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Home My WebLink AboutMIN SEP 06 1988 REGULAR SESSION CITY COUNCIL - CITY OF BEAUMONT HELD SEPTEMBER 6, 1988 - 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 September, 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 Councilman, Ward II Audwin Samuel Mayor Pro-Tem Councilman, Ward III David W. Moore Councilman, Ward IV Albert E. Haines City Manager Lane Nichols City Attorney Rosemarie Chiappetta City Clerk -000- The Invocation was given by the Reverend Luther Wade of the Eastern Star. The Pledge of Allegiance was led by Councilman Moore. -000- Two Proclamations were issued: "Rainbow Bridge Day," September 8, 1988, and "Feed the Hungry Day, " September 10, 1988. -000- Councilman Samuel introduced Anthony Holmes, representative from the Lamar University Student Government Association, who will serve as liaison to City Council this school year. Mayor Meyers suggested greater participation in Council activities to Mr. Holmes to gain experience and another perspective to share with Lamar classmates. -000- Mr. Sammy Bean, representing the WIN Foundation, presented Mayor Meyers a certificate "for outstanding contribution and dedication to the organization. " The main objective of the WIN Foundation is to foster economic unity among all people with a focus on minority communities for new growth on all economic dimensions. Other objectives include promoting both new and existing minority business development, encourage professionalism and excellence among minority enterprise, develop lines of communication with all concerned citizens and business persons, stimulate the total economy with capital inputs to minority businesses, and create new career opportunities for the unemployed. -229- September 6, 1988 Public comment was invited on Agenda Item A. No one wished to address Council. -000- The following Consent Agenda Items were considered: Approval of the Minutes of the regular City Council-Town Meeting held August 31, 1988; Resolution No. 88-184 granting a ten foot ( 101 ) wide underground electrical easement to Gulf States Utilities Co. to serve the Texas Energy Museum with the lines extending from a switch cabinet near the Julie Rogers Theatre and continuing in a northerly direction for a distance of 123 .93 feet across Forsythe Street to a pad mount near the museum; Resolution No. 88-185 approving the sale of a vacant lot at 150 E. Gill acquired in a sheriff ' s sale for delinquent taxes to Joyce Ann Mitchell in the amount of $465 . 29; and Resolution No. 88-186 authorizing the purchase of 0.7090-acre parcel of land for the Comstock Ditch Relief Project, consisting of a relief channel from the Comstock Road ditch to a State Highways and Public Transportation Department outfall, to combat flooding in the Woodlands area from John Dollinger, Jr. , Inc. for the appraised price of $12, 804. The Consent Agenda was approved on a motion made by Councilman Cokinos and seconded by Councilman Samuel. Question: Ayes: All Nayes: None -000- Mr. Haines announced that the Public Hearing scheduled regarding the Proposed Budget for Fiscal Year 1988-89 and the Five-Year Capital Program was not adequately published to conduct an official Public Hearing today. The Public Hearing will be rescheduled on September 20, 1988. Since the Public Hearing has been publicized, but not properly published, Mr. Haines suggested continuing with an informal Public Hearing on these items. The proposed budget amount totals $107 million of resources with $96 million in appropriations. Excluding Capital Projects, the recommended appropriations represent an increase of approximately $4 million over the 1988 budgeted levels. The General Fund budget is based on a tax rate of $ . 54 totaling a $42 million amount and reflecting a slightly less than 3% increase from $1988 . The major factor in the increases in the General Fund is in the areas of personnel, specifically in base wages, retirement costs and insurance premiums. Service levels for 1989 are basically the same, but certain service levels may need to be redefined in conjunction with previously discussed policies to reduce the upward trend in service level costs. Both Sanitation and Water Funds are expected to implement new rate structures with the adoption of this budget. There is essentially no provision for Capital Improvements other than the annual $230, 000 in Drainage Improvements and the appropriation of the First City ESM recovery -230- September 6, 1988 for the Tyrrell Library restoration. An update will be presented in Work Session on current Capital Projects under appropriation and identify some mechanisms that might allow for ongoing sources of revenue to fund for annual or pay-as-you-go Capital Improvements Program. Non-departmental appropriations will also be discussed in Work Session. An Informal Public Hearing was opened for citizen comment. Ms. Debra Carr, representative from the ACSME Union, addressed Council regarding a 10% across-the-board wage increase for all employees, a 2 1/20 cost-of-living across-the-board wage increase for all employees, a reduction in medical insurance deductible to $100 for employees and dependents, reinstatement of stand-by pay, and provision of uniforms. Ms. Barbara David, President of the Southeast Texas Arts Council, addressed Council to express appreciation to the City of Beaumont for continued support to the Arts in the community and to stress the importance of the Arts in improving the quality of life and attracting tourists to a community. Ms. David announced her intent to address Council during Work Session regarding non-departmental appropriations for the upcoming year. She introduced the new Executive Director, Annette Bertanzetti, and members of various arts organizations present to encourage support of the Southeast Texas Arts Council. With no one else desiring to address Council, the Public Hearing was closed. -000- Ordinance No. 88-78 granting a specific use permit for a wrecker and towing service to be situation on part of a 4. 5 acre tract of land at 9293 College Street west of Wooten Road as requested by Gene P. Braquette who operates BRA-K Wrecker Service was considered: ORDINANCE NO. 88-78 ENTITLED AN ORDINANCE ISSUING A SPECIFIC USE PERMIT TO ALLOW WRECKER AND TOWING SERVICE ON PROPERTY LOCATED AT 9293 COLLEGE STREET, BEAUMONT, JEFFERSON COUNTY, TEXAS. Ordinance No. 88-78 was approved on a motion made by Councilman Lee and seconded by Moore. Question: Ayes: All Nayes: None -000- Ordinance No. 88-79 granting a specific use permit for a church at 3690 Youngstown Avenue as requested by the Reverend J. H. Cheatham, pastor of the Greater True Vine Church of God in Christ, with eight owners within a 200-foot radius opposing the request and requiring a favorable vote by at least six members of Council was considered: -231- September 6, 1988 ORDINANCE NO. 88-79 ENTITLED AN ORDINANCE ISSUING A SPECIFIC USE PERMIT TO ALLOW A CHURCH ON PROPERTY LOCATED AT 3690 YOUNGSTOWN AND HALE, BEAUMONT, JEFFERSON COUNTY, TEXAS. Ordinance No. 88-79 was approved on a motion made by Councilman Samuel and seconded by Councilman Cokinos. Question: Ayes: All Nayes: None -000- - Public Hearing was called to consider twenty-two ( 22) below-listed structures found to be in violation of the City of Beaumont' s Dangerous Structure Ordinance, Article III, Section 14-50 as stated by Ms. Sherrell Cockrell, Community Development Director: 2912 MAGNOLIA - Barbara Jean Matthews, owner ( 15 violations) , Staff recommendation to raze or repair within 30 days; 2888 CONCORD (REAR) - Richard Mosby, owner ( 20 violations) , Staff recommendation to raze within 30 days; 2888 CONCORD (REAR APTS. ) - Richard Mosby, owner ( 19 violations) , Staff recommendation to raze within 30 days; 3590 JOHNSTOWN - Annie D. Drennan Trustee Dwayne M. Dickey, Owner (10 violations) , Staff recommendation to raze or repair within 30 days; 2415 BUCHANAN - Francis J. Kotlarz, owner ( 14 violations) , Staff Recommendation to raze within 30 days; 2300 FILLMORE - Mary F. Allan, , Owner, ( 12 violations, Staff recommendation to raze within 30 days; 765 TRINITY - Alto V. Watson, owner ( 13 violations) , Staff recommendation to raze within 30 days; 1108 BONHAM - Sunlight Baptist Church, owner ( 17 violations) , Staff recommendation to raze within 30 days; 1112 BONHAM - Sunlight Baptist Church, owner ( 17 violations) , Staff recommendation to raze within 30 days; 1114 BONHAM - Sunlight Baptist Church, owner ( 17 violations) , Staff recommendation to raze within 30 days; 1293 ORANGE - Alice Mae Meloncon, owner ( 22 violations) , Staff recommendation to raze within 30 days; 2378 GOLIAD - _Acy Graham, Jr. , owner ( 16 violations) , Staff recommendation to raze or repair within 30 days; 2398 GOLIAD - Acy Graham, Jr. , owner (18 violations) ; Staff recommendation to raze or repair within 30 days; 4170 GOLIAD - Harry L. Cormier, owner ( 15 violations) , Staff recommendation to raze or repair within 30 days; 4210 GOLIAD - Alfred Hough Estate, owner ( 12 violations) ; Staff recommendation to raze within 30 days; 2530 BURGUNDY - Adam Coward, owner ( 16 violations) , Staff recommendation to raze or repair within 30 days; 2388 EMILE - Cephus Louis Jackson, owner ( 16 violations) , Staff recommendation to raze within 30 days; 795 ELGIE - Irad J. & Francis Akhtari, owners ( 11 violations) , Staff recommendation to raze or repair within 30 days; 1650 HERRING - Velma B. Little, owner ( 12 violations) , Staff recommendation to raze within 30 days; 2417-2419 BROADWAY - Dimitris Anapolis, owner ( 14 violations) , Staff recommendation to raze or repair within 30 days; 1725 AMELIA - A. W. & Ruby Holliefield, owners ( 12 violations) , Staff recommendation to raze within 30 days; 5250 SUNSET - Sarah Biscamp, owner ( 8 violations) , Staff recommendation to raze or repair within 30 days. The four ( 4) structures listed below have been condemned by City Council and the owners ordered to either raze or repair them within specified time frames. Reinspection of these structures have revealed non-compliance with the Council' s order. The Community Development Department/Code Enforcement Housing Division is requesting authorization from the City Council to demolish these structures in accordance with the Dangerous Structure -232- September 6, 1988 Ordinance and charge the property owners with the cost of the demolition: 5250 SUNSET (GARAGE) , 3125 MAGNOLIA, 990 PARRY, AND 1122 HAZEL. There being no one else to address Council, the Public Hearing was closed. Ordinance No. 88-80 declaring certain dilapidated structures to be public nuisances and ordering their repair or removal by their owners and authorizing the Community Development Department to cause to be removed certain other structures whose owners have failed to comply with previously issued condemnation orders was considered: ORDINANCE NO. 88-80 ENTITLED AN ORDINANCE FINDING CERTAIN STRUCTURES TO BE PUBLIC NUISANCES AND ORDERING THEIR REPAIR OR DEMOLITION; PROVIDING FOR SEVERABILITY AND PROVIDING FOR A PENALTY. Ordinance No. 88-80 was approved on a motion made by Councilman Lee and seconded by Councilman Moore. Question: Ayes: All Nayes: None -000- Mayor Meyers questioned other structures and status of consideration as a dilapidated structure and suggested signs along the construction site of Martin Luther King, Jr. Parkway stating this isn' t the way Beaumont normally looks, but is a result of reconstruction and progress. Councilman Lee requested an analysis of the right-of-way around the Josey- Miller feed plant expressing concerns about junked motor vehicles and further questioned information from right-of-way surveys in the Orange Street area. -000- Councilman Brumley announced the finale of "Concerts on the Move" will be Thursday, September 15, 1988, 7 :00 p.m. at Klein Park with Bo Brannon and Boogie King Revival performing. Councilman Lee officially announced Main Street on the Neches scheduled for September 16, 17, and 18 with great activities such as the Beaumont Ethnic Heritage Festival staged for the second year, Grand Prix Boat Racing, Al Hirt in concert and an activity called "Main Street Alive" where many of the cultural groups will have an opportunity to showcase their activities on Main Street between the Port of Beaumont and the Julie Rogers Plaza and encouraged everyone to attend. Councilman Cokinos requested from the City Manager a complete printout of the studies and consultant fees during the Fiscal Year 1987-88 with the consultant' s name, the amount, reason for the consultant, and the date. -233- September 6, 1988 Councilman Moore reported that last week' s "Sunday in the Park" was a great success with fantastic displays and demonstrations, thanked Staff for a very well planned Town Meeting, and requested from Tom Warner, Public Works Director that more litter barrels be placed in Sprott Park. Councilman Samuel expressed his personal appreciation and pride in being a resident of Beaumont after returning from an out-of-town business trip and invited everyone to bring their children to "Sunday in the Park" Sunday, September 11th for a good time at 2: 00 p.m. with the Boy Scouts serving as host. Councilman Smith encouraged participation of "Concerts on the Move" at Klein Park, the newest park in Beaumont, which is North of 105 on Major Drive. Mayor Meyers invited everyone to attend a formal recognition of participants in our recent Sesquicentennial celebration on Friday, September 9th at 11: 30 a.m. in front of City Hall. -000- Mrs. Marilyn Adams, 4695 Dellwood, addressed Council to elaborate and announce a parade in conjunction with "Main Street on the Neches" at 10: 00 a.m. on Saturday, September 17 in Downtown Beaumont. Mr. Nick Lampson, Jefferson County Tax Collector and Voter Registrar, addressed Council to announce that September 9, 1988 has been designated "National Voters ' Registration Day" by the League of Women Voters to raise the level of awareness to register to vote and to invite Council to a Press Party on Thursday, 7 : 00 p.m. , at the Holiday Inn Plaza on Interstate 10 to enlist workers in voter registration. Mrs. Jessie Cooper, 446 Georgetown, addressed Council to request information regarding the disposition of medical products from abortion clinics as a result of abortions performed in Beaumont. -000- There being no further business, the meeting was recessed before continuing with the City Council Workshop Session. -000- 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 September 6, 1988. Rosemarie Chiappetta City Clerk -234- September 6, 1988