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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMIN DEC 13 1988 REGULAR SESSION CITY COUNCIL - CITY OF BEAUMONT HELD DECEMBER 13 , 1988 - 1: 15 P.M. BE IT REMEMBERED that the City Council of the City of Beaumont, Texas, met in regular session this the 13th day of December, 1988, with the following present: HONORABLE: Maurice Meyers Mayor Bob Lee, Jr. Councilman-At-Large Andrew P. Cokinos Councilman-At-Large Lulu L. Smith Councilman, Ward I Mike Brumley Councilman, Ward II Audwin Samuel Mayor Pro-Tem Councilman, Ward III David W. Moore Councilman, Ward IV Albert E. Haines City Manager Lane Nichols City Attorney Rosemarie Chiappetta City Clerk -000- Mayor Meyers asked the audience to stand in a moment of silence in recognition of the demise of Mr. Herbert Dishman who has contributed much to our community in so many ways and welcomed Reverend Clarence Williams to Beaumont. The Invocation was given by the Reverend Clarence Williams, East Mount Olive Baptist Church. The Pledge of Allegiance was led by Councilman Samuel. -000- Mayor Meyers welcomed Mr. and Mrs. Charles Stewart, owners of the recently opened Wendy' s Restaurant on Dowlen Road which will employ 75 people, and four others in Beaumont. Mr. and Mrs. Stewart expressed appreciation for the reception they have received since moving to Beaumont and presented a complete menu of food to each member of Council. -000- SISTER CITY REPORT Mr. Robert Swerdlow, Chairman of the Sister City Commission, introduced Commission Delegates present: Mr. Rick Canady representing Baptist Hospital, Mr. Charles Gibbs of Sabine-Neches Travel Agency, Ms. Carol Mattingly, Mr. Mike Conwell of First City Bank, Mr. Ben Hansen, Editor of the Beaumont Enterprise, Dr. Victoria Price, Department of English and Foreign Languages of Lamar University, Mrs. Georgia Brumley, Dean Brock Brentlinger of the Fine Arts College of Lamar University and Mrs. Carol Flatten, Economic Development Coordinator for the City of Beaumont who visited Beppu, Japan, Beaumont' s Sister City along with Mayor and Mrs. Meyers, Councilman Lulu L. Smith and her husband, Dr. Wesley Washburn, Jr. and Councilman Mike Brumley. Mr. Swerdlow also introduced special guest Mr. H. A. Fadhli. -308- December 13, 1988 SISTER CITY REPORT CONTINUED MR. SWERDLOW• I just wanted to thank Mayor Meyers and members of Council for having us today, at least give a brief report on what we tried to accomplish on our recent trip. For those of you who are somewhat unfamiliar with the Sister City Program, it was begun by President Eisenhower in the middle 1950 ' s as a means to build friendships and better understanding of other cultures and to learn lessons in education, the arts, media, professions, and, potentially, world trade. Three years ago a Sister City Committee was formed, and we plowed the field readying it for planting by signing the original documents that made Beaumont a Sister City of the city of Beppu, Japan. There are very close links between our city and the city of Beppu with regard to size and geography, hospitality, and the friendliness of the people. Just two weeks ago, this group planted the seeds in that field that we plowed some years ago, and we anticipate that this field will grow into a variety of full blooming plants that will yield exchanges between the Sister Cities with regard to youth, and the arts, tourism, education, the media, medical community, and hopefully, trade. This Commission will not sit idly by and wait for the outcome, but will nurture and fertilize and water to insure that the maximum yield can be obtained from our efforts. We have already met since our return and are planning our strategies as to how to fulfill these exchanges. The Sister City Commission is proud to have represented Beaumont to our Sister City and all are committed to achieving the maximum potential from this relationship. We wanted to take this special opportunity to thank the Mayor and Council for the opportunity to represent Beaumont and to enhance international understanding, exchange programs, and commerce between Beaumont and Beppu City. Thank you, Mr. Mayor. Councilman Smith and Councilman Brumley concurred that a good rapport was developed during the three-day visit to Beppu and that seeds were sown in the educational area and the exchange of arts and tourism. They feel we can look forward to a good relationship with these warm and friendly people, this experience attained the goals of accomplishment intended by President Eisenhower in developing a Sister Cities program, and that Beaumont was identified as having a potential for international presence. Mayor Meyers agreed with all the previous remarks and stated that the next significant opportunity will be when delegates from Beppu will visit Beaumont next year. Since the Japanese businessmen are such enthusiastic golfers, Mr. Charlie Gibbs is investigating the potential of putting together a "Touring Texas for Golf, " while they are here. Other athletic endeavors are encouraged as well. The art exchange was successful and a highlight of an international sense will occur if the most prominent bamboo artist in Japan comes to Beaumont as anticipated. A diverse group of people are expected to visit Beaumont and will be paired with people of similar interests. " . . .When we were there, we took along specific gifts of varied nature for their government, for their Mayor, heads of Council, and, I mean, we had a lot of things with us. So much so that we had to assign three members of this wonderful group to nothing on the way over but figure out how we were going to get our gifts there. But, with that, I have to commend the delegation because they represented the city, I thought, -309- December 13 , 1988 SISTER CITY REPORT CONTINUED "beautifully and came to the front everytime their area of interest was discussed, but I can' t help but mention that I was sitting next to the Mayor of Beppu, Mayor Nakamara, and I have this picture here, because he did have tears come to his eyes when we had the pleasure of asking Brock Brentlinger to make what was our final gift to the city. And, it was a magnificent piece of artwork out of bronze, and I think absolutely devastated them by its magnificence. They had been given a beautiful print of the Tyrrell Library by Natascha Bartnicki that was framed extremely well and several other significant gifts, but I don' t believe in their wildest that they thought that someone would take the time to create what we had. This is a picture of the Mayor receiving that. It' s a horse with a little. . .well, I ' ll let Dr. Fadhli come forward, but I think the important thing as we would recognize him is this is a man who lives in Groves, is in the arts community, is aware of our Sister City relationship, and he has not only a tremendous art investment in the time to create this, but a significant dollar investment I assure you because we've learned of what the cost was just to make it from a material standpoint--but he saw fit and felt it was important enough to give this to the city and for Dr. Brentlinger to present there on behalf of the City of Beaumont to its Sister City of Beppu. And, I just thought it was the most outstanding gesture of friendship as it related to this relationship and the tie-in between the small horse and the big horse and that developing relationship which Lifeline epitomizes as it relates to two cities trying to come together and develop that relationship was absolutely perfect, and Dr. Brentlinger pointed that out. I would like to ask Dr. Fadhli to come forward and just on behalf of Council receive our deep sense of appreciation for your kind gift, and we want you to know how very thoughtful it was of you to allow us to present that to the City of Beppu, and we thank you so much. " DR. FADHLI • Thank you for inviting me to come here, and I am glad that I had the chance to participate in promoting the understanding between our city, Beaumont, I consider it my city too, and Beppu in Japan, and hopefully, whatever I contributed will give some sense of promotion of cultural and industrial exchange between us and Japan and that we all benefit from it. Thank you for inviting me. Mayor Meyers presented the picture of the Mayor of Beppu receiving the sculpture to Dr. Fadhli and invited Dr. Brentlinger to comment as presentor of the artwork. DR. BRENTLINGER: Just let me say that--by the way I have a little clearer picture in color here that the Council might want to pass that around. I think they can understand the significance of—the sculpture piece. Dr. Fadhli sculpture pieces, by the way, normally sell for between $3,500 and $4, 500, so this is no small gift. . . .and I think that obviously impressed the people in Beppu. But, we held a competition here in the area to find the artist that could create the best piece of art to be taken to Beppu. So, this was a juried competition, and it turned out that the City wanted -310- December 13 , 1988 SISTER CITY REPORT CONTINUED to, I first of all thought that we were going to loan something, and then it turned out the City wanted to purchase the piece of art, but it turned out the piece of art was so good and so expensive that the Mayor didn' t have enough money to purchase it, and that' s when I called Dr. Fadhli to give him the bad news that I was sorry his art was so good, but we just didn' t have enough money to purchase it, but we appreciated him entering the competition. And, then he said, I think he gulped a couple of times, "Well, I tell you what, I ' ll just give it to the City of Beaumont. " And so it was a significant gift, and I think it did quite a bit to cement relations between the City of Beppu and the City of Beaumont, and it' s entitled Lifeline, the mare nudging the foal toward nourishment shortly after birth, and of course, it' s the lifeline that we' re trying to establish between Beppu and Beaumont that we hope will be a benefit for both cities. Mayor concluded with deep appreciation to the Commission for their participation in making this a very successful visit. END OF SISTER CITY REPORT -000- One Proclamation was issued: "Drunk and Drug Driving Awareness Week, : December 11-17, 1988. -000- Mrs. Maree Calcote, Clean Community Chairman, presented to Council a Photometric Index prepared by Lamar University students, Sherwin Hudson, Project Manager, George Kennard, and Patrick Clophus, under the guidance of Dr. David Gates from the Industrial Engineering Department of Lamar. Over 105 hours was spent in preparing the study that seeks to reduce litter by changing attitude and practices relating to the handling of waste. The results of the study show that street litter has increased 11% since 1987 but decreased 74.7% since 1981; rights-of-way litter has increased 9. 2% since 1987 but decreased 67. 5% since 1981; vacant lot litter has decreased 23 . 9% since 1981 and 93 . 5% since 1987; loading docks litter has increased 58% since 1987 but decreased 53 .7 since 1981; parking lots litter has remained unchanged since 1987 and decreased 92.5% since 1981; and commercial refuse storage litter has decreased 20. 4% since 1987 and 72% since 1981. The overall baseline indicates a decrease of 34. 5% since 1987 and a decrease of 85.98% since 1981. Conclusions of the study were that: the majority of the litter observed was from motor vehicles; the lower income areas of the city have the higher concentration of litter; the increase in the loading dock baseline is a result of absentee landlords and inspections as a result of complaints only; the decrease in vacant lot baseline attributed to the increased cutting fee; and the overall baseline decreased because of the combined efforts of organizations. Recommendations were to formulate neighborhood organizations to take responsibility for reducing litter in their own neighborhood, educate citizens in the areas of garbage and trash placement, inspect loading docks periodically, and -311- December 13, 1988 encourage increased involvement of civic organizations, social clubs, and residents to eliminate the litter problem of the city. Mr. Bruce Drury announced that the Clean Community Commission in conjunction with the John Gray Institute and Keep Texas Beautiful will sponsor an all-day recycling symposium on January 26, 1889 beginning at 8: 30 a.m. at the John Gray Institute and invited Council to attend. The purpose is to educate local government officials, the media, education people, and interested citizens in the problem of solid waste and the recycling option. Mrs. Calcote brought to Council' s attention that in the Fall, 1988 Report of Grass Roots that comes out of Keep Texas Beautiful, there is a very significant article with lots of quotes by Councilman Lee, his presentation at the State meeting, our Operation Clean Street Program, and references to Mayor Meyers. Mayor Meyers congratulated Mrs. Calcote for her leadership and contribution for receiving this recognition. Councilman Moore expressed appreciation to the Clean Community Commission and all those that attended the Irving Street - S.C.U.P. workday, even in inclement weather. -000- Citizen comment was invited on Agenda Items A through E. No one wished to address Council. -000- The following Consent Agenda items were considered: Approval of the Minutes of the regular City Council session held November 22, 1988, and the Minutes of the Emergency City Council session held November 30, 1988; Resolution No. 88-257 authorizing Texas Commerce Bank - Beaumont to release $55, 000.000 in securities held at the Federal Reserve Bank - Dallas/Houston Branch effective December 13 , 1988; Resolution No. 88-258 authorizing a title transfer to the State of Texas for Parcel 142 acquired for the Martin Luther King, Jr. Parkway right-of- way; Resolution No. 88-259 authorizing the purchase of a John Deere Model 23 Mini-Excavator for the Operations Division of Public Works from Eastex Farm and Home of Beaumont in the amount of $28, 969. 00; Resolution No. 88-260 awarding a rental contract for furnishing 100 street traffic barricades on a month to month basis over a period of one year a a rental of $ . 35 per barricade per day for a total cost of $12,775. 00 to Crabtree Barricade Systems, Inc. ; -312- December 13, 1988 Resolution No. 88-261 granting a ten foot ( 10 ' ) wide underground electrical easement and a sixteen by forty-four foot ( 16 ' x 441 ) equipment and closure fixture easement to Gulf States Utilities Company for service to the Stedman Building; and Resolution No. 88-262 accepting the work performed under a contract with Olshan Demolishing Company for demolition of a building at 887 Park Street to clear right-of-way for College Street at a cost of $58,850.00 and authorizing final payment in the amount of $2,942. 50. The Consent Agenda was approved on a motion made by Councilman Moore and seconded by Councilman Lee. Question: Ayes: All Nayes: None -000- The final reading of Ordinance No. 88-99 annexing 2,678 acres of additional territory southeast of the city limits including the Chevron and Amoco plants was considered: ORDINANCE NO. 88-99 ENTITLED AN ORDINANCE ANNEXING THE HEREINAFTER DESCRIBED TERRITORY TO THE CITY OF BEAUMONT, JEFFERSON COUNTY, TEXAS, AND EXTENDING THE BOUNDARY LIMITS OF SAID CITY SO AS TO INCLUDE THE SAID PROPERTY WITHIN THE CITY LIMITS, AND ' GRANTING THE SAID TERRITORY AND TO ALL INHABITANTS THEREOF ALL THE RIGHTS AND PRIVILEGES OF OTHER CITIZENS; AND BINDING SAID INHABITANTS BY ALL OF THE ACTS AND ORDINANCES OF SAID CITY. Ordinance No. 88-99 was approved on a motion made by Councilman Cokinos and seconded by Councilman Lee. Question: Ayes: All Nayes: None -000- Ordinance No. 88-100 authorizing abandonment of Jefferson Street between Wall and Forsythe Streets, subject to retention of easements for maintenance of utilities in the street and drainage structures,for development of a Cathedral complex for St. Anthony' s Catholic Cathedral was considered: ORDINANCE NO. 88-100 ENTITLED AN ORDINANCE VACATING AND ABANDONING JEFFERSON STREET BETWEEN WALL AND FORSYTHE STREETS, BEAUMONT, JEFFERSON COUNTY, TEXAS. Ordinance No. 88-100 was approved on a motion made by Councilman Cokinos and seconded by Councilman Lee. Question: Ayes: All Nayes: None -313- December 13 , 1988 Ordinance No. 88-101 authorizing abandonment of an alley in Block 2 of the LaSalle Addition (requested by Grant S. Furse real estate representative of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints in connection with plans for development of a paved parking are in the rear of its student center at 4530 University Drive) was considered: ORDINANCE NO. 88-101 ENTITLED AN ORDINANCE VACATING AND ABANDONING A TEN FOOT ( 101 ) WIDE ALLEY LOCATED WITHIN BLOCK 2, LASALLE ADDITION, BEAUMONT, JEFFERSON COUNTY, TEXAS. Ordinance No. 88-101 was approved on a motion made by Councilman Moore and seconded by Councilman Cokinos. Question: Nayes: All Nayes: None -000- After a discussion regarding warranty, burden of responsibility, and the Minority Business Enterprise participation should the contract exceed $50,000. 00 as a result of approved change orders, Resolution No. 88-263 awarding a contract to Perkins Roofing Company for reroofing of the Fire Department maintenance building at 1125 Archie Street in the amount of $40, 155. 00 was approved on a motion made by Councilman Cokinos and seconded by Councilman Lee. Question: Ayes: All Nayes: None -000 Resolution No. 88-264 awarding a one-year contract for plumbing services for city-owned building at an hourly rate of $36 .00 for plumbers and $8. 00 for plumber' s helpers, plus a 25% markup for materials and a minimum charge for service calls of $18. 00 to Joe Simon Plumbing was approved on a motion made by Councilman Brumley and seconded by Councilman Lee. Question: Ayes: All Nayes: None -000- Resolution No. 88-265 authorizing annual contracts to furnish traffic signals and related parts: Texas Signal Equipment, Inc. --12 inch poly- carbonate traffic signal heads at $133 . 70 each, 12 inch polycarbonate pedestrian signal heads at $145.00 each, and sets pole mounting at $42. 00 per set (estimated total $36,270. 00) ; Traffic Parts, Inc.--Type I Pull Boxes at $24. 33 each, Type II Pull Boxes at $30. 53 each, and Type III Pull Boxes at $56.70 each (estimated total $5,815. 50) ; and Consolidated Traffic Controls, Inc.--Digital Time Clock and Flashers at $455. 50 each (estimated total $4,775. 00) was approved on a motion made by Councilman Moore and seconded by Councilman Lee. Question: Ayes: All Nayes: None -000- -314- December 13, 1988 Resolution No. 88-266 authorizing a contract for sanitary sewer system improvements involving a 10-inch cured-in-place pipe installation on Crestwood Drive (a method developed over the last 10 years which could be the specific answer to the problem of extending the life of the city' s aging sanitary sewer lines at an affordable cost) with Instituform Gulf South, Inc. at $53 ,150. 00 was approved on a motion made by Councilman Cokinos and seconded by Councilman Samuel. Question: Ayes: All Nayes: None -000- Mr. Haines stated that Item D-8 was pulled from today' s agenda and will be presented to Council next week. -000- A resolution accepting the work performed under a contract with Perkins Roofing Co. for repairs to the roof of the Police Building was deferred one week for adequate background information. -000- Resolution No. 88-267 authorizing a contract with APAC-Texas, Inc. in the amount of $2,282,014. 00 for construction of the Crockett Connector major street project was approved on a motion made by Councilman Lee and seconded by Councilman Brumley. -000- Resolution No. 88-268 accepting the low bids of Speady' s Sales totaling $26,650. 00 for demolition and removal of 23 condemned dilapidated structures ( 1893-95 Broadway, $1, 295. 00; 2388 Emile, $795. 00; 2398 Goliad & garage, $875. 00; 1765 Irving, $494. 00; 2068 Irving, $2, 994. 00; 3235 Irving $994. 00; 1490 Milam, $4,994. 00; 2210 Orange, $1,294.00; 2210-1/2 Orange, $394. 00; 1725 Amelia, $496. 00, 795 Elgie, $587. 00; 1293 Orange, $2,764. 00; 4210 Goliad $572.00; 5250 Sunset, $795. 00, 5250 Sunset-garage, $782. 00; 2417-19 Broadway-garage apt. , $572. 00; 1122 Hazel, $1, 359. 00; 1650 Herring, $594. 00; 2300 Fillmore $1,354. 00, 3590 Johnstown, $853 . 00; 2912 Magnolia, $775. 00; and 990 Parry, $764. 00) was approved on a motion made by Councilman Lee and seconded by Councilman Moore. Question: Ayes: All Nayes: None -000- Councilman Lee questioned Finance Officer Betty Dunkerley regarding collection from responsible parties for houses demolished through the City process. Mrs. Dunkerley reported some monies are being collected. Approximately 20 accounts have been established with payment schedules. Councilman Cokinos inquired about responsibility for maintenance of light poles and signal-light poles and suggested that responsible parties investigate loose or uncovered base plates with dangerous exposed wires. -315- December 13, 1988 Councilman Moore reminded the Public Works Department of a memo with a request to check missing plates on signal poles, complimented the employees of the Public Works Department for a 28% increase in contributions to the United Way Fund, thanked Starlight Church, city carolers, and Mr. John Gorman and the Community Facilities Department for participation in lighting the first Christmas tree on Irving Street, thanked Mr. Rusty Leger and Mr. Ace Clark for providing equipment for the S.C.U.P. workday. Councilman Samuel requested a status update of final deliveries of refuse containers for the automated collection system, thanked Mr. Gorman, Mr. Warner and all responsible City employees for the decorative Christmas lights, commended Fire Chief Shelton and Nick Toparcean for the job on Concord Street, commented that we' re beginning to see a spirit throughout the city of people working together. He complimented Councilman Moore for his leadership in the S.C.U.P. endeavor and Mayor Meyers for his efforts in bringing citizens into this spirit of working together, announced an opportunity he had to attend the opening of the African Art Exhibit at the Southeast Texas Arts Museum, and with the spirit of the Sister City project suggested that Mayor Meyers work with him in establishing a Sister City program with some country in Africa. Councilman Samuel commented that last week in Boston, Beaumont was recognized nationally as an award winner for the diversi-financing program, which was a brain child of Mayor Meyers. " . . . It was recognized as being one of the most beneficial and creative programs as far as economic development. " Mr. Haines reported that the president of P.T.I. wants to personally make a presentation to Mayor Meyers and Council and that he commented on the irony of Beaumont receiving the top award for economic development of any city in the United States. Mr. Haines feels it is a great pleasure to share the spotlight with so many other impressive areas. Councilman Smith reported she is receiving calls from citizens about trash pickup and the confusion regarding the procedure. She thanked City employees for all their help this past year on various projects. Mayor Meyers recognized Mr. Sam Smith, Chairman of DD6, Manager Ronnie Platt and other members; announced that on pages 36-39 of a publication entitled Gardens, there is an elite story highlighting the Beaumont Garden Center, advised of a need for trash pickup at a vacant house at 3810 Youngstown. -000- Mr. Henry Dannenbaum, 1567 Wall Street, addressed Council to thank those who made Christmas contributions to McBride Halfway House and announced the singing Christmas Tree performance at First Baptist Church next weekend. -000- There being no further business, the regular City Council meeting was recessed to conduct the Workshop session. -000- -316- December 13 , 1988 I, Rosemarie Chiappetta, City Clerk of the City of Beaumont, Texas, certify that the above is a true copy of the Minutes of the regular City Council session held December 13 , 1988. Rosemarie Chiappetta City Clerk -317- December 13 , 1988