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Home My WebLink AboutMIN OCT 21 1997 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 OCTOBER 21,1997 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 October 21, 1997, 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 Nathaniel McGinnis, St. James United Methodist Church, gave the invocation. Police Chief Tom Scofield led the pledge of allegiance. Present at the meeting were: Mayor Moore, Mayor Pro Tem Ames, Councilmembers Smith, Goodson, Cokinos, Davis, and Patterson. 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: "Southeast Texas Breast Cancer Survivor Day," October 21, 1997; "Dispute Resolution Week," October 20-24, 1997; "Disabilities Awareness Month, October, 1997; "YWCA Week Without Violence," October 19-25, 1997; and"Red Ribbon Week,n October 23-31, 1997. Mayor Moore presented a special proclamation recognizing Mrs. Wanda Grimes for being selected by the Board of Directors and Awards Committee of the National Commission Against Drugs and Drunk Driving to receive the Thirteenth Annual Citizen Activist Award. She was nominated by the Drug Free Beaumont Commission in recognition of her relentless and successful efforts to "close the loophole" on underage drinking in Louisiana and her continued efforts to do so on a federal level. Mrs. Grimes will be going to Washington D.C. to receive the award on December 8, 1997. Mr. Gene Landry, chairman of the Drug Free Beaumont Commission, added congratulations to Wanda Grimes, spoke of her single-handed efforts and selfless dedication and the successful teamwork efforts of the Drug Free Beaumont Commission. Kathleen Jackson for the Keep Beaumont Beautiful Commission and David Oliver of the Clean Community Division presented five (5) organizations to Council to sign Participation Agreements with the City for the Operation Clean Street program: The Adams House, represented by Mr. Tony Victoria, adopted Franklin Street from Avenue C to Avenue G; the American Society of Mechanical Engineers, represented by Carl Matherne, adopted Florida Avenue from University Drive to Highland Avenue; Kelly High School Class of 2000, represented by Laura Gertz, adopted Kelly Drive from Wendelin to Langham; the Society of Women Engineers, represented by Linda Jaycox, adopted Lavaca from Highland Avenue to MLK Parkway; and Town Realty, represented by Barbara Carville, adopted North Street from 1 st to 7th Street. *Public Comment: Citizens were invited to comment on the Consent and Main Agenda. Mrs. Katherine Wiggington, representing the South Park Neighborhood Association, spoke in support of Agenda Items 2 and 4. Mrs. Wiggington stated the number of children attending schools in the area that utilize Alice Keith Park for recreational activities and discussed moving the planned swimming pool from the design phase to construction. Also, Mrs. Wiggington requested that when the former Giles Elementary School is demolished, that a historic marker or remembrance be placed on the site. Mr. Buddy Hebert, 295 North Parkway Drive, seconded the suggestions of Mrs. Wiggington and added that construction of a library on the Giles School site would be a suitable replacement structure. Mr. Walter Kennison, 4045 Rothwell, thanked the organization that adopted Lavaca Street in conjunction with the Operation Clean Street program, commended City employees for an excellent job in replacing broken water lines in his neighborhood, suggested that repairing the swimming pool at Alice Keith Park would be less expensive than constructing a new one, and spoke about updating the park with new equipment for that which has been removed. Mr. Pat Gilbert, 630 Genoa, suggested that before demolition of Giles School, the City check for a cornerstone, plaque or any item that might be of historical significance for the School District or Historical Society. Mayor Moore asked the City Manager and staff to be sure nothing of historical significance is overlooked with demolition of the building. CONSENT AGENDA The following consent agenda items were considered: * Approval of the minutes of the regular meeting held October 14, 1997; * Confirmation of committee appointments - Resolution No. 97-248 Minutes;10 121/97;Page 2 A) Approve an annual contract for the purchase of tower rock for use in the Streets and Drainage Division - Resolution No. 97-249 B) Authorize the purchase of equipment for use in the Water Utilities, Sewer Maintenance Division - Resolution No. 97-250 (three (3) utility trailers at $2,957 each and two (2) tandem axle backhoe trailers at $8,625 each for a total amount of $26,121 from Smart's Truck and Trailer Equipment, Inc.) Resolution No. 97-251 (a mini excavator in the amount of $39,500 from Carruth- Doggett Industries) C) Approve the acquisition of property for additional parking for the Fire Museum - R- 97-252 (west 100 feet of Lot 695, Block 30, Original Beaumont Townsite from Mr. Charles D. Glass, Dr. Donald Webb and Dr. John T. Halbert for negotiated value of$18,000) - Resolution No. 97-252 D) Approve an agreement with Lamar University for the taping of City Council meetings (September 1, 1997 to August 31, 1998 in the amount of$9,500) - Resolution No. 97-253 E) Approve resolutions endorsing two highway projects - Resolution No. 97-254 (endorsing Texas Dept. of Transportations's plan to construct a grade separation at intersection of U.S. 69 and F. M. Highway 3514) - Resolution No. 97-255 (supports ongoing corridor study and completion of planning, scheduling and construction of U.S. 69 project from Lumberton to Lufkin) Councilmember Cokinos moved to approve the Consent Agenda. Councilmember Davis seconded the motion. MOTION PASSED. Ayes: Mayor Moore, Mayor Pro Tem Ames, Councilmembers Smith, Goodson, Cokinos, Davis, and Patterson Noes: None GENERAL BUSINESS 1. Consider approving a contract for the installation of landfill cover material at the City's landfill Councilmember Smith moved to approve Resolution No. 97-256 authorizing a contract with Four Seasons Environmental, Inc. for excavation and compaction of approximately 100,000 cubic yards of stockpiled clay material for final cover at the landfill for an estimated cost of $440,000. Councilmember Goodson seconded the motion. MOTION PASSED. Minutes;10/21/97;Page 3 Ayes: Mayor Moore, Mayor Pro Tem Ames, Councilmembers Smith, Goodson, Cokinos, Davis, and Patterson Noes: None 2. Consider approving the acquisition of property for the expansion of Alice Keith Park Councilmember Cokinos moved to approve Resolution No. 97-257 authorizing acquisition of 5.085 acres out of J. W. Bullock Survey, Abstract 7, 3905 Highland Avenue in the amount of$100,000 from Highland Limited. Mayor Pro Tem Ames seconded the motion. MOTION PASSED. Ayes: Mayor Moore, Mayor Pro Tem Ames, Councilmembers Smith, Goodson, Cokinos, Davis, and Patterson Noes: None 3. Consider an annual contract for the purchase of sand cement for use in the Water Department and Streets and Drainage Division Councilmember Smith moved to approve Resolution No. 97-258 authorizing an annual contract with Transit Mix Concrete and Materials for 1 sack sand cement at $9.00/ton; 1 '/ sack at $10.50 /ton and 2 sack at $12/ton for an estimated expenditure of $79,500. Councilmember Davis seconded the motion. MOTION PASSED. Ayes: Mayor Moore, Mayor Pro Tem Ames, Councilmembers Smith, Goodson, Cokinos, Davis, and Patterson Noes: None 4. Consider approving a contract for the demolition of the former J. L. Giles Elementary School located at 3500 Chaison Mayor Pro Tem Ames moved to approve Resolution No. 97-259 authorizing a contract with C &C Demolition, Inc. in the amount of$24,875. Councilmember Patterson seconded the motion. MOTION PASSED. Ayes: Mayor Moore, Mayor Pro Tem Ames, Councilmembers Smith, Goodson, Cokinos, Davis, and Patterson Noes: None 5. Consider extending two contracts related to the 1996 HOME Grant Minutes;10/21/97;Page 4 Councilmember Davis moved to approve Resolution No. 97-260 authorizing a contract extension with Statewide Consolidated Community Development Corporation, Inc. in the amount of $99,195 and Resolution No. 97-261 authorizing a contract extension with the Innovative Housing Development Corporation, Inc. for expenditures related to the HOME Grant Program. Councilmember Patterson seconded the motion. MOTION PASSED. Ayes: Mayor Moore, Mayor Pro Tem Ames, Councilmembers Smith, Goodson, Cokinos, Davis, and Patterson Noes: None 6. Consider allocating votes for representation on the Jefferson County Appraisal District's Board of Directors Councilmember Patterson moved to approve Resolution No. 97-261 casting the City's 411 votes for C. L. Sherman for election to the Board of Directors of the Jefferson County Appraisal District. Councilmember Smith seconded the motion. MOTION PASSED. Ayes: Mayor Moore, Mayor Pro Tem Ames, Councilmembers Smith, Goodson, Cokinos, Davis, and Patterson Noes: None COMMENTS * Councilmembers comment on various matters: Mayor Pro Tem Ames reported on the success of the Food Fest hosted Monday at Carrabba's Italian Grill with proceeds benefiting soup kitchens in Beaumont. Along with Mayor Pro Tem Ames, Councilmembers Cokinos and Smith served as celebrity waiters. Also, Mayor Pro Tem Ames congratulated Orgain Bell and Tucker for a wonderful celebration of Mr. Tucker's birthday and in recognition of ninety years of their company's service to the community held Sunday evening at the Botanical Gardens at Tyrrell Park. Councilmember Davis said he met with about sixty (60) citizens yesterday at the North Ridge Manor Resident Council Meeting. After prioritizing their feelings, the two top issues were a request for a police representative to present the Community Oriented Policing program at their next meeting and a problem with dogs running loose throughout the complex. Councilmember Davis asked that the Animal Control Division be contacted about the dogs at large problem. Minutes;10/21/97;Page 5 Councilmember Patterson encouraged participation in the Constitutional Amendment Election on November 4th, announced that early voting is already in progress, commented that in conjunction with National Business Women's Week, they will celebrate their 69th anniversary, and announced that all business women are invited to attend the Southeast Texas Women to Watch program at the Tower Club Wednesday, October 22, at 1:30 a.m. Councilmember Smith encouraged attendance at the fundraiser for the Fire Museum tonight at the Golden Corral from 5:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. Councilmembers will again serve as celebrity waiters. Councilmember Cokinos reported that he received tips at Carrabba's at the Food Fest luncheon to benefit the soup kitchens that amounted to $500.50 . * Public Comment (Persons are limited to 3 minutes) Mr. Buddy Hebert, 295 North Parkway, thanked City employees, especially Public Works Director Tom Warner, City Manager Ray Riley and City Attorney Lane Nichols for assistance with community problems, suggested newspaper publication of City Council Agendas, questioned ordinances such as parking prohibited on front lawns being passed for only portions of the city and requested that all information be made public regarding proposed golf course changes. Mayor Moore clarified that ordinances are passed for the welfare of all citizens of Beaumont, not for certain segments or localities, but noted there may be a problem with enforcement that needs to be pursued. Mr. Albert Koontz, 1620 Euclid, addressed Council regarding grass clippings deposited in gutters by his neighbor that creates a drainage problem and low-hanging, dead tree limbs on Avenue C between Washington Boulevard and Euclid. Mrs. Marie Hubbard, Nora Street, told Council that Mr. Johnny Beatty brought a revitalization plan for Charlton Pollard to her home, listened to her and now understands the problem. Mrs. Hubbard expressed her love for Beaumont and desire to see progress. Mr. Robert Preston, 1190 Iowa, addressed Council regarding due process, Section 15.02 of the Texas Penal Code, and calling the Police Department three times in the past five days without a satisfactory answer. Mrs. Marie Broussard, 1185 Ivy Lane, addressed Council to announce that the Conservatory of the Botanical Gardens at Tyrrell Park officially opens Saturday, October 25th. Opening day will be free to the general public. Thereafter, hours will be from 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Minutes;10121197;Page 6 on Saturday, 1:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. on Sunday, and open for group tours through the week by appointment. Mr. Lynn DeMary, 430 East Elgie, thanked Council for voting affirmatively on two important South Park area projects, expressed a desire that plans will continue for rebuilding the swimming pool and spoke in favor of a library on the former Gile School site, asked that Council remain alert to the project of Drainage District 6 and the State to insure drainage relief to Cardinal Drive and commented about the quality of life improvements brought about by Capital Improvement investments. Mr. Gene Landry, 8580 Braeburn, expressed appreciation to Council for the proclamation presented to Wanda Grimes and invited everyone to sign a drug free pledge card and place it on the tree in the foyer. EXECUTIVE SESSION * Executive Session in accordance with Section 551.071 of the Government Code to discuss contemplated or pending litigation: Cordell Harris v. City of Beaumont *Executive Session in accordance with Section 551.074 of the Government Code to consider the evaluation of appointed officials: specifically the Chief Magistrate and Magistrates There being no further business, the meeting adjourned at 2:57 p.m. to reconvene in executive session. Mayor David W. Moore Patrice Fogarty, C C(erkZ� Minutes;10/21/97;Page 7