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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMIN SEP 11 2018Y_ Eby. ::F.«:.ya,: ...':.<.� •.4 T E X " S M I N U T E S- CITY OF BEAUMONT W.L. Pate, Jr., At -Large BECKY AMES, MAYOR William R. Sam, Sr., At -Large Virginia H. Jordan, Ward I CITY COUNCIL MEETING Michael D. Getz, Ward II Audwin Samuel, Ward III SEPTEMBER 11, 2018 Robin Mouton, Mayor Pro Tern 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 in strict compliance with the Texas Open Meetings Act, Texas Government Code, Chapter 551 on September 11, 2018, 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 Presentation and Recognition Public Comment: Persons may speak on scheduled agenda item No. 1-5/Consent Agenda * Consent Agenda Mayor Ames called the council meeting to order at 1:30 p.m. Deacon Goudeau with St. Pius X Catholic 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 Tern Mouton, Councilmembers Jordan, Getz, Sam, Pate and Samuel. Also present were Kyle Hayes, City Manager; Tyrone Cooper, City Attorney; Tina Broussard, City Clerk. Proclamations, Presentation, Recognitions "Sickle Cell Disease Awareness Month" - September, 2018 - Proclamation read by Mayor Pro Tern Mouton; accepted by Letitte Buxie, Director and CEO of Janyiah's Love Sickle Cell Foundation "National Emergency Preparedness Month" — September, 2018 — Proclamation read Mayor Ames; accepted by Shaqueena Nobles, Deputy Emergency Manager, City of Beaumont "Sales Management and Professionals Day" — September 11, 2018 - Proclamation read by Councilmember Pate; accepted by Vera Sanders and Mark McKee Public Comment: Persons may speak on scheduled agenda items 1-5/Consent Agenda None Minutes— September 11, 2018 CONSENT AGENDA Approval of minutes — August 28, 2018 * Confirmation of committee appointments — None A. Approve a contract with Schaumburg and Polk Inc. for Engineering Services related to the Cattail Marsh Wetlands — Resolution 18-214 B. Approve a payment to Motorola for a maintenance agreement to support the 800 MHz radio system —Resolution 18-215 C. Authorize the City Manager to sign an agreement allowing the City of Beaumont to participate in the Apple Developer program — Resolution 18-216 D. Authorize the City Manager to enter into an agreement with the Department of Homeland Security — Resolution 18-217 E. Authorize the City Manager to execute all documents necessary, specifically a Memorandum of Understanding, with the Office of the Attorney General of Texas Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force — Resolution 18-218 F. Authorize the City Manager to execute all documents necessary for the Beaumont Convention and Visitors Bureau to apply for and accept grant funds from the Jefferson County Tourism Commission — Resolution 18-219 Councilmember Pate moved to approve the Consent Agenda. Councilmember Samuel seconded the motion. AYES: MAYOR AMES, MAYOR PRO TEM MOUTON, COUNCILMEMBERS JORDAN, GETZ, SAM, PATE AND SAMUEL NAYS: NONE MOTION PASSED GENERAL BUSINESS Consider a resolution authorizing the City Manager to execute a Local Transportation Project Advanced Funding Agreement with the Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) for the Eleventh Street Resurfacing Project. On August 30, 2005, by Resolution No. 05-184, City Council authorized the City Manager to execute a Master Advance Funding Agreement with TxDOT. The Master Advance Funding Agreement provides the general contract language for any project between the City and TxDOT that involves federal funding. Specific language dealing with each individual project is included in Local Project Advanced Funding Agreements (LPAFA). The scope of work for this LPAFA is described as resurfacing Eleventh Street from Delaware Street south to IH -10. The proposed work as indicated in Attachment B — Project Location Map, will include milling of the existing roadway surface; an Asphaltic Concrete Pavement Minutes — September 11, 2018 (ACP) overlay; widening to add 5' shoulders, and the construction of approximately 650 - linear feet of sidewalk. Funds will come from the maximum Federal participation in the $1,349,234 project is $1,001,475, with $72,370 State participation and $275,389 City participation. The City's portion will be paid for out of the Street Rehabilitation Fund. Approval of the resolution. Councilmember Jordan moved to APPROVE A RESOLUTION THAT THE CITY MANAGER BE AND HE IS HEREBY AUTHORIZED TO EXECUTE A LOCAL TRANSPORTATION PROJECT ADVANCED FUNDING AGREEMENT (LPAFA) WITH THE TEXAS DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION (TXDOT) FOR THE ELEVENTH STREET RESURFACING PROJECT. Mayor Pro Tem Mouton seconded the motion. AYES: MAYOR AMES, MAYOR PRO TEM MOUTON, COUNCILMEMBERS JORDAN, GETZ, SAM, PATE AND SAMUEL NAYS: NONE MOTION PASSED Resolution 18-220 2. Consider a resolution approving the write-off of uncollectible delinquent accounts. This request is in accordance with the write-off policy approved by City Council on December 21, 1999. The policy gives Council the final authority to write-off an individual account receivable identified as uncollectible when the balance due exceeds $1,000.00. Accounts included are for transactions prior to April 2017 which have been sent to the collection agency and collection efforts have been unsuccessful for more than one year. A summary by receivable type is shown below. Weed Abatement Charges - $105,472.72 Original charge dates range from 2014 to 2016. EMS Ambulance Charges - $1,095,242.93 These charges from ambulance transports include uninsured claims or co -pay and deductibles that the customer is responsible for. The original charge dates range from 2004 to 2017 and accounts have been uncollectible for at least one year. Hazmat Charges — $3,441.42 These charges from hazmat response costs include uninsured claims that the customer is responsible for. The original charge dates range from 2013 to 2015 and accounts have been uncollectible for at least one year. Total to be written off - $1,204,157.07 If at any time an account becomes collectible after having been written off, the receivable shall be adjusted accordingly. The balance of the account shall be reinstated and payments shall be applied to that balance. Minutes — September 11, 2018 Approval of the resolution. Councilmember Sam moved to APPROVE A RESOLUTION THAT THE CITY COUNCIL HEREBY APPROVES, AS AN INTERNAL ACCOUNTING PROCEDURE, THE WRITE-OFF OF THE FOLLOWING DELINQUENT ACCOUNTS TOTALING $1,204,157.07 FOR WHICH EACH INDIVIDUAL ACCOUNT EXCEEDS $1,000.00, AND THAT THESE DEBTS ARE NOT BEING EXTINGUISHED OR FORGIVEN AND IF, AT ANY TIME, AN ACCOUNT BECOMES COLLECTIBLE AFTER HAVING BEEN WRITTEN OFF, THE RECEIVABLE SHALL BE ADJUSTED ACCORDINGLY AND THE BALANCE OF THE ACCOUNT SHALL BE REINSTATED AND PAYMENTS SHALL BE APPLIED TO THAT BALANCE. Councilmember Samuel seconded the motion. AYES: MAYOR AMES, MAYOR PRO TEM MOUTON, COUNCILMEMBERS JORDAN, GETZ, SAM, PATE AND SAMUEL NAYS: NONE MOTION PASSED Resolution 18-221 3. Consider a resolution authorizing the City Manager to execute a contract with Excavation and Construction, LLC of Port Arthur for the re -installation of brick pavers. Bids were requested for a two-year contract for the re -installation of brick pavers at various locations throughout the City that have been removed for utility work or damaged. Thirteen (13) vendors were notified with two vendors responding. Low qualified bid was received from Excavation and Construction, LLC. The total estimated bid for twenty-four (24) months is $284,301.00. Funds will come from the General Fund; Water Fund and Street Rehabilitation Program. Approval of the resolution. Councilmember Jordan to APPROVE A RESOLUTION THAT THE CITY COUNCIL HEREBY APPROVES THE AWARD OF A TWO (2) YEAR CONTRACT TO EXCAVATION AND CONSTRUCTION, LLC, OF PORT ARTHUR, TEXAS, IN THE ESTIMATED AMOUNT OF $284,301.00, TO RE -INSTALL BRICK PAVES AT VARIOUS LOCATIONS THROUGHOUT THE CITY THAT BEEN REMOVED FOR UTILITY WORK AND THAT THE CITY MANAGER BE AND HE IS HEREBY AUTHORIZED TO EXECUTE A CONTRACT WITH EXCAVATION AND CONSTRUCTION, LLC, OF PORT ARTHUR, TEXAS. Councilmember Samuel seconded the motion. AYES: MAYOR AMES, MAYOR PRO TEM MOUTON, COUNCILMEMBERS JORDAN, GETZ, SAM, PATE AND SAMUEL NAYS: NONE MOTION PASSED Resolution 18-222 Minutes — September 11, 2018 4. Consider a resolution authorizing the City Manager to execute a contract with Neon Electric Corporation, of Houston for the City of Beaumont Bus Shelters at Various Locations Project - Phase II (Re -Bid). The locations for ten (10) 7'x 14' bus shelters have been identified throughout the City. The proposed shelters consist of a metal roof resting on two steel columns. On August 23, 2018, one (1) formal bid was received. The bid total is indicated in the table below: Contractor Location Bid Neon Electric Corporation Houston, Texas $119,300.00 Engineer's Estimate $114,350.00 The Public Works Engineering staff recommends the project be awarded to Neon Electric Corporation. A total of sixty (60) calendar days are allocated for completion of this project. TxDOT Funded (100%). Approval of the resolution. Mayor Pro Tem Mouton moved to APPROVE A RESOLUTION THAT THE CITY COUNCIL HEREBY APPROVES THE AWARD OF A CONTRACT TO NEON ELECTRIC CORPORATION, OF HOUSTON, TEXAS, IN THE AMOUNT OF $119,300.00 FOR THE CITY OF BEAUMONT BUS SHELTERS AT VARIOUS LOCATIONS - PHASE II PROJECT AND THAT THE CITY MANAGER BE AND HE IS HEREBY AUTHORIZED TO EXECUTE A CONTRACT WITH NEON ELECTRIC CORPORATION, OF HOUSTON, TEXAS. Councilmember Sam seconded the motion. AYES: MAYOR AMES, MAYOR PRO TEM MOUTON, COUNCILMEMBERS JORDAN, GETZ, SAM, PATE AND SAMUEL NAYS: NONE MOTION PASSED Resolution 18-223 5. Consider amending Section 4.10.001 of the Code of Ordinances related to Animal Care fees. Staff is proposing to restructure Beaumont Animal Care's fee schedule. INCREASED FEES Minutes — September 11, 2018 Current Fee Proposed Fee Public Safety Boarding $15 per da $25 per da Dead animal removal fee One animal More than one animal $20 $5 $40 $10 Kennel permit fee $50 $75 Animal exhibition permit fee $50 $75 Minutes — September 11, 2018 Dangerous dog registration $50 $125 Cat surrender fee $15 per cat $50 per cat Dog surrender fee $20 per do $50 per do Beaumont Animal Care is required by ordinance to board animals that have been involved in bite cases, dangerous dog cases, and animals on rabies quarantine. Staff is proposing to increase the public safety boarding fee to help offset the cost of housing these animals while they are under the City's care. Staff is also proposing to increase the fee to transport dead animals from private veterinarian offices. Increasing the fee will help cover Beaumont Animal Care's transportation costs. Under the proposed fee schedule, it would cost $40 to transport one dead animal from a private veterinarian office, $50 to transport two dead animals, $60 to transport three dead animals, and so on. Staff is proposing to increase the kennel permit fee (for commercial kennel operations) and the animal exhibition permit fee (for zoos, circuses and other animal shows) to help recover the cost of processing these applications. Staff is proposing to increase the dangerous dog registration fee to help recover the cost of administering these cases. Beaumont Animal Care allows Beaumont residents to surrender personally owned animals to the shelter upon showing a photo ID and paying the appropriate surrender fee. Staff is proposing to raise the surrender fee in order to help recover the cost associated with caring for owner surrendered animals. Through July 2018, owner surrenders accounted for approximately 10.5% of total animal intake at Beaumont Animal Care. REDUCED FEES Staff is proposing to reduce the reclaim and rabies vaccination fee in order to make it more affordable for citizens to reclaim their pets. Under the proposed fee schedule, citizens will be charged $40 to reclaim their pet or $50 to reclaim their pet if their pet is not vaccinated against rabies. Staff is also proposing to reduce the microchipping fee to $15. This service will be offered every day during normal business hours. Microchips are the best way to reunite lost pets with their owners. Therefore, Beaumont Animal Care supports reduced microchipping fees as a way to increase the number of microchips available in the community. Staff is also proposing to reduce the dog and cat adoption fee to $70. All animals will continue to be vaccinated, microchipped, and spay or neutered prior to adoption. Reducing adoption fees will make Beaumont Animal Care a more attractive place to adopt animals. Although Beaumont Animal Care's per animal adoption revenue will decrease, overall adoption revenue will increase as more animals will be adopted. Minutes — September 11, 2018 Current Fee Proposed Fee Reclaim Fee $45 $40 Rabies vaccination fee $15 $10 Microchi in Fee $25 per animal $15 per animal Cat adoption fee $100 $70 Dog adoption fee $130 $70 Staff is proposing to reduce the reclaim and rabies vaccination fee in order to make it more affordable for citizens to reclaim their pets. Under the proposed fee schedule, citizens will be charged $40 to reclaim their pet or $50 to reclaim their pet if their pet is not vaccinated against rabies. Staff is also proposing to reduce the microchipping fee to $15. This service will be offered every day during normal business hours. Microchips are the best way to reunite lost pets with their owners. Therefore, Beaumont Animal Care supports reduced microchipping fees as a way to increase the number of microchips available in the community. Staff is also proposing to reduce the dog and cat adoption fee to $70. All animals will continue to be vaccinated, microchipped, and spay or neutered prior to adoption. Reducing adoption fees will make Beaumont Animal Care a more attractive place to adopt animals. Although Beaumont Animal Care's per animal adoption revenue will decrease, overall adoption revenue will increase as more animals will be adopted. Minutes — September 11, 2018 NEW FEES Staff is proposing to add a new adoption fee for animals other than dogs and cats (such as roosters and hens). The current practice is to adopt these animals out forfree upon receiving an approved application. Staff is proposing to modify this practice by charging a small adoption fee for these animals. ELIMINATED FEES Current Fee Proposed Fee Adoption Fee (other than dogs and cats $0 $20 Staff is proposing to add a new adoption fee for animals other than dogs and cats (such as roosters and hens). The current practice is to adopt these animals out forfree upon receiving an approved application. Staff is proposing to modify this practice by charging a small adoption fee for these animals. ELIMINATED FEES Staff is proposing to stop offering "owner requested euthanasia" as a service. It is unnecessary for Beaumont Animal Care to provide this service as it is available at any veterinary clinic. Euthanizing personally owned pets is a discussion ideally suited for a pet owner and their personal veterinarian. Personally owned animals may still be "surrendered" to Beaumont Animal Care. On balance, staff believes that restructuring these fees will be revenue neutral. Moreover, restructuring these fees will reduce intake, increase adoptions, and bring Beaumont Animal Care one step closer to becoming an open -admission no -kill animal shelter. The Animal Care Advisory Committee met on August 30, 2018 and is in support of these changes. Funding source is not applicable. Approval of ordinance. Councilmember Jordan moved to ADOPT AN ORDINANCE ENTITLED AN ORDINANCE AMENDING CHAPTER 4, ARTICLE 4.10, SECTION 4.10.001 OF THE CODE OF ORDINANCES OF BEAUMONT, TEXAS TO MAKE CHANGES RELATING TO ANIMAL CARE FEES; PROVIDING FOR SEVERABILITY; PROVIDING FOR REPEAL; AND PROVIDING A PENALTY. Councilmember Pate seconded the motion. AYES: MAYOR AMES, MAYOR PRO TEM MOUTON, COUNCILMEMBERS JORDAN, GETZ, SAM, PATE AND SAMUEL NAYS: NONE MOTION PASSED Ordinance 18-049 Minutes — September 11, 2018 Current Fee Proposed Fee Owner Requested Cat $15 Eliminate Service Euthanasia Owner Requested Dog $20 Eliminate Service Euthanasia Staff is proposing to stop offering "owner requested euthanasia" as a service. It is unnecessary for Beaumont Animal Care to provide this service as it is available at any veterinary clinic. Euthanizing personally owned pets is a discussion ideally suited for a pet owner and their personal veterinarian. Personally owned animals may still be "surrendered" to Beaumont Animal Care. On balance, staff believes that restructuring these fees will be revenue neutral. Moreover, restructuring these fees will reduce intake, increase adoptions, and bring Beaumont Animal Care one step closer to becoming an open -admission no -kill animal shelter. The Animal Care Advisory Committee met on August 30, 2018 and is in support of these changes. Funding source is not applicable. Approval of ordinance. Councilmember Jordan moved to ADOPT AN ORDINANCE ENTITLED AN ORDINANCE AMENDING CHAPTER 4, ARTICLE 4.10, SECTION 4.10.001 OF THE CODE OF ORDINANCES OF BEAUMONT, TEXAS TO MAKE CHANGES RELATING TO ANIMAL CARE FEES; PROVIDING FOR SEVERABILITY; PROVIDING FOR REPEAL; AND PROVIDING A PENALTY. Councilmember Pate seconded the motion. AYES: MAYOR AMES, MAYOR PRO TEM MOUTON, COUNCILMEMBERS JORDAN, GETZ, SAM, PATE AND SAMUEL NAYS: NONE MOTION PASSED Ordinance 18-049 Minutes — September 11, 2018 PUBLIC HEARING * Receive comments on the 2018 (FY 2019) proposed tax rate Public Hearing Open: 1:59 p.m. None Public Hearing Close: 1:59 p.m. WORK SESSIONS Review and discuss the City's Weed Abatement Program Chris Boone, Planning and Zoning Director reviewed and discussed the City's Weed Abatement Program. Mr. Boone stated that approximately 20% of Beaumont's land parcels are vacant and at a much higher rate in some older areas of the City and that the Weed Abatement Program is essentially a "vacant" property management program. There was discussion on how to address enforcement activities and that the city is divided into seven (7) areas with an inspector assigned to each area. Currently, Code Enforcement is staffed with ten (10) full time employees which includes six (6) full time code enforcement officers, three (3) clerical support employees and a division manager. Also, one (1) additional code enforcement officer is assigned to the Oaks Historic District. Properties that are not brought into voluntary compliance are cut by city contractors. Property owners are billed, in some instances liens are placed on the property and charges are filed in Municipal Court. The majority of privately owned properties cut by the city are vacant lots and many are repeat offenders. In 2017 there were 4,077 notices issued, contractors cut 4,203 privately owned lots, the mowing of the lots cost the city $403,228.00. There are currently 340 abandoned privately owned lots listed on the tax roll with no known name and/or mailing address. There are currently 161 lots that are owned by Jefferson County for back taxes. The total number of "abandoned" city lots fluctuate on a regular basis. The total mowing costs for 2,307 cutting of the "abandoned" and "City" lots in 2017 was $170,121.00. Code Enforcement improvements in 2018 have been zero -tolerance, fines collected have increase significantly, inspectors rotated to new inspection zones, reviewing new software, reviewing best practices. There were possible future improvements that were discussed, such as to map and track vacant and weedy lots, code enforcement, encourage redevelopment, remove legal impediments in state law to reuse vacant property, enact strong vacant property tools such as land banks, work with the Tax Assessor to encourage more tax sales, work with the Tax Assessor to identify impediments in tax law that other states may not suffer from and work with legislators, amending state law to allow a "mow -to - own" program in a city of our size, continue to try to spur redevelopment of high vacancy areas, possibly using additional CDBG and Home Funds, continue to invest in infrastructure in hyper -vacancy areas, to enhance software, enhance mowing and cleaning standards and a grow back program. Minutes — September 11, 2018 Review and discuss the status of the work program for 2435 Long St. Chris Boone, Planning and Zoning Director, reviewed and discussed the status of the work program for 2435 Long St., Mr. Boone stated that on June 26, 2018, Council approved Ordinance 18-034 ordering that the owner of the property substantially complete work on the property within 90 days of entering into the work program and complete the total project within 150 days assuming the 90 days were completed. The work program agreement was executed on June 28, 2018, with a September 28, 2018, deadline for the 90 day substantial completion and November 28, 2018, deadline for the complete project completion. Mr. Boone, explained what substantial completion consisted of foundation leveling and repairs, repair of roof, exterior walls, windows and doors. A Windstorm inspection will be required, the building official has also requested an engineering report as part of the substantial completion. There was also concerns of cracks in the front wall, the floors have been pulled up, there is some termite damage, the second floor rafters also have termite damage. The owner of the home was invited to the meeting today to speak with Council but wasn't able to make it due to a family emergency. Mr. Boone, stated that after the agreement was signed there were several weeks that past before work was started, there are several issues that has been determined. On September 6, 2018, a building inspector attempted to enter the home to do an inspection and was denied, an appointment was made on September 10, 2018, to enter the property again and at the last minute the appointment was cancelled, there hasn't been a framing inspection due to non -entry, as of today the City doesn't know if the property is up to code. It was the consensus of Council that a formal letter be delivered to the owner giving them the details of what needs to be done to the property for it to be considered substantial and that their deadline would be September 28, 2018, if the substantial work isn't done by that date the property will not come back to Council and will be demolished * Public Comments (Persons are limited to three minutes) Barbara Gallier 1765 Michelle Cove Beaumont TX Stated that she was previously married to Paul Douglas Hulsey, Jr., who was a Beaumont Police Officer that was killed in the line of duty by Michael Lee Lockhart, stated that she was left a widow with two young girls ages 6 and 2, four years later she was blessed to remarry, stated that on June 22, 2018, her 24 year old son died of a drug overdose, doesn't think that the City Council realizes the magnitude of the illegal drugs that are flooding into this City, stated that someone mentioned to her that the people from Port Arthur are coming into Beaumont because this is where the drugs are, also spoke with a young Beaumont Police officer that said he spends most of his shift answering calls that are drug related and at least two additional officers would help, she would like to see the Council hire more officers rather than spend money buying a building, asked that Council think about using funds to save young people that are caught up in a drug war or will they vote in favor of buying and demolishing an old building Wilfred Richard 3680 Blossom Dr. Beaumont TX Stated that his main concern was Washington Blvd., the last time he spoke with Council regarding sidewalks on Washington Blvd., he was told that sidewalks could only be done if a street was getting a workover, Washington Blvd., is getting a complete makeover and wanted to know if sidewalks would be installed, made comments regarding Councilmember Minutes — September 11, 2018 Getz, stated that he violated the City Ordinance by burning his Nike cap somewhere here in Beaumont, the City does have a burn ban, also read a newspaper article regarding Nike who had a 31 % increase in its stock and sales Marshall Scott 1490 Edwin Beaumont TX Made comments regarding Councilmember Getz, asked if he worked for the United States Postal service, asked, what did he do to get dismissed, stated that he will tell everyone in Beaumont if they are Black and Hispanic not to vote for Councilmember Getz, also ask the City Manager about the $30 million that was spent on Washington Blvd., wanted to know if the City of Beaumont or Washington D.C., allocated the money, stated to Councilmember Getz that he took an oath and he's not dong right, he has some stuff on him and will present it, also made comments regarding Wards III and IV and the streets that aren't getting fixed Clara Touchet No address given Beaumont TX Stated that she was a survivor of a violent crime that occurred over 30 years ago due to a home invasion in the South End, wanted to encourage Council to make sure the first responders have sufficient staff to face the patrol needs that the City has with drugs on the rise, also discussed other visions she has for the City Stephen Hoffman 7045 Blarney Beaumont TX Made comments that have been talked about in the West End, stated that there has been a lot of talk about the water bills, thinks that there is unjustified increases without increased usage, some may have been miscalculated and some are questionable, stated that the citizens call the Water Department only to be told to just pay their water bill or their water will be cut off, or prove that there is a water leak, which means hiring a plumber which is very hard to do at this time and if it's determined that there is a leak and it's on the City's side instead of the homeowner the City will make the repairs, the citizens are upset and blaming it on the Council, that's not a good thing coming up on an election year, citizens think that the Council doesn't care, also mentioned maybe going to estimated billing, would like to see this adopted in the City, commented on the crime problem which is a big issue with those in the West End, believes that there should be more Police Officers hired Laurie Leister 1240 Wilchester Ln. Beaumont TX Stated that she is representing the Tyrrell Park Coalition, in full support of the Council spending the Hotel Occupancy Tax funds from the Convention and Visitors Bureau for the development of the Tyrrell Park Community Building, they are very excited about the building, stated that she had letters of support from the Beaumont Council of Garden Clubs, Beaumont Heritage Society, Jefferson County Historical Commission, Golden Triangle Audubon Society, Tyrrell Neighborhood Association, Ben Rogers Visitor Center and the Magnolia Garden Club, so much has been happening at Tyrrell Park it has such great potential to bring in echo tourism and historic tourism and make Beaumont an even better place to live Minutes — September 11, 2018 Councilmembers/City Manager/City Attorney comments on various matters COUNCILMEMBER COMMENTS COUNCILMEMBER JORDAN - STATED THAT SHE HAS SPOKEN WITH THE POLICE DEPARTMENT AND THE CHIEF, THE CRIME RATE THAT WE ARE EXPERIENCING RIGHT NOW, ALTHOUGH UNSATISFACTORY TO THE HIGHEST DEGREE IS HALF OF WHAT IT WAS IN THE EARLY 1990/1994 YEARS, JUST WANTED TO MAKE THAT POINT COUNCILMEMBER GETZ - CONGRATULATED THE MAYOR FOR BEING NAMED SALES MARKETING EXECUTIVE OF THE YEAR AND FOR SPEAR HEADING THE PATRIOTS DAY, 9/11 CEREMONY, MADE COMMENTS REGARDING HORSE TRAILS AT TYRRELL PARK, STATED THAT WHEN HE MET WITH THE CITY MANAGER AND STAFF HE WAS UNDER THE IMPRESSION THAT THE REPAIRS WOULD BE DONE IN HOUSE, ACCORDING TO THE MEMO COUNCIL RECEIVED IT'S GOING TO COST ABOUT $500,000 TO MAKE THE REPAIRS, OF COURSE THIS AMOUNT OF MONEY IS NOT BUDGETED, WANTED TO KNOW HOW COUNCIL WOULD GO ABOUT TRYING TO GET THE MONEY BUDGETED FOR THE REPAIRS, MADE COMMENTS REGARDING THE POLICE PRESENCE IN BEAUMONT, STATED THAT COUNCIL WAS GIVEN SOME STATISTICS ON LAST WEEK BY THE CITY MANAGER SHOWING HOW THE CITY OF BEAUMONT COMPARES TO OTHER CITY'S WITH OUR POPULATION, STATED THAT THERE IS ANOTHER COMPONENT TO THAT EQUATION WHICH IS THE CITY'S CRIME RATE, IT SHOWS THAT BEAUMONT IS AT THE TOP IN TERMS OF VIOLENT CRIMES IN THE STATE OF TEXAS, THERE IS A NEED FOR MORE OFFICERS ON THE STREET, HE HEARS IT FROM THE CITIZENS, THE POLICE CHIEF AND LOTS OF OTHER CITIZENS COUNCILMEMBER SAM - STATED THAT HE ATTENDED SEVERAL NEIGHBORHOOD ASSOCIATION MEETINGS, CITIZENS ARE STILL WORKING HARD TO GET THINGS DONE, COUNCILMEMBERS SHOULD CONTINUE TO WORK TO BUILD THESE ASSOCIATIONS, THANKED THE POLICE DEPARTMENT FOR ATTENDING THE ASSOCIATION MEETINGS, THEY DO A GOOD JOB WHEN ADDRESSING THE CITIZENS, ALSO ATTENDED HARVEST OF LOST SOULS CHURCH, STATED THAT PASTOR ANDREWS AND HIS CONGREGATION ARE WORKING REALLY HARD TO DEAL WITH ISSUES THAT CITIZENS DEAL WITH EVERY DAY, EVERY SUNDAY EVENING THEY HAVE A UNITY CALL FOR THE SOUTH PARK AND PEAR ORCHARD NEIGHBORHOODS AND ANYONE ELSE IN THE CITY THAT WOULD LIKE TO JOIN IN, CONGRATULATED THE MAYOR ON BEING NAMED SALES MARKETING EXECUTIVE FOR THE YEAR Minutes— September 11, 2018 CCOUNCILMEM13ER PATE - COMMENTED ON THE SPEAKER AT THE PATRIOT DAY CEREMONY ON TODAY, COMMANDING GENERAL PATRICK HAMILTON OF THE 36TH INFANTRY DIVISION OF THE ARMY NATIONAL GUARD WHO DID AN EXCELLENT JOB, APPRECIATES EVERYONE'S SUPPORT, ANNOUNCED THAT LAMAR UNIVERSITY FOOTBALL TEAM WILL BE PLAYING ON SATURDAY, CONGRATULATED THE MAYOR ON BEING NAMED SALES MARKETING EXECUTIVE OF THE YEAR COUNCILMEMBER SAMUEL - AND THE WALL WAS BUILT TOGETHER, BUILT TO HALF ITS HEIGHT, IT WAS JOINED TOGETHER BECAUSE THE PEOPLE HAD A MIND TO WORK, I JUST SAY, JUST DO IT MAYOR PRO TEM MOUTON - CONGRATULATED THE MAYOR ON BEING NAMED SALES MARKETING EXECUTIVE OF THE YEAR, THANKED HER FOR THE PATRIOTS DAY CEREMONY, THANKED LAURIE LEISTER FOR HER COMMENTS, COMMENTED ON THE MEETING SHE ATTENDED WITH CONVENTION AND VISITORS BUREAU, COMMENTED ON THE RENOVATIONS TO THE TYRRELL PARK COMMUNITY CENTER, ALSO MADE COMMENTS REGARDING THE WATER BILL, STATED THAT THE CITY HASN'T GONE UP ON THE WATER BILLS NOR DO THEY PLAN ON DOING SO IN THE FUTURE, SENIOR CITIZENS CAN ALSO APPLY FOR A 10% DISCOUNT, THEY HAVE TO CALL THE WATER DEPARTMENT TO GET THE DISCOUNT, WATER BILLS ARE ALSO BASED ON GALLONS, IF THERE IS A PROBLEM THEN IT NEEDS TO BE BROUGHT TO THE WATER DEPARTMENTS ATTENTION SO THAT IT CAN BE LOOKED AT, STATED THAT SHE AND COUNCILMEMBER SAM MET WITH CHIEF SINGLETARY REGARDING THE STRING OF ROBBERIES INVOLVING THE LOCAL STORES, THERE IS A MAJOR CONCERN ABOUT THE ROBBERIES, THERE'S BEEN SOME ARREST MADE, THE POLICE DEPARTMENT IS WORKING WITH CRIME STOPPERS TO GET THESE ROBBERIES SOLVED, IT SEEMS THAT IT'S THE SAME GROUP OF PEOPLE THAT ARE GOING STORE TO STORE, THE COUNCIL IS CONCERNED, THE COMMUNITY IS CONCERNED AND THERE IS A CONCERN FOR THE SAFETY OF THE CUSTOMERS THAT ARE VISITING THESE STORES AS WELL AS THE EMPLOYEES, GAVE BLESSINGS TO MS. TOUCHET THAT SPOKE EARLIER CITY ATTORNEY COOPER - NONE CITY MANAGER HAYES - NONE MAYOR AMES - MADE COMMENTS REGARDING SOCIAL MEDIA, STATED THAT SHE RECEIVED AROUND 40 EMAILS THIS WEEK AND ANSWERED ALL OF THEM WITH SOME HELP, MAJORITY OF THE EMAILS WERE REGARDING THE POLICE DEPARTMENT AND THE HIRING OF MORE OFFICERS VERSUS THE BUILDING AT 555 MAIN ST., STATED THAT ONE HAS NOTHING TO DO WITH THE OTHER, IT Minutes — September 11, 2018 WAS UNFORTUNATE THAT THOSE TWO ITEMS WERE PITTED AGAINST EACH OTHER, MADE MENTION OF THE AT&T BUILDING AND QUOTES THAT WERE MADE BY HER REGARDING THE BUILDING THAT WERE ABSOLUTELY TRUE, AS WELL AS OTHER ISSUE THAT WERE POSTED ON SOCIAL MEDIA THAT WAS SAID ABOUT HER WAS UNTRUE, WHEN IT COMES TO HER INTEGRITY AND ETHICS SHE TAKES THAT VERY SERIOUS, SHE ALSO CARES ABOUT CRIME IN THE CITY AND ALSO CARES ABOUT THE FIRST RESPONDERS there being no Executive Session, Council adjourned at 4:02 p.m. Tina Broussard, ity Clerk lo. I®� Minutes — September 11, 2018