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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMIN NOV 06 2001 M I N U T E S - CITY OF BEAUMONT Lulu L. Smith DAVID W. MOORE, MAYOR Guy N. Goodson, Mayor Pro Tern Andrew P. Cokinos CITY COUNCIL MEETING Becky Ames Bobbie J. Patterson November 6,2001 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 November 6, 2001, 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 1:32 p.m. The Reverend G. W. Waters, Bethel Missionary Baptist Church, gave the invocation. Mr. Luke Trahin led the pledge of allegiance. Mr. Trahin told Council that he read the pledge of allegiance from a card presented by the American Legion to those taking the oath of citizenship at Thanial Hall in Boston, Massachusetts several years ago. 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 1.) Mayor Moore welcomed Mr. Roger Dimick with the Lamar Institute of Technology, who explained that Lamar is hosting students and faculty from BBS4 in Hanover, Germany, in a cultural exchange program. Lamar initiated the exchange program in 1996, and Lamar University students will visit Hanover next semester. The focus of the program is a cultural exchange. The students stay in host homes instead of hotels to experience the atmosphere of an American home and visit various sites. Mr. Dimick said they visited New Orleans, have scheduled a visit to NASA, and will travel to nearby cities. Mr. Dimick introduced Mr. Wolfgang Finish, a faculty member of BBS4. Referring to the weather, Mr. Finis said he appreciated the warm reception received in Beaumont and expressed appreciation for the opportunity to link our countries and learn from each other. He introduced the students and his wife, and presented Council with a calendar depicting landscape scenes of Lower Saxony. Mayor Moore welcomed the visitors on behalf of Beaumont and presented citizenship cards to Wolfgang and Sabine Finis, faculty members, and to students: Stefan Flincker- Kuhlmann, Tim Dannenberg, Tobias Klug, Kristine Hein, Marcus Truppner, Michael Korbel, and Sonja Brandrick. He told the students that today is special, because they will have opportunity to witness our election process. 2.) Mr. Luke Trahin, a World Ward I I veteran and survivor of Pearl Harbor, extended a special invitation to Council and area residents to attend a Veteran's Day program Sunday, November 11, at 2:00 p.m. at Riverfront Park. Mr.Trahin distributed copies of the agenda for the day's activities and announced that General Joe Ashy, U. S. Air Force Retired,will be the guest speaker. He stated that General Ashy is a native of Beaumont, an A & M graduate, and one of the great people of Beaumont that is a thrill to know. Mr.Trahin also announced that a Day of Remembrance will be held December 7 at 10:30 a.m. to commemorate the 601h anniversary of the attack on Pearl Harbor at the Steamboat Museum. As part of the remembrance, all senior high school students will be eligible to participate in a Pearl Harbor scholarship essay contest. Mr. Trahin remarked about the importance of remembering the history of our great country. Mayor Moore thanked Mr. Trahin for his efforts in promoting patriotism in our community, added comments aboutthe renown of General Ashy,and informed Mr.Trahin that the City has designated Veteran's Day as a holiday for City employees. Public Comment: Persons may speak on scheduled agenda items Ms.Antoinette Hardy,5220 Highland Avenue,accompanied by Peggy Holiday,addressed Council on behalf of the Beaumont Community Housing Development Organization in support of Agenda Item No. 1. Ms. Hardy reviewed their successes and stated that they are the first CHDO to close over eleven houses in a six-month period. She extended an invitation for Council to attend an open house Friday from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.to meet a new home owner, who is a City of Beaumont employee. She said there will be two home closures in November, and, hopefully, two before Christmas. Consent Agenda Approval of minutes - October 30, 2001 Confirmation of committee appointments - No appointments made. A) Approve a contract (with Tri-Con, Inc. for estimated total expenditure of $36,715) for purchase of lubricants - Resolution No. 01-260 B) Authorize eminent domain proceedings to acquire property (Parcel 16, .300 acre out of Tract 8, H. T. & B. R. R., Mary Jane Phelan, owner, $4,125 appraised value)for the Major Drive Improvement Project - Resolution No. 01-261 C) Authorize the City Manager to execute Interlocal Agreements (with Jefferson County and the Cities of Port Arthur, Groves, Nederland, and Port Neches) related to the Beaumont Police Department's Pawned Property files - Resolution No. 01-262 D) Accept improvements for maintenance in Pine Glen Fourth Addition, Phase One (Lori Lane from existing Tolivar Road approximately 990 feet south to proposed Sheila Lane and Sheila Lane from existing Sheila Lane approximately 305 feet west to three OM-4P end of roadway markers, water and sanitary sewer improvements for Lots 1-5, and approximately 1,170 feet of 6" water line extending west along Tolivar Road and Minutes November 6,2001 Page 2 approximately 464 feet of an 8"sanitary sewer line extending west along Tolivar Road to proposed lift station) - Resolution No. 01-263 E) Authorize the settlement of lawsuits - James R. Hucker in the amount of $150,000 - Resolution No. 01-264 and Sandra Pope in the amount of$210,000 - Resolution No. 01-265 Councilmember Cokinos moved to approve the Consent Agenda. Mayor Pro Tern Goodson seconded the motion. MOTION PASSED. Ayes: Mayor Moore, Mayor Pro Tern Goodson , Councilmembers Smith, Cokinos, Ames, Samuel and Patterson Noes: None GENERAL BUSINESS 1. Consider approving contracts between the City of Beaumont and the Beaumont Community Housing Development Organization, Inc. Councilmember Patterson moved to approve Resolution No. 01-266 authorizing three contracts with the Beaumont Community Housing Development Organization, Inc. 1.) In the amount of$245,000 using 1999 and 2000 HOME funds; 2.) In the amount of$171,500 using 2000 and 2001 HOME funds; and 3.) In the amount of$117,500 using 2001 CDBG funds. Councilmember Samuel seconded the motion. MOTION PASSED. Ayes: Mayor Moore, Mayor Pro Tern Goodson, Councilmembers Smith, Cokinos, Ames, Samuel, and Patterson Noes: None 2. Consider approval of the purchase of two mechanical truck mounted street sweepers Councilmember Smith moved to approve Resolution No. 01-267 authorizing purchase of two street sweepers through the Houston-Galveston Area Council (H-GAC) in the amount of $250,931.56. Councilmember Samuel 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 Councilmember Smith commented about a successful and enjoyable first"Celebration of Nations" with a good turnout and gorgeous weather. Minutes November 6,2001 Page 3 Mayor Pro Tern Goodson reported attending Marshall Middle School's first "Character- First Program"for sixth graders. He said the program is designed to re-institute traditional values of morality and integrity in children's lives at school and in everyday life. Mayor Pro Tern Goodson commended Principal (Bettye) Grigsby, faculty, and parents for initiating the program, said he thinks it will be a huge success. Councilmember Samuel commented about the wonderful activity opportunities for citizens last Saturday that included the "Super Saturday" celebration with students from Lucas, Martin, Field, and Guess Elementary Schools, Smith and Austin Middle Schools, and Central High School. He said it was a glorious occasion with plenty of food, exhibits, and children having a good time. He also reported attending a very enlightening African American Business Symposium at the Holidome with excellent speakers. Councilmember Patterson extended congratulations to Ms. Hardy and the staff at Beaumont Community Housing Development Organization fortheir success in building six houses and encouraged attendance at their open house next Friday. City Manager Report-American Fastpitch Association (AFA) Public Safety and Security Summit, Breakfast with the City Manager, Employee Health and Safety Fair, Update On Make-A-Difference Day, Goodwill Industries Parking Request Mr. Bonczek concurred with Council that Saturday was a good day in Beaumont, said the Celebration of Nations" had a lot of family participation, and that he participated in the bike ride, and looks forward to its expansion next year. The City Manager reported that the American Fastpitch Association has extended their commitment with the City through 2004 and announced that the City of Beaumont will host their 18 and under national tournament. Mr. Bonczek stated that the AFA plans to increase the number of teams from 122 up to possibly 160 and spoke of the economic impact an increase would make. He reported 500 volunteers participated in the"Make-A-Difference"cleanup and commended Clean Community Coordinator Mack Mitchell, Clean Community staff, and the Keep Beaumont Beautiful Committee fora successful event. Mr. Bonczek announced that Chief Petty Officer Retired Luke Trahin and Brigadier General Retired Mike Cokinos will be guest speakers at the Beaumont Rotary meeting Wednesday. Mayor Moore acknowledged Councilmember Smith's effort in coordinating the "Celebration of Nations,"spoke of the significance of diverse cultures coming together, its significance to the downtown area development and expansion of commerce, and expressed appreciation to Councilmember Smith and staff for a job well done. Councilmember Smith responded to the recognition by stating that planning for the event began over a year ago, and that it was very apropos after the acts of September 11. She said the event brought nations together in celebration of diversity, that everyone had a wonderful time, and said she hopes it becomes a larger, annual happening. Councilmember Smith addressed the conflict with B.I.S.D.'s "Super Saturday," and acknowledged there was a lack of communication in scheduling the activities, and her desire that next year, they would be held at different times in order to permit children to participate in both celebrations. Public Comment (Persons are limited to three (3) minutes). Minutes November 6,2001 Page 4 No one wished to address Council. Mayor Moore thanked the exchange students for their attendance and expressed his desire that they are enjoying their visit to Beaumont,which he said is one of the best cities in Southeast Texas—the right side of Texas—and encouraged them to continue their "research" at Parkdale Mall! EXECUTIVE SESSION Consider matters related to contemplated or pending litigation in accordance with Section 551.071 of the Government Code: City of Beaumont v. Gladys City Company There being no further business, the meeting adjourned at 2:06 p.m. Dav' W. Moore, Mayor Barbara Liming, City Clerk Minutes November 6,2001 Page 5