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Home My WebLink AboutMIN SEP 02 1975 REGULAR SESSION CITY COUNCIL - CITY OF BEAU1,1ONT1 HELD SEPTEMBER 2, 1975 BE IT REMEMBERED that the City Council of the City of Beaumont, Texas, met in regular session this the 2nd day of September, 1975, with the following present: HONORABLE: Ken Ritter Mayor Don Cash Councilman, Ward 1 Vi McGinnis Counc-]_wcman, Ward 11 Calvin Williams Councilman, Ward ill Leroy Evans Council-man, Ward IV Howard McDaniel _mac tan City Manager Kenneth Wall City Artorney Myrtle Corgey City Clerk -000- The Invocation was given by Reverend B. H. Clendennen, Victory Assembly of God Church. The Pledge of Allegiance was led by Councilman Cash,. -000- Mayor Ritter issued one proclamation: "Constitution Week in Beaumont" - Sep- tember 17-23 , 1975. -000- The minutes of the regular session of the City Council held August 26, 1975, were approved on a motion made by Councilwoman McGinnis and seconded by Coun- cilman Cash. Question: Ayes: All Nayes .- None -000- Resolution 75-302 authorizing the award of bids for furnishing one small Patch Roller for use by the Street Department from Hiway Equipment Co. , in the amount of $6 ,198. 00, this being the only bid received, was approved on a motion made by Councilman Evans and seconded by Councilman Cash, Question® Ayes : All Nayes : None In answer to questions by Councilman Williams, Mr. W_ J. Balmer, Director of Public Works, said that road materials are now available but the weather had not permitted road maintenance lately. He also said that rock was being used now instead of sand-shell mix because it had longer life in our area. -000- Resolution 75-303 authorizing the award of bids for the construction of the Delaware Street Revenue Sharing Project (RS-T-12) from Dowlen Road to Eastex Freeway to Trotti & Thomson in the amount of $1, 371, 704 , this being the low- est and best bid received, was approved on a motion made by Councilman Cash and seconded by Councilwoman McGinnis. Question : Ayes : All Nayes : None -000- A resolution rejecting bids taken August 8 , 1975, approving revised plans and specifications and authorizing bids to be received on the installation of the pumper test pit/fire training tower was held for action by the Manager because not enough information was available to make a recommendation, -000- -150- September 2 , 1975 Resolution 75-304 approving final plans, specifications and contract documents, and authorizing receipt of bids for Lavaca, CIP 11-ST-121 (from Lakner to Bob) was approved on a motion made by Councilwoman McGinnis and seconded by Council- man Evans. Question: Ayes: All Nayes: None -000- Authorization to advertise for bids for a vacuum type street sweeper for the Fleet Department was approved on a motion made by Councilman Evans and seconded by Councilwoman McGinnis. Question: Ayes: All Nayes : None -000- The adoption of an ordinance changing the zoning from R-2 to I-1 of Lots 61 and 62, Block 6, Crary Addition, located at 1016 Victoria Street, was tabled for one week to allow more citizen input. -000- The request made by Frank Bonura for an excavation permit at the 77-7800 block of Tram Road and described as Tract 57 , A-20, RS-5, D. Easley Survey, compris- ing 70 acres was denied on a motion made by Councilwoman McGinnis and seconded by Councilman Williams. Question: Ayes : All Nayes: None -000- Ordinance 75-53 for the abandonment of an alley measuring 20 ® by 250 ® and abut- ting Lots 1-10, Block 3, Prairie Addition (Cartwright, Roberts, Atlanta, and Pennsylvania Streets) was considered: ORDINANCE NO. 75-53 ENTITLED AN ORDINANCE VACATING AND ABANDONING A TWENTY FOOT (20 ® ) BY TWO HUNDRED FIFTY FOOT (2501 ) ALLEY IN THE PRAIRIE ADDITION TO THE CITY OF BEAUMONT, JEFFERSON COUNTY, TEXAS, PRO- VIDING THAT A GENERAL UTILITY EASEMENT IS RETAINED. The ordinance was approved on a motion made by Councilman Cash and seconded by Councilman Evans. Question: Ayes : All Nayes: None -000- Resolution 75-305 authorizing the retention of Jefferson County Title Company and Messrs. Willard Hall and M. L. Lefler, Jr. for appraisals and title re- search necessary for right-of-way acquisition on the Pearl-Orleans Connector, CAP 45-ST-03, (Messrs . Hall & Lefler to be paid an amount not to exceed $3 ,000 . each) was approved on a motion made by Councilman Evans and seconded by Council- man Cash. Question: Ayes: All Nayes : None -000- Resolution 75-306 authorizing Sun Pipe Line Company to make the necessary ad- justments to their existing pipe line and authorizing the City of Beaumont to reimburse them the actual cost of the adjustment (Delaware Street Revenue Shar- ing Project - RS-T-12 - cost $5, 905. 00) was approved on a motion made by Coun- cilman Evans and seconded by Councilwoman McGinnis. Question: Ayes : All Nayes : None -000- -151® September 2 , 1975 Resolution 75-307 authorizing payment to Gruen Associates, Inc. for architectural services per their statement Now 3, Exploratory Planning, in the amount of $937 . 55 (CAP Project 45-B-01, Civic Center) was approved on a motion made by Councilman Cash and seconded by Councilman Evans . Question: Ayes : All Nayes: None -000- Resolution 75-308 authorizing payment of commission in the amount of $5 , 599 . 45 to Rene Bates Auctioneers , Inc. for the auction of City equipment June 28 , 1975, was approved on a motion made by Councilwoman McGinnis and seconded by Council- man Evans. Question: Ayes : All Nayes : None -000- Resolution 75-309 renewing the one year contract with C. L. Sonnier, Conces- sionaire, which expires September 30, 1975 , was approved on a motion made by Councilwoman McGinnis and seconded by Councilman Cash. Question: Ayes : All Nayes : None -000- Resolution 75-310 to approve Official Statement relating to the proposed issu- ance of $20 million City of Beaumont General Obligation Bonds, Series 1975, and date and time of sale to be 11: 00 A.M. , Tuesday, October 7 , 1975, was ap- proved on a motion made by Councilwoman McGinnis and seconded by Councilman Cash. Question: Ayes : All Nayes : None -000- Resolution 75-311 authorizing the City Manager to execute an amendment to the fixed base operator' s lease at the Beaumont Municipal Airport by releasing to the City 120 square feet of the south end of the Terminal Building for lease to the F.A.A. for installation of a radio repeater was approved on a motion made by Councilman Cash and seconded by Councilman Evans. Question: Ayes : All Nayes: None -o00- Resolution 75-312 authorizing the Jefferson County Historical Commission to place a Texas Historical Marker on the Tyrrell Historical Library Building was approved on a motion made by Councilwoman McGinnis and seconded by Council= man Evans. Question: Ayes : All Nayes : None -000- Resolution 75-313 authorizing the City Manager to apply to the Governor ' s Of- fice of Traffic Safety for a Public Information and Education Program Grant (estimated cost not to exceed $7 ,500. 00 to be produced by the Communications and Art Departments at Lamar University -- to be funded 100% by the Governor ' s Office) was approved on a motion made by Councilman Cash and seconded by Coun- cilwoman McGinnis. Question: Ayes : All Nayes: None -000- Ordinance 75-54 establishing library card fees for non-residents of the City of Beaumont, to be effective October 1, 1975 , was considered: ORDINANCE NO. 75-54 ENTITLED AN ORDINANCE AMENDING CHAPTER 18 OF THE CODE OF ORDINANCES OF THE CITY OF BEAU- MONT, TEXAS, TO PROVIDE A NEW SECTION 18-9 , PROVIDING FOR ISSUANCE OF LIBRARY CARDS TO NON-RESIDENTS OF THE CITY OF BEAUMONT; PRO- VIDING FEES THEREFORE; PROVIDING FOR AN EF- FECTIVE DATE; PROVIDING FOR CANCELLATION OF -152- September 2 , 1975 EXISTING LIBRARY CARDS HELD BY NON-RESIDENTS OF THE CITY OF BEAUMONT, PROVIDING FOR SEVER- ABILITY; PROVIDING FOR REPEAL; AND PROVIDING A PENALTY. The ordinance was approved on a motion made by Councilman Cash and seconded by Councilwoman McGinnis , Question: Ayes : All Nayes : None -000® Ordinance No. 75-55 revising the ordinance providing that not less than $3 , 000 of the assessed value of residence homesteads of all persons sixty-five or older be exempted from ad valorem taxes under certain conditions was considered: ORDINANCE NO 75-55 ENTITLED AN ORDINANCE WHICH PROVIDES THAT NOT LESS THAN FIVE THOUSAND AND NO/100 ($5 ,000 , 00) DOLLARS OF THE ASSESSED VALUE OF RESIDENCE HOME- STEADS OF ALL PERSONS SIXTY-FIVE ('65) YEARS OF AGE OR OLDER BE EXEMPTED FROM AD VALOREM TAXES UNDER CERTAIN CONDITIONS; PROVIDING THE EFFEC- TIVE DATE HEREOF; AND PROVIDING FOR SEVERABILITY, The ordinance was approved on a motion made by Councilwoman McGinnis and secon- ded by Councilman Williams . Question: Ayes : All Nayes : None -000- Resolution 75-314 aDproving Change Order No. 3 to the Phelan Boulevard, Phasell contract in the amount of $14 ,542000 and authorizing the release of the retain- age on the original work, except for 1%, was approved on a motion made by Cou.I- cilman Cash and seconded by Councilman, Evans, Question: Ayes: All Nayes : None -000- Resolution 75-315 authorizing the release of weed lines (Charles R. Wallace - $55. 00; John T. Hull ® $55. 00; Lamar C. Bevil, Jr. - $55. 00 ; R� E. Lee ® $55 00; and G. D. Clark - $11. 97) was approved on a motion made by Councilwoman McGlnnis and seconded by Councilman Cash. Question- Ayes : All Nayes : None -("00- Approval of Mr® Marne Meynig as Chairman and Mr. Richard Coffin, Jr. , as Vice- Chairman of the Planning and Zoning Commission was made on a motion made by Coun- cilman Evans and seconded by Councilwoman McGinnis. Question: Ayes : All Nayes : None -°000® In answer to a question by Councilman Cash, Chief Bauer told Council the School Volunteer Program (C.J.C® funded officers teaching criminal justice courses in the high schools) was overwhelmingly successful; however, funds were needed in other areas. He said that, because the program was so successful, both School Districts are now funding the program, Councilman Cash asked that letters of appreciation be sent to the School Boards for continuing this program. -000- Mayor Ritter reminded citizens and the news media that the Citizen Response Center is in operation® -000- -153® September 2 , 1975 Mrs . Alzie Swearingen, President of the Beaumont Chapter of Texas Senior Citi- zens, thanked Council for the action taken concerning increasing homestead tax exemptions for those 65 and older and pledged her group' s support for the bet- terment of the City of Beaumont. -000- Mr. T. J. Hebert, Immediate Past President of the Beaumont Chapter of Texas Sen- ior Citizens, thanked Council for the action concerning increasing homestead tax exemption and also asked if consideration could be given those people on disa- bility or fixed incomes who have not yet reached age 65. -000- Mr. George Cowart, 2250 21st Street, asked if the proposed improvement to Dela- ware would provide relief of drainage in his area. Mr. Deland, City Engineer, responded he could not guarantee a solution to the drainage problem but said this improvement should relieve it somewhat. -000- Mr. J. W. Faul, 4075 Howard, thanked Council for the prompt action concerning the traffic light at Highland & Irby being moved to Highland & Lavaca. He also asked if Council had reviewed the policies governing garbage pickup. Mr. McDaniel said Staff was presently considering ordinance revisions and would soon have a recommendation for Council consideration. -000- Mr. Thad Heartfield, Attorney, and Mr. Al McKay, Beaumont Cablevision Manager, petitioned Council to initiate action in accordance with FCC regulations that become effective March, 1977 , lowering the franchise fee to 3% instead of the 15% of minimum of $75, 000 currently being paid. After a brief discussion of the system, Councilman Cash asked if the City could challenge in Court as discriminatory the provisions limiting the number of chan- nels allowed in Beaumont. Mr. Wall, City Attorney, said it is unlikely because of the short time the local firm has been in business in Beaumont but said he would advise Council further. -000- Mrs. George Coleman presented a gift plaque to Councilwoman McGinnis. -000- Mr. W. E. Kinnear, 1810 Washington Boulevard, thanked Council for action taken concerning the homestead tax exemption for senior citizens. -000- Mr. Irving Meriweather, Treasurer of the Beaumont Chapter of Texas Senior Citi- zens, thanked Council for action taken concerning the homestead tax exemption for senior citizens. -000- Mr. Leland S. Henry, 1770 Rikisha, addressed Council concerning drainage prob- lems and alleged vandalism. -000- There being no further business, the meeting was adjourned. -154- September 2 , 1975 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 City Council session held September 2, 1975 . Myrtle Corgey City Clerk -155® September 2 , 1975