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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMIN OCT 04 1994 REGULAR SESSION CITY COUNCIL - CITY OF BEAUMONT HELD OCTOBER 4, 1994 - 1:30 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, 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 Barbara Liming Deputy City Clerk -000- The Invocation was given by the Reverend David Gusbie, North End Baptist Church. The Pledge of Allegiance was led by Ms. Dollie Johnson, Gulf Division Manager for Entergy-GSU. -000- Two Proclamations were issued: "Restaurant Month, " October, 1994; and "Respiratory Care Week, " October 2-8, 1994. -000- Mayor Moore announced that "on September 17 and 18, 1994, employees in the Solid Waste Management Department and Fleet Division competed in the annual Truck Drivers, Landfill Equipment and Mechanic's Road-e-o sponsored by the Lone Star Chapter of the Solid Waste Association of North America (SWANA) . " Mayor Moore asked Mr. John Labrie, Solid Waste Department Director to introduce City of Beaumont employee winners and Councilmembers Ames and Cokinos to assist with presentation of a calculator and umbrella inscribed with the City logo to each winner as a token of the City's appreciation and congratulations for their efforts. Mr. Labrie introduced Carl Guillory who was proclaimed the "Grand Truck Driving Champion" by achieving the highest score of all 52 competitors from all over the state and for receiving First Place in the Rear Loader -241- October 4, 1994 event; Cleester Bristor, Second Place in the Side Loader event; Carlton Johnson, Second Place and Milton Clark, Third Place in the Tractor/Trailer event; Edison Govea, First Place in the Truck Mechanic event; Ulysses Cormier, First Place in the Landfill Scrapper event; and Craig Fontenot, First Place in the Landfill Mechanic event. Mr. Labrie thanked Council for recognizing these outstanding employees. -000- Citizen comment was invited on the Consent Agenda and Main Agenda Items 2 through 6. No one wished to comment on these subjects. -000- The following Consent Agenda items were considered: Approval of the Minutes of the regular City Council session held September 27 , 1994; Resolution No. 94-272 appointing Brian Alter to the Community Development Advisory Committee, the Reverend Clarence Williams to the Parks and Recreation Advisory Committee and the Airport Advisory Committee for terms expiring October 3 , 1996; and reappointing Pat Henderson to the Parks and Recreation Advisory Committee for a term expiring September 21, 1996; and Resolution No. 94-273 authorizing settlement of the claim of Kristinia Mae Standifer vs. City of Beaumont, et al in the amount of $85,913 .80. The Consent Agenda was approved on a motion made by Councilman Cokinos and seconded by Councilman Ames. Question: Ayes: All Nayes: None -000- The City Attorney explained that the public hearing on today's agenda was "attempted to be held in the middle of August. . .to consider Section 42 rate examination of Gulf States Utilities. " He said we didn't have a quorum at that meeting and are now fulfilling a jurisdictional requirement to hold a public hearing before taking any action. Mayor Moore opened the public hearing to consider a reduction in Gulf States Utilities' electric rates and a one-time credit on electric bills. Ms. Dolly Johnson, Gulf Division Manager for Gulf States Utilities/Entergy Corporation, residing at 2645 Gladys, addressed Council in support of GSU's rates. First, she said "Entergy is proud to be a corporate citizen in Southeast Texas" and stated that Entergy is committed to enhancing Gulf States participation in community projects. -242- October 4, 1994 Ms. Johnson said "besides providing reliable electric energy, " GSU/Entergy attempts to keep "operations as efficient as possible so customers can enjoy the lowest possible, reasonable rates. " To summarize GSU's position on rates, Ms. Johnson said they "continue to believe their rates are fair and consistent with the settlement reached with Beaumont and other Texas cities in the latter half of 1993 . " She said they "have no quarrel with the City filing an intervention in this matter; " the opinions of the consultants and GSU differ on findings, but "such disagreement is to be expected in the rate-making process. " She said they have "pledged cooperation and commitment to making the evaluation process useful and efficient, " and their "current rates compare very favorable with those of other utilities in Texas. " She said that only three out of ten investor-owned electric utility companies in Texas have lower rates than GSU. There being no one else to address Council, the public hearing was closed. Ordinance No. 94-49 ordering a reduction in Gulf States Utilities' electric rates and a one-time credit on electric bills was considered: ORDINANCE NO. 94-49 ENTITLED AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY OF BEAUMONT, TEXAS, FINDING AFTER REASONABLE NOTICE AND HEARING, THAT THE EXISTING RATES OF GULF STATES UTILITIES COMPANY ARE UNREASONABLE; DETERMINING JUST AND REASONABLE RATES TO BE OBSERVED AND IN FORCE WITHIN THE CITY; ORDERING RATE REDUCTIONS AND RATE REFUNDS; ORDERING THAT THIS ORDINANCE BE SERVED ON GULF STATES UTILITIES COMPANY; PRESERVING REGULATORY RIGHTS OF THE CITY; PROVIDING FOR REPEAL OF CONFLICTING ORDINANCES. Ordinance No. 94-49 was approved on a motion made by Councilman Williams and seconded by Councilman Smith. Question: Ayes: All Nayes: None -000- Resolution No. 94-274 assigning the Jefferson County Housing Finance Corporation the authority of the Beaumont Housing Finance Corporation to issue qualified home mortgage bonds in 1995 was approved on a motion made by Councilman Smith and seconded by Mayor Pro Tem Davis. Question: Ayes: Mayor Moore Nayes: None Mayor Pro Tem Davis Councilman Cokinos Councilman Ames Councilman Smith Councilman Williams Abstained: Councilman Goodson -243- October 4 , 1994 Resolution No. 94-275 authorizing purchase of three (3) paratransit vans equipped with wheelchair lifts from Texas Bus Sales, Inc. in the amount of $162,825.00 for the Beaumont Municipal Transit System was approved on a motion made by Councilman Cokinos and seconded by Mayor Pro Tem Davis. Question: Ayes: All Nayes: None Mayor Moore questioned keeping versus trade-in of vans in the future and suggested to Staff that if a cost analysis study proved favorable, consideration be given to keeping one or two vans for backup purposes or an exceptional route that may occur. The City Manager stated that there are occasions when a smaller van would be better utilized for City activities and said they can be purchased at fair market prices. -000- Resolution No. 94-276 authorizing a contract with BGI Enterprise, Inc. in the amount of $43 ,000.00 for manufacture of four distributor arms for the primary trickling filter located at the Sewage Treatment Plant, 4900 Lafin Road, was approved on a motion made by Councilman Goodson and seconded by Councilman Smith. Question: Ayes: All Nayes: None -000- Resolution No. 94-277 authorizing a one-year lease agreement, renewable for five additional years, with The Gospel of Jesus Christ Church for approximately 3,200 square feet of space at 2575 Wilson Street for the Health Department's Women, Infants and Children (W.I.C. ) Satellite Office at a monthly rate of $1,412.48 including utilities was considered. In answer to questions raised last week, Councilman Smith said the State of Texas looked at the demographics of needs in the north end of the city and suggested a satellite office be opened, the Central Services Department evaluated this building to be the most suitable, and that in 1991 there were ten (10) full-time employees and one (1) half-time employee in this program and that number has increased by two (2) additional half-time employees to provide the service. Councilman Cokinos thanked the City Manager and Kyle Hayes, Administrative Assistant in the Executive Office, for providing requested information on the W.I.C. program and said he knows the program is serving a definite need among citizens. Resolution No. 94-277 was approved on a motion made by Mayor Pro Tem Davis and seconded by Councilman Ames. Question: Ayes: All Nayes: None -244- October 4, 1994 Resolution No. 94-278 authorizing a one-year contract with Employers Nations Risk Management Services, Inc. for loss control services for the City of Beaumont at $85. 00 per hour was approved on a motion made by Councilman Ames and seconded by Councilman Smith. Question: Ayes: All Nayes: None -000- Mayor Moore announced an executive session to be held following the workshop session of City Council in accordance with Section 551.071 of the Government Code to discuss contemplated or pending litigation: Bobby Ransom vs. the Citv of Beaumont; Billy R. Jennings vs. the City of Beaumont, et al; Terry Guidry vs. the City of Beaumont, et al; Joseph C. Thornton vs. the City of Beaumont; and The State of Texas vs. Joe Hickman, Jr. -000- Councilman Smith urged everyone to enjoy the "Taste of the Triangle" tonight at the Civic Center. She said it is really a delightful experience, everyone will have a wonderful time and the food is great. Councilman Goodson agreed with Councilman Smith and said it will be a fabulous evening at the "Taste of the Triangle. " Mayor Pro Tem Davis expressed appreciation to the City Manager and Public Works Director Tom Warner on behalf of the Cable Street Neighborhood Association for the street lighting installed on Forest and Cable Street. Mayor Moore congratulated Mayor Pro Tem Davis and citizens of the Northend for an excellent neighborhood meeting, both in attendance and topics of discussion. Mayor Pro Tem Davis interjected citizen appreciation for Mayor Moore taking time from a busy schedule to visit their meeting and for his encouraging words regarding perseverance and staying on course. Mayor Moore added that he received a request for Staff to check an area in the 1400 block of Bradley Street for possible City Code violations. He congratulated the NAACP on their fund banquet held this past weekend with Mr. Phillip Cox as keynote speaker. He said the event was also a celebration of young people, the meeting was well attended and said a lot about the organization of the NAACP and our community. Councilman Cokinos reported that a street sign on Ewing Street at Interstate 10 needs to be replaced. -245- October 4, 1994 Ms. Sherry Noeller, 1002 Avenue A, liaison for the Student Government Association at Lamar University, addressed Council to request increased and extended bus service. She stated there are students living in dorms and working in the community that need public transportation back to Lamar after 6:00 p.m. Mayor Moore asked the Public Works Director to evaluate and bring back a report to Council regarding cost of additional and longer hours of bus service. He commented that if service was increased to one area, the City would have to comply with a mandate to increase service to the whole city and might not be financially feasible. Mr. Walter Morris, 270 East LaSalle, addressed Council to report a problem with trash and tree limbs in the ditch across from Lacy's Temple (4045 Pine) . He said trees and shrubs were cleaned in the area of Pine and East Gill, placed in the ditch on Pine Street and now creating drainage problems. Mayor Pro Tem. Davis advised Mr. Morris that he may have information and direction to solve this problem. Ms. Schieketha Eaglin, 3220 Christopher, addressed Council to extend an invitation from the Northend Neighborhood Association to attend a function on October 29th from 11:00 a.m. to 3 :00 p.m. at the corner of Bigner and Maida with the Northside Trail Riders who will be hosting a fun event for the children. -000- There being no other business, the regular session of City Council was recessed to reconvene in workshop session. -000- I, Barbara Liming, Deputy 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, 1994. Barbara Liming Deputy City Clerk -246- October 4, 1994