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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMIN MAY 10 1994 REGULAR SESSION CITY COUNCIL - CITY OF BEAUMONT HELD MAY 10, 1994 - 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 May, 1994, with the following present: HONORABLE: Evelyn M. Lord Mayor Guy N. Goodson Mayor Pro Tem Councilman, Ward II Andrew P. Cokinos Councilman At Large Brian R. Alter Councilman At Large Lulu L. Smith Councilman, Ward I John Davis Councilman, Ward III David W. Moore Councilman, Ward ' IV Ray A. Riley City Manager Lane Nichols City Attorney Rosemarie Chiappetta City Clerk -000- The Invocation was given by Dr. Robert Turnage, Victory Temple Assembly of God Church. The Pledge of Allegiance was led by Mayor Pro Tem Goodson. -000- One Proclamation was issued: "Preservation Week, " May 8-14, 1994, in recognition of our American heritage. -000- Mayor Lord reported to Council that a recount petition requesting a recount of the votes of the May 7, 1994 election for the Office of Mayor has been approved and will begin May 11th at 1: 00 p.m. at the Voting Machines location, 2748 Viterbo Road, Nederland. She said that Barbara Barron, president of the League of Women Voters, has been selected as Chairman of the Recount Committee. Other members are being recruited, and anyone wishing to serve on the committee may contact her secretary by 3 : 00 p.m. today to submit their name. To be eligible, they must be a qualified voter for the City of Beaumont and not served as an Election Judge for the May 7th election and said they will be compensated at $6. 00 per hour for the time required to conduct the recount. -112- May 10, 1994 Ordinance No. 94-25 canvassing the returns of the General Election held on May 7, 1994, for the purpose of electing a mayor and two councilmembers-at-large was considered: ORDINANCE NO. 94-25 ENTITLED AN ORDINANCE CANVASSING THE RETURNS OF THE GENERAL ELECTION HELD IN THE CITY OF BEAUMONT ON THE 7TH DAY OF MAY, 1994, FOR THE PURPOSE OF ELECTING A MAYOR AND TWO (2) COUNCILMEMBERS-AT-LARGE; PROVIDING FOR SEVERABILITY AND PROVIDING FOR REPEAL. Mr. Riley reported that the election returns for the Office of Mayor, Brian Alter received 6,571 votes, Tom Jackson received 2, 654 votes, and David Moore received 9,290 votes; and for the Office of Councilman-at- Large, Audwin Samuel received 6, 003 votes, Roberto C. Flores received 1,884 votes, Myron Myrick received 543 votes, Andrew P. Cokinos received 8,814 votes; Mary Como Randall received 2, 070 votes, Shirley Ann Biscoe received 418 votes, Anthony "Tony" Sacker received 1, 113 votes, and Becky Ames received 6,976 votes. He said that these results declare election to the Office of Mayor to be David Moore; and Andrew P. Cokinos and Becky Ames to the two positions of Councilman-at-Large, and if the recount indicated a change in numbers or determined a Run-Off Election, another ordinance would be considered next Tuesday. Ordinance No. 94-25 canvassing the returns of the General Election held May 7, 1994, was approved on a motion made by Councilman Alter and seconded by Mayor Pro Tem Goodson. Question: Ayes: All Nayes: None -000- Citizen comment was invited on the Consent and Main Agenda Items 1 through 6. No one wished to address these subjects. -000- The following Consent Agenda items were considered: Approval of the Minutes of the regular City Council session held May 3, 1994 ; Resolution No. 94-106 authorizing pledge of $5, 000. 00 by Nations Bank held in securities at the Federal Reserve Bank of Dallas, effective May 10, 1994 ; Resolution No. 94-107 authorizing purchase of 16 mobile radios in the amount of $673 .88 per unit for a total cost of $13, 312 . 00 from Neches Communications for use by the Police Department; -113- May 10, 1994 Resolution No. 94-108 authorizing an agreement, application and acceptance of funds in the amount of $15, 000 from the Texas Department of Transportation to provide the Police Department with grant funding for implementation of the National Maximum Speed Limit S.T.E.P. Project; Resolution No. 94-109 authorizing a License to Encroach to the Reverend Ernest C. Andrews for a garage encroaching 13.8 feet for a distance of 23 . 4 feet and a swimming pool encroaching 3 .2 feet for a distance of 14 feet into the easement on Lot 12, Block 4, Sheraton Woods Addition, 1235 Coronado, for a one-time fee of Five-Hundred-Dollars ($500.00) ; and Resolution No. 94-110 authorizing a Pipeline License Agreement with Hardy Oil & Gas U.S.A. , Inc. who desires to lay, maintain, operate, replace, or remove a pipeline for the transportation of oil, gas, water, or their products, on or across Pine Point Lane for a distance of 80 feet. The Consent Agenda was approved on a motion made by Councilman Cokinos and seconded by Councilman Davis. Question: Ayes: All Nayes: None -000- Resolution No. 94-111 authorizing Eminent Domain proceedings to acquire the LaSalle Hotel site situated on Lots 179, 180 and 181 and Tract A of Lots 182 and 183 , Block 38 of the Original Townsite of Beaumont to accommodate the planned U. S. Postal service mail-coding operation from Successful Endeavors, Inc. , Waterford Associated, LTD, Mr. Sylvano Stefani, Mrs. Lotus Stefani and any unknown others owning an interest was considered: Councilman Cokinos raised questions regarding the exact location of the subject property, present ownership, sale of property for $25, 000 to Bruce Craig, and the City's offer for the property. Mr. Riley explained that Eminent Domain proceedings concern the site of the hotel, ownership has not been determined, the recent sale is subject to redemption, and that the property value alone exceeds $100, 000.00. Mayor Pro Tem. Goodson said that Bruce Craig is represented by a partner in his law firm; therefore, he will abstain from voting on this item. Resolution No. 94-111 was approved on a motion made by Councilman Alter and seconded by Councilman Davis. Question: Ayes: Mayor Lord Nayes: None Councilman Cokinos Councilman Alter Councilman Smith Councilman Davis Councilman Moore Abstained: Mayor Pro Tem Goodson -114- May 10, 1994 Resolution No. 94-112 nominating the Southeast Texas Community Development Corporation (SETCDC) for eligibility to apply for and receive Federal Community Development Corporation tax credits available under the Federal government's new Enterprise Zone/Enterprise Community Program to provide employment and business opportunities for eligible Beaumont residents was considered. Councilman Smith expressed a desire for Council to conduct a Workshop detailing accountability and/or responsibility involved in receipt of tax credits. It was explained that this action is for nomination only, and that a Workshop will be scheduled for complete explanation. Resolution No. 94-112 was approved on motion made by Councilman Moore and seconded by Councilman Davis. Question: Ayes: All Nayes: None -000- Resolution No. 94-113 authorizing acquisition of Parcel 1: Lot 14, Block 1, Broadway Place Addition, from Mrs. Esther Graves Barthell for the appraised value of $49, 038. 00; and Parcel 6: Lot 13, Block 2, Broadway Place Addition, from Mrs. Mary Cathleen Caldwell for the appraised value of $48, 000. 00; for improvements to West Lucas Drive from Phelan Boulevard to Delaware Street was considered. Councilman Cokinos questioned previous bond issuance for this project. Mr. Riley explained that a number of streets have been included in a previous bond issuance, that monies from that issuance have only been spent on those specific projects, not all projects have been constructed, and because of increased costs, additional funds will be needed to complete the original list of street projects. Councilman Davis said he fully supports this project, but would like for consideration to be given as soon as possible to some of the streets in older parts of town that are in bad shape, such as Long, Bigner, Neches, and Forrest Street. Resolution No. 94-113 was approved on a motion made by Councilman Alter and seconded by Councilman Moore. Question: Ayes: All Nayes: None -000- A resolution authorizing a contract in the amount of $553, 000 with the Southeast Texas Community Development Corporation, Inc. to acquire and renovate 15 to 20 homes and make them available to Beaumont families under the affordable housing program using funds from the 1993 HOME Grant was deferred until a Workshop is held to answer specific questions concerning the program expressed previously by Councilman Smith. -115- May 10, 1994 Resolution No. 94-114 authorizing execution of an agreement with Entergy- Gulf States Utilities for the adjustment of electrical lines running parallel to IH-10 East Frontage Road to provide sufficient clearance between the proposed overpass and the electrical lines at a cost of $169, 000 and for Entergy-GSU to provide approximately 108 ornamental poles and luminaires at a cost of $97, 200 ($900 each) for a total expenditure of $266, 200 in preparation for the Liberty-Laurel Project, Phase III was approved on a motion made by Councilman Alter and seconded by Councilman Davis. Question: Ayes: All Nayes: None -000- Resolution No. 94-115 authorizing Change Order No. 1 to the contract with Bo-Mac Contractors, Inc. for the 1994 Street Rehabilitation Program, Reconstruction and Overlay, for additional base required to increase the structural integrity and life expectancy of 3500 linear feet of Babe Zaharias Drive within Tyrrell Park in the amount of $20, 560. 00, increasing the contract amount to $1,871,883 . 39, was approved on a motion made by Councilman Cokinos and seconded by Councilman Alter. Question: Ayes: All Nayes: None -000- Councilman Cokinos announced he is glad the election is over and said the YMBL Rodeo was great. Councilman Alter said. . . . "We have been probably been as much in the front of the public in the last week as we possibly want to be. So, I think I ' ll just it go at that. . .No. . . . I would take it back. . .I do want to thank everybody in the whole community. We had an excellent turnout. We had an extremely high quality race from all of the candidates, and I think it, and all the candidates from all the races, quite honestly. And, I think that's a real positive step forward for the community. I think it's, I think the whole community should be welcome to having some very high quality personnel in all of the offices, be it BISD, City Council, Mayor, the whole works. I think it's just a positive step forward for the city, and I congratulate the whole community for taking that step forward. " Councilman Davis congratulated Councilman Cokinos, Becky Ames, Brian Alter, David Moore and Tom Jackson for running "first-class campaigns, free of negativism. Also, Councilman Davis reviewed that a meeting with a representative from Digicon had occurred and agreed that a committee would be appointed with people of the affected area represented, and asked Mr. Riley to schedule a committee meeting at his earliest convenience. . Councilman Moore congratulated Councilman Cokinos and Becky Ames for successfully attaining seats on City Council, said last weekend was -116- May 10, 1994 truly an invigorating day with the level of voter participation increased, the caliber of races run by contestants, said the Indian Association presented a most interesting evening, and commented that history has also been made in a number of different ways, globally, with the African election of Nelson Mandella as president which represents the change going on in our world. Councilman Smith also congratulated Councilman Cokinos and Becky Ames for successful campaigns and said she looks forward to with them this year. She said that besides the election, a lot of citizens are to be congratulated for their involvement with community activities: the Homes Tour in the Oaks Historic District, Kaleidoscope, the Indian Festival, Cinco De Mayo, and many other social and cultural events. Mayor Pro Tem Goodson joined everyone in enumerating the success of the many events of the weekend and commended all the Mayoral and At-Large Council candidates for keeping the race on such a high plane with a focus on issues and not on personalities. He said "it was a refreshing change from other recent campaigns. . . " Mayor Lord echoed her congratulations to all candidates and said that she often has opportunity to tout the record of Beaumont in not participating in dirty campaigns and politics. Mayor Lord added her personal thanks to Council for a wonderful reception held in her honor last Wednesday and to the citizens who attended, said it "was a very special time. . .and very moving good-by party. " Councilman Cokinos noted that State Representative Al Price is in the audience, and Mayor Lord welcomed Mr. Price and invited him to address Council and the audience. -000- State Representative Al Price shared that "for once I 'm not suffering from an undelivered speech. " Mr. Henry Dannenbaum, 2880 Grand, told Mayor Lord that her fellow Councilmembers consider her to be "one of the finest people in the city, " and everyone wishes her the best of luck as she leaves Council. -000- There being no further business, the regular session of City Council was adjourned. -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 -117- May 10, 1994 Council session held May 10, 1994. Rosemarie Chiappetta City Clerk -118- May 10, 1994