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Home My WebLink AboutMIN DEC 15 2009 M I N U T E S - CITY OF BEAUMONT W.L. Pate, Jr., At-Large BECKY AMES, MAYOR Gethrel Wright, Mayor Pro Tern Dr. Alan B. Coleman, Ward I CITY COUNCIL MEETING Nancy Beaulieu, Ward II Audwin Samuel, Ward III December 15, 2009 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 December 15, 2009 at the City Hall Council Chambers, 801 Main Street, Beaumont, Texas, at 1:30 p.m. to considerthe 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 to order at 1:30 p.m. Reverend James Blackwell of South Park Baptist Church gave the invocation. Students from Fletcher Elementary School led the Pledge of Allegiance. Present at the meeting were Mayor Ames, Mayor Pro Tern Wright, Councilmembers Coleman, Beaulieu, Pate, Samuel. Absent: Councilmember Smith. Also present were Kyle Hayes, City Manager; Tyrone Cooper, City Attorney; Tina Broussard, City Clerk. Councilmember Smith was absent due to death in his family. Proclamations, Presentations, Recognitions "Fletcher Elementary School Day"-December 15, 2009- Proclamation read by Councilmember Samuel; accepted by Mike Gonzales, Principal and students Karli Landry, Edmundo Camago, Ani Prevost and Minh-Tu Thai Presentation Tom Combs and Anna Psaras with Disaster Relief Emergency Services presented 12 bicycles to the Blue Santa Program/Beaumont Police Officers Public Comment: Persons may speak on scheduled agenda items 1-2/Consent Agenda. None Minutes-December 15,2009 CONSENT AGENDA Approval of minutes - December 8, 2009 Confirmation of committee appointments - None A) Approve a six(6)month contract for liquid chlorine for use by the Water Utilities Department- Resolution 09 - 366 B) Authorize the City Manager to acknowledge the Texas Department of Transportation's Plan Title Sheets for proposed improvements to the Burlington Northern and Santa Fe Railroad Crossings at Calder, McFaddin and North Streets - Resolution 09 - 367 C) Approve ratification of a letter agreement with Cimarex Energy Company- Resolution 09 - 368 D) Approve a resolution to write-off uncollectible water accounts- Resolution 09 - 369 Councilmember Pate made a motion to approve the Consent Agenda. Mayor Pro Tern Wright seconded the motion. AYES: MAYOR AMES,MAYOR PRO TEM WRIGHT,COUNCILMEMBERS COLEMAN,BEAULIEU, PATE AND SAMUEL NAYS: NONE MOTION PASSED GENERAL BUSINESS 1. Consider approving the purchase of fleet vehicles for use in various city departments. Administration recommended approval of the purchase of twenty(20)vehicles from Philpott Motors of Nederland in the amount of $757,077. All twenty (20) vehicles to be purchased are replacing models ranging from 1995 to 2008. The newer vehicles may be reassigned by Fleet where appropriate. The age and mileage of the older vehicles render them unfit for continued service. These vehicles will be disposed of according to the City's surplus property disposal policies. Warranties of 36,000 miles or three(3)years are provided for each new vehicle. The warranty service is provided by local authorized dealerships. Funds are budgeted in the Capital Reserve Fund in the amount of$454,153 and $302,924 in the Water Fund. Page 2 of 6 Minutes-December 15,2009 Councilmember Beaulieu moved to APPROVE A RESOLUTION THAT THE CITY COUNCIL APPROVES THE PURCHASE OF TWENTY (20) FLEET VEHICLES FROM PHILPOTT MOTORS OF NEDERLAND, TEXAS, THROUGH THE HOUSTON-GALVESTON AREA COUNCIL (H-GAC) AND BUYBOARD COOPERATIVE PURCHASING PROGRAMS IN THE AMOUNT OF $757,077. Councilmember Samuel seconded the motion. AYES: MAYOR AMES, MAYOR PRO TEM WRIGHT, COUNCILMEMBERS COLEMAN, BEAULIEU, PATE AND SAMUEL NAYS: NONE MOTION PASSED Resolution 09 - 370 2. Consider authorizing the City Manager to apply for and receive funding through the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, 2010 Emergency Management Performance Grant (EMPG) Program. Administration recommended approval. The Department of Homeland Security EMPG funding is provided to assist states and local governments in developing and carrying out emergency management programs.The federal funding guidelines are envisioned to reduce by half the anticipated operating expenses which are currently funded through the city's budget. City would receive grant funding in a total amount not to exceed $135,178.72 which could potentially reduce the$270,357.44 the City currently anticipates spending in fiscal year 2010 for the Emergency Management Program. Councilmember Samuel made a motion to APPROVE A RESOLUTION THAT THE CITY MANAGER BE AND HE IS HEREBY AUTHORIZED TO APPLY FOR AND RECEIVE FUNDING IN AN AMOUNT NOT TO EXCEED $135,178.72 THROUGH THE U.S. DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY, 2010 EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT PERFORMANCE GRANT(EMPG)PROGRAM TO ASSIST IN DEVELOPING AND CARRYING OUTVARIOUS EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT PROGRAMS.Councilmember Coleman seconded the motion. AYES: MAYOR AMES, MAYOR PRO TEM WRIGHT, COUNCILMEMBERS COLEMAN, BEAULIEU, PATE AND SAMUEL NAYS: NONE MOTION PASSED Resolution 09 - 371 Page 3 of 6 Minutes-December 15,2009 Mayor Ames read the announcement regarding Executive Session being held at the conclusion of the General Business portion of the meeting. COUNCILMEMBER COMMENTS COUNCILMEMBER COLEMAN - ANNOUNCED THE ENGAGEMENT OF HIS OLDEST SON, STEVEN, TO MEEGAN CRYER OF NEDERLAND, TX, THEY WILL HAVE A SPRING WEDDING, COMMENTED ON THE LINK SALE TO RAISE MONEY FOR THE 8 WEEK OLD SON OF BEAUMONT POLICE OFFICER JOSH CHADNEY,AS WELL AS WEST BROOK FACULTY THAT RAISED OVER $2,500 FOR MEDICAL EXPENSES COUNCILMEMBER BEAULIEU - PRAYERS GO OUT TO THE CHADNEY FAMILY FOR THEIR PRECIOUS SON, CONGRATULATED THE STAFF, STUDENTS AND PARENTS AT FLETCHER ELEMENTARY SCHOOL FOR A JOB WELL DONE, ALSO GLAD TO SEE THE CORPORATE PARTNERS STEPPING UP AND GIVING SO MANY CHILDREN A GREAT CHRISTMAS MAYOR PRO TEM WRIGHT - THANKED THE BLUE SANTA PROGRAM, THERE ARE SO MANY CHILDREN THAT BENEFIT FROM THIS PROGRAM, PROUD OF FLETCHER ELEMENTARY SCHOOL, CONDOLENCES TO BARBARA MATTHEWS AND FAMILY ON THE LOSS OF LISA MATTHEWS, COMMENTED ON THE NEW BUILDING THE REAUX FAMILY IS BUILDING, LOCATED ON COLLEGE STREET NEAR HERMAN MEMORIAL BAPTIST HOSPITAL,THE BUILDING WILL BE FOR FAMILIES TO UTILIZE THAT WILL HAVE LOVED ONES IN THE HOSPITAL FOR LENGTHY STAYS,WISHED EVERYONE A MERRY CHRISTMAS AND A HAPPY NEW YEAR COUNCILMEMBER PATE- CONDOLENCES TO COUNCILMEMBER JAMIE SMITH ON THE LOSS OF HIS MOTHER-IN-LAW,APPRECIATED THE FAMILIES THAT HELPED AND COORDINATED THE BIBLE AND BICYCLES PROGRAM, CONGRATULATED FLETCHER AND HARMONY ELEMENTARY SCHOOLS,ALSO THE WINNERS AT THE BEST YEARS CENTER CRAFT AWARD COUNCILMEMBER SAMUEL - NO PLACE LIKE HOME, TRULY A BLESSING TO BE BACK IN BEAUMONT,PROUD TO BE AN AMERICAN,PRAYING FOR ALL OF THE CITIZENS DURING THE HOLIDAY SEASON AND FOR THOSE THAT ARE BEREAVED,AS WELL AS THOSE THAT ARE ENJOYING THE PROSPERITY OF LIVING HERE IN BEAUMONT, TEXAS Page 4 of 6 Minutes-December 15,2009 COUNCILMEMBER SMITH - ABSENT CITY ATTORNEY COOPER - NONE CITY MANAGER HAYES - NONE MAYOR AMES - CONDOLENCES TO COUNCILMEMBER SMITH AND HIS FAMILY ON THE PASSING OF HIS MOTHER-IN-LAW, MENTIONED THE BIKES AND BIBLES PROGRAM, STATED THERE WERE ABOUT 3,000 ATTENDING, THERE WAS FREE FOOD AND OVER 1,200 BIBLES AND BIKES GIVEN AWAY, THANKED ALL OF THE FOUNDATIONS INVOLVED, THANKED THE BLUE SANTA PROGRAM, ASKED EVERYONE TO CELEBRATE FLETCHER ELEMENTARY SCHOOL AND THEIR ACCOMPLISHMENTS Public Comments (Persons are limited to three minutes) Alto Watson 4730 Monticello Beaumont TX Commented on Executive Session pertaining to James Mathews, also submitted a photograph of the scene where the incident occurred, also commented on an email that went out by the Fire Chief,this email threatened fire fighters of the community with discipline if they speak with Council or at Council meetings on this matter Doyle Jenkins 470 Orleans Beaumont TX Stated that he was the lead investigator in the James Mathews criminal case, praised Mr. Mathews and his time of service as a City of Beaumont fire fighter, asked that Council disregard the unsworn, slanderous, innuendoes and volatile language in the public domain and reinstate James Mathews, Jr. Walter Barclay 810 Chatwood Dr. Beaumont TX Spoke on behalf of James Mathews,Jr. and their friendship, asked that Council reinstate him Richard Mathews 2515 Wescalder Beaumont TX Commented on the constitution and asked that the City put James Mathews back to work Theresa Mathews 2535 South Beaumont TX Stated she is the wife of James Mathews, that he has been without a pay check for fifteen months, he was unjustly accused of a crime that he did not commit, fired before he was able to prove his innocence,they have a little girl and bills to pay, asked that Council please do the right thing and reinstate him Page 5 of 6 Minutes-December 15,2009 James Mathews 2535 South Beaumont TX Stated it was an honor to serve the citizens of Beaumont as a fire fighter, he did it because it was something that he loved to do, has been a fire fighter for the past fourteen years and would to continue to, asked that Council consider reinstating him Bruce Hoffer 2535 North Beaumont TX Commented on the State Final Soccer Championship,there were three teams from El Paso, TX, they all stayed in hotels and visited restaurants Rev. J.D. Roberts 5475 Landry Beaumont TX Spoke in regards to his friend, James Mathews, asked that Council do the right thing by reinstating James, wished everyone a Merry Christmas Crystal Holmes 255 College Beaumont TX Thanked Councilmember Coleman for working with the Police Department on the fund raiser forthe Chadney ,family, as well as all of the off duty police officers, other counties and school districts that came out and donated money Alaina Powell 2494 South St. Beaumont TX Spoke on behalf of James Mathews and all that he has done for her and her family, asked that Council please reinstate him to his job Open session of meeting recessed at 2:14 p.m. EXECUTIVE SESSION Consider matters related to contemplated or pending litigation in accordance with Section 551.071 of the Government Code: John Smith v. City of Beaumont In Re: City of Beaumont, Texas, and Local 399, AAA Case No. 70 390 00042 09, Disciplinary Appeal of James Mathews, Jr. There being no action taken in Executive Session, Council adjourned. Audio available upon request in the City Clerk's Office. .�-��° +�1® B y A , Mayo 4, rn OI eam..e. LU Tina Broussard, City Clerk Page 6 of 6 Minutes-December 15.2009