Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAboutMIN AUG 15 1989 REGULAR SESSION CITY COUNCIL - CITY OF BEAUMONT HELD AUGUST 15, 1989 - 1:15 P.M. BE IT REMEMBERED that the City Council of the City of Beaumont, Texas, met in regular session this the 15th day of August, 1989, with the following present: HONORABLE: Maurice Meyers Mayor Bob Lee, Jr. Mayor Pro Tem Councilman At Large Andrew P. Cokinos Councilman At Large Lulu L. Smith Councilman, Ward I Michael Brumley Councilman, Ward II David W. Moore Councilman, Ward IV Absent: Audwin Samuel Councilman, Ward III Ray A. Riley City Manager Rosemarie Chiappetta City Clerk Lane Nichols City Attorney -000- The Invocation was given by the Reverend Durwood Briscoe, Forest Park United Methodist Church. The Pledge of Allegiance was led by Mayor Meyers. -000- Mayor Meyers asked the audience to join him in a moment of silent prayer in memory of Congressman Mickey Leland, victim of a fatal airplane crash enroute to Africa on a mission to aid the hungry, and U. S. Representative Larkin Smith from Mississippi who also was killed in an airplane crash during a 90-mile flight from Hattiesberg to Gulfport, Mississippi. -000- Mayor Meyers announced that Councilman Samuel is out of the city in preparation for entrance to law school and that Councilman Samuel sent his regrets in not being able to attend today' s session of City Council. -000- Citizen comment was invited on the Consent and Main Agendas. Mr. Jim Austin, 1375 Audubon, addressed Council to say he is in favor or a waterpark for Beaumont, but said he feels it could be constructed for less money and asked Council to closely observe the project. Mr. -215- August 15, 1989 w Austin left with the City Clerk a schematic drawing and feasibility study of his used in a former personal attempt to construct a waterpark for Council to review, if desired. -000- The following Consent Agenda items were considered: Approval of the Minutes of the regular City Council session held August 8, 1989; Resolution No. 89-160 appointing Marilyn Johnson to the Community Development Block Grant Citizens Advisory Commission for a term ending May 31, 1991, Jeff Hahn to the Convention and Tourism Advisory Commission for a term expiring July 31, 1991, and Raymond Ambres to the Transit Advisory Commission for a term expiring June 30, 1990; and Resolution No. 89-161 awarding a contract for furnishing shirts, trousers, jumpsuits, jackets, caps, lab coats, and smocks over a 12 month period for personnel in various departments other than the Police and Fire Departments at an estimated cost of $19,061. 55 to Night' s Uniform Company. The Consent Agenda was approved on a motion made by Councilman Cokinos and seconded by Councilman Moore. Question: Ayes: All Nayes: None -000- Mr. Riley presented the proposed budget documents for the 1989-90 Fiscal Year. He said the total appropriations for fiscal year 1990 are $108,730,898. The effective level of expenditures is $90,914,000, an increase of $3,508, 000 over the previous year. The anticipated General Fund appropriation is $45,825, 000, a net increase of $460,000 over fiscal year 1989. The major sources of revenues are derived from Property Tax, Sales Tax, and Gross Receipts Tax and will provide for real growth, other than from transfer, of $1,330, 000, or about a 3% increase in revenues. There will be about a $775,000 increase from the Gross Receipts Tax, $540,000 income increase from Sales Tax, and the Property Tax will total $550,000. The expenditures for the General Fund is a net increase of $460,000. The Convention Facilities Fund has been transferred into the General Fund. Personnel positions will be reduced from 1,224 to 1, 204, fourteen which are attributable to the General Fund. Six of the positions are vacant and will not be filled and three are funded through Community Development Block Grant Funds. Capital Improvements include appropriation of $1. 6 million for the Street Reconstruction and Maintenance Program. Approximately $400,000 from dedicated tax revenue and interest will be appropriated in the -216- August 15, 1989 Drainage Improvement Fund and $500,000 in the Street Construction Fund to be designated for specific projects by Council at a later date. In the Water Utility Fund, appropriations are $18 million, including $4. 8 million transferred for capital projects. Total resources available in the fund are $19 . 5 million, leaving a balance of $1 million. Projected revenues will increase by 5% as a result of the rate adjustment, about half under the terms of the projection last year. Appropriations for the Transit Fund are $1. 5 million; revenues from the fare boxes are expected to be $330, 000, an increase of 3% for the year. Federal grants will received be for the difference with a $430,000 subsidy required from the General Fund for the operation of the Municipal Transit System. Debt service requirements are $6, 975,200 for principal and interest for general obligation bonds. The $ . 2208 tax rate apportionment for debt service will remain the same as the prior year. The Landfill Fund has been consolidated with the Sanitation Fund. Revenue in the combined funds are anticipated to be $6,983 ,000 . Expenditures will be $6,750,000. Revenues in the Hotel-Motel Funds are anticipated to be about $878,000. About half, $442, 300, will be dedicated to the operation of the Convention and Visitors ' Bureau, $125, 500 for the support of the arts and $313 ,000 to the General Fund for support of the Convention Facilities Operations. The Fleet Replacement Fund has been renamed the Capital Reserve Fund and will be used to account for the purchases of fleet, fixed assets and major building repairs and the cost charged back to the user departments over the useful life of the equipment. In the past, contributions in the Insurance Liability Fund have exceeded the amount required by the actuarial study; therefore, a contribution from property tax revenue for the 1990 fiscal year will not be required, but Mr. Riley said it will probably be required in 1991. Mr. Riley said three criteria have been used in preparation of the proposed budget: living within its means, recognize the limited amount of funds available and preserve the City' s physical assets which represent substantial public investment, and an emphasis on continued commitment to the City Council' s policy of "Citizen Friendly. " Mr. Riley recognized Mrs. Dunkerley and Staff who provided technical support in preparation of this budget and expressed appreciation for their efforts. -217- August 15, 1989 Mr. Riley proposed that public hearings for proposed budgets be scheduled for September 12, 1989, and opportunity will be offered Council to review the budget during the Work Session on August 22nd and following Tuesdays and any other times Council deems necessary. Resolution No. 89-162 scheduling public hearings at 1: 15 p.m. on September 12, 1989, in the City Council Chambers to consider the 1989- 90 fiscal budget and the five-year Capital Program for fiscal years 1990 through 1994 was approved on a motion made by Councilman Lee and seconded by Councilman Cokinos. Question: Ayes: All Nayes: None -000- Resolution No. 89-163 approving a request of the Beaumont Housing Authority to amend the contract deleting the requirement for annual payments in lieu of taxes equivalent to 10% of rentals was approved on a motion made by Councilman Moore and seconded by Councilman Smith. Question: Ayes: All Nayes: None -000- Ordinance No. 89-58 providing a funding mechanism for street maintenance and rehabilitation by establishing a monthly user fee of $3 . 00 per unit, a reduced monthly user fee of $1. 00 for Senior Citizens, and an exempt status for public housing and federally subsidized rental units was considered: ORDINANCE NO. 89-58 ENTITLED AN ORDINANCE AMENDING CHAPTER 23, OF THE CODE OF ORDINANCES OF THE CITY OF BEAUMONT TO ADD A NEW ARTICLE IV ESTABLISHING A FUND AND A SERVICE FEE FOR STREET MAINTENANCE AND CONSTRUCTION; PROVIDING FOR COLLECTION CHARGES; PROVIDING AN EFFECTIVE DATE; PROVIDING FOR SEVERABILITY; PROVIDING FOR REPEAL AND PROVIDING A PENALTY. Ordinance No. 89-58 was approved on a motion made by Councilman Lee and seconded by Councilman Cokinos. Question: Ayes: All Nayes: None -000- Resolution No. 89-164 authorizing the City Manager to utilize funds from a Section 108 Loan from the Department of Housing and Urban Development for the local match, in the amount of $1,015,786, for a $2. 4 million grant from the Economic Development Administration for the Spindletop Waterpark Project and authorizing the City Manager to accept or affirm any grant which may be awarded to the City of Beaumont by the Economic Development Administration for the Spindletop Waterpark Project was approved on a motion made by Councilman Brumley and seconded by Councilman Smith. Question: Ayes: All Nayes: None -218- August 15 , 1989 Resolution No. 89-165 authorizing purchase of 44.784 acres south of Cardinal Drive and Fourth Street (out of the J. W. Bullock Survey) as a site for the Spindletop Waterpark Project (utilizing Section 108 loan funds in the amount of $460,000) from The Beaumont Coca-Cola Bottling Company contingent upon receipt of funds from a $2, 175,000 loan, which has been approved for the project by the Department of Housing and Urban Development, was approved on a motion made by Councilman Brumley and seconded by Councilman Lee. Question: Ayes: All Nayes: None Mayor Meyers expressed to Council his joy and enthusiasm for the Waterpark Project that will employ about 350 young people from Lamar University and the surrounding area. He said he was recently asked what makes him smile, and today said, "What makes me smile is things like this! I 'm smiling! I 'm happy, and I think it' s a wonderful day. . . " -000- Councilman Smith reported that last week' s "Sunday in the Park" was delightful. The Melody Maids started a summer program with children ranging in age from five to ten years called "Small, Small World Project. " The children had an hour lesson for ten days and performed at "Sunday in the Park. " The project raised money for their museum in the Julie Rogers Theater. The American Valve employees manned various booths, and the children had a good time. Councilman Moore asked that a Proclamation be sent to the family of Congressman Leland in recognition of his efforts in fighting hunger across the world, in that he gave his life in such an effort. Councilman Moore asked that the information previously requested regarding Corley Street flooding be forwarded to him soon, so that information will be available during the budget process. Councilman Cokinos invited everyone to attend another great "Sunday in the Park" on August 20th sponsored by the Camp Fire Beaumont Council. Councilman Lee said he is happy that the street maintenance and rehabilitation program has been resolved and asked when the actual work will begin. Mr. Riley informed him that planning will commence immediately and because of the bidding process and weather conditions, asphalt will actually start to be laid after the first of the year. Councilman Brumley suggested that Walden Road be given repair priority, announced that the next "Concert on the Move" will be Thursday, August 17th at 7: 00 p.m. with Stereo, a local jazz group, performing at Magnolia Park, and said the final "Concert on the Move" for the 1989 season will be September 7th at Riverfront Park with Westbrook and Central High School Bands performing. Mayor Meyers complimented Council on historic action today that created a mechanism to maintain and continue street repair on a continuing basis. -219- August 15, 1989 Mr. Alvin Spikes, 3210 Roberts, addressed Council to complain about drainage and flooding in the Corley/Cartwright area and asked Council to consider reinstating the Assessment Paving Program. Mrs. Diana Copeland, 1652 Avenue I , addressed Council to again complain about drainage and flooding problems on Avenue I . Mr. John Estes, Executive Director for the Beaumont Housing Authority, addressed Council to express appreciation for the waiver of payments in lieu of taxes to the City of Beaumont and for the exemption of a user fee for public housing and federally subsidized low income rental units. Mr. Henry Dannenbaum, 1567 Wall, addressed Council in support of the Police and Fire Departments and requested a curfew be enforced because of recent robberies. Mr. Forrest (Ted) Posey, 3695 Edmonds, addressed Council to complain of the condition of the grave yards located at Hegele and Iola and India. Mr. C. L. Sherman, 585 Belvedere Drive, addressed Council in appreciation for the City controlling cost of operation in recent years and said that the tax rate for Beaumont is now below the median for major cities in Texas. Mr. Tony Sacker, 4635 Elmherst, addressed Council to thank Tom Warner, Public Works Director, for consideration of providing bus service down College Street, added his support for the user fee for street maintenance, questioned the Tax Appraisal notation that Beaumont' s tax rate is $ . 5523 per hundred, and asked if citizens can speak at Work Sessions of City Council. Mr. Riley explained that the Appraisal District' s notation is the effective tax rate. If there were not increases from the annexed areas, that rate would be necessary to raise the same revenues as last year with the new appraisals, but Beaumont' s rate is $ . 54 per one hundred. Mayor Meyers responded that citizens are allowed an opportunity to speak at Work Sessions. Mr. Jack Farley, 2270 Gladys, addressed Council to compliment the efficiency and professionalism of the Beaumont Fire Department in extinguishing a fire in his neighborhood recently. He complimented their speed and clean up efforts. He also complimented the Police Department and City officials. -000- Mayor Meyers introduced Kalyn Taylor, a Lamar University student and aide to Councilman Samuel, and welcomed his attendance at Council. -000- There being no further business, the regular City Council meeting was recessed for the City Council Workshop session. -220- August 15, 1989 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 August 15, 1989. Rosemarie Chiappetta City Clerk -221- August 15, 1989