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Home My WebLink AboutMIN OCT 03 1995 REGULAR SESSION CITY COUNCIL - CITY OF BEAUMONT HELD OCTOBER 3, 1995 - 1 :30 P.M. BE IT REMEMBERED that the City Council of the City of Beaumont, Texas, met in regular session this the 3rd day of October, 1995, with the following present: HONORABLE: David W. Moore Mayor Becky Ames Mayor Pro Tern Councilman-At Large Andrew P. Cokinos Councilman-At-Large Lulu L. Smith Councilman, Ward I Guy N. Goodson Councilman, Ward II John K. Davis Councilman, Ward III Bobbie Patterson Councilman, Ward IV Ray A. Riley City Manager Lane Nichols City Attorney Rosemarie Smith City Clerk -000- The Invocation was given by the Reverend Lennie Wilson, Rosedale Baptist Church. The Pledge of Allegiance was led by Mayor Moore. -000- Three Proclamations were issued: "Mental Illness Awareness Week," October 1-7, 1995; "Child Health Month," October 1995; and "Restaurant Month," October 1995. -000- Citizen comment was invited on the Consent and Main agendas. Mr. Win Richard, 1400 West Fifth Street, Port Arthur, Texas, addressed Council to ask that his firm, Nehemiah Construction Company, a local company, be given preference as third low bidder on Agenda Item Number 3 authorizing a contract for demolition and removal of the structure and parking garage at 800 Pearl Street. Mr. Richard said his company is a local minority owned 271 October 3, 1995 business, is capable of performing the project and would use local resident labor. A gentleman (no name given) began to speak about about a subject not on the Consent or Main Agenda and was advised that the appropriate time to comment would be at the end of the Council meeting. -000- The following Consent Agenda items were considered: Approval of the Minutes of the regular City Council session held September 26, 1995. Resolution No. 95-260 authorizing NationsBank to release securities with a par value of $5,000.00 held at the Federal Reserve Bank of Dallas, effective October 3, 1995; Resolution No. 95-261 authorizing acquisition of Parcel 35: 0.029 of an acre out of Lot 1, Block B, Amelia Heights Addition (northeast corner of Pevitot Drive and FM364) for the appraised value of$825.00 from Mrs. Theresa Sharpe for improvements to FM 364 1Major Drive from Highway 105 to Highway 124; Resolution No. 95-262 authorizing acquisition of Parcel 12: 0.1034 acres, Tract 20, City Plat F out of the David Brown Survey, Abstract 5 for the appraised value of $2,000.00 from the United Investment Group for the Charlton Pollard Neighborhood Revitalization Project, Phase I; Resolution No. 95-263 authorizing Ashbrook Corporation to perform repairs to an Ashbrook- Simon 1.0 Meter Klampress in the amount of$51,972.00 that is used by the Water Reclamation Division to dewater the City's sludge; and Resolution No. 95-264 authorizing annual computer software support maintenance agreements with Innovative Systems Group effective October 1, 1995 in the amount of $19,133.63 in thirteen locations: Cash Management--$5,888; Municipal Court--3,650; Landfill-- $1,158; Water Utilities--$3,865; Alarms Billing--$820.13; Sub-Standard Buildings--$1,481.50; Work Management--$510; MDT Systems--$750; Probation Tracking for Police and Fire--$255; Drug Testing--$225; Fire Roster--$148.50; ADA Compliance Tracking--$225; and Police TLETS Monitor- -$157.50. The Consent Agenda was approved on a motion made by Councilman Cokinos and seconded by Councilman Davis. Question: Ayes: All Nayes: None 272 October 3, 1995 Resolution No. 95-265 authorizing acceptance of two grants from the Texas Automobile Theft Prevention Authority titled Southeast Texas Auto Theft Task Force ($512,000--State Award with $44,209--City match) and Southeast Texas Auto Theft Prevention Project ($84,299--State Award with no matching funds)was approved on a motion made by Councilman Smith and seconded by Mayor Pro Tem Ames. Question: Ayes: All Nayes: None -000- Resolution No. 95-266 authorizing renewal of an annual maintenance contract beginning October 1, 1995 and ending September 30, 1996 with International Business Machine Corporation (IBM) in the amount of $73,769.97 for the mainframe computer (AS/400) and peripheral equipment located in City Hall and the Police Department was approved on a motion made by Councilman Smith and seconded by Councilman Goodson. Question: Ayes: All Nayes: None -000- Resolution No. 95-267 authorizing a contract with Demco, Inc. of Orchard Park, NY for explosive demolition and removal of a twelve (12) story structure and a separate ten (10) story parking garage located at 800 Pearl Street (former LaSalle Hotel) in the amount of $186,000 was considered. Council discussion included an MBE Policy requirement that states a priority of the City will be to use a qualified minority business as a prime contractor when applicable in reference to Demco, Inc. and Nehemiah Construction, a desire to comply with the MBE Policy, conducting business with local companies to aid the area economy, bid specifications, the possibility of awarding the contract to a local bidder that is not the lowest bidder, application of the sales tax formula, liability and possible damage to surrounding buildings, a review of the MBE Policy with Staff and Councilmembers Smith and Davis, reasons for establishment of bid procedures as a safe guard, both Demco and Nehemiah Construction using the same minority sub-contractor, and successful challenges in court of the jobs ordinance in Port Arthur. Resolution No. 95-267 was approved on a motion made by Councilman Cokinos and seconded by Councilman Davis. Question: Ayes: All Nayes: None -000- Councilman Smith thanked everyone who made the ceremony renaming the 300 block of Fannin Street in front of the Jefferson Theatre "George Jones Place" possible and such a grand party. 273 October 3, 1995 a Councilman Smith specifically thanked the Jefferson Theatre Preservation Society, Beaumont Main Street, City Staff, especially Karen Kiesling from the Convention and Visitors Bureau, Barbara Boudreaux, Mayor Moore's secretary, Ann Rothkamp from the CVB Advisory Board, the City Manager, Jamie Johnson from the Executive Office, Public Works Director Tom Warner, and Jim Cline from the Transportation Division who designed the street sign. Councilman Goodson reported that a very successful ACORN neighborhood meeting was held last night and they will be getting back with City Staff regarding a potential park site, said he attended a meeting in Brownsville and was told by two attendees of the conference that they read the article in Texas Business complimenting Beaumont on its management. Councilman Cokinos reminded everyone to attend the Taste of the Triangle at the Civic Center this evening featuring delicious cuisine of the area. Mayor Pro Tem Ames complimented Councilman Smith for her leadership in organizing the wonderful George Jones ceremonies and said they did discover that a new stage is needed to accommodate all seven councilmembers because the old is a bit shaky. Councilman Davis added his compliments to Councilman Smith for directing the ceremonies and said she also went with Carolyn Howard and him door-to-door to downtown businesses in 105 degree weather to gather input and promote the idea. Also, Councilman Davis commented that Councilman Goodson shared a very good letter with Council regarding the 150 houses and HUD activities and said he supports his idea. Councilman Patterson also congratulated Councilman Smith for heading a very notable George Jones ceremony, thanked Council for the discussion on Agenda Item 3 and the MBE policy and explanation of the sales tax impact, agreed with Councilman Goodson's letter and said she will lend her support, thanked everyone that attended the Operation One Vote Festival, said there were over 200 in attendance at the Festival and over 100 people were registered to vote, again thanked Council for the proclamation presented last week in support of her efforts, and said the County Commissioners proclaimed October 2-8 as Operation One Vote Week. Mayor Moore expressed appreciation to Council for their avid involvement in city activities, congratulated Councilman Patterson for an excellent Operation One Vote Festival at the Melton YMCA, congratulated local law enforcement officers for an outstanding Cops and Kids picnic at Pleasure Island in Port Arthur with approximately 6,000 children in attendance, congratulated Councilman Smith not only for her leadership at the George Jones ceremonies last Sunday, but for the initiative taken over a year ago to explore possibilities and opportunities to include the Jefferson Theatre in the recognition of George Jones, expressed appreciation for total Council support of the endeavor, said it was a very positive action for the community and was reported in the Houston Chronicle as well as the Enterprise, added comments about the article in Texas Business magazine and said that not enough credit is given the City Manager and Staff for an 274 October 3, 1995 outstanding job and said we still want to be challenged to become number one. -000- Mr. Mike Khalajabadi representing the Institute for the Healing of Racism of Jefferson County addressed Council to extend an invitation to participate in their third Walk for Race Unity on October 7 at 11:00 a.m. at Rose Hill Park. -000- The Reverend Amos Landry, Jr. addressed Council to express appreciation to Councilman Patterson for her voter registration concern and willingness to serve wherever she is needed, said an additional 17 persons were registered to vote at his church, commended Councilman Davis for being responsive when he has needed to talk with him about personal concerns, thanked Councilman Cokinos for his very responsive attitude to his concerns, thanked all of Council for doing a fine job, and advised Council that he is a member of Triangle Interfaith, an organization of area churches, that tries to impact people to help themselves and solicited support of the after school program the organization is trying to launch. Mrs. Roma Roberts, 2063 Cable, addressed Council to thank them for their work and concern for Beaumont citizenry, but especially to thank Councilman Davis for his diligent participation with the neighborhood associations, said Councilman Davis greatly assisted in getting a dilapidated house in the neighborhood demolished, said he is always there for the citizens of Ward III and responds to them even though he has a very heavy schedule. Mayor Moore interjected that the vision of Council with neighborhood associations has come to fruition and that there are 36 organized neighborhood groups. Mr. Robert Lynn DeMary, 430 East Elgie, addressed Council to request that an inspection be made of the repairs of Reed Street last year between East Threadneedle and East Pipkin because of the development of large cracks and said there may be a water leak at Reed and East Pipkin. -000- There being no other business, the regular session of City Council was recessed to reconvene in workshop session. -000- 1, Rosemarie Smith, City Clerk of the City of Beaumont, Texas, certify that the above is a true copy 275 October 3, 1995 of the Minutes of the regular City Council session held October 3, 1995. Rosemarie Smith City Clerk 276 October 3, 1995