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HomeMy WebLinkAboutOCT 23 1973 REGULAR MEETING CITY COUNCIL - CITY OF BEAUMONT HELD OCTOBER 23 , 1973 BE IT REMEMBERED that the City Council of the City of Beaumont, Texas, met in regular session on the 23rd day of October, 1973 , with the following present: HONORABLE: Ken Ritter Mayor Don Cash Councilman, Ward I George Dishman, Jr. Councilman, Ward II Calvin Williams Councilman, Ward III Leroy Evans Councilman, Ward IV Kenneth Devero City Manager Lavon Jones Asst. City Attorney Joe Impey Dir. Community Develop. W. J. Balmer Dir. Public Works J. D. Martin Pub. Wks. Prog. Coor. Earl Deland City Engineer Willie Bauer Chief of Police Dean Ransom Finance officer Eddie Whitnell Dir. Traffic & Trans . Underwood Hill Dir. Public Utilities -000- The Invocation was given by Dr. Browning-Ware, Calder Baptist Church. The Pledge of Allegiance was led by Councilman Cash. -000- The Mayor issued two proclamations : Scout ' s "Good Turn Week in Beaumont" - October 28 - November 4, 1973 and "Navy Mothers Week in Beaumont" - October 21 - 27, 1973. -000- The Minutes of the regular meeting of October 16, 1973 , were approved on a motion made by Councilman Cash and seconded by Councilman Evans. Question: Ayes : All Nayes : None -000- In response to an advertisement previously published, the following bids for furnishing necessary materials, equipment, superintendence, and labor for construction of Blossom Drive, Parish & Proctor Streets, etc. (Assessment Paving Program) were received: WORK ALTERNATE WORK CONTRACTORS BASE BID DAYS BID BOND BID DAYS Gulf Coast Industrial Cont. $179,239.50 220 $ 9,000 $151,184.55 160 Trotti & Thomson $206,585.65 200 5% GAB $2170340820 Paveco Co. $168,895.50 135 5% GAB $153,708,50 90 The bids were referred to the City Manager and staff for study and recommen- dation on a motion made by Councilman Evans and seconded by Councilman Dishman. Question: Ayes : Mayor Ritter Abstained: Councilman Councilman Cash Williams Councilman Dishman Councilman Evans -000- Permission to advertise for bids for a check signing machine for the Accounting Department was granted on a motion made by Councilman Williams and seconded by Councilman Cash. Question: Ayes : All Nayes : None -000- Permission to advertise for bids for trucks for the Fleet Maintenance Depart- ment was granted on a motion made by Councilman Cash and seconded by Councilman Evans. Question: Ayes : All Nayes : None -000- The recommendation from the Planning & Zoning Commission regarding Planning Division File 493-Z to change the zoning of a 3 .17 acre tract of land bounded on the north by IH-10 East, on the south by Louisiana Avenue, on the east by 10th Street and situated 137 feet east of 11th Street, out of Block 1 of the Emma Reed Addition from R-1 to R-2 and C-1 was denied on a motion made by Councilman Dishman and seconded by Councilman Evans. Question: Ayes : All Nayes : None -000- - resolution authorizing the City Attorney to commence negotiations with land owners for right-of-way needed in the East Lavaca Project, CIP Project No. 11-ST-06, in accordance with the schedule approved by the City Council was approved on a motion made by Councilman Cash and seconded by Councilman Dishman. Question: Ayes: All Nayes: None -000- A resolution authorizing the City Attorney tO commence preliminary work, in- cluding the retention of appraisers, for underground easements relative to QIP sewer projects was approved on a motion made by Councilman Dishman and seconded by Councilman Cash. Question: Ayes: All Nayes : None -000- A resolution authorizing full payment to Hagan Fence Company for fencing at the Solid Waste Department in the amount of $2, 971. 60 and accepting these improvements was approved on a motion made by Councilman Williams and se- conded by Councilman Evans. Question: Ayes: All Nayes : None -000- A request to purchase parts necessary for repairs to a 1961 Gallion Motor Grader, City Unit No. 8,, in the estimated cost of $7, 000 was approved on a motion made by Councilman Evans and seconded by Councilman Williams. Question: Ayes: All Nayes : None -000- A request for approval to purchase a new Packer-Ram cylinder necessary for emergency repairs to front-end loader garbage truck No. 630 of the Solid Waste Department, in the amount of $1, 692. 95, was approved on a motion made by Councilman Dishman and seconded by Councilman Evans. Question: Ayes: All Nayes : None -000- The third and final reading of a franchise ordinance granting Atchison, To- peka and Santa Fe Railway Company the right to construct a railway spur track across Fannin Street just west of Railroad Avenue was given: -2- ORDINANCE NO. 73-69 AN ORDINANCE GRANTING TO THE ATCHISON, TOPEKA AND SANTA FE RAILWAY COMPANY, ITS SUCCESSORS, ASSIGNS AND LESSEES, THE RIGHT AND PRIVILEGE TO MAINTAIN AND OPERATE AN INDUSTRY SPUR TRACK NO. 10 CROSSING FANNIN STREET BETWEEN CITY BLOCKS 56 AND 67, IN THE CITY OF BEAUMONT, JEFFERSON COUNTY, TEXAS, IN ACCORD WITH EXHIBIT ATTACHED HERETO; PROVIDING THAT SAID TRACK SHALL BE USED ONLY FOR THE PURPOSE OF LOADING, UNLOAD- ING AND SWITCHING TO INDUSTRIAL TRACK SERVING COMMERCIAL ENTERPRISE PROVIDING REGULATIONS AND RESTRICTIONS FOR THE USE OF SAID TRACK; PROVIDING THAT SUCH MAINTENANCE AND OPER- ATION BE IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CHARTER AND ORDINANCES OF THE CITY AND THAT CERTAIN MAINTENANCE WORK SHALL BE DONE AT THE DIRECTION OF THE CITY ENGINEER; PROVIDING FOR THE ACCEPTANCE AND FEE HEREUNDER; PROVIDING THAT THIS FRANCHISE IS SUBJECT TO THE CHARTER AND ORDINANCES OF THE CITY OF BEAUMONT AND PRQVID ING FOR TERMINATION FOR FAILURE TO USE THE TRACK FRANCHISED HEREUNDER; PROVIDING FOR TERMINATION OF THIS FRANCHISE ON SEPT- EMBER 1, 1978 AND THE RESTORATION OF SAID STREET WITHIN NINETY (90) DAYS THEREAFTER; AND PROVIDING FOR INDEMNIFICATION OF THE CITY OF BEAUMONT. The ordinance was passed on a motion made by Councilman Cash and seconded by Councilman Dishman. Question: Ayes: All Nayes: None -000- Councilman Dishman stated that he had been able to reach an agreement with enough of the South Park School. Board to get the sidewalk built for 4th Street. Mr. Joseph Deshotel, 4175 South 4th, addressed the Council to say that he had started a petition to recall Mayor Ken Ritter. Mr. Ben Rogers, 2030 Thomas Road, addressed the Council to commend the Council and Mayor for the job they have done and to express his sorrow and concern for the City with the recall situation and to pledge his help in obtaining sidewalks for 4th Street and asked that the request for recall be withdrawn. Mr. Ben Williams, 3485 Edmonds, addressed the Council stating that they would proceed with the recall and that articles and ads would be sent industries saying "don't come to Beaumont. " Mr. Carlton Baker, 3955 Gladys, addressed the Council commending the Mayor and Council and urged the rejection of the recall. Mrs. Joni Jai, 3425 Durwood, addressed the Council to commend the Mayor and Council and asked the news media to tell how hard the Council works "to make Beaumont the very best City to live in. " Alan McNeill - "Just for the record, I want it known that the woman listed as precinct chairman in 67 is not a Republican. " Ken Jai, 3425 Durwood, President of Global Heat Exchangers, addressed the Coun- cil to say that he and his family had moved from California to Beaumont and were pleased to be in Beaumont. He commended the Council for their work. Mrs. Jai readdressed the Council to say that for every anti-Beaumont advertise- ments in industrial magazines and in the news media, she would place a "For Beaumont" ad. Mrs. Alice Andrews, 7805 San Antonio, asked that the human concern be given consideration in the 4th Street issue. -3 Mr. Ben Rogers readdressed the Council to ask for a recess until members of the Recall faction could meet with the Council and concerned citizens to see if an agreement could be reached and the recall withdrawn before the meeting was officially adjourned. Councilman Dishman made a plea urging the withdrawal of the recall for the good of the community. Councilman Evans discussed the fact that each member of the Council shared in the responsibility of the 4th Street issue and reminded that in the General Election in May, which is only a short time, each member who chooses would have to stand for re-election. Councilman Cash discussed the sidewalk issue and stated it should be, settled at the polls by the public. Councilman Williams stated that he was delighted to learn of theragreement with the South Park School District concerning the sidewalk issue on 4th Street but felt that this was the responsibility of the City of Beaumont and should be handled through regular city channels. After much discussion, the meeting was recessed until noon Wednesday, October 24, 1973 . -000- The meeting was postponed from noon Wednesday to 4 :00 p.m. , Thursday, October 25, 1973 , with the following present: HONORABLE: Ken Ritter Mayor Don Cash Councilman, Ward I George Dishman, Jr. Councilman, Ward IT Calvin Williams Councilman, Ward III Leroy Evans Councilman, Ward TV Kenneth Devero City Manager Kenneth Wall City Attorney Howard McDaniel Administrative Assistant Myrtle Corgey City Clerk W. J. Balmer Dir. Public Works J. D. Martin Pub. Wks. Prog. Coor. Earl Deland City Engineer Willie Bauer Chief of Police Eddie Whitnell Dir. Traffic & Trans. Dean Ransom Finance Officer -000- The Invocation was given by Mr. W. J. Balmer. The Pledge of Allegiance was led by Councilman Williams. -000- The Mayor turned the meeting over to those citizens who wished to address the City Council. Mrs. David Grant, 940 Terrace Drive, Leage of Women Voters, addressed the Coun- cil stating that this organization neither approves or disapproves people or issues but gives information only. Mr. Joseph Deshotel, President of the Setzer Student Center Council, Lamar Un- iversity, read a statement generally concerning democracy. He further urged the Council to be fair in their treatment of all citizens. Mr. Ben Rogers, 2030 Thomas Road, gave an account of the accomplishments of this Council. He asked the recall petitioners to come forward and state whether or not they intended going forward with the recall movement. Mr. Ben Williams, 3485 Edmonds, working with the recall movement appeared be- fore the microphone briefly to say that they would proceed with the recall. _4- To correct the minutes of the meeting of October 23 , 1973 . Mr. James Donatta, 3255 Elmira, spoke supporting the recall movement. Mr. Ken Jai, 3425 Durwood, spoke in opposition of the recall movement. Mrs. Joni Jai, 3425 Durwood, spoke in opposition to the recall movement and offered to furnish her equipment and crews to build sidewalks on 4th Street. Mr. Everett Brashear, 1345 East Lucas, spoke in support of Mayor Flitter and sited other instances of sidewalks needed by schools in Beaumont. Mr. Maurice Meyers, 1260 Nottingham, spoke in opposition to the recall move- ment. Mr. Tobe Duhon spoke in support of the recall movement. Mr. Morris Cloninger, 1190 23rd. Street, spoke in opposition to the recall movement. -000- There being no further business, the meeting was adjourned. -000- I, Myrtle Corgey, City Clerk of the City of Beaumont, Texas, certify that the above is a true copy of the minutes of the regular meeting of the City Council held October 23, 1973. Myrtle Corgey City Clerk -5®