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Home My WebLink About05/16/2023 MIN BEAUMONT TEXAS MINUTES OF THE CITY OF BEAUMONT COUNCIL MEETING Albert"A.J." Turner Jr., At-Large ROBIN MOUTON, MAYOR Randy Feldschau, At-Large Taylor Neild, Ward I CITY COUNCIL MEETING Michael Getz, Ward II Audwin Samuel,Ward III May 16, 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 16, 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 Mayor Mouton called the council meeting to order at 1:30 p.m. Pastor John Adolph with Antioch Baptist 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 Durio, Councilmembers Getz, Turner, Feldschau, Samuel and Neild. Also, present were Kenneth Williams, City Manager; Sharae Reed, City Attorney; Tina Broussard, City Clerk ELECTION OF COUNCILMEMBERS • Consider approval of an ordinance canvassing the results of the May 6, 2023, City General Election — Ordinance 23-043 Councilmember Neild moved to ADOPT AN ORDINANCE ENTITLED AN ORDINANCE CANVASSING THE RETURNS OF THE GENERAL ELECTION OF THE CITY OF BEAUMONT, HELD ON THE 6TH DAY OF MAY 2023, FOR THE PURPOSE OF ELECTING A MAYOR, TWO (2) COUNCILMEMBERS-AT-LARGE, FOUR (4) WARD COUNCILMEMBERS (WARDS I, II, Ill, IV); PROVIDING FOR SEVERABILITY; AND PROVIDING FOR REPEAL. Councilmember Samuel seconded the motion. AYES: MAYOR MOUTON, MAYOR PRO TEM DURIO, COUNCILMEMBERS GETZ, TURNER, FELDSCHAU, SAMUEL AND NEILD NAYS: NONE MOTION PASSED • Administration of the Oath of Office • Councilmembers/City Manager/City Attorney Comments • Recess - 2:09 p.m. Minutes—May 16,2023 RECONVENE MEETING — 2:25 p.m. • Roll Call Mayor West, Mayor Pro Tern Durio, Councilmembers Getz, Turner, Feldschau, Samuel and Neild • Presentations - Presentation on Legislative Update (Chris Giglio, Capital Edge) • Public Comment- Persons may speak on the Consent Agenda and Regular Agenda Items 1 & 2 • Consent Agenda Public Comment: Persons may speak on the Consent Agenda and Regular Agenda Items 1 & 2 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 May 9, 2023, City Council Meeting Minutes. B. Authorize the City Manager to enter into an agreement with Texas Legal Services Center to allow placement of court access kiosks in the City of Beaumont Public Libraries-Resolution 23-137 C. Approval of a resolution rejecting the bid received for the Wastewater Treatment Plant Roadway Rehabilitation Project - Resolution 23-138 Councilmember Neild moved to approve the Consent Agenda. Mayor Pro Tem Durio seconded the motion. AYES: MAYOR WEST, MAYOR PRO TEM DURIO, COUNCILMEMBERS GETZ, TURNER, FELDSCHAU, SAMUEL AND NEILD NAYS: NONE MOTION PASSED REGULAR AGENDA 1. Consider authorizing the City Manager to execute an Advance Funding Agreement (AFA) with the Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT). On November 24, 2020, by Resolution No. 20-263, the City Council authorized the City Manager to apply and enter into an Advance Funding Agreement (AFA) with TxDOT for the 2020 Highway Safety Improvements Program (HSIP) Interconnect Signals project. The Advance Funding Agreement provides the general contract language for any project between the City and TxDOT that involves federal funding. The scope of work for this AFA is described as interconnecting signals along Dowlen Road, which is scheduled for letting in July 2025. Minutes—May 16,2023 Interconnecting signals is the process of upgrading/installing equipment and software that will allow adjacent signals along a roadway to communicate with each other and adapt the timing and phasing sequences in real time based on the current traffic patterns. The engineering estimate for the project is $480,706.00. The City's match will be $96,506.00, with Federal Funds paying $367,200.00 and the State paying $17,000.00. Funds will come from the Capital Program. Approval of the resolution. Councilmember Getz moved to APPROVE A RESOLUTION THAT THE CITY MANAGER BE AND HE IS HEREBY AUTHORIZED TO ENTER INTO AN ADVANCED FUNDING AGREEMENT WITH THE TEXAS DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION (TXDOT) FOR THE HIGHWAY SAFETY IMPROVEMENTS PROGRAM (HSIP) INTERCONNECT SIGNALS PROJECT. Councilmember Feldschau seconded the motion. AYES: MAYOR WEST, MAYOR PRO TEM DURIO, COUNCILMEMBERS GETZ, TURNER, FELDSCHAU, SAMUEL AND NEILD NAYS: NONE MOTION PASSED RESOLUTION 23-139 WORK SESSION • Review and discuss the proposed Fixed Route Realignment for The ZIP, formerly known as Transit Management of Beaumont. PUBLIC HEARING • Receive comments on amending The ZIP's fixed bus routes. Public Hearing Open: 3:23 p.m. Charlie Crabbe 928 East Dr. Beaumont TX Stated he would like to see some creativity to get more riders, asked if there could be a free week to ride the bus so that anyone could ride, also wanted to see if the bus could stop if a citizen waved them down or a citizen could go to the bus stop, there needs to be more riders on the bus Eric Petry 3705 E. Lucas Dr. Beaumont TX Stated that he submitted a petition on August 5, 2021, regarding the bus stop on Lucas and Pine Burr, prostitutes and the homeless are always hanging out at that bus stop as well as drugs being used, for two years nothing has been done, there's been a fire and three fights that have occurred at that bus stop within the last several weeks, registered voters that live near the bus stop signed the petition, asked if the city would look at moving the bus stop further back, something needs to be done, staff was supposed to move the benches, that never happened, there's elderly that live near that bus stop and they are afraid to come outside of their apartments, asking for some help Minutes—May 16,2023 Public Hearing Closed: 3:28 p.m. 2. Consider amending The ZIP's fixed bus routes. The Zip, formerly known as Transit Management of Beaumont, has proposed The Fixed Route Realignment project to better serve the citizens of Beaumont. The Zip currently serves ten (10) existing fixed bus routes with the intention of realigning five (5). The routes considered in this project are Parkdale, South 11th, Pine, South Park, and Laurel. The current riders will not experience a significant disruption or elimination of services with such modifications. Such realignment will enhance safety, improve accessibility, and provide more efficient routes to retain and to attract new riders. The Federal Transit Administration requires reasonable notice to patrons fourteen (14) days after approval of route realignments. The city provided additional notice of the realignment and public hearing at the beginning of May 2023 via fliers translated in English and Spanish. These fliers were posted on the transit website, on bus routes, bus shelters and the Dannenbaum Transfer Station. See exhibits for a visual reference of the aforementioned. Recommend conducting a public hearing and approve the resolution. Mayor Pro Tem Durio moved to APPROVE A RESOLUTION THAT THE ZIP FORMERLY KNOWN AS TRANSIT MANAGEMENT OF BEAUMONT, HAS PROPOSED THE FIXED ROUTE REALIGNMENT PROJECT TO BETTER SERVE THE CITIZENS OF BEAUMONT, THE ROUTES CONSIDERED IN THE PROJECT ARE PARKDALE,SOUTH 11TH, PINE,SOUTH PARK,AND LAUREL. Councilmember Feldschau seconded the motion. AYES: MAYOR WEST, MAYOR PRO TEM DURIO, COUNCILMEMBERS GETZ, TURNER, FELDSCHAU, SAMUEL AND NEILD NAYS: NONE MOTION PASSED RESOLUTION 23-140 COMMENTS * Public Comments (Persons are limited to three minutes) Dylan Richardson 4575 N. Major Dr. Beaumont TX Congratulated Roy West on his win, implored each of Council to contact the President of Lamar University, Dr. Jamie Taylor, stated that Dr. Taylor will be petitioning each of Council publicly and hopefully in private on different matters, congratulated Councilmember Samuel on his re-election as well as the other Councilmembers that were re-elected, looks forward to working with them for the next two years Minutes—May 16,2023 Charlie Crabbe 928 East Dr. Beaumont TX Congratulated Roy West on being elected as well as all the other Councilmembers that were re-elected, stated to the new Mayor that he's inheriting a great staff from the City Manager to the Assistant City Managers, Police Chief and Fire Chief, Public Works Director, City Attorney, City Clerk and Chief Financial Officer Councilmembers/City Manager/City Attorney comments on various matters COUNCILMEMBER COMMENTS COUNCILMEMBER NEILD - CONGRATULATED MAYOR WEST, LOOKS FORWARD TO WORKING WITH HIM, ANNOUNCED KELLY HIGH SCHOOL WON THE TAPS DIVISION II STATE BASEBALL CHAMPIONSHIP COUNCILMEMBER SAMUEL - CONGRATULATED MAYOR WEST ON HIS WIN COUNCILMEMBER FELDSCHAU - CONGRATULATED EVERYONE, STATED TO THE STAFF HE KNOWS THAT TRANSITIONING FROM ONE COUNCIL TO THE NEXT AND A NEW MAYOR IS A LOT OF WORK, THANKED THEM FOR ALL OF THEIR HARD WORK IN THE LAST FEW WEEKS TO MAKE THIS DAY HAPPEN COUNCILMEMBER TURNER - CONGRATULATED MAYOR WEST, WELCOMED HIM TO THE TEAM, IT'S OUR JOB TO MAKE THIS TEAM THE BEST TEAM IT CAN BE, LOOKING FORWARD TO GETTING WORK DONE, THANKED MR. PETRY AND MR. CRABBE THAT SPOKE DURING PUBLIC COMMENTS, THANKED EVERYONE THAT VOTED COUNCILMEMBER GETZ - CONGRATULATED MAYOR WEST, STATED THEY GO BACK A LONG WAY, STATED THAT WHEN HIS WIFE ALLISON RAN FOR TAX ASSESSOR COLLECTOR, MAYOR WEST SERVED AS HER CAMPAIGN TREASURER, SHE COULDN'T BE HERE TODAY BUT SENDS HER CONGRATULATIONS, LOOKING FORWARD TO WORKING WITH HIM AS WELL AS THE REST OF HIS COLLEAGUES ON COUNCIL, LET'S GET TO WORK MAYOR PRO TEM DURIO - CONGRATULATED MAYOR WEST, STATED THAT HE AND COUNCILMEMBER GETZ CAN SAY AN ELECTION IS A LOT EASIER WHEN THERE'S NO OPPONENT, HOPES THAT THE COUNCIL MEETINGS FOR THE NEXT TWO YEARS GO AS SMOOTH AS TODAY AND THEY CAN GET OUT AT A REASONABLE TIME, CONGRATULATED ALL OF HIS FELLOW COUNCILMEMBERS, LOOKS FORWARD TO WORKING WITH EVERYONE,STATED THAT "TEAM WORK, MAKES THE DREAM WORK" CITY MANAGER WILLIAMS - CONGRATULATED ALL OF THE COUNCILMEMBERS ON THEIR RE-ELECTION, CONGRATULATED MAYOR WEST,STATED THAT STAFF HAS DONE AN OUTSTANDING JOB, ELECTIONS ARE TOUGH ON STAFF MEMBERS, COMMENTED ON THE PROJECT UPDATE, THE LIST OF ALL THE PERSPECTIVE PROJECTS WILL Minutes—May 16,2023 BE PROVIDED TO COUNCIL, IN REGARDS TO THE WORK SESSION, STATED THAT HE HOPES TO HAVE AN UPDATE, THERE'S SOME GLITCHES THAT HAVE OCCURRED, SHOULD HAVE THE ISSUED RESOLVED BEFORE THE END OF THE DAY CITY ATTORNEY REED - LOOKS FORWARD TO WORKING WITH EVERYONE FOR THE NEXT TWO YEARS, STATED TO MAYOR WEST IT WILL BE A GOOD TIME, THE COUNCILMEMBERS ARE A GOOD GROUP TO WORK WITH ASSISTANT CM BOONE - CONGRATULATED THE COUNCILMEMBERS ON THEIR RE- ELECTION, WELCOMED MAYOR WEST, LOOKS FORWARD TO WORKING WITH EVERYBODY ASSISTANT CM ELLIS - CONGRATULATED MAYOR WEST,STATED IT WAS A PLEASURE TO MEET WITH HIM LAST WEEK TO HEAR HIS VISION FOR BEAUMONT, LOOKS FORWARD TO MANY MORE MEETINGS WITH HIM, IT'S AN EXCITING DAY FOR BEAUMONT KNOWING THAT WE WILL CONTINUE TO IMPROVE THE CITY AND MAKE IT BETTER CFO SIMONEAUX - ECHOED WHAT EVERYONE ELSE HAS SAID, TO THE SITTING COUNCIL AND THE MAYOR, LOOKS FORWARD TO WORKING WITH ALL OF THEM CITY CLERK BROUSSARD - CONGRATULATIONS TO ALL OF COUNCIL, STATED TO MAYOR WEST THAT SHE LOOKS FORWARD TO WORKING WITH HIM MAYOR WEST - THANKED ALL OF STAFF,GOT TO MEET WITH THEM,EVERYONE HAS BEEN VERY WARM AND HELPFUL, THANKED VIRTUE FOR ALL THAT SHE HAS DONE TO PREPARE HIM FOR THE MEETING, ASKED THAT STAFF LOOK AT WHAT CAN BE DONE FOR FUTURE COUNCIL MEETINGS, THE PROSPECT OF HAVING EVENING MEETINGS AND WHAT OTHER CITIES THE SIZE OF BEAUMONT ARE DOING, THANKED EVERYONE FOR ATTENDING Open sess. of meeting r essed at 3:41 p.m. ir Roy est, ayor i is kor •.• s Tina Broussard, City Clerk 1 1 ik .1Sit koi:940. Minutes—May 16,2023