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Home My WebLink AboutMARCH 19, 2002REGULAR MEETING--Marct~ 19, 2002 I. ROLL CALL, INVOCATION & PLEDGE The City Council of the City of Port Arthur met in Reguiar Session on Tuesday, March 19, 2002 at 5:30 p.m. in the City Council Chamber, City Hall, with the following members present: Mayor Oscar G. Ortiz; Mayor Pro Tern Felix Barker; Councilmembers Craig Hannah, Tom Henderson, Robert A. Bowers and Robert Allen; Acting City Manager Harvey Robinson; Acting City Secretary Jan Stroder and City Attorney Mark Sokolow. The invocation was given by Councilmember Bowers, followed by the presentation of the American flag and pledge led by the World Famous Boy Scouts Troop No. 75. III. PETITIONS & COMMUNICATIONS A. Presentation By Three Rivers Council of Boy Scouts of America On Proper Flag Etiquette. (Requested By Councilmember Bowers) The .World Famous Boy Scouts Troop No. 75 appeared before the City Council and demonstrated proper flag etiquette. II. PROCLAMATIONS & MINUTES The Mayor presented a Proclamation proclaiming March 21,2002 as "Absolutely Incredible Kid Day". Councilmember Tom Gillam, III, arrived at the meeting at 5:40 p.m. and Councilmember Rose M. Chaisson arrived at 5:44 p.m. MinutesmRegular Meeting Held March 5, 2002 Upon the motion of Councilmember Bowers, seconded by Councilmember Allen, and carried unanimously, the City Council approved the above-mentioned Minutes. III. PETITIONS & COMMUNICATIONS B. Speakers Alfred Dominic Regarding Discrimination Concerns Mr. Alfred Dominic, 145 W. 15th Street, appeared before the City Council and discussed the above-mentioned topic. C. Correspondence None IV. PUBLIC HEARINGS - 7:00 P.M. None V. UNFINISHED BUSINESS P. R. No. 11661 - A Resolution Authorizing The City Manager To Execute An Agreement With National Reimbursement Services, Inc., To Provide A Billing Service For Fire Department Emergency Response Costs. The Mayor introduced the above-mentioned Resolution. The motion was made by Councilmember Henderson and ,seconded by Councilmember Allen that Proposed Resolution No. 11661 be adopted. The City Attorney presented an overview of the Proposed Ftesolution. Mr. Robert Sarlay, President of National Reimbursement Services, Inc., 1240 Blalock Road, Houston, TX, appeared before the City Council and discussed the billing service provided for the Fire Department's Emergency Response c ~sts. The following roll call vote was taken on the motion to adopt Proposed Resolution No. 11661: Councilmember Allen "Yes" Councilmember Bowers "Yes" Councilmember Chaisson "No" Councilmember Gillam "No" Councilmember Hannah "Yes" Councilmember Henderson "Yes" Mayor Pro Tem Barker "Yes" Mayor Ortiz "Yes" Proposed Resolution No. 11661 was adopted, becoming Resolution No. 02-74. The caption of Resolution No. 02-74 reads as follows' RESOLUTION NO. 02-74 A RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING THE CITY MANAGER TO EXECUTE AN AGREEMENT WITH NATIONAL REIMBURSEMENT SERVICES, INC., TO PROVIDE A BILLING SERVICE FOR FIRE DEPARTMENT EMERGENCY RESPONSE COSTS. (2) P. R. No. 11684 - A Resolution Ratifying And Confirming Appointments To The Board Of Directors Of The Port Arthur Housing Finance Corporation. Upon the motion of Councilmember Allen, seconded by Councilmember Bowers and carried, Proposed Resolution No. 11684 was removed from the agenda. VI. CONSENTAGENDA Upon the motion of Councilmember Allen, seconded by Councilmember Bowers and carried unanimously, the following Consent Agenda items were adopted with the exception of Item E and Proposed Resolution No. 11697: Authorization for Entergy-Texas To Install Three New Points Of Single Phase Meter Service To New Leachate Pumps and Tanks Located At The City's Landfill In The Amount Of $8,770.34 Consideration And Approval Of Awarding A Bid For The Purchase Of One 84" Padded Drum Vibratory Roller With A 7,500 Houri5 Year Extended Warranty To R. B. Everett & Company Of Houston, Texas In The Amount Of $77,452 For The Public Works Department (Street Division). Consideration And Approval Of Awarding A Bid For The Purchase Of #57 And #67 Rock Embedment Materials To APAC-Texas, Inc., Of Beaumont, Texas In The Unit Price 2 Amount Of $14.50/Ton (Plus $3.00/Ton For Del!, ;fy, If Needed) And Reject Bids Received For #610 Limest(~; e Material For The Utility Operations Department, Water l, stribution And Wastewater Conveyance Divisions. Do Consideration And Approval Of Awardir~ ::~ontracts For Various Materials To The Following Ve~', ~ ~: Emulsions, Asphalt And Prime Oil To Eagle Asphalt, t.~, ,i, Crafco And Performance Grade Asphalt; Award Ton~lu~ And Groove Concrete Pipe And Concrete Box CulYerts To National Concrete And Hanson Pipe; Soils To !~:,Jwine, Concrete Building Materials To Quality And Parker And Road Building Material To Vulcan Material, Trinity Aggregates Distribution, APAC, Austin White, TXl, Quality, AMF ~nd ChemLime. All Materials Will Be Utilized By Various Ci~ Departments At An Estimated Yearly Cost Of Approximately $1,000,000. Consideration And Approval Of AK ~rding A Bid For Repairing/Refurbishing Commercial Refuse Containers To Quality Containers Of Houston, Texas At Various Listed Unit Prices For The Public Works Department (Solid Waste, Division). G. Approval Of Expense Accounts: Mayor Oscar G. Ortiz: Use Of Personal Auto On City Business, February, 2002 $117.89 Mayor Pro Tem Felix A. Barker: Use Of Personal Auto On City Business, February, 2002 $100.00 Councilmember Robert E. Allen: Use Of Personal Auto On City Business, February, 2002 $71.91 Councilmember Robert A. Bowers: Use Of Personal Auto On City Business, February, 2002 $50.01 City Attorney Mark T. Sokolow: Use Of Personal Auto On City Business, March 4, 5 & 8th, 2002 $31.40 Resolutions - Consent (1) P. R. No. 11696 -A Resolution Approving Sewer Adjustments To Certain Utility Accounts. Proposed Resolution No. 11696 was adopted, becoming Resolution No. 02-75. (3) P. R. No. 11698 - A Resolution Awarding A Contract And Authorizing The Execution Of Said Contract In The Amount Of $6,500.00 For Demolition Of The Griffing Park Above Ground Concrete Storage Tank Between The City Of Port Arthur And Gissco, Of Beaumont, Texas. Water System Improvements Account No. 419-1622-531.85-00, Project No. 419103. Proposed Resolution No. 11698 was adopted, becoming Resolution No. 02-76. 3 (4) P. R. No. 11699 - A Resolutior Approving An Amendment (Attachment 2) To The Contract Between The City Of Port Arthur And Texas Department Of Health As To Re-Budget The Financial Assistance By $28,944 For Additional Medical Staff. Proposed Resolution No. 11699 was adopted, becoming Resolution No. 02-77. (5) P. R. No. 11700 - A Resolution Authori=h;~ The City Manager And The Fire Chief To Make Application To The Federal Emergency Management Agency For The Assistance To Firefighters Grant Program In The Amount Up To $750,090. The Grant Applications Will Be Submitted Before April 1, 2002 To The Federal Emergency Management Agency In Emmitsburg, Maryland. Proposed Resolution No. 11700 was adopted, becoming Resolution No. 02-78. (6) P. R. No. 11701 - A Resolution Amending The Contract With Aquila Golf, Inc., As It Relates To Maintenance And Repair Costs Shared By The City. (Requested By City Manager) Proposed Resolution No. 11701 was adopted, becoming Resolution No. 02-79. (7) P. R. No. 11702 - A Resolution Rescinding Resolution No. 00180 And Authorizing The Mayor Of The City Of Port Arthur To Execute An Amended Local Transportation Project Advance Funding Agreement In The Amount Of $288,570 With The Texas Department Of Transportation For The Improvement Of 32nd Street From 9th Avenue To Lombardy Drive. Funding Is Available In The FY2002 Budget, Account No. 302-1601-591.86- 00, CIP 806. Proposed Resolution No. 11702 was adopted, becoming Resolution No. 02-80. (8) P. R. No. 11703 - A Resolution Rescinding Resolution No. 00- 184 And Authorizing The Mayor Of The City Of Port Arthur To Execute An Amended Local Transportation Project Advance Funding Agreement In The Amount Of $237,621 With The Texas Department Of Transportation For The Improvement Of Griffing Drive From Highway 347 To Lombardy Drive. Funding Is Available In The FY2002 Budget, Account No. 302-1601- 591.86-00, CIP 806. Proposed Resolution No. 11703 was adopted, becoming Resolution No. 02-81. VII. ITEMS REQUIRING INDIVIDUAL ACTION Consent Consideration And Approval Of Awarding A Bid For The Purchase Of Two Workstations And Juvenile Tracking Software To MKY Enterprise Of Port Arthur, Texas in The Amount Of $8,000 For The Police Department. The Mayor introduced the above-mentioned Item. The motion was made by Councilmember Henderson and seconded by Councilmember Bowers that Item E be approved. Police Chief John Tyler appeared before the Council and recommended approval of the above-mentioned Item. 4 The motion to approve Item E carried unanimously. Councilmember Ronnie Linden arrived at the meeting at 6:10 p.m. A. Resolutions (2) P. R. No. 11697 - A Resolution Authorizing The City Manager To Approve The City's 2002 Community Development Block Grant Program In The Amount Of $1,901,000 That Will Be Submitted To The United States Department Of Housing And Urban Development. An Additional $16,000 Will Be Reprogrammed From Project #105-1431-552.59-00; C27133 Care Community Homes And $20,541 From 105-1431-552.59- 00; C27140 Giving A Total Funds Available $1,937,541, To Fund Eligible CDBG Activities. The Mayor introduced the above-mentioned Resolution. The motion was made by Councilmember Bowers and seconded by Councilmember Henderson that Proposed Resolution No. 11697 be adopted. Planning/Zoning & Grants Management Director Dale Watson appeared before the Council and submitted the three plans for funding organizations with 2002 Community Block Grant funds--Attachments A, B and C. After much discussion, the motion was made by Councilmember Gillam and seconded by Councilmember Linden that Proposed Resolution No. 11697 be amended to include Attachment A as the alternative plan with an 18% reduction to fund all applicants. The motion to amend Proposed Resolution No. 11697 carried over the dissenting vote of Mayor Pro Tem Barker. Proposed Resolution No. 11697 was adopted as amended, becoming Resolution No. 02-82. Voting Yes: Mayor Ortiz; Councilmembers Hannah, Henderson, Gillam, Linden, Bowers, Chaisson and Allen. Voting No: Mayor Pro Tem Barker. The caption of Reso. iution No. 02-82 reads as follows: RESOLUTION NO. 02-82 A RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING THE CITY MANAGER TO APPROVE THE CITY'S 2002 COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT BLOCK GRANT PROGRAM IN THE AMOUNT OF $1,901,000 THAT WILL BE SUBMITTED TO THE UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF HOUSING AND URBAN DEVELOPMENT. AN ADDITIONAL $16,000 WILL BE REPROGRAMMED FROM PROJECT #105- 1431-552.59-00; C27140 GIVING A TOTAL FUNDS AVAILABLE $1,937,541, TO FUND ELIGIBLE CDBG ACTIVITIES. A. Resolutions - Non-Consent P. R. No. 11689 - A Eesolution Approving The Applicatio~ Of The Amstar Amb~;lance Group Port Arthur Inc. For An Ambulance Agreement. The Mayor introduced the above-mentioned Resolution. The motion was made by Councilmember Gillam and seconded by C~ uncilmember Linden that Proposed Resolution No. 11689 be adopted. Councilmember Linden requested that the City Council move to Agenda Item VII. C. (3) Report by Amstar on proposed provisions of ambulance service within Port Arthur. Mr. Clifford Brooks, Jr., President/Chief Financial Officer of Amstar Ambulance Group, Inc., 12023 Briar Forest Drive, Houston, Texas, appeared before the Council and presented a report on proposed provisions of ambulance service. Mrs. Regina Ortiz-Boyd, Vice President of Amstar Ambulance Group, Inc., 2824 Blodgett Street, Houston, Texas, appeared before the City Council and presented information on the EMS provider. Councilmember Chaisson left the Council Meeting at 6:48 p.m. After much discussion, the motion was made by Counciimember Gillam and seconded by Councilmember Linden that Proposed Resolution No. 11689 be tabled. The motion to table Proposed Resolution No. 11689 carried over the dissenting vote of Councilmember Allen. Councilmember Chaisson returned to the meeting at 6:54 p.m. B. Ordinances (1) P. O. No. 5250 - An Ordinance Authorizing The City Manager And City Attorney To Transfer Property (Parcels 2.1 And 2.3 Of Block 152) To The Port Arthur Section 4A Economic Development Corporation For The Tres Caballeros Project. (Requested By Mayor Ortiz) The Acting City Mar~ager introduced the above-mentioned Ordinance. The motion was made by Councilmember Bowers and seconded by Councilmember Henderson that Proposed Ordinance No. 5250 be adopted. The City Attorney gave an overview of the law describing the transfer of property to a non-profit corporation for a public purpose. Director of Planning & Grants Management Dale Watson appeared before the City Council and outlined the history of the property and past ownership by Urban Renewal. Mr. Eric Larson, Owner of Tres Caballeros, 24245 Wilderness Oak, San Antonio, Texas, appeared before the Council and discussed the use of the property and the role of the factory as a manufacturer of frozen Mexican pastries to be sold to retail stores in the City of Port Arthur. Proposed Ordinance No. 5250 was adopted, becoming Ordinance No. 02-14. Voting Yes: Mayor Ortiz; Mayor Pro Tem Barker; Councilmembers Allen, Bowers, Chaisson, Gillam, Hannah, Henderson and Linden. Voting No: None. The caption of Ordinance No. 02-14 reads as follows: (2) ORDINANCE NO. 02-14 AN ORDINANCE AUTHORIZING THE CITY MANAGER AND CITY ATTORNEY TO TRANSFER PROPERTY (PARCELS 2.1 AND 2.3 OF BLOCK 152) TO THE PORT ARTHUR SECTION 4A ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION FOR THE TRES CABALLEROS PROJECT. (REQUESTED BY MAYOR ORTIZ) P. O. No. 5251 - An Ordinance Authorizing The City Manager And City Attorney To Transfer Lot 3, Block 142, City Of Port Arthur (742 Procter) To The Port Arthur Evening Sertoma Club, Inc. (Requested By City Manager) The Acting City Manager introduced the above-mentioned Ordinance. The motion was made by Councilmember Bowers and seconded by Councilmember Henderson that Proposed Ordinance No. 5251 be adopted. Councilmembers Gillam and Linden left the meeting. Mr. Howard Guilbeaux, 7820 Regency Drive, Port Arthur Evening Sertoma Club, appeared before the Council and discussed plans to erect a pavilion on the above- mentioned property. Proposed Ordinance No. 5251 was adopted, becoming Ordinance No. 02-15. Voting Yes: Mayor Ortiz; Mayor Pro Tem Barker; Councilmembers Allen, Bowers, Chaisson, Hannah and Henderson. voting No: None The caption of Ordinance No. 02-15 reads as follows: ORDINANCE NO. 02-15 AN ORDINANCE AUTHORIZING THE CITY 'MANAGER AND CITY ATTORNEY TO TRANSFER LOT 3, BLOCK 142, CITY OF PORT ARTHUR (742 PROCTER) TO THE PORT ARTHUR EVENING SERTOMA CLUB, INC. (REQUESTED BY THE CITY MANAGER) Councilmember Gillam returned to the meeting. C. *Reports And Recommendations (1) Report On Traffic Enforcement On Hwy. 69 From 39th To 32nd Street (Requested By Councilmember Alle~) Assistant Chief of Police Col. Mark Blanton appeared before the Council and presented the above-mentioned report. (2) Report On Citizen's Pipeline Advisory Committee Public Works Director Leslie McMahen appeared before the City Council and presented the above-mentioned report. VIII. REPORTS OF BOARDS & COMMITTEES None IX. *CLOSED MEETING (EXECUTIVE SESSION) Closed Meeting: (1) Section 651.071 Government Code - To Discuss With The City Attorney The Pending Litigation Between The City And Firefighters, (2) Section 551.071 Government Code - To Discuss With The City Attorney The Pending Litigation In The Case Of Linda Bates Vs. Norris Louviere, Cause No. A-162, 921. The City Council recessed their meeting at 7:25 p.m. to meet in Executive Session to consider the above-mentioned topics, and reconvened their meeting at 7:43 p.m. with the following members present: Mayor Ortiz; Mayor Pro Tern Barker; Councilmembers Hannah, Henderson, Gillam, Linden, Bowers, Chaisson and Allen; Acting City Manager Robinson; Acting City Secretary Stroder and City Attorney Sokolow. VII. ITEMS REQUIRING INDIVIDUAL ACTION - NON-CONSENT A. Resolutions P. R. No. 11689 - A Resolution Approving The Application Of The Amstar Ambulance Group Port Arthur Inc. For An Ambulance Agreement. The Mayor introduced the above-mentioned Proposed Resolution for reconsideration. The motion was made by Councilmember Gillam and seconded by Councilmember Linden that Proposed Resolution No. 11689 be adopted. The following roll call vote was taken on the motion to adopt Proposed Resolution No. 11689: Councilmember Allen Councilmember Bowers Councilmember Chaisson Councilmember Gillam Councilmember Hannah Councilmember Henderson Councilmember Linden Mayor Pro Tem Barker Mayor Ortiz "Yes" "No" "Yes" "Yes" "Yes" "No" "Yes" "No" "Yes" 'Proposed Resolution No. 11689 was adopted, becoming Resolution No. 02-83. The caption of Resolution No. 02-83 reads as follows: RESOLUTION NO. 02-;83 A RESOLUTION APPROVING THE APPLICATION OF THE AMSTAR AMBULANCE GROUP PORT ARTHUR, INC. FOR AN AMBULANCE AGREEMENT. X. FUTURE AGENDAITEMS OR REQUESTED REPORTS Councilmember Allen: Monthly report of building permits issued in the City, including the name of the permitee and the amount of money involved. Councilmember Chaisson: Report from Texas Workforce Commission regarding the impact of new companies on unemployment figures, including answers to the following questions: 1. How are the unemployment figures compiled for the City of Port Arthur? 2. Are the surrounding cities unemployment figures included in the Port Arthur figures? 3. Do the figures include those persons who are under employed as well as unemployed? Councilmember Bowers: Tour of the City of Port Arthur Health Department Building at the, next day meeting. Councilmember Linden: Report on present and future training plans for the Acting Assistant City Secretary. Councilmember Gillam: Status report on Service Zone. Mr. Clifford Brooks, Jr., and Mrs. Regina Ortiz-Boyd, representatives of Amstar Ambulance Group, Inc., appeared before the City Council and expressed appreciation for the opportunity to operate Amstar in the City of Port Arthur. Xl. ADJOURNMENT OF MEETING Upon the motion of Councilmember Allen, seconded by Councilmember Gillam and carried unanimously, the City Council adjourned their meeting at 7:59 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 ~ATTEST: ACTING CITY SECRETARY END OF REGULAR MEETING HELD March 19, 2002. APPROVED: