Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAbout06/28/2022 MINBEAVP%04 T ir E X A S MINUTES OF THE CITY OF BEAUMONT COUNCIL MEETING Albert "A_J _" Turner Jr_, At -Large ROBIN MOUTON, MAYOR Randy Feldscha u, At -Large Taylor Neild, Ward 1 CITY COUNCIL MEETING Michael Getz, Ward 11 Aud—i" Samuel, Mayor Pro Tam JUNE 28 2022 Chris E3urio, Ward IV Tina Broussard, City CIerK Chris Boone, Interim City Manager Sharae Reed, City Attorney 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 28, 2022, 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 Proclamations, Presentation and Recognition Public Comment: Persons may speak on the Consent Agenda and Agenda items 1-3 Mayor Mouton called the council meeting to order at 1 :30 p_m_ Pastor Tara Thompson with St_ Andrews Presbyterian Church gave the invocation. Mayor Mouton led the Pledge of Allegiance_ Roll call was made by Tina Broussard, City Clerk. Present at the meeting were Mayor Mouton, Mayor Pro Tem Samuel, Councilmembers I7urio, Getz, Turner, Feldschau and Neild_ Also, present were Chris Boone, Interim City Manager; Sharae Reed, City Attorney; Tina Broussard, City CIerK_ Proclamations, Presentation, Recognitions None Mayor Mouton read the announcement regarding Executive Session being held at the conclusion of Public and Councilmember Comments_ Public Comment: Persons may speak on the Consent Agenda and Agenda Items 1-3 None CONSENT AGENDA (Items placed on the Consent Agenda are considered routine in nature and are considered non -controversial_ The Consent Agenda can be acted upon in one motion_ A consensus of the Council is required to remove any item for discussion and separate action_) A_ Approval of the June 14, 2022, City Council Meeting Minutes B_ Approve the purchase of Cisco 17NA Center software from C17W-G of Vernon Hills, IL, for use by the IT division — Resolution 22-155 Minutes — June 28, 2022 C. Approve the purchase of an added module to the ESO software solution from ESO Solutions, Inc., of Dallas, for the Fire records management system - Resolution 22- 156 D. Approve a contract for installation of cantilever gates and ornamental fencing at the Police Department located at 255 College Street - Resolution 22-157 E. Approve an annual maintenance agreement from ESO Solutions, Inc., of Dallas, for use by the Fire Department and EMS Division - Resolution 22-158 F. Authorize the execution of a License to Encroach Agreement with Joseph Henderson, Jr. located at 9260 Meadowbend Drive - Resolution 22-159 G. Authorize the Interim City Manager to execute amendment documents necessary between the City of Beaumont and the Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) related to the Advance Funding Agreement (AFA) for the 2020 Highway Safety Improvements Program (HSIP) Interconnect Signals project - Resolution 22-160 Councilmember Neild moved to approve the Consent Agenda. Mayor Pro Tern Samuel seconded the motion. AYES: MAYOR MOUTON, MAYOR PRO TEM SAMUEL, COUNCILMEMBERS DURIO, GETZ, TURNER, FELDSCHAU AND NEILD NAYS: NONE MOTION PASSED AGENDA Consider authorizing the Interim City Manager to award a contract to LD Construction for the Street Preservation City Wide -Phase I Project. The Street Preservation City Wide — Phase I Project consists of spot full depth repair of existing asphalt and road base, and thin overlay resurfacing pavement with Hot Mix Asphalt Concrete. On June 9, 2022, four (4) bids were received for furnishing all labor, materials, and equipment for the project. The Engineer's Estimate is $1,250,000.00. The bid totals are indicated in the table below: Contractor Location Base Bid Amount LD Construction Beaumont, TX $1,334,033.60 Gulf Coast, a CRH Company Beaumont, TX $1,777,726.00 ALLCO, LLC Beaumont, TX $1,856,886.00 American Parking Control Houston, TX $2,165,722.70 The Public Works Engineering staff recommends this project be awarded to the lowest bidder, LD Construction, in the amount of $1,334,033.60. A total of 180 calendar days are allocated for completion of the project. Minutes — June 28, 2022 Funds will come from the Capital Program and the Street Rehabilitation Program. Approval of the resolution. Councilmember Getz moved to APPROVE A RESOLUTION THAT THE CITY COUNCIL HEREBY APPROVES THE AWARD OF A CONTRACT TO LD CONSTRUCTION, OF BEAUMONT, TEXAS, IN THE AMOUNT OF $1,334,033.60 FOR THE STREET PRESERVATION CITY WIDE -PHASE I PROJECT AND THAT THE INTERIM CITY MANAGER BE AND HE IS HEREBY AUTHORIZED TO EXECUTE A CONTRACT WITH LD CONSTRUCTION, OF BEAUMONT, TEXAS. Councilmember Turner seconded the motion. AYES: MAYOR MOUTON, MAYOR PRO TEM SAMUEL, COUNCILMEMBERS DURIO, GETZ, TURNER, FELDSCHAU AND NEILD NAYS: NONE MOTION PASSED Resolution 22-161 2. Consider authorizing the submission of an application to the Texas Division of Emergency Management (TDEM) for Hazard Mitigation Grant Program (HMGP) Funding and authorize the mayor and/or the Interim City Manager to act as the City's Executive Officer(s) and authorized representative in all matters pertaining to the City's participation in the HMGP. The City of Beaumont desires to increase resilience to disasters and reduce or eliminate the long-term risk of loss of life, injury, damage to and loss of property, and suffering and hardship, by lessening the impact of future disasters. The city desires a viable community, including decent housing and a suitable living environment and expanding economic opportunities. It is necessary and in the best interest of the city to apply for funding under the Hazard Mitigation Grant Program (HMGP). The HMGP application is hereby authorized to be filed by the City of Beaumont with TDEM for the mitigation efforts under DR-4485 Notice of Funding Opportunity. The projects detailed within the application will address major drainage improvements in the southeastern portion of the City of Beaumont which were identified as a risk due to Hurricanes/Tropical Storms/Tropical Depressions and Riverine Flooding, thereby placing undue and certain health and safety risks on residents. The total project cost is $47,102,735 to include construction, engineering, acquisition, and associated services. The CDBG-MIT Application request amount will be 90% of the total project cost, $42,392,461.50. The application will require a match of 10% in the amount of $4,710,273.50 committed by the City of Beaumont from the General Fund. Approval of the resolution. Councilmember Feldschau moved to APPROVE A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF BEAUMONT, TEXAS, AUTHORIZING THE SUBMISSION OF AN APPLICATION TO THE TEXAS DIVISION OF EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT (TDEM) FOR HAZARD MITIGATION GRANT PROGRAM (HMGP) FUNDING; AND AUTHORIZING THE MAYOR AND/OR THE INTERIM CITY MANAGER TO ACT AS THE CITY'S EXECUTIVE OFFICER(S) AND AUTHORIZE REPRESENTATIVES IN ALL MATTERS PERTAINING TO THE CITY'S Minutes — June 28, 2022 PARTICIPATION IN THE HAZARD MITIGATION GRANT PROGRAM. Mayor Pro Tern Samuel seconded the motion. AYES: MAYOR MOUTON, MAYOR PRO TEM SAMUEL, COUNCILMEMBERS DURIO, GETZ, TURNER, FELDSCHAU AND NEILD NAYS: NONE MOTION PASSED Resolution 22-162 3. Consider approving a contract with Public Management of Cleveland, Texas for Professional Administration Services related to the Texas General Land Office (GLO), Community Development Block Grant — Disaster Recovery (CDBG-DR) Program. The Professional Administrator will develop project scope and complete CDBG-DR application(s) associated with 2019 Disaster (DR-4466) Tropical Storm Imelda. The city is considering applying for such funding for drainage improvement/mitigation construction and activities. The Professional Administrator will help the GLO fulfill State and Federal CDBG-DR statutory responsibilities related to recovery in connection with any federally declared disaster and assist the GLO and/or grant recipients in completion of CDBG-DR projects. Three (3) responses were received and evaluated by City Staff. Funds will come from the Community Development Block Grant and the Disaster Recovery Program. Approval of the resolution. Councilmember Feldschau moved to APPROVE A RESOLUTION THAT THE INTERIM CITY MANAGER BE AND HE IS HEREBY AUTHORIZED TO EXECUTE A CONTRACT WITH PUBLIC MANAGEMENT, OF CLEVELAND, TEXAS, FOR PROFESSIONAL ADMINISTRATION SERVICES RELATING TO THE TEXAS GENERAL LAND OFFICE (GLO), COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT BLOCK GRANT -DISASTER RECOVERY (CDBG-DR) PROGRAM. Councilmember Turner seconded the motion. AYES: MAYOR MOUTON, MAYOR PRO TEM SAMUEL, COUNCILMEMBERS DURIO, GETZ, TURNER AND FELDSCHAU NAYS: COUNCILMEMBER NEILD MOTION PASSED Resolution 22-163 PUBLIC HEARING Receive comments related to community needs and discuss all Community Development Block Grant -Disaster Recovery (CDBG-DR) and non-CDBG-DR funding opportunities Minutes — June 28, 2022 Public Hearing Open: 1:55 p.m. None Public Hearing Close: 1:55 P.M. DISCUSSION ITEMS * Review and discuss Redistricting, including a proposed map: Map A Mr. Rezzin Pullum with Bojorquez Law Firm, reviewed and discussed redistricting and the proposed map A. Mr. Pullum first discussed the City Charter regarding Article III, Section 2, that speaks of the composition of the City Council. The City of Beaumont's population data in each ward was discussed with a total population tabulation: Ward 1 31,608 Target 28,807 Dev. 9.72% Difference 2,801 Ward II 31,925 Target 28,807 Dev. 10.82% Difference 3,118 Ward III 28,192 Target 28,807 Dev. -2.13% Difference -615 Ward IV 23,502 Target 28,807 Dev. -18.41 % Difference -5,305 Mr. Pullum discussed draft Map A population totals and what changed and the existing boundaries. Mr. Pullum stated that Draft Map A's total maximum deviation was 4.04%, Wards I, II and III were redrawn. Ward I would have 2,544 less people under Draft Map A (29,064); Ward I I would have 2,569 less people under Draft Map A (29,356); Ward III would have the same amount of people under Draft Map A (28,192); and Ward IV would have 5,113 more people under Draft Map A (28,615), there would also be no substantial retrogression in minority voting power. There was discussion of the next steps, which would be to have civic engagement (public hearing), the adoption of the new plan by the City Council and a final report to the City Council. The timeline would be a proposed first public hearing on July 12, 2022, with a recommended latest day final adoption date of the maps on July 19, 2022. The plan must be adopted at least three (3) months prior to election day. The City of Beaumont's next election will be held in May of 2023. * Review and discuss a proposal from Econautics Sustainability Institute LLC ("Econautics") to utilize 125 Magnolia for an urban agriculture and educational use Mr. John Wood, President of Econautics which is a 501 c (3) not -for -profit organization stated that Econautice mission will be to promote sustainable solution to social, economic, and environmental challenges. Their focus is on food security which stands at the intersection of these three domains. Minutes — June 28, 2022 The program is motivated by several years of community organizing and feedback from stakeholders throughout the community including government leaders, business owners, religious leaders, and parents. They have partnered with the University of Houston Gerald D. Hines College of Architecture and Design to create architectural renderings displayed herein. Mr. Wood stated that Econautics is asking the City of Beaumont to let them have the property located at 125 Magnolia to convert it into a community resilience center featuring urban agricultural production; a commissary and kitchen; food production, processing, and storage; and STEM education for students and teachers of BISD. There was additional discussion as to how Econautics chose their program design, their plans, turning "Space" into "Place": The secret ingredient is the community, as well as their letter of intent terms and what they are wanting from the city. COMMENTS * Public Comments (Persons are limited to three minutes) Marc McDonald 870 21st St. Beaumont TX Spoke to Council regarding the homeless encampment on Liberty St., located in the Oaks Historic District, stated that on February 18th he sent emails to several of the Councilmembers regarding this encampment, recently he had a couple drive to Beaumont to purchase property located at 52 N. 7th St., two days later they called and said there was a homeless encampment two blocks from the property, asked that someone check into this issue Peggy Premeaux 52 N. 7tn St. Beaumont TX Stated to Council that the property that was discussed in the earlier comments was her brother's house, it didn't sell, stated that she needed that money to take care of her brother and the buyers wouldn't purchase the home due to the homeless encampment, she's very angry about this and would like someone to look into this, it's just not right that the homeless encampment is in a historical neighborhood Barbara Wilson 2440 Liberty Beaumont TX Stated that she's a homeowner in the Oaks Historic District and works very closely with the homeless and has nothing against them, however she doesn't think it's a proper place forthis encampment, it's not a welcome Michael Finnell 3055 Cartwright Beaumont TX Read a quote from the late John Lewis, stated that if a man or a woman cannot report to work daily and earn a living free of racism, discrimination, be it race, age, gender or sexual preference who are we as a Nation, stated that ExxonMobil has been the judge, jury and prosecutor in his case, made comments to ExxonMobil and the judge that he will not comply with their cheating rules that violate the public trust and making rules only enforceable against handicapping the outcome, constant errors, amendments, changes and docket Minutes — June 28, 2022 issues, the truth doesn't change, that's what's happening to him, is not unique, it's a method of shutting up those trying to get justice, stated that what ExxonMobil did to him inside and outside of the facility is criminal and will be addressed as such, stated he will petition this nationally as a hate crime because that's what it involves, made additional comments regarding ExxonMobil and other employees Grace Mathis 150 N. 7tn St. Beaumont TX Addressed the issue of the homeless encampment in her neighborhood which is in the Oaks Historic District, stated that she lives about a block or two away from the encampment, wanted to expand on the information that has already been given because she knows that the unhoused population and problem with homelessness affects everyone and that many of them care deeply about and agrees with the residents that spoke earlier that having an encampment in the middle of the neighborhood isn't the best solution for anyone, read a quote by Mahatma Gandhi, made additional comments regarding the encampment Vernon Durden 16436 Westbury Rd. Beaumont TX Commented on the previous presentations and the fact that they were led by young people, also commented on the food desert problem, stated that there is a food shortage in Beaumont and in the world, he's the past president of The South East Texas Food Bank and they are doing lots of things to help food deserts, the Econautics project will be great for Beaumont Texas and Southeast Texas, what better way to help vitalize downtown Beaumont but with this project, it will also help high school students Councilmembers/City Manager/City Attorney comments on various matters COUNCILMEMBER COMMENTS COUNCILMEMBER DURIO - COMMENTED ON THE PEAR ORCHARD NEIGHBORHOOD ASSOCIATION MEETING ON THURSDAY, THE MEETING WENT VERY WELL, SHAQUEENA NOBLES WITH THE EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT OFFICE WAS THE GUEST SPEAKERAND OFFICER HALEY MORROW REPORTED ON CRIME STATS, THIS PAST SATURDAY HE ATTENDED A LUNCHEON WHERE HE PRESENTED A LETTER OF APPRECIATION TO FELICIA REYNOLDS, SHE RETIRED AFTER 24 YEARS OF SERVICE AS PRINCIPAL AT ST. ANTHONY'S SCHOOL, ALSO ATTENDED THE AMATEUR RADIO RELAY LEAGUE AND PRESENTED A PROCLAMATION ON BEHALF OF THE CITY OF BEAUMONT, REMINED EVERYONE THAT WE ARE IN HURRICANE SEASON, BE SURE YOU'RE READY COUNCILMEMBER GETZ - THANKED THE CITY OF BEAUMONT EMPLOYEES AND INTERIM CITY MANAGER CHRIS BOONE FOR PAYING ATTENTION TO COUNCIL'S REQUEST TO HELP BEAUTIFY THE CITY, IT HASN'T GONE UNNOTICED THAT SOME OF THE MEDIANS HAVE HAD LANDSCAPING DONE TO THEM, GAVE SEVERAL LOCATIONS THAT LOOK REALLY GOOD, THANKED JOHN WOOD AND BROOKSIE EAST FOR THEIR PRESENTATION AS WELL AS REZZIN PULLUM FOR HIS PRESENTATION ON REDISTRICTING, Minutes — June 28, 2022 ALSO MADE COMMENTS REGARDING THE HOMELESS CAMP AND A WORKSHOP THAT WAS HELD PREVIOUSLY COUNCILMEMBER TURNER - ASKED IF THE CITY COULD TAKE A MORE SERIOUS APPROACH REGARDING THE HOMELESS ENCAMPMENT THAT CITIZENS SPOKE ABOUT PREVIOUSLY, THANKED STAFF FOR THE JUNETEENTH CELEBRATION, IT WAS A HUGE SUCCESS, THANKED INTERIM CITY MANAGER CHRIS BOONE WHO WORKED REALLY HARD ON THE CELEBRATION, STATED THAT THE 4TH OF JULY CELEBRATION IS AROUND THE CORNER AND WE ARE GOING TO CELEBRATE THAT AS WELL, ENJOYED THE PEAR ORCHARD NEIGHBORHOOD ASSOCIATION MEETING, IT WAS A GOOD TURN OUT WITH GREAT INFORMATION, APPRECIATES STAFF AND THE AMOUNT OF GRANTS THAT STAFF HAS APPLIED FOR AND RECEIVED, BOTH PRESENTATIONS WERE GREAT AS WELL COUNCILMEMBER FELDSCHAU - FOR THE SAKE OF CLARIFICATION, COMMENTS HAVE BEEN MADE IN REGARDS TO EXECUTIVE SESSION AND PROJECTS LIKE DEEP BLUE AND MERCURY AND WHY IS COUNCIL NAMING THEM IN CODE AND NOT BEING MORE TRANSPARENT, PLEASE KNOW THAT COUNCIL DOESN'T NAME THE PROJECTS THE INDIVIDUALS THAT ARE NEGOTIATING WITH THE CITY NAMES THE PROJECTS, IT'S NOT AN ISSUE OF TRYING TO HIDE ANYTHING IT'S THEIR CHOICE, COMMENTED ON THE 4T" OF JULY CELEBRATION, ENCOURAGED EVERYONE TO COME OUT AND ENJOY, PLEASE BE CAREFUL WITH YOUR CHILDREN AND THE FIREWORKS MAYOR PRO TEM SAMUEL - APPRECIATES THE PROJECTS THAT WERE BROUGHT FORTH, THERE ARE MANY THINGS BEING DONE IN DOWNTOWN BEAUMONT, NEED TO MAKE SURE THAT THOSE ACROSS THE CITY CAN SEE WHAT'S GOING ON, APPRECIATES STAFF FOR ALL THEY DID FOR JUNETEENTH, IT WAS A SUCCESS AND KNOWS THAT THE 4T" OF JULY CELEBRATION WILL BE A SUCCESS AS WELL COUNCILMEMBER NEILD - THANKED BOTH PRESENTERS FOR THEIR PRESENTATIONS, ALSO MADE COMMENTS REGARDING THE HOMELESS WHICH OF COURSE IS A TOUCHY SUBJECT, STATED THAT MONEY WAS DONATED TO THE SALVATION ARMY AND THAT WAS GOING TO BE SOMEWHAT OF A FIX, STATED THAT IT'S HIS UNDERSTANDING THAT THE HOUSES ARE HALF FULL, ADMITTED THAT HE WOULD BE MAD AS HELL IF THAT WAS TAKING PLACE NEXT DOOR TO HIS HOME OR THEIRS, CHALLENGED STAFF TO HELP COUNCIL TAKE THIS TO ANOTHER STEP BECAUSE OBVIOUSLY WHAT'S BEING DONE ISN'T WORKING CITY ATTORNEY REED - THANKED COUNCIL THE MAYOR AND INTERIM MANAGER BOONE FOR THE CONDOLENCES ON THE LOSS OF HER GRANDMOTHER, AS IT RELATES TO THE HOMELESS STATED Minutes — June 28, 2022 THAT SHE HEARS THE RESIDENTS AND THEIR CONCERN, STATED THAT STAFF HAS BEEN WORKING TO FIND SOLUTIONS TO THE PROBLEM, THERE WERE SOME THINGS THAT WERE STATED ON TODAY THAT STAFF MAY BE ABLE TO USE MOVING FORWARD, STATED THAT SOME OF THE HOMELESS ARE CHOOSING TO NOT UTILIZE THE HOMELESS SHELTER BUT STAFF WILL WORK HARD TO WORK ON THIS SITUATION INTERIM CITY MANAGER BOONE - NONE MAYOR MOUTON - THANKED JOHN AND BROOKSIE FOR THEIR PRESENTATION AS WELL AS REZZIN PULLUM ON THE REDISTRICTING, ALSO COMMENTED ON THE OAKS HISTORIC DISTRICT AND THE HOMELESS ENCAMPMENT, HOPEFULLY THE CITY CAN COME TO SOME RESOLUTION, THANKED PASTOR TARA THOMPSON FOR THE INVOCATION, CONGRATULATED PAT ANDERSON ON BEING INSTALLED AS THE NEW PORT OF BEAUMONT PRESIDENT, THANKED COUNCILMEMBER DURIO FOR THE TWO PROCLAMATIONS THAT HE READ OVER THE WEEKEND, ALSO MENTIONED HURRICANE SEASON, COMMENTED ON THE LIGHT AT WASHINGTON AND 11T" ST., SHE HAD A CONVERSATION WITH THE RAILROAD REPRESENTATIVE, STATED THAT THE LIGHT SHOULD BE WORKING REALLY SOON, STAFF IS WORKING HARD AND IT HASN'T BEEN IGNORED, THERE'S A LOT OF FIRE FIGHTERS IN BEAUMONT FOR THE NATIONAL FIRE FIGHTERS TRAINING AT FORD PARK, COMMENTED ON THE FANTASTIC JUNETEENTH CELEBRATION, THANKED STAFF AND INTERIM CITY MANAGER CHRIS BOONE FOR ALL OF THEIR HARD WORK, ENCOURAGED EVERYONE TO COME OUT AND CELEBRATE THE 4T" OF JULY CELEBRATION Open session of meeting recessed at 3:23 p.m. EXECUTIVE SESSION * To discuss and/or deliberate economic development negotiations in accordance with Section 551.087 of the Government Code to wit; specifically: Project Deep Blue Project Mercury * Deliberate the appointment, employment and duties of the City Manager position in accordance with Section 551.074 of the Government Code -Personnel Matters, Closed Meeting: Christopher S. Boone Lionel D. Lyons Kenneth R. Williams Minutes — June 28, 2022 Ro in Mouton, Mayor Tina Broussard, City Clerk Minutes — June 28, 2022