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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMIN AUG 23 1988 REGULAR SESSION CITY COUNCIL - CITY OF BEAUMONT HELD AUGUST 23 , 1988 - 1: 15 P.M. BE IT REMEMBERED that the City Council of the City of Beaumont, Texas, met in regular session this the 23rd day of August, 1988, with the following present: HONORABLE: Audwin Samuel Mayor Pro-Tem Councilman, Ward III Bob Lee, Jr. Councilman-At-Large Andrew P. Cokinos Councilman-At-Large Lulu L. Smith Councilman, Ward I David W. Moore Councilman, Ward IV Absent: Maurice Meyers Mayor Mike Brumley Councilman, Ward II Albert E. Haines City Manager Lane Nichols City Attorney Rosemarie Chiappetta City Clerk -000- The Invocation was given by the Reverend Beauregard Brown. The Pledge of Allegiance was led by Councilman Moore. -000- One Proclamation was issued: "Jerry Lewis Muscular Dystrophy Telethon Weekend in Beaumont, " Labor Day weekend, September 3-5, 1988 . -000- Mayor Pro-Tem Samuel recognized and welcomed Judge Richard LeBlanc and Mr. Norman Troy, members of the Jefferson County Commissioner' s Court, , Mr. Jerry Ware, Jefferson County Treasurer, Mr. Howard Trahan and Mr. Terry Williams, Beaumont Independent School District representatives. -000- Judge Richard LeBlanc reported the Jefferson County Commissioners did not have a quorum present for a Joint Public Hearing for consideration of the establishment of an Enterprise Zone. -000- Announcement of an Executive Session of the Beaumont City Council following the Workshop Session in accordance with Section 2 (e) of the Open Meetings Act of the State of Texas to discuss pending or contemplative litigation was made. -218- August 23, 1988 A Public Hearing for the City of Beaumont to consider establishment of an Enterprise Zone was called to order by Mayor Pro-Tem Samuel. Karin Richmond, Consultant for preparation of the Enterprise Zone application, presented an overview of an Enterprise Zone and related economic factors and reviewed a list of Enterprise Zone Incentives, a copy of which is attached as Exhibit A. Carol Flatten, Economic Development Director for the City of Beaumont, identified the boundaries for the proposed Enterprise Zone starting at Interstate 10 to the Neches River, East on Interstate 10 from the Neches River to the Santa Fe Railroad, to Calder Avenue, West to Interstate 10, to College Street, East to Martin Luther King Blvd. , M. L. King Blvd. to the City limits, out to the County and Extraterritorial Jurisdiction going through Census Tracts, crossing part of Highway 69 and part of Twin City Highway to the Extraterritorial Jurisdiction back up to the Neches River, following the river up and crossing over to Orange County across the Neches River from City Hall. Councilmembers discussed various aspects of Enterprise Zone and Incentives and expressed concerns and/or questioned environmental safety of neighborhoods, employment regulations, incentives for small businesses, day- care facilities, and sales use tax. Judge Richard LeBlanc, Jefferson County Commissioner, addressed Council in support of applying for the Enterprise Zone and stated this is another tool to use for revitalization of our community and our competitive ability on a national level. Mr. Jim Stokes, Beaumont Chamber of Commerce President, addressed Council in support of the Enterprise Zone as a valuable tool for economic development, but cautioned it is a tool, not a panacea, and offered the assistance of the Small Business Council of the Chamber of Commerce to identify some incentives that could be added for small businesses. Mr. Robert Young, 2681 Washington, addressed Council. with concerns regarding small business incentives and questioned Washington Boulevard not being within the boundaries of the Enterprise Zone and the method used for determination of the boundary. Mr. Norman Troy, Jefferson County Commissioner, addressed Council in support of the Enterprise Zone and remembered a time when there were tools such as the Enterprise Zone to attract new businesses or expansion of existing businesses. Mr. Howard Trahan, 4425 Opal, commended Council on their aggressive attitude toward economic development and pledged support of a resolution for an Enterprise Zone. There being no one else to address Council regarding the Enterprise Zone, Mayor Pro-Tem closed the Public Hearing. -000- -219- August 23, 1988 Resolution No. 88-170 authorizing nomination by the City of Beaumont for an Enterprise Zone with a continuous boundary 18 . 2 square miles in total area representing 1. 90 of the total area within the jurisdiction of Jefferson County and 240 of the total area within the municipal jurisdiction of the City of Beaumont, designating the City Manager on behalf of the City to sign and enter into negotiated agreement with the Department of Commerce, designating Ms. Karin Richmond as Consultant, establishing incentives to create the proper economic and social environment to induce investment of private resources in productive business enterprises located in a severely distressed area of the City, and to provide employment to residents of that area was approved on a motion made by Councilman Cokinos and seconded by Councilman Smith. Question: Ayes: All Nayes: None -000- Councilman Moore relayed to the Beaumont Independent School District members and Jefferson County Court Commissioners present that consideration be given to composition of tax entity representatives as a committee to study the problem for solution of individuals about to lose their property because of compounding penalties, creating an impossible situation for recovery. -000- Mr. Jim Stokes, President of the Chamber of Commerce, affirmed that since there were no significant changes, the Economic Development Council would not present a Monthly Progress Report. -000- Public comment was invited on Agenda Items A, B, and C. No one wished to address Council regarding these items. -000- The following Consent Agenda Items were considered: Approval of the Minutes of the regular City Council session held August 16, 1988; Resolution No. 88-171 authorizing release of $380,000. 00 in securities held as collateral with Texas Commerce Bank; Resolution No. 88-172 appointing Aubrey Webb and Sheila Stewart to the Convention and Tourism Commission with terms expiring July 31, 1990, Marianne Fiorenza and James Martin to the Beaumont Advisory Commission for Prevention of Child Abuse with terms expiring June 30, 1990, Charles Bullock to the Plumbing and Mechanical Board of Review for a term expiring May 31, 1990, Thomas F. Jones to the Transit Advisory Commission for a term expiring June 30, 1990 and Thomas F. Jones to the CDBG Citizens Advisory Commission for a term expiring May 31, 1990; and -220- August 23, 1988 Resolution No. 88-173 approving a pipeline permit to United Texas Transmission Co. to lay, maintain, operate, replace, or remove a pipeline crossing streets at Washington Boulevard between Langham and Lindberg ( 171 feet) , Fannett Road between Highway 125 and 23rd Street ( 122 feet) , and Langham Road between Washington and Kelly ( 98.85 feet) . The Consent Agenda was approved on a motion made by Councilman Cokinos and seconded by Councilman Moore. Question: Ayes: All Nayes: None -000- Resolution No. 88-174 authorizing execution of an interlocal agreement with Drainage District 6 for construction of a bridge to replace the culvert crossing at a drainage ditch on Sherwood Drive about 2,000 feet north of Voth Cut-Off Road at an estimated total cost of $120,000 with a stipulation that the City' s Minority Business Enterprise policy would be in effect was approved on a motion made by Mayor Pro-Tem Samuel and seconded by Councilman Moore. Question: Ayes: All Nayes: None -000- Resolution No. 88-175 endorsing the proposed Good Road Amendment to the Texas State Constitution in a campaign being sponsored by the Texas Good Roads/Transportation Association to generate support for the amendment in the November 8 election in an effort to prevent Federal Highway Funds received by the state from being used as general revenues was considered: City Manager Albert E. Haines introduced Mr. Bob Shaw, Chairman of the Jefferson County Good Roads Amendment Campaign. MR. BOB SHAW: Mayor and Councilmembers, to prevent the diversion of federal highway funds to the general revenue, the Legislature approved, almost unanimously, the proposed "Good Roads Amendment" to the State Constitution. This proposed amendment will be on the ballot November the 8th of this year and will require that federal highway funds received by the State continue to be used to improve Texas highways. Your support of this endorsement resolution today would be a signal to our local votes that a "yes" vote on the amendment this November would not only be good for the State of Texas, but also good for Beaumont. MAYOR PRO-TEM SAMUEL: Thank you very much, Bob. We appreciate your efforts. Resolution No. 88-175 was approved on a motion made by Councilman Cokinos and seconded by Councilman Smith. -000- -221- August 23, 1988 Councilman Lee reported that last week' s "Sunday in the Park" was exceptional with about 2,000 people in attendance and announced that the Art Studio will host next week' s "Sunday in the Park. " Councilman Cokinos encouraged everyone to attend "Sunday in the Park" and make it another successful endeavor. Councilman Moore expressed concerns about brush charges and a desire to discuss the issue further, reported that South 8th Street is in need of immediate attention, requested that the intersection of Southerland and 4th Street construction be accelerated to reduce traffic and safety problems and announced that the next Town Meeting will be conducted Tuesday, August 30th, 7: 00 p.m. at Starlight Baptist Church, 1090 Buford Street. Mayor Pro-Tem Samuel asked Tom Warner, Public Works Director, to evaluate washout of cement on the Fannin Street side at the Petroleum Building and announced the "Concert on the Move" on Thursday, August 25th, will be at Magnolia Park with performances of Rhythm and Blues and Jazz music and guaranteed good weather with no rain! Councilman Smith also complimented last week' s "Sunday in the Park" in spite of the extreme heat and reported a very nice crowd and lots of activities for the children. -000- Mr. Henry Dannenbaum, 1567 Wall Street, extended invitations to visit McBride House and thanked Mr. Wayne Sherman for spearheading the "Adopt-A- Cop" program. -000- There being no further business, the meeting was recessed to conduct the regular Workshop Session. -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 August 23, 1988. Rosemarie Chiappetta City Clerk -222- August 23 , 1988 LIST OF ENTERPRISE ZONE INCENTIVES 1. County of Jefferson Manufacturing Tax Abatement Policy. 2 . City of Beaumont Manufacturing Tax Abatement Policy. 3 . Beaumont I.S.D Manufacturing Tax Abatement Policy. 4. City of Beaumont Sales and Use Tax Abatement. 5. Jefferson County Sales and Use Tax Abatement. 6. Historical Tax Abatement. 7. Tax Increment Financing 8. Special Assessment Districts. 9. Beaumont Small Business Revolving Loan Program. 10. Diversifinancing Program. 11. HUD Section 108 Loan Guarantee. 12 . HUD 312 Rehabilitation Loan. 13 . Targeting of Community Development Block Grant/Loans. . 14. Tax Exempt Revenue Bonds. 15. Downtown Revitalization Revolving Loan Program. 16. Federal Economic Development Administration (EDA) Public Works Grants. 17. Improvement of Bus Services. 13 . .-Repair, or Demoliticil of Substandard Zone Struct.ur: , 19 . Appointment of Enterprise Zone Ombudsman. 20. Public Works Improvements. 21. Targeting of Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) , Job Training Partnership Act (JTPA) and other Federal and State grants and loans for Zone development. 22 • PrOiIlOtion of Pcivate Day Care Facilities Development. 23 . City of Beaumont Planned Improvements to Community Facilities. Exhibit "A" 24. Lease or ,sale of public land at a reduced or below- the-market cost for development to qualified businesses and industry within the Zone. 25. Priority Job Training and Employment Services. 26. Reduced Water and Sewer Connection and Prorate Charges. 27. Waiver of Performance Bond. 28. Establishment of Enterprise Zone Signs. 29. List of Abandoned Properties in Zone. 30. Adult Literacy Program. 31. Valspar Paint Program. 32 . Texas .Employment:,Coxmission Pre-Screening Program. 33 . Small Business Assistance Center. 34 . Foreign Trade Zone.