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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMIN SEP 14 1993 REGULAR SESSION CITY COUNCIL - CITY OF BEAUMONT HELD SEPTEMBER 14, 1993 - 1:30 P.M. BE IT REMEMBERED that the City Council of the City of Beaumont, Texas, met in regular session this the 14th day of September, 1993, with the following present: HONORABLE: 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 Absent: Evelyn M. Lord Mayor John R. Davis Councilman, Ward III David W. Moore Councilman, Ward IV Ray A. Riley City Manager Lane Nichols City Attorney Rosemarie Chiappetta City Clerk -000- The Invocation was given by the Reverend John Wills, St. Luke's United Methodist Church. The Pledge of Allegiance was led by Councilman Cokinos. -000- Mayor Pro Tem Goodson explained that Mayor Lord and Councilmembers Davis and Moore are at a quickly-called and opportune meeting with Secretary of Federal Housing and Urban Development Henry Cisneros and send apologies for their absence. -000- Two Proclamations were issued: "Texas Coastal Clean-Up Day, " September 18, 1993 (united effort to clean debris and litter from the beaches of Southeast Texas) ; and "Apartment Manager Appreciation Day, " September 14, 1993 . -000- Mayor Pro Tem Goodson reviewed a collaborative program between several law enforcement agencies including the Federal Bureau of Investigation who worked with the Beaumont Police Department to undertake the project, "Operation Bad Boys, " an investigation targeting local gang members. He -229- September 14, 1993 said the effort resulted in twenty-two (22) charges against defendants of a local gang with successful prosecutions. Mayor Pro Tem Goodson acknowledged Police Officer Sheila Barton for her hard work and involvement in the success of this endeavor and asked Officer Barton and her supervisor, Lt. Gary Wagner, to come forward and accept a token of the City's appreciation. Councilman Cokinos presented a silver pen with the City of Beaumont logo to Officer Barton. Officer Barton thanked Council and said, "It was a joint effort among Beaumont Police Department, ATF, FBI and Jefferson County and their Narcotics Task Force. It was a year-long investigation. Our Department was very supportive. I was out a lot from my regular assignment, and thanks to the Chief and Lt. Wagner, they understood. It was a joint effort among everybody in the Department. Thank you. " Mayor Pro Tem Goodson We certainly appreciate all your work, Sheila. Thank you so much. The Mayor, again, wanted me to thank you and Gary, and, of course, Chief Scofield and applaud the efforts that all of our local law enforcement agencies in their collaborative efforts of late. Thank you all so much. -000- Citizen comment was invited on the Consent Agenda and Main Agenda Items 2-12. No one wished to address these subjects. -000- The following Consent Agenda items were considered: Approval of the Minutes of the regular City Council session held September 7, 1993; Resolution No. 93-225 appointing Kathy Burch to the Keep Beaumont Beautiful Commission for a term expiring September 30, 1995, and Bessie Chissum to the Sister City Commission for a term expiring December 31, 1994; and Resolution No. 93-226 authorizing Kandy Daniel, Treasurer, Michaele Lafferty, Deputy Treasurer, Sterling R. Pruitt, Assistant City Manager, Ray A. Riley, City Manager, and Sara S. Culbreth, Finance Officer, to request electronic fund (wire) transfers of any and all City funds on deposit with First Interstate Bank of Texas, N.A. ; designating John D. Gary, Senior Vice President, Brigid Pace, Vice President, Healthnet, Pamela H. Barras, Finance/Manager, Pam Jamian, Support Services Manager, Ray A. Riley, City Manager, Sterling R. Pruitt, Assistant City Manager, Kandy Daniel, Treasurer, and Sara S. Culbreth, Finance Office, as signatories on the Memorial Healthnet - Employee Benefits Account No. 0470035007 at First Interstate Bank of Texas! N.A. ; and Dawn Gaudet, -230- September 14, 1993 Deborah Johnson, Doris McCauley, and Debora Guillory as signatories on the Cash Bond Account No. 0470035015 at First Interstate Bank of Texas, N.A. The Consent Agenda was approved on a motion made by Councilman Cokinos and seconded by Councilman Alter. Question: Ayes: All Nayes: None -000- A Public Hearing was called to consider the application for a permit submitted by Gregory Frank Stanley to operate Spanky's Wrecker Service at 4925 Belmont. Mr. Greg Stanley, applicant, addressed Council stating his experience in the towing business, reputation with customers, type of equipment he will use, reviewed permitted wrecker services, type of service he will provide and why he desires to operate his own business. Mr. Stanley submitted twenty-one (21) signatures from businesses to the City Clerk requesting approval of a wrecker company permit for him. Mrs. Sylvia Baker, representing Baker Auto Repair at 2310 Calder, spoke in support of issuing the permit to Mr. Stanley and saying he conducts himself professionally with the public and serves as a good extension of their business. Mr. Lane Walker spoke in support of issuing the permit to Mr. Stanley, complimented his business conduct and said that no other wrecker company in Beaumont can compare to the quality of service he provides. Mr. John Neff, Neff Brothers Auto Service, Mr. Terry Rose, Terry's Wrecker Service, and Ms. Sharon Ray, Bra-K Wrecker Service, spoke in opposition to permitting another wrecker company saying there is no need in the community for additional service. In rebuttal to the opposition, Attorney Tom Roebuck said the tone of opposition is against the concept of free enterprise that allows for cost control and quality of service, discussed permitting procedures, Mr. Stanley's community support and asked that Mr. Stanley be given an opportunity to open his business. There being no one else to address Council, the Public Hearing was closed. Resolution No. 93-227 authorizing the Police Department to issue a wrecker company permit, if all requirements are met, to Gregory Frank Stanley to operate Spanky's Wrecker Service at 4925 Belmont was approved on a motion made by Councilman Cokinos and seconded by Councilman Alter. Question: Ayes: All Nayes: None -231- September 14, 1993 Councilman Cokinos expressed a concern about comments made by Attorney Tom Roebuck alleging there are more permits than actual wreckers in service and asked that Legal Staff investigate and submit a report of their findings. -000- Resolution No. 93-228 adopting the five-year Capital Program for Fiscal Year 1994 through Fiscal Year 1998 including proposed 1994 projects: $218,000 for Park and Recreation Projects (approved in this year's budget) 1) Collier's Ferry improvements in the amount of $103,000 ($37, 000--park improvements and $66, 000--boat ramp) ; 2) Central Park improvements in the amount of $115, 000 ($55, 000--restrooms and $60, 000-- parking lot) ; $9,870,000 for street Improvements (requiring issuance of Bonds or Certificates of Obligation next year to meet the obligation) 1) West Lucas Project in the amount of $6, 170, 000 ($4, 170, 000--Phase I and $2, 000, 000-Phase 2) the Liberty/Laurel Project, Forrest to 11th in the amount of $3, 700, 000 was approved on a motion made by Councilman Alter and seconded by Councilman Smith. Question: Ayes: All Nayes: None -000- Resolution No. 93-229 authorizing a 3% base pay increase to all full- time civilian employees, exclusive of Police and Fire Department personnel covered by labor contracts, effective October 1, 1993, was approved on a motion made by Councilman Cokinos and seconded by Councilman Smith. Question: Ayes: All Nayes: None -000- Resolution No. 93-230 authorizing submission of a Wastewater Systems Audit of the Water Utilities Department to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Region 6 office indicating review of the Municipal Water Pollution Prevention Environment Audit Report and listing necessary actions that will be taken to maintain permit requirements (upgrade waste water treatment facility to comply with NPDES permit requirements; begin an engineering study to identify and eliminate sources of infiltration into the sanitary sewer system; the City is in preliminary design phase to construct additional waste water treatment facility to serve correctional facilities presently being constructed or in operation southeast of Beaumont; and the one operator lacking proper certification will be properly certified within six months) was approved on a motion made by Councilman Alter and seconded by Councilman Smith. Question: Ayes: All Nayes: None -232- September 14, 1993 Resolution No. 93-231 authorizing purchase of additional equipment to expand the computerized signal system at eight (8) locations (Washington Boulevard at Avenue C, Avenue A, Park Street, Sabine Pass, Irving, and M. L. King, Parkway, Irving at Madison and Fourth Street at Corley) from Naztec, Inc. as provided in the original contract in the amount of $40, 900. 00 (8 Traffic Controllers, $18, 000; 1 Master Controller, $1, 000; 8 Conflict Monitors, $5, 200; and 8 Phase Base MT Cabinets, $22,400) was approved on a motion made by Councilman Cokinos and seconded by Councilman Alter. Question: Ayes: All Nayes: None -000- Resolution No. 93-232 authorizing an annual contract for grounds maintenance along Martin Luther King, Jr. Parkway right-of-ways with Alamo Lawn Service in the amount of $34, 800. 00 ($3, 500/month, growing season--March-October; $1,700/month, off-season--November-February) was approved on a motion made by Councilman Alter and seconded by Councilman Smith. Question: Ayes: All Nayes: None -000- Resolution No. 93-233 authorizing an annual contract for grounds maintenance at Tyrrell Park with Henry Homberg Golf Course of Beaumont in the amount of $116, 000. 00 ($12, 500/month, growing season--March- October; $4,000/month, off-season--November-February) was approved on a motion made by Councilman Alter and seconded by Councilman Smith. Question: Ayes: All Nayes: None -000- Resolution No. 93-234 authorizing ratification of an annual contract with the South East Texas Arts Council to promote the arts in the amount of $132, 000. 00 with monthly payments of $11, 000. 00 from revenue derived from the hotel occupancy tax was approved on a motion made by Councilman Smith and seconded by Councilman Alter. Question: Ayes: All Nayes: None -000- Resolution No. 93-235 authorizing ratification of an annual contract with the Texas Energy Museum to promote tourism and historical preservation in the amount of $96, 000. 00 paid in quarterly amounts of $24, 000. 00 from revenue derived from the hotel occupancy tax was approved on a motion made by Councilman Smith and seconded by Councilman Alter. Question: Ayes: All Nayes: None -233- September 14, 1993 Resolution No. 93-236 authorizing ratification of a contract with South East Texas, Inc. (SET) for development and implementation of plans for economic advancement of Beaumont and Southeast Texas in the amount of $17, 500.00 from the General Fund revenues in October, 1993, was approved on a motion made by Councilman Cokinos and seconded by Councilman Smith. Question: Ayes: All Nayes: None -000- Resolution No. 93-237 authorizing ratification of a contract with the John J. French Museum for historical preservation and promotion of tourism in the amount of $25, 000. 00 on or before December 31, 1993, from revenues generated by the hotel motel occupancy tax was approved on a motion made by and seconded by Councilman Cokinos and seconded by Councilman Smith. Question: Ayes: All Nayes: None -000- Resolution No. 93-238 authorizing ratification of a contract with the Beaumont Chamber of Commerce for augmentation of existing industries, the development of new jobs and new businesses in Southeast Texas in the amount of $50, 000. 00 from the 1993 General Fund revenues was approved on a motion made by Councilman Smith and seconded by Councilman Cokinos. Question: Ayes: All Nayes: None -000- Mayor Pro Tem Goodson announced that an Executive Session will be held in accordance with Section 2 (e) of the Texas Open Meetings Act to discuss contemplated or pending litigation: Claim of Richard Hopkins Jr. and Claim against the Hartford involving the Texas Municipal League following City Council. -000- Realizing that the Work Session scheduled today to review the Preliminary FY94 Street Rehabilitation Program is of concern and interest to all, Council concurred with Councilman Alter to defer the Work Session until next week. -000- Councilman Alter said he attended the first meeting of the College Street Community Association of businesses and residents with about fifty in attendance; announced that the Fall Clean-Up Day is scheduled for October 2nd and volunteers should contact David Oliver in the Clean Community Division; and said the Keep Beautiful Commission is trying to rejuvenate the Clean Street Program and that some of the streets adopted in the past are on maintenance contracts now and questioned moving the -234- September 14, 1993 D contracts to other areas if volunteers are obtained. Mayor Pro Tem Goodson complimented the Police Department for the Cops and Kids Program this past weekend and asked the City Manager if the information about Appraisal Board representation received in a memo from him would result in a Work Session. Mr. Riley responded that nothing has been scheduled but can be put on the agenda at Council request. After discussion, Council directed the City Manager to poll interest by the County and School District for a collaborative effort with the City, report findings and then Council make a decision regarding feasibility of a Work Session. -000- Mr. Tony Guillory, Corley Street, addressed Council to discuss the value of additional street lighting relating to crime and safety of the community and to complain about the extended disruption and danger to citizens created by the contractor of the Terrell Street Drainage Project leaving sewer boxes uncovered, unrepaired driveways and walkways and excessive damage to yards. Mr. Henry Dannenbaum, 2820 Pine Street, addressed Council on various areas of concern. Councilman Alter informed Mr. Guillory that one of the primary matters of discussion at the College Street Community Association meeting was additional lighting in the College Street area in two phases. -000- There being no further business, the Regular Session of City Council was recessed to convene in Executive Session. -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 September 14, 1993 . Rosemarie Chiappetta City Clerk -235- September 14, 1993