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Home My WebLink AboutMIN JUN 17 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 Tem,Ward III June 17, 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 June 17,2008, 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 1-6/Consent Agenda Consent Agenda Mayor Ames called the council meeting to order at 1:30 p.m. Councilmember Beaulieu 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. Also present were Kyle Hayes,City Manager;Tyrone Cooper, City Attorney; Tina Broussard, City Clerk. Proclamations, Presentations, Recognitions "Miss Beaumont USA Kallye Mitchell Day"-June 17, 2008-Proclamation read by Mayor Ames; accepted by Kallye Mitchell, Miss Beaumont Public Comment: Persons may speak on scheduled agenda items 1-6/Consent Agenda. None CONSENT AGENDA Approval of minutes - June 10, 2008 Confirmation of committee appointments - None A) Approve a payment to Jefferson County for the renewal of an annual maintenance agreement with Motorola - Resolution 08 - 177 Minutes-June 17,2008 B) Approve a resolution granting authority to approve and initiate electronic fund (wire)orACH transfers of any and all City funds on deposit at Capital One Bank, and to delete Kandy Daniel as a signatory effective June 17, 2008 - Resolution 08 - 178 C) Approve a resolution amending authorized representatives for the Local Government Investment Cooperative - Resolution 08 - 179 D) Approve a resolution amending authorized representatives for the Texas Local Government Investment Pool - Resolution 08 - 180 E) Authorized the City Manager to apply for and receive funding through the Edward Byrne Memorial Justice Assistance Grant Program and to execute an inter-local agreement with the City of Port Arthur and Jefferson County to reallocate Justice Assistance Grant funds - Resolution 08 - 181 F) Authorize the acceptance of a water line easement - Resolution 08 - 182 G) Approve the settlement of the employment claim of Kandy Daniel - Resolution 08 - 183 Councilmember Pate made a motion to approve the Consent Agenda. Councilmember Smith seconded the motion. AYES: MAYOR AMES, MAYOR PRO TEM SAMUEL, COUNCILMEMBERS COLEMAN, BEAULIEU, WRIGHT, PATE AND SMITH NAYS: NONE MOTION PASSED GENERAL BUSINESS 1. Conduct an election of Mayor Pro Tempore. According to the City Charter, the City Council shall elect one of its members as Mayor Pro Tempore for a one (1) year term. The Mayor Pro Tempore shall perform the duties of the Mayor in case of the absence or inability of the Mayor to perform the duties of the office, and, if a vacancy occurs, shall become Mayor for the unexpired term. If the Mayor Pro Tempore is unwilling to assume the duties of Mayor in the event of a vacancy in that office,then the City Council shall appoint a Mayor Pro Tempore from its membership. Councilmember Wright moved to APPROVE A RESOLUTION THAT COUNCILMEMBER AUDWIN SAMUEL IS ELECTED AS MAYOR PRO TEM FOR A ONE(1)YEAR TERM. Councilmember Coleman seconded the motion. AYES: MAYOR AMES, MAYOR PRO TEM SAMUEL, COUNCILMEMBERS COLEMAN, BEAULIEU, WRIGHT, PATE AND SMITH Page 2 of 9 Minutes-June 17,2008 NAYS: NONE MOTION PASSED Resolution 08 - 184 2. Consider approving a six month contract for the purchase of aluminum sulfate for use by the Water Utilities Department. Administration recommended the award of a contract to GEO Specialty Chemicals of Little Rock, Arkansas in the amount of $163,200. Aluminum Sulfate is used in the water treatment process. Funds are available forthis expenditure in the Water Utilities Department's operating budget. COuncilmember Beaulieu made a motion to APPROVE A RESOLUTION THAT THE BID SUBMITTED BY GEO SPECIALTY CHEMICALS OF LITTLE ROCK, ARKANSAS, FOR A SIX (6) MONTH CONTRACT FOR PURCHASE OF ALUMINUM SULFATE FOR USE BY THE WATER UTILITIES DEPARTMENT FOR AN ESTIMATED AMOUNT OF $163,200 BE ACCEPTED BY THE CITY OF BEAUMONT. 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 Resolution 08 - 185 3. Consider approving the purchase and installation of a security card access system for use at Fire Department facilities. Administration recommended approval of the purchase from SecureNet, Inc., of Houston, Texas, in the amount of $103,700.15. The City currently uses the Open Options Security Management System,which is a fully up- gradable system, at the Police Station, Municipal Court building and City Hall. This system utilizes photo ID card readers and Windows based access control software. SecureNet, Inc., of Houston, Texas, installed the original system. The system under consideration provides the installation of 17 new card readers located at all current Fire Department facilities. The cost includes all the associated door hardware and controller components to fully upgrade the system. Funds will be provided by the 2007 State Homeland Security Grant (SHSP). This grant requires no matching funds from the City. Page 3 of 9 Minutes-June 17,2008 Councilmember Wright made a motion to APPROVE A RESOLUTION THAT THE CITY COUNCIL HEREBY APPROVES THE PURCHASE AND INSTALLATION OF AN UPGRADE FOR A SECURITY CARD ACCESS SYSTEM TO THE OPEN OPTIONS SECURITY MANAGEMENT SYSTEM IN THE AMOUNT OF $103,700.15 FROM SECURENET,INC.OF HOUSTON,TEXAS,FOR ALL CURRENT FIRE DEPARTMENT FACILITIES. Councilmember Smith seconded the motion. AYES: MAYOR AMES, MAYOR PRO TEM SAMUEL, COUNCILMEMBERS COLEMAN, BEAULIEU, WRIGHT, PATE AND SMITH NAYS: NONE MOTION PASSED Resolution 08 - 186 4. Consider authorizing the City Manager to increase the Proposed New Water Well No. 2 and Related Pilot Hole Project for "extra work". The existing Water Well No. 2, located in Lumberton,Texas,was designed and constructed in 1971. In 2006,the existing water well began pumping sand and a subsequent investigation proved the gravel pack had failed. The City and Schaumburg & Polk studied the possibility of rehabilitating the gravel pack, however the cost, reliability, and future rehabilitation requirements deemed the project not cost efficient. Schaumburg & Polk recommended the City install a new water well. The changes included in this change order are directly related to requirements imposed by Texas Commission on Environmental Quality during their review and conditional approval. Administration recommended approval of increasing the project amount by$88,866.14. The proposed changes to the contract will furnish all labor, materials, and equipment to provide additional well disinfection,furnishing and install, complete in place one(1)24"flanged gate valve for the existing 24"transmission line, and furnish all labor, materials, and equipment for cementing between the 26" casing and the 20" liner pipe, from the top of gravel to ground surface. The proposed changes will increase the contract time by 10 calendar days. The additional days increases the total contract time to 310 calendar days. The proposed extra work will represent an increase of 5.23% of the original contract amount. Funds for the project are available in the Water Utilities Non-Operational budget. Councilmember Coleman made a motion to APPROVE A RESOLUTION THAT THE CITY MANAGER BE AND HE IS HEREBY AUTHORIZED TO EXECUTE CHANGE ORDER NO. 1 INCREASING THE CONTRACT AMOUNT BY $88,866.14 FOR A TOTAL AMOUNT OF $1,788,925.14 FOR THE PROPOSED NEW WATER WELL NO. 2 AND RELATED PILOT HOLE PROJECT. Councilmember Beaulieu seconded the motion. AYES: MAYOR AMES, MAYOR PRO TEM SAMUEL, COUNCILMEMBERS COLEMAN, BEAULIEU, WRIGHT, PATE AND SMITH NAYS: NONE Page 4 of 9 Minutes-June 17,2008 MOTION PASSED Resolution 08 - 187 5. Consider authorizing the purchase of a communications trailer for use in emergency situations. Administration recommended purchasing the Communications On Wheels trailer from Motorola through HGAC in the amount of$734,076.16. The Communications trailer will give the City of Beaumont the ability to setup six(6)800 MHz radio channels for use in an emergency if the main communications site fails for any reason. It can also be used to extend radio coverage beyond the existing four(4)towers in use today by acting as an additional fifth tower. The 800 MHz radio system is used by EMS, Fire, Police and numerous departments throughout the City. Trailer setup can be accomplished by a single individual in thirty (30) minutes. The city has a vehicle in our fleet that will be utilized for hauling the trailer as well as normal Communications Division operations. The annual maintenance contract with Motorola will not increase as a result of this purchase. A repair parts package will be included as part of the purchase and our Communications personnel will be responsible for any maintenance or repair required for this equipment. Grant funds from the Department of Homeland Security 2007 Port Security Grant Program will be used to purchase the COW. The Department of Homeland Security 2007 Port Security Grant Program requires a twenty- five percent(25%) match in the amount of$183,519.04. Funds for the match are available in the FY08 Capital Reserve. Councilmember Beaulieu made a motion to APPROVEA RESOLUTION THATTHE CITYCOUNCIL HEREBY APPROVES THE PURCHASE OF A COMMUNICATIONS ON WHEELS TRAILER FROM MOTOROLA THROUGH THE HOUSTON-GALVESTON AREA COUNCIL (HGAC) IN THE AMOUNT OF $734,076.16. Councilmember Pate seconded the motion. AYES: MAYOR AMES, MAYOR PRO TEM SAMUEL, COUNCILMEMBERS COLEMAN, BEAULIEU, WRIGHT, PATE AND SMITH NAYS: NONE MOTION PASSED Resolution 08 - 188 WORKSESSION • Review and discuss an ordinance establishing two new Neighborhood Empowerment Zones Page 5 of 9 Minutes-June 17,2008 Chris Boone, Community Development Director, discussed the proposal of two additional Neighborhood Empowerment Zones within the City. These zones will offer incentives to attract redevelopment to these areas. Mr. Boone elaborated on the different incentives that will be offered. Although some promotion of the first two Empowerment Zones has been done,with all Empowerment Zones in place,full marketing efforts will begin to ensure that as many as possible are aware of and can take advantage of these attractive incentives for redevelopment. Combined with the focused use of CDBG dollars within these zones,these economic incentives should leverage additional private investment within these areas. Incentives would include: 1) A three-year municipal tax abatement for all added value for investments greater than $50,000 for residential uses and $75,000 for all other uses. 2) Building fee waivers (not including tap and meter fees). 3) Expedited permit review. 4) Lien waivers for any lien claimed by the City for demolition or high grass abatement expenditures. Revenues from waived fees and liens and abated ad-valorem axe would t s ou d be forgone, but the long-term economic impact associated with new development should positively affect future budgets. 6. Consider approving an ordinance establishing Neighborhood Empowerment Zones#3 and #4. Administration recommended the adoption of this ordinance to establish Neighborhood Empowerment Zones #3 and #4. Mayor Pro Tern Samuel made a motion to ADOPT AN ORDINANCE ENTITLED AN ORDINANCE DESIGNATING AREAS OF THE CITY OF BEAUMONT AS NEIGHBORHOOD EMPOWERMENT ZONES#3 AND #4 PURSUANT TO THE TEXAS NEIGHBORHOOD EMPOWERMENT ZONE ACT (TEXAS LOCAL GOVERNMENT CODE, CHAPTER 378); PROVIDING TAX INCENTIVES; ADOPTING TAX ABATEMENT GUIDELINES AND CRITERIA; AND DESIGNATING A LIAISON TO ACT ON ALL MATTERS PERTAINING TO THE EMPOWERMENT ZONE. Councilmember Beaulieu seconded the motion. AYES: MAYOR AMES, MAYOR PRO TEM SAMUEL, COUNCILMEMBERS COLEMAN, BEAULIEU, WRIGHT, PATE AND SMITH NAYS: NONE MOTION PASSED Ordinance 08 - 048 WORKSESSION • Review and discuss proposed water and sewer rates for apartments and mobile homes Page 6 of 9 Minutes-June 17,2008 Dr. Hani Tohme, Water Utilities Director, discussed water and wastewater rates for apartments and mobile homes in the City of Beaumont. The main topics were rate history prior to 1988, the comparison from 1987 to 2008 and the increase of units from 2004 to present. A comparison was done with other cities regarding the minimum usage fee per unit in Austin, Dallas, Fort Worth, Lumberton etc. Dr.Thome discussed the proposed rates for apartments and mobile homes,the water utilities department will apply residential rates to each unit, apply minimum usage fee per unit based on the cost of (5/8") meter, the fee would be $8.43 for water plus $5.38 for sewer totaling $13.81 per month. The first 1000 gallons per unit will be provided at no cost, saving citizens $5.43 a month. The total additional cost per unit per month will be$8.38. The justification for these proposed rates is that apartments and mobile home rates should be the same as residential dwellings. The Administrative Code allows apartment owners to bill a minimum usage fee per unit. The average revenue increase per unit per month would be $7.69, the projected total revenue increase per year would be $1,098,326. COUNCILMEMBER COMMENTS COUNCILMEMBER SMITH - ANNOUNCED THAT THE TYRRELL PARK NEIGHBORHOOD ASSOCIATION WILL BE MEETING THURSDAY .TUNE 19, 2008, SPROTT PARK WILL BE CELEBRATING NEIGHBORS IN THE PARK ON SUNDAY JUNE 22, 2008 FROM 3:30 P.M. TO 8:30 P.M., CONGRATULATED MAYOR PRO TEM SAMUEL ON BEING REELECTED AS MAYOR PRO TEM FOR ANOTHER TERM,ANNOUNCED THE PRIDE OF BEAUMONT MASONIC LODGE WILL HOST A SCHOOL SUPPLY DRIVE AT STERLING PRUITT ACTIVITY CENTER ON AUGUST 16, 2008 MAYOR PRO TEM SAMUEL - ANNOUNCED THE BRICKYARD NEIGHBORHOOD ASSOCIATION CLEAN UPON JUNE 21, 2008 IN NORTH BEAUMONT FROM 8:30 A.M. TO 10:30 A.M., THEIR WILL ALSO BE A HEALTH FAIR FROM 8:30 A.M.TO 1:30 P.M., BOTH EVENTS WILL BE HELD AT THE STERLING PRUITT ACTIVITY CENTER, COMMENTED ON THE CONFERENCE PRESENTED BY ZETA PHI BETA SORORITY COUNCILMEMBER PATE - COMPLIMENTED MAYOR PRO TEM ON THE GREAT JOB HE HAS DONE AND CONGRATULATED HIM ON BEING REELECTED FOR ANOTHER TERM, COMMENTED ON ADDING ADDITIONAL DAYS ON THE PUBLIC ACCESS CHANNEL FOR CITIZENS TO VIEW Page 7 of 9 Minutes-June 17,2008 THE CITY COUNCIL MEETINGS, ANNOUNCED THAT THERE WOULD BE A RECEPTION AT PABLANO GRILL AT 5:30 P.M., TUESDAY JUNE 17, 2008 FOR RAY WOODARD, THE NEW HEAD FOOTBALL COACH AT LAMAR UNIVERSITY COUNCILMEMBER WRIGHT- CONGRATULATED MAYOR PRO TEM SAMUEL ON BEING REELECTED AS MAYOR PRO TEM FOR ANOTHER TERM, COMMENTED ON THE CONSTRUCTION THROUGHOUT THE CITY, RECEIVED COMPLAINTS ABOUT HOLES WHEN TRYING TO VISIT HOTELS, RESTAURANTS ETC., ASKED THAT THE CONSTRUCTION COMPANIES MAKE REPAIRS, ANNOUNCED A SYMPOSIUM THAT WILL BE HOSTED BY THE TOP LADIES OF DISTINCTION ON SATURDAY, JUNE 21, 2008 FROM 8:00 A.M. TO 4:00 P.M., AT THE BEAUMONT CIVIC CENTER, WISHED HER HUSBAND,CLINTON WRIGHT,A SPEEDY RECOVERY COUNCILMEMBER BEAULIEU- CONGRATULATED MAYOR PRO TEM SAMUEL ON BEING REELECTED FOR ANOTHER TERM, WILL NOT BE ABLE TO ATTEND THE SYMPOSIUM OR CLEAN UP DUE TO A WEEK- END FAMILY REUNION COUNCILMEMBER COLEMAN- CONGRATULATED MAYOR PRO TEM SAMUEL ON BEING RE-ELECTED TO MAYOR PRO TEM FOR ANOTHER TERM, PRAYER FOR HIS WIFE WHO IS CAMPING IN THE MOUNTAINS OF CREED WITH THE YOUNG LIFE KIDS CITY ATTORNEY COOPER - NONE CITY MANAGER HAYES- CONGRATULATED MAYOR PRO TEM SAMUEL ON HIS BEING REELECTED TO ANOTHER TERM AS MAYOR PRO TEM,ANNOUNCED THAT ON JULY 8, 2008 THEIR WILL BE AN IMPORTANT WORK SESSION RELATING TO THE DOWNTOWN WATER WAY, PARK AND EVENTS CENTER DURING COUNCIL MEETING, ASKED THAT ALL OF COUNCIL TRY TO BE IN ATTENDANCE Page 8 of 9 Minutes-June 17,2008 MAYOR AMES- CONGRATULATED MAYOR PRO TEM SAMUEL ON BEING REELECTED TO ANOTHER TERM AS MAYOR PRO TEM, WILL NOT BE IN ATTENDANCE AT THE SYMPOSIUM OR CLEAN UP,WILL BE ATTENDING THE UNITED STATES CONFERENCE OF MAYORS IN WASHINGTON, D.C., THE CITY ENTERED INTO A PROGRAM FOR RECOGNITION OF THE CITY FOR WORK WITH THE MILITARY, THE CITY HAS BEEN RECOGNIZED FOR AN AWARD FOR ALL OF THEIR HARD WORK Public Comments (Persons are limited to three minutes) William R. Sam 1761 Rena Beaumont TX Thanked Council for all the good things that they have done and all of their accomplishments, congratulated Mayor Pro Tem Samuel on being reelected as Mayor Pro Tem, and a special thank you to Angie Thomas Louis Vaughn 9615 Mapes Beaumont TX Congratulated Mayor Pro Tem Samuel on being reelected as Mayor Pro Tem, thanked Councilmember Smith for all that has done in Ward IV, discussed the Pear Orchard neighborhood sewer, debris, and street problems EXECUTIVE SESSION There being no Executive Session, Council adjourned at 2:57 p.m. Audio available upon request in the City Clerk's Office. Becky Ames, M or 11 Via, � 11 W 141 a-- ,& C-1 AA J Tina Broussard, City Clerk 4 r Page 9 of 9 Minutes-June 17,2008