HomeMy WebLinkAboutMIN APR 04 2000 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 April 4,2000 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 April 4,2000,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 1:37 p.m. The Reverend James Blackwell, South Park Baptist
Church gave the invocation. Councilmember Audwin Samuel led the pledge of allegiance.
Present at the meeting were: Mayor Moore, Mayor Pro Tern Goodson, Councilmembers Cokinos, Ames,
Samuel and Patterson. Councilmember Smith is en route to Austin to attend "Beaumont Day" at the state
capitol. Also present were: Stephen J. Bonczek, City Manager; Lane Nichols, City Attorney; and Barbara
Liming, City Clerk.
*Presentations and Recognitions-Four proclamations were issued: "Lamar Basketball Day,"April 4,2000;
"Child Abuse Prevention Month," April 2000; "Sexual Assault Awareness Month," April 2000; and
"Solid Waste Employee's Day,"April 4, 2000.
Mayor Moore introduced Mr. Jerry Wascom, plant manager of Exxon Mobil. Mr. Wascom explained the
purpose and dynamics of the"Green Team" summer youth employment program, and presented a check in
the amount of$82,400 for the support of 50 participants in the program for 2000.
Mayor Moore thanked Mr. Wascom and Exxon Mobile for their continued partnership in the"Green Team"
program,stated that their contributions have been in excess of$500,000.00,and announced that there will be
a"Job Fair"this afternoon for youth interested in this program.
*Public Comment: Persons may speak on scheduled agenda items.
*Citizen comment was invited on the Consent and Regular Agenda Items
Mr.Allen Lee,5095 Maddox,addressed Council to compliment the business community for their support of
the sales tax holiday, in support of tax abatement, to complain that the City being under a"desegregation
order" will prevent prestigious companies from locating in this area and as a candidate for mayor to state
changes he would initiate in city government.
* Consent Agenda
* Approval of the minutes of the regular meeting held March 28, 2000.
* Confirmation of committee appointments: There were no committee appointments.
A) Approve the purchase of two wastewater chopper pumps for use in the Water Reclamation Plant(from
Hahn Equipment Co. in the amount of$16,009) - Resolution 00-93
B) Approve the acquisition of properties for the Concord Road Project(0.092 acre,Lots 1,2,3 and 4 of
the South Woodlawn Addition,4285 Concord,from William Taylor Priest, in the amount of$2,400;
and 0.068 acre, Lot 1, Blk 1, Lockewood Addition, 3565 French Road, from Brenda Leday, in the
amount of$16,400)- Resolution 00-94
C) Authorize a License to Encroach to Highway 105 Development, Ltd. into the utility easement off of
North Major Drive,located 14 feet east of the Major Drive right-of-way and encroaching 15 feet into
the 15-foot utility easement for a distance of 264 feet, 4750 North Major Drive)-Resolution 00-95
D) Authorize the settlement of a lawsuit(Gilbert Michael Eaves v. City of Beaumont, in the amount of
$125,000) Resolution 00-96
Councilmember Cokinos moved to approve the Consent Agenda. Councilmember Ames seconded the
motion. MOTION PASSED.
Ayes: Mayor Moore, Mayor Pro Tem Goodson, Councilmembers Cokinos, Ames,
Samuel, and Patterson
Noes: None
GENERAL BUSINESS
1. Consider adopting the revised City of Beaumont Tax Abatement Policy
Councilmember Cokinos moved to approve Resolution No.00-97 authorizing adoption of the revised
City of Beaumont Tax Abatement Policy. Councilmember Goodson seconded the motion.
MOTION PASSED.
Ayes: Mayor Moore, Mayor Pro Tem Goodson, Councilmembers Cokinos, Ames,
Samuel, and Patterson
Noes: None
COMMENTS
* Councilmembers comment on various subjects
Minutes;April 4,2000;Page 2
Councilmember Patterson reminded everyone that Thursday,April 6,2000 is the last date to register
for the May 6, 2000 election, listed dates for early voting, and encouraged voter participation. She
announced a"Neighbors in the Park"celebration at the Alice Keith Park from 3:00 p.m. - 5:00 p.m.
on Sunday,April 9,2000, congratulated the Lamar Basketball Team,welcomed Mr.Jerry Wascom,
new plant manager for Exxon-Mobil, congratulated groups receiving proclamations, thanked those
involved in promoting fair housing,and announced the"2nd Annual South Park Neighborhood Block
Party"will be held Saturday, April 8, 2000 from 1:00 p.m. - 5:00 p.m.
Councilmember Samuel commented about growth of neighborhood associations,and announced that
the Avenues Neighborhood Association will meet on Monday, April 10, 7:00 p.m., at Fletcher
Elementary, Charlton Pollard Neighborhood Association will meet next Tuesday,April 11,6:00 p.m.
at the Blessed Sacrament Church, North End Neighborhood Association will meet Thursday, April
13, 6:30 p.m., at the Willard Library, and requested that anyone who is interested in helping their
neighborhoods join in with these respective neighborhood associations.
Councilmember Ames congratulated Clean Community Director John Labrie and his employees for
their recognition and receiving a proclamation, thanked them for the breakfast celebration held this
morning, and thanked Exxon-Mobil for their contribution to the"Green Team"Program.
Councilmember Goodson recognized everyone that participated in the Spindletop 2001 Kickoff
Celebration on March 31,2000,announced that the"Relay for Life"for the American Cancer Society
will begin this weekend,and thanked Councilmembers Ames and Cokinos for attending the Amelia
Association Meeting on April 3, 2000.
Mayor Moore congratulated the Casa Group for the opening of their new facilities on Calder Avenue,
stated that he had opportunity to participate in the Learning to Read Program at Dunbar Elementary
where students received their first book,stated that he and the City Manager participated in a meeting
with young people to address the issue of getting more young people involved in the process of the
government, and said more information about this endeavor will be forthcoming in the near future.
* City Manager's Report - Walden Road Improvement Project, Neighbors in the Park, LNVA Salt
Water Barrier Project, Sales Tax Holiday Promotion and New Vision of Public Health)
The City Manager reported that the Walden Road Project will be completed earlier than expected, it
will meet the regulatory requirements,but because we are a non-containment area,we will not comply
with the Regional Transportation Study that assesses the impact on the road system and how it affects
air quality. Mr. Bonczek stated that this study is performed every three years, and is scheduled to be
completed in November of 2000, the recommendation of Planning Director Stephen Richardson, in
collaboration with the Southeast Texas Regional Planning Commission, is to keep the project area
closed off until the Metropolitan Planning Organization approves the project and scheduling. The
City Manager explained the dynamics of the Lower Neches Valley Authority Salt Water Barrier
Project,said it is a$57 million project with a$14 million local share,and based on a 1977 agreement,
there is a 19.4%contribution rate for the City, which is$2.8 million, outlined how the Public Works
Director Tom Warner derived a lower contribution rate, and stated this will be included in the water
rate study for the financial impact on rates that will be presented to Council in the future. Mr.
Bonczek reported receiving a citizen request regarding sales tax holiday promotion, and listed
Convention and Tourism promotional ideas that would generate additional sales at the least possible
Minutes;April 4,2000;Page 3
cost. The City Manager stated that he is working on an integrated healthcare system with the Health
Department. He reported that there is a 10-year financial plan that will be introduced at the Budget
Summit on May 12,where critical financial issues will be discussed,and urged anyone with questions
regarding this issue to contact him or Financial Officer Beverly Hodges.
* Public Comment (Persons are limited to three (3) minutes)
Mr. Allen Lee, 5095 Maddox, addressed Council to complain about the City not offering a reward
for the person who shot Officer James Callesto,the public comment time limit,announced he is suing
Mayor Moore for$5,000 for violations of the City's travel policy,stated that any money awarded will
be returned to the General Fund, and outlined changes he would make, if elected as mayor.
Mr. Roland Lee Davis, 535 McGovern Street, addressed Council to thank Mayor Moore for his
assistance in selling his property on McGovern Street, and asked for assistance in locating City
personnel that contacted him on March 31 at 8:45 a.m. to express interest in purchasing his property.
Mayor Moore directed Mr. Davis to speak with the City Manager at the conclusion of the meeting.
Mr.Leroy Lewis,III, 1201 Euclid,addressed Council to complain about loud music from cars driving
through the city, requested additional neighborhood police patrols, and paralleled the police
department's inability to stop loud music and solve more important crimes in the City.
Detective Sergeant Brian Skinner,president of the Beaumont Police Officers Association,addressed
Council to request Council to commit to taking care of the officers during the executive session
discussion today, spoke of the dangers officers face everyday, and expressed the BPOA's desire to
reach an amicable agreement during collective bargaining on the primary issues of increased
allocations for ballistic vests, cost of living adjustments for current and future retirees, fare wage
increases, and maintaining all current benefits.
EXECUTIVE SESSION
* Consider matters related to contemplated or pending litigation in accordance with Section 551.071
of the Government Code:
Claim of Elsalvador Mandujano
Negotiations with Beaumont Police Officers Association
There being no other business, the meeting adjourned at 2:37 p.m.
C �- 44` n:
Davi Moore, Mayor
hz
Barbara Liming, City Clerk
Minutes;April 4,2000;Page 4