HomeMy WebLinkAboutMIN SEPT 06 2005 M I N U T E S - CITY OF BEAUMONT
Lulu L. Smith,Ward I GUY N. GOODSON, MAYOR Nancy Beaulieu,Ward II
Andrew P. Cokinos,At-Large CITY COUNCIL MEETING Becky Ames,At-Large
Audwin Samuel, Mayor Pro Tem,Ward III September 6, 2005 Bobbie J. Patterson,Ward IV
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 September 6,2005,
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 1-3/Consent Agenda
Consent Agenda
Mayor Goodson called the council meeting to order at 1:30 p.m.
Mayor Pro Tern Samuel 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 Goodson, Mayor Pro Tern Samuel, Councilmembers Smith,
Beaulieu,Cokinos and Patterson. Absent:Councilmember Ames. Also presentwere Kyle Hayes,
City Manager; Tyrone Cooper, City Attorney; Rose Ann Jones, City Clerk.
Proclamations, Presentations, Recognitions
None
Public Comment: Persons may speak on scheduled agenda items 1- 3/Consent Agenda.
None
CONSENT AGENDA
Approval of minutes - Minutes of August 30, 2005
Confirmation of committee appointments - None
A) Approve the purchase of a 2006 Ford F450 cab and chassis for use in the Fire Department
- Resolution 05-194
B) Authorize the acceptance of a ten foot(10')wide water line easement providing access for
fire prevention services - Resolution 05-195
C) Approve the sale of City-owned surplus property - Resolution 05-196
September 6,2005
Councilmember Samuel made a motion to approve the Consent Agenda. Councilmember
Beaulieu seconded the motion.
AYES: MAYOR GOODSON, MAYOR PRO TEM SAMUEL, COUNCILMEMBERS
SMITH, BEAULIEU, COKINOS AND PATTERSON
NAYS: NONE
MOTION PASSED
GENERAL BUSINESS
1. Consider approving a five-year agreement with PharmaCare Management Services,
Inc. relating to the City's prescription drug program - Resolution 05-197
Administration recommended that council award a five-year agreement with
PharmaCare Management Services, Inc., effective January 1, 2006, as the City's
Pharmacy Benefit Manager (PBM). Thereafter, this agreement may renew each
year for an annual period not to exceed five (5) years.
For FY 2005, City drug costs are estimated to total $1.8 million which is
approximately a twelve percent (12%) increase. This increase is representative of
industry trends which predicted a 12-14%increase in pharmaceutical costs for 2005.
Industry trends predict a 14-15% increase in pharmaceutical costs in 2006.
In June 2005, City staff began analyzing the City's prescription drug costs and
requested bid proposals from pharmacy companies for a five (5) year contract with
an effective date of January 1, 2006.
After evaluating the bid proposals, City staff, McGriff and PSG concluded that
PharmaCare, the incumbent carrier, offered the most cost effective program. The
proposed fee structure includes generous percentage discounts to be applied to the
Average Wholesale Price(AWP)of retail and mail order brand pharmaceuticals and
percentage discounts to be applied to the Maximum Allowable Cost (MAC) of
generic drugs for both retail and mail order.
The pricing structures proposed by PharmaCare and WHI project a savings of
approximately 3%from the current pricing structure. PharmaCare,the City's current
PBM, offered a five (5)year guaranteed rate contract, whereas WHI offered a three
(3) year contract.
The current 30% co-pay plan design for City employees will remain the same.
Appropriation of funds is available in the Employee Benefits Fund.
Councilmember Beaulieu moved to ADOPT RESOLUTION 05-197 TO APPROVE A FIVE-
YEAR AGREEMENT,WITH THE OPTION TO RENEW EACH YEAR FOR AN ANNUAL PERIOD NOT
TO EXCEED FIVE (5) YEARS, WITH PHARMACARE MANAGEMENT SERVICES, INC.,
EFFECTIVE JANUARY 1, 2006, AS THE CITY'S PHARMACY BENEFIT MANAGER (PBM).
Councilmember Smith seconded the motion.
Page 2 of 7 September 6,2005
AYES: MAYOR GOODSON, MAYOR PRO TEM SAMUEL, COUNCILMEMBERS
SMITH, BEAULIEU, COKINOS AND PATTERSON
NAYS: NONE
MOTION PASSED
2. Consider approving a three-year contract with Fort Dearborn for Long Term
Disability Insurance - Resolution 05-198
Administration recommended that Council award a three-year contract effective
January 1, 2006 to Fort Dearborn for Long Term Disability Insurance.
Long term disability is an employee paid benefit offered to Police and Civilian
employees with approximately 594 eligible employees participating. This benefit will
provide the employee with up to 60% of his or her salary when disabled for a period
in excess of 90 days.
Fort Dearborn, the lowest bidder, will provide a three year rate guarantee for the
same benefit coverage as provided by the incumbent carrier, Prudential. Fort
Dearborn's proposed rates are 38% less then Prudential's.
Councilmember Cokinos made a motion to APPROVE RESOLUTION 05-198 TO APPROVE
A THREE (3)YEAR CONTRACT WITH FORT DEARBORN FOR LONG TERM DISABILITY
INSURANCE. Councilmember Beaulieu seconded the motion.
AYES: MAYOR GOODSON, MAYOR PRO TEM SAMUEL, COUNCILMEMBERS
SMITH, BEAULIEU, COKINOS AND PATTERSON
NAYS: NONE
MOTION PASSED
3. Consider authorizing the City Manager to execute an extension of the Beaumont
Community Players' Development and Lease Agreement
Administration recommended authorizing the City Manager to execute a two-year
extension to the current Development and Lease Agreement with the Beaumont
Community Players (BCP)for the construction of a new community theater on City-
owned property.
Council authorized a Development and Lease Agreement with BCP on August 8,
2000 for the construction and lease of a new community theater located on City-
owned property. BCP proposed to raise funds needed for the design and
construction of a 13,000 square foot theater. The proposed facility was to seat 250
to 300 patrons in an auditorium-style arrangement and provide additional rooms for
meetings, dinner plays, rehearsals, administrative offices, costume and scene
shops, and storage.
The terms of the agreement require the City to provide a site at the corner of
College and Orleans Streets upon which the new theater is to be constructed. Upon
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completion of construction, BCP will donate the theater to the City, then lease the
facility back for a twenty-year period for a nominal $10 per year fee.
The agreement provided a two-year period for construction to commence. BCP
believes that the events of September 11, 2001, slowed the momentum of its capital
campaign, resulting in its request for the City to provide additional time for the
project.
In 2002, 2003, and 2004, BCP requested and received such extensions. This was
due to the fact that BCP needed more time to raise the estimated $2.5 million
required for construction.
BCP is again requesting an extension of the lease agreement, in order to raise
funds. BCP is now considering developing the theater complex in two phases. The
first phase would include the theater and cost about $1.2 million. The offices and
ancillary uses would be built in the second phase and cost about$1.3 million. BCP
is proposing to include some additional office space suitable for lease to other local
organizations in its second phase.
The extension changes the agreement to allow the City to retain the rights to set
rental rates and collect the rents generated from the lease of any additional office
space that is included in the project.
Once the building is constructed and ownership is transferred to the City, the City
will be responsible for maintenance and utility expenses for its operation. The utility
costs for the complex are estimated to exceed $65,000 per year. After the second
phase of construction is complete, some of these costs will be offset by rents
collected from other organizations that office in the facility.
Following discussion, it was agreed to table this item until Management has
had a chance to renegotiate this agreement.
4. PUBLIC HEARING: Receive comments relating to the proposed FY 2006 Budget
and the 2005 (FY 2006) Proposed Tax Rate
Public hearing was opened at 2:03 p.m. and closed at 2:05 p.m.
Public Comments: None
Administration recommended that Council hold a joint public hearing as scheduled
on the proposed FY 2006 Budget and the 2005 (FY 2006) Proposed Tax Rate of
$0.659. In accordance with the Property Tax Code, the Council must make the
following announcement: The meeting to vote on the tax rate will be held on
September 20, 2005 at 1:30 p.m. in the Council Chambers.
The proposed FY 2006 Budget was submitted to Council on August 16, 2005 and
a work session was held on August 30, 2005. A public hearing was held on the
proposed budget on August 30, 2005. Because the public hearing on August 30,
2005 met the requirements of the City Charter but not state law, this second public
hearing is being held.
Page 4 of 7 September 6,2005
COUNCILMEMBER COMMENTS
COUNCILMEMBER PATTERSON - CONCERNED ABOUT THE EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT
OPERATIONS AT FORD PARK AND THE SERVICES BEING
PROVIDED TO THE EVACUEES AND THE MELTON YMCA;
APOLOGIZED FOR ANY INCONVENIENCE THEY ARE
EXPERIENCING FOR THIS MISUNDERSTANDING
MAYOR PRO TEM SAMUEL- WOULD LIKE THE CITY TO CONSIDER SOME CHANGES
WHERE THE EVACUEES MIGHT BE ABLE TO REHABILITATE
SOME OF THE DILAPIDATED STRUCTURES TO PROVIDE
PERMANENT HOUSING AS WELL AS THE CITY PROVIDING
SOME TYPE OF LOAN PROGRAM FOR THOSE WHO NEED
PERMANENT HOMES AT THIS TIME; COMMENDED THOSE AT
THE COMMAND CENTER AT FORD PARK ESPECIALLY THE
SABINE AREA CHIEFS ASSOCIATION; VISITED FORD PARK
AND WAS GLAD TO SEE THAT PERSONAL FEELINGS ARE
BEING PUT ASIDE FOR THE COMMON GOOD OF OTHERS AND
WORKING TOGETHER FOR THE BEST INTEREST OF THE
PEOPLE AND MAKING LIFE BETTER FOR SOMEBODY ELSE;
WOULD LIKE TO SEE SOME IMPROVEMENTS MADE TO THE
STERLING PRUITT CENTER AND WOULD LIKE ALL THE
FACILITIES IN THE CITY TO BE COMPATIBLE
COUNCILMEMBER COKINOS - NONE
COUNCILMEMBER BEAULIEU - WOULD LIKE TO SALUTE THE COURAGE IN THE FACE OF
ADVERSITY TO THE RESIDENTS OF LOUISIANA, MISSISSIPPI
AND ALABAMA WHICH SHOWS A TRUE DEMONSTRATION OF
THE AMERICAN SPIRIT THAT THEY HAVE THE COURAGE TO
KEEP IT ON; THANK YOU TO SOUTHEAST TEXAS FOR THEIR
GENEROUS SUPPORT TO HELP THESE EVACUEES AT THIS
TIME; PASSED ON A COMMENT FROM A RESIDENT THAT
WHEN JEFFERSON COUNTY HAD THEIR LAST EVACUATION,
THEY DID AN EXCELLENT JOB IN MAKING SURE THAT THOSE
WHO NEEDED TRANSPORTATION WERE PROVIDED WITH
CENTRALIZED LOCATIONS TO CATCH A BUS TO LEAVE AND
FELT THAT OUR CONGRESSMEN SHOULD TAKE THE
JEFFERSON COUNTY PLAN AND PUT IT BEFORE THE
HEARING COMMITTEE IN WASHINGTON AND TELL THEM THIS
IS HOW YOU SHOULD DO IT;APPRECIATES THE EMERGENCY
PERSONNEL FOR THEIR LONG, HARD HOURS DURING THIS
TIME; EXPRESSED WELCOME TO THOSE OUT OF STATE THAT
ARE HAVING TO MAKE THEIR LIVES HERE FOR THE MOMENT
COUNCILMEMBER SMITH - STATED THAT IT IS ALMOST IMPOSSIBLE TO SEE THE
VIOLENCE OF A STORM LIKE THIS AND ITS ALMOST LIKE A
MOVIE AND IS VERY PROUD OF OUR AREA AND THE JOB
DONE TO HELP THE PEOPLE FIND A PLACE TO STAY AND
CARE FOR THEM; HOPE THAT WE HAVE LEARNED SOME
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LESSONS FOR FUTURE DISASTERS AND PEOPLE SHOULD
LEAVE WHEN AUTHORITIES TELL PEOPLE TO EVACUATE;
THANKED EVERYONE FOR ALL THEIR EFFORTS AND THEIR
PRAYERS
MAYOR GOODSON - THANKED THE MAYOR PRO TEM FOR STANDING IN FOR HIM
WHILE HE WAS OUT OF TOWN AS WELL AS THE OTHER
COUNCILMEMBERS, THANKED THE CITY EMPLOYEES,
COUNTY EMPLOYEES,FIRE CHIEF BERTRAND,RED CROSS,
SALVATION ARMY,ALL THE CHURCHES AND VARIOUS CIVIC
ORGANIZATIONS FOR NOT ONLY THEIR GENEROSITY
FINANCIALLY BUT THEIR TIME; WE NEED TO CONTINUE TO
HELP OUR FRIENDS AS THEY HAVE MUCH AHEAD OF THEM SO
THAT THEIR BURDENS ARE AS MINIMAL AS POSSIBLE TO
HELP THEM REBUILD THEIR LIVES AS WELL AS
PROFESSIONAL AND BUSINESS LIVES; A WEB PAGE HAS
BEEN ESTABLISHED GETBACKTOBUSINESSFAST.COM TO
HELP THOSE REBUILD THEIR BUSINESS; WORKING WITH
HUD TO PROVIDE MORE PERMANENT HOUSING; WANTS TO
LOOK INTO THE IDEA OF REHABILITATION OF EXISTING
STRUCTURES FOR PERMANENT OWNERSHIP; APOLOGIZED
TO THOSE FOR ANY MISINFORMATION RECEIVED FROM FORD
PARK COMMAND CENTER FOR THOSE WHO DID NOT GET
THE UPDATED INFORMATION AS QUICKLYAS POSSIBLE;THE
COMMAND CENTER IS MAKING EVERY EFFORT TO GET THE
INFORMATION OUT TO THE MEDIA AND ALL SHELTERS
Public Comments (Persons are limited to three minutes)
Randy Martin 420 S. Caldwood Beaumont TX
Representative from Melton YMCA; felt that evacuee update information was not received
in a timely manner for their facility
Brenda Lemieux Melton YMCA, 3455 Sarah Beaumont TX
Evacuee from Louisiana; says her and her husband are just looking for a place to stay and
some temporary work in order to keep themselves
Randy Lemieux Melton YMCA, 3455 Sarah Beaumont TX
Evacuee from Louisiana; feels that FEMA needs more teams and more satellite stations
for quicker and easier processing of evacuee needs
The meeting adjourned at 2:40 p.m.
Page 6 of 7 September 6,2005
Audio tapes ar available upon request in the City Clerk's Office.
Guy N. Goodson, Mayor �'
1
Rose Ann Jones, TRMC U
City Clerk ilkw`�,k3t
Page 7 of 7 September 6,2005