HomeMy WebLinkAbout02/18/2020 MINBEAUMONT
T E X A S
M I N U T E S- CITY OF BEAUMONT
W.L. Pate, Jr., Mayor Pro Tem BECKY AMES, MAYOR Randy Feldschau, At -Large
Taylor S. Neild, Ward I CITY COUNCIL MEETING Michael D. Getz, Ward If
Audwin Samuel, Ward III FEBRUARY 18, 2020 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 in strict compliance with
the Texas Open Meetings Act, Texas Government Code, Chapter 551 on February 18, 2020, 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 & 2/Consent Agenda
* Consent Agenda
Mayor Ames called the council meeting to order at 1:30 p.m.
Pastor Gnanavoli Arulsamy with St. Pius X Catholic 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 Pate, Councilmembers Getz, Feldschau,
Samuel and Mouton. Absent: Councilmember Neild. Also present were Kyle Hayes, City Manager;
Tyrone Cooper, City Attorney; Tina Broussard, City Clerk.
Proclamations, Presentation, Recognitions
Mardi Gras Southeast Texas" - February 20-23,2020 - Proclamation read by MayorAmes;
accepted by Laura Childress, President of Mardi Gras Southeast Texas
Public Comment: Persons may speak on scheduled agenda items 1 & 2/Consent Agenda
Jude Paredez 10620 Gage Rd. Beaumont TX
Spoke to Council regarding Item C on the Consent Agenda; authorizing the Mayor to execute
a waiver granting permission for the Jefferson County Mosquito Control District to operate
aircraft at a low altitude over the City of Beaumont for mosquito control purposes; Mr.
Paredez stated that it should be made public as to what is being sprayed upon the citizens as
well as a MSDS (Material Safety Data Sheet) be made available to all citizens, would also
like to see the city have an ordinance in place so that if a plane sprays something down on
the citizens that they relay what is being sprayed
Minutes — February 18, 2020
Addie Allen 9695 Gross Beaumont TX
Spoke to Council regarding Item C on the Consent Agenda; authorizing the Mayor to execute
a waiver granting permission for the Jefferson County Mosquito Control District to operate
aircraft at a low altitude over the City of Beaumont for mosquito control purposes; Ms. Allen
stated that she's very concerned with the mosquito spray as well as the low flying of an
aircraft, with all the pollutant that is already in the air citizens need to know what is being
sprayed, the City is going into agreement with Jefferson County and with the aircraft flying at
a low altitude if something were to happen will the city and the county be responsible
CONSENT AGENDA
Approval of minutes — February 11, 2020
Confirmation of committee appointments — None
A) Authorize a resolution rejecting the bids received for the demolition of three structures
located at 747 College Street — Resolution 20-027
B) Authorize the City Manager to execute a reimbursement agreement with ExxonMobil Pipeline
Company for Concrete Reconstruction in the 3500 block of Washington Boulevard —
Resolution 20-028
C) Authorize the Mayor to execute a waiver granting permission for the Jefferson County
Mosquito Control District to operate aircraft at a low altitude over the City of Beaumont for
mosquito control purposes — Resolution 20-029
D) Authorize the City Manager to renew the loan agreement with the National Museum of the
United States Air Force — Resolution 20-030
Mayor Pro Tem Pate moved to approve the Consent Agenda. Councilmember Getz
seconded the motion.
AYES: MAYOR AMES, MAYOR PRO TEM PATE, COUNCILMEMBERS GETZ, FELDSCHAU,
SAMUEL AND MOUTON
NAYS: NONE
MOTION PASSED
GENERAL BUSINESS
Consider adopting a resolution nominating ExxonMobil Oil Corporation for an Enterprise
Project Designation under the Texas Enterprise Zone Program for its Chemical Plant,
Polyethylene Plant, and Lubricant Blending and Packaging Plant located at 2275 Gulf States
Road.
Chapter 2303 of the Texas Government Code provides for the Texas Enterprise Zone
Program as an economic development tool for cities to partner with the State of Texas to
promote job creation and capital investment within economically distressed areas. If
awarded, companies are eligible for State sales and use tax refunds on qualified
Minutes — February 18, 2020
expenditures for up to five (5) years, with no cost to the jurisdiction. The refunded amount is
based upon a formula related to the amount of capital investment and the number of jobs
created or retained. In addition, the company agrees to hire a minimum of 35% of the new
employees from within economically distressed areas of Beaumont. Confirmation of this
requirement will be the responsibility of the company and the Texas Comptroller's office. The
Planning and Community Development Director of the City will serve as the required liaison
between the City, the Enterprise Zone Project and the State for the Enterprise Zone Projects.
ExxonMobil Oil Corporation requests to participate in the Texas Enterprise Zone Program as
an enterprise project for its Chemical Plant, Polyethylene Plant and Lubricant Blending and
Packaging Plant which are just outside of the City of Beaumont located at 2275 Gulf States
Road, Beaumont, Texas 77701. However, the City has the ability to sponsor such
applications. The "enterprise project" status refers to a project capital investment between
$5,000,000 to $149,999,999 or more and, a potential maximum refund amount of $1250,000
for the creation or retention of a maximum of five hundred (500) jobs.
Approval of the resolution.
Councilmember Mouton moved to APPROVE A RESOLUTION THAT EXXONMOBIL OIL CORPORATION
IS A "QUALIFIED BUSINESS," AS DEFINED IN SECTION 2303.402 OF THE ACT, AND MEETS THE
CRITERIA FOR DESIGNATION AS AN ENTERPRISE PROJECT, AS SET FORTH IN CHAPTER 2303,
SUBCHAPTER F OF THE ACT FOR' ITS CHEMICAL PLANT, POLYETHYLENE PLANT AND LUBRICANT
BLENDING AND PACKAGING PLANT LOCATED AT 2275 GULF STATES ROAD AND THE ENTERPRISE
PROJECT SHALL TAKE EFFECT ON THE DATE OF DESIGNATION OF THE'ENTERPRISE PROJECT BY THE
AGENCY AND TERMINATE FIVE YEARS FROM THE DATE OF DESIGNATION. Mayor Pro Tem Pate
seconded the motion.
AYES: MAYOR AMES, MAYOR PRO TEM PATE, COUNCILMEMBERS GETZ, FELDSCHAU,
SAMUEL AND MOUTON
NAYS: NONE
MOTION PASSED
Resolution 20-031
2. Consider adopting a resolution nominating ExxonMobil Oil Corporation for an Enterprise
Project Designation under the Texas Enterprise Zone Program for its Refinery located at
1795 Burt Street.
Chapter 2303 of the Texas Government Code provides for the Texas Enterprise Zone
Program as an economic development tool for cities to partner with the State of Texas to
promote job creation and capital investment within economically distressed areas. If
awarded, companies are eligible for State sales and use tax refunds on qualified
expenditures for up to five (5) years, with no cost to the jurisdiction. The amount of the
refund is based upon a formula related to the amount of capital investment and the number
of jobs created or retained. In addition, the company agrees to hire a minimum of 25% of the
new employees from within economically distressed areas of Beaumont. Confirmation of this
requirement will be the responsibility of the company and the Texas Comptroller's office. The
Planning and Community Development Director of the City will serve as the required liaison
between the City, the Enterprise Zone Project and the State for the Enterprise Zone Projects.
Minutes — February 18, 2020
ExxonMobil Oil Corporation requests to participate in the Texas Enterprise Zone Program as
an enterprise project for its Refinery which is just outside of the City of Beaumont located at
1795 Burt Street, Beaumont, Texas 77701. However, the City has the ability to sponsor such
applications. The "enterprise project" status refers to a project capital investment amount
between $5,000,000 to $149,999,999 or more and a potential maximum refund amount of
$1,250,000 for the creation or retention of a maximum of five hundred (500) jobs.
Approval of the resolution.
COuncilmember Getz moved to APPROVE A RESOLUTION THAT EXXONMOBIL OIL CORPORATION IS
A "QUALIFIED BUSINESS," AS DEFINED IN SECTION 2303.402 OF THE ACT, AND MEETS THE CRITERIA
FOR DESIGNATION AS AN ENTERPRISE PROJECT, AS SET FORTH IN CHAPTER 2303, SUBCHAPTER F OF
THE ACT FOR ITS REFINERY LOCATED AT 1795 BURT STREET; AND THAT THE ENTERPRISE PROJECT
SHALL TAKE EFFECT ON THE DATE OF DESIGNATION OF THE ENTERPRISE PROJECT BY THE AGENCY
AND TERMINATE FIVE YEARS FROM THE DATE OF DESIGNATION. Councilmember Mouton seconded
the motion.
AYES: MAYOR AMES, MAYOR PRO TEM PATE, COUNCILMEMBERS GETZ, FELDSCHAU,
SAMUEL AND MOUTON
NAYS: NONE
MOTION PASSED
Resolution 20-032
COMMENTS
Public Comments (Persons are limited to three minutes)
Jude Paredez 10620 Gage Rd. Beaumont TX
Spoke to Council regarding the coronavirus and the urgent necessity to be prepared for this
virus, stated that the city should start to prepare in advance, read steps to take to prevent
getting the virus from the newspaper, stated that if anyone has questions relating to the
preparedness of the coronavirus they may contact Mayor Becky Ames or the Civilian Review
Board at 409-651-0623
Jennie Simon 4530 Goliad St. Beaumont TX
Stated that she spoke to Council some time ago inquiring as to whether the city would be
opening up Paradise Street, never received a response, received a call from the city stating
there's no money to open the street, she needs this street open in order to sell the property
Addie Allen 9695 Gross Beaumont TX
Spoke regarding a concern in the Amelia area that relates to the Fire, EMS and Garbage
Departments on Gross and Todd Streets, there's a deep crevasse there and has seen the
big vehicles hit the curb, would hate to see any of them get stuck and can't get to a citizen,
asked that someone come out and take a look at the crevasse to see if there's a remedy, the
other concern is that from 7:45 a.m. until 12:45 a.m. the next morning there are planes flying
Minutes — February 18, 2020
low over the Amelia area, not sure what it is, hasn't seen anything in the papers, stated that
the Municipal Airport is the next street over, wonders if the citizens are going to get any
information regarding this and especially now that there will be mosquito aircraft flying, there
will have to be air space shared, there's a lot of in and out traffic at the airport and would like
to get some type of information in regards to the traffic
* Councilmembers/City Manager/City Attorney comments on various matters
COUNCILMEMBER COMMENTS
COUNCILMEMBER NEILD - ABSENT
COUNCILMEMBER GETZ - COMMENTED ON THE AURORA BALL, THRILLED TO HAVE
MARDI GRAS HERE IN BEAUMONT
COUNCILMEMBER FELDSCHAU - STATED THAT HE KNOWS EVERYONE IS CONCERNED ABOUT
THE CORONAVIRUS AS THE SPEAKER MENTIONED EARLIER,
ENCOURAGE EVERYONE NOT TO GIVE INTO .FEAR AND TO
UNDERSTAND THAT WE LIVE WITH THIS TYPE OF THING
EVERYDAY OF OUR LIVES, THE FLU IS AN ISSUE IN AMERICA,
THERE ARE MORE PEOPLE THAT DIED FROM THE FLU THIS YEAR
THAN THE CORONAVIRUS, ASKED THAT EVERYONE USE
WISDOM, WASH AND SANITIZE THEIR HANDS AND BE CAREFUL,
THIS IS THE WORLD. WE LIVE IN, THE BEST THING WE CAN DO IS
LIVE OUR LIVES, ASKED EVERYONE TO SUPPORT MARDI GRAS
AND MAKE IT A FAMILY EVENT
MAYOR PRO TEM PATE - COMMENTED ON EVENTS THAT HAVE TAKEN PLACE IN THE CITY
WITHIN THE LAST WEEK, AS WELL AS LAMAR UNIVERSITY
BASKETBALL, SOFTBALL ETC., THERE ARE A LOT OF CITIES
THAT DON'T HAVE THE EVENTS THAT BEAUMONT HAS,
CITIZENS NEED TO LET OTHERS KNOW WHAT A GREAT CITY WE
LIVE IN AND SHOULD BE PROUD, GAVE CONDOLENCES TO THE
FAMILIES OF JASPER LOVOI, JR., AND DORIS MABRY,
ENCOURAGED EVERYONE TO ATTEND MARDI GRAS,. MARCH
20-23, 2020 AND THE TASTE OF THE TRIANGLE, FEBRUARY
25, 2020
COUNCILMEMBER SAMUEL - NONE
COUNCILMEMBER MOUTON - ANNOUNCED THAT EARLY VOTING HAS STARTED AND WILL END
FEBRUARY 28, 2020, ELECTION DAY IS TUESDAY, MARCH 3,
2020, ENCOURAGED EVERYONE TO GET OUT AND EXERCISE
THEIR RIGHT TO VOTE, COMMENTED ON THE CORONAVIRUS,
STATED THAT IT'S OUT OF ANYONE'S CONTROL, UNDERSTANDS
THAT THE CITY DOES NEED TO CONTROL WHAT IT CAN
CONTROL, THE CITY HAS A WONDERFUL HEALTH DEPARTMENT
AND HEALTH DIRECTOR THAT'S MORE THAN CAPABLE OF
GETTING THE INFORMATION OUT TO THE CITIZENS OF
BEAUMONT, THINKS THAT MORE PEOPLE WILL DIE FROM THE
FLU EPIDEMIC THAN THEY PROBABLY WILL HERE IN THE
Minutes — February 18, 2020
STATES FROM THE CORONAVIRUS, THANKED COUNCILMEMBER
FELDSCHAU FOR REMINDING EVERYONE THAT IT',S ALL ABOUT
WASHING THEIR HANDS AND TAKING CARE OF WHAT THEY
NEED TO TAKE CARE OF
CITY ATTORNEY COOPER - NONE
CITY MANAGER HAYES - NONE
MAYOR AMES - COMMENTED ON THE MARDI GRAS AURORA GRAND BALL,
ANNOUNCED THE DATES FOR MARDI GRAS, FEBRUARY 20 —
23, 2020, ALSO COMMENTED ON THE STORY OF THE
THROWING OF THE CHICKEN, AS WELL AS THE PARADES ETC.,
STATED THAT ADDITIONAL INFORMATION REGARDING THE
MARDI GRAS CAN BE FOUND ON THE CITY'S WEB SITE OR
DOWNLOAD THE DISCOVER BEAUMONT APP ON YOUR SMART
PHONE, ALSO COMMENTED ON THE CORONAVIRUS, THE
HEALTH DEPARTMENT HAS BEEN WORKING CLOSELY WITH
BAPTIST HOSPITAL, THEY DO A GREAT JOB STAYING ON TOP
OF WHAT'S GOING ON, VERY PROUD OF THE JOB THAT THE
HEALTH DEPARTMENT AND EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT DOES
there being,,qo Executive Session, Council adjourned at 2:09 p.m.
'4. T7.0
Tina Broussard, City Clerk
Minutes — February 18, 2020