HomeMy WebLinkAboutMIN JUN 25 2019BEAUMONT
T E X A S
M I N U T E S- CITY OF BEAUMONT
W.L. Pate, Jr., At -Large BECKY AMES, MAYOR Randy Feldschau, At -Large
Taylor S. Neild, Ward I CITY COUNCIL MEETING Michael D. Getz, Ward II
Audwin Samuel, Ward III JUNE 25, 2019 Robin Mouton, Mayor Pro Tem
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 June 25, 2019, 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 items 1 and 6-9/Consent
Agenda
* Consent Agenda
Mayor Ames called the council meeting to order at 1:30 p.m.
Pastor Charles Stevens with Greater Grace Temple Church of God in Christ 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 Mouton, Councilmembers Nield, Getz,
Feldschau, Pate and Samuel. Also present were Kyle Hayes, City Manager; Tyrone Cooper, City
Attorney; Tina Broussard, City Clerk.
Proclamations, Presentation, Recognitions
"Presentation" - Service Award Recognition for employees with 25 to 35 years of service.
LAST NAME
FIRST NAME
DEPARTMENT/DIVISION
SERVICE YR
YEARS OF SVC
Reese
Sheryl
MUNICIPAL COURT
1984
35
Roberts
Norris
FIRE SUPP-B SHIFT
1984
35
Stacey
David
FIRE SUPP-B SHIFT
1984
35
Dumas
Julia
HEALTH SERVICES
1989
30
Ware III
William
FIRE SUPP-C SHIFT
1989
30
Bartley
Jimmy
PATROL
1994
25
Borrero
Yvefte
CRIMINAL INVESTIGATIONS
1994
25
Brannen
Monica
POLICE/911 DISPATCH/POLIC
1994
25
Gilbert
Michelle
INTERNAL SERVIC/311/GENER
1994
25
Grogan
Russell
TENNIS CENTER
1994
25
Meier
Boyd
BUILDING CODES
1994
25
Olbert
Dawn
POLICE/CRIM INVES/CIVIL
1994
25
Minutes — June 25, 2019
Public Comment: Persons may speak on scheduled agenda item No. land 6-9/Consent Agenda
Dayna Rothenberger 3890 E. Lynwood Dr. Beaumont TX
Spoke regarding Item #6 on the Agenda; a request to abandon an approximate 970 foot
portion of North 7th Street located between Dollinger Road and the Union Pacific Railway,
north of Interstate Highway 10 East; stated that she has a concern regarding the closure,
thinks that it's not a good idea, also stated that Knife River hasn't been a good neighbor,
there's sidewalks on both sides of 7th street, both sidewalks are covered with Knife River's
equipment, if the closure were to happen it would impede the neighbors from getting out of
their neighborhood
Steve Hoffman 7045 Blarney St. Beaumont TX
Spoke to Council regarding Item #6 on the Agenda; a request to abandon an approximate
970 foot portion of North 7th Street located between Dollinger Road and the Union Pacific
Railway, north of Interstate Highway 10 East; stated that he has attended the meetings for
the North 7th Street closure and saw that there was a deep concern, he decided to drive the
street several days to see what it was like, stated that if you go down Hoover St. it's trashed,
Hoover can be repaired, suggested that if Council votes against the closure then Hoover
should be closed to truck traffic
Ed Sturrock 350 Pine St. Suite 1650 Beaumont TX
Spoke to Council regarding Item #9 on the Agenda; an agreement with AmeriCommerce,
LLC/Ed Sturrock for economic development incentives under the Neighborhood
Empowerment Zone Program; wanted to thank the City for having them apply for the
Neighborhood Empowerment Zone, also thanked the Building Codes Department for all of
their help for the renovation of the property located at 268 Pearl St.
CONSENT AGENDA
Approval of minutes — June 18, 2019
Confirmation of committee appointments — Resolution 19-122
Bill Bianchi would fill the unexpired term of Steve McGaha on the Convention and Tourism Advisory
Board. The term would commence June 25, 2019 and expire September 30, 2019 (Councilmember
Audwin Samuel)
A) Authorize the City Manager -to apply for and receive funding from the Texas Historical
Commission in an amount up to $250,000 — Resolution 19-123
B) Authorize the City Manager .to apply for and receive funding from the Texas Historical
Commission in an amount up to $140,336.14 — Resolution 19-124
C) Approve a resolution accepting payment for multiple weed liens and waiving interest for
property located at 1810 Sabine Pass Ave. — Resolution 19-125
D) Authorize the City Manager to apply for and receive funding from the State of Texas for
Interlibrary Loan activities for FY 2019 — Resolution 19-126
Minutes — June 25, 2019
E) Authorize the City Manager to sign a Master Agreement with AT&T — Resolution 19-127
Councilmember Samuel moved to approve the Consent Agenda. Councilmember Feldschau
seconded the motion.
AYES: MAYOR AMES, MAYOR PRO TEM MOUTON, COUNCILMEMBERS JORDAN, GETZ,
FELDSCHAU, PATE AND SAMUEL
NAYS: NONE
MOTION PASSED
GENERAL BUSINESS
Conduct an election for Mayor Pro Tempore.
According to the City Charter, "the City Council shall elect one of its members as Mayor Pro
Tempore for a one-year term." The Mayor Pro Tempore shall perform the duties of the Mayor
in case of the absence or inability of the Mayor to perform the duties of the office, and, if a
vacancy occurs, shall become Mayor for the unexpired term.
Councilmember Feldschau moved to APPROVE A RESOLUTION THAT W.L. PATE, JR., IS ELECTED
MAYOR PRO TEMPORE FORA ONE (1 ) YEAR TERM. Councilmember Samuel seconded the motion.
AYES: MAYOR AMES, MAYOR PRO TEM MOUTON, COUNCILMEMBERS NEILD, GETZ,
FELDSCHAU, PATE AND SAMUEL
NAYS: NONE
MOTION PASSED
Resolution 19-128
2. Consider a request for a Rezoning from R -S (Residential Single -Family Dwelling) to GC -MD -
2 (General Commercial -Multiple Family Dwelling -2) with a revised Specific Use Permit for an
addition to an existing pest control business located at 6550 Concord Road.
GuardTech Pest Management, Inc. is requesting a Rezone with and a revised Specific Use
Permit for the expansion of an existing pest control business on a lot northwest of 6550
Concord Road. The property is currently zoned as R -S (Residential Single -Family). Mr.
Kenneth Carr of GuardTech, is requesting this rezone along with the revision to the specific
use permit to allow the addition. By rezoning this subject property, it allows for the expansion
of the existing building and additional parking at 6550 Concord Road. The applicant states
that there is landscaping on the subject property that will remain.
At a Joint Public Hearing held on June 17, 2019, the Planning Commission recommended
6:0 to approve the request for a Rezoning from R -S (Residential Single -Family Dwelling) to
GC -MD -2 (General Commercial -Multiple Family Dwelling -2) with a revised Specific Use
Permit for an addition to an existing pest control business located at 6550 Concord Road
with the following condition:
Minutes — June 25, 2019
1. Construction plans must meet all requirements by the Planning Division regarding
landscaping, screening and sidewalks.
Approval of the ordinance with the following conditions:
1. Construction plans must meet all requirements by the Planning Division regarding
landscaping, screening and sidewalks.
Mayor Pro Tem Pate moved to ADOPT AN ORDINANCE ENTITLED AN ORDINANCE AMENDING
CHAPTER 28 OF THE CODE OF ORDINANCES OF BEAUMONT, TEXAS, AND IN PARTICULAR THE
BOUNDARIES OF THE ZONING DISTRICTS, AS INDICATED UPON THE ZONING MAP OF BEAUMONT, TEXAS,
BY CHANGING THE ZONING OF PROPERTY PRESENTLY ZONES RS (RESIDENTIAL SINGLE FAMILY
DWELLING) DISTRICT TO GC -MD -2 (GENERAL COMMERCIAL -MULTIPLE FAMILY DWELLING -2) DISTRICT
FOR PROPERTY LOCATED AT 6550 CONCORD ROAD, WITH THE CONDITIONS, BEAUMONT, JEFFERSON
COUNTY, TEXAS; PROVIDING FOR SEVERABILITY; PROVIDING FOR REPEAL AND PROVIDING A PENALTY.
Councilmember Samuel seconded the motion.
AYES: MAYOR AMES, MAYOR PRO TEM PATE, COUNCILMEMBERS NEILD, GETZ,
FELDSCHAU, SAMUEL AND MOUTON
NAYS: NONE
MOTION PASSED
Ordinance 19-039
Councilmember Feldschau moved to ADOPT AN ORDINANCE ENTITLED AN ORDINANCE ISSUING AN
AMENDED SPECIFIC USE PERMIT TO ALLOW EXPANSION OF AN EXISTING PEST CONTROL BUSINESS
LOCATED AT 6550 CONCORD ROAD, WITH THE CONDITIONS, BEAUMONT, JEFFERSON COUNTY, TEXAS.
Councilmember Samuel seconded the motion.
AYES: MAYOR AMES, MAYOR PRO TEM PATE, COUNCILMEMBERS NEILD, GETZ,
FELDSCHAU, SAMUEL AND MOUTON
NAYS: NONE
MOTION PASSED
Ordinance 19-040
3. Consider a request for a Rezoning from RM -H (Residential Multiple Family Dwelling -Highest
Density) District to GC -MD (General Commercial -Multiple Family Dwelling) District or a more
restrictive zoning district for property located at 1320 Caldwell.
D'Juana Davillier Fowler is requesting a Rezoning of her property located at 1320 Caldwell
Avenue. The purpose of this rezone is to take their current garage and return it to a
commercial use. She intends to open a store and development center, with retail sales of
homemade and natural products for clean living. The development center will offer home
economics education to local youth. Ms. Fowler plans to be open for business from 8:00am
to 9:00pm.
Minutes — June 25, 2019
At a Joint Public Hearing held on June 17, 2019, the Planning Commission recommended
5:0 to approve the request for a Rezoning from RM -H (Residential Multiple Family Dwelling -
Highest Density) District to GC -MD (General Commercial -Multiple Family Dwelling) District or
a more restrictive zoning district.
Approval of the ordinance.
Councilmember Samuel moved to ADOPT AN ORDINANCE ENTITLED AN ORDINANCE AMENDING
CHAPTER 28 OF THE CODE OF ORDINANCES OF BEAUMONT, TEXAS, AND IN PARTICULAR THE
BOUNDARIES OF THE ZONING DISTRICTS, AS INDICATED UPON THE ZONING MAP OF BEAUMONT, TEXAS,
BY CHANGING THE ZONING OF PROPERTY PRESENTLY ZONED RM -H (RESIDENTIAL MULTIPLE FAMILY
DWELLING -HIGHEST DENSITY) DISTRICT TO GC -MD (GENERAL COMMERCIAL -MULTIPLE FAMILY
DWELLING) DISTRICT FOR PROPERTY LOCATED AT 1320 CALDWELL AVENUE, BEAUMONT, JEFFERSON
COUNTY, TEXAS; PROVIDING FOR SEVERABILITY; PROVIDING FOR REPEAL AND PROVIDING A PENALTY.
Mayor Pro Tem Pate seconded the motion.
AYES: MAYOR AMES, MAYOR PRO TEM PATE, COUNCILMEMBERS NEILD, GETZ,
FELDSCHAU, SAMUEL AND MOUTON
NAYS: NONE
MOTION PASSED
Ordinance 19-041
4. Consider a request for a Specific Use Permit to allow a spa/salon in an RM -H (Residential
Multiple Family Dwelling -Highest Density) District for property located at 2105 Dowlen Road.
Terry Syler is requesting a Specific Use Permit to allow a spa/salon at 2105 Dowlen Road.
This location was where Mr. Syler once ran his orthodontist office. When Mr. Syler retired,
he converted the office into a spa and salon called Beauty Design One. He currently has
three employees who are licensed as nail technicians, estheticians, massage therapists and
cosmetologist. Mr. Syler's hours of operation are currently from 9:00am to 7:00pm.
At a Joint Public Hearing held on June 17, 2019, the Planning Commission recommended
6:0 to approve the request for a Specific Use Permit to allow a spa/salon in an RM -H
(Residential Multiple Family Dwelling -Highest Density) District.
Approval of the ordinance.
Councilmember Getz moved to ADOPT AN ORDINANCE ENTITLED AN ORDINANCE GRANTING A
SPECIFIC USE PERMIT TO ALLOW A SPA/SALON IN AN RM -H (RESIDENTIAL MULTIPLE FAMILY
DWELLING -HIGHEST DENSITY) DISTRICT AT 2105 DOWLEN ROAD, IN THE CITY OF BEAUMONT,
JEFFERSON COUNTY, TEXAS. Councilmember Samuel seconded the motion.
AYES: MAYOR AMES, MAYOR PRO TEM PATE, COUNCILMEMBERS NEILD, GETZ,
FELDSCHAU, SAMUEL AND MOUTON
NAYS: NONE
Minutes — June 25, 2019
MOTION PASSED
Ordinance 19-042
5. Consider a request for a Specific Use Permit to allow a multi -family development in a GC -
MD -2 (General Commercial -Multiple Family Dwelling -2) District for property located on the
east side of Major Drive approximately 270 feet south of Northwest Parkway.
BAH Beaumont Village, LLC is requesting a Specific Use Permit to allow a multiple -family
dwelling complex located at the east side of Major Drive approximately 270 feet south of
Northwest Parkway. Mr. Jeremy Mears of BAH would like to construct a new apartment
complex. The new complex will consist of eighty (80) apartments on approximately five (5)
acres of land. The surrounding zoning consists of mostly RM -H (Residential Multiple -Family
Highest Density) with multi -family complexes to the south and west of the subject property.
The property was divided without giving the rear property the required right-of-way frontage.
In order to consider development of this subject property, Staff requests that this be
corrected in the platting process.
At a Joint Public Hearing held on June 17, 2019, the Planning Commission recommended
5:1 to approve the request for a Specific Use Permit to allow a multi -family development in a
GC -MD -2 (General Commercial -Multiple Family Dwelling -2) District with the following
conditions:
1. Provide a minimum 10' wide utility easement for electrical facilities.
2. Construction plans must meet all requirements by the Planning Division regarding
landscaping, screening and sidewalks.
3. An amended Plat with required right-of-way frontage for any portion of the lot to the
east of the subject property must be filed before any permits will be issued.
Approval of the ordinance with the following conditions:
1. Provide a minimum 10' wide utility easement for electrical facilities.
2. Construction plans must meet all requirements by the Planning Division regarding
landscaping, screening and sidewalks.
3. An amending Plat with required right-of-way frontage for any portion of the lot to the
east of the subject property must be filed before any permits will be issued.
Mayor Pro Tem Pate moved to ADOPT AN ORDINANCE ENTITLED AN ORDINANCE GRANTING A
SPECIFIC USE PERMIT TO ALLOW A MULTIPLE -FAMILY DEVELOPMENT IN A GC -MD -2 (GENERAL
COMMERCIAL -MULTIPLE FAMILY DWELLING -2) DISTRICT FOR PROPERTY LOCATED ON THE EAST SIDE
OF MAJOR DRIVE APPROXIMATELY 270 FEET SOUTH OF NORTHWEST PARKWAY, WITH THE
CONDITIONS, IN THE CITY OF BEAUMONT, JEFFERSON COUNTY, TEXAS. Councilmember Samuel
seconded the motion.
AYES: MAYOR AMES, MAYOR PRO TEM PATE, COUNCILMEMBERS GETZ, FELDSCHAU,
SAMUEL AND MOUTON
NAYS: COUNCILMEMBER NEILD
MOTION PASSED
Minutes —June 25, 2019
Ordinance 19-043
6. Consider a request to abandon an approximate 970 -foot portion of North 7th Street located
between Dollinger Road and the Union Pacific Railway, north of Interstate Highway 10 East.
Robert Kober, of Knife River Corporation -South, has requested the abandonment of an
approximate 970 -foot portion of the right-of-way of North 7th Street located between Dollinger
Road and the Union Pacific Railway, north of Interstate Highway 10 East. Mr. Kober states
that the right-of-way being considered for abandonment has a history of flooding, deferred
maintenance, and accidents. Upon approval of this abandonment, Knife Rive Corporation -
South intends to modify the right-of-way by grading the site to ensure proper drainage. Mr.
Kober says the area will also be secured with fencing and gates. Abandonment of this
portion of 7th Street will eliminate public access to a north -south connector from Dollinger
Road to Interstate Highway 10 East.
At a Regular Meeting held on June 17, 2019, the Planning Commission recommended 6:0 to
deny the request to abandon an approximate 970 -foot portion of North 7th Street located
between Dollinger Road and the Union Pacific Railway, north of Interstate Highway 10 East.
Councilmember Samuel moved to DENY AN ORDINANCE ENTITLED AN ORDINANCE VACATING AND
ABANDONING AN APPROXIMATE 970' RIGHT-OF-WAY LOCATED BETWEEN DOLLINGER ROAD AND THE
UNION PACIFIC RAILWAY NORTH OF INTERSTATE HIGHWAY 10 EAST, CITY OF BEAUMONT, JEFFERSON
COUNTY, TEXAS. Mayor Pro Tem Pate seconded the motion.
AYES: MAYOR AMES, MAYOR PRO TEM PATE, COUNCILMEMBERS NEILD, GETZ,
FELDSCHAU, SAMUEL AND MOUTON
NAYS: NONE
MOTION PASSED
Ordinance Denied
7. Consider a request to abandon an approximate 0.001 -acre portion of Carabin Street at
Ewing Street.
SBLT Investments, Inc. on behalf of Mr. Thomas Abraham, is requesting to abandon a small
section of the Carabin Street right-of-way. The 30 -foot wide right-of-way runs directly behind
the property located at 1315 South Street and was never developed. The building at 1315
South Street crosses over into the unused right-of-way. The property is in the process of
being sold, and the lender has required that the encroachment be resolved.
At a Regular Meeting held on June 17, 2019, the Planning Commission recommended 6:0 to
approve the request to abandon an approximate 0.001 -acre portion of Carabin Street at
Ewing Street. '
Approval of the ordinance.
Minutes — June 25, 2019
Councilmember Samuel moved to ADOPT AN ORDINANCE ENTITLED AN ORDINANCE VACATING AND
ABANDONING AN APPROXIMATE 0.001 ACRE RIGHT-OF-WAY LOCATED AT CARABIN STREET AND
EWING STREET, CITY OF BEAUMONT, JEFFERSON COUNTY, TEXAS. Councilmember Neild
seconded the motion.
AYES: MAYOR AMES, MAYOR PRO TEM PATE, COUNCILMEMBERS NEILD, GETZ,
FELDSCHAU, SAMUEL AND PATE
NAYS: NONE
MOTION PASSED
Ordinance 19-044
8. Consider a resolution authorizing the City Manager to apply for and receive funding up to
$9,861,717 from the Texas Community Development Block Grant Disaster Recovery
Program.
Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) Disaster Recovery Program funding has been
awarded by the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) to disaster impacted
counties from Hurricane Harvey for both infrastructure and individual assistance. The
allocation for Texas is administered by Texas General Land Office (GLO) in partnership with,
the Council of Government regions. $9,861,717 was earmarked for the City of Beaumont for
infrastructure improvement projects. Two workshops have been provided to Council
addressing the Water System Improvement Plan which identified the high priority need for
additional water supply intake for water production needs. This urgent requirement resulted
from a flow reduction through the Lawson transmission waterline and the catastrophic
damage to the Loeb pump station facility during Hurricane Harvey. As noted in the Council
workshops, the proposed project is to construct a 42 -inch waterline within the Pine Street
right-of-way beginning at the Lawson pump station and ending at the Pine Street Water
Treatment Plant.
This grant application would request the full $9,861,717 earmark be applied toward the
anticipated total project cost of $12,757,800.00. There is no match requirement for CDBG
funding.
The City of Beaumont is currently exploring options including but not exclusive to bonds and
low interest loans from the Texas Water Development Board for the balance ($2,896,083) for
the project.
Approval of the resolution.
Councilmember Samuel moved to APPROVE A RESOLUTION THAT THE CITY MANAGER BE AND HE
IS HEREBY AUTHORIZED TO APPLY FOR AND RECEIVE FUNDING FROM THE TEXAS GENERAL LAND
OFFICE FOR THE TEXAS COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT BLOCK GRANT DISASTER RECOVERY PROGRAM IN
AN AMOUNT UP TO $9,861,717.00 FOR INFRASTRUCTURE IMPROVEMENT PROJECTS RELATING TO
DAMAGES FROM HURRICANE/TS HARVEY, AND THAT THE CITY MANAGER BE AND HE IS HEREBY
AUTHORIZED TO EXECUTE ALL DOCUMENTS NECESSARY TO APPLY FOR AND ACCEPT FUNDING FROM
THE TEXAS GENERAL LAND OFFICE. Councilmember Mouton seconded the motion.
Minutes — June 25, 2019
AYES: MAYOR AMES, MAYOR PRO TEM PATE, COUNCILMEMBERS NEILD, GETZ,
FELDSCHAU, SAMUEL AND PATE
NAYS: NONE
MOTION PASSED
Resolution 19-129
9. Consider authorizing the City Manager to enter into an agreement with AmeriCommerce,
LLC/Ed Sturrock for economic development incentives under the Neighborhood
Empowerment Zone Program.
The City has a Downtown Empowerment Zone to encourage redevelopment in Downtown
Beaumont. The zone allows for economic incentives to attract new businesses and
residences as well as encourage the expansion of existing businesses. Specifically, the NEZ
Program offers the following economic development incentives.
1) A possible three (3) year, 100% municipal tax abatement for all added value for
investments greater than $50,000 for residential uses and $75,000 for all other uses
and a possible, additional four (4) year, 100% abatement for projects in excess of $5
Million.
2) Building fee waivers (not including tap and meter fees).
3) Expedited permit review.
4) Lien waivers for any lien claimed by the City for demolition or high grass abatement
expenditures.
AmeriCommerce, LLC/Ed Sturrock is seeking the benefits from the Empowerment Zone
incentives in order to redevelop the building at 268 Pearl Street to house a Technology and
Software Development and Digital Marketing company. Their plan includes an investment to
fully restore this historic building that will provide office space for twenty-one (21) full-time
jobs with a payroll in excess of $1.5 Million. As such, under the Empowerment Zone
Guidelines, if approved, this proposed project would be eligible for a three (3) year
abatement of city property taxes, building fee waivers, expedited permit review, as well as
lien waivers.
The applicant also plans to construct a parking lot on vacant property at 296 Pearl.
Currently, there is a demolition lien attached to 296 Pearl. The demolition cost was
$158,057. Interest has now accrued over the last eleven (11) years in the amount of
$174,035. The lien now totals $332,092 and currently serves as an impediment to
redevelopment of the property.
Approval of a lien waiver through this program would allow the property to return to a usable
piece of land with an anticipated improved taxable value. The Administration believes that
this project would meet the goals of the Empowerment Zone Program of redeveloping
Downtown Beaumont.
Revenues from waived fees, abated ad -valorem taxes and a demolition lien would be
forgone, but the long-term economic impact associated with new development should
positively affect future budgets.
Minutes — June 25, 2019
Approval of the resolution.
Councilmember Getz moved to APPROVE A RESOLUTION THAT THE CITY MANAGER BE AND HE IS
HEREBY AUTHORIZED TO EXECUTE A NEIGHBORHOOD EMPOWERMENT ZONE TAX ABATEMENT
AGREEMENT WITH AMERICOMMERCE, LLC/ED STURROCK OFFERING ECONOMIC INCENTIVES TO
ENCOURAGE THE REDEVELOPMENT OF THE BUILDING LOCATED AT 268 PEARL STREET IN THE CITY OF
BEAUMONT WITHIN NEIGHBORHOOD EMPOWERMENT ZONE #5 AND THAT THE CITY MANAGER BE AND
HE IS HEREBY AUTHORIZED TO NEGOTIATE THE AMOUNT OF THE DEMOLITION LIEN WAIVER FOR THE
PROPERTY AT 296 PEARL STREET; HOWEVER, HE WILL BRING THE PROPOSED LIEN WAIVERAMOUNT
TO THE CITY COUNCIL FOR THEIR CONSIDERATION AND APPROVAL WITH THE FOUR CONDITIONS.
Councilmember Mouton seconded the motion.
AYES: MAYOR AMES, MAYOR PRO TEM PATE, COUNCILMEMBERS NEILD, GETZ,
FELDSCHAU, SAMUEL AND MOUTON
NAYS: NONE
MOTION PASSED
Resolution 19-130
WORK SESSION
* Review and discuss the guidelines for speakers and others in meetings of the
Beaumont City Council and Commission meetings
The Mayor and Council discussed the Guidelines for Speakers and others in
meetings of Beaumont City Council and Commission Meetings. The following are
things that were discussed to be changed:
In the heading "Guidelines for Speakers and others in meetings of Beaumont City
Council and Commission Meetings" it was suggested that the word Guidelines be
changed to "Requirements"
In the first paragraph the first line should be in bold or italicized or both. There are
two other words in the second sentence that should be changed from guidelines to
requirements.
Item #2 — Second line "Reference to City Departments and individuals must be
generic", it was suggested that it should read "Reference to City Departments or
Employees must be generic"
Item #3 — Reads "Clearly political speeches which advocate or support candidates or
parties are not appropriate" it was suggested that item #3 should read "Clearly
political speeches which advocate support or opposition for candidates or parties are
not appropriate"
Item #4 — The third sentence reads "No person within the City Council Chambers
shall speak or act in a loud and raucous manner which has the effect of disrupting the
meeting". It was suggested that the sentence read as follows "No person within the
City Council Chambers shall speak or act in such a manner which has the effect of
Minutes — June 25, 2019
COMMENTS
disrupting or interfering with the meeting.
Item #5 — The last sentence reads as follows "A person who has been escorted from
the Council meeting for rules violations may lose the privilege of speaking at future
City Council meetings for some period of time" it was suggested that the sentence
read as follows "A person who has been escorted from the Council meeting for three
times for rules violation shall lose the privilege of speaking at future City Council
meetings for a specified time period of 90 days.
Council asked that staff bring this item back with the changes as an action item at the
next City Council meeting.
Public Comments (Persons are limited to three minutes)
David Pete 6355 Chinn Ln. Beaumont TX
Stated that he was disturbed as to what he just listened to in the Worksession, made it clear
that the Councils own guidelines and policies they are attempting to enforce upon the
citizens, they themselves have violated, referred to Item 6 as it was mentioned on the
guidelines and policy sheet, his suggestion on the issue that Council can't respond to
citizens regarding unposted matters would be that Council would take into consideration
what citizens have spoken about previously, condense it and put it on a future agenda so
that Council can vote on it and citizens can then speak and Council respond, the policies and
guidelines seems to only apply to the citizens but not to the Council, feels that when public
comments were terminated it was done on purpose to silence certain citizens
Steve Hoffman 7045 Blarney St. Beaumont TX
Thanked Council for reinstating public comments, understands why it was done, stated that
he has sat in the meetings and watched the circus that was going on at times, as elected
officials they have to tolerate certain things, thinks that moving forward Council is doing the
right thing, what he would like to see happen is the green slip that is filled out be an entire
page and include elements of the rules that say what is required regarding the Open
Meetings Act and have a signature line as part of submitting the request to say they have
read the guidelines, and by signing that the speaker is saying they will abide by the rules,
commented on the Major Dr., traffic issue, neighbors are complaining about the number of
apartments that are going up, it's not that they don't like the apartments it's the quantity they
don't like
Landry Rountree 1565 S. Major Dr. Beaumont TX
Thanked Council for reinstating public comments, doesn't think that anyone in the room has
disagreed with the majority of the people, stated that he has brought his children and friends
with him to Council meeting in the past and has been embarrassed, he has had to apologize
to them for what they witnessed and heard, perhaps there are elementary rules because
people are acting childish, has learned that people need to be heard, thinks that the podium
can be very instrumental if Council will just listen
Minutes — June 25, 2019
Billie Brown 8201 Lake Ballinger Way Seattle WA
Stated that she is a radio announcer, her father was William "Boy" Brown, he was the man
that brought black radio to the Golden Triangle, believes that this City should honor her dad
with some type of recognition, the family is asking that the City give some recognition to a
man that did so much for this City, would love for him to be recognized for the talent that he
had and what he did for Beaumont, was told that they needed someone to sponsor this,
asked that the Council come together and do something for her father
Stephen Watson 6015 Thownhouse Ln. Beaumont TX
Second the motion of Mrs. Brown, stated that he will help and contribute in any way he can
to recognize William "Boy" Brown, stated that he's hearing impaired and it was hard for him
to hear Councilmembers speak, asked that Council be more diligent about speaking into
their mics
Kenny Vaughn 1555 S. Major Dr. Beaumont TX
Thanked Council for reinstating public comments, asked what's the difference between a
personal attack compared to voicing a complaint about a specific Councilmember, how does
one do that without breaking the rules, stated that he doesn't want to be escorted out of the
chambers for breaking the rules, there needs to be something for citizens to read so they will
know what the rules are
Councilmembers/City Manager/City Attorney comments on various matters
COUNCILMEMBER COMMENTS
MAYOR PRO TEM PATE - THANKED COUNCIL FOR THE CONFIDENCE IN ELECTING HIM AS
MAYOR PRO TEM, THANKED COUNCILMEMBER MOUTON FOR
CARRYING THE TORCH AS MAYOR PRO TEM PREVIOUSLY,
GLAD THAT COUNCIL HAS REINSTATED PUBLIC COMMENTS,
NOW THAT THE GUIDELINES HAVE BEEN REDEFINED, HE'S
CONFIDENT THAT THERE WILL BE NO PROBLEMS MOVING
FORWARD
COUNCILMEMBER FELDSCHAU - ASSURED ALL CITIZENS THAT EVERYONE ON THE COUNCIL
DESIRES TRANSPARENCY, ACCOUNTABILITY AND TO BE
APPROACHABLE, STATED THAT HE SENSES A HEAVINESS ON
ALL COUNCILMEMBERS BECAUSE THEY ALL ARE CONCERNED
THAT CITIZENS MAY FEEL THAT THEY WERE BEING CENSORED
OR SILENCED, THAT OF COURSE ISN'T TRUE, COUNCIL DOES
WANT TO HEAR FROM CITIZENS THAT'S WHY THE PUBLIC
COMMENT SECTION IS BEING RESTORED, THINKS THAT IT'S THE
HEART OF THE COUNCIL THAT CITIZENS FOLLOW THE RULES OF
CIVILITY AND DECORUM, CITIZENS CAN COME TO THE PODIUM
AND SAY WHAT THEY WANT, BUT NOT TO ATTACK ON A
PERSONAL LEVEL
Minutes — June 25, 2019
COUNCILMEMBER GETZ - CONGRATULATED COUNCILMEMBER PATE ON BEING ELECTED
AS MAYOR PRO TEM, ADDRESSED THE ISSUE OF TRAFFIC ON
MAJOR DR.
COUNCILMEMBER NEILD - NONE
COUNCILMEMBER MOUTON - CONGRATULATED COUNCILMEMBER PATE ON BEING ELECTED
MAYOR PRO TEM, THANKED MRS. BROWN FOR HER
COMMENTS, ANNOUNCED HEBERT HIGH SCHOOL'S 12TH
ANNUAL MASS REUNION THIS WEEKEND AT THE MCM
ELEGANTE' HOTEL, THE FESTIVITIES WILL START ON
THURSDAY, .LUNE 27, 2019
COUNCILMEMBER SAMUEL - THANKED MRS. BROWN FOR ATTENDING THE MEETING,
THANKED COUNCILMEMBER MOUTON FOR SERVING AS MAYOR
PRO TEM, CONGRATULATED COUNCILMEMBER PATE ON
BEING ELECTED AS MAYOR PRO TEM, THANKED COUNCIL FOR
REINSTATING PUBLIC COMMENTS
CITY ATTORNEY COOPER - NONE
CITY MANAGER HAYES - ANNOUNCED THAT THERE WILL NOT BE A COUNCIL MEETING
ON TUESDAY, JULY 2, 2019, COUNCIL WILL RESUME COUNCIL
MEETING ON JULY 9, 2019
MAYOR AMES - MADE COMMENTS REGARDING REINSTATING THE PUBLIC
COMMENT PORTION OF THE MEETING
there, being no Executive Session, Council adjourned at 3:07 p.m.
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Tina Broussard, City Clerk
Minutes — June 25, 2019