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Home My WebLink AboutMIN OCT 11 1994 REGULAR SESSION CITY COUNCIL - CITY OF BEAUMONT HELD OCTOBER 11, 1994 - 1:30 P.M. BE IT REMEMBERED that the City Council of the City of Beaumont, Texas, met in regular session this the 11th day of October, 1994, with the following present: HONORABLE: David W. Moore Mayor John K. Davis Mayor Pro Tem. Councilman, Ward III Andrew P. Cokinos Councilman-At-Large Becky Ames Councilman-At-Large Lulu L. Smith Councilman, Ward I Guy N. Goodson Councilman, Ward II Calvin Williams Councilman, Ward IV Ray A. Riley City Manager Lane Nichols City Attorney Rosemarie Chiappetta City Clerk -000- The Invocation was given by the Reverend Lowell Whited, South Park Church of Christ--Bible. The Pledge of Allegiance was led by City Manager Ray A. Riley. -000- Two proclamations were issued: "National Disabilities Employment Awareness Month," October, 1994; and "Make a Difference Day," October 22 , 1994 celebrating the spirit of volunteerism and helping others. -000- Mayor Moore asked Councilman Smith to assist in making a presentation and acknowledged Maurine Gray (Community Services Director) serving as hostess to the Sister City delegation from Beppu City, Japan this past weekend. Councilman Smith said that Maurine Gray picked the group up at the airport Friday afternoon, took them back about 11:00 a.m. on Monday and did a magnificent job. She said everything was well planned, the guests had a wonderful time and a great deal of gratitude is due Maurine for serving the City in this capacity. Councilman Smith asked Ms. Gray to make a presentation from our Sister City. Mayor added his appreciation, said Ms. Gray deserves an award for -247- October 11, 1994 improvisation with the "best rain we've had in a long time" in transporting the delegates to Gladys City and said he was initially concerned about the success of the picnic in Riverfront Park on Saturday, but complimented the expertise of Ms. Gray and Fire Chief Shelton in making the day a fun experience for the Japanese delegation. Ms. Maurine Gray We were very pleased to have twenty-eight visitors from our Sister City of Beppu who came to Beaumont on Friday in observance of the tenth anniversary of the Sister City relationship with--between Beppu and Beaumont. And, this group of young citizens of Beppu was very eager, and is very eager, to continue that relationship and strengthen that relationship. An indication of that is, that over the last about six or eight months, they had canisters throughout the city of Beppu and raised money to present a shrine to the citizens of Beaumont. The shrine alone cost $20,000 American dollars to build. They carried it at the (South Texas State) Fair twice--on Saturday night and on Sunday afternoon, and it will be permanently on display at the Beaumont Public Library, and I want to invite everyone to be sure and come see it because it is beautiful. The gentleman, the shrinemaker who built it, quite an elderly man, was with them, and this was his last shrine that he will build. So, it was a very emotional thing for him on Sunday afternoon when they carried it into the Library and put it place, and he was leaving it here, and it was the last one that he would build. But, we had a wonderful time. They all left yesterday wanting to come back to Beaumont, I think very soon. But, they sent--not only did they present us with the shrine which is on display, but they also sent for display in the City Hall this picture which is made of rice paper. There's no paint on it at all. It's all layered rice paper, and I happily present it to you. (Ms. Gray presented the picture to Mayor Moore and Council . ) . . .We have some information that shows you how it was made and it tells about it. . . Councilman Smith That will go in our Beppu Room. . . Ms. Gray presented gifts from the Mayor and Commission of Beppu to Mayor Moore. Councilman Smith said the weekend was wonderful, the guests enjoyed everything, they took the rainy weather and modified activities in stride. She said they were a wonderful group with which to work, and she looks forward to visiting their city. Councilman Smith explained that the shrine is sort of a "good-luck charm" meant to wish health and happiness for Beaumont. She said "the gods of the Shinto are not serious gods, they're just gods who make you happy and healthy. " She expressed a desire that the citizens of Beaumont visit the Library to view the shrine and again thanked Maurine Gray "for a very well-planned three days. " -248- October 11, 1994 Mayor Moore added that the group was unique because of the number of young people and said that seemed to strengthen the relationship between the two cities. He complimented the wisdom and forethought of Ms. Gray in including the interaction of young people from Central High School in the celebration. He said they not only raised $20,000 to build the shrine for Beaumont, but spent thousands of dollars in our community, especially in the stores featuring western wear. Mayor Moore thanked everyone in the community who had contact with the delegation for their hospitality and helping make their trip such a delightful visit. Councilman Smith quipped that perhaps the two sister cities, without any problems, could serve as a model for establishment of an equitable trade agreement! She stated that a pair of boots that selling for $80 or $90 in Beaumont sells for $700 or $800 in Japan. She said they all love western-style clothing, and that many of them took advantage of making purchases while in Beaumont. -000- Citizen comment was invited on the Consent and Main agendas. Mr. Robert Lynn DeMary, 430 East Elgie, addressed Council regarding Main Agenda Item 2 approving right-of-way acquisitions for the Liberty-Laurel III Project. Mr. DeMary said if this is in the area between First and Eleventh Streets, the neighborhood deserves input about the preservation of the trees before right-of-way discussion, but said his remarks would not be applicable to the area at the overpass. Staff verified these acquisitions are near the overpass. Mr. Henry Dannenbaum, 2880 Grand, spoke in support Agenda Item I and the Beaumont Police Department. -000- The following Consent Agenda items were considered: Approval of the Minutes of the regular City Council session held October 4 , 1994; Resolution No. 94-279 authorizing an annual computer software maintenance agreement, effective October 1, 1994 through September 30, 1995, with Innovative Systems Group in the amount of $23,751.25 for various City departments (Water Customer Service--Utility Billing, $3 ,665; Finance--Cash Management, $7,287.50; Public Safety--EMS, $1,597.50; Health--Food Permits, $615.00; Municipal Court--Court System, $5,250; Human Resources--Workers' Compensation, $832 .50; Finance-- Alarms' Billing, $663.75; Police--MDT Interface, $720; Clean Community-- Disability Compliance, $142 .50; Human Resources--Drug Testing, $225; Solid Waste--Landfill , $1,965; and Solid Waste--Sanitation, $787.50) ; and -249- October 11, 1994 Resolution No. 94-280 accepting Street and Storm Sewer Improvements: Willow Bend Drive from Walden Road approximately 580 feet north to 3 type OM-4P markers, Torrey Pines Circle and Palmetto Dunes Circle from Willow Bend Drive approximately 601 feet east to and including the cul- de-sac; and Water and Sanitary Improvements: Lots 1-18, Blocks 1 and 2; in Willow Creek Country Club Estates, Section Ten for permanent maintenance subject to filing of the final plat complete with proper filings of dedication of all rights-of-way and easement required on the preliminary plats and installation of streetlights. The Consent Agenda was approved on a motion made by Councilman Cokinos and seconded by Mayor Pro Tem Davis. Question: Ayes: All Nayes: None -000- Resolution No. 94-281 authorizing execution of a three-year labor contract with the Beaumont Police Officers Association for the period October 1, 1994 through September 30, 1997, (a 3% increase in base wages for all members retroactive October 1, 1994, October 1, 1995 and October 1, 1996; a new pay step effective April 1, 1996 for Grade I Officers with eight (8) years to ten (10) years of service with equivalent 2% increases in higher grades; effective April 1, 1996 a new pay step for Grade I Officers with twelve (12) years to fifteen (15) years of service with equivalent 2% increase in higher grades; increase in plainclothes officers' clothing allowance from $500 to $800 per year; shift differential pay at $.20/hour for the 3:00-11:00 p.m. shift, $ .27/hour for the 6:00 p.m.-2:00 a.m. shift, $.35/hour for the 11:00 p.m.-7:00 a.m. shift; effective October 1 , 1995, those having a masters certificate in Law Enforcement will receive $150 certification pay per month, SWAT Team members will receive certification pay in the amount of $25 per month, and breathalyzer operators and field training officers will receive increases of $30 and $25 per month) was approved on a motion made by Councilman Cokinos and seconded by Councilman Ames. Question: Ayes: All Nayes: None -000- Resolution No. 94-282 authorizing acquisition of Parcel 120: .0097 acre out of the Noah Tevis Survey, Abstract 52 (5290 Laurel Avenue) from Warren Electric Co. of Texas for the appraised value of $3 ,487.00 and Parcel 125: 0. 3634 acre out of the Noah Tevis Survey, Abstract 52 (2810 Laurel Avenue) from the Inez Barnett Holland Trust for the appraised value of $210,000.00 for improvements to the Liberty-Laurel Corridor from Eleventh Street to Phelan Boulevard was approved on a motion made by Councilman Smith and seconded by Councilman Goodson. Question: Ayes: All Nayes: None -250- October 11, 1994 Resolution No. 94-283 authorizing an annual computer maintenance contract with IBM Corporation in the amount of $65,658.50 to provide services on the mainframe computers (AS/400) located in City Hall and the Police Department and peripheral equipment was approved on a motion made by Councilman Smith and seconded by Councilman Goodson. Question: Ayes: All Nayes: None -000- Resolution No. 94-284 authorizing a contract with Samuel's House in the amount of $34,000.00 from the 1994 Community Development Block Grant funds to complete building renovations to meet building code regulations (installation of a central air and heating system, a fire alarm system, architectural drawings, installation of a triple sink, commercial stove/ventilation hood and handicapped accessible bathrooms) was approved on a motion made by Mayor Pro Tem Davis and seconded by Councilman Ames. Question: Ayes: All Nayes: None -000- Mayor Moore announced that an executive session will be held following the workshop session in accordance with Section 551 .071 of the Government Code to discuss contemplated or pending litigation: the Claim by Michael Henderson and the Claim by Angela Pinkston. -000- Mayor Pro Tem Davis thanked Public Works Director Tom Warner for receipt of the report he submitted pertaining to Caldwell, Cable, Forest, and Maple Street and said the Cable Street Northend Neighborhood Association will be very pleased with the information. Councilman Cokinos also thanked Public Works Director Tom Warner for replacing the street sign on Ewing Street and said the residents in the area appreciate the service. Mayor Moore congratulated the YMBL for the opening ceremony and hopefully, a successful Fair, in spite of some inclement weather. Also, Mayor Moore congratulated the Douglas Memorial Christian Methodist Episcopal Church for their 114th church anniversary celebration held last Sunday. -000- Mr. Tony Jones, 508 Garland, addressed Council to commend the YMBL for making the Fair accessible to people with handicaps and complimented the staff for their helpful attitude. Mr. Jones thanked the Mayor and Council for issuance of the proclamation acknowledging October as National Disabilities Employment Awareness Month. -251- October 11, 1994 There being no other business, the regular session of City Council was recessed to reconvene in workshop session. -000- I, Barbara Liming, Deputy 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 October 11 , 1994. Barbara Liming Deputy City Clerk -252- October 11, 1994