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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMIN NOV 18 1986 REGULAR SESSION CITY COUNCIL - CITY OF BEAUMONT HELD NOVEMBER 18, 1986 -- 1:15 P.M. BE IT REMEMBERED that the City Council of the City of Beaumont, Texas, met in regular session this the 18th 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 David W. Moore Councilman, Ward IV Absent: Audwin Samuel Councilman, Ward III Albert E. Haines City Manager Lane Nichols City Attorney -000- The Invocation was given by The Right Reverend Monsignor Marceaux, Diocesan Tribunal. The Pledge of Allegiance was led by Councilman Cokinos. -000- Mayor Meyers welcomed Mrs. Barnett and her 3rd grade Challenge Class of French Elementary School. -000- MAYOR MEYERS: Rosie, where are you? (To Rosemary Harty, reporter for the Beaumont Enterprise) Will you come forward? Rosie loves to be out in the spotlight. Rosie, I just want to take a second on behalf of City Council. Rosie has chosen, mistakenly, of course, to leave our City and go to Dayton, Ohio, and this will be the last City Council meeting that she attends. And, on behalf of the citizens I think we owe you a debt of appreciation, not for anything nice that you said or anything critical that you said; but I think for doing what you are responsible to do and charged to do and that's do a good job of reporting. And, I think that whoever comes in behind you has a challenge because of the professional manner in which you have handled your responsibility. I am not convinced that you are not coming back, but, in the interim, I guess the nicest thing that we can afford you is making you an "honorary citizen" from now on of our City and if you would come forward . . . ROSEMARY HARTY: Have to pay those high taxes . . . . . . COUNCILMAN LEE: You can mail them to us. -252- November 18, 1986 MAYOR MEYERS: No, no. That's too trite. This is something that you can keep in your wallet and it's with our best wishes for good luck and when you come back why we'll look to see if you still have that in your wallet. ROSIE: Thank you, Mayor. Okay, well, I hope things continue as smoothly as they've been going. It's no fun anymore. MAYOR MEYERS: And, as much as you like public speaking, Rosie, we expect you to go to the microphone and say a few words. ROSIE: Well, if you're really sorry to see me go, that just proves all along I wasn't doing my job. I really have enjoyed covering the City of Beaumont and these City Council meetings - some have been boring and some have been great and it's always been a challenge to keep up with all of the things that are going on so I hope Beaumont continues upward from here. I am sure it will. Thank you. MAYOR MEYERS: Thank you, Rosie. -000- Two proclamations were issued: "The Mayors' D-Day in the War on Drugs in Beaumont" - November 18, 1986 and "Family Week in Beaumont" - November 23-29, 1986. Mrs. Vernice Monroe, a member of the Goals for Beaumont Program Committee, reminded that the first "Goals" Town Meeting will be held tonight at 7:00 p.m. at West Brook 9th Grade Center. She said that the second will be held at 7:00 p.m. , Thursday, November 20th at Austin Middle School. Happy Birthday wishes were expressed to Mr. J. C. Leggett on his 86th birthday. -000- The following Consent Agenda items were considered: Approval of the Minutes of the regular City Council session held November 11, 1986; Resolution 86-338 authorizing the pledge of $500,000 in securities by First City Bank of Beaumont and $2,310,000 in securities by Texas Commerce Bank of Beaumont held as collateral for City deposits; Resolution 86-339 appointing Debra Burke to the Martin Luther Ring, Jr. , Parkway Commission, replacing Suzy Juncker who has resigned, for a term ending January 1, 1990 and appointing Milton Bell to the Historical Landmark Commission, replacing Diane Osen who has resigned, for a term ending October 31, 1987; and -253- November 18, 1986 Resolution 86-340 granting a 10-foot wide easement for an overhead electrical distribution line to serve the Fire Department Training Grounds east of Pine Street north of Interstate 10. The Consent Agenda was approved on a motion made by Councilman Cokinos and seconded by Councilman Weisbach. Question: Ayes: All Nayes: None -000- No one wished to address City Council on Agenda Items B and C. -000- Resolution 86-341 creating a Tax Abatement Advisory Committee to be composed of a representative of the City of Beaumont, Jefferson County, Port of Beaumont, Beaumont Navigation District, Drainage District 6 and the Beaumont Independent School District in accordance with the tax abatement policy for manufacturing concerns was considered. The appointments to the Committee are City Manager Albert Haines for the City of Beaumont, Jefferson County Commissioner Norman Troy, Ms. Pat Henderson for Drainage District 6, William Kimbrough for the Port of Beaumont, Walter Crawford for the Beaumont Navigation District and Jim Covert for the Beaumont Independent School District. Resolution 86-341 was approved on a motion made by Councilman Lee and seconded by Councilman Brumley. Question: Ayes: All Nayes: None -000- Resolution 86-342 authorizing the purchase of an acoustical shell system for the Julie Rogers Theatre from TRS/SECOA on a bid of $77,766.00 (to be funded from liquidation of stock donated by Mrs. Carol Tyrrell Kyle - $58,777.26, Julie Rogers Theatre Construction Fund - $11,988.74 and Beaumont Symphony Society - $7,000) was approved on a motion made by Councilman Cokinos and seconded by Councilman Lee. Question: Ayes: All Nayes: None CITY MANAGER: I think, at this time, Mayor and Council, I would like to recognize Mrs. JoAnn Polk. We appreciate the efforts of the Society (Beaumont Symphony Society) and most importantly I think Mrs. Carol Kyle who made a sizeable contribution approximately . . nearly two years ago now and essentially made it possible for the City to go ahead and proceed with the contract. . . . -254- November 18, 1986 MAYOR MEYERS: . . . I would want to tag on to the fact that once again we have, I think, a clear example of the generosity of Mrs. Kyle. I can recall a conversation about an orchestral lift and things at the inception for the Julie Rogers Theatre and her kindness and then providing the additional funds to, I think, make the acoustics on that stage probably equal to anything we will find anywhere. And, then, with the cooperation of JoAnn as president of the Society and the membership adding the $7,000 to support, as the Manager has said, money from the fund at the Julie Rogers Theatre, I can't thank you enough on behalf of the citizens and Council and I know that I express to you the feelings of all of Council and certainly in advance the pleasure that people will have in the result that will come from this shell. I'd offer Council any comments they'd care to make for this gesture prior because it's most unique. COUNCILMAN LEE: I would echo the Mayor's sentiments, of course. I've also had the opportunity to be involved in organizations who have come to Beaumont to have activities in the Julie Rogers Theatre and I would assure you that because of your committment to that facility as well as this new addition to it that they are just amazed and impressed by the quality of the facility and this acoustical shell will do nothing but enhance that even more. Thank you. COUNCILMAN BRUMLEY: My thoughts would only be to carry it a little bit further than what you would receive from sound from the use of the acoustical shell because, not only does it provide an enhancement for what we have over there, but it is a tremendous benefit, just the action itself, to the quality of life for all the citizens in Beaumont and it is a demonstration of a pure love that you have for this City along with all the other beautiful things that you have done for Beaumont and thank you very much for your gift. COUNCILMAN COKINOS: I also want to express my appreciation to Mrs. Kyle, Dr. Carlucci, and JoAnn for this beautiful gift to the City and I am sure it will enhance the beautiful music that Dr. Joe Carlucci will give to the citizens of Beaumont. Thank you very much. COUNCILMAN MOORE: Somewhere I read that some people talk about their abilities and others demonstrate it. It has been quite evident the demonstration of your gifts and your kindness and love for the arts and theatre here and we certainly appreciate it and I can only say thank you again. COUNCILMAN WEISBACH: Last but not least, our City is much richer for having you as one of our citizens - both of your groups. -000- Councilman Lee reminded all of Sunday in the Park festivities to be hosted by the Junior League Sunday, November 23rd in Riverfront Park. Councilman Cokinos commended the Fire Department and EMS personnel for their quick response and aid to a recent heart attack victim. -255- November 18, 1986 Councilman Moore commended John Gorman, Community Facilities Department Director, for his help with the Community Picnic held on the Fair Grounds Saturday, November 15th. -000- Ms. Yvette Chapman, 2960 Renaud, 3rd grade Challenge Class student from French Elementary School, addressed Council to question how Council would handle disapproval of an action taken by the City Manager. Response to the question was that Council would express their disapproval to the Manager. In response to another question concerning mistakes in voting and recalls, Mayor Meyers and Councilman Cokinos urged careful study of the issues or candidates and the careful use of the ballot card. Mrs. Delia Harrington, 815 Willow, addressed Council to express her concerns for the location of an asphalt company at 850 Pine in her neighborhood by Dodson Construction Company. Mr. Henry Dannenbaum, 695 Avenue C, addressed Council on many issues. Mr. Gene Darst, 585 Iowa, and the Reverend J. D. Gregory, 3411 Glenwood, addressed Council in opposition to the proposed rate increase request by Gulf States Utilities Company. Mrs. Delia Harrington, 815 Willow, expressed her support for Gulf States. -000- There being no further business, the session was recessed before continuing with the City Council Workshop Session. -000- I, 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 18, 1986. Rosemarie Chiappetta Secretary -256- November 18, 1986