HomeMy WebLinkAboutMIN MAR 31 1987 REGULAR SESSION
CITY COUNCIL - CITY OF BEkU40,1'r
HELD MARCH 31, 1987 - 7:00 P.M.
WEST BROOK NINTH GRADE CAMPUS
BE IT RE-MEMBERED that the City Council of the City of Beaumont, Texas, met in
regular session this the 31st day of March, 1987, with the following present:
HONORABLE: Maurice Meyers Mayor
Bob Lee, Jr. Councilman At Large
Andrew P. Cokinos Councilman At Large
Nell Pruitt Welsbach Councilman, Ward I
Mike Brumley Councilman, Ward II
Audwin SaTuel Councilman, Ward III
David W. Moore Councilman, Ward IV
Betty Dunkerley Director of Finance acting
for City Mariager
Lane Nichols City Attorney
-000-
The Invocation was given by Rabbi Peter Hyman, Temple Emanuel.
The Pledge of Allegiance was led by Councilman Weisbach.
-000-
MAYOR MEYERS:
Some of you may have had opportunity to see and read in the media about two
young Israeli students who are visiting here and I asked, in response to Rabbi
Hy4Dan's coming tonight, that he would come and share Just a little bit about
this exchange program and I believe we ha,!e one of your students with you,
Rabbi, and we would like for you to come to the microphone for a momnent and
share with the group a little le bit of the program and the students and what
they do.
RAP PETER HYMAN:
Thank you, Mr. Mayor. Visiting in our area this week, from Sunday to this
coming Thursday, are two of twenty-three pair-r of high school students from
Israel that are touring, not only the UnitedStates, but other parts of the
world. They are on a cultural education exchange. Someone once said that
"Nations sign agreements but people build relationships. " And, one of the
things they are trying to do is build relationships with American youth. They
have been in several of the Port Arthur high schools in the last two days
teaching and talking with their contemporaries and their peers, talking about
teenagers, not only in Israel but comparing it to America.
-113- March 31 , 1987
RABBI HYMAN continued:
I had to chuckle. Avi, the young man who is with me this evening, said that
he was expecting cowboys and Indians and people on horseback. He didn't
expect to find Texas as, I guess, as industrialized and sophisticated as he
found it. I suspect that we in the United States share similar thoughts
about the Middle East and perhaps Israel with camels and deserts and Bedouins
walking around on . . . riding camels. Any time that we can participate in a
program that brings people closer together that helps us understand the
differences that exist between people and confront those differences, we are
always better off. These programs do indeed build relationships that can have
great impact on the future. We are pleased that, certainly the Jewish
community in both Port Arthur and Beaumont, has been able to participate in
this and I am glad and pleased that I could present our guests to you. Thank
you.
-MAYOR MEYER S:
I'll come down; that will be easier. Avi-, I think if you would come forward,
please. Avi Peer is hosted by the family of Al and Estaline Dugan and their
son, Seth, I believe is here tonight. I think the other young woman is
that pronounced Yael (Yael Bogin)? Is that how it Is pronounced.
AVI PEER: Yael . . . yes.
MAYOR KEYERS:
Yael, okay, well, that was pretty close, and her host family is Barry and Lisa
Davis. I saw you on television and you come across very well. Have you had
some Cajun food?
AVI PEER: Cajun food? Yes, today we had gumbo.
MAYOR MEYIE4S:
Good. 11
1� Vi e L1, we would like to first share with you what we prize most and
that's our people and our citizenry and make both of you "honorary citizens"
of our c ornm u n i ty and this means that for the rest of your stay here you must
behave. The Chief is sitting right here and he knows this won't do a thing
other than when you get home and we would like you both to have little symbols
of the "keys to our City" that you can use on your lapel pins or in your tie
and I hope that the rest of your stay is enjoyable and we welcome any comments
and observations that you care to make.
AVI PEER:
First of all, thanks a lot. Thank you very, very much and we are very, very
honored to get those two symbols and thank you.
MAYOR MEYERS: Thank you.
-114- March 31 , 1987
MAYOR MEYERS:
Next, on behalf of all the members of City Council, we are going to take
opportunity to do something tonight that may or may not be here final
performance as a regular member of City Council; but we don't predict
elections and we don't predict runoffs; but we know that the election is
Saturday and we know that this lady has served our community extremely well
and I think it is reflected in the feelings and opinions of the citizens of
the community when you talk about Councilmernber Nell Weisbach. So, Rande
(Jones, Administrative Aide) if you would bring that forward. (A bouquet of
Red Roses were presented to Mrs. Weisbach. ) On behalf of your cohorts here at
City Council, we want to say we what a pleasure it's been serving with you.
We know we may have you for another week to three weeks, but, in any case,
this is just a small reflection of the appreciation of your fellow members of
Council and certainly mine. It's been a pleasure working with you and I know
you will enjoy yourself out on the ranch and, as always, please say something
so that we can take opportunity to hear you again.
COUNCILMAN NEELL, WEISBACH:
Well, it has been a pleasure working for our City because we had one goal and
that is to better our community and it's been a pleasure working with these
gentlemen and I will miss you but I haven't stopped working. Thank you.
MAYOR MEYERS:
I'd like to introduce the other part of the Weisbach family, Dr. Phillip
Weisbach, who is here with us tonight. Phillip, we thank you and the City
appreciates the time that you've shared Nell with us as a valuable member of
Council. Thank you.
-000-
MAYOR MEYERS:
As 'I mentioned earlier, the Town Meeting is specifically to enable citizens
who work during the day or don't have opportunity to come to the Council
meetings to, at least once a quarter, come to a session such as this. The
agendas are usually by design not extensive but some material there so that
those in attendance would have have opportunity to feel and see What the
normal Council would be like.
But, we do encourage, at the conclusion, any and all questions -r-21ative to any
subject at all, specifically about your Ward or about the entire 'City. No
holds are barred. If you 'feel like saying something that you think is wrong,
say it. If there's a question asked and the question perhaps is not able to
be answered tonight . . . in a moment I am going to introduce Betty D-unkerley
who is filling in for our City Manager and she will make you aware of the
diversity of our department heads that are here tonight so that if you have
some question that might even move away from the actual issues on our
workshop, that's fine. They are here to answer questions for you.
-115- March 31 , 1987
MAYOR MEYERS continued:
The big point is if we don't have the answer, if it is something that needs
some investigation, why the department heads are here. They'll take down your
name and address which you would give . . . whoever speaks at the mike gives
your name and address, but anyway, and then we will make sure you get your
answer. And, I would like to introduce our Director of Finance, Betty
Dunkerley. Our City Manager is at a conference this week and Betty Dunkerley
is ably sitting in for him and I'd like her to take a moment and ask those
department :-reads and others that are here to stand and be recognized, mainly
so you will know if there is some question that you might want to direct to a
specific department head, make note of it and at the conclusion of our meeting
why please do ask that person a question. Betty . . .
MRS. BETTY Di NKERLEY, DIRECTOR OF FINANCE:
Before we make the introductions, I'd like to make you aware that there are
agendas at the lack of the auditorium, so if you came in late and would like
to go back and pick one up, feel free to do so. They are on a table back
there. As the Mayor said, my name is Betty Dunkerley and I am the Finance
Officer and tonight I am sitting in for the City Manager, Al Raines. He
extends to you good wishes for a good town meeting and wishes he could be with
US. As with each of the other town meetings, I would like to introduce the
department directors and as I call their names, I would like for them to stand
and so that you would begin to associate their names and faces. Some of these
are people that you've known a long time. Our Resource Manager, Max
ra tterson. Would you stand, Max? Our Fire Chief, C. A. Shelton; Police
Chief, Oeorge Schuldt; Director of Community Development, Sherrell Cockrell;
the Director of Conventioa Facilities, John Gorman; the Library Director,
Maturine Gray; Public Works Director, Tom Warner; Director of mater utilities,
S. A. Webb and the Health Department Director, Dr. Avilla Arcala. And, these
-17e the department directors and we are all very happy to be hear and we will
be available to answer questions when the Mayor opens the forum up for
questions later. >'' a'tk you v-ary much.
-00o-
The following Consent Agenda item was considered:
Resolution 87-67 authorizing settlement of a claim brought against the City by
Maudry Williams for bodily injuries and property damage resulting from a
collision on IH-10 involving Mrs. Williams vehicle and a City sanitation truck
($3,871 .44 for settlement of the property damage and k4,000 for of
the bodily injuries and associated costs) was approved on a motion made by
Councilman Lee and seconded by Councilman Moore.
Question: Ayes: All Nayes: None
-000-
No one wished to address Council on Agenda Items C through D.
-116- March 31, 1987
An ordinance changing the zoning from RM-H (Residential Multiple Family-
Highest Density) to LI (Light Industrial) for property on the northeast side
of Orange Avenue at Gilbert Street described as the north 45 feet of Lot 63,
Lots 61 and 62, Block 6, and Lots 52, 53 and 54, Block 5, Crary Addition
(requested by Stephen R. Ingraham, president of I-Corp, Inc. , to allow for
expansion) was considered:
AN ORDINANCE
ENTITLED AN ORDINANCE AMENDING CHAPTER 30 OF
THE CODE OF ORDINANCES OF BEAU MONT, TEXAS, AND
IN PARTICULAR THE BOUNDARIES OF THE ZONING
DISTRICTS AS INDICATED UPON THE ZONING MAP OF
BEAUMONT, TEXAS,BY CHANGING THE ZONING FROM
RM-H (RESIDENTIAL MULTIPLE FAMILY DWELLING-
HIGHEST DENSITY DISTRICT) TO LI (LIGHT INDUSTRIAL
DISTRICT) ON PROPERTY DESCRIBED AS THE NORTH 45'
OF LOT 68, LOTS 61 AND 62, BLOCK 6, LOTS 58, 59
AND 60 AND LOTS 52, 53 AN-D 54, BLOCK 5, CRARY
ADDITION, BEAUMONT, -JEFFERSON COUNTY, TEXAS;
PROVIDING FOR SEVERABILITY; PROVIDING FOR
REPEAL AND PROVIDING A PENALTY.
MAYOR MEYERS:
As Council was made aware, there was a petition presented today at our
Workshop and this was presented by Lin Owen and collected by Anna Sanchez of
1950 Avenue B who collected ri'umierous signatures (petitions contains
approximately 65 signatures) stating "WE, THE UNDERSIGNED RESIDENTS OF THE
CRARY ADDITION' AND THE FLETCHER ELEMENTARY SCHOOL NEI,3HBORHOOD, ARE AGAINST I-
CORP-S PROPOSED ZONING CHANGE TO LIGHT INDUSTRIAL:" - this being the first
opportunity to formally read that to Council. I know there has been extensive
" n
research i*n contacting tacting and studies done. . . . . .
COUNCILqAN LEE:
Mayor, 1 would suggest, of course and I don't think it comes as a shock to
anyone, that jobs are the number one issue here in Beaumont. We want to do
everything that we can to make sure that some of the busine'sses who are able
to provide jobs for individuals continue to have that opportunity and I think
we all share in the desire to make sure that Mr. Ingraham has every
opportunity to continue to prosper. In conversations that have had with the
Director of Planning as well as with Mr. Ingraham, it appears that tbare could
well be a compromise that could be created that would allow Mr. Ingraham, some
opportunity to expand his operation, yet still guarantee the neighborhood that
he, as a good neighbor, continue to be able to operate in that regards a-lid
that because he is such a good neighbor to the neighborhood, be had consented
to . . . I'm proposing to table this for two weeks pending some conversations
between ourselves and the Planning Department. The Planning Department would
take their recommendation to the Planning Commission and we might be able to
cone forward on this issue to two weeks.
-117- March 31 , 1937
COUNCILMAN LEE continued:
Therefore, I would move that we table the motion or table the action for two
weeks.
-
COUNCILMAN BRUMLEY: Second.
MAYOR MEYERS:
May I ask if you would elaborate a little bit further on what you might
propose that would create this situation?
COUNCILMAN LEE:
Yes, it's obvious or at least it's concerned that that zoning designation that
applies to Mr. Ingraham's activities is a relatively broad designation - that
being Light Industrial. Mr. Ingraham's activities certainly do fall within
that classification. It appears that there could well be a need for a new
classification, new zoning classification -that would allow activities that are
in operation currently that have a relatively minor impact on a neighborhood
and can operate within that neighborhood for some period of time without
creating any adverse effect on it, and because of the fact that Mr. Ingraham
and his activity has been such that it has not detracted from the
neighborhood, then this new zoning . . . or the thought is that this new zoning
classification could be created that had some specific criteria under which
the existing activity was operated and would not be as extreme or as intensive
use as Light Industrial.
Question called on the motion to table the action for two weeks was called.
;yes: All Nayes: None
-000-
Resolution 87-68 authorizing a settlement of litigation related to the
contract with Midwest Mechanical Contractors for the water plant expansion and
I
mprovement project was considered:
RESOLUTION 87-68
BE IT RESOLVED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CIFY OF BE•AUMONT: THAT the City
Manager be, andhe is hereby, authorized to execute a settle,�ent agreement in
Midwest Mechanical Contractors, Inc. , vs. City of Beaumont, et al , No. B-85-
859-CA, in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Texas
and thepayment of Forty Thousand Dollars ($40,000) to Midwest Mechanical
Contractors, Inc. , from retainage previously withheld from said corporation.
PASSED BY THE CITY COUNCIL of the City of Beaumont this the 31st day of March,
1987.
/s/ Maurice Meyers
- Mavor - _
-118- March 31 , 1937
This resolution approves negotiated settlement in the litigation between the
City and its contractor for the $6.1 million project when the contractor
refused to replace 12 chemical metering pumps which were found to be
defective. The City withheld the contractor's retainage and sued the
contractor for $71,666 for cost of replacement of pumps Including installation
of materials, labor and testing. The contractor sued the City for its
re tainage. Agreement was reached whereby Midwest would receive $85,000, with
$45,500 to be paid by Chemcon, Inc. , manufacturer of the defective pumps, and
the remaining $40,000 would be paid by the City.
Resolution 87-63 was approved on a motion made by Counclman Colkinos and
seconded by Councilman Lee.
Question: Ayes: All Nayes: None
-000-
Resolution 87-69 accepting the work performed under a contract with Blacksher
and Son, Inc. , for construction of the 11-th and North Streets Projects of the
Comprehensive Drainage Program (work consisted of installing storm sewers and
larger catch basins to serve a 358-acre area in the vicinity of Interstate 10
East and 11th Street and a 236-acre area in the vicinity of St. Elizabeth
Hospital and the Gaylynn Center), approving Change Order No. 3 adding
$2,272. 50 to reflect actual materials quantities used (contract completed at
$421 ,325.34 reflecting a reduction of $1,217.96 for out-of-specification Items
for surface finish and reflecting liquidated damages of $3,990 for 19 extra
-lays project co
required for completion of the prcomputed at $210.00 per day) and
d
authorizing final Day.-Rent, including the retainage withheld, at $33,280.46 was
considered:
RESOLUTION 87-69
149EREAS, on April 15, 1936, City Council awarded a contract to Blacksher
and Son, Inc. in the amount of $494,3194. 23 for 11th and North Streets Drainage
Project; and, WliEREAS, on September 2, 1936, Change Order No. I was exacuted
and on October 29, 1986, Change 0 r
-dar No. 2 was executed; and, WHEREAS,
Change Order No. 3 Is being submitted and will increase the contract amount to
reflect a $2$ 272. 50 difference between Change Order No. 2 and the final
C
estimate; and, WTH E R E A S, the project has been completed and is in accordance
with the plans and specifications;
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF T,iE CITY OF BEAUMONT:
RAT the e City "lanager be, and he is heraby, a-it"horized to execute Change
Order No. 3 to the contract between Blacksher and Son, Inc. and the City of
Beaumont, to accept the Ilth and North Street Drainage Project as being
coy-ilple te and to make final payment to Blacksher and Son, Inc. in the amount of
$33,230. 46.
PASSED BY THE CITY COUNCIL of the City of Beaumont this the 31st Day of
March, 1987.
/s/ Maurice Meyers
Mayor -
19- ?larch 31 , 1987
Resolution 87-69 was approved on a motion made by Councilman Weisbach and
seconded by Councilman Samuel.
Question: Ayes: All Mayes: None
-000-
Resolution 87-70 authorizing a contract for State participation at $8,450.00
.1 1 L-L
in the cost of an Urban Mass Transportation AdminIstral-lon grant-assisted
project in the amount of $65,000 for transit improvements to include the
purchase of a coin sorter/counter and repair of parking areas (federal grant
in the amount of $52,000, State at $8,450 and the City's share at $4,550) was
considered:
RESOLUTION 87-70
BE IT RESOLVED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF '—IdE CITY OF BEAUMONT:
rRIAT the City Manager be, and he is hereby, authorized to execute a
local/sta.te contract with the State Department of Highways and Public
Transportation to provide the state funding Public Transportation Project TX-
05-0133.
PASSED BY TqE CITY COUNCIL of the City of Beaumont this the 31st day of March,
1987.
Isl Maurice Meyers
M y
Resolution 87-70 was approved on a motion made by Councilman Moore and
seconded by Councilman Samuel.
question: Ayes: All Nayes : None
-000-
Appreciation for the use of the large portable sign announcing the time and
place for Town Meetings was expressed to Councilman Bob Lee.
Councilman Brumley reminded all to vote in the Saturday, April 4th, Sen-eral
Election.
-000-
COUI"ICILMAN LEE:
It is a great pleasure for me to be able to again, I know you haven't heard it
in a long time - most of you have not been to Council or ware not there last
year - we had an activity every Sunday afternoon that is called "Sunday in the
Park". Our last Sunday in the Park in 1936 was In late December and we have
been holding off for good weather and we anticipate that good weather to begin
April 5th and to end around November the 8th. What I am saying is that we
will begin Sunday in the Park in earnest, for the 1987 series - and Mayor and
Members of Council, I krould like for Sherry Commander to come forth. She has
a presentation.
-120- March 31 , 1987
MAYOR MEYERS:
I would mention this is one of our most active Sunday in the Park providers.
She did such a good job and had such a good time and the kids just loved it.
How many did you take.
MS. SHERRY COMMANDER: Three.
MAYOR MEYERS:
Three. Three of the thirty-two Sundays, Sherry Commander and her group led a
delightful Sunday afternoon. Now, you can speak.
0
MS. COMMANDER:
Thank you. As one of the sponsors, we have a present for you today for the
Mayor and the City Council. We would like to present you with official t-
shirts and hats for the 1987 Sunday in the Park.
COUNCILMAN LEE:
While she Is doing this, let me say that Sunday In the Park is an all
volunteer effort. Sherry is a volunteer, as a matter of fact. She does it
out of a love for the community as do all of those who host Sunday in the
Park. This year promises to be a great year.
COUNCILMAN BRUMLEY:
I've never seen anyone in all the Sunday in the Parks like Sherry that can
control 75 children of all ages as well as she can control these and have them
moving in all directions.
MAYOR-MEYERS: Thank you, very much.
COUNCILMAN T MOORE: Mayor, I nominate you for the first Sunday in the dunking
MAYO'l MEYERS: I am nominated. I've been nominated for some time.
MS. C 0 M M!A N D ER.
. . . We have really enjoyed Sunday in the Park. It has given us a chance . . .
we all work very hard Just to pay bills and it's nice to go or, Sunday and have
free entartainment. As Bob said, our first one begins April 5,1h and It is
I
sponsored by the Southeast Texas Association for the Education for Young
Children and the Department of Human Resources. Councilman Lee, as director
of Fashion Showcase, I would like to voli.intaer our company to help you with
yojr Clean Street Campaign. by adopting a street.
COUNCILMAN LEE: Terrific. Thank you, very much.
-121- March 31, 1987
MS. COMMANDER:
And, thank you again - you'll never shut me up - for the Economic Summit. it
really gave us a nice will to fight and you can feel the energy that you
caused. Thank you.
-MAYOR MEYERS:
Thank you very much, Sherry. Sunday in the Park began in May of last year
following a few Sundays where on one Sunday I think there were a dozen people,
another Sunday eight people and clearly on Sunday . . . every Sunday . . . one
Sunday we had over 7,000 people and many came and stated that "I've been out
of work. Were it not been for this activity, my children really couldn't have
that kind of fun and entertainment. " We do want to mention that It is
expanding in this sense. If you knit, sew, draw pictures, play a harmonica,
if you can juggle, if you can ride a tricycle, if you can do anything that
entertains or if you want to sell special things that you -make, we are opening
up the area between the Civic Center and the City Hall and people we want to
come on Sunday . . . John Gorman, the Director of Community Facilities, is the
person you need to contact and we hope that everybody, not only in Beaumont,
but throughout the entire area, will know that on Sunday in Beaumont, head
down to the Riverfront Park because something is going on that you'll enjoy.
And, so you are all invited, of course, to April 5th but, more importantly, if
you've done well making guilts and you think they'll sell, bring a table and
set yourself up in business. It will be just that simple.
-000-
COUNCILMAN WEILSBACH: Well, Gentlemen, I want to thank you for my roses. It's
got beer a Sed of roses working this past three years but it has been a
Pleasure and it's been a real revelation to realize there are so many
dedicated People to give so much of their time and all for the good of our
City. Thank you.
COUNCILMAN MOOSE: Mayor, I would just like to say that I am encouraged by the
attendar-2a of the citizens tonight and that it Is great to have so mn3ny out
and I think the program will be fruitful as well as extremely Informative and
would like to address this from Council to 'Know that we are awfully glad that
you are here and just so that you will have opportunity to understand even
better what we try to do on a day-to-day basis and 'Look forward to a great
question and answer session.
COUNCILIMAN COKTNOS: Thank you, Mayor. As City Councilman At Large, I
certainly do appreciate the opportunity to be in Councilman Moore's Ward and I
am sure that if there's any needs that this Ward has, I know that they will be
well taken care of by Councilman Moore. Thank you very much.
-122- March 31 , 1937
The progress report on the West Oakland/Pear Orchard Neighborhood Plan was
presented by Mr. Norman Whitaker, Director of Planning, and Mr. Ralph Moore,
Neighborhood Planner.
MR. WHITAKER:
Thank you. One of the programs the Planning Division is responsible for is
preparing neighborhood plans for all the areas that are eligible for the
City's Community Development Block Grant Program. We did a plan last year for
the Charlton Pollard Neighborhood which the City Council's adopted and we are
now implementing. Right now, we are working on two major neighborhood
projects - one of them is the Martin Luther King, Jr. , Parkway Plan. The
other one is the plan for the West Oakland/Pear Orchard area.
This is several neighborhoods south of Washington Boulevard. This is an area
that includes some of the City's oldest residential neighborhoods; also has
the most new housing of any area east of Interstate 10. In the 1980's,
there's still some housing being built in this area. There's still hundreds
of
acres of vacant land for new devel-c9ment also. 'There are approximately
9,800 people in this area. There are 3,100 dwelling units and 138
businesses. If, for some reason, you had to start all over and rebuild this
area from scratch, we have estimated that it would cost over $200 million . . .
. . . investment In this n--igbborhood and other existing neighborhoods in the
City and we have to plan for the future to protect this investment.
The plan that we are preparing now would be a policy guide for the City
housing,
Council and Planning Commission. It will contain proposals for land
use, transportation, parks and piblic facilities; and the way it can be
i:Ttplemented Is with the City's Planning Ordinance, with the Block Grant
Program and the City's annual capital i-provement program.
C>
The process we use in the neighborhood plan is for the staff to help the
neighborhood residents to develop their own plan. We prepare some preliminary
proposals and we work with the neighborhood on this. We usually find out
there are some of our ideas tha neighborhoods like, ftere are so-^e ideas that
they don't like and there are some ideas that the nei'-'�bo-rhood comes up with
that are much better than our ideas. Before a plan is brought to the Council
for adoption, we make sure that It includes the ideas submitted by the
neighborhood and we will lose the Ideas that the neighborhood didn't 'Like.
We will be starting a series of neighborhood planning workshops in this area
on April 29th. Our first workshop will be at Our Mother of Mercy Church at
'7
t :00 p.m. on the 29th. I would like to introduce now Ralph Moore who is our
neighborhood Planner. Re's been with us about for about a year. We hired him
away from the Houston Planning Department. He's assigned to this neighborhood
and his job is to be an advocate for the people in the neighborhoods he's
planning for. He'll be working with the neighborhood residents. . . . . .
Tonight, . . . . . . we are going to show you an in-progress report. We are going
to
I show you some issues, some problems, concerns that were identified by the
people in the neighborhood arid we are going to show some possible solutions -
but these are certainly not . . . I can guarantee they are not the final plan
that will be brought to the Council later this year. Ready . . . . . .
-123- March 31 , 1987
MR. RALPH MOORE:
(In response to a question by Mayor Meyers about Council joining the audience,
Mr. Moore responded:) Yes, I would like the Council to see the slide
presentation of what we have cone up with so far. To open up a dialogue with
Council as well as the residents of the Pear Orchard and concerned citizens of
Beaumont in general. Because of the processes by which we approach
preliminary ideas and plans for the Kest Oakland and Pear Orchard areas, so I
am going to just begin with our slide presentation.
As Norman indicated, the neighborhood West Oakland/?ear Orchard area is
located in the southeast quadrant of Beaumont and has approximately 9,800
residents living there today. We did . . . we conducted a survey through
m ailouts . . . and our survey was returned to us by approximately 170
residents. What we discovered through the survey was that the residents felt
that there was eroding housing stock, a great selection of park amenities
needed to be in place in the neighborhood as well as an additional library
facility. What the City staff did in response was the fact that there were
. . . . . . . . . and bad houses and they - felt there was a problem with stray
animals in the neighborhood.
This is a breakdown by percentages of how the residents felt the services
would be provided in the neighborhoods. Again, we asked the residents to
measure the problems in their neighborhood and this is the percentage of
response of the different categories that you see before you. Here is the
process that our department goes through to approach the neighborhoods as well
as the City as a whole in terms in identifying the needs and warts of the
community. Part of the plan is to address the land uses, the needs and wants
of the area in terms of residential, commercial, public and industrial land
uses. Here you see a map of the different type of land uses and you can see
that the predominant land uses there are the single family residential and the
next largest would be public. The next area you flee is vacant land in the
area which is Substantial . . . . . .
Here is a comparative land use as it is in relationship to the City. You can
see that the residential portiota in the neighborhood is ct7 aratively close to
the City as a whole as well as the commercial in the land uses there. Here
the Department came up with the conceptual preliminary land use plan and what
we did we came close to snatching the land use plan that is currently the
zoning in the area. As I said, the largest land use there is housing and the
most prominent houseing stock there is single family. Here you see the
housing conditions in the area and that's reflected primarily by the age of
the homes in the area. 'costly what you see are pre-World War II housing stock
as well as after World War 11. We find that most of the housing stock is in
fair condition. Here is a typical hone in the Pear Orchard. Here are new
developments in the area. It's a very beautiful home. And, again, we have
the unslightly and the abandoned homes and the vacant homes in the area.
These are some of the issues that we would like to address in the area and we
would like to get responses from the residents about. Here you can see that
there is new development being created within the neighborhood. That lets me
know as a planner that there is still confidence in the ;neighborhood.
-124- March 31 , 1987
MR. MOORE continued:
Here is a typical subdivision that is separated by a bayou which allows for a
natural artificial buffer between the commercial use and residential use.
:sere is the typical multi-family home which is publicly subsidized by the
federal government. We have all types of housing stock and housing types
within the area. Here is an apartment complex.
Here is the commercial/industrial breakdown on what we found within the
neighborhood - the types of businesses that provide jobs and services to the
residents. Here is the typical businesses along Cardinal Drive you see here.
Here are the neighborhood type stores that you find within a neighborhood that
provide convenient services as well as goods. Here are some of the services
that are demanded and needed within the area. Here the commercial development
along Washington Boulevard . . Washington Avenue, I'm sorry. Here's the one
and only bank within the neighborhood area. Here we have an Industrial park
that I spoke of earlier that was adjacent to the residential area and here is
one of our large hotel establishments, the Hilton. Here is also one of the
neighborhood businesses and there are- several neighborhood businesses,
businesses within the area.
Again, there is opportunity for businesses, you can see with this "for sale"
sign. Here we discovered that there are ample opportunities for coP.marcial
development within the area and this is done by taking the land adjacent to
the major thoroughfares, which provide ample traffic and transportation to and
from the businesses . . to and from the areas.
Here we began to look at the transportation network within the neighborhood.
We begin with our sidewalks and go all the way to our freeway system. Here
you can see the street system within the neighborhood. The red street
represents Cardinal Drive as you can see and the brown represents the major
arterials of Washington and 11th Avenue and Avenue "A" and what . . . by the
yellow which is Fannett which represents a minor arterial as Sarah Street; our
collector streets being parts of Houston as well as Sout' erland and Virginia
and Bealle Street. Here are one of our major streets. This Is Sarah Street.
One of the opportunities that are available is to provide adequate sidewalks
which we need in and around our school areas. Notice how clean the streets
are. I'M iLlSt hoping that one day the neighborhood residents can ban together
and offer an Operation Clean Street within the area. Here, too, we find
samples of very clean streets. Here the lighting is bad but I wanted to show
the audience this slide. We all . . . we need sidewalks along the Washington
Boulevard thoroiicftrare because it provides ample pedestrian foot traffic to
and from the businesses. Here you can see a worn trail within the grass on
your left right-hand side; the same example on the opposite of the street.
Here we looked at the urban design within the area giving 0 attention to vacant
lot appearance, open drainage ditch appearance and landscaping. Here's a
typical . . not a typical, typical; but here is a drainage ditch that has been
cluttered and lef t unkempt wi-I.-h weeds and high grass.
I
-125- March 31 , 1987
MR. MOORE continued:
Here is one of the . . . this is the cemetery within the northern portion of the
neighborhood and often there have been complaints of debris being left there
and dumping. ere is an example of residents taking full care of their
drainage ditch. I was very happy to see this.
Public facilities and services, we looked at our community parks and our
existing neighborhood park. Here according to the Parks and Open Space
element of the Comprehensive Plan, we have found this area to be deficient in
park services to the residents. Here are one of our parks, Sprott Park. This
is the Melton YMCA which provides recreational opportunities for the youth of
the area. I are sorry about this one but these are two proposals for a
community park which would be approximately 20 to 40 acres in size.
Bere the Department takes an analysis of the area and what we found to be
stable, marginal and unstable areas, as well as the local commercial services
and establisl-mants within the area. Here we looked at the rehabilitation
strategy in with the areas in which you saw the housing stock was deteriorated
we noted that as needling a heavy rehabilitation and those that were in fair
condition, just needed moderate rehabilitation. The approximate cost for
heavy rehabilitation has been estimated to be anywhere from $15,000 to $18,000
for a single family home. dare are the recommended street scaring locations.
They are along the major thoroughfares. We recommend trees and shrubbery be
planted along the major thoroughfares to provide a panoramic and scenic
atmosphere for the residents. Here are several development concepts we felt
the neighborhoods could open a dialogue too with the Planning staff as well as
the City Council members. Here is a development concept too that kind of has
an alternative to the first . . . I'll go back so that you can get a
comparison. -?.N a y, this concludes our preliminary plans for the neighborhood
and I hope to get a fruitful dialogue between the residents and myself as well
as the Planning staff and the Council members.
MR. WHTTA.KrR:
While the Council is being r-aseated, I'd like to encourage anybody who's
in t-.--r,S te d to call Ralph or myself at the Pla,-Inlng Department. also, wa would
like as many people as possible to attend our nalg'iborhood planning
workshops. Our number for the Planning Division is 8338-0665.
CO0[vCII MkNI COKITNOS:
Mr. Whitaker, may I add when he showed the slides on Washington Bou i-evard, the
P�
Fire protection on tdaslhington Boulevard . . . you've got an outstanding Fire
Station and I wanted to let the citizens know that you are well protected as
far as fire is concerned.
14R. 'WHITAKER: I certainly agree.
-126- March 31 , 1987
The next presentation is a review of Public Works projects:
MR. TOM WARNER, DIRECTOR OF PUBLIC WORKS:
Thank you, Mayor. As Council and probably most of the citizens here are
aware, in 1980 there was a bond issue passed for Transportation Improvement
Projects within the City. Although there were numerous projects within that
bond election, there were six projects, excuse me, five projects specifically
done either in Ward IV avid a combination of Ward IV and Ward II. Those
projects . . . probably the one that is the most well known is the M. L. King
Boulevard. That program is currently under construction in the section from
Irving Street to Threadneedle and to date under our T. I.P. we have authorized
approximately $700,000 in funds to do that project. The second project is a
street project that the City Is doing separately without any assistance from
the State. That project is College from Eleventh to Goliad. We are currently
under construction with that project and approximately $2. 2 million in funds
have been authorized for that project. The third project is Washington
Boulevard. We are participating with the State on that project and the limits
are from I-10 to Langham Road. That project is currently under construction
and our share of the cost which is very minimal in comparison to the overall
cost but it is approximately $675,000, in which 50% is in Ward IV and 50%
percent is in Ward II. The next project is also a participation project with
the State. It's College Street from I-10 to Major. It is under
construction. The City's share is approximately $580,000 and again this is
one of those projects that approximately 307 is in Ward IV and 70% is in Ward
II. So, we do have those projects that overlap several Wards.
In approximately 1983, the citizens voted on a Capital Drainage Program which
is referred to CDP. Again, there were approximately 16 projects that were
over all voted on and there are 5 projects within the Ward IV area. Four of
these projects, due to monetary considerations for this fiscal year, were just
going to be put into the design phase and in future years we would actually
fund construction. Those projects currently under design are South Park,
which has an authorized spending level of $1 .7 million; 5th Street which is a
$144,000; Irving Street which is $400,000 and Fannett Road which is $76,000.
The one project . . . drainage project that is under construction is what we are
calling "College/BMAS11" and that is being done in conjunction with the College
Street work from 11th to Goliad and it has a project cost of $416,000.
We also during fiscal year -87 had a Street Rehabilitation Project. The total
project cost was $249,100. Of that project, approximately $57,000 went into
Ward IV to rehab Chambers, Vermont, Orgain, Mercantile, West Virginia and
Natalie Streets.
In Ward IV, we also have done two Park improvements and they have been done
with Community Development Block Grant funds. The first project is Carroll
Street and it's under construction and near completion and we've actually
expended $52,400 on that project. Sprott Park, which Ralph showed in the
slides, was also a project that was done with Community Development Block
Grant funds and $63,850 - has been expended. We also have funds for
improvements to Central Park. That is in design and approximately $45,000 has
been authorized for that.
-127- March 31 , 1987
MAYOR MEYERS:
With that explanation of projects as well as I want to thank Ralph and Norm
for their presentation on the plan that was presented, we have cleared the
aisle so that we just ask anyone who would want to direct a question, the
clerk would record your name and address for the record and as I mentioned
earlier, the purpose of the Town Meeting is to learn things that perhaps will
enlighten, perhaps that projected how we might do something better. If you
want to come down and commend us, why, every once in a while that happens.
You can feel free to do that. But, really, the microphone is open and we
welcome your comments. So, I would just say who ever wants to be first, . . .
Mr. Fat Gilbert, 630 Genoa, addressed Council to commend them for having the
Town Meetings in the various wards; to express appreciation for the work
that's been done on Highland Avenue and the addition of sidewalks; commanded
Council for the enthusiasm shown by them and his hopes that citizens will feel
the same enthusiasm; commended volunteers for the cleaning of streets, but
expressed the need for businesses and resi-dents can't keep their sidewalks and
streets clean. In addition, Mr. Gilbert complained about poor lighting on the
interchange coning from Houston on Interstate 10 at Highway 69; expressed the
need for street maintenance and repairs in the City as a whole and especially
mentioned Sabine "lass where recent drainage work has been done; requested and
urged that the City, when money is available, that curb and guttering be
considered along Florida from Highland west to the Freeway, saying that this
is a narrow street with no shoulder and mentioned an elementary school in the
600 block of Florida and a 35 mph speed limit except during school tires. Mr.
Gilbert said he didn't think it would take much to widen that street because
there are very few residences on the south side of the Street. In addition,
he called attention to Park Street from Harriott south to Florida with open
ditches and expressed hope for that to be curbed and guttered also. Mr.
Gilbert also questioned the "call-in" trash pickup program for special trash
pickup. He thanked Council for coming to his neighborhood and said that he
was looking forward to another meeting.
Mr. E. G. Mayfield, 3875 Saco Street, addressed Council to complain about deep
ditches all over the area, especially around Liberia Park, which is also the
bus route, and talked about trash and debris being thrown and ending up in the
ditches along with the dangerous situations involved with these ditches. In
addition, Mr. Mayfield said that he was under the impression that Hebert and
Waco Streets were to be paved at the same time that Houston and Sarah Streets
were paved, saying that they were additional exits from the neighborhoods and
spoke of peak traffic tie-ups at Fannett iighway, 4th Street and Washington
Boulevard because they are the only exits from the area.
Mr. Phillip LeBlanc, 6970 LeBlanc, addressed Council to complain of poor
drainage on LeBlanc Street and asked that staff look at the problem.
Mr. Ken McFaddin, 3123 W. Crockett, questioned monies actually expended in
Ward IV, questioned the 'City's participation in the rehabilitation of
substandard housing. Mayor Meyers responded that there are various programs
through the Community Development Block Program for these and other activities
to aid low to moderate income families.
-128- March 31 , 1987
Mrs. Jessie Cooper, 446 Georgetown, addressed Council to offer an invitation
to all to hear a nationally known speaker, Mr. Martin Red Beckman, at 7:00
p.m. on April 4th at the Ramada Inn and said that there is a $5.00 admission
charge. Mrs. Cooper said that his topic would probably be on the structure of
government.
Mayor Meyers recognized former Councilman Calvin Williams in attendance at the
Town Meeting.
Dr. Bettye Ruth Smith, 3380 Worcester, addressed Council to complain about the
great number of ditches In her neighborhood and her fear of them and asked if
the drainage plan would hell) to eliminate the number of these ditches in the
south end of Beaumont. Mayor Meyers responded saying that the City as a whole
has approximately 60 percent open ditches and that it is a massive problem
with litter, trash, dumping and danger along narrow streets.
Mrs. Marie Hubbard, 1990 Nora, addressed to thank Councilman Weisbach for her
service on Council and to express her appreciation and commend Council as a
whole for their various programs and activities.
Mrs. Jean Pipkin, 4370 Cadillac Lane, addressed Council to congratulate all
for the idea of Sunday in the Park, saying that Community Education which she
directs will be sponsoring Sunday in the Park activities on April 26th and
that the focus will be on the family - the "heartbeat of Beaumont" and urged
everyone to come for the festivities.
Mr. Paul Brown, 4370 Cartwright, addressed Council to remind that there were
still "Economic Summit No. I" t-shirts and caps for sale at $5.00 each and
that $1 .00 from each item sold will be given to the Fire DeDartment to help In
their program for furnishing smoke detectors to those who cannot afford to
heir ho m
have them in t' yes.
Mrs. Suzy Juncker, 155 Ridgeland, representing the Beaumont Heritage Society
and as a member of the Economic Deevalop--eat Council, and addressed Council's
decision to table the zoning issue on Orange Street saying that she 'Knew it
was a difficult decision and appreciated Council's willingness to hear both
sides for a decision that may accomodate both the business and the
neighborhood.
Mr. Steve Ingraham, Jr. , 1170 Shakespeare, I-Corp, addressed Council to
express his willingness to cooperate in finding a solution to the zoning
problem and his desire for his business to continue to be a good neighbor in
the neighborhood and briefly described what his intentions for proposed
expansion would involove.
-129- March 31 ,1987
MAYOR MEYERS:
If there are no other questions, I would again want to thank Mayor Pro Tern
Moore for arranging for this our 4th Ward meeting. I want to thank all of you
for attending and I hope you will take opportunity to round up your families
and join us in Sunday in the Park and come downtown and something will he
going on and I am sure you will enjoy yourselves and take opportunity also to
visit our council meetings anytime you can and in the meantime I will hope to
see you again soon in a very non-partisan way, just because it is important to
our City and I do urge all of you . . . I do urge all of you to get out and
vote. That is probably the greatest right we have as citizens of America. If
there is no further business, we stand adjourned.
-000-
There being no further business, the meeting was adjourned.
-000-
-, Rosemarie Chiappetta, Secretary in the City Clerk's Office, certify that
the above is a true copy of the Minutes of the regular City Council session
geld March 31 , 1357.
Rosemarie Chiappetta
Secretary
-130- March 31 , 1937