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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMIN MAY 19 1992 r REGULAR SESSION CITY COUNCIL - CITY OF BEAUMONT HELD MAY 19, 1992 - 1:30 P.M. BE IT REMEMBERED that the City Council of the City of Beaumont, Texas, met in regular session this the 19th day of May, 1992, with the following present: HONORABLE: Evelyn M. Lord Mayor Lulu L. Smith Mayor Pro Tem. Andrew P. Cokinos Councilman At Large Brian R. Alter Councilman At Large Guy N. Goodson Councilman, Ward II Audwin Samuel Councilman, Ward III David W. Moore Councilman, Ward IV Ray A. Riley City Manager Lane Nichols City Attorney Rosemarie Chiappetta City Clerk -000- The Invocation was given by the Reverend L. C. Treadway, pastor of New Life Tabernacle. The Pledge of Allegiance was led by Ray A. Riley, City Manager. -000- Five Proclamations were issued: a Proclamation recognizing "Angela Walters" as Miss Beaumont and extending best wishes for the Miss Texas Beauty Pageant; "Operation Graduation Awareness Week, " May 25-31, 1992 , encouraging alcohol and drug free graduation celebrations in an effort to eliminate drug-related automobile accidents; "National Association of Insurance Women's Week, " May 17-23, 1992, recognizing professional insurance women for their contribution in the insurance industry and effective promotion of safety; "Mental Health Month, " May, 1992 ; and "Buddy Poppy Days, " May 22-23 , 1992 . -000- Mayor Lord introduced Todd Freeland, a member of the Mayor's Committee for Employment of Disabled Persons, and Kay Tomias, Chairperson of Project Playground--Central Park. Ms. Tomias explained that Project Playground is a locally formed group striving to build a playground at Central Park at 4th and Fannin Streets geared to accommodate handicapped children. She said the project grew out of the Junior League's Project and Research Committee, and that the Junior League is seed-funding $20,000 of the projected $50, 000 - $75, 000 budget, but it -119- May 19, 1992 G is a special project promoting community spirit. Similar to a barn- raising, the playground will be built in four or five days with all volunteer labor and some donated materials. Everyone works together in all phases of the park's development, even the children. To begin the process, a "Name the Playground Contest" was held at the grade school level. Ms. Tomias introduced Donna Philyaw, Contest Chairman, who presented certificates to the first-place winners. Laura Brown of Sallie Curtis Elementary and Carrie Mercer of Regina Howell both submitted the winning name, "Imagination Station. " Participation certificates were also presented to Miss Gibbs ' third grade class at Sallie Curtis and Miss Carroll 's kindergarten class at Regina Howell. As finalists in the contest, classes from Price, Assumption, Regina Howell, Sallie Curtis and Vincent elementary schools will be involved with Architect Bob Leathers in the design of the playground next fall. -000- Citizen comment was invited on the Consent and Main Agendas. No one wished to address these items. -000- The following Consent Agenda items were considered: Approval of the Minutes of the regular City Council session held May 5, 1992 ; Resolution No. 92-132 appointing John Johnson to the Clean Community Commission for a term expiring September 30, 1994, Sara Culbreth to the Small Business Revolving Loan Fund Advisory Committee for a term expiring December 31, 1993 and reappointing Dr. David C. Powell to the Airport Advisory Committee for a term expiring May 31, 1994 ; Resolution No. 92-133 authorizing a License to Encroach to Donald Wayne Mudd, owner of the west 30 feet of Lot 23 and all of Lot 24 , Block 41, Calder Highland Extension Addition, for 2 .5 feet into a 16-foot easement for a distance of 34 feet for a swimming pool and 6. 5 feet by 52 feet into the easement for a concrete apron, for a one time fee of $500. 00; Resolution No. 92-134 accepting the donation of a five-foot-wide street easement on existing Arlington Street, the east property line of Tract 111A SP2, H. William Survey, from George P. and Rebecca Sibley, owners of the tract of land at the corner of Arlington Street and Jackson Road, in exchange for City repairs to the apron of their driveway; Resolution No. 92-135 accepting construction of Street and Storm Sewer Improvements made to Bluebonnet Street from the existing pavement 571 feet east to the end of a temporary turnaround and Water and Sanitary Sewer Improvements for Lots 9-20, Block 2 ; Lots 10-16, Block 4 ; and -120- May 19, 1992 Y Lots 1-2, Block 3 from developers of Gladys West Subdivision - Section One, Phase II; and Resolution No. 92-136 authorizing full and final settlement of the claim for bodily injury of Billie Jean Wilson in the amount of $4, 260. 00. The Consent Agenda was approved on a motion made by Councilman Cokinos and seconded by Councilman Smith. Question: Ayes: All Nayes: None -000- Councilman Brian R. Alter was elected to serve as Mayor Pro Tempore for a one year term on a motion made by Councilman Goodson and seconded by Councilman Smith. Question: Ayes: All Nayes: None -000- Mayor Lord welcomed Councilman Alter to the office of Mayor Pro Tempore and thanked Councilman Smith for doing a superb job in filling that position this past year. -000- Resolution No. 92-137 authorizing submission of an application for a traffic safety grant in the amount of $15, 000. 00 for the period from June 1 to September 30, 1992, from the Texas Department of Transportation's Summer Occupant Protection Program/S.T.E.P. , which focuses on enforcement of the state's seat belt laws, was approved on a motion made by Mayor Pro Tem Alter and seconded by Councilman Smith. Question: Ayes: All Nayes: None -000- Resolution No. 92-138 authorizing acquisition of Parcel 4: 0.27 acre tract of land adjacent to Lot 135, in the amount of $2,770. 00; Parcel 6: 0. 35 acre tract of land adjacent to Lot 133, in the amount of $525. 00; and Parcel 9: 0. 35 acre tract of land adjacent to Lot 140, in the amount of $3, 620. 00, all three tracts in the Meentzen Brothers Subdivision, from General Bowen Missionary Baptist Association and its Auxiliary Bodies, their interest being one-half of previously dedicated Meentzen Street right-of-way for all three parcels, for the Meentzen Drainage Project, a joint project with Drainage District No. 6 to relieve Ditch 904, was approved on a motion made by Councilman Smith and seconded by Councilman Moore. Question: Ayes: All Nayes: None -121- May 19, 1992 G Resolution No. 92-139 creating an Emeritus Commissioner title within the Historical Landmark Commission to honor retiring members with long, outstanding service on the Commission and enable the City to continue to gain benefit of the knowledge and experience of these members and appointing John H. Walker as the first Emeritus Commissioner was introduced: Mr. Riley read a portion of the proposed resolution: Be it resolved that the honorary position of Emeritus Commissioner of the Historical Landmark Commission is hereby established as a lifetime non-voting membership to be conferred by the City Council in recognition of outstanding service; and, be it further resolved that John H. Walker is hereby appointed as the first Emeritus Commissioner of the Historical Landmark Commission. Resolution No. 92-139 was approved on a motion made by Councilman Moore and seconded by Councilman Cokinos. Question: Ayes: All Nayes: None Mr. Walker was called forward to accept congratulations from Council for receiving the first title of Emeritus Commissioner of the Historical Landmark Commission, and Mayor Lord said that passage of this resolution carries with it "the title of Mr. Beaumont" and invited Mr. Walker to comment. Mr. Walker: Thank you very much. First, I want to say I 'm deeply appreciative of this, and I was gloating the other day that now I 'm an Emeritus, I won't have to do anything, but I 've been informed by everybody that that's not true. And, I wanted to remark to the children that were gathered here that, I don't know if they realize it or not, but what they've done today is of historical significance, and the little things that you meet day after day quite often are the things that make history, and I wanted to encourage them to keep it up. And, thank you again. -000- Resolution No. 92-140 authorizing an amendment to the labor contract with the Beaumont Police Officers Association to reduce medical coverage payments for retired or disabled police officers to monthly rates of $150 for single coverage, $200 for single plus one dependent and $250 for family coverage; those retiring between April 1, 1984, and January 31, 1992 , would not be subject to future rate increases; those retiring after January 31, 1992, may be subject to annual rate adjustments; and a requirement that retirees leave the program at age 65 upon qualification for medicare was approved on a motion made by Councilman Cokinos and seconded by Councilman Smith. Question: Ayes: All Nayes: None -122- May 19, 1992 Y Councilman Moore questioned the possibility of like consideration being given to the Firefighters' labor contract. Mr. Riley said they were included in negotiations but have not yet recommended the amendments. Councilman Moore said medical coverage is a primary concern for retirees, thinks this is a good move and a consideration that will have to be looked at for the entire rank of employees. -000- Being the first meeting in attendance since the election, Mayor Lord congratulated Councilmen Alter and Cokinos for successfully being re- elected and Councilman Samuel for graduation from law school. Councilman Smith thanked Councilman Goodson for conducting the May 17th "Sunday in the Park. " Councilman Goodson said "it was a small, but wiry crowd. . .that faced the elements" for "Sunday in the Park, " and a lot of people probably stayed away because they feared unpleasant weather, but said it stayed very nice and everyone had a wonderful time. Councilman Moore jokingly asked Mayor Lord if she was legal, and she announced that City Clerk Tu Chiappetta administered the Oath of Office to her in a small ceremony on Friday upon her return from Washington, D.C. Councilman Moore reminded everyone of the neighborhood meeting tonight and thanked Council for their participation in Ward IV activities. Councilman Samuel extended his congratulations to Mayor Lord, Councilman Cokinos and Mayor Pro Tem Alter for being re-elected, thanked Council and the citizens of Beaumont for bearing with him during the last three years of challenge in attending law school and for their beneficial assistance and said he hopes to bring back his educational advantage to Beaumont for better service. Mayor Pro Tem Alter expressed appreciation for the opportunity of serving as Mayor Pro Tem, congratulated Mayor Lord for re-election to office, solicited volunteers to join the Clean Community Commission, Valspar Corporation and Mobil Oil on May 30th in a project painting six homes, announced that the first of four DARE graduations for middle schools was held today at Marshall Middle School and concurred that "Sunday in the Park" was fun. Mayor Lord said the Beaumont Police Department has "done a particularly fine job with our DARE Program" and that she started her morning out with a small graduating class of the program. Mayor Lord explained she was not able to be sworn into office with other Councilmembers because she was in Washington, D. C. on "one of the highest adventures" in her life. She shared that she was a guest of the Air National Guard, the Reserve, the Air Force, and the Army as a thank-you for the way -123- May 19, 1992 Beaumont treated the veterans, the Guard and the participants in the Persian Gulf conflict in the past months. She said she had a thrilling flight to Washington, D. C. on a K-10-A extender Air Force plane that refueled four F-16 fighter jets mid-air during the flight and on the return trip refueled six F-16 fighter jets at 1, 500 gallons per minute. She said the most significant moment was when she was honored and the City of Beaumont honored by being asked, along with the mayor of Cleburne, Texas, to lay a wreath at the foot of the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier. She said this was a particularly moving moment. -000- The Reverend (Samuel) Leday, 1445 Lindbergh (business) , addressed Council regarding his daughter and alleged Police brutality and abuse, asked that the Police Review Board be changed to a Citizens Review Board and referred to subjects in a booklet entitled, Beaumont Strategic Development Fund, Inc. Mr. Charles X. White, 1445 Bolivar, addressed Council to extend an invitation from the Regional At-Risk Youth Task Force to attend a Summit at Galveston on June 11-13, co-hosted by State Senator Chet Brooks. Mr. White discussed activities, purposes and goals of the group and asked for funding consideration of a summer program. He said he submitted a budget for $30,500. 00 for summer programs in the Beaumont area, and the Orange Housing Authority and the Port Arthur Housing Authority have each committed to funding $2 , 500. 00, and the Houston Housing Authority is still deciding the level of their commitment. Mr. Henry Dannenbaum, 1567 Wall Street, addressed Council to express appreciation to Councilmembers for their service and for the "Mental Health Month" proclamation. -000- Mayor Lord announced that an Executive Session will be conducted following the Workshop Session in accordance with Section 2 (e) of the Texas Open Meetings Act to discuss contemplated or pending litigation: Wanda Kaluzny v. The City of Beaumont and Claim of Municipal Administrative Service. -000- There being no other business, the Regular Session of City Council was recessed to reconvene in Workshop Session in the Administrative Conference Room. -000- -124- May 19, 1992 Y I, Rosemarie Chiappetta, 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 May 19, 1992. Rosemarie Chiappetta City Clerk -125- May 19, 1992