City Council - Regular Meeting

I NOW CALL TO ORDER THE CITY COUNCIL REGULAR MEETING AUGUST 27, 2026 AT 6.30 PM IN THE COUNCIL CHAMBER AN ANNOUNCEMENT OF QUORUM AT 6.36 PM. WE'RE GOING TO START OFF WITH CITIZEN COMMENT. HAS ANYONE SIGNED UP TO SPEAK? Oh, we do. I'm so sorry. I didn't try to skip over you, Mr. Griffin. We're going to do the pledge and everything. We're going to do the pledge and invocation given by the last person to get their library card on council, Mr. Ken Griffin.

and indivisible, with liberty and justice for all. On the Texas flag, I pledge allegiance to thee, Texas, one state, under God, one and indivisible.

Let's give the Lord his first boot. Dear Heavenly Father, we thank you. We thank you for keeping those that work in and throughout our city safe. Thank you for keeping our first responders and those working in public works and in our parks safe. I ask, Lord, that you continue to put a hedge of protection over them as they carry out the daily tasks of their day-to-day work, Father. Continue to protect them, give them wisdom and guidance as they're doing their job in service of our citizens. And Heavenly Father, we pray now as we come sit down and go over the agenda of the items that... that's been placed in front of us, Lord. We ask that you give us wisdom, Father, to discern and make decisions that will ultimately have an impact on those living in our city. Father, give us wisdom and discernment. Let us come to our decisions from a spirit of peace and understanding and clarity. We thank you for all these things. In Jesus, your precious name, we pray. Amen.

Okay, now it's time for citizen comment. We have a few people signed up to speak. The purpose of citizen comment is to give all interested citizens the right to express their views. Everyone desiring to speak should have signed the appropriate listener for you or emailed the city clerk prior to the posted time of this meeting. Each citizen shall give his or her name and address in order to provide proper record of these comments. The rules allow each person one minute to speak. A citizen may pass his or her time to another person who has requested to address council. However, no citizen remarks shall exceed three minutes in total. Either the one minute or the three minute limit may be extended by majority vote of council. I encourage everyone to be as brief and to the point as possible. Please keep in mind, council cannot discuss or deliberate on items for which public notice has not been given on this agenda. We will start off with Ms. Cynthia Coker. Ms. Cynthia Coker, you have Mr. Nick Rice and Ms. Celia Cravey sending time to you, so you will have a total of three minutes. Please state your address for record.

Cynthia Coker, 1818 Cedar Bayou Road, Baytown 77520. I hope that the extreme temperatures are behind us, though us being on the coast, we know that September can be pretty brutal as well. I'm speaking tonight because people that know me know that I love animals. I've had animals since I was a child, so I guess it gets in your DNA if you grow up with animals. But I'm speaking to everyone because the high temperatures affect the most vulnerable in our community, which the elderly, children, and of course animals. And I think a lot of people maybe don't realize that dogs especially can suffer from heat exhaustion and heat stroke if they're left out in the environment. you know, staring hot sun with no shade or shelter and of course without sufficient water. So even their little feet can get burned walking on hot sidewalks and pavement. So I just wanted to, you know, just remind people to be cognizant of their animals in the heat and make sure they have plenty of water and some shelter from the heat. And I understand that people get busy with their activities, work. I know, been there, done that. I'm retired, so I have a little bit more time to think about these things. But it's just that I just wanted to take a moment to make sure that... you know, people that do have the animals out in the backyard are just aware and take a few moments just to make sure that, you know, their animals are well hydrated and have some shelter from the heat. And another thing I wanted to mention is that I wondered if maybe the city council could put in the water bills just maybe public service announcement type things to remind people of things like this in the summer months when it gets so hot here, maybe whether it be children in cars and animals outside, those kinds of things. And I also, a story my vet shared with me, which is not easy to hear, but someone had moved away, left a dog chained up in the backyard. A water meter guy or a gas meter guy came to read the meter found the dog, took him to my vet, and he was so bad the vet couldn't save him. So that's one thing that, you know, people were so busy, but animals are living, breathing beings, and they deserve to be treated with kindness and compassion. And even if you don't love animals, it's just a basic, you know, thing that we should, as a civilized society, community, nation should, you know, take into account those most vulnerable segments of our society.

Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. Next, we will have Mr. Larry Daigle. Mr. Daigle, you have one minute. Please state your address for record.

Thank you, counsel. My name is Larry Daigle, and I live at 410 Park Street. And today I want to just, since I get one minute, I want to introduce to you my credentials. I have nearly two decades in data networks. I'm a former employee of AT&T, and I have a considerable amount of experience selling any and all types of data networks. You guys signed an agreement some four years ago with Flock Safety and they presented themselves as a license plate reader. I promise you with 100% certainty they are not a license plate reader. I've sent some people on this council an email from Wired Magazine titled Flock has a powerful new AI tool for police and we got its code. I encourage every one of you to read that article and process what's in there over the next two to three weeks. I also would caution the council that you have third-party organizations that are sucking this data up, and they have no authority to do that. People like Home Depot or Lowe's, they are not authorized to do that. You guys need to look into the legal ramifications.

Hold on a sec. Do you need more time, or are you done?

I'm good for now. I'll be back next time.

Thank you. That concludes our citizen comment portion of the agenda. We're now moving on to 2A. Consider approving the minutes of the City Council Work Session of Municipal Development District and City Council Joint Meeting held on July 23, 2026. I need a motion.

Motion to approve item 2A. Second.

All in favor? Aye. Any opposed? Motion carries. Now we are on to 3A, Recognitions and Communications. We're going to present a proclamation designating the month of September as Deaf Awareness Month. And I will invite counsel to join me if he would like after the presenting of this proclamation for a picture. Proclamation, City of Baytown for Deaf Awareness Month. Whereas Deaf Awareness Month started in 1958 with a focus on improving human rights of deaf individuals, expanding instruction in national sign languages, increasing access to education and ensuring access to information technology and service, and whereas the deaf population includes individuals born profoundly deaf who use American Sign Language, ASL, as their primary means of communication, as well as people with varying degrees of hearing loss who use hearing aids, assisted listening devices, or other forms of amplification and communication modes, and Whereas, according to research across all age groups, approximately 10 million people in the United States have hearing loss, including 1 million who are profoundly deaf, and more than half of those individuals are over 65 years of age, and whereas it is essential to ensure that people who are deaf have equal access to the many benefits and opportunities available in our community, and whereas people who identify as deaf belong to a cultural and linguistic community, with shared language, social norms, rules of behavior, and history, which continues to strengthen our commitment to supporting the Deaf community. Now, therefore, I, Charles Johnson, Mayor of Baytown, do hereby proclaim September of 2026 as Deaf Awareness Month in the City of Baytown and encourage all individuals to recognize the importance of fostering understanding and ensuring equal access for all members of our community.

I love you, Sam. There you go.

All right, here we go.

Hang on, let me take a couple more.

Hang on. Okay. Perfect. Excellent. This is Andy.

Hi, Andy.

Thank you so much. Thank you for coming out. Thank you.

Appreciate you.

Thank you. Appreciate you. Thank you. Thank you.

Give me a minute. Let me get out of here.

Thank you.

We have two recognitions if y'all do want to stay for, I mean, staff will present the recognitions, but they're, y'all are more than welcome to take photos with them.

Oh, y'all. So 3B is recognize Liam Stanner of the Baytown Youth Summer Track Program as the 2026 Texas Amateur Athletic Foundation TAAF Summer Games gold medalist, Mr. Clifford Hatch.

Well, good evening, Mayor and Council. THE NEXT TWO ITEMS ARE BOTH JUST CELEBRATORY MOMENTS FOR OUR ATHLETIC PROGRAMS, BOTH IN OUR RECREATION DIVISIONS AND IN OUR TOURISM DIVISION. WE ACTUALLY ARE GOING TO BRING OUR ATHLETIC COORDINATOR DAVID JOHNSON UP TO SAY A COUPLE OF WORDS.

DAVID JOHNSON, LIKE YOU SAID. The annual Baytown Summer Track Program is just one example of the steps taken towards Baytown's sports tourism initiative. Under the coaching from head track coach Ellsworth Baptiste, I'm gonna ask him for him to stand. I know he doesn't want to. Over 110 athletes performed in 20 local track meets in the Texas Amateur Athletic Federation. In the middle of July, over 20 participants from Baytown's Summer Track Program participated in the regional track meet. hosted at La Porte High School, and the results of that meet ensued. Ten Baytown athletes qualified for the Texas Amateur Athletic Federation statewide track and field meet in Bryan, Texas. Liam Stainer, Liam can stand now. I know he doesn't want to, but he can stand now. One of our Baytown athletes in the 16 and under division secured the gold medal in a high jump at the state meet with a height of six feet. We love the opportunity to celebrate Liam, Coach Baptiste, and the program's overall success. We'd love to set aside the time to take pictures.

Jump out of the jail. All right, here we go. One, two, three.

Six foot is not his PB, by the way.

His personal best is six foot eight.

six foot eight inches. So we took it easy on the rest of the kids at the statement.

I'm going to say that

I've actually seen him in action. I actually coached against him last year in basketball, and there was no stopping that young man. He can literally jump out the gym.

Mayor, when he was really little, I had the pleasure of being front row seat as I would watch him jump trash cans when he was about two. I'm not kidding. His brother played soccer, and while brother was on the soccer field, Liam was, little did he know, he was practicing for all these gold medals. Right, right.

Was he doing that in our parks? Yes.

There you go. It's really good to see a local Baytown guy staying around and helping develop the talent, too. I went to junior high with Mr. Baptiste, and he's always giving back to the community.

And one other question real quick, since this is an important week in our city. What high school do you attend?

Say that a little bit louder.

Next, 3C, we're going to recognize the Baytown Bulkheads baseball team as inaugural Cowboy Collegiate League champions. Mr. Clifford Hatch.

Welcome.

Mr. David Johnson. I'm going to hop in for Cliff's sake.

This summer also included another major sports tourism opportunity through our connection with the Baytown Bulkheads Collegiate Baseball Team. Tonight, we welcome three members of the team, General Manager Melina Belomo, alongside local players Dylan Marbury and Joshua Anderson. Melina Belomo is the sole female general manager in the Cowboy Collegiate League and guided the inaugural Baytown Bulkheads season to clinch not only a Southern Division title, but the Cowboy Collegiate League Championship as well. The champions were crowned right here in Baytown at Jenkins Park on Thursday, August 6th. Joining Melina tonight is Dylan Marbury, who currently plays baseball for Alvin Community College, and Joshua Anderson, who can also stand. I'm sorry. Joshua Anderson was formerly a student at Chattanooga Community College. Both played a pivotal role throughout the season and in the championship, from Dylan's grand slam that helped the bulkheads secure a playoff berth to Joshua Anderson's rotational pitching experience in the playoffs. While Joshua's playing career has come to an end with a championship, he plans to return to the bulkheads next summer and join the pitching staff to try and secure back-to-back championships. The bulkhead season was not only a success on the field, but a great reminder of the community impact off the field as well, with the organization employing several interns from Baytown to learn sports management operations, and a Baytown family hosting a player this summer. We want to congratulate Melina, Dylan, Joshua, the entire bulkheads organization, all of the players and the supporters who contributed to this championship season. And we look forward to continuing to support the bulkheads as they build on this tremendous first season and begin an exciting second year in our community. And they have brought the championship trophy for the picture as well.

I don't know.

Okay, here we go. One, two, three.

Thank you.

Okay, we have several public hearings today and the purpose of these public hearings are being held to give all interested citizens the right to express their views regarding the subject of the public hearing. Everyone desiring to be a part of today's hearing should have either signed the appropriate list in the foyer or emailed the city clerk prior to the post the time of this meeting. Each participant shall give his or her name and address in order to provide a proper record of this hearing. The rules allow each person Three minutes to present information. However, I encourage everyone to be as brief and to the point as possible. If you are a group of persons wishing to address the council on the same subject, please select a spokesperson to present the information. And if anyone has any questions, please direct them to me. For A, consider a public hearing concerning the city of Baytown fiscal year 2026-2027 proposed municipal budget. It is now 7 p.m. AND I NOW CALL TO ORDER THE PUBLIC HEARING CONCERNING THE CITY OF BAYTOWN FISCAL YEAR 2026-2027 MUNICIPAL BUDGET. MS. WELL, NOPE, WE'RE NOT DOING THAT. IS THERE ANYONE DESIRING, NO ONE? ANYONE APPEAR ON COUNCIL? NOTHING AT ALL? GOOD DEAL. We are going on, well, there being no one desiring to speak, I now close this public hearing at 7.01 p.m. concerning the City of Baytown Fiscal Year 2026-2027 proposed municipal budget. 5A, conduct a public hearing regarding the proposed voluntary annexation of approximately 60 acres at 5359 East Grand Parkway South. It is now 7.01 p.m. And I call to order the public hearing regarding the proposed voluntary annexation of approximately 60 acres at 5359 East Grand Parkway South. I'd like now to ask staff to summarize the subject of this public hearing. I thought you were trying to hide back there for a minute. Martin Scribner.

Good evening, Mayor and Council. For the record, Martin Scribner, Planning and Development Services. If you've looked at the next page of the agenda, you will see that the whole thing is pretty much Planning and Development Services. So we're going to try and get through this as easily as we can. But in order to get through it, Calvin and I are going to kind of tag team on some of these items. So the first item AS THE MAYOR MENTIONED, THIS IS ANNEXATION OF 60 ACRES AT 5359 EAST GRAND PARKWAY. THIS IS THE BAWA EAST FACILITY. THERE IS NOT MUCH TO REALLY PRESENT HERE OTHER THAN THE CITY OWNS THIS PROPERTY, WELL, TECHNICALLY BAWA OWNS THIS PROPERTY, AND WE ARE TRYING TO BRING THIS INTO THE CITY LIMITS. as it is not as of right now. The future land use map does show this as being industrial use in the surrounding area. Other than that, that concludes my presentation. I'm happy to answer any questions.

Any questions or comments? Good deal. There being no one desiring to speak, I now close this public hearing at 7.03 p.m. regarding the proposed voluntary annexation of approximately 60 acres at 5359 East Grand Parkway South. 5B, conduct a public hearing concerning an amendment to the Baytown 2040 Comprehensive Plan to add text to the Future Land Use Plan and the Future Land Use Map. It is now 7.03 p.m. and I call to order this public hearing concerning an amendment to the Baytown 2040 Comprehensive Plan to add text to the Future Land Use Plan or FLUM and the Future Land Use Map. FLUM. I'D LIKE NOW TO ASK STAFF TO SUMMARIZE THE SUBJECT OF THIS PUBLIC HEARING, MR. CALVIN ABRAM.

THANK YOU, MAYOR AND CITY COUNCIL MEMBER. CALVIN ABRAM, CITY OF PLANNING AND DEVELOPMENT SERVICES. Bringing before you today is an amendment to the City of Baytown 2040 Comprehensive Plan. It has been brought to our attention that state law may change and it may have some impacts on our extraterritorial jurisdiction area. So we're moving forward this amendment to our comp plan to allow us to have more flexibility when those changes come because they may impact the ETJ area of municipalities. The 2040 comp plan or a comp plan, the purpose of it is to guide development over the next 10 to 20 years for a municipality. So within that comp plan, what we are doing is we're asking to amend THE FUTURE LAND USE PLAN, AND THE PORTION IN THE FUTURE LAND USE PLAN WE'RE IDENTIFYING IS WITHIN THE LOCATION CRITERIA, AND THAT IS THE LARGE SCALE DEVELOPMENT, INDUSTRIAL DEVELOPMENT, AND HIGH INDUSTRIAL DEVELOPMENT. WHAT WE'RE ASKING IS TO ADD LANGUAGE TO THOSE LOCATION CRITERIA AREAS THAT WILL SAY Large-scale development may be given priority over land use category designations. And under the heavy industrial land use category designation, there's a paragraph. Within that paragraph, we're asking to add a sentence within that. And that sentence will say, if necessary, additional industrial district areas may be established within the city of Baytown's ETJ. In addition to the text and the comp plan for the future land use plan, we're also asking to add a third note to the future land use map. That third note will read, when making decisions in the ETJ, large-scale development shall be given priority. Why are we doing this? We're doing this to allow the city to have more flexibility and being able to better navigate CHANGES THAT MAY COME FROM A CHANGE IN THE TEXAS STATE LAW IN ADDITION TO RECENT TRENDS IN DEVELOPMENT WITHIN THE CITY OF BAYTOWN. WITH THAT BEING SAID, THE PLANNING AND ZONING COMMISSION RECOMMENDED APPROVAL OF THESE CHANGES AND STAFF IS ALSO RECOMMENDING APPROVAL OF THESE CHANGES. THIS CONCLUDES MY PRESENTATION. IF YOU HAVE ANYTHING, ANY QUESTIONS, I'M HERE TO ANSWER.

QUESTIONS OR COMMENTS? YES, MA'AM.

THANK YOU FOR ALL OF YOUR WORK. JUST WHEN I THOUGHT I HAD SEEN EVERY ACRONYM KNOWN TO MAN, NOW NOT ONLY DO YOU PLAN THE CITY, BUT YOU FLIP AND FLUMMET, HUH? MAY I GET YOU A PLAQUE OR SOMETHING FOR YOUR OFFICE? ANYWAYS, GOOD JOB ON ALL OF THIS. I KNOW YOU ALL WORK HARD, AND IT IS GOING TO BE A BUSY NIGHT FOR YOU GUYS WITH THIS AGENDA.

Since I didn't get picky on the budget, I'm going to get picky on the wording. On the last one you had, when making land use decisions within the ETJ large-scale development, shall be given or may be given? You have may be given, and it's a big difference.

I understand. Shall be given.

Okay, because you have... In the write-up you have it as may be given. I understand. But you're saying it should be shall be given.

That is correct. The ordinance identifies it as shall.

Go ahead. I mean, that's a significant catch because may means there's some options, but shall means there is no option.

So why may instead of shall?

In terms of Mayor Schell, in this instance, what we would be looking at is the development that's brought before us. So we just wanted to make certain that it was known that if a development of a larger scale nature was brought to our ETJ, we would consider it. So we were just trying to provide that confidence to potential developers within that area that we would take in consideration something that has a larger scale nature within our ETJ.

And this is for, you said, high industrial and what else?

Large-scale development.

Large-scale development, so that could be residential development also?

Well, that's typically general commercial. So that's the larger-scale nature.

And judging from this map, where is most of our ETJ now? Is it north of I-10? Mm-hmm.

I'm sorry, Mayor.

Most of our ETJ is going to be north of I-10 is what I'm asking.

Yes.

So that means we'd be looking at that area there being high industrial or THE OTHER THINGS THAT YOU SAID. WHAT WERE THOSE OTHER THINGS AGAIN?

A LARGE SCALE DEVELOPMENT. THAT'S IF A DEVELOPER WANTED TO ANNEX WITHIN THE CITY, THAT WOULD THEN GIVE US THE ABILITY TO TAKE THAT INTO CONSIDERATION. AND IF THEY ANNEXED IN, THEN THAT WOULD ALLOW US OUR UNIFIED LAND DEVELOPMENT CODE TO PROVIDE SETBACKS AND OTHER TYPE OF REGULATIONS ONTO THAT DEVELOPMENT.

OKAY. I MEAN, I CAN UNDERSTAND, MIKE, WHY YOU ASKED THE QUESTION. THAT WORDING DOES MAKE A BIG DIFFERENCE, ESPECIALLY WITH THE TYPE OF DEVELOPMENT THAT CAN COME IN.

AND THAT'S WHERE OUR ETJ IS. MAYOR AND COUNCIL, BEFORE WE GET TOO FAR.

I AM STUNNED, BUT I'M GOING TO FINISH MY COMMENTS. We have a lot of development going on north of I-10 right now. One of the newer neighborhoods is going on there and three of our newer neighborhoods have come in north of I-10. That's actually the area that I stay in. So I can echo your concern and would like to hear from the rest of council.

And Mayor, my comment was I was reading the information was provided, the ordinance actually has, and my colleague pointed out, actually has shall, but in one part of the presentation it says may, and then the ordinance says shall. I just wanted to make sure We were clear as to is it may or shall, and he's clarified, and the ordinance itself has shall. So I'm good with it. I just saw a little disparity there and just wanted to be clear what we were talking about. I'm good with the reasoning.

I think it's a good catch, but since you brought it, I think that for the sake of everyone that's going to see this, that it's understood what's actually going on and why you questioned what you questioned. Yeah. Yeah.

John?

Yes, Mayor and Council, I was trying to jump in because I think there's confusion. This is not forcing industrial buildings to go into the north side at all. This is a protection method from the city of Baytown to not be overtaken by the state. And our ETJ is basically everything you see here that is not yellow, red, orange, or green. Even the stuff that's on the, I'm sorry, I don't know what the color is, purple or blue or whatever that is. That is still ETJ. So everything, almost all of Chambers County is still ETJ. And then all that purple-blue, even in the middle, is still ETJ. So it pertains to everything there, but it's not meant to just say industry is going in there.

So that means that we can still get residential in those areas if needed?

Yes, sir. Yeah, I think, I mean, looking at the ordinance itself, the text of it is in 5C, but... where it says when making decisions within the ETJ, large-scale development shall be given priority. That's not the only line. There's other stipulations there. So it says it should be like light industrial, heavy industrial should be located along an arterial roadway or freeway. Some uses may need direct rail service. Should not be located within 1,000 feet of residential uses. On the heavy side, light is within 400 feet. There's going to be other restrictions in place that keep it from being right on top of existing residential.

Anyone else? Good deal. We don't have anyone signed up to speak. So we're going to close this public hearing at 7.13 p.m. concerning the amendment to the 2040 Comprehensive Plan to add text to the future land use plan and the future land use map. On to 5C, consider an ordinance authorizing a request to amend the notes included in the future land use map and the text within the location criteria of the future land use plan's large-scale development, light industrial and heavy industrial language. I need a motion.

So moved.

Second. All in favor? Aye. Any opposed? Motion carries. On to 5D. Conduct the first public hearing regarding the proposed limited purpose annexation through a strategic partnership agreement for approximately 78.952 acres of land in the city's extraterritorial ETJ, generally located east of North Main Street, west of Hayden Road, and approximately 2,500 feet north of East Wallaceville Road. It is now 7.14 p.m., and I call to order the first public hearing regarding the proposed limited-purpose annexation through a strategic partnership agreement for approximately 78.952 acres of land in the city's ETJ. generally located east of North Main Street, west of Hayden Road, and approximately 2,500 feet north of East Wallaceville Road. I'm now going to ask that staff summarize the subject of this public hearing. Mr. Calvin Abram.

Thank you again, Mayor, City Council. This is being brought before you because This was ultimately a part of a larger track of the Friend Woods development. This track was approximately 306 acres. However, we didn't properly notice the original annexation correctly. THEREFORE, WE BROKE THE ANNEXATION UP INTO TWO PHASES, PHASE 1 AND PHASE 2. WHAT YOU HAVE BEFORE YOU IS PHASE 2. PHASE 2 CONSISTS OF TRACKS 9 THROUGH 11, AND IT'S APPROXIMATELY 78.9 ACRES. AND AS OUR MAYOR HAS IDENTIFIED, THIS TRACK OF LAND IS EAST OF NORTH MAINE STREET, NORTH OF EAST WALLACEVILLE ROAD, AND WEST OF HATTON ROAD. The slide that you see in front of you is Phases 1 and 2. Phase 2 would be the west or the left. I mean, I'm sorry, Phase 1 would be the west or the left. That is the larger tract that we didn't necessarily notice correctly. Therefore, the Phase 2 portion is what was being brought before you today. What you see in the hash is the portion that we are asking to be annexed as a public hearing one and two that's being brought before you today. With that being said, this concludes my presentation. This is, in essence, the phase two or the second portion of a revision we'll talk about later. This concludes my presentation. If you have any questions, I'm here to answer them.

Any questions or comments? None. We don't have anyone signed up to speak. So I now close this public hearing at 7.16 p.m. regarding the proposed limited-purpose annexation through a strategic partnership agreement of approximately 78.952 acres of land in the city's ETJ, generally located east of North Main Street, west of Hayden Road, and approximately 2,500 feet north. of East Wallaceville Road. 5E, conduct a second public hearing regarding the proposed limited purpose annexation through a strategic partnership agreement for approximately 78.952 acres of land in the city's extraterritorial jurisdiction generally located east of North Main Street west of Hayden Road and approximately 2,500 feet north of East Wallaceville Road. It is now 7.17 p.m., and I call to order the second public hearing regarding the proposed limited-purpose annexation through the Strategic Partnership Agreement of approximately 78.952 acres of land in the city's ETJ, generally located east of North Main Street, west of Hayden Road, and approximately 2,500 feet north of East Wallaceville Road. I'm going to ask staff again to summarize the subject of this public hearing. Mr. Abram.

Thank you, Mayor and City Councilman. I will make the same presentation that I just made. So that concludes my presentation. I'm here to answer any questions.

Any questions or comments? If not, I'll now close this public hearing at 7.18 p.m. regarding the proposed limited-purpose annexation through a strategic partnership agreement for approximately 78.952 acres of land in the city's ETJ, generally located east of North Main Street and west of Hayden Road and approximately 2,500 feet north of East Wallaceville Road. Bob Elf, consider an ordinance repealing and replacing Ordinance No. 16514 to call the first reading of the proposed limited-purpose annexation of approximately 278.021 acres located generally east of Garth Road, west of North Main Street, and north of East Wallaceville Road, and ratifying previous actions taken in regard to the limited-purpose annexation. I need a motion. Motion to approve. ALL IN FAVOR? AYE. ANY OPPOSED? MOTION CARRIES. 5G, CONDUCT A PUBLIC HEARING CONCERNING A REQUEST TO AMEND THE OFFICIAL ZONING MAP BY REZONING APPROXIMATELY 11 ACRES OF LAND LOCATED SOUTH OF East Interstate Highway 10 and east of Showlander Road at 8000 East Interstate Highway 10 from Freeway Commercial Zoning District to a Light Industrial Zoning District. It is now 719 p.m. and I call to order this public hearing concerning a request to amend the official zoning map by rezoning approximately 11 acres of land located south of East Interstate Highway 10 and east of Showlander Road at 8000 East INTERSTATE HIGHWAY 10 FROM THE FREEWAY COMMERCIAL ZONING DISTRICT TO A LIGHT INDUSTRIAL ZONING DISTRICT. NOW I'M GOING TO ASK STAFF TO SUMMARIZE THE SUBJECT OF THIS PUBLIC HEARING. MR. SCRIBNER.

THANK YOU, MAYOR. AS MENTIONED, THIS IS AN 11-ACRE PARCEL ON EAST INTERSTATE 10. THIS IS AT 8,000 EAST INTERSTATE 10, AND AS YOU CAN SEE, The property currently is zoned freeway commercial and the applicant is requesting a rezone to light industrial for this property to make way for some smaller warehouses. Here's the proposed zoning. You can see that the hatched area is gray, which is our light industrial. You can see that the area surrounding that is the orange, which is a freeway commercial. You see a little bit of red on the corner of Shorelander and Needlepoint that is general commercial. All along the rest of Needlepoint Road is a suburban residential, which is a quarter-acre lot. As well, as you can see, on the west side of Showlander, there is a current property that is zoned industrial. And also to the east of this property, you can kind of see the corner of it there, is also some light industrial property there as well. The future land use map does show this property as large-scale commercial over the foreseeable future. As you can see, surrounded by large-scale commercial. And then, again, you can kind of see those other areas that are residential and the purple that's light industrial. Just to show you what the property looks like, this is the property facing south along Showlander. This is facing north along Showlander towards the interstate. This is facing west along I-10. And this is facing east along I-10. So you can see that the property is vacant at the moment. So you can see what is allowed by light industrial designation. You see the land use table on the screen right now. You see everything that's boxed in red. That is our light industrial category. You'll see that there are a few things like CONTRACTOR SHOP, EQUIPMENT SALES, MICROMANUFACTURING SUPPLY HOUSE. YOU WILL SEE EXCAVATION, WAREHOUSE AND FREIGHT, SOME RECYCLING CENTERS THAT ARE LIMITED, AND OTHER WASTE-RELATED USES. YOU WILL ALSO SEE THAT IF THIS IS ZONED TO LIGHT INDUSTRIAL, THERE ARE SOME DISTRICT BUFFER YARD STANDARDS THAT WILL BUFFER IT FROM OTHER DISTRICTS. and this is the site plan that was given to us by the applicant remember i'm showing to this to you tonight as a sort of illustrative purpose because they're rezoning to a straight light industrial zone this we can't necessarily hold them to this but we wanted everybody to get an idea of what it was they were planning to do with the property so this went to the planning zoning commission uh On July 21st, I did receive a 7-0 vote recommending denial of this application, as well as staff recommended denial. At the public hearing, we did have one neighbor show up to speak against this item, stating he was concerned about the proposed use and its proximity to his house and the neighborhood. We did have one online comment regarding discrepancies in the public notice was sent out. We had some changes in the application that happened midstream. Once we were made aware of that, we sent out a second round of public notices, so that was already covered. They also commented that they were requesting denial because of the proximity to residential. You'll see in the staff report that there are three main reasons that staff and Planning and Zoning Commission recommended denial of this. The first is quality of life. Protecting the character and stability of that that general area but really what it comes down to is The proximity to the residential neighborhood that's there to the south there is a in the location criteria and the comp plan in the future land use plan and that states that light industrial should not be located within 400 feet of residential uses. This would obviously be within that area. And so again, staff and the Commission are recommending denial. That concludes my presentation. I'm happy to answer any questions.

I have a question, Martin. Because there is the LI just to the east, right? Correct. So was that not also within 400 feet?

I can't speak to when that rezone was done. I'm not sure. It was done, I'm pretty sure it was done before this comprehensive plan was written. Okay. So I'm not sure if the previous comp plan had that stipulation. Okay. Thank you.

Anyone else? Can we go back to the picture with the property, the zoning? Oh, I didn't see that little corner up there. And that property up there, that goes all the way down to the residential there?

Which property?

The one that's the top right corner, the little. This one here? Yes, sir.

I BELIEVE THERE WAS AN EXISTING USE THAT WAS THERE. I DON'T KNOW HOW LONG THAT USE HAS BEEN THERE. I DON'T THINK IT'S PART OF THE OTHER USE.

YEAH. THERE'S A SMALL PLANT THERE, AND THEN THAT OTHER PROPERTY UP ABOVE IS WAREHOUSING THAT RUNS DOWN TOWARDS THAT RAIL CROSSING.

WHAT, THIS ONE UP THERE?

YEAH.

OKAY.

OKAY.

THAT'S WHERE THE TREES USED TO ALBANYE. I THINK THAT WAS LONG TIME AGO.

Okay. All right. Any other questions or comments?

I've got a question. Martin, it says subject property here, but can you put the one that shows the gray? Okay. THAT ONE? THAT ONE, AGAIN, THAT'S THE SUBJECT PROPERTY IN THE GRAVE, THE STRIPES. THE TAN PROPERTY, IS THAT PART OF THAT DEVELOPMENT OR IS THAT SEPARATE PROPERTY?

IT IS SEPARATE PROPERTY. THE ORIGINAL REQUEST, AND THIS IS WHAT KIND OF THREW EVERYBODY FOR A LOOP A WHILE BACK, THE ORIGINAL REQUEST WAS FOR THAT ENTIRE 25 OR 26 ACRES. WHEN THEY CAME BACK TO PLAYING ZONING COMMISSION, THEY SAID THEY WERE REDUCING IT TO THIS 11 ACRES INSTEAD.

OKAY. AND NOW SHOW ME THE PROPOSED PLAN. YEAH, SO THAT LOOKS LIKE THE TOP PORTION IS THE 11 ACRES AND THEN THEY'RE GOING TO PUT THE I GUESS IT'S THE DETENTION PONDER THING ELSE TOWARDS THE RESIDENTIAL SIDE. Yes. So is that their property or are they just wanting that? Again, I'm confused. Are they going to develop the whole parcel or just the 11 acres?

So the reason concerns this 11 acres.

Yes.

The rest of it is freeway commercial. If you're looking at this particular, and again, this is a concept plan. Yeah, concept. So what you're looking at is that southern portion as well as the western portion is zone freeway commercial. What you're looking at on the western portion looks to be a gas station and convenience store and probably a car wash. And then the southern portion is just detention. So they don't need an industrial zoning for that type of use.

Okay. Mike, to answer your question directly, Mr. Lester, to answer your question directly, when this was originally proposed, it was all of it, as Martin just said, right? They're trying to, because that's when we had conversations about putting the road through so that people on Hunters Creek could have a different access point. I think they pulled that after going to P&Z last time, and then they created basically a buffer without having to do the entire lot as light industrial. And so for the development, they would my opinion. They're showing you what the entire development will be. They would just get this first one zoned appropriately and then buy the rest of the tract and that's where their detention would go. And that way they're not having a light industrial zoning directly on Needlepoint Road.

Okay. Okay. So they don't own that part of the property just yet?

Not yet, right? But it's part of the overall development here because staff was working with them to try to get a road on the eastern portion that you see on here because one of the major complaints that I get still is everybody that lives on Needle Point, there's only one way out of that entire neighborhood.

Yeah, that was going to be my comment on this. And I understand why P&Z staff, I mean, looking at, the standards that y'all have. I think we're going to be a bit challenged to get anything there beyond this. You're not going to get You're not going to get shopping centers and things of that nature. We know that. That's how retail studies where they want to build. They draw a radius. If you draw a radius around this lot, you have those houses to the south, but the whole north is Chevron Phillips and open land. There's just not enough residents in the radius around here to... justify commercial going here. I mean, as you head, it's not even a, you rarely drive past this, right? Because if you're on the feeder and you continue east, it's a dead end. The feeder doesn't cross over the tracks there. And so, it's very few, the vehicle counts are bad, which is another thing that retail's going to look at. So, I mean, in some cases, we had this, you know, the property down, it was a small warehouse down on 99 that, you know, we voted down. We may get something else that we like even less in the future, right? So sometimes I feel like you have to take the best thing you can get. I would like staff to, I'm not prepared to vote for this tonight. I would like staff to continue conversations with them and see because I know if we approve it, they we approve the zoning, they can really build whatever they want. And we've seen that, right? We see proposed drawings, we approve the rezone, and then we get something completely different that fits within zoning, and we don't have a leg to stand on to hold them to this picture. But I know we have other ways we can, whether it be some type of development agreement or overlay, you'll have to forgive me if I don't know the exact term we need to use here but I would like staff to continue talking with them to see if they'd be willing to put some kind of easement on the on that east side like I said this you know it may be the best thing we can get obviously those residents aren't you know Probably they don't want a warehouse that close. That's not what they would pick, but I think we're going to be limited in what we can get. But if we can get that second egress, like the city manager mentioned, that's the thing that... We even talked about it when the warehouses were built to the east of here. We were hoping to get it from that development because, yeah, this entire neighborhood, if an accident happens down there on Showlander and Needle Point, I mean, they're stuck in or... Folks are stuck out of the neighborhood. You know, if an accident happens there and someone has an emergency inside the neighborhood, emergency vehicles can't get in. So, you know, if we could get a second ingress and egress for the neighborhood, I think it would be, you know, a good compromise here. So if y'all could continue those conversations with them.

I'm going to agree with you on that. My question, Mike, I do appreciate you asking the question because I thought that all of this was going to be it. But knowing that this is the plan for the 11 acres, opportunity to purchase this as a buffer and the second egress, Laura and I worked on another neighborhood that had one egress and it took something unfortunate happening before. There was a partnership with another government body to get that street there. You remember that? And if we can get the developer to consider that, I think that would be great. And I think the residents, like you said, would really appreciate that. So I'm going to say you have something.

What was the overall feedback from planning and zoning when it came to this? What was their reserves?

IT REALLY WAS MOSTLY ABOUT THAT RESIDENTIAL NEIGHBORHOOD TO THE SOUTH AND PUTTING SOMETHING OF THIS NATURE THAT CLOSE TO IT. YOU KNOW THE PLANNING AND ZONING COMMISSION HAS ALSO HAD EXTENSIVE CONVERSATIONS ABOUT WAREHOUSES ALONG I-10 AND JUST THE VISUAL THAT THAT CREATES. SO THAT'S ALWAYS AN ONGOING CONCERN FOR THAT BODY AS WELL. I think just to comment on Councilmember Powell's comments, if you've been around for a while, we've seen how many applications for this property, and it has been a challenge, no doubt. So as staff looked at this, as Planning and Zoning Commission looked at it, as we looked at the criteria in the comp plan, just the direction it took everybody.

well yeah I guess um I mean I don't know how much I know Martin I'm kind of asked to have to continue conversations but if we were to table this mr. Powell I mean just before from the economic development side we can if there's going to be an ingress egress THAT WOULD BE A PUBLIC ROAD AT THAT POINT. IT MAY BE BEST IF THE STAFF WORKS WITH A DEVELOPMENT AGREEMENT TO DO SOMETHING HERE THAT'S ADDRESSING THE INGRESS-EGRESS. AND THAT GIVES US A LITTLE BIT MORE LEEWAY ON BUFFERING ON THE BACK SIDE THAT CAN BE PUT IN AS WELL. AND WORKING WITH ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT AND PLANNING SIDE, WE CAN REALLY DO SOMETHING. AS YOU'RE THINKING OF YOUR MOTION, JUST...

OKAY. WOULD AN ALTERATION TO THIS GO THROUGH PLANNING AND ZONING BEFORE IT COMES BACK TO US? BECAUSE THEY NEED TO SEE THIS AS WELL, WHATEVER GOES BACK, I THINK THEY NEED TO SEE THAT AND WEIGH IN ON THAT AS WELL.

IF THERE'S A SUBSTANTIAL USE IN THE PLAN ITSELF, LIKE IN THE USES AND THINGS LIKE THAT, I WOULD TEND TO AGREE WITH YOU. IN THIS CASE, IF IT'S ABOUT THAT ROADWAY, I DON'T KNOW THAT IT WARRANTS TAKING IT BACK THROUGH THAT PROCESS, ESPECIALLY IF IT'S THROUGH A DEVELOPMENT AGREEMENT. PLANNING ZONING COMMISSION DOESN'T HAVE ANY INVOLVEMENT IN THAT. But if they came back and said, we need to change the whole site plan and do some different uses, then absolutely we would take it back.

Good deal. I have just one question. Yes, ma'am. Sorry. A clarification.

The 11 acres encompasses just where the development is, or does that include the pond, the detention pond? No, no pond. Just the site plan of the warehouse.

They're going to end up needing that because there's a ratio that they have to put for the pond. Any impervious they take out, they're going to need to use that land just to build a pond, period.

I understand.

Yeah, you can see here there's the existing gas station in the corner. And then this is that area that they're proposing in the concept plan as detention and basically open space.

I think provide road like is a good neighbor gesture also to help out a little bit to that. But yeah, that pond's going to be bigger than that.

And Mayor, that's kind of what I was trying to point out. If you look at what's on the screen now, the closest point there is roughly maybe a little less than 300 feet, 400 foot is the key. So they're a little short, but if we got a development agreement that allowed us to have an egress, a road, and maybe some additional buffering trees and stuff right along Needle Point to kind of block the view, we might be able to work something out. I mean, if it was just a little bit wider, they'd be able to do it. They'd be within that 400 foot. The widest point down here, I think, is 400 foot.

It could be.

Roughly. But that western corner there is less than 400 but it's again if we get a roadway out of it with some additional screening it might be a little more palatable to the neighborhood as well because then they have a second egress a little additional you know something so I agree with my colleague you know just like tonight I'm not willing to support it but I'd like to see some additional discussion and see if we can work something that's a little more palatable And a little bit more concrete as far as, as you indicated, we see nice pictures all the time and it just doesn't come to fruition.

As a heads up, I think as Mr. Reynolds mentioned, possibly a development agreement to handle that roadway, the possible dedication of a roadway. If there's any changes that affect the zoning, such as additional buffering, things like that, we may have to take them through a different process and start over. So if you don't see it come back, that's probably what happened at that point.

Yeah. Yes, sir. Did we close the public hearing? Yeah, we're still in public hearing.

Oh, yeah, we are.

You'll do it on the next one.

Okay, yeah. Anyone else desiring to speak? Good deal. There being no one else desiring to speak, I'll close this public hearing at 7.39 p.m. concerning the request to amend the official zoning map by rezoning approximately 11 acres of land located south of East Interstate Highway 10 and east of Shorelander Road at 8000 East Interstate Highway 10 from Freeway Commercial Zoning District to Light Industrial Zoning District. Now we are on to H. Consider an ordinance authorizing a request to amend the official zoning map to rezone approximately 11 acres of land located on the south side of Interstate Highway 10 east of Shorelander Road at 8000 East Interstate Highway 10 from the freeway commercial zoning district to a light industrial zoning district. I need a motion.

Question here. Do we need a motion? I mean, if we don't take action tonight, what would I MEAN, I THINK THERE'S A CONSENSUS FOR STAFF TO CONTINUE TALKING WITH THEM. DO YOU NEED A MOTION FOR THAT?

I HAVE GENERAL DIRECTION ON THAT. I HAVE GENERAL DIRECTION. IT'S BEEN SET ON THE RECORD.

OKAY. SO WE DON'T HAVE TO TABLE IT OR ANYTHING?

YOU JUST TAKE NO ACTION. IF YOU WERE TO TAKE A VOTE AND IT FAILED, THEN YOU DO HAVE YOUR PROCEDURE.

GOT YOU. GOT YOU. WE'RE NOT GOING TO TAKE ANY ACTION ON THIS ITEM. They can bring them back soon. Yeah, whenever.

Whenever they're ready.

Okay, aye. Aye. The applicant has withdrawn the application, so no action is needed at this time on I. Same thing with J. The applicant has withdrawn their application. No action is needed at this time, so we're going on to K. Conduct a public hearing concerning a request to approve a special use permit on approximately 31.124 acres located at 101. 108 Old Needle Point Road to allow for the development of a multi-family apartment dwellings to be designed as stand-alone rental apartment units within the Freeway Commercial Zoning District. It is now 7.41 p.m. and I call to order this public hearing concerning a request to approve a special use permit on approximately 31.124 acres of land located at 1010 8. Old Needle Point Road to allow for the development of multi-family apartment dwellings to be designed as stand-alone rental apartment units within the Freeway Commercial Zoning District. Now I'm going to ask staff to summarize the subject of this public hearing. Mr. Scribner.

Thank you, Mayor. THIS ONE'S GOING TO GET A LITTLE BIT CONFUSING, SO I WANT TO MAKE SURE THAT EVERYBODY IS FOLLOWING ME ON THIS ONE. SO THE LOCATION, AGAIN, IS JUST ON OLD NEEDLEPOINT ROAD. THIS IS PART OF CHAMBERS COMMONS DEVELOPMENT. THIS IS JUST SOUTH OF THE NEW APARTMENT COMPLEX THAT'S RIGHT THERE AT CEDAR CROSSING STREET AND CHAMBERS COMMONS DRIVE. THE CONFUSING PART IS WHY THIS IS IN FRONT OF YOU. THIS IS IN THE FREEWAY COMMERCIAL ZONE, WHICH DOES ALLOW FOR APARTMENTS. THE DEVELOPMENT THAT IS BEING PROPOSED IS NOT STRICTLY APARTMENTS. IT DOESN'T MATCH THE DEFINITION OF APARTMENTS THAT'S IN OUR CODE. SO THAT SAID, AGAIN, APARTMENTS ARE ALREADY JUST YOUR STRAIGHT GARDEN APARTMENTS ARE ALREADY ALLOWED BY RIGHT. SO THIS WOULD INCLUDE SOME ACTUAL GARDEN APARTMENTS BUT ALSO SOME OTHER TYPES OF RESIDENTIAL UNITS SUCH AS SOME QUADS, SOME DUPLEXES, AND I BELIEVE THERE'S SOME SINGLE COTTAGES WITH THAT. as well. If you're familiar with the newer development that's like this, it's over on Hunt Road. This is Mr. Crawford's development. This is also his development. So it has a similar feel to it, but it does include some garden apartments, which the other one does not. So in order to make sure that this kind of fit the mold of what the code is calling for here, we felt that the special use permit was the best way to go. This also would allow for some conditions as part of that. If if City Council decides that there's something specific they want in there then that's something that we can discuss as part of this as well so with that again I mentioned this is in a freeway commercial zone the area around it is freeway commercial except for those couple of green areas there that are open space recreation and one of those is is a I BELIEVE THERE'S AN EASEMENT THERE FOR OTHER STUFF. YOU'LL SEE THAT THE RED IS GENERAL COMMERCIAL. THE PURPLE IS INDUSTRIAL. AS WE LOOK AT THE FUTURE LAND USE MAP, IT DOES CALL FOR LARGE-SCALE COMMERCIAL, BUT THIS IS ALSO ONE OF THOSE DEALS WHERE WE TALK ABOUT THOSE LOCATION CRITERIA THAT ARE PART OF THE COMPREHENSIVE PLAN. IN THE COMPREHENSIVE PLAN, IT CALLS FOR IF YOU CAN MEET CERTAIN CRITERIA, THEN YOU CAN PUT APARTMENTS IN THIS AREA. THIS DOES MEET THOSE CRITERIA. YOU CAN SEE THAT THE AREA HERE IS VACANT AT THE MOMENT. THIS IS FACING SOUTHWEST ON OLD NEEDLE POINT. THIS IS FACING SOUTH ON OLD NEEDLE POINT. AS YOU CAN SEE AGAIN VACANT WITH A COUPLE OF LOOKS LIKE THERE'S A HOUSE BEHIND AND ANOTHER STRUCTURE ON THE OTHER SIDE.

And that's our new lift station there.

And a lift station. There you go. So, again, this is just showing the consolidated land use table. It's showing that the – it says apartment dwellings are allowed by right in freeway commercial. So, again, if the applicant wanted to just put in apartments, he could do that. What he's asking for is something that has more variety than that and is something that we think is worthwhile of that property. This is the concept plan. So again, so now that we're talking about a special use permit, we can actually say we want the final product to look, what we usually say is that we want it to look substantially similar to this. That way it gives us a little bit of flexibility, gives the applicant a little bit of flexibility as long as it looks like this. As you can see, north is kind of pointing to the right. And you see that there is a mixture of different types of homes. There's some studio homes, some one-bedroom homes, two-bedroom, three-bedroom, and these are all in different configurations as, again, some of them are singles, duplexes, quads. Are there any sixes in this one, Tim? Some sixplexes as well. And then you'll see the two large yellow ones, which are more of a kind of standard three-story apartment building type. THESE ARE THE RENDERINGS THAT OUR APPLICANT HAS SUBMITTED AS PART OF HIS PACKAGE. AND SO THIS WENT TO PLANNING THE ZONING COMMISSION FOR PUBLIC HEARING ON JULY 21ST. WE DID HAVE A 7 TO 0 VOTE IN FAVOR OF APPROVAL OF THE SPECIAL USE PERMIT. STAFF IS ALSO IN FAVOR OF THE SPECIAL USE PERMIT. NO ONE SHOWED UP TO ARGUE FOR OR AGAINST THIS PROPOSAL AT THE PUBLIC HEARING. WE DID HAVE ONE ONLINE COMMENT JUST KIND OF GENERALLY OPPOSING MORE APARTMENTS, CITING SOME SECURITY AND PRIVACY CONCERNS. WE DO HAVE EIGHT CONDITIONS AS PART OF THE STAFF REPORT. THESE ARE MOSTLY THESE ARE THINGS THAT ARE ALREADY REQUIRED BY THE CODE. THIS WAS AN ATTEMPT BY STAFF TO GET THOSE ON RECORD SO EVERYBODY'S EVERYBODY'S PLAYING ON THE SAME FIELD AT THIS POINT. AGAIN, STAFF AND THE COMMISSION RECOMMEND APPROVAL, AND THAT CONCLUDES MY PRESENTATION. ALSO, OUR APPLICANT IS HERE TONIGHT IF YOU HAVE ANY QUESTIONS. MR. CRAWFORD HAS TOLD ME THAT HE IS READY TO ANSWER WHATEVER YOU HAVE.

WELL, I WANT TO SAY THANK YOU TO THE APPLICANT BEING HERE. THAT DOESN'T ALWAYS HAPPEN, SO WE DO APPRECIATE YOU. ALLOWING YOURSELF TO BE OPEN TO OUR QUESTIONS AND CONCERNS. YES, SIR.

MARTIN, COULD YOU JUST CLARIFY FOR ME WHAT THE REVOCATION OF SUP MAY OCCUR UNDER UODC SECTION 7.44?

SO, AGAIN, THIS IS ALREADY IN THE CODE. IT BASICALLY SAYS IF THEY VIOLATE THE TERMS OF THE SPECIAL USE PERMIT, THEN THE PLANNING DIRECTOR HAS THE AUTHORITY TO REVOKE THAT SPECIAL USE PERMIT, AND THEN IF ANYTHING ELSE HAPPENS, IT HAS TO COME BACK THROUGH THIS PROCESS.

Again, I appreciate that because, again, that goes to our previous conversations. We see lots of pictures from time to time. The SEP actually, for the citizens' understanding, SEPs actually give us the ability to hold them to the general concept that they initially proposed. Again, I like the concept. It's not just this typical standard big block apartments. We're really starting to have some identity with individual or smaller freestanding garages and that type of stuff. I truly like that feel that it's given. It's just not the big block. And it's market value, correct?

That's correct.

Okay. I'm good to go.

And it has a senior section. And, Chief, correct me if I'm wrong, but we don't have seniors throwing parties, do we?

Wait a minute. We've got Hollywood.

We've got some Florida communities. I know.

One of the other items that's probably worth pointing out, I know the applicant pointed this out at the public hearing, is that along that western edge there, he has committed to putting only one-story structures in that. Is that correct, Tim? So where that abuts other potential residential properties, those would be one-story buildings so they're not kind of peering over the fence into other people's backyards.

Nice.

Yeah, I heard from residents that are in that carved out piece there, right? And I understand their concerns when you hear an apartment is going to be built behind you. I mean, there's some concern there. For the privacy, things like you mentioned. But when I saw the rendering, I appreciate that, yeah, it's not only a single story. I mean, there's a road there between. There's going to be some buffer. You didn't put backyards right up against each other with the existing residents. Yeah. I don't have any concerns. I think the product on Hunt Road looks very nice. It seems to be doing well, so I'm excited to have more of this. Like you mentioned the variety. We did a housing study several years back. That was one of the findings. We just needed more variety, not another three-story large-scale apartment, but some variety, and this meets that demand. So happy to see it.

Yeah, so this is very similar to the property that you did over there in our district. And I appreciate your staff out there, the construction manager. They really work with the residents around there. when there were some issues with the drainage and how y'all was doing those drainage ponds, they were really quick to get out there, fix that, correct the other people's fences, move the trees that were kind of, when you kind of dug it out, kind of undermined some of their, but y'all were really quick to work with those. And they had not a lot of complaint. Initially they were concerned, but a lot of their concerns went away when they, you know, there's a nice pond behind them, y'all worked with them really well. So I appreciate y'all working with them. And it's similar to developments I did, you know, worked with in Austin. You know, where you're doing the mixed-use, multifamily, it's more communal. A lot of that's kind of going away from the big houses. You see the same thing over on 96 and 146 down in Kima. They're doing a similar project where it's apartments plus it's a lot of townhomes or duplexes, as you want to call them, with single families. So that's kind of where a lot of seeing where development's going towards. Of course, we'd always love to have the big lots, but I think we're getting to that point where it's just not affordable like it used to be. So I'm glad to see some development like this coming. Not, like you said, not just a big three-story apartment, four-story apartment, other things, and I appreciate you working with, considering your neighbors. And I appreciate you considering your neighbors when you were doing that hunt project, so thank you very much.

Anyone else? Good deal. I now close this public hearing at 7.51 p.m. concerning the request to approve a special use permit on approximately 31.124 acres located at 10108 Old Needle Point Road to allow for the development of a multifamily apartment dwellings to be designed as stand-alone rental apartment units within the freeway commercial zoning district. On to 5K. Hello. Consider an ordinance to approve a special use permit on approximately 31.124 acre parcel located at 1018 Old Needle Point Road, Baytown, Texas, 77523 to allow for the development of multifamily apartment dwellings to be designed as standalone rental apartment units within the freeway commercial zoning district. I need a motion.

Move to approve item 5L. Second.

Oh, well, I don't have it written on here right. Okay. Second. Second. You got the second? All in favor? Aye. Any opposed? Motion carries. Thank you. Thank you. Consider an ordinance to take action to record a vote on the proposed ad valorem tax rate and set a public hearing date. FOR THE CITY OF BAYTOWN, TEXAS FOR THE FISCAL YEAR ENDING SEPTEMBER 30, 2027. MS. MCKENZIE.

MAYOR AND COUNCIL, AS YOU KNOW, THE FY25 PROPOSED BUDGET REFLECTS A TAX RATE OF .69803. THIS IS MERELY A COMPARISON OF THE REVENUE CHANGES BASED ON THE CALCULATED TAX RATES JUST FOR INFORMATIONAL PURPOSES. THE NO NEW REVENUE RATE IS .68517. And the voter approval rate is .74695. The M&O rate fluctuates based on the calculated service rate of .25991. In relation to the revenue impacts, the change from the proposed rate to the no new revenue rate is a reduction of 800,000 in M&O revenue and 1.3 million in IDA revenue, which equates to 2.1 million. The proposed change from the proposed rate and the voter approval rate is an increase of $3.1 million. and M&O revenue and $4.9 million in IDA revenue for a total of $8 million. This is for the benefit of the citizens and also based on state requirements that we illustrate the median value on hosted, showing the difference in the tax bill. So based on the adopted rate, if you had a median home value of $203,000, And we propose the rate of 0.69803 to stay the same this year. There's a change of $43.87. And then if we are proposing the no new revenue rate, the change still would be $16.88 based on the values changing to $209,000. And this is just another illustration based on if the home values were to stay the same. It's the same rate amounts that you see for the tax bill of the prior slide, but it just illustrates that if the values were not to change, There is a $2 difference, monthly $2 difference with the no new revenue rate, and $8.55 change on the voter approval rate. And I'm happy to answer any questions.

Questions or comments? OKAY. WE'RE GOING TO TAKE THIS VOTE BY A SHOW OF HANDS. THE PUBLIC HEARING IS SET FOR SEPTEMBER 10, 2026 AT 630 P.M. IN THE COUNCIL CHAMBER. SO I NEED A MOTION.

FOR THE PUBLIC HEARING?

It is a vote for the public hearing as well as on the proposal of the tax rate. It's not a vote to adopt the tax rate.

Motion to approve item 6A. Second. Second.

Can I make a quick comment? Yes, sir. I'm going to be voting for this. But I really want the citizens to understand, and, Tracy, you covered it, but you covered it very quickly. It's about an $800,000 adjustment for the residential side, but it's $1.3 million on the industrial district side. So by holding the tax rate even, even though residential properties are going to go up, they're going to pay $46 more a year. industry's values don't go up because they're negotiated as part of the IDAs. So the entities that are really getting the biggest tax break by lowering the tax rate is our industry. 1.3 million goes a long way of covering a lot of general fund expenses. And so I just want to, because I get that challenge a lot from citizens, I want my tax rate to go down. It goes down, but we lose almost double the amount of money FROM INDUSTRY IF WE LOWER THE TAX RATE. I'M NOT FOR RAISING THE TAX RATE, BUT HOLDING IT STEADY, INDUSTRY CONTINUES TO PAY A GREATER PORTION. AND I'M NOT ANTI-INDUSTRY EITHER, BUT THAT'S A BIG CHUNK OF MONEY. SO I WILL BE SUPPORTING THIS. JUST TRYING TO MAKE IT CLEAR, WHEN YOU VISIT WITH INDIVIDUALS AND YOU WALK THROUGH THAT, THEY GO, WELL, THAT MAKES SENSE. THAT'S WHERE ALL THE SUBSIDIES THAT WE'VE LOST OVER THE LAST SEVERAL YEARS FOR WATER OR BASICALLY FOR TRASH AND SEWER. WE'VE HAD TO TIGHTEN THE BUDGETS BECAUSE THE TAX RATES ARE GOING DOWN. WE LOST THOSE SUBSIDIES TO THAT, AND SO IT'S ACTUALLY COSTING OUR CITIZENS MORE ON AN ANNUAL BASIS THAN THE TAX RATE WOULD HAVE. SO I JUST WANT TO BE CLEAR WITH THAT THAT THAT'S THE IMPACT. SO I APPRECIATE THAT YOU LET ME MAKE THE COMMENTS.

AND BEFORE WE DO THAT, I WANT TO SAY THANK YOU TO TERESA AND JASON ALSO, BECAUSE I KNOW YOU LED THE CHARGE, AND ESPECIALLY GET THESE SLIDES TOGETHER TO HELP EDUCATE CITIZENS SO THEY CAN HAVE A BETTER UNDERSTANDING AND NOT JUST TAKE SHOTS WITHOUT HAVING THE UNDERSTANDING OF WHAT THE OPTIONS ARE. SO I REALLY APPRECIATE THE TIME AND EFFORT. I THINK I CAN SPEAK ON BEHALF OF ALL OF US SAYING WE REALLY APPRECIATE THE TIME AND EFFORT PUT INTO GETTING THIS INFORMATION OUT THERE. And putting it in layman's terms. So by a show of hands, all in favor? Aye. Got your hand up? Okay. Any opposed? Motion carries. Thank you. We are on to 6B, consider an ordinance for the purchase and installation of a sauna, interactive play and dance arch with turf floor from craftsmen through the Texas local government purchasing cooperative by board number 781-25 for Lakewood Park. Mr. Clifford Hatch.

All right, good evening again. This item is to consider ordinance to purchase the Sono Arc. The Sono Arc is actually a cool piece of playground equipment, unlike anything we have currently in our inventory. It's a STEM-based educational piece that will allow children or adults of all ages to learn as they play. It was an initiative that was set forth by ExxonMobil. The purchase price will be offset by a $50,000 grant, again, from ExxonMobil. FOR THE PIECE OF EQUIPMENT. BUT WITH THAT, ARE YOU HERE TO ANSWER ANY QUESTIONS?

I DON'T HAVE A QUESTION, BUT I'LL MAKE A COMMENT. I JUST WANT TO THANK YOU, CLIFF HATCH, FOR DOING ALL YOU CAN TO MAKE THIS HAPPEN FOR A LOT OF PEOPLE IN LAKEWOOD WHO HAVE BEEN WAITING FOR THIS DOG PARK TO HAPPEN. SO WE APPRECIATE THAT. THAT SOUNDS LIKE A COOL PIECE OF EQUIPMENT PEOPLE CAN INTERACT WITH, SO I APPRECIATE Y'ALL PUTTING Y'ALL'S CREATIVE ABILITIES. AND ALSO, THANK YOU TO EXXON MOBILE FOR CONTRIBUTING THE FUNDING TO HELP GET THIS ACROSS THE LINE. SO KUDOS TO YOU AND YOUR STAFF AND EXXON MOBILE.

ANYONE ELSE? I GOT A COMMENT THERE.

YEAH, I WANT TO ECHO. I DO APPRECIATE THE DONATION FROM EXXON MOBILE. GREAT COMMUNITY PARTNER. HOWEVER, I DO HAVE SOME CONCERNS WITH THIS. I MEAN, I KNOW THERE ARE 50,000 THAT LEAVES IN AN ROUGHLY 20K, BUT THAT'S NOT GOING TO BE THE FULL PRICE OF BUILDING A NEW PARK. AND I KNOW WE'VE HAD A LOT OF CONVERSATIONS RECENTLY, GOING BACK TO THE BONDS, YOU KNOW, THERE WAS A LOT OF TALK OF NEEDS VERSUS WANTS, AND A LOT OF THOSE TALKS CENTERED AROUND PARKS, RIGHT? AND I KNOW A LOT OF THOSE, SOME OF THE COUNCILMEMBERS UP HERE HAD PRETTY STRONG OPINIONS OVER around parks being more of a want than a need. And so I'd like us to have more conversation about the total cost of a new park. And really the, I think it's more of a, A POLICY DISCUSSION, LIKE A HIGH LEVEL POLICY DISCUSSION THAT I'D REALLY LIKE TO GET MORE INPUT ON FROM THE PARKS BOARD. I'D LIKE THEM TO HAVE MORE INPUT ON JUST IF WE'RE GOING TO PUT A NEW PARK, WHERE'S THE RIGHT PLACE FOR A PARK? WHAT DO WE DO WITH EXISTING PARKS? I MEAN, WE'VE TALKED A LOT ABOUT SOME OF THE VARIOUS PARKS THAT MAYBE AREN'T UTILIZED AS MUCH AS OTHERS. AND THEN HOW DO WE DECIDE WHAT AMENITIES GO IN DIFFERENT TYPES OF PARKS? YOU KNOW, WE HAVE forgive me if I don't say I'm all right, but I know we have pocket parks, neighborhood parks, regional parks. I know I've been asked for like bathroom facilities be installed at Holloway, right? And the answer there was, well, it's a neighborhood park and folks can walk back home from a neighborhood park. And so, like I said, I think it's more of a policy discussion on, you know, if we're going to build a new dog park, is that neighborhood park amenity? Is that a regional park amenity? And so I would just like, I want to get parks, the board input on that before we move forward with a new park because we are, I mean, we're committing ourselves to a large expense there. With this specific equipment, I know Exxon's made a donation, but that's not going to be the full build out of the park and then there's ongoing maintenance as well for a dog park and everything else. So I would like to HOLD OFF ON TAKING ACTION ON THIS AND GET SOME FEEDBACK FROM THE PARKS BOARD MORE ON A POLICY AROUND, LIKE, HOW WE CHOOSE WHAT AMENITIES GO WHERE.

I HAVE A QUESTION. HOW LONG HAS THIS PARK BEEN ON Y'ALL'S RADAR? DO YOU REMEMBER WHEN IT FIRST CAME ON RADAR?

22nd was when the last time council was before council to take action on development and moving forward funds to approve for development of a park in Lakewood based on things that were happening at Travis Elementary School. THERE WERE STUDIES DONE, AND THROUGH THAT STUDY, THE SELECTION COMMITTEE, BEING THE NEIGHBORHOOD ASSOCIATION, WANTED TO USE ANOTHER PARCEL, BUT WE FOUND WE DIDN'T OWN ALL THE PIECES, SO WE MOVED TO THIS SITE TO TRY TO BRING A PARK TO THE NEIGHBORHOOD BASED ON WHAT WAS GOING ON WITH THE SCHOOL DISTRICT.

THIS PARK WAS ON THE RADAR WHEN I FIRST CAME TO COUNCIL. IT WAS INITIALLY FUNDED BY THE MDD. PUMPED OUT BECAUSE OF THE HOTEL TO COMPETE, OKAY? SO THERE'S SOME MIXING HERE BECAUSE, YOU KNOW, WE DON'T WANT TO GO INTO DEBT OVER PARTS. WE DON'T WANT TO HAVE CITIZENS GO INTO DEBT OVER PARTS. BUT THE FUNDING TO GET THIS JUMP STARTED STARTED OUT IN THE MDD. IT WAS SECURE IN THE MDD. EXXON HAD COMMITTED, I THINK, $220,000.

SO THE ORIGINAL BUDGET WAS AROUND $220,000 FROM MDD. WHEN FUNDING WAS REALLOCATED, EXXON DONATED ABOUT $140,000 TO CARRY FORTH THE PARK DEVELOPMENT. SO THIS PARK WOULD BE DEVELOPED WITH EXXON FUNDS TO GET IT TO THE POINT. THE MAINTENANCE, MR. VALLEY, YOU'RE EXACTLY RIGHT, BUT THE DEVELOPMENT OF THIS ONE IN PARTICULAR WOULD BE FUNDED EXCLUSIVELY NOW BY EXXON.

AND THEN I COULD HEAR ECHO HIM ON THE OPERATION MAINTENANCE, Yeah, the funding for this park was secured a long time ago, and I see no reason on holding that up, considering the funding was there. ExxonMobil's putting up a good chunk of it. And I think they've approved more since. Am I correct?

Well, that's this piece of playground equipment. Yes, is the simple answer, but this piece of playground equipment comes with an additional $50,000 to purchase this actual piece. And again, it's to meet their STEM initiative that not only they would use, but our camps as well could utilize.

I need some clarity on that. What's going to be the total cost of the park?

IT WOULD BE UNDER BUDGET, I BELIEVE, AS IT SITS NOW, WITH THE DONATION.

JUST A CLARIFICATION. THERE WAS PREVIOUS BALANCES THAT WE MERGED INTO THE PROJECT BASED ON THE PREVIOUS STUDIES THAT WERE DONE. WE HAD CONSTRUCTION, EXCUSE ME, PROFESSIONAL SERVICES FROM CLARK CONDON FOR THE ORIGINAL DEVELOPMENT OF THE PARK. WE ALSO HAD SOME FUND BALANCES THAT WE MERGED IN FROM OTHER PROJECTS THAT WERE COUNSELED THAT WERE ALREADY ON THE TRACK. SO THOSE FUND BALANCES WERE MOVED INTO THIS PROJECT. TO BE ABLE TO DEVELOP THE PROJECT WITH THE FUNDS FOR EXXON. SO THERE HAS BEEN MONEY ALREADY SPENT. EXPENSES OF $89,000 WAS SPENT FOR THE FIRST PORTION, AND THERE WAS LIKE $24,000 LEFT IN BALANCE OF THAT. WE USED SOME FUND BALANCE THAT WAS $17,000 FROM ANOTHER PROJECT, FROM THE 100 BLOCK, AND SOME OTHER BALANCE FUNDINGS THAT WERE USED. to move forward with survey and development for where we are now today.

Okay. So you all just sparked my interest with something because you're telling me that this is going to go towards the STEM initiative for Exxon, but so would have a new wetland center over in that area. And so now I'm a little concerned with the price and what this is going to build when that money could have been funneled into a new wetland center. They got pushed out due to the bond. So what is the total price that has come out of Baytown, city of Baytown money versus what has been given in a grant? I know you just gave a lot of numbers, but I want to know what came out of Baytown money versus what is being given from the grant.

So the original grant, $140,000 was given. We have another $50,000 right now. So that brings you to $190,000 from Exxon contributing to the development of the park. We have $130,000 that we are putting to it based on consolidation of past contracts that was canceled, and we had fund balances that we moved to that. So in total, there's $320,000 total to develop this park.

Man, y'all know I love parks, and I agree. This has been on the radar for a while, but you took money from other contracts, so without getting into the nitty-gritty, were those things that WERE ON OTHER PARTS OF TOWN THAT WE FUNNELED TO THIS DOG PARK THAT, LIKE, I DON'T KNOW, NOW THIS FEELS STRANGE.

IT'S IMPORTANT TO REMEMBER THAT THE ORIGINAL INTENT WAS TO BUILD A PARK IN LIQUID, RIGHT?

NO, THE ORIGINAL INTENT WAS JUST A DOG PARK.

YEAH, BUT IN LIQUID IS WHAT IT WAS. WHEN WE MET WITH THE COMMUNITY, We looked at three different parcels in the community. The first one, the one that was selected, was the one over there by the pool. And so there was money spent on surveying that property, which was a really good spin because it turns out that that property, the portions of it that were out of the floodplain, WEREN'T ACTUALLY MAYTOWNS. IT WAS MISCODED. AND SO THAT MONEY, ALTHOUGH WAS SPENT, WAS SPENT WELL, BUT WE HAD TO... THAT CAUSED THE PROJECT TO THEN ADJUST TO THE SECOND CHOICE, WHICH IS THE CURRENT SITE. SO SOME OF THE MONEY THAT CORNELL'S SPEAKING OF THAT WAS SPENT WAS SPENT IN THE DEVELOPMENT OF THIS SITE INDIRECTLY BECAUSE IT HAD TO... IT WAS THE PROCESS THAT YOU DO TO MAKE SURE YOU'RE BUILDING ON YOUR PROPERTY.

That process is called the due diligence process. Anytime anyone's going to buy any property, what you write into the contract, if it's land or even a home, you're going to get a survey done to make sure that what that person is purchasing is actually what the seller says that is going to be purchased. With raw land, like they were looking at, I WAS THE COUNCILMEMBER THAT STARTED THE CONVERSATION WITH LAKEWOOD WHEN IT CAME TO THIS. AND I REMEMBER SPECIFICALLY EVERYONE WAS EXCITED ABOUT IT GOING IN NEXT TO THE POOL BECAUSE IT WAS GOING TO BE GREAT THERE, A DOG PARK, GOING IN NEXT TO THE POOL BECAUSE IT'S LIKE, MAN, IT'S THE PERFECT COMPLEMENT TO THE POOL. going into it, they did their due diligence, which is written into contracts, and the due diligence performed what it was supposed to do. They found out that, hey, we can't do this because what is being sold is not actually what we want to buy is not actually what's being sold. Good thing that we had those meetings and you all actually, I remember the uh... posters be enough of several different locations and it end up going to the next location and you're gonna have to spend money to do that due diligence to make sure you're buying what you said with the seller says that you're buying no i i i i completely understand i think for me uh... did

I WANT TO HEAR FROM EVERYBODY, TOO, BUT I THINK FOR ME, WE WENT FROM A DOG PARK IN AN AREA THAT AFTER DOING DUE DILIGENCE CAN'T GO THERE, BUT SOMEHOW THAT HAS BALLOONED INTO MEETING THE EXPECTATIONS OF A STEM INITIATIVE THAT COULD HAVE BEEN PUT INTO ANOTHER FACILITY. AND SO WHERE I'M GOING WITH THIS IS I DO THINK WHEN WE START TALKING ABOUT OUR PHILOSOPHIES AS A COUNCIL THAT WE KEEP REITERATING OVER AND OVER AND OVER AGAIN, AND I MEAN, IT CHANGES HERE AND THERE, BUT MAYBE THIS DOES NEED MORE DISCUSSION BECAUSE SOMEHOW A PROJECT THAT, YES, DUE TO, YOU KNOW, THE SURVEY OF THE LAND HAD TO BE MOVED, BUT HOW DID WE GO FROM IT JUST BEING A DOG PARK TO NOW MEETING A STEM INITIATIVE TO BEING MORE EXPENSIVE? I MEAN, HOW DID WE GET THERE? I DON'T KNOW HOW THAT HAPPENED. BUT I'M NOT ON CIP ANYMORE, SO I DON'T KNOW.

I'M NOT GOING TO SAY THAT IT WENT TO MEETING A STEM INITIATIVE. THEY DONATED THE MONEY. and correct me if I'm wrong, and they ask that some of this be implemented into that. Am I correct?

That's correct.

That's correct. So it's not that it ballooned out of that. If someone donates money and they ask for some of that money to be earmarked for this and they wanted to go into the dog park, people are going to be bringing their dogs and people are probably going to want to have some things to do while their dogs are playing and having fun.

But with all due respect, a donor doesn't get to earmark a donation to the city. That's a decision we as City Council need to make.

We have someone else that was wanting to speak. Did you want to speak?

Yes. So if we were to stick to the original plan of a dog park in THE NEW DESIGNATED LOCATION AND NOT ADD ANYTHING ELSE, WHAT WOULD THE COST BE?

SO THE DOG PARK SECTION, JUST TO DO THE FENCING FOR THE DOG PARK, IS PROBABLY GOING TO COST ABOUT $60,000 IN FENCING JUST TO DO THE DOG PARK. AND THEN WHATEVER PLAY ELEMENT IS GOING TO THAT. WE'VE ALREADY PURCHASED A BENCH SHELTER, SO THAT'S $11,000 THAT'S ALREADY EXPENDED ON THAT. So it would be just providing whatever nuances that we need as far as play equipment to do that for the dog park.

But it would be under the $300,000?

Yes, way under.

I think for me, I can see both sides, but the decision of building a park has always been up to us as council. I remember back when I was trying to build out the parks off of Inwood, the League of Women Voters, and we were told, ah, there's no money right now, let's figure out what we can do. Clint was really good. And even Cornell to do an audit, a walking audit with me to look at the different parks and what we could do. But the only thing that we added was a bench and a little pavilion back when we were getting allotments within our districts that Exxon sat in. And so we took away our monies that were designated to us, which we also used to do whatever we wanted within parks or whatever projects we wanted. But ultimately, park projects, that's a big investment. And so that comes to all of us as council as a policy decision. what we want to do on there, where is it going to go. I understand what's happening with the school district, believe me, over at Travis, and I do not like it. And I agree that families within that area deserve a park, and so I'm not flat out saying no, but I think I'd like to take a little step back because they do deserve something, but I think we need to take a holistic view of what's happening.

Mr. Powell?

Go ahead. And I agree with my colleagues. I specifically agree with Mr. Powell. You know, we have so many parks, and we've had this discussion. And I think every district should have what I call a regional park, a main park, and then some subsidiary parts of that. But we're not together on that. So I think this is a point in time I LOVED THE ISSUE, WELL, WE HAVE THIS DONATION AND THIS DONATION. WELL, IS THAT WHAT IT'S GOING TO COST? WELL, WE'VE MOVED MONEY FROM THIS PROJECT THAT CAME IN UNDER BUDGET. THERE'S A CONCEPT. A PROJECT COME IN UNDER BUDGET AND WE PUT MONEY BACK INTO THE BUDGET. OH, NO, WE JUST MOVE IT OVER TO THIS PROJECT. So there's never an under budget project because the money just gets moved in there. So that's mission creep to me and I've been pushing back days tired of me saying that. And it's not just parks, we have mission creep in a lot of our operations and that's on us as my colleague just brought up. Typically when you create a new park that should be something that's well discussed at this level and agreed to on a conceptual basis. The dog park, I think we all agreed that a dog park that's going to run around $150,000, $160,000 total for land and fencing and this and that was okay. But that's grown now. So if it's grown, mission creep, now it's turning into a full-blown park with a dog section. That's different. And we need to have that discussion. I think Lakewood deserves, because again, we lost a community park. But also Lakewood is basically bumped up against our largest park, the Nature Center. I mean, so is there property there that could be developed or whatever? So I don't know. I think that's a discussion that we need to have here in more detail. It's easy for Exxon and I'm not, Exxon is one of the best corporate partners I've ever seen and known or talked to. You go travel anywhere else and people can't believe how good of a community partner they are. But it's easy to buy a piece of equipment and then the maintenance and the continued, we hear a lot from parks, well I need, need more staff and more mowers because we have so much property we can't mow. Or I need more money in the contracts because we have more parks to mow. So it just continues to grow. So I agree. I think this deserves more discussion and more detail. Because it started off with, well, we have a $50,000 grant. It's gone and tossed $30,000. We've got $20,000 left over. And then it's kind of, well, we had monies from here, but we put from this. It's kind of, okay, so what's the total number? Do we own the property where this is going or do we have to buy the property? Again, it's a rhetorical question that I think needs to be answered in a detailed discussion and environment.

Yeah, and I love this amenity. I mean, this is right in my wheelhouse. And I've seen it in action as well. And so I think it would be amazing. I think we just need to take a step back.

I NEED A MOVE. OH, GO AHEAD.

I'M SORRY.

MAYBE WE CAN VOTE A WETLAW CENTER WITH A DOG PARK.

GO AHEAD. I FIGURE, SINCE EVERYBODY'S IN TALK, I MIGHT AS WELL THROW IN TWO, RIGHT? YEAH, AND SO, I MEAN, I KNOW WE'VE ALWAYS HAD THAT DISCUSSION WE TALKED ABOUT, AND WE TALKED ABOUT THE CIP. I MEAN, FOR ME, I'VE ALWAYS SAID, HEY, IF WE'RE GOING TO DO SOMETHING NEW, I'VE ALWAYS, YOU KNOW, I think the voters need to approve it. I think, you know, that's why we went to bond on the parks because we literally had the voters vote on just the initial development design for a crossing over into Jenkins Park. We had them vote on just to do designs for a fire station, for Fire Station 4. They approved it, but those were things that we had the voters decide on that, because I get it and understand, but for me, again, it's also, there is the initial cost, but there's also the maintenance cost. You know, District 4, you know, we have four parks, and my biggest one, of course, is going to be, you know, the baseball fields and everything, and I have two smaller parts, and I got one that's just, eventually might be a big part, but we're still waiting to see what's all going to happen with that money, right, and how we're going to get that one done. So I understand, you know. We're the citizens of one on that part and what some may want, but I think this needs to be something that we've seen that come across when I was in the CIP and we kind of said, hey, we need to start thinking about these things because I'm looking at it, you know, we're talking about the difference in the tax rates. It's $800,000 between one rate to a one rate, but we're talking about $200,000. Well, wait a minute, that's something that affects that tax rate. So, I mean, there's things we've got to look at in there, too, that, you know, where's the most important part of this? And I agree. You know, it's great that we get, hey, we donated you this land, or we donated you this money to build this. Okay, but that's not the entire cost, and that's not going to be the entire cost of maintaining that thing for the next, eternity or 20 years, 30 years that we own that piece of property or we're developing it. So the initial investment's great and it's a great idea, but I think those investments that when someone wants to invest in the city and donate stuff to the city, I think it needs to go to y'all and y'all decide which park really does need it. Because that's the thing, again, I get your point. If Exxon would have said, hey, we want to give $150,000 or $200,000 to this area, you know that you could use that At the wetlands. You could have used that in other parks, and that could have been something you decided on, not just say, oh, well, we'll donate straight to this. And I think we need to, and I appreciate Exxon's donation, but I think that needs to be considered in that, too.

Anyone else?

Yeah, I just want to say that I like what Mike Lester said best. I THINK THAT THIS PROJECT IN DISTRICT 3, BECAUSE KEN HAS WORKED SO HARD AND ADVOCATED THROUGH MANY DIFFERENT AVENUES TO TRY TO GET SOMETHING NICE FOR HIS DISTRICT, I THINK IT DESERVES MORE TIME BECAUSE THERE ARE SO MANY THINGS IN THAT CORRIDOR THAT YOU'VE WORKED VERY HARD TO try to get, and you with Parks have come up with something. I just think, I love that you say it deserves more time and effort, and I don't think this is a situation where, you know, I don't know what the motion, what we're going to go with, but I agree that I want that district to get the best amenity they can get that belongs in that area, and we need to talk about it more.

Anyone else?

Mayor and Councilman, you can take no action. If you also choose, then I can have attention, I guess.

I'm hearing everything that everyone has said. I'm hearing that the citizens deserve more time, but if we were to ask those citizens if they wanted more time, those citizens are going to tell you they've been talking about this. If you would go out to their national night out They talk about this every year, don't they? Every year. Every year. They have designs. When it's been pushed back, when I wasn't on council and I was going to the National Lighthouse, they were still asking questions. Why is it taking so long to get this done? And this is what the citizens have asked for for how many years now? AT LEAST FIVE. AT LEAST FIVE YEARS? I WELCOMED IT WHEN I CAME ON COUNCIL. THEY'VE BEEN ASKING FOR IT.

I FOUGHT TO SAVE THE FUNDING FROM THE MDD WHEN OTHERS WANTED TO SCRAP IT.

SO, WELL, I THINK THAT WE, SINCE EVERYONE IS SAYING THAT WE NEED TO TALK ABOUT IT MORE, We're not going to take action on this tonight. We're going to leave it open for discussion, but I will encourage those citizens who have advocated for this. Come out and let your voice be heard. Let your opinion be heard. We were elected to do the things that you've asked us to do. And if you think that it's taking too much time, come let us know. If you think we need to take even more time, come let us know. But we need the citizens of Lakewood, the citizens of District 3 to show up and let their opinion be heard about something that they've been asking for for half a decade. Are we going to table this item?

Can I ask for a point of clarity? Yes, sir. With the tabling of the item, do I need to direct my staff to hold off on all progress to the park until the decision is made in the future?

Okay, thank you. Yes.

Yeah, I don't think we want to... My concern is if we did adopt this ordinance... there's a stipulation that it goes to this park. And then if we decide not to do the park, we lose the donation. So I would say we need to develop a better detailed concept so that we can discuss. Again, it went from a dog park, fenced in area to place dogs next to the swimming pool, Lakewood pool, which is a private entity. to now a full-blown park, we need to have a little bit more detail on that.

And I would agree. I mean, if the scope is a dog park, then that's where we need to stay within that scope.

But I agree with the shutting down of the Travis Park. Lakewood deserves a good park. Yes, they do. So if our concept is shifting, then we need to have that more detailed discussion so that we get them what they deserve to have and not do something that's, no offense to anybody, piecemealed. I would hope we just need to have more discussions and I agree with I like the idea of not taking action because then we can bring it back without having our TIME LIMIT IMPACTED ON IT SO THAT WE CAN HAVE THESE DISCUSSIONS. BUT WE NEED MORE DETAILS. AGAIN, I GOT IT, PARKS, THEY'RE THE BEST AT, AND I'LL USE A PHRASE FROM A FORMER CITY MANAGER, COBBLING TOGETHER FUNDS. PARKS DEPARTMENT IS PROBABLY ONE OF THE BEST AT DOING THAT. BUT WE DON'T, IF THIS IS GOING TO BE A MAJOR PARK FOR THAT DISTRICT OR THAT REGION OF THE CITY, WE DON'T NEED TO COBBLE MONEY TOGETHER. WE NEED TO be focused, know exactly what we're getting into, and then dedicate the money to do it. And that's a discussion we need to have.

Okay. Mayor, just want to answer Cliff's question from the intention that I got from the council. is that we pause on all aspects of the park so that there's a policy discussion that both the council and the parks board are involved in taking before any other movement happens with any additional, like adding additional parks or expanding the parks as they are as of this moment. That's the intention that I've got.

And I'm going to say that that would include funds being spent. That's correct. Just for some, to clarify that. Any part? Okay. I didn't say on any part. I'm just talking about with this one here.

Come on. Yes, and I also heard, because the Exxon piece is here, maybe just another policy discussion on the grant aspect when money comes in, because that was something y'all did mention a few times, and it's been an ongoing discussion as well.

I would hope that we don't come back. and decided not to do a park after they waited five years. And we've spent time, effort, and we got to think about that. We've spent time, staff time, after hours having discussions with the people of Lakewood and that area. ABOUT THIS. WE ALSO NEED TO REALLY CONSIDER THE TIME AND EFFORT THAT'S BEEN PUT INTO THIS OVER THE LAST FIVE YEARS.

NOT TO MENTION THE GRANT MONEY THAT WAS HELD ON TO. EXACTLY.

AND THAT'S WHAT THE DISCUSSION IS FOR. SO WE RESERVE AND TAKE THAT TIME TO DISCUSS IT FULLY.

THANK YOU. MOVING ON TO CONSENT AGENDA. WE ARE GOING TO PULL ITEM 8D.

I WOULD LIKE TO PULL 7D.

7D, I'M SORRY. PULL ITEM 7D. WILL THERE BE ANY OTHER ITEM TO BE PULLED FROM CONSENT AGENDA?

NO, I'M JUST PICKING ON BRAN. NO, I WAS NOT GOING TO MENTION THE SIMA T.

OKAY, SO I NEED A MOTION. REMEMBER, WE'RE PULLING 7D.

MOTION TO APPROVE ITEMS 7A THROUGH V, EXCLUDING 7D. SECOND.

ALL IN FAVOR? AYE. ANY OPPOSED? MOTION CARRIES. SO NOW WE ARE ON TO 7D, CONSIDER A RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING THE CITY OF BAYTOWN TO PURSUE THE BIRD CITY DESIGNATION FROM THE TEXAS PARK AND WILDLIFE DEPARTMENT. MS. TRACY PROTRO.

I JUST WANTED TO BE ABLE TO BRING THIS FORWARD TO YOU GUYS TO SEE THAT WE'VE BEEN WORKING REALLY HARD ON GETTING THE BIRD CITY TEXAS INITIATIVE. I THINK SARAH'S GOING TO ACTUALLY READ THE RESOLUTION FOR YOU GUYS SO YOU CAN SEE HOW EXCITED WE ARE ABOUT WHAT WE'RE TRYING TO GET FOR THE CITY OF BAYTOWN.

Thank you, Tracy, for all the things that you've done for the city. I know that I'm going to read this resolution, and I know that Tracy and her staff worked very hard on this, and I know that Mr. Reynolds is going to say something probably later, but before I read this, if you don't know, Ms. Prothrow is sitting at her last council meeting with us, and there's a saying with all nature enthusiasts that when you go visit somewhere in nature, You take nothing and you leave nothing. And I wish that we could say that that's true for Tracy impacting the lives around her, but she is leaving something. She's leaving something very large. She's leaving a large mark on not only our Parks Department, not only our children in this community, not only some of the adults, but this is one of her... LAST ITEMS ON PAPER THAT LAST ITEMS ON PAPER THAT LAST ITEMS ON PAPER THAT SHE'S GOING TO DO, AND SO I FEEL SHE'S GOING TO DO, AND SO I FEEL SHE'S GOING TO DO, AND SO I FEEL VERY PROUD TO READ THIS VERY PROUD TO READ THIS VERY PROUD TO READ THIS RESOLUTION, AND IT'S ABOUT BIRDS, RESOLUTION, AND IT'S ABOUT BIRDS, RESOLUTION, AND IT'S ABOUT BIRDS, WHICH MAKES IT EVEN MORE SPECIAL WHICH MAKES IT EVEN MORE SPECIAL WHICH MAKES IT EVEN MORE SPECIAL BECAUSE MS. TRACY HAS TAUGHT BECAUSE MS. TRACY HAS TAUGHT BECAUSE MS. TRACY HAS TAUGHT A LOT OF PEOPLE HOW TO BIRD, A LOT OF PEOPLE HOW TO BIRD All right. Whereas the city of Baytown is uniquely situated along the Texas Gulf Coast and within the Central Flyway, one of North America's most significant migratory bird corridors, providing critical habitat for hundreds of residents and migratory bird species, and whereas healthy bird populations contribute to ecological balance through pollination, seed dispersal, insect control, and overall environmental health while enhancing the quality of life for residents and visitors alike, and whereas Baytown's parks, nature preserves, wetlands, waterways, open spaces, and natural resources provide valuable habitat for birds and other wildlife and serve as an important location for outdoor recreation, environmental education, and scientific observation. And whereas the Bird City Texas program recognizes municipalities that demonstrate leadership in bird conservation through habitat management, community education, sustainable practices, and collaborative partnerships. And whereas achieving and maintaining Bird City Texas designation reflects Baytown's commitment to environmental stewardship, conservation, and the preservation of natural resources for future generations. And whereas the City of Baytown recognizes that bird conservation efforts complement existing community goals related to parks and recreation, environmental sustainability, tourism, public health, resiliency, and economic development. And whereas participation in the Bird City of Texas encourages partnerships among local governments, schools, conservation organizations, businesses, volunteers, and residents to promote awareness and appreciation of birds and their habitats through educational programming, citizens SCIENCE HABITAT RESPIRATION AND RESPONSIBLE LAND MANAGEMENT PRACTICES AND WHEREAS THE CITY COUNCIL WISHES TO FORMALLY RECOGNIZE BAYTOWN'S DESIGNATION AS A BIRD CITY TEXAS COMMUNITY AND ENCOURAGE CONTINUED EFFORTS TO PROTECT AND ENHANCE BIRD HABITATS THROUGH THE CITY. NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF BAYTOWN, TEXAS, THAT THE CITY COUNCIL PROUDLY RECOGNIZES AND CELEBRATES THE CITY OF BAYTOWN'S PURSUIT OF DESIGNATION AS A BIRD CITY, TEXAS COMMUNITY, AND COMMENDS ALL CITY STAFF, VOLUNTEERS, CONSERVATION ORGANIZATIONS, EDUCATIONAL INSTITUTIONS, AND COMMUNITY PARTNERS WHOSE EFFORTS CONTRIBUTED TO ACHIEVING THIS DISTINCTION. THE CITY COUNCIL AFFIRMS ITS COMMITMENT TO SUPPORTING POLICIES, PROGRAMS, AND INITIATIVES THAT PROMOTE PROTECTION AND ENHANCEMENT OF NATIVE BIRD HABITATS, RESPONSIBLE STEWARDSHIP OF PARKS, NATURAL AREAS, WETLANDS AND OPEN SPACES, NATIVE LANDSCAPING AND SUSTAINABLE LAND MANAGEMENT PRACTICES WHERE APPROPRIATE, PUBLIC EDUCATION AND COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT REGARDING BIRDS, WILDLIFE AND CONSERVATION, PARTNERSHIPS THAT ADVANCE CONSERVATION, ENVIRONMENTAL EDUCATION AND CITIZEN SCIENCE, AND CONTINUED PURSUIT OF THE BIRD CITY TEXAS STANDARDS AND RECOGNITIONS. COUPLE MORE POINTS AND WE'RE DONE. THE CITY COUNCIL ENCOURAGES RESIDENTS, BUSINESSES, SCHOOLS, COMMUNITY ORGANIZATIONS, AND VISITORS TO PLEASE PARTICIPATE IN CONSERVATION EFFORTS BY CREATING BIRD-FRIENDLY LANDSCAPES, REDUCING THREATS TO BIRDS, SUPPORTING HABITAT RESTORATION PROJECTS, AND ENGAGING IN EDUCATIONAL AND VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES THROUGH COMMUNITY. and the city manager and the city staff are encouraged to continue collaborating with local, regional, and state conservation partners to support Bird City Texas initiatives consistent with available resources and adopted city priorities. This resolution shall become effective immediately upon its adoption. Thank you so much for putting that together for our community and stamping one last footprint where you've walked many times. Thank you.

THANK YOU, AND THANKS FOR READING THAT. I KNOW IT'S LONG. YEAH, I NEEDED TO DRINK THE WATER.

AND THANK YOU TO ALL OF THE WELLS THERE AND THE BAYTOWN NATURE CENTER STAFF AND PARK CENTER.

WORKED REALLY HARD. THERE'S A COUPLE OF MORE MEMBERS AS WELL ON PUTTING THIS TOGETHER. WE SUBMIT IT TO TEXAS PARKS AND WILDLIFE NEXT MONDAY, THE 1ST. SO IT'S THAT TUESDAY. AND WE'RE, YOU KNOW, REALLY HOPING THAT IT'S GOING TO GO FORWARD, AND WE APPRECIATE YOUR SUPPORT ON THIS INITIATIVE.

THANK YOU FOR EVERYTHING.

I'LL MAKE A COMMENT, MAYOR. YES, SIR. EXCITED TO SEE THIS. MY WIFE AND I HAVE BECOME BIRDERS IN OUR OLD AGE, AND WE ACTUALLY... You cannot say you're a Holden. You were not born in heaven.

He's from Alabama. They don't live that long.

We actually celebrated our anniversary last week with a bike ride at the Nature Center, and we did some bird watching while we were out there.

that's a great place for all your hard work you and your team um we had a great time out there and i encourage all residents to go check out the nature center there's a lot of birds out there some new ones we haven't seen yet i saw your picture and i was like i'm so proud of the powell family there's also there's a new exhibit going in at the wetland center you guys need to go by and see um gina's really proud of it and chrissy both they've worked on it uh talks about you know MAKING SURE YOUR HOMES ARE SAFE PLACES FOR BIRD POPULATIONS. SO PLEASE GO BY. IS IT READY? One more day. Don't go tomorrow. Next week. But it really looks like home, tweet home, I think.

Home, tweet home.

I like that.

Oh, I love that. One question. I had heard somewhere that Baytown is like the birding capital of the world or close to it. No, I'm serious. I heard that people come here because we have a birding capital of our region. How's that?

We're going with that, yes. We are always a hot spot on the eBird site, so we do have one of the higher populations that are seen every time that they take bird counts. So, yes, it's a great place to go birding.

We need to take you on the Christmas bird count. You would enjoy it.

Yes, and the eBird app. All of them are great ones. Look at you. You're talking like a bird.

I got my life list going. I got one other question. I've been talking about library cards here for a while now. Can people purchase a membership to our nature center?

To the Nature Center? Absolutely. You can get an individual or a family pass. How many council members have a membership? And then you can go in as many times as you want.

How many council members have a membership to the Nature Center? That's a great question. It is a great question. I'd like to see that. I just said I'll win. Come on. Can we get a show of hands? Can we get a show of hands? So, Ken?

What if we know somebody that knows somebody that... Do you?

I've actually purchased memberships for citizens. No, no, no. Do you have one?

Hello?

I CAN EITHER CONFIRM NOR DENIAL.

CRICKET, CRICKET.

NEXT COUNCIL MEETING, I HOPE ALL OF YOUR HANDS WOULD BE OUT. THIS WOULD BE A GREAT OPPORTUNITY FOR YOU TO BE THE FIRST COUNCIL MEMBER TO PURCHASE A MEMBERSHIP.

I USED TO HANG OUT AT THE NATURE CENTER BEFORE IT WAS A NATURE CENTER.

Now it's the nature center, so you have to have a membership. You can do this.

Make a motion. Well, after we make the motion and we pass this, I'd like for council to go down and get a picture with Ms. Prothro. And her team. Y'all didn't let me finish it.

Sorry.

WHAT THEY SAID. SO I NEED A MOTION.

MOTION TO APPROVE ITEM 7D. SECOND.

ALL IN FAVOR? AYE. ANY OPPOSED? MOTION CARRIES. LET'S GO GET THIS PHOTO. THANK YOU.

I'm going to come all the way up to the microphone.

I'll take pictures of Amy's phone first, because she'll hurt me.

Name that bird. Who knows?

SO WE'RE ON TO APPOINTMENTS 8A CONSIDER RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING TWO APPOINTMENTS TO THE BAY AREA WATER AUTHORITY. WE HAVE TWO AT LARGE POSITIONS THAT ARE both seeking reappointment, and we don't have any applications. So I'm going to entertain a motion for Ms. Brenda Bradley-Smith and Alyssa Linares. SO MOVED.

SECOND.

ALL IN FAVOR? AYE. ANY OPPOSED? MOTION CARRIES. NEXT, WE ARE ON TO CONSIDERING A RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING ONE APPOINTMENT TO THE 2025 BOND OVERSIGHT COMMITTEE. MR. GRIFFIT.

YES, I SPOKE WITH MS. DENISE GRAYS, WHO WAS ON THE BOND COMMITTEE. And she said she'll take that spot.

Good deal.

Need a motion. Motion to approve Denise Grace to the Bond Oversight Committee.

Second. All in favor? Aye. Any opposed? Motion carries. Now consider a resolution authorizing two appointments to the Parks and Recreation Advisory Board. MR. AUGUSTINE LORETTO AND MR. THOMAS CAPETTI ARE BOTH SEEKING REAPPOINTMENT. WE HAVE MS. BROWN FROM DISTRICT FIVE, AND FROM DISTRICT SIX, WE HAVE MR. JONES AND MS. OLJENEK. Position 1 and 4. 1 and 4, but we have three applications. But those are in District 6. Oh, District 6. You're right. Okay, so that's what it is then. We'll entertain a motion for Mr. Augustine Laredo and Mr. Thomas. Yes.

So I have asked Mr. Laredo and he does confirm that he seeks confirmation or reconfirmation. He is also heading the new SUBCOMMITTEE FOR GUERRITO-FEZ, SO I WANT TO MAKE SURE THAT THERE'S CONTINUITY WITH THAT. SO I SUPPORT THE REAPPOINTMENT.

I'm a little upset with Wolf Capatillo's attendance record since he's never missed a meeting. So I will be reappointing Mr. Wolf Capatillo or Thomas Capatillo, however you want to say it. Are you punishing him? No, I'm not punishing him. I'm not punishing him. Then why are you upset? I'm not upset with him. You cannot be upset with Thomas. Thomas is great. But he has never missed a meeting. I just wanted to make that point. He is always there, very attentive, and works very well. That's good. That's a rarity to see. Zero out of 35.

Yeah, that's very good. OKAY, SO I'M ENTERTAINING A MOTION FOR THOSE. MOTION TO APPROVE THE NOMINEES AS NOMINATED.

SECOND.

ALL IN FAVOR? AYE. ANY OPPOSED? MOTION CARRIES. NOW WE ARE ON TO CONCESSION. OH, AD, YEAH.

I KNEW IT.

I GOT IT RIGHT THERE. CONSIDER... HE'S MY HELPER TODAY. I'm going to give you a sticker after.

A star, yes.

Consider a resolution authorizing four apartments to the Baytown Crime Control Prevention District. Let me turn the page here. Okay. We have Ms. Loretta White seeking appointment. We have Mr. Miro, who's moving next year, so he's not seeking appointment. We have Mr. David Stark, who's seeking appointment. And then we have District 6 at large that's vacant. Now, before we do that, I have someone signed up to speak. That's what my helper here was trying to remind me of. Mr. Sam Brown.

Hello, I'm Sam Brown. I live at 2201 French Place. I'm seeking to be on the CCPD board. I've lived in Baytown since 1995. I filled out the application on July 28. I emailed my councilman. He emailed me back to make sure I filled out the application. Both my kids have grown up here in Baytown. I've graduated from Lee High School and College. So we're empty nesters, and I'm looking to give back to the community.

Excellent.

So I'd like to be considered.

Mr. Brown, I forgot to ask you for your address for proper record.

2201 French Place, Baytown, Texas.

Thank you. I appreciate that. Okay.

Is your phone first?

Yeah. I'm sorry. I was waiting for instructions.

Can I sit down, or do you have any questions? You can have a seat.

Thank you. That's two stars. I'm waiting for you to answer them.

So, Mayor, I will be moving to reappoint Ms. Loretta White.

Good deal. Let's go with District 3 now.

Yes, it's my appointment's moving on. I think before his work, I'll be appointing Joseph Fallon. Joseph does serve on the Parks Board. I heard he does a good job. This will be his second committee, so he won't be able to serve on any others. So I'll be appointing Joseph Fallon. Good deal. Next we have District 5.

I will be reappointing Mr. Stark.

Good deal.

And District 6? Well, I'm going to make it a little complicated. I spoke with Mr. Merrill. I've known Charlie for a long time and visited with him. He's not going to move, and I understand why District 3, because it's time to do that, is replacing him, but he's not going to move until like May, maybe June of next year. This appointment actually ends in August of next year. So I'm going to appoint Charlie, Mr. Murrell, as my District 6 position But that will also give me an opportunity to visit with Mr. Brown, because I tried to call but didn't go through, so I haven't had a chance to visit with him, and get him on board when Charlie moves. Charlie's currently, I believe, the vice chair of the committee and has only missed one out of 14, but even the chief indicated that he never misses a meeting. So I'm going to go ahead and let Charlie serve out a few more months. And again, it gives me an opportunity to visit Mr. Brown This is a very important committee. It's probably one of the tougher committees to break yourself in on. And I want to be sure that we're all square away with that. And I do appreciate Mr. Brown. And I'm going to give him accolades because it's difficult for me to get District 6 folks to sign up. But at the same time, it's not just an automatic, you know, I want to visit with him and sit down and have some discussions and get his philosophies and kind of go from there. But that gives me time to do that. It gives Charlie time to serve out to May or June when they move. So that will be my appointment.

Good deal. Okay, I will take a motion for all. I'll entertain a motion for everyone.

Motion to approve the... CANDIDATES AS MENTIONED.

SECOND. ALL IN FAVOR?

AYE.

ANY OPPOSED? MOTION CARRIES. NOW WE ARE ON TO THE... FIRE CONTROL. CRIME CONTROL. FIRE CONTROL, YES. FIRE CONTROL. SO WE HAVE MR. JAMARI GILBERT SEEKING REAPPOINTMENT FOR DISTRICT 2. MR. HAWKINS SEEKING REAPPOINTMENT. WE HAVE A VACANT AT LARGE POSITION AT SIX, AND WE HAVE THE MAYOR AT LARGE POSITION, BUT WE HAVE NO CURRENT APPLICATIONS. SO I WILL ENTERTAIN IN MOTION.

I'M SORRY. GO AHEAD.

I'M SO SORRY.

Um, Jamari Gilbert has really good attendance. Um, he's heavily involved in all things Baytown community. He is seeking reappointment, so I am gladly reappointing him to the Fire Control, Prevention, and EMS District.

Okay. Bob? I will be reappointing Mr. Barry Hawkins.

Okay. Mike? Well, and I'm going to put Mr. Brown on the spot. Have you even considered being on the Fire Control? IS IT GOING TO DRIVE MY CITY SECRETARY CRAZY IF I POINT FROM THE FLOOR? ALL RIGHT. THEN I'LL MAKE A MOTION TO MOVE MR. BROWN TO THE FIRE CONTROL AND EMS DISTRICT.

GOOD DEAL. SO I WILL ENTERTAIN A MOTION FOR THOSE NOMINATIONS.

MOTION TO... YOU HAVE ONE, MA'AM. WE DON'T HAVE ANY APPLICATIONS.

MOTION TO APPROVE JAMARI FOR D2, MR. HAWKINS FOR D5, MR. BROWN FOR D6. SECOND.

ALL IN FAVOR? AYE. ANY OPPONENTS? MOTION CARRIES.

MAYOR, THIS ALSO IS A FULL-TERM APPOINTMENT FOR MR. BROWN, SO THAT'S KIND OF WHAT I WANTED TO GET THAT IN.

OKAY. NOW WE'RE ON TO 8F, CONSIDER A RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING FOUR APPOINTMENTS TO THE TAX INCREMENT REINVESTMENT ZONE NUMBER ONE IN BAYTOWN REDEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY. WE HAVE MR. RICK DAVIS FOR ONE SEEKING REAPPOINTMENT. KAREN ARABY FOR THREE SEEKING REAPPOINTMENT. KYLE CARRIER IN DISTRICT FIVE SEEKING REAPPOINTMENT. We have Gina Guillory seeking reappointment but you're waiting on a response from Harris County. So I think we're going to wait on the Gina Guillory and we'll start with District 1.

I have no other applications at this time and I know Rick thrives in this so I will be allowing him to seek reappointment.

Okay, three.

Yeah, I'm allowing Karen Irby to seek reappointment.

Five. I will be reappointing Mr. Kyle Carrier. Okay, and I guess we're going to wait to hear back from Harris, a response from Harris County for Gina Guillory. So I'll entertain a motion for those nominated. Move to approve. Second. ALL IN FAVOR? AYE. ANY OPPOSED? MOTION CARRIES. MR. JASON REYNOLDS.

ALL RIGHT, MAYOR, COUNCIL, I'D LIKE TO BEGIN BY RECOGNIZING SEVERAL TEAM MEMBERS FROM PUBLIC WORKS FOR THE FOLLOWING ACCOMPLISHMENTS. AMY WHITE WITH CAPITOL PROJECTS RECENTLY EARNED HER PROJECT MANAGEMENT PROFESSIONAL CREDENTIAL FROM THE PROJECT MANAGEMENT INSTITUTE. ALEJANDRA MAZ WAS SELECTED FOR THE AMERICAN PUBLIC WORKS ASSOCIATION EMERGING LEADERS ACADEMY, A YEAR-LONG LEADERSHIP AND MANAGEMENT PROGRAM FOCUSED ON PUBLIC WORKS. And Cameron Prosper recently obtained his Texas Class C wastewater operator license. Our wastewater operations team recently launched a monthly newsletter called Wastewater Lab to strengthen communication and collaboration across the division. Latia, Giovanna, and Hannah were the team behind the scenes who brought this together, which is pretty fantastic. Man, that's a lot of work. And I just want to congratulate everyone on these accomplishments, and thank you for all that you do. We truly appreciate your dedication and contributions to the organization. Thank you very much, Carol, and to your team. Pass that along. All right. Visit Baytown recently helped bring SWCCA Poker Tournament to the Hyatt Regency Baytown Houston, where Brant Gary won. No, oh, no, not this one. We had 75 attendees and an additional meeting room and food and beverage revenue. So the meeting planner shared very positive feedback about the property and the Hyatt team. She specifically noted that everyone was wonderful and that she was very pleased with how the event came together. So great job to the team for helping create a positive experience for our visitors. I will tell you that the tourism team along with the communications team have been doing a heck of a job really pushing Baytown out and really driving more to our community. And each time I go out, I keep hearing, oh, I've worked with this individual. I've worked with this individual. And it's fantastic to hear. And I really appreciate the effort that's being done. And it's good to just positive vibes. I know y'all are aware we get a lot of negatives, but it's great to hear some of the positives when you go out and just recognizing the work that our teams do. And so just thank you. And that goes for everybody. And that's just for this. We haven't talked about tourism in a while. And lastly, I'd like to wish two of our amazing team members a very happy retirement. Tracy, you've been with us for 22 years, and you've taken our environmental education programs to new heights, and you've trained and encouraged staff that will carry the mission forward. And I'm at a loss for words. I have not had the pleasure of working with you in depth. I have been at many events that you've been around. And just as I said with the tourism team, like when I go to the events and Mr. Gray, my goodness, Mr. Gray before, I could not have a conversation with that man without your name popping up. And asked me if I spoke to you. And I said, yes, I've already spoken to her about this. But that went around the community. And I am grateful. And I'm saying we for all of us. I think you have a very big impact on so many people in this community that you probably do not know. And just grateful for what you've done. And I hope you've had a great time here and your next step is so fitting for you. And I really, really, really hope you thrive in it and just know that you've built a great team and the city's in good hands. Okay, thank you and happy retirement.

I will remember everything I learned here and take it with me to Luling. Come see me.

Thank you, Tracy. Alright, and then Lionel. I know he's not here. And Joey... You know, I think all of us know him. 28 years. And what's crazy is y'all have seen, like, when we do our employee recognition, there's so many long-term employees in Baytown. And it's fantastic to see. And this man has done a lot for the city and taken care of our employees and taken care of HR. And Some people hate to see him because of the job that he had. But he turned that into a joke, right? And he turned that into something that was a positive connection piece. And I didn't mean that as a negative. I meant it as like an actual positive. He brings a smile, Joey, everywhere. And I hope you pass it on. And that impact that he's had over in your corner, through City Hall, throughout the organization, it will last. And even when he's gone through some life things, he wanted to come right back. And that's crazy. And just showing how dedicated he is to the rest of the team here. And we will miss him. AND I HOPE HE ENJOYS HIS NEXT STEP IN LIFE AND JUST PLEASE PASS IT ON TO HIM. WE GREATLY APPRECIATE HIM AND WE WILL MISS HIM VERY MUCH. THANK YOU FOR THE TEAM THAT YOU HAVE OVER THERE AS WELL. MAYOR AND COUNCIL, THAT'S ALL I HAVE.

Thank you, Mr. Mayor, for such an illustrious, I guess, introduction. District report. Construction continues at the West District Wastewater Treatment Plant Operations Building. The I-10 lift station and Garth Road phases A and B. Design continues for improvements at the John Martin Road and Thompson Road intersections at I-10. The project team is coordinating with TxDOT as the plans advance towards the 90% design milestone. Out at the Baytown Nature Center, New native plant interpretive signage has been installed in the butterfly garden. The signage identifies native plants and explains their importance to pollinators, birds, and other wildlife by providing food, nectar, shelter, and habitat. A new spotting scope and interpretive signage have also been installed at San Jacinto Point. The spotted scope enhances opportunities to observe local and migratory birds and wildlife, while the signage highlights an area bird species and nature centers importance as as bird habitat, supporting environmental education, conservation and nature based tourism. Baytown Nature Center successfully completed its Wade Into the Wetlands summer science camp programs, giving local youth hands-on opportunities to explore nature, wildlife, and coastal habitats. Through interactive outdoor activities, campers develop greater environmental awareness and appreciation for the unique ecosystems and natural resources of the nature center. District 3 continues to see new business development with the following locations in progress. Piedmont Department's remodel work includes replacing the roof, water heater, HVAC system, and foundation, as well as remodeling the 14 ADA units. For those of you who don't know, ADA is... Americans Disability Act, so for those who are disabled. El Matador Foods, construction of, El Matador Foods, construction of a commercial bakery and a kitchen, it's happening. Former Red Lobster Building, undergoing a remodel to make way for the new Vida Mariscos, Mariscos, Vida Mariscos Restaurant. There are currently 23 active permits for the San Jacinto Marketplace. Work is ongoing on various multi-tenant outlet buildings. Sam's Club has an active permit for their bakery, club cafe, pharmacy, optical department, fuel station, and canopy. These projects are nearly 50% complete. Barnes & Noble, Home Goods, Havarti's Furniture, Burlington, Ross, and Two Shell Buildings are more than 50% complete. EOS Fitness and Dick's Sporting Goods are approaching 75% completion. Site work is underway for Pluckers Wings and Restaurant and Bar. Bubba's 33 is approximately 25% complete. We see there, everybody can see what's going on there. It's coming along good. So... THANK YOU TO STAFF FOR PUTTING TOGETHER THE VIDEO SO PEOPLE CAN SEE WHAT I'M TALKING ABOUT AND SEE THAT IT IS COMING ALONG. AND PRETTY SOON WE'LL HAVE A SHOPPING CENTER WE CAN ALL ENJOY. YES, I ALSO WANT TO ADVOCATE FOR LOCAL HIRING FOR THESE FACILITIES. WE'VE GOT A LOT OF TALENT IN OUR CITY. AND THANK YOU, MS. ALVARADO. IT'S REALLY IMPORTANT TO PUT THOSE PEOPLE TO WORK. Finally, this is not on my report, but it bears saying this week is Lee Sterling Week. I am wearing my maroon tie to celebrate the coolest bird ever created. It's the gander. The male goose, for those who don't know. Lee plays Sterling tomorrow. And though I have a lot of Sterling constituents, I did pick Lee to pick on the Baytown Sun Pick'em. All right. Because that's what I do. That's what ganders do. You pick wrong.

Yeah, you know, everybody wants to be a Texas Ranger and a Ranger. A Ranger. Nobody really looks for a gander. They want a Ranger.

Jason Reynolds talked about being positive, and we're not going to have any of that Sterling negativity. That's right. It's ganders all the way for me tomorrow, and go ganders. Sorry to hear that.

Lee is for the birds.

That ends my report. Yes, ma'am.

The birds are the best.

I just wanted to have a quick comment. I know Jason must have stepped out, but, you know, we had a video going out about the legislative meetings that we had with some of our state reps. And so we did invite all of our state reps. As many may not know, we have six different legislators in Baytown, so scheduling for all of them. is not always the greatest. But we did have an opportunity to meet with two more this past week. And we did meet with Rep. Terry Leo Wilson, as well as our new Rep. Brett LeJean. And so I think those were great conversations. And I just want to thank our Public Affairs Department and Jason and the team for putting that together. and ensuring that Baytown is at the helm as our legislators start going back into session in January. They're actually going back, I think, October, November or something, and then getting ready for the January season. So I just wanted to make sure that was noted. I don't think the videos are out yet or whether there's going to be videos for the two reps, which is why I wanted to make sure that they were recognized for coming TO BAYTOWN AND SITTING DOWN WITH US TO DISCUSS OUR PRIORITIES. SO THAT'S ALL I WANTED TO SAY.

WELL, I HAVE A LITTLE BIT MORE TO SAY BECAUSE IT'S SEPTEMBER AND THIS IS THE MOMENT EVERYONE TUNES IN. TO WATCH OUR MEETINGS AND FIND OUT WHAT'S GOING ON AT THE BEST LIBRARY IN THE NATION. SO HERE WE GO, SEPTEMBER 2026. I'M GOING TO READ UP UNTIL OUR NEXT COUNCIL MEETING AND LEAVE YOU ALL WITH SOME SUSPENSE. MONDAY, THE 31ST, 1030 A.M., BABY TIME. September 1st, 10.30 a.m., pre-K story time, 6 p.m., evening story time, and 6 p.m., crochet club for all of us old people.

Speak for yourself.

Wednesday, September 2nd, 10.30 and 11.30 a.m., bilingual story time. Thursday, September 3rd, 10.30 and 11.30 a.m., toddler time, 5.30 p.m., crafter noon mug and glass charms library is closed on labor day so do not show up on labor day september 8 10 30 a.m pre-k story time 6 p.m teen game night super smash brothers did you ever play super smash brothers you don't remember that part of it wow i was birdie Wednesday, September 9th, 10.30 a.m., 11.30 a.m., bilingual story time, 5 p.m. tech night, 3D printing, VR, and robotics. Thursday, September 10th, 10.30 a.m., and 11.30 a.m., toddler time. If you want to find out what's going on the rest of the month, tune in to our next council meeting because there are some pretty hip things going on. And, um, and you'll hear firsthand about our wonderful library. And just as a side note, everyone, every council member has a library card and I would encourage every citizen to get a library card and go experience our wonderful library. Thank you. That being said, we are now going to RECESS AND CONVENE INTO EXECUTIVE SESSION PURSUANT TO TEXAS GOVERNMENT CODE SECTIONS 551.072 TO DELIBERATE THE PURCHASE, EXCHANGE, LEASE OR VALUE OF REAL PROPERTY. 551.071 TO SEEK THE ADVICE OF THE CITY ATTORNEYS AND 551.074 TO DISCUSS PERSONAL MATTERS REGARDING DUTIES AND GOALS OF THE CITY MANAGER. AND WE DO HAVE ONE PERSON SIGNED UP TO SPEAK. That would be Ms. June Stansky. And Ms. Stansky, I have not memorized your address, so I'm going to have to ask you to please state your address one more time for record.

I think I'm just going to move in here. 4601 Driftwood Drive, Baytown, Texas, 77521. This is on number 11C, personnel matters regarding duties of the city manager. As always, I've got comments. Let me start with early voting that didn't get to happen at the community center because our city manager doesn't keep track of when elections are. You know, the early voting and AND REGULAR VOTING PRETTY MUCH THE SAME TIME OF YEAR, AND THAT SHOULD BE SOMETHING HE SHOULD KEEP TRACK OF, BECAUSE EVERYBODY WHO EARLY VOTED, THEY HAD TO GO TO THE BAYTOWN LIBRARY. IT WAS VERY CROWDED. IT WASN'T GOOD. THAT SHOULD BE A DUTY THE CITY MANAGER WATCHES FOR, IS TO MAKE SURE WE ARE USING THE COMMUNITY CENTER FOR EARLY AND REGULAR VOTING. I still don't like that City voted not to spend $47,000 on the golf course, and he spent $47,000 on the golf course, obviously violating what the City Council wanted. I didn't like what he did to Kim Kostic and sending out emails that were intimidating, inappropriate. And I think that was an abuse of power. I still don't like that he doesn't vote in Baytown. He doesn't have residence in Baytown where he's supposed to be governing and he's not registered to vote here in Baytown. I have a basic problem with him being the city manager. We heard again today that the Lakewood Park didn't get approved again due to his misquoting of the hotel's insurance, which should have been $1.8 million. So a lot of the things the Parks Department did a few years ago and had arranged to do with the park at Lakewood didn't happen because of another Reynolds error. So I don't approve of the city manager.

Thank you. No one else is hiring to speak. We're going to go ahead and head into executive session. I now reconvene in our open meeting of the Baytown City Council at 10.51 p.m. and announce that in accordance with Section 551.102 of the Texas Government Code, no action was taken in executive session having exhausted everything on this agenda. I now adjourn this meeting at 10.51 p.m.

Coming up on Texas Parks and Wildlife... America has had a really long history of fine arts and environmental conservation. This boardwalk overlooks freshwater wetlands. It's a cattail marsh. There's hundreds of species here. We always want to know where the end of our firearm or the muzzle is pointed at all times. This is basic safety.

Texas Parks and Wildlife, a television series for all outdoors.

It's a way for us to get people inspired about the outdoors and really to take that inspiration that they have about nature and channel it into some art form. I'm Lisa Resnicek, park interpreter from Galveston Island State Park. Today in Galveston Island State Park, we're excited to have a sandcastle contest. Everybody in the entire family can join. You know, if the contest doesn't draw them in, the shade actually might. It's an experience. It's something that I remember when I was a kid and I went to the beach with my family. It was something that we all did. Are you guys building sandcastles? Did you know that we're going to have a contest? I'd love to get you guys involved. It's a way for us to introduce the concept of arts in the parks and three-dimensional art or sculpture. Do you sandcastle at all? You got some good skills? It looks like you guys are already working pretty hard on some sandcastles. I would love for you to join. I also do camera phone hikes, watercoloring programs, drawing and journaling programs. All right, I'll see you soon. So just a little bit of what the Texas State Parks can offer in our Arts in the Parks programs. Stemming back from some of the earliest national parks that we've had, America has had a really long history of fine arts and environmental conservation. More than once I've heard adults, kids, and families in general come up to me and say, I had no idea that I could do this outside, and now it's just another thing that gets me back outside, gets me back into the Texas State Parks. I've even had a family with young toddlers who now have watercolor sets for the entire family, and every time they go camping, they now take out their watercolor sets.

Today we are going to do some watercolor painting. I'm Lauren Hartwick and I am the park interpreter at Lockhart State Park. One of our dry watercolor palettes. For me it's just a way to relax outside. Draw in people. Now you can see right away that the wet on wet