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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMIN DEC 10 1991 REGULAR SESSION CITY COUNCIL - CITY OF BEAUMONT HELD DECEMBER 10, 1991 - 1:30 P.M. BE IT REMEMBERED that the City Council of the City of Beaumont, Texas, met in regular session this the 10th day of December, 1991, with the following present: HONORABLE: Evelyn M. Lord Mayor Lulu L. Smith Mayor Pro Tem Councilman, Ward I Andrew P. Cokinos Councilman At Large Guy N. Goodson Councilman, Ward II David W. Moore Councilman, Ward IV Absent: Brian R. Alter Councilman At Large Audwin Samuel Councilman, Ward III Ray A. Riley City Manager Lane Nichols City Attorney Rosemarie Chiappetta City Clerk -000- The Invocation was given by the Reverend Larry Staggs, Rosedale Baptist Church. The Pledge of Allegiance was led by Councilman Cokinos. -000- Mayor Lord relayed regrets from Councilmembers Alter and Samuel for being absent from today's Council meeting. -000- Two Proclamations were issued: "Bruce Wiggins Day, " December 10, 1991 (for his significant endeavors toward wildlife conservation) ; and "Bill of Rights Day, " December 10, 1991. -000- Citizen comment was invited on the Consent and Main Agenda Items 1 through 5. Mr. Rex Baxter of Houston, representing Schlumberger, Industries, addressed Council to complain that his company nor their distributor, International Supply Company, had not received bidding information for cold water meters that are to be purchaed by Council action today. -301- December 10, 1991 Because of time restrictions for a representation of citizens present, Councilman Moore requested deviation from the usual proceedings to allow citizen comment on items other than those previously stated. Mayor Lord extended the opportunity to speak on any subject for individuals with time restrictions. Mr. Marvin Durden, 4245 Simon Drive, addressed Council regarding a previous order to demolish a church located at Potts and Houston Streets. Mr. Durden explained the congregation was not aware of the order and they have a new pastor who, along with the Deacon and Trustee Boards, would like to form a plan of action to use the building for either the youth or senior citizens and requested additional time. Mr. Durden was informed that formal bids will be taken on December 16th for demolition of the structure, and that no action can be taken until January. Mr. Riley said that in Workshop Session on January 7th a report of the bid results can be made available for Council. Mr. Durden was instructed to confer with Staff regarding the plan of action the church members agree upon and submit that plan before the January 7th Workshop Session for Council review. Mr. George Talbert, Manager of the Safety and Environmental Department at Mobil Oil Corporation, addressed Council to report progress of a joint partnership between Mobil, the City of Beaumont, and the Symphony. A Recycling Task Force was formed to get school children involved in recycling. Mrs. Carol William of the City's Recycling Learning Center conducted presentations throughout the city to fourth and fifth grade students explaining the importance of recycling and the City' s recycling program. The children made over 1, 000 Christmas tree ornaments out of recyclable materials and displayed a tree decorated with these ornaments at the Symphony of Trees. The tree has been placed in the foyer of City Hall. Mr. Talbert recognized the ladies associated with the Symphony and Carol Williams and Betsy Boyd, who he said were prime movers with Jeannie Mitchell of Mobil Oil, in this project. Mr. Talbert thanked Council for the opportunity to work with this effort and wished everyone a Merry Christmas and Happy New Year on behalf of Mobil. Mayor Lord expressed grateful appreciation to Mobil for their excellent corporate citizenship. Councilman Moore echoed appreciation to Mobil as a corporate citizen in such efforts as "Concerts on the Move, " and for the planned "Neighbor Day" planned for the weekend when neighboring residents of Mobil will be invited to attend a day of information, awareness, and fun at Mobil. Mr. Steven Mayfield, Membership Coordinator of the Art Museum of Southeast Texas, addressed Council to extend an invitation to attend a tree lighting ceremony on December 12, 1991, sponsored by the Texas -302- Energy Museum, the Tyrrell Historical Library and Art Museum. The ceremony will begin at 5: 00 p.m. , and Mayor Lord will officially light the tree at 6: 00 p.m. -000- The following Consent Agenda items were considered: Approval of the Minutes of the regular City Council session held December 3, 1991; Resolution No. 91-301 authorizing First City Bank, Texas to release and pledge $600,000.00 in securities with the Federal Reserve Bank - Dallas/Houston Branch, effective December 11, 1991; Resolution No. 91-302 appointing Dr. Tom Nelson as chairman and Jeannie Mitchell as vice chairman of the Clean Community Commission; appointing Lynn M. Bencowitz as chairman and Karen McLane as vice chairman of the Beaumont Advisory Committee for Prevention of Child Abuse and Neglect; appointing Bill Miranda as chairman of the Parks and Recreation Committee; and reappointing George Holliday to the Convention and Tourism Advisory Committee for a term ending September 30, 1993 ; Resolution No. 91-303 accepting street and storm sewer improvements on Gleneagles Drive from the existing pavement approximately 620 feet east to a Tpye III barricade, Innisbrook Drive from Gleneagles Drive approximately 462 feet north to and including the cul-de-sac, and Augusta Drive from Gleneagles Drive approximately 406 feet north to and including the cul-de-sac and accepting water and sanitary sewer improvements in Lots 1-13 , Block 1, Lots 1-14, Block 2, and Lots 1-8, Block 3, in Willow Creek Country Club Estates, Phase II, Sections B and C, subject to filing a final plat and dedication of all right-of-way and easements required and installation of street lights; and Resolution No. 91-304 authorizing purchase of approximately 1300 12-14 pound turkeys for distribution to City employees at Christmas from Kroger Food Store at $.89 per pound. The Consent Agenda was approved on a motion made by Councilman Cokinos and seconded by Councilman Goodson. Question: Ayes: All Nayes: None -000- Resolution No. 91-305 authorizing purchase of two (2) Ford F800 cabs and chassis mounted with a Pakmor R1208 refuse collection body for use by the Solid Waste Management Department, effective February 3, in the City's recycling program from Wickersham Ford in the amount of $52,967. 00 each, a total of $105,934. 00, was approved on a motion made by Councilman Moore and seconded by Councilman Smith. Question: Ayes: All Nayes: None -303- December 10, 1991 Resolution No. 91-306 authorizing an annual contract for routine maintenance of City automobiles, vans and pick-up trucks with Magic Car Wash and Quick Lube at an estimated total cost of $35,990. 00 (Routine Maintenance $18.95; Pursuit Vehicle: Air Filter, $3. 99, P.C.V. valve, $1.99, Windshield wipers, $4 . 25, and Crankcase Breather, $1.99; Pick-Up Trucks with Gasoline Engine: Air Filter, $3 .99, P.C.V. valve, $1.99, Windshield Wipers, $4.55, and Crankcase Breather, $1.99; Pick-Up Truck with Diesel Engine: Air Filter, $4 .99, and Windshield Wipers, $4.25, one quart of Transmission Fluid: $. 99, and one quart Engine Oil, over five quarts: $1.49) was approved on a motion made by Councilman Cokinos and seconded by Councilman Goodson. Question: Ayes: All Nayes: None -000- Resolution No. 91-307 authorizing purchase of 260 manhole covers, frames and extensions for use by the Sewer Maintenance, Water Utilities Division in projected street rehabilitation from Coburn Supply in the amount of $15,734.20, less a 2% prompt payment discount, was approved on a motion made by Councilman Goodson and seconded by Councilman Goodson. Question: Ayes: All Nayes: None -000- After discussion and an explanation of bidding procedures and advertising requirements, Resolution No. 91-308 authorizing purchase of 690 water meters: 400, 5/8" by 3/4" at $24.50 each; 2001 1" at $64 . 00 each; 60, 1 1/2" at $164. 00 each; and 30, 2" at $231. 00 each for use by the Water Utilities Department, Water Distribution Division from O & R Utilities at a total cost of $39, 370. 00 was approved on a motion made by Mayor Pro Tem Smith and seconded by Councilman Goodson. Question: Ayes: All Nayes: None -000- Resolution No. 91-309 authorizing purchase of 38,400 square feet of ceiling tile for use in the Convention Facilities/Civic Center Complex interior remodeling project from Craft Systems, Inc. in the amount of $12 , 060. 00 was approved on a motion made by Councilman Moore and seconded by Councilman Cokinos. Question: Ayes: All Nayes: None -000- A public hearing was called to consider the forty-three (43) below listed structures found to be in violation of the City of Beaumont's Dangerous Structure Ordinance, Article III, Section 14-50: 1480 E. Gill (21 violations) , 1520 E. Gill (16 violations) , 1524 E. Gill (21 violations) , 1550 E. Gill (20 violations) , 1560 E. Gill (16 -304- December 10, 1991 violations) , 1570 E. Gill (24 violations) , 1635 Bean Court (21 violations) 1655 Bean Court (21 violations) , 1565 LaSalle (16 violations) , 1575 LaSalle (16 violations) , 1615 LaSalle (16 violations) , 4034 Magnolia (16 violations) , 4026 Magnolia (16 violations) , 4022 Magnolia (16 violations) . 4012 Magnolia (16 violations) , 1640 E. Gill (20 violations) , and 1650 E. Gill (3 violations) - Mrs. Faeydoun Shahrodi, owner of all structures, Staff recommendation to raze each structure within 30 days; 915 Schwarner - Guy A. Jones, owner (21 violations) , Staff recommendation to raze within 30 days; 965 Grant - Bruce Charris, owner (22 violations) , Staff recommendation to raze or repair within 30 days; 1860 Irving (Commercial) - George W. Douglas, owner (15 violations) , Staff recommendation to raze within 30 days; 4211 Highland (Garage Apt. ) - Robert N. Johnson, owner (18 violations) , Staff recommendation to raze within 30 days; 1256 Harriot - Alice Champagne, owner (13 violations) , Staff recommendation to raze or repair within 30 days; 1576 Pipkin (Garage) - Maxwell William, owner (5 violations) , Staff recommendation to raze within 30 days; 2210 Potts - Paul Homer, owner (18 violations) , Staff recommendation to raze within 30 days; 2195 Southerland - Mamie Washington, owner (21 violations) , Staff recommendation to raze or repair within 30 days; 3025 Glenwood - Martha Roy, owner (19 violations) , Staff recommendation to raze within 30 days; 2195 Terrell (Shed) - Louise Simmons Et Al, owner (10 violations) , Staff recommendation to raze within 30 days; 1740 Levy - Elnora Sparks, owner (21 violations) , Staff recommendation to raze within 30 days; 2329 E. Lucas - Q. P. Whatley, owner (25 violations) , Staff recommendation to raze within 30 days; 2145 Primrose - Fayron Ray Roge, owner (16 violations) , Staff recommendation to raze within 30 days; 2940 16th Shed - M. B. Park, Jr. , owner (6 violations) , Staff recommendation to raze within 30 days; 2460 N. 9th - Anita Y. Wallace, owner (14 violations) , Staff recommendation to raze within 30 days; 1505 N. 7th - Finger Interests, owner (16 violations) , Staff recommendation to raze within 30 days; 2095 Magnolia - Charles Copeland, owner (17 violations) , Staff recommendation to raze within 30 days; 1106 Long - Ella Evans, owner (21 violations) , Staff recommendation to raze within 30 days; 1139 Ashley - Peggy S. Colbert, owner (20 violations) , Staff recommendation to raze within 30 days; 1353-57 Louisiana - Copes Uneeda c/o Jessie Guil, owner (19 violations) , Staff recommendation to raze within 30 days; 1054 Harrison - Sal White and George White, Jr. , owners (17 violations) , Staff recommendation to raze within 30 days; 63-65 Minor - David A. Scott, owner (20 violations) , Staff recommendation to raze within 30 days; 3890 Hollywood (Commercial) - Blieden Investment Co. , owner (10 violations) , Staff recommendation to raze within 30 days; 150 Orange, 160 Orange, and 170 Orange - Sadie and Hubert Oxford, owners of all three structures (20 violations each structure) , Staff recommendation to raze all structures within 30 days. These parcels of property have been inspected, are vacant, and found to be in violation of Article III, Section 14-50 of the Code of Ordinances. Notices have been sent to owners by Certified Mail and published in the Beaumont Enterprise. -305- December 10, 1991 The twenty-five (25) 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 Building Codes Division of the Public Safety Department is requesting authorization from City Council to demolish these structures in accordance with the Dangerous Structure Ordinance and charge the property owners with the cost of demolition. 2795 Atlanta, 2599 Cable, 2599 Cable (Rear), 1345 Collis, 1345 Collis (Garage), 3470 S. 11th, 3470 S. 11th (Rear), 2710 Franklin, 2408 Goliad, 1145 Harriot (Commercial), 2410 Hegele (Commercial), 1010 Sherman, 2215 Pear, 1260 LaSalle, 1788 Laurel, 1709 McFaddin, 5380 Nelkin Lane, 3162 Pine, 1308 Victoria, 2543 Wall (Garage Apt. ), 702 College (Commercial), 734 College (Commercial), 746 College, 764 College, and 764-A College (Rear) . Mrs. Elnora Sparks, 3220 Areba, Houston, addressed Council to request additional time to rehabilitate the structure at 1740 Levy Street. Mrs. Sparks was advised she could meet with Staff to establish a work program if rehabilitation of the structure is viable and was apprised of the Rental Rehabilitation Program offered by the City as a possible source of financing. Mrs. Zohreh Shahrodi, 1225 Wilchester Circle, addressed Council to report that warranty deeds have been secured for the seventeen (17) properties she owns on East Gill, Bean Court, LaSalle, and Magnolia Streets that are being considered on today's dilapidated structure ordinance and to request time for their rehabilitation, plus structures previously declared dangerous, their demolition ordered by Ordinance No. 91-91 on November 5, 1991, and now under contract for that demolition. Since the structures were not publicly posted for Council consideration today, Mrs. Shahrodi was informed they could not be discussed at this time, even though Council is concerned with keeping low-income rental housing stock, but instructed Mrs. Shahrodi to establish a work program with Staff for the seventeen (17) structures under consideration today. Council asked the Legal Department to determine if reconsideration of the structures, with proper posting, would violate some existing contractual obligation. Mr. Nichols said he will consider the request to bring the item forward on December 19, and provide Council, as soon as possible, all the information concerning liabilities and recommended courses of action. Mrs. Alice Champagne, addressed Council regarding the structure at 1256 Harriot to request additional time to rehabilitate the structure. Mrs. Champagne was instructed to establish a work program with the Building Codes Division. Mr. Percy Wheeler, addressed Council on behalf of Hurd Wheeler, his recently deceased father, regarding the structure at 3315 Waverly -306- December 10, 1991 Street. Mr. Wheeler was informed that after tagging and upon discovery at the time of filming for Council perusal that the structure is presently occupied, it was been removed from the ordinance for consideration today. Mr. William Maxwell from Dickinson, Texas, addressed Council to request sufficient time to finalize negotiations for sale of the property at 1576 Pipkin Street or to demolish the garage, if the sale did not occur. Mr. Maxwell was advised of the time frame for return of the property for Council consideration and informed that at that time Council would consider an additional request for time, if proof of a viable plan has been established. There being no one else to address Council, the public hearing was closed. Mr. Riley explained that Section 1 of the ordinance declares structures to be public nuisances, Section 2 orders repair or demolition, and Section 3 orders demolition and removal. Mr. Riley questioned issuance of a Building Permit for structures listed in Section 3 . Mr. Nichols recommended that the properties at 1480, 1420, 1524, 1550, 1560, 1570, 1640, and 1650 East Gill, 1635 and 1655 Bean Court, 1565, 1575 and 1615 LaSalle, 4034, 4026, 4022, and 4012 Magnolia, 1256 Harriot, 1576 Pipkin (garage) , and 1740 Levy be moved to Section 2 to allow property owners to establish a work plan and secure Building Permits. Ordinance No. 91-94 declaring certain dilapidated structures to be public nuisances and ordering their repair or removal by their owners was considered: ORDINANCE NO. 91-94 ENTITLED AN ORDINANCE FINDING CERTAIN STRUCTURES TO BE PUBLIC NUISANCES AND ORDERING THEIR REPAIR OR DEMOLITION; PROVIDING FOR SEVERABILITY AND PROVIDING FOR A PENALTY. With the modifications discussed by the City Manager and City Attorney, Ordinance No. 91-94 was approved on a motion made by Councilman Cokinos and seconded by Councilman Goodson. Question: Ayes: All Nayes: None -000- On behalf of the Clean Community Commission, Mr. Harry Murdock, an Industrial Technology student in the College of Engineering at Lamar University, presented findings of the latest Photometric Index showing an overall increase of 134% in trash, refuse and litter in the City of -307- December 10, 1991 Beaumont since 1990, but an overall decrease of 36. 34% since 1981. Mr. Murdock, three other students conducting the study, and the Clean Community Commission recommend stimulation of community awareness of litter control through educational projects in schools and city-wide cleanup activities, increase community participation in litter pickup, and initiate inspection of dumpsters on parking lots and business establishments where the increase is the greatest. -000- Councilman Goodson voiced appreciation for the opportunity to attend a luncheon with Mayor Lord and members of the Mayor's Committee for Employment of Disabled Persons. Mayor Pro Tem Smith reported that Mayor Lord, Councilman Moore and she participated as judges in Geographic Contest at Marshall Middle School today, and said the students fielded some very difficult questions. Councilman Cokinos said the Sabine Chiefs ' Barbeque was great, and he appreciated the invitation to attend. Mayor Lord said that because of the crime rate growth, she has received several calls from citizens and proposed consideration of the pros and cons of assignment of Police patrol vehicles to officers with the opportunity for personal use within the community. She said that perhaps the appearance of patrol cars in the neighborhood would lessen incidents crime in the community and possibly promote better care of the vehicles by the users through individual identification. Councilman Moore agreed with Mayor Lord about the visibility of Police vehicles in the community serving as a crime deterrent and said that Council previously requested the same research, and that the findings proved the City would have to make a significant purchase increase of vehicles involving a considerable financial obligation. Also, Councilman Moore congratulated Cargill for their presentation last week involving technology in economic development for our community and complemented the Chamber of Commerce for their most interest Leadership Beaumont program last week depicting the quality of life in Beaumont. He said that efforts such as those of the Chamber serve as indicators that the community is growing closer in some ways, and yet, we have a better appreciation for the cultural diversity. Mayor Lord reminded everyone that Council will meet one more time this month on Thursday, December 19, at 1:30 p.m. -000- Mr. Henry Dannenbaum, 1567 Wall Street, addressed Council regarding the three performances of The Gospel According to Scrooge by First Baptist Church on December 14, 15, and 16, to ask consideration for donations to -308- December 10, 1991 the McBride Halfway House, and wish everyone a Merry Christmas. -000- There being no other business, the Regular Session of City Council was adjourned to reconvene in Workshop Session. -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 December 10, 1991. Rosemarie Chiappetta City Clerk -309- December 10, 1991