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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMIN MAY 10 1988 REGULAR SESSION CITY COUNCIL - CITY OF BEAUMONT HELD MAY 10, 1988 - 1: 15 P.M. BE IT REMEMBERED that the City Council of the City of Beaumont, Texas, met in regular session this the 10th day of May, 1988, with the following present: HONORABLE: Maurice Meyers Mayor Bob Lee, Jr. Councilman At Large Andrew P. Cokinos Councilman At Large Lulu L. Smith Councilman, Ward I Mike Brumley Mayor Pro-Tem Councilman, Ward II Audwin Samuel Councilman, Ward III David W. Moore Councilman, Ward IV Albert E. Haines City Manager Lane Nichols City Attorney Rosemarie Chiappetta City Clerk -000- The Invocation was given by the Reverend Davis Snowden, pastor of the Roberts Avenue Methodist Church. The Pledge of Allegiance was led by Councilman Moore. -000- ' Ordinance No. 88-101 canvassing the returns of the May 7, 1988 City General Election showing a total vote of 11,097 with Maurice Meyers elected as Mayor with 8, 932 votes or 84. 6% of the total votes cast, Andrew P. Cokinos with 6,624 votes or 40.78% of the total and Bob Lee, Jr. with 5,522 votes or 33. 99% of the total votes elected to the two offices of Councilman At Large and the proposition for an initiative ordinance for two garbage pickups per week carried by a vote of 6,485 for to 3 ,387 against with percentages at 65. 69% to 34. 31% was considered: ORDINANCE NO. 88-101 ENTITLED AN ORDINANCE CANVASSING THE RETURNS OF THE REGULAR CITY ELECTION HELD IN THE CITY OF BEAUMONT ON THE 7TH DAY OF MAY, 1988 FOR THE PURPOSE OF ELECTING A MAYOR AND TWO ( 2) COUNCIL MEMBERS-AT-LARGE AND REQUIRING THE CITY OF BEAUMONT TO COLLECT OR CAUSE TO BE COLLECTED ALL RESIDENTIAL GARBAGE TWO ( 2) TIMES EACH WEEK; PROVIDING FOR SEVERABILITY AND PROVIDING FOR REPEAL. Public comment was invited on Agenda Item B-1. -127- May 10, 1988 Mrs. Delia Harrington, 815 Willow, addressed Council to express her delight with the outcome of the election. Councilman Lee expressed his appreciation for the workers who helped put together an effective campaign and the opportunity during the past two years to work with Beaumonters for the betterment of our community. He stated that the proper course has been established and lot of work with a lot of people is needed to achieve what is capable of being achieved. Councilman Lee pledged to continue to work hard to improve our community from an economic and social standpoint. Councilman Cokinos thanked his workers for a successful campaign in his reelection to City Council and stated he will be an independent voice on the Council and will listen to the problems voiced to him by citizens. Mayor Meyers thanked the community for their support and said "we are limited only by our imagination, our creativity, and what we' re willing to try and do together. . . .If we continue to recognize and understand that, the things we can achieve are not predictable. . .we can go far beyond what many dreamed possible. " Ordinance No. 88-46 was approved on a motion made by Councilman Brumley and seconded by Councilman Smith. Question: Ayes: All Nayes: None -000- The Honorable Judge Ronald Walker, Judge of the 58th District Court, administered the Oath of Office to Maurice Meyers as Mayor of the City of Beaumont, Bob Lee, Jr. and Andrew P. Cokinos as Council Members-At-Large as elected on May 7, 1988. -000- MAYOR MEYERS• The bottom line for most everything that we talk about everyday regardless of the activity. Earlier in talking about historic preservation, we weave our way back into the business of economic development. We have today once again, Beverly Hatcher, with the First Stop Business Center. Beverly, won' t you come forward? The reason we ask Beverly to come by and visit with us every couple of three months, and Wilton White, Chairman of the Chamber is present, the First Stop Business Center is an activity housed within the Chamber of Commerce supported financially by the City of Beaumont. Principally, it' s there to assist small business people who want to learn some things about how they go in business, how they start a business, how they get a permit, all the ins and outs, but the unique thing is this element of our community and it's activities is what is truly driving our economy up. Beverly has brought today some folks that we want You to introduce. And, again, we speak to the premise of jobs and the thought that if there's 50 jobs we are not as concerned whether they are in one place or ten places. Those are 50 people working. Beverly, I turn the mike to you would like you to introduce the business people that are with you today, and please share with them things like the date they started as well as the number of people they now have employed. -128- May 10, 1988 BEVERLY HATCHER: Thank you, Mayor, City Councilmen, City Manager. On behalf of First Stop Business Center, we appear before you again today excited with another nine ( 9) new businesses that we are going to present to you. We have a little something for them, and I ' ll be calling their names, and if you' ll come forward and just kinda line up across the front so that we can present you to the Mayor and City Council. Mrs. Hatcher presented: 1. Granny' s Old-Fashioned Pies, owners John \and Hazel Wheeler, business opened February, 1988 using an old family recipe for the crust with one full-time and one part-time employee. 2. Love ' s Unlimited, a special occasion consultants shop, owner Robert Cummings, business opened January, 1988 with two full-time employees. 3. Gifts from the Heart, a specialty gift shop, owners Lisa Townsend and Winnie Alwazzan, opened May 1, 1988. 4. The Paper, a weekly newspaper with a circulation of 69,640, owned by a number of investors and incorporated in 1988 with 15 full-time and three part-time employees. 5. Beaumont Spirits, a unique gift liquor store, with one full-time employee. 6. Crawford's Beauty Academy, a beauty school, owner Doris Crawford, opened October 1, 1987 with three full-time employees. 7. Fourth Street P.ofessional Plaza, a business incubator housing 20 separate office spaces arranged around two receptions rooms, one conference room, a computer room, three lounges, and lots of parking, owner Jerry Plaia and managed by Ken and Jane Stevens. 8. Alexander's Custom Tailoring, custom tailoring of men's suits, slacks, and assists in coordinating wardrobes, owner Marcia Alexander, opened January 5, 1988 with one full-time employee. 9. Petrocon Engineering, Inc. , an engineering and design company specializing in petro-chemical design, owner Mike Burrow, established in March of 1988 an employees 32 full-time employees. Each of the businesses were congratulated and given a copy of a book entitled, Beaumont, by the Chamber of Commerce. Mayor Meyers and Council added their congratulations and commendations to these businesses for adding 60 jobs to our economy and for the diversification offered to our community by their efforts. -000- -129- May 10, 1988 Mayor Pro-Tem Brumley announced that prior to Council there was a ceremony and presentation by the Historical Landmark Commission with an unveiling of the Historical Commercial District for the City of Beaumont designating the Central Business District (downtown Beaumont) as a Historical Cultural Business District. Signs will be erected that indicate Beaumont has established a Historical Cultural District in recognition of it historical buildings. Mayor Pro-Tem Brumley read a Proclamation designating May 8-14, 1988 as "National Historic Preservation Week" and called forward Mr. Alan McNeill President of the Beaumont Heritage Society; Suzy Juncker, President of BUILD, Inc. ; Mr. Pat Gilbert, Jefferson County Historical Commission; Nancy Morgan, Chairman of the Beaumont Historical Landmark Commission; and Yvonne Osborne, President of the Tyrrell Historical Library Association. -000- Councilman Brumley announced that Council meeting will be recessed for a brief reception in honor of National Historic Preservation Week and in honor of the newly elected Mayor and Councilmembers. Citizens were invited to return for the remainder of the meeting following the reception. -000- (recess) Mayor Meyers recognized and complimented Mr. Roberto Flores, Mr. Duwayne Herrmann, and Mr. Tony Sacker, who were present, for their willingness to offer themselves as candidates for the Councilmen At Large positions. -000- Councilman Lee presented a Proclamation to Mark 'Williams for bringing great recognition to Beaumont. Mark is a champion bowler, bowling professionally since 1980, won six tournaments in his career, two in 1988, and won for the second time the Firestone Tournament of Champions, the most prestigious tournament of the Professional Bowlers Association. Mark Williams is the fifth person to achieve this distinction. Mr. Williams stated he is proud of Beaumont and plans to continue his residency in Beaumont. -000- Two more Proclamations were issued: "Small Business Week, " May 8-14, 1988; and "Kaleidoscope 1988 's Wild About Downtown Weekend," May 14 and 15, 1988. -000- Councilman Brumley expressed his pleasure for the opportunity in serving as Mayor Pro-Tem for the past year and for the learning experiences afforded through this office and made a motion, seconded by Councilman Lee, to nominate Councilman Audwin Samuel as Mayor Pro-Tem for the coming year. The motion was approved by a unanimous vote. Question: Ayes: All Nayes: None -130- May 10, 1988 Other Proclamations issued were: "Peace Officers' Memorial Day, " Sunday, May 15, 1988; "Police Week, " May 15-21, 1988; "Hospital Week, " May 8-14, 1988; "National Transportation Week, " May 8-14, 1988; and "Shrine News Day, " Saturday, Nay 14, 1988. -000- Public comment was invited for Agenda Items A, C-3 through F. Mrs. Jessie Cooper, 446 Georgetown, addressed Council regarding Item C-3, stated she volunteered services at the New Jerusalem Mission and observed management methods and requested that Council scrutinize the person who will be administrator of the funds allocated for the emergency shelter. Mr. Haines suggested Item C-3 be taken out of normal sequence and that official action be held until after Workshop Session when the subject will be considered in depth. Mr. Phillip Klein, 795 Monterrey, President of the Sabine Area Chapter of the Texas Restaurant Association addressed Council in support of Item D-4 and encouraged more stringent legislation limiting and closing roadside vendors of food. -000- The following Consent Agenda Items were considered: Approval of the Minutes of the Regular City Council Session held May 3, 1988; Resolution No. 88-101 appointing Ricardo Ramirez, Jr. and reappointing Virginia Stansbury to the Senior Citizens Advisory Commission with terms expiring September 30, 1990 and appointing Marie Hubbard to the CDBG Citizens Advisory Commission for a term expiring May 31, 1989; Resolution No. 88-102 a five-year lease renewal beginning January 1, 1988 and ending December 31, 1992 with the Beaumont Art League on the art museum property on Fair Park for a token payment of $1.00; and Resolution No. 88-103 authorizing an amendment to the agreement to encroach with the Stedman Building Partnership to cover the metal awning attached to the building encroaching 10 ' x 88 ' located 21. 3 ' from Bowie Street right- of-way. The Consent Agenda was approved on a motion made by Councilman Samuel and seconded by Councilman Smith. Question: Ayes: All Nayes: None -000- -131- May 10, 1988 Ordinance No. 88-47 granting a specific use permit for a summer child care program at 2580 North Street was considered: ORDINANCE NO. 88-47 ENTITLED AN ORDINANCE ISSUING A SPECIFIC USE PERMIT FOR A SUMMER YOUTH PROGRAM (CHILD CARE FACILITY) DURING A PERIOD FROM MAY 31, 1988 THROUGH AUGUST 31, 1988 ON PROPERTY LOCATED AT 2580 NORTH STREET, BEAUMONT, JEFFERSON COUNTY, TEXAS. A motion was made by Councilman Moore and seconded by Councilman Samuel to approve the specific use permit. After a discussion regarding traffic safety and privacy of the adjacent property owner, Councilman Lee requested the motion be amended to stipulate construction of a solid six-foot fence along the rear property corner on the east side to a point 10 feet toward the street from the adjacent property driveway as it goes under their porte cochere. Question was called on the motion as amended for approval of Ordinance No. 88-47. Question: Ayes: Mayor Meyers Nayes: Councilman Councilman Lee Smith Councilman Cokinos Councilman Councilman Samuel Brumley Councilman Brumley -000- Ordinance No. 88-48 amending Chapter 11 of the Code of Ordinances relating to the issuance of temporary food service permits to address permanent food establishments being operated under continuous renewals of temporary permits by using different names on the applications, a four permit limit per applicant per year and festival food exemptions was considered: ORDINANCE NO. 88-48 ENTITLED AN ORDINANCE AMENDING CHAPTER 11 OF THE CODE OF ORDINANCES OF THE CITY OF BEAUMONT CONCERNING FOOD ESTABLISHMENTS TO PROVIDE A TIME LIMIT BETWEEN ISSUANCE OF TEMPORARY FOOD ESTABLISHMENT PERMITS; A DEFINITION OF "INDIVIDUAL, BUSINESS OR ORGANIZATION;" PROVIDING FOR SEVERABILITY; PROVIDING FOR REPEAL; AND PROVIDING FOR A PENALTY. Ordinance No. 88-48 was approved on a motion made by Councilman Brumley and seconded by Councilman Smith. Question: Ayes: All Nayes: None -000- -132- May 10, 1988 Ordinance No. 88-49 abandoning six-inches of the right-of-way of Park, Neches and Bowie Streets to remove encroachments to clear title to the property for the Stedman Building Project was considered: ORDINANCE NO. 88-49 ENTITLED AN ORDINANCE VACATING AND ABANDONING A PORTION OF NECHES, BOWIE AND PARK STREET RIGHTS-OF-WAY, BLOCK 17 OF THE VAN WORMER ADDITION, BEAUMONT, JEFFERSON COUNTY, TEXAS. Ordinance No. 88-49 was approved on a motion made by Councilman Lee and seconded by Councilman Brumley. Question: Ayes: All Nayes: None -000- After a lengthy discussion involving uncertainties in financing, a resolution awarding a contract to Daniels Construction Co. for the remodeling and conversion of the Szafir' s Building for use as an energy museum was deferred to place on a Work Session to answer any questions Council or citizens might have concerning the project. -000- Resolution No. 88-104 authorizing an agreement with the International City Management Association Retirement Corporation under which the City would participate in the management of funds invested with the ICMA Trust under an optional deferred compensation plan for City Employees with Marvin Kelly, Risk Manager for the City, appointed as coordinator for the program was approved on a motion made by Councilman Brumley and seconded by Councilman Samuel. Question: Ayes: All Nayes: None -000- The regular session of City Council was recessed to conduct a Work Session for discussion of a proposed subrecipient contract under the Emergency Shelter Grants Program for the operation of an emergency shelter for the homeless. -000- The regular session of City Council reconvened. -000- Resolution No. 88-105 authorizing execution of a contract with the New Jerusalem Mission for operation of an emergency shelter for the homeless under a subrecipient grant in the amount of $17,640 to be used for essential services (food for 12 months) and $34,360 for operational expenses (utilities, insurance and maintenance) and to be established in a former fire station building at 875 College Street which would be -133- May 10, 1988 rehabilitated and converted for the shelter using $150,000 in Emergency Shelter Grants funds obtained through the Texas Department of Community Affairs with a stipulation that the Board of Directors be so constituted as to be reflective of public accountability was approved on a motion made by Councilman Lee and seconded by Councilman Samuel. Question: Ayes: All Nayes: None -000- Councilman Brumley extended congratulations to Mayor Meyers, Councilman Lee and Councilman Cokinos for successfully winning reelection to their respective Council positions. Councilman Lee announced that "Sunday in the Park" will be hosted by Fashion Showcase with Councilman Cokinos as guest Councilperson reading stories for the children along with the Kleidoscope activities downtown. Councilman Cokinos reported that $86, 164. 80 has been donated to the Hulsey children' fund. Councilman Moore thanked the Associate Civic Club and community for their assistance in cleaning Hebert Cemetery, reported curb damage at the railroad crossing on Lavaca Street and Avenue B, and overhanging trees interfering with vehicular vision on Florida Street between Avenue A and the Freeway. Councilman Samuel requested information regarding the type of new construction on Bennett Road between Ledet and Bigner Road and thanked Council for their confidence in nominating and `voting for him as Mayor Pro- Tern. Councilman Smith congratulated Mayor Meyers, Councilman Lee and Councilman Lee for a successful Council race and return to office. -000- Mr. Forrest "Ted" Posey, 3695 Edmonds, addressed Council regarding volunteers and providing work for poor people to earn money. Mr. Charles Edwards, 5635 Margaret, addressed council regarding his concern the economy, people leaving Beaumont, businesses closing, and Council engineering a program to assist existing businesses to succeed. Mayor Meyers encouraged Mr. Edwards by quoting the Board of Realtor statistics that indicate in December, 1987 versus December, 1986, there were 50% fewer homes for sale. Other indicators are proving a slow return from the economical crisis to our area caused by the problems of the oil industry. Progress is slow, but moving in a positive direction. Mr. C. L. Sherman, 585 Belvedere Drive, addressed Council against the sale of Certificates of Obligation and Bond Issues. -134- May 10, 1988 Mr. Wayne Sherman, 325 Bradford Drive, addressed Council regarding a large donation to the Police Department for training facilities at Lamar University, safety equipment, and an undesignated project. He emphasized this money is a separate fund and has not been contributed to the "Adopt-A- Cop" program. To date, $37,886. 00 has been donated to the project. -000- There being no further business, the meeting was adjourned. -000- 2, 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 10, 1988. Rosemarie Chiappetta City Clerk -135- May 10, 1988