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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMIN FEB 13 2001 M I N U T E S - CITY OF BEAUMONT Lulu L.Smith DAVID W. MOORE, MAYOR Guy N. Goodson, Mayor Pro Tern Andrew P. Cokinos CITY COUNCIL MEETING Becky Ames Bobbie J. Patterson February 13, 2001 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 February 13, 2001, 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 1:31 p.m. The Reverend Robert Jones, Narrow Way Christian Church, gave the invocation. Mayor Moore led the pledge of allegiance. Present at the meeting were: Mayor Moore, Mayor Pro Tern Goodson, Councilmembers Smith, Cokinos, Ames (arrived at 1:35 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. *Public Comment: Persons may speak on scheduled agenda items The Reverend Robert Jones, 2137 Orange Street, Board Chairman of Statewide Community Development Corporation, addressed Council to request an extension of unexpended funds remaining for their year 2000 contracts and for reimbursement of invoices incurred on new construction expenditures. The Reverend Jones reviewed their accomplishments in providing housing during the past year. * Consent Agenda * Approval of the minutes of the regular meeting held February 6, 2001 * Confirmation of committee appointments - David Verde, Parks and Recreation Advisory Committee, term expiring February 12, 2003. - Resolution No. 01-034 A) Approve a contract for arterial litter removal (with Beaumont Products and Services, Inc.). - Resolution No. 01-035 B) Approve the purchase of polyethylene pipe and adaptors for use by the Water Utilities Division (from Coburn Supply in the amount of$17,277.30) - Resolution No. 01-036 C) Approve an annual contract for asbestos consultant services (with Burcham Environmental Services, L.L.C. ) - Resolution No. 01-037 D) Approve fleet purchases through the State Cooperative Purchasing Program for the Police and Fire Departments (for a total expenditure of$371,710) - Resolution No. 01-038 Council member Cokinos moved to approve the Consent Agenda. Councilmember Patterson seconded the motion. MOTION PASSED. Ayes: Mayor Moore, Mayor Pro Tern Goodson, Councilmembers Smith, Cokinos, Ames, Samuel, and Patterson Noes: None GENERAL BUSINESS 1. Consider approving contracts between the City of Beaumont and Statewide Consolidated Community Development Corporation, Inc. Councilmember Samuel moved to approve Resolution No. 01-039 authorizing three contracts with Statewide Consolidated Community Development Corporation, Inc. 1.)in the amount of$53,837 using 1999 HOME funds to provide homebuyers' assistance for up to four (4) eligible low income families; 2.) in the amount of $42,716 using 1996 and 1999 HOME funds to complete rehabilitation construction of up to four(4) houses to be leased or sold to eligible low income families; and 3) a contract in the amount of$18,000 using 1998 CDBG funds to pay 2000 audit costs. Councilmember Patterson seconded the motion. MOTION PASSED. Ayes: Mayor Pro Tern Goodson, Councilmembers Smith, Cokinos, Ames, Samuel, and Patterson Noes: None Abstention: Mayor Moore 2. Consider authorizing the City Manager to execute an amendment to the Industrial District contract with Beaumont Methanol Councilmember Cokinos moved to approve Resolution No. 01-040 authorizing the City Manager to execute an amendment to the Industrial District contract with Beaumont Methanol for the fiscal year 2001 Industrial District payment. Mayor Pro Tern Goodson seconded the motion. MOTION PASSED. Ayes: Mayor Moore, Mayor Pro Tern Goodson, Councilmembers Smith, Cokinos, Ames, Samuel, and Patterson Noes: None COMMENTS Minutes February 13, 2001 Page 2 * Councilmembers comment on various matters Councilmember Patterson announced that the Pear Orchard Neighborhood Association will hold their next meeting on Thursday, February 21, at 7:00 p.m. at Our Mother of Mercy Hall. Also, Councilmember Patterson clarified Statewide Consolidation's new home construction efforts and commended them for putting citizens before business. Mayor Pro Tern Goodson thanked the City Manager for expediting a special council meeting to process a license to encroach request erroneously omitted from today's agenda and requested that staff include complete consent agenda information with preliminary agenda drafts. *City Manager Report: Port Arthur and Jefferson County Days in Austin, Storm Water Management Advisory Committee, Tyrrell Park Horse Stables and Baptist Hospital Proposed Land Purchase City Manager Stephen J. Bonczek apologized for omission of the license to encroach request on today's agenda, said the check and balance system of the administrative office is being reviewed, and thanked Council for their willingness to meet Thursday in an effort to accommodate a citizen. He reported that the Storm Water Management Advisory Committee met on February 8 to continue exploring the best funding means, to clarify the committee's role, said they decided to meet with the public to share information, and said they will evaluate the public education effort and meet again at 7:30 a.m. on February 22 at City Hall to further define costs and capital needs. Mr. Bonczek announced that action on the Tyrrell Park horse stable project is delayed in order to research State requirements and other issues. A meeting was held with the Parks and Recreation Advisory Committee relative to Baptist Memorial Hospital's desire to purchase a 200 x 400 foot section of Central Park for expansion of their facility. Another meeting will be held Thursday at 1:30 p.m. to consider and evaluate the feasibility of a sale before possibly placing the item on the May 5 election ballot as a proposition. Mr. Bonczek briefly reviewed CDBG/Home Program allocations for affordable housing, said the main focus has been on new construction to maximize the revitalization impact on neighborhoods. He cited new projects in various stages of planning and spoke about maximizing the full 20 percent allowable for administration by using 10 percent of HOME funds that would cause$146,200 to be generated for the General Fund to offset a potential $3 million deficit for FY2002. Mayor Moore announced that members of the Youth Commission will be meeting with interested members of Council and said it is his hope to focus on getting their web page project on line before the end of the school year. He encouraged citizens to take an active role in the CDBG Consolidated Action Plan hearings being held in the community. Mayor Moore suggested using some of the CDBG funds saved by utilizing the full 20 percent for administration in addressing the summer water recreation program and wading pools. He told of attending an excellent Urban Summit sponsored by BISD and commended the quality of teachers and the various programs. Dr. Jimmy Simmons was the kick-off speaker, and Mayor Moore said this was an opportunity to share positive information about the community. On Monday morning, he attended a program where Jesse White, a coach and History teacher, did a masterful job in presenting a perspective of African history and sharing how it plays a role in everyday life. The City Manager interjected that he and Mayor Moore will meet with Dr. Carroll Thomas and students on Thursday at 9:00 a.m. to discuss skateboard parks and the youth web site. Minutes February 13, 2001 Page 3 * Public Comment (Persons are limited to three (3) minutes). Mr. Kenneth Hood, 8098 Clubb Oak Drive, addressed Council to express a conflict with City policy regarding sewer taps. Mr. Hood stated that the responsibility was shifted to plumbers to save the City $100,000 per year, and said the plumbers and plumber contractors are not financially equipped, do not have the manpower, insurance or equipment to perform the function. Mr. Hood cited incidents with claims that it is not safe for them to perform the taps. Mr. Hood said his complaint and concerns represent approximately 25 plumbing contractors. (Councilmember Patterson left the Chambers at 1:56 p.m. during Mr. Hood's comments and returned at 2:01 p.m. during Mr. Down's comments.) Mr. Virgil Downs, 1740 Orange, addressed Council in opposition to the City not installing sewer taps, said he understands that City employees have a heavy work load and are overwhelmed with the service they render, but said the policy will prohibit small plumbing contractors the opportunity to perform commercial service in Beaumont. He claimed that service will be as it was in the 70's when only super companies will be able to serve the commercial community. Mr. Downs cited incidents that would limit small plumbing companies doing business. Councilmember Samuel requested clarification of commercial taps, and Mayor Moore interjected that this is the first public information received relative to commercial plumbing taps. Mayor Moore requested that the City Manager provide all the information possible about the subject and suggested that a work session may need to be conducted for Council to fully discuss the situation with plumbers and staff. Mayor Moore told the audience that Council is listening to the facts and will be able to discuss the matter in the future. Ms. Janette Dupuis, Dupco Home Builders, addressed Council in agreement with other plumbers, said they are all locally employed businesses. As a member of the National Association of Home Builders and the Southeast Texas Builders Association, Ms. Dupuis said that if tap policies continue to be enforced, costs will passed on to contractors. Both the Association and contractors will be impacted, and she again stated she is opposed to the practice. The City Manager referred to a Focus on the Issues report in the current issue explaining the need for the change officially made July 16,2000. He further explained the City's circumstances and said that perhaps the plumbing contractors could collaborate and establish some efficiency measures. Mr. Bonczek said the City is willing to work with them. Mayor Moore expounded upon collaboration with the citizens, told the City Manager that Council will develop and submit questions to him,and said an open meeting may need to be held to discuss important points brought forward today. He said that Council does not want small businesses to feel they are being eliminated from the process, and said there is no intent to stifle free enterprise, or drive up costs of operation. Mayor Moore said there needs to be a balance of both parties and asked that an open mind be kept regarding the situation. Water Utilities Manager Joe Majdalani addressed Council to clarify the commercial sanitary sewer tap policy. He explained that in 1975,the City took control of sewer taps because of quality issues. He said the City has always been responsible for residential taps, but in July 2000,the commercial tap policy was changed. Mr. Majdalani said most commercial taps involve installation of manholes Minutes February 13, 2001 Page 4 and service lines to commercial businesses and that one manhole requires one to two days for installation. The Water Utilities Division averages ten to fifteen commercial projects per month. Completion of the ten to fifteen projects would equate to one month of labor for a utility crew. Before the policy change was made, letters were sent to 106 plumbers. He said most of the plumbers appreciate the opportunity to set the manhole, make more money, and control their schedules. For the Water Utilities Division to perform the service, he said contractors might experience delays in their schedules. Mr. Majdalani stated that plumbing contractors currently install storm drains in the streets, recommended plumbers continue making commercial taps, and said that cities of comparable size have established this policy. Mayor Moore committed to the public that we'll keep working with the process. There being no further business, the meeting adjourned at 2:12 p.m. David W. Moore, Mayor Barbara Liming, City lerk Minutes February 13, 2001 Page 5