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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMIN MAR 17 1998 M I N U T E S - CITY OF BEAUMONT Lulu L.Smith DAVID W. MOORE, MAYOR Becky Ames,Mayor Pro Tem Guy N.Goodson SPECIAL CITY COUNCIL MEETING Andrew P.Cokinos John K. Davis MARCH 17,1998 Bobbie J. Patterson Lane Nichols, City Attorney Ray A. Riley,City Manager Patrice Fogarty,City Clerk The City Council of the City of Beaumont, Texas, met in a special session on March 17, 1998, in the large conference room in the City Manager's office, 801 Main Street, Beaumont, Texas, at 11:15 a.m. to consider the following: Presentations relating to the Hike & Bike Trail from engineering firms Carroll & Blackman, Inc.; Traffic Engineering & Present at the meeting were: Mayor Moore, Mayor Pro Tem Ames, Councilmembers Smith, Goodson, Cokinos, Davis, and Patterson. Also present were Ray A Riley, City Manager; Tom Warner, Public Works Director; and Barbara Liming, Deputy City Clerk. Mayor Moore called the meeting to order at 11:22 a.m. and invited Carroll & Blackman, Inc. to present their proposal for design of the Neches River Hike and Bike Trail. FIRST PRESENTER--CARROLL & BLACKMAN, INC. Mr. Kim Carroll of Carroll & Blackman introduced Mr. Norman Blackman, Mr. Josh Allen, Sr., owner and president of J. Allen Contractors, Inc.; Mr. Lee Sherrod, co-founder of Horizon Environmental Services, Inc.; Mr. Bill Ferro and Mr. Leon Hoch, Ferro-Saylors, Inc. Mr. Carroll said that Carroll & Blackman will serve as the project manager and be responsible for schematic and drainage design, environmental requirements, field surveys, P.S. & E. Preparation and construction contract administration. He said they have 52 years of continuous service to the area, have 35 employees and are only 5 minutes from City Hall and the project site. J. Allen Contractors, Inc. will be responsible for construction cost estimates, contract administration and constructability review. He said that J. Allen Contractors is a local MBE firm with 35 employees and 18 years of construction experience. Mr. Carroll said that Mr. Allen's firm is capable, and will utilize local talent that will impact the local economy. Ferro-Saylors, Inc. will provide architectural and schematic design. They are an MBE firm, HUB certified. Horizon Environmental Services, Inc. will be responsible for environmental assessments and permitting. Mr. Carroll first displayed aerial photos beginning at Riverfront Park and ending at Collier's Ferry Park. The photos showed some of the terrain and points of interest such as the logging canal and swamp areas. He then showed slides of the area for the proposed the hike and bike trail construction. He spoke of a crossing at Brakes Bayou, building structure compatible to the environment, cypress stumps, grassy marsh areas, and showed typical structure that would accommodate vehicular traffic, joggers, walkers and bicyclists. Mr. Carroll said some options are scenic overlooks and rest stops, spoke of concerns for safety, emergency access, crime, restroom facilities throughout the five-mile trail. Council raised questions regarding lighting, security, benches, possibility of beginning the trail at the Fire Training Grounds, abrupt turns in the trail, and ADA compatibility. In summary, Mr. Carroll said he believes they have put together a team with experience enough to do the project, coordinate the design and provide construction management. He said they are familiar with TXDot procedures and methods, have extensive experience working with TXDot and are familiar with the terrain and location of the trail. The meeting recessed for a lunch break at 11:55 a.m. The meeting reconvened at 12:15 p.m. with all Councilmembers present. SECOND PRESENTER--TRAFFIC ENGINEERING & DESIGN SYSTEMS, INC. Mr. Andy Chica with Traffic Engineering & Design Systems, Inc. (TEDSI) began their presentation by giving a corporate history of his company being an established Texas-based firm headquartered in Houston with offices in Beaumont and McAllen with a staff of 33 employees and referred to further qualifications outlined in the front cover of their proposal. He said they are an MBE company that does not rest on these laurels. He said they deliver a first-class product and only ask for an opportunity. Mr. Chica said the Hike and Bike Project is more than a swath trail and can be a focal point for the City of Beaumont that entices hikers, bicyclists and bird-watchers. He spoke of TXDot funding history and the importance of bringing the funding to Beaumont for this project and commended Mr. Warner and Mr. Riley for their role in this success. Mr. Chica said TEDSI should be chosen because they deliver a first-class product, go beyond the call of duty because they are minority owned and said they know the inner workings of TXDot. Mr. Bob Lupher detailed TEDSI's Hike & Bike Trail experience: West Brays Bayou, approximately 20 miles; Southeast Houston On & Off Street, Hike & Bike Network Trails, 28 miles. Mr. Lupher said their work will be done to TXDot's specifications and reviewed their team profile for the project beginning with City Engineer J. P. Colbert; Al Oomer, Jules M. Morris, Jr., Mark W. Lupher, Harish Narayanappa, Zameer Ahmed, Harold C. Scheffler, Robert A. Lupher, John A. Greenwood, Andy Chica and Ricardo Riverro with TEDSI; S. Scott Slagle and Paul Wethers with Clark Condon Associates, Inc.; Merdad N. Ghafar, with Dikita Engineering; V. J. Vijayvergiya, Kuo-Chiang "Frank" Lin, Hasnain Shahzad Jaffri with Geotest Engineering, Inc. and John R. Hodges and Edward A. Long with Arceneaux & Gates Consulting Engineers, Inc. Mr. Lupher said they have experience with construction over wetlands and reviewed other projects. Mr. Lupher displayed photos of typical hike and bike trails and the Neches River Hike and Bike Trail schedule. He answered questions regarding lighting, other agency requirements, crime deterrents, safety and signage. Mr. Lupher pointed out the different types of lighting, said all lighting is not high; there is low-lighting and strip lighting to accommodate regulations of the Texas Parks &Wildlife Department. He further stated that TXDot treats trails as mini highways, and said they require a 10' minimum width for trails unless they are divided. Mr. Lupher said there could be design adjustments, in response to an inquiry about a parking lot and entry near the Fire Training Grounds. Other Council thoughts were to consider the old logging area, a pavilion, a focal point near the old cypress marsh and seating areas. Mr. Lupher also confirmed a Council query that all cooperating firms have hike and bike trail experience. THIRD PRESENTER—MARK W. WHITELEY AND ASSOCIATES INCORPORATED Mr. Mark Whiteley, of Mark W. Whiteley and Associates began his presentation by stating his team would include Omega Engineers, Inc. and Sigma Engineers, Inc. and introducing Don Rao, manager of engineering for his company, and Robert Castillo of Omega Engineers, Inc. Mr. Castillo reviewed the Harrisburg Hike and Bike Trail in Houston, compared some of the similarities to this project, discussed problems encountered and solved and talked about the importance of planning, design, and operation and maintenance. Mr. Rao said he sees this project different than a regular hike and bike trail. He said this is an opportunity to open a secluded area to nature lovers, bird watchers, runners, and hikers. Mr. Rao said he envisions an open management area with boardwalks, loops, and towers that will be conducive to attracting out-of-town and out-of-state tourism, as well as provide a recreational and nature area for local residents. Also, he introduced the possibility of the area near the old landfill being utilized by people with recreational vehicles. He spoke of a main corridor, secluded loops and possibilities that can go as far as the imagination. Mr. Rao said he envisions this as a definite tourist attraction with a combination of hike and bike and nature trails. He cautioned carefulness in not destroying the natural habitat, spoke of overuse of overhead lighting, restrooms and 911 call boxes. Mr. Rao said the levy road could be used as the main access Mr. Whiteley spoke of his high track record in Beaumont because he understands what citizens want, said he cares about the looks of his project, and said he cares about Beaumont. He used the Liberty-Laurel Overpass as an example of receiving a national award for the use of prestressed concrete and said he sees this as an opportunity to go to the next level for Beaumont. Also, Mr. Whiteley expounded upon the attributes of the Okefenokee Swamps in Florida and said he sees this project as one that could be written about the Texas Parks and Wildlife publications or National Geographic. Mr. Whiteley displayed a plan using the present levy road as the main roadway that would support emergency vehicles with loops and boardwalks leading out into the areas of interest. He said this would open areas that Beaumonters have never seen. Mayor Moore asked Mr. Whiteley to expound on the loop road concept. Mr. Whiteley explained that the levy road would handle maintenance and emergency vehicles. The loops would be wooden boardwalks similar to those at Sea Rim Park that would not be used by heavy vehicles. In response to questions about lighting, Mr. Whiteley said they would have to consult with biologists for appropriate lighting that would not endanger any of the wildlife. He spoke of light placement about every 300 feet and call boxes about every 1/4th mile and answered questions relative sitting areas, safety and distance to main road from the loops. There being no further business, the meeting adjourned at 1:37 p.m. � 1 ; Mayor David W. Moore Barbara Liming, Deputy Cit Clerk