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HomeMy WebLinkAbout233SPEC?AL MEETING -.July 10, 2007 ROLL CALL, t'NVOCATTON & PLEDGE The City Council of the City of Port Arthur met in Special Session on Tuesday, July 10, 2007 at 5'31 p.m. in the City Council Chamber, City Hall, with the following members present: Mayor Oscar G. Ortiz; Mayor Pro Tem Michael "Shane" Sinegal; Councilmembers Cai ]ones, Martin Flood, Robert E. "Bob" Williamson and Deloris "Bobble" Prince; City Manager Steve Fitzgibbons; City Secretary Evangeline "Van" Green and City Attorney Mark T. Sokolow. Councilmember Williamson gave the invocation followed with the pledge to the flag. Councilmembers John Beard, ]r. and Thomas J. Henderson were absent from the Special Meeting. Councilmember .lack Chatman arrived at 5:33 p.m. II. ITEMS RE(~UTRING INDIVIDUAL ACTTON Ordinance P.O. 5755 - An Ordinance Canvassing The Returns And Declaring The Results Of A Runoff Election On 3une 30, 2007 As Zt Pertains To The Position Of Mayor The City Manager introduced the above-mentioned Proposed Ordinance. The motion was made by Councilmember Williamson and seconded by Councilmember Prince that Proposed Ordinance No. 5755 be adopted. City Attorney Mark Sokolow noted that the vote tally for Deloris "Bobble" Prince and for Willie 'Bae" Lewis has been updated to reflect the final votes for each candidate. Proposed Ordinance No. 5755 was adopted becoming Ordinance No. 07-43. Voting Yes: Mayor Ortiz; Mayor Pro Tem Sinegal; Councilmembers Chatman, ]ones, Flood, Williamson and Prince. Voting No' None. The caption of Ordinance No. 07-43 reads as follows: ORDINANCE NO. 07-43 AN ORDINANCE CANVASSING THE RETURNS AND DECLARING THE RESULTS OF A RUNOFF ELECT[ON ON 3UNE 30, 2007 AS IT PERTAINS TO THE POSITION OF MAYOR III. ADMINISTRATION OF OATHS OF OFFICE City Secretary Evangeline Green gave the Oath of Office and Statement of Appointed Officer to newly elected Mayor Deloris "Bobble" Prince. Former Mayor Oscar Ortiz made outgoing statements regarding his twelve years of service as District 3 Councilmember and Mayor. He extended appreciation to council members, city staff, community leaders and citizens for their assistance in achieving many successful endeavors. Mayor Ortiz reached term limits for the mayoral position and could not run for reelection. He presented newly elected Mayor Deloris "Bobble" Prince to the audience and as a symbol of tradition passed the hat to the newly elected mayor. Newly elected Mayor Deloris "Bobbie" Prince was greeted by the audience with a standing ovation. She acknowledged family, friends and citizens in the audience and expressed gratitude for the honor as serving as the first female African-American Mayor of the City of Port Arthur. Mayor Prince extended her sincere appreciation to all citizens and highlighted on topics of economic development, housing needs and employment opportunities for Port Arthur to continue to be a prosperous city. Reverend Randy Vaughn of Mount Sinai Missionary Baptist Church led a motivating prayer of inspiration, hope and faith. Mr. Dwight Wagner performed "Ifyou give your heart a~vay"a song that he had written and dedicated to Mayor Prince. City Secretary's Office Administrative Aide Sherri Bellard performed a .lazz rendition of ''I'm Fee/in' Good': Mayor Prince acknowledged and expressed her heartfelt appreciation to the performers. The Mayor and City Council extended invitations to the audience for the reception held outside the Council Chamber. TV. ROLL CALL, t'NVOCATI~ON & PLEDGE The City Council recessed their meeting at 6:17 p.m. and reconvened their meeting at 6:58 p.m. with the following members present: Mayor Prince; Mayor Pro Tern Sinegal; Councilmembers Chatman, .1ones, Williamson; City Manager Fitzgibbons, City Secretary Green and City Attorney Sokolow. Councilmember Williamson gave the invocation followed with the pledge to the flag. Councilmember Flood returned at 7:05 p.m. V. ZTEMS RE(~UZRt'NG ZNDTVZDUAL ACT?ON Ordinance P.O. No. 5765 - An Ordinance Pertaining To The Vacancy In District 7 And Providing For The Conduct Of The November 6, 2007 Special Election For The Purpose Of Electing A Councilmember For District 7 In The City Of Port Arthur, Texas And Providing For The Publication Of The Election Notice The City Manager introduced the above-mentioned Proposed Ordinance. The motion was made by Councilmember Chatman and seconded by Mayor Pro Tem Sinegal that Proposed Ordinance No. 5765 be adopted. Mayor Pro Tem Sinegal made the following statement for the record: ! just want to go on record as saying that, Mr. Attorney ! want to make sure that because the next four months is going be so crucial to this city as far as growth and the budget process and different contracts coming before us. We are going to be probably operating with eight council members or seven at some times. T want the citizens to understand that is what we are operating with. So a tie vote falls. Where if we have seven council members, there would not be a tie vote. ! just want to put that on the record. Port Arthur City Council Minutes Special Meeting -.luly 10, 2007 2 City Attorney Sokolow commented that in 1992, Port Arthur voters changed the City Charter to remove the City Council's power to make an appointment in the event of a vacancy. The following roll call vote was taken on the motion to adopt Proposed Ordinance No. Councilmember Chatman Councilmember Flood Councilmember 3ones Councilmember Williamson Mayor Pro Tern Sinegal Mayor Prince 5765: ~Yes- ~Yes- ~Yes- ~Yes' ~Yes' ~Yes The motion to adopt Proposed Ordinance No. 5765 carried unanimously. The caption of Ordinance No. 07-44 reads as follows: ORDt'NANCE NO 07-44 AN ORDTNANCE PERTATNING TO THE VACANCY TN DISTRICT 7 AND PROVIDING FOR THE CONDUCT OF THE NOVEMBER 6, 2007 SPECIAL ELECTION FOR THE PURPOSE OF ELECTTNG A COUNCILMEMBER FOR DISTR~CT 7 TN THE CITY OF PORT ARTHUR, TEXAS AND PROVIDTNG FOR THE PUBLICATION OF THE ELECTION NOTICE V. AD.1OURNMENT OF MEETING Upon the motion of Councilmember Chatman, seconded by Councilmember Flood and carried unanimously, the City Council adjourned their meeting at 7:12 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. ATrEST: MAYOR DELORIS "BOBBLE' PRINCE CTTY SECRETARY EVANGELINE GREEN END OF SPECIAL MEETTNG HELD 3uly 10, 2007. APPROVED: Port Arthur City Council Minutes Special Heeting -July 10, 2007 3