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Home My WebLink AboutMIN JAN 24 2012 M I N U T E S - CITY OF BEAUMONT W.L. Pate,Jr.,At-Large BECKY AMES, MAYOR Gethrel Wright,At-Large Dr.Alan B. Coleman,Ward I CITY COUNCIL MEETING Michael D.Getz,Ward II Audwin Samuel,Ward III January 24,2012 Jamie Smith,Mayor Pro Tom 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 January 24, 2012, 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 1-3/Consent Agenda * Consent Agenda Mayor Ames called the regular council meeting to order at 1:30 p.m. Pastor Kennedy Andrews of Harvest of Lost Souls Church gave the invocation. Councilmember Wright led the Pledge of Allegiance. Roll call was made by Tina Broussard, City Clerk. Present at the meeting were Mayor Ames, Mayor Pro Tern Smith, Councilmembers Coleman, Getz, Wright and Pate. Absent: Councilmember Samuel. Also present were Kyle Hayes, City Manager; Tyrone Cooper, City Attorney; Tina Broussard, City Clerk. Councilmember Samuel was absent due to work. Proclamations, Presentations, Recognitions None Public Comment: Persons may speak on scheduled agenda items 1-3/Consent Agenda. Lin Marie Garsee 1725 Park Beaumont TX Spoke in regards to Item #2 on the Agenda; asked that Council vote in favor of the police substation and restroom, stated she's willing to donate property that she owns at the comer of Pennsylvania and Irma street if the City is willing to build a substation there, that's how serious she is in regards to a police substation Shirlene Cook 2235 Rampart St. Beaumont TX Spoke in regards to Item #2 on the Agenda; stated that she's in favor of the project, the project was researched before it was put on the agenda for approval, felt that the police substation is probably to the advantage to every citizen in this town whether it's in their Minutes—January 24,2012 ward or not, the station can also be a marketing tool for Lamar University and the Convention and Visitors Bureau, with all of this in place this can be an asset to bring tourists into our community, stretch the economy, and serve more people as it grows Beverly Miller 4310 Cartwright Beaumont TX Spoke in regards to Item #2 on the Agenda; after sitting in on the Council meeting last week,when she left she felt really good about the vision that the council has for the Amtrak Station, also stated that the Police substation and restroom are needed, one has to think about what will take place if a person has to use the restroom, if they leave to find a restroom they run the risk of missing the train so a restroom is needed as well as the police substation W. R. Sam 1761 Rena St. Beaumont TX Spoke in regards to Item #2 on the Agenda; stated that he supports the building of the police substation and restroom, the standards of Beaumont needs to be raised, also commented on his ride along with a police officer, it is awful for a police officer to have to search for a clean place to use the restroom, thinks that the police that serve and protect the citizens should not have to ride around and look for a clean facility to use, asked that council please support this project it is something that is much needed CONSENT AGENDA * Approval of minutes - January 24, 2012 * Confirmation of committee appointments - Resolution 12 -017 Marcelino Rodriguez would be appointed to the Convention and Tourism Advisory Board. The term would commence January 24, 2012 and expire January 23,2014. (Councilmember At Large Gethrel Williams-Wright) Tony Prados would be reappointed to the Community Development Advisory Committee. The current term would expire October 29, 2013. (Councilmember At Large Gethrel Williams-Wright) David Mulcahy would be reappointed to the Community Development Advisory Committee. The current term would expire December 21, 2013. (Councilmember W. L. Pate, Jr.) Ethelyn Jenkins, County Historian, would be reappointed to the Historic Landmark Commission. The current term would expire January 15, 2014. (Mayor Becky Ames) Dohn LaBiche, Architect, would be reappointed to the Historic Landmark Commission. The current term would expire October 29, 2013. (Mayor Becky Ames) A) Authorize the City Manager to execute water and/or wastewater service agreements with City of Beaumont wholesale customers— Resolution 12 - 018 B) Authorize the City Attorney to bring suit to collect delinquent hotel occupancy taxes due the City of Beaumont by Economy Inn/Jivanji Bhakta Prabhubhai — Resolution 12 - 019 Minutes—January 24,2012 C) Authorize the settlement of the lawsuit styled Mark Ramirez v. City of Beaumont; Cause No. A-189,384 — Resolution 12 - 020 Councilmember Coleman made a motion to approve the Consent Agenda. Mayor Pro Tern Smith seconded the motion. AYES: MAYOR AMES,MAYOR PRO TEM SMITH,COUNCILMEMBERS COLEMAN,GETZ, WRIGHT AND PATE NAYS: NONE MOTION PASSED GENERAL BUSINESS 1. Consider approving the purchase of a hydraulic excavator for use by the Water Utilities Department. Administration recommended approval of the purchase from Waukesha-Pearce Industries Inc. of Port Arthur in the amount of$299,991.20. Pricing for the equipment was obtained through BuyBoard, a cooperative purchasing association providing cities and political subdivisions with the means to purchase specialized equipment at volume pricing. BuyBoard complies with State of Texas procurement statutes. The excavator will be used for water construction and rehabilitation work and will replace Unit 5147, a 2002 model with 5,000 hours of service. The old unit will be disposed of according to the City's surplus equipment disposal policy. The new excavator is a larger model with increased capability to lift and place the excavation trench box for worker's safety during rehabilitation work such as pipe bursting and slip lining. The machine is also used with a Slashbuster attachment to cut brush and trees. The existing Slashbuster from the old unit will be refurbished and installed on the new excavator. Standard warranty is one (1) year with unlimited service hours. Warranty service is provided by Waukesha-Pearce of Port Arthur. Delivery is expected within forty-five (45) days. Funds are available in the Water Utilities Fund. COuncilmember Wright moved to APPROVE A RESOLUTION THAT THE CITY COUNCIL HEREBY APPROVE THE PURCHASE OF A HYDRAULIC EXCAVATOR FOR USE BY THE WATER UTILITIES DEPARTMENT, FROM WAUKESHA-PEARCE INDUSTRIES, INC., OF PORT ARTHUR, TEXAS, IN THE AMOUNT OF $299,991.20 THROUGH THE BUYSOARD COOPERATIVE PURCHASING PROGRAM. Mayor Pro Tern Smith seconded the motion. AYES: MAYOR AMES,MAYOR PRO TEM SMITH,COUNCILMEM13ERS COLEMAN,GETZ, WRIGHT AND PATE Minutes—January 24,2012 NAYS: NONE MOTION PASSED Resolution 12 -021 2. Bids were received on Thursday, December 8, 2011 for furnishing all materials, labor, equipment and supplies to construct a Police substation and public restroom facility adjacent to the newly constructed Amtrak station. Amtrak began the construction of a new station and platform on W. Cedar in February, 2011 on land purchased by the City from Union Pacific Railroad. The new station and parking lot will be completed in January 2012. Amtrak has constructed their standard station for low use stops that includes a covered waiting area, new platform and parking area. However, restrooms are not provided in these stations. Rob Clark,with Architectural Alliance of Beaumont designed a 600 sq.ft. building similar to the new Amtrak station. This building will include one public restroom and a police substation. The building will be constructed west of the Amtrak station on property recently purchased by the City. The project will include exterior lighting and sidewalks connecting the Amtrak station to the restroom facility. The restroom will remain open to the public on the days that Amtrak service is offered in Beaumont. The restroom will be secured on days when no service is available and automatically locked every evening. The low bidder, Bruce's General Construction, is a certified MBE. Construction should commence in February and be completed in 180 days. Funds for this project are available in the Capital Program. Mayor Pro Tern Smith made a motion to APPROVE A RESOLUTION THAT THE BID SUBMITTED BY BRUCE'S GENERAL CONSTRUCTION, OF BEAUMONT, TEXAS, FOR FURNISHING ALL MATERIALS, LABOR,EQUIPMENT AND SUPPLIES TO CONSTRUCT A POLICE SUBSTATION AND PUBLIC RESTROOM FACILITY ADJACENT TO THE NEWLY CONSTRUCTED AMTRAK STATION IN THE AMOUNT OF$289,000 BE ACCEPTED BY THE CITY OF BEAUMONT;AND,BE IT RESOLVED THAT THE CITY MANAGER BE AND HE IS HEREBY AUTHORIZED TO EXECUTE A CONTRACT WITH BRUCE'S GENERAL CONSTRUCTION,OF BEAUMONT,TEXAS. Councilmember Coleman seconded the motion. AYES: MAYOR AMES, MAYOR PRO TEM SMITH, COUNCILMEMBERS COLEMAN,AND WRIGHT NAYS: COUNCILMEMBERS GETZ AND PATE MOTION PASSED Resolution 12 -022 Minutes—January 24,2012 3. Consider amending the boundaries of Neighborhood Empowerment Zone Number One. Administration recommended amending the boundaries of Neighborhood Empowerment Zone Number One. In an effort to encourage economic development in areas of the city with higher concentrations of low to moderate income families and limited redevelopment, Neighborhood Empowerment Zones were created within the city. Incentives are offered within the zones to encourage redevelopment. These incentives include: 1) 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. Proposed is an amendment to Neighborhood Empowerment Zone Number One,to include an area along College Street. Attached is a map of all Empowerment Zones, with the proposed changes to Empowerment Zone Number One and the amended boundary description. Revenues from waived fees and liens and abated ad-valorem taxes would be forgone, but the long-term economic impact associated with new development should positively affect future budgets. Councilmember Pate made a motion to ADOPT AN ORDINANCE ENTITLED AN ORDINANCE AMENDING THE BOUNDARIES OF THE NEIGHBORHOOD EMPOWERMENT ZONE#1. Mayor Pro Tern Smith seconded the motion. AYES: MAYOR AMES,MAYOR PRO TEM SMITH,COUNCILMEMBERS COLEMAN,GETZ, WRIGHT AND PATE NAYS: NONE MOTION PASSED Ordinance 12 - 004 COUNCILMEMBER COMMENTS MAYOR PRO TEM SMITH - THANKED CENTRAL MEDICAL MAGNET HIGH SCHOOL FOR SPONSORING THE BOYS TO MEN WEEK COUNCILMEM13ER PATE- ENCOURAGED CITIZENS TO GET INVOLVED WITH THEIR NEIGHBORHOOD ASSOCIATIONS,STATED HOW IMPORTANT IT IS,COMMENTED ON BAPTIST HOSPITAL'S FUND RAISER THAT WILL BE AT THE BEAUMONT CIVIC CENTER, THANKED THE JULIE ROGERS GIFT OF LIFE FOR ALL THEY DO, ALSO THE Minutes—January 24,2012 MENTAL HEALTH ASSOCIATION WILL BE RECOGNIZING CHRISTUS AND CASA FOR ALL THAT THEY DO COUNCILMEMBER WRIGHT- THANKED ALL OF THE CITIZENS THAT TAKE TIME TO COME OUT AND VOICE THEIR OPINIONS REGARDING ITEMS ON THE AGENDA,COMMENDED RETIRED POLICE OFFICER BILL DAVIS ON SUCCESSFULLY APPREHENDING THE PERSON THAT COMMITTED A ROBBERY AT BOYS HAVEN COUNCILMEMBER GETZ- CONGRATULATED THE FIFTEEN NEWLY HIRED POLICE OFFICERS THAT WERE SWORN IN AT THE BEAUMONT CIVIC CENTER EARLIER TODAY COUNCILMEMBER COLEMAN - NONE COUNCILMEMBER SAMUEL- ABSENT CITY ATTORNEY COOPER- NONE CITY MANAGER HAYES- NONE MAYOR AMES - COMMENTED ON AND READ A NEWSPAPER ARTICLE FROM .TUNE 23,2010 IN THE BEAUMONT ENTERPRISE REGARDING THE AMTRAK STATION Public Comments (Persons are limited to three minutes) W. R. Sams, Sr. 1761 Rena St. Beaumont TX Commented on the ride along with a Beaumont Police Officer, stated that the police officer did a great job and worked really hard and should be commended for the work that he did during the ride along with two good arrests Pastor Deanna Andrews 3395 Highland�Ne. Beaumont TX Thanked the Mayor and Council for all that they do to make the place that she calls home safe, announced a new program called 2012 Agents of Change Campaign, stated that on the first and third Saturday of every month they will be doing a community wide agent of change with the first being on Saturday, January 28, 2012, from 11:00a.m. to 3:00p.m., there will be painting done to remove graffiti at the carwash next to the newly built South Park Middle School on Highland Ave., everyone is asked to meet atthe church, Harvestfor Lost Souls, 3395 Highland Ave. at 10:45a.m., and as a group they will go over together to paint at the carwash, there was also a list of items needed for donation that was handed out to the Mayor and Council Louis Vaughn 9615 Mapes St. Beaumont TX Wished Mayor and Council a Happy New Year, read a scripture from the Book of Isaiah "unto us a child is born and a son is given, the government shall set upon him, upon his shoulder", also asked a question that was posed by Dr. Charles Stanley; who are you Minutes—January 24,2012 listening to? Mr. Vaughn added, and who are you hearing? it is in our listening and our hearing that determines the things that we do,we do what we do because we believe what we believe, in your listening and your hearing, we get it, we get what you believe in, stated that today I would choose Jesus to listen to and to hear, that's what is needed With there being no Executive Session the regular Council meeting adjourned at 2:35 p.m. dio available upon request in the City Clerk's Office. Aff W9 ,or Tina Broussard, City Clerk Minutes—January 24,2012