Feb 26, 2026 CITY COUNCIL MEETING

MOVING ON TO, TO A, RECEIVE THE BAYTOWN HYATT REGENCY QUARTERLY UPDATE, MR. REYNOLDS.

[a. Receive the Baytown Hyatt Regency Quarterly Update.]

ALRIGHT, MAYOR AND COUNCIL OR BOARD MEMBERS, I HAVE A, UM, A QUICK UPDATE FOR YOU.

UM, WE'LL JUST RUN THROUGH THESE.

UH, THE FIRST ONE IS THAT WE ARE SEEING, UH, THIS IS QUARTER ONE PERFORMANCE FOR THE HOTEL.

UH, KIND OF GIVE YOU ALL THE QUARTERLY UPDATE, UH, REPORTS ON WHERE THINGS ARE GOING.

UH, WE HAVE A VERY STRONG EBITDA.

I'M NOT TRYING TO BE UP HERE JUST TO THROW FINANCIAL TERMS AROUND, UH, THAT, BUT EBITDA IS IMPORTANT BECAUSE IT SHOWS OPERATIONAL, UH, EFFECTIVENESS AND EFFICIENCIES THAT ARE HAPPENING.

AND SO WE, UM, WE SEE WE SAW A VERY, VERY STRONG, UH, LA UH, FIRST QUARTER AND OUR EBITDA WAS, WAS QUITE IMPRESSIVE, ESPECIALLY WHAT'S GOING ON WITH JUST HOTEL INDUSTRY, UH, AROUND THE STATE AND AROUND THE NATION.

AND SO THIS IS A BIG SHOUT OUT TO THE HYATT FOR WHAT THEY, UH, WHAT THEY'RE DOING, HOW THEY'RE MANAGING OUR EXPENSES.

UH, AND SO ALL OF THAT SHOWS THAT INCREASED REVENUE AND EXPENSE CONTROL IS BASICALLY THE, THE BOTTOM LINE FOR THAT STARTED TO BE SO LONG-WINDED ON THAT POINT.

UH, I JUST STUCK A MINT IN MY MOUTH AS SOON AS I WAS GETTING READY TO SPEAK, SO MY BAD.

UM, EXCUSE ME.

THE NEXT ONE WE HAVE IS INCREASED REVPAR.

THIS IS THE REVENUE PER ROOM.

UH, IT'S A, IT'S A, WHAT HOTELS USE TO SEE HOW WELL AGAIN, THEY ARE OPERATING, HOW, HOW THEY'RE MANAGING THEIR, THEIR COST.

UM, AND SO WE SAW, UH, A REVPAR THAT WAS, UM, 5% ABOVE BUDGET.

SO LIKE THAT'S, UH, ABOVE THE BUDGET.

UH, SO THAT SHOWS THAT WE'RE CONTROLLING OUR COSTS VERY WELL AS WELL.

UM, OUR GOP MARGIN ALMOST DOUBLED.

UH, AGAIN, THESE ARE ALL THREE THINGS SAYING THE SAME THING.

CONTROLLING COSTS, UH, REVENUES COMING, COMING IN.

WELL, BUT OUR, OUR GOP MARGIN ALMOST DOUBLED AND HAPPY TO SEE A GROSS OPERATING PROFIT, SORRY, UM, FOR THE GOP AND, UM, VERY HAPPY FOR WHAT WE'RE SEEING OVER THERE.

AND A LOT OF THAT IS TO DO WITH OUR FIRST MILLION DOLLAR MONTH AND WHICH WAS IN DECEMBER.

UH, SO THE HOTEL CONTINUES TO INCREASE IN THE REVENUE.

UH, WE'RE GETTING CONTINUED SALES, UH, REPEAT SALES AND JUST, IT WAS A MILESTONE AND KIND OF WANT A, YOU KNOW, SMALL CELEBRATION OF HITTING THAT MILLION DOLLAR, UH, MONTH.

SO, AND THEN EXPENSES OVERALL ARE 11% LESS.

THAT'S ALL I CAN REALLY PUT OUT, UH, PUBLICLY AT THIS POINT.

BUT I WANTED TO SHARE THE GOOD NEWS.

WE ALSO POSTED ON OUR, UH, BOND DISCLOSURES, UH, ON THE WEBSITE, NOT ON OUR WEBSITE, ON THE MO WEBSITE.

SO THAT IS PUBLICLY ACCESSIBLE IF PEOPLE WANT TO SEE THAT TYPE OF INFORMATION

[00:05:01]

AS WELL.

IF YOU WANT TO LOOK AT NUMBERS.

THAT'S ALL I HAVE.

MAYOR, COUNCIL FROM BOARD MEMBERS.

THREE A CONSIDER APPROVING THE MINUTES OF THE CITY COUNCIL WORK SESSION AND CITY COUNCIL MEETINGS HELD ON JANUARY 14TH, 2026.

WE'LL CONSIDER THAT REPORT RECEIVED.

AND MOVING ON TO

[a. Consider approving the minutes of the City Council Work Session and City Council Meetings held on January 14, 2026, January 21, 2026, and January 22, 2026.]

JANUARY 21ST, 2026, AND JANUARY 22ND, 2026.

I NEED A MOTION.

MOTION SECOND.

FOUR A, RECOGNIZE THE CITY OF BAYTOWN EMPLOYEES FOR THEIR YEARS OF SERVICE.

[a. Recognize City of Baytown Employees for their Years of Service.]

MR. LOPEZ.

GOOD EVENING, MR. MAYOR.

COUNSEL.

WE HAVE ONE EMPLOYEE TO RECOGNIZE TODAY, A 40 YEAR PATROL OFFICER RUSSELL RETINGER POLICE, 40 YEARS RUSSELL, A 1981 GRADUATE OF ROBERT E. LEE HIGH SCHOOL EARNED AN ASSOCIATE'S DEGREE IN APPLIED SCIENCES FROM LEE COLLEGE, WHERE HE WAS RECOGNIZED AS A DISTINGUISHED SCHOLAR.

HE WAS HIRED BY THE BAYTOWN POLICE DEPARTMENT IN FEBRUARY OF 1986 AND BEGAN HIS CAREER IN THE PATROL DIVISION, SERVING THERE FOR NINE YEARS.

IN 1995, HE TRANSFERRED TO THE HARRIS COUNTY ORGANIZED CRIME IN NARCOTICS TASK FORCE, WORKING UNDERCOVER FOR TWO YEARS.

RETURNING TO PATROL.

BRUSSELS SERVED AS A FIELD TRAINING OFFICER, CANINE OFFICER, AND MOUNTED PATROL UNIT MEMBER WITH HIS CANINE PARTNER BART.

HE SPENT THREE YEARS TRACKING FLEEING SUSPECTS AND RECOVERING CONCEALED NARCOTICS.

AFTER BART'S RETIREMENT IN 2001, RUSSELL CONTINUED HIS PROACTIVE SERVICE IN PATROL.

IN 2006, RUSSELL WAS SELECTED FOR THE SWAT TEAM WHERE HE SERVED FOR 12 YEARS, WHILE ALSO BEING CHOSEN FOR THE HOTSPOT TEAM, FOCUSED ON PROBLEM AREAS WITHIN THE CITY.

AFTER THREE YEARS, HE RETURNED TO THE PATROL NIGHT SHIFT UNTIL 2017, THEN REJOINED THE HOTSPOT TEAM AND WAS PROMOTED TO CORPORAL.

IN 2022, HE WAS ASSIGNED AS A DETECTIVE TO THE SPECIAL INVESTIGATIONS DIVISIONS GAIN UNIT, WHERE HE CURRENTLY SERVES A MASTERPIECE OFFICER.

WITH MANY YEARS OF SERVICE, RUSSELL HAS RECEIVED NUMEROUS LETTERS OF APPRECIATION AND ACCOMMODATION ALONG WITH TWO EMERGENCY SERVICE RIBBONS, A COMMANDER'S AWARD OF EXCELLENCE, THREE, HONORABLE CONDUCT AWARDS, AND TWO LIFESAVING AWARDS.

THANK YOU, RUSSELL, FOR 40 YEARS OF EXCEPTIONAL SERVICE, FIVE

[a. Consider an ordinance to authorize an update of the City of Baytown Development and Permitting Fees.]

CONSIDER AN ORDINANCE TO AUTHORIZE AN UPDATE OF THE CITY OF BAYTOWN DEVELOPMENT AND PERMITTING FEES.

MR. SCRIBNER.

THANK YOU, MAYOR AND COUNSEL.

UM, FOR THE RECORD, MARTIN SCRIBNER PLANNING OF DEVELOPMENT SERVICES.

UM, SO YOU GUYS HAVE SEEN THIS, UH, A COUPLE OF TIMES ALREADY, SO I WILL KEEP THIS PRETTY BRIEF.

UM, WE DID HOLD A, UH, PUBLIC MEETING ON JANUARY 13TH.

WE HAD A HANDFUL OF PEOPLE SHOW UP TO THAT.

UM, AND WE PRESENTED WHAT THE, UH, THE PROPOSAL IS.

AND IF YOU REMEMBER, UM, THAT PROPOSAL IS BASICALLY, WE HAVE A FIVE YEAR GOAL OF GETTING UP TO ABOUT AN 80% COST RECOVERY FOR THE SERVICES THAT WE PROVIDE IN TERMS OF PERMITTING AND INSPECTIONS.

UM, SO WHAT YOU ARE LOOKING AT TONIGHT IS ONLY APPROVING THE FISCAL YEAR 2026, UH, FEES.

UM, THAT IS AN AVERAGE INCREASE OF ROUGHLY 12%.

THEN WE WILL BE LOOKING AT THOSE 27, THE FISCAL YEAR, 27 TO 30, UM, INCREASES OF, AGAIN, SOMEWHERE BETWEEN 12 AND 15% ANNUALLY.

UM, BUT WE'LL BE CONSIDERING THOSE AS PART OF THE ANNUAL BUDGET PROCESS.

SO TONIGHT THE ONLY THING YOU ARE APPROVING IS THIS INITIAL, UH, INCREASE IN FEES.

UM, STAFF IS RECOMMENDING THAT WE SET THE EFFECTIVE DATE FOR JUNE 1ST, WHICH WILL ALLOW, UH, THE FOLKS WHO ARE APPLYING FOR OUR PERMITS TO KIND OF PREP FOR THE, THE INCREASE IN COSTS.

BUT IT WILL ALSO, UH, ALLOW STAFF TO GET THE, THE COMPUTER SYSTEM, THE ENTER GOV AND, AND EVERYTHING ELSE THAT USES THAT TO GET THOSE PROGRAMMED BECAUSE IT WILL TAKE QUITE A BIT OF TIME TO GET THAT FIXED UP.

UM, WITH THAT, UH, I'M HERE TO ANSWER ANY QUESTIONS, QUESTIONS OR COMMENTS.

ONE QUESTION.

UM, I UNDERSTAND IT'LL TAKE A LITTLE TIME TO, TO PUT THESE INTO EFFECT.

SO WE'RE GONNA PUSH BACK TO JUNE.

BUT IF WE CONSIDER THE NEXT, AS A PART OF THE BUDGET PROCESS, WILL WE HAVE, WILL THE OTHER ONE HIT, UH, WHEN THE NEW BUDGET GOES INTO EFFECT IN OCTOBER? OR WOULD WE SPACE THESE OUT A LITTLE BIT FROM JUNE TO THE NEXT INCREASE? UH, I THINK EITHER COULD BE ACCOMPLISHED.

UM, I DON'T KNOW THAT WE'VE GOTTEN THAT FAR WITH IT QUITE YET.

SO, UM, IF, IF COUNCIL HAS A PREFERENCE, THEN, UH, STAFF'S OPEN.

NO, I THINK, I MEAN, WE CAN DISCUSS THAT THROUGH THE BUDGET PROCESS.

I WAS JUST CURIOUS IF YOU'VE HAD ANY INCLINATION ON THAT, BUT NO, NO CONCERNS WITH THIS INCREASE FOR THIS EVENING.

JUST WANNA SAY THAT LOOKING AT THE, UH, FEES AND THE SCHEDULE, ONE THING THAT I DID NOTICE IS THAT WE ARE NOT EVEN ON THE HIGH END COMPARED TO THE CITIES THAT WE COMPARE OURSELVES TO.

[00:10:01]

AND, UM, I THINK THAT'S GOOD.

UM, I THINK THAT THE INCREASE WAS NEEDED SO THAT WE COULD BE RIGHT WHERE WE NEED TO BE AND ALSO TO OFFSET SOME THINGS.

SO I APPRECIATE THE JOB THAT YOU ALL DID AND RESEARCHING THIS AND MAKING THIS RECOMMENDATION.

UH, ONE OF THE OTHER THINGS THAT WE DID TOO THAT I, I FORGOT TO MENTION, WAS WE DID TRY TO STREAMLINE SOME OF THESE.

THERE WERE SEVERAL THAT SAY YOU HAVE A COMMERCIAL PERMIT, UH, APPLICATION, THAT THERE'S AN APPLICATION FEE, THERE IS A PROCESSING FEE, THERE IS THE PERMIT FEE ITSELF.

SO, UM, AND, AND A PLAN REVIEW FEE.

SO WHAT WE TRIED TO DO WAS TAKE OUT ALL THOSE EXTRA STEPS WHERE YOU HAVE TO CALCULATE, ADD THIS PLUS THIS.

NOW IT'S JUST A ONE FEE FOR ONE.

IF YOU'RE APPLYING FOR THIS, THAT'S THE FEE.

SO, UM, WE TRIED TO TO, AND THERE WERE REASONS WHY IT WAS SET UP THAT WAY, BUT THOSE REASONS NO LONGER REALLY MATTER.

SO, UM, JUST TRYING TO, TO MAKE IT A LITTLE BIT EASIER TO DECIPHER.

ANY OPPOSED? THANK YOU.

WE ARE ON TO

[b. Consider an ordinance amending chapter 90, “taxation,” article ii, “ad valorem taxes,” section 90-27, “exemptions,” to add a new subsection (f) entitled “child care facilities,” establishing an exemption from ad valorem taxes for qualifying child care facility properties; providing a repealer; containing a savings clause; and providing an effective date.]

FIVE B.

I'M GONNA RECUSE MYSELF AND HAND IT OVER TO MR. POWELL TO TAKE CARE OF THIS.

UM, I'VE ALREADY SIGNED THE DOCUMENTATION FOR IT.

UH, COUNCILWOMAN ALVARADO.

WE WILL CONSIDER, UH, ITEM FIVE, BE CONSIDER AN ORDINANCE AMENDING CHAPTER 90 TAXATION ARTICLE TWO ADVIL, ALARM TAXES SECTION 90 DASH 27 EXEMPTIONS TO ADD A NEW SUBSECTION F ENTITLED CHILD CHILDCARE FACILITIES ESTABLISHING AN EXEMPTION FROM A VALOREM TAXES FOR QUALIFYING CHILDCARE FACILITY PROPERTIES, PROVIDING A REPEAL CONTAINING A SAVINGS CLAUSE, AND PROVIDING AN EFFECTIVE DATE.

YES, THANK YOU.

UM, JUST AS A REFRESHER, AND YOU'LL SEE ON THE SCREEN, UM, IN 2023, THE LEGISLATIVE SESSION PASSED A BIPARTISAN BILL, UM, TO PROVIDE COUNTY AND MUNICIPALITIES THE OPPORTUNITY TO WAIVE TAXES, UM, PROPERTY TAXES FOR, UM, CHILDCARE CENTERS THAT FIT A CERTAIN DEMOGRAPHIC.

AND SO THEY HAVE TO BE PART TEXAS WORKFORCE SOLUTIONS RISING STAR PROGRAM.

UM, AND THAT IS A, A BIG ACHIEVEMENT IN ITSELF.

SO NOT ANY CHILDCARE FACILITY CAN DO THAT.

UM, THEY HAVE TO MAINTAIN A 20% OF, UM, SUBSIDIZED CHILDREN THAT GO THERE.

SO THOSE THAT GET, UH, VOUCHERS OR THEY GET, UM, FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE THROUGH THE CHILDCARE CENTER ITSELF OR THROUGH OTHER GRANTS THAT THE FACILITIES MAINTAIN.

UM, AND US AS CITIES CANNOT PROVIDE ANY STRICTER GUIDELINES AND THE STATE HAS ALREADY DONE, WHICH IS USUALLY WHAT WE DO WITH ANY STATE LAW THAT, YOU KNOW, WE CAN'T GO ANY STRICTER THAN THAT.

UM, SO THE APPLICATION PROCESS IS THAT CHILDCARE FACILITIES THAT WOULD MEET THE QUALIFICATIONS WOULD SUBMIT AN APPLICATION JUST AS THEY DO FOR ANY HOMESTEAD EXEMPTION.

UM, SO THERE ARE CERTAIN NUMBER A, A A CERTAIN FORM NUMBER THAT THEY WOULD HAVE TO PROVIDE.

AND, UM, THESE WOULD, UH, INITIALLY BE FOR CHILDCARE FACILITIES.

BUT, UM, IN GOING BACK AND REVIEWING THE PROCESS, THIS WOULD ALSO INCLUDE ANY LICENSED CHILDCARE HOMES.

UM, AND SO THERE'S A DIFFERENCE BETWEEN LICENSED AND REGISTERED HOMES.

REGISTERED HOMES.

IF I OPEN UP A CHILDCARE FACILITY IN MY HOME, I JUST WANNA BE REGISTERED, BUT I'M NOT BEHOLDEN TO A LOT OF THE STATE RULES AND REGULATIONS.

UM, I JUST WANNA SERVE MY COMMUNITY.

UM, RE PROVIDERS, UM, ARE REGULATED BY THE STATE, SO THEY HAVE TO ENSURE THEY MEET CERTAIN PARAMETERS JUST OPERATE AS A LICENSURE OF, UM, CHILDCARE FACILITY.

UM, BUT WITH, WITH THEM BEING ELIGIBLE FOR THIS, THEY STILL HAVE TO MEET THE REQUIREMENTS OF THE 20% OF THEIR ENROLLED CHILDREN HAVE TO RECEIVE SUB SUBSIDIES.

AND THEN, OF COURSE, BEING ABLE TO, UM, PROVIDE, YOU KNOW, THE, THE TEXAS RISING STAR CERTIFICATION, AND THOSE ARE REVIEWED ANNUALLY BY TEXAS WORKFORCE.

SO, SORRY, I HAD A LONG DAY TODAY.

UM, THOSE ARE REVIEWED ANNUALLY BY TEXAS WORKFORCE SOLUTIONS.

AND ALL OF THE APPLICATIONS THAT ARE APPROVED BY THE, UM, COMPTROLLER'S OFFICE ARE ACTUALLY ALSO REVIEWED.

AND SOMETIMES THEY'RE PUT ON HOLD IF THE CHILDCARE FACILITIES ARE NOT MEETING THE REQUIREMENTS.

[00:15:01]

UM, SO SINCE IT PASSED, AS AS I MENTIONED BEFORE, HARRIS COUNTY DID PROVIDE A 100%, UM, REDUCTION OR, UM, EXEMPTION FOR THE CHILDCARE FACILITIES AT THAT TIME.

THEY IDENTIFIED MAYBE 300 FACILITIES ACROSS THE COUNTY THAT WOULD PROBABLY, UM, QUALIFY, BUT ONLY ABOUT 142 ACTUALLY DID.

UM, AND SO SOME OF THEM PROBABLY HAVE TO DO A LITTLE BIT MORE WORK OR THEY DECIDED IT WASN'T WORTH THE AMOUNT THAT THEY WOULD BE SAVING.

UM, AND SO WHEN I WENT BACK, UM, TO DO THE REVIEW FOR BAYTOWN ITSELF, UM, IN 2023, WE ONLY HAD ABOUT 15 THAT WOULD POSSIBLY QUALIFY.

UM, RIGHT NOW THERE'S 13.

UM, AND, BUT THAT'S NOT TO SAY ALL OF THEM WOULD ACTUALLY GO THROUGH THE APPLICATION PROCESS.

UM, SO TOTALING THE AMOUNT, 'CAUSE THAT'S ONE OF THE THINGS THAT Y'ALL WANTED TO SEE IS THE ECONOMIC IMPACT.

IT'S ROUGHLY $1,500 A YEAR, UM, THAT THEY WOULD BE SAVING BECAUSE REMEMBER, THIS IS JUST A CITY PORTION OF THE TAXES IF WE DO IT AT, AT A HUNDRED PERCENT EXEMPTION.

UM, AND IF YOU WANNA GET DOWN TO THE PENNY, IT'S 14 84 99, UM, OUT OF THE ONES THAT COULD POSSIBLY QUALIFY, UM, IF WE DECIDE MAYBE THAT WE JUST WANNA DO A, A 50% EXEMPTION, WHICH IS, UH, UNDER OUR PURVIEW, THEN OF COURSE IT WOULD JUST BE HALF OF THAT.

UM, WHAT THE COUNTY DID IS PUT IT IN A TWO YEAR REVIEW JUST TO SEE HOW THINGS WENT.

UM, HOW MANY APPLICATIONS CAME THROUGH.

UM, NOW THEY DID, UM, IN 20, UH, UH, DECEMBER OF 25, THEY DID DO IT IN PERPETUITY WHERE, YOU KNOW, AS LONG AS THEY QUALIFY AND THE COMPTROLLER'S OFFICE IS SATISFIED WITH THAT, THEY'RE MEETING THE PARAMETERS, THEN THEY WILL IN, IN PERPETUITY RECEIVE THE A HUNDRED PERCENT REDUCTION FROM THE COUNTY.

UM, AND AGAIN, IT WOULD BE UP TO US WHETHER WE WANNA DO THE 50 OR A HUNDRED PERCENT.

AND SO THOSE WERE THE, UH, REMAINING ITEMS THAT I NEEDED TO BRING BACK TO YOU AS FAR AS THE DOLLAR OR THE ECONOMIC IMPACT, THE CITY OF BAYTOWN.

AND JUST KEEP IN MIND THE AMOUNT MAY VARY DEPENDING ON, ON THE VALUATION OF THE, THE TAXES.

SO, OKAY.

IT, THANK YOU.

A COUPLE, A COUPLE QUESTIONS.

FIRST TO COMMENT AND THEN A COUPLE QUESTIONS.

THAT'S, THAT'S PHENOMENAL.

I THOUGHT WE WERE GONNA BRING THIS BACK AS A WORK SESSION.

I WAS SURPRISED TO SEE IT AS AN ACTION ITEM, BUT WE CAN, WE CAN DISCUSS ALL THAT AND GO THROUGH IT OF, SO OF THE 13, LET'S JUST SAY THEY ALL QUALIFY.

SO IT'S ABOUT $15,000 IMPACT.

NO, 1515 1500 A PIECE OR NO, TOTAL 1500 TOTAL FOR ALL.

13.

FOR ALL 13.

SO YOU'RE TALKING LESS THAN YEAH.

SOME OF THEM WE'RE ONLY SAVING LIKE $12.

UM, AND JUST REMEMBER IT'S THE VALUATION OF THEIR PROPERTY.

AND SOME OF THE HOMES MAY CAN ONLY, LIKE IF THE REGISTERED HOMES QUALIFY, THEN THEY COULD ONLY DEDUCT THAT P THAT SQUARE FOOTAGE, UH, OF THE LICENSED CHILD CHILDCARE HOMES.

SO THEY WOULDN'T BE ABLE TO EXEMPT THE ENTIRE PROPERTY.

ONE, THERE'S NO DOUBLE DIPPING EITHER.

SO IF THEY WANNA EXEMPT THEIR CHILDCARE FACILITY, BUT THEN ALSO APPLY FOR HOMESTEAD EXEMPTION, THEY WOULD NOT BE ABLE TO DO BOTH.

THAT'S, THAT'S PART OF WHAT I WAS GETTING TO, IS THAT ONE OF THE EXCEPTIONS IS IF THEY, UH, CLAIM IT AS A PERMANENT RESIDENCE AND HOMESTEAD EXEMPTION, THEN THEY CAN'T APPLY TO THIS.

NOT FOR THAT PORTION OF THE HOME.

SO YOU'RE TALKING $1,400 OR 1500 BUCKS A YEAR TOTAL? A YEAR TOTAL, YEAH.

THAT RENT HAVE TO GET AN AFFIDAVIT OF THE OWNERS TO SAY, THIS IS YOUR SQUARE FOOTAGE, AND YES, THE MONEY WILL COME BACK TO YOU.

AND THAT WAS, THAT WAS MY QUESTION LAST TIME WAS, YOU KNOW, WHAT TYPE OF ECONOMIC IMPACT WE'RE TALKING ABOUT.

YEAH, WE WEREN'T SURE.

UM, AND HOW MANY OF THE LICENSED DAYCARES DO WE HAVE? BECAUSE THIS, I'M ASSUMING THIS IS HARD.

UM, THE 13 INCLUDES LICENSE, THIS INCLUDES 'EM ALL CHILDCARE, HOMES AND CENTERS.

UM, IF THEY QUALIFY, IF WE WERE TO APPROVE THIS AND THEY QUALIFY THROUGH US, WOULD THEY ALSO BE ABLE TO QUALIFY THROUGH HARRIS COUNTY AND GET THE DEDUCTION? YES.

FOR THEIR HARRIS COUNTY MM-HMM .

AND IF BAYTOWN PUT SOMETHING LIKE THIS, UM, INTO PLAY, DOES THIS SOMEHOW HELP THEM GET THE DEDUCTIONS WITH OTHER ENTITIES ALSO? NO, THEY'RE, THEY'RE STANDALONE, SO THEY WOULDN'T BE ABLE TO USE THIS AND SAY, LOOK, BAYTOWN GAVE ME THE EXEMPTION, THEN THAT MEANS I QUALIFY.

THEY STILL HAVE TO GO THROUGH THE APPLICATION PORTION.

AND NOT ONLY THAT, THE, THE HOMES ACTUALLY HAVE TO GET AN AVID AFFIDAVIT OR THE LICENSE.

THE ONES

[00:20:01]

I HAVE A QUESTION.

AND WE TALKED ABOUT THE ECONOMIC IMPACT FOR, I GUESS, THE PROVIDER.

CORRECT.

THESE ARE BUSINESSES, RIGHT? SO SMALL BUSINESSES FOR A LOT, RIGHT? SO WHEN WE, THE INITIAL SPIRIT OF THIS, I BELIEVE, WAS, UH, A COST EFFECTIVE DELIVERY FOR PEOPLE WHO NEED CHILDCARE.

SO I GUESS MY QUESTION IS, IS WHAT'S THE ECONOMIC IMPACT FOR PEOPLE USING THESE SERVICES? HOW, HOW, BY, BY DOING THIS, WHAT ECONOMIC IMPACT WOULD THEY HAVE FOR CHILDCARE? PEOPLE SEEKING CHILDCARE.

NOW, IT WOULDN'T BE FOR THE, THE PEOPLE THEMSELVES.

'CAUSE THIS IS APPLIED TO THE CHILDCARE CENTER THEMSELVES.

NOW WHAT THEY, YOU CAN, THEY CAN USE THAT MONEY FOR IS EITHER ADD ADDITIONAL SUBSIDIES OR MORE, YOU KNOW, SCHOLARSHIPS FOR KIDS SEEKING, UM, CHILDCARE.

UM, THEY CAN ADD IT TO THEIR OPERATIONAL COST.

UM, UH, LET ME GIVE YOU FOR INSTANCE, WE HAD A CHILDCARE CENTER THAT ENDED UP NEEDING NEW FIRE DOORS.

THOSE WERE $75,000 A PIECE.

AND NOT ONLY DID THEY HAVE TO REPLACE THE DOOR, THEY ALSO HAD TO, UM, FIX THEIR A DA RAMPS.

THEY HAD TO DO EVERYTHING FOR THOSE NEW, UM, FIRE DOORS.

CHILDCARE CENTERS ARE HEAVILY REGULATED AND THE AMOUNT OF MONEY THAT GOES INTO EVEN HAVING A CENTER TO PROVIDE SERVICE IS MONUMENTAL.

AND SO JUST ANY LITTLE AMOUNT WILL GO A LONG WAY.

WHETHER THEY USE IT FOR OPERATIONAL COSTS, MAYBE TO TACK ON SOME BONUSES OR, UM, HIGHER PAY FOR CHILDCARE, UM, UH, PROVIDERS WHO ARE CURRENTLY RIGHT NOW LACKING, UH, ACROSS THE NATION, THEN ANY LITTLE BIT HELPS.

AND THEN I GUESS THAT'S KIND OF, I GUESS THE ISSUE TOO IS HOW DO WE MEASURE THAT? THAT'S GONNA HAPPEN FOR SURE.

AND I MEAN, DO WE ACCESS THE CITY TO, TO LOOK IN TO SEE THAT, THAT THE ABATEMENT IS GOING FOR COST EFFECTIVE SAVINGS FOR WELL PROVIDERS? OR ARE WE, AS I MENTIONED, ARE WE JUST HOPING THAT WILL HAPPEN? YEAH, NO, AND, AND I UNDERSTAND THAT, AND SOME, SOME FOLKS HAD THAT SAME QUESTION, BUT THAT WOULD BE ADDING AN ADDITIONAL RESTRICTION THAT THE STATE DID NOT PROVIDE.

SO ALL WE COULD DO IS, UM, SEE HOW MANY ACTUALLY APPLIED AND MAYBE REVIEW IT YEAR TO YEAR, UM, TO SEE WHAT THE IMPACT IS OVER TIME.

BUT, YOU KNOW, WE CAN GO DOOR TO DOOR TO EACH OF EACH ONE OF THEM.

WE CAN DO THAT, BUT IT WOULDN'T BE LIKE A REQUIREMENT.

SO WE CAN'T GO TO THEM LOOK TO SEE WHO APPLIES, GO AND SPEAK TO THEM TO SEE, YOU KNOW, HOW'S IT GOING, WHAT ARE YOU USING THE MONEY, ET CETERA.

BUT IF THEY END UP USING IT FOR OPERATIONS AND YOU WANTED IT TO GO TO VOUCHERS, WE CAN'T DO THAT.

AND, AND THAT'S WHERE MY RESERVES LIE WITH, WITH THIS.

SO I GOT A QUESTION.

JUST YOU, YOU LED INTO SOMETHING I WAS THINKING, AND, AND COUNCILMAN ODOS MENTIONED A COUPLE OF TIMES.

IT, DO, WE HAVE A, A FOR LACK OF A BETTER TERM, A SUNSET CLAUSE IN HERE, SO WE COULD COME BACK IN A COUPLE OF YEARS AND SAY, IS IT WORKING? IS IT WORTH HAVING ON THE BOOKS? YOU CAN ADD IT IN THERE JUST AS, UM, HDAC, I MEAN, UH, HARRIS COUNTY DID.

WE CAN COME IN AND SAY, OKAY, WE'LL ONLY DO IT FOR TWO YEARS AND WE WANNA REVIEW IT WITHIN THAT PERIOD, AND THEN IT'LL COME BACK TO US WHETHER WE WANNA EXTEND IT OR NOT.

THAT, THAT WAY WE COULD HAVE SOME TYPE OF MATRIX.

IS IT WORKING, IS IT NOT WORKING? YOU KNOW, THERE'S 13 IN TOWN AND ONLY TWO ARE USING IT, AND IT'S JUST NOT A VIABLE PROGRAM.

I THINK IT'D GIVE US AN OPPORTUNITY TO LOOK AT THAT.

IS THERE A WAY TO ADD THAT TO THIS? IF WE DECIDE TO PASS IT TONIGHT? WELL, UM, COUNCIL MEMBER, YES.

SO IT'S COUNCIL'S WILL, AND YOUR DESIRE AS TO HOW YOU WANT TO PUT THIS IN PLACE WITHIN THE CITY OF BAYTOWN, IF THAT IS SOMETHING THAT YOU WOULD LIKE TO CONSIDER.

I MEAN, WE'RE AMENDING THE, UH, CODE OF ORDINANCES NOW TO INCLUDE THAT EXEMPTION.

IF THAT IS SOMETHING THAT NEEDS TO BE RECON TO BE CONSIDERED, THEN THAT CAN BE ADDED TO AN ORDINANCE TO DO THAT.

YES.

AND I HAVE NO PROBLEM WITH THAT.

YOU MEAN TO, YOU MEAN, AND I MEAN, THIS IS, YOU'VE KIND OF BEEN LEADING THE CHARGE ON THIS, SO, YEAH, AND LET ME BE CLEAR, THERE ARE MORE CHILDCARE FACILITIES IN BAYTOWN.

THESE, THE 13 TO 15 ARE THE ONLY ONES THAT QUALIFY FOR THIS.

YEAH, I I GOT THAT.

ACTUALLY THINKING OVER THERE WHERE I'M AT ON THIS.

THAT'S, THAT WOULD BE MY UNDERSTANDING AS WELL.

RIGHT.

AND, AND THAT NUMBER MAY INCREASES.

IT COULD POSSIBLE.

UM, JUST WHEN I, WHEN I FIRST DID THE INITIAL RESEARCH, UM, THERE WERE 12 AND SO NOW WE'RE TO 13 TO 15, THAT WOULD QUALIFY.

SOME OF THEM FELL OFF AND NEW CENTERS OPENED.

SO IT'S, IT'S A GIVE AND TAKE.

ANY OTHER COMMENTS? NO, I THINK EVERYBODY, THE ONES THAT I WAS ACTUALLY, BUT I'M

[00:25:01]

UM, UH, I APPRECIATE THE, THE INTENT OF IT MM-HMM .

UM, AND I, AND I'LL BE HONEST WITH YOU, THAT, UM, THAT ECONOMIC IMPACT WAS, WAS, WAS LOWER THAN I WAS EXPECTING.

UM, BUT I, TO BE HONEST, IT'S SO LOW.

IT'S, IT'S TO THE POINT THAT I DON'T KNOW HOW MUCH BENEFIT THIS IS REALLY GONNA PROVIDE.

IT SEEMS LIKE, UM, YOU KNOW, TO ADD THIS AS AN EXEMPTION, AND THEN THERE'S A, A, A, A APPLICATION PROCESS.

WHEN YOU SAID SOME OF THESE ARE GONNA GET AS LITTLE AS $12 BACK, UM, I JUST HAVE A HARD TIME BELIEVING THAT'S GONNA MOVE THE NEEDLE AT ALL ON ACTUALLY MAKING CHILDCARE MORE AFFORDABLE.

WHICH WAS THE INTENT OF, UM, YEAH.

WHEN, WHEN SESSION PASSED THIS, THE INTENT WAS TO, TO IN SOME WAY, YOU KNOW, MAKE CHILDCARE MORE AFFORDABLE.

AND, UM, I MEAN, EVEN THE THINGS YOU MEANT RAISES OR WHATEVER IT MAY BE.

I, I DON'T SEE THAT WHEN YOU'RE LOOKING AT MAYBE A HUNDRED TO $200 PER FACILITY, UM, I HAVE A HARD TIME BELIEVING THEY'RE GONNA LOWER THE COST TO, YOU KNOW, THE INDIVIDUAL FAMILY USING THE CHILDCARE FACILITY.

UM, I'D BE INCLINED TO HOLD OFF ON THIS.

I MEAN, IF HARRIS COUNTY'S ALREADY DOING IT, UM, THEY'RE GONNA HAVE SOME DATA IN A FEW YEARS, UM, I'D BE MORE INCLINED TO WAIT AND SEE HOW IT GOES FOR THEM.

AND THEN WE CAN DISCUSS IT TO WHERE WE HAVE THAT REAL DATA.

UH, IT'S ALL SPECULATION RIGHT NOW.

UM, SO THAT, THAT'S KIND OF MY THOUGHTS ON IT.

AND IF I MAY, UH, ABSOLUTELY, MR. MAYOR, UM, IT, IT MAY SEEM NOT MONUMENTAL TO US, UM, AND THIS COMBINED WITH HARRIS COUNTY IS WHAT'S GOING TO ELEVATE EACH CENTER.

YOU MAY THINK IT'S JUST A LITTLE, VERY LITTLE $12.

SOME OF THEM MAY DECIDE NOT TO DO IT.

ONE OF THE CENTERS IS RECEIVING WOULD POSSIBLY RECEIVE $400.

SO THEY'RE TAKING THE BULK OF IT, BECAUSE IT ALL DEPENDS HOW MANY, UM, CHILDREN ARE AT THEIR CENTER AND THE VALUATION OF THEIR CENTER.

AND SO FOR US, IT MAY NOT SEEM LIKE A BIG DEAL, BUT FOR CENTERS WHO ARE DEFINITELY NEEDING EACH PENNY, THEN THAT'S WHAT MAKES THE DIFFERENCE.

YOU KNOW, OUR, OUR ROLE IS JUST TO LOOK AT THIS AND OUR ROLE IS TO HOPEFULLY PASS IT.

BUT IT'S NOT TO DECIDE WHETHER CENTERS THINK IT'S, YOU KNOW, ENOUGH OR NOT.

THAT'S, THAT'S UP TO THEM.

IF THEY DECIDE TO APPLY, GREAT.

IF THEY DON'T, THEN THEY DON'T.

BUT THAT'S NOT FOR US TO REGULATE.

SO, AND, AND YOU'RE RIGHT, THE COST OF CHILDCARE, UM, THIS IS NOT WHAT'S GONNA SOLVE IT, BUT THAT'S A MUCH HIGHER DECISION AT THE STATE LEVEL.

UM, YEAH, GO AHEAD.

YEAH, I, I AGREE.

IT'S, IT'S A, IT'S A VERY SMALL AMOUNT COMPARED TO SOME OF THE OTHER THINGS THAT WE SEE AND DEAL WITH.

UM, WHEN WE'RE SITTING UP HERE, I DON'T, I WAS JUST THINKING ABOUT A, A DIFFERENT SOCIAL ASPECT.

UM, IF THIS SETS THE BAR IN BAYTOWN TO SAY, WE WANT TO WELCOME LICENSED, WELL OPERATED, UM, CHILDCARE CENTERS THAT MIGHT BE ELIGIBLE, AND THIS MIGHT INCENTIVIZE EVEN IF IT IS A LOW AMOUNT COMPARED TO OTHER THINGS.

I THINK GO AHEAD AND GETTING THIS ON THE BOOKS AND PUTTING IN THE, THE TWO YEARS.

I DON'T, I SEE YOUR POINT ABOUT THE LOW AMOUNT, BUT I DON'T THINK IT WOULD, IT WOULD DO ANY HARM AND IT COULD DO SOME HELP IN, IN AN AREA THAT I'M NO EXPERT IN WHEN IT COMES TO CHILDCARE.

SO, UM, THAT, THAT'S WHERE I'M AT WITH IT.

AND ONE, ONE FINAL, IF YOU DON'T MIND.

YEAH, ABSOLUTELY.

I'M JUST FLABBERGASTED AT THE 1500 TOTAL MM-HMM .

AMOUNT.

'CAUSE I'M SITTING HERE THINKING IF I HAD A COMMERCIAL ESTABLISHMENT AND I'VE GOT 30 OR 40 KIDS IN MY ESTABLISHMENT, I FIND IT HARD TO BELIEVE THAT MY CITY TAXES ALONE ARE NOT MORE THAN $1,500 A YEAR.

AND WE'RE TALKING ABOUT A HUNDRED PERCENT WAVE ON THAT.

SO THE $1,500, I'M JUST FLOORED AT MM-HMM .

UM, I HOPE THAT NUMBER'S CORRECT, BUT, UM, AGAIN, IT'S, IT'S SUCH A NOMINAL AMOUNT.

I WOULD BE WILLING TO SUPPORT IT.

IF WE PUT A SUNSET, TWO YEAR SUNSET WOULD BE FINE.

I THINK ONE YEAR'S PROBABLY A LITTLE SHORT MM-HMM .

UM, BUT A TWO YEAR SUNSET SO WE CAN BRING IT BACK.

AND IF THAT 1500 TURNS INTO 150,000, NOW WE NEED TO SIT DOWN AND DO SOMETHING ABOUT THAT.

BUT I JUST FIND IT HARD TO BELIEVE THAT A COMMERCIAL VALOREM TAX ON A COMMERCIAL BUILDING FOR A DAYCARE WOULD, WOULD BE THAT LOW.

UM MM-HMM .

I MEAN, HIS, MY PROPERTY TAXES ARE QUITE A BIT MORE THAN THAT.

AND I JUST SINGLE FAMILY HOME AND, BUT THEY'RE PAYING THE SAME TAX

[00:30:01]

RATE.

UH, I WOULD THINK SO.

THEIR VALUATIONS HAVE GOT TO BE HIGHER THAN THAT.

UM, BUT I, I'M GOOD TO GO AS LONG AS WE HAVE SOME TYPE OF A TWO YEAR SUNSET FOR REVIEW.

AND, AND I APPRECIATE THAT.

AND LET'S JUST REMEMBER THAT THIS IS JUST FOR CITY OF BAYTOWN TAXES.

THIS DOES NOT INCLUDE GOOSE CREEK.

SIX, SIX 9 CENTS PER COLLEGE.

I MEAN, NONE OF THOSE.

I GOT THAT.

BUT IT'S KIND LIKE 1500 JUST SOUNDS EXTREMELY.

1500 A PIECE PROBABLY.

BUT 1500 TOTAL IS JUST, I, I JUST THINK THAT'S REALLY LOW.

I WAS, I WAS THINKING ABOUT, AND I DON'T KNOW IF THEY'RE PART OF THE 13 TO 15, BUT I WAS THINKING ABOUT THREE CHILDCARE CENTERS JUST ON THIS SIDE OF TOWN.

AND, UM, SQUARE FOOTAGE WISE, THEY'RE EXTREMELY SMALL.

AND SO I, I, I DON'T, I MEAN, I DON'T, THE BUILDING'S GOTTA BE WORTH A HUNDRED THOUSAND, 150,000.

NOT SOME OF THE FACILITIES THAT WE'VE SEEN .

I DON'T KNOW WHICH ONES ARE, YOU KNOW, IN THERE.

I DO.

I DON'T KNOW.

I'M NOT AN APPRAISER.

SO I GUESS IT'S NOT GONNA COME ON.

UH, YEAH, FOR ME, I MEAN, LIKE I SAID, IT, IT'S A VERY MINIMAL AMOUNT AND UNDERSTAND, AND, AND I HATE FOR THAT MINIMAL AMOUNT TO THEN BALLOON REAL QUICK.

AND WE DIDN'T, WE DIDN'T SEE SOME OF THAT COMING.

BUT AT THAT MINIMAL AMOUNT, IT, IT ALSO IS GONNA BE A LOT ON OUR STAFF.

'CAUSE THAT'S OFFICER EXTRA STAFF TIME.

SO WE HAVE TO LOOK, WE'RE WE, WE'RE ACTUALLY GONNA BE SUPPLEMENTING THAT ALSO PART ALSO.

'CAUSE OUR STAFF'S GONNA HAVE TO BE, AS THEY COME THROUGH THESE, FOR THESE, FOR THESE, FOR THE, FOR THE APPLICATIONS AND EVERYTHING'S GONNA COME THROUGH.

I GET, I GET WHERE IT'S COMING THROUGH.

BUT, UM, YEAH, IT'S, IT'S, I'D LIKE TO SEE MORE DATA.

I'M, I'M DATA DRIVEN.

I JUST BEING IN PROJECT MANAGEMENT AND EVERYTHING, I, I'M JUST DATA DRIVEN AND IT'S, I'D LIKE TO SEE WHAT HARRIS COUNTY'S GOING TO DO WITH HOW IT'S GONNA HAVE, HOW WE HAVE MORE STATS ON THAT AND WHERE WE'RE GONNA, WHERE IT'S GONNA BE BEFORE WE KINDA SEE HOW WE'RE GONNA GO WITH THIS.

I MEAN, I HAVE NO PROBLEM GIVING THAT, I JUST WANNA SEE WHERE THE DATA'S GOING.

DRIVING IT.

COURSE.

AND I APPRECIATE THAT.

BUT JUST A CLARIFICATION, THE APPLICATIONS DO NOT COME TO THE CITY.

IT GOES TO THE COMPTROLLER.

SO IT'S HARRIS COUNTY APPRAISAL DISTRICT.

AND THEN, SO APPLICATIONS DO NOT COME TO US.

THERE WOULD BE NO STAFF TIME FROM CITY OF BETON AT ALL.

IT'S STILL ON OUR TAX ROLL, BUT IT'S, WE, WE, WE STILL PAY TAXES FOR THE COMPTROLLER AVENUE.

I UNDERSTAND.

BUT AT SOME POINT WE DO NEED TO BE ABLE TO SUPPORT OUR SMALL BUSINESSES HERE.

WE DO HAVE A NEW, UM, TEAM WITH BRIAN THAT IS GOING TO DO JUST THAT.

UM, AND SO AT SOME POINT WE NEED TO SUPPORT THEM IN, IN THE WORK THAT THEY'RE DOING HERE.

AND, YOU KNOW, NOT EVERYBODY CAN HAVE, YOU KNOW, A GRANDPARENT, AN AUNT, OR SOMEONE THAT TAKES CARE OF THEIR CHILDREN OR A STAY AT HOME PARENT.

THEY HAVE TO GO SOMEWHERE.

SO, NO, I, I APPRECIATE THE TIME.

WE UNDERSTAND YEAH.

OUR, OUR SMALL BUSINESSES ARE THE BACKBONE OF, OF OUR COUNTRY.

THAT'S, THAT'S, THAT'S THE BACKBONE OF IT.

SO I COMPLETELY UNDERSTAND THAT.

CONSIDER A RESOLUTION SUSPENDING ARTICLE FOUR TYPES OF MEETINGS, SECTION 4.1, REGULAR MEETINGS OF THE CITY OF BAYTOWN CITY COUNCIL, RULES OF PROCEDURAL FOR THE PURPOSE OF COUNSELING, THE MARCH 26TH, 2026, CITY COUNCIL MEETING.

ALRIGHT.

WELL, IF THERE'S NO FURTHER DISCUSSION, I NEED A MOTION, MOTION TO APPROVE WITH SECOND.

WITH, OH, WITH THE NEW AMENDMENTS OF A TWO YEAR, UH, REVIEW.

SECOND.

ALRIGHT.

ANY LAST QUESTIONS OR COMMENTS? ALL IN FAVOR, PLEASE SAY AYE.

AYE.

ANY OPPOSED? NAY.

NAY.

AND I'M GONNA BE A NAY.

OKAY, WE'RE ON THE FIVE C.

WE'RE GONNA PUSH THAT IT'S BEEN PUSHED.

WE'RE GOING TO TAKE NO ACTION ON FIVE C ONTO SIX A,

[a. Consider a resolution suspending Article 4, "Types of Meetings"; Section 4.1 "Regular Meetings" of the City of Baytown City Council Rules of Procedure for the purpose of canceling the March 26, 2026, City Council Meeting.]

UM, LOOKS LIKE WE'RE GONNA TRY TO RESCHEDULE THIS MEETING ON THE 23RD.

I THOUGHT WE WERE, THERE MAY BE AN OPPORTUNITY TO DISCUSS WHAT WE NEED TO DISCUSS AHEAD OF TIME.

POINT OF WATER.

I THOUGHT WE WERE SUPPOSED TO BE TALKING ABOUT FIVE CI DON'T THINK WE, NO, WE PUT THIS PUSHED.

MAYOR THE QUESTION AGAIN.

I'M SORRY.

I THOUGHT WE WERE GONNA BE ABLE TO DISCUSS.

SO EVERYTHING THAT, EVERYTHING THAT WE NEED TO HANDLE MM-HMM .

ALMOST EVERYTHING THAT WE NEED TO HANDLE CAN

[00:35:01]

BE HANDLED AT THE FIRST MEETING.

THE ONLY THING THAT CANNOT BE HANDLED IS THE AUDIT.

AND SO WE DO HAVE TO HAVE A SPECIAL MEETING FOR THE AUDIT.

UH, UH, SO EITHER MARCH 23RD OR MARCH, MARCH 30TH TO WORK AROUND MISSING THIS DATE.

SO WE CAN'T PUSH THE AUDIT UP ANY SOONER THAN THAT.

I GOT YOU.

AND WE ARE SCHEDULED WHEN IS, OH.

AND WE CAN'T DO THE 30TH.

WE CAN ONLY DO THE 23RD.

ALL RIGHTY THEN.

WELL, IT'S BETWEEN 30 DEALS.

NEED A MOTION? MOTION TO APPROVE.

SECOND.

PROFILING REPORT FOR CALENDAR YEAR 2025.

WE'RE GONNA RECEIVE A RACIAL

[a. Receive the Racial Profiling Report for Calendar Year 2025.]

CHIEF STRINGER.

THERE WE ARE.

GOOD EVENING MAYOR CITY COUNCIL.

JOHN STRINGER, CHIEF OF POLICE.

I'M HERE TO PRESENT THE, UH, ANNUAL RACIAL PROFILING REPORT, UH, AS REQUIRED BY TEXAS LAW.

UH, SINCE THE PASSING OF THE 2001 TEXAS RACIAL PROFILING LAW, ALSO KNOWN AS SENATE BILL 10 74.

THE BAYTOWN POLICE DEPARTMENT HAS COMPLIED WITH THIS LAW, WHICH REQUIRES ALL AGENCIES THAT ARE ENGAGED IN TRAFFIC ENFORCEMENT OR CONDUCT TRAFFIC STOPS TO MAINTAIN REVIEW AND SUBMIT REPORTS ON RACIAL PROFILING DATA AND METRICS THAT ARE ASSOCIATED WITH THOSE TRAFFIC STOPS AND ENFORCEMENT.

THE INFORMATION CONTAINED IN THIS REPORT REFLECTS DATA AND ANALYSIS OF TRAFFIC STOPS FROM CALENDAR YEAR 2025 THAT WAS CONDUCTED BY THE BAYTOWN POLICE DEPARTMENT.

THE REPORT IS REQUIRED TO BE PRESENTED TO THE GOVERNING BODY OF THE CITY OF BAYTOWN, AS WELL AS THE TEXAS COMMISSION ON LAW ENFORCEMENT BY NO LATER THAN MARCH 1ST OF EACH CALENDAR YEAR.

IN ACCORDANCE WITH SENATE BILL 10 74, HOUSE BILL 33 89, HOUSE BILL 30 51, AND SENATE BILL 1849.

THE FOLLOWING DECLAR DECLARATIONS ARE MADE.

THE BAYTOWN POLICE DEPARTMENT EQUIPS ALL MARKED PATROL UNITS WITH DIGITAL VIDEO AND AUDIO RECORDING DEVICES THAT RECORD TRAFFIC STOPS.

BODY-WORN CAMERAS, ALSO KNOWN AS BWC, ARE ALSO ISSUED TO ALL PATROL OFFICERS, WHICH ALSO RECORDS THESE ENCOUNTERS.

IN ADDITION TO THIS EQUIPMENT, BAYTOWN POLICE DEPARTMENT PROVIDES T COLE REQUIRED TRAINING IN, UH, ANTI-BIAS RACIAL PROFILING AND CULTURAL DIVERSITY SUPERVISORS WITH THE BAYTOWN POLICE DEPARTMENT ALSO CONDUCT REGULAR REVIEWS OF BOTH THE BODY-WORN CAMERAS AND IN-CAR VIDEOS FOR POLICY COMPLIANCE.

AND TO DETERMINE WHETHER OR NOT THERE'S ANY INSTANCES OF RACIAL PROFILING THAT MIGHT HAVE OCCURRED.

DURING CALENDAR YEAR 2025, BAYTOWN POLICE DEPARTMENT CONDUCTED 13,907 TRAFFIC STOPS FOR WHICH RACIAL PROFILE DATA WAS COLLECTED IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE LAW.

RESULTS SHOW THAT OF THESE STOPS, 37% OF THE DRIVERS WERE CAUCASIAN OR WHITE.

THIS IS CONSISTENT WITH THE SAME FIGURE IN CALENDAR.

YEAR 2024, 36% OF THE DRIVERS WERE HISPANIC, WHICH SHOWS A 1% INCREASE OVER THE PREVIOUS CALENDAR YEAR.

AND 26% OF THE DRIVERS WERE BLACK, WHICH WAS DOWN 1% AND 95% OF THESE STOPS.

THE RACE OF THE DRIVER WAS NOT KNOWN TO THE OFFICER PRIOR TO THE STOP OF THAT.

TOTAL SUR OF THAT, EXCUSE ME, TOTAL SEARCHES, WHETHER CONSENSUAL OR NON-CONSENSUAL WERE ONLY CONDUCTED IN 941 OR 7% OF THESE STOPS OUTTA THE 13,907 TRAFFIC STOPS CONDUCTED 55% RESULTED IN WARNING, 39% RESULTED IN A CITATION, AND 6% RESULTED IN ARREST, WHICH IS UP 1% FROM THE PREVIOUS CALENDAR YEAR.

THE LEADING CAUSES FOR ARREST AND CALENDAR YEAR 2025 WERE VIOLATIONS OF THE PENAL CODE, VIOLATION OF TRAFFIC CODE OR ARREST FOR OUTSTANDING WARRANTS.

OF THESE ARRESTS, 35% OF THE SUBJECTS WERE WHITE.

33% WERE BLACK.

THAT'S ALSO DOWN 1% FROM LAST YEAR.

AND CORRESPONDING TO THE INCREASE WITH THE POPULATION, 33% OF THE, UH, STOPS WERE HISPANIC.

AND, UH, 33% OF THE THE ARRESTS WERE HISPANIC, WHICH IS ALSO AN INCREASE OF 3%.

OTHER ETHNIC GROUPS INCLUDED ALASKA, NATIVE AMERICAN, INDIAN PACIFIC, UH, ISLANDER, AND ASIAN, WHICH ACCOUNT FOR 1% OF THE ARREST ON THESE TRAFFIC STOPS.

BAYTOWN POLICE DEPARTMENT ALSO CONDUCTED A THREE YEAR ANALYSIS OF RACIAL PROFILING DATA AS REPORTED TO BOTH THE CITY COUNCIL AND TCO, I'M SORRY, UH, TRAFFIC AND, AND RESULTING CRIMINAL ENFORCEMENT CONTINUE TO BE CONSISTENTLY APPLIED ACROSS DEMOGRAPHICS IN OUR COMMUNITY.

THIS OCCURS DESPITE YEARLY FLUCTUATIONS IN POPULATION AND TRAFFIC ENFORCEMENT NUMBERS.

DATA SUGGESTS THAT OVER MULTIPLE YEARS, UH, ENFORCEMENT REMAINS CONSISTENT.

ADDITIONAL DETAILS OF THIS REPORT ARE ALSO AVAILABLE,

[00:40:01]

UH, AT THE TEXAS COMMISSION ON LAW ENFORCEMENT WEBSITE UNDER RACIAL PROFILING.

AND THE DATA FOR THIS REPORT WAS COMPILED FROM THE POLICE DEPARTMENT'S BRAZO SOFTWARE SYSTEM.

AND WE HAVE MADE THE DECLARATION THAT DATA INFORMATION REPRESENTED IN THIS REPORT HAS BEEN REVIEWED AND IS BELIEVED TO BE TRUE AND ACCURATE AT THIS TIME.

IF YOU HAVE ANY QUESTIONS, I'LL BE MORE THAN HAPPY TO ANSWER THEM FOR YOU QUESTIONS OR COMMENTS? GOOD DEAL.

THANK YOU, CHIEF.

THANK YOU SO MUCH.

NOW

[8. 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'RE ON TO CONSENT AGENDA.

UH, DOES ANYONE WISH TO PULL ANY ITEM? OKAY, WELL, I NEED A MOTION.

THREE ITEMS. EIGHT A THROUGH A S SECOND.

AYE.

CONSIDER A RESOLUTION TO APPOINT MICHAEL GARNER AS PRESIDING JUDGE OF THE MUNICIPAL COURT ON RECORD IN THE CITY OF BAYTOWN, TEXAS TO SERVE A TERM OF OFFICE COMMENCING ON MARCH 2ND, 2026, AND ENDING ON JANUARY 31ST, 2028.

NINE A APPOINTMENTS

[a. Consider a resolution to appoint Michael Garner as Presiding Judge of the Municipal Court of Record in the City of Baytown, Texas to serve a term of office commencing March 2, 2026, and ending on January 31, 2028.]

MR. LOPEZ, MY APOLOGIES.

I DIDN'T, IT WAS UP HERE FOR THIS ONE.

SO THIS IS MR. GARNER IS IN ATTENDANCE TODAY, AND THIS IS THE JUDGE THAT Y'ALL HAVE INTERVIEWED AND SELECTED, AND THE APPOINTMENT IS UP FOR ADOPTION BY COUNCIL TONIGHT.

MR. GARNER, WOULD YOU PLEASE COME UP? YES, SIR.

HOW YOU DOING TODAY, SIR? HOW ARE YOU, SIR? DOING PRETTY GOOD.

WELL, I'M EXCITED, SIR.

YOU EXCITED, SIR? YES, SIR.

VERY MUCH SO.

UM, I WAS REMINDED EARLIER, I DO HAVE SOME VERY BIG SHOES TO FILL.

FORTUNATELY, JUDGE ESCALANTE HAS SET THE STANDARD AND SHE'S DEVELOPED A AND, AND NUTRITIVE AN AWESOME STAFF OVER THERE AT THE COURT.

I'M SURE WITH THEIR ASSISTANCE, THINGS WILL BE MUCH, MUCH EASIER FOR ME AS I TAKE, TAKE THE HELM OF THE SHIP OVER THERE.

AND I, I'M VERY HUMBLED AND GRATEFUL THAT YOU'VE GIVEN ME THIS OPPORTUNITY AND THANK YOU.

YES, SIR.

WELL, THIS WAS A, I'M NOT GONNA SAY A LONG DRAWN OUT PROCESS, BUT IT WAS A SIMPLE PROCESS AND, AND WE WORKED HARD TO FIND THE RIGHT PERSON FOR THIS.

UM, I LIKE TO THANK COUNCILWOMAN GRAHAM FOR CHAIRING THE AD HOC COMMITTEE TO START THIS AND SHEPHERDING US THROUGH THE, UH, PROCESS.

YOU HAVE ANY COMMENTS? OH, YES, SIR, I DO.

HI, MR. GARNER.

HOW ARE YOU DOING, MA'AM? THANK YOU.

UM, AND THANK YOU.

I I REALLY WANTED TO SAY THANK YOU FOR Y'ALL ALLOWING ME TO, TO CHAIR THIS, BUT EVERYONE DID WORK REALLY HARD, BUT I AM YOU, YOU TOOK THE WORDS RIGHT OUTTA MY MOUTH.

I'M VERY EXCITED THAT COUNCIL AND THE MAYOR CAME TO THE AGREEMENT.

'CAUSE NOT ONLY ARE YOU A TRUE PROFESSIONAL, UM, BUT IT'S EXCITING TO AFFIRM YOU, UM, INTO THIS POSITION BECAUSE YOU CARE AND HAVE SERVED THE PEOPLE OF BAYTOWN BEFORE.

AND I KNOW YOU'RE GONNA CONTINUE, UM, WHAT YOU'VE ALREADY DONE HERE.

AND I'M EXCITED TO SEE YOU TAKE THIS POSITION AS JUDGE.

THANK YOU, MA'AM.

ANY OTHER COMMENTS? MA'AM? HE'S GOT SOME GUESTS WITH HIM TODAY.

OH, YEAH.

I WAS, I WAS GONNA GET TO THAT, BUT I WANTED TO SEE MY, MY, MY WIFE KIMBERLY IS HERE WITH ME TODAY.

UH, WE, WE HAVE FIVE CHILDREN, UH, AGE 18 TO 22.

THEY ARE SCATTERED WITH SCHOOL STUFF TODAY, SO WE DIDN'T BRING 'EM WITH US ALSO HERE TODAY.

AND I VERY MUCH APPRECIATE, UH, MY, MY WIFE'S SUPPORT, BUT ALSO JUDGE ANTE, UH, JACKIE CARMONA AND, AND CHRIS CURRY FROM THE COURT ARE ALSO HERE.

AND LIKE I SAID, I VERY MUCH APPRECIATE THEIR SUPPORT AND CONGRATULATE JUDGE ESCALANTE ON HER UPCOMING RETIREMENT.

YES, SIR.

LOOK, MR. GARNER, I'M EXCITED TO SEE YOU AND ESPECIALLY NOW IN THIS ROLE.

UH, I HAVE NO DOUBT BEING, YOU KNOW, WORKING WITH YOU IN THE PAST THAT YOU WILL MEET THE EXPECTATIONS THAT JUDGE JULIE HAS SET FOR THE COURT.

YOU HAVE A, A GREAT FOLLOWING FROM YOUR, YOUR COURT, UH, FELLOWS THAT ARE HERE TONIGHT AND THOSE THAT WE'LL BE WORKING WITH.

UM, AND SO I REMEMBER YOU BEING THERE MY VERY FIRST TIME ON COUNCIL AND, UM, HAD A LITTLE SPILL THERE AND YOU JUST LOOKED AT ME AND WERE LIKE, THEY, YOU HAD THIS LITTLE SMIRK .

UM, BUT I JUST APPRECIATE YOU AND WE LOOK FORWARD TO WORKING WITH YOU AGAIN.

THANK YOU, MA'AM.

AND, AND, AND SHEPHERD FOR THIS COMMUNITY.

ANYONE ELSE? THAT'S IT.

I GUESS MY MIC'S JUST NOT GONNA WORK.

IT'S GERMAN.

YEAH, NO DOUBT.

MR. MR. GARNER.

UH, WE APPRECIATE YOU TAKING THE INTEREST IN OUR CITY AND, AND INTEREST IN, IN BECOMING A, A, A PART OF THIS COMMUNITY

[00:45:01]

SO IT IS, IT'S GONNA BE AN HONOR TO, ON MARCH 2ND TO CALL YOU THE HONORABLE JUDGE GARDNER.

THANK YOU, SIR.

NO ONE ELSE.

WELL, WE NEED, WE DON'T NEED TO VOTE ON THIS.

MAKE A MOTION.

WAITING ON THE MAYOR.

OH, GO AHEAD AND MAKE A MOTION.

GOT MEMBERS OF THE AD HOC COMMITTEE SUPPORT WE MEMBERS OF THE A BOARD CHAIR.

SECOND.

WE WILL SEE YOU ON MAY, MARCH THE SECOND.

THAT'S MONDAY, RIGHT? MONDAY? YES, SIR.

RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING THREE APPOINTMENTS TO THE BAYTOWN LIBRARY BOARD.

NINE D CONSIDER

[b. Consider a resolution authorizing three (3) appointments to the Baytown Library Board.]

MR. REYNOLDS? YES.

MAYOR COUNCIL, UM, HAVE THREE APPOINTMENTS.

WE HAD, UH, BRENDA, TAMMY, AND JUDY HAVE RECENTLY BEEN SERVING.

UH, AND, UH, MS. JUDY GERALD'S DID TERM LIMIT.

UH, SO I'M GOING TO RECOMMEND THAT, UH, IN HER PLACE.

JENNIFER ROUSE, UH, BE APPOINTED ALONG WITH BRENDA, UH, BRENDA RAM BAREN AND TAMMY GIRE.

THOSE WILL BE MY THREE, UH, INDIVIDUALS FOR APPOINTING TO THE LIBRARY BOARD.

ANY OPPOSED? WE ALL WANT A SECOND TONIGHT.

, WHAT WE SHOULD HAVE DONE FOR THAT, WHAT WE SHOULD HAVE DONE? ANYONE WHO DOES NOT HAVE A LIBRARY CARD ON COUNCIL SHOULDN'T HAVE BEEN ALLOWED TO VOTE ON THAT.

I'VE GOT A LIBRARY.

I'VE GOT A LIBRARY CARD.

YOU GOT A LIBRARY CARD? A LIBRARY YESTERDAY.

IT'S OLD.

I DON'T KNOW WHERE IT'S AT.

ACTUALLY.

IT JUST CAME ACROSS MINE THAT IT'S LIKE 1999.

BUT YOU HAVE IT.

SEE WHAT HAPPENED.

I THINK I GOT A BOOK NOW.

WE'RE BH STILL OUT MANAGERS REPORT.

[10. 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.]

ALL RIGHT, MAYOR AND COUNCIL.

I'D LIKE TO BEGIN BY HIGHLIGHTING TWO, UH, DEPARTMENTAL RECOGNITIONS THAT RECENTLY TOOK PLACE.

OUR PUBLIC AFFAIRS TEAM CELEBRATED NATIONAL GOVERNMENT COMMUNICATORS DAY AND OUR ENGINEERING TEAM CELEBRATED NATIONAL ENGINEERS WEEK.

WE, UH, WE'RE INCREDIBLE, INCREDIBLY PROUD OF BOTH TEAMS AND THANK, UH, THANK THEM FOR ALL THE WORK THAT YOU DO.

SO GREAT PHOTOS THERE.

AND, UH, UH, GREAT TO SEE THAT.

THANK Y'ALL.

UH, ROBERT BENAVIDES FROM PUBLIC WORKS RECENTLY EARNED HIS CDL LICENSE.

AWESOME STUFF.

CONGRATULATIONS AND KEEP UP THE GREAT WORK.

GREAT PHOTO.

NICE SMILE, MAN.

UH, THE PARKS AND RECREATION TEAM, PARKS AND RECREATION TOURISM TEAM RECENTLY ATTENDED THE ANNUAL TRAPS EQUIPMENT RODEO THIS YEAR.

LOUIS MENDOZA.

LEONARD GRAHAM.

HOW DOES IT HAPPEN EVERY MONTH? CLIFF? I'M, COME ON MAN.

UM, LOUIS MENDOZA, LEONARD GRAHAM, ROBERT RENTERIA, UM, MIN, LARS, TONYA AND DANIEL MEDINA.

ALL PLACED AT THE EAST REGION COMPETITION AND ADVANCED THE STATE.

CH UH, THE STATE COMPETITION FROM THAT, THE CITY OF BAYTOWN PLACED IN THE FOLLOWING CATEGORIES.

BACKPACK BLOWER, LEONARD GRAHAM, SECOND PLACE, .

THAT'S WHAT I'M TALKING ABOUT.

AND NE DRIVING, UH, MINT CUTLER'S, UH, SECOND PLACE AS WELL.

SO CONGRATULATIONS TO ALL THE PARTICIPANTS AND THANK YOU FOR DOING A GREAT JOB REPRESENTING OUR CITY.

I KNOW THEY HAVE A GOOD TIME, UH, WITH THAT EVENT.

PRETTY WILD.

I'D ALSO LIKE TO SHOUT OUT ANOTHER PARKS AND RECREATION TEAM MEMBER JOSH WILSON, FOR WINNING THE 2026 BAYTOWN PARKS AND RECREATION JACK OF ALL TRADES AWARD.

THIS AWARD RECOGNIZES TEAM MEMBERS WHO CONSISTENTLY STEP UP WHEN NEEDS ARISE BEYOND THEIR NORMAL JOB DUTIES.

WAY TO GO, JOSH.

AND THANK YOU FOR ALL OF YOUR HARD WORK.

CLIFF P PLEASE PASS THAT ON AS WELL.

ALRIGHT, UM, ALRIGHT.

ANOTHER STOP IN.

TODAY, OUR, UH, PLANNING DEPARTMENT WAS PLEASANTLY SURPRISED BY A VISIT FROM THE BAY AREA REHAB, UH, REHAB CENTER WHO STOPPED BY TO EXPRESS THEIR APPRECIATION FOR THE TEAM'S HELP IN SECURING A PERMIT DURING THE RECENT POWER OUTAGE.

THANK YOU TO THE TEAM FOR CONSISTENTLY GOING ABOVE AND BEYOND.

MARTIN, PLEASE PASS THAT ON.

AND I'M HAPPY WHEN PEOPLE COME IN.

I, I THINK Y'ALL KNOW WHEN PEOPLE RIDE IN OR COME BY TO STOP BY.

IT'S NICE TO, UH, GET THAT.

WE DON'T OFTEN GET THE ATTABOYS.

SO.

UM, AND LASTLY, UH, THE TOURISM KIOSK LOCATED AT THE BUCKY'S WAS RECENTLY UPGRADED AND IS GENERATING MORE THAN 400 WEEKLY USER INTERACTIONS.

THE CURRENT KIOSKS MOST POPULAR FEATURE IS THE VISIT BAYTOWN BRANDED SELFIE APP, ENABLING GUESTS TO CAPTURE AND SHARE THEIR VISIT ON SOCIAL MEDIA.

SHOUT OUT TO OUR ITS AND PRT DEPARTMENT FOR WORKING TOGETHER ON THIS PROJECT UPGRADE.

DID Y'ALL KNOW THAT? WAS THERE, HAVE Y'ALL DONE YOUR SELFIE YET? AT BUCKY'S? NO, I'M GOING RIGHT OFF.

MAYOR, RIGHT AFTER YOU GO GET THE LIBRARY CARD FOR KEN OR FOR MR. GRIFFITH.

Y'ALL CAN GO DO THE, THE SELFIE APP AT, UH, CALL ME OUT ON THE LIBRARY CARD.

I I'LL GO GET YOU SAID IT.

I'LL GO GET IT MONDAY.

HEY, IF YOU'RE AT BUCKY, HEY, DON'T GET THE CARWASH.

IT'S

[00:50:01]

A DOLLAR OFF.

WHEN NOT, NOT TOMORROW.

I GOT SOME.

OKAY, FINE.

TOMORROW I'LL GO GET, I'LL TAKE PICTURES.

, I TAKE IT.

MY GOODNESS.

UH, I DO HAVE ONE FINAL THING.

UM, GO TEXAN DAYS TOMORROW.

DO YOU WANNA PUT YOUR HAT ON? NO, I, I TOOK IT OFF, BUT IT WAS GOOD.

ALRIGHT.

SO, UM, I DID GET A LOT OF REQUESTS FROM EMPLOYEES, UM, TO DRESS UP FOR GO TEXAN DAY.

AND SO IF YOU ARE AN EMPLOYEE AND JUST ANY CITIZEN OF BAYTOWN, CELEBRATE GO TEXAN DAY.

TO COUNCIL MEMBER DISTRICT REPORT.

IF YOU CAN WEAR APPROPRIATE, DON YOUR, YOUR TEXAN DAY, UH, UH, STUFF, PLEASE HAVE FUN WITH IT.

PLEASE BE SMART WITH WHATEVER YOU WEAR.

UH, BUT HAVE A GOOD TIME.

CELEBRATE IT.

MR. FRANCO.

THANKS FOR WEARING THE HAT.

WHATEVER YOU'RE, BUT, UH, LET'S, UH, LET'S PARTAKE AND HAVE A GOOD TIME AND, AND CELEBRATE TEXAN DAY.

SO THAT'S MAYOR COUNCIL, THAT'S ALL I HAVE TONIGHT.

NOW WE ARE ON

[a. Receive a report from Council Member Kenrick Griffith regarding projects, programs and events in District No. 3. ]

DISTRICT THREE.

THANK YOU MAYOR.

UH, DISTRICT THREE CONTINUES TO SEE NEW BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT WITH THE FOLLOWING LOCATIONS IN PROGRESS.

GOOSE CREEK COMMERCE CENTER, UH, LOGISTICS AT 7,100 BASS BOULEVARD, EL MATADOR FOOD PROCESSING PLANT THAT'S ON, THAT'S AT 74 14 BAYWAY DRIVE.

PIEDMONT PIEDMONT APARTMENTS REMODELED.

GIVE A GOOD EXTERIOR LOOK.

PILOT TRAVEL CENTERS AT 1876 EAST I 10 BAYTOWN WATER TREATMENT PLANT AT 1510 I I 10.

ROAD EXPRESSED IN AT SUITES AT 45, 40 DECKER DRIVE, SAN MARKETPLACE.

WHAT EVERYBODY'S ASKING FOR, WHAT'S WHEN? WHEN'S, WHEN'S IT GOING UP? WELL, WHAT WORK HAS OFFICIALLY BEGUN ON THE FOUNDATION FOR SAM? OH, THIS MUST BE THE SURPRISE.

ADULT AND YOUTH ADULT AMATEUR AND PROFESSIONAL CATEGORIES WITH PRIZES AWARDED TO EACH CATEGORY.

UH, WORK HAS OFFICIALLY BEGUN ON THE FOUNDATION OF SAM SAM'S CLUB.

THE FIRST CONCRETE SLAB EXPECTED TO BE POURED IN MARCH, FOLLOWED BY THE START OF THEIR CMU WALLS.

THERE ARE FUEL STATION IS ALSO CURRENTLY UNDERGOING INSPECTION.

PERMITS HAVE BEEN ISSUED FOR SEVERAL BUSINESSES, INCLUDING HOME GOODS, BURLINGTON, BARNES AND NOBLE, ROSS, DICK'S SPORTING GOODS, AND E-O-E-O-S FITNESS AND FOUR SHELL BUILDINGS.

UH, THOSE SHELL BUILDINGS, UH, EXTERIOR STRUCTURES ARE BEING CONSTRUCTED, HOWEVER SPECIFIC, SPECIFIC STORES ARE NOT IDENTIFIED.

SO WE HAVE TO WAIT TO SEE WHAT STORES ARE COMING.

I'M SURE THERE'LL BE GREAT, UH, UH, STORES FOR OUR CITIZENS TO EXPERIENCE.

UH, FROM FIDELIS.

UH, THERE ARE SEVERAL EXCITING EVENTS HAPPENING AT THE NATURE CENTER.

UH, LET ME, THE NATURE TREE PLANTING, UH, STAFF HAS BE THE NATURE TREE PLANTING IS ONE OF 'EM.

STAFF HAS BEGUN INSTALLING EIGHT OF THE, UH, 27 TREE THAT ARE PREVIOUSLY DISPLAYED DURING THE HOLIDAY HANGOUT EVENT AT BAYTOWN TOWN SQUARE.

THESE TREES ARE PLANTED ALONG THE ENTRANCE AND EXIT DRIVES OF THE BAYTOWN NATURE CENTER TO HELP ENHANCE THE EXPERIENCE OF FAC THE FACILITY, AND CONTRIBUTE TO THE LANDSCAPE OVER TIME.

THIS IS PART OF THE DEPART PART OF THE DEPARTMENT'S ONGOING EFFORT TO REPURPOSE HOLIDAY HANGOUT DECORATIONS AND TO PERMANENT LANDSCAPE IMPROVEMENTS THAT WILL PROVIDE VISUAL AND ENVIRONMENTAL BENEFITS IN THE FUTURE.

THE REMAINING TREES WILL BE INSTALLED IN, IN PHASE, IN PHASES AT ALL AT OTHER APPROPRIATE LOCATIONS THROUGHOUT THE CITY.

BMC GREENHOUSE CON GREENHOUSE CONSTRUCTION OF THE GREENHOUSE CONTINUES TO MOVE FORWARD WITH THE CONSTRUCTION NOW GOING VERTICAL AND PLEXIGLASS PANELS SCHEDULED FOR INSTALLATION SOON.

FINAL PLUMBING IS CURRENT CURRENTLY SCHEDULED FOR MARCH 9TH.

THIS GREENHOUSE HAS, WAS FUNDED THROUGH A PREVIOUS PORT AUTHORITY GRANT THAT WILL SUPPORT THE NATURE'S NATURE DIVISION'S EDUCATIONAL CLASS AND PROGRAMS. ONCE COMPLETE, IT WILL PROVIDE A DEDICATED SPACE FOR PLANT PROPAGATION.

DID I IT, DID I SAY SPELL THAT RIGHT? SAY THAT RIGHT.

PROPAGATION AND HANDS-ON LEARNING, HELPING EXPAND ENVIRONMENTAL EDUCATION AND PROP OPPORTUNITIES AT THE BAYTOWN NA NATURE CENTER BIRDING PHOTOGRAPHY CONTESTS.

I LOVE BIRDING.

VISIT, VISIT BAYTOWN TOURISM.

UH, IN PARTNERSHIP WITH BAYTOWN NATURE NATURE CENTER TEAM WILL BE, WILL HOST A, WILL HOST A BIRDING PHOTOGRAPHY CONTEST FROM MARCH 1ST TO JUNE 1ST, 2026, CELEBRATING WILD BIRDS CAPTURED WITHIN THE NATURE CENTER.

THE CONTEST FEATURES YOUTH,

[00:55:01]

WINNER AND A GRAND PRIZE FOR THE OVERALL TOP PHOTOGRAPH.

RUN FOR WILDLIFE, LACE.

LACE, ONE RUN FOR WILDLIFE.

LACE UP YOUR RUNNING SHOES AND DRESS AND DRESS AS YOUR FAVORITE WILDLIFE.

FOR A FUN FIELD TRAIL RUN AT THE BEAUTIFUL BAYTOWN NATURE CENTER ON SATURDAY FEBRUARY 28TH, PARTICIPANTS CAN CHOOSE BETWEEN CHILDREN'S ONE K AND ADULT 5K.

THEN ENJOY, MEET AND GREET WITH THE ANIMAL AMBASSADORS FROM EDDIE V.

GRAY WETLAND CENTER.

ALONG WITH THE LIGHT.

ALONG WITH LIGHT.

AND FRESHMEN MEDALS WILL BE AWARDED AFTER EACH RACE COME READY TO SHOW OFF YOUR WILD YOUR WILD SIDE.

REGISTRATION FOR THIS EVENT IS FULL.

UH, WADE INTO WETLANDS.

SUMMER SCIENCE CAMP.

REGISTRATION, REGISTRATION FOR, FOR WADE INTO THE WETLANDS.

SUMMER SCIENCE CAMP OPENS MARCH 1ST.

THIS EXCITING PROGRAM OFFERS 10 WEEKS OF CAMP FOR STUDENTS ENTERING ONE THROUGH 10, WHICH EACH WEEK FEATURING A DIFFERENT, A DIFFERENT HANDS-ON SCIENCE THEME.

FAMILIES CAN CHOOSE FROM 10 FULL DAYS DAY CAMPS.

HELD IN EDDIE V.

GRAY WETLAND CENTER FOR $175 PER WEEK, OR SIX HALF DAYS AT THE BAYTOWN NATURE CENTER FOR 90 PER WEEK.

MAKING IT A PERFECT SUMMER ADVENTURE FOR YOUR YOUNG EXPLORERS.

TIKE HIKE.

THE TIKE HIKE IS HANDS ON NATURE, NATURE BASED PRESCHOOL PROGRAM HELD ON FRIDAYS.

FRIDAYS FROM 10 TO 11:00 AM AT THE BAYTOWN NATURE CENTER DURING THE FALL AND SPRING SESSIONS.

THE SPRING SEA.

THE SPRING SEASON RUNS MARCH THROUGH MAY AND BEGINS MARCH 6TH.

OFFERING WEEKLY OPPORTUNITIES FOR CHILDREN THREE TO FIVE TO EXPLORE THE OUTDOORS EACH WEEK FEATURES A NEW NATURE THEME BROUGHT TO LIFE THROUGH IN, THROUGH ENGAGING STORIES AND INTERACTIVE HANDS-ON ACTIVITIES THAT SPARK CURIOSITY AND FOSTER A LOVE OF LEARNING IN NATURE.

FULL MOON HIKE, ENJOYING MAGICAL NIGHTTIME.

WALK THROUGH THE NATURE'S HANDY WORK ON MARCH 7TH AT 6:00 PM THE BAYTOWN NATURE CENTER AT THE BAYTOWN NATURE CENTER.

TAKE ADVANTAGE TO THIS UNIQUE OPPORTUNITY TO EXPLORE NOCTURNAL HABIT HABITATS AND AT HABITATS THAT ARE HOME TO OWLS, RACCOONS, AND A POSSUMS AND OTHER WILDLIFE THAT EMERGED AFTER THE DARK.

AFTER DARK FULL MOON HIKE, $5, FULL MOON HIKE IS $5.

PARK ENTRY FEE IS INCLUDED AND REGISTRATION IS REQUIRED.

UH, AND FINALLY, UH, ALMOST FINALLY, THERE'S A COUPLE OF THINGS.

UH, WE HAVE THE, THEY HAVE THE EVENING BOARDS TO SPEED THINGS UP.

THE TRASH BAG, TRASH BASH BASH IS ON MARCH 28TH.

LOT OF TONGUE TWISTERS IN HERE, UH, MARCH 28TH.

AND THE GUIDED PADDLE, UH, IS ON MARCH 21ST.

ONE THING I DIDN'T SEE IN HERE IS BACKED BY POPLAR DEMAND IS THE PARTY ON THE PENINSULA ON MARCH 28TH.

SO WE HAVE ZO BAND AND TYLER AMORE, A LOCAL TYLER AMORE, A LOCAL TALENT THAT WILL BE PLAYING OUT THERE.

SO GOOD MUSIC, GOOD FOOD.

Y'ALL COME OUT AND ENJOY THE PARTY ON THE PENINSULA.

SO SAW HIS SOCIAL MEDIA POSTS.

SO HE'S ACTUALLY PLAYED WITH SOME, SOME TALL ARTISTS.

YEAH, SO AMAZING.

SO, UH, I'M GONNA WRAP THIS UP.

TALK ABOUT STORM WATER.

THE DITCHES ARE, HAVE BEEN MOWED IN LAKEWOOD AND STREET MAINTENANCE, UH, SIDEWALKS FOR OUR PREPARED, OUR, OUR SIDEWALK REPAIRS ARE ONGOING AT NORMAL AT NOBLE COURT.

AND FINALLY, CURB AND GUTTER REPAIRS ARE IN PROGRESS AT BURN, UH, BURNETT DRIVE AND METER LANE.

AND ALSO, I JUST WANT TO ALSO SEND OUT A SHOUT OUT AGAIN TO MARTIN SCRIBNER AND HIS PERMITTING TEAM FOR HELPING THOSE OUT AT THOSE PEOPLE OUT AT, UH, FAYER RECOVERY, GET THEIR DOORS OPEN SO THEY COULD HELP OUT THE, THE DISABLED IN OUR CITY.

SO THANK Y'ALL FOR, FOR WORKING EXPEDITIOUSLY ON THAT.

SO THAT'S ALL I HAVE.

GOOD DEAL, MAYOR.

UM, IF MR. GRIFFITH, IF YOU WANT, YOU CAN ASK MR. FRANCO ABOUT THE TYPE OF CONCRETE THAT'S BEING USED FOR THAT TILT WALL CONSTRUCTION.

IF Y'ALL WANT TO TALK ABOUT CONCRETE, I'LL PASS OTHER NOSE.

OH, AND ALSO THANK YOU SABRINA FOR THE VISUAL SLIDE DOWN.

YOU DID.

I KNOW A LOT.

UM, WELL THAT'S A LOT.

A LOT OF, I WANT TO TALK ABOUT THE LIBRARY.

I'M GONNA KEEP MY WORD.

I'M GOING TO DO THIS AFTER EVERY COUNCIL MEETING.

I WANT TO REMIND INDIVIDUALS ABOUT HOW IMPORTANT OUR LIBRARY IS AND THE EVENTS THAT ARE GOING ON THERE.

FIRST AND FOREMOST, WE HAVE EARLY VOTING

[01:00:01]

GOING ON AT THE LIBRARY.

SO SOME OF THE EVENTS ARE NOT TAKING PLACE BECAUSE OF EARLY VOTING.

AND I WOULD ENCOURAGE EACH AND EVERY PERSON WHO IS ELIGIBLE AND ABLE TO GET OUT AND VOTE.

PLEASE DO SO.

GET OUT AND VOTE.

NOW, ONE THING THAT IS GOING ON MARCH THE SIXTH FROM SIX TO EIGHT, THIS IS NOT QUITE LIKE NIGHT AT THE MUSEUM, OKAY? YOU'RE NOT GONNA HAVE LITTLE PEOPLE RUNNING AROUND OF BOOKS, GROWING LEGS AND ARMS. BUT WE'RE GONNA HAVE NIGHT AT THE LIBRARY, NIGHT AT THE LIBRARY, FRIENDS OF THE LIBRARY ANNUAL MEETING, AND IT'S A SPECIAL AFTER HOURS EVENT CELEBRATING THE LIBRARY'S HISTORY AND FUTURE IN OUR COMMUNITY SINCE 1963.

AND I'M GOING TO SAY THIS FOR THE REST OF THIS YEAR, JUST TO REMIND EVERYONE, WE HAVE THE SECOND BEST LIBRARY IN THE NATION AND THE BEST LIBRARY IN THE STATE OF TEXAS.

AND THAT'S WHAT I'M GOING TO SAY.

SO IF YOU DON'T WANT TO HEAR IT, MUTE YOUR TVS.

THEY'RE STILL GONNA COME ACROSS IN THE CLOSED CAPTION.

COVER YOUR EARS.

BUT OUR LIBRARY IS AWESOME.

TAKE THE TIME TO COME OUT FOR A SPECIAL AFTER HOURS EVENT WHERE YOU CAN GO BEHIND THE SCENES.

NOW WHAT'S GONNA TAKE PLACE BEHIND THE SCENES, I'M NOT GONNA TELL YOU.

'CAUSE IF I TOLD YOU, YOU MAY NOT COME OUT.

I WANT TO PEAK YOUR INTEREST TO GET YOU OUT AT OUR LIBRARY.

IF YOU DON'T HAVE A LIBRARY CARD, I CAN ATTEST IT ONLY TAKES THREE MINUTES TO GET A LIBRARY CARD.

AND TWO OF THOSE MINUTES WERE, BECAUSE I DIDN'T FOLLOW THE RULES.

SO ONE MINUTE.

IF YOU CAN FOLLOW THE RULES.

IF YOU WANT TO COME OUT TOMORROW WITH KEN AND GET HIS LI WHILE HE GETS HIS LIBRARY CARD, COME ON OUT TOMORROW WITH KEN AND GET YOUR LIBRARY CARD.

I'LL BE THERE AT TWO O'CLOCK.

THERE YOU HAVE IT.

GET MY LIBRARY CARD.

WE'LL MAKE A THING OUT OF IT.

ALIVE.

I'M GONNA GO LIVE.

UM, I WILL SAY THAT ONE THING I UM, THAT DID HAPPEN THIS WEEK, THERE WERE OVER 2000 CARS CLEAN IN BAYTOWN.

AND I'M BRINGING THAT UP BECAUSE THERE WAS A NEW BUSINESS THAT OPENED UP ON GARTH WARROAD, THE QUICK QUACK CAR WASH.

SAY THAT QUICKLY.

IF YOU WANT TO TONGUE HIM, TWISTER, GO BY AND CHECK 'EM OUT.

THEY SAID THAT MOST OF THE CARS THAT WERE WASHED WERE NOT EVEN FROM THE CITY OF BAYTOWN.

I DID NOT KNOW A CAR WASH COULD BE AN ECONOMIC DRIVER.

BUT IT IS FOR WHAT THEY CHARGE.

HOW MANY WE HAVE.