HomeMy WebLinkAboutSEPTEMBER 24, 2024 REGULAR MEETING 5_30 PMTHURMAN BILL BARTIE, MAYOR RONALD BURTON, CPM DONEANE BECKCOM, CITY MANAGER MAYOR PRO TEM SHERRI BELLARD, TRMC COUNCIL MEMBERS: CITY SECRETARY WILLIE BAE LEWIS, JR. TIFFANY L. HAMILTON EVERFIELD ROXANN PAIS COTRONEO HAROLD L. DOUCET, SR. CITY ATTORNEY THOMAS KINLAW, III DONALD FRANK, SR. AGENDA
City Council
Regular Meeting
Tuesday, September 24, 2024
5:30 P.M. CT
The City Council Of The City Of Port Arthur Will Conduct The Regular Meeting
Scheduled For Tuesday, September 24, 2024 At 5:30 P.M. CT, By Telephonic And
Videoconference In Addition To Allowing In Person Attendance. A Quorum Of
The City Council Will Be Physically Present In The City Council Chamber, Fifth Floor,
City Hall, 444 Fourth Street Port Arthur, Texas. The Public May Participate In The
Meeting In Person Or By Dialing One Of The Following Toll-Free Numbers And Entering
The Meeting ID: 864 0791 0836 And Passcode: 011298
(877) 853-5247 US Toll Free
(888) 788-0099 US Toll Free In Compliance With The Americans With Disabilities Act, The City Of Port Arthur Will
Provide For Reasonable Accommodations For Persons Attending City Council Meetings. To Better Serve You, Requests Should Be Received 24 Hours Prior To The Meeting.
Please Contact The City Secretary’s Office, At (409) 983-8115.
Website: http://www.portarthurtx.gov
1
City Council Regular Meeting
City Hall Council Chamber
City Of Port Arthur
September 24, 2024
5:30 PM
PLEASE TURN OFF OR MUTE ALL MOBILE DEVICES
I. INVOCATION, PLEDGE & ROLL CALL
Mayor Bartie _____
Mayor Pro Tem Beckcom _____
Councilmember Lewis, Jr. _____
Councilmember Hamilton Everfield _____
Councilmember Doucet, Sr. _____
Councilmember Kinlaw, III _____
Councilmember Frank, Sr. _____
City Manager Burton, CPM _____
City Secretary Bellard, TRMC _____
City Attorney Pais Cotroneo _____
Police Chief Duriso Or Designee _____
II. PROCLAMATIONS
Proclamations
III. PETITIONS & COMMUNICATIONS
A. Speakers
(1) Charles Prince Of The Family Heirloom Private Foundation Regarding
Public Private Partnership
(2) Joan Jones Regarding The Pay Scale Of Water Bills
(3) Kelly Anderson Regarding Nuisance Property
B. Presentations – None
C. City Manager’s Staff Reports – None
D. Employee Recognition – None
2
AGENDA
SEPTEMBER 24, 2024
III. PETITIONS & COMMUNICATIONS – CONTINUED
E. Correspondence – None
F. Discussions
(1) A Discussion Regarding A Status Update On The Animal Shelter
Project And Construction Zone (Requested By Councilmember
Kinlaw)
(2) A Discussion Regarding An Update On Status Of The 19th Street
Drainage Project (Requested By Councilmember Lewis)
(3) A Discussion Regarding Security At The Pleasure Island Marina
(Requested By Mayor Pro Tem Beckcom)
(4) A Discussion Regarding An Updated Water Utility Budget And The
Expected Impact Of Unfunded Projects (Requested By
Councilmember Hamilton Everfield)
3
AGENDA
SEPTEMBER 24, 2024
IV. PUBLIC HEARINGS – 6:00 P.M.
To Receive And Consider Public Comment(s) For All Interested Citizens With
Regard To The City Of Port Arthur’s Proposed Tax Rate For The 2024 Tax
Year
A Tax Rate Of $0.626272 Per $100 Valuation Has Been Proposed By The
Governing Body Of City Of Port Arthur
PROPOSED TAX RATE $0.626272 per $100
NO-NEW REVENUE TAX RATE $0.585995 per $100
VOTER-APPROVAL TAX RATE $0.626272 per $100
The No-New-Revenue Tax Rate Is The Tax Rate For The 2024 Tax Year
That Will Raise The Same Amount Of Property Tax Revenue For City Of Port
Arthur From The Same Properties In Both The 2023 Tax Year And The 2024
Tax Year
The Voter-Approval Rate Is The Highest Tax Rate That City Of Port Arthur
May Adopt Without Holding An Election To Seek Voter Approval Of The Tax
Rate
The Proposed Tax Rate Is Greater Than The No-New-Revenue Tax Rate.
This Means That City Of Port Arthur Is Proposing To Increase Property
Taxes For The 2024 Tax Year
The Public Will Also Be Able To View The Public Hearing Via The City’s
Website At www.portarthurtx.gov
V. REPORTS / ITEMS OF COMMUNITY INTEREST
(LIMITED TO A TOTAL OF TWO (2) MINUTES PER
COUNCILMEMBER)
Pursuant To 551.0415 Of The Texas Government Code, The Mayor And
Council May Make Announcements Regarding Items Of Community
Interest, Which Include The Following:
(1) Expressions Of Thanks, Congratulations, Or Condolence;
(2) Information Regarding Holiday Schedules;
4
AGENDA
SEPTEMBER 24, 2024
V. REPORTS / ITEMS OF COMMUNITY INTEREST
(LIMITED TO A TOTAL OF TWO (2) MINUTES PER
COUNCILMEMBER) – CONTINUED
(3) An Honorary Or Salutary Recognition Of A Public Official, Public
Employee, Or Other Citizen, Except That A Discussion Regarding A
Change In The Status Of A Person's Public Office Or Public
Employment Is Not An Honorary Or Salutary Recognition For
Purposes Of This Subdivision;
(4) A Reminder About An Upcoming Event Organized Or Sponsored By
The Governing Body;
(5) Information Regarding A Social, Ceremonial, Or Community Event
Organized Or Sponsored By An Entity Other Than The Governing
Body That Was Attended Or Is Scheduled To Be Attended By A
Member Of The Governing Body Or An Official Or Employee Of The
Political Subdivision; And
(6) Announcements Involving An Imminent Threat To The Public Health
And Safety Of People In The Political Subdivision That Has Arisen
After The Posting Of The Agenda
**Possible Action May Not Be Discussed In Conjunction With The
Information Provided In The Report
VI. UNFINISHED BUSINESS
(1) P.R. No. 23906 – A Resolution Appointing And/Or Reappointing
Members To The Port Arthur Coalition For Homeless Advisory Board
(Requested By Mayor Pro Tem Beckcom)
5
AGENDA
SEPTEMBER 24, 2024
VII. CONSENT AGENDA
NOTICE TO THE PUBLIC: The Following Items Are Of A Routine Or
Administrative Nature. The Council Has Been Furnished With Background
And Support Material On Each Item, And/Or It Has Been Discussed At A
Previous Meeting. All Items Will Be Acted Upon By One Vote Without Being
Discussed Separately Unless Requested By A Council Member Or A Citizen,
In Which Event The Item Or Items Will Immediately Be Withdrawn For
Individual Consideration In Its Normal Sequence After The Items Not
Requiring Separate Discussion Have Been Acted Upon.
A. Travel Request / Travel Expense Reports
Request For Pre-Approval Of Travel Pursuant To 78-269 (b)(8) Of The Code
Of Ordinances (ORD 18-63)
(A1) Mayor Thurman Bartie:
Texas Municipal League Conference (Approved Conference)
Texas Association Of Black City Council Members
Membership Dues
Houston, Texas
October 9 - 11, 2024 $125.00
B. Minutes – None
C. Resolutions
(1) P.R. No. 23889 – A Resolution Authorizing The Port Arthur Economic
Development Corporation To Accept A Proposal From Preferred
Facilities Group – USA For The Facade Repairs To The Building At
501 Procter Street, Through The Buy Board Texas Cooperative
Purchasing Program, Contract No. 728-24 For An Amount Not To
Exceed $9,039.34; Funds Available In EDC Account No. 120-80-625-
5312-00-00-000
6
AGENDA
SEPTEMBER 24, 2024
VII. CONSENT AGENDA – CONTINUED
(2) P.R. No. 23908 – A Resolution Authorizing The City Manager To
Execute A Service Order With ClearGov Of Maynard, Massachusetts
For The Purchase Of Budgeting, Transparency, And Financial
Reporting Subscription Services Through BuyBoard Cooperative
Purchase Contract 692-23 In The Amount Of $48,204.00 For Fiscal
Year 2025; Funding Available From The Information Technology
Department In General Fund Account No. 001-09-023-5450-00-10-
000
(3) P.R. No. 23917 – A Resolution Amending The City Of Port Arthur
Community Benefits Plan (CBP) Policy
(4) P.R. No. 23918 – A Resolution Authorizing The City Manager To
Execute An Industrial District Agreement With Veolia ES Technical
Solutions, L.L.C.
(5) P.R. No. 23929 – A Resolution Ratifying The City Manager's Decision
To Approve The Engagement Of An Additional Trash Collection
Contractor, Aftermath Disaster Recovery, Inc. Of Prosper, Texas,
With A Not-To-Exceed Budgetary Impact Of $54,424.00. Funding Is
Available In The ARPA Revenue Loss - Garbage Collection Support
Account, ARP010-GRE-RNT
(6) P.R. No. 23930 – A Resolution Authorizing The City Manager To
Participate In The Grant Application Process For The Texas Water
Development Board’s (TWDB) Drinking Water State Revolving Fund
(DWSRF) Lead Service Line Replacement (LSLR) Program. Funding
Appropriation Will Be Required If The Application Is Selected For An
Award. The Funds Will Be Provided With 51% Principal Forgiveness
And 49% As A Loan
VIII. ITEMS REQUIRING INDIVIDUAL ACTION – NON-CONSENT
A. Resolutions – Non-Consent
(1) P.R. No. 23913 – A Resolution Appointing And/Or Reappointing A
Member Or Members To The Port Arthur Police Chief Advisory
Committee (Requested By Councilmember Hamilton Everfield)
7
AGENDA
SEPTEMBER 24, 2024
VIII. ITEMS REQUIRING INDIVIDUAL ACTION – NON-CONSENT –
CONTINUED
(2) P.R. No. 23920 – A Resolution Authorizing The City Manager To
Execute A Commercial Refuse Disposal Contract Between The City
Of Port Arthur, Texas And Beckett & Beckett, Inc. Of Orange, Texas
For The Purpose Of Disposing Of Refuse At The City's Sanitary
Landfill
(3) P.R. No. 23921 – A Resolution Authorizing The City Manager To
Execute A Commercial Refuse Disposal Contract Between The City
Of Port Arthur, Texas And Gulf Waste CES Of Lake Charles, Louisiana
For The Purpose Of Disposing Of Refuse At The City's Sanitary
Landfill
(4) P.R. No. 23922 – A Resolution Authorizing The City Manager To
Execute Contracts Between Its Third Party Administrator (Blue Cross
And Blue Shield Of Texas, Inc.) For The City Of Port Arthur's Blue
Cross Medicare Advantage PPO And Prescription Drug Plan For Its
Medicare Eligible Retirees And/Or Medicare Eligible Dependent(s),
And Authorizing The City Manager To Execute All Documents. Fund
No: 614-11-025-5127-00-00-00 (Health Insurance Fund)
(5) P.R. No. 23923 – A Resolution Authorizing The City Manager To
Execute Contracts Between Its Third-Party Administrator
(Administrative Services Only) For The City Of Port Arthur Group
Medical, Dental Insurance, Basic Life, Basic Accidental Death And
Dismemberment, And Excess Loss Indemnity With Blue Cross And
Blue Shield Of Texas, Inc. Fund No: 614 (Health Insurance)
(6) P.R. No. 23927 – A Resolution Rescheduling The October 8, 2024
Regularly Scheduled Council Meeting (Requested By Mayor Bartie)
(7) P.R. No. 23931 – A Resolution Nominating A Member And/Or
Members To The Board Of Directors Of The Jefferson Central
Appraisal District For The 2025 And 2025-2027 Term
(8) P.R. No. 23932 – A Resolution Appointing And/Or Reappointing
Member(s) To The Zoning Board Of Adjustment
8
AGENDA
SEPTEMBER 24, 2024
VIII. ITEMS REQUIRING INDIVIDUAL ACTION – NON-CONSENT –
CONTINUED
B. Ordinances – Non-Consent
(1) P.O. No. 7254 – An Ordinance Authorizing The Sale Of A 1.417 Acre
Tract Of City-Owned Vacant Land, Identified As Parcel No. 268047
(Tract 7B), Located At Port Plaza Drive And Medical Center
Boulevard, And Further Authorizing The City Manager To Execute A
Special Warranty Deed For The Conveyance
(2) P.O. No. 7266 – An Appropriation Ordinance Adopting A Budget For
The Ensuing Fiscal Year Beginning October 1, 2024 And Ending
September 30, 2025, In Accordance With Section 7, Article XII Of
The Charter Of The City Of Port Arthur
(3) P.O. No. 7267 – An Appropriation Ordinance Approving And Adopting
A Budget For The City Of Port Arthur Section 4A Economic
Development Corporation For The Ensuing Fiscal Year Beginning
October 1, 2024 And Ending September 30, 2025 In Accordance With
Section 12.03 Of The Bylaws Of The Corporation
(4) P.O. No. 7268 – An Ordinance Adopting A Tax Rate For The Tax Year
2024 (Fiscal Year October 1, 2024 – September 30, 2025)
(5) P.O. No. 7269 – An Ordinance Approving The 2024 Tax Roll For The
Use And Support Of The Municipal Government Of The City Of Port
Arthur, Texas; And Providing For The Interest And Sinking Fund And
Apportioning Each Levy For A Specific Purpose
(6) P.O. No. 7282 – An Ordinance Of The City Of Port Arthur, Texas
Denying The Statement Of Intent Of Texas Gas Service Company, A
Division Of One Gas, Inc. To Increase Rates In The In Corporated
Areas Of The Central-Gulf Service Area; Requiring Reimbursement
Of Municipal Rate Case Expenses; Finding That The Meeting
Complies With The Open Meetings Act; And Declaring An Effective
Date For This Ordinance
9
AGENDA
SEPTEMBER 24, 2024
IX. ADJOURNMENT OF MEETING
***************************************************
NOTE: If The Meeting Extends Past 11:59 PM, The City Council May Elect
To Recess The Meeting And Reconvene At 9:30 AM On September 25, 2024.
During The Recess, No Action Will Be Taken On Any Item Of Remaining
Business And No Executive Sessions Will Be Held To Discuss Any Matters,
All In Accordance With The Open Meetings Law
***************************************************
RULES OF DECORUM – PERSONS ADDRESSING COUNCIL & AUDIENCE MEMBERS
1. Recognition by Presiding Officer. No person shall address the Council without first being recognized by the
Presiding Officer.
2. Speaking Procedure; Limitation on discussion and questioning. Each person addressing the Council shall step up to the microphone provided for the use of the public and give his name and address in an audible tone of voice for the records, state that subject he wishes to discuss, state whom he is representing if he represents an organization or other person, and unless further time is granted by majority vote of the Council, shall limit his remarks to five (5) minutes. All remarks shall be addressed to the Council as a whole and not to any member thereof. No person other than members of the Council and the person having the floor shall be permitted to
enter into any discussion, whether directly or through a member of the Council, without the permission of the
Presiding Officer.
3. Improper References, Disorderly Conduct By Person Addressing The Council; Any person making, expressly or impliedly, personal, impertinent, slanderous, derogatory, discourteous, snide, or profane remarks or who willfully utters loud, threatening or abusive language, or engages, in any disorderly conduct which would impede, disrupt, or disturb the orderly conduct, the order by the Presiding Officer, and if such conduct continues, may, at the discretion of the Presiding Officer, be ordered barred from further audience before the Council during that Meeting.
4. Addresses After Motion Made or Public Hearing Closed. After a motion has been made or a public hearing has been closed, no member of the public shall address the Council from the audience on the matter under consideration without first securing permission to do so by majority vote of the City Council. 5. Campaign Speeches Prohibited. No persons will be allowed to address the City Council by making campaign speeches for or against any candidate who has announced or does announce his intention to run, or issue already ordered on a ballot for election.
6. Disorderly Conduct. No person in the audience shall engage in disorderly conduct such as hand clapping,
stamping of feet, whistling, using profane language, yelling, and similar demonstrations, which conduct
disturbs the peace and good order of the meeting. 7. Limitations on Use of Supplemental Lighting. Limitations on use of supplemental lighting for television and motion picture cameras to create the least amount of interference with or disturbance of Council proceedings and/or discomfort to the public. 8. Persons Having Complaints, Allegations, or Charges Against Individual City Employees. No person shall make any complaint, specific allegation, or charge against an individual City Employee by name in a public meeting
unless he first shows that he has pursued appropriate administrative channels.
ENFORCEMENT OF DECORUM
Warning. All persons shall at the request of the Presiding Officer, be silent.
Removal. If, after receiving a warning from the Presiding Officer, a person persists in disturbing the meeting, such Officer may order him to remove himself from the meeting. If he does not remove himself, the Presiding Officer may order the Sergeant-at-arms to remove him.
Resisting Removal. Any person who resists removal by the Sergeant-at-arms shall be charged with violating V.T.C.A,
Penal Code 42.05.
Motions To Enforce. Any Councilmember may move to require the Presiding Officer to enforce this division, and the affirmative vote of a majority of the Council shall require him to do so. RULES OF PROCEDURE
The City Secretary shall make public, in accordance with the Texas Open Meetings Law, an agenda containing all business to be discussed at a meeting of the City Council. Persons Requesting To Be Heard On Agenda Items (1) Residents. Any resident who wishes to address the Council on
any matter may do so by notifying the City Secretary in accordance with the Texas Open Meetings Law. (2)
Nonresidents. Any nonresident wishing to address the Council shall notify the City Secretary and specify his interest in the matter being considered. The City Secretary shall present such request to the Presiding Officer for approval before placing the name on the Agenda. Specific Agenda Items. After a motion, second and discussion by the City Council on any specific agenda item, and before a vote is taken, the Presiding Officer shall recognize any citizen in the audience wishing to address the council
on such item, who shall be permitted to address the Council thereon for a period of three (3) minutes. “Specific Agenda
Items” are defined as any item specified on the Notice of Meeting posted for purposes of the Texas Open Meetings Law and which becomes the subject of a motion before the Council. This is an abridged version of the City of Port Arthur Code of Ordinances Article II, Sec. 2-75 (a).