HomeMy WebLinkAboutMIN JUN 20 2000 M I N U T E S - CITY OF BEAUMONT
Lulu L.Smith DAVID W. MOORS,MAYOR Guy N.Goodson,Mayor Pro Tern
Andrew P.Cokinos CITY COUNCIL MEETING Becky Ames
Bobbie J.Patterson June 20,2000 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 June 20,2000,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 Pro Tern Goodson called the meeting to order at 1:33 p.m. The Reverend John Helbig, Ridgewood
Church of Christ, gave the invocation. Tommy, a fifth grade student at Vidor Elementary,led the pledge of
allegiance.
Present at the meeting were: Mayor Pro Tern Goodson, Councilmembers Smith, Cokinos, Ames, Samuel,
and Patterson. Mayor Moore was absent. Also present were: Stephen J. Bonczek, City Manager; Tyrone
Cooper, Assistant City Attorney; and Barbara Liming, City Clerk.
*Presentations and Recognitions
One proclamation was issued: "Al Caldwell and Jack Pieper Day,"June 22, 2000.
*Public Comment: Persons may speak on items listed on the Consent Agenda
No one wished to address these items.
* Consent Agenda
* Approval of the minutes of the regular meeting held June 6, 2000.
* Confirmation of committee appointments: Appoint Ralph Jordan to the Historical Landmark
Commission for a term expiring June 19, 2002; Sharon Steen to fill the unexpired term of Eddie
Tronser and Stephanie Goodman to fill the unexpired term of Shirleen Cook to the Beaumont Housing
Authority until February 28, 2002 - Resolution No. 00-141
A) Approve the purchase of one diesel powered excavator for use at the City Landfill (from Waukesha-
Pearce Industries, Inc. in the amount of $230, 187 with a guaranteed 3-year repurchase price of
$162,000) - Resolution No. 00-142
B) Approve an annual contract for the purchase of limestone base material for use by the Public Works
Department, Streets and Drainage Division (with Trinity Aggregate Distribution for estimated total
annual expense of$60,000) - Resolution No. 00-143
C) Approve the purchase of three chemical storage tanks for use at the Water Production Plant (from
Bailiff Enterprises in the amount of$32,880) - Resolution No. 00-144
D) Authorize the acceptance of land for the proposed new Perlstein Park (a 5.789 acre tract out of Lots
6-11 and Lots 18-23, Block 21, and Lots 1-4 and lots 19 and 20, Block 22, of the Gulf Terrace
Addition) - Resolution No. 00-145
E) Approve the purchase of concrete box culverts for use by the Public Works Department,Engineering
Division (from Hanson Pipe and Products in the amount of$22,219.92) - Resolution No. 00-146
F) Approve the purchase of thirteen joystick type control mechanisms for automated refuse trucks(from
Heil Company in the amount of$16,250) - Resolution No. 00-147
G) Approve a contract for improvements to an earthen backstop firing range used by the Police
Department(with Phoenix Demolition, Inc. at a cost of$26,729.70) - Resolution No. 00-148
H) Authorize the settlement of a claim (with Clarence and Margorie Guidry in the amounts of$10,000
and $2,500 - Resolution No. 00-149
I) Authorize the City Attorney or his designee to file and prosecute a lawsuit against Don Gonzales,Jr.
dba Gonzales Electrical Systems to collect on a delinquent Small Business Revolving Loan -
Resolution No. 00-150
Councilmember Cokinos moved to approve the Consent Agenda. Councilmember Samuel seconded the
motion. MOTION PASSED.
Ayes: Mayor Pro Tern Goodson, Councilmembers Smith, Cokinos, Ames, Samuel
and Patterson
Noes: None
GENERAL BUSINESS
1. Consider amending Section 21-75 of the Code of Ordinances relating to grades and positions in
the Police Department
Councilmember Cokinos moved to approve Ordinance No. 00-47 ENTITLED AN ORDINANCE
AMENDING SECTION 21-75 OF THE CODE OF ORDINANCES TO AMEND THE GRADE I, GRADE II AND
GRADE III POSITIONS IN THE BEAUMONT POLICE DEPARTMENT;PROVIDING FOR SEVERABILITY AND
PROVIDING FOR REPEAL . Councilmember Ames seconded the motion. MOTION PASSED.
Ayes: Mayor Pro Tern Goodson, Councilmembers Smith, Cokinos, Ames, Samuel,
and Patterson
Noes: None
Minutes;June 20,2000;Page 2
2. Consider a change order to the contract for the 1999 Street Rehabilitation Program and authorize
final payment
Councilmember Ames moved to approve Resolution No.00-151 authorizing Change order No. 2 in
the amount of<$174,362.09>and final payment in the amount of$103,633.61 to L D Construction.
Councilmember Smith seconded the motion. MOTION PASSED.
Ayes: Mayor Pro Tern Goodson, Councilmembers Smith, Cokinos,Ames, Samuel,
and Patterson
Noes: None
3. PUBLIC HEARING: 20 Year Retirement with Texas Municipal Retirement System (TMRS)
The public hearing was opened at 1:50 p.m.
No one chose to speak, and the public hearing was closed at 1:51 p.m.
Councilmember Cokinos moved to approve Ordinance No. 0048 ENTITLED AN ORDINANCE
RESCINDING RESOLUTION NO.00-136;APPROVING THE ADOPTION OF A"TWENTY(20)YEAR ANY AGE"
RETIREMENT WITH THE TEXAS MUNICIPAL RETIREMENT SYSTEM FOR ALL EMPLOYEES EXCEPT FIRE;
PROVIDING A ONE-TIME MEDICAL BENEFIT INCENTIVE; PROVIDING AN EFFECTIVE DATE.
Councilmember Ames seconded the motion. MOTION PASSED.
Ayes: Mayor Pro Tern Goodson, Councilmembers Smith, Cokinos, Ames, Samuel,
and Patterson
Noes: None
OTHER BUSINESS
*Request from The Area Agency on Aging of Southeast Texas relating to Continuum of Care
Homeless Assistance Program Application funding
The City Manager reported meeting with the Southeast Texas Regional Commission to discuss
competing with homeless assistance funds through the HUD Continuum of Care Homeless Assistance
Program that has been available for the past five years. Mr.Bonczek said the City of Beaumont,along
with other entities, will collaborate with the Area Agency on Aging to apply for funding in the
amount of$1.4 million. He said almost sixty percent of that amount, or near $652,000, will go to
agencies that serve the needs of homeless in Beaumont. The Area Agency on Aging is preparing a
consolidated application for Beaumont, Orange,Port Arthur,Jefferson County, Hardin County, and
Orange County, and is asking Beaumont for a pro rate share of$88,000 toward preparation costs of
the application. Mr. Bonczek invited Roxanne Smith Parks, director of the Area Agency on Aging
of Southeast Texas to add comments.
Director Roxanne Smith Parks displayed the grant that is being submitted to HUD, and said it is a
collaborative between the three cities and three counties. She said they are very proud of the
document, and it is the first multi-collaborative grant application in the State of Texas. Because of
Minutes;June 20,2000;Page 3
that, they have been nominated for a Best Practices Award by HUD. Ms. Parks stated that a reply
should be received in August. She said there are four recipients this year, and the $1.1 million will
be allocated over a three-year period. Next year more money will be received that will be eligible for
expansion of existing programs or new programs throughout the tri-county area. Ms.Parks explained
that there are four applications contained within this grant application to HUD. All four are Beaumont
service providers that have agreed to serve the tri-county area. The funding will allow Some Other
Place in collaboration with Life Resources and Land Manor to serve dually diagnosed mentally ill
substance abuse homeless persons, Triangle Aids Network to provide rental assistance to HIV
infected persons,Buckner Children's Services to provide services to young adults too old to enter the
Child Protective Services system when they become homeless and to fund case management services,
and for the Women's and Children's Shelter of Southeast Texas to provide transitional housing with
childcare and transportation for clients up to two years. Ms. Parks submitted the grant and requested
consideration for the funding.
COMMENTS
*Councilmembers comment on various matters
No one wished to comment.
*City Manager's Report - City Manager Solid Waste Workday and Youth Rescue Mission Status
Report
Mr. Bonczek reported working with employees in garbage collection and at the landfill on June 121
and complimented their hard work and dedication. He informed Council that a Youth Rescue Mission
Status Report will be provided to them periodically, announced a Charlton Pollard Stakeholders
picnic to honor Dunbar Elementary students,gave an update on summer swim programs,announced
a draft of the Convention and Visitors Bureau Strategic Action Plan,the theatrical season beginning
with the music of Andrew Lloyd Wright, and commented about the priorities received from Council
for General and Public Works Improvements.
* Public Comment(Persons are limited to three(3)minutes)
Mrs. Kate Fones, 595 Goodhue, addressed Council to report that her husband has completed
substantial exterior work and cleanup of the structure and property at 2755 Cable, reported that
correspondence was received regarding demolition of the structure,and requested additional time for
her husband to complete the project. Mrs. Fones was advised to meet with the City Manager to
determine status of the structure and possible consideration.
Mr. Charles Johnson, 5735 Derby, addressed Council to present questions concerning proposed
signage regulations.
Mr.Alfred Arrendondo, 1125 Van Buren, addressed Council to request that the two structures at 655
Madison be removed from the demolition list to allow him to purchase them for rehabilitation. He
Minutes;June 20,2000;Page 4
was advised that Council is not aware of the status of the structures and instructed to contact City staff,
and Councilmember Samuel asked Mr. Anrendondo to meet with him following the meeting.
Mr. Richard Bennett, 1635 West Highland, addressed Council to complain of train horns blowing
between 9:00 p.m. and 6:00 a.m. and disturbing sleep of nearby residents. Mr. Bennet distributed
packets of information to Council and discussed lack of enforcement of Chapter 22 in the Code of
Ordinances,new technology that could be implemented to reduce the horn noise and explained that
his complaint and request for assistance is prompted by sleep deprivation.
Mr. Lynn DeMary, 430 East Elgie, addressed Council in support of the new site location for the
Southend Post Office and requested that Avenue A be given consideration for widening and
installation of a turn lane.
Mr. Orlando Cantu, 3915 Park Street, distributed photographs and addressed Council regarding
crosswalks near City Hall needing better designation for visually challenged citizens,asked Council
support in urging representatives to vote in favor of ADA regulations, announced that Set Life will
host an ADA function from 3:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. on July 22,2000 to be attended by Congressman
Nick Lampson,proposed that purchasing property on Old Dowlen Road next to Wal Mart as a viable
solution for a HUD housing project, and spoke in support of an ordinance requiring traffic to stop
when public vehicle transportation is loading and unloading passengers.
Mr. Robert Preston, 1190 Iowa, addressed Council to discuss parking in front of City Hall,parking
violations, numbers of calls answered by policemen, and numbers of citations written against
violators.
There being no other business,the meeting adjourned at 2:24 p.m.
Guy N. Goodson,Mayor Pro Tern
Barbara Liming, City Cl rk
Minutes;June 20,2000;Page 5