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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMIN NOV 07 1995 REGULAR SESSION CITY COUNCIL - CITY OF BEAUMONT HELD NOVEMBER 7, 1995 - 1 :30 P.M. BE IT REMEMBERED that the City Council of the City of Beaumont, Texas, met in regular session this the 7th day of November, 1995, with the following present: HONORABLE: David W. Moore Mayor Becky Ames Mayor Pro Tern Councilman-At Large Andrew P. Cokinos Councilman-At-Large Lulu L. Smith Councilman, Ward I Guy N. Goodson Councilman, Ward II John K. Davis Councilman, Ward III Bobbie Patterson Councilman, Ward IV Ray A. Riley City Manager Tyrone Cooper Assistant City Attorney Barbara Liming Deputy City Clerk -000- The Invocation was given by the Reverend Robert Miller, Northend Baptist Church. The Pledge of Allegiance was led by Mayor Moore. -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: City of Beaumont vs. W/S Partnership, A General Partnership following the workshop session. -000- Two Proclamations were issued: "Home Care Month," November, 1995 and a proclamation recognizing "Veterans of America" for their dedication to protecting family, friends and country. 301 November 7, 1995 Citizen comment was invited on the Consent and Main Agendas. Ms. Belinda Bolton, 2129 Briarcliff, Director of the Women and Children's Shelter, addressed Council in support of Agenda Item No. 1 authorizing the Police Department to apply and accept a Community Policing Grant from the Department of Justice, said this is a wave of the future and a pro-active move. Mr. Walter Keneson, 4045 Rothwell, questioned when comments could be made regarding the services of Ms. Carolyn Chaney as Beaumont's Washington Assistant and was told the appropriate time to speak on subjects not on the agenda would be during citizen comments at the end of the meeting. Pastor Malvo, Mount Zion Baptist Church, addressed Council regarding Agenda Item No. 3 authorizing a contract with Texas Commerce Shareholders for construction of homes in the Charlton-Pollard Neighborhood to ask that suggestions and input from citizens, and possibly contractors, regarding construction be accepted at the beginning of the process, asked that Council be more aware of the environment in the Charlton-Pollard Neighborhood and reviewed a gas leak incident that he alleged was not handled in a timely manner. Tax Assessor-Collector Miriam Johnson addressed Council in support of Agenda Item No. 5 regarding seizing and selling abandoned real property and offered to answer questions or clarify the procedure. -000- The following Consent Agenda items were considered: Approval of the Minutes of the regular City Council session held October 31, 1995; Resolution No. 95-300 appointing Lula Henry as Chairman of the Parks and Recreation Advisory Committee for a term expiring November 6, 1996; and reappointing Bessie Chisum to the Planning Commission for a term expiring July 29, 1997; and; Resolution No. 95-301 authorizing renewal of depository agreements with Bank One, Community Bank, First Interstate Bank, Lamar Bank, NationsBank, First Bank & Trust, Bank of America and Prime Bank for the period of October 1, 1995 through September 30, 1997. The Consent Agenda was approved on a motion made by Mayor Pro Tem Ames and seconded by Councilman Smith. Question: Ayes: All Nayes: None 302 November 7, 1995 i Resolution No. 95-302 authorizing application and acceptance of a Community Policing to Combat Domestic Violence grant from the Department of Justice in the amount of$131,926.00 to provide personnel--two (2) new police officers and one (1) contractor counselor, supplies and equipment for a domestic unit in the Police Department in a cooperative effort with Family Services of Beaumont, Inc., which operates the Women's and Children Shelter of Southeast Texas, was approved on a motion made by Councilman Cokinos and seconded by mayor Pro Tem Ames. Question: Ayes: All Nayes: None -000- Resolution No. 95-303 amending the Commercial Aeronautical Services and Activities (FBO) Facilities Lease agreement with Beaumont Wings, Inc. the Fixed Based Operator of the Beaumont Municipal Airport to include exercising the renewal option for an additional five (5) years, defer the rental fee for a two year period beginning November 1, 1995 and clarification of other provisions and responsibilities was approved on a motion made by Councilman Cokinos and seconded by Councilman Goodson. Question: Ayes: All Nayes: None -000- After a short discussion commending City Staff and Texas Commerce Bank for innovation and good public-private participation and leverage of monies for more opportunity, Resolution No. 95- 304 authorizing a contract with Texas Commerce Shareholders Company for the City of Beaumont to provide three lots and Texas Commerce to provide traditional banking services and with the aid of a bank customer construct three new homes in the Charlton-Pollard Neighborhood for sale to persons and families wanting to live in the neighborhood was approved on a motion made by Councilman Davis and seconded by Councilman Goodson. Question: Ayes: All Nayes: None -000- Resolution No. 95-305 authorizing purchase of seven (7) copiers budgeted in fiscal year 1996 through the State of Texas Cooperative Purchasing Program from Xerox Corporation in the amount of$67,911.00 for various City departments (Water Utilities Administration--Model 5322 at $6,261; Cash Management, Finance, Convention &Visitors Bureau, and the City Attorney--Model 5352C at$9,850 each; Solid Waste Management--Model 5352C with additional color at $10,590; and Parks & Recreation Department--Model 5355R at $11,660) was approved on a motion made by Councilman Davis and seconded by Mayor Pro Tem Ames. 303 November 7, 1995 i Question: Ayes: Mayor Pro Tem Nayes: None Ames Councilman Cokinos Councilman Smith Councilman Goodson Councilman Davis Councilman Patterson Abstained: Mayor Moore For the record, Mayor Moore stated that he is not the local Xerox agent. -000- Resolution No. 95-306 authorizing the Assessor-Collector of Taxes for Jefferson County, Texas, to act on behalf of the City of Beaumont in seizing and selling abandoned real property as provided in Senate Bill 1545 was considered. Councilman Davis spoke in favor of the item, said one of the hidden benefits is the mechanism it sets in place to seize a structure being used in drug sales, said it goes a long way in helping solve major problems in his Ward and commended the City Manager and the Tax Assessor-Collector for bringing the item forward. Councilman Goodson also spoke in support of the item, said he is not familiar with Senate Bill 1545 and questioned if the waiting period or redemption period has changed. Ms. Johnson explained the criteria necessary for seizure. Resolution No. 95-306 was approved on a motion made by Councilman Goodson and seconded by Councilman Davis. Question: Ayes: All Nayes: None -000- Resolution No. 95-307 authorizing purchase of twenty-six (26) 1996 Crown Victoria's through the State of Texas Cooperative Purchasing Program at a cost of $18,870.00 each for a total expenditure of $490,620.00 from Hilltop Ford, Inc. of Denison, Texas, for use by the Police Department as pursuit vehicles was approved on a motion made by Councilman Smith and seconded by Councilman Goodson. Question: Ayes: All Nayes: None 304 November 7, 1995 Councilman Goodson reminded everyone of the constitutional amendments that are being voted on today and encouraged participation in the process. He told Council that in response to earlier citizen inquiry about Ms. Chaney, he wanted to inform them of particulars he previously mentioned to Ms. Chaney and distributed copies of his remarks to Mayor Moore, Mr. Riley and Carolyn Chaney. He said that at the recent TML meeting he learned that the Attorney General's Municipal Advisory Group is putting together an economic development document for cities, said the City of Beaumont is progressive, uses contacts in Austin and Washington to utilize a lot of the vehicles for economic development that other cities are now learning about. Also, he said the Attorney General's meeting reported one of the affects of NAFTA is the availability of foreign trucks to use all Texas highways, not just those in border towns, and said there is concern of enforcement of weight limits, permits, licenses, and insurance requirements. He mentioned there is some concern that these vehicles may not adhere to the same standard level and said he has asked Ms. Chaney to take this information back to Washington, D.C. In addition, he said we may have ability under our Police Department to enforce and control potential problems. Councilman Goodson said he has asked Ms. Chaney to research additional information about economic development grants or programs from which Beaumont could benefit. Councilman Davis wished City Manager Ray Riley belated birthday wishes and extended birthday greetings to Councilman Smith, who is celebrating her birthday today, and said that he is pleased with the progress that has been achieved in recent months with the (3rd place) ranking in the state, the positive police news and commended fellow Councilmembers for their work in the community. Councilman Patterson also encouraged voter participation in today's election. Mayor Moore commented about the bone-chilling news of Prime Minister Rabin's assassination Saturday evening. He recalled meeting with him this past summer, asked that we remember this man who died for peace, spoke of an individual opportunity to promote peace, said that he had opportunity to hear Mrs. Coretta Scott King on two occasions when she was in the area last week and her message was also about peace and what we must do together. -000- Mayor Moore introduced Beaumont's Washington Assistant, Ms. Carolyn Chaney. Ms. Chaney thanked Council for the opportunity of being in Beaumont for the last two days to meet individually to discuss happenings in Washington that might interface with activity in Beaumont. She noted items that appeared on today's agenda for which she supplied information to City Staff. Ms. Chaney said that in the midst of budgetary cuts, the Justice Department's domestic violence program budget was increased from $25 million to $175 million, but in the long run, it would be a savings because of reduced criminal activity. She said the Charlton-Pollard revitalization reminded her of the many things Mayor Moore has been involved with along with the Department of Housing and Urban Development. She said HUD has gone through a lot of change, but still remains in 305 November 7, 1995 Washington, but they are looking at different things such as working with public private partnerships to leverage money. Again, Ms. Chaney told Council she appreciated the opportunity of meeting with individual Councilmembers and sharing information with them and to see advice and information used at the local level. She complimented Beaumont Council participation in policy at the national level and said medium size cities such as Beaumont need to be at table. She said that next year a lot of new highway transportation discussion that will include another five to six year bill and said she has been on task forces on Beaumont's behalf for the future. Councilman Goodson questioned ISTEA (Intermodal Surface Transportation Efficiency Act) funding and expressed interest in those monies and others that may be available, and possibly using some of ISTEA monies enhance some of the recreational facilities along Major Drive being built. Mayor Moore added that General Cokinos has been very active in assisting the YMCA with ISTEA opportunities, thanked Ms. Chaney for her help with the 202 Senior Housing Program, said Mr. Pollard asked him to extend appreciation for grant assistance with HUD. -000- The Reverend Amos Landry, Jr. addressed Council to extend an invitation to pray for our nation and the whole world on Thursday evening at 7:00 p.m. at the Cathedral of Faith Church on Washington. He asked that other churches join his on Sunday in setting "aside a time of silent memorial in remembrance of the people of Israel and... pray for peach throughout the world. He quoted the writer who said, "The only way that evil can triumph is for good men to sit and do nothing." Reverend Landry complimented Councilman Patterson's enthusiasm and concern for her Ward, stressed the importance of voting today and said that whatever happens at the ballot box affects all of us in some way in the future. Mr. Walter Keneson, 4045 Rothwell, addressed Council to speak about receiving factual information, said questions from some Councilmembers reported in the news media about receiving just benefit for the fee paid to the Washington Assistant and he has visited with Councilman Goodson and other Councilmember who assured him that couple of projects that totaled more than $10 million more than earned the consultant's fee. He said citizens need to be aware of the information that is being provided. Also, Mr. Keneson encouraged contact with Transportation Commissioner David Bernsen regarding monies that are available for projects, said we have lost opportunities for money because projects have not been presented to Mr. Bernsen, commented that a north/south route is needed regarding NAFTA and asked that Ms. Carolyn Chaney approach and work with Mr. Bernsen to acquire some of the enhancement monies that are available. He further spoke about not having a loop around Beaumont while smaller cities have a loop because they made a request, stunting future growth, investing money wisely, higher taxes, and complimented Councilman Patterson for her efforts in getting people registered to vote. Mayor Moore told Mr. Keneson that he has met with Commissioner Bernsen, said he went to Austin 306 November 7, 1995 and met before all the Commissioners, along with the Judge, Representative Stiles and others and they addressed the possibility of a north/south corridor and other issues of concern. He said that City Staff has worked diligently, even to the point of receiving citizen complaints about construction, and he said a lot of the construction is state funded projects. -000- There being no other business, the regular session of City Council was recessed to reconvene in workshop session. -000- 1, 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 November 7, 1995. Barbara Liming Deputy City Clerk 307 November 7, 1995