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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMIN MAY 13 2008 M I N U T E S - CITY OF BEAUMONT W.L. Pate, Jr., At-Large BECKY AMES, MAYOR Gethrel Williams-Wright, At-Large Dr. Alan B. Coleman, Ward 1 CITY COUNCIL MEETING Nancy Beaulieu, Ward 11 Audwin Samuel, Mayor Pro Tem, Ward 111 May 13, 2008 Jamie Smith,Ward IV Tyrone E. Cooper, City Attorney Kyle Hayes, City Manager Tina Broussard, City Clerk The City Council of the City of Beaumont, Texas, met in a regular session on May 13, 2008, at the City Hall Council Chambers, 801 Main Street, Beaumont, Texas, at 1:30 p.m. to consider the following: OPENING Invocation Pledge of Allegiance Roll Call Presentations and Recognition Public Comment: Persons may speak on scheduled agenda items 1-6/Consent Agenda Consent Agenda Mayor Ames called the council meeting to order at 1:30 p.m. Reverend Dr. Harland Merriam of St. Andrews Presbyterian Church gave the invocation. Maxie DeBlanc and Joe DeBlanc, Soldiers of the Salvation Army led the Pledge of Allegiance. Roll call was made by Tina Broussard, City Clerk. Present at the meeting were Mayor Ames, Mayor Pro Tern Samuel, Councilmembers Beaulieu, Wright, Pate and Smith. Absent: Councilmember Coleman. Also present were Kyle Hayes, City Manager; Tyrone Cooper, City Attorney; Tina Broussard, City Clerk. Proclamations, Presentations, Recognitions "Salvation Army Week" - May 12 - 18, 2008 - Proclamation read by Councilmember Beaulieu; accepted by Maxie DeBlanc and Joe DeBlanc, Soldiers in the Salvation Army "National Tourism Week" - May 10 - 18, 2008 - Proclamation ready by Councilmember Pate; accepted by Representatives from the Beaumont Convention and Visitors Bureau "Foster Care Month" - May, 2008 - Proclamation ready by Mayor Pro Tern Samuel; accepted by Representatives from Buckner Children and Family Services Mayor Ames announced the City's dedication of the Gulf Terrace Hike and Bike Trail on Monday, May 19, 2008 at 5:30 p.m., located at 9420 Phelan Blvd. Public Comment: Persons may speak on scheduled agenda items 1-6/Consent Agenda. None Minutes-May 13,2008 CONSENT AGENDA Approval of minutes - May 6, 2008 Confirmation of committee appointments - None A) Approve a contract for the purchase of traffic marking materials for use in the Transportation Division - Resolution 08 - 140 B) Authorize the City Manager to execute a one(1)year term lease and maintenance agreement with the Jefferson Theatre Limited Partnership for the Jefferson Theatre - Resolution 08 - 141 C) Approve a revision to the annual contract with Beaumont Products and Services, Inc. - Resolution 08 - 142 D) Approve Change Order Numbers 1, 2 and 3 for additional work related to the installation of a new air handler at City Hall - Resolution 08 - 143 E) Approve Change Order Numbers 6, 7 and 8 for additional work at Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Memorial Park - Resolution 08 - 144 F) Authorize the City Manager to apply for and receive funding through the Target Law Enforcement Grant Program - Resolution 08 - 145 G) Authorize the City Manager to execute letters of understanding with resources that would be needed in the event of a declared disaster - Resolution 08 - 146 H) Authorize the execution of a License to Encroach Agreement for the installation of underground fiber optics to serve offices at the Edison Building - Resolution 08 - 147 1) Authorize the acceptance of a ten(10)foot wide water line easement providing access for fire prevention services for Sienna Trails Apartments and the construction,alteration, operation and maintenance of the said water line and appurtenances - Resolution 08 - 148 J) Authorize the settlement of the claim of Doris Brown anf of Jonathan Brown, a Minor - Resolution 08 - 149 Councilmember Beaulieu made a motion to approve the Consent Agenda. Councilmember Pate seconded the motion. AYES: MAYOR AMES, MAYOR PRO TEM SAMUEL, COUNCILMEMBERS BEAULIEU, WRIGHT, PATE AND SMITH NAYS: NONE MOTION PASSED Page 2 of 9 Minutes-May 13,2008 GENERAL BUSINESS 1. Consider approving a contract for concrete repair rehabilitation. Administration recommended authorizing the award of a contract for Concrete Repair Rehabilitation to ALLCO, Inc. of Beaumont in the amount of $4,280,266.65. The estimated cost of the project prior to receipt of bids was $4,356,368.00. MBE subcontracting is with the MBE firms of Crabtree Barricade Systems and Highway Pavement Specialties in the amount of $145,550.00, representing 3.4% of the contract amount. Funds are available through the Capital Program. Mayor Pro Tern Samuel moved to APPROVE A RESOLUTION THAT THE BID SUBMITTED BYALLCO, INC.OF BEAUMONT IN THE AMOUNT OF$4,280,266.65 BE ACCEPTED BY THE CITY OF BEAUMONT. Councilmember Beaulieu seconded the motion. AYES: MAYOR AMES MAYOR PRO TEM SAMUEL COUNCILMEMBERS BEAULIEU WRIGHT, PATE AND SMITH NAYS: NONE MOTION PASSED Resolution 08 - 150 2. Consider approving the purchase of a grinder for use at the City's Landfill. Administration recommended approving the purchase of a grinder from Precision Husky of Moody, Alabama in the amount of $484,175. The grinder is used to convert yard waste into compost material. There is currently one (1) grinder in service, a 1995 model, which will be disposed of according to the City's surplus property policies when the new unit is fully functional. Delivery is expected in 60 to 75 days. Funds are budgeted in the Solid Waste Fund. Councilmember Pate made a motion to APPROVE A RESOLUTION THAT THE BID SUBMITTED BY PRECISION HUSKY PROGRIND OF MOODY,ALABAMA IN THE AMOUNT OF$484,175 BE ACCEPTED BY THE CITY OF BEAUMONT. Councilmember Beaulieu seconded the motion. AYES: MAYOR AMES, MAYOR PRO TEM SAMUEL, COUNCILMEMBERS BEAULIEU, WRIGHT, PATE AND SMITH Page 3 of 9 Minutes-May 13,2008 NAYS: NONE MOTION PASSED Resolution 08 - 151 3. Consider approving a contract for the 311 Citizen Call Center software. Administration recommended authorizing g t e award of a contract for the 311 Citizen Call Center software to Hansen Information Technologies in the amount of$106,190. The lowest bid was submitted by Hansen Information Technologies which covers software, training, implementation, and travel expenses. The annual software maintenance is$4,500. The Hansen solution meets the goals and objectives of the 311 Call Center to provide one point of contact for all non-emergency requests for information and service over the web and phone. The City plans to commence with the new service in September of 2008 with staff working M-F from 8 to 5. The City will be able to extend service to 24 hours/7 days a week in the future if the call volume warrants it. The 311 Call Center will improve overall service, delivery quality and make information more readily available to all City departments, the public, and the business community. Funds are available in the FY08 Capital Reserve. Councilmember Beaulieu made a motion to APPROVE A RESOLUTION THAT THE BID SUBMITTED BY HANSEN INFORMATION TECHNOLOGIES OF RANCHO CORDOVA,CALIFORNIA IN THE AMOUNT OF $106,190 BE ACCEPTED BY THE CITY OF BEAUMONT. Councilmember Smith seconded the motion. AYES: MAYOR AMES, MAYOR PRO TEM SAMUEL, COUNCILMEMBERS BEAULIEU, WRIGHT, PATE AND SMITH NAYS: NONE MOTION PASSED Resolution 08 - 152 4. Consider approving a contract for grounds maintenance services at Tyrrell Park. Administration recommended awarding a contract to Perfect Cut Lawn Care of Beaumont, with an estimated annual cost of $79,500. Grounds maintenance at the 125-acre park includes weekly mowing,edging, and sweeping during the growing season, March 1 through November 30. The non-growing season, requires biweekly mowing. Daily litter removal is required throughout the year including weekends and holidays. Page 4 of 9 Minutes-May 13,2008 The Parks and Recreation Department is responsible for managing and monitoring contract performance. The new contract term is one (1)year begininning May 19, 2008 with an option to renew for two(2)additional years including a percentage increase based on the Consumer Price Index. Funds are available in the Parks and Recreation Department operating budget. Councilmember Smith made a motion to APPROVE A RESOLUTION THAT THE BID SUBMITTED BY PERFECT CUT LAWN CARE OF BEAUMONT IN THE ESTIMATED COST OF$79,500 BE ACCEPTED BY THE CITY OF BEAUMONT. Councilmember Pate seconded the motion. AYES: MAYOR AMES, MAYOR PRO TEM SAMUEL, COUNCILMEMBERS BEAULIEU, WRIGHT, PATE AND SMITH NAYS: NONE MOTION PASSED Resolution 08 - 153 5. Consider amending Chapter 28 of the Code of Ordinances related to utilities. Administration recommended approval of the amendments proposed for Chapter 28. In accordance with the process that was put in place, the proposed changes to Chapter 28, related to utilities, were provided to the City Council for review. The recodification will cost an estimated $20,000. Funds are available in the FY 2008 Operating Budget. Councilmember Wright made a motion to ADOPT AN ORDINANCE ENTITLED AN ORDINANCE AMENDING CHAPTER 28,ARTICLE II, DIVISION 1, SECTIONS 28-20.1, 28-20.2,28.20.5, 28-20.6 AND 28-20.14, DIVISION 2, SECTIONS 28-21.1, 28-21.2, 28-21.3, SUBSECTION 28-21.6 (d), SECTIONS 28-21.7 AND 28-21.9, DIVISION 3, SECTION 28-22.3, DIVISION 4, SECTIONS 28-23.2, 28-23.3 AND 28-23.4,DIVISION 5,SECTION 28-24.1,SUBSECTIONS 28-24.2(x),(b)AND(d),AND SECTION 28-24.3, DIVISION 6, SECTIONS 28-40, 28-41, 28-43 AND 28-44, ARTICLE III, SUBSECTIONS 28-51(a)AND(e),28-53(e),SECTION 28-55,SUBSECTIONS 28-56(x)AND(b),28- 57(b)(5), (c), (e), 0), (k), (1), (m), (n) AND (o), 28-58(b), (d)(1)AND (12), (e), (f)(2)AND (3), (g)(1), (h), AND (i)(3)AND (4), 28-59(i)(2)C AND (q)(1)C, ARTICLE IV, SECTIONS 28-80, 28-21 AND SUBSECTION 28-87(x), ARTICLE V, SECTION 28-100 AND SUBSECTION 28-103(e)(3), AND ARTICLE 28-112 THROUGH 28-115; AND REPEALING ARTICLE IV, SECTION 28-88, ARTICLE VI, SECTIONS 28-116 THROUGH 28-120, AND ARTICLES VII, SECTIONS 28-130 THROUGH 28-140, OF THE CODE OF ORDINANCES; PROVIDING FOR SEVERABILITY; PROVIDING FOR REPEAL; AND PROVIDING A PENALTY. Councilmember Beaulieu seconded the motion. Page 5 of 9 Minutes-May 13,2008 AYES: MAYOR AMES, MAYOR PRO TEM SAMUEL, COUNCILMEMBERS BEAULIEU, WRIGHT, PATE AND SMITH NAYS: NONE MOTION PASSED Ordinance 08 - 040 6. Consider amending the FY 2008 Budget to appropriate fund balance for the demolition program. Administration recommended City Council amend the FY 2008 Budget to appropriate $500,000 from the fund balance in the General Fund for the demolition of condemned residential and commercial structures. The City has had an aggressive condemnation program since Hurricane Rita. Currently,there are 431 residential and 39 commercial structures tagged for demolition. To date in FY 2008, there have been 162 residential structures and six(6)commercial structures demolished. In past years,funds forthe demolition of condemned commercial and residential structures have been appropriated in the Community Development Block Grant(CDBG)program. In the past three years, the federal government has reduced the City's allotment of CDBG funding thus reducing the money available for demolition. In planning for this reduction in funding,the FY 2008 Budget included$260,000 in the Community Development Department's budget in the General Fund for demolition purposes. During FY 2008, it was determined by HUD that the CDBG funding could not be used for commercial structures. Commercial structures require environmental surveys and abatements which substantially increase the cost of demolition. Currently,the average cost to demolish a commercial structure is$50,000, depending on the size and amount of hazardous materials discovered. The average cost to demolish a residential structure is $2,500. These costs have increased significantly in the years since Hurricane Rita. The factors have created the need for additional funding at this time in the amount of $500,000 to further the demolition activities for FY 2008. By the end of Fiscal Year 2008, fund balance in the General Fund is projected to be approximately$25 Million, continuing to be strong as a result of very strong sales tax revenue. The recommended appropriation of$500,000 will have minimal impact on the projected fund balance. Councilmember Wright made a motion to ADOPT AN ORDINANCE ENTITLED AN ORDINANCE AMENDING ORDINANCE NO. 07-090 ADOPTING THE FISCAL BUDGET OF THE CITY OF BEAUMONT FOR THE FISCAL YEAR 2008 TO APPROPRIATE$500,000 FROM THE GENERAL FUND BALANCE TO THE GENERAL FUND TO FUND THE DEMOLITION OF CONDEMNED RESIDENTIAL AND COMMERCIAL STRUCTURES; PROVIDING FOR SEVERABILITY; AND PROVIDING FOR REPEAL. Mayor Pro Tern Samuel seconded the motion. AYES: MAYOR AMES, MAYOR PRO TEM SAMUEL, COUNCILMEMBERS BEAULIEU, WRIGHT, PATE AND SMITH Page 6 of 9 Minutes-May 13,2008 NAYS: NONE MOTION PASSED Ordinance 08 - 041 WORKSESSION • Review and discuss FEMA Trailers Chris Boone, Community Development Director, discussed that in the wake of 2005's Hurricane Rita, FEMA provided temporary housing to about 400 families in the form of travel trailers. In Beaumont,travel trailers used as a residence are prohibited in neighborhoods by the Zoning Ordinance. However, the City Council approved ordinances allowing the use of these FEMA trailers until September,2007 to allow additional time for home repairs. At that point, approximately 169 trailers remained and the City Council offered more time for those who requested extensions. All extensions have now expired and of the 169 trailers originally documented, twenty(20) remain. Of this twenty, three are awaiting Disaster Relief funding from the State of Texas. The remaining seventeen (17)trailers continue to be occupied in violation of the Zoning Ordinance. As it is now more than two and a half years since the storm and as these dwellings rapidly depreciate in value and can adversely affect surrounding neighborhoods, staff requested consent to move forward with enforcing the Zoning Ordinance. This would be done under the normal enforcement procedure, allowing the inspector to issue a written warning and file charges in Municipal Court, if the violation is not abated. COUNCILMEMBER COMMENTS COUNCILMEMBER COLEMAN - ABSENT COUNCILMEMBER BEAULIEU - COMPLIMENTED THE CONVENTION AND VISITORS BUREAU ON THE GREAT JOB THEY ARE DOING, COMMENTED ON THE NEW"NECHES RIVER ADVENTURE CRUISE"THAT IS BEING PRESENTED FOR CITIZENS AND TOURIST,THE FIRST CRUISE TOUR ON THE NECHES RIVER WAS HELD ON TUESDAY MAY 13, 2008, THIS NEW ADVENTURE WILL BE OPEN TO ALL CITIZENS AND TOURIST ON SATURDAY'S WITH A COST OF $15.00 FOR ADULTS AND $5.00 FOR CHILDREN, CONGRATULATED THE MAYOR ON THE 311 SERVICE CENTER COUNCILMEMBER WRIGHT- ATTENDED A MEETING WITH THE OAKS HISTORIC DISTRICT WHICH WAS HELD AT THE TYRRELL PARK GARDEN, ENCOURAGED EVERYONE TO VISIT THE TYRRELL PARK GARDEN AND GOLF COURSE, AS WELL AS THE MEETING WITH THE BEAUMONT HOUSING AUTHORITY IN THE NORTH END WITH STUDENTS AND REPRESENTATIVES SPEAKING FROM TEXAS A & M FOR THE HOPE VI PROGRAM, Page 7 of 9 Minutes-May 13,2008 ANNOUNCED THE BOOMTOWN FILM AND MUSIC FESTIVAL ON SATURDAY MAY 17, 2008 IN DOWN TOWN BEAUMONT, INVITED EVERYONE TO COME OUTAT 12:00 P.M.TO SEE THE FILM THE"LONG BLACK LINE",WISHED A HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO SUNNY PERKINS AND HER HUSBAND LT. COL. CLINTON WRIGHT COUNCILMEMBER PATE- COMMENTED ON THE CVB AND WHAT AN IMPACT IT HAS ON THE COMMUNITY,ALSO THAT BEAUMONT WAS SELECTED AS THE TOP 25TH CITY TO LIVE IN, CONGRATULATED CLAYBAR FUNERAL HOME FOR BEING IDENTIFIED BY THE BETTER BUSINESS BUREAU AS AN OUTSTANDING BUSINESS FROM BEAUMONT, ALSO APPRECIATED COUNCILMEMBER COLEMAN FOR WRITING THE ARTICLE TO THE BEAUMONT ENTERPRISE, WANTING TO HEAR FROM THE CITIZENS OF BEAUMONT SO THAT THEY MAY HAVE AN ACTIVE ROLL IN WHAT DECISIONS COUNCIL MAKE MAYOR PRO TEM SAMUEL - COMMENTED ON THE GROUND BREAKING AT SPINDLE TOP BOOMTOWN WITH AGL RESOURCES COMPANY, AS WELL AS ALL OF THE MULTI-MILLION DOLLAR CONTRACTS THAT ARE HAPPENING IN BEAUMONT,ATTENDED A MEETING WITH THE BEAUMONT HOUSING AUTHORITY, STUDENTS AND REPRESENTATIVES FROM TEXAS A & M THAT MET WITH THE CITIZENS IN THE NORTH END NEIGHBORHOOD COUNCILMEMBER SMITH - ANNOUNCED THE RELAY FOR LIFE THAT WILL BE HELD ON FRIDAY, MAY 16, 2008 AT WESTBROOK HIGH SCHOOL, ALSO THANKED ANTIOCH BAPTIST CHURCH MEN'S MINISTRY, A CITIZEN HAD A PROBLEM WITH THEIR HOME AND THE MENS MINISTRY VOLUNTEERED TO DO THE WORK CITY ATTORNEY COOPER - NONE CITY MANAGER HAYES - ANNOUNCED THAT THE MAGNOLIA GARDENS CLUB HAS RECOGNIZED THE CITY OF BEAUMONT FOR IT'S LANDSCAPING, ALSO INFORMED COUNCIL THAT MAUREEN GRAY, A LONG TIME CITY EMPLOYEE, IS IN THE HOSPITAL, ASKED THAT EVERYONE KEEP HER IN THEIR THOUGHTS AND PRAYERS MAYOR AMES - COMMENTED ON THE LANDSCAPING AND BEAUTIFICATION OF THE CITY,THE CLEANUP'S,THE EXPANSIONS IN THE CITY THAT WILL PROMOTE JOBS, ASKED THAT EVERYONE JOIN COUNCIL AT THE GULF TERRACE HIKE AND BIKE TRAIL ON MONDAY,MAY 19,2008 AT 5:30 P.M.,COMMENTED ON THE RECYCLING EFFORTS, WANTED TO INFORM CITIZENS THAT Page 8 of 9 Minutes-May 13,2008 COUNCIL AND STAFF ARE WORKING ON THE RECYCLING, WILL HAVE A PILOT PROGRAM IN PLACE HOPEFULLY BY .TUNE 1, 2008, ALSO EXCITED ABOUT THE 311 SERVICE CENTER Public Comments (Persons are limited to three minutes) Frank Kiefer 3190 Willowood Beaumont TX Spoke regarding the Memorial Day Holiday and the symbolic table that represents our armed forces that are missing and referred to as POW's and MIA's Barbara Warren 5710 Viking Beaumont TX Commented on the FEMA trailers in neighborhoods,and that Council should take action and enforce this Ordinance Bruce Hoffer 2615 Gladys Beaumont TX Reminded everyone that they are having soccer registration for the fall season, the annual adult co-ed soccer tournament will be held here in Beaumont, commented on the death of Ronnie Spector, who died this weekend There being no Executive Session, Council adjourned at 3:00 p.m. Audio is available upon request in the City Clerk's Office, Becky Ame ayor AIM 6k.—I)l 610, ,/)rLAI/J r c Tina Broussard, City Clerk Page 9 of 9 Minutes-May 13,2008