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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMIN MAY 21 1991 REGULAR SESSION CITY COUNCIL - CITY OF BEAUMONT HELD MAY 21, 1991 - 1:30 P.M. BE IT REMEMBERED that the City Council of the City of Beaumont, Texas, met in regular session this the 21st day of May, 1991, with the following present: HONORABLE: Evelyn M. Lord Mayor Andrew P. Cokinos Councilman At Large Brian R. Alter Councilman At Large Lulu L. Smith* Mayor Pro Tem Councilman, Ward I Guy N. Goodson Councilman, Ward II Audwin Samuel Councilman, Ward III David W. Moore Councilman, Ward IV Ray A. Riley City Manager Lane Nichols City Attorney Rosemarie Chiappetta City Clerk * (Mayor Pro Tem Smith arrived at 1:32 p.m. during presentation of first Proclamation. ) -000- The Invocation was given by the Reverend Amos Landry, Shilo Missionary Baptist Church. The Pledge of Allegiance was led by Councilman Cokinos. -000- (Mayor Pro Tem Smith arrived. ) Two Proclamations were issued: "National Association of Insurance Women' s Week, " May 19-25, 1991; and "Buddy Poppy Days, " May 24-25, 1991. -000- Citizen comment was invited on the Consent and Main Agendas. No one wished to address these items. -000- The following Consent Agenda items were considered: Approval of the Minutes of the regular City Council session held May 14, 1991; and -113- May 21, 1991 Resolution No. 91-112 appointing Mike Hobbs to the Airport Advisory Commission for a term expiring May 31, 1993; appointing Marie Hubbard and Minnie Zummo to the Community Development Advisory Commission with terms expiring May 31, 1993 ; appointing Wallace Domingue, Jr. to the Electrical Board of Review for a term expiring May 31, 1993; and appointing Dr. Leldon Sweet, Chairman, and Bill Matthews, Vice-Chairman, of the Airport Advisory Commission with terms expiring May 31, 1992 . The Consent Agenda was approved on a motion made by Councilman Cokinos and seconded by Councilman Alter. Question: Ayes: All Nayes: None -000- After a brief discussion, Resolution No. 91-113 authorizing award of an annual contract to maintain City-owned, non-utilized property to Guillory's Lawn Maintenance in the amount of $.0030 per square foot for developed property and $. 0020 per square foot for vacant property was approved on a motion made by Councilman Goodson and seconded by Mayor Pro Tem Smith. Question: Ayes: All Nayes: None -000- Resolution No. 91-114 authorizing a contract with Gulf States Utilities Company for construction of the Old Town Street Lighting Project (installation of pedestrian street lighting on Calder Avenue between Second and Seventh Streets) to be financed by up to $60,000.00 in Community Development Block Grant funds was approved on a motion made by Councilman Cokinos and seconded by Councilman Alter. Question: Ayes: Mayor Lord Nayes: Councilman Councilman Samuel Cokinos Councilman Alter Mayor Pro Tem Smith Councilman Goodson Councilman Moore -000- Councilman Alter made a motion to approve Resolution No. 91-115 authorizing a contract with the Trinity Valley Baptist Association for operational expenses and essential services of the Emergency Shelter for the Homeless located at 875 College Street in the amount of $35, 000.00 in 1991 Emergency Shelter Grant funds under the McKinney Act from the Department of Housing and Urban Development. No second was made. A brief discussion was held concerning Council 's lack of authority (City is lessor only) with the operation of Beaumont's Emergency Shelter Facility and responsive persons to whom questions may be directed. Councilman Cokinos informed Council that he serves on the Board of -114- May 21, 1991 Directors of the Emergency Shelter for the Homeless. Resolution No. 91-115 was approved on a motion made by Councilman Cokinos and seconded by Councilman Goodson. Question: Ayes: All Nayes: None After a question by Mayor Lord and response by City Attorney Lane Nichols, Councilman Cokinos withdrew his motion to approve Resolution No. 91-115 because he serves on the Board of Directors of the Emergency Shelter for the Homeless. Resolution No. 91-115 was approved on a new motion made by Councilman Alter and seconded by Councilman Samuel. Question: Ayes: Mayor Lord Nayes: None Councilman Alter Mayor Pro Tem Smith Councilman Goodson Councilman Samuel Councilman Moore Abstained: Councilman Cokinos -000- Resolution No. 91-116 authorizing a contract with Some Other Place for use of $6, 000. 00 in 1991 Emergency Shelter Grant funds received under the McKinney Act from the Department of Housing and Urban Development to provide a homeless prevention program at Some Other Place's facility located at 590 Center Street, and Resolution No. 91-117 authorizing a contract with Some Other Place for use of $3,800. 00 remaining in 1990 Emergency Shelter Grant funds received from the Department of Housing and Urban Development to provide a homeless prevention program at Some Other Place's facility located at 590 Center Street were approved on a motion made by Councilman Samuel and seconded by Councilman Goodson. Question: Ayes: All Nayes: None -000- Resolution No. 91-118 authorizing Change Order No. 1 to Contract III with Allco, Inc. resulting in a decrease of $56,056.51 to the original contract price of $1,815,717.92, and authorizing Change Order No. 1 to Contract IV with Excavators and Constructors, Inc. resulting in a decrease of $173,125.05 to the original contract price of $575, 685.00 by reducing the size of the proposed sewer force main from 16" to 12" in construction of water and sanitary sewer improvements to the 1989 annexed area, including the State prison facilities south of the City, was approved on a motion made by Councilman Goodson and seconded by Councilman Cokinos. Question: Ayes: All Nayes: None -115- May 21, 1991 Mayor Lord announced that an Executive Session will be conducted at the close of the Workshop Session in accordance with Section 2 (e) of the Texas Open Meetings Act to discuss pending or contemplated litigation, specifically all litigation pending against the City of Beaumont. -000- Councilman Moore extended an invitation for citizens to attend a CDBG meeting in Ward IV at Alice Keith Community Center at 7: 00 p.m. , Thursday, and take an active part in developing a course of action and to hear the City's plan, and said it has been interesting and inspiring to recently witness DARE graduation programs. Councilman Samuel informed Staff that standing water has been reported by Mrs. Briggs at 3555 E. Simmons, 832-8782, and a street problem at 2415 Brickyard by Leo Metoyer. Councilman Alter said that last Sunday's town hall meeting sponsored by St. Andrew's Presbyterian Church, as part of it's neighborhood block party, was quite interesting and fun. Members of Council fielded questions from about 120 people concerning various issues. Councilman Alter encouraged other churches and organizations to plan such meetings. Also, on Sunday Temple Emanuel was dedicated as a historical monument in the community, not only for the building, but for it's purpose. He said last Thursday's rained-out "Concert in the Park" has been rescheduled for August 8. Councilman Alter echoed sentiments about the DARE graduations being very moving and questioned status of a report monitoring usage of Riverfront Park since passage of the park curfew. Mr. Riley reported that will be referred to Workshop next week. Councilman Goodson joined Councilman Alter in thanking Rabbi Peter Hyman, Charles Weinbaum and others who extended an invitation to attend the Temple Emanuel Texas Historical Marker proceedings. He reported having information regarding Ninth Street being listed as a priority 2 in the Street Program for a member of the audience at the St. Andrew's town hall meeting and suggested sending a copy of the information to her. Mayor Pro Tem Smith said she was sorry to miss the town meeting, but said she spent all day Saturday from 7:00 a.m. to 7: 00 p.m. and again on Sunday from 2 : 00 p.m. with the committee reviewing the SETAC grant. This long, tiring experience revealed the many worthwhile art-related projects in our community and made her aware that we have about half as much money as requests. Mayor Pro Tem. Smith announced that the Texas Festival at the Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts in Washington, D.C. will be held June 11-22, 1991, and a group of women headed by Carolyn Hunt has raised the money to pay for all of the festival which highlights the cultural and ethnic diversity of our state. She said it is an exciting program and encouraged anyone going to be in the area at that time to visit the festival. -116- May 21, 1991 Councilman Cokinos mentioned that the Beaumont Heritage Society on Thursday gave its 1991 preservation award to Terry Heath, Mary Anna Anderson, Robert Haas and the Port of Beaumont (represented by Port Director Bill Masters) for their efforts in salvaging a piece of the wooden sailing vessel City of Beaumont. Mayor Lord said she would like to echo Mayor Pro Tem Smith's comments about the Kennedy Center, and said it's a wonderful treasure for our nation, and especially nice to visit when Texas is being honored. Mayor Lord noted that Council activities often involve week-end meetings and events, but said that it is a joy to celebrate Beaumont with the various groups and organizations. On Sunday, while some Councilmembers were with Temple Emanuel, Mayor Lord said she was at the Shilo Missionary Baptist Church anniversary celebration. She reported that at the DARE graduation at Austin Middle School many of the students participated artistically. One young man wrote a song, three young girls sang acappella very beautifully, one wrote a poem, and another gave a reading, and that at South Park a skit was presented. Mayor Lord announced that Fourth of July parade plans are going great guns. Various groups are working on bands, floats, etc. Sponsorship will be available for groups that cannot afford a float. Mayor Lord said she expects this to be a big parade and will keep the public updated as plans proceed. -000- The Reverend Amos Landry, Jr. , 3460 Westmoreland, addressed Council to express appreciation for their responsiveness regarding gang vandalism and to report that because of their quick action, no other incidents have occurred. The Reverend Landry also thanked Chief Schuldt, the Police Department, Sergeant Duriso, and Officer Brown for attending meetings and helping to formulate a community watch program and Councilman Moore for attending the Beaumont Minister's Union and forming a task force to address the problems of youth and gangs. The Reverend Landry said he would like to see the leadership qualities of the gang leaders redirected to a positive role. Mayor Lord said there is a determination that Beaumont will not be a welcome place for gangs and the Youth Commission have some ideas to help solve the problem. Councilman Moore said there are a great number of volunteers to work on this problem, and a key factor is that the City and the Beaumont Independent School District will be doing extra things this summer to challenge the youth who need something to do. Mr. Jack Tinkle, 410 North Major Drive, addressed Council to again complain about zoning regulations, announced Larry's Antique Mall will be moving because of lack of space, complained about high grass, and discussed various philosophies. -117- May 21, 1991 Mr. Henry Dannenbaum, 1567 Wall Street, thanked Council for passage of the Resolution authorizing funds for Some Other Place. There being no further business, the Regular Session of City Council was adjourned to reconvene in Workshop Session in the Third Floor Conference Room. -000- 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 May 21, 1991. Rosemarie Chiappetta City Clerk -118- May 21, 1991