HomeMy WebLinkAboutMIN MAR 31 2009 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 II
Audwin Samuel, Mayor Pro Tem,Ward III March 31, 2009 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 March 31,2009,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 1-3/Consent Agenda
Consent Agenda
Mayor Ames called the council meeting to order at 1:30 p.m.
Pastor Lindsey Clark of Triumph 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
Recognitions - Building Codes Division- The Building Officials Association of Texas
awarded the City of Beaumont with the"2008 Award of Excellence,for the City's outstanding
contribution to the building profession in the community; Danny Daniels and Chris Boone
presented Council with the award
Public Comment: Persons may speak on scheduled agenda items 1-3/Consent Agenda.
Joe Ryan 1805 W. Virginia Beaumont TX
Spoke regarding item#1 on the agenda, Ordinance relating to oil and gas drilling, asked that
Council consider 1,000 feet when drilling
CONSENT AGENDA
Approval of minutes - March 24, 2009
Confirmation of committee appointments - None
Minutes-March 31,2009
A) Authorize the City Manager to execute an interlocal agreement with the International
Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW) - Resolution 09 - 086
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
Mayor Ames read the announcement regarding Executive Session being held at the
conclusion of the General Business portion of the meeting.
GENERAL BUSINESS
1. Consider amending Chapter 19 of the Code of Ordinances relating to oil and gas drilling.
Administration recommended approval.
The City Council recently conducted a Work Session to consider changes to Chapter 19 of
the Code of Ordinances to further regulate drilling permits within the city. These
recommended changes would include a modification to Sections 19-3, 19-5, 19-10 and 19-11
providing for notification,a public hearing and a review by the City Council for drilling permits
within three-hundred (300') and five-hundred (500') feet of a habitable structure; and,
amending Section 19-58 providing for an appeal to the City Council for administrative reviews
conducted by the Building Official of permits proposed to be located greater than 500'from
a habitable structure.
Councilmember Beaulieu moved to ADOPT AN ORDINANCE ENTITLED AN ORDINANCE AMENDING
CHAPTER 19,OIL AND GAS WELLS,SECTIONS 19-3, 19-5,19-10,19-11 AND 19-58,OF THE CODE
OF ORDINANCES; PROVIDING FOR SEVERABILITY; PROVIDING FOR REPEAL; AND PROVIDING A
PENALTY. Mayor Pro Tern Samuel seconded the motion.
AYES: MAYOR AMES, MAYOR PRO TEM SAMUEL, COUNCILMEMBERS COLEMAN,
BEAULIEU AND PATE
NAYS: COUNCILMEMBERS WRIGHT AND SMITH
MOTION PASSED
Ordinance 09 - 014
2. Consider approving the purchase of a mobile storage system for the Archive Building Addition
to the Tyrrell Historical Library.
Page 2 of 8 Minutes-March 31,2009
Administration recommended the purchase of a Spacesaver Mobile Storage System from
Southwest Solutions Group of Houston in the amount of $319,574.69 through the Texas
Multiple Award Schedule (TXMAS) contract.
In October 2008,Council approved the expansion of the Tyrrell Historical Library to house the
Library's growing collection of photographs, maps, records, and papers documenting the
history of Beaumont and Southeast Texas. The historically compatible facility is being
constructed on the north side of the Tyrrell Historical Library. Archives now stored in the main
library will be moved to the new climate-controlled annex which will be primarily used by staff
to organize and index the invaluable records on file.
The archived materials'current growth rate is in excess of 30%every five years. At the current
growth rate, the new filing system will provide the library with an additional 15 to 20 years of
storage space. Installing the complete system during construction will eliminate the cost of
installing additional units at a later date. Upon completion of the building, access to the
building's 2nd floor for installation of the large file units could only be accomplished by
removing a window.
The purchase will be funded in part by a donation from Elizabeth Gilbert Fortune in the amount
of$100,000 accepted by the City in November 2003. Funds for the remaining are budgeted
in the Capital Program.
Councilmember Smith made a motion to APPROVE A RESOLUTION THAT THE CITY MANAGER
BE, AND HE IS HEREBY, AUTHORIZED TO APPROVE THE PURCHASE OF A SPACESAVER MOBILE
STORAGE SYSTEM FROM SOUTHWEST SOLUTIONS GROUP,OF HOUSTON,TEXAS,IN THE AMOUNT
OF$319,574.69 THROUGH THE TEXAS MULTIPLE AWARD SCHEDULE(TXMAS CONTRACT FOR THE
ARCHIVE BUILDING ADDITION TO THE TYRRELL HISTORICAL LIBRARY. Councilmember Pate
seconded the motion.
AYES: MAYOR AMES, MAYOR PRO TEM SAMUEL, COUNCILMEMBERS COLEMAN,
BEAULIEU, WRIGHT, PATE AND SMITH
NAYS: NONE
MOTION PASSED
Resolution 09 - 087
3. Consider authorizing the City of Beaumont to partner with the National League of Cities and
CVSCaremark to provide citizens access to a Discount Prescription Drug Program Card.
Administration recommended approval.
The National League of Cities (NLC) launched a new program for member cities to help
residents cope with the high cost of prescription drugs. The City will partner with NLC and
CVS Caremark to provide city wide prescription discount card distribution points to display
the templet ID cards.
Page 3 of 8 Minutes-March 31,2009
The Prescription Drug Card Program is not an insurance program. It is a program that will
provide citizens with an opportunity to save an average of 20% off the regular retail price of
prescription drugs. Discounts are only available at participating pharmacies and citizens must
pay the entire prescription cost less any applicable discount. Prescription claims through this
program will not be eligible for reimbursement through Medicare, Medicaid or any other
government program. Families may use their discount card anytime their prescription is not
covered by insurance. Over the counter medications are not usually covered, however,
discounts are available for many diabetic supplies. There are no fees, no restrictions and no
limits on how many times a card may be used. By using this card, citizens will have access
to nine out of 10 participating pharmacies across the country.
The City will promote the program to the local media with mutually approved communications,
pre-launch press releases and public service announcements in addition to various
communication vehicles the city currently uses. The City will also provide a link to the co-
branded web site www.caremark.com/nic from the city's web site.
Mayor Pro Tern Samuel made a motion to APPROVE A RESOLUTION THAT THE CITY COUNCIL
HEREBY AUTHORIZES THE CITY OF BEAUMONT TO PARTNER WITH THE NATIONAL LEAGUE OF CITIES
AND CVSCAREMARK TO PROVIDE CITIZENS ACCESS TO A DISCOUNT PRESCRIPTION DRUG
PROGRAM CARD. Councilmember Beaulieu seconded the motion.
AYES: MAYOR AMES, MAYOR PRO TEM SAMUEL, COUNCILMEMBERS COLEMAN,
BEAULIEU, WRIGHT, PATE AND SMITH
NAYS: NONE
MOTION PASSED
Resolution 09 - 088
WORKSESSION
Review and discuss recycling bids
Tom Warner, Public Works Director, discussed the recycling bids. In October, Council was
presented with results of a recycling pilot program, in which a single container was placed at
23rd and Phelan, at Market Basket. During the pilot program, the City was picking up on a
daily basis, some days twice a day, averaging 1.23 tons a haul. At the end of the pilot
program Council was presented with some options as to how to proceed with the program.
The options included drop off locations,curb side, City sources or private sources. Based on
the presentation, council requested that bids be received. In February, bids were received
for four sites, it was estimated that it would be thirty four(34) hauls a month based on prior
experience for all four locations. When the bids were received the cost averaged$69,000 a
month,which relates to a$1.93 per customer. The City would also have to pay a fee to have
the vendor haul the material and dispose of it. The City would not be making a profit or
breaking even,the City would be paying to dispose of the recycling,which is an extra fee.The
present vendor has only one container located at Market Basket.They would have to purchase
three additional containers which would cost the City additional funds for the purchase.
Page 4 of 8 Minutes-March 31,2009
A decision has to be made by the City to proceed with the recycling, wait, or rebid and start
the process again. The pilot program has ended, approximately$30,000 has been spent out
of the solid waste fund thus far, the solid waste fund can no longer continue to fund the
recycling program. Administration recommends halting the program as of April 30,2009, until
a decision can be made in regards to future recycling, until that time citizens can take their
recycling to Gulf Coast Recycling.
WORKSESSION
Review and discuss operations related to the Beaumont Municipal Airport
Brenda Beadle, Capital Projects Manager,discussed the Beaumont Municipal Airport. She
discussed the airport's capacity of 65 based aircraft,the service of non commercial aviation,
and the amount of flights annually,which are roughly 20,000. The special revenue funds were
discussed,the budget shorfalls,the revenues that are generated,expenses and transfers from
FY 2003 through FY 2008, revenue sources,T-hangers, hanger rental rates, airport fund cost
analysis and the capital improvements to the airport. The City of Beaumont also received the
Routine Airport Maintenance Program grant with funding totaling up to$100,000 with 50%
participation by the City. This grant will allow the City to place anew sign at the airport, repair
the roof on the terminal building, and make repairs to the PLASI landing light system. The
airport T-hanger rental rate survey was also discussed showing the rates charged by the City
and what other City's are charging based on annual flight operations, hanger size, electric
door or manual doors, floors, tug service, utilities,fuel availability, runways and the FBO.
COUNCILMEMBER COMMENTS
MAYOR AMES- ANNOUNCED TO COUNCIL THAT A SCHEDULED WORKSHOP
WILL BE IN.TUNE,ASKED THAT THE CITY MANAGER LOOK AT
THE TUESDAYS IN JUNE AND SEE WHO IS AVAILABLE,THIS
WORKSHOP WILL BE POSTED FOR THE PUBLIC AND MEDIA
JUST AS A REGULAR MEETING, THE PURPOSE OF THIS
WORKSHOP WOULD BE TO GIVE COUNCIL AN OPPORTUNITY
TO RECEIVE UPDATES ON PROJECTS THAT ARE EXISTING
THAT COUNCIL MAY HAVE QUESTIONS ON, TO HAVE AN
INFORMAL DISCUSSION WITH THE DEPARTMENT HEADS AND
THE MANAGER,PRESENTATION ON ANY NEW PROJECTS,AND
ANY COUNCILMEMBERS THAT WOULD LIKE TO BRING
SOMETHING TO THE TABLE THIS WOULD BE THE TIME TO DO
SO, MORE INFORMATION WILL BE SENT OUT REGARDING A
EOC MEETING THAT WILL TAKE PLACE ON MAY 5TH AND 6TH
COUNCILMEMBER SMITH - GREETINGS TO LEADERSHIP BEAUMONT MEMBERS,
ANNOUNCED ON SATURDAY,APRIL 4,2009,THERE WILL BE
A COMMUNITY GARAGE SALE AT THE L.L. MELTON YMCA,
TO RAISE FUNDS TO REVAMP THE YMCA,CONGRATULATED
THE BUILDING CODES DEPARTMENT ON THEIR AWARD,
ALSO TO COUNCILMEMBER SAMUEL FOR THE
PRESCRIPTION DRUG CARD THROUGH NLC, OUR MOTHER
Page 5 of 8 Minutes-March 31,2009
OF MERCY WILL BE HAVING A SENIOR CITIZENS GROUP
MEETING ON WEDNESDAY, APRIL 8, 2009 AT 4:00 P.M.
MAYOR PRO TEM SAMUEL- ASKED THE HUMAN RESOURCE DIRECTOR ABOUT THE TIME
FRAME REGARDING THE PRESCRIPTION DRUG CARDS AND
WHEN THE DRUG CARDS WOULD BE AVAILABLE FOR THE
CITIZENS, ASKED IF THERE WAS A PROCESS IN ORDER TO
GET THE CARD, THE HR DIRECTOR STATED THAT THERE
ISN'T ANYTHING CITIZENS NEED TO DO TO QUALIFY FOR THE
CARDS,THEY ARE FREE TO THE PUBLIC,ALSO ASKED WHAT
IS THE DOWN SIDE AND THE COST TO THE CITY, THERE IS
NOT A COST TO THE CITY,THE ONLY TIME SPENT WOULD BE
TO REPLACE ANY CARDS THAT MAY BE LOST, THE CARDS
WOULD AVERAGE A 20% DISCOUNT, THE PRESCRIPTION
CARD DOES NOT WORK IN CONJUNCTION WITH A PERSON'S
INSURANCE, IT WILL ONLY HELP A PERSON THAT HAS NO
INSURANCE, ANNOUNCED THAT THE CHARLTON POLLARD
NEIGHBORHOOD WILL SPONSOR A CLEAN UP ON APRIL 4,
2009, STARTING AT 8:00 A.M., AT THE FAMILY RESOURCE
CENTER, RECEIVED A LETTER FROM A CITIZEN PERTAINING
TO THE 7000 BLOCK OF HELBIG ROAD, A PROBLEM WITH
THE ROAD FALLING OFF AND THE CITIZENS THAT WALK
ALONG THE SIDE OF THE ROAD,ASKED THAT THE MANAGER
REVIEW AND SEE WHAT CAN BE DONE TO GIVE SOME
ASSISTANCE
COUNCILMEMBER PATE- EXCITED ABOUT THE PRESCRIPTION DRUG CARD, THANKED
MAYOR PRO TEM FOR HIS HARD WORK, ANNOUNCED
UPCOMING EVENTS,STARTING THURSDAY,APRIL 2, 2009,
PAT GREEN, FRIDAY, APRIL 3, 2009, THE WIZARD OF OZ,
SATURDAY, APRIL 4, 2009, CATTLE BARONS BALL, FOR
THE AMERICAN CANCER SOCIETY,SUNDAY,APRIL 5,2009,
FOOT LOOSE,SATURDAY,APRIL 4,2009,THERE IS A GOLF
TOURNAMENT SPONSORED BY BAPTIST HOSPITAL,
ENCOURAGED EVERYONE TO VISIT THE YMBL STATE FAIR
IF YOU HAVE NOT GONE
COUNCILMEMBER WRIGHT- COMMENTED ON THE LIBRARY PROGRAM FOR THE KIDS
DURING SPRING BREAK, AS WELL AS THE CHILDREN'S
MUSEUM, COMMENDED ALEXIS PAIGE PREVOST ON THE
SPELLING BEE IN WHICH SHE WENT SIX ROUNDS, ALEXIS
REPRESENTED ST. ANTHONY SCHOOL, THANKED THE
CITIZENS FOR HAVING THE CONFIDENCE IN COUNCIL TO LET
THEM RUN UNOPPOSED,STATED THAT COUNCIL WOULD NOT
LET THEM DOWN
Page 6 of 8 Minutes-March 31,2009
COUNCILMEMBER BEAULIEU - CONGRATULATED THE BUILDING CODE STAFF ON THEIR
AWARD, THANKED MAYOR PRO TEM SAMUEL FOR ALL OF
HIS WORK ON THE PRESCRIPTION DRUG CARD, ALSO
STATED THAT THE CHARLTON POLLARD RESOURCE
CENTER WOULD BE A GOOD PLACE FOR THE PRESCRIPTION
DRUG CARD
COUNCILMEMBER COLEMAN - COMMENTED ON THE ORDINANCE FOR THE MOBILE FOOD
UNITS, WHEN IT WAS PASSED IT WAS STATED THAT IT
WOULD BE REPORTED ON IN 30 DAYS, A SHORT REPORT
WAS PREPAIRED, WOULD LIKE THE HEALTH DIRECTOR TO
PREPARE A MORE IN DEPTH REPORT, ENCOURAGED
EVERYONE TO VISIT THE YMBL STATE FAIR
CITY ATTORNEY COOPER - NONE
CITY MANAGER HAYES - NONE
Public Comments (Persons are limited to three minutes)
Kenneth Botley 1690 Cartwright Beaumont TX
Spoke on behalf of Lamar Institute of Technology (LIT), regarding a dangerous issue and
concern with a cross walk on Lavaca St., request some help from the City
Brenda Holmes Gilbert 10745 Johnson Rd. Beaumont TX
Commented on the Gilbert Building and still having trouble trying to sell the building,asked for
help from the City to move this sell forward
Clayton Henderson 2085 Rosewood Beaumont TX
Presented counter points to Council regarding the Beaumont Municipal Airport, and the
pricing of the T-hanger rental rates, also asked that Council reactive the Airport Advisory
Committee,formalize it so that some of the pilot members would be a part of the committee,
and to work with the city staff so that the committee can create at an airport with a future
Bob Ford 2220 Thomas Rd. Beaumont TX
Spoke regarding the worksession on the Beaumont Municipal Airport and the T-hangers rental
fee, also requested a detailed expense report, which was not included in the worksession
Open session of meeting recessed at 3:02 p.m.
EXECUTIVE SESSION
Consider matters related to contemplated or pending litigation in accordance with Section
551.074 of the Government Code:
Page 7 of 8 Minutes-March 31,2009
City Magistrate Applicants-Randall Collins,Jonathan Stovall,James Mehaffy,Jimmy
Hamm, Brent Turk and Terrence Holmes
There being no action taken in Executive Session, Council adjourned.
Audio available upon request in the City Clerk's Office.
1
Becky Ame ayor ,�I
i
Tina Broussard, City Clerk
Page 8 of 8 Minutes-March 31,2009