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Home My WebLink AboutMIN AUG 22 2000 M I N U T E S - CITY OF BEAUMONT Lulu L.Smith DAVID W. MOORE,MAYOR Guy N.Goodson,Mayor Pro Tem Andrew P.Cokinos CITY COUNCIL MEETING Becky Ames Bobbie J.Patterson August 22,2000 Audwin Samuel Lane Nichols,City Attorney Stephen J.Bonczek,City Manager Barbara Liming,City Clerk The City Council of the City of Beaumont, Texas, met in a regular session on August 22, 2000, 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 * Consent Agenda Mayor Moore called the meeting to order at 1:35 p.m. The Reverend Danny Wayman,First United Methodist Church, gave the invocation. Mr. John Breier, Chamber of Commerce, led the pledge of allegiance. Present at the meeting were: Mayor Moore, Mayor Pro Tern Goodson, Councilmembers Smith, Cokinos, Ames(arrived at 1:42 p.m.),Samuel,and Patterson. Also,present were: Stephen J.Bonczek,City Manager; Lane Nichols, City Attorney; and Barbara Liming, City Clerk. * Presentations and Recognitions -No proclamations were issued. Ms.Lisa Eaker,Ms.Karen Keisling,Ms.Amy Mattingly,Ms.Felicia Davis,and Mr.Rodney King of KLVI, KYKR, KKMY, KIOC, extended an invitation to attend Kid Fest 2000, Saturday, August 26 and Sunday, August 27, at the Beaumont Civic Center with goals to promote child development, learning, playing, and family fun. Ms. Acker and Mr. King spoke of activities including an all new Dinosaur Park, a Planet Playhouse Playland, and a Children's Miracle Network Radiothon. The group acknowledged appreciation to Civic Center Staff and many major area sponsors. Mayor Moore commented that the Kid Fest event has been well attended over the last several years because it is a great family day. Mayor Moore complimented the group on their efforts and stated that the event is a tremendous plus to our community in terms of bringing everyone together. (Councilmember Ames arrived) * Public Comment: Persons may speak on scheduled agenda items. Citizen comment was invited on the Consent and Regular Agenda Items 1 through 3. No one wished to address these items. * Consent Agenda * Approval of the minutes of the regular meeting held August 15, 2000 A) Approve the acquisition of property located at 1057-59-61-65-67-75 Ashley Street for the Neighborhood Revitalization Project(Lots 2,3,4,5,&6,Block 17,Jirou Addition from Lemual Dean Duncan at an appraised value of$11,000) - Resolution No. 00-196. B) Approve a resolution requesting that the United States Senate approve the Conservation and Reinvestment Act (CARA), which includes programs that will preserve open spaces, wildlife and historic facilities -Resolution No. 00-197. C) Approve a resolution adopting a philosophy for tax abatement and a program for financial incentives (The philosophy for tax abatement and program for financial incentives is consistent with the City of Beaumont Tax Abatement Policy) - Resolution No. 00-198. Councilmember Cokinos moved to approve the Consent Agenda. Mayor Pro Tem Goodson seconded the motion. MOTION PASSED. Ayes: Mayor Moore, Mayor Pro Tem Goodson, Councilmembers Smith, Cokinos, Ames, Samuel and Patterson Noes: None Councilmember Samuel commented that he was pleased with the progress in Ward III concerning the revitalization of the Dick Dowling area and thanked Council for their support. Mayor Moore complimented Councilmember Samuel for pulling the community together and addressing their needs. GENERAL BUSINESS 1. Consider approving an agreement with West Telemarketing Corporation for financial assistance in return for West's establishment of a fully staffed and completely operational call center within the city limits of the City of Beaumont. Councilmember Smith moved to approve Resolution No. 199 authorizing a contract with West Telemarketing Services for financial assistance in the amount of an initial $100,000 at execution of the contract and $100,000 for three successive years, subject to job creation and retention standards. Councilmember Samuel seconded the motion. MOTION PASSED. Ayes: Mayor Moore, Mayor Pro Tem Goodson, Councilmembers Smith, Cokinos, Ames, Samuel, and Patterson Noes: None Mayor Moore complimented Council on their bold step in making this move forward in terms of adding incentives and being creative by attracting entities to the City,he said that this project speaks well of our community in terms of people, opportunities, education, and infrastructure. The Mayor commended City Staff,the Chamber ofCommerce, Jefferson County,Entergy,and Southwestern Bell Telephone. Mayor Moore and Council applauded all those who worked so hard and diligently to accomplish this economic success. Minutes;August 22, 2000;Page 2 2. Consider amending Section 26-24 of the Code or Ordinances relating to school speed zones. Councilmember Cokinos moved to approve Ordinance No. 064 ENTITLED AN ORDINANCE AMENDING CHAPTER 26, SECTION 26-24 OF THE CODE OF ORDINANCES OF THE CITY OF BEAUMONT BY MODIFYING AN EXISTING SCHOOL ZONE;PROVIDING FO R SEVERABILITY;PROVIDING FOR REPEAL AND PROVIDING A PENALTY. Councilmember Patterson seconded the motion. MOTION PASSED. Ayes: Mayor Moore, Mayor Pro Tern Goodson, Councilmembers Smith, Cokinos, Ames, Samuel, and Patterson Noes: None 3. Consider approving an agreement with the Texas Department of Transportation for the City to receive State Public Transportation Funds. Councilmember Smith moved to approve Resolution No.00-200 authorizing a contract with the Texas Department of Transportation to receive a grant in the amount of$532,960 from the State Public Transportation Fund (PTF) to help pay up to 50% of the City's 2001 operating expenses for the Beaumont Municipal System. Councilmember Patterson seconded the motion. MOTION PASSED. Ayes: Mayor Moore, Mayor Pro Tern Goodson, Councilmembers Smith, Cokinos, Ames, Samuel, and Patterson Noes: None COMMENTS * Councilmembers comment on various matters Councilmember Smith congratulated everyone who worked on the West Telemarketing project and said she is looking forward to revitalizing the area,and stated that the new EMS Number Five unit on Concord Road was opened today. Mayor Moore acknowledged Mr.Tom Gober of the Chamber of Commerce and others in the audience who worked on the West Telemarketing project. Mayor Pro Tern Goodson thanked Mr.John Breier,Mr.John Rich,and other members of the Chamber of Commerce for challenging the City's resourcefulness and for making more economic opportunities available to our community. Councilmember Cokinos congratulated the new EMS unit and thanked the Chamber of Commerce. Councilmember Ames extended thanks to all who have contributed to the new project and extended a welcome to West Telemarketing. She commented that she was very pleased to have the new EMS unit which would lower response time and said it is a great day in Beaumont. Councilmember Samuel echoed the same congratulations and he stated that it is a blessing to have corporate neighbors who understand the meaning of neighbors helping neighbors. Councilmember Samuel commented that the City is very fortunate to have Entergy,Southwestern Bell,and Mobil and Minutes;August 22, 2000;Page 3 said he is very pleased with efforts and work of the Chamber of Commerce in bringing the West Telemarketing project here. Councilmember Samuel expressed that it is truly a blessing to have the new EMS unit, and that God is shining upon the City because we are moving in a positive direction for all. He announced that a neighborhood association meeting will be held at the Willard Library, Thursday at 6:30 p.m. Councilmember Patterson joined in extending congratulations to those influential in bringing the call center to Beaumont and commented about the jobs, good wages and benefits it will bring to the community. She added appreciation for the new EMS unit and invited everyone to attend the fifth anniversary celebration of"Operation One Vote" next Tuesday evening at 6:30 p.m. at the L.L. Melton Y.M.C.A. Councilmember Patterson thanked the City Manager and staff for the proposed budget presentation in Ward IV and the citizens who attended the meeting. * City Manager's Report - Railroad Enforcement, Landscape Ordinance Review Committee, Fire Training Center Capital Improvement Project and Affordable Housing Tour. The City Manager reported on the housing boom in Beaumont which is projecting 20 new affordable homes in fiscal year 2001 and 150 homes have been built since 1992. The City is revitalizing neighborhoods and improving the quality for life for citizens that many would not have the opportunity to own a home except through this program. Mr. Bonczek commented that railroad enforcement is in place. He reported that a Landscape Ordinance Review Committee has been established and consists of twenty-one members from various businesses,community groups and City Staff and will meet August 30,2000 and he will submit suggestions for the new ordinance. City Manager Bonczek reported that city employee residency findings concluded that over 50%police and fire employees, over 75% of civilian employees live within the City; therefore, over 67% of our employees live in the City of Beaumont. Mr.Bonczek attending a meeting with the Hotel Motel Association and County Judges to discuss potential increases of the hotel occupancy tax from 13%to 16% and the additional monies would go toward operational costs of the visitor's center at the Southeast Texas Entertainment Complex and promoting Pleasure Island and Port Neches. He stated that the consensus was that the hotel occupancy should be 15%and would be comparable with other cities in the State. Mr.Bonczek responded to Councilmember Ames question that the tax is currently 13% and the recommendation for the additional 2% would go to Jefferson County. The City Manager reported that Mr. Scoot Joslove, CEO of Texas Hotel Motel Association will be in Beaumont to conduct an educational program on hotel occupancy tax funds for both the arts and hotel communities which will be invited. Mr. Bonczek reported that he has completed his performance objectives. * Public Comment (Persons are limited to three (3) minutes) Sgt. Bryan Skinner, president of the Police Officers Association, addressed Council on behalf of police officers, and said he is pleased to report they have completed negotiations with management. He asked Council to weigh his comments during the executive session concerning cost of living wage increases, retirement annuities,ballistic vests,and keeping current level of benefits. He stated that it is an honor to serve the City. Ms. Marie Broussard, 1185 Ivy Lane, addressed Council as a representative of the Beaumont Council of Garden Clubs highlighted the history of improvements during the past three years. She stated beyond regular plant maintenance, expenses now include frequent vandalism repairs. Ms. Broussard requested Council Minutes;August 22, 2000;Page 4 support for additional funding of $1,500, for a total $2,500 a month per month, and submitted a vandalism report to the City Clerk. Ms. Vicky Bonsall, member of the Beaumont Council of Garden Clubs and assistant cub master of Saint Anne's Catholic School, addressed Council concerning keeping the gardens open because of its convenient location. Mr. Bob Whitman, 2355 Rusk, member of the Beaumont Council of Garden Clubs, addressed Council concerning land development, increased tourism of the gardens, and increasing funds to the Garden Club. Mayor Moore thanked everyone for their efforts at the Garden Center, commented on the need to address vandalism aggressively, and possibly reconsider a curfew at the park. EXECUTIVE SESSION • Consider matters related to contemplated or pending litigation in accordance with Section 551.071 of the Government Code: Labor Agreement with Beaumont Police Officers Association Lamar Theater Condemnation Greentree Administrators, Inc. V. City of Beaumont • 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 Performance Evaluation There being no other business, the meeting adjourned at 2:14 p.m. CL r I �. David Moore, Mayor Barbara Liming, City Clerk Minutes;August 22, 2000;Page 5