HomeMy WebLinkAboutMIN APR 21 2015M 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 Tem CITY COUNCIL MEETING Michael D. Getz, Ward II
Audwin Samuel, Ward III April 21, 2015 William R. Sam, Sr. 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 April 21, 2015, 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 1-4/Consent Agenda
Consent Agenda
Mayor Ames called the council meeting to order at 1:30 p.m.
Pastor Torrey Doucette of New Beginnings Baptist Church gave the invocation. MayorAmes led
the Pledge of Allegiance. Roll call was made by Tina Broussard, City Clerk.
Present at the meeting were Mayor Ames, Mayor Pro Tem Coleman, Councilmembers Getz,
Wright, Pate, Samuel and Sam. Also present were Kyle Hayes, City Manager; Tyrone Cooper,
City Attorney; Tina Broussard, City Clerk.
Proclamations, Presentations, Recognitions
"Crime Victims' Rights Week — April 19 - 25, 2015 - Proclamation read by
Councilmember Getz; accepted by Misty Carver and others
"Fair Housing Month" — April, 2015 — Proclamation read by Councilmember Wright;
accepted by Chris Boone, City of Beaumont Director of Community Development
"Arc Awareness Week" — April 19 - 25, 2015 — Proclamation read by Councilmember
Pate; accepted by Cindy Bloodsworth and Gary Hidalgo
"Older American Month" —April, 2015 — Proclamation read by MayorAmes; accepted by
Cynthia Wolr with Nutrition & Services for Seniors, along with other members
Mayor Ames read the announcement regarding Executive Session being held at the
conclusion of the General Business portion of the meeting.
Public Comment: Persons may speak on scheduled, agenda items 1-4/Consent Agenda.
None
Minutes — April 21, 2015
CONSENT AGENDA
Approval of minutes - April 14, 2015
Confirmation of committee appointments - None
A) Approve the purchase of five defibrillators from Physio -Control, Inc. of Redmond,
Washington to be used by EMS and the Fire Department — Resolution 15 - 073
B) Authorize the settlement of the lawsuit styled Justin Jackson vs. City of Beaumont;
Cause No. B-195,252 - Resolution 15 - 074
C) Authorize the City Manager to execute a Memorandum of Understanding between
Immigration and Customs Enforcement and the Beaumont Police Department -
Resolution 15 - 075
D) Authorize the City Manager to execute all documents necessary for a Memorandum of
Understanding between the City of Beaumont and Jefferson County, Texas -
Resolution 15 - 076
E) Authorize the City Manager to execute all documents necessary for an affiliation
agreement between the City of Beaumont and. PERCOMOnline,. Inc - Resolution 15 -
077
Councilmember Pate moved to approve the Consent Agenda. Councilmember Wright
seconded the motion.
AYES: MAYOR AMES, MAYOR PRO TEM COLEMAN, COUNCILMEMBERS GETZ,
WRIGHT, PATE, SAMUEL- AND SAM
NAYS: NONE
MOTION PASSED
GENERAL BUSINESS
Consider approving a contract with IPR South Central, LLC for the 23rd Street Lift Station —
48" Sanitary Sewer Repair Project.
The 23rd Street Lift Station was originally built in the late 1950's and rehabilitated in the
early 1990's. In 2009, the station was converted from a dry pit/wet well configuration to a
submersible wet well station. As part of the 2009 project,. a junction box was installed
upstream of the wet well. The ground above the line upstream of the junction box recently
started to settle indicating a possible misalignment or damage to the pipe.
The proposed project shall provide for the repair of the 48 -inch diameter line including, but
not limited to the following: install bypass pumping; clean and televise the entire 48 -inch
line from the north junction box to the wet well; patch the 48 -inch line to stop any infiltration;
Minutes—April 21, 2015
apply a geopolymer liner to the pipe; televise the completed repair to ensure no water is
infiltrating into the pipe through the repaired area. The contract amount includes a $10,000
allowance for a temporary repair in the north junction box. This temporary repair will
reduce the amount of ground water entering the junction box until an assessment of the
condition of the upstream line is made and a permanent repair can be made.
Pricing was obtained through the Houston Galveston Area Council (HGAC), a cooperative
purchasing association providing cities and political subdivisions with the means to
purchase specialized equipment at volume pricing. HGAC complies with State of Texas
procurement statutes.
Capital Program.
Approval of the resolution.
Councilmember Getz moved to APPROVE A RESOLUTION THAT THE CITY COUNCIL HEREBY
APPROVES THE AWARD OF A CONTRACT TO IPR SOUTH CENTRAL, LLC, OF HOUSTON, TEXAS, IN THE
AMOUNT OF $107,718 FOR THE 23RD STREET LIFT STATION — 48" SANITARY SEWER REPAIR
PROJECT. Councilmember Sam seconded the motion.
AYES: MAYOR AMES, MAYOR PRO TEM COLEMAN, COUNCILMEMBERS GETZ,
WRIGHT, PATE, SAMUEL AND SAM
NAYS: NONE
MOTION PASSED
Resolution 15 - 078
2. Consider authorizing the suspension of the effective date of CenterPoint Energy's
proposed rate increase until July 15, 2015.
On March 31, 2015, CenterPoint Energy ("CenterPoint") filed with the City of Beaumont an
annual Gas Reliability Infrastructure Program (GRIP) interim rate adjustment notice to
increase gas rates in the Beaumont/East Texas Division Service Area. The City of
Beaumont maintains exclusive original jurisdiction over the rates, operations and services
of CenterPoint as a gas utility operating in the City of Beaumont.
The requested increase would ordinarily go into effect sixty (60) days after giving notice of
the intent to increase rates. This ordinance is a request to suspend the effective date of
CenterPoint' s proposed rate increase for a period of forty-five (45) days until July 15, 2015
in order to review the company's filings for compliance with the Gas Utility Regulatory Act
and the company's last base rate case. The review of the company's GRIP filing is limited
to a ministerial review of the filings for compliance with the Act.
All reasonable expenses associated with rate cases are reimbursable by the company.
Approval of ordinance.
Minutes — April 21, 2015
Councilmember Wright moved to ADOPT AN ORDINANCE ENTITLED AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY
OF BEAUMONT, TEXAS SUSPENDING THE RATES PROPOSED BY CENTERPOINT ENERGY RESOURCES
CORP, D/B/A CENTERPOINT ENERGY ENTEX AND CENTERPOINT ENERGY TEXAS GAS
("CENTERPOINT" OR "COMPANY") COMPANY'S GAS RELIABILITY INFRASTRUCTURE PROGRAM
("GRIP") FILING MADE WITH THE CITY ON MARCH 31, 2015; FINDING THAT THE MEETING COMPLIES
WITH THE OPEN MEETINGS ACT; MAKING OTHER FINDINGS AND PROVISIONS RELATED TO THE
SUBJECT, AND DECLARING AN EFFECTIVE DATE. Mayor Pro Tem Coleman seconded the
motion.
AYES: MAYOR AMES, MAYOR PRO TEM COLEMAN, COUNCILMEMBERS GETZ,
WRIGHT, PATE, SAMUEL AND SAM
NAYS: NONE
MOTION PASSED
Ordinance 15 - 005
3. Consider approving a contract for property insurance coverage for various city owned
buildings and assets.
Talon Insurance Agency, of Port Arthur, Texas is the City's broker of record for securing
the City's property insurance. The proposed premium is based on a total building value of
$225,854,982. The cost of the policy for this year is $.1,213,593.13, a 3.8% decrease from
last year's premium of $1,260,916.48. The net rate per $100 valuation, based on the
insured value decreased from $0.565 to $0.5373329 from last year.
Companies providing insurance are layered with exposure limited to the amount of
damage. All risk coverage, including Flood and Earth Movement, is provided by AmRisc,
LP, First Specialty Insurance, Westchester, Landmark American, Evanston, and Liberty
Surplus.
All insurance companies contained in the new policy are A.M. Best rated at A+15. A binder
to the policy will be issued May 1 for primary coverage. The policy renewal will be in effect
from May 1, 2015 to May 1, 2016.
General Fund - Public Works Department.
Approval of resolution.
Councilmember Pate moved to APPROVE A RESOLUTION THAT THE CITY MANAGER BE AND HE IS
HEREBY AUTHORIZED TO EXECUTE A CONTRACT FOR FIRE, EXTENDED COVERAGE, FLOOD AND
QUAKE PROPERTY INSURANCE IN THE AMOUNT OF $1,213,593.13 THROUGH TALON INSURANCE
AGENCY, OF PORT ARTHUR, TEXAS, AS BROKER, FOR ALL RISK COVERAGE, INCLUDING FLOOD AND
EARTH MOVEMENT PROVIDED BY AMRISC, LP, FIRST SPECIALTY INSURANCE, WESTCHESTER,
LANDMARK AMERICAN, EVANSTON, AND LIBERTY SURPLUS EFFECTIVE MAY 1, 2015.
Councilmember Getz seconded the motion.
Minutes — April 21, 2015
AYES: MAYOR AMES, MAYOR PRO TEM COLEMAN, COUNCILMEMBERS GETZ,
WRIGHT, PATE, SAMUEL AND SAM
NAYS: NONE
MOTION PASSED
Resolution 15 - 079
4. Consider authorizing the City Manager to enter into contracts with Legacy Community
Development Corporation for the acquisition of up to five homes for sale or lease -
purchase, acquisition of lots for the construction of affordable housing and for operating
expenses.
The City of Beaumont receives an annual allocation of HOME Investments Partnerships
funds from the U. S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) and has
previously awarded contracts for acquisition or construction of housing to be sold to eligible
low -to -moderate income families under lease -purchase agreements. Federal regulations
require that a minimum of fifteen percent (15%) of the City's total HOME fund allocation be
contracted to Community Housing Development Organizations (CHDO's) for eligible CHDO
activities.
Legacy Community Development Corporation (Legacy CDC), a certified CHDO, is seeking
to stabilize neighborhoods, particularly in the north end, by providing home ownership
opportunities for low -to -moderate income families. $400,000 in funding will enable Legacy
to acquire approximately five (5) single-family homes that will be offered for sale or lease -
purchase to eligible low -to -moderate income families. In addition, $25,000 would be used
to acquire buildable lots that would be also be used for affordable housing. Legacy is also
requesting $25,000 for the CHDO's daily operating expenses. Operating funds will also be
used for homebuyer counseling and neighborhood outreach. Planning & Community
Development's Housing Division staff will be responsible for monitoring Legacy for HOME
Program compliance.
Funding is available from the 2013 and 2014 HOME Programs
Approval of resolution.
Mayor Pro Tem Coleman moved to APPROVE A RESOLUTION THAT THE CITY MANAGER BE AND
HE IS HEREBY AUTHORIZED TO EXECUTE A CONTRACT WITH LEGACY COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT
CORPORATION (LEGACY CDC) IN THE AMOUNT OF $25,000 FOR RELATED OPERATING EXPENSES,
SAID CONTRACTS TO BE FUNDED FROM THE 2013 AND 2014 HOME PROGRAMS. Councilmember
Wright seconded the motion.
AYES: MAYOR AMES, MAYOR PRO TEM COLEMAN, COUNCILMEMBERS GETZ,
WRIGHT, PATE, SAMUEL AND SAM
NAYS: NONE
MOTION PASSED
Resolution 15 — 080
Minutes —April 21, 2015
COUNCILMEMBER COMMENTS
MAYOR PRO TEM COLEMAN - GAVE CONDOLENCES TO THE FAMILY OF JUDGE LUPE
FLORES, HE WILL BE TRULY MISSED IN THE COMMUNITY, HE
WAS WELL LOVED IN THE' JEFFERSON COUNTY
COURTHOUSE, THE WESTBROOK HIGH SCHOOL AND BY HIS
FAMILY
COUNCILMEMBER GETZ - CONDOLENCES TO THE FLORES FAMILY, STATED THAT
JUDGE FLORES WAS A UNIQUE AND VIBRANT JUDGE AT THE
COURTHOUSE AND WILL BE WELL MISSED, ANNOUNCED THE
MONTHLY MEETING FOR THE DOWLEN/WEST
NEIGHBORHOOD ASSOCIATION MEETING WITH A SOCIAL
GATHERING STARTING AT 6:00 P.M. AND THE MEETING
STARTING AT 7:00 P.M., WISHED HIS WIFE ALLISON GETZ
AND THE MAYOR'S HUSBAND RODNEY AMES A HAPPY
BIRTHDAY
COUNCILMEMBER WRIGHT - CONDOLENCES TO THE FLORES FAMILY, HE WILL BE TRULY
MISSED IN THE COMMUNITY, STATED THAT THE CASA
BANQUET WILL BE ON TONIGHT AND JUDGE FLORES ALWAYS
SERVED AT THIS BANQUET, KNOWS IT WILL BE A SOLEMN
TIME TONIGHT, ENCOURAGED EVERYONE TO GO OUT AS IT IS
ELECTION YEAR, STATED THAT EVERYONE RESPECT THE
SENIORS
COUNCILMEMBER PATE - CONDOLENCES TO THE FLORES AND NETHERLY FAMILY,
STATED THAT JUDGE FLORES WAS A COMMUNITY LEADER
AND CARED ABOUT THE COMMUNITY, THIS IS JUST A SAD
DAY, WISHED ALLISON GETZ AND RODNEY AMES A HAPPY
BIRTHDAY, COMPLIMENTED CHRISTUS ON THEIR GALA AND
WHAT A FINE JOB THEY DID, HATS OFF TO THE OAKS
DISTRICT ON THEIR PRESERVATION BASH, ANNOUNCED THE
CASA BANQUET ON TUESDAY NIGHT, AS WELL AS THE
BUTTERFLY RELEASE THAT WILL HAPPEN AS THE BOTANICAL
GARDEN
COUNCILMEMBER SAMUEL - CONDOLENCES TO THE FLORES FAMILY, WISHED RODNEY
AMES AND ALLISON GETZ A HAPPY BIRTHDAY, ASKED THAT
THE CITY COUNCIL SEND ACKNOWLEDGEMENT TO THE
(NLC) NATIONAL LEAGUE OF CITIES ON BEHALF OF MARY
GORDON WHO PASSED AWAY, SHE WORKED FOR THE
NATIONAL LEAGUE OF CITIES FOR MANY YEARS AND WILL BE
SORELY MISSED
COUNCILMEMBER SAM - WISHED ALLISON GETZ AND RODNEY AMES A HAPPY
BIRTHDAY, GAVE CONDOLENCES TO THE FAMILY OF JUDGE
FLORES
CITY ATTORNEY COOPER - CONDOLENCES TO THE FLORES FAMILY
Minutes —April 21, 2015
CITY MANAGER HAYES - NONE
MAYOR AMES - CONDOLENCES TO THE FLORES FAMILY, ALSO MENTIONED
THAT HE LOVED TO COOK AT CERTAIN FUNCTIONS, ONE THAT
COMES TO MIND IS THE MEDITERRANEAN FESTIVAL
Public Comments (Persons are limited to three minutes)
Landry Rountree
1565 S. Major Beaumont TX
Spoke to Council in_ regards to the Council meeting volume on the public access channel,
stated that there are some meetings that the citizens are unable to hear, asked that the
City check on this, there are people that can't come to the meeting but would like to watch
the meeting on television
Open session of meeting recessed at 2:16 p.m.
EXECUTIVE SESSION
Consider matters related to contemplated or pending litigation in accordance with Section
551.071 of the Government Code:
Claim of Baptist Hospitals of Southeast Texas
There being no action taken in Executive Session, Council adjourned.
Tina
io ayailablesupon
ard, City Clerk
est in the City Clerk's
Minutes —April 21, 2015