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Home My WebLink AboutMIN FEB 24 1981 REGULAR SESSION CITY COUNCIL - CITY OF BEAUMONT HELD FEBRUARY 24 , 1981 BE IT REMEMBERED that the City Council of the City of Beaumont , Texas , met in regular session this the 24th day of February, 1981 , with the following present : HONORABLE : Maurice Meyers Mayor Tom Combs, Jr. Councilman , Ward I Evelyn M. Lard Councilman, Ward II Calvin Williams Councilman , Ward III Wayne Turner Councilman_ , Ward IV Ray Riley City Manager R. E . Platt Asst City Manager Lane Nichols ,Asst . City Attorney Myrtle Corgey City Clerk --000- The Invocation was given by the Reverend Frank Kemendo, First Church of the Nazarene . The Pledge of Allegiance was led by Councilman Williams . -000- Mayor Meyers issued the following proclamation ; "National Society of Professional Engineers Week in Beaumont" - February 22-28 , 1981 . Mr . Selevenes Wytt , born January 5 , 1875 , was recognized and welcomed to today 's session. -000- Service Pins were presented to the following employees : Those receiving pins for 15 years of service were : Lillian S . Thomas, Senior Secretary , City Clerk',s Office ; Frances E. Norsworthy , Senior Records Clerk, Building Inspection ; Roy Arline , Senior Maintenance Worker, Sanitation Department ; Carl W. Gilford , Re- fuse Collector, Sanitation Department ; Tommy S. Beaty , Fire Fighter , Fire Department ; Calvin R. Goodman , Fire Captain, Fire Department ; Henry E. Hebert , Fire Fighter, Fire Department , Clyde Goodwill , Senior Equipment Operator , Streets ; Sidney B. Gunn , Senior Equipment Operator , Streets.; Henry Marshall , Jr . , Senior Equipment Operator , Leader , Streets ; Jesse Boudreaux , Water Meter Repairer , Water Distribution ; A. Z . Burk- halter , Water/Sewer Line Maintenance Foreman , Water Distribution . Those receiving pins for 20 years of service were : Robert E. Sisk, Warehouse Supervisor , Purchasing ; Wallace Dugas , Jr . , Equipment operator , Sanitation Department ; Richard Bourg, Fire Captain , Fire Department ; Harry Frederick, Fire Fighter , Fire Department ; James E . Goss, Fire Captain , Fire Department ; Charles J. Perrio , Fire Fighter , Fire Department ; Walter J. Maywood , Fire Fighter , Fire Department ; Eddie E. Shamp , District Fire Chief , Fire Department ; John D. Wilder , Fire En- gineer, Fire Department ; Wayne Willett , Fire Captain , Fire Department ; Charles F. Alford, Police Sergeant , Police Department ; W. E. Cook, Pa- trolman, Police Department ; Harold P. Engstrom, Police Lieutenant , Police Department ; and Ed Thompson , Engineering Department . -000- -25- February 24 , 1981 The following Consent Agenda items were considered : Approval of the Minutes of the regular City Council session held February 17 , 1981 ; Resolution 81-75 authorizing final payment of $29 , 528 .. 10 to Gary Clark Contractors , Inc . for the animal shelter construction contract ; Resolution 81-76 authorizing purchase of a backhoe at a cost of $5 ,041 . 00 and a loader at a cost of $3 , 675 . 00 for a Fire Department tractor from Oil City Tractors , Inc. ; Resolution 81-77 authorizing purchase of softballs from Bruce Wiggins Sport Shop at a cost of $4 , 080 . 00; Resolution 81-78 awarding a contract for the installation of four (4) galvanized farm gates on LVNA Canal levee roads at FM 3120 for the Public Works Department from Hagan Fence Company at a cost of $850. 00 ; Resolution 81-79 authorizing purchase of soil pipe no-hub assemblies and flexible couplings of various sizes from S .P. I . Municipal Supply Company ; Resolution 81-80 authorizing a maintenance contract for elevators in various City buildings with Houston Elevator Service at a cost of $6, 120. 00; Resolution 81-81 authorizing a one-year renewal of a contract with EXXON Company for fuel at Municipal Airport ; and Resolution 81-82 authorizing execution of a grant application to the Crimi- nal Justice Division of the Governor ' s Office for second-year funding for Police Records Analysis Systems Project . The Consent Agenda was approved on a motion made by Councilman Combs and seconded by Councilman Lord. Question : Ayes : All Nayes : None -000- Resolution 81-83 requesting additional rail safety inspectors was read in full : RESOLUTION 81-83 WHEREAS , South East Texas is blanketed by a network of railways reaching into many business and residential communities ; and WHEREAS , there have been many neglected violations of railway main- tenance and construction found in the area, most recently by the Federal Administration ; and, WHEREAS , there is a very limited number of federal rail safety in- spectors serving this portion of the country , and in order to meet the pro- blem of inspecting and repairing the hundreds of miles of substandard and dangerous railroad tracks in Texas , more inspectors are needed to protect the lives and property of our residents ; and , WHEREAS , the Railroad Commission , in its budget request for the 1982-83 bienium, has requested a state expenditure of $231 , 366 in order to meet a matching federal grant in the same amount ; and , WHEREAS, if this funding is obtained, up to eight additional rail- road safety inspectors could be hired to inspect railroad tracks and rolling stock in Texas ; and, WHEREAS , there is a very urgent need for additional inspectors , par- ticularly in the Beaumont area because of the large amount of hazardous and dangerous chemical products transported through our City - and surrounding area , and because of the close proximity of these rail shipments to the numerous refineries and petrochemical plants ; and, WHEREAS , a derailment due to faulty track conditions could present a disastrous situation , one that additional inspectors may help to prevent . NOW, THEREFORE , BE IT RESOLVED that the Texas State Legislature, with the support of Governor William P. Clements authorize and appropriate funds to provide the capability to inspect the rail-ways of the State of Texas . -26- February 24 , 1981 (Resolution 81-83 continued) PASSED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF BEAUMONT , this the 24th day of February , 1981 . /s/ Maurice Meyers Mayor Resolution 81-83 was approved on a motion made by Councilman Combs and seconded by Councilman Williams . Question : Ayes : All Nayes : None -000- Resolution 81-84 authorizing a contract for construction of Phase I of the 1981 Street Rehabilitation and Resurfacing Program with W. R. Boyd , Inc . , at a cost of $778 , 004 . 76 was approved on a motion made by Council- man Turner and seconded by Councilman Combs . Question : Ayes : All Nayes : None -000- Resolution 81-85 awarding a contract for construction of a 400 ' radio communications tower at the Waterworks Plant to TWR Telecom, Inc . , at a cost of $61 , 054 . 15 was approved on a motion made by Councilman Williams and seconded by Councilman Combs . Question : Ayes -, All Nayes ; None ' 000- Ordinance No . 81-13 abandoning an alley in Block 34 , North Blanchette First Addition was considered : ORDINANCE NO. 81-13 ENTITLED AN ORDINANCE VACATING AND ABAN- DONING A PORTION OF AN ALLEY LOCATED IN BLOCK 34 , NORTH BLANCHETTE FIRST ADDITION, BEAUMONT, JEFFERSON COUNTY, TEXAS , AS DESCRIBED HEREIN. The ordinance was approved on a motion made by Councilman Combs and secon- ded by Councilman Lord. Question : Ayes : All Nayes : None -000- A resolution authorizing purchase of a year 's supply of chemicals (Alumi- num Sulfate , Hydrated Lime and Liquid Chlorine) for the Water Utilities Department was considered. A motion to approve the Resolution was made by Councilman Lord and seconded by Councilman Williams . A discussion was held concerning the cost for Aluminum Sulfate . Motion and second to approve the resolution were with- drawn . A motion to table the Resolution for further consideration was made by Councilman Turner and seconded by Councilman Lord. Question : Ayes : All Nayes : None -000- Resolution 81-86 authorizing purchase of two forklifts (one - 6, 000 lb . capacity for use by Fleet Maintenance at a cost of $22 , 255 . 00 and one 4 , 000 lb. capacity for use by Water Utilities at a cost of $14 , 995 . 00) from Southline Equipment Company at a total cost of $37 , 250. 00 was approved on a motion made by Councilman Combs and seconded by Councilman Turner. Question : Ayes : All Nayes : None -000-- -27- February 24 , 1981 Ordinance No . 81-14 authorizing acquisition of a leasehold interest in Temperance Hall and authorizing sale of the property to Central City Development Corporation was considered : ORDINANCE NO. 81-14 ENTITLED AN ORDINANCE AUTHORIZING ACQUISI- TION OF THE LEASEHOLD ESTATE IN THE TEMPER-_ ANCE HALL PROPERTY AND AUTHORIZING CONVEYANCE OF THE PROPERTY TO THE CENTRAL CITY DEVELOP- MENT CORPORATION FOR THE DEVELOPMENT OF A PARKING LOT; AND PROVIDING FOR SEVERABILITY. In response to a question by Council concerning decertification of Temper- ance Hall as a protected building of historical significance , Mrs . Suzie Z' Juncker told Council that the City and the Beaumont Heritage Society had acted in good faith toward decertification and that the Society was no Zn longer protecting the building. The ordinance was approved on a motion made by Councilman Combs and secon- ded by Councilman Lord . Question : Ayes : All Nayes : None -000- Resolution 81-87 authorizing acquisition of 6 . 65 acres of the former Jef- ferson County TB Hospital property (Tract 1) and execution of an agreement leasing the tract to the Beaumont Art Museum (cost of acquisition is $85 , 000. 00) was approved on a motion made by Councilman Lord and seconded by Councilman Combs . Question : Ayes : All Nayes : None -000- Ordinance No . 81-15 designating the Jefferson County TB Hospital property as a place of cultural importance and allowing the operation of a new art museum was considered : ORDINANCE NO. 81-15 ENTITLED AN ORDINANCE DESIGNATING A PORTION OF BLOCK 2 OF THE FRENCH SUBDIVISION AS A PLACE OF CULTURAL IMPORTANCE ; PROVIDING REG- LATIONS APPLICABLE THERETO; AMENDING THE ZONING MAP OF THE CITY OF BEAUMONT TO PERMIT THE OPERATION OF AN ART MUSEUM UPON SAID TRACT OF LAND; PROVIDING FOR SEVERABILITY; AND PRO- VIDING A PENALTY. The ordinance was approved on a motion made by Councilman Combs and secon- ded by Councilman Lord . Question - Ayes : All Nayes : None -000- The regular City Council session was recessed before calling a public hearing for dilapidated structures . Public Hearing for dilapidated structures was opened. Mr . George Gardner, Urban Rehabilitation Administrator , told Council that all the below-listed structures are in violation of Article IT! , Section 14-50 and 14-51 of the Dangerous Structures Ordinance of the City of Beau- mont , Texas , and that all notification procedures have been met : 1570 ANNIE - Mr . Rinzer Lewis , owner (7 violations) , recommendation to raze or repair within 30 days ; 619 BLANCHETTE - Aubrey , Jr . and W. S . Dick- son , owner (13 violations) , recommendation to raze within 30 days ; 1155 BUFORD STREET (REAR) - David E. O' Fiel , owner (15 violations) , recommenda- tion to raze within 30 days; 1530 BURT (FRONT) - Robert M. Duron , owner ( 13 violations , recommendation to raze or repair within 30 days ; 11175 CHURCH - Bobby Parham, owner ( 12 violations) , recommendation to raze or repair within 30 days ; 2515 DENVER (FRONT & REAR) - Brittney Bodwin , owner ( 19 violations -28- February 24 , 1981 each) , recommendation to raze within 30 days ; 1550 & 1560 GRAY - Ms . Ruby Langham, owner (7 violations) , recommendation to raze or repair within 30 days ; ( *Councilman Williams left the meeting) 7210 HELBIG ROAD - Mrs . Mary Puccio Genaro , owner (23 violations) , recommendation to raze within 30 days ; 2075 HEMLOCK - Davis Walters , owner (4 vioaltions) , recommendation to raze or repair within 30 days ; 845 LINCOLN - United investment Group , owner ( 11 violations) , recommendation to raze or repair within 30 days ; 4026 MAGNOLIA - Ms . Mollie Bean , owner (15 violations) , recommendation to raze or repair within 30 days ; and 3365 TEXAS - Garland Blaylock, owner (13 vio- lations) , recommendation to raze or repair within 30 days . A motion to approve the recommendations was made by Councilman Lord and se- conded by Councilman Combs . Question : Ayes : All Nayes * None The public hearing was closed . The regular City Council session was continued : Ordinance No . 81-16 declaring certain dilapidated structures to be public nuisances and requiring their repair or removal was considered : ORDINANCE NO. 81-16 ENTITLED AN ORDINANCE FINDING CERTAIN STRUCTURES TO BE PUBLIC NUISANCES , OR- DERING REPAIR OR DEMOLITION FOR CERTAIN STRUCTURES ; ORDERING DEMOLITION FOR CER- TAIN STRUCTURES; ORDERING DEMOLITION BY THE CITY UNDER CERTAIN CONDITIONS ; PRO- VIDING A PENALTY; AND PROVIDING FOR SEV- ABILITY. The ordinance was approved on a motion made by Councilman Combs and se- conded by Councilman Turner. Question : Ayes : All Nayes : None -000- Councilman Lord expressed concern for the narrow bridge on Gladys at Bel- vedere and Fenwick. City Manager told Council that Traffic and Transpor- tation Department is already working toward a solution for the problem. -000- Mr . J . C. Leggett , 1849 Washington Blvd. , addressed Council to complain of a narrow bridge on Calder. Avenue , to compliment Council action concerning request for additional rail safety inspectors and to request repairs to College Street . College Williams returned to the meeting. ) -000- There being no further business , the meeting was recessed before continu- ing with the City Council Workshop Session. -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 City Council session held February 24, 1981 . Myrtle Corgey City Clerk -29- February 24 , 1981