Apr 24, 2025 CITY COUNCIL MEETING

[00:00:03]

I NOW CALL TO ORDER THE CITY COUNCIL, THE JOINT CITY COUNCIL REGULAR MEETING, AND THE BAYTOWN MUNICIPAL DEVELOPMENT DISTRICT MEETING ON THURSDAY, APRIL 24TH, 2025, AND THE COUNCIL OF CHAMBER, CITY HALL, BAYTOWN, TEXAS, AN ANNOUNCEMENT OF A QUORUM AT 6:51 PM WE WILL HAVE PLEDGE AND INVOCATION LED BY COUNCIL MEMBER JAMES FRANCO, DISTRICT NUMBER FOUR, PLEDGE ALLEGIANCE TO THE FLAG OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA.

AND TWO REPUBLIC FOR WHICH IT STANDS, ONE NATION UNDER GOD, INDIVISIBLE, WITH LIBERTY FOR ALL HONOR, HONOR, TEXAS.

FLAG OUR ALLEGIANCE TO SEE TEXAS, ONE STATE UNDER GOD, ONE IN INDIVISIBLE.

DEAR LORD, WE THANK YOU FOR THIS DAY TO GATHER.

WE THANK YOU FOR THE RAIN THAT HAS COME THROUGH AND, AND, AND BEEN PROVIDED.

WE THANK YOU FOR THIS BEAUTIFUL WEATHER THAT WE'VE HAD.

WE ASK THAT RIGHT NOW THAT YOU GIVE US, UH, WISDOM AND GUIDANCE AND HELP US WITH OUR DECISIONS THAT WE'RE MAKING, THAT THEY'RE IN THE BEST INTEREST OF OUR CITIZENS, IN THE BEST INTEREST OF THE COMMUNITY.

WE ASK THAT YOU BE WITH ALL THOSE THAT ARE OUT RIGHT NOW, PROTECTING OUR CITY AND, AND, AND LOOKING OUT FOR OUR, FOR OUR CITIZENS AND PROTECT THEM AND GIVE THEM, GIVE THEM A HAND ON THIS.

WE ASK THAT YOU BE WITH ALL THOSE RIGHT NOW THAT ARE SUFFERING, ALL THOSE THAT ARE DEALING WITH ILLNESSES AND, AND THINGS THAT WE, WE DON'T UNDERSTAND AND THAT WE NEED, THAT NEED HELP FROM US WITH.

WE ASK FOR ALL THESE THINGS IN YOUR SON AND OUR SAVIOR, JESUS CHRIST.

AMEN.

AMEN.

[1. CITIZEN COMMENTS Notice is hereby given that in accordance with the Texas Open Meetings Act, Texas Government Code, Chapter 551, prohibits the City Council from discussing, deliberating, or considering, subjects for which public notice has not been given on the agenda. Issues that cannot be referred to the administration for action may be placed on the agenda of a future City Council Session.]

WE HAVE ANYONE SIGNED UP? I'M GOOD DEAL.

THE PURPOSE OF CITIZEN COMMENT IS TO GIVE ALL INTENDED CITIZENS THE RIGHT TO EXPRESS THEIR VIEWS.

EVERYONE DESIRING TO SPEAK.

SHOULD I 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 ALSO ALLOW EACH PERSON ONE MINUTE TO SPEAK.

A CITIZEN MAY PASS HIS OR HER TIME TO ANOTHER PERSON WHO HAS REQUESTED TO ADDRESS COUNSEL.

HOWEVER, NO CITIZEN REMARKS SHALL EXCEED THREE MINUTES IN TOTAL.

EITHER THE ONE MINUTE OR THE THREE MINUTE LIMIT MAY BE EXTENDED BY A MAJORITY VOTE OF COUNSEL.

I ENCOURAGE EVERYONE TO BE AS BRIEF AND TO THE POINT AS POSSIBLE.

PLEASE KEEP IN MIND COUNSEL CANNOT DISCUSS OR DELIBERATE ON ITEMS FOR WHICH THE PUBLIC NOTICE HAS NOT BEEN GIVEN ON THIS AGENDA.

UH, WE'RE GOING TO START WITH MS. MS. DWAA CARGILL.

DID I GET THAT RIGHT? UH, YOU'RE CLOSE.

WELL, HOW DO I PRONOUNCE IT? DLA DLA CARGILL.

IF YOU DON'T MIND, UM, APPROACHING THE MIC AND GIVING YOUR ADDRESS FOR RECORD.

YES, SIR.

UH, I LIVE AT 25 0 7 DORAL DRIVE IN EVERGREEN FAIRWAYS.

GOOD EVENING.

I HAVE GIVEN A LOT OF THOUGHT TO WHAT I WOULD LIKE TO CONVEY AND HOPE IT COMES OFF AS CLEAR, CONCISE, TO THE POINT AND RESPECTFUL.

WHILE I APPRECIATE THE HARD WORK MY CITY GOVERNMENT DOES EACH DAY, I MUST TAKE TO TASK SOMETHING THAT DEFINITELY NEEDS IMPROVEMENT, THAT IS HONESTY AND TRANSPARENCY IN WHAT IS SAID AND INTENDED.

FOR THE LAST 10 YEARS, RESIDENTS OF EVERGREEN FAIRWAYS HAVE DEALT WITH TALK OF IMPROVING OUR AREA, WHETHER WITH THE GOLF COURSE, THE HOTEL, DISC, GOLF, ET CETERA.

WE HAVE CONTENDED WITH AND WON AGAINST A DEVELOPER WHO WANTED TO BRING WAREHOUSES NEAR OUR HOMES THAT HAD THE POSSIBILITY OF DEVALUING, DEVALUING OUR PROPERTIES AND THE PROPERTIES AROUND US.

THE CONTENTION BETWEEN GOVERNING FACTIONS HAS SUCCESSFULLY CLOSED THE GOLF COURSE.

I HAVE SINCE BEEN TOLD BY A NEIGHBOR THAT THE CITY IS SAYING IT IS A PARK.

HOLD ON.

HOLD ON ONE SECOND.

YES, SIR.

ONE SECOND.

I WOULD LIKE TO GIVE MS. CARGILL SOME EXTRA TIME.

UM, CAN I GET A SECOND? SECOND.

THANK YOU.

PLEASE PROCEED.

OKAY.

I HAVE SINCE BEEN TOLD BY A NEIGHBOR THAT THE CITY IS SAYING IT IS A PARK AGAIN.

AND THEREIN LIES MY CONCERN.

WHEN THE COURSE WAS DEFEATED BEFORE AND WE WERE TOLD IT WAS A PARK, EVERGREEN PARK, WE BELIEVED YOU.

LITTLE DID WE KNOW IT HAD NOT BEEN OFFICIALLY DE DECLARED AS SUCH.

THEREFORE, IT BECAME A GOLF COURSE.

AGAIN, DECEIT IS NOT BECOMING OF ANYONE, BUT ESPECIALLY

[00:05:01]

I HOPE WITH THE NEW ADMINISTRATION, THE STRATEGY OF DECEIT IS OBSOLETE.

MAYOR JOHNSON, PLEASE MAKE IT AN OFFICIALLY DOCUMENTED PARK IF INDEED THAT IS WHAT IT IS TO BE.

PLEASE BE HONEST ABOUT THE INTENT FOR ITS FUTURE.

MR. LESTER, PLEASE LISTEN TO YOUR CONSTITUENTS AND REPRESENT US WELL.

THANK YOU.

THANK YOU THERE BEING NO ONE ELSE DESIRING TO SPEAK.

I I'LL CLOSE THE CITIZEN COMMENT PORTION OF THIS AGENDA.

[a. Consider a resolution authorizing a professional services agreement with Admin CFO, LLC to provide financial oversight services related to the Hyatt Regency Baytown-Houston Project.]

UH, I'M HAPPY TO BRING TO YOU, UH, ONE, A QUICK UPDATE ON THE HYATT BEFORE WE TALK ABOUT MR. FLANAGAN'S, UH, CONTRACT.

I ALWAYS KNOW Y'ALL ENJOY ME SAYING FLANAGAN UP HERE.

SO, UH, I TOLD JIMMY TODAY THAT WE WERE DOING THIS.

WE HAD A MEETING BEFORE WE CAME HERE, AND I TOLD HIM THAT Y'ALL WOULD LAUGH WHEN I SAID FLANAGAN.

SO I APPRECIATE THE SMILES 'CAUSE HE'S PROBABLY WATCHING, UM, , JIM FLANAGAN.

UM, SO MR. FLANAGAN HAS BEEN INSTRUMENTAL IN ENSURING COSTS ARE CONTAINED, UH, FOLLOWING THE, THE MONEY IN AND OUT OF THE HOTEL, WORKING WITH GARFIELD, UH, PUBLIC PRIVATE AND WORKING WITH THE CITY TO, TO OVERWATCH EVERYTHING THAT'S GOING ON WITHIN THE, UH, THE HOTEL OPERATIONS.

AND HE'S INSTRUMENTAL INTO ENSURING THAT WE STAY ON A FINANCIAL, UH, PATH, UH, TO SUCCESS, UH, FROM WHAT I CAN SEE.

BUT WITH THAT, I'M HAPPY TO REPORT, UH, AT OUR MEETING, UH, TODAY AND OVER THE PAST MONTH WITH THE HYATT, UH, WE ARE STARTING TO SEE MORE AND MORE POSITIVE FLOW OF CASH OUT OF THE HOTEL.

UH, WE, AT THE MOST RECENT ONE, WE HAD MORE THAN $300,000.

THAT WAS CASH FLOWED DOWN INTO, UM, UH, INTO THE SYSTEM, UH, TO PAY, UH, THE PRES OR PRE, UH, DETERMINED, UH, FEES THAT ARE, THAT GO WITH RUNNING THE HOTEL.

AND THEN AT OUR UPDATE THIS MORNING, UM, THEY GAVE AN UPDATED BUDGET, UM, THAT SHOWS A HIGHER OCCUP, A A CONTINUED GROWTH OF OCCUPANCY RATE RATE.

THAT IS WHERE WE ARE WANTING IT TO BE.

IN ADDITION TO THAT, THEY, UH, GAVE A TRAJECTORY THAT WITHIN TWO YEARS, NOT A GOOD, NOT THE BEST CASE SCENARIO, NOT THE WORST CASE SCENARIO, BUT THE MOST LIKELY SCENARIO IS THAT WE WILL BE ABLE TO START COVERING OUR DEBT PAYMENT, UH, THROUGH THE HOTEL WATERFALL, UH, CASH FLOW, WHICH, SO THE, THE POINT BEING IS THAT WHEN THE HOTEL WAS BUILT, THERE WAS ALWAYS A RAMP UP PERIOD PLANNED FOR, UH, BECAUSE WE KNEW THAT THERE WAS GONNA BE A, UM, A PERIOD OF PAYING EXPENSES.

IT HAS BEEN A SLOWER RAMP UP THAN EVERYBODY DETERMINED.

OKAY.

BUT THEIR, THEIR OUTLOOK AS OF TODAY IS THAT WE WILL BE ABLE TO COVER THAT ADDITIONAL $1.9 MILLION DEBT PAYMENT WITHIN TWO YEARS OF ADDITIONAL CASH FLOW COMING TO THE HOTEL.

UM, THAT MET THE ORIGINAL FEASIBILITY STUDY, UM, UH, PAYING BACK, I SHOULD SAY IT MET THAT ORIGINAL, UH, OVERALL GENERAL UNDERSTANDING OF WHAT THE FINANCIALS WERE.

UH, THE, THE CAVEAT HERE IS THAT, AND THIS IS NOT A FULL DISCUSSION ABOUT ALL THE FINANCES, THIS IS JUST A, AN INSERT INTO WHAT'S HAPPENING AND HOW MR. FLANAGAN HAS BEEN INSTRUMENTAL, INSTRUMENTAL IN WORKING ALL THIS.

UM, THE THE CAVEAT THERE IS THAT, UM, THE INSURANCE THROUGH BOTH THE HYATT AND THROUGH THE CITY WAS NOT EXPECTED TO BE AS HIGH AS IT IS.

AND SO THAT IS AN UNEXPECTED EXPENSE THAT IS A MILLION DOLLARS MORE THAN WHAT ANYBODY WAS PLANNING FOR.

AND SO, LIKE, WE STILL HAVE TIME BEFORE WE ARE ABLE TO COVER THAT EXPENSE, BUT COVERING 1.9 MILLION WITHIN THE NEXT TWO TO THREE YEARS IS A, IS A WIN AND ON THIS TRAJECTORY OF, OF THE CASH FLOW THAT WAS EXPECTED.

AND MR. MR. FLANAGAN IS WATCHING ALL THAT, UH, THROUGH THE ADMIN CFO CONTRACT.

THANK YOU.

ANY QUESTIONS? COMMENTS? NO COMMENT.

UM, I'M GLAD TO HEAR THAT WE'RE CLOSE TO THE, THE TRAJECTORY.

UH, I DID WANNA COMMENT

[00:10:01]

SO THAT WAS GOOD TO HEAR THAT THESE WERE PEOPLE FROM, FROM ALL OVER, UM, THE UNITED STATES, I BELIEVE, AND MAYBE EVEN OUTSIDE.

UM, ALSO FUN FACT, WHEN WE WERE WALKING AROUND A FEW OF THE COUNCIL MEMBERS THAT EVENING, UH, THERE WERE A COUPLE OF, UM, PROMS TAKING PLACE AND ONE OF THE PARENTS OUT THERE ACTUALLY TOLD ME THAT THEY COULDN'T GET A ROOM AT THE HYATT THAT WEEKEND BECAUSE IT WAS ALREADY COMPLETELY BOOKED UP.

SO IT'S JUST NICE TO SEE THAT IT'S BEING UTILIZED AND IT'S GOOD TO HEAR THAT, UM, THERE'S SOME POSITIVE THINGS HAPPENING.

RIGHT.

SO, AND IF Y'ALL ARE PLANNING ON GOING, THERE'S SUPPOSED TO BE A DANCE COMPETITION EITHER THIS WEEKEND OR NEXT WEEKEND WITH 1500 PEOPLE GOING TO BE AT THE DANCE COMPETITION.

SO STAY AWAY.

WOW.

DANCE IS BIG BUDDY.

DANCE IS BIG.

IT'S GONNA BE CROWDED, NICE FROM A DANCE.

WELL, WHAT I'M GONNA TAKE FROM THIS GRAHAM'S COMMENTS IS WHEN MY DAUGHTER GOES TO PROM, I NEED TO GO AHEAD AND BOOK MY ROOM THERE EARLY.

GO AND DO IT NOW.

YEAH, NO, I MEAN, I REALLY DIDN'T KNOW THAT THIS WAS JUST, YOU KNOW, ORGANIC CONVERSATIONS TAKING PLACE, BUT IT WAS, IT WAS GOOD NEWS TO MY EARS, I'LL TELL YOU THAT.

OKAY.

VERY POSITIVE.

UH, KIND OF TO PIGGYBACK ON, ON, UM, ON MS. GRAHAM'S, UM, WE JUST HAD PROM LAST WEEKEND AND, UH, STERLING, UH, DID THAT AND MY DAUGHTER WAS THERE AND, UH, THEY WERE THE TWO, THE KIDS WERE NOT HAPPY ABOUT HAVING PROM THERE AND THE PARENTS WERE NOT HAPPY, UH, UNTIL ABOUT NINE O'CLOCK THAT SATURDAY NIGHT WHEN THEY'RE LIKE, THIS WAS NICE.

THEY LOVED IT.

SO EVERYBODY WAS VERY HAPPY WITH IT.

THEY WAS VERY IMPRESSED WITH THE HOTEL.

AND I THINK GCMS IS THIS WEEKEND.

YES.

UM, BARBARA SILL WAS THERE.

BARBARA SILL HAD THEIRS ALSO.

AND GCMS IS THIS WEEKEND, SO THAT'D BE THREE PRONGS THIS YEAR, WHICH IS, WHICH WAS AMAZING.

I MEAN, THERE A LOT OF POSITIVE FEEDBACK IN THE, IN, YOU KNOW, GENERAL ONLINE SOCIAL MEDIA STUFF.

UM, IT WAS JUST VERY REFRESHING THIS PAST COUPLE OF WEEKS.

JUST WAS LOVE IT.

COUNCILMAN LISTA.

OH, KIND OF ROUND OUT, UH, THE GENERAL POSITIVE COMMENTS, UH, WAS ROUND WHEN IT WAS APPROVED AND SO WAS THE MAYOR.

HE WAS PART OF THE COUNCIL AT THAT TIME WHEN WE WERE MOVING FORWARD WITH HOTEL AND, AND ALL THOSE DISCUSSIONS, WE WERE AWARE OR KNEW THAT IT WOULD TAKE THREE TO FIVE, MAYBE SEVEN YEARS TO GET TO A POINT THAT IT WOULD BE SELF-FUNDING.

AND, AND SO WE'RE ON THAT TRACK.

WE KNEW THAT THAT WAS GONNA OCCUR AND, AND I'M JUST PLEASED AS PUNCH THAT WE'VE GOT A SUCCESSFUL OPERATION DOWN THERE AND I'VE HEARD NOTHING.

ANYBODY THAT GOES WILL, WILL.

I'VE HEARD NOTHING BUT GOOD.

UH, HEAR THE BREAKFAST IS FANTASTIC AND WE'VE ACTUALLY, IT IS, WE'VE GONE A COUPLE OF TIMES THAT YOU WANT A REALLY NICE TREAT YOURSELF TO KIND OF A SPECIAL BREAKFAST.

GO HAVE BREAKFAST AT THE HOTEL.

IT'S, IT'S WELL WORTH THE, THE WEIGHT AND THE COST.

OH YEAH.

THEY'RE ALL GOOD.

AMAZING.

GOOD DEAL.

WELL, I'M GOING TO NEED A MOTION.

MOTION TO APPROVE.

SECOND.

ALL IN FAVOR A AYE.

ANY OPPOSED? OKAY, WE WILL NOW MOVE

[a. Present a proclamation designating May 4 - 10, 2025, as Professional Municipal Clerks Week. ]

WELL WE WILL NOW MOVE ON INTO THE CITY COUNCIL ITEMS AND THAT WILL BE THREE A RECOGNITIONS AND CITIZEN COMMUNICATIONS.

UM, PRESENT A PROCLAMATION DESIGNATING MAY 4TH THROUGH THE 10TH, 2025 AS PROFESSIONAL MUNICIPAL CLERKS WEEK.

JUST YES IT IS.

WELL, I'M GONNA HEAD DOWN HERE, MAYOR.

I THOUGHT THAT WAS 52 WEEKS A YEAR.

WELL, IT SHOULD BE.

IT SHOULD BE.

SO EVERYBODY BUT EASY.

OH, AND LET ME SAY THIS.

IF Y'ALL WANT BE IN THE PICTURE, COME DOWN BECAUSE I'M GONNA FORGET TO CALL YOU DOWN.

WE KNOW THAT.

ALRIGHT, WE'RE GONNA COME DOWN LATER THOUGH.

IT WAS VERY AWKWARD.

I WANT BE IN THE PICTURE WITH THE CLERKS DOWN THERE.

COME ON NOW.

OH MY GOSH.

WE, WHAT? SHE I NO DOUBT.

WE REALLY DO.

DOES.

SO GUESS WHAT I'M ABOUT TO DO? I'M ABOUT TO BRAG ON OUR CITY CLERK'S OFFICE.

UM, I WILL SAY THE CITY CLERK'S OFFICE IS THE HEARTBEAT OF WHAT WE DO HERE IN THE CITY.

THEY ARE GRACIOUS BY PUTTING THE AGENDAS OUT ON TIME, KEEPING EVERYTHING FLOWING.

I'VE HEARD, I'VE SEEN WHERE EVERY DEPARTMENT TOUCHES THE CITY CLERK'S OFFICE AND THAT SAYS A LOT.

THAT MEANS THEY DO A LOT OF WORK ON TOP OF THE PUBLIC INFORMATION REQUESTS THAT YOU ALL RECEIVE, RECEIVE.

SO I'M NOT GOING TO ASK YOU ALL

[00:15:01]

SIR, WOULD YOU MIND HAVING SOME COMMENTS, SPECIFICALLY GIVING CITIZENS AN IDEA OF WHAT OUR CITY CLERK'S OFFICE IS RE IS RESPONSIBLE FOR AND HOW AWESOME THEY ARE? UH, YEAH, THEY ARE AMAZING.

I, UM, SO I WILL START BY THIS AND THEY, IT'S NO SECRET TO THE ORGANIZATION.

I, I SAY THEY'RE, THEY'RE MY FAVORITE DEPARTMENT BECAUSE THEY MAKE ME SMILE EVERY DAY.

AND SO WHEN I WALK PAST THE OFFICE, THEY'RE, THEY'RE RIGHT HERE OUTSIDE THE DOOR AND, UM, THEY ARE SO BRIGHT AND SO CHEERY AND I WALK BY AND IT'S ALWAYS, HI MR. REYNOLDS OR HELLO OR HAVE A GREAT DAY EVERY SINGLE TIME.

AND IT'S UNEXPECTED.

UM, IT'S JUST, IT'S SOMETHING THAT'S SO PLEASANT AND THAT EMBODIES WHO THEY ARE AS AN ENTIRE GROUP.

AND SO YOU CAN ALWAYS CATCH A SMILE, YOU CAN ALWAYS FEEL WELCOMED, YOU CAN ALWAYS FIND A SNACK AS WELL.

AND, UM, BUT WHEN THEY'RE NOT JUST MAKING EVERYBODY FEEL GREAT, UH, THEY SPEND A LOT OF TIME DEALING WITH THE CITIZENS.

AND SO THEY DEAL A LOT WITH OUR, OUR RECORDS AND OUR CERTIFICATE, OUR BIRTH CERTIFICATES AND DEATH CERTIFICATES, UM, AND HELPING PEOPLE JUST GET RECORDS DAY IN AND DAY OUT.

THEY SPEND IN ENORMOUS AMOUNT OF TIME GETTING AGENDAS READY, COORDINATING WITH ALL THE BOARDS, ALL THE COMMISSIONS, UH, GETTING THINGS POSTED, WORKING WITH EVERY SINGLE DEPARTMENT BECAUSE EVERY SINGLE DEPARTMENT OFTEN MAY MISS A FORM WHEN PUTTING SOMETHING ON THE AGENDA.

SO THEY'RE HAVING TO COMMUNICATE WITH ALL OF THE, ALL OF THE, ALL OF THE DEPARTMENTS THEY'RE CONTACTING, ALL OF YOU TO COORDINATE TIMES ON WHEN YOU ARE AVAILABLE, WHEN YOU'RE NOT AVAILABLE.

THEY ARE SCANNING OLD RECORDS TO GET 'EM DIGITIZED.

IT, UH, DAY IN AND DAY OUT.

, UM, THEY ARE DOING OPEN RECORDS.

UH, THEY ARE FILING OR WRITING THE MINUTES, MAKING SURE EVERYTHING IS POPPED UP AND IT'S CAN GO ON AND ON WITH A BUNCH OF DIFFERENT THINGS.

BUT, UH, THEY'RE, THEY'RE BELOVED IN THE CITY.

AND, UH, UM, I'M HAPPY THAT THEY'RE HERE AND I'M HA I HAVE THE PLEASURE OF WORKING WITH THEM.

THE ONE SURPRISE I HAD WHEN I GOT ON COUNCIL, IT IMPRESSED ME TREMENDOUSLY ABOVE EVERYTHING ELSE.

AND EVEN TILL THIS DAY, THE CANDY DRAWERS , IT REALLY IS BECAUSE THEY ASKED ME WHAT I LIKE AND I OPENED IT ONE DAY AND AN ELF HAD FILLED IT WITH ALL OF MY FAVORITE THINGS.

THAT'S IT RIGHT THERE.

SO EVERYTHING FROM THE CANDY DRAWER TO THE AGENDA TO HANDLING OUR CITIZENS IN THE MOST WONDERFUL WAY.

THANK YOU FOR ALL THAT YOU DO.

LET'S GIVE 'EM A ROUND OF APPLAUSE.

SO WHEREAS THE PROFESSION OF MUNICIPAL CLERKS IS ESSENTIAL TO THE EFFECTIVE FUNCTIONINGS OF, OF LOCAL GOVERNMENT, OF IN TEXAS, ENSURING TRANSPARENCY, ACCOUNTABILITY, AND THE SMOOTH OPERATION OF MUNICIPAL SERVICES.

AND WHEREAS TEXAS MUNICIPAL CLERKS HAVE PLEDGED TO BE EVER MINDFUL OF THEIR NEUTRALITY AND IMPARTIALITY, WHILE SERVING AS PROFESS AS THE PROFESSIONAL LINK BETWEEN THE CITIZENS, THE LOCAL GOVERNING BODIES AND AGENCIES OF GOVERNMENT AT OTHER LEVELS.

AND WHEREAS TEXAS MUNICIPAL CLERKS SERVE AS THE OFFICIAL RECORD KEEPERS MANAGING VITAL DOCUMENTS, CONDUCTING MUNICIPAL ELECTIONS, PROVIDING LEGISLATIVE SUPPORT AND ENSURING COMPLIANCE WITH LAWS AND REGULATIONS IN CITIES ACROSS TEXAS.

AND WHEREAS MANIP MUNICIPAL CLERKS DEMONSTRATE EXCEPTIONAL DEDICATION, PROFESSIONALISM, AND INTEGRITY IN THEIR WORK, OFTEN GOING ABOVE AND BEYOND TO SERVE THEIR COMMUNITIES AND FACILITATE THE EFFECTIVE GOVERNANCE OF LOCAL GOVERNMENTS.

AND WHEREAS MUNICIPAL CLERKS WEEK PROVIDES AN OPPORTUNITY TO RECOGNIZE AND CELEBRATE THE INVALUABLE WORK OF MUNICIPAL CLERKS, ACKNOWLEDGE THEIR VITAL CONTRIBUTIONS TO PUBLIC SERVICE AND HIGHLIGHT THE IMPORTANT ROLE THEY PLAY IN THE DAY-TO-DAY OPERATIONS OF OUR CITY.

NOW, THEREFORE, I CHARLES JOHNSON, MAYOR OF BAYTOWN DO HEREBY PROCLAIM MAY 4TH THROUGH MAY 10TH, 2025 AS PROFESSIONAL MUNICIPAL CLERKS WEEK IN OFFICIAL RECOGNITION.

WHEREOF, I HAVE AFFIXED MY SIGNATURE THIS 24TH DAY OF APRIL, 2025.

GOTTA MAKE SURE THIS IS RIGHT.

GABBY, GABBY GIE WILL GET ME.

ALL RIGHT.

HERE WE GO.

ONE, YOU ONLY DO ONE MORE.

YOU DIDN'T COUNT.

YOU SAID ONE.

THAT WAS IT.

I KNOW.

IT'S A TRICK EVERY TIME.

THAT WAY YOU'RE ALWAYS SMILING.

OKAY.

THANK YOU.

THANK YOU.

[00:20:04]

WE

[b. Present a proclamation designating April 25 - 27, 2025 as BACA Heroes Weekend.]

WOULD YOU ALL PLEASE COME TO THE FRONT NOW I'M GOING TO ALLOW SOMEONE FROM YOUR GROUP TO TALK ABOUT THE IMPORTANT WORK THAT YOU ALL DO.

WOULD THAT BE YOU? I HAVE A LITTLE BLURB.

WELL, LET'S DO IT.

.

GOOD EVENING EVERYBODY.

BIKERS AGAINST CHILD ABUSE.

BACA EXISTS WITH THE INTENT TO CREATE A SAFER ENVIRONMENT FOR ABUSED CHILDREN.

WE EXIST AS A BODY OF BIKERS TO EMPOWER CHILDREN TO NOT FEEL AFRAID OF THE WORLD IN WHICH THEY LIVE.

TO ACCOMPLISH THIS, WE WORK IN CONJUNCTION WITH LOCAL AND STATE OFFICIALS WHO ARE ALREADY IN PLACE TO PROTECT CHILDREN.

THIS PROCLAMATION FOR HEROES WEEKEND IS A WAY FOR US TO HONOR THE CHILDREN THAT WE WORK WITH AND THE STRENGTH AND COURAGE THAT THEY EXHIBIT THAT MANY OF US CAN ONLY DREAM OF POSSESSING.

WE'D LIKE TO THANK THE COUNCIL AND ALSO THE CITIZENS OF BAYTOWN FOR SUPPORTING THIS PROCLAMATION FOR OUR HEROES AND RECOGNIZING APRIL AS CHILD ABUSE AWARENESS AND PREVENTION MONTH.

IF YOU SEE SOMETHING, SAY SOMETHING.

THANK YOU, THANK YOU.

WHEREAS THE CITY OF BAYTOWN IS PLEASED TO JOIN BIKERS AGAINST CHILD ABUSE INC.

IN CELEBRATING THE LAST WEEKEND OF APRIL AS BACA HEROES WEEKEND IN TEXAS.

AND WHEREAS BIKERS AGAINST CHILD ABUSE IN AND IS AN INTERNATIONAL NONPROFIT ORGANIZATION DEDICATED TO PROVIDING SUPPORT AND HEALING TO CHILDREN WHO HAVE BEEN ABUSED, THESE YOUNG VICTIMS ARE KNOWN AMONG THE ORGANIZATION'S MEMBERS AS HEROES.

AND WHEREAS THE EXEMPLARY ORGANIZATION HAS INSTITUTED A NUMBER OF INITIATIVES TO CHAMPION THE VICTIMS OF CHILD ABUSE, INCLUDING EMPOWERMENT CEREMONIES WHERE AN ABUSED CHILD IS WELCOMED INTO THE BIKERS AGAINST CHILD ABUSE FAMILY.

AND WHEREAS IT IS TRULY FITTING THAT A WEEKEND BE SET ASIDE TO PAY TRIBUTE, TRIBUTE TO THE BRAVERY AND DETERMINATION SHOWN BY THE VICTIMS OF CHILD ABUSE AND FACING AND OVERCOMING THEIR TRAUMA.

AND WHEREAS THE CITY OF BAYTOWN COMMENDS THE MEMBERS OF BIKERS AGAINST CHILD ABUSE INC.

ON THEIR IMPORTANT WORK AND COMMITMENT TO SUPPORTING THE VICTIMS OF CHILD ABUSE AND EXTENDS TO THEM BEST WISHES FOR SUCCESSFUL BACA HEROES WEEKEND.

NOW, THEREFORE, I CHARLES JOHNSON, MAYOR OF BAYTOWN DO HEREBY PROCLAIM APRIL 25TH THROUGH THE 27TH, 2025 AS BAER HEROES WEEKEND.

AN OFFICIAL RECOGNITION WHEREOF, I HAVE AFFIXED MY SIGNATURE THIS 24TH DAY OF APRIL, 2025.

OKAY.

YES, ABSOLUTELY.

UM, I NEED Y'ALL TO GET A LITTLE BIT CLOSER TOGETHER.

WE DO LIKE EACH OTHER.

BELIEVE.

WELL, OH YEAH.

.

PROVE IT NOW.

YEAH, RIGHT UP.

COME ON.

ALRIGHT.

I THINK I SEE JUST ABOUT EVERYBODY IF I DON'T, DON'T GET MAD AT ME.

GOT IT.

OKAY, HERE WE GO.

TAKE A COUPLE PHOTOS.

BEAR WITH ME.

ONE, TWO.

OKAY.

LEMME TAKE MORE FOR THIS PHONE.

OKAY.

AND ONE MORE.

PERFECT.

THANK YOU.

ENJOY GUYS.

THANK YOU.

THANK YOU GUYS.

THANK YOU.

FOOD.

YEAH, YOU'RE WELCOME.

THANK YOU.

THANK YOU.

YES, MA'AM.

THANK YOU.

PRESENT A PROCLAMATION

[c. Present a proclamation designating May 4 - 10, 2025 as Hurricane Preparedness Week.]

YOU, YOU GOT IT.

WELCOME EMERGENCY PLANNING COMMITTEE FOLKS HERE, AND ALSO ANYBODY WHO'S PART OF THE EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT ADVISORY COMMITTEE.

[00:25:01]

TO MAKE YOU STAND HERE FOR A MINUTE.

HOW MUCH, HOW MUCH WORK IS DONE THIS WEEK IN RELATION TO HURRICANE PREPAREDNESS? WELL, THE, UM, DAVID, YOU KNOW, DAVID AND MARK ARE BUSY ALL YEAR ROUND AT PREPARING.

I THINK THE MOST IMPORTANT THING TALKED ABOUT FOR THIS WEEK IS, UM, EVERYONE PLANNING.

THANK YOU.

UH, A REMINDER THAT HURRICANE SEASON IS AROUND THE CORNER, STARTS ON JUNE 1ST.

AND SO, UM, THIS IS THE TIME TO BE PREPARED.

START PLANNING, MAKE SURE YOU HAVE EVERYTHING IN ORDER.

UM, I WILL MENTION ONE THING THAT, UH, I KNOW DAVID HAS SAID IS THAT THEY EXPECT A BUSIER SEASON AGAIN THIS YEAR.

BUT IT DOESN'T MATTER WHETHER WE HAVE A BUSY SEASON OR A SLOW SEASON, IT ONLY TAKES ONE STORM.

SO REMIND EVERYONE, PLEASE BE PREPARED.

THANK YOU.

WHEREAS HURRICANES ARE AMONG THE MOST POWERFUL NATURAL WEATHER EVENTS ON EARTH.

AND IN RECENT YEARS, HURRICANES AND TROPICAL STORMS HAVE INCREASED IN BOTH FREQUENCY AND INTENSITY, RESULTING IN ADVERSE IMPACTS ACROSS THE UNITED STATES AND WITHIN THE CITY OF BAYTOWN.

AND WHEREAS THE HIGH WINDS, STORM SURGE AND INLAND FLOODING ASSOCIATED WITH THESE STORMS POSE SIGNIFICANT THREATS TO THE LIVE SAFETY AND PROPERTY OF BAYTOWN RESIDENTS.

AND WHEREAS PREPAREDNESS ACTIVITIES ARE CRITICAL TO REDUCING DAMAGES AND LOSSES CALLED BY, CAUSED BY HURRICANES AND TROPICAL STORMS. AND WHEREAS THE CITY OF BAYTOWN IS DEDICATED TO MITIGATING THE EFFECTS OF HURRICANES AND TROPICAL STORMS BY PROMOTING AWARENESS AND ENCOURAGING ALL RESIDENTS TO TAKE PROACTIVE MEASURES IN PREPARING FOR SEVERE WEATHER EVENTS.

AND WHEREAS IN CONTINUED DEDICATION TO PUBLIC SAFETY, THE CITY OF BAYTOWN WILL HOST THE ANNUAL BAYTOWN HURRICANE PREPAREDNESS WORKSHOP ON THURSDAY, MAY 15TH, 2025, AT THE BAYTOWN PUBLIC SAFETY BUILDING COMMUNITY ROOM FROM 5:00 PM TO 7:00 PM NOW.

THEREFORE, I CHARLES JOHNSON, MAYOR OF BAYTOWN DO HEREBY PROCLAIM MAY 4TH THROUGH MAY 10TH, 2025 AS HURRICANE PREPAREDNESS WEEK IN BAYTOWN AND URGE RESIDENTS AND BUSINESSES TO BEGIN HURRICANE PREPAREDNESS ACTIVITIES TO ATTEND THE HURRICANE PREPAREDNESS WORKSHOP AND TO HELP BUILD A DISASTER RESILIENT COMMUNITY IN OFFICIAL RECORD RECOGNITION.

WHEREFORE, I HAVE AFFIXED MY SIGNATURE THIS 24TH DAY OF APRIL, 2025.

ALRIGHT, ONE MORE.

OKAY, THANKS.

GOOD.

NOW FOR THIS LAST ONE,

[d. Present a proclamation designating the month of May as Mental Health Awareness Month. ]

AND I'VE ASKED THEM TO PLEASE HAVE WORDS TO, FOR EACH ORGANIZATION TO HAVE SOME WORDS.

AND THIS IS IN RECOGNITION OF MENTAL HEALTH AWARENESS MONTH.

SO, MS. MOEN, MR. HANER, WOULD YOU ALL, WOULD YOU PLEASE COME UP NOW, IF YOU DON'T MIND LETTING EVERYONE KNOW WHO YOU'RE WITH, WHO YOU'RE REPRESENTING, AND WHY MENTAL HEALTH AWARENESS MONTH IS IMPORTANT.

THEN WE'LL HAVE MR. HAVNER.

AND LAST BUT NOT LEAST, WE WILL HAVE ONE OF OUR, WHAT WE WILL HAVE THE CHIEF HAVE A FEW WORDS.

OKAY.

THANK YOU.

UM, AS I AM, UH, DONNA MOLEMAN AND I AM A MENTAL HEALTH ADVOCATE, UH, AND HAVE BEEN IN THIS ARENA FOR MORE THAN 30 YEARS, UH, AND HAVE SEEN, THE THING THAT I REALIZED AS WE WERE GOING THROUGH THE PROCLAMATIONS WAS HOW MUCH TRAUMA, YOU KNOW, OUR COMMUNITY HAS EXPERIENCED OVER MY 50 YEARS THAT I'VE LIVED HERE.

WHETHER IT'S HURRICANES, WHETHER IT'S CHILD ABUSE, WHETHER IT'S, UM, AND WE'RE FORTUNATE TO HAVE SUCH WONDERFUL CITY CLERKS TO, UM, HELP MITIGATE SOME OF THOSE, UM, NEGATIVE THINGS THAT WE, UM, DEAL WITH HERE IN THE CITY OF BAYTOWN.

AND WE KNOW THAT, UM, MANY OF THE ROOT CAUSES OF OUR SOCIETAL ILLS ARE CAUSED BY UNTREATED MENTAL ILLNESS.

AND MEN, WHILE MENTAL HEALTH DOES NOT NECESSARILY, UM, MEAN THAT THERE'S A LACK OF MENTAL ILLNESS.

AND SO WHAT WE WANT TO DO IS TO PROMOTE PEOPLE TO TAKE CARE OF THEMSELVES AND THEIR FAMILIES.

UM, AND

[00:30:01]

IT GOES FROM THRIVING TO STABLE, TO STRESS, TO DISTRESS, AND WE'RE ALL ON THAT CONTINUUM ALL THE TIME, EVERY DAY.

AND RIGHT NOW, MY STRESS LEVEL WENT UP JUST A LITTLE BIT MORE WHEN CHARLES ASKED ME TO SPEAK, WHEN I WASN'T QUITE PREPARED FOR IT.

BUT I AM HERE TO TELL YOU THAT, UM, WITH TREATMENT AND WITH SUPPORT MORE THAN ANYTHING ELSE, UM, PEOPLE DO RECOVER.

THEY DO THRIVE, AND THEY CAN BE AND ARE PRODUCTIVE MEMBERS OF SOCIETY.

SO, UM, I DO HOPE THAT EVERYONE WILL BE SEEN IN GREEN, UM, FOR THE MONTH OF MAY, WHICH IS MENTAL HEALTH AWARENESS MONTH.

SO I HOPE THAT EVERYONE, I WANNA SEE EVERYBODY IN GREEN.

AND, UM, MAYOR, I HAVE A, A GREEN RIBBON FOR YOU THAT'S ON ITS WAY.

IT WASN'T DELIVERED TODAY, SO THANK YOU.

OKAY, THANK YOU.

YES, I HAVE.

THANK YOU MAYOR.

UM, CITY COUNCIL AND, UH, CITY MANAGER AND CITY STAFF CAN APPLAUD THE CITY FOR, UH, THIS RECOGNITION THAT RECOGNIZING MENTAL HEALTH AWARENESS, UH, PROCLAMATION.

UM, KEN HAS BEEN A ON A CRUSADE, UH, TO DE-STIGMATIZE AND UNMASK FOR SEVERAL YEARS.

THE SHAME AND RETICENCE OR RETICENCE THAT'S ASSOCIATED WITH SEEKING HELP FOR ANY MENTAL HEALTH PROBLEM.

THINGS HAPPEN IN LIFE AND, AND, UM, NOT EVERY MOMENT IS JOYOUS OR HAPPY MOMENT.

IT'S OKAY TO GET HELP.

AND, UH, APRIL, UH, IS RECOGNIZED AS STRESS AND ANXIETY MONTH AS, AS WELL AS COUNSELOR AWARENESS, UH, MONTH.

IF YOU GUYS DIDN'T, WEREN'T AWARE OF THAT.

AND WE, THAT'S WHAT WE DO AT CAN BEHAVIORAL HEALTH.

WE'RE A COUNSELING PROGRAM, COUNSELING, UH, ORGANIZATION.

SO YOUR TIMING IS GREAT FOR THIS PROCLAMATION.

VERY GOOD.

UM, COMMON MENTAL CONCERNS INCLUDE ANXIETY, DEPRESSION, UH, EATING DISORDERS, SUBSTANCE USE, AND VARIOUS ADDICTIONS.

THESE CONCERNS CAN DIMINISH QUALITY OF LIFE, YOUR QUALITY OF LIFE, AND YOUR FAMILY'S QUALITY OF LIFE.

STRESS AND ANXIETY ARE NATURAL RESPONSES THAT AFFECT A PERSON'S MENTAL AND PHYSICAL STATUS.

ANYTHING CAN TRIGGER A STRESS AS WE JUST, UH, WITNESSED.

UM, IF I TOLD Y'ALL THAT THE MAYOR HAD GRACIOUSLY GIVEN ME 27 MINUTES TO MAKE THIS SPEECH, THAT WOULD PROBABLY GIVE YOU A STRESS AS WELL.

STOCK MARKETS GIVES US STRESS.

TRUMP TARIFFS GIVES US A STRESS.

WHEN WE HAVE A FLAT TIRE, WE GET A STRESS.

UM, WHEN WE GET A RAISE, UM, WHEN THE CITY MANAGER GIVES US A RAISE WITH A LOT MORE RESPONSIBILITY, WE GET STRESSED, HAPPY MOMENT, AND OH MY GOSH, I GOTTA DO MORE WORK.

UH, HITTING A POTHOLE, UH, ON YOUR FAVORITE ROUTE, A NEW POTHOLE ON YOUR FAVORITE ROUTE HOME, UH, CAN BE STRESSFUL.

UH, RAISING BOND MONEY TO, UH, REPAIR THIS POTHOLE WITH THE INFRASTRUCTURE CAN CREATE STRESS STRESSORS HAPPEN ALL THE TIME.

SO ONE SINGLE TOOL THAT, UH, WE AT CAN USE IS TO PURPOSELY BE AWARE OF OUR BREATHING.

AND IT'S REALLY SIMPLE.

IT'S LIKE A FOUR COUNT.

YOU CAN DO A FIVE OR A SIX COUNT, BUT IT'S, IT'S, YOU BREATHE IN 1, 2, 3, 4, YOU HOLD IT, 1, 2, 3, 4, AND THEN YOU EXHALE 1, 2, 3, 4.

SO WOULD Y'ALL LIKE TO DO THAT WITH ME REAL QUICK? LET'S DO THAT.

BREATHE IN A DEEP BREATH.

1, 2, 3, 4.

HOLD IT.

1, 2, 3, 4.

EXHALE.

1, 2, 3, 4.

ONE MORE TIME.

OKAY.

Y'ALL GOT IT.

GOOD.

THAT SIMPLE TECHNIQUE HELPS US TO RECALIBRATE OUR PERSON.

SO, UM, SOMETIMES WE TAKE OUR BREATHING FOR GRANTED, IT'S BECAUSE WE DO IT ALL THE TIME, BUT WHEN WE STOP AND PURPOSELY JUST TAKE THAT MOMENT, IT, IT RECALIBRATES US.

AND BY THE WAY, THIS EXPRESSES ONE OF THE MANY TOOLS THAT CAN EMPLOYS, AND IT'S NOT ROCKET SCIENCE.

IT DOESN'T HAVE TO BE ROCKET SCIENCE.

AND BY THE WAY, WHAT YOU JUST EXPERIENCED WAS SOMETHING THAT WE DO AT CAN ALL THE TIME.

AND THAT IS

[00:35:01]

IT'S JUST A HUMAN EXPERIENCE.

FAIR ENOUGH.

THANK YOU.

THANK YOU.

AND LAST BUT NOT LEAST I GO AHEAD.

I'LL GO ON PLACE OF THE CHIEF.

THANK YOU.

YEP.

MY NAME IS, UH, BRIAN GRIFFIN.

I'M A LIEUTENANT WITH BAYTOWN PD.

I'M THE, THE COORDINATOR OF OUR MENTAL HEALTH TEAM.

UM, I'VE HAD THE PRIVILEGE OF TALKING TO, TO MS. DONNA HERE, UH, OVER THE PHONE AND, AND THROUGH EMAIL A FEW TIMES.

AND WE'VE, WE'VE COLLABORATED TOGETHER AND, AND SHARED SOME IDEAS ABOUT MENTAL HEALTH.

UH, BAYTOWN CURRENTLY HAS, UH, 12 OFFICERS WHO ARE, ARE MENTAL HEALTH OFFICERS.

UH, THEY HAVE GONE TO EXTRA TRAINING, UH, IN ORDER TO LEARN DEESCALATION, UM, AND, AND PROVIDE RESOURCES TO FAMILIES OF, OF, UH, PEOPLE THAT WE ENCOUNTER THAT ARE, THAT ARE IN MENTAL CRISIS OR HAVE DEALT WITH MENTAL CRISIS IN THEIR PAST.

UM, THESE OFFICERS ARE ALSO, UM, UTILIZE A, A, UH, AN IPAD, UH, THAT IS PROVIDED TO US THROUGH HARRIS COUNTY.

THE IPAD GIVES THE OFFICERS 24 7 ACCESS TO A CLINICIAN, A LICENSED CLINICIAN.

UH, IT ASSISTS THE OFFICERS IN DETERMINING WHETHER OR NOT, UH, A CONSUMER, A PERSON WITH MENTAL ILLNESS NEEDS TO BE, UH, TAKEN TO THE NEAREST HOSPITAL AND PUT UNDER AN EMERGENCY DETENTION ORDER.

UH, SO IT'S VERY VITAL IN OUR DAY-TO-DAY ACTIVITIES THAT WE HAVE MENTAL HEALTH OFFICERS ON EVERY SHIFT, DAY IN NIGHT SHIFT THAT, THAT RESPOND AND ASSESS THESE PEOPLE.

UM, THIS PROGRAM HAS BEEN GOING ON NOW FOR, I BELIEVE, THREE YEARS, AND IT'S BEEN VERY SUCCESSFUL.

UH, AND WE SHARE ANNUAL STATS AND QUARTERLY STATS WITH OUR, OUR COMMAND STAFF FREQUENTLY.

SO THAT'S WHAT WE HAVE IN PLACE.

SO AS YOU CAN SEE, MENTAL HEALTH AWARENESS IS BEING ADDRESSED IN OUR CITY FOR MANY DIFFERENT PERSPECTIVES AND ANGLES, INCLUDING LAW ENFORCEMENT.

AND I'M PROUD TO SAY THAT OUR POLICE OFFICERS ARE DOING AN EXCEPTIONAL JOB WITH THIS.

UH, WITHIN THE PAST THREE YEARS, HOW WOULD YOU SAY THIS HAS AFFECTED OUR COMMUNITY WITH THE PROGRAM THAT YOU ALL HAVE IMP IMPLEMENTED? UH, IT'S AFFECTED IT IN A VERY POSITIVE WAY.

UM, I, I WOULD SAY THAT OVER THESE LAST THREE YEARS, OUR, OUR, OUR MENTAL HEALTH CALLS HAVE GONE DOWN BECAUSE OF IT, ESPECIALLY WHENEVER WE HAVE, UH, THESE OFFICERS AS WELL AS HARRIS HEALTH THAT COME OUT AND DO FOLLOW UPS WITH THESE, WITH THESE CONSUMERS TO ENSURE THAT THEY STAY MEDICATED AND, AND CONTINUE TO SEE PHYSICIANS AND, AND, AND GET PSYCH PSYCHIATRIC HELP.

EXCELLENT.

WELL THANK YOU FOR ALL THAT YOU'RE DOING MR. HAVNER, THANK YOU FOR WHAT YOU AND KEN ARE DOING.

AND MS. MO THANK YOU FOR BEING AN ADVOCATE.

WHEREAS MENTAL HEALTH IS AN ESSENTIAL COMPONENT OF OVERALL HEALTH AND WELLBEING.

AND UNDERSTANDING MENTAL HEALTH CONDITIONS PLAYS AN ESSENTIAL ROLE IN IMPACTING INDIVIDUALS, FAMILIES, AND COMMUNITIES.

AND WHEREAS MILLIONS OF INDIVIDUALS WORLDWIDE EXPERIENCE MENTAL HEALTH CHALLENGES, HOWEVER MANY FACE STIGMA AND MISUNDERSTANDING, PREVENTING THEM FROM SEEKING THE SUPPORT THEY NEED, PRIORITIZING MENTAL HEALTH IS NOT ONLY ABOUT TREATMENT, BUT ALSO ABOUT PROMOTING OPEN CONVERSATIONS AND ENCOURAGING INDIVIDUALS TO SEEK HELP WITHOUT FEAR OR JUDGMENT OR DISCRIMINATION.

AND WHEREAS ENSURING ACCESS TO MENTAL HEALTH RESOURCES IS ESSENTIAL FOR CREATING ENVIRONMENTS WHERE INDIVIDUALS CAN SUCCEED EMOTIONALLY, MENTALLY, AND SOCIALLY, ULTIMATELY ENHANCING THEIR QUALITY OF LIFE.

BY PROMOTING UNDERSTANDING AND EMPATHY, WE CAN CONTRIBUTE TO BUILDING A SOCIETY IN WHICH THOSE WITH HEALTH CONDITIONS ARE ABLE TO LEAD FULFILLING AND PRODUCTIVE LIVES.

AND WHEREAS THE MONTH OF MAY HAS BEEN RECOGNIZED NATIONALLY AS MENTAL HEALTH AWARENESS MONTH SINCE 1949 AND PROMOTES THE IMPORTANCE OF MENTAL HEALTH BY PROVIDING AN OPPORTUNITY TO RAISE AWARENESS, COMBAT STIGMA, AND PROMOTE MENTAL HEALTH RESOURCES.

NOW, THEREFORE, I CHARLES JOHNSON, MAYOR OF BAYTOWN DO HEREBY PROCLAIM MAY OF 2025 AS MENTAL HEALTH AWARENESS MONTH AND OFFICIAL RECOGNITION WHEREOF, I HAVE AFFIXED MY SIGNATURE ON THIS 24TH DAY OF APRIL, 2025, SQUEEZED TOGETHER AS MUCH AS YOU CAN.

SO, OKAY, DON'T WORRY THIS WAY.

CAN YOU SEE SARAH FACE THIS WAY? I DON'T, SHE, I'M GONNA TRY, I OVER MY BEST SEAT.

WE'RE I SIT IN THE MIDDLE? OH MY GOD.

AWAY.

I DUNNO WHERE HE WANTS ME, BUT HERE WE GO.

NO,

[00:40:01]

HERE WE GO.

OKAY.

THAT'S ONE.

HANG ON.

OKAY, THAT'S TWO.

ONE MORE.

HANG UP.

OKAY, GREAT.

THANK YOU.

THANKS MAYOR.

THANK YOU FOR HAVING US.

SORRY, RIGHT TO SEE YOU AGAIN.

YOU MEET YOU IN PERSON.

IT IS WARM EVERYBODY.

IT IS WARM.

I KNOW.

WE SAID CUT THE BUDGET.

COME ON, .

NOW WE ARE ON TO FOUR

[a. Review and discuss a Notice of Legislation received from the Gulf Coast Authority.]

REVIEW AND DISCUSS A NOTICE OF LITIGATION OF LEGISLATION RECEIVED FROM THE GULF COAST AUTHORITY.

MR. LAMONT.

THANK YOU, COUNSEL.

THIS IS A CONSTITUTIONAL, UH, NOTICE THAT THE GOLF COURSE AUTHORITY IS REQUIRED TO GIVE US.

UH, THERE ARE TWO BILLS THAT, UH, WERE FILED THIS SESSION.

THE FIRST, UH, SUBSTANTIALLY ENLARGES GCAS, UH, UH, POWERS BY EXPANDING THE TYPES OF PROJECTS THAT THEY CAN FINANCE, INCLUDING EDUCATIONAL FACILITIES OR HOUSING FACILITIES AND INCIDENTAL STRUCTURES.

ALSO, UH, WOULD ALLOW THEM TO FINANCE HEALTH FACILITIES.

AND IF YOU LOOK IN YOUR PACKET IN THE PREFACE, THERE IS A LAUNDRY LIST OF WHAT THE FINANCING OF HEALTH FACILITIES WOULD LOOK LIKE UNDER THE BILL.

IT AUTHORIZES GCA TO FINANCE HOTELS AND CONVENTION CENTERS.

AND FINALLY IT AUTHORIZES GCA TO FINANCE STORAGE INFRASTRUCTURE AND RELATED FACILITIES FOR ENERGY AND ALTERNATIVE ENERGY PRODUCTION OR CARBON CAPTURE.

THE SECOND BILL THAT WAS FILED, UH, ALLOWS GCA TO USE VIDEO AND TELEGRAPHIC MEETINGS.

THAT'S IT.

THAT'S IT.

WE DON'T HAVE A RECOMMENDATION FOR YOU.

THIS IS A DISCUSSION ITEM AND CERTAINLY IF YOU DIRECT US TO TAKE SOME ACTION IN THE FUTURE, WE CAN DO THAT.

OKAY.

ANY COMMENTS OR QUESTIONS? NOTHING.

OKAY.

THANK YOU MR. LAMONT.

THANK YOU.

WE ARE NOW ON

[5. CONSENT All Consent Agenda items listed are considered to be routine by the City Council and will be enacted by one motion. There will be no separate discussion of these items unless a Council Member requests, in which event the item will be removed from the Consent Agenda and considered in its normal sequence on the agenda.]

WE WILL REMOVE ITEMS, WE WILL TAKE ITEMS A THROUGH N DOES ANYONE HAVE ANYTHING THAT WISH TO PULL? YES, I WANTED TO PULL ITEM FIVE A.

OKAY.

FIVE A.

ANYTHING ELSE? OKAY.

WE NEED A MOTION.

MOTION.

MOTION TO APPROVE CONSENT.

GENUM ITEMS B THROUGH N WITH THE EXCEPTION OF A SECOND.

SECOND.

ALL IN FAVOR? AYE.

ANY OPPOSED? MOTION CARRIES.

THAT IS NOT MR. SEMINO? NO.

UH, MICHAEL LEACH FROM THE

[a. Consider an ordinance authorizing Amendment No. 1 for the General Obligation Bond Support Services with Halff Associates, Inc., to assist with the General Obligation Bond in the amount of $271,110.00.]

UH, HAPPY TO ATTEMPT TO ANSWER ANY QUESTIONS YOU MIGHT HAVE ABOUT THAT AGENDA STATEMENT OR I CAN PROVIDE IT IN BRIEF OVERVIEW FOR YOU, WHATEVER YOU PREFER.

NO, THE ONLY REASON I ASKED FOR IT TO BE PULLED WAS I JUST, UM, I KNOW PHILOSOPHICALLY AS A COUNCIL WE'VE BEEN, UM, GEARING UP MORE GOING TOWARDS A GEO BOND SO THAT, UH, CITIZENS CAN VOTE, UM, ON INFRASTRUCTURE AND NEEDS FOR THE COMMUNITY.

BUT I DID WANT TO POINT OUT, UH, AFTER HAVING SOME DISCUSSIONS THIS WEEK, THAT WHETHER OR NOT A GEO BOND PASSES, UM, ONCE WE, WE, OKAY, UM, ITEM FIVE A, THAT IS $271,000 THAT WILL BE SPENT TO GO TOWARDS THAT GO.

AND I JUST WANTED TO MENTION THAT COS ALTHOUGH, UM, THEY DO NOT ALLOW FOR A VOTE FROM CITIZENS, THEY DO NOT, UM, USUALLY HAVE TO HAVE $271,000 COST UPFRONT.

OKAY.

GOOD OBSERVATION.

THANK YOU FOR, AND THIS IS JUST FOR THE MANAGEMENT.

THAT'S YES.

YEAH.

COMMENT.

YES, SIR.

SO

[00:45:01]

IT'S NOT TO EXCEED 2 71.

UM, JASON, NOW DO YOU, I'M SORRY I MISUNDERSTOOD YOU ON THAT.

WE ALREADY SPENT 50,000 TO START OFF.

IT'S AN ADDITIONAL 271 TO FINISH ALL THE OTHER MONTHS.

AND, AND, UH, COUNSEL, I WANNA BE VERY CLEAR, THIS IS NOT ME, UM, IN ANY WAY GOING AGAINST THE GEO.

I AM FOR, I HOPE THAT THE COMMUNITY VOTES FOR IT.

I CAN'T WAIT TO SEE ALL THE WORK THAT OUR BOARD IS GONNA PUT INTO THIS.

I JUST WANTED TO MAKE THE PUBLIC AWARE THAT $271,000 UP FRONT, WHETHER OR NOT IT PASSES.

THANK YOU.

THAT'S FAIR.

THANK YOU, BILL.

THANK YOU.

NOW I NEED A MOTION, MOTION TO APPROVE ITEM FIVE.

A SECOND.

SECOND.

ALL IN FAVOR? AYE.

AYE.

ANY OPPOSED? MOTION CARRIES.

NOW WE WILL MOVE

[6. MANAGER'S REPORT Notice is hereby given in accordance with Section 551.0415 of the Texas Government Code, the City Council of the City of Baytown may receive a report about items of community interest from City staff and/or a member of the City Council, but no action or possible action shall be taken or discussed concerning the subject of such report, except as provided by Section 551.042 of the Texas Government Code.]

MR. JASON REYNOLDS, MAYOR AND COUNSEL, I'LL DO A, A PIECE UP HERE THAT I'M GONNA RUN DOWN THERE FOR A SECOND.

UM, I WANT TO HIGHLIGHT, UH, A FEW THINGS.

UH, FIRST, OUR, UH, PUBLIC WORK STREET MAINTENANCE CREW, UH, THEY HAVE BEEN KNOCKING IT OUT.

UH, THEY CONTINUE TO, UH, GET, UH, SEVERAL, SEVERAL POTHOLES ON GARTH.

AND, UH, IT'S WHAT'S NICE IS THAT THEY'RE RECEIVING, UH, GRATITUDE FROM RESIDENTS.

SO THEY, THE RESIDENTS KEEP REACHING OUT, SAYING THANK YOU OF HOW QUICK THEY'RE GETTING THEM FILLED.

AND SO I THINK IT'S JUST GREAT TO HIGHLIGHT THEM.

UM, I LOVE ALL THEIR POSES ON HERE.

I THINK IT'S A GREAT PHOTO AS WELL.

SO , YEAH.

HAVING A GOOD TIME.

SO JUST WANT TO RECOGNIZE THE, THE GREAT JOB THAT THEY'RE DOING, UH, AND HOW FAST THEY'RE GETTING DONE AS WELL.

SO, ALRIGHT.

AS PART OF THE COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT WEEK, PDS STAFF VOLUNTEERED WITH HEARTS AND HANDS OF BAYTOWN ASSISTING WITH THEIR DOORSTEP BLESSINGS PROGRAM.

COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT STAFF WILL LEAD THE ANNUAL CITY TOUR OF C DAC MEMBERS SHOWCASING ACTIVE AND RECENTLY COMPLETED CDBG PROJECTS THROUGHOUT BAYTOWN.

AND LOOK AT THAT.

NICE POSES AS WELL.

ALRIGHT.

UH, OH, I'M GONNA GIVE, I'M GONNA GIVE SHARON WHAT'S UPSIDE DOWN? SHE ALWAYS GIVES ME HECK, SO.

ALL RIGHT.

ANYWAYS, UH, PARKS AND REC TEAMED UP WITH THE ACE DISTRICT TO REMOVE AND INSTALL SCULPTURES ALONG THE SCULPTURE TRAIL.

A BIG THANK YOU BOTH TO PARKS AND REC TEAM AND THE ACE DISTRICT FOR THE HARD WORK.

I KNOW THAT Y'ALL MENTIONED THAT Y'ALL BEEN OUT THERE, IT LOOKS FANTASTIC.

AND, UH, UH, PARKS IS INSTRUMENTAL IN PARKS AND REC.

I WAS CORRECTED BEFORE ON MAKING SURE I SAY REC IS, IS, UH, KYLE IS NOT HERE, BUT HE WANTS ME TO SAY REC EACH TIME AS WELL.

UM, BUT PARKS AND REC IS INSTRUMENTAL IN, IN THIS PROGRAM.

AND, UH, UH, HAPPY TO SEE, UH, THAT THEY'RE OUT THERE HELPING.

AND THEN FIVE VOLUNTEER GROUPS RECENTLY CLEANED UP LITTER AND, AND LEFT POSITIVE CHALK MESSAGES ALONG THE GOOSE CREEK, UH, GOOSE CREEK TRAIL.

THANK YOU FOR HELPING KEEP OUR TRAIL.

BEAUTIFUL.

UH, IT'S NICE TO SEE THAT TYPE OF STUFF.

A LITTLE POSITIVE MESSAGES THROUGHOUT.

AND THEN MAYOR AND COUNSEL, I'M GONNA DO A TRANSITION.

I HAD A WHOLE SPEECH FOR THE WORK SESSION AND I WAS GONNA DO LIKE SOME TAYLOR SWIFT DANCES.

SO ALL I'M GONNA DO IS LIKE THE TAYLOR SWIFT, UH, HEARTS TO EVERYBODY AND MAYBE A TWIRL OR SOMETHING.

I DON'T KNOW.

WE CAN HAVE FUN AT WORK, RIGHT? PLEASE DON'T FALL .

BUT, UM, I HAD LIKE 10 PAGES TO GO OVER DURING THE, UH, DURING THE PRESENTATION, BUT I'M NOT GONNA DO THAT WITH THE WORK SESSION.

I'M GONNA KIND OF COVER THAT REAL QUICKLY IN THE MANAGER REPORT, UH, SO THAT WE'RE NOT BRINGING IT BACK.

AND I'LL EMAIL YOU THE SLIDES AND IF YOU NEED ME TO DANCE BACK, I WILL DANCE BACK JUST A LITTLE TAYLOR SWIFT SONG, UM, BECAUSE WE TALK MORE ABOUT TAYLOR SWIFT THAN I EVER THOUGHT WE WOULD AT WORK.

BUT ANYWAYS, UH, SABRINA'S A HUGE SWIFTY, SO IT'S ALL THE TIME.

THAT'S FINE.

COULD WE QUEUE UP A TAYLOR SWIFT SONG FOR HIS WALK BACK? NO, PLEASE DO NOT.

I AM TIRED OF THAT.

COULD WE DO THAT? HE, HE, HE'S VOLUNTEERED THAT IF WE CAN DO THAT, THAT WOULD BE AMAZING.

SO ANYWAYS, THE MAYOR LOVES KARAOKE .

Y'ALL DO NOT WANT ME SINGING, I PROMISE.

UM, ANYWAYS, WE TOLD Y'ALL A FEW YEARS BACK THAT WE WERE SWITCHING TO FOCUSING ON CORE SERVICES AND HIGHLIGHTING, SHOWING Y'ALL THE WORK THAT WE'RE DOING, MAKING THE INVISIBLE VISIBLE, RIGHT? BECAUSE A LOT OF THE FOCUS THAT WE DO IN DAY IN AND DAY OUT IS ON CORE SERVICES.

AND WE WANTED TO WAIT TO DEMONSTRATE THAT TO THE CITY COUNCIL, TO THE RESIDENTS, AND ALSO SOMETHING THAT IS TURNING DATA INTO DIALOGUE WITHIN THE ORGANIZATION.

WE WANTED US TO BE ABLE TO HAVE CONVERSATIONS ABOUT WHAT'S GOING ON.

WE WANTED RESIDENTS TO ASK QUESTIONS ABOUT WHAT'S GOING ON, BUT WE NEEDED A PLATFORM THAT WOULD HELP PUT THAT OUT THERE TO BETTER TELL OUR STORY.

AND I WOULD BE REMISS IF I DIDN'T START THIS BY SAYING, CHECK OUT THE NEW BAYTOWN VOICE.

I HAVE TALKED ABOUT IT EVERY SINGLE DAY THIS WEEK.

UM, IT HIGHLIGHTS OUR SERVICES AT THE CORE.

AND THE IMPORTANT PIECE THAT YOU NEED TO UNDERSTAND ABOUT THE SERVICES AT THE CORE IS OUR EMPLOYEES ARE THE PIECES THAT MAKE ALL OF US DO OUR, UH, EVERYTHING COME TO LIFE WITHIN THE ORGANIZATION.

NOW, WITH ALL

[00:50:01]

AND IT STARTS ON MULTI, IT STARTS ON A BASE LEVEL, WHICH IS THE, EACH INDIVIDUAL DEPARTMENT.

AND THE DEPARTMENT LEVEL THAT'S, THAT'S ON THE SCREEN RIGHT NOW IS NOT MEANT FOR PUBLIC, UH, VIEW.

IT, IT IS AN OPEN RECORD.

IT IS PUBLIC STUFF, BUT IT'S NOT MEANT, IT'S MEANT AS THE, AS THE BASE LAYER TO FEED THE, UH, THE OUTFACING PLATFORM AS WELL.