HomeMy WebLinkAboutMIN JAN 22 2002 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 January 22, 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 22, 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 Pro Tern Goodson called the meeting to order at 1:33 p.m. Ms. Janett Blunt, Grants
Administrator Assistant and Associate Minister at Light Company Ministries gave the invocation.
Councilmember Cokinos led the pledge of allegiance.
Present at the meeting were: Mayor Pro Tern Goodson, Councilmembers Smith, Cokinos,Ames
(arrived at 1:37 p.m.), Samuel, and Patterson. Mayor Moore was absent. Also present were
Stephen J. Bonczek, City Manager; Joseph Sanders, Assistant City Attorney; and Barbara
Liming, City Clerk.
Mayor Pro Tern Goodson announced that Mayor Moore is en route to Washington D. C.to attend
the United States Conference of Mayors' winter meeting, and while there, he will chair an
emergency preparedness session. Mayor Moore is also scheduled to appear on CNN's Wolf
Blitzer program Wednesday evening, January 23, to discuss city security concerns.
Presentations and Recognitions - No presentations were made.
Public Comment: Persons may speak on scheduled agenda items.
(Councilmember Ames arrived at 1:37 p.m. during Mr. Mata's comments.)
Mr. Jerry Mata, plant manager of ATOFINA Chemicals, addressed Council to introduce
a project ATOFINA is bringing to Beaumont and in support of an amendment to their
Industrial District Agreement. Mr. Mata explained that ATOFINA Chemical is the chemical
branch of TotalFinaElf, the fifth largest oil company in the world. He said they are
planning to build an MMP plant in Beaumont to be used to manufacture feed supplement.
Mr. Mata stated that 400 temporary construction jobs and 27 permanent jobs will be
created with this addition. He voiced pride in ATOFINA being a good corporate citizen,
complimented City leadership and the conditions here for businesses to thrive, and
introduced Mr. Dale Cummings to explain the role of Novus International in their new
expansion.
Mr. Dale Cummings, representing Novus International and ATOFINA Chemical as a tax
consultant and advisor, addressed Council to explain the joint relationship between the
two companies. He said Novus International is a private corporation headquartered in
Saint Louis, a world leader in animal nutrition and a customer of ATOFINA, and they are
teaming together in this project. He expressed gratitude for the incentives offered by
Jefferson County and the City's contract amendment. Construction is estimated to begin
mid-2003 and commercial operation to commence approximately 18 months later. Mr.
Cummings added a request for Council approval of the amendment.
Ms. Christina Delgadillo, on behalf of Crockett Street Development, addressed Council in
support of the amendment to the City's loan agreement with Crockett Street Development,
Ltd. Ms. Delgadillo expressed appreciation to Council and especially to City Manager
Bonczek and Community Development Director Kyle Hayes for continued cooperation of
the Crockett Street Project that will ultimately create approximately 300 jobs. Ms.
Delgadillo invited Council to schedule a tour of the project.
Consent Agenda
Approval of minutes - January 8, 2002 and January 15, 2002
Confirmation of committee appointments - No appointments
A) Authorize the City Manager and the Chief of Police to apply to the Texas Department of
Public Safety for funds to purchase and install audio/video recording equipment in police
vehicles - Resolution No. 02-009
B) Approve a resolution authorizing release of a paving lien (from 1938 in the amount of
$211)against property described as North %2 Lots 1 and 2, Block 35, Calder Addition (93-
95 Oakland) - Resolution No. 02-010
C) Approve the ($209,752.19) purchase of vehicles through the Houston-Galveston Area
Council Cooperative Purchasing Program (H-GAC) - Resolution No. 02-011
D) Approve the purchase of a directional boring machine (from Ditch Witch in the amount of
$66,423.73) for use by the Water Utilities Division - Resolution No. 02-012
E) Approve the purchase of one diesel powered excavator (from Mustang Tractor and
Equipment in the amount of $197,601) for use by the Clean Community Department -
Resolution No. 02-013
F) Approve a contract for the purchase of corrugated polyethylene pipe (from Golden
Triangle Pipe for an estimated expenditure of $52,955) for use by the Streets and
Drainage Division - Resolution No. 02-014
G) Authorize the settlement (in the amount of $15,262.88) of the claim of Margaret King -
Resolution No. 02-015
Minutes January 22,2002 Page 2
H) Authorize the City Attorney or his designee to file and prosecute a lawsuit against Joyce
McKinney, d/b/a Classic Kid Learning Academy to collect on a delinquent Small Business
Revolving Loan - Resolution No. 02-016
Councilmember Cokinos moved to approve the Consent Agenda. Councilmember
Patterson seconded the motion. MOTION PASSED.
Ayes: Mayor Pro Tern Goodson, Councilmembers Smith, Cokinos, Ames,
Samuel, and Patterson
Noes: None
GENERAL BUSINESS
1. Consider authorizing the City Managerto amend the Industrial Agreement with ATOFINA
Chemicals, Inc.
Council member Samuel moved to approve Resolution No.02-017 .Council member Smith
seconded the motion. MOTION PASSED.
Ayes: Mayor Pro Tern Goodson, Councilmembers Smith, Cokinos, Ames,
Samuel, and Patterson
Noes: None
2. Consider approving Amendment No. 1 to the City's Loan Agreement with Crockett Street
Development, Ltd.
Councilmember Cokinos moved to approve Resolution No. 02-018. Councilmember
Smith seconded the motion. MOTION PASSED.
Ayes: Mayor Pro Tern Goodson, Councilmembers Smith, Cokinos, Ames,
Samuel, and Patterson
Noes: None
3. Consider amending Section 21-75 of the Code of Ordinances relating to authorized
positions in the Police Department
Councilmember Ames moved to approve Ordinance No.02-001 ENTITLED AN ORDINANCE
AMENDING SECTION 21-75 OF THE CODE OF ORDINANCES TO AMEND THE GRADE I AND GRADE
II POSITIONS IN THE BEAUMONT POLICE DEPARTMENT; PROVIDING FOR SEVERABILITY AND
PROVIDING FOR REPEAL. Councilmember Smith seconded the motion. MOTION PASSED.
Ayes: Mayor Pro Tern Goodson, Councilmembers Smith, Cokinos, Ames,
Samuel, and Patterson
Noes: None
Minutes January 22,2002 Page 3
4. Consider amending Section 26 of the Code of Ordinances establishing minimum parking
citation fines effective March 25, 2002
After introduction of the ordinance, Mayor Pro Tern Goodson suggested that ample
notification by the City be made to Central Business District establishment managers of
the increased fines and the effective date.
Councilmember Smith moved to approve Ordinance No.02-002 ENTITLED AN ORDINANCE
AMENDING SECTION 26-64 OF THE CODE OF ORDINANCES OF THE CITY OF BEAUMONT TO ADD
MINIMUM PARKING CITATION FINES; PROVIDING AN EFFECTIVE DATE; PROVIDING FOR
SEVERABILITY; PROVIDING FOR REPEAL; AND PROVIDING A PENALTY. Councilmember Ames
seconded the motion. MOTION PASSED.
Ayes: Mayor Pro Tern Goodson, Councilmembers Smith, Cokinos, Ames,
Samuel, and Patterson
Noes: None
5. Consider approving funding for the Chamber of Commerce in the amount of$50,000 for
Economic Development purposes
Mayor Pro Tern Goodson expressed pleasure with recent media coverage of international
trade promoted by the Chamber of Commerce, commented about a meeting he, Mayor
Moore, the City Manager, the Community Development Director, and Chamber of
Commerce President Jim Rich attended with last week in Houston with representatives
from other countries to consider Beaumont as a location in which to trade goods and
services. He thanked the Port of Beaumont for hosting a tour of their facility for the
international delegation, Dalton Babineaux and American Darling Valve for giving them
a view of community manufacturing capabilities, and particularly Lamar University, who
showed them not only their academic program and facilities, but had a number of their
instructors and professors of Chinese origin there to personalize the trip for the dignitaries
and to provide an impressive example of the diversity in our community.
Councilmember Samuel added commendation to the Chamber of Commerce for their
interest in international business, but also for their concern with attracting and developing
small and minority businesses, which he said, is the life-blood of a community.
Councilmember Smith moved to approve Resolution No.02-019.Councilmember Samuel
seconded the motion. MOTION PASSED.
Ayes: Mayor Pro Tern Goodson, Councilmembers Smith, Cokinos, Ames,
Samuel, and Patterson
Noes: None
COMMENTS
Councilmembers comment on various matters
Minutes January 22,2002 Page 4
Councilmember Samuel questioned the date of the upcoming Paint-A-Thon, commended
the aesthetic appearance improvements this project makes in Beaumont,and encouraged
citizens or groups that can identify qualified, elderly residents who need their homes
painted to contact City Hall or their Neighborhood Association officials.
Councilmember Patterson requested a complete,comprehensive study of the Tyrrell Park
Center and commended Judge Paul Brown and NAACP President Sam Bean for planning
a successful MLK parade and program this past weekend. She said the guest speaker,
State Representative Sylvester Turner, was outstanding. Councilmember Patterson
stated that the parade was dedicated to the Reverend G. W. Daniels, who also served as
the Grand Marshall, and encouraged everyone to remain for the program next year.
Mayor Pro Tern Goodson voiced appreciation for an excellent Partnership in Governance
meeting last week. He clarified that this meeting is for Council to meet with staff and
department heads to establish goals in a workshop setting forthe year and to address any
important issues. Mayor Pro Tern Goodson said the meeting covered a lot of topics and
Council received a lot of input from staff that will be good for the city.
Councilmember Patterson added a request that staff conduct a cost study for resurfacing
the four tennis courts at Central Park.
City Manager's Report-Partnership in Governance 2002; City Hall Emergency Gas Leak;
Neighborhood Revitalization Projects; Planning Commission; Sales Tax Update;
Comprehensive and Neighborhood Planning; The All-American Soap Box Derby; Fire
Department Staffing and Lone Star Libraries
City Manager Bonczek reported that he tried to capture the essence of the Partnership
In Governance setting out Council direction for 2002 in his weekly report to Council, said
a Strategic Action Plan will be created for 2002 based on discussion at the Partnership
meeting, and reported that sales tax revenues are positive and will continue to be
monitored. He announced that a Soap Box Derby is being planned to be held at the
Maury Meyers Bridge, said the Mayor reported that in addition to meeting with FEMA to
secure emergency funding, he and mayors from New Orleans and Massachusetts,will be
meeting with President Bush to share thoughts and concerns at the local level.
Public Comment (Persons are limited to three (3) minutes).
Mrs. Alice Ramsey, 3440 Goliad, addressed Council as president of the Pear Orchard
Neighborhood Association, to compliment the Port of Beaumont and Mr. Alford for their
efforts in attracting international trade and to express a desire that a like effort will be
made to include African international trade in this area. Mrs. Ramsey expressed concern
with tennis courts at Central Park and Sprott Park, and inclusion of a tennis court at
Liberia Park again. She spoke of the danger in transporting children outside their
neighborhood to play tennis, stated citizens would like opportunity for input into
neighborhood plans, and said a portion of the money generated from the recent sale of
a remnant of Central Park in Ward IV should be designated for Ward IV first.
Mr. Benny Mendosa, 5655 South Kenneth Street, addressed Council to complain that
limbs and tree trash is not being picked up at Avenue A and Forsythe.
Minutes January 22,2002 Page 5
Mr. William Lee, 4685 Ford, addressed Council as a member of the Keep Beaumont
Beautiful Commission, to announce that the annual Paint-A-Thon is scheduled for April
13, 2002, and that sponsorship has increased sufficiently enough to paint approximately
50 homes this year, which is double the number painted last year. He stated that Clean
Community Coordinator Mack Mitchell is distributing information about the application
process to neighborhood associations, and that a newspaper article was printed last
Tuesday listing pertinent telephone numbers. Anyone interested in submitting an
application, the name of an applicant, or seeking other information may contact Mack
Mitchell at Neighborhood Services.
Mr. Rick Barrilleaux with the Beaumont Chamber of Commerce addressed Council to
express appreciation for funding approved today, briefly outlined development of a
strategic plan for the City of Beaumont that is underway with an emphasis on business
attraction, business retention, and international trade.
Mr. Jude Peradez, 920 Wisteria, addressed Council in opposition to amending the loan
agreement with Crockett Street Development, Ltd. and claimed conflict of interest of
ownership with Community Bank and Crockett Street Development with an individual. Mr.
Peradez spoke of using HUD monies, claimed improper notice of the agenda item, and
stated he intends to protest the action to HUD and the City Attorney.
Mr. Robert Preston, 1190 Iowa, addressed Council to question lack of response from
Council to previous open record requests presented by him on October 11 and December
21, 2001. Mr. Preston questioned Council integrity, submitted copies of his previous
requests to the City Clerk for distribution to Council, and told Council that his name,
address, and telephone number are listed on the requests for their convenience in
responding.
EXECUTIVE SESSION
Consider matters related to contemplated or pending litigation in accordance with Section
551.071 of the Government Code:
Doris Marie Martin v. City of Beaumont
Claim of Catherine Carter
There being no further business, the meeting adjourned at 2:16 p.m.
Asglz�
Guy N. Goodson, Mayor Pro Tern
Barbara Liming, City Clerk
Minutes January 22,2002 Page 6