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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMIN SEP 24 1991 REGULAR SESSION CITY COUNCIL - CITY OF BEAUMONT HELD SEPTEMBER 24, 1991 - 1:30 P.M. BE IT REMEMBERED that the City Council of the City of Beaumont, Texas, met in regular session this the 24th day of September, 1991, with the following present: HONORABLE: Evelyn M. Lord Mayor Lulu L. Smith Mayor Pro Tem Councilman, Ward I Andrew P. Cokinos Councilman At Large Guy N. Goodson Councilman, Ward II David W. Moore* Councilman, Ward IV Absent: Brian R. Alter Councilman At Large Audwin Samuel Councilman, Ward III Lane Nichols City Attorney Rosemarie Chiappetta City Clerk * (Councilman Moore arrived at 1:34 p.m. during presentation of the first proclamation. ) -000- The Invocation was given by Father Steve Leger, Saint Pius X Catholic Church. The Pledge of Allegiance was led by Mayor Pro Tem. Smith. -000- (Councilman Moore arrived. ) Four Proclamations were issued: "National Arts Week, " September 22-28, 1991; "Mediator's Week, " September 23-27, 1991; "Quilt Appreciation Week, " September 24-28, 1991; and, PROCLAMATION WHEREAS, the City of Beaumont acknowledges and appreciates the outstanding service and dedication of Franklin C. Young, District Engineer for the Beaumont district, who began his professional career with the State Department of Highways and Public Transportation forty- three years ago and has served in Beaumont for the past twenty-four years; and, -235- September 24, 1991 WHEREAS, as District Engineer, Franklin Young has been responsible for the design, construction, and maintenance of the state highway system of eight Southeast Texas counties, and has led the District to become ranked fifth statewide in volume of work under construction and second to none in quality of the product offered to the highway traveller; and, WHEREAS, we are pleased to recognize that Franklin Young distinguished himself in Beaumont by helping the city, once smarting with racial bias, to adopt a cross-town thoroughfare, name it Martin Luther King, Jr. Parkway, and to unite the citizens with promises to make it the garden spot of Southeast Texas; and, WHEREAS, we commend Franklin Young as instrumental in providing the prerequisites for construction of the I-10, US 69 interchange in Beaumont, which upon completion will sport a new look and will accommodate the increased traffic count which now exceeds 120, 000 vehicles per day; and, WHEREAS, a noted community leader, Franklin Young is held in high (Mayor in reading the proclamation, said, "the highest esteem. I just noticed that that said high esteem, and I 'm going to throw in highest esteem. ") esteem by city officials, mayors, commissioners, chambers of commerce and the general public, and his presence and participation in community and civic endeavors, including the City's Martin Luther King, Jr. Parkway Commission, contribute significantly to the improvement of the quality of life in Beaumont; and, WHEREAS, we honor Franklin Young today on the occasion of his retirement, and thank him for sharing his indomitable spirit, civic pride and admirable professionalism. NOW, THEREFORE, I, Evelyn M. Lord, Mayor of the City of Beaumont, do hereby proclaim Monday, September 30, 1991, as 11FRANKLIN C. YOUNG DAY" in Beaumont, as an expression of gratitude for his dedicated commitment of time, attention and talents to the enhancement of our City, as well as Southeast Texas; and call upon all citizens to join with Beaumont City Council in wishing him the very best in his retirement. IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand and have caused the Seal of the City of Beaumont to be affixed. September 24 , 1991 /s/ Evelyn M. Lord Date Mayor MAYOR LORD: And, of course, here to receive this because we've already received a promise he may be retiring from the Highway Department, but he's not retiring from being active in Beaumont, is Franklin Young. Would you please come forward, Franklin? Franklin, it really is a wonderful pleasure to give you that. We do appreciate you so very, very much. -236- September 24, 1991 (Mr. Young accepted the proclamation and shook hands with Council. ) COUNCILMAN COKINOS: Not only that, but he's a graduate of Texas A & M! MAYOR PRO TEM SMITH: We' ll forgive him! MAYOR LORD: Please, Franklin. MR. FRANKLIN C. YOUNG: Well, I really appreciate this. It sort of reminds me--before I--get to back--enjoying all the nice things--of an instance that happened many years ago, prior to coming to Beaumont, that, in fact, San Antonio. We had a nice little old lady that was receptionist and made the appointments and all for our right-of-way department--our agents going out--and, she was just the nicest and sweetest thing. And, as she got older, her memory seemed to fail her. And, somebody would call, she'd get a call, and when she'd get through, she'd say, "Now who was that for. What did they want?" And, it really became necessary that we had to terminate her employment. But she was so nice and so sweet that we really tried to decide who was going to be the one to tell her and to terminate her employment. Well, one day my secretary came up, said, "Well, I 'll take care of it" and volunteered. So, we were in the coffee shop the next morning. All of a sudden we heard one table over there, all of 'em jump up and started congratulating this lady and telling her how nice it was and all, turned around and said, "so-and-so is retiring at the end of the month. " And, the way it turned out, she said later, she says, "Well, you know I just sorta said I 'd like to, and I think they didn't hear me say like, and just said that I was, but they immediately had this retirement party! " Said all these nice things so she couldn't back out! Now, I don't know if that's what really the purpose on this is--to be sure I don't back out! But, Lord Mayor, you were very appropriate when you said Councilman Andrew to give the proclamation on the quilting, because I 've heard the story told, by one of his friends, that Andrew was different from the other Cokinos' boys. He was always one to get in trouble, he was always last, and he was always Mommy's favorite, and they explained that--said that Momma went to one of these quilting bees, where they all go and they put the babies down on the quilt. Probably some of you know what's coming. And, says when they go ready to leave, says the other boys were just so sure that Momma picked up the wrong baby! But, I have to be. . .to put a little humor in here because I do leave -237- September 24, 1991 with such mixed emotions. . .with the Highway Department. It's still Highway Department to me, even though officially, we're the Department of Transportation. But, it has been great over the years, and I 've had such a great bunch that have done all the work for me, and all I had to do was take credit for it. But, let me say this about the City of Beaumont. When I came here there was wonderful cooperation between the Highway Department and the City. It has continued that way. It has gone up and down, but generally, it has come back, and today, it's the greatest that we have or could want. It's a partnership operation with our highways and our roads and with the City and with the streets. We've been able to do the maximum here in Beaumont and all of Jefferson County because of this partnership operation. It's been a situation that the City was always ready to do their part. No matter how bad it hurt. I mean, financially. Even after the City' s unfortunate loss, temporary, fortunately, it was temporary loss of the, the bond funds, they were able to continue to raise the money for their share in Washington Boulevard, College Street, Dowlen Road, just all over, because those are partnership projects, and they have been. And, with that attitude, it has always been easy to plan ahead and be--and to know that we could count on the City and the County to come up with what was needed, when it was needed. And, it's with that cooperative and partnership operation, that has permitted us to do the job that we have wanted to do for Beaumont and it's citizens. And, I thank you on behalf of the other group that are here with me, and I--Delia Harrington is sitting there because she's an unpaid employee of the Department as well as the City! MAYOR LORD: We believe that! MR. YOUNG: I appreciate it, and I thank you. MAYOR LORD: Franklin, don't go away, please. At this time I 'd like to call Nancy Neild forward, please. I think Nancy has something to say to you, Franklin. NANCY NEILD• It's a privilege for me to make this presentation today to Franklin Young on behalf of the M. L. K. Parkway Commission. I have watched and admired Franklin through the years, as we all have, but it was by serving on the M. L. K. Parkway Commission with him, that I have been able to observe first-hand his true dedication to our area, and to the M. L. K. Parkway project, in particular. We, on the Commission, want to honor you today by presenting you with this token of our appreciation, even though you are retiring officially, we are going to be counting on -238- September 24, 1991 you as a Commissioner to serve with us until the project is completed. I 'd like to read this plaque to you. MAYOR LORD: Nancy, perhaps, I think it would be nice before you read that, if the other members of the Commission would come up and join you, because we appreciate the endeavors that all of these people put in. NANCY NEILD• The plaque reads, "The Martin Luther King, Jr. Parkway Commission proudly salutes Franklin C. Young, District Engineer, State Department of Highways and Public Transportation, for his years of support, service, and untiring efforts toward the completion of the Martin Luther King, Jr. Parkway, Beaumont, Texas, September, 1991. " (applause) MAYOR LORD: Thank you. MR. YOUNG: Well, thank you, I certainly appreciate that, too, because this has been a very fond project of mine, and one that I guarantee you we'll all be proud of when it's completed. In addition to the transportation features, it's also a major drainage project which the City has participated in, which will benefit the City, and probably, fortunately, it's one that you won't realize how much good it's doing, drainage-wise, because you won't know how much flooding that you're missing! We know, don't we Dr. Lulu? MAYOR PRO TEM SMITH: We sure do! MAYOR LORD: We may know how much we're missing! (applause) Very briefly, I would just like to introduce to you those other members that were here, in addition to Nancy Neild. Of course, we have the Reverend David Robinson, who is the Chairman of the M. L. K. Commission, Dr. Bettye Smith, Marie Hubbard, and Doug Steinman, I believe were the ones that came up. Did I miss anybody that's here? And, we do appreciate all of you, and as we remind you again, Franklin, you're not through with that job! -239- September 24, 1991 At this time I would like to ask before we close if there's any citizens who have anything they wish to say to City Council, please Mr. Rogers. We're very formal, you see, when we sit up here. We don't say, please Ben, we just say please, Mr. Rogers. MR. BEN ROGERS• Thank you very much. Mayor, Mayor Pro Tem, and Members of the Council, Lane Nichols, our attorney, I think the last time I was here I spent an awful lot of money. So, I haven't been coming very regularly. I think that goes because you operate so smoothly and so beautifully, and the City' s getting along so well, but I wanted to take just a few minutes today to say a word or two about Franklin Young. He, you said it beautifully in your documentation to him today, and I don't think I could say it as well, but in the choice of my own words at the layman' s level, he is a Highway, Highway Engineer. He sees way ahead of everybody else. And, although we talk about what's happened on the M. L. K. Parkway, which is now being finished, probably another five years. And, what we actually see out here on I-10 at the interchange, we forget what happened at the downtown interchange, and we forget what's happened in the south county, and all over the district, that he's involved in. But, the thing that I must bring to the attention of, Franklin Young, who probably remembers it, is that when I announced that I was going to build Parkdale Mall, we had absolutely no highways. I recall when Jimmy Cokinos was our mayor, and we needed right-of-way and the City said we have no money for right-of-way, and I said, "I' ll pay for the right-of-way, Jimmy, we've gotta get the right-of-way. " And, "I said, "I went out to see some of these people, and they won't even talk to me. Can you help me?" And, so Jimmy was knocking on the doors early in the mornings before they went to work to try to help buy the right-of- way. I hadda buy a radio station out there, thirteen-acres, and transmit it and move the whole thing to another site because Jack Neal wouldn't give two feet of right-of-way, and we needed right-of-way on Dowlen Road. You remember this (to Mr. Young) . And, Franklin Young was so bright and talked about where's Dowlen Road gonna go, and how is it gonna come in, and what's gonna happen. And, I sat there and he knew more about our development than I did. He was concerned about the cars movement coming in, going out, no traffic hold-ups, where the entrance ought to be, and so there were many sleepless nights for you, and many sleepless nights for me, but it was done. It was done because you wanted to get it done. And, you go to Austin. At the Commission level, he has a great, great reputation. He doesn't come there unprepared. He know what he wants. He knows what he's planning, and he's probably got in the Commissions's hand, things for the next ten years that will come aboard by the next Engineer. So, saying in my words, I really appreciate all you've done for our community, for all of the people. I love you. I wish your wife could be here to have heard the accolades today. She's a lovely lady. Give her our love. I thank you all for listening to me. -240- September 24, 1991 MAYOR LORD: Thank you, Mr. Rogers. Is there any other citizen who would wish to speak to Council. MR. HENRY DANNENBAUM: Mayor, there is no words to express to a man, and I 've known him ever since he came in my life. Franklin Young, to me, typlifies what you said earlier. I 'll tell you what, there is, I recall, maybe, some students in a Sunday school class that, if they were here today, they would tell you how they feel about this man. And, as Ben said about Austin, Texas, I 've never seen such a beautiful layout as the Texas Highway Department there has, and I miss it, but I 'll tell you what, I love Beaumont and Franklin, we love you. MAYOR LORD: Thank you very, Mr. Dannenbaum. And, it's a pleasure, I don't think you have to give your name for the records. MAURICE MEYERS• I' ll give it! MAYOR LORD: Go right ahead. We're delighted to see you, Maury. MAURICE MEYERS• Maury Meyers. It's good to be with you. This is a first. It' s good to see all of you. I really came thinking of the reception for Franklin and wouldn't miss, and in listening to all of the comments, they are all appropriate. And, we really have been blessed as an area for the benefit that Franklin's provided us because of his unique ability in Austin to deal with his associates and the way they looked upon his work and the credibility behind it. So, when he went to bat for a project, it usually went through. But, there's a unique element that I felt compelled to share, and it's quite often overlooked. Yet, I think it had a tremendous amount of good to do with how we really fared through the toughest economic times. And, I've discussed this on occasion with Franklin, and I know he would love to say he planned it that way, and he didn't, but we're very fortunate in more ways than one for Franklin Young and his influence. Because, I think, at the height of our difficult period when our economy was down and unemployment had reached levels of 29% in Port Arthur and Orange, 15% in Beaumont. At one point and time, I think Franklin had almost 2,500 people working on our projects, and he used to keep us abreast of that. And, so it's kind of a hidden benefit, but through the years of 184, 185, 186, 187 and, of -241- September 24, 1991 course, continuing now, a major job provider--really a blessing for our area. For many people, who would have had to leave the area and find work elsewhere, came as a result of the fact that Franklin was able to amass these many projects that were all approved. So, beyond our thanks, I know that a lot of people who were able to put bread on their table have to extend thanks to you as well, Franklin, and you've done a great job for us. And, I think it's important we let everybody know. Thank you. MAYOR LORD: Thank you, Maury. MR. YOUNG: Do you mind if I introduce the people who have done all of this? MAYOR LORD: We'd be very pleased. MR. YOUNG: Richard Cardwell is my Assistant District Engineer, and he will be Acting District Engineer upon my retirement for a period, I don't know how long. MAYOR LORD: Well, you see how well we treat you, if you are nice to us, you see. (to Mr. Cardwell) MR. YOUNG: But, he's the one that has been doing so much of the work. And, on his right is Bud Collier, who is our Design Engineer, and the one who does all of this planning, and give that job to. On his left is Clinton Bond, our Construction Engineer, and he does, in charge of all the construction. And, behind is Roy Follmer, who is our Chief Fiscal Officer. He takes care of our money. And, with him, is Laverne Danos, who does our internal review, all of our economic studies, and is really the brains behind these men sitting here. And, then next to her, is David Hearnsberger, our Maintenance Engineer. So if there's anything wrong or potholes, there he is. Hit him. MAYOR LORD: The pothole-man, alright! Well, we're delighted to have everybody with you. Have you got them all? -242- September 24, 1991 MR. YOUNG: No, No. MAYOR LORD: No, good! MR. YOUNG: We have Dewayne Browning. He is the engineer in charge of all these projects here in town. The one who has made all the mess. He doesn't claim 105 right now--but the rest, and will do that, and behind him is Lonnie Traxler, our Maintenance Superintendent. He makes David Hearnsberger look good. And, Walter Crook, our Planning Engineer, who takes care of all public transportation, all advance planning, Jefferson- Orange Regional Transportation Study. He has about twenty hats that he wears. We really rely on him. And, Alfred Smith, our Traffic Engineer. He's the one that takes all the complaints about traveling, traffic, and takes care of them. And then, Andy Chica, who is our Traffic Safety Specialist and Public Information Officer. And, Scotty Rollins, we can't leave him out. He's the one that gets the right-of-way, our Right- of-Way Engineer. Got Delia. So, oh, Ted East is taking the pictures for us. MAYOR LORD: Well, thank you very much, Franklin. MR. YOUNG: Oh, Gladys, she's with--Gladys, well, Gladys works for us too, but she's a City employee, Gladys Allen. MAYOR LORD: Before I, yes, Dr. Smith. DR. BETTYE SMITH: I 'd like to say something that I don't think has been said, at this point, of how Franklin, Gladys and Scotty work with this inter-racial committee to bring about racial harmony over the much maligned Martin Luther King Parkway. That was a big sore spot with the community, and we all came in there thinking, we're engineers and we're gonna build it! And, Franklin let us think we were building it! But, he built a relationship within that committee that spread (applause) throughout from there, and that is what we need more of--more people like Franklin who will build a relationship between the races and the religions and every part of the city, and that' s what the Martin Luther King Parkway -242- September 24, 1991 stands for. And, I thank him again for that and for the City. MAYOR LORD: Thank you, Dr. Smith. Is there any other citizen that wishes to speak? Before I do call on Council, we do have one quick item of business, and I would like a motion to approve the Minutes of the previous meeting. -000- The Minutes of the regular City Council session held September 17, 1991, were approved on a motion made by Councilman Cokinos and seconded by Councilman Goodson. Question: Ayes: All Nayes: None -000- MAYOR LORD: . . .And, so now, I will ask Council if they have anything they would like to say. David, shall we start with you, Councilman Moore. COUNCILMAN MOORE• Just congratulations to Franklin. Everything' s already been stated. We don't expect you to stop here, and I can remember those meetings when the discussion began about the Parkway, and the attitude was always one that we could get it done. So, you got to stay until it's done! MAYOR LORD: Yes, Councilman Cokinos. COUNCILMAN COKINOB: Congratulations to you, Franklin. See you at the football games up at A & M. And, when that M. L. K. is finished, it's gonna be the centerpiece of Beaumont. It's going to be beautiful. Congratulations to you, and try to keep the District 20 Headquarters here in Beaumont. We passed a resolution on it. MAYOR LORD: Councilman Goodson. COUNCILMAN GOODSON: Well, I 've know Franklin for a number of years, and I deal with him at a smaller level than the City of Beaumont, from time to time, with smaller entities. And, the one thing that I like about Franklin is that he -243- September 24, 1991 treats everybody the same--big or small--big job or little job. Every job, I always felt, he made seem equally important in his mind and the mind of that Department. I certainly appreciate it. MAYOR LORD: Mayor Pro Tem. MAYOR PRO TEM SMITH: We congratulate you, Franklin, on your retirement, and we're going to miss you. We're going to miss your vision and your thoughtfulness and what you've done for our community, but we appreciate it, and we hope you have a happy and long retirement. Come back and see us often. MAYOR LORD: Well, Franklin, to wrap things up, I think the proclamation and those lovely things that have been said about you certainly sum up my feelings. Very much so. I 've enjoyed a very fine personal relationship with you, and I would just like before I adjourn the meeting to have your permission to tell that story about Andrew at the Aggie Club tonight. Alright? (Mr. Young nodded assent. ) Fine! I 'm the speaker at A & M tonight. . . -000- There being no other business, the Regular Session of the City Council was adjourned. A reception honoring Mr. Young was held in the City Hall lobby. -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 September 24, 1991. Rosemarie Chiappetta City Clerk -244- September 24, 1991