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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMIN MAR 23 1993 REGULAR SESSION CITY COUNCIL - CITY OF BEAUMONT HELD MARCH 23, 1993 - 1:30 P.M. BE IT REMEMBERED that the City Council of the City of Beaumont, Texas, met in regular session this the 23rd day of March, 1993, with the following present: HONORABLE: Evelyn M. Lard Mayor Brian R. Alter Mayor Pro Tom Councilman At Large Andrew P. Cokinos Councilman At Large Lulu L. Smith Councilman, Ward I Guy N. Goodson Councilman, Ward II Audwin Samuel 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 Michael Clayton, North End Baptist Church. The Pledge of Allegiance was led by City Attorney Lane Nichols. -000- Four Proclamations were issued: "Doctor's Day," March 30, 1993; "Coach Ozan Day," March 27, 1993 (honoring Clifton J. Ozan) ; "Assumption Trailride and Rodeo Days," March 20-28, 1993 (Our Lady of the Assumption Catholic Church' western events fundraiser); and "Beaumont State Center Week," March 27 - April 3, 1993. -000- Mayor Lord introduced and welcomed Jamie Rivera and Mr. Larry LaRousse to City Council. Miss Rivera is a singer, songwriter and actress, who performed a benefit show at the Julie Rogers Theatre last week for the victims of the Mount Pinatubo volcano disaster. Mayor Lord invited her to speak about the tour. Jamie Rivera First of all, I just wish I could, I could reach this microphone! But, I just want to thank everybody for being very supportive to the Filipino communities here in Beaumont and Port Arthur. We just had a concert -64- March 23, 1993 over the Julie Rogers Theatre, and. . .this is a fundraising concert for the victims of Mount Pinatubo in the Philippines, the volcano that's just erupted, and we're have another one coming up, let me. . .just erupted, which is Mount Mayon. And, we're still expecting a hot. . . And, this is our, our way of helping our countrymen to raise money for the rehabilitations of those places in the Philippines. So, in behalf of the Filipino communities here in Beaumont, Texas, we'd like to thank you for all the support that you've given to us, and more power and God bless you all. Thank you. Mr. Larry LaRousse introduced his wife, Mercy, and Mr. Josue Padrones, a former mayor in the Philippines, who, Mr. LaRousse said, is now living in Beaumont and desiring to become active in the political scene. Mr. LaRousse thanked Council for the Proclamation presented to Jamie at the concert by Councilman Cokinos and the Mayor's office for assistance with the concert. Mr. LaRousse said the Filipino community is growing in our area and making viable contributions, especially in the field of health care. Mayor Lord added her appreciation and high regard for the Filipino community. She said that often we reach out to segments of our town and ask for support in something, and they're always there to help. -000- Citizen comment was invited on the Consent and Main Agendas. No one wished to address these items. -000- The following Consent Agenda items were considered: Approval of the Minutes of the regular City Council session held March 16, 1993; Resolution No. 93-72 appointing Don Potter as Chairman and Bill Geyser as Vice-Chairman of the Plumbing and Mechanical Board of Review for terms expiring May 31,. 1994; and Marie Easley to the sister City Commission for a term expiring December 31, 1994; and Resolution No. 93-73 accepting the bid of Delta Air Conditioning in the amount of $13,443.00 for purchase of twenty-seven (27) pieces of heating ventilation and air conditioning (wAc) equipment to replace existing Trane equipment at various City facilities. The Consent Agenda was approved on a motion made by Councilman Cokinos and seconded by Councilman Moore. Question: Ayes: All Nayes: None -65- March 23, 1993 Ordinance No. 93-16 authorizing abandonment of a 10-foot-wide general utility easement in Block 35, Calder Highland Extension Addition, effective when applicant, Mike Phelan, relocates existing utilities within the easement into a new utility easement on said block at his cost, was considered: ORDINANCE NO. 93-16 ENTITLED AN ORDINANCE VACATING AND ABANDONING A TEN FOOT (10') WIDE GENERAL UTILITY EASEMENT EXTENDING A LENGTH OF APPROXIMATELY 327 FEET EAST TO WEST ALONG THE NORTH FIVE FEET (51) OF LOTS 8-14 AND THE SOUTH FIVE FEET (51) OF LOTS 1-6, BLOCK 35, CALDER HIGHLAND EXTENSION ADDITION, BEAUMONT, JEFFERSON COUNTY, TEXAS. Ordinance No. 93-16 was approved on a motion made by Mayor Pro Tem Alter and seconded by Councilman Smith. Question: Ayes: All Nayes: None -000- Ordinance No. 93-17 authorizing abandonment of a 10-foot-wide general Utility easement approximately 258 feet from Spur 380 to the Irving Street underpass, south of Lot 5, Block 42, Arlington Addition and north of Lots 1-61 Block 1, at the request of Foodmaker, Inc. to construct a Jack-in-the-Box restaurant at 590 Washington Boulevard, was considered: ORDINANCE NO. 93-17 ENTITLED AN ORDINANCE VACATING AND ABANDONING A TEN FOOT (10') WIDE GENERAL UTILITY EASEMENT ABUTTING THE NORTH LINES OF LOTS 1-6, BLOCK 1, AND THE SOUTH LINE OF LOT 5, BLOCK 42, ARLINGTON ADDITION, BEAUMONT, JEFFERSON COUNTY, TEXAS Ordinance No. 93-17 was approved on a motion made by Councilman Moore and seconded by Councilman Smith. Question: Ayes: All Nayes: None -000- Mayor Lord announced that an Executive Session will be held following the Workshop Session in accordance with Section 2(e) of the Texas Open Meetings Act to discuss pending or contemplated litigation: Dave shows V. The City of Beaumont. -66- March 23, 1993 Councilman Samuel reported that he had the good fortune of attending a meeting with the Beaumont Housing Authority on Monday and was pleased to see the residents from the housing complexes in attendance indicating a desire to do something to help their community. He said that two concerns were posed that Council can address. Residents asked for assistance in getting a bus stop erected at the Raintree Apartments to eliminate elderly citizens having to walk from Raintree to Lucas Drive to ride the bus and they also requested establishment of a crossing device on Lucas Drive at the Lucas Apartments. Councilman Moore echoed Councilman Samuel's positive remarks about the Housing Authority meeting; announced that at 6:30 p.m. tonight there will be a Pear Orchard Neighborhood meeting at Our Mother of Mercy Hall to discuss public safety and community activities; said that last week the Beaumont Charlton-Pollard Neighborhood Association was revitalized with an election of new officers and appears to be another very strong group added to the other three already formed; and encouraged everyone to attend a roast at the Holidome for Coach Ozan this Saturday and enjoy a good time at his expense. Mayor Lord announced that following the Citizen Comment portion of City Council, Judge Lupe Flores will provide an update on the recently instituted Teen Court program and encouraged everyone to remain for this very interesting presentation. -000- Mr. Rex Johnson, 4350 Chaison, addressed Council to complain about the digging of a ditch by City crews in front of his property. Mr. Johnson claims the ditch was improperly dug and said, at no cost to him, the City should correct a problem of standing water. Council informed Mr. Johnson that many hours have been spent trying to reach an amicable position with him and after consultation with Staff, they have learned that the amount of water standing in the ditch is not unusual before grass grows back after ditching, and that there is provision that allows Mr. Johnson the opportunity to purchase and for City personnel to install pipe to close the ditch. Mr. Henry Dannenbaum, 1567 Wall Street, addressed Council to express appreciation for the Proclamation given to the Beaumont State Center and express pride in the Teen Court program. -000- Mayor Lord invited Judge Lupe Flores to review activities of the Teen Court program. Judge Flores introduced Winnie Kocot, Municipal Court Administrator, Nancy Schilhab, Teen Court Coordinator, and Tammy Davis, with the -67- March 23, 1993 Juvenile Probation Department, who are also involved the program. Judge Flores explained that Teen Court was launched in Beaumont in September, 1992, after studying similar programs of other cities, and that Beaumont's Teen Court was modeled after the best features of four or five other programs. Teen Court is an alternative sentencing system for teens convicted of Class C misdemeanors. Teen Court Coordinator Nancy Schilhab said that about 90 cases of Class C misdemeanors have been before Teen Court since September. Miss Schilhab explained various aspects of Teen Court and said it is a volunteer program that allows offenders to be judged and sentenced by a jury of their peers and offered an opportunity to make restitution for their offenses through community service and avoid a permanent record of their guilt. She said that it is too early for recidivist statistics because of a one-year involvement restriction. She also reported that she has visited high schools to explain the program and to enlist volunteers to serve as jurors and defense attorneys. She said the Jefferson County Young Lawyers Association has participated in the program and members of the Beaumont Police Department Explorer Post have served as bailiffs. Ms. Tammy Davis of the Juvenile Probation Department said she helps place the offenders in community service with such organizations as local nursing homes, the American Heart Association, the Art Studio, and most recently with the "Imagination Station," a playground project designed by children and to be built by volunteers. She said that it has been rewarding to observe teens becoming involved in the community and one of the participants has even been able to make a career choice because of his service experience. Council expressed appreciation for the positive influence of this program and to those administering the program. -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, certify that the above is a true copy of the Minutes of the Regular City Council Session held March 23, 1993. Rosemarie Chiappetta City Clerk -S$- March 23, 1993