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Home My WebLink AboutMIN AUG 01 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 August 1,2000 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 August 1,2000,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 Recognition * Public Comment: Persons may speak on scheduled agenda items * Consent Agenda Mayor Moore called the meeting to order at 1:35 p.m. Beaumont Police Officer Carmen Apple gave the invocation. Michael Sterling, a summer intern for the Executive Office, led the pledge of allegiance. Present at the meeting were: Mayor Moore, Mayor Pro Tern Goodson, Councilmembers Smith, Cokinos, Ames, Samuel, and Patterson. Also, present were: Stephen J. Bonczek, City Manager; Lane Nichols, City Attorney; and Barbara Liming, City Clerk. • Presentations and Recognitions -No proclamations were issued. • Public Comment: Persons may speak on scheduled agenda items. Citizen comment was invited on the Consent and Regular Agenda Items 1 through 4. Ms. Peggy Pierre, 1220 Avenue F, addressed Council in support of Agenda Item No. 3 implementing the Beaumont-Port Arthur LINK bus service, and cited convenience and savings to citizens with this proposal. * Consent Agenda * Approval of the minutes of the regular meeting held July 25, 2000 * Confirmation of committee appointments: Appointments: Candye Anderson, Beaumont Advisory Commission for Prevention of Child Abuse and Neglect, for a term expiring July 31, 2002 - Resolution No. 00-176. A) Approve a change in signatories for the Memorial Sisters of Charity Employee Benefits Account (Account No. 5007019326 at Hibernia National Bank) - Resolution No. 00-177. B) Approve the acquisition of property in the Cartwright Addition and authorize the execution of a deed conveying the property to Southeast Texas Community Development Corporation, Inc. for the construction of a new home(Lot 3,Block 42 Cartwright Addition,2037 Corley,$2,500, from Lealon R. Jenkins and Janice K. Jenkins) - Resolution No. 00-178. C) Authorize eminent domain proceedings to acquire properties for the Concord Road Project (Parcel's 72, 3685 Concord Road, $100, Timothy Laird, et al; 76, 3925 Concord Road, $400, Ora Moses Gordon; 86, 3980 Concord Road, $20,025, Tommy Brazier; 91, 4201, 4203, 4205 Concord Road, $3,550, Larry Landry; 95,4303 Concord Road, $5,020,Arney Wendt; and 96, 4305 Concord Road, $1,350, Arney Wendt) - Resolution 00-179. Councilmember Ames moved to approve the Consent Agenda. Councilmember Samuel seconded the motion. MOTION PASSED. Ayes: Mayor Moore, Mayor Pro Tem Goodson, Councilmembers Smith, Cokinos, Ames, Samuel and Patterson Noes: None GENERAL BUSINESS 1. Consider approving an application for and acceptance if awarded funding through the U.S.Bureau of Justice Assistance Local Law Enforcement Block Grant Program Councilmember Cokinos moved to approve Resolution 00-180 accepting a grant in the amount of $290,874 for fiscal year 2000. Councilmember Smith seconded the motion. MOTION PASSED. Ayes: Mayor Moore, Mayor Pro Tem Goodson, Councilmembers Smith, Cokinos, Ames, Samuel, and Patterson Noes: None 2. Consider approving a Texas Public Transportation Funds grant application for the Beaumont Municipal Transit System. Councilmember Patterson moved to approve Resolution 00-181 accepting grant assistance in the amount of $532,960 available in fiscal year 2001. Councilmember Smith seconded the motion. MOTION PASSED. Ayes: Mayor Moore, Mayor Pro Tem Goodson, Councilmembers Smith, Cokinos, Ames, Samuel, and Patterson Noes: None 3. Consider the execution of an Interlocal Cooperation Agreement with the Southeast Texas Regional Planning Commission for implementation of the Beaumont- Port Arthur LINK. Mayor Pro Tem Goodson moved to approve Resolution 00-182 establishing the Beaumont - Port Arthur LINK, a pilot bus service project . Councilmember Ames seconded the motion. MOTION PASSED. Minutes;August 1, 2000;Page 2 Ayes: Mayor Moore, Mayor Pro Tern Goodson, Councilmembers Smith, Cokinos, Ames, Samuel, and Patterson Noes: None 4. Consider a request to enact a resolution to grant City of Beaumont employees up to two hours off per year with pay to use for cancer screenings effective October 1, 2000. Councilmember Smith moved to approve Resolution 00-183. Councilmember Patterson seconded the motion. MOTION PASSED. Ayes: Mayor Moore, Mayor Pro Tern Goodson, Councilmembers Smith, Cokinos, Ames, Samuel, and Patterson Noes: None COMMENTS * Councilmembers comment on various matters Mayor Pro Tern Goodson announced that a Concert in the Park will be held Thursday evening from 6:00-8:00 p.m.at Rogers Park and that the City Manager and City staffwill give a preliminary budget presentation at the ACORN Neighborhood Association meeting next Monday. Councilmember Cokinos congratulated the American Fastpitch Association for their endeavors in bringing the championship tournament to Beaumont and to Mr. Tommy Voss and Mr. Charlie Gibbs for their work with the Association. Councilmember Samuel thanked the City Manager and City staff for a fine presentation of the preliminary budget in Ward III, the Elmo Willard Library staff for their hospitality, and Councilmember Ames for her attendance. He updated Council on formation of a Sport Commission, said he has met with Dr. Thomas and Dr. Shaw with BISD and are moving forward to a concrete program for next summer and asked each Councilmember to be prepared to submit names of two candidates to be placed on the commission when it is finally ready to be formed. Mayor Moore added congratulatory comments to the American Fastpitch Association for an excellent week for our community and the participants. He remarked about the exciting championship game going into overtime,and local pitchers adding an extra hometown flavor and flair to the game. Mayor Moore thanked City staff,businesses, and members of the community for their support in making the event a success and for creating an atmosphere to attract future tournaments. He reported that he participated in an installation ceremony for Bishop Guillory at the Montagne Center, and that he is looking forward to working with the bishop. Mayor Moore commented about the relocation dedication of Angel Academy and the memorial created for Jeremy Dumas by his parents and their efforts in speaking about fire prevention. Lastly, Mayor Moore thanked parents and those involved in encouraged participation in the summer reading program,"The Year Beaumont Reads." Over 2,000 youngsters joined the library effort,and an awards program was held Thursday evening with over 300 Minutes;August 1, 2000;Page 3 children reading 40 books or more during the summer. He stated that the Beaumont Library staff presented an excellent program and was a great year for the summer reading program. * City Manager's Reports- Southeast Texas Auto Theft Task Force, Certification of 2000 Appraisal Roll, Wuthering Heights Park Trail, Crime Reduction and Strategic Action Plan Status Report. The City Manager reviewed progress taken to consider constructing a walking/jogging trail at Wuthering Heights Park at the request of a citizen. He spoke of the types of pathways, the donation of land made by Mr. Ben Rogers for the park, and use guidelines instituted by the Parks and Recreation Department. Councilmember Smith interjected her feelings that the park should remain dedicated as a passive park unless consent for a change could be received from the Rogers family,recalled Mr.Rogers purchasing the property from the Art Museum, and the tribute that was made by Mr. Rogers to his wife in the original dedication of the park. Mayor Moore remembered the actions of Mr.Rogers purchasing the property and the opportunity for community harmony regarding the location of the Art Museum. Mayor Moore stated that Council wants to do what is proper in all respects and meets conditions that were established with the gift of property. He requested that the City Attorney confirm legal requirements,and that the City Manager work with the parties to arrive at the best possible solution. Mr.Bonczek continued his report by expressing pleasure with a 21 percent crime reduction in serious crimes in Beaumont,commended the Police Chief and his staff, and further commented on the success task forces for burglaries and pawn shop detail and other programs. He advised Council that he and staff continue to work toward accomplishing the Strategic Action Plan priority issues and meet goals. The City Manager reported that much conversation has been held regarding complaints with Setcast audio problems, and said Time Warner has volunteered to make a non-fee service call to assure that all residents have good audio. Mr. Bonczek said the City has received an official appraisal roll that indicates property values are up 2.2 percent,which is higher than the projection used,but said the long range financial forecast is near four to five percent. He announced that preliminary budget meetings will be forthcoming in all Wards and encouraged Councilmembers to assist in cultivating dialogue with citizens, and reported receiving feedback from business people that they sense the economic impact of the American Fastpitch activities to be greater this year. Mayor Moore added comments and appreciation to the Police Department,Fire Department,and EMS staff,ATF,and FBI for being present yesterday during the seven-hour bomb threat yesterday afternoon in his mother's neighborhood. The delay was caused by having to wait for assistance from Houston and inclement weather. He reported that fortunately, the whole incident was fake and no one was injured. * Public Comment(Persons are limited to three (3) minutes) Mr. Bill Proctor,4340 Westridge, addressed Council to comment that anyone having problems with Setcast audio should contact Time Warner to investigate if the problem is caused by a loose cable or with the cable company. Minutes;August 1, 2000;Page 4 Ms. Peggy Pierre, 1220 Avenue F, addressed Council to state her feeling that the Setcast sound problem should be solved by Time Warner, requested that the LINK bus service program be routed to the new Entertainment Complex, inquired about Concert in the Park artists, and complained about the lack of printers at the libraries. Mr. Bonczek informed Ms. Pierre that the City will be purchasing additional printers through receipt of the latest technology grant. Ms. Pablo Ydrogo, 3030 French Road, Raintree Apartments, addressed Council to express concerns about her neighborhood and not having a neighborhood watch,complimented Council and the Police Department for their work, and said she watches Council meetings on television when she is unable to attend. Ms. Ydrogo was advised to meet with Councilmember Smith to discuss the viability of a neighborhood watch. Councilmember Smith added that the money received for computer equipment was from Mr.and Mrs. Bill Gates of Microsoft, Inc. In addition, three members from Information Systems, the Library Director, and the librarian from the downtown library will spend a week in training in Seattle. Total expenses for the week for the five staff members will be funded by Mr.and Mrs.Gates. Mayor Moore stated that the University they will be attending is quite impressive. EXECUTIVE SESSION * Consider matters related to contemplated or pending litigation in accordance with Section 551.071 of the Government Code: Christ Community Church, Paul and Carol Gertz v. City of Beaumont Vaughn Stephen Ayres v. City of Beaumont et al Amina Aldquab dba Amina's Business Service Center(Small Business Revolving Loan) Chief Clyde V. Bouse dba Native American Tobacco (Small Business Revolving Loan) There being no other business, the meeting adjourned at 2:10 p.m. David Moore, Mayor Barbara Liming, City Cle k Minutes;August 1, 2000;Page 5