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Home My WebLink AboutMIN DEC 12 1995 REGULAR SESSION CITY COUNCIL - CITY OF BEAUMONT HELD DECEMBER 12, 1995 - 1 :30 P.M. BE IT REMEMBERED that the City Council of the City of Beaumont, Texas, met in regular session this the 12th day of December, 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 Lane Nichols City Attorney Rosemarie Smith City Clerk -000- The Invocation was given by the Reverend Don Stabe, Cathedral in the Pines Christian Center. The Pledge of Allegiance was led by Mayor Moore. -000- Three Proclamations were issued: "K106 Single Parents' Day," December 12, 1995; a Proclamation recognizing the "Beaumont Housing Authority" and the importance of its contribution to the community; "Three-D (Drugged and Drunk-Driving) Prevention Month," December, 1995 and "Lights on for Life Day," December 15, 1995, in memory of those who lost their lives as a result of drunk driving. -000- Mr. Dave Cook, representing H-E-B Pantry Foods, presented Council with a large Christmas decorated coconut cake on behalf of H-E-B and its President, Mr. Charles Butt. Also, Mr. Cook announced that the Fourth Annual Holiday Dinner provided by H-E-B will be held December 22nd 324 December 12, 1995 from 11:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. at the Civic Center and invited everyone to attend. Mr. Cook said that last year, almost 7,000 people were served and they anticipated serving about 10,000 this year. Mayor Moore expressed appreciation for the community support exhibited by H-E-B Pantry Foods. -000- Citizen comment was invited on the Consent Agenda and Main Agenda Items 2 through 6. Mr. Tony Jones, 3715 East Lucas, questioned Agenda Item No. 2 prohibiting carrying of concealed handguns on Beaumont Transit vehicles regarding enforcement, installation of metal detectors on buses, and legality of such action. Mr. Lynn DeMary, 430 East Elgie, complimented Council for the progressive action considered in Agenda Item No. 4 authorizing a contract with the Southeast Texas Community Development Corporation for construction of homes in the Charlton-Pollard neighborhood. -000 The following Consent Agenda items were considered: Approval of the Minutes of the regular City Council session held December 5, 1995; and Resolution No. 94-326 appointing Bessie Chisum to the Community Development Advisory Committee for a term expiring December 11, 1997; Rod Carroll for a term expiring December 11, 1997 and Wade Witt for a term expiring October 26, 1996 to the Keep Beaumont Beautiful Commission; Dr. Victoria Price for a term expiring December 11, 1997 and Jo Ann Polk for a term expiring August 10, 1996 to the Sister City Commission; reappointing Ann Rothkamm to the Convention and Tourism Advisory Committee for a term expiring August 16, 1997; Becki Stedman to the Historical Landmark Commission for a term expiring November 8, 1997; and Alvin Cook to the Transit Advisory Committee for a term expiring October 18, 1997. The Consent Agenda was approved on a motion made by Councilman Smith and seconded by Councilman Cokinos. Question: Ayes: All Nayes: None -000- Ordinance No. 95-75 authorizing abandonment of 0.227 acres of unimproved 23rd Street right- of-way between Hillebrandt Bayou and IH-10 South, subject to dedication of a drainage and general utility easement to protect the existing 54" sanitary sewer line and 48" storm sewer located 325 December 12, 1995 with the street right-of-way, was considered: ORDINANCE NO. 95-75 ENTITLED AN ORDINANCE ABANDONING THE UNIMPROVED 2.3RD STREET RIGHT-OF-WAY LYING BETWEEN THE RELOCATED HILLEBRANDT BAYOU AND IH-10 SOUTH IN THE CITY OF BEAUMONT, JEFFERSON COUNTY, TEXAS. Ordinance No. 95-75 was approved on a motion made by Councilman Cokinos and seconded by Councilman Goodson. Question: Ayes: All Nayes: None -000- Ordinance No. 95-76 authorizing an ordinance prohibiting carrying a concealed handgun onto Beaumont Municipal Transit vehicles was considered: ORDINANCE NO. 95-76 ENTITLED AN ORDINANCE AMENDING CHAPTER 18 TO ADD A NEW SECTION 18-32 MAKING IT UNLAWFUL FOR A PERSON TO CARRY A HANDGUN OR OTHER FIREARM ONTO A VEHICLE OF THE BEAUMONT MUNICIPAL TRANSIT; PROVIDING FOR SEVERABILITY; PROVIDING FOR REPEAL AND PROVIDING A PENALTY. In response to an earlier citizen inquiry regarding enforcement and legality of enactment of this ordinance, City Attorney Lane Nichols said enforcement is the responsibility of the Police Department and that he believes the ordinance to be a lawful action of the City. He said a Home Rule city has authority to enact any legislation that is not in direct conflict with an State law or the Constitution. Ordinance No. 95-76 was approved on a motion made by Councilman Smith and seconded by Councilman Davis. Question: Ayes: All B: None -000- Resolution No. 95-327 authorizing a contract with the Beaumont Chamber of Commerce for 326 December 12, 1995 economic activities that will include promotion of new and existing jobs, expanding existing businesses and attracting new employers in the amount of$50,000 was approved on a motion made by Councilman Cokinos and seconded by Councilman Goodson. Question: Ayes: All Nayes: None -000- Resolution No. 95-328 authorizing a one (1) year contract in the amount of $750,000 with the Southeast Texas Community Development Corporation for construction of approximately 14 homes for sale or lease to families in the Charlton-Pollard neighborhood with anticipated construction to commence by February 1996 and completed by October 1996 was approved on a motion made by Councilman Patterson and seconded by Mayor Pro Tem Ames. Question: Ayes: All Nayes: None State Representative Al Price, president of the Southeast Texas Community Development Corporation, Inc., told Council that he is very pleased with the kind of interest in housing that City Council has shown. Mr. Price thanked the City Manager, Mayor and Council, said this fifth contract represents a fruitful relationship. Also, Mr. Price thanked Richard Chappell, Jeanette Holmes, Steve Richardson and his Staff, and said this not only provides housing, but provides jobs and is in keeping with economic development envisioned for our city and section of the state. -000- Resolution No. 95-329 authorizing purchase of one (1) Trane sixty (60) ton air-cooled liquid chiller air-conditioning unit for the Harvest Club facility in the amount of$27,597.00 from Delta Air Conditioning was approved on a motion made by Councilman Cokinos and seconded by Councilman Davis. Question: Ayes: All Nayes: None -000- Resolution No. 95-330 authorizing an annual contract beginning January 1, 1996 with Beaumont Products and Services, Inc. for grounds maintenance services at City facilities and specified areas within Beaumont's Central Business District in the amount of $7,600 per month was approved on a motion made by Councilman Goodson and seconded by Councilman Smith. Question: Ayes: All Nayes: None -000- Beaumont's financial advisor, Mr. Frank Ildebrando of Rauscher Pierce Refsnes, Inc., presented a progress report to Council regarding potential refunding of bonds and issuance of Certificates 327 December 12, 1995 of Obligation. He said that Requests for Proposals were sent out on November 28 for underwriters for the upcoming bond issues and submitted a summary of those responding and his initial recommendation list of selected underwriters. Mr. Ildebrando reported that everything is well in place for the sale and made himself available to answer questions. -000- Mayor Moore announced that an Executive Session will be held in accordance with Section 551.074 of the Government Code to discuss appointment, employment, evaluation, reassignment, duties, discipline or dismissal of of public officer or employee or to hear complaints of charges against a public officer of employee, unless such officer or employee requests a public hearing: specifically the City Clerk and in accordance with Section 551.071 to discuss contemplated or pending litigation: City of Beaumont vs. W/S Partnership, a General Partnership, et al and Rebecca Conley et vir. v.s. Parigi Investments, Inc. et al following the regular session of City Council. -000- Councilman Patterson thanked the South Park Neighborhood Association for their invitation to their Christmas program and dinner, said she was sorry that she had to leave before hearing the vocal performance Mayor David Moore, Police Chief Tom Scofield, Captain Joe Crutchfield and Barbara Boudreaux, the Mayor's secretary. Mayor Moore congratulated South Park, C P Rehab, Reverend Treadway and congregation at New Life Tabernacle Church for successful activities last week and the City Hall All-stars for winning the City League Championship. -000- Mrs. Delia Harrington, 815 Willow Street; Mrs. Jane Hebert, 295 Parkway; Mr. Jimmy Ellison, a Beaumont Police Officer; Mr. John H. Floyd, 5720 Forest Glade; Mr. Roberto Flores, Jr., 730 Central Avenue, a Beaumont Police Officer; Mrs. Sandra Womack Riggs, 5240 Wildwood, wife of a Beaumont Police Officer; Mr. David Bradley, 615 North Fifth Street; Mrs. Esterline Graham, 7975 Helbig Road; Mr. George Blake, 2098 McFaddin; Mr. Tony Sacker, 4635 Elmherst; Mr. Roberto Flores, 2425 Buchanan; Mrs. June O'Rear, 2301 Long; Mr. Philip Sobelman, 985 North Sixth Street; and Mrs. Clara Benoit, 610 Center Street; all addressed Council in opposition to a recent petition presented to the City Clerk's office to establish a Police Civilian Review Board. Mr. Raymond Chaison, 1130 Lamar; the Reverend (Samuel) Laday, Route 5, Box 557, Beaumont, business at 1445 Lindberg; Mr. Raymond L. Fontenot, 2860 Sarah; Mr. Allen Lee, 5095 Maddox, circulator of the petition; Ms. Glenda Dent, 2070 Harriot; Mr. Wendell Wingate, no address given; Mr. L. E. Johnson, (no address given); Mr. Leo Lemell, 4110 Chaison; Mrs. Sonja LeMoins, 1325 Calvin; Mr. Robert Preston, 1190 Iowa Street; all spoke in support of establishment of a Police 328 December 12, 1995 Civilian Review Board, each citing reasons for their support. Ms. Doris Casey, addressed Council in support of a Police Civilian Review Board and to cite a specific problem incurred with eviction of her 92-year-old mother and 52-year-old retarded sister, requested assistance in recovering their personal belongings from the home and submitted a list to the Mayor. Mr. Ed Sigee, Jr. 2565 Burgundy Place, spoke in support of a Civilian Review Board, but expressed concern of misrepresentation in solicitation of signatures for the petition. Mr. Tony Jones, 3715 East Lucas, said he supports both the Civilian Review Board and the Beaumont Police Department and quoted from the City of Beaumont Charter, Article III, Section 13 entitled Investigations. Mr. Erik Tolpo, 2690 West Lucas, said the matter of a Civilian Review Board should be a matter decided at the Polls. Mr. Lynn DeMary, 430 East Elgie, questioned implementation and power of a Civilian Review Board as to whether they would be an advisory or disciplinary board. Mr. Allen Lee, Mrs. Sonja LeMoins, Mr. Raymond Chaison, Mr. Wendell Wingate, Mr. Robert Preston and the Reverend Laday all again spoke in support of a Civilian Review Board. Mayor Moore concluded that all citizens had been heard today, expressed Council's desire to be open and as fair as possible on all issues, said Council will look at and work through this issue, asked those who spoke today to remember the last thing they said at the microphone and encouraged them to come back with a suggestion for solutions. -000- There being no further business, the meeting was recessed before continuing with the City Council executive session. -000- 1, Rosemarie Smith, 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 December 12, 1995. Rosemarie Smith City Clerk 329 December 12, 1995