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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMIN JAN 29 2002 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 January 29,2002 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 January 29, 2002, 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 Blaine McFarland, Grace Baptist Church, gave the invocation. Five members of Boy Scout Troop 85 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 Two Proclamations were issued: "Scouting for Food Week," February 2-9, 2002; and a proclamation recognizing "Barbara Liming" upon her retirement from the City of Beaumont, effective January 31, 2002. Mr. Todd Pruitt with the auditing firm of Patillo, Brown, and Hill thanked Paula Labrie and her staff for assisting with a successful audit of the City of Beaumont and presented the Preliminary Comprehensive Annual Financial Report to Council. He explained that the report is divided into three sections: the Introduction, the Financial Statement, and the Statistical section. Mr. Pruitt announced that the City received a clean, unqualified opinion, which is the highest form of an opinion, and introduced Audit Supervisor Kelvin Bryant, who was primarily responsible for the audit. City of Beaumont Controller Paula Labrie reported this was the first year of a new audit contract. She commended the staff of Patillo, Brown, and Hill for their knowledge in governmental auditing, their hard work, and efficiency. She thanked both her staff and Patillo, Brown, and Hill for the result of a successful audit. Mayor Moore and Councilmember Samuel publicly applauded the efforts of Paula Labrie and her staff for continuing to raise the level of efficiency to a higher point. Councilmember Samuel reported receiving consistent responses from auditors, past and present, about the cooperativeness of Paula Labrie and her staff. * Public Comment: Persons may speak on scheduled agenda items. Mrs. Gethrel Williams congratulated Barbara Liming on her retirement opportunity, and questioned Item B on the Consent Agenda. She asked what the procedural guidelines are in place to control the City's investment policy for the Worker's Compensation Fund, how will proposed changes affect City employees' pension investments, and what percentage, if any, of the pension fund was tied to Enron Corporation investments? The City Manager stated that he is not aware of any direct tie to Enron stock purchases, and said the City does not foresee any negative impact on the City's investment program as a result of action on Consent Agenda Item B. * Consent Agenda Prior to the vote on the Consent Agenda, Mayor Pro Tern Goodson clarified that Agenda Item B is for investment of City funds covered in the Investment Policy through a change of collateralization allowed by recent legislation, and explained that City funds can only be used in limited investments . City Attorney Lane Nichols confirmed Mayor Pro Tern Goodson's clarification, and stated that the City does not invest in any equities. * Approval of minutes - January 22, 2002 * Confirmation of committee appointments - No appointments A) Authorize the City Manager to execute a Bridge Load Posting Agreement with the Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) for the installation of load posting signs (not to exceed 21,000 pounds) on the W. Circuit Drive Bridge - Resolution No. 02-020 B) Approve a change in investment authority(designating Stephen J. Bonczek,City Manager and Kandy Daniel,Treasurer,and deleting Beverly Hodges as designated officials)for the City of Beaumont - Resolution No. 02-021 C) Approve a change (in the type of allowable collateral) in the City's Investment Policy - Resolution No. 02-022 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 Minutes January 29,2002 Page 2 1. Consider a request for a zone change from RM-H (Residential Multiple Family Dwelling- Highest Density) to GC-MD (General Commercial-Multiple Family Dwelling) District and a specific use permit for a climate controlled self-storage facility on 4.5 acres located between Dowlen Road and Long Road Mayor Pro Tern Goodson moved to approve Ordinance No. 02-003 ENTITLED AN ORDINANCE AMENDING CHAPTER 30 OFTHE CODE OF ORDINANCES OF BEAUMONT,TEXAS,AND IN PARTICULAR THE BOUNDARIES OF THE ZONING DISTRICTS,AS INDICATED UPON THE ZONING MAP OF BEAUMONT,TEXAS,BY CHANGING THE ZONING OF PROPERTY PRESENTLY ZONED RM-H (RESIDENTIAL MULTIPLE FAMILY DWELLING-HIGHEST DENSITY) TO GC-MD-2 (GENERAL COMMERCIAL-MULTIPLE FAMILY DWELLING-2) DISTRICT FOR PROPERTY LOCATED BETWEEN DOWLEN ROAD AND LONG ROAD, BEAUMONT, JEFFERSON COUNTY, TEXAS PROVIDING FOR SEVERABILITY;PROVIDING FOR REPEAL AND PROVIDING A PENALTY. Council member Cokinos seconded the motion. MOTION PASSED. Ayes: Mayor Moore, Mayor Pro Tern Goodson, Councilmembers Smith, Cokinos, Ames, Samuel, and Patterson Noes: None Councilmember Smith moved to approve Ordinance No.02-004 ENTITLED AN ORDINANCE GRANTING ASPECIFIC USE PERMIT TO ALLOW A CLIMATE-CONTROLLED MINI-STORAGE FACILITY IN A GC-MD-2 (GENERAL COMMERCIAL - MULTIPLE FAMILY DWELLING-2) DISTRICT LOCATED BETWEEN DOWLEN ROAD AND LONG ROAD, IN THE CITY OF BEAUMONT, JEFFERSON COUNTY, TEXAS. Councilmember Cokinos seconded the motion. MOTION PASSED. Ayes: Mayor Moore, Mayor Pro Tern Goodson, Councilmembers Smith, Cokinos, Ames, Samuel, and Patterson Noes: None 2. Consider a request for a specific use permit to allow a retail women's clothing store in Building "B", Lot 1, Tuscany Park located at 3350 Dowlen Road Councilmember Cokinos moved to approve Ordinance No. 02-005 ENTITLED AN ORDINANCE GRANTING A SPECIFIC USE PERMIT TO ALLOW A RETAIL WOMEN'S CLOTHING STORE IN A PUD(PLANNED UNIT DEVELOPMENT)DISTRICT LOCATED AT 3350 DOWLEN,BUILDING "B", IN THE CITY OF BEAUMONT, JEFFERSON COUNTY, TEXAS. 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 3. Consider a request for a specific use permit to allow a wrecker service and vehicle storage yard in a GC-MD (General Commercial-Multiple Family Dwelling) District at 3004-3006 Blanchette Street Councilmember Smith moved to approve Ordinance No.02-006 ENTITLED AN ORDINANCE GRANTING A SPECIFIC USE PERMIT TO ALLOW A WRECKER SERVICE AND VEHICLE STORAGE YARD IN A GC-MD(GENERAL COMMERCIAL-MULTIPLE FAMILY DWELLING)DISTRICT LOCATED AT Minutes January 29,2002 Page 3 3004-3006 BLANCHETTE STREET, IN THE CITY OF BEAUMONT, JEFFERSON COUNTY, TEXAS. Councilmember Cokinos seconded the motion. MOTION PASSED. Ayes: May or Moore, Mayor Pro Tern Goodson, Councilmembers Smith, Cokinos, Ames, Samuel, and Patterson Noes: None 4. Consider a request for a specific use permit to allow an office for a massage therapist at 8117 Gladys Avenue in existing facilities in an RM-H (Residential Multiple Dwelling- Highest Density) District Councilmember Ames moved to approve Ordinance No.02-007 ENTITLED AN ORDINANCE GRANTING ASPECIFIC USE PERMIT TO ALLOW AN OFFICE FORA MASSAGE THERAPIST IN AN RM- H (RESIDENTIAL MULTIPLE FAMILY DWELLING-HIGHEST DENSITY) DISTRICT LOCATED AT 8117 GLADYS AVENUE IN THE CITY OF BEAUMONT, JEFFERSON COUNTY, TEXAS. Councilmember Smith seconded the motion. MOTION PASSED. Ayes: Mayor Moore, Mayor Pro Tern Goodson, Councilmembers Smith, Cokinos, Ames, Samuel, and Patterson Noes: None 5. Consider a request for an amendment to Section 30-21.2(e)(8) and additions to Section 30-21.2(a) and 30-21.2(e) of the Beaumont Zoning Ordinance Councilmember Smith moved to approve Ordinance No.02-008 ENTITLED AN ORDINANCE AMENDING CHAPTER 30, SECTIONS 30-21.2(a), 30-21.2(e)AND 30-21.2(e)(8)(c), OF THE CODE OF ORDINANCES OF THE CITY OF BEAUMONT REGULATING CERTAIN ACTIVITIES IN THE HISTORICAL DISTRICT;PROVIDING FORSEVERABILITY;PROVIDING FOR REPEAL;AND PROVIDING A PENALTY. Councilmember Ames seconded the motion. MOTION PASSED. Ayes: Mayor Moore, Mayor Pro Tern Goodson, Councilmembers Smith, Cokinos, Ames, Samuel, and Patterson Noes: None 6. Consideran ordinance amending Section 26-62(b)of the Code of Ordinances establishing coin operated parking meters in the Central Business District Councilmember Ames moved to approve Ordinance No. 02-009 ENTITLED AN ORDINANCE AMENDING CHAPTER 26, SECTION 26-62(b) OF THE CODE OF ORDINANCES OF THE CITY OF BEAUMONT TO ESTABLISH THE COIN OPERATED AND TIME LIMITS OF PARKING METERS IN THE CENTRAL BUSINESS DISTRICT;PROVIDING AN EFFECTIVE DATE;PROVIDING FORSEVERABILITY; PROVIDING FOR REPEAL; AND PROVIDING A PENALTY. Councilmember Smith seconded the motion. MOTION PASSED. Ayes: Mayor Moore, Mayor Pro Tern Goodson, Councilmembers Smith, Cokinos, Ames, Samuel, and Patterson Noes: None Minutes January 29,2002 Page 4 COMMENTS Councilmembers comment on various matters Individually, Councilmembers extended congratulations and best wishes to City Clerk Barbara Liming as she retires from the City of Beaumont. Councilmember Samuel reported that the former Marsh Drive-In structure is vacant and unsecured and asked Code Enforcement staff to investigate the building, and stated that the area between the library and Plymouth Village on Helbig Road is overgrown with weeds and high grass to the extent that a dangerous situation is created. He publicly apologized to Mr. Nesbitt for giving an incorrect statement regarding progress of the Charlton-Pollard Park because of his personal lack of revised data. Councilmember Patterson announced that the South Park Neighborhood Association will hold their meeting Thursday, January 31, at 6:30 p.m. at the South Park Baptist Church. Planning and Zoning staff will present and discuss the Comprehensive Plan,and Ms. Ruth Larkins will speak about flood zones. Mayor Pro Tern Goodson spoke of citizen interest and questions regarding road surfacing scheduled for rehabilitation and damage to drainage facilities and requested that management investigate the concern. He thanked City staff,especially the Parks Division, Council, City Manager, and those who attended the Perlstein Park dedication ceremony. Mayor Pro Tern Goodson added special appreciation to Mr. Weinbaum and the Perlstein family for their generous contribution to the park and the wealth of rich historical information shared at the dedication by Mr.Weinbaum about his family's ties to Beaumont and the important advancements that have occurred. Mayor Moore thanked Council for filling in at various functions for him last week while he was in Washington D.C. and reviewed his busy schedule there. He attended a series of meetings that included a productive meeting with Carolyn Chaney and HUD members to discuss housing and funding issues, had opportunity for dialogue with Director of Homeland Security Tom Ridge regarding security and its affects on our community, followed by a similar meeting the next day with President Bush who revealed his funding recommendation of $38 billion for homeland security with $3.5 billion coming back to cities. Mayor Moore stated that a request has been made for funding to be funneled directly to cities for disbursement to fund specific security needs He reported that President Bush made special complimentary comments about Beaumont, our progress, and our educational system. Following that meeting, he met with New York City Mayor Michael R. Bloomberg and Former Mayor Rudolph W. Giuliani. Mayor Giuliani personally thanked the citizens of Beaumont for the quarter of a million dollars they donated to the New York disaster fund and then guided the group on a tour of Ground Zero to witness the devastation. On Saturday,they met with Senator Hillary Clinton who spoke in support of funneling homeland security funding directly to cities for their security needs. Also, Mayor Moore said they were accompanied by Tom Combs, Chief of Staff for Representative Lampson, in attendance at the HUD meeting. Mayor Moore said it was a great privilege to be there, to speak for our community, and bring back the personal levels of congratulations to share with Beaumont. Minutes January 29,2002 Page 5 City Manager's Report-Police Communications System;2001/2002 Broadway Theatrical Series; International Business Development;Assessment Protocol for Excellence in Public Health (APEXPH); Best Years Center Health Fair City Manager Bonczek reported the progress of administration and Police Department personnel in working with Motorola representatives to address issues of performance of the 800 MHZ communication system. He met with representatives who are exploring options, including an antennae change, and said staff with visit Mid-County and Port Arthur entities, who have had this same system for several years, with Motorola representatives to observe their operation compared to ours. He reported that the second performance of the Hibernia sponsored Broadway Theatrical Series"Sunshine Boys"was held recently and did well financially. Hopefully, the small deficit realized from the first production will be reversed with a financially, successful performance of"Annie Get Your Gun." Mr. Bonczek reported that a lot of effort and time is being spent with the Chamber of Commerce in promoting international business development in 2002. In addition to the report made last week about the visit by the Chinese investment group to Beaumont, the City will continue looking for opportunities to visit China and to welcome and host business members in Beaumont. Previous trade missions have been made to Cuba and Mexico, and Mr. Bonczek said they are discovering exciting trade opportunities with Africa, and an expert with the Texas Economic Development will be organizing a trade mission to Africa. Public Comment (Persons are limited to three (3) minutes). Mrs. Alice Ramsey, 3440 Goliad, addressed Council to first extend retirement congratulations to Barbara Liming and then to request Council assistance for residents who have lived in an area for several years where an apartment complex is under construction on Cardinal Drive. The residents have been notified that their air conditioning units have to be removed because they are encroaching on property other than their own. Ms. Ramsey said this would be costly for the residents. She announced that the Pear Orchard Neighborhood Association meetings are held each third Tuesday of the month at Our Mother of Mercy Hall. Ms. Ramsey also reported that a Voter Education Forum will be held at the Masonic Lodge on Washington Boulevard and Fifth Street on February 7. County Clerk Sandy Walker will speak during one hour sessions beginning at 9:30 a.m. and concluding at 5:30 p.m. She said the forum is not political or for any particular candidate, but strictly to inform and educate people,especially first-time voters, and those who might have problems with the voting machines. Mr. Benny Mendoza, 5655 South Kenneth, distributed fliers to Council and extended an invitation to them to attend a Summit (sponsored by the Beaumont Independent School District at Central High School from 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.) on Saturday, February 2, 2002, and to add retirement congratulation to Barbara Liming. Mr. Charlie Gibbs, 6770 Westgate, address Council to announce that a press conference was held today about USSSA baseball coming to Beaumont. He commended Mr. Morgan Walker and Mr. Jason Tyner for the academy that will open at the Southeast Texas Entertainment Complex. He said approximately 50 to 60, 11 and 12-year-old boys will participate in a tournament from July 14-19, 2002, prior to girls attending the AFA Minutes January 29,2002 Page 6 Nationals here. He spoke of the economic impact and the positive publicity of the event for Beaumont, and thanked City Manager Bonczek and the Convention and Tourism Division for their support. Mr. Gibbs commended Council and encouraged them to continue all their efforts for Beaumont. Mayor Moore voiced recollection of the progress made in capturing tournaments by the resolve and interest of Council and the continued success and economic impact since the first tournament held in our community. He stated that approximately $10 to $15 million has been realized since the original AFA tournament was held in Beaumont. Mr. Gibbs confirmed Mayor Moore's remarks about the economic impact and relayed the great attraction Beaumont is to those attending the tournaments because of Beaumont hospitality to visitors. EXECUTIVE SESSION Consider matters related to contemplated or pending litigation in accordance with Section 551.071 of the Government Code: Claim of Catherine Carter Claim of Patricia Williams Doris Marie Martin v. City of Beaumont There being no further business, the meeting adjourned at 2:27 p.m. � , ��6-6� David W. Moore, Mayor Barbara Liming, City Clerk Minutes January 29,2002 Page 7