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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMIN NOV 2 2004 M I N U T E S - CITY OF BEAUMONT Lulu L. Smith EVELYN M. LORD, MAYOR Nancy Beaulieu Andrew P. Cokinos CITY COUNCIL MEETING Becky Ames, Mayor Pro Tern Bobbie J. Patterson November 2, 2004 Audwin Samuel Tyrone E. Cooper, City Attorney Kyle Hayes, City Manager Rose Ann Jones, City Clerk The City Council of the City of Beaumont, Texas, met in a regular session on November 2, 2004, at the City Hall Council Chambers, 801 Main Street, Beaumont, Texas, at 1:30 p.m. to consider the following: OPENING Invocation Pledge of Allegiance Roll Call Presentations and Recognition Public Comment: Persons may speak on scheduled agenda items 1-6/Consent Agenda Consent Agenda Mayor Lord called the council meeting to order at 1:30 p.m. Brother Terry Littledike of the Church of Jesus Christ Latter Day Saints gave the invocation. Councilmember Beaulieu led the Pledge of Allegiance. Roll call was made by Rose Ann Jones, City Clerk. Present at the meeting were Mayor Lord, Mayor Pro Tern Ames, Councilmembers Smith, Beaulieu, Cokinos and Patterson. Absent: Councilmember Samuel. Also present were Kyle Hayes, City Manager; Tyrone Cooper, City Attorney; Rose Ann Jones, City Clerk. Proclamations, Presentations, Recognitions "Hire Veterans First Month" - November, 2004 - Proclamation read by Mayor Pro Tern Ames; accepted by Pam Wise and Art Foster, Texas Workforce Commission "Alzheimer's Awareness Week"-November 15-20,2004-Proclamation read by Mayor Lord; accepted by Debra Brozak, Alzheimer's Association Public Comment: Persons may speak on scheduled agenda items 1-6/Consent Agenda. Jason Marshburn 7220 Bythewood Road Beaumont TX Item #4: In support of ordinance to allow regulation of solicitation by charitable organizations Item #3: Would also like to see airline destination for some place in Western US Winifred Mays/Robert Moore 4215 Simon Beaumont TX Item #6: Requested a 120 day extension for repairs of the property at 2925 Harriot Street Minutes-November 2,2004 LeRoy Lewis 7866 Gladys Beaumont TX Item#5: In support of granting additional time for the repair of property at 3491 W. Euclid CONSENT AGENDA Approval of minutes - Minutes of October 26, 2004 Confirmation of committee appointments - None A) Authorize the payment of fiscal year 2005 dues to the South East Texas Regional Planning Commission (SETRPC) - Resolution 04-257 B) Authorize the settlement of the claim of Leah Wingate - Resolution 04-258 Councilmember Cokinos moved to approve the Consent Agenda. Councilmember Beaulieu seconded the motion. AYES: MAYOR LORD, MAYOR PRO TEM AMES, COUNCILMEMBERS SMITH, BEAULIEU, COKINOS AND PATTERSON NAYS: NONE MOTION PASSED GENERAL BUSINESS 1. Consider approving an ordinance authorizing the issuance of City of Beaumont, Texas, General Obligation Refunding Bonds, Series 2004 and authorizing the advance refunding of certain bonds and obligations - Ordinance 04-090 Administration recommended approval of an ordinance authorizing the issuance of approximately $20,640,000 City of Beaumont, Texas, General Obligation Bonds, Series 2004, authorizing the advance refunding of certain bonds and obligations and the execution and delivery of an escrow agreement and the subscription for and purchase of certain escrowed securities; and containing other matters related thereto. Mr. Frank Ildebrando of RBC Dain Rauscher, our financial advisor was present and discussed the underwriting services for the bonds. On October 26,2004, First Southwest Company, Morgan Keegan&Company, Inc„ Estrada Hinojosa & Company, Inc. and Southwest Securities, Inc. were selected by City Council to provide underwriting services on the above mentioned bonds. The bonds will mature on March 1, 2006 through March 1, 2014 with interest payable semiannually. Wells Fargo Bank N.A., Houston,Texas will serve as paying agent/registrar and JP Morgan Chase Bank, Dallas will serve as escrow agent on Page 2 of 8 Minutes-November 2,2004 the refunded bonds. Delivery and receipt of proceeds by the City is expected to be on December 2, 2004. Proceeds will be used to refund certain outstanding obligations of the City including portions of the 1995 Certificates of Obligations,the 1996 Refunding Bonds and the 1996 Certificates of Obligation. The refunding is expected to produce a net cost savings to the City of Approximately $810,338. All debt shall be incurred in the Debt Service Fund which is supported by property taxes. Councilmember Beaulieu moved to ADOPT ORDINANCE 04-090 AUTHORIZING THE ISSUANCE OF THE CITY OF BEAUMONT,TEXAS,GENERAL OBLIGATION REFUNDING BONDS, SERIES 2004, AUTHORIZING THE ADVANCE REFUNDING OF CERTAIN BONDS AND OBLIGATIONS AND THE EXECUTION AND DELIVERY OF AN ESCROW AGREEMENT AND THE SUBSCRIPTION FOR AND PURCHASE OF CERTAIN ESCROWED SECURITIES;AND CONTAINING OTHER MATTERS RELATED THERETO. Councilmember Cokinos seconded the motion. AYES: MAYOR LORD, MAYOR PRO TEM AMES, COUNCILMEMBERS SMITH, BEAULIEU, COKINOS AND PATTERSON NAYS: NONE MOTION PASSED 2. Consider authorizing the City Manager to execute a Multiple Use Agreement with the Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) for the future M.L. King Park statue site - Resolution 04-259 Administration recommended approval of the execution of a Multiple Use Agreement with the TxDOT for the future M.L. King Park Statue site. The improvements constructed by TxDOT are located in the median north of M.L. King Parkway and Wall Street intersection. Since its construction, the marble wall has been hit by vehicles and/or vandalized on several occasions. Additionally, if the statue were to be installed at this location, it would not be easily accessible to the public. For these reasons, it was determined it would be beneficial to relocate these improvements to another location along the parkway. Several potential properties were reviewed and the location that was determined to be the most aesthetically pleasing is located on the east side of M.L. King between College and Wall Streets. This property is currently owned by TxDOT and is a portion of the M.L. King right-of-way. The TxDOT will allow the use of this property by means of a multiple use agreement. Councilmember Smith made a motion to APPROVE RESOLUTION 04-259 TO AUTHORIZE THE CITY MANAGER TO EXECUTE A MULTIPLE USE AGREEMENT WITH THE TEXAS DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION (TXDOT) FOR THE FUTURE M. L. KING PARK STATUE SITE. Councilmember Beaulieu seconded the motion. Page 3 of 8 Minutes-November 2,2004 AYES: MAYOR LORD, MAYOR PRO TEM AMES, COUNCILMEMBERS SMITH, BEAULIEU, COKINOS AND PATTERSON NAYS: NONE MOTION PASSED 3. Consider approving the allocation of$7,500 to be used as a revenue guarantee for Delta Airlines to provide air service from the Southeast Texas Regional Airport to Atlanta, Georgia - Resolution 04-260 Administration recommended that the City Council approve the allocation of$7,500 of the original $15,000 toward the new guarantee for service to Atlanta and the remainder of funds ($7,500) be kept in the escrow account at Texas State Bank. Service to Atlanta will offer significant connections to an alternative airport hub. There are 62 cities served through Atlanta that are not served from the Houston airports. Service to Atlanta will continue the many economic benefits we now enjoy as a result of having a second airline. Delta Airlines would provide two flights per day, seven days a week, to Atlanta. If Delta Airlines does not meet their revenue targets,the revenue guarantee will make up the difference up to$300,000. After one year of service to Atlanta,the Coalition will participate in an audit of Delta's records to determine whether or not any of the revenue guarantee must be paid. After the audit is complete, any funds remaining will be paid back to the contributors based on a pro rata share. The original escrow agreement expires July 1, 2005. The Southeast Texas Coalition for Air Service will continue efforts to locate a carrier to provide service to Dallas. If the Coalition is successful in this endeavor, the City Council will consider appropriating the remaining funds. Councilmember Beaulieu made a motion to APPROVE RESOLUTION 04-260 THAT THE CITY COUNCIL HEREBY REQUESTS THE BEAUMONT CHAMBER OF COMMERCE TO ALLOCATE $7,500 OF THE PREVIOUSLY APPROVED$15,000 TO THE REVENUE GUARANTEE FOR DELTA AIRLINES AIR SERVICE FROM THE SOUTHEAST TEXAS REGIONAL AIRPORT TO ATLANTA, GEORGIA; BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED THAT THE REMAINING $7,500 IS TO BE MAINTAINED IN THE ESCROW ACCOUNT AT TEXAS STATE BANK UNTIL SUCH TIME AS THE CITY COUNCIL DETERMINES WHETHER TO APPROPRIATE OR REQUEST A REFUND OF THE FUNDS. Councilmember Smith seconded the motion. AYES: MAYOR LORD, MAYOR PRO TEM AMES, COUNCILMEMBERS SMITH, BEAULIEU, COKINOS AND PATTERSON NAYS: NONE MOTION PASSED Page 4 of 8 Minutes-November 2,2004 4. Consider amending Chapter 18 of the Code of Ordinance to adopt new regulations regarding solicitation in and alongside streets - Ordinance 04-091 Administration recommended approval of an ordinance adopting new regulations regarding solicitation in and alongside streets. The City was contacted by a representative from a charitable organization that wished to solicit contributions for their organization. The Texas Transportation Code presently makes it unlawful for a person to stand in the roadway to engage in a charitable solicitation activity unless municipal regulations allowing for such solicitation exist. The adoption of this ordinance will allow charitable solicitation within the streets of the City under certain conditions and prohibit sales of goods or services in or along the street within the public rights-of-way. The Police Department will be responsible for the application process and the subsequent monitoring for compliance with the ordinance. Traffic Sergeant Mike Earney was present to answer questions regarding the enforcement of this ordinance. There is a $50 application fee to defray the City's costs of processing the application and compliance monitoring. Discussion was held among Council regarding the age limit and number of permits allowed to be issued in a year. It was agreed that the age limit should be set at 18 years of age and that the maximum number of permits for each organization shall remain at three. With the amendment that the age limit be raised to age eighteen, Councilmember Patterson made a motion to ADOPT ORDINANCE 04-091 AMENDING CHAPTER 18 OF THE CODE OF ORDINANCES OF THE CITY OF BEAUMONT TO ADD A NEW ARTICLE VII REGULATING SOLICITATION IN AND ALONGSIDE STREETS;PROVIDING FOR SEVERABILITY;PROVIDING FOR REPEAL; AND FOR PROVIDING A PENALTY. Councilmember Beaulieu seconded the motion. AYES: MAYOR LORD, MAYOR PRO TEM AMES, COUNCILMEMBERS SMITH, BEAULIEU, COKINOS AND PATTERSON NAYS: NONE MOTION PASSED 5. Consider amending Ordinance No. 04-041 relating to the structure located at 3491 W. Euclid Administration recommended denial of the request for amendment of the condemnation order. Councilmember Patterson requested that the condemnation order for the structure located at 3491 W. Euclid be reconsidered by Council to allow the property owner, Morris Jones, Jr., to rehabilitate it. Page 5 of 8 Minutes-November 2,2004 This structure was brought before City Council on May 4, 2004 with staff's recommendation of a raze order. No work has been attempted on structure since 2000. On May 19,2004, staff spoke with Adona Jones,daughter of property owner. She asked for some time to remove furniture and personal belongings from the structure. On May 24, 2004, Morris Jones and Adona Jones each called and said that they now wanted to rehabilitate the structure. The structure was brought back before City Council June 8, 2004 for reconsideration and was given a raze or repair order of 120 days, October 8, 2004, to complete rehabilitation of the structure. On October 7, 2004, substantial work had not been completed and the structure became condemned forthe second time. Discussion was held among Councilmembers to see if other types of housing funding could be made available to Mr. Jones. Councilmember Beaulieu made a motion to deny this request for amendment to the condemnation order of Ordinance 04-041. Councilmember Smith seconded the motion. AYES: MAYOR LORD, MAYOR PRO TEM AMES, COUNCILMEMBERS SMITH, BEAULIEU, COKINOS AND PATTERSON NAYS: NONE MOTION PASSED 6. Consider amending Ordinance No. 04-041 relating to the structure located at 2925 Harriot Administration recommended denial of the request for amendment of the condemnation order. Councilmember Patterson requested that the condemnation order for the structure located at 2925 Harriot be reconsidered by Council to allow Winfred Mays, son of the deceased property owner and Genevieve Mays Comeaux, daughter of deceased property owner, to rehabilitate it. This structure was brought before City Council on May 4, 2004 with staffs recommendation of a raze order. Executor of Will, Winfred Mays, had previously enrolled in a work repair program in September of 2003. No permit was ever bought. On inspection made March 26, 2004, it was noted that there was extensive structural and foundation problems. Mr. Winfred Mays still wanted to rehabilitate the structure. The structure was brought back before Council on June, 2004 for reconsideration and was given a raze or repair order of 120 days, October 8, 2004, to complete rehabilitation of the structure. An inspection made October 8, 2004, indicated that substantial work had not been made and the structure become condemned for the second time. Mr. Mays had enrolled in the work repair program but still never purchased a repair permit. Page 6 of 8 Minutes-November 2,2004 Following discussion, Councilmember Beaulieu made a motion to deny this request for amendment to the condemnation order of Ordinance 04-041. Councilmember Smith seconded the motion. AYES: MAYOR LORD, MAYOR PRO TEM AMES, COUNCILMEMBERS SMITH, BEAULIEU AND COKINOS NAYS: COUNCILMEMBER PATTERSON MOTION PASSED COUNCILMEMBER COMMENTS COUNCILMEMBER SMITH - FEELS THAT COUNCIL IS DOING A DISSERVICE TO THE PROPERTY OWNERS BY RENEWING THE CONDEMNATION ORDERS COUNCILMEMBER BEAULIEU - CONGRATULATIONS TO THE BLUES FESTIVAL COMMITTEE ON THE FINE JOB DONE THIS WEEKEND WHICH HELPED MAKE IT SUCH A SUCCESS; REMINDED EVERYBODY WHO HAS NOT YET VOTED TO BE SURE TO VOTE TODAY COUNCILMEMBER COKINOS - NONE MAYOR PRO TEM AMES- ENCOURAGED PEOPLE TO CONTACT THE BETTER BUSINESS BUREAU TO GET INFORMATION REGARDING CONTRACTORS COUNCILMEMBER SAMUEL - ABSENT COUNCILMEMBER PATTERSON - REMINDED EVERYBODY TO GET OUT AND VOTE CITY ATTORNEY COOPER - NONE CITY MANAGER HAYES - NONE MAYOR LORD - REMINDED EVERYBODY THAT THE BETTER BUSINESS BUREAU IS AVAILABLE AND IS A FREE SERVICE TO THE PUBLIC Public Comments (Persons are limited to three minutes) LeRoy Lewis 111 7866 Gladys Beaumont TX Ideas for City Council: on behalf of Barbara Lynn, thanked all those who turned out to support the Bluesfest; comments on need for more jobs, better streets and drainage and other related matters Page 7 of 8 Minutes-November 2,2004 Jessica A. Daye 5090 Sassafras Lane Beaumont TX Requested that City Council reopen for consideration the house located at 725 Euclid Glenda Ardoin 2540 Sycamore Beaumont TX Took this opportunity to thank all the citizens in the Charlton Pollard neighborhood as well as the local businesses and other volunteers,who participated in Project Clean on October 30 - Make A Difference Day Dean Tucker 2570 Laurel Avenue Beaumont TX Spoke on the healing agents which have been placed upon Earth to help heal people EXECUTIVE SESSION Consider matters related to contemplated or pending litigation in accordance with Section 551.071 of the Government Code: City of Beaumont vs. House of Praise Deliverance Ministry, Inc. Executive Session was not held; therefore, Council adjourned at 3:05 p.m. Audio tapes are available upon request in the City Clerk's Office. Evelyn M. Lord, ayor — I—Q�, Ulm Rose Ann Jones, TRM City Clerk Page 8 of 8 Minutes-November 2,2004