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Home My WebLink AboutMIN MAY 13 1997 M I[ N U T E S > CITY OF BEAUMONT Lulu L.Smith DAVID W. MOORE, MAYOR Andrew P. Cokinos, Mayor Pro Tem Guy N.Goodson CITY COUNCIL MEETING Becky Ames John K. Davis MAY 13, 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 May 13, 1997, 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 Mayor Moore called the meeting to order at 1:40 p.m. The Reverend Bruce Booher, Bethlehem Lutheran Church, gave the invocation. Mr. Brian Durden, a fifth grade teacher at Blanchette Elementary, led the pledge of allegiance. As his last official act as Mayor Pro Tem, Mayor Moore asked Mayor Pro Tem Cokinos to preside over the meeting. Present at the meeting were: Mayor Moore, Mayor Pro Tem Cokinos, Councilmembers Smith, Goodson, Ames, 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 Blanchette Elementary School Counselor Pauline M. Mouton, along with fifth grade teachers Deborah Barideaux, Terrie Broussard and Brian Durden, Student Council President Joanie Scott and fifth grade students presented Council with Honorary Blanchette Wildcat pendants. Ms. Mouton explained that the students are attending Council for a first-hand observation of city government in action. Mayor Moore remarked that he is a graduate of Blanchette Elementary and is very proud.of these students. Four Proclamations were issued: "National Preservation Week," May 11-17, 1997; "National Osteoporosis Prevention Week," May 11-17, 1997; "National Safe Boating Week," May 17-23, 1997; and "National Police Week," May 11-17, 1997 and specifically "Peace Officers Memorial Day," May 15, 1997. *Public Comment: Persons may speak on scheduled agenda items Citizens were invited to comment on the Consent Agenda and Main Agenda Items 1, 2, 4-6. 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 May 6, 1997; * Confirmation of committee appointments - R-97-108 Councilmember Ames moved to approve the Consent Agenda. Councilmember Smith seconded the motion. MOTION PASSED. Ayes: Mayor Moore, Mayor Pro Tem Cokinos, Councilmembers Smith, Goodson, Ames, Davis, and Patterson Noes: None GENERAL BUSINESS Before consideration of items, Mayor Pro Tem Cokinos extended his thanks and gratitude to citizens and Council for the privilege of fulfilling the responsibilities of Mayor Pro Tem for the past years, said he feels his performance of the responsibilities of this office has been characterized by excellent and constructive contributions to the government of the city, and said his dedicated commitment will continue as he serves as a partner in the progress and growth of this great city. 1. Consider an election of Mayor Pro Tempore The City Manager explained to the students and others in the audience that the City Charter is similar to a constitution for the City of Beaumont, that the Mayor and Councilmembers are elected for two-year terms by the citizens, and that the Charter provides that Council select one of its own to preside as Mayor Pro Tempore in the event the Mayor is unable to fulfill his duties or is absent from a meeting. On a motion made by Councilmember Smith, Councilmember Ames was elected to serve as Mayor Pro Tem for the next year. Councilmember Davis seconded the motion. MOTION PASSED. Ayes: Mayor Moore, Mayor Pro Tem Cokinos, Councilmembers Smith, Goodson, Ames, Davis, and Patterson Noes: None Minutes;5/13/97;Page 2 Individually, the Mayor and Councilmembers thanked Councilmember Cokinos for his outstanding service this past year as Mayor Pro Tem. They commented about his willingness to attend every function, even on short notice, his availability and dedication. Councilmember Cokinos congratulated Mayor Pro Tem Ames on her election, said he hopes she has the same opportunities for development of leadership and community service as he did this past year, and offered his best wishes and assistance. 2. Consider authorizing a contract for engineering design for the Concord Road Project Councilmember Smith moved to approve Resolution No. 97-109 authorizing a contract in the amount of$562,500 with Schaumburg and Polk, Inc. to design the Concord Road Project. Councilmember Davis seconded the motion. MOTION PASSED. Ayes: Mayor Moore, Mayor Pro Tem Ames, Councilmembers Cokinos, Smith, Goodson, Ames, Davis, and Patterson Noes: None 3. Consider readopting the Comprehensive Plan Councilmember Goodson moved to adopt Resolution No. 97-110 readopting the Major Street and Thoroughfare Plan Element, the Parks and Open Space Plan Element, the Land Use Plan Element and Economic Development Plan Element of the Comprehensive Plan. Councilmember Smith seconded the motion. MOTION PASSED. Ayes: Mayor Moore, Mayor Pro Tem Ames, Councilmembers Cokinos, Smith, Goodson, Davis, and Patterson Noes: None 4. Consider the purchase of a sewer cleaning machine for use in the Public Works Department, Streets and Drainage Division Councilmember Smith moved to adopt Resolution No. 97-111 authorizing purchase of a 1997 Ford chassis with a Vactor Model 2110 Combination Catch Basin Sewer Cleaning Machine through the Houston-Galveston Area Council in the amount of$127,214.97. Councilmember Goodson seconded the motion. MOTION PASSED. Minutes;5/13/97;Page 3 Ayes: Mayor Moore, Mayor Pro Tem Ames, Councilmembers Cokinos, Smith, Goodson, Davis, and Patterson Noes: None 5. Consider authorizing a contract to remove asbestos containing materials from the structure located at 3500 Chaison Councilmember Smith moved to adopt Resolution No. 97-112 authorizing a contract with Clark-Tech Environmental Systems, Inc. in the amount of $54,475 for removal and disposal of asbestos containing materials in the former J. L. Giles Elementary School at 3500 Chaison. Councilmember Davis seconded the motion. MOTION PASSED. Ayes: Mayor Moore, Mayor Pro Tem Ames, Councilmembers Cokinos, Smith, Goodson, Davis, and Patterson Noes: None 6. Consider a request to abandon a 20' wide general utility easement in Block 28, Cartwright Terrace Addition. Councilmember Smith moved to adopt Ordinance No. 97-28 ENTITLED AN ORDINANCE ABANDONING A 20' WIDE GENERAL UTILITY EASEMENT IN BLOCK 28, CARTWRIGHT TERRACE ADDITION,CITY OF BEAUMONT,JEFFERSON COUNTY,TEXAS. Councilmember Davis seconded the motion. MOTION PASSED. Ayes: Mayor Moore, Mayor Pro Tem Ames, Councilmembers Cokinos, Smith, Goodson, Davis, and Patterson Noes: None COMMENTS * Councilmembers comment on various matters Councilmember Davis suggested that another Minority Business Enterprise Summit be scheduled to familiarize minority business owners with bid process requirements and that they be held semi-annually, spoke of a recent announcement on C-Span regarding possible federal funding of abandoned factory sites and asked the City Manager to keep alert to any legislation that might provide opportunity for the City of Beaumont. Minutes;5/13/97;Page 4 Mayor Pro Tem Ames said the Beaumont Preservation Award ceremony was wonderful, congratulated Ms. Mildred Hall and the Tyrrell Historical Library Association as recipients of the award, and thanked City Council for supporting her election as Mayor Pro Tem. Mayor Moore congratulated: May Magic activities planned for children by the Art Museum, Saint Anthony Cathedral School's Cookoff at Fair Park Coliseum, the Preservation Society Awards Program and the award recipients, and said much has been accomplished, but there is much more to do such as the complete restoration of the Jefferson Theatre. Councilmember Goodson again thanked Councilmember Cokinos for a job well done in serving as Mayor Pro Tem. Councilmember Smith once more thanked Councilmember Cokinos for doing a good job as Mayor Pro Tem, thanked Mayor Pro Tem Ames for accepting the position this year, commented about the nice ceremony at the Tyrrell Historical Library yesterday, and said that she hopes that hearts and pocketbooks will open to the Jefferson Theatre restoration. * Public Comment (Persons are limited to 3 minutes) Jaryt Montgomery, 4370 Cadillac Lane, (a fifth grade student from Blanchette Elementary) thanked Council for doing such a fine job for the City of Beaumont. Ms. Laverne Russell, 5360 Landry Lane, reported that City personnel cut her grass, said it was not in violation of the City Code and asked for direction in registering her complaint regarding the action. Ms. Russell was told that the Clean Community Division is responsible for the control of high grass and that Mr. Kyle Hayes would assist her after the meeting. Mr. Lynn DeMary, 430 East Elgie, congratulated Mayor Pro Tem Ames for receiving election to the position and to Councilmember Cokinos for fine service last year and thanked Council for action taken to remove asbestos materials in the former Giles Elementary School. EXECUTIVE SESSION *Executive Session in accordance with Section 551.071 of the Government Code to discuss contemplated or pending litigation: Christopher Mark Porter v. City of Beaumont et al Municipal Administrative Services v. City of Beaumont Minutes;5/13/97;Page 5 There being no further business, the meeting recessed at 2:43 p.m. to reconvene in executive session. Mayor David W. Moore Patrice Fogarty, Oity Cle Minutes;5/13/97;Page 6