[00:00:01]
AND AS OUR ASSISTANT CITY SECRETARY CHANGES POSITIONS, WE
[I. INVOCATION, PLEDGE & ROLL CALL]
ARE HERE IN OUR REGULARLY SCHEDULED CITY COUNCIL MEETING ON TODAY, TUESDAY.AND I'M WAITING FOR HER TO UNMUTE ME.
OKAY, SO WE'RE GOING TO TRY IT AGAIN.
WE ARE GATHERED HERE TODAY HERE AT 4 44 FOURTH STREET IN THE CITY OF PORT ARTHUR AT OUR CITY COUNCIL, CITY HALL IN CITY COUNCIL CHAMBERS ON THE FIFTH FLOOR FOR OUR REGULARLY SCHEDULED CITY COUNCIL MEETING, WHICH ACTUALLY WAS SCHEDULED TO BEGIN AT 5:30 PM AND WE ARE BEGINNING NOW AT 5:41 PM THIS MEETING MAY BE ATTENDED, UH, IN PERSON AS MANY OF YOU ALL WHO ARE IN THE GALLERY HERE, AND ALSO BY TELEPHONIC OR VIDEO CONFERENCE MEDIUMS. HOWEVER, YOU MUST FIRST DIAL 8 7 7 8 5 3 5 2 4 7 OR 8 8 8 7 8 8 0 0 9 9.
FOR THIS MEETING, YOU WOULD ENTER THE MEETING ID OF 8 9 5 6 4 0 5 3 9 8 5 AND THE PASSCODE OF 9 0 2 5 9 7.
AND YOU WILL BE ALLOWED TO ATTEND AND PARTICIPATE IN THE MEETING AND IN AND DURING THESE MEETINGS AND THIS MEETING, WE ARE IN COMPLIANCE WITH THE AMERICANS WITH DISABILITIES ACT.
IF YOU HAVE A NEED OR A DESIRE FOR SPECIAL ACCOMMODATIONS, YOU WOULD ONLY NEED TO CALL THE CITY SECRETARY'S OFFICE AT AREA CODE 4 0 9 9 8 3 8 1 1 5 AND MAKE YOUR REQUEST.
HOWEVER, THIS REQUEST MUST BE MADE 24 HOURS PRIOR TO THE MEETING SO THAT THOSE ACCOMMODATIONS MAY BE PROVIDED FOR YOU.
AT THIS JUNCTURE, WE ARE GOING TO HAVE OUR INVOCATION AND THE PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE.
IF YOU HAVE HIGH TECH DEVICES, WOULD YOU PLEASE SILENCE THOSE AT THIS TIME SO THAT THERE WON'T BE A DISTURBANCE.
AND, UH, WE'RE GOING TO ASK, UH, COUNCILMAN FRANK, IF YOU WILL GIVE US THE, UH, INVOCATION AND FOLLOWING INVOCATION.
WE'LL HAVE THE RECITATION OF PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE.
LET US BOW ALL WISE IN ETERNAL GOD, OUR FATHER, AS WE COME BEFORE YOU THIS EVENING, IT IS WITH GREAT, UH, THANKSGIVING THAT WE APPROACH YOUR THRONE OF MERCY, LOVE AND GRACE.
WE ASK ON THIS OCCASION, GOD, THAT YOU WOULD BLESS US, HOLD US AND KEEP US AND THEN FOR US ON THIS EVENING THAT YOU WOULD GIVE US WISDOM AS WE DELIBERATE, UH, TO MOVE OUR CITY FORWARD.
WE PRAY FOR YOUR PROTECTIVE GRACE AND MERCY.
AND THEN GOD, WE ARE PRAYING FOR OUR BROTHERS AND SISTERS IN FLORIDA.
EVEN NOW, GOD, WE UNDERSTAND HURRICANES AND WE KNOW THAT YOU ARE SOVEREIGNLY IN CONTROL, BUT WE BEG FOR YOUR MERCY.
NOW, HOLD THEM IN THE HALL OF YOUR HAND AS OUR PRAYER.
WE ASK ALL OF THIS IN THE POWERFUL AND PRECIOUS NAME OF JESUS WE PRAY.
THANK YOU SO KINDLY FOR THAT PRAYER.
PLEASE JOIN US IN THE PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE.
I PLEDGE ALLEGIANCE TO THE FLAG OF UNITED STATES OF AMERICA AND TO THE REPUBLIC FOR WHICH IT STANDS, ONE NATION UNDER GOD, INDIVISIBLE, WITH LIBERTY AND JUSTICE FOR ALL.
THANK YOU SO KINDLY FOR YOUR INDULGENCE IN THE OPENING OF OUR MEETING.
WE NOW HAVE PROCLAMATIONS AND WE HAVE A PROCLAMATION.
MAYOR, WE NEED TO DO A ROLL CALL.
[II. PROCLAMATIONS]
COLEMAN.WOULD HE BE IN THE HOUSE? MR. COLEMAN, WOULD YOU COME FORWARD PLEASE? YOU ALL.
THIS IS COACH BRAD AND MR. COLEMAN, WE HAVE A PROCLAMATION THAT'S BEEN PREPARED FOR YOU BY MY OFFICE AND I WOULD LIKE TO READ IT AT THIS TIME.
[00:05:01]
IT SAYS, WHEREAS BRADFORD COLEMAN WAS INDUCTED INTO THE PRAIRIE VIEW, INTERSCHOLASTIC LEAGUE COACHES ASSOCIATION, HALL OF HONOR, HALL OF FAME, NOMINATED FOR THE TEXAS STATE OF TEXAS WHO'S WHO AND THE TEXAS BLACK SPORTS HALL OF FAME.AND WHEREAS A GRADUATE OF ABRAHAM LINCOLN HIGH SCHOOL CLASS OF 1976, BRAD STARTED COACHING THE LITTLE LEAGUE FOOTBALL IN 1975.
HE IS THE DIRECTOR OF THE PORT ARTHUR JUNIOR B'S ORGANIZATION, THE LOCAL POP WARNER FOOTBALL AND CHEER AND DANCE TEAMS. AND WHEREAS WE ARE HONORED TO RECOGNIZE AND PRESENT TO BRAD THIS PROCLAMATION, BRAD MAKES A DIFFERENCE IN THE LIVES OF THE YOUTH IN OUR COMMUNITY.
HE'S FAR MORE THAN A COACH, AND WHEREAS COACH BRAD FOR BEING AN INTEGRAL PART OF PORT ARTHUR, TEXAS, MOREOVER FOR MENTORING, CARING, AND BELIEVING IN THE FUTURE OF OUR GREAT CITY AND OUR YOUTH.
NOW, THEREFORE, I THURMAN BILL CHY, MAYOR OF THE GREAT CITY OF PORT ARTHUR, TEXAS, DO HEREBY DECLARE AND PROCLAIM AUGUST 29TH, 2023 AS BRAD COLEMAN, DAVE DAY HERE IN THE CITY OF PORT ARTHUR.
AND I ENCOURAGE ALL CITIZENS TO JOIN ME IN CONGRATULATING COACH BRAD COLEMAN IN WITNESS WHEREOF.
I HAVE HERE UNRU SET MY HAND AND CAUSED THE SEAL OF THE CITY OF PORT ARTHUR, TEXAS TO BE AFFIXED THIS 29TH DAY OF AUGUST IN THE YEAR OF OUR LORD 2023.
AND IT'S SIGNED THURMAN BILL, BCI MAYOR.
AND AT THIS TIME, MR. COLEMAN, I'D LIKE TO COME DOWN AND THEN, BUT BEFORE I'M MORE THAN SURE YOU HAVE SOMETHING TO SAY.
I WOULD LIKE TO THANK EVERYONE.
IT'S UH, MY GOD THAT PUT ME IN THIS PLACE.
HE ALLOW ME TO MENTOR KIDS AND IT'S A BLESSING TO ME.
I SAY WHEN YOU WANT SEE KIDS GROW, START 'EM AT THAT EARLY AGE AND WORK WITH 'EM, UNDERSTAND THEM AND THEY WILL UNDERSTAND YOU.
IT'S A PLEASURE AND AN HONOR TO BE A COACH IN THIS CITY WITH KIDS FROM YOUNG MAN IS MOVED FROM NEW ORLEANS TO HERE.
IT'S BEEN MY PLEASURE, MY HONOR, AND MY GOD SENT TO BE IN THIS PLACE.
THANK YOU MAYOR AND EVERYONE COUNCIL AND THE AUDIENCE.
COUNCIL, ANYONE MARK, COACH BRAD.
THERE'S ONE THING I CAN SAY ABOUT YOU THAT NO MATTER WHERE I SEE YOU, NO MATTER WHAT, UH, WHERE WE ARE, WHAT'S GOING ON, YOU WILL ALWAYS BE TALKING TO ME ABOUT THESE KIDS.
WHERE THESE KIDS NEED TO GO, WHAT THESE KIDS NEED, WHAT THESE KIDS NEED TO BE DOING.
YOU DO EVERYTHING AND YOU HAVE ALWAYS DONE EVERYTHING FROM YOUR HEART.
AND WHILE YOU'RE STANDING THERE, I WANT TO GIVE KUDOS TO YOUR WIFE AS WELL 'CAUSE SHE LETS YOU DO YOUR THING.
YOU ARE A MENTOR, YOU ARE A ROLE MODEL.
UH, I SEE YOU OUT THERE EVEN THE LAST COUPLE OF WEEKS.
YOU'RE STILL OUT THERE WITH THOSE KIDS AND, AND I'M SURE THAT, UH, IT'S A GREAT OPPORTUNITY FOR OUR YOUNG PEOPLE
[00:10:01]
THAT'S IN PORT ARTHUR.YOU'VE BEEN DOING IT A LONG TIME.
I NEVER HAD THE PLEASURE TO DO IT WITH YOU, BUT I HEAR SO MANY GOOD THINGS ABOUT YOU AND YOUR COACHING STAFF, SO CONTINUE DOING WHAT YOU DO.
I LIKE THE PURPLE AND GOLD YOU HAVE ON.
COUNCILMAN LEWIS? YES, COACH BRAD.
AND I'VE BEEN OBSERVING YOU OVER THE YEARS FOR A LONG TIME, YOU KNOW, AND, UH, YOU ALWAYS HAD A BUNCH OF KIDS AROUND.
YOU ALWAYS BEEN GIVING THEM GUIDANCE AND, UH, THAT IS A GREAT THING.
AND THOSE KIDS, AS THEY GROW OLDER, THEY, THEY'RE GOING TO INSTILL THOSE VALUES INTO THEIR CHILDREN AND IT'LL, IT'LL BE A CONTINUOUS CYCLE.
I APPRECIATE ALL THE THINGS YOU'VE DONE FOR THE COMMUNITY.
THANK YOU COACH BRAD FOR EVERYTHING THAT YOU DO.
AND JUST SO THAT THE COMMUNITY KNOWS, IT IS THE JUNIOR BEES.
MY BROTHER PLAYED FOR THE JUNIOR BEES AND HE'S NOW 37 YEARS OLD.
AND COACH BRAD WAS THERE THEN, AND HE'S STILL THERE NOW.
AND ALSO TO KNOW, WANT Y'ALL TO KNOW THAT A LOT OF THE FUNDING COMES OUT OF THE COLEMAN'S POCKETS AND THE COMMUNITY.
SO SEE COACH BRAD AND DROP HIM YOUR $20 BEFORE YOU LEAVE HERE TONIGHT.
UH, DANNY GORE, UH, HAVE ONE RIGHT NOW'S COACHING WITH THE ROUGH WRITERS IN HOUSTON, UH, MORGAN FORD.
AND, UM, I HAVE THOSE WHO LIKE CAM MARTINS COACHING IN COLLEGE.
COREY DOLPHIN IN NEW ORLEANS AT THE HIGH SCHOOL.
UH, THE HEAD COACH AT MEMORIAL HIGH SCHOOL BASKETBALL, ONE OF MINES.
AND SEVERAL OF 'EM IN THE JUNIOR HIGH LEVEL.
SO WHEN I SAY THEY TOUCH ME, I TOUCH THEM AND IT'S ALL, IT'S ALL A PART OF GOD.
I APPRECIATE YOU, APPRECIATE YOU.
Y'ALL HAVE, AND I THINK HE HAD SOME OF HIS, UH, FANS WHO WERE IN ATTENDANCE, US WITH HIM BACK THERE, SO WE APPRECIATE YOU COACH BRAD.
[III.A. (1) Gus Eddie Regarding Travel Trailers On Property]
WHAT WE HAVE RIGHT NOW IS AT THIS TO THE RIGHT PAGE, 6:00 PM WE'VE GOT TO BEGIN A PUBLIC HEARING.UH, I HAVE, UH, MR. GUS EDDIE REGARDING TRAVEL TRAILERS ON PROPERTIES.
MR. EDDIE IN THE AUDIENCE, MR. GUS.
EDDIE, IS THERE A LEGAL, UH, REASON WHY I CAN'T BEGIN FOUR EXACTLY AT SIX.
[III.A. (2) Michael Grogan Regarding Local Ambulance Services]
GROGAN REGARDING LOCAL AMBULANCE SERVICES.AND NOW, NOW AT AFTER, IF YOU GO LONGER, YOU REALLY HAVE FIVE MINUTES.
USED SHOULD BE THROUGH BY THE TIME IT'S TIME FOR US TO HERE.
THANK SIR YOU, BEN AGAIN BY SAYING YOUR NAME AND YOUR ADDRESS.
MY NAME IS MICHAEL GROGAN AND I'M REALLY JUST HERE TO, UH, ASK THE, UH, COUNCIL MEMBERS TO CONSIDER ANOTHER MEANS OF TRANSPORTATION FOR OUR MEDICAL AS FAR AS US CALLING, HAVING TO CALL AN AMBULANCE SERVICE IN ORDER TO GET BACK AND FORTH TO A HOSPITAL.
IN MY CASE, I TRANSPORT A LOT OF PATIENTS THERE AND I WOULDN'T LIKE NO ONE TO COME IN MY HOME THAT'S NOT AUTHORIZED UNDER THE PORT ARTHUR POLICE DEPARTMENT TO DO CERTAIN THINGS IN THEIR HOME, LIKE SEARCH THE FAMILY'S PROPERTY OR SEARCH THE HOME.
THEY'RE NOT AUTHORIZED TO DO THAT.
BUT IN CONSIDERATION, I WOULD ACTUALLY OUT TO CONSIDER PUTTING ANOTHER SERVICE HERE.
I DIDN'T HAVE AN ALTERNATIVE TO HAVE MY CLIENT TRANSPORTED TO THAT HOSPITAL.
AND UH, BY THAT TIME SHE GOT THERE, SHE WAS HAND RESTRAINED.
SHE'S NOT RESTRAINED IN HER HOME.
SO IT'D BE BETTER IF WE HAD ANOTHER ALTERNATIVE, UH, STAR RICHMOND, YOU KNOW WHAT I'M SAYING? BE LIKE PILGRIM AND, UH, WHAT THAT IS, OTHER CHICKEN WE GO IN H E B AND BUY AS IT'S STAYING RIGHT NOW,
[00:15:01]
WE DON'T HAVE THAT.WE JUST HAVE ONLY ONE SERVICE HERE TO PROVIDE US THERE.
AND THAT'S ALL I REALLY GOT TO SAY.
I THINK I WROTE A LITTLE BIT TOO MUCH, BUT THAT COMPLAINT WENT TO THE ACTUAL PEOPLE WHO SENT THE LETTER TO ME TO FILL IT OUT.
SO I THINK I JUST MADE A COPY FOR THE COUNCIL PEOPLE TO HAVE TO.
SO THAT'S ALL I REALLY HAVE TO SAY ON THAT.
IT'S JUST TO CONSIDER, UH, PORT ARTHUR WITH ANOTHER OPTION, ANOTHER MEANS OF TRANSPORTATION FOR MEDICAL.
WE HAVE ANY, ANY QUESTIONS OR REMARKS FOR MS. ROGAN FROM THE COUNCIL? FOR COUNCILMAN LEWIS? YES.
YOU, YOU HAD AN EXPERIENCE THAT, UH, YOU MAY WANNA MENTION.
UH, IT WAS SUPPOSED TO BE, YES.
ON JULY 17TH, MY PATIENT BLOOD PRESSURE HAD FELL LOW AND HER FAMILY WORKS.
AND I MAINTAINED THIS LADY IN THE HOME.
I WORK, UH, FOR A COMPANY AND I WORK PRIVATE DUTY.
AND AT THIS TIME I DIDN'T HAVE NO OTHER MEANS, BUT TO CALL AN AMBULANCE TO HAVE HER TRANSPORTED TO THE MEDICAL CENTER.
BUT UNDER HER CLASSIFICATION, SHE DOES HAVE ESCORT.
SHE'S LEGALLY BLIND AND SHE HAS DEMENTIA, WHICH MEANS SHE CANNOT LEAVE HER HOME WITHOUT AN ESCORT WITH HER.
AND I TRIED TO TELL THEM THAT, BUT I THINK IT WAS MORE LIKE THEY WAS UPSET BECAUSE THEY WENT IN THERE AND SEARCHED HER PROPERTY IN HER ROOM.
THEY HAD NO RIGHT TO DO THAT BECAUSE SHE WAS IN THE LIVING ROOM AND THERE WAS EIGHT, FIVE APARTMENTS THERE, MEN'S AND THEY WERE MAINTAINING HER.
AND THE WAY HE COME IN THE HOUSE, WHERE'S HER ROOM AT? HE SCARED ME.
HE IMMEDIATELY WENT TO THE ROOM.
WHEN I FOLLOWED HIM INTO THE ROOM, SHE HAD THE DRESSER, BUT MOSTLY CLOTHES ON HER, BUT SHE HAD A PURSE SITTING ON THE END OF THE DRESSER.
HE IMMEDIATELY GRABBED THAT PURSE OFF OF THAT DRESSER, WAS GOING THROUGH THAT PURSE, AND THE OTHER ONE IMMEDIATELY WENT IN HER CLOSET, WHICH HAVE NOTHING IN IT, BUT ONE SET OF CLOTHES AND A BUNCH OF PAMPERS.
SO WHEN THEY SEEN IT, WHEN I SEEN THAT, I SAID, HEY, GET YOUR OUT OF HER ROOM.
YOU THOUGHT, SHE'S NOT UP IN HERE, SHE'S IN HER LIVING ROOM.
YOU HAVING A RIGHT DIGGING IN HER PERSONAL THINGS AND HER PERSONAL ITEMS. AND I THINK THEY GOT MORE EMBARRASSED.
SO THEY LEFT OUT WHEN ALL THE FIRE DEPARTMENTS LIKE THAT LOOKING AT THEM, REALLY, Y'ALL GONNA COME IN AND DO THIS? AND, UH, I WAS THEN DENIED A RIGHT TO RIDE IN THAT AMBULANCE.
SO I TOLD 'EM TO REMOVE HER FROM THE AMBULANCE.
AT THAT POINT, THEY GOT ESCALATED LIKE THAT AND THE POLICE WAS CALLED AND I WAS SINGLED OUT, BUT THE POINT REMAINED THAT LADY HAD TO BE TRANSPORTED TO THE HOSPITAL BY THOSE SAME AMBULANCE DRIVER.
WHEN I GOT THERE, SHE WAS HAND RESTRAINED TO THE HOSPITAL BED BY HER HANDS.
THIS, THIS, THIS WAS A PARAMEDICS THAT WENT IN AND SEARCHED, SEARCHED UP AN AMBULANCE.
I'M JUST ASKING COUNCIL, UH, THAT'S WHAT I WANTED.
THIS WAS WITH ACADIAN, BUT, UH, THE LADIES OF THE TEXAS HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES, WHICH GIVES HER A DIFFERENT CLASSIFICATION, UM, EVEN THOUGH SHE'S LEGALLY BLIND AND WITH, UH, DEMENTIA, SHE HAS ESCORTS.
SHE CAN'T GO NOWHERE WITHOUT, SHE'S NOT A PERSON THAT COULD TELL YOU, OH, MY CHEST HURT OR MY LEG HURT.
SHE, SHE CAN'T TELL YOU NOTHING THAT'S WRONG WITH HER.
SO SHE HAS TO HAVE SOMEONE THERE WITH HER AT ALL TIMES.
MY HAND WAS ON THE DOOR OF THE AMBULANCE AND HE WAS DRIVING OFF, AND THAT'S WHAT MADE ME ADDRESS HIM BECAUSE THE DRIVER GOT OUT THE AMBULANCE, WENT TO THE BACK OF THE AMBULANCE, OPENED THE DOOR, LOCKED IT AND SLAMMED THE SHIP.
WHEN HE HAD AN OPTION, I HAD ASKED HIM TO REMOVE HER OUT THAT AMBULANCE AND HE WOULDN'T, YOU CAN'T DO NOBODY LIKE THAT.
SHE'S THE ELDERLY OF THE CITY OF PORT ARTHUR.
AND SHE BE SHE'LL BE TREATED WITH MORE RESPECT THAN THAT.
SHE GOT A PAY FOR THAT AMBULANCE.
UH, MA'AM, APPROACH THAT, MA'AM, THE FIRST OF ALL, I APOLOGIZE THAT YOU'VE HAD THAT EXPERIENCE.
UM, DID YOU RE YOU REPORTED THAT TO ACADIAN AND TO THE CITY.
YOU MENTIONED THAT THERE WAS A LETTER SENT.
WAS THAT LETTER SENT TO, TO US? UH, UH YES, I DID.
WHEN I, THE TEXAS HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICE LICENSE AND CERTIFICATION BOARD.
I THINK I SENT HER, ASKED FOR ALL COPIES FOR Y'ALL TO HAVE THIS SO THAT Y'ALL CAN REVIEW, REVIEW THAT AND SEE WHAT WE AS CITIZENS OF PORT ARTHUR HAVE TO GO THROUGH WITH THOSE TYPE OF AMBULANCE.
I'M JUST A, A WORKER TO GO IN SOMEBODY HOUSE MM-HMM.
RIGHT NOW IT IS UNDER REVIEW, UNDER INVESTIGATION OKAY.
WITH THE TEXAS HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICE.
UM, CITY ATTORNEY, DO WE HAVE, AT SOME POINT, CAN WE ACTUALLY RECEIVE A COPY OF THAT LETTER IF WE HAVE BEEN SENT IT? I, I MISSED IT.
I DON'T REMEMBER REVIEWING THAT.
I UNDERSTAND, BUT IT'S SIX O'CLOCK NOW, SO WE GOING TO HAVE TO JUST KEEP, CAN I JUST NO, MA'AM.
CAN WE BRING HER BACK? THAT'S WHAT THIS, IF YOU ALL WOULD LET ME CHAIR A MEETING, MA'AM, YOU SHOULD HAVE A SEAT AND WE'LL BRING YOU BACK AT THE CONCLUSION OF YES, THE PUBLIC.
I'M, I'M, I'M GONNA MAKE EVERYBODY SATISFIED.
[00:20:01]
YEAH, YEAH.EVERYBODY'S GONNA BE SATISFIED.
[IV. To Receive And Consider Public Comment( s) For All Interested Citizens With Regard To The City Of Port Arthur' s Proposed Tax Rate For The 2023 Tax Year]
6:00 PM AND IT'S TIME FOR A PUBLIC HEARING.YOU WILL FIND IT ON PAGE THREE OF YOUR PRINTED AGENDA.
AND THIS IS A MEETING OR HEARING TO RECEIVE AND CONSIDER PUBLIC COMMENTS FROM ALL INTERESTED CITIZENS WITH REGARDS TO THE CITY OF PORT ARTHUR'S PROPOSED TAX RATE FOR THE 2023 TAX YEAR.
A TAX RATE OF SIX POINT, I MEAN 0.64 OR SIX FIVE PER $100 VALUATION HAS BEEN PROPOSED BY THE GOVERNING BODY OF THE CITY OF PORT ARTHUR PROPOSED TAX RATE.
AND YOU SEE IT THERE FOR EACH, UH, PROPOSED TAX RATE FOR THE YEAR.
THE NO NEW RATE, TAX RATE AND THE VOTER APPROVAL TAX RATE.
THE NO NEW RATE TAX RATE IS THE TAX RATE FOR THE 2023 TAX YEAR THAT WILL RAISE THE SAME AMOUNT OF PROPERTY TAX REVENUE FOR CITY OF PORT ARTHUR FROM THE SAME PROPERTIES IN BOTH THE 2022 TAX YEAR AND THE 2023 TAX YEAR.
THE VOTER APPROVED RATE IS THE HIGHEST TAX RATE THAT THE CITY OF PORT ARTHUR MAY ADOPT WITHOUT HOLDING AN ELECTION TO SEEK VOTER APPROVAL OF THE TAX RATE.
THE PROPOSED TAX RATE IS GREATER THAN THE NO NEW REVENUE TAX RATE.
THIS MEANS THAT THE CITY OF PORT ARTHUR IS PROPOSING TO INCREASE PROPERTY TAXES FOR THE 2023 TAX YEAR.
THE PUBLIC WILL ALSO BE ABLE TO VIEW THIS PUBLIC HEARING VIA THE CITY'S WEBSITE AT WWW.PORTARTHURTX.GOV GOB.
AND, AND AT THIS JUNCTURE, CITY ATTORNEY, YOU MAY BEGIN.
PURSUANT TO CHAPTER 26 OF THE TAX, THE TEXAS TAX CODE, WE ARE REQUIRED TO HOLD A PUBLIC HEARING, UH, PRIOR TO THE ADOPTION OF ANY TAX RATE.
SO, UM, BASICALLY CHAPTER 26.05 REQUIRES THAT THE CITY OF COUN COUNCIL HOLD A TAX RATE IF IT'S GOING TO, UH, PROVE A TAX RATE ABOVE THE NO NEW REVENUE TAX RATE.
UM, ALL OF THAT INFORMATION, OF COURSE, IS IN THE NOTICE ON PAGE THREE OF THE AGENDA.
SO AT THIS TIME, WE'RE GOING TO HOLD A PUBLIC HEARING AT THE END OF THE PUBLIC HEARING.
UM, THE COUNCIL MAY ADOPT, HOWEVER, IT WOULD ALSO BE REQUIRED TO PRIOR, PRIOR TO ADOPTING A TAX RATE THAT WE ADOPT THE BUDGET.
SO WE WILL NOW HOLD THE PUBLIC HEARING ON THE TAX RATE.
UM, AND THEN AT THE CONCLUSION OF THAT, UH, WE WILL, UM, MOVE FORWARD WITH OTHER AGENDA ITEMS RELATED THERE, THERE TOO.
THAT IS, WE, WE GET COMMENTS FROM THE PUBLIC AS WELL.
I JUST HAVE A SHORT, UH, PRESENTATION HERE TO RECAP THE, UH, PROPOSED TAX RATE IT, SEE IF YOU WILL TURN TO PAGE TWO.
UH, THIS IS A COMPARISON OF THE ASSESSED VALUE, THE CERTIFIED VALUE FROM, UH, TAX YEAR 22, WHICH IS FISCAL YEAR, UM, 23, AND THE CERTIFIED, UH, ROLE FROM TAX TAX YEAR 23, WHICH WOULD BE FOR FISCAL YEAR 24.
YOU CAN SEE THAT, UM, THE TAXABLE VALUE WAS THREE POINT APPROXIMATELY 3.7 BILLION, UH, LAST YEAR.
AND IT HAS INCREASED TO ABOUT 4.26 BILLION FOR THIS YEAR, WHICH IS ABOUT A 469 MILLION INCREASE OR ABOUT 12% YOUR TAX VALUE HAS GONE UP.
SO IF YOU TURN TO THE NEXT PAGE, UM, THIS IS SOMETHING I'VE SHOWN YOU BEFORE, WHICH IS THE TAX RATE CALCULATION.
UH, AND THIS IS SOME OF WHAT YOU MENTIONED JUST A MINUTE AGO, BUT THE NO NEW REVENUE TAX RATE WAS PRE, PREVIOUSLY REFERRED TO AS THE EFFECTIVE TAX RATE.
AND IT IS BASICALLY THE TAX RATE NEEDED TO GENERATE THE SAME AMOUNT OF TAXES AS LAST YEAR.
THEN THE VOTER APPROVAL RATE, WHICH WAS PREVIOUSLY CALLED THE ROLLBACK RATE, IS THE HIGHEST TAX RATE A TAXING UNIT CAN ADOPT WITHOUT HOLDING AN ELECTION.
UH, NEW LEGISLATION IN 2021 CREATED A MODIFICATION OF THE FORMULA USED FOR THE MAINTENANCE AND OPERATION RATE,
[00:25:01]
AND THIS CHANGED THE MAXIMUM RATE FROM 8% TO 3.5% INCREASE WITHOUT REQUIRING AN AUTOMATIC ELECTION.AND AFTER THIS CALCULATION WAS DONE, IT RESULTED IN A 4 CENT REDUCTION IN THE PROPERTY TAX RATE.
NEXT PAGE, THIS SHOWS YOU THE, UM, THE CALCULATED RATES HERE AS THEY STAND.
UH, FOR FISCAL YEAR 23, UH, THE NO NEW REVENUE TAX RATE WAS ABOUT 62 CENTS.
AND, UH, FOR FISCAL YEAR 24, IT CALCULATED TO BE 55 CENTS OR A 7 CENT DECREASE.
THE VOTER APPROVAL RATE, WHICH WE CAN'T GO OVER BECAUSE WE, WE VOTED NOT TO HAVE THE ELECTION, UH, WAS ABOUT 69 CENTS FOR 2023.
AND IT'S INCREASED TO, UM, AND IT'S DECREASED, EXCUSE ME, TO 65 CENTS FOR FISCAL YEAR 24, ABOUT A 4 CENT REDUCTION.
SO WE HAVE PROPOSED TO ADOPT THE VOTER APPROVAL TAX RATE, AND THAT'S BROKEN DOWN INTO TWO CATEGORIES, YOUR MAINTENANCE AND OPERATIONS RATE, WHICH SUPPORTS THE GENERAL FUND, AND THEN THE DEBT RATE, WHICH PAYS OUR DEBT FOR US.
UM, UH, SO THE M AND O TAX RATE, UH, HAS BEEN REDUCED ABOUT 4 CENTS, THE DEBT RATE JUST SLIGHTLY UNDER A CENT.
AND SO THE TOTAL, TOTAL PROPOSED TAX RATE OF 0.6 4 8 6 4 1 OR ABOUT 65 CENTS IS A 4 CENT REDUCTION FROM THE PREVIOUS YEAR'S TAX RATE IN TOTAL.
AND THE LAST PAGE, UM, I BELIEVE THIS MAY BE WHAT, UH, COUNCIL MEMBER LEWIS ASKED ME FOR YESTERDAY.
UH, IT SHOWS THE PROPOSED TAX FOR AN AVERAGE HOMESTEAD.
SO, UM, FOR FISCAL YEAR 23, THE AVERAGE HOMESTEAD TAXABLE VALUE WAS APPROXIMATELY $82,000.
AND THAT HAS INCREASED THIS YEAR TO 90, A LITTLE OVER 91,000 OR A $9,000 INCREASE.
AND WHEN YOU APPLY THE TAX RATES FOR EACH OF THOSE YEARS, YOU CAN SEE THAT THE TAX WENT UP FROM ABOUT $569 TO $593 OR ABOUT A $24 INCREASE.
OH, I WAS JUST GONNA, I HAVE A COMMENT AFTER YOU, UH, FINISHED WITH THE PUBLIC.
UH, AT THIS TIME, AND MAYBE YOU STAY CLOSE, MS. UH, MS. MS. DANIELS, PLEASE, UH, IF WE HAVE ANYONE IN THE GALLERY WHO HAS ANY, UH, QUESTIONS THAT YOU WOULD CARE TO ASK MS. DANIELS.
IF YOU HAVE A QUESTION YOU APPROACH, PLEASE STATE YOUR NAME AND YOUR ADDRESS AND, UH, BE SURE THAT YOUR QUESTIONS ARE IN DIRECT CORRELATION WITH WHAT WE ARE DISCUSSING RIGHT NOW, WHICH WOULD BE THE ACTUAL, UH, INCREASE IN THE TAX RATE.
ROSLYN, QUEEN 2 2 9 4 BAYOU DRIVE FOR ARTHUR, TEXAS 7 7 6 4 OH.
I'M NOT SURE IF THIS QUESTION IS TO CANDY OR TO MS. TIANO, BUT I'M GONNA ASK THE QUESTION.
THE QUESTION THAT I NEED TO FIND AN ANSWER TO IS IF WE ARE GOING BACK TO THE VOTER APPROVED TAX RATE, AM I RIGHT ON THAT? YES.
BUT THE LAST TAX RATE, THE NO NEW REVENUE TAX RATE WAS LESS.
SO IF GOVERNOR ABBOTT HAS SIGNED A BILL AND HE'S PUTTING IT TO THE VOTERS IN NOVEMBER, WHAT HAPPENS TO THE TAX RATE THAT WE'RE GOING TO NOW? ANYBODY? OKAY.
THAT, THAT BILL IS, IS AND THEN I CAN GIVE YOU FURTHER RESEARCH, BUT THIS IS JUST SETTING WHAT OUR TAX RATE IS FOR PORT ARTHUR, FOR THE CITY OF PORT ARTHUR AS A, UH, TAXING ENTITY.
SO THIS IS, UH, SETTING WHAT, WHAT AMOUNT OF TAXES WE WILL CHARGE FOR PROPERTY TAX, WHAT THE RATE IS, IF I'M UNDERSTANDING YOUR QUESTION CORRECTLY, I THINK YOU'RE TALKING ABOUT AN EXEMPTION, WHICH WOULD BE DIFFERENT, YOU KNOW, THE EXEMPTION PLAYS IN AT ANOTHER TIME.
WELL, I DIDN'T THINK IT WOULD BE AN EXEMPTION THROUGH THE STATE.
I'M THINKING HE'S REDUCING THE PROPERTY TAX RATE, BUT WE ARE INCREASING OUR PROPERTY TAX RATE.
SO WHERE DOES IT LIE IN WHAT'S IN BETWEEN? SO WHAT BASICALLY THE TOP, THE, THE PROPERTY TAX RATE OF 0.6 4 8 6 4 1 PER $100 OF VALUATION.
THAT'S, THAT'S WHAT WE ARE CHARGING AS A TAX RATE.
AND THEN HE'S, HE'S GIVING AN EXEMPTION.
[00:30:01]
THE EXEMPTION IN THE BILL COMES LATER THAT IF SOMEONE IS ELIGIBLE TO APPLY FOR AN EXEMPTION, THEN THEY CAN GET IT.BUT, BUT THE BILL THAT THE GOVERNOR HAS IS NOT ABOUT THE, UM, THE ACTUAL RATE THAT WE SET AS A MUNICIPALITY.
SO HIS TAX DECREASE WILL NOT AFFECT OUR TAX INCREASE.
IT'S, NO, THEY'RE TWO DIFFERENT THINGS.
I GUESS I WOULD, COULD PROBABLY GIVE YOU SOME BETTER INFORMATION.
I DON'T KNOW IF MS. DANIELS WANTS TO ANSWER THAT, BUT WE HAVE TO SET A TAX RATE, WHAT WE'RE GONNA CHARGE PEOPLE PER $100 OF VALUE.
THEN NOW YOU GET AN EXEMPTION BASED ON WHAT YOU'RE, UH, LIKE FOR EXAMPLE, THERE'S, UH, OVER 65 EXEMPTIONS THAT'S BASED ON AFTER TAXES HAVE BEEN ASSESSED, THEY LOOK AT THE VALUE OF YOUR HOME, THEN YOU'RE ABLE TO GET A A, AN EXEMPTION LATER.
SO IT'S KIND OF THESE, THESE YOU, YOU CAN GET AN EXEMPTION LATER IF YOU QUALIFY, BUT THIS IS SETTING THE RATE BASED ON THE, UH, APPRAISAL DISTRICT.
THE APPRAISAL DISTRICT WILL THEN LOOK AT THE VALUE OF THE HOME AFTER THEY ASSESS THE VALUE OF THE HOME AND THEY WILL APPLY THE TAX BILL BASED ON THE RATE WE SET.
SO LIKE SOMEBODY LIKE ME, I, I'M NOT A TAX ATTORNEY, BUT I GET MY BILL, I SEE CITY OF PORT ARTHUR, P A I S D, DRAINAGE DISTRICT SEVEN.
IF YOU REALLY LOOK AT THAT BILL, EVERYBODY HAS THEIR TAX RATE.
THEY LOOK AT WHAT THEY VALUE THE HOUSE AT.
UM, THERE'S SOME EXAMPLES ON THE WEBSITE, LIKE IF THE HOUSE IS VALUED AT A HUNDRED THOUSAND DOLLARS, YOU CAN SEE ON THE WEBSITE AND THERE'S SOMETHING THAT THE APPRAISER DISTRICT GIVES YOU, LIKE BASED ON A HOUSE VALUED AT APPRAISED AT A HUNDRED THOUSAND, THIS IS WHAT YOUR TAX BILL IS.
SO WE HAVE TO SET THE RATE THAT WE CHARGE FOR THAT PORT ARTHUR LINE.
AND THAT'S WHAT THIS IS NOW AFTER IT'S BEEN ASSESSED AND YOU GET YOUR BILL, 'CAUSE YOU'LL GET YOUR BILL LATER.
IT'S BASED ON THAT 0.64 NUMBER THAT WE ARE PICKING MM-HMM.
AND I KNOW THEY'VE CHANGED THE, UM, CRITERIA IN THE BILL IF I'M THINKING OF THE SAME BILL THAT YOU ARE OF HOW MUCH OF AN EXEMPTION YOU CAN GET FOR HOMESTEAD.
SO THEY'RE KIND OF TWO DIFFERENT THINGS.
AND THE, UM, A BETTER WAY OF SAYING IT IS THE TAX ASSESSOR DOES HAVE A, UH, AN EXAMPLE THAT WE CAN SHOW YOU AND, UH, THEY CAN KIND OF SIT DOWN WITH ANY CITIZEN AND ANSWER THOSE QUESTIONS.
BUT WE HAVE TO SET THE TAX RATE FIRST.
THE LAST PAGE OF THE, IT NEVER CAME ON SCREEN.
DID YOU NOT TURN TO THE LAST PAGE? CAN YOU TURN BLANK? IT WAS BLANK HERE.
ANY OTHER, UH, COMMENTS FROM YOU WANNA SHOW US HERE THE GALLERY? UH, WE CAN GIVE HER THE LAST PAGE.
YOU GONNA GIVE IT TO HER? OKAY, THANK YOU.
ANY OTHER COMMENTS FROM THE GALLERY? STATE YOUR NAME AND YOUR ADDRESS PLEASE.
WARREN FIELD, F I L D ADDRESS 1147 SIXTH STREET.
UH, I USED TO BE AN ADVOCATE FOR CITIZENS AND ALSO YOUNG PEOPLE AND I SAID I WOULDN'T GET UP HERE AND TALK ABOUT THIS, BUT I FEEL I HAVE TO, YOU KNOW, I DON'T UNDERSTAND HOW ABBOTT IS GIVING EVERYBODY AN INCREASE, PROBABLY INCLUSIVE OF US TOO.
AND I'M NOT TALKING ABOUT EXEMPTIONS, BUT I DO KNOW SPECIFICALLY THAT I PROTEST MY TAXES EVERY YEAR AND IT DOESN'T MAKE ANY DIFFERENCE.
AND THE REASON WHY IT DOESN'T MAKE ANY DIFFERENCE, BECAUSE THEY TELL ME THAT THEY WILL INCREASE MY TAXES NO MORE THAN 10% IN SPITE OF IMPROVEMENTS.
AND, UM, MY TAXES HAVE BEEN GONE UP TO THE 10% INCREASE EVERY YEAR AND, AND I HAVEN'T MADE ANY IMPROVEMENTS.
I HAVE MADE ALL THOSE IMPROVEMENTS PRIOR AND MY HOUSE IS REALLY IN, ITS, UH, A STATE OF FINISH AND I'VE DONE EVERYTHING TOO, BUT I HAVE ONGOING PROJECTS ARE NOT RELATED TO THE HOUSE, BUT RELATED TO THE PROPERTY ITSELF.
BUT I DON'T UNDERSTAND HOW YOU CAN INCREASE MY TAXES AND YOU DON'T COME OUT TO MAKE A REAL EVALUATION OF WHETHER OR NOT I IMPROVE IT OR NOT.
THAT WAS A HIGH POINT OF OUR DISCUSSION WE HAD.
NOW YOU TELL ME THAT THE MARKET VALUE IS SO AND SO AND SEEM LIKE, UH, THEY'RE BASING THAT MARKET VALUE NOT ON WHAT, UH, THE REALTOR'S REPORT IS ABOUT.
THEY DON'T COME OUT AND LOOK AT IT.
AND IF THEY DID THAT, I WOULD FEEL GOOD ABOUT IT
[00:35:01]
BECAUSE THAT THAT'D BE AN OBJECTIVE APPROACH.BUT I'M CONFUSED AS MANY OF THE PEOPLE ARE.
BUT I'M ANXIOUS TO SEE HOW EACH ONE OF OUR COUNCIL PEOPLE WILL REACT TO THIS INCREASE THAT WE'RE TALKING ABOUT.
AT ONE POINT, UH, WHEN I USED TO ATTEND THESE MEETINGS, SOMEBODY TOLD ME THAT ONE THIRD OF THE PEOPLE IN PORT ARTHUR ARE NOT PAYING THEIR TAXES.
BUT I DO KNOW ONE THING THAT WE GOT A LOT OF RETIRED FOLKS HERE LIKE MYSELF THAT HAS GREATLY RELIED ON TO PICK UP THE TAB AND SEEMINGLY THAT'S WHAT HAS HAPPENED OVER THE YEARS.
BUT THAT'S ALL I HAVE TO SAY ABOUT IT BECAUSE I KNOW DEEP DOWN AS I HAVE PROTEST THESE MEETINGS, IT DIDN'T MATTER WHAT I THOUGHT, THEY INCREASED IT ANYWAY.
BUT NOT SO MUCH ME, I CAN AFFORD TO PAY THE LITTLE TAXES I DO, I'M NOT TAX EXEMPT FROM PAYING PROPERTY TAXES, BUT I JUST FEEL SORRY FOR THOSE WHO ARE STRUGGLING WITH THIS PROBLEM.
SO I HOPE OUR COUNCIL PEOPLE WILL FIGHT AS HARD AS THEY CAN TO MAKE THIS NOT HAPPEN IN TERMS OF A INCREASE.
ANY OTHER COMMENTS FROM THE, UH, GALLERY? OH, GO.
OH, GO AHEAD, SAY THE ATTORNEY.
OH NO, I WANT TO, DID THE GALLERY HAVE ANYTHING? WELL, NO, I DON'T SEE ANYONE MOVING.
I, I THINK IN A BETTER EXPLANATION TO DR.
QUEEN, IF YOU LOOK AT THAT, I THINK THAT PRETTY MUCH EXPLAINS IT.
SO THAT REALLY PRETTY MUCH EXPLAINS IT BECAUSE OUR PRIOR TAX RATE AND I'M UH, GONNA TURN IT OVER TO FINANCIAL PERSON.
BUT THAT'S, THAT'S THE ANSWER TO YOUR QUESTION.
IF YOU TAKE THE, UH, IF YOU'RE LOOKING IN THE 2024 COLUMN, IF YOU TAKE 90 1003 90 AND YOU MULTIPLY IT BY THE 6 4 8 6 4 1 AND DIVIDE BY A HUNDRED, THAT'S WHERE YOU GET $592.
THAT'S HOW YOU CALCULATE YOUR TAX BILL.
YOU TAKE THE VALUE OF YOUR HOME AND YOU MULTIPLY IT BY THE RATE, DIVIDE IT BY A HUNDRED AND THAT'LL GIVE THE AMOUNT OF YOUR TAXES.
AND SO ON THE AVERAGE, UH, AND THIS IS WHAT WAS PUBLISHED IN THE NEWSPAPER, THESE NUMBERS I TOOK DIRECTLY FROM THAT, UH, THE COUNTY, UH, COMES UP WITH THE AMOUNT OF THE AVERAGE HOME VALUE.
UH, THAT WASN'T A NUMBER I CREATED.
IT WAS A NUMBER THAT THEY GET FROM SOME CALCULATION.
BUT, UM, THEY HAVE DETERMINED THAT THAT'S APPROXIMATELY THE AMOUNT OF THE AVERAGE HOME IN PORT ARTHUR AND THAT THAT'S THE AVERAGE INCREASE.
SO EVEN THOUGH YOU CAN SEE THE TAX RATE WENT DOWN, IF YOUR VALUE GOES UP, YOUR TAX RATE'S GONNA GO UP A LITTLE BIT.
UH, ANY OTHER, UH, COMMENTS FROM THE GALLERY NOW? ANY FROM THE GALLERY? NOW WE CAN, UH, HAVE COMMENTS FROM THE, UH, COUNCIL, UH, COUNCILMAN ETT? YES.
UH, IT SAYS HERE, UNDER PUBLIC HEARING TO RECEIVE AND CONSIDER PUBLIC COMMENTS FOR INTEREST CITIZENS WITH REGARD TO THE CITY OF PORT ARTHUR PROPOSED TAX RATE FOR THE 2023, IT'S TAX, TAX YEAR.
BECAUSE OKAY, AT THE BOTTOM I LOOKED AT IT, IT SAYS, COMPARING TO THE 2022 TAX YEAR AND 23 TAX YEAR.
THE OTHER COMMENT I HAVE IS IN REFERENCE TO MR. FIELD COMMENT, AND THAT'S SOMETHING THAT I FEEL FOR HIM FOR IT.
BUT, UH, IF YOU LOOK AT APPRAISAL VALUE, UH, THEY HAVE, COUNTIES HAVE DIFFERENT METHODS OR SOME COUNTIES THEY HAVE WHAT THEY CALL INDIVIDUAL WHERE THEY ACTUALLY GO AROUND AND APPRAISE YOUR PROPERTY BASED ON WHAT THEY LOOK AT AND SEE AND COMPARE IT TO YOUR NEIGHBORHOOD.
JEFFERSON COUNTY HAPPENED TO BE ONE OF THE COUNTIES THAT DOES A CROSS THE BOARD TYPE, UH, EVALUATION OF AN APPRAISAL OF PROPERTY.
AND WHAT THAT MEANS IS IF THEY DETERMINE THAT THEY'RE GONNA RAISE IT A CERTAIN PERCENTAGE, THEY DO IT JUST ACROSS THE BOARD.
THEY DON'T EVEN GO OUT TO YOUR HOME.
AND THAT'S WHY WHEN WE GO THERE TO, UH, PROTEST IT, YOU KNOW, THEY PRETTY MUCH ALL IN LINE WITH, WELL THIS IS WHAT YOUR COMPARABLES ARE.
YOU, YOU, IF YOU COMPARE, IF YOU EVER BEEN THERE, YOU HEAR THAT WORD COMPARABLE.
YOU KNOW, THAT'S SOMETHING THAT WE REALLY NEED TO LOOK AT, BUT I'M LIKE, YOU, I GET, AND THEY CAN'T EXPLAIN IT TO ME, DON'T MEET THE COMMON SENSE TEST.
BUT THAT'S THE WAY THE SYSTEM WORKS, IS ACROSS THE BOARD TAX, UH, INCREASE.
SO WHATEVER THE RATE IS HERE, THAT'S ONE THING, BUT HOW THEY APPRAISE YOUR PROPERTY IS WHAT'S GOING TO DETERMINE WHAT YOUR PROPERTY TAX IS GOING TO BE.
NOT SO MUCH THE RATE IS THE PROPERTY.
[00:40:01]
THANK YOU.COUNCILMAN LEWIS? YEAH, MS. DANIELS, I HAVE A, A RELATED QUESTION ON THE APPRAISERS.
UH, ARE THEY APPRAISING THE PROPERTY AND USE, IT'S SUPPOSED TO BE THREE COMPARABLES WITHIN THE COMMUNITY THAT YOU LIVE IN.
ARE THEY DOING THAT NOW COMPARABLES OR ARE THEY GOING TO OTHER, OTHER NEIGHBORHOODS? I DON'T HAVE THE ANSWER TO THAT.
THAT WOULD BE A QUESTION FOR THE APPRAISAL DISTRICT.
SEE, THE FIELD CALL IS SUPPOSED TO BE THREE COMPARABLES IN THE NEIGHBORHOOD.
CAN ANYBODY ANSWER THAT QUESTION? UH, AGAIN, WE WOULD, UH, THE PROCESS IN WHICH THE APPRAISALS ARE DONE, YOU'RE RIGHT, WE WOULD HAVE TO ASK THE JEFFERSON COUNTY, UH, CENTRAL APPRAISAL DISTRICT ON WHAT METHODOLOGY THEY USE.
YOU KNOW, WE CAN TRY TO GATHER THAT INFORMATION FROM THEM.
COUNCILWOMAN UH, BECKHAM, THANK YOU, MAYOR.
I JUST HAD A COMMENT, UH, ABOUT GOVERNOR ABBOTT'S BILL.
UM, I JUST LOOKED IT UP TO REFRESH MY MEMORY ON IT JUST TO MAKE SURE THAT I WASN'T GONNA MISSPEAK.
UM, THE BIGGEST PART OF THAT BILL HAS TO DO WITH HOMESTEAD EXEMPTIONS.
AND IT'S GOING TO, IT'S GONNA PREVENT THE APPRAISAL DISTRICTS FROM JACKING UP OUR HOME VALUES LIKE THEY DID A FEW YEARS AGO.
AND EVERYBODY'S HOME VALUES WENT JUST ASTRONOMICAL.
SO IT'S GONNA PREVENT THAT, BUT IT'S ALSO GONNA GIVE THOSE OF US THAT HAVE THE HOMESTEAD EXEMPTION, A TAX BREAK ON OUR SCHOOL TAXES.
SO THAT'S GONNA BE A 1200 TO $1,400 DIFFERENCE ON A, A A HUNDRED THOUSAND DOLLARS HOMESTEAD PROPERTY.
SO THAT'S THE BIGGEST PART OF THE TAX BREAK IN THAT BILL.
I, I REALLY DON'T THINK IT HAS AN IMPACT ON THE LOCAL TAX RATE AT ALL.
SO I, I JUST WANTED TO MAKE THAT STATEMENT.
THANK YOU FOR THAT CLARIFICATION.
IN REFERENCE TO COUNCILMAN LEWIS QUESTIONS, THE APPRAISAL, UH, DISTRICT USE THE SAME FORMAT.
THEY USE COMPARABLES AND WITHIN A A FIVE MILE RADIUS, THAT'S WHY YOU MAY LIVE HERE.
AND WHEN THEY DO YOUR COMPARABLES, THEY GO TO ANOTHER NEIGHBORHOOD AND YOU SAY, WELL, I DON'T LIVE THERE, ALL THOSE, BUT THEY CAN USE THAT AS A COMPARABLE WITHIN THE RAIDERS.
SO THEY DO HAVE THREE THAT THEY GO BY AND OF COURSE THEY CAN ALWAYS GET THE THREE TO JUSTIFY WHAT THEY WANT, BUT IT IS WHAT IT IS.
UH, ANY OTHER COMMENTS FROM COUNCIL? ANY OTHER COMMENTS FROM THE GALLERY? OKAY.
COULD YOU APPROACH, PLEASE, SIR, STATE YOUR NAME AND YOUR ADDRESS? I WAS ACTUALLY HERE FOR SOMETHING ELSE, BUT I'LL ADD IT, SIR.
UH, JESUS TORRES 91 25 LAURA LANE.
UH, SO BY LOOKING AT IT, IT LOOKS LIKE THE TAX RATE IS ACTUALLY GOING DOWN, RIGHT? IT'S JUST THE PROPERTY VALUE GOING UP.
SO IF YOUR PROPERTY VALUE'S NOT MOVING FROM ONE YEAR TO THE NEXT, YOUR PROPERTY TAXES SHOULD BE LESS, RIGHT? AM I READING THAT CORRECTLY? OKAY.
SO, SO IF YOU WRITE THE CURRENT TAX RATE HERE, IT'LL BE POINT 69 VERSUS POINT 64, RIGHT? OKAY.
ANYONE ELSE WITH, UH, A CONCERN FROM THE GALLERY? SHE PUT HER HAND UP.
SHE WANTS TO KNOW YOU WANNA KNOW WHAT WE'RE DOING? THAT'S OKAY.
THAT'S, THAT'S, NO, THAT'S GOOD.
ANYONE ELSE? ANYONE ELSE? COUNCIL? OKAY.
UH, AT THIS JUNCTURE, I WOULD BE READY TO ENTERTAIN A MOTION TO CLOSE THE PUBLIC HEARING.
AND SECOND THAT WE WOULD CLOSE THE PUBLIC HEARING AT 6:24 PM HERE ON TODAY, AUGUST 29TH.
THAT BEGAN AT 6:00 PM DEALING WITH, UH, THE CONSIDERATE AND CONSIDERATIONS FOR PUBLIC COMMENTS AND FROM CITIZENS REGARDING THE CITY OF FOR ARTHUR'S PROPOSED TAX RATE FOR THE 2023 TAX YEAR.
READY? A QUESTION? ARE ANY QUESTIONS ON THIS? WE READY TO VOTE? ALL IN FAVOR? AYE.
SO THIS PUBLIC HEARING IS NOW CLOSED, BUT
[IV. (1) P. O. No. 7169 — An Appropriation Ordinance Adopting A Budget For The Ensuing Fiscal Year Beginning October 1, 2023 And Ending September 30, 2024, In Accordance With Section 7, Article XII Of The Charter Of The City Of Port Arthur]
I'D LIKE TO DO AT THIS JUNCTURE IS MOVE TO BUDGET ACTION ITEMS HERE.AND WE HAVE THE FIRST ITEM, PO NUMBER 71 69.
IT IS AN APPROPRIATION ORDER, IS ADOPTING A BUDGET FOR THE ENSUING FISCAL YEAR, BEGINNING OCTOBER 1ST, 2023, AND ENDING SEPTEMBER 30TH, 2024.
IN ACCORDANCE WITH SECTION SEVEN, ARTICLE 12 OF THE CHARTER OF THE CITY OF PORT ARTHUR, MAY I GET A MOTION FOR APPROVAL? COUNCILMAN FRANK, MR. MAYOR AND COUNCIL, I, YOU JUST HAVE TO GET IT ON THE FLOOR.
I'M GONNA TELL YOU WHEN TO DO THIS.
I MOVE THAT THE CITY OF PORT ARTHUR RATIFY THE PROPERTY TAX.
[00:45:01]
NO, WE JUST NEED TO GET IT ON THE FLOOR AND I'LL GIVE YOU THAT WHAT I ASKED.CAN I GET A MOTION? SIR? WE COME? YES, SIR.
MAY I GET A SECOND? COUNCILMAN BECKHAM SECOND.
NOW WE ARE READY FOR QUESTIONS.
AND I WOULD LIKE TO GIVE SOME DURATION AND END UP COUNCIL MEMBER FRANK WAS, UH, RIGHT? CORRECT.
BUT WE ARE GONNA HAVE TWO MOTIONS.
SO CAN I KINDA EXPLAIN THE PROCESS? YES MA'AM.
NOW THAT THIS ITEM IS UP FOR CONSIDERATION, WHEN YOU CONCLUDE YOUR CONVERSATION ABOUT IT, YOU CAN THEN MOVE FOR ADOPTION.
THIS IS TO ADOPT THE BUDGET, BUT BEFORE YOU TAKE THE VOTE, LIKE A REGULAR ORDINANCE, THERE'S A SPECIAL MOTION THAT HAS TO BE TAKEN, BE READ, RIGHT? SO IF AT THIS TIME YOU ALL WANNA HAVE YOUR DISCUSSION, AND THEN AT THAT TIME THERE WILL BE A SPECIAL MOTION, THERE'S TWO VOTES THAT HAVE TO TAKE PLACE.
WE'RE GONNA VOTE ON THE SPECIAL MOTION BY ROLL CALL.
IF THAT PASSES, THEN YOU VOTE ON THE ULTIMATE ORDINANCE.
SO I GUESS ONCE THERE'S QUESTIONS, THEN AT THIS TIME WE HAVE IT ON THE FLOOR.
IT'S MOVED IN SECOND, RIGHT? AND, AND, AND, UH, WAS THAT, WAS THAT A QUESTION PERIOD THERE? SO ALL IN FAVOR OF BEING ON THE FLOOR.
ALL IN FAVOR? ANY OPPOSES? OKAY.
NOW, SO WE HAVE IT ON THE FLOOR, AND NOW IF DISCUSSION, SINCE WE HAVE IT ON THE FLOOR, WE CAN HAVE A DISCUSSION IF I UNDERSTOOD YOUR INSTRUCTIONS CORRECTLY.
COUNCILMAN ETT? JUST FOR THE BUDGET? YES MA'AM.
ONE, UH, WE WERE TALKING ABOUT, AND I MENTIONED IT, UH, IN YESTERDAY MEETING, AND IT'S SOMETHING THAT, THAT I FEEL WE NEED TO REALLY UNDERSTAND.
ONE IS THAT, AND I'M GONNA ASK THIS QUESTION TO MAKE SURE THAT I'M CORRECT.
THE BUDGET THAT WE HAVE BEFORE US IS, IS IT SAID IT'S BALANCED.
MY QUESTION IS, IS THE BUDGET BALANCED OR IS THE BUDGET BALANCED ONLY WITH THE TRANSFER OF 5.9 MILLION
UH, MS. MS. DANIELS, YOU, ARE YOU PREPARED TO ANSWER THAT? YES SIR.
IT IS THE POLICY THAT OUR BUDGETS ARE BALANCED WITH THE EXCEPTIONS OF ANY TRANSFERS TO CAPITAL AND EQUIPMENT.
AND IN FACT, OUR GENERAL FUND IS BALANCED.
WE ARE USING 5.9 MILLION OF THE FUND BALANCE, BUT THERE IS, I BELIEVE IT'S 7 MILLION THAT IS GOING TO CAPITAL AND EQUIPMENT.
NO, NO PROBLEM WITH WHERE IT'S GOING.
I JUST WANT TO UNDERSTAND THAT'S THE QUESTION WHERE COMING.
NOW I REFER TO THE CITY ATTORNEY THIS QUESTION AND UH, CITY SECRETARY, WOULD YOU PLEASE ENTER THE RESPONSE QUESTION AND RESPONSE INTO THE MINUTES, PLEASE? YES, SIR.
CAN MONEY BE TRANSFERRED FROM THE FUND BALANCE WITHOUT COUNCIL'S APPROVAL? I KNOW WE CAN TRANSFER FUNDS FROM OUR GENERAL FUND DURING THE YEAR.
WE CAN TRANSFER, IT COULD GO FROM LINE ITEM, LINE ITEM WITHIN THE DEPARTMENT WITH THE APPROVAL OF THE CITY MANAGER AND DIRECTOR.
WE COULD TRANSFER FROM DEPARTMENT TO DEPARTMENT WITH THE APPROVAL FROM THE CITY MANAGER AND THE CITY COUNCIL.
BUT WHENEVER WE TAKE MONEY FROM THE FUND BALANCE, THEN WE MUST HAVE A ORDINANCE WHEREBY WE ACTUALLY GOING TO APPROVE TAKING THAT MONEY FROM THE FUND BALANCE.
AND THE REASON I'M ASKING THIS QUESTION, BECAUSE I'VE, I'VE, I'VE, I'VE SEEN BUDGET PRESENTED TO US BEFORE, WHENEVER THE EXPENDITURES EXCEEDS THE PROJECTED, THE PROJECTED REVENUE, WHEN IT'S BROUGHT BEFORE US, WE ARE TOLD THAT THE EXPENDITURES EXCEED THE PROJECTED REVENUE, WHICH MEAN AS A DEFICIT.
[00:50:01]
COUNCIL TO TRANSFER MONEY FROM THE FUND BALANCE IN ORDER TO NOW BALANCE THAT BUDGET.AND SO MY QUESTION IS, CAN MONEY BE TAKEN FROM A FUND BALANCE WITHOUT COUNCIL'S APPROVAL? THE ONLY WAY YOU CAN DO THAT IS BY APPROVING THE BUDGET.
YOU ARE APPROVING THIS BUDGET.
IS THAT, THAT'S HOW YOU'RE BALANCING IT.
AND IT HAS TO BE APPROVED BY COUNCIL.
SO THE ANSWER TO YOUR QUESTION IS, COUNCIL, BY VOTING FOR THE PROPOSED BUDGET IN THE MANNER IN WHICH IT HAS BEEN PRESENTED AND IT HAS IT, IT'S CLEARLY STATING THAT THE REMAINDER IS BEING TAKEN FROM FUND BALANCE.
IF YOU ADOPT THE BUDGET, THIS IS THE DECISION YOU'RE MAKING.
THE BUDGET IS A PROPOSED BUDGET.
AND SO THIS IS WHAT'S BEING PROPOSED.
AND IN ORDER TO EFFECTUATE THAT, YES, YOU WOULD HAVE TO PASS THE RES THE ORDINANCE.
WELL, YOU KNOW, I, I'M GLAD YOU EXPLAINED IT 'CAUSE THAT'S JUST THE WAY I SEE IT COULD HAPPEN.
BUT WHEN WE TALK, WE ALWAYS TALKING ABOUT TRANSPARENCY.
AND THE MAIN THING IS WE GOTTA LET CITIZENS KNOW AND UNDERSTAND.
WE SAY TRANSFER FROM OUR TRANSFERS ALL BUT WE CITIZENS NOT UNDERSTANDING IT BECAUSE THEY NEED TO UNDERSTAND THAT WE HAVE A BUDGET HERE, THAT WE ARE ACTUALLY GONNA NOW GO BACK IN AND TAKE 5.5 MILLION FROM THE RESERVES.
AND I SAY RESERVE 'CAUSE THEY UNDERSTAND IT AND ORDER TO BALANCE THE BUDGET.
AND THE REASON I MADE THAT COMMENT, BECAUSE THAT WAS ANOTHER TOPIC THAT WAS TALKED ABOUT AND THAT WAS THE REPLACEMENT OF A WATERLINE.
AND, AND, AND I'VE HEARD STAFF COME BEFORE THIS COUNCIL AND TELL US THAT THIS LINE NEEDS TO BE REPLACED.
THEY SAID IF AT FIRST IT WOULD BE CATASTROPHIC.
NOW I HEARD THAT WORD AND I LISTENED TO IT REAL CAREFULLY.
AND AS A COUNCILMAN, WE HAVE TO BE ABLE TO PROJECT MONEY TO THE NEEDS OF THE CITY AND THE CITIZEN.
SO IF WE CAN TAKE 5 MILLION TO BALANCE A BUDGET AND WE HAVE EXTRA MONEY LEFT, WHY CAN'T WE TAKE 2 MILLION TO PREVENT THE CATASTROPHE? THAT'S WHY I HAVE A PROBLEM AS A COUNCILMAN WHEN I CAN SET UP HERE, I DON'T MAKE DECISIONS, BUT IF I MAKE RECOMMENDATIONS OR I MAKE STATEMENTS THAT'S DEALING WITH THE CITIZENS AND THE CITY, I EXPECT SOMEONE TO AT LEAST CONSIDER IT AND NOT MAKE IT SEEM LIKE I DON'T KNOW WHAT I'M TALKING ABOUT.
SO LET'S BE CLEAR, COUNCIL, I I WOULD LIKE COUNCIL TO UNDERSTAND THAT BEFORE WE VOTE FOR IT, AND THIS IS A TIME WE CAN DO THINGS, THAT LINE NEEDS TO BE REPLACED BECAUSE IF STAFF TELL ME, AND I HEARD, TELL US THE OTHER DAY THAT THE TECHNICAL PEOPLE HAVE ALL THE KNOWLEDGE.
WELL, IF THE TECHNICAL PEOPLE COMES BEFORE ME AND TELL ME IF I DON'T DO THIS, WE ARE FEARFUL THAT IT MAY BE CATASTROPHIC AND I'M LISTENING.
SO THAT CATASTROPHE IS NOT GOING TO AFFECT, IT'S GOING TO AFFECT THE CITIZEN IN THE CITY.
SO WHAT I WANNA DO AS A COUNCIL MEMBER, I WANNA MAKE SURE THAT IF FUNDS ARE AVAILABLE, THAT I ALLOCATE THOSE FUNDS FOR THAT.
SO IF I HAVE A CHOICE OF ALLOCATING AND APPRO THIS BUDGET, I WOULD LIKE TO SEE MONEY SPENT TO PREVENT A CATASTROPHE BEFORE I SAY, OKAY, CITY MANAGER, I'M GONNA APPROVE THIS 5.9 BECAUSE WE HAVE A CHOICE AS A COUNCIL TO TELL THE MANAGER, WE'RE NOT GONNA APPROVE TAKING 5.9.
WE WOULD LIKE FOR YOU TO GO BACK TO THE BUDGET AND START CUTTING, TAKE A LOOK AT WHERE YOU COULD CUT AND THEN COME BACK WITH US AND WE LOOK AT IT AND WE COULD CUT, BUT WE HAVE AN INPUT.
THIS IS THE ONLY TIME THAT THIS COUNCIL CAN HAVE A SAY IN WHERE THIS MONEY'S GOING TO GO NEXT YEAR, WHO WORKS FOR THIS CITY AND WHO DOESN'T? ONCE WE SAY, OKAY, IT'S A DONE DEAL, WE HAVE TO LIVE WITH IT FOR A YEAR.
WELL, BEFORE I SAY, OKAY, TODAY, I WANT SOMEBODY TO TELL ME THAT WE ARE NOT GOING TO PUT THE REST OF THAT MONEY
[00:55:01]
IN THIS BUDGET TO REPLACE THAT WHOLE LINE AND NOT BE CATASTROPHIC.NOW WE DIDN'T HAVE THE MONEY TO BE OKAY ON POINT.
OKAY? YOU, I THINK YOU'VE, YOU'VE GIVEN IT TO HER.
I DON'T KNOW IF SHE'S EVEN THE RIGHT PERSON.
I'M NOT THE RIGHT, NO, MAYOR, IT IS NOT DIRECTED TO HER.
NOW IF, IF, IF, IF YOU WILL, AND LET ME KNOW IF I'M, IF I'M OFF OF THE, THE, UH, BUDGET, I MEAN THE ITEM THAT WE, WE, WE ARE QUESTIONING ON THIS MOTION.
NOW WHAT, WHAT YOU ARE ASKING I THINK IS SOMETHING THAT WE CAN DISCUSS, I THINK IS SOMETHING THAT NEEDS TO BE DISCUSSED.
AND I THINK AT THIS JUNCTURE, UH, UH, PARLIAMENTARY, WE ARE NOT IN A PLACE WHERE WE CAN ACTUALLY GO INTO DETAIL WHAT WITH WHAT YOU ARE SAYING, HOWEVER, I BELIEVE ACCORDING TO WHAT AN ATTORNEY HAS SAID, AND IF WE WOULD HAPPEN TO BE IN SOME CATASTROPHIC, UH, STATE AT A GIVEN TIME AND STAFF KNOWS IT, AND IF WE'RE TALKING ABOUT THE REPLACEMENT OF THAT LINE, THERE ARE FUNDS IN THE FUND BALANCE BECAUSE YOU'VE SAID IT AND WE SEE IT, AND IF IT'S AT 1.7 MILLION OR WHATEVER, WE CAN APPROVE IT BECAUSE WE ARE THE GOVERNING BODY AND THE GOVERNANCE OF THAT FUND BALANCE.
SO I WOULD WANT US TO, UH, LOOK AT WHAT WE ARE DOING TODAY, STAY WITH THE PARLIAMENTARY PROCEDURE THAT WE ARE WITH RIGHT NOW WITH THE QUESTIONS ON APPROVING THE PROPOSED BUDGET.
YET WE KNOW IN OUR MINDS THAT IF THIS NEEDS TO OCCUR, WE CAN COME BACK AND IT'S ALMOST LIKE AMENDING THE BUDGET OR IT'S JUST DOING A REPAIR IN THE CITY THAT HAS TO BE DONE.
AND WE WOULD DO IT THEN AT THAT TIME WITH THOSE FUNDS FROM THAT PARTICULAR, UH, UH, FUND WHAT THE MONEY IS.
I I I UNDERSTAND WHAT YOU'RE SAYING AND THAT'S WHY I'M SAYING IT NOW.
AND THAT'S WHAT WE HAVE TO UNDERSTAND ABOUT A BUDGET.
ONCE WE SAY YES, DOES THE LOCAL GOVERNMENT CALL CAN TELL US WHAT WE CAN DO FOR THE BUDGET AFTERWARDS, WHAT YOU JUST EXPLAINED, MAYOR, THAT WAS TELLING US THAT WE GONNA AMEND THE BUDGET IF THIS HAPPENED IN AN EMERGENCY, UH, AND THE BUDGET SAYS IF WE COULD FORESEE WHEN WE MAKE THIS BUDGET, THEN IT'S NOT AN EMERGENCY IF WE COULD PROJECTED IT.
SO WE CAN'T SAY THAT IF THIS HAPPENED, HEY, WE AN EMERGENCY, WE KNOW NOW WE'VE HEARD THIS.
THAT'S HOW COME I'M ADAMANT ABOUT WE AT THE JUNCTURE WE CAN AVOID.
BUT THIS IS, THIS IS COUNCILMAN, BUT THIS IS WHERE WE WOULD HOLD THE FEET TO THE FIRE OF OUR ADMINISTRATIVE PERSONNEL AND OUR EXPERT PERSONNEL.
IF THEY DIDN'T PUT IT IN THE BUDGET, THEY DIDN'T SEE IT THE WAY WE ARE SEEING IT NOW IN 90 DAYS.
IF THAT HAS TO HAPPEN, WE WOULD DEAL WITH THEM AND WITH THEIR BEHAVIOR AND THEIR THOUGHT PROCESSES AT THE BUDGET TIME AS TO WHY IT WAS NOT INCLUDED OR AS TO WHY THEY WANTED TO BRING IT UP AT THAT TIME.
BUT I STILL BELIEVE THAT WE WOULD BE PROTECTED.
WE WOULD BE IN, UH, MR. MAYOR.
MR. UH,
UM, AND SO, UH, AS WE DISCUSSED IT ON YESTERDAY, UM, WHAT HAPPENED AND TRANSPIRED WAS, WAS THAT WE RECEIVED INFORMATION FROM STAFF FROM THE CITY MANAGER THAT MOVING MONEY FROM THE FUND BALANCE OR FROM OUR SAVINGS OR WHATEVER IT IS, WE WOULD CALL IT, IN, IN, IN THIS, IN THIS DISCUSSION THAT AS MOVING MONEY FROM FROM THAT INTO AN ENTERPRISE ZONE WAS AN ISSUE.
WE DISCUSSED THAT ON YESTERDAY.
STAFF INFORMED US THAT THAT WAS SOMETHING THAT WE SHOULD NOT WANT TO DO.
IT WAS SOMETHING THAT HAD GOTTEN US IN TROUBLE.
NOW IF STAFF, IF STAFF IS WRONG, AND IF STAFF HAS GIVEN US SOME POOR INFORMATION, THEN WE NEED TO BE, WE NEED TO, WE NEED TO KNOW THAT RIGHT NOW SO THAT WE CAN MAKE THE DECISION.
YES, WE UNDERSTAND WE'VE RECEIVED THE INFORMATION ABOUT THE ATLANTA VALVE, THAT THERE IS NO CUTOFF, AND THAT IF THAT LINE FAILS, WE WOULD LOSE WATER SOUTH OF HIGHWAY 73.
WE'VE RECEIVED THAT INFORMATION AND I'M WITH COUNCILMAN DOUCETTE.
IF IT IS A POSSIBILITY TO DO IT, WE NEED TO DO IT, BUT WE'VE ALSO GOT TO COMPLY WITH THE WAYS IN WHICH WE DO THINGS.
IT'S NOT THAT WE DON'T WANT TO DO IT, IT'S NOT THAT WE DON'T FEEL AS THOUGH WE NEED TO TAKE CARE OF THAT, WHICH IS CATASTROPHIC, BUT WE HAVE GOTTEN IN TROUBLE BEFORE AND WE DON'T WANT TO
[01:00:01]
CONTINUE THE PRACTICES OF THE PAST THAT HAVE GOTTEN US IN TROUBLE BEFORE.AND SO BEFORE WE GO ON, HOLD UP, COUNCILMAN DEUCE, YOU'VE HAD YOUR SAY.
I THINK THAT RIGHT NOW WE NEED TO HEAR FROM OUR CITY MANAGER.
WE NEED TO HEAR FROM OUR STAFF SO THAT WE CAN KNOW WHERE WE STAND ON THIS ISSUE.
WE UNDERSTAND WE'VE LAID IT OUT.
AND THAT, THAT'S WHERE I THINK COUNCILMAN LEWIS, YES, WE CAN PROJECT WHAT'S GOING TO HAPPEN.
WE KNOW WET HAVE NO CONTROLS OF IT, SO WE GOING TO, IT'S GONNA BE A ONE HELL OF AN IMPACT.
WE GOT AN OPPORTUNITY TO CORRECT THIS.
UH, IF YOU WOULD, UH, YIELD COUNCILMAN DEUCE, UH, CITY MANAGER, WHO WOULD YOU HAVE OR WOULD YOU HAVE INFORMATION THAT WOULD CLARIFY A LOT OF THE THOUGHT PROCESSES THAT ARE AMONG MY COLLEAGUES HERE, MAYOR AND COUNCIL? MY RECOMMENDATION IS TO FIRMLY MOVE AHEAD WITH THE BUDGET AS PROPOSED.
WHEN YOU'RE SAYING MOVE WITH THE PROJECT AS PROPOSED, THAT'S GOING UP TO NOW, I'M JUST WANT TO COMPLETE AS COUNCILMAN DUC SAID, SO THE ENTIRE CITIZENRY WILL UNDERSTAND WHEN YOU'RE SAYING THAT MOVE WITH THE PROJECT AS PROPOSED THE WAY IT'S IN THE BUDGET RIGHT NOW.
AND NOT HAVING MONEY AT THIS JUNCTURE TO, TO REPAIR THAT OTHER PART.
AM I CORRECT? ABSOLUTE, ABSOLUTELY.
THAT'S, I HAVE MADE THE EXPLANATION YESTERDAY.
I STAND BY THE RECOMMENDATION THAT I MADE.
MY RECOMMENDATION IS TO MOVE WITH THE BUDGET AS PROPOSED IF NEEDS BE IN THE FUTURE.
THE, THE LOCAL GOVERNMENT ORDINANCE ALLOWS US AN OPPORTUNITY TO AMEND THE BUDGET WHEN THAT TIME COMES.
WE'VE GOT A BALANCE BUDGET, AS MS. DANIELS FIRMLY EXPLAINED WITH TRANSFERS, THE FUNDS THAT WE ARE REFERRING TO IS AN ENTERPRISE FUND.
IT WOULD REQUIRE AN ORDINANCE OF A LOAN ORDINANCE IN ORDER TO COME BACK.
WE HAVE ALREADY PREPARED THE ORDINANCE FOR THE PROPOSED BUDGET.
I FIRMLY BELIEVE IN THE WORK THAT MY STAFF HAS DONE AND I HAVE DONE IN THE AUTHENTICITY AND THE PROFESSIONAL MANNER IN WHICH IT WAS PRESENTED.
I WILL TAKE ANY CONSEQUENCES IF ANYTHING HAPPENS, I WILL TAKE RESPONSIBILITY FOR IT.
UH, MAYOR PRO, TIM, THANK YOU MAYOR.
UM, CITY MANAGER JUST FOR TRANSPARENCY.
AND I DO KNOW THAT WE HAD THIS DISCUSSION YESTERDAY.
WE WERE HERE, IT WAS THE PUBLIC HEARING, BUT MOST OF THE PUBLIC WAS NOT.
THEY DIDN'T LISTEN TO THAT DISCUSSION.
SO JUST FOR CLARITY, PLEASE EXPLAIN WHY YOU STAND TO THAT BUDGET AND IN LAYMAN'S TERMS MM-HMM.
LET, LET GIVE LET ME GIVE YOU IN, IN ADDITION WITH DR.
TOME SAYING THIS WILL BE CATASTROPHIC.
SO JUST CLARIFICATION SO WE CAN UNDERSTAND THE OTHER SIDE OF IT.
LET, LET ME GIVE YOU, LET ME REITERATE WHAT I SAID YESTERDAY, AND I'LL CALL DR.
WHILST I EXPLAINED THAT THE QUESTION IS TO, IN THE PAST WE HAVE TRANSFERRED $54 MILLION FROM THE GENERAL FUND TO THE UTILITIES FUND.
WE HAD TO DO SOME ACCOUNTING, WE HAD TO TAKE SOME ACCOUNTING CORRECTIVE MEASURES IN ORDER TO MAKE THAT $54 MILLION GO AWAY.
IT'S NOT A GOOD IDEA FOR US TO GO BACK IN THAT DARK SPOT AGAIN.
THAT IS PART OF THE TRANSPARENCY THAT I'M, I'M TALKING ABOUT, TO MAKE SURE THAT THERE'S NO COMMINGLING ON FUNDS.
HOWEVER, YOU KNOW, WE ARE IN A POSITION RIGHT NOW TO MAKE SURE IN THE PLANNING STAGES WE HAVE LOOKED AT IT, THERE HAS BEEN DISCUSSION AMONG STAFF AND MYSELF AS TO HOW WE CAN PROCEED WITH IT.
YOU KNOW, AFTER THE BUDGET IS BEING ADOPTED, WE ARE ASKING FOR A 7% INCREASE.
[01:05:01]
A FUND BALANCE FOR THE ENTERPRISE FUND.AS WE CONTINUE TO EXECUTE PROJECTS AND THE IN WITHIN THE UTILITIES FUND, WE ARE WORKING CONTINUOUSLY TO MAKE SURE THAT WE ADDRESS THE VERY CONCERNS THAT WE HAVE THAT WILL, THAT THAT HAS THE POTENTIAL OF, OF, OF BE, BE BECOMING MAJOR PROBLEMS. AND, AND WHEN WE DO HAVE OUR EYES ON THE BALL, AS FAR AS THAT IS CONCERNED, YOU KNOW, AND SO I FEEL THAT WE DO, WE DO HAVE A GOOD HANDLE ON IT TO ADDRESS IT.
CAN I SAY SOMETHING? OKAY, GO RIGHT AHEAD.
THIS IS NOT A BUDGET WORKSHOP, THIS IS ADOPTION OF THE BUDGET.
WE ARE SUPPOSED TO TALK ABOUT ADOPTING OF THE BUDGET.
I KNOW IN MAKING THOSE DECISIONS YOU HAVE TO HAVE SOME DISCUSSION, BUT I'M JUST ASKING YOU TO BE VERY CLEAR KNOWING THAT THIS IS ABOUT WHETHER YOU'RE GONNA APPROPRIATE X AMOUNT OF DOLLARS.
SO I KNOW YOU HAVE TO HAVE SOME INFORMATION, BUT I JUST DON'T WANT YOU TO OKAY.
THAT'S WHAT I WAS TALKING ABOUT.
DON'T GO TOO FAR, VOLUNTARILY.
I JUST DIDN'T WANT US TO GO OFF TOO FAR.
WHEN IT COMES TO THE ATLANTA WATER LINE, THE WAY THE BUDGET IS STRUCTURED FOR THIS YEAR IS THERE'S $1.5 MILLION DEDICATED IN THE CAPITAL PROGRAM FOR THAT LINE, BUT ALSO THE BUDGET HAVE A FIVE YEAR PROJECTION ON THE CAPITAL PROGRAM THAT DEDICATES $2 MILLION THIS COMING YEAR TO COMPLETE THIS LINE.
WHERE WE ARE TODAY, WHEN WE GO TO OCTOBER 1ST, CAN IT TAKE US A MINIMUM OF THREE MONTHS TO GO ADVERTISE BID AND AWARD THIS PROJECT? AND WE CAN DO IT SUCH THAT WE HAVE A BASE BID, THEN WE HAVE AN ALTERNATE ONE, WHICH INCLUDES THE REST OF THE JOB.
AND AT THAT JUNCTION, DEPENDING ON WHAT THE NUMBERS ARE, WHEN WE GET THESE BIDS, WE CAN ALWAYS COME BACK TO THE COUNCIL, GIVE YOU THE ALTERNATE OF, HEY, IF YOU WANNA FUND THE BALANCE OF THIS JOB, YOU CAN DO IT NOW.
BUT TODAY WE'RE TALKING ESTIMATES, WE'RE TALKING ENGINEERING ESTIMATES.
THE JOB MIGHT END UP BEING 5 MILLION TO WHERE WE DON'T FINISH IT IN TWO YEARS, AND THE COUNCIL DON'T WANNA PUT 3.5 MILLION FROM THE GENERAL FUND, OR IT CAN END UP AT 2.5 MILLION.
SO THE BEST WAY TO MOVE FORWARD IS LIKE MR. BURTON HAS SAID, WE MOVE FORWARD WITH THE BUDGET LIKE IT IS, WE BID THIS JOB COMPLETELY IN THREE MONTHS, AND THEN YOU CAN, WE CAN COME BACK TO YOU FOR THAT DECISION BECAUSE YOU CAN ALWAYS MAKE THAT ANYTIME YOU WANT.
MAY ONE, LEMME JUST SHARE ONE THING WITH YOU.
EVER SO OFTEN, THE, THE FINANCIAL DIRECTOR, MYSELF AND THE CITY ATTORNEY SITS WITH OUR ONE ADVISOR, UM, WITH OUR FINANCIAL ADVISOR AND, UM, OUR BOND PERSONNEL, UM, STANDARD AND PAUSE IN NEW YORK.
ONE OF THESE THINGS THAT THESE PEOPLE LOOK VERY CLOSELY AT IS WHETHER WE FOLLOW OUR POLICIES THAT WE HAVE THAT, THAT WE HAVE ADOPTED, OR WHETHER WE ARE WISHY-WASHY ABOUT IT.
AND ONE OF THE THINGS THAT I WOULD NOT WANT TO MESS WITH IS THE VERY STELLAR A PLUS RATING THAT THE CITY OF PORT ARTHUR HAS AT THIS POINT IN TIME.
AND WHEN IT COMES TO THE POSSIBILITY OF SECURING MORE FUNDING AND FINANCING FOR THE FUTURE, I DO NOT WANT TO MESS WITH THAT.
I WOULD RATHER, AT THIS POINT, YOU KNOW, GO AHEAD WITH A CLEAN BALANCE SHEET TO MAKE SURE THAT, YOU KNOW, THERE IS NOT THE COMMINGLING OF FUNDS OR THERE NOT, THERE DOES NOT APPEAR APPEAL.
THE POSSIBILITY OF WE BEING WISHY-WASHY ABOUT WHAT WE ARE DOING AND SEND ANY MESSAGES TO OUR BOND ADVISORS OR TO THE STANDARD AND POSTS.
THAT IS WHERE I AM WITH THE FINANCIAL SECURITY OF THE CITY, IS NOT TO BE TAKEN LIGHTLY.
AND THAT IS WHY I GIVE THE ADVICE THAT I GIVE WITHOUT GOING IN, INTO THE NITTY GRITTY OF THE STORY.
OKAY, I'M GONNA MAKE THIS SHORT.
YOU KNOW, I HEAR THE CITY MANAGER TALK ABOUT MONEY.
I WOULD NEVER LOOK AT ANY EXPENDITURES THAT WOULD JEOPARDIZE US HAVING THE REQUIRED MONEY IN OUR RESERVE OR FUND BALANCE.
IN FACT, I LOOK INTO THESE THINGS, OKAY? I KNOW THAT A DECISION COULD BE MADE NOW WHERE WE COULD DO SOMETHING NOW AND PREVENTING OF IT.
THE CITY MANAGER RECOMMENDS HIS BUDGET.
HE IS THE BUDGET OFFICER AND PREPARES IT.
HE BRINGS IT TO US, BUT IT IS NOT HIS BUDGET.
WHEN I MAKE A SUGGESTION, I'M TALKING ABOUT CITIZENS.
[01:10:01]
IS TO MAKE SURE THEY'RE TAKEN CARE OF.AND WHEN I MAKE A REQUEST, IT'S DOCUMENTED AND I'M NOT GOING TO JEOPARDIZE THE CITY.
NO ONE HAS TOLD ME YET THAT THEY COULD NOT TAKE $2 MILLION OUT OF THE RESERVE AND THEN IT WOULD JEOPARDIZE OUR FINANCIAL STATUS.
IT'S ONLY BECAUSE THE CITY MANAGER CHOOSES TO DO THAT.
AS FAR AS STAFF COMING BEFORE HE TALKS WITH STAFF.
SO STAFF AND CITY MANAGERS, I RESPECT THEM, I RESPECT THEIR COMMENTS.
HOWEVER, WE DECIDE, AND MY COMMENTS ARE BASED ON THE CITY.
AND WHEN SOMEBODY WANTS TO SAY, YOU CAN'T JUST TELL ME, WE CAN'T SHOW ME, BUT STAFF, CITY MANAGERS, Y'ALL RECOMMEND TO US.
I RESPECT IT, BUT DON'T THINK THAT WHEN I MAKE A COMMENT, I HAVEN'T CONSIDERED THE RULES, THE FINANCIAL STATUS.
NOW I'LL, AND I WON'T PLAY Y'ALL SHORT.
WHAT I SAY IS ONLY WHAT I HAVE TO SAY.
THIS COUNCIL DECIDES, AND I'M GONNA GO WITH THE COUNCIL, COUNCIL, SAY, PASS IT.
I'M FINE, BUT WHAT I SAID IS A FACT AND IT AIN'T GONNA BE DISPUTED.
COUNCILMAN NOW, ATTORNEY, I NEED TO CARRY A VOTE ON THIS.
UH, AND THEN WE'LL MOVE TO THE NEXT MOTION, THE AUXILIARY MOTION.
SO YOU HAVE A SPECIAL MOTION THAT YOU HAVE TO PASS IF YOU'RE AT THE POINT OF VOTING.
OKAY? WE ARE AT THE POINT OF VOTING THIS.
NOW, THAT WAS ABOUT THE END OF QUESTIONS RIGHT THERE.
IF YOU HAVE CONCLUDED YOUR QUESTIONS YES.
AND THERE'S A SPECIAL MOTION, OKAY.
AND EVERYTHING WE'RE GONNA DO IS GONNA BE A ROLL CALL VOTE.
OKAY? SO NOW WE WANNA DO THE SPECIAL MOTION.
UH, COUNCILMAN FRANK? I'M READY NOW.
I MOVE THAT THE CITY OF PORT ARTHUR RATIFY THE PROPERTY TAX INCREASE REFLECTED IN THE BUDGET FOR PHYSICAL YEAR 20 23, 20 24, AS IT WILL RAISE MORE REVENUE FROM PROPERTY TAXES THAN LAST YEAR'S BUDGET BY AN AMOUNT OF $4,770,414, OR 22.68%.
AND THAT, THAT, AND OF THAT AMOUNT, 453,731 IS TAX REVENUE TO BE RAISED FROM NEW PROPERTY ADDED TO THE TAX ROLE THIS YEAR.
OKAY, MAY I GET A SECOND? COUNCILMAN BECKHAM SECOND.
AND SECOND, THAT WE WOULD APPROVE THE LONG DISSERTATION THAT COUNCILMAN FRANK JUST READ, UH, CONCERNING THE BUDGET.
I'VE CHANT EVEN TRIED TO REPEAT IT.
WE ARE READY NOW FOR A ROLL CALL.
CITY SECRETARY COUNCIL MEMBER BECKHAM? YES.
NOW WE HAVE APPROVED THE BUDGET FOR THE 2023.
WE'VE APPROVED THE FIRST PART OF IT.
NOW, NOW GO RIGHT AHEAD, ATTORNEY.
OKAY, SO WE'VE HAD A ROLL CALL AND THAT SPECIAL MOTION PURSUANT TO 1 0 2 0.007 C IS, HAS BEEN TAKEN.
AND NOW YOU WILL VOTE TO APPROVE THE BUDGET AND APPEAL THE PROPOSED ORDINANCE.
NOW YOU, NOW YOU'RE GONNA, OKAY.
I DON'T NEED TO READ IT AGAIN, DO I? IT'S ALREADY ON THE FLOOR.
SO NOW WE WANT TO ADAPT, PEEL AND I, I I JUST TAKE THE VOTE.
RIGHT? 'CAUSE WE'VE GOT ROLL CALL.
NOW, UH, CITY SECRETARY ROLL CALL.
VOTE FOR APPROVAL OF PO NUMBER 71 69.
AND P O C NUMBER 71 69 IS APPROVED AS
[IV. (2) P. O. No. 7170 — An Appropriation Ordinance Approving And Adopting A Budget For The City Of Port Arthur Section 4A Economic Development Corporation For The Ensuing Fiscal Year Beginning October 1, 2023 And Ending September 30, 2024 In Accordance With Section 12. 03 Of The Bylaws Of The Corporation]
READ.IT IS AN APPROPRIATION ORDINANCE APPROVING, EXCUSE ME, AND ADAPTING A BUDGET
[01:15:01]
FOR THE CITY OF FOROUGH SECTION FOR A ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT COOPERATION FOR THE ENSUING FISCAL YEAR, BEGINNING OCTOBER 1ST, 2023, AND ENDING SEPTEMBER 30TH, 2024.IN ACCORDANCE WITH SECTION 12.03 OF THE BYLAWS OF THE COOPERATION.
AND, UH, CITY SEC, I MEAN CITY ATTORNEY, WE HAVE, UH, INFORMATION ON THAT BUDGET THAT HAS BEEN DISSEMINATED.
IT'S ALREADY PART OF THE BUDGET.
THEY JUST HAVE A SEPARATE ORDINANCE FOR THEIR RECORD.
SO WE'LL DO A ROLL CALL JUST TO BE CONSISTENT.
UH, MAY I GET A MOTION FOR APPROVAL? COUNCILMAN BECKHAM? SO MOVED.
MAY I GET A COUNT? EXCUSE A SECOND.
AND SECOND THAT WE WOULD APPROVE THE PROPOSED 20 23 20 24 BUDGET FOR OUR E D C.
WE'RE READY TO VOTE AND WE WOULD'VE TO HAVE A ROLL CALL ON THAT AS WELL.
AND UNTIL WE'VE APPROVED, UH, PO.
I THINK THAT WAS, YES, IT'S CORRECT.
[IV. (3) P. O. No. 7171 — An Ordinance Adopting A Tax Rate For The Tax Year 2023 ( Fiscal Year October 1, 2023 — September 30, 2024)]
AT PO NUMBER 7 1 7 1.IT IS AN ORDINANCES ADOPTING THE TAX RATE FOR THE TAX YEAR.
BEGINNING OCTOBER ONE, UH, 2023 THROUGH SEPTEMBER 30TH, 2024.
MAY I GET A MOTION FOR APPROVAL? COUNCILMAN KINLOCK? SO MOVED.
AND SECOND THAT WE WOULD APPROVE PO NUMBER 71.
WE ARE NOW READY FOR QUESTION.
COUNCILMAN FRANK, ANY QUESTIONS? NO.
E OH, THIS IS JUST LIKE THE, THE OTHER ONE.
SO WE'RE GONNA HAVE A SPECIAL MOTION.
SO, UM, THIS IS THE ADOPTION OF THE ACTUAL TAX RATE.
SO NOW THIS ONE, UH, ONE CAVEAT, ACCORDING TO THE TAX CODE, UM, THE TAX RATE REQUIRES A VOTE OF APPROVAL OF 60% OF THE MEMBERS OF COUNCIL.
SO, UM, THERE IS A SUPER MAJORITY TYPE, UH, REQUIREMENT NOW.
SO, UM, WHENEVER YOU ALL ARE READY, UH, COUNCILMAN, UH, KEN LAW HAS THE SPECIAL COUNCILMAN COUNCIL, AND THEN AFTER HE DOES THE SPECIAL AND WE COME BACK AND ADOPT, JUST LIKE WE DID WITH THE BUDGET.
I MOVE THAT THE PROPERTY TAX RATE BE INCREASED BY THE ADOPTION TAX RATE OF 0 6 4 8 6 4 1, WHICH IS EFFECTIVELY, UH, 18.409441% INCREASE IN THE TAX RATE.
MAY I GET A SECOND? COUNCILMAN DOUCETTE.
AND SECOND THAT THE, UH, AUXILIARY MOTION WOULD BE APPROVED.
YOU'RE READY FOR QUESTION ON THAT? THERE AREN'T ANY QUESTIONS, SO WE WOULD TAKE THE VOTE ON THIS ONE.
ROLL CALL ON WHICH ONE? WHICH ONES I GO FIRST.
THE AUXILIARY GOES, I MEAN, YES.
HE GO AHEAD AND DO A ROLL CALL.
CA UH, I JUST WANT US TO KNOW WHAT WE WERE VOTING FOR AND VOTING ON.
GO RIGHT AHEAD TO THE SECRETARY COUNCIL MEMBER BECKHAM.
NOW WE WILL, UH, HAVE THE MOTION TO ADOPT PO NUMBER 71 71, WHICH IS ADOPTING THE TAX RATE FOR THE TAX YEAR.
AND IT'S ALREADY ON THE FLOOR, SO WE'RE READY FOR A VOTE.
UH, CITY SECRETARY COUNCIL MEMBER BECKHAM? YES.
AND OUR PO NUMBER 71 71 IS PASSED.
AND THE TAX RATE FOR OUR ENSUING YEAR IS SET.
[IV. (4) P. O. No. 7172 — An Ordinance Approving The 2023 Tax Roll For The Use And Support Of The Municipal Government Of The City Of Port Arthur; And Providing For The Interest And Sinking Fund Ad Apportioning Each Levy For A Specific Purpose]
PO NUMBER 71 72.AN ORDINANCE APPROVING THE 2023 TAX ROLE FOR THE USE AND SUPPORT OF THE MUNICIPAL COURT.
I MEAN, EXCUSE ME, MUNICIPAL GOVERNMENT OF THE CITY OF PORT ARTHUR.
AND PROVIDING FOR THE INTEREST AND SINKING FUND AD UH, APPROPRIATING APPORTIONING.
EACH, UH, LEVY FOR A SPECIFIC PURPOSE.
MAY I GET A MOTION FOR APPROVAL? UH, MAYOR APPROACH.
MAY I GET A SECOND? COUNCILMAN ETT? SECOND.
AND SECOND THAT WE WOULD APPROVE PO NUMBER 71, 72.
WE READY FOR QUESTION THE HONOR.
ANY QUESTIONS? WE'RE READY FOR VOTE.
UH, CITY SECRETARY COUNCIL MEMBER BECKHAM? YES.
[01:20:01]
MEMBER ETT? YES.AND NOW PO NUMBER 71 72 IS APPROVED AS READ.
AND WE THANK YOU SO KINDLY FOR YOUR INDULGENCE AS WE HANDLED THE BUSINESS FOR THE CITY OF FORT ARTHUR.
NOW, I WANT TO RETURN BECAUSE MY COLLEAGUES HAD OTHER QUESTIONS FOR THE YOUNG LADY WHO WAS HERE MAKING THE STATEMENT.
I THINK MS. GROGAN, HOWEVER, I SAW HER LEAVE, BUT I THINK A LITTLE GIRL WAS GETTING A LITTLE RESTLESS.
AND SO SHE HAD TO EXIT AND THEREFORE, DID YOU ALL HAVE ANY OTHER REMARKS ON THAT? YES, MA'AM.
UH, SEE COUNCIL, UH, MAYOR PROAM.
IF YOU HAVE A SPEAKER POSTED AND THE SPEAKER'S GONE, THAT ITEM IS GONE.
KEEP ME PARDON? CAN'T CAN WE CAN'T TURN IT INTO A DISCUSSION.
'CAUSE YOU JUST CAN ASK LET THE SPEAKER BECAUSE IT WASN'T, IT WASN'T OFF FOR DISCUSSION LIKE THAT.
I WAS GONNA GIVE YOU ALL THE CHANCE, BUT ROBERT SAYS I CAN'T.
[III.A. (3) Warren A. Field Regarding An Overview Of El Vista Community Problems]
LET US MOVE.NOW WE HAVE, UH, MR. WARREN FIELDS.
HE SPOKE ON SOMETHING ELSE, BUT, AND I'M SO GLAD YOU DID NOT BRING UP THE OTHER.
MR. FIELDS, REGARDING AN, UH, OVERVIEW OF THE, UH, LVE COMMUNITY PROBLEMS THAT THEY'RE FACING OUT THERE.
WELL, YOU HAVE TO REINTRODUCE YOURSELF.
THAT'S F I L D, MAYOR WITHOUT THE SS.
MY ADDRESS IS 1147 SIXTH STREET.
GOOD EVENING, COUNCIL MEMBER, CITY MANAGER, CITY ATTORNEY.
AND THANK THE CITY SECRETARY WAS OVER THERE.
THAT COMMUNITY IS A PART OF COUNCILMAN T'S DISTRICT.
I'M HERE TO SHARE WITH THE ENTIRE COUNCIL A WORRISOME PROBLEM THAT HAS PLAGUED THE VESTER COMMUNITY FOR MANY YEARS NOW.
AFTER SPEAKING WITH COUNCILMAN ETT, I AM MINDFUL THAT A PRACTICAL SOLUTION TO THAT PROBLEM MAY REQUIRE HELP FROM COUNCIL, THE CITY MANAGER, THE POLICE CHIEF, AND OTHER KEY INDIVIDUALS.
THE SPECIFIC PROBLEM IS THAT CITY HEAVY TRUCKS AND HEAVY ROLLING EQUIPMENT HAVE DESTROYED THE QUALITY OF LIFE IN A LARGE AREA OF THE VESTER COMMUNITY ALL THROUGH THE DAY THAT TRAVEL CREATES NOISE THAT CAUSES CITIZENS UNREST.
THIS TRAVEL IS ALSO CAUSING MUCH DESTRUCTION TO OUR NEIGHBORHOOD STREETS.
THEY USUALLY TRAVEL TO AND FROM THE CITY'S OPERATION CENTER AND THEIR WORK DESTINATIONS ON A DAILY BASIS.
THE DAILY ROUTE IS TO EXIT THE OPERATION CENTER ON HO MILLS, THEN GO TO ROOSEVELT AVENUE FROM THERE TO SIXTH STREET AND FROM THERE TO 93 NORTH.
AS YOU KNOW, OUR NEIGHBORHOOD STREETS ARE NOT DESIGNED TO ENDURE THE DEVASTATIONS CAUSED BY SUCH HEAVY VEHICLES.
A CLASSICAL EXAMPLE IS ON SIXTH STREET IN FRONT OF MY HOME THAT REQUIRED FOUR MAJOR REPAIRS.
THOSE INFERIOR REPAIRS AND HEAVY VEHICLES CARRYING OR PULLING HEAVY MATERIALS, HAVE LEFT INTERRUPTIONS IN THE STREET.
THIS, AS A RESULT, HAS MADE LIFE VERY MISERABLE FOR ME AND MY NEIGHBORS.
THE INTERRUPTIONS CREATE NOISE FROM CITY TRUCKS PASSING TO AND FROM CARRYING ASPHALT WITH TAILGATES DOWN AND SPILLS FROM TRUCK TRAILERS.
CARRYING ASPHALT SHINGLES WITH ROOF TAGS HAVE CAUSED COSTLY TIRE PUNCTURES.
THE ROUTINE EXPENSIVE FLAT REPAIRS HAVE BEEN ANNOYING TO ME AND ANY OTHER TRAVELERS.
IN ADDITION, THERE ARE ALL KINDS OF VEHICLES THAT PASS THROUGH OUR NEIGHBORHOODS.
SOME ARE OWNED BY THE CITY OF PORT ARTHUR, DRAINAGE DISTRICT SEVEN, AND BY PRIVATE COMPANIES, A SAMPLING OF THE VARIOUS VEHICLE TYPES WOULD BE TRACTORS AND GARBAGE TRUCKS GOING DAILY TO SERVE OTHER NEIGHBORHOODS LOADED AND EMPTY, DUMP TRUCKS, HEAVY GRADE, ALL VEHICLES, TANKER TRUCKS, 18 WHEELERS, BACKHOE, AND SO ON.
[01:25:01]
IN 2012, INTERIM CITY MANAGER JOHN CUOMO AND CITY MANAGER FLOYD JOHNSON ASSISTED US BY ERECTING SIGNS IN KEY PLACES TO ELIMINATE SUCH VEHICLES FROM SHORT CUTTING THROUGH OUR COMMUNITY.THE DRIVER SUPERVISORS WERE THEN TOLD TO HAVE SUCH WORKERS USE THE HO MILL SERVICE ROAD TO HIGHWAY 73 FOR TRAVELING TO AND FROM WORK DESTINATIONS.
VEHICLE MOVEMENT SURVEYS WERE PERFORMED BY CITIZENS THAT IDENTIFIED HEAVY VEHICLES AND ROLLING IN EQUIPMENT, NUMBERS, DIRECTION OF TRAVEL TIME, AND DATES OF THEIR CONTINUED SHORTCUTTING THROUGH THE COMMUNITY.
AN EXAMPLE OF THOSE SURVEYS ARE HERE I WILL SUBMIT THOSE.
THE VEHICLE MOVEMENT SURVEYS ALLOWED CITY SUPERVISORS TO TAKE THE NECESSARY ACTION TO IDENTIFY SUCH MOVING VEHICLES OF, OF DRIVERS.
SADLY, AS THE YEARS PASS, ALL THE CITY SIGNS WERE REMOVED AND THE TRAFFIC SITUATION IN THE AREA MENTIONED HAS GOTTEN WORSE AND IS NOW COMPLETELY OUT OF CONTROL.
PRESENTLY, A WATER MAIN IS BEING REPLACED IN MY NEIGHBORHOOD.
THE ENTIRE 1100 BLOCK WHERE I LIVE IS ROOSEVELT TO ROOSEVELT AVENUE NEAR THE STREET CENTER HAS BEEN EXCAVATED.
IN CLOSING, I WOULD SUGGEST THE FOLLOWING TO HELP MITIGATE THE PROBLEM.
SINCE SIXTH STREET AND ROOSEVELT AVENUE IS ALREADY IN DISREPAIR, NOW IS THE TIME TO RESURFACE THEM WITH ASPHALT OR REPLACE THEM WITH CONCRETE RETURN ROAD SIGNS TO ELIMINATE NEIGHBORHOOD SHORT-CUTTING.
A WRITTEN POLICY SHOULD BE DEVELOPED, IF NOT ALREADY EXISTING, AND DISCUSS WHAT EMPLOYEES THEN POST IT, ALLOW CITY POLICE TO ENFORCE THE POLICY WHEN VIOLATED.
AND LASTLY, ENSURE SUPERVISORS FULLY DISCIPLINED VIOLATORS WITH VERBAL AND WRITTEN WARNINGS, TIME OFF OR TERMINATION IF SUCH BEHAVIOR CONTINUES.
MR. CHAIRMAN, PLEASE INCLUDE A COPY OF THIS PRESENTATION IN THE NOTES OF THE THANK YOU.
THANK YOU MR. FIELD FOR YOUR, UH, PRESENTATION OF YOUR CONCERNS IN YOUR NEIGHBORHOOD.
I WENT OUT AND OBSERVED WHAT MR. FIELD HAS COMPLAINED ABOUT, UH, AS I STOOD THERE, UH, A, A TRO PASS, AND WHEN IT HIT THE BUMP, IT SOUND, IT HAD A LOUD NOISE.
YOU, YOU KNOW, AND, AND WHEN YOU DISCUSSED THIS HAD HAPPENED WITH JOHNSON, I WAS ALSO THE COUNCIL MEMBER.
THEN WE HAD INSTITUTED SOMETHING, UH, WHEREBY THE EMPLOYEES WERE DIRECTED TO TAKE THE SERVICE ROAD AND W MILLS AND NOT USED 60TH STREET TO ROOSEVELT TO 53RD TO GO INTO THE, UM, OPERATION CENTER.
THE ONLY THING I COULD SEE USING THOSE ROUTES ARE LIKE THE TRACTORS BECAUSE THEY CAN'T STAY ON THE HIGHWAYS.
HOWEVER, ALL OF THESE OTHER TRUCKS HAVE NO BUSINESS GOING THROUGH THE COMMUNITY WHEN THEY HAVE AN ARO.
NOW, I DON'T SEE WHY WE HAVE TO HAVE MR. FIELDS COME UP HERE FOR US TO STOP THAT.
IF WE CAN'T HAVE DRIVERS NOT TO GO THROUGH A COMMUNITY, UNLESS THEY'RE PROVIDING A SERVICE, WE GOT A SERIOUS PROBLEMS. SO AT THIS TIME, CITY MANAGER, I THINK THAT'S WHEN WE'RE GOING TO HAVE TO, UH, ADDRESS WHEREBY THE DRIVERS UNDERSTAND THEY DON'T HAVE A CHOICE.
DON'T TAKE IT, DON'T GO THAT WAY.
AND IF THEY DO, AS MR. FIELDS SAY, LET'S TAKE ACTIONS, BECAUSE IF YOU START TAKING ACTION AND ENFORCING IT, I'M QUITE SURE THAT IT WON'T TAKE LONG FOR EVERYBODY TO GET THE MESSAGE.
THE OTHER THING IS THE SIGNS ARE VERY IMPORTANT.
LET'S POST, LET'S HAVE SIGN POSTED AGAIN.
AND I THINK IF WE DO THAT, WE CAN ELIMINATE THAT PROBLEM.
WE GOT ANOTHER PROBLEM OR TWO, BUT I'LL BRING THAT ONE.
A STREET BEING USED BY TRUCKS.
COUNCILMAN LEWIS? UH, CITY MANAGER, YOU FAMILIAR WITH IT? WHO AUTHORIZED THE REMOVING OF THE SIGNS?
[01:30:01]
YOU KNOW, UM, COUNCILOR, UM, UM, BELO, IT'S BEEN ALMOST 11 YEARS SINCE MR. JOHNSON HAS LEFT HERE.AND MR. CUOMO IS NO LONGER CITY MANAGER.
I WAS ASSISTANT DIRECTOR OF PLANNING THEN.
I'VE ONLY BEEN CITY MANAGER FOR THE LAST FOUR YEARS, AND THIS IS THE VERY FIRST TIME THAT I'VE HEARD ABOUT IT.
BUT I WOULD BE MORE THAN HAPPY TO ADDRESS THE MATTER APPROPRIATELY WITH THE APPROPRIATE DEPARTMENT.
I THINK THAT'S GOING TO HANDLE MR. FIELDS.
HE'S GOING TO LOOK INTO IT AND I WOULD SAY MOST EXPEDITIOUSLY, AND WE WILL WORK WITH WHOMEVER WE NEED TO WORK WITH TO ALLEVIATE YOU FROM THAT PROBLEM.
UH, MR. DOUCETTE, UH, MENTIONED THE TRACTORS.
THAT IS VERY ANNOYING THAT YOU HAVE TRACTORS GOING ALONG THAT ROUTE TO SERVICE OTHER AREAS ON A DAILY BASIS.
IF YOU EVER LOOK, LISTEN AT A TRACTOR THAT'S GOING CUT GRASS, IT'S A LOT OF NOISE, BUT AS AS, BUT I SIMPLY, YOU'RE SAYING, BUT AS HE SAID, THEY'RE USING THAT WAY.
IF THEY'RE GOING TO PORT ACRES, THEY CAN'T GO AROUND ON THE HIGHWAY.
THEY'LL GIVE YOU A REMEDY FOR THAT.
MAYOR, I'LL GIVE YOU A REMEDY FOR THAT BECAUSE I'VE THOUGHT ABOUT THIS.
OKAY, IF YOU LEAVE IN THE, UH, OPERATION CENTER, UH, ON ALONG THE SERVICE ROAD OF HO MILLS, HEY, AND YOU'RE GOING TOWARD ROOSEVELT, IF YOU WOULD CONTINUE AND THAT AREA WAS PAVED TO REACH THAT LAST STREET, THE LAST ONE ON THE OTHER SIDE OF PINE TO MAKE THAT RIGHT TURN AND HIT 60, NOW YOU'VE, UH, YOU'VE GOT AROUND THE FACT THAT IT'S GOING THROUGH THE NEIGHBORHOOD.
IF WE COULD DO THAT, THAT CIRCUIT WOULD WORK.
WELL, I THINK THAT'S SOMETHING THAT YOU COULD MAYBE CALL THE CITY MANAGER ABOUT AND, AND PRIVATELY YOU ALL CAN WORK THAT OUT, WORK THOSE ROOTS OUT WHERE THE, YOU KNOW, PUBLIC WORKS WON'T BE, UH, HINDERED FROM DOING THEIR JOBS AND THE CITIZENS WILL BE SATISFIED WITH LESS NOISE AND OTHER THINGS.
AND, UH, ONE THING THAT YOU DID ADDRESS ABOUT THE DISREPAIR, MAYBE OF THE STREETS, BUT I THINK YOU GOT YOUR COUNCIL PERSON HERE AND HE SAID HE'S GONE OUT THERE.
AND IF HE GET THAT, THOSE STREETS ON THERE TO, UH, RE BLACKTOP, I DON'T KNOW, OR EVEN RECONSTRUCT THOSE STREETS, THAT'LL BE SOMETHING THAT'LL BE LOOKED AT.
BUT, UH, WE APPRECIATE YOUR COMING AND WE'RE GOING TO ADDRESS YOUR SITUATION AS EXPEDITIOUSLY AS POSSIBLE AND HOPEFULLY AS AMICABLY AS POSSIBLE.
OKAY? WE APPRECIATE YOU MR. PHIL.
[VII.C. (7) P. R. 23267 — A Resolution Authorizing The City Manager To Accept A Donation From The Cheniere Foundation In The Amount Of 200, 000. 00 To Support Pleasure Island Improvements]
DEVIATE FOR ONE SECOND.UH, I HAVE, UH, A PR ON PAGE SEVEN.
IF YOU ARE GOING PAGE BY PAGE WITH US, UH, A RESOLUTION 2 3 2 6 7.
AND RESOLUTION 2 3 2 6 7 IS A RESOLUTION, UH, AUTHORIZED IN THE CITY MANAGER TO ACCEPT A DONATION FROM THE SHANIE FOUNDATION IN THE AMOUNT OF $200,000 TO SUPPORT PLEASURE ISLAND IMPROVEMENTS.
I BELIEVE I KNOW THAT THERE WERE SOMEONE, THEY ARE STILL HERE.
IF YOU ALL WOULD COME UP, IF YOU WILL, AT THIS TIME, AND WE WOULD MAKE THE CEREMONIAL PRESENTATION.
I'M SORRY, ON PAGE SEVEN, UH, TWO.
OH, IF I SAID YEAH, THAT'S, THAT'S THE RIGHT ONE.
AND, UH, I NEED TO COME DOWN AND ACCEPT THE CHECK.
FOR THE CITY OF PORT ARTHUR CAN'T.
WE DON'T ACTUALLY HAVE THE, THE CHECK.
THEY DIDN'T DO YOU GO GET THE FORM.
THANK YOU FOR HAVING US THIS EVENING.
IT'S OUR HONOR AND PRIVILEGE TO BE CONTINUE TO SUPPORT.
UH, WE ARE SO PLEASED WITH MR. GEORGE AND ALL OF ALL OF YOU WHO ARE CONTRIBUTING TO REESTABLISHING PLEASURE, ALLEN.
I THINK THOSE OF US WHO GREW UP HERE HAVE SOME OF THE BEST MEMORIES AND WE'RE EXCITED TO SEE IT COME BACK TO LIFE.
SO THANK YOU FOR ALL THAT YOU DO.
CHAIRMAN, I PUT YOUR PLEASURE ISLAND ADVISORY BOARD ON BEHALF OF THE PLEASURE ISLAND COMMISSIONERS OF PLEASURE ISLAND.
WE ARE SO GRATEFUL FOR YOUR DONATION.
UH, IT WILL BE PUT TO GREAT USE.
[01:35:03]
OKAY.SO CAN, UH, COUNCIL, DID YOU ALL HAVE ANYTHING? YEAH, YEAH.
CHAIRMAN, CAN YOU INTRODUCE, UH, I MEAN, WE DIDN'T GET THEIR NAMES AND WHERE THEY'RE FROM, SO JUST MAKE SURE YOU I'LL INTRODUCE 'EM.
UM, THIS IS AMY MILLER AND STEPHANIE HUCK.
AND OF COURSE WE HAVE OUR CHAIRMAN SIMEON QUEEN AND OUR VICE CHAIR, UH, MR. CHARLIE LEWIS.
ALRIGHT, NOW WE WILL RETURN TO THE NORMAL FLOW.
MAYOR, IS THERE A SPECIAL PROJECT FOR THAT MONEY, SIR? DO THEY HAVE AN EARMARKED PROJECT FOR THE, FOR THE $200,000? OKAY.
WE HAVE TALK WITH THE CITY MANAGER, I THINK ON THAT.
UM, WE ACTUALLY HAVE A PROJECT THAT, UM, I SIT AND TALKED WITH THE REPRESENTATIVES ABOUT.
IT'S A PHOTO OPPORTUNITY THAT WE'LL HAVE ON PLEASURE ISLAND, UM, WITHIN THIS FISCAL YEAR COMING UP.
WHAT IS THE PROJECT? IT'S A PHOTO.
DID YOU SAY A SET OPPORTUNITY? A PHOTO OPPORTUNITY? A PHOTO.
OH, IT'S, IT IS FOR TOURISTS TO COME.
IT'LL, IT'LL BE, WELL ACTUALLY I HAVE IT HERE ON.
YOU GOTTA COME BACK AND BRING IT BACK.
UH, AND I HAD A MOTION, I THINK ON THE FLOOR.
AND WE WERE HAD A QUESTION OF THE MOTION OR JUST HOLD PERMIT CHARGE.
LET WE DO THE PARLIAMENTARY PROCEDURE.
BECAUSE REALLY YOU DON'T HAVE THE MONEY YET.
UH, WE HAVE ANY, ANY OTHER QUESTIONS ON READINESS ON THIS? I, I HAVE A QUESTION.
COUNCILMAN, HAVE WE MADE THE MOTION YET? I BELIEVE WE DID.
SO MY QUESTION IS, WHEN WE RECEIVED OUR COUNCIL NOTEBOOK, WE DIDN'T HAVE THE EXHIBIT THAT YOU HANDED OUT PRIOR.
UM, AND IT SAYS THAT THIS IS IN SUPPORT OF THE PHOTO OPPORTUNITY PROJECT.
SO MY QUESTION IS, THERE'S A NUMBER OF THINGS ON PLEASURE ISLAND THAT NEED TO BE REPAIRED.
I'VE BEEN SENT PICTURES THAT'S NOT IN MY DISTRICT, BUT I LOVE PLEASURE ISLAND.
I GREW UP THERE AND I WANT TO, I WANT TO TAKE MY GRANDKIDS THERE.
UH, BUT I'VE SEEN SOME PHOTOS OF SOME THINGS THAT ARE IN DISREPAIR ON THE ISLAND, AND I WONDER WHY THAT'S NOT BEING PRIORITIZED BEFORE A PLACE TO TAKE PICTURES.
I MEAN, WE'VE GOT FISHING PIERS THAT ARE IN DISREPAIR.
UH, WE HAVE A BRAND NEW PLAYGROUND THAT DOESN'T HAVE ANY SHADE OVER IT.
WE HAVE RESTROOMS AT THE PLAYGROUND THAT WERE VANDALIZED AND HAVE NOT BEEN REPAIRED.
SO MY CONCERN IS WE'VE GOT THIS MONEY THAT'S COMING IN AND WE'RE GONNA DO A PHOTO OPPORTUNITY AND NOT REPAIR THE THINGS THAT ARE GONNA ATTRACT PEOPLE THAT REALLY WANT TO USE THE ISLAND.
UM, THE PROJECTS THAT YOU'RE SPEAKING ON, WOULD YOU SAY IT WAS SOMETHING, WELL, WHAT, WHAT PROJECTS ARE YOU SPEAKING ON? EXCUSE ME? I'M TALKING ABOUT THE DISREPAIR OF THINGS ON THE ISLAND.
THERE ARE FISHING PIERS THAT ARE DANGEROUS.
THOSE ARE, THOSE ARE CAPITAL IMPROVEMENT PROJECTS.
WE CAN'T, WE CAN'T TAKE DONATIONS AND APPLY TO, UH, A CAPITAL IMPROVEMENT PROJECT.
SO THIS HAS TO BE EARMARKED FOR THIS PHOTO OPPORTUNITY? YES, MA'AM.
MA'AM, WHENEVER I SPOKE WITH THE REPRESENTATIVES, THIS IS WHAT, UM, THE DECISION WAS TO PUT THE MONEY TOWARDS.
ANY OTHER QUESTIONS? ANY OTHER QUESTIONS ON THIS? PLEASE GIVE AN UPDATE AS WELL ON THE WASHROOMS THAT ARE WHAT STAGE ARE YOU RIGHT NOW? CITY MANAGER.
IT'S A QUESTION THAT NO, SHE JUST ASKED WAS A PART OF THAT WAS GOOD.
I'M SORRY TO ALLOW HER TO VOTE FOR US TO ACCEPT IT.
ANY OTHER QUESTIONS ON THAT MOTION? YOU MAYOR, I APPROACH HIM.
I JUST WANTED TO SAY THANK YOU.
THANK YOU FOR GIVING US THIS OPPORTUNITY TO PROVIDE THIS TYPE OF ATTRACTION ON THE ISLAND.
ANY, ANY OTHER QUESTIONS ON THE MOTION? ANY OTHER QUESTIONS? WE READY, UH, FOR VOTING? ALL IN FAVOR? A ANY OPPOSES? THE AYES HAVE IT.
SO AND SO WE HAVE ANOTHER PLEASURE ISLAND MEMBER OF PAUL RICHARDS.
HE DIDN'T COME UP WITH THE OTHERS, BUT HE, HE, HE, HE, HE, HE'S A ALITY COMMISSION, UH, OR ADVISORY BOARD MEMBER I THINK AS WELL.
UH, AND, UH, NOW, MR. UH, GEORGE, WE'VE, WE'VE, WE'VE ACCEPTED THE MONEY NOW.
YOU ACTUALLY HAD THE MONEY, SO NOW YOU GONNA GO SPEND IT, SIR.
WILL YOU ASK MAY MAYOR, LET'S LET, LET'S ALSO RECOGNIZE MS. SUSIE SCHU.
SHE'S HERE A MEMBER OF THE PLEASURE ISLAND COMMISSION AS WELL.
HUH? MS. SHE, MS SHE IS HERE AS, OH, I'M SORRY.
I'M VERY, VERY SORRY MS. SHANE.
AND OH, OH, YOU'RE MESSING UP ON EVERYBODY.
UH, MR. PRESIDENT, YOU GET ALL YOUR COMMISSIONERS UP HERE, PLEASE.
I SAID YOU MESSED ME UP ON THAT.
I'M GONNA JUST SAY, HE SAID, YOU BRING ONE MAN UP HERE.
UH, GET, GET YOUR COMMISSIONER.
THE, UH, YOU CALL HIM COMMISSIONER.
I CALL YOU ADVISORY BOARD MEMBERS.
WOULD YOU PLEASE CALL THEM ALL UP? YEAH.
MR. MAYOR, UH, IF WE WILL, UH, COMMISSIONER
[01:40:01]
SUSIE.SHE, UM, COMMISSIONER PAUL, RICHARD COMMISSIONER, UH, CHARLIE LEWIS.
I JUST KNEW IT WAS ON THE AGENDA, SO I WALKED UP.
WELL, ACTUALLY WE WALK UP WITH YOU.
IF YOU DON'T MIND IF Y'ALL WILL COME UP WITH MARY.
BUT SHE WAS TAKING PICTURES OF EVERYBODY SO SHE COULD PORT ARTHUR, UH, NEWS COULD HAVE IT IN THE ARCHIVES.
YOU KNOW, YOU HAVE ALL THAT ADVISORY FOLK.
AND I'M SORRY MA'AM, I DIDN'T RECOGNIZE YOU AS SUCH.
AND, UH, THANK YOU FOR, FOR CORRECTING ME.
UH, I STAND CORRECTED ON THAT, BUT I'M GONNA JUST PUT IT ON THE CHAIR.
YOU KNOW, I KNOW HOW TO PASS THE BUCK.
HE DIDN'T BRING Y'ALL UP, SO I DIDN'T KNOW.
BUT YOU'RE ADVISED, BUT IT, IT IS WELL TAKEN IN, IN, IN, IN, IN, IN, IN THE LIGHT OF RESPECT.
WELL, BUT MARY, MARY, DON'T WORK FOR ME.
[III.B. (1) A Presentation By Motiva Enterprises, LLC Providing A Community Update On Their Downtown Project]
WE WILL GO TO THE NATIONAL NATURAL FLOW OF THINGS.AND YES, A PRESENTATION BY MOTIVA, L L C PROVIDED A COMMUNITY UPDATE ON THEIR DOWNTOWN PROJECT.
CLAIRE JACKSON, 25 55 SAVANNAH AVENUE HERE IN PORT ARTHUR, UM, MAYOR AND COUNCIL.
WE ARE HERE TO PROVIDE A COMMUNITY UPDATE ON OUR ADAMS BUILDING RENOVATION PROJECTS.
UM, WHEN MOTIVA UNVEILED ITS PLANS TO RESTORE THE ADAMS BUILDING, WE KNEW IT WOULD BE A VAST UNDERTAKING.
WHAT WE DIDN'T KNOW IN MAY OF 2019 WAS THAT THE WORLD WOULD FACE A GLOBAL PANDEMIC AND AN UNPRECEDENTED MARKET VITALITY THAT WOULD SIDELINE OUR PLANS FOR NEARLY THREE YEARS.
AS WE'VE MANAGED OUR BUSINESS THROUGH THE MARKET DOWNTURN, WE'VE ALWAYS CONSIDERED THIS A COMMITMENT TO THE PORT ARTHUR COMMUNITY.
AND EVEN DURING THE SLOWDOWN, MOTIVA HAS BEEN WORKING BEHIND THE SCENES TO RESTART THE REHABILITATION OF THE ADAMS BUILDING.
AS WE'VE SHARED BEFORE, PORT ARTHUR IS THE FUTURE HOME TO HUNDREDS OF MOTIVA EMPLOYEES WHO ARE NOT RELATED TO THE, UM, MAINTENANCE OR OPERATIONS OF OUR SITE.
WE'RE EXCITED TO STAND BEFORE YOU TONIGHT TO SHARE THAT OUR PROJECT HAS RECEIVED FULL FUNDING FROM OUR BOARD.
WITH ME TONIGHT IS CHAD ALLEN, OUR SENIOR MANAGER OF COP CAPITAL PROJECTS, WHO WILL GIVE US A PROJECT UPDATE.
BUT BEFORE I TURN THE PODIUM OVER TO CHAD, I'D LIKE TO SHARE A FEW ACCOMPLISHMENTS THAT WE ARE PROUD TO PARTNER WITH.
THE CITY ON DOWNTOWN, NINE BLOCKS OF DOWNTOWN HAVE BECOME STATE HISTORIC CERTIFICATION ZONE.
UM, THE CITY HAS PLANNED AN A CREATE TO CREATE A BEAUTIFUL ENTRANCE INTO DOWNTOWN ON WOODWORTH BOULEVARD.
AND THE CITY HAS HOSTED MANY EVENTS DOWNTOWN, INCLUDING EARTH DAY HOLIDAY CELEBRATIONS.
AND MY PERSONAL FAVORITE WAS THE HUNDRED AND 25TH BIRTHDAY CELEBRATION IN POPEYE HOMES PARK.
WE'RE EXCITED TO BE A PART OF THE REVITALIZATION OF PORT ARTHUR.
AND NOW I'LL TURN IT OVER TO CHAD.
UH, THIS PAST YEAR, WE'VE RECEIVED, UH, UH, FINANCIAL, UH, APPROVAL TO MOVE OUR PROJECT FORWARD.
SO THE LAST FEW MONTHS, WE'VE BEEN WORKING VERY CLOSELY WITH THE ARCHITECT AND A SPECIALTY STRUCTURAL ENGINEER, UH, OUTTA AUSTIN, TEXAS, UH, CALLED W J E.
AND SOME PICTURES WE CAN SHOW YOU, UH, OF THE WORK THAT'S TAKEN PLACE.
THIS FIRST PICTURE IS AN ARCHITECTURAL RENDERING OF WHAT THE ADAMS BUILDING WILL LOOK LIKE, UH, FULLY REFURBISHED, UH, TO MEET ALL THE HISTORICAL REQUIREMENTS OR WHAT IT LOOKED LIKE A HUNDRED YEARS AGO.
UM, THE NEXT PICTURES THAT YOU'LL SEE, WE DID A FULL, UH, INVESTIGATION OF THE GEOTECHNICAL.
SO ALL THE SOIL AROUND THE BUILDING, WE LOOKED AT IT AND WE ANALYZED IT.
AND THEN BECAUSE IT'S A HUNDRED YEAR OLD BUILDING, WE DIDN'T HAVE ANY DRAWINGS OR CALCULATIONS, UH, FROM THE PAST.
SO WE WENT THROUGH AND TOOK MANY CONCRETE CORE SAMPLES FROM THE BUILDING.
WE DID A FULL CHEMICAL ANALYSIS ON THE REBAR AND ON THE CONCRETE.
AND THEN WE BUILT A COMPUTER MODEL TO MAKE SURE THAT, UH, WE HAD AN ACCURATE REPRESENTATION OF, OF THE STRENGTH OF THE BUILDING, AND THEN DEVELOPED ALL THE REPAIR METHODS SO IT COULD MEET CURRENT CODE REQUIREMENTS.
AND SO, UH, THE GENTLEMAN THAT YOU SEE, UH, IN THAT PHOTO IS OUR PHD, CIVIL STRUCTURAL ENGINEER, UH, WHO'S DONE A THOROUGH JOB OF, UH, INVESTIGATING ALL THE, ALL THE BEAMS, ALL THE COLUMNS IN THE BUILDING, AND HAS DEVELOPED, UH, THE SET OF ISSUED FOR CONSTRUCTION DRAWINGS FOR US.
UM, SO THESE ARE DIFF AND THIS IS A, UH, WITHIN THEIR COMPANY, THEY
[01:45:01]
HAVE THE FULL LAB.SO IT, IT REALLY WAS NICE TO WORK WITH.
THE GENTLEMAN YOU SEE ON THE LEFT IS A PHOTOGRAPHER.
SO HE'S DOING THE FULL CHEMICAL ANALYSIS ON THE CONCRETE.
AND THEN WE, UH, DO BRAKE TEST ON THE CONCRETE TO GET THE STRENGTH.
AND THAT'S A PIECE OF EQUIPMENT THAT YOU SEE ON YOUR RIGHT.
UH, THESE ARE A FEW PICTURES OF WHAT THE BUILDING WILL LOOK LIKE WHEN IT'S DONE.
SO THIS IS A RENDERING OF THE FIRST FLOOR.
UH, THE, THE, UH, FEDERAL BUILDING IS TO YOUR BACK, UH, IF YOU WERE LOOKING STRAIGHT INTO THE BUILDING.
SO THIS IS WHAT THE FOYER ENTRY AREA WILL LOOK LIKE.
THIS IS A TYPICAL FLOOR WHERE YOU HAVE A KITCHENETTE AREA, KIND OF A, A AREA WHERE E EACH EMPLOYEE, UH, GROUP WITHIN THE FLOOR CAN HAVE, UH, KIND OF A FOOD AREA TO EAT FOR LUNCH.
UM, IF YOU LOOK CLOSELY THROUGH THE WINDOWS, YOU CAN SEE THAT ARCH ON THE OUTSIDE THAT'S AT THE, THE SIXTH FLOOR ELEVATION.
SO THIS IS WHAT THE EXECUTIVE CONFERENCE ROOM WILL LOOK LIKE, OR THE LEADERSHIP TEAM AT THE REFINERY WILL SIT AND HOLD THEIR CRITICAL MEETINGS.
SO LOOK FORWARD TO WORKING WITH ALL OF YOU, UH, ESPECIALLY ON YOUR, YOUR WATER REPLACEMENT LINE.
SO WE'LL WORK CLOSELY WITH THE CITY MANAGER ON MAKING SURE ALL THAT'S DONE SAFE AS WE CONTINUE CONSTRUCTION.
I APPRECIATE YOU ALL, UH, COMING IN, GIVING US AN UPDATE.
I'VE BEEN IN INQUIRING ABOUT IT AND I WAS GLAD TO HEAR THAT YOU ALL FINALLY GOT YOUR HISTORICAL TAX CREDITS.
BUT MY, I GUESS MY 20, 25 YEARS AGO, I PUT SOME THINGS IN PLACE TO ATTRACT CORPORATE AMERICA, MADE SOME CHANGES IN THE CHARTER.
THAT WAY WE CAN PARTNERSHIP, WE CAN LET YOU HAVE, YOU KNOW, LIKE THE OLD, I WAS DISAPPOINTED TO FIND OUT COMING BACK TO COUNCIL THAT THESE, THE OLD SABINE HOTELS, I THOUGHT Y'ALL HAD CONTROL OF THAT.
YOU'RE NOT INTERESTED IN IT ANYMORE.
UM, RIGHT NOW WE'RE FOCUSING ON THE BUILDINGS THAT WE HAVE PURCHASED.
WELL, I PUT A TAX ABATEMENT IN, IN PLACE 20, 25 YEARS AGO TO ATTRACT CORPORATE AMERICA BECAUSE I KNOW RETAIL FOLLOWS OUR, OUR MIGRATION AND THINGS LIKE THAT.
AND IT EVENTUALLY GOING, WE GET TO CORPORATE AMERICA.
AND, UH, AND THE CHANGES I MADE IN THE CHARTER, I TOOK OUT THE CHARTER THAT WE, WE OWN ANY PROPERTY OR ANY BUILDINGS, ANYTHING LIKE THAT.
YOU DON'T HAVE TO HAVE A, A REFERENDUM.
WE CAN, THE CITY MANAGER CAN LET YOU HAVE IT FOR A DOLLAR IF YOU'ALL GOT A GOOD ENOUGH DEAL.
SO THAT'S WHAT WE LOOKING FORWARD TO.
YOU ALL WORKING WITH YOU ALL AND, AND WHAT, WHAT YOU GONNA DO AT THE BOTTOM LEVEL? TELL ME THAT AGAIN.
SO WE'RE VERY EXCITED THAT IT WILL BE OPEN TO THE COMMUNITY AND OFFER RESTAURANTS AND OTHER THINGS IN THE LOBBY.
SO, UM, WE'LL HAVE A GREAT OPPORTUNITY WHERE PEOPLE CAN COME, YOU GUYS CAN COME AND AFTER A MEETING AND COME HAVE LUNCH.
RESTAURANTS AND ANY POSSIBILITY OF RETAILS.
YEAH, THERE'S, UH, DIFFERENT SPACES DOWN THERE.
LOOKING FORWARD TO WORKING WITH YOU.
HOW ARE YOU DOING? AND NICE TO MEET YOU AS WELL.
IN BOTH OF YOUR BUILDINGS, HOW MANY OFFICE SPACES ARE YOU APPROXIMATELY GONNA HAVE IN BOTH OF THOSE BUS BUILDINGS? IT'S GONNA BE ABOUT 250 WORKERS IN THE ADAMS BUILDING.
JUST ONLY IN THE ADAMS BUILDING.
DO YOU HAVE ANY, WHAT'S, WHAT ABOUT THE OTHER BUILDING THAT YOU HAVE? I DON'T KNOW THAT WE'VE SPECED OUT EXACTLY.
AND THE NEXT QUESTION, HOW SOON ARE YOU GONNA BE ABLE TO START THE CONSTRUCTION AGAIN ON THOSE BUILDING, ON THE ADAMS BUILDING? SO WHAT WE'RE DOING RIGHT NOW IS WE HAVE ALL THE BIDS IN.
SO WE'VE, UH, AWARDED ALL THE MECHANICAL, ELECTRICAL, PLUMBING AND SPRINKLER SYSTEM.
WE JUST GOT THE BIDS IN FOR ALL THE STRUCTURAL REPAIR WORK.
UH, WE'LL BE ISSUING, UH, A PURCHASE ORDER FOR THAT WORK, HOPEFULLY HERE IN THE NEXT COUPLE WEEKS.
UH, WE'RE DOING THE FINAL REVIEWS ON THAT AND WE'RE TRYING TO GET THE STRUCTURAL REPAIR WORK ALL COMPLETED OR STARTED, UH, TOWARDS THE END OF SEPTEMBER, FIRST PART OF OCTOBER.
AND THEN FROM THERE IT'LL BE CONTINUOUS CONSTRUCTION ALL THE WAY THROUGH.
AND COUNCILMAN LEWIS IN, IN ADDITION, ONE OF THE THINGS I I EXPECT IS GOING TO HAPPEN, AND Y'ALL PROBABLY ANTICIPATED YOU BRING 250 PEOPLE ADMINISTRATIVE IN THE DOWNTOWN HERE.
I'M PRETTY COMFORTABLE THAT ENGINEERING COMPANY'S GONNA WANT BE, WANT TO LOCATE NEAR YOU ALL.
AND THEY'RE GONNA BE COMING ALSO.
I HOPE Y'ALL GET CONTROL OF ALL THE PROPERTIES AROUND THERE SO Y'ALL CAN CONTROL WHO COMES AND GOES.
AND OH, BY THE WAY, ONCE I, I INITIATED THAT, UH, THAT TAX BABY, UH, LEE TOWNSON CAME BEFORE THE CITY COUNCIL FOR THE DOWNTOWN AREA.
LEE TOWNSON CAME BEFORE THE CITY COUNCIL AND ASKED THAT THE TAX BABY BE EXTENDED TO THE INDUSTRY.
AND THAT'S REVITALIZED A WHOLE LOT OF, UH, RENOVATION AND COMPANIES DECIDED TO STAY HERE AND STARTED EXPANDING.
THANK YOU ALL SO KINDLY FOR YOUR PRESENTATION.
[III.B. (2) A Presentation By The Quasquicentennial Steering Committee, Ms. Verna Rutherford, Dr. Albert Thigpen, Ms. Tammy Kotzur, Ms. Pat Avery, Dr. Sam Monroe, and Mr. Tom Neal Regarding The Quasquicentenniel Celebration Update]
THE NEXT ITEM THAT WE HAVE.WE HAVE A PRESENTATION BY THE QUA STREET CENTENNIAL, UH, STEERING COMMITTEE, MRS. VERN RUTHERFORD, DR.
[01:50:01]
AND MRS. TAMMY TURE, UH, JU AND MS, UH, PAT AVERY, DR.SAM MONROE, AND MR. TOM NEAL REGARDING THE UHWAS CENTENNIAL CELEBRATION UPDATE.
YOU WANNA GET STARTED AND I SEE MR. UH,
I DON'T SEE YOUR, YOUR NAME WORTH HERE, BUT I MAYOR COUNCIL MR. MANAGER.
MY NAME IS AL THIGPEN AND I SERVE ON THE STEERING COMMITTEE FOR THE QUI CENTENNIAL CELEBRATION COMMITTEE.
WE HAVE DOWN HERE, MS. TAMMY KOTZER.
WE HAVE MS. CAROLYN THITO VISITING WITH US, AND ALSO MR. TOM NEIL AND OF COURSE, OUR GREAT CHAIRMAN, MS. VERNA RUTHERFORD.
AS YOU KNOW, WE APPEAR BEFORE YOU PERIODICALLY TO GIVE YOU UPDATES ON WHAT WE HAVE DONE AND WHAT WE ARE PLANNING TO DO IN REGARD TO THE CELEBRATION OF THE CITY'S SQUI CENTENNIAL.
AND TONIGHT WE'RE HERE TO TALK ABOUT SEVERAL THINGS.
I'M JUST GONNA BRIEFLY SAY, AS YOU KNOW, WE HAVE A WEBSITE WHICH IS DEDICATED, UH, TO THE QUI CENTENNIAL.
AND ON THE SCREEN WE'RE GONNA BE SHOWING A LITTLE BIT OF THE HISTORICAL MARKERS.
UH, WE'VE HAD A GREAT PROJECT WHERE WE'VE GONE THROUGH THE CITY.
WE HAVE OUTLINED HISTORICAL MARKERS AND INDIVIDUALS WHO VISIT THE WEBSITE ARE GOING TO BE ABLE TO FOLLOW THOSE AND FIND OUT ALL ABOUT THE CITY OF PORT ARTHUR.
UH, THE WEBSITE REMAINS AN EXCELLENT RESOURCE, WHICH WILL CONTINUE PAST THIS YEAR, WHERE NOT ONLY PORT ARTHUR AND, BUT PEOPLE OUTSIDE OF PORT ARTHUR CAN FIND OUT ABOUT OUR GREAT CITY AND HOW WE CONTRIBUTE GLOBALLY TO THE WORLD'S INCREASE.
SO WE PROMISED THAT WE WERE NOT GONNA TAKE UP A LOT OF TIME, SO I'M GONNA PASS THE MIC TO THE CHAIRMAN AND SHE'S GOING TO TELL YOU ABOUT THE OTHER ITEMS THAT WE HAVE FOR YOU.
GOOD EVENING, UH, MEMBERS AND MAYOR AND MEMBERS OF THE CITY COUNCIL.
AND THANK YOU ALL FOR ALLOWING US A FEW MINUTES HERE THIS EVENING.
THIGPEN SAID, THE HISTORICAL MARKER PROJECT IS ONE THAT'S, UH, ONLY A SMALL PART OF THE WEBSITE.
AND LESLIE MCMAHON, WHO YOU ALL KNOW WELL, UH, RETIRED, UH, FROM THE CITY, WORKED WITH A GENTLEMAN NAMED DAN WITH ARS SNOW WILSON AND COLE.
AND THEY SPENT, I WOULD JUST SAY, AN ENORMOUS AMOUNT OF TIME GATHERING ALL THAT INFORMATION FROM THE HISTORICAL MARKERS.
TAMMY'S, UH, STAFF TOOK PICTURES OF ALL OF THOSE MARKERS.
SO WE'RE NOT GONNA GO THROUGH THAT PROCESS, UH, THIS EVENING.
BUT IF YOU GO TO THAT SECTION OF THE WEBSITE, MAKE ABOUT THREE CLICKS, AND YOU CAN ACTUALLY GO TO EVERY SINGLE HISTORICAL MARKER IN THE CITY.
SO YOU CAN TAKE A TOUR AND HISTORICAL TOUR AND SEE WHAT'S ON EACH AND EVERY ONE OF THEM.
SO WE THINK IT'S AN EXCELLENT OPPORTUNITY FOR, UH, STUDENTS TO LEARN ABOUT THE CITY.
WE ALL DRIVE BY THEM, AND WE REALLY DON'T PAY A LOT OF ATTENTION TO WHAT IS ON THOSE MARKERS.
UM, BUT THIS GIVES YOU A BIRD'S EYE VIEW OF, OF WHAT'S THERE.
UM, ONE OF THE OTHER THINGS THAT WE'RE WORKING ON RIGHT NOW, WE'VE GOT, UH, AFGHAN, SOME OF YOU MIGHT MAY REMEMBER THE OLD, UH, RONNIE MCCLELLAN, HISTORICAL AFGHAN THAT WAS DONE DURING THE CENTENNIAL WHO WE'RE DOING ONE, UH, WITH SOME, UH, ARTISTS RENDERING THE SKETCHES OF BETTY MAGGIO, UH, WHO DID ALL OF THE HISTORIC HOMES AS WELL.
AND THAT WILL BE HOT OFF THE PRESS IN ABOUT SIX WEEKS.
WE'RE LOOKING FORWARD TO HAVING THAT.
AND IT WILL BE FOR SALE IN THE, UM, MUSEUM GIFT SHOP.
UM, THE OTHER ITEM WE'RE, WE'RE DOING, WE ALL GET CHALLENGE COINS FROM EVERY PLACE UNDER THE SUN, WHERE YOU'RE GONNA HAVE YOUR VERY OWN PORT ARTHUR CHALLENGE COINS.
THERE WILL BE A, UH, UH, PRECIOUS METAL.
THERE WILL BE TWO DIFFERENT KINDS OF THOSE, AND THERE WILL ALSO BE THE REGULAR, UH, FULL COLOR, UM, UH, CHALLENGE COINS.
SO THOSE ARE, UH, IN PRODUCTION RIGHT NOW.
NOW, I'D LIKE TO INTRODUCE, OF COURSE YOU ALL KNOW YOUR OWN EMPLOYEE, UH, CAROLYN TEBEAU FROM THE LIBRARY, CERTAINLY OUR PUBLICITY CHAIRMAN, UM, VICE CHAIRMAN AND OR CO-CHAIRMAN, UH, WITH TAMMY, UH, WHO, UH, IS HANDLING THE PUBLICITY AS WELL AS, UM, NOT HERE THIS EVENING, WE'VE GOT BRENDA VAUGHN AND MS. GLORIA SANCHEZ.
THEY ARE CO-CHAIRING, UH, AN EVENT THAT WE'RE REALLY LOOKING FORWARD TO ON OCTOBER THE 14TH.
UM, THAT EVENT, UH, CAROLYN, YOU WANNA STEP UP JUST A MINUTE.
I, I KNOW THAT YOU'VE GOT, IT'S AN, IT'S AN AREA THAT'S NEAR AND DEAR TO CAROLYN.
IT'S THE, THE, THE DIVERSITY ASPECT OF THIS PROGRAM THAT EXCITES ME AS YOUR LIBRARIAN.
I ALWAYS LOOK FORWARD IN BRINGING OUR COMMUNITY TOGETHER TO HAVE AN ENGAGED, EXCITING PROGRAM THAT EDUCATES AS WELL.
SO THIS IS THE TIME TO REALLY SHOW OFF OUR CITY PAST AND PRESENT.
SO I'M EXCITED AND HONORED TO WORK WITH THIS GROUP OF INDIVIDUALS.
[01:55:01]
SO MUCH WORK AND SHE DIDN'T WANNA SAY A LOT, BUT, UM, THOSE THREE LADIES ALONG WITH, UH, CHERYL AND, AND TAMMY WORKING ON THE PUBLICITY ARE JUST DOING AN ENORMOUS AMOUNT OF WORK.THIS WILL BE WALKING INTO THE CIVIC CENTER ON OCTOBER THE 14TH, FROM ONE TO FIVE O'CLOCK.
UH, IT WILL BE LIKE WALKING INTO A TOUR OF THE WORLD.
AND IT GOES BACK TO THOSE OF US WHO'VE SETTLED HERE, WHOSE, UH, FAMILIES HAVE SETTLED HERE AND WHY THEY'VE SETTLED HERE.
UH, WE'VE GOT, LET'S SEE, I'VE GOT 18, UH, COUNTRIES THAT WILL BE REPRESENTED DURING THAT EVENT AND THAT SHOWCASE, UH, THEY WILL HAVE BOOTHS, IT WILL BE, UM, A TRADE SHOW OF SORTS OR AN EXHIBIT OF SORTS.
THEY ARE NOT BEING CHARGED TO PARTICIPATE.
SO ANYONE, WHETHER YOU'VE GOT A, UH, THE HERITAGE OF YOUR FAMILY OR FRIENDS THAT YOU WANT TO BE ABLE TO SHOW AND TELL, PLEASE LET PEOPLE KNOW TO EITHER GO TO THAT WEBSITE OR GET IN TOUCH WITH ANY ONE OF US.
UH, WE WOULD LIKE FOR THEM TO BE ABLE TO DO THAT.
I'M JUST GONNA READ OFF THE COUNTRIES BECAUSE I THINK THIS IS PRETTY INTERESTING WHEN YOU REALLY THINK ABOUT THE MELTING POT THAT WE HAVE HERE.
AND THESE ARE JUST THE COUNTRIES, THE CULTURES THAT HAVE ALREADY COMMITTED.
OF COURSE, WE'VE GOT THE ALL AMERICANS, WE'VE GOT THE AFRICAN AMERICANS, THE CAJUN CREOLE, AND CAJUN CAPITAL OF THE WORLD OF, UH, CAPITAL OF TEXAS, RIGHT? YEAH.
UH, WE'VE GOT MEXICO, WE'VE GOT POLISH TAMMY'S FAMILY, WE'VE GOT NORWEGIANS, WE'VE GOT BRENDA VAUGHN'S FAMILY FROM TGA.
I'M NOT EVEN SURE WHAT OR HOW TO SAY THAT FOR SURE.
WE'VE GOT THE IRANIANS, UH, SOUTH A ASIA, WHICH INCLUDES, UH, REPRESENTATIVES THAT HAVE COMMITTED FROM PAKISTAN, INDIA, BANGLADESH, NEPAL, AND MALAYSIA, ITALIANS, HONDURAS, THE BAKA AND THE GUYANA, UM, AREAS, THE CAYMAN ISLANDS.
AND WE'VE ALSO GOT, UH, PEOPLE THAT WE'RE, UH, APPROACHING, UH, REPRESENTING GERMANY AND GREECE, THE DOMINICAN REPUBLIC, OUR CITY MAN.
SO THERE WILL BE A REAL LEARNING OPPORTUNITY FOR PEOPLE WHEN THEY WALK IN THE CIVIC CENTER.
THEY'LL SEE FLAGS, THEY'LL SEE, UM, HISTORIC BOARDS WITH STORYBOARDS THAT SHOW, UM, ABOUT THE VARIOUS COUNTRIES.
THERE WILL ALSO BE PEOPLE IN THEIR BOOTHS WILL BE DEMONSTRATING DIFFERENT THINGS.
IT MAY BE THE CUSTOMS AND THE TRADITIONS.
IT MAY BE THE CRAFTS, THE TALENTS, THE THINGS THAT THEY DO, AND WHAT THEIR COUNTRY IS ALL ABOUT.
UH, THERE WILL BE SOME, UH, WE ARE VERY GRATEFUL TO, UH, JUDITH SMITH AND HER STAFF AT THE HEALTH DEPARTMENT FOR WORKING WITH THE, UH, UH, PARTICIPANTS.
UH, IF PEOPLE WANNA DO A TASTE OF THEIR CULTURE, THERE WILL HAVE TO BE SOME STRICT REGULATIONS BECAUSE, UH, THEY'LL BE FOLLOWING THE ENVIRONMENTAL PERMITTING PROCESS.
AND SO THAT KIND OF GIVES A BIT OF A SMORGASBORD OF WHAT THE OCTOBER 14TH EVENT IS ALL ABOUT.
UH, SO IT'LL BE NICE AND EASY AND CONVENIENT FOR PEOPLE, UH, TO PARTICIPATE AND FOR PEOPLE TO VISIT.
AND COUNCIL MEMBER HAMILTON, I CAN'T HELP BUT, BUT, BUT, BUT COMMENT ON ALL OF THE, THE TIME AND EFFORT THAT YOU PUT FORTH IN THOSE, UM, EVENTS BACK IN, IN MAY THAN WE, WHEN WE DID THE THREE CELEBRATION EVENTS.
AND THANKS TO EACH AND EVERY ONE OF YOU, BECAUSE I, I COULD LOOK AROUND THE COUNCIL AND YOU WERE ALL THERE.
YOU WERE SUPPORTING ANY ONE OF THOSE THREE EVENTS, UH, AT ANY GIVEN TIME.
SO WE DO LOOK FORWARD TO HAVING YOU SUPPORT, UH, THIS EVENT AND BRING YOUR FAMILY.
UH, IF YOU'VE GOT SOMEONE THAT YOU WANT TO TELL ABOUT IT, YOU DON'T FEEL LIKE YOU CAN, YOU KNOW, ELABORATE ON ALL THE DETAILS OF WHAT THEY NEED TO DO TO PARTICIPATE, PLEASE DON'T HESITATE TO SEND THEM OUR WAY.
YOU'VE GOT OUR CELL PHONE NUMBERS, I THINK.
DO WE WANT TO SAY ANYTHING ELSE, I GUESS ABOUT LATER IN THE YEAR? YES.
YOU WANNA SAY ANYTHING ELSE? WELL, WE JUST WANT THE COUNCIL KNOW THAT THIS IS NOT OUR LAST EVENT.
WE HAVE A FEW OTHER ITEMS THAT ARE GONNA BE TAKEN PLACE, INCLUDING WORKING WITH THE HOLIDAY CELEBRATION AND THE, UH, STEERING COMMITTEE WILL BE LEADING THE LIGHTING OF THE TREE FOR THAT EVENT.
SO WE'RE VERY EXCITED ABOUT THAT.
AND THERE ARE A COUPLE OTHER SURPRISE ITEMS WE'LL HAVE FOR THE CITY AND THE COUNCIL.
SO AGAIN, WE CAN ONLY THANK YOU FOR YOUR SUPPORT AS WE TRY TO CELEBRATE PORT ARTHUR.
I JUST WANTED TO REMIND YOU ALL OF SOME OF THE THINGS WE'VE DONE IN THE PAST ALSO LOOK BEHIND YOU.
AND YOU SEE YOUR BEAUTIFUL FLAG THAT HAS BEEN RESTORED, OUR PORT ARTHUR FLAG, AND WE KICKED THE YEAR OFF WITH A, A CELEBRATION OF OUR 125TH QUA QUIN CENTENNIAL, UH,
[02:00:01]
CELEBRATION WITH A, WITH A, UH, GREATER PORT ARTHUR CHAMBER OF COMMERCE RIGHT OVER HERE.I DON'T KNOW MY WAY AROUND WHERE I AM, BUT WE GOT QUASS CENTENNIAL WAY CLOSE BY.
AND, UM, I WANNA, UH, THANK, UH, UH, COUNCILMAN FRANK AND, UH, MAYOR BARTEE FOR PARTICIPATING IN THE NATIONAL DAY OF PRAYER, ALONG WITH, UM, UH, TIFFANY, UH, COUNCILMAN HAMILTON THAT DID MOST OF THE WORK FOR THAT.
SO WE HOPE YOU HAVE ENJOYED THE YEAR.
WE CERTAINLY HAVE ENJOYED MAKING THE CITIZENS AWARE OF, UH, WHAT WE, WHAT OUR CITY IS ALL ABOUT.
SPECIAL THANKS TO LAMAR STATE COLLEGE, UH, GARY DICKERS FOR ALL THE WORK HE DID ON THE, ON THE WEBSITE.
THIS WEBSITE IS SUPPOSED TO BE NOT ONLY JUST FOR QUAS QUINN CENTENNIAL YEAR, BUT A HISTORY OF OUR ENTIRE CITY FROM NOW ON AND IN THE PAST FOR THE FUTURE.
AND IN CLOSING, WE WON'T WANNA FORGET ABOUT THE FACT THAT WE WILL BE, UM, REMEMBERING THE HISTORY, UH, OF WHAT'S HAPPENED THIS YEAR.
THERE WILL BE A TIME CAPSULE THAT WILL BE BURIED, UH, MUCH LIKE THOSE IN PREVIOUS, UH, CELEBRATIONS, MILESTONES OF THE CITY.
AND SO AT THE VERY END OF THE YEAR, AFTER ALL OF THE EVENTS HAVE BEEN HELD, THAT WILL BE DONE AND YOU WILL BE A PART OF THAT BECAUSE WE'LL WANT YOU TO MAKE SURE THAT YOU GIVE US INPUT AS TO WHAT YOU THINK IS IMPORTANT TO BE BURIED IN THAT TIME CAPSULE.
WE LOOK FORWARD TO SEEING YOU AT THE, THE EVENTS AND SEEING YOU AT A FUTURE COUNCIL MEETING.
THANK YOU VERY MUCH FOR YOUR TIME.
DON'T, DON'T FORGET YOUR TREE THAT YOU'RE WATER.
I'LL JUST GETTING READY TO SAY IT.
Y'ALL DIDN'T SAY ANYTHING ABOUT BILL MAN.
AND BILL IS DOING WELL OUTSIDE.
THAT'S THE TREE, THE QUA CENTENNIAL TREE.
COUNCILMAN BECKHAM HAS SOMETHING FOR YOU.
I, I JUST WANNA SAY THAT I'M JUST SO THANKFUL FOR ALL THE WORK THAT YOU GUYS HAVE DONE.
UM, I CAN REMEMBER BEING A LITTLE GIRL AT SAM HOUSTON ELEMENTARY WHEN THE DIAMOND JUBILEE WAS CELEBRATED AND WE HAD SO MANY ACTIVITIES TO DO AND LEARNING ABOUT THE HISTORY OF PORT ARTHUR AND I, I REMEMBER THAT SO WELL.
UM, AND, UM, I, I JUST WANNA SAY THAT THE WEEKEND THAT Y'ALL ARE DOING THE EVENT AT THE CIVIC CENTER IS MY 50 YEAR HIGH SCHOOL REUNION.
AND SO WE'RE GONNA MAKE THAT PART OF OUR WEEKEND.
SO YOU CAN EXPECT A BUNCH OF GRADUATES FROM THOMAS JEFFERSON TO BE THERE ON OCTOBER 14TH.
THANK Y'ALL SO MUCH FOR WHAT YOU'RE DOING.
UH, COUNCILWOMAN, UH, HAMILTON MAYOR, I APPROACH HIM.
I WANTED TO JUST AGAIN SAY THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR THE, UM, COMMITTEE THAT HAS BEEN PUTTING ON THE PREVIOUS EVENTS, WORKING SO HARD NOW AND PLANNING FOR WHAT'S COMING UP.
SO PLEASE, PLEASE BRING YOUR FAMILIES OUT TO PARTICIPATE.
YOU NEVER KNOW WHAT YOU MAY LEARN.
UM, IT, TO SOME IT MAY SEEM LIKE THIS HAS NOTHING TO DO WITH ME, BUT IT DOES.
IT HAS EVERYTHING TO DO WITH YOU AND WHEN YOU SHOW UP, YOU'VE MADE IT ABOUT YOU.
SO PLEASE, PLEASE PARTICIPATE.
THE SHOWCASE HAS STILL, YOU STILL HAVE THE OPPORTUNITY TO SIGN UP AND SO YOU CAN GO TO PORT ARTHUR ONE 20 FIVE.COM/REGISTRATION TWO, PORT ARTHUR ONE 20 FIVE.COM/REGISTRATION TWO.
IF YOU NEED ANY ASSISTANCE WITH THAT, AGAIN, JUST CALL ANYBODY HERE.
CALL THE, UM, ONE OF OUR DEPARTMENTS AND WE'LL BE ABLE TO AT LEAST TRANSFER YOU TO SOMEONE WHO CAN HELP YOU.
UM, AND YES, ON THIS SCREEN RIGHT NOW IS AN EXAMPLE OF WHAT THE, THE PAGE LOOKS LIKE.
AGAIN, IF YOU NEED ASSISTANCE WITH COMPLETING THAT, THEY'LL UM, THE ADMIN PAGE FOR THE PORT ARTHUR ONE FIVE.COM.
EMAIL THEM AND THEY'LL BE ABLE TO ASSIST YOU.
UM, ONE OTHER THING WE DIDN'T MENTION THE TIME.
1:00 PM TO 5:00 PM PUT IT ON YOUR SCHEDULE.
OCTOBER 15TH FROM 1:00 PM TO 5:00 PM AT THE PORT ARTHUR CIVIC CENTER.
I'M MESSING YOU UP FROM 1:00 PM TO 5:00 PM OCTOBER 14TH.
AND AGAIN, THANK YOU ALL FOR ALL THAT YOU DO WHAT YOU'VE DONE AND IT IS MAGNIFICENT.
AND ONE OTHER THING I WANNA SAY IS STILL QUE CENTENNIAL ISH AND THAT IS THAT
AND, AND THAT'S A DERIVATIVE OF IT, IS THAT WE HAVE A PAINTING IN THE CIVIC CENTER THAT EVERYBODY NEEDS TO GO BY TO SEE THAT ACTUALLY COMMEMORATES.
AND IT LETS THE WORLD KNOW OF PORT ARTHUR BEING THE CAJUN CAPITAL OF THE WORLD.
BUT WE HAVE TO SAY TEXAS, OKAY, WE HAVE TO SAY TEXAS, RIGHT TAMMY, TO KEEP IT RIGHT.
[02:05:01]
AND WHAT WE ARE GOING TO DO IS HAVE A REPLICA OF THAT AND PAT AND, UH, DR.THIGPEN, I DID LOOK DOWNSTAIRS AND THE PLACE YOU ALL ASKED THAT IF I HAD, UH, A PLACE THAT I WOULD ASK PORT BEACH, I MADE THE REQUEST THAT WE WOULD HAVE ONE HERE WOULD BE RIGHT BEHIND THE RECEPTIONIST OR OUR, WHERE OUR SECURITY IS AND WHAT I FOUND OUT THAT WINDOW IS NOT IN USE ANYMORE.
SO, UH, TAMMY, THEY CAN MEASURE IT AND WE CAN TAKE THAT BOARD DOWN, THAT ANNOUNCEMENT BOARD DOWN AND WHEN SOMEONE WALKS IN THE CITY HALL, THAT PIECE OF ART WOULD BE RIGHT THERE.
AND HOPEFULLY WE CAN DO THAT BY OCTOBER 15TH.
SO WHEN THEY ARE DOING THOSE OTHER THINGS, THEY CAN COME HERE AND BE ABLE TO SEE THAT.
I'LL JUST PUT A LITTLE PRESSURE ON, ON IT.
NOW WHAT I'D LIKE TO DO IS, AGAIN, BEFORE WE MOVE TO THE NEXT PRESENTER, GO TO PAGE NINE, IF YOU WILL.
AND ON PAGE NINE, THERE'S PO NUMBER 7 1 6 5 ON PAGE NINE, PO NUMBER 7 1 6 5, UH, AN ORDER THAT'S AUTHORIZING THE SALE OF SURPLUS.
NO, NO, NO, I'M SORRY, I I STARTED READING THE WRONG ONE.
UH, UH, AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY OF PORT ARTHUR, TEXAS CLOSING, VACATING, ABANDONING AND CONVEYING A 2.042 ACRE PORTION OF AN IMPROVED DEDICATED PUBLIC RIGHT OF WAVE KNOWN AS TERMINAL ROAD, PORT ARTHUR, JEFFERSON COUNTY, TEXAS, AUTHORIZING THE CITY MANAGER TO EXECUTE A DEEDED OF WARRANTY, EXCUSE ME, A DEEDED WITHOUT WARRANTY PROVIDING THAT THIS ORDINANCE SHALL BE CULMINATIVE REPEALING ALL ORDINANCES TO THE EXTENT THAT EXTENT THEY ARE RATHER IN CONFLICT PROVIDING FOR SEVERABILITY AND DECLARING AN EFFECTIVE DATE.
AND THIS IS A 22 DASH ZERO TWO MOTIVA ENTERPRISES L L C BECAUSE THEY WOULD ACTUALLY TAKE OWNERSHIP OF THE PROPOSED ROAD THAT WE ACTUALLY DON'T, UH, USE.
UH, COUNCILMAN LEWIS, WOULD YOU READY TO MAKE A MOTION FOR THAT PART? I MOTION FOR APPROVAL? OKAY.
AND, UH, EXCUSE ME, COUNCILMAN ETT, YOU SECOND? SECOND.
IT IS BEEN MOVED IN SECOND THAT WE WOULD APPROVE PO NUMBER 7 1 6 5 AS READY? WE READY FOR QUESTION? GO.
IS THAT BETWEEN, UH, M L K AND GUFF WAY? MM-HMM.
THE SOUTH, THEY CALL IT THE SOUTH END, THE PORTION OF TERMINAL ROAD.
UM, IN QUESTION, UM, HERE IS BETWEEN THE WATER TOWER AND, UM, M L K.
SO IT'S NOT THE COMPLETE PORTION OF THE SOUTH SIDE OF TERMINAL ROAD FROM THE YEAH, IT'S FOR THE PARKING LOT, WHICH IT'S ALSO KNOWN AS MATTHEW STREET.
WHICH IS ON THE OTHER SIDE OF CAR TERRA'S GOING OKAY.
UH, COUNCILMAN LEWIS, YOU, IS THAT ADJACENT OR IN THE SAME AREA? WE, WE APPROVED SOMETHING BEFORE FOR PARKING AREA.
IT'S ADJACENT TO THAT PARKING AREA.
SO THEY JUST EXPAND IN THE PARKING AREA? WHAT, WHAT, WHAT'S GOING ON? WELL, WE HAD A PUBLIC HEARING ON OCTOBER THE 25TH.
LET'S PUT IN THERE TO DISCUSS THIS, BUT WE NEVER TOOK ACTION.
LET'S PUT, SO THIS IS THE SAME AREA THAT WAS DISCUSSED IN THE PREVIOUS MEETING.
ARE WE READY FOR COURT? THAT WAS THE QUESTION THERE.
I BELIEVE THAT'S WHERE, WHERE, OKAY.
YOU GOT A QUESTION? GO RIGHT AHEAD.
THIS PIECE OF PROPERTY, UH, IS PART OF THE STREET.
IF YOU READ THE BACKGROUND, I THINK 2019, I WAS ON COUNCIL WHEN IT CAME BEFORE COUNCIL, UH, AT THAT TIME, IT WANTED THAT PORTION AND THE OTHER PORTION.
I LOOKED AT THE BACKGROUND INFORMATION HERE ON WHY THEY REQUESTED IT.
FIRST OF ALL, THE FIRST TIME THEY REQUESTED IT, I WAS ON COUNCIL.
THE REASON WE, UH, DENIED IT, BECAUSE WE HAD CONCERNS ABOUT IF WE GAVE IT UP, IT WOULD ALLOW THEM TO HAVE THE WHOLE ENTIRE PROPERTIES THERE.
AND WHAT WOULD THEY DO? NOW? THE REASON WE MADE IT A CONCERN, BECAUSE WE'RE TALKING ABOUT ON THE EAST SIDE OF 82, WE HAVE ESTABLISHED A LONG-TERM PLAN OF CLEARING FIRST TWO BLOCKS FROM GULF WAY DRIVE ALL THE WAY UP TO SEVENTH STREET AND MAKING THAT A BUFFER ZONE BETWEEN THE RESIDENCE AND THE REFINERY.
OKAY? AND THAT WAS THE INTENT.
UH, WE ALSO UNDERSTAND THAT IF YOU WANT TO
[02:10:01]
GET THIS PROPERTY, WHAT YOU WANT WON'T DO WITH IT.WE'VE LIVED WITH THE PORTION THAT MOTIVA OWNS WHERE THE PARKING IS GOING ON NOW.
THAT'S THE PROPERTY THEY HAVE FOR PARKING.
CITIZENS ALWAYS TELLING US THAT THE REFINERY'S GOT STUFF GOING ON MY ROOF.
MY ROOF IS THIS, OR IF THERE'S A EXPANSION GOING ON, HOW THE TRAFFIC IS AND THE INCONVENIENCE.
AND WHEN CITIZENS TELL ME THAT, I JUST EXPLAIN TO THEM, IT'S JUST PART OF LIVING IN AN INDUSTRIAL CITY.
YOU KNOW, THERE'S NOTHING WE CAN DO ABOUT IT.
YOU KNOW, UH, WHEN THAT REFINERY DO EXPANSION IS GOOD FOR OUR ECONOMY TOO.
THEY EXPAND, WE GET MORE REVENUE.
UH, SOME PEOPLE GOT A PROBLEM UNDERSTANDING THE VALUE OF INDUSTRY HERE IN THE CITY.
I UNDERSTAND THE VALUE, BUT AS A COUNCILMAN, I HAVE TO BE ABLE TO BALANCE THE EXPANSIONS AND WHAT INDUSTRY NEEDS VERSUS WHAT CITIZENS NEED.
AND WHEN I READ THIS, IT SAYS HERE, IN CONSENSUS WITH THE CITY OF PORT ARTHUR MOTIVA SEEKS TO ENHANCE OUR PARTNERSHIP AND LONG-TERM COMMITMENT TO THE SUCCESS OF PORT ARTHUR AND ITS RESIDENTS THROUGH THE ASSUMPTION OF OWNERSHIP CARE, CUSTODY AND CONTROL OF THE REMAINING SECTION OF TERMINAL ROAD.
NOW, IF I READ THAT, IT SAYS, WELL, WE JUST GONNA TAKE OVER THE ROAD AND WE GONNA MAINTAIN IT.
THE NEXT PART SAYS IT'S PUBLIC SAFETY WILL BE IMPROVED THROUGH THE ELIMINATION OF THE PUBLIC TRAFFIC THAT HAS HISTORICALLY BURDENED THE CITY RESOURCES AS CONSEQUENCES FOR PRIVATE CITIZENS INTERFACING WITH MOTIVA REFINERY PROPERTY.
THAT I DON'T UNDERSTAND, BECAUSE THAT ROAD IS BEEN THERE FOR YEARS.
CITIZENS USE THAT ROAD TO GO FROM GOWAY DRIVE TO 82 OR FROM 82 GULF WAY DRIVE WITHOUT GOING TO THE MAJOR INTERSECTION OF 82 AND 87.
SO WE GONNA DEPRIVE CITIZENS OF THAT, RIGHT? WHY ARE WE DEPRIVING IT FOR THE CITIZENS? THE OTHER PART OF IT THAT I HIGHLIGHTED, IT SAYS IT WILL ADDITIONALLY ACQUISITION OF THIS ROADWAY WILL ENABLE MOTIVA TO IMPROVE SECURITY HARDENING OF ITS PERIMETER.
AS MOTIVA CONTINUES TO RESPONSIBLY MEET DYNAMIC AND EVOLVING SECURITY CHALLENGE.
BASICALLY WHAT YOU'RE SAYING IS WE WANT TO GET A AREA THAT WE GONNA SECURE MORE.
SO MY QUESTION IS, YOU WANT TO EXPAND, YOU WANT TO COME OUTSIDE THE FENCE LINE.
WE ARE TRYING TO KEEP REFINERIES ON PROPERTIES THEY OWN AND TELL CITIZENS WE HAVE TO LIVE WITH IT.
BUT WHEN THE REFINERY START MOVING OUTSIDE THE FENCE INTO THE COMMUNITY, NOW I HAVE A PROBLEM.
DON'T TELL ME IT'S ABOUT A PARTNERSHIP, BECAUSE THAT'S NOT WHAT THE CITIZENS IS TELLING ME.
WHEN WE DO THINGS LIKE THAT, WHEN WE WORK A PARTNERSHIP WITH AN INDUSTRY, IT SHOULD BE WITH SOMETHING THAT WE CAN GO BACK AND FACE CITIZENS WHEN THEY QUESTION US, IF THEY CLOSE THAT ROAD, WHAT THEY GONNA DO, WHAT THEY'RE GONNA DO WITH IT.
IF YOU EXPAND MORE THAN WHAT YOU HAVE IN THIS AREA, YOU JUST BROUGHT MORE WORK OR YOUR OPERATION CLOSER TO THE RESIDENTS, WHY WOULD WE SET AND APPROVE YOU GETTING CLOSER TO RESIDENTS WHEN THAT'S WHAT RESIDENTS COMPLAIN.
OUR PLAN WAS TO STOP ACTIVITY EAST OF 82.
NOW, I'VE HEARD RATIONALE ABOUT IT CREATE JOBS.
WELL, I I'VE BEEN HEARING THAT FOR LONGEST AND CITIZENS CONSTANTLY TEAR ME UP ABOUT IT.
SO, UH, THAT, THAT, THAT'S SOMETHING THAT INDUSTRY HAS TO DO.
AND I, AND THIS COUNCIL CAN'T TELL INDUSTRY WHO TO HIRE, BUT IF, UH, IT CREATED JOBS AND WE WERE GETTING THEM, PEOPLE WOULDN'T BE COMPLAINING AT THE END OF THE DAY.
SO WE SAID NO IN 2019, AND THAT WAS THE BASIS FOR WHICH WE SAID NO.
AND HERE WE ARE IN TWO TH 2023, THEY'RE COMING BACK WITH THE SAME REQUEST.
[02:15:01]
SO MY QUESTION TO THE COUNCIL, ASK YOURSELF, IF THE COUNCIL SAID NO THE FIRST TIME BECAUSE OF THIS, AND WE SUPPOSED TO BE PARTNERSHIP, WHAT PART OF NO DO YOU UNDERSTAND? BECAUSE WE GAVE THE RATIONALE WHY WE WOULD, WHY WE DIDN'T WANT IT.WE DON'T WANT INDUSTRY MOVING CLOSER TO OUR RESIDENTS.
ANYTHING YOU NEED, I'M SUPPORT YOU.
I'M A HUNDRED PERCENT, BUT NOT COMING OUTSIDE THE FENCE LINE.
WELL, I AM, UM, I'M ON THE PROVERBIAL FENCE.
UH, NOT TO BE, UH, HAVE A CLICHE THERE, BUT, UM, I UNDERSTAND WHAT, UM, WHAT COUNCILMAN DOUCETTE IS SAYING.
BUT IF I COULD PUT, IF I COULD PUT UP THE BARRIERS IN MY TRUCK RIGHT NOW AND CLOSE THAT STREET OFF, I WOULD, AND LEMME TELL YOU WHY THAT STREET, UH, I FEEL THAT STREET NEEDS TO BE CLOSED.
I HAVE COMPLAINED TO THE, I CAN'T TELL YOU THAT HE'S STANDING RIGHT THERE.
I CAN'T TELL YOU THE NUMBER OF TIMES THAT I'VE CALLED THE CITY MANAGER AND I HAVE CALLED THE CHIEF OF POLICE BECAUSE INDIVIDUALS USE THAT TERMINAL ROAD TO ACCESS OUR COMMUNITY AND DRIVE UP AND DOWN 17TH STREET, 18TH STREET, AND 19TH STREET, TRYING TO GET HOME MORE EXPEDITIOUSLY, ALMOST RUNNING OVER CHILDREN IN OUR NEIGHBORHOOD, ALMOST TRYING, ALMOST HAVING AN ACCIDENT KILLING ONE.
AND I, AND I HAVE CALLED AND I'VE ASKED, AND I'VE TALKED ABOUT BARRICADING THAT TERMINAL ROAD.
NOW I'M NOT IN FAVOR OF SOME OTHER STREETS BEING TAKEN OVER.
LET ME, DON'T, DON'T GET IT TWISTED.
BUT THAT PARTICULAR, THAT PARTICULAR ROAD IS, IS DETRIMENTAL TO THE WEST SIDE COMMUNITY.
AND I KNOW BECAUSE I, I'M, I'M THERE.
I WORK THERE, I PASTOR THERE, MY CHURCH IS THERE, AND I GET COMPLAINTS ALL THE TIME ABOUT OUR CHILDREN PLAYING IN THE STREET.
AND PEOPLE THAT I SEE CARS ZOOMING UP AND DOWN 17 AND 18TH STREET TRYING TO GET HOME.
THEY COME STRAIGHT ACROSS FROM WHEREVER THEY'RE COMING AND THEY TAKE THAT LEFT ON TERMINAL ROAD AND THEY ENTER INTO THAT COMMUNITY AND THEY ARE FLYING.
AND IT'S JUST A MATTER OF TIME BECAUSE MORE TRAFFIC IS GOING AND IT'S JUST A MATTER OF TIME UNTIL SOMETHING HAPPENS AND TRANSPIRES.
SO IT'S THAT, IT'S THAT IT, I I'M THERE.
I UNDERSTAND WHAT MR. DO SAID IS SAYING, BUT AT THE SAME TIME, THAT HAS BECOME AN ISSUE THAT HAS BECOME A PROBLEM.
AND IF WE DON'T, IF WE DON'T GIVE IT TO MOTIVA, THEN WHAT WE ULTIMATELY GONNA HAVE TO DO IS BARRICADE IT.
I'VE BEEN FOR THAT FROM THE ONSET, AND I'VE BEEN TALKING TO THE CITY MANAGER ABOUT THAT BECAUSE IT CAUSES SO MUCH TRAFFIC INTO THAT WEST SIDE COMMUNITY.
UH, COUNCILMAN, UH, LEWIS, LET'S GET ORIENTATED HERE.
ARE WE TALKING ABOUT THE NORTH SIDE OF GOWAY DRIVE ON TERMINAL ROAD, OR ARE WE TALKING ABOUT THE SOUTH SIDE? SOUTH SIDE? YOU TALKING ABOUT THE NORTH SIDE? WELL, THEY COME THAT
BUT I UNDERSTAND THEY NEED TO HAVE PUBLIC ACCESS FROM, FROM GULF DRIVE TO, TO TERMINAL TO, UH, M L K.
I'M, I'M JUST, WHAT YOU'RE SAYING, YOU ON, YOU'RE ON THE WRONG SIDE.
I WANT, WELL, WELL, I CAN UNDERSTAND THAT IN TIME, IT MAY GET TO THAT, BUT, UH, THE PUBLIC NEED TO HAVE ACCESS TO THAT FROM M L K TO GOWAY DRIVE, NOT HAVE TO GO FIGHT THAT TRAFFIC.
YOU TALK ABOUT TRAFFIC AT THAT, AT THE, UH, 87 AND, AND, AND GOWAY DRIVE RED LIGHT, MAN, IT'S, IT'S, IT'S, IT'S OUTRAGEOUS.
SO THEY NEED TO BE ABLE TO COME HOME OR COME THROUGH M L K FROM M L K TO GOWAY DRIVE AND TURN ON GOWAY.
WHY WOULD THEY WANNA GO THROUGH THE NEIGHBORHOOD ON THE NORTH SIDE? I MEAN, NO, THE PUBLIC NEED TO CONTINUE TO HAVE ACCESS TO THAT ROOM.
WELL, WELL, LET'S, LET'S, LET'S, LET'S, LET'S, LET'S GETTING IN ORDER, UH, COUNCIL COUNCILMAN KEN LAW.
I WAS ON COUNCIL BACK IN, UH, 20, UH, 19, UH, COUNCILMAN LEWIS, WHERE WE, UH, WE DID DENY THAT.
BUT MY QUESTION IS HOW DID IT GET BACK ON THIS AGENDA FOR APPROVAL? BECAUSE IT WAS, UH, IT WAS ALMOST MAJORITY IF I RECALL THAT IT'S BACK IN 19.
SO HOW DID IT COME BACK IN THIS FORM WHERE WE HAD TO NOW DISCUSS AND, UH, POSSIBLY TAKE ACTION ON IT? OKAY, HOLD ON.
MAYOR, CAN I RESPOND? AND THEN LET ME ASK SISTERS.
UM, BECAUSE, UM, UM, THE MATTER WAS ON THE AGENDA IN OCTOBER.
[02:20:01]
LAST YEAR, YES.PAM, UH, ASSISTANT CITY MANAGER.
PAM, COULD YOU GO AHEAD AND PROVIDE THE CONTEXT IN WHICH THIS MATTER CAME BEFORE THE COUNCIL? BECAUSE THERE WAS A PUBLIC HEARING, IT WENT THROUGH THE ENTIRE PROCESS, AND COUNCIL HAD NO OBJECTION TO IT AT THE TIME, BUT THE MATTER WAS LAID BECAUSE PUT TO REST BECAUSE OF THE FACT THAT IT CAME IN WITH ANOTHER MATTER THAT INCLUDED 25TH STREET.
AT THAT TIME, THERE WAS NO PUBLIC OPINION, NO PUBLIC OPPOSITION.
IF I REMEMBER QUITE CLEARLY, ONE SPEAKER BY THE NAME OF ROSE CHASON CAME AND ADDRESSED THE COUNCIL ON THE 25TH STREET MATTER.
GO AHEAD AND PUT IT IN CONTEXT, PLEASE.
THERE WAS AN APPLICATION THAT WAS BROUGHT FORWARD IN 2019 FOR A PORTION OF TERMINAL ROAD.
AT THAT TIME, THERE WAS A DISCUSSION AMONGST COUNCIL, UM, AND MOTIVA WAS ASKED TO WITHDRAW THAT APPLICATION.
SO IT NEVER CAME TO COUNCIL FOR VOTE IN 2022.
UM, THE REQUEST DID COME BACK.
THERE WAS A PUBLIC HEARING THAT WAS HELD ON OCTOBER THE 25TH OF 2022 AT 6:00 PM UM, THIS WAS THE PORTION OF TERMINAL ROAD THAT WE ARE SPEAKING OF TODAY, WAS BROUGHT ALONG WITH 25TH STREET.
THERE WERE SEVERAL MEMBERS FROM THE COMMUNITY, INCLUDING MS. CHASE ON, WHO DID SPEAK IN OPPOSITION OF 25TH STREET.
HOWEVER, WHEN WE OPENED THE PUBLIC HEARING TO DISCUSS THIS PORTION OF TERMINAL ROAD, THERE WAS NO OPPOSITION FROM THE PUBLIC AT THAT TIME.
UM, THE ONLY PUBLIC COMMENT THAT DID COME ABOUT TERMINAL ROAD WAS ACTUALLY FROM, UM, OUR NOW COUNCILMAN WILLIE BAY LEWIS, WHO ASKED ABOUT, UM, THE, UH, THE, UM, CONSTRUCTION OF BERMS IN THAT AREA.
UM, MS. CLAIRE JACKSON WITH MOTIVA DID COME TO THE PODIUM, UM, AND EXPLAINED TO MR. LEWIS THAT MOTIVA HAD NO INTENTION ON HAVING BERMS WITHIN THAT AREA.
AND THIS WAS STRICTLY FOR SECURITY PURPOSES, UM, TIED INTO THE PARKING RIDE THAT THEY HAVE WITHIN THAT AREA.
UM, BECAUSE THERE WAS SO MUCH OPPOSITION ABOUT 25TH STREET, NEITHER ITEM WAS BROUGHT BACK TO COUNCIL AT THAT TIME.
UM, HOWEVER, WE HAVE RECEIVED A REQUEST FROM MOTIVA TO BRING THIS ACTION ITEM DEALING WITH TERMINAL ROAD BACK TO COUNCIL FOR A DECISION TO BE MADE.
THAT WAS A PART OF MY QUESTION TO GET CAUGHT UP, UH, IN THE INFORMATION THAT WAS PROVIDED TO US.
A PART OF THE STATEMENT THAT MOTIVA PROVIDED SAID THAT, AND I'M PARAPHRASING A PART OF IT, THAT THEY WANTED TO ALLEVIATE THE CITY FROM UNDERTAKING, UM, SIGNIFICANT NEEDED REPAIRS YES.
UM, SO I'D LIKE TO KNOW HOW THAT MAY BE ABLE TO ASSIST US.
AND THEN ALSO IT SAID THAT THE PUBLIC SAFETY WILL BE IMPROVED THROUGH THE ELIMINATION OF PUBLIC TRAFFIC THAT HAS HISTORICALLY BURDENED CITY RESOURCES AS A CONSEQUENCE OF PRIVATE, I APOLOGIZE, AS A CONSEQUENCE OF PRIVATE CITIZEN INTERFERES WITH THE MOTIVA REFINERY PROPERTY.
ADDITIONALLY, ACQUISITION OF THIS ROADWAY WILL ENABLE MOTIVA TO IMPROVE SECURITY HARDENING OF ITS PERIMETER.
AS MOTIVA CONTINUES TO RESPONSIBLY MEET DYNAMIC AND EVOLVING SECURITY CHALLENGES.
HOW DO THEY PLAN TO DO THAT? THAT WOULD ACTUALLY BE A QUESTION FOR MOTIVA.
SO THE FIRST PART OF THAT QUESTION, IS IT GOING TO HELP US WHEN IT SAID THAT IT WILL, THEY WILL BE RESPONSIBLE FOR UNDERTAKING THE, THE SIGNIFICANT REPAIRS NEEDED FOR THAT SECTION.
BUT THEN COUNCILMAN FRANK ALSO MENTIONED ABOUT THE THROUGH TRAFFIC AND THE, THE, UM, THE DOWNSIDE THAT IT WOULD HAPPEN TO HAPPEN TO OUR CITIZENS, ESPECIALLY WITH, YOU SAID, FAMILIES AND CHILDREN PLAYING IN THAT AREA.
UM, SO WILL THEIR PLAN ON HELPING US MAKE IT MORE EFFECTIVE? WHAT IS THE PLAN? CURRENTLY IT IS A DEDICATED PORTION OF STREET RIGHT OF WAY FOR THE CITY OF PORT ARTHUR TO MAINTAIN.
SO, LIKE ANY OTHER STREET RIGHT OF WAY WITHIN THE CITY OF PORT ARTHUR, IT IS OUR RESPONSIBILITY TO ENSURE THAT MAINTENANCE DOES APPLY TO THAT PORTION OF TERMINAL ROAD LIKE ANY OTHER RIGHT OF WAY WITHIN THE CITY.
UM, BY, UM, ABANDONING, UM, THAT PORTION OF TERMINAL ROAD, THE RESPONSIBILITY DOES BECOME, UM, UPON THE FINANCIAL BURDEN OF MOTIVA.
[02:25:02]
UM, WITH THEIR PLANS, AND IF YOU READ THEIR STATEMENT AGAIN, THEY DO WANT TO, UM, HEARTEN THEIR SECURITY, UM, OF THAT ROAD, WHICH WOULD ONLY BE, UM, UTILIZED FOR TRAFFIC THAT WOULD BE GOING TO THEIR PARK AND RIDE AREA THAT'S IN EXISTENCE WITHIN, THAT'S ADJACENT TO THAT PORTION OF TERMINAL ROAD.IN REGARDS TO WHAT COUNCILMAN FRANK, UM, SPOKE ABOUT, YES, WE HAVE RECEIVED SEVERAL COMPLAINTS FROM THE COMMUNITY IN REGARDS TO CONSTRUCTION TRAFFIC, TAKING TERMINAL ROAD AND GOING DOWN, UM, TURNING DOWN THE STREETS OF THE COMMUNITY.
IN THIS PARTICULAR CASE, IT WOULD BE WEST 15TH STREET.
UM, WE DID HAVE TO WORK IN CONJUNCTION WITH THE PORT OF PORT ARTHUR TO PROVIDE BARRICADES TO BLOCK OFF TRAFFIC FROM TAKING THAT LOCATION AND DRIVING THROUGH THE COMMUNITY TO FIND A DIFFERENT ROUTE TO AVOID 82 AND 87.
SO THERE HAS BEEN SEVERAL COMPLAINTS THAT HAVE BEEN BROUGHT TO MANAGEMENT AS WELL AS THE PORT ARTHUR POLICE DEPARTMENT IN REGARDS TO CONSTRUCTION TRAFFIC, UM, GOING THROUGH NEIGHBORHOODS WITHIN THAT AREA.
SO MAYOR, OR ARE WE ABLE TO RECEIVE A RESPONSE FROM THEM FROM, UH, UH, UH, MOTIVA? YES, SIR.
ABOUT THAT? I DON'T, I DON'T KNOW IF THE PERSONS WHO WERE HERE OR THE ACTUAL PERSON THAT COULD ANSWER DIRECTLY.
BUT I'D LIKE TO SAY THIS AND WE GONNA TAKE A VOTE.
THE ROAD IS IN VERY BAD DISPAIR.
OKAY? UNLESS YOU'RE DRIVING ONE OF THOSE LARGE TRUCKS, YOU'RE NOT COMFORTABLE DRIVING ON THAT ROAD.
I GREW UP IN THAT PART OF TOWN IN 19 60, 19 70, AND EVEN IN 1980 AND PROBABLY IN THE NINETIES, CITIZENS WERE ACTUALLY USED THAT STREET BECAUSE THERE WERE HOUSES THERE IN FOLK LIVING THERE IN CARVER CHERRIES.
THERE WERE MORE A, A LARGER POPULATION ON 15TH, 14TH, 13TH.
I LIVED ON 13TH STREET AT THE TIME.
NOW YOU HAVE THE DENSITY HAS CHANGED IN THAT AREA.
TRAFFIC PATTERNS HAVE CHANGED.
NO ONE WHO LIVES IN WEST PORT ARTHUR ACTUALLY TRAVELS ON THAT ROAD BECAUSE MOST OF THE PEOPLE WHO DO LIVE BACK THERE HAVE A PRETTY DECENT MODE OF TRANSPORTATION AND THEY DON'T REALLY WANT TO TEAR THEIR TRANSPORTATION UP.
WHEN I PASSED ON YESTERDAY, WHEN I NOTICED ON EITHER SIDE, MOTIVA HAS OWNERSHIP FOR A PARKING AREA, I BELIEVE, AND WHAT I'VE BEEN SEEING, PARKING THERE, NOT JUST CARS, BUT THESE LARGE TRUCKS ON THE OTHER SIDE, I NOTICED SOMETHING NEW, WHICH I THINK IS A CONSTRUCTION AREA THAT WOULD BE ON THE NORTH SIDE OF THAT ROADWAY.
UH, THE COMPANY, IT, IT STARTS WITH AN M BECAUSE THERE WAS A SIGN OUT THERE AND, UH, I THINK IT'S AN ENTRYWAY TO WHERE THEY ARE DOING SOME WORK THERE IN MOTIVA.
BUT AS FAR AS CITIZENS USING THAT, THOSE PEOPLE ARE BURIED.
NO ONE HAS TOLD ME THAT THAT WOULD IMPEDE THEIR MOVEMENT IN WEST PORT ARTHUR.
NOW, I, I'M JUST TELLING THE TRUTH.
NO ONE HAS TOLD ME THAT IF WE VACATED AND ALLOWED MOTIVA TO TAKE THAT, THAT THAT WOULD HARM THEIR MOBILITY IN WEST PORT ARTHUR.
AND IF WE ARE GOING TO BE GOOD NEIGHBORS, LIKE WE WANT THEM TO BE GOOD NEIGHBORS, I WOULD SAY CONSIDERATION FOR THIS REQUEST AT THIS TIME, IT'S OKAY.
WE ARE GOING TO BE READY NOW TO TAKE A VOTE ON THIS.
IF WHAT EVERYBODY SAID IS CORRECT, ALL I WANT TO DO IS MAKE SURE THAT CITIZENS UNDERSTAND WHAT THIS IS ALL ABOUT.
SO WHEN WE SAY THE ROAD IS TOW UP, THE REASON IS BECAUSE MOTIVA HAS A LOT OF TRAFFIC ON THE ROAD NOW BECAUSE THEY'RE COMING IN IN THE PARKING LOT.
THAT'S WHY THE ROAD IS TOW UP RIGHT NOW.
OKAY? THERE'S NOBODY LIVING THERE LIKE THE MAYOR SAID.
BUT THE FACT OF THE MATTER IS, IS NOT USED BY THE PEOPLE LIVE THERE IS FOR THE PEOPLE THAT'S COMING OFF 82ND.
AND GUFFY, AS COUNCILMAN LEWIS SAID, WHO TAKES IT WITHOUT GOING
[02:30:01]
TO THE HEAVY TRAFFIC LIGHT AT 82 AND 87.THAT IS WHAT THE ROAD IS LIKE.
AND THE COMMENT MADE ABOUT THE NEIGHBORHOOD IN 17, I DON'T THINK ANYBODY GONNA CROSS GOWAY GO BACK TO 1918 BECAUSE IF YOU DO, YOU AIN'T GETTING OUTTA THERE BECAUSE YOU GOT, YOU CAN'T GO OFF IT
AND IF YOU GO, YOU AIN'T GONNA WANNA GO OVER THE TRACKS.
SO I DON'T THINK ANYBODY'S GOING PAST GOWAY.
YOU ALL DONE A BARRICADE ON 15TH? I I'VE BEEN DOWN THERE.
SO I THINK YOU ALL STOPPED THAT FROM GOING THROUGH THERE.
SO AT THE END OF THE DAY, IT'S WHEN INDUSTRY COMES OUT, HOW IS IT GOING TO IMPACT ON OUR RESIDENTS? THAT'S WHAT BEEN MY WHOLE POINT FROM THE BEGINNING.
THAT'S WHY WHEN WE DENY IT THE FIRST TIME, THAT'S WHAT WE CONSIDERED OPERATIONS.
YOU KNOW, IF YOU, IF MOTIVA WANTS THE PROPERTY JUST FOR THE SAKE OF GETTING INTO THAT PARKING LOT JUST TO GET INTO THE PARKING LOT, THEN WHY DO WE HAVE TO WORRY ABOUT IT? IF THEY WANT THE STREET AND THEY GONNA MAINTAIN IT AND THEY GONNA USE IT TO GO IN THE PARKING LOT, THAT'S ONE THING.
BUT THEN THEY GOT, THE OTHER WORD THAT THEY'RE TELLING US IS SECURITY.
SO SECURITY MEANS THEY FIXING TO BLOCK IT OFF.
SO THAT MEAN THE PEOPLE WHO TRAVELING THAT DON'T WANT TO GO TO THE HEAVILY CONGESTED INTERSECTION, THE PUBLIC, THEY NO LONGER CAN AVOID IT.
SO AT THE END OF THE DAY, IT ALL BOILS DOWN TO THEM COMING CLOSER TO THE RESIDENTIAL AREA.
IF IT'S NOT FOR THAT PURPOSE, THEN THERE WOULDN'T BE NO NEED BECAUSE THEY HAVE ACCESS TO THE ROAD NOW.
AND LIKE MAYOR BROUGHT UP A GREAT POINT, PARTNERSHIP.
IF WE REALLY HAD PARTNERSHIP, YOU TORE UP THE ROAD, YOU SHOULD BE TRYING TO HELP US FIX IT ANYWAY.
INSTEAD OF US WEREN'T TELLING US, WE GOTTA FIX IT BECAUSE WE DON'T HAVE THAT MUCH TRAFFIC.
YOU USING ALL THIS TRAFFIC GOING IN AND OUT OF THAT PARKING LOT.
SO WHEN YOU TALK PARTNERSHIP WITH ME, I'M ALL FOR IT, BUT IT CAN'T BE NO ONE WAY.
AND WHEN YOU TALK ABOUT WANTING TO COME OUT AND DO ANYTHING THAT'S GONNA BRING YOU CLOSER TO RESIDENCE, I'M NOT FOR IT.
I RESPECT YOU FOR WHAT YOU OWN, BUT WE ESTABLISH, WE NOT GONNA LET YOU COME CLOSER TO THE RESIDENCE.
UH, THAT WAS A QUESTION PART OF THAT.
WE'RE READY TO VOTE FOR THIS, UH, PO NUMBER 71 65.
AND ARE THEY ALL IN FAVOR? ROLL CALL.
WE RIGHT HERE FOR CAN I AS ONE OH, GO, GO, GO RIGHT AHEAD.
I WANTED TO MAKE SURE I WAS CLEAR ON WHAT YOU JUST SAID ABOUT COMING CLOSER TO THE, UH, RESIDENCE.
RIGHT? WHAT WAS SAID BEFORE? I WASN'T HERE.
BASICALLY WHAT WE WAS TALKING ABOUT IS, UH, THAT AREA YOU MAY NOT KNOW.
SO I KIND OF GIVE YOU A BRIEF
AND FROM THAT STRIP ROAD, THERE'S REALLY NO, NO PEOPLE THERE ANYMORE.
BUT YOU HAVE A ROAD ON 15TH STREET.
THEY BLOCKED OFF THAT START THE WORKERS FROM GOING THROUGH, CUTTING THROUGH.
SO NOW THAT IF THEY TAKE IT, THEY GONNA HAVE TO GO TO GOWAY DRIVE AND GO OUT, YOU KNOW, OR THEY HAVE TO GO TO SEVENTH STREET OR THEY HAVE TO GO TO THOMAS AND GO OUT.
BUT THE FACT OF THE MATTER IS, YOU KNOW, IF YOU JUST WANT TO USE IT, THEN THAT'S FINE.
BUT IF YOU WANT IT AND YOU GONNA START DOING SOMETHING, THEN YOU'RE GONNA START SOME TYPE OF OPERATION.
AND THAT'S, AND THAT'S NOW CLOSE TO THOSE RESIDENTS THAT'S OVER THERE OFF 15TH STREET AND, AND 14TH STREETS, YOU'RE GONNA START BEING CLOSER.
SO WHAT ARE YOU GONNA DO? ARE YOU GONNA USE LAY DOWN YARD? OKAY.
IF YOU'RE GONNA USE A LAY DOWN YARD, THEN THAT'S GONNA BE SUBJECTED TO OPERATIONS.
IF YOU WANT TO CONTINUE TO USE PARKING, THAT'S NOT A PROBLEM.
YOU GOT THE, YOU, YOU GOT THE PARKING LOT, YOU OWN THE LAND ALREADY.
SO, YOU KNOW, WE CAN'T STOP YOU FROM PARKING.
I MEAN YOU'RE PARKING, BUT IF YOU GET THIS ROAD, WHAT ARE YOU GOING TO DO WITH IT? ARE YOU GOING TO CONTINUE TO JUST USE PARKING? IF YOU'RE GOING TO CONTINUE TO USE PARKING, WHY DO YOU HAVE TO CLOSE IT TO THE PUBLIC? WHY DO THE CITIZENS HAVE TO NOW GIVE UP THEIR RIGHT TO NOT GO TO THE MAJOR INTERSECTION? AND THAT INTERSECTION IS ONLY THAT WAY BECAUSE OF THE EXPANSION.
AND THAT'S WHERE WE AS COUNCILMAN HAVE TO UNDERSTAND IT'S CROWDED AT THAT INTERSECTION DURING THE, DURING THE MILES.
THEY GOT OFFICERS O OPERATING THAT EVERY DAY.
[02:35:01]
WITH IT.BUT HOW MUCH DO WE HAVE TO GIVE UP FOR THAT? AND THAT'S, I'M SCARED THAT IF WE DO THIS, IT'S GONNA BE SOMETHING ELSE THAT'S GONNA TAKE PLACE IN THAT AREA.
NOW, IF THEY GUARANTEE US THAT, OH, WE GONNA JUST CONTINUE THE PARKING AND THEY WANT TO TAKE OVER THIS ROAD AND THEY WANNA MAINTAIN IT, THEY'RE GONNA STILL LET OUR CITIZENS AVOID THE HEAVY TRAFFIC.
I HAVE NO PROBLEM WITH IT, BUT I HAVEN'T SEEN ONE TIME YET.
WHEN WE ASK THAT THEY DO SOMETHING AND THEY SAY YES, AND IT DOESN'T IMPACT THE SYSTEM.
WE AS CITIZENS, WE DEAL WITH THIS TRAFFIC EVERY DAY COMING IN AND OUT OF OUR TOWNS.
THIS IS RIGHT AT THE INTERSECTION WHERE YOU'RE GOING INTO VALERO? NO, NO.
THAT'S THE CROWDED INTERSECTION.
THIS STREET HERE IS THE LITTLE STREET THAT COMES BACK ACROSS THE OVER WHERE A PERSON CAN ACTUALLY OKAY.
THEY CAN ACTUALLY DUCK THAT TRAFFIC.
THEY CAN ACTUALLY MISS THAT TRAFFIC BY TURNING RIGHT.
AND THEY COULD GO TO GOWAY DRIVE.
OR IF YOU'RE COMING FROM GOWAY DRIVE, YOU DON'T HAVE TO GO TO ALL THIS TRAFFIC.
YOU COULD GO THROUGH AND YOU COULD HIT 82 AND GO OVER THE
I KNOW WHERE YOU'RE TALKING ABOUT.
PICKING UP WITH, SO, SO AT THE END OF THE DAY, THIS IS ONE TIME WHERE I SUPPORT THE INDUSTRY WHOLEHEARTED, BUT WHEN IT TAKE, TAKE SOMETHING FROM CITIZENS AND I JUST HAVE A PROBLEM WITH IT.
AND IF YOU WANT TO COME OUTSIDE YOUR FENCE LINE, I WANNA KNOW WHAT YOU WANT TO DO.
BECAUSE RIGHT NOW I'M TRYING TO TELL CITIZENS THAT INDUSTRY DOES WORK WITH US.
STUFF IN THE AIR, BUT HEY, THAT'S WHAT GOES WITH A, WITH A, UH, COMMUNITY THAT HAS INDUSTRY, WHATEVER WE HAVE.
'CAUSE THEY HERE IS HERE, LET'S SUPPORT 'EM.
IF, I MEAN, IF YOU'RE GONNA JUST KEEP EXPANDING, WHEN IS THE, WHAT'S GONNA BE THE LIMITS? I MEAN, WHEN WE TALKING, LET CITIZENS KNOW EXACTLY WHAT, WHAT'S AT STAKE.
IF WE GONNA MAKE IT, LET'S BE TRANSPARENT ABOUT EVERYTHING THAT IT'LL IMPACT.
UH, COUNCILMAN LEWIS, YOU GOT SOMETHING ELSE TO SAY? YEAH, JUST BRIEFLY.
WHAT, WHAT THEY GOING TO DO ONCE THEY CLOSE THAT ROAD OFF, THAT'S GONNA BECOME A STAGING AREA.
BIG TRUCKS ARE GOING TO BE COMING AND THERE, IT'S GONNA BE A LAY DOWN AREA.
RIGHT NOW IT'S JUST A PARKING AREA.
UH, I'VE SEEN THE SO BAG ONE TIME I HAD TO GET OUTTA MY VEHICLE AND HOLLER AT THE OFFICE AND GET HIS ATTENTION.
HE WAS ALLOWING THE PEOPLE COMING INTO TOWN AND WE WAS BACKED UP ALL THE WAY TO ALL THE WAY TO, TO TIMON ROAD.
I HAD TO HOLLER AT HIM, GET HIS ATTENTION IN ORDER FOR US TO START MOVING, MOVING OUT, TRAFFIC COME, COMING OUT OF TOWN.
I WAS JUST WONDERING, AND I WANTED TO ASK THIS QUESTION TO STAFF.
DON'T WE HAVE A ZONING? UH, IS ISN'T THAT AREA ZONED SO THAT IT CAN PREVENT THAT AREA BEING TURNED INTO A STAGING AREA? ISN'T THAT WHY, WHY DON'T WE HAVE ANY ZONING THAT WOULD PRO I'M I'M ASKING, THERE'S ZONING THROUGHOUT THE CITY AND THEREFORE, UM, BUT IS THERE ZONING THAT WOULD PREVENT THAT FROM BEING TURNED INTO A, A LAY DOWN AREA? I DO NEAR, NEAR THE, UM, NEAR, NEAR THE COMMUNITY THAT WOULD PROTECT THE COMMUNITY SO THAT THAT COULD NOT BE TURNED INTO A ZONING AREA.
I MEAN, IT'S SINGLE FAMILY DWELLING.
I WOULD HAVE TO CHECK THE ZONING.
I DO NOT HAVE THAT INFORMATION AVAILABLE WITH ME TONIGHT.
CAN I MOVE THE TABLE? I THINK YOU GOT A GOOD ANSWER.
IT'S, THERE'S AN EXHIBIT THAT'S GIVEN WITH THE, WITH THE RESOLUTION.
HAS ANYONE LOOKED AT IT? UM, THE EXHIBIT ON THE LAST PAGE? YEAH.
YOU SEE WHAT'S NEXT TO THE EXHIBIT? IT'S A, IT'S, IT'S, IT'S A PARKING LOT, TWO PARKING LOTS.
AND IN THE CITY WATER TANK IN WHITE IS JUST OUTSIDE OF THAT AREA.
AND I'M JUST, I'M, I WANT MAKE THE KIND OF VOTE.
[02:40:01]
WANT TO MAKE THE KIND OF VOTE THAT PROTECTS THE CHILDREN BECAUSE I CON UM, YOU KNOW, UM, WHAT COUNCILMAN DOUCETTE SAID, CONTRARY TO WHAT HE SAID, THEY CROSSED THE STREET.THESE ARE THE PEOPLE THAT I SERVE.
THEY CROSSED THE STREET AND SPEED ON THAT WEST END OF 17 AND 18TH STREET.
SO YOU CAN'T, I CAN'T HOLD UP.
SO THEY CROSS GULF WAY DRIVE AND THEY GET INTO THE COMMUNITY, AND THAT'S AN ACCIDENT WAITING TO HAPPEN.
THANK IF WE CAN, I'M NOT FINISHED.
YOU SAID ACROSS THE STREET BY 12 TIMES.
I THOUGHT THAT'S ALL YOU WANTED TO SAY.
I MEAN, YOU GAVE EVERYBODY ELSE THAT TIME, MAN.
AND SO, ALL I'M SAYING IS IF WE CAN, IF WE, IF WE CAN BE ASSURED THAT THEY WILL NOT TURN THAT AREA INTO A LAY DOWN AREA THAT WILL AFFECT THAT PORTION OF THE COMMUNITY, I'M WILLING TO GIVE IT TO HIM.
THAT, THAT'S WHAT I WAS GETTING READY TO SAY, PASTOR FRANK.
BUT YOU SAID YOU WANT TO PREACH.
EXCUSE ME, SIR, WOULD YOU COME UP? NO, NO.
HE KNOWS WHAT I'M TALKING ABOUT.
NOW YOU AIN'T TELLING NOBODY ELSE, YOU KNOW, AND I MEAN, UH, I'VE MET WITH YOU SEVERAL TIMES ABOUT WHAT THE PLANS ARE, WHAT IS THE PLAN IF WE APPROVE TONIGHT THAT YOU GET THAT RULE, THAT SOUTH SIDE OF TERMINAL ROAD.
BEEN IN IN THE AIR FOR ABOUT THE LAST 15 YEARS OR SO.
UM, GOTTEN TO KNOW MANY OF YOU ALONG THE WAY IN THE LAST YEAR OR SO.
SO GOOD TO BE WITH YOU THIS EVENING.
UM, COUPLE OF THINGS JUST FOR YOUR AWARENESS FOR THE FOLKS THAT ARE NEW TO COUNCIL THAT HAVEN'T BEEN PART OF THIS DISCUSSION IN THE PAST.
UM, FROM A SECURITY PERSPECTIVE, YOU KNOW, THE, THE WORLD THAT WE LIVE IN TODAY IS VERY DIFFERENT THAN THE ONE WE LIVED IN EVEN 10 YEARS AGO.
UH, WE DO DEAL WITH A NUMBER OF DIFFERENT THREATS TO OUR FACILITY, AND YOU MAY BE AWARE OR MAY NOT BE AWARE OF THE FACT THAT OUR RIGHT OF WAY, WHICH IS MOST OF OUR PIPELINES THAT ARE IN THE GROUND, RUN A ALONG TERMINAL ROAD BETWEEN OUR REFINERY AND THE PORT ARTHUR TERMINAL.
WE WOULD VERY MUCH LIKE TO MAKE SURE THAT WE SECURE THOSE.
AS YOU, YOU PROBABLY WELL KNOW.
I KNOW CHIEF DURSO KNOWS, AND A LOT OF YOUR EMERGENCY RESPONSE TEAM KNOWS.
WE DO DEAL WITH A NUMBER OF VEHICLES FROM PRIVATE CITIZENS THAT LEAVE THE ROADWAYS AND IMPACT OUR FACILITY.
AND WITH THAT PIPELINE CORRIDOR THAT RUNS RIGHT THROUGH THERE, WE CERTAINLY DON'T WANT TO HAVE VEHICLES AT HIGH RATES OF SPEED RUNNING THROUGH THAT AREA, OR EVEN WITH THE CONDITION OF THE ROAD, POTENTIALLY LOSE CONTROL AND END UP LEAVING THE ROADWAY AND FIND THEMSELVES IN THAT, UH, PIPELINE RIGHT AWAY.
SO FROM A LONG-TERM SECURITY AND SAFETY PERSPECTIVE FOR BOTH THE PUBLIC AND THE FACILITY, UH, WE THINK IT'S A WISE MOVE FOR US TOGETHER AS A PARTNERSHIP TO BE ABLE TO SECURE THAT BOUNDARY AND THAT PERIMETER ALONG THE EDGE OF TERMINAL ROAD IN THAT AREA SO THAT WE DON'T, WE DON'T HAVE THE RISK OF MORE OF THE PUBLIC INTERACTING WITH OUR FACILITY.
YOU KNOW, YOUR COMMENT AND QUESTION, UH, MR. D SAID ABOUT GROWING BEYOND OUR FENCE LINE.
THE INTENT IN THAT AREA IS NOT TO PUT PROCESS EQUIPMENT OUT THERE AND BUILD A CRUDE UNIT AS AN EXAMPLE.
I, I LEAD STRATEGY FOR THE COMPANY.
IF I'M GONNA DO THAT, I'M GONNA DO THAT INSIDE THE FENCE LINE IN A COMPLETELY DIFFERENT PLACE.
TH THIS IS ABOUT A DIFFERENT SECURITY ENVIRONMENT.
THIS IS ABOUT A DIFFERENT SAFETY ENVIRONMENT.
YOU KNOW, WE DON'T WANT TO HAVE PUBLIC INTERACTING WITH PIPELINES GOING OVER ROADWAYS AND UNDER ROADWAYS.
WE WANNA BE A GOOD PARTNER TO THE COMMUNITY.
PART PART OF THAT IS RECOGNIZING THAT THE WAY WE PERCEIVE RISK TODAY IS DIFFERENT THAN WHAT WE SAW 10 YEARS AGO AND 20 YEARS AGO.
THE WAY WE OPERATE TODAY IS VERY DIFFERENT THAN WE OPERATED 20, 30, 40, 50 YEARS AGO.
WE RESERVE THE RIGHT TO GET SMARTER JUST LIKE EVERYBODY ELSE IN THE COMMUNITY.
AND WE WANT TO BE A GOOD PARTNER AND TAKING WHAT WE LEARN AND APPLYING THAT TO THE WAY WE DO BUSINESS AND THE WAY WE INTERACT WITH THE COMMUNITY.
AND THAT'S REALLY WHAT THIS IS ABOUT.
MY UNDERSTANDING IS THAT YOU ALL ARE IN THE MIDDLE OF A MOTION.
WAS A MOTION AND A SECOND TAKEN TO TABLE.
THAT WAS, THAT WAS A SUGGESTION.
WE WERE, WE WERE READY TO HAVE A ROLL CALL AND THEN WE STARTED, WE CONTINUED TO QUESTION.
NOW WHAT I WANT, WHAT I WANT TO ASK IN, IN, IN, IN THIS QUESTION, AND THIS STILL FORM OF A QUESTION OR INTERROGATION, SO TO SPEAK, THAT'S ALMOST WHAT'S TURNED INTO, IS IT ANYTHING THAT YOU CAN SAY OR, OR ARE YOU PRIVY IN YOUR POSITION TO GUARANTEE THIS COUNCIL THAT, THAT PARCEL OF LAND? I UNDERSTAND THE, THE, UH,
[02:45:01]
PIPING AND FROM A KID AND FOLK WHO GREW UP NEW TEXACO ISLAND WAS BACK THERE.SO BACK IN THE DAY, THAT WAS HOW THEY PUMPED THE STUFF TO GET ON THE SHIPS ALL THE WAY THROUGH THERE, THROUGH, WELL, THROUGH THE GULF REFINERY, BASICALLY.
CAN YOU ASSURE THIS GROUP THAT, BECAUSE I THINK THEY HAVE A CONCERN FOR A LAY DOWN YARD OR SOME OTHER MAYOR.
IF YOU'RE DOING A REZONING OR NOT A REZONING, YOU'RE DOING AN ABANDONMENT.
THAT'S THE ONLY ISSUE WE CAN DISCUSS.
WE CAN'T DISCUSS ANYTHING BUT THE MERITS OF WHAT IT IS.
IF IT'S AN ABANDONMENT, WE CAN'T HAVE ANYONE ASSURE US WHAT THEY'RE GONNA DO.
THE ONLY ISSUE ON THE TABLE IS DO WE WANNA DO THE ABANDONMENT OR NOT? I DIDN'T MEAN TO, SORRY,
BUT YOU CAN'T MAKE, YEAH, EVEN IN ZONING, WE CAN'T MAKE PEOPLE MAKE THOSE TYPE OF PROMISES.
WELL I WAS TRYING TO SAVE YOU.
ARE YOU GUYS HAVE ME ELSE TODAY? OH, I'M READY.
THAT'S ALL I COULD DO, YOU KNOW, I MEAN, WE COULD BEAT THIS HORSE ALL NIGHT.
WHAT ELSE WE GOT? NO, BUT THAT COUNCILMAN FRANK.
FRANK FRANK CUT HIS LIGHT OFF.
YOU GONNA MAKE A MOTION? NO, I DIDN'T CALL FOR THE MOTION.
I GOTTA ASK HIM FOR THE MOTION WE COULD GET.
I GOTTA ASK HIM FOR THE MOTION.
WE GOING VOTE ON WHAT? WE VOTING ON IT.
COUNCILMAN BECKHAM, THE ROLL CALL.
ARE WE DOING A ROLL CALL? THE ROLL CALL VOTE ON ABANDONMENT.
THAT'S, THAT, THAT WAS THE ORIGINAL MOTION.
OKAY, SO WE ARE GOING, WE ARE VOTING TO ABANDON AND TURN OWNERSHIP OVER TO MOTIVA.
COUNCIL MEMBER DOUCETTE? UH, YES.
MAYOR, MAY I ASK ANOTHER THING? NO.
IF, IF I'M TREAT YOU LIKE YOU TREATING ME, I'M SORRY.
IF YOU'RE NOT ASKING ME ANYTHING ABOUT ABANDONMENT, WE'LL MOVE TO THE POSITION.
I'M SORRY, BUT WE DO HAVE GO RIGHT AHEAD.
I JUST WANNA KEEP US THE TRAIN ON TRACK.
WE HAVE A, UM, NO, WE HAVE SOME CITIZENS WHO HAVE TO GO TO WORK AND WE HAVE PO 7 1 66.
I KNOW WE HAVE SEVERAL PAGES TO GO ON THE AGENDA.
I KNOW PEOPLE WE'RE THREE AND A HALF HOUR MARK.
IF YOU GOTTA TAKE CONSIDERATION HOW WE FEEL.
BEEN HERE ALMOST FOUR OR FIVE HOURS MYSELF.
SO UNLESS I JUST HIT A MOMENT.
SO, BUT I KNOW WE HAD SOME NO, WE'RE GOOD YOU ONES TO GO TO.
WE DID HAVE SOME CITIZENS WHO HAVE TO, BUT I KNOW HEAD UP TO GET TO WORK, BUT, BUT WE HAVE ENERGY PRESENTATION.
AND THEN WE HAVE SOME CITIZENS WHO ARE HERE, SOME RESIDENTS WHO ARE HERE FOR ITEM.
AND YOU DON'T HAVE TO MOVE FROM THE AGENDA.
HE, YEAH, HE'S ASKING ME TO GO INTO NORMAL SEQUENCE, WHICH IS, UH, I FORGOT WHAT THE NORMAL SEQUENCE IS NOW.
YEAH, BECAUSE WE, WE DID ALL OF THIS.
WHAT IS THE ORDER? FOUR, RIGHT? I MEAN, GO BACK TO NO, NO, I'M BACK IN HERE.
[III.B. (3) A Presentation By The Entergy, Inc. / Staff Regarding Port Arthur Street Lighting ( Requested By Councilmember Kinlaw)]
JUST A MINUTE.NUMBER THREE, ENORMOUS SEQUENCE.
A PRESENTATION BY THE ENERGY INCORPORATED STAFF REGARDING PORT ARTHUR STREET LIGHTING AS REQUESTED BY COUNCIL MEMBER KINLAW.
WOULD YOU, UH, BEGIN BY, UH, STATING YOUR NAME AND ADDRESS IN DESHAUN ARMSTRONG? 1548 NINTH AVENUE, PORT ARTHUR, TEXAS.
TODAY I'M HERE TO TALK ABOUT PORT ARTHUR STREETLIGHTS AND HOW ENERGY IS GOING ABOUT REPLACING THE OLD, UH, BLOWN OUT ONES AND SWITCHING THE L E D.
I'M GONNA WALK YOU THROUGH THE PROCESS AS WELL THAT WE FOLLOW.
THIS NUMBER RIGHT HERE IS IMPORTANT BECAUSE THESE ARE MERCURY VAPOR STREETLIGHTS.
CURRENTLY WE DO NOT CARRY THESE ANYMORE.
SO TOTAL AND PORT AUTHOR, YOU HAVE,
[02:50:01]
UH, SH THE RATE CODE IS GOES BY S H K A.YOU HAVE S H K B 474, AND THEN S H K E 11 OF THOSE.
AND THESE ARE THE, UH, WATTAGE A HUNDRED, 175 AND 400.
AND I PROVIDE THE MONTHLY COST AS WELL OF EACH LIGHT.
NOW TOTAL, THAT'S A TOTAL OF 1,147 MERCURY VAPOR LIGHTS WILL BE SWAPPED TO L E D AT NO CHARGE TO THE CITY IF THEY'RE CURRENTLY OUT.
HOWEVER, IF THE LIGHT IS STILL WORKING, IT WILL BE A $25 SWAP CHARGE UNTIL THAT LIGHT IS OUT TO SWITCH TO L E D.
AND TALKING TO THE CITY GRANT, UH, MANAGER, UH, SHE, UH, IMPLEMENTED THAT THERE'S A GRANT THAT SHE WANTED TO USE TO START REPLACING LIGHTS.
AND KIND OF THE NUMBERS THAT WE PUT UP FOR WAS THE, FOR S H P A, UH, IT WAS A QUA, A QUANTITY OF 849, WHICH THOSE ARE 250, UH, UH, HIGH, UH, SODIUM PRO, HIGH PRESSURE SODIUM LIGHTS, AND THEN S H P C 13 400 WATTS.
AND THEN SOME S H P G, WHICH YOU GUYS HAVE THE MOST OF IN PORT ARTHUR AT 2,371, AT A HUNDRED WATT TOTAL OF 3,261.
IF SWAP WILL BE BILLED AT A ONE TIME CHARGE OF $25 PER LIGHT REPLACEMENT FEE.
THE TOTAL FOR THE ABOVE RATE WILL BE ESTIMATED AROUND 81,100 AND, I'M SORRY, $81,525.
I, I BELIEVE THAT THEY REPLACED BACK IN 2022.
UH, THESE ARE, YOU HAVE A TOTAL OF, UH, THE S L L A, WHICH ARE COBRA HEADS A HUNDRED, WATTS 327.
YOU HAVE SOME S SLBS 184, AND THOSE ARE 150 WATT L E D, COBRA HEADSS.
YOU HAVE SOME SLCS 266 2, UH, TWO 50 WATT, UH, COBRA HEADS.
AND THEN YOU HAVE SOME S SLDS.
THOSE ARE THE HIGH POWERED 400 WATTS.
UH, I WAS ASKED ABOUT WHOSE RESPONSIBILITY IT IS, ABOUT THE OUTAGES AND THE LIGHTS.
IT'S A HUNDRED PERCENT ENERGY RESPONSIBILITIES.
UH, OUR SERVICE CREWS, WITH THE HELP OF THE COMMUNITY AND THE HELP OF CITY PARTNERS, IF YOU GUYS NOTICE IT, WE'RE MORE THAN HAPPY TO GO OUT THERE AND LOOK.
I DRIVE AROUND, UH, MY CREW, WHEN THEY GO OUT, THEY CHECK A LOOK AROUND THE CITY TO REPLACE LIGHTS.
WE'RE ASKING THEM, UH, NIGHTLY IF THEY'RE OFFERED A STATE LATER TO DRIVE THE CITY TO REPLACE LIGHTS.
AND THEN I'M GONNA GET INTO HOW THE, UH, LIGHTS ARE TO BE REPLACED.
SO, TO AS FAR AS REPORTING A LIGHT ISSUE, THE EASIEST WAY IS TO CONTACT ONE 800 ENERGY OR VIA APP.
ANYONE THAT CONTACTS MYSELF, I, I BELIEVE I WORKED WITH A FEW.
I PROVIDE WORK ORDERS, I FOLLOW UP AND I JUSTIFIED LIKE WHY WE'RE SWITCHING OUT THAT LIGHT TO THE CREW SO THAT THEY CAN GO OUT THERE IN A TIMELY MATTER IF, LIKE, I KNOW LAST MONTH WE HAD A WORK WORK BAN ON SOME LIGHTS BECAUSE OF OSHA VIOLATIONS AS FAR AS GOING OUT THERE IN THE HEAT.
UH, BUT, UH, I TRY AND GET THOSE AS FAR AS REPLACED AS SOON AS POSSIBLE.
AND I THINK THE LEAD TIME I HAVE RIGHT NOW IS WITHIN THREE TO FOUR DAYS.
AND I DO KEEP ANYONE THAT INFORMS ME OF ANY OUTAGES UP TO DATE.
AND AS FAR AS THE STREETLIGHTS, IF YOU GO TO, UH, ENERGY.COM/STREETLIGHT REPAIR, IT'S THE EASIEST WAY FOR ANY CITIZEN TO GO.
IF IT'S BY THEIR HOUSE AND THEY NOTICE THE OUT, UH, LIGHT THAT'S BEEN OUT FOR A FEW MONTHS.
FROM THERE, YOU'LL CLICK ON THE STREETLIGHT OUT AND THEN IT'S GONNA ASK YOU FOR THE ADDRESS.
OR YOU CAN CLICK ON THE LITTLE LIGHT, LIGHT, THE LIGHT EMBLEM RIGHT THERE NEXT TO THE ADDRESS THAT YOU PUT IN.
AND IT'S JUST GONNA ASK FOR YOUR NAME.
YOU DON'T HAVE TO PROVIDE YOUR REAL NAME IF YOU DON'T FEEL COMFORTABLE, BUT JUST ASK FOR SOME BRIEF INFORMATION THAT WE CAN, UH, IF YOU WANNA CALL BACK OR A WORK ORDER, IT'S GONNA BE ABLE TO PROVIDE YOU.
AND HERE YOU'LL BE ABLE TO TELL IF THE LIGHT IS BLOWN, IF THE POLE IS BROKEN, WHAT'S THE ISSUE THAT'S GOING ON WITH THAT LIGHT THAT YOU REQUEST AFTERWARD.
FROM THAT WORK ORDER, WE CAN DO TWO THINGS WHERE YOU CAN EITHER CONTACT MYSELF, UH, IF YOU'RE THE CITY OR CONTACT OUR CUSTOMER SERVICE NUMBER AND THEY CAN PROVIDE YOU WITH THE DATE AND TIME THAT, THAT STREET LIGHT OR POLE THAT YOU REQUESTED OUT.
WE'LL BE REPLACED IF YOU CONTACT ME.
I WILL CONTINUE TO FOLLOW UP LIKE I HAVE DONE WITH MOST FOLLOW UP WITH YOU ON THE DATE AND LET YOU KNOW EXACTLY WHEN THE CREW, IF IT HAS TO GO
[02:55:01]
THROUGH DESIGN.IF IT'S A POLE THAT'S BENNY, I'LL LET YOU KNOW WHEN THEY'LL BE, UH, TAKING OVER THE PROJECT TO HELP OUT WITH THAT AS WELL.
AND RIGHT HERE IS, UH, LET'S SAY IF THE CITY WANTED TO UPGRADE THE LIGHTS THERE, THE ONLY THING BASICALLY I WOULD NEED IS THE SIGNATURE.
I COULD FILL OUT THE REST AS FAR AS ACCOUNT NUMBERS.
ALL I WOULD NEED IS A SIGNATURE, WHAT TYPE OF LIGHTS YOU WANT.
AND I CAN TAKE CARE OF THE REST FOR YOU.
AND AT THE BOTTOM, IT'LL TELL YOU THE ESTIMATED DATE ON THERE, THAT THE JOB WILL BE COMPLETED.
IF IT'S GONNA GO THROUGH DESIGN, AND I'LL FOLLOW UP WITH YOU AND LET YOU KNOW.
BUT IF IT'S REQUESTING, LIKE IF IT'S A HIGH CRIME AREA AND YOU'RE REQUESTING A LIGHT, UH, BRIGHTER LIGHT, I'LL BE HAPPY TO DO THAT.
ALL YOU HAVE TO DO IS FILL OUT THAT AND THEN HAVE SOMEONE SIGN IT AND I'LL TAKE CARE OF THE REST.
DO WE HAVE ANY QUESTIONS? THANK YOU, MR. YEAH.
THANK YOU FOR YOUR PRESENTATION.
UH, COUNCILMAN DOUCETTE THOMAS? THAT WAS THOMAS.
I I HAVE A GRAVE CONCERN, SIR.
IT'S THE FIRST TIME MEETING YOU, BUT I'VE TALKED TO YOU A HUNDRED TIMES.
AND I, I TALKED WITH THE PERSON YOU PRECES, UH, BEFORE YOU.
I THINK ENERGY IS DOING A DISSERVICE.
UH, I, I THINK I'VE EXPLAINED THAT TO YOU.
I'VE, I'VE COMMUNICATED THAT WITH YOU.
UH, LEMME GIVE YOU SOME NUMBERS.
UH, FEBRUARY, WE PAID ENERGY $273,000 MARCH $236,000 TOTAL.
NOW I BRING THAT UP TO SAY ONE THING.
NOW, IF YOU LOOK AT A LOT OF THE HOMES THAT'S IN THE, FROM EAST OF THE QUEEN, YOU HAVE LIGHTS OUT.
I KNOW THAT A LIST WAS TURNED INTO YOU OR YOUR COMPANY WITH OVER 400 LIGHTS THAT WERE OUT IN PORT ARTHUR.
I DON'T, I DON'T NEED A COMMENT.
'CAUSE I HAVE THE LIST AS WELL.
YOU GUYS WERE SUPPOSED TO COME TWO WEEKS AGO.
BUT SINCE OCTO, UH, AUGUST 7TH, I SEEN ENERGY TRUCKS, CONTRACTOR TRUCKS, CUTTING LIMBS, PUTTING UP LIGHTS.
THAT'S NOT FAIR TO THE CITIZENS OF PORT ARTHUR.
I HAVE A LIST OF THINGS, DESHAUN, THAT I WOULD LIKE TO EXPRESS TO YOU.
AND I APPRECIATE IT BECAUSE THIS IS ABOUT THE CITIZENS.
IT'S DARK IN PORT ARTHUR IN SOME AREAS.
I DON'T KNOW HOW MANY TIMES THAT YOU GO OUT AND DO A BLITZ AND FIGURE OUT WHAT LIGHTS ARE OUT.
BUT IT'S NOT FAIR TO THE CITIZENS OF PORT ARTHUR MONTHLY.
WE PAY ABOUT JUST THE ELECTRICAL DEPARTMENT ABOUT $60,000.
AND YOU KNOW THAT INFORMATION.
'CAUSE I SEE YOU ON THE EMAIL.
WE'RE TALKING ABOUT WEST SIDE OF PORT ARTHUR, EAST OF THE, UH, THE QUEEN DOWNTOWN AREA.
IT SHOULDN'T BE COUNCIL MEMBERS THAT'S CONTACTING YOU AND SAYING, HEY, LOOK, ENERGY, YOU'RE RESPONSIBLE FOR PROVIDING LIGHTS THROUGH THE CITY OF PORT ARTHUR.
BUT IT'S OUR JOB TO GET THE INFORMATION TO PASS IT ON TO PROPER MANAGEMENT.
BUT WE GOT A LOT OF, WE GOT A LOT OF WORK TO DO.
AND IT'S DARK IN A LOT OF THE AREAS BECAUSE WE HAVE A ELDERLY POPULATION THAT DEPENDS ON LIGHTING AT NIGHT, BECAUSE LIKE YOU SAID, HIGH CRIME AREAS, WE HAVE THAT IN PORT ARTHUR.
BUT AS OUR JOB AS COUNCIL MEMBERS, MY COHORT AND I IS TO PROVIDE A TOOL.
AND A TOOL IS TO LIGHT THIS PLACE UP.
IF WE HAVE THE OPPORTUNITY, IF WE ARE PAYING THAT AMOUNT OF MONEY FOR TOTAL A MONTH, WE NEED TO DO THAT.
YOU KNOW, AND IT'S, I JUST GOTTA COME STRAIGHT WITH YOU.
I'M NOT TRYING TO, YOU KNOW, HIDE NO PUNCHES.
IT'S JUST THE, THE FACT YOU GOT TREE LIMBS COVERING LIGHTS UP THAT YOU CAN'T EVEN SEE THE LIGHTS ARE ON THOUGH.
WHAT CALLED HALOGEN COBRA HEADS.
THOSE LIGHTS ARE NOT BRIGHT IN SOME AREAS, BUT IF YOU HAVE A TREE THAT GROWS AROUND IT, L E D NEEDS TO BE ENFOR IN THIS, IN THE CITY LIMITS BECAUSE WE HAVE TO BRIGHTEN OUR, OUR CITY UP.
AND THAT'S HOW PASSIONATE I AM ABOUT THAT.
UM, HOW MANY LIGHTS AND, AND JUST ROUGHLY HOW MANY LIGHTS DO ENERGY ACTUALLY IS RESPONSIBLE FOR IN THE CITY OF PORT ARTHUR? BECAUSE WHEN I STARTED THIS THREE YEARS AGO, YOU KNOW, THE CITY OF PORT ARTHUR JUST MAY HAVE 30 LIGHTS, BUT, BUT ALL THE ONES THAT YOU SEE THAT'S OTHER THAN RIGHT OF WAYS AND ALL THAT, CAN YOU JUST BRIEFLY TELL THE CITIZENS AND MY COHORTS THAT DON'T KNOW, HOW MANY LIGHTS ARE YOU RESPONSIBLE? WE HAVE ABOUT 5,197 LIGHTS.
AND UH, I AGREE WITH YOU AS FAR AS THE LIGHTS, THE TREES THAT ARE OVER IT.
AND AS I DRIVE THROUGH THE NEIGHBORHOODS AND SEE IT, I REPORT 'EM AS I'M DRIVING THROUGH.
I DRIVE AT NIGHT TO SEE WHAT'S OUT.
MY CREW, I ASK HIM WHAT LIGHTS
[03:00:01]
AVER PLACED AT NIGHT TODAY BEFORE A GUY LEFT.I GO, HOW MANY LIGHTS DID YOU REPLACE? HE GOES, HE REPLACED TWO BASED OFF HIM DRIVING AROUND AND HE WAS COMING BACK TO WORK ADDITIONAL HOURS WITH THE NIGHT CREW TO ENSURE THAT THE AREAS THAT DROVE WERE TAKEN CARE OF.
IT'S A PROCESS, BUT LIKE ANY LIGHT THAT YOU REQUEST OR THE CITY REQUESTS BRIGHTER IN THE AREA, THAT I NEED A SIGNATURE.
AND I DON'T MIND WHOEVER SIGNS IT, I CAN FILL OUT THE PAPERWORK AND WE CAN PUT IT IN AND GET THOSE REPLACED.
ANYTIME IT'S OVER FOUR TO FIVE LIGHTS, I BELIEVE IT HAS TO GO THROUGH THE DESIGN PHASE, WHICH THAT CAN TAKE A LITTLE BIT OF TIME, BUT THEY PROVIDE AN ESTIMATE DATE AND THEY'LL GET BACK TO ME AS FAR AS THE, UH, DATE OF WHEN THOSE STREETLIGHTS WILL BE REPLACED TO LEDS IF IT'S AT THE CITY'S REQUEST.
AS FAR AS THE 400 OUT LIGHTS, I'VE NOT PERSONALLY RECEIVED THAT.
I HAVE TO CHECK WITH MY PREDECESSOR DEBORAH.
MAYBE SHE WAS THE ONE TO GET IT, BUT I KNOW EVERY SINGLE LIGHT THAT WAS COMMUNICATED TO ME THROUGH THE CITY, I MAKE SURE THAT I FOLLOW UP AND KEEP NOTES AND MAKE SURE THAT THOSE ARE TAKEN CARE OF BECAUSE I KNOW HOW IMPORTANT SAFETY IS.
AS I SPOKE TO MISS, UH, THE GRANTS MANAGERS REGARDING ISSUES AS FAR AS WHERE WE SHOULD START, IF SHE RECEIVED THE GRANT TO REPLACE THE LIGHTS AND SHE SIGNALED OUT THE HIGH TRAFFIC CRIME AREAS IS WHERE SHE WANTED TO START.
SO THAT'S STUFF THAT I WAS WORKING WITH HER WITH AS FAR AS WHEN SHE RE TO RECEIVE THE GRANT, SIR.
BUT YOU KNOW, WE HAVE TO DO BETTER.
WE HAVE TO DO BETTER BY LIGHTING PORT ARTHUR UP AND IF WE, WHATEVER WE NEED TO DO TO HELP YOU OUT.
BUT THESE IS ONE OF THESE TYPE OF PRESENTATIONS.
AND OUR JOB IS TO PROTECT THE CITIZEN PORT ARTHUR AT ALL COSTS.
SO, UH, THANK YOU FOR YOUR PRESENTATION AND I YIELD MAYOR.
I HAD TO DO ONE QUESTION AND THAT WAS THE, IF I UNDERSTOOD YOU CORRECTLY, YOU SAID THAT IF A LIGHT IS OUT, YOU WILL CONVERT TO L E D AT NO COST.
IF A LIGHT IS A MERCURY VAPOR, WHICH WE NO LONGER CARRY IS OUT, WE WILL CONVERT IT ONCE WE GO TO REPLACE IT TO L E D AT NO COST.
NOW, IF IT REQUIRES, LIKE AT THAT TIME, IF YOU REQUIRE 400 WATT, IF IT'S A 100 WATT, YOU WOULD JUST LET US KNOW SO THAT WHEN WE REPLACE IT, IT WOULD BE CONVERTED TO THAT 400 WATT.
THE THE NEXT QUESTION IS IF, UH, YOU'RE CONVERTING THE LIGHTS AND YOU SAY IF WE CONVERT 'EM, WE CHARGE $25 A A LIGHT.
IF IT'S CONVERTED FROM A REGULAR LIGHT THAT WE DO CARRY, THERE'S A $25 CHARGE PER LIGHT.
AND, AND, UH, ROUGHLY HOW MANY LIGHTS, JUST AN ESTIMATE THAT YOU THINK YOU MAY BE REPLACING? I BELIEVE IT'S ON A MONTHLY BASIS.
HOW MEAN DO WE CURRENTLY REPLACE ON A MONTHLY BASIS? RIGHT.
JUST, UH, I KNOW YOU CAN'T BE EXACTLY.
I'M NOT ASKING YOU TWO, BUT GIMME A BALLPARK.
LIKE HOW MANY WE CURRENTLY REPLACE EACH MONTH, RIGHT? IT'S ANYWHERE BETWEEN I WOULD SAY SIX TO 700 MONTHLY.
SIX TO SEVEN AND ALL THE CITIES THAT I OPERATE OUT OF.
I'M TALKING ABOUT IN PORT ARTHUR.
I'M TALKING ABOUT, OH, IN PORT ARTHUR, UH, I WOULD HAVE TO FIND OUT THAT EXACT NUMBER.
BALLPARK, YOU DON'T HAVE AN IDEA.
I DON'T HAVE THAT OFF THE TOP OF MY HEAD, SIR.
'CAUSE I'M JUST CURIOUS WHY, WHY IF YOU GOING TO CHANGE OVER, YOU KNOW, WHY ARE WE PAYING? BECAUSE, YOU KNOW, YOU PROVIDING US A SERVICE.
AND, UH, IF WE GONNA END UP HAVING THIS LIGHT WHERE WE PAYING FOR THE SERVICE FOR THAT PARTICULAR LIGHT, RIGHT? YES.
I DON'T SEE WHY WE HAVE TO PAY YOU TO CONVERT OVER.
YOU KNOW, I MEAN IF, IF THAT'S THE PLAN TO CHANGE ALL THESE OUT.
I DON'T SEE WHY WE PAYING YOU $25 IF WE'RE PAYING YOU 200 SOMETHING THOUSAND DOLLARS A MONTH, YOU KNOW, ON A REGULAR BASIS.
AT SOME POINT IN TIME WE START TAKING A LOOK AT OUR PARTNERSHIP.
YOU KNOW, UH,
UH, UH, AS SOMETHING AND SO $25, I DON'T KNOW IF IT'S MINIMUM, BUT TO ME, BASED ON, UH, WHAT YOU'RE GOING TO, WHAT THE REVENUE YOU'RE GONNA BE MAKING, I THINK IT IS A VERY MINUTE INVESTMENT.
BUT I'M NOT GOING TO SAY WE WANT SOMETHING FOR NOTHING, BUT I JUST THINK IF IT'S SOMETHING THAT YOU COULD CONSIDER YES, SIR.
I THINK THAT'S SOMETHING YOU MAY WANT TO CONSIDER.
AND IF NOT, REDUCING THE PRICE OF $25.
AND THAT'S SOMETHING I DID CHECK INTO AS FAR AS THAT.
AND I WAS TOLD IT'S JUST A SERVICE CHARGE AS FAR AS THE FUEL FOR THE TRUCKS GOING OUT AND AS THEY'RE, UH, GOING THROUGH THE AREAS AND REPLACING LIGHTS.
BUT I CAN LOOK INTO THAT FOR YOU TO SEE.
UH, AS FAR AS THE, UH, LOOKING FOR LIGHTS AND MAKING SURE, UH, LIKE I'M A HUNDRED PERCENT EVERY SINGLE DAY I GO OUT, I CHECK LIGHTS AND AS SOON AS I REPORT 'EM, AS FAR AS YOUR REQUESTING, AS FAR AS HOW MANY LIGHTS I REPORT, PROBABLY UP TO A
[03:05:01]
HUNDRED A MONTH.AND WHEN I CHECK ON THOSE WORK ORDERS, PROBABLY 50% OF THEM IF IT DIDN'T REQUIRE ADDITIONAL INFORMATION OR ADDITIONAL HARDWARE, LIKE IF IT'S MISSING AHEAD OR, OR IF THE POLE'S BEEN DAMAGED, GET REPLACED WITHIN A TIMELY MANNER.
UH, AND I THINK THAT TIME IS WITHIN THREE TO FOUR DAYS.
WELL, LIKE I SAID, I THINK COUNCIL MCKEN, UH, GOT A LOT OF INFORMATION THAT WE ALL ARE GLAD, BUT THAT'S THE ONLY THING I LOOKED AT.
THEN I THINK THAT YOU NEED TO GO BACK TO WHOEVER MADE THAT DECISION.
AND ASK HIM, YOU KNOW, UH, CAN WE DO THIS AS PART OF OUR SERVICE TO THEM? THEY PAYING, IT AIN'T LIKE WHEN YOU CHANGE THIS LIGHT OUT, WE GONNA STOP PAYING YOU FOR IT.
WE PAY YOU EVERY MONTH AND IF YOU, YOU WANT TO CHARGE A $25 IF YOUR TRUCK IS DRIVING, I MEAN, YOU KNOW, WE, WE WE PAY YOU MONTHLY YES SIR.
SO HOW ABOUT JUST CHECKING IT THROUGH IT.
AND YOU WOULDN'T BE DESHAUN ARMSTRONG, WOULD YOU? YES.
WHAT WHAT WHAT HAPPENED WAS, UH, FIVE YEARS AGO, THE, THE LAST YEAR OF THE MARDI GRAS, I PUT, I GOT WITH RON, WE PUT A PROGRAM IN PLACE FROM THE UNDERPASS.
IT IS A BIG DISPUTE ON WHO HAD CONTROL OF WHAT.
SO RON CAME UP WITH CITY OF PORT ARTHUR CONTROL FROM THE UNDERPASS ON, ON MEMORIAL BOULEVARD TO PROCTOR ALL THE WAY TO TO, TO THE STADIUM, ALL THE WAY TO HOUSTON AVENUE.
SO I WORKED THE DEAL WITH HIM, INITIATED THE SAME DEAL HE GAVE TO THE, UH, BUSINESS PARK AND CITY MANAGER SAID HE GOT, YOU KNOW, HE GOT THIS $25 DEAL AND PLUS I THINK CITY MANAGER GOT A GRANT THIS TIME.
THAT'S WHAT THEY'RE, UH, WERE TALKING TO ME ABOUT WHEN I MET WITH THEM ALL, YOU KNOW WHAT, WHAT I'M DISAPPOINTED IN, IT'S BEEN FIVE YEARS AND WHEN I INITIATED THE PROGRAM, PUT THE LEDS IN SO SO THEY CAN SEE HOW BRIGHT THE LIGHTS AND EVERYTHING.
BUT I'M, I'M GLAD THE CITY MANAGER, NO, HE WAS NOT THE MANAGER AT THE TIME.
I WORK, WE WORKED THAT DEAL OUT.
BUT, UH, 2020 $5 COUNCILMAN IS, IS IS VERY CHEAP.
YOU KNOW, IT'S, YOU KNOW, Y'ALL GOTTA GET STUFF.
MY MY NEXT QUESTION, WHEN THE LAST TIME CITY OF PORT ARTHUR, Y'ALL DID AN AUDIT FOR CITY OF PORT ARTHUR ON, ON WHAT WE ARE PAYING YOU, I'M HEARING THESE NUMBERS FROM COUNCILMAN, UH, UH, KEN LAW WHEN THE LAST TIME WE HAD AN AUDIT.
AS FAR AS HOW MANY LIGHTS? NO, FAR AS HOW MUCH WE PAYING YOU? OH, IS IT ACCURATE AS FAR AS, UH, I WORK WITH THE CITY BUDGET AS FAR AS, I, I CAN'T REMEMBER HER NAME, BUT WHEN SHE CALLS, I LOOK INTO ANY INFORMATION THAT SHE HAS QUESTIONS REGARDING, AND I SEND THAT OFF.
BUT AS FAR AS, UH, WHEN IT WAS LAST ACCURATE, I BELIEVE AARON SOTO, SHE'S THE ONE THAT VERIFIED THE AMOUNT OF STREETLIGHTS THAT PORT ARTHUR HAD.
I BELIEVE THAT WAS DONE IN 2022.
AND THEY CHANGED A WHOLE BUNCH OF LIGHTS.
I SAID THEY, WHAT HAPPENED TO THE PROGRAM WE INITIATED, THEY COULD HAVE CHANGED THEM OUT THEN, YOU KNOW, BUT IT WAS IN THE, THAT WAS UNAWARE OF IT.
BUT WHAT I'M TALKING, I CALLED FOR AN AUDIT ONE TIME OF ALL THE PORT ARTHUR'S, UH, UTILITY.
AND YOU CAN ONLY GO BACK A CERTAIN TIME.
IS THAT STILL SIGNING? YOU CAN ONLY AUDIT BACK TO A COUPLE YEARS.
UH, I DON'T, BUT WE, HOW SHE WORKS AT, BUT WE GOT WHAT I'M INTERESTED IN, AND I KNOW WE HAD A LOT OF, LOT, AND COUNCILMAN KEN LAW SAID WE HAD A LOT OF LIGHTS OUT.
I'M INTERESTED IN DOING FOR YOU ALL TO DO AN AUDIT.
Y'ALL CAN DO IT IN-HOUSE BECAUSE THE PEOPLE IN CHARGE AT THE TIME ASKED, ASKED ME TO ALLOW THEM IN-HOUSE TO DO THE AUDIT.
WITHIN A SHORT PERIOD OF TIME, THEY WROTE US CHECK $50,000.
SO I'M COMFORTABLE IF YOU ALL DO, WHOEVER OVER YOUR AUDITING, WHOEVER DO THE AUDIT, IS GONNA GIVE US A REBATE.
I HAVE A QUESTION ABOUT THE, UH, CITY STREET LIGHT REQUEST FORM.
YOU MENTIONED THAT IF THERE'S A REQUEST FOR FOUR OR MORE LIGHTS, THAT IT HAS TO GO THROUGH A DESIGN PROCESS.
I'M, I'M JUST INTERESTED IF, IF A CITIZEN WANTS TO REQUEST ONE LIGHT, WHAT IS THE AVERAGE TURNAROUND TIME ON THAT? IF THEY REQUEST ONE LIGHT THROUGH OUR APP, THE USUAL AVERAGE TURNAROUND IS BETWEEN THREE TO FOUR DAYS.
IT ALL DEPENDS ON THE WEATHER AS WELL.
LIKE DURING THE MID-SUMMER WHEN IT WAS OVER 112 DEGREES, THERE WAS A BAN ON WHAT TIMES WE COULD GO OUT AND REPLACE.
BUT THE AVERAGE TIME RIGHT NOW IS BETWEEN THREE TO FOUR DAYS.
AND ANYONE THAT CALLS, LIKE WHETHER IT'S A CITIZEN THAT STOPS ME, WHERE'S A, A LEADER IN THE CITY, THEY PROVIDE ME A WORK ORDER AND I LOOK RIGHT INTO IT AND GET BACK WITH THEM TO SAY, HEY, THIS IS WHAT, UH, THEY WERE ASKING ABOUT AND WHEN'S THIS GONNA BE FIXED? AND I LOOK IT UP TO GET THEM AN ANSWER.
BUT YOU'RE SPEAKING ABOUT REPLACING A LIGHT THAT'S ALREADY OUT.
WHAT IF THEY'RE REQUESTING A NEW LIGHT? OH, A CITIZEN.
[03:10:01]
BE ABLE TO, UH, REPLACE A NEW LIGHT WITH A DIFFERENT WATTAGE, BUT THEY CAN ONLY REPORT, UH, IF IT'S AN OUT OR THE POLE IS BENT OR SOMETHING LIKE THAT.BUT AS FAR AS THE, BECAUSE IT'S BUILT THROUGH THE CITY, THEY WOULDN'T BE ABLE TO REQUEST THAT THE CITY, UH, STREETLIGHT REQUEST FORM IS STRICTLY FOR THE CITY.
THAT'S FILLED OUT FROM THE CITY.
THANK MA'AM FOR CLEARING THAT UP FOR ME.
UH, CITY MANAGER, YOU, YOU, YOU LIKE MAYOR, YOU HAVE, UM, TO, IN RESPONSE TO COUNCILOR BE LEWIS' QUESTION ABOUT THE AUDIT THE LAST TIME COUNCILOR, UM,
WHEN RON FLETCHER REMEMBER MM-HMM.
AND THEN WE GOT A REPEAT OF, UM, WE WERE ABLE TO GET OUR NUMBERS CORRECT.
AND I THINK WE HAVE PROCEEDED FROM HERE YES.
UM, AND AS YOU RIGHTLY STATED, WE DID, WE, UH, EARMARKED FOR A GRANT THAT WE ARE STILL WORKING OUT FROM THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT UPWARD, I THINK ABOUT 160 SOMETHING THOUSAND ACCORDING TO THAT.
UM, SO, AND THAT MONEY HAS BEEN EARMARKED TO MAKE THE ENTIRE CITY, UM, ENERGY EFFICIENT.
IN TERMS OF, UM, L E D LIGHTING, MY INSTRUCTIONS TO, UM, ENTITY WAS TO MAKE SURE THAT WE FOCUS ON THE NEIGHBORHOODS FIRST AND THE HIGH CRIME AREAS.
HIGH CRIME AREAS AND NEIGHBORHOODS FIRST, AND THEN, UM, OTHER PUBLIC PLACES THEREAFTER.
UM, BUT MISS, UM, THE, THE GRANTS, OUR GRANTS COORDINATOR IS WORKING DILIGENTLY ON THAT TO MAKE SURE THAT THAT HAPPENS.
UM, IN TERMS OF THE, UM, THE, THE, THE REPORTING OF LIGHTS THAT ARE OUT, WE HAVE MR. MCINTYRE AND THE ELECTRICAL DEPARTMENT THAT WORKS VERY CLOSELY WITH YOU ON A QUARTERLY BASIS.
WE KNOW TO REPORT ALL, AND EVEN THERE, EVEN BEFORE THAT, IF A POLICE IS KNOCKED ON OVER THE WEEKEND, IT'S BEEN REPORTED JUST LIKE THE ONE ON JIMMY JOHNSON RIGHT NOW THAT'S STILL LYING NEXT TO THE APARTMENT.
WE KNOW THAT WAS REPORTED TO YOU ALL.
AND, UM, THEY'RE BEING ADDRESSED IN A TIMELY MANNER.
SO THERE IS THIS ONGOING RELATIONSHIP, UM, BETWEEN THE TRANSIT DEPARTMENT, UM, BETWEEN IVAN, UM, LANIE MCINTYRE AND, UM, THE PUBLIC WORKS DEPARTMENT TO MAKE SURE THAT ALL THE REQUESTS THAT GOES IN ARE BEING ADDRESSED, UM, IN A TIMELY MANNER.
UM, UM, WE STILL NEED TO CONTINUE TO WORK ON THE RELATIONSHIP THOUGH, UM, TO MAKE SURE, BECAUSE I, I, I, I MADE IT VERY CLEAR TO MR. FLETCHER BEFORE HE LEFT THAT, UM, THIS IS A SERVICE THAT WE PAY FOR AND WE DO EXPECT THAT OUR NEEDS, ONE OF MY PET PEEVES WHEN I BECAME CITY MANAGER WAS TO BRING TO THE ATTENTION THAT ENERGY, EVERY LIGHT, EVERY EVERY ELECTRICAL POOL IN THE CITY WAS LEANING LIKE THIS.
AND YOU NEVER WENT TO ANOTHER CITY, NEIGHBORING CITY AND SEAT.
AND I WAS VERY ADAMANT ABOUT THAT.
YOU KNOW, EVERY POLE IN THE CITY WAS LEANING.
WE WERE BEING DENIED ATTENTION.
AND I THINK WE STILL CONTINUE, YOU KNOW, WE STILL NEED TO CONTINUE TO HOLD, UM, ENERGY RESPONSIBLE, YOU KNOW, TO MAKE SURE THAT IT'S BEING CORRECTED.
YOU KNOW? THANK YOU FOR THE, WE SEE THAT ALL THE POOLS NOW WITH THIS, UH, WHAT IS IT? $7 MILLION? UH, UH, WE ARE CHANGING, WE ARE MAKING RAPID CHANGES TO ALL THE POOLS.
AND THEY'RE WORKING WITH THE CITY AS WELL ON OTHER STUFF THAT THEY CAN HELP APPROVE.
THEY WAS OUTSIDE THEIR SCOPE AT FIRST, BUT THEY'RE WORKING WITH THE CITY TO TRY AND IMPROVE, BECAUSE THAT WAS SOMETHING THAT I BROUGHT UP, LIKE COMING ABOARD, LIKE, I'VE NOTICED A DISCONNECT BETWEEN DESIGNERS AND OUR TEAM.
LIKE WHERE, WELL, WHY? SO THEY'RE WORKING WITH THE PORT PORTAL OUT WITH THE, UH, PORT OF, UH, TRANSIT TO HELP IMPROVE DOWNTOWN AND GET THE POLES THAT EVERYONE'S BEEN REQUIRING THAT'S BEEN BENT OR HIT BY CARS MULTIPLE TIMES.
I KNOW THE LIGHT ON GULF, UH, GULF WAY, UH, STREET AVENUE THAT'S BEEN GOING ON FOR FIVE YEARS, UH, IS FINALLY GETTING REPLACED.
AND WE'RE IN THE PROCESS OF REMOVING THAT POLE THAT'S BEEN A, UH, SAFETY HAZARD RIGHT THERE ON THE STREET.
SO EVERYTHING THAT I'VE COME INTO, I'VE TRIED, I'VE, I'VE GOT NOTES TO PUT ON MY PLATE TO MAKE SURE AND ENSURE, AND I FOLLOW UP.
WHETHER IT'S BEEN MR. UH, JOHN OR MAR MARTIN FLOOD, I FOLLOW UP WITH THEM AND KNOWING WHERE WE ARE IN THE PROCESS.
'CAUSE I BELIEVE THAT THAT'S THE BIGGEST KEY IS COMMUNICATION.
IF I DON'T GET BACK WITH SOMEONE, THEY DON'T KNOW WHAT I'M DOING.
AND JUST LIKE MR. CONGRESSMAN, WHEN YOU CALL ME, I, I ASSURE YOU, EVERY LIGHT THAT YOU REQUEST, I PUT IN AND I FOLLOW UP TO ENSURE THAT THOSE LIGHTS ARE REPLACED IN A TIMELY MANNER.
AND I'M GETTING WITH MY LINE SUPERVISORS TO ENSURE WHY THEY'RE NOT, OR IF WE CARRY OVER IF HE'S WAITING ON THE PARK.
BUT EVERY REQUEST I CONSIDER AS THOUGH I LIVED IN THAT AREA BECAUSE I KNOW HOW IMPORTANT IT IS REGARDING THE CRIME.
IF THERE'S NOTHING OUT THERE, SOMEONE'S GONNA BE OUT THERE DOING SOMETHING THEY SHOULDN'T.
AND THE NEXT STAGE, AS I TOLD THEM, THE ENTITY REPRESENTATIVE THAT WE NEED TO MOVE TO, WHAT IS THE HARDENING OF OUR ELECTRICAL INFRASTRUCTURE? MAKE SURE THAT BECAUSE WE ARE SO PRONE TO HURRICANES AROUND HERE, UM, IT SEEMS EVERY SIX MONTHS WE, WE, WE, UM, WE, WE, WE PLAN FOR THAT, BUT REMOVE IT FROM ABOVE
[03:15:01]
GROUND AND PUT IT ON THE GROUND.YOU KNOW, LIKE EVERY OTHER COMMUNITY WE SEE AROUND HERE, EVERY OTHER MUNICIPALITY, WE WANT TO MAKE SURE THAT WE ARE TREATED FAIRLY.
AND THAT'S WHAT THE MAJORITY OF THE FIVE L A S PLAN YES.
KNOW MR. IVAN MITCHELL, HE'S GOING UNDERGROUND AS WELL.
UH, SOME OF, UH, LAMAR STATE COLLEGE IS GOING UNDERGROUND.
AND THAT'S SOMETHING THAT I'VE BEEN WORKING WITH THEM TO MAKE SURE THAT THAT GOES, BECAUSE I KNOW IN THE PAST THEIR ISSUE IS, THEY'VE TALKED ABOUT IT, BUT NONES BECOME OF IT FROM THE DESIGNER.
SO WHAT I DO EACH DAY, I HOLD EVERY DESIGNER ACCOUNTABLE.
I HAVE PROJECTS, HEY, WHAT'S GOING ON WITH LAMAR COLLEGE? WHAT'S GOING ON WITH PORT TRANSIT? WE JUST HAD A MEETING LAST THURSDAY.
THESE GUYS HAVE NOT SEEN THE DESIGNER IN ALMOST SIX, SEVEN MONTHS.
I THOUGHT THAT WAS UNACCEPTABLE COMING ON BOARD BECAUSE I WOULD BE FRUSTRATED.
SO WE WERE ABLE TO GET THEIR LEADERSHIP OUT THERE, HAVE A CONFERENCE CALL WITH EVERYONE ON BOARD THIS PROJECT TO ENSURE THAT THIS PROJECT MOVING FORWARD GOT THE ATTENTION THAT IT DESERVED.
I ASSURE YOU THAT EVERY DAY I COME TO PORT ARTHUR, I ENSURE THAT EVERY PROJECT THAT YOU GUYS COME FORTH WITH ME, I FOLLOW UP WITH.
BECAUSE LIKE I WAS TELLING THE MAYOR AND I SPOKE TO YOU BEFORE, ANYTHING I SAY AS FAR AS MY WORD YOU'RE GONNA BELIEVE IN, AND THE SECOND I BREAK IT, THAT'S IT.
SO EVERY PROJECT THAT I TAKE ON, I REALLY TAKE ON AND REALLY FOLLOW THROUGH.
I CAN HEAR THE PASSION IN YOUR VOICE THAT YOU TRULY, TRULY DO CARE.
ARE, ARE YOU FROM THIS AREA? UH, NO.
YOU DON'T HAVE TO SAY WHERE YOU FROM.
I'M JUST SAYING FROM YOU MAKE ME FEEL LIKE YOU CARE.
SO, UM, THE REPORT, A REPORT, A STREETLIGHT ISSUE, HOW DO WE REPORT, UM, IF IT'S NOT SOMETHING THAT'S NECESSARILY A REPAIR, LET'S SAY WE NEED MORE LIGHTING IN THE AREA.
I THINK OF THE WEST SIDE DEVELOPMENT CENTER.
WE HAVE OUR NAACP MEETINGS THERE, AND WHEN WE WALK OUT, THE STREETLIGHTS ARE ERECTED AND THEY'RE BRIGHT, BUT IT'S JUST NOT ENOUGH OF THEM.
SO THROUGH THIS APP, ARE WE ABLE TO MAKE THOSE REQUESTS? AND THEN ALSO FOR THE POWER LINES, WHEN WE SEE THEM, UM, IN DISARRAY, THEY HAVE FALLEN, A TREE IS LEANING ON IT.
CAN WE ALSO MAKE A REQUEST FOR IT TO BE SERVICED THROUGH THIS APP TOO? YES.
OR JUST CITIZENS PERIOD? UH, AS A CITIZEN, AS FAR AS EXTRA LIGHTINGS THAT WOULD COME THROUGH THE CITY TO DETERMINE SINCE THEY'RE PAYING FOR IT.
UH, BUT HOWEVER, FOR THE VEGETATION AND ANYTHING OVER, YES, YOU'RE ABLE TO REPORT THAT THROUGH, UH, THE APP.
HOWEVER, IF YOU GUYS DRIVE PAST AN AREA AND YOU WANT TO CONTACT ME IMMEDIATELY, I TRY AND GET THE VEGETATION OUT AS SOON AS A, A DAY.
'CAUSE I KNOW HOW IMPORTANT THAT IS WITH POWER LINES FALLING.
AND THANK GOD PORT ARTHUR THIS YEAR, IF WE LOOK AT THE OUTAGES COMPARED TO OTHER CITIES, WE HAVE NOT HAD THAT MANY OUTAGES COMPARED US TO ORANGE, TO SILSBEE, TO LUMBERTON, OR ACTUALLY PORT ARTHUR'S DONE A LOT BETTER.
AND WITH THIS RELIABILITY, UH, PROGRAM THAT THEY'RE CURRENTLY WORKING ON, IT'S GOING TO CONTINUE TO GET BETTER.
AND YOU'LL SEE A DIFFERENCE COMPARED TO ORANGE, WHO HAS AT LEAST ONCE A WEEK OUT POWER.
I LOOK AT, AT NIGHT, 12 AT MIDNIGHT, LOOKING AT, OKAY, IT IS POURED OUT THERE.
MAKING SURE THAT WE'RE GOOD OVER HERE.
SO THAT'S SOMETHING THAT I DO LOOK AT.
AND JUST, I CHECK THE APP TO MAKE SURE IF, IF THERE IS AN OUTAGE THAT'S REPORTING.
UH, AND I, I MAKE THOSE CONTACTS TO WHOEVER I NEED TO IF THEIR AREA'S OUT.
I THINK THREE WEEKS AGO WHEN THE CITY WAS OUT OR PROCTOR STREET, UH, AFFECTING THE COLLEGE, I REACHED OUT TO REED RICHARDS ABOUT THAT.
SEE IF HE WAS GOOD, WHAT WE NEEDED.
LET HIM KNOW WHAT TIME THE CREW WAS THERE, WHAT TIME THEY'RE GONNA, UH, BE ON SITE TO SERVICE HIS, UH, AREA OVER THERE TO GET EVERYTHING BACK.
'CAUSE THEY HAD A WILLIE CARTER CARTER BACKPACK, UH, DRIVE OVER THERE.
AND AS FAR AS THE ADDITIONAL LIGHTS, WHAT WE CAN DO IS IF THE CITY, UH, FILLS OUT THE FORM AND SAY, HEY, I WANT ADDITIONAL LIGHTS ON THIS SEC, UH, SECTION.
THEY CAN SEND IT DIRECTLY TO ME.
I'LL PUT IT IN, GIVE YOU A DATE ON WHEN IT'LL BE ACCOMPLISHED.
BUT AS FAR AS THE VEGETATION, THAT COULD BE DONE THROUGH THE APP.
IF YOU HAVE, IF A A HOMEOWNER FEELS LIKE, HEY, THESE TREES ARE ON TOO MANY LINES, OR, UH, DURING A HURRICANE MAY BE A NEW NUISANCE OVER THERE BECAUSE THE WINDS, THEY CAN DO IT THROUGH THE APP AND WE CAN TAKE CARE OF 'EM IMMEDIATELY.
UM, I HOPE THAT YOU GET SOME STAFF TOO.
'CAUSE YOU SHOULDN'T BE LOOKING AT THIS AT MIDNIGHT.
THAT'S AN EMAIL I NEED TO SEND TO YOU AND CC MR. ARMSTRONG.
AND WE TAKE CARE OF LANIE AND, UH, MR. MCINTYRE AND OTHERS.
UH, COUNCILMAN LEWIS, UH, I APPRECIATE YOUR, YOUR PRESENTATION.
NOW, YOU, YOU, YOU, I DETECTIVE YOU REALLY CARE ABOUT WHAT YOU ENJOY, WHAT YOU DO.
UH, YOU'ALL HAVE, WHEN YOU GET THE VEGETATION GROWING OVER THE LINE OR THE, OR THE LINE IS GOING THROUGH A TREE.
I DON'T KNOW IF Y'ALL HAVE MADE ANY CHANGES, BUT IN SOME AREAS, IF YOU BREAK THAT, IF YOU BREAK THAT GROUND WALL COMING FROM THE, COMING FROM THE POLE, YOU NOW YOU GOT, YOU GONNA CREATE A SERIES CIRCUIT.
[03:20:01]
HAVE 220 WATTS, I MEAN, 220 VOLTS GOING ACROSS YOUR REFRIGERATORS AND ALL YOUR APPLIANCES.HAVE Y'ALL MADE THOSE CHANGES OR Y'ALL STILL HAVE OPERATE ONARY TRANSFORMERS OR WHAT THAT I CAN'T ANSWER TO EXACTLY HOW MANY, BUT I KNOW WHEN A CUSTOMER CALLS ME AND SAYING, HEY, WE GOT WIRES GOING THROUGH A TREE, OR THEY'RE COMING FROM THE GROUND AND THE TREE IS BY IT MM-HMM.
AND I CREATE EMERGENCY ORDER FOR A TICKET FOR IT THAT THE SERVICEMEN GO OUT THE SAME DAY.
UH, LIKE LAST FRIDAY, I HAD A LINE THAT WAS GOING, IT WAS CONNECTING FROM THE POLE GOING INTO THE HOUSE.
THE ELDERLY COMPANY, THEY THOUGHT IT WAS TOO LOW.
AND I TOLD THEM, DON'T WORRY ABOUT IT.
UH, I BELIEVE IT WAS ABOUT SIX FEET.
SO WE HAD TO CREATE AN EMERGENCY TICKET TO ISSUE OUT THERE.
AND ON TOP OF THAT, THEY FOUND VEGETATION ON TOP OF THAT, THAT WAS KIND OF PUSHING THAT LINE DOWN.
SO I MADE SURE THAT THAT WAS HANDLED WITHIN AN HOUR OR TWO.
SO, AND THEY DIDN'T HAVE TO WALK OUT THE HOUSE.
MAKE SURE THAT YOU FULLY UNDERSTAND WHAT I'M SAYING.
WHEN YOU BRING IN THE, BRINGING THE SERVICE FROM THE POLE MM-HMM.
YOU, YOU, YOU WRAPPING THE, THE ONE, THE ONE TENS AROUND THE, THE GROUND MM-HMM.
NOW YOU GOT, UH, 220 VOLTS GOING ACROSS YOUR LIGHTS IN THE HOUSE.
I, I'VE BEEN IN A SITUATION WITH ABOVE EXPLODES OUT THE, OUT THE CEILING.
I GO, WHEN I, WHEN I RAN ACROSS A SITUATION LIKE THAT, I WENT BACK TO THE POLE AND THE GROUND WAS BROKE.
AS YOU AUTOMATICALLY PUT TWO, PUT, UH, 220 ACROSS HERE, WHAT'S NORMALLY ONE 10, AND YOU KNOW, YOUR FLYING ARE GONNA SOUND LIKE AN AIRPLANE, AND YOU, YOUR, YOUR WASHING MACHINE TAKES OFF LIKE A, IT JUST, BUT, BUT YOU, MY POINT IS, DO YOU HAVE SERVICE PEOPLE LOOKING OUT FOR THOSE KIND OF THINGS? YES.
OUR SERVICE MEMBERS, THEY'RE DRIVING THROUGH THE NEIGHBORHOODS AND COMING BACK OR DOING JOBS AROUND THE AREA.
THAT'S THE NUMBER ONE THING IS SAFETY.
SO IF A, A CUSTOMER TRACKS 'EM DOWN AND SAY, HEY, THIS, THIS GROUND IS COMING OUT, OR IT DOESN'T LOOK SAFE, THEY LOOK AT TO IT, LOOK INTO IT, AND ON SPOT THEY WILL CREATE A WORK TICKET SO THAT THEY, UH, SO THAT IT'S KNOWN THAT THEY CORRECTED IT ON THE SPOT.
SO THAT'S SOMETHING THAT THEY DO DO.
IF SOMEONE TRACK 'EM DOWN AND SAY, HEY, THIS IS NOT SAFE.
THEY HAVE, THEY CONTACT THE SERVICE CENTER AND HAVE THEM CREATE, UH, CREATE A TICKET, WHICH IS THE D O C FOR THEM.
I, I REALIZED AFTER DOING A LOT OF ELECTRICAL WORK, I REALIZED A LOT OF, A LOT, A LOT OF, UH, HOMEOWNER'S POLICIES PAID FOR LIGHTNING STRIKES WHEN IT REALLY WAS JUST, IT WAS COMING FROM, FROM THE SERVICE, FROM THE, THE POLE WHERE THE GROUND WAS BROKE.
AND IT, IT, IT SEEMED LIKE THE LIGHTNING HIT IT, IT'D DESTROY ALL YOUR EQUIPMENT.
AND IF THAT'S THE ISSUE, SOMETIMES WHAT WE COULD DO, IF YOU FEEL LIKE THERE'S SOMETHING WRONG WITH THE LIGHTING, IF YOU SEE LIKE SOMETIME BRIGHT GETTING DIMM OR SOMETHING LIKE THAT.
THAT'S WHAT YOU CAN DIMM ON ONE SIDE OF THE HOUSE AND BRIGHT ON THE OTHER SIDE OF THE HOUSE, WE CAN, UH, PUT A RECORDER ON THAT LINE TO SEE IF THERE'S AN ISSUE WITH THE VOTERS COMING INTO THE HOUSE OR THE BUILDING.
THAT WAY WE CAN DETAIL OR, OR PINPOINT EXACTLY WHAT'S GOING ON.
OR IF YOU JUST WANT THAT TO SEE, HEY, I, I DON'T FEEL SAFE.
I'VE HAD THAT WITH THE CUSTOMER WHERE THE, IT WAS WITH THE CHURCH, AND HE WANTED TO ENSURE THAT THE VOLTAGE HE WAS RECEIVING INTO THE CHURCH WAS THE AMOUNT CORRECT.
BECAUSE HE FELT HE WAS GETTING TOO MUCH.
SO WE COULD PUT A RECORDER TO ENSURE THAT HE'S GETTING THE CORRECT VOLTAGE.
BUT LIKE I SAID, ANYONE THAT REACH OUT TO CONTACT ME, I'M OPEN TO DOING WHATEVER THEY WANT AS FAR AS THAT TO MAKE SURE THAT THEY'RE SAFE.
IN ADDITION, ONE THING WHEN YOU, WHEN THE, WHEN YOUR PEOPLE CALLING IN THE LIGHTS OUT, ALL MOST OF YOUR POLLS HAS A, HAS A NUMBER ON IT MOST.
AND I'VE CONTACTED THEM ABOUT THAT.
AND THAT'S WHAT I WAS WORKING WITH THE GRANTS MANAGER TO GET.
UH, WHAT WE HAVE NOW IS CALLED D LOCK LOCATIONS.
AND MY QUESTION WAS, LIKE, FOR THE CITY AND FOR THE GRANTS, I WANT TO TRY AND GET THEM A MAP.
AND THAT'S WHAT I'M CURRENTLY TRYING TO GET.
SO DID YOU GUYS KNOW EVERY SINGLE STREET LIGHT THAT YOU HAVE IN THE CITY? MM-HMM.
BUT I'M CURRENTLY WORKING ON THAT SO THAT YOU GUYS KNOW, BECAUSE WHAT THEY GO BY IS A D LOCK LOCATION, WHICH HAS NUMBERS, AND YOU PLUG THEM IN AND IT KIND OF PINPOINTS THAT LOCATION BY G P SS.
BUT I'M WORKING ON THAT TO KIND OF GET IT ACCURATE.
AND LIKE YOU GUYS WERE SAYING BACK THEN, LIKE I BELIEVE TWO YEARS AGO, AS FAR AS RECEIVING THAT 50,000, I THINK BECAUSE OF THE, UH, AMOUNT OF LIGHTS THAT YOU WERE BEING BILLED MM-HMM.
AND THAT'S SOMETHING THAT I DID TAKE, UH, TALK TO THE STREETLIGHT COORDINATOR, AARON SOLE, TO MAKE SURE THAT YOU GUYS WERE GOOD.
AND I THINK AT LEAST, UH, SHE WAS PROBABLY OFF ONE OR TWO LIGHTS BEING ADDED TO NEW NEIGHBORHOODS THAT PROBABLY BEEN BUILT SINCE.
BUT, AND ONE OTHER THING YOU, YOU MAY WANT TO ADD TO YOUR LIST OF THINGS TO LOOK OUT FOR.
[03:25:01]
A LOT OF TIMES THE TELEPHONE LINES, INSTEAD OF THEM GROUNDING IT TO THE EARTH GROUND, THAT PIPE COMING OUT, COMING OUT OF THE CONDUIT, THEY WRAPPED IT, THEY WRAP, IT WAS STRAP AROUND THAT THAT'S NOT A GROUND.WE SAW THAT AT, UH, LAMAR COLLEGE, ACTUALLY.
THE TELEPHONE LINE WITH THAT WRAPPED.
AND THEY ACTUALLY HAD MULTIPLE OF THEM, UH, THAT WE CANNOT TOUCH THEIR LINES, THAT WE REACH OUT.
BUT IF I GO OUT TO IT, I HAVE A CONTACT WITH AT T WITH CHARTER, AND I CONTACT THEIR GUYS TO COME OUT IMMEDIATELY IF THE, ESPECIALLY SOMETHING LIKE THAT, BECAUSE IT WASN'T DONE CORRECTLY.
BUT THESE ARE SAFETY ITEMS. POINT OF ORDER.
MY POINT IS THAT WE, WE, WE WERE TALKING ABOUT THE STREET LIGHTS AND COUNCIL WILLIAMS, WE, WE, HE'S A SAFETY, BUT IT KILLED A KID.
KILLED A LITTLE KID ON THE TELEPHONE.
BUT WE HAVE A LOT OF ACCIDENTS.
WE GOT, WE GOT MORE TO COVER IT.
THANK YOU MR. ARMSTRONG, FOR, FOR YOUR REPORT.
COUNCILMAN KINLAW, HAVE YOU GAINED ENOUGH, UH, KNOWLEDGE AND INFORMATION FROM HIM TO BE, UH, UH, CONFIDENT IN WHAT YOUR REQUEST WAS? YES.
[III.B. (4) A Presentation By Nick Brake With Lamar University' s Department Of Civil And Environmental Engineering Regarding A Proposal For The Deployment Of Low- Cost Sensors In Southeast Texas]
PRESENTATION BY NICK BREAK WITH, UH, LAMAR UNIVERSITY'S DEPARTMENT OF SILVER AND ENVIRONMENTAL ENGINEERING REGARDING A PROPOSAL FOR THE DEPLOYMENT OF LOW COST SENSORS IN THE SOUTHEAST TEXAS REGION.WHAT WE'VE GIVEN YOU ALL TONIGHT IS WHAT POLITICAL SCIENCE MAJORS DEAL WITH AT LAMAR UNIVERSITY.
SO YOU JUST, I'LL, I CAN'T, I CAN'T, CAN'T CROSS TRAINING FOR YOU TONIGHT.
CAN'T SPEAK FOR THE POLITICAL SCIENCE, UH, MAJORS, BUT, UH, CIVIL ENGINEERS, UH, AND, AND LAMAR WERE WORKING HARD TO, UH, SOLVE A LOT OF THE FLOODING ISSUES AND INFRASTRUCTURE ISSUES.
SO, UM, NOT ONLY MYSELF, BUT CIVIL ENGINEERS, WELL, ALL AROUND THE WORLD.
WELL, WHERE YOU COULD BE A LITTLE CLOSER TO MIC SCHOOL.
CIVIL ENGINEERS ALL THE WAY AROUND THE WORLD.
UM, ANYWAYS, THANK YOU VERY MUCH FOR ALLOWING ME TO SPEAK.
I'LL TRY TO BE AS BRIEF AS POSSIBLE GIVEN THAT WE'RE CROSSING THE THREE AND A HALF HOUR, UH, MARK.
UM, AND THE PURPOSE OF THIS, UH, PRESENTATION IS JUST TO GIVE YOU, UH, AN UPDATE ON, ON THE PROJECT THAT WE'VE BEEN WORKING ON THAT AS PART OF THE, UH, OR WITH THE, UH, LAMAR UNIVERSITY.
SO, UH, CENTER FOR RESILIENCY, UH, THE NAME OF THE PROJECT IS THE DEPLOYMENT OF LOW COST SENSORS IN SOUTHEAST TEXAS.
SO BASICALLY TWO YEARS AGO, WE FORMED A PARTNERSHIP WITH THE DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY, UH, AND THE TEXAS DEPARTMENT OF E EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT.
UM, AND WE WORKED IN ACQUIRING ABOUT 70 FLOOD SENSORS, LOW COST FED SENSORS WITH THE IDEA OR THE INTENTION OF DEPLOYING THESE SENSORS THROUGHOUT THE, UH, SOUTHEAST TEXAS REGION SEVEN COUNTY REGION, FINDING IDENTIFYING AREAS WHERE THERE'S SENSOR COVERAGE GAPS, UH, AND, AND DEPLOYING THESE LOW COST ASSETS IN THESE AREAS, UH, WITH THE IDEA OF, UH, USING THIS INFORMATION AND, AND, AND, AND STORING THIS DATA IN PUBLIC REPOSITORIES WHERE, WHERE THE CITIZENS AND, AND ALSO EMERGENCY MANAGERS CAN USE THIS, UH, INFORMATION, UH, DURING, DURING, UH, FLOODING EVENTS.
SO OVER THE COURSE OF TWO YEARS, WE'VE, UH, NOW DEPLOYED OVER 80 SENSORS.
AND, YOU KNOW, I'M JUST GONNA GO OVER AND BRIEF WHAT THESE SENSORS LOOK LIKE AND, AND WHAT WE HOPE TO DO OVER THE NEXT THREE YEARS.
UH, THIS IS A LIST OF OOPS, OF, OOPS.
SO THIS IS A LIST OF, OF THE PARTNERS THAT WE'VE WORKED WITH SO FAR, UM, FROM CITY OF BEAUMONT, UH, THE RIVER AUTHORITIES AND DRAINAGE DISTRICTS, AND SEVERAL COUNTIES, UH, THROUGHOUT THE AREA.
AND, AND, AND INDUSTRIAL PARTNERS AS WELL.
EXXONMOBIL, UM, UM, AS WELL AS, UH, AS WELL AS MOTIVA, UH, AND, AND, AND PORT ARTHUR.
SO, UH, THE LIST IS, IS WIDE AND WE NOW HOPE TO WORK WITH THE CITY, UM, AND, AND WORK CITY STAFF AND, AND PUBLIC WORKS DEPARTMENT, AND DEPLOY MORE OF THESE SENSORS, UH, THROUGHOUT, THROUGHOUT THE CITY.
UM, BASICALLY HOW THEY WORK, THEY'RE, THEY TRANSMIT DATA VIA CELLULAR, UH, UH, DATA USING, UH, CELLULAR TOWERS, TRANSMIT DATA, AND, UH, TRANSMITS, UH, TWO FORMS DATA.
ONE, UH, IT TELLS YOU THE RAIN INTENSITY AND ALSO IT TELLS YOU THE WATER LEVEL IN A DITCH OR IN A STREAM.
AND WE CAN USE THIS INFORMATION TO FIGURE OUT IF A STREAM OR, OR DITCH IS, HAS BEEN O HAS BEEN FLOODED OR OVERRUN OR TOPPED, THE WATER'S TOPPED OVER AND, AND GONE ONTO, UM, NEARBY ROADWAY.
SO THERE'S NOTHING BEYOND THAT?
[03:30:06]
WELL, THAT'S WHY I BROUGHT THE ACTUAL SENSOR ITSELF, JUST IN CASE IT'S IN THE PACKET.SO, SO BASICALLY, UM, IT'S A LOW COST UNIT.
THEY USUALLY RUN ABOUT LESS THAN, YOU KNOW, SIX, $6,000 IN SOLAR POWERED.
AND, AND THEY'RE PLACED, AND THEY'RE RELATIVELY LIGHTWEIGHT AND THEY'RE PLACED, THEY CAN BE PLACED IN REMOTE LOCATIONS WHERE THEY'RE CELL SERVICE.
AND, UM, YOU CAN HOOK IT UP TO A CABLE THAT MEASURES THE WATER LEVELS OF, OF A STREAM OR A DITCH, AND IT TRANSMITS IT BACK TO A, A GENERAL REPOSITORY.
UM, THE REPOSITORY, WE'RE WORKING IN PARTNERSHIP WITH, UH, THE SABINE RIVER AUTHORITY.
UM, AND JUST, YOU KNOW, WHAT IT LOOKS LIKE.
AND WE'RE WORKING IN PARTNERSHIP WITH, WITH THE SABINE RIVER AUTHORITY, UM, TO, UH, SHOW THE DATA, UM, IN A PUB, IN A PUBLIC, UH, IN A PUBLIC WEBSITE LIKE THIS.
SO CITIZENS CAN, CAN TRACK, YOU KNOW, HOW, HOW HIGH A WATER, UH, HOW HIGH A WATER LEVEL IS IN A RIVER, UM, OR HOW MUCH RAIN THERE IS IN A GIVEN LOCATION.
EMERGENCY MANAGERS CAN USE IT AS WELL TO, TO FIGURE OUT, UM, WHAT THE WATER LEVEL IS IN RELATION TO NEARBY INFRASTRUCTURE.
UH, THIS IS SOME PHOTOGRAPHS OF SOME CURRENT INSTALLATIONS THAT THEY LOOK LIKE IN THE FIELD.
UM, THIS WAS ON A, A CANAL, UH, UH, OWNED BY THE, BY L M V A.
AND THIS IS ONE IN, IN PORT AIS WITH A RAIN GAUGE.
SO JUST GIVE YOU A, A GENERAL OVERVIEW.
SO WE'VE INSTALLED 73, UM, YOU KNOW, WHAT IN MY GRAD STUDENTS AND, AND, UM, SENSOR NETWORK MANAGER HAVE INSTALLED, YOU KNOW, CLOSE TO, CLOSE TO 80 NOW, UM, OVER THE, THE LAST TWO YEARS.
SO THE IDEA MOVING FORWARD NOW IS TO INSTALL AT LEAST 20 MORE OVER THE NEXT THREE YEARS.
AND WE HOPE TO INSTALL SOME OF THOSE 20 THAT WE'RE ACQUIRING THROUGH VARIOUS GRANTS.
THIS ONE IN PARTICULAR THAT WE USED TO, UM, THAT WE WERE USING TO ACQUIRE THIS, THIS, THIS NEW SENSOR ASSETS WAS, IS THE DEPARTMENT ENERGY GRANT.
UM, THAT WAS IN PARTNERSHIP WITH, UH, U T AUSTIN AND PRAIRIE VIEW A AND M LAMAR UNIVERSITY, UM, TEXAS A AND M, UH, OAK RIDGE NATIONAL LAB, YOU KNOW, BA MASSIVE PROJECTS, ABOUT $17 MILLION PROJECT AND 5 MILLION WENT TO LAMAR UNIVERSITY.
AND WE'RE USING THAT PART OF THAT MONEY TO, TO BUY MORE OF THESE, THESE SENSOR ASSETS.
AND NOW WE HOPE TO WORK WITH THE CITY, UM, OF PORT ARTHUR TO INSTALL, UM, A FEW OF THESE SENSORS THROUGHOUT THE CITY.
SO, UM, THEY'RE USEFUL FOR BOTH LOCAL OR AT THE, AT THE LOCAL LEVEL FOR, FOR PRI PRIVATE CITIZENS TO VIEW.
'CAUSE ALL THIS DATA'S BEING SHARED IN THE PUBLIC REPOSITORY.
UM, AND, UM, IT'S USEFUL FOR EMERGENCY MANAGERS AT THE LOCAL LEVEL AND ALSO USEFUL FOR EMERGENCY MANAGERS AT THE STATE AND EVEN FEDERAL LEVEL.
UH, THIS, THIS DATA IS SHARED WITH, UH, TXDOT AND, UH, OUR SENSORS ARE, ARE POPULATED ON THE DRIVE TEXAS.ORG WEBSITE.
SO THERE'S, UH, AND, UH, A ROAD THAT GETS INUNDATED, UM, FROM COMING FROM OUR SENSORS THAT, THAT ARE DETECTING THIS INUNDATION.
THIS INFORMATION GETS SENT OVER TO DRIVE TEXAS.ORG, SO YOU CAN SEE IT POPULATED THERE AS WELL.
SO THERE'S AN IMPACT BOTH AT THE LOCAL LEVEL AND, AND THEN ALSO AT THE STATE AND AND FEDERAL LEVEL.
WE SHARE, WE SHARE THE DATA ALSO WITH THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE.
SO, SO IT HAS BENEFITS, YOU KNOW, AT EVERY, YOU KNOW, AT EVERY, AT EVERY LEVEL IF HE, UH, YOU COULD SAY.
SO, UM, UH, SO YEAH, SO THAT'S, YOU KNOW, BASICALLY WHERE WE'RE AT, THE IDEA IS, IS TO AT LEAST INSTALL TWO, UM, IN, IN PORT ARTHUR AND THIS, THIS YEAR.
WE HAVE, UM, I BELIEVE 12 MORE, UH, AS PART OF THIS PROJECT.
SO, UM, DEFINITELY, HOPEFULLY MORE THAN MORE THAN TWO OVER THE NEXT FEW YEARS.
UH, AND WE HOPE TO ACQUIRE MORE IN THE FUTURE, PROBABLY 30 MORE.
WE APPLIED FOR A SERIES OF GRANTS TO APPLY FOR MORE.
SO, UM, IDEA AGAIN, IS TO IDENTIFY AREAS THAT AREN'T WELL COVERED IN TERMS OF RAIN GAUGES AND WATER LEVEL SENSORS, AND THEN PLACE MORE SENSORS AT THESE LOCATIONS.
UM, AND, AND HOPEFULLY HELP EMERGENCY MANAGERS WITH, UM, YOU KNOW, ROADWAY, UH, WITH TRAFFIC PATTERNS DURING, DURING, UH, DURING FLOODING EVENTS AND OTHER EMERGENCIES.
IS THAT, IS THAT IT? THAT, THAT, THAT'S IT.
IT, UH, UH, COUNCILMAN BECKHAM.
HOW DO YOU DETERMINE WHERE TO PUT THESE SENSORS? UM, SO WE'VE USED, FOR THE 70 THAT ARE OUT THERE, OR 80 THAT ARE OUT THERE NOW, UM, A MULTI-PRONGED APPROACH.
SO, UH, FIRST LAYER ARE LOCAL STAKEHOLDERS.
SO THIS MEANS THAT WE REACH OUT TO THE ENGINEERS, UM, FLOODPLAIN MANAGERS FOR THE, FOR THE COUNTIES OR FOR THE CITIES, UM, UH, PUBLIC WORKS DIRECTORS, ET CETERA.
AND WE, THAT'S THE FIRST LAYER.
SECOND LAYER IS, IS A MODELING APPROACH.
[03:35:01]
MAPS, FIGURE OUT WHERE THERE'S FLOOD PRO AREAS ON THE MAPS, UM, ALSO CRITICAL INFRASTRUCTURE.SO WE FIND OUT WHERE CRITICAL INFRASTRUCTURE IS, IS NEARBY, WE PRIORITIZE THAT AND, AND THEN, UH, THE VULNERABILITY, UM, OF A PARTICULAR COMMUNITY AS WELL.
AND WHEN YOU SAY FLOOD PRONE AREAS, ARE YOU TALKING ABOUT, UH, JUST A NORMAL RAIN SHOWER OR SOME EVENT LIKE HURRICANE HARVEY WHERE AREAS THAT NEVER FLOODED BEFORE BECAME BOAT LAUNCHES? THAT, THAT'S, THAT'S AN IN, THAT'S A VERY GOOD QUESTION.
UM, NORMALLY SENSOR ASSETS ARE OWNED BY FLOOD CONTROL DISTRICTS OR U S G S, WHICH ARE GONNA BE IN MAJOR RIVERS AND STREAMS WHERE YOU SEE MAJOR, MAJOR FLOODING, WHERE THESE SENSORS, WE CAN BE PLACED IN URBAN AREAS WHERE IT MAY NOT EXPERIENCE, UM, RIVERINE BASED FLOODING.
UH, YOU MAY EXPERIENCE MORE FREQUENT FLOODING, UM, ROADS THAT GET INUNDATED VERY RAPIDLY AND THEN RECEDE.
UM, AND WE HOPE TO CAPTURE THESE EVENTS WITH THESE SENSORS.
NORMALLY, YOU WOULDN'T PUT A VERY EXPENSIVE GAUGE IN AN AREA LIKE THIS THAT DOESN'T EXPERIENCE NECESSARILY CATASTROPHIC FLOODING BECAUSE THE SENSORS ARE VERY EXPENSIVE, THEY'RE HARD TO MAINTAIN WITH THESE, THEY'RE LOWER COST, AND YOU CAN DENSIFY A CERTAIN AREA, YOU CAN DENSIFY AN AREA, UM, WITH THE, WITH THESE ASSETS.
SO TO ANSWER TO THAT QUESTION, UM, WE'RE PLACING 'EM IN AREAS, BOTH IN THE RIVER AREAS THAT CAN HAVE VERY HIGH WATER LEVEL FLUCTUATIONS AND, AND ALSO AREAS THAT MAY EXPERIENCE WHAT WE'VE TERMED NUISANCE FLOODING, ALTHOUGH THERE'S A BETTER WORD FOR THAT.
BUT, SO THE TWO THAT ARE GONNA BE IN PORT ARTHUR NOW, WHERE ARE THEY LOCATED? THEY'RE NOT INSTALLED YET.
AND WE'RE JUST TAKING, WE'RE IN THE FIRST STEPS RIGHT NOW, JUST IN DISCUSSIONS WITH THE CITY RIGHT NOW.
UH, THE CITY STAFF, ENGINEERING STAFF, PUBLIC WORKS DEPARTMENT, DRAINS DEPARTMENT, UM, TO FIGURE OUT WHERE THEY'RE GONNA BE PLACED.
WE HAVEN'T DECIDED EXACTLY WHERE THEY'RE GONNA BE PLACED.
SO WE'VE GOTTEN SOME FEEDBACK FROM THE INUNDATION MAPS AND FROM, UM, FROM OUR, OUR, YOU KNOW, LOCATIONS OF THE CRITICAL INFRASTRUCTURE AND ALL THAT.
BUT NOW WE'RE, WE'RE IN DISCUSSIONS WITH THE LOCAL STAKEHOLDER.
WE'RE TRYING TO GET THAT DATA LAYER SET AND THEN WE WILL, UH, CITY WILL DECIDE.
WHEN IT COMES TIME FOR A DECISION TO BE MADE, CAN COUNSEL HAVE SOME INPUT OR AT LEAST KNOW WHAT DIRECTION WE'RE GOING AS TO WHERE THESE SENSORS WILL BE PLACED? YES, MA'AM.
SO AFTER YOU DESEGREGATE THE DATA AND YOU, WILL YOU BE MAKING RECOMMENDATIONS TO STAFF ABOUT, UH, INFRASTRUCTURE OR ANY KIND OF RECOMMENDATIONS TO THE CITY ABOUT WHAT WE NEED TO DO BASED UPON THE DATA THAT YOU, THAT YOU RECEIVE FROM THESE SENSORS? NO, THE, THE INTENTION IS FOR THE CITY TO USE THE DATA BECAUSE THEY'RE GOING TO HAVE ACCESS TO THE DATA AND EVERYONE'S GONNA HAVE ACCESS TO THE DATA.
SO ENGINEERING FIRMS THAT THE CITY MAY HIRE, UH, CAN, CAN USE THE DATA, NUMBER ONE, TO MAKE NEW HYDROLOGICAL MODELS, UM, TO IMPROVE MODELING.
WE CAN USE THIS DATA TO CALIBRATE MODELS, WHICH IS, YOU KNOW, ONE BENEFIT.
UM, AND, AND THEN ALSO FOR EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT PURPOSES.
SO THE DATA'S GONNA BE AVAILABLE AND CAN BE USED BY THE CITY ENGINEERING FIRMS THAT YOU MAY HIRE IN THE FUTURE TO MAKE THOSE TYPE OF DECISIONS.
SO FOR US, LAMAR'S ROLE HERE IS ASSET MANAGEMENT, DEPLOYING, HELP IDENTIFY, COMMUNICATE WITH THE STAKEHOLDERS, FIGURE OUT WHAT BEST, WHAT LOCATIONS ARE BEST, UM, AND THEN, AND THEN INSTALL THEM.
UM, HOW FAMILIAR ARE YOU WITH THE PROGRAM FROM TEXAS A AND M? TEXAS A AND M, UH, HAD, UH, I GUESS A FELLOW, UH, WHO, UH, ATTENDED, UH, ONE OF THE PROFESSORS FROM THERE, I, I CALL 'EM A FELLOW BECAUSE WHATEVER THEY CALL IN, IN THEIR PROGRAM CAME ABOUT A YEAR, A YEAR AND A HALF AGO.
DID A PRESENTATION, WORKED WITH SOME STUDENTS, YOU ALL WERE AWARE OF THIS AND WHAT THEY ALL NOW AT, IN THIS PROGRAM, YOU WOULD GO OUT AND TAKE A PICTURE OF RISING WATER OR, AND YOU UPLOADED IT TO SOME NUMBER OR? I'M, I'M, AND I HAVE A LOT OF THE INFORMATION, BUT IT'S BEEN OVER A YEAR, SO I REALLY DON'T WANNA PINCH OFF INTO SAYING SOMETHING USING TERMINOLOGY THAT I'M, I'M KINDA UNFAMILIAR WITH.
BUT DO YOU KNOW ANYTHING ABOUT THAT PROGRAM NOW? IS IS, IS THERE SOME, UH, AND MAYBE YOU SAID IT AND I COULD, I DIDN'T HEAR IT.
IS THERE SOME FINANCIAL OBLIGATION THAT WE WOULD HAVE TO BE A PART OF YOUR PROGRAM? ARE YOU OFFERING IT TO US? JUST HOW DOES THAT FUNCTION? BECAUSE I KNOW WITH THE ONE FROM TEXAS A AND M, IT WAS JUST
[03:40:01]
OUR UPLOADED INFORMATION TO THEM, AND I, I THINK, UH, IT WOULD DISSEMINATED OR USED IN THE FUTURE AS FAR AS PREVENTATIVE MEASURES ON, ON, UH, RISING WATER.SO IS YOUR PROGRAM SIMILARLY STRUCTURED? WELL, I CAN'T SPEAK TO THE TEXAN M PROJECT.
I BELIEVE I'M SOMEWHAT FAMILIAR, UH, WITH A PROJECT THAT WAS, UH, THE, THE PI, UH, OF THE PARTICULAR, I'M THINKING OF SIMILAR, TAKING PICTURES, AND THEY PRESENTED AT ONE OF OUR FLOOD COORDINATION STUDIES.
I BELIEVE THAT'S A PROJECT YOU'RE REFERRING TO.
UM, HOWEVER, IT'S, IT'S, THIS PROJECT IS GOING TO BE HANDS OFF, UM, FINANCIALLY, UH, FROM THE C FROM THE CITY STANDPOINT, UM, IN THAT THE LAMAR UNIVERSITY, UH, OR THE PROJECT IS GOING TO BE FULLY FUNDING THE SENSOR UNITS AND, AND MAINTAINING THEM.
NOW, UH, WE IN, IN SOME CASES, JUST TO GIVE YOU AN EXAMPLE, UH, THERE, THERE'S SENSORS IN INSIDE OF PRIVATE LAND OR, OR IN, IN, IN SOME REFINERIES OR SOME AREAS THAT WE CANNOT ACCESS.
SO WE FORM PARTNERSHIPS TO COMMUNICATE WITH THESE, YOU KNOW, PARTNERS AND SAY, HEY, CAN WE ACCESS THE SITE TO MAINTAIN THE UNITS? SO, UH, AS FAR AS THE SENSORS IN, IN, IN PORT ARTHUR CONCERNED, THE, THE MONEY OR THE FINANCES IS BE FULLY FUNDED BY THE PROJECT.
UH, CITY PORT ARTHUR WON'T PAY FOR ANYTHING.
UH, HOWEVER, WE WILL COMMUNICATE WITH, WITH, UH, FOLKS FROM THE, THE CITY STAFF AND, AND IF THERE'S ANY ACCESS PROBLEMS OR IF THEY WANT TO HELP IN ANY CAPACITY THEY CAN.
BUT IN TERMS OF THE HARD ASSETS, THEY'RE FUNDED BY THE DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY PROJECT.
SO THERE ARE SOME BENEFITS FOR THE CITY TO BE INVOLVED IN THIS.
UH, IN YOUR PRESENTATION, THERE WERE THE, UH, STAKEHOLDERS, UH, WE WEREN'T CONSIDERED PRIOR TO THIS.
UH, SO WE WOULD BE A PART OF THE LIST THAT YOU'RE PRESENTING, OR IT, IT'S JUST BECAUSE I SEE YOU GOT, UH, DISTRICT SEVEN DRAINAGE DISTRICT SEVEN.
OR ANY REASON THAT WE WERE NOT OFFERED THIS WITH, ALONG WITH THESE OTHERS PRIOR, YOU KNOW, PRIOR TO NOW? WELL, I'D SAY WE, WE, WE ARE NOW, WE HAVE 20, YOU KNOW, AND, AND WE'RE TRYING TO DEPLOY, LIKE INITIALLY WHEN, WHEN WE HAD THE PROJECT, WE WERE GIVEN SEVEN MONTHS TO DEPLOY 74 UNITS, YOU KNOW, 74 SITES.
SO WE WERE, IT WAS A MASSIVE, MASSIVE ENTERPRISE.
BUT THIS IS WHAT TO THINK ABOUT HOW MANY ALUMNIS IN LAMAR UNIVERSITY.
THINK MAYBE SOME OTHERS MIGHT BE, AND FOR WHATEVER REASON, I FEEL SLIGHTED, I WANNA BE A PART OF IT.
BUT WHEN I SEE THE CITY OF BEAUMONT, I SEE THE CITY OF POOR NATURES.
I SEE ALL THESE OTHER, THESE OTHER MUNICIPALITIES, AND YOU DON'T COME TO PORT ARTHUR AND THE EQUIPMENT HAS ALREADY BEEN INSTALLED IN THOSE PLACES.
HOWEVER, THANK GOD WE DON'T EVEN NEED NOTHING ABOUT A FLOOD RIGHT NOW.
BUT IF THE HURRICANE THAT'S GONE TO FLORIDA WOULD'VE BEEN COMING HERE, WE WOULDN'T EVEN BE PROTECTED WITH THE TECHNOLOGY THAT I THINK YOU ALL HAVE.
I AM APPALLED THAT MY CITY WAS NOT INVOLVED INITIALLY.
I THANK YOU FOR BEING HERE RIGHT NOW.
BUT TO THOSE WHO ARE LISTENING, THE POWERS THAT BE DON'T DO US THIS IN PORT ARTHUR BECAUSE IT'S NOT WHAT WE ARE ABOUT.
AND I DON'T, AND I, I MEAN, I'M JUST BEING HONEST ABOUT IT.
WHEN YOU TELL ME, YOU, I READ THIS, IT SAYS YOU'VE GOT 75 UNITS OR SOMETHING.
YOU'VE ALL BEEN INSTALLED, OR YOU KNOW, YOU SAID YOU HAD 80, I THINK THIS DOCUMENT SAYS ABOUT 75.
BUT, AND THEN YOU GONNA BRING ME ONE OR TWO IN PORT ARTHUR JUST TO APPEASE ME.
I, YOU KNOW, I JUST DON'T FEEL GOOD ABOUT IT.
IT'S SOMETHING ABOUT THIS, MY SPIRIT IS NOT CONNECTING WITH YOU.
AND MR. MAYOR, UM, I'M BEING HONEST.
AND, AND I, AND I AGREE, RIGHT? I I THINK WE NEED TO GET MANY MORE SENSORS IN, IN, IN PORT ARTHUR.
UM, IT'S, IT'S, IT'S NOT, IT'S, IT'S, THERE'S, THERE'S NOT ENOUGH, UH, DRAINAGE DISTRICT SEVEN DOES HAVE 30, UM, SENSORS IN THEIR, IN THEIR NETWORK.
BUT, YOU KNOW, THEY'RE MOSTLY IN, IN THE DITCHES.
WE WERE THINKING ABOUT GETTING THE SENSORS, UM, IN, IN, IN, IN NEIGHBORHOODS, IN, IN OTHER AREAS, RIGHT? WHERE, WHERE, UH, WE CAN REALLY CAPTURE SOME OF THAT, WHAT WE CALL LIKE NUISANCE FLOODING OR, OR, OR, OR, OR MORE AREAS WHERE WE CAN, WE KNOW EXACTLY WHAT RAIN, WHAT THE RAIN INTENSITIES ARE.
I THINK WE NEED TO HAVE MANY MORE.
YOU DON'T HAVE TO GO THROUGH ALL THAT.
[03:45:01]
TO US FIRST MAN, RIGHT?AND THE AGGIES ARE WORKING WITH US IN THIS PROJECT TOO.
SO WE'RE ALL WORKING TOGETHER.
UT AND, AND A AND M PRAIRIE, PRAIRIE VIEW A M WE'RE ALL WORKING TODAY OAK RIDGE AT THE FEDERAL LEVEL.
SO WE'RE, WE'RE STARTING WITH TWO BECAUSE THAT'S WHAT WE HAVE RIGHT NOW.
BUT WE'RE GONNA HAVE, UM, ANOTHER, ANOTHER 12 AND HOPEFULLY ANOTHER BEYOND THAT, ANOTHER 30, YOU KNOW, WE'RE APPLYING FOR SOME MORE GRANTS, YOU KNOW, SO THIS AREA IS GOING TO, IS IS GONNA BE PRIORITIZED.
PRIORITIZED FOR, NO, WE WANNA BE, BECAUSE THIS IS THE TYPE OF TECHNOLOGY I BELIEVE THAT'S GOING TO EVEN, UH, NECESSITATE GRANTS THAT WOULD COME DOWN TO HELP WITH INFRASTRUCTURE IMPROVEMENTS.
I, I CAN SEE WHAT YOU ARE SAYING IS SOMETHING THAT MAYBE THE DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY OR INTERIOR, WHOMEVER, IT WOULD BE THAT, THAT WOULD BE DEALING WITH GRANTING MUNICIPALITIES MONEY TO IMPROVE.
AND THIS MAY BE SOME OF THE DATA THAT THEY ASK FOR, BUT IF WE ARE NOT INCLUDED AND WE DON'T, WE AND WE CAN'T SUPPLY THE DATA, THEN WE CAN'T BE CONSIDERED FOR THE ASSISTANCE TO IMPROVE OUR INFRASTRUCTURE.
THAT'S JUST FROM A GOVERNMENTAL POINT OF VIEW THAT I'VE LEARNED IN MY FEW YEARS OF BEING MAYOR HERE AND WHAT THEY ARE REQUIRING ON THESE DIFFERENT, UH, GRANT APPLICATIONS.
AND WHEN YOU ARE GOING TO THESE DIFFERENT, UH, CABINET LEVEL POSITIONS NOW THE WAY GRANTING AND FUNDING IS BEING DONE.
SO, YOU KNOW, I DON'T KNOW WHO THE POWERS OUGHT TO BE, BUT TELL 'EM, YOU KNOW, MAYOR BARTY IS REALLY NOT, UH, HAPPY ABOUT YOU COMING TO HIM LAST, BUT HE GONNA BE A PART OF IT.
I CAN'T SPEAK FOR EVERYBODY, BUT I BELIEVE BECAUSE I WOULDN'T SAY WE NOT GOING TO DO IT BECAUSE THEN WE GONNA REALLY ELIMINATE OURSELVES FROM HAVING ANYTHING TO SUPPORT US DATA WISE.
BUT TELL 'EM DON'T THINK OF US LIKE THAT.
WE INTEND TO INSTALL MANY IN THE FUTURE.
YOU WANNA SAY SOMETHING? ALRIGHT, COME ON.
JUST WANTED TO, TO MENTION, HE WAS MENTIONING THE D O E GRANT THAT'S FROM THE DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY, RIGHT? THIS IS A NEW GRANT.
SO A LOT OF STUFF YOU HEARING NOW IS LIKE HE MENTIONED WE, THE D O E GRANT PURCHASED JUST PURCHASES THE, UH, EQUIPMENT.
SO WHEN YOU HEARD FROM TEXAS A AND M, THEY'RE ALSO A PARTNER ON THE D O E GRANT, BUT THEY'RE THE COMMUNITY RELATIONS PART.
SO YOU HEARD FROM THE, I'M, I'M GUESSING TEXAS TARGET COMMUNITIES.
THAT'S WHO IT IS FROM TEXAS A AND M.
SO THIS IS ALL JUST GETTING STARTED.
SO YOU HEARING YOU, YOU JUST GOT TWO, BUT THIS IS THE FIRST YEAR AND WE JUST GETTING ROLLING ON BUYING NEW ONES FROM THE DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY GRANT.
'CAUSE IT'S A MULTI GRANT PROJECT, RIGHT.
YEAH, IT'S A MULTI-YEAR PROJECT.
BUT WE PURCHASED WITH MORE THAN ONE GRAND, RIGHT.
YOU ALL GIVE THE CITY MANAGER AND, AND DEPARTMENT FOLK AND WHATEVER THIS COUNCIL HAS TO DO AS FAR AS, YOU KNOW, BEING THE SIGN ON, YOU'VE, YOU'VE PRESENTED TO US.
AND I THINK EVERYONE UP HERE KNOWS AND UNDERSTANDS THE, THE IMPORTANCE OF, OF, UH, YEAH.
I WANT YOU TO, HOW WE'RE LIVING RIGHT NOW IN, IN THE 21ST CENTURY.
I DON'T WANT YOU TO FEEL LIKE YOU'RE GETTING LEFT OUT.
I'LL MAKE SURE, BUT I STILL FEEL I WAS LEFT OUT THOUGH.
IT'S JUST THAT THIS IS THE INITIAL PHASE.
BUT I'M, I'M, I'M GONNA GIVE YOU A CHANCE TO RECTIFY.
I'M GONNA GIVE, I'M GONNA GIVE YOU A CHANCE TO RECTIFY.
ANYONE ELSE HAVE ANY, ANYTHING ELSE? OKAY.
AND I, NOT TO CUT YOU SHORT, BUT I'M HAVE TO CUT YOU SHORT.
I'VE BEEN HEARING SOME OTHER THINGS, OTHER
THANK YOU VERY MUCH FOR HAVING, I'M GOOD.
ALL A FOOTBALL GAME THIS THURSDAY,
OKAY, NEXT WE HAVE, THERE IS LISTED AT NUMBER FIVE, A PRESENTATION BY STAFF REGARDING STREET, UH, COMPLETIONS BY DISTRICTS AND, UH, FUTURE STREET PROJECTS REQUESTED BY COUNCIL MEMBER KEN LAW.
WE ARE GOING TO, UH, PREEMPT THAT ONE AND IT'LL BE DONE AT THE NEXT, UH, COUNCIL MEETING, I THINK ON THE 12TH.
ON THE, ON, ON THE 12TH, UH, AT EMPLOYEE RECOGNITION, WE DON'T HAVE ANY CORRESPONDENCE.
THERE'S ONE DISCUSSION POINT, A DISCUSSION REGARDING A COMPLETE CITYWIDE LIGHT EMITTING.
I, I'M SO GLAD YOU, YOU, YOU SAID THAT.
I THOUGHT YOU DID, BUT I JUST DIDN'T KNOW.
NOW WHAT WE CAN DO IS LET'S GO TO, UH, ROMAN NUMBER FIVE ON PAGE FOUR.
AND IF THERE BE ANY REPORTS OR ITEMS OF A COMMUNITY INTEREST, UH, WE ARE READY TO RECEIVE THOSE.
[03:50:01]
IF, IF ANY COUNCIL MEMBER HAS ANYTHING OF, UH, COMMUNITY INTEREST, YOU MAY DO THAT.NOW I GATHER THERE AREN'T ANY, UH, WHAT WE WANNA DO IS MOVE
[VI. (1) P. R. No. 23285 — A Resolution Nominating A Member And/ Or Members To The Board Of Directors Of The Orange County Appraisal District For The 2024 — 2025 Term]
NOW TO UNFINISHED BUSINESS.UNFINISHED BUSINESS ON PAGE FIVE, WOMAN NUMERAL SIX, I BELIEVE IT IS.
AND IT SAYS, UH, P R NUMBER 2 3 2 8 5.
IT'S A RESOLUTION NOMINATING A MEMBER OR MEMBERS OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS OF THE ORANGE COUNTY APPRAISER DISTRICT FOR THE 20 24 20 25 TERM.
YOU HAVE THE NAME OF CITY SECRETARY OR DID YOU WANT TO DO ANY TYPE OF EXPLANATION? CITY ATTORNEY.
IT'S SOMETHING THAT WE'VE DONE BEFORE.
WE HAVE BASICALLY THE SAME NAME TO, UH, RESUBMIT AND THEY WILL LET US KNOW IF THEY CONSIDER IT OR NOT.
THE NAME, THE NAME OF THAT I TURNED IN WAS, UH, WAYNE SPARROW LIVES IN ORANGE COUNTY.
IT WAS A NAME THAT WE PRESENTED BEFORE.
HOWEVER, UH, HE WASN'T ACCEPTED 'CAUSE THERE WAS AN INDIVIDUAL THAT, UH, BECAUSE OF THE NUMBER OF VOTES AND THE WAY IT'S DONE IN ORANGE COUNTY.
BUT I WANT, I, IF, IF WE WOULD AGREE THIS, UH, UH, WE SUBMIT HIS NAME AND HE WOULD REPRESENT US WITH WHAT? 49 VOTES OUT OF 5,000.
SO THAT'S KIND OF WHY WE CAN'T GET ANYBODY ON THERE.
WE HAVE A GENTLEMAN, WAYNE SPARROW, WHO LIVES IN THE CITY OF BEAUMONT, I MEAN, I'M SURE.
EXCUSE, I'M SORRY, CITY OF ORANGE.
SO WITH THAT MEASURE A MOTION ON HIS UNFINISHED BUSINESS, UH, PR NUMBER 23 85 2 85 WITH THAT PARTICULAR NAME, UH, COUNCILWOMAN HAMILTON.
AND SECOND THAT WE WOULD APPROVE PR NUMBER 2 3 2 8 5 WITH THE NAME OF WAYNE SPARROW BEING INSERTED AS THE PERSON, UH, FOR MEMBERSHIP ON THE BOARD IN ORANGE COUNTY.
ARE WE READY FOR QUESTION UNDER THE QUESTION? YOU READY TO VOTE? ALL IN FAVOR? ANY OPPOSES? AYE.
SO AS ORDERED, WE WOULD APPROVE PR NUMBER 20.
[VII. CONSENT AGENDA]
THE CONSENT AGENDA.CONSENT AGENDA HAS ITEMS OF ROUTINE NATURE AND BASICALLY ADMINISTRATIVE ITEMS. THERE MAY BE ITEMS THAT A COUNCIL PERSON WOULD WANT WITHDRAWN FROM THIS, UH, PARTICULAR, UH, ITEM.
UH, ON THE AGENDA, IF YOU WOULD LIKE THE ITEMS WITHDRAWN, WHAT WE CAN ACTUALLY DO IS YOU CAN LET ME KNOW, PLEASE LET ME KNOW THE PAGE NUMBER AND THE ITEM NUMBER PAGE AND ITEM NUMBER BECAUSE THAT'S THE WAY I CAN KEEP UP WITH IT.
ANY OTHER ITEMS ANYONE HAS ON THE CONSENT AGENDA? ANY OTHER ITEMS ON THE CONSENT AGENDA? ANY OTHER ITEMS? MAY I GET A MOTION TO APPROVE THE CONSENT AGENDA WITH THE EXCEPTION OF ITEM UH, NUMBER 10 ON PAGE SEVEN, COUNCILMAN ETT.
AND SECOND, THAT WE WOULD ACCEPT THE CONSENT AGENDA WITH THE EX WITH THE EXCLUSION OF THE ONE WITHDRAW ITEM.
ANY QUESTIONS ON THIS? YOU HONOR ANY QUESTIONS? YOU'RE READY TO VOTE? ALL IN FAVOR? AYE.
ANY OPPOSES AYES HAVE THE CONSENT AGENDA IS APPROVED WITH THE EXCLUSION OF THE ONE WITHDRAWN ITEM.
[VII. (10) P. R. 23302 — A Resolution Authorizing The City Manager To Execute A Long- Term Temporary Street Closure Agreement With SpawGlass Construction Corporation For The Closure Of Various Portions Of Austin Avenue And 5th Street In Downtown Port Arthur For The Purpose Of Construction And Remodeling Of The Adams, A. E. Scott, And Federal Buildings For The Motiva Downtown Campus Project]
NUMBER 10 ON PAGE SEVEN.UH, P R NUMBER 2 33 0 2 IS A RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING THE CITY MANAGER TO EXECUTE A LONG TERM TEMPORARY STREET CLOSURE AGREEMENT WITH SPA GLASS CONSTRUCTION COOPERATION FOR THE CLOSURE OF VARIOUS PORTIONS OF AUSTIN AVENUE AND FIFTH STREET IN DOWNTOWN PORT ARTHUR FOR THE PURPOSE OF CONSTRUCTION AND REMODELING THE ADAMS E SCOTT AND FEDERAL BUILDINGS FOR THE MOTIVA DOWNTOWN PROJECT.
MAY I GET A MOTION FOR APPROVAL OF COUNCILMAN KINLOCK? SO MOVE I GET A SECOND.
AND SECOND THAT WE WOULD ACCEPT P R NUMBER 2 33.
WE READY A QUESTION? COUNCILMAN FRANK? YES.
HAVE WE CONFERRED? PUT PUT YOUR MIC ON PLEASE.
UM, I UNDERSTAND WHAT THIS IS ABOUT AND I WAS WONDERING, HAVE WE CONFERRED WITH DR.
SMITH AND HER STAFF, UH, OF INDIVIDUALS ABOUT HOW UM, INDIVIDUALS WHO WILL BE UTILIZED MAY, MAY, MAY I ANSWER THAT? NO.
SMITH, WOULD YOU COME UP PLEASE? HE WANTS TO STAY ALL NIGHT.
[03:55:01]
YOU MAYOR AND COUNCIL.I, UM, I WAS NOT A PART OF THE MEETING I THINK THAT THEY HAD ON YESTERDAY, SO I'M JUST REALLY NOT SURE WHAT PART OF THESE STREETS ARE GONNA BE CLOSED.
I WOULD JUST LIKE TO KNOW PERHAPS IF IT WILL AFFECT OUR CLIENTS COMING IN.
THAT'S WHAT I'M, I DO KNOW THAT PART OF LIKE THEY DID IN 2019 I THINK, OR 2020, UM, 2020 THEY CLOSED OFF PART OF AUSTIN AND IT DID NOT AFFECT OUR FLOW.
I DON'T KNOW IF IT'S THE SAME PROCESS THIS TIME.
THAT'S WHAT I'M, THAT'S WHAT I'M TRYING TO ASCERTAIN.
COUNSEL FRANK, CAN CITY MANAGER ANSWER FOR YOU? YES, PLEASE.
WE, THE PREACHING, YOU KNOW, WE GOT PREACHING IN HIM.
UM, YES, IT'LL BE VERY MUCH SIMILAR TO THE LAST TIME.
AND THEN WE WILL MAKE EVERY ACCOMMODATION TO ACCOMMODATE, UM, UH, MS. SMITH AND THE PORT ARTHUR CLIENTELE THAT'S VERY IMPORTANT TO US.
UM, WE, WE ARE WORKING WITH THE ASSISTANT CITY MANAGER AND, UM, THE OTHER MEMBERS OF STAFF.
WITH THE LEGAL DEPARTMENT AS WELL TO MAKE SURE THAT IT'S ALL IN CONFORMANCE AND WE DO NOT DISRUPT THE FLU AS VERY IMPORTANT TO US.
WE DO NOT DISRUPT THE FLOW OF THE HEALTH DEPARTMENT.
THE SAFETY AND SECURITY COMES THROUGH AS, AS FAR AS THAT IS CONCERNED.
CAN I ADD SOMETHING COUNCILMAN FRANK? YEAH.
'CAUSE SHE WASN'T IN THE MEETING ON THURSDAY.
UH, I WALKED, I WENT OVER WITH THE, UH, MOTIVA GROUP AND IF THEY DO, THE WAY THEY SAID WE WERE TALKING ABOUT YOUR CLIENTS UNTIL YOU ALL MAKE THE MOVE, UH, THE LOT AND I STILL CALL IT WEST SPOONERS USED TO BE A WALGREENS.
THEY CAN IMPROVE THAT LOT FOR PARKING OR EVEN THE, THE LOT ON THE OTHER SIDE IF, BECAUSE WHAT THEY'RE GONNA ALSO DO WHEN, WHEN THIS HAPPENS, AND HOPEFULLY THEY TOLD YOU IN A FEW MONTHS, BUT YOU ALL WON'T BE GONE YET.
THE PARKING ON THAT, UH, EAST SIDE IS GOING TO BE, UH, WELL SEASONED AND DESIST SO TO SPEAK FOR PARKING THERE BECAUSE THEY'RE GONNA BE PUTTING THE SCAFFOLD BACK AND THEY HAVE TAKEN INTO CONSIDERATION YOUR PEOPLE THERE.
AND ALSO THEY TALKS ABOUT THE HANDICAP PART IF, IF FOLK WOULD BE THERE.
SO THAT'S SOMETHING I THINK A CITY MANAGER WOULD WORK OUT WITH YOU WHILE YOU ALL ARE THERE.
BECAUSE BY THAT TIME SOME OF YOU MAY BE GONE, YOU KNOW, BUT IT'S BECAUSE WE DON'T KNOW HOW YOUR MOVEMENT IS GOING TO BE BECAUSE YOU HADN'T GIVEN US THAT.
AND THAT'S WHAT WE DISCUSSED, YOU KNOW, BECAUSE YOU'RE GOING TO MOVE SECTIONALLY, I BELIEVE TO GO OUT TO THE, TO THE NEW PLACE.
I GUESS TO THE SIDE OF THE STREET THAT IS RIGHT IN FRONT OF THE HEALTH DEPARTMENT.
I MEAN, I WAS TOLD THAT THAT MIGHT BE CLOSED OFF TO NO, THAT, THAT'S NOT WHAT WE AGREED TO, SO, OKAY.
I MEAN AS FAR AS THE PARKING, I KNOW THAT THERE WILL BE, IT WILL BE A ONE-WAY.
BUT AS FAR AS THE PARKING THERE, THE PARKING IT NOT IF IT, IF THE WAY, BECAUSE I WALKED OUT THERE 'CAUSE I'M NOT ENGINEERED, SO I GOTTA REALLY TOUCHING CAMERA, TANGIBLE.
SEE YOU COULD PARK AND THERE, THERE'S GONNA BE ONE LANE MM-HMM.
AND I THINK THE CITY MANAGER AND, AND, AND THE, AND THE STAFF WOULD WORK WITH YOU WHILE YOU ALL ARE STILL IN THERE TO BE SURE THAT YOU HAVE A NICE FLOOR OF TRAFFIC AND WITH THE FIRE CHIEF BECAUSE THAT YOU, WE STILL HAVE TO BE ABLE TO PASS A FIRE TRUCK THROUGH AND EMERGENCY VEHICLES THROUGH BECAUSE WE TALKED ABOUT ALL OF THAT.
I GUESS IT WAS JUST STILL A CONCERN I THINK FOR ME ABOUT THE PATIENTS COMING IN, ESPECIALLY WITH THE HANDICAPPED PARKING SPACE, JUST FOR THE, YOU KNOW, THOSE INDIVIDUALS.
BUT WHAT CAN HAPPEN CITY MANAGER AND ASSISTANT CITY MANAGER, WHEN WE GET CLOSER TO DOING THAT, WE COULD HAVE DR.
SMITH COME IN, EXPRESS OUR CONCERNS TO THE GROUP AND WE WOULD MOVE ACCORDING, YOU KNOW, AS TO HOW WE WOULD DO IT.
YOU, UNTIL YOU ALL HAVE TOTALLY VACATED THAT AREA.
SO ARE YOU SATISFIED NOW? COUNCILMAN FRANK? IF DR.
SMITH IS SATISFIED, I'M SAYING YEAH, ABSOLUTELY.
OKAY, NOW WE HAVE A MOTION ON THE FLOOR AND OTHER QUESTIONS.
SMITH WILL NOW BE INCLUDED IN INCLUDE SIGNAGE FOR THE PATRONS AND THE STAFF OF THE BOARD? OH, ABSOLUTELY.
RIGHT NOW WE DON'T SEE ANY OF THAT.
[04:00:01]
WE'RE NOT THERE AS YET.YOU KNOW, AS SOON AS IT'S BEEN PASSED, WE'LL PUT THE PLAN INTO EFFECT, WHICH WILL INCLUDE SIGNAGE.
AND AS THE MAYOR INDICATED, UM, A PARKING WHERE THE WALGREENS WAS, IT'S, WE DISCUSSED THAT TWO YEARS AGO, THREE YEARS AGO.
THE VERY SAME PLAN FOR IMPLEMENTATION.
ANY OTHER QUESTIONS? YOU HAVE NO READINESS.
ALL IN FAVOR? A ANY OPPOSES AYES HAVE.
SO THIS ORDER, WE WILL NOW APPROVE PR NUMBER 2 33 0 2 AS READ NOW
[VIII.A. (1) P. R. 23062 — A Resolution Appointing And/ Or Reappointing Member( s) To The Historical Landmark Commission]
OVER TO THE, UH, NON-CONSENT AGENDA.I BELIEVE IT'S GOING TO BEGIN ON PAGE NINE.
UH, AND THE FIRST ONE WOULD BE, UH, PR NUMBER 2 3 0 6 2.
IT IS A, UH, RESOLUTION APPOINTED AND OR REAPPOINTED MEMBERS TO THE HISTORICAL LANDMARK, UH, COMMISSION.
UH, WE STILL DON'T HAVE THE NAMES.
DO WE HAVE THE NAMES? I HAVE TWO NAMES.
UH, DISTRICT TWO IS ANTOINE FREEMAN AND DISTRICT THREE IS PAT HOLMES.
AND WITH THOSE NAMES MAY GET A MOTION FOR APPROVAL.
MAYOR, MAY I GET A SECOND? COUNCILMAN FRANK.
THE SECOND THAT WE WOULD, UH, APPROVE, UH, P NUMBER 2 3 0 6 2 6 2 WITH THE NAMES THAT HAVE BEEN STATED BY THE CITY SECRETARY.
COUNCILMAN COUNCILMAN BECKER? THANK YOU, MAYOR.
UM, I JUST WANNA MAKE SURE THAT I UNDERSTAND THE EXHIBITS CORRECTLY.
'CAUSE IT, IT LOOKS LIKE ON EXHIBIT B, WE'VE GOT A NUMBER OF POSITIONS THAT ARE VACANT BECAUSE THEY'VE TURNED OUT.
AM I READING THAT CORRECTLY? THAT IS CORRECT.
SO WHAT DO WE NEED TO DO TO MAKE SURE THAT WE CAN GET THOSE FILLED? EACH MEMBER OF COUNCIL WOULD NEED TO APPOINT SOMEONE TO THAT, THOSE POSITIONS TO FILL THE REQUIREMENTS OF THE HI, UM, HISTORICAL LANDMARK COMMISSION.
I, I'D LIKE TO SUGGEST THAT WE WORK TOWARDS GETTING THAT DONE.
I, I THINK THE HISTOR AND COMMUNICATION HAS BEEN SENT TO ALL MEMBERS OF COUNCIL.
PRIOR TO THIS MEETING VIA EMAIL, TRY DIDN'T GET EMAIL ON? I DID.
I MEAN, I DIDN'T ACT ON, ON, I RECEIVED THE EMAIL.
I JUST, YES, THERE WERE TWO BUSY.
AND STILL, I JUST THINK SINCE, SINCE WE'RE WORKING ON OUR SS OR OUR SQUA CENTENNIAL, THAT THE HISTORICAL COMMISSION IS REALLY IMPORTANT TO THAT, WE NEED TO WORK ON GETTING THOSE POSITIONS FILLED.
ANY OTHER UNREADINESS? READY TO VOTE? ALL IN FAVOR? AYE.
SO, HONOR, WE APPROVE PR NUMBER 2 30 62.
[VIII.A. (2) P. R. 23092 — A Resolution Nominating A Member And/ Or Members To The Board Of Directors Of The Jefferson Central Appraisal District For The 2024 Term]
HAVE PR NUMBER 2 30 92, A RESOLUTION NOMINATED A MEMBER, AND OUR MEMBERSHIP, THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS OF THE JEFFERSON COUNTY CENTRAL APPRAISAL DISTRICT FOR THE 2024 TERM.YOU HAVE THOSE, YOU HAVE THAT NAME? UH, CAN YOU SECOND THAT? NO, SIR, I DON'T.
UH, BUT ON, ON THAT, YOU SAID YOU HAD A NAME? YEAH.
HAVE YOU DISCUSSED IT? WITH, WITH, WITH, WITH, UH, NO.
NOW, WHO'S THE REPRESENTATIVE AS FAR AS ON THAT LETTER? LEWIS REED.
REED, YOU GOT SOMEONE OTHER THAN DR.
I'D LIKE TO PUT MATTHEW CHRISTIAN ON IT.
SO HOW WOULD, HOW WOULD WE DO THAT IF WE WANT TO KEEP, OKAY.
YOU HAVE UP TO THREE CANDIDATES.
I BELIEVE THAT YOU CAN NAME, UM, BOARD AND THEN WE WERE BOARD HAVE FIVE POSITIONS ON THE BOARD.
HOW, HOW, HOW WOULD THEY DO THAT?
REED DIDN'T EXPRESS THAT HIS DISPLEASURE IN SERVING, RIGHT? NO.
I KNOW I DIDN'T RECEIVE ANYTHING FROM HIM.
UM, WELL, HE STILL ON THERE? YEAH.
HE'S GONNA WITHDRAW THAT NAME.
HE'S GONNA WITHDRAW THAT NAME, SO, OKAY.
LEWIS REED WOULD BE THE PERSON.
SO, UH, I ALREADY HAD A MOTION, RIGHT? OKAY.
WE READY TO VOTE? ANY OTHER QUESTIONS RATHER? NO, SIR.
YOU DIDN'T HAVE A MOTION? I DID.
LEWIS REED, I'LL MAKE A MOTION THAT WE CONTINUE WITH DR.
LEWIS REED ON THE JEFFERSON JEFFERSON CENTRAL APPRAISAL DISTRICT FOR THE TERM OF 2024.
AND SECOND THAT WE WOULD, UH, HAVE DR.
LEWIS REED REMAIN AS OUR, UH, VOTING PERSON ON THE, UH, OPPOSED APPRAISAL DISTRICT BOARD.
UH, ANY OTHER QUESTIONS ON THAT? WE READY TO VOTE? ALL IN FAVOR? AYE.
REED WOULD BE THE PERSON FOR THAT.
[VIII.A. (3) P. R. 23177 — A Resolution Amending Resolution Nos. 21- 542 And 23- 149 As It Pertains To The Allocation Of Funds For Engineering, Design, And Construction Of Infrastructure Improvements Project Along Woodworth Boulevard Between SH 87 ( Gulfway Drive) And Lakeshore Drive Decreasing The Funding By $ 4, 200, 000. 00 And Reallocating The Funding Toward Water And Sewer Projects Associated With Road Repairs ( Requested By Councilmember Lewis)]
NEXT WE HAVE PR NUMBER 2 31 77 RESOLUTION, AMENDING RESOLUTION NUMBERS 21 DASH 5 42 AND 23 DASH 1 49 AS IT PERTAINS TO THE ALLOCATION OF FUNDS FOR ENGINEERING, DESIGN AND CONSTRUCTION[04:05:01]
OF THE, OF INFRASTRUCTURE IMPROVEMENTS PROJECT ALONG WOODWORK, UH, BOULEVARD BETWEEN THE SOUTH 87 GULF FREE DRIVE AND LAKESHORE DRIVE, DECREASING THE FUND BY $4,200,000 AND REALLOCATED THE FUNDING TOWARDS WATER AND SEWER PROJECTS ASSOCIATED WITH ROAD REPAIRS REQUESTED BY COUNCILMAN LEWIS.YOU GET A MOTION, UH, FOR THIS COUNCILMAN LEWIS? YEAH.
AND SECOND THAT WE WOULD, UH, APPROVE PR NUMBER 2 31 77 READY FOR QUESTIONING.
I'LL YIELD TO MR. LEWIS FOR COMMENT FIRST.
SO I GOT WITH THE CITY ATTORNEY AND HER STAFF, AND WE CALLED THE BOND COUNSELOR.
THAT $4.2 MILLION CAN ONLY BE USED FOR STREET REPAIR RELATED FOR WATER AND SEWER LINES.
THAT'S NOT WHAT WAS TOLD TO US.
OH, I DON'T KNOW WHAT NO, NO, NO.
SO I DON'T KNOW WHICH COUNSELOR YOU SPOKE WITH.
BUT I SPOKE WITH HIM TOO, AND HE, HE SAID WELL, WELL, THE CITY ATTORNEY CALLED THE BOND COUNSELOR.
I TALKED WITH HIM IN HIS FACE.
AND, AND I'M JUST SAYING, SO THAT'S SOME BAD INFORMATION AS FAR AS I KNOW.
WELL, THEY GAVE YOU, YEAH, YEAH, YEAH.
THAT'S, THAT'S TOTALLY CONTRARY.
JUST TO CLARIFY, THE BOND THAT WE HAVE IS FOR STREET REPAIR, IF YOU WANTED TO USE IT FOR WATER AND SEWER REPAIRS, IT WOULD HAVE TO BE ASSOCIATED WITH ROADWAY REPAIRS.
THAT IS, BOND MONEY IS ONLY FOR STREET REPAIRS.
SO ANYTHING YOU DO WITH THAT BOND MONEY HAS TO BE RELATED TO STREET REPAIRS.
SO WHEN YOU HAVE ASKED, UH, ABOUT WATER AND SEWER IMPROVEMENT PROJECTS, IT HAS TO BE ONLY AS IT PERTAINS TO STREET REPAIRS.
RIGHT? SO THE WAY, THE WAY IT'S ALLOCATED NOW IS CORRECT.
IT'S RIGHT AND PROPER RIGHT NOW.
WHAT, WHAT DO YOU MEAN? THE WAY IT'S BEEN PREVIOUSLY ALLOCATED? YEAH.
WHAT FOR WHAT WAS GOING TO HAPPEN? YEAH, WE, YEAH, WE'VE GONE OVER THE BOND A FEW TIMES.
IT'S, IT, IT, I DON'T HAVE THE BOND IN FRONT OF ME, UNFORTUNATELY.
I CAN PULL IT UP, BUT IT, IT SAYS, UM, I'LL HAVE TO PULL IT UP.
BUT IT BASICALLY IS FOR STREET REPAIRS AND THINGS RELATED THERE TOO.
THESE BOND DOCUMENTS ARE WRITTEN VERY BROADLY, SO YOU CAN DO THINGS THAT ARE RELATED.
SO WHAT YOU HAVE NOW IS AUTHORIZED, ACCORDING TO THE ATTORNEYS, IF YOU WANT TO CHANGE IT, IT HAS TO STILL BE RELATED TO STREET REPAIR.
SO THIS CAP, THIS CAPTAIN HERE, IT CHANGED THAT, THAT THE COUNCILMAN IS REQUESTING HERE.
IS THIS A PART OF THE, WHAT CAN BE CHANGED? LET ME, YOU CAN DO A PROJECT AS LONG AS YOU CAN RELATE IT TO STREET REPAIRS.
BUT, SO LIKE, IF YOU'RE DOING, AND, AND THEN I'LL LET YOU, I'M SORRY.
SO IF YOU'RE DOING THE WATER SEWER PROJECT, IT COULD ONLY BE RELATED TO IF YOU'RE REPAIRING A STREET.
THAT MONEY CAN ONLY BE FOR STREET REPAIRS.
AGAIN, I'M TRYING TO ASCERTAIN AND BE SURE THAT THE INFORMATION I WAS GIVEN ORIGINALLY WHEN WE DECIDED TO ALLOCATE THOSE FUNDS FOR WOOLWORTH IN THE, IN THE FORM OF BEAUTIFICATION OR HOWEVER A FOLK WANTED TO CLASSIFY ALL OF IT DEALT WITH STREET REPAIRS.
AM I CORRECT? IT SAID STREET AND RELATED REPAIRS BOTH WAYS ACCORDING TO BOND COUNSEL OR ALLOWABLE.
SO WHEN YOU HAVE IT IS ALLOWABLE.
WHAT? IT'S ALREADY THAT'S WHAT I'M SAYING.
SO WHAT IS ALLOCATED FOR NOW IS ALLOWABLE THIS WANTS TO CHANGE IT.
HE'S AUTHORIZED UNDER THE BOND.
AS LONG AS YOU, THE LANGUAGE UP OR DOWN IS VERY BROAD.
YOU GOOD? YOU CAN WE IT VOTE IT UP OR DOWN.
WELL, THIS, THE BOND COUNSELOR, SHE CALLED HIM.
WE CAN, WE REPAIRING THE STREET AND IF THERE'S A, IF YOU HAVE TO STOP REPAIRING THE STREET AND TO, UH, FIX A SEWAGE LINE, A WATER LINE, A DRAINING LINE, THAT'S ALLOWABLE.
I GAVE YOU ONE OF TWO EXAMPLES.
WE WAS RECONSTRUCTING BLUE BON.
AND, UH, HE SAID, WELL, IS THE BLUE BON OF THE STREET? I SAID, YEAH, WE HAD TO STOP AND, AND THEN SIT AND, AND LET CONTRACTS OUT FOR SEWAGE LINES, WATER LINES AND DRAINAGE LINES.
HE SAID WHEN HE, BEFORE THAT, HE SAID, COUNCILMAN, I KNOW WHERE YOU'RE GOING WITH THIS, THAT THAT LANDSCAPING WAS, IS NOT ALLOWED.
HE SAID, I KNOW WHERE YOU'RE GOING WITH THIS, BUT AS FAR AS I'M CONCERNED, WE CAN PUT THE MONEY BACK IN THE, IN THE, IN THE, IN, IN THE FUND BECAUSE I'M, AND WE CAN REAL REALLOCATE IT.
BUT I'M JUST SAYING, MY INTENT WAS TO, TO SUPPORT MOVING THIS MONIES TO REPAIR WATER AND SEWER LINE RELATED TO STREETS.
AND, AND NOW HE SAID, HE SAID THAT, UH,
[04:10:01]
I, I KNOW WHERE YOU'RE GOING.I SAID, YOU DON'T HAVE TO HOLD YOUR NOSE.
I SAID, AND I GAVE HIM AN EXAMPLE.
WE, WE USED, WE, AND I KNOW IT WAS NOT A BOND ISSUE, BUT WE, IT, WE HAD TO STOP RECONSTRUCTING BLUE BONNET AND 19TH STREET TO REPAIR WATER LINES, SEW LINES AND DRAINAGE.
BUT WHAT I'M SAYING IS YOU WANT TO CHANGE THIS FROM WHAT WE'VE ALREADY VOTED AND APPROVED.
AND IT'S LEGAL AND WE CAN DO WHAT WE NOT PREVIOUSLY.
WELL, YOU THE BOND COUNCIL, YOUR INTERPRETATION COUNCILMAN LEWIS? NO.
WE GONNA VOTE AND WE GOT IT FROM THE BOND COUNCIL.
WE GETTING READY TO VOTE, MAN.
WHAT'S YOUR POINT? HEY, I JUST SAID, WHAT IS YOUR POINT? MY POINT IS WE GETTING READY TO VOTE.
A POINT OF ORDER HAS TO BE VOTED ON.
A POINT OF ORDER HAS TO BE VOTED ON POINT OF ALL.
I DON'T KNOW WHAT POINT OF YOUR RULES AND REGULATIONS FROM A POINT OF ORDER HAS TO BE VOTED ON.
1, 1, 1 OF US SPEAK AT A TIME AND A POINT OF ORDER.
WHEN YOU DO A POINT OF ORDER, THEN THE PRESIDING OFFICER ASKS THE PERSON WHO SAYS POINT OF ORDER, WHAT'S YOUR POINT? WHAT IS YOUR, WHAT HIS POINT IS THAT PERSON EXPLAIN THIS POINT OF ORDER.
THE, THE CHAIR, THE PERSON PRESIDING OVER THE MEETING DETERMINES WHETHER IT IS VALID OR INVALID.
IF THE PERSON WHO MADE THE POINT DOES NOT AGREE WITH THE DECISION OF THE PRESIDING OFFICER, HE CAN REQUEST THAT THE BOARD VOTE TO ACKNOWLEDGE IT OR NOT ACKNOWLEDGE IT.
WE DON'T HAVE TO GO BACK AND FORWARD.
WE GONNA CARRY THE VOTE BECAUSE EVIDENTLY I'M DOING WHAT YOU SAID.
WE'RE READY TO BE THROUGH WITH THE QUESTION PORTION OF THIS.
WE ALREADY HAD A NO SIR MOTION.
ARE YOU GONNA MAKE A MOTION ON THIS, UH, TO APPROVE THIS COUNCIL? NO, YOU GOT A, YOU GOT A LIGHT ON THERE, MAYOR TALK.
MAYOR, I YIELDED TO LEWIS, SO I, OKAY.
YOU WANNA SPEAK NOW? YES, SIR.
UM, CITY ATTORNEY FOR THE, THE WAY THAT THE FUNDS HAVE ALREADY BEEN ALLOCATED IN THE EVENT THAT WE DO HAVE, WE DO LEARN THAT THERE'S A WATER MAIN BREAK, UM, UNDER THAT ROAD WHEN IT'S BEING RECONSTRUCTED.
AS THE FUNDS ARE ALLOCATED CURRENTLY, WE STILL HAVE THE OPPORTUNITY TO REPAIR THOSE LINES.
IS IS THAT RIGHT OR WRONG? HMM, THAT'S FINE.
YOU, YOU, YOU ALLOCATED MONEY IN THIS RESOLUTION THAT'S BEING ASKED TO BE RESCINDED FOR A SPECIFIC PROJECT.
SO I WOULD HAVE TO KNOW WHAT THAT PROJECT CALLED FOR.
THIS SPECIFIC RESOLUTION IS ABOUT A SPECIFIC PROJECT.
SO YOU CAN ONLY DO IN RESOLUTION 21 DASH 5 42 AND UH, 23 DASH 1 49, WHATEVER THAT THAT RESOLUTION SAID, THAT'S WHAT YOU'RE GONNA DO BECAUSE YOU'VE ALREADY ALLOCATED WHERE YOU, YOU ARE YOU ASKING ME A QUESTION ABOUT BOND LANGUAGE OR ARE YOU ASKING ME WHAT THIS RESOLUTION SAYS? WHAT THIS RESOLUTION, THE RESOLUTION 23 DASH 1 49 SPECIFICALLY STATED WHAT IT WE GONNA DO? IT WOULD DO.
SO I DON'T HAVE 23 DASH 1 49, BUT THE BOND LANGUAGE SAYS, I MEAN, AND IT'S NOT A BOND, IT'S A CERTIFICATE OF OBLIGATION.
SO LET ME USE THE CORRECT TERMS. WE KIND OF USE THAT SYNONYMOUSLY, BUT IT IS NOT A BOND.
THESE ARE CERTIFICATES OF OUR OBLIGATION.
THE CONSTRUCTION AND RECONSTRUCTION OF CITY STREETS AND OTHER STREET RELATED IMPROVEMENTS, INCLUDING, BUT NOT LIMITED TO DRAINAGE AND SIDEWALKS ON STREET PROJECTS.
THAT'S THE BROAD LANGUAGE OF THE CERTIFICATE OF OBLIGATION IN THIS RESOLUTION THAT WAS APPROVED A WHILE BACK.
YOU SPECIFICALLY SAID WHAT THE PROJECT WAS, SO YOU'D HAVE TO LOOK IN THE PROJECT AND SEE IF IT CALLED FOR THAT.
SO WE CAN STILL MEET THE SAME REQUIREMENTS FOR A SITUATION LIKE A BLUE BONNET, THE WAY THAT IT'S ALREADY WRITTEN YES.
ARE YOU SAYING WE HAVE ALREADY, ARE YOU? YES.
SO WE HAVE ALREADY A, WE'VE ALREADY, UM, SET THIS IN PLACE.
IT'S ALREADY BEEN BUDGETED AND I'M ASKING THAT WE MOVE FORWARD WITH HOW THE FUNDS HAVE THIS 4.2 HAS ALREADY BEEN ALLOCATED.
I DO UNDERSTAND, I DO UNDERSTAND YOUR CONCERN.
THAT WAS NOT LANDSCAPING POINT OF ORDER.
ONLY ONE PERSON CAN SPEAK AT A TIME AND THAT'S THE ONE THAT THE PRESIDING JUDGE, I MEAN, PRESIDING OFFICERS CALL.
[04:15:01]
OUTTA HERE.OKAY, WE READY TO VOTE? WAIT A MINUTE.
WHOEVER CALLS FOR THE VOTE, THE ONLY PERSON THAT CAN CALL FOR A VOTE IS THE PERSON WHO MADE THE MOTION.
SO RIGHT NOW I WANNA SPEAK ON IT.
AND YOU DID NOT MAKE THE MOTION, THEREFORE, YOU CANNOT CALL FOR A VOTE.
JUST READ UP AND WE COULD KEEP ROLLING Y'ALL.
NOW THE WAY IT STANDS RIGHT NOW, WE COULD RESOLVE THIS.
WE JUST NEED SOMETHING IN BLACK AND WHITE TO BRING TO THIS COUNCIL SO THAT WE COULD CHANGE IT.
SO THERE'S NO NEED IN, IN GOING BACK AND FORTH.
I'M, I'M IN FAVOR OF, UH, UH, LETTING IT BE LIKE IT IS BECAUSE WHEN IT'S TIME TO CHANGE, WE'RE NOT GOING TO HEAR.
SOMEBODY TOLD US THAT SOMEBODY GOT TO GIVE SOMETHING BLACK AND WHITE.
WHEN YOU, WHEN BRING BLACK AND WHITE TO THE COUNCIL, THEN THERE'S NO NEED FOR A COUNCIL DEBATE.
WE'LL FOLLOW THE BLACK AND WHITE.
WE'VE HAD BETTER SPEAKING ON IT.
ARE WE READY FOR THAT WAS THE QUESTION.
WE READY FOR VOTING? ALL IN FAVOR OF THIS, UH, ALL YOU WANT DO A ROLL CALL.
IF YOU'RE IN FAVOR, ALL AGAINST NO, NO, NO, NO.
MAJOR FAILS, HUH? YEAH, MAJOR FAIL.
WE THROUGH, WE THROUGH, WE GONNA MOVE SOMETHING ELSE.
YOU AIN'T GOTTA EXPLAIN NOTHING, NOBODY.
[VIII.A. (4) P. R. 23236 — A Resolution Appointing And/ Or Reappointing A Member Or Members To The Beautification Commission ( Requested By Councilmember Beckcom)]
GO TO THE NEXT THING.PR OF 2 30, 2 36, A RESOLUTION APPOINTED AND OR A REAPPOINTED, A MEMBER OR MEMBERS TO THE BEAUTIFICATION COMMISSION REQUESTED BY COUNCIL MEMBER BECKHAM, THAT YOU GIVE THEM THE NAMES.
UH, I'VE ALREADY APPOINTED SHARON LEBO AND NOW I'M ASKING TO APPOINT MICAH LEE AND LYNN JACKSON.
AND I'D LIKE TO SAY THAT ALL THREE OF THESE LADIES ARE MASTER GARDENERS, OKAY? AND THEY'RE EXCITED TO GET SOME WORK DONE.
AND, AND YOU, YOU ALL HAVE OUTTA CONTACTED, SO YOU, OKAY? YES, SIR.
WE HAVE THE NAMES OF THE INDIVIDUALS, UH, UH, THE COUNCILWOMAN, UH, BECKHAM WANTS TO APPOINT.
UH, UH, WE'RE READY FOR QUESTIONS.
COUNCILMAN, CAPTAIN, YOU GOT APPOINT.
UH, CITY SECRETARY, YOU GOT MY NAME AS WELL? UH, NO SIR.
CATHERINE, I THINK WE DID THAT.
LA THE LAST MEETING YOU, YOU DID, YOU TOOK CARE OF? YES, SIR.
UHHUH INGLE FRANK, CAN YOU SPELL THAT FOR ME, PLEASE? I N G A ON THE BEAUTIFICATION COMMITTEE.
WE'RE, WE ARE READY WITH THOSE.
HOW MANY THAT IS? THAT'S THREE.
BUT YOU SAID MORE THAN COUNCIL.
THAT'S WELL, SHE WAS ALREADY ON, I'M SORRY.
SORRY, I WAS JUST COUNTING THEM MANY NAMES THAT BEEN SAID.
SO THOSE ARE NOW MEMBERS OF THE BEAUTIFICATION COMMITTEE.
[VIII.B. (1) P. O. No. 7163 — An Ordinance Authorizing The Sale Of Surplus Technology Equipment]
AUMAN NUMBER 71 63.IT, THE LORD IS AUTHORIZING THE SALE OF SURPLUS TECHNOLOGY EQUIPMENT.
COUNCILMAN ETT FOR WHO? I GET A SECOND.
AND WE WOULD APPROVE PO NUMBER 71 63.
ARE WE READY FOR QUESTION? WE'RE READY TO VOTE.
ANY OPPOSES AYES HAVE SO IS ORDERED THAT WE WOULD APPROVE, UH, 71 63.
[VIII.B. (3) P. O. No. 7166 — An Ordinance Amending The Zoning Ordinance Of The City Of Port Arthur By Changing The Zoning From Agricultural To High- Density Residential On Approximately 7. 404- Acres Of Land Consisting Of Lot 16 And Part Of Lot 17, Block 7, Hillcrest 2 Addition, Port Arthur, Jefferson County, Texas ( Violation Of Any Provision Of This Ordinance Shall Be Guilty Of A Misdemeanor And Shall Be Punished By A Fine Not Exceeding $ 2, 000. 00, As Provided In Chapter 1, Section 1- 13 Of The Code Of Ordinances, And Each Day Which Violation Is Permitted To Exist Shall Constitute A Separate And Distinct Offense.); And Providing For Publication In The Official Newspaper Of The City Of Port Arthur And Effective Immediately After Publication Date]
OVER TO ON PAGE 10, UH, PO NUMBER 71 66.IT'S AN ORDINANCE AMENDING THE ZONING ORDINANCE OF THE CITY OF PORT ARTHUR BY CHANGING THE ZONING FROM AGRICULTURE TO HIGH DENSITY DENSITY RESIDENTIAL ON APPROXIMATELY 7.4 ACRES OF LAND CONSISTING OF LOT 16 AND PART OF LOT 17 BLOCK SEVEN HILLCREST TWO EDITION PORT ARTHUR JEFFERSON COUNTY, TEXAS.
VIOLATION OF ANY PROVISION OF THIS ORDINANCE SHALL BE, EXCUSE ME, GUILTY OF A MISDEMEANOR AND SHALL BE PUNISHED BY A FINE NOT EXCEEDING $2,000 AS PROVIDED IN CHARTER SECTION IN CHART OF ONE SECTION, UH, ONE DASH 13 OF THE CODE OF ORDINANCES.
AND EACH, UH, DAY, WHICH VIOLATION IS PERMITTED TO EXIST, SHALL CONSTITUTE A SEPARATE AND DISTINCT OFFENSE AND PROVIDING FOR PUBLICATION IN THE OFFICIAL NEWSPAPER
[04:20:01]
OF THE CITY OF PORT ARTHUR AND EFFECTIVE IMMEDIATELY AFTER PUBLICATION DATE.AND THIS IS 2 2 3 DASH FIVE MOHAM ISA.
UH, AND YET THAT'S A SEPARATE ONE.
UH, I GET A MOTION FOR, FOR APPROVAL OF COUNCILMAN KINLOCK.
MAY I GET A SECOND? COUNCILMAN FRANK? SECOND.
AND SECOND, THEN WE WOULD APPROVE, UH, PO NUMBER 7 1 6 6.
UH, WE BETTER FOR QUESTION COUNCIL, UH, COUNCILMAN HAMILTON? THANK YOU, MAYOR.
MAYOR, THIS HAS BEEN, BEEN TOILING BACK AND FORTH, ESPECIALLY LISTENING TO, UM, RE REMEMBERING ALL OF THE COMMENTS THAT WERE MADE DURING THE PUBLIC HEARING.
AND I TRULY UNDERSTAND THE CONCERNS.
UM, I ALSO LOOK BACK AT THE, THE COMMENTS THAT WERE MADE DURING THE P AND Z MEETING AND UNDERSTAND, UM, THE SUPPORT I WANTED ON RECORD, THAT WE CANNOT CONTINUE TO NOT SUPPORT DEVELOPMENT, HOUSING, UH, DEVELOPMENT IN OUR COMMUNITY.
AND I'M NOT TALKING ABOUT HOUSING DEVELOPMENT, QUOTE UNQUOTE PROJECTS.
I'M TALKING ABOUT HAVING AN OPPORTUNITY, PEOPLE HAVING AN OPPORTUNITY FOR BETTER QUALITY OF LIFE WITH NEW HOUSING IN THE CITY OF PORT ARTHUR.
I UNDERSTAND SOME OF THE RESIDENTS CONCERNS, BUT I ALSO HEAR THE CONCERNS OF RESIDENTS WHO WANT A BETTER QUALITY OF LIFE WITH NEW, UM, RESIDENTIAL AREAS TO LIVE.
SO WE HAVE TO HAVE A BALANCE OF IT, AND I WANT TO BE ABLE TO SUPPORT WHAT P AND D HAS DONE TO, IN VOTING TO APPROVE THIS.
UH, COUNCILMAN FRANK? NO, I'M SORRY.
I UNDERSTAND ABOUT DEVELOPERS.
I'M ALWAYS FOR DEVELOPERS, BUT WE HAVE AN INHERENT, INHERENT RESPONSIBILITY ONCE AGAIN WHEN WE SET UP HERE TO ALSO CONSIDER CITIZENS.
THE CITIZENS CAME BEFORE US, EXPRESSED THEIR CONCERN, AND WE HEARD THAT.
AND THAT'S THE DIFFERENCE OF US BEING UP HERE.
WE GOTTA KEEP IN MIND DEVELOPMENT AND STUFF, BUT AT SOME POINT IN TIME WE HAVE TO UNDERSTAND WHO OUR VOICE AND WHAT WE DO IS FOR.
I THINK THEY MADE THEIR POINT.
IT'S UP TO US TO EITHER LISTEN TO THE CITIZENS OR VOTE OF THE DEVELOPERS.
IF DEVELOPERS TRULY GONNA DEVELOP, THEY'RE GONNA, PEOPLE GONNA DEVELOP WHEN THEY BRING IT, YOU KNOW? AND, UH, SEEMED LIKE THAT SEEMED TO BE THE RALLYING CRY FOR EVERYBODY NOW THAT WANTS TO COME IN.
OUR CITY, THE FIRST THING THEY SAID IS AFFORD ABOUT HOUSING, AFFORDABLE HOUSING, BECAUSE THEY KNOW THAT, YEAH, WE COULD USE SOME MORE HOUSING, BUT AT THE SAME TIME, WE CANNOT, UH, DISREGARD WHAT CITIZENS WHO GOING TO BE IMPACTED BY OUR DECISIONS HAVE TO SAY.
YOU KNOW, UH, THEY CAME BEFORE US AND I THINK ALL OF US HEARD.
SO I, I SUPPORT DEVELOPMENT, BUT I DON'T BELIEVE IT GOES BEFORE.
ALSO SUPPORTING AND LISTENING TO WHAT CITIZENS HAVE.
UM, I ALSO SAID SUPPORTING THOSE CITIZENS WHO ARE CONSTANTLY ASKING FOR THE OPPORTUNITY FOR BETTER QUALITY OF LIFE, FOR BETTER HOUSING IN OUR COMMUNITY TOO.
SO NOT ONLY THE DEVELOPMENT, BUT I JUST WANT IT ON RECORD THAT I'M STATING FOR THE CITIZENS AS WELL.
UH, SIR, I I DON'T HAVE YOUR NAME.
IS THAT MS. TORRES? TORE? OKAY.
YEAH, IT'S, IT'S, IT'S WRITTEN REAL SMALL.
WELL, I WANNA, I, I JUST LEFT FROM THERE 20 MINUTES AGO.
TIMED OUT, BEEN UP SINCE 3:00 AM BUT I WANT TO GET MY POINT THROUGH ON THIS, ON THIS DEVELOPMENT.
THIS IS, I'M ALL IN FAVOR OF POSITIVE GROWTH IN PORT ARTHUR, BUT THIS IS NOT POSITIVE.
THIS IS DUPLEXES BEHIND THE NEIGHBORHOOD LOCATED 15 FEET AWAY FROM MY FENCE LINE DUPLEXES THAT HE PROMISES LUXURY, BUT WE CAN'T UPHOLD HIM.
ONCE WE CHANGE, ONCE WE, Y'ALL AGREE.
AND THIS GETS CHANGED TO HIGH DENSITY POPULATION, Y'ALL CAN'T UPHOLD HIM FOR BEING LUXURY.
HE CAN BUILD WHATEVER HE WANTS BACK THERE.
SO AT THAT POINT, IT'S NOT POSITIVE.
IT'S SINGLE FAMILY RESIDENCES ARE POSITIVE FOR PORT ARTHUR.
SO WE WANNA, WE WANT TO HOME, UH, PEOPLE COMING IN.
LET'S, LET'S BUILD SOME FAMILY RESIDENCES THAT KEEP THOSE PEOPLE IN TOWN.
THEY CAN COUNT TOWARDS OUR, UH, CENSUS AT THE END OF THE YEAR.
SO WE CAN KEEP ABOVE THE 50,000.
THESE TEMPORARY RESIDENTS, I DON'T WANT 'EM LOOKING DOWN THE WINDOW OF MY, MY, UH, DAUGHTER'S BEDROOM.
[04:25:01]
THEY'RE GONNA BUILD TWO STORY DUPLEXES RIGHT BEHIND MY HOUSE.IT'S GONNA LOWER THE VALUE OF MY INVESTMENT.
SECOND, ALL THOSE TEMPORARY, UH, EMPLOY ALL THOSE TEMPORARY RESIDENCE.
THEY'RE JUST GONNA COME IN, BE LOOKING AT MY BACKYARD THE WHOLE TIME, BE LOOKING THROUGH MY DAUGHTER'S WINDOW AND LOOKING THROUGH OUR LIVING ROOM.
I DON'T WANT THOSE KIND OF PEOPLE.
I DON'T WANT THOSE, THOSE PEOPLE DON'T GROW.
PORT ARTHUR PERMANENT RESIDENTS GROW PORT ARTHUR.
UH, I MEAN, I, I, EVERYBODY THAT WE ASKED IN THE NEIGHBORHOOD OUT OF THAT PETITION THAT WE GOT GOING, EVERYBODY AGREES THAT THEY DON'T WANT THAT HERE.
THIS DEVELOPER, HE KEEPS SAYING THAT HE BOUGHT A LAND JUST NORTH OF US, THAT HE IS GONNA BUILD 500, $600,000 HOUSES.
I SAY WE MAKE HIM PUT HIS MONEY WHERE HIS MOUTH IS.
HE CAN GO BUILD THOSE HOUSES, BUILD FAITH WITH THE NEIGHBORHOOD, AND THEN WE'LL TALK ABOUT DEVELOPING BACK HERE.
BUT LIKE RIGHT NOW, IT'S ONLY PROMISES.
WE CAN'T UPHOLD 'EM TO ANYTHING.
SO, LIKE I SAID, I, I, I WANT TO STRONGLY VOICE MY OPPOSITION ON THIS.
UH, WE HAVE A LOT OF NEIGHBORS VOICING THEIR OPPOSITION.
EVERYBODY'S, A LOT OF PEOPLE SHOWED UP TO THIS MEETING.
YOU KNOW, THIS ENDED UP BEING AT 10 O'CLOCK THAT IT'S OUR TURN TO SPEAK.
SO EVERYBODY LEFT ALREADY, BUT PLEASE TAKE OUR OPINION INTO CONSIDERATION.
Y'ALL WANNA DEVELOPMENT IN PORT ARTHUR.
LET'S GET POSITIVE DEVELOPMENT.
YEAH, LET'S MAKE THE, LET'S, LET'S BUILD SOME PERMANENT RESIDENCES, SOME SINGLE FAMILY RESIDENCES.
THIS GUY, EVERY TIME YOU ASK HIM A QUESTION AND YOU CAN LOOK THROUGH THE MINUTES OF THE PLANNING MEETING AND THE LAST CITY COUNCIL MEETING, EVERYTHING YOU ASK HIM, HE SAYS YES TO ASK HIM IF THEY'RE GONNA SELL HIM.
HE IS, HE'S BEEN PREACHING IT'S GONNA BE HIS, UH, HIS LIFE RETIREMENT.
SO HOW CAN, HOW CAN HE, I TRUST HIM WHATSOEVER TO BUILD THESE LUXURY APARTMENTS IF HE CAN'T EVEN GET THE ENTRANCE OF HIS APARTMENTS.
THEN, UH, WE CHALLENGED THE, THE, UH, THE CONDITION OF 90TH STREET.
THEN HE SAID 95TH STREET, LAST TIME I CHECKED, THERE'S NOT A STREET ON 95TH STREET.
YOU ASKED HIM ABOUT THE DEFINITION OF DUPLEXES, DUPLEX, AND, AND, UH, HE SAID HE WAS PLANNING ON SELLING THEM.
THEN HE SAID, DAMN, HE DIDN'T PLAN ON SELLING THEM.
SO I JUST CAN'T TRUST, I CAN'T TRUST SOMEBODY THAT CHANGES THEIR STORY EVERY TIME HE GETS ASKED.
AND I CERTAINLY DON'T WANT SOMETHING LIKE THAT GO THROUGH MY BACKYARD.
SO, UM, OKAY, MR. TORRES, THAT'S PRETTY MUCH ALL I GOT.
LIKE I SAID, I WANT Y'ALL, I HOPE THAT Y'ALL CAN MAKE THE RIGHT DECISION, MR. TORRES.
AND I HEAR WHAT YOU'RE SAYING, BUT IT'S ONE, IT IS ONE PART OF YOUR, YOUR PRESENTATION THAT DOESN'T SIT WELL WITH ME.
AND I REALLY WISH, I CAN'T SAY YOU COULD RESCIND IT, BUT I REALLY WISH YOU COULD RETHINK IT.
I DON'T WANT THOSE KIND OF PEOPLE.
NOW, THAT IS NOT WHAT WOULD MAKE ME WANNA VOTE FOR YOU WITH YOU, BECAUSE YOU SAID YOU DON'T WANT THOSE KIND OF PEOPLE.
SOME OF THOSE PEOPLE MIGHT LOOK LIKE ME, BUT I AIN'T GONNA LOOK IN YOUR DAUGHTER'S BEDROOM WINDOW.
I AIN'T GOING TO BOTHER YOU, BUT IT MIGHT LOOK LIKE ME.
I'M JUST ALL, I'M ASKING FOR YOUR FUTURE, MAN.
I THINK YOU A YOUNG MAN, YOU INTELLIGENT.
OKAY? BE CAREFUL WITH YOUR USE OF WORDS.
I CAN UNDERSTAND YOUR PASSION, BUT THAT THERE'S SOMEBODY WHO COULD BUILD A $500,000 HOME AND RAPE YOUR WIFE, OKAY? AS OPPOSED TO A GUY WHO MIGHT BE READY.
DON'T WAIT A MINUTE, YOU TALK.
SO WHAT I'M TRYING TO GET YOU TO UNDERSTAND IS WHEN YOU TRYING TO GET SOMEBODY TO GO IN AND BUY INTO WHAT YOU ARE SAYING, BE VERY CAREFUL THE WAY YOU PRESENT YOUR SIDE.
I DON'T CARE IF YOU FEEL LIKE THAT.
I DON'T NEED TO KNOW YOU FEEL THAT WAY, OKAY? JUST BE COGNIZANT OF HOW YOU DOING IT.
WHEN YOU SAY, I DON'T WANT THOSE PEOPLE, I'M JUST TELLING YOU, IT'S HARD FOR ME TO SEPARATE THAT BECAUSE I'M AN INDIVIDUAL WHO LOOKS LIKE WHAT FOLK HAVE SAID ABOUT CERTAIN INDIVIDUALS, AND I'M A PART OF THOSE PEOPLE.
SO I JUST WANT YOU TO BE CAREFUL AS YOU GROW.
YOU ARE A YOUNG MAN, OKAY? PLEASE JUST TAKE WHAT I'M SAYING.
MY AGE DOESN'T MATTER, SO DON'T TAKE MY, WELL, I'M JUST, I'M JUST, I'M JUST TELLING YOU.
THAT'S HOW I FELT WHEN YOU SAID IT.
WHENEVER I SAY THOSE PEOPLE, I MEAN TEMPORARY WORKERS.
HAVE YOU EVER WORKED OUT IN THE INDUSTRY AND SEEN THE PEOPLE THAT COME IN FOR SIX MONTHS HAVE THEN LEAVE? MM-HMM.
HAVE YOU SEEN HOW THEY ACT? 'CAUSE I CAN TELL YOU THAT MOST OF 'EM DON'T ACT RIGHT, BECAUSE WHAT? 'CAUSE THEY'RE JUST GONNA LEAVE AT THE END OF THE SIX MONTHS AND GO TO A DIFFERENT TOWN.
SO WHY WOULD I WANT SOMEBODY LIKE THAT LIVING IN MY BACKYARD?
[04:30:02]
OKAY.UH, MR. TORRES, I WANNA ECHO SOME OF THE THINGS THAT YOU SAID, BECAUSE I REMEMBER YOUR PRESENTATION AT THE LAST MEETING AND YOU WERE TALKING ABOUT, YOU KNOW, TRANSIENT WORKERS, YOU KNOW, PEOPLE THAT ARE GONNA COME IN, YOU KNOW, ON A TEMPORARY BASIS.
AND I, I UNDERSTAND WHAT YOU'RE SAYING WHEN YOU SAY THOSE PEOPLE, OKAY? UM, BUT I ALSO WANT TO ECHO WHAT YOU SAID ABOUT THE DEVELOPER.
UH, HAVING ALREADY BOUGHT SOME PROPERTY ON, I, I BELIEVE IT WAS ON LISA LANE, AND YOU TALKED ABOUT BUILDING THOSE HOUSES.
AND I, I AGREE WITH YOU, HE NEEDS TO PUT HIS MONEY WHERE HIS MOUTH IS BECAUSE HE SAID SOME THINGS AT THE LAST MEETING THAT RUBBED ME THE WRONG WAY, TALKING ABOUT HOW THESE ARE GONNA BE TOWNHOUSES AND CONDOS.
WELL, THAT'S NOT THE SAME THING AS A DUPLEX SAID.
AS I REMEMBER YOUR PRESENTATION AT THE LAST, UH, OH.
YOU DON'T HAVE A NAME OF THERE, BUT YOU HAVE A HAND RAISED.
UH, AT, AT, AT ANY RATE, THERE WAS A DEVELOPER THAT DID SOMETHING SIMILAR IN MY DISTRICT, IN DISTRICT THREE, WHERE IT STARTED OUT IT WAS GONNA BE ONE THING AND IT TURNED OUT TO BE SOMETHING COMPLETELY DIFFERENT.
SO I SYMPATHIZE WITH YOU AND YOUR NEIGHBORS, AND I APPRECIATE YOU TAKING THE TIME.
I KNOW THAT, THAT, THAT YOU WORK HARD AND YOU'VE BEEN UP SINCE THREE O'CLOCK THIS MORNING.
I HEARD ABOUT THOSE PEOPLE, NOT ONLY FROM MR. TORRES, JUST AS CONVERSATION HAPPENS THROUGHOUT THE COMMUNITY.
SO, MR. TORRES, PLEASE, THIS IS NOT DIRECTED, UH, TOWARDS YOU, BUT I HEAR THE COMMENTS OF THOSE PEOPLE AND I TAKE, I TAKE THAT AS A VERY DISCRIMINATORY STATEMENT, NOT A RACIALLY DISCRIMINATORY SIT, UH, STATEMENT, BUT AS A, UM, FINANCIAL DISCRIMINATORY STATEMENT, THOSE PEOPLE ARE THE ONES THAT ARE RENTING.
SO IF WE CAN'T AFFORD TO PURCHASE A HOME IN THIS COMMUNITY, DOES THAT MEAN WE DON'T AFFORD, WE, WE SHOULD NOT AFFORD THE OPPORTUNITY TO BE ABLE TO HAVE NICE HOUSING IN THIS COMMUNITY.
WE WANT MORE SINGLE FAMILY HOMES IN PORT ARTHUR.
WHETHER IT'S A DUPLEX, A TOWNHOUSE, OR A CONDO, IF IT'S BEING LEASED, THEN IS JUST THE OPPOSITE OF BEING OWNED.
BUT THESE PEOPLE STILL HAVE TO HAVE SOMEWHERE TO LIVE TOO.
SO WE NEED TO TAKE THAT INTO CONSIDERATION TO NOT DISCRIMINATE AGAINST THOSE RESIDENTS WHO CANNOT AFFORD SINGLE FAMILY HOMES, BUT STILL WANT SOMEWHERE NICE TO LIVE.
AND SO, MAJORITY OF THOSE THAT MAY BE RENTING THESE DUPLEXES DON'T ALL HAVE TO BE TRANSIENT WORKERS.
CAN I SAY SOMETHING ON THAT? NO, SIR.
WE GETTING READY TO VOTE? WE THE TIME IS, SIR, SIR, WOULD YOU LISTEN PLEASE.
WE'VE TAKEN YOUR, YOUR, YOUR YOURSELF INTO CONSIDERATION.
EVERYONE'S, UH, THANK YOU FOR YOUR PARTICIPATION.
UH, WE, WE, WE, WHAT WE'LL DO, UH, ALL IN FAVOR OF THIS, UH, ORDINANCE NOW, IN THIS ORDINANCE, P N Z APPROVED IT AND I WOULD WANNA SAY THAT.
SO ALL IN FAVOR OF APPROVING P N Z APPROVED IT? YES.
ALL IN FAVOR OF PO NUMBER 71 66, UH, OR APPROVING, UH, YOUR USUALLY SIGN OF VOTING? AYE.
THOSE WHO OPPOSED? WELL, IT'S, IT'S, I COULD HEAR IT.
I MEAN, I COULD HEAR THAT WELL IN THE MIDDLE OF A VOTE.
TWO A, WE CAN'T TALK IN THE MIDDLE OF A VOTE.
WELL, ONCE THEY STARTED, UH, ATTORNEY, UH, IF THEY WANT, SAY, SOMEONE SAID ROLL CALL, VOTE.
CAN WE CHANGE IT TO THAT? NOT IN THE MIDDLE OF A VOTE.
RIGHT? YOU IN THE MIDDLE OF A VOTE.
ONE SIDE IS ALREADY, YEAH, SIR.
WELL, IT SOUNDED AS THOUGH THIS MEASURE PASSED, I MEAN, FAILED, UH, FROM THE SOUND THAT I HEARD ANYWAY.
HAS, HAS THE OTHER SIDE HAD AN OPPORTUNITY TO SAY YEAH.
OH, YOU SAY YOU DIDN'T HEAR? I DID NOT HEAR.
SAY CAN YOU, CAN YOU TURN THEM OFF? UH, WHO WAS RUNNING THAT BOARD? COUNCIL MEMBER LEWIS.
JUST, JUST, JUST, JUST, UH, TURN THEM OFF PLEASE.
[04:35:01]
NOW WE'LL MOVE TO[VIII.B. (4) P. O. No. 7168 — An Ordinance Rescinding Ordinance No. 23- 33 In Its Entirety As It Pertains To Amending Chapter 110 ( Utilities), Article II ( Water), Division 3 ( Service Charges And Billing), Sections 110- 91 Rate Schedule) And 110- 92 ( Consumers Outside City Not Having Special Contracts) Of The Code Of Ordinances Of The City Of Port Arthur, As It Pertains To Rates For Residential, Commercial And Industrial Customers ( Requested By Councilmember Lewis)]
THE NEXT ITEM.THE NEXT ITEM WILL BE PO NUMBER 7 1 6 8.
AN ARTIS RESCINDING ARTIS NUMBER 23 DASH 33.
I THOUGHT IT WAS THAT OTHER PERSON.
YOU ALL COULD ACTUALLY LEAVE UP THERE BECAUSE IF YOU'RE GONNA DISTURB THE MEETING, YOU ARE WRONG.
NOW, UH, AN ARTEMIS RESCINDING ARTEMIS NUMBER, UH, 23 DASH 33 IN ITS ENTIRETY AS IT PERTAINS TO AMENDING CHAPTER ONE.
UH, ARTICLE TWO, WATER DIVISION THREE SERVICE CHARGES AND BILLING SECTIONS.
ONE 10 DASH 91 RATE SCHEDULE, AND ONE 10 DASH 92 CONSUMERS, UH, OUTSIDE CITY NOT HAVING SPECIAL CONTRACTS OF THE CODE OF ORDINANCES OF THE CITY OF PORT ARTHUR AS IT PERTAINS TO RATES FOR RESIDENTIAL, COMMERCIAL, AND INDUSTRIAL CUSTOMERS AS REQUESTED BY COUNCILMAN LEWIS.
UH, MAY I GET A MOTION FOR APPROVAL? COUNCILMAN KEN LAW? SO, MOVE MAYOR, MAY I GET A SECOND? COUNCILMAN OF FRANK? OH, OKAY.
I MAY I GET A SECOND? SECOND? OKAY, GOOD.
AND SECOND, UH, WE'RE READY FOR QUESTION.
WE'RE READY TO VOTE, UH, TO RESCIND THIS ARTICLE.
NOW, UH, I GOT A QUESTION ON IT THOUGH.
WHAT, WHAT WE, WE, WE, WE, WE ARE RESCINDING SOMETHING AND THIS IS A RESCINDING THE ACTUAL RATE INCREASE.
BUT DIDN'T WE JUST APPROVE A BUDGET THAT HAD THE RATE INCREASE? I'M, I'M JUST, I'M ASKING THE QUESTION.
YEAH, THAT'S WHAT, THAT'S WHAT I KNOW.
ALRIGHT, I'M READY TO, COME ON.
ARE YOU REMOVE, HAVE YOU CALLED THE ITEM UP? THIS ITEM ON THE FLOOR? YES.
SO YOU EITHER HAVE TO VOTE ON IT OR TAKE SOME TYPE OF ACTION TO REMOVE IT.
YOU HAVE TO ACT ON IT BECAUSE IT'S ON THE FLOOR.
I'LL MAKE A MOTION TO REMOVE THE ITEM SECOND FROM THE AGENDA.
ITEM NUMBER FOUR WILL BE REMOVED FROM THE AGENDA.
READY? A QUESTION? NO QUESTIONS.
ANY OPPOSES? THE AYE TO HAVE SWEAR IS, IS REMOVED NOW.
AND WE WOULD AJO THIS AUGUST BODY HERE AT 10 18.