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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMIN JAN 28 1997 M I N U T lE S - CITY OF B EAUMONT Lulu L.smith DAVID W. MOORE, MAYOR Andrew P.Cokinos,Mayor Pro Tern Guy N.Goodson CITY COUNCIL MEETING Becky Ames John K.Davis JANUARY 28,1997 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 special retreat session on January 28, 1997, at the Garden Center located at Tyrrell Park, 5305 Tyrrell Park Road, Beaumont, Texas, at 12:07 p.m. to discuss the following: 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 Kyle Hayes, Assistant to the City Manager. I. INTRODUCTION TO PROCESS A. Reason for Retreat B. Road Map for the Year C. Future Workshops Mayor Moore gave opening remarks at 12:07 p.m. He stated that this workshop is to focus on the short-and long-term goals of the City, from six months to between two and five years. This will be a chart for the future. II. BUDGETARY PROCESS - City Manager Mr. Riley gave a synopsis of the budgetary process, which is guided by the Charter. The City of Beaumont is a council/manager form of government, wherein the manager presents the budget. The budget is a constant process, running from the past to the future, which the manager proposes and council adopts. Three documents are given to council: a five-year plan, the capital improvement plan, and the operating budget. In February the city manager will give initial information to council regarding projections in the five-year plan, which is like a "state of the city address." Councilmember Goodson stated that is is impossible for a councilmember to stay on top of the entire budget during the year. Perhaps each councilmember could take a portion of the budget to become very familiar with and be a liaison with the rest of council regarding that portion of the budget. Councilmember Davis agreed. Councilmember Smith stated that devolution and deregulation of the utilities will really hurt cities. She said that the City of Beaumont should collaborate with the County regarding duplication of services. Mayor Moore stated that the only way to be heard is to have a bigger voice--we have to have ONE voice for Southeast Texas. Beaumont is the hub city in Southeast Texas. We must get together with the County regarding spending smarter and working smarter. We must be performance based. Councilmember Davis stated that tough choices must be made regarding the budget and taxes. Staff has to see the future indicators and budget toward them. Regarding public transportation, it was agreed that the City's bus service is vitally important. City Manager Riley said that if rates are increased, ridership decreases. III. ELECTORIAL PROCESS/OFFICE HOLDER ACCOUNT A. Consolidated Election City Clerk Patrice Fogarty provided a calendar listing important dates for the election, and spoke about contents of packets. It was requested by Councilmember Goodson to please stress to candidates the importance of adhering to the rules and regulations regarding campaign signs. City Attorney Lane Nichols addressed the issues of campaign contributions and expenditures, and provided a handout to Councilmembers. Mayor Moore created liaison committees on specific issues. Mayor Moore and Mayor Pro Tem Cokinos will function as "floaters;" that is, attend a committee meeting in the place of an assigned councilmember who is unable to attend. There shall not be more than three councilmembers attending the committee meetings. IV. CITY COUNCIL/SCHOOL BOARD RELATION A. Frequency of Meeting B. Meeting Dates C. Focus Mayor Moore assigned the following councilmembers to the issues of City Council/School Board Relation: Councilmembers Smith, Davis, and Ames. Councilmember Smith began the discussion stating that the next meeting between the Council and the Trustees for the Beaumont Independent School District is in February. Councilmember Davis mentioned that he heard that some of the schools such as Martin, Central, and Lucas Elementary are not getting their share of special funds. Minutes;1/28/97;Page At the next meeting with BISD, they will try to focus on the issues of special funds and their use. Also topics for discussion will be: an update regarding the bond issue; the new elementary school near Walden; and after-school care. Regarding after-school care, it was decided that both entities need to be on the same page. The City started the pilot program; but it is not a City program. It's in conjunction with BISD. There is a need for after-school care. Councilmember Smith stated that it would be a good idea to try a program wherein parents that can afford to pay for child care would be able to pay to have child care at the school where their child attends. She said that the Sally Curtis Elementary School would be great to start out with. Councilmember Smith will get a calendar of dates for meetings with the Beaumont Independent School District trustees. V. DOWNTOWN DEVELOPMENT A. Hotel Beaumont B. Jefferson Theater C. ? Mayor Moore assigned the following councilmembers to work on the issue of downtown development: Councilmembers Smith, Davis, and Goodson. All were in agreement that it is vital to develop the downtown area. Councilmember Ames stated that something must be done to get this project "off center." Councilmember Davis feels strongly about the project of downtown Beaumont, and states that a game plan is needed. Mayor Moore addressed the following issues: people living in downtown, the need for a hotel in the downtown area, and the issue of parking. Parking will determine success. There are some private sectors interested in the Jefferson Theatre. Councilmember Smith stated that we must either renovate it or lose it. There is a need for a steering committee to raise the money needed to renovate the theatre. City Manager Riley will give a copy of the traffic to the liaison committee. VI. PUBLIC SAFETY FORUM A. Meet 3 times a year possibly 5th Tuesday Mayor Moore assigned the following councilmembers to work on the issue of a public safety forum: Councilmembers Davis and Ames, and Mayor Pro Tem Cokinos. Mayor Moore wants to have three meetings a year, inviting police and fire personnel to discuss issues. It would work well if these meetings were in conjunction with three of Council's meetings on a "5th Tuesday" night. The neighborhood associations should be incorporated into these meetings. Minutes;1/28/97;Page 3 Mayor Pro Tem Cokinos commenced discussion of commercial vehicles traveling on residential streets. Regarding public safety, Councilmember Davis stated that Council needs to help bring about a positive image of the police. Councilmember Goodson would like to see the Internal Affairs Division moved out of the police department building, so that if a complaint comes in, the complainant does not have to go into the police department to see an IAD officer. The following issues were mentioned for further discussion at future workshops: vendors' licenses and 18-wheelers on residential streets. City Attorney Nichols will come back to council with ruling regarding vendors' licenses. VII. CITY STAFFING A. Secretarial Support B. Assistant City Manager Discussion took place as to the need for a secretary for Council. City Manager Riley will consider a part-time staff position. Also, Manager Riley will consider the possibility of hiring an assistant city manager in the future. VIII. YOUTH DEVELOPMENT A. Activity Space B. Summer Jobs C. Youth Commission Mayor Moore assigned the following councilmembers to work on the issue of youth development: CouncHmembers Patterson, Goodson, and Ames. Councilmember Patterson stated that the L. L. Melton Y.M.C.A. should be an activity center. The Mayor would like for the City to have three or four activity centers. Funding was discussed for the renovation of the Melton Y, together with the building of a full-size gymnasium, with office space, and workout rooms. Mayor Moore would like to see ground- breaking in 1997, with the target date for opening in the summer of 1998. This item will return on a workshop agenda to pinpoint construction costs and funding. Mayor Moore discussed the need for_summer jobs. This should be in partnership with BISD. Discussion was also had regarding the establishment of a youth commission. Focus and structure needs to be established for the youth commission to be institued by the next school year. Both of these items will be on a future workshop agenda. Minutes;1/28/97;Page 4 IX. SPINDLETOP CELEBR A.TION All agreed that there should be a city-level celebration for the 100th anniversary of Spindletop in 2001. Council is interested in sponsoring a celebration. Mayor Moore will meet with the County Judge if it is decided to join with the County. This item will return on a future workshop agenda. X. LONG-TERM INFRASTRUCTURE PROJECTS A. Concord B. Dowlen, Old Dowlen, Folsom C. ? There is a meeting with TxDOT on Thursday, 9:00 a.m., at the Hilton regarding Concord Road. The City needs to look at extending Folsom and Delaware to Major. These items will be brought back to a future workshop agenda. Councilmember Patterson asked when Phase II of the South Park Drainage Project will commence. Phase I ends November, 1997. Manager Riley stated that there are four or five projects of equal priority before Council, and Council needs to prioritize them. Drainage issues will be on a future workshop agenda. XI. MAYOR'S ROUND TABLE - BREAKFAST For Business Owner/Manager Every couple of months, Mayor Moore would like to hold a round table breakfast with ten business owners regarding what might be needed, what helped them get started, what hindered them, .etc. Council agreed it is a great idea, and they will build their lists to give to the mayor . XII. CHARTER CHANGE COMMITTEES (7 to 9 no larger than 15) The Charter Change Committee will consist of 15 members. Mayor Moore wants the information from the Committee within 30 days so that the changes will be on the May, 1997, election ballot. Mayor Moore wants each councilmember to submit two names to serve on the committee. Mayor Moore will choose three committee members. City Attorney Nichols will research any inherent problems in the present charter and give opinions regarding the passage of the propositions and when they should go into effect. Minutes;1/28/97;Page 5 XIII. POSSIBLE WORKSHOPS (Once a month) Beginning in February, 1997, workshops will be held on the second and fourth meetings of the month. Council will convene in open session in the council chambers, accept public comments, and then begin the workshop. XIV. ECUMENICAL CELEBRATION Mayor Moore instituted a "celebration of family" around the Thanksgiving holiday. The City will put together a program and hold the celebration at the Julie Rogers Theatre. XV. OPEN COMMENTS Councilmember Davis said the meeting was great, and workshops will allow staff to institure a quicker response to Council's needs. Mayor Pro Tem Cokinos thought the meeting was very productive, and was very interested in vendors' licenses in the city. Manager Riley was very pleased with the workshop format, stating that workshops will keep staff current and responsive. Kyle Hayes stated that the meeting was very beneficial to him, and his office can further help Council. Councilmember Patterson thought the meeting was very productive. She learned a great deal about'the budget process. Councilmember Ames stated that she feels more comfortable with issues regarding public safety and economic development. Councilmember Smith worked through issues.and is glad that Council is in agreement on goals. She learned a great deal in this workshop. Mayor Moore stated that at the next meeting there will be an executive session regarding an increase in the City Attorney's car allowance. He said he loves his job as mayor. This workshop was a great opportunity to open up, differ, and truly talk to one another. Although there were differences, no one was separated by disagreement. The City has a road map through 1997. Regarding zoning, he will visit with Bob Clark and Steve Richardson. He also stated that he needs the names of the charter amendment committee members as soon as possible. Minutes;1128/97;Page 6 There being no further business, the special meeting adjourned at 5:58 p.m. - w ptl'� Mayor David W. Moore Patrice Fogarty, CiIWClerk Minutes;1/28/97;Page 7