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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMIN NOV 11 1986 REGULAR SESSION CITY COUNCIL - CITY OF BEAUMONT HELD NOVEMBER 11, 1986 -- 1:15 P.M. BE IT REMEMBERED that the City Council of the City of Beaumont, Texas, met in regular session this the 11th day of November, 1986, with the following present: HONORABLE: Maurice Meyers Mayor Bob Lee, Jr. Councilman At Large Andrew P. Cokinos Councilman At Large Nell Pruitt Weisbach Councilman, Ward I Mike Brumley Councilman, Ward II Audwin Samuel Councilman, Ward III David W. Moore Councilman, Ward IV Albert E. Haines City Manager Lane Nichols City Attorney -000- The Invocation was given by Father John Badeen, St. Michael's Orthodox Christian Church. Mayor Meyers congratulated Father Badeen on his 25th anniversary with his church. The Pledge of Allegiance was led by Councilman Samuel. -000- Mayor Meyers called an Executive Session, pursuant to Section 2(e) of the Texas Open Meetings Act, to consider pending litigation, and to be held immediately following the City Council Workshop Session. -000- Several proclamations were issued: "Beta Sigma Phi Day in Beaumont" - November 15, 1986; "Hospice Day in Beaumont" - November 15, 1986; "National Arts Week in Beaumont" - November 16-22, 1986; and "American Education Week in Beaumont" - November 16-22, 1986. -000- MAYOR MEYERS: Earlier when Jan Allred accepted the proclamation, she properly noted the 200 rooms and I think it leads into the next piece of our agenda because the Convention and Visitors Bureau is an active part of our economic development programs in our community and many times not recognized, looked upon perhaps as something else that's over here; but, the economic impact of those 200 rooms and how it will funnel within our community is dramatic and so Councilman Bob Lee who serves along with Councilman Brumley as liaison to our Convention and Visitors Bureau appropriately has some presentations to be made today. -246- November 11, 1986 COUNCILMAN LEE: Thank you, Mayor. We do indeed. We are fortunate enough to have with us today the Chairman of the Convention and Visitors Bureau Advisory Board, Ric Warchol, and a member of the Hospitality Committee, Mrs. Bonnie Cokinos, who are very active, as is the entire Citizen's Advisory Board, as it relates to Convention and Tourism Development. They . . if you will come forward. They have a couple of presentations to make to some very important people who have been instrumental in insuring a lot of convention activities in the past couple of three months. MR. RIC WARCHOL: Thank you, Bob. We are here to show Jan what she'll be looking forward to receiving in a few weeks probably. Tourism is the second largest industry in the State of Texas and Beaumont is doing its share to keep it there. Last year alone, $16.0 billion were generated in the State of Texas through tourism. Of course, that's the rolling over effect we talk about, Mayor. And, when everybody thinks of Hawaii, they think of a guy with a camera around his neck and burmuda shorts; but Texas did surpass Hawaii in tourism ranking in the United States. So, it does show it is a major economic factor. Today, we have two presentations we'd like to make. This is a new program of the new board and the new setup through the City and we would like to recognize first a convention that was brought to the City of Beaumont on October 8-10. It was the County Commissioners - Norman Troy and the president of the association, Henry Grimes is not with us, but Norman Troy was instrumental in bringing this convention to the City of Beaumont. He was also the host court chairman. They utilized five hotel properties. They had 825 delegates staying three days and the economic impact of that to the City in immediate dollars is $247,000 and when you do that roll-over effect, it comes out to $1,237,000. The reason that roll-over effect is so important is because these dollars coming into the community are new dollars to the City. We are not circulating existing dollars. We are generating new dollars into the City of Beaumont and with that type of economic impact, I'd like to ask Commissioner Troy to come up so Mrs. Cokinos can present. . . . . . MRS. COKINOS read the plaque: "Commissioner Norman Troy . . in recognition of your service to the Community, the Mayor and City Council of Beaumont. " MAYOR MEYERS: Norman, have you got a few words for us? See if you can reach down . . . see if you can force yourself . . . JEFFERSON COUNTY COMMISSIONER NORMAN TROY: This is about the only time I'll get this whole gang to stand up for me. Mayor and the Council, it was a pleasure for whatever little part I played to bring this conference here because I think this is the greatest town in the State of Texas and I hope we are successful in bringing other conferences here and I hope whatever Jan and myself have done in our small way will enlighten other people to try to do the same thing. Thank you very much. -247- November 11, 1986 MR. WARCHOL: Second to that, on October 24th through the 26th, we had an interesting group and I will give you the initials and then everybody has to tell me what it stands for - but, the initials for this SPEBSQSA. Now, those of you that aren't aware of what that stands for, that stands for the Society for the Preservation and Encouragement of Barbershop Quartet Singing in America, Southwestern District. MAYOR MEYERS: As I got up to welcome that group after spending an hour getting that down, I stood there and looked . . how many were there, Louis? . . 350 . . . a lot of people and I drew a total blank. MR. WARCHOL: I can see how. But, with us today is Dennis Bush, who was very instrumental in bringing this group to the City of Beaumont. He did have a crew of local people working with him, but the Harmony Exporters Texas Triplex Chorus, of which Dennis is part, was the host quartet and it was the first time in 37 years that this was brought back to Beaumont. Thirty-seven years ago, it was held in Beaumont - their first gathering. So, there was some history behind it. Their convention had 900 delegates, drawing attendance of approximately 1,100 over a three day period and, again, the economic impact of that - these numbers are conservative. When we figure a delegate's day, it's $100.00 and if you are staying at the Hilton, you know where all that went, so . . . that group generated $270,000 in immediate income to the City and roll-over comes out to $1,350,000 in economic impact. This group also utilized city facilities - facilities that hadn't been used in some time like the Szafir's Building, the Julie Rogers Theatre, as well as the Civic Center for two days, generating additional income into the area. And, on behalf of the Convention and Visitors Bureau Advisory Board and the City, we would like to ask Dennis Bush to come up. MRS. COKINOS read the plaque: "To Dennis Bush in recognition of your service to the community . . the Mayor and City Council of Beaumont. " MR. BUSH: I'd like to thank Mayor Meyers and also Bob Lee for your participation in the contest and convention. Bob spoke to our House of Delegates on Saturday morning and Mayor Meyers spoke to the convention on Saturday night. I'd also like to add that Judy Bagwell and John Gorman in their efforts in bringing this convention and their help to me. It is interesting in my 14 years in Barbershop, in all the district contests that I've attended as well as international contests, there has never been that involvement of the City in the contests as we've had here in Beaumont. I think that recognition needs to be put in the right place, too. We appreciated the help of Judy and John and their efforts and their staff. -248- November 11 , 1986 MR. BUSH continued: I'd also like to recognize three other members of our chapter that are with us, Lou Knabeschuh, who's the president of the chapter and Lee Worsham, who sang in a quartet in 1949 in that contest and Bob Hayes, a very hard worker in our chapter. But, thanks very much. We appreciate this. MAYOR MEYERS: Thank you very much. Ric, thank you very much. I think that it is a terrific thing that you are doing in bringing this community focus to those people who work so hard. Most of the good things that happen like this will come because of the involvement of all of us in the City and I think it is a wonderful idea to recognize them as you are doing. Thanks. -000- MAYOR MEYERS: It would seem that we accumulate issues of importance and save them for a day when we have a light agenda. That's not absolutely correct, but another area of significance, particularly as it relates to our economic good health, is how we look and we've been working pretty hard to try and really get Operation Clean Street off the ground so that those who come might not recognize how good it looks but they surely would recognize if it's left the same, how bad it looks and some areas are beginning to look a lot better because of this. And, Bob Lee has an announcement and a presentation regarding Operation Clean S tree t. COUNCILMAN LEE: Thank you, Mayor. I think probably the best way to handle this is for you and I and Maree Calcote to come forward and we will go down to the lecturn . . . We are very pleased to announce a new participant or group of participants in our Operation Clean Street program. And, for a little background, Operation Clean Street is an all-volunteer effort that is organized and administered, if you will, by the Clean Community Commission that is headed up by Chairman Maree Calcote, here. The basic concept behind Operation Clean Street is that, regardless of who we might think should be responsible for keeping some area clean, if it is not being done, a group of volunteers take on that responsiblity themselves. We are very pleased today to announce that Keith Truman, who is with the Engineering Department of the Public Works Division, along with others, Lee Collum in the back, I see, head of Engineering, have agreed to take on an area of Calder Avenue from Interstate 10 to 7th Street which is a long area - long stretch of Calder Avenue. They've got some very interesting things that are planned to do. What we are going to do today is to get a formal agreement signed by Keith to accept the responsibility of this area and it is a contract, in fact, that . . . and, what we do, Keith, is for you to sign on this line right here agreeing to some basic guidelines which include that all litter shall be removed from the street and its adjacent property, all gutters and curbs shall be free of debris, property adjacent to streets shall be mowed, trimmed, edged and weeds pulled. . .weeds growing in streets and sidewalks around utility polls, beside fences, etc. shall be pulled. And, this is not a one time cleanup. It is an ongoing activity for at least 12 months. Keith, it's a terrific gesture on all of your parts. Now that we've gotten your name here, you have no out but to follow through. We appreciate it. I'll be giving you a copy of the guidelines and if you'd like to make a statement . . . okay, thank you very much. -249- November 11, 1986 COUNCILMAN WEISBACH: This is the eleventh month and the eleventh day and we've missed the eleventh hour, but I'd like for us to take just a moment to remember the veterans who have made our Country for us. -000- The following Consent Agenda items were considered: Approval of the Minutes of the regular City Council session held November 4, 1986; Resolution 86-336 appointing Al Pollans to serve as Chairman of the Sesquicentennial Coordinating Commission, term to conclude December 31, 1987. The Consent Agenda was approved on a motion made by Councilman Brumley and seconded by Councilman Weisbach. Question: Ayes: All Nayes: None -000- No one wished to address Council on Agenda Item B. -000- Resolution 86-337 awarding a contract in the amount of $69,826 to Speedway Service Company, Inc. , for construction of the Minglewood Project of the Comprehensive Drainage Program was approved on a motion made by Councilman Samuel and seconded by Councilman Lee. Question: Ayes: All Nayes: None -000- Councilman Samuel reported several problems: the poor condition of Leight Street, first street off of Magnolia, saying there are several sunken holes in the pavement; a weedy lot on Youngstown, first street off of Magnolia, saying that the condition of the lot may be aiding burglars as a temporary stash for stolen goods; and a complaint from Mr. James White, 2595 Poplar, saying that recent construction near his property has caused damage to his home. Councilman Samuel asked for evaluation and a report concerning these items. Councilman Weisbach reminded that there would be a "Declaration of War on Drugs" at 11:30 a.m. on November 18, 1986, at City Hall. Mrs. Weisbach said there will be a proclamation issued declaring drug awareness, flag raising, music - a gentleman has written a song specifically for the occassion - (he is one of three finalists for selection of a national song in the "Say No to Drugs" Campaign) and there will be participation from the student bodies of various schools. Councilman Lee reminded all of "Sunday in the Park" festivities to be hosted by the South East Texas Arts Council on Sunday, November 16th in Riverfront Park. -250- November 11, 1986 MAYOR MEYERS: On Thursday, the 13th, at 1:00 o'clock our time, 2:00 p.m. , there will be a national teleconference directed initially from the office of Mayor Thomas Sawyer in Akron, Ohio and the thrust of this will be a national network of mayors in support of addressing the alarm regarding the "attempt to takeover" of Goodyear and each of the cities are preparing statistic relative to the impact and importance of Goodyear in their communities. The correspondence from Mayor Sawyer indicates that the media will be made aware so I would assume there shall be something coming out of Akron, Ohio, if it hasn't come already and that's scheduled for 2:00 p.m. Eastern Standard Time and the conference will include the mayors. And, Mayor Sawyer, on November 18th, is going to be in Washington testifying before the House Judiciary Subcommittee on the effects of takeovers in Washington, D. C. for that subcommittee and this will be something taking place prior, directed at supporting Goodyear's efforts to avoid that takeover. So, the correspondence alludes to the fact that there will be national media recognition. Our inability to contact him today, I think, stems from the fact they are probably closed in Akron for Veterans Day and I would assume that is why no one answered, but that will take place Thursday at 1:00 o'clock (p.m. ) our time. -000- Mr. Henry Dannenbaum, 695 Avenue C, addressed Council to commend them by saying, ". . . you all are doing a tremendous job for this community." Mr. Robert Preston, 1190 Iowa, addressed Council to complain about an alledged incidence where Lamar police removed a man distributing election materials from a City sidewalk. -000- There being no further business, the session was ended and the City Council Workshop Session begun immediately. -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 held November 11, 1986. Rosemarie Chiappetta Secretary -251- November 11, 1986