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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMIN MAY 02 1989 l � REGULAR SESSION CITY COUNCIL - CITY OF BEAUMONT HELD MAY 2, 1989 - 1: 15 P.M. BE IT REMEMBERED that the City Council of the City of Beaumont, Texas, met in regular session, this the 1st day of May, 1989, 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 Absent: 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 Gary Adams, Associate Pastor at Cathedral in the Pines. The Pledge of Allegiance was led by Councilman Samuel. -000- Mayor Meyers presented a Proclamation honoring the heroic and courageous efforts of former Police Officer Artist Oscar Wilcox who was shot three times while on duty, once in the head, once in the arm, and once in the back. Since that time in spite of physical difficulties, Artist has been able to maintain a permanent job on a continuing basis until the recent decline of his health. P R O C L A M A T I O N C I T Y OF B E A U M O N T WHEREAS, according to the Law Enforcement Code of Ethics, the fundamental duty of a Law Enforcement Officer is to serve mankind; to safeguard lives and property; to protect the innocent against deception, the weak against oppression or intimidation, and the peaceful against violence or disorder; and to respect the Constitution rights of all men to liberty, equality and justice; and, WHEREAS, long before December 20, 1963, when three brutal shots disabled Beaumont Police Officer Artist Oscar Wilcox in the performance of duty, he knew he would dedicate his life to these ideals; and, WHEREAS, just as courageous men have protected the lives and dreams of their neighbors from the ravages of crime since the beginning of -105- May 2, 1989 civilization, Officer Artist Oscar Wilcox has made the ultimate expression of love for his neighbor by placing his life on the line while maintaining courageous calm in the face of danger; and, WHEREAS, with no compromise for crime and with relentless prosecution of criminals, Officer Artist Oscar Wilcox enforced the law courteously and appropriately, recognizing the badge of his office as a symbol of public faith and trust; and, WHEREAS, by contrast with the day-to-day difficulties and emergencies of law enforcement, Officer Artist Oscar Wilcox' s law enforcement career ended with an act of such valor and selflessness that it commands the admiration and gratitude of all of us. NOW, THEREFORE, I , Maurice Meyers, Mayor of the City of Beaumont, in honor of this consecrated man and his ultimate sacrifice for his fellow men, do hereby recognize ARTIST OSCAR WILCOX And call upon all citizens to pause and remember that he dedicated him before God to this chosen profession. . . law enforcement. IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand and have caused the Seal of the City of Beaumont to be affixed. (SEAL) MAY 5, 1989 /s/ Maurice Meyers DATE MAYOR In addition to the Proclamation, Mayor Meyers and Council presented a Key to the City of Beaumont to Mr. Wilcox in a tribute of appreciation for his dedication to law enforcement and fellow men. Chief of Police George Schuldt said that "Twenty-five years ago on a December evening, I was a young patrolman with less than a year' s service, when the call all policemen dread the most went out - "Shots fired, Officer down. " A young police officer who was just beginning his career had been struck down. A young police officer with a wife and four children to support was down on a Beaumont sidewalk, horribly wounded. Yes, Artist Oscar Wilcox was brave and dedicated. He had the courage to face an armed man alone, unable to call for help. He faced danger, and paid the price. But it is not his courage on that long ago day that we are here to recognize. It is his strength and spirit that has carried him through the many difficult years since his injury that we salute today. A young, athletic man, cut down in his prime. Lesser men would become embittered, despairing the fate that dealt them such a cruel blow--but not Wilcox. His indomitable spirit has carried him through the years, given him the -106 May 2, 1989 W qW - resolution to attend school to learn a new skill so that he could get a job to support his family. His spirit gave him the strength to be a loving husband and proud father, despite his affliction. Artist' s spirit and strength are an inspiration to us all, and it is that inspiration that we gather to salute today. On behalf of the Beaumont Police Department, I present to you and your family this plaque stating "Above and beyond the call of duty Artist Oscar Wilcox permanently disabled 12/20/63 . Lest we forget those officers that given their all to the Beaumont Police Department. " Also attached to it Artist is badge number 172, that you were wearing at the time that the incident occurred. " A framed photo of Mr. Wilcox in uniform twenty-five years ago was presented to Mrs. Wilcox as a memento of his service in the Beaumont Police Department, and approximately twenty-two fellow officers joined Mr. Wilcox in a reception to further honor him and renew acquaintances. -000- Mayor Meyers congratulated Mr. Dan Hallmark and other members of the Neches River Festival Committee for making the festivities such a great community-wide affair and involving so many segments of the citizenry of Beaumont in the activity. Mr. Hallmark expressed appreciation for the cooperation of the City in coordinating the arrival of the Tall Ship Elissa, the dinosaur exhibit, and the carnival downtown at the time of the Neches River Festival and the support of City Council. -000- Other Proclamations issued were: "Days of Remembrance of the Victims of the Holocaust, " April 30 - May 7, 1989; "Nurses Day, " May 6, 1989; "Cinco De Mayo, " May 5, 1989; "Shrine News Day, " May 6, 1989; and "Mental Health Month, " May, 1989 . Mr. Roberto Flores and Mrs. Louise Cortez presented colorful replicas of the Toucan to members of Council, revealed the new logo of the Hispanic Community for Progress and invited participation in Cinco De Mayo activities at Riverfront Park May 5 and 6. Mr. Flores quoted George Bernard Shaw when he wrote, "Some men see things as they are, I dream things that never were and say, Why not?" and explained that in essence this is the meaning of the Cinco De Mayo celebration in Beaumont. -000- Public comment was invited on the Consent Agenda and Main Agenda Items 2 through 4. Mrs. Marilyn Adams, 4695 Dellwood, Chairman of the Program Administration Subcommittee for the Community Development Block Grant Advisory Committee addressed Council to explain the criteria used in selecting the -107- May 2, 1989 recipients of Public Service Activity allocations from Community Development Block Grant Funds. No one else wished to address Council on these items. -000- The following Consent Agenda items were considered: Resolution No. 89-98 waiving penalty and interest provided by Section 33 . 02 of the Property Tax Code for the tax year 1981 on Lot 6 and the north twenty-seven feet ( 27 ' ) of Lot 5, Block 5, of the Park on Thomas Road Addition due as a result of error; Resolution No. 89-99 accepting the work performed for siding and windows for the clubhouse at the Henry Homberg Golf Center on Tyrrell Park by AAA Siding and Windows and authorize payment in the amount of $17,011. 50 (Original bid $16 ,980 plus 50 cents a board foot for replacement of deteriorated lumber for an additional $31. 50) ; and Resolution No. 89-100 approving a negotiated settlement of a lawsuit filed by Minority Associates Contracting Organization, Inc. involving payments to the plaintiffs by the City in the amount of $17, 500 and by Michael Phelan in the amount of $2,500 for claims growing out of the Willow Bend Drive street project. The Consent Agenda was approved on a motion made by Councilman Cokinos and seconded by Councilman Smith. Question: Ayes: All Nayes: None -000- Resolution No. 89-101 adopting the Martin Luther King, Jr. Parkway Corridor Development Plan with an amendment to Policy Statement No. 2 (Chapter V, Page 33) to read, "The staff (City) will solicit input from the Martin Luther King, Jr. Commission when a zoning change is proposed that will directly affect the corridor. " with the purpose of fostering an orderly development of the corridor along the new multilane urban facility to be constructed by the State as an extension of Spur 380 was approved on a motion made by Councilman Samuel and seconded by Councilman Cokinos. Question: Ayes: All Nayes: None -000- Resolution No. 89-102 accepting the work for reroofing the Fire Department Maintenance Building by Perkins Roofing Company including Change Order Nos. 1 and 2 increasing the contract amount by $2,311. 40 making the new total $42,466. 40 and authorizing final payment in the amount of $8,133 . 88 was approved on a motion made by Councilman Brumley and seconded by Councilman Cokinos. Question: Ayes: All Nayes: None -108- May 2, 1989 Resolution No. 89-103 approving Public Service Activity funding from the Community Development Block Grant budget for the 1988 Program Year by entering into contracts with subrecipients: Beaumont Nutrition for the Elderly in the amount of $5, 400. 00, Goodwill Industries in the amount of $918 . 00, Triangle AIDS Network in the amount of $5,000 .00, and Trinity Valley Baptist District Association in the amount of $3 ,682. 00 was approved on a motion made by Councilman Cokinos and seconded by Councilman Smith. Question: Ayes: All Nayes: None -000- Mr. Riley announced that a report of the road situation on Helbig and Plant Roads has been added to the Work Session as a second item. -000- Councilman Cokinos reported a successful "Sunday in the Park" last week hosted by the Learning Tree of Lamar University, voiced expectations of an exciting "Sunday in the Park/Cinco De Mayo" celebration next week, and commented on the service at Ebenezer Baptist Church and ceremony at the Shelter for the Homeless last week. -000- Mr. George Kennedy, 495 Adsit, addressed Council again to complain of his neighbor' s installation of an alleged illegal twelve-feet high fence and his inconsideration of placing yard lights directed at his bedroom window. Ms. Norma Crain, Director of Nutrition Services for Seniors, formerly Beaumont Nutrition for the Elderly, addressed Council in appreciation for the allocation of funds to their program and invited Council to the groundbreaking ceremonies for their new building May 12 at 11: 00 a.m. and to remain for lunch. Ms. Rosemary Sandifer, Triangle AIDS Network, 2525 Calder, thanked Council for funding their organization, reported there are 53 full-blow cases of AIDS in Jefferson County and the Texas Department of Health' s formula is to multiply that figure by 50 to estimate the number of people already infected with the virus, and said this allocation is a statement of caring. Mrs. Esterline Graham, 7975 Helbig Road, address Council to request that heavy truck traffic doing business with Pine Island Sand Co. on Plant Road not be routed on Helbig Road and complained about the condition of the street. Mrs. Maree Calcote, Chairman of the Clean Community Council, addressed Council to announce that the application has been submitted for the Governor' s Achievement Award and that with the contributions of local citizens received, Beautify Beaumont will be able to complete the landscaping at the Energy Museum. -109- May 2, 1989 Mr. Henry Dannenbaum, 1567 Wall Street, addressed Council in appreciation of the Golden Triangle Baptist Association and the Shelter for the Homeless. Mr. Walter Keneson, 4045 Rothwell, addressed Council in appreciation for the 90-gallon trash containers, as an unemployed construction worker requested that consideration be given to hiring local people as much as possible for City projects, and to suggest solicitation of participation by the County with the City in street repairs and maintenance. Mayor Meyers interjected that Beaumont' s unemployment rate is the lowest since March, 1982 with a 7% unemployment figure, while Port Arthur and Orange stand at 12. 2%. Mr. Brett Ralston, 5495 Spencer, addressed Council to inform the community of the program offered by Christian Assurance Association and the special emphasis planned for September 1-10, 1989 to create a community awareness to some of the plights that exist and how their organization is trying to meet these needs and to compliment Council for their apparent concern. During the September emphasis various recording artists will be present, including Carly Simon, Bruce Hornsby, Mike Cross, to donate their time for this first-of-a-kind event. Mr. Dale Carr, 5485 Richard Drive, addressed Council to request that advance notice be given when discussion on the traffic flow problem on Plant Road will be scheduled. -000- There being no further business, the regular City Council meeting was recessed for the City Council Workshop Session. -000- 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 2, 1989. Rosemarie Chiappetta City Clerk -110- May 2, 1989