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HomeMy WebLinkAboutAUG 27 1974 REGULAR SESSION CITY COUNCIL - CITY OF BEAUMONT HELD AUGUST 27 , 1974 BE IT REMEMBERED that the City Council of the City of Beaumont, Texas, met in regular session this the 27th day of August, 1974 , with the following present: HONORABLE: Ken Ritter Mayor 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 James Thompson, Calvary Baptist Church. The Pledge of Allegiance was led by Scouts Bobby Page & Doug Cannant, Troup 20; Charles Lawley, Scout Master. -000- The Mayor issued three proclamations : "Women's Week in Beaumont" - August 26 - 31, 1974; "Jerry Lewis Muscular Dystrophy Telethon Weekend in the City of Beau- mont" - August 31, September 1 & 2, 1974; and "Y Indian Guides & Y Indian Princesses Week in BeaumontO - August 26 - September 1, 1974 . -000- The minutes of the regular City Council session held August 20, 1974 , were ap- proved on a motion made by Councilwoman McGinnis and seconded by Councilman Evans. Question: Ayes : All Nayes : None -000- Resolution No. 74-298 authorizing the award of bid to C & S Truck Line, Inc. for furnishing pit sand and 60-40 mix, this being the lowest and best bid received, was approved on a motion made by Councilwoman McGinnis and seconded by Councilman Evans. Question: Ayes: All Nayes: None -000- Permission to advertise for bids for furnishing instrument equipment for re- mote operation of Lawson's Pump Station from the Main Pump Station (CIP Pro- ject 11-WU-02) was approved on a motion made by Councilman Williams and se- conded by Councilwoman McGinnis. Question: Ayes: All Nayes: None -000- Resolution No. 74-299 approving plans and specifications on the Athletic Com- plex and requesting permission to advertise for bids on same (Project No. 11-AC-01) was approved on a motion made by Councilwoman McGinnis and seconded by Councilman Evans. Question: Ayes: All Nayes : None -000- Resolution 74-300 authorizing final acceptance and final payment to Gulf Coast Industrial Contractors, Inc. on East Lavaca CIP Project 11-ST-06, ($366, 995. 00) was approved on a motion made by Councilman Evans and seconded by Councilwoman McGinnis. Question: Ayes: All Nayes : None -169- August 27 , 1974 Resolution No. 74-301 authorizing payment to Moore-Cottrell Subscription Agen- cies in the amount of $2, 056.40 for multiple subscriptions for the Library was approved on a motion made by Councilman Evans and seconded by Councilwoman Mc- Ginnis. Question: Ayes: All Nayes : None -000- Resolution No. 74.8302 exercising the option of the City of Beaumont to pur- chase an interest of the Sabine River Authority in Project WPC-TEX-698 was approved on a motion made by Councilman Evans and seconded by Councilman Williams. Question: Ayes: All Nayes : None -000- Resolution No. 74-303 reappointing Edwin VanZandt; Charles Weinbaum, Jr. ; G. A. Wimberly; Howell Cobb; Auvie Wheeler; and alternates Preston Shaw and Warren Goehringer to the Board of Adjustment was approved on a motion made by Coun- cilman Williams and seconded by Councilwoman McGinnis. Question: Ayes: All Nayes : None -000- Resolution No. 74-304 authorizing and directing the filing of Proceedings in Eminent Domain against Carlo J. Malley, the First Security National Bank of Beaumont, the State of Texas and County of Jefferson, Beaumont Independent School District and the City of Beaumont, claimants by virtue of taxes which have accrued; to acquire through said Proceedings a parcel of land out of Lots 5 and 6, Block 4 of the Cartwright Terrace Addition for the municipal purpose of locating, constructing, maintaining, straightening and widening College and Fourth Streets (CIP 1I-ST-02) was approved on a motion made by Councilwoman McGinnis and seconded by Councilman Evans. Question: Ayes: All Nayes : None --000- Resolution No. 74-305 authorizing and directing the filing of Proceedings in Eminent Domain against R. C. Sims, Matthew Cartwright III, the State of Texas and County of Jefferson, South Park Independent School District and the City of Beaumont, claimants by virtue of taxes which have accrued; to acquire through said Proceedings a parcel of land out of Lots 7 and 8 in Block 37 of the Cartwright Terrace Addition for the municipal purpose of locating, con- structing, maintaining, straightening and widening College and Fourth Streets (CIP 11-ST-02) was approved on a motion made by Councilman Evans and seconded by Councilwoman McGinnis. Question: Ayes: All Nayes: None -000- Resolution No. 74-306 amending the Major Street and Highway Plan for the City of Beaumont was approved on a motion made by Councilman Evans and seconded by Councilman Williams. Question: Ayes: All Nayes: None -000- An ordinance ordering demolition of dangerous structures was considered: ORDINANCE NO. 74-55 ENTITLED AN ORDINANCE FINDING THE BUILDINGS LO- CATED AT 2100 AVENUE A AND 2150 AVENUE A, THE SAME BEING LOTS 6, 7, & 8 OF BLOCK 3 , OGDEN ADDI- TION TO THE CITY OF BEAUMONT, JEFFERSON COUNTY, TEXAS; 794 BEECH ALLEY, THE SAME BEING PLAT V, TRACT 24 J. DRAKE SURVEY TO THE CITY OF BEAUMONT, -170- August 27 , 1974 JEFFERSON COUNTY, TEXAS; 3845 BLODGETT STREET, THE SAME BEING LOT 1, W. h OF LOT 2, BLOCK 14 HACKETT ADDITION TO THE CITY OF BEAUMONT, JEFFER- SON COUNTY, TEXAS; 2204 CARROLL STREET, THE SAME BEING PLAT H, TRACT 5 D. BROWN SURVEY TO THE CITY OF BEAUMONT, JEFFERSON COUNTY, TEXAS; 1463 EASY, THE SAME BEING LOT 9 AND i OF LOT 10, BLOCK 3 OGDEN ADDITION TO THE CITY OF BEAUMONT, JEFFERSON COUNTY, TEXAS; 1463 EASY (DETACHED SHED) , THE SAME BEING LOT 9 AND i OF LOT 10, BLOCK 3 OGDEN ADDITION TO THE CITY OF BEAUMONT, JEFFERSON COUNTY, TEXAS; 2220 HARRIOT, THE SAME BEING LOT 49, BLOCK 11 BOOKER HEIGHTS ADDITION TO THE CITY OF BEAUMONT, JEFFERSON COUNTY, TEXAS; 1610 AVENUE I, THE SAME BEING LOT 12, BLOCK 13 JOACHIMI ADDITION TO THE CITY OF BEAUMONT, JEFFERSON COUNTY, TEXAS, 3675 MAIDA, THE SAME BEING TRACT U, BLOCK 8 , N. 137 ' , 39 & 100 ' OF 28 , 33 , 40 & 45, BMT. IMP. CO. TO THE CITY OF BEAUMONT, JEFFERSON COUNTY, TEXAS; 540 NEICY STREET ALLEY, THE SAME BEING PLAT 27 , TRACT D, D. BROWN SURVEY TO THE CITY OF BEAUMONT, JEFFERSON COUNTY, TEXAS; 1080 POWELL STREET, THE SAME BEING LOT 1, BLOCK 8 LEONARD ADDITION TO THE CITY OF BEAUMONT, JEFFERSON COUNTY, TEXAS; 3358 ROLAND ROAD, THE SAME BEING TRACT 3, BLOCK C, BMT. IMP. CO. TO THE CITY OF BEAUMONT, JEFFERSON COUNTY, TEXAS; 1055 SCHWARNER, THE SAME BEING PLAT G, TRACT 98, D. BROWN SURVEY TO THE CITY OF BEAUMONT, JEF- FERSON COUNTY, TEXAS; 1405 SCHWARNER, THE SAME BE- ING PLAT A-2, TRACT 21, D. BROWN SURVEY TO THE CITY OF BEAUMONT, JEFFERSON COUNTY, TEXAS; 1064 SHERMAN, THE SAME BEING LOT 100, BLOCK 9 HERRING ADDITION TO THE CITY OF BEAUMONT, JEFFERSON COUNTY, TEXAS; 1379 SOUTH, THE SAME BEING LOT 5, BLOCK 34, CAL- DER ADDITION TO THE CITY OF BEAUMONT, JEFFERSON COUNTY, TEXAS; 3280 TALIAFERRO, THE SAME BEING LOT 2, BLOCK 4 MOUNT OLIVER ADDITION TO THE CITY OF BEAUMONT, JEFFERSON COUNTY, TEXAS; 3450 TEXAS, THE SAME BEING LOT 6, BLOCK 2 FORREST ADDITION TO THE CITY OF BEAUMONT, JEFFERSON COUNTY, TEXAS; 7535 TRAM ROAD, THE SAME BEING PLAT RS 5, TRACT 143 A, D. EASLEY SURVEY TO THE CITY OF BEAUMONT, JEFFERSON COUNTY, TEXAS; 1885 VERONE, THE SAME BEING PLAT A-2, TRACT 41 OUT OF TRACT 8, D. BROWN SURVEY TO THE CITY OF BEAUMONT, JEFFERSON COUNTY, TEXAS; 1475 WALLACE, THE SAME BEING PLAT A-1, TRACT 3 , D. BROWN SURVEY TO THE CITY OF BEAUMONT, JEFFERSON COUNTY, TEXASr TO BE A PUBLIC NUISANCE, AND ORDERING THEM TO BE DEMOLISHED WITHIN THIRTY (30) DAYS OR TO BE DEMOLISHED BY THE CITY OF BEAU- MONT; AND PROVIDING FOR A LIEN FOR ANY EXPENSES INCURRED BY THE CITY OF BEAUMONT IN HAVING SAID BUILDING DEMOLISHED. The ordinance was approved on a motion made by Councilwoman McGinnis and se- conded by Councilman Williams. Question: Ayes: All Nayes : None -000- September 3, 1974, was announced as the date for the public hearing for the cost of service adjustment requested by Entex, Inc. -000- -171- August 27, 1974 The public hearing on the Annual Budget for Fiscal Year 1974-75 was held. Mr. Kenneth Devero, City Manager, read the following letter: "August 13 , 1974 Honorable Mayor and City Council City of Beaumont Beaumont, Texas Lady and Gentlemen: The proposed budget for the operation of the City of Beaumont for the fiscal year 1974-75 is presented in accordance with the provisions of the City Charter and the statutes of the State of Texas, You will notice that this year's budget takes on a new format in its presentation. With this budget we are starting the first step in the development of a performance or program budgeting system. Performance budgeting is a program planning process which becomes an integral part of the management process rather than primarily a fiscal procedure. This new budget concept does not involve any radical departure from previously accepted budget methods. Performance budgeting and traditional object budgeting are quite compatible, with the two approaches supplementing each other. It will take us several years to develop a total performance or program management budget system, We will have to spend a great deal of effort in improving our work records and reports, accounting, and other elements important to the management and budget process, Within each department or division of a department, we have included a section concerning the program, This section is broken down into (1) Function - which gives the purpose and responsibility of that department or division. (2) Pro- gram Measurement - this measures the work that has been performed and what is projec- ted for the future. (3) Program Comments - this gives the highlights of the depart- ment's activities. The major purpose of the performance budget is to supplement the line item budget with additional information so as to assist decision makers in the budget process in order that decisions made will be based upon meaningful data and the consequences of these decisions more apparent. The proposed budget is built around the same tax rate that has been in effect for the last three fiscal years, That tax rate being $1,59 per $100 of assessed valua- tion. Of this amount $.375 will be allocated to the tax supported debt fund, $1.195 to the general operating fund, and $,02 to fund the continuation of the Capital Im- provement Program. It should be noted that the City has been able to keep the same tax rate for its citizens thelast several years even though the inflationary spiral within our economy has been the greatest in modern history. In order to keep the Solid Waste Department on a self-sustaining basis as has been accomplished during the last several years, we are recommending that the garbage service charge be increased by $025 per month, This will bring in approximately $100,000 and will offset the rise in prices for materials, equipment and personal services. Revenues to support city funds are estimated at $23,132,832 for the 1974-75 fiscal year. This is a decrease of $1,072,975 below the 1973-74 estimated revenues. These revenues combined with interfund transfers and balances brought forward from pre- vious year's budgets would provide $30,845,466 for meeting the 1974-75 fiscal year expenditure requirements, Expenditures in this budget are estimated to be $27,232,610. This compares with estimated expenditures of $39,246,146 for 1973-74. The decrease in expenditures of some $12,013,536 results primarily because of a decrease in federal revenue sharing funds and the completion of the capital improvements program. In order to adequately fund this year's budget, we are carrying over some $420,000 from unexpended funds in the 1973-74 budget. This occurred as a result of the deferral of some expenditures which are included in the 1974-75 program and the unavailability of certain supplies and materials, and prudent expenditure practices on the part of city departments, -172- August 27, 1974 The City of Beaumont will be absorbing several expenses this year mandated by the state and federal government, These mandated expendit4re4 have consumed the major portion of our new revenues in the general government for next fiscal year. Work- men's compensation was made to apply to local governments effective July 1, 1974. The initial cost of this program is approximately $225,000, Effective May 1, 1974, Fair Labor Standards Act was made applicable to municipalities. This will add substantially to the increased cost of the city's operation primarily because of the compulsory payment for hours worked in excess of 40 hours per week. The State Legislature also provided state-wide collective bargaining for fire- fighters and police officers on a local option basis, The citizens of Beaumont voted in the May general election to approve such an arrangement, While the im- pact of collective bargaining will not be felt during this fiscal year, it can be assumed based on past experience of other cities that it will add to the financial burden of the city in forthcoming years. In addition, state law now provides 90 matching pension benefits for employees belonging to the Firemen's Pension Fund. This will impose a cost to the city in the amount of $72,842 during the 1974-75 fiscal year. The State Legislature also provided for an increase from $3,50 to $4.00 per month longevity pay for all firefighters and police officers, to be- come effective January 1, 1975, The above are examples of state and federal actions which impose an increased financial burden on local government, This is, of course, above and beyond the spiraling inflation over which we have no control. The city is the recipient of approximately $500,000 in federal funds to provide for increased employment opportunities within the city organization, Due to the availability of these funds, there will be more budgeted slots for personnel in this year's budget. There is the possibility, however, that some of the federal funds will be discontinued prior to the end of the 1974-75 fiscal year, In this event, the city will be faced with having to either absorb the affected employees into the general operating budget or to discontinue the employment of these persons. The members of the City Council have expressed a desire to expand the tax assessing and collection efforts as well as more actively pursue the demolition of dangerous structures throughout the city, Five persons and necessary equipment have been ad- ded to the Street Department to provide the means necessary to carry out the demol- ition of these structures, Emphasis on the assessing of properties and the collec- tion of delinquent taxes has caused the addition of two persons for tax appraisals, These and the street personnel will be federally funded initially with the possibil- ity of the city having to absorb these persons at some future date. Although the City will realize no direct benefit by increased assessing activities this year, it will initiate an aggressive program for equalization of property and increased reven- ues in the future, In order to expand the collection of delinquent taxes, the ad- ministrative assistant in the legal office has been transferred in this budget to the Tax Department to assist in this effort, It is hoped that the Beaumont Indepen- dent School District will shortly join the city in a cooperative effort directed to- ward the delinquent tax collection, The Municipal Airport has been included for the first time in the Traffic and Trans- portation Department, Funding in the amount of $54,700 is provided for the renova- tion of the present terminal building and engineering services on which to base a re- quest for a federal grant for the upgrading of general aviation in this area. Included in this budget is the establishment of a sand pit operation for the solid waste landfill activity, Staff studies indicate that considerable savings in cost of sand resulting from this operation should pay for the equipment investment with- in three years. A subsidy of $145,000 is included for the Transit System due to the pressure of inflation on materials and supplies, This along with general increases in mate-L-2ais and supplies in all departments necessitates the reduction of the Contingency kc- count to $50,000 as compared to $150,000 provided in the 1973-74 budget, Included in this year's budget is a 10% cost of living increase for all full-time permanent city employees. In order to fund this increase, it is necessary that the current classification-compensatio ► plan be frozen, The U. S. Civil Service Commission is presently developing an updated plan which should be compAted near the end of the current calendar year. It is hoped that this plan will establish -173- August 27, 1974 the proper relationship between jobs within the city organization and that it will provide competitive rates of pay with the local job market, If this plan is accepted by the staff and adopted by the City Council, it is hoped that funding will be available for full implementation of the plan during this fiscal year, We are requesting no new personnel in this budget to be funded with general govern- ment operating funds . All new personnel included in the budget are funded out of Federal Manpower Revenue Sharing funds. We are continuing the revenue sharing program as laid out by the Council in pre- vious budgets. This year we anticipate the construction of Delaware from Eastex Freeway to Dowlen and Dowlen Road from Delaware to Phelan Boulevard. Included in this budget is the Five Year Capital Budget as required by the City Charter. The capital budget is presented as an updated and projected report of capital improvement programs currently funded. Adoption of a comprehensive plan in the near future will lay the foundation on which to base a more complete capi- tal budget. The proposed 1974-75 budget and work program for the City of Beaumont is directed toward maintaining essentially the same level of service as was provided during the past fiscal year, It has, in addition, expanded to some degree, two areas in which the Council has expressed concern, these being the area of tax assessing and collecting and demolition of dangerous structures, During this fiscal year, in spite of adverse economy and an unstable labor climate, the first major projects growing out of the 1971 Capital Improvements Bond Program will become a reality, It is due to the planning, dedication and hard work of the City Council and staff along with the support of the citizens that the City of Beau- mont is moving forward. Through the continued combined cooperative efforts of the City Council and the citizens of this community, the 1974-75 fiscal year can become the second plateau in the development of a long-range and far-reaching program to improve the quality of life and to provide a high level of service to the entire City. I would like to take this opportunity to thank the City Council for their many hours spent with the staff in review of this budget and more particularly for their com- ments and input into this document, I would also like to thank the staff and in particular the Finance Department for the work done on this budget, Respectfully submitted, /s/ Kenneth R. Devero Kenneth R. Devero City Manager KRD:jj" Citizens ' portion of the hearing follows : Mr. Walt Kaczmarz, 8755 Homer, addressed the Council to request that at least three items proposed under the CAP Program be included in the budget and paid cash for to save interest costs. Mayor Ritter explained that, even if money could be found to be used for these purposes, citizens should be allowed to vote to determine which proposals should be funded. --000- Mr. Ronald Walker, Attorney, 888 Pearl Street, addressed the Council to request consideration be given the Police Department for higher salaries and compensa- tion for education. -000- -174- August 27 , 1974 Mr. Robert Griem, West Coast Council for International Brotherhood of Police Officers, Burbank, California, addressed the Council to request that considera- tion be given for higher salaries for the Police Department. -000- No other citizens addressed the Council concerning the Budget. Other citizens to address the Council on other matters were: Mrs. Dorothy Amaimo, 5625 Spencer, addressed the Council to request that places be designated by the City for motorbikes and motorcycles so they would not have to ride them on City streets. A lengthy discussion by Council was held concerning the liability involved in such areas and, because of the nuisance caused by some of the riders, the neces- sity to consider an ordinance prohibiting the riding of such in certain areas. Mr. Jim-McPherson, First Christian Church, addressed the Council to say that motorbike riders took over the Church grounds on Sunday afternoons and urged the Council to pass the ordinance they are considering. Rev. Harry Robinson, Associate Pastor, First Christian Church, addressed the Council to urge passage of the ordinance they are considering. Bobby Page, Scout from Troup 20, addressed the Council saying that he thought it dangerous to ride motorbikes on the LNVA Canal and was glad they had fenced the area. -000- There being no further business, the meeting was adjourned. -000- 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 27, 1974. Myrtle Corgey City Clerk -175- August 27 , 1974