HomeMy WebLinkAboutMIN AUG 05 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 AUGUST 5, 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 August 5, 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 1:84 p.m. The Reverend Jackson, grandfather of
Victor Aplon and pastor of St. Mary's United Methodist Church in Houston, gave the invocation.
Erma Aplon, sister of Victor Aplon, 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; and Barbara Liming, Deputy City Clerk.
*Presentations and Recognition
One Proclamation was issued: "School Bus Safety Week," August 11-15, 1997.
Mayor Pro Tem Ames read a letter of congratulations from Secretary of the U. S. Department of
Housing and Urban Development Andrew Cuomo to Mayor Moore for being selected as a winner
of the first John J. Gunther Blue Ribbon Best Practices in Community Development Award. The
awards are for the Charlton-Pollard Neighborhood Redevelopment, the Economic Development
Program, and for Integrated Disbursement and Information System. In his letter, Mr. Cuomo said,
"Your success is a testament to what communities can accomplish when they work in partnership
with government, private organizations, local agencies--and most important--with citizens."
Special recognition and a Certificate of Appreciation from Mayor Moore and City Council was given
to 13-year-old Victor Aplon for his bravery, quick thinking and action taken in helping to save the
life of Kendracia Valmont by administering CPR. With no formal training, Victor used the
cardiopulmonary resuscitation on Kendracia that he learned by watching "Rescue 911" on
television. Before presenting Victor with a Certificate of Appreciation for his heroism and life-
saving efforts, Police Chief Scofield commented that Victor's activities before the accident were
indicative of his character. He was earning money for school clothes and supplies by helping his
grandfather clear a vacant lot. Officer Crystal Holmes shared that many businesses wanted to
express appreciation to Victor and that KAYD97 radio personalities Vaughn "Hotrod" Cook and Jay
Bernard have a special presentation for Victor today. They read a letter of appreciation to Victor
from KAYD and presented him with a gift certificate for school clothing. Also, Officer Holmes
presented Victor gift certificates from Chili's Restaurant and Frost & Company and passes from
Artesian Springs in Newton, Texas. Souvenir pictures of Victor with Council, Police Department
personnel and his family were taken. Victor expressed his appreciation for the recognition and
gifts, and his grandfather, the Reverend Jackson, also expressed gratitude to Council and other
groups recognizing Victor, and said that his children and grandchildren have all been taught to
consider others first and to love one another as God loves us.
Public Comment: Citizens were invited to comment on the Consent Agenda and Main Agenda
Items 2-5. No one wished to address these subjects.
CONSENT AGENDA
The following consent agenda items were considered:
Approval of the minutes of the regular meeting held July 22, 1997;
Confirmation of committee appointments - No appointments made;
A) Approve the settlement of weed lien charges ($110 from Clint Kenebrew for 4855 Bolivar
Street, Lot 8, Block 3, Washington Park Addition) - Resolution No. 97-172;
B) Authorize the conveyance of property for the Chariton Pollard Neighborhood Revitalization
Project (825 and 845 Lincoln conveyed to Statewide Consolidated Community Development
Corp.) - Resolution No. 97-173;
C) Approve Change Order No. 1 and Final Payment for the asbestos abatement contract for
the structure located at 3500 Chaisson, Giles School (C.O. #1, $6,890, and Final Payment,
$61,365, to Clark-Tech Environmental, Inc.) - Resolution No. 97-174;
D) Approve a six-month contract for furnishing lubricants for the Fleet Management Division
(Fuller Oil Co., Inc, estimated expenditure of$25,500) - Resolution No. 97-175;
Councilmember Cokinos moved to approve the Consent Agenda. Councilmember
Patterson seconded the motion. MOTION PASSED.
Ayes: Mayor Moore, Mayor Pro Tem Ames, Councilmembers
Smith, Goodson, Cokinos, Davis, and Patterson
Noes: None
Minutes;8105197;Page 2
GENERAL BUSINESS
1. Consider a request for a specific use permit to allow a cellular telecommunications tower
on a tract of land zoned RS (Residential Single Family Dwelling) District at 8075 College;
Councilmember Smith moved to adopt Ordinance No. 97-35 ENTITLED AN ORDINANCE
GRANTING A SPECIFIC USE PERMIT TO ALLOW A 180' TALL CELLULAR TELECOMMUNICATIONS
TOWER ON A TRACT OF LAND IN AN RS (RESIDENTIAL SINGLE FAMILY DWELLING) DISTRICT FOR
PROPERTY LOCATED AT 8705 COLLEGE IN THE CITY OF BEAUMONT,JEFFERSON COUNTY,TEXAS.
Councilman Goodson seconded the motion. MOTION PASSED.
Ayes: Mayor Moore, Councilmembers Smith, Goodson, Cokinos, Davis, and
Patterson
Noes: None
2. Consider an ordinance authorizing the issuance of $3,100,000 City of Beaumont,
Contractual Obligations, Series 1997;
Mayor Pro Tem Ames moved to adopt Ordinance NO. 97-36 entitled an ORDINANCE
AUTHORIZING THE ISSUANCE OF $3,100,000 THE CITY OF BEAUMONT, TEXAS, CONTRACTUAL
OBLIGATIONS, SERIES 1997; AND CONTAINING OTHER MATTERS RELATED THERETO.
Councilmember Smith seconded the motion. MOTION PASSED.
Ayes: Mayor Moore, Mayor Pro Tem Ames, Councilmembers
Smith, Goodson, Cokinos, Davis, and Patterson
Noes: None
(Mayor Pro Tem Ames left the Chambers at 2:05 p.m. and did not vote on Agenda Item 3.)
3. Consider approving a Change Order and Final Payment for the South Park Drainage
Project;
Councilmember Smith moved to approve Resolution No. 97-176 authorizing Change Order
No. 4 in the amount of$14,205.71 to reflect actual quantities used and final payment of the
retainage in the amount of$168,389.43 to Allco, Inc. for the South Park Drainage Project.
Councilmember Goodson seconded the motion. MOTION PASSED.
Ayes: Mayor Moore, Councilmembers Smith, Goodson,
Cokinos, Davis, and Patterson
Noes: None
(Mayor Pro Tem Ames returned at 2:08 p.m.)
Minutes;8/05/97;Page 3
4. Consider approving a depository agreement for banking services between the City and
Texas Commerce Bank;
Councilmember Smith moved to approve Resolution No. 97-177. 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
5. Consider an annual contract for the purchase of office supplies;
Councilmember Goodson moved to approve Resolution No. 97-178 authorizing a contract
with Corporate Express of Texas for office supplies for approximately $70,000.00 (Stock
items, $15,185.51 with 40% discount off catalogue items and 54% discount off in store
items). Councilmember Patterson seconded the motion. MOTION PASSED.
Ayes: Mayor Moore, Mayor Pro Tem Ames, Councilmembers
Smith, Goodson, Cokinos, Davis, and Patterson
Noes: None
OTHER BUSINESS
* Receive proposed FY 98 Budget
City Manager Riley presented the preliminary FY98 Operating Budget to City Council,
expressed appreciation to Finance Officer Beverly Hodges and her staff for working
diligently to compile this document and to Department Heads for their contribution in making
this a budget that will accomplish the needs anticipated by the City and stay within the
constraints of an established budget.
Finance Officer Beverly Hodges presented an overview of the preliminary balanced budget
for Fiscal Year 1997-98 (FY98) maintaining the$0.615 per$100 valuation property tax rate
and with no increases in water or solid waste rates. Mrs. Hodges briefly reviewed the
General Fund, Debt Service Fund, Enterprise Funds, Special Revenue Funds and Internal
Service Funds.
Mr. Riley added that wage schedules for employees will be refined this week, not only will
a 2 plus 2 wage increase for civilians be proposed (a 2% across the board increase on
October 1, 1997 and a 2% step increase available at annual evaluations) , but each of those
scales will be adjusted on both ends with regard to cost of living. He said the Human
Resources Department is collecting that information, and those items will be discussed in
Minutes;8105/97;Page 4
greater detail in following weeks. He said that workshops will be held, any individual
questions will be answered, and a public hearing scheduled for August 19. Mr. Riley said
all departments have been involved in the budget preparation and were challenged to
provide the services and programs without any tax, water or solid waste rate increases.
Even though all desired programs or projects cannot be offered with this budget, what needs
to be done will be, and departments will be challenged to do a little bit more with the assets
being provided.
* Schedule a public hearing on August 19, 1997 relating to the FY 98 Budget and Capital
Program
Councilmember Goodson moved to adopt Resolution No. 97-179 setting a public hearing
at 1:30 p.m. on August 19, 1997, in the City Council Chambers, on the proposed budget and
the Capital Program. Councilmember Cokinos 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 Moore announced that a Public Safety Forum, similar to the one conducted last year,
will be held August 19th at 6:00 p.m. in the Civic Center and encouraged parents and
children to attend.
Councilmember Davis addressed concerns of the Cable Street Neighborhood Association
regarding halfway houses and the Planning and Zoning Division submitting an ordinance
requiring specific use permits for their establishment and residents of the association being
present in Council today to express their concerns.
Councilmember Patterson announced that America's Night Out Against Crime activities will
be held tonight from 6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. at the Southend Police Sub-Station at Highland
Avenue and Woodrow Street and reminded everyone to either early vote today or at their
precinct on Saturday, August 9, to express their desire regarding the homestead exemption.
* Public Comment (Persons are limited to 3 minutes)
Minutes;8M5/97;Page 5
Mr. Eugene Dickey, 5160 Chambers Drive, 833-5742, addressed Council to encourage the
City of Beaumont to pass an ordinance parallel to the one recently passed by the Jefferson
County Commissioners regarding regulation of sexually-oriented businesses. Mr. Dickey
said another such club called X-Scape is planning to open soon on Port Arthur Road, and
he expressed disfavor. As a resident of South Park, Mr. Dickey said he does not want
Beaumont known as "Sin City," said he served on the clean-up grand jury during the James
Commission 36 years ago and again encouraged Council to pass a regulatory ordinance
for these businesses.
Mr. Don Jolly, 882 Pipkin, reiterated Mr. Dickey's concerns about sexually-oriented
businesses and said they are a blight on the City of Beaumont.
Mr. Tony Sacker, 4635 Elmherst Street, addressed Council to relate that even after the
James Commission investigation, Ms. Ainsworth, the madam of a prostitution house, was
mentioned as part of Beaumont's sesquicentennial celebration and her picture displayed
in the ballpark.
Mrs. Gussie Moore, 2655 Cable, addressed Council to express concerns about her
neighborhood. Mrs. Moore said that a house at 3305 Magnolia has a sign that advertises
its availability for a halfway house or day care. She said that she believes in caring for and
helping to rehabilitate the lives of others, but does not want all of the halfway houses in
Beaumont concentrated in the north end.
Mr. Lynn DeMary, 430 East Elgie, encouraged attendance at the second America's Night
Out Against Crime event, announced a WOW group meeting tonight at Major Drive and
Highway 105, thanked Council for the cleanup efforts and asbestos abatement at the former
Giles School, said additional cleanup of tree limbs on the site needs to be addressed, and
said he hopes a good use for the property will be found soon.
Ms. Marilyn Whittington, 2164 Cable, expressed concern about the opening of so many
halfway houses in her neighborhood, asked that Council work on a zoning ordinance
requiring a specific use permit for their operation and requested that they be spread
throughout the city.
Mayor Moore told citizens that Council will remain sensitive to property owners' concerns,
but some regulations and standards are set by the State and out of Council's control.
EXECUTIVE SESSION
Executive Session in accordance with Section 551.071 of the Government Code to discuss
contemplated or pending litigation: Parigi Investments Inc. V. City of Beaumont; Gracelyn
Cox v. City of Beaumont ; and Entergy/GSU Rate Case
Minutes;8/05/97;Page 6
There being no further business, the meeting recessed at 2:40 p.m. to conclude in executive
session.
Mayor David W. Moore
Barbara Liming, Deputy City lerk
Minutes;8/05/97;Page 7