HomeMy WebLinkAboutMIN AUG 20 2013 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 Michael D. Getz, Ward II
Audwin Samuel,Ward III August 20, 2013 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 August 20, 2013, 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 No.1/Consent Agenda
Consent Agenda
Mayor Ames called the council meeting to order at 1:30 p.m.
Pastor "Big" Jim Selles with West End Baptist Church gave the invocation. Boy Scout, Steven
Streeter led the Pledge of Allegiance. Roll call was made by Tina Broussard, City Clerk.
Present at the meeting were Mayor Ames, Mayor Pro Tem Wright, Councilmembers Coleman,
Getz, Pate, Samuel and Smith. Also present were Kyle Hayes, City Manager; Tyrone Cooper,
City Attorney; Tina Broussard, City Clerk.
Proclamations, Presentations, Recognitions
None
Public Comment: Persons may speak on scheduled agenda items No.1/Consent Agenda.
None
CONSENT AGENDA
Approval of minutes - August 13, 2013
Confirmation of committee appointments — None
A) Approve a resolution approving the renewal of an annual support agreement for the
ShoreTel phone systems — Resolution 13 - 173
B) Approve a resolution authorizing the settlement of the claim of Johnny Owens —
Resolution 13 - 174
C) Approve a resolution approving the waiver of interest charges on a demolition lien in the
amount of $11,849.48, fees in the amount of $16.00 and a reduction of principle in the
Minutes—/august 20,2013
amount of$7,924.00 for property described as Blanchett 1, W1/2 Lot 73 to Lot 75, Block 7,
and accepting a payment of $10,000 from the property owner— Resolution 13 - 175
D) Approve a resolution recertifying the Small Business Revolving Loan Fund Plan —
Resolution 13 - 176
Councilmember Samuel made a motion to approve the Consent Agenda. Councilmember
Smith seconded the motion.
AYES: MAYOR AMES, MAYOR PRO TEM WRIGHT, COUNCILMEMBERS COLEMAN,
GETZ, PATE, SAMUEL AND SMITH
NAYS: NONE
MOTION PASSED
GENERAL BUSINESS
1. Consider a resolution approving a payment to Jefferson County for the renewal of an
annual maintenance agreement for the 800 MHz radio system used by various city
departments.
The 800 MHz radio system is used by EMS, Fire, Police and numerous other departments
throughout the City for daily communications. The purchase is exempt from competitive
bidding since it is available from only one (1) source having exclusive rights to maintain the
radio infrastructure. The maintenance agreement provides for constant monitoring of the
radio system and 911 dispatch centers as well as dispatching of repair personnel with
replacement parts when required.
The 800 MHz radio system is shared with agencies throughout Hardin, Jefferson and
Orange counties. The annual cost of the maintenance contract is divided among all
agencies by the number of radios each agency has on the system. Total billing to the City
of Beaumont was reduced by a credit for costs incurred supporting the system during the
past year.
General Fund, Water, Solid Waste and Fleet.
Approval of resolution.
Councilmember Wright moved to APPROVE A RESOLUTION THAT THE CITY MANAGER BE AND HE
IS HEREBY AUTHORIZED TO APPROVE PAYMENT OF AN INVOICE IN THE AMOUNT OF$179,571.46 TO
JEFFERSON COUNTY FOR THE RENEWAL OF AN ANNUAL MAINTENANCE AGREEMENT WITH
MOTOROLA FOR SUPPORT OF THE 80OMHZ RADIO SYSTEM. Councilmember Smith seconded the
motion.
AYES: MAYOR AMES, MAYOR PRO TEM WRIGHT, COUNCILMEMBERS COLEMAN,
GETZ, PATE AND SAMUEL
NAYS: NONE
Minutes—August 20,2013
ABSTAIN: COUNCILMEMBER SMITH
MOTION PASSED
Resolution 13 - 177
WORK SESSION
Review and discuss a door-to-door solicitation ordinance proposed by
Councilmembers Mike Getz and W. L. Pate
Councilmember Getz reviewed and discussed with Council a door-to-door solicitation
ordinance. The commercial door-to-door solicitation raised particular concerns for
municipalities seeking to protect their residents. There were several concerns that were
discussed regarding the solicitation ordinance which included the first amendment
(freedom of speech) which allows people the right to distribute information door-to-door,
however, court cases have held that commercial speech provides an opportunity for
greater deception and confusion that is not present in other forms of speech and
municipalities may regulate it to a greater degree. Justification was discussed based on
the desire to protect citizens from residential crime and invasion of privacy, this type of
door-to-door solicitation would provide a tool for the police department to use in
safeguarding the safety of citizens that they currently don't have. There was discussion as
to the definition of home solicitation, the meaning of what a merchant, a person and a
residence means, as well as the hours that a solicitor may visit a citizen's home. The
hours stated were before 9:00 a.m., or after 30 minutes following sunset of any day,
Monday through Saturday; or at any time on a Sunday, New Year's Day, July 4th, Labor
Day, Thanksgiving Day or Christmas Day. Violations and penalties were discussed, a
person who violates the ordinance, or who fails to perform an act required of the person by
the ordinance, commits an offense and a punishable fine of not more than $500. These
penalties are in addition to any other enforcement remedies that the city may have under
city ordinances and state law.
COUNCILMEMBER COMMENTS
COUNCILMEMBER SMITH - GAVE CONDOLENCES TO THE HODGE FAMILY WHO LOST A
GREAT ATTORNEY,THANKED EVERYONE THAT HELPED WITH
THE SCHOOL SUPPLY DRIVE ESPECIALLY THE NON-PROFITS,
WISHED HIS GREAT FRIEND MR. SAMS A HAPPY BIRTHDAY
COUNCILMEMBER SAMUEL- GAVE CONDOLENCES TO THE HODGE FAMILY, THANKED
RYAN SLOTT AND STAFF WITH THE PARKS AND RECREATION
DEPARTMENT FOR ALL THEY DID TO HELP WITH THE BACK TO
SCHOOL SUPPLY DRIVE, AS WELL AS THE NEIGHBORS IN
THE PARK AND CONCERTS IN THE PARK, COMMENTED ON
THE GRAND OPENING OF THE NEW SKATE PARK
COUNCILMEMBER PATE - THANKED COUNCIL ON THE GREAT DISCUSSION AND
CONCERN REGARDING THE SOLICITATION ORDINANCE,
STATED THAT COUNCIL WILL NOT ALWAYS AGREE BUT ONE
THING THEY DO AGREE ON IS THAT THEY ARE THERE TO DO
WHAT'S BEST FOR THE CITIZENS OF BEAUMONT,
Minutes—August 20.2013
CONDOLENCES TO THE HODGE AND GERSON FAMILIES,
ANNOUNCED THE FUND RAISER BY SOME OTHER PLACE AT
THE BEAUMONT CIVIC CENTER, EXCITED ABOUT THE SKATE
PARK AND THE GREAT ATTENDANCE AT THE GRAND
OPENING, ALSO COMMENTED ON LAMAR UNIVERSITY
FOOTBALL ENCOURAGED EVERYONE TO GET A TICKET FOR
THE GAME THAT WILL BE ON AUGUST 31, 2013, AT THE
PROVOST UMPHREY STADIUM
MAYOR PRO TEM WRIGHT - CONDOLENCES TO THE HODGE AND GERSON FAMILIES,
COMMENTED ON THE WONDERFUL SKATE PARK, AN
INFORMATIVE CONFERENCE SHE ATTENDED WITH THE
SENIORS, AS WELL AS A HEAD LINE IN THE BEAUMONT
ENTERPRISE THAT THE COUNCIL IS DIVIDED, WANTS THE
NEWS MEDIA TO KNOW THAT THE COUNCIL IS NOT DIVIDED
AND DOESN'T LIKE TO SEE THOSE KIND OF STATEMENTS
COUNCILMEMBER GETZ- AGREED WITH COUNCILMEMBER WRIGHT, STATED THAT
EVERY COUNCILMEMBER THAT SITS ON COUNCIL WANTS
WHAT'S BEST FOR THE CITIZENS OF BEAUMONT,
CONDOLENCES TO THE HODGE AND GERSON FAMILIES,
ANNOUNCED THE TASTING OF SOME OTHER PLACE TONIGHT
AT THE BEAUMONT CIVIC CENTER,COMMENTED ON HIS WIFE
KAYAKING, AS WELL AS NEWS THAT HE RECEIVED
REGARDING BISD
COUNCILMEMBER COLEMAN - THANKED RYAN SLOTT AND BRENDA BEADLE FOR CRAFTING
A GREAT SKATE BOARD PARK, ALSO WISHED
COUNCILMEMBER JAMIE SMITH A BELATED HAPPY
BIRTHDAY, ANNOUNCED THAT THERE WILL BE A SOCCER
TOURNAMENT AT THE QUINN SOCCER FIELD STARTING AT
8:00 A.M. THIS WEEKEND
CITY ATTORNEY COOPER- NONE
CITY MANAGER HAYES - NONE
MAYOR AMES - COMMENTED ON THE RIBBON CUTTING FOR THE SKATE
PARK, WISHED COUNCILMEMBER JAMIE SMITH AND MR.
SAMS A HAPPY BIRTHDAY, GAVE CONDOLENCES TO THE
HODGE AND GERSON FAMILIES, COMMENTED ON SOME
OTHER PLACE'S FUND RAISER, MENTIONED AN EVENT BY
THE BOY SCOUTS STATED THAT THIS PAST WEEK THE
SALVATION ARMY BOYS AND GIRLS CLUB HAD AN EVENT
AND THAT COUNCILMEMBER SMITH PARTICIPATED IN THE
STYLE SHOW PORTION OF THE FUND RAISER, REGINA
ROGERS ALSO RECEIVED AN AWARD ON BEHALF OF HER
MOTHER, COMMENTED ON THE SUMMER READING CLUB,
STATED SHE GAVE OUT ABOUT 500 MEDALS WHICH WAS
REALLY GREAT
Minutes—August 20,2013
Public Comments (Persons are limited to three minutes)
Stephen Watson 6015 Townhouse Ln. Beaumont TX
Stated that if his prior remarks came across as hateful, arrogant or disrespectful he wanted
to give his public and personal apology, stated it's his perception that the dysfunctional
school district is currently hurting the city economically and will continue to cause economic
damage that may take decades to recover, stated that he knows that Councilmembers
have a better vision for the city, perceives that racial tensions are rising in the city, asked
for council's help to first bring awareness to this problem as individuals and not as
Councilmembers, asked that they join him in opening a dialogue within their personal
contacts as well as the religious communities to begin to do something to head this off at
the pass, if for nothing else let's do it for our kids
There being no Executive Session, Council adjourned at 2:52 p.m.
Au io available upon request in the City Clerk's Office.
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B ky Am s, M or
Tina Broussard, City Clerk
Minutes—August 20,2013