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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMIN SEP 18 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 September 18,2001 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 September 18, 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 1:41 p.m. The Reverend Brent Sparks, Praise Christian Center, gave the invocation. Fire Captain Brad Penisson led the pledge of allegiance. Present at the meeting were: Mayor Moore, Mayor Pro Tern Goodson, CounciImembers Smith, Cokinos, Ames, Samuel, and Patterson. Also present were Stephen J. Bonczek, City Manager; Lane Nichols, City Attorney; and Barbara Liming, City Clerk. Presentations and Recognitions -Two proclamations were issued: "Constitution Week," September 17-23, 2001; and "Prostate Cancer Awareness Month," September 2001. Ms. Ida Pyle and Ms. Carleen Faucett representing the Daughters of the American Revolution accepted the Constitution Week proclamation and acknowledged a full page in the Beaumont Enterprise of a patriotic message from the DAR to educate readers about the Constitution, our founding fathers, and national anthem. In response to Mayor Moore's question, she replied that sponsors of the page were Mrs. Jerry Brock, Mr. David Bradley,a member of the State School Board of Education, Mrs.Will Crenshaw,Cathedral in the Pines, radio stations KTFA/KOLE, and Col. George Moffitt National Society of the Daughters of the American Revolution. Mayor Moore expressed appreciation to the Beaumont Enterprise for publishing a full page replica of the United States flag for citizens to pose, thanked volunteers of this past week, addressed the efforts of firefighters in collecting funds for their fellow firefighters in New York and Virginia, and said the terrorist act of last Tuesday brought about a new sense of awareness, focus, and patriotism. Public Comment: Persons may speak on scheduled agenda items - No one wished to address the Consent or Main Agenda. Consent Agenda Approval of minutes - September 11, 2001 Confirmation of committee appointments - No committee appointments Councilmember Cokinos moved to approve the Consent Agenda. Council member Ames 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 adopting the FY 2002 Budget as submitted to Council on August 14, 2001 Mayor Pro Tern Goodson moved to approve Ordinance No. 01-068 ENTITLED AN ORDINANCE REFERRED TO AS THE"ANNUAL APPROPRIATION ORDINANCE"ADOPTING A BUDGET FOR THE FISCAL PERIOD BEGINNING OCTOBER 1, 2001 AND ENDING SEPTEMBER 30, 2002 IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CHARTER OF THE CITY OF BEAUMONT;APPORTIONING THE FUNDS OF THE CITY OF BEAUMONT;REPEALING ALL ORDINANCES OR PARTS OF ORDINANCES IN CONFLICT HEREWITH AND PROVIDING FORSEVERABILITY. Councilmember Smith seconded the motion. MOTION PASSED. Ayes: Mayor Moore, Mayor Pro Tern Goodson, Councilmembers Smith, Cokinos, Ames, Samuel, and Patterson Noes: None 2. Consider adopting the FY2002 Capital Improvement Program (CIP) as reviewed at a public hearing on September 11, 2001 Councilmember Smith moved to approve Resolution No. 01-211 adopting the FY 2002 Capital Improvement Program with estimated funds required to complete current, scheduled and planned projects. 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 3. Consider adopting a property tax rate of$0.635 for the 2001 tax year Mayor Pro Tern Goodson moved to approve Ordinance No. 01-069 ENTITLED AN ORDINANCE ACCEPTING THE TAX ROLL FOR THE CITY OF BEAUMONT; ESTABLISHING A TAX RATE;PROVIDING FOR LEVYING,ASSESSING AND COLLECTING OF AD VALOREM TAXES FORTHE TAX YEAR 2001;PROVIDING FOR SEVERABILITY AND PROVIDING FOR REPEAL. Councilmember Ames seconded the motion. MOTION PASSED. Minutes September 18,2001 Page 2 Ayes: Mayor Moore, Mayor Pro Tern Goodson, Councilmembers Smith, Cokinos, Ames, Samuel, and Patterson Noes: None 4. Consider an amendment to Section 21-75 of the Code of Ordinances related to authorized positions in the Police Department Councilmember Cokinos moved to approve Ordinance No. 01-070 ENTITLED AN ORDINANCE AMENDING SECTION 21-75 OF THE CODE OF ORDINANCES TO AMEND THE GRADE I AND GRADE II POSITIONS IN THE BEAUMONT POLICE DEPARTMENT; PROVIDING FOR SEVERABILITY AND PROVIDING FOR REPEAL. Councilmember Ames seconded the motion. MOTION PASSED. Ayes: Mayor Moore, Mayor Pro Tern Goodson, Councilmembers Smith, Cokinos, Ames, Samuel, and Patterson Noes: None 5. Consider approving a financing agreement for the purchase of an 800 MHZ radio communication system for the Police Department Councilmember Smith moved to approve Resolution No.01-212 authorizing a seven year financing agreement with Banc One Leasing Corporation at a fixed interest rate of 4.19% for the purchase of a Motorola 800 MHz communication system. Council member Samuel seconded the motion. MOTION PASSED. Ayes: Mayor Moore, Mayor Pro Tern Goodson, Councilmembers Smith, Cokinos, Ames, Samuel, and Patterson Noes: None 6. Consider approving a financing agreement for the purchase of one Pierce Lance Fire Pumper for the Fire Department Councilmember Ames moved to approve Resolution No. 01-213 authorizing a five year financing agreement with Banc One Leasing Corporation at a fixed interest rate of 3.91% for the purchase of one Pierce Lance fire pumper. 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 7. Consider approving a contract to install 12,000 linear feet of 48-inch pipe, a part of Phase I improvements to Lawson's raw water transmission line Minutes September 18,2001 Page 3 Councilmember Smith moved to approve Resolution No. 01-214 authorizing a contract with Brystar Contracting, Inc., in the amount of $3,931,150. Councilmember Ames 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 Cokinos reported that an anonymous donor driving a white Chevy pickup deposited a wallet containing $900 in the Boot Fundraiser for New York firefighters on September 17 at the corner of Lucas and Gladys near Fire Station No. 4. A note inside the wallet read, "Your brothers in New York make me proud to live in the U. S., God bless." He said the Fire Department would like the individual to come forward for recognition, and said total collections for the three days is between $75,000 to $80,000. Mayor Pro Tern Goodson commented on approving the budget, the difficulty of resolve, and issues needing resolve this budget year and next. He addressed the inability to meet some constituent's expectations for capital projects, stated there was much give and take to achieve this budget, and expressed a desire to keep the budget a matter of public awareness. Mayor Pro Tern Goodson questioned early pay off options on the financing agreements and spoke of being pleased with savings of money and interest. Councilmember Samuel extended appreciation to the City Manager for the private streets report and stated he would relay the information to residents on Steve Drive. Mayor Moore acknowledged various ceremonies and services held over the last seven days, those he attended, and commended on an excellent law enforcement program presented at Parkdale Mall last Saturday where he received an American flag from Congressman Lampson, who was unable to personally attend because of the inability to travel by air. He commented about a program acknowledging fire fighters, public safety workers and civic leaders by Triumph Church, Saint Anthony Cathedral's noon mass for the National Day of Prayer with standing room only, a special service at Wesley United Methodist Church where he, Senator David Bernsen, and other community members had an opportunity to make public addresses, and spoke of attending the program earlier today at Jefferson County with Congressman Lampson. Mayor Moore stated he was unable to attend India Association and Lamar University programs, but said such events speak well of our community and caused our nation to become more focused. He spoke of everyone doing their part to help, considerable charitable sums of money raised throughout the community for those victimized, acknowledged media efforts, and volunteers, and announced a United Way donation drive supporting the American Red Cross. The Mayor extended sincere appreciation to fire fighters, police, citizens,to those choosing to donate anonymously, and to contributions by everyday citizens. Minutes September 18,2001 Page 4 City Manager Report - Private Streets, Emergency Management Response, N.Y. Firefighter "Fill A Boot", Telecommunications Infrastructure Fund (TIF) Fund, 31 Annual Neches River Clean-Up City Manager Bonczek reported there are 34 private streets, 29 are concrete, curb, and gutter, and 3 three are asphalt with open ditches, must meet subdivision regulations, and each have one or more deficiencies to be met. Developers or individuals constructed the streets according to their standards. He said a second Telecommunications Infrastructure Fund has awarded a second grant in the amount of approximately $39,000 for purchase of computers and printers for the Library. He commended Community Services Director Maurine Gray for pursuing the grant funding, and encouraged participation in the 3`d Annual Neches River Clean-Up will be held Saturday, September 29,2001 from 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 P.M. Mayor Moore interjected acknowledgment of the Southwestern Bell Telephone Pioneers special 8:00 a.m. program on the National Day of Prayer and Remembrance for victims of the terrorist attack where he, Fire Captain Brad Penisson, and Officer James Martin spoke, a young Boy Scout played Taps and Chris Ladd, a Southwestern Bell employee, sang Proud to be an American. He commended the program and Southwestern Bell for promoting the event. Public Comment (Persons are limited to three (3) minutes). Ms. Sallie Lee, 3770 Heatherwood, addressed Council to complain of recent transit fare increases being unfair and unjust. She stated she previously spent $40 per month for transportation, but since a fare increase, her cost has risen to $80 per month. Public Works Director Tom Warner quoted recent increases, said he was not aware of fares doubling, and said he would investigate transit fares. Ms. Lee added comments of appreciation for firefighter activities and compensating them fairly. Mayor Moore assured Ms. Lee that an effort is made to treat all employees fairly within budget constraints. EXECUTIVE SESSION Consider matters related to contemplated or pending litigation in accordance with Section 551.071 of the Government Code: Sandra Pope v. Leslie Carmen Apple Vaughn Stephen Ayers, Jr. v. City of Beaumont, et al There being no further business, the meeting adjourned at 2:25 p.m. D- W. David W. Moore, Mayor Barbara Liming, City Clerk Minutes September 18,2001 Page 5