Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAboutMIN DEC 09 1997 M I N U T E S CITY OF BEAIJMONT Lulu L.smith DAVID W. MOORE, MAYOR Becky Ames,Mayor Pro Tem Guy N.Goodson CITY COUNCIL MEETING Andrew P.Cokinos John K.Davis DECEMBER 9,1997 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 December 9, 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 Roil 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 Charles Johnson, New Life Tabernacle Church, gave the invocation. U. S. Attorney Michael Bradford led the pledge of allegiance. Present at the meeting were: Mayor Moore, Mayor Pro Tern 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 Mr. Hovey Zemial and Mr. Dave Cook with HEB Pantry Foods presented Council a Christmas gift of a large coconut cake, thanked Council for past support of their community program and announced that the 6th annual HEB Pantry Foods Feast of Sharing Holiday Dinner will be held Friday, December 19, from 3:00 p.m. -7:00 p.m. at the Beaumont Civic Center. The ham dinner and trimmings is open to the public and free to all who attend. Mayor Moore thanked HER for coming forward each year and sharing with the citizens, spoke of the great number of volunteers that serve the dinner and thanked NEB for their great commitment for many years. Mrs. Bonnie Cokinos, on behalf of the Beaumont Ballet Theater and the Beaumont Ballet Theater Guild, thanked Council for financial support to the Arts Council. Because of the grant, the On Stage Ballet program was presented to local fifth grade school children in two performance. Students currently enrolled in the dance department at Ozen Middle School were featured with dancers from the Ballet Theater and Guild. In appreciation, Mrs. Cokinos presented Council with roses and candy. Mayor Moore told Mrs. Cokinos that Council is happy to be part of an outreach to bring culture to young people and give them opportunity to express their talent and abilities. U. S. Attorney Michael Bradford reported that a federal grant program administered by the U. S. Department of Justice called Weed and Seed is available. Mr. Bradford introduced and acknowledged U. S. Marshall Norris Batiste, Police Chief Tom Scofield, Mr. Duncan Woodford and Mr. Raymond Chaisson as participants in applying for designation into the Weed and Seed grant program for the Charlton Pollard neighborhood. Mr. Bradford said the grant program is intended to bring together federal, state and local law enforcement with other community leaders to target neighborhoods that have crime problems and deteriorating living editions and try to work in a concentrated effort to weed out the criminal element and bring additional resources and coordinate existing resources to prevent future crimes in the area. Mr. Bradford said first, a neighborhood must be chosen and submitted to the Justice Department as a Weed and Seed site. The Charlton Pollard area is the choice for Beaumont. After the application is submitted and accepted, the site will be designated and then applications may be made for a variety of grants that includes funding for an after school program. Charlton Pollard was chosen because of the development that has already begun there. Mr. Bradford requested a formal endorsement from Council to submit to the Justice Department. Council expressed appreciation and interest in this opportunity and asked questions regarding administration, duration and uses of the grant funds. Traffic Engineer Jim Cline reported that effective December 8 through December 23, 1997, bus service hours will be extended from 6:30 p.m. to 10:30 p.m. The last bus will leave Parkdale Mail at 9:00 p.m., the last lineup at the transfer point will be at 9:30 p.m. and fares will be reduced to $.25 cents after 5:00 p.m. He said the "Santa Express° will leave Parkdale Mall to the transfer point every half hour from 5:30 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. and said there has been advertising on radio, television and the newspaper to make citizens aware of this additional holiday service. Mr. Cline credited Mr. Bill Munson and all of the bus drivers as going the extra mile to insure the quality of this additional holiday service. In addition, he announced that Christmas light tours are scheduled for December 14 and 21 that will last 60 to 90 minutes. Cost for the tour will be$3.00 per person and buses will depart at 7:00 p.m. and return to Parkdale Mail. Also, buses will be detoured from Pearl to Main Street to allow pick-up and drop-off at the Civic Center for the Feast of Sharing on December 19, and that day will be a"nickel fare day"for all riders. Council expressed appreciation for this additional service that will accommodate holiday shopping and those working evening hours during the holiday season. *Public Comment: Citizens were invited to comment on the consent and main agendas. 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 November 25, 1997; * Confirmation of committee appointments - Resolution No. 97-308 Mhutw,12 M97;Page 2 A) Accept improvements constructed in Windsor Gardens, Section Two(Lots 5&6, Block 1, Lots 10-19, Block 2)for City maintenance- Resolution No. 97-309 B) Approve amended fees charged by the Beaumont Yacht Club -Resolution No. 97-310 C) Approve resolution accepting truancy cases from the Beaumont Independent School District Resolution No. 97-311 Councilmember Cokinos moved to approve the Consent Agenda. 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 GENERAL 13USINESS 1. Consider amending Chapter 2 112 of the Code of Ordinances relating to regulations and fees for burglary alarm systems Councilmember Smith moved to approve Ordinance No. 97-65 ENTITLED AN ORDINANCE AMENDING CHAPTER 2!2 OF THE CODE OF ORDINANCES OF BEAUMONT TO AMEND REGULATIONS AND FEES CONCERNING BURGLARY ALARM SYSTEMS,PROVIDING FOR SEVERABILITY;PROVIDING FOR REPEAL. Councilmember Davis seconded the motion. MOTION PASSED. Ayes: Mayor Moore, Mayor Pro Tem Ames, Councilmembers Smith, Goodson, Cokinos, Davis, and Patterson Noes: None 2. Consider approving a contract for the 11th Street Pavement Widening Project Councilmember Patterson moved to approve Resolution No. 97-312 authorizing a contract with Excavators & Constructors, Inc. in the amount of $1,750,000 for the 11th Street pavement widening project. Mayor Pro Tem Ames seconded the motion. MOTION PASSED. Ayes: Mayor Moore, Mayor P;o Tem Ames, Councilmembers Smith, Goodson, Cokinos, Davis, and Patterson Noes: None 3. Consider approving the purchase of pursuit vehicle for use in the Police Department Minutes;12)M/07;Page 3 After discussion regarding Preference of local purchasing, cost effectiveness and the Texas Cooperative Purchasing Program, Mayor Pro Tem Ames moved to approve Resolution No. 97-313 authorizing purchase of 25 police pursuit vehicles from Northsider Ford of San Antonio, the State of Texas Cooperative Purchasing Program's vendor in 1998, in the amount of$491,050. Councilmember Goodson seconded the motion. MOTION PASSED. Ayes: Mayor Moore, Mayor Pro Tem Ames, Councilmembers Smith, Goodson, Cokinos, Davis, and Patterson Noes: None 4. Consider approving an annual contract for grounds maintenance services and litter removal at City facilities and speed areas within Beaumont's Central Business District Councilmember Patterson moved to approve Resolution No. 97-314 authorizing a contract with Beaumont Products and Services in the amount of$8,560 per month for a total annual expenditure of$102,720. Councilmember Davis seconded the motion. MOTION PASSED. Ayes: Mayor Moore, Mayor Pro Tem Ames, Councilmembers Smith, Goodson, Cokinos, Davis, and Patterson Noes: None 5. Consider approving an annual contract for mowing vacant privately owned property Councilmember Smith moved to approve Resolution No. 97-315 authorizing a contract with Yardboy Lawncere for an estimated annual expenditure of$56,578.56. Councilmember Davis seconded the motion. MOTION PASSED. Ayes: Mayor Moore, Mayor Pro Tem Ames, Councilmembers Smith, Goodson, Cokinos, Davis, and Patterson Noes: None 6. Consider approving a one-year contract with BUiLD, Inc. to promote the revitalization and development of downtown Beaumont Councilmember Smith moved to approve Resolution No. 97-316 authorizing a one-year contract in the amount of $25,000 with BUILD, Inc. to promote the revitalization and development of downtown Beaumont in cooperation the Texas Mainstreet Projects and the National Mainstreet Center. Councilmember Davis seconded the motion. MOTION PASSED. WMUb ;12 MR;Page 4 Ayes: Mayor Moore, Mayor Pro Tern Ames, Councilmembers Smith, Goodson, Cokinos, Davis, and Patterson Noes: None COMMENTS *Councilmembers comment on various matters: Councilmember Goodson complimented Councilmember Davis on his remarks as the presenter at the Mainstreet meeting at the Jefferson Theatre this morning, said he is proud of the board members and their continued advances in development of downtown Beaumont, announce that Councilmember Smith received a five-year brick for her tenure on the board, and thanked Police Chief Tom Scofield and the Target Corporation for cooperative efforts in establishment of a police sub-station on the parking lot at the Target Shopping Center. Councilmember Goodson said he was privileged to substitute for Mayor Moore at a meeting with Secretary of Transportation Rodney Slater along with U. S. Marshall Batiste and several other leaders throughout Jefferson County. He said Mr. Slater presented a number of very interesting infraastructure transportation improvement programs, including the Jefferson County Airport. He complimented the U. S. Marshall, County Commissioners and County Mudge for bringing forth a number of projects that could help the Mole area, as well as the City of Beaumont. Councilmember Goodson said the Secretary of Transportation listened and was very responsive to the issues raised. Councilmember Smith added appreciation for the police sub-station at the Target Shopping Center parking lot, said it will be very accessible for the police officers and give citizens a sense of security, said the Mainstreet program this morning was wonderful and highly commended Carolyn Howard for doing a fantastic job working with Mainstreet and BUILD. Councilmember Smith said Beaumont was well represented at the National League of Cities conference last week, said it was a very good conference and that as part of the National League of Cities Human Development Committee, she experienced a most interesting six- hour tour of the Amish community in Lancaster County. She commented about the strenuous, farming lifestyle of the community, and said that 85% of the children choose to remain on the farms and continue the Amish way of life that offers a simple, hard-working, and close knit environment, and that we might all learn from their example. Mayor Pro Tern Ames also congratulated Carolyn Howard and BUILD for their efforts for downtown development and revitalization. Councilmember Davis asked Traffic Engineer Jim Cline and Entergy to look at relighting the Avenues east of College and requested that drainage problems from the 1800 to 2200 block of Tulane be investigated and said the major problem seemed to be in the 1900 block. He commented about receiving information at the NLC meeting from the Census Bureau Minutes;12/CW7;Page 5 regarding an actual growth measure for a city. He relayed that a true measure is not in Population alone, but in the number of homes being built and the number of jobs coming in from development. Councilmember Patterson said she learned a lot from the National League of Cities Conference, thanked Mayor Moore for guidance, support and explanation of topics discussed at the sessions and thanked the City Manager and City staff for moving forward with the 11th Street project. Mayor Moore said Marion Dale was a tremendous host for National League of Cities Conference, that he especially enjoyed the interaction between Mr. Dale and General Colin Powell and said he looks forward to General Powell being in our community next month for the Entergy Museum Blowout. He thanked Councilmember Goodson for greeting Secretary of Transportation Rodney Slater, said Target is a great corporate sponsor and that not only are they providing space for the police sub-station, but are supplying the computer and are very happy to be a participant in this endeavor. Mayor Moore thanked former Mayor Maury Meyers for the article printed in the Enftq)dse regarding the state of Beaumont's growth and the gathering of statistics. In response to Mayor Moo re's inquiry, Carolyn Howard reported that for every public dollar invested in downtown revitalization, $22 is rece Private sector. ived from the " Public Comment (Persons are limited to 3 minutes) Mr. Frank Gaddis, 1111 Ivy, presented an unofficial petition to the City Clerk with approximately nineteen names of neighbors who support installation of a four-foot wide sidewalk starting at the curb on Westgate from Dowlen Road to Peyton Drive instead of three feet from the curb as planned by the City of Beaumont. Mr. Gaddis said this installation would be less expensive for the City and easier for citizens to maintain. Mr. Mark Williford, 6395 Westgate, addressed Council to request an update a pro d ordinance regulating sexually-oriented businesses and requested that citizens be able to Of pose review the ordinance before Council passage. Mayor Moore told Mr. Williford there was a meeting yesterday with the City Attorney and Councilmember Patterson r ordinance will be brought forward in workshop next week sported that the Mr. Raymond Chaisson, 1130 Lamar, addressed Council regarding enforcement of the junked motor vehicle ordinance and was instructed to notify City staff of any particular addresses that are in violation. Ms. Carolyn Howard,6550 Lexington, thanked Council for their words of support, for their leadership and vision for downtown Beaumont and for the resolution passed today authorizing a contract with BUILD. Ms. Howard distributed copies of their commented in every single project mentioned, the City of eaumont hdlramatically Vmutes:12/0.4197:Page 8 impacted that progress. She reported that a $10 million milestone in reinvestment in downtown Beaumont was reached last month with about$6.3 in private funds, said that City Manager Ray Riley has always been available to assist them and again thanked Council and Mayor Moore for their support. Mr.Allen Lee, 5095 Maddox, addressed Council to state that Sunday bus service is needed for those wishing to attend church services, said a petition to place term limitation on the election ballot will be filed if Council does not proceed with the issue, said the City Clerk's office has permission to give his telephone number to any interested citizen. Mr. Lee said one of the reasons for wanting tern limits is conflict of interest and cited what he feels are examples, spoke of a Civilian Review Board and said he will appear on the Jack Pieper radio broadcast this afternoon. Ms. Pabla Ydrogo, 1590 Gilbert, addressed Council regarding the Avenues Neighborhood Association, the president living outside the neighborhood and a need for more cleanup in the area. EXECUTIVE SESSION *Executive Session in accordance with Section 551.071 of the Government Code to discuss contemplated or pending litigation: Sarah Bertrand v. City of Beaumont Linda Frederick et al v. City of Beaumont Claim of Southwestern Bell There being no further business, the meeting adjourned at 3:05 p.m. to reconvene in executive session. Mayor David W. Moore r Patrice Fogarty, Clerl MhAse,12 M97,Page 7