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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMIN JUN 15 1993 REGULAR SESSION CITY COUNCIL - CITY OF BEAUMONT HELD JUNE 15, 1993 - 1:30 P.M. BE IT REMEMBERED that the City Council of the City of Beaumont, Texas, met in regular session this the 15th day of June, 1993, with the following present: HONORABLE: Evelyn M. Lord Mayor Guy N. Goodson Mayor Pro Tem Councilman, Ward II Andrew P. Cokinos Councilman At Large Brian R. Alter Councilman At Large Lulu L. Smith Councilman, Ward I John R. Davis Councilman, Ward III David W. Moore Councilman, Ward IV Sterling Pruitt Asst. City Manager Lane Nichols City Attorney Rosemarie Chiappetta City Clerk -000- The Invocation was given by the Reverend Doug Yates, Cornerstone Church of the Nazarene. The Pledge of Allegiance was led by Councilman Alter. -000- Citizen comment was invited on the Consent and Main Agendas. Nathaniel Brown, Jr. , a member of Starlight Baptist Church, addressed Council in support of Agenda Item No. 4 abandoning a portion of Cedar Street between Orange and Victoria Streets because of the safety of pedestrians, especially children. He stated that the church is on one side of the street and their school on the other and closure of the street would enhance the safety of children and others crossing the street relative to church activities. Mr. Henry Dannenbaum, 1567 Wall Street, addressed Council in favor of Agenda Item No. 5 establishing grades, classifications and positions in the Beaumont Police Department. -000- The following Consent Agenda items were considered: Approval of the Minutes of the regular City Council session held June 8, -135- June 15, 1993 1993; Resolution No. 93-140 authorizing purchase of a 60-ton air-cooled liquid chiller to be installed at the Water Utilities Service Center from Delta Air Conditioning in the amount of $24, 087. 00; Resolution No. 93-141 authorizing purchase of computer paper from Precept Business Forms in the amount of $7.54 per thousand for green bar and $5.40 per thousand for white continuous feed paper for use by the Management Information System Division; Resolution No. 93-142 authorizing purchase of (13) body armor suits for the Police Department SWAT Division from Sargent Sowell Company in the amount of $1,442. 10 each for a total of $18,747.30; and Resolution No. 93-143 authorizing settlement of the claim of Gilbert Roy VS. City of Beaumont in the amount of Eighty Thousand Dollars ($80, 000. 00) . The Consent Agenda was approved on a motion made by Councilman Cokinos and seconded by Councilman Alter. Question: Ayes: All Nayes: None -000- Resolution No. 93-144 authorizing a contract with Beaumont Products and Services, Inc. (an "assigned sheltered workshop"--providing jobs to persons who might have problems seeking useful and productive employment) for litter removal services on arterial streets at $78. 38/mile for street widths greater than 30 feet with no median; $74.89/mile for street widths less than 30 feet with no median; $87. 67/mile for streets with a median greater than 20 feet; $82 .23/mile for streets with a median less than 20 feet; and $432 .84/month for trash removal at 22 sites/week for an annual approximate expenditure of $137, 630.80 was approved on a motion made by Councilman Moore and seconded by Councilman Smith. Question: Ayes: All Nayes: None Councilman Moore said there is a heavy flow of traffic on Avenue A between Virginia and Cardinal Drive. He said there is a major problem there with litter that is thrown from vehicles and requested that area be placed on Beaumont Products and Services list for regular service. -000- Resolution No. 93-145 authorizing submission of a grant application in the amount of $100, 000. 00 to the Texas Water Commission (TWC) for a one- day Household Hazardous Waste (HHW) collection event to include solvents, pesticide containers, paints, and fertilizers was approved on a motion made by Councilman Alter and seconded by Councilman Smith. Question: Ayes: All Nayes: None -136- June 15, 1993 Resolution No. 93-146 authorizing an annual contract with Coburn Supply Company for purchase of polyethylene pipe in various sizes to be used by the Streets and Drainage Division for driveway replacement in conjunction with ditching operations for an approximate $55,000.00 expenditure (15" smooth interior corrugated pipe, $3 . 65/lf; 18" smooth interior corrugated pipe, $5. 15/lf; 24" smooth interior corrugated pipe, $7.88/lf; 36" smooth interior corrugated pipe, $18. 60 lf; 15" split couplings, N/C; 18" split couplings, $5. 15/ea; 24" split couplings, $7.88/ea; 36" split couplings, $18.69/ea; 15" tees, $84. 00/ea; 18" tees, $120.75/ea; $24" tees, $168.00/ea; 36" tees, $472. 50/ea) was approved on a motion made by Mayor Pro Tem. Goodson and seconded by Councilman Smith. Question: Ayes: All Nayes: None -000- Before introduction of an Ordinance abandoning one block of Cedar Street between Orange and Victoria in Block 42 of the Van Wormer Addition, with Staff and Planning Commission recommendations for denial because Cedar serves as an important industrial and commercial arterial street between South Fourth and MLK Parkway, Councilman Cokinos said, at the request of Sunlight Baptist Church, he has been asked for Council to grant postponement of action on this item today because of a conflicting court date of the church's attorney who would like to be present when the item is considered. After confirmation from Staff that there are no time restraints or public hearing conflicts, the consensus of Council was to delay action on this item until the next Council meeting. Council announced to any interested parties in attendance that a Council meeting is not scheduled for June 22nd, and consideration of this item will be on June 29th. -000- Ordinance No. 93-27 amending Section 21-75 of the Code of Ordinances establishing grades, classifications and positions in the Beaumont Police Department to employ eight additional Grade I patrol officers and one Sergeant using grant monies received from the Southeast Texas Auto Theft Task Force and Jefferson County Narcotics Task Force and reduce one Captain position in Grade IV and reallocate that funding to a Grade I Patrol Officer to be part of the Community-Oriented Policing strategy was considered: ORDINANCE NO. 93-27 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. -137- June 15, 1993 Councilman Moore questioned more Police Officer visibility on the streets with these additions. Mr. Pruitt explained that by acceptance of the grants and joining in the task forces, nine officers were immediately assigned to the task forces, thereby reducing the number of officers in regular law enforcement. A stipulation of the grants is to replace these officers with additional personnel. Nine of these additions will serve as that replacement, and their visibility will be the only increase. Mr. Pruitt said that an existing Grade IV Captain position will be reallocated to a Grade I Patrol Officer, but will not affect personnel since there is a vacant position that was created by a retirement and promotion. Mayor Pro Tem Goodson commented that as the Community-Oriented Policing program is developed, possibly Chief Scofield could update Council on the staffing and program. Mayor Lord suggested to Mr. Pruitt that Staff place an update on a future Council Agenda. Councilman Smith said the Police Department is meeting with groups such as Neighborhood Associations and their plans sound innovative and exciting. Councilman Moore confirmed that the Police Department is doing a great job in that area with a high level of participation by Officers and building good rapport with citizens. Ordinance No. 93-27 was approved on a motion made by Councilman Cokinos and seconded by Mayor Pro Tem Goodson. Question: Ayes: All Nayes: None -000- Councilman Moore extended an invitation to attend a "roast" for Sam Bean and a fun evening Saturday at the Civic Center. Councilman Davis said he has received calls pertaining to adoption of the Affirmative Action plan asking if a new plan has been formulated for hiring. Mr. Pruitt said Employee Relations Director Glenda Lundy has met with the City Manager and Chief of Police to develop a program. It is not complete, but the emphasis will be on recruitment of minority candidates for the Police Department. Councilman Davis asked if a Commission will be established. Mr. Pruitt said he is not aware of such development. Councilman Moore added to Councilman Davis' inquiry that he previously stated he would like more community involvement to help address priorities, said they could be positive in helping with recruitment, and there used to be a Citizens Advisory Committee in place, and asked that his feelings be passed on to the City Manager and Staff again so that the idea of citizen participation on that level could be utilized. Councilman Alter announced that on Thursday, June 17th, "Concerts in the Park" will be held at Babe Zaharias Park with a Zydeco Band performing. If it should rain, the event will be moved inside the Arena. He said that Juneteenth celebrations will be held at Riverfront Park, Saturday, June 19th, starting at 11:00 a.m. and concluding at 6: 00 p.m. -138- June 15, 1993 Councilman Cokinos acknowledged former Mayor Maury Meyers in the audience, said "Sunday in the Park" was great, and congratulated the opening of the Mark Stiles Unit at the new prison facilities. Mayor Pro Tem Goodson joined Councilman Cokinos in commending the opening of the Mark Stiles Unit, thanked Mayor Lord, Judge LeBlanc and members of the Public Utilities Commission for the Public Hearing held regarding the merger of Gulf States Utilities Co. and Entergy Corporation. He said the turnout was good and the debate well received. Councilman Smith reported that she was in Portland, Maine this past weekend at a very good Human Development Committee Meeting of the National League of Cities. She said the NLC Staff that is working daily with those in Washington, D.C. are not very optimistic of movement on the Health Care Bill this year, said there were some very good sessions on education, crime and children, but she was sorry to have missed "Sunday in the Park. " Mayor Lord also recognized Mayor Meyers, said "Sunday in the Park" was well attended, commented that the footbridge at Riverfront Park is rusting badly and suggested priming and painting of the metal, said that the newly assigned Channel 4 for the City does not have the same reception and as Channel 31 and asked if the franchise allows a legal complaint with the cable company, and said she has received a query from a lady that is required to walk for health reasons about how to contact the Animal Control Division after regular office hours to report a dog- at-large chasing her and preventing her from walking. Mr. Pruitt said the lady needs to contact Animal Control during regular hours to explain the problem and schedule a time for them to go out and deal with the issue. -000- Mrs. Larutha Clay, 3150 Dorothy, addressed Council to request permitting regulations for erection of tents for public meetings because of an annoyance in the West Oakland neighborhood caused by a group holding a healing tent revival. She said they were living in school buses and questioned use of public utilities. Mrs. Clay suggested several permitting requirements. Councilman Moore said he talked with Mrs. Clay and observed some of the activities of which she spoke and said he thinks she raised questions about two issues that clearly need to be addressed: solicitation and security issues for the neighborhood. Councilman Alter requested a list of Mrs. Clay's suggestions for the Legal Department. Mrs. Clay responded that a list, along with other information, has been given to Councilman Moore. Mr. Ed Dix, 1420 Continental, addressed Council to express concerns about funding Hotel Beaumont, a for-profit organization, and also requested consideration of funding of Schlesinger's Geriatric Center's proposed parking lot from CDBG funds at the appropriate time. -139- June 15, 1993 Mr. Howard Bundy, 1760 Karen Lane, addressed Council to complain about concrete deposits left at the curb not being accepted by the Sanitation Department for removal. After a series of contacts, Mr. Bundy said he was told the Sanitation Department did not have to remove this deposit and said their equipment might be damaged and questioned why large household items are picked up, but not the concrete deposits. Mr. Bundy asked if there a way to resolve the problem. Mr. Pruitt said he would check into the situation and said perhaps Sanitation's interpretation may be that the chunks of concrete are considered construction materials that they do not pick up. Mayor Lord pointed out that there are restrictions on what Sanitation does pick up and perhaps they need to be better publicized through City communications. Maury Meyers, 1260 Nottingham, addressed Council in support of employing the Arthur Andersen group, Pollans and Cohen, and Smith Robertson and Associates for auditing services and commented about "Buying Beaumont, " consideration of using people already actively involved in the community, and said the Affirmative Action portion of the City's requirements for this work states that a Minority Business is to be included, and he does not think that consideration should be given to a company that is going to make that decision after the fact. He said that indicates a breakdown in the bidding process. Mr. David Cook, 885 Edson, a shareholder in the firm of Cook Shaver Parker and Williams, addressed Council as a bidder for auditing services to request the opportunity to participate in the Workshop Session. Mayor Lord asked Council if they would like to consider bidders beyond the two bidders invited to Workshop. Council agreed to hear Cook Shaver Parker and Williams' presentation today in Workshop and then extend an invitation to the other three bidders to make a presentation at the June 29th Workshop. Mr. Henry Dannenbaum, 1567 Wall Street, addressed Council in support of funding Hotel Beaumont. Mr. Kenny Blanda, Assistant Executive Administrator at Schlesinger's Geriatric Center, addressed Council in support of the proposal they have for Community Development Block Grant funding for renovation of one phase of their parking lot and pointed out that the parking lot is an extension of their facility and will include ten to fifteen handicapped parking spaces. -000- There being no further business, the Regular Session of City Council was recessed to reconvene in Workshop Session. -000- I, Rosemarie Chiappetta, City Clerk of the City of Beaumont, Texas, -140- June 15, 1993 certify that the above is a true copy of the Minutes of the Regular City Council Session held June 15, 1993 . Rosemarie Chiappetta City Clerk -141- June 15, 1993