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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMIN DEC 29 1998 M I N U T E S CITY OF BEAU FONT 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 DECEMBER 29, 9998 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 December 29, 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. City Attorney Lane Nichols gave the invocation. Mayor Moore's secretary, Barbara Otto, led the pledge of allegiance. Present at the meeting were: Mayor Moore, Mayor Pro Tem Patterson, Councilmembers Smith, Cokinos, and Davis. Councilmembers Goodson and Ames were absent. Also present were Maurine Gray, Acting City Manager; Lane Nichols, City Attorney; and Barbara Liming, Deputy City Clerk. *Presentations and Recognitions - No proclamations were issued. Mayor Moore read a letter received from Assistant Secretary to the U. S. Department of Housing and Urban Development Cardell Cooper that stated: "On behalf of Secretary Cuomo, I am pleased to announce your Fiscal Year 1999 formula allocation under the Community Development Block Grant, HOME Investment Partnerships, Emergency Shelter Grant, and Housing Opportunities for Persons with AIDS programs. The Department's FY 1999 budget is the best we have had in a decade and provides an overall increase of nearly $145 million in formula funding. Your total Fiscal Year 1999 allocation is $3,236,000 for the following programs: HOME--$837,000; ESG-- $82,000; CDBG--$2,317,000. Let us work together to achieve your community's strategic vision as described in your Consolidated Plan. We wish you much success in the use of these resources to implement your community development initiatives." Mayor Moore said this is good news for Beaumont and commented that concerns about possible cuts can be allayed for the present. Beaumont's allocation is holding firm in comparison to previous years. *Public Comment: Persons may speak on scheduled agenda items Citizen comment was invited on the regular agenda. No one wished to address these items. GENERAL BUSINESS 1. Consider the appointment of Barbara Liming to the position of City Clerk Mayor Pro Tem Patterson moved to approve Resolution No. 98-370 appointing Barbara Liming as City Clerk at a salary of$49,920 annually. Councilmember Smith seconded the motion. MOTION PASSED. Ayes: Mayor Moore, Mayor Pro Tem Patterson, Councilmembers Smith, Cokinos, and Davis Noes: None The Mayor and Councilmembers congratulated the City Clerk, and she expressed appreciation for their confidence. 2. Consider approving a contract for professional services with the Oldani Group, Inc. Councilmember Cokinos questioned using an out of town firm rather than one from Beaumont, utilizing services of the City's Human Resource Department, and waiting until Councilmembers Goodson and Ames are present to vote. Councilmember Smith moved to approve Resolution No. 98-371 approving a contract with the Oldani Group, Inc. to conduct a search for the position of City Manager for the City of Beaumont for a professional fee of $18,500 plus expenses estimated at $12,500. Councilmember Davis seconded the motion. MOTION PASSED. Ayes: Mayor Moore, Mayor Pro Tem Patterson, Councilmembers Smith, and Davis Noes: Councilmember Cokinos Councilmember Davis stated that information received from both interested firms was good, but that the cost difference was a determining factor in his vote as well as the ability of the Oldani Group to conduct a nationwide search. Councilmember Davis stated that he was impressed with Mr. Pate's presentation and the Oldani presentation was tremendous, and said he looks forward to future opportunity to work with Pate Resources. Councilmember Smith said the position being filled is very important, and it behooves Council to choose a firm that can perform a broad and wide search throughout the country for a city manager. She said the Oldani firm has a good track record, and that Council should concentrate on finding the very best person for this job. Minutes;12Y29M;Page 2 Councilmember Cokinos stated he voted against an out of state firm because he has always "advocated buy Beaumont and hire Beaumont." Councilmember Cokinos questioned the difference in fees for the two firms and was informed that there was about an $8,000 difference between the two proposed fees. Mayor Pro Tem Patterson stated that she voted for the Oldani group because they have over 30 years of corporate and executive search experience and 18 years of public sector search experience. Also, the $8,000 cost difference was a factor, in addition to the broad experience that could meet the needs of the community. Mayor Moore thanked Council for working through this process, stated that both firms have been used in the past, and will be used again in the future. He commented that localism is promoted as much as possible, and that Council has the fiduciary responsibility in wisely spending tax dollars as efficiently as possible. Mayor Moore said this is critical to our community and considerable time will be required in selecting a city manager. COMMENTS " Councilmembers comment on various matters Mayor Pro Tem Patterson wished everyone a Happy New Year. Mayor Moore thanked Council for an outstanding year in the City of Beaumont during 1998, said Council has worked very hard together as a complete team with members of the community, and he thinks this has been a banner year and he looks forward to an outstanding 1999. Mayor Moore cautioned that what takes place in 1999 will be dependant upon what we put in place to make certain things happen. That includes Council, members of neighborhood associations, community action groups, and individual citizens. Mayor Moore said he is excited about 1999, and the great possibilities as we watch the downtown community bloom and blossom this spring and summer. He complimented the Willard Library Branch for their celebration efforts of Kwanzaa for this evening. Mayor Moore wished all of Council an outstanding Happy New Year, and thanked the media for their fair and equitable coverage of Beaumont and challenged their level of reporting to be that which will give rays of hope to people so they may be informed and become active in advocating the positive things taking place. Mayor Moore announced that the next meeting will be held the second week in January. * Public Comment (Persons are limited to 3 minutes) No one wished to address Council. There being no further business, the meeting adjourned at 1:47 p.m. Minutes;12!NW;Page 3 tot, Mayor David W. Moore Barbara Liming, Deput Cit Clerk Minutes;12129/96;Page 4