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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMIN DEC 16 1986 REGULAR SESSION CITY COUNCIL - CITY OF BEAUMONT HELD DECEMBER 16, 1986 -- 1:15 P.M. BE IT REMEMBERED that the City Council of the City of Beaumont, Texas, met in regular session this the 16th day of December, 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 Myrtle Corgey City Clerk -000- The Invocation was given by the Reverend Richard Elwood, St. Mark's Episcopal Church. The Pledge of Allegiance was led by Mayor Meyers. -000- One proclamation was issued: "Kelly High School Football Team and Coach George Eskue" -000- Presentation of awards of the Annual Holiday Decorating Contest was made: Honorable Mention award was given to the Beaumont Public Library; Third Place and $30.00 prize awarded to Municipal Court; Second Place and $50.00 awarded to the Health Department and First Prize and $100.00 awarded to Fire Station No. 1. -000- The following Consent Agenda items were considered: Resolution 86-356 appointing Betty Sullins to the Clean Community Commission, replacing Catherine Bell Doyle, with the term expiring September 30, 1988; Resolution 86-357 authorizing release of a sanitary sewer easement out of Lot 47 and part of Lots 48 and 49, Block 4, Crary Addition (property recently purchased as Parcel 259 for the M. L. King, Jr. Parkway Spur 380 Project and release needed to clear title to the property); and -293- December 16, 1986 Resolution 86-358 granting a license to encroach to Morris Beck and others for a building at 550 Dowlen extending 2.5 feet onto a 7.5 feet utility easement for a one-time license fee of $500.00. Resolutions 86-356 and 357 were approved on a motion made by Councilman Cokinos and seconded by Councilman Brumley. Question: Ayes: All Nayes: None Resolution 86-358 was approved on a motion made by Councilman Brumley and seconded by Councilman Lee. Question: Ayes: All Napes: None _000- No one wished to address City Council during the public comment portion on Agenda Items B through D. -000- Resolution 86-359 adopting an Economic Development Policy Plan was approved on a motion made by Councilman Weisbach and seconded by Councilman Samuel. Question: Ayes: All Nayes: None -000- Ordinance No. 86-121 adopting an Updated Service Credit option under the Texas Municipal Retirement System was considered: ORDINANCE NO. 86-121 ENTITLED AN ORDINANCE DETERMINING TO GRANT, PROVIDING FOR AND ALLOWING, UNDER THE ACT GOVERNING THE TEXAS MUNICIPAL RETIREMENT SYSTEM, AN "UPDATED SERVICE CREDIT" IN SAID SYSTEM FOR SERVICE PERFORMED BY QUALIFYING MEMBERS OF SUCH SYSTEM IN THE EMPLOYMENT OF THE CITY OF BEAUMONT AND ELECTING AND PRESCRIBING THE EFFECTIVE DATE OF SUCH UPDATED SERVICE CREDITS. The ordinance was approved on a motion made by Councilman Lee and seconded by Councilman Moore. Question: Ayes: All Naves: None -000- -294- December 16, 1986 Resolution 86-360 accepting three (3) right-of-way donations: two for the widening and improvements of Major Drive/Farm Road 364 from Westpark Development Company for 0.599 acres on the southeast corner of Gladys and Major and H. G. Nichols et al for 0.430 acres on the west side of Major at Gladys intersection at a combined estimated value of $173,000 and the third donation for the extension of Delaware from Dowlen Road to Major Drive where it would tie in with Dishman Road from Robert Dowlen et al for 5.327 acres of right-of-way immediately west of Dowlen Road at an estimated value of $34,000 was approved on a motion made by Councilman Brumley and seconded by Councilman Weisbach. Question: Ayes: All Nayes: None -000- Councilman Cokinos stated that he had been made, aware that the City of Beaumont advertises for employment through professional publications outsideP-- 'x the State of Texas and questioned whether the City also advertised through the Beaumont Enterprise. In addition, he requested a report listing positions filled by the City in the past 90 days, by whom and where they lived prior to employment. Councilman Lee, in commenting on Sunday in the Park activities, said, "Next week, this coming Sunday (December 21st) we will have the grand finale of 1986 Sunday in the Park activities and we've got six or seven different groups who all are working together to really put on a terrific show. This will also be the only Sunday in the Park where there is a contingency plan if there is rain. If there is rain, there will be a Sunday in the Park - it will be called Sunday in the Park in the Civic Center and it is going to be a Sunday that no one will want to miss. We've got plans to give every child that attends a Christmas stocking filled with candy; we have plans to take a photo of every child that attends with Santa Claus and Mrs. Claus for them to take home with them. . . . . . I would also invite all the members of Council and staff to be present from 2:00 to 4:00 p.m. next Sunday afternoon for what should be if not the best one of the best Sundays in the Park in the Park of 1986 - it will mark the end of Sunday in the Park Program for '86 and the beginning of the planning process for Sunday in the Park of 1987. " -000- Councilman Moore introduced "to Council and citizens here three individuals who are beginning to represent the spirit that's in Beaumont and that's a caring spirit about others out there and I was fortunate enough to meet these individuals through another community project. So, rather than tell you the whole story, I'd like to introduce Mr. Doug Sarver, Anita Lopez and Margaret Sue Kinzie and ask them to come forward and tell the rest of the citizens and Council what they'd like to do. " -295- December 16, 1986 Mr. Doug Sarver: I am Doug Sarver and I represent Sonic Drive-in. I am an owner operator and I've been in Beaumont for 8 years, owning' the business. I've lived in the area all of my life. This is Anita Lopez. She is one of my managers. She manages the Sonic at 23rd and Phelan. My location is at 3870 E. Lucas. We have had an inclination to do something and we are real excited about it and we'd like to let the City know about it. On Christmas Day instead of relaxing we are going to dedicate two hours of our time to the City. We are going to open both units for two hours from 1 :00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m. and will serve food to the needy at no charge. At this point, we have almost a 100 percent volunteer crew from our crews. We have had others who want to volunteer their time. We will ask for some volunteer as greeters. We want to do this just for the goodwill. We just feel that it's something that is needed. We have a lot of people at Christmas who won't have a Christmas and I think God's been good enough to me to bless me with these things so I in turn want to pass it on to someone else. We are really excited. We have gotten our wholesale dealers to make contributions, the Phelan Company, Rainbo Baking Company, Country Jim's Meat Company, Jake Mazzu Produce and Coca-Cola. These are all, except for the meat company, all Beaumont based companies. We will be posting notices at various places. We've contacted Carol Gertz with Some Other Place and she-11 be helping coordinating it so we will let the right people know about this. Salvation Army, New Jersuleum Mission, our church, Calvary Baptist has an inter-city mission and Herschell Garner will be helping ' giving us notice out there. We'd just like the support of the City. We love Beaumont and want to keep people here in Beaumont and want to take care of our own and let's the goodwill of it all. We are really excited about i . -000- Mr. Henry Dannenbaum, 1567 Wall Street, addressed Council to wish everyone a Merry Christmas. Mr. Calvin Harris, representing Alamo Lawn Service, addressed Council to commend them for the positive things being sponsored and promoted by the City such as Sunday in the Park and the recent Holiday activities. -000- There being no further business, the meeting was recessed before continuing with the City Council Workshop Session. -000- I, Myrtle Corgey, City Clerk of the City of Beaumont, Texas, certify that the above is a true copy of the Minutes of the regular City Council session held December 16, 1986. Myrtle Corgey City Clerk -296- December 16, 1986 EXCERPT FROM REGULAR . 2Y COUNCIL SESSION HELD DECEMBER 16, 1986 COUNCILMAN COKINOS: I don't have any business, but I have a few comments I'd like to make if it's appropriate at this time. It's been brought to my attention, Mr. City Manager, that we have been advertising for employment for the City of Beaumont opportunities in out-of-town magazines and publications. There are some employment opportunities that have not been advertised in the Beaumont Enterprise and I am asking the City Council to require that any and all positions to be filled in the City of Beaumont must first be advertised in the Beaumont Enterprise to allow our citizens of our community to seek these job opportunities before we go out of the area. Now, according to Article XVII, Section 7, citizens given preference to employment and the citizens of Beaumont shall be given preference in employment to the City as well as any contractor. Now, it's been brought to my attention and we have some fine people in Beaumont and experienced people that would like to stay here in Beaumont that don't have the employment opportunity and I'd like to know why. I'm directing my question to the City Manager. CITY MANAGER HAINES: I'm not sure I understand the question. I can't answer why people . . I can't answer a question for somebody that wants to stay in Beaumont and wants to have a job in Beaumont. I can't answer that. COUNCILMAN GOKINOS: Well, the job opportunity . . . I am making reference to American Library. This come out of Chicago, December of 1986. Three positions: Children Librarian making $22,957 annually; and Local History Librarian, $18,532; Children Branch Library, $18,532 annually. This was not put in the Beaumont Enterprise and I want to know why it wasn't put in the Beaumont Enterprise to give the people of Beaumont an opportunity to apply for these positions. It says here send resume to the City of Beaumont, P. 0. Box 3827, Beaumont, Texas. Why? CITY MANAGER: Mr. Cokinos, I can answer one question and that is there is specific language in the City Charter that relates to a preferential statement to residents of the City, all things being equal, to filling jobs in the City. I have sent a memorandum to the department heads, effective December the first, restating that position as a condition or consideration of employment. That policy is in effect and it is being compiled with. May I suggest, Mr. Cokinos, that the question of advertising for professional or managerial positions, the answer to that question is I will continue to encourage our Personnel Department to advertise in professional publications for those kinds of positions and, in fact, will solicit and encourage resumes and applications from candidates from anywhere that we can assure ourselves that we are getting the best qualified people for the job. If the opportunity and the qualifications are there for a person who is a citizen of the City of Beaumont, preference will be made under those conditions but I have got . . I've got to make this statement loud and clear, Mr. Cokinos and to this City Council, I have a responsibility to assure the people of this community that the best people are filling the positions - the best people that we can find and I am going to make sure that we recruit as extensively as we can for those positions and I will not, I will not equivocate on that position. EXCERPT FROM REGULAR CITY COUNCIL SESSION HELD DECEMBER 16, 1986 Page 2 COUNCILMAN COKINOS: Why wasn't this put in the Beaumont Enterprise instead of a magazine out of Chicago, Illinois? CITY MANAGER: I think I answered your question. COUNCILMAN COKINOS: No you didn't. Was it put in the Beaumont Enterprise? CITY MANAGER: I can't answer that question. COUNCILMAN COKINOS: Well, you're the City Manager. You ought to know. CITY MANAGER: You're right. If you'd like, I'll ask somebody . . . . . . COUNCILMAN COKINOS: No, I'm asking you. I'm asking you. You're the City Manager. CITY MANAGER: Mr. Cokinos, as a matter of policy, the Personnel Office posts . .posts positions at Job Service or the Texas Employment Commission and notices up in the local newspapers, as well as in the Houston area newspapers. . . . . . COUNCILMAN COKINOS: Why wasn't this in the Beaumont Enterprise, Mr. City Manager, instead of up in Chicago, Illinois? CITY MANAGER: May I finish? I am not going to say that it was or it wasn't, Mr. Cokinos. COUNCILMAN COKINOS: It was not put in the Beaumont Enterprise because I checked it. CITY MANAGER: Do you have a date there when the expiration . . . . . . COUNCILMAN COKINOS: Yes, sir, December . . . EXCERPT FROM REGULAR CITY COUNCIL SESSION HELD DECEMBER 16, 1986 Page 3 CITY MANAGER: When is the filing deadline for those three positions, Sir? COUNCILMAN COKINOS: I'm sick and tired of people of the City of Beaumont not having opportunity to go work for the City of Beaumont. CITY MANAGER: I think, Mr. Cokinos, your statement is wrong. It's dead wrong. MAYOR MEYERS: I think in the interest of equity I am compelled to look at this table, Councilman, and point- out Mr. Tom Warner, who has served admirably with the community and recently been appointed to a department head position. Sitting next to him is Sherrell Cockrell, likewise - I don't think S. A. Webb is here but I think he has been rewarded as head of that department for 23 years and then most recently, which we all know, a nationwide search for a Health Director and we ended up able to secure the services of Dr. Arcala from Port Arthur. I think it is important to point that out because I hear a lot and have gotten calls from people so I would make this as a statement of my own where the inference is that we go outside and I think it's important that we fully address . . . Sherrell, how many years do you have with the city? (Ms. Cockrell answered seven) Tom? (Mr. Warner answered eight. ) Eight. S. A. Webb had 23 and, of course, Dr. Arcala will be coming. That's 23, 31, 38 years of service that has been rewarded as a result of an equitable search to try and select the best person. I mention that because a lot of people have called me and I don't want this conversation to go out of here today with the thought that we are not giving consideration to the people who are living here. COUNCILMAN COKINOS: My question, Mr. Mayor, why wasn't this put in the Beaumont Enterprise instead of a magazine out of Chicago, Illinois. MAYOR MEYERS: I can't answer you. I don't have the foggiest notion. COUNCILMAN COKINOS: That's what I want to know. CITY MANAGER: Mr. Cokinos, I think your assumption is incorrect. COUNCILMAN COKINOS: It is? EXCERPT FROM REGULAR GiTY COUNCIL SESSION HELD DECEMBER 16, 1986 Page 4 CITY MANAGER: We will publish . . we will publish in any professional . . any professional magazine relative to positions and many times those publication notices will be put out before we advertise in the Enterprise. That's why I asked you if you were familiar enough with those positions to know when the deadline was for those recruitments because typically what we will do we will notice up in the newspapers much later than we do in the professional publications. COUNCILMAN COKINOS: They don't have a deadline in this . . . it says here . . . all it says is requirements and the salary and what position and to send resume to the City of Beaumont. That's all I am asking. Why wasn't it put in locally? I think the City Council should take action whenever there's a position open, I don't care what it is, that it should be publicized in the Beaumont paper. CITY MANAGER: No, sir. I will make every effort to recruit and hire people from within the City of Beaumont. That's a commi ttment and I think I can prove that I've done that. COUNCILMAN COKINOS: How can you hire anybody when they don't know the position is open but the people in Chicago, Illinois, know it's open? COUNCILMAN SAMUEL: May I ask a question, Mr. Manager. Has there ever been a position advertised anywhere that the citizens of Beaumont did not know about? CITY MANAGER: Well, I hope not. I couldn't say, you know, one way or the other. COUNCILMAN SAMUEL: Can you get that information. Find out if there's ever been a position advertised for that was not advertised in Beaumont. COUNCILMAN MOORE: Let me ask another question in the same line. Our Personnel Department has a job - if a citizen walks in there and asks about any job that is available, will they be told that that job is opened? CITY MANAGER: Yes, they are all posted. Every position is posted here, at the Texas Employment Commission and I know that they run regularly positions or job openings at the Enterprise and without saying, without question, that's what they do with every position. I would be surprised if there's not one position that hasn't been. That's what surprises me about Mr. Cokinos. EXCERPT FROM REGULAR GiTY COUNCIL SESSION HELD DECEMBER 16, 1986 page S COUNCILMAN MOORE: These are posted right now in our Personnel Department? CITY MANAGER: If it's an open recruitment, I think you could walk down the hall right now and see it posted, yes. COUNCILMAN COKINOS: I'd like very much for you to list out to me the positions that have been filled in the last 90 days, by whom and where they live, previously of coming to Beaumont for the employment. Could you do that for me. CITY MANAGER: Do you want people who do not live in Beaumont who have been hired or all people who have been hired? COUNCILMAN COKINOS: I didn't say . . . no, the positions that were opened as far employment opportunities concerned in the last three months - in the Risk Management Office, in the Planning and Zoning office; you just got through hiring a fellow for . . . two weeks ago from Austin. I didn't even know that. CITY MANAGER: I'm not surprised you didn't know that. COUNCILMAN COKINOS: How would I know that? CITY MANAGER: I said I'm not surprised you didn't know that. I'm sure nobody on the Council . . . I didn't know that. COUNCILMAN COKINOS: Well, you're the City Manager. You should know that. CITY MANAGER: I have 1,200 employees, Mr. Cokinos. I am not going to concern myself with where people live. COUNCILMAN COKINOS: I do. I want to look after the citizens of Beaumont and give them the first opportunity on any employment opportunity here in Beaumont. That's my stand. It's always been my stand. EXCERPT FROM REGULAR CITY COUNCIL SESSION HELD DECEMBER 16, 1986 Page 6 MAYOR MEYERS: I don't think there's anyone on Council who feels otherwise. Do you feel otherwise? COUNCILMAN BRUMLEY: Certainly not. MAYOR MEYERS: How about you? Do you? Do you? I think this Council has unanimously made a statement and that is we would like to see every position filled by people who live in Beaumont; but there is a subject more important than that that I guess it is appropriate to address now because one of the things that I think creating, at least in my case, a job that at best has nominal pay - that's this job, is 16 hours a day, trying to convey to the citizens the facts of things as they are. Now, the things as they are are as I've just stated and asked this Council 'and that is if there's somebody who lives in Beaumont who we can do business with, who we can hire because they are the best, that's who gets the work and that's who gets the job. And, I think as evidenced by some of the people I've just pointed out within the last 90 days that's clearly indicative. We also, I think, have a responsibility that representing the citizens that the best people get the jobs so that they can at least provide the best service; but, the most important part is the unity of purpose and what we are pointing towards and there are elements within the community who have a right to express their opinion, but until we recognize that we are in this ship together - I mean tight - it's going to be very difficult to achieve the things that we have to do as a community. And, we are talking right now about a subject, quite frankly, that has not, in my judgment, been appropriately discussed and so I will repeat once again. It is the feeling of this Council -I know that - that anything we spend, anyone we hire, I'm not talking procedure - that's his job - but we sent this message and it's stays firm. We want to do business at home and I speak for every member of this Council and I think it's important that that message go to the community because they need to understand that that's how we feel and if we are taking opportunity today to discuss this subject, then I don't want it to be one sided and not representative because the representative thoughts and feelings of this Council are clearly that we do that, for certain. COUNCILMAN COKINOS: We've got to take care of our own, your right. MAYOR MEYERS: Absolutely. COUNCILMAN COKINOS: You're right and that's exactly what I'm trying to emphasize in this employment. We've got to take care of our own. Keep the people here in Beaumont. Don't let them go some place else and raise a family. Thank you, Mr. Mayor. END OF EXCERPT