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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMIN OCT 04 1988 REGULAR SESSION CITY COUNCIL - CITY OF BEAUMONT HELD OCTOBER 4, 1988 - 1: 15 P.M. BE IT REMEMBERED that the City Council of the City of Beaumont, Texas, met in regular session this the 4th day of October, 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 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 Albert Tibbs, Starlight Baptist Church. The Pledge of Allegiance was led by Councilman Smith. -000- An Executive Session in accordance with Section 2(e) of the Texas Open Meetings Act to discuss pending or contemplated litigation following the City Council meeting was announced. -000- Four Proclamations were issued: "Texas State Student Association Week, " October 6-9, 1988; "National Quality Month, " October, 1988; "Firefighters Memorial Sunday, " October 9, 1988; and "National Disability Employment Awareness Month, " October, 1988. In appreciation for her ardent endeavors as Staff liaison for the Mayor' s Committee for the Employment of Disabled Persons, Ms. Margaret Harmon was recognized and presented a bouquet of roses. -000- Public comment was invited on Agenda Item A. No one wished to address Council on this item. -000- The following Consent Agenda items were considered: -262- October 4, 1988 Approval of the Minutes of the regular City Council session held September 27, 1988 and the Minutes of the second Public Hearing conducted on site to consider annexation of 2, 810 acres of land adjacent to the southeast corner of the city limits; Resolution No. 88-213 reappointing Joan Morrow to the Beaumont Advisory Commission for Prevention of Child Abuse and Neglect for a term expiring June 30, 1990; and Resolution No. 88-214 authorizing eminent domain proceedings to acquire Parcel No. 353 consisting of 59, 999 square feet of land on the southwest side of Railroad Avenue between Forsythe and Fannin, owned by Heisig Storage and Transfer Company, Inc. valued at $194,231 by the State' s appraisal and Parcel No. 389 consisting of 3, 598 square feet of land east of Mariposa and north of South Street, owned by Verdun W. Shelander, and valued at $32,442 by the State' s appraisal for the Martin Luther King Parkway Project. The Consent Agenda was approved on a motion made by Councilman Brumley and seconded by Councilman Smith. -000- Mr. Haines asked permission to speak and invited all Department Heads to join him. MR. HAINES• This last week we believe that not only was one individual recognized, but we believe that our whole city was recognized in a way that was not only fitting, but exemplary of the efforts that have been made over the past couple of years in our city. I 'm referring to an award, Mayor, that you received last week called the John Ben Shepperd Political Courage Citation. For most of us, we didn' t know much about it until we started checking into it and found out that in fact this is probably one of the most prestigious awards that could ever be awarded on a State-wide basis for the efforts of one individual on behalf of his community. This particular award is under the sponsorship of a leadership forum, a State- wide leadership forum that has been in existence now for about four years. The individuals who nominate the recipients of this award include a mayor, includes individuals who are executives of various corporations such as Bell & Howell, GTE Southwest, other professional firms and range from such cities as Wharton, Texas, Austin, Houston, Midland, College Station, Odessa, Abilene, and San Antonio, includes professors and distinguished faculty from University of Texas, Texas A & M, and other schools throughout the State. It is assisted by the LBJ School of Public Affairs and Administration at the University of Texas which by itself is recognized around the Country as one of the top programs in public administration and public leadership. The other thing that we found that was most interesting about this award is that it was the first award to be given of its kind to a public official, an elected official, and we feel very, very proud to be able to recognize that our mayor, Maurice Meyers, was the first recipient of that award. Now, Mayor, this comes as a surprise to you by design, I -263- October 4, 1988 want you to know, but I do have a letter I would like to read to you and to the members of Council, and I think that it' s appropriate that at least our Department Heads representing all of our employees are here. I also want to ask my personal staff to come up who support you and work with you as well. Mr. Haines read the following letter: "On behalf of all employees of the City of Beaumont, I am proud to congratulate you as recipient of the First Annual John Ben Shepperd Political Courage Citation. As employees and citizens of Beaumont, I recognize your political courage as the catalyst for producing and maintaining Beaumont' s economic recovery, thus making our community a better place for each of us to live and work. You were cited this past weekend for showing courageous action on politically damaging or important issues; for acting in the best interest of the people rather than to advance a political career; for leading rather than following public opinion; for forging political consensus from competing special interests; and for meeting political challenge with knowledge and a plan of action rather than empty rhetoric. This prestigious award is a strong statement about the caliber and commitment of your leadership. You have been honored by your peers throughout the state for the various community-based economic development programs and innovative solutions implemented in Beaumont which address our city' s sagging economy and challenge greater citizen participation. This I consider to be a compliment to you, our City, its citizens and employees. Under your leadership we are beginning to receive some very positive public relations for our city and our efforts for economic recovery. Beaumont is a progressive city on the move and the entire state is taking notice. We sincerely congratulate and appreciate the leadership and dedication you exemplify. Sincerely, /s/Albert E. Haines City Manager" Mayor Meyers responded with thanks for the kind gesture and shared his philosophy that "doing what' s right" and "equity in government is the primary consideration to good government" so that what is done for one can be done for all. -000- The third and final Public Hearing to consider annexation of approximately 2,800 acres adjacent to the southeast corner of the city limits, deleting -264- October 4, 1988 from the original map certain properties owned by Allied Standards Inspection and the Kyle family, was called to order. Mr. Wes Jackson, tax representative for Amoco, addressed Council to state it was to Amoco' s advantage not to enter into an Industrial District Agreement, but to accept annexation and receive city services of water and fire protection. Mr. Jackson stated Amoco is evaluating the design and installation of a fire hydrant system at Amoco' s expense and requested the City expedite the installation of water lines and implementation of the service plan and pledged cooperation in working with city departments. Mr. John Winter, spokesman for the Kyle interests, addressed Council to express appreciation for the revised annexation plan omitting the Kyle property. There being no other citizens wishing to address Council, the Public Hearing was closed. -000- Public comment was invited on Agenda Items C-1 and 2. Mr. C. L. Sherman, 585 Belvedere Drive, spoke in opposition to the proposed non-compacted sanitation rate and requested an equitable rate between compacted and non-compacted materials. Mr. Jerry White, 2465 Harrison, addressed Council requesting an equitable and non-discriminatory rate for disposal of scrap tires with input from tire distributors. Mr. Jack Baxter, 5865 Longwood, Mrs. Delia Harrington, 815 Willow Street, Mr. Gerald Williams of Orange and an employee of Baxter Tire Service, Mr. Nathaniel Brown, 3825 Lou, and Mr. Richard Robinson, addressed Council to express various concerns regarding proposed fees involved in the disposal of tire waste. -000- An ordinance enacting changes in rates and regulations for landfill use was considered: ORDINANCE NO. ENTITLED AN ORDINANCE REPEALING CHAPTER 28 SECTIONS 28-39 TO 28-45 OF THE CODE OF ORDINANCES OF THE CITY OF BEAUMONT AND ESTABLISHING SECTION 28-24. 7, NEW LANDFILL RATES AND REGULATIONS; PROVIDING FOR SEVERABILITY AND PROVIDING FOR REPEAL. After a lengthy discussion regarding compacted versus non-compacted refuse rates, tire disposal, weight and volume and status of the Landfill scales, the life expectancy of the Landfill, fee structure and concerns by tire distributors for input, Council deferred action for two weeks. -265- October 4, 1988 Resolution No. 88-215 accepting the construction of the 1988 Community Development Block Grant Street Rehabilitation Program by A. W. Busby Contracting, Inc. reducing the contract amount $8,807. 56 based on actual quantities of labor and materials used for a completed cost of $175,643 . 44 and authorizing final payment in the amount of $10,164. 70 was approved on a motion made by Councilman Moore and seconded by Councilman Samuel. Question: Ayes: All Nayes: None -000- Councilman Brumley relayed that the Historical Landmark Commission received notification from Mr. Dwayne Jones that Beaumont' s Certified Local Government Certification is in jeopardy because the minutes of the meetings were not filed and there was no follow-up of grants. Councilman Brumley explained that Commission members were not aware of these requirements and requested that a member of the city staff assist the Commission in fulfilling all certification regulations. Councilman Lee announced that the next "Sunday in the Park" will be hosted by the Mayor' s Committee for Employment of Disabled Persons. Councilman Cokinos gave a letter he received from Mrs. Martin relative to a museum piece at Central Park to Tom Warner, Public Works Director, and questioned condition of copiers. Councilman Moore announced that Operation S.C.U.P. is moving forward and a launch date in the Southend of Beaumont is targeted for October 29 and is still looking for more corporate and citizen participation. Councilman Moore thanked the Mayor and Staff for their assistance. Councilman Smith invited everyone to attend "Sunday in the Park. " Mayor Meyers mentioned that Mr. Dick Golden, Editor for the Kiplinger Letter, will be visiting Beaumont for a day and a half allowing an opportunity for different elements of the region to share their efforts and successes and announced that Leadership Beaumont will be honored to have the Mayor of Kingsville, Mr. Lemmons, Sam Mosely the Regional Director for H.U.D. , Tim Hagen, the head of the Commission for Cuyahoga County in Cleveland, Ohio, along with a person from Port Arthur, Orange, and Hardin County present to offer their perspective of Beaumont. -000- Mr. C. L. Sherman, 585 Belvedere Drive, addressed Council to express appreciation for listening to citizens and checking sanitation rates. Mr. Henry Dannenbaum, 1567 Wall Street, presented his own special awards of appreciation to Mayor Meyers, Councilman Bob Lee and Councilman Audwin Samuel. -000- There being no further business, the meeting was recessed to conduct an Executive Session. -266- October 4, 1988 I, Rosemarie Chiappetta, 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 October 4, 1988 . Rosemarie Chiappetta City Clerk -267- October 4, 1988