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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMIN JAN 30 2018BEAUMONT T E X A S MINUTES -CITY OF BEAUMONT W.L. Pate, Jr., At -Large BECKY AMES, MAYOR Gethrel Wright, Mayor Pro Tem Virginia H. Jordan, Ward 1 - CITY COUNCIL MEETING Michael D. Getz, Ward 11 Audwin Samuel, Ward III JANUARY 30, 2018 Robin Mouton, 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 in strict compliance with the Texas Open Meetings Act, Texas Government Code, Chapter 551 on January 30, 2018, atthe City Hall Council Chambers, 801 Main Street, Beaumont, Texas, at 1:30 p.m. to consider the following: �41' ► ► r Invocation Pledge of Allegiance Roll Call * Presentation and Recognition Public Comment: Persons may speak on scheduled agenda item No. 1/Consent Agenda * Consent Agenda Mayor Ames called the council meeting to order at 1:30 p.m. Pastor Art Graham with Friendship Baptist Church gave the invocation. Boy Scouts Troop 85 led the Pledge of Allegiance. Roll call was made by Tina Broussard, City Clerk. Present at the meeting were Mayor Ames, Mayor Pro Tem Wright, Councilmembers Jordan, Getz, Pate, Samuel (arrived at 1:46 p.m.) and Mouton. Also present were Kyle Hayes, City Manager; Tyrone Cooper, City Attorney; Tina Broussard, City Clerk. Proclamations, Presentation, Recognitions "National Wear Red Day" - February 2, 2018 - Proclamation read by Councilmember Jordan; accepted by Rasheeda Daugherty, Corporate Market Director, American Heart Association "Vernon Pierce Day" — January 30, 2018 — Proclamation read by Mayor Ames; accepted by Vernon Pierce, wife, family, friends and church members 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 item 1/Consent Agenda None Minutes — January 30, 2018 CONSENT AGENDA Approval of minutes — January 16, 2018 Confirmation of committee appointments — Resolution 18-021 Jonathan Owens would be appointed to the Police Department Community Advisory Committee. The term would commence January 30, 2018 and expire September 30, 2019. (Councilmember Virginia Jordan) Jeff Beaver would be reappointed to the Board of Adjustment (Zoning). The current term would expire January 11, 2020. (Mayor Becky Ames) Greg Wall -Architect would be reappointed to the Building Board of Appeals. The current term would expire January 24, 2020. (Mayor Becky Ames) Gene VanMeter-Alternate Electrician would be reappointed to the Building Board of Appeals. The current term would expire January 24, 2020. (Mayor Becky Ames) Tom Neild -Alternate General Contractor would be reappointed to the Building Board of Appeals. The current term would expire January 24, 2020. (Mayor Becky Ames) Ava Graves would be appointed as Chairman of the Convention and Tourism Advisory Board. The term would commence January 30, 2018 and expire September 30, 2019. (Mayor Becky Ames) Steve McGaha would be appointed as Vice Chairman of the Convention and Tourism Advisory Board. The term would commence January 30, 2018 and expire September 30, 2019. (Mayor Becky Ames) Dora Nisby would be appointed as Chairman of the Community Development Advisory Committee. The term would commence January 30, 2018 and expire September 30, 2019. (Mayor Becky Ames) Charles Taylor would be appointed as Vice Chairman of the Community Development Advisory Committee. The term would commence January 30, 2018 and expire September 30, 2019. (Mayor Becky Ames) Dora Nisby would be appointed as Chairman of the Library Commission. The term would commence January 30, 2018 and expire September 30, 2019. (Mayor Becky Ames) Ben Woodhead would be appointed as Vice Chairman of the Library Commission. The term would commence January 30, 2018 and expire September 30, 2019. (Mayor Becky Ames) Barbara White would be appointed as Chairman of the Parks and Recreation Advisory Committee. The term would commence January 30, 2018 and expire September 30, 2019. (Mayor Becky Ames) MacArthur English would be appointed as Vice Chairman of the Parks and Recreation Advisory Committee. The term would commence January 30, 2018 and expire September 30, 2019. (Mayor Becky Ames) Minutes — January 30, 2018 Jon Reaud would be appointed as Chairman of the Police Department Community Advisory Committee. The term would commence January 30, 2018 and expire September 30, 2019. (Mayor Becky Ames) Sandra Womack would be appointed as Vice Chairman of the Police Department Community Advisory Committee. The term would commence January 30, 2018 and expire September 30, 2019. (Mayor Becky Ames) Dave Mulcahy would be appointed as Chairman of the Small Business Revolving Loan Fund Board. The term would commence January 30, 2018 and expire September 30, 2019. (Mayor Becky Ames) John Johnson would be appointed as Vice Chairman of the Small Business Revolving Loan Fund Board. The term would commence January 30, 2018 and expire September 30, 2019. (Mayor Becky Ames) A) Authorize the City Manager to renew the annual service agreement for potable water with Lucite International, Inc. — Resolution 18-022 B) Approve the transition of the City's 457 FICA alternative retirement plan from Public Agency Retirement Services (PARS) to ICMA-RC — Resolution 18-023 C) Authorize the City Manager to apply for a grant from American Kennel Club Reunite — Resolution 18-024 D) Authorize the acceptance of a ten -foot wide Exclusive Water Line Easement located at 5760 Walden Road — Resolution 18-025 Councilmember Samuel moved to approve the Consent Agenda. Councilmember Pate seconded the motion. AYES: MAYOR AMES, MAYOR PRO TEM WRIGHT, COUNCILMEMBERS JORDAN, GETZ, PATE, SAMUEL AND MOUTON NAYS: NONE MOTION PASSED GENERAL BUSINESS 1. Consider a resolution authorizing the City Manager to execute Change Order No. 4, accept maintenance, and authorize final payment for the Sewer Plant — Clarifies Rehabilitation Project. On October 6, 2015, by Resolution 15-217, City Council awarded a contract to Placo, LTD of Lumberton in the amount of $3,298,432.21. Previous Change Order Nos. 1-3, resulted in a reduction of ($43,588.97) to the original contract. Minutes —January 30, 2018 Change Order No. 4, in the amount of ($19,411.15) is required to adjust estimated quantities in the contract to reflect the actual quantities used in the completion of the project. The project has been inspected by Schaumburg & Polk, Inc. and Water Utilities and found to be complete in accordance with the provisions and terms set out in the contract. Acceptance of maintenance and final payment in the amount of $168,552.33 is recommended. Funds will come from the Capital Program. Approval of the resolution. Mayor Pro Tem Wright moved to APPROVE A RESOLUTION THAT THE CITY MANAGER BE AND HE IS HEREBY AUTHORIZED TO EXECUTE CHANGE ORDER NO. 4 FOR ADDITIONAL WORK, THEREBY DECREASING THE CONTRACT AMOUNT BY ($19,411.15) FOR A TOTAL CONTRACT AMOUNT OF $3,235,432 FOR THE SEWER PLANT -CLARIFIERS REHABILITATION PROJECT AND THE CITY MANAGER IS ALSO HEREBY AUTHORIZED TO MAKE FINAL PAYMENT IN THE AMOUNT OF $168,522.33 TO PLACO, LTD, OF LUMBERTON, TEXAS. Councilmember Mouton seconded the motion. AYES: MAYOR AMES, MAYOR PRO TEM WRIGHT, COUNCILMEMBERS JORDAN, GETZ, PATE, SAMUEL AND MOUTON NAYS: NONE MOTION PASSED Resolution 18-026 WORK SESSIONS Review and discuss the possibility of mowing and picking up litter along the right-of- way of Interstate 10 and Highway 69 through the city limits of Beaumont Kyle Hayes, City Manager reviewed and discuss the possibility of moving and picking up litter along the right-of-way of Interstate 10 and Highway 69 through the city limits of Beaumont. Mr. Hayes stated that this is something that has been talked about for a number of years, several months ago the states contractor mowed along the stretch of Interstate 10 and the city limits and didn't pick up the trash before they mowed which makes the city look poorly, thinks that the time has come that the city take the responsibility of mowing. Mr. Hayes, discussed the cost of purchasing the needed equipment which will include tractors, mowers, one truck and a trailer, with an estimated start-up cost of about $215,000, the items can be paid for out of the Capital Reserve. Mr. Hayes, stated that this is a work in progress and thinks that they can start off with three (3) full time employees and two (2) part time employees with an estimated cost in salary of $200,000, the first year which will be an ongoing expense. The fuel and maintenance expense is estimated to cost $50,000. The mowing areas that will be cut will start at Ford Park, then the Neches River Bridge, then South of Lamar University and last Parkdale Mall to the city limits. There was discussion as to how to pay for this, the Code of Ordinances has a litter control fee on everyone's water bill, it's believed that the language was instituted or approved in 1985, records show that this fee hasn't been increased since 1985, at this time water bills are showing the litter control fee is fifty cents (0.50) per month per household and Minutes — January 30, 2018 apartment units show a litter control fee of twenty-five cents (0.25). It is being requested that the fifty -cents (0.50) be increased to a dollar ($1.00) per household per month and the twenty-five cents for apartment units be increased to fifty -cents (0.50) per month. That would bring in an additional $278,000 based on the number of customers at this time. Review and discuss a request to place decals with "In God We Trust" on the City's public safety vehicles City Manager, Kyle Hayes reviewed and discussed a request by Councilmember Mouton and Jordan to place decals on the back of City vehicles for Fire, Police and EMS that would say "In God We Trust". The cost would be around $1,200.00. Council was in agreement to put the decals on the cars. Review and discuss the operations of the Code Enforcement Division Chris Boone, Community Development Director reviewed and discussed the operations of the Code Enforcement Division. Mr. Boone stated that the city is divided into seven (7) areas with an inspector assigned to each area. One Demolition Inspector is assigned to the entire City. Currently, the Division is staffed by twelve (12) full time employees which includes eight (8) full time Code Enforcement Officers, three (3) clerical support employees and a Division Manager. Code Enforcements cost for FY 2016 was discussed with an administrative cost of $1,546,600 and an administrative cost for unsafe structures of $517,500, the totals do not include Municipal Court costs. There was discussion of enforcement improvements in recent'years and enforcement overviews, there was also discussion of weed enforcement challenges, court activities in 2017, program challenges in 2016 and 2017, as well as code case examples. Mr. Boone discussed possible future improvements like "Sweep -Cite -Service" which means to conduct zero -tolerance sweeps of the city, move from compliance -based fines to punitive fines, if occupied (or current taxes being paid), file charges and mow, enhanced enforcement for "Scofflaws", If vacant/absentee: continue to mow and attach liens, encourage the Tax Assessor to review all mowed properties for back taxes owed more than three years and offer for Sherriff's Sale. Encourage Tax Assessor to notify in writing, neighboring property owners, change ordinance to "biennial" notification if owner is same. Foreclose on larger liens, if property is marketable, like demo liens. There was discussion on several issues such as, graffiti and that there is currently no current ordinance to address building owners, parking lot sweeps for perpetual litter, the need to have the ability to file against agents of corporations, litter that is in and around homeless camps, eviction dumping, and the overflowing of car repair business and junk yard establishments. Review and discuss the operation of the Beaumont Municipal Transit System and a request for a new bus route to serve the northwest section of the City Chris Boone, reviewed and discussed the operation of the Beaumont Municipal Transit System and a request for a new bus route to serve the northwest section of the City. Mr. Boones spoke regarding the existing route map which is weighted by ridership. There was discussion on the new route with details about the North Loop which is approximately 12.5 miles in length. The route would be a 30 to 60 minute Minutes —January 30, 2018 COMMENTS route depending on traffic. The bus will be a smaller bus that seats 20 citizens, the route would link to several apartment complexes as well as commercial areas along Eastex and the Parkdale/Dowlen area. The concerns for this route would be the cost and traffic, especially rush hour and holidays. The estimated initial cost for the North Loop would cost $125,000 for two (2) ADA -compatible small buses, an ongoing route would be estimated at about $300,000 each year for fuel, maintenance and personnel. Public Comments (Persons are limited to three minutes) Vikram Singh 5820 Walden Rd. Beaumont TX Stated that he is the new owner of the La Quinta Inn and Suites on Walden Rd., they have been made aware that the previous owners didn't pay the City, State or County hotel occupancy taxes, the tax code puts the burden on the buyer, the total amount owed to the City, State and County is $73,000.00, $44,000.00 of that is owed to the City of Beaumont, 50% has been paid thus far to the City, asked if Council could work with them, maybe even forgive some of the fees that are owed, they have had to put a lot of money into the hotel and would like any help that the City can give them Stephen Hoffman 7045 Blarney Beaumont TX Made comments about crime in his neighborhood, stated that there are lots of streets that are covered by trees, stated that he was told by Entergy that they couldn't go onto a person's property and cut the trees, wanted to know if Council could give the are some relief and get them some help, stated that the citizens are paying for street lights and can't get any use from them, mentioned that Chris Boone and Dr. Joe Majdalani have been invited to the neighborhood meeting so they can educate citizens regarding Code Enforcement and what they can and can't do as well as the sewer issues that the City has Eric Bender 2770 Interstate 10 E Beaumont TX Stated that everyone needs to fundamentally change the way they think about things, the fifty cents to a dollar tax increase is six times what's necessary according to his math to increase the water bills, is it even necessary to make an increase, the water bill is high enough, thinks taxes are too high, there are far too many regulations in this community, it's causing this City to shrink, stated that there are 4,000 vacant lots, 20% of the area in this community isn't paying taxes and there are illegal weeds growing on these vacant lots, glad that the City will be cutting the grass on Interstate 10, stated that he thinks judges need to give more community service and have them pick up trash, commented on the decals "In God We Trust" on the back of the Fire, Police and EMS vehicles, also commented on the shared use road way on Magnolia Dayna Rothenberger 2890 E. Lynwood Dr. Beaumont TX Commented on how she's in agreement that the litter should be picked up and that it would make the City look better, wanted to know why homes and apartments pay a different fee, thinks they should all pay the same, made comments regarding the "In God We Trust" decals that will be put on the back of the Fire, Police and EMS vehicles, commented on the Minutes — January 30, 2018 shared use road way on Magnolia, the workers did a great job, also commented on bus stops, the lawn maintenance crews blowing their grass out on the street and on the curbs which clog up the gutters and sewers, loves 911 where a citizen can take a picture and send directly to them, invited everyone to come out for Wednesday night social ride Mary Nixon 3850 Roland Rd. Beaumont TX Stated that she is glad to hear that there will be more enforcement into getting the City clean and to enforce laws that are already in place and to include more laws that -will make the City of Beaumont look better, stated that there is glass at the intersection of Hwy 69 and East Lucas, asked that street sweeping be done in that area, stated that she has contacted Code Enforcement regarding the businesses along East Lucas because there are small areas that have trash and the grass doesn't get cut, as well as the corner of East Lucas and Helbig, has a concern about the graffiti on businesses and an increase in the water bill Lafayette Spivey 6010 Chandler Dr. Beaumont TX Addressed an issue that has been going on for over a year on the corner of Greenmore and Downs Road, stated that his Councilmember has addressed this issue with the appropriate department and nothing has been done, the entire street is caving in, stated that this is a new year and would like to see this street repaired, on Downs Road where the new construction is the citizens have been waiting for about ten months for the water line which has decade to be repaired and covered, asked that some attention be given to the streets and water line coverage Councilmembers/City Manager/City Attorney comments on various matters COUNCILMEMBER COMMENTS COUNCILMEMBER JORDAN - NONE COUNCILMEMBER GETZ - NONE MAYOR PRO TEM WRIGHT - NONE COUNCILMEMBER PATE - NONE COUNCILMEMBER SAMUEL - NONE COUNCILMEMBER MOUTON - NONE CITY ATTORNEY COOPER - NONE CITY MANAGER HAYES - NONE MAYOR AMES - NONE Open session of meeting recessed at 4:49 p.m. Minutes — January 30, 2018 EXECUTIVE SESSION Consider matters related to contemplated or pending litigation in accordance with Section 551.071 of the Government Code: City of Beaumont vs. APAC-Texas, Inc.; Cause No. A-201103 In Re: OldCastle Materials Texas, Inc. D/B/A Gulf Coast; Cause No. E-200934 re being no,action ayor a Broussard, City Clerk n Executive Session, Council adjourned. Minutes — January 30, 2018