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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMIN JUN 28 1994 REGULAR SESSION CITY COUNCIL - CITY OF BEAUMONT HELD JUNE 28, 1994 - 1:30 P.M. BE IT REMEMBERED that the City Council of the City of Beaumont, Texas, met in regular session this the 28th day of June, 1994, with the following present: HONORABLE: David W. Moore Mayor John K. Davis Mayor Pro Tem Councilman, Ward III Andrew P. Cokinos Councilman At Large Becky Ames Councilman At Large Lulu L. Smith Councilman, Ward I Guy N. Goodson Councilman, Ward II Calvin Williams Councilman, Ward IV Ray A. Riley City Manager Lane Nichols City Attorney Rosemarie Chiappetta City Clerk -000- The Invocation was given by City Attorney Lane Nichols. The Pledge of Allegiance was led by Councilman Andrew Cokinos. -000- The following proclamation was issued: "Beaumont Home Health Service Day in Beaumont" - July 12 , 1994. -000- Citizen comment was invited on the Consent and Main Agendas. Mr. Charles H. White, 1445 Bolivar; Mr. Ben Rogers, 2030 Thomas Road; Ms. Delores Davis, Youth Rescue Mission, 1930 Franklin; Mr. Jeff Phillips, Sr. , 2820 San Antonio; and Mr. Archie Land, 435 Langham Road; addressed Council to express their concerns for the closing of the Emergency Shelter for the Homeless and offered suggestions for possible solutions for keeping the shelter open or offered their assistance toward that goal. Retired Brigadier General Mike P. Cokinos, 1155 Ivy, addressed Council to request support for the resolution endorsing redevelopment of the YMCA and confirming the requested grant amount for an application to the Texas Department of Transportation. -153- June 28, 1994 Mr. Douglas Steinman, 3755 Long, representing the Jefferson County Council on Alcohol and Drug Abuse, addressed Council to urge support for the resolution approving the 1994 CDBG Program amendments. Mr. Thomas Lewis, 3481 W. Euclid, addressed Council concerning the resolution for the rehabilitation of the Downtown YMCA and questioned procedures for rehabilitation of other "Y" facilities. Lieutenant Albert Villafuerte, Salvation Army, 210 Hampton, addressed Council in support of the resolution approving the 1994 CDBG Program. -000- The following Consent Agenda items were considered: Approval of the Minutes of the regular City Council session held June 21, 1994 ; Resolution No. 94-149 approving an annual contract to furnish plumbing services for all City facilities with Premium Plumbing at a rate of $35. 00 per hour for a plumber, $8. 00 per hour for a helper, $15. 00 minimum service call and 25% added to material cost; Resolution No. 94-150 approving the purchase of a Ford Model 555D tractor with front-end loader and rear-mounted backhoe from Oil City Tractors, Inc. , in the amount of $37,427 for use by the Parks Maintenance Division for tree removal and drainage improvements at City parks; Resolution No. 94-151 approving the purchase of a Ford New Holland Model 6530 tractor equipped with a rear mounted backhoe attachment for the Water Reclamation Division in the amount of $34, 477 from Oil City Tractors, Inc. ; Resolution No. 94-152 approving the purchase of a John Deere Model 5300 tractor equipped with a front-end loader for the Water Production Division from Eastex Farm & Home in the amount of $17,987 ; Resolution No. 94-153 authorizing execution of Change Order No. 1 in the amount of $7,757.70 to the contract with A-1 Guarantee Plumbing for Contract II, Water Service Line Replacement in the South Park Area increasing the contract amount to $38,793 . 20 and authorizing final payment in the amount of $9, 309.87 ; Resolution No. 94-154 approving the contract with Browning Ferris, Inc. to provide solid waste disposal collection for 29 city facilities at the bid amount of $3, 579. 29 per month; Resolution No. 94-155 accepting the bid from National service Cleaning Corporation in the amount of $16, 700 for the removal of a slate shingle -154- June 28, 1994 roof at the Fire Department Headquarters; Resolution No. 94-156 approving the contract with Cleveco in the amount of $27, 260 for the installation of a new metal roofing system for the Fire Department Headquarters; and Resolution No. 94-157 approving a License to Encroach agreement with R. M. "Ric'# Warchol on two 10-foot utility easements for the encroachment of a portion of a swimming pool on Lot 1 and 2 , and the South one-half of Lot 9, Block 4, Amelia Terrace Addition. The Consent Agenda was approved on a motion made by Councilman Cokinos and seconded by Councilman Goodson. Question: Ayes: All Nayes: None -000- Ordinance No. 94-33 approving a specific use permit to allow a duplex at 255 Pollard (requested by Mr. Fredrick Joubert, Jr. ) was considered: ORDINANCE NO. 94-33 ENTITLED AN ORDINANCE GRANTING A SPECIFIC USE PERMIT TO ALLOW A TWO FAMILY DWELLING (DUPLEX) ON LAND ZONED RS (RESIDENTIAL SINGLE FAMILY DWELLING DISTRICT) AT 255 POLLARD AVENUE IN THE CITY OF BEAUMONT, JEFFERSON COUNTY, TEXAS. The ordinance was approved on a motion made by Councilman Cokinos and seconded by Councilman Goodson. Question: Ayes: All Nayes: None -000- Resolution No. 94-158 authorizing execution of a contract with G & G Enterprises in the amount of $190, 900 for construction of Halbouty Park which includes clearing the property, installing playground and exercise equipment, jogging trails, spray pool, a shelter, multi-use field, basketball court and a parking lot was approved on a motion made by Councilman Cokinos and seconded by Councilman Smith. Question: Ayes: All Nayes: None -000- Resolution No. 94-159 authorizing acquisition of Parcel 9 (whole taking of Lots 8-13, Block 1, Calder Highlands Addition, 647 West Lucas Drive, from Freedom Fellowship Baptist Church in the amount of $127, 979. 00) ; Parcel 11 (partial taking of part of Lot 16 and the north 25 feet of Lot 151 Block 1, Calder Highlands Addition, 695 West Lucas Drive, from -155- June 28, 1994 Concetta F. Dattalo in the amount of $34, 000. 00) ; Parcel 14 (partial taking of part of Lot 2 and the south 25 feet of Lot 3 , Block 2, Calder Highlands Addition, 775 West Lucas Drive, from Jim Dale Warren in the amount of $2,723 .00) and Parcel 15 (partial taking of part of Lot 16, Block 8, Calder Highlands Addition, 1775 East Drive, from Mr. and Mrs. Michael T. Rader in the amount of $5,416. 00) for right-of-way for improvements to West Lucas Drive from Phelan Boulevard to Delaware Street was approved on a motion made by Councilman Smith and seconded by Councilman Goodson. Question: Ayes: All Nayes: None -000- Resolution No. 94-160 endorsing the redevelopment of the Downtown YMCA and confirming the requested grant amount of $2 .42 million for an application to the Texas Department of Transportation was approved on a motion made by Councilman Cokinos and seconded by Councilman Goodson. Question: Ayes: Mayor Pro Tem Davis Nayes: None Councilman Cokinos Councilman Ames Councilman Smith Councilman Goodson Councilman Williams Abstained: Mayor Moore -000- Resolution No. 94-161 approving amendments in the amount of $352, 000 to the 1994 Community Development Block Grant Program designating $65, 000 to the Homeless Shelter (for a contract with private non-profit organization) ; $65, 000 to the Salvation Army; $52, 515 to the YWCA; $50, 000 to the Jefferson County Council on Drug Abuse, $34, 000 to Samuel ' s House; $25, 000 to Land Manor, Inc. ; $25, 000 to the Police Activities League; $16, 000 to the Beaumont Boxing Club; $10,730 to Project Self Help; $4, 500 to Program for Human Services; $3, 000 to Stewarts's Half-Way House, Inc. ; and $1, 255 to the Heart of the City program; was considered. A general feeling of Council was that all the recommended organizations are deserving, but after a concern raised by Councilman Smith that the Program for Human Services--Senior Aid Program might be discontinued if Jefferson County could not fund their $25, 000 request, Councilmembers discussed at length alternatives to include the program in this amendment. Council conferred with representatives from the YWCA and Salvation Army regarding possible reductions in their requests since a period of operation for their programs has already lapsed. A representative from the YWCA responded that their program had been pared approximately 30% or $15, 000; Lieutenant Villafuerte with the Salvation Army also said their program had been reduced by approximately $10, 000. -156- June 28, 1994 Both said these reductions would not impair their programs. Resolution No. 94-161 was amended to allocate $55, 000 to the Salvation Army and $37,515 to the YWCA and add $25, 000 to the Program for Human Services - Senior Aid Program and approved on a motion made by Councilman Goodson and seconded by Mayor Pro Tem Davis. Question: Ayes: All Nayes: None -000- Resolution No. 94-162 authorizing purchase of two (2) single-axle diesel powered truck cabs and chassis equipped with a fifth wheel for trailer attachment in the amount of $104, 012 from Atterbery Truck Sales, Inc. for use by the Solid Waste Management Department was approved on a motion made by Councilman Cokinos and seconded by Mayor Pro Tem Davis. Question: Ayes: All Nayes: None -000- Resolution No. 94-163 authorizing purchase of two (2) 45-cubic yard trailers equipped with a fifth wheel in the amount of $63 ,956 from Truck Body of Beaumont for use by the Solid Waste Manage Department was approved on a motion made by Councilman Goodson and seconded by Councilman Smith. Question: Ayes: All Nayes: None -000- Mayor Moore announced that an Executive Session will be conducted at the close of the Workshop Session in accordance with Section 551. 071 of the Government Code to discuss pending or contemplated litigation, specifically the claim of Jim Porter. -000- Councilman Smith thanked members of the various organizations seeking funding from Community Development Block Grant funds for their attendance and interest in the community; explained that the process of selecting organizations to fund is always a difficult process, the problem is having a lot of excellent projects with limited funds available; said she is pleased with the compromise reached today and thanked fellow Councilmembers for working toward an amicable solution. Councilman Goodson joined Councilman Smith in saying that the CDBG program is always a dynamic process and so difficult when requests for $8 million is received with only $2 . 5 million in funds for disbursement, and that it is a heart-wrenching process to have to turn down many worthwhile projects. He thanked the YWCA representative for being so frank and honest and allowing the City the opportunity to use funds for other deserving services and volunteered his assistance to working with -157- June 28, 1994 the program. Councilman Cokinos publicly expressed his appreciation to Mr. Ben Rogers for his continued interest in the City of Beaumont. Councilman Ames added her appreciation for citizen attendance in today's Council meeting, reminded everyone of the Task Force meeting tomorrow at 4 : 00 p.m. to discuss the homeless shelter and said she would not be able to attend because of a prior commitment, but wanted to state her desire to keep the shelter open and said she will do whatever she can to reach that goal. Councilman Davis again thanked the Community Development Advisory Committee for a job well done and complimented Mr. John Labrie for his quick response to citizens when he has directed their concerns to him. Mayor Moore thanked Councilmembers for today's deliberation on one of the toughest items, other than the annual budget, thanked the YWCA for the honest and effort in working with Council to be able to maximize funds and assistance, and told Mr. Ben Rogers that it always a pleasure to have his participation with Council. -000- Mr. Ben Rogers said that he has been attending Council meetings for the past forty years, less lately because of his wife's illness, and congratulated Mayor Moore for his election as mayor, Councilman Ames for her place on Council, Councilman Davis for being selected as Mayor Pro Tem and for the wisdom used in selecting Calvin Williams as the Ward IV representative. Mr. Rogers said "there is not enough words in the vocabulary to thank you all for the time and the effort and the work that you do to make Beaumont a better place to live. He said that he would return in the next weeks with some suggestions for Council to consider. -000- The regular session of the Beaumont city Council was recessed until 1: 30 p.m. , Wednesday, June 29, 1994 , in the Third Floor Council Room at City Hall to discuss the closing of the Emergency Shelter for the Homeless. -000- The regular City Council session was reconvened at 1: 30 p.m. , Wednesday, June 29, 1994, in the Third Floor Conference Room at City Hall, with the -158- June 29, 1994 following present: HONORABLE: David W. Moore Mayor John R. Davis Mayor Pro Tem Andrew P. Cokinos Councilman-At-Large Lulu L. Smith Councilman, Ward I Guy N. Goodson Councilman, Ward II Absent: Becky Ames Councilman-At-Large Calvin Williams Councilman, Ward IV Ray A. Riley City Manager Lane Nichols City Attorney Rosemarie Chiappetta City Clerk -000- Because of the public interest in the subject, the meeting was again recessed to reconvene in the Council Chambers, first floor of City Hall. The Reverend Charles H. White, 1445 Bolivar, representing Charity Productions, made a formal proposal for 6-month interim operation of the shelter, and told of plans to achieve stabilization of the operation of the facility. The Reverend Leo Flood, Hope & Development Center, said he has offered his group' s credentials and help to Ms. Delores Davis and House of Praise Ministries for the operation of the shelter. Ms. Delores Davis, 1930 Franklin representing Holy Deliverance, Youth Rescue Mission, expressed her desire to operate the shelter and spoke of the staff and volunteers and of her ability to raise funds. Ms. Mable Thibodeaux Peterkin, Care Community Homes, addressed Council to say that she is already providing service to adults with emotional or mental disorders and expressed her desire to operate the shelter. The Reverend Hammonds, Believers Temple Church of God in Christ, 3395 Cleveland, told Council that his church has a facility that, with renovations, could house 100 to 150 people, has 30 to 40 rooms that had previously been used for classrooms, has a large kitchen facility and restrooms. Mr. Archie Land, 435 Langham, member of the Task Force formed to study and recommend solutions for the operation of the Shelter, addressed Council to say that the Task Force has just begun its work and needs sufficient time to bring all of the service agencies together for development of a plan for the long term operation of the Shelter. In answer to later questions, Mr. Land responded that the Task Force could possibly have a plan within 60 days. -159- June 29, 1994 Lieutenant Albert Villafuerte, Salvation Army, addressed Council to say that the Salvation Army is currently a shelter for the homeless - what he termed the normal short term homeless. He described two types of homeless people, 1) the hardcore mentally deficient or drug or alcohol abusers and 2) the normal, out-of-work, short term homeless. In answer to various questions, Lt. Villafuerte said with funding assistance - including $19, 000 for bedding and kitchen equipment, some funding for renovations (leaking roof and repairs to windows and doors) , and an additional $4 , 000 per month for food and staffing, the Salvation Army would be willing to accept all the Shelter's homeless for a period up to 60 days. Ms. Peg Towers, Executive Director of United Way, addressed Council to say that there were several agencies in the area that deal with shelters, mentally retarded and with substance abusers and that sufficient time should be given to bring all this expertise together for a final solution, saying "We can solve this problem. " Ms. Paula O'Neal, Director of Some Other Place, addressed Council to say that the homeless are begging for stability and that a workable solution needs to be developed - and also to say that because of this need for stability, "we cannot make more mistakes. " -000- The meeting again recessed at approximately 4 : 00 p.m. to be reconvened at 7 : 00 p.m. in the Council Chambers. -000- The regular City Council session was reconvened at 7: 00 p.m. June 29, 1994 in the City Council Chambers, first floor of City Hall, with the following present: HONORABLE: David W. Moore Mayor John K. Davis Mayor Pro Tem Councilman, Ward III Andrew P. Cokinos Councilman At Large Lulu L. Smith Councilman, Ward I Guy N. Goodson Councilman, Ward II Absent: Becky Ames Councilman At Large Calvin Williams Councilman, Ward IV Ray A. Riley City Manager Lane Nichols City Attorney Rosemarie Chiappetta City Clerk -160- June 29, 1994 After a discussion by Councilmembers and a brief statement by the Reverend Oveal Walker who agreed to join the Task Force for the 60-day period, a motion was made by Councilman Smith to accept the Salvation Army's proposal to operate the Emergency Shelter for a period of 60 days and for the City to provide $19, 000 for equipment and bedding, $5, 000 for repairs, and $2 , 000 per month for food and $2, 000 per month for staff. The motion was seconded by Councilman Goodson. Question: Ayes: Mayor Moore Nayes: Mayor Pro Tem Councilman Cokinos Davis Councilman Smith Councilman Goodson -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 Council session held June 28 and 29, 1994. Rosemarie Chiappetta City Clerk -161- June 29, 1994