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Home My WebLink AboutMINUTES 03/25/2025 REGULAR MEETING REGULAR MEETING — MARCH 25, 2025 I. INVOCATION, PLEDGE & ROLL CALL Mr. Kelvin Solco 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, March 25, 2025 at 9:38 a.m. in the City Council Chamber, City Hall, with the following members present: Mayor Thurman Bill Bartie; Mayor Pro Tern Doneane Beckcom; Councilmembers Willie "Bae" Lewis, Harold Doucet 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. Councilmember Tiffany Hamilton Everfield joined the meeting at 9:58 a.m. Councilmember Thomas Kinlaw, III. was absent from the meeting. II. PROCLAMATIONS — None III. PETITIONS & COMMUNICATIONS A. Speakers — None B. Presentations (1) A Presentation By The Solco Group Update On Activities And Projects By The Solco Group CEO Kelvin Solco gave the above-mentioned report. C. City Manager's Staff Reports — None D. Employee Recognition — None E. Correspondence - None F. Discussion (1) A Discussion Regarding The Proposed Street Reconstruction, Rehabilitation And New Design (Requested By Councilmember Hamilton Everfield) Raymond Scott, 3726 Lakeshore, appeared to discuss the above-mentioned topic. Discussion was held with no action taken. IV. PUBLIC HEARINGS — 10:00 A.M. — NONE V. REPORTS / ITEMS OF COMMUNITY INTEREST (LIMITED TO A TOTAL OF TWO (2) MINUTES PER COUNCILMEMBER) — None VI. UNFINISHED BUSINESS — None VII. CONSENT AGENDA Upon the motion of Councilmember Frank, seconded by Councilmember Lewis and carried, the following Consent Agenda items were adopted with the exception Proposed Resolutions No. 24228: Voting Yes: Mayor Bartle; Mayor Pro Tem Beckcom; Councilmembers Lewis, Doucet and Frank. Voting No: None. A. Travel Expense Reports — None B. Minutes — None C. Resolutions — Consent (1) P.R. No. 24160 — A Resolution Authorizing The City Manager To Purchase One (1) Road Widener FHR Single For The Public Works Streets (Streets) Division From Romco Equipment Co. Of Beaumont, Texas, Through The BuyBoard Cooperative Purchasing Program, Contract No. 685-22, With A Total Budgetary Impact Amount Of $69,096.00. Funding Is Available From Account Number 625-21-053-8523-00- 00-000 Proposed Resolution No. 24160 was adopted becoming Resolution No. 25-117. (2) P.R. No. 24191 — A Resolution Authorizing The City Manager To Purchase A Generator With Installation From Generac Industrial Power For The Landfill Division Through The Sourcewell Cooperative Purchasing Contract Number 092222-GNR For $47,432.00. Funds Are Available In The Landfill's Equipment Account Number 403-50-320-8522-00- 00-000 Proposed Resolution No. 24191 was adopted becoming Resolution No. 25-118. (3) P.R. No. 24197 — A Resolution Authorizing The City Manager To Purchase Litter Fences From P & I Services, LLC Of Sulphur, Louisiana, For $82,400.00 For The City's Landfill. Funding Is Available In The Landfill Equipment Account Number 403-50-320-8522-00-00-000 Proposed Resolution No. 24197 was adopted becoming Resolution No. 25-119. VIII. ITEMS REQUIRING INDIVIDUAL ACTION — NON-CONSENT Consent - Resolution (4) P.R. No. 24228 — A Resolution Authorizing The City Manager To Apply For The U.S. Department Of Transportation, Port Infrastructure Development Program For The Shrimp Boat Pier. Funding Appropriation Is Required Once This Application Is Selected For Award. There Is No Budgetary Impact To Apply. The Grant Is 80% Federally Funded, With A 20% Recipient Match The Mayor introduced the above-mentioned Proposed Resolution. City Council Minutes Regular Meeting — March 25, 2025 2 Upon the motion of Councilmember Frank, seconded by Mayor Pro Tem Doucet and carried, Proposed Resolution No. 24228 was adopted becoming Resolution No. 25-120. Voting Yes: Mayor Bartie; Mayor Pro Tem Beckcom; Councilmembers Lewis, Hamilton Everfield, Doucet and Frank. Voting No: None. The caption of Resolution No. 25-120 reads as follows: RESOLUTION NO. 25-120 A RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING THE CITY MANAGER TO APPLY FOR THE U.S. DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION, PORT INFRASTRUCTURE DEVELOPMENT PROGRAM FOR THE SHRIMP BOAT PIER. FUNDING APPROPRIATION IS REQUIRED ONCE THIS APPLICATION IS SELECTED FOR AWARD. THERE IS NO BUDGETARY IMPACT TO APPLY. THE GRANT IS 80% FEDERALLY FUNDED, WITH A 20% RECIPIENT MATCH A. Resolutions (1) P.R. No. 24091 — A Resolution Authorizing The City Manager To Execute Change Order No. 2, To The Contract Between The City Of Port Arthur And ALLCO, LLC, Of Beaumont, Texas, For The El Vista Drainage Improvement Project To Add One Hundred Fifty-Two (152) Calendar Days, Changing The Original Contract Completion Date Of March 27, 2025 To The New Contract Completion Date Of August 26, 2025. Funding Is Not Impacted. Project No. DR1P02 The Mayor introduced the above-mentioned Proposed Resolution. The motion was made by Councilmember Lewis and seconded by Councilmember Hamilton Everfield that Proposed Resolution No. 24091 be adopted. Raymond Scott, 3726 Lakeshore, appeared before the City Council to answer inquiries regarding the above-mentioned topic. Voting Yes: Mayor Bartie; Mayor Pro Tern Beckcom; Councilmembers Lewis, Hamilton Everfield and Frank. Voting No: None. Proposed Resolution No. 24901 was adopted becoming Resolution No. 25-121. The caption of Resolution No. 25-121 reads as follows: RESOLUTION NO. 25-121 A RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING THE CITY MANAGER TO EXECUTE CHANGE ORDER NO. 2, TO THE CONTRACT BETWEEN THE CITY OF PORT ARTHUR AND ALLCO, LLC, OF City Council Minutes Regular Meeting — March 25, 2025 3 BEAUMONT, TEXAS, FOR THE EL VISTA DRAINAGE IMPROVEMENT PROJECT TO ADD ONE HUNDRED FIFTY-TWO (152) CALENDAR DAYS, CHANGING THE ORIGINAL CONTRACT COMPLETION DATE OF MARCH 27, 2025 TO THE NEW CONTRACT COMPLETION DATE OF AUGUST 26, 2025. FUNDING IS NOT IMPACTED. PROJECT NO. DR1P02 *************************************************** RECESS *************************************************** Recess At 11:45 A.M. To Attend The Quasquicentennial Legacy Project Dedication Of The 125 Square The City Council recessed their meeting at 11:45 a.m. to meet and reconvened their meeting at 1:31 p.m. with the following members present: Mayor Bartle; Mayor Pro Tern Beckcom; Councilmembers Lewis, Hamilton Everfield, Doucet and Frank; City Manager Burton; City Secretary Bellard; City Attorney Pais Cotroneo and Sergeant At Arms Chief Duriso. VIII. ITEMS REQUIRING INDIVIDUAL ACTION — NON-CONSENT (2) P.R. No. 24178 — A Resolution Authorizing The City Manager To Execute A Professional Engineering Services Agreement Between The City Of Port Arthur And Soutex Surveyors & Engineers (Soutex), Of Port Arthur, Texas, For The Design Of The 9th Avenue Paving, Utilities, And Drainage Project With A Projected Budgetary Amount Of $674,500.00. Funding Is Available In The Capital Improvement Account Number 307-21-053-8517-00-10- 000. Project No. ST1P21.ENG The Mayor introduced the above-mentioned Proposed Resolution. The motion was made by Councilmember Hamilton Eerfield and seconded by Councilmember Frank that Proposed Resolution No. 24178 be adopted. City Consultant Hani Tohme appeared before the City Council to answer inquiries regarding the above-mentioned topic. Voting Yes: Mayor Bartle; Mayor Pro Tern Beckcom; Councilmembers Lewis, Hamilton Everfield, Doucet and Frank. Voting No: None. Proposed Resolution No. 24178 was adopted becoming Resolution No. 25-122. The caption of Resolution No. 25-122 reads as follows: RESOLUTION NO. 25-122 A RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING THE CITY MANAGER TO EXECUTE A PROFESSIONAL ENGINEERING SERVICES AGREEMENT BETWEEN THE CITY OF PORT ARTHUR AND SOUTEX SURVEYORS & ENGINEERS (SOUTEX), City Council Minutes Regular Meeting - March 25, 2025 4 OF PORT ARTHUR, TEXAS, FOR THE DESIGN OF THE 9TH AVENUE PAVING, UTILITIES, AND DRAINAGE PROJECT WITH A PROJECTED BUDGETARY AMOUNT OF $674,500.00. FUNDING IS AVAILABLE IN THE CAPITAL IMPROVEMENT ACCOUNT NUMBER 307-21- 053-8517-00-10-000. PROJECT NO. ST1P21.ENG (2) P.R. No. 24179 — A Resolution Authorizing The City Manager To Execute A Professional Engineering Services Agreement Between The City Of Port Arthur And S&R Consulting And Construction, LLC (S&R) Of Beaumont, Texas, For The Design Of The Roadway Improvement Projects For Duff Drive (Project No. ST3035; $75,000.00) And Becker Place (Project No. ST5067; $75,000.00) With A Projected Budgetary Amount Of $150,000.00. Funding Is Available In The Capital Improvement Account Number 307-21-053- 8517-00-10-000 The Mayor introduced the above-mentioned Proposed Resolution. Upon the motion of Councilmember Frank, seconded by Councilmember Lewis and carried, Proposed Resolution No. 24179 was adopted becoming Resolution No. 25-123. Voting Yes: Mayor Bartie; Mayor Pro Tem Beckcom; Councilmembers Lewis, Doucet, and Frank. Voting No: None. Proposed Resolution No. 24179 was adopted becoming Resolution No. 25-123. The caption of Resolution No. 25-123 reads as follows: RESOLUTION NO. 25-123 A RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING THE CITY MANAGER TO EXECUTE A PROFESSIONAL ENGINEERING SERVICES AGREEMENT BETWEEN THE CITY OF PORT ARTHUR AND S&R CONSULTING AND CONSTRUCTION, LLC (S&R) OF BEAUMONT, TEXAS, FOR THE DESIGN OF THE ROADWAY IMPROVEMENT PROJECTS FOR DUFF DRIVE (PROJECT NO. ST3035; $75,000.00) AND BECKER PLACE (PROJECT NO. ST5067; $75,000.00) WITH A PROJECTED BUDGETARY AMOUNT OF $150,000.00. FUNDING IS AVAILABLE IN THE CAPITAL IMPROVEMENT ACCOUNT NUMBER 307-21- 053-8517-00-10-000 (4) P.R. No. 24180 — A Resolution Authorizing The City Manager To Execute A Professional Engineering Services Agreement Between The City Of Port Arthur And Arceneaux, Wilson & Cole, LLC, (AWC), Of Port Arthur, Texas, For The Design Of The Thomas Boulevard Improvement Project With A Projected Budgetary Amount Of $796,460.00. Funding Is Available In The Capital City Council Minutes Regular Meeting — March 25, 2025 5 Improvement Account Number 307-21-053-8517-00-10- 000. Project No. ST5062.ENG The Mayor introduced the above-mentioned Proposed Resolution. Upon the motion of Councilmember Doucet, seconded by Councilmember Frank and carried, Proposed Resolution No. 24180 was adopted becoming Resolution No. 25-124. Voting Yes: Mayor Bartie; Mayor Pro Tem Beckcom; Councilmembers Lewis, Hamilton Everfield, Doucet and Frank. Voting No: None. The caption of Resolution No. 25-124 reads as follows: RESOLUTION NO. 25-124 A RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING THE CITY MANAGER TO EXECUTE A PROFESSIONAL ENGINEERING SERVICES AGREEMENT BETWEEN THE CITY OF PORT ARTHUR AND ARCENEAUX, WILSON & COLE, LLC, (AWC), OF PORT ARTHUR, TEXAS, FOR THE DESIGN OF THE THOMAS BOULEVARD IMPROVEMENT PROJECT WITH A PROJECTED BUDGETARY AMOUNT OF $796,460.00. FUNDING IS AVAILABLE IN THE CAPITAL IMPROVEMENT ACCOUNT NUMBER 307-21-053-8517-00-10- 000. PROJECT NO. ST5062.ENG (5) P.R. No. 24181 — A Resolution Authorizing The City Manager To Execute A Professional Engineering Services Agreement Between The City Of Port Arthur And Fittz And Shipman, Inc. Of Port Arthur, Texas, For The Design Of Jade Avenue From H.O. Mills Boulevard (Texas 73) To Farm To Market (FM) Road Highway 365 With A Projected Budgetary Amount Of $311,450.00. Funding Is Available In The Capital Improvement Account Number 307-21-053- 8517-00-10-000. Project No. ST5059.ENG The Mayor introduced the above-mentioned Proposed Resolution. Upon the motion of Councilmember Frank, seconded by Councilmember Lewis and carried, Proposed Resolution No. 24181 was adopted becoming Resolution No. 25-125. Voting Yes: Mayor Bartie; Mayor Pro Tem Beckcom; Councilmembers Lewis, Hamilton Everfield, Doucet and Frank. Voting No: None. The caption of Resolution No. 25-125 reads as follows: RESOLUTION NO. 25-125 A RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING THE CITY MANAGER TO EXECUTE A PROFESSIONAL ENGINEERING SERVICES AGREEMENT BETWEEN THE CITY OF PORT ARTHUR AND FITTZ AND SHIPMAN, INC. OF PORT ARTHUR, City Council Minutes Regular Meeting — March 25, 2025 6 TEXAS, FOR THE DESIGN OF JADE AVENUE FROM H.O. MILLS BOULEVARD (TEXAS 73) TO FARM TO MARKET (FM) ROAD HIGHWAY 365 WITH A PROJECTED BUDGETARY AMOUNT OF $311,450.00. FUNDING IS AVAILABLE IN THE CAPITAL IMPROVEMENT ACCOUNT NUMBER 307-21-053-8517-00-10-000. PROJECT NO. ST5059.ENG (6) P.R. No. 24214 — A Resolution Authorizing A Fifth-Year (Fourth And Final) Renewal Of The Contract With Ardurra Group, LLC For Assistance With The American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) Program/Grant Management Services In An Amount Not To Exceed $180,000.00, Bringing The Total Contract Amount To $900,000.00; And Authorizing Final Closeout Activities Through April 1, 2026; Funding Available In ARPA Account No. 169-07-015-5470-40-00- 000, Project No. ARP007 The Mayor introduced the above-mentioned Proposed Resolution. Upon the motion of Councilmember Frank, seconded by Councilmember Hamilton Everfield and carried, Proposed Resolution No. 24214 was adopted becoming Resolution No. 25-126. Voting Yes: Mayor Bartle; Mayor Pro Tern Beckcom; Councilmembers Lewis, Hamilton Everfield and Frank. Voting No: Councilmember Doucet The caption of Resolution No. 25-126 reads as follows: RESOLUTION NO. 25-126 A RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING A FIFTH-YEAR (FOURTH AND FINAL) RENEWAL OF THE CONTRACT WITH ARDURRA GROUP, LLC FOR ASSISTANCE WITH THE AMERICAN RESCUE PLAN ACT (ARPA) PROGRAM/GRANT MANAGEMENT SERVICES IN AN AMOUNT NOT TO EXCEED $180,000.00, BRINGING THE TOTAL CONTRACT AMOUNT TO $900,000.00; AND AUTHORIZING FINAL CLOSEOUT ACTIVITIES THROUGH APRIL 1, 2026; FUNDING AVAILABLE IN ARPA ACCOUNT NO. 169-07-015-5470-40-00-000, PROJECT NO. ARP007 (7) P.R. No. 24221 — A Resolution Authorizing The City Manager To Renew Insurance Policies For Various Locations With Wright National Flood Insurance Company For Flood Insurance With A Projected Budgetary Amount Of $120,000.00. Proposed Funding By: 612-11-025-5410-00- 00-000 — $120,000.00 Liability Insurance Fund The Mayor introduced the above-mentioned Proposed Resolution. City Council Minutes Regular Meeting — March 25, 2025 7 Upon the motion of Councilmember Lewis, seconded by Councilmember Hamilton Everfield and carried, Proposed Resolution No. 24221 was adopted becoming Resolution No. 25-127. Voting Yes: Mayor Bartie; Mayor Pro Tem Beckcom; Councilmembers Lewis, Hamilton Everfield and Doucet. Voting No: None. The caption of Resolution No. 25-127 reads as follows: RESOLUTION NO. 25-127 A RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING THE CITY MANAGER TO RENEW INSURANCE POLICIES FOR VARIOUS LOCATIONS WITH WRIGHT NATIONAL FLOOD INSURANCE COMPANY FOR FLOOD INSURANCE WITH A PROJECTED BUDGETARY AMOUNT OF $120,000.00. PROPOSED FUNDING BY: 612-11-025-5410- 00-00-000 — $120,000.00 LIABILITY INSURANCE FUND (8) P.R. No. 24237 — A Resolution Ratifying The City Manager's Decision To Authorize The Emergency Water Leak Repairs By ALLCO LLC Of Beaumont, Texas In The Total Not To Exceed Amount Of $40,667.52. Funding In Water And Sewer Capital Project Fund, Account No. 405-40-000-8516- 00-00-000, Is Contingent Upon The Approval Of The Budget Amendment In Proposed Ordinance No. 7321 The Mayor introduced the above-mentioned Proposed Resolution. Upon the motion of Councilmember Hamilton Everfield, seconded by Councilmember Frank and carried, Proposed Resolution No. 24237 was adopted becoming Resolution No. 25-128. Voting Yes: Mayor Bartle; Mayor Pro Tern Beckcom; Councilmembers Lewis, Hamilton Everfield and Frank. Voting No: None. The caption of Resolution No. 25-128 reads as follows: RESOLUTION NO. 25-128 A RESOLUTION RATIFYING THE CITY MANAGER'S DECISION TO AUTHORIZE THE EMERGENCY WATER LEAK REPAIRS BY ALLCO LLC OF BEAUMONT, TEXAS IN THE TOTAL NOT TO EXCEED AMOUNT OF $40,667.52. FUNDING IN WATER AND SEWER CAPITAL PROJECT FUND, ACCOUNT NO. 405-40-000-8516-00-00- 000, IS CONTINGENT UPON THE APPROVAL OF THE BUDGET AMENDMENT IN PROPOSED ORDINANCE NO. 7321 A. Ordinances City Council Minutes Regular Meeting — March 25, 2025 8 (1) P.O. No. 7321 — 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 $40,668.00 And Transferring That Amount Thereby Increasing Water And Sewer Capital Fund (405) By $40,668.00 The Mayor introduced the above-mentioned Proposed Ordinance. Upon the motion of Councilmember Lewis, seconded by Councilmember Hamilton Everfield and carried, Proposed Ordinance No. 7321 was adopted becoming Ordinance No. 25-19. Voting Yes: Mayor Bartie; Mayor Pro Tern Beckcom; Councilmembers Lewis, Hamilton Everfield and Frank. Voting No: None. The caption of Ordinance No. 25-19 reads as follows: ORDINANCE NO. 25-19 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 $40,668.00 AND TRANSFERRING THAT AMOUNT THEREBY INCREASING WATER AND SEWER CAPITAL FUND (405) BY $40,668.00 IX. *CLOSED MEETING (EXECUTIVE MEETING) 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) H&P Engineering & Construction, Inc. VS. City Of Port Arthur, Citation No. 25DCCV1856 In The 172nd District Court Of Jefferson County, Texas (b) Pleasure Island Buildings A & B *The Items In Executive Session May Be Discussed And Acted On In Open Session The City Council recessed their meeting at 2:33 a.m. to meet in Executive Session to consider the above-mentioned topics and reconvened their meeting at 3:48 p.m. with the following members present: Mayor Bartie; Mayor Pro Tern Beckcom; Councilmembers Lewis, Hamilton Everfield, Doucet and Frank; City Manager Burton; City Secretary Bellard; City Attorney Pais Cotroneo and Sergeant At Arms Chief Duriso. MOTIONS IN OPEN SESSION: City Council Minutes Regular Meeting - March 25, 2025 9 (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) H&P Engineering & Construction, Inc. VS. City Of Port Arthur, Citation No. 25DCCV1856 In The 172nd District Court Of Jefferson County, Texas Upon the morion of Councilmember Lewis and seconded by Councilmember Frank and carried, the above-mention item was tabled. Voting Yes: Mayor Bartle; Mayor Pro Tem Beckcom; Councilmembers Lewis, Hamilton Everfield and Frank. Voting No: None. Councilmember Hamilton Everfield read the following motion into the record: Motion To Authorize Councilmember Hamilton Everfield, The City Manager And The City Attorney To Travel To The Dallas-Fort Worth Area To Meet With Investor Selim Kilap To Conduct Economic Development Negotiations Regarding Pleasure Island Buildings A & B. Councilmember Hamilton Everfield's Travel Expense Will Be Of No Cost To The City Of Port Arthur Upon the motion of Councilmember Hamilton Everfield, seconded by Councilmember Frank and carried, the above-mentioned motion was adopted. Voting Yes: Mayor Bartie; Councilmembers Lewis, Hamilton Everfield and Frank. Voting No: Mayor Pro Tem Beckcom and Councilmember Doucet. X. ADJOURNMENT OF MEETING The Mayor adjourned the meeting at 3:53 p.m. I 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 THURMAN BILL BARTIE ATTEST: CITY SECRETARY SHERRI BELLARD END OF REGULAR MEETING HELD March 25, 2025. APPROVED: City Council Minutes Regular Meeting - March 25, 2025 10