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Home My WebLink AboutMIN MAR 04 2008 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 Tern,Ward III March 4,2008 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 March 4,2008, 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 2-7/Consent Agenda Consent Agenda Mayor Ames called the council meeting to order at 1:30 p.m. Pastor Sam Walker of The North 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 and Pate. Absent: Councilmember Smith. Also present were Kyle Hayes, City Manager; Tyrone Cooper, City Attorney; Tina Broussard, City Clerk. Mayor Ames read the announcement about the Executive Session to be held at the conclusion of the General Business portion of the meeting. Proclamations, Presentations, Recognitions None Public Comment: Persons may speak on scheduled agenda items 2-7/Consent Agenda. None CONSENT AGENDA Approval of minutes - February 26, 2008 Confirmation of committee appointments - None Minutes-March 4,2008 A) Approve a resolution accepting maintenance of the street, storm sewer,water and sanitary sewer improvements in Wolf Creek Subdivision - Resolution 08 - 056 B) Authorize the acceptance of an exclusive ten (10) foot wide water line easement for fire hydrants across the Southern Fasteners site located at 7428 College - Resolution 08 - 057 C) Authorize the acceptance of a ten(10)foot wide general utility easement[adjacent to 20 foot Water and Sanitary Sewer Easement] across the Broussard 200 acre tract located on Dishman Road - Resolution 08 - 058 D) Amend Resolution 08-052 to reflect the correct amount of the weed liens to include interest and fees, against properties described as Lots 2 and 3 Block 25 Van Wormer Addition, Lots 8, 9,and a fraction of Lot 7 Block 30 Van WormerAddition, and Lot 12 Block 24 Van Wormer Addition - Resolution 08 - 059 E) Authorize the City Manager to execute all documents necessary to accept funding from the Department of State Health Services (D.S.H.S.)for the Tuberculosis Elimination Division- Resolution 08 - 060 F) Authorize the City Manager to join with Jefferson County in approving the Final Rebanding Agreement for the 800 MHz Reconfiguration - Resolution 08 - 061 Councilmember Pate made a motion to approve the Consent Agenda. Councilmember Wright seconded the motion. AYES: MAYOR AMES, MAYOR PRO TEM SAMUEL, COUNCILMEMBERS COLEMAN, BEAULIEU,WRIGHT AND PATE NAYS: NONE MOTION PASSED GENERAL BUSINESS 1. Consider a request for an amendment to the City of Beaumont Zoning Ordinance,Chapter 30, to allow electronic reader board owner identification signs. Item #1 was deferred by Council. 2. Consider authorizing the City Manager to execute a Flood Mitigation Assistance Grant with the Texas Water Development Board for the Fannin Street Drainage Project. Administration recommended Council authorize the City Manager to execute a Flood Mitigation Assistance Grant with the Texas Water Development Board for the Fannin Street Drainage Project. Page 2 of 9 Minutes-March 4,2008 The City submitted a Flood Mitigation Assistance Grant application in January 2007, to the Texas Water Development Board(TWDB)for the Fannin Street Drainage Project.The TWDB administers the Flood Mitigation Assistance Program for the Federal Emergency Management Administration. The Fannin Street Drainage system serves a 390 acre area located generally east of Interstate 10, south of the Southern Pacific Railroad tracks, west of 4th Street and north of College Street.There are 200 at-risk structures, including a number of insured and repetitive loss properties, that will be protected with this project. Proposed improvements in this$3,923,712.50 project include the construction of a concrete lined open ditch from Interstate 10 to approximately 200 feet west of 11 th Street and then an underground system from this point to 4th Street.The open channel section will be located in a Drainage District No. 6 easement which lays just north of the Gateway Shopping Center. The Flood Mitigation Grant will fund $2,942,784.27 or seventy-five (75) percent of the total project cost.The City will be responsible for the twenty-five(25)percent match of$980,928.23. Funds are available in the Capital Program for the local match of$980,928.23. COUncilmember Wright made a motion to APPROVE A RESOLUTION THAT THE CITY MANAGER BE AND HE IS HEREBY AUTHORIZED TO EXECUTE A FLOOD MITIGATION ASSISTANCE GRANT IN THE AMOUNT OF $2,942,784.27 WITH THE TEXAS WATER DEVELOPMENT BOARD FOR THE FANNIN STREET DRAINAGE PROJECT. Councilmember Beaulieu seconded the motion. AYES: MAYOR AMES, MAYOR PRO TEM SAMUEL, COUNCILMEMBERS COLEMAN, BEAULIEU, WRIGHT AND PATE NAYS: NONE MOTION PASSED Resolution 08 - 062 3. Consider approving the purchase of Fleet vehicles through the H-GAC Purchasing Program. Administration recommended the purchase of vehicles through the Houston-Galveston Area Council (H-GAC) Purchasing Program in the amount of $747,686. H-GAC is a cooperative purchasing association providing cities and political subdivisions with the means to purchase specialized equipment at volume pricing. H-GAC complies with the State of Texas procurement statutes. Thirty-one (31) vehicles, budgeted in Fiscal Year 2008, are available through the H-GAC Cooperative Purchasing Contract. Included in this year's budget are funds for eight(8)mid- size sedans, two (2) sport utility vehicles, twenty (20) pickup trucks, and one (1) diesel powered truck cab and chassis with ambulance service packages. Page 3 of 9 Minutes-March 4,2008 Replacement vehicles and additions to the fleet are requested through the City's budget process. The Fleet Superintendent reviews the requests and evaluates the equipment to be replaced. Based on this evaluation,a recommendation is made to replace worn and obsolete vehicles that are no longer cost effective to operate. All of the vehicles to be purchased are replacement vehicles. The units will replace year models ranging from 1989 to 2003. These older vehicles will be disposed of according to the City's surplus property disposal policies. Funds are budgeted through the Capital Reserve Fund($490,293.00)and the Water Utilities Fund ($257,393.00) for a total of$747,686.00. COuncilmember Beaulieu made a motion to APPROVE A RESOLUTION FOR THE PURCHASE OF FLEET VEHICLES THROUGH THE H-GAC PURCHASING PROGRAM IN THE AMOUNT OF$747,686.00. Mayor Pro Tern Samuel seconded the motion. AYES: MAYOR AMES, MAYOR PRO TEM SAMUEL, COUNCILMEMBERS COLEMAN, BEAULIEU, WRIGHT AND PATE NAYS: NONE MOTION PASSED Resolution 08 - 063 4. Consider approving the purchase of Fleet vehicles through the BuyBoard Cooperative Purchasing Program. Administration recommended the purchase of vehicles through the BuyBoard contract in the amount of$449,469. This total price includes a $400 administrative fee. This purchase will be made through the Texas Association of School Boards (TASB) BuyBoard cooperative purchasing program. The Texas Local Government Purchasing Cooperative, administered by TASB, complies with all State bidding statues. Membership with BuyBoard allows municipalities to purchase items from their contracted vendors. Eight(8)vehicles, budgeted in Fiscal Year 2008,are available through the BuyBoard contract. Included in this year's budget are funds for four(4)dump trucks,two(2)utility bucket trucks, and two (2) pickup trucks. Replacement vehicles and additions to the fleet are requested through the City's budget process. The Fleet Superintendent reviews the requests and evaluates the equipment to be replaced. Based on this evaluation,a recommendation is made to replace worn and obsolete vehicles that are no longer cost effective to operate. All of the vehicles to be purchased are replacement vehicles. The units will replace year models ranging from 1989 to 2003. These older vehicles will be disposed of according to the City's surplus property disposal policies. Funds are budgeted through the Capital Reserve Fund($386,953.00)and the Water Utilities Fund ($62,516.00) for a total of$449,469.00. Page 4 of 9 Minutes-March 4,2008 Councilmember Coleman made a motion to APPROVE A RESOLUTION FOR THE PURCHASE OF FLEET VEHICLES THROUGH THE BUYBOARD COOPERATIVE PURCHASING PROGRAM CONTRACT IN THE AMOUNT OF $449,469.00. Councilmember Pate seconded the motion. AYES: MAYOR AMES, MAYOR PRO TEM SAMUEL, COUNCILMEMBERS COLEMAN, BEAULIEU, WRIGHT AND PATE NAYS: NONE MOTION PASSED Resolution 08 - 064 5. Consider approving the purchase of a new fire truck. Administration recommended the purchase of one(1) 1,500 gallon per minute Pierce pumper truck forthe Fire Department from Martin Apparatus, Inc.through the Houston-Galveston Area Council (H-GAC) in the amount of$472,707.00. H-GAC is a cooperative purchasing association providing cities and political subdivisions with the means to purchase specialized equipment at volume pricing. H-GAC complies with the State of Texas procurement statutes. The price of the truck includes an H-GAC administrative fee of$2,000. The Pierce pumper truck is equipped with an Allison transmission and Detroit Diesel engine. This truck will replace unit 7027,a 1980 American LaFrance pumper, and will be placed into service at Fire Station No. 7, located at 1710 McFaddin. Delivery time for the new truck will be approximately eight (8) to nine (9) months. Funds are budgeted in the Capital Reserve Fund. Councilmember Coleman made a motion to APPROVE A RESOLUTION FOR THE PURCHASE OF ONE (1) 1,500 GALLON PER MINUTE PIERCE PUMPER TRUCK FOR THE FIRE DEPARTMENT FROM MARTIN APPARATUS, INC.THROUGH THE HOUSTON-GALVESTON AREA COUNCIL(H-GAC)IN THE AMOUNT OF $472,707.00. Councilmember Pate seconded the motion. AYES: MAYOR AMES, MAYOR PRO TEM SAMUEL, COUNCILMEMBERS COLEMAN, BEAULIEU, WRIGHT AND PATE NAYS: NONE MOTION PASSED Resolution 08 - 065 Page 5 of 9 Minutes-March 4,2008 6. Consider approving a contract for exterior repairs to the Art Museum of Southeast Texas. Administration recommended that a bid be awarded to Basco Construction Inc.of Nederland in the amount of$146,185 for furnishing all labor, materials,equipment and supplies to repair the exterior of the Art Museum of Southeast Texas. Portions of the facade became disengaged from the building during the winds and subsequent rains caused by Hurricane Humberto. The damage was evaluated and the proposed repairs were designed by LaBiche Architectural Group, Inc. of Beaumont. The low bid submitted by Basco Construction in the amount of $146,185 meets all specifications and qualification criteria. Basco is not utilizing any HUB or MBE certified subcontractors. Work will be completed in approximately 98 days. Funds are available in the Capital Reserve Fund. Since the cause of the damage cannot be directly attributed to either storm and the actual damage caused by Hurricane Humberto did not meet the current deductible, a claim was not filed with the City's insurance carrier. Councilmember Wright made a motion to APPROVE A RESOLUTION THAT THE BID IN THE AMOUNT OF$146,185.00 SUBMITTED BY BASCO CONSTRUCTION, INC., NEDERLAND,TEXAS,TO FURNISH ALL LABOR, MATERIALS, EQUIPMENT AND SUPPLIES TO REPAIR THE EXTERIOR OF THE ART MUSEUM OF SOUTHEAST TEXAS BE ACCEPTED BY THE CITY OF BEAUMONT. Councilmember Coleman seconded the motion. AYES: MAYOR AMES, MAYOR PRO TEM SAMUEL, COUNCILMEMBERS COLEMAN, BEAULIEU, WRIGHT AND PATE NAYS: NONE MOTION PASSED Resolution 08 - 066 7. Consider authorizing the City Manager to sign documents amending the contract with the South East Texas Regional Planning Commission relating to CDBG Disaster Relief Funding. Administration recommended authorizing the City Managerto sign documents amending the contractwith the South East Texas Regional Planning Commission relating to CDBG Disaster Relief Funding. On October 31,2006,the Beaumont City Council authorized entering into an agreement with the South East Texas Regional Planning Commission to administer federal Disaster Recovery funds from the Texas Department of Housing&Community Affairs("TDHCA")in the amount of Five Million One Hundred Forty-Five Thousand Dollars($5,145,000)that would be used for Emergency Repairs ($2,745,000), Owner-Occupied Rehabilitation ($1,155,000), Single Family Rental ($1,000,000), and for Administrative Costs ($245,000). Page 6 of 9 Minutes-March 4,2008 The first amendment proposed, initiated by the South East Texas Regional Planning Commission, ensures that the language of our contract is consistent with the service categories for the Disaster Recovery Program. The second amendment relates to different funding categories for Beaumont which now includes Owner Occupied Rehabilitation ($2,400,000), Reconstruction ($2,500,000) and Administrative Costs ($245,000). The total amount of funding will remain the same. Funding will be provided from CDBG Disaster Relief Funds. COuncilmember Pate made a motion to APPROVE A RESOLUTION THAT THE CITY MANAGER BE AND HE IS HEREBY AUTHORIZED TO EXECUTE THE DOCUMENTS AMENDING THE TDHCA DISASTER RECOVERY PROGRAM. Mayor Pro Tern Samuel seconded the motion. AYES: MAYOR AMES, MAYOR PRO TEM SAMUEL, COUNCILMEMBERS COLEMAN, BEAULIEU, WRIGHT AND PATE NAYS: NONE MOTION PASSED Resolution 08 - 067 WORKSESSION Review and discuss the recruitment and hiring of Police officers Worksession was deferred until March 18, 2008 Receive and discuss a proposal to develop an integrated Public Children's Library and Non-Profit Children's Museum inside the Main Public Library located downtown at 801 Pearl Street Worksession was deferred until March 18, 2008 COUNCILMEMBER COMMENTS COUNCILMEMBER COLEMAN - THANKED ALL OF THE WARD I CONSTITUENTS WHO ATTENDED THE TOWN HALL MEETING, PRAYERS FOR GREG PRATT, BEAUMONT POLICE OFFICER WHO IS HEADED TO IRAQ, ANNOUNCED THAT CODY SCHRODER, INJURED FIREFIGHTER,IS BACK AT THE FIRE STATION,ENCOURAGED EVERYONE TO VOTE COUNCILMEMBER BEAULIEU - THOUGHTS AND PRAYERS ARE WITH GREG PRATT, BEAUMONT POLICE OFFICER, AS HE HEADS TO IRAQ, COMMENTED ON THE MEETING WITH THE AMELIA NEIGHBORHOOD ASSOCIATION, VERY PROUD OF THE Page 7 of 9 Minutes-March 4,2008 RECREATION DEPARTMENT STAFF AS WELL AS RYAN SLOTT AND JIM THOMPSON WHO ATTENDED THE MEETING, ENCOURAGED EVERYONE TO VOTE COUNCILMEMBER WRIGHT- COMMENTED ON THE WARD I TOWN HALL MEETING, HAPPY WITH THE TURN OUT AND INTEREST OF THE CITIZENS OF THAT WARD,ANNOUNCED THE CERTIFICATION MEETING AT OUR MOTHER OF MERCY ON SUNDAY FOR PROPER SCHOOLING,INFORMED EVERYONE THAT JUDGE THEODORE JOHNS IS OUT OF THE HOSPITAL AND WILL BE BACK AT WORK SOON, WISHED HIM A SPEEDY RECOVERY, COMMENTED ON CODY SCHRODER AND CALVIN CARRIER, THE TWO INJURED FIREFIGHTERS THAT HAVE RETURNED TO WORK;ENCOURAGED EVERYONE TO EXERCISE THEIR RIGHT TO VOTE COUNCILMEMBER PATE - COMMENTED ON THE WARD I TOWN HALL MEETING AND THE GREAT ATTENDANCE, REMINDED EVERYONE TO VOTE, THOUGHTS AND PRAYERS ARE WITH GREG PRATT, BEAUMONT POLICE OFFICER AS HE LEAVES FOR IRAQ, COMPLIMENTED THE BOY SCOUTS ON THEIR CHILI COOK- OFF,ENCOURAGED EVERYONE TO ATTEND THE LAST LAMAR UNIVERSITY BASKETBALL GAME FOR THE SEASON MAYOR PRO TEM SAMUEL - ENCOURAGED EVERYONE TO VOTE, CONGRATULATED COUNCILMEMBER COLEMAN ON THE WARD I TOWN HALL MEETING AND THE ATTENDANCE, THANKED ALL OF THE CITIZENS AND PASTORS FOR ATTENDING THE NORTH END NEIGHBORHOOD MEETING ON MONDAY COUNCILMEMBER SMITH - ABSENT CITY ATTORNEY COOPER - NONE CITY MANAGER HAYES - NONE MAYOR AMES - COMMENTED ON THE WARD I TOWN HALL MEETING AS WELL AS THE GREAT ATTENDANCE, COMMENTED ON THIS WEEK BEING "READ ACROSS AMERICA WEEK," ASKED THAT WE TAKE THE TIME TO READ A BOOK TO A CHILD Public Comments (Persons are limited to three minutes) Page 8 of 9 Minutes-March 4,2008 Rev. Albert Malbrough Jr. 1405 W. Highland Dr. Beaumont TX Thanked Cornell Correction Inc., for withdrawing their permit pertaining to the Gulf Street Halfway House expansion. Thanked Mayor Pro Tern Samuel for his attendance at the meeting, also thanked Council for tearing down the house located at 1455 W. Highland Dr. Rev. Oveal Walker 2120 Renaud St. Beaumont TX Commented on the meeting with the North End Neighborhood Association, thanked Mayor Pro Tern for his attendance Rev. Gary Cantue 4150 Crow Rd. #7 Beaumont TX Discussed the North End Neighborhood Association meeting,thanked Mayor Pro Tern for his attendance as well as Commissioner Bo Alfred, Beaumont Housing Authority and Cornell Correction Inc.,excited that the Neighborhood Association and the facility were able to reach an agreement Robert L. Reyna 1890 Laurel Beaumont TX Thanked all of those that attended the North End Neighborhood Association meeting,asked that the City Staff monitor the capacity of the facilities that the meetings are held in, also discussed the code that dictates the footage, also asked the City to make sure that the residents are informed of the meetings,thanked Mayor Pro Tern Samuel for his attendance Mary Nixon 4544 Dallas Beaumont TX Asked that the City increase security in the area of Ives St., stated that the residents in the neighborhood are elderly and there is not a high visibility of police in that area Open session of meeting recessed at 2:05 p.m. EXECUTIVE SESSION Consider matters related to contemplated or pending litigation in accordance with Section 551.071 of the Government Code: The claim of Millennium Transit Services, LLC There being no action taken in Executive Session, Council adjourned. A dio tapes are available upon re est in the City Clerk's Office. Ill BLyAmes, ayo �l � Ck Tina Broussard, City Clerk Page 9 of 9 Minutes-March 4,2008