HomeMy WebLinkAboutFEBRUARY 25, 2025 REGULAR MEETING 9:30 AM THURMAN BILL BARTIE,MAYOR RONALD BURTON,CPM
DONEANE BECKCOM, City of CITY MANAGER
MAYOR PRO TEM
SHERRI BELLARD,TRMC
COUNCIL MEMBERS: CITY"SECRETARY
BAE
B LEWIS,JR. o r t rthur
TIFFANY L.HAMILTON EVERFIELD ROXANN PAIS COTRONEO
HAROLD L.DOUCET,SR. CITY ATTORNEY
THOMAS KINLAW,III
DONALD FRANK,SR.
AG EN DA
City Council
Regular Meeting
Tuesday, February 25, 2025
9:30 A.M . CT
The City Council Of The City Of Port Arthur Will Conduct The Regular Meeting
Scheduled For Tuesday, February 25, 2025 At 9:30 A.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: 876 7214 9339 And Passcode: 917560
(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
City Council Regular Meeting
City Hall Council Chamber
City Of Port Arthur
February 25, 2025
9:30 AM
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) Scott Jones Representative Of The Texas Community Watershed
Partners, Texas AgriLife Extension Service Regarding Clean Coast
Texas Program (CCT)
(2) Michael Walker Jr. Regarding A Proclamation For Kate L. Pate Walker
(3) Mrs. Joan Jones Regarding Eight (8) Hours Before Turning Off Water
At Home
(4) Ms. Ora Smith And Reverend Hardner Williams Regarding A Petition
To Mayor And Council (Consideration Of Diligence Offshore Services
LLC)
(5) Lewis E. Delk Of Delk Construction Regarding Unpaid Invoices
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AGENDA
FEBRUARY 25, 2025
III. PETITIONS & COMMUNICATIONS — CONTINUED
B. Presentations
(1) A Presentation By Vivian Ballou Regarding Affordable Housing
(Requested By Councilmember Lewis)
C. City Manager's Staff Reports — None
D. Employee Recognition — None
E. Correspondence — None
F. Discussions
(1) An Update Regarding The Pleasure Island Water Park (Requested By
Councilmember Doucet)
(2) A Discussion Regarding City Hall Answering Telephone Calls
(Requested By Councilmember Doucet)
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AGENDA
FEBRUARY 25, 2025
IV. PUBLIC HEARINGS — 10:00 A.M.
(1) A Public Hearing For The Purpose Of Receiving Public Comments And
To Discuss The Following:
The Proposed Adoption Of A Revised Ordinance Electing To
Participate In The Texas Enterprise Zone Program And Proposed Tax
Or Other Incentives That May Be Offered By The City Of Port Arthur
To Qualified Businesses
All Interested Parties Are Encouraged To Attend And Present Their
Views. For Additional Information, Contact Ms. Pamela Langford,
Assistant City Manager-Operations/Director Of Development
Services, At (409) 983-8136
The City Of Port Arthur Attempts To Make Its Meetings Accessible To
All Its Citizens. If You Require Auxiliary Aid, Please Notify The City
Secretary At (409) 983-8115, 24 Hours Before The Hearing
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;
(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;
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AGENDA
FEBRUARY 25, 2025
V. REPORTS / ITEMS OF COMMUNITY INTEREST
(LIMITED TO A TOTAL OF TWO (2) MINUTES PER
COUNCILMEMBER) — CONTINUED
(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 — NONE
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.
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lommony
AGENDA
FEBRUARY 25, 2025
VII. CONSENT AGENDA — CONTINUED
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:
National League Of Cities Conference (Approved Conference)
NLC University Sessions, March 8, 2025 $400.00
Hotel $361.00
Per Diem $69.00
Washington, DC
March 8 — 13, 2025 $830.00
B. Minutes — None
C. Resolutions — Consent
(1) P.R. No. 24116 — A Resolution Authorizing The City Manager To
Execute The Settlement Of A Physical Damage Claim In The Amount
Of $26,591.24 Made Against Texas Municipal League-
Intergovernmental Risk Pool (TML-IRP) As A Result Of Property
Damage To Drainage Unit #2080
(2) P.R. No. 24146 — A Resolution Authorizing The Second Year (First
Renewal) Of The Contract With Tri-Con, Inc. Of Beaumont, Texas
For The Purchase Of Gasoline And Ultra-Low Sulfur Diesel Fuel For
The Port Arthur Transit Department With An Annual Total Projected
Budgetary Impact Amount Of $90,000.00; Funds Are Available In
Transit Fuel And Lubrication Project TR2402 Account Nos. 401-70-
505-5230-00-60-000 ($46,093.00) And 401-70-510-5230-00-60-000
($10,000.00) For Gasoline; And 401-70-525-5230-00-60-000
($33,907.00 For Diesel)
AGENDA
FEBRUARY 25, 2025
VII. CONSENT AGENDA — CONTINUED
(3) P.R. No. 24153 — A Resolution Calling For A Public Hearing To
Consider A Zoning Map Amendment For 20.734 (Called 20.7365)
Acres Of Land, Part Of Lots 5, 6, & 7, Block 10, Range "H", Port
Arthur Land Company Subdivision, Port Arthur, Jefferson County,
Texas (Located Between Lake Arthur Drive And Staff Sergeant Lucian
Adams Drive And P.A.L.C.O. East Of 9th Avenue)
Z25-01
Alnoor Merani
(4) P.R. No. 24154 — A Resolution Calling For A Public Hearing To
Consider A Zoning Text Amendment To Appendix A, Section 3. Land
Uses, City Of Port Arthur Zoning Ordinance
Z25-02
City Of Port Arthur
(5) P.R. No. 24158 — A Resolution Calling For A Public Hearing To
Consider A Specific Use Permit For 0.4854 Acres Of Land Consisting
Of All Of Lots 18-20 And Part Of Lots 21-24, Block 24, Rosemont Park
Addition, Port Arthur, Jefferson County, Texas (3645 And 3635 39th
Street)
Z25-03
Faheem Hussain Khuwaja
(6) P.R. No. 24161 — A Resolution Authorizing The City Manager To
Execute The Settlement Of A Physical Damage Claim In The Amount
Of $13,610.87 Made Against Texas Municipal League-
Intergovernmental Risk Pool (TML-IRP) As A Result Of Property
Damage To Transit Unit #2295
(7) P.R. No. 24162 — A Resolution Authorizing The City Manager To
Execute The Settlement Of A Physical Damage Claim In The Amount
Of $10,691.02 Made Against Progressive Insurance As A Result Of
Property Damage To Police Unit #2264
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AGENDA
FEBRUARY 25, 2025
VII. CONSENT AGENDA — CONTINUED
(8) P.R. No. 24163 — A Resolution Authorizing The City Manager To
Execute The Second Year (First Renewal) Of The Contract With
Southeast Texas Building Services Of Nederland, Texas, For
Janitorial Services For The Port Arthur Health Department In The Not
To Exceed Annual Amount Of $91,200.00. Funds Budgeted In The
Health Department Other Contractual Account 001-23-061-5470-50-
000
(9) P.R. No. 24165 — A Resolution Authorizing The City Manager To
Approve Amendment Three To License Agreement 277 Entered Into
With Computer Information Systems, Inc. Via Resolution 98-135 To
Enable The Company To Continue To Support The Police Department
Computer Aided Dispatch (CAD) System On The New Hardware Per
Resolution #24-500 With No Additional Budgetary Impact
(10) P.R. No. 24171 — A Resolution Authorizing The City Manager To File
Applications With The Federal Transit Administration, An Operating
Administration Of The United States Department Of Transportation
For Federal Transportation Assistance Authorized By 49 U.S.C.
Chapter 53; Title 23, United States Code, Or Other Federal Statues
Administered By The Federal Transit Administration
(11) P.R. No. 24172 — A Resolution Authorizing The City Manager To
Purchase Fixed And Mobile License Plate Readers (LPR) From
Motorola Solutions, Inc. Of Houston, Texas In The Amount Of
$54,975.00; Funding Available Through The Fiscal Year 2025 Project
Safe Neighborhood Grant; Account No. 107-17-045-5240-00-30-000,
Project Code PSN2025
(12) P.R. No. 24177—A Resolution Authorizing The City Manager To Enter
Into A Special Road Use And Indemnity Agreement And Permit With
Duphil, Inc. Of Orange, Texas
AGENDA
FEBRUARY 25, 2025
VII. CONSENT AGENDA — CONTINUED
(13) P.R. No. 24185 —A Resolution Authorizing The City Manager To Issue
A Payment To The YMCA Of Southeast Texas In The Total Amount
Of$80,000.00 For Operations Of The West Side Development Center
As Agreed Upon In A Memorandum Of Understanding Between The
City Of Port Arthur And The YMCA. Funding Is Available In Civic
Center Department's Other Contractual Services Account No. 001-
15-043-5470-00-20-000
(14) P.R. No. 24186 — A Resolution Authorizing The City Manager To
Execute A Contract With SignatureGroup Of Port Neches, Texas For
Mold Remediation And Repairs At The El Vista Community Center
Through Region 5 Education Service Center Southeast Texas
Cooperative Purchasing Program Contract No. 20230404 In The
Amount Of $39,947.00. Funds Available In Civic Center CIP Account
Number 307-15-043-8512-00-10-000
(15) P.R. No. 24187 — A Resolution Of The City Of Port Arthur, Texas To
Rescind And Repeal Resolution No. 25-059 For Failure To Follow
Proper Legal Procedure In Compliance With Texas Local Government
Code, Chapters 501 And 504. Said Resolution Authorizing The Port
Arthur Economic Development Corporation To Enter Into A Contract
With GrantWorks Inc. To Identify And Prepare Grants In An Annual
Amount Not To Exceed $55,000.00
(16) P.R. No. 24188 — A Resolution Authorizing The Remaining Annual
Payments Of The Solid Waste Permit Fee For The Landfill To The
Texas Commission On Environmental Quality (TCEQ) With A
Projected Budgetary Impact Amount Of $90,000.00. Funding Is
Available In Account No. 403-50-320-5471-00-00-000
VIII. ITEMS REQUIRING INDIVIDUAL ACTION — NON-CONSENT
A. Resolutions — Non-Consent
(1) P.R. No. 24106 — A Resolution Authorizing The City Manager To
Negotiate The Road Reconstruction And Drainage Repairs Of San
Antonio Avenue Between 4th Street And Procter Street With Texas
Materials Of Beaumont, Texas
8
or—
AGENDA
FEBRUARY 25, 2025
VIII. ITEMS REQUIRING INDIVIDUAL ACTION — NON-CONSENT —
CONTINUED
(2) P.R. No. 24132 — A Resolution Authorizing The City Manager To
Purchase One (1) 2025 Cummins LET2 Garbage Truck With 31 YD
Sidewinder ASL For The Solid Waste — Garbage Division From Holt
Truck Center Of Houston, Texas, For $412,664.00. Funding Is
Available In The ARPA Program Account, 169-00-000-4510-00-00-
000
(3) P.R. No. 24133 — A Resolution Authorizing The City Manager To
Purchase Two (2) 2025 Peterbilt 567 Trash Trucks With Cummins
Chassis For The Solid Waste — Trash Division From Custom Truck
One Source Of Kansas City, Missouri, For $311,737.50 Each
($623,475.00 Total). Funding Of $587,336.00 Is Available In The
ARPA Program Account, 169-00-000-4510-00-00-000, And
$36,139.00 Is Available In The Solid Waste Trash Collection Motor
Vehicles Account, 403-50-305-8523-00-00-000
(4) P.R. No. 24159—A Resolution Authorizing The City Manager To Enter
Into Contract Negotiations With The Solco Group, LLC. Of Port
Arthur, Texas, To Complete Port Arthur Transit's (PAT) Pedestrian
Access To Transit Planning Study. Funding Is Available In Transit
Capital Account 401-70-530-8525-00-60-000, Other Contractual
Services
(5) P.R. No. 24164 — A Resolution Authorizing Quarterly Payments For
Applications, Hosting, Services And Support Fees To Tyler
Technologies For The Enterprise Resource Planning System For A
Period Of Twelve Months Not To Exceed A Total Amount Of
$465,857.72 To Be Divided Into Quarterly Payments. Funds Available
In The Information Technology Computer Programs Account No.
001-09-023-5450-00-10-000
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AGENDA
FEBRUARY 25, 2025
VIII. ITEMS REQUIRING INDIVIDUAL ACTION — NON-CONSENT —
CONTINUED
(6) P.R. No. 24169 — A Resolution Ratifying The City Manager's
Acceptance Of Grant Funds In The Amount Of $990,000.00 From
The 2019 United States Housing And Urban Development Block
Grant Disaster Recovery (CDBG-DR) Grant Fund 148 For The 9th
Avenue Restoration Project, With A Local Match Of $607,968.05 In
Capital Account: 307-21-053-8517-00-10-00 For A Total Project Cost
Of $1,597,969.00 Contingent Upon Approval Of A Budget
Amendment In Proposed Ordinance No. 7317
(7) P.R. No. 24170—A Resolution Authorizing The City Manager To Enter
Into A One-Year Contract With Ferguson Waterworks Of Humble,
Texas For The Purchase Of High-Density Polyethylene (HDPE) Pipe,
With An Annual Projected Budgetary Impact Of $100,000.00.
Funding In Water Utilities Account No. 410-40-220-5313-00-00-000,
Is Contingent Upon The Approval Of The Budget Amendment In
Proposed Ordinance No. 7317
(8) P.R. No. 24175 — A Resolution Authorizing The City Manager To
Reject All Bids For Staffing Agency For The City Of Port Arthur (P24-
052) For Temporary Staffing For The City Of Port Arthur And
Authorize The Purchasing Department To Revise The Bid
Specifications And Rebid
(9) P.R. No. 24176 — A Resolution Authorizing The City Manager To
Purchase One (1) 2025 Chevrolet Silverado 4500HD Truck From
Caldwell Country Chevrolet Of Caldwell, Texas Through BuyBoard
Contract No. 724-23 For The Water Utilities Department In The Total
Amount Not Exceed $72,993.00. Funds In Water And Wastewater
Capital Fund Account Nos. 405-40-215-8523-00-00-000
($36,497.00); And 405-40-220-8523-00-00-000 ($36,497.00), Is
Contingent Upon The Approval Of The Budget Amendment In
Proposed Ordinance No. 7317
(10) P.R. No. 24190 — A Resolution Of The City Of Port Arthur, Texas To
Repeal The City Council's Past Appointments Of Acting Assistant City
Secretaries And Assistant City Secretaries In Compliance With The
Charter Of The City Of Port Arthur, Texas
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AGENDA
FEBRUARY 25, 2025
VIII. ITEMS REQUIRING INDIVIDUAL ACTION — NON-CONSENT —
CONTINUED
(11) P.R. No. 24193 — A Resolution Authorizing The City Manager To
Execute A Contract Between The City Of Port Arthur And Argus
Talent Through TIPS Cooperative Contract No. 230703, With A
Projected Budgetary Amount Of $2,000,000.00 For The Purpose Of
Providing Temporary Employees For The City Of Port Arthur; Funding
Available In Various Departmental Accounts
(12) P.R. No. 24194 — A Resolution Disallowing Guests From Bringing
Alcohol Into The Civic Center For Hosted Events, Requiring All Events
With Alcohol To Have A TABC Licensed Vendor To Provide And Serve
Alcohol, And Implementing Measures To Enhance Public Safety And
Reduce Alcohol-Related Incidents At The Robert A. "Bob" Bowers
Civic Center Located At 3401 Cultural Center Drive, Port Arthur,
Texas 77642
(13) P.R. No. 24196 — A Resolution Rescheduling March 11, 2025
Regularly Scheduled Council Meeting To March 18, 2025
B. Ordinances — Non-Consent
(1) P.O. No. 7307 — An Ordinance Amending Ordinance No. 13-54 As It
Pertains To The City Council Of The City Of Port Arthur, Texas,
Ordaining The City's Participation In The Texas Enterprise Zone
Program Pursuant To The Texas Enterprise Zone Act, Chapter 2303,
Texas Government Code (ACT), Providing Tax Incentives,
Designating A Liaison For Communication With Interested Parties
(2) P.O. No. 7314 — A Ordinance Authorizing The City Manager To
Execute The Settlement Of A Physical Damage Claim In The Amount
Of $6,500.00 Made Against Texas Municipal League-
; Intergovernmental Risk Pool (TML-IRP) As A Result Of Property
Damage To Code Enforcement Unit #2037
j
AGENDA
FEBRUARY 25, 2025
VIII. ITEMS REQUIRING INDIVIDUAL ACTION — NON-CONSENT —
CONTINUED
(3) P.O. No. 7317 — An Appropriation Ordinance Amending The City Of
Port Arthur Budget For The Fiscal Year Beginning October 1, 2024
And Ending September 30, 2025, Increasing General Fund
Contingency (001) By $172,994.00 And Transferring That Amount
Thereby Increasing Water And Sewer Fund (410) By $100,000.00
And Water And Sewer Capital Fund (405) By $72,994.00 An Increase
In The CDBG-DR Grant Fund (148) By $990,000.00 And The Capital
Improvement Fund (307) By $607,969.00
(4) P.O. No. 7319 — An Ordinance Amending The Zoning Ordinance Of
The City Of Port Arthur By Changing The Zoning From Commercial
General To Medium Density Residential On Approximately 179.73-
Acre Tracts Of Land Being Out Of LaFitte's Landing 1 And 2, D.
Gahagen, Berwick Manor, And Breeden Duhamel Subdivision, And
Consisting Of Lot 7 Thru Lot 10, LaFitte's Landing, Jefferson County,
Texas. Lot 1 Thru Lot 66, LaFitte's Landing 2, Jefferson County,
Texas. Lot 1 & 2, Breeden Duhamel, Lot 1 BLK 1 & Lot 2 BLK 2,
Berwick Manor. TR 84 123, TR 1-A-1-A Replat TR 1-A-1 Replat Of TR
91 AB 123, TR 94 123, TR 96 TR 97 123,TR 99 Replat TR 1 123, TR
100 Replat TR 2, TR 101 Replat TR 3-A & 3-B 123, TR 102 Replat TR
4 123TR A Replat Of TR 105 123, TR 107-A & 107-B Thru TR 117
123, D. Gahagen, Jefferson County, Texas (Violation Of Any
Provision Of This Ordinance Shall Be Guilty Of A Misdemeanor And
Shall Be Punished By A Fine Not Exceeding $2,000.00, As Provided
In Chapter 1, Section 1-13 Of The Code Of Ordinances, And Each
Day Which Violation Is Permitted To Exist Shall Constitute A Separate
And Distinct Offense.); And Providing For Publication In The Official
Newspaper Of The City Of Port Arthur And Effective Immediately
After Publication Date
Z24-09
City Of Port Arthur
Planning & Zoning Commission
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AGENDA
FEBRUARY 25, 2025
IX. *CLOSED MEETING (EXECUTIVE SESSION)
In Order To Comply With The Requirements Of Section 551.101 Of Chapter
551 (Open Meetings Law) Of The Texas Government Code [Formerly Article
6252-17, Section 2(a)], Prior To Going Into Closed Meeting The Presiding
Officer Of The City Should Make The Following Public Announcement:
"A Closed Meeting Or Executive Session Will Now Be Held Pursuant To The
Following Sections Of Chapter 551 Texas Government Code":
Section 551.071 — Litigation And/Or Legal Advice
Section 551.072 — Land
Section 551.073 — Negotiated Contracts For Prospective Gifts To The City
Section 551.074 — Personnel
Section 551.076 — Security Personnel Or Devices
Section 551.087 — Deliberations Regarding Economic Development
Incentives
Closed Meeting:
(1) Section 551.071 Of The Texas Open Meetings Act To Meet With Its
Attorney To Seek Legal Advice On A Matter In Which The Duty Of
The Attorney To The City Council Under The Texas Disciplinary Rules
Of Professional Conduct Of The State Bar Of Texas Clearly Conflicts
With The Texas Open Meetings Act Relating To:
(a) Ground Lease By Diligence Offshore Services LLC From The
City For Certain Tracts Containing Approximately 13.79 Acres,
600 Acres And 1360.5 Acres Located On Pleasure Island For
The Development, Construction And Operation Of Wind And
Solar Energy Generation Facilities
(b) Collective Bargaining With The Port Arthur Police Association
(c) Past Appointments Of Acting City Secretaries And Assistant
City Secretaries
(d) Pleasure Island Buildings A & B
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AGENDA
FEBRUARY 25, 2025
IX. *CLOSED MEETING (EXECUTIVE SESSION) — CONTINUED
(2) Section 551.087 — To Discuss Economic Development Negotiations
(a) Ground Lease By Diligence Offshore Services LLC From The
City For Certain Tracts Containing Approximately 13.79 Acres,
600 Acres And 1360.5 Acres Located On Pleasure Island For
The Development, Construction And Operation Of Wind And
Solar Energy Generation Facilities
(b) Pleasure Island Buildings A & B
(3) Section 551.074 — To Discuss Personnel
(a) The Duties, Responsibilities And Evaluations Of The City
Attorney, City Manager And City Secretary (Requested By
Mayor Bartie)
*The Items In Executive Session May Be Discussed And Acted On
In Open Session
X. WORKSHOP
(1) Council Budget Briefing Regarding Fiscal Year 2025-2026
(2) Wind Turbine Proposal Agreement (Requested By Councilmember
Lewis)
XI. 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 February 26, 2025.
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
***************************************************
14
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 Reauestina 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).