HomeMy WebLinkAboutMIN MAY 06 1997 M I N U T E S - CITY OF BEAUM0NT
Lulu L.Smith DAVID W. MOORE, MAYOR Andrew P.Cokinos, Mayor Pro Tem
Guy N. Goodson CITY COUNCIL MEETING Becky Ames
John K. Davis MAY 6, 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 May 6, 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
Mayor Moore called the meeting to order at 1:36 p.m. Brother Don Jolly, Highland Avenue Baptist
Church, gave the invocation. Mr. Ron Goodman, led the pledge of allegiance.
Present at the meeting were: Mayor Moore, Mayor Pro Tem Cokinos, Councilmembers Smith,
Goodson, Ames, Davis, and Patterson. Also, present were Ray A. Riley, City Manager; Tyrone
Cooper, Assistant City Attorney; Patrice Fogarty, City Clerk; and Barbara Liming, Deputy City
Clerk.
ELECTION OF WARD COUNCILMEMBERS
*An ordinance canvassing the results of the May 3, 1997 City General Election
City Clerk Patrice Fogarty presented Ordinance No. 97-27 entitled AN ORDINANCE CANVASSING THE
RETURNS OF THE GENERAL ELECTION HELD IN THE CITY OF BEAUMONT ON THE 3RD DAY OF MAY, 1997, FOR
THE PURPOSE OF ELECTING FOUR (4) WARD COUNCILMEMBERS; PROVIDING FOR SEVERABILITY AND
PROVIDING FOR REPEAL. Votes cast at the election for Ward I Councilmember were: Lulu L. Smith
556 votes, 100%; for Ward II Councilmember: Guy Goodson 291, 100%; John K. Davis for Ward
III Councilmember: 1,022, 100%; and for Ward IV Councilmember: Gethrel "Get" Williams, 523
votes, 28.80%; Allen Lee, 53 votes, 2.92%; and Bobbie J. Patterson, 1,240 votes, 68.28%; thereby,
electing Lulu L. Smith for Ward I Councilmember, Guy Goodson for Ward II Councilmember, John
K. Davis, Ward III Councilmember, and Bobbie J. Patterson for Ward IV Councilmember, subject
to the taking of their oaths of office.
Mayor Pro Tem Cokinos moved to adopt Ordinance No. 97-27.
Councilmember Ames seconded the motion. MOTION PASSED.
Ayes: Mayor Moore, Mayor Pro Tem Cokinos, Councilmembers Smith,
Goodson, Ames, Davis, and Patterson
Noes: None
*Administration of the oath of office.
Municipal Court Judge James McNicholas administered the Oath of Office to Lulu L. Smith, Ward
Councilmember, Guy N. Goodson, Ward II Councilmember, John K. Davis, Ward III
Councilmember, and Bobbie J. Patterson, Ward IV Councilmember, and presented them with
Certificates of Election. Judge McNicholas extended congratulations to the elected
Councilmembers and to the leadership of Council.
Mayor Pro Tem Cokinos congratulated the Ward Councilmembers upon their reelection, said he
looks forward to serving and working with each one in the coming year toward a better Beaumont.
Councilmember Ames joined in congratulating the Ward Councilmembers, said she has come to
know each one individually and is proud of them.
Mayor Moore said our city's image and reputation is improved or marred by the handling of the
election process or extremes that some may chose. Mayor Moore congratulated the elected
officials, said he looks forward to another outstanding year, said that the past two years working
with this Council has been good. He said much has been done, but there is more to do for the city
and he will work toward that end.
The meeting recessed at 1:47 p.m. for a reception to welcome the newly installed Councilmembers.
RECONVENE MEETING
The City Council meeting reconvened at 2:05 p.m. with a moment of silent prayer for the parents
and family members of the recently deceased teens from Lamar University's Texas Academy for
Leadership in the Humanities and for another teen drowning death at Village Creek.
*Presentations and Recognition
Four Proclamations were issued: "May Magic," May 10, 1997 (an outdoor celebration of art for
children with other special activities sponsored by the Art Museum--replacing Kaleidoscope);
"National Tourism Week," May 4-10, 1997; "National Transportation Week," May 12-17, 1997;
and "Day of Remembrance of the Victims of the Holocaust," May 4, 1997.
*Public Comment: Persons may speak on scheduled agenda items
Citizens were invited to comment on the consent and main agendas.
Mrs. Gethrel "Get" Williams, 4495 Fortune Lane, addressed Council regarding the ordinance
canvassing the election. As a candidate for Ward IV, Mrs. Williams congratulated Councilmember
Minutes;5/6/97;Page 2
Bobbie Patterson and extended a hand of friendship. She said their goals are the same-"to do
everything we can for our community," and invited Council to call upon her for service.
Mr. Ed Matuszak, representing Foster Wheeler, addressed Council regarding Agenda Item 1. Mr.
Matuszak urged award of the contract to Foster Wheeler, said it is the low bid and unconditional.
He said that rebidding construction of the landfill cell would cause additional expenses for the City
and material costs might increase for the bidders. Mr. Matuszak apologized for any
misinterpretation of Foster Wheeler's bid.
*Consent Agenda
The following consent agenda items were considered:
* Approval of the minutes of the regular meeting held April 29, 1997;
* Confirmation of committee appointments - No appointments made
A) Authorize the settlement of a claim (Darwin Williams, $4,000) Resolution No. 97-103
B) Authorize the extension of a contract to provide EMS Services to Emergency Services
District#1 (one year renewal at $4,228.88) - Resolution No. 97-104
Mayor Pro Tem Cokinos moved to approve the Consent Agenda.
Councilmember Davis seconded the motion. MOTION PASSED.
Ayes: Mayor Moore, Mayor Pro Tem Cokinos, Councilmembers
Smith, Goodson, Ames, Davis, and Patterson
Noes: None
GENERAL BUSINESS
1. Consider an action relating to bids on a contract for the construction of a fourteen
acre landfill cell.
After discussion, Mayor Pro Tem Cokinos moved to adopt Resolution
No. 97-105 rejecting bids received on April 7, 1997, for construction of
a fourteen acre solid waste disposal cell in order to revise the bid
specifications to remove any potential misunderstanding for bidders.
Councilmember Ames seconded the motion. MOTION PASSED.
Ayes: Mayor Moore, Mayor Pro Tem Cokinos, Councilmembers
Smith, Goodson, Ames, Davis, and Patterson
Noes: None
Minutes;5/6/97;Page 3
2. Consider authorizing a contract to replace the roof on structures at the Water
Production Plant located at 1550 Pine Street.
Councilmember Smith moved to approve Resolution No. 97-106
authorizing a contract with G & G Enterprises in the amount of
$98,600.00 for removing the existing concrete tile roof system and
installing a metal roof with gutters and trim on buildings at the Water
Production Plant located at 1550 Pine Street. Councilmember Ames
seconded the motion. MOTION PASSED.
Ayes: Mayor Moore, Mayor Pro Tem Cokinos, Councilmembers
Smith, Goodson, Ames, Davis, and Patterson
Noes: None
3. Consider authorizing a contract for the exterior painting of structures located at the
Water Production Plant.
Mayor Pro Tem Cokinos moved to adopt Resolution No. 97-107 authorizing
a contract with BRC Painting, Inc. in the amount of$29,229.00 to repair and
paint exterior masonry and concrete walls at the Water Treatment Plant.
Councilmember Goodson seconded the motion. MOTION PASSED.
Ayes: Mayor Moore, Mayor Pro Tem Cokinos, Councilmembers
Smith, Goodson, Ames, Davis, and Patterson
Noes: None
COMMENTS
* Councilmembers comment on various matters
Councilmember Smith thanked her constituents for their votes, said she is looking forward
to the next two years and thanked Council and Staff for their support.
Councilmember Ames commented that the luncheon at Carrabba's raised over $5,000 for
the American Diabetes Foundation, congratulated Councilmembers for being reelected, and
added congratulations to events sponsored by Boys Haven, the Garden Club and the Cinco
de Mayo festivities.
Councilmember Davis thanked Ward III citizens for the opportunity of serving them again,
said he is most pleased with the fairness of fellow Councilmembers, complimented Roberto
Flores and those involved with the Cinco de Mayo celebration and told him that there has
Minutes;5/6/97;Page 4
been discussion by Mayor Pro Tem Cokinos, Councilmembers Ames and Smith, and himself
about how to make the celebration better next year and eliminate some of the problems
encountered this year.
Councilmember Patterson thanked God, family, friends, voters, and Mr. Eddie Senigaur (for
in kind services) for help with the election. She added appreciation to the Beaumont
Enterprise and thanked the Beaumont Baptist Ministers Union and the Beaumont Police
Association for their endorsement of her as a candidate. Councilmember Patterson
expressed pride in serving on the Council, said a great deal has been accomplished in the
past two years and is grateful for the opportunity to complete projects and initiate others in
the next two years. She thanked Council for being a great team and thanked all the
neighborhood associations, resident councils and different groups that have worked with
her during her tenure.
Mayor Moore congratulated reelected Ward Councilmembers, commented about children's
day being a great event at the YMBL Rodeo and other accommodations they provide for
youth, elderly and handicapped, thanked the cowboys for donating their time, referred to a
Community Leaders Breakfast given by the Masonic Grand Lodge of Texas Saturday
morning, said they were appreciative of local Councils and service groups and that it was
a good opportunity to learn about their programs and charitable acts, thanked the City Clerk
and her staff for an excellent election process and thanked Mr. Flores for chairing Cinco de
Mayo, and said that together we will strive to make it better.
* Public Comment (Persons are limited to 3 minutes)
Mr. Benny Mendosa, 5655 South Kenneth, congratulated winners of the election, reported
a trash pickup effort in the vicinity of Avenue A and C, Forsythe and Wall Street Saturday
morning by seven citizens and displayed at tee shirt designed for The Avenues
Neighborhood Association.
Mrs. Paubla Ydrogo added congratulations to Ward Councilmembers, said she participated
in the trash pickup and the Paint-A-Thon of three houses in her neighborhood,
congratulated Mr. Flores for his work with Cinco de Mayo and announced their next meeting
will be May 19.
Mr. Lynn DeMary, 430 East Elgie, announced that next week will be National Police Week
and National Preservation Week and that Citizens On Patrol and several neighborhood
associations plan to honor our Police Department, said the Federation of Neighborhood
Associations, Historical Landmark Commission, Heritage Society and Beaumont Main Street
will be giving a preservation award in recognition of significant events, thanked Council for
the Paint-A-Thon and for their participation, said three houses in South Park were painted,
and commented about a newspaper article describing strip joints along M. L. King Parkway,
said it is a concern of citizens and asked that Council work with Jefferson County toward
adopting an ordinance that would affect those kind of operations.
Minutes;5/6/97;Page 5
Mr. Roberto Flores, 2425 Buchanan, thanked Mayor Moore for assistance at the Cinco de
Mayo Fiesta Sunday morning, related an incident between City employees seemingly
caused by decisions of department heads relating to the sound system, spoke of low
employee morale caused by forced directives and asked for Council investigation, related
some Cinco de Mayo history and the effect it can have on tourism and presenting a good
image of Beaumont, thanked Mayor Moore for his help and said that another site for the
13th annual Cinco de Mayo celebration is being considered.
Mrs. Paubla Ydrogo, 1590 Gilbert, again addressed Council to report that the DARE
graduation was held yesterday, thanked Officer Martin, the Police Department and
Councilmembers Ames and Cokinos.
Officer Martin addressed Council to encourage children between 12 and 16 years to enroll
in the YALE Program conducted by the Police Department. Officer Martin said the program
is for those interested in law enforcement and is free. Parents need only to provide
transportation to and from the Police Department for the three week program held during
the first three weeks of June and July. The children will observe SWAT team training, a
mock trial held by the District Attorney, witness a K-Nine demonstration, and tour the prison
system. The deadline is May 23 and additional information may be obtained by calling 880-
3825.
Mayor Moore said this is a truly excellent program and strongly encouraged participation
in the summer reading program at the libraries for children.
EXECUTIVE SESSION
*Executive Session in accordance with Section 551.071 of the Government Code to
discuss contemplated or pending litigation:
Christopher Mark Porter v. City of Beaumont et al
There being no further business, the meeting recessed at 3:03 p.m. to reconvene in executive
session.
Mayor David W. Moore
Patrice Fogarty, , i Cler
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