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HomeMy WebLinkAboutAUG 20 1974 REGULAR SESSION CITY COUNCIL - CITY OF BEAUMONT HELD AUGUST 20, 1974 BE IT REMEMBERED that the City Council of the City of Beaumont, Texas, met in regular session this the 20th day of August, 1974, with the following present: HONORABLE: Ken Ritter Mayor Don Cash Councilman, Ward I Vi McGinnis Councilwoman, Ward II Calvin Williams Councilman, Ward III Leroy Evans Councilman, Ward IV Appointed Officials: Kenneth Devero City Manager Kenneth Wall City Attorney Myrtle Corgey City Clerk -000-- The Invocation was given by Reverend Byron G. Crocker, Saint Stephens Episcopal Church. The Pledge of Allegiance was led by Councilman Evans. -000- The minutes of the regular City Council session held August 13 , 1974 , and the special session held August 1, 1974 , were approved on a motion made by Council- woman McGinnis and seconded by Councilman Evans. Question: Ayes : All Nayes: None -000- Citizens ' Activities Program discussion was held : Mayor Ritter: "Today reaches the culmination, you might say, of citizens, Coun- cil, and Staff activities expanding several months, in addition to consultant studies being done in our community and I would particularly like to commend the citizen activity in this program - Mr. Joe Bob Kinsel, Chairman, who is pre- sent this morning - Citizens ' Committee of the CAP Program and we appreciate the fine job and the recommendations that they brought to this Council. The Council has studied these recommendations and has deliberated over these pro- jects that we would like to do. obviously, in any one given program, we can not build facilities for this community that we would like at one time, but we believe that the program that will be presented to the citizens at the very near future will embody some of the most important projects that this City pro- bably has undertaken at any one given time in its history. The program will be somewhere in the approximation of $28 , 000, 000. The Agenda will include basic- ally 60, 000 feet of exhibit space, meeting rooms, convention space and seating for name entertainment, musical groups, performances, sporting events such as boxing; 35, 000 feet allocated for service offices and for the City administra- tion. This facility would be self-sustaining. Other elements of the proposal are to refurbish this building and to provide a modern auditorium, eliminating office space and providing for increased lobby space, new seating and large stage, meeting and dressing rooms in this present location and facility. This would provide a functional facility and meet the current and basic needs of the community for meetings, conventions, graduation exercises and all community activities. In addition, a major part of this program will be the major street and thorough- fare program totaling some $13 , 940, 000. The first item and one of the most im- portant in this program will be the Lamar Freeway. It is a part of a long range program and transition plan for the City. The Freeway will provide improved ac- cess to the Central Business District and into the new Convention and Civic Center. It will enhance the flow of traffic through the community and particu- larly into the downtown area and one of the most important things that this new _161- August 20, 1974 i I freeway will do is to relieve the age old Railroad Avenue problem -- in fact, it will totally solve that problem. The current conflict between rail and auto and truck traffic on Railroad Avenue is well known to all and this will improve the flow of the traffic from the south part of the community and from, actually, the south part of the County into the downtown and connecting with IH-10. This is a cost estimated some $6, 000,000 in right of way. We will have some state and federal participation in this project. The total project cost, I believe, is estimated somewhere in the neighborhood of $50, 000, 000; so, you see, the Cityss portion is minimal and really represents a bargain for the citizens of Beaumont in this area. The Corley-Madison interchange involves an anticipated $1, 8000,000. The inter- change would hopefully provide for more relief of congested traffic in the Cor- ley-Madison area and in the vicinity of Mobil and the other industrial plants. It will provide a relief there between rail traffic and vehicular traffic. Under this Corley-Madison, we would have the proposed underpass that would cost $1, 800, 000 to relieve the traffic going west and connection into Corley into IH-10. The Phelan Boulevard connectr would provide IH-10 and Lamar Freeway as proposed to relieve traffic congested from the western areas enroute to Lamar University and the industrial areas in the southeast sector of the community. Buford Street would provide an important thoroughfare providing for east/west movement to and from industrial areas in the southeast sector of the community. The cost of the project is estimated $900,000. In the same area Buford would connect to .Carroll Street improvements completing the traffic flow pattern in the southeast sector. This improvement would tie into the Madison-Sycamore pro- ject and would be an important link to industrial areas there and would tie into the improvements of Madison & Sycamore that are already underway. The Central Business District package, the street package, is designed to facil- itate traffic flow through and around the Business District. The proposed Or- leans & Pearl connector would not only eliminate the necessity of bringing cross town traffic through the retail area along Orleans allowing it to become a pedestrian oriented shopping area so it would create a more direct means of gaining access to the Business .District. The project is proposed for construc- tion by the state and with the right of way and drainage for the City at a cost of some $400, 000. Orleans modifications include and provide pedestrian walkways, new pedestrian oriented areas at a project cost of some $120,000. Another project that I think will be very beneficial to the entire community or downtown would be Riverfront Boulevard or presently which is Main Street. It would be 4-lane divided thoroughfare with landscaping - divided strips to pro- vide right of way where available and provide convenient pedestrian drop off areas. These two projects will require state participation as well as funding at an estimated cost of $650,000. Blanchette Street would be widened to 4-lane, east/west movement for Lamar Free- way to Riverfront Boulevard providing better access to and from the Civil Cen- ter. This project cost is $250, 000. Traffic flow on 4th Street would be improved by widening it to 4-lane between Washington where it connects at Washington Boulevard & 4th Streets -- which is currently completed now which was a CIP Project - that would go all the way to Calder which is some $400, 000 for the project. Crow Road would be constructed from its current termination at the Eastex Free- way to Concord Road. This extension would be 4-lanes as well and would provide access from the Eastex Freeway and from the north end of the community. 4-lanes on Dowlen Road from Delaware to the existing pavement at Crow Road would facilitate access to the rapidly developing north end of the community. This project is $1,870, 000. And, an important project that I think we have all looked forward to for some time is the transit improvements. As you know, the City now has committments -162- August 20, 1974 I I of some $2 , 200, 000 in federal funds for buying new equipment in a capital fund project. The total matching funds in this program for the $2,200, 000 is $560, 000. The proposed transit improvement would provide the City with a new fleet of some 24 air conditioned, 45-passenger buses. The new fleet will re- place the outdated buses currently in use in the City. This project also in- cludes monies to purchase land to construct the new terminal and maintenance facility. This move would ultimately reduce the operating cost of the system since the current facilities are leased from National Bus Lines. Additional bus routing signals would be placed in prime locations through out the City and current routes studied and appropriate changes made with improved routing and service to the entire community. This space will also include installation of bus benches and shelters at major pickup points along the routes. These im- provements will ultimately increase the ridership of the transit system in the City. Traffic controls would be $500, 000. This would provide new signaliza- tion for the streets being improved in the program. Modern system in the Cen- tral Business District would provide additional aid to traffic flow and safer distribution of traffic through the Central Business District. The last item on the Agenda is the Fair Park improvements at a total of $1, 000, 000 to complete. The reconstruction of Fair Park area - or as it is now known - the Horse Show arena or Rodeo arena -- at a cost of some $700, 000 would provide a covered arena area making the facility useful in virtually all weather conditions. Drainage improvements in cost estimates of $100, 000 would eliminate the standing water, improve the rate of drain off during rainstorms. This would further enhance and increase the use of the Fair Park area. The renovation of lighting and electrical systems of Fair Park would vastly improve the appearance and safety of the Park. So, that is the total program and package that the Council has agreed upon. Most of these recommendations were made to the Council by the Citizens ' Commit- tee, Mr. Joe Bob Kinsel, Chairman. The Council not only has given a lot of consideration and study to these projects, but we also have had the problem to wrestle with what the cost would be in terms of increase on the tax rate. This is an area that the Council has given a great deal of consideration to, especi- ally in an inflated period in our Country. Operating costs are continually going up. I think the Staff is to be commended for their attempts at economy and increased efficiency. As most of you know, we are not anticipating a tax increase in this new proposed Budget. The City is now presently operating at a tax rate of $1.59. This is lower than the City had in 1964 & 65. in 1961 and 1962, the tax rate was $1.70 and went up to a high of $1.86 in 1964 & 65. it has steadily come down now to the present rate of $1.59. In 1971, when we passed the last Bond Program, the CIP Program, at that time this administration told the Citizens of Beaumont that it looked like to pay for some $18 , 000, 000 in improvements, it would take about 20� increase on the tax rate. Well, it did not. We only went 12� on the tax rate for several reasons -- one being the improvement of the City's financial conditions, our bond rating; the sale of our bonds were sold at a lesser rate than we originally anticipated and so we actually went 12� on the tax rate over a two year period on that program. So, today, we are funding some $18 ,000,600 in new improvements. The program has now expanded to $32, 000,000 in total and new improvements with the addition of matching funds from federal government and the State. You might be interested in noting the grants the City has received in the last few years. The Environmental Protection - the sewer project - was expanded 3 times its original size with the help of a grant $8 .9 million. The Mass Transit grant is $2,400, 000; Criminal Justice - we 've had 8 grants from that area for a total of $258 , 000. A recreational grant for a new park facility on College Street is $123, 000. We've had one 701 Planning Grant of $39, 000. So, I think the City has taken advantage of all the matching funds and programs that were beneficial to the City that we could find so this program we are em- barking upon now, as I said, now is probably one of the greatest programs the City has ever undertaken and I think it is one of the most important, and with Bond Programs cities are built. Unfortunately, there have not been enough in the City's history so I think representing the dilapidated conditions in ceLtals. areas of the City. The Council, with the help of Mr. Dean Ransom, our Comptrol- ler, envisions that this $28, 000,000 program will not exceed 15� on the tax rate, and this in fact would be probably over a three year period. It will not go into effect until after this present budget we are looking at and then probably -163- August 20, 1974 i I spread over 3 years and we would hope we would come in under the amount as we did before. But, I don'"t believe there is any City today in this Country that can provide that kind of a package of improvements for no more on the tax rate . . . . . .The Council has also determined that October 1st would be an appropriate date. . . (to hold the election.) . " Mr. Joe Bob Kinsel, at the request of Council, agreed to continue to serve as Chairman of the Citizens Activities Committee and to continue to work toward the passage of the Bond issue to the citizens. -000- Resolution No. 74-282 authorizing award of bid to Eastex 'Service Corporation for meter shop equipment for the Water Utility Service Center in the amount of $2, 931. 91 as the lowest and best bid received was approved on a motion made by Councilwoman McGinnis and seconded by Councilman Cash. Question: Ayes: All Nayes : None -000- Resolution No. 74-283 authorizing the award of bid to J. C. N. Pavers, Inc. on CIP Project 11-ST-08 , Florida Avenue, in the amount of $681,160.50, as the lowest and best bid received was approved on a motion made by Councilman Evans and seconded by Councilwoman McGinnis. Question: Ayes: All Nayes : None -000- Resolution No. 74-284 approving plans and specifications on Shakespeare Drive and requesting permission to advertise for bids on same (Street Participation Project) was approved on a motion made by Councilman Cash and seconded by Coun- cilman Evans. Question: Ayes: All Nayes: None -000- Resolution No. 74-285 approving plans and specifications on University Drive and requesting permission to advertise for bids on same (CIP Project 11-ST-07) was approved on a motion made by Councilman Cash and seconded by Councilman Evans. Question: Ayes: All Nayes : None -000- A recommendation to reject bids received for furnishing an ice maker for the Water Utility Department and authorizing re-advertising for bids on same (bids rejected because quantity of . ice not adequate) was approved on a motion made by Councilman Evans and seconded by Councilwoman McGinnis. Question: Ayes; All Nayes : None -000- Resolution No. 74-286 authorizing approval of Change Order #2 on CIP 11-SU-01, with Bayshore Constructors, reducing the contract amount from $920, 510 to $915, 871 was approved on a motion made by Councilwoman McGinnis and seconded by Councilman Cash. (This change resulted from Contractor crossing open ditch at Usan rather than tunnelling. ) Question: Ayes: All Nayes : None -000- Resolution No. 74-287 authorizing payment to Mayer Insurance Agency for Tax Assessor-Collector bond premium in the amount of $1, 080. 00 for the period July 23, 1974 to July 23, 1977 was approved on a motion made by Councilman Evans and seconded by Councilman Williams. Question: Ayes : All Nayes : None -164- August 20, 1974 i I Resolution No. 74-288 authorizing the Mayor to execute an agreement with KCS- allowing the City to cross railroad right--of-way at the intersection of Madi- son and Railroad Avenue was approved on ,a motion made by Councilman Cash and seconded by Councilman Williams. Question: Ayes: All Nayes : None -000- Resolution No. 74-289 accepting right-of-way from Amoco on Delaware Street (Project RS-T-12) from Thomas Road to Dowlen Road (value-approximately $86, 000) was approved on a motion made by Councilman Evans and seconded by Councilwoman McGinnis. Question: Ayes: Mayor Ritter Nayes: Councilman Cash Councilwoman McGinnis Councilman Williams Councilman Evans -000- Resolution 74-290 authorizing the City Manager to enter into an agreement with Jefferson Pilot Equity Sales for deferred compensation plan for the City of Beaumont and authorizing the- City Attorney to seek an IRS ruling was approved on a motion made by Councilwoman McGinnis and seconded by Councilman Williams. Question: Ayes : All Nayes : None -000- Resolution No. 74-291 authorizing conveyance of rights-of-way to the Texas High- way Department for alteration of IH-10 (Pine Street intersection) was approved on a motion made by Councilman Evans and seconded by Councilman Williams. (3) Question: Ayes: All Nayes: None -000- An ordinance amending Chapter 42 of the Code of Ordinances by eliminating the requirement that members of the City Planning & Zoning Commission own real es- tate in the city was considered: ORDINANCE NO. 74-54 ENTITLED AN ORDINANCE AMENDING CHAPTER 42, SEC- TION 42-2 (b) OF THE CODE OF ORDINANCES OF THE CITY OF BEAUMONT, TEXAS, BY ELIMINATING THE RE- QUIREMENT THAT MEMBERS OF THE CITY PLANNING AND ZONING COMMISSION BE OWNERS OF REAL ESTATE IN THE CITY; PROVIDING FOR REPEAL; AND PROVIDING FOR SEVERABILITY. The ordinance was approved on a motion made by Councilman Williams and seconded by Councilwoman McGinnis. Question: Ayes: All Nayes: None -000- An ordinance ordering demolition of dangerous structures was held for action at a future time. -000- An amendatory ordinance providing for a cost of service adjustment by Entex, Inc. was considered: AN ORDINANCE ENTITLED AN ORDINANCE AMENDING CHAPTER 39 OF THE CODE OF ORDINANCES OF THE CITY OF BEAUMONT BY ADDING A NEW SECTION NUMBERED 39-18 .2 THERE- _165- August 20, 1974 I TO; PROVIDING FOR ADJUSTMENT OF RATES CHARGED BY ENTEX, INC. , BASED UPON INCREASES OR DE- CREASES IN THE COST OF PROVIDING GAS SERVICE; PROVIDING PROCEDURES THEREFOR; PROVIDING THAT NOTHING HEREIN SHALL LIMIT THE RIGHT OF THE CITY OF BEAUMONT TO REGULATE RATES CHARGED BY ENTEX, INC. ; PROVIDING FOR SEVERABILITY; PRO- VIDING FOR REPEAL; AND PROVIDING A PENALTY. A motion to approve this ordinance was made by Councilman Evans and seconded by Councilman Cash. (No vote taken) Mr. Anthony Brocato, Citizen, requested that the Council not take action at this time but hold a public hearing to give citizens a chance to be heard. Councilman Evans made a. motion to table this until a notice of a public hearing could be made; the motion was seconded by Councilman Williams. Question: Ayes: All Nayes: None -000- Resolution No. 74-292 reappointing Mr. John Winter to a two year term beginning August 20, 1974, to the Building Board of Adjustment & Appeals was approved on a motion made by Councilman Cash and seconded by Councilman Evans. Question: Ayes: All Nayes: None --000- A resolution appointing members to the Board of Adjustment were held for action at a future time. -000- Resolution 74-293 appointing Mrs. Alice Ramsey and Mr. Marne Meynig as members to the Planning & Zoning Commission for a three year terms to expire July 31, 1977, was approved on a motion made by Councilman Evans and seconded by Council- man Cash. Question: Ayes: All Nayes: None -000- Resolution 74-294 reappointing Mr. Wallace Domingue, Jr. ; Mr. Tom Livesay; Mr. William Neild; Mr. H. E. Wyatt; and Mr. John Millington to serve one year terms beginning July 1, 1974, to the Electrical Board of Review was approved on a motion made by Councilman Cash and seconded by Councilwoman McGinnis. Question: Ayes: All Nayes: None -000- Resolution No. 74--295 authorizing and directing the filing of Proceedings in Eminent Domain against John A. Fernon and wife, Viola Fernon, to acquire through said Proceedings a parcel of land out of Lot 4, Block A of the T. H. Langham Estate Subdivision in the H. Williams League for the municipal pur- pose of opening, locating, constructing, maintaining and extending a street to be known as Phelan Boulevard (Phase II - RS-T-11) was approved on a motion made by Councilman Evans and seconded by Councilman Cash. Question: Ayes: All Nayes: None -000- Resolution No._ 74--29.6 authorizing and directing the filing of Proceedings in Eminent Domain against Business Properties, Inc. , the Connecticut Mutual In- surance Company of Hartford Connecticut, A. S. Genecov and Isadore Roosth, Trustees, Gulf Oil Company, the State of Texas and County of Jefferson, Beau- mont Independent School District and the City of Beaumont, claimants by virtue of taxes which have accrued"; to acquire through said Proceedings a parcel of -166- August 20, 1974 i I land out of Lot 68 of the French Heights Subdivision in the A. Williams Survey for the municipal purpose of locating, constructing, maintaining, straightening and widening Concord and East Lucas Streets was approved on a motion made by Councilman Cash and seconded by Councilwoman McGinnis. Question: Ayes: All Nayes: None -000-- Resolution No. 74-297 authorizing and directing the filing of Proceedings in Eminent Domain against Exxon Corporation to acquire through said Proceedings a parcel of land out of Lot 62 of Block 6 of the French Heights Subdivision for the municipal purpose of locating, constructing, maintaining, straighten- ing and widening East Lucas Street was approved on a motion made by Councilman Cash and seconded by Councilman Evans. Question: Ayes: All Nayes : None -000- The Sarah, Lavaca neighborhood meeting was scheduled to be held August 22 , 1974 at 7 :30 p.m. at Blanchette School (CSP 11-ST-12) on a motion made by Councilman Williams and seconded by Councilwoman McGinnis. Question: Ayes: All Nayes : None -0008 Mayor Ritter requested that Mr. Joe lmpey, Director of Community Development, present each week one particular phase of the Citizens Activities Program for the benefit of the news media and citizens present. --000- Mr. Walt Kaczmarz, 8755 Homer Drive, addressed the Council to ask questions concerning proposed financial schedules for the CAP Program. -000- Mr. Leantha J. Redd, 2720 San Antonio and Executive Secretary of the N.A.A.C.P., addressed the Council to commend their affirmative action taken concerning the Fair Housing Ordinance passed recently. -000- Mr. Richard Evans, Attorney, 815 Goodhue Building, addressed the Council con- cerning the acquisition of land for the sanitary landfill and asked that they burn the waste material rather than cover it because he felt that burned land could be recovered but filled land could not be used and that the gases that it originates would be detrimental to wildlife and humans. Mr. W. J. Balmer, Director of Public Works, responded to Mr. Evans statements by saying that we are presently recycling land and that buildings are already being built on landfill. -000- Father Eugene Ferrill, 3319 Sarah, addressed the Council concerning Revenue Sharing funds in relation to several items on today's agenda and also requested that the neighborhood meeting scheduled for August 22, 1974 for the Sarah and Lavaca project be postponed to give longer notice. Mayor Ritter responded that it had been publicized since the Work Session held Thursday, August 15, 1974 and that sufficient notice had been given. -000-- There being no further business, the meeting was adjourned. -000- -167- August 20, 1974 I, Myrtle Corgey, City Clerk of the City of Beaumont, Texas, certify that the above is a true copy of the Minutes of the regular session of the City Council held August 20, 1974. Myrtle Corgey City Clerk -168- August 20, 1974