HomeMy WebLinkAboutMIN APR 11 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 11,2000 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 11,2000,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 Pro Tern Goodson called the meeting to order at 1:40 p.m. City Attorney Lane Nichols gave the
invocation. Dr. Bruce Drury led the pledge of allegiance.
Present at the meeting were: Mayor Pro Tern Goodson, Councilmembers Smith, Cokinos (arrived at 1:50
p.m.), Ames, Samuel and Patterson. Mayor Moore was out of the City attending a Chamber of Commerce
Economic Development Committee Meeting with Exxon/Mobile in Irving and Trinity Industries in Dallas.
Also present were: Stephen J. Bonczek, City Manager; Lane Nichols, City Attorney; and Barbara Liming,
City Clerk.
*Presentations and Recognitions - Two proclamations were issued: March of Dimes "Walkamerica Day,"
April 15, 2000; and "National Public Safety Telecommunicators Week," April 9-15, 2000.
*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 in opposition to modifying the grades and classifications
in the Fire Department,commented on the need for additional firefighters,having every station open 24 hours
a day, and spoke of presenting a plan to pay for better fire and EMS services without taxing the citizens.
* Consent Agenda
* Approval of the minutes of the special meeting held April 4,2000,and the regular meeting held April
4, 2000.
* Confirmation of committee appointments: Appointments:Randy Daniels, Community Development
Advisory Committee, for a term expiring April 10,2002. Reappointments: Dr. George S.Hoffman,
Airport Advisory Committee, for a term expiring March 18, 2002; Paula Blazek, Community
Development Advisory Committee, for a term expiring May 13,2002; Caroline Rekoff,Community
Development Advisory Committee, for a term expiring November 4, 2000; and Dinah Bernsen,
Library Commission, for a term expiring January 31, 2002. -Resolution No. 00-98
A) Approve the purchase of Self Contained Breathing Apparatus (SCBA) and air cylinders (from Four
Alarm Fire Equipment in the amount of$19,950) - Resolution No. 00-99
B) Approve the purchase of Fire Protective Clothing(from Casco Industries in the amount of$43,760) -
Resolution No. 00-100
C) Approve a financing agreement with SunTrust Lease Corporation for financing a portion of the cost
of the Motorola wireless mobile data communications (MDC) system (for three years, with a fixed
interest rate of 5.39%, in the amount of$1,187,878.40) - Resolution No. 00-101
D) Authorize the settlement of a claim (of Elsalvador Mandujano and Gulf Coast Recycling, in the
amount of$3,887.43) - Resolution No. 00-102
Councilmember Smith moved to approve the Consent Agenda. Councilmember Ames seconded the motion.
MOTION PASSED.
Ayes: Mayor Pro Tem Goodson, Councilmembers Smith, Cokinos, Ames, Samuel,
and Patterson
Noes: None
GENERAL BUSINESS
1. Approve a modification of the Code of Ordinance Section 21-74 Grades and Classifications in the Fire
Department to upgrade one position from Grade II Driver/Operator to Grade III Fire Captain in the
Fire Training Division
Ordinance No.00-32 ENTITLED AN ORDINANCE AMENDING CHAPTER 21,SECTION 21-74 TO AMEND
THE NUMBER OF POSITIONS IN GRADES II AND III IN THE BEAUMONT FIRE DEPARTMENT,PROVIDING
FOR SEVERABILITY AND PROVIDING FOR REPEAL was introduced.
Councilmember Cokinos commented that the Fire Union is in favor of a new Captain's position,but
are against the modification of the current positions,and stated that no action should be taken on this
item until current litigation between the City and the Fire Union is resolved.
Fire Chief Bertrand responded that he is in agreement with the Union that additional personnel is
needed, commented that this request is a management issue at the training facility, not an issue of
additional personnel, and explained that this action is needed to correct pay disparity of two civil
service positions with essentially the same responsibilities where one out ranks another.
City Attorney Lane Nichols commented that reorganization of positions has been the normal practice
of the City in the past, and grievances were filed the last three times this has occurred. In two of the
three instances,the City was upheld. In the most recent incident,Mr.Nichols said the City refused to
arbitrate reclassification of positions but has agreed to arbitrate the arbitrability of this issue to
Minutes;April 11,2000;Page 2
confirm what the law and labor agreement provides. He said an arbitrator could state that the position
eliminated needs to be filled.
Mayor Pro Tern Goodson commented about balancing an inequity and not diminishing the grade and
the issue of eliminating pay disparity of two employees with essentially the same responsibilities.
The City Attorney stated that he is not suggesting that this is an inappropriate action,it is historically
what the City has done, and has just come to question in recent years.
In response to Councilmember Ames' query, Fire Chief Bertrand explained circumstances
surrounding the opening and the bid process in filling the position.
Further discussion concluded that City administration and the Fire Chief agree with the need for
additional firefighters and that six new firefighter positions will be proposed in the future.
Councilmember Smith moved to approve Ordinance No.00-32. Councilmember Ames seconded the
motion. MOTION PASSED.
Ayes: Mayor Pro Tern Goodson, Councilmembers Smith, Ames, Samuel, and
Patterson
Noes: Councilmember Cokinos
OTHER BUSINESS
* Receive report from Recycling Task Force
After introduction of the topic by the City Manager, Dr.Bruce Drury gave a history of the Recycling
Task Force and summarized the committee's report outlined in Exhibit"A." Their recommendations
include continuance of the program with an emphasis by the City to educate the public by supplying
information about date of pickups, acceptable items, and the need to recycle; extensive use of the
media to promote recycling; establishing a recycling fee as part of the monthly solid waste fee;
develop a means to record household participation and reward participants with a portion of their
monthly recycling fee, and return a proportion of the revenue derived from sale of recyclables to
participating households.
Clean Community Director John Labrie commended Task Force members for their concern and
dedication, and said he thinks they reviewed the program accurately.
COMMENTS
* Councilmembers comment on various subjects
Councilmember Patterson encouraged everyone to mail in their completed Census forms,announced
that Operation One Vote and Zeta Phi Beta Sorority will sponsor a political forum for the May 6,2000
election on Tuesday, April 18, 2000, 7:00 p.m., at the L.L. Melton YMCA to be televised on
Thursday, 7:00 p.m.on City Scope. She also announced that early voting will be held April 19-May
2, 2000 in the City Clerk's Office.
Minutes;April 11,2000;Page 3
Councilmember Samuel announced that the North End Neighborhood Association will meet April 13,
2000, 6:30 p.m., at the Willard Library, and The Heart of the City Neighborhood Association will
meet April 18, 6:30 p.m.
Councilmember Ames congratulated the volunteers honored at a luncheon held for the Library
Commission and the Literacy Program, announced that it is national volunteer week, stated that the
Recycling Task Force were all volunteers, and thanked all community volunteers for the work that
they have done.
Councilmember Smith congratulated all volunteers for their work,commented on the benefits of the
recycling program to the city, stated that the Chamber of Commerce met with 12 state committees in
Austin on April 4 and 5,and that Chamber of Commerce John Brier did an excellent job of organizing
this event.
Councilmember Patterson added that there was an awesome crowd for the South Park Neighborhood
Block Party on Saturday,thanked corporate sponsors and all those who volunteered and participated
in the Block Party, and stated that this demonstrates what a community in unity can accomplish.
Mayor Pro Tern Goodson thanked all volunteers who participated in the Relay for Life, stated that it
was a very successful fundraiser,and a testament to the support that cancer patients receive from their
family and their community.
* City Manager's Report - Municipal Tennis Court, Basketball Official Wages, Salvation Army
Housing, Green Team, BISD Facilities and 2000 Texas Water/Wastewater Rate Survey
The City Manager reported that he has received a request to upgrade tennis courts at the athletic
complex to accommodate professional tournaments,said the courts are getting a lot of water seepage
due to them being set in the ground instead of on top of the ground, and a membrane was installed
to control the seepage, but it still does not meet the standards of professional play. Proper upgrade
would cost $250,000 - $300,000, no action is currently foreseeable on this item, and is seen as a
consideration for future CIP. Mr. Bonczek reported on working in partnership with the BISD for use
oftheir facilities for after school programs,and said more information will be presented as it becomes
available. He stated that the Salvation Army requested $50,000 in CDBG monies to rehabilitate a
structure on McFaddin to be used for transitional housing,one house was completed with funds from
other sources that will house up to 8 families, and said money is available out of the Senior Multiple
Family Housing Account, and asked for Councilmember recommendations on this issue.
Councilmember Smith spoke in favor of the program and benefits to families, explained events that
led to the Salvation Army's need for additional funding,and stated that the City needs to support this
program.
The City Manager reported that the Green Team gives students summer employment opportunities,
said this year's goal is to provide jobs for 100 students,and there is approximately$20,000 budgeted
in the general fund for this program. The cost for one student is$1,800 for a total budget of$180,000
with 55 working with the City, 25 with Lamar, and 20 with the BISD. Mr. Bonczek proposed that
the General Fund supplement an additional$18,000 to add 10 more students to reach the goal of 100,
and said this item will be brought back to Council for consideration in the near future.
Minutes;April 11,2000;Page 4
Councilmember Patterson commented that this is an excellent program and a great opportunity for
youth of the City to receive training on a real job.
Mr. Bonczek reported that a statewide water/sewer rate study placed Beaumont in the top ten in the
State of Texas for low water and sewer rates using two criteria. A water study is being performed that
will probably place Beaumont below the state median for water/sewer rate charges. He stated the
Budget Summit has been rescheduled until May 19`' because of a conflict with a Chamber of
Commerce meeting. He reported that administration is in the 2001 budget process, addressed
challenges and finding various ways to raise revenues and reduce expenditures. He said the
Management team has prepared a 5%reduction budget and a 3%reduction budget, and the goal is to
have a balanced budget without the need for any property tax increase. Mr.Bonczek reported that the
Chamber of Commerce's Lobsterfest Fundraiser went well, recognized Lieutenants Singletary and
Steve Basil for winning a contest at the fundraiser,and announced that Lane Nichols will be recreating
the roll of King Herod in the play"Jesus Christ Super Star" at the Julie Rogers Theatre this week.
Councilmember Smith commented on the Children's Health Insurance Program (CHIP), gave
information regarding registration, and outlined the purpose of the program.
* Public Comment (Persons are limited to three (3)minutes)
Mr. Frank Keiffer, 3190 Willowood, addressed Council in opposition to the rainwater fee proposal,
listed County and City provisions that have been made to correct the flood problems, listed
contributing factors to flooding in Beaumont, said the City should not engage outside engineering
consultants,and stated that the Shriners Children's Hospital in Houston is funded by donations from
recycling aluminum that is discarded on the roadsides.
Mr.Allen Lee,5095 Maddox,addressed Council to state that the Operation One Vote Forum was his
idea,stated he is a friend of the Beaumont Housing Authority,and made derogatory comments about
Mr. Ernest Wilson.
Mayor Pro Tem Goodson informed Mr. Lee that the Council meeting will not be used as a forum to
attack people.
Mr. Lee continued to comment negatively about Mr. Ernest Wilson, stated that if elected Mayor he
will appoint several residents to the Housing Authority Board, disband the current Board, and
suggested that those who work in Beaumont and live outside the City pay$.20 a day.
Mr.Leroy Lewis III,addressed Council regarding loud music in his neighborhood,stated that he was
told by a Police Sergeant there is a shortage of personnel,asked how this can be corrected,and stated
that he has not received an answer to this problem.
Mayor Pro Tem Goodson directed Mr. Lewis to speak to the City Manager after the meeting to
ascertain what legally, if anything, can be done about this problem.
The City Manager stated that he has spoken with Mr. Lewis and the Chief of Police, and this is not
a new complaint. He said it is difficult to issue a ticket because an officer would have to be present
when the offense is committed in order to issue a citation.
Minutes;April 11,2000;Page 5
Ms. Dorcas F. Riley,representing residents of the Beaumont Housing Authority,addressed Council
regarding alleged corruption by the Interim Executive Director's Department, mistreatment of
residents, and to list the demands of the newly formed group "Residents for Change."
In response to Mayor Pro Tern Goodson's query,Ms.Riley stated that these issues have been provided
to the Beaumont Housing Authority.
Ms. Peggy Pierre, 1220 Avenue F, addressed Council to congratulate Councilmember Patterson on
a successful Block Party, suggested that anyone who receives any government funding be required
to participate in the recycling program, requested information from the City Manager regarding
specific compliances that the Youth Rescue Mission has met,cited an incident of a resident from the
mission desperately knocking on her door,thanked Channel 12 reporter Thomas Gandy for covering
the issue of prostitution in their area,spoke of the negatives plaguing her neighborhood,and requested
that Councilmember Samuel address these issues.
Mayor Pro Tem Goodson directed Ms. Pierre to speak with the City Manager after the meeting.
Mr.Robert Preston,990 Iowa Street,addressed Council to present a 1996 picture of a Council meeting
security guard to the City Manager and to voice complaints that included parking more than 10
minutes in front of the Civic Center.
Mr. James Lungs, 1898 Grand, addressed Council to request additional time to repair two houses he
owns that are scheduled for demolition, listed work that has been completed on the properties, was
advised of the dilapidated structure process by Mayor Pro Tern Goodson and instructed to speak with
the City Manager after the meeting.
(Councilmember Patterson left the Chamber at 3:00 p.m. and returned at 3:03 p.m.)
Ms. Margie McLoughlin, 520 Jeannette, addressed Council to commend Council and all individuals
who have performed volunteer work,stated that money should be spent on fire and police protection
instead of a tennis court,expressed appreciation for the recycling and CHIP programs,and stated that
teamwork and humility are needed to meet needs of the citizens.
Mayor Pro Tern Goodson commented that the goal is to run the Council meeting with a high level
of decorum, apologized for the earlier outburst, and stated that this is not an opportunity to use the
microphone as a venue against other individuals.
There being no other business, the meeting adjourned at 3:05 p.m.
Guy N. Goodson, Mayor Pro Tern
Barbara Liming, City Clerk
Minutes;April 11,2000;Page 6
MEMORANDUM
TO: BEAUMONT CITY COUNCIL
FROM: BRUCE DRURY, Recycling Task Force
DATE: April 11,2000
SUBJECT: Recycling Program Recottm}eudations
Beaumont's recycling program is at a crossroads. The market for recycled materials has
not developed as expected and citizen participations has declined where it was expected to
increase. These two factors motivated an examination of the program by city officials.
Clean Community Director John Labrie, in a City of Beaumont Inter-Office Memorandum
on Curbside Recycling dated October 13, 1999, offered five alternatives concerning the
recycling program(for the complete memorandum see Enclosure 1). The alternatives are:
1. Continue the prograrn as it is with a projected annual cost of$250,000.
2. Continue the program,but increase the solid waste fee by$0.65 per month per
household to cover the cost ofrogcbg.
3. Establish several manned drop-off stations throughout the city.
4. Establish several unmanned drop-off stations throughout the city.
5. Eliminate the recychug program for an ana al savings of$250,000 per year.
Although Mr. Labrie states that his department neither favors nor opposes any of the
- alternatives,his suggestion is that if Council opts to eliminate the curbside program, he
would prefer that the city experiment with alternative#3 for a period of one year.
Alternative#5, the elimination of the curbside program,would save the most money but,
he notes,would probably incite an outcry from environmentally concerned citizens. This
is a report on the views expressed at four meetings of several of those environmentally
conscious, and fiscally cognizant,citizens.
When rurnors began to circulate that the city was contemplating some change in
Beaumont's nationally renowned comprehensive recycling programs, several members of
Keep Beaumont Beautiful expressed concern. Kathleen Jackson, the Chair of KBB, and I
met with the City Manager to discuss options. Mr. Bonczek agreed to recommend that
Council delay action on the program until the Beaumont Recycling Task Force could be
reconvened to consider alternatives.
The Beaumont Recycling Task Force is an open group dating back to 1989 when it was
created by the Clean Community Commission to educate people about recycling. It
disbanded in 1993 when Beaumont's curbside recycling program was up and running. We
came back together in 1995 to write a strategic plan for a comprehensive recycling
EXHIBIT "Afl
program, one that emphasized education, recycling buying patterns and market
development. We again disbanded when Council accepted that plan in January 1996. As
before, we invited civic headers, academics, and neighborhood association leaders. and
also asked those people to invite anyone who had an interest, positive or negative, in the
recycling program. The Task Force met on January 31, February 14,February 28,and
March 13. Enclosure 2 is a list of citizens who attended at least one of the moetings.
At our last meeting on March 13 I was authorized to prepare and deliver to City Council
the consensus of the group in the form of three proposals(these proposals will be
explained and below). They are:
1. InfbnmtionproRDsal: The city should regularly send to every household current
information about the date of pickups, items accepted,and the treed to recycle. In
addition there should be more extensive use of the media.
2. : The city should establish a recycling fee as a part of
the monthly solid waste fee to ensure that the program has the financial resources
to weather the often-extreme fluctuations in the market for recycled materials.
3. Incc0 M MRQSal: The city should develop a means to record which
households are participating and return to those households each month a part
of the recycling fee as a reward for recycling. In addition the city should
return to participating households each year some proportion of the revenue
derived from the sale of recyclables.
Beaumont has a comprehensive recycling program that any city could be proud of and, in
reality, a solid waste operation that is extremely elective and efGckmL Not only does the
Clean Community Department collect newspapers, cardboard,and aluminum cans at
curbside, it also collects and recycles yard wastes(grass clippings,leaves and tree limbs),
white goods, and motor of. What we should not be proud of is the unwillingness of
Beaumont residents to put their newspaper, cardboard and drink cans in the blue bin and
take it to the curb. The setout rate for the recycling bins has never been good,but in the
past two years it has dropped below 20 percent. Truly, the response of Beaumont citizens
is a key problem,one that was addressed by the Task Force.
When recycling secured a place on the world agenda in the late 1980s, it was assumed
(and indeed industry promised) that the market for recycled materials would grow and
stabilize to the point where the income from rcey6ng program would recover a major
portion of the cost. Knowledgeable people knew then and certainly know now that such
programs would never recover 100 percent of the cost, but the deficit would be canceled
by savings in disposal costs and by intangible but important environmental benefits.
Unfortunately, low energy costs and government subsidies for virgin material production
have retarded the expected market growth for recycled materials. Thus,the income for
recycling programs has remained low and unreliable. The market for glass cullet has
virtually disappeared,tin-plated steel has remained at roughly$10 per ton,plastic has
remained at $10 per ton,newspaper has ranged from$45 per ton down to $7.50 and
cardboard has fluctuated from$50 per ton down to$5.00. Distance from recycling
industries and the absence of competition have made the problem worse in the Beaumont
than in some other areas,but the major factor seems to be the retarded devekopment of a
robust national recycling industry. The Task Force concluded that little could be done
locally about the market problem. Therefore there is a need to establish alternative
financing to keep the program going unW market vWxTdy is establisha
The Task Force agreed that,despite the problems noted above, the Beaumont recycling
program should be retained and even expanded slightly. It is the right thing to do! If
we are to leave a satisfactory environment and adequate resources for our children and
grandchildren, we must husband our resources. Burying resources in a landfill is not the
answer. Our comprehensive program for recycling metals,paper,cardboard, yard wastes
and motor oil must be retained and publicized until every citizen recognizes the value of
conservation. Blithely throwing materials away until there is a crisis is not the answer. It
may well be too late. Government officials must respect the opinions and interests of
citizens, but they also have the responsibility of leading citizens to understand and accept a
long-range perspective of societal needs.
Beaumont's comprehensive recycling program should be retained also in the interest of
economic development. Southeast Texas suff as serious economic decline from the
mid 1980s to the mid 1990s as a result of the constriction of the petrochemical industry.
If the area is to fully recover and grow,we trust have the ability to attract new industry.
One of the factors considered by businesses when they evaluate an area for locating a
facility is quality of life. If we scuttle an excellent environmental component such as our
comprehensive recycling program,we would be sending a very negative message to
prospective employers,a message that our community is not very concerned about the
environment and the long-tern welfare of our ckiwm
and publicize s a key WrtmonPnt of out co mmh� om
Some citizens said that they or their neighbors lost faith in the city's effort(and stopped
recycling) when tin cans, glass and plastic were dropped from the program in 1998. The
Task Force concluded that glass is no longer viable because of the extremely poor market
and the declining use of glass as a packaging material,but tin cans and at least one type of
plastic could be added with little difficulty. We also found that citizens are not fully aware
of the city's effort and the reasons as to why things are done as they are. The city should
regularly wend to every household current information about the date of pickups, items
accepted, and the need to recycle. In addition,there should be more extensive use of the
media to inform and encourage citizens. Furthermore, the city and the schools should set
the example for citizens and especially children by recycling office paper, cans and
cardboard. We must convince the people of Beaumont that conservation, the whole
package, is the right thing to do and that the city is committed and serious.
The Task Force recd mends that the city=lo=a recycling fee a g lW of the
monthly.solid w;ste &. This would ensure that the program has the financial resources
r-T'hT a007 P/bCJ
to weather the often-extreme fluctuations in the market for recycled materials,and it
would provide the Anxis needed to inform citizens about the program and to mourage
them to recycle. The$3.00 per month street user fee has enabled the city to make
significant improvements to major arteries and residential streets. Many citizens did not
irmoDdiately recognize the wisdom of that decision(but now do). We believe they will
also recognize the necessity 5or a recycling fee.
cay 3WuW reword those houshokis tbat M&ip= in dK ss;ftdk MSU S
R The city should develop a means to record those households that have put
recyclables at the curb on the pick-up day. This information could then be entered into the
accounting system, with a programming change that assigns a credit to the account of
each household that has participated in the program at least once during that month. The
credit would be small, but it would serve as an incentive for citizens to develop the habit
of recycling. In addition,the city should return to partiipating households each year some
proportion of the revemte derived from the sale of recyclables.
The members of the Recycling Task Force recognize the problems confronting
Beaumont's recycling program,but we think that the long-term environmental and
resource considerations otrtweigh the short-term factors. Our oomprehensive program for
recycling newspapers,cardboard,alummum cans,yard waste,white goods,and motor oil
must be maintained for the welfare of our children and their children.
Endasara 2
Recycling Task Force Participants
Margaret Aycock Gulf Coast Environ. Lib.
Jayne Bordelon B.I.S.D. and KBB
Paula Bothe Beaumont Chamber of Commerce
Rev. Dwight Benoit Neighborhood Association
Andrew Cokinos Beaumont City Council
Jon Curless GCHSRC and KBB
Bruce Drury IAmar University and KBB
Michael Foster SETRPC
Ron Goodman Neighborhood Association
Roberta Howard Retired Citizen
Marvin Howe Orange Environmentalist
Kathleen Jackson Exxon-Mobil and KBB
Dwayne Keeling Neighborhood Association
John Labrie Clean Community Department
Acne Landry DuPont
William Lee Entergy and KBB
Vincent Mannino JciT Co. Ag Ext, Service
K
iichael Mattes Federal Prison Counselor
Nelson Mouton Neighborhood Association
David Ofiver Clean Community Department
Ed Stedman Gulf Coast Recycling
Jolene Ortcgo B_I.S.D.
Harvey Stuessel Neighborhood Association
Joan Stuesscl Neighborhood Association
James True LAUM University
Kathryn Walker Social Security Admin.and KPB