City Council - Regular Meeting

September 24th, 2026 at 6.30 p.m. and the Council Chamber Announcement of Quorum at 6.32 p.m. We will now have the pledge and invocation given by Council Member Mike Lester, District 6.

You would stand and face the flag. Place your hand over your heart.

I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America and to the republic. indivisible, with liberty and justice for all.

And now the Texas flag. Honor the Texas flag.

I pledge allegiance to thee, Texas, one state, under God, one and indivisible.

And if you'd join me, bow your heads in a brief prayer. Heavenly Father, we come to you this evening asking again for your guidance, wisdom, and support as we begin this meeting. Help us to engage in meaningful discussion, allowing us to work as a group to promote the needs of our community. Continue to remind us that all that we do here today is in the pursuit of the truth and for your greater glory. We ask these in your name. Amen.

Start off with citizen comment, and since you're walking here, I assume we have people signed up to speak. Yes, we do. Good deal. The purpose of citizen comment is to give all interested citizens the right to express their views. Everyone desiring to speak should have either signed the appropriate list in the foyer 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 a 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 ha

Thank you, Mr. Daigle. Now, I'm going to take a point of privilege, and we're going to move forward and do 4A and 4B. 4A, we're going to recognize citizen of Baytown employees for their years of service, Mr. Lopez.

Okay, now we will do 4B, recognize the city of Baytown citizens on patrol. Mr. James Franco. Okay. Yeah, sorry. I don't know if there's some people.

Yes, I put this on here because I wanted to recognize our Citizen on Control for everything they do for our police department and all those. We do have some here in the thing. I was hoping they would come up and speak about what they do. I know we have our Board of Regent Mark Hamsel and some of the others. on the spot. Like I said, I appreciate everything y'all do for the city. We wanted to recognize y'all and hopefully get y'all a better vehicle. But they assist with our patrol and they assist our police department and they're a real detriment to our community. So we really appreciate all y'

I had a comment. The officer that's over that program is here tonight as well. But as an employee, when I was a member of staff, I worked with the Citizens and Patrol Group. They're at Dixie Street for quite a while. They do a lot of work for our citizens. They really do. I used to chuckle that they really get after the folks who inappropriately park and handicap parking. And a lot of people think, oh, that's such a minor issue, but it's not if you need that handicap spot. So they're pretty aggressive with that in a number of things that they do. So, again, recognition is something we strive t

Yeah, for sure. Ken, would you all mind coming up so we can get a picture with you? And Mr. Mark Helms, old man, I don't know if I've ever heard of a Board of Regent moonlighting as a citizen on patrol.

He's also on 21 Jump Street. He's on 22. He's at a college. He's trying to find him at a college. He's undercover.

Come on. Come on. Calm down. Calm down. 2028 charger. Minus 20. Oh, Lord.

Now we're on to 2A, Municipal Development District items. Consider approving the minutes of the Municipal Development District and the City Council regular joint meeting held on July 23rd, 2026. I need a motion.

Motion carries. We are going to do executive session. We will be taking both MDD Executive Session and City Council Executive Session at the same time. Item 2B, we are going to recess into Executive Session pursuant to Section 551.071 of the Texas Government Code to seek the advice of the Municipal Development District's attorneys regarding pending or contemplated litigation ITEM 11A, WE ARE GOING TO RECESS INTO AN EXECUTIVE SESSION PURSUANT TO TEXAS TO SECTION 551.071 OF THE TEXAS GOVERNMENT CODE TO CONSULT WITH THE CITY ATTORNEYS AND SEEK LEGAL ADVICE AND ITEM 11B, RECESS INTO EXECUTIVE SESS

I now reconvene our open meeting of the Baytown Municipal Development District at 8.10 p.m. And I now state in accordance with Section 551.102 of the Texas Government Code, no action was taken in executive session. And I now reconvene our open meeting of the Baytown City Council at 8.10 p.m. and announced that in accordance with section 551.102 of the Texas government code, no action was taken in executive session. So we are now on to 2C, consider a resolution authorizing a first amendment to the engagement of Whitehead and Wilson PLLC for legal services. Mr. Lamond.

Good deal. Any questions or comments? I need a motion.

All in favor? Aye. Any opposed? Motion carries. 2D, consider a resolution authorizing professional services agreement with Reuben Brown LLC to perform audit services for the Hyatt Regency Baytown Houston project. Ms. McKenzie.

Do we have any questions or comments? I need a motion. So moved. Second. All in favor? Aye. Any opposed? Motion carries. On to 2E. Receive the fiscal year 2026-2027 operating of capital budget for the Hyatt Regency, Baytown-Houston. Ms. McKenzie.

Good deal. A lot of good news about the hotel. Any questions or comments?

I've got a comment. Too many things flashing at me here. I love the numbers because, as we've talked about all the time, again, we knew it was going to be a five to seven year before they started covering our operational costs, and we're right on track. IF YOU LOOK AT THE GROWTH OVER THE LAST TWO YEARS, PROJECTED NEXT YEAR, LOOKING AT 2028, WE'LL BE AT THE 60% EASILY. AND THAT'S JUST FANTASTIC. SO IT'S COMING ALONG. THE CONVENTION CENTER, CONFERENCE CENTER IS DOING WELL. I hear nothing but great things about the staff, the accommodations, and the food when people have big events there. So the

I think that is it. We're going to consider this budget received. Thank you, Ms. McKenzie. 2F, consider a resolution adopting the THE PHYSICAL YEAR 2026-2027 OPERATED IN CAPITAL BUDGET FOR THE HIGHEST REGENCY BAYTOWN, HOUSTON. I NEED A MOTION.

ALL IN FAVOR? AYE. ANY OPPOSED? MOTION CARRIES. WE WILL NOW MOVE ON TO COUNCIL ITEMS 3A, CONSIDER APPROVING THE MINUTES OF THE CITY COUNCIL WORK SESSION AND CITY REGULAR, CITY COUNCIL REGULAR MEETING HELD ON AUGUST 27, 2026. I NEED A MOTION.

ALL IN FAVOR? AYE. ANY OPPOSED? MOTION CARRIES. WE'VE ALREADY DISCUSSED 4A AND 4B, TAKING THEM OUT OF ORDER, SO WE'RE ON TO 5. B and A, we will be taking 5B out of order and return to 5A. Now we're going to go on to the public hearing. The public hearing today is being held for the purpose of giving all interested persons the right to express their views regarding the subject of this public hearing. Everyone desiring to be part of today's hearing should have either signed the appropriate list in the foyer or emailed the city clerk prior to the posted time of this meeting. Each participant shal

ANY QUESTIONS OR COMMENTS? GOOD DEAL. THERE BEING NO ONE DESIRING, DO WE HAVE ANYONE SIGNED UP? THERE BEING NO ONE ELSE DESIRING TO SPEAK, I NOW CLOSE THIS PUBLIC HEARING AT 822 P.M. REGARDING THE PROPOSED TEXT AMENDMENT TO CHAPTER 111, UNIFIED LAND DEVELOPMENT CODE OF THE BAYTOWN CODE OF ORDINANCES TO REVISE DIVISION 2.3 USE STANDARDS AND DIVISION 10.2 DEFINITIONS OF THE ULDC REGARDING DATA CENTERS. NOW WE ARE GOING BACK TO 5A, CONSIDERING ORDINANCE REGARDING A PROPOSED TEXT AMENDMENT AMENDMENT TO CHAPTER 111 UNIFIED LAND DEVELOPMENT CODE OF THE BAYTOWN CODE OF ORDINANCES TO REVISE DIVISION 2

SO I'M GOING TO SAY THAT I AM HAPPY TO HEAR THAT PLANNING AND ZONING agreed to the high industrial and with the SUP. If you don't mind, just for citizens who don't realize what an SUP is in the process, would you mind explaining that?

SO IT GIVES THE RESIDENTS MULTIPLE BITES THAT THEY APPLE WHEN THEY CAN COME BEFORE PLANNING AND ZONING AND VOICE THEIR OPINION? And then they have another opportunity to come before us. This is not something just because it's zoned a certain way where it's just going to be approved because of that. The SUP gives them more of an opportunity to come and speak up on whether they would like to see it or not. Any other questions or comments? Yes, ma'am.

SECOND. ALL IN FAVOR? AYE. ANY OPPOSED? MOTION CARRIES. THANK YOU, MR. SCRIMPNER. WELL, NOT JUST SHIT. WAIT A MINUTE. 6A, consider an ordinance for the first reading of the proposed voluntary annexation of approximately 60 acres at 5359 East Grand Parkway South. Mr. Scribner.

Questions or comments? Not one. I need a motion. Motion to approve 6A. Second. Second. ALL IN FAVOR?

ANY OPPOSED? I had a question, Mr. Chairman. Was it really that bad? No, we cannot do follow-up. Motion carries. Now we are on to consent agenda. We have someone signed up to speak on 7A, I mean 7E. So we need to pull 7E and also note on pulling item 7P. So 7E, 7P need to be pulled And we have a note on 7A, pages 3 through 6 of the petition. Exhibits C are missing from the agenda packet, but were timely filed with the city clerk. So outside of 7P and 7E, is there anything else that anyone would like to... All right, so 7B as in boy, 7E as in Edward, and 7P as in Paul. I need a motion.

All in favor? Aye. AYE. ANY OPPOSED? MOTION CARRIES. SO WE'RE GOING TO START WITH 7B. CONSIDER AN ORDINANCE AUTHORIZING A CHAPTER 380 ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT AGREEMENT BETWEEN THE CITY OF BAYTOWN AND PALO VERDE PARTNERS. DID I GET THAT RIGHT? YES. DEVELOPMENT LLC, MR. BRIAN MORAN.

So you said that two years to start or two years to complete?

Okay. Are we giving them a completion timeline also? Yes.

Any questions or comments? I've got a comment, Mr. Mayor, and I'm sure my colleague will jump right in there. This is right on Alexander's, right behind the current Kroger's. We've tried for years to get some interest in economic development and I've been pushing Ryan pretty hard to do something over there, and he's come through for us big time. I think this is going to be a spark that that area needs. You know, you've got a potential Starbucks coming in. I think they'll be quite pleased with traffic. I know I've talked to a couple of other restaurants in that area. They're excited about any a

I'm just, Brian, you know, you always do a great job on these things, economic development. I mean, I'm glad to see you pushing this. Like you mentioned, again, mentioned the Kroger's, you know, that was one of the things that you did that keeps those jobs there, right? That's the city doing and making sure that we're keeping good jobs there for the community and everything you're doing to keep pushing on the economic development like you've been doing. I mean, we have jobs that cannot be filled. in Baytown. We have people that are retailers that are looking for people to come work for them, s

Yes, sir. Awesome job. Matt? I'M GOING TO HAVE TO SAY SOMETHING ABOUT THIS AND THE STATE OF THE CITY BECAUSE HOW MANY NEW DEVELOPMENTS HAVE YOU BROUGHT TO US THIS YEAR ALREADY? I THINK THERE'S EIGHT TOTAL. And I don't know if we've ever had that many that I can remember come in one year at the city. So, Mr. Moran, you're doing a top-notch job and the rest of the team. So, thank you. And let's go ahead and vote on this so that we can start that. That clock is going to start at 8.41 p.m. on that two-year building. That's great.

Don't forget the job he's brought with him.

All in favor? Aye. Any opposed? Motion carries. We are on to 7E, consider an ordinance for Amendment No. 20 to the Interlocal Agreement with Harris County for Public Transportation Services in the City of Baytown. Ms. Jamie Pruitt? I know she wants to speak, but I was just...

Thank you. And we now have our one and only, Dr. June Stansky. I just can't remember your address, so if you don't mind reminding me of it again.

Thank you. Questions or comments? None? I need a motion. Motion to approve item 70 as written. All in favor? Aye. Any opposed?

On to 7P, considering ordinance authorizing the approval of an annual service agreement with Cummins, Inc. for plant equipment maintenance via source will cooperative contract number 092222-CMM. Ms. McKenzie. Thank you.

Okay, so I need a motion. Second. All in favor? Aye. Any opposed? Motion carries. We're now on to appointments. Consider a resolution authorizing four appointments to the Animal Control Advisory Committee. The following appointments up for consideration are the licensed veterinarian, Dr. Francisco Alvarez. He seeks reappointment. Director of Health or designee reappoint Mr. Sean Cochran. And an interested citizen, Margaret Matthews, does not seek reappointment. The City Clerk's Office has not received any other applications, so if no nominations, this seat will remain vacant until filled. So d

I do. And actually, this individual had applied for the Animal Patrol Advisory Committee in the past. It's just been a while. But I saw her about two meetings ago, and she mentioned that she was still interested in it. And so I'm going to make the motion for Cynthia Coker. to be on the board. She's very active in animal issues. I won't say she's part of one of the humane groups, but she is very active with animal issues across the board. I've known Ms. Coker for quite a while in my previous life here as well. I think she would be an asset, and she's not here tonight because I didn't have a cha

So I'm going to need a motion to reappoint Dr. Francisco Alvarez, also Mr. Sean Cochran, and Ms. Cynthia Coker. So moved. All in favor? Aye. Any opposed? Motion carries. Consider a resolution authorizing five appointments to the Baytown Police Advisory Committee. The following considerations, Chief of Police or Designee, Chief Stringer, you want to reappoint Mr. Steve Jones?

Okay. Well, those are those two. District 2 at large, it says Sarah would like to reappoint Rex Elliott. And District 4 at large, Mr. James Franco. You currently have Andrea Rice seeking reappointment.

No, she actually sent an email this week. She is not seeking reappointment. But I did speak with Ms. Morales. Martha Morales would like to join the board. Okay. Or the committee, sir.

Got you. Write that in. And at large... MR. JACOB POWELL, HE'S GOING TO MAKE HIS APPOINTMENT AT A LATER DATE. SO I NEED A MOTION FOR MR. STEVE JONES, MS. NATALIE ROBINSON, REX ELLIOTT, AND MARTHA MORALES. SO MOVED. ALL IN FAVOR? AYE. Any opposed? Motion carries. Now we are on to Manager's report with Mr. Jason Reynolds.

Now we're going to have a Councilmember District Report by the one and only Mike Hollywood Lester regarding projects, programs, and events in district number six.

I appreciate that, Mayor. I'm going to have to get Jim Wodzinski with the Baytown Little Theater to get all y'all in one of his plays so y'all can see how much work is actually there. First thing, Mayor, I'm going to bring up the issue that I have currently scheduled a listening tour for October the 6th, which is in conflict with National Night Out. So we're working with the public information team to reschedule that so that they'll have some folks at National Night Out because I know that everybody would come to my listening tour. Of course. So we're going to delay that for probably a week or

The moment you've all been waiting for. That's why everyone stuck around after the executive session. I knew it. What we have going on at the library... starting tomorrow, nothing. On Monday, the 28th, 10.30 a.m., baby time, 5 p.m., tween story explorers, 10.30 a.m., pre-K story time, 6 p.m., teen uno. On the 30th, 10.30 and 11.30 a.m., bilingual story time, 5 p.m., 3D printing for adults, and October 1st, 10.30 a.m. and 11.30 a.m., toddler time, and 5.30 p.m. Crafter, Crafter noon at 5.30 p.m.? I thought it would be Crafter evening for evening or something, but that's what it is. Having exhau