Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAboutMIN MAY 05 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 May 5, 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 May 5, 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, 2 and 4/Consent Agenda, Consent Agenda Mayor Ames called the council meeting to order at 1:30 p.m. Pastor "Big" Jim Salles of West End Baptist Church gave the invocation and 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 "National Transportation Week" - May 11-16, 2015 - Proclamation read by Councilmember Pate; accepted by Al Anselmo, President of the Sabine District Transportation Club "Motorcycle Safety and Awareness Month" - May, 2015 - Proclamation read by Mayor Pro Tem Coleman; accepted by Theresa Massey with Confederation of Clubs and Independence, Region 4 and others "National Travel Week" - May 2-10, 2015 - Proclamation read by Councilmember Wright; accepted by Dean Conwell, Director of the City of Beaumont's Convention and Visitors Bureau and Staff "Jim Rich Day" - May 12, 2015 - Proclamation read by Mayor Ames; accepted by Jim Rich and Quota International Members Mayor Ames read the announcement regarding Executive Session being held at the conclusion of the General Business portion of the meeting. Minutes — May 5, 2015 Public Comment: Persons may speak on scheduled agenda items 1, 2 and 4/Consent Agenda. Jude Paredez 10620 Gage Rd. Beaumont TX Spoke regarding Item #1 '& 2 on the Agenda; commented on the General Obligation and Waterworks and Sewer System Revenue and Refunding Bonds Jennifer Mattingly 3104 Nashville Beaumont TX Spoke regarding Item #4 on the Agenda; ask that Council reconsider that,denial that was voted on by the Historic Landmark Commission CONSENT AGENDA Approval of minutes - April 28, 2015 Confirmation of committee appointments - None A) Approve the award of a contract to Wells Fargo Merchant Services to provide merchant card services for various City departments — Resolution 15 — 086 B) Authorize the City Manager to execute all documents necessary to received funding from the Automobile Burglary & Theft Prevention Authority for the Southeast Texas Auto Theft Task Force — Resolution 15 - 087 Mayor Pro Tem Coleman moved to approve the Consent Agenda. Councilmember Pate seconded the motion. AYES: MAYOR AMES, MAYOR PRO TEM COLEMAN, COUNCILMEMBERS GETZ, WRIGHT, PATE, SAMUEL AND SAM NAYS: NONE MOTION PASSED GENERAL BUSINESS Consider an ordinance authorizing the issuance of City of Beaumont, Texas, General Obligation Refunding Bonds, Series 2015A, and authorizing the Mayor or City Manager and Chief Financial Officer to approve the amounts, interest rates, prices, and terms thereof and to execute all documents related to the sale of the Bonds. There is an estimated $42.4 million of outstanding bonds that can be refunded in order to achieve a lower interest rate and savings. Historically, when the City issued or refunded revenue bonds, the sale would take place on a Monday in order to bring the transactions forward at the City Council meeting the following day. With the quickly changing financial markets, the most favorable time to Minutes — May 5, 2015 enter the market may not be the day before a City Council meeting. Instead the ability of a local government to time its entry into the financial markets and thereby obtain the best borrowing terms can significantly impact the borrowing costs. Section 1207.007 of the Texas Government Code allows a City to enter into the bond market at any time in accordance with parameters established and approved by the City Council. Through a parameter bond ordinance, a Council delegates final pricing authority to a -Pricing Officer, usually the Mayor or City Manager and/or City Manager's Designee, and establishes and approves bond sale parameters such as maximum interest rate, minimum savings threshold for refunding, maximum aggregate principal amount of issue, final maturity date and expiration of delegated authority which is normally six (6) months. The Pricing Officer can only approve the sale if all parameters are met. This results in flexibility such that the bond issue may be priced at any time and in an interest rate environment that is advantageous to the City rather than being locked into pricing on the date of the Council meeting. The proposed parameters included in the proposed ordinance for Series 2015A as described above, includes: Delegated Pricinq Officers: Mayor or City Manager and Chief Financial Officer Maximum Principal Amount Series 2015A: $45 million Interest Rate: Not greater than 6% per annum Minimum Savings Threshold: 2.5% present value savings Expiration of Parameter Authority: November 5, 2015 The City's Financial Advisor with RBC, Royal Bank of Canada, will go over the potential savings to the City of Beaumont if four series of bonds are refunded. Currently, the City's property tax rate is $0.69 per $100 valuation. As a part of the $0.69 rate, $0.22 per $100 valuation is dedicated to, the Debt Service Fund to repay debt that was issued for various street, drainage and general improvements. The outstanding debt supported by the Debt Service Fund was $230,384,150 as of October 1, 2014. In Fiscal Year 2016, the total debt service payment is currently estimated to .be $17,204,622. If the four series of bonds are refunded, the City could possibly lower the debt service payment by more than $900,000 in FY 2016; $900,000 in FY 2017 and $750,000 in FY 2018. Approval of ordinance. Councilmember Pate moved to ADOPT AN ORDINANCE ENTITLED AN ORDINANCE AUTHORIZING THE ISSUANCE OF THE CITY OF BEAUMONT, TEXAS, GENERAL OBLIGATION REFUNDING BONDS, SERIES 2015A IN ONE OR MORE SERIES OR. SUBSERIES AS MAY BE FURTHER DESIGNATED; AUTHORIZING THE MAYOR OR THE CITY MANAGER AND .THE CITY CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER TO APPROVE THE AMOUNTS, INTEREST RATES,. PRICES, AND TERMS THEREOF AND CERTAIN OTHER MATTERS RELATING THERETO; PROVIDING FOR THE PAYMENT THEREOF; MAKING OTHER PROVISIONS REGARDING SUCH BONDS INCLUDING AUTHORIZING THE PREPARATION AND DISTRIBUTION OF ONE OR MORE PRELIMINARY STATEMENTS AND AUTHORIZING THE PREPARATION AND DISTRIBUTION OF ONE OR MORE OFFICIAL STATEMENTS AND MATTERS INCIDENT THERETO; AWARDING THE SALE OF THE BONDS; AUTHORIZING THE EXECUTION AND DELIVERY OF ONE OR MORE BOND PURCHASE AGREEMENTS; AUTHORIZING THE DEFEASANCE, FINAL PAYMENT, AND DISCHARGE OF CERTAIN OUTSTANDING OBLIGATIONS; AUTHORIZING THE EXECUTION AND DELIVERY Minutes — May 5, 2015 OF ONE OR MORE ESCROW AGREEMENTS; AUTHORIZING THE PURCHASE OF AND SUBSCRIPTION FOR CERTAIN ESCROWED SECURITIES; AUTHORIZING ESCROW VERIFICATION AND ENGAGEMENT OF AN ESCROW AGENT; AUTHORIZING BOND INSURANCE; AUTHORIZING THE EXECUTION AND DELIVERY OF A PAYING AGENT/REGISTRAR AGREEMENT AND OTHER RELATED DOCUMENTS; AND MAKING OTHER PROVISIONS REGARDING SUCH BONDS. Councilmember Getz seconded the motion. AYES: MAYOR AMES, MAYOR PRO TEM COLEMAN, COUNCILMEMBERS GETZ, WRIGHT, PATE, SAMUEL AND SAM NAYS: NONE MOTION PASSED Ordinance 15 - 008 2. Consider an ordinance authorizing the issuance of City of Beaumont, Texas, Waterworks and Sewer System Revenue and Refunding Bonds, Series 2015A, and authorizing the Mayor or City Manager and Chief Financial Officer to approve the amounts, interest rates, prices, and terms thereof and to execute all documents related to the sale of the Bonds. There is an estimated $32.1 million of outstanding revenue bonds that can be refunded in order to achieve a lower interest rate and savings. Historically, when the City issued or refunded revenue bonds, the sale would take place on a Monday in order to bring the transactions forward at the City Council meeting the following day. With the quickly changing financial markets, the most favorable time to enter the market may not be the day before a City Council meeting. Instead the ability of a local government to time its entry into the financial markets and thereby obtain the best borrowing terms can significantly impact the borrowing costs. Section 1207:007 of the Texas Government Code allows a City to enter into the bond market at any time in accordance with parameters established and approved by the City Council. Through a parameter bond ordinance, a Council delegates final pricing authority to a Pricing Officer, usually the Mayor or City Manager and/or City Manager's Designee, and establishes and approves bond sale parameters such as maximum interest rate, minimum savings threshold for refunding, maximum aggregate principal amount of issue, final maturity date and expiration of delegated authority which is normally six (6) months. The Pricing Officer can only approve the sale if all parameters are met. This results in flexibility such that the bond issue may be priced at any time and in an interest rate environment that is advantageous to the City rather than being locked into pricing on the date of the Council meeting. The proposed parameters included in the proposed ordinance for Series 2015A as described above, includes: Delegated Pricing Officers: Mayor or City Manager and Chief Financial Officer Maximum Principal Amount Series 2015A: $35 million Interest Rate: Not greater than 6% per annum Minutes — May 5, 2015 Minimum Savings Threshold: 2.5% present value savings -Expiration of Parameter Authority: November 5, 2015 The City's Financial Advisor with RBC, Royal Bank of Canada, will go over the potential savings to the City of Beaumont if two series of bonds are refunded. The Water Utilities Fund is supported by water and sewer rates paid for by residential, commercial and industrial customers. The Water and Sewer Debt outstanding was $180,486,684 as of October 1, 2014. The Water Utilities Fund is planning to make debt service payments in FY 2016 in the estimated amount of $16,757,151. If the two series of bonds are refunded, the City could possibly lower the debt service payment by more than $400,000 in FY 2016; $200,000 in FY 2017; $200,000 in FY 2018, with additional savings in future years. Approval of ordinance. Councilmember Wright moved to ADOPT AN ORDINANCE ENTITLED AN ORDINANCE AUTHORIZING THE ISSUANCE OF THE CITY OF BEAUMONT, TEXAS, WATERWORKS AND SEWER SYSTEM REVENUE AND REFUNDING BONDS, SERIES 2015A IN ONE OR MORE SERIES OR SUBSERIES AS MAY BE FURTHER DESIGNATED; AUTHORIZING THE MAYOR OR THE CITY MANAGER AND THE CITY CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER TO APPROVE THE AMOUNTS, INTEREST RATES, PRICES, AND TERMS THEREOF AND CERTAIN OTHER MATTERS RELATING THERETO; PROVIDING FOR THE PAYMENT THEREOF; MAKING"OTHER PROVISIONS REGARDING SUCH BONDS INCLUDING AUTHORIZING THE PREPARATION AND DISTRIBUTION OF ONE OR MORE PRELIMINARY OFFICIAL STATEMENTS AND AUTHORIZING THE PREPARATION AND DISTRIBUTION OF ONE OR MORE OFFICIAL STATEMENTS AND MATTERS INCIDENT THERETO; AWARDING THE SALE OF THE BONDS; AUTHORIZING THE EXECUTION AND DELIVERY OF ONE OR MORE BOND PURCHASE AGREEMENTS; AUTHORIZING THE DEFEASANCE, FINAL PAYMENT, AND DISCHARGE OF CERTAIN OUTSTANDING WATERWORKS AND SEWER SYSTEM REVENUE BONDS AND REVENUE REFUNDING BONDS; AUTHORIZING THE EXECUTION AND DELIVERY OF ONE OR MORE ESCROW AGREEMENTS; AUTHORIZING THE . PURCHASE OF A SUBSCRIPTION FOR CERTAIN ESCROWED SECURITIES; AUTHORIZING ESCROW VERFICIATION AND ENGAGEMENT OF AN ESCROW AGENT; AUTHORIZING BOND INSURANCE; AUTHORIZING THE EXECUTION AND DELIVERY OF A PAYING AGENT/REGISTRAR AGREEMENT AND OTHER RELATED DOCUMENTS; AND MAKING OTHER PROVISIONS REGARDING SUCH BONDS. Councilmember Getz seconded the motion. AYES: MAYOR AMES, MAYOR PRO TEM COLEMAN, COUNCILMEMBERS GETZ, WRIGHT, PATE, SAMUEL AND SAM NAYS: NONE MOTION PASSED Ordinance 15 - 009 3. Consider a request for a Specific Use Permit to allow a retail, used clothing and merchandise store in an RCR (Residential Conservation Revitalization) District at 1795 Park Street. Minutes — May 5; 20115 Mark Whiteley and Associates, Inc., has applied -for a specific use permit to allow a retail clothing store in an RCR (Residential Conservation and Revitalization) District. The property is located at 1795 Park. The property received a Specific Use Permit (File 2032- P), in April of 201 010 a retail clothing store, however, the property was not used as a retail clothing store for at least one complete year and therefore must reapply. The previous owner stated that the property had been used as a resale shop by his father since 1934. The clothing store will be in an existing 1,120 sq. ft. building. The applicant is requesting a waiver to the landscape buffer and screening requirements along the North and East property lines. At a Joint Public Hearing held April 20, 2015, the Planning Commission recommended 8:0 to approve a specific use permit to allow a retail, used clothing and merchandise store in an RCR (Residential Conservation Revitalization) District at 1795 Park Street and waive the landscaping requirements along the north and east property lines, subject to the following conditions: 1. Provide nine (9) parking spaces including -one (1) disabled parking space. 2. Provide a six (6) foot wide landscape strip along the Irma St. frontage of the parking lot. Approval of ordinance. Councilmember Wright moved to ADOPT AN ORDINANCE ENTITLED AN ORDINANCE GRANTING A SPECIFIC USE PERMIT TO ALLOW A RETAIL, USED CLOTHING AND MERCHANDISE STORE IN A RCR (RESIDENTIAL CONSERVATION REVITALIZATION) DISTRICT AT 1795 PARK STREET WITH THE CONDITIONS IN THE CITY OF BEAUMONT, JEFFERSON COUNTY, TEXAS. Councilmember Sam seconded the motion. AYES: MAYOR AMES, MAYOR PRO TEM COLEMAN, COUNCILMEMBERS GETZ, WRIGHT, PATE, SAMUEL AND SAM NAYS: NONE MOTION PASSED Ordinance 15 - 010 4. Consider an appeal of the Historic Landmark Commission's decision to deny the request for demolition and allow new construction at 2104 Pecos. URS, a contractor for the State's Ike Disaster Recovery Program, applied for a certificate of appropriateness on March 9, 2015, for demolition and new construction -of the property at 2104 Pecos. URS had previously applied for, and was granted a certificate of appropriateness to rehabilitate the property. Since that time, URS discovered that the property was a duplex and, according to Disaster Recovery Program rules, only one side of the structure could be rehabilitated. Their solution was to demolish the entire structure and build a new single- family residence on the property. Minutes — May 5, 2015 The Historic Landmark commission determined that the structure was in stable condition and demolition was not necessary. The certificate of appropriateness was denied by a vote of 8:0. Following this decision, Planning staff issued a letter to URS, informing them of the Historic Landmark Commission's action, and informed them of their options to either appeal to City Council or rehabilitate the structure. As the rules of the program will not allow them to rehabilitate the structure, URS has elected to appeal the decision. Denial of the appeal. Mayor Pro Tem Coleman moved to ADOPT AN ORDINANCE ENTITLED AN ORDINANCE CONSIDERING AN APPEAL OF THE HISTORIC LANDMARK COMMISSION'S DECISION TO DENY THE REQUEST FOR DEMOLITION AND ALLOW NEW CONSTRUCTION OF 2014 PECOS STREET IN THE CITY OF BEAUMONT, JEFFERSON COUNTY, TEXAS. Councilmember Samuel seconded the motion. AYES: MAYOR AMES, MAYOR PRO TEM COLEMAN, COUNCILMEMBERS GETZ, WRIGHT, PATE, SAMUEL AND SAM NAYS: NONE MOTION PASSED Ordinance 15 — 011 PUBLIC HEARING Receive comments on the Consolidated Grant Program's 2015 Annual Action Plan Open: 2:33 p.m. None Close: 2:33 p.m. 5. Consider approving a resolution adopting the 2015 Annual Action Plan. As mandated by the U. S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD), City Council has conducted public hearings and work sessions in previous years prior to adopting the City's Annual Action Plan. Planning & Community Development Staff, along with the Community Development Advisory Committee (CDAC), hosted Public Hearings in order to receive public comments on the process and activities related to the Preliminary 2015 Annual Action Plan. The proposed 2015 Action Plan and budget will be submitted to HUD for approval. Also attached is the detailed listing of Public Services, Public Facilities and Improvements and Homeless Set -Aside applicants, the recommendations by the CDAC and the recommendations of the Administration. Minutes — May 5, 2015 The proposed budget reflects allocations of $1,292,249 in Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) funding, an estimated $1,00,000 in Program Income and $362,648 in HOME funding. U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) Community Development Block Grant and HOME Investment Partnership Grant funds. Council conduct the Public Hearing and approve the resolution. COuncilmember Pate moved to APPROVE A RESOLUTION THAT THE CITY COUNCIL HEREBY ADOPTS THE HUD CONSOLIDATED GRANT PROGRAM'S 2015 ACTION PLAN, AS WELL AS THE BUDGET OF THE ACTION PLAN IN THE AMOUNT OF $1,754,897. 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 - 088 PUBLIC HEARING Dangerous Structures Open: 2:34 p.m. Public Comments were made by the following people who personally appeared and requested additional arrangements for their property. Seab Smith Item #1 3410 Astor Gary Robbins Item #29 4630 Hartel Item #45 2371 Monroe Mike Brosnahan Item #40 2490 Lynwood SGMS Holding LLC Item #39 2420 Lynwood 3410 Astor Beaumont TX 9805 Phelan . Beaumont TX 8380 Shenandoah . Beaumont TX 2420 Lynwood Beaumont TX Minutes — May 5, 2015 Tu Anh Tran 2685 S. Major Dr. Beaumont TX Item #41 2685 S. Major Dr. Elton Senegal 6185 Windemere Beaumont TX Item #43 3870 Marie J. Lewis 2124 Wilson Beaumont TX Item #66 2124 Wilson Natalie Nquyen 2915 Fannin St. Beaumont TX Item #58 2555 Sweetgum (Apartment Complex) Vicki Ignasiak 8415 Hwy 159 East Item #5 1525 Ave. H Adrienne Campbell 1021 B 61St St. Item #4 1025. Ave. G (Garage Apt. Only) Derrick McGriff 1385 Howell Item #34 1385 Howell & (Shed) Close: 3:01 p.m. Bellville TX Galveston TX Beaumont TX 6. Consider an ordinance declaring certain structures to be dangerous structures and ordering their removal within 10 days or authorizing the property owner to enroll the dangerous structure in a work program. These structures have been inspected by the Building Codes Division and found to be unsafe structures as defined by the City of Beaumont's Code of Ordinances, Chapter 24, Article 24.04 Unsafe Substandard Structures, Division 1, Sec. 14.04.001 of the 2009 International Property Maintenance Code. Additionally, these structures have deteriorated to a condition that they are no longer considered suitable for repair. Sources may include General funds and Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) funding. Approval of the ordinance. Mayor Ames moved to ADOPT AN ORDINANCE ENTITLED AN ORDINANCE FINDING CERTAIN STRUCTURES TO BE PUBLIC NUISANCES AND ORDERING THEIR DEMOLITION AS WELL AS TO ALLOW PROPERTY OWNERS OF ITEMS #1, 29, 34, 39, 40, 43, 45 AND 66, TO ENTER INTO A 150 DAYWORK PROGRAM ON THE DANGEROUS STRUCTURES LIST, ITEMS #41 AND 58 DEFERRED UNTIL THE NEXT HEARING; PROVIDING FOR SEVERABILITY AND PROVIDING FORA PENALTY. Councilmember Sam seconded the motion. Minutes — May 5, 2015 AYES: MAYOR AMES, MAYOR PRO TEM COLEMAN, COUNCILMEMBERS GETZ, WRIGHT, PATE, SAMUEL AND SAM NAYS: NONE MOTION PASSED Ordinance 15 — 012 . . COUNCILMEMBER COMMENTS MAYOR PRO TEM COLEMAN - COMMENTED ON THE TRASH OFF, THE MEDITERRANEAN FESTIVAL AND THE RED CROSS FUNDRAISER HELD 'ON SATURDAY, ANNOUNCED THE BEAUMONT POLICE DEPARTMENT'S MEMORIAL, THE NUTRITION AND SERVICES LUNCHEON ON THURSDAY, MAY 7, 2015, THERE WILL BE A WOMAN'S CONFERENCE ON SATURDAY, MAY 9, 2015, ON THURSDAY, MAY 1.4, 2015, THE CHILDREN'S MUSEUM WILL BE HAVING THEIR FUNDRAISER COUNCILMEMBER GETZ - EXPRESSED APPRECIATION TO MOLLY VILLAREAL, INTERIM WATER UTILITIES. DIRECTOR, FOR ATTENDING THE AMELIA/ACORN NEIGHBORHOOD ASSOCIATION MEETING ON MONDAY NIGHT, ENCOURAGED EVERYONE TO VOTE ON SATURDAY, MAY 9, 2015 COUNCILMEMBER WRIGHT - STATED THAT SHE STILL HAS CONCERNS AS TO THE WAY THE SENIOR CITIZENS ARE GETTING RIDES TO THEIR DESTINATIONS, ONCE AGAIN THERE IS A PROBLEM WITH THE WAY THEY CALL IN, THEY HAVE TO CALL IN A DAY BEFORE THEY ARE IN NEED OF TRANSPORTATION, WHEN THEY CALL THE LINE STAYS BUSY AND ONCE THEY GET THROUGH THEY ARE TOLD THERE ARE NO MORE SEATS AVAILABLE, THIS PROCESS HAS GOT TO CHANGE, IT'S CAUSING A PROBLEM FOR THE SENIORS, CONDOLENCES TO THE KURUPPU FAMILY, STATED THAT AN ACCOUNT HAS BEEN SETUP FOR THE FAMILY AT CAPITAL ONE BANK, HAPPY CINCO DE MAYO DAY, ENCOURAGED EVERYONE TO GO OUT AND VOTE, COMMENTED ON THE BETA CLUB FROM PIETZSCH MACARTHUR ELEMENTARY SCHOOL THAT HELPED WITH THE TRASH OFF CCOUNCILMEM13ER PATE - COMMENTED ON THE DAUGHTERS OF MR. KURUPPU WHO ATTEND LAMAR UNIVERSITY, THEY HAVE A GO FUND ME PROGRAM, BOTH OF THE DAUGHTERS ARE 4.0 STUDENTS AT LAMAR AND HAVE BEEN PAYING OUT OF STATE TUITION, HAS SPOKEN TO SOME FOLKS ABOUT ENDOWING A SCHOLARSHIP WHICH WOULD TAKE THEM OFF OF THE OUT OF STATE STATUS, GAVE CONDOLENCES. TO THE FAMILY OF TED Minutes — May 5, 2015 MOORE WHO WAS A PART OF THE GOLDEN GATORS, COMMENTED ON EVENTS THAT TOOK PLACE OVER THE WEEKEND AS WELL AS EVENTS THAT WILL TAKE PLACE NEXT WEEKEND, CONGRATULATED DEAN CONWELL AND STAFF AT THE' CONVENTION AND VISITORS BUREAU FOR THE WONDERFUL JOB THAT THEY DO COUNCILMEMBER SAMUEL - HAPPY CINCO DE MAYO DAY COUNCILMEMBER SAM - COMMENTED ON THE TRASH OFF ON SATURDAY, THANKED THE KIDS FROM PIETZSCH MACARTHUR ELEMENTARY THAT CAME OUT AND WORKED, ENJOYED THE MEDITERRANEAN FESTIVAL, WANTED THE CITIZENS TO KNOW THAT THE CITY HAS A 311 NUMBER THAT THEY CAN CALL IN REGARDS TO HOLES IN THE STREET, BUSTED WATER LINES OR ANYTHING THAT THEY MIGHT THINK NEEDS ATTENTION, COMPLIMENTED THE CITY EMPLOYEES FOR ALL THAT THEY DO CITY ATTORNEY COOPER - NONE CITY MANAGER HAYES - NONE MAYOR AMES - THANKED THE CITY STAFF FOR THE EXCELLENT JOB THEY DID ON SATURDAY WITH THE TRASH OFF Public Comments (Persons are limited to three minutes) Jude Paredez 10620 Gage Rd. Beaumont TX Stated if anyone would like to stop the planned tax increase or make any other changes to the way this. city is run, one of the best opportunities will be this Saturday, May 9, ,2015, encouraged everyone to get out and vote Landry Rountree 1565 S. Major Dr. Beaumont TX Stated that he has.heard each one of the Councilmembers say that "it's another great day in Beaumont" perhaps it would be more applicable and more true if we say "it's another day in Beaumont", just by the examples that he has observed, if you're a small business owner and you get put out of business for two years, "it's another day in Beaumont", if you're in the clique you're in the clique, if you're not in the clique then you're not in the clique, stated that he uses his greatest right which is his First Amendment right and that is to speak, stated a verse from the Bible J. Lewis 2124 Wilson Beaumont TX Spoke to Council regarding dilapidated structures, asked that Council and staff try to enter into a program with several banks that would help rehab most structures with a cap of about $30,000.00 per structure, the structure could be purchased by citizen's, this would help put the structure back on the tax roll Minutes — May 5, 2015 Open session of meeting recessed at 3:21 p.m. EXECUTIVE SESSION Consider matters related to contemplated or pending litigation in accordance with Section 551.071 of the Government Code: United States of America vs. City of Beaumont, Texas There being no action taken in Executive Session, Council adjourned. Aydio available upon regy.est in the City Clerk's Office.._:_,,,,, Tina Broussard, City Clerk 0 t,FyFUl�QN.R7�1(:145. Minutes — May 5, 2015