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HomeMy WebLinkAbout05/02/2023 MINT E X A S MINUTES OF THE CITY OF BEAUMONT COUNCIL MEETING Albert "A.J." Turner Jr., At -Large ROBIN MOUTON, MAYOR Randy Feldschau, At -Large Taylor Nelld, Ward I CITY COUNCIL MEETING Michael Getz, Ward II Audwin Samuel, Ward III MAY 2, 2023 Chris Durio, Mayor Pro Tern Tina Broussard, City Clerk Kenneth R. Williams, 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 May 2, 2023, 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 Presentation on Legislative Update (HillCo Partners) Presentation on Intersection Aesthetics (TxDOT) Public Comment: Persons may speak on the Consent Agenda/Agenda items 1 and 2 Mayor Mouton called the council meeting to order at 1:30 p.m. Bishop David L. Toups, Bishop of the Diocese of Beaumont 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 Tern Durio, Councilmembers Getz, Turner, Feldschau, Samuel and Neild. Also, present were Kenneth Williams, City Manager; Sharae Reed, City Attorney; Tina Broussard, City Clerk, Proclamations, Presentations and Recognitions Proclamation — "National Preservation Month" — May 2023 — Proclamation read by Councilmember Getz; accepted by Tom Bell, Executive Director of Beaumont Main Street and Carol Gary, Director of Development Proclamation — "Older Americans Month" — May 2023 -- Proclamation read by Mayor Pro Tem Durio; accepted by Charlie Holder and Jennifer Pate Proclamation — "National Day of Prayer' -- May 4, 2023 — Proclamation read by Mayor Mouton; accepted by Pastor Donny Flippo, Pastor of Gospel Center Church, members of the Clergy and Police Partnership and members of the City of Beaumont Volunteer Chaplains Public Comment: Persons may speak on the Consent Agenda Minutes — May 2, 2023 Charlie Crabb 928 East Dr. Beaumont TX Spoke regarding items he would like to see changed on the Consent Agenda and Agenda, also spoke on Consent Agenda items E, G, I & J 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 April 25, 2023, City Council Meeting Minutes B. Authorize the City Manager or his designee to apply for and receive $1,574,521 in funding through the Department: of Homeland Security 2023 Port Security Grant Program - Resolution 23-115 C. Authorize the City Manager or his designee to apply for and receive funding in an amount up to $70,000 through the U.S. Department of Justice Project Safe Neighborhoods Block Grant Program (PSN) - Resolution 23-116 D. Authorize the City Manager to execute Change Order No. 1, accept maintenance, and authorize final payment to Infrastructure Engineering & Construction, LLC, from Houston, for the Pine Street Electrical Building Flood Protection Improvements Project— Resolution 23- 117 E. Approval of accepting maintenance of the street, storm sewer, water, and sanitary sewer improvements in Spring Wood Subdivision, Section 3 — Resolution 23-118 F. Approval of a contract to provide lubricants for use in City vehicles and equipment Resolution 23-119 G. Approval of the purchase and installation of six scoreboards for the Athletic Complex from Nevco Sports, LLC of Greenville, IL - Resolution 23-120 H. Approval of the appointment of members to the Charter Review Committee - Resolution 23- 121 I. Authorize the settlement of the claim of Joseph Guidry -- Resolution 23-122 J. Authorize the settlement of the claim of Kevin & Patricia Joseph - Resolution 23-123 Councilmember Neild moved to approve the Consent Agenda, Mayor Pro Tern Durio seconded the motion. AYES: MAYOR MOUTON, MAYOR PRO TEM DURIO, COUNCILMEMBERS GE=TZ, TURNER, FELDSCHAU, SAMUE=L AND NE ILD NAYS: NONE MOTION PASSED Minutes — May 2, 2023 REGULAR AGENDA Consider authorizing the acceptance of the proposed settlement of Entergy's 2022 base rate case. Entergy Texas, Inc. (ETI) and the Steering Committee of Cities (Committee) have reached a final agreement regarding ETI's request for a base rate increase, including revenue requirement, class allocation, and rate design. ETI agreed to a revenue requirement increase of $54 million, which is approximately 58.9% lower than their original requested revenue requirement increase of $131.4 million. ETI also agreed to a smaller increase to residential fixed monthly customer charge. ETI initially proposed $16.33, the parties settled on $14.00 as the monthly residential charge. The lower customer charge reduces the risk of "rate shock" and is particularly beneficial for the lower - usage customers. The reasonable expenses associated with rate cases are reimbursable by the company. Approval of ordinance. Councilmember Feldschau moved to ADOPT AN ORDINANCE ENTITLED AN ORDINANCE 13Y THE CITY OF BEAUMONT, TEXAS ("CITY") AUTHORIZING THE SETTLEMENT OF THE PROPOSED RATE INCREASE OF ENTERGY TEXAS, INC., FINDING THAT THE MEETING COMPLIES WITH THE OPEN MEETINGS ACT; MAKING OTHER FINDINGS AND PROVISION RELATED TO THE SUBJECT; AND DECLARING AN EFFECTIVE DATE. Councilmember Neild seconded the motion. AYES: MAYOR MOUTON, MAYOR PRO TEM DURIO, COUNCILMEMBERS GETZ, TURNER, FELDSCHAU, SAMUEL AND NEILD NAYS: NONE MOTION PASSED ORDINANCE 23-042 PUBLIC HEARING • Receive comments on the Public Services and Public Facilities and Improvements line items of the Consolidated Grant Program's 2023 Annual Action Plan, Public Hearing Open: 2:43 p.m. None Public Hearing Close: 2:43 p.m. 2. Consider adopting the Consolidated Grant Program's 2023 Annual Action Plan. As mandated by the U. S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD), City Council has conducted public hearing and work sessions in previous years prior to adopting the City's Annual Action. Plan. Planning & Community Development staff, along with the Community Development Advisory Committee (CDAC), hosted a Public Hearing in order to Minutes -- May 2, 2023 receive public comments on the process and activities related to the 2023 Annual Action Plan. Attached are the proposed Budget for the 2023 Program Year, recommended funding by the CDAC and applicant project summaries. The proposed budget reflects estimated allocations of $1,394,010 in Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) funding, an estimated $2,000 in Program Income and $627,396 in HOME funding. Please note these amounts may change slightly before the final adoption as we receive the final amounts from HUD. 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 Neild left the meeting at 2:53 p.m. Councilmember Feldschau moved to APPROVE A RESOLUTION THAT THE CITY COUNCIL HEREBY ADOPTS THE HUD CONSOLIDATED GRANT PROGRAM'S 2023 ANNUAL PLAN, AS WELL AS THE BUDGET OF THE 2023 ACTION PLAN IN THE ESTIMATED AMOUNT OF $1,394,010, Mayor Pro Tem Durio seconded the motion. AYES: MAYOR MOUTON, MAYOR PRO TEM DURIO, COUNCILMEMBERS GETZ, TURNER, FELDSCHAU AND SAMUEL NAYS: NONE MOTION PASSED RESOLUTION 23-124 Councilmember Neild returned to the meeting at 2:55 p.m. COMMENTS Public Comments (Persons are limited to three minutes) Dylan Richardson 4575 N. Major Dr. Beaumont TX Spoke to Council regarding the election, stated that as he and his constituents don't know who will win the seats that Council occupy today, would like to acknowledge the real possibility of all incumbents being reelected for another term, believes that continuity could be a blessing to this city and its citizens, asked that if this proves to be the case that all of Council work together for the betterment of Beaumont, understands that his Mature at these meetings have been viewed as hostile in nature by some, would like to rephrase that with the words passionate and dissatisfied, stated that he's one of the few and finite members of the youth in this city that has an authentic desire to stay in this city long term, he's not asking that Council listen to him because of that, he's asking that Council listen to him because he feels that he's in touch with the pulse of the city, there's no secret that this city is divided by overpasses and railroad tracks, the development and infrastructure of the third and fourth wards are no where near the quality and standards held in the second, he refuses to adhere Minutes— May 2, 2023 to the belief by prejudice individuals that it's due to the inaction of the representation of those wards, because he does know better, he is of the opinion that those wards do have adequate and effective representation, believes what should be called into question is that due to the demographics of those respective wards there is no effort to enhance the quality of life for them, asked Council to make a point of emphasis in their next terms, that is for Council to rule, lead and develop without bias and predilections, stated that he and a friend attended a Lamar University football spring game, they were approached by the President of Lamar University, Dr. Jaime Taylor, stated that Dr. Taylor is a dreamer, he is what the university and city needs, emplored all of Council to reach out to him and invoke the power of his office as well as the office of the other better connected citizens to help work as a cohort of sorts to progress the City of Beaumont to where it needs to be, stated that the school that he will soon call his Alma Mater, Lamar University has 1,400 international students struggling to find affordable off campus Dousing, how can we as a city speak in hopes of coming to the times if we don't support the youth that have chosen to come to Beaumont, who inadvertently create a melting pot of culture in this city which he would argue is a necessity, requirement and standard held by any growing city, Lamar University needs help, multiple departments are undergoing overhauls and administrative roles are being filled by outsiders who have no touch of the roots of this city or any genuine interest in helping or recruiting the kids that attend schools within B1SD, Council has spoken on the issues of first responders not residing within city limits, while he agrees that it is an issue, what about the university administrative positions not being filled by or even supported by alumni, the infrastructure that surrounds the university would have been considered egregious by experts for an extended period of time that Councilmember Turner took upon himself to solve Charlie Crabbe 928 East Dr. Beaumont TX Gave his deepest sympathy to Councilmember Getz and his wife Allison as well as her children and parents Jerry and Iris Nathan for having to deal with her medical condition, appreciated Councilmember Getz speaking a few weeks ago on Allison's volunteer services, her many chairmanships and presidential positions, stated that Allison has given so much to those organizations and has shown many improvements as the Tax Assessor Collector, thanked Councilmember Getz for his service to the City and thanked Allison for her service to the citizens of Jefferson County Thefarro Richard 5275 Parkview Dr. Beaumont TX Announced that the State of Texas has received $842 million dollars to assist homeowners who were impacted by COVID-19, stated that Legacy Community Development Corporation has partnered with the Texas Department of Housing and Community Affairs to assist any homeowner that is behind on their mortgage, facing foreclosure, behind on their property taxes and utilities, residents who qualify can receive up to $65,000 dollars in grant assistance, to get additional information citizens can go to wwwlegacycdc.org or contact Kirkland Richardson at 409-433-8283, would hope the City Council can assist the elderly especially since so many people are behind on their property taxes, this is a wonderful opportunity to stop people from losing their homes within Jefferson and Orange Counties, in regards to the District Engineer for TxDOT that spoke earlier, stated that she has a concern as a citizen, one of which affects her deeply, as she lost a relative recently who was 23 years old, regarding the survey for DLT, if that becomes a possibility asked if TxDOT could add an item to discuss the concrete barriers and the trees in the grass ways in the middle of freeways, doesn't understand why trees need to be there, also doesn't understand why people would put up dangerous structures where there isn't any room to break, eighteen Minutes— May 2, 2Q23 wheelers that are traveling high rates of speed as well as cars have no give, from Winnie to Orange how many deaths have been experienced, asked what's the necessity of the concrete barriers because she hasn't seen any construction taking place, wondering why TxDOT is creating dangerous situation where there are pile ups and multiple deaths and fatality accidents, asked if an eighteen wheeler has no where to break what do they do Addie Allen 9695 Gross Beaumont TX Showed Council an air horn, stated that if she blew it no one would know what it means, this is just an example that the city needs a siren, when the city gets a siren the citizens need to know what it means, what it means is seconds to save your life, with hurricanes it's different, we prepare, we board up ourwindows, we make arrangements to go somewhere, notice that we have multiple tornadoes that's happening, asked the City Manager if this can be put on the agenda and invite some of the contractors that she researched and found, stated that June is hurricane season, she has stood at the podium often stating that the city needs an audible sound, we are our brother's keepers, it's time to stop delaying this, yes the city gets money from Sequestration where the city is doing economic development, the citizens need to be taken care of as well, Entergy is getting $14.00 more dollars, the lights are amber, two summers ago Entergy stated they would be cutting the trees, they called their neighborhoods and they never came, why can't the city put Entergy on notice to do something for the money they are receiving, stating that she's vacillating but it's all safety, asked the City Council to put this on an agenda so that what she's saying may be explained by professional who knows more about sirens, multiple lives are being lost with tornadoes, everyone needs to be aware that the weather is doing different things that has never happened, also stated that on last week there was young lady that spoke to Council regarding being raped, that took a lot nerve to come up and say that, hope that someone addresses her, she's just one person that's saying something happened to them in this city and needs help, asked that we take care of each other, thanked Council for serving Jesus Lopez 5980 Fairmeadow Dr. Beaumont TX Spoke to Council regarding bike lanes, has noticed more and more bike lanes that are popping up throughout the city and that's great, stated that bicycles are cheaper to use than cars, there's a lot of progress to be made and bicycle lanes need to be a priority, stated that he can't make it to Council from where he lives because it's difficult to cross over to 1 10, wants Council to think about if their street suddenly had a fire or something else happened to prevent them from using their car, what would they do, if there were more bike lanes it would get people out more and it's healthier for them to be out riding, would like to see the progress continue Councilmembers/City Manager/City Attorney comments on various matters COUNCILMEMBER COMMENTS COUNCILMEMBER NEILD - NONE COUNCILMEM13ER SAMUEL - ACKNOWLEDGE NEW CHARTER COMMITTEE MEMBER SHIRLENE COOK WHO'S IN THE AUDIENCE TODAY COUNCILMEMBER FELDSCHAU - NONE Minutes — May 2, 2023 COUNCILMEMBER TURNER - STATED THAT HE WOULD SUPPORT A WORKSHOP FOR MS. ADDLE ALLEN'S REQUEST FOR SIRENS COUNCILMEMBER GETZ - THANKED CHARLIE CRABBE FOR THE KIND REMARKS REGARDING HIS WIFE, THANKED MS. ADDIE ALLEN FOR COMING BY THE HOUSE AND BRINGING HIS WIFE BIRTHDAY BALLOONS AND A GIFT, IT WAS GREATLY APPRECIATED, COMMENTED ON MS. ALLEN'S CONCERN ABOUT SIRENS AND GAVE A SECOND TO COUNCILMEMBER TURNERS REQUEST FOR A WORKSHOP ON THE SIRENS, STATED THAT THE CITY USED TO HAVE A CIVIL DEFENSE SIREN IN BEAUMONT, REMEMBERS CLEARLY THEY WOULD TEST ONE DOWNTOWN AT NOON EVERY WEEK AND IT COULD BE HEARD BUT THEY STOPPED DOING THAT AND DID AWAY WITH THE SIREN, THE REASON IS BECAUSE IN DAYS GONE BY HOUSES WEREN'T NECESSARILY EQUIPPED WITH AIR CONDITIONING AND CITIZENS HAD THEIR WINDOWS OPEN AND YOU COULD HEAR THE SIRENS MORE EASILY, THERE WERE A LOT MORE PEOPLE OUTSIDE BACK THEN, BACK IN THE FIFTIES AND SIXTIES DOWNTOWN WAS FILLED WITH PEOPLE OUTSIDE GOING FROM STORE TO STORE, YOU DON'T HAVE THAT ANYMORE, HOMES ARE MORE SOUND PROOF NOW, WE NOW HAVE CELL PHONES/SMART PHONES, WHEN THERE'S AN EMERGENCY SUCH AS A CHILD ABDUCTION YOUR PHONE GOES OFF, IT TELLS YOU WHAT'S HAPPENING, ALMOST EVERYONE HAS A CELL PHONE OR THE, ABILITY TO GET ONE, DOESN'T KNOW IF THERE'S A LOT OF PRACTICALITY TOWARDS SIRENS RIGHT NOW BUT HE'S WILLING TO DISCUSS IT AND HEAR THE PRO AND CONS AND KEEP AN OPEN MIND, IN REGARDS TO THE, BICYCLE LANES, THINKS IT'S GREAT ESPECIALLY WITH THE ADVENT OF ELECTRIC BIKES, CITIZENS USE THEIR BIKES MORE, THINKS THAT CITIZENS CAN GET DOWNTOWN BY GOING UNDER 10 AT CALDER, STATED THAT HE'S DONE IT, DOES SUPPORT CONTINUED STRIPING FOR BIKE LANES AND HOPES THE CITY CAN CONTINUE TO DO THAT MAYOR PRO TEM DURIO - ATTENDED 409 DAYS AT TYRRELL PARK AND THE VIVA HISPANIC HERITAGE FESTIVAL, HAD A GREAT TIME AT BOTH EVENTS AND THEY WERE WELL ATTENDED, ANNOUNCED THAT TODAY (MAY 2, 2023), IS THE LAST DAY OF EARLY VOTING, POLLS WILL CLOSE AT 7:00 P.M., SATURDAY, MAY 6, 2023,1S ELECTION DAY FROM 7:00 A.M., TO 7:00 P.M., IF ANYONE HASN'T VOTED, THERE'S STILL TIME TO DO SO CITY ATTORNEY REED - NONE CITY MANAGER WILLIAMS - REMINDED COUNCIL THAT ON THURSDAY, MAY 11, 2023, WILL BE THE BUDGET WORKSHOP, THIS WILL BE THE FIRST ONE OF THE YEAR WHERE THEY WILL GET MORE INFORMATION, IN REGARDS TO THE EMERGENCY NOTIFICATION SYSTEM, INFORMATION HAS BEEN GIVEN TO STAFF AND IT WILL BE ON THE NEXT AGENDA, IT WILL BE ON MORE THAN JUST SIRENS, Minutas — May 2, 2023 THERE WILL BE ADDITIONAL INFORMATION ON THE CURRENT NOTIFICATION SYSTEM AS WELL AS WHAT MS. ALLEN TURNED IN AND THE FEASIBILITY OF WHAT SHE SUBMITTED, ALSO IN REGARDS TO BIKE LANES AND SIDEWALKS, STATED THAT HE LIKES TO RIDE BIKES AND WANTS THE CITY TO BE MORE SIDEWALK FRIENDLY, THE GOAL IS TO INCORPORATE MORE BIKE LANES AND SIDEWALKS INTO THE CONSTRUCTION PROJECTS AS THEY DEVELOP ASSISTANT CM BOONE - NONE ASSISTANT CM ELLIS - NONE PW DIRECTOR BARTKOWIAK - COMMENTED ON A PREVIOUS STATEMENT MADE BY A CITIZEN REGARDING CONCRETE BARRIERS ON THE FREEWAYS, STATED THOSE ARE TXDOT FREEWAYS MANAGED BY THEM AND THEY SHOULD PROBABLY SPEAK WITH TXDOT ABOUT THE BARRIERS FOR FURTHER COMMENT, BELIEVES THE ONE THAT THE CITIZEN SPOKE OF 1S INTENDED TO PREVENTTRAFFIC THAT LEAVES THE ROADWAY FROM ENTERING AND GETTING ON TO THE OTHER SIDE OF THE FREEWAY AND HITTING ON COMING TRAFFIC, WHILE YOU WOULD HIT A SOLID OBJECT DRIVERS WOULD NOT HIT ANOTHER VEHICLE HEAD ON, ASKED THAT SHE CONTACT TXDOT AS TO HOW THEY MAINTAIN SAFETY ON THE FREEWAY MAYOR MOUTON - ATTENDED 409 DAYS, IT WAS WELL ATTENDED AND A GREAT SUCCESS, SUNDAY WAS A PERFECT DAY WITH PERFECT WEATHER FOR THE VIVA HISPANIC HERITAGE FESTIVAL, THEY HAD GREAT FOOD AND MUSIC WITH GREAT ATTENDANCE, THERE'S A LOT OF THINGS GOING ON IN BEAUMONT, CHECK THE WEB SITE TO SEE ALL THE ACTIVITIES, ALSO TODAY IS THE LAST DAY FOR EARLY VOTING UNTIL 7:00 P.M., SATURDAY, MAY B, 2023, IS ELECTION DAY, ENCOURAGED EVERYONE WHO HASN'T VOTED TO GET OUT AND VOTE, THANKED EVERYONE FOR COMING OUT, THANKED MS. SHIRLENE COOK FOR ATTENDING THE MEETING TODAY, GO OUT AND SPREAD THE LOVE Op ession of meeting recessed at 3:18 p.m. R¢ in Mouton, ' ayor Tina Broussard, City Clerk Minutes- May 2, 2023