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HomeMy WebLinkAbout06/09/2020 MINBEAUM-ONT MINUTES OF THE CITY OF BEAUMONT COUNCIL MEETING W.L. Pate, Jr., Mayor Pro Tern BECKY AMES, MAYOR Randy Feldschau., At -Large Taylor Neild, Ward I CITY COUNCIL MEETING Michael D. Getz, Ward If Audwin Samuel, Ward III JUNE 9, 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 June 9, k20, 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 1-3/Consent Agenda * Consent Agenda Mayor Ames called the council meeting to order at 1:30 p.m. Pastor Howard Cameron, with Trinity 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 Neild, Getz, Feldschau, Mouton and Samuel. Also present were Kyle Hayes, City Manager; Tyrone Cooper, City Attorney; Tina Broussard, City Clerk. Proclamations, Presentation, Recognitions None Public Comment: Persons may speak on scheduled agenda items 1-3/Consent Agenda None CONSENT AGENDA Approval of minutes — June 2, 2020 Confirmation of committee appointments — None A) Approve the purchase of Chest Compression Systems for use in the EMS Division — Resolution 20-116 Minutes — June 9, 2020 B) Approve contracts to provide lubricants for use in City vehicles and equipment— Resolution 20-117 C) Authorize the City Manager to execute a lease agreement with the Beaumont Art League — Resolution 20-118 D) Authorize the settlement of the lawsuit styled James "Chad" York et al v. City of Beaumont et al; Civil Action No. 1:18-cv-00522 — Resolution 20-119 E) Authorize the acceptance of a ten -foot wide Exclusive Water Line Easement located at 1030 West Cardinal Drive — Resolution 20-120 Councilmember Neild moved to approve the Consent Agenda. Mayor Pro Tern Pate seconded the motion. AYES: MAYOR AMES, MAYOR PRO TEM PATE, COUNCILMEMBERS NEILD, GETZ, FELDSCHAU, SAMUEL AND MOUTON NAYS: NONE MOTION PASSED GENERAL BUSINESS Consider an ordinance amending the FY 2020 Budget. In accordance with Article VI of the City Charter, the City Manager shall strictly enforce the provisions of the budget as specified in the ordinance adopting the budget. He shall not authorize or approve any expenditure unless an appropriation has been made in the budget ordinance adopting the budget, and there is an available unencumbered balance of the appropriation sufficient to pay the liability to be incurred. Approving the proposed amendment will ensure that expenditures are within the approved budget and that interfund transfers are in accordance with financial policies as approved within the budget document. The details of the proposed amendment are as follows: On August 14, 2018, City Council approved a budget amendment to transfer $2.1 million from the Hotel Occupancy Tax (HOT) Fund to the General Improvements Projects Fund for the renovation of the Tyrrell Park Community Building. On May 12, 2020, City Council awarded a contract to McInnis Construction for those renovations in the amount of $1,473,000 for the base bid and approximately $52,600 for several alternate bids. Since the bids came in under the amount that was estimated, it is recommended that $450,000 be transferred back from the General Improvements Projects Fund to the HOT Fund. Additionally, the- HOT Fund is expected to receive less tax revenue than what was budgeted this year due to COVID-19. Hotel tax collections for the months of April and May of 2020 were $214,823 and $219,961, respectively. Hotel tax collections for the months of April and May of 2019 were $303,195 and $296,176, respectively. Minutes — June 9, 2020 Hotel Occupancy Tax Fund Original Budget Proposed Amendment Amended Budget Total Revenues $3,050,600 $450,000 $3,500,600 Total Expenditures $3,190,600 $0 1$3,190,600 Please note that the City Manager stated the Proposed Amendment of $450,000.has been revised after staff reviewed the numbers before the Council meeting to $350,000. Approval of the ordinance. Councilmember Mouton moved to ADOPT AN ORDINANCE ENTITLED AN ORDINANCE AMENDING THE FISCAL BUDGET OF THE CITY OF BEAUMONT FOR THE FISCAL YEAR 2020 TO APPROPRIATE ADDITIONAL REVENUES IN THE HOTEL OCCUPANCY TAX FUND; PROVIDING FOR SEVERABILITY AND PROVIDING FOR REPEAL. Councilmember Neild seconded the motion. AYES: MAYOR AMES, MAYOR PRO TEM PATE, COUNCILMEMBERS NEILD, FELDSCHAU, SAMUEL AND MOUTON NAYS: COUNCILMEMBER GETZ MOTION PASSED Ordinance 20-023 2. Consider an ordinance granting a new solid waste franchise agreement with Action Trucking Company. According to Section 22.05.101 of the Code of Ordinances, no person shall engage in the business of collecting, hauling or transporting, in the city, any garbage, waste or refuse, without first having obtained a franchise from the City. Eight entities currently have nonexclusive franchise agreements with the City. Action Trucking Company has requested a franchise agreement. The company is focused on construction and demolition waste and construction earth materials hauling with plans to operate from 16147 Sabine Consolidated Rd. Beaumont, TX 77705. The franchise provides for a term of one year from its effective date and a franchise fee of seven percent (7%) of gross revenues received for service. It also requires the entity to indemnify the City of Beaumont and provide insurance which names the City of Beaumont as a named insured. According to City Charter, franchise ordinances require readings at three separate Council meetings, with the third not less than thirty (30) days from the first reading. The ordinance does not take effect until sixty (60) days after its adoption on the third and final reading. After passage, the ordinance must be published for four consecutive weeks in a newspaper of general circulation in the City. All publication costs are paid by the franchisee. This is the first reading. A franchise fee of seven percent (7%) of gross receipts will be paid to the City. Minutes — June 9, 2020 Approval of the ordinance. Mayor Pro Tem Pate moved to ADOPT AN ORDINANCE ENTITLED AN ORDINANCE GRANTING A FRANCHISE FOR SOLID WASTE COLLECTION AND TRANSPORTATION SERVICES TO ACTION TRUCKING COMPANY. Councilmember Feldshau seconded the motion. AYES: MAYOR AMES, MAYOR PRO TEM PATE, COUNCILMEMBERS NEILD, GETZ, FELDSCHAU, SAMUEL AND MOUTON NAYS: NONE MOTION PASSED Ordinance 20-024 3. Consider a resolution approving a five-year lease purchase agreement with K S State Bank, located in Manhattan, Kansas for the purchase of a fire truck. On March 17, 2020, Council approved a reimbursement resolution for the lease purchase agreement to reimburse the City for the purchase of a Pierce Velocity Fire Pumper Truck in the amount of $749,488. Bids were requested for a fixed interest rate to finance the truck with the first payment in arrears following the date of purchase of the truck which was on January 30, 2020. The total lease purchase cost, including interest of $60,622.95, is $810,110.95. Bids were solicited for a fixed interest rate lease purchase finance agreement from twenty- two (22) vendors and one response was received. The Administration is recommending an agreement with K S State Bank with an interest rate of 2.65%. Funds will be budgeted in FY2021 - Capital Reserve Fund. Approval of the resolution. Councilmember Neild moved to APPROVE A RESOLUTION,THAT THE BID SUBMITTED BY K S STATE BANK, OF MANHATTAN, KANSAS, FOR A FIVE (5) YEAR LEASE PURCHASE AGREEMENT AT A FIXED INTEREST RATE OF 2.65% AND A TOTAL LEASE PURCHASE OF $810,110.95, AND THAT THE CITY MANAGER BE AND HE IS HEREBY AUTHORIZED TO EXECUTE A FIVE (5) YEAR LEASE PURCHASE AGREEMENT WITH K S STATE BANK, OF MANHATTAN, KANSAS. Councilmember Getz seconded the motion. AYES: MAYOR AMES, MAYOR PRO TEM PATE, COUNCILMEMBERS NEILD, GETZ, FELDSCHAU, SAMUEL AND MOUTON NAYS: NONE MOTION PASSED Resolution 20-121 Minutes — June 9, 2020 WORK SESSION Review and discuss a Master Drainage Plan prepared by Lockwood, Andrews & Newnam, Inc. Matt Manges, with Lockwood, Andrews & Newman (LAN) reviewed and discussed the Master Drainage Plan (MDP). Mr. Manges discussed the key terms of the plan as well as the projects and the MDP background, goals and funding partnerships. The scale of the study will be 115 square miles, 3 modeling regions, 420 miles of storm sewer and 525 miles of open channels. The data collection includes a comprehensive digital inventory, digitized paper date and infrastructure for the model analysis. Mr. Manges defined the flooding which included 24-hour storm events, with a two (2) year, 50% AEP there will 5.2 inches of rain, five (5) year, 20% AEP there will be 7.3 inches, ten (10) year, 10% AEP there will be 8.8 inches, twenty five (25) year, 4% AEP there will 11.0 inches, and 100-year, 1 % AEP there will be 14.8 inches. There was discussion of existing conditions observations which consist of the following: Older, undersized storm sewers Cross block, out of ROW ponding Long duration ponding, impassible roadways Limited outfall depth/capacity Limited ROW adjacent to channels Limited capacity at underpass pump stations Heavy influence of surface features such as rails, canals, roadways Structural flooding for larger events Existing conditions: Identification of problem areas Discussion with the City/DD6 Insufficient capacity Damages Improvements: Ponding depth and duration Repetitive loss data Structure at risk Identification Repetitive loss structures Discussion with staff Passable intersections and roadway level of service Targets 25-year LOS Reduce flood risk Evaluations Insufficient systems Open areas There was additional discussions regarding proposed improvement projects, prioritization process, proposed project ranking and a proposed flood early warning system. Minutes — June 9, 2020 Review and discuss possible amendments to the 2019 CDBG Action Plan The City was recently granted $801,000 in supplemental CDBG-CV-(COVID) funding. Recipients are urged to use the funding for immediate COVID response activities such as the construction and operation of medical testing and treatment facilities, emergency protective measures, as well as Covid-19 testing for the public. However, the funds are also intended to assist individuals struggling financially as the result of Covid-19. Staff is recommending that the funds be used to help those affected economically by the pandemic. With guidance from The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD), the most expeditious way to utilize the supplemental funding is by amending the adopted 2019 CDBG Action Plan. Specifically, staff is proposing the following: Utility and Rental Assistance Program: $600,000 Food Bank: $140,000 Administrative Expenses: $ 61,000 With regard to a Utility and Rental Assistance Program, the City has partnered in the past with non -profits such as Henry's Place and the Salvation Army to administer such a program. These reimbursement programs provide up to three (3) months of utility and rental assistance to those at risk of eviction and possible homelessness. This is particularly important given the economic impact resulting from the pandemic. Given the cost of rent and utilities that might range from $500-$1,000, we estimate that we may be able to assist as many as 500 households within Beaumont. It should be noted that income eligibility, documentation showing a risk of homelessness as well as financial documents showing eligible expenses will be required. It should also be noted that this is a reimbursement program. In addition, staff is recommending an allocation of $140,000 to local food shelters which would allow for the acquisition and distribution of food to local citizens affected by the pandemic. Finally, staff is recommending an amendment of the 2019 Action Plan to specify that $400,000 of the $500,000 budgeted in the Public Facility & Improvement line item be dedicated to homeless shelter repair and enhancement. The $500,000 was approved by the City Council to allow for a new program whereby citizens could replace their sewer and/or water lines on their property. Despite advertising the new program, there have not been many citizens come forward or that have been eligible. Therefore, the Administration proposes to repurpose $400,000 of the $500,000. Staff has been in discussion with our non-profit partners and we expect that they will make the following requests: Henry's Place: Repair the foundation, upgrade electrical system, upgrade kitchen, repair siding and painting and repairs to floors. These improvements will allow for an enhanced level of service at this facility. The estimated cost is $266,000. Salvation Army: Repair the foundation, repair and paint rotten wood on exterior, repair roof, repair drywall, floors, interior and exterior doors for the two buildings at 1078 McFaddin. These improvements will allow for this facility to be re -opened to provide shelter services to the homeless population. The estimated cost is $200,000. Minutes — June 9. 2020 PUBLIC HEARING * Receive comments on the amended Public Services and Public Facilities and Improvements line items of the Consolidated Grant Program's 2019 Annual Action Plan Public Hearing Open: 3:48 p.m. Vernon Tubbs 3290 Pine St. Beaumont TX Michael Cooper 5040 Oakmont Dr. Beaumont TX Thanked Council for adding the $801,000 to the Capital Program to help assist those citizens that will need help with rental assistance, also stated that June 10, 2020, is the day that the Constables office will begin serving citizens with evictions due to non-payment of rent, asked if the Council could do something to halt or asked that the date be pushed back since the approval of the Consolidated Grant has to go back to HUD for approval, this would cause some citizens to become homeless if they have to wait Public Hearing Close: 3:52 p.m. 4. Consider approving a resolution adopting the amended 2019 Annual Action Plan. Approved in response to the Covid-19 pandemic, the CARES Act allocated $801,000 in supplemental CDBG funding to the City of Beaumont. In order to utilize these funds, the Administration is proposing to amend the 2019 Annual Action Plan to incorporate this funding. The proposed use of the CARES Act funds would be to allocate $600,000 for a Utility and Rental Assistance Program. This program would provide up to three (3) months of rent and utility assistance for low -to -moderate income families at risk of becoming homeless. The program would be administered through local non-profit partners, Henry's Place/Some Other Place and the Salvation Army. In addition, $140,000 would be allocated to the Southeast Texas Food Bank to help feed families affected by the pandemic. Administrative costs to administer the programs would be set at $61,000. Finally, in order to assist the homeless population, we are proposing to amend the 2019 Action Plan to specify that $400,000 of the $500,000 Public Facility & Improvement line item be dedicated to the repair and enhancement of two facilities that assist the homeless population. These facilities would be Henry's Place/Some Other Place and the Salvation Army. 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 priorto adopting the City's Annual Action Plan. Planning & Community Development staff, along with the Community Development Advisory Committee (CDAC), has hosted Public Hearings in order to receive public comments on the process and activities related to the 2019 Annual Action Plan. Attached is the proposed Amended Budget for the 2019 Program Year. The proposed budget reflects estimated allocations of $1,337,723 in Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) funding, an estimated $100,000 in Program Income, $457,530 in HOME funding and $801,000 in CDBG-CV-CARES Act funding. Minutes — June 9. 2020 Funds will come from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) Community Development Block Grant and HOME Investment Partnership Grant funds. Conduct the Public Hearing and approve the Resolution. Councilmember Getz moved to APPROVE A RESOLUTION THAT THE CITY COUNCIL HEREBYADOPTS AN AMENDED HUD CONSOLIDATED GRANT PROGRAM's 2019 ANNUAL ACTION PLAN, TO AMEND THE BUDGET OF THE 2019 ACTION PLAN TO INCLUDE $801,000 IN CDBG-CV-CARES ACT FUNDING, THEREBY RESULTING IN A NEW 2019 ACTION PLAN IN THE AMOUNT OF $1,337,723 IN COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT BLOCK GRANT (CDBG) FUNDING, AN ESTIMATED $100,000 IN PROGRAM INCOME, $457,530 IN HOME FUNDING AND $801,000 IN CDBG-CV-CARES ACT FUNDING. Councilmember Mouton seconded the motion. AYES: MAYOR AMES, MAYOR PRO TEM PATE, COUNCILMEMBERS NEILD, GETZ, FELDSCHAU, SAMUEL AND MOUTON NAYS: NONE MOTION PASSED Resolution 20-122 COMMENTS Public Comments (Persons are limited to three minutes) Linda Pete Gilmore 1350 Long St. Beaumont TX Spoke to Council regarding the new home that the GLO is building for her, stated that she's having an issue with drainage, she can't move into her home as of yet due to the drainage and GLO not being able to pour her driveway, showed pictures to Council of the last rain event and how high the water got, has called the City, they came out and took pictures etc., has never heard anything from them, asked that the City help with this issue Luther Martin 6955 Broadleaf Dr. Beaumont TX Expressed displeasure and concerns regarding racism in this country, stated that everyone has to stop making excuses and do the work of the Lord, discussed police reform, remove choke holds and applying the knee to the neck, stop drug raids without notification, make internal investigation of the Police and Sheriff Department through a separate entity, promote a new culture among police officers where they will move from a philosophy where we must protect our own to we must protect all Grace Mathis 150 N. 7t" St. Beaumont TX Spoke to Council regarding what our society is experiencing in America, asked the City Council and the City of Beaumont to begin to look at ourselves, examine how things have been do in the past and realize that it is time to change, it is time to examine the city budget and where the funds are appropriated, commented on the video that has surfaced of the 17 year old being pushed down by the police and the subsequent response from the Police Union and Chief Singletary acknowledging that the police would no longer be using certain Minutes — June 9, 2020 types of choke holds, it is time for the community to hear from the Police Department and to know what they have in place to make sure that police are handling their interactions with the public in a respectful way, also thinks it's time for citizens as a community and as a whole including the City Council to reexam how much of the tax payer funding that we have in this community goes specifically to the police department, how much of the tax payer funding could be reallocated to those things that will -prevent crime from happening, things such as public transportation, homelessness, youth programs, public and mental health, libraries, parks and recreation, the education system and community development, thinks that in order to create a community that is different than what we have right now, stated that she knows that she's not alone in wanting to see the City Council address how we can begin to use tax payer money differently Artis Jones 3733 Delaware St. Beaumont TX Stated that he lives across the street from Wuthering Heights Park and they flood consistently, commented on the worksession that occurred earlier, his street isn't on the list, Delaware and Dowlen is but not his area and doesn't understand why, stated they flooded during Harvey, Imelda as well as the rain event that occurred on May 14, 2020, has called the Streets and Drainage Department, 311, etc., would like to know if anyone will clean out the ditches, would like to know if there's something the city can do to assist with this issue Caleb Peterson 1620 Wellington P1. Beaumont TX Stated that he's an accounting student at Lamar University, sited some data that he pulled from the city's Comprehensive Annual Financial Report and the 2020 Adopted Budget, as it was discussed earlier in the meeting revenues for FY 2020 will fail to meet previous estimations made when the 2020 budget was adopted as a result of COVID-19 shutdown, during FY 2016-2019 the overall population of Beaumont has decreased by .54%, in that time period funds earmarked for the Beaumont Police Department have increased by 2.7% with the department adding 23 new civilian position in those three years, the police are by far the city's biggest expenditure on the statement of revenues and expenditures, the adopted 2020 budget sales and use taxes were estimated to. contribute $42,582,500 to the general fund, while expenditures earmarked for police were in the amount of $40,493,300, stated that he knows that Beaumont has a crime problem, studies have shown that increasing police resources and beefing up police forces doesn't decrease crime, crime is lowered by tackling poverty, of which this city also has a problem, also stated that in the ordinance to amend the FY 2020 budget he implored the members of the Beaumont City Council to re -appropriate some of the funds into community development and initiatives that are actually proven to lower crime, such as affordable housing, mental health and addiction counseling, youth outreach and improving the under -funded schools, believes that the formation of a civilian review board is also necessary in order to address any alleged use of excessive force made by law enforcement, this would lead to increased community by in, trust and participation in local government, he's aware that there is a Civilian Advisory Council, thinks it should be looked at or amended Mark Faggard 3715 Long Ave. Beaumont TX Spoke to Council regarding the May 14, 2020, rain event, stated that for the first time since November 1993, he had raw sewage and matter flowing out of toilet in the front of his home, he's been here to speak before on behalf of others that have had this problem, furnished photographs of the overflow of the toilet to various members of the Council, thinks this is an Minutes — June 9, 2020 unacceptable condition for any person that lives within the City of Beaumont, stated that his perception is that the sewer and drainage problems in this city are getting increasingly worse, there was six inches of rain in two hours and his only hope for the city is that we don't have these same kind of problems in the next major storm, commented on the study regarding the Master Drainage Plan and what it will do to correct the raw sewage problems that the city has, asked what will be done and will it be necessary for the citizens of this community to file a complaint with TCEQ (Texas Commission of Environmental Quality) to come out and investigate all of these complaints, it's time for the Council to do better and fix the problems now Christina McCollum , 655 Howell St. Beaumont TX Thanked Council for their service and for looking out for what's best for the community and the community's future, stated that she's a second grade teacher here in Beaumont, proposed that the city purchase and distribute textbooks and social studies books that intertwin and integrate Black History with American History, this is something that she feels strongly about, feels that Black History is now segregated into one month but feels it should be throughout the history books and match with what is happening in current history Jason Marshburn 1070 Monterrey Dr. Beaumont TX Stated that we as citizens have a right to life, liberty and property which our nation is founded upon, over a hundred years ago we had people that weren't afforded life, liberty and property, a lot people in the country are marginalized like Native and African Americans, there are still problems where all of our citizens aren't given the right to life, liberty and property, thinks the police are doing a great job with interacting with the community, like community policing, cops and kids, and attending neighborhood association meetings, thinks Beaumont Police have less conflict than other cities have Jeremy Pavlich 695 Chamberlin Dr. Beaumont TX Commented on his street and how amazing it looks, it's also great to know that a local contractor did the work, also impressed with the city workers that fixed some of the leaks in the street, the sewer renovation was brought up earlier and wanted to reiterate if there's anything his company can do as far as labor in this area and help the city promote the sewer renovation they will jump at the opportunity, they stand as a resource and would love to help as plumbers in the city Councilmembers/City Manager/City Attorney comments on various matters COUNCILMEMBER COMMENTS COUNCILMEMBER NEILD - NONE COUNCILMEMBER GETZ - THANKED THE MEN AND WOMEN IN THE BEAUMONT POLICE DEPARTMENT, IT'S A TOUGH TIME TO BE A POLICE OFFICER RIGHT NOW, THERE'S. CRIES AROUND THE COUNTRY FOR DEFUNDING POLICE DEPARTMENTS AND WANTING TO HAVE PROGRESSIVE CHANGES MADE, DOESN'T KNOW IF CITIZENS THAT ARE ASKING FOR THESE THINGS ARE FULLY AWARE OF THE TYPES OF PROGRAMS AND INITIATIVES THAT ARE ALREADY Minutes — June 9, 2020 IN PLACE IN THE BEAUMONT POLICE DEPARTMENT, STATED THAT WHEN COUNCIL DISCUSSED OPENING UP THE PLAYGROUNDS THE COUNCIL STATED THAT THEY WOULD ASSESS THE REST OF THE CITY FACILITIES ON A WEEKLY BASIS, A LOT OF PEOPLE HAVE REACHED OUT TO HIM WANTING TO KNOW WHEN THE CITY WOULD OPEN UP OTHER VENUES LIKE THE EVENT CENTRE ETC., BELIEVES THAT THE GOVERNOR'S ORDER ON FRIDAY WILL BE ADDRESSING THIS COUNCILMEMBER FELDSCHAU - NONE MAYOR PRO TEM PATE - COMMENTED ON BABE DIDRIKSON ZAHARIAS BIRTHDAY ON .TUNE 26T", ANNOUNCED THAT ON JUNE 10, 2020 THE JUNIOR GOLFERS AT LAMAR UNIVERSITY^ WILL BE HONORED COUNCILMEMBER SAMUEL - STATED THAT HE HAS FRIENDS THAT ARE POLICE OFFICERS, BELIEVES THERE ARE GOOD OFFICERS THAT ARE DOING THE BEST THEY CAN TO SERVE AND PROTECT THE COMMUNITY, ON LAST TUESDAY BEFORE THE CITY COUNCIL MEETING HE WAS APPROACHED BY SOMEONE THAT SHOWED HIM A WRONG THAT THEY SAW ON SOCIAL MEDIA (A VIDEO), STATED THAT WHAT HE SAW AND BELIEVED WAS WRONG, HE STATED HOW HE FELT AT THE TIME, HE WAS VERBALLY ATTACKED BECAUSE OF WHAT HE SAID, BELIEVES WHEN A PERSON REMAINS SILENT IN THE FACE OF OPPRESSION THEY BECOME COMPLICIT WITH THE OPPRESSOR, STATED THAT HE WILL NOT REMAIN SILENT IN THE FACE OF INJUSTICE, IN 1619 HIS FOREFATHERS WERE BROUGHT HERE UNWILLINGLY 400 YEARS AGO AS SLAVES, THEY HELPED BUILD THIS NATION, THE STREETS, BUILDINGS, CITIES, TOWNS, THIS COUNTRY AND FOR 250 YEARS THEY WERE IN SHACKLES AND, CHAINS AND WERE NOT SET FREE UNTIL 250 YEARS LATER, THEY DIDN'T GET THEIR 40 ACRES AND A MULE, IN 1964 WE WERE GRANTED EQUAL RIGHTS, 100 YEARS LATER AFTER FIGHTING THE WARS WE HAD BLACK MEN AND WOMEN GOING OFF TO WAR TO FIGHT FOR LIBERTY AND JUSTICE FOR ALL ONLY TO COME BACK TO THIS COUNTRY AND BE TREATED AS SECOND CLASS CITIZENS AND NOW 401 YEARS LATER WE ARE STILL FIGHTING FOR LIBERTY AND JUSTICE, FIGHTING THE VIRAL CANCER OF SYSTEMIC RACISM BECAUSE OF THE LACK OF ACCESS TO ADEQUATE HEALTH CARE, EDUCATION EQUITY, EQUAL HOUSING OPPORTUNITIES, EQUAL EMPLOYMENT, EQUAL PAY, ACCUMULATION OF WEALTH, STATED "HOW DARE YOU PRIVILEGED, TELL ME WHAT I SHOULD FEEL, WHAT I SHOULD THINK ABOUT WHAT I SEE WITH MY OWN EYES AND WHAT I LIVE EVERYDAY", THOSE OF YOU WHO SAY IT DOESN'T MATTER YOU CAN GO STRAIGHT TO HELL ALONG WITH THE SATANIC SPIRIT THAT YOU'RE RIDING WITH, STATED THAT THE HOTTEST PLACE IN HELL IS PRESERVED FOR THOSE WHO REMAIN NEUTRAL IN THE FACE OF GREAT MORAL CONFLICT, FOR THOSE WHO CARE LETS WORK TOGETHER WITH UNDERSTANDING AND LOVING ONE ANOTHER TO BRING ABOUT Minutes — June 9, 2020 CHANGE, SHOWING RATHER THAN TALKING ABOUT WHAT YOU WILL DO TO BRING OUR COUNTRY TOGETHER, HOW CAN WE HEAL IF WE DON'T FIX THE PROBLEM COUNCILMEMBER MOUTON - CONGRATULATED THE CLASS OF 2020, GAVE CONDOLENCES TO THE FAMILY OF GEORGE FLOYD, STATED THAT SHE'S A COUNCILMEMBER, A MOTHER OF AN AFRICAN AMERICAN SON AND TWO GRANDSONS, ON LAST TUESDAY A VIDEO WAS SENT TO HER PHONE, STATED THAT SHE WAS ACCUSED OF RUSHING TO JUDGEMENT BY THE POLICE UNION BASED ON WHAT SHE VIEWED, WHAT SHE VIEWED FOR 10 SECONDS DIDN'T CHANGE HOW SHE FELT SEEING THE OFFICER'S KNEE TO THE NECK AND BACK OF THE YOUNG 17 YEAR OLD BLACK YOUTH, SHE SPOKE WITH CHIEF SINGLETARY AND VIEWED THE OFFICERS BODYCAM OF THE ENTIRE INCIDENT, SHE WAS VERY DISTURBED BY WHAT SHE SAW, SHE DISAGREED WITH THE EXCESSIVE FORCE USED, AS A COUNCILMEMBER THAT SERVES A POPULATION LARGELY OF BLACK AND BROWN PEOPLE HOW DARE SHE NOT SPEAK UP, STATED THAT BEAUMONT WAS JUST A FEW SECONDS AWAY FROM BEING ANOTHER MINNEAPOLIS, EACH MEMBER OF THIS COUNCIL COULD HAVE RULED ON A POSSIBLE LAWSUIT THAT COULD AFFECT EACH TAX PAYING CITIZEN IN THIS CITY, .CHIEF SINGLETARY HAS MADE THE IMMEDIATE CHANGE TO REMOVE THE TECHNIQUE OF THE KNEE TO THE NECK AND HEAD, STATED THAT SOME COUNCILS ACROSS THE COUNTRY HAD TO VOTE TO REMOVE THAT SAME TECHNIQUE, COUNCIL DIDN'T AND THANKED CHIEF SINGLETARY FOR THE REMOVAL, IN CONCLUSION, WE AS CITIZENS NEED TO RESPECT AUTHORITY AND AUTHORITY NEEDS TO RESPECT HUMAN LIVES CITY ATTORNEY COOPER - NONE CITY MANAGER HAYES - NONE MAYOR AMES - COMMENTED ON THE GOVERNOR'S ORDER IN REGARDS TO COUNCILMEMBER GETZ' COMMENTS, STATED THAT SHE APPRECIATES THE DIFFERENT GROUPS THAT PUT TOGETHER PEACEFUL PROTEST IN BEAUMONT, EVERYONE HAS THE RIGHT TO FEEL THE WAY THEY FEEL, THANKED THE BEAUMONT COMMUNITY AND SURROUNDING COMMUNITIES FOR KEEPING THEIR WORDS PEACEFUL, THANKED MICHAEL COOPER WITH THE NAACP FOR ALL THAT HE. HAS DONE, THANKED THE POLICE OFFICERS FOR GOING OUT AND WORKING WITH THE PROTESTORS, THINKS THAT COMMUNICATION IS ALWAYS THE KEY, ALSO SPOKE WITH CHIEF SINGLETARY REGARDING THE TECHNIQUE OF THE KNEE TO THE NECK, THINKS THAT THE CITY IS ON THE RIGHT TRACK, EVERYONE WANTS THE SAME GOAL Minutes — June 9, 2020 there,being no Executive Session, Council adjourned at 4:58 p.m. Tina Broussard, City Clerk Minutes — June 9, 2020