The URL can be used to link to this page

Home My WebLink AboutMIN OCT 20 2015M I N U T E S- CITY OF BEAUMONT W.L. Pate, Jr., At -Large BECKY AMES, MAYOR Gethrel Wright, At -Large Claude F. Guidroz, Ward I CITY COUNCIL MEETING Michael D. Getz, Mayor Pro Tem Audwin Samuel, Ward III October 20, 2015 Robin Mouton, 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 October 20, 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 Item No. 1/Consent Agenda Consent Agenda Mayor Ames called the council meeting to order at 1:30 p.m. Associate Pastor Connie Hunter, House of Prayer Missionary Baptist Church gave the invocation. Mayor Ames led the Pledge of Allegiance. Roll call was made by Tina Broussard, City Clerk. Present at the meeting were Mayor Ames, Mayor Pro Tem Getz, Councilmembers Guidroz, Wright, Pate, Samuel and Mouton. Also present were Kyle Hayes, City Manager; Tyrone Cooper, City Attorney; Tina Broussard, City Clerk. Proclamations, Presentations, Recognitions "Lamar University Homecoming Day" - November 7, 2015 - Proclamation read by Mayor Ames; accepted by Dr. Kenneth Evans, along with faculty, staff, football players, mascot and cheerleaders "Down Syndrome Awareness Month" — October, 2015 — Proclamation read by Councilmember Guidroz; accepted by Gary Hildalgo, with Arc of Greater Beaumont Public Comment: Persons may speak on scheduled Agenda Item No. 1/Consent Agenda. C_Z0P►69:1ZIr_[r]=1►1J-11 Approval of minutes — October 13, 2015 Confirmation of committee appointments — Resolution 15-- 232 Minutes — October 20, 2015 Myra Clay would be appointed as the Chairman of the Parks and Recreation Advisory Committee. The term would commence October 20, 2015 and expire October 19, 2016. (Mayor Becky Ames) Tom LeTourneau would be appointed to the Community Development Advisory Committee. The term would commence October 20, 2015 and expire October 19, 2017. (Councilmember W. L. Pate, Jr.) Asha Winfield would be appointed to the Historic Landmark Commission. The term would commence October 20, 2015 and expire October 19, 2017. (Councilmember Robin Mouton) Lynn DeCordova would be reappointed to the Community Development Advisory Committee. The current term would expire February 20, 2016. (Mayor Pro Tem Mike Getz) Connie Berry would be reappointed to the Community Development Advisory Committee. The current term would expire September 12, 2017. (Mayor Pro Tem Mike Getz) Linda Cooper would be reappointed to the Library Commission. The current term would expire September 27, 2016. (Mayor Pro Tem Mike Getz) Damian Diaz -Plumbing would be reappointed to the Construction Board of Appeals (Building). The current term would expire September 12, 2017. (Mayor Becky Ames) Wayne E. Duerler-Fire Representative would be reappointed to the Construction Board of Appeals (Building). The current term would expire February 7, 2017. (Mayor Becky Ames) Myra Clay would be reappointed to the Parks and Recreation Advisory Committee. The current term would expire October 12, 2016. (Mayor Becky,Ames) Charles Taylor would be reappointed to the Community Development Advisory Committee. The current term would expire September 21, 2017. (Councilmember Audwin Samuel) Charles Taylor would be reappointed to the Small Business Revolving Loan Fund Board. The current term would expire September 21, 2017. (Councilmember Audwin Samuel) Irmalyn Thomas would be reappointed to the Police Department Community Advisory Committee. The current term would expire January 10, 2017. (Councilmember Audwin Samuel) A) Authorize the execution of a License to Encroach Agreement with Halliburton Energy Services, Inc. through their agent ENTACT, LLC related to two monitoring wells encroaching onto the City's right-of-way located 310' east and 456' east of the intersection of northbound Hwy 69 frontage road and Broad Oak Drive — Resolution 15 233 B) Authorize the execution of a License to Encroach Agreement with Halliburton Energy Services, Inc. through their agent ENTACT, LLC related to two wells encroaching onto the City's right-of-way located 320' north of the intersection of Broad Oak Drive and Voth Road and 150' west of the intersection of southbound Hwy 69 frontage road and Broad Oak — Resolution 15 - 234 C) Authorize the City Manager to receive funding", on behalf of the City of Beaumont, from the Department -of Homeland Security Grant Program (HSGP) — Resolution 15 - 235 Minutes — October 20, 2015 Councilmember Wright moved to approve the Consent Agenda. Councilmember Sam seconded the motion. AYES: MAYORAMES, MAYOR PRO TEM GETZ, COUNCILMEMBERS GUIDROZ, WRIGHT, PATE, SAMUEL AND MOUTON NAYS: NONE MOTION PASSED WORK SESSION Review and discuss authorized positions within the Beaumont Police Department James Singletary, Police Chief, discussed authorized positions within the Beaumont Police Department, stated that the police department has a total of 260 Officers. There are 198 Officers, 44 Sergeants, 16 Lieutenants, 0 Captains and 2 Assistant Chiefs. The department would like to re -structure the upper staff, the Chief requested to delete three currently vacant Grade 1 Officer positions and add three Grade IV Captain positions. The proposed would be 195 Officers, 44 Sergeants, 16 Lieutenants, 3 Captains and 2 Assistant Chiefs. There were several questions from Council that were answered by Chief Singletary. GENERAL BUSINESS Consider amending Section 2.03.075 of the Code of Ordinances to delete three vacant Officer positions and add three Captain positions within the Beaumont Police Department. In the Police Department, the Code of Ordinances currently provides for 198 Officers, 44 Sergeants, 16 Lieutenants, 0 Captains, and. 2 Assistant Chiefs. In order to re -structure the upper staff of the department, Chief Singletary is requesting to delete three currently vacant Grade I Officer positions and add three Grade IV Captain positions. The proposed structure would be as follows: 195 Officers, 44 Sergeants, 16 Lieutenants, 3 Captains, and 2 Assistant Chiefs. In the future, as Lieutenants are promoted to the new Captain positions, the department intends to remove the vacant Lieutenant positions and replace them with Grade I Officers. Approval of amending the ordinance. Councilmember Mouton moved to ADOPT AN ORDINANCE ENTITLED AN ORDINANCE AMENDING SECTION 2.03.075 OF THE CODE OF ORDINANCES BY DELETING THREE (3) CURRENTLY VACANT GRADE I OFFICER POSITIONS AND INCREASING THE NUMBER OF GRADE IV CAPTAIN POSITIONS IN THE BEAUMONT POLICE DEPARTMENT FROM ZERO (0) TO THREE (3); PROVIDING FOR SEVERABILITY AND PROVIDING FOR REPEAL. Councilmember Pate seconded the motion. AYES: MAYOR AMES, MAYOR PRO TEM GETZ, COUNCILMEMBERS GUIDROZ, WRIGHT, PATE, SAMUEL AND MOUTON Minutes — October 20, 2015 NAYS: NONE MOTION PASSED Ordinance 15 - 044 WORKSESSION* Review and discuss the issuance of Requests for Proposals for the lease or sale of the City's property located at 125 Magnolia (Warehouse Building).and the lease of property described as the northern 3.4 acre portion of 701 Main Street (portion of the Civic Center Parking Lot) Chris Boone, Planning/Community Development Director, discussed the issuance of a Request for Proposals for the lease or sale of the City's property located at 125 Magnolia (Warehouse Building) and the lease of property described as the northern 3.4 acre portion of 701 Main Street (portion of the Civic Center Parking Lot). Mr. Boone stated that the warehouse to be sold or leased is the building across from the Best Years Center, if the City is able to sale the building it would be great and if it were to be leased there are several uses for the building as it is large enough to host several different venues. It was also discussed that the Farmers Market that originally started out in the parking lot of the Public Library downtown and then moved to the pavilion at the Athletic Complex on College street has been approached about leasing the building on Saturdays, the Farmers Market host several different venues other than food products. There was also discussion of the lease of property described as the northern 3.4 acre portion of 701 Main Street (portion of the Civic Center parking lot), the discussion extended to talks of a hotel, parking, and waterfront condominiums that would be built on that piece of property overlooking the Neches River, it was also stated that there could also be restaurants and other venues that could be built along the Riverfront as well. There were several questions as well as suggestions for the use of the building made by Council. Overview of the Beaumont Municipal Transit System Chris Boone, Planning/Community Development Director, discussed a brief history of the transit system, the first public transportation in Beaumont was the streetcar in 1920, during the 1930's the streetcars were replaced by moto buses, operated by a private company. In 1970, this company went bankrupt and the buses and other assets were sold to the City. In 1972, the City contracted with CCL Management Inc. to manage the fleet of 25 buses with 50 drivers. CCL Management continues to operate the system to this day. The transit system today is a publicly funded transit agency with 18 fixed route buses for 10 routes, 11 para -transit buses for door-to- door service. There are 39 drivers; 9 mechanics; 1 General Manager; 1 Assistant General Manager; 1 Dispatcher; 1 Maintenance Foreman and 2 Administrative Assistant. The weekday hours of operation are 6:00 a.m. to 9:30 p.m. and 7:30 a.m. to 9:30 p.m. on Saturdays. The fares were discussed along with the annual boardings for the fixed route and the STS route, an estimated number of unique passengers on the fixed route and the STS route were discussed. The budget was discussed with comparisons of FY 2011 and FY 2016, the cost from FY 2010 through FY 2015; the average cost per passenger for FY 2015 was shown as well as the route map for all transit routes. There was discussion of the 2010 Efficiency Study that was done which is a rider survey; the study consisted of who uses the system and the perception of the system. Minutes — October 20, 2015 There was also a part of the study that noted rider requested improvements to 1) enhance safety; 2) more stops; 3) newer buses; -and 4) extended hours. Recent improvements were done, such as to invest in Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) fleet, new shelters at the bus stops and smart cards. The ongoing challenges were also discussed, such as 1) decreasing ridership; 2) rising cost; 3) reductions in State and Federal funding and 4) increase in City's subsidy, all. of the four listed are also ongoing challenges that are faced by the City. Mayor Ames read the announcement regarding Executive Session being held at the conclusion of the General Business portion of the meeting. COUNCILMEMBER COMMENTS COUNCILMEMBER GUIDROZ - CONGRATULATED EVERYONE THAT PUT TOGETHER OKTOBERFEST, THINKS THAT IT WAS ONE OF THE MOST SUCCESSFUL THINGS THAT PARKS AND RECREATION HAS DONE, THANKED COUNCILMEMBER GETZ AND HIS WIFE ALLISON FOR ALL OF THEIR HARD WORK AND INPUT INTO THIS EVENT, AND TO THOSE THAT HAVE OTHER IDEAS THAT THEY WOULD LIKE TO BRING FORTH PLEASE DO SO MAYOR PRO TEM GETZ - THANKED COUNCILMEMBER GUIDROZ FOR HIS REMARKS REGARDING OKTOBERFEST, STATED THAT OKTOBERFEST EXCEEDED EVERYONE'S EXPECTATIONS, THERE WAS ANYWHERE FROM 3,500 TO 4,500 PEOPLE THAT ATTENDED, THANKED LENNY CABALLERO, EMILY WHEELER AND STAFF FOR THE EXCELLENT JOB THEY DID, ALSO COMMENTED ON THE TOUCH -A -TRUCK EVENT THAT OCCURRED EARLIER ON SATURDAY MORNING, APPRECIATES THE OPPORTUNITY TO SERVE COUNCILMEMBER WRIGHT - STATED THAT SHE ENJOYED HERSELF AT OKTOBERFEST, COMMENTED ON THE PARKING, NOTICED THAT ALONG GLADYS STREET THERE WEREN'T ANY PARKING, ASKED THAT NEXT YEAR IF ONE SIDE OF GLADYS WOULD BE ALLOWED FOR PARKING COUNCILMEMBER PATE - STATED THAT HE MISSED OKTOBERFEST WAS OUT OF TOWN FOR A WEDDING, SPOKE IN REGARDS TO KADE HARRINGTON WHO PLAYS FOOTBALL FOR LAMAR UNIVERSITY, COMMENTED ON GIRLS HAVEN AND THEIR WONDERFUL EVENT COUNCILMEMBER SAMUEL - NONE COUNCILMEMBER MOUTON - NONE CITY ATTORNEY COOPER - NONE CITY MANAGER HAYES - NONE Minutes — October 20, 2015 MAYOR AMES - PROUD OF THE JOB THAT PARKS AND RECREATION AND THE EVENT CENTRE IS DOING FOR THE EVENTS THAT ARE HELD WITHIN THE CITY, THANKED THEM FOR ALL THAT THEY DO, COMMENTED ON THE LARGE FILM FEST THAT IS SPONSORED BY LAMAR UNIVERSITY, ALSO THIS WEEKEND AT THE CIVIC CENTER WILL BE THE INDIA FEST, ENCOURAGED CITIZENS TO ATTEND Public Comments (Persons are limited to three minutes) Steve Hoffman 7045 Blarney Beaumont TX Spoke in regards to Oktoberfest and what a great event it turned out to be, thanked Councilmember Getz and his wife for all of their input, stated that he would like for this to be a yearly event asked that Council give their support to keep Oktoberfest for years to come Rodney Denclau 3030 French Rd. #425 Beaumont TX Thanked Council for putting strips down French Rd., the strips are around the first and second curb, they were removed because complaints were received the strips are really needed by the park going towards Delaware St. Landry Rountree 1565 S. Major Beaumont TX Stated that he made a comment in regards to Mr. Cooper, City Attorney on last week, apologized to Mr. Cooper for the comment he made that was in error, also thanked the City Manager and Mayor for making the comments they made to correct him, also thanked the City Manager for the comments that he made in the paper in regards to the Eric Karvarme lawsuit, the manager stated that the City made some mistakes in that lawsuit, also made comments in regards to some things that were said about him at the last Council meeting Open session of.meeting recessed at 3:56 p.m. EXECUTIVE SESSION Consider matters related to emergency management and disaster planning in accordance with Chapter 418 of the Government Code: City of Beaumont/Beaumont ISD Mutual Aid Agreement Minutes — October 20, 2015 There being no action taken in Executive Session, Council adjourned. Audio av 'table upon requ Azimm Bec=kil/f Tina Broussard, City Clerk t inffie City Clerk's Minutes — October 20, 2015