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Home My WebLink AboutMIN JAN 29 1991 REGULAR SESSION CITY COUNCIL - CITY OF BEAUMONT HELD JANUARY 29, 1991 - 1:30 P.M. BE IT REMEMBERED that the City Council of the City of Beaumont, Texas, met in regular session this the 29th day of January, 1991, with the following present: HONORABLE: Evelyn M. Lord Mayor Andrew P. Cokinos Mayor Pro Tem 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 Absent: Brian R. Alter Councilman At Large Ray A. Riley City Manager Joseph P. Sanders Asst. City Attorney Rosemarie Chiappetta City Clerk *Councilman Samuel arrived at 1:35 p.m. during presentation of the Proclamation. -000- The Invocation was given by Mr. John Davis, Ridgewood Church of Christ. The Pledge of Allegiance was led by Councilman Smith. -000- One Proclamation was issued: "Public Health Week, " February 3-9, 1991. -000- Citizen comment was invited on the Consent Agenda and Main Agenda Item No. 2 . No one wished to address these items. -000- The following Consent Agenda items were considered: Approval of the Minutes of the regular City Council session held January 22 , 1991; Resolution No. 91-20 appointing Calvin Spindor to the Board of Directors of Reinvestment Zone No. 1 for a term expiring December 31, 1992 ; reappointing Gene Williams to the Clean Community Commission for a term -17- January 29, 1991 expiring September 30, 1992 ; reappointing Michael Truncale to the Sister City Commission for a term expiring December 31, 1992 ; and reappointing Craig Sherlock to the Small Business Revolving Loan Fund Advisory Commission for a term expiring December 31, 1992 ; and confirming David Hornack as Vice-Chairman of the Convention and Tourism Advisory Commission for a term ending July 31, 1991; and Resolution No. 91-21 authorizing acceptance of $840. 00 as final settlement of release of weed and trash liens against a vacant lot on Powell Street described as Lot 7, Block 14 of the Leonard Addition (from Raymond Chaison, who wishes to acquire the property from nonresident owner, Ms. Rosetta Sanders Watson of Lufkin, who desires to give the property to Mr. Chaison to be relieved of further tax obligation) . The Consent Agenda was approved on a motion made by Mayor Pro Tem Cokinos and seconded by Councilman Goodson. Question: Ayes: All -000- Ordinance No. 91-7 authorizing issuance of a specific use permit to Gospel Center Church for construction of a church on a 6 acre tract of land along the south side of the 7600 block of Eastex Freeway within an RS (Residential Single Family Dwelling) zoned district was considered: ORDINANCE NO. 91-7 ENTITLED AN ORDINANCE ISSUING A SPECIFIC USE PERMIT TO ALLOW A CHURCH ON A 6 ACRE TRACT OF LAND ALONG THE SOUTH SIDE OF THE 7600 BLOCK EASTEX FREEWAY WITHIN AN RS (RESIDENTIAL SINGLE FAMILY DWELLING) ZONED DISTRICT, BEAUMONT, JEFFERSON COUNTY, TEXAS. Ordinance No. 91-7 was approved on a motion made by Councilman Moore and seconded by Mayor Pro Tem Cokinos. Question: Ayes: All Nayes: None -000- After a short discussion where Councilman Moore questioned and requested notification of the contract renewal date for management of the transit system and Mayor Pro Tem Cokinos, liaison to the Transit Advisory Commission, complimented Public Works Director Tom Warner for leadership in the transit system and the increase in ridership, Resolution No. 91- 22 authorizing filing an application for $236, 037. 00 in grant assistance from the State Public Transportation Fund Discretionary Program for the Municipal Transit System was approved on a motion made by Mayor Pro Tem Cokinos and seconded by Councilman Smith. Question: Ayes: All Nayes: None -18- January 29, 1991 A public hearing was called to consider the eight (8) below listed structures found to be in violation of the City of Beaumont Is Dangerous Structure Ordinance, Article III, Section 14-50: 635 Fulton and 625 Fulton - James Pope, owner (21 violations each structure) , Staff recommendation to raze each structure within 30 days; 4160 Avenue A (rear) - First Federal Savings & Loan, owner (21 violations) , Staff recommendation to raze within 30 days; 2260 Euclid - Jesus Christ True Church, owner (21 violations) , Staff recommendation to raze within 30 days; 6720 Bigner - Hilda Lewis, owner (21 violations) , Staff recommendation to raze within 30 days; 2815 Concord (shed) - Joseph Turner, owner (8 violations) , Staff recommendation to raze within 30 days; 565 E. Gill - Clara Daniels Washington, owner (22 violations) , Staff recommendation to raze within 30 days;and 885 Concord - John and Frankie DeYoung, owners (21 violations) , Staff recommendation to raze within 30 days. These parcels of property have been inspected, are vacant, and found to be in violation of Article III, Section 14-50 of the Code of Ordinances. Notices have been sent to owners by Certified Mail and published in the Beaumont Enterprise. The thirteen (13) structures listed below have been condemned by City Council and the owners ordered to either raze or repair them within specified time frames. Reinspection of these structures have revealed non-compliance with the Council 's order. The Public Safety Department is requesting authorization from City Council to demolish these structures in accordance with the Dangerous Structure Ordinance and charge the property owners with the cost of demolition. 6695 Bigner, 2885 Euclid, 1630 Gill, 2110 Hemlock, 1407 M. L. King South, 2045 Lela, 2385 Magnolia, 1935 May, 7945 Mitchell, 3715 Preston, 310 East Virginia, 310 East Virginia (garage), and 1760 West Virginia. There being no one to address Council, the public hearing was closed. Ordinance No. 91-8 declaring certain dilapidated structures to be public nuisances and ordering their repair or removal by their owners was considered: ORDINANCE NO. 91-8 ENTITLED AN ORDINANCE FINDING CERTAIN STRUCTURES TO BE PUBLIC NUISANCES AND ORDERING THEIR REPAIR OR DEMOLITION; PROVIDING FOR SEVERABILITY AND PROVIDING FOR A PENALTY. Ordinance No. 91-8 was approved on a motion made by Councilman Moore and seconded by Councilman Goodson. Question: Ayes: All Nayes: None -19- January 29, 1991 Mayor Lord announced an Executive Session will be conducted following the Regular Session of City Council in accordance with Section 2 (e) of the Texas Open Meeting's Act to discuss pending or contemplated litigation: Excavators and Constructors. Inc. v. the City of Beaumont, et al; Susan Shanks vs. the City of Beaumont; and Boullion et al vs. the City of Beaumont. -000- Mayor Pro Tem Cokinos asked that we continue to pray for our men and women in the Armed Forces, for their safe return home, for guidance through their efforts to maintain democracy, and said they are performing a great service to the people of the United States and the world. Councilman Goodson reported that,on behalf of the City, he attended the March of Dimes, "Walk America, " kickoff party last week, where a challenge was presented from the mayors of Orange and Port Arthur for a competition between local City Councils. He accepted for the Mayor and Council to participate in a walk across the Rainbow Bridge. Councilman Moore said he is happy to be back at Council meeting and thanked members of Council for lending support by attending his wedding. Councilman Moore asked that, as a safety measure, attention be given to power lines and dead trees at the corner of Palm and Brandon and confirmed that Irving and Washington street repairs will resume as soon as weather permits. Councilman Smith announced that the "Sunday in the Park" activities for the 1991 season will begin March 10th with Mayor Pro Tem. Cokinos reading to the children and said she looks forward to a great year of programs. Mayor Lord offered congratulations to Councilman Moore and felicitations to his bride on their marriage, questioned if the waste containers on the parking lot could be locked to prohibit littering of the contents caused by rummaging, and expressed a desire that quick action be taken in the establishment of a welcome booth in the foyer of City Hall to assist visitors and citizens. -000- Ms. Freddie Franks, on behalf of the Charlton-Pollard Neighborhood Association, addressed Council to discuss construction of six homes in the affordable housing program and to suggest that the housing subsidy be staggered for each home from 15% to 90%. Mr. Damon Keeling, 950 Sherman Street, addressed Council in support of a staggered subsidy plan for the housing program to allow the very lowest economic income level citizens an opportunity to purchase a home. -20- January 29, 1991 Mr. Forrest F. "Ted" Posey, 3695 Edmonds, addressed Council regarding bus transportation on Sunday, complimented Mayor Lord for her speech at the special prayer service at Riverfront Park for the Middle East crisis and Councilmembers for their attendance at the prayer service. Mr. Henry Dannenbaum, 1567 Wall, addressed Council to voice objection to approval of gambling, in support of continued drug awareness programs and enforcement of the seat belt law to save lives. The Reverend Myron D. Barnes, Sr. , pastor at Starlight Baptist Church, 1090 Buford Street, addressed Council to echo compliments expressed to Council earlier, expressed concern for affordable housing and long-term revitalization of the Charlton-Pollard area, and requested that the houses be constructed of brick. Mr. Jack Binks, 350 Potter, addressed Council to complain about excessive noise created by train horns and whistles in his neighborhood. -000- As a convenience to citizens, Councilman Moore suggested that Council take a ten-minute break, return to the Council Chambers for the Beaumont Housing Finance Corporation meeting, and then conduct the Executive Session. Council concurred with Councilman Moore's suggestion. -000- There being no other business, the Regular Session of City Council was adjourned to reconvene at 2 : 30 p.m. for the Beaumont Housing Finance Corporation meeting following by an Executive 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 January 29, 1991. Rosemarie Chiappetta City Clerk -21- January 29, 1991