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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMIN APR 26 1988 REGULAR SESSION CITY COUNCIL - CITY OF BEAUMONT HELD APRIL 26, 1988 - 1 : 15 P.M. BE IT REMEMBERED that the City Council of the City of Beaumont, Texas, met in regular session this the 26th day of April, 1988, 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 Mayor Pro-Tem Councilman, Ward II Audwin Samuel Councilman, Ward III David W. Moore Councilman, Ward IV Albert E. Haines City Manager Lane Nichols City Attorney Barbara Liming Deputy City Clerk -000- The Invocation was given by the Reverend Clinton M. Jordan of St. Paul' s United Methodist Church. The Pledge of Allegiance was led by Mayor Maurice Meyers. -000- Councilman Samuel introduced "Sounds of Praise" a mixed-quartet from Touch Christian Academy High School consisting of Lance Cummings, Roberta Petty, Audria Downing, Stephen Taylor along with their pastor Ray Cummings of Northwest Bible Church and choral director Susie Cummings. They won first place at a Regional Convention of A.C.E. Christian Schools and qualify to attend the International Student Convention at Rutgers University, and will sing for Senator Gramm and staff on May 26, 1988. They sang their winning song "Christ Has Set Us Free. " Councilman Samuel presented small bottles of crude oil to the boys and Beaumont branding irons to the girls as symbols of Beaumont and Beaumont stickers to present to everyone on their trip. -000- Five Proclamations were issued: "Founder ' s Day Week, " April 25 to May 1, 1988 in recognition of Beta Sigma Phi; "Mental Health Month, " May, 1988; "Consumer' s Week," April 24-30, 1988; "Cinco de Mayo, " May 5, 1988; and "Telephone Pioneers of America Week, " April 24-30, 1988. Council was presented papier-mache' clowns in celebration of Cinco de Mayo and were invited to a Life-members Brunch on April 29th at 10:30 a.m. for members of Telephone Pioneers who are conducting their four-day convention in Beaumont with over 1,000 delegates. -111- April 26, 1988 MAYOR MEYERS: We have continued week in and week out to stress that element of our community which is prominent and on the minds of most, and that' s our economy, and job creation, and the ability to prosper. In a moment I 'm gonna introduce a gentlemen who I think highlights and epitomizes the kind of activity that we want. People coming forward both from within and and without our community providing services to our community and making significant investment. This is a company that incorporated October of 1986. They are now officed at the Jefferson County Airport providing service that' s needed. In a very short period of time they have grown to 50 employees. They have now signed agreements for seven model airliners valued at $7. 9 million each, an investment of some $56 million. They have further signed agreements for five additional airliners that will value $17 million, and they looking forward to ordering additionally five airliners that will value at another $17 million. They are forecasting growth, and I think forecasting the satisfying of a need that is going to help us a city and a region, and that' s provide additional quality air service. The manufacturer is gonna locate its facilities adjacent to wherever Conquest Airlines puts its base, which, I think, further adds a strong plus. Joining us today, I 'd like to ask in the back Charles Glass, who' s the Vice-Chairman of the Economic Development Council, along with Arden Loughmiller and Larry Beaumont and George Perrett with the Economic Development Council. I 'd like you to welcome today to our city and lock the doors and make sure that he doesn' t get out because we' re very anxious to see Conquest Airlines grow and prosper right out of Jefferson County Airport. And with that, I 'd like to call Mr. Rafael Rivas who is president of Conquest Airlines along with this assistant, Barbara Estevo, and his director, Frank Giles, that they come forward, and we welcome you to our city, Rafael. MR. RAFAEL RIVAS: Well, I 'd like to add that I 'm not the president, I 'm the vice-president. MAYOR MEYERS: Very good, well, you' ll move up! MR. RIVAS• I hope so. MAYOR MEYERS: I 've got tremendous confidence in you. ' MR. RIVAS: Someday I may make it. What I want to say is a little bit of what Conquest is about. Ah, there's been a need since deregulation for the mid-size cities to have good air transportation to their cities. As a -112- April 26, 1988 MR. RIVAS (CONTINUED) : result of not having their transportation, a lot of businesses have moved out and a lot of their children have moved out. Conquest is not there just to make money, it' s there to create something. My father once said, "It' s not how much money you make, it' s what you create with your money. " And, we're there to provide the service to the mid-size community, to provide our armada for Beaumont and to bring new business opportunities to the city by improving the access, not only to Beaumont, but to many mid-size cities in Texas that are without it and so that your children and mine can still grow and prosper in a small community and their grandparents can just go down the street a little ways and say "hi" to their grandchildren. Thank you. MAYOR MEYERS: Would other of your associates care to make any comment? We'd certainly welcome them. We're pleased that you're here today. MR. GILES• We have been in operation just a short time and the load factor in the area have certainly surpassed what we had hoped for at this point and time. We're continuing to hire people, and we ' re going to be faced with a very large expansion in the near future. MAYOR MEYERS• Thank you. MS. ESTEVO: I 'm very pleased to be here today to represent Conquest Airline, and I 've been there from the inception, and I must say that it has been a privilege to work with Rafael. I believe in what he' s doing, and I believe we can greatly contribute to Beaumont. MAYOR MEYERS• Thank you. I 'd invite Charles Glass representing the Economic Development Council if he would care to come forward or any with your group to make comments. While he' s doing that, I would say to those present that this has been a laborious effort. This is not something that' s just happened. And Rafael Rivas, I think, is singly to be commended for taking something from absolute zero and bringing it to the point of magnetism that's been described today, let alone where we think it can go. And, I would also say, that probably a year and a half or two years ago most people wouldn' t have given you a chance to succeed at what you've done, Rafael. But, you've made believers out of everybody, and we're proud that you're here. Charles. -113- April 26, 1988 r MR. GLASS: I would just join in the congratulations to Conquest Airlines for being here. We wish them well, and also to express appreciation to those leaders in our community who work with Conquest, our mayor, our county judge, and others, and we welcome you and hope you have a good and profitable stay. MAYOR MEYERS• Thank you. This is what we allow in the form of an advertisement. Political governments are not supposed to get into advertising, but when we welcome someone like yourselves, if you want to talk anything about your rates and how competitive you are, and they are extremely competitive, the best deal going to Austin, for sure. Rafael, this is the last chance you get to do that at this microphone! MR. RIVAS: I never like to pass up an opportunity for advertising, but I will say this is your airline. We do have the best rates in town. Our rates are $49 today, and that' s to either Dallas--Love Field or Austin. And, soon you be able to connect on, actually not connect, actually it' s a direct flight, you make a stop in Austin and continue on to Corpus, and that should be sometime next month. And, hopefully, the network will be set up throughout Texas, and you will be able to fly to just about any mid- sized city or major city in Texas on Conquest. We have signed agreements today for twelve airplanes which is some $80 million and the manufacturers want us to sign an additional agreement for an additional seventeen airplanes. So, the total feat will be twenty-nine airplanes in Texas, and that will make something that started out of nothing, the largest regional commuter airline in Texas. MAYOR MEYERS: Thank you for coming. I 'd welcome your introducing yourself personally to all the members of Council while you're here. This is Councilman Smith, Councilman Samuel, Councilman Moore, Councilman Cokinos, Councilman Lee, and Mayor Pro-Tem Brumley. We have all discussed the pleasure of your presence here, and we hope that you just grow, and if we can be of assistance, we stand ready to do so. Thank you for coming today. -000- Councilman Lee introduced Ms. Kathy McDonald of Triple A who presented Director of Public Libraries Maurine Gray a hard-bound copy of the 1985 Rand McNally Commercial Atlas that their travel counselors use in preparing trips for clients. Miss Gray announced the atlas would be placed in the Miller Branch Library for public reference. -114- April 26, 1988 Councilman Lee welcomed Dr. Ken Summerland, Chairman of English and , Modern English at Lamar University, Dr. Bruce Drury of Lamar University and Dr. Guo Kun, a member of a writers association in China who is in Beaumont to increase his knowledge of English and obtain research material with the possibility of instituting an exchange student program. Councilman presented Dr. Kun an honorary Beaumont citizen card. Dr. Kun accepted the honorary citizenship and explained that he will be writing articles about Lamar University, Beaumont and its people, city government, and the City Council concept. -000- Public Works Director Tom Warner announced that members of Sigma Phi Epsilom Fraternity of Lamar University would be signing an agreement along with he, Councilman Samuel and Mayor Meyers as part of the "Adopt-a- Park" program. They have agreed to maintenance responsibilities of Alice Keith Park that include picking up litter-trash, debris-brush on a biweekly basis and report vandalism and damage to the City on a weekly basis. In addition, they have agreed to support park activities such as "Sunday in the Park" and "Concerts on the Move. " Mayor Meyers stated that a former Beaumonter who is now a stockbroker in San Antonio is in town visiting and expressed to him this morning that he was amazed in the appearance of our streets and the cleanliness of Beaumont. Mayor Meyers feels this change has been affected by "Operation Clean Street" and "Adopt-a-Park" programs and the volunteers. -000- Citizen comment was invited on Agenda Items A, B-5 through C. No one wished to address Council on these items. -000- The following Consent Agenda item was considered: Approval of the Minutes of the Regular City Council Session held April 19, 1988. The Consent Agenda was approved on a motion made by Councilman Lee and seconded by Councilman Cokinos. Question: Ayes: All Nayes: None -000- Ordinance No. 88-37 reflecting recommendations of the Planning Commission from the Forsythe Area Rezoning Study, an area of about 18 blocks and 56 acres bounded by Martin Luther King, Jr. Parkway and Park, Fannin, and College Streets, by changing the central portion of the area from L-I (Light Industrial) to RCR (Residential Conservation and Revitalization) to encourage residential development, protect existing residential and institutional uses in the primarily residential area, but allow commercial and industrial development in other areas was considered: -115- April 26, 1988 ORDINANCE NO. 88-37 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 CBD (CENTRAL BUSINESS DISTRICT) AND LI (LIGHT INDUSTRIAL DISTRICT) TO RCR (RESIDENTIAL CONSERVATION AND REVITALIZATION DISTRICT) ON PROPERTY BOUNDED BY COLLEGE, FANNIN, PARK AND MARTIN LUTHER KING, JR. PARKWAY CONTAINING APPROXIMATELY 18 CITY BLOCKS AND 56 ACRES OF LAND IN BEAUMONT, JEFFERSON COUNTY, TEXAS; PROVIDING FOR SEVERABILITY; PROVIDING FOR REPEAL AND PROVIDING A PENALTY. Ordinance No. 88-37 was approved on a motion made by Councilman Lee and seconded by Councilman Smith. Question: Ayes: All Nayes: None -000- Ordinance No. 88-38 granting a specific use permit for a beauty spot at 1835 Sabine Pass to Halie M. Lindsey was considered: ORDINANCE NO. 88-38 ENTITLED AN ORDINANCE ISSUING A SPECIFIC USE PERMIT FOR A BEAUTY SHOP ON PROPERTY LOCATED AT 1835 SABINE PASS, BEAUMONT, JEFFERSON COUNTY, TEXAS. Ordinance No. 88-38 was approved on a motion made by Councilman Moore and seconded by Councilman Cokinos. Question: Ayes: Nayes: None -000- An ordinance granting a specific use permit for a summer child care program at 2500 North Street as an amendment to a permit for an after school child care at the same location (requested by Mellaney Guillory) to be operated five-days a week during the schools' summer vacation period between May 31 and August 31 was considered. After a lengthy discussion raising questions from Council regarding traffic congestion and safety, size of curb cut, turnaround space for a van or bus, exact mode of transportation of children, private or state sponsored project, possible solid wood fencing, and privacy of adjacent property owners, Councilman Samuel made a motion, seconded by Councilman Moore, to grant the specific use permit amending the ordinance to require a 24-foot curb cut. The motion was defeated by a five to two vote. -116- April 26, 1988 Question: Ayes: Councilman Nayes: Mayor Meyers Samuel Councilman Lee Councilman Councilman Moore Cokinos Councilman Brumley Councilman Smith Councilman Lee made a motion, seconded by Councilman Cokinos, to delay decision on this ordinance for one week until there is determination of the size of the vehicle that could be operated within the driveway as proposed and clarification of the type of vehicle that will be used and any other information Staff can gather relative to Council ' s questions. The motion was unanimously approved. Question: Ayes: All Nayes: None -000- Mr. Haines announced the workshop item has been pulled from the agenda. There will be no Workshop Session conducted today. -000- Ordinance No. 88-39 granting a specific use permit for a drinking place to be operated by Jeffery EQUINE at 850 Interstate 10 South was considered: ORDINANCE NO. 88-39 ENTITLED AN ORDINANCE ISSUING A SPECIFIC USE PERMIT TO ALLOW A DRINKING PLACE ON PROPERTY LOCATED AT 850 IH-10 SOUTH, BEAUMONT, JEFFERSON COUNTY, TEXAS Ordinance No. 88-39 was approved on a motion made by Councilman Brumley and seconded by Councilman Lee. Question: Ayes: All Nayes: None -000- Ordinance No. 88-40 changing the name of a section of Callaghan Street across the Lamar University campus to "Rolfe Christopher Drive" requested by Lamar University Chancellor George McLaughlin to "recognize a community leader. . . " was considered: ORDINANCE NO. 88-40 ENTITLED AN ORDINANCE AMENDING CHAPTER 23 OF THE CODE OF ORDINANCES OF THE CITY OF BEAUMONT AND IN PARTICULAR THE NAME OF THAT CERTAIN STREET AS INDICATED UPON THE OFFICIAL STREET MAP OF "CALLAGHAN ROAD" FROM FLORIDA AVENUE SOUTH TO CARDINAL DRIVE TO "ROLFE CHRISTOPHER DRIVE; " PROVIDING FOR SEVERABILITY AND PROVIDING FOR REPEAL. -117- April 26, 1988 Ordinance No. 88-40 was approved on a motion made by Councilman Moore and seconded by Council Cokinos. Question: Ayes: All Nayes: None -000- Resolution No. 88-95 authorizing execution of contracts for replacement of three low sufficiency bridges at Langham Road (City and DD6 $8,300 each) , Avalon Avenue (City and DD6 $7,600 each) , and Wescalder Road (City and LNVA $11, 000 each) with 80% grant funding and Drainage District 6 and the Lower Neches Valley Authority to provide one half the required 20% local match at a total cost to the City of Beaumont in the amount of $26, 900 for the $269,00 total cost of the three projects was approved on a motion made by Councilman Brumley and seconded by Councilman Smith. Question: Ayes: All Nayes: None -000- Resolution No. 88-96 authorizing a contract with Watkins Construction Co. for Phase IV of the Tyrrell Park Stables renovation project in the amount of $17,713 which includes a base bid of $6,960 for replacement of the siding on the north wall plus Alternate 1 for refurbishing of exterior windows and doors, $5,987, Alternate 2 for repair of ceilings in living quarters, $1, 850, Alternate 3 for installation of a new floor in the attic and loft, $1,946, and Alternate 4 for repairs to the stable area, $970 was approved on a motion made by Councilman Smith and seconded by Councilman Brumley. Question: Ayes: All Nayes: None -000- Councilman Lee encouraged everyone to attend "Sunday in the Park" and enjoy the Cinco de Mayo celebration on Sunday, May lst. Councilman Cokinos reported that the fund for the Hulsey children totals $80,110. 00 with an anticipation of reaching $100,000.00 and thanked U. S. Attorney Bob Wortham for his assistance in securing the aircraft for use by the Police Department. Councilman Moore complimented Councilman Samuel for an outstanding story teller at "Sunday in the Park" and complemented the community for the response to the "Adopt-A-Cop" program. Councilman Samuel and Councilman Smith also expressed their feelings of enthusiasm for "Sunday in the Park" activities and look forward to a great summer. -000- Mrs. Delia Harrington, 815 Willow Street, addressed Council regarding the sprinkler system at the "Welcome to Beaumont" Park. -118- April 26, 1988 Mrs. Marian Perkins, 2845 Delaware, addressed Council regarding the street and bridge at 10th and Delaware and the 2900 block of Delaware, a bond issue in the early 1970 ' s to curb and gutter Delaware down to Concord, a letter received in error from Environmental Health concerning tall grass, and responsibility of property on Delaware Street formerly used by the Art Museum. Mayor Meyers directed Mrs. Perkins to speak with Public Works Director Tom Warner. Mr. Wayne Sherman, 325 Bradford Drive, addressed Council to report that over $15, 000 has been raised for the "Adopt-A-Cop" program with an excess of $10,000 in pledges. Mr. Forrest "Ted" Posed addressed Council to read a poem entitled "Goodby" in memory of O. B. Goodman, Paul Hulsey, and Alzie Swearingen. Mr. Henry Dannenbaum, 1567 Wall Street, addressed Council regarding various items. -000- There being no further business, the meeting was adjourned. -000- I, 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 April 26, 1988. Barbara Liming Deputy City Clerk -119- April 26, 1988