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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMIN FEB 06 1990 REGULAR SESSION CITY COUNCIL - CITY OF BEAUMONT HELD FEBRUARY 6, 1990, 1:15 P.M. BE IT REMEMBERED that the City Council of the City of Beaumont, Texas, met in regular session this the 6th day of February, 1990, 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 Audwin Samuel Councilman, Ward III 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 George Kappaz, Parkdale Assembly of God. The Pledge of Allegiance was led by Amy Sladczyk, a student and cheerleader at Kelly High School. -000- Amy Sladczyk, Executive Board (Student Body) President, Clay Hefty, Vice President, Heather Kerr, Secretary, Steve Rafferty, Treasurer, and Mark Randolph, Parliamentarian at Kelly High School presented Council with a fruit basket as part of the observances of Catholic Schools Week. Miss Sladczyk said, "because we're celebrating Catholic School Week at Kelly and our school always promotes community service, in token of our appreciation, we'd like to present City Council with this basket. MAYOR MEYERS• Thank you very much, thank you. I think this is becoming a beautiful tradition, and we thank you all very much. . . ANY SLADCZYK: Mr. Meyers, we said the next basket we bring you, we' ll bring it in Washington! MAYOR MEYERS• Oh, alright! • Thank you very much. Thanks a lot for coming. -37- February 6, 1990 Three Proclamations were issued: "American History Month, " February, 1990; "Career Awareness Day, " February 15, 1990, at Westbrook Senior High School and Central Senior High School; and "Vocational Education Week, " February 12-16, 1990. -000- Mayor Meyers announced an Executive Session to be conducted in accordance with Section 2 (e) of the Texas Open Meetings Act to consider pending or contemplated litigation immediately following the regular session of City Council. -000- (*Councilman Brumley arrived at 1: 35 p.m. ) Citizen comment was invited on the Consent Agenda and Main Agenda Items 1 through 5. Mr. Roberto Flores, 2425 Buchanan, addressed Council expressing his opposition to the selection of a Chief Magistrate for Municipal Court as reported in an article in today's Beaumont Enterprise. -000- The following Consent Agenda items were considered: Approval of the Minutes of the regular City Council session held January 30, 1990; Resolution No. 90-18 appointing Roy Huckaby and Brock Brentlinger to the Sister City Commission with terms expiring December 31, 1991, Joseph Victorian to the Electrical Board of Review for a term expiring April 30, 1991, and Betty Dunkerley and Roy Huckaby to the Small Business Revolving Loan Fund Board of Review with terms expiring December 31, 1991; and Resolution No. 90-19 accepting the bid for one "Jaws of Life" hydraulic rescue tool for the Fire Department in the amount of $13,898. 00 from Ferrara Firefighting Equipment Company. The Consent Agenda was approved on a motion made by Councilman Moore and seconded by Councilman Samuel. Question: Ayes: All Nayes: None -000- In accordance with Article XII, Section 3 of the City Charter, Council was asked to consider nomination to fill the vacancy of the Chief Magistrate of Municipal Court for a two-year term. -38- February 6, 1990 MAYOR MEYERS• Before I would ask for a motion from Council, I would like to state very clearly and forcefully, and make it very well understood, that our Council was proud of the fact that we had six (6) outstanding candidates. Everyone of them totally capable of responding to the challenge of the Municipal Court. I greeted each one as we interviewed them all and told them that the worst part of this interview process was that there would only be one person selected. I would say to anyone who would suggest that this selection process has been handled anyway but democratically, equitably, and fairly, is sadly mistaken. And with that I 'll call for a motion. Resolution No. 90-20 appointing Cheryl Cooper as full-time Chief Magistrate of the Municipal Court for a two-year term, effective February 12, 1990, at a salary of $44, 000. 00 per year was approved on a motion made by Councilman Samuel and seconded by Councilman Lee. Question: Ayes: All Nayes: None -000- An Ordinance establishing a 40 miles-per-hour speed limit on R.F.D. Road from the north right-of-way line of State Highway 105 to a point 130 feet southwest of the centerline of Old Voth Road was considered: AN ORDINANCE ENTITLED AN ORDINANCE AMENDING CHAPTER 26, SECTION 26-23 OF THE CODE OF ORDINANCES OF THE CITY OF BEAUMONT TO ESTABLISH MAXIMUM AND MINIMUM SPEEDS IN CERTAIN ZONES; PROVIDING FOR SEVERABILITY; PROVIDING FOR REPEAL AND PROVIDING A PENALTY. Councilman Cokinos expressed concern about the safety of bicycle riders and children walking to the Beaumont Christian School and Roy Guess Elementary School with an increased speed limit. The Ordinance was deferred one week until the survey requested by motorists to increase the speed limit can be made available for Council review. -000- MAYOR MEYERS• I would like to stand and applaud our new Municipal Court Judge and introduce to everyone, Ms. Cheryl Cooper. (applause) Cheryl, we've sprung this on you. You were upstairs doing your work. I don't really want to put you on the spot, but we do want to let you know, -39- February 6, 1990 and we do also want to share with our community, the deep sense of confidence we have in you. As I stated earlier, Council had a difficult task. I think I told you and every applicant, everyone was a winner, and I wish we had six (6) Municipal Courts that everyone could go to. We, of course, will at your schedule, have a formal swearing in for you. I look forward to that as all of Council does, but at this point and time, if you wanted just to make a brief comment, we'd welcome it, and we wish you the very best of luck. MRS. CHERYL COOPER: Thank you, Sir. Thank you. More than thanks, I am deeply honored to have this privilege bestowed on me today. And, I can assure you and the citizens of Beaumont, that I will serve you well and make you proud. Thank you. MAYOR MEYERS• Thank you very much. -000- Resolution No. 90-21 authorizing execution of a revised maintenance agreement with the State Department of Highways and Public Transportation whereby the City would assume the maintenance responsibility for the right-of-way along Spur 380, Martin Luther King, Jr. Parkway, from back of curb to the right-of-way line and for maintenance of the storm sewer lift stations was approved on a motion made by Councilman Lee and seconded by Councilman Smith. Question: Ayes: All Nayes: None -000- Resolution No. 90-22 accepting the work performed under a contract for Rogers Park playground improvements (two playground modules, a drinking fountain, a shelter, picnic tables, sidewalks and site work, grading and drainage) by Watkins Construction Company and authorizing final payment in the amount of $8,256. 00 was approved on a motion made by Councilman Moore and seconded by Councilman Smith. Question: Ayes: All Nayes: None -000- Mr. Riley announced the recent appointment of Johnny Fontenot as Risk Manager, and said "we're very pleased to be able to announce Mr. Fontenot Is appointment. He has been with the City now for a number of years and performed in an exemplary manner, and we're very pleased to be able to promote a person with his abilities from within the employment of the City to the Risk Manager's position. " Mr. Fontenot thanked Mr. Riley for having confidence in his ability and -40- February 6, 1990 thanked City Attorney Lane Nichols and Assistant City Attorney Tyrone Cooper for their encouragement and support. Resolution No. 90-23 authorizing an annual contract with the Hartford Insurance Group, represented by Wisenberg Insurance and Risk Management Agency of Houston, in the amount of $90,844. 00 ($0. 0896 per $200 of insured value) for property damage insurance for the 12-month period commencing February 21, 1990 and ending February 20, 1991, with an option to renew for one additional year subject to agreement by both parties, was approved on a motion made by Councilman Smith and seconded by Councilman Lee. Question: Ayes: All Nayes: None -000- Councilman Smith reported that Beaumont hosted the Region 16 Texas Municipal League meeting Thursday, February 1, 1990, with sixty-two (62) people from various cities in attendance. Participants toured the Art Museum of Southeast Texas and the Texas Energy Museum and climaxed the evening with dinner at the Art Museum. Councilman Smith announced that plans are progressing for 1990 "Sunday in the Park" activities beginning March 11th with the Mayor reading to the children. Councilman Moore asked that the Street Department give special attention to the potholes on Neches Street caused by additional traffic diverted there because of the construction of the M. L. King, Jr. Parkway and complimented City Attorney Lane Nichols on the advancement of employees in his department and for the guidance he gave them in preparing them for these positions. -000- Mr. Samuel Wicks, (address not given) , addressed Council regarding inadequate shelter for the homeless and asked for their help in finding solutions to this problem. Mayor Meyers asked Mr. Wicks to remain after Executive Session to discuss his insight on this problem. Mr. Henry Dannenbaum, 1567 Wall Street, addressed Council on various subjects. -000- There being no further business, the meeting was recessed before continuing with Executive Session. -000- -41- February 6, 1990 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 February 6, 1990. Rosemarie Chiappetta City Clerk -42- February 6, 1990