HomeMy WebLinkAboutMIN FEB 15 2000 M I N U T E S - CITY OF BEAUMONT
Lulu L.Smith DAVID W. MOORE,MAYOR Guy N.Goodson,Mayor Pro Tem
Andrew P.Cokinos CITY COUNCIL MEETING Becky Ames
Bobbie J.Patterson February 15,2000 Audwin Samuel
Lane Nichols,City Attorney Stephen J.Bonczek,City Manager Barbara Liming,City Clerk
The City Council of the City of Beaumont,Texas,met in a regular session on February 15,2000,at the City
Hall Council Chambers, 801 Main Street, Beaumont, Texas, at 1:30 p.m. to consider the following:
OPENING
* Invocation Pledge of Allegiance Roll Call
* Presentations and Recognitions
* Public Comment: Persons may speak on scheduled agenda items
* Consent Agenda
Mayor Moore called the meeting to order at 1:37 p.m. The Reverend Bruce Booher, Bethlehem Lutheran
Church, gave the invocation. Public Works Director Tom Warner led the pledge of allegiance.
Present at the meeting were: Mayor Moore, Mayor Pro Tem Goodson, Councilmembers Smith, Cokinos,
Ames, and Samuel. Councilmember Patterson was absent due to illness. Also present were: Stephen J.
Bonczek, City Manager; Lane Nichols, City Attorney; and Barbara Liming, City Clerk.
*Presentations and Recognitions
One Proclamation was issued: "National Sales Month," February, 2000.
Mayor Moore recognized Coach Michael Orcutt and Alex Hughes, a fourth grade student, from Regina
Howell Elementary School for their efforts with the Jump Rope for Heart program. Coach Orcutt addressed
Council to comment on the students' astounding success in raising $17,526 for the program this year. For
the second year, Alex Hughes raised the most money, and Coach Orcutt announced that Mayor Moore
volunteered to take a pie in the face, if the school raises$20,000 next year. As honorary mayor,Alex Hughes
told the audience that he is enthusiastic about the program because he wishes to help those in the hospital and
because his father suffered a heart attack two years ago. Coach Orcutt presented an award winning video
produced by Bill Leger and Channel 6 for Council to view that featured Alex and told about Mr. Hughes'
heart attack.
*Public Comment: Persons may speak on scheduled agenda items
Citizen comment was invited on the Consent and Regular Agenda.
Ms. Susan Bandy, Executive Director of Houston 2012, addressed Council to express appreciation for the
resolution in support of Houston's attempt to bring the Olympics to Texas in 2012. She said there are eight
cities bidding to be the Olympics site and said Houston is consistently considered as a top candidate. Bids
are due later this year,and the Olympic Committee will make a decision in 2002. The Olympics would bring
a$3.5 billion financial impact to Houston and tax revenues in the amount of$2 million to the State of Texas.
* Consent Agenda
* Approval of the minutes of the regular meeting held February 8, 2000.
* Confirmation of committee appointments: Karen Thomas, Civil Service Commission, for a term to
expire February 14, 2003 - Resolution 00-41
A) Approve a payment for repairs to a 1997 Caterpillar 330BL excavator used by the Clean Community
Department(in the amount of$18,291.76 to Mustang Tractor and Equipment) - Resolution 00-42
B) Approve the purchase of one hydraulic rescue tool for use in the Fire Department(from Wilson Fire
Apparatus of New Braunfels, in the amount of$15,651) - Resolution 00-43
C) Approve the purchase of six mobile data computers(MDCs) for use in the Police Department(from
the Houston-Galveston Area Council(H-GAC) Cooperative Purchasing Program, for a total cost of
$45,618.30) - Resolution 0044
D) Approve a change in signatories for the Memorial Sisters of Charity Employee Benefits Account at
Hibernia National Bank(approval of James W.Doucette,Walter B.Stark,Stephen J.Bonczek,Kandy
Daniel,Beverly Hodges and Kyle Hayes as authorized signatories on this account)-Resolution 00-45
E) Authorize eminent domain proceedings to acquire the interest of two minor children and the
acquisition of the remaining interest in Parcel 28 for the Concord Road Improvement Project(0.030,
out of Lot 2, Block 1, Bullock Addition (95.8% of 2857 Concord Road) from Ronald G. Compton,
Mona Maxine Thomas Williams, Michael L. Ryals, Brenda Joyce Ryals, Toni Evyonne Ryals,
Terrista Lynette Ryals,Terronica L.Hope,and Rickey Ryals,Jr.;4.2%of undivided interest of 2857
Concord Road, in the amount of$179.35 each for two minor children) - Resolution 0046
F) Approve the acquisition of property in the Glenwood Addition for the construction of homes for the
Neighborhood Revitalization Project(Lots 2 and 3, Block 203, Glenwood Addition,4350 and 4370
Detroit Street,from First National Security Corporation in the amount of$5,000)-Resolution 0047
G) Approve a resolution supporting the Houston 2012 Foundation's efforts to bid for and receive the
2012 Olympic Games - Resolution 00-48
Councilmember Cokinos moved to approve the Consent Agenda. Councilmember Ames seconded the
motion. MOTION PASSED.
Ayes: Mayor Moore, Mayor Pro Tem Goodson, Councilmembers Smith, Cokinos,
Ames, and Samuel
Noes: None
GENERAL BUSINESS
1. Consider approving a change order with Excavators& Constructors, Inc. to decrease the contract in
the amount by $432,944.15 related to the Concord Road Pavement Widening Delaware Outfall
Contract HA
Minutes; February 15,2000;Page 2
Councilmember Smith moved to approve Resolution No. 0049. Councilmember Ames seconded
the motion. MOTION PASSED.
Ayes: Mayor Moore, Mayor Pro Tern Goodson, Councilmembers Smith, Cokinos,
Ames, and Samuel
Noes: None
2. Consider approving and funding two additional full time positions, one Maintenance Worker I and
one Welder, at the Fire Training Center-NO ACTION TAKEN
3. Consider deleting Section 2-53(b)of the Code of Ordinances which stipulates that persons appointed
to boards and commissions may serve for a maximum of six years
Councilmember Cokinos moved to approve Ordinance No. 00-19 ENTITLED AN ORDINANCE
AMENDING CHAPTER 2 OF THE CODE OF ORDINANCES OF THE CITY OF BEAUMONT TO REMOVE THE
MAXIMUM PERIOD THAT A PERSON MAY SERVE ON A BOARD OR COMMISSION; PROVIDING FOR
SEVERABILITY; AND PROVIDING FOR REPEAL. Councilmember Goodson seconded the motion.
MOTION PASSED.
Ayes: Mayor Moore,Mayor Pro Tern Goodson,Councilmembers Smith,Cokinos,Ames,and
Samuel
Noes: None
4. Consider the purchase of an insurance policy for fire,flood and extended coverage insurance for City
owned property
Councilmember Smith moved to approve Resolution No.00-50 accepting the bid ofTexas Municipal
League - Intergovernmental Risk Pool in the amount of $130,439 for fire, flood and extended
coverage insurance. Councilmember Goodson seconded the motion. MOTION PASSED.
Ayes: Mayor Moore,Mayor Pro Tern Goodson,Councilmembers Smith,Cokinos,Ames,and
Samuel
Noes: None
5. Consider approving a 2000 Strategic Action Plan prioritizing major projects and issues to be
accomplished in FY 2000
Councilmember Smith moved to approve Resolution No.00-51. Councilmember Cokinos seconded
the motion. MOTION PASSED.
Ayes: Mayor Moore,Mayor Pro Tern Goodson,Councilmembers Smith,Cokinos,Ames,and
Samuel
Noes: None
Minutes; February 15,2000;Page 3
COMMENTS
* Councilmembers comment on various subjects
Councilmember Goodson thanked Bert and Jack Binks for their generous contribution for the building
at the Tyrrell Park Garden Center, spoke about the ribbon cutting at Loose Conservatory yesterday,
requested that the Finance Department research any preliminary revaluation of mineral interests that
may have rebounded to their 1998 levels.
Councilmember Cokinos congratulated the Binks' on their 50th wedding anniversary.
Mayor Moore thanked the Mayor Pro Tem and Councilmembers for attending the dedication of the
new fire station last Friday, stated he was unable to attend because he was a speaker in Washington,
D.C. for the U.S. Conference of Mayors, and stated that as chairman for the Health and Human
Services Committee at the conference he profiled the Gift of Life Program initiated by Regina Rogers,
and said it spoke well of our city. He thanked Regina Howell Elementary School for their outstanding
efforts in supporting the American Heart Association, reminded everyone that the Breakfast Round
Table is scheduled for March 22, 2000, stated that the Hunger Petition is ready and available in the
City Clerk's office for signatures, congratulated the Mr. and Mrs. Binks on their 50th wedding
anniversary, and thanked them for their financial contribution which enabled the City to have a first
class visitor's center at the Beaumont Botanical Gardens at Tyrrell Park.
* City Manager's Report-New Carroll Street Park on Sabine Pass, Fire Training Center- Five Year
Strategic Action Plan, Texas Star Cities Rankings
The City Manager reported that a new park is being developed to help revitalize the Charlton Pollard
area. He said that Parks and Recreation Administration discussed general ideas with representatives
of the community, outlined suggestions made by citizens, and stated that additional meetings with
citizens will be held before plans are finalized. He stated that Administration is working on a five-
year strategic action plan for the fire training center in partnership with Lamar University to plan its
future growth and development of the facility. Task forces were created with representatives from the
City, Lamar University, businesses and industry for marketing the facility and its programs and for
facility development. They will report to a planning committee. Mr.Bonczek reported that an article
in Business Development Outlook Texas ranked Beaumont number 10 with 15 cities of similar size
on quality of life issues.
* Public Comment(Persons are limited to three (3)minutes)
Mr. Wallace Bryan, 6910 Concord Road, addressed Council in opposition to rezoning the west side
of Concord, presented a staff report for 1990 on this issue, and stated that he will be at the Joint
Public Hearing on February 21 st to address the issue.
Mr. O'Brien Stanley, 6450 Jefferson, Groves, supervisor of the SetCast Video Program at Lamar
University,addressed Council to clarify the source of problems experienced with Council broadcasts.
Mr. Stanley stated that the video tapes are fine, the problems experienced are with transmission by
Time Warner. Mr.Stanley commented that squirrels and weak cable lines cause individual problems.
Citizens need to notify Time Warner,if they are experiencing transmission difficulties, and they will
Minutes; February 15,2000;Page 4
correct the problem. He also announced other broadcasting services they have the capability to
provide.
Ms. Toni Prados, 1090 Avenue H, addressed Council to give a synopsis of events that have taken
place in the organization of leadership for the Avenues Neighborhood Association.
Ms.Velma Snyder,addressed Council to defend the Avenues Neighborhood Association,commented
on the list of elected officers, and outlined events that have led to the current problems.
Mr.Benny Mendoza,5655 South Kenneth,addressed Council in support of Ms.Prados and her efforts
for the Avenues Neighborhood Association.
Mayor Moore commented that he hopes that the Avenues Neighborhood Association will pull together
in a united effort to assist their neighborhood, stated that Councilmember Samuel is working with
them, and hopefully will be able to bring everything together. He commented about the role of
neighborhood associations in the success of our community, said success is realized when there is a
set agenda and set goals to work toward, and requested they work with Council. Mayor Moore
congratulated Maury Meyers,a former mayor,upon the J. C. Crager award from the American Heart
Association for service to the community.
Councilmember Samuel clarified that he understands the struggles for progress that are going on in
the Avenues Neighborhood Association, and stated his position as a representative of the entire
community will be to listen and attempt to address any concern coming from the Association body
or from individuals. Councilmember Samuel said he will not get in the midst of this struggle,but said
he believes good will result from this process
There being no other business, the meeting adjourned at 2:29 p.m.
David Moore, Mayor
Barbara Liming, City Clerk
Minutes; February 15,2000;Page 5