HomeMy WebLinkAboutMIN MAR 31 1998 M I N U T E S CITY OF BEAUMONT
Lulu L.Smith DAVID W. MOORE, MAYOR Becky Ames,Mayor Pro Tem
Guy N.Goodson CITY COUNCIL MEETING Andrew P.Cokinos
John K.Davis MARCH 31, 1998 Bobbie J. Patterson
Lane Nichols,City Attorney Ray A. Riley,City Manager Patrice Fogarty,City Clerk
The City Council of the City of Beaumont, Texas, met in a regular session on March 31, 1998, 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 1:34 p.m. The Reverend Richard McPherson,
Cathedral in the Pines Christian Center, gave the invocation. Mr. Johnny Beatty, grant
administrator, led the pledge of allegiance.
Present at the meeting were: Mayor Moore, Mayor Pro Tem Ames, Councilmembers Smith,
Cokinos, Davis, and Patterson. Councilmember Goodson was out of town. Also present were
Ray A. Riley, City Manager; Lane Nichols, City Attorney; Patrice Fogarty, City Clerk; and Barbara
Liming, Deputy City Clerk.
*Presentations and Recognition:
Five Proclamations were issued: "WalkAmerica Day," April 4, 1998; "Child Abuse Prevention
Month," April, 1998 (proclamation given to 8 organizations—Randy Daniels with Buckner Children
& Family Services presented an award to Bill Leger, anchorman for television station KFDM,
Channel 6, as a champion of children and for his help in all phases of community services to aid
children); "Professional Social Work Month," March, 1998; "National Youth Alcohol Awareness
Month," April, 1998; and "Sexual Assault Awareness Month," April, 1998.
(Mayor Pro Tem Ames left the Council Chambers at 2:05 p.m.)
Ms. Erica Hardy announced that Sports Management Network, Pepsi Cola Company, and TCl
Cablevision, with the cooperation of sponsors, will host a 3 on 3 Playground Basketball
Tournament at Fair Park on May 30 and 31, 1998. Ms. Hardy said this will be a great occasion
for family participation, scholarship opportunities and recreation. She said this event will be
advertised through various media for a 150 mile radius, and will be an economic boost for hotels,
motels, and restaurants.
Mayor Moore announced that Mayor Pro Tem Ames had to leave the meeting to catch an air flight
to attend a training session for her company.
*Public Comment: Citizens were invited to comment on the Consent and Main Agendas.
Recognizing that Mr. Allen Lee would be the first speaker, Mayor Moore asked Mr. Lee to conduct
himself as a candidate while speaking today, reminded him that if he starts attacking members of
Council, screaming, hollering or raising his tone of voice, or making personal attacks, he will be
asked to remove himself from the microphone, and in the event he chooses not to leave the
microphone, Mayor Moore said he will ask that Mr. Lee be removed (by a police officer).
Mr. Allen Lee, 5095 Maddox, retorted that he is glad the meeting is taped because Mayor Moore
is being investigated by the District Attorney's office for official oppression for his behavior last
week. Mr. Lee said he considers the consent agenda to be the hidden agenda and questioned
confirmation of committee appointments. He asked what committees and who's on the
committees? He requested the names and committees of those being approved today and for an
immediate response. Mayor Moore told Mr. Lee that he would not respond at this time. Mr. Lee
continued, told Mayor Moore that he would be filing an injunction against him for violation of the
Open Meetings Act on Thursday, and said explanation of his request needs to be made known.
Mr. Lee continued to urge an immediate response, and Mayor Moore instructed Mr. Lee to finish
his comments, and said he would respond after his time for speaking has lapsed. Mr. Lee asked
for an explanation of a consent agenda and reiterated that he considers it to be a hidden agenda.
Mayor Moore answered Mr. Lee's questions by stating that City Council votes on a consent agenda
with items posted for approval for issues that do not need a higher level of discussion. Mayor
Moore reported that the confirmation of committee appointments made today appoint Mrs. Marilyn
Dogan to the Beaumont Advisory Commission for Prevention of Child Abuse and Neglect and Mrs.
Rosie Jones to the Library Commission at the recommendation of Councilmember Patterson.
Mayor Moore said the consent agenda is in no way a hidden agenda; it is the same process that
has been in place for the past 15 years.
The following consent agenda items were considered:
* Approval of the minutes of the regular meeting held March 24, 1998;
* Confirmation of committee appointments - Resolution No. 98-77
Minutes;3/31198;Page 2
A) Authorize the Beaumont Police Department, on behalf of the Southeast Texas Auto Theft
Task Force, to make application and accept an award for assistance from the Texas
Automobile Theft Prevention Authority - Resolution No. 98-78
B) Approve an annual contract for the purchase of a phosphate water treatment chemical used
at the Water Production Plant (from Technical Product Corporation, 54,000 lbs. at $.8870
for an estimated total price of $47,898) - Resolution No. 98-79
Councilmember Cokinos moved to approve the Consent Agenda. Councilmember
Patterson seconded the motion. MOTION PASSED.
Ayes: Mayor Moore, Councilmembers Smith, Cokinos, Davis and Patterson
Noes: None
GENERAL BUSINESS
1. Consider approving an extension of the in lieu agreement with Goodyear
After introduction of the item, City Manager Riley detailed procedures and reasoning for
entering into in lieu agreements with industry and the amount of revenue received. He
explained that Goodyear Tire& Rubber Company is located over 1 '/z mile outside of the city
limits on Interstate 10. Instead of beginning annexation procedures to include them in our
tax base, an in lieu agreement has been negotiated that produces $625,000 per year for a
seven-year period. Because the Goodyear plant in Beaumont is competing with other
Goodyear plants for construction of a new unit, they have asked for a five-year extension
of their in lieu agreement to place them in a stronger bargaining stance. Mr. Riley said the
potential expansion could be as much as $200 million. Also, Mr. Riley explained that should
our tax rate increase during this period, Goodyear's payments would be adjusted
accordingly. He further stated that the City of Beaumont has a good relationship and
partnership with Goodyear and the other companies participating in these agreements.
Councilmember Cokinos moved to approve Resolution No. 98-80 extending the in lieu
agreement with Goodyear Tire& Rubber Company an additional five years from December
31, 2001 through December 31, 2006. Councilmember Davis seconded the motion.
MOTION PASSED.
Ayes: Mayor Moore, Councilmembers Smith, Cokinos, Davis and Patterson
Noes: None
WORK SESSION
Minutes;3!31/98;Page 3
*Review the preliminary budget for the 1998 Consolidated Grant Program
The City Manager asked Finance Officer Beverly Hodges to initiate the report.
(Mayor Moore left the Council Chambers at 2:25 p.m. and returned at 2:30 p.m. before the
end of the review.)
Finance Officer Beverly Hodges began by acknowledging past presentations to Council
during the process of the HUD Consolidated Grant budget for their review and discussion.
She said CDAC had met several times and submitted recommendations to Council,
forwarded copies of their minutes to Council, and consider this to be their last and final
recommendations to Council for this process. She said that today, she and Grant
Administrator Johnny Beatty are available to act as a resource for further Council
discussion. She said they are ready to bring forward a budget for adoption at the next
meeting based on today's discussion. Mrs. Hodges recounted that at the beginning of the
process different proportions of monies in the Consolidated Grant process were identified
for Council. She said that of the total amount of money available, $2,303,000 would be for
CDBG; the Home Grant would total $775,000; and Emergency Shelter Grant monies would
total $87,000; with program income estimated at $170,000. She said that the CDAC has
come back with allocation of some of the public facility money that concurred with the
preliminary budget in all other areas. She referred to a breakdown of their recommended
allocations of $94,990.57 among several agencies in both capital improvement and
programmatic categories (listed in Exhibit "A"). In the Emergency Shelter Grant, she stat
that the Salvation Army and Henry's Place are recommended.
Mr. Riley pointed out that when the preliminary budget was prepared, categories were
established as detailed on page 2 totaling $2,303,000 for CDBG. He said we will move
toward public hearings and consideration of the preliminary budget based on those
allocations. He mentioned that Council did not specify what was to be placed in the Capital
Improvement or Programmatic categories for public service agencies. He said the CDAC
has considered the request submitted, and to proceed, Council will need to indicate
acceptance of these submissions or their modifications.
Councilmember Davis voiced his strong support of BUILD, Inc. and the great benefit
received from them. He questioned need for complete funding of the Clearance and
Demolition allocation and suggested amending the budget by reducing the amount allocated
for Charlton-Pollard Economic Development from $300,000 to $290,000 and increasing
Build, Inc.'s allocation from $25,000 to $35,000. He verified that the $450,000 for Clearance
and Demolition is already identified, questioned disbursement of Public Facility and
Improvement, the Charlton-Pollard Economic Development and Administration categories,
thanked Beverly Hodges and Johnny Beatty for performing commendable service with this
program.
Minutes;3!31!96;Page 4
Other Council discussion included confirmation that the Clearance and Demolition category
included both residential and commercial structures, Emergency Shelter Grant funding of
the Salvation Army and Henry's Place, and services offered by Henry's Place. Mayor Moore
requested amounts funded last year for these agencies and information about Henry's
Place.
Councilmembers expressed appreciation to staff and CDAC members, and Mayor Moore
requested another work session next week for the edification and input of councilmembers
absent today.
COMMENTS
* Councilmembers comment on various matters:
Councilmember Smith said she was at the reception for the new Willard Library on
Wednesday, but was out of town on Thursday to attend the ribbon cutting ceremonies, said
it is a beautiful facility and something for which to be proud and said that area of town is
deserving of this addition to their community. She congratulated Councilmember Patterson
for being recipient of "The Woman of the Year" award from the National Association of
University Women. She said Councilmember Patterson was honored at a very nice
luncheon on Sunday, March 29, 1998.
Councilmember Cokinos voiced congratulations for construction of the Willard Library and
reported that he and Mayor Moore attended a Peace Week Celebration yesterday at Pease
Elementary School (in Port Arthur).
Councilmember Patterson announced that a Neighbors in the Park event will be held
Sunday, April 5th, from 2:00 to 4:00 p.m. at Alice Keith Park; and that the Tyrrell Park
Neighborhood Association meeting will be at 7:00 p.m. Monday. Councilmember Patterson
thanked Councilmember Smith and Mayor Moore for attending the luncheon hosted by the
National Association of University Women that honored her. Also, Councilmember
Patterson congratulated Councilmember Davis, the Library Commission, and staff for their
roles in completion of the Willard Library. She said it is an awesome structure and will be
well utilized. Councilmember Patterson announced that the I Have a Dream" banquet will
be held tonight.
Mayor Moore added his congratulations to the entire city of Beaumont and complimented
Maurine Gray and her staff for organizing the opening celebrations for the Willard Library.
He added compliments to Cecilia Shearron-Hawkins, the new librarian at the Willard Library,
and said she will add enthusiasm and energy to the facility. He challenged every citizen to
obtain a library card and said he hopes all our libraries will overflow this summer. He said
"this is how we equip our children," and asked that we encourage children to spend time at
the library. Mayor Moore said it is a safe haven and a new threshold for them to gain
intellectual power. Mayor Moore confirmed with Community Services Director Maurine Gray
Minutes;3131198;Page 5
that if 1,200 students are enrolled in the summer reading program, he will fulfill his promise.
Maurine Gray reported to Council that on the first day of operation at the Willard Library, 45
new library cards were issued. Mayor Moore congratulated citizen participation last
Saturday in the Baptist Foundation Fun Run and Walk that he and Congressman Lampson
kicked off at about 7:30 a.m. Mayor Moore said he was disappointed in the lack of
newspaper coverage of Mobil Oil's summer youth program. He complimented Mobil for
being a great corporate citizen. He reported that a check for over $300,000 was presented
to the City of Beaumont on Friday to be used for support of libraries and employment of 100
young people-60 to be employed by the City of Beaumont, 20 by BISD, and 20 with Lamar
University. Mayor Moore thanked City staff for an excellent job fair at the Civic Center. He
said students were able to attend after school and learn about their parent's job. Again,
Mayor Moore thanked Mobil oil for their generous contribution and the partnership with the
City of Beaumont, BISD, and Lamar University. He said that taking care of our youth is the
type of partnership that will make us known as one of the better cities of our nation and said
this employment will reward kids for being leaders.
*Public Comment (Persons are limited to 3 minutes)
Mr. Allen Lee, 5095 Maddox, requested an audio tape of this meeting from the City Clerk,
again spoke of official oppression by treatment received that he will bring to the District
Attorney's office, said we are blessed to live in America and have the right to openly voice
objections, announced that he has changed political parties and will support Republican
candidates. Also, Mr. Lee proposed renaming the Civic Center to the Jimmy P. Cokinos
Civic Center in recognition of his heroic actions to integrate Beaumont. He lauded Mr.
Cokinos for being responsible for integration at Lamar University and for the opportunity of
Black representation on City Council.
Mr. Jimmy Dean, 1613 Orange Street, representing SETLIFE, addressed Council as a
reminder that they need financial support to fund a training program for peer counselors and
asked for reconsideration of funding from CDBG monies.
Ms. Nancy Como, 2239 8th Street, Port Neches, also an employee and representative for
SETLIFE, added her support to Mr. Dean's request and displayed new, updated brochures
that were printed through the financial assistance received last year from CDBG funding.
Mr. Donald Wise, representing the Beaumont Housing Authority, asked to be reconsidered
in CDBG funding. He asked for financial assistance in modifying and remodeling a house
to be used as a Child Development Center to train child care providers and serve as a child
care center for those attending the classes.
Mr. Bill Benning, Chairman of the Advisory Board for the Salvation Army, told Council that
the $60,000 appropriation in the CDBG budget is very generous contribution towards
Minutes;3/31/98;Page 6
operation of their emergency shelter, but said the total operation cost in 1997 was
$310,000. He said they have acquired the Fairway House on McFadden Street since it
closure and will open a family shelter at that location. Preliminary budgets indicate that
operation of that shelter will be about $40,000 per year and any additional consideration
would be appreciated.
EXECUTIVE SESSION
*Executive Session in accordance with Section 551.071 of the Government Code to discuss
contemplated or pending litigation:
Harold Dayse et ux v. City of Beaumont
Municipal Administrative Services v. City of Beaumont
There being no further business, the meeting recessed at 2:55 p.m. to reconvene in executive
session.
` I r
Mayor David W. Moore
Patrice Fogarty, City I k
Minutes;301198;Page 7
('itc of Beaumont
C-NalReaumont 11. Box 82 Room 330 Phone (109)880-3789
P.O.Box.3827 Fax:(4(19)880 3713
}3eaumontAA 77704
Momramkm
To: Ray A. Riley, City Manager J
From.: Beverly 1). Hodges, Finance Officer
Date: Wednesday, March 25, 1998
Subject: HUD Consolidated Grant- 1998
Council was presented with the Preliminary Budget for the 1998 Consolidated Grant
Program on January 20, 1998. The 1998 HUD Consolidated Budget totals $3,335,000, including
program income. The Preliminary Budget is comprised of three entitlements, CDBG at
$2,303,000, HOME at $775,000 and Emergency Shelter Grant(ESG) at $87,000. Program income
generated by revolving loan funds is estimated at $170,000.
The Community Development Advisory Committee (CDAC) has held numerous
meetings to discuss and formulate recommendations for Council concerning the 1998 HUD
Consolidated Grant. The final recommendation of the CDAC was an allocation of CDBG funds
from the Public Facilities category of$94,990.57 to fund various grant applications and the
distribution of the ESG funds. The following breakdown provides a brief summary of the CDAC
recommended allocations.
CDGB
Capital Improvement
Anayat House, Inc. $6,050.57
Salvation Army 6,500.00
Salvation Army Boys & Girls Club 28,000.00
Stewart's Halfway House 18,440.00
Programmatic
Melton YMCA 9,000.00
Salvation Army Boys & Girls Club 27,000.00
ESG
Salvation Army 60,000.00
Henry's Place 27,000.00
Johnny Beatty and I are prepared to workshop the 1998 HUD Consolidated Grant
Program at the March 31, 1998 Council Meeting and will be available for questions at that time.
Also attached are copies of the Preliminary Budget and a recap of all grant applications
received.
EXHIBIT "A"
HUD CONSOLIDATED GRANT PROGRAM
1998
Prelim
Budget
Community Development Block Grant
HOUSING
Minor Repair $125,000
Acquisition/Site Development 375,000
Habitat For Humanity - Administration 50,000
CLEARANCE AND DEMOLITION 450,000
PUBLIC FACILITY & IMPROVEMENT 300,000
ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT
BUILD, Inc. 25,000
Charlton-Pollard Economic Development 300,000
SBRLF 300,000
ADMINISTRATION 378,000
TOTAL CDBG $2,303,000
Emergency Shelter Grant
Salvation Army $60,000
Henry's Place 27,000
TOTAL ESG
HOME Grant $775,000
1998 GRANT APPLICATIONS
Table of Contents
Anayat House, Inc. $ 6,050.57
Funds will be used to help fund a sheet rock project for the interior of
Anayat House which would eliminate the sagging ceiling and reduce
maintenance costs.
Beaumont Main Street/BUILD 30,000.00
Funds will be used to facilitate the growth of business as well as cultural
and residential development in Beaumont's Central Business District.
Henry's Place 27,000.00
Funds will be used to provide emergency shelter to mentally ill homeless
persons.
Housing Authority of the City of Beaumont 50,000.00
Funds will be used to provide perimeter fencing and renovations of an existing
structure for a Child Development Center to be located near the Magnolia Gardens
Complex.
Junior League of Beaumont, Inc. 200,000.00
Funds will be used for property acquisition, site preparation, architectural fees
and the initial construction of a proposed Family Resource Center in the Charlton-
Pollard neighborhood.
L. L. Melton Family Branch Y.M.C.A. 4,500.00
Funds will be used to sponsor a collaborative after school program between
the YMCA and Martin Elementary.
The Salvation Army 89,000.00
Funds will be used to continue the City's contract with the Salvation Army
which provides emergency shelter to homeless persons.
The Salvation Army 6,500.00
Funds will be used to help build a jungle gym next to the shelter.
The Salvation Army Boys & Girls Clubs 55,000.00
Funds will be used to repair the interior of the Pennsylvania Club and support
the operation of an after-school program in Dunbar Elementary School.
SETLIFE, Inc. 7,000.00
Funds will be used to publish and disseminate a bi-monthly newsletter,
provide for public awareness materials and presentations, assist consumers
in accessing their services, and enable the training of 10 Peer Counselors.
Stewart's Halfway House, Inc. 18,440.00
Funds will be used to assist the organization in making needed repairs to the
facility to help maintain continuous compliance with building and regulation
codes and improve the overall efficiency of the facility.
TOTAL $ 493,490.57