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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMIN AUG 14 1990 REGULAR SESSION CITY COUNCIL - CITY OF BEAUMONT HELD AUGUST 14, 1990 -- 1:30 P.M. BE IT REMEMBERED that the City Council of the City of Beaumont, Texas, met in regular session this the 14th day of August, 1990, with the following present: HONORABLE: Evelyn M. Lord Mayor Andrew P. Cokinos Mayor Pro Tempore & Councilman-At-Large Brian R. Alter Councilman-At-Large Lulu L. Smith Councilman, Ward I Guy N. Goodson 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 David Robinson, Douglas Memorial Christian Methodist Episcopal Church. The Pledge of Allegiance was led by Councilman Samuel. -000- Mayor Lord welcomed her husband Sam to today's meeting and introduced their 13-year old grandson Jason Cunningham, who is visiting from Cinannati, Ohio. Jason was also presented a card making him an "honorary citizen" of Beaumont. -000- An Executive Session was called by Mayor Lord, pursuant to Section 2 (e) of the Texas Open Meetings Act, to be held immediately following the regular City Council session to consider pending or contemplative litigation. -000- No citizen wished to address City Council on items included on the Consent Agenda and Main Agenda. -200- August 14, 1990 The following items of the Consent Agenda were considered: Approval of the Minutes of the regular City Council session held August 7, 1990; Resolution 90-163 reappointing Charles Clary & W. L. Pate, Sr. , to the Convention and Tourism Advisory Committee, terms expiring July 31, 1993 ; and Resolution 90-164 awarding an annual contract to Callaway Chemical Company of Columbus, Georgia, for supplying liquid polymer @ $0.83 per pound ($2 . 08 per million gallons) for use in water treatment. The Consent Agenda was approved on a motion made by Mayor Pro Tem Cokinos and seconded by Councilman Samuel. Question: Ayes: All Nayes: None -000- City Manager presented the proposed FY 1991 City Budget Document: FISCAL YEAR 1990-1991 BUDGET MESSAGE Total appropriations proposed for fiscal year 1991 are $97.8 million, a 2 .4% or $2 .4 million decrease from current year estimated expenditures. This net decrease is due to having appropriated $4.8 million in the Water Fund and $6. 5 million in the Street Maintenance Fund for capital projects this year versus $600, 000 and $2 . 9 million, respectively next fiscal year. Appropriations for personnel costs including wages and benefits are $45.9 million or 47% of the total budget. Operating expenditures for supplies, materials, utilities, maintenance and other services are just under $36. 8 million or 8% of the total. Capital outlay to purchase major pieces of equipment is $2 .3 million or 2% of the total. Capital improvements are $1. 1 million or 1% of the budget while debt service payments for 1991 are budgeted at $11.7 million or 12% of total appropriations. The proposed ad valorem tax rate for fiscal year 1991 is $.54 per $100 assessed valuation. Of this rate, which is the same as the past two years, $0. 31 is allocated for general operations, $0.21 for debt service and $. 02 for capital improvements. General Fund The proposed General Fund budget is based on revenues of $46.2 million, an increase of $989, 000 or 2.2% more than estimated current revenues. The major sources of General Fund revenue are Sales and Use Tax (38%) , (Council action items continue on page 204) -201- August 14, 1990 General Fund continued: Gross Receipts Taxes (18%) , Property Taxes (19%) and Industrial Payments 15%) . Revenues derived from these sources comprise 90% of all revenues in the General Fund. Including $1.0 million from an available beginning fund balance of $3 . 6 million, appropriations in the General Fund for fiscal year 1991 will total $47. 3 million which represents an overall increase of 4% more than the current year budget. The unappropriated fund balance at year end with an appropriated contingency reserve of $100, 000 will be $2 .5 million. Approximately 49% of total expenditures proposed in the General Fund are for police and fire protection, and 18% is for public works and transportation, including street and storm drainage maintenance. Expenditures for general governmental activities which include such functions as general administrative services, personnel, finance, building management, and other centralized services are 14% of the total. Appropriations for health, environmental controls, recreation and cultural activities are 16%; with another 3% allocated to Special Purpose Fund expenditures and a contingency reserve. Water Fund The proposed Water Fund appropriation for fiscal year 1991 is $14.4 million, including $600, 000 appropriated for capital projects. Total resources available in the Fund amount to $15. 3 million, leaving a balance of over $898, 000. Revenues are projected at $14.9 million, an increase of 2 .2% over the current year estimates. Direct costs for operating the water utility system will be $7.8 million which is 54% of total appropriations. These appropriations are for wages and benefits, supplies and materials, maintenance and services. Non-operating expenses related to system improvements, debt service and interfund transfers are $6.5 million of the Water Fund budget. Other Funds Appropriations in the Transit Fund for the operations of the Municipal Transit System are $1.5 million for fiscal year 1991. Revenue from fare boxes is expected to be $370,000, an increase of 12% more than the current year and will cover 23% of system operating expenses. The 1991 Tax Supported debt service requirements are $7. 6 million for principal and interest for general obligation bonds and certificates of participation and obligation. The ad valorem tax rate apportionment for debt service is $0.21 per $100 assessed valuation. Solid Waste Fund revenues are anticipated to be just under $6. 6 million. Expenditures are budgeted at $6. 6 million requiring usage of $66,000 from the beginning fund balance. Wages and benefits account for -202- August 14, 1990 Other Funds continued: 34% of expenditures while operating costs, debt service and capital outlay amount to 66% of the total. Revenues in the Hotel Occupancy Tax Fund are anticipated to increase 2% in fiscal year 1991. Of the estimated $1, 092, 000 revenue, it is recommended that $615, 000 be allocated for continued support of the Convention and Visitor's Bureau, $120,000 for support of the arts and $505, 000 to the General Fund for support of the Convention Facilities and $10, 000 for historic preservation. The 1991 Insurance Fund requirements are $8 .3 million of which $6. 1 million or 74% is allocated for group health insurance expenses and $1. 1 million or 13% is allocated for Worker's Compensation claims. Health insurance costs continue to rise and are difficult to control. The city's ability to meet the increasing cost of health insurance has peaked and has reached a point where all City employees must share in the added cost of this important employee benefit beyond the City's present commitment. Therefore, the 1991 budget would continue to pay the full cost of insurance for all employees but proposes that employees contribute more toward the cost of health insurance for spouses and dependents. The proposed Capital Reserve Fund appropriation of $1.5 million is for acquisition of fleet vehicles and equipment, fixed assets and major building improvements for all departments. The appropriation represents a 14% decrease over current expenses as fewer major asset acquisitions are planned. Receipts in the fund are from rental charges to user departments and interest earned from investments of available funds. Personnel The proposed budget will authorize a total of 1,214 positions, ten more than currently authorized. Ten new civilian dispatcher positions are proposed for the Police Department which will result in sworn personnel being transferred from dispatching duties back to police patrol activities. Included in the appropriations for personnel is a proposed wage and salary increase based on a revised compensation plan. A 2% across the board pay increase is proposed for civilian employees for the first time in several years. Under the merit plan eligible employees may receive an additional step increase of 3% on their annual evaluation. 1991 Capital Budget General improvement projects proposed for 1991 include $660, 000 in park and recreational facility improvements and $560,000 for improvements to municipal buildings. Program highlights include an additional softball -203- August 14, 1990 1991 Capital Budget continued: area at the Athletic Complex on College Street and several recreational improvements to Tyrrell Park. Municipal building improvements include the construction of the Chinn Lane Fire Station and the first phase of the restoration of the Fair Park Coliseum Roof. These projects will be financed primarily from the allocation of $0. 02 of property tax. The Capital Reserve Fund would also provide $496, 000 next year for critical repairs necessary to preserve City buildings. Conclusion The proposed fiscal year 1990-1991 budget continues the philosophy that the City must live within its means. This simple concept means that current expenditures should not exceed current resources. In order to achieve this objective, the budget does not include any desirable new programs, but will continue to provide a satisfactory level of basic City services. Respectfully Submitted, /s/ Ray A. Riley City Manager Resolution 90-165 scheduling a public hearing to be held at 7:00 p.m. , September 4, 1990, in the City Council Chambers of City Hall, on the proposed FY 1991 City budget document and the proposed Capital Program for FY 1991 through FY 1995 was approved on a motion made by Mayor Pro Tem Cokinos and seconded by Councilman Moore. Question: Ayes: All Nayes: None -000- Resolution 90-166 authorizing execution of a contract with Browning Ferris Industries, Inc. , Beaumont District (Nederland) , for a 12-month Pilot Curbside Separation Recycling Program at $1.50 per household per month was considered: Public participation in the pilot program would be voluntary and there would be no additional charge to the homeowner. Participants would be asked to place all recyclable materials, such as newspapers, glass bottles and jars, aluminum and tin cans and plastic soft drink and milk cartons in a container provided for the purpose, to be placed at the curbside for collection once a week. The collectors would sort and separate the different types of material at the curbside as part of the loading process. The sorted materials would be sold by the contractor for recycling with fifty (50%) percent of the proceeds to be paid to the City. -204- August 14, 1990 Resolution 90-166 was approved on a motion made by Councilman Moore and seconded by Councilman Alter. Question: Ayes: Mayor Lord Nayes: None Mayor Pro Tern Cokinos Councilman Alter Councilman Smith Councilman Samuel Councilman Moore Abstained: Councilman Goodson -000- Ordinance No. 90-44 amending Section 30-21 of the Code of Ordinances to remove a prohibition against including any part of the Central Business District in the Historical-Cultural Landmark Preservation Overlay District classification so that downtown locations may be considered for the HC overlay designations and for erection of markers identifying historically significant places was considered: ORDINANCE NO. 90-44 ENTITLED AN ORDINANCE AMENDING CHAPTER 30 OF THE CODE OF ORDINANCES OF BEAUMONT, TEXAS, AND IN PARTICULAR THE BOUNDARIES OF THE ZONING DISTRICTS AS INDICATED UPON THE ZONING MAP OF BEAUMONT, TEXAS, AMENDING 30-21(A) TO REMOVE THE PROHIBITIONS AGAINST ALLOWING THE H-C OVERLAY DISTRICT WITHIN THE CBD, (CENTRAL BUSINESS DISTRICT) , BEAUMONT, JEFFERSON COUNTY, TEXAS; PROVIDING FOR SEVERABILITY; PROVIDING FOR REPEAL AND PROVIDING A PENALTY. The ordinance was approved on a motion made by Councilman Alter and seconded by Councilman Smith. Question: Ayes: All Nayes: None -000- Mayor Lord introduced Cartel Carter, Lamar University criminal justice major working as an intern to Councilman Samuel. -000- Resolution 90-167 accepting the work performed by Daniels Building and Construction, Inc. , for the remodeling of the Szafir Building to house the Texas Energy Museum at a total project price of $1, 329,708. 00 and authorizing final payment to the contractor in the amount of $61,930. 30 was approved on a motion made by Councilman Moore and seconded by Councilman Alter. Question: Ayes: All Nayes: None -205- August 14, 1990 Councilman Smith complimented "Sunday in the Park" activities involving safety for children, sponsored by Camp Fire, St. Elizabeth Hospital and American Valve and Hydrant with Councilman Moore as reader. Councilman Samuel expressed his pleasure in the completion of various city projects, especially the Texas Energy Museum and its beginning as the old Szafir's Building. Councilman Moore, too, commented favorably about Sunday in the Park activities and expressed his appreciation for the large number of men volunteering for the event. He congratulated the Reverend Robinson, pastor of Douglas Memorial CME Church, on the past week's conference and the 400-500 attending visitors. In addition, Councilman Moore reported receiving a request that the bus stop be moved closer to Cardinal Square Apartments because of the large number of bus riders living in that complex. Councilman Moore congratulated the Police Department for their outstanding program with the youth in public housing, saying the summer finale softball tournament recently held at Tyrrell Park showed the positive benefits of the program. Councilman Alter spoke of the Texas Energy Museum as a "wonderful asset" to the City's downtown. In addition, he mentioned his excitement for the award of the pilot recycling program contract today, saying that recycling was one of his priorities in becoming a councilmember, and encouraged all to attend the Recycling Center Fair, scheduled to be held this afternoon, and for citizens to participate in recycling. Councilman Goodson complimented John Labrie, Director of Sanitation, and his staff for the Recycling Center and the benefits to be derived in educating the community about recycling and encouraged all to participate in the Center's Fair from 1: 00 to 8:00 p.m. today. Mayor Lord complimented the Recycling Fair and the Police Department's Summer Softball Tournament; mentioned that meetings are being held for the planning of the Ecumenical Thanksgiving Service; encouraged attendance Thursday from 9: 30 to 11: 30 a.m. for the establishing of a "moccasin exchange" program, "a program designed to let people of different races, religions, ethnicity and backgrounds meet and learn more about each other. " -000- Mr. C. L. Sherman, Jr. , 585 Belvedere, addressed Council to express his appreciation that the property tax rate would remain at $0.54 per $100 valuation and mentioned that the rate places Beaumont in a good position for new businesses to locate here. Mr. Henry Dannenbaum, 1567 Wall, addressed Council in support of the Police Department's Junior Police Program. -206- August 14, 1990 There being no further business, the session was recessed before continuing with 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 August 14, 1990. Rosemarie Chiappetta City Clerk -207- August 14, 1990