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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMIN SEP 20 1988 REGULAR SESSION CITY COUNCIL - CITY OF BEAUMONT HELD SEPTEMBER 20, 1988 - 1:15 P.M. BE IT REMEMBERED that the City Council of the City of Beaumont, Texas, met in regular session this the 20th day of September, 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 Councilman, Ward II Audwin Samuel Mayor Pro-Tem Councilman, Ward III David W. Moore Councilman, Ward IV -000- The Invocation was given by the Reverend Henry Williams, pastor of Pilgrim Rest Baptist Church. The Pledge of Allegiance was led by Councilman Brumley. -000- Mayor Meyers welcomed Mrs. Lura Burns, a former resident of Beaumont and volunteer for several committees, to Council. -000- An Executive Session of the Beaumont City Council will be held 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. -000- Four Proclamations were issued: "Texas Emergency Medical Services Week, " September 18 through September 24, 1988; "American Business Women' s Association Day, " Thursday, September 22, 1988; "Pilgrim Rest Baptist Church Day, " Sunday, September 25, 1988; and "Constitution Week, " September 17 through September 23, 1988. -000- Mr. Jim Stokes, President of the Beaumont Chamber of Commerce, addressed Council on behalf of the Beaumont Economic Council. Mr. Stokes thanked Council for those attending their annual meeting and announced that the Export Assistance Center at the Chamber of Commerce will be opened on October 1, 1988. Mrs. Dolly Johnson who serves on the Industrial Team for the Chamber of Commerce gave an overview report of the function and goals of the Export Assistance Center. Mr. Stokes recognized Mr. Charles Glass, Vice President of the Economic Development Council, Mr. Larry Beaumont, -242- September 20, 1988 Past Chairman of the Board of the Chamber, Dr. Bill Franklin, Chairman- elect, Mr. Arden Loughmiller, Board Member, Mr. George Perrett, Ms. Shirley Bartos, and Ms. Nancy Neild. Mr. Stokes reviewed work that has been accomplished during the past three months with regard to economic development organizations in the area, specifically S.E.T. , Inc. , the Port Arthur Chamber of Commerce, the Mid-South County Economic organization, and the Beaumont Chamber of Commerce resulting in a merger of staffs, more coordination, and sharing. Members of Council expressed concern that the focal point of the Economic Development Council might be less Beaumont than Southeast Texas and reiterated that while Beaumont is a part of Southeast Texas and shares in all economic successes in the area, priority should be given for economic development in Beaumont initially, and then in other areas. -000- Public Comment was invited on Agenda Items A through G. 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 September 13, 1988 and Minutes of the emergency City Council session held September 15, 1988 ; Resolution No. 88-195 appointing Edgar Perkins to the Housing Rehabilitation Loan Board for a term expiring May 31, 1990; Resolution No. 88-196 authorizing an annual contract for liquid polymer flocculent for the Water Utilities Department in the amount of $0. 152/lb. (an approximate annual cost of $11, 759. 00) from Allied Signal, Inc. of Morristown, New Jersey; Resolution No. 88-197 authorizing the purchase of 38 hand-held two-way portable radios for the Police Department from Bartlett Communications of Beaumont at a unit price of $1, 117 . 94 and total cost of $42 ,481. 72 ; and Resolution No. 88-198 authorizing emergency repairs (installation of a rebuilt transmission and torque converter, replacement of steering clutch in the final drive, seals, gaskets, filter and O rings and cleaning and checking the oiling system) to a D6D Caterpillar bulldozer compactor used at the landfill and authorizing payment in the amount of $11, 000. 00 to Hill 's Tractor Parts, Inc. , of Houston. The Consent Agenda was approved on a motion made by Councilman Cokinos and seconded by Councilman Moore. Question: Ayes: All Nayes: None -243- September 20, 1988 As advertised, a Public Hearing for the proposed FY 88-89 Budget and the Five-Year Capital Program was called. No citizens addressed City Council concerning these items. The Public Hearing was closed. -000- Mayor Meyers approached the need for addressing our infrastructure, resurfacing streets and visualizing development of a program that would assure continuation of a street rehabilitation program and stated that programs driven by tax dollars are the least dependable. Mayor Meyers suggested that for the sake of immediacy, consideration be given to an across-the-board loo reduction in Supply Accounts to meet the present street rehabilitation needs and suggested seeking citizen support and understanding regarding possibly a fee or surcharge or an appropriate mechanism that would take this need away from the tax dollar and provide a continuous source of revenue each year for street maintenance. Councilman Samuel also expressed concern in dealing with the infrastructure during the next year and solicited ideas from the citizenry in solving the problem of a street rehabilitation program and asked Mr. Haines to present a listing of alternatives other than bond issues or tax increases for funding a street program. Questions regarding monies received from the ESM recovery, types of user fees that could be assessed, and the possibility of reduction in consultant and study fees were raised by Council. -000- - Public Hearing to consider establishment of a reinvestment zone for land owned by DuPont was called. Mr. Elmer Embs, 1925 Chevy Chase Lane, addressed Council as a representative from DuPont to stress the importance of this reinvestment zone to them, stating they have not had an opportunity to hire for the past eight years. Approving the reinvestment zone will be a step forward for DuPont and employees in the area, and Mr. Embs requested Council give positive consideration for approval of this reinvestment zone. No other citizens wished to address Council, and the Public Hearing was closed. -000- Ordinance No. 88-81 creating Reinvestment Zone No. 5 for the Beaumont unit of DuPont which would be comparable to other reinvestment zones created for industries outside the city limits but within Extraterritorial Jurisdiction by providing eligibility for tax abatement based on the amount of investment and number of new permanent jobs created (construction of the Methy Methacrylate Monomer Unit will have an estimated market value of $50,000, 000, employ 200-300 construction workers, and create 60-70 permanent jobs) was considered: -244- September 20, 1988 ORDINANCE NO. 88-81 ENTITLED AN ORDINANCE DESIGNATING REINVESTMENT ZONE NO. 5; ESTABLISHING THE BOUNDARIES THEREOF; MAKING NECESSARY FINDINGS, PROVIDING FOR SEVERABILITY AND PROVIDING FOR REPEAL. Ordinance No. 88-81 was approved on a motion made by Councilman Moore and seconded by Councilman Smith. Question: Ayes: All Nayes: None -000- A resolution to change the name of Short Street to "Winfield Street" (requested by Mr. Jerry Winfield) "for Mr. Jerry Winfield to have more name recognition, to add more goodwill to Winfield' s Barber Shop, and to add to the future development and commercial appeal of Winfield' s Barber Shop. . . " failed to pass on a motion made by Councilman Cokinos and seconded by Councilman Samuel. Question: Ayes: Councilman Nayes: Mayor Meyers Cokinos Councilman Lee Councilman Councilman Samuel Smith Councilman Councilman Moore Brumley -000- Resolution No. 88-199 awarding a contract to Watkins Construction Co. in the amount of $83 ,761. 00 for construction of creative playground systems which include site work, grading sidewalks, landscaping, shelters, picnic tables with benches and drinking fountains at Combest and Chaison Parks was approved on a motion made by Councilman Brumley and seconded by Councilman Smith: Question: Ayes: All Nayes: None -000- Resolution No. 88-200 authorizing a contract to Watkins Construction Co. in the amount of $69, 861. 00 for reroofing the Health Department' s main building was approved on a motion made by Councilman Moore and seconded by Councilman Brumley. Question: Ayes: All Nayes: None -000- Resolution No. 88-201 authorizing transfer of a portion of the contract for furnishing 35, 000 automated garbage containers from Applied Products (now Toter, Inc. ) the prime contractor, to J. Allen Contractors, Inc. , the MBE subcontractor, for delivery of the final one-third, approximately 13,000, of the containers to homes was approved on a motion made by Councilman Lee and seconded by Councilman Smith. Question: Ayes: All Nayes: None -245- September 20, 1988 A resolution authorizing a new labor agreement with the Beaumont Police Officers Association which includes increasing the City' s contribution to the retirement fund from the present matching ratio of 1. 5 to 1 to 2 to 1, in relation to the individuals ' s contribution pending approval of the FY 1988-89 Budget providing the same for civilian employees was deferred one week. -000- Resolution No. 88-202 authorizing a settlement of issues in the amount of $123 ,595. 00 to be paid to the City by TCI Cablevision of Texas, Inc. growing out of an audit made by Municipal Administrative Services revealing increased franchise payments were not begun on April 1, 1984, the effective date of its amended franchise, was approved on a motion made by Councilman Lee and seconded by Councilman Brumley. Question: Ayes: All Nayes: None -000- Resolution No. 88-203 authorizing expenses associated with arbitration of unresolved issues in labor contract negotiations with Firefighters Local 299, to employ expert witnesses and other witnesses to provide professional services, to appoint Mr. Kenneth E. Wall, Jr. as a member of the arbitration panel at $125. 00 per hour plus expenses was approved on a motion made by Councilman Moore and seconded by Councilman Brumley. Mr. Haines made Council aware that funds have not been identified to pay for these expenses, but anticipate once initiated, the matter would be brought back to Council for an appropriation of approximately $80,000. 00. Question: Ayes: All Nayes: None -000- Resolution No. 88-204 authorizing a contract for furnishing approximately 30 personal computer systems for various departments at unit prices ranging from $1,517.00 to $2,210 . 00, depending on options, at a total cost of $50, 000. 00 to $60,000. 00 over a six-month period from Zenith Data Systems of Houston was approved on a motion made by Councilman Lee and seconded by Councilman Samuel. Question: Ayes: All Nayes: None -000- Councilman Brumley announced that "Concert on the Move" at Klein Park is being rescheduled again for Thursday, September 29th at 7: 00 p.m. Councilman Smith added that Bo Brannon and the Boogie King Revival will provide the music for "Concert on the Move" at Klein Park and related that she has received several calls concerning brush pickup and the 4x4x4 bundle requirement and asked if those residents not receiving the new containers until December have to call in for brush and/or conform to the 4x4x4 bundle requirement. Mr. Tom Warner, Public Works Director, stated that the brush call-in system begins October 1st for everyone. -246- September 20, 1988 Councilman Samuel questioned status of the contract with Clark Construction Co. for the Municipal Airport due to the tragic death of Mr. Clark. Mr. Haines stated that the Airport is on the Workshop Agenda, and requested all questions be deferred until then. Councilman Moore asked that he receive a report as soon as possible regarding his request that the Public Works Department approach the Beaumont Independent School District relative to a participation project for piping some ditches adjacent to the school grounds; again asked that a meeting be scheduled to discuss a problem causing some citizens to face foreclosure on their homes because of compounded penalties; and relayed that some residents do not understand the ordinance that requires property owners to maintain an alleyway once it has been abandoned and asked if he could visit with Public Works and the Parks Division to provide a one-time assistance in clearing these alleyways. Councilman Lee announced there was a good response to "Sunday in the Park" in spite of the threat of Hurricane Gilbert. The dinosaur exhibit was a special treat. Next Sunday the Beaumont Neurological Hospital will host "Sunday in the Park. " Main Street on the Neches is in the process of being rescheduled. Mayor Meyers requested a workshop discussing all phases of construction inspection and development of "one-stop" inspection process that would satisfy multiple needs and spread the knowledge that reliance is not on one person. The City Manager responded that one will be planned for late October or early November. Mayor Meyers also reported calls of concern from a domino group regarding changed locks at the Best Years Center and questioned the Southern Iron contract. -000- The regular session of City Council recessed to conduct a meeting of the Beaumont Industrial Development Corporation. -000- The Mayor, Council, and City Manager expressed appreciation for the level of calmness that pervaded during the threat of Hurricane Gilbert, in part, due to leadership of Department Heads and other City Staff. Special commendation was expressed to Mr. Haines, Chief Shelton, and Chief Schuldt for their roles in creating a calm and efficient atmosphere. -000- Mr. Henry Dannenbaum, 1567 Wall Street, addressed Council to invite everyone to a special church service at First Baptist Church to hear Dr. Freddy Gage and complimented Mr. Haines. -000- There being no further business, the meeting was recessed before reconvening the Workshop Session. -247- September 20, 1988 I, Rosemarie Chiappetta, City Clerk of the City of Beaumont, Texas, certify that the above is a true copy of the regular City Council session held September 20, 1988. Rosemarie Chiappetta City Clerk -248- September 20, 1988