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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMIN JUNE 18 1996 REGULAR SESSION CITY COUNCIL - CITY OF BEAUMONT HELD JUNE 18, 1996 - 1 :30 P.M. BE IT REMEMBERED that the City Council of the City of Beaumont, Texas, met in regular session this the 18th 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 the Reverend Dwight Benoit, Magnolia Baptist Church. The Pledge of Allegiance was led by Mr. Tony Jones. -000- Mayor Moore read a Certificate of Appreciation in recognition of Mr. Jack Riley that congratulated him for his courage and determination, his commitment and dedication to educating the world about the horrors of cancer and emphasizing the importance of research into cures for this deadly disease. Mayor Moore commended Mr. Riley for his dedication and extraordinary journey of 3,300 miles from California to Georgia and presented him with an Honorary Citizenship Card. Mr. Riley said he participated as an Olympic Torchbearer for San Francisco and decided to run, bike and swim his torch the entire 3,300 miles to the Olympic Stadium. Mr. Riley is a cancer survivor and said he wants to be part of finding a final answer to the cure for cancer. -000- Mayor Moore announced that an executive session will be conducted following the regular 196 June 18, 1996 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- 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 June 11, 1996; Resolution No. 96-153 authorizing an annual contract with Transit Mix Concrete and Materials Co. to furnish ready mix concrete for the Streets and Drainage Division and the Water Utilities Department in the amount of$54.00 per cubic yard with an addition or deduction of$4.00 per sack depending on the ratios of cement used in the ready mix for an estimated annual cost of $54,000.00; and Resolution No. 96-154 authorizing purchase of two four-door Taurus sedans through the State of Texas Cooperative Purchasing Program for use by Code Enforcement Officials in the amount of$14,644.00 each for a total of$29,188.00. The Consent Agenda was approved on a motion made by Councilman Smith and seconded by Councilman Ames. Question: Ayes: All Nayes: None -000- Resolution No. 96-155 authorizing an historical tax exemption on the improvements of the "Fertitta Building" located at 615-35 Park Street for a period of ten years at the request of Greg Saleme, president of Gulf Sierra Enterprises, Inc., who wishes to renovate the building to use as a restaurant and barbershop was approved on a motion made by Mayor Pro Tem Cokinos and seconded by Councilman Davis. Question: Ayes: All Nayes: None -000- Resolution No. 96-156 authorizing an historical tax exemption for the "San Augustine Building located at 695 Park Street for a period of ten years at the request of Greg Saleme, president of 197 June 18, 1996 Gulf Sierra Enterprises, Inc., who wishes to renovate the building for use as office space was approved on a motion made by Councilman Smith and seconded by Councilman Patterson. Question: Ayes: All Nayes: None -000- Resolution No. 96-157 authorizing a contract with the National Development Council (NDC) for renovation and redevelopment of the Hotel Beaumont facility from 90 to 136 rooms for continued use as an elderly residential facility, to preserve and improve an historic structure and to stimulate reinvestment in the downtown area was introduced. Mr. Riley explained that the National Development Council is a 501© (3) non-profit corporation specializing in economic development technical assistance and project development and has proposed to proceed as the developer for renovation and redevelopment of Hotel Beaumont. He said the NDC has been involved in numerous redevelopment projects and referred to a brochure about the Windsor Hotel in Abilene that has been completely rehabilitated by the NDC. Mr. Riley said that the contract would be for a period of 12 months and provides for the NDC to act as the developer with payment of$5,400 per month, and said they would move forward with all the planning, the entire scheme of financing, designing and redeveloping the building. He said the City will not be involved in ownership; NDC will actually acquire the building, be responsible for the developed concept, financial arrangements and all design, bidding and construction of the project. He explained that project planning is about at 95% complete at this time, but if it should prove unfeasible, the City may cancel the contract with a 60-day notice, but said he feels this project is viable, will enhance the downtown area, be a solution to a safety concern of the building and encourage economic development in the Central Business District. Thorough Council discussion included current ownership of Hotel Beaumont, possibility of future financial assistance and obligation, establishment of a periodic report to Council of the status of spending and progress of the project, the City funding only pre-development costs, non-profit status versus a for-profit organization, uses of the building, explanation of the Central Business District being a major part of the taxing entity that needs reinvestment to avoid a blight situation, the specific departments of the City that will be working on this project, support of the renovation and appreciation to those working to make this project do-able, concern that someone might purchase the property at a low price and then sell for a profit and provisions to eliminate such an occurance, and specifics of the residents that might inhabit the facility and expected rates. Mayor Moore expressed a desire to know if the development includes anticipated rates and the planned diversity and inclusion of inhabitants of the hotel before voting on the issue. The City Manager said these specific decisions have not been addressed, but will be in a short time after approval of the project. He said that information will be available before construction, but the next step is for the City to approve the project. Mayor Moore further expressed his desire that this project will be developed for access by everyone and not restricted by economics because of some local government participation and said he would prefer not to vote on the item until there is some level of commitment. 198 June 18, 1996 Resolution No. 96-157 was approved on a motion made by Councilman Smith and seconded by Councilman Davis. Question: Ayes: Mayor Pro Tem Cokinos Nayes: None Councilman Ames Councilman Smith Councilman Goodson Councilman Davis Councilman Patterson Abstained: Mayor Moore -000- Mayor Pro Tem Cokinos commented about placement of a statue of the Rogers' brothers at the Art Museum. Councilman Ames reported that her husband was involved in a traffic accident this past week and commended the Police Department, Fire Department and EMS for their professional and quick response to the needs of the situation. Councilman Davis suggested that on certain Planning and Zoning issues that are known to be exceptional ahead of time, that all available information be submitted so that Council can digest the information and understand the subject not only on a "short-term perspective, but a long-term perspective" pertaining to the total picture to stay on course with a plan of action. Councilman Patterson extended an invitation to attend Concerts in the Park at Alice Keith Park Thursday, June 20th, commended Planning Department for efforts already expended in preparing a land use study for Ward IV and questioned the final date for completion of the study. Mr. Richardson said the study should be completed and ready to workshop with the Planning Commission and City Council by mid-July. Mayor Moore added congratulations to the citizens who participated in the Men of Vision dedication for the Rogers brothers this past week, thanked Mayor Pro Tem Cokinos and Councilman Davis for their participation, said he was represented at the function by his wife and reports are that it was a touching and deserving dedication. Mayor Pro Tem Cokinos expressed appreciation to Ann and Tipton Golias for their work with the ceremony. -000- Former Mayor Evelyn M. Lord, 1240 Nottingham; Mrs. Carol Gerta, 5880 Gladys; Mrs. Carol 199 June 18, 1996 Flatten, 5955 Ventura; Mrs. Chrissie Joyner, 6020 Suzanne Court; Mr. Lucas Petkovsek, 5575 Duff Street; and Mr. Naaman Woodland, 5640 North Circuit Drive; addressed Council in support of naming the new library that will be built in the north end of Beaumont the "Louise Loomis Memorial Branch Library" because of Ms. Loomis' love and dedicated life of service to the library, to her neighborhood that is within a mile of the anticipated library, her church and the City of Beaumont. They enumerated the qualities of her life of volunteer service to the community that maker her deserving of this honor. Also, Mrs. Lord and Mrs. Joyner said the Library Commission voted unanimously recently to recommend naming the library after Louise Loomis. Mrs. Pat Willard, 2835 Palestine Street; Mr. David Willard, 1301 15th Street Northwest, Washington, D.C.; and Mrs. Mary Ellen Hunt, 109 West Caldwood Drive; addressed Council in support of naming the new library at East Lucas Drive and Helbig Road after the late Mr. Elmo R. Willard, III as a tribute of his commitment to making Beaumont a better community for all Southeast Texans, his role in desegregation; his dedicate life to the practice of law principally to African American citizens who had no legal representation of their rights; because it will be located in Mr. Willard's boyhood neighborhood and because of his leadership in working for the rights and freedom for all people in the spirit of a peace maker. Mr. Charles Johnson, (5080 Helbig Road), addressed Council to express appreciation for handling of an Internal Review matter, shared his experience at the Internal Review meeting and complained about the procedure and asked for further investigation into the process told Council that he and his sons just came from the library and have a bundle of books for them to read. Councilman Davis expressed appreciation for the manner in which Mr. Johnson presented his complaint and Mayor Moore told Mr. Johnson that Library Director Maurine Gray reported 857 children enrolled in the Library Reading Program about ten days ago. Mr. Gerald Johnson, (3655 Crestwood), addressed Council to read a statement about hurricanes and shared his belief that Beaumont is not susceptible to storm surges caused by a hurricane and that Beaumont is secure and full of buildings to safely house citizens during a hurricane. Mr. Tony Jones, 3715 East Lucas, addressed Council to request installation of sidewalks to allow the elderly and handicapped access to the new library, signage, street striping, construction of a bus shelter near the library, spoke of overdue appointments to the Transit Advisory Committee, and commented about a bus route request of last week to the Greentree Apartments on French Road.. Mr. Bill Wilson, Route 2, Box 2100, addressed Council to comment that both individuals presented as nominees for naming the new library are worthy, spoke of his work during the past two years on a development off Sarah Street and Fannett Road, said studies indicate the area needs quality, affordable housing, and said resistance has been met by the community because of a misconception that the development will be a "housing project" and stated that it is designed as a town home development. Mr. Wilson requested Council help, input, and support to give good development procedures and good quality homes for everyone. 200 June 18, 1996 Mr. Marty Roberson, 6920 Shanahan, addressed Council as president of Beaumont Main Street in appreciation for the leadership in addressing the Beaumont Hotel renovation project and spoke of a luncheon meeting facilitated by Beaumont Main Street last year with the City Manager and Councilmembers in attendance and expressed appreciation for the City Manager's quick action and leadership from that time to making the renovation a possibility, said the future of senior citizen downtown housing, restoration of historical buildings and significant outside capital in Beaumont seems secure and again thanked Council for leadership and support. Ms. Glenda Dent, 2070 Harriot, addressed Council to thank Councilman Patterson for assistance in getting the ditches cleaned in her neighborhood. Mr. Tony Sacker, 4635 Elmherst, addressed Council to speak about minority businesses receiving a portion of contracts funded by Community Development Block Grant monies and complained that one of the contractors used in building homes in the Charlton-Pollard Neighborhood Revitalization Program is going directly to the manufacturer for kitchen appliances and by passing local merchants. Mr. Julian Alfara, 295 Greeves, addressed Council to ask for additional time to complete demolition of property at 720 Lee Street, said he has been granted an extension, but still needs more time because he is removing the structure by himself. Mayor Moore advised Mr. Alfara to speak with Staff after the meeting. -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 18,1996. Barbara Liming Deputy City Clerk 201 June 18, 1996