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Home My WebLink AboutMIN NOV 17 1998 M I N U T E S - CITY OF BEAU ONT Lulu L.Smith DAVID W. MOORE, MAYOR Bobbie J. Patterson,Mayor Pro Tem Guy N.Goodson CITY COUNCIL MEETING Andrew P.Cokinos John K. Davis NOVEMBER 17, 1998 Becky Ames Lane Nichols,City Attorney Ray A. Riley,City Manager City Clerk The City Council of the City of Beaumont, Texas, met in a regular session on November 17, 1998, 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 Mayor Moore called the meeting to order at 1:32 p.m. Mr. John Helbig, Ridgewood Church of Christ, gave the invocation. Mayor Moore led the pledge of allegiance. Present at the meeting were: Mayor Moore, Mayor Pro Tem Patterson, Councilmembers Smith, Goodson, Cokinos, Ames, and Davis. Also present were Ray A Riley, City Manager; Lane Nichols, City Attorney; and Barbara Liming, Deputy City Clerk. Mayor Moore announced that Mayor Pro Tem Patterson may be absent or will be late for Council. *Presentations and Recognitions Two proclamations were issued: "National Family Week," November 21-28, 1998; and "Great American Smokeout Day," November 19, 1998. *Public Comment: Persons may speak on scheduled agenda items - No one wished to address these subjects. *Consent Agenda The following consent agenda items were considered: * Approval of the minutes of the regular meeting held November 10, 1998; * Confirmation of committee appointments - No appointments were made. Councilmember Davis confirmed that letters were sent to individuals delinquent on their Small Business Revolving Loan payments, and that no responses were received. A) Approve the filing of lawsuits against persons and/or entities to collect on defaulted Small Business Revolving Loans (Carolann B. Gauthier, Automotive Shop on Wheels; William Lee Beckett, Sr., Beck's Package Store; Arthur Steve Harris, Ebony Leader; Joseph A. Jones, Sole Partnership; Floyd Dixon, Sr., Key West 86-(Noxid, Inc.); Marilyn Dartest, Extended Family; Walter Phillips, Phillips' Heavy Construction; Lester Clayton Thomas, Thomas Garage & Wrecker Service; Paul W. Veal, Veal Construction)- Resolution No. 98-314 B) Approve the sale of tax foreclosure property to Drainage District 6 ($100 for Account #036090-010800- L. H. Langham S/D TR4 B25 2.01 AC and Account#036090-010100, T.H. Langham S/D TR5 B24 1.66 AC) - Resolution No. 98-315 C) Accept improvements constructed in Barrington Heights Subdivision, Phase II for City Maintenance (Street and Storm Sewer Improvements: Claybourn Drive, Charleston Lane, and Whitaker Lane; Water and Sanitary Sewer Improvements: Lots 18-20, Block 1; Lots 1- 34, Block 3). - Resolution No. 98-316 D) Approve the purchase of property related to the Neighborhood Revitalization Project (Lot 10, Block 11, Silver City Addition, 2080 Lela Street, from John Clifton Mouton, Jr. in the amount of$2,500.00) - Resolution No. 98-317 E) Approve the settlement of lawsuits 1) The lawsuit of Andre Jones v. City of Beaumont (in the amount of $68,178.88) - Resolution No. 98-318 2) The lawsuit of Debbie Austin et al v. City of Beaumont (in the amount of $175,000) - Resolution No. 98-319 Councilmember Cokinos moved to approve the Consent Agenda. Councilmember Davis seconded the motion. MOTION PASSED. Ayes: Mayor Moore, Councilmembers Smith, Goodson, Cokinos, Ames and Davis Noes: None GENERAL BUSINESS 1. Consider approving a contract for the purchase and installation of chain link fencing for five Water Utilities sites Minutes;11/17/98;Page 2 Councilmember Cokinos moved to approve Resolution No. 98-320 authorizing a contract with Cardinal Fence Company in the amount of$31,265 for installation of chain link fencing for five Water utilities sites: the prison pump station on Highway 69, the southwest water tank on Washington Boulevard, the pump house at the Water Production Plant on Pine Street, the waterworks canal on the north side of Marina Drive and the water facility at Bunn's Bluff. Councilmember Davis seconded the motion. MOTION PASSED. Ayes: Mayor Moore, Councilmembers Smith, Goodson, Cokinos, Ames and Davis Noes: None 2. Consider approving an annual contract for the purchase of automotive batteries for the Fleet Management Division/Central Services Councilmember Cokinos moved to approve Resolution No. 98-321 authorizing a contract for various types of batteries with Nationwide Batteries in the amount of $22,811.45. Councilmember Ames seconded the motion. MOTION PASSED. Ayes: Mayor Moore, Councilmembers Smith, Goodson, Cokinos, Ames, and Davis Noes: None 3. Consider approving participation in the State of Texas Cooperative Purchasing Program Councilmember Smith moved to approve Resolution No. 98-322 authorizing the City's continued participation in the State of Texas Cooperative Purchasing Program and authorizing the City Manager to execute any required documents. Councilmember Davis seconded the motion. MOTION PASSED. Ayes: Mayor Moore, Councilmembers Smith, Goodson, Cokinos, Ames, and Davis Noes: None COMMENTS " Councilmembers comment on various matters Councilmember Smith extended an invitation for everyone to attend the "Celebrate Family Festival" at the Civic Center next Saturday from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. She said there will Minutes;11/17198;Page 3 be a lot of activities for everyone and announced that there will also be other events and activities in the,community throughout the week. Councilmember Ames congratulated the Commissioners Court for holding a reception last night honoring the BASF-Fins petrochemical families. She said they are bringing a lot of good news to our community. Councilmember Davis again addressed a drug problem in the community. He suggested that the City Manager and Police Chief meet with him soon to review a listing of the suspected homes received from the neighborhood association for further attention. He spoke of a conversation and response from a young lady about the nickel and dime drug dealing in certain areas. Councilmember Davis said he would like this problem to receive as much attention as possible in an effort to eradicate the activity. Mayor Moore echoed the comments of Councilmember Ames regarding welcoming into our community the family members that are involved in the cracker project at BASF and American Petrofina location. He said the commencement of construction was very interesting and a great day for Southeast Texas that will have a great economic impact on our community. Mayor Moore said last night was a great event to welcome to our community the families that will be working there and thanked Commissioners Court for their direction in this endeavor. Mayor Moore congratulated Mr. Trahan and everyone involved with the Veteran's Day celebration at Riverfront Park last Wednesday. The event was well attended, and Mayor Moore said Mr. Trahan did an excellent job in keeping the focus on commitments made by many and maintaining a strong sense of patriotism and honor to the men and women that have served our country in conflicts of war. Mayor Moore said we should be working with individuals such as Mr. Trahan to make sure this kind of commemoration to veterans is made every year. Mayor Moore acknowledged that Councilmember Cokinos, a war veteran, was also present for the ceremonies. * Public Comment (Persons are limited to 3 minutes) (Mayor Pro Tem Patterson arrived.) Ms. Georgine Guillory, 3690 South 11th Street, addressed Council to report receiving a note on her automobile after addressing Council at a previous meeting. Ms. Guillory asked if it would be possible to speak without giving one's address because of the meeting being televised and the possibility of being contacted by someone the speaker does not know. City Attorney Lane Nichols explained that a violation of law may be reported to any department or division and the complainant's name will be held in confidence. He explained that there is an informer's privilege that will keep the name from being an open record. Mr. Minutes;11/171%;Page Nichols sad that when one comes to the microphone at City Council meetings that is being televised, everything is public. Mayor Moore announced that recently Mr. Braden, a good friend and pillar of the South Park neighborhood, passed away. He commented that whenever a citizen that has been as active in the community as Mr. Braden, they are missed. Mayor Moore said that it has been stated somewhere, "that every time we lose one of our gray-haired fellows of our community....a library closes, because we've lost that vast amount of knowledge." EXECUTIVE SESSION *Executive Session in accordance with Section 551.071 of the Government Code to discuss contemplated or pending litigation: Joe Fontenot et al v. City of Beaumont et al *Executive session in accordance with Section 551.074 of the Government Code to discuss the appointment and evaluation of a public officer or employee: Municipal Court Judges (Postponed) There being no further business, the meeting recessed at 1:57 p.m. to reconvene in executive session. Mayor David W. Moore Barbara Liming, Deputy y Clerk Minutes;11/17W;Pages