HomeMy WebLinkAboutMIN AUG 24 1993 REGULAR SESSION
CITY COUNCIL - CITY OF BEAUMONT
HELD AUGUST 24, 1993 - 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 August, 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
John K. Davis Councilman, Ward III
David W. Moore Councilman, Ward IV
Absent: Lulu L. Smith Councilman, Ward I
Ray A. Riley City Manager
Lane Nichols City Attorney
Rosemarie Chiappetta City Clerk
* (Mayor Pro Tem Goodson arrived at 1:55 p.m. at the end of consideration
for Agenda Item No. 8 establishing Landfill rates. )
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The Invocation was given by the Reverend Ralph Martin of Woodland
Baptist Church.
The Pledge of Allegiance was led by Councilman Davis.
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Citizen comment was invited on the Consent Agenda and Main Agenda Items
8, 9 and 11 through 14. No one wished to address these subjects.
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The following Consent Agenda items were considered:
Approval of the Minutes of the regular City Council session held August
17, 1993 ;
Resolution No. 93-202 appointing Terry Holmes to the Airport Advisory
Committee for a term expiring May 31, 1995; Stephen Mayfield to the
Community Development Advisory Committee for a term expiring May 31,
1995; and Charlotte Viquet to the Transit Advisory Committee for a term
expiring June 30, 1995; and reappointing Ken Bartos to the Parks and
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Recreation Advisory Committee for a term expiring June 30, 1995 and Suzy
Juncker to the Planning Commission for a term expiring July 31, 1995;
Resolution No. 93-203 authorizing sale of a portable basketball floor
purchased in 1978 for the Civic Center to Prince George's Equestrian
Center, The Maryland-National Capital Park and Planning Commission in
Upper Marlboro, Maryland in the amount of $25, 000. 00;
Resolution No. 93-204 authorizing purchase of a 1994 Chevrolet one-ton
four-wheel drive truck equipped with a two-cubic-yard dump body in the
amount of $24,200. 00 .from. Knapp Chevrolet, Inc. ;
Resolution No. 93-205 accepting a bid in the amount of $20,720. 00 ($280
per acre) from John Bankston Construction and Equipment Rental, Inc. for
furnishing labor and equipment necessary to clear 74 acres to provide
acreage for cell excavation at the City Landfill;
Resolution No. 93-206 authorizing acquisition of Parcel No. 10 : Lot 14
and the south twenty-five feet (251 ) of Lot 15, Block 1, Calder
Highlands Addition, from Orene A. Watkins, individually, and as
independent Executrix of the Estate of Philip Wayne Watkins, Deceased,
in the amount of $51, 500. 00 for the West Lucas Drive project; and
Resolution No. 93-207 accepting Street and Storm Sewer Improvements:
Wildflower Drive from the existing pavement on Bluebonnet Street
approximately 472 feet south to and including the temporary cul-de-sac;
Buttercup Drive from the pavement on Wildflower Drive approximately 630
feet west to and including the temporary cul-de-sac; and Water and
Sanitary Sewer Improvements: Lots 3 through 7, Block 3 ; Lots 17 through
26, Block 4 ; and Lots 1 through 9, Block 6; in Gladys West, Section II,
contingent upon filing of the final plat, complete with proper filings
of dedication of all rights-of-way and easements required on the
preliminary and final plats and installation of streetlights.
The Consent Agenda was approved on a motion made by Councilman Cokinos
and seconded by Councilman Alter.
Question: Ayes: All Nayes: None
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Ordinance No. 93-45 rezoning 2,993.53 acres of land bound by Pine Island
Bayou and the Neches River from RS (Residential Single Family Dwelling
District) , GC-MD (General Commercial Multiple-Family Dwelling District) ,
and HI (Heavy Industrial District) to AR (Agricultural-Residential) was
considered:
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ORDINANCE NO. 93-45
ENTITLED AN ORDINANCE AMENDING CHAPTER 30
OF THE CODE OF ORDINANCES OF BEAUMONT,
TEXAS, AND IN PARTICULAR THE BOUNDARIES OF
THE ZONING DISTRICTS, AS INDICATED UPON THE
ZONING MAP OF BEAUMONT, TEXAS, BY
ESTABLISHING AN AR (AGRICULTURAL - RESIDENTIAL
DISTRICT) FOR 2,993 .53 ACRES IN THE H. R. WILLIAMS
SURVEY, H. P. SAVERY SURVEY, THOS. SPEAR
SURVEY, THE BEAUMONT IMPROVEMENT COMPANY
SUBDIVISION AND THE MEENTZEN BROTHERS
SUBDIVISION, . SAID ACREAGE BOUNDED ON THE
NORTH BY THE PINE ISLAND BAYOU AND THE
NECHES RIVER, ON THE EAST BY THE NECHES
RIVER AND ON THE SOUTH BY THE SOUTH LINE OF
THE H. R. WILLIAMS SURVEY, BEAUMONT,
JEFFERSON COUNTY, TEXAS; PROVIDING FOR
SEVERABILITY; PROVIDING FOR REPEAL AND
PROVIDING A PENALTY.
Ordinance No. 93-45 was approved on a motion made by Councilman Davis
and seconded by Councilman Moore.
Question: Ayes: All Nayes: None
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An ordinance authorizing a specific Use Permit to allow a residential
structure to be renovated into a church facility at 1640 Pope Street
with recommendation by the Planning for denial was considered:
ORDINANCE NO.
ENTITLED AN ORDINANCE ISSUING A SPECIFIC USE
PERMIT TO ALLOW A CHURCH ON .242 ACRES, MORE
OR LESS, BEING LOT 17, BLOCK 10, FORREST
ADDITION, BEAUMONT, JEFFERSON COUNTY, TEXAS.
The City Manager explained that the Planning Commission voted 6-1 at the
Public Hearing on August 16, 1993, to deny the Specific Use Permit. Of
the twenty-four (24) notices mailed to property owners within 200 feet,
six responses in opposition have been received, representing more than
20%, thereby requiring 75% or six (6) positive votes from Council for
passage.
The City Attorney clarified the requirement for passage is 75% or six
(6) affirmative votes from the complete Council, not 75% of
Councilmembers present, denial requires only a simple majority vote of
Council present, and automatic passage of the Specific Use Permit will
occur, if no action is taken within sixty (60) days of the Public
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Hearing held August 16th.
A motion for denial of the Ordinance was made by Councilman Alter.
Councilman Davis said he visited 1640 Pope Street and found the
structure to be in a dilapidated state, but said "there can be some
redeeming value in the structure, if it becomes a church. " He said the
Reverend Reed is aware of the cost involved in rehabilitation of the
structure and the opposition he heard from those in the neighborhood was
not valid enough for him to support denial. In answer to those in
opposition at the Public Hearing, he said that if the garage is torn
down as planned, there will be ample space for parking, and some of the
objections will disappear.
The motion for denial of the Ordinance died for lack of a second.
Mayor Lord confirmed with the City Attorney that this item may be
brought back to a full Council for consideration or automatic approval
will occur after sixty (60) days from the August 16th Public Hearing, if
no other action is taken.
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Ordinance No. 93-46 authorizing issuance of a Specific Use Permit for
construction of a student religious center on approximately .75 acres of
land in an area zoned RS (Residential Single Family Dwelling District)
near Lamar University described as Lots 16-19 and the east half of Lot
20, Block 2 , LaSalle Addition, at the request of Bruce W. Baxter for the
Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, with a recommendation for
approval by the Planning Commission with a modification of the
landscaping requirement along 80 ' of the northwest property line to
provide a 6 ' landscaped buffer due to constraints encountered while
situating the parking lot on the unusually shallow property, was
considered:
ORDINANCE NO. 93-46
ENTITLED AN ORDINANCE ISSUING A SPECIFIC USE
PERMIT TO ALLOW A RELIGIOUS CENTER ON .75
ACRES DESCRIBED AS LOTS 16 THROUGH 19 AND
THE EAST HALF OF LOT 20, BLOCK 2, LASALLE
ADDITION, BEAUMONT, JEFFERSON COUNTY, TEXAS.
Ordinance No. 93-46 was approved on a motion made by Councilman Moore
and seconded by Councilman Cokinos.
Question: Ayes: All Nayes: None
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Ordinance No. 93-47 authorizing issuance of a Specific use Permit for
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construction of an accessory structure (guest house) on property zoned
RS (Residential Single Family Dwelling District) and encompassing
approximately 7 .993 acres of land located on Prutzman near Shakespeare
Drive, described as Tract A-56, H. Williams, Survey, at the request of
Mark Whitely & Associates for Vick Nelson, with a recommendation for
approval from the Planning Commission with the condition that the
accessory structure will not be for rent or lease, was considered:
ORDINANCE NO. 93-47
ENTITLED AN ORDINANCE GRANTING A SPECIFIC
USE PERMIT FOR A DETACHED ACCESSORY
BUILDING ON 7.993 ACRES, MORE OR LESS, BEING
TRACT A-56, H. WILLIAMS SURVEY, IN BEAUMONT,
JEFFERSON COUNTY, TEXAS.
Ordinance No. 93-47 was approved on a motion made by Councilman Alter
and seconded by Councilman Davis.
Question: Ayes: All Nayes: None
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Ordinance No. 93-48 amending the Beaumont Oaks Historic-Cultural
Landmark Preservation District Overlay (HC-D1) to include Beech Avenue
properties located between Eighth and Tenth Streets, within the Emma
Reed Addition and encompassing approximately 4 .82 acres, was considered:
ORDINANCE NO. 93-48
ENTITLED AN ORDINANCE AMENDING CHAPTER 30 OF
THE CODE OF ORDINANCES OF BEAUMONT, TEXAS,
AND IN PARTICULAR THE BOUNDARIES OF THE
ZONING DISTRICTS, AS INDICATED UPON THE ZONING
MAP OF BEAUMONT, TEXAS, BY ADDING LOTS 1-13 OF
BLOCK 6, LOTS 3-13 OF BLOCK 10, EMMA REED
ADDITION TO THE CITY OF BEAUMONT, ALONG
BEACH AVENUE, BETWEEN EIGHTH AND TENTH
STREETS TO THE OAKS HISTORIC DISTRICT (HC-D1) ;
PROVIDING FOR SEVERABILITY; PROVIDING FOR
REPEAL AND PROVIDING A PENALTY.
Ordinance No. 93-48 was approved on a motion made by Councilman Cokinos
and seconded by Councilman Davis.
Question: Ayes: All Nayes: None
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Ordinance No. 93-49 amending Chapter 30, Section 30-30 (b) 2 of the Code
of Ordinances regarding the definition of a non-conforming use to
include "For the purposes of this paragraph, "vacant" or "unused" shall
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mean the nonconforming use has been intentionally abandoned. The
temporary suspension of a use shall not constitute abandonment, provided
the property is not used during the period of suspension for any other
purposes. " was considered:
ORDINANCE NO. 93-49
ENTITLED AN ORDINANCE AMENDING
CHAPTER 30, SECTION 30-30 (b) (W) TO
AMEND THE DEFINITION OF A NON-
CONFORMING USE; PROVIDING FOR
SEVERABILITY; PROVIDING FOR
REPEAL; AND PROVIDING FOR A
PENALTY.
Ordinance No. 93-49 was approved on a motion made by Councilman Cokinos
and seconded by Councilman Alter.
Question: Ayes: All Nayes: None
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Ordinance No. 93-50 amending Chapter 30, Section 30-21.2 (e) (10) and (11)
of the Code of Ordinances prohibiting furniture not designed for outside
use being placed at a location which is not an enclosed porch or is
otherwise exposed to the elements, to correct certain enforcement
problems concerning the Oaks Historic District and to eliminate any
conflict between the zoning and litter ordinances, was considered:
ORDINANCE NO. 93-50
ENTITLED AN ORDINANCE AMENDING CHAPTER
30, SECTION 30-21. 2 (E) (10) AND (11) TO RENUMBER
SUBSECTIONS 10 AND 11 AND AMEND THE
REGULATIONS PROHIBITING CERTAIN
FURNITURE FROM BEING PLACED AT A
LOCATION WHICH IS NOT AN ENCLOSED PORCH
OR IS OTHERWISE EXPOSED TO THE ELEMENTS;
PROVIDING FOR SEVERABILITY; PROVIDING FOR
REPEAL; AND PROVIDING FOR A PENALTY.
Ordinance No. 93-50 was approved on a motion made by Councilman Alter
and seconded by Councilman Moore.
Question: Ayes: All Nayes: None
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Ordinance No. 93-51 amending Chapter 28, Section 28-24.4 (b) of the Code
of Ordinances increasing Landfill rates to $5. 25/cyd inside the City and
$5.75/cyd outside the City for compacted refuse; $4 .75/cyd inside the
city and $5.25/cyd outside the City for non-compacted refuse; and
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$8. 00/cyd inside the City and $11. 00/cyd outside the City for hard-to-
handle refuse, in direct relationship to operating expenses due to
SubTitle D regulations, was considered:
ORDINANCE NO. 93-51
ENTITLED AN ORDINANCE AMENDING CHAPTER 28,
SECTION 28-24.4 (b) OF THE CODE OF ORDINANCES OF
THE CITY OF BEAUMONT, ESTABLISHING LANDFILL
RATES; PROVIDING FOR AN EFFECTIVE DATE;
PROVIDING FOR SEVERABILITY, PROVIDING FOR
REPEAL; AND PROVIDING A PENALTY.
Ordinance No. 93-51 was approved on a motion made by Councilman Cokinos
and seconded by Councilman Alter.
Question: Ayes: All Nayes: None
In response to the Mayor's request for explanation of the effects of
SubTitle D regulations on rates, the City Manager said, "In the
information that was presented last week at the Workshop, we showed how
. . .the additional cost has risen. From about two years ago, our costs
were less than $10, 000 per cell or per acre for the requirements to make
. . .the acreage ready to receive the material that needed to be
landfilled. Our requirements now require us. . .to excavate some four
feet and recompact that to specifications of all of the clay that
is. . .at the Landfill, four feet excavation and recompaction. And, in
addition to that, we will have to install a plastic liner that will
completely make that entire basin completely impervious to water. Our
costs will have risen from about $10, 000 an acre to about $60,000
currently for preparation landfill, and by the time we add the plastic
liner and prepare it for leachate collection and possible treatment,
could be in excess of $125, 000 per month expense in just operating the
Landfill. In our budget for Capital Improvements, or for the
construction of the Landfill for the cells for this coming year, we have
an allocation of $1.5 million, which would be required for the
preparation of the Landfill just, before covering, but just to take care
of the cells to make them comply with EPA regulations. "
Mayor Lord said she thought this was a good opportunity to explain the
reason for a rate increase and said "Many times people don't understand
what's happening in the expenses of running the cities, and not that we
have any objection to clean air and clean water or anything, but this is
not based necessarily on performance, whether these things coming out
were damaging anybody. It's something that has to be done clear across
the Country, with no regard at all as to the composition of the soil, or
whatever, because of the Federal Mandates, and it' s something that we
wrestle with constantly. "
(Mayor Pro Tem Goodson arrived at 1:55 p.m. during the explanation by
the City Manager. )
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Ordinance No. 93-52 amending Chapter 18 of the Code of Ordinances
regarding graffiti, declaring it unlawful on publicly or privately-owned
property for the purpose of providing its removal, was considered:
ORDINANCE NO. 93-52
ENTITLED AN ORDINANCE TO AMEND CHAPTER 18 TO DEFINE
"GRAFFITI, " DECLARE THE PLACING OF GRAFFITI ON PUBLICLY
OR PRIVATELY OWNED PROPERTY TO BE A CRIME; AND
REGULATING ITS REMOVAL; PROVIDING FOR SEVERABILITY;
AND PROVIDING FOR REPEAL.
After questions regarding personnel to be used for removal of graffiti,
paint selection, possibility of liens, and enforcement, Ordinance No. 93-
52 was approved on a motion made by Councilman Alter and seconded by
Councilman Alter.
Question: Ayes: All Nayes: None
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PUBLIC HEARING
AUGUST 24, 1993
GRANT APPLICATION AND AGREEMENT WITH THE FEDERAL TRANSPORTATION
ADMINISTRATION UNDER SECTION 9 OF THE URBAN MASS TRANSPORTATION
ACT OF 1964 FOR PARTIAL FUNDING OF THE BEAUMONT MUNICIPAL
TRANSIT SYSTEM OCTOBER 11 1993 THROUGH SEPTEMBER 30, 1994
AND FOR CAPITAL PROJECTS
EXCERPT
Mayor Lord:
Item Number, now, this is our Public Hearing.
City Manager:
I can explain to the Council what the, this item will, what the Public
Hearing is required for. Annually, we make a request to the Federal
Transportation Administration for a grant that will assist us in the
operation of a Municipal Transit System. Section 9 of the Urban Mass
Transportation Act provides for the funds to partially offset the cost
of the operation. We're making two parts to the grant this year for a
total amount operating, or total budget of $2 . , $2, 529, 000. Of that,
we're asking for the operating share, which is some $1,704, 000. The
deficit that Federal Government, or the FTA, will contribute $852, 000
for the operation of the system. In addition to that, we have $825, 000
in capital expenditures that they may participate at a 80/20 split.
Now, the operating is 50/50. The capital is 80/20, so the total
contribution made by FTA would be $1, 512 , 000. Our local share for this
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would be $1,017, 000. And subsequent Item No. 11, you' ll see that we
also have some additional funds that may be available by the State, but
the purpose of this is to make, to hear our, the application which we'll
be making to the FTA for the next annual operation of the Beaumont
Transit Authority within the city, and we're asking for $1,512, 000 from
the FTA to help support this operation, and it does require, part of the
statute does require a Public Hearing to where interested parties may
offer comment for the Council 's consideration before the adoption or
approval of this application.
Mayor Lord:
Thank you. At this time, I will open the Public Hearing and ask if
anyone in the audience would like to speak to us on this matter before
we pass a resolution authorizing the City Manager to file that grant
application that he spoke about in agreement with the Federal
Transportation Administration. Is there anyone who would wish to speak
to us at the Public Hearing? I 'll ask again if there's anyone who would
wish to speak? If not, I will close the Public Hearing. Mr. Manager.
END OF EXCERPT
Resolution No. 93-208 authorizing submission of a grant application in
the amount of $1,512,150.00 and execution of grant agreement with the
Federal Transportation Administration under Section 9 of the Urban Mass
Transportation Act of 1964 to partially fund the operation of the
Beaumont Municipal Transit System, October 1, 1993, through September
30, 1994, and for capital projects which include purchasing three (3)
paratransit vans, replacing a bus washer, repaving bus parking of and
reroofing the Beaumont Municipal Transit's Administrative and
Maintenance facility was approved on a motion made by Councilman Cokinos
and seconded by Councilman Moore.
Question: Ayes: All Nayes: None
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Resolution No. 93-209 authorizing execution of a contract with the Texas
Department of Transportation for $149, 688 . 00 in grant assistance from
the State Public Transportation Fund to subsidize the City's share for
Fiscal 1994 operating expenses for the Beaumont Municipal Transit System
was approved on a motion made by Councilman Alter and seconded by
Councilman Cokinos.
Question: Ayes: All Nayes: None
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Resolution No. 93-210 authorizing a contract with Jleeco Builders for
development of Lefler Park for an estimated total contract amount of
$247,800.00 (base bid of $245, 600. 00, plus Alternate No. 1 for eighteen
(18) exercise stations in the amount of $10, 600. 00, minus Alternate No.
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i
3 for removal of approximately 2 , 400 lineal feet of foot trails in the
amount of $8,400. 00) was approved on a motion made by Councilman Alter
and seconded by Councilman Moore.
Question: Ayes: All Nayes: None
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Resolution No. 93-211 authorizing purchase of a portable rotary trommel
screening plant for the Landfill Composting Division (designed to
produce eighty (80) cubic yards an hour of high quality finished compost
from mixed sizes of shredded wood, yard waste and other composed
materials) from Conley Lott Nichols Machinery Company for a Fuel
Harvester Earth Saver Model 622ABH Trommel Screen in the amount of
$139,967. 00 was approved on a motion made by Councilman Moore and
seconded by Councilman Goodson.
Question: Ayes: All Nayes: None
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Resolution No. 93-212 authorizing a contract for a primary book vendor
for the Beaumont Public Library with Brodart Co. of Williamsport,
Pennsylvania with discounts for Trade Books at 45. 1%, Publisher's
Library at 22%, University Presses up to 45. 1%, Encyclopedias up to
45. 1%, Juveniles Titles at 22%, Paperbacks at 40%, and Popular Reprints
up to 45. 1%, and processing with Plastic Jacket at $0.62 and providing
Rigid Plastic Covers at $1. 55, an estimated annual expenditure of
$100, 000. 00, was approved on a motion made by Councilman Davis and
seconded by Councilman Alter.
Question: Ayes: All Nayes: None
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Mayor Lord announced that at the close of the City Council meeting, an
Executive Session will be held in accordance with Section 2 (e) of the
Texas Open Meetings Act to discuss contemplated and pending litigation:
Billy Ray Jennings v. Roger Trahan and the City of Beaumont and a claim
against The Hartford involving the Texas Municipal League.
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Councilman Moore announced that at 7: 00 p.m. this evening, the Pear
Orchard Neighborhood Association will hold a meeting at Our Mother of
Mercy Catholic Church, and on Thursday, the South Park Neighborhood
Association will meet at 6: 30 p.m. at the South Park Baptist Church
Councilman Davis added that the Northend Neighborhood Association will
meet at 7: 15 p.m. on Wednesday, August 25, at St. Pius Catholic Church.
Also, Councilman said, "I would like to commend the City Manager and
Council for their selection of Chief Scofield as our Police Chief. In
my attempt to make sure that I understand what the citizens of Ward III
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need, I 've been out there walking around and asking citizens, "What do
you think about Community Oriented Policing?" Well, we're getting a
passing grade! And, I think that when you're doing some positive good,
you need to be commended. " Councilman Davis told the City Manager that
he still has tremendous concern about the three-prong system at the
Police Department, said it is extremely important to have a program in
place that guarantees equal numbers of people being hired in a fair and
just manner and requested a meeting soon.
Councilman Alter welcomed attendance at a meeting of the Keep Beaumont
Beautiful Commission next Thursday at Noon in the Second Floor
Conference Room at City Hall and said the five members of Council who
attended the fund-raiser seeking memberships for the Art Museum of
Southeast Texas had a lot of fun and that Beaumont won the contest with
Orange and Port Arthur, who will now issue Proclamations to Beaumont as
the declared champion.
Mayor Pro Tem Goodson told Mayor Lord he's glad she is back in town.
Mayor Lord thanked Mayor Pro Tem Goodson for so ably serving in her
capacity while she attended an Executive Session of the U. S. Conference
of Mayors last week in Louisville, Kentucky. . She said discussion there
was largely devoted to funding problems created by federal mandates and
said a nation-wide survey will be mounted soon regarding these costs to
cities. She said Beaumont is already faced with up to $2 million
dollars in expenditures because of the mandates, and that the Wetlands
Project will be submitted as an example to the U. S. Conference as a
recent mandate that will cost Beaumont $17, 000, 000, without measurable
improvement to our community.
Councilman Alter added that while Senator Hutchison was in town last
week as a guest of the Chamber of Commerce, Port Arthur Mayor Mary Ellen
Summerlin did yoeman's effort in explaining to the Senator the costs
that Port Arthur is dealing with at their Landfill because of federal
mandates and how ridiculous it seems, considering the type of soil we
have in Southeast Texas, and in explaining that taxpayers will
ultimately bear the burden of these costs. He said Mayor Summerlin well
represented many others at the meeting desiring to address the impact of
the mandates.
Councilman Cokinos commented that federal mandates are handed down
without funding assistance for costly regulation adherence.
Mayor Lord said that Port Arthur is suffering to the point of having to
lay off City employees, as well as raise taxes.
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Mr. Tobe Duhon, 2545 Amarillo Street, addressed Council regarding a
problem with raw sewage created by pressure build-up that he said blows
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out a cleanout plug in his back yard whenever there is rain; asked that
Council consider granting a $5, 000 Homestead Exemption to citizens of
Beaumont before he circulates a petition asking for the exemption; and
said he has repeatedly complained about crime and drug problems in his
neighborhood in the areas between Fourth Street and College, between the
railroad track and Fourth Street, Washington Boulevard and College
Street and asked for Council and public assistance before he calls some
national network to do a story on his neighborhood.
Mr. C. L. Sherman, 585 Belvedere Drive, addressed Councilman to request
that at the Public Hearing scheduled August 31st to discuss the budget
and tax rate, Council recess the Hearing and reconvene at 6: 00 p.m. to
allow added comments from citizens not able to attend during the day and
in response to Councilman Alter's request for specific recommendation to
cut the City Budget, Mr. Sherman suggested reducing City of Beaumont
staff by transferring ten (10) employees to the Police Department
instead of hiring additional dispatchers and cut ten positions by
attrition. He said that would fund $700, 000. 00 necessary to achieve the
$0. 596 tax rate the Tax Reduction Committee has requested.
Councilman Alter clarified that employment of ten (10) new dispatchers
at the Police Department would not cost $700, 000. 00; that figure relates
to funding an additional street project.
Mr. Raymond Chaisson, 1130 Lamar Street, addressed Council to ask that
they look at and reject the increased appraisals by the Appraisal
District, reduce appraisals to the previous figures and tax at that
rate.
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There being no further business, the Regular Session of City Council was
recessed to conduct an Executive Session in the Council Chambers before
reconvening in Work Shop Session in the Executive Conference Room on the
third floor.
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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 August 24, 1993 .
Rosemarie Chiappetta
City Clerk
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PUBLIC HEARING
AUGUST 24, 1993
GRANT APPLICATION AND AGREEMENT WITH THE FEDERAL TRANSPORTATION
ADMINISTRATION UNDER SECTION 9 OF THE URBAN MASS TRANSPORTATION
ACT OF 1964 FOR PARTIAL FUNDING OF THE BEAUMONT MUNICIPAL
TRANSIT SYSTEM OCTOBER 1, 1993 THROUGH SEPTEMBER 30, 1994
AND FOR CAPITAL PROJECTS
THOSE PRESENT: 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
John R. Davis Councilman, Ward III
David W. Moore Councilman, Ward IV
Absent: Lulu L. Smith Councilman, Ward I
Ray A. Riley City Manager
Lane Nichols City Attorney
Rosemarie Chiappetta City Clerk
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EXCERPT
Mayor Lord:
Item Number, now, this is our Public Hearing.
City Manager:
I can explain to the Council what the, this item will, what the Public
Hearing is required for. Annually, we make a request to the Federal
Transportation Administration for a grant that will assist us in the
operation of a Municipal Transit System. Section 9 of the Urban Mass
Transportation Act provides for the funds to partially offset the cost
of the operation. We're making two parts to the grant this year for a
total amount operating, or total budget of $2 . , $2 ,529, 000. Of that,
we're asking for the operating share, which is some $1,704, 000. The
deficit that Federal Government, or the FTA, will contribute $852 , 000
for the operation of the system. In addition to that, we have $825, 000
in capital expenditures that they may participate at a 80/20 split.
Now, the operating is 50/50. The capital is 80/20, so the total
contribution made by FTA would be $1, 512 , 000. Our local share for this
would be $1, 017, 000. And subsequent Item No. 11, you' ll see that we
also have some additional funds that may be available by the State, but
the purpose of this is to make, to hear our, the application which we' ll
be making to the FTA for the next annual operation of the Beaumont
Transit Authority within the city, and we're asking for $1,512 , 000 from
the FTA to help support this operation, and it does require, part of the
PAGE 2, GRANT APPLICATION PUBLIC HEARING
statute does require a Public Hearing to where interested parties may
offer comment for the Council 's consideration before the adoption or
approval of this application.
Mayor Lord:
Thank you. At this time, I will open the Public Hearing and ask if
anyone in the audience would like to speak to us on this matter before
we pass a resolution authorizing the City Manager to file that grant
application that he spoke about in agreement with the Federal
Transportation Administration. Is there anyone who would wish to speak
to us at the Public Hearing? I ' ll ask again if there's anyone who would
wish to speak? If not, I will close the Public Hearing. Mr. Manager.
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