[I. INVOCATION, PLEDGE & ROLL CALL]
[00:00:02]
OKAY.UH, WELCOME TO THE COUNCIL CHAMBERS HERE ON THE FIFTH FLOOR OF CITY HALL IN THE GREAT CITY OF PORT ARTHUR, TEXAS.
WE ARE GATHERED HERE TODAY ON THIS MONDAY, APRIL 21ST AND THE YEAR OF OUR LORD 2025.
I THINK SOMEONE CALLING IT RESURRECTION MONDAY FOR WHAT HAPPENED ON YESTERDAY.
BUT BEFORE I BEGIN, I'D LIKE TO OFFER CONDOLENCES FROM MYSELF AND THE COUNCIL TO ALL WHO ARE MEMBERS OF THE CATHOLIC FAITH ON THE, UH, DEMISE OF THE POPE POPE FRANCIS, WHO PASSED AWAY ON THIS MORNING.
SO WE PRAY WITH YOU AS YOUR RELIGIOUS LEADER HAS MADE A TRANSITION.
NOW, AS WE BEGIN OUR SERVICE, OR EXCUSE ME, NOT SERVICE, I WAS THINKING ABOUT A FILM.
YEAH, I WAS, I WENT TO UNDERTAKE, I'M SORRY, UH,
I'M A FUNERAL DIRECTOR AND I JUST WENT TO SERVICE.
I'M VERY SORRY, I WAS TALKING SAYING THAT.
SO PLEASE EXCUSE ME, UH, AS WE BEGIN OUR REGULARLY SCHEDULED MEETING HERE ON TODAY, UH, YOU MAY ATTEND THE MEETING VIA THANK YOU SO KINDLY.
THANK YOU SO KINDLY MR. MR. BAY LEWIS.
UH, YOU MAY ATTEND THE MEETING VIA THE, UH, TELEPHONIC OR VIDEO CONFERENCE MEDIUMS, HOWEVER YOU WOULD FIRST DIAL 8 7 7 8 5 3 5 2 4 7 OR 8 8 8 7 8 8 0 0 9 9.
AND YOU WOULD ENTER THE MEETING ID OF 8 5 8 0 5 6 9 9 7 7 1 AND THE PASS CODE OF 8 6 9 7 7 9.
AND YOU WILL BE ALLOWED TO ATTEND AND PARTICIPATE IN THIS MEETING.
ALSO, WE ARE IN COMPLIANCE WITH THE AMERICANS WITH DISABILITIES ACT, UH, IN OUR MEETINGS HERE AT THE PORT ARTHUR CITY.
UM, I MEAN IT'S PORT ARTHUR, UH, COUNCIL AND WHAT YOU MUST DO IF YOU HAVE SPECIAL REQUESTS FOR ANY SPECIAL ACCOMMODATIONS IS CALL THE CITY SECRETARY'S OFFICE AT 4 0 9 9 8 3 8 1 1 5.
HOWEVER, IT HAS TO BE DONE 24 HOURS PRIOR TO THE MEETING.
YOU MAKE THE REQUEST KNOWN TO THE CITY SECRETARY STAFF AND THEY WOULD DO ALL WITHIN THEIR POLICY TO ACCOMMODATE YOUR SPECIAL REQUEST.
WE'LL NOW BEGIN OUR NORMAL MEETING WITH AN INVOCATION, A PLEDGE, AND A ROLL CALL, AND WE CAN BEGIN THE, UH, INVOCATION ABOUT COUNCILMAN UH, KEN, YOU DO YOUR INVOCATION FOR US, PLEASE.
WILL YOU STAND, PLEASE? OH, HEAVENLY FATHER, THANK YOU FOR THIS DAY.
THANK YOU FOR A MAGNIFICENT DAY THAT WE CAN DO YOUR BUSINESS FOR THE CITY OF GREAT PORT ARTHUR, TEXAS.
THANK YOU FOR THE BLESSINGS THAT YOU BESTOWED ON US ON THE CITIZENS THIS COUNCIL, THE WORKERS AND EVERYONE THAT CAN HEAR ME.
THANK YOU FOR ALSO A WONDERFUL EASTER YES.
THAT WE CAN REMEMBER YOUR NAME AND THE JOY DAYS THAT YOU'VE GONE DONE FOR THIS COMMUNITY IN THIS WORLD.
YES, WE ASK FOR ALL THESE BLESSINGS.
YOUR SON JESUS NAME, I PRAY, WE PRAY.
IN THE PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE, I PLEDGE ALLEGIANCE TO THE FLAG OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA AND TO THE REPUBLIC FOR WHICH IT STANDS, ONE NATION UNDER GOD, INDIVISIBLE, WITH THE LIBERTY AND JUSTICE FOR ALL.
THANK YOU SO KINDLY FOR YOUR INDULGENCE IN OUR OPENING CITY SECRETARY, WOULD YOU BE SO KIND AS TO ESTABLISH A QUORUM? MAYOR BARTEE, PRESENT, MAYOR PROTE BECKHAM, MAYOR, COUNCIL MEMBER LEWIS MAYOR, COUNCIL MEMBER HAMILTON.
YOU HAVE A QUORUM MAYOR DEVICES.
AND THANK YOU FOR REMINDING ME IF YOU HAVE ANY, UH, DEVICES, ELECTRONIC DEVICES, WOULD YOU PLEASE, UH, SILENCE THOSE OR YOU CAN TURN THEM OFF, BUT, OR PUT 'EM ON MUTE PLEASE, WHILE WE ARE IN THESE PROCEEDINGS.
AND AGAIN, THANK YOU CITY SECRETARY FOR ESTABLISHING A QUORUM.
[II. PROCLAMATIONS]
OF YOU.NOW WE WOULD BEGIN WITH A PROCLAMATION AND I DO HAVE A PROCLAMATION, UH, FOR A SEXUAL ASSAULT AWARENESS MONTH.
DO WE HAVE ANYONE FROM THE GROUP THAT'S GOING TO RECEIVE YOU ALL MAY COME FORWARD, PLEASE, IF YOU WILL.
AND WHAT I'M GOING TO DO IS READ TO YOU THE PROCLAMATION THAT THE OFFICE, MY OFFICE HAS PREPARED FOR US TO PRESENT TO YOU.
AND THIS IS FROM THE CITY OF PORT ARTHUR, OFFICE OF THE MAYOR AND THE COUNCIL.
[00:05:01]
NATIONAL SEXUAL ASSAULT AWARENESS MONTH CALLS ATTENTION TO THE FACT THAT SEXUAL VIOLENCE IS WIDESPREAD AND IMPACTS EVERY PERSON IN THIS COMMUNITY.AND WHEREAS THE GOAL OF NATIONAL SEXUAL ASSAULT AWARENESS, UH, MONTH IS TO RAISE PUBLIC AWARENESS ABOUT SEXUAL VIOLENCE, EDUCATE COMMUNITIES ON HOW TO PREVENT IT, MAKE THE PERPETRATORS ACCOUNTABLE.
AND WHEREAS OVER 53% OF WOMEN AND OVER 29% OF MEN REPORTED EXPERIENCING CONTACT, UH, WITH SEXUAL VIOLENCE, ADOLESCENTS WHO EXPERIENCE SEXUAL VIOLENCE ARE LIKELY TO BECOME VICTIMS AGAIN AS ADULTS.
AND WHEREAS THE THEME THIS YEAR FOR NATIONAL SEXUAL ASSAULT AWARENESS MONTH IS TOGETHER WE ACT UNITED, WE CHANGE, WHICH HIGHLIGHTS THE IMPORTANCE OF WORKING TOGETHER TO ADDRESS AND PREVENT SEXUAL ABUSE, SEXUAL ASSAULT, AND SEXUAL HARASSMENT.
THIS CAMPAIGN FOCUSES ON ENHANCING PUBLIC UNDERSTANDING OF SEXUAL VIOLENCE, AMPLIFYING THE VOICES OF UNDERSERVED COMMUNITIES, AND EMPOWERING COLLECTIVE ACTION TO PROMOTE HEALTH EQUITY.
AND WHEREAS BY ALIGNING THESE EFFORTS WITH BROADER SOCIAL CHANGE AND LONG-TERM STRATEGIES FOR COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT, WE CAN SUSTAIN THE MOVEMENT TOWARD A FUTURE FREE FROM VIOLENCE, FREE FROM CREATING, ALSO CREATING RATHER ENVIRONMENTS WHERE EVERYONE FEELS SAFE, RESPECTED, SUPPORTED.
AND WHEREAS WE CAN PARTNER WITH THE RAPE AND SUICIDE CRISIS CENTER OF SOUTHEAST TEXAS AND ITS PARTNERING AGENCIES TO EXERCISE COURAGEOUS LEADERSHIP BY EDUCATING OURSELVES AND OTHERS ON THE ISSUE AND IMPACTS OF SEXUAL VIOLENCE, SPEAKING OUT AGAINST HARMFUL ATTITUDES AND HARMFUL ACTIONS AND SUPPORTING EFFORTS TO HELP SURVIVORS HEAL.
NOW THEREFORE, I THURMAN BILL BOCHY, MAYOR OF THE GREAT CITY OF PORT ARTHUR, TEXAS, DO HEREBY PROCLAIM THE MONTH OF APRIL IN THE YEAR OF OUR LORD 2025 AS SEXUAL ASSAULT AWARENESS MONTH HERE IN THE CITY OF PORT ARTHUR.
AND I ALSO ENCOURAGE ALL TO STAND WITH SURVIVORS OF SEXUAL ASSAULT AND ERADICATE THIS HEINOUS CRIME FROM OUR COMMUNITY, EXPRESSING OUR SINCERE GRATITUDE TO ALL THOSE COMMUNITY MEMBERS, VICTIMS, VICTIM SERVICES, VICTIM PROVIDERS, AND THE CRIMINAL JUSTICE PROFESSIONALS WHO ARE COMMITTED TO IMPROVING OUR RESPONSE TO ALL SURVIVORS OF SEXUAL VIOLENCE.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I HAVE HERE UN YOU SET MY HAND AND CAUSED THE SEAL OF THE GREAT CITY OF PORT ARTHUR, TEXAS TO BE AFFIXED THIS 21ST DAY OF APRIL IN THE YEAR OF OUR LORD 2025.
AND I WILL COME DOWN AND PRESENT THIS TO YOU.
[00:10:40]
OKAY.DO YOU HAVE SOME COMMENTS YOU'D LIKE TO MAKE TO COUNSEL? I DO.
UM, SO THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR THIS PROCLAMATION.
ON BEHALF OF SURVIVORS AND ADVOCATES, I WANNA EXPRESS A DEEP GRATITUDE, UM, FOR RECOGNIZING THE IMPORTANCE OF SEXUAL ASSAULT AWARENESS MONTH.
THIS, THIS ACKNOWLEDGEMENT IS MORE THAN JUST SYMBOLIC.
IT REFLECTS A COMMITMENT TO CREATING SAFER COMMUNITIES, EMPOWERING SURVIVORS, AND CONTINUE CONTINUING THE CRITICAL WORK OF EDUCATION, PREVENTION, AND HEALING.
THIS PROCLAMATION SERVES AS A REMINDER THAT OUR VOICES MATTER, THAT HEALING IS POSSIBLE, AND THAT TOGETHER WE CAN BUILD A WORLD WHERE RESPECT AND SAFETY ARE FUNDAMENTAL RIGHTS FOR ALL.
DO WE HAVE ANY COMMENTS FROM COUNSEL? THANK, THANK YOU.
COUNCIL MEMBER HAMILTON NEVER FAILED.
THAT WAS AN ACCIDENT, BUT THANK YOU FOR COMING.
[VIII.A.(3) P.R. No. 24217 – A Resolution Recognizing The Greater Port Arthur Chamber Of Commerce (Requested By Mayor Bartie)]
AND NOW WHAT I'D LIKE TO DO IS TO GUESS I WOULD TAKE EXECUTIVE PRIVILEGE AND WE WOULD MOVE OUT OF THE REGULAR PRINTED, UH, AGENDA.AND ON PAGE SIX OF YOUR AGENDAS THERE IS ITEM NUMBER THREE.
AND I'D LIKE TO MOVE ITEM NUMBER THREE UP AT THIS MOMENT.
CITY SECRETARY, PR NUMBER 24 2 17, A RESOLUTION RECOGNIZING THE GREATER PORT AUTHOR CHAMBER OF COMMERCE.
AND THIS HAS BEEN REQUESTED BY MAYOR BCE AND I BELIEVE WE HAVE THE RESOLUTION.
AND SECOND AND THE PAGE, I GET THE RIGHT PAGE.
UH, THAT WE WOULD HAVE, UH, THE ACCEPTANCE OF THE RESOLUTION.
WE READY FOR QUESTIONING HONOR ANY QUESTIONS? WE READY TO VOTE? ALL IN FAVOR? AYE.
SO, REAL QUICK, UM, LOOKING AT SOME OF THE OTHER THINGS THAT WE WANTED TO ADDRESS THE COUNCIL FOR YOUR CHAMBERS WORK EXTREMELY HARD OVER THE PAST YEAR, ENSURING THAT NOT ONLY ARE WE SUPPORTING OUR CITY, BUT OUR COMMUNITY AS WELL.
UH, A COUPLE OF DIFFERENT THINGS THAT WE'VE BEEN ABLE TO HANDLE.
UH, COUNCILMAN BESSETTE AND I'VE TALKED ABOUT COMING UP HERE AND TALKING TO OUR CITY COUNCIL AT LEAST TWICE, MAYBE THREE TIMES A YEAR.
YOUR CHAMBER HAS TAKEN THE LEAD ON ENSURING THAT WE'RE HANDLING JOB FAIRS.
WE'VE HAD A HUNDRED FOLKS HIRED ON THE SPOT OUT OF THE THREE JOB FAIRS THAT WE'VE HANDLED, WE'VE HAD THAT, THAT PHENOMENAL JUST TO HAVE THESE PEOPLE GO BACK TO WORK.
SO BEING ABLE TO PARTNER WITH OUR CITY WORKFORCE AND MAKING THINGS HAPPEN, WE'RE EXTREMELY, UH, HAPPY ABOUT THAT.
SOME OF THE OTHER ITEMS THAT WE HAVE, WE HAD A VERY SUCCESSFUL GOLDEN TRIANGLE DAYS.
I AM VERY HAPPY TO REPORT TO MY CITY.
62% OF EVERYONE THAT WENT WAS FROM THE PORT ARTHUR ENTITY.
THAT'S REALLY GREAT WHEN YOU'RE LOOKING AT BEAUMONT IS TWICE THE SIZE OF PORT ARTHUR.
AND WE WERE ABLE TO PUT ALL THOSE FOLKS TO WORK AT IN AUSTIN TO MAKE SOME THINGS MOVE FORWARD.
[00:15:01]
BEEN WITH, UH, ME AS WE'VE BEEN BACK AND FORTH AND MAKING THAT TREK TO AUSTIN.IT'S IMPORTANT TO HAVE THAT SUPPORT, NOT ONLY FOR MY CITY, BUT FOR YOUR COMMUNITY AS WELL.
SO I APPRECIATE YOU GUYS VERY, VERY MUCH FOR THE OPPORTUNITY TO COME AND GIVE YOU AN UPDATE ON THINGS THAT ARE HAPPENING.
UH, I WANT TO INVITE EVERYONE HERE.
WEDNESDAY, ALL OF YOUR COUNTY COMMISSIONERS WILL BE AT A BREAKFAST LEADERSHIP BREAKFAST.
THIS HAS NEVER HAPPENED BEFORE.
WE WILL HAVE ALL OF THE JEFFERSON COUNTY COMMISSIONERS AND THE LEADERSHIP BREAKFAST IN PORT ARTHUR AT OUR CIVIC CENTER GIVING EVERYBODY AN UPDATE ON EVERYTHING GOING ON.
WE CAN GET AN UPDATE FROM THE CITY.
SOMETIMES IT'S GOOD TO HEAR FROM OUR COUNTY, UH, FRIENDS AS WELL TO LET THEM HEAR US AND SO WE CAN HEAR WHAT THEY HAVE PLANNED.
UH, LAST ITEM THAT I HAD, I WANTED TO HELP THE CITY MANAGER AND I HAVE PUT TOGETHER A FEW THINGS WORKING ON PUTTING SOME INFORMATION TOGETHER FOR POTENTIALLY A VISIT TO HUD IN WASHINGTON.
YOUR CHAMBER'S GONNA TAKE THE LEAD ON THAT.
WE'RE GOING TO LET THEM KNOW EXACTLY WHY THEY SHOULD HELP INVEST IN PORT ARTHUR.
EVERY OPPORTUNITY THAT WE HAVE AS A COMMUNITY GOES THROUGH PORT ARTHUR MONTS GOT EXXONMOBIL AND WE'VE GOT EVERYTHING ELSE.
SO WE WANNA MAKE SURE WE PUT OUR BEST FOOT FORWARD.
AND WITH THAT, I APPRECIATE Y'ALL VERY, VERY MUCH FOR GIVING ME THE OPPORTUNITY TO COME AND GIVE YOU AN UPDATE ON WHAT YOUR CHAMBER IS WORKING ON FOR OUR CITY AND OUR COMMUNITY.
UH, COUNCILMAN DUC SAID YOU HAD REMARK FOR YES.
THANK YOU FOR YOUR PRESENTATION, JOE.
THAT HAS BEEN A BIG THING OF MINE SINCE, UH, I'VE BEEN ON COUNCIL.
YOU KNOW, I, I DIDN'T ATTEND TOO MANY CHAMBER OF FUNCTIONS 'CAUSE I KEPT SAYING, YOU KNOW, IS THE CHAMBER FOR ARTHUR CHAMBER OF COMMERCE AND YOU ALL SHOULD COME BEFORE US AND GIVE US UPDATE.
TELL US WHAT'S GOING ON, TELL US WHAT'S HAPPENING IN OUR CITY.
TELL 'EM WHAT YOU ALL DOING FOR OUR CITY.
BUT MOST IMPORTANTLY, WHENEVER YOU COME AND DO THIS, ALL THE CITIZENS THAT ARE IN ATTENDANCE ARE ALL CITIZENS WHO ARE WATCHING THIS.
THEY GET A CHANCE TO UNDERSTAND WHAT THE CHAMBER IS DOING.
IT'S ABOUT BEING TRANSPARENT AND LETTING PEOPLE KNOW WHAT YOU DO OVER THERE AND WHAT YOU ARE DOING FOR THEIR CITY.
SO ONCE AGAIN, I COMMEND YOU FOR COMING BEFORE US AND YOU HAVE BEEN MAKING IT PRETTY MUCH ONCE A QUARTER.
SO, YOU KNOW, I APPRECIATE THAT.
THAT'S ALL I ASKED AND I EVER ASKED OF ANYBODY WHO HEADED THAT CHAMBER IS THAT YOU UNDERSTAND THAT YOU'RE IN PORT ARTHUR AND YOU MUST COME BEFORE THE CITIZENS BECAUSE WHEN YOU COME BEFORE US, YOU'RE COMING BEFORE CITIZENS ONCE AGAIN.
I THANK YOU FOR THE JOB YOU'RE DOING OVER THERE, JOE.
I SIMPLY WANTED TO COMMEND YOU FOR THE JOB THAT YOU ARE DOING.
THERE'S NEVER A TIME WHERE WHEN WE HAVE A CONVERSATION ON WHEN WE MEET THAT YOU DON'T ASK THE QUESTION, HOW CAN I HELP? HOW CAN I SERVE? WHAT CAN I DO? AND SO YOU'RE ALWAYS WILLING, IT IS SO APPARENT THAT YOU, UH, UM, LOVE PORT ARTHUR AND YOU LOVE WHAT YOU'RE DOING.
AND THOSE TWO BRING TOGETHER A GREAT DYNAMIC.
SO I JUST WANT TO COMMEND YOU, KEEP DOING THE JOB THAT YOU'RE DOING.
ALRIGHT, COUNCILMAN LEWIS? YES.
THANK YOU FOR YOUR OUTSTANDING JOB.
YOU ARE DOING IT OVER THERE, KEEPING THE COMMUNITY INFORMED AND, UH, KEEPING US COUNCIL ABREAST OF WHAT'S GOING ON AND WHAT'S COMING UP.
GOLDEN TRIANGLE DAYS WAS VERY, VERY WELL ORGANIZED.
THANK YOU FOR THE EFFORT THAT YOU PUT INTO MAKING SURE THE INDIVIDUALS THAT WE NEEDED TO SPEAK WITH WERE THERE AND AVAILABLE FOR US.
WE DIDN'T, UM, SOME OF 'EM WE STILL HAD TO HUNT DOWN, BUT THAT'S OKAY.
BUT IT WAS, WE HAD ACCESS, RIGHT? EASY, LET ME SAY IT THAT WAY.
EASIER ACCESS THAN PREVIOUS YEARS OF US HAVING TO WALK THE HALLS AND KNOCK ON THE DOOR.
SO I APPRECIATE YOUR EFFORT IN MAKING SURE THAT THEY WERE THERE, UM, WAITING TO HEAR WHAT WE NEEDED TO SAY.
UH, I WAS JUST GONNA PIGGYBACK ON COUNCIL MEMBER EVER FIELDS'S, UH, STATEMENT.
IT WAS JUST SO EASY WHEN WE WERE IN AUSTIN.
UH, I WASN'T KIND OF FEELING, I WAS KIND OF FEELING BAD, BUT AT THE SAME TIME YOU WERE MADE IT SO EASY FOR US TO, AND FOR ME TO MEET PEOPLE THAT ARE THE MAJOR PLAYERS IN MAKING DECISIONS FOR THIS CITY.
THANK YOU FOR THE BREAKFAST THAT, UH, I ATTENDED.
IT WAS A GREAT OPPORTUNITY FOR THIS COUNCIL.
BUT THANK YOU AGAIN FOR CONTINUE DOING WHAT YOU WERE DOING.
[00:20:01]
YOU.AND I'LL JUST SAY DITTO, EVERYTHING THAT'S BEEN SAID.
AND IT'S REALLY GOOD YOU HAVE A VERY SUPPORTIVE BOARD OF DIRECTORS AND STAFF THAT, UH, ALWAYS SUPPORT WHAT WE'RE DOING.
SO WE APPRECIATE Y'ALL VERY, VERY MUCH.
[III.B.(1) A Presentation By EJES, Inc. Regarding Lead Pipes (Requested By Councilmember Frank)]
WE HAVE ONE OTHER ITEM THAT WE ARE GOING TO TAKE OUT OF HIS NORMAL SEQUENCE.ON PAGE TWO, WE HAVE, UH, UNDER PRESENTATIONS, UH, ITEM ONE.
AND IT IS A PRESENTATION BY EJES INCORPORATED, UH, REGARDING LEAD PIPES.
AND THIS HAS BEEN REQUESTED BY COUNCIL MEMBER.
FRANK, COULD YOU ALL WITH APPROACH, PLEASE? YES.
UM, WE ARE GONNA PASS OUT A COUPLE OF THINGS JUST SO YOU ALL CAN SEE AS PART OF THE PRESENTATION.
WE GOING TO MAKE IT REAL CLEAN AND SIMPLE, BUT IT'S A GREAT PRESENTATION FOR THE CITY OF PORT ARTHUR.
I JUST WANTED TO UPDATE EVERYONE.
IT'S JUST ONE YOU JUST FLIPPED.
I THOUGHT THIS WOULD BE A GREAT HOLD.
YOU SAID YOU TALKING ABOUT WAS JUST READY.
NO, I WAS JUST ASKING HIM WAS HE READY? OH, YEAH, YEAH.
ALRIGHT, WE GOT SOME, WE GOT SOME REALLY GOOD NEWS.
UH, WE WANTED TO UPDATE THE COUNCIL OF THE MAYOR'S OFFICE AND OUR CITIZENS IN PORT ARTHUR.
THIS PROGRAM WANT TO GIVE YOU A LITTLE SHORT INFORMATION ABOUT THE PROGRAM.
AND THIS PROGRAM IS PART OF THE CLEAN WATER ACT.
UH, I KNOW YOU ALL PROBABLY HAVE HEARD IN THE PAST FLINT, MICHIGAN, AND ALL ABOUT THE CLEAN WATER AND ALL THAT, BUT THE, THE EPA HAS PUT A MANDATE ON ALL OF THEIR TOWNS AND CITIES AND PEOPLE THAT GIVE WATER TO THEIR CITIZENS.
SO I ALWAYS LIKE TO START BY SAYING, THIS IS NOT A CHOICE THAT WE CAN SAY NO TO.
THIS IS A CHOICE, A MANDATE FROM EPA PART OF THE CLEAN WATER ACT.
AND WHAT THIS PROGRAM CONSISTS OF IS WHAT THEY CALL THE LEAD AND COPPER RULE REVISION.
THAT MEANS THAT IF YOU GIVE WATER TO YOUR CITIZENS, IT DOESN'T MATTER IF THE CITY OF PORT ARTHUR, IF Y'ALL GIVE ANOTHER TOWN WATER, YOU ARE GONNA BE REQUIRED TO DO AN INVENTORY ON YOUR, YOUR LINE, YOUR SYSTEM.
IF YOU TURN TO THE SECOND PAGE AND LOOK DOWN WHERE IT SAY WHAT'S, UH, LCRR AND SEE THAT PICTURE AT THE BOTTOM, THAT'S THE SERVICE LINE THAT GOES FROM THE MAIN WATER LINE TO THE HOMES.
IN, IN THE REGULAR, UH, SITUATION.
THE CITY IS ONLY RESPONSIBLE FOR THEIR LINE FROM THE, FROM THE WATER LINE TO THE METER.
BUT IN THIS CASE OF THE REVISION RULE, YOU ARE GONNA BE RESPONSIBLE FOR THE LINE ALL THE WAY TO THE CITIZEN'S HOME, NOTHING INSIDE OF THE HOME, ALL THE WAY FROM THE, FROM THE LINE, FROM THE MAIN WATERLINE ALL THE WAY TO THE HOME.
IT'S DONE ON THE COMMON CONDITIONS.
THE CITY IS RESPONSIBLE FOR THEIR LINE.
I JUST WANT TO MAKE SURE YOU, YOU UNDERSTAND THAT.
UH, BUT THIS PROGRAM IS TO REPLACE LEAD AND COPPER, OLD LEAD AND COPPER DETERIORATING LINES THAT COMES THROUGH THE DRINKING WATER THAT OUR CITIZENS, OUR CHILDREN CAN DIGEST.
AND LATER, IF YOU LOOK AT THE PAGE, UH, THAT, THAT OPEN PAGE, ALL OF THESE MEDICAL ISSUES IS WHAT IT'S CAUSING.
THIS IS WHAT, THIS IS THE MOST IMPORTANT PART OF UNDERSTANDING WHY THIS LINE IS REPLACED.
ALL OF THE, UH, ISSUES THAT WE HAVE AS, UH, HIGH BLOOD PRESSURE, JUST EVERYTHING, ALL OF THESE ISSUES COMES FROM.
IF YOU DIGEST THAT OLD MATERIAL FROM THOSE LEAD AND COPPER LINES OVER A COURSE OF A TIME THAT COULD HAPPEN.
NOT SAYING THAT IT HAPPENED, BUT IT'S A POSSIBILITY.
SO THAT'S WHY THEY CALL IT THE CLEAN WATER ACT.
THAT'S WHY THEY CALL IT THE CLEAN WATER AT.
BUT I WANTED TO JUST GIVE Y'ALL SOME HIGHLIGHTS OF THINGS THAT HAS TAKEN PLACE.
THE FIRST MANDATE THAT THEY HAD WAS OCTOBER THE 16TH, 2024.
THE CITY HAD TO DO THE INITIAL PAPERWORK AND FILE WITH TCEQ ABOUT THE INVENTORY.
[00:25:01]
MS. MATTHEWS, MS LOSS, THEY TOOK CARE OF THAT.SO THE CITY MET THEIR FIRST OBLIGATION WAS OCTOBER THE 16TH.
THE SECOND THING THAT THE CITY WORKED AND, AND EJ HAS HELPED THE CITY WORK WITH WAS THAT WE PUT A APPLICATION IN BECAUSE TCEQ HAS, THEY'RE GETTING 230 PLUS MILLION DOLLARS A YEAR FOR FIVE YEARS IN A ROW.
SO THEY CAN GIVE OUT TO TOWNS AND CITIES IN ORDER TO HELP THEM TO HELP WITH THIS COST.
YOU REMEMBER WHAT I SAID WHEN I FIRST STARTED? YOU DON'T GET TO SAY YOU CAN'T DO IT AND YOU CAN'T PAY FOR IT.
TCEQ SAYS THAT IF THAT'S AN ISSUE, YOU GOT TO DO WHATEVER YOU HAVE TO DO AS A CITY BECAUSE IT'S A MANDATE FROM EPA.
YOU REMEMBER WHAT I SAID EARLIER, FLINT, MICHIGAN, THAT WENT UP ON THE LAWSUITS FOR MISS CITIZENS AND THE EPA GOT SUED FOR THAT ISSUE.
SO IT SET THE PRESENT THAT THIS HAS TO TAKE PLACE.
WE GOT ONE MORE GREAT THING THAT WE CAN TELL YOU GUYS THAT WE WORK VERY HARD WITH.
THE CITY MANAGER AND THE STAFF AGAIN, IS PORT ARTHUR HAS ALREADY PUT AN APPLICATION IN TO GET SOME ASSISTANCE WITH THE FUNDING.
AND WE GOT APPROVED SO THAT WE ARE ALREADY ON THE WAY.
I WANT Y'ALL TO UNDERSTAND THAT MONEY WOULD NEED TO BE DONE FIRST.
YOU HAVE TO TAKE CARE OF INVENTORY.
THAT MEAN WE GOT TO GO OUT AND CHECK EVERY LINE, THE CITY'S LINE, THE CITIZEN'S LINE, ANYWHERE YOU GIVING WATER.
SO WE THINK WE GOT AN ESTIMATE OF MAYBE AROUND 14 TO 15,000 LINES THAT WE HAVE TO PHYSICALLY GO OUT AND CHECK AND PUT THE DOCUMENTATION IN.
THEN THE SECOND THING IS THE ACTUAL CONSTRUCTION TO DO THE REPLACEMENT.
YOU KNOW WHAT THAT MEANS? YOU GOT TO BRING CONTRACTORS IN HERE.
YOU GOT TO, YOU GOT TO CUT TO GET THOSE LINES REPLACED.
BUT AGAIN, THE CITY MANAGER AND, AND THE, AND THE CITY STAFF HAS WORKED VERY HARD WITH US ACCOUNTING AND EVERYBODY.
AND WE GOT APPROVED, YOU, YOU UP AGAINST EVERY CITY AND TOWN THAT GIVE WATER IN THE STATE.
AND THEY ARE NOT IT, IT IS HUNDREDS AND HUNDREDS OF THOUSANDS OF CITIES AND TOWNS THAT HAVE NOT BEEN APPROVED YET.
PORT ARTHUR HAS ALREADY GOT APPROVED.
WE, WE WORK VERY HARD TO GET PORT ARTHUR APPROVED.
SO THAT'S, THAT'S ANOTHER EXCITING THING.
SO LET ME TELL Y'ALL A LITTLE, JUST A LITTLE SHORT ABOUT HOW THIS PROCESS GOING WORK ONCE YOU GET APPROVED AND RIGHT NOW, PORT ARTHUR WAS APPROVED FOR 4.8 MILLION SOME DOLLARS.
51% OF THAT MONEY THAT YOU TAKE IS TOTALLY FORGIVEN.
SO WHEN YOU FIRST GET THIS, WHATEVER YOU GET IS TOTALLY FORGIVEN.
THE OTHER 49% OF IT, YOU HAVE TO TAKE IT AS WHAT THEY CALL A LOAN.
NOW REMEMBER WHAT I SAID, YOU CAN TAKE THIS FREE MONEY OR YOU GOING TO PAY IT ALL YOURSELF.
SO IT'S, IT IS NOT A IF AND, AND, BUT IT'S AT ZERO INTEREST OVER 25 TO 30 YEARS.
WE, WE WORKED HARD TO, TO GET AHEAD OF SOME OF OUR BIG CITIES.
THE DALLAS, DALLAS-FORT WORTH, HOUSTON, IT'S A FIRST COME, FIRST SERVE MAYOR, UH, TO GET THIS MONEY.
THEY SAY WHEN THE MONEY RUN OUT, YOU ON YOUR OWN.
BUT THAT'S, THAT'S PRETTY EXCEPT I WANT TO GIVE Y'ALL THE GOOD NEWS IS THAT WE MET OUR FIRST OCTOBER, THE 16TH DEADLINE.
THEN WE PUT OUR APPLICATION IN THE FIRST ROUND.
THEY SELECTED LITTLE TOWNS THAT HAD ALREADY DID THEIR INVENTORY.
SO WE, WE, WE REALLY AHEAD OF WHERE WE NEED TO BE, UH, FOR OUR FUNDING.
IT'S TO HELP US WITH DRINKING, WITH OUR DRINKING WATER.
NOW THE, THE PORT ARTHUR IS ALREADY IN COMPLIANCE WITH THE DRINKING WATER.
WHAT THIS IS, IS TO REMOVE THAT OLD LEAD LINES THAT WE WILL COME INTO YOUR AND ASK PERMISSION THAT WE WILL COME IN AND REPLACE THOSE OLD LINES THAT THAT NEED TO BE REPLACED.
UH, SO THAT'S WHAT, THAT'S WHAT THE PROGRAM IS GETTING RID OF THOSE OLD LINES WHERE WE DRINK THE WATER AND EVENTUALLY IT CAN GIVE US HEALTH ISSUES.
I THINK I'VE COVERED EVERYTHING.
UH, ANY QUESTIONS FROM ANYONE? OKAY.
I THANK YOU FOR YOUR PRESENTATION.
YOU, THIS IS AN ISSUE AND I'M VERY SENSITIVE TO, BECAUSE I LOST A LITTLE NEPHEW UNTIL LEAD, LEAD PAINT.
[00:30:01]
AND UH, HE WAS LESS THAN 10 YEARS OLD WHEN HE CAME IN CONTACT AND THEY BOUGHT AN OLD HOME AND HE CAME IN CONTACT WITH THE CYLINDER.THIS, THIS, HE WAS BITING ON THIS, THE WINDOW SEAL KIDS LIKE THE CHEW ON.
SO, AND HE, AND IT AFFECTED HIM HIS WHOLE LIFE.
I KNOW HE IS, HE IS GOING IN HEAVEN BECAUSE I SAW MY MOTHER WEL WELCOMING HIM.
AND HE WAS RUN, HE WAS SEE CRIPPLED IN A WHEELCHAIR ALL OF HIS LIFE.
AND, UH, I WAS PLEASED TO SEE THAT THE LORD ALLOWED ME TO SEE MM-HMM
HE WAS RESTORED RUNNING TOWARD MY MOTHER.
AND SHE HAD HER ARMS OPEN, WELCOMING IN HIM.
NOW WE HAVE ALREADY HAD A, WE HAVE A HISTORY OF BOB BOW WAS PUBLIC WORKS DIRECTOR.
HE'S EVENTUALLY BECAME A COUNCILMAN AFTER THE CENTER'S NAME AFTER HIM.
WE ALWAYS CITY MANAGER, ALWAYS HAD HAD THE COUNCIL UPDATED ON THE WATER THAT WE PRODUCE.
AT THE, AT THE WATER, WATER PLANT WITH IS LEAD FREE.
BUT THEN WE GO DOWN THE LINE, GO DOWNSTREAM.
AND WHAT WE'LL DO, WE'LL CHECK THE TAP WATERS COMING INTO THE SINKS.
IT IS, WE HAVE A HISTORY OF IT'S WELL ESTABLISHED THAT THE CITY PRODUCES LEAD FREE WATER.
AND WHEN IT GETS TO THE, TO THE SINK, IT'S NOT LEAD FREE.
AND I'M GLAD THAT THIS PROGRAM COME ALONG SO WE CAN GET, GET THIS ALL TAKEN CARE OF.
I HEARD YOU SAY AND, AND CLEAR ME IF I'M WRONG, I HEARD YOU SAY THE CITY IS NOW RESPONSIBLE UP TO THE HOUSE OUTSIDE OR UP TO THE SINK.
WE, WE ARE THE, SO WHAT WE GONNA DO ABOUT FROM THE, FROM THE INPUT TO THE HOUSE, FROM THE OUTSIDE, THAT THAT'S WHERE EVERYTHING STOP CITY RESPONSIBILITY FROM THE, FROM THE HOUSE BACKWARDS.
NOW, FROM THE, FROM THE, UH, HOUSE WHERE THE ENTER THE HOUSE TO THE SINK IS ARE, IS THERE ANY HELP FOR GRANTS FOR THAT? WELL, WELL, I CAN SAY, WELL, IT'S GOT LEAD PIPES ALL THROUGH THE HOUSE.
THEY, EVERYONE CITY WE GO TO ASK THAT, THAT'S A NORMAL, TRADITIONAL QUESTION.
THIS CLEAN DRINKING WATER, THEY ARE STOPPING IT, OF TRANSPORTING THE CITY'S RESPONSIBILITY OF GETTING IT UP TO THE HOUSE.
THEY WILL NOT DO ANYTHING INSIDE OF THE HOUSE THAT, THAT'S GOT TO BE ANOTHER PROGRAM THAT'S NOT UNDER THIS MANDATE.
BUT I DO KNOW NOTHING INSIDE THE HOUSE.
IS IT ONE FEET OF, UH, IT'S RIGHT UP TO THE HOME.
RIGHT UP TO THE HOME IS WHERE IT STOPPED.
THEY'RE JUST TRYING TO CATCH THAT WATER THAT THE CITY IS RESPONSIBLE FOR GIVING TO ITS CITIZENS.
SO HOW EARLY CAN WE GET THIS PROGRAM STARTED? WELL, WELL, I CAN TELL YOU THE GOOD THING IS WE'VE ALREADY THE CITY TO MEET THE OCTOBER THE 16TH DEADLINE STARTED DOING SOME OF THE PRELIMINARY INVENTORY BECAUSE THEY HAD TO MEET THE 16TH DEADLINE.
SO NOW WE ARE MOVING, HOPEFULLY IN THE NEXT THREE MONTHS IF WE CAN GET ON THROUGH THE, OUR APPLICATION, UH, MAYOR AND EVERYBODY THAT WE WILL REALLY START TO REALLY PUT IN FULL FORCES DOWN.
BECAUSE FIRST WE GOT TO GO OUT AND IDENTIFY WHERE THE PROBLEMS ARE.
SO THAT'S WHAT, THAT'S WHAT WE ARE DOING NOW.
AND THE CITY ALREADY KIND OF STARTED THAT PROCESS AND I'M, AND I'M GLAD THAT YOU, YOU ARE HERE.
SO, AND YOU KNOW WHAT, WHAT A STARTING POINT, STOPPING POINT SAID, OKAY.
BUT NOW IT IS ABOUT FUNDING, UH, THE REST OF THE WAY INSIDE THE HOUSE.
WE CAN GET IT FROM THE EDC UNDER A FOUR B PROGRAM AND WE'RE EVERYWHERE WE, WE FIND LEAD INSIDE THE HOUSE.
THAT, THAT'S, WE CAN PROGRAM GRANT THEM UNDER FOUR B OR FOUR B PROJECT FROM THE EDC.
THAT'S A, THAT, THAT'S, SO THAT'S AN EASY ONE.
SO YOU CONTINUE DOING WHAT YOU'RE DOING.
UM, I'M SO GRATEFUL FOR YOUR PRESENTATION ON TODAY.
AND I WAS ELATED AND EXCITED TO HEAR ABOUT, UH, THE, THE CITY'S, UH, PROGRESS OF PUTTING FORTH, UH, THIS PROJECT AND THE FACT THAT WE'D ALREADY BEEN, UH, ACCEPTED, UM, INTO THE PROGRAM TO GET, UH, THESE MONIES MM-HMM
UM, EACH ONE OF THESE COUNCILMEN IN THIS ENTIRE COUNCIL HAS BEEN SO, UH, BOMBARDED ABOUT STREETS, UM, UH, IN THE CITY.
BUT I, I KIND OF LOOK AT THIS PROGRAM, UH, AS, UH, A BLOOD PRESSURE PROBLEM.
UM, MANY TIMES WHEN WE GOT BLOOD PRESSURE PROBLEMS, WE
[00:35:01]
DON'T EVEN KNOW WE HAVE BLOOD PRESSURE PROBLEMS. IT'S BEEN CALLED THAT SILENT, THAT SILENT, UH, KILLER.AND, UM, AND SO THIS IS IMPORTANT FOR US TO WORK TOWARD FIXING THE INFRASTRUCTURE OF OUR CITY, UH, BECAUSE IT GOES UNDETECTED, UH, SO MANY TIMES AS INDIVIDUALS ARE USING WATER, WE DO TEST OUR WATER.
WE HAVE GREAT WATER, UH, HERE IN THE CITY OF PORT ARTHUR.
I HAVE FRIENDS WHO LIVE IN HOUSTON WHO BRING JUGS HOME TO FILL THEIR WATER JUGS AND BRING BACK TO HOUSTON BECAUSE WE HAVE SUCH GREAT WATER HERE.
BUT IT IS IMPERATIVE THAT, UH, WE FIX THESE ISSUES SO THAT WE DON'T FALL INTO THE CATEGORY OF OTHER CITIES THAT HAVE HAD THESE KINDS OF PROBLEMS. SO, UH, THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR WHAT YOU'RE DOING.
AND WE NEED TO GO FORWARD, UH, WITH THIS PROJECT, UH, SO THAT WE CAN CONTINUE TO DELIVER, UH, THE QUALITY OF WATER IN OUR CITY.
NOW LET ME ASK ONE QUESTION AS WELL.
I DID HAVE THAT AROSE WHILE I WAS LOOKING AT THIS.
WHAT HAPPENS IF INDIVIDUALS DON'T WANT YOU TO TEAR UP THEIR YARD WHEN REPLACING, UH, THE PORTION THAT THE CITY NOW BECOMES RESPONSIBLE FOR? WE HAD BEEN RESPONSIBLE FOR GETTING IT.
YOU KNOW, YOU'VE SHOWN THE PICTURES HERE, BUT WHAT HAPPENS IF SOMEONE IS CONTRARY TO THE IDEA OF US GOING FARTHER, UH, INTO THEIR YARD AND AND REPLACING PIPE? YEAH.
THAT'S ONE OF THE QUESTIONS IS ASKED.
WHAT HAPPENS IS THE CITY IS GONNA HAVE TO GET DOCUMENTATION.
THIS IS A VERY HANDS-ON WITH OUR CITIZENS BECAUSE WE GONNA HAVE TO ASK THE CITIZENS FOR PERMISSION TO GET IN AT THEIR, REPLACE THEIR LAND.
IF A CITIZEN DECIDES THEY DON'T WANT TO DO IT, OR THEY SAY NO, WE GONNA GET DOCUMENTATION.
YOU, THIS WHOLE PROGRAM STEMMED AROUND THE CITY YOUR RESPONSIBILITY FOR CLEAN WATER BECAUSE YOU ARE PAYING, YOU ARE PROVIDING WATER TO THAT CITIZENS.
SO IF THEY SAY NO, YOU'RE GONNA HAVE TO GET DOCUMENTATION ON THAT, THEY GONNA HAVE TO SIGN SAYING, NO, WE DON'T WANT OUR LINE FIXED.
WE REFUSE TO LET YOU IN THERE IN OUR YARD.
BECAUSE THE CITY NEEDS THAT FOR DOCUMENTATION.
BECAUSE WHEN LAWSUITS START FLYING, YOU GONNA HAVE TO HAVE A JUSTIFICATION ON WHY YOU DID NOT FIX THEIR UH, LINE.
SO THEY HAVE A RIGHT TO SAY NO.
BUT, BUT WHY I, IT WOULD MAKE SENSE, UH, UH, MR. FRANK FOR IF YOU, IT'S NOT GONNA COST THE CITY, I MEAN THE CITIZENS, THEY'RE NOT GONNA PAY A PENNY OUTTA THEIR POCKET.
SO I WOULD BE REMISS TO SAY SOMEONE GONNA FIX IT FOR YOU TO CREATE A PROBLEM FOR YOU TO GET BETTER HEALTH.
WHY WOULD YOU SAY NO? AND IT'S NOT GONNA COST YOU ANYTHING.
BUT IF THEY SAY NO, WE GONNA HAVE TO DOCUMENT IT.
WE GOT A METHOD OF DOCUMENTING.
WE WORKING WITH ABOUT 15 CITIES SO WE KNOW WHAT IT TAKES TO DOCUMENT THAT FOR THE CITY OF PORT ARTHUR TO MAKE SURE THEY ARE IN COMPLIANCE.
'CAUSE YOU, YOU ON THE EPA COMPLIANCE AND TCE CURIOUS IS GOING TO BE THE ENFORCER OF THAT.
SO THEY GONNA MAKE US SHOW THEM DOCUMENTATION WHERE THOSE, UH, INDIVIDUAL CITIZENS SAY NO.
UH, COUNCILWOMAN, UH, EVER FIELD.
THANK YOU FOR THIS PRESENTATION.
I'VE, I'VE BEEN WAITING FOR Y'ALL THE, UM, MEANING LIKE A IN A GOOD, IN A GOOD WAY.
SO I'M HAPPY THAT, THANK YOU THAT Y'ALL ARE HERE.
UM, ONE OF THE QUESTIONS I HAD WAS, I UNDERSTAND THAT WE HAVE TO CONFIRM WHERE THESE 10 TO 15,000 PIPES ARE.
AND I'M MORE THAN SURE THAT THE CITY MANAGER'S OFFICE AND STAFF HAS BEEN WORKING DILIGENTLY WITH YOU ALL.
IT IS MY UNDERSTANDING THAT ALMOST TWO YEARS AGO, IF, IF NOT PRO PROBABLY LONGER, THAT, UM, A WC DID A, A SURVEY OF ALL OF THE PIPELINES THAT WE HAVE.
IS THAT SOMETHING THAT WE HAVE TO, DON'T WE ALREADY KNOW? WE KNOW WHERE ALL THE PIPELINES ARE, BUT DO WE KNOW WHICH OF THOSE HAVE BEEN GALVANIZED COPPER OR LED THEY, THEY, THEY USING THE DATABASE FROM THE CUSTOMER SERVICE DEPARTMENT.
SO THAT, SO WE DO, SO HOPEFULLY THAT TIMELINE, I JUST WANT TO BE CLEAR TO THE, THE CITIZENS THAT ARE LISTENING TO YOUR PRESENTATION THAT YES, THIS ISN'T SOMETHING THAT WE HAVE TO START ON, LIKE NOW.
IT'S SOMETHING THAT'S ALREADY BEEN GOING ON.
WE, WE HAVE A LOT OF THAT INFORMATION.
BUT WHAT YOU GOT TO REMEMBER, INITIALLY THE CITY WOULD DOCUMENT ALL OF THEIR SERVICE LINES.
AND WHEN YOU SAY SERVICE LINE, WE TALKING ABOUT THE WATER SERVICE LINES? YES SIR.
[00:40:01]
BUT NOW THE NEW RULE SAYS NO, THE CITY DON'T GO AND DOCUMENT THE CUSTOMER SIDE.SO NOW WE GOT TO MAKE SURE WE HAVE DOCUMENTATION FOR BOTH THE CITY SIDE AND THE CUSTOMER SIDE.
SO WHEN WE GO OUT AND START DOING THIS INVENTORY, WE GONNA BE GOING TO THE METER BOX AND DOING ALL OF THOSE THINGS.
'CAUSE WE DOING IT IN A LOT OF CITIES NOW.
YOU KNOW, PEOPLE COME OUT AND THEY WANT TO KNOW WHAT YOU'RE DOING AND WHY YOU IN THEIR YARD.
AND WE WILL SEND OUT DOCUMENTATIONS EARLY.
SO THEY ALREADY KNOW WE COMING, WE DO A LOT OF COMMUNITY SERVICE OUTREACH BEFORE WE COME INTO THE COMMUNITY.
SO WE ARE NOT GONNA JUST COME IN ON THE CITY CITIZENS AND JUST SHOW UP ONE DAY AND DO SOMETHING.
WE GONNA DO OUTREACH BEFORE WE EVEN GET THERE.
WE'LL LET THEM KNOW WE COMING AND WE WORK WITH THE COUNCILS TO LET THEY CITIZENS KNOW THAT WE ARE GONNA BE COMING TO DO THAT WORK.
SO, BUT WE ARE GONNA BE ON BOTH SIDES IS GONNA BE YES.
AND ONE THING I CAN TELL Y'ALL AS I LEAVE, WE, WE, WE GIVE CITY OF PORT ARTHUR CITIZENS THE JOBS, WE HAVE A PROGRAM THAT WE DO IN FOUR STATES THAT WILL COME IN EARLY, UH, COUNCILMAN LEWIS AND WE GONNA COME IN AND DO SOME PRE-TRAINING BECAUSE Y'ALL GOTTA UNDERSTAND THIS.
SO I'M GONNA PULL ARTHUR THOSE UH, METERS TO SEE WHAT YOUR METER SITUATION IS.
Y'ALL GOT WILD HOS AND EVERYTHING RUNNING AROUND IN CERTAIN AREAS.
HUH? AN ANTS KNOW WE GONNA USE PORT ARTHUR CITIZENS.
YOU SOUTHEAST TEXAS, YOU DIDN'T KNOW.
SO WE HAD, WE DO YOU DO WE ALLIGATORS IN THE, IN THE MEGA BOX.
SO THE OTHER, THE OTHER PART OF MY QUESTION IS WHEN UM, NOT TO, THIS COMMENT ISN'T INTENT TO BE FORCEFUL OR NOT, BUT WHAT ARE WE GOING TO DO TO MAKE SURE THAT THE CITIZEN'S YARD IS RESTORED TO, AT MINIMUM HOW YOU FOUND IT? WE, WE GOT A, WE GOT A VERY GOOD METHOD TO DO THAT.
AND WE ARE GONNA CALL IT REPLACING KIND, WHICH MEANS WE ARE GONNA MAKE SURE THAT WHEN WE GO ENTRENCHING WE HAVE TO REPLACE A LINE THAT WE GONNA MAKE SURE THAT IT'S GONNA BE EQUIVALENT OR PROBABLY COULD BE A LITTLE BETTER ONCE WE DO WHAT WE NEED TO DO.
BUT WE ARE NOT GONNA NEED, THAT'S ONE OF THE BIGGEST FIGHTS GOING ON RIGHT NOW, WHERE CITIZENS ARE SAYING, HEY, IF YOU CUT IN MY YARD, I WANT MY YARD TO LOOK THE SAME WAY OR BETTER THAN IT WAS SO THAT WE WON'T HAVE A PROBLEM.
AND Y'ALL, I ASK THAT WHEN YOU DO THAT, YES.
PLEASE GIVE AN EXPECTED OR ESTIMATED TIMELINE.
WE DON'T WANT THAT TO BE DONE.
AND SOME WE START GETTING PHONE CALLS TO SAY IT'S BEEN THREE MONTHS AND NO ONE HAS COME TO FIX MY YARD YET.
AND I'M NOT INSINUATING THAT THAT IS YOUR, IS YOUR PROCESS.
BUT PLEASE BE CLEAR WHEN WE DO BEGIN THIS PROCESS SO THAT WE CAN HELP SET THE EXPECTATIONS.
AND I KNOW THE CITY MANAGER AND THE STAFF AND DR.
AND DON'T Y'ALL FORGET THIS, NOT JUST THE RESIDENT.
WE HAVE TO CHANGE THE COMMERCIAL TOO.
SO THIS IS ANYWHERE YOU SUPPLY WATER LINES.
SO THIS IS JUST NOT HOMES, BUT THIS BUSINESS IS ALSO THANK YOU SIR.
UH, HAVEN'T WE DONE SOME OF THOSE? YEAH.
I THINK TO MEET THE OCTOBER THE 16TH, UH, DEADLINE WE HAVE STARTED SOME OF THE INITIAL DOCUMENTATION.
IT'S A LOT OF DOCUMENTATION THAT THE EPA AND TCE CREW IS GONNA REQUIRE.
NOT ONLY ARE WE GONNA BE CHECKING THE LINES, WE GONNA BE GIVING THEM INFORMATION ABOUT THE FITTINGS ALSO.
SO THEY HAVE STARTED THAT PROCESS BECAUSE THEY KNEW THEY HAD TO HAVE THAT PROCESS STARTED FOR, TO MEET THE FIRST INITIAL REQUIREMENT.
BUT YOU GOT A LOT OF WORK, UH, THAT'S GONNA HAVE TO TAKE PLACE A TREMENDOUS AMOUNT OF WORK.
'CAUSE WE STILL MAY HAVE 14, 15,000 LINES THAT IS GOT TO CONTINUE TO BE INVENTORY.
THE NEXT QUESTION I HAVE IS, UH, WE'RE GONNA GET A GRANT OF 4.8 MILLION.
I GOT THE NUMBERS FOR YOU IF YOU WANT IT.
NO, I JUST WANTED TO LIKE TO KNOW IF, IS THAT THE TOTAL COST FOR THE PROJECT OR IS THAT JUST A GRANT THAT HELPS? YEAH, THAT, THAT YOUR INVENTORY PROCESS.
I, I'M GONNA GIVE YOU AN EXAMPLE.
I KNOW THEY SAYING IT COULD COST LIKE HOUSTON UP INTO THE HUNDREDS AND HUNDREDS
[00:45:01]
OF MILLIONS OF DOLLARS TO GET THAT PROGRAM.THIS IS JUST THE INVENTORY THAT IS GOING TO TAKE THE FIRST I GET THE INVENTORY, BUT YOU DON'T PANIC YET BECAUSE WE ALREADY KNOW THAT WHEN WE CHECK 15,000 LINES, ALL 15,000 IS NOT GONNA BE REPLACED.
YOUR BIG TICKET IN THIS PROGRAM IS ONCE WE FIND OUT WHAT IS THE AMOUNT OF LINES THAT NEED TO BE REPLACED, THAT'S WHEN YOU GOT CONTRACTORS COMING IN AND CUTTING AND TRENCHING AND DOING ALL OF THAT.
SO YOU GOT A PHASE ONE, PHASE TWO, YOU IN YOUR PHASE ONE.
WE DON'T KNOW WHAT THE PHASE TWO WILL BE UNTIL WE FIND OUT WHAT, WHAT YOU ALL HAVE OUT THERE.
SO ONCE AGAIN, THE QUESTION YES, IT'S GONNA BE MORE THAN 4.8 MILLION ONCE YOU FIND OUT IT'S GONNA BE A COST YES.
FOR, FOR, FOR FIXING DOING THE ACTUAL CONSTRUCTION.
YOU, WHEN YOU SAY IT'S 4.8 MILLION, WE PAID 51%, THEN SOME, THEN I WOULD ASSUME, AND ANYBODY LISTENING WOULD ASSUME IT WAS 4.8.
THAT'S WHY I ASKED YOU THE QUESTION.
SO BASICALLY THIS WILL GET US STARTED AND THAT'S WHAT WE NEED TO GET GOING.
UH, I GOT A COUPLE QUESTIONS FOR YOU.
NOW I, I HEARD YOU THAT, THAT WAS MY QUESTION.
YOU KIND OF ANSWERED THE, I YOU KEPT SAYING INVENTORY.
AND THAT THE AMOUNT WOULD BE DIFFERENT.
BUT I WOULD LIKE TO KNOW BEFORE YOU READ YOUR, YOUR INFORMATION, YOUR NUMBERS, I WOULD LIKE TO KNOW THE NUMBERS.
BUT, UH, I DO AGREE WITH YOU WHEN YOU SAID ALL 15,000 LINES WOULD NOT HAVE TO BE REPAIRED.
I MEAN THAT'S JUST OBVIOUSLY YEAH.
YOU KNOW, WE, WE'VE, WE'VE HAD REPAIRS AND WE'VE STARTED A PROCESS.
I WANNA GO BACK TO WHAT YOU SAID EARLIER.
YOU SAID, YOU KNOW, LIKE FLINT, MICHIGAN, WE ARE NOWHERE NEAR UH, WHAT THEY HAD TO GO THROUGH.
SO LET'S JUST CLAR CLARIFY THAT BECAUSE PORT ARTHUR, WE'VE BEEN, UH, WORKING ON THIS TYPE OF PROJECT FOR A LONG TIME SINCE I'VE BEEN ON HERE AND I'VE BEEN ON HERE SEVEN YEARS MM-HMM
SO WE GOT THE INFORMATION, WE'RE TRIED TO DO INVENTORY, WE TRIED TO DO PLOTTING, UNDERSTANDING WHERE THESE LINES ARE SINCE I'VE BEEN HERE.
UH, BUT I DO WANT TO TALK TO YOU ABOUT CITY EASEMENTS.
WE HAVE A CITY EASEMENT AND WHEN WE ARE TALKING ABOUT WHAT WE CONTRIBUTE TO THE CUSTOMER'S, UH, YARD, THAT'S CONSIDERED AN EASEMENT.
AM I UNDERSTANDING CORRECTLY? SO WE STILL HAVE THE RIGHT TO GO UP ON THAT YARD.
I MEAN, YOU DON'T HAVE A SAY SO BECAUSE WE SUPPLY AND IF THAT'S SOMETHING ADDITIONAL TO THE CUSTOMER THAT WE ARE REQUIRED TO HANDLE, I DON'T UNDERSTAND WHY SOMEBODY WOULD BE OPPOSED TO THAT.
YOU, YOU UNDERSTAND WHERE I'M GOING WITH IT BECAUSE IT IS A CITY EASEMENT UP TO THAT YARD THAT WE SUPPLY.
BUT YOU DON'T HAVE YOU NORMALLY, AND I'M LICENSED EVERYTHING, DUTIES ALL OVER THE COUNTRY.
YOU DON'T HAVE A EASEMENT ALL THE WAY UP TO SOMEBODY'S NO.
I SAID THAT SUPPLY LINE, IF YOU HAVE AN EASEMENT YES.
SO ALSO LOCATION, UH, THE LOCATION, UH, UM, THOSE LINES.
SO IF YOU COULD JUST READ THOSE NUMBERS THAT YOU SAY YOU HAVE THAT THE COSTS ARE TO AM INTERESTED BECAUSE THOSE TYPE OF GRANTS ARE THE COMPETITIVE GRANTS.
WE ARE NOT EVEN GUARANTEED TO GET THOSE GRANTS THAT WE APPLY FOR.
SO I'M, YOU SAID WE HAD PHASE TWO AND YOU ALREADY HAVE AN AMOUNT.
SO I'M INTERESTED TO KNOW HOW YOU KNOW THAT WITH, WE GOT AN APPROVED AMOUNT FROM THE STATE YOU'VE BEEN APPROVED.
THIS IS ONE THAT, 'CAUSE WE'VE BEEN IN A PROCESS LIKE THIS BEFORE.
WE DIDN'T HEAR ANYTHING FOR OVER A YEAR UNTIL WE HAD THAT LETTER.
REMEMBER WE HAD TO WAIT ON A LETTER YES.
THAT, THAT CAME FROM THE FUNDING OR THE FEDERAL FUNDING SOURCE.
AND WE HAD TO HAVE THAT LETTER IN HAND TO BE GUARANTEED APPROVAL.
SO YOU'RE SAYING THIS IS APPROVAL.
WE ALREADY GOT AN APPROVAL OF OUR APPLICATION.
THEY ARE TRYING TO TAKE US TO THE JUNE FOR CLOSING.
SO I, I DO KNOW THAT THEY'RE TRYING TO CL HAVE US IN THE APPROVAL IN JUNE FOR CLOSING.
WE ALREADY GOT A LETTER FROM TCEQ SAYING YOU APPROVE, THIS IS YOUR AMOUNT THAT WE HAVE ALLOCATED FOR YOU.
NOW THE CITY OF PORT ARTHURS STILL HAVE TO TURN IN LITTLE PAPERWORK THAT YOU GUYS HAVE TO DO.
YOU KNOW, THEY ASKING FOR LITTLE AUDITING OF YOUR WATER SYSTEM AND DIFFERENT THINGS WHICH COMPLIANCE ORDERS.
BUT BESIDES THAT, YOU ALREADY HAVE AN APPROVED OKAY.
I WELL, YOU CAN GET THAT FROM YOUR CITY MANAGER.
ARE THOSE THAT INFORMATION REAL QUICK? YES.
SO THE TOTAL IS $4,000,806 FROM SOME CENTS.
UH, YOUR FORGIVEN AMOUNT, THEY'VE ALREADY GOT IT IN WRITING TO YOU IS 2,451,000 112.
SO YOU ALREADY HAVE THAT AMOUNT ALREADY FORGIVEN.
YOU KNOW, YOU'RE NOT GONNA HAVE TO, UH, PAY THAT BACK.
YOU CAN GET THAT LETTER FROM, YOU KNOW, CITY STAFF.
[00:50:01]
THAT'S A GOOD THING.UM, UM, MR. CITY MANAGER AND THE STAFF, WE'VE BEEN WORKING BACK AND FORTH WITH THIS, UH, TCEQ FOR AT LEAST 5, 6, 7 MONTHS.
JUST INFORMATION AFTER INFORMATION TO MAKE SURE WE GOT WHAT WE NEED.
AND LASTLY, UH, YOU SAID THAT, UH, 49% OF THE LOAN THAT WE'D HAVE TO DO A LOW INTEREST LOAN, ZERO INTEREST TO COMPLETE, COMPLETE THE PROJECT.
THIS, THIS HOW THEY MADE THIS PROGRAM IS ZERO INTEREST.
YOU ONLY, YOU ONLY GOING TO PAY BACK ON IT IS ZERO INTEREST AND IT CAN GO FROM 25 TO 30 YEARS AT A ZERO INTEREST.
COTMAN LEWIS, YOU HAD YOUR LIGHTS ON.
ALL THE GOOD INFORMATION UP TO THIS POINT.
THAT'S ONE OF THING, ONE THING THAT'S MISSING WHEN YOU COMPILE ALL OF THIS DATA WHERE YOU GOT THE PROBLEMS AT, AND YOU ARE NOT, YOU ARE NOT ALLOWED TO CHANGE IT OUT ON, GO ONTO THAT PROPERTY OR CHANGE IT.
TAKE THAT DATA ON YOU, YOU AND I WOULD, I WOULD LIKE TO SEE YOU POST IT ON THE CITY'S WEBSITE JUST IN CASE SOMEBODY DECIDE TO BUY A HOME.
AND THEY'LL, THEY CAN CAN LOOK AT THAT WEBSITE TO SEE IF THE, IF THE LEAD, UH, THE LEAD LINES HAVE BEEN REPLACED.
BECAUSE THAT'S GONNA AFFECT THEIR CAUSE AND THAT'S PART OF OUR OUTREACH.
WHAT YOU SAID IS A GOOD THING IS ONCE WE STARTED FINDING OUT WHERE THESE LINES ARE, WE ARE UNDER A MANDATE FROM EPA TO NOTIFY.
SO IT AIN'T JUST A MATTER OF YOU GETS TO POST IT AND THEY GOT TO LOOK FOR IT.
THE EPA RULE SAYS THAT ONCE WE START DOING THE INVENTORY AND, AND WE GOT RULES ON WHERE WE GO FIRST.
THE FIRST PLACE WE GOT TO START DOING INVENTORY WHEN WE START IS WHERE THE CHILDREN ARE, WHERE ALL OF THE DAYCARES AND WHERE THE SCHOOLS.
THAT'S THE FIRST LOCATION THAT WE GONNA HAVE TO GO TO FIRST.
THEN THE SECOND LOCATION IS THE ECONOMICALLY DEPRIVED AREAS OF THE CITY WHERE MOST OF THE LINES MAY POSSIBLY BE AT.
SO, BUT WE GOT TO DO THE WHOLE SYSTEM, BUT WE GOT RULES AND REGULATIONS ON WHERE WE START FIRST AND WHERE WE END.
AND ONE, ONE OF THE OTHER THINGS THAT I WANNA BRING TO YOUR ATTENTION, I'M, I'M PRETTY COMFORTABLE THAT YOU ALREADY KNOW THIS AND MAJORITY OF THE COUNCIL MEMBERS KNOW THIS.
WHEN MONEY IS ALLOCATED, IT'S NOT IN YOUR BANK ACCOUNT.
YOU HAVE TO DOC, DO DOCUMENTATION TO PAY TO DRAW DOWN.
AM I CORRECT? IT HAS TO, I CAN TELL YOU HOW YOU SPENT THE MONEY.
SO YOU JUST CAN'T GO GET A BOGAGE LOAN AND THEN TRY TO FLUFF UP THE, UH, ALLOCATION LATER ON.
IT HAS BEEN, IT HAS HAPPENED AND IT WILL CONTINUE TO HAPPEN.
AND LET ME JUST GIVE YOU REAL QUICK ON HOW THAT HAPPENED SO I CAN MAKE IT SHORT AND SIMPLE.
WHAT HAS HAPPENED WITH ALL THE OTHER STATES AND ALL THE CITIES AND THEY ALL WORKING TOGETHER.
SAY WE START IN AN AREA OF PORT ARTHUR, ONCE WE START DOING THE INVENTORY, WE HAVE TO BE CONTINUOUSLY UPDATING THE TCEQ SYSTEM AS WE GO.
SO THEY GONNA KNOW YOU DOING THIS WORK IN ORDER TO GET THIS MONEY.
BUT YOU STILL HAVE TO SUBMIT YOUR DOCUMENTATION.
OH, YOU GOT TO EVERY MONTH YOU GOING TO, THEY MATTER OF FACT, THEY WATCH IT EVERY DAY.
YOU WATCHING IT EVERY DAY THAT YOU'RE DOING THIS WORK, THAT'S GOOD BECAUSE THERE'S SO MANY PROGRAMS THAT'S BEEN ABUSED NOW.
AND IN ADDITION, YOU SAYING SOMETHING ABOUT SECURITY, WILD HOGS AND ALL THIS KIND OF STUFF.
DID YOU MENTION THAT YOURSELF? YEAH.
I MEAN THAT'S JUST PART OF GOING OUT, CHECKING THESE METERS IN ALL THESE DISTINCT AREAS WHERE YOU GOT TO DEAL WITH WHATEVER PORT ARTHUR HAS.
WE KNOW OVER THAT AREA WHERE THEY STILL, THEY WAS TELLING US THEY GOT WALL HOGS, BUT IT LOOKED LIKE IT WASN'T IN THE CITY LIMITS OF PORT ARTHUR.
BUT Y'ALL STILL GIVE A LITTLE WATER OVER IN THAT AREA.
BUT, BUT I, BUT I WANNA SHARE WITH YOU, THOSE ARE NOT WILD HALL, THOSE EX MAYORS LOOKING FOR BROWN BAGS.
YOU ALL, YOU HAVE SOMETHING ELSE? JUST A MINUTE? JUST YES.
WE WANT TO THANK YOU ALL FOR YOUR PRESENTATION AND WHAT YOU'RE DOING.
THE STAFF CITY MANAGER, UH, YOU KNOW, YOU AND I TALKED ABOUT THIS ABOUT A COUPLE YEARS AGO, AND YOU KNOW, THIS IS NOT FOR COUNCIL AND OTHERS WHO ARE LISTENING AND JOINING.
THIS IS NOT SOMETHING THAT JUST CAME UP.
AS HE SAID A FEW MONTHS AGO, I HAD AN OPPORTUNITY TO TALK WITH THE CITY MANAGER ABOUT THIS AFTER HAVING LEARNED ABOUT THIS IN DOING SOME OF MY TRAVELS.
AND I FOUND OUT AND HE CALLED HIS STAFF IN AND THEY BEGAN THE PROCESS AND HE INFORMED ME A FEW MONTHS AGO WHERE WE WERE, I THINK IT WAS AFTER THE, UH, OCTOBER DEAL, UH, WHEN, UH, YOU ALL MADE THE DEADLINE YES.
AND THE CITY COUNCIL MEMBERS, ALL THE THINGS THAT
[00:55:01]
YOU WERE SAYING.WE'VE GOTTEN EMAILS WITH THAT INFORMATION NOW I, OH, I'M NOT TRYING TO CHILD ANYBODY FOR NOT READING THE EMAILS.
AS TO EVEN HOW IT HAS TO BE DONE FROM THE STATE, THE AREAS THAT YOU MUST GO IN INITIALLY YES.
TO BEGIN WHERE WE GOT, I GOT THAT EMAIL ABOUT SEVEN, EIGHT MONTHS AGO MM-HMM
I THANK THE CITY MANAGER AND OUR EFFICIENT STAFF YES.
FOR DOING, I KNOW I DID SPEAK WITH HIM ABOUT IT.
I CAN SAY I BROUGHT THE IDEA, WHATEVER WHAT I MENTIONED IT, THEY SAID THEY, THEY WERE GETTING ON IT.
AND NOW TODAY IT COMES TO THIS POINT WHERE YOU ALL ARE HERE REPORTING AS TO HOW MUCH PROGRESS YES.
HAS BEEN MADE AND WHAT, AND THE BEST PART OF THIS IS THE APPROVAL FOR THE FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE THAT IS GOING TO HELP THE CITY OF PORT ARTHUR IN YEARS AND YEARS TO COME IN THE FUTURE.
AND, AND WE ARE HERE TO BEAUMONT.
NOW, UH, WHAT WE'LL DO IS GO TO PAGE ONE AND WE HAVE SOME SPEAKERS.
UH, THE FIRST SPEAKER GROUP OF SPEAKERS I THINK WE HAVE, UH, WOULD BE, UH, JUSTICE BELL, HALEY FOWLER, UH, CASSIDY, UH, HARFORD, UH, AND OTHERS FOR THE LAMAR UNIVERSITY SOCIAL, UH, WORK DEPARTMENT REGARDING YOUTH VIOLENCE AND PREVENTION STRATEGY.
DO WE HAVE THOSE INDIVIDUALS PRESENT? OKAY.
UH, BUT I WAS JUST CALLING THEM OUT BECAUSE THEY, THAT'S ON A PRINTING AGENDA, SO WE DON'T HAVE THOSE INDIVIDUALS IN ATTENDANCE.
[III.A.(2) The Zachary Breaux Family, Friends, And Citizens Of Port Arthur Texas Regarding A Request Street Name For Zachary Breaux (6th Street Westside) ]
NEXT WE HAVE ZACHARY BROUGHT FAMILY, FRIENDS AND CITIZENS OF PORT ARTHUR, TEXAS REGARDING A REQUEST STREET NAME FOR ZACHARY BRO, WHICH WOULD ACTUALLY PARTICULARLY, PARTICULARLY BE SIXTH STREET OR WEST SIXTH STREET IN THE CITY OF PORT ARTHUR ON THE WEST SIDE.YOU BEGIN BY STATING YOUR NAME AND YOUR ADDRESS.
MY ADDRESS IS 41 65 OLD DO ROAD, BEAUMONT, TEXAS VIA PORT ARTHUR, TEXAS.
AND I'M HERE TODAY TO SPEAK ON BEHALF OF THE BRO FAMILY.
AND IF IT PLEASE THE MAYOR BARTY AND, UH, MAYOR PROM BECKHAM.
WE WOULD LIKE TO PASS OUT SOME LITER LITERATURE REAL QUICKLY.
WE ALSO HAVE A VIDEO PRESENTATION THAT WE WOULD LIKE TO SHOW THE VIDEO PRESENTATION BEFORE WE, BEFORE WE ADDRESS YOU.
AND EVERYTHING IS WITHIN THE PROTOCOL TIME PERIOD.
ZACHARY WAS THE GENTLEMAN, A MUSICIAN NEVER FEELING THE NEED SUCCUMB TO WORLDLY WAYS IN ORDER TO ACHIEVE FAME.
HE WAS A TRUE HUMANITARIAN WHO CARED FOR MANKIND WITHOUT REGARD TO SOCIETAL OR CULTURAL DESIGNATION.
HE WAS A TRUE HERO AS WELL AS A MAN OF COMPASSION.
HE SAVED A MAN FROM DROWNING IN ITALY IN 1988.
IN FEBRUARY, 1997, WHILE ON VACATION WITH MIAMI BEACH, FLORIDA, ZACHARY SAW A WOMAN DROWNING BECAUSE OF HIS UNSELFISH AND CARING NATURE.
ZACHARY ATTEMPTED TO SAVE A WOMAN'S LIFE, BUT LOST HIS OWN WHEN HE WAS CAUGHT IN THE ROOT TIES.
HIS LEGACY IS ALIVE AND WELL TODAY.
HIS LEGACY CONTINUES WITH HIS WIFE, FREDA AND HIS DAUGHTER ALEXIS.
LIKE ZACHARY, THEY STUDIED THE FINE ARTS AND HAVE BECOME MUSICIANS AND DANCERS.
TODAY ON A STAR EVENT, LOOKING THROUGH THE SKY ABOVE TEXAS, FOCUS IN LY ON THE SOUTHEASTERN SECTOR, YOU JUST MIGHT SEE A LARGE BRIGHT STAR THAT REPRESENTS ZACHARY, A JAZZ MUSICIAN WHO SUCCEEDED, A
[01:00:01]
PROFESSIONAL AND INNOVATIVE COMMENDABLE.AS I STATED EARLIER, MY NAME IS MANUEL BRO AND I'M PROUDLY HERE STANDING, REPRESENTING THE FAMILY OF ZACHARY BRO.
WITH ME TODAY ARE FAMILY, FRIENDS, CHURCH MEMBERS, AND COMMUNITY LEADERS ALL UNITED TO HONOR A MAN WHOSE GREATNESS WAS SHAPED RIGHT HERE IN PORT ARTHUR, TEXAS.
WHERE DO WE LOOK FOR GREATNESS? FOR ZACHARY, SOME WOULD SAY IT BEGINS AS A CHILD WHEN HIS UNCLE AND BROTHER-IN-LAWS GIFT THEM WITH A, WITH HIS FIRST GUITAR.
OTHERS MIGHT LOOK TO HIS HOME FILLED WITH MUSIC WHERE HIS PARENTS CREATED SPACE FOR TALENT TO GROW.
OR MAYBE CARVILLE ELEMENTARY SCHOOL, WOODROW WILSON MIDDLE SCHOOL, OR LEGENDARY LINCOLN HIGH SCHOOL.
SOME MIGHT SAY IT BEGAN ON THE FRONT PORCH OF THEIR WEST SIDE HOME WHERE ZACH WOULD ENTERTAIN NEIGHBORS.
OR WHEN HE BECAME THE FIRST FRESHMAN TO JOIN THE WORLD RENOWNED ONE O'CLOCK BAND IN NORTH TEXAS UNIVERSITY.
HIS GREATNESS ECHOED IN THE JAZZ CLUBS OF PORT ARTHUR, THE RECORDING STUDIOS OF NEW YORK AND STAGES ACROSS THE WORLD.
HE SHARED HIS GIFT ALONGSIDE GEORGE BENSON, BRADFORD MARCELLUS, DONALD BIRD, ROY AYS, JUST TO MENTION A FEW.
HE TOPPED CHARTS TO HER CONTINENCE, BUT NEVER LET FAME OUTSHINE HIS HUMILITY.
LEGACY IS IN HIS MUSIC, HIS FAMILY, HIS FAITH, AND HIS HERO HEROISM.
IN 1997, HE GAVE HIS LIFE TRYING TO SAVE A DROWNING MAN.
THAT ALONE SPEAKS TO, I'M SORRY, A DROWNING WOMAN.
THAT ALONE SPEAKS TO THE MAN HE WAS.
SO TODAY I ASKED THIS ESTEEM CITY COUNCIL TO NAME WEST SIXTH STREET IN HIS HONOR BECAUSE WHEN, BECAUSE WHEN YOU ASK WHERE TO FIND GREATNESS, YOU FIND IT RIGHT THERE.
UH, COUNCILMAN LEWIS? YES, MA'AM.
AND THEN YOU CONTACTED ME AHEAD OF TIME.
AND YOU HAD TO GO ON VACATION AND YOU PUT EVERYTHING TOGETHER.
I THINK YOUR DAD WORKED AT GOLF HALL.
WELL, YOU DON'T HAVE TO WORRY ABOUT NAME CHANGING.
IT WAS ONE OF THE THINGS YOU BROUGHT TO MY ATTENTION.
YOU DON'T WANT TO CHANGE THE NAME OR NOTHING, DON'T WANNA CHANGE THE NAME, BUT YOU DON'T HAVE TO WORRY ABOUT IT.
IT'S GOING TO HAVE THE EFFECT OF CHANGING THE NAME.
IT'S GONNA ALWAYS BE SIXTH STREET, SO IT'LL BE ZACHARY BROKE SIXTH STREET.
SO, SO IT'S, EVERYTHING WORKS OUT GREAT.
THANK YOU FOR COMING TODAY, MAN.
UM, THE IMPACT OVER A SHORT PERIOD OF TIME THAT ZACHARY HAD ON THE MUSIC WORLD, MAN, UM, WAS PROFOUND.
AND SO, MAN, IT'S GONNA BE A GREAT HONOR TO NAME SIXTH STREET, UH, AFTER HIM, THE STREET WHERE HE WAS BORN AND RAISED AND CARRY FORTH THIS LEGACY.
I MEAN, HE'S A COUPLE YEARS OLDER THAN I AM, BUT TO KNOW THE IMPACT THAT HE HE HAD ON THE MUSIC JAZZ INDUSTRY, I MEAN, IT'S AMAZING.
SO, I MEAN, I THINK IT'S A GREAT IDEA TO DO SOMETHING LIKE THAT.
AND I ASSUME THAT YOU GUYS WERE RAISED ON SIXTH STREET OR OH YES, DEFINITELY.
BUT IT'S A, IT'S A GREAT OPPORTUNITY, UH, TO SHOW THAT, UH, WE INVEST IN OUR OWN AND THE IMPACT THAT THEY HAD ON THIS GREAT CITY OF PUERTO ARTHUR AND IN THE, IN THE NATION.
TODAY I HAVE MR. BRO ON MY PLAYLIST.
AND MY NEPHEW, WHO'S 10 YEARS OLD, LOVES MUSIC AND ONE DAY IT CAME ON AND HE SAID, TINA, YOU HEAR ALL THOSE INSTRUMENTS? WOW.
DO YOU HEAR WHAT'S GOING ON? SO I JUST WANT YOU TO KNOW THAT THE LEGACY IS ACTUALLY BEING PASSED ON.
[01:05:01]
AM A LITTLE BIT YOUNGER THAN COUNCIL MANKIN LAW, BUT IT IS BEING PASSED ON TO EVEN FURTHER GENERATIONS.MY NEPHEW IS 10 AND HE LIKES TO LISTEN TO IT TOO.
WELL, MR. BRO, THANK YOU, UH, SO KINDLY FOR YOUR, YOUR VERY PROFESSIONALLY, UH, PREPARED PRESENTATION.
UH, WE'VE HAD SEVERAL, SEVERAL NAME CHANGES SINCE I'VE BEEN HERE THE PAST SIX YEARS, AND I DON'T THINK I'VE EVER HAD THE OPPORTUNITY TO VIEW ONE IN SUPPORT OF A NAME CHANGE THE WAY YOU JUST DID.
SO WITH THAT, IT MIGHT JUST BE A PERMANENT NAME CHANGE, IF NOT HAPPEN
THAT, THAT WAS, THAT WAS THE RATIONALE BEHIND THE RIGHT, AND I JUST SAID THAT IN HUMOR.
BUT, UH, JUST TO KNOW THAT YOU ALL WOULD CONSIDER SIT JUST AN HONORARY CHANGE THE WAY WE'VE DONE, UH, WITH, WITH, WITH SOME OTHER STREETS.
AND, BUT I WOULD LIKE TO ADD THAT, UH, BECAUSE OF MY PERSONAL LONGEVITY WITH YOUR FAMILY.
I REMEMBER WHEN, WHEN JACK WAS THE BABY.
AND TO SEE ZACHARY WOULD GROW UP WITH HIS GUITAR WALKING DOWN THE STREET AT 10 OR 11 OR 12.
YOU KNOW, GOING TO DIFFERENT PLACES IN FOLK GARAGES PLAYING HIS GUITAR.
HE WAS THE YOUNGEST ONE WHEN, WHEREVER HE HAD SOME GUYS GATHERING TO MAKE MUSIC AND TO KNOW WHAT HE HAS DONE FOR THIS WORLD.
UH, IF YOU HAVE, UH, I GUESS I CAN'T SAY THE NAME BECAUSE I'M NOT ADVERTISING FOR HIM, BUT THIS, UH, SERIES, SERIES, UH, MUSIC.
AND, YOU KNOW, IT MAKES ME FEEL GOOD WHEN HE COMES ON IT, HIS NAME AND HIS PICTURE COMES ACROSS THE SCREENS IN YOUR AUTOMOBILES.
AND I SAID, THAT'S A PORT ARTHUR BOY, A WEST SIDE DUDE.
SO I BELIEVE THAT, THAT, THAT, UH, THIS CITY WOULD BE HONORED TO DO A NAME, UH, TO NAME A STREET IN HIS HONOR AND IN HIS MEMORY.
NOW, THERE'S ONE THING ON THE ORDER OF WHAT YOU, YOU GAVE OUT ALL OF THE ACCOLADES, ZACHARY, AND I THINK YOUR DADDY WOULD CORRECT YOU ON THIS.
YOU HAD CHRISTIAN LAST AND THEY MADE Y'ALL GO TO CHURCH FIRST.
SO I JUST WANTED TO CORRECT YOU ON THAT ONE.
I CAN SEE YOUR DADDY TELL YOU NOW THAT YOU NEED TO CHANGE THAT ORDER.
IF I CAN SAY SOMETHING JUST, JUST, UH, DID, UH, QUICKLY.
UH, THE CITY, THE STAFF, UH, MR. HARRIS IN PARTICULAR, AND EVERYBODY ELSE WAS REAL PROFESSIONAL WITH GIVING US THE LATITUDE TO GET EVERYTHING, UH, PREPARED.
ALSO HAVE MS. DORIS HAYES HERE WITH ME, UH, SHE GOES BACK TO THE ZACHARY BRO JAZZ FESTIVAL, AND I JUST WANTED TO RECOGNIZE HER HERE TODAY.
AND I THANK EV THANK THE COUNCIL, THANK EVERYBODY ELSE FOR GIVING US THIS OPPORTUNITY.
WE, I WAS SHOWING, I WAS TRYING TO EDUCATE A YOUNGSTER SITTING NEXT TO ME ABOUT ZACHARY BRO.
AND SO I PULLED UP THE PLAYLIST AND ONE OF THE SONGS THAT HE HAD WAS WEST SIDE WORK.
SO THE WEST SIDE WAS ALWAYS ON HIS MIND.
HE WAS ALWAYS ASKED, UM, A LOT OF TIMES THEY TRY TO ATTRIBUTE HOUSTON, TEXAS TO THIS AREA.
ZACHARY WAS ONE OF 'EM THAT ALWAYS SAID NO.
[III.A.(4) Signal Security Regarding Jobs In Port Arthur]
OKAY, NEXT WE HAVE, UH, SIGNAL, UH, SECURITY REGARDING JOBS IN THE CITY OF PORT ARTHUR.YOU ALL APPROACH, PLEASE, YOU BEGIN BY SHARING YOUR ADDRESS, NAME, AND ADDRESS.
UM, MY NAME IS DANTE BROWN AND THIS IS TIBA BROWN.
WE ARE 41 30 PHILMONT AVENUE, PORT ARTHUR, TEXAS, UH, UM, TO THE DISTINGUISHED MAYOR AND COUNCIL MEMBERS, WE HAVE A POSITION THAT WE WANT TO ADDRESS THIS ONE.
IT'S ABOUT EMPLOYMENT HERE LOCALLY AND PORT ARTHUR, WHICH AFFECTS OUR BUSINESS.
UM, MY COMPANY RIGHT NOW, WE HAVE BEEN IN THE EARLY STAGES OF NEGOTIATION WITH NEW BUSINESSES THAT HAVE BEEN COMING TO PORT ARTHUR SPECIFICALLY.
[01:10:01]
THAT HAS AN ECONOMIC IMPACT GREAT FOR THIS AREA.UH, AND THAT'S DILIGENCE OFFSHORE SERVICES.
AND I'M A BUSINESS OWNER THAT RESIDES HERE.
UH, I KNOW THE ECONOMIC IMPACT THAT IT WOULD HAVE ON THIS COMMUNITY.
UH, IT WOULD ADD IT, IT WOULD ADD MUCH NEEDED REVENUE TO THE PORT ARTHUR COMMUNITY.
MUCH NEEDED JOBS TO THE PORT ARTHUR IN INDU.
I MEAN, UH, COMMUNITY AS WELL.
MOST OF OUR EMPLOYEES, IF I MAY SAY WE HAVE 95% OF OUR EMPLOYEES ARE PORT ARTHUR RESIDENTS.
UH, AND OF THAT 95%, 75% ARE UNDEREMPLOYED.
SO WE HAVE AN OPPORTUNITY HERE TO HAVE TO, UH, GIVE THEM FULL-TIME EMPLOYMENT, WHICH IS A GREATER ECONOMIC IMPACT FOR THIS COMMUNITY AS WELL.
UM, I AM NOT HERE ON BEHALF OF, OF, OF D I'M HERE ON BEHALF OF SIGNAL.
I KNOW THE IMPACT THAT IT WOULD HAVE FOR ME AS A BUSINESS.
SO, UM, AND I KNOW THERE'S BEEN SOME, UM, UM, THERE'S BEEN SOME NOISES ABOUT THE IMPACT, UH, THE, THE, THE, THE, UM, WORD HAZARDS.
YOU KNOW, WE, WE, THAT'S NOT OUR CONCERN.
OUR CONCERN IS HOW DO THIS AFFECT US AND HOW DOES THIS AFFECT THE COMMUNITY THAT WE LIVE IN? AND I CAN'T SPEAK TO THE ECONOMIC, UH, I MEAN THE, UH, ENVIRONMENTAL HAZARD HAZARD BECAUSE I DON'T, I JUST DO BUSINESS AND SECURITY SO THAT I SPEAK SPECIFICALLY FOR SECURITY BUSINESS.
AND I KNOW THAT IT WOULD, WE WOULD ADD OUR, WE WOULD INCREASE OUR WORKFORCE BY 35% IN THE INITIAL STAGE OF CONSTRUCTION.
UM, THAT'S A GOOD THING FOR US.
AND THAT'S A GOOD THING FOR PORT ARTHUR.
LIKE I SAID, THE REVENUE THAT IT GENERATES WAS CIRCULATE IN THIS COMMUNITY.
AND THAT'S, AND WE NEED THIS REVENUE TO CIRCULATE IN THIS COMMUNITY BECAUSE THIS COMMUNITY IS SEVERELY UNDER, I MEAN, UNDEREMPLOYED OR UNEMPLOYED.
SO, UM, I I, WHEN YOU'RE DRIVING TO PORT ARTHUR, YOU HAD YOU, THERE'S THIS, THERE'S THIS, UH, ON THE PORT ARTHUR SIGN THAT SAID, THIS IS A GATEWAY OF OPPORTUNITY, AND I THINK WE HAVE A RESPONSIBILITY TO MAKE THAT TRUE, UH, AS SIGNAL SPEAKING ON BEHALF OF SIGNAL.
UM, I GUESS THE QUESTION I WANT TO ASK IS WHEN IT, IT IS A GREAT OPPORTUNITY.
THIS IS A GREAT OPPORTUNITY THAT WE HAVE, THAT WE CAN, CAN SYNERGIZE, I MEAN, NOT, NOT SYNERGIZE, WE CAN, UM, THERE COULD BE A SYNERGY BETWEEN LOCAL GOVERNMENT AND PRIVATE INDUSTRY THROUGH BRINGING OUTSIDE BUSINESSES TO PORT ARTHUR.
WE ARE AN OUTSIDE BUSINESS TO PORT ARTHUR.
WE ARE ORIGINALLY FROM OMAHA, NEBRASKA, AND WE BROUGHT OUR BUSINESS HERE.
SO OUR GOAL IS TO HAVE SUSTAINABILITY AND WE EMPLOY YOU GUYS THAT IF YOU HAVE OPPORTUNITIES THAT COME BEFORE YOU, THAT CAN HELP THE CITIZENS OF PORT ARTHUR, I THINK THAT WE HAVE, WE HAVE, WE HAVE A RESPONSIBILITY TO THE CITIZENS TO DO IT.
I MEAN, I KNOW YOU GUYS HAVE A DIFFICULT JOB, AND I DON'T TAKE WHAT YOU GUYS DO LIGHTLY.
AND I, AS A NEW RESIDENT OF PORT ARTHUR, I APPRECIATE WHAT YOU GUYS DO.
I HONOR YOU GUYS AND WHAT YOU DO, AND I, AND I THANK YOU FOR GIVING ME AN OPPORTUNITY TO SAY, HEY, WE ARE HERE SIGNAL AND WE NEED TO DO BUSINESS HERE.
AND IF YOU HAD ANY QUESTIONS, I, I WOULD GREATLY ASK, ASK, ANSWER THEM.
I APPRECIATE YOUR PRESENTATION.
UH, YOUR COMPANY IS, UH, WHAT'S THE NAME OF YOUR COMPANY AGAIN? IT'S SIGNAL SECURITY, SYDNEY SECURITY.
ON, IN YOUR EMPLOYMENT OF LOCUSTS, PORT ARTHUR PEOPLE, HOPEFULLY YOU PUT A LOT OF THOSE WORK.
ARE THEY REQUIRED TO HAVE CERTAIN CERTIFICATIONS OR SOMETHING? OR YOU DO YOUR OWN TRAINING? OR WHAT DO YOU DO? ABSOLUTELY.
UM, THERE ARE SOME POSITIONS THAT WE HAVE THAT DON'T REQUIRE A GUARD CARD, BUT MOST OF OUR POSITIONS DO.
AND WE, WE PROVIDE ASSISTANCE FOR THEM.
WE, WE PAY FOR THE, UH, LICENSING FOR THEM BECAUSE A LOT OF TIMES THEY COME INTO THESE POSITIONS, THEY DON'T HAVE ANY INCOME.
SO AS A COMPANY, WE SAID, OKAY, YOU KNOW WHAT, IF YOU CAN DEDICATE, UH, IF YOU COULD DEDICATE AT LEAST SIX MONTHS OF SERVICE TO US, THEN WE WILL PAY FOR THE LICENSE FOR YOU.
IT'S NOT A GREAT EXPENSE FOR US, BUT I MEAN, IT'D BE, IT'S SOMETHING THEY CAN CARRY OUTSIDE OF US.
IF THEY DECIDE THAT PORT SIGNAL'S NOT A COMPANY THEY WANNA WORK FOR, THEY STILL HAVE THAT LICENSE THAT THEY CAN CARRY TO ANY OTHER COMPANY.
BUT YEAH, YOU MAY WANT GO AHEAD.
AND WE ARE A SECOND CHANCE EMPLOYEE AS WELL, YOU KNOW, A WHAT, SECOND CHANCE? EMPLOYEE.
YOU MAY WANT TO CHECK, UH, DOWN ON PROCTOR STREET, WORLD CHURCH, SIMON CORONA AND THEM, THEY HAVE TRAINED A LOT OF PEOPLE IN THOSE THAT SECOND CHANCE, YOU KNOW, AND YOU MAY WANT TO CHECK WITH THEM ALSO.
WORLD CHURCH DOES ONE BLOCK BESIDE OF, UH, NINTH AVENUE HERE, WEST OF NINTH AVENUE.
WE WANNA CHECK WITH THEM BECAUSE THEY'LL TRAINED A LOT OF PEOPLE ON WHAT YOU ARE TRYING TO ACCOMPLISH.
[01:15:01]
YOU MAY FIND A POOL OF PEOPLE THAT YOU CAN LOOK THROUGH AND YOU AND CAN USE.AND, UH, AND ANOTHER, ANOTHER COMPANY IS, UH, KT MAINTENANCE.
THEY DO, THEY DO SECOND CHANCE THINGS TOO.
GET WITH KT MAINTENANCE, HE RIGHT DOWN THE STREET ON PROCTOR.
UH, COUNCILMAN FRANK KNOW YOU WERE FROM NEBRASKA, YOU'RE A LONG WAY FROM 72ND AND DODGE.
I WAS, I LIVED THERE FOR A WHILE, REALLY.
BUT MAN, WELCOME TO PORT ARTHUR.
UH, YOU, YOU'VE MOVED TO A GREAT PLACE.
UH, WE WANT TO SEE BUSINESSES THRIVE.
UH, WE WANT TO SEE BUSINESSES GROW.
AND SO ANYTHING THAT WE CAN DO TO HELP YOU IN THAT WAY, SHAPE, FORM, OR FASHION, UH, JUST CONTINUE TO KEEP US INFORMED, UH, AND KEEP THE RELATIONSHIP OPENED WITH US.
WHAT TYPE OF SECURITY DO YOU PROVIDE? MEANING ARE, IS IT ALSO ARMED? UH, YES.
UM, ARMED, UNARMED, UM, WHAT, OH, GO AHEAD.
WE HAVE PATROL VEHICLES AS WELL, UH, WHERE WE PATROL, UM, LOCAL BUSINESSES OR, YOU KNOW, WE'RE DOING A COUPLE LOCAL BUSINESSES HERE IN PORT ARTHUR THAT WE'RE PATROLLING STORAGE UNITS THAT IS BROKEN INTO.
SO, WALMART, WALMART, UH, YOU KNOW, A COUPLE OF APARTMENT COMPLEX HERE AS WELL.
AND WE ARE TRYING ACTIVELY TO WORK WITH THE CITY OF PORT ARTHUR LO, I MEAN, WITH YOU GUYS HAVE OPEN BIDS.
THAT'S WHAT YOU, YOU AINT GOT YOUR TIME THAT WE'RE TRYING TO DO BUSINESS WITH YOU GUYS AS WELL.
YOU KNOW, THIS IS OUR SECOND ATTEMPT AT, AT TRYING TO DO BUSINESS WITH YOU GUYS.
SO HOPEFULLY, I MEAN, ME STANDING UP HERE, UH, GIVE US A COUPLE OF GOOD POINTS,
SO, AND THE, YOU MENTIONED 95, I'M SORRY, 75% OF YOUR WORKFORCE IS FROM PORT ARTHUR, BUT NO, NO, 95% ARE FROM PORT ARTHUR.
75% OF THAT 95%, 75% ARE UNDEREMPLOYED.
AND APPROXIMATELY THE NUMBER OF, UM, WELL, YOU SAID WALMART, SO I'M, I'M TRYING TO GET A, A TRAIN OF THOUGHT OF WHAT TYPE OF BUSINESSES NEED YOUR SERVICE.
SO IN YOUR, UM, WHEN YOU'RE WELL HUNTING, WHO, WHO WOULD YOUR WELL BE? I DON'T UNDERSTAND.
IF, IF YOU COULD WHAT, WHAT, MAYBE, YEAH, GO AHEAD.
SORRY, I LET YOU SPEAK THAT ON THAT TEVA BROWN, 41 30 PHILMONT AVENUE.
I KIND OF DO ALL THE ADMINISTRATION STUFF.
HE JUST KIND OF DOES THE BILLING AND THE FINANCING.
BUT ANYBODY THAT NEEDS BOOTS TO THE GROUND, SO ANYTHING SUCH AS PATRIOT, WE'RE THE SAME THING.
WE'RE JUST COMING FROM OMAHA AND WE'RE COMING TO BREAK THE, BREAK THE MOLD.
THAT, THAT ANSWERED MY QUESTION.
AND WELL, WE THANK YOU ALL AND WE WISH YOU ALL LUCKY AND GLAD WITH YOUR BUSINESS HERE IN THE CITY OF PORT ARTHUR.
I THINK YOU ARE GROWING BUSINESS FROM WHAT I HAVE OBSERVED.
[III.B.(2) A Presentation By Carolyn Thibodeaux, MLS Reference Librarian Of The Port Arthur Public Library Regarding STEM Night]
NEXT WE WILL MOVE TO PAGE NUMBER TWO.AND, UH, WE HAVE NOW A PRESENTATION GIVEN BY MS. CAROLYN THIBO, UH, MLS REFERENCE LIBRARY IN UP THE CITY OF PORT ARTHUR PUBLIC LIBRARY REGARDING THE STEM NIGHT.
GOOD MORNING, MAYOR, MANAGER, CITY COUNCIL, MEN AND WOMEN, AND OF COURSE, OUR COMMUNITY OF OUR GREAT CITY.
PORT ARTHUR, CITY OF PORT ARTHUR.
AGAIN, I'M CAROLYN THI, I'M HERE REPRESENTING THE LIBRARY, OUR CITY'S LIBRARY, AND WE'RE PLANNING A STEM NIGHT, SCIENCE, TECHNOLOGY, ENGINEERING, AND MATH.
AND WE'VE BEEN FORTUNATE TO HAVE A PARTNERSHIP WITH MISS ANNIE CARTER, WHO'S HERE WITH ME TODAY.
AND SHE'LL GIVE YOU SOME OF THE UPDATES AND INFORMATION THAT I THINK YOU ALL ARE INTERESTED IN, ALONG WITH OUR PUBLIC THAT'S IN THE AUDIENCE, AND MAYBE WATCHING.
WE ALSO HAVE A LITTLE BRIEF POWERPOINT FROM, UM, MOST SLIDES ARE FROM LAST YEAR WAS SUCH A SUCCESS.
WE'RE PLANNING ON MAKING IT BIGGER EVERY YEAR WE DO THIS.
SO I'M GONNA PASS THIS MIC ALONG, AND I THINK I MAY HAVE MY DIRECTOR IN THE AUDIENCE IF HE'D LIKE TO COME UP WITH US.
[01:20:01]
THIS ONE OUT.BUT I'M GONNA PASS MY TIME OVER TO MRS. ANNIE CARTER, AND I THINK SHE NEEDS NO INTRODUCTION, BUT I'LL LET HER SAY A LITTLE BIT ABOUT HERSELF.
SO THE SLIDES ARE JUST GONNA RUN WHILE I'M TALKING AGAIN.
UH, MAYOR, MEMBERS OF CITY COUNCIL, AS MS. CAROLYN SAID, UH, WE WILL BE CONDUCTING A STEM NIGHT AT THE LIBRARY ON MAY 15TH.
AND IT'S GONNA BE RUNNING FROM FOUR UNTIL 6:00 PM OF, OF FOUR TO EIGHT.
SO WE'RE GONNA HAVE, UH, THREE SESSIONS FROM FOUR TO SIX AND, UH, FIVE TO SEVEN, AND THEN FROM FIVE TO EIGHT, SO STARTING AT FOUR, GOING ALL THE WAY TO EIGHT O'CLOCK.
AND WE'RE GONNA TRY TO GET ABOUT 300 STUDENTS THROUGH THAT NIGHT.
LAST YEAR OUR TARGET WAS 100, SO WE DECIDED TO CHANGE UP THE SCHEDULE SO WE CAN GET EVEN MORE THROUGH THIS YEAR.
AND WE'RE HOPING THAT, UH, WITH THIS UPCOMING SCHOOL YEAR, THE EVENT MIGHT BE AT A LARGER VENUE LIKE THE CIVIC CENTER OR CARL PARKER.
SO WE MAY BE COMING BACK TO YOU SAYING, CAN YOU HELP US WITH THAT? OKAY.
SO, UH, THIS YEAR WE'RE STILL SORT OF A TRIAL PHASE, DOING A SMALL LOCATION.
WHAT WILL BE HAPPENING THAT NIGHT.
WE'RE GONNA HAVE, UH, A CONSTRUCTION ZONE.
HEB WILL BE DOING SOME WORK AROUND, UH, THINGS WITH LITTLE PEOPLE, MAINLY ELEMENTARY AND PRESCHOOLERS.
AROUND CONSTRUCTION, THERE'S GONNA BE LOTS OF ROBOTS.
UH, COURTESY OF THE PORT ARTHUR SCHOOL DISTRICT, WE WILL HAVE AN INNOVATION CENTER.
AND THAT'S MR. KEN DRE, WHO HANDLES TECHNOLOGY WITH PORT ARTHUR, ISD.
HE'S GOING TO HAVE, UH, THESE, UH, PRESSURE SENSITIVE MATS WHERE CHILDREN CAN DO, UM, LEARN ALPHABETS AND MATHEMATICS.
YOU CAN ALSO USE THESE SAME PRESSURE MATS FOR DOING, UH, SPORTS ACTIVITIES.
AT SOME SCHOOLS, THEY HAVE THEM, BUT SPORTS ACTIVITY.
BUT THAT SAME TECHNOLOGIES ALSO USED WITH THE ELDERLY.
WHEN YOU WANNA KNOW IF SOMEBODY HAS LEFT AT HOME, IT'S USED IN SMART BUILDINGS.
SO THE CHILDREN WILL BE IN THE INNOVATION CENTER.
THAT'S WHERE THEY'RE ALL GONNA START.
AND THEN WE'LL BREAK THEM INTO EIGHT SPECIFIC GROUPS TO DO HANDS-ON WORKSHOPS.
THERE'S GOING TO BE LAMAR UNIVERSITY THERE DOING PHYSICS ACTIVITIES WITH THE STUDENTS.
UH, WE'LL BE CONCENTRATING ON THE ENGINEERING DESIGN PROCESS AT SOME OF THE WORKSHOPS.
SO THAT'S A LITTLE BIT ABOUT THE WHO AND THE WHAT AND THE WHEN.
SO THE QUESTION WE GET ASKED OFTEN IS, WHY, WHY DO YOU PUT ON STEM NIGHT? WHY DO YOU DO STEM STEMS? WHY DO WE DO OPEN HOUSES AT THE SCHOOLS AROUND STEM? AND THE REASON WE DO THAT IS BECAUSE OUR FUTURE DEPENDS ON IT.
STEM EDUCATION IS OUR PASSPORT TO THE FUTURE.
IT'S OUR PASSPORT TO INNOVATION.
AND WE MUST MAKE SURE THAT OUR STUDENTS ARE PREPARED FOR THOSE TYPES OF CAREERS.
SO HERE'S AN INTERESTING POINT.
WHEN WE LOOK AT HIGH SCHOOL SENIORS AROUND THE COUNTRY, LESS THAN 20% OF THEM ARE PROFICIENT IN SCIENCE.
AND WE'VE HEARD A LOT TODAY ABOUT THE JOBS RELATED TO SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY, ENGINEERING AND MATHEMATICS.
THOSE JOBS TYPICALLY PAY DOUBLE TWICE THE AVERAGE MEDIUM INCOME IN THE US SOMETIMES EVEN MORE.
SO HOW DO WE, UH, CHANGE THIS NARRATIVE AND HAVE STUDENTS PREPARE? ONE OF THE THINGS WE WANNA DO IS TEACH 'EM NOT TO BE INTIMIDATED BY SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY AND ENGINEERING AND MATHEMATICS.
SO EVENTS LIKE STEM NIGHT INVOLVING THE SCHOOLS, INVOLVING THE COMMUNITY IS ONE WAY TO GROW THEIR PROFICIENCY AND GET THEM TO PERFORM AT A HIGHER LEVEL.
AND YOU MAY SAY, WHAT CAN YOU DO? SO THIS IS A SPECIFIC ASK FOR THIS EVENT.
YOU CAN CONTINUE TO BE SUPPORTIVE OF YOUTH STEM PROGRAMS. YOU CAN PROMOTE THIS EVENT WITH FOLKS THAT YOU ARE IN CONTACT WITH, AND THIS IS YOUR INVITATION TO ATTEND ON MAY 15TH.
COME OUT, SEE WHAT WE'RE DOING, AND AS WE GET READY TO PLAN FOR NEXT YEAR, WHERE WE'RE GONNA HOPEFULLY HOLD IT AT ONE OF THE LARGER VENUES, WE MAY BE COMING TO YOU TO SAY, YOU KNOW, HELP US PLAN THAT TEAM.
GET THAT TEAM READY TO WORK ON THIS.
WE'RE GONNA CALL THE STUDENTS THAT NIGHT VIPS.
UH, SO WE WILL HAVE, UH, CAMERAS FLASHING.
WE, WHEN THEY LEAVE, THEY'RE GONNA HAVE A, A BAG THAT'S BEING PROVIDED BY OUR LOCAL INDUSTRY.
ALL OF THE FOLKS THAT ARE PART OF PORT ARTHUR INDUSTRY GROUP WILL BE PROVIDING AN ITEM THAT THEY CAN TAKE HOME.
WE'RE GONNA HAVE A SNACK FOR THEM WHILE THEY'RE THERE.
BUT, UH, WE'VE HAD SEVERAL OF THE STUDENTS THAT HAVE GONE THROUGH THE PROGRAMS THAT MS. CAROLYN HAS DONE WITH STEM THAT
[01:25:01]
ARE NOW AT LAMAR UNIVERSITY.IN FACT, THE YOUNG MAN THAT'S GONNA BE DOING THE PHYSICS ACTIVITY WITH HIS PROFESSOR, HE'S A COWORKER.
HE'S ACTUALLY WORKING, UH, AT THE LIBRARY.
AND HE IS A LAMAR STUDENT YES.
SO IT DOES WORK, BUT WE HAVE TO GET THE CHILDREN EXCITED ABOUT IT.
WE HAVE TO HELP THEM CONNECT THE DOTS.
THEY CANNOT BE WHAT THEY DO NOT SEE.
SO WE REALLY TRY TO GET THIS IN FRONT OF THEM, GET THEM EXCITED, AND LET 'EM SEE IT AT A VERY ELEMENTARY LEVEL, AND THEN AT A MID MIDDLE SCHOOL LEVEL, AND THEN EVEN AT A HIGH SCHOOL, A LITTLE BIT MORE CHALLENGING THINGS LIKE WITH ENGINEERING DESIGN CONCEPT.
I'D LIKE TO REITERATE THE BEAUTY OF THE PORT ARTHUR PUBLIC LIBRARY.
YOU HAVE PARENTS ARE ABLE TO ENGAGE WITH THEIR STUDENTS.
THAT'S WHAT I NOTICED LAST YEAR.
AND THE EXCITEMENT FROM PARENTS BEING IN THE ROOM, WATCHING THEIR CHILDREN GET INVOLVED WITH THIS TECHNOLOGY.
SO NOW THEY CAN GO HOME AND KIND OF UNDERSTAND WHAT'S GOING ON IN THE CLASSROOM OR AT THE SCHOOLHOUSE.
SO THAT'S THE BEAUTY OF CITY SCHOOL DISTRICT, TAMES AND PRIVATE ENTITIES.
WE HAVE A WONDERFUL COLLECTIVE IMPACT GOING ON HERE.
SO WE'RE HOPING YOU WILL HELP US MAKE IT SUCCESSFUL.
AND WITH THAT SAID, WE'RE TRYING TO RUN THIS LAST PIECE OF MEDIA FROM LAST YEAR, AND THANK YOU TO THE LIBRARY.
I JUST WANNA THANK YOU FOR THIS PRESENTATION.
AND MS. CAROLYN KNOWS HOW MUCH I LOVE THE LIBRARY.
I'M THERE WITH MY GRANDKIDS ONCE A WEEK.
UM, AND I'VE ALREADY PUT THIS ON MY CALENDAR.
I'M GONNA BLAST THIS OUT ON ALL OF MY SOCIAL MEDIA PLATFORMS, AND I KNOW THE REST OF COUNCIL WILL AS WELL.
AND I'D LIKE TO FIND OUT FROM CITY MANAGER IF WE COULD GET OUR PUBLIC INFORMATION OFFICER TO SEND OUT AN EMAIL BLAST.
WE ARE, WE ARE GONNA VERY CLOSELY THE LIBRARY TO MAKE SURE AND URGE CONGRESS.
IT'S PLAYING ARTHUR IDE AT THE LIBRARY.
KIDS GOT TO MEET WITH ENGINEERS AND ROBOTICS EXPERTS.
THEY ALSO GOT TO EXPLORE A WIDE RANGE OF HANDS-ON ACTIVITY TO GET A TASTE OF WHAT STEM CAREERS WOULD BE LIKE.
ONE OF THE ORGANIZERS INVOLVED WAS THE GOLDEN TRIANGLE, TEXAS ALLIANCE FOR MINORITIES IN ENGINEERING, OR FOR SHORT.
ANNIE CARTER, WHICH IS T'S CHAIR, TELLS US EVENTS LIKE THIS ARE ESSENTIAL TO GETTING STUDENTS INTERESTED IN STEM CAREERS WHEN THEY ARE IN KINDERGARTEN OR IN FIRST GRADE.
GET A CHANCE TO MEET SOMEONE WHO'S AN ENGINEER THAT SAYS, MAYBE I'D LIKE TO BE AN ENGINEER SOMEDAY.
IF THEY GET A CHANCE TO BUILD AN ELECTRIC CAR, THEN THEY THINK THEY DO SOMETHING.
I COULD BUILD AN ELECTRIC CAR.
AND THERE ARE OBTAINED CLUBS AT MANY SOUTHEAST TEXAS SCHOOLS.
CARTER IS ENCOURAGING, UH, PARENTS TO GET THEIR KIDS INVOLVED IN STEM ACTIVITIES.
ONE OTHER THING I'D LIKE TO SAY TOO.
CAROLYN KNOWS I HOMESCHOOL MY GRANDKIDS AND I'M ALWAYS WANTING TO MAKE SURE THAT WE GET THIS OUT TO THE HOMESCHOOLERS.
IF YOU NEED ANY INFORMATION ABOUT HOW TO CONNECT WITH THEM, LET ME KNOW.
THEY ARE ON OUR, OUR LIST OF FOLKS THAT WE ARE REACHING OUT TO FOR THIS EVENT.
AND THEY WILL HAVE TO REGISTER.
WE ARE ASKING THAT FOLKS REGISTER.
SO ON THE TAME WEBSITE, ON THE LAMAR, I MEAN, UM, LIBRARY WEBSITE AS WELL AS THE PORT ARTHUR, ISD, THE, UH, QR CODE IS THERE.
QR CODE IS ON THE FLYER, WHICH IS POSTED SEVERAL PLACES ALREADY.
ALRIGHT, THANK YOU ALL SO MUCH.
UH, JUST REAL QUICK, UH, YOU ANSWERED MY QUESTION.
I WANTED TO KNOW, UH, YOUR AUDIENCE.
SO YOU SAID FROM ELEMENTARY TO HIGH SCHOOL? YES.
AND, UH, THE CITY, WE DO, WE DO BUSINESS WITH A LOT OF ENGINEER FIRMS. I KNOW IF YOU WANT TO GET WITH THE CITY MANAGER AND GET SOME OF THOSE NAMES SO YOU CAN HAVE THOSE INDIVIDUALS, YOU KNOW, OF THE INVESTMENT.
IF THEY'RE REALLY WANTING TO INVEST IN PORT ARTHUR, THEY'LL SHOW UP AND HELP OUT.
UH, AND I PLAN ON BEING THERE.
UH, MY OLDEST DAUGHTER IS A CHEMICAL ENGINEER, SO I PLAN ON BRINGING HER BUTT AND MAKING SURE THAT SHE HAS THE ABILITY TO, UH, GIVE HER INFLUENCE BECAUSE AT A EARLY AGE FOR HER, SHE WAS INTRODUCED TO ENGINEERING, UH, PROCESS AND WONDERFUL.
SO SHE WORKS, IT WORKS, IT WORKS, IT WORKS.
UH, GOT AROUND THE SIXTH GRADE, SIXTH OR SEVENTH GRADE.
SO SHE HAS THE OPPORTUNITY TO DO THAT RIGHT NOW.
SO, ABSOLUTE THANK YOU FOR YOUR PRESENTATION.
VERY, I THINK IT WAS VERY GOOD.
AND SO WE WILL, UH, SET UP A MEETING WITH YOU, UM, AND COME BY AND VISIT.
AND MR. LEWIS, UH, WHAT I DID MENTION IS THAT HE AND I ACTUALLY WORKED TOGETHER.
I'M A RETIREE FROM CHEVRON GULF OIL, 35 YEARS CIVIL ENGINEER.
[01:30:01]
OKAY.I'M GLAD TO SEE THAT YOU ALL ARE DOING THIS.
SEE, BECAUSE A LOT OF PEOPLE DON'T UNDERSTAND STEM AND HOW IMPORTANT IT IS, BUT BASICALLY HAS GONE TO THE OLD ADAGE, YOU KNOW, IN ORDER TO GET THIS GOING OFF THE GROUND, IT'S GONNA HAVE TO DO IT LIKE REARING KIDS.
YOU KNOW, WHEN YOU RAISE A CHILD, IF YOU DON'T START WHEN A CHILD IS YOUNG, IT'S JUST LIKE A TREE.
IF YOU DON'T BRACE THEM WHEN THEY'RE GROWING AFTER THEY GET SO FAR ALONG BEND, YOU CAN'T STRAIGHTEN THEM OUT.
THAT'S WHAT HAPPENED TO THE UNITED STATES.
WE ALLOWED CITIZENS TO MOVE AWAY FROM STEM STARTING IN SCHOOL.
THEY WANTED TO GO TO THE EASIER THINGS THAT THINGS SHOULD DO GOOD.
AND WHAT A LOT OF PEOPLE DON'T REALIZE IS THERE ARE SO MANY FOREIGN KIDS WHO ENTER THE UNITED STATES ON SCHOLARSHIPS.
THEY ARE BEING PAID TO GET DEGREES IN SCIENCE, TECHNOLOGY, ENGINEERING, AND MATH.
WHY? BECAUSE WE DO NOT HAVE ENOUGH CITIZENS IN THE UNITED STATES THAT ARE CERTIFIED AND GOT DEGREES IN STEM.
SO THEY GET TO COME TO SCHOOL, GET FOUR YEARS OF COLLEGE FREE, AND ALL THEY HAVE TO DO IS REMAIN A COUPLE OF YEARS AFTER WELL IN WORK.
BUT THAT'S HOW SHORTAGE IT IS HERE IN THE UNITED STATES.
AND WHAT YOU ALL DOING IS THE BEST WAY TO APPROACH IT, BECAUSE YOU START WHEN THEY'RE YOUNG, WHEN YOU CAN SORT OF PUT SOME INFLUENCE INTO THE BRAIN.
YOU CAN DO REAL GOOD IF YOU GO INTO THESE FIELDS.
SO THEY WON'T BE FEARFUL OF IT BECAUSE ONCE THEY GET TO MIDDLE SCHOOL AND HIGH SCHOOL, THEY PRETTY MUCH DECIDED WHAT THEY WANT TO DO OR WHERE THEY WANT TO GO.
AND THEY SHOULD DON'T WANT GO INTO NO SCIENCE, TECHNOLOGY, ENGINEERING, AND MATH, AND MAYBE BASKET.
WE EVEN IN LUNCH, BUT NOT THOSE FOUR.
SO IT'S IMPORTANT THAT WE START WITH OUR KIDS YOUNG.
THAT'S THE ONLY WAY WE GONNA GET WHAT YOU DO.
THANK YOU FOR YOUR SUPPORTIVE COMMENTS.
THAT'S THE ONLY WAY WE GONNA GET THEM TO CONTINUE TO BE INTERESTED IN THOSE FOUR AREAS IN ORDER THAT THEY COULD GO.
IF THEY GET A DEGREE IN ANYONE OF THOSE, TRUST ME, THEY'RE GONNA WORK.
I MEAN, WE BRINGING PEOPLE INTO THIS COUNTRY TO MEET THE DEMAND.
THE UNITED STATES CANNOT MEET THE DEMAND IN THOSE FOUR AREAS TRYING TO CHANGE THAT.
SO, YOU KNOW, THAT'S HOW IMPORTANT IT IS.
AND THE, AND YOU ALL GOT THE RIGHT IDEA BECAUSE YOU'RE GONNA START EMBEDDING IN THEIR MIND AND GETTING THEM PREPARED NOT TO BE AFRAID AND BE ABLE TO MEET THE CHALLENGE.
SO, YOU KNOW, THAT'S A GOOD THING AND I REALLY APPLAUD YOU FOR DOING THAT.
NOW WE GET THE SCHOOL DISTRICTS, THE ELEMENTARY AND MIDDLE SCHOOL TO UNDERSTAND HOW IMPORTANT IT IS TO STEER IN THAT MAYBE WE CAN GET SOME WORK.
FORTUNATELY, UM, THROUGHOUT, UH, THE US AND AS WELL AS, UH, THE LOCAL SCHOOL DISTRICTS, UH, STEM EDUCATION HAS BEEN AND IS NOW A, SOMETHING THAT'S AVAILABLE.
I THINK AGAIN, IT'S AWARENESS, PARENTS NOT REALIZING, SO HOW DO I GET MY CHILD INVOLVED? HOW DO I GET THEM ON TRACK WHEN THEY'RE IN ELEMENTARY SCHOOL? SO THERE'S STILL SOME WORK TO BE DONE IN ORDER TO CONNECT THOSE DOTS.
BUT CERTAINLY THE, IT WAS A TIME WHEN T WAS ONE OF THE FEW ORGANIZATIONS THAT WAS WORKING ON, UH, K THROUGH 12 STEM EDUCATION.
WE'RE NOT, THERE ARE QUITE A FEW NOW THAT ARE WORKING IN THAT ARENA.
UH, BUT WE STILL DON'T HAVE THE NUMBERS, LIKE YOU SAID, WITH THE US CITIZENS GETTING THOSE NUMBERS TO REALLY RISE LIKE WE WANT THEM TO.
SO THERE'S STILL WORK TO BE DONE.
I APPRECIATE ALL OF WHAT YOU DO.
AND SEEING HOW THE CHILDREN REACT IS AMAZING.
WHAT I WANT PARENTS TO HEAR THAT ARE LISTENING TO THIS IS DIG DEEP TO UNDERSTAND WHAT STEM ACTUALLY MEANS SO THAT YOU CAN BE ABLE TO EXPLAIN IT TO YOUR CHILD TO INTRIGUE THEIR INTEREST.
SO STEM COULD ALSO MEAN, AND I LEARNED THIS FROM, FROM HAVE, UM, PARTICIPATED IN SESSIONS WITH YOU ALL THAT COSMETOLOGY DEALS WITH CHEMISTRY, WHICH IS SCIENCE.
[01:35:01]
I DON'T WANT ANYONE COLORING MY HAIR WHO DOES NOT UNDERSTAND SCIENCE, TAILORING, UNDERSTANDING FABRICS, UNDERSTANDING THE MEASUREMENTS.THERE ARE SEVERAL TYPES OF CAREER FIELDS THAT CHILDREN WILL BE ABLE TO LEARN ABOUT PARTICIPATING IN THESE STEM TYPE OF EVENTS.
I JUST WANT THEM TO KNOW, JUST BECAUSE YOU MAY NOT BE INTERESTED IN, UM, MATTER OR SALES, YOU KNOW, OF SCIENCE IN SCIENCE CLASS DOESN'T MEAN THAT YOU MAY NOT BE INTERESTED IN ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE OR YOU MAY NOT BE INTERESTED IN COOKING.
ALL OF THIS IS FALLS UNDER STEM SCIENCE, TECHNOLOGY, ENGINEERING, AND MATH.
AND SOME EVEN, UM, CALL IT STEAM, INCLUDING THE ARTS, RIGHT.
DEALING WITH PAINTS AND TEXTURES.
SO JUST PLEASE, PLEASE COME OUT.
THERE WAS ONE, UM, EVENT WE WENT TO WHEN WE TOOK SOME CHILDREN, ENVIRONMENTAL ELEMENTS, ENVIRONMENTAL ELEMENTS IN WETLANDS, WETLANDS, WETLANDS.
WE'RE DEALING WITH THE WETLANDS.
BUT ANOTHER TIME WHEN WE WENT TO, WE'RE IN DALLAS, SAN ANTONIO.
SAN ANTONIO, WE WENT TO SAN ANTONIO AND BROUGHT A BUS FULL OF CHILDREN AND SOMEONE WAS TEACHING 'EM ABOUT MUSIC PRODUCTION.
RIGHT? SO, YOU KNOW, THEY GOT THE CHILDREN INVOLVED AND THE GUY WHO WAS THERE WAS ACTUALLY A MUSIC PRODUCER FOR DRAKE.
SO THEY WERE VERY, VERY INTRIGUED.
SO I JUST WANT THE COMMUNITY TO UNDERSTAND THIS IS NOT JUST ABOUT WHAT YOU MAY LEARN IN CLA IN THE CLASSROOM SETTING FOR SCIENCE, BUT ALSO WHAT YOU WILL LEARN, UM, FOR THINGS THAT YOU MAY BE INTERESTED IN.
SO JUST COME SO THAT YOU CAN HAVE CONVERSATIONS WITH, UM, THE LIBRARIAN, WITH THE ENGINEERS, WITH LIKE COUNCILMAN MEMBER KINLAW MENTIONED OF GETTING THE ENGINEERS THAT WORK WITH THE CITY TO COME OUT.
BECAUSE THERE'S SO MANY DIFFERENT FACETS FOR ENGINEERING THAT, UM, THAT OUR CHILDREN CAN BE INVOLVED IN AND INTERESTED IN.
YOU KNOW, I HEARD JOB FAIRS EARLIER TODAY AND SO I, AND I THINK ABOUT TWO COMPANIES THAT MAY THINK, OH, DO THEY HIRE ENGINEERS? SO WALMART, HEB, WHO THEY'RE SUPPORTING THIS EVENT, THE NUMBER OF ENGINEERS AND, UM, MATHEMATICIANS THAT THEY HIRE.
AND MOST INDIVIDUALS WOULD NOT THINK, OH, THEY, YEAH, THEY DO.
THEY, THEY'RE HIRING TECHNOLOGY FOLKS AS WELL.
APPRECIATE YOUR, UM, PRESENTATION EARLY ON.
COUNCILMAN DE SAYS, RIGHT, YOU GOTTA, WHAT Y'ALL ARE DOING IS GOING TO CHANGE THE WHOLE SPECTRUM OF THINGS.
I DIDN'T GET INTRODUCED TO ELECTRONICS AND WHAT HAVE YOU AND ELECTRICITY UNTIL I WAS EIGHT, SEVENTH, EIGHTH GRADE.
I HAD A FIRST COUSIN HE FINISHED AT PRAIRIE VIEW ELECTRICAL ENGINEER.
SO THAT SPARKED MY INTEREST IN THE ELECTRICITY AND ELECTRONICS.
SO I WIRED MY FIRST ELEVATOR IN THE NINTH GRADE WITHOUT THE EQUIPMENT.
I DID IT ON FROM A SCHEMATIC, AND THEN I HAD TO GET A FULL CLASS AND EXPLAINED HOW IT WORKED AND STOPPED IT AT ALL THE LEVELS.
BUT I WENT ON TO, GOT HIRED AT, UH, WELL, I'VE DONE A NUMBER OF JOB, YOU WON'T GO DOWN THAT ROAD, BUT, UH,
BUT THE IMPORTANT THING IS FROM MY FIRST COUSIN, ELECTRICAL ENGINEERING, I GOT INTERESTED IN ELECTRONICS.
I WENT TO PORT ARTHUR COLLEGE AND I CAME OUT THERE WITH THREE CERTIFICATIONS.
BASIC ELECTRONIC TECHNOLOGY, RADIO AND TELEVISION TECHNOLOGY.
AND THE MOST IMPORTANT THING IN, IN INDUSTRIAL ELECTRONIC, THAT'S A WHOLE WIDE RANGE OF STUFF.
KEPT ME WOKE AT KNIFE AND FIGURING THE MATH AND STUFF THAT I SKIPPED IN HIGH SCHOOL, BUT I COULDN'T SEE THE NEED FOR IT.
BUT, BUT I HAD, I RUN SMACK INTO IT AT, AT THE, IN STUDYING ELECTRONICS AND INDUSTRIAL ELECTRONICS.
BUT I WENT ON TO GULF OIL CORPORATION, ENDED UP AS A PROCESS OPERATOR.
OKAY? NORMALLY TAKE 20 YEARS TO DO THAT.
I, I BECAME A PROCESS OPERATOR IN, UH, IN THREE YEARS OKAY.
OKAY? THEN, UM, I GOT APPOINTED TO THE INSTRUMENT DEPARTMENT IN 1977.
I GOT APPOINTED TO THE INSTRUMENT DEPARTMENT.
THERE'S 80 PEOPLE APPLIED FOR THE JOB.
BUT IT ALL STEMMED FROM MY COUSIN GOT MY INTEREST.
SO YOU ALL INTRODUCED, INTRODUCING KIDS EARLY ON.
IT'S GONNA MAKE ALL THE DIFFERENCE IN THE WORLD.
THANK YOU AGAIN FOR YOUR SUPPORT.
WELL, AGAIN, THANK YOU ALL AND WE ARE BEING TOTAL SUPPORTIVE, WHAT YOU ALL DO.
AND, UH, MR. WILLIAMS, YOU, YOU KEEP, YOU KEEP A REAL GREAT TEAM OUT THERE.
[III.F.(1) A Discussion Regarding The Recovery Of Money From The State Of Texas For Leasing City Land In The Spoiled Area On Pleasure Island (Requested By Councilmember Lewis)]
MOVE TO THE NEXT ITEM.AND, UH, THESE, THESE ARE DISCUSSION ITEMS. AND THE FIRST DISCUSSION ITEM WE HAVE IS A DISCUSSION REGARDING THE RECOVERY OF MONEY FROM THE STATE
[01:40:01]
OF TEXAS FOR LEASING CITY LAND IN THE SPOILED, UH, AREA ON PLEASURE ISLAND.AND THIS HAS BEEN REQUESTED BY COUNCIL MEMBER LEWIS.
I'M GOING TO, FOR THE CITY SECRETARY, I, I NEED FOR HER TO, TO RELIST THIS, THIS ITEM SO I CAN BRING THE PAPER TRAIL.
WELL, BUT I'M GONNA, I CAN, I'M LIMITED WHAT I CAN SAY, BUT I NEED TO PROVE YOU ALL THE PAPER TRAIL, THE COUNCIL CHECKS AND WHAT HAVE YOU.
AND HOW MUCH MONEY WAS, WAS, UH, THAT THE STATE OF TEXAS LEASED OUT OUR LAND TO THE OIL COMPANIES AND THEN PAY US A DIME.
NOW TO PROVE THAT IT WAS, IT IS OUR LAND.
ITEM 15 IS GONNA BE RESCINDED AND I'LL READ TO YOU.
PAGE NINE, ITEM 15 ON THIS AGENDA, THE CITY OF PORT ARTHUR, TEXAS AND DILIGENT OFFSHORE SERVICE LLC FOR APPRO GONNA LEASE APPROXIMATELY 2,274 ACRES OF OFF CITY OWNED LAND CITY ON LAND.
NOW, I WILL BRING YOU THE DOCUMENTATION, THE COUNCIL CHECKS AND EVERYTHING.
THE NEXT COUNCIL MEETING, OKAY? THAT'S GOING CITY ON LAND, ON PLEASURE ISLAND FOR THE DEVELOPMENT OF CONSTRUCTION AND OPERATION OF WIND AND SOLAR ENERGY FACILITY, A SUBSTATION DATA CENTER, OFFSHORE ENERGY HUB, AND OTHER NECESSARY APPORTIONMENT FACILITY.
THAT LAND, WHICH WE ARE GONNA BE LEASING OUT, WE HAVE ALREADY LEASED OUT SOMETHING TO THE OTHER OIL COMPANIES.
NOW THAT, THAT LAND WAS OWNED BY THE CITY OF PORT ARTHUR IS ON SINCE 1932.
IT'S OUR LAND AND THERE ALL COMPANIES RIPPED US OFF.
SO WE GOING TO FIND A WAY WE GONNA RECOVER THAT MONEY.
AND I WANNA LET THE, THE NEW STATE REPRESENTATIVE, PORT ARTHUR, MAKE HIM AWARE OF IT, THAT WE'RE GONNA BE PURSUING THE RETURN OF OUR MONEY WITH INTEREST.
[III.F.(2) A Discussion Regarding Vehicle Storage On Mobile Avenue And Gulfway Drive (Requested By Councilmember Lewis)]
WE HAVE ITEM NUMBER TWO, UH, DISCUSSION DISCUSSIONS.A DISCUSSION REGARDING VEHICLE STORAGE ON MOBILE, MOBILE AVENUE AND GUFFY DRIVE.
THIS IS ALSO REQUESTED BY COUNCIL MEMBER LEWIS.
YES, I'VE BEEN, THAT IS, I'M SO DISGUSTED WITH THAT.
AND THE CITIZEN LIVES IN THE AREA AND COUNCILMAN DUCEY HAD REMINDED ME OF IT A COUPLE DAYS AGO THAT AT MOBILE AVENUE VEHICLES ARE PARKED EVERYWHERE, ALL OVER THE PLACE.
ACROSS THE STREET, DOWN THE STREET, AROUND THE STREET.
I NEED TO KNOW FROM THE, FROM THE STAFF, WHERE ARE WE ON? AND LAST TIME I ADDRESSED THIS ISSUE, THEY SAID IT WAS IN THE COURT.
SO I NEED TO HEAR FROM THE STAFF, WHERE ARE WE ON DOING SOMETHING ABOUT THIS ILLEGAL STORAGE OF VEHICLES ON MOBILE? ON MOBILE AND, AND GOWAY DRIVE.
IT APPEARS TO ME THAT, THAT THE COURT ENFORCEMENT HAS ISSUED CITATION THROUGHOUT THE COMMUNITY AND THEY ARE BRINGING THOSE VEHICLES OVER THERE AND STORING THEM THERE PROBABLY FOR A FEE TO GET 'EM AWAY FROM OUT OF THE NEIGHBORHOODS.
SO IT MAKES NO, THAT'S THE ONLY, THAT'S THE ONLY REASON IT MAKES SENSE TO ME FOR, FOR ALL THOSE VEHICLES.
YOU CAN'T WORK OVER ONE VEHICLE AT A TIME OR TWO OR THREE.
WELL, WHAT ARE YOU DOING WITH 30, 40 OF 'EM THROUGHOUT THE NEIGHBORHOOD DOWN? THAT MAKES NO SENSE.
SO I NEED TO KNOW FROM STAFF, IS DARLENE THEM HERE? ANYBODY HERE? GOOD MORNING MAYOR.
UM, WITH THE AUTOMOBILE REPAIR SHOP ON MOBILE AS WELL AS PUT YOUR PHONE UP.
CAN YOU HEAR ME BETTER? YEAH, IT'S KIND OF MUFFLED.
UM, WITH THE AUTOMOBILE REPAIR SHOP ON MOBILE AS WELL AS SEVERAL THROUGHOUT THE CITY OF PORT ARTHUR, WE ARE ACTIVELY, UM, PURSUING THOSE.
UM, ONE THING ABOUT IT IS, IS THAT WE DO GO IN WITH ENFORCEMENT.
UM, WE DO PROVIDE NOTICE OF VIOLATIONS.
UM, SOME WE HAVE TO LOOK AT, LIKE FOR EXAMPLE WITH MOBILE, ALABAMA, UM, MOBILE AVENUE, UM, ZONING, UM, AS WELL AS ENVIRONMENTAL.
UM, THE PARKING ON THE STREETS FALLS MORE OR LESS UNDER, UH, THE POLICE DEPARTMENT BECAUSE IT'S THE, UM, ENCROACHMENT AND BLOCKING OF LIKE, FOR EXAMPLE, EMERGENCY VEHICLES.
[01:45:01]
MM-HMMTHAT MAY NEED TO TRAVEL DOWN THAT ROAD.
UM, SO THERE ARE SEVERAL VIOLATIONS THAT WE HAVE BEEN, UM, PURSUING WITH THIS PARTICULAR ESTABLISHMENT AND OTHER ESTABLISHMENTS THROUGHOUT THE CITY.
UM, I HAVE MET WITH STAFF AS OF LAST WEEK TO SEE IF MAYBE WE NEED TO SWITCH UP OUR APPROACH, UM, TO GET MORE TRACTION AND A BETTER HANDLE, UM, OF THESE SITUATIONS.
UM, WE HAVE COMPILED THE LIST OF ALL OF THE AUTOMOBILE REPAIR SHOPS WITHIN THE CITY.
AS MOBILE IS NOT THE ONLY ONE THAT WE HAVE THIS PROBLEM WITH.
IT'S THE MOST VISIBLE BECAUSE IT'S ON A MAJOR THOROUGHFARE, BUT NOT THE ONLY.
SO, UM, WE ARE, UM, LARRY BATON, WHO IS THE, UM, PLANNING MANAGER, HAS DRAFTED A LETTER TO SEND TO ALL AUTOMOBILE REPAIR SHOPS TO PULL THEM IN FOR A COMPLIANCE MEETING.
UM, AND ALSO INFORMING THEM THAT WE WILL GO OUT AGAIN AND START, UM, PURSUING HEAVY ENFORCEMENT ON THEM.
UM, BUT IT WOULD BE A COLLECTIVE EFFORT BETWEEN THE CITY'S POLICE DEPARTMENT, FIRE DEPARTMENT, CODE ENFORCEMENT, UM, AS WELL AS THE SANITARIAN AND REGULATORY SERVICES.
WHEN WE APPROACH THIS MATTER, UM, AS UM, ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH WITH JAMES BROWN, WE DEAL MORE WITH JUNK MOTOR VEHICLES.
A LOT OF THESE VEHICLES ARE NOT OUT OF COMPLIANCE AS IT RELATES TO THAT.
YOU KNOW, WE ARE TALKING ABOUT MAKING SURE THAT TAGS, UM, ARE UP TO DATE, YOU KNOW, THEY'RE NOT ON FLATS, THINGS OF THAT NATURE.
UM, SO THAT'S ONE ASPECT OF IT.
UM, THERE'S ALSO, YOU KNOW, BECAUSE THEY'RE NOT ON A, UM, ALL WEATHER SURFACE AND CERTAIN, UM, INSTANCES WHERE THERE MAY BE FLUIDS AND THINGS OF THAT NATURE THAT'S GOING IN THE GROUND, THAT'S AN ENVIRONMENTAL ISSUE THAT'S DEALT BY, UH, DEALT, HANDLED BY A DIFFERENT DEPARTMENT.
AND THEN THERE'S ZONING WITH MOBILE ALL, UM, AVENUE.
THERE IS A LOT THAT SITS ADJACENT TO THAT PROPERTY SEPARATED BY THE ALLEY THAT FALLS INTO TWO FAMILY ZONING THAT WE ARE PURSUING AS A ZONING VIOLATION.
BUT I JUST WANNA REMIND COUNSEL, THAT ENFORCEMENT IS NOT ALWAYS COMPLIANCE.
IT'S BECAUSE THESE INDIVIDUALS DON'T COME INTO COMPLIANCE.
IT DOESN'T MEAN THAT WE ARE NOT DOING ANYTHING.
UM, WE JUST HAVE TO GO THROUGH THE PROCESS IN HOPES THAT SOMETHING GETS THEIR ATTENTION.
BUT, UM, WE ARE ACTIVELY PURSUING THESE ISSUES.
OKAY, FIRST OF ALL, YOU SAID THAT IT GOES INTO DIFFERENT DEPARTMENTS FOR CODE ENFORCEMENT.
I KNOW THAT I TALKED WITH, UH, MS. PIERRE IN REFERENCE TO THE ONE ON MEMORIAL AND 26TH STREET USED TO BE A TRANSMISSION SHOP.
THEY STARTED REPAIRING VEHICLES.
THEY STARTED PUTTING THEM ON THE SIDE, THIS SIDE, THE OTHER SIDE IN THE BACK.
NOW THEY COMING TOWARD MEMORIAL.
THEY ARE WITHIN 14 FEET FROM THE ACTUAL STREET IN FRONT.
WE TALK ABOUT BEAUTIFICATION, PUTTING SIGNS ALL AROUND THE CITY.
WE TALKING ABOUT CLEANING THE CITY.
WE GOT THIS CODE THAT I COULD GO LOOK AT THAT SAYS WHAT'S A VIOLATION.
WE WORKING WITH, WE DOING, NO.
WHY DOES IT TAKE US SO LONG? BUT OTHER CITIES COULD GO IN AND FORCE THEIR CODES.
DON'T WE HAVE A CODE THAT IF THE VEHICLES ARE NOT IN COMPLIANCE, WE TAG THEM.
AND THEN WITHIN 30 DAYS WE TO 'EM.
AM I CORRECT? YOU ARE CORRECT.
WHY AFTER 30 DAYS I HEAR PEOPLE TELLING ME WE WORKING ON IT.
WHAT, WHY DON'T WE PULL IT? IN SOME CASES WE GO OUT AND TAG VEHICLES AND IT'S THE SAME THAT GOES WITH RESIDENTIAL PROPERTIES AS WELL.
UM, WE GIVE THE NOTICE OF VIOLATION, UM, WE GO BACK OUT.
THOSE VEHICLES MAY BE MOVED IN TERMS OF AUTOMOBILE REPAIR, UM, FACILITIES, THE VEHICLES, THE SPECIFIC VEHICLES THAT WE TAG, THAT WE LETTER, THEY MOVE THOSE TO A DIFFERENT LOCATION.
AND SOMETIMES WHAT YOU SEE ARE NEW VEHICLES.
AND SO THE PROCESS STARTS OVER.
WELL, YOU KNOW WHAT? I GOT A FEELING THAT WE KEEP TAGGING THEM AND KEEP HOLLERING THEM.
I THINK THAT'S THE WAY WE GET, THAT'S THE WAY WE GET PEOPLE ATTENTION.
WE DO NOT GET PEOPLE ATTENTION TALKING ABOUT THE PROCESS.
[01:50:04]
WE HAVE ORDINANCES.WHEN WE ASK QUESTIONS, IF SOMEONE TELL ME THAT WE TAGGED THE VEHICLE AND WE WENT BACK 30 DAYS LATER, THAT VEHICLE WAS THERE AND WE DIDN'T TOW IT, WE ARE NOT ENFORCING NO ONE RESPOND TO NOTHING.
I'VE ASKED ABOUT THE ONE ON MEMORIAL MM-HMM
AND WE GONNA ENFORCE THE OILINESS.
IF WE CAN'T ENFORCE THE OILINESS, THEN THIS COUNCIL IS GOING TO HAVE TO TALK ABOUT WHY WE ARE NOT ENFORCING OUR OILINESS.
IT TAKES A LOT OF TIME, IT TAKES A PROCESS.
BUT IF WE REALLY WANT TO CLEAN UP OUR CITY, THE BACKBONE OF CLEANING THE CITY IS CODE ENFORCEMENT.
WHETHER IT BE ZONING, WHETHER IT BE ENVIRONMENTAL, DON'T CARE WHICH AREA.
THE ONLY WAY THIS CITY IS GOING TO BE CLEANED IS THAT WE ENFORCE OUR ORDINANCES.
WE PAY PEOPLE TO DRIVE AROUND THIS CITY AND THEIR JOB IS NOT TO GIVE CITATION, BUT IF YOU SEE A VIOLATION INFORM THE INDIVIDUAL OF THE VIOLATION, ALLOW THEM TIME TO CORRECT IT.
AND THEN IF THEY DON'T, THEN WE TAKE THE NECESSARY ACTIONS, NOT JUST THESE CARS.
I'M TALKING ABOUT EVERYTHING WE DO HERE.
WE NEED TO START ENFORCING CODES.
YOU KNOW, I MADE A SUGGESTION, IT MUST HAVE BEEN PROBABLY ABOUT, I WOULD SAY PROBABLY ABOUT THREE YEARS AGO TO THE CITY MANAGER.
I SAID IF I WAS AMEN, I WOULD GET CODE ENFORCEMENT, ALL THE DEPARTMENT DIRECTORS AND I WOULD RIDE AROUND THE CITY ON ONE DAY, COUPLE OF HOURS.
AND EVERY VIOLATION WE SEE, WE WRITE DOWN, THEN I'LL COME BACK TO THE OFFICES AND I'LL SAY, OKAY, WHERE'S THE PAPERWORK FOR THIS? IF THERE'S NO PAPERWORK, WHAT THAT TELLS ME, THE PEOPLE I GOT OUT THERE ARE NOT DOING THEIR JOB.
YOU ALWAYS HEAR ME SAY UP HERE, I WON'T TELL YOU ALL HOW TO DO Y'ALL JOB.
THAT'S WHERE I'M AT WITH CODE ENFORCEMENT RIGHT NOW.
I'M NOT GONNA FIX IT, BUT SOMEBODY DOES START FIXING IT ON MEMORIAL BOULEVARD ON MOBILE.
I WAS THERE, I GOT BY 20 PICTURES ON MY PHONE.
THEY HAVE VEHICLES WITH NO STICKERS.
THEY GOT VEHICLES LOOK LIKE THEY GOT FROM AN AUCTION.
THE GUY HAS TAKEN WHAT WAS A HAUL, PUT A DOOR ON IT AND HE'S FIXING AUTOMOBILES AND HE BUYING AUTOMOBILES FROM THE AUCTION.
AND I'VE BEEN TRYING TO GET SOMEBODY TO DO THAT FOR THE LAST FOUR OR FIVE MONTHS TO FIX THAT.
THE ZONING IS RESIDENTIAL SPECIAL USE PERMIT FOR THE CHURCH, NOT A AUTOMOBILE SHOP.
50TH 53RD AND ROOSEVELT, THERE'S AN INDIVIDUAL BOUGHT A HOME, STARTED EXPANDING, THEN PUT AN ADDITIONAL PLACE ON IT.
AND THAT'S ABOUT 10 FEET FROM THE ROAD.
BUILT ANOTHER ROOM, AIR CONDITION, TURNED THE GARAGE INTO A SHOP AND A FIXING VEHICLE.
[01:55:03]
I'M GOING TO LOOK AT THESE AREAS AND IF THEY'RE NOT CLEAN UP IN A MONTH, I'M GONNA BRING YOU BACK TO THE COUNCIL.IF WE GONNA CLEAN UP OUR CITY, WE'RE GONNA HAVE TO MAKE SURE THAT OUR CODES ARE ENFORCED.
AND IN 30 DAYS, IF STAFF THE MANAGER CAN'T CLEAN IT UP, THEN I THINK IT'S GONNA BE OUR RESPONSIBILITY.
BUT WE OWE IT TO THE CITIZENS TO NO LONGER WAIT.
COUNCILMAN LEWIS, YOU HAVE SOMETHING ELSE? YES.
JUST BRIEFLY THANK YOU FOR YOUR PRESENTATION.
I HAVE TALKED TO THE CHIEF OVER TIME AND HE GOES AND CHECK ON THINGS.
I SAY, WHY, WHY HAVEN'T YOU DONE SOMETHING ABOUT THIS? AND HE'LL SAY, WELL, IT'S IN THE CITY ATTORNEY, NOT THIS CITY ATTORNEY, IT'S IN THE CITY ATTORNEY'S OFFICE.
WE ARE GETTING PROBLEMS WITH THE CITY ATTORNEY.
I SAY THAT MAKES NO SENSE, BUT NOT, NOT YOU.
NOW ONE OF THE THINGS THAT I WANT TO, UH, ONLY OUTTA COMPLIANCE VEHICLES OUTTA COMPLIANCE.
WHICH ONE? EITHER ONE OUTTA COMPLIANCE.
I DON'T HAVE THE ORDINANCE WITH ME.
AND I CAN DEFINITELY PROVIDE THAT INFORMATION TO COUNSEL, UM, FOLLOWING THE MEETING TODAY.
BUT THERE IS A CRITERIA, IT IS NOT JUST TAGS.
THERE'S OTHER CRITERIA THAT'S INVOLVED IN WHAT'S CONSIDERED, UM, A VEHICLE THAT IS OUT OF COMPLIANCE, BUT I CAN'T, NOW I CAN UNDERSTAND A, HIS, UH, AN ANTIQUE.
AND YOU, YOU HAVE AN IN SUPPORTED ORDER, BUT I CANNOT UNDERSTAND VEHICLES PARKED ON THE STREET.
ONE, ONE OF THE TAGS OUTTA COMPLIANCE OR BOTH TAGS, THE TAGS OUTTA COMPLIANCE.
BUT THEN I'LL, I WOULD COME, I WOULD GET WITH THE CHIEF AND HE'D SAY, WELL IT'S, IT IS IN THE CITY ATTORNEY'S OFFICE.
HE WILL ENFORCE THE WELL, IT PUTS LIMITS ON ALL OF US.
IT DOES, IT PUT LIMITS ON EVERYTHING.
SO WE GOT A NEW CITY ATTORNEY AND WE NEED TO TAKE A FRESH LOOK AT WHAT, WHAT'S ON THE, WHAT'S ENFORCEABLE AND WHAT NOT ENFORCEABLE.
AND WE HAVE HAD DISCUSSIONS WITH MS. ROXANNE IN THE LAW DEPARTMENT MM-HMM
UM, IN ADDRESSING ISSUES WITH, UM, CODE ENFORCEMENT WITHIN THE CITY, RATHER THAT'S REVIEWING THE ORDINANCES TO MAKE SURE THAT THERE'S ENOUGH TEETH WITHIN THOSE ORDINANCES.
UM, BUT AGAIN, IT'S NOT A ONE SIZE FITS ALL SOLUTION.
AND, AND ONE I JUST THOUGHT ABOUT SOMETHING ELSE.
I NOTICED THERE'S A LOT OF PRIVATE FENCES GOING UP IN THE WEST END AND THE IN THE BACKYARDS.
A LOT OF PRIVATE FENCES GOING UP.
AND I'VE ALSO LOOKED BEHIND THOSE PRIVATE FENCES.
IT GOT OLD, THEY DON'T NOT HAULING OLD REFRIGERATORS AND EVERYTHING ELSE.
WHAT ARE WE GONNA DO ABOUT THAT IN SITUATIONS LIKE THAT? UM, WITH ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH, UM, IT IS WHAT BASICALLY CAN BE SEEN FROM THE STREET RIGHT OF WAY.
UM, IF THEY SEE SOMETHING FROM THE STREET RIGHT OF WAY THAT'S OUT OF COMPLIANCE, THAT GIVES THEM ENTRY ONTO THE PROPERTY TO DO ENFORCEMENT IN TERMS OF PRIVATE FENCES.
IF IT'S SOMETHING THAT THEY CAN'T SEE.
NOW THAT'S NOT SAYING THAT WE DON'T GET CALLS AND COMPLAINTS, UM, BUT WE DO NOT HAVE THE AUTHORITY TO PEER OVER, UM, THESE PRIVATE FENCES.
UM, AS WE VIOLATE, YOU KNOW, AGAIN, PEOPLE'S RIGHTS, UM, WITH CERTAIN THINGS.
SO IT, IT, IT DEPENDS ON THE SITUATION.
NOW, IF THE FENCE IS OPEN, UM, AND IT'S SOMETHING THAT WE CAN VIEW FROM THE STREET RIGHT OF WAY AGAIN, THEN AT THAT POINT IT'S SOMETHING THAT IT'S ENFORCEABLE.
NOW WHAT YOU JUST SAID, ALL OF THESE OLD VEHICLES, OLD REFRIGERATORS AND ALL THIS STUFF, JUNK PILED UP IN THE BACK WHERE THEY COLLECT AND THEY STRIPPING STUFF MM-HMM
AND SELLING WHAT METALS THEY CAN.
THEM RATS LOOKING FOR A PLACE TO WHERE IT'S WARM.
I AND AND IT'S GOING TO BE YOUR HOUSE.
AND THAT KNOCKING AT THE DOOR IN THE ATTIC IS NOT NOBODY TRYING TO GET IN OR ASKING PERMISSION THAT'S A RAT SQUIRREL OR POSSIBLE WHATEVER IT'S LOOKING FOR WARMTH.
AND I GET COMPLAINTS ALL THE TIME.
THEN I GO OVER THERE AND I SEE THIS PRIVATE FENCE AND I BRING IT TO THE CODE ENFORCEMENT.
THEY SAY, WELL, UH, WE CAN'T PEEL OVER THE FENCE.
I SAID, WHAT ABOUT A DRONE? THEY SAID, WE CAN'T DO THAT EITHER.
I JUST WANT TO REITERATE ON THIS KP MM-HMM
IF SOMETHING IS IN A CLOSED FENCE MM-HMM
[02:00:02]
AND THERE'S A COMPLAINT FOR SOMETHING BACK THERE, THEN WE CODE ENFORCE CAN GET A WARRANT.AN ADMINISTRATIVE SEARCH WARRANT.
SO I JUST WANNA MAKE SURE NO, IT AIN'T NO SEARCH.
BUT IF, IF THE COURTS WOULD PROVIDE THE ADMINISTRATIVE SEARCH WARRANT WITH EVIDENCE THAT'S BEEN PRESENTED TO THEM.
AND, AND, AND THE MUNICIPAL COURT JUDGE WILL, IF WE GO OUT THERE, GET THE APPLICATION, FILL THE APPLICATION, HE WILL ISSUE A WARRANT.
IF IT'S A COMPLAINT, WE WILL GET THE WARRANT.
WE CAN GET THE WARRANT, BUT WE CAN OKAY.
I'M GLAD COUNCILMAN DEUCE BROUGHT THAT UP.
THEY SAID, THEY SAID THE PROBLEM WAS THERE GOTTA BE SOMEWHERE IN THE, IN, IN THE, UH, ADMINISTRATIVE.
I WENT AND TALKED TO THE MUNICIPAL JUDGE, YOU KNOW WHAT THEY SAY? MM-HMM
I CAN'T FORCE SOMETHING THAT DON'T COME TO ME.
AND I'VE TALKED AND JUST RECENTLY THIS PAST YEAR, I'VE TALKED WITH HIM ABOUT IT AND HE SAID, IT'S, IT'S NOT COMING.
I RULE ON IT, BUT IT'S NOT GETTING TO US CITY ATTORNEY.
I I UNDERSTAND THE PASSION TO CODE ENFORCEMENT.
UM, BUT THIS ITEM WAS TO SPECIFICALLY ADDRESS THE VEHICLE STORAGE ON MOBILE AVENUE AND GULF WAY DRIVE.
AND WE'VE GOTTEN WAY OFF TOPIC.
SO IF I COULD REAR IT BACK TO THAT SPECIFIC ITEM.
AND I WAS WONDERING ABOUT WHAT COURT WOULD HAVE JU DIXON IF IT NEEDED TO GO TO A, UH, COUNTER COURT OF LAW OR A, A STATE DISTRICT JUDGE.
BUT HOWEVER, I'VE BEEN INFORMED HERE THAT OUR MUNICIPAL COURT HAS JURISDICTION OVER THESE ISSUES.
I MEAN, YOU KNOW, YOU COULD WONDER THIS, BUT NOW IT'S TOTALLY FACTUAL.
IT'S, IT'S, IT'S, IT'S, IT'S OUT IN THE OPEN AND, UH, IN THIS CASE IT WOULD BE JUDGE FREEMAN THAT IS CORRECT.
WOULD, WOULD, WOULD HAVE JURISDICTION OVER THIS.
UH, AND I, I DON'T KNOW HOW AGGRESSIVELY, YOU KNOW, THAT THIS DEPARTMENT IS WORKING, UH, OF THE CODE ENFORCEMENT DEPARTMENT IS WORKING ON, UH, MAYBE DURING, UH, UH, DURING THE, UH, FILING IF IT'S A MOTION THAT HAS TO BE FILED OR WHATEVER FOR, UH, THE, UH, SEARCH WARRANT TO BE ISSUED OR GIVEN A PROBABLE CAUSE AFFIDAVIT OR WHATEVER.
BUT
BUT EVEN THE OTHER AREAS WHERE FOLK ARE IN THEIR HOMES AND RODENTS OR, YOU KNOW, GOING INTO THE NEIGHBOR'S HOUSES BECAUSE OF WHAT THEY'RE KEEPING OVER BEHIND THEIR, THEIR, THEIR, THEIR, THEIR WOOD FENCE.
YOU KNOW, ONE THING IN THE MUNICIPALITY, AND THIS IS EVEN AS I EXIT THIS SEAT, UH, YOU CANNOT HAVE THE MUNICIPALITY IN ITS BEST CONDITION WHEN YOU DON'T HAVE THE CITIZENS TO COMPLY WITH WHAT THE RULES AND THE REGULATIONS ARE.
AND IF WE DO NOT ENFORCE THOSE AND GO TO THE EXTENT, TOTAL EXTENT OF CODE ENFORCEMENT, THEN OUR CITY DOES NOT HAVE AN AESTHETIC APPEARANCE THAT WE HAVE SPOKEN OF HERE OPENLY ABOUT OTHER AREAS.
BUT THOSE OTHER AREAS ALSO HAVE MAYBE A MORE AGGRESSIVE, I'M NOT SAYING THAT, THAT OUR CODE ENFORCERS UNDER THE CODE ENFORCEMENT DEPARTMENT IS NOT DOING ITS JOB, BUT MAYBE WE ARE NOT AS AGGRESSIVE MAYBE AS WE NEED BE TO GET TOTAL COMPLIANCE.
AND, AND, AND, AND, AND AGAIN, UH, UH, MS. LANSFORD, I, I APPRECIATE YOU BECAUSE OF YOUR PASSION THAT YOU HAVE AND YOUR PROFESSIONALISM THAT YOU, UH, ACTUALLY EXEMPLIFY IN ALL OF YOUR PRESENTATIONS.
AND ONE THING I KNOW IS YOU'RE NOT GOING TO EVER, YOU KNOW, UH, NOT STAND UP FOR YOUR STAFF.
AND YOU GET 100% PRODUCTIVITY FROM YOUR STAFF BECAUSE OF YOUR POSITION.
SO I HOPE YOUR STAFF IS LOOKING AND LISTENING NOW BECAUSE YOU ARE DOING THIS AND YOU DO THIS
[02:05:01]
IN A, IN A MAGNIFICENT WAY THAT IN RETURN TO RECIPROCATE YOUR, YOUR STAFF WOULD IN TURN FROM THIS DAY FORWARD, LIKE A MARRIAGE BECAUSE JUDGE FREEMAN EVIDENTLY IS WAITING TO BE INFORMED SO HE CAN SIGN THE WARRANTS MM-HMMTHAT THEY WOULD DO ALL WITHIN THEIR POWERS TO GET ALL OF THE, THE DATA THAT THE CITY ATTORNEY'S OFFICE WOULD SAY, BECAUSE I KNOW YOUR OFFICE WOULD BE INVOLVED.
YOU WOULD TELL THEM EACH OF THE ELEMENTS THAT THEY HAVE TO HAVE TO BE SURE THAT THEY GET ABLE TO GET A PROPER WARRANT, SEARCH WARRANT ISSUED.
AND THAT WOULD STAND UP IN A STATE DISTRICT COURT IF NEED BE.
YOU KNOW, BECAUSE WE COULD GO OUT AND GET SOME EVIDENCE AND THEN IT'S INADMISSIBLE BECAUSE IT WAS, IT WAS OBTAINED IMPROPERLY.
SO, YOU KNOW, IT'S ALL WRANGLING.
IT'S LEGAL WRANGLING THAT CAN OCCUR.
SO I UNDERSTAND EVERYBODY'S POSITION, BUT I WANT YOUR STAFF AS I EXIT TO STOP PUTTING YOU IN A POSITION TO STAND HERE IN FRONT OF THIS TRIBUNAL AND MAYBE FOR THE APPEARANCE OF OTHERS THAT YOU ARE BEING, UH, VERBALLY ABU ABUSED BY POSITIONS THAT MY COLLEAGUES OR MYSELF OR WHO WHOMEVER'S HERE WITH JAKE.
BUT I CAN UNDERSTAND THE FRUSTRATION THAT MY COLLEAGUES WOULD HAVE FROM INDIVIDUALS WHO WERE LIVING IN THEIR DISTRICTS OR IN THIS CITY BECAUSE OF WHAT APPEARS TO BE SIMPLY PUT NOTHING BEING DONE.
SO, AND SOME OF SOME HAVE SAID TODAY, I WISH I HAD A TOWING COMPANY BECAUSE THEY GONNA MAKE SOME MONEY.
'CAUSE I KNOW YOUR STAFF IS LISTENING.
HE'S, AND YOU ALL GONNA BEGIN TOMORROW JUST LIKE, JESUS GOT UP YESTERDAY.
Y'ALL GOING TO GET UP TOMORROW PURSUING THIS.
AND MAAM, IF I CAN ADD, I, I DEFINITELY UNDERSTAND THE FRUSTRATION OF THE DAY AS, AS WE ARE FRUSTRATED AS WELL.
I DON'T JUST WORK FOR THE CITY.
I LIVE IN THIS CITY TOO LIKE EVERYBODY ELSE.
AND SO I DO CARE ABOUT THIS CITY, THE CONDITION OF THIS CITY.
I HAVE A GROUP OF VERY PASSIONATE PEOPLE WHO GO OUT DAY IN AND DAY OUT.
JUST LIKE Y'ALL HAVE TO HEAR ABOUT THE WILD HOGS.
Y'ALL HAVE TO HEAR ABOUT THE DOGS BEING SICKED ON THEM AND THE VERBAL ABUSE THAT THEY RECEIVE OUT IN THE FIELD WHEN THEY GO OUT THERE TO DO THEIR JOB.
SO, YOU KNOW, AGAIN, COMPLIANCE ALSO IS IN INFORMATION.
MAKING SURE THAT WE EDUCATE THE CITIZENS OF PORT ARTHUR.
WE ALL HAVE A JOB TO DO, NOT JUST STAFF, BUT THE CITIZENS AS WELL.
THERE WAS AN INDIVIDUAL THAT CAME UP TO THE PODIUM THE LAST TIME I HAD TO STAND IN FRONT OF THIS DAY IS IN REGARDS TO SOLID WASTE THAT SPOKE ABOUT, AND THE MANAGER HAS ALSO MADE THAT STATEMENT BEFORE, JUST BECAUSE YOU'RE POOR DOESN'T MEAN YOU HAVE TO LIVE IN FILTH.
AND I AGREE WITH THAT WHOLEHEARTEDLY.
BUT WE HAVE TO START CHANGING THE MINDSET OF OUR COMMUNITY.
IT'S NOT OUR STAFF THAT GOES OUT THERE AND COMMITS THE INFRACTION.
THEY'RE JUST RESPONSIBLE FOR MAKING SURE THAT THEY MAKE PEOPLE COMPLY WITH THE RULES.
WE WILL ALWAYS STRIVE TO IMPROVE WHAT WE DO IN OUR PROCESSES.
AND AGAIN, I'LL REITERATE, WE HAD A DISCUSSION JUST AS SOON AS LAST WEEKEND, AND WE'LL CONTINUE TO HAVE THESE MEETINGS TO DISCUSS HOW WE CAN IMPROVE OUR SERVICES AND OUR DELIVERY AND TO MAKE SURE THAT WE ARE MAKING ENFORCEMENT.
BUT I DO ASSURE THE DAY AS WELL AS THE CITIZENS OF PORT ARTHUR, THAT WE ARE DOING THE BEST THAT WE CAN DO.
WE WILL ALWAYS IMPROVE AND WORK AND STRIVE TO IMPROVE, BUT IT'S GONNA TAKE A COLLECTIVE EFFORT.
IT'S GONNA TAKE THE CITIZENS OF PORT ARTHUR TO CARE ABOUT PORT ARTHUR.
SO I JUST WANTED TO MAKE SURE THAT WE END WITH THAT.
WE WILL AGGRESSIVELY APPROACH IT IN FULL COMPLIANCE OF THE LAW TO MAKE SURE THAT THERE'S NOT ANYTHING THAT COMES BACK ON THE DEPARTMENT.
BECAUSE I DON'T WANNA STAND IN FRONT OF THIS DATA AND THEN BE RIPPED APART BECAUSE WE DIDN'T FOLLOW THE RULES.
SO WE WILL DO THE BEST THAT WE CAN DO.
OF COURSE, I WILL GO AND LOOK INTO SOME OF THE ITEMS THAT WERE BROUGHT UP TODAY AND PROVIDE COUNSEL WITH, UH, FEEDBACK ON WHERE WE ARE IN THOSE PROCESSES.
COUNCILMAN FRANK HAD SOMETHING.
WELL, NO, NO, I, I APPRECIATE YOUR COMMENTS.
I SIMPLY WANTED TO ADD ZERO COM ZERO TOLERANCE WILL HELP CHANGE MINDSETS AS WELL.
COUNCILMAN, I FEEL YOU NOW, BEFORE YOU DROP YOUR MIC ON US,
UM, IS THERE ANYTHING ELSE THAT YOU WOULD NEED FROM US TO HELP
[02:10:01]
EXECUTE WHAT OUR REQUESTS HAVE BEEN? UM, AT THIS TIME, AGAIN, I THINK A GREAT APPROACH IS TO TAKE A COLLECTIVE EFFORT, WHICH WE HAVE DONE IN THE PAST.UM, WE DID IT WITH RECREATIONAL VEHICLE PARKS, UM, WHERE WE HAVE GOTTEN EVERYONE TOGETHER AND JUST KIND OF WENT OUT INTO THAT AREA, CITED EVERYTHING THAT WE SAW THAT WAS AN INFRACTION, AND CALLED THAT INDIVIDUAL IN AND GAVE THEM TIME.
YOU KNOW, LOOK, THIS HAS TO BE COMPLETED IN 30 DAYS.
WE HAVE TO SEE IMPROVEMENT, UM, WITHIN A CERTAIN TIMEFRAME.
AND SO THAT WAS ONE OF THE THINGS THAT WE DID TALK ABOUT.
UM, SOMETHING ELSE THAT WE WOULD LIKE TO PRESENT TO THE CITY MANAGER TO PRESENT TO COUNCIL AS PART OF THE BUDGET IS EVEN STARTING A CAMPAIGN.
WE'VE HAD, UM, KEEP THE CITY CLEAN WHERE WE DID START TO SEE IMPROVEMENTS, UM, WITHIN THE CITY IN TERMS OF ITS CONDITION.
UM, THAT KIND OF DIED OUT AND WENT AWAY.
BUT I DO BELIEVE THAT'S SOMETHING THAT WE NEED TO START AGAIN.
I THINK PUBLIC EDUCATION IS, IS ALSO KEY IN MAKING SURE, NOT THAT, NOT WITH ENFORCEMENT.
SOMETIMES WE SEE WITHIN ENFORCEMENT THAT PEOPLE WILL COMPLY, BUT ONLY FOR A CERTAIN AMOUNT OF TIME, AND THEN WE HAVE TO START THOSE EFFORTS OVER AND OVER AGAIN.
UM, IN SOME SITUATIONS IT BECOMES HOARDING.
HOARDING IS AN ILLNESS, YOU KNOW, AND SO, UM, YOU KNOW, WE CONSTANTLY DEAL WITH THESE VARIOUS DIFFERENT THINGS.
WE SPEND OVER HALF A MILLION DOLLARS A YEAR CUTTING GRASS AND, UM, OTHER ENFORCEMENT OR MITIGATION EFFORTS.
SO, YOU KNOW, WE ARE TRYING TO CUT DOWN COST.
WE ARE TRYING TO GET PEOPLE EDUCATED.
WE ARE TRYING TO GET THINGS INTO COMPLIANCE.
BUT, UM, WE WILL, AGAIN, TAKE ANOTHER HARD LOOK AND PRESENT TO THE MANAGER SOME OF THE THINGS THAT WE THINK WE WOULD NEED TO PRESENT TO COUNCIL AS PART OF THE BUDGETARY PROCESS.
I WOULD, AGAIN, ENCOURAGE US TO USE THOSE FREE PLATFORMS ABSOLUTELY.
OF SOCIAL MEDIA WITH SHORT VIDEOS AND REELS.
SO I AM, UM, AND I WOULD IMPLORE ALL SEVEN OF US TO TAKE THE TIME TO DO THAT 32ND, YOU KNOW, COMMERCIAL.
AND THAT'S SOMETHING THAT CAN CONTINUE TO BE ON OUR HEARTS AND OUR MINDS THE SAME WAY THE CAMPAIGN OF DON'T MESS WITH TEXAS.
THAT WAS ABSOLUTELY, YOU KNOW, OVER 30 YEARS AGO, AND WE STILL SEE IT AND RECOGNIZE IT TODAY.
SO, UM, I'M JUST ASKING THAT WE USE THAT LOW HANGING FRUIT TO HELP BENEFIT US THE BEST WAY, UH, POSSIBLE.
AND I ALSO WANNA GIVE A SHOUT OUT TO WHEN I DID, UM, SEND A CITIZEN COMPLAINT OF AN INFRACTION AS THE, WITH THE PARKED CARS IN THE, ON THE STREETS, THAT 10 DAY INFRACTION, I'M SORRY, 10 DAY NOTICE MM-HMM
OF THE INFRACTION WAS PROVIDED.
SO I JUST WANT TO LET, UM, EVERYONE KNOW THAT IT IS IN PLAY.
IT SEEMS AS IF IT ISN'T, NOTHING'S BEING, YOU KNOW, HAPPENING.
BUT, UH, THANK YOU ALL FOR YOUR QUICK RESPONSE.
AND THE, THE TEAM WHO ACTUALLY WENT OUT TO, TO TAKE CARE OF IT.
COUNCILMAN LEWIS, YOU HAD SOMETHING ELSE? YEAH.
THANK YOU FOR YOUR PRESENTATION.
IT'S PRETTY OBVIOUS THE, THE CHIEF HAS SOMETHING TO SAY.
SO ONCE YOU WON'T, YOU ALLOW HIM TO EXPRESS HIS COMMENTS AND HIS FRUSTRATION ALSO.
OH, BY THE WAY, CITY MANAGER, JUST ONE MORE BRIEF, UH, SEND THAT MAYOR OR CANDIDATE A BILL FOR THE FREE SEMINAR.
UH, ARE YOU
LEMME JUST SHARE THIS, UM, ABOUT SOMETIME EARLY LAST YEAR, COUNCILMAN B LEWIS WAS ON THE WEST SIDE WHEN, UM, THE CODE ENFORCEMENT DEPARTMENT UNDERTOOK AN INITIATIVE FROM STAFF THEMSELVES TO TURN OUT ON THE WEST SIDE TO CLEAN THE NEIGHBORHOOD.
YOU REMEMBER THAT, YOU KNOW, YOU KNOW, IT'S, IT'S AN EFFORT THAT I APPLAUD THE STAFF FOR BECAUSE THEY DID NOT ONLY SEE THEMSELVES AS CODE ENFORCEMENT OFFICERS ENFORCING THE CODE, BUT THEY SAW THEMSELVES AS PART OF THE SOLUTION TO WORK WITH THE RESIDENTS OF THE NEIGHBORHOOD.
AND WE WERE THERE FOR AN ENTIRE SATURDAY.
YOU KNOW, WORKING WITH THE RESIDENTS, PROVIDING THEM WITH INFORMATION AND HELPING THEM CLEAN UP THE NEIGHBORHOOD.
UM, THAT IS PART OF THE COLLECTIVE EFFORT THAT WE HAVE UNDERTAKEN.
MORE NEEDS TO BE DONE AND WE WILL AND, AND CONTINUE TO DO THAT TO MAKE SURE THAT
[02:15:01]
OUR CODES AND, UM, ORDINANCES ARE BEING ADHERED TO.BUT WE'VE GOT TO LOOK OUTSIDE OF, WE'VE GOTTA THINK OUTSIDE OF THE BOX AND LOOK AT CREATIVE WAYS AS, UM, MS. LANGFORD HAS SAID IN ORDER TO DO THAT.
JUST BRIEFLY SIT A MINUTE, JUST BRIEFLY.
I NEED FOR YOU TO BE SURE TO BUDGET FOR THE DEAD END IN THE 14TH AND 13TH, 14TH STREET.
SO MAKE IT ONE WAY IN ONE WAY OUT ON WEST SIDE PRINCE PRINCE HALL.
UH, THAT, THAT'S NOT ON THE AGENDA, SO,
[III.F.(3) A Discussion Regarding A Request Street Name For Zachary Breaux (6th Street Westside) (Requested By Mayor Bartie)]
OKAY.LET'S MOVE TO OUR NEXT ITEM, UH, WHICH IS, UH, ITEM NUMBER THREE.
IT'S A DISCUSSION REGARDING THE REQUEST, UH, STREET NAME FOR ZACHARY BRO, WHICH IS, UH, WEST SIXTH STREET ON THE WEST SIDE.
IT HAS BEEN REQUESTED BY, UH,
JUST A MINUTE, BUT, UH, UH, COUNSEL, LEGAL COUNSEL, PLEASE ON THIS, AND I HAD THIS PLACED ON THERE BECAUSE WE NEED TO HAVE A MOTION, MY CORRECT, FOR THIS TO ACTUALLY OCCUR, OR WE NEED TO HAVE A MOTION TO PRESENT A RESOLUTION AT A, AT A SUBSEQUENT MEETING.
WHAT WOULD BE THE PROPER WAY TO GET THAT DONE? I THINK YOU'D NEED TO PROVIDE STAFF SOME DIRECTION.
THE, THERE'S A TECHNICAL DIFFERENCE BETWEEN ENTIRELY RENAMING A STREET THAT INVOLVES RENA, LET ME JUST, I'LL COME BACK TO THAT IN A SECOND.
BUT RENAMING AN ENTIRE STREET VERSUS HONORING SOMEONE ON A STREET.
IF YOU COMPLETELY RECHANGE THE NAME OF A STREET, I HAVE TO GET THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT INVOLVED BECAUSE IT'S POST ING, IT'S VOTING.
IT'S PEOPLE'S POSTAL ADDRESSES.
IT'S, UM, PRECEDES, I MEAN, IT'S A, IT'S A WHOLE LIST OF DIFFERENT THINGS INVOLVED.
BUT THE COUNCIL COULD HONOR SOMEONE FOR ON A STREET THAT, THAT'S RIGHT.
SO IF YOU WANNA DO AN HONORARY RIGHT.
RECOGNITION OF THIS FANTASTIC MAN WHO HAD ME
UM, WE CAN, WE CAN, WE DON'T HAVE IT SET FOR A MOTION.
UM, BUT WE, WE CAN CERTAINLY BRING BACK A RESOLUTION FOR THE COUNCIL OKAY.
TO APPROVE AT THE NEXT COUNCIL MEETING TO HONOR, THIS IS WHY I HAD IT THERE WHEN WE DISCUSSED IT EVEN EARLIER, BUT I WANTED TO BE SUCCINCT ABOUT IT AND, AND, AND THAT, THAT THE COUNCIL WOULD KNOW.
WE WOULD NORMALLY, BRO FAMILY WOULD KNOW BEFORE THEY WOULD LEAVE HOW THE, HOW, YOU KNOW, THE ENTIRE PROCESS.
SO WHAT WE WOULD DO IF I'M, IF I'M RECALLING CORRECTLY, WE DO, DO WE NEED TO GIVE A DIRECTIVE TO STAFF TO PREPARE THE RESOLUTION? OR ARE YOUR YES.
I THINK YOU NEED TO MAKE IT CLEAR TO STAFF WHETHER OR NOT YOU'RE WANTING US TO BEGIN THE PROCESS TO RENAME THE ENTIRE STREET, OR, OR YOU WANT US JUST TO HAVE IT HONORED ON THE STREET HONOR.
NOW I KNOW WHAT, WHAT WE'VE DONE, AND I KNOW HOW IT WAS IN THE PAST, UH, AND I KNOW MR. BROWARD HOLD HAD, BUT HE AND I HAD A CONVERSATION ABOUT IT.
HE IS, AND THEIR FAMILY, THEY ARE, IF, IF I'M NOT MISTAKEN THIS CORRECT ME, THEY ARE IN AGREEMENT WITH THE HONORARY NAMING OF THE STREET, SORT OF LIKE WHAT WE HAVE ON, ON ON GRANITE BLUE BONNET.
NOW, WHAT WE DID, LIKE WEST SEVENTH STREET WHERE I GREW UP, THAT STREET'S NAME WAS CHANGED TO REVEREND DR.
YOU KNOW, IT'S NOT SEVENTH STREET ANYMORE.
EVEN THOUGH THOSE OF US, WE SAID, IT'S JUST LIKE FOLK CALLED GOWAY DRIVE.
16TH, HALF OF THE PEOPLE WHO WERE THERE NOW THEY ALL ARE GONE.
BUT BECAUSE THAT WHOLE, THAT TOTAL STREET NAME CHANGED WAY BACK SEVENTH STREETS CHANGED WAY BACK.
WHAT WE WANTED TO DO IS DO A, AN HONORARY NAMING OF THE STREET WEST SIXTH STREET TO, UH, ZACHARY BRO STREET.
AND IT WOULD BE JUST AS YOU SEE THE SIGNS, IF YOU RIDE ON THE, ON, ON THE WEST SIDE WHERE WE HAVE, UH, RUS GETWOOD WHITE, YOU KNOW, AND WE COULD CALL IT JACK BROADWAY OR THAT, THAT, THAT SEEMS WE HAVE A BETTER TWIST TO IT ANYWAY THAN STREET.
UH, THAT, THAT, THAT'S THE SOUND OF IT.
WHAT, WHAT, WHAT, WHAT DO Y'ALL THINK? WHAT, WHAT, WHAT, WHAT DO YOU THINK, UH, ZACHARY BRO WAY QUESTION ZACHARY, BRO, COME, CAN YOU APPROACH? YOU GOTTA COME SO THE MIC CAN GET YOU IN HONOR OF ZACHARY, BRO, WE WERE REQUESTING ZACHARY BRO.
LANE AND I SPOKE WITH, UH, COUNCILMAN LEWIS EARLIER IN THIS.
THAT'S EXACTLY WHAT SAID, WE CALLED IT BOULEVARD
[02:20:01]
CITY MANAGER, GO AHEAD.SO WOULD IT BE FROM FIRST SIXTH STREET TO THE END OF THE BRIDGE? YEAH, HOPEFULLY.
WELL, REALLY, LET'S GO FROM DENVER.
THERE'S NO HOUSES THERE, BUT LET'S GO FROM DENVER.
FROM, YOU KNOW, I GREW UP THERE, SO I DON'T, I DON'T HAVE TO LOOK AT A MAP.
RIGHT? I FROM DENVER TO FOLEY.
AND THAT, THAT TAKES CARE OF ALL OF WEST SIXTH STREET.
AND THAT WOULD BE, AN HONORARY NAME WOULD BE ZACHARY BRO.
SO WE'LL, WE'LL, WE'LL GET THE RELU A RESOLUTION PREPARED FOR THE MAY 6TH MEETING.
CAN WE, WE CAN DO IT BY THEN AND MAYBE IT, HOPEFULLY IT'LL BE APPROVED.
I WAS, I WAS READY TO HONOR YOUR MOTION.
DO WE NEED THAT? NO, WE DON'T.
AND JUST SAVE IT FOR THE NEXT COUPLE.
THERE, THERE IS NO AGENDA LANGUAGE FOR MOTION, BUT WE UNDERSTAND THE DIRECTION AND WE WILL COMPLY AND BE BACK ON MAY THE SIXTH.
[V. REPORTS / ITEMS OF COMMUNITY INTEREST (LIMITED TO A TOTAL OF TWO (2) MINUTES PER COUNCILMEMBER) (Part 1 of 2))]
OKAY, NOW LET'S MOVE ON TO THE FOLLOWING PAGE.CHIEF, WHERE, WHERE WHERE'S CHIEF IS, IS, IS, IS IS HE OUT THERE? HE COULD JUST, IF, IF HE'S STILL THERE, IF HE'S GONE, THEN I, I CAN JUST PASS IT UP.
MAYBE HE'S GONNA TRY TO OBTAIN THE INFORMATION I WAS ASKING HIM TO GET.
UH, DO WE HAVE ANY INFORMATION FROM ANYONE ON, UH, ITEMS OF INTEREST FOR, UH, FOR THE COMMUNITY? ANYONE? ON OUR, WELL, IT'S USUALLY FOR THE COUNCIL, BUT DID YOU HAVE SOMETHING? I THINK NO ONE KNOW WHY I HAVE NO LIGHTS.
UH, COME, COME ON, COUNCILWOMAN.
I JUST WANNA KIND OF KNOW THE, THE, UM, PROCESS OF BIDS WHEN THERE'S A NO, NO, NO, NO, NO.
UHUH NO, THAT, THAT'S SOME BUSINESS THERE.
UH, CHIEF, WERE YOU ABLE TO GET SOME INFORMATION ON WHAT I ASKED YOU? JUST YES OR NO? IF, NO, SIR.
ALRIGHT, I'M GONNA JUST PASS THAT UP THEN.
IT WAS BROUGHT TO MY ATTENTION THAT LAST MEETING.
I DID NOT MENTION THE PORT ARTHUR POLICE DEPARTMENT'S CIVIL SERVICE EXAM.
SO I AM ASKING FOR INDIVIDUALS TO PLEASE VISIT THE PORT ARTHUR WEBSITE, WWW PORT ARTHUR TXT GOV FOR BOTH CIVIL SERVICE EXAMS FOR THE FIRE DEPARTMENT AND THE PORT ARTHUR POLICE DEPARTMENT.
ANYONE ELSE, COUNSEL? ALRIGHT, IF NOT, WE HAVE FINISHED THAT.
THERE IS NO UNFINISHED BUSINESS.
[VII. CONSENT AGENDA]
PAGE, UH, FOUR FOR THE CONSENT AGENDA.AND THE CONSENT AGENDA IS PAGE FOUR THROUGH SEVEN, I BELIEVE IT IS.
I, THAT'S WHY I WAS SAYING SEVEN, SIX.
THE SEVEN, THAT'S WHERE THE, UH, LARGE EXTENT BEGINS FROM PAGES FOUR THROUGH, UH, THROUGH SIX.
UH, WE HAVE THE ITEMS THAT, THAT ARE HERE AND IF THERE WOULD BE ITEMS THAT SOMEONE WOULD WANT REMOVED, JUST GIVE ME THE PAGE NUMBER AND THE ITEM NUMBER.
UH, ITEM NUMBER SEVEN ON PAGE FIVE.
AND ITEM EIGHT ON PAGE FIVE AND ITEM EIGHT.
ITEM NUMBER ONE ON PAGE FOUR, ITEM ONE.
TELL ITEM NUMBER FOUR ON PAGE FIVE.
OKAY, ITEM NUMBER FOUR ON FIVE.
AND ITEM NUMBER SIX ON PAGE FIVE AND ITEM SIX.
UH, MAYOR, LET ME, LET ME, IT WAS ALREADY PULLED, SO MY NEXT ONE IS GONNA BE ON PAGE SIX.
SO I'LL WAIT UNTIL NON-CONSENT.
UH, WE READY ENTERTAIN A MOTION FOR APPROVAL OF THE CONSENT AGENDA WITH THE EXCLUSION OF ITEMS A OH, A ONE ON PAGE FOUR, ITEMS 4, 6, 7, AND EIGHT.
[02:25:01]
EXCUSE ME.NO, HE JUST, WHEN HE SAID ONE, I, I PUT IT AT THE FIRST ONE.
SO WE'RE LOOKING FOR, AT THIS JUNCTURE WE TO ENTERTAIN A, UH, MOTION FOR APPROVAL OF THE CONSENT AGENDA WITH THE EXCLUSION OF ITEM ONE ON PAGE FOUR, ITEMS 4, 6, 7, AND EIGHT ON PAGE FIVE.
AND THAT WOULD BE THE CONCLUSION OF THE, UH, WITHDRAWN, UH, ITEMS. I GET APPROVAL.
WE WILL, UH, APPROVE THE CONSENT AGENDA WITH THE EXCLUSION OF THE STATED ITEMS. WE'RE READY FOR QUESTION ONE.
ALL IN FAVOR? A, ANY OPPOSES? AYE.
SO THE CONSENT AGENDA IS APPROVED AS PRESENTED.
[VII.C.(1) P.R. No. 24222 – A Resolution Authorizing The City Manager To Apply For A Funding Opportunity Through The Texas General Land Office (GLO): Coastal Erosion Planning And Response Act (CEPRA) For The Restoration Of North Pleasure Island]
THE ITEMS THAT, THAT WE WILL DEAL WITH INDIVIDUALLY ON PAGE FOUR, ITEM NUMBER ONE, PR NUMBER 24 2 2, 2.A RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING THE CITY MANAGER TO APPLY FOR A FUNDING OPPORTUNITY THROUGH THE TEXAS GENERAL LAND OFFICE, GLO, COASTAL EROSION PLANNING AND RESPONSE ACT, CE PRA FOR THE RESTORATION OF NORTH PLEASURE ISLAND.
MAY I GET A MOTION FOR APPROVAL OF COUNCILMAN? UH, KEN LOCK.
MAYOR, MAY I GET A SECOND? COUNCILMAN FRANK? SECOND.
AND WITH APPROVED PR NUMBER 24 2 22 AS HENRY, WE READY FOR QUESTION? COUNCILMAN LEWIS? YES, I CITY MANAGER.
I'D LIKE TO KNOW WHAT THE IMPACT IS, WHAT, WHAT WE ARE DOING HERE AND HAVE THE DIRECTOR TO LET ME KNOW WHAT THE IMPACT IS.
HE SENT ME SOME INFORMATION, BUT I JUST DIDN'T HAVE TIME TO GET TO IT.
AND THE PUBLIC NEED TO KNOW WHAT'S GOING ON.
IT'S, IT'S THE PRE, IT IS THE PRELIMINARY PLANNING.
IT'S THE PLANNING GRANT THAT WE ARE APPLYING FOR, FOR NORTH PLEASURE ISLAND WHERE WE PUT ALL THE ENGINEERING, UM, UM, THE ENGINEERING AND THE PLANNING THAT NEEDS TO BE DONE.
IN ORDER TO PROCEED TO STAGE TWO, WHICH WILL BE THE ACTUAL WORK THAT NEEDS TO BE DONE.
AND STAGE ONE WAS THE $50,000.
WELL, YES, WE'LL PUT IT WITH 200 NOW.
STAGE TWO IS ACTUAL WORK ON THIS SITE.
BUT WE ARE DOING THE PRELIMINARY ENGINEERING AND PLANNING PART OF IT.
I NEED TO KNOW PUBLIC WHAT THE IMPACT IS ALL THIS GOING TO DO.
HOW IS THIS GOING TO HELP US IN THE FUTURE? IS THIS ABOUT THE EROSION, THIS ABOUT FLOODING, THIS ABOUT SURGERY OR STORM SURGERIES OR WHAT? IT IT'S ABOUT UM, EROSION AND FLOODING AND, UM, THE PROTECTION OF THE NATURAL HABITAT OF THE AREA AS WELL.
YOU GOOD WITH THAT? OR YOU WANT ME TO GO AHEAD? OKAY.
OH NO, WHAT I WAS JUST GONNA SAY IN ADDITION TO WHAT MR. BURTON SAID IS THAT IT'S GONNA RESTORE NATIONAL MARCH MARSH BUFFERS TO REDUCE THE FLOODING, PROTECT LOCAL INFRASTRUCTURE AND ECOSYSTEMS, REDUCE NAVIGATION RISK FOR THE MILITARY AND MARITIME COMMERCE AND OTHER THINGS OF THAT NATURE.
ANY, ANY OTHER COURSES ON THIS? THE VOTE? HOLD UP.
ALL IN FAVOR? A ANY OPPOSES AYE HAVE.
SO THIS PR NUMBER 22 EXCUSE 24 2 22 IS APPROVED AS READ.
[VII.C.(4) P.R. No. 24235 – A Resolution Authorizing The Acceptance Of A Drainage Easement From Proctor Baptist Church For A Portion Of Land, Out Of Block 12, Ranges G And H, Port Arthur Land Company Subdivision, Located Near Rice Farm Road, Willowood Lane, And Jimmy Johnson Boulevard, For The Purpose Of Constructing, Installing, Laying, Maintaining And Operating A Stormwater Drainage Ditch]
PAGE FIVE.WE HAVE ITEM NUMBER FOUR, PR NUMBER 24, 2, 3, 5.
IT IS A RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING THE ACCEPTANCE OF A, UH, DRAINAGE EASEMENT FROM PROCTOR BAPTIST CHURCH FOR A PORTION OF LAND OUT OF BLOCK 12 RANGES.
GNH PORT ARTHUR LAND COMPANY SUBDIVISION, LOCATED NEAR RICE FARM ROAD, WILLOW WOOD LANE, AND JIMMY JOHNSON BOULEVARD FOR THE PURPOSE OF CONSTRUCTING, INSTALLING LAND, MAINTAINING AND OPERATING A STORM WATER DRAINAGE DITCH.
MAY I GET A MOTION FOR APPROVAL? COUNCILMAN LEWIS? MOTION FOR APPROVAL? MAY I GET A SECOND COUNCILWOMAN EVER FEEL SECOND IT MOVE.
AND WE WOULD APPROVE PR NUMBER 24 2 35 AS APPROVED.
I MEAN, AS, AS PRESENTED, WE'RE READY FOR QUESTION.
COUNCILMAN BECKHAM? YES, I HAVE A QUESTION ABOUT, UM, SPECIFICALLY WILLOW WOOD LANE.
IS THERE ANYBODY HERE THAT CAN TALK ABOUT IT? DR. THOMAS.
OKAY, DR. DANIEL IS COMING UP.
AND, AND MY QUESTION IS, I, I, I KNOW EXACTLY WHERE THIS EASEMENT IS, UM, BUT WE'VE ALWAYS HAD A PROBLEM WITH WILLOW WOOD FLOODING.
DO YOU THINK THIS IS GONNA HAVE AN IMPACT ON THE FLOODING THAT, THAT STREET EXPERIENCES? YES MA'AM.
THIS, THIS PROJECT IS GONNA ASSIST WITH THE FLOODING IN THIS ENTIRE AREA AND IT IS A PROJECT WE ARE WORKING TOGETHER WITH DD SEVEN.
THEY'RE GONNA DO ALL THE DITCH WORK AND THE CITY HAS A CONTRACT ALREADY BID.
WE OPENED BIDS ON IT LAST WEEK FOR THE WORD THAT DD SEVEN WILL NOT BE DOING.
SO IT SOUNDS LIKE THIS IS GONNA MOVE
[02:30:01]
FORWARD PRETTY QUICKLY THEN.UH, WE ARE IN THE PROCESS OF REVIEWING THE BID AND MAKING THE AWARD.
ANY OTHER COURT ON THIS? WE'RE READY TO VOTE.
PR NUMBER 24 2 35 IS APPROVED AS PRESENTED.
[VII.C.(6) P.R. No. 24254 – A Resolution Authorizing The City Manager To Enter Into A Contract With Schaumburg & Polk, Inc. Of Beaumont, Texas, For Professional Services Rendered As Project Engineer For The Procter Street Extension Elevated Storage Tank Rehabilitation Project With A Projected Budgetary Impact Of $60,000.00. Funding In Account No. 410-40-200-5420-00-00-000, Professional Services]
NUMBER SIX PR NUMBER 24 2 54.IT IS A RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING THE SENATE MANAGER TO ENTER INSURED CONTRACT.
WHICH NUMBER J AND POLK INCORPORATED A BEAUMONT TEXAS FOR PROFESSIONAL SERVICES RENDERED AS PROJECT ENGINEER FOR THE, UH, PROCTOR STREET EXTENSION ELEVATED STORAGE TANK REHABILITATION PROJECT WITH A PROJECTED BUDGETARY IMPACT OF $60,000.
AND ACCOUNT NUMBER FOUR 10 DASH 40 DASH 200 DASH 54 20 DASH ZERO ZERO DASH ZERO ZERO LABELED PROFESSIONAL SERVICES.
MAY I GET A MOTION FOR APPROVAL? COUNCILMAN ETT? SO MOVED.
COUNCILMAN FRANK DID A MOVE IN SECOND THAT WE WOULD APPROVE PR NUMBER 24 2 54 AS PRESENTED.
UM, THIS IS A PROJECT THAT WE HAVE SPENT A LOT OF MONEY ON AND IT CONTINUES TO, UM,
SO MY QUESTION IS, DO WE BELIEVE THAT HAVING THE ENGINEERS AS A PROJECT MANAGER IS GOING TO GET US TO COMPLETION FINALLY OF THIS PROJECT? YES MA'AM.
WE'VE, WE'VE, BECAUSE OF THE DIFFICULTIES WITH THIS CONTRACTOR, WE'VE, YOU KNOW, PUT THE CONSTRUCTION MANAGER ON SITE A LOT MORE.
AND IT'S, UH, IT'S PROCEEDING WELL, I MEAN WE'VE, THERE'S BEEN A FEW HOLES THAT WERE UNCOVERED WITH THE BLASTING.
SO THERE WAS A SMALL CHANGE ORDER FOR ADDITIONAL COVER PLATES.
I MEAN, DO YOU BELIEVE THAT THE CONTRACTOR THAT WE HAVE IS GOING TO BE ABLE TO FINISH THE JOB? I THINK THEY'LL FINISH IT.
I MEAN, WE'RE CLOSE TO THE 25% CHANGE ORDER LIMIT, BUT I HOPEFULLY WE WON'T FIND MANY MORE HOLES AND IT'LL JUST CONTINUE ON WITH WORK AS PLANNED.
THEY'RE, THEY'RE WORKING ON THE, TODAY THEY WERE DISCONNECTING THE RAILROAD.
THERE'S A 12 INCH LINE THAT FEEDS THE RAILROAD SO THAT THEY COULD REPLACE THE VALVES IN THAT AREA.
WE COORDINATED WITH THE RAILROAD TO SHUT IT DOWN AND THE ENGINEERS ON SITE TO MAKE SURE IT PROCEEDS, WE NEED TO GIVE THE RAILROAD WATER BY 4:00 PM TODAY.
SO IT WAS ON, WHEN I CAME HERE THIS MORNING, THEY WERE JUST STARTING THE WORK ON SCHEDULE.
THAT'S, AND, AND THE WORK'S LOOKING GOOD ACCORDING TO THE ENGINEER.
I DON'T CLIMB UP ON TOP OF TANKS, SO
SO THEY SAY IT'S PROCEEDING WELL.
ANY OTHER QUESTIONS ON THIS? IF NOT, WE'RE READY TO VOTE.
ANY OPPOSES? AYE HAVE SUPERIOR NUMBER 24.
2 54 IS APPROVED AS PRESENTED.
[VII.C.(7) P.R. No. 24263 – A Resolution Authorizing The City Manager To Execute The Second Year (First Renewal) Of The Contract With Patriot Security Of Nederland, Texas For Security Guard Services For The Health Department In The Projected Annual Budgeted Amount Of $50,000.00; Funds Available In The Health Department’s Other Contractual Account 001-23-061-5470-00-50-000]
NEXT WE HAVE ITEM NUMBER SEVEN, PR NUMBER 24 2 6 3.IT IS A RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING THE CITY MANAGER TO EXECUTE THE SECOND YEAR, FIRST RENEWAL OF THE CONTRACT WITH, UH, PATRIOT SECURITY OF NEEDLE IN TEXAS FOR SECURITY GUARD SERVICES FOR THE HEALTH DEPARTMENT IN THE PROJECTED ANNUAL BUDGETED AMOUNT OF $50,000 FUNDS AVAILABLE IN THE HEALTH DEPARTMENT'S.
OTHER CONTRACTUAL ACCOUNT, 0 0 1 DASH 23 DASH SIX ONE DASH 54 70 DASH ZERO DASH, UH, FIVE ZERO DASH ZERO ZERO.
AND SECOND, THEN WE WOULD APPROVE NUMBER 24.
COUNCILMAN DEUCE? YES, THIS IS SECOND RENEWAL OR FIRST RENEWAL? SECOND YEAR.
GOOD AFTERNOON, MAYOR AND COUNCIL.
UH, MR. DOUCETTE? IT IS THE SECOND YEAR.
SO WE, UH, GOT PULL 'EM BACK DOWN JUST A LITTLE.
UM, SO THIS WOULD BE THE SECOND RENEWAL.
WHEN WE DO THESE OPTIONS TO RENEW A CONTRACT, DO RENEW UNDER THE SAME TERMS? FOR AN EXAMPLE, IF YOU CHARGE, UH, $20 AN HOUR, SO EVERY TIME WE RENEW IT DOES, IT STAYS WITH THE ORIGINAL AMOUNT OF DUTY.
UH, DO WE EVER CHANGE THAT? AS FAR AS I KNOW FOR THIS ONE, THE PRICE, UH, REMAIN.
DAN SAYS YES, IT STAYS THE SAME PRICE.
THE ONLY TIME WE'VE CHANGED IN THE PAST WAS FOR HAULING BECAUSE OF THE WAY THAT FUEL
[02:35:01]
WAS INCREASING.WE PUT A LINE THAT IT WOULD ADJUST ACCORDING TO THE LIMITS STATED BY THE GOVERNMENT AS FAR AS FUEL PRICES.
BUT 98% OF THE CONTRACTS IT, YES, WHEN WE RENEW, IT'S THE SAME EXACT PRICE, THE SAME EXACT TERMS. OKAY.
OKAY, ANY OTHER QUESTIONS ON THIS? COUNCILMAN HAMILTON? YES, SIR.
UM, CLIFF QUESTION REGARDING THE RENEWAL.
ARE THESE COMPANIES AT ALL RATED DURING THEIR FIRST TERM OR ANY TERM, ARE THEY RATED SO THAT WE WILL KNOW IF THEY'RE OFFERING THE SAME SERVICE THAT THEY INITIATED THAT THEY COULD PROVIDE? AND IF THAT'S THE CASE, UM, WHAT WAS THE SCORE? BECAUSE I WANT US TO BE ABLE TO HAVE OPPORTUNITIES, AND I'M NOT AT ALL SAYING THAT WE DISMISS OR NOT RENEW THIS CONTRACT, BUT I WANT OTHER COMPANIES, SUCH AS THE ONE THAT SPOKE EARLIER TODAY TO UNDERSTAND WHAT THAT PROCESS IS SO THEY KNOW HOW THEY CAN ALSO, UM, BID ON THAT WORK AS WELL.
AS FAR AS THE ACTUAL RATING SHEET THAT I CAN SHOW YOU THAT SOMEBODY FILLED OUT THE IS NO, BUT DURING THE COURSE OF THE CONTRACT, THE DEPARTMENT IS RESPONSIBLE FOR ENSURING THAT THEY'RE DOING THE JOB THEY'RE SUPPOSED TO.
AND IF THEY DON'T, THAT'S WHY WE PUT A RENEWAL CLAUSE IN THERE BECAUSE IF THEY'RE NOT, THEN WE WON'T RENEW IT.
UM, INSTEAD OF SAYING LIKE, WHO ARE WE SUPPOSED TO KNOW? IF THEY'RE NOT RATED WELL, THE DEPARTMENT IS THE ONE DOING IT.
THEY'RE THE ONES THAT DO THE RESOLUTION TO RENEW.
IF THEY DON'T LIKE 'EM, THEY SHOULDN'T BE RENEWING THEM.
SO, YOU KNOW, SO THAT'S BASED ON THE WORK THAT THEY'RE DOING THAT 'CAUSE I KNOW IF I'M OVER AND I'M NOT SATISFIED, WE'RE GONNA REBID IT.
I'M NOT GONNA RENEW IT WITH THE PERSON, YOU KNOW? OKAY.
I, UM, SO I WOULD ASK CITY MANAGER THAT THIS NOT BE ACCORDING TO THE EMOTIONAL STATUS OF THE PERSON WHO MAY SEE THE PEOPLE THAT'S WORKING, BUT ACTUALLY ACCORDING TO A MEASURABLE SCALE OF PERFORMANCE.
SO THAT WE CAN PROVIDE ACTUAL PERFORMANCE RATED CONTRACTS AND SERVICES, NOT JUST FOR THIS, BUT FOR ANY TYPE OF OF CONTRACT THAT WE'RE, THAT WE'RE AWARDING.
LET IT BE MEASURABLE SO THAT IF THE COMPANY IS PROVIDING AN ADEQUATE SERVICE, THAT WE CAN PROVE THAT THEY ARE, THEY AREN'T.
JUST TO MAKE SURE WHO ARE YOU WANTING TO PROVIDE? ARE YOU WANTING TO COME A PERSON OR DEPARTMENT THEMSELVES THAT'S PROVIDING, GETTING A SERVICE PROVIDED FOR 'EM? THAT'S THE OPERATION.
TO WHO? BUT WE DO, I AM ASKING FOR US TO HAVE A MEASURABLE SCALE OF RATING ANYONE THAT'S PROVIDING THEIR SERVICE TO US.
UH, CITY MAYOR, WE, WE'LL LOOK AT THE CONTRACT, THE, THE BIDDING PROCESS AND SEE WHETHER THERE IS AN OPPORTUNITY FOR THAT.
BUT, YOU KNOW, I, WE HOLD THE DEPARTMENT, ESPECIALLY THE DIRECTORS FOR A VERY HIGH STANDARD AS FAR AS THAT IS CONCERNED.
UM, AS CLIFF INDICATED, YOU KNOW, THE, THE, THE DEPARTMENT HEAD OF DIRECTING THOSE BEST, WHAT SERVICE, UM, FITS THE PLATINUM, PLATINUM, UM, UM, UM, CRITERIA, YOU KNOW, BUT WE WILL LOOK AT THAT AS IN TERMS OF A SCIENTIFIC, UM, CALCULATION.
IS IT, WE READY TO VOTE? ALL IN FAVOR? AYE.
[VII.C.(8) P.R. No. 24267 – A Resolution Authorizing The City Manager And City Attorney To Purchase A 0.0046 Acre (200 SF Row) Portion Of Land Located At The Intersection Of 9th Avenue And Proctor Street, NWC, (Subject Parent Tract Described As Lot 18, Block 518, Model Addition, Jefferson County, Texas) For Traffic Signal Installation For The Amount Of $810.00. Funds Are Available In The Capital Project Account No. 307-21-049-8511-00-10-000. Project No. CE0007]
WE HAVE ITEM NUMBER 8 24 2 6 7.UH, IT IS A RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING THE CITY MANAGER AND CITY ATTORNEY TO PURCHASE A, UH, IT'S ALMOST ABOUT ONE ACRE, UH, 200 SEF ROAD PORTION OF LAND LOCATED AT THE, UH, INTERSECTION OF NINTH AVENUE AND PROCTOR STREET, NWC SUBJECT, UH, PARENT TRACK, UH, DESCRIBED AS LOT 18 5 18 MODEL, UH, EDITION JEFFERSON COUNTY, TEXAS FOR, UH, TRAFFIC.
UH, SIGNAL INSTALLATION FOR THE AMOUNT OF $810 FUNDS ARE AVAILABLE IN THE CAPITAL CAPITAL PROJECT.
ACCOUNT NUMBER 3 0 7 DASH 21 DASH FOUR NINE DASH 85 11 DASH 0 0 0 0.
THAT WOULD BE PROJECT NUMBER CCE 0 0 7.
MAY I GET A MOTION FOR APPROVAL OF COUNCILMAN KEN LAW? SO MAYOR, MAY I GET A SECOND? COUNCILMAN FRANK SECOND.
IT'S BEEN MOVED AND SECONDED WITH APPROVE PR 24 2 6 7 PRESENTED.
[02:40:01]
WE ARE READY FOR A QUESTION.UH, WHAT, WHAT LINE ITEM IS THIS? CAPITAL IMPROVEMENT.
WHAT IS THE CAPITAL IMPROVEMENT COMING FROM THE ACCOUNT? DID YOU GET THAT LIST? I, GOOD AFTERNOON.
LYNN BOSWELL, DIRECTOR OF FINANCE.
UH, THE PARTICULAR LAND OR THE PARTICULAR LINE ITEM IS FOR LAND 85.
LAST TIME WE WERE HERE I ASKED YOU TO GIMME A LIST.
IF I'D HAD THE LIST, I WOULDN'T HAVE TO ACCESS, I WOULD'VE WENT AND GOT IT.
CITY MANAGER, YOU SAID YOU'RE GOING SURE.
SHE PROMISED ME THAT SHE DID SEND THE LIST.
OH, YOU SAID THAT I SENT THE LIST TO ALL THE COUNCIL MEMBERS AND I ASKED YOU TO SEND IT TO ALL THE COUNCIL MEMBERS AS WELL.
I DID I ATTACHED ALL OF THAT? DID I NOT DO THAT? THANK YOU.
DID YOU NOT RECEIVE IT? WHAT'S THE QUESTION?
IT DON'T, THEY DON'T LIKE EMAILS.
GOTTA SEND, SEND IT TO THEM A SNAIL MAIL.
OKAY THEN IF YOU MAIL IT IN A SNAIL MAIL TO THEIR RESIDENTS, THEY WILL READ IT.
IT MIGHT AND IT MIGHT NOT BE READ.
I'M TRYING TO SAY POSTED POSTAGE.
I UNDERSTAND THAT'S GOING UP SO WELL, THAT'S NO PROBLEM.
YOU KNOW, IF, IF IF I ASK FOR IT, JUST GIMME A, A COPY OF IT NEXT TIME INSTEAD OF EMAILING IT TO ME.
BECAUSE I'M GONNA WHAT I JUST TOLD YOU BECAUSE I'M GONNA HAVE TO KEEP IT.
ALL IN FAVOR? DON'T DO HOLD UP QUESTION.
UH, I'LL PRINT IT OUT FOR YOU.
THAT WAY I CAN HAVE IT WHEN I GO THROUGH THIS.
THE LAST QUESTION I HAVE, WE HAVE A PROJECT NUMBER HERE ON HERE, RIGHT? YES.
IN THE PAST WE'VE ALWAYS HAD WHERE WE GET A RESOLUTION REQUESTING US TO APPROVE SOMETHING.
I'VE BEEN NOTICING LATELY WE GET THE RESOLUTION REQUESTING IT, BUT IT'S GIVEN A PROJECT NUMBER BEFORE WE APPROVE IT.
IT SOUNDS LIKE IN THIS PARTICULAR INSTANCE IT'S A CONTINUATION OF THEIR MAINTENANCE FOR TRAFFIC SIGNALS.
SO THAT IS WHAT I'M UNDERSTANDING THAT TO BE.
AND UH, UM, YOUR DIRECTOR OF PUBLIC WORKS COULD PROBABLY ANSWER THAT PARTICULAR QUESTION ON THE PROJECTS.
WE DON'T USUALLY ISSUE THEM UNLESS AFTER YOU'VE DONE A RESOLUTION, UNLESS IT'S A CONTINUATION OF A PAST PROJECT.
WELL, ALSO IF WE'RE DONE PROJECTS, YOU KNOW, PROJECTS ARE NUMBERED.
SO IF IT'S SOMETHING THAT SAYS TRAFFIC'S RENEWAL, IF, IF YOU'RE GONNA GIVE IT A PROJECT NUMBER, THEN ALL OF THEM SHOULD BE LISTED, CORRECT? 'CAUSE SI IS FUNDED.
I'LL GET WITH THE, UH, PUBLIC WORD DIRECTOR.
OKAY, COUNCIL, REBECCA, MY QUESTION IS ABOUT THIS PARTICULAR TRAFFIC SIGNAL BECAUSE THERE'S ALREADY A TRAFFIC SIGNAL AT THAT INTERSECTION.
SO I'M WONDERING IS THIS AN UPGRADE? IT'S IS AN UPGRADE.
THROUGH ARMS? I THINK IT'S ON, UM, CABLES RIGHT NOW.
SO WE ARE UPGRADING IT TO ARM.
ANY OTHER QUESTIONS? COUNCILMAN ETT? NO.
WE READY TO VOTE? ALL IN FAVOR? A.
SO WE WILL APPROVE PR NUMBER 44, UH, 2 6 7 AS PRESENTED.
WE'LL NOW MOVE TO PAGE SIX AND, UH, ROMAN NUMERAL, UH, EIGHT.
[V. REPORTS / ITEMS OF COMMUNITY INTEREST (LIMITED TO A TOTAL OF TWO (2) MINUTES PER COUNCILMEMBER) (Part 2 of 2))]
BEFORE WE DO THAT, I'D LIKE TO, UH, MOVE BACK TO A SECTION WHERE WE HAVE ITEMS OF COMMUNITY INTEREST.I JUST RECEIVED A CONFIRMATION THAT OUR FORMER, WELL, A FORMER POLICE CHIEF, UH, NEWSOM PASSED AWAY.
UH, HE WAS A POLICE CHIEF HERE FOR A LONG TIME HERE IN THE CITY OF PORT ARTHUR.
AND I RECEIVED A TEXT EARLIER, BUT I COULDN'T, I DIDN'T WANNA SAY IT BECAUSE HE DIDN'T HAVE A RIGHT.
UH, IT WASN'T CONFIRMED, BUT IT IS CONFIRMED NOW THAT HE DID PASS AWAY.
UH, I WOULD, I DON'T KNOW IF IT WAS THIS MORNING OR NOT YESTERDAY, BUT, UH, YESTERDAY CHIEF NEWSOM PASSED AWAY.
[VIII.A.(1) P.R. No. 23969 – A Resolution Authorizing The City Manager To Execute Change Order No. 5 To The Contract Between The City Of Port Arthur And Allco, LLC, Of Beaumont, Texas, For The Port Acres Drainage Improvement Project, To Add Four Hundred Fifty-Five (455) Calendar Days, Changing The Original Contract Completion Date Of August 12, 2025, To The New Contract Completion Date Of November 9, 2026. Funding Is Not Impacted. Project No. DR1P03A]
NOW LET'S MOVE TO, UH, ITEM, I MEAN ROMAN NUMERAL EIGHT.WE HAVE THE FIRST, UH, RESOLUTION WOULD BE RESOLUTION NUMBER 2 3 9 6 9.
IT IS A RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING THE CITY MANAGER TO EXECUTE CHANGE ORDER NUMBER FIVE, UH, TO THE CONTRACT BETWEEN THE CITY OF PORT ARTHUR AND ALCO, LLC
[02:45:01]
OF BEAUMONT, TEXAS FOR THE, UH, PORT ACRES DRAINAGE IMPROVEMENT PROJECT TO ADD 455 CALENDAR DAYS, CHANGING THE ORIGINAL CONTRACT, UH, COMPLETION DATE OF, UH, AUGUST 12TH, 2025 TO THE NEW CONTRACT COMPLETION DATE OF NOVEMBER 9TH, 2026.AND IT'S, UH, PROJECT NUMBER DR ONE PO THREE A.
MAY I GET A MOTION FOR APPROVAL OF COUNCILMAN LEWIS? MOTION FOR APPROVE? MAY I GET A SECOND? UH, COUNCILMAN, UH, EVER FIELD SECOND.
AND SECOND THAT WE WOULD APPROVE PR 23 9 69 AS, UH, PRESENTED.
UH, COUNCILMAN FRANK? YES, I GOT SOME QUESTIONS THAT I'D LIKE TO ASK ABOUT THIS AND IF IT, IF IF POSSIBLE, MAYOR, WOULD IT BE POSSIBLE TO COMBINE, UM, AGENDA ITEM 13 WITH THIS AS WELL? BECAUSE IT'S TALKING ABOUT TWO CHANGE ORDERS, CHANGE ORDER NUMBER FIVE AND CHANGE ORDER NUMBER SIX.
WE ON THE SAME PROJECT? YES, SIR.
WHAT A SECOND ONE IS? THE SECOND ONE IS, UM, CHANGE ORDER.
IT'S NUMBER 13 ON THE NON-CON.
WHAT, WHAT WOULD BE THE PROCEDURE IN DOING THAT? BECAUSE I ALREADY HAD A MOTION OUT IF WE NEED TO TAKE ACTIONS SEPARATELY, BUT I HAVE SOME QUESTIONS THAT I'D LIKE ASK AND I THINK THEY'RE CONGRUENT.
I WONDER WHY IT WASN'T THE SAME THING OVER, BUT I WOULD'VE A MOTION ON THE FLOOR, BUT I JUST WON'T LET HER CHECK IT OUT.
AND SHE'S GOING TO TELL ME THE BEST LEGAL WAY TO DO IT.
CAN WE JUST TAKE THEM INDIVIDUALLY BUT RIGHT NEXT TO EACH OTHER? SO WE'LL PULL UP NUMBER ONE AND THEN IMMEDIATELY AFTER WE'LL PULL UP NUMBER 13.
I'LL JUST PULL UP 13 OUT AND GO TO 13.
WERE YOU THROUGH COUNCILMAN FRANK? NO, I'M READY.
UM, 455 DAYS, UM, 250 WORK DAYS ON A CALENDAR.
BUT WE'RE ASKING FOR DOUBLE THAT NOW TO COMPLETE THIS PROJECT.
I HAVE A FEELING THAT, UM, THE NEXT CHANGE ORDER, THE ONE THAT'S GOING TO COME IMMEDIATELY AFTER THAT HAS SOMETHING TO DO WITH THAT.
BUT, UM, EXPLAIN TO ME WHY 455 DAYS ARE NEEDED TO GO FORWARD.
LET ME ASK THIS ONE QUESTION AS WELL.
UM, NO, I'LL, I'LL LISTEN AND THEN I'LL COME BACK AND ASK ANOTHER QUESTION.
EXPLAIN TO US THE 4 55 455 DAYS.
LET ME START BY SAYING THAT THIS IS A FEDERALLY FUNDED PROJECT.
ANY CHANGE ORDER WE BRING TO YOU ON TIME IS STRICTLY COMING FROM THE CONTRACT DOCUMENTS AND WHAT IS ALLOWED OR NOT ALLOWED.
AND IT'S IMPORTANT TO DO THAT BECAUSE THE LAST THING WE WANNA DO IS JEOPARDIZE RECEIVING THAT FEDERAL MONEY.
THE BREAKDOWN OF THIS TIME IS IN THE AGENDA.
SO IF YOU LOOK AT THE BREAKDOWN, ORIGINALLY WHEN THIS PROJECT WAS AWARDED, WE CUT DOWN 180 DAYS FROM THE TIME BECAUSE WE DID SOME VALUE ENGINEERING THAT REALLY DIDN'T REQUIRE ANY TIME CHANGE, BUT IT WAS DONE.
THE NEXT ITEM IN IT IS THE RELOCATION OF UTILITIES THAT WERE DISCOVERED DURING CONSTRUCTION THAT WE, THERE WAS NO WAY TO LOOK AT IT IN ANY OTHER WAY TILL WE STARTED DIGGING.
WE ALSO HAVE 124 DAYS WEATHER DELAYS.
AND THE CONTRACT, THE WAY IT WORKS WITH THE WEATHER DELAYS, IF YOU HAVE 10 DAYS, IT'S A DIVIDE BY FIVE AND TIMES SEVEN.
SO ON A MONTH THAT RAINS A LOT.
YOU CAN HAVE MORE RAIN TIME THAT IS ATTACHED TO IT THAN THE ACTUAL DAYS IN THE MONTH.
AND LEMME STOP YOU, LET ME, LEMME STOP RIGHT QUICK.
SO YOU'RE TELLING ME THAT SOME TIME WAS ADDED TO THIS PROJECT BECAUSE OF VALUE ENGINEERING? NO TIME WAS DELETED WHEN WE DID THE VALUE ENGINEERING THAT WE ARE ADDING
[02:50:01]
IN THIS CHANGE ORDER THAT TIME SHOULD NOT HAVE BEEN DELETED.AND THE LAST ITEM IS, WE ARE PROJECTING 121 RAIN DELAYS.
HOPEFULLY IT DOESN'T RAIN THAT MUCH IN THE NEXT YEAR AND A HALF TILL WE FINISH THIS PROJECT.
SO THAT'S PUT IN THIS PROJECTION FOR ADDITIONAL TIME SO WE DON'T HAVE TO GO BACK TO FEMA TO ASK FOR MORE TIME IN CASE THAT DRAIN EVENT DOES TAKE PLACE IN THE NEXT 18 MONTHS.
HOW IS THIS, HOW IS THIS ADDING A 455 DAYS GOING TO AFFECT DRAINAGE IN THIS AREA? THE, THE MAJORITY OF THE DRAINAGE PART OF THIS PROJECT INSIDE THE PORT ACRES AREA HAS BEEN COMPLETED.
THE MAJORITY OF THE WORK LEFT NOW IS OF HIGHWAY 365.
AND WE ARE ACTUALLY DOING A DEDUCT CHANGE ORDER ON THAT, UH, IN THE NEXT 30 DAYS BECAUSE WE ARE REPLACING SOME OF THE BOXES WITH A DITCH.
SO INTERNALLY IT SHOULD BE HELPING A LOT, BUT WE HAVE TO GET THE WATER OUT OF THERE TO THE DD SEVEN DITCH OF 365.
WHO DOES, WHO DOES? UM, WHO, WHO DID THE ENGINEERING ON THIS PROJECT? ALCO DID THE ENGINEERING ON THE PROJECT.
UH, A WC WAS THE ENGINEERING COMPANY.
AND WHO DID THE VALUE ENGINEERING? THE VALUE ENGINEERING WAS DONE UH, THROUGH THE CONTRACTOR, THE ENGINEER AND CITY STAFF.
SO IT WAS A JOINT EFFORT WITH EVERYONE.
WHAT IS, IS VALUE ENGINEERING DONE PRO BONO? UH, I MEAN THEY HAVE A CONSTRUCTION MANAGEMENT AGREEMENT ON THE ENGINEERING SIDE.
THE CONTRACTOR IS HELPING US WITH THE PROJECT TO BE ABLE TO AWARD IT.
'CAUSE WE HAD SO MUCH MONEY TO DO IT AT THAT TIME.
SO WE HAD TO DO THE VALUE ENGINEERING TO BE ABLE TO AWARD IT.
SO, BUT IS IS VALUE ENGINEERING PRO BONO? DO WE PAY WHEN WE LOOK AT IT, WHEN, WHEN WE'RE GIVEN A PROJECT AND ENGINEERS LOOKED AT A LOOKED AT A PROJECT, DO THEY COME AND SAY, AND WE SAY OKAY, WE ARE GONNA DO VALUE ENGINEERING.
DO WE PAY FOR VALUE ENGINEERING TO COME? 'CAUSE AT IN THE PROJECT, THE PROJECT CAME BACK 1 MILLION, 1,000,700 AND UH, 36 1 MILLION, SEVEN $36,424 AND 4 CENTS.
IT CAME LOWER, A LOWER CONTRACT PRICE.
SO WE GOT, WE GOT SOME BANG FOR THE BUCK BECAUSE WE DID VALUE ENGINEERING.
SO DO WE PAY FOR VALUE ENGINEERING FOR THIS PROJECT? NO SIR.
WE DID NOT PAY FOR VALUE ENGINEERING.
AND A GOOD CHUNK OF THAT VALUE ENGINEERING WAS THE ASPHALT BECAUSE THE CONTRACTOR HAD BID THE ASPHALT PRICE AT ABOUT $220 PER TON AT THE TIME WHEN THE CITY WAS PURCHASING THAT ASPHALT AT $130 A TON.
SO WE TOOK THE ASPHALT COST ITSELF OUT OF THIS CONTRACT AND WE ARE FUNDING IT THROUGH THE CITY SO THAT WE DON'T HAVE TO PAY, YOU KNOW, AN EXTRA $90 PER TON, ALMOST 80% MORE.
SO THAT WAS A GOOD CHUNK OF THAT VALUE ENGINEERING.
SO YOU'RE, SO YOU'RE ABLE TO STAND TODAY AND SAY THAT 455 DAYS ADDED TO THIS PROJECT ON TODAY IS JUSTIFIED? YES SIR.
THE ENGINEER OF RECORD JUSTIFIED.
IT IS ALSO THE CONSTRUCTION MANAGER JUSTIFIED IT.
AND LIKE I SAID, THE LAST THING WE WANT TO SEND FEMA IS A REQUEST FOR TIME EXTENSION THAT CANNOT BE JUSTIFIED.
SO WE, WE, WE ARE CONFIDENT THAT IT IS JUSTIFIED.
IS THAT IT? UH, COUNCILMAN? YES SIR.
I MEAN, UH, KEN LOCK, WELL, YOU KNOW, I'M A DIFFERENT VIEW FROM THAT.
UH, I'M GONNA BE HONEST WITH YOU.
I DON'T, I DON'T LIKE CHANGE ORDERS AND I'M GONNA BE HONEST WITH YOU, THE REASON WHY THEY PUT FUNDING IS NOT IMPACTED BECAUSE YOU OPEN THE DOOR.
UH, WHY HAVE A CONTRACT IF YOU CAN'T ADHERE TO IT? BECAUSE THOSE ALIBI DAYS THAT WHEN WE DO THESE CONTRACTS ARE BUILT IN, WE KNOW IT'S GONNA RAIN JUST IN EVERY CONTRACT IN EVERY PROJECT THAT WE HAVE.
BUT THEN WHEN WE SEE THESE CHANGE ORDERS, IT SENDS UP A RED FLAG TO THIS COUNCIL BECAUSE WE UNDERSTAND THAT WHEN THESE CONTRACTS ARE, ARE NEGOTIATED AND WE BOTH SIGN OFF ON IT, WE CAN'T PENALIZE THESE, THESE COMPANIES.
IF YOU CAN'T DO IT WHEN YOU SAY YOU, YOU'RE GONNA DO IT.
I WANT THE MONEY AS A CITY AND THIS IS A REASON RIGHT HERE.
I CIRCUITED AND ALSO SHOWED, UH, COUNCILMAN DOUCETTE AS HIS DISTRICT.
UH, I I DON'T AGREE WITH THAT.
YOU KNOW, IF YOU CAME TO US AND SAY WELL LOOK HERE BASED UPON THE INFORMATION YOU
[02:55:01]
PROVIDED SO MANY DAYS HAD RANGE, SO MANY OTHER IMPACTED, UH, OPTIONS THAT WAS GIVEN TO THIS COUNCIL WOULD BE DIFFERENT.BUT WHO'S THE PERSON ON THE CITY SIDE MADE SURE THAT IT WAS A RAINY DAY.
WE HAVE SO MANY PROJECTS THAT'S OUT HERE WITH THE CITY THAT WE CAN'T GET INFORMATION ON AND THE SUN SHINE ALL DAY LONG, BUT NOBODY'S OUT THERE WORKING.
BUT THEN IT COMES TO THE COUNCIL AND THEN WE ARE ASKED TO APPROVE A PROJECT OF 455 DAYS.
I WANT THE MONEY FROM THESE COMPANIES THAT WHEN WE SIGN CONTRACTS THAT WE SAID, LOOK, I AGREE, YOU AGREE.
WE BOTH SIGNED AND LOOK, YOU'RE GONNA FINISH BY THIS DATE.
WE EITHER PAY YOU UP OR IF YOU DON'T FINISH BY THIS DATE, YOU NEED TO PAY THE CITY PENALIZE UH, UH, OPTIONS.
SO HOW CAN YOU DO THAT WITH A ALMOST OVER A YEAR EXTRA GIVING TO 'EM A COMPANY AND THEY CAN JUST TAKE THEIR TIME, THEY CAN WORK ON OTHER PRO, I'M NOT SAYING, BUT THEY CAN DO OTHER THINGS AND THEN, YOU KNOW, COME TO PORT ARTHUR LATER ON AND AND TRY TO RUSH UP A JOB THAT WE KNOW WE BOTH NEED IN THIS DRAINAGE PROJECT.
I'M GONNA BE HONEST WITH YOU DOC.
AND I'M SICK AND TIRED OF THIS COMING TO THIS COUNCIL LIKE THIS CHANGE ORDERS BUT ON WHO'S ON THE CITY SIDE MONITORING THESE THINGS.
OKAY, COUNCILMAN? UH, THIS SPECIFIC CONTRACT DOES NOT HAVE ANY BUILT-IN ALIBI DAYS.
IT HAS A, WELL MOST CONTRACTS DO.
WELL THIS ONE, I MEAN TELL ME WHY WOULDN'T IT HAVE IT, YOU KNOW, BECAUSE WE KNOW WE STILL HAVE TO BILL.
THIS ONE WAS NOT WRITTEN THAT WAY.
AND THIS ONE HAS A SECTION IN IT THAT PROVIDES THAT ALIBI DAYS AS YOU GO.
AND WE HAVEN'T BROUGHT ANYTHING TO YOU ALL BEFORE NOW BECAUSE AS PER THE COMPANY THAT IS MANAGING THIS GRANT FOR US, THEY DID NOT WANT US TO DO MONTHLY, UH, CHANGES ON TIME.
WHO'S ON THE CITY SIDE WATCHING THIS? UH, MARTIN FLOOD IS ON THE CITY SIDE.
HE DOCUMENTATION TO SHOW ABOUT THESE RANGES WATCHING AND WE HAVE THE ENGINEERING COMPANY THAT HAVE DAILY REPORTS.
SO ANYTIME YOU ALL WOULD LIKE TO, WE CAN GO SIT DOWN WITH THEM, GO TAKE A LOOK ON THE DAILY REPORTS.
THIS PROJECT HAD A LOT OF THAT TIME.
WE SHOULD HAVE STARTED WORKING THE PROJECT ON 365, 3 MONTHS AGO.
AND WE COULDN'T BECAUSE WHEN THEY STARTED THE WORK, THEY DISCOVERED THERE ARE THREE PIPELINES FROM THE 19 HUNDREDS THAT NOBODY KNEW EXISTED THAT ARE RIGHT IN THE PATH OF WHERE THE BOXES NEED TO GO THAT NEED TO BE REMOVED.
UPON TESTING THESE PIPELINES, THEY HAVE ASBESTOS AND THEY HAVE MATERIALS THAT NEED TO BE ABATED.
SO WE'VE BEEN GOING BACK AND FORTH WITH THESE COMPANIES THAT SUPPOSEDLY OWN THESE PIPELINES WITH THE RAILROAD COMMISSION, WITH DD SEVEN, WITH EVERYBODY THAT CAN COME AND TAKE THAT COST OFF OF US.
AND THAT COST ENDED UP ON THE CITY'S SHOULDERS.
'CAUSE NOBODY WANNA TAKE RESPONSIBILITY FOR THESE PIPELINES.
THE CHANGE ORDER YOU'RE FIXING TO APPROVE AS $663,000 JUST TO GET THESE PIPELINES OUT OF THE WAY.
SO THERE WAS A STAND, WE'VE BEEN ON STANDSTILL IN THAT PART, ON THAT PART OF THE PROJECT FOR MONTHS BECAUSE OF THAT 600 K YOU KNOW, I'M JUST, YOU KNOW, I'M JUST INQUIRING THAT, UH, THE CITY ALWAYS GET THE BAD END OF THE STICK, YOU KNOW, ON ALL THESE TYPES OF PROJECTS.
SO I DON'T KNOW WHAT KIND OF JOB WE NEED TO DO BETTER, YOU KNOW, WHO WE NEED TO DISCUSS OR WHO WE NEED TO SUE.
BUT IT ALWAYS LANDS ON THE CITY THAT WE ALWAYS GET THE BAD END OF THE STICK.
AND IT'S KIND OF GETTING FRUSTRATING.
YOU KNOW, I MEAN, COUNCILMAN, IF IF, IF COUNCIL CHOOSES NOT TO HAVE RAIN DAYS IN A CONTRACT, WE CAN ISSUE CONTRACTS WITHOUT RAIN DAYS AND WE CAN HOLD THE CONTRACTOR ACCOUNTABLE IF THEY DON'T FINISH ON TIME.
I MEAN THAT'S, BUT THERE'S, THAT'S MY OPINION.
I MEAN, I DON'T MIND HAVING RAIN DAYS, BUT WE NEED TO GO IN, WE KNOW IT'S GONNA RAIN.
WE WE CAN'T DO ANYTHING ABOUT THAT.
AND THERE'S, BUT SO WHEN WE NEGOTIATE THESE CONTRACTS, IT NEED TO BE OUT THERE THAT ONCE WE PUT THESE ALIBI DAYS ON, AND IF YOU DON'T COMPLETE THE CONTRACT, UH, COMPLETION DATE, WE ARE GONNA PENALIZE YOU.
THAT'S THE ONLY TWO WE HAVE WITH COMPANIES.
DO YOU REALIZE THAT THAT'S THE ONLY TWO WE HAVE TO ENSURE THAT WE GET A PROJECT TAKEN CARE OF, PERIOD.
AND, AND WE JUST GOTTA KEEP ON OUR MINDS THAT AS WE LIMIT THE CONTRACT AND LET THE CONTRACTORS KNOW THAT THERE IS GONNA BE DELAYED DAMAGES IF THEY DON'T FINISH WITHIN A CERTAIN AMOUNT OF TIME, KNOWING WE LIVE IN AN AREA THAT GETS 60 INCHES OF RAIN A YEAR, THEY'RE GONNA INCREASE THE COST OF THAT CONSTRUCTION AT THE BEGINNING OF THE CONTRACT.
AND AND IF THEY DO THAT, IF THEY DON'T COMPLETE THE CONTRACT, WE GONNA PENALIZE THEM.
IF THE COUNCIL WISHES TO DO THAT, WE BE MORE THAN HAPPY.
BUT WE SEE CHANGE ORDERS LIKE THIS THAT BRINGS IT TO RED FLAG.
I JUST WANT TO ENSURE THAT WHEN WE TELL CITIZENS, BECAUSE WE HAVE CITIZENS THAT VOTERS IN THESE SEATS AND WE GO AND TELL THEM, YOU KNOW, IT'S GONNA BE COMPLETED ON IN, YOU KNOW,
[03:00:01]
UH, 25 AUGUST 12TH, 25.BUT NOW WE, YOU KNOW, COUNCILMAN DEUCE GOTTA GO BACK AND SAID NOVEMBER 9TH, 2026 ABOUT A PROJECT THAT WE S WE KNOW IS ESSENTIAL TO UH, THE CITY OF PORT ARTHUR.
I JUST WANTED TO VOICE MY OPINION ABOUT THESE, THESE TYPE OF CONTRACTS THAT WE NEGOTIATE.
BUT I DO WANT TO GET THEIR INFORMATION FROM, YOU SAID MARTIN FLOOD IS THE PERSON ON THE CITY SIDE? YES.
THAT HAS ALL THE RECORD KEEPINGS, UH, THAT'S GOING TO, YOU KNOW, SO HE'S THE ONE WHO REVIEWS THE RECORDS AND A WC HAS ALL THE REC RECORD KEEPING.
SO WE CAN, BUT WHAT ARE WE DOING IN THE CITY ENSURING THAT THEY, YOU KNOW, THE INFORMATION THEY PROVIDE AND IS ACTUAL AND FACTUAL.
MARTIN'S ON THE JOB EVERY DAY.
IT'S PART OF HIS MARTIN FLOOD.
MARTIN FLOOD, HIS PART IS TO INSPECT THAT PROJECT WITH THE COMPANY, THE ENGINEERING COMPANY.
SO HE SHOULD HAVE THE INFORMATION.
UH, SEE COUNCILMAN LEWIS? YES.
IT'S, IT'S CAUSED WHAT YOU SAID.
YOU SICK SAY FLOOD KEEPS THE RECORDS.
YOU SAID CONTRACTS, UH, INCLUDE RAINY DAYS.
THE LAST TIME YOU TELL ME WE DISCUSSED THE CONTRACT AND YOU SAID IT INCLUDED IT AND I HAD THE CITY ATTORNEY TO PULL ME A COPY OF THIS CONTRACT AND I READ IT.
THE CONTRACT WAS VERY SPECIFIC ON THE TIME.
IT SAID CALENDAR DAYS, SATURDAY, SUNDAY, AND HOLIDAYS INCLUDED NOTHING ABOUT NO RAINY DAYS.
IT SAYS TERM CALENDAR DAYS, HOLIDAYS, SATURDAY AND SUNDAY INCLUDING.
NOW I'M GONNA ASK YOU, THIS CONTRACT HERE IS DIFFERENT THAN WHAT WE NORMALLY HAVE.
'CAUSE WHEN I TALKED TO YOU THE FIRST TIME I SAID THAT OUR CONTRACTS ALWAYS BEEN CALENDAR DAYS, SATURDAYS, SUNDAYS, AND HOLIDAYS INCLUDED.
SO YOU'RE TELLING ME THIS CONTRACT, WE DON'T HAVE IT? NO SIR.
THIS CONTRACT IS A CALENDAR DAY CONTRACT, BUT IT ALSO HAS A SECTION THAT ALLOWS FOR RAINY DAYS.
ACCORDING TO THE BACKGROUND INFORMATION, IT DIDN'T SAY RAINY DAYS.
IT SAYS FOR ANYTHING THAT IS NOT THE CONTRACTOR RESPONSIBILITY AND ALL.
OKAY? MM-HMM SO THEREFORE IT DOESN'T SAY RAINY DAYS.
SO WE BACK TO WHAT THE CONTRACT.
NOW WHEN THE CONTRACTOR DOES A CONTRACT, WHEN HE SAYS HOW MANY DAYS HE IS SUPPOSED TO FIGURE IN RAINY DAYS, IT SEEMS LIKE EVERY TIME WE COME UP WITH THESE EXTENSION IT ALWAYS OCCURS REAL CLOSE TO WHEN THE PROJECT'S SUPPOSED TO END.
WELL WE'VE BEEN TALKING ABOUT IT UP HERE.
SO WHAT WE GONNA HAVE TO DO IS WE GONNA HAVE TO GO BACK AND GET IN OUR OWN HOUSE.
'CAUSE WHOEVER WE GOT OVERSEEING THIS, THEY SHOULD BE ON IT BECAUSE ALTHOUGH YOU CAN'T DO THIS PORTION TODAY, THAT'S SOMETHING YOU CAN DO TO THAT PROJECT.
CITIZENS HAVE CALLED ME CONSTANTLY.
CITIZENS HAVE COMPLAINED, NOBODY'S WORKING THE ROAD CLOSED, NOBODY'S WORKING.
MY WORDS TO THEM IS THEY HAVE A CERTAIN TIMEFRAME IN WHICH TO COMPLETE THE PROJECT.
WE DO NOT TELL THEM WHEN TO WORK
[03:05:02]
AND WHEN NOT TO WORK AT THE END.IF THEY'RE NOT COMPLETED THEN THEY PAY A PENALTY.
WE ARE FAMOUS FOR THAT, FOR NOBODY PAYING PENALTY.
HEY, JUST SEND HIM A LETTER AND THE KILLING PART ABOUT IT.
YOU ALL BRING US THESE, THESE, THESE COMMENT.
SO IN FOUR MORE MONTHS WE BE IN AUGUST.
THIS JOB IS SUPPOSED TO BE COMPLETED IN FOUR MORE MONTHS.
YOU ARE COMING HERE AND ASKING US TO GIVE YOU 455 DAYS OVER A YEAR, OVER A YEAR.
SO YOU'RE TELLING ME THAT OF ALL THE WORK THEY WERE DOING AND CITY MANAGER LISTEN TO THIS ONE REAL CLOSELY AND THE PERSON WE HAVE OVERSEEING IT, THEY GOT THAT FAR BEHIND SCHEDULE AND NOBODY WAS BRINGING IT TO NOBODY'S ATTENTION.
AND YOU SAY YOU GONNA COME TODAY AND ASK FOR 455 NOT TILL THE END OF THIS PROJECT, BUT ADDITIONAL, MORE ADDITIONAL TIME.
AND I DONE SEEN THIS SO MANY TIMES, YOU KNOW, AND JUST LIKE I LOOK AT WEATHER DELAY DAYS IN MAY 35 DAYS, YOU KNOW, I DON'T HAVE TO SEE THIS.
AND NOT ONLY THAT, BUT ANSWER, ANSWER ME THIS QUESTION DOC.
WHY EVERY TIME WE GET THESE EXTENSIONS, Y'ALL BRING 'EM TO US WHEN THE JOB'S SUPPOSED TO BE ENDED.
YEAH, COUNCILMAN UH, THE, THE CONSTRUCTION MANAGER ON SITE WITH A WC PROVIDES US ON A MONTHLY BASIS WITH A REPORT THAT SHOWS THAT DELAYS AND THE RAIN DAYS AND THE TIME EXTENSIONS AND ALL THAT.
AND LIKE I SAID EARLIER, BECAUSE THIS IS A FEDERALLY FUNDED PROJECT, THE COMPANY THAT'S MANAGING THESE FUNDS REQUESTED, WE BRING IN THE EXTENSION TIME WHEN WE GET CLOSER TO THE END OF THE PROJECT ALL AT ONE TIME BECAUSE THEY HAVE THINGS THEY KNOW THAT I'M NOT AWARE OF, BUT THEY WANTED US TO BRING THAT CHANGE ORDER.
THIS IS WHY ELVIS WAS BROUGHT IN AT THE SAME TIME, WHEN THE TIME IS COMING TO AN END IS WHEN THEY WANT US TO EXTEND THAT TIME.
IN REALITY, THIS CHANGE ORDER IS 154 DAYS.
OKAY? BECAUSE WE TOOK 180 DAYS FROM THE CONTRACTOR AT THE BEGINNING THAT WE SHOULDN'T HAVE.
AND THEN WE ARE ADDING AN EXTRA A HUNDRED TWENTY NINE ONE DAYS FOR PROJECTED RAIN.
SO WE DON'T HAVE TO COME DO THIS AGAIN.
ONE, WE TOOK 180 DAYS, WE SHOULDN'T BE TAKING NOTHING WHEN WE DO CONTRACT, WE SHOULD LET THEM SUBMIT THEIR PROPOSAL AND WE SHOULD EITHER AGREE OR DON'T AGREE.
SO NO, THIS IS THE SECOND TIME I DONE HEARD SOMEBODY GIVING SOMEBODY SOME DAYS THE LAST TIME WE CAME HERE.
YOU ALL SAID WE GAVE SOME DAYS UP FRONT.
NOW LET'S TALK ABOUT WHY THE, THE, UH, CONTRACTOR WANTS IT NEAR THE END.
I GOT A FEELING THAT IF YOU SUBMITTED THESE THINGS, THEY'RE GONNA GET THROUGH LOOKING AT IT BECAUSE WHEN THAT GRANT WAS APPROVED AND EVERYTHING, WE HAD TO SUBMIT ALL OF THIS TO THEM BEFORE THEY APPROVED THIS ONE.
YOU KNOW, THEY GOT PEOPLE REVIEWED OUR, OUR PLAN DOC MM-HMM
THEY LOOKED AT HOW MUCH MONEY THEY WOULD CHARGING US TO DO IT BECAUSE IF THE COST WAS NOT WITHIN WHAT THEY DETERMINED, THEY WASN'T GONNA APPROVE US FOR THAT.
SO EVIDENTLY WHAT THEY SUBMITTED IN ORDER FOR US TO GET THIS MONEY IS WHAT WE APPROVED OF.
SO IF THEY GETTING FAR BEHIND AND WE SEND IT IN, THEY MIGHT TELL US, HEY LOOK HERE, THAT GUY'S NOT WORKING OR Y'ALL, Y'ALL, Y'ALL AIN'T GONNA GET THE MONEY 'CAUSE Y'ALL BEHIND.
WE DON'T THINK Y'ALL COULD FINISH IT ANY TIME.
THAT'S A LOT OF THINGS I COULD SEE ON THE BACK END OF THIS.
BUT WHEN THROUGH ALL I WENT THROUGH WITH THE, WITH THE CONSTITUENTS IN THAT AREA, TELLING THEM CONSTANTLY WE DON'T TELL THEM WHEN TO WORK AND WHEN NOT TO WORK.
AND THEN HAVE SOMEBODY COME UP HERE AND WANT A HUNDRED, 445 DAYS, I MEAN 455 DAYS AND
[03:10:04]
121 OF THOSE DAYS IS ESTIMATED FOR THE FUTURE.SO IN THE NEXT 445 DAYS WE GOING TO GIVE YOU, HE ESTIMATED A HUN HE WANTS 121 DAYS.
UH, EVIDENTLY THAT WAS HIS THOUGHTS WHEN HE GOT THE CONTRACT AND IT'S PROBABLY DAYS WHEN HE WASN'T WORKING OUT THERE THAT, UH, EVERYBODY WONDERING WHAT'S GOING ON IN QUESTIONING.
I UNDERSTAND WE HAD SOME PROBLEMS, BUT IN THE ENGINEERING, I TALK WITH ENGINEERS NORMALLY IF YOU CAN'T DO THIS BECAUSE OF THAT, BUT IT'S A PROJECT AS BIG AS THAT ONE IS, IT'S SOMETHING ELSE YOU COULD DO.
SO YOU ALWAYS COULD DO SOMETHING AND THAT CONTRACT SAYS CALENDAR DAYS, HOLIDAYS, AND WEEKENDS.
MY PROBLEM WITH A CONTRACTOR, AND I SEE IT ALL THE TIME, THEY GET BEHIND, BUT THEY WON'T, THEY WON'T WORK ON A SATURDAY OR A SUNDAY AND IT, AND IT WON'T WORK ON A HOLIDAY.
BUT IF YOU SIGN THE CONTRACT TO FINISH IN A CERTAIN TIMEFRAME, THEN YOU HAVE TO STAY ON IT.
BUT SEE THEY'RE NOT GONNA WORK ON A SATURDAY OR SUNDAY OR A HOLIDAY BECAUSE THEY HAVE TO PAY THEIR EMPLOYEE OVERTIME.
SO THEY DON'T WANT PAY MORE MONEY, THEY JUST DON'T, THEY JUST WAIT TO COME GET US.
IF I MAY, IF I MAY REAL QUICK, IN ALL FAIRNESS, UH, THE CONTRACT, THE CONTRACTOR DOES NOT DETERMINE HOW MANY DAYS HE HAS TO FINISH THE CONTRACT.
WHEN WE BID THESE CONTRACTS, THEY ALREADY HAVE AN ALLOTTED TIME THAT THEY NEED TO FINISH THE JOB WITHIN.
AND IN ALL FAIRNESS TO THIS CONTRACTOR, WHEN THEY GOT AWARDED THIS JOB, THEY SAID IT IS NOT POSSIBLE TO FINISH A PROJECT THIS SIZE WITHIN THAT TIME.
BUT THE TIME WE DETERMINED THAT WE NEED TO KEEP THE TIME LIKE IT IS BECAUSE OF THE SOURCE OF FUNDING AND WHERE IT'S COMING FROM AND HOW WE SHOULD MANAGE IT.
THERE'S A LOT OF PIECES THAT COME INTO THIS TO MAKE THIS PUZZLE WHOLE.
BUT THERE'S SOME OF THEM THAT ARE SO CRITICAL NOT TO DAMAGE OUR FUNDING SOURCE TO WHERE WE HAD TO FOLLOW THESE STEPS.
THE CONTRACTOR, IF WE LIMIT HIM TO A CERTAIN AMOUNT OF TIME AND TELL HIM YOU'RE GONNA PAY DELAYED DAMAGES AND HE PUTS THAT 121 DAYS, LET'S SAY IN RAIN DAYS THAT HE'S NOT GONNA BE ABLE TO WORK IN DELAYED DAMAGES, WE HAVE TO PAY THAT.
BUT IF WE GIVE THAT CONTRACTOR ADDITIONAL TIME, WE ARE NOT PAYING ANYTHING EXTRA TO GIVE HIM ADDITIONAL TIME.
IT'S JUST, BUT, BUT IN ALL FAIRNESS TO THE CONTRACTOR, HE ALL, HE FROM THE BEGINNING SAID THAT THIS JOB CANNOT BE FINISHED WITHIN THIS TIME.
WHY DIDN'T WE LOOK AT SOMEBODY ELSE? NO, I'M GETTING TIRED.
WELL, YOU KNOW WHAT, I TELL YOU WHAT IT SEEMS LIKE WE GETTING A LOT OF, AND AND, AND WE GOT OTHER BUSINESS TAKE.
I'M, I KNOW ONE THING, ONE THAT'S A LOT OF DAYS.
TWO, I HAD NUMEROUS COMPLAINTS THROUGHOUT ALL THE WAY UP TO NOW FROM RESIDENTS THAT IT WASN'T NO WORK BEING DONE OUT THERE.
AND YOU'RE TELLING ME THAT WE, WHEN HE'S NOT WORKING OUT THERE, HIS PEOPLE ARE OFF.
NO, THEY'RE WORKING SOMEWHERE ELSE.
I WOULD LOVE TO TAKE ANY CONSTITUENT AND SHOW THEM THE RECORDS.
THAT WAY THEY CAN SEE WHAT HAS BEEN DONE OR NOT DONE.
BUT WE'LL BE MORE THAN HAPPY TO DO THAT AT ANY TIME.
I'D LIKE TO, UH, GET SOME OF THE, THESE, THESE REPORT FLOOD HAS MM-HMM
AND SINCE, UH, HE'S ASKING TO, UH, APPROVE THESE DAYS AND HIS CONTRACT IS TILL AUGUST ANYWAY.
BUT THE FACT OF THE MATTER IS THAT WE GOT AMPLE ENOUGH TIME TO ACTUALLY APPROVE THIS IF WE HAVE TO.
THE ONES ON, ON, ON DAVE DAYS THAT HE WORKED.
SO, YOU KNOW, UH, GO AHEAD, DOC.
WE HAVE TO SEND THIS REQUEST TO THE FEMA FOLKS TO GET IT APPROVED.
SO TIME IS IMPORTANT, COUNSEL.
SO WHEN DO YOU HAVE TO GET THIS REPORT TO THEM? AS SOON AS WE CAN GET IT TO THEM.
NO, BECAUSE WHEN, WHAT, WHAT'S THE TIMEFRAME DOC? THERE? THERE IS NO DEADLINE, BUT AUGUST IS COMING AND WE HAVE TO GET, OKAY, WELL, TELL ME HERE.
THAT'S WHY I WAS SAYING WHY Y'ALL BROUGHT IT TO US.
NOW, THE COUNCIL OVER BARREL, THE COMPANY THAT DOES THE MANAGEMENT OF THIS GRANT REQUESTED WE BRING THIS CHANGE ORDER FOR TIME EXTENSION AT THIS TIME.
THEY MANAGE THAT PART OF THE PROJECT.
THEY'RE THE ONES WHO SAID, DON'T BRING IT EVERY MONTH.
AND THAT'S WHY WE BRING IT TO YOU.
[03:15:01]
UH, AND, AND Y'ALL CAN DO WITH IT WHAT YOU WANT, BUT I, I, I RECOMMEND WE MOVE FORWARD.WHENEVER WE ASK AND YOU RESPOND IT RIGHT, YOU DON'T HAVE TO TELL US WE CAN DO WHAT WE WANT.
YOU DON'T HAVE TO TELL US THAT.
THAT, THAT'S NOT, THAT'S NOT COACH.
BUT, UH, YOU KNOW, YOU, YOU, YOU SAY WE GOTTA DO IT.
NOW I LOOK AT IT AND, YOU KNOW, THE CONTRACTOR WANT TO TELL US, NO, THE CONTRACTOR SHOULD BE MORE ON HIS PS AND QS TO TRY TO GET IT TO US SOONER.
YOU KNOW, SO I'D RATHER SEE SOME OF THE PAPERWORK BEFORE I APPROVE IT.
APPRECIATE YOUR REPORT AND YOUR RESPONSE.
AND I APPRECIATE COUNCILMAN DO SAID ALSO, WELL, HE SEEMS TO BRING THINGS OUT THAT SOME OF US MAY NOT GIVE IT YOUR ATTENTION, BUT I'M CONCERNED ABOUT WHAT HAPPENED TO UNFORESEEABLE WHEN YOU HAD, WHEN USE OF BRAIN CHANGE, IF IT REALLY WAS A CHANGE ORDER, YOU WOULD SAY, WELL, IS AN UNFORESEEABLE LIKE THE, THE, THE, THE, UH, PETROLEUM LINES? WHAT HAPPENED TO THOSE THINGS? UH, NOW YOU'RE CALLING THEM, YOU ARE AUTOMATICALLY AWARDING CALENDAR, CALENDAR DAYS IN YOUR ENGINEERING BECAUSE OF THE ALLOCATION OF THE FEDERAL MONIES.
AND SOMETHING I HEARD YOU EXPLAIN THAT THE OTHER DAY.
UH, THERE'S NO ENGINEERING IN THIS REQUEST, COUNCILMAN.
THIS AGENDA ITEM IS ONLY FOR ADDITIONAL CALENDAR DAYS.
WHY ADDITIONAL CALENDAR DAYS FOR THE REASON THAT YOU GAVE FOR THE DIFFERENT BREAKDOWN? YES, COUNCILMAN FOR THE ORIGINAL HUNDRED 80 DAYS FOR BREAKDOWN BREAKDOWN.
BECAUSE WHAT? UNFORESEEABLE, UNFORESEEABLE LIKE THESE PIPELINES, THERE'S, UH, UTILITIES THAT WE HAD TO RELOCATE.
SO THERE'S 30 DAYS FOR RELOCATIONS, 180 DAYS FOR ORIGINAL TIME, BACK 121 DAYS FOR PROJECTED RAIN EVENTS.
AND I THINK
YOU ADD IT, YOU'RE NOT COSTING ANYMORE.
IT'S JUST ADDING CALENDAR DAYS.
THAT'S AN UNFORESEEABLE FOR ME.
ONCE YOU EXPLAIN IT, LOOK, GET A, A CLOSEUP OSA LOOK UP AT IT.
BUT THE WAY IT'S BEING PRESENTED, IT, IT CREATES AN ARGUMENT.
IT CREATES A DEBATE ON THE COUNCIL.
UH, YOU KNOW, I DON'T KNOW WHAT YOU'RE GOING TO DO TO, TO CLEAR, TO MAKE IT, UH, MORE FEASIBLE TO, TO EASIER TO UNDERSTAND OR EASIER TO GRASP.
I DON'T KNOW WHAT YOU'RE GONNA HAVE TO DO.
BUT THE WAY IT'S BEING DONE NOW, IT'S NOT, IT'S, IT'S, IT CREATES A DEBATE, CREATES AN ARGUMENT.
IT LOOKS LIKE SOMETHING SHADY GOING ON.
OKAY? WHEN, UH, THE, THE PUBLIC DRIVES BY AND SEE THAT IT'S A GOOD, CLEAR DAY.
EVERYBODY OUGHT TO BE WORKING, BUT SOMETHING ELSE IS GOING ON THAT THE REASON AS TO WHY THEY'RE NOT WORKING.
IT MAY BE AN UNFORESEEABLE, IT MAY BE A CHA A CHANGE ORDER THAT AFFECTS SOME, UH, UH, THE PROCESS.
BUT I DON'T KNOW, MAYBE YOU NEED TO POST A SIGN.
SO WHERE THEY CAN DRIVE BY BIG LETTERS WHERE THEY CAN READ IT.
SAY, WE'RE NOT WORKING TODAY BECAUSE, UH, IT'S AN UNFORESEEABLE, YOU KNOW, UH, PIPELINES HAS TO BE REMOVED.
19TH STREET IS A PRIME EXAMPLE.
UNFORESEEABLE, BIG WATERLINE COULDN'T CLOSE VALVE AND PEOPLE WAS RAISING ALL KINDS OF SAND EVERY DAY.
I GOT PHONE CALLS, I HAD TO EXPLAIN IT TO THEM.
BUT YOU ARE GONNA HAVE TO FIND A BETTER WAY.
Y'ALL GOTTA BE CREATIVE WITH SOMETHING.
I, I'M, I, I WOULD LIKE TO GO ALONG WITH THE SUGGESTION THAT COUNCILMAN DO SAID AS HERE, I THINK WE NEED TO LOOK AT THE REPORTS.
I'M GOING TO MEET WITH DR. HANEY AND MARTIN FLOOD AND TO GET THE REPORTS THAT ARE AVAILABLE SO THAT WE COULD PRESENT IT TO COUNCIL.
HOWEVER, UM, ONCE WE MOVE ALONG WITH THIS PROJECT, ONE OF THE THINGS THAT THE CITY ATTORNEY MENTIONED TO ME, UM, SOMETIME AGO WHEN SHE CAME ON BOARD, ANYTIME WE BEGIN PROJECTS THAT WE'RE GOING TO MOVE TO BID OUT FROM HERE ON, WE NEED TO INCLUDE IN THE BIDDING PROCESS, A REPORTING PERIOD EVERY 90 DAYS OR SO.
'CAUSE AS COUNCILMAN ETT JUST SAID, YOU KNOW, IT TAKE, IT TOOK THAT LONG FOR YOU TO INFORM US OF IT JUST BEFORE, IF THERE WAS A REPORTING PROCESS IN THE BIDDING, IF THERE WAS A REPORTING PROCESS TIED INTO THE BIDDING PROCESS, WE WOULD'VE LEARNED ABOUT IT LONG AGO.
SO THAT'S ONE OF THE CHANGES THAT WE NEED TO MAKE AS I'M, I'M MOVING AROUND WITH THOSE BECAUSE IT'S A, IT'S TRUE, IT'S A LOT OF MONEY.
[03:20:01]
$20 MILLION THAT YOU'RE TALKING ABOUT, BUT THE REPORTING, IT ALLOWS THESE THINGS TO GO UNDER THE RADAR, YOU KNOW, AND THEN IT SEEMS THAT IT, IT, IT BECOMES A BIG SURPRISE TO THE COUNCIL WHEN IT'S BEING BROUGHT, YOU KNOW? AND I UNDERSTAND IT.SO LET'S MOVE AHEAD WITH THIS, AND I WILL COLLECT ALL THE INFORMATION THAT YOU NEED.
IS THAT OKAY WITH YOU? I WILL, WE NEED TO ENSURE THAT THIS STOCK COMING TO US.
NO, THAT'S, YEAH, WE CAN, IT'S NOT, BUT THIS IS UNACCEPTABLE.
AND I, FROM HERE ON THE CITY ATTORNEY MYSELF HAS SAID, SO WE HAVE TO PUT INTO THE BIDDING PROCESS A 90 D REPORT TO THE COUNCIL.
WE HAVE TO, AND BECAUSE WE HAVE TO STOP THIS THING FROM, YOU KNOW, UM, FROM HAPPENING.
IT'S, IT'S LIKE A RECURRING DECIMAL.
DOCTOR, CAN YOU PLEASE, UM, I RESPECT EVERYTHING THAT HAS BEEN SAID, AND I UNDERSTAND WHY, BUT I ALSO WANT TO UNDERSTAND WHAT THE GRANT MANAGEMENT COMPANY, THE INSTRUCTIONS THAT THEY HAVE GIVEN AND WHY I KNOW THE INSTRUCTIONS.
BUT THE GRANT MANAGEMENT COMPANY IS WHO'S HELPING US TO FOLLOW THROUGH ON MAKING SURE THAT WE STAY ACCOUNTABLE TO WHAT FEMA HAS REQUIRED FOR THE FUNDING THAT'S BEEN PROVIDED FOR US TO COMPLETE THESE PROJECTS.
AND THEY WOULDN'T, IF THEY'RE ASKING FOR IT THIS EARLY, FOR THIS AMOUNT, FOR THIS AMOUNT OF DAYS, AND THIS AMOUNT OF MONEY, I, IT'S, I, IT JUST BAFFLES ME THAT THEY WOULDN'T SAY YOU NEED TO DO THIS BECAUSE OF X, Y, Z.
AND IF YOU DON'T, THIS IS WHAT COULD HAPPEN.
SO EVERYTHING WE HAVE HERE IS PER THE CONTRACT DOCUMENTS.
SO WE, WE SHOULDN'T HAVE ANY ISSUES HOPEFULLY WITH FEMA, BUT WE WANNA MAKE SURE THEY GET IT THERE ON TIME IN CASE THERE ARE ISSUES WE NEED TO ADDRESS.
WE CAN ADDRESS THEM, WE CAN LOSE THAT FUNDING AND ACKNOWLEDGING WE HAVE CONTINUOUSLY ASKED YOU ALL, PLEASE BRING IT TO US EARLY.
WE MAKE THE CONTRACTOR COME HERE EVERY 90 DAYS AND GIVE YOU ALL THE REPORTS.
THIS IS A GRANT PROGRAM INVOLVED HERE.
SO IN ORDER FOR YOU TO STAY AHEAD, YOU HAVE TO ACCOUNT ACCOUNTABILITY HAS TO BE AHEAD BECAUSE YOU, ONCE IT THAT WAY, YOU CAN STAY AHEAD ON THE, ON, ON THE, ON THE DRAWDOWNS FOR MONIES.
BECAUSE IN THE PAST WE HAVE BEEN SO FAR BEHIND.
I REMEMBER WE WAS 12 YEARS, $12 MILLION IN THE HOLE BEHIND A STORM BECAUSE WE DIDN'T DO THINGS LIKE HE'S DOING IT.
IT, IT IS COMPLEX TO UNDERSTAND IT, BUT THAT WAS LIKE $12 MILLION OF OUR MONEY AFTER THE GENERAL FUND WAS PAID OUT.
AND THEN WE, WE GET OUR MONEY LATER ON.
BUT ALL OF THE PAPERWORK AND STUFF AND ACCOUNTABILITY WAS NOT THERE.
WELL, WE LEFT $12 MILLION IN THE HOLE OF CITY ACTUAL MONEY THAT WE NEEDED.
NOW I CAN SOMEWHAT UNDERSTAND, BUT YOU GOTTA FIND A WAY TO MAKE IT EASIER.
COUNCILMAN FRANK, YOU STILL UP YOUR I I'M, I'M READY TO VOTE OR I'M READY TO VOTE? WELL, I WANT TO DO SIX.
BUT VOTE, WE, WE GONNA HAVE TO CARRY THE VOTE.
YEAH, BUT I'M GONNA TAKE THAT OUTTA THE VOTE.
ANY, ANY OTHER, UH, UNREADINESS ON THIS? IF NOT, UH, YOU GOT SOMEBODY ON THE AUDIENCE? BILL? OH, OH, OH, ON, UH, UH, ON ZOOM.
YOU'RE GOING TO HAVE TO IDENTIFY YOURSELF.
FIRST, I, YOU, YOU'RE GOING TO HAVE TO BE ON CAMERA.
NO, WHAT WE ARE DOING NOW IS GOTTA BE REAL.
WE ARE WORKING THROUGH THE LUNCH PERIOD FOR EMPLOYEES.
YOU KNOW, SO I, I WAS JUST SITTING THERE THINKING THAT WE CAN'T SCOLD HIM IF HE WALKED OUT AND TAKE A BREAK.
[03:25:02]
PLEASE.SANCHEZ 6 6 2 5 JADE AVENUE FOR ARTHUR, TEXAS.
I'M VERY CLOSE TO THIS PROJECT.
I HAVE TO SUFFER EVERY SINGLE DAY.
WHY? BECAUSE THE STREETS ARE IN VERY BAD CONDITION BECAUSE THEY'RE WORKING ON IT AND IT'S A NIGHTMARE.
AND JUST WHEN WE THINK THAT IT'S GONNA BE OVER IN FOUR MONTHS, NOW THEY WANT 15 MORE MONTHS TO FINISH THIS PROJECT.
ARE WE JUST A MINUTE? JUST A MINUTE.
AND I JUST WANTED TO ASK MR, HOLD ON.
YOU, WE HAVE, UH, UH, A REVERB OR WHATEVER YOU CALL IT.
I CAN'T TOTALLY UNDERSTAND WHAT, WHAT YOU ARE SAYING.
YOU KNOW, IT, IT IS SOMETHING HAPPENED WITH OUR TECHNOLOGY IN HERE.
IF CAN, ARE WE READY WITH IT? LET'S TRY, TRY IT AGAIN, MA'AM.
LIKE I SAID, I LIVE IN THIS PROJECT.
I, I, I'M HERE AND I CAN SEE EVERY SINGLE DAY WHO IS WORKING AND HE IS NOT WORKING.
WE NOTICED THAT BECAUSE LIKE CONS DE SAID, THEY CLOSED THE STREET.
WE KNOW WHEN THEY WORKING AND WHEN THEY NOT WORKING.
LAST TIME THAT THEY WAS WORKING HERE WAS ALMOST TWO WEEKS AGO.
I FEEL LIKE THEY DIDN'T HAVE ANOTHER PROJECTS AND DIFFERENT AREAS.
AND THEY WILL WORK OVER THERE TWO WEEKS.
AND THEY COME OVER HERE TWO WEEKS AND THEY GO TO ANOTHER JOB AND WORK ANOTHER FEW HOURS THERE.
WE SUFFERED IN A LOT BECAUSE THE STREETS ARE BEFORE THEY ACTUALLY GO TO 365.
THEN IT FINISHED GATE AND THEY HAD NOT FINISHED YET THE EIGHT YET, I THINK 15 MONTHS AT TOO MUCH TIME.
AND, UH, TAKING ON SITUATION, US, THEY SAID IS NOT GONNA BE AMOUNT OR, OR OF AMOUNT INCREASE ON IT, BUT WE ARE GONNA SUFFER ANOTHER 15 MORE MONTHS BECAUSE THE COMPANY HAS BEEN KNOW, WORKING EVERY SINGLE TIME ON THIS PROJECT.
I TOTALLY UNDERSTAND RAINY DAYS, BUT LAST WEEK IT WAS A BEAUTIFUL TIME AND NOBODY WAS WALKING HERE.
AND ANOTHER WEIRD THING IS THEY SAID THEY MONITOR THE CITY OF TO MONITOR THE PROJECT.
WE NEVER HAVE BEEN SEEN ANY, ANY TRUCKS FROM THE CITY OF
IT DOESN'T MEAN THAT THEY HAVE BEEN NOT BE HERE OR MAYBE DEAD.
WE HAVE TOO MUCH PROBLEM OF HERE.
WE NOT ABLE TO USE OUR STREETS DAILY.
WE HAVE TO GO AROUND EVERY SINGLE TIME AND WHEN WE CAN USE BALANCE 3 0 2, THEY ARE IN TERRIBLE CONDITIONS.
PLEASE TAKE MORE TIME, LOOK INTO DOCUMENTS TO WHATEVER YOU HAVE TO DO, BUT DON'T, DON'T DO THIS BECAUSE WHEN YOU CONTINUE APPROVING THIS, THE COMPANY IS GONNA THE SAME THING OVER AND OVER AND OVER.
UH, ANY OTHER, ANY OTHER READINESS ON THIS LADY IN, UH, I SEE SOMEONE ON THERE, BUT JUST STAY THERE JUST ON THE SCREEN.
ANY OTHER, IF WE, IF MAY I ASK A QUESTION? GO AHEAD.
IF WE HAVE QUESTIONS, MAYBE THEY CAN BE SETTLED.
WELL, THAT'S WHY I ASKED IF HAD ANY OTHER QUESTIONS.
ANY OTHER READINESS ON IT? DID SHE, MR. FLOOD, IS THERE ANYTHING? HOLD ON.
IS THERE ANYTHING THAT YOU WANT? DOCUMENTATION.
SO IF NOT, WE'RE READY TO VOTE.
ALL IN FAVOR? A ANY OPPOSE US AYES HAVE IT.
SO WE WOULD APPROVE PR NUMBER 23.
WHAT? THAT I TOLD HIM TO STAY THERE 'CAUSE WE GOING TO THE NEXT ONE.
BUT SEE Y'ALL GOTTA STOP DOING ALL THAT.
I TELL YOU WHAT, LET'S TAKE A, A RECESS FOR ABOUT 45 MINUTES AND WE GONNA COME BACK? NO, NO, NO.
WE ARE ABOUT READY TO RETURN THE SESSION.
IT IS NOW, UH, 1 58, UH, CITY SECRETARY, WOULD YOU PLEASE REESTABLISH A QUORUM FOR ME? YES.
[03:30:01]
MEMBER LEWIS.EVER FIELD COUNCIL MEMBER DOUCETTE.
OKAY, WE ARE NOW BACK IN OUR REGULAR, UH, SESSION AND WHAT WE'LL DO IS GO OUT OF SYNC WITH THE PRINTED AGENDA.
[VIII.A.(13) P.R. No. 24274 – A Resolution Authorizing The City Manager To Execute Change Order No. 6 To The Contract Between The City Of Port Arthur And Allco, LLC, Of Beaumont, Texas, For The Port Acres Drainage Improvement Project, To Relocate A 16" Water Main; Stabilize The Edge Of 65th Street, And Remove Three Pipelines On FM 365, Increasing The Contract By $832,006.00. To The New Contract Amount Of $34,397,901.19. Funding Is Available In The Drainage System Account 307-21-055-8515-00-10-000. Project No. DR1P03A]
GO TO PAGE NINE.AND AS WE ENDED EARLIER AND TOOK THE RECESS, WE WERE DISCUSSING ITEMS THAT ARE BASICALLY VERY SIMILAR.
AND SO WE'LL GO WITH ITEM NUMBER 13 ON PAGE NINE, WHICH IS PR NUMBER 24 2 7 4.
AND IT IS, IT IS A RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING THE CITY MANAGER TO EXECUTE CHANGE ORDER NUMBER SIX TO THE CONTRACT BETWEEN THE CITY OF PORT ARTHUR AND ALCO, LLC OF BEAUMONT, TEXAS FOR THE PORT ACRES DRAINAGE IMPROVEMENT PROJECT TO RELOCATE A 16 INCH WATER MAIN, STABILIZE THE EDGE OF 65TH STREET AND REMOVE THREE PIPELINES ON FM 365, INCREASING THE CONTRACT BY $832,006 TO THE NEW CONTRACT AMOUNT OF $34,395,901 AND 19 CENTS.
FUNDING IS AVAILABLE IN THE DRAINAGE SYSTEM.
ACCOUNT NUMBER 3 0 7 21 0 5 8 5 5 0 0 0.
AND THIS IS PROJECT NUMBER DP ONE P ZERO THREE A.
MAY I GET A MOTION FOR APPROVAL? COUNCILMAN DEUCEY? MAY I GET A SECOND? COUNCILMAN LEWIS IS MOVED IN SECOND THAT WE WOULD APPROVE PER NUMBER 24.
I WANT TO CONTINUE WITH THE TALKING ABOUT, UH, THIS NUMBER SIX CHANGE ORDER ON THE PROJECT.
UM, AS I WAS LOOKING AT, UM, THE INFORMATION THAT WAS GIVEN AND I WAS READING IT, SO, AND YOU'VE KIND OF CLARIFIED AS WELL PART OF IT, YOU SAID THAT THERE WERE THREE PIPELINES THAT WERE DISCOVERED THAT WERE, HAVE BEEN THERE SINCE THE 19 HUNDREDS.
OKAY, SO WE'RE TALKING ABOUT CENTS SPINDLE TOP THEN, UH, THAT'S GOING TO BE $611,159 OF THE, UM, 832,000, UH, DOLLARS ADDED TO THE PROJECT.
AND THEN YOU SAID THEN THERE WAS A 16 INCH WATER LINE THAT IS, UH, ON THE NORTH SIDE, AND THAT'S GOING TO COST $201,667.
THEN YOU WANT TO EXPAND, THEN YOU'VE GOT, UH, THE CHANGE ORDER INCLUDES THE STABILIZATION ON THE EDGE OF 65TH STREET, WHICH IS $19,180.
SO MY QUESTION IS THIS, IF, IF YOU, IF YOU DISCOVERED THE THREE PIPELINES WHEN YOU STARTED, WHEN THE PROJECTS WERE STARTED, I CAN UNDERSTAND THAT IF THEY ARE INDEED THERE SINCE THE 19 HUNDREDS, THEY WOULDN'T HAVE BEEN ON ANY MAP.
BUT WHEN THE PROJECT GOT STARTED, SHOULDN'T THE, THE MOVING OF THE 16 INCH WATER MAIN ON THE NORTH SIDE BEEN DISCOVERED, UH, IN THE UTILITIES RESEARCH IN THE PRE-DESIGNED PHASE? I MEAN, SHOULDN'T THAT, SHOULDN'T THAT HAVE BEEN KNOWN ALREADY AT THE BEGINNING OF THE PROJECT? I, I HAVE THE ENGINEER HERE THAT PROBABLY CAN ANSWER THIS QUESTION BETTER THAN I CAN IF THEY CAN COME UP, UH, TO ANSWER THE OH, GO AHEAD.
YEAH, I JUST WANT TO KNOW WHY.
JUST, JUST, MR. COUNCILMAN, I'D LIKE FOR TO STATE YOUR NAME FIRST SO THAT FOR FOR THE RECORD BEFORE WE BEGIN, UH, KINGTON COLE WITH ARSENAL WILSON AND COLE.
AND TO RESPOND TO YOUR QUESTION, YES, WE DID, WE DID KNOW THE, SEE, WE DID KNOW THAT THE 16 INCH WATER LINE WAS THERE.
UH, THE PROBLEM BECAME AN ISSUE BASED ON THE AS-BUILT PLANS AND THE CITY'S GIS SYSTEM.
IT SHOWED THE 16 INCH WATER LINE, IF YOU'RE TRAVELING
[03:35:01]
DOWN HIGHWAY 365 ON THE, ON THE NORTH SIDE, IT WAS SHOWING THE, THE WATER LINE TO BE OUTSIDE OF THE EXISTING DITCH CLOSER TO THE, UH, EDGE OF THE RIGHT OF WAY TOWARDS THE PROPERTY LINES.BUT ONCE THEY STARTED EXCAVATING, THE LINE IS ACTUALLY LOCATED IN THE BOTTOM OF THE DITCH.
UH, SO ORIGINALLY WE THOUGHT WE WERE GONNA HAVE THE SPACE TO BE ABLE TO PUT THE NEW BOX CULVERTS IN A LITTLE BIT CLOSER TO THE HIGHWAY, FILL IN THAT DITCH, AND BE ABLE TO GET THE WORK PERFORMED WITH THE LOCATION OF WHERE THE 16 INCH WATER LINE WAS BASED OFF OF THE, THE AS-BUILT PLANS.
BUT UNFORTUNATELY, ONCE THEY STARTED EXCAVATING THE LINE IS ACTUALLY CLOSER TO THE HIGHWAY THAN WHAT WE ORIGINALLY EXPECTED IT.
SO, AND, AND NONE OF THAT COULD HAVE BEEN, NONE OF THAT COULD HAVE BEEN FORESEEN DURING THE PRE-DESIGNED PHASE AT ALL.
WE BASED ALL OF OUR INFORMATION OFF OF THE, THE PLANS THAT, THAT WERE AVAILABLE FROM WHEN THAT PROJECT WAS CONSTRUCTED.
AND THEN ALSO WE, WE UTILIZED THE CITY'S GIS SYSTEM.
UM, I, I DON'T KNOW, BEYOND ACTUALLY PHYSICALLY UNCOVERING THAT LINE AND LOCATING IT IS WOULD BE THE ONLY OTHER OPTION WE COULD HAVE HAD.
AND, AND, AND WERE THOSE LINES, REALLY, HOW DID YOU DETERMINE THAT THOSE LINES HAD BEEN THERE SINCE THE EARLY 19 HUNDREDS? THAT'S JUST BASED OFF OF RESEARCH.
UM, WE'VE DONE A, A TON OF RESEARCH ON THE OWNERSHIP OF THOSE LINES AND JUST FOLLOWING THE, THE DIFFERENT OWNERS OF THOSE LINES.
AND, AND WHEN THOSE, THOSE FACILITIES WERE IN PLACE, THE, THE ORIGINAL FA THE LINE OWNERS HAD TWO FACILITIES, ONE LOCATED IN WINNIE AND THEN ONE LOCATED IN PORT CHES.
AND THAT WAS THEIR TRANSMISSION LINE TO GET BUT TO TRANSFER THEIR, THEIR MATERIALS BETWEEN THE TWO F FACILITIES AND JUST TRACING BACK THE HISTORY OF THAT COMPANY IS, IS KIND OF HOW WE ARE ESTIMATING THE, THE, THE AGE OF THE, OF THE LINES.
ANY OTHER, UH, AROUND THIS, ON THIS? IF NOT, WE'RE READY TO VOTE.
SO WE'VE APPROVED, EXCUSE ME, UH, PR NUMBER 24, I MEAN 20, YEAH.
[VIII.A.(2) P.R. No. 24151 – A Resolution Authorizing The City Manager To Execute The Second Year (First And Final Renewal) Of The Contract With LSJ Trucking, Inc. Of Beaumont, Texas, For The Rental Of Equipment With Operators For The Dirt Work Operation At The Landfill For The Not-To-Exceed Amount Of $648,000.00. Pending Budget Amendment 7329, Funding Of $648,000.00 Will Be Available In The Public Works Landfill's Equipment Rental Account, Account Number 403-50-320-5402-00-00-000]
RETURN TO, UH, PAGE SIX, I BELIEVE IT IS.AND WE'LL GO TO ITEM NUMBER TWO ON PAGE SIX.
IT IS, UH, PR NUMBER 24 1 5 1 IS A RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING THE CITY MANAGER TO, UH, EXCUSE ME, EXECUTE THE SECOND YEAR FIRST AND FINAL RENEWAL OF THE CONTRACT WITH UH, LSJ TRUCKING INCORPORATED OF BEAUMONT, TEXAS FOR THE RENTAL OF EQUIPMENT WITH OPERATORS FOR THE DIRT WORK OPERATION AT THE LANDFILL FOR THE NOT TO EXCEED AMOUNT OF $648,000 PENDING BUDGET AMOUNT, UH, AMENDMENT, EXCUSE ME, 73 29, UH, UH, FUNDING, UH, SIXTY FOUR SIX HUNDRED AND FORTY 8,000.
WHAT WILL BE AVAILABLE IN THE PUBLIC WORKS LANDFILL EQUIPMENT RENTAL ACCOUNT.
ACCOUNT NUMBER 4 0 3 DASH FIVE ZERO DASH THREE 20 DASH 54 0 2 0 0.
MAY I GET A MOTION FOR APPROVAL FOR COUNCILMAN KEN LAW? SO MOVE MAYOR, MAY I GET A SECOND? COUNCILMAN FRANK? SECOND IT MOVE.
AND WE WOULD APPROVE P 24 1 5 1 AS PRESENTED.
WE HAVE ANY QUESTIONS? YOU READY TO VOTE? ALL IN FAVOR.
ITEM NUMBER THREE HAS ALREADY BEEN, UH, UH, WORKED ON, BEEN, BEEN PRESENTED.
[VIII.A.(4) P.R. No. 24241 – A Resolution Authorizing The City Manager To Execute A One-Time Purchase From MHC Datacomm, Inc. Of Orange, Texas Through Region 5 Education Service Center Southeast Texas Cooperative Purchasing Contract No. 20240203 For Access Control And Camera System For Port Arthur Fire Station No. 3 In The Total Amount Of $101,376.00, Funding Is Available In Account# 307-19-047-8512-00-30-000, Project No. BU0013.OTH]
GO NOW WITH ITEM NUMBER FOUR, UH, PR UH, 24 241.IT IS A RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING THE CITY MANAGER TO EXECUTE A ONE-TIME PURCHASE FROM MHC DATACOM INCORPORATED OF ORANGE, TEXAS THROUGH, UH, REGION FIVE EDUCATION SERVICE CENTER, SOUTHEAST TEXAS COOPERATIVE PURCHASING CONTRACT NUMBER 2 0 2 4 0 2 UH ZERO THREE FOR ACCESS CONTROL AND CAMERA SYSTEM FOR PORT ARTHUR FIRE STATION NUMBER THREE IN THE TOTAL AMOUNT OF $101,376.
FUNDING IS AVAILABLE IN ACCOUNT NUMBER 3 0 7 DASH NINE DASH 4 7 8 5 2 0 3 0 0 AND IT IS PROJECT NUMBER BU 0 0 1 3
[03:40:02]
TH.MAY I GET A MOTION FOR APPROVAL OF COUNCILMAN ETT? SO MAY I GET A SECOND COUNCILWOMAN BECKHAM SECOND.
OKAY, IS MOVE AND SECOND THAT WE WOULD APPROVE PR NUMBER 2 24, UH, 2 49 AS PRESENTED.
ANY QUESTIONS? YOU READY TO VOTE? ALL IN FAVOR? AYE.
SO PR NUMBER 24 2 4 1 IS APPROVED AS PRESENTED.
[VIII.A.(5) P.R. No. 24247 – A Resolution Authorizing The City Manager To Procure The Necessary Software And Equipment From Purvis Systems, Of Middleton, Rhode Island, For The Installation Of Their Fire Station Alerting System (FSAS) For Fire Station 3 Through HGAC Buy Contract EC07-23 In The Amount Not To Exceed $240,161.10, Funding Is Available In Port Arthur Fire Department Project Account No. 307-19-047-8512-00-30-000. Project BU0013.OTH ]
NEXT WE HAVE ON PAGE SEVEN, ITEM NUMBER FIVE, UH, PR NUMBER 24 2 4 7.IT IS A RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING THE CITY MANAGER TO MANAGER TO PROCURE THE NECESSARY SOFTWARE AND EQUIPMENT FROM PURVIS SYSTEMS OF MIDDLETON ROAD ISLAND FOR THE INSTALLATION OF THEIR UH, FIRE STATION ALERTING SYSTEM FSAS FOUR, FIRE STATION THREE THROUGH HG OR GAC BY CONTRACT OR EEC ZERO SEVEN DASH 23 IN THE AMOUNT NOT TWO X EXCEED $240,161.
FUNDING IS AVAILABLE IN PORT ARTHUR FIVE DEPARTMENT PROJECT ACCOUNT NUMBER 3 0 7 DASH NINE DASH FOUR SEVEN DASH 8 5 2 0 3 0 0 AND ITS PROJECT NUMBER IS BU 0 0 1 3 TH.
MAY I GET A MOTION FOR APPROVAL? COUNCILMAN KEN LAW? SO MOVED MAN.
MAY I GET A SECOND? COUNCILMAN FRANK SECOND.
IT'S BEEN MOVED IN SECOND AND WE WOULD APPROVE PR NUMBER 24 2 47 AS PRESENTED.
WE READY FOR QUESTION ON ANY QUESTIONS? WE READY TO VOTE? ALL IN FAVOR? AYE.
ANY OPPOSES? AYES HAVE, SO PR NUMBER 2 24 2 4 7 IS APPROVED.
[VIII.A.(6) P.R. No. 24252 – A Resolution Authorizing The City Manager To Enter Into A Contract With SCS Engineers Of Houston, Texas, To Install Passive Vents For Gas Remediation In The Not-To-Exceed Amount Of $139,000.00, With $4,000.00 For Additional Monthly Monitoring Of GP-9 ($1,000.00 Per Monthly Monitoring Event) And $135,000.00 For Passive Vent Installation On A Lump Sum Basis. Funds Are Available In The Landfill's Professional Services Account, 403-50- 320-5420-00-00-000]
NEXT IS ITEM NUMBER SIX PR NUMBER 24 2 5 2.IT IS A RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING THE CITY MANAGER TO ENTER INTO A CONTRACT WITH SCS ENGINEERS OF HOUSTON, TEXAS TO INSTALL PASSIVE EVENTS FOR GAS REMEDIATION IN THE NOT TO EXCEED AMOUNT OF $139,000 WITH $4,000.
UH, YEAH FOR ADDITIONAL MONTHLY MONITORING OF GP NINE $1,000 PER UH, MONTHLY MON MONITORING EVENT AND $135,000 FOR A PASSIVE EVENT INSTALLATION ON UH, A LUMP SUM BASIS.
FUNDS ARE AVAILABLE IN THE LANDFILL'S PROFESSIONAL SERVICES ACCOUNT NUMBER 4 0 3 DASH FIVE ZERO DASH THREE 20 DASH 54 20 DASH 0 0 0 0.
MAY I GET A MOTION FOR APPROVAL? COUNCILMAN LEWIS? MOTION FOR APPROVAL? MAY I GET A SECOND? COUNCILWOMAN AMERON SECOND.
AND SECOND THAT WE WOULD APPROVE PR NUMBER 24 2 5 2 AS PRESENTED.
WE HAVE QUESTIONS, COUNCILWOMAN? YES SIR.
CITY MANAGER? I'M NOT SURE WHO YOU MAY BE ABLE TO, BUT IF, IF NOT, JUST GIMME DIRECTION PLEASE.
HOW IN THE WORLD DID WE MISS OR DID THE CONTRACTOR MISS NOT HAVING THESE VENTS AVAILABLE AT CONSTRUCTION? AT WHAT? CONSTRUCTION AT THE TIME OF WHEN WE INITIATED THIS PROJECT? YEAH, THOSE HAVE BEEN THERE FROM THE INCEPTION OF THE LANDFILL.
THEY GET KNOCKED ON EVER SO OFTEN BY HEAVY EQUIPMENT.
AND THEY GET BURIED, YOU KNOW, UM, IN THE PROCESS AND WHENEVER THE INSPECTIONS ARE BEING DONE, WE ARE REQUIRED TO PUT THEM BACK UP AND THAT SORT OF THING.
WELL JUST FOR INSPECTIONS LIKE IT IS, IT IS NEEDED TO BE PERMANENTLY, IT CAN BE PERMANENTLY VISIBLE AT ALL TIMES.
YEAH, I WAS MY CONCERN WHEN READING THIS WAS WE DIDN'T HAVE THEM BUT THEY'RE BEING REPLACED.
THEY'RE KNOCKED DOWN SOMETIMES AND YOU KNOW, THEY HAVE, WE HAVE TO COME EVERY SO OFTEN TO REPLACE THEM.
BECAUSE IF WE DON'T, WHEN WE UM, WE FILL THE INSPECTIONS IF WE DON'T OKAY.
WE IS THIS VENT IS GOING TO ATMOSPHERE OR WE CAPTURING IT OR RECOVERY? WE GOT INTO RECOVERY SYSTEM? NO, IT GOES INTO THE ATMOSPHERE.
BUT THOSE ARE PERMISSIBLE AMOUNTS THAT GOES INTO THE ATMOSPHERE.
WELL WE HAVE, REMEMBER WE HAVE THE OTHER PROJECT FOR UM RIGHT.
THAT WE ARE, BUT THIS IS GOING TO THE ATMOSPHERE.
WHAT IS PERMISSIBLE THAT TO ENTER INTO THE ATMOSPHERE.
ANY OTHER QUESTIONS? THERE AREN'T ANY.
[03:45:01]
WE READY TO VOTE? ALL IN FAVOR? A ANY OPPOSERS? AYE HAVE IT.SO WE APPROVE PR NUMBER 24 2 5 2 AS PRESENTED.
[VIII.A.(7) P.R. No. 24256 – A Resolution Authorizing The City Manager To Execute Contracts With SETEX Construction Corporation Of Beaumont, Texas And Jet Aeration Of Texas, LLC. Of Vidor, Texas, Both For Emergency Water And Sewer Leak Repair Services For A Combined Total Projected Estimated Amount Of $300,000.00, Where $150,000.00 Of Funding Is Available In Account Number 410-40- 215-5315-00-00-000, Water System Maintenance And $150,000.00 Of Funding Is Available In Account No. 410-40-220-5315-00-00-000, Sewer System Maintenance]
WE HAVE ITEM NUMBER SEVEN PR NUMBER 24 2 5 6 A RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING THE CITY MANAGER TO EXECUTE CONTRACTS WITH UH, SOUTH WITH SS SOUTHEAST TEXAS CONSTRUCTION CORPORATION OF BEAUMONT, TEXAS AND JET, UH, UH, AERATION OF TEXAS LLC OF VIA TEXAS, BOTH FOR EMERGENCY WATER AND SEWER LEAK REPAIR SERVICES FOR A COMBINED TOTAL PROJECTED ESTIMATED AMOUNT OF $300,000 WHERE 150,000 OF FUNDING IS AVAILABLE.AND ACCOUNT NUMBER FOUR 10 DASH 40 DASH TWO 15 DASH 53 15 DASH 0 0 0 0 DASH 0 0 0 AND UH, WATER SYSTEM MANAGEMENT AND $150,000 OF FUNDING IS A IS AVAILABLE IN ACCOUNT NUMBER FOUR 10 DASH 40 DASH TWO 20 DASH 53 15 DASH ZERO DASH 0 0 0 0 WHICH IS SEWER SYSTEM MAINTENANCE.
MAY I GET A MOTION FOR APPROVAL OF COUNCILMAN ETT? SO MOVED.
MAY I GET A SECOND? COUNCILMAN MCKEN LAW SECOND MAYOR IS MOVED.
AND WE WOULD APPROVE P 24 2 5 6 AS READ.
WE READY FOR QUESTION? THERE AREN'T ANY QUESTIONS.
WE READY TO VOTE? ALL IN FAVOR? A.
HAVE IT? SO WE HAVE APPROVED PR 24 2 5 6.
[VIII.A.(8) P.R. No. 24260 – A Resolution Authorizing The City Manager To Execute Deeds Of Trust And Deferred Loan Agreements Between The City Of Port Arthur And Four (4) Homeowners As It Pertains To The Owner-Occupied Rehabilitation And Demo/Reconstruction Federal Program]
NEXT WE HAVE ITEM NUMBER EIGHT PR NUMBER 24 2 6 0.IT IS A RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING THE CITY MANAGER TO EXECUTE DEEDS OF TRUST AND DEFERRED LOAN AGREEMENTS BETWEEN THE CITY OF PORT ARTHUR AND FOUR HOMEOWNERS.
AND IT AS IT PERTAINS TO THE OWNER OCCUPIED REHABILITATION AND DEMO RECONSTRUCTION FEDERAL PROGRAM.
MAY I GET A MOTION FOR APPROVAL OF COUNCILMAN FRANK? SO MOVE I GET A SECOND.
COUNCILMAN LEWIS, IS IT MOVED? AND SECOND THAT WE WOULD APPROVE PR NUMBER 24 TO 60 AS PRESENTED.
THERE AREN'T ANY, WE ARE READY TO VOTE.
SO IT IS AUDIT AND APPROVED PR NUMBER 24 2 6 0.
[VIII.A.(9) P.R. No. 24262 – A Resolution Approving The FY 2026 Contract Amendment No. 2 Between The City Of Port Arthur And The Department Of State Health Services For The Public Health Emergency Preparedness Program For $103,507.00 In Federal Funding With A 10% City Match Of $10,351.00 For A Total Not To Exceed $113,858.00. This Contract Starts July 1, 2025, And Expires June 30, 2026. The Cash Match Is Budgeted In Account 101-23-061- 5111-00-50-000]
WE NOW MOVE TO PAGE EIGHT.ITEM NUMBER NINE, PR NUMBER 24 2 6 2 IS A RESOLUTION OF APPRO APPROVING THE FISCAL YEAR 2026.
CONTRACT AMENDMENT NUMBER TWO BETWEEN THE CITY OF PORT ARTHUR AND THE DEPARTMENT OF STATE HEALTH SERVICES FOR THE PUBLIC HEALTH EMERGENCY PREPAREDNESS PROGRAM FOR $103,507 IN FEDERAL FUNDING WITH A 10% CITY MATCH OF $10,351 FOR A TOTAL NOT TO EXCEED $113,858.
THIS CONTRACT STARTS JULY 1ST, 2025 AND EXPIRES JUNE 30TH, 2026.
THE CASH MATCH IS BUDGETED IN ACCOUNT NUMBER 1 0 1 DASH TWO THREE DASH SIX ONE DASH 5 1 1 DASH 0 0 5 0 0 0.
MAY I GET A MOTION FOR APPROVAL OF COUNCILMAN MCKENNA? SO MOVED.
MAYOR, MAY I GET A SECOND? COUNCILMAN FRANK IS MOVED IN SECOND THEN WE WOULD APPROVE PR NUMBER 24 2 6 2 AS PRESENTED.
ANY QUESTIONS? THERE AREN'T ANY.
WE READY TO VOTE? ALL IN FAVOR? ANY OPPOSES? AYE.
SO IT IS APPROVED PR NUMBER 24 OF 2 6 2.
[VIII.A.(10) P.R. No. 24266 – A Resolution Authorizing The City Manager To Execute Change Order No. 1, To The Contract With Kraftsman Commercial Playgrounds & Water Parks Of Spring, Texas For Park Improvements To Roosevelt Park, London Bridge Park, And Babe Zaharias Park To Add Sports Court Surfacing, Striping And Inground Mounting Of The Nets And Posts At Babe Zaharias Court, Through BuyBoard Cooperative Purchasing Contract Number 679-22, Increasing The Contract Amount By $45,743.39 To A New Contract Amount Of $545,395.57. Funds Are Available In The Parks And Recreation Capital Improvement Account Number 307-25-067-8525- 00-20-000]
ITEM NUMBER 10, PR NUMBER 24 2 6 6.IT IS A RESOLUTION AUTHORIZED CITY MANAGER TO EXECUTE CHANGE ORDER NUMBER ONE TO THE CONTRACT WITH CRAFTSMAN COMMERCIAL PLAYGROUNDS AND WATER PARKS OF SPRING TEXAS FOR PARK IMPROVEMENTS TO ROOSEVELT PARK, LOGAN BRIDGE PARK AND BABES HARRIS PARK TO ADD SPORTS
[03:50:01]
CUP COURTS RESURFACING, STRIPING AND INGROUND MOUNTING OF THE NETS AND POSTS AT BABES HARRIS.UH, COURT THROUGH BY BOARD COOPERATIVE PURCHASING CONTRACT NUMBER 6 7 9 DASH 22 INCREASING THE CONTRACT AMOUNT BY $45,743 AND 39 CENTS TO A NEW CONTRACT AMOUNT OF $545,395 AND 57 CENTS.
FUNDS ARE AVAILABLE IN THE PARKS AND RECREATION CAPITAL IMPROVEMENT ACCOUNT NUMBER 3 0 7 DASH 25 DASH 0 6 7 DASH 8 5 2 5 DASH ZERO ZERO DASH 2 0 0.
MAY I GET A MOTION FOR APPROVAL? COUNCILMAN LEWIS? MOTION FOR APPROVE? MAY I GET A SECOND COUNCILWOMAN EVER FIELD IS MOVED THAN SECOND THAT WE WOULD APPROVE PR NUMBER 24 2 6 6 DASH PRESENTED.
WE'RE READY FOR QUESTION, QUESTION.
UH, WHILE HE'S REED I CAN HEAR HIS VOICE KIND OF STRUGGLING A LITTLE BIT.
YEAH, I, I HEAR HIS VOICE KIND OF STRUGGLING SO I HAD TO BREAK IT UP A LITTLE BIT.
THIS IS THE GREAT ONE TO BREAK IT UP.
YOU BREAK IT UP RIGHT ON NUMBER 10.
UH, DID I HEAR CORRECTLY? SO THIS IS GONNA BE AT BABES OF HARRIS PARK WITH THE CURRENT CONCRETE AND IT'S GONNA BE AN OVERLAY OVER THE CONCRETE.
AND, UH, ANY OTHER PARTS THAT'S GONNA HAVE THE, I'M VERY INTERESTED IN THE PICKLEBALL MM-HMM
JOINT, SO, SO ANY OTHER PARTS THAT'S GONNA HAVE THAT SAME AMENITIES? UH, UM, AS OF RIGHT NOW WE'RE, YOU KNOW, WE'RE KIND OF LOOKING AT EACH PARK SEPARATELY AND YOU KNOW, WE'RE GOING THROUGH WITH THE MASTER PLAN IN THE ORDER OF POOR.
AS THIS ONE WAS BEING LOCATED, AS IS DESIGNATED AS A POOR PARK AND LOOKING TO SEE WHAT THEY NEEDED TO BE DONE.
AT FIRST, WHEN WE KIND OF LOOKED AT IT, WE WERE GONNA JUST REHAB WHAT WAS THERE, BUT WE SAY SOME COST SAVINGS IN LOOKING AT OTHER PARKS THAT WE'RE GONNA DO THAT'S COMING UP NEXT.
IT WAS LIKE, LET'S JUST GO AHEAD AND KIND OF MAKE THIS EVEN BETTER THAN WHAT WE KIND OF ANTICIPATED.
SO AS OF RIGHT NOW, THAT IS THE ONE THAT HAS A SPORTS COURTS.
THE ONE THAT'S SIMILAR TO SOMETHING LIKE THAT IS AT BRYAN PARK WITH THE TRAIN 5, 5 0 3.
SO THAT BASKETBALL COURT HAS A SPORTS COURT.
SO THIS ONE WITH THE COLORS IS GONNA REALLY STAND OUT FROM THE HIGHWAY AND FROM, YOU KNOW, THE MAJOR THERAPY AND EVERYTHING.
AND, AND, AND IF YOU DON'T KNOW THIS ANSWER, WHAT TYPE OF LONGEVITY WOULD WE HAVE ON THE LITTLE SPONGY TYPE COURTS LIKE THAT? 5 0 3.
SO THEY'RE SAYING, AND WE'RE KIND OF BASING IT OFF OF THIS AND THEY'RE SAYING ABOUT A GOOD 10 YEARS BEFORE YOU ABLE HAVE TO DO ANYTHING.
BUT IT DEPENDS ON THE USE, IT DEPENDS ON EVERYTHING.
AND LIKE THE ONE THAT WE HAVE CURRENTLY, WE'RE GOING ON ABOUT A MAYBE FOUR OR FIVE YEARS IN IT IS STILL AMAZING.
IT'S LIKE, IT STILL LOOKS NICE.
EVEN WITH US JUST GOING ON TOP OF KIND OF GRASSY AREAS AND STUFF, EVERY NOW AND THEN WE HAVE TO GO THROUGH, BUT THIS ONE IS THE STRAIGHT SEAMEN AND SO IT'S GONNA BE GOOD.
WELL, COUNCILMAN UH, BECKHAM AND I, WE'VE TALKED IN THE PAST ABOUT SIGNAGE.
ARE WE STILL ON THE SAME THING? UH, SAME PROCESS OF GETTING SIGNAGE OUT THERE TO, YOU KNOW, I JUST WANT YOU TO TOOT YOUR OWN HORN.
YOU AND, AND AL THIGPEN AND, AND, AND OF COURSE, UH, AS CITY, CITY, CITY MANAGERS BACK THERE, YOU KNOW, THIS IS THE TIME THAT WE HIGHLIGHT, YOU KNOW, WHAT WE ARE, WHAT'S THE MASTER PLAN, WHAT WE PLAN ON DOING TO, TO GIVE A QUALITATIVE LIFE OF, UH, UH, STUDENTS AND, AND CITIZENS OF PORT ARTHUR.
I WANT YOU TO TOOT YOUR OWN HORN.
IS THERE ANYTHING ELSE YOU'D LIKE TO TELL US ABOUT THESE PARK AMENITIES SINCE I HAVE YOU UP HERE? OH, NO, JUST, I DON'T WANNA PUT YOU ON THE SPOT, BUT YOU KNOW, I'M JUST, I'M JUST GLAD WE AT THIS POINT YOU, IT'S, IT'S LIKE, YOU KNOW, WE, WE KIND OF SPENT A LOT OF TIME ON LOOKING AT COLOR SCHEMES FOR THINGS.
STUFF THAT'S GONNA STICK OUT AND STUFF THAT'S GONNA LAST.
YOU KNOW, WE HAVE A HARD TIME WITH, UM, PRODUCTS THAT ARE LASTING.
THEY'RE TELLING US THEY'RE LASTING, THEY'RE SHOWING US DOCUMENTATION THAT THEY'RE LASTING.
BUT ONCE A HURRICANE IS SALT WATER AND EVERYTHING HITS IT, WE'RE RUSTED, YOU KNOW, OR IT LOOKS AT THE APPEARANCE OF RUST AND IT'S STILL A SMOOTH, IT JUST GETS DISCOLORED.
BUT RIGHT NOW WE'RE TRYING TO LOOK AT, AS YOU SEE IN THE NEXT RESOLUTION, SOME OF THE PARKS WHERE, UM, KIDS CAN BE MORE IMAGINATIVE AS WELL AS MORE INCLUSIVITY WITH SOME OF THE PARKS.
BUT JUST SO IT CAN STILL, EVERY PARK CAN BE A MULTI-GENERATIONAL PARK, NOT JUST ONE OR THAT EVERYBODY CAN GET TO THE PARKS.
'CAUSE THAT'LL BE THE NEXT PHASE.
WE'LL BE COMING BACK LOOKING FOR ACCESSIBILITY WHEN IT COMES TO, AS FAR AS PARKING TO THE PARKS, BEING ABLE TO WALK FROM ONE AREA
[03:55:01]
TO THE OTHER, FROM THE HOUSES.'CAUSE A LOT OF THESE POCKET PARKS WE HAVE, THERE'S NO WAY THAT PEOPLE CAN GET TO THE PARKS BESIDES WALKING THROUGH SOMEONE'S ALLEY OR THE BACK OF THEIR HOUSE OR, SO WE'RE WORKING ON STUFF LIKE THAT.
BUT JUST LOOK AT THE NEW INNOVATIVE PARK EQUIPMENT THAT'S GONNA BE A LOT OF THESE PARKS.
UH, COUNCILMAN, UH, HAM, YOU STILL NEED A LITTLE MORE TIME? ARE YOU NO, NO.
DID YOU HAVE BEFORE? I WAS TEASING MAYOR.
MY HONEY IS GONNA BE SO EXCITED ABOUT PLAYING PICKLEBALL.
AND SHE'S, AND, UM, AND THE WHOLE CREW THAT SHE PLAYS BALL WITH.
SO ONE OF THE QUESTIONS I HAVE FOR THIS PART, WELL THEY HAVE, UM, ANY AMENITIES, LIKE, I UNDERSTAND WHERE THIS IS, BUT IS THERE AN OPPORTUNITY TO ERECT WATER FOUNTAINS OUT THERE? I'M NOT SURE WE WOULD HAVE TO REALLY LOOK INTO IT BY BEING SO CLOSE TO THAT DRAINAGE DITCH AND EVERYTHING.
I'M NOT SURE IF THAT'S AN, AN AREA THAT I WOULD PUT WANT TO.
'CAUSE IT'S LIKE THERE IS AN AREA WHERE WE'RE ADDING SOME MORE SEATING.
THERE'S GONNA BE ANOTHER LITTLE SWING SET.
NOT TOO MUCH BECAUSE OF THE PROXIMITY FROM THE PARKING LOT FOR THE GOLF COURSE AS WELL AS TO THE DRAINAGE DITCH THE BASKETBALL COURT.
IT'S NOT TOO MUCH AREA RIGHT THERE SPACE.
SO I WAS THINKING OF SOMETHING THAT WAS OFFERED SHADED SEATING OVER THERE, EVEN FOR THOSE THAT PLAY BALL.
THERE, THERE IS GONNA BE SOME, SOME.
I'M EXCITED TO SEE THAT WE'VE GOT SOME MORE ACTIVITY HAPPENING FOR THE, THE LOCAL PARKS.
UM, YOU MENTIONED SOMETHING ABOUT THE LONGEVITY OF THE EQUIPMENT, UM, AND THE, THE SURFACE THAT WE'RE PUTTING DOWN AT BABE ARIAS PARK IN PARTICULAR.
IS THAT GONNA BE THE SAME TYPE OF SURFACE THAT THEY PUT DOWN AT THE PARK ON, UH, PLEASURE ISLAND? UM, IT CAN BE MORE COMPARABLE TO SOME OF OUR NEIGHBORING CITIES THAT HAVE PICKLEBALL COURTS.
THAT SPORT, THAT TYPE OF SPORTS COURT SERVICING.
AND THE REASON I ASK IS BECAUSE I'VE, I'VE, I'VE BEEN INFORMED THAT THERE'S SOME DAMAGE TO THE SURFACE ALREADY OUT AT PLEASURE ISLAND.
UM, HAVE YOU HEARD ABOUT THAT? NO, BUT I, I, I HAVE SOME PICTURES OF IT THAT I CAN SEND TO YOU.
BUT IT'S THE SURFACE THAT'S UNDERNEATH THE, UM, I THINK IT'S THE SWING SETS WHERE IT'S GOT THE, THE PLACE FOR, FOR AN ADULT TO SIT AND TO HAVE A SMALL CHILD IN FRONT OF THEM.
SO I WAS JUST CONCERNED, EXCUSE ME, IF IT'S THE SAME TYPE OF SURFACE, BUT WE'RE TALKING ABOUT SURFACING FOR, FOR ACTUAL PICKLEBALL, RIGHT? YES MA'AM.
WELL, MAY I SAY THIS BEFORE WE TAKE THE VOTE? UH, I KNOW EVERYBODY THE PICKLEBALL, UH, AND I KNOW I READ IN MY TML UH, NEWS THE OTHER DAY, I CAN'T REMEMBER WHICH CITY IT WAS.
I KNOW YOU READ 'EM LIKE I READ 'EM M TURN, BUT IT WAS SOMEWHERE, I DUNNO IF IT WAS MADISONVILLE OR LOUISVILLE OR ONE OF THOSE VS.
AND THEY, THEY OPENED THERE UP THERE CITY PICKLEBALL COURT.
SO, YOU KNOW, WHATEVER WE DO THAT I KNOW I'LL BE GONE, BUT Y'ALL BE SURE TO GET SOME TML COVERAGE WHENEVER THIS, THIS OCCURS BECAUSE IT'S, IT'S, IT'S A NATIONAL PHENOMENON.
I MEAN, LIKE YOU SAID, YOUR PARENTS DO IT AND, AND I HEARD ABOUT IT AND ALSO I, I DON'T KNOW IF I DIDN'T HEAR IT OR, UH, BEING SURE THAT FOR SPECIAL NEEDS KIDS, THAT THESE AMENITIES THAT WE'RE PUTTING ON PARKS WOULD BE THERE AND AVAILABLE.
I KNOW WITH THIS COMPANY THAT WE, THAT, THAT YOU ALL ARE DEALING WITH, I'VE, YOU KNOW, BEEN, UH, GRASP, YOU KNOW, AROUND THERE THEIR, THEIR SETUPS AT AT TML MEETINGS AND, AND I KNOW THAT THEY HAVE EVERYTHING FOR SPECIAL NEEDS KIDS AT THESE, YOU KNOW, ALL OF THEM.
AND WE JUST WANNA BE ALL INCLUSIVE.
YOU KNOW, SO LIKE CURRENTLY AT LAKEVIEW PARK WE HAVE SOME, UM, MUSICAL FEATURES OUT THERE THAT, YOU KNOW, KIDS CAN GO BY AND YOU KNOW, THOSE THAT LISTEN TO THE SOUNDS, THINGS LIKE THAT.
UM, AS FAR AS LIKE THOSE WHO ARE PHYSICALLY CHALLENGED, WE DO HAVE A ONE DR.
THIGPEN BUILT HERE, A PLAYSCAPE SYSTEM THAT YOU CAN ACTUALLY, IT'S WHEELCHAIR ACCESSIBLE.
WE ALSO, IF YOU NOTICE ON SOME OF OUR BENCHES THAT WE'RE, THE TABLES THAT WERE COMING OUT, ONE SIDE WON'T HAVE ANYTHING, IT'LL BE EMPTY.
AND IT'S FOR SOMEBODY WITH A WHEELCHAIR AND JUST BE ABLE TO COME.
SO WE HAVE A LOT OF FEATURES THAT, YOU KNOW, WE HAVE COMING UP THAT OKAY.
BUT YES, BUT AGAIN, YOU ALL DOING A GOOD JOB AND THANK YOU.
YOU KNOW ALL THE QUESTIONS READY TO VOTE.
ALL IN FAVOR? A ANY OPPOSES? AYE.
SO PR NUMBER 2 4 2 6 6 WILL BE APPROVED AS READ.
[04:00:01]
LITTLE BREAK.[VIII.A.(11) P.R. No. 24271 – A Resolution Authorizing The Purchase Of Commercial Windstorm Coverage In An Amount Not To Exceed $1,840,460.00 Per Annum. Proposed Funding By: General Liability Insurance Fund 612-11-025-5410-00-00-000, $1,840,460.00, Pending Budget Amendment Proposed Ordinance #7329]
NEXT WE HAVE NUMBER 11, UH, PR NUMBER 24 2 71.IT IS A RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING THE PURCHASE OF COMMERCIAL WINDSTORM COVERAGE IN AN MOUNTAIN NOT TO EXCEED $1,840,460 PER ANNUM.
UH, PROPOSED FUNDING BY GENERAL LIABILITY INSURANCE FUND SIX 12 DASH 11 DASH 0 2 5 DASH 54 10 DASH 0 0 0 0 0 AT 1,000,840 UH THOUSAND $460.
PENDING AGAIN, THE BUDGET AMENDMENT.
PROPOSED ORDINANCE, UH, 72, I MEAN 73 29.
SO MAY I GET A MOTION FOR APPROVAL? COUNCILMAN KEN LAW? SO MOVED.
MAYOR COUNCILMAN FRANK, IT'S BEEN MOVED IN SECOND.
THEY WOULD APPROVE PR NUMBER 24 2 71.
UH, CITY MANAGER, HAVE WE GOTTEN, HAVE WE COMPLETED ALL OF OUR APPRAISALS FOR OUR BUILDINGS IN THE CITY OF PORT ARTHUR? LEMME AND COUNCILS.
ALRIGHT, UH, WE'VE COMPLETED ONE ROUND OF THOSE APPRAISALS, MAKING SURE THAT DEPARTMENT HEADS HAVE SENT THOSE IN AND WE'VE ASKED FOR A SECOND ROUND JUST TO BE SURE THAT WE DIDN'T MISS ANYTHING.
SO I JUST WANT TO BE SURE THAT IN THE EVENT OF SOMETHING HAPPENING, WE ARE GETTING FAIR MARKET VALUE FOR OUR PROPERTIES.
NO OTHER QUESTIONS? THAT'S IT.
WE READY TO VOTE? ALL IN FAVOR? AYE.
ANY OPPOSES AYES AVERAGE OF PR NUMBER 24 2 71 WILL BE APPROVED AS PRESENTED.
[VIII.A.(12) P.R. No. 24272 – A Resolution Authorizing The City Manager To Enter Into A Contract With Kraftsman Commercial Playgrounds & Water Parks Of Spring, Texas Through BuyBoard Cooperative Purchasing Contract No. 679-22 For Park Improvements To Cecil Reynolds Park ($209,715.01) And Lakeside Park ($213,833.58), For A Total Amount Of $423,548.59. Funds Are Available In The Parks And Recreation Capital Improvement Account Number 307-25-067-8525-00-20-000]
NEXT WE HAVE ADAM NUMBER 12, PO NUMBER 24 2 7 2.IT IS A RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING THE CITY MANAGER TO ENTER INTO A CONTRACT WITH CRAFTSMAN COMMERCIAL PLAYGROUNDS AND, UH, WATER PARKS OF SPRING, TEXAS THROUGH BY BOARD COOPERATIVE PURCHASING CONTRACT NUMBER SIX, UH, 79 DASH 22 FOR PARK IMPROVEMENTS TO CECIL REYNOLDS PARK, $209,715 AND 1 CENTS.
AND LAKESIDE PARK 213,800, EXCUSE ME, $33 AND 58 CENTS FOR A TOTAL AMOUNT OF $423,548 AND 59 CENTS.
FUNDS ARE AVAILABLE IN THE PARKS AND RECREATION CAPITAL IMPROVEMENT ACCOUNT NUMBER 3 0 7 DASH 25 DASH 0 6 7 DASH 85 25 0 2 0 0 MAY I GET A MOTION FOR APPROVAL OF COUNCILMAN UH, ETT? SO MOVED.
MAY I GET A SECOND? COUNCILMAN BECK? SECOND.
BEEN MOVED AND SECOND THAT WE WOULD APPROVE PRIOR NUMBER 24 2 7 2 AS PRESENTED.
ANY QUESTIONS? THERE AREN'T ANY READY TO VOTE.
ANY OPPOSES AYES? SO PR NUMBER 24 2 7 2 IS APPROVED AS PRESENTED.
[VIII.A.(14) P.R. No. 24277 – A Resolution Authorizing The City Manager To Execute A Contract With Heil Of Texas For Solid Waste Equipment Repair. Funding Of $225,000.00 Is Available In The Solid Waste Administration's Professional Services Account, 403-50-300-5420- 00-00-000 ($40,100.00 For FY25 And $161,000.00 For FY26, Subject To FY26 Budget Approval) And The Solid Waste Trash Temporary Services Account, 403-50-305-5476-00-00-000 ($23,150.00 For FY25) ]
MOVING OVER TO PAGE NINE, WE'LL GO NOW TO ITEM NUMBER 14.EXCUSE ITEM 14 PR NUMBER 24 2 7 7.
IT IS A RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING THE CITY MANAGER TO EXECUTE A CONTRACT WITH HILL OF UH, TEXAS FOR SOLID WASTE EQUIPMENT, UH, REPAIR AND UH, UH, FUNDING OF 225,000 IS AVAILABLE IN THE SOLID WASTE ADMINISTRATION'S PROFESSIONAL SERVICES ACCOUNT.
4 0 3 DASH FIVE ZERO DASH 300 DASH 54 20 DASH ZERO ZERO DASH 0 0 0 AND THAT WOULD BE $40,100 FOR FISCAL YEAR 25 AND $161,000 FOR FISCAL YEAR 26 SUBJECT TO FISCAL YEAR 26.
BUDGET APPROVAL AND THE SOLID WASTE TRASH TEMPORARY SERVICES ACCOUNT, 4 0 3 DASH FIVE ZERO DASH 54 76 DASH 0 0 0 0 0.
AND IN THAT ACCOUNT, OR FROM THAT ACCOUNT? $23,150 FOR FISCAL YEAR 25.
MAY I GET A MOTION FOR APPROVAL OF COUNCILMAN ETT? SO MOVE SECOND.
IT BEEN MOVED IN SECOND AND WE WOULD APPROVE, UH, PR 24 7 2 7 7.
COUNCILMAN ETT? YES, WE GOT THE, UH, 161,000 FOR A PHYSICAL YEAR, 2026.
[04:05:05]
WHY WE HOW WE DO THAT? GOOD AFTERNOON, MAYOR.LEN BOSWELL, DIRECTOR OF FINANCE.
THE REASON WHY I HAD TO PUT IT THIS WAY IS BECAUSE I SAW THAT THEY WERE MONTHLY AMOUNTS, EVEN THOUGH THE CONTRACT IS, IS THE ENTIRE AMOUNT WE'RE COMMITTING TO THAT, WE PAY A MONTHLY AMOUNT AND I KNEW WE HAD THE FUNDS FROM NOW UNTIL THE END OF THIS FISCAL YEAR AND FOR US TO CONTINUE THE SERVICES ON THE MONTHLY AMOUNT, I WENT AHEAD AND DESIGNATED THAT THE REST OF THAT WOULD COME FROM FISCAL YEAR 26.
I DO THAT BECAUSE I'M COMFORTABLE SIGNING WHAT I KNOW THAT WE CAN PAY FOR IN FISCAL YEAR 25.
AND SO THAT'S WHY I WENT AHEAD AND ASKED IF THAT THAT BE SPLIT.
I UNDERSTAND WE HAVE ONE YEAR CONTRACTS THAT ARE STARTING NOW.
I DON'T DO IT THAT WAY WITH SOME OF THE CONTRACTS, BUT THIS ONE I JUST WANTED TO MAKE SURE IT WAS DELINEATED.
OKAY, ANY OTHER QUESTIONS ON THIS? IF NOT, WE'RE READY TO VOTE.
SO P NUMBER 24 2 7 7 IS APPROVED AS PRESENTED.
NEXT WE HAVE ITEM NUMBER 15 PR NUMBER 24 2 8 4.
IT IS A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY OF PORT ARTHUR, TEXAS TO RESCIND MAYOR RESOLUTION.
THE CITY ATTORNEY WOULD LIKE TO MAKE A REQUEST THAT ITEM NUMBER 15 AND NUMBER 16 BE REVISITED BY THE CITY COUNCIL AND CONSIDERED AFTER EXECUTIVE SESSION.
OKAY, SO WE WERE GOING TO EXECUTIVE SESSION IN A LITTLE BIT AND WE'LL RETURN TO ITEMS 15 AND 16.
[VIII.A.(17) P.R. No. 24286 – A Resolution Appointing A Member Or Members To The Pleasure Island Advisory Commission (Requested By Councilmember Kinlaw)]
ON PAGE 10, NO.YEAH, I BELIEVE WE HAVE ITEM NUMBER 17, WHICH IS, UH, PR NUMBER 24 2 86.
IT IS A RESOLUTION APPOINTED A MEMBER.
A MEMBER MEMBER THROUGH THE ALITY ADVISORY COMMISSION HAS BEEN REQUESTED BY COUNCIL, UH, COUNCIL MEMBER KEN LAW.
AND I BELIEVE YOU HAVE A NAME AS WELL.
YEAH, LINDSEY, YOU HAVE THAT UH, INFORMATION, RIGHT? YES, SIR.
DID YOU, DID YOU WANT, UH, YOU WANT TO, I'M SORRY I DON'T HAVE IT WITH ME, BUT I DO HAVE THE INFORMATION THOUGH.
DONNY COLE? UH, BUT I, IT DONNIE COLE.
THE RESOLUTION SIR COLE? YEAH.
AND HE WOULD BE REMOVING AN APPOINTEE TO REPLACE DONNY COLE? YES.
SO DONNIE COLE WOULD FILL THE APPOINTMENT? YES.
AND HE, HE WOULD, HE WOULD REPLACE SOME, SOMEONE ELSE, WHOEVER APPOINT HE WAS.
UH, MAY I GET A MOTION FOR THAT? UH, COUNCILMAN FRANK, I MOVE, MAY I GET A SECOND? COUNCILMAN LEWIS IS REMOVED IN SECOND THAT WE WOULD, UH, APPROVE PR NUMBER 24 2 8 6.
UH, AS PRESENTED WITH THE NAME DONNY COLE? YES.
UH, BEING THE APPOINTEE BY COUNCIL MEMBER KEN LAW.
UH, ANY QUESTIONS ON THAT? I I HAVE A QUICK QUESTION.
AS JUST AS IT RELATES TO APPOINTMENTS, UM, SINCE THOSE OF US THAT WERE ELECTED TO COUNCIL IN 2023 ARE NOW AT THE END OF OUR SECOND YEAR OF SERVICE, PRETTY MUCH, IS THERE A WAY THAT THE CITY SECRETARY'S OFFICE COULD PREPARE US A LIST OF THE APPOINTEES THAT ARE ABOUT TO TERM OUT? BECAUSE SOME OF THEM HAD TWO YEAR TERMS THAT MAY BE COMING UP ON EXPIRATION.
I'LL BE ABLE TO PROVIDE THAT TO YOU.
ALRIGHT, ANY OTHER UNREADINESS? NOW WE ARE READY TO VOTE.
ALL IN FAVOR? ANY OPPOSES? AYE THAT SO IT IS APPROVED.
[VIII.B.(1) P.O. No. 7326 – An Ordinance Rescinding Ordinance No. 24-26 In Its Entirety, As It Relates To The Sale Of A City-Owned Vacant Tract Of Land Located 937 Grannis Avenue]
WE'LL MOVE TO SECTION B, WHICH WOULD BE ORDINANCES.AND WE HAVE THE FIRST ORDINANCE, WHICH IS PO NUMBER 73 26.
IT IS AN ORDINANCE, RESCINDING ORDINANCE, UH, NUMBER 24.
OUR NUMBER IS 24 THROUGH 26 IN ITS ENTIRETY AS IT RELATES TO THE SALE OF A CITY OWNED, VACANT, UH, TRACK OF LAND LOCATED AT 9 37 GRANNYS AVENUE.
MAY I GET A MOTION FOR APPROVAL? COUNCILMAN? UH, KEN LAW? SO MOVED.
MAYOR, MAY I GET A SECOND? COUNCILMAN? UH, FRANK.
IT IS BEEN RULE IN SECOND AND WE WOULD APPROVE PO NUMBER 73 26 AS APPROVED.
ARE ANY QUESTIONS ON THAT? IF THERE AREN'T ANY,
[04:10:01]
WE'RE READY TO VOTE.SO PO NUMBER 73 26 IS APPROVED.
[VIII.B.(2) P.O. No. 7327 – An Ordinance Authorizing The City Manager To Execute Settlement Of A Physical Damage Claim In The Amount Of $19,950.00 Made Against Texas Municipal LeagueIntergovernmental Risk Pool (TMLIRP) As A Result Of Property Damage To Police Unit #2374]
NEXT IS ITEM NUMBER TWO, WHICH IS PO NUMBER 73 27.IT IS AN ORDINANCE AUTHORIZING THE CITY MANAGER TO EXECUTE SETTLEMENT OF A PHYSICAL DAMAGE CLAIM IN THE AMOUNT OF $19,950 MADE AGAINST TEXAS MUNICIPAL LEAGUE INTERGOVERNMENTAL RISK POOL, WHICH IS COMMONLY KNOWN AS T-M-L-I-R-P AS A RESULT OF PROPERTY DAMAGE TO POLICE UNIT 2374.
MAY I GET A MOTION FOR APPROVAL OF COUNCILMAN K LAW? SO MOVE MAYOR, MAY I GET A SECOND? COUNCILMAN FRANK, IT'S BEEN MOVED IN SECOND THAT WE WOULD APPROVE PO NUMBER 73 27 AS IT IS PRESENTED.
WE ARE READY FOR QUESTION HONOR.
ANY QUESTIONS? IS READY TO VOTE? ALL IN FAVOR? A.
SO PO NUMBER 73 27 IS APPROVED AS PRESENTED.
[VIII.B.(3) P.O. No. 7328 – An Ordinance Authorizing The City Manager To Execute Settlement Of A Physical Damage Claim In The Amount Of $15,727.76 Made Against Progressive Insurance As A Result Of Property Damage To Police Unit #2222]
NEXT IS ITEM NUMBER THREE, PO NUMBER 73 28.AN ORDER IS AUTHORIZING THE CITY MANAGER TO EXECUTE SETTLEMENT OF A PHYSICAL DAMAGE CLAIM IN THE AMOUNT OF $15,727 AND SEVEN 6 CENTS MADE AGAINST PROGRESSIVE INSURANCE AS A RESULT OF PROPERTY DAMAGE TO POLICE UNIT 2222.
MAY I GET A MOTION FOR APPROVAL? COUNCILMAN DOUCE? SO MOVED.
MAY I GET A SECOND? COUNCILMAN BECKHAM? SECOND IT MOVE THE SECOND THAT WE WOULD APPROVE PO NUMBER 73 28 AS PRESENTED.
THERE AREN'T ANY LIGHTS, NO QUESTIONS.
READY TO VOTE? ALL IN FAVOR? AYE.
SO PO NUMBER 73 28 IS APPROVED AS PRESENTED
[VIII.B.(4) P.O. No. 7329 – An Appropriation Ordinance Amending The City Of Port Arthur Budget For The Fiscal Year Beginning October 1, 2024 And Ending September 30, 2025, Increasing Solid Waste Fund (403) By $648,000.00, And General Liability Fund (612) by $800,000.00]
AND WE HAVE PO WELL ITEM NUMBER FOUR, WHICH IS PO NUMBER 73 29.IT SAYS AN APPROPRIATIONS ORDINANCE AMENDING THE CITY OF PORT ARTHUR.
BUDGET FOR THE FISCAL YEAR, BEGINNING OCTOBER 1ST, 2024 AND ENDING SEPTEMBER 30TH, 2025.
INCREASING SOLID WASTE FUND FOUR ZERO THROUGH THREE BY $648,000 AND GENERAL LIABILITY FUND BY $800,000.
COUNCILMAN LEWIS? MAY I GET A SECOND COUNCILWOMAN? UH, EVER FIELD SECOND.
IT IS MOVED IN SECOND, THEN WE WOULD, WE WOULD APPROVE PO NUMBER 73 29 AS PRESENTED.
ANY QUESTIONS? WE READY TO VOTE? ALL IN FAVOR? AYE.
SO PO NUMBER 73 29 IS APPROVED AS PRESENTED.
THIS BRINGS US THROUGH THE PRINTED AGENDA WITH THE EXCLUSION OF ITEMS THAT WE HAVE ASKED TO BE OR THAT HAS BEEN ASKED AND IT'S BEEN AGREED.
THAT WOULD BE DISCUSSED IN EXECUTIVE SESSION AND WE RETURN TO OPEN SESSION.
IF THERE WOULD BE ACTION ON THOSE ITEMS, WE WOULD HANDLE THOSE THEN.
[IX. *CLOSED MEETING (EXECUTIVE SESSION)]
HOWEVER, AT THIS JUNCTURE WE ARE IN COMPLIANCE WITH THE REQUIREMENTS FOR SECTION 5 51 POINT, UH, OF 0.101.UH, UH, CHAPTER 5 5, 1 OF THE OPEN MEETINGS LAWS OF THE STATE TEXAS GOVERNMENT CODE FORMITY ARTICLE NUMBER 62 52 DASH 17 SECTION TWO SUBSECTION EIGHT.
THAT PRIOR TO GOING INTO THE CLOSED MEETING MIGHT BE IN THE PRESIDING OFFICER OF THIS AUGUSTA BODY.
I SHOULD MAKE RM COMPELLED TO MAKE THIS FOLLOWING, UH, STATEMENT IN, UH, THIS CLOSED MEETING OR THIS EXECUTIVE SESSION THAT WE WILL NOW HOLD DOWNSTAIRS IN THE CONFERENCE ROOM.
THAT THESE FOLLOWING SECTIONS OF CHAPTER 5 5 1 TEXAS CODE, UH, TEXAS GOVERNMENT CODE WILL BE, UH, DISCUSSED IN 5 5 1 0.071 FOR TEXAS GOVERNMENT, UH, OPEN MEETINGS ACT TO MEET WITH OUR ATTORNEY OR ITS ITS ATTORNEY TO SEEK LEGAL ADVICE ON A MATTER IN WHICH THE DUTY OF THE ATTORNEY TO THE CITY COUNSEL UNDER THE TEXAS DISCIPLINARY RULES OF PROFESSIONAL CONDUCT OF THE STATE BAR OF TEXAS CLEARLY CONFLICTS WITH THE TEXAS OPEN MEETINGS ACTS RELATING TO THE ITEMS A ADAMS PARK, BH AND P ENGINEERING CONSTRUCTION INCORPORATED VERSUS THE CITY OF PORT ARTHUR.
CITATION NUMBER 24 DCCB 1 8 56 IN THE 172ND DISTRICT COURT OF JEFFERSON COUNTY, TEXAS, ALSO C STATE OF TEXAS VERSUS
[04:15:01]
CITY OF FOR ARTHUR.CAUSE NUMBER D ONE DASH GN DASH 25 DASH 0 0 1 2 8 5 IN THE 201ST DISTRICT COURT OF TRAVIS COUNTY, TEXAS.
NEXT WE WOULD HAVE D KIRK THOMAS VERSUS THE CITY OF PORT ARTHUR AND ROSA ROBERTS.
CIVIL ACTION NUMBER 1 23 DASH CV DASH 2 82 IN THE US EASTERN DISTRICT COURT OR AT THIS EASTERN DISTRICT OF TEXAS AND ALSO E, WHICH WOULD BE SABINE NATURE'S UH, NAVIGATION DISTRICT.
AND ON PAGE 12 ITEM WOULD BE DISCUSSED UNDER THAT SAME PROVISION PROJECT, UH, CAROL CANNELL AND G GROUND LEAKS BY DILIGENCE.
OFFSHORE SERVICES LLC FROM THE CITY OF PORT ARTHUR, TEXAS CONTAINING APPROXIMATELY 13.8 ACRES OF, UH, ACRES, 900 ACRES AND 13 ENDED IN 61 ACRES LOCATED ON PLEASURE ISLAND FOR THE DEVELOPMENT, CONSTRUCTION AND OPERATION OF WIND AND SOLAR ENERGY FACILITIES.
ALSO, WE WILL COVER SECTION 5 5 1 0.087 TO DISCUSS ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT NEGOTIATIONS.
AND THE A WOULD BE WITH THE GROUND LEASE BY DILIGENCE OFFSHORE SERVICES LLC FROM THE CITY FOR CERTAIN TRACKS CONTAINING APPROXIMATELY 13.8 ACRES OF LAND ACRES, RATHER 900 ACRES.
AND AGAIN 1,361 ACRES LOCATED ON PLEASURE ISLAND FOR THE DEVELOPMENT, CONSTRUCTION AND OPERATION OF WIND AND SOLAR ENERGY GENERATION FACILITIES REQUESTED BY COUNCIL MEMBER LEWIS.
THIRDLY, WE COVER SECTION 5 5 1 0.074 TO DISCUSS PERSONNEL, THE DUTIES, RESPONSIBILITIES, AND EVALUATIONS OF THE CITY MANAGER, CITY ATTORNEY AND THE CITY SECRETARY REQUESTED BY COUNCIL MEMBER KEN LAW.
AND THESE ITEMS IN EXECUTIVE SESSION MAY BE DISCUSSED AND ACTED UPON IF ACTION WOULD BE NECESSARY IN OPEN SESSION WHEN WE RETURNED TO CITY COUNCIL CHAMBERS.
SO AT THIS TIME AT 2:46 PM WE WERE NOW RECESS TO THE FOURTH FLOOR IN COUNCIL IN THE, THE, UH, DELIBERATION ROOM OR SO THAT WE MAY PROCEED WITH OUR EXECUTIVE SESSION.
OH, I KEEP, I'M SO USED TO LOOKING OVER THAT WAY.
CITY SECRETARY, UH, WILL YOU REESTABLISH A QUORUM FOR ME PLEASE? YES, MAYOR.
COUNCIL MEMBER HAMILTON OVERFIELD.
WE ARE RETURNING AND WE ARE BACK IN SESSION AT 6:39 PM WE'VE BEEN IN EXECUTIVE SESSION FOR THE PAST FEW HOURS, UH, AND CITY ATTORNEY WE DO HAVE, UH, ACTION ITEMS COMING OUT OF THE, UH, YES, YOUR MAYOR, UH, MAYOR, I HAVE CITY ATTORNEY REQUEST AN ACTION ITEM ON STATE OF TEXAS VERSUS THE CITY OF PORT ARTHUR, TEXAS.
CAUSE NUMBER D ONE GN 2 501 2 85.
AND ON THAT ONE THAT, THAT ONE PERTAINS TO, I HAVE THE MOTION MA.
UM, WE'RE REQUESTING A MOTION TO AUTHORIZE THE CITY MANAGER AND THE CITY ATTORNEY TO EXECUTE A CONTRACT WITH LLOYD GOLINK FOR LEGAL SERVICES IN THE STATE OF TEXAS VERSUS CITY OF PORT ARTHUR, TEXAS.
CAUSE NUMBER D ONE GN 2 5 0 1 2 8 5 IN THE 201ST
[04:20:01]
DISTRICT COURT OF TRAVIS COUNTY, TEXAS.AND SECOND THAT WE WOULD APPROVE THE ACTION ITEM, EXCUSE ME, FROM THE EXECUTIVE SESSION.
THE ONLY ANY QUESTIONS WE READY TO VOTE? ALL IN FAVOR? AYE.
ANY OPPOSES? AND THAT ITEM BACK ACTUALLY IS APPROVED.
WOULD THERE BE OTHERS? UH, ATTORNEY.
NO ADDITIONAL ACTION ITEMS OUT OF EXECUTIVE SESSION, BUT THE CITY ATTORNEY DOES REQUEST THAT YOU GO BACK TO THE NON-CONSENT AGENDA.
ITEM NUMBER 15, PR NUMBER 2 4 2 8 4 AND PR NUMBER 2 4 2 85.
AND THE COUNCIL CONSIDER AND TAKE ACTION.
[VIII.A.(15) P.R. No. 24284 – A Resolution Of The City Of Port Arthur, Texas To Rescind Resolution No. 25-096, Which Authorized The Mayor To Enter Into A Ground Lease Agreement Under Certain Terms And Conditions Between The City Of Port Arthur, Texas And Diligence Offshore Services LLC For Approximately 2,274 Acres Of City-Owned Land On Or Near Pleasure Island For The Development, Construction, And Operation Of Wind And Solar Energy Facilities, A Substation, Data Center, Offshore Energy Hub And Other Necessary Appurtenant Facilities]
ON THE ITEM ON PAGE NINE, ITEM NUMBER 15, PR 2, 4 2 8 4.AND I, I LIKE TO JUST, UH, DO ONE THING HERE ON, ON THIS BECAUSE OF THE NATURE OF IT AND WHAT IT'S, WHAT IT IS SAYING.
I, AND I DO SEE IT IN THE GALLERY, UH, PROPRIETOR OF THE, UH, UH, COMPANY IN CONTEXT.
UM, UH, WOULD YOU CARE TO HAVE LEGAL COUNSEL BEFORE WE WOULD DISCUSS THIS? UH, UH, MR. CRAWFORD? YES, SIR.
I'M JUST, I'M ASKING, UH, IF, IF YOU WANT LEGAL COUNSEL BEFORE WE DIS DISCUSS THIS, WOULD THAT BE, UH, SUFFICIENT? UH, OR WOULD YOU NEED TO BE, UH, PRESENT WITH HIM? CAN, CAN YOU COME UP TO THE MIC PLEASE? YEAH.
WELL, WE, WE GONNA HAVE, WE GONNA HAVE THE, AND SO THE REASON I WANTED TO DO THAT, BECAUSE HE COULD HEAR IT AND COULD TELL YOU WHAT IT IS OR I THINK IF HE'S AWARE OF IT.
'CAUSE THEY WOULDN'T WANT, WANT TO ACT ON THIS WITHOUT YOU HAVING COUNSEL.
AND WHAT I WOULD LIKE TO ASK ONCE, ONCE, ONCE, ONCE HE ANSWERS, HE'S ON ATTORNEY OR ATTORNEY.
CHRIS, IS YOUR MIC ON THERE? NO, I DON'T THINK IT'S ON.
CAN YOU HEAR HIM? CHRIS, CAN I, YEAH, I CAN HEAR.
UM, YOU, YOU CAN HEAR US NOW, ATTORNEY, THIS MAYOR PLACE.
I DON'T HAVE MUCH TIME, SO HOLD ON A MINUTE.
WHAT'D YOU SAY? I SAID I'M NOT IN MY OFFICE.
I'M IN THE AIRPORT, SO I'VE GOT VERY LITTLE TIME, BUT I, I CAN TALK FOR A FEW MINUTES, OKAY? OKAY.
WHAT I WAS ASKING, UH, MR. CRAWFORD, I AM ASKING HIM, WE HAVE AN ITEM HERE TO RESCIND, UH, THE, A RESOLUTION, WHETHER THAT THAT WOULD RESCIND THE AGREEMENT THAT WAS ACTUALLY DONE FOR MARCH 18TH THAT I SIGNED, AND IT'S NOW AWAITING YOUR SIGNAGE AT THE, UH, TITLE COMPANY.
HOWEVER, IF YOU WOULD CARE TO PURSUE THAT ONE, THEN WE CAN, WE WOULDN'T WANNA RESCIND THIS PARTICULAR MOTION OR I'M, I MEAN THIS ACTION.
AND SO THAT'S WHY I'M ASKING HIM IF HE WANTED TO HAVE A LEGAL COUNSEL BEFORE WE WOULD ACTUALLY DO IT, OR IF YOU ALL DECIDED YOU WOULD DO THAT AND, UH, WE COULD, UH, JUST MOVE ON THAT AGREEMENT AND MOVE FORWARD.
SO DO WHAT, WHAT, WHAT'S YOUR PLEASURE ON THAT? AND THEN IF THIS IS YES OR NO, IF YOU WANT TO DO IT.
SO YOU, SO YOU DON'T CARE TO SIGN THAT? AM I CORRECT? WELL, I, HOLD ON A MINUTE.
COULD YOU HEAR HIM, CHRIS? UH, IT, IT'S BREAKING UP TOO MUCH.
UM, CAN, CAN THEY DIAL ME IN ON THE PHONE? MY CELL PHONE? AND THEY WANT, THEY, HE, WHAT HE'S SAYING IS THEY'RE TALKING ABOUT RESCINDING THE, THE, THE, THE SIGNATURE ON THE LEASE THAT WAS OVER AT THE TITLE COMPANY.
UH, AND WHAT ELSE DID YOU SAY? MR. MAYOR.
NO, JUST IF, IF YOU ALL CARE, IF YOU WOULD WANT TO SIGN IT, THEN WE WON'T RESCIND THIS.
YOU'RE RESCINDING IT BECAUSE WE NEVER GOT A CHANCE TO SIGN IT.
THAT'S WHY I'M ASKING IF YOU SAID YOU HAVEN'T HAD A CHANCE TO YEAH, WE NEVER, WE NEVER SAW THAT LEASE.
WHEN WE CAME TO, TO COUNSEL LAST WEEK, CHRIS TOLD Y'ALL
[04:25:01]
THAT THERE WAS NO MEETING OF THE MINDS THAT YOUR ATTORNEY TOLD YOU THAT WE HAD SAW IT AND WE DID NOT SEE IT.SHE TOLD Y'ALL WE DIDN'T AGREE TO IT.
SO YOU HAVE NOT VIEWED THE, THE DOCUMENT THAT IS THERE, UH, AT THE TITLE, JUST WANNA BE CORRECT ON WHAT, WHAT YOU'RE SAYING? NO.
NOW, ATTORNEY, ARE YOU AWARE THAT, THAT, THAT, THAT THEY HAVE NOT TOTALLY VIEWED THAT DOCUMENT? BECAUSE I MEAN, WE ARE GONNA RESCIND SOMETHING THAT THEY ALLEGING THAT THEY HAVE NOT SEEN.
OKAY, SO WHAT, I MEAN, WHAT, WHAT, HOW DO YOU WANT TO, UH, UH, MOVE FROM THIS? THIS IS YOUR, I CAN JUST, THIS IS YOUR MOVE.
NOW, BUT I WANT FOR CLARIFICATION.
NOW, I DON'T KNOW IF CHRIS CONVEYED IT TO DEREK, TO MR. CRAWFORD, BUT IF I, THAT LEASE HAS BEEN SENT BY DARA TO CHRIS AND I CAN PROVE THAT BY EMAIL, BY ELECTRONICS.
SO CHRIS AND CHRIS, YOU, YOU ALLEGING YOU NEVER SEEN IT, RIGHT? NO, THAT'S WHAT HE'S SAYING.
CAN I THAT LEASE WHEN YOU SIGNED IT BEFORE YOU, WHEN YOU GOT IT? WE HAD NEVER SAW IT.
WE NEVER, HE NEVER AGREED TO THAT LEASE.
HE NEVER AGREED TO, WE NEVER AGREED TO IT.
DARREN HAD SENT IT TO US SHORTLY BEFORE THE COUNCIL.
YOU DID NOT AGREE TO THAT LEASE BECAUSE THE COUNCIL GAVE DIRECTION TO ITS ATTORNEY IN EXECUTIVE SESSION ON WHAT IT WAS GOING TO AGREE TO AND PLACED THAT UP FOR ACTION ISSUES.
WERE OKAY, CHRIS, SO CHRIS, THIS IS WHERE WE ARE.
THIS IS WHERE WE ARE ATTORNEY.
OKAY, SO WHAT, RIGHT, AND, AND I, I'M ASKING THIS TO BE FAIR WITH ALL PARTIES AND I'M GOING TO, OR NOW I'M READY TO ENTERTAIN THE MOTION BECAUSE YOU SAID YOU HADN'T SEEN IT AND YOU, YOU ALL DON'T CARE TO SIGN THAT ONE.
AND THAT, THAT'S, THAT'S TOTALLY UNDERSTANDABLE.
SO I'M, I'M GONNA, I'M BE READY TO, TO UH, RECEIVE A MOTION TO RESCIND THE MARCH 18TH LEASE.
SO, UH, SECOND IT'S BEEN MOVED AND SECOND THAT WE WOULD RESCIND THE, UH, PREPARE LEASE WITH DILIGENCE THAT'S SIGNED ON, UH, FOR MARCH 18TH.
WE HAVE ANY QUESTIONS ON THAT? AND ANY QUESTIONS? ALL IN FAVOR OF RESENDING THE LEASE.
AYE, ANY OPPOSES? OKAY, THE AYES HAVE IT.
SO THAT LEASE IS NOW RESCINDED.
[VIII.A.(16) P.R. No. 24285 – A Resolution Of The City Of Port Arthur, Texas To Authorize The Mayor To Enter Into A Ground Lease Agreement Between The City Of Port Arthur, Texas And Diligence Offshore Services LLC For Approximately 2,274 Acres Of City-Owned Land On Or Near Pleasure Island For The Development, Construction, And Operation Of Wind And Solar Energy Facilities, A Substation, Data Center, Offshore Energy Hub And Other Necessary Appurtenant Facilities]
ITEM, ITEM 16 THAT'S HERE.AND WHAT I'M GOING TO DO IS MOVE THE TABLE, ASK FOR A MOTION TO TABLE THIS BECAUSE WE DON'T HAVE A DOCUMENT NOW THAT WE CAN ACT ON.
Y'ALL HAVE A DOCUMENT THAT WE CAN ACT ON THAT WAS AGREED.
WE'D NEGOTIATED FOR FIVE WHOLE MONTHS ON A LEASE AND WE GAVE DOWN YOU TWO TERMS. YOU SAID MS. ROXANNE IN MAYOR'S OFFICE THERE WAS TWO THINGS.
THE TERM NEED TO BE FIXED AND YOU SAID THE EASEMENT RIGHTS NEEDED TO BE, NEEDED TO BE FIXED.
WE FIXED IT THE DAY THAT Y'ALL WAS SUPPOSED TO SIGN THAT LEASE, WE SPENT A HUNDRED THOUSAND DOLLARS NEGOTIATING.
Y'ALL SLIPPED ANOTHER LEASE IN ON US.
OKAY? AND THAT LEASE THAT Y'ALL SLIPPED IN WAS BRAND SPANKING NEW.
AND OUR ATTORNEY CAME AND TOLD THIS COUNCIL THAT THERE WAS NO MEETING OF THE MINES.
OKAY? AND NOW Y'ALL ARE SAYING THAT YOU DON'T HAVE A LEASE.
WHAT DID WE NEGOTIATE FIVE MONTHS FOR? WHY DID WE NEGOTIATE FIVE MONTHS, MR. CRAWFORD? SO THIS, THIS IS WHERE WE ARE NOW WITH I 16.
WE'RE GOING TO TABLE ITEM 16 OR BECAUSE WE ARE, WE DON'T HAVE THE, THE, THE DOCUMENT.
THE DOCUMENT THAT WE DON'T HAVE SINCE WE ARE GOING, DOING AWAY WITH AND WE'VE RESCINDED THE ORIGINAL, LET ME CLARIFY.
FOR THE PUBLIC MAYOR, MAAM, YOUR ATTORNEY DOES HAVE A RED LINE DOCUMENT THAT WAS SENT FROM OUR OUTSIDE COUNSEL.
NOW, WHETHER OR NOT YOUR COUNSEL HAS RESPONDED, YOU SHOULD TALK TO YOUR ATTORNEY ABOUT THAT.
BUT I CAN TELL YOU THAT THE CITY HAS NOT RECEIVED A RESPONSE FROM THAT DOCUMENT.
HE HAS NOT RECEIVED A RESPONSE.
YOU HAVE NOT RECEIVED A RESPONSE FROM POLICE THAT Y'ALL TRIED TO SPEAK IN ON US BECAUSE WE'RE NOT RESPONDING TO THAT.
WE AT LEAST NEVER AGREED TO BY IT.
MR. CR, YOU NEED TO MOVE THE MIC UP SO THE SYSTEM CAN PICK UP WHAT YOU'RE SAYING.
CAN ANYBODY, CAN ANYBODY? I CAN'T HEAR YOU GUYS VERY WELL AT ALL.
CAN ANYBODY HEAR ME? YEAH, GO AHEAD.
SO WHAT, WHAT IS THE PURPOSE OF THE DISCUSSION NOW? 'CAUSE I, I KNOW WE'RE ARGUING AT EACH OTHER.
WE SUBMITTED A LEASE, WE ARGUED ABOUT A LEASE.
THE WHATEVER WAS APPROVED BY THE COUNCIL A MONTH AGO.
AND I THINK YOU, I THINK I HEARD YOU JUST RESCIND THAT.
SO THE NEXT STEP IS WE HAVE A LEASE THAT WE SENT TO THE CITY LAST TUESDAY, WHICH REFLECTED WHAT WE THOUGHT WE WOULD LIVE WITH.
WE HAVE A DIFFERENT LEASE THAT OUTSIDE COUNSEL SUBMITTED TO US ON FRIDAY, WHICH HAS ISSUES THAT WE DO NOT AGREE WITH THE ATTORNEY.
[04:30:01]
ATTORNEY, IF YOU WILL, AND I HOPE YOU CAN HEAR ME CLEARLY.UH, WE HAVE BEEN ABOUT THE PAST HOUR OR TWO HOURS DISCUSSING SOME TERMS, UH, FOUR DIFFERENT TERMS THAT I THINK YOU ALL HAD SENT OVER.
UH, AND OUR ATTORNEY IS PREPARED TO SPEAK WITH YOU.
WELL, THE ATTORNEYS WILL DISCUSS THESE TENANTS AND WHAT WE WOULD BE ABLE TO DO IS ENTER INTO, UH, NEGOTIATIONS ACTUALLY.
BECAUSE ONCE WE'VE RESCINDED THIS AND WE WHEN, UH, IN THE ORIGINAL DOCUMENT TO RESCIND, I BELIEVE WAS TO ACTUALLY REOPEN NEGOTIATIONS.
SO I DIDN'T EVEN HAVE TO SAY THAT, BUT I, IF I'M NOT MISTAKEN, THAT'S, THAT'S, THAT'S, THAT'S WRITTEN IN THE ACTUAL RESOLUTION.
NOW WE ARE GOING TO BE ABLE TO HAVE DISCUSSED IN THE RENEGOTIATING A PHASE TWO SIDE ASSESSMENT EASEMENT, UH, PROCURING OR, OR, OR, OR SECURING EASEMENT AND SUBLEASE UH, TERMS. AND ALSO MAYBE EVEN A $100,000 RESPONSIBILITY, UH, FOR THE CITY ON, UH, AS, AS A CEILING AMOUNT FOR, UH, THE TESTING.
I THINK THAT ACTUALLY GOES WITH PHASE TWO IF I'M SAYING IT CORRECTLY.
THOSE ARE THE FOUR ITEMS THAT BEG PARDON? YEAH.
SO, SO MR. MAYOR, WHAT IT WAS, MR. MAYOR.
WHAT, WHAT, WHAT, WHAT IT'S ABOUT.
WE KNOW THAT, THAT, THAT WE, WE WOULD NEED TO LAWYER SENT TO US NEED TO HAVE NEGOTIATIONS DONE.
SHE SENT 'EM TO US AND, AND THIS IS WHAT WE HAVE TO SAY TO THAT, THE EASEMENT.
Y'ALL TOLD US THAT Y'ALL HAD TRANSFERRED THAT PROPERTY TO SALE OR WHATEVER HIS NAME IS THE WATER PARK GUY.
HE SAID HE DOESN'T HAVE A CONTRACT.
HE HAS NOTHING TO DO WITH THAT PROPERTY RIGHT NOW.
SO THAT EASEMENT WE SENT TO RON, Y'ALL SHOULD HAVE BEEN RECORDING IT.
'CAUSE THAT DOCUMENT THAT YOUR LAWYER SENT, IT'S A, A SURVEY.
IT SAYS ON THE BOTTOM OF THAT SURVEY, THERE COULD BE EASEMENTS ON THE PROPERTY SINCE HE DOESN'T HAVE A LEGAL DOCUMENT ON THE PROPERTY.
THEN WE GOT A RIGHT TO HAVE THE LEASE.
WE ALREADY, I MEAN THE EASEMENT, WE ALREADY PAID FOR IT.
ALL YOU GOTTA DO IS, IS SO SAY THEY SEND THIS, OKAY? AND, AND AT ONE POINT RIGHT THERE FINISH, CAN I FINISH? BECAUSE WHAT WE DOING THAT'S NEGOTIABLE.
CAN I FINISH, CAN I PLEASE FINISH? GO RIGHT IN BECAUSE WHAT WE'RE DOING NOW, WE NEGOTIATED FOR FIVE MONTHS.
FIVE WHOLE MONTHS WE NEGOTIATED.
Y'ALL SPEND UPWARDS OF 50 I GUESS.
AND SO HERE WE ARE NOW IT'S A DIFFERENT LEASE THAT NOW WE TRYING TO NEGOTIATE.
Y'ALL PUT TERMS IN THERE SAYING THAT UH, THE STATE OWNS THE PROPERTY.
THEY DON'T, I BROUGHT THE DOCUMENTS WITH ME TO PROVE IT TO YOU.
THEY DON'T, THEY DON'T OWN THE BOTTOMS. SO WHOEVER TOLD Y'ALL THAT IS LYING, THEY DON'T KNOW WHAT THEY'RE TALKING ABOUT.
AND I GOT THE DOCUMENTS TO PROVE IT WITH ME TODAY.
'CAUSE I FIGURED I WAS GONNA HAVE TO SHOW 'EM TO Y'ALL BECAUSE SOMEBODY ON THAT COUNCIL THINKS THEY KNOW WHAT THEY'RE TALKING ABOUT AND THEY DON'T THAT LEASE THAT EASEMENT, RIGHT? IT'S NOT THERE.
THE GUY JUST TOLD ME HE DON'T HAVE ANYTHING TO DO WITH THAT PROPERTY RIGHT NOW.
HE TOLD ME THAT IN WRITING AS FAR AS THE UH, PHASE TWO.
I OFFERED TO PAY FOR THE PHASE TWO A LONG TIME AGO, BUT THAT WAS YOUR ATTORNEYS CAME IN AND PUT IT IN THE SOTS.
NOW WE AT THIS PLACE TO WHERE Y'ALL DON'T WANNA HOLD ME HARMLESS FROM WHAT Y'ALL HELD THE UNITED STATES GOVERNMENT HARMLESS FROM.
I'M NOT GONNA PAY FOR YOUR ENVIRONMENTAL ISSUES.
IF YOU GOT ISSUES UP THERE, THERE YOURS, NOT MINE.
AND THAT A HUNDRED THOUSAND DOLLARS CEILING OR CAP THAT Y'ALL TALKING ABOUT, WHERE DOES THAT COME FROM? WHO PUT THE NUMBER IN THERE? AND THEN Y'ALL WANT US TO ONLY LEASE OUT 50% OF OUR SUBSTATION.
WHAT IS ALL THIS STUFF Y'ALL ARE DOING? WHAT IS WHY Y'ALL IN OUR OPERATION TRYING TO STOP US FROM OPERATING? DO YOU TELL MOTIVA HOW TO, HOW TO, HOW MUCH OF THEIR PRODUCTS TO SELL? DO Y'ALL TELL ALL THESE OTHER PEOPLE AROUND HERE HOW MUCH THEY CAN OPERATE THEIR, THEIR THEIR UH, UH, PROJECTS THAT THEY BUILD? THAT'S CRAZY.
Y'ALL ONLY GET 10% OF THE MONEY IF Y'ALL DO WHAT Y'ALL TALKING ABOUT DOING.
NOW WHAT'S IN THAT DOCUMENTATION? Y'ALL GET 10% OR 50%? WE WERE TRYING TO GIVE YOU 20% OF A HUNDRED.
SO WHY WOULD Y'ALL BE TAKING MONEY OUT OF THE, OUT OF THE CITY'S POCKETS WHEN YOU AROUND HERE TALKING ABOUT YOU GOTTA FIX ROADS AND ALL THIS STUFF, Y'ALL.
WHAT, WHAT ARE Y'ALL DOING? WHAT ARE Y'ALL DOING? Y'ALL, Y'ALL COME IN AND TELL US THAT WE CAN ONLY OPERATE OUR OUR EQUIPMENT.
WHO DOES THAT? IT DOESN'T MAKE SENSE.
SO Y'ALL ALL IN THIS DOCUMENT THAT Y'ALL HAVE WITH US, THESE, THESE ATTORNEYS PUT ALL THIS STUFF IN THERE.
FIRST OF ALL, THEY DON'T KNOW THE FIRST THING ABOUT A SUBSTATION OPERATION TELL YOU THAT NOW THEY DON'T KNOW ANYTHING ABOUT A DATA CENTER OPERATION.
THEY DON'T KNOW ANYTHING ABOUT HYBRID PROJECTS OPERATION BECAUSE WHOEVER'S RUNNING THE DATA CENTER IS NOT GONNA BE RESPONSIBLE FOR RUNNING THE SOLAR AND THE WIND TURBINES.
WHOEVER WE LEASE IT TO HAS TO KNOW HOW TO OPERATE THAT.
FOR WHAT? DO YOU KNOW HOW TO DRIVE A BIG TRUCK? YOU KNOW HOW TO FLY A PLANE?
[04:35:01]
NO, YOU DON'T.YOU KNOW HOW TO RUN A GOVERNMENT.
IT DOESN'T MAKE SENSE WHAT Y'ALL ARE TALKING ABOUT DOING.
SO THAT LEASE THAT Y'ALL WANT US TO START NEGOTIATING NOW, WHY DID WE NEGOTIATE FIVE MONTHS? WHY DID Y'ALL, WHY DID Y'ALL INCREASE THE, THE, THE MONEY FOR YOUR OUTSIDE ATTORNEYS TO NEGOTIATE FIVE MONTHS IF THEY WERE ABLE TO BRING YOU A LEASE IN ONE WEEK, THEY BROUGHT YOU A LEASE IN ONE WEEK AND Y'ALL PROVED IT AND SEND IT OVER TO THE TITLE COMPANY.
WHY DID WE NEGOTIATE FIVE MONTHS? NOBODY'S ANSWERING ME.
WHAT WAS THAT ALL ABOUT? OKAY, WELL I'M, I'M, I'M I WAS JUST ALLOWING YOU TO TAKE THE CHANCE TO SPEAK, SIR.
OKAY? THE ANSWER IS WE ARE NOW IN A POSITION TO RENEGOTIATE AND WE ARE GOING TO RENEGOTIATE ON THE FOUR TENANTS THAT I JUST SPOKE ABOUT NOW.
AND I UNDERSTAND YOUR, YOUR YOUR, YOUR FEELINGS ABOUT THOSE THINGS.
AND WHAT WE WOULD WANT TO DO IS RETURN TO REALLY WHAT WE SAID.
I THINK A FEW, WELL, A FEW MEETINGS AGO THAT THE ATTORNEYS WOULD WORK OUT THE NEGOTIATIONS, THE ATTORNEYS WOULD SPEAK, MY ATTORNEY WORKED FOR ME.
HE ON THE PHONE, RIGHT? HE, HE HE HE TELLS YOUR ATTORNEY.
THAT'S TOTALLY UNDERSTANDABLE.
I AGREE TO, I'M NOT LIKE Y'ALL, I DON'T HAVE AN ATTORNEY THAT DON'T KNOW WHAT THEY'RE DOING.
AND Y'ALL LET 'EM RUN RAMPANT IN YOUR CHECKBOOK.
HOLD, HOLD, HOLD PLEASE, PLEASE DON'T Y'ALL DON'T MAKE ANY REMARKS.
AND I THOUGHT WE TALKED ABOUT THAT.
I WAS GOING TO BE THE PERSON SPEAKING IT'S THE TRUTH, BUT, OKAY.
TELL YOU WHAT, HOLD UP MR. CRAWFORD.
WE ARE IN A POSITION TO GO BACK AND NEGOTIATE THE TERMS WITH THESE FOUR ELEMENTS THERE OR I THINK EVERYTHING ELSE IN THE CONTRACT IS EITHER STANDARD OR AGREEABLE OR YOU ALL WOULD ACTUALLY AGREE TO FROM WHAT I, FROM WHAT I'VE BEEN TOLD FROM OUR ATTORNEYS.
OKAY? NOW WHERE WE ARE RIGHT NOW BECAUSE WE'VE CEED THE MARCH 18TH DOCUMENT THAT AND I WOULD CALL IT THE ORIGINAL LEASE.
NO, THAT WASN'T THE ORIGINAL LEASE.
WELL THAT, THAT'S, THAT'S, THAT'S HOW I HAVE IT DOCUMENTED AND THAT'S HOW I HAVE THE TITLE.
BUT THAT'S NOT WHAT YOU TOLD ME.
WHAT YOU TOLD ME YOU WAS GONNA DO WAS RESCIND THAT LEASE 'CAUSE YOU SIGNED IT UNDER FALSE PRETENSE.
YOU SAID I TOLD YOU I SIGNED IT UNDER FALSE PRETENSE.
HOLD ON, LEMME, LEMME PLAY IT.
YOU KNOW WHAT? NO, I SAID YOU GOING SOMEWHERE YOU SHOULDN'T GO.
DON'T LEMME STOP YOU MY BROTHER, I'M GONNA STOP YOU.
NO ONE IS TRYING TO HURT ANYONE.
YEAH, Y'ALL TRYING TO HURT ME.
NO MAN, I WOULDN'T HAVE NO REASON TO TRY TO HURT YOU.
I DON'T THINK ANYONE HERE, MR. CRAWFORD WOULD HAVE ANY REASON OKAY.
I THINK WHAT I'M SAYING, NOT I THINK, BUT I KNOW WHAT I'M SAYING IS THAT WE ARE IN A POSITION TO RENEGOTIATE OR TO RETURN TO NEGOTIATION AND I THINK THERE ARE FOUR TENANTS THAT WE ARE NOT TOTALLY MEETING ON OR YOU ARE NOT TOTALLY AGREEABLE ON.
THOSE FOUR TENANTS WILL BE DISCUSSED BY THE ATTORNEYS, OKAY? AND I BELIEVE YOU'LL BE ABLE TO RETURN TO THIS BODY TO MAYBE EVEN COME AWAY WITH AN AFFIRMATIVE CONTRACT THAT YOU WILL BE ABLE TO DO BUSINESS WITH.
AND ALSO MR. CRAWFORD, IN THE FUTURE, IF YOU WOULD HAPPEN TO RUN INTO AN ARTICLE OR TENANT IN THIS, IN THAT, IN THAT DOCUMENT THAT WOULD ACTUALLY INHIBIT YOU FROM CONDUCTING YOUR BUSINESS IN A MANNER WHICH YOU WANT TO CONDUCT IT, YOU WILL HAVE THE OPTION TO RETURN TO THE COUNCIL WITH, WITH YOUR COUNSELOR JUST A MINUTE AND SEE ABOUT HAVING SOMETHING AMENDED THAT WOULD BE IN LINE WITH YOUR HANDLING YOUR BUSINESS.
WHY WASN'T WE DOING IT LIKE THAT? AND WE CAN'T FIX MR. CRAWFORD.
THIS IS WHAT WE HAVE BEEN ABLE TO REACH AS AN AGREEMENT WITH THIS COUNCIL AS A BODY.
SO NOW, ALRIGHT, WE ARE WILLING TO WORK WITH YOU, OKAY? GET AN AGREEMENT SO THAT YOU CAN BRING YOUR BUSINESS TO PORT AUTHOR, OKAY? BUT NOW WHAT WE NEED IS WE NEED BOTH SIDES TO BE ABLE TO WORK WITH EACH OTHER.
WHAT WE DON'T WANT TO DO, MR. CRAWFORD, IS TAINT THE ENVIRONMENT THAT YOU ARE GOING TO BE IN THE FUTURE HANDLING BUSINESS IN.
YOU KNOW, I'M GONNA JUST TELL YOU THIS, IT AIN'T NOTHING YOU COULD DO SAY
[04:40:01]
OR EVEN THINK ABOUT ME THAT'S GOING TO HARM ME.BUT THERE ARE OTHERS AND IF YOU MAKE THESE ACCUSATIONS THAT MIGHT DO SOMETHING TO THEM, OKAY? I'M PROTECTED, I'M GOOD, I'M GOOD.
OKAY? BUT I WANT YOU TO KNOW BECAUSE IT APPEARS THAT YOU ARE UNDER THE IMPRESSION THAT EITHER I OR THE CITY OF PORT ARTHUR WANTS TO INFLICT HARM ON YOU AND YOUR OPERATIONS AND YOU ARE SO FAR FROM THE TRUTH WITH THAT ATTITUDE AND POSITIONING.
SO I BEG OF YOU TO TRY THIS THE WAY I'M ASKING YOU TO TRY IT.
IF IT DOESN'T WORK, I HAVE TO TAKE THE BLAME FOR IT.
BUT I BELIEVE MR. CRAWFORD, IF YOU TRY THIS THE WAY I'M ASKING YOU TO TRY IT, IT'S GOING TO WORK.
AND IN THE FUTURE YOU WILL HAVE DONE WHAT YOU NEED TO DO TO HAVE A FLOURISHING BUSINESS HERE IN PORT ARTHUR.
THE BLESSINGS THAT WOULD COME TO PORT ARTHUR AND FROM THIS FACILITY BEING IN PORT ARTHUR WOULD BE IN PLACE FOR THE FOLK IN PORT ARTHUR.
I CAN UNDERSTAND YOUR FRUSTRATION OF HAVING SPOKEN FOR FIVE MONTHS AND DONE THIS FOR FIVE MONTHS AND PROBABLY EVEN SPENT A HUNDRED OR $200,000 TO TRY TO GET TO THIS POINT.
BUT I DO KNOW THIS MR. CROSS, IF THAT PIECE OF PROPERTY WOULDN'T BE PROFITABLE TO YOUR FUTURE EXISTENCE IN THE, IN THE ENERGY INDUSTRY, YOU WOULD NOT BE HERE RIGHT NOW.
OKAY? BUT YOU, YOU, YOU HAVE SOME PROTECTION AND, AND THING THAT IT WILL, THAT'S AND WE DO AS WELL HAS BEEN KEEPING THIS THING FROM GOING FORWARD.
NO SIR, WE ARE NOT KEEPING IT FROM GOING FORWARD.
WHAT Y'ALL WANNA DO RIGHT NOW TODAY, LET'S DO WHAT Y'ALL WANNA DO RIGHT NOW TODAY, OKAY? WELL TODAY WHAT WE WANT TO DO IS ALLOW WHAT I JUST SIT, I AM GOING YES, YES.
YEAH, I I CAN BARELY HEAR IT, BUT I'M GONNA MISS MY FLIGHT IF I DON'T GET ON THE PLANE.
AND ARE YOU SURE? YEAH, I GOT IT.
NOW ASK, ASK HIM ATTORNEYS, UH, WOULD, WOULD WITH YOUR ATTORNEY AGREE TO MEET WITH, WITH, WITH DARA AND WITH ROXANNE? UH, VERY SOON TO BEGIN, THEY HAVE BEEN GIVEN THE INSTRUCTIONS AS TO WHAT THE WISHES OF THIS COUNCIL IS.
THE CHANGES, THE CHANGES THAT YOU HAVE TO THAT UH, INFORMATION THAT THEY SENT YOU SENT IT TO HER, SEND IT TO, TO DARA.
AND I BELIEVE WE'LL BE ABLE TO MOVE FORWARD, OKAY? OKAY? YEAH.
OH, COUNCILMAN LEWIS, I WANNA MOVE TO, TO SOMETHING AND THAT'S, THAT'S JUST NO, JUST, JUST ONE, JUST ONE QUESTION.
UNDER THE, UH, PHASE TWO PROJECT, IS THERE ANY RESTRICTION? IF YOU DO A PHASE TWO AND YOU FIND SOMETHING, IS THERE A REQUIREMENT TO REPORT IT? YEP.
NOW TO TAKE, TO DO THE, TO DO THE PHASE TWO TESTING, YOU'RE GONNA TAKE SOME COUPONS.
YOU'RE GOING TO DO ADRENALINE.
HOW, HOW LARGE IS THAT'S GOING TO BE BO HOLES A BOY.
HOW LARGE IS THAT? WE THROUGH SAW SAMPLES? YEAH.
AND THAT'S NOT GOING TO DISTURB ANYTHING? YEAH.
ONE INCH GOING OR NOT GONNA DISTRIBUTE ANYTHING.
ONE INCH DISTURB WHAT? DISTURB WHAT OUT ON THAT PROPERTY? THAT'S WHAT I'VE BEEN HEARING.
OH, SO IT IS LIKE WE GONNA BE DOING A BIG OLD, SO A ONE INCH DRILL GOING GIVE YOU A SOIL SAMPLE OF WHAT YOU NEED? YEAH.
WELL IT AIN'T EVEN A DRILL THAT'S A HAND DEAL THAT YOU PUT DOWN IN AND YOU BRING IT UP.
YOU, YOU, THERE'S NO HURTING THIS, THIS, THIS MARSH LAND.
SO CAN WOULD CROSS, WOULD YOU LIKE TO SEE THE DOCUMENTS TO SHOW THAT THE STATE OF TEXAS DOES NOT OWN THOSE LAKE BOTTOMS OUT THERE? OKAY.
BUT THAT, THAT WOULD BE IN THE NEGOTIATION WITH THE ATTORNEYS.
ALL OF THOSE THINGS, THEY TIME WITH THOSE ATTORNEYS BRING THAT UP.
THEY'RE WASTING A LOT OF TIME.
YEAH, I MEAN IT'S, IT'S, YOU HAVE A RESEARCH ATTORNEY THAT RESEARCHED ALL THIS AND CAME IN JULY AND PUT IT ON RECORD WITH Y'ALL THAT Y'ALL OWN THE PROPERTY, Y'ALL OWN THE BOTTOMS, Y'ALL OWN IT ALL.
WELL THIS, NOW WE'VE WE'VE TRIED TO BRING IT TO YOU THREE TIMES.
MAKE SURE CHRIS HAS THIS AND WHEN SHE GETS TO THAT, UH, THEY GET TO THAT, THAT, THAT, UH, I GUESS I'LL CALL IT A BULLET POINT.
WHAT, WHAT, WHAT CAN I ASK YOU A QUESTION? WHAT DO WE DO ABOUT THIS EASEMENT THAT Y'ALL TOLD US WE CAN'T HAVE GOING ACROSS THE WATERPARK PROPERTY WHEN THAT GUY SAYS HE DON'T HAVE NOTHING TO DO WITH THIS PROPERTY? OKAY, WELL HE, HE CAN MAKE THOSE, THOSE STATEMENTS TO YOU.
I HAVE SOMETHING IN FRONT OF ME THAT, THAT SPEAKS DIFFERENTLY
[04:45:01]
AND MAYBE HE HASN'T GOTTEN IT YET.AND WAIT, SEE, EVEN ON THAT, YOU KNOW, DON'T GET ANGRY.
WAIT A STOP, MR. RUN TO GO DO THE STUFF I PAID.
IF YOU START NEGOTIATING, YOU GONNA START NEGOTIATING.
YOU MIGHT BE ABLE TO GET THAT PART OF THE LAND IN YOUR ORIGINAL LAND.
BUT GUESS WHAT? IT'S NOT BUT A FEW FEET.
I'M TELLING YOU, WE JUST SAW IT ON A MAP.
I KNOW EXACTLY WHAT YOU'RE TALKING ABOUT.
HE MIGHT RELINQUISH THAT OR SINCE HE SAYS HE DOESN'T HAVE WHAT I KNOW I HAVE IN FRONT OF ME, THEN ALL YOU HAVE TO DO IS GO BACK TO THE ABSTRACT MAN AND SAY ADD THIS ON.
THAT DOESN'T WORK LIKE THAT, MAN.
IF HE DOESN'T HAVE IT, HE TOLD YOU DOESN'T WORK THAT WE GOING UNDER THE PROPERTY, WE NOT GOING ACROSS IT WITH A TRENCH.
AND THAT'S WHAT I I THAT'S WHAT I KNOW.
I EVEN SPOKE ABOUT THAT DOWNSTAIRS THAT THIS WOULD BE GOING UNDER.
I SAID, BOY, I THINK I USED THAT TERM IN THERE.
BUT WE DON'T NEED TO SHOW BELLIGERENCE, WE DON'T NEED TO SHOW ANGLE.
I CAN UNDERSTAND HAVING DISCUSSED, BUT YOU HAVE TO KEEP YOUR EYE ON THE PRIZE.
AND JUST KEEP YOUR EYE ON THE PRIZE.
AND DO WHAT'S NECESSARY TO, TO MOVE FORWARD.
MR. MAYOR, I I LIKE TO SAY, YOU KNOW, I CAME TO TOWN AND I TOLD Y'ALL I STOOD BEFORE THIS COUNCIL AND I SAID I DIDN'T NEED YOUR MONEY, DIDN'T NEED YOUR ABATEMENTS.
I'VE BEEN ACCUSED OF BY ONE OF THE COUNCIL MEMBERS AND IN THE PUBLIC OF PAYING BRIBES TO COUNCIL MEMBERS.
I'VE BEEN, I'VE BEEN CALLED A SHAM.
I'VE BEEN, I'VE BEEN CALLED A N***A.
I'VE BEEN CALLED ALL YOU KNOW, GUESS WHAT STUFF.
THE MAN, WE, THE MAN WE CELEBRATED YESTERDAY.
THEY DID HIM WAY WORSE THAN THAT.
BUT DIDN'T HE GET UP AFTER THREE DAYS? YEAH, YOU RIGHT.
SO GUESS WHAT? THEY MIGHT BE PUTTING YOU IN A TUNE RIGHT NOW.
SO GO ON, DO YOUR THREE DAYS SO YOU CAN GET UP.
THAT'S, THAT'S ALL WE GOTTA DO.
AND WHETHER YOU SEE SOME ADVANCEMENT, I KNOW FROM THE FIRST TIME I EVER SPOKE ABOUT THIS WITH MY COLLEAGUES, WE ARE WAY FURTHER ADVANCE.
BUT I KNOW I'VE BEEN DEALING WITH IT SIX YEARS AND I KNOW WHAT, FROM WHERE WE HAVE COME AND WHERE WE ARE RIGHT NOW, WE HAVE MADE SOME ADVANCES.
I'M, I'M GONNA SPEND EVERY PENNY I GOT TO CHANGE THE, THE WAY THE CITY OPERATES EVERYWHERE.
I, I HEY AND ARE WE DONE? I'M MORE, I'M MORE THAN SURE THEY HAVE FOLK WHO, WHO, WHO WOULD STAND IN LINE TO DO BUSINESS WITH YOU.
ARE WE DONE? I APPRECIATE THAT.
NOW THE NEXT ITEM WOULD BE FOR US TO TABLE ITEM 16.
BUT, UH, I, I CAN GET A MOTION ON THAT ATTORNEY.
IT'S BEEN MOVED AND SECOND IT'S BEEN MOVED AND SECONDED TO, UH, TABLE P, OUR 24 2 85.
WE GOT ANY QUESTIONS ON THAT? ALL IN FAVOR? AYE.
UH, DO WE HAVE ANY OTHER BUSINESS TO COME BEFORE THIS AUGUST BODY? NO, SIR.
AND AT 7 0 8 UH, PM I WOULD DECLARE THIS BODY AND MEETING ADJOURNED.