00 A.M.) At 9:37 A.M., the meeting recessed for a break. The meeting reconvened 10:00 A.M. City Council Retreat, Day 2 December 14, 2021 Page 5 of 10 5. DISCUSSION a. Receive and discuss a presentation from the City Manager regarding new initiatives for the City of Baytown for FY 22-23. City Manager Davis prompted the Council Members to discuss their initiatives of the new five directives. ECONOMIC PROSPERITY Council Member Alvarado • Review Parameters and Distribution of Hot Funds • Capitalize on the Main Street Experience/Town Square • Market Street Revitalization • Employee Tel ecommuting/Leveraging Virtual Experience for Working at Home • Meeting in a Box/Capitalize on Multilingual Surveys • Partner with Goose Creek and Lee College to Invest in Human Capital to Diversify Industries Council Member Presley • Result -Oriented Focus on the Redevelopment in the Old Downtown Area • Exit EDF and Bring New In -House Economic Development Council Member Johnson • Bayway Drive Redevelopment • Expand Hot Funds • Reevaluate Economic Development Personnel and Expand • Reevaluate Guidelines/Limits of Grant Programs Council Member Powell • Create Summary of Available Programs, How They are Utilized, and Review Requirements • Define Focus Areas for Business Development • Continue Waterfront Development • Sell City -Owned Properties Council Member Lester • Establish Vision for Hotel Convention Center and Town Square Retail/ Entertainment • Feeding Retail Businesses Available Programs • Retail Development on the City -Owned I 1 Acres on 99/Alexander Mayor Capetillo City Council Retreat, Day 2 December 14, 2021 Page 6 of 10 • Land Liquidation • Workshops for Developers, Builders, and Businesses Coming in to Baytown • Procure a Policy to Buy Baytown Products/Services First OUTDOOR RECREATION & AMENITIES Council Member Alvarado • Host Christmas Celebrations at Bicentennial Park and or Town Square • Outdoor Chess/Urban Toys • Invest in Spaces for Toddlers/Tike Trails • More Story Walks at Parks • All Access/Inclusive Parks Council Member Johnson • Update Amenities on Hotel • Create a Park North of I-10 with Senior Equipment • Continue Sidewalks that End on North of I-10 and Garth • Dog Park at Lakewood Council Member Lester • Beach Renovation at Tri City Beach/Evergreen • Kayak Launch at Cedar Bayou • Continue and Expand Santa's Village Council Member Powell • Create More Wooded Trails • Kayak Launch • City Park in Chambers County • Create a Little Train Around Jenkins and Hollaway Park • Create a City Pass for Residents • Public RV Hookups Council Member Presley • Increase Park Patrol/Park Rangers and Entertain Controlled Access • Food Trailers/Kiosks at Parks • Blue Lights Safety Feature on Biking Trails • Replace Grills at Parks and Create Sand Volleyball • Nature Center Camping • Expand Snow Day Event Mayor Capetillo • Pickleball Courts • Clay Shoot/Shooting Range City Council Retreat, Day 2 December 14, 2021 Page 7 of 10 • Ziplines at the Nature Center, Pirates Bay, and or Bayland • Create a City Festival/Baytown Heritage Day • Create a Baytown Shuttle • Create a Ballpark with Chambers County 6. LUNCH BREAK (11:45 A.M. - 12:30 P.M.) 7. DISCUSSION a. Continue the discussion and presentation from the City Manager regarding new initiatives for the City of Baytown for FY 22-23. The discussion continued on the directives listed below. CRITICAL INFRASTRUCTURE & TRAFFIC FLOW Council Member Alvarado • Timelines for PCIs • Durrain Ferry Drainage • Continue Other Funding Sources • Finish Garth Road Council Member Johnson • Continue with Plans • Improve Lighting of Roads Council Member Powell • Create Pedestrian Crossing from Jenkins to Blue Heron Park • Improve General Drainage and Review Ownership of Ditches/Gullies • Continue Efforts of 146 Mobility • 3" Bayou Crossing Funding • Update PCI by District • Tompkins Drive Improvements Council Member Lester • Strom Drainage/Ditches Maintenance Issues • East James and Ward Road Cuts by CenterPoint • Residents Down Tri-City Beach Have No Water/Sewer • Timelines for PCIs Mayor Capetillo • Continue Drainage Improvements • Create Ward Road Sidewalks and Paint Street Lights City Council Retreat, Day 2 December 14, 2021 Page S of 10 Council Member Presley • Broadband Accessibility BEAUTIFICATION & ENVIRONMENTAL STEWARDSHIP Council Member Powell • Interstate I-10 Clean -Up • Revamp or Kill Adopt a Mile • Trash Cans on Newer Streets Mayor Capetillo • Address Litter Issue/Baytown Trash Off Day Council Member Johnson • lncentivize Adopt a Mile • Vacant Businesses' Lawn Maintenance and Vagrancy/Graffiti Issues • Clean -Up Water Front Property Council Member Presley • Enforce Vacant Building/Sign Ordinances • Clean -Up Waterways • Enforce Panhandler's Ordinance • Consider Green Center 2"d Location Council Member Alvarado • Better Relationship with TxDOT and Harris County Regarding Litter/Drainage • More Murals and Sculptures/Climb-On Art • Continue Drainage Master Plan and Partner with Harris County • Create an Alley Clean -Up Program Council Member Lester agreed with everything previously listed and had no further initiatives. VIBRANT, TRANSPARENT, & CONNECTED COMMUNITY Council Member Alvarado • Consider Hosting Both National Night Out and Party on the Plaza • Continue and Expand Pop -Up Park Series • Increase Heritage Festivals • Implement Street Captains in the Absence of Neighborhood Association • Small Amphitheaters • Revamp City of Baytown App to More Easily Find Council Representatives City Council Retreat, Day 2 December 14, 2021 Page 9of10 Council Member Lester • Continue Sidewalk Program • Include Side by Sides for Golf Carts Council Member Johnson • Address Sidewalks Mayor Capetillo, Council Member Presley, and Council Member Powell had no further initiatives to discuss. City Manager Davis listed the initiative, on behalf of Council Member Betancourth, of getting information to women who want to run for public office. There was discourse of whether there really was an abundance of then over women and whether this was a city responsibility or education. It was also noted the lack of other minorities in Council. Council did not reach a consensus and so City Manager Davis stated he would request Council Member Betancourth to prepare a presentation for Council. Council Member Alvarado suggested they provide information on their City Council webpage along with the contact information of the City Clerk's Office. City Manager Davis had also added the battleship as a topic of discussion. Mayor Capetillo began the discussion by stating they did appoint Council Member Lester and Council Member Alvarado to the Bring the Battleship to Baytown Committee. Mayor Capetillo voiced his concerns with the costs associated with bringing the battleship to Baytown due to a forum he attended with the foundation. It was, at this point in time, still being deliberated where the battleship would be placed between the cities of Baytown, Beaumont, and Galveston. During the discussion, it was discovered Council Member Alvarado, Chainnan of the Committee, had not been included in the foundation's meetings and ernails that discussed the numbers associated with the costs and the possibility of strategic partnerships. Council Member Presley advised, in regards to the emails, that Mayor Capetillo use non- committal language to consider those strategic partnerships. Council Member Johnson expressed great reluctancy of paying for the foundation's feasibility study to bring the battleship to the city and shared the sentiment with Assistant City Manager Troller of not having the battleship at all. Council Member Alvarado, with all things considered, also expressed her hesitancy. She noted of all their capital improvement projects listed, the battleship was not one of them. City Manager Davis noted the prior consensus of the Council was welcoming of the battleship. He did agree that they should not pay to bring the battleship to Baytown on their own as it was a national treasure and should have national support. City Manager Davis reiterated Council Member Alvarado's point that this, however, was not community priority. Council continued to discuss their projections on the associated costs. The general consensus was it should be more of the foundation's responsibility of finding the location and funding. Council Member Alvarado noted that moving forward she would like to call Mr. Jay Eshbach and his team, and then convene in another meeting. Before adjourning, it was noted there was going to be a future meeting with Fidelis as it pertains to the San Jacinto Mall Project. Mayor Capetillo expressed his appreciation to Council and staff City Council Retreat, Day 2 December 14, 2021 Page 10 of 10 for a great retreat and ended on the note that their general consensus at the end of the day was to make the best decisions for their city. 8. ADJOURN With there being no further business to discuss, Mayor Capetillo adjourned the December 14, 2021, City Council Retreat, Day 2 at 3:45 P.M. Angela Jadson, City Clerk City of Baytown