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Home My WebLink AboutMIN JUNE 4 1996 REGULAR SESSION CITY COUNCIL - CITY OF BEAUMONT HELD JUNE 411996 - 1 :30 P.M. BE IT REMEMBERED that the City Council of the City of Beaumont, Texas, met in regular session this the 4th day of June, 1996, with the following present: HONORABLE: David W. Moore Mayor Andrew P. Cokinos Mayor Pro Tern Councilman-At Large Becky Ames Councilman-At-Large Lulu L. Smith Councilman, Ward I Guy N. Goodson Councilman, Ward II John K. Davis Councilman, Ward III Bobbie Patterson Councilman, Ward IV Ray A. Riley City Manager Lane Nichols City Attorney Barbara Liming Deputy City Clerk -000- The Invocation was given by Ms. Nan Nelson, Lay Chaplain from Saint Matthew's Episcopalian Chaplaincy at Lamar University. The Pledge of Allegiance was led by Troop 221 Scouts Trevor Baldwin, Joshua Baldwin, Michael Whitsitt, Ari Hyman, Daniel Hyman, C. Maggard, Aaron Moncla, Brandon Moncla, Jeremy Garza and Eric Webster, who are completing requirements for their Citizenship in the Community merit badges. -000- Mayor Moore announced that an executive session will be conducted following the regular session of City Council in accordance with Section 551.074 of the Government Code to consider the appointment or employment of a public officer or employee: specifically the City Clerk. -000- One Proclamation was issued: "Management Week," June 2-8, 1996. 183 June 4, 1996 Dr. C. L. Pentecost, accompanied by other community leaders, introduced Mr. Abdourahamane Conte,' a member of the President's Cabinet in French Guinea and the Secretary of Commerce and Foreign International Trade, who is visiting Beaumont. Mayor Moore and City Council welcomed and acknowledged Mr. Conte' and presented him with a Beaumont Honorary Citizenship Card, a Key to the City of Beaumont and a gift from City Council in commemoration of his visit to Beaumont. Mr. Conte' addressed Council in the French language and presented the Mayor with a video entitled, "Guinea Land of Wonders," produced by the Ministry of Commerce, Transportation and Tourism. Dr. Pentecost paraphrased Mr. Conte's remarks for Council. He said that Mr. Conte' is delighted to be in Beaumont, is very impressed with the hospitality, wants his capital city and all of French Guinea to cooperate in trade and friendship and stated that products of his country are diamonds, bauxite, bananas, rice and various other exports. He said that during World War II, his country cooperated with U. S. Armed Forces by providing them with beef cattle. Dr. Pentecost said that Mr. Conte' will be visiting the Port of Beaumont and Lamar University while in Beaumont and said that he is very impressed with Beaumont--the friendship and friendliness of the citizens, the Port, Lamar University and the area in general, and that he looks forward to cooperation between French Guinea and Beaumont and emphasized that French Guinea is a peaceful country. Councilman Smith suggested the possibility of French Guinea joining in the Sister City Program and Mr. Conte' attending a Sister City Commission meeting Thursday, if his schedule permits. -000- Citizen comment was invited on the Consent Agenda and Main Agenda. No one wished to address these subjects. -000- The following Consent Agenda items were considered: Approval of the Minutes of the City Council meeting held May 28, 1996; Resolution No. 96-137 authorizing a License to Encroach for the main residence at 695 Belvedere Drive to encroach onto a 10' utility easement along the southern portion of Lot 2, Block 14 of the Mary Howell Third Addition, encompassing approximately 93 square feet, is 24.42' long and transitions from 3.4' on the west side to 4.2' on the east, at the request of owner, James Gonzales, for a one-time fee of$500.00; Resolution No. 96-138 authorizing an annual contract with Coastal Products and Chemicals for sodium bisulfite at$.98 per gallon for an estimated total expenditure of$21,560.00 for use at the Water Reclamation Plant for wastewater treatment; 184 June 4, 1996 Resolution No. 96-139 authorizing a contract with American Remediation Options to mow both developed and vacant property in the amount of $1.09 per 1000 square feet for the Clean Community Division; and Resolution No. 96-140 authorizing settlement of the claim of James Lamotte in the amount of $10,000.00. The Consent Agenda was approved on a motion made by Councilman Davis and seconded by Councilman Patterson. Question: Ayes: All Nayes: None -000- Resolution No. 96-141 authorizing a contract with Regal Food Service, Inc. to furnish approximately 785 lunches per day for the Parks and Recreation Department's Summer Food Service Program at $1.8795 per lunch for an approximate total cost of $64,917.93 that will be reimbursed to the City by the Texas Department of Human Services from U. S. Department of Agriculture funding was approved on a motion made by Councilman Smith and seconded by Councilman Davis. Question: Ayes: All Nayes: None -000- A presentation of the Royal Street Drainage Project was made to Council by Public Works Director Tom Warner. Mr. Warner explained that the City and the Beaumont Independent School District originally agreed to cooperatively split the costs for relocation of a 21 inch storm sewer pipe around the proposed Martin Luther King, Jr. Middle School complex. However, after further review, it was found to be in the best interest of the City to design and construct a 5' x 5' box around the school complex on Craig Street and extend it to the outfall on MLK Boulevard as described in an attached exhibit. Mr. Warner said the project should be out for bids by mid July, construction begin in August and completed by November. Mr. Warner reported that at the next Planning and Zoning Commission meeting, a request will be made to abandon Avenue B right-of-way from Blanchette to Craig Street and Royal Street from Avenue A to Avenue C. In response to questions, Mr. Riley said the project would be funded as Capital Improvement Program and Mr. Warner explained that it is planned that everything in the Box bounded by school property would be behind the back curb or behind the ditch with an easement obtained from the School District and the only place barely into the street would be from Avenue A to MLK in an effort to minimize any impact on the neighborhood. The City Manager commented about the very good working relationship between the City and the Beaumont Independent School District and said that this expanded project beyond relocation better serves the citizens of Beaumont and use of their tax dollars by the two entities working together in this project. Mayor Moore further amplified that all the funding is taxpayers' money and better utilization of that money can come from cooperative efforts that not 185 June 4, 1996 only improve the school and city, but the neighborhood also, and that by expansion of this project up-front, costs should be less in the long-run because of maintenance expense. -000- Councilman Patterson thanked everyone for the support she has received during her first year as Councilman for Ward IV and and said she has learned a lot. Councilman Ames thanked Kyle Hayes for his assistance and follow-up of approximately ten citizen inquiries. Councilman Goodson reported that the ACORN Neighborhood Association meeting held last night in the Amelia area was very good, thanked the Police Department and Officer Crystal Holmes for a great presentation, said the group continues to grow into a viable neighborhood association, and relayed that after review of their former request for a neighborhood park, they would like a community park in Amelia that would have broader based facilities to serve not only small children, but teens and families. Councilman Goodson said he would appreciate Staff assistance with an updated report to submit to them later this summer. Councilman Smith expressed appreciation to all of City Staff for prompt investigations and reports to Council and added that in planning activity centers for the city, the Amelia area should be considered because there are not many facilities there. Councilman Davis supported Councilman Smith's thought and expressed a desire that such amenities would be all inclusive for Beaumont. Mayor Moore added that it would be great if a center could be built for every quadrant of the community and that a challenge is presented to provide the best possible facilities. Mayor Moore shared that a Council Retreat will begin June 18 for a time of discussion of ideas and encouraged citizens to share ideas for consideration with their Councilmembers, congratulated the positive activity of the neighborhood associations, thanked Staff for exceptional recent responsiveness to projects and information provided Council, added thanks for the signage resolution on Lucas and to those who have been working on the connector between Phelan and Laurel. Lastly, Mayor Moore extended wishes for a Happy Birthday to his mother! Mayor Pro Tem Cokinos inquired about the status of the problem with the railroad tracks on Calder and the dip on Martin Luther King Parkway at Calder. Mr. Warner reported that the railroad company is waiting for delivery of crossing materials to finish their repair and said City concerns about the dip at Calder have been expressed to the Department of Transportation and they are looking at the matter now. -000- Ms. Peggy Shields, 2180 McFaddin, informed Council that she had a car/train accident on April 23,. 186 June 4, 1996 thanked Mayor Moore for his assistance and said she has been in contact with Kyle Hayes, Jim Cline and Chris Hugon and thinks a crossing arm or flashing lights should be installed at the Cedar Street tracks. Ms. Shields explained she was informed that certain criteria had to be met before installation of a crossing arm or flashing would be merited, and she learned today that her accident was not reported to the Texas Department of Transportation, nor another accident of a friend. She requested that all data be correctly routed for this request to be put on a priority list for consideration. Mayor Moore asked Staff to investigate the procedure for reporting, and Ms. Shields told him that the Police Department turns in the report to Jim Cline who notifies the Department of Public Safety who contacts the Texas Department of Transportation. Mrs. Jane Hebert, 295 Parkway, addressed Council as a member of the South Park Neighborhood Association and Citizens on Patrol. Mrs. Hebert explained the Citizens on Patrol program and announced a garage sale will be held Saturday from 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. at the Fair Park North Exhibit Building with proceeds to be used for equipment. Mr. Ivory Pugh, 5750 Stanford, addressed Council to complain that his son was stopped by a Policeman on a dark, unlighted portion Bigner Road to discuss tickets and warrants of another son. Mr. Pugh said he did get the Police Report he requested last week, but complained of other procedures and said he is waiting for another Police Report and further discussed his son's arrest, incarceration and alleged abusive treatment by Police Officers and requested assistance. Mrs. Beverly Ballou, manager of Plymouth Village Apartments, addressed Council to speak of the improvements at the complex during her tenure of 5 '/ months as manager and compared her thoughts of the complex operation to those of a citizen, claimed the citizen's version to be untrue, stated her beliefs against drug usage, thanked Mayor Moore for his letter and spoke to Councilman Davis about a grant for playground equipment for the children. Mr. Evan Bowers, 2210 Ives, addressed Council regarding an answer to his request of last week and was invited by Mayor Moore to meet with him after Council. Mr. Bowers added comments of street conditions at Delaware and Renaud and admonished Council to investigate. -000- There being no further business, the meeting was recessed to reconvene in executive session. -000- 1, Barbara Liming, Deputy City Clerk of the City of Beaumont, Texas, certify that the above is a true copy of the Minutes of the regular City Council session held June 4, 1996. Barbara Liming Deputy City Clerk 187 June 4, 1996 The City and the Beaumont Independent School District(BISD)have been working cooperatively on° number of projects over the past year. One such pr-sect involves the relocation of storm sk piping around the proposed Martin Luther King 4iddle School complex. A 21 inch storm sewer pipe currently lies under the proposed expansion site. The BISD wants to relocate the pipe and has requested that the City participate in the effort. The City and the BISD agreed to split the costs associated with the storm sewer relocations resulting from the abandonment of Royal Street from Avenue A to Avenue C and Ave B from Blanchette to Craig. (See attached map). The original plan called for the relocation and installation of 2,150 feet of 36 inch pipe and 650 feet of 24 inch pipe. The estimated cost was $305,000,with each entity paying$152,500. After the Engineering Division began the design phase, it became apparent that the scope of the work needed to change in order to tie-in with the planned Royal Street Outfall project. The Royal Street Outfall project is listed in the 1996 Capital Improvement Program(CIP)as a project for which future consideration will be given for feasibility or need. After further review,it is in the City's best interest to design and construct a 5'x Y box around the Martin Luther King Jr. School complex on Craig Street and extend it down to the outfali on MLK Boulevard. A 5'x 5'box is necessary for tying-in with the future plans of the Royal Street Outfall project mentioned above. The total estimated cost of the project is between$650,000- $700,000. The BISD portion would remain the same at$152,500. If approved by Council,the project design and construction will be a current project in the Capital Improvement Program. If the City works together with the BISD,two objectives will be achieved. First,the BISD can move forward with plans to expand the MLK Middle School complex which will be an asset to the entire City. Second,the City can relocate the storm sewer pipe while tying into the City's future plans for relieving drainage problems surrounding the area of MLK Boulevard,Franklin Street,and Irma Street. pill ' , 4 ' • ''''� L✓ 7 h� n. 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