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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMIN OCT 27 1987 REGULAR SESSION CITY COUNCIL - CITY OF BEAU14ONT HELD OCTOBER 27, 1987 - 1: 15 P.M. BE IT REMEMBERED that the City Council of the City of Beaumont, Texas, met in regular session this the 6th day of October, 1987, with the following present: HONORABLE: Maurice Meyers Mayor Bob Lee, Jr. Councilman At Large Andrew P. Cokinos Councilman At Large Lulu L. Smith Councilman, Ward I ' Mike Brumley Councilman, Ward II Audwin Samuel Councilman, Ward III David W. Mc3re Councilman, Ward IV Albert E. Haines City Manager Lane Nichols City Attorney Rosemarie Chiappetta City Clerk -000- The invocation was given by the Reverend William Fehl, pastor of " Redeemer Lutheran Church. The Pledge of Allegiance was led by Councilman Audwin Samuel. -000- Mayor Meyers announced an Executive Session at the close of the Council Workshop in accordance with Section 2(g) and 2(e) of the Open Meetings Act of the State to discuss appointment, employment, evaluation, reassignment_, duties, discipline, or dismissal of a public officer or employee, and pending or contemplative litigation. -00c- Three Proclamations were issued: "Higher Education Week," October 24- 31 , 1987; "Texas Pirate Week, " October 30-November 4, 1987 and one commending the volunteers manning the "Elissa'" (at least one-half manning the ship from Galveston to Beaumont are Southeast Texas residents) and calling on all residents of Beaumont to recognize the contribution of Elissa' s Southeast Texas volunteer crew members and to welcome them to Beaumont' s Riverfront Park during her stay from October 30 to November 4, 1987. Catherine Lamb accepted this proclamation and Bessie Chisum, Volunteer Coordinator for the Elissa Task Force, invited members of Council to become involved as docents along with the other 211 volunteer guides for the Elissa tours and to be present for the Ribbon Cutting at 5: 30 p.m. , Friday, at Riverfront Park. Representatives dressed as pirates, commandeered by Captain Jeff Hughes, emerged into the Council Chambers to accept the "Texas Pirate Week" -369- October 27, 1987 proclamation by singing a pirate song, passing out Elissa pins and commemorative coins, presenting keys to the wine cellar to Council and the following proclamation to the Mayor and Council from Mayor Charles Royer of Seattle "Let it be known that across the seven seas that Beaumont City Council has given aid and quarter to the zany Seattle Seafair Pirates. Your support and assistance exemplify the community spirit that make our operations a success. " Councilman Lee pointed out that ironically the Elissa is celebrating her 110th birthday (christened 110 years ago in Aberdeen, Scotland) the same year as Beaumont is celebrating its 150th birthday. -000- Mayor Meyers invited citizens to address Council regarding Agenda Items C-6 and 7, and D-8. Mr. Mike Durham, 4615 Arthur, addressed Council regarding Agenda Item C- 7 to ask reconsideration of funds for t°he Beaumont Nutrition Center to repair the roof of the structure leased on Steelton Street. Originally, the Beaumont Nutrition Center did not meet the guidelines set under the Community Development Block Grant Program. The non-acceptance error in the lease was corrected too late for approval. Mr. Durham asked that the corrected application be considered as an addendum. Sherrell Cockrell, Community Development Director, stated that under the CDBG guidelines consideration cannot be given to the Beaumont Nutrition Center for funding in this program, but they may apply if new Requests for Proposals are advertised for reprogramming. -000- The following Consent Agenda items were considered: Approval of the Minutes of the regular City Council session held October 20, 1987; Resolution 87-220 granting a five-foot wide electric distribution system easement at Fair Park to Gulf States Utilities Company for flood lights; and Resolution 87-221 authorizing a Release of Easement for the Martin Luther King, Jr. Parkway/Spur 380 Project releasing an easement out of Lots 5 and 6, Block 1, of the Crary Addition, as recorded in Volume 1441 , Page 111, Deed Records of Jefferson County, to the State of Texas. The Consent Agenda was approved on a motion made by Councilman Cokinos and seconded by Councilman Lee. Question: Ayes: All Nayes: None -000- -370- October 27, 1987 Betty Dunkerley, representing the Sesquicentennial Photography Contest, announced the winning photograph entitled "Sunday in the Park" taken by Mr. Jimmy Hubbard, a City employee. The photograph depicts the Cinco de Mayo dancers at Riverfront Park during a recent "Sunday in the Park" sponsored by the City of Beaumont. The photograph is symbolic and meaningful to the City because it indicates the enthusiasm and spirit of Beaumont citizens. The photograph along with the City artwork will be used for the cover of next year's cover for the Comprehensive Annual Financial Report prepared by the Finance Department. The other photographs will be on display. -000- A motion to authorize the City Manager to negotiate and execute the agreements necessary to expedite relocation of the Western Company Museum collection from Ft. Worth to Beaumont was presented by City Manager Albert E. Haines. Adoption of the motion was approved on a motion made by Councilman Brumley and seconded by Councilman Lee. Question: Ayes: All Nayes: None -000- Ordinance No. 87-83 changing the zoning from RM-H (Residential Multiple Family Dwelling-Highest Density) to GC-MD (General Commercial-Multiple Family Dwelling) for property west of the Oaks Shopping Center and extending westward to Matthews Road between Calder Avenue and Phelan Boulevard to develop the land commercially, requested by Attorney Phil Dunlap for Victor J. and J. W. Rogers, was considered: ORDINANCE NO. 87-83 ENTITLED AN ORDINANCE AMENDING CHAPTER 30 OF THE CODE OF ORDINANCES OF BEAUMONT, TEXAS, AND IN PARTICULAR THE BOUNDARIES OF THE ZONING DISTRICTS AS INDICATED UPON THE ZONING MAP OF BEAUMONT, TEXAS, BY CHANGING THE ZONING FROM RM-H (RESIDENTIAL-MULTIPLE FAMILY DWELLING-HIGHEST DENSITY DISTRICT) TO GC-MD (GENERAL COMMERCIAL - MULTIPLE FAMILY DISTRICT) ON PROPERTY LYING WEST OF THE OAKS SHOPPING CENTER TO MATTHEWS ROAD AND BEING SITUATED BETWEEN CALDER AVENUE AND PHELAN BLVD. , BEAUMONT, JEFFERSON COUNTY, TEXAS; PROVIDING FOR SEVERABILITY; PROVIDING FOR REPEAL AND PROVIDING A PENALTY. Ordinance No. 87-83 was approved on a motion made by Councilman Cokinos and seconded by Councilman Moore. Question: Ayes: All Nayes: None -oOo- -371- October 27, 1987 An ordinance granting a specific use permit for a coin-operated car wash to be constructed on a 1. 5 acre tract of land at 3943 Delaware owned by Plaza West Joint Venture and zoned Neighborhood Commercial (requested by Thomas Mark Lutrick) was considered: AN ORDINANCE ENTITLED AN ORDINANCE ISSUING A SPECIFIC USE PERMIT FOR A COIN-OPERATED, SELF- SERVICE AND AUTOMATIC CARWASH ON PROPERTY LOCATED AT 3943 DELAWARE STREET, BEAUMONT, JEFFERSON COUNTY, TEXAS. Mayor Meyers mentioned a letter received from Mr. Little representing the Plaza West Joint Venture and requested a week's delay for consideration of residents ' primary concerns of drainage and potential disturbance. After a discussion, the Ordinance was referred back to the Planning Commission on a motion made by Councilman Lee and seconded by Councilman Samuel. Question: Ayes: All Nayes: None -000- An ordinance granting a specific use permit for a recycling plant for waste paper, bottles and aluminum at 3540-50 South Eleventh Street in a area zoned General-Commercial Multiple-Family Dwelling to Latexco International, Inc. , of Alexandria, LA and submitted by Michael A. Phelan, trustee for the property for Aaron Slayter, president of the company with the Planning Staff ' s recommendation for the following conditions: no access from Anita and Westmoreland Streets, a landscaped buffer zone be maintained along the north, west and south property lines with an eight-foot solid wood fence was introduced. AN ORDINANCE ENTITLED AN ORDINANCE ISSUING A SPECIFIC USE PERMIT FOR A WASTEPAPER AND RECYCLING PLANT ON PROPERTY LOCATED AT 3540-50 S. ELEVENTH STREET, BEAUMONT, JEFFERSON COUNTY, TEXAS. City Manager Haines stated there has been a request made to delay this ordinance for one week. There were no objections from Council Members. Councilman Moore expressed concern with the noise factor and Councilman Lee asked if a limitation of stacking materials below the fence height would be objectionable to the applicant. These concerns will be addressed when this item returns to Council. 000- -372- October 27, 1987 Ordinance 87-84 amending the zoning ordinance to add the requirement of on-site informational signs (City will erect 11 x 17 inch signs on public right-of-way at proposed sites at least 10 days prior to issuance of construction permits) to the pre-notification procedures for proposed residential care facilities was considered: ORDINANCE NO. 87-84 ENTITLED AN ORDINANCE AMENDING CHAPTER 30, SECTION 30-33(B) (19) OF THE CODE OF ORDINANCES OF THE CITY OF BEAUMONT BY ADDING A NEW SPECIAL CONDITION (F) CONCERNING NOTIFICATION SIGNS FOR RES- IDENTIAL CARE FACILITIES; PROVIDING FOR SEVERABILITY; PROVIDING FOR REPEAL AND PROVIDING A PENALTY. Ordinance No. 87-84 was approved on a motion made by Councilman Samuel and seconded by Councilman Moore. Question: Ayes: All Nayes: None -000- ordinance No. 87-85 abandoning a 20-foot wide alley extending 200 feet northeastward from Jefferson Street between Wall and Forsythe Streets subject to retention of an easement for maintenance of a six-inch sanitary sewer line (requested by Bishop Bernard Ganter of the Catholic Diocese of Beaumont on behalf of St. Anthony Cathedral Parish) was considered: ORDINANCE NO. 87-85 ENTITLED AN ORDINANCE VACATING AND ABANDONING A 20 ' X 200 ' ALLEY LOCATED IN BLOCK A (AKA BLOCK 66A AND BLOCK 66 ) VAN WORMER ADDITION, BEAUMONT, JEFFER- SON COUNTY, TEXAS, AND PROVIDING FOR RETENTION OF A UTILITY EASEMENT. Ordinance No. 87-85 was approved on a motion made by Councilman Smith and seconded by Councilman Lee. Question: Ayes: All Nayes: None -000- Resolution 87-222 allocating $65,600 of the apportionment of the $87,762. 70 in the Community Development Block Grant budget for rehabilitation of social service facilities to the Beaumont Chapter of the American Red Cross, $18,000 for structural repairs; Beaumont Junior Forum, $13,000 for exterior and interior painting; Family Services, $5,000 for replacement windows and attic insulation for the Women' s and Children's Shelter of Southeast Texas; Stewart Halfway House, $11,900 for replacement of flooring and electrical work; and the YWCA, $17,700 -373- October 27, 1987 for repairs to the exterior and interior of the building at 660 Calder Avenue with the $22,161.70 remainder to become available for reprogramming if all projects are completed within the allocations was approved on a motion made by Councilman Moore and seconded by Councilman Samuel. -000- Ordinance No. 87-86 extending the limits of an existing reduced speed school zone on Highland Avenue near Pietzsch Elementary School (from a point 120 ' north of the centerline of Irby to a point 150 ' north of the centerline of Virginia) to provide for relocation of a flashing light sign necessitated by completed widening and improvement of Highland Avenue was considered: ORDINANCE NO. 87-86 ENTITLED AN ORDINANCE AMENDING CHAPTER 26, SECTION 26-24 OF THE CODE OF ORD- INANCES OF THE CITY OF BEAUMONT TO ESTABLISH MAXIMUM AND MINIMUM SPEEDS IN CERTAIN ZONES; PROVIDING FOR SEVER- ABILITY; PROVIDING FOR REPEAL AND PROVIDING A PENALTY. Ordinance No. 87-86 was approved on a motion made by Councilman Moore and seconded by Councilman Smith. Question: Ayes: All Nayes: None -000- Mayor Meyers requested Kirt Anderson, Acting Planning Director, to contact the applicant requesting a specific use permit for a coin operated car wash today concerning possibility of withdrawal of the request. -000- Councilman Smith announced there will be a Neighborhood Meeting at the Miller Library at 6: 00 p.m. tonight regarding the Buckingham Street area Family Home. Mr. Vincent, a Provider with the Texas Department of Health, and Ronnie Cohee with MHMR will be present to explain the operation. Councilman Samuel invited everyone to attend a special "Sunday in the Park" sponsored by the Beaumont Jr. League with the unique treat of having the Elissa docked at Riverfront Park along with the Beaumont Community Band, the Navy Band, clowns, jugglers, balloons, puppet shows, petting pens, etc. , a visit by Ronald McDonald, Christmas and sailboat crafts, and stories read by Councilman Samuel. -374- October 27, 1987 Councilman Moore reported that last Sunday was also a great "Sunday in the Park" sponsored by the Best Years Center featuring a 270 pound monster (Councilman Moore) greeted by the children. Councilman Moore asked Public Works Director Tom Warner for the results of a previously requested speed study on Highland Avenue near Pipkin Street, commended City employees for their good participation in the United Way Campaign, invited anyone to join the Associate Civic Club in cleaning the cemetery located at Broussard and Hegele beginning at 8:00 a.m. , Saturday, and announced that the first Community Neighborhood Meeting in Ward IV will be next Tuesday at the Melton YMCA at 7:00 p.m. for the purpose of receiving feedback of citizens and giving information regarding City services. Councilman Lee pointed out that the arrival of the Elissa at the Port Friday at 4:00 p.m. is going to be quite a picture and stressed the importance of this project and encouraged everyone to join in the fun by witnessing the Elissa' s arrival at Riverfront Park. Mayor Meyers requested that Council take a close look at the information received regarding parking meters (revenue versus cost of operation) to see if it pays to continue the process or do away with it. Mr. Haines stated that he and Mr. Warner and the Finance Department are involved in a full evaluation of the performance of the parking meter program. -000- Mr. Courtney Glover, 3725 Buckingham Row, addressed Council regarding the financial pruriency of using multi-family units for housing the mentally and physically handicapped rather than purchasing several single homes to meet their needs. Mayor Meyers explained that the State laws set forth about three years ago exempt local officials the right to deny use of property. However, the Chairman of the Department of Mental Health Mental Retardation and the Deputy Commissioner have received the message from our City officials that the notification process and other elements are not desirable, and while it is permitted by State law it is creating a great deal of discomfort and question on the part of residents. They will meet with the Mayor and he will make an attempt to express citizen concerns and try to develop a method of education and notification. Councilman Smith supported Mayor Meyers explanation and reiterated this is a mandate that can only be changed with our Legislature, and that we must let our elected officials know we don't approve of -these expensive operations. Mr. Henry Dannenbaum, 3305 Avenue A, again addressed Council concerning halfway houses. -000- There being no further business, the meeting was recessed before continuing with the Workshop Session. -000- -375- October 27, 1987 I, Rosemarie Chiappetta, City Clerk of the City of Beaumont, Texas, certify that the above is a true copy of the regular City Council session held October 27, 1987. Rosemarie Chiappetta City Clerk Y_ -376- October 27, 1987