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HomeMy WebLinkAbout05/12/2020 MINBEAU��MONT - T E X A S MINUTES OF THE CITY OF BEAUMONT COUNCIL MEETING W.L. Pate, Jr., Mayor.Pro Tem BECKY AMES, MAYOR Randy Feldschau., At -Large Taylor Neild, Ward I CITY COUNCIL MEETING Michael D. Getz, Ward II Audwin Samuel, Ward III MAY 12, 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 May 12, 2020, 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 & 2/Consent Agenda * Consent Agenda Mayor Ames called the council meeting to order at 1:30 p.m. Pastor Christopher Moody with First Baptist 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 "Elder Abuse Prevention Month" - May, 2020 - Proclamation read by Mayor Ames; accepted by Lillie Boudreaux, Adult Protective Services Board President Public Comment: Persons may speak on scheduled agenda items 1 & 2/Consent Agenda Bruce Hamilton 7730 Chelsea Place Beaumont TX Spoke regarding Item No. 2 on the agenda; consider a resolution approving a contract for the restoration of the former community center located at Tyrrell Park for a Visitors and Birding Center Steven Lewis 540 Campus St. Beaumont TX Spoke regarding Item No. 2 on the agenda; consider a resolution approving a contract for the restoration of the former community center located at Tyrrell Park for a Visitors and Birding Center Minutes — May 12, 2020 Laurie Leister 1240 Wilchester Ln. Beaumont TX Spoke regarding Item No. 2 on the agenda; consider a resolution approving a contract for the restoration of the former community center located at Tyrrell Park for a Visitors and Birding Center Landry Rountree 1565 S. Major Dr. Beaumont TX Spoke regarding Item No. 1 on the agenda; conducting an election for Mayor Pro Tem CONSENT AGENDA * Approval of minutes — May 5, 2020 Confirmation of board and commission member appointments - None A) Authorize the City Manager to execute Change Order No. 1, accept maintenance, and authorize final payment to Allco, Ltd. for the Emergency Wastewater Treatment Plant Bar Screen Replacement Project — Resolution 20-096 B) Authorize the City Manager to receive Coronavirus Emergency Supplemental Funding from the U. S. Department of Justice — Resolution 20-097 Councilmember Neild moved to approve the Consent Agenda: Councilmember Samuel seconded the motion. AYES: MAYOR AMES, MAYOR PRO TEM PATE, COUNCILMEMBERS NEILD, GETZ, FELDSCHAU, SAMUEL AND.MOUTON NAYS: NONE ` MOTION PASSED GENERAL BUSINESS 1. Conduct an election for Mayor Pro Tempore. According to the City Charter, "the City Council shall elect one of its members as Mayor Pro Tempore for a one-year term." The Mayor Pro Tempore shall perform the duties of the Mayor in case of the absence or inability of the Mayor to perform the duties of the office, and, if a vacancy occurs, shall become Mayor for the unexpired term. Mayor Pro Tem Pate moved to table the RESOLUTION TO ELECT A MAYOR PRO TEMPORE UNTIL JUNE 16, 2020. Councilmember Getz seconded the motion. AYES: MAYOR PRO TEM PATE, COUNCILMEMBERS NEILD AND GETZ NAYS: MAYOR AMES, COUNCILMEMBERS FELDSCHAU, SAMUEL AND MOUTON MOTION FAILED Minutes — May 12, 2020 Councilmember Neild moved to APPROVE A RESOLUTION THAT COUNCILMEMBER FELDSCHAU BE ELECTED AS MAYOR PRO TEMPORE FOR A ONE YEAR TERM EFFECTIVE JUNE 26, 2020. Councilmember Getz seconded the motion. AYES: MAYOR AMES, MAYOR PRO TEM PATE, COUNCILMEMBERS NEILD, GETZ, FELDSCHAU, SAMUEL AND MOUTON NAYS: NONE MOTION PASSED Resolution 20-098 2. Consider a resolution approving a contract for the restoration of the former community center located at Tyrrell Park for a Visitors and Birding Center. Bids were requested from 11 vendors and four responses were received. The low qualified bid to complete the project was received from McInnis Construction, Inc. of Silsbee in the amount of $1,473;000 for the Base Bid. Alternate Bid No. 1 in the amount of $12,000 is for an ornate fence and gating between the existing door and window openings in a secured courtyard. Alternate Bid No. 2 in the amount of $20,600 is for a six-foot vinyl coated security fence and a concrete mow strip to secure access to the courtyards. There is also a bid of $12 per square foot for saw cutting, removing material, installation of 3/8" dowels, pouring and finishing concrete to match existing patterns at an estimated cost of $20,000. A portion of the former community center (approximately 6,432 square feet, including the porch areas) will be restored. The back portion of the building will'be an open courtyard. The building will be used as a visitors' center for those visiting Tyrrell Park and Cattail Marsh. The Visitors and Birding Center will have displays and information about Cattail Marsh; birding species identified -at the natural wetlands; park amenities and area attractions. The contractor will complete the project in two hundred forty (240) calendar days. The local bidders' preference does not apply to construction contracts in excess of $100,000 per policy and local government code. Funds will come from the Capital Program (Funds were provided by the Hotel. Occupancy Tax Fund). The City Council approved the transfer of $2.1 million from the HOT Fund to the Capital Program. The Administration will likely ask the City Council to transfer some of the $2.1 million back to the HOT Fund due to COVID-19 and projected revenues being down from what was budgeted in FY 2020. Approval of the resolution. Councilmember Neild moved to APPROVE A RESOLUTION THAT THE BID SUBMITTED BY MCINNIS CONSTRUCTION, INC, OF SILSBEE, TEXAS, IN THE AMOUNT OF $1,473,000 FOR THE BASE BID, ALTERNATE BID NO. 1. IN THE AMOUNT OF $12,000 FOR AN ORNATE FENCE AND GATING BETWEEN THE EXISTING DOOR AND WINDOW OPENINGS IN A SECURED COURTYARD; ALTERNATE BID NO. 2 IN THE AMOUNT OF $20,600 FOR A SIX-FOOT VINYL COATED SECURITY FENCE AND A CONCRETE MOW STRIP TO SECURE ACCESS TO THE COURTYARDS; AND, $12.00 PER SQUARE FOOT FOR SAW CUTTING, REMOVING MATERIAL, INSTALLATION OF 3/8" DOWELS, POURING AND FINISHING CONCRETE TO Minutes — May 12, 2020 MATCH EXISTING PATTERNS AT AN ESTIMATED COST OF $20,000 FOR THE RESTORATION OF.THE FORMER COMMUNITY CENTER�LOCATED AT TYRRELL PARK FOR THE VISITORS AND BIRDING CENTER; AND THAT THE CITY MANAGER IS AUTHORIZED TO EXECUTE A CONTRACT WITH MCINNIS CONSTRUCTION, INC., OF SILSBEE, TEXAS, IN THE AMOUNT OF $1,473,000 FOR THE BASE BID; ALTERNATE NO. 1 IN THE AMOUNT OF $12,000 AND ALTERNATE BID NO. 2 IN THE AMOUNT OF $20,600.. Councilmember Samuel seconded the motion. AYES: MAYOR AMES, MAYOR PRO TEM PATE, COUNCILMEMBERS NEILD, GETZ, FELDSCHAU, SAMUEL AND MOUTON NAYS: NONE MOTION PASSED Resolution 20-099 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) William Sam Sr. 1761 Rena St. Beaumont TX Stated that in the past week he had an opportunity to visit with a number of citizens in his community, stated that they don't understand what is going on with Council, some believe that it's political, some believe it's also political attacks on certain members of Council, understands that some of it is grand standing, some Councilmembers have reasons for doing what they are doing because they want to take that next step, the citizens are saying that Council was elected to represent the people in the various areas, to take care of the city's business and to do the job that needs to be done .to make this city a better city, not for personal attacks on each other, citizens are asking that the personal attacks stop, stated that. he will continue to visit and work with those in the community, stated to the Mayor that everyone wants her job, asked that she continue to do what she's doing Cynthia Carrierre 4240 Inez St. Beaumont TX Stated that she's new to the State of Texas and the City of Beaumont, commented on the Council having evening meetings, doesn't know who her Council -member is but would like to - know, is, in need of launching some complaints and has questions that need answers Trina Muhammad 1875 Hebert Beaumont TX . Stated that she is the Vice President of Local Union 1031 and also a Beaumont Transit employee, stated that the city: has received $3.2 million in Federal Grant funding to assist with personal protection equipment, job security, clean buses and to make sure they get what they need to operate on a daily basis, wanted to make Council aware that they aren't getting those things, they are practicing social distance, they are given a mask but need more, the buses are not being properly disinfected like they should, stated that they come to work and operate the buses every day and asking for hazard pay from the grant Minutes — May 12, 2020 COUNCILMEMBER FELDSCHAU - STATED THAT HE'S HONORED TO RECEIVE THE VOTE OF CONFIDENCE FROM THE COUNCIL ON BEING ELECTED AS MAYOR PRO TEM, WILL SERVE TO THE BEST OF HIS ABILITY, WELCOMED INPUT AND GUIDANCE FROM ANY COUNCILMEMBER THAT HAS SERVED IN THE POSITION BEFORE HIM AS THEY GO THROUGH THIS NEXT YEAR COUNCILMEMBER GETZ - CONGRATULATED COUNCILMEMBER FELDSCHAU ON BEING ELECTED MAYOR PRO TEM, EARLIER THE MAYOR MENTION SOFTBALL, STATED THAT HE LOOKED AT THE GOVERNORS MOST RECENT EXECUTIVE ORDER, THE GOVERNOR IS SAYING IT'S OKAY TO DO OUTDOOR SPORTS AS LONG AS CITIZENS PRACTICE SOCIAL DISTANCING AND DO COVID AWARENESS AND RECOGNITION, STATED THAT SOFTBALL IS CERTAINLY ONE THAT CITIZENS CAN BE SPREAD APART, HAS BEEN APPROACHED BY CITIZENS THAT ARE WANTING TO USE THE SOFTBALL FIELDS THAT REMAIN CLOSED, WOULD LIKE TO HAVE AN ANSWER ON THIS ISSUE AS QUICKLY AS POSSIBLE, IT WOULD BE APPRECIATED, COMMENTED ON THE BROWN WATER THAT SOME RESIDENTS ARE EXPERIENCING, MADE COMMENTS REGARDING THE CITY BUSES AND THE $6.1 MILLION IN GRANT MONEY THAT THE CITY RECEIVED, STATED THAT HE WOULD LIKE TO SEE THE CITY TRY TO CONDUCT A STUDY OF SOME SORT BECAUSE THE CITY DOESN'T HAVE GOOD NUMBERS OF HOW MANY CITIZENS THAT RIDE THE BUSES, HAS BEEN TOLD THAT THE RIDERSHIP HAS DROPPED TO ABOUT 1/3 OF WHAT IT WAS PREVIOUSLY, MADE COMMENTS REGARDING TYRRELL PARK COUNCILMEMBER NEILD - ASKED THAT THE ADMINISTRATION GET BACK ON TRACK WITH BRINGING CHARTER CHANGES TO COUNCIL ON A ROUTINE BASIS, WOULD LIKE TO SEE COUNCIL HAVE EVENING MEETINGS ONCE WE GET PAST COVID-19, STILL HAVING AN ISSUE WITH THE PROPERTY OPERATING A TOW TRUCK BUSINESS, HAS BEEN BRINGING THIS UP SINCE DECEMBER, STATED THAT HE KNOWS THAT THE CITY ISN'T DOING WATER CUT OFFS DUE TO COVID-19, MOVING FORWARD SOONER OR LATER THE CITY WILL HAVE TO GET BACK TO DOING CUT OFFS, WOULD LIKE TO SEE IF THERE IS A WAY THAT THE CITY CAN GO ABOUT NOTIFYING THE CITIZENS WHEN THAT TIME APPROACHES - COUNCILMEMBER SAMUEL - STATED THAT COUNCILMEMBER PATE WAS CORRECT THAT THERE ARE TIMES THAT THEY WILL NOT ALL AGREE ON EVERYTHING, COUNCIL SHOULD ATTEMPT TO DO WHAT'S BEST IN THE INTEREST OF THE CITIZENS AND THE CITY AT ALL TIMES, CONGRATULATED COUNCILMEMBER FELDSCHAU ON BEING ELECTED MAYOR PRO TEM, THE POSITION IS ONE THAT CAN BE USED TO HELP ALL PEOPLE, IT'S HIS HOPE AND DESIRE THAT COUNCILMEMBER FELDSCHAU WILL USE IT FOR THAT PURPOSE, WISHED HIM WELL AND WILL WORK WITH HIM IN ANY WAY POSSIBLE Minutes — May 12, 2020 COUNCILMEMBER MOUTON - CONGRATULATED COUNCILMEMBER FELDSCHAU ON BEING ELECTED AS MAYOR PRO TEM, WHEN BEING MAYOR PRO TEM THAT POSITION REPRESENTS THE CITY AND THE MAYOR IN HER ABSENCE, STATED THAT ELDER ABUSE IS REAL, IF ANYONE HEARS OR KNOWS ABOUT ABUSE OF AN ELDER PLEASE REPORT IT, THE NUMBER TO CALL IS 1-800-252-5400, THANKED STAFF FOR ALL THEY ARE DOING TO GET THE HISTORICAL BUILDING AT TYRRELL PARK GOING AND TO ENHANCE THE BIRDING ECONOMY THAT IS REALLY GROWING, THANKED NURSES DURING NURSING WEEK FORALLTHE HARD WORK THAT THEY DO, COMMENTED ON THE ISSUES THAT THE BUS DRIVERS SPOKE ABOUT EARLIER CITY ATTORNEY COOPER - NONE CITY MANAGER HAYES - NONE MAYOR AMES - THANKED ALL OF CITY STAFF THAT ARE WORKING THROUGH THIS PANDEMIC, ANNOUNCED THAT A CALL CENTER HAS BEEN SETUP, ALSO THE CITY ALONG WITH THE RICELAND GROUP WILL BE OPENING A TESTING SITE THAT WILL BE LOCATED AT 747 COLLEGE ST., WHICH IS THE OLD FIRE STATION #1, THIS SITE WILL BE COMMUNITY TESTING AT NO CHARGE, ADVERTISEMENT WILL BE STARTING TOMORROW ON THE CITY'S FACEBOOK PAGE AND WEB SITE, THE TESTING WILL START MAY 19, 20 AND 31, 2020 AND THEN JUNE 4, 5 AND 6,2020, ANYONE THAT WANTS TO BE TESTED CAN BE TESTED INCLUDING EMPLOYEES, PLEASE CALL 409-550-2536 TO MAKE AN APPOINTMENT, THERE WILL BE NO WALK IN'S, INFORMED EVERYONE THAT ALL NUMBERS THAT ARE BEING REPORTED IN HER WEEKLY COVID-19 REPORT IS COMING FROM CITY STAFF, CONGRATULATED COUNCILMEMBER FELDSCHAU ON BEING ELECTED AS MAYOR PRO TEM Open session of meeting recessed at 3:50 p.m. EXECUTIVE SESSION Consider matters related to contemplated or pending litigation in accordance with Section 551.071 of the Government Code: James Mathews vs. City of Beaumont, Texas; Cause No. A-192,887 James "Chad" York, et al v. City of Beaumont, et al: Cause No. 1: 1 8-cv- 00522 Minutes — May 12, 2020 being no ac$ion taken in Executive Session, Council adjourned. Am Tina Broussard -7 -City Clerk Minutes — May 12, 2020