HomeMy WebLinkAboutMINUTES 08/26/2025 REGULAR MEETING REGULAR MEETING — AUGUST 26, 2025
I. INVOCATION, PLEDGE & ROLL CALL
Councilmember Hamilton Everfield gave the invocation, followed with the pledge to the
flag.
The City Council of the City of Port Arthur met in Regular Session on Tuesday, August
26, 2025 at 5:38 p.m. in the City Council Chamber, City Hall, with the following
members present: Mayor Charlotte Moses; Mayor Pro Tern Harold Doucet;
Councilmembers Willie "Bae" Lewis, Tiffany Hamilton Everfield, Doneane Beckcom,
Thomas Kinlaw, III. and Donald Frank, Sr.; City Manager Ron Burton; City Secretary
Sherri Bellard; City Attorney Roxann Pais Cotroneo and Sergeant At Arms Police Chief
Tim Duriso.
II. PROCLAMATIONS
Proclamations - NONE
III. PETITIONS & COMMUNICATIONS
A. Speakers
(1) Davon Chargois Of Lamar University, Regarding An Update
On Resolution Number 24-212, Repurposing The Palms At The
Pleasure Island Golf Course
Davon Chargois, 2431 4th Street, appeared before the City Council to discuss the above-
mentioned topic.
(2) Joann Jones Regarding Exercise Tracks For Local Parks
Joann Jones, 640 E 12th Street, appeared before the City Council to discuss the above-
mentioned topic.
B. Presentations — None
C. City Manager's Staff Reports
(1) A Progress Report By Staff Regarding The Animal Shelter
Anthony Mitchell gave the above-mentioned report.
Code Compliance Officer Darlene Thomas-Pierre appeared before the City Council to
answer inquiries regarding the new animal shelter.
D. Employee Recognition - None
E. Correspondence - None
F. Discussion
(1) Discussion And Possible Action Regarding Parliamentary
Procedures (Requested By Mayor Pro Tem Doucet)
Discussion was held with no action taken.
IV. PUBLIC HEARING(S) — 6:00 P.M. — None
V. REPORTS / ITEMS OF COMMUNITY INTEREST
(LIMITED TO A TOTAL OF TWO (2) MINUTES PER
COUNCILM EMBER) — None
VI. UNFINISHED BUSINESS — None
VII. CONSENT AGENDA
Upon the motion of Councilmember Hamilton Everfield, seconded by Councilmember
Frank and carried, the following Consent Agenda items were adopted with the
exception of Proposed Resolutions No. 24486 and 24488;
Voting Yes: Mayor Bartie; Mayor Pro Tern Doucet; Councilmembers Lewis, Hamilton
Everfield, Beckcom, Kinlaw and Frank.
Voting No: None.
A. Travel Expense Reports — None
B. Minutes — None
C. Resolutions — Consent
(3) P.R. No. 24490 — A Resolution Authorizing The Purchase Of
A 2025 Ford F-150 XL 4X4 Super Cab Truck For The Port
Arthur Economic Development Corporation From Town And
Country Ford Of Port Arthur, Texas, In The Amount Of
$49,070.77; Funding Available In Account No. 120-80-625-
8523-00-00-000 (Motor Vehicles)
Proposed Resolution No. 24490 was adopted, becoming Resolution No. 25-359
(4) P.R. No. 24491 — A Resolution Authorizing The City Of Port
Arthur Fire Department To Apply For The 2025 Motiva First
Responders Grant With No Cash Match Requirement
Proposed Resolution No. 24491 was adopted, becoming Resolution No. 25-360
VIII. ITEMS REQUIRING INDIVIDUAL ACTION — NON-CONSENT
Consent - Resolutions
(1) P.R. No. 24486 — A Resolution Ratifying The Action Of The
City Manager In Submitting An Application For The Fiscal
Year 2025 Port Security Grant Program Administered By
The U.S. Department Of Homeland Security In The Amount
Of $173,013.99, And Approving A 25 Percent Cash Match In
The Amount Of $43,253.49
The Mayor introduced the above-mentioned Proposed Resolution.
The motion was made by Councilmember Doucet and seconded by Councilmember
Hamilton Everfield that Proposed Resolution No. 24486 be adopted.
City Consultant Hani Tohme appeared before the City Council to answer inquiries
regarding the above-mentioned topic.
Voting Yes: Mayor Moses; Mayor Pro Tern Doucet; Councilmembers Lewis, Hamilton
Everfield, Beckcom, Kinlaw and Frank.
City Council Minutes
Regular Meeting —August 26, 2025 2
Voting No: None.
Proposed Resolution No. 24486 was adopted, becoming Resolution No. 25-358.
The caption of Resolution No. 25-362 reads as follows:
RESOLUTION NO. 25-358
A RESOLUTION RATIFYING THE ACTION OF
THE CITY MANAGER IN SUBMITTING AN
APPLICATION FOR THE FISCAL YEAR 2025
PORT SECURITY GRANT PROGRAM
ADMINISTERED BY THE U.S. DEPARTMENT OF
HOMELAND SECURITY IN THE AMOUNT OF
$173,013.99, AND APPROVING A 25 PERCENT
CASH MATCH IN THE AMOUNT OF $43,253.49
(2) P.R. No. 24488 — A Resolution Of The City Council Of The
City Of Port Arthur Ratifying The Port Arthur Economic
Development Corporation's Acceptance Of A Proposal From
Industrial And Commercial Maintenance (ICM) Of
Beaumont, Texas To Furnish And Install 2 Circuits, 2
Compressors, Compressor Contactors, And 2 Fan Contactors
For The HVAC Unit At 501 Procter Street, At A Cost Not To
Exceed $21,903.09, Funds Available 120-80-625-5318-00-
00-000 (Equipment Maintenance)
The Mayor introduced the above-mentioned Proposed Resolution.
The motion was made by Councilmember Kinlaw and seconded by Councilmember
Doucet that Proposed Resolution No. 24488 be adopted.
Interim Director of the EDC Cystal Muller appeared before the City Council to answer
inquiries regarding the above-mentioned topic.
Voting Yes: Mayor Moses; Mayor Pro Tem Doucet; Councilmembers Lewis, Hamilton
Everfield, Beckcom, Kinlaw and Frank.
Voting No: None.
Proposed Resolution No. 24488 was adopted, becoming Resolution No. 25-362
The caption of Resolution No. 25-362 reads as follows:
RESOLUTION NO. 25-362
A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE
CITY OF PORT ARTHUR RATIFYING THE PORT
ARTHUR ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT
CORPORATION'S ACCEPTANCE OF A PROPOSAL
FROM INDUSTRIAL AND COMMERCIAL
MAINTENANCE (ICM) OF BEAUMONT, TEXAS
TO FURNISH AND INSTALL 2 CIRCUITS, 2
COMPRESSORS, COMPRESSOR CONTACTORS,
AND 2 FAN CONTACTORS FOR THE HVAC UNIT
AT 501 PROCTER STREET, AT A COST NOT TO
EXCEED $21,903.09, FUNDS AVAILABLE 120-
80-625-5318-00-00-000 (EQUIPMENT
MAINTENANCE)
City Council Minutes
Regular Meeting — August 26, 2025 3
A. Resolutions
(1) P.R. No. 24288 — A Resolution Authorizing The City
Manager To Execute A Contract With The Solco Group, LLC.
Of Port Arthur, Texas To Complete Port Arthur Transit's
(PAT) Pedestrian Access To Transit Planning Study In The
Amount Not To Exceed $250,000.00. Funding Is Available
In Transit Capital Account 401-70-500-5470-00-60-000,
Other Contractual Services With An 80% Federal
($200,000.00) And 20% Local Match ($50,000.00), Subject
To FY26 Budget Approval
The Mayor introduced the above-mentioned Proposed Resolution.
The motion was made by Councilmember Frank and seconded by Councilmember
Kinlaw that Proposed Resolution No. 24288 be adopted.
Director of Transit, Ivan Mitchell, appeared before the City Council to answer inquiries
regarding the above-mentioned topic.
Voting Yes: Mayor Moses; Mayor Pro Tern Doucet; Councilmembers Lewis, Hamilton
Everfield, Beckcom, Kinlaw and Frank.
Voting No: None.
Proposed Resolution No. 24288 was adopted, becoming Resolution No. 25-363
The caption of Resolution No. 25-363 reads as follows:
RESOLUTION NO. 25-363
A RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING THE CITY
MANAGER TO EXECUTE A CONTRACT WITH THE
SOLCO GROUP, LLC. OF PORT ARTHUR, TEXAS
TO COMPLETE PORT ARTHUR TRANSIT'S (PAT)
PEDESTRIAN ACCESS TO TRANSIT PLANNING
STUDY IN THE AMOUNT NOT TO EXCEED
$250,000.00. FUNDING IS AVAILABLE IN
TRANSIT CAPITAL ACCOUNT 401-70-500-
5470-00-60-000, OTHER CONTRACTUAL
SERVICES WITH AN 80% FEDERAL
($200,000.00) AND 20% LOCAL MATCH
($50,000.00), SUBJECT TO FY26 BUDGET
APPROVAL
(2) P.R. No. 24473 — A Resolution Nominating A Member
And/Or Members To The Board Of Directors Of The Orange
County Appraisal District For The 2026 — 2029 Term
The Mayor introduced the above-mentioned Proposed Resolution.
The motion was made by Councilmember Hamilton Everfield and seconded by
Councilmember Frank that Proposed Resolution No. 24473 be adopted.
Transit Director Ivan Mitchell appeared before the City Council to answer inquiries
regarding the above-mentioned topic.
City Council Minutes
Regular Meeting —August 26, 2025 4
The motion was made by Councilmember Doucet and seconded by Councilmember
Kinlaw that Proposed Resolution No. 24473 be tabled.
Voting Yes: Mayor Bartie; Mayor Pro Tern Beckcom; Councilmembers Lewis, Hamilton
Everfield, Doucet, Kinlaw and Frank.
Voting No: None.
Proposed Resolution No. 24473 was tabled.
(3) P.R. No. 24474 — A Resolution Authorizing The City
Manager To Execute A Contract With The Solco Group, LLC
Of Port Arthur, Texas For Engineering And Design Services
For The City Of Port Arthur's Phase IV Reconstruction And
Drainage Repairs At 101 H.O. Mills Boulevard In The
Amount Of $137,732.60; Funding Is Available In Account
No. 307-13-037-8525-00-10-000, Project B00010
The Mayor introduced the above-mentioned Proposed Resolution.
The motion was made by Mayor Pro Tern Doucet and seconded by Councilmember
Kinlaw that Proposed Resolution No. 24474 be adopted.
Transit Director Ivan Mitchell appeared before the City Council to answer inquiries
regarding the above-mentioned topic.
Voting Yes: Mayor Moses; Mayor Pro Tern Doucet; Councilmembers Lewis, Hamilton
Everfield, Beckcom, Kinlaw and Frank.
Voting No: None.
Proposed Resolution No. 24474 was adopted, becoming Resolution No. 25-364
The caption of Resolution No. 25-364 reads as follows:
RESOLUTION NO. 25-364
A RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING THE CITY
MANAGER TO EXECUTE A CONTRACT WITH THE
SOLCO GROUP, LLC OF PORT ARTHUR, TEXAS
FOR ENGINEERING AND DESIGN SERVICES
FOR THE CITY OF PORT ARTHUR'S PHASE IV
RECONSTRUCTION AND DRAINAGE REPAIRS
AT 101 H.O. MILLS BOULEVARD IN THE
AMOUNT OF $137,732.60; FUNDING IS
AVAILABLE IN ACCOUNT NO. 307-13-037-
8525-00-10-000, PROJECT B00010
(4) P.R. No. 24479 — A Resolution Awarding A Bid And
Authorizing The City Manager To Enter Into An Agreement
With PaveCon Ltd, Of Houston, Texas, Through BuyBoard
Cooperative Contract Number 700-23 For The
Rehabilitation Of Redbird Street, Extending From Green
Avenue To Jefferson Drive For An Amount Not To Exceed
$678,349.66. Funds Are Available In Capital Improvements
Project Account 307-21-053-8517-00-10-000
The Mayor introduced the above-mentioned Proposed Resolution.
City Council Minutes
Regular Meeting —August 26, 2025 5
The motion was made by Councilmember Doucet and seconded by Councilmember
Kinlaw that Proposed Resolution No. 24479 be adopted.
Purchasing Director Clifton Wlliams, Utility Operations Director Calvin Matthews and City
the Engineer appeared before the City Council to answer inquiries regarding the above-
mentioned topic.
Voting Yes: Mayor Moses; Councilmembers Lewis, Hamilton Everfield, Beckcom,
Kinlaw and Frank.
Voting No: Mayor Pro Tern Doucet
Proposed Resolution No. 24479 was adopted, becoming Resolution No. 25-365
The caption of Resolution No. 25-365 reads as follows:
RESOLUTION NO. 25-365
A RESOLUTION AWARDING A BID AND
AUTHORIZING THE CITY MANAGER TO ENTER
INTO AN AGREEMENT WITH PAVECON LTD, OF
HOUSTON, TEXAS, THROUGH BUYBOARD
COOPERATIVE CONTRACT NUMBER 700-23
FOR THE REHABILITATION OF REDBIRD
STREET, EXTENDING FROM GREEN AVENUE TO
JEFFERSON DRIVE FOR AN AMOUNT NOT TO
EXCEED $678,349.66. FUNDS ARE AVAILABLE
IN CAPITAL IMPROVEMENTS PROJECT
ACCOUNT 307-21-053-8517-00-10-000
(5) P.R. No. 24481 — A Resolution Authorizing The City Manager
To Report That, In Accordance With the Homebuyer's
Program Guidelines, Six (6) Homebuyers Were Qualified To
Receive Down Payment Assistance As A Direct Benefit To
Assist With Principal Buy-Down, Gap Financing, And Closing
Fees, Which Allowed Them To Achieve The American Dream
Of Homeownership And Purchase New Construction And
Existing Homes
The Mayor filed a Conflict of Interest with the City Secretary and did not participate in
the discussion or action regarding the above-mentioned Proposed Resolution.
Mayor Pro Tern Doucet introduced the above-mentioned Proposed Resolution.
The motion was made by Councilmember Kinlaw and seconded by Councilmember
Hamilton Everfield that Proposed Resolution No. 24481 be adopted.
Housing Director Beverly Freeman appeared before the City Council to answer inquiries
regarding the above-mentioned proposed resolution.
Voting Yes: Mayor Pro Tern Doucet; Councilmembers Lewis, Hamilton Everfield,
Beckcom, Kinlaw and Frank.
Voting No: None.
Voting Without: Mayor Moses
Proposed Resolution No. 24481 was adopted, becoming Resolution No. 25-366
City Council Minutes
Regular Meeting —August 26, 2025 6
The caption of Resolution No. 25-366 reads as follows:
RESOLUTION NO. 25-366
A RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING THE CITY
MANAGER TO REPORT THAT, IN ACCORDANCE
WITH THE HOMEBUYER'S PROGRAM
GUIDELINES, SIX (6) HOMEBUYERS WERE
QUALIFIED TO RECEIVE DOWN PAYMENT
ASSISTANCE AS A DIRECT BENEFIT TO ASSIST
WITH PRINCIPAL BUY-DOWN, GAP
FINANCING, AND CLOSING FEES, WHICH
ALLOWED THEM TO ACHIEVE THE AMERICAN
DREAM OF HOMEOWNERSHIP AND PURCHASE
NEW CONSTRUCTION AND EXISTING HOMES
A. Ordinances
(1) P.O. No. 7346 — An Ordinance Rescinding Ordinance No.
25-37 In Its Entirety, Which Authorized A Special Warranty
Deed For Conveyance Of A City-Owned Vacant Tract Of
Land To An Eligible Homeowner Participating In The City Of
Port Arthur's Side Lot Disposition Program
The Mayor introduced the above-mentioned Proposed Ordinance.
Upon the motion of Councilmember Hamilton Everfield, seconded by Mayor Pro Tem
Doucet and carried, Proposed Ordinance No. 7346 was adopted becoming Ordinance
No. 25-51.
Voting Yes: Mayor Moses; Mayor Pro Tem Doucet; Councilmembers Lewis, Hamilton
Everfield, Beckcom, Kinlaw and Frank.
Voting No: None.
The caption of Ordinance No. 25-51 reads as follows:
ORDINANCE NO. 25-51
AN ORDINANCE RESCINDING ORDINANCE NO.
25-37 IN ITS ENTIRETY, WHICH AUTHORIZED
A SPECIAL WARRANTY DEED FOR
CONVEYANCE OF A CITY-OWNED VACANT
TRACT OF LAND TO AN ELIGIBLE HOMEOWNER
PARTICIPATING IN THE CITY OF PORT
ARTHUR'S SIDE LOT DISPOSITION PROGRAM
(2) P.O. No. 7353 — An Ordinance Of The City Of Port Arthur,
Texas, Amending Chapter 2 — Administration, Section 2-73
— Agenda, And Section 2-74 — Methods Of Addressing
Council In Order To Comply With The 89th Texas
Legislature House Bill 1522, Effective September 1, 2025,
And To Provide For Timely And Complete Preparation Of
City Council Agenda Items
The Mayor introduced the above-mentioned Proposed Ordinance.
City Council Minutes
Regular Meeting —August 26, 2025 7
The motion was made by Councilmember Hamilton Everfield and seconded by Mayor
Pro Tern Doucet that Proposed Ordinance No. 7353 be adopted.
The motion was made by Councilmember Doucet and seconded by Councilmember
Kinlaw that Proposed Ordinance No. 7353 be amended by removing the last sentence
of Exhibit "A, Sec. 2-74 (c).
Voting Yes: Mayor Moses; Mayor Pro Tern Doucet; Councilmembers Lewis, Hamilton
Everfield, Beckcom, Kinlaw and Frank.
Voting No: None.
Proposed Ordinance No. 7353 was adopted, as amended, becoming Ordinance No. 25-
52
The caption of Ordinance No. 25-52 reads as follows:
ORDINANCE NO. 25-52
AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY OF PORT ARTHUR,
TEXAS, AMENDING CHAPTER 2 — ADMINISTRATION,
SECTION 2-73 — AGENDA, AND SECTION 2-74 —
METHODS OF ADDRESSING COUNCIL IN ORDER TO
COMPLY WITH THE 89TH TEXAS LEGISLATURE
HOUSE BILL 1522, EFFECTIVE SEPTEMBER 1, 2025,
AND TO PROVIDE FOR TIMELY AND COMPLETE
PREPARATION OF CITY COUNCIL AGENDA ITEMS
(3) P.O. No. 7362 — An Ordinance Authorizing The Sale And
Conveyance Of City-Owned Vacant Tracts Of Land Located
On Freeman Avenue (Formerly Texas Avenue), Identified
As Parcel Nos. 95636, 95641, 95642, 95643, And 95644, To
The Port Of Port Arthur Navigation District For The Total
Fair Market Value Of $26,100.00 To Support The Port's
Expansion Efforts
The Mayor introduced the above-mentioned Proposed Ordinance.
The motion was made by Councilmember Hamilton Everfield and seconded by
Councilmember Kinlaw that Proposed Ordinance No. 7362 be tabled.
Upon the motion of Councilmember Hamilton Everfield, seconded by Councilmember
Frank and carried, Proposed Ordinance No. 7362 was tabled.
Voting Yes: Mayor Moses; Mayor Pro Tern Doucet; Councilmembers Lewis, Hamilton
Everfield, Beckcom, Kinlaw and Frank.
Voting No: None.
(4) P.O. No. 7363 — An Ordinance Of The City Of Port Arthur,
Texas Authorizing The Suspension Of The Effective Date
For An Additional Ninety (90) Days Beyond The Effective
Date Proposed By Texas Gas Service Company, A Division
Of One Gas, Inc. In Connection With Its Statement Of
Intent To Increase Gas Rates, Filed On June 30, 2025;
Authorizing The Hiring Of Lawyers And Rate Experts;
Authorizing The City's Participation To The Full Extent
Permitted By Law At The Railroad Commission Of Texas;
Requiring Reimbursement Of Municipal Rate Case
City Council Minutes
Regular Meeting —August 26, 2025 8
Expenses; Finding That The Meeting Complies With The
Open Meetings Act; Making Other Findings And Provisions
Related To The Subject; And Declaring An Effective Date
The Mayor introduced the above-mentioned Proposed Ordinance.
Upon the motion of Councilmember Frank, seconded by Councilmember Hamilton
Everfield and carried, Proposed Ordinance No. 7363 was adopted becoming Ordinance
No. 25-53.
Voting Yes: Mayor Moses; Mayor Pro Tern Doucet; Councilmembers Lewis, Hamilton
Everfield, Beckcom, Kinlaw and Frank.
Voting No: None.
The caption of Ordinance No. 25-53 reads as follows:
ORDINANCE NO. 25-53
AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY OF PORT ARTHUR,
TEXAS AUTHORIZING THE SUSPENSION OF THE
EFFECTIVE DATE FOR AN ADDITIONAL NINETY (90)
DAYS BEYOND THE EFFECTIVE DATE PROPOSED BY
TEXAS GAS SERVICE COMPANY, A DIVISION OF ONE
GAS, INC. IN CONNECTION WITH ITS STATEMENT OF
INTENT TO INCREASE GAS RATES, FILED ON JUNE
30, 2025; AUTHORIZING THE HIRING OF LAWYERS
AND RATE EXPERTS; AUTHORIZING THE CITY'S
PARTICIPATION TO THE FULL EXTENT PERMITTED
BY LAW AT THE RAILROAD COMMISSION OF TEXAS;
REQUIRING REIMBURSEMENT OF MUNICIPAL RATE
CASE EXPENSES; FINDING THAT THE MEETING
COMPLIES WITH THE OPEN MEETINGS ACT; MAKING
OTHER FINDINGS AND PROVISIONS RELATED TO
THE SUBJECT; AND DECLARING AN EFFECTIVE DATE
IX. ADJOURNMENT OF MEETING
Upon the motion by Councilmember Hamilton Everfield seconded by Councilmember
Doucet, and carried unanimously, the City Council adjourned their meeting at 7:35 p.m.
An audio-tape of this meeting is on file in the office of the City Secretary and is made a
part of the official minutes of this meeting.
MAYOR CHARLOTTE MOSES
ATTEST:
CITY SECRETARY SHERRI BELLARD, TRMC
END OF REGULAR MEETING HELD August 26, 2025.
APPROVED:
City Council Minutes
Regular Meeting —August 26, 2025 9