HomeMy WebLinkAboutMIN DEC 14 1976 REGULAR SESSION
CITY COUNCIL - CITY OF BEAUMONT
HELD DECEMBER 14 , 1976
BE IT REMEMBERED that the City Council of the City of Beaumont, Texas,
met in regular session this the 14th day of December, 1976 , with .the
following present:
HONORABLE: Don Cash Councilman, Ward I
Calvin Williams Councilman, Ward III
Acting Mayor Pro Tem
Leroy Evans Councilman, Ward IV
Absent: Ken Ritter Mayor
Vi McGinnis Councilwoman, Ward II
Howard McDaniel City Manager
Kenneth Wall City Attorney
Myrtle Corgey City Clerk
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The Invocation was given by the Reverend Byron G. Crocker, St. Stephens
Episcopal Church.
The Pledge of Allegiance was led by Councilman Cash.
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One proclamation was issued: "Hebert Panthers State Champions Day in
Beaumont" - December 14 , 1976.
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The Minutes of the regular City Council session held December 7 , 1976 ,
were approved on a motion made by Councilman Evans and seconded by Coun-
cilman Cash.
Question: Ayes : All Nayes : None
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Resolution 76-352 authorizing the award of bid for furnishing concessions
for the Civic Center Complex facilities to S & S Food Distributors of
Pt. Neches, Texas, for 15 years, was approved on a motion made by Coun-
cilman Cash and seconded by Councilman Evans.
Question: Ayes: All Nayes : None
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Resolution 76-353 authorizing the award of bid for furnishing 5 ,000 feet
of fire hose for the Fire Department to Fire Fox Corporation (2�" fire
hose - $4,740. 00) and Arlington Equipment Company (1h" fire hose -
$2 ,160. 00) was approved on a motion made by Councilman Evans and seconded
by Councilman Cash.
Question: Ayes: All Nayes: None
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Resolution 76-354 authorizing the award of bid for furnishing hot mix
road materials for the Street Department to Keown Supply Company for orie
year to expire January 1, 1978 , was approved on a motion made by Council-
man Cash and seconded by Councilman Evans. .
Question: Ayes: All Nayes: None
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-196- December 14, 1976
A resolution authorizing the award of bid for furnishing an annual con-
tract for meter yokes and corporation stops for the Water Utilities De-
partment to East Texas Service Corporation and Western Pipe and Supply
Company was considered:
Councilman Evans made a motion to approve; motion died for lack of se-
cond.
Councilman Cash asked that the resolution be tabled until the next meet-
ing for more study; Councilman Evans seconded the motion to table.
Question: Ayes: All Nayes : None
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Resolution 76-355 authorizing the award of bid for furnishing an annual
contract for asbestos-cement pipe for the Water Utilities Department to
Western Pipe and Supply ($45,190. 80) was approved on a motion made by
Councilman Cash and seconded by Councilman Evans.
Question: Ayes : All Nayes: None
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Resolution 76-356 authorizing the award of bid for group health and life
insurance to Blue Cross/Blue Shield of Texas was approved on a motion made
by Councilman Cash and seconded by Councilman Evans.
Question: Ayes: All Nayes : None
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Resolution 76-357 authorizing payment to Beaumont Steel, Inc. for a por-
tion of land in the Cartwright Terrace Addition (Lots 2 & 3 , Block 36 -
Fourth Street Project, 2nd Phase, 071-74-102) was approved on a motion
made by Councilman Evans and seconded by Councilman Cash. (Cost - $31. 00)
Question: Ayes: All Nayes: None
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Resolution 76-358 reappointing Naaman Woodland, Mrs. Marian Rienstra and
Miss Louise Loomis for two-year terms beginning November 1, 1976 and
Forrest Griffin to fill the unexpired term of Gerald Klein was approved
on a motion made by Councilman Evans and seconded by Councilman Cash.
Question: Ayes: All Nayes: None
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Resolution 76-359 authorizing the purchase of Dresser-style bell joint
clamps ($1,691. 04) from Dresser Industries for the Water Utilities De-
partment was approved on a motion made by Councilman Evans and seconded
by Councilman Cash.
Question: Ayes : All Nayes: None
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Ordinance 76-137 correcting Ordinance No. 0-76-8, regarding the abandon-
ment of a portion of 17th Street, was considered:
ORDINANCE NO. 76-137
ENTITLED AN ORDINANCE CORRECTING ORDINANCE NO.
0-76-8 , VACATING AND ABANDONING A 60 ' X 379.69 '
PORTION OF 17TH STREET, IN THE VAN WORMER 2ND
ADDITION, BEAUMONT, JEFFERSON COUNTY, TEXAS, AS
DESCRIBED HEREIN, PROVIDING THAT SUCH PORTION
OF STREET RIGHT-OF-WAY BE RETAINED AS A GENERAL
UTILITY EASEMENT.
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The ordinance was approved on a motion made by Councilman Evans and secon'r-,
ded by Councilman Cash.
Question: Ayes : All Nayes: None
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Ordinance No. 138 setting rates of pay for the Police Department was con-
sidered: (7�% increase)
ORDINANCE NO. 76-138
ENTITLED AN ORDINANCE AMENDING CHAPTER 12 OF
THE CODE OF ORDINANCES OF THE CITY OF BEAUMONT,
TEXAS, BY AMENDING SECTION 12-19 TO PROVIDE
POSITIONS, PAY AND GRADES IN THE POLICE DEPART-
MENT; PROVIDING FOR AN EFFECTIVE DATE; PROVIDING
FOR SEVERABILITY AND PROVIDING FOR REPEAL.
The ordinance was approved on a motion made by Councilman Cash and secon-
ded by Councilman Evans.
Question: Ayes : All Nayes: None
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Ordinance No. 76-139 amending the budget of the City of Beaumont and amend-
ing Chapter 12 of the Code of Ordinances setting the number of positions
in the Fire Department was considered:
ORDINANCE NO. 76-139
ENTITLED AN ORDINANCE AMENDING CHAPTER 12 ,
SECTION 12-20 AMENDING THE POSITIONS IN THE
FIRE DEPARTMENT IN GRADES I, II AND III;
AMENDING THE BUDGET OF THE CITY OF BEAUMONT
FOR THE FISCAL PERIOD BEGINNING OCTOBER 1,
1976 , AND ENDING SEPTEMBER 30, 1977, TO PRO-
VIDE THE NUMBER OF PERSONS IN EACH POSITION
IN THE FIRE DEPARTMENT; PROVIDING AN EFFECTIVE
DATE; PROVIDING FOR SEVERABILITY AND PROVIDING
FOR REPEAL.
The ordinance was approved on a motion made by Councilman Cash and secon-
ded by Councilman Evans.
Question: Ayes : All Nayes: None
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Resolution 76-360 authorizing the execution of a release of judgment to
W. Royce Bertrand dba University Florist ($31. 02) and Renzer Lewis
($926. 95) was approved on a motion made by Councilman Cash and seconded
by Councilman Evans.
Question: Ayes : All Nayes : None
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Two ordinances authorizing the City' s participation in enhancement bene-
fits with the Texas Municipal Retirement System were considered:
ORDINANCE NO. 76-140
ENTITLED AN ORDINANCE PROVIDING FOR AND
ALLOWING VESTING OF CERTAIN RIGHTS, AND FOR
RETIREMENT UNDER TEXAS MUNICIPAL RETIREMENT
SYSTEM OF EMPLOYEES OF THE CITY OF BEAUMONT
WHO HAVE ATTAINED FIFTY (50) YEARS OF AGE
AND HAVE COMPLETED TWENTY-FIVE (25) YEARS
OF CREDITABLE SERVICE WITH SAID CITY.
This ordinance was approved on a motion made by Councilman Cash and secon-
ded by Councilman Evans.
Question: Ayes : All Nayes : None
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ORDINANCE NO. 76-141
ENTITLED AN ORDINANCE DETERMINING TO GRANT,
PROVIDING FOR AND ALLOWING, UNDER THE ACT
GOVERNING THE TEXAS MUNICIPAL RETIREMENT
SYSTEM, "UPDATED SERVICE CREDIT" IN SAID
SYSTEM FOR SERVICE PERFORMED BY QUALIFYING
MEMBERS OF SUCH SYSTEM IN THE EMPLOYMENT OF
THE CITY OF BEAUMONT; ELECTING AND PRESCRIBING
THE EFFECTIVE DATE OF SUCH UPDATED SERVICE
CREDITS; AUTHORIZING AND PROVIDING FOR AL-
LOWANCE OF INCREASES, AS HEREIN PROVIDED, IN
MONTHLY BENEFITS PAYABLE BY TEXAS MUNICIPAL
RETIREMENT SYSTEM, AFTER THE EFFECTIVE DATE
HEREIN SPECIFIED, TO RETIRED EMPLOYEES AND TO
BENEFICIARIES OF DECEASED EMPLOYEES, UNDER
CURRENT SERVICE ANNUITIES ARISING FROM SERVICE
OF SUCH EMPLOYEES TO THIS CITY.
The ordinance was approved on a motion made by Councilman Evans and se-
conded by Councilman Cash.
Question: Ayes: All Nayes : None
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Resolution 76-361 granting consent to inclusion of land lying within the
City' s extraterritorial jurisdiction to be included in a municipal util-
ity district (Northwest Forest Municipal Utility District to Sabine In-
vestment Company of Texas - Bevil Oaks area) was approved on a motion
made by Councilman Cash and seconded by Councilman Evans.
Question: Ayes: All Nayes: None
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Mr. Larry N. Williams, 8620 Kimberly, representing Local 399 , International
Association of Fire Fighters, addressed Council in opposition to the action
taken concerning the setting of the number of positions in the Fire Depart-
ment.
Mr. Leantha J. Redd, 2720 San Antonio, Executive Secretary of the Beaumont
Chapter of N.A.A.C.P. , asked that he and a group of clergymen be able to
meet with the City Council and Manager concerning a citizen complaint
against the Police Department. Meeting to follow this session.
Mr. Walt Kaczmarz, 8755 Homer, addressed Council to question present Fire
Department salaries and those recently granted by Jury. He then asked
procedures required for calling an election for the elimination of Col-
lective Bargaining.
Mrs. Juanita Johnson, 2595 Rusk, asked questions concerning computations
of Fire Department, Grade I, salaries.
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There being no further business, the meeting was recessed before contin-
uing with the Council Workshop session.
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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 City Council
session held December 14 , 1976.
Myrtle Corgey
City Clerk
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EXCERPT FROM REGULAR CITY COUNCIL
SESSION HELD DECEMBER 14 , 1976
COUNCILMAN WILLIAMS - ACTING MAYOR PRO TEM:
At this time, we would recognize any citizen who would like to address
the Council. We would ask that you give your name and address and that
your remarks be kept pertinent to City business.
LARRY WILLIAMSi FIRE FIGHTERS LOCAL 399 :
My name is Larry Williams. I reside at 8620 Kimberly, City of Beaumont.
I would like to thank the Chair for recognizing me and also giving me
an equal opportunity to relate to some of the matters that were passed
this morning -- seeing as how I was denied the right to discuss or offer
discussion on a motion that other people were afforded the right to do
so before a motion was voted on.
A point of clarification, if I might . . . On Item 13 , which I think is
appropriately numbered for this agenda, I would like to know at what
salaries these individuals would be paid that are being demoted, if
the Council could answer this?
HOWARD MCDANIEL, CITY MANAGER:
They' ll . . they' ll be paid at the rate specified for those respective
grades.
LARRY WILLIAMS:
Am I to understand, then, that, in effect, some 58 men will be taking a
$100.00 a month cut -- another 15 will be . . . their salaries will be
cut $200. 00 a month?
CITY MANAGER:
Yes, until the litigation is resolved, that' s correct.
LARRY WILLIAMS:
In fact., then, the City will be saving more money by reducing these men
in rank, is that correct?
CITY MANAGER:
Yes, as indicated earlier, it would result in about a $61,000 annual
savings.
LARRY WILLIAMS:
One other question -- I believe that you are demoting 58 men in Grade II
which is stipulated as being a Pump Operator -and a Driver; is this not
correct?
CITY MANAGER:
T;»t' s correct.
LARRY WILLIAMS:
In fact, now, the City of Beaumont has no one to drive their Fire trucks?
CITY MANAGER:
There will be people driving fire trucks who will be in Grade I.
LARRY WILLIAMS:
Oh, in other words, we are not only reducing the rank, we are reducing . . .
we are adding responsibilities to the men in the lower rank, right?
EXCERPT FROM REGULAR CITY COUNCIL
SESSION HELD DECEMBER 14 , 1976 Page 2
CITY MANAGER:
I guess it could be construed in that manner.
LARRY WILLIAMS:
Well, I just wanted to express my opinion that I am adamantly opposed to
such action. I think it is a true picture of the administration of this
City that they have no intent and no desire to deal fairly with the Fire
fighters of this City when, by action of the Council today, you have in
fact not only detrimented the City of Beaumont and its citizens by re-
ducing the fire protection but you have demoralized the members of the
Beaumont Fire Department by such action and I hope you can sleep tonight
with that in mind. Thank you.
COUNCILMAN WILLIAMS:
Anyone else like to address the Council? . . . . . .
END OF EXCERPT.