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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMIN SEP 30 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 I CITY COUNCIL MEETING Nancy Beaulieu,Ward II Audwin Samuel, Mayor Pro Tom,Ward III September 30,2008 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 September 30, 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 James Blackwell of South Park Baptist Church gave the invocation. Mayor Ames 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 Coleman, Beaulieu, Wright, Pate and Smith. Also present were Kyle Hayes, City Manager;Tyrone Cooper, City Attorney; Tina Broussard, City Clerk. Proclamations, Presentations, Recognitions None Mayor Ames read the announcement regarding Executive Session being held at the conclusion of the General Business portion of the meeting. Public Comment: Persons may speak on scheduled agenda items 1-6/Consent Agenda. None CONSENT AGENDA Approval of minutes - September 9, 2008 and September 16, 2008 (Special Meeting) Confirmation of committee appointments - None A) Authorize the settlement of the claim of Prof. Dr. Quoc-Nam Tran - Resolution 08 -249 Minutes-September 30,2008 B) Authorize the approval of Change Order No.2 for the Main Street Project-Resolution 08- 250 C) Authorize the acceptance of a water line easement to provide access for fire protection services at D. J.'s Boudain - Resolution 08 -251 Councilmember Pate made a motion to approve the Consent Agenda. Councilmember Beaulieu seconded the motion. AYES: MAYOR AMES, MAYOR PRO TEM SAMUEL, COUNCILMEMBERS COLEMAN, BEAULIEU,WRIGHT, PATE AND SMITH NAYS: NONE MOTION PASSED GENERAL BUSINESS 1. Consider approving a request for the disannexation of certain properties owned by ExxonMobil. Final Reading Administration recommended approval of the request. ExxonMobil has requested disannexation of approximately 7 acres of property within the Charlton-Pollard area of the City of Beaumont. ExxonMobil states that this disannexation will complete the work referenced in the 2002 Agreement between the City and ExxonMobil. In combination with Exxon Mobil's 2003 disannexation,this request will enable the company to create a secure perimeter at Sycamore and Carroll Streets. At a Joint Public Hearing held June 16, 2008, the Planning Commission recommended approval 6:0:1 of a request for a disannexation of property from the City of Beaumont. At a Public Hearing held July 29, 2008, City Council approved 7:0 the first reading of the disannexation ordinance (Ord. 08-061). Councilmember Wright moved to ADOPTAN ORDINANCE ENTITLED AN ORDINANCE DISANNEXING EIGHT(8)TRACTS OF LAND TOTALING APPROXIMATELY 5.174 ACRES OUT OF THE DAVID BROWN LEAGUE, ABSTRACT 5, FROM THE CORPORATE LIMITS OF THE CITY OF BEAUMONT, TEXAS; PROVIDING FORSEVERABILITY;AND PROVIDING FOR REPEAL. Councilmember Smith seconded the motion. AYES: MAYOR AMES, MAYOR PRO TEM SAMUEL, COUNCILMEMBERS COLEMAN, BEAULIEU,WRIGHT, PATE AND SMITH NAYS: NONE MOTION PASSED Ordinance 08 - 061 Page 2 of 13 Minutes-September 30,2008 2. Consider approving a one-year agreement with Blue Cross Blue Shield of Texas for employee medical and dental insurance. Administration recommended that Council award to Blue Cross Blue Shield of Texas (BCBSTX) a one year contract effective January 1, 2009 for third party administration of the City's fully insured Health Maintenance Organization (HMO Blue Texas), self funded Preferred Provider Organization (PPO) medical plan and a self funded dental plan. After analyzing and negotiating the BCBS renewal rates, staff concluded that BCBSTX offered the most cost effective plans. Initial renewal rates projected by BCBSTX for the fully insured HMO plan increased 13.5%. Four large claims resulted in the high initial renewal projection. PPO overall fixed costs consisting of stop loss and administration increased 2%. Renewal rates for the self funded dental plan did not increase. Final negotiations by Holmes Murphy&Associates resulted in the HMO plan renewal being held to a 6% increase. The HMO increase was a function of increasing utilization, rising trend factors and four large claims. For the PPO plan, the City pays BCBS a stop loss premium amount to provide financial protection for any one covered member incurring high dollar claims. Holmes Murphy recommends that the City remain with BCBSTX because it offers cost effective plans with an extensive network and deep provider discounts. The final negotiated rates are lower than the projected industry trends of 10 to 13%. Funds are available for this expenditure in the Employee Benefits Fund. Cou ncilmember Beaulieu made a motion to APPROVE A RESOLUTION THATTHE CITY MANAGER BE AND HE IS HEREBY AUTHORIZED TO ENTER INTO A ONE-YEAR CONTRACT WITH BLUE CROSS BLUE SHIELD OF TEXAS (BCBSTX) FOR THIRD PARTY ADMINISTRATION OF THE CITY'S FULLY INSURED HEALTH MAINTENANCE ORGANIZATION (HMO BLUE TEXAS), SELF-FUNDED PREFERRED PROVIDER ORGANIZATION (PPO) MEDICAL PLAN AND A SELF-FUNDED DENTAL PLAN EFFECTIVE JANUARY 1, 2009. Councilmember Coleman seconded the motion. AYES: MAYOR AMES, MAYOR PRO TEM SAMUEL, COUNCILMEMBERS COLEMAN, BEAULIEU,WRIGHT, PATE AND SMITH NAYS: NONE MOTION PASSED Resolution 08 - 252 3. Consider approving a three-year contract with Cigna for Basic Life and Accidental Death and Dismemberment (AD&D), Supplemental Life and Accidental Death and Dismemberment (AD&D) and Dependent Life Insurance. Administration recommended that Council award to Cigna a three-year contract effective January 1, 2009 for Basic Life and Accidental Death and Dismemberment (AD&D), Supplemental Life and Accidental Death and Dismemberment(AD&D)and Dependent Life Insurance. Currently, the City provides basic life and accidental death and dismemberment (AD&D) insurance for approximately 1258 employees.The City sponsored basic life and accidental Page 3 of 13 Minutes-September 30,2008 death and dismemberment insurance is provided at no cost to the employee. The amount of basic life/AD&D insurance is 100%of the employee's annual base salary rounded to the next highest $1000 to a maximum benefit of$50,000. Employees may elect to purchase supplemental life and accidental death and dismemberment and dependent life at a group rate. The group rate is usually more cost effective than an individual policy for the employee. Supplemental life, which includes AD&D and dependent life, is offered to all employees with approximately 947 currently participating. Funds are available for this expenditure in the Employee Benefits Fund. Mayor Pro Tern Samuel made a motion to APPROVE A RESOLUTION THAT THE CITY MANAGER BE AND HE IS HEREBY AUTHORIZED TO ENTER INTO A THREE-YEAR CONTRACT WITH CIGNA FOR BASIC LIFE AND ACCIDENTAL DEATH AND DISMEMBERMENT (AD&D), SUPPLEMENTAL LIFE AND ACCIDENTAL DEATH AND DISMEMBERMENT(AD&D)AND DEPENDENT LIFE INSURANCE EFFECTIVE JANUARY 1, 2009. Councilmember Smith seconded the motion. AYES: MAYOR AMES, MAYOR PRO TEM SAMUEL, COUNCILMEMBERS COLEMAN, BEAULIEU, WRIGHT, PATE AND SMITH NAYS: NONE MOTION PASSED Resolution 08 - 253 4. Consider approving a three-year contract with Cigna effective January 1, 2009 for Long Term Disability (LTD) Insurance. Administration recommended that Council award to Cigna a three-year contract effective January 1, 2009 for Long Term Disability Insurance. Long term disability is an employee paid benefit offered to all employees with approximately 696 eligible employees participating. This benefit will provide the employee with up to 60% of his or her salary when disabled for a period in excess of 90 days. In July 2008, City staff began analyzing the Long Term Disability insurance plan cost. Staff also began working with the City's benefit consultant, Holmes Murphy & Associates to solicit bid proposals on the City's behalf. The City received four proposals including the incumbent's quote for long term disability insurance. Cigna, the lowest bidder, will provide a three year rate guarantee for the same benefit coverage as provided by the incumbent carrier, Fort Dearborn. Long term disability insurance is an optional benefit offered to employees. There is no monetary impact to the City because premiums are withheld from participating employees' paychecks to pay for the long term disability insurance coverage. Councilmember Beaulieu made a motion to APPROVE A RESOLUTION THAT THE CITY MANAGER BE AND HE IS HEREBY AUTHORIZED TO ENTER INTO A THREE-YEAR CONTRACT WITH CIGNA EFFECTIVE JANUARY 1,2009,FOR LONG TERM DISABILITY INSURANCE. Councilmember Smith seconded the motion. Page 4 of 13 Minutes-September 30,2008 AYES: MAYOR AMES, MAYOR PRO TEM SAMUEL, COUNCILMEMBERS COLEMAN, BEAULIEU,WRIGHT, PATE AND SMITH NAYS: NONE MOTION PASSED Resolution 08 -254 5. Consider granting the City Manager authority to implement contribution rate changes for retirees in the medical plans. Administration recommended that Council approve medical contribution rate changes for retirees, including their dependents, effective January 1, 2009. Retirees and their dependents are allowed to elect continuation of medical coverage as provided by state statue. The retiree/dependent may continue coverage until the retiree/dependent is covered by Medicare/Medicaid, but not beyond age 65. Currently, there are 190 retirees on the City's medical plans. The retiree contribution rate for Police and Fire retirees is based on a provision in the Police and Fire contract agreements which states, "Any employee who retired on or after February 1, 1992 may be subject to an annual increase in contribution. The increase will be effected in accordance with the labor agreement. The single rate will be established at 69%; single rate + 1 at 58%; and the family rate at 54% of the COBRA rate." This same formula is utilized when calculating the contribution rate for civilian retirees. The City requested Holmes Murphy&Associates, the City's benefit consultant,to analyze the City's health costs and to determine the 2009 medical COBRA rates. Based on Holmes Murphy & Associates calculations, the retiree medical rates effective January 1, 2009 will be as follows: Plan 2009 2009 Prescription 2009 2009 2008 and Medical Drug Rate COBRA Retiree Retiree Category Rate Rate* Rate Rate PPO (EO) $308.79 $63.08 $371.87 $256.59 $256.59 (El) $764.29 $156.16 $920.45 $533.86 $533.86 (E2) $1003.82 $205.11 $1208.93 $652.82 $652.82 HMO (EO) $336.92 $62.94 $399.86 $275.90 $262.75 (El) $811.94 $151.70 $963.64 $558.91 $532.25 (E2) $1155.56 $215.91 $1371.47 $740.59 $705.27 *Rate does not include COBRA administration fee. Appropriation of funds is available in the Employee Benefits Fund. Page 5 of 13 Minutes-September 30,2008 Councilmember Smith made a motion to APPROVE A RESOLUTION THAT THE CITY MANAGER BE AND HE IS HEREBY AUTHORIZED TO IMPLEMENT THE FOLLOWING MEDICAL CONTRIBUTION RATES FOR RETIREES INCLUDING THEIR DEPENDENTS EFFECTIVE JANUARY 1, 2009. Councilmember Pate seconded the motion. AYES: MAYOR AMES, MAYOR PRO TEM SAMUEL, COUNCILMEMBERS COLEMAN, BEAULIEU,WRIGHT, PATE AND SMITH NAYS: NONE MOTION PASSED Resolution 08 -255 6. Consider amending the FY 2008 Budget. Administration recommended that Council amend the FY 2008 Budget as proposed in the attached detail. Approving the proposed amendments will preclude the City from having expenditures in excess of appropriations. In accordance with Article VI of the City Charter, the City Manager shall strictly enforce the provisions of the budget as specified in the ordinance adopting the budget. He shall not authorize or approve any expenditure unless an appropriation has been made in the budget ordinance adopting the budget, and there is an available unencumbered balance of the appropriation sufficient to pay the liability to be incurred. Sufficient fund balance is available to cover all increases in appropriations where individual fund revenues are not able to fully sustain those appropriations. Councilmember Pate made a motion to ADOPT AN ORDINANCE ENTITLED AN ORDINANCE AMENDING THE FISCAL BUDGET OF THE CITY OF BEAUMONT FOR THE FISCAL YEAR 2008 TO APPROPRIATE ADDITIONAL EXPENDITURES AND/OR REVENUE FOR THE SOLID WASTE, GENERAL, FLEET, GENERAL LIABILITY, DEBT SERVICE, AND HENRY HOMBERG GOLF COURSE FUNDS; PROVIDING FOR SEVERABILITY; AND PROVIDING FOR REPEAL. Councilmember Beaulieu seconded the motion. AYES: MAYOR AMES, MAYOR PRO TEM SAMUEL, COUNCILMEMBERS COLEMAN, BEAULIEU,WRIGHT, PATE AND SMITH NAYS: NONE MOTION PASSED Ordinance 08 - 085 WORKSESSION Review and discuss the proposed FY 2009 Budget Review and discuss the proposed FY 2009 Capital Program Review and discuss the 2008 (FY 2009) proposed Tax Rate Page 6 of 13 Minutes-September 30,2008 City Manager Kyle Hayes discussed the FY 2008 Budget, FY 2009 Capital Program and the 2008 (FY 2009)proposed Tax Rate. Mr. Hayes gave a brief overview of the objectives for FY 2009 which are to maintain the excellent financial condition of the City, have well trained and equipped public safety departments, continue to develop a state of the art water and sewer system, invest more resources in City streets and public facilities, have an attractive and well maintained park system, make downtown more attractive and the main cultural, business and governmental sector of the City and to provide for a competitive wage and benefits package for all City employees. Mayor Pro Tern Samuel left the meeting at 1:46 p.m. The City Manager touched on the following fund topics along with their various programs: General Fund revenue and expenditures, Debt Service Fund,Water Utilities Fund revenue and expenditures, Solid Waste Fund revenue and expenditures and the various projects in the Capital Program. PUBLIC HEARING Receive comments on the 2008 (FY 2009) proposed Tax Rate, proposed FY 2009 Budget and the proposed FY 2009 Capital Program Public Hearing Opened: 2:29 p.m. Bruce Hoffer 2615 Gladys Beaumont, TX Spoke regarding Item #7: FY 2009 Budget and Item #8: FY 2009 Capital Program Public Hearing Closed: 2:32 p.m. 7. Consider adopting the FY 2009 Budget. Administration recommended Council adopt the FY 2009 Budget as submitted to Council on August 12, 2008. Article VI, Section 8 of the City Charter states that "the budget shall be adopted by the favorable votes of at least a majority of all members of the Council." Section 9 states that "the budget shall be finally adopted not later than the twenty-seventh (27th)day of the last month of the fiscal year. Should the Council take no final action on or prior to such day,the budget as submitted by the City Manager shall be deemed to have been finally adopted by the Council." The FY 2008 Budget was submitted to Council on August 12, 2008.A work session and public hearing was scheduled for September 2, 2008, but due to Hurricane Gustav it was cancelled. In the wake of Hurricane Gustav, a special called meeting for the public hearing was scheduled to be held on September 11 th, but due to Hurricane Ike, it was also cancelled. Regularly scheduled council meetings were not able to be held on September 16th or 23' due to Hurricane Ike. Because no official action was able to be taken by the Council on or before September 27, 2008, by the charter, the FY 2009 Budget was adopted. In an effort to fully inform the Page 7 of 13 Minutes-September 30,2008 citizens of Beaumont, a work session and public hearing was held to review the FY 2009 Budget, although no longer required.. The proposed FY 2009 Budget appropriations for all funds, net of contingency, totals $221,749,133. Additionally, a contingency appropriation of $1,500,000 is made for the General Fund. COuncilmember Pate made a motion to ADOPT AN ORDINANCE ENTITLED AN ORDINANCE REFERRED TO AS THE "ANNUAL APPROPRIATION ORDINANCE" ADOPTING A BUDGET FOR THE FISCAL PERIOD BEGINNING OCTOBER 1, 2008, AND ENDING SEPTEMBER 30, 2009, IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CHARTER OF THE CITY OF BEAUMONT;APPORTIONING THE FUNDS OF THE CITY OF BEAUMONT; REPEALING ALL ORDINANCES OR PARTS OF ORDINANCES IN CONFLICT HEREWITH AND PROVIDING FOR SEVERABILITY. Councilmember Beaulieu seconded the motion. AYES: MAYOR AMES, MAYOR PRO TEM SAMUEL, COUNCILMEMBERS COLEMAN, BEAULIEU,WRIGHT, PATE AND SMITH NAYS: NONE MOTION PASSED Ordinance 08 - 086 8. Consider adopting the FY 2009 Capital Program. Administration recommended Council adopt the FY 2009 Capital Program as submitted to Council May 13, 2008 and revised August 12, 2008. Article VI, Section 20 states that "the Council shall, by resolution, adopt the Capital Program with or without amendment after the public hearing and on or before the twenty- seventh (27th) day of the last month of the current fiscal year." The Capital Program was originally submitted to Council on May 13, 2008. It was revised and submitted to Council on August 12, 2008. A work session and public hearing was scheduled for September 2, 2008, but due to Hurricane Gustav it was cancelled. In the wake of Hurricane Gustav,a special called meeting to hold a public hearing was scheduled to be held on September 11th, but due to Hurricane Ike, it was also cancelled. In addition, regularly scheduled council meetings were not able to be held on September 16th or 23rd due to Hurricane Ike. No official action was able to be taken by the Council on or before September 27, 2008 due to Hurricanes Gustav and Ike. In an effort to fully inform the citizens of Beaumont, a work session and public hearing are being held on September 30, 2008 to review the FY 2009 Capital Program. In the proposed FY 2009 Capital Program, projects in the design or construction phase total $458,458,000 and include 355,470,000 in Public Works and General Improvements Page 8 of 13 Minutes-September 30,2008 projects and 102,988,000 in Water and Sewer projects. Projects in the planned phase total $100,936,000 which includes $84,060,000 in Public Works projects and 16,876,000 in Water and Sewer projects. The total capital program costs for all projects in the design or construction phase and the planned phase is $559,394,000. Councilmember Beaulieu made a motion to APPROVE A RESOLUTION THAT THE FY 2009 CAPITAL PROGRAM IS HEREBY ADOPTED. Councilmember Smith seconded the motion. AYES: MAYOR AMES, MAYOR PRO TEM SAMUEL, COUNCILMEMBERS COLEMAN, BEAULIEU,WRIGHT, PATE AND SMITH NAYS: NONE MOTION PASSED Resolution 08 - 256 9. Consider ratifying the budgeted property tax increase reflected in the FY 2009 Budget. Administration recommended Council take a separate vote to ratify the budgeted property tax increase reflected in the FY 2009 Budget which will raise more total property taxes than last year's budget by $3,897,000 or 11% and of that amount $962,060 is tax revenue to be raised from new property added to the tax roll this year. Section 102 of the Local Government Code was amended and is effective for budgets being adopted after September 1, 2007. Section 102.007 was amended to include the following: "Adoption of a budget that will require raising more revenue from property taxes than in the previous year requires a separate vote of the governing body to ratify the property tax increase reflected in the budget. A vote under this subsection is in addition to and separate from the vote to adopt the budget or a vote to set the tax rate required by Chapter 26, Tax Code, or other law." The FY 2009 Budget includes$3,897,000 more in property tax revenues than was included in the FY 2008 Budget. Councilmember Wright made a motion to ADOPT AN ORDINANCE ENTITLED AN ORDINANCE RATIFYING THE BUDGETED PROPERTY TAX INCREASE REFLECTED IN THE FY 2009 BUDGET. Councilmember Beaulieu seconded the motion. AYES: MAYOR AMES, MAYOR PRO TEM SAMUEL, COUNCILMEMBERS COLEMAN, BEAULIEU,WRIGHT, PATE AND SMITH NAYS: NONE MOTION PASSED Ordinance 08 - 087 Page 9 of 13 Minutes-September 30,2008 10. Consider accepting the tax roll and establishing the property tax rate for the tax year 2008 (FY 2009). Administration recommended that Council acceptthe Jefferson County Appraisal District's Certified Tax Roll and adopt a property tax rate of$0.64 for the tax year 2008 (FY 2009). The tax rate would be apportioned $0.433897/$100 to the General Fund and $0.206103 to the Debt Service Fund. Section 26.05(b)of the Property Tax Code, mandates the language in the motion to adopt the tax rate if the tax rate exceeds the effective tax rate. Administration recommends the motion to adopt the tax rate be made as follows, in order to allow explanation of the actual decrease in the tax rate while still including the statement mandated by law. The mandated language is shown in bold. "I move that property taxes be increased by the adoption of a tax rate of 0.640000 cents. This tax rate reflects a 1.4 cent decrease from the 2007 tax rate." Councilmember Beaulieu MOVED THAT THE PROPERTY TAXES BE INCREASED BY THE ADOPTION OF A TAX RATE OF 0.640000 CENTS AND ACCEPT THE TAX ROLL; PROVIDING FOR LEVYING, ASSESSING AND COLLECTING OF AD VALOREM TAXES FOR THE TAX YEAR 2008 (FY 2009); PROVIDING FOR SEVERABILITY AND PROVIDING FOR REPEAL. Councilmember Coleman seconded the motion. AYES: MAYOR AMES, MAYOR PRO TEM SAMUEL, COUNCILMEMBERS COLEMAN, BEAULIEU,WRIGHT, PATE AND SMITH NAYS: NONE MOTION PASSED Ordinance 08 - 088 COUNCILMEMBER COMMENTS COUNCILMEMBER COLEMAN - COMPLIMENTED THE EMERGENCY OPERATIONS CENTER, FIRST RESPONDERS, THE MAYOR, CITY MANAGER, CITY ATTORNEY AND ALL OF THE CITY DEPARTMENTS FOR THE GREAT JOB THAT THEY DID DURING HURRICANE IKE, THANKED THE CITIZENS FOR THEIR PATIENCE AND PERSEVERANCE DURING THE STORM AND THANKED THE LORD FOR WATCHING OVER EVERYONE COUNCILMEMBER BEAULIEU - PROUD OF THE EMERGENCY OPERATIONS CENTER TEAM, THE WAY THE CITY RESPONDED TO THE EMERGENCY,AND MAYOR AMES FOR HER ABILITY TO COMMUNICATE INFORMATION TO THE PUBLIC, EXTENDED SYMPATHIES TO THOSE WHO LOST SO MUCH AND ENCOURAGED THE PUBLIC TO HELP WITH RECOVERY EFFORTS THROUGHOUT THE AREA Page 10 of 13 Minutes-September 30,2008 COUNCILMEMBER WRIGHT- EXPRESSED HER APPRECIATION TO ALL THOSE WORKING ON RECOVERY FOR THE AREA, THANKED ALL THE CHURCHES AND PRIVATE ORGANIZATIONS THAT ARE HELPING THOSE IN NEED, GAVE CONDOLENCES TO THE ROGERS FAMILY, THANKED SAM BETHEA AT ENTERGY FOR HIS ASSISTANCE, ASKED EVERYONE TO GO BY CHANNEL 12 AND MAKE A DONATION FOR THOSE IN BRIDGE CITY AND SURROUNDING AREAS COUNCILMEMBER PATE - CONDOLENCES TO THE ROGERS FAMILY ON THE LOSS OF Vic ROGERS, REMEMBERED THE MANY ACCOMPLISHMENTS OF THE ROGERS FAMILY, COMMENTED ON THE GREAT JOB DONE BY THE MAYOR,CITY MANAGER,CITY ATTORNEY AND CITY STAFF DURING THE HURRICANE,COMPLIMENTED THE SALVATION ARMY,AMERICAN RED CROSS AND THE NATIONAL GUARD FOR ALL THAT THEY HAVE DONE, SPOKE OF THE LOSSES OF SO MANY FROM HURRICANE IKE AND THE RESILIENCY OF TEXANS, COMPLIMENTED THE PRESS AND MEDIA ON THE JOB THEY DID TO KEEP THE PUBLIC INFORMED DURING AND AFTER THE HURRICANE,SPECIAL THANKS TOAL CALDWELL AND THE STAFF AT KLVI MAYOR PRO TEM SAMUEL - ABSENT COUNCILMEMBER SMITH - CONDOLENCES TO THE ROGERS FAMILY, CONGRATULATED MAYOR AMES ON AN OUTSTANDING JOB DURING HURRICANE IKE, AS WELL AS THE CITY MANAGER AND CITY ATTORNEY, COMMENTED ON THE DEVASTATION IN CRYSTAL BEACH AND BRIDGE CITY, THANKED THE FAITH BASED ORGANIZATIONS FOR ALLOWING FEMA AND THE RED CROSS TO USE THEIR FACILITIES AND CITIZENS THAT HAVE HELPED THOSE IN NEED CITY ATTORNEY COOPER- NONE CITY MANAGER HAYES - COMMENTED ON THE GREAT COLLABORATIVE EFFORT DURING HURRICANE IKE, COMPLIMENTED MAYOR AMES ON HER ROLE AS EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT DIRECTOR AND ALL THOSE WHO HELPED OUT,THANKED TIM OCNASCHECK AND PAT GRIMES OF EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT FOR THEIR HARD WORK, THANKED ALL OF THE CITY DEPARTMENTS INVOLVED, STATED THAT THE CITY HAS THE BEST EMPLOYEES YOU COULD EVER HOPE FOR Page 11 Of 13 Minutes-September 30,2008 MAYOR AMES - COMMENTED ON THE EMERGENCY OPERATIONS CENTER, THE STAFF AND HOW IMPRESSIVE THE FACILITY IS, SPOKE OF THE EXCELLENT JOB BY TIM OCNASCHECK AND PAT GRIMES OF EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT, DEPARTMENT HEADS AND CITY STAFF, COMPLIMENTED THE PUBLIC INFORMATION STAFF ON THEIR WORK, THANKED THE CITY MANAGER, CITY ATTORNEY AND COUNCIL FOR THEIR SUPPORT,COMMENTED ON THE PHENOMENAL JOB DONE BY ENTERGY, ASKED THAT EVERYONE KEEP THOSE THAT LOST HOMES IN THEIR PRAYERS, SUGGESTED AWORKSHOP ON HOW FEMATRAILERS WOULD BE HANDLED DURING THE RECOVERY PROCESS, SPOKE OF THE NEW 311 INFORMATION CENTER AND HOW WELL IT WAS UTILIZED DURING THE STORM AND THANKED COUNCIL FOR SUPPORTING IT, WOULD LIKE TO HAVE THE MEDIA COME IN SO THAT THE PUBLIC CAN SEE THE NEW EOC,911 AND 311 CENTERS,THANKED EVERYONE INVOLVED IN THE BUDGET PROCESS,CONDOLENCES TO THE ROGERS FAMILY ON THE DEATH OF VICTOR ROGERS Public Comments (Persons are limited to three minutes) Nellenia Jones 4365 South 4th St. #22 Beaumont, TX Spoke regarding the conditions and treatment of evacuees that were bussed to Tyler, TX David and Connie Choate 8305 Oakridge Beaumont, TX Asked about putting a trailer on his property to reconstruct his home Mayor Pro Tern Samuel returned at 3:00 p.m. Bruce Hoffer 2615 Gladys Beaumont, TX Wished everyone a Happy New Year for the first day of the Jewish New Year,thanked the City for the rapid cleanup of the tree debris from the hurricane, looking forward to the South Texas State Fair in 2009, thanked the City for the smoking ordinance, commented on the past weekend's soccer events and announced the adult co-ed league that plays on Sunday afternoons at the Quinn Complex, asked that the City put in a `right turn' lane on Dishman at Major to alleviate traffic backup into the soccer complex Open session of meeting recessed at 3:06 p.m. Page 12 of 13 Minutes-September 30,2008 EXECUTIVE SESSION Consider matters related to employment, evaluation and duties of a public officer or employee in accordance with Section 551.074 of the Government Code: City Manager City Attorney City Clerk There being no action taken in Executive Session, Council adjourned. dio availabl pon req t in the City Clerk's Office. Becky Arp6s, (o V Ar dw Ck' M Tina Broussard, City Clerk A i Page 13 of 13 Minutes-September 30,2008