HomeMy WebLinkAboutMIN JUN 30 2006 M I N U T E S - CITY OF BEAUMONT
Special Meeting
June 30, 2006
Andrew P. Cokinos,At-Large GUY N. GOODSON, MAYOR Becky Ames, At-Large
Lulu L. Smith, Ward I Nancy Beaulieu, Mayor Pro Tern, Ward II
Audwin Samuel, Ward III 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 special session on June 30, 2006,
at the City Hall Council Chambers, 801 Main Street, Beaumont, Texas, at 11:30 p.m. to
consider the following:
OPENING
Invocation Pledge Roll Call
Public Comment: Persons may speak on scheduled agenda item 1
Mayor Goodson called the Special Council Meeting to order at 1:30 p.m. Councilmember
Samuel gave the invocation. Mayor Goodson 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 Beaulieu, Councilmembers
Smith and Patterson. Absent: Councilmembers Cokinos and Ames. Also present were Kyle
Hayes, City Manager; Tyrone Cooper, City Attorney; Rose Ann Jones, City Clerk.
Public Comment: Persons may speak on scheduled agenda item 1.
None
GENERAL BUSINESS
1. Consider authorizing the conveyance of a ± 27.9 acre tract of land located at Fair
Park to the Beaumont Housing Authority - Resolution 06-188
The Beaumont Housing Authority has made application with the United States
Department of Housing and Urban Development for HOPE VI Grant Funding to
revitalize the public housing in the Magnolia/Gulf Street neighborhoods. The
plan is to demolish and rebuild Magnolia Gardens Apartments presently located
at 3710 Magnolia. In addition to the redevelopment of the Magnolia Gardens
public housing site, the Housing Authority has identified a site at the Beaumont
Fair Grounds suitable for the development of home ownership and rental units.
These developments are intended to address the shortage of public housing that
the City of Beaumont is presently experiencing. The site identified by the
Housing Authority is approximately twenty-seven (27) acres on what is the north
side of the Beaumont Fair Grounds property. This twenty-seven (27) acre tract
Minutes-June 30,2006
has been appraised by a real estate appraiser and the value has been
determined to be Three-Hundred Sixty-Five Thousand ($365,000) Dollars.
The fairgrounds were originally conveyed to the City of Beaumont by the South
Texas State Fair in 1931 with the intent that the property be used for park, fair
ground and amusement purposes. It has been used for these purposes since
that time.
Article XVI, Section 4 of the Charter of the City of Beaumont, Texas indicates
that no park shall ever be sold until such sale or lease is authorized by a majority
vote of the qualified voters of the City. The Beaumont Housing Authority is an
entity with the power of eminent domain and by letter dated April 28, 2006 has
notified the City of its intent to exercise that power in the acquisition of this
twenty-seven (27) acres of land at the determined market value for the stated
public purpose of public housing. Public land, such as parks, already devoted to
a public use can be condemned if a paramount public necessity requires it and
there is no practical way to avoid the necessity.
The Fair Ground has historically been under lease by the Young Mens Business
League for the primary purpose of the Southeast Texas State Fair. The lease
was terminated by the YMBL in August, 2004 when it was decided to relocate
the South Texas State Fair to the new Ford Park. Since that time the
fairgrounds is no longer being used for purposes of the South Texas State Fair.
With the intent express by the Beaumont Housing Authority to use the land for
public housing, it seems the land could serve a different public purpose to satisfy
an immediate public need.
Mayor Pro Tern Beaulieu made a motion to APPROVE RESOLUTION 06-188 THAT
THE CITY MANAGER IS HEREBY AUTHORIZED TO EXECUTE AN OPTION TO PURCHASE
AGREEMENT GIVING THE BEAUMONT HOUSING AUTHORITY AN OPTION TO PURCHASE±
27.954 ACRE TRACT OF LAND OUT OF THE BEAUMONT FAIR PARK FACILITY, JAMES
DRAKE SURVEY, ABSTRACT NO. 18 AND THE A.WILLIAMS SURVEY,ABSTRACT NO.
385,AT AN ESTIMATED VALUE OF $365,000 SUBJECT TO THE FOLLOWING CONDITIONS:
THAT THE REQUIREMENTS OF ARTICLE XVI, SECTION 4 OF THE
CHARTER OF THE CITY OF BEAUMONT ARE SATISFIED BY SECURING
FAVORABLE AUTHORIZATION OF THE SALE BY A MAJORITY OF THE VOTE
OF THE QUALIFIED VOTERS OF THE CITY;
THAT THE PROPERTY IS PROFESSIONALLY SURVEYED AND A PROPERTY
DESCRIPTION PREPARED; AND,
"► THAT THE CONVEYANCE WILL BE SUBJECT TO REVERSION TO THE CITY
OF BEAUMONT SHOULD THE LAND NOT BE USED FOR PURPOSES OF LOW
TO MODERATE INCOME HOUSING FOR THE CITIZENS OF BEAUMONT.
BE IT ALSO RESOLVED THAT THE CONVEYANCE IS TO BE CONDITIONED UPON THE
CONTINUED USE OF THE LAND FOR THE PUBLIC PURPOSE OF LOW TO MODERATE
INCOME HOUSING FOR RESIDENTS OF THE CITY OF BEAUMONT, TEXAS.
Councilmember Smith seconded the motion.
Page 2 of 4 Minutes-June 30,2006
AYES: MAYOR GOODSON, MAYOR PRO TEM BEAULIEU, COUNCILMEMBERS SMITH
AND PATTERSON
NAYS: COUNCILMEMBER SAMUEL
MOTION PASSED
COUNCILMEMBER COMMENTS
COUNCILMEMBER SMITH - HOPES EVERYBODY WILL HAVE A NICE 4T" CELEBRATION
MAYOR PRO TEM BEAULIEU - INVITED EVERYBODY TO COME TO RIVERFRONT PARK FOR
THE 4T" OF JULY CELEBRATION
COUNCILMEMBER SAMUEL - WANTED TO STATE THAT HE WAS NOT VOTING AGAINST
PROJECT OR THE BEAUMONT HOUSING AUTHORITY;
WISHED EVERYBODY A HAPPY 4T" OF JULY CELEBRATION
COUNCILMEMBER PATTERSON - REMINDED EVERYBODY THAT THE NEIGHBORS IN THE
PARK AND CONCERT IN THE PARK AT SPROTT PARK HAS
BEEN RESCHEDULED TO JULY 2ND
CITY ATTORNEY COOPER - NONE
CITY MANAGER HAYES - NONE
MAYOR GOODSON - ANNOUNCED THAT THE GOVERNOR WILL BE IN ORANGE
TO ANNOUNCE THE $140 MILLION GOVERNMENT MONEY
LOAN PROCEEDS TO HELP PROPERTY OWNERS
Public Comments (Persons are limited to three minutes)
Doug Landry 275 Crestview Circle Beaumont TX
On behalf of the Beaumont Housing Authority, would like to thank Council for their
consideration today
Joe Lewis Box 62 Beaumont TX
Felt that the Beaumont Housing Authority should have had a contingency place in mind
without jeopardizing the grant by putting Council in this situation; felt that there were
many other locations available; felt that the Beaumont Housing Authority should be
more cooperative in rehabilitation of housing; not in favor of Council's decision
Eva Westbrooks 3720 Magnolia Street#45 Beaumont TX
Is anxious to see the redevelopment of Magnolia Gardens and it means so much for
Council to support this program
Page 3 of 4 Minutes-June 30,2006
Robert Reyna 2070 Rosewood Beaumont TX
Executive Director, Beaumont Housing Authority: Felt that they have worked very hard on
this project and tried to do everything within the law and above board and out in the open
by having numerous meetings with the citizens and the residents; this is a potentially $50
million venture; restrictions including the radius from Magnolia Gardens limit the properties
to be considered; this housing project will be not only for low income but also affordable
to working families and be more reflective of the neighborhoods in Beaumont; thanked
Council for their cooperation
Meeting Adjourned at 12:20 p.m.
Audio tape`7 available upon request in the City Clerk's Office.
Guy N.' Goodson, Mayor
Rose Ann Jones, TRNAt w
City Clerk ►t
Page 4 of 4 Minutes-June 30,2006