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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMIN APR 02 1991 REGULAR SESSION CITY COUNCIL - CITY OF BEAUMONT HELD APRIL 2, 1991 - 1:30 P.M. BE IT REMEMBERED that the City Council of the City of Beaumont, Texas, met in regular session this the 2nd day of April, 1991, with the following present: HONORABLE: Evelyn M. Lord Mayor Andrew P. Cokinos Mayor Pro Tem 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 Mr. Max Dawson, Dowlen Road Church of Christ. The Pledge of Allegiance was led by Councilman Goodson. -000- Two Proclamations were issued: "Don't Wait to Vaccinate Month, " April, 1991; and "National Community Development Week, " April 1-7, 1991. -000- Citizen comment was invited on the Consent and Main Agenda. 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 March 26, 1991; Resolution No. 91-68 appointing Frank Almeida and Bill Spencer to the Convention and Tourism Advisory Commission with terms expiring July 27, 1991; -68- April 2, 1991 Resolution No. 91-69 authorizing acquisition of Parcel 1: 0. 0193 acre out of Lots 395 and 396, Block 56 of the Original Beaumont Townsite, Noah Tevis survey, Abstract 52 (partial taking) from Kenneth E. Ruddy for the appraised value amount of $2,492. 00 for the College-Wall Connector Project; and Resolution No. 91-70 accepting donation of a 3. 16 acre tract out of the Hezekiah Williams League, Abstract 56, just west of Dowlen Road for the Delaware Street right-of-way from Amoco Production Company. The Consent Agenda was approved on a motion made by Mayor Pro Tem. Cokinos and seconded by Councilman Alter. Question: Ayes: All Nayes: None -000- Ordinance No. 91-33 amending Ordinance 90-69 to reestablish the ward boundaries previously in effect by placing Precinct 1 back in Ward I, Precinct 64 and those portions of Precincts 21 and 35 lying within the City limits back in Ward II because the Justice Department has not issued preclearance on the new ward boundaries established by Ordinance 90-69 was considered: ORDINANCE NO. 91-33 ENTITLED AN ORDINANCE AMENDING ORDINANCE 90-69 TO AMEND THE BOUNDARIES OF THE WARDS OF THE CITY OF BEAUMONT FOR ELECTION PURPOSES ONLY; PROVIDING FOR SEVERABILITY; AND PROVIDING FOR REPEAL. Ordinance No. 91-33 was approved on a motion made by Councilman Alter and seconded by Mayor Pro Tem. Cokinos. Question: Ayes: Mayor Lord Nayes: None Mayor Pro Tem. Cokinos Councilman Alter Councilman Smith Councilman Goodson Councilman Moore Abstained: Councilman Samuel -000- Resolution No. 91-71 authorizing a contract with the Triplex Minority Development Center for $37,500.00 in Community Development Block Grant funds to plan for establishment of a non-profit Community Development Corporation to lead to the creation of jobs for low and moderate income persons was approved on a motion made by Councilman Moore and seconded by Councilman Samuel. Question: Ayes: All Nayes: None -69- April 2, 1991 Resolution No. 91-72 authorizing a contract with the John Gray Institute for use of $35,000. 00 in Community Development Block Grant Funds to finance a study of establishing an incubator for businesses involved in manufacturing sponsored by Lamar University was approved on a motion made Councilman Samuel and seconded by Councilman Goodson. Question: Ayes: All Nayes: None -000- Resolution No. 91-73 authorizing filing an application with the Texas State Department of Community Affairs for $159, 000. 00 from the Texas Emergency Shelter Grants Program to be distributed to the Women's and Children's Shelter of Southeast Texas (Rehabilitation) in the amount of $63 ,000.00, the Humane Ministries of Southeast Texas, Inc. (Rehabilitation and Food for the Homeless) in the amount of $47,000.00 and the Young Women's Christian Association (Renovation of facilities) in the amount of $49, 000.00 was approved on a motion made by Councilman Alter and seconded by Councilman Goodson. Question: Ayes: All Nayes: None -000- Ordinance No. 91-34 amending Section 21-75 of the Code of Ordinances to increase the number of authorized positions in the Police Department by adding two more positions for Grade I police officers (136 total) and one additional Grade II position (68 total) for a sergeant to serve as school and youth liaison officer was considered: ORDINANCE NO. 91-34 ENTITLED AN ORDINANCE AMENDING CHAPTER 21 OF THE CODE OF ORDINANCES OF THE CITY OF BEAUMONT TO AMEND SECTION 21-75 TO ESTABLISH GRADES, CLASSIFICATIONS AND POSITIONS IN THE POLICE DEPARTMENT; PROVIDING FOR SEVERABILITY; PROVIDING FOR REPEAL. Ordinance No. 91-34 was approved on a motion made by Councilman Moore and seconded by Mayor Pro Tem Cokinos. Question: Ayes: All Nayes: None -000- Councilman Alter congratulated corporate citizens in the Southeast Texas area on the pending acquisition of the SAGE alert system. Councilman Alter feels this will be a real benefit to the area and that businesses and refineries are on their own trying to safeguard the citizenry. Councilman Moore asked that the Building Codes Division investigate the -70- April 2, 1991 jurisdiction of a dilapidated structure on Spindletop Road; asked Chief Schuldt for an update of task force information relative to gang activity; discussed goals of the homeless shelter in counselling and assisting in job placement and requested an update of activities regarding their level of success in these and other areas of concern. Mayor Lord commented on the success of the Moccasin Program relative to adjoining cities in the Golden Triangle, announced the City of Beaumont will host a luncheon for Orange Councilmembers on April 16 and that she was invited to participate in the Good Friday services in Orange and it was very enjoyable to experience that interplay. Mayor Lord complimented the friendly atmosphere she has witnessed in City Hall created by the Greeters Program, reported that after deciding to come to the office on a City holiday, experienced answering several informational telephone calls and suggested it might be appropriate to institute a telephone tape recording to inform citizens of the holiday and the next working day. -000- The Reverend Amos Landry, Jr. , 3460 Westmoreland, addressed Council on behalf of the Beaumont Baptist Ministers Union regarding increasing gang activities, the safety of senior citizens and vandalism, and requested additional police patrol and any other assistance Council may be able to give. Councilman Moore volunteered to attend the next Beaumont Baptist Ministers Union meeting and asked for meeting information. Mayor Lord asked Councilman Moore to officially represent Council as a liaison at the meeting and bring back a report and perhaps suggestions for working together more cooperatively to combat this problem. Mr. Don Johnson, Executive Director of Programs for Human Services, addressed Council to commend Mr. R. L. "Bob" Stone for his outstanding citizenship in single-handedly rebuilding a structure donated by First City to Programs for Human Services to be used as an office. The needed repairs were in excess of $20, 000.00. Mr. Stone donated his labor and solicited inkind donations of supplies for the rehabilitation. Mr. Stone is also working on another project rehabilitating a home on Irving Street for a mother who cares for her four children and mother. Council also commended Mr. Stone for his unselfish interest in help less- fortunate people. Mr. Jack Baxter, 3865 Longwood, owner of Jack's Tire Service on College Street, addressed Council in support of keeping two-way traffic during reconstruction of College Street, discussed routing and the M. L. King, Jr. Parkway construction, and explained the problem vehicles will have entering his business for service. Mayor Lord expressed Council 's concern for the businesses on College -71- April 2, 1991 Street and announced a special workshop will be held today to discuss the subject and invited Mr. Baxter's attendance. -000- Mayor Lord announced that at the close of Workshop, an Executive Session will be conducted in accordance with Section 2 (g) of the Texas Open Meetings Act to discuss appointment, employment, evaluation, reassignment, duties, discipline or dismissal of a public officer or employee. -000- Mr. Henry Dannenbaum, 1567 Wall Street, addressed Council to express his regard for the Police Department. Mr. Archie Land, 435 Langham Road, Executive Director of Land Manor, addressed Council to complain that sufficient warning, by whistle or horn to signal their presence, is not being given by Southern Pacific trains at Franklin and Houston Streets. There are no cross bars or lights, and Mr. Land said accidents have occurred because the train was not visible and no alert was given. He asked for any assistance Council could give to prevent a serious problem. Mayor Lord acknowledged the problem and reported a complaint she received about the gate at the crossing on Langham Road coming down too quickly and suggested it be investigated. Councilman Alter commented he witnessed switching of railroad cars at College Street for a long period of time and a whistle was not used, and that perhaps contributes to the problem Mr. Land discussed. Mr. Forrest "Ted" Posey, 3695 Edmonds, read a portion of an article entitled, "The Truth Hurts, " that he wrote and plans to submit to the newspaper. -000- There being no other business, the Regular Session of City Council was adjourned to reconvene in 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 April 2, 1991. Rosemarie Chiappetta City Clerk -72- April 2 , 1991 EXCERPT FROM REGULAR CITY COUNCIL SESSION OF BEAUMONT, TEXAS HELD APRIL 2, 1991 DR. DON JOHNSON: Sure could use a little good news today! My name is Don Johnson. I 'm the Executive Director of Programs for Human Services. I am here to speak on behalf of one Beaumont's "golden assets, " I think. Last week I guess I missed it because he didn't tell me, but Bob Stone, as I understand, was recognized as an outstanding citizen of Beaumont - last week or week before last, something of that nature. I didn't get to tell some of the things that Bob Stone has done. I consider Bob as one of - I call him one of Beaumont's "angels. " Programs for Human Services is a non-profit agency that serves ten counties in the Southeast Texas area. PHS does things such as the Weatherization Program, the Commodity Food Program, Child Abuse Prevention Program, other things such as that. In September of 1990, the First City Bank of Beaumont donated a facility to Programs for Human Services that could be used as an office for its Child Abuse Prevention Program. This donation was very much appreciated; however, it was a building that needed a tremendous amount of resources added to it such as labor, paint, mortar, boards, carpet, things of this nature. And, it turned out to be a real problem because we were given a building - Programs for Human Services was given a building but we needed about $20, 000 to make that usable. And, that's where Bob Stone came into our lives. R. L. "Bob" Stone, a citizen of Beaumont, donated his time, did a tremendous amount of efforts of getting donations for this Child Abuse Prevention Program and actually single-handedly rebuilt a building because of his love for young people in Beaumont. Bob began work around the first weekend in October and worked every weekend through January the 15th, 1991 -- now, that's began the first week of October - donated, without cost to anyone. Every single hour of Bob Stone's time was donated and did not cost PHS one cent. Bob worked in the rain, the cold, the dark and any other time he could find on this facility. Not only did he provide free labor, he solicited donations of paint, labor, electrical and plumbing supplies, and other materials. Bob Stone worked all of the time, including Thanksgiving holidays. As I understand it, Bob even worked Thanksgiving Day. He took off fifteen minutes for lunch and had a bologna sandwich and a coke. Bob's statements . . . I met Bob. Now, he had been working, not knowing anyone at PHS; but, he knew the cause. The cause was to help children in danger of abuse and neglect and he was so committed to that cause until he worked without knowing anyone. EXCERPT FROM REGULAR CITY COUNCIL SESSION OF BEAUMONT, TEXAS HELD APRIL 2, 1991 Page 2 DR. JOHNSON continued: I met Bob December the first and I figured if. . .me being executive director of the agency, I was too busy to do things like that; but, I decided if a person could donate his time like that, I would start helping so I would drive over from Orange every Saturday morning and every Sunday morning to work with Bob. He said meet me at 8 : 00. I 'd get there at 8: 00 and he would be there at 7: 00. He would always say, "Doc, we're burning daylight. " Bob is the hardest person I 've ever had to work for. We took three minute breaks and I literally . . . every three hours he would stop for three minutes and take a break and we had fifteen minutes lunches. And, his words were, "Doc, we're burning daylight. " Because of the generous contribution of First City Bank of Beaumont and Bob Stone's labor and generations, generation of contributions, PHS now has a new office building where we serve these abused and neglected children. Bob's contributions have been calculated to amount to more than $20, 000 in time and materials. The hours alone amounted to more than 350 hours. I know there are a lot of people in Beaumont that donate their time - I met one again this weekend, a different one. They donate their time and effort. I just want to go on record before this City Council to tell you I know you recognize Bob Stone, but our agency, Programs for Human Services, with about 150 staff people, asked me to come and speak on behalf of Bob and let ya'll know that we recognize the great contributions he makes. He is truly the epitome of a caring, acting, citizen and we are all better for having people like Bob Stone in Beaumont. Thank you. MAYOR EVELYN LORD: Mr. Johnson, we thank you very much for bringing this to us and we are very appreciative of citizens like Bob Stone as well. MAYOR PRO TEM ANDREW COKINOS: Is Mr. Bob Stone in the audience? DR. JOHNSON: Yes, he's in the audience. MAYOR PRO TEM COKINOS: I wish you'd get up and let's give him a hand. MAYOR LORD: Thank you very much. EXCERPT FROM REGULAR CITY COUNCIL SESSION OF BEAUMONT, TEXAS HELD APRIL 2 , 1991 Page 3 DR. JOHNSON: He's truly our "gentle giant. " We were working this weekend. He said, "Don't you tell this, " but I 've got to tell you. We were working this weekend and he cut his finger. He said, "Doc, do you have a bandaid?" All I had was one Ninja Turtle bandaid. He wore it for two days. MAYOR LORD: Thank you very much. Yes, David . . . COUNCILMAN DAVID MOORE: I know Bob is very modest, but we had opportunity to talk last week and this project he's done with PHS, I mean, I know Andrew is very familiar with it. He's also presently working on another project of a similar nature and, based upon the conversation that we had, as well as the conversation that I 've had with others, he's truly a remarkable individual. It's not often that an individual can give more than what they actually make in a calendar year but that's truly the record there. And, I know, Bob, you don't like this but I think a few other people should know it. MAYOR PRO TEM COKINOS: Well, also, Councilman Moore, I think you ought to tell the people what he's doing over on Irving Street. COUNCILMAN MOORE• Well, I thought he was coming to the mike and let him do it. MAYOR LORD: I promised Mr. Stone that I wouldn't pore heaps of praise upon his head, I 'm just letting everybody else do it. EXCERPT FROM REGULAR CITY COUNCIL SESSION OF BEAUMONT, TEXAS HELD APRIL 2, 1991 Page 4 MAYOR PRO TEM COKINOS: Well, he's . . . he's taken over a project on Irving Street, since no one would mention it, that . . . it's a woman with four children and now she took on her mother the other day and he's completely rehabilitating the home over on Irving Street. And, I think it's really a credit to you, Bob. DR. JOHNSON: To tell you how he's doing that, we worked Friday, like you did, Mayor, we worked Friday and at noon I said, "Bob, let's stop. It's a pretty day. I want to go fishing. " He said, "Well, I 'm ready to stop because I 've got to go to Beaumont. I 've got another project over there I need to work on. " MAYOR LORD: Thank you very much. Is there any other citizen who would like to speak to Council at this time . . . . . .? END OF EXCERPT.