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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMIN NOV 12 1991 REGULAR SESSION CITY COUNCIL - CITY OF BEAUMONT HELD NOVEMBER 12, 1991 - 1:30 P.M. BE IT REMEMBERED that the City Council of the City of Beaumont, Texas, met in regular session this the 12th day of November, 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 Brian R. Alter Councilman At Large Guy N. Goodson Councilman, Ward II David W. Moore Councilman, Ward IV Absent: Audwin Samuel Councilman, Ward III Ray A. Riley City Manager Lane Nichols City Attorney Rosemarie Chiappetta City Clerk -000- The Invocation was given by Councilman Goodson. The Pledge of Allegiance was led by Councilman Moore. -000- A Proclamation was issued declaring November 13 , 1991, as "Women Veterans Awareness Day, " and Mayor Lord presented a second Proclamation: MAYOR LORD: . . .Today, we're honoring Mark Stiles and what he' s done, and I 'm sorry that we don't have a bigger audience here, but perhaps that speaks for the peace and quiet that we're presently, knock on wood, enjoying in Beaumont. So, I will go ahead with this Proclamation. As I said, it pleases me very much. WHEREAS, State Representative Mark W. Stiles of Beaumont was selected by the Texas Municipal League as Legislator of the Year 1991 in recognition of his leadership in the passage of legislation which expands municipal authority and simplifies municipal operating procedures; and, -287- November 12, 1991 WHEREAS, Representative Stiles was cited by the League for his recognition of the critical importance of local governments and local economic development; and, WHEREAS, Representative Stiles has been instrumental in gaining passage of several measures granting municipalities expanded authority in the area of economic development and during five terms as State Representative from District 21, he has worked closely with the City of Beaumont and other municipalities in seeking solutions to the complex problems confronting local governments; and, WHEREAS, as a member of the State Legislature since 1983 , Representative Stiles has reflected credit and honor on his home community and has attained leadership stature in the law making process through numerous committee assignments and legislative accomplishments, the most recent of which include chairmanship of the House Committee on Local and Consent Calendars, appointment to the Legislative Criminal Justice Board, passage of his property tax reform package and co- authorship of insurance reform legislation; and, WHEREAS, his selection as Legislator of the Year by TML, representing 985 Texas Cities, was the latest of his long list of honors accorded Representative Stiles, including the Southeast Texas Arts Council Award for Government Involvement, the 1989 Distinguished Service Award of the Texas Chamber of Commerce, the 1990 Distinguished Service Award of the Texas Pharmaceutical Association, the 1990 MAN OF THE YEAR award of the Texas Agricultural Agents Association and the 1991 Legislator of the Year award of the Texas Public Employees Association. NOW, THEREFORE, I, Evelyn M. Lord, Mayor of the City of Beaumont do hereby proclaim Tuesday, November 12, 1991, as "MARK STILES APPRECIATION DAY" in Beaumont and call upon all Beaumont citizens to join me in honoring Mark W. Stiles for his noteworthy achievements as a Legislator and for outstanding service to Beaumont and all of District 21. IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand and have caused the Seal of the City of Beaumont to be affixed. November 12 . 1991 sls Evelyn M. Lord DATE MAYOR Mark, would you please come forward? And (applause) REPRESENTATIVE STILES: . . .I ' ll tell Sandy how well you did, and tell her she should get you to do my eulogy, Mayor! -288- November 12, 1991 MAYOR LORD: Oh, I won't say I 'd look forward to that, because I wouldn't! REPRESENTATIVE STILES: Thank you very much. . . (received Proclamation, shook hands and exchanged comments with Council) MAYOR LORD: And please feel free to take the podium there and say a few words, Mark, and we're glad you brought Patsy Clapper (Administrative Assistant to Representative Stiles) with you today. REPRESENTATIVE STILES: First off, I want to tell you that many of you helped me whenever I went to the Legislature in 1983, and we discussed many times that we felt like the best government in the State is the local government. And, I went with that in mind, because I do feel that cities and counties do much more than the State or Federal government because you're closer to the people. And, Mayor, I 've been here many times when this room was very full, and I think it does speak well for the City that things are quiet and peaceful here and everybody--there' s more people working, and that we have a strong economic outlook, and that we're bringing new jobs here, and that we have one of, if not the best, city in the State of Texas to be from. I appreciate this honor. It was very important to me. In 1983 when I first went to the Legislature, I told the story up there, I was in Stan Schlueter's office, who was my first Chairman, and I saw this award on the wall, and told him, I said, "I would really like to have that because I think an award like that speaks well for a representative not to forget the folks, you know, that he, where he came from. " And he says, "Well, you know dancin' with who brung ya is one of those important things. " And, I 'll tell you, I really appreciate this recognition today, and it just makes me want to just go out and work a little bit harder for Beaumont and Southeast Texas. Thank you very much. MAYOR LORD: Thank you, Mark. (applause) We want you to know that you're always welcome to come in, and we'll let you know next time it's going to be a full house, and maybe you can come and watch the fun. Thank you, and again, Patsy, we're glad you could be with us, too. -000- Citizen comment was invited on the Consent and Main Agendas. No one wished to address these items. -289- November 12, 1991 The following Consent Agenda item was considered: Approval of the Minutes of the regular City Council session held November 5, 1991. The Consent Agenda was approved on a motion made by Councilman Cokinos and seconded by Councilman Goodson. Question: Ayes: All Nayes: None -000- Resolution No. 91-283 accepting the work performed under a contract with Crain Brothers, Inc. for Phase II of the Irving Street Outfall Project, approving Change Order No. 1 adjusting contract estimates to as-built quantities with a net reduction of $44, 605.50 to the original contract price of $399, 610.00 for a final cost of $355. 004.50, and authorizing final payment in the amount of $20,334. 23 was approved on a motion made by Mayor Pro Tem Smith and seconded by Councilman Moore. Question: Ayes: All Nayes: None -000- Resolution No. 91-284 authorizing a contract with Naztec, Inc. , selected through high technology procurement, for supplying a replacement computer (closed-loop) traffic signal system for downtown Beaumont (and Calder to 23rd, 11th Street from IH-10 to Washington, and IH-10 from Harrison to Laurel) at a cost of $418,850. 00 was approved on a motion made by Councilman Alter and seconded by Councilman Goodson. Question: Ayes: All Nayes: None -000- Resolution No. 91-285 authorizing a three-year labor contract with the Beaumont Police Officers Association for the period from October 1, 1991, through September 30, 1994, (4% increase retroactive to October 1, 1991; 3% increases, effective October 1, 1992, and October 1, 1993 ; commencing April, 1992 , there will be a new 3% pay step in Grade I and above for those with 10 or more years of service; effective the following year a 3% increase for those with an excess of 15 years; and a 3% increase the third year for those with 20 years of service; effective January 1, 1992, convert to the civilian employees' standard medical plan with no premium cost; change the retiree or disabled medical plan to coincide with the COBRA plan offered civilian employees at an increased rate for the term of this contract; and provide for dental insurance with an accelerating fee schedule) was considered: Councilman Cokinos questioned why the wage package offered to the Police Union was not offered to the Firefighters Union. -290- November 12 , 1991 The City Manager responded by saying that the functions and hours of the departments are different and each was compared to its own type of department, and negotiations are continuing with the Firefighters union. After additional questioning, the City Attorney asked that discussion cease because of subject posting requirements under the Texas Open Meetings Act. Resolution No. 91-285 authorizing a three-year labor contract with the Beaumont Police Officers Association was approved on a motion made by Councilman Moore and seconded by Councilman Alter. Question: Ayes: All Nayes: None -000- Ordinance No. 91-92 adopting the 1991 property assessment roll as certified by the Jefferson County Tax Appraisal District to be $2,890, 352, 140 with application by the office of the Jefferson County Tax Assessor-Collector of the City's $.59 cents per $100. 00 assessed valuation was considered: ORDINANCE NO. 91-92 ENTITLED AN ORDINANCE ADOPTING AND APPROVING THE APPRAISAL ROLL INCLUDING THE AMOUNT OF TAX AS SUBMITTED BY THE TAX ASSESSOR- COLLECTOR OF THE CITY OF BEAUMONT FOR THE TAX YEAR 1991; PROVIDING FOR SEVERABILITY; AND PROVIDING FOR REPEAL. Ordinance No. 91-92 was approved on a motion made by Councilman Goodson and seconded by Mayor Pro Tem Smith. Question: Ayes: All Nayes: None -000- Resolution No. 91-286 authorizing execution of a Cooperative Agreement of Affiliation with Jefferson County whereby, 1: the City would provide preventative health services to residents of North Jefferson County to include but not limited to child health, WIC, immunizations, STD, dental, chronic disease screening, HIV counseling and testing and investigative responsibilities for vaccine preventable diseases, and, 2: the County would provide primary health care for those individuals 0- 100% of the Federal Poverty Index--18 years of age and over--including, but not limited to chronic disease treatment and other non emergency medical services was approved on a motion made by Mayor Pro Tem Smith and seconded by Councilman Goodson. Question: Ayes: All Nayes: None -291- November 12, 1991 Ordinance No. 91-93 establishing a $2.00 per person Health Department immunization fee, effective January 1, 1992 , as required for compliance with the Maternal and Child Health contract with the State, was considered: ORDINANCE NO. 91-93 ENTITLED AN ORDINANCE AMENDING CHAPTER 13 , SECTION 13-16 OF THE CODE OF ORDINANCES OF THE CITY OF BEAUMONT TO PROVIDE A FEE FOR IMMUNIZATION; PROVIDING FOR REPEAL; PROVIDING FOR SEVERABILITY; AND PROVIDING AN EFFECTIVE DATE. Ordinance No. 91-93 was approved on a motion made by Mayor Pro Tem Smith and seconded by Councilman Alter. Question: Ayes: All Nayes: None -000- Resolution No. 91-287 authorizing Change Order No. 2 with W. B. Construction, Inc. for 1, 350 cubic yards of additional cement stabilized backfill at $31. 00 per cubic yard ($41,850. 00) and 800 square feet of trench protection at $1.50 per square foot ($1,200. 00) totaling $43, 050.00, increasing the contract amount from $365,569.00 to $408, 619. 00 for construction of East Caldwood Drainage Improvements was approved on a motion made by Councilman Alter and seconded by Mayor Pro Tem Smith. Question: Ayes: All Nayes: None -000- Resolution No. 91-288 authorizing purchase of 63.72 acres of land in the H. Williams, Jr. Survey, for park use south of the Collier's Ferry boat launching ramp at the end of Pine Street, from Mrs. Betsy Mecom Mullins for $810. 00 per acre, a total of $51, 650. 00, was approved on a motion made by Councilman Alter and seconded by Councilman Goodson. Question: Ayes: All Nayes: None -000- Mayor Pro Tem Smith announced there will be one more "Sunday in the Park" this season and to date there is no special sponsor for the event, but solicited the help of Council in planning and possibly a volunteer to be Santa Claus. Councilman Goodson said there was a nice turn out for last week's "Sunday in the Park" in spite of several other activities. -292- November 12, 1991 Councilman Moore congratulated both Westbrook and Central High Schools and wished them good luck as they enter the play-offs this weekend. Mayor Lord said there is a need for additional outside lighting near municipal buildings, especially the Police Station, for those attending various evening functions in the area, as well as for employees working late or evening shifts. -000- Mr. Louis Williams, 1775 Calder, representing the Neches Boat Club, addressed Council to express their interest in continued use and promotion of boating activities in the area of the property on the Neches River authorized for purchase today by Council and said his business might be able to sponsor the December "Sunday in the Park. " Mr. Henry Dannenbaum, 1567 Wall Street, addressed Council in support of additional street lighting around City buildings. Mr. Forrest F. "Ted" Posey, 3695 Edmonds, addressed Council to compliment Mayor Lord for her accomplishments as mayor and questioned whether reported growing of marijuana in a cemetery had been investigated. -000- Councilman Alter reminded everyone that there will be two more recycling meetings this week: one tonight at 7: 00 p.m. at South Park Middle School and Thursday at Austin Middle School. Mr. Riley reported that the recycling meeting on November 25th will be rescheduled because of a conflict with the Community Thanksgiving Celebration. Mr. Riley also announced that the City has received a $190, 000 grant from the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department for development of the Lefler Community Park. -000- There being no other business, the meeting was adjourned. -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 November 12 , 1991. Rosemarie Chiappetta City Clerk -293- November 12, 1991