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HomeMy WebLinkAbout02/23/2021 MINBEAUMONT MINUTES OF THE CITY OF BEAUMONT COUNCIL MEETING W.L. Pate, Jr.; At -Large BECKY AMES, MAYOR Randy Feldschau, Mayor Pro Tern Taylor Neild, Ward I CITY COUNCIL MEETING Michael Getz, Ward II Audwin Samuel, Ward III FEBRUARY 23, 2021 Robin Mouton, Ward IV Tyrone 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 23,' 2021, at the City Hall Council Chambers, 801 Main Street, Beaumont, Texas, at 1:30 p.m. to consider the following: 70TI N Invocation Pledge of Allegiance Roll Call Presentation and Recognition Public Comment: Persons may speak on the Consent Agenda Consent Agenda Mayor Ames called the council meeting to order at 1:30 p.m. Pastor Carl Vickery with Calvary Tabernacle 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 Tern Feldschau, Councilmembers Getz, Pate, Samuel and Mouton. Absent: Councilmember Neild. 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 the Consent Agenda None CONSENT AGENDA Approval of minutes — February 9, 2021 Confirmation of board and commission member appointments — None A) Authorize the City Manager to renew a loan agreement with the National Museum of the United States Air Force - Resolution 21-038 Minutes — February 23, 2021 B) Approve the renewal of an annual maintenance agreement with Cityworks for use by several city departments - Resolution 21-039 C) Approve a resolution rejecting all bids received for the Loeb Steel & Concrete. GST Repairs Contract -Resolution 21-040 D) Approve a resolution rejecting all bids received for the Jackson Street 12-Inch Water Main Replacement (From Pennsylvania Avenue to Sabine Pass Avenue) - Resolution 21-041 E) Authorize the City Manager to execute a Clinical Affiliation Agreement with School of EMS of Tyler - Resolution 21-042 F). Authorize the City Manager to execute a Education Affiliation Agreement with Texas Fire Academy (TFA) of San Marcos - Resolution 21-043 G) Authorize the City Manager to execute a Clinical Affiliation Agreement between HCESD #2/Lumberton Fire & EMS and the City of Beaumont Fire/EMS - Resolution 21-044 Councilmember Getz moved to approve the Consent Agenda. Councilmember Pate seconded the motion. AYES: MAYORAMES, MAYOR PRO TEM FELDSCHAU, COUNCILMEMBERS GETZ, PATE, SAMUEL AND MOUTON NAYS: NONE MOTION PASSED GENERAL BUSINESS DISCUSSION ITEMS Review and -discuss the following: The City's Street Rehabilitation Program Bart Bartkowiak, Public Works Director reviewed and discussed the City's Street Rehabilitation Program. Mr. Bartkowiak stated that back in 2011, the City hired IMS to do a street index, when the index was done IMS rated the overall condition of the streets in the city at 63 pavement condition index, at: that time IMS informed the city they would need to spend roughly $6 to $8 million dollars a year on street rehabilitation in order to make some progress. Mr. Bartkowiak stated IMS drove the streets again in 2020, but due to COVID IMS has had some difficulty providing the city with those results. The city finally got some response back from IMS, all details_ haven't been provided as of yet, Mr. Bartkowiak was able to provide Council with an overview that states the overall PCI score as of now, which is a 67, the city has gone from a 63 to a 67, which is an improvement. IMS has recommended that the city put $8 million dollars a year into street rehabilitation that would then allow the city to gradually improve to a 69 over the next five (5) years. Council was provided a handout with more information. Minutes — February 23, 2021 EMS being operated out of the Fire Department Kyle Hayes, City Manager reviewed and discussed EMS being operated out of the Fire Department. Mr. Hayes stated that about a year ago there was discussion with Council, representatives of the Fire Union, Fire Pension Board and others regarding a plan to move EMS into the Fire Department and hire fire fighters in the future to staff ambulances over time. Mr. Hayes stated that EMS was under the Public Health Department for many years, he has since moved EMS into the Fire Department as of January 2021 Currently there's two hundred and thirty four (234) authorized positions in the Fire Department, in the next few weeks Council will be asked to approve an additional nine (9) positions which would allow the Fire Department to move forward with hiring nine (9) additional fire fighters and give them the proper training that will be needed. The City's water infrastructure located in Loeb Bart Bartkowiak, Public Works Director reviewed and discussed the city's water infrastructure located in Loeb. Mr. Bartkowiak stated that Loeb was damaged during Hurricane Harvey and was shut down last summer due to chlorination residual issues in the West End. Repairs are being made to the chlorination residual and booster pumps are being added, the work should be concluded in mid, April 2021. Rehabilitation is being done to the steel and concrete ground storage tank and should be completed in mid, May 2021. Mr. Bartkowiak discussed other rehabilitation items that will be done to Loeb as well. - The proposed new Pump Station located near Collier's Ferry Bart Bartkowiak, Public Works Director reviewed and discussed the proposed new Pump Station located near Collier's Ferry. Mr.. Bartkowiak stated that: during Hurricane Harvey, Lawson's which is right on the riverflooded, staff.has been working with Freese and Nichol's to design the new pump station, as of December 2020, the project was at 30% design, in March 2021 the project will be at 60% design and by September 2021 the project should be at a 100% design and advertise for bids. The current construction estimate for the Collier's Ferry Pump Station is $21 million. Mr. Bartkowiak stated that the pump station will be out of the elevation that was flooded during Hurricane Harvey. - The proposed new Transmission Line Project connecting the new Pump Station to the Pine Street Water Plant Bart Bartkowiak, Public Works Director reviewed and discussed the proposed new. Transmission Line Project connecting the new Pump Station to the Pine Street Water Plant. Mr. Bartkowiak stated that the project is currently estimated at $13.2 million, staff has applied for CDBG funding for an expected $9.8 million, there hasn't been any design done due to rules for CDBG funding, Minutes — February 23, 2021 anything that is done before getting the actual award is the responsibility of the city and CDBG won't cover the expenses, the contract paperwork is being sent to those responsible for approval. The city hasn't seen anything as of yet and is still waiting to receive paperwork for the official contract, once it's received then the city can move forward with the design phase. The proposed new Westend Water Plant Bart Bartkowiak, Public Works Director reviewed and discussed the proposed new Westend Water Plant. Mr. Bartkowiak stated that all paperwork has been submitted to the GLO, the deadline was October 28, 2020. The current expectation from the Grant Administrator is that the city won't hear anything from the GLO until maybe March 2021 at the earliest. The GLO has indicated that they are processing the grant. The Riverfront Park Project including the stabilization of the shoreline Bart Bartkowiak, Public Works Director reviewed and discussed the Riverfront Park Project including the stabilization of the shoreline. Mr. Bartkowiak stated that the plans are close to complete, the Corps of Engineers is reviewing the City's 408 which is their review of the project and how the city plans to stabilize the banks, the debris and the river. Lanier is estimating that the city may get an approval from the Corps of Engineers within the next four (4) to six (6) months. The City will then possibly bid the project sometime in August 2021 and award the project in September 2021. If that all occurs, it's projected that the project will be finished in the fourth quarter of 2022. The current construction estimated on the project including contingency was $27 million. There was additional cost discussed that might be incurred. Expenses and transfers related to Tropical Storm Imelda Todd Simoneaux, Finance Officer reviewed and discussed the expenses and transfers related to Tropical Storm Imelda. Mr. Simoneaux stated that currently the Imelda fund has spent about $4.9 million, $1.3 million was received from insurance reimbursements, which leaves a net cost to the city in the amount of $3.6 million. The city has gone back and forth with FEMA since 2019 when the storm occurred, there were several appeals filed, the city wasn't successful. The city has determined that with all appeals being denied, at this time the city needs to move forward with closing the Imelda fund. Since there's no revenue available for the Imelda fund there will have to be transfers from the other funds that incurred the cost. Mr. Simoneaux provided Council with a breakdown as follows: From the General Fund — Transfer $1.6 million From the Water and Sewer Fund - Transfer $1.75 million From the Solid Waste Fund — Transfer approximately $250,000 Minutes — February 23, 2021 Financial Status Report Kyle Hayes, City Manager reviewed and discussed the Financial Status Report. Mr. Hayes stated that the city has a $290 million dollar operation for this fiscal year. The General Fund has a $132 million dollar budget which captures general activities for the City of Beaumont for Police, Fire, EMS, Parks, Libraries, Streets and Drainage etc., which is the main fund. There's a separate Water Fund, Solid Waste Fund, Hotel Occupancy Tax Fund as well as other funds, The General fund started out this fiscal year with a projected $3.7 million deficit, added to that deficit was the proposed contract for the firemen that was approved by Council which is estimated at $700,000 dollars. A fire based and civilian run EMS will cost more, EMS salary increases will add an estimated $300,000 for full staffing which is something that the city doesn't have at this time. Sales tax receipts from October 2020 through February 2021 is down $55,000.00 from budget projections. For fiscal year 2022, COVID-19 relief funds for bus service may or may not be available, $2.5 million is an estimate as to what the city transfers most years into the Municipal Transit Fund, due to the Cares Act money the city didn't have to make the $2.5 million transfer this year. There was also discussion about the Lucite Industrial Facility that will be closing its facility, if Lucite shuts down by the end of this year, they won't make the $500,000 payment to the city on next year. Mr. Hayes stated that staff will have to make a transfer from the General Fund and from the Fund Balance to the Street Rehabilitation Fund later this fiscal year to continue the street rehabilitation or the city will need to issue Certificates of Obligation which will require a tax increase to service the new debt. Water billing for leak adjustments Todd Simoneaux, Finance Officer reviewed and discussed water billing for leak adjustments. Mr. Simoneuax provided Council with a new form for leak adjustments, he stated that staff is proposing a new leak adjustment form and policy specifically for the storm that just occurred. The process and policy was discussed in detail. Mayor Ames read the announcement regarding Executive Session being held at the conclusion of the General Business portion of the meeting. COMMENTS Public Comments (Persons are limited to three minutes) Stephen Hoffman 7045 Blarney Beaumont TX Spoke to Council regarding the dog park issue and the fact that apartment complexes don't have a place for dogs to run around, stated that his daughter lives in Houston, there are mega apartment complexes that are building dog parks as apart of the new construction, asked if the city has thought about or encouraged apartment complexes that building new apartments to build dog parks which would be a win, and to take the burden off of the city, also commented on the water system Minutes — February 23, 2021 Councilmembers/City Manager/City Attorney comments on various matters COUNCILMEMBER COMMENTS COUNCILMEMBER GETZ - COMMENTED ON THE WINTER STORM THAT OCCURRED ON LAST WEEK, THANKED NON -PROFITS AND CHURCHES THAT STEPPED UP TO SHELTER OUR MOST VULNERABLE CITIZENS, EXTENDED APPRECIATION TO THE CAJUN NAVY FOR COMING IN TO HELP, ANNOUNCED A TREE GIVE AWAY AT THE BOTANICAL GARDENS LOCATED AT 6088 BABE ZAHARIAS DRIVE, ON SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 26, 2021, STARTING AT 8:30 A.M., MADE ADDITIONAL COMMENTS REGARDING THE COMMENTS THAT WERE MADE BY COUNCILMEMBER SAMUEL COUNCILMEMBER NEILD - ABSENT MAYOR PRO TEM FELDSCHAU - COMMENTED ON THE WINTER STORM THAT OCCURRED ON LAST WEEK, APPRECIATED THE NON -PROFITS FOR ALL OF THEIR HELP, THANKED THE MAYOR, Tim OCNASCHEK AND THE EOC STAFF FOR ALL OF THEIR HARD WORK AS WELL AS THE FIRST RESPONDERS ETC. COUNCILMEMBER PATE - APPRECIATED ALL THE VOLUNTEERS FOR ALL THEY DID DURING THE WINTER EVENT ON LAST WEEK, THANKED THE EOC AND STAFF FOR ALL OF THEIR HARD WORK, THANKFUL FOR THE 75 DEGREE WEATHER THAT WE HAVE ON TODAY AND FOR THE BOIL WATER NOTICE BEING LIFTED COUNCILMEMBER SAMUEL - THANKED THE CITY MANAGER FOR THE CONSIDERATION GIVEN TO THOSE THAT HAVE HAD PROBLEMS WITH THEIR WATER, COMMENTED ON A DISTURBING PHONE CALL HE RECEIVED FROM A CITY EMPLOYEE, STATED WHAT HE INFORMED THEM TO DO AND THAT WAS TO REPORT THEIR ISSUE TO THEIR SUPERVISOR AND TO HUMAN RESOURCES, STATED THAT THE EMPLOYEE DID DO THOSE THINGS, A COMPLAINT HAS BEEN FILED, THE COMPLAINT REGARDS A COUNCILMEMBER THAT BULLIED THE EMPLOYEE, ASK THAT THE COMPLAINT BE INVESTIGATED AND THAT THE EMPLOYEE BE PROTECTED, ALSO ASKED THAT THE RESULTS OF THE INVESTIGATION BE BROUGHT BACK TO THE COUNCIL COUNCILMEMBER MOUTON - COMMENTED ON THE WINTER STORM THAT OCCURRED ON LAST WEEK, STATED THAT IF CITIZENS CAN'T GET THROUGH TO 311 THAT THEY REALIZE WHEN SOMETHING HAPPENS SO FAST AND NOT ON A REGULAR BASIS THE SYSTEM WILL PROBABLY BE OVERLOADED DUE TO THE LARGE VOLUME OF CALLS, THANKED 311, FIRE, WATER AND THE ENTIRE CITY STAFF FOR ALL THAT THEY DID TO MEET THE NEEDS OF OUR CITIZENS, ANNOUNCED THE TREE GIVE AWAY AT THE BOTANICAL GARDENS ON SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 26, 2021, GAVE Minutes — February 23, 2021 CONDOLENCES TO THE BOSSETT FAMILY, ALSO MENTIONED BLACK HISTORY MONTH CITY ATTORNEY COOPER - NONE CITY MANAGER HAYES - NONE MAYOR AMES - STATED THAT STAFF DID A WONDERFUL JOB DURING THE WINTER EVENT THAT OCCURRED ON LAST WEEK, THANKED THE WATER DEPARTMENT FOR EVERYTHING THEY DID TO GET THE BOIL WATER NOTICE LIFTED, ALSO COMMENTED ON 311 AND THE AMOUNT OF CALLS THAT WERE RECEIVED, SPOKE REGARDING THE SELF -DAMAGE REPORT THAT WAS PUT ON THE CITY WEBSITE SO CITIZENS COULD DO THEIR OWN SELF - DAMAGE REPORTING, ASKED THAT CITIZENS TRY REALLY HARD TO GO TO THE CITY WEBSITE AND OTHER SITES. THAT IMPORTANT INFORMATION IS LISTED, ALSO COMMENTED ON SHELTERS AND WHAT THE CITY DOES TO WORK WITH OTHER PARTNERS AND NON -PROFITS SO THAT CITIZENS CAN HAVE SOMEWHERE TO GO FOR SHELTER IF THEY NEED IT Open session of meeting recessed at 4:17 p.m. EXECUTIVE SESSION * Consider matters related to contemplated or pending litigation in accordance with Section 551,071 of the Government Code: Susan K. Toney vs. The City of Beaumont; Cause No. A-204,644 Tina Broussard, City Clerk Minutes — February 23, 2021