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Home My WebLink AboutMIN MAY 09 1995 REGULAR SESSION CITY COUNCIL- CITY OF BEAUMONT HELP MAY 9, 1995 - 1:30 P.M. BE IT REMEMBERED that the City Council of the City of Beaumont, Texas, met in regular session this the 9th day of May, 1995, 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 Absent: Calvin Williams Councilman,Ward IV Ray A. Riley City Manager Lane Nichols City Attorney Rosemarie Chiappetta City Clerk *(Mayor Pro Tem Davis arrived during reading of the second proclamation.) -000- The Invocation was given by City Attorney Lane Nichols, and Mayor Moore asked that we pause for an additional moment of silent prayer for the family of Assistant City Manager Sterling Pruitt who passed away yesterday after a long illness. The Pledge of Allegiance was led by City Manager Ray A. Riley. -000- Mayor Moore reported that Councilman Calvin Williams has been absent recently because of illness, but is feeling better now. -000- Five Proclamations were issued: "Kaleidoscope Days," May 13 and 14, 1995; "Goodwill Week," May 7-13, 1995; "Be Kind to Animals Week," May 7-13, 1995; "National Tourism Week," May 7-13, 123 May 9, 1995 1995; and "Letter Carriers' Food Drive Day," May 13, 1995. -000- Mayor Moore announced that an executive session will be held in accordance with Section 551.071 of the Government Code to discuss contemplated or pending litigation: the Claim of Vassem Kanter following the regular session of City Council. -000- Citizen comment was invited on the Consent and Main Agendas. Mr. William Beckett, 1995 Lela began to address Council regarding a complaint and was advised that at the end of the regular session, citizens may speak on any subject, but that comment now is limited to Consent and Main agenda items. 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 2, 1995; and Resolution No. 95-129 authorizing execution of an Amendatory Pipeline Right-of-Way Agreement and a Release Agreement with MidCon Texas Pipeline Corporation to grant an easement for replacement pipeline and release the section of the abandoned pipeline located on the Water Utilities Service Center property out of Tracts 4, 5 and 6,Block "K" of the Thomas H. Langham Estate out of the Charles Williams Survey. The Consent Agenda was approved on a motion made by Councilman Cokinos and seconded by Councilman Smith. Question: Ayes: All Nayes: None -000- Ordinance No. 95-29 canvassing the returns of the General Election held May 6, 1995 indicating a total of 5,294 votes were cast for: Councilmember, Ward I--Lulu L. Smith, 1,101 votes or 85.28%, Erik Tolpo, 190 votes or 14.72%; Councilmember,Ward H--Guy N. Goodson, 1,173 votes or 87.80%, Bruce M. James, 103 votes or 7.71%, Jude Paredez, 60 votes or 4.49%; Councilmember,Ward III-- John K. Davis, 672 votes or 100%; and Councilmember Ward IV--Thomas T.P. Louis, 83 votes or 5.46%, Bobbie Patterson, 393 votes or 25.87%, Get Williams, 511 votes or 33.64%, Robert E. Cummings, 304 votes or 20.01%, Mary Como Randall, 191 votes or 12.57%, Allen Lee, 37 votes or 2.44%; electing Lulu L. Smith, Councilmember,Ward I--Guy N. Goodson, Councilmember, Ward II-- 124 May 9, 1995 1995; and "Letter Carriers' Food Drive Day," May 13, 1995. -000- Mayor Moore announced that an executive session will be held in accordance with Section 551.071 of the Government Code to discuss contemplated or pending litigation: the Claim of Vassem Kanter following the regular session of City Council. -000- Citizen comment was invited on the Consent and Main Agendas. Mr. William Beckett, 1995 Lela began to address Council regarding a complaint and was advised that at the end of the regular session, citizens may speak on any subject, but that comment now is limited to Consent and Main agenda items. 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 2, 1995; and Resolution No. 95-129 authorizing execution of an Amendatory Pipeline Right-of-Way Agreement and a Release Agreement with MidCon Texas Pipeline Corporation to grant an easement for replacement pipeline and release the section of the abandoned pipeline located on the Water Utilities Service Center property out of Tracts 4, 5 and 6, Block "K" of the Thomas H. Langham Estate out of the Charles Williams Survey. The Consent Agenda was approved on a motion made by Councilman Cokinos and seconded by Councilman Smith. Question: Ayes: All Nayes: None -000- Ordinance No. 95-29 canvassing the returns of the General Election held May 6, 1995 indicating a total of 5,294 votes were cast for: Councilmember, Ward I--Lulu L. Smith, 1,101 votes or 85.28%, Erik Tolpo, 190 votes or 14.72%; Councilmember,Ward H--Guy N. Goodson, 1,173 votes or 87.80%, Bruce M. James, 103 votes or 7.71%, Jude Paredez, 60 votes or 4.49%; Councilmember,Ward III-- John K. Davis, 672%or 100%; and Councilmember Ward IV--Thomas T.P. Louis, 83 votes or 5.46%, Bobbie Patterson, 393 votes or 25.87%, Get Williams, 511 votes or 33.64%, Robert E. Cummings, 304 votes or 20.01%, Mary Como Randall, 191 votes or 12.57%, Allen Lee, 37 votes or 2.44%; electing Lulu L. Smith,Councilmember,Ward I--Guy N. Goodson, Councilmember, Ward II--John K. Davis, 124 May 9, 1995 Councilmember,Ward III; and ratifying the Runoff Election in accordance with Ordinance No. 95-9 for the office of Councilmember, Ward IV between candidates Bobbie Patterson and Get Williams, was considered: ORDINANCE NO. 95-29 ENTITLED AN ORDINANCE CANVASSING THE RETURNS OF THE REGULAR CITY ELECTION HELD IN THE CITY OF BEAUMONT ON THE 6TH DAY OF MAY, 1995, DECLARING THE NUMBER OF VOTES CAST; RATIFYING A PREVIOUSLY ORDERED RUNOFF ELECTION TO BE HELD IN THE CITY OF BEAUMONT, TEXAS, ON THE 20TH DAY OF MAY, 1995, TO DETERMINE WHO SHALL BE COUNCILMEMBER, WARD IV; NAMING THE PLACES WHERE SAID ELECTION SHALL BE HELD; APPOINTING OFFICERS TO PRESIDE OVER SAID ELECTION;PROVIDING FOR THE FORM OF BALLOT FOR USE IN SAID ELECTION; PROVIDING FOR SEVERABILITY; AND PROVIDING FOR REPEAL. Ordinance No. 95-29 was approved on a motion made by Councilman Cokinos and seconded by Councilman Ames. Question: Ayes: All Nayes: None -000- Resolution No. 95-130 authorizing eminent domain proceedings to acquire Parcel 101: 0.0042 acre tract out of the old abandoned railroad right-of-way, adjacent to Lots 4 and 5, Block 3, Laurel Heights Addition, 3865 Phelan Boulevard for the appraised value of$2,096.00, owned by Oak Management Corporation and Parcel 102: 0.0678 acre tract out of the old abandoned railroad right-of-way, adjacent to Lots 6, 7 and 8, Block 3, Laurel Heights Addition, 3845 Phelan Boulevard for the appraised value of $30,395.00, owned by Oak Management, for planned improvements to the Liberty-Laurel Corridor from Eleventh Street to Phelan Boulevard was approved on a motion made by Councilman Smith and seconded by Councilman Goodson. Question: Ayes: All Nayes: None -000- Resolution No. 95-131 authorizing purchase of a 1978 Galion Dresser Model 150 F hydraulic crane from Groves Equipment Rental Company,Inc. in the amount of$29,500 for use by the Water Utilities Department,Water and Sewer Division, was approved on a motion made by Councilman Goodson and seconded by Councilman Ames. Question: Ayes: All Nayes: None 125 May 9, 1995 Mayor Pro Tern Davis introduced for consideration to Council the idea of naming the new activity center in Ward III at Magnolia Park in memory of Sterling Pruitt because of his intense interest and involvement in development of the center and to honor of a very fine man. Also, he said that Mr. Beckett would be addressing a concern later in the meeting that was brought to him originally, and at his request, Mr. Beckett will address the whole Council. Mayor Moore stated that in conjunction with Mayor Pro Tem.Davis' suggestion, no one worked harder for the realization of the activity center than did Mr. Pruitt, he shared some of their last exchanges, and said it would be a most deserving recognition of his gallant efforts to name the center after Sterling Pruitt. Mayor Moore said that when Mr. Pruitt's brother visited Beaumont two or three weeks ago, that the center was the one place Mr. Pruitt took him to visit. Councilman Smith said she had even questioned Staff last week about naming a facility after a living person with Mr. Pruitt in mind, and now supports Mayor Pro Tem.Davis' suggestion. Councilman Ames said she is in favor of honoring Mr. Pruitt. She said that even though he has been absent quite a bit this past year with his illness and she has not had much opportunity to work with him, but that when opportunity did arise for conversation, he often spoke about the center and she knows it was something close to his heart and extended her sympathy and condolences to his family in their loss. Councilman Ames enumerated many of the positive activities that have occurred during the past two weeks and are on the calendar for the next three weeks. She said the fundraising events have done very well and much of the money raised goes back into community needs and thanked the volunteers for their participation. Councilman Cokinos reported that he has received a check in the amount of$100 toward the tree and marker in remembrance of the victims of the Oklahoma City federal building bombing that he would like to deposit with the City Manager, congratulated Councilmembers Davis, Goodson and Smith upon their reelection and said he looks forward to serving with them. Councilman Goodson agreed with comments about the many fun activities held in the city such as Cinco de Mayo, Heritage Days at the Rodeo and Indiafest during the last two weeks of April and the month of May in addition to the business activities of the City Election that occupied much of his time. Councilman Smith added congratulations to the Indiafest for the caliber of entertainment they provided at the Julie Rogers Theatre Sunday night in the form of classical Indian music to a rapt audience for three hours. She said the Garden Tour was great, reminded everyone of Kaleidoscope and the Tour of Homes in Old Town this weekend and said Sterling Pruitt will be missed greatly as a Staff member and hopes Council will move forward in naming the activity center after him. Mayor Moore said he wasn't working at the polls, wants everyone to participate in that process, but said this was an incredible weekend of activities. In fact, he said the last three weekends have been like that. 126 May 9, 1995 He said he was scheduled to attended nine events: Neighbors in the Park at Alice Keith Park, Boys'Haven Crawfish boil--congratulated Chief Shelton, Councilman Ames and Maurine Gray for their efforts in that project, Indiafest, Cinco de Mayo,YMBL Rodeo,Delta Sigma Theta program for graduates, a marketing group presentation at Quality Inn, a ribbon cutting at St. Anthony's May Fest, and the only event he missed was his son's concert, but he heard they did well without him. Mayor Moore told the City Manager he would like to meet with him and Luke Jackson, the Parks and Recreation Director, to discuss development of focusing activities for youth at Tyrrell Park or Riverfront Park. He said a lot of activity is happening at Central Park that is causing some congestion and said he would like to redirect some activity to another area of the city for the youth. -000- Mr. William Beckett, 1995 Lela, addressed Council to complain about a police officer's actions and asked for assistance with the problem. -000- There being no other business, the regular session of City Council was recessed to reconvene in executive 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 May 9, 1995. Rosemarie Chiappetta City Clerk 127 May 9, 1995