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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMIN AUG 19 1997 M I N U T E S . CITY OF BEAUMONT Lulu L.Smith DAVID W. MOORE, MAYOR Becky Ames,Mayor Pro Tem Guy N.Goodson CITY COUNCIL MEETING Andrew P.Cokinos John K.Davis AUGUST 19,1997 Bobbie J. Patterson Lane Nichols,City Attorney Ray A. Riley,City Manager Patrice Fogarty,City Clerk The City Council of the City of Beaumont, Texas, met in a regular session on August 19, 1997, at the City Hail 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. Pastor Daniel Dark, Westwood Bible Church, gave the invocation. Mr. Greg Shepard of Entergy Corporation led the pledge of allegiance. Present at the meeting were: Mayor Moore, Mayor Pro Tem Ames, Councilmembers Smith, Goodson, Cokinos, Davis, and Patterson. Also, present were Ray A. Riley, City Manager; Lane Nichols, City Attorney; Patrice Fogarty, City Clerk; and Barbara Liming, Deputy City Clerk. *Presentations and Recognition One Proclamation was issued recognizing the selfless work performed by the teenagers at "Daybreak Residential Center and Daybreak Interagency Youth Services at Life Resource." Christopher Dobbs noticed that Mrs. Maggie Woodard, a ninety-four year old widow with no family in this area, was attempting to cut her grass with an old hoe. Christopher and nine teenagers from the Center returned the following day with proper gardening tools and finished her yard, then into the house to see where they could be of service. Proclamations were given to Carol Howell, Public Relations Coordinator for Life Resource, Mrs. Maggie Woodard, and teenagers Asmar Guillory, Roxanne Mitchell, Angela Staffa, Marcus Biscamp, Christopher Dobbs, Thomas Stone Tiffany Norman, Quincee Spencer, Lynette Palmer and Gabe Carry. Mayor Moore and Council applauded the good deeds of the teens, and Mayor Moore in his acknowledgment expressed pride and appreciation to the young people for their kindness to Mrs. Woodard and a confidence in them for the future. A presentation was given by Entergy Corporation and Beaumont Main Street. Mr. Marty Roberson of Beaumont Main Street spoke of the outstanding partnership between Beaumont Main Street and Entergy's Team City Program. He said that when Beaumont was awarded Main Street designation in 1992 by the Texas Historical Commission, clearly defined partnerships were needed to meet the demand of required revitalization efforts. He said that Entergy's Team City Program has provided both financial and technical support and leadership for the success seen in downtown . The Team City Partnership is celebrating ten years of success that brings members of the private and public sectors together to accomplish development goals of the community. He said there are forty-seven Team City communities in the Texas service area of Entergy, and that BUILD, Inc., known as Beaumont Main Street, received Team City designation in 1989. Since then, much has been accomplished by volunteers under the leadership of John Bordelon and Carolyn Motl. Highlighting some of the involvement of Entergy with Beaumont Main Street in their role, Mr. Roberson mentioned production of the Downtown Business and Professional Directory, recruitment of the U. S. Postal Service Encoding Center, their marketing package supporting the downtown area, creation of partnership with the Jefferson Theatre Preservation Society, the Lamar University publication entitled The Potential for Upper Floor Housing Development in Downtown Beaumont, redevelopment of Hotel Beaumont, servicing of loans, and since 1992, said with the substantial changes in the employment structure of downtown, there have 691 jobs created. He thanked Entergy and the City Council for their roles in this development. Ms. Carolyn Motl said it is a pleasure Entergy to be in partnership with the City of Beaumont and Main Street that serves as the vehicle for their Team City Program, and said they look out for the best interests of all of Beaumont and want to help make things happen for economic and community development. She spoke of this being the tenth year anniversary of the Team City Program and said they are coming before each entity that participates in the program to express appreciation in being a continued partner. Mr. Greg Shepard and Ms. Mob presented Mayor Moore, on behalf of the City of Beaumont, and Ms. Carolyn Howard, representing Beaumont Main, framed Team Work posters in commemoration of their anniversary and partnership with the City of Beaumont and Beaumont Main Street. She presented an anniversary cake and brochures announcing their anniversary celebration at the annual Team City Conference to be held September 3 and 4, at Del Lago and encouraged registration for the conference. *Public Comment: Citizens were invited to comment on the Consent Agenda and Main Agenda Items 1 through 4. No one wished to address these subjects. CONSENT AGENDA The following consent agenda items were considered: * Approval of the minutes of the regular meeting held August 12, 1997; * Confirmation of committee appointments - Resolution No. 97-184 Minutes;8/19/97;Page 2 A) Authorize the execution of a Pipeline License Agreement with Centana intrastate Pipeline Company - Resolution No. 97-185 B) Authorize the settlement of a lawsuit (Reginald Sorrell v. City of Beaumont et al in the amount of$16,000) - Resolution No. 97-186 Councilmember Cokinos moved to approve the Consent Agenda. Mayor Pro Tem Ames seconded the motion. MOTION PASSED. Ayes: Mayor Moore, Mayor Pro Tem Ames, Councilmembers Smith, Goodson, Cokinos, Davis, and Patterson Noes: None GENERAL BUSINESS 1. Consider authorizing a finance agreement for the purchase of a Gradall excavating machine; Councilman Smith moved to approve Resolution No. 97-187 authorizing a five-year contract with First Bank and Trust for financing a Gradall Model XL4100 6x4 excavator at a fixed interest rate of 4.95% at a total cost of$252,514.95. Councilman Goodson seconded the motion. MOTION PASSED. Ayes: Mayor Moore, Mayor Pro Tem Ames, Councilmembers Smith, Goodson, Cokinos, Davis, and Patterson Noes: None 2. Consider approving the purchase of three mini-excavators for use in the Water Utilities Department; Councilmember Cokinos moved to approve Resolution No. 97-188 authorizing purchase of three mini-excavators from Mustang Rental Services in the amount of $113,655.00. Councilmember Davis seconded the motion. MOTION PASSED. Ayes: Mayor Moore, Mayor Pro Tem Ames, Councilmembers Smith, Goodson, Cokinos, Davis, and Patterson Noes: None Minutes;8/19/97;Page 3 3. Consider approving a contract for the relocation of a 20"water line along West port Arthur Road; Councilmember Patterson moved to approve Resolution No. 97-189 accepting the $100,367 bid of Norman Highway Construction for relocation of the water line along West Port Arthur Road serving the Prison Complex. Councilmember Smith seconded the motion. MOTION PASSED. Ayes: Mayor Moore, Mayor Pro Tem Ames, Councilmembers Smith, Goodson, Cokinos, Davis, and Patterson Noes: None 4. Consider approving a contract for collection agency services for Municipal Court and the Cash Management Division; Councilmember Smith moved to approve Resolution No. 97-190 accepting bids from International Collection Consortium, LTD in the amount of 19.5% for collection services on accounts for Cash Management and Municipal Services Bureau in the amount of 21.9% for Municipal Court . Councilmember Davis seconded the motion. MOTION PASSED. Ayes: Mayor Moore, Mayor Pro Tem Ames, Councilmembers Smith, Goodson, Cokinos, Davis, and Patterson Noes: None 5. PUBLIC HEARING: Proposed FY 1998 Operating Budget and Capital Program; The City Manager reported that the total proposed budget is $125,893,200 with anticipated expenditures of$70,498,200 from the General and Debt Service funds, $25,648,000 from Enterprise funds, $9,810,500 from Special Revenue funds and $19,936,500 from Internal Service funds. He said the budget is in accordance with the Charter and provides for the current tax rate of$.615 per$100. A public hearing to receive comments regarding the proposed FYI 998 Operating Budget and Capital Program was opened at 2:08 p.m. Mr. David Bernsen, on behalf of Partnership of Southeast Texas (POST), addressed Council to review the organization's activities concerning economic development for a nine county area, to explain their program, and to announce the creation of 350 jobs with the decision of Norcross Industries to locate their facility in Nederland. Mr. Bernsen emphasized the importance of working together regionally and asked consideration of$25,000 to be placed in the FY98 budget for support of POST. Minutes;8119197;Page 4 Mayor Moore and Councilmembers individually commended POST efforts in soliciting and securing Norcross Industries, thanked them for cooperatively working with the City of Beaumont, complimented their success in attracting jobs to our community through their economic development efforts, concurred that we should think and work together regionally because the whole area benefits with decisions for company location in the Golden Triangle Mayor Moore greeted former Councilmember Bob Lee, a member of today's audience. Mr. Lynn DeMary, 430 East Elgie, told Council that citizens are happy to hear good services will continue to be offered to the community without additional taxes or increases in rates in this budget, said that with the completion of several street and sewer construction, perhaps new projects can be entered into next year and thanked Council for doing a good job with Beaumont's infrastructure. Ms. Rebecca Woodland, Executive Director of the Beaumont Heritage Society, thanked Council for a long-time partnership and financial assistance and reviewed programs they are able to provide the community. Mr. Brian Smith, Director of the Texas Energy Museum, thanked Council for support through the hotel-motel taxes and expressed appreciation for future support. Mr. Jeffrey York, Executive Director of the Art Museum of Southeast Texas, spoke of the importance of the arts and humanities and thanked the City for supportive assistance in providing a great quality of life for citizens. Ms. Gwen Mercer, representing Ann Creswell, president of the Jefferson Theater Preservation Society, thanked Council for past support and ongoing efforts to keep the theater in operation and for being good downtown neighbors. Ms. Mercer expressly thanked City of Beaumont Water Utilities workers for quick response and repair of a water line problem in front of the Jefferson Theater recently and said they are now in full momentum and "on with the show!" Ms. Barbara Knight, Executive Director of the Beaumont Arts Council, spoke of positive remarks heard today, of Beaumont and the region coming together and the arts and humanities making an impact on the region. She stated that statistics show nearly '/ million people will be impacted by their program and thanked Council for continued support of their endeavors. There being no one else to address Council, the public hearing was closed at 2:32 p.m. COMMENTS Minutes;8119/97;Page 5 *Councilmembers comment on various matters: Councilmember Davis reported a very productive meeting of the Avenues Neighborhood Association that he, Mayor Moore and Councilmember Cokinos attended, commended the Police Department for their efforts in helping to bring down the crime rate in Beaumont, requested continued support of Carolyn Howard, Marty Roberson and Beaumont Main Street and complimented their organization. Mayor Moore welcomed the new Kelly High School principal and his wife, Mr. and Mrs. Michael Collins, thanked Mr. Riley and staff for making another day of swimming possible at the Alice Keith pool before it is demolished, announced a Public Safety Forum that will be held at 6:00 p.m. tonight at the Civic Center where there will several displays, speakers and opportunity for expression of views. He spoke of the partnership and role of Beaumont Main Street in downtown development, the City's aim at leveraging dollars for the most impact, complimented the art and humanity programs offered to Beaumont citizens, said we have a lot to be proud of in our community, welcomed City Clerk Patrice Fogarty back to Council after surgery, acknowledged the accomplishment of Mayor Nagle and the City of Nederland in successfully attracting Norcross to locate in their city and congratulated the group at Sprott Park and the midnight basketball program. * Public Comment (Persons are limited to 3 minutes) Mrs. Cindy Johnson, 5080 Helbig, Apt. 40, addressed Council to tell of the accomplishment of the Plymouth Village Residents Association in getting the back gate opened to allow BISD school buses to enter and pick up children for school, said she is now serving as secretary to the Association and that her husband, Charles, is the president. In response to Councilmember Davis asking for a general update, Mrs. Johnson replied that situations are not as they should be, but there is communication with the manager. Mr. Charles Johnson, 5080 Helbig Road, distributed information to Council regarding Plymouth Village, thanked Councilmember Cokinos for his visit and Mayor Pro Tem Ames for her letter, spoke about computer and GED classes they want to establish in the complex, expressed displeasure with Office Morris for misinterpreting his sharing a TCi cable with his neighbor as a felony and asked that she be removed from duty at Plymouth Village. Mr. Lynn DeMary, 430 East Elgie, on behalf of Commission Ed Moore, invited all citizens to participate in the Enterprise Zone Public Hearing that will be held Monday, August 25th at 1:30 p.m. at the Jefferson County Courthouse. EXECUTIVE SESSION Minutes;8/19/97;Page 6 *Executive Session in accordance with Section 551.071 of the Government Code to discuss contemplated or pending Litigation: Parigi Investments Inc. v. City of Beaumont and Claim of Jenell Alvarado There being no further business, the meeting adjourned at 2:46 p.m. Mayor David W. Moore U Patrice Fogarty, CHV Clerly Minutes;8119/97;Page 7