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Home My WebLink AboutMIN OCT 30 2007 M I N U T E S - CITY OF BEAUMONT W.L. Pate, Jr., At-Large BECKY AMES, MAYOR Gethrel Williams-Wright, At-Large Dr. Alan B. Coleman, Ward I CITY COUNCIL MEETING Nancy Beaulieu, Ward II Audwin Samuel, Mayor Pro Tem, Ward III October 30, 2007 Jamie Smith, Ward IV Tyrone E. Cooper, City Attorney Kyle Hayes, City Manager Tina Broussard, City Clerk The City Council of the City of Beaumont, Texas, met in a regular session on October 30, 2007 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 1-2/Consent Agenda Consent Agenda Mayor Ames called the council meeting o order at 1:30 .m. 9 p Pastor John R.Adolph of Antioch Baptist Church gave the invocation. Mayor Ames led the Pledge of Allegiance. Roll call was made by Tina Broussard, City Clerk. Present at the meeting were Mayor Ames, Mayor Pro Tern Samuel, Councilmembers Coleman, Beaulieu, Wright, Pate and Smith. Absent: Tyrone Cooper, City Attorney. Also present were Kyle Hayes, City Manager; Joe Sanders, First Assistant City Attorney; Tina Broussard, City Clerk. Proclamations, Presentations, Recognitions None Public Comment: Persons may speak on scheduled agenda items 1-2/Consent Agenda. None CONSENT AGENDA Approval of minutes - Minutes of October 23, 2007 Confirmation of committee appointments - Resolution 07- 346 Alice Ramsey would be reappointed to the Keep Beaumont Beautiful Commission. The term would expire May 12, 2009. (Councilmember Jamie D. Smith) Minutes-October 30,2007 Reverend Frank Alegria would be reappointed to the Community Development Advisory Committee. The term would expire January 24, 2009. (Mayor Becky Ames) John Johnson would be appointed as Chairman of the Small Business Revolving Loan Fund Board. The term would commence October 30, 2007 and expire October 29, 2008. (Mayor Becky Ames) Ann Rothkamm would be appointed as Chairman of the Convention and Tourism Advisory Board. The term would commence October 30, 2007 and expire October 29, 2008. Mayor Becky Ames) Frank Messina would be appointed as Vice Chairman of the Convention and Tourism Advisory Board. The term would commence October 30, 2007 and expire October 29, 2008. (Mayor Becky Ames) Dohn LaBiche,Architect,would be appointed to the Historic Landmark Commission. The term would commence October 30, 2007 and expire October 29, 2009. (Mayor Becky Ames) Kip Lamb would be reappointed as Chairman of the Animal Health Advisory Committee. The current term would expire June 12, 2008. (Mayor Becky Ames) Myra Clay would be reappointed to the Parks and Recreation Advisory Committee. The current term would expire October 12, 2008. (Mayor Becky Ames) Dora Nisby would be appointed as Vice Chairman of the Community Development Advisory Committee. The term would commence October 30, 2007 and expire October 29, 2008. (Mayor Becky Ames) Joyce Kean would be appointed as Vice Chairman of the Animal Health Advisory Committee. The term would commence October 30, 2007 and expire October 29, 2008. (Mayor Becky Ames) Dora Nisby would be reappointed to the Community Development Advisory Committee. The current term would expire July 5, 2009. (Councilmember Gethrel Williams-Wright) Toni Prados would be appointed to the Community Development Advisory Committee. The term would commence October 30, 2007 and expire October 29, 2009. (Councilmember Gethrel Williams-Wright) Vertress C. Slack would be appointed to the Convention and Tourism Advisory Committee. The term would commence October 30, 2007 and expire October 29, 2009. (Councilmember Gethrel Williams-Wright) Steven Johnson would be reappointed to the Planning and Zoning Commission as an alternate. The current term would expire September 8, 2008. (Mayor Becky Ames) A) Approve compensation for the City Manager - Resolution 07- 347 B) Approve compensation for the City Attorney - Resolution 07- 348 Page 2 of 8 Minutes-October 30,2007 C) Authorize the City Manager to increase the Loeb Radio Towers Project for "extra work" - Resolution 07- 349 D) Authorize the acquisition of two(2)properties in the Van Wormer Addition for the Downtown Event Center and Lake Park - Resolution 07- 350 E) Authorize the settlement of the claim of Toby Springer - Resolution 07- 351 Councilmember Pate made a motion to approve the Consent Agenda. Mayor Pro Tern Samuel seconded the motion. AYES: MAYOR AMES, MAYOR PRO TEM SAMUEL, COUNCILMEMBERS COLEMAN, BEAULIEU, WRIGHT, PATE AND SMITH NAYS: NONE MOTION PASSED GENERAL BUSINESS 1. Consider accepting the Grand Recap of the tax roll for the tax year 2007 (Fiscal Year 2008). Administration recommended the acceptance of the Grand Recap of the tax roll for the tax year 2007 with a taxable value of$5,582,328,543. Pursuant to the Texas Property Tax Code, Section 26.09,this recap must be approved by the City Council. On September 25, 2007 Council approved the tax roll as certified by the Jefferson County Appraisal District with a taxable value of$5,582,328,543. There is no change in the taxable value of the Grand Recap. Property tax revenues in the FY 2008 Budget were calculated based on this taxable value at a collection rate of 97% and amounts to $23,500,000 budgeted in the General Fund and $11,913,000 budgeted in the Debt Service Fund. Mayor Pro Tern Samuel made a motion to APPROVE A RESOLUTION THAT THE CITY COUNCIL PURSUANT TO THE TEXAS PROPERTYTAX CODE,SECTION 26.09,HEREBYAPPROVES THE GRAND RECAP OF THE TAX ROLL FOR THE TAX YEAR 2007 (FY 2008) WITH A TAXABLE VALUE OF $5,582,328,543. Councilmember Pate seconded the motion. AYES: MAYOR AMES, MAYOR PRO TEM SAMUEL, COUNCILMEMBERS COLEMAN, BEAULIEU, WRIGHT, PATE AND SMITH NAYS: NONE MOTION PASSED Page 3 of S Minutes-October 30,2007 Resolution 07- 352 2. Consider approving a payment of fiscal year 2008 dues to the South East Texas Regional Planning Commission (SETRPC). Administration recommended approval of the payment of fiscal year 2008 dues to the South East Texas Regional Planning Commission in the amount of$42,702.32. The SETRPC was established in June of 1970 under enabling legislation as a voluntary association of local governments. Its purpose is to encourage and permit local governments to join and cooperate with one another to improve the health and safety of their citizens;to plan for future development and transportation efforts; and to recognize the needs of agriculture, business and industry, among other things. The City of Beaumont supports the SETRPC and the community projects they perform. Some of the programs these dues will fund are the Criminal Justice Program; the Area Agency 9 Y on Aging (AAA)Program;the Homeless Coalition;the Foster Grandparents Program (FGP); and the Retired Senior Volunteer Program (RSVP). Funds are available in the General Fund. Councilmember Beaulieu made a motion to APPROVE A RESOLUTION THAT THE CITY COUNCIL HEREBY APPROVES THE PAYMENT OF FISCAL YEAR 2008 DUES TO THE SOUTH EAST TEXAS REGIONAL PLANNING COMMISSION (SETRPC) IN THE AMOUNT OF$42,702.32. Councilmember Smith seconded the motion. AYES: MAYOR AMES, MAYOR PRO TEM SAMUEL, COUNCILMEMBERS COLEMAN, BEAULIEU, WRIGHT, PATE, AND SMITH NAYS: NONE MOTION PASSED Resolution 07- 353 PUBLIC HEARING: Receive comments on amending the 2004 and 2006 Community Development Block Grant Budgets of the Consolidated Grant Program Public Hearing Opened: 1:40 p.m. Claire Mason 13590 Thousand Oaks Beaumont TX Asked that Council approve the $80,000.00 allocation for Stewart's Halfway House Page 4 of 8 Minutes-October 30,2007 Rev. John R. Adolph 8090 Torrey Pines Cir. Beaumont TX Commented on Antioch Baptist Church's newly formed CDC called the Jehovah Jireh Village, this CDC will help people that do not own homes to own homes as well as increase the tax base, they are seeking the City's support Public Hearing Closed: 1:50 p.m. 3. Consider amending the 2004 and 2006 Community Development Block Grant Budgets of the Consolidated Grant Program. Administration recommended Council make three amendments: 1)reallocate$90,000 from the 2004 Small Business Revolving Loan line item to the 2006 infrastructure line item; 2) reallocate $32,000 from the 2006 Small Business Revolving Loan line item to the 2006 infrastructure line item; and, 3) reallocate$80,000 from the 2006 Small Business Revolving Loan line item to a 2006 Public Facilities and Improvements line item. Amendments one and two ($122,000) will be added to an existing $85,000 in the 2006 Infrastructure line item to be used to construct a curb and gutter street which will support approximately 18 affordable single family residential homes, ranging in cost from$70,000 to $100,000,for low to moderate income families. This will be the first phase of a larger 10 acre development located behind Antioch Baptist Church. The third amendment($80,000)will be used to rehabilitate the Stewart's Halfway House, a non-profit organization housing mentally disabled persons. In accordance with the U.S. Housing and Urban Development's Statutory Requirements relating to Citizen Participation (24FR91.105), City Council should conduct a Public Hearing to allow citizens 30 days to comment on a substantial amendment to the Consolidated Plan. The projects are eligible expenditures under HUD Guidelines and the reallocation of 2004 program funds will help close out the 2004 Program Year. (No vote was taken on this item, another Public Hearing will be scheduled in 30 days and action will be taken at that time). COUNCILMEMBER COMMENTS COUNCILMEMBER COLEMAN - THANKED CHICAGO BRIDGE AND IRON (CB$I) FOR THEIR HOSPITALITY AND THEIR GRAND OPENING,COMMENTED ON FORMER MAYOR EVELYN LORD AND HER WITCH COSTUME COUNCILMEMBER BEAULIEU - ASKED THAT COUNCIL REVIEW THE WRECKER SERVICE ORDINANCE IN A WORKSHOP Page 5 of 8 Minutes-October 30,2007 COUNCILMEMBER WRIGHT - THANKED THE MAYOR FOR ATTENDING THE FUNERAL OF LAURA LAVALAIS WHO IS THE FIRST COUSIN OF HER HUSBAND, CONGRATULATED CB&I ON THEIR GRAND OPENING, COMMENTED ON THE WRECKER SERVICE AND THEIR CONCERNS AS WELL AS IF THE CITY WERE TO BUY A WRECKER HOW WOULD IT AFFECT THE WRECKER VENDORS ECONOMICALLY,THANKED EVERYONE FOR ATTENDING THE WARD III TOWN HALL MEETING COUNCILMEMBER PATE - COMMENTED ON CB&I AND THE HISTORY OF THE BUSINESS,SPOKE REGARDING JERRY LAVALAIS WHO WAS THE FIRST BLACK ATHLETE TO RECEIVE A SCHOLARSHIP TO THE SOUTHWEST CONFERENCE BACK IN THE 1960's, COMMENDED REV. ADOPLH AND GENERAL BRAILSFORD FOR THE PROGRAM THEY PUT TOGETHER,ANNOUNCED THAT THEIR WOULD BE A MILITARY REUNION THIS WEEKEND FOR THE RESERVE UNITS FROM BEAUMONT, TEXAS FOR UNITS 373RD, 644TH AND 353RD MAYOR PRO TEM SAMUEL - THANKED MAYOR AND OTHER COUNCILMEMBERS FOR ATTENDING THE WARD III TOWN HALL MEETING, THANKED HIS PASTOR JOHN ADOPLH AND GENERAL BRAILSFORD FOR THE PROGRAM THEY HAVE STARTED, THANKED COUNCILMEMBER WRIGHT FOR ATTENDING THE TOWN HALL MEETING AS WELL AS THE CITY MANAGER AND STAFF COUNCILMEMBER SMITH - ANNOUNCED THE WONDERFUL TIME HE HAD AT THE ONE TIME WALK-A-THON,THANKED ANTIOCH BAPTIST CHURCH FOR ALL OF THEIR HARD WORK WITH THE NEW PROGRAM THEY HAVE IN PLACE, COMMENTED ON THE MEETING HELD ON SATURDAY HAD A GREAT TURN OUT, THANKED THE MAYOR AND MAYOR PRO TEM FOR THE WARD III MEETING, ANNOUNCED THE WARD IV,ZONE 3 CLEANUP ON NOVEMBER 10, 2007 AT 8:00 A.M. CITY ATTORNEY SANDERS - NONE CITY MANAGER HAYES - NONE MAYOR AMES - COMMENTED ON THE FIESTA BREAKFAST FUND RAISER WHICH WAS A HUGE SUCCESS, STATED THAT THE BETTER BUSINESS BUREAU HAD THEIR SOUTH EAST TEXAS SENIORS CELEBRATIONS, COMMENTED ON THE WARD III MEETING, THANKED THE DEPARTMENT HEADS FOR ATTENDING, CONGRATULATED PASTOR ADOLPH ON THE WALK-A-THON, COMMENTED ON THE INDIA FEST THIS PAST SATURDAY NIGHT VERY WELL ATTENDED, EXCITED ABOUT OPERATION Page 6 of 8 Minutes-October 30,2007 CLEAN SWEEP,COMMENTED ON THE FUTURE NAME CHANGE OF THE KEEP BEAUMONT BEAUTIFUL COMMISSION HOPES THAT EVERYONE WILL SUPPORT THIS, CONDOLENCES TO THE LAVALAIS FAMILY Public Comments (Persons are limited to three minutes) Alice Ramsey 3440 Goliad Beaumont TX Thanked Councilmember Jamie Smith for the great job he is doing, commented on the houses that will be built behind Antioch Baptist Church, also spoke about the dilapidated houses and asked that Council expedite the demolishing of these houses, also thanked Council for the great job that they are doing Rev. Albert Malbrough Jr. 1405 W. Highland Dr. Beaumont TX Requested that something be done regarding two houses located at 1455 and 1465 W. Highland Dr.that received damaged from hurricane Rita,the properties had been red tagged and in the process someone purchased the properties and nothing has been done with them also the houses are not secure, also commented on the Stewart Halfway House and requested that Council grant the allocated funds needed [Councilmember Samuel left the meeting 2:10 p.m.] Christopher Jones 1045 Doucette Ave. Beaumont TX Addressed concerns in his neighborhood as well as other neighborhoods and asked that council help him bring life back to the Charlton Pollard and Magnolia neighborhoods Marvin G. Cooper 7880 Blue Bonnett Ln. Beaumont TX Encouraged everyone to go vote, spoke regarding the BISD school bond and the cab services that operate in the City Alvin Husbands 2795 Atlanta St. Beaumont TX Spoke regarding the construction in the City and not being included in the City's workforce David Allen P.O. Box Evadale TX Spoke regarding the construction in the City Dorothy Evans 2825 Arthur Lane Beaumont TX Spoke regarding an email that she received from the IRS,wanted everyone to know that this email is fraudulent and please do not respond, also spoke regarding recycling and reminded everyone to vote Page 7 of 8 Minutes-October 30,2007 There being no further business Council adjourned at 2:26 p.m. Audi tapes are available upon request in the City Clerk's Office. B ky Ame or %�� A`UMp ,\11111 nA4�JLI R U . Tina Broussard, City Clerk e w AW �`O11 ®/ Page 8 of 8 Minutes-October 30,2007