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Home My WebLink AboutMIN JUN 17 2014M 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, Mayor Pro Tern CITY COUNCIL MEETING Michael D. Getz, Ward II Audwin Samuel, Ward III June 17, 2014 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, 2014, 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 on Consent Agenda Consent Agenda Mayor Ames called the council meeting to order at 1:30 p.m. Rabbi Joshua Taub gave the invocation. Councilmember Pate led the Pledge of Allegiance. Roll call was made by Tina Broussard, City Clerk. Present at the meeting were Mayor Ames, Mayor Pro Tern Coleman, Councilmembers Getz, Wright, 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 on Consent, Agenda. None CONSENT AGENDA Approval of minutes - June 10, 2014 Confirmation of committee appointments - None A) Authorize an annual contract for the purchase of wastewater treatment polymer from Hercules, Inc., of Wilmington, Delaware, for use by the Water Utilities Department — Resolution 14 - 132 B) Authorize the City Manager to accept the Klein Park Walking Trail Project for maintenance, approve a change order to the contract with Bruce's General Construction and authorize final payment — Resolution 14 - 133 Minutes — June 17, 2014 C) Authorize the acceptance of a ten foot wide Exclusive Water Line Easement with Chick Fil- A located at 3825 College Street — Resolution 14 - 134 Councilmember Wright moved to approve the Consent Agenda. Councilmember Smith seconded the motion. AYES: MAYOR AMES, MAYOR PRO TEM COLEMAN, COUNCILMEMBERS GETZ, WRIGHT, PATE, SAMUEL AND SMITH NAYS: NONE MOTION PASSED GENERAL BUSINESS Consider approving a resolution authorizing the award of four, one -year contracts for the purchase of inventory materials for use in the Water Utilities Department. Bids were received from five (5) vendors for an annual contract for couplings, pipe fittings, valves, fire hydrants and other related materials for use by the Water Utilities Department. The materials are used in the repair and maintenance of existing water and sewer lines and installation of new service lines in order to maintain adequate water and sewer service throughout the City. Specifications required bidders to submit pricing for 216 line items, separated into fifteen (15) specific sections. Bids were evaluated upon the lowest total price per section on an all or none basis and which provides the best value to the City. Only bidders providing pricing for every item within each section were considered. Pricing is to remain firm for the term of the contract. Specifications also required all bids involving brass materials to quote items that are certified NSF61 lead -free compliant and are of domestic (USA) manufacture. Bid Section 12, Ductile Iron 'Valves, will not be awarded due to inaccuracy in the specifications. The administration recommends award of one (1) year contracts to the following vendors in the amounts indicated; H.D. Supply & Waterworks, Inc., of Beaumont, $610,856.38; Rural Pipe & Supply, Inc., of Jasper, $280,566.35; Coburn's Inc., of Beaumont., $391,495.50; ACT Pipe & Supply, Inc., of Beaumont; $41,567.70. Councilmember Wright moved to APPROVE A RESOLUTION THAT THE BIDS FOR A ONE (1) YEAR CONTRACT FOR PURCHASING COUPLINGS, PIPE FITTINGS, VALVES, FIRE HYDRANTS AND OTHER RELATED MATERIALS FOR USE BY THE WATER UTILITIES DEPARTMENT SUBMITTED BY THE FOUR (4) VENDORS BASED UPON UNIT PRICING FOR AN ESTIMATED TOTAL CONTRACT EXPENDITURE OF $1,324,485.93 BE ACCEPTED BY THE CITY OF BEAUMONT. Councilmember Smith seconded the motion. AYES: MAYOR AMES, MAYOR PRO TEM COLEMAN, COUNCILMEMBERS GETZ, WRIGHT, PATE, SAMUEL AND SMITH Minutes — June 17, 2014 NAYS: NONE MOTION PASSED Resolution 14 -.135 WORK SESSION Review and discuss various Streets and Drainage Projects and General Improvement Projects Kyle Hayes, City Manager discussed the following projects: Streets and Drainage Projects Concord Road Design Phase - 30% Complete Estimated Cost - $18,000,000 Magnolia Overlay Design Phase -- None Estimated Cost - $4,750,000 Street Rehab Program Design Phase -- In Progress Estimated Cost - $15,000,000 Projects paid for Utilizing Oil & Gas Revenue Northwest Parkway Design Phase -- 60% Complete Estimated Cost - $8,000,000 7 t Street Design Phase -- 50% Complete Estimated Cost - $6,600,000 Phase II — Amarillo to 1 -10 Design Phase -- 95% Complete Total Estimated Cost - $30,200,000 (both phases) TGLO — Hurricane Ike Recovery Projects South Park Relief Project Construction Phase — 20% Complete Estimated Cost - $13,760,000 New Public Health Department Construction Phase — 5% Complete Estimated Cost - $8,200,000 Delaware Overlay Design Phase — None Estimated Cost - $2,000,000 Storm Water Master Plan On Hold Estimated Cost - $1,500,000 Old Dowlen Design Phase — 95% Complete Estimated Cost - $9,000,000 Washington Blvd. — Phase I Contract Awarded -- About to Start Total Estimated Cost - $30,200,00 Fire Station No. 2 Relocation Construction Phase — 45% Complete Estimated Cost - $3,100,000 Magnolia — Gill to East Lucas Construction Phase — 20% Complete Estimated Cost - $5,000,000 Minutes — June 17, 2014 Avenue A — Washington to Hwy 69 Two parcels left to acquire Estimated Cost - $7,400,000 General Improvement Projects Athletic Complex Tennis Center Clubhouse — 35% Complete New Tennis Courts — 5% Complete Estimated Cost - .$3,600,000 Fire Station No. 11 Relocation Contract Awarded for Construction Estimated Cost - $3,250,000 Riverfront Development Conceptual Design Phase Estimated Cost - $5,000,000 Fire Station No. 1 Relocation Design Phase - None Estimated Cost - $6,500,000 Hike & Bike Trail — Major to Dowlen Out for Bid Estimated Cost - $826,400 New Senior Center Design Phase — 5% Complete Estimated Cost - $4,500,000 Review and discuss issuing Water Revenue Bonds related to Water and Sewer Projects and a proposed rate increase necessary for funding the Water and Sewer debt service Laura Clark, Chief Financial Officer discussed the Water and Sewer Capital Projects and Related Revenue Bonds. There was an overview discussion regarding the issuance of new water revenue bonds to complete existing water and sewer projects. The City should take advantage of low interest rates by refunding a portion of existing debt, issue water revenue bonds that do not require a reserve bond fund and propose a rate increase which would be required to meet debt service requirements. Background was given for the water and sewer projects that are funded by revenue bond proceeds and the last issue of revenue bonds that were issued in 2012, as well as the last two bond issues that was required in the water bond reserve fund. The use of new bond proceeds were discussed and the completion of projects under construction such as, water and sewer projects and improvements to water /sewer street projects. Laura Clark also discussed the issues to be refunded to achieve lower interest rates which are tax exempt. The issues are the Series 2004 — 2006, Series 2006A with a total debt to be refunded in the amount of $63,890,000. There was discussion in regards to the requirement for the Water Reserve Bond Fund as well as the rate increase required to pay for new debt. COUNCILMEMBER COMMENTS COUNCILMEMBER SMITH - GAVE CONDOLENCES TO THE FAMILY OF FORMER MAYOR MAURY MEYERS, ANNOUNCED THE JUNETEENTH CELEBRATION AT TYRRELL PARK OVER THE WEEKEND FROM 2:00 P.M. TO 9:00 P.M. ENCOURAGED ALL CITIZENS TO COME OUT AND ATTEND COUNCILMEMBER SAMUEL - THANKED RABBI JOSHUA TAUB FOR THE WONDERFUL PRAYER, EXTENDED CONDOLENCES TO THE FAMILY OF FORMER MAYOR MAURY MEYERS, MADE ADDITIONAL Minutes — June 17, 2014 COMMENTS IN REGARDS TO COMMENTS MADE BY COUNCILMEMBER GETZ COUNCILMEMBER PATE - CONDOLENCES TO THE FAMILY OF FORMER MAYOR MAURY M EYERS COUNCILMEMBER WRIGHT - CONDOLENCES TO THE FAMILY OF FORMER MAYOR MAURY MEYERS, THANKED KYLE HAYES, CITY MANAGER AND LAURA CLARK, CFO FOR THE GREAT WORKSESSIONS, ALSO MADE ADDITIONAL REMARKS IN REGARDS TO COMMENTS MADE BY COUNCILMEMBER GETZ COUNCILMEMBER GETZ - (SEE COMMENTS ATTACHED) MAYOR PRO TEM COLEMAN - ANNOUNCED THE BIRTH OF HIS FIRST GRAND BABY, HARPER GREY COLEMAN WHO WAS BORN ON WEDNESDAY, SHE WEIGHED 7LBS, 15 OUNCES AND WAS 20 INCHES LONG, CONGRATULATED THE USA SOCCER TEAM THEY DEFEATED GHANA 2 TO 1 FOR THE WORLD CUP CITY ATTORNEY COOPER - NONE CITY MANAGER HAYES - NONE MAYOR AMES - STATED THAT SHE WOULD LIKE COUNCIL TO MOVE FORWARD, THEY HAVE DONE SOME REALLY GOOD THINGS FOR THE CITIZENS AND FOR THE CITY, SHE WOULD LIKE TO MOVE THE CITY FORWARD AND WOULD LIKE ALL OF COUNCIL TO HELP HER DO THAT Public Comments (Persons are limited to three minutes) Pam Shelander 5555 Clinton Beaumont TX Stated that there was a vote on last week for Mayor Pro Tem, this is a title that has historically been passed around through the council, the person serving as Mayor Pro Tem takes over the duty of Mayor in her absence, stated that her real issue was more focused on the disrespectful way that her Councilmember was treated, made statements regarding BISD, also stated that it seemed to her that there had been some discussion before the vote, thanked Mayor Ames and Councilmember Pate for their vote for Councilmember Getz Mark McClellan 1270 Nottingham Lane Beaumont TX Commented on the future of Beaumont TX, stated that Beaumont depends upon the African American youths in our city, they are the majority of the children in our school system, they are the ones that we need to make certain they have a grand education so that they can fill the jobs in this city, he gave facts from the last 20 years in regards to SAT scores of African American youth Minutes — June 17. 2014 With there being no Executive Session, Council adjourned at 2:55 p.m. -k's w V, 1e.iNn _� Minutes — June 17, 2014 Page I of 2 Fwd: SPEECH 2 mdgetz to: tbroussard 06/18/2014 09:31 AM Show Details - - - -- Original Message---- - From: mdgetz <mdgetz @aol.com> To: MDGETZ <MDGETZ @aol.com> Sent: Tue, Jun 17, 2014 8:50 am Subject: SPEECH 2 I mourn the passing of our former mayor, Maury Meyers, and I extend condolences to his family. Maury had character, something that we need a lot more of on our city council. I say that because even though we as a council vote together more than 98% of the time, it became apparent last week that character is a quality that is sorely lacking amongst some of our council members. I clearly remember December 15, 2011. It was at a Board Meeting of the Beaumont Independent: School District and fellow councilmembers Samuels, Wright and Smith were at the school board meeting to bestow praise on Superintendent Carrol Thomas and the BISD board. Councilmember Samuel pontificated for over 10 minutes at the school board meeting, lauding the school district for being one of the top 10 school districts in the United States of America and praising BISD for its financial integrity. Councilmember Wright stated that we Dave "a jewel of a school district" and Councilmember Smith exclaimed how proud he was to be a product of BISD. The three councilmembers then presented a plaque to board president Woodrow Reece while Superintendent Thomas beamed like a Mafia chief receiving the news that a hit had been successful. This of course was at a time where I and some others were regularly taking BISD to task for its foolish spending habits and begging them to show fiscal responsibility. In return, friends and supporter of councilmembers Samuels, Wright and Smith labeled us haters and racist. Yesterday, the Deputy Commissioner of the TEA released her opinion, in which she agreed with the prior opinion of her boss, TEA commissioner Michael Williams, that the financial problems with BISD are so pervasive, that they cannot be fixed without a Board of Managers being appointed by the state to come in and run our school district. How could my three fellow council members have been so wrong on this issue? As recently as last August, Councilmember Samuel stated that he "chooses to stay in his lane" when it comes to BISD. Councilmember Wright said "BISD has to solve their problems from within ". It makes you wonder about their judgment. But it was the vote on the position of Mayor Pro Tern last week that calls into question the character of some of my fellow council members. I understand political payback. The position I took and continue to take on BISD is unpopular with some of my fellow councilmembers, even though I have been proven right and they have been proven wrong. So they lash out and get a political lackey to join with them to defeat Councilmember Pate's motion last week. file: / / /C: /Users /tinab /AppData /Local /Temp /notes17949F /— web3631.htm 6/18/2014 Page 2 of 2 The thing that bothers me is that the actions orchestrated last week appear to have been pre- arranged. One of our councilmembers almost always appears at city council meetings in a lab coat unless their is a photo opportunity. Last week, Councilmember Coleman showed up to city council in a jacket. He knew he was going to be nominated by Councilmember Samuels for Mayor Pro Tem. And while I cannot prove it, I have no doubt that Councilmember Coleman then contacted Councilmembers Wright and Smith to make sure he had their support as well. This type of conduct would be a violation of the Texas Open Meetings Act. I have seen this happen all too often with BISD - I do not want to start seeing it on City Council. Politics can be rough. I chose to run for city council to represent my constituents in Ward 2, not to curry favor with my fellow city council members and not to play the let's go along to get along game that some of rry fellow city councilmembers seem to reiish. I want to thank Councilman Pate and Mayor Ames for their support last week. I have no doubt that each and every one of us care deeply about our community and desire to serve those that put us in office. But in order to be a leader, sometimes you have to get out of your lane and look at the bigger picture of what is going on around you. If you choose to stay in your lane and wear blinders, you are going to miss some important details. file: / / /C:/ Users /tinab /AppData /Local /Temp /notes 17949F /—web3631.htm 6/18/2014