HomeMy WebLinkAboutNovember 15, 2005 Special SPECIAL MEETING - November 15, 2005
I, ROLL CALL, INVOCATION & PLEDGE
The City Council of the City of Port Arthur met in a Special Session on Tuesday, November 15,
2005 at 6:59 p.m. in the City Council Chamber, City Hall, with the following members present:
Mayor Oscar G. Ortiz; Mayor Pro Tern Ronnie Thompson; Councilmembers Willie "Bae" Lewis,
Ir., Felix A. Barker, Thomas .]. Henderson, Martin Flood, Deloris "Bobble" Prince and Michael
"Shane' Sinegal; City Manager Steve Fitzgibbons; City Secretary Evangeline "Van" Green and
City Attorney Mark T. Sokolow.
IV. *CLOSED MEETING (EXECUTIVE SESSION)
(1) Section 551.071 Government Code - To Discuss With The City
Attorney Potential Litigation That May Arise As A Result Of
Hurricane Rita Which ]ncludes But Is Not Limited To The
Recovery Of Damages To City Property, Issues As tt Relates To
Evacuation, Assets Obtained During The Hurricane And
Compensation To Be Paid To Vendors And Other Entities Or
Persons.
(2) Section 551.074 Government Code - To Discuss The Appointment
(Confirmation) Of The Police Chief As Recommended By The City
Manager.
The City Council recessed their meeting at 7:00 p.m. to meet in Executive Session to consider
the above-mentioned topics and reconvened their meeting at 7:49 p.m. with the following
members present: Mayor Ortiz; Mayor Pro Tern Thompson; Councilmembers Lewis, Barker,
Henderson, Prince and Sinegal; City Manager Fitzgibbons; City Secretary Green and City
Attorney Sokolow.
1'I. CONSENT AGENDA
Upon the motion of Councilmember Henderson, seconded by Councilmember Sinegal and
unanimously carried, the following Consent Agenda items were adopted:
A. Consideration And Approval Of Awarding A Bid For The Purchase
Of One (1) New 30 CY Automated Garbage Collection Unit To
Lone Star Truck Center Of Houston, Texas For The Total Amount
Of $208,230.50 For The Public Works Department.
B. Consideration And Approval Of Awarding A Bid For The Purchase
Of One (1) 40 CY Trash Unit From HGAC Through Rush Center Of
Houston, Texas For The Total Amount of $154,830.00 For The
Public Works Department.
C. Consideration And Approval Of Awarding A Bid For The
Installation Of Ceiling Tile, Znsulation And Grid Replacement To
Sanchez Remodeling Of Houston, Texas In The Amount Of
$14,002.50 For The YMCA.
D. Consideration And Approval Of Awarding A Bid For Materials And
Masonry Work To Re-Install A Section Of The North Wall of 12"
Block In The Pool Area Of The YMCA To Rick's Masonry Of
Winnie, Texas In The Amount of $6,500.00.
III. ITEMS RE(~UIRING INDIVIDUAL ACTION
P.R. NO. :L3329 - A Resolution As zt Pertains To Demolition Of
Property Damaged By Hurricane Rita.
The Mayor introduced the above-mentioned Proposed Resolution.
The City Attorney reported that the Federal Emergency Management Association (FEMA) has
requested that the City remove the following section of Proposed Resolution No. 13329:
WHEREAS, Glen Hitchcock, .1FO, of FEMA has informed the Director of
Community Services that one of the prerequisites for the demolition of structures
damaged by the Corp of Engineers or at the cost of FEMA is that liens will not be
filed.
Upon the motion by Councilmember Henderson, seconded by Mayor Pro Tem Thompson and
carried unanimously, Proposed Resolution No. 13329 was adopted with the deletion of the
above-mentioned section becoming Resolution No. 05-339.
Voting Yes: IVlayor Ortiz; Mayor Pro Tem Thompson; Councilmembers Lewis, Barker,
Henderson, Prince and Sinegal.
Voting No: None.
The caption of Resolution No. 05-339 reads as follows:
RESOLUTION NO. 05-339
A RESOLUTION AS TT PERTAINS TO
DEMOLITION OF PROPERTY DAMAGED BY
HURRICANE RZTA.
(2) P.R. 13333 - A Resolution Confirming The Appointment Of Police
Chief
The Mayor introduced the above-mentioned Proposed Resolution.
The motion was made by Mayor Pro Tern Thompson and seconded by Councilmember Barker
that Proposed Resolution No. 13333 be adopted.
The City Attorney stated that Proposed Resolution includes City Council confirmation of the
appointment of Mark Blanton as Police Chief.
Councilmember Lewis expressed dissatisfaction with the hiring and selection process and
spoke of complaints he received during Hurricane Rita.
Councilmember Flood returned to the special meeting during the roll call vote.
The following roll call vote was taken on the motion to adopt Proposed Resolution No. 13333:
Councilmember Barker "Yes"
Councilmember Flood "Yes"
Councilmember Henderson "Yesn
Councilmember Lewis "No"
Councilmember Prince "Yes"
Councilmember Sinegal "Yes"
Mayor Pro Tern Thompson "Yes"
Mayor Ortiz "Yes
The motion to adopt Proposed Resolution No. 13333 carried over the dissenting vote of
Councilmember Lewis.
City Council Minutes - Special Meeting - November ~.5, 2005 2
The caption of Resolution No. 05-340 reads as follows:
RESOLUTION NO 05-340
A RESOLUTtON CONFIRM]'NG THE
APPOINTMENT OF POLICE CHIEF
Mayor Ortiz officially introduced Port Arthur Police Chief Mark Blanton.
The City Council and the audience gave newly appointed Police Chief Mark Blanton a standing
ovation.
Police Chief Mark Blanton appeared before the City Council to express his sincere appreciation
for the opportunity in serving as Police Chief for the City of Port Arthur. For the guidance and
the support throughout his career as a police officer, Police Chief Blanton requested that
Retired Sargent Cedric Clayton present him with the police chief badge.
Councilmember Sinegal extended congratulations to Police Chief Blanton and publicly endorsed
him as one of the finest officers on the force.
Councilmember Prince expressed respect to Police Chief Blanton and his wife, Carmen, for
their youth involvement.
Mayor Pro Tem Thompson ~roclaimed admiration to Police Chief Blanton and to the Police
Department.
Councilmember Flood spoke ~n support of Police Chief Blanton.
Councilmember Henderson commended Police Chief Blanton for his work ethics.
Councilmember Barker expressed appreciation to Police Chief Blanton for his experience and
his dedication to the City of Port Arthur.
Councilmember Lewis stated his support to Police Chief Blanton.
The City Manager commended Police Chief Blanton for his leadership abilities and expressed
admiration for his loyalty.
The Mayor expressed admiration and congratulations to Police Chief Blanton.
Police Chief Blanton extended appreciation to the City Council for their encouragement and to
his wife, Carmen for her support.
t'V. AD3OURNMENT OF MEETt'NG
Upon the motion of Councilmember Henderson, seconded by Councilmember Sinegal and
carried unanimously, the City Council adjourned their meeting at 8:20 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 OSCAR G. ORTIZ
A'n'EST:
CI'TY SECRETARY EVANGELINE GREEN
END OF SPECTAL MEETZNG HELD NOVEMBER 15, 2005. APPROVED:
City Council Minutes - Special Meeting - November 15, 2005 3