[00:00:02]
AWESOME, AWESOME.[I. INVOCATION, PLEDGE & ROLL CALL]
THANK YOU.WELCOME TO OUR CITY, REGULARLY SCHEDULED CITY COUNCIL MEETING FOR TUESDAY, JULY 1ST, 2025 AT 5:30 PM YOU MAY JOIN US BY TELEPHONIC A VIDEO CONFERENCE, AND YOU CAN JOIN BY DIALING 8 7 7 8 5 3 5 2 4 7, OR 8 8 8 7 8 8 0 0 9 9.
AND PLEASE ENTER THE MEETING ID OF 8 2 3 7 4 7 4 9 8 0 0, AND THE PASSCODE OF 5 9 1 6 6 9.
WE DO WANT TO STAY IN COMPLIANCE WITH THE AMERICAN WITH DISABILITIES ACT, SO WE MAKE SURE THAT WE CAN ACCOMMODATE YOU.
YOU FIRST HAVE TO CALL OUR CITY SECRETARY AT 24 HOURS IN ADVANCE AT THE NUMBER 4 0 9 9 8 3 8 1 1 5.
IF YOU WOULD, IF YOU'RE IN THE AUDIENCE OR COUNCIL MEMBERS, PLEASE MUTE YOUR CELL PHONES, UM, OR TURN THEM OFF SO THAT WE WON'T HAVE ANY INTERFERENCE.
WE'RE GONNA HAVE THE INVOCATION, THE PLEDGE, AND THEN ROLL CALL COUNCIL MEMBER, FRANK, IF YOU WOULD LEAD US IN THE INVOCATION.
LET US BOW OUR FATHER AND OUR GOD AS WE COME BEFORE YOU, YET AGAIN.
WE ARE SO GRATEFUL FOR ANOTHER OPPORTUNITY AT LIFE.
WE COME BEFORE YOU THIS EVENING THANKING YOU FOR THE CITY OF PORT ARTHUR, BUT ALSO THE FACT THAT WE LIVE IN THESE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA.
WE ASK NOW, FATHER, THAT YOU WOULD, UH, EVEN WATCH OVER OUR PROCEEDINGS TODAY.
WE THANK YOU FOR OUR NEW MAYOR, AND WE THANK YOU FOR THE LEADERSHIP THAT SHE WILL PROVIDE, UH, FOR OUR CITY.
AND THEN, FATHER, WE'RE PRAYING FOR OUR COUNCIL TODAY THAT WE MIGHT GO FORTH WITH WISDOM, UH, CONFIDENCE AND COLLABORATION.
AND THEN GOD, WATCH OVER OUR CITY WITH YOUR MIGHTY HAND.
PROTECT US AND KEEP US EVEN AS WE APPROACH HURRICANE SEASON.
KEEP US SAFE FROM HURT, HARM AND DANGER.
WE ASK IT ALL IN THE POWERFUL AND PRECIOUS NAME OF JESUS WE PRAY.
I PLEDGE, PLEDGE ALLEGIANCE OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA AND TO THE REPUBLIC STANDS, ONE NATION UNDER, UNDER GOD, INDIVISIBLE, WITH LIBERTY AND JUSTICE FOR ALL.
CITY SECRETARY, WOULD YOU ESTABLISH A QUORUM, PLEASE? MAYOR MOSES.
COUNCIL MEMBER HAMILTON, EVER FIELD PRESENT.
COUNCIL MEMBER FRANK, PRESENT.
AT THIS TIME, WE'LL FOLLOW OUR AGENDA.
WE HAVE NO PROCLAMATIONS UNDER PETITIONS
[ III.C.(1) A Discussion Regarding Abandoned, Unsightly Utility Poles And Lines That Create A Negative Visual Impact To Our City]
AND COMMUNICATIONS.WE HAVE NO SPEAKERS, NO PRESENTATIONS, CITY MANAGERS AT THIS, THIS TIME WE HAVE CITY MANAGERS, UH, STAFF REPORTS.
NUMBER ONE WILL BE A DISCUSSION REGARDING ABANDONED UN SLIGHTLY UTILITY POSE AND LINES THAT CREATE A NEGATIVE VISUAL IMPACT TO OUR CITY, CITY MANAGER, MAYOR, AND COUNCIL.
UM, FOR THE PAST THREE TO FOUR MONTHS, WE HAVE ENGAGED THE UTILITIES ENTITIES IN THE CITY OF PORT ARTHUR SPECTRUM, UM, AND AT AND T BECAUSE WHAT WE HAVE FOUND OUT IN OUR ALLEYS AND AROUND OF OUR ROADWAYS, THERE ARE A NUMBER OF ABANDONED, UM, TELEPHONE POLES AND A LOT OF LOOSE TELEPHONE WIRES AND, UM, OO OTHER MATERIALS JUST HANGING, MAKING OUR CITY VERY UNSIGHTLY.
SO I'VE, UM, ENGAGED THE DIRECTOR OF TRANSIT.
I'M MR. UM, IVAN TO MAKE SURE THAT WE REACH OUT TO THOSE VARIOUS ENTITIES TO MAKE SURE THAT THEY CLEAR UP THE, THE CLUTTER THAT CONTINUALLY EXISTS.
AND SO IVAN IS GOING TO MAKE A PRESENTATION ON THIS, AND AT THE END OF WHICH I WOULD LIKE THE COUNCIL TO DIRECT ME TO PREPARE A RESOLUTION FOR THE NEXT COUNCIL MEETING WHEREBY I COULD REACH OUT TO THOSE VARIOUS ENTITIES AND WRITE TO THEM AND INFORM THEM THAT THEY DO HAVE A LEGAL OBLIGATION TO CLEAN UP THE CLUTTER THAT THEY HAVE PLACED IN OUR CITY AND THE ABANDONED POLES THAT THEY'RE NOT USING.
HI, HOW'S EVERYBODY DOING? GREAT.
UM, I'M GONNA TRY, I'M TRYING TO SHARE HERE MY SLIDES, BUT I THINK I SEE IN THE BACKGROUND, LINDSAY REALLY HAS THEM UP.
SO I'M JUST GONNA PULL UP MY PRESENTATION AND READ FROM IT AND, UM, JUST GIMME ONE MORE MOMENT HERE.
SO BASICALLY, UH, JUST TO RETHINK, THE CITY MANAGER STATED, UM, ABOUT, UH, ABOUT FEBRUARY OF THIS YEAR.
[00:05:01]
WERE ATTEMPTING TO CLEAN UP A LOT OF THINGS THAT WERE AN ISSUE FOR TRANSIT IN TERMS OF OUR ALLEYS.UM, OUR FACILITIES SAID BETWEEN, UM, A UTILITY QUARTER AND, UH, ENTERGY HAD DONE SOME WORK, BUT THEY HAD REMOVED SOME POLES, HAD LEFT SOME OLD POLES.
SO IT WAS JUST A COMPLETE MESS, UH, BACK THERE IN TERMS OF US MOVING OUR VEHICLES AROUND.
UM, IT JUST WAS UNSIGHTLY AND JUST A LOT OF THINGS GOING ON.
SO WE REACHED OUT TO ENTERGY, UM, BUT WE ALSO HAD TO REACH OUT TO AT AND T SPECTRUM.
AND THE GOAL WAS TO IDENTIFY, UH, UNUSED POLES TO IDENTIFY, UH, LINES THAT WERE HANGING AND TO IDENTIFY THINGS THAT NEEDED TO BE REPAIRED IN THE ALLEYS INITIALLY BETWEEN, UH, SAN ANTONIO AVENUE TO FORT WORTH AVENUE.
AND I BELIEVE, UM, RIGHT NOW IN FRONT OF YOU, YOU'LL SEE A, YOU'LL SEE A MAP THAT SHOWS WE ACTUALLY ENDED UP EXPANDING ALL THE WAY DOWN.
'CAUSE ONCE WE STARTED LOOKING AT IT, WE REALIZED THAT ONCE YOU TAKE DOWN ONE LINE, YOU HAVE OTHER LINES THAT JUST KEEP GOING DOWN THE ENTIRE ALLEYWAY UTILITY QUARTER.
SO THE DECISION WAS MADE TO, LET'S, LET'S TAKE IT ALL THE WAY DOWN.
LET'S GET IT ALL ADDRESSED AT ONE TIME.
SO THEN JUST DOING MY LITTLE CORNER, I DECIDED TO DO THE ENTIRE ALLEYWAY QUARTER.
SO WE MET WITH SPECTRUM, WE MET WITH NG, WE STARTED TALKING.
WE GOT THE SUPPORT OF THE CITY MANAGER, AND WE WERE ABLE TO GET THEM TO REMOVE A LOT OF ABANDONED POLES BY ABANDONED POLES.
THESE ARE POLES THAT ARE NO LONGER BEING UTILIZED, UM, BECAUSE THERE'S A NEWER POLE NEAR IT OR SOMEWHERE, OR RIGHT NEXT TO IT.
AND SO THOSE POLES HAD TO BE REMOVED.
HOWEVER, IN MANY CASES, UH, LINES FROM AT AND T INSPECTION WERE STILL CONNECTED, SO WE NEEDED THOSE LINES REMOVED FROM THE ABANDONED POLES AND PUT ONTO THE NEW POLES.
SO IT WAS A TEAM EFFORT THAT OCCURRED.
UM, AND ABOUT THE END OF, I GUESS, WHERE WE JUST ENDED JUNE, SO END OF JUNE, WE'RE ABOUT 90% COMPLETE.
THERE'S STILL A FEW MORE ITEMS THAT NEED TO BE CLEANED UP FROM OUR CHECKLIST.
UM, BUT IF YOU GO TO THE BEFORE AND AFTER SLIDE, LINDSAY, IF YOU DON'T MIND, UM, THESE ARE JUST TWO EXAMPLES OF THINGS WE HAD CLEANED UP.
SO THE FIRST BEFORE WAS ON MOBILE AVENUE.
UM, AND AS YOU'LL SEE BEFORE IN THAT ALLEYWAY THAT'S RIGHT BEHIND THE, UM, IT'S A BUSINESS CALLED KKTM, I THINK.
BUT RIGHT BEHIND THEIR ALLEY, THERE WERE JUST A LOT OF UNUSED POLES AND LINES.
THEY ACTUALLY HAD A PROTEST AND ASKED US, BECAUSE THEY HELPED US GET THEM REMOVED BECAUSE THEY USE THAT ALLEY FOR THEIR BUSINESS TO MOVE AROUND THE EQUIPMENT AND SUPPLIES.
SO, UH, THE RESULT WAS WHAT YOU SEE IN THE AFTER POLE, THOUGH, WHERE, UH, THERE'S ABOUT FIVE FUEL POLES AND ALL THE LINES ARE CLEANED UP IN TERMS OF WHY IS THAT WHAT HANGING.
AND, UM, SOMETIMES IN THE ALLEYWAY THERE WERE, THERE WERE HOLES FROM OLD POLES THAT HAD NOT BEEN FILLED IN.
THE SECOND EXAMPLE HERE IS ON, UH, SAN ANTONIO AVENUE, RIGHT NEXT TO THE TRANSIT FACILITY, WHERE THEY HAD, UH, ENTITY HAD INSTALLED A LOT OF NEW POLES, LOT OF UTILITIES.
HOWEVER, UM, A LOT OF THE OLD STUFF WAS NOT CLEANED UP.
SO YOU'LL SEE THE AFTER PHOTO WHERE YOU'LL SEE FEWER POLES AND, UM, THE PHOTO DOESN'T GO UP ALL THE WAY, BUT ON TOP OF THE LINES, ALL THE STUFF THAT WAS HANGING OR MIGHT HAVE BEEN ABANDONED EITHER BY AT AND T INTO G OR SPECTRUM, HAS BEEN REMOVED.
SO BASICALLY WE FINISHED THE PROJECT ALMOST COMPLETELY.
UM, IF YOU GO DOWN THAT ALLEY, IT LOOKS A LOT BETTER.
UM, WE STILL HAVE SOME WORK TO DO.
THERE'S STILL SOME STUFF LEFT THAT HAS TO BE TAKEN OUT, BUT THAT WAS OUR ATTEMPT.
UM, AFTER WE COMPLETED THIS, UM, I HAD ANOTHER CONVERSATION WITH THE CITY MANAGER AND HE SAID, OKAY, I, WELL IN THE, IN, IN THE, IN THE SHORT TERM, YOU CLEANED UP THIS ALLEY, BUT HE WAS AWARE THAT THERE'S MORE TO DO STILL.
SO I AGREED TO, UH, GO ACROSS AND KALIN, CAN YOU GO TO THE NEXT MAP THAT SAYS NEXT STEPS, SHORT TERM? AND ON THAT MAP HERE, AND ON THAT SLIDE, YOU'LL SEE WHERE WE ARE.
UM, GOING TO TACKLE THE OTHER SIDE OF PROCTOR STREET FROM SAN ANTONIO AVENUE TO, UM, BASICALLY LAMAR UNIVERSITY AND, I'M SORRY, LAMAR STATE COLLEGE PUT, DOCTOR.
SO, UM, IT'S ABOUT A 12 BLOCK STRETCH THAT WE'RE LOOKING AT NOW.
WE HAVE OUR FIRST MEETING SCHEDULED WITH G AND, UH, AT T SPECTRUM NEXT WEEK, NO WEEK OR TWO.
AND WE'RE GONNA SIT DOWN, WE'RE GONNA WALK THE ALLEYS, WE'RE GONNA PUT TOGETHER A GAME PLAN TO GET THOSE ALLEYS CLEANED UP.
AND IT'S THE SAME THING, JUST A LOT OF ABANDONED POOLS.
UM, A LOT OF LINES THAT NEED TO BE MOVED, A LOT OF LINES THAT NEED TO BE TAKEN DOWN THAT HAVE BEEN THERE PROBABLY FOR DECADES THAT HAVE JUST SAT THERE IDLE.
UM, SO WE'RE GIVING OURSELVES ABOUT THREE MONTHS TO GET THIS DONE, STARTING FROM MIDDLE OF JULY.
AND WITHIN THAT THREE MONTHS, WE HOPE TO HAVE EVERYTHING ON THAT SIDE CLEANED UP.
UM, HOWEVER, THIS IS JUST A SHORT TERM.
I MEAN, THIS IS A CITYWIDE PROBLEM AS THE CITY MANAGERS STATED.
SO, UH, IN TERMS OF THE LONG TERM STRATEGY, LINDSAY, CAN YOU GO TO THE NEXT SLIDE THAT SAYS, LONG TERM, UM, WE NEED
[00:10:01]
A BETTER STRATEGY TO COME FORWARD.UM, DOING IT, I GUESS 12 BLOCKS BY 12 BLOCKS.
WE'LL, WE'LL NEVER GET THIS DONE.
I MEAN, THE CITY IS FULL OF THESE, UM, ISSUES DOWN MANY OF THE, OR, UH, CORRIDORS ARE JUST NORMAL STREETS.
SO WE'RE STILL, I GUESS, CONVERSING AMONGST EACH OTHER WITH THE CITY MANAGER ABOUT HOW TO TACKLE IT.
BUT, UM, ONE OF THE THINGS WE WANT TO DO IS WE'RE THINKING ABOUT DOING AN INVENTORY OF, OF THESE ITEMS AND DEVELOPING A MASTER LIST, I THINK COULD BE PRESENTED TO ALL THE POLL PARTNERS, INCLUDING, UM, G SPECTRUM AT T.
AND THEN MAYBE WE'LL FIND SOMEBODY ELSE WHO HAS STUFF ON THESE LINES AND WORKING WITH EVERYBODY TO GET THESE, UH, CLEANED UP THROUGH A MASTER LIST.
'CAUSE WHAT I'M DOING, I MEAN, WE CAN CONTINUE DOING IT, AND WE, WE PROBABLY WILL, BUT LIKE I SAID, IT'LL, IT'LL TAKE, IT'LL TAKE 10, 20 YEARS AT THE PACE WE'RE AT TO GET THESE THINGS CLEANED UP.
SO WE NEED A MORE, I GUESS, DEFINED STRATEGY, WHICH IS WHY THE CITY MANAGER WANTED ME TO PRESENT THIS TO YOU GUYS TODAY, UM, TO HAVE THIS DISCUSSION ABOUT SOME OF THE FUTURE STRATEGIES OF HOW TO GET THINGS CLEANED UP A LOT BETTER AND A LOT MORE EFFICIENT.
UM, ONE THING I DID WANT TO SAY THOUGH, WAS A, A, AFTER THIS MEETING, UM, I WANT TO AVOID HAVING PEOPLE CALL ME TO, HEY, LINDSAY, CAN YOU GO TO THE, UH, SLIDE THAT SAYS REPORTING PLEASE? UM, I DON'T WANT TO, I DON'T WANT PEOPLE ENCOURAGE THEM TO CALL ME TO REPORT OUTAGES OF STREETLIGHTS.
THERE'S ACTUALLY A PROCESS TO DO IT THROUGH INTERGY.
SO THEY HAVE, SO EVERY, MOSTLY EVERYBODY PROBABLY HAS AN ENTITY ACCOUNT OR SOMEBODY IN THEIR FAMILY DOES.
AND ALL YOU HAVE TO SIMPLY DO IS DOWNLOAD THE APP AND, UM, THERE'S A PART OF IT CALLED OUTAGES.
YOU CLICK ON IT, A MAP COMES UP, YOU CLICK ON THE STREETLIGHT, AND THEN YOU JUST FILL OUT THE THING, YOU HIT SUBMIT, AND THEY'LL GIVE YOU A REFERENCE NUMBER FOR YOUR SUBMITTAL.
SO I ENCOURAGE PEOPLE TO REPORT OUTAGES VIA THIS WAY.
PLEASE DO NOT CALL ME
SO THERE'S AN EASY WAY FOR, FOR ANYBODY WHO LIVES IN THE CITY WHO WANTS TO REPORT, UM, H ENTITY HAS IT, AND THE APP DOESN'T WORK, I'VE REPORTED DOZENS OF OUTAGES, AND THEY DO GET FIXED, AND YOU HAVE A REFERENCE NUMBER TO ALWAYS REFER TO.
IF FOR SOME REASON SOMETHING HAPPENS, YOU CAN ALWAYS REFER BACK TO THAT NUMBER.
SO THAT'S JUST MY, UH, I GUESS BRIEF FIVE MINUTE PRESENTATION TO DISCUSS WHAT WE'VE DONE AND, UM, WHAT WE'RE LOOKING TO DO IN THE FUTURE IN TERMS OF DOING SOME, DOING SOME CLEANUP OF, OF THESE ITEMS. OKAY.
UM, AT THIS TIME WE HAVE A COUPLE OF COUNCIL MEMBERS, UM, THEY HAVE A COUPLE OF QUESTIONS.
THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR THIS UNDERTAKING.
I KNOW THAT IT'S A MASSIVE PROJECT THAT, LIKE YOU SAID, IT COULD TAKE 20 YEARS, UH,
BUT I THINK WE'VE, WE'VE GOT A GOOD START AND CITY MANAGER.
I'D LIKE TO SEE IF WE COULD EXPAND THIS AT SOME POINT.
UM, JUST AS AN EXAMPLE, SOME PRIVATE PROPERTY ISSUES THAT WE HAVE, JEFFERSON CITY SHOPPING CENTER, THERE'S ABANDONED SIGNS, THERE'S ABANDONED POLES.
UH, IF THERE'S A WAY THAT WE COULD EXPAND THIS PROJECT TO INCLUDE SOME OF THE LARGER PRIVATELY HELD PROPERTIES IN THE CITY, I THINK THAT WOULD BE HELPFUL AS WELL.
WHAT WE NEED TO PROBABLY DO, RON, IS INSTEAD OF WORKING WITH 10 BLOCKS OR 12 BLOCKS AT A TIME, YOU NEED TO DRAFT THE LETTER AND SEND IT TO ALL UTILITY COMPANIES, SEND IT TO SPECTRUM ENERGY, G AT AND T AND EVERYBODY ELSE THAT HAVE LINES IN HERE, LIKE YOU STATED EARLIER, THEY HAVE AN AGREEMENT WITH US TO MAINTAIN THESE THINGS.
SO INSTEAD OF US GOING AROUND, THEY NEED TO GO AROUND AND CHECK THEIR EQUIPMENT AND WHAT THEY HAVE IN THE CITY AND ASK THAT THEY COME INTO COM, UH, COMPLIANCE WITH WHAT WE HAVE.
AND THAT WAY, INSTEAD OF WORKING 12 BLOCK, WE'LL WORK THE WHOLE CITY AT ONE TIME AND IT SHOULDN'T TAKE AS LONG.
UH, DOUCETTE, YOU WAS RIGHT ON WHERE I WAS GOING WITH THIS.
AND RON, I UNDERSTAND I, WE MAY NOT WANT TO GO STRONGLY WITH A DEMAND LETTER OR ANYTHING LIKE THAT, BUT JUST SOMETHING THAT, TO ENSURE THAT TO THE PUBLIC, THAT WE WANT THIS TO BE TAKEN CARE OF.
I'VE REPORTED POSE TO, TO ENERGY AND IT'S A PROCESS.
AND I DON'T THINK IVAN, UH, YOU MAY AN ANSWER THIS FOR ME, BUT I'VE TRIED TO REPORT UTILITY POLLS, BUT IT'S NO WAY TO DO THAT UNLESS YOU TALK TO SOMEONE LIVE.
YOU CAN'T REPORT IT ON THE WEBSITE.
SO MAYBE WHEN YOUR NEGOTIATION WITH ENERGY AND, AND REMOVING SOME
[00:15:01]
OF THOSE POLLS, WE HAVE, POLLS ARE STILL LEANING FROM, YOU KNOW, THE HURRICANE FOUR OR FIVE YEARS AGO.AND, AND WHEN, WHEN CITIZENS CALL ME, I, I REPORT THESE THINGS.
SO RON, THAT'S SOMETHING THAT YOU PROBABLY WOULD CONSIDER, UH, YOU KNOW, SOME TYPE OF LETTER TO ALL UTILITY SERVICES AND ALL OUR UTILITY EASEMENTS TO CLEAN UP AND GET THOSE THINGS SQUARED AWAY.
UM, I APPRECIATE YOUR PRESENTATION AND YOU GOT AN AREA THAT'S DESIGNATED.
I WOULD LIKE TO SEE YOU GO AHEAD AND SMALL AREA AND GET THAT COMPLETED AND THEN WE'LL EX CONSIDER EXPANSIONS LATER ON.
OH, CAN YOU HEAR ME? YES, I CAN HEAR YOU.
WHAT'D YOU SAY YOUR PHONE NUMBER WAS?
IN ADDITION TO WHAT'S BEING DONE, I NEED FOR YOU TO DRAFT A RESOLUTION FOR THE, FOR THAT KCS UNDERPASS SO WE CAN SEND IT TO, TO THE COMPANY TO GET THAT CLEANED UP AND SPRAY PAINTED AND SANDBLASTED.
IT'S BEEN, IT IS BEEN LONG OVERDUE.
GET THAT FOR NEXT COUNCIL MEETING.
THANK YOU, IVAN, FOR YOUR PRESENTATION.
OH, YOU HAD YOUR HAND UP? I DIDN'T SEE THAT ON.
YES, I DIDN'T LOOK UP FAR ENOUGH.
UM, THANK YOU IVAN FOR YOUR PRESENTATION AND TO THE MANAGER FOR, UH, BRINGING THIS FORWARD.
I WOULD ASK THAT YOU ALL PLEASE COORDINATE WITH THE PARKS AND RECS DEPARTMENT AS THEY CUT GRASS AROUND THE ELECTRICAL BOXES THAT ARE ALSO ENTERGY'S RESPONSIBILITY.
AND SO THERE ARE THE POLES, YES, ARE ISSUE, BUT WHEN WE'RE JUST TALKING ABOUT THE MAJOR, UM, UPKEEP OF THE LOOK OF OUR COMMUNITY, WE NEED TO HOLD THEM ACCOUNTABLE.
WE'RE USING OUR STAFF AND OUR EQUIPMENT AND OUR TIME TO CUT AROUND THEIR BOXES IN ADDITION TO WHAT IVAN JUST DESCRIBED WITH OUR STAFF, OUR TIME.
WE WANT TO KEEP IT UP, BUT I DO, UM, WANT TO HOLD THEM ACCOUNTABLE.
SO I WOULD ENCOURAGE COUNSEL TO PLEASE SUPPORT THE CITY MANAGER IN LIKE KEN LAW MENTIONED, NOT NECESSARILY A DEMAND LETTER, BUT PUT SOMETHING IN WRITING TO SAY YOU ARE NOTICED.
PLEASE PUT THEM ON NOTICE THAT THEY HAVE A RESPONSIBILITY TO MAINTAIN THEIR OWN THINGS.
ALRIGHT, THANK YOU COUNCIL MEMBER EVERFI.
UM, BUT ANY ANY MORE QUESTIONS? YES, COUNCILMAN LEWIS? YES.
ONE OF THE THINGS I WANNA REMIND THE COUNCIL, WE CAN MAKE CERTAIN DEMANDS ON THESE COMPANIES.
THE CABLE COMPANY, THE, THE, UH, ELECTRICAL COMPANY.
COULD YOU THOSE IN THOSE AGREEMENTS, COULD YOU LOOK AND SEE WHAT'S REQUIRED OF THEM? IT'S PROBABLY ALREADY IN WRITING AND THEY ARE OUTTA COMPLIANCE.
THEN YOU CAN, YOU CAN PULL 'EM IN LINE WITH, WITH, WITH A NOTICE A REGISTERED LETTER.
UM, IF THERE BEING ANY FURTHER DISCUSSIONS ON THIS PARTICULAR ITEM, WE'RE GONNA MOVE FORWARD.
UM, IT'S A GREAT START TO CLEANING OUR CITY AT THIS TIME.
EMPLOYEE RECOGNITION, RECOGNITION.
[ III.F.(1) To Discuss And Take Possible Action Regarding The Evaluation Process Of The City Manager, City Secretary And City Attorney (Requested By Mayor Pro Tem Doucet)]
TO ITEM THREE PETITIONS AND COMMUNICATIONS UNDER DISCUSSIONS NUMBER ONE, WE HAVE A DISCUSSION, UH, TO DISCUSS AND TAKE POSSIBLE ACTION REGARDING THE EVALUATION PROCESS OF THE CITY MANAGER, CITY SECRETARY, THE CITY ATTORNEY AND CITY ATTORNEY.AND THIS IS REQUESTED BY MAYOR PRO TEM ETT.
THE REASON I PUT THIS ON THERE, BECAUSE RIGHT NOW WE HAVEN'T COMPLETED THE EVALUATIONS PROCESS OF OUR APPOINTEES, AND WE ARE ABOUT HALFWAY THROUGH THE, UH, NEXT EVALUATION PERIOD.
AND, UH, IN THE PAST WE'VE ALWAYS TRIED TO DO ALL THEM TOGETHER, BUT WE NEED TO UNDERSTAND THAT WHENEVER WE GET A NEW PERSON, THEN THAT PERSON'S TIME STARTS THEN AND IS ANNUAL.
AND SO IT SHOULDN'T BE RATING THEM ALL AT ONE TIME.
THAT'S WHAT KIND OF GET US OFF.
SO WHAT I WOULD LIKE TO DO IS, UH, MAKE A MOTION AFTER THE THROUGH WITH THE DISCUSSION IN WHICH WE GET THREE COUNCIL MEMBERS AS A COMMITTEE TO, UH, WORK ON AN ORDINANCE THAT WILL ESTABLISH A PROCEDURE TO BE FOLLOWED IN OUR PROCESS, EVALUATING OUR APPOINTEES IN WHICH WE WILL COVER, UH,
[00:20:01]
HOW AND WHO WILL BE ELIGIBLE AND WHAT TIMEFRAME, AND HOW WE WILL DO THE PROCESS.SO THEREFORE WE SHOULDN'T HAVE ANY DELAYS AND WE GET THIS DONE IN A TIMELY MANNER SO THAT WE CAN BE PREPARED TO DO THE NEXT EVALUATION.
UH, SO THAT THERE'S NO OTHER DISCUSSION.
I WOULD LIKE TO MAKE THE MOTIONS, BUT I'LL WAIT FOR IT.
YEAH, YOU HAVE, UH, HAVE A COMMENT.
UH, AND YOU'RE, AND YOU'RE RIGHT, COUNCILMAN DEUCE, BUT I THINK THE COUNCIL'S DIRECTION, UH, A COUPLE OF MONTHS AGO WAS TO HAVE A COMMITTEE FORMULATED TO MEET WITH THE APPOINTEES, AND I THINK IT WAS BE AND MYSELF AND, UH, EVER FIELD, UH, TO BE ON THAT COMMITTEE.
SO WE HADN'T HAD THE OPPORTUNITY TO MEET.
WE, WE ARE HALFWAY THROUGH THE YEAR AND HAVE NOT COMPLETED THE PROCESS OF EVALUATION FOR OUR APPOINTEES.
SO WE JUST NEED TO FIND THE TI THE TIME THAT WE CAN, THE THREE OF US CAN MEET AND MEET WITH THESE, UH, APPOINTEES AND BRING BACK TO THE COUNCIL IN, IN A WAY THAT, UH, THE COUNCIL DIRECT, UH, HOW WE WANT TO DO THE EVALUATION PROCESS.
BUT WE HAVE ALREADY HAD THE COMMITTEE ALREADY FORMULATED AND, AND TO DISCUSS THESE MATTERS.
SO I DON'T KNOW WHERE WE WANT TO DO, MAYOR, HOW WE WANT TO CONTINUE THIS, BUT IN THE PAST WE'VE HAD COMMITTEES TO MEET WITH THE APPOINTEES, UH, AND FIND THE DOS, DON'TS, UH, IMPROVEMENTS, UH, SUGGESTIONS, AND BRING BACK THE ENTIRE COUNCIL, SO THE COUNCIL TO, UH, TO MAKE A DECISION ON WHAT THEY WOULD LIKE TO DO.
AND WE HAD A PROCESS IN PLACE, YOU MAY HAVE DONE AWAY WITH THIS IN TWO YEARS, BUT BASICALLY IT WAS WHERE YOU HAD THREE COUNCIL MEMBERS ASSIGNED TO, UM, ONE ASSIGNED TO A CITY SECRETARY, ONE ASSIGNED TO THE CITY MANAGER, ONE ASSIGNED TO, UH, EACH APPOINTED POSITION.
YOU HAD THREE PEOPLE ASSIGNED TO.
IS THAT STILL IN PLACE? LET ME ASK THAT QUESTION.
SO YOU'RE TRYING TO REVITALIZE THAT.
THAT IS WHAT I'M HERE, WE'RE TRYING TO GET BACK TO THAT.
THAT'S MAYOR, I HAVE A COMMENT WHEN WHATEVER'S CONTRACT.
UM, THE RESOLUTION WAS ALREADY PASSED, SO THE PROCESS IS IN PLACE.
THERE HAS TO BE IMPLEMENTATION OF HOW WE MOVE FORWARD WITH THE PROCESS.
HOWEVER, WITH THE COMMENTS OF, OF DISCUSSION FOR THAT MR. DOUCETTE MENTIONED WAS, UM, ABOUT COMMITTEES TO MOVE FORWARD WITH HOW WE DO OUR EVALUATIONS, NOT NECESSARILY THESE SPECIFIC INDIVIDUAL COMMITTEES FOR EACH APPOINTEE.
IF I UNDERSTOOD THAT CORRECT, AND HE WANTED TO WORK, WANTS TO WORK ON AN ORDINANCE FOR IT.
HOWEVER, WE HAVE AN ORDINANCE THAT DICTATES HOW WE FOLLOW THROUGH ON OUR EVALUATIONS PROCESS.
AND THAT ORDINANCE CLEARLY STATES THAT WE ARE TO HAVE AN INDEPENDENT THIRD PARTY AGENCY TO FOLLOW THROUGH ON THE, UH, ON THE, UM, EVALUATIONS FOR OUR APPOINTEES.
THE SUGGESTION THAT, UM, THE, THE RESOLUTION THAT, THAT I BROUGHT FORWARD THAT HAD A UNANIMOUS VOTE WAS REGARDING HOW WE MAINTAIN OPEN LINES OF COMMUNICATION WITH OUR APPOINTEES AS COUNSEL AND DOING IT IN A WAY THAT WE ARE PROVIDING A, A INTERACTIVE PERFORMANCE REVIEWS, NOT NECESSARILY FOR JUST THE EVALUATIONS.
THESE PERFORMANCE REVIEWS WILL BE, THE ADDENDUMS ARE IN CONJUNCTION WITH THE EVALUATIONS THAT WILL BE DONE BY THE THIRD PARTY, UM, THE INDEPENDENT THIRD PARTY AGENCY.
SO I'M ASKING THAT WE UPHOLD THE LAW THAT WE ALREADY HAVE IN PLACE AND FOLLOW THROUGH WITH HIRING THAT INDEPENDENT THIRD PARTY AGENCY.
I'VE EMAILED EACH COUNCIL MEMBER AN EXAMPLE OF WHAT MY SUGGESTION IS OF HOW WE CAN IMPLEMENT THAT, UM, APPOINT THESE APPOINTEE COMMITTEES.
AND, UM, TODAY I WILL SEND AN ACTUAL UPDATE AS TO HOW WE CAN INCLUDE OUR MUNICIPAL COURT JUDGE AND MAKE SURE THAT WE OFFER HIM SUPPORT AS WELL.
AND SO THERE WAS ONE COUNSELOR THAT DID PROVIDE, UM, FEEDBACK AND WE WERE IN COMMUNICATION ABOUT THAT.
THANK YOU FOR, FOR, FOR THAT FEEDBACK.
BUT WE, I'M ASKING THAT WE ACTUALLY FOLLOW THROUGH WITH THE ORDINANCE THAT WE HAVE IN PLACE OKAY.
AND FOLLOW THROUGH WITH THE RESOLUTION THAT WE ALL AGREED TO FOLLOW THROUGH ON.
SO IF YOU COULD READ THOSE, THAT EMAIL WITH THAT, WITH THAT, UM, WITH THOSE SUGGEST, WITH THAT SUGGESTED PROCESS, THEN WE WOULD BE ABLE TO, TO MOVE FORWARD IN A MORE TIMELY MANNER, THE SUGGESTED PROCESSES OVER THE NEXT THREE YEAR PERIOD.
WELL, THE REASON I PUT IT ON THERE, FIRST
[00:25:01]
OF ALL, YOU SEE WE HAVE ALL THIS WR WRITTEN AND WE FOLLOW IT.IF IT WAS WRITTEN, THE EVALUATION WOULD BE DONE.
SO EVIDENTLY WE AIN'T FOLLOWING IT.
SO THAT'S WHY I PUT IT ON HERE.
THE SECOND THING IS, I'VE BEEN ON COUNCIL TWO DOWN 11.
WE ALWAYS EVALUATED THE APPOINTEES.
AND EVEN IF YOU BRING A THIRD PARTY PERSON IN TO OVERSTAND EVALUATION, I'M STILL DOING MY EVALUATION.
THE PERSON AIN'T GOT NOTHING TO DO WITH IT.
THE PERSON CAN'T CHANGE MY EVALUATION.
SO WHY ARE WE GONNA PAY SOMEBODY TO COME IN AND HANDLE AN EVALUATION THAT I MAKE? AND ALL THEY'RE GONNA DO IS COMPILE DATA, THE SCORES COME UP WITH A MATRIC, AND THAT'S WHEN THE COUNCIL GET THE MATRIX BACK IN WHICH WE GET A OVERALL SCORE FROM EVERYBODY INDIVIDUAL.
THE OTHER THING IS, WHEN I'M TALKING ABOUT GETTING THE COMMITTEE TOGETHER, SO WE CAN DO EVALUATIONS, IT'S ABOUT US SETTING A STANDARD SO THAT WE KNOW WE GOING TO EVALUATE ANNUALLY.
WE KNOW THAT WE SHOULD SAY THAT IF A COUNCIL PERSON HAS NOT BEEN THERE SIX MONTHS, THAT PERSON THERE SHOULD NOT BE EVALUATING SOMEBODY.
SO THAT PERSON WOULDN'T EVALUATE, BUT EVERYBODY ELSE EVALUATE THE PERSON FOR THE YEAR.
THERE'S NO SET NUMBER THAT SAYS WE ALL HAVE TO EVALUATE SOMEBODY.
AND EVALUATION IS FOR AN EMPLOYEE AND IT'S DONE ANNUALLY.
THAT'S WHAT BASIS ON THEIR EITHER PROMOTION, REPRIMAND, OR REPLACEMENT.
AND EVALUATION IS AN INDIVIDUAL THING.
I SHOULD NOT WORRY ABOUT WHAT NOBODY ELSE HERE DO WITH AN EVALUATION, BECAUSE WHAT I'M GONNA EVALUATE IS WHAT I OBSERVE OF THE PERSON I'M EVALUATING.
THE OTHER THING IS, WHEN WE EVALUATE SOMEBODY, WE OUGHT TO HAVE SOMETHING IN OUR PROCESS THAT IF WE DO THE EVALUATION OF, OF THAT PERSON, WE MEET WITH THE PERSON AND GO THROUGH THAT WHOLE EVALUATION EYE TO EYE AND LET THEM UNDERSTAND WHAT I'M GIVING, GIVE THEM THE OPPORTUNITY TO QUESTION WHAT WE DO, AND THEN LET THEM HAVE A COPY.
ANY ORGANIZATION YOU IN THAT DOES EVALUATION, IT'S HANDLED BY HR.
WE PAY PEOPLE TO DO THE WORK IN HR.
THEY UNDERSTAND CONFIDENTIALITY.
AND YOU, AND EVERYBODY THINKS WE'RE GONNA GET A THIRD PARTY.
TELL YOU WHAT, I CAN REALLY SUPPORT THE THIRD PARTY IF WHOEVER WANTS TO PAY FOR IT.
BUT I DON'T THINK WE SHOULD BE USING TAXPAYERS MONEY TO PAY FOR SOMEBODY TO DO A PROCESS, BEEN WORKING FOR YEARS.
WE JUST HAVE TO BE ABLE TO DO IT IN A TIMELY MANNER.
WE NEED TO UNDERSTAND WHO SHOULD BE DOING IT.
AND WE NEED TO UNDERSTAND HOW IT SHOULD BE DONE WITH THAT EMPLOYEE TURNING THE, AN EVALUATION IN.
AND THE EMPLOYEE ONLY GETS TO SEE IT WHEN IT'S GIVEN WHAT YOU WANT.
SO YOU SEE, I'M NOT TALKING ABOUT THESE THREE PEOPLE.
I'M TALKING ABOUT US PUTTING THE ORDINANCE TOGETHER TO SAY HOW IT'S GONNA BE DONE.
WE GONNA BE GIVEN THE NOTIFICATION FROM HR.
THAT'S WHO HANDLE PERSONNEL MATTERS.
WE GOT 30 DAYS TO DO IT, GET IT BACK TO THEM.
NOW WE KNOW WHAT THE OVERALL THING IS.
WE AS A COUNCIL GET TOGETHER AND WE COULD TALK TO EACH ONE.
THAT'S THE WAY IT'S BEEN WORKING.
BUT PAYING SOMEBODY AND THE SYSTEM WORKING, IF THE SYSTEM WAS WORKING, I WOULDN'T HAVE THIS ON THE AGENDA TODAY.
WE WOULDN'T BE PAYING NOBODY TO COME IN HERE AND DO WHAT WE SHOULD BE DOING.
AND EVERY INDIVIDUAL WILL KNOW WHAT I GAVE THEM AND WHY.
AND HAVE AN OPPORTUNITY TO DISCUSS IT WITH ME FACE TO FACE.
COUNCIL MEMBER, COUNCIL MEMBER KINLAW.
UH, AND IF, AND IF YOU REMEMBER, UH, UH, COHORTS THAT I'VE HAD THIS ON THIS LAST SIX, EIGHT MONTHS TRYING TO FINISH THIS PROCESS.
SO, UH, YOU KNOW, IF SOMEONE SAYS THAT, YOU KNOW, IT'S NOT BEEN BROUGHT TO THE ATTENTION TO THE COUNCIL, THAT'S NOT TRUE.
BECAUSE IF YOU REVIEW YOUR AGENDAS FOR THE LAST SIX MONTHS OR SO, YOU CAN SEE THAT COUNCILMAN KEN LAW HAS BEEN PUTTING ON
[00:30:01]
THE EVALUATION BECAUSE THE EVALUATION IS A TOOL THAT WE GIVE DIRECTIONS AS AN ENTIRE COUNCIL TO OUR APPOINTEES TO GET THINGS DONE IN THIS CITY BASED UPON THE NEEDS AND THE BUDGET THAT WE HAVE.SO I I DO AGREE THAT WE REALLY MAY NOT NEED TO PAY ANYONE.
UH, I DID, UH, UH, COUNCILWOMAN DID READ YOUR EMAIL.
UH, BUT THAT'S A SUGGESTION THAT YOU PROVIDED TO THE COUNCIL.
I I DON'T NECESSARILY AGREE WITH ALL THE THINGS IN THERE, BUT I DO AGREE WITH SOME OF THE THINGS.
BUT I'VE BEEN ASKING FOR THIS TO HAPPEN A LONG TIME.
AND SINCE THE COUNCIL HAS VOTED OR SUGGESTED TO VOTE THAT COUNCILMAN BECKHAM YOURSELF AND MY AND AND ME, UH, FORMED THIS COMMITTEE, WE NEED TO FORMULATE SOMETHING AND BRING BACK TO ENTIRE COUNCIL.
AND ALONG THE, THE MORE TIME THAT WE CONTINUE, YOU KNOW, KICKING THIS CAN, WE ARE NOT GONNA DO WHAT WE SUPPOSED TO DO BECAUSE THE DIRECTION OF THE COUNCIL NEEDS TO BE GIVEN TO THE APPOINTEES PERIOD.
AND THAT WAS SOMETHING THAT YOU DEVISED OR YOU CAME UP WITH A SUGGESTION THAT YOU, UH, UH, PUT TOGETHER.
AND I'M OKAY WITH SOME OF THE THINGS, BUT WE NEED TO COME TOGETHER AS A, AS THE COUNCIL DIRECTED THE THREE OF US TO DO AND COME UP WITH A SOLUTION AND BRING IT BACK TO THE ENTIRE COUNCIL, COUNCIL MEMBER.
UM, AS I'VE LISTENED TO EVERYONE, UM, I WANTED TO BE SURE THAT WE UNDERSTAND THE REASON WHY WE HAD THE THIRD PARTY INDIVIDUAL, BECAUSE WE WANTED TO BE SURE THAT WE WERE AVOIDING THE VERY APPEARANCE OF EVIL.
THAT FROM THE PARTICULAR STANDPOINT, AND I DON'T MEAN THAT ANYONE WAS DERELICT IN THEIR DUTIES, I SIMPLY MEAN THAT WHEN WE START TALKING ABOUT EVALUATING OUR CITY MANAGER, OUR ATTORNEY, AND, UH, OUR CITY SECRETARY, THOSE INDIVIDUALS THAT THE COUNCIL THEMSELVES ARE RESPONSIBLE FOR EVALUATING THAT, UM, JUST AS YOU HAVE A, A HIPAA LAW THAT PROHIBITS INDIVIDUALS FROM HAVING, UH, PERSONAL AND PRIVATE, UM, UH, UH, INFORMATION LOOKED AT THAT THEY, WE WOULD AFFORD THEM THAT SAME OPPORTUNITY AND PRIVILEGE AS WELL AS A CITY MANAGER.
SOMETIMES YOU WOULD NOT WANT YOUR SUBORDINATES, UM, TO BE ALLOWED TO SEE, UH, WHAT WE SAID, UH, ABOUT OUR CITY MANAGER OR SOME OF THE AREAS AND THINGS THAT WE MIGHT SAY IN OUR EVALUATION.
UM, BECAUSE ACTUALLY IT'S NONE OF THEIR BUSINESS.
THAT IS THE CONTRACT THAT WE HAVE AS A CITY COUNCIL BETWEEN US AND THE CITY MANAGER.
SO AS WE ARE TRYING TO KEEP THAT INFORMATION AND AS WE'RE CALLED UPON AND AS WELL, ANOTHER, UM, SITUATION IS, IS THAT I DON'T NECESSARILY WANT YOU ALL TO SEE WHAT I SAID TO THIS ABOUT THE CITY MANAGER.
I KNOW THAT WE ARE COLLABORATIVE IN OUR EFFORTS, BUT IF I SEE IT DIFFERENTLY, UM, IF I SEE IT DIFFERENTLY, YOU DON'T REALLY HAVE, UM, A NEED TO KNOW WHAT MY EVALUATION OF THE CITY MANAGER WAS.
WHY, WHY WOULD THAT BE BENEFICIAL TO YOU? IF YOU ARE EVALUATING THE CITY MANAGER FROM YOUR POINT AND FROM YOUR PERSPECTIVE, THEN YOU WOULD NOT NEED TO KNOW WHAT MY EVALUATION WAS FOR THE CITY MANAGER PER SE.
SO IF WE DO THAT AND WE'RE ALLOWED TO DO THAT, THAT IS THE OPPORTUNITY THAT WE HAVE.
THE ONLY PROBLEM THAT WE EXPERIENCED IN A THIRD PARTY WAS THAT THE INDIVIDUAL THAT WE USED THE LAST TIME BECAME AN EMPLOYEE OF THE CITY.
AND WHEN HE DID THAT, HE FELL UNDER THE AUSPICES OF THE CITY MANAGER.
AND THAT WAS NOT, THAT WAS NOT RIGHT TO HAVE SOMEONE THAT THE CITY MANAGER SUPERVISE BE THAT INDIVIDUAL WHO WOULD BE, UH, THE ONE, UH, USED TO CALCULATE, UH, ALL OF THE NUMBERS FROM ALL OF US AND TO PUT TOGETHER, UM, UH, THAT EVALUATION.
SO, UM, I THINK WE HAVE A PROCESS THAT WE SAID WE WOULD HAVE GOING FORWARD.
I THINK IT BEHOOVES US TO CONTINUE IN THAT PATH.
MEMBER FRANK, UH, COUNCIL MEMBER LEWIS.
UM, AND THEN I'M, I HAVE A YES, SOMETHING TO SAY.
YOU KNOW, WHEN WE GOT A CITY MANAGER OF VACANCIES, WE USE OUTSIDE, BECAUSE WE HAVE SO MANY APPLICATIONS, WE NARROW DOWN TO FIVE OR SIX AND SUBMIT IT TO THE COUNCIL.
COUNCIL EVALUATES THOSE, THOSE CANDIDATES ASSIGNED UP, COME UP WITH A MATRIX, SIGN IT, AND WE HANDLE IT.
NOW, ONCE WE HIRE A MANAGER AND IT'S TIME FOR EVALUATION, SIX MONTHS OR OR EIGHT MONTHS DOWN THE ROAD, YOU NEED TELL ME COUNCIL CANNOT DO THE EVALUATION.
THEY GOING TO PAY SOMEBODY TO COME DO WHAT THEY JUST DONE.
YOU KNOW, THAT'S, THAT MAKE ABOUT MUCH SENSE TRYING TO EMPTY THE LAKE OF BEING WITH A BUCKET THAT MAKES NO SENSE.
SO I AGREE 100% WHAT COUNCILMAN DE SAID STATED 100%
[00:35:02]
THE COMMITTEE OF THREE, THEY NEED TO GET THE WORD.CAN I SAY SOMETHING AS THE MAYOR, I'M GONNA GO BACK TO WHERE THIS STARTED.
THIS STARTED IN 2020 WHEN I WAS ON COUNCIL.
AND, UM, WE, EVA DID EVALUATIONS AND AT THE TIME, THE CITY COUNCIL AT THAT TIME DID NOT WANT HUMAN RESOURCES TO TALLY THE NUMBERS AND COME UP WITH A COMPOSITE NUMBER FOR THE CITY MANAGER BECAUSE THEY DIDN'T, AT THAT TIME IT WAS SPOKEN THAT WE DID NOT WANT TO UTILIZE.
SO THEY CALLED THE ASSISTANT CITY MANAGER WHO HAD JUST LEFT FOR HIM TO CONDUCT THOSE EVALUATIONS.
HE SAID HE DIDN'T FEEL COMFORTABLE, HE DIDN'T WANT TO DO IT.
SO HE SUGGESTED, UM, SOMEONE ELSE TO DO IT WHO IS NOW AN EMPLOYEE.
BUT AT THE TIME, HE WAS NOT AN EMPLOYEE.
HE COLLECTED ALL OF OUR TALLIES.
EACH COUNCIL MEMBER AT THE TIME, HE COLLECTED ALL OF THOSE EVALUATIONS IN A PRIVATELY SEALED ENVELOPE.
HE TALLIED THE NUMBERS AND CAME OUT WITH A COMPOSITE NUMBER.
AND THAT COUNCIL AT THE TIME DEVELOPED THE ORDINANCE THAT WE CURRENTLY HAVE IN PLACE BECAUSE WE DIDN'T WANT ANY OTHER COUNCIL TO COME ON AND NOT HAVE DIRECTIONS AS TO HOW TO HANDLE EVALUATIONS, BUT WANTED THEM TO HAVE, UH, A STEP FORWARD OR NOT BE BLIND LIKE WE WERE IN 2020 TRYING TO EVALUATE.
SO THAT'S WHY THE ORDINANCE THAT IS IN PLACE RIGHT NOW EXISTS BECAUSE THE CURRENT COUNCIL BACK THEN DID NOT WANT HUMAN RESOURCES.
I GOT TWO MINUTES AND I'M GONNA USE ONE OF THEM.
SO WE DID NOT WANT, SO WE HAVE A ORDINANCE IN PLACE THAT TELLS THIS COUNCIL HOW TO GO FORWARD AND EVALUATE.
THERE WAS AN EVALUATION PROCESS IN PLACE.
SO I THINK COUNCIL MEMBER DOUCETTE IS WANTING TO DO A, UH, ALLEVIATE THAT FROM WHAT YOU'RE DOING.
UM, OR WHAT ARE YOU ASKING THIS COUNCIL TO DO? BECAUSE THERE IS A PROCESS IN PLACE.
WE LEFT THAT IN PLACE, UH, OF HOW WE WOULD EVALUATE, UM, EMPLOYEES APPOINTED, APPOINTED POSITIONS AT THAT TIME IN 2020.
SO IF YOU GO BACK AND LOOK AT WHAT WAS PUT IN PLACE IN THE ORDINANCE AND WHO SIGNED IT IN 2020, THAT'S WHY YOU HAVE AN EXISTING ORDINANCE.
WHAT I WANTED TO DO WAS RECOMMEND A, UM, A COMMITTEE OF THREE PEOPLE FROM LISTENING TO DISCUSSIONS, COUNCILMAN KINARD, AND SAID, AND COUNCILMAN LOU JUST POINTED OUT THE FACT THAT IF YOU HAVE THREE PEOPLE ALREADY ASSIGNED, THAT'S FINE.
AND THAT COUNCILMAN KINLER ALREADY HAD TO, THEY NEED TO GET TOGETHER.
THEY NEED TO GET HOW IT'S GONNA BE DONE.
AND WHEN THEY DO THAT, THEY COME BACK TO COUNCIL.
LIKE ALL THINGS WE DO, THEY DO A RECOMMENDATION AT WHICH TIME COUNCIL MEMBERS CAN GIVE THEIR INPUT IN CASE WE WANT TO TWEAK ANYTHING IN THE END, BUT BRING IT BACK.
BECAUSE WE CANNOT BE FOUR OR FIVE MONTHS INTO ANOTHER EVALUATION SYSTEM, OKAY? WE JUST CAN'T DO THAT.
AND I DON'T WANNA SPEND NO MONEY FOR NO OUTSIDE PERSON.
NOW, COUNCILMAN LEWIS CAME UP WITH A GOOD SUGGESTION TO, UH, HELP WITH, UH, UH, UH, COUNCILMAN FRANK.
BUT WHAT, WHAT, WHAT HE'S TALKING ABOUT IS HE DOESN'T WANT ANYONE TO, UH, UH, MESS WITH THE SCORES.
AND SEE, THAT'S SOMETHING I DIDN'T UNDERSTAND FROM ANYBODY'S TALKING, IS HR IS THERE AND THEY UNDERSTAND ALL OF THE PRIVACY AND CONFIDENTIAL, AND ALL THEY DOING IS COMPILING THE LIST.
BUT IF WE TURN IN AN EVALUATION, WE KEEP A COPY, THEY CAN'T ALTER THE NUMBERS.
SO IF THEY CAN'T ALTER THE NUMBERS, THEY JUST GONNA COMPILE THEM AND COME BACK WITH A FINAL NUMBER.
SO, AND I THINK THOUGHT COUNCILMAN KINLAW, HOW CAN WE, IT AIN'T THAT.
I UNDERSTAND COUNCIL MEMBER DU SAID, BUT COUNCILMAN KINLAW, IF YOU REMEMBER, IN 2020, THERE WERE CON THE CONCERN WAS THE COMPILING OF THE NUMBERS AND THE, AND THE PERSON IN HR REPORTING TO THE CITY MANAGER AND THEM KNOWING, UH, WHAT THE CITY MANAGER SCORED, OR WHAT THE CITY SECRETARY SCORE WAS AN, WAS AN ISSUE BACK THEN WITH A DIFFERENT COUNCIL.
SO THAT'S WHY THE PO PROCESS THAT WE HAVE RIGHT NOW IS IN PLACE.
SO LET'S SEE HOW, FIRST OF ALL, I'D LIKE TO MEET WITH YOU GUYS AND SEE HOW WE CAN COME UP WITH A PLAN IN A, IN A SESSION BEFORE WE TRY TO VOTE ON A NEW ORDINANCE.
WELL, YEAH, THAT'S WHAT I SAY.
SO LET'S SEE IF WE CAN TABLE THIS AND GIVE AN OPPORTUNITY FOR ME TO REVIEW IT WITH YOU ALL AND BE BROUGHT UP TO SPEED, AND
[00:40:01]
THEN WE CAN MAKE A, A CONCERTED EFFORT TO GO FORWARD.WE CAN MOVE IN FASTER THAN THAT, MAYOR, BECAUSE RIGHT NOW WE ALREADY HAVE THE COMMITTEE MM-HMM
SO LET'S LET THE COMMITTEE GET TOGETHER, THEN THEY GONNA COME BACK TO ALL OF US.
AND AT THAT TIME, THEN WE CAN DO EXACTLY WHAT YOU'RE SAYING.
WE'LL GET A CHANCE TO PROVIDE OUR INPUT OF ANY ALTERATIONS OR ANYTHING WE NEED TO DO.
BUT WE COULD SAVE A STEP BY LETTING THE COMMITTEE MEET MEET.
AND THEREFORE I DON'T HAVE TO MAKE A MOTION TO FORM A COMMITTEE.
BECAUSE THEY SAY WE GOT A COMMITTEE, BUT THE COMMITTEE NOW KNOW WHAT THEIR MISSION IS.
WE DON'T HAVE TO MAKE A MOTION.
WE'RE NOT GONNA MAKE A MOTION.
WE'RE GOING COME BACK AND DISCUSS IT.
MAY I HAVE A, MAY I PLEASE MAKE A COMMENT.
THE PURPOSE OF THE COMMITTEES WAS THE, THESE ARE TWO SEPARATE THINGS.
WE HAVE THE EVALUATIONS, THE PURPOSE OF THE COMMITTEE IS FULL.
OUR PURPOSE OF THE COMMITTEE THAT WAS CREATED WAS FOR US TO START WITH THE COMMITTEE WITH THE CITY MANAGER, BECAUSE THAT'S THE EVALUATION WE'RE DEALING WITH AT THAT TIME.
BUT IT WASN'T TO CREATE A PROCESS OF HOW WE DO OUR EVALUATION.
IT WAS THE INITIAL PROCESS THAT WE, THAT WE WANT TO TAKE TO AND, AND HOW WE MOVE FORWARD WITH OUR COMMITTEE IN CREATING THAT RELATIONSHIP WITH OUR APPOINTEES.
I UNDERSTAND THESE ARE TWO, TWO SEPARATE THINGS, BUT THEY'RE, THEY'RE BEING DISCUSSED CON CONJOIN, MONTHLY MEETINGS WITH OUR APPOINTEES ARE INDEPENDENT FROM OUR ANNUAL EVALUATION.
YOU'RE TALKING ABOUT THE OLD PROCESS AND THEN WHAT THEY HAVE TO PROPOSE.
I UNDERSTAND WHAT YOU'RE SAYING, BUT IF WE COULD JUST GIVE A, JUST GIMME A COUPLE, TWO WEEKS AND THEN WE'D BE BROUGHT UP TO SPEED.
AND LET, LET ME A KIND OF SEE AND LET US COME BACK WITH A, UH, COLLABORATIVE WAY TO MOVE FORWARD AND PEACEFULLY AND LET'S MAKE THIS HAPPEN.
'CAUSE OUR GOAL IS TO GET IT DONE.
SO IF WE COULD GIVE ME THAT TIME AND WORK WITH THE COUNCIL, LET'S MOVE FORWARD IN THAT VEIN, IF YOU DON'T MIND.
I'M JUST LOOKING FOR CLARITY ON THIS COMMITTEE.
THAT WAS THE PURPOSE OF THE COMMITTEE WAS TO BE THE CITY MANAGER'S COMMITTEE, NOT THE COMMITTEE, TO DECIDE HOW YOU ARE EVALUATED.
[ III.F.(2) A Discussing Regarding Need For Repairs To The Fire Stations Around The City (Requested By Councilmember Beckcom)]
WE HAVE A DISCUSSION NUMBER TWO A DISCUSSING A DISCUSSION REGARDING NEED FOR REPAIRS OF THE FIRE STATIONS AROUND THE CITY.REQUESTED BY COUNCIL MEMBER REBECCA.
I RECENTLY MET WITH SOME OF THE FIREFIGHTERS FROM ACROSS THE CITY, AND THEY BROUGHT TO MY ATTENTION SOME REPAIRS THAT THEY HAD TOLD ME ABOUT SOME TIME AGO.
UH, AND SO, UH, INTERIM CHIEF HAVENS AND I HAD A, A BRIEF DISCUSSION BY TEXT MESSAGE ABOUT THE SITUATION.
AND HE SAID THAT HE WOULD PREPARE SOME NOTES SO THAT WE COULD, UH, HAVE A PUBLIC DISCUSSION ABOUT WHAT NEEDS TO BE DONE AND COME UP WITH A PLAN TO, TO GET THESE REPAIRS DONE.
SO JUST FOR EVERYBODY'S EDIFICATION, UM, THE FIRE DEPARTMENT HAS SEVEN STATIONS THAT WE RUN, UM, ENGINE AND LADDER COMPANIES OUT OF.
UH, WE HAVE, UH, CENTRAL STATION, WHICH IS OUR ADMIN SLASH HEADQUARTERS SLASH FIRE MARSHAL'S OFFICE, UH, BUILDING.
AND THEN WE HAVE, UH, A STATION THAT WE STILL MANAGE.
WE CALL IT OUR LOGISTICS STATION.
IT'S RIGHT AROUND THE CORNER OF 32ND STREET AND, UM, UH, MEMORIAL, UM, WE CALL IT LOGISTICS.
TO BE HONEST WITH YOU, IT'S A STORAGE UNIT.
WE, WE, WE HAD TO HAVE EXTRA SPACE AND THAT'S WHAT WE'VE BEEN USING TO, UH, MAINTAIN SOME OF OUR DISASTER SUPPLIES AND OTHER THINGS.
UM, JUST A LITTLE BIT OF HISTORY ABOUT SOME OF THESE STATIONS.
UM, MOST OF THEM ARE, ARE OLD TO SAY THE LEAST.
AND ANYBODY THAT'S OWNED OLD PROPERTY KNOWS THAT IT CREEKS AND THINGS BREAK.
UM, STATION ONE, FOR EXAMPLE, WAS BUILT IN THE, UH, MID NINETIES.
UM, ALMOST AS SOON AS WE MOVED INTO THAT STATION, WE FIGURED OUT THE STATION WAS TOO SMALL.
WE SHOULD HAVE PLANNED FOR MORE SPACE, MORE STORAGE, BUT WE HAD TO MAKE DO OF WHAT WE HAD.
UM, AT THAT STATION, WE HAVE CONCRETE IN SEVERAL SECTIONS THAT HAVE BEEN IN NEED OF REPAIR.
WE'VE BEEN TRYING TO DO THIS ON A YEAR BY YEAR BASIS.
WE, WE BUDGET FOR IT AND THEN WE ADDRESS IT AS QUICKLY AS WE CAN THROUGHOUT THE, THE FISCAL YEARS.
UM, WE HAD SOME BIDS FOR SOME MAJOR
[00:45:01]
REPAIRS OVER THERE TO THE CONCRETE DONE BACK IN OCTOBER, BUT NO COUNT CONTRACTS HAVE BEEN ISSUED AS OF THIS TIME.UH, AND THAT WAS GONNA COST ABOUT $55,000 IN WORK.
IT WAS LAST, UM, COUNCIL MEETING, I GUESS.
UH, WE HAD A PR THAT CAME THROUGH, UH, PURCHASING GENERATORS.
THAT GENERATOR IS A LARGE COMMERCIAL, SIR.
I, I DON'T, I DON'T MEAN TO CUT YOU OFF, BUT LET, LET US KNOW WHAT STATION YOU'RE, I MAYBE I'LL STILL STATION ONE.
UM, I'LL, I'LL LET YOU KNOW WHEN WE MOVE TO ANOTHER STATION.
UM, SO WE HIT, WE HAD GENERATORS OF MULTIPLE STATIONS THAT NEEDED TO BE REPLACED.
THEY WERE LARGE COMMERCIAL GENERATORS.
IT TOOK US, UM, QUITE A BIT OF TIME TO GET PEOPLE TO COME IN, BID ON THEM, UH, DETERMINE WHAT THE EXACT CAPABILITIES WERE THAT WE NEEDED.
UH, IN SOME CASES, THE ORIGINAL GENERATORS THAT WERE PUT ON THOSE BUILDINGS OR, OR HAD BEEN REPLACED AT ONE TIME DID NOT PROVIDE ADEQUATE ENOUGH, UH, POWER TO MAINTAIN ALL THE ELECTRICAL FUNCTIONS.
UH, IN THE CASE OF TOTAL POWER, POWER FAILURE AT THAT PARTICULAR STATION, THE UM, GENERATOR COST WAS GONNA BE JUST OVER $74,000, $74,350 AND 72 CENTS.
UH, THAT'S ONCE WE GET THAT GENERATOR AND WE ORDERED IT THIS FISCAL YEAR, WE'RE GONNA HAVE TO CARRY OVER FUNDS TO THE NEXT FISCAL YEAR THAT WE'RE ORIGINALLY BUDGETED FOR IN THE TUNE OF ABOUT $40,000 SO THAT ONCE WE GET IT, WE CAN INSTALL IT WITH A NEW TRANSFER.
UH, SWITCH AND STAND, UM, WATERPROOFING AND PAINTING.
THIS IS ONE OF OUR OLDER BUILDINGS.
LIKE I SAID, UH, IT WAS ONE OF THREE BUILDINGS THAT WE IDENTIFIED, UH, TWO YEARS AGO, I GUESS, THAT HAD SOME WATERPROOF PROOFING PROBLEMS. WE HAD WATER INTRUSION.
UM, IT WAS IN NEED OF A PAINT JOB.
UM, I DON'T BELIEVE IT WAS THIS ONE.
THIS ONE HAD SOME WOOD ROT THAT NEEDS TO BE ADDRESSED.
BUT, UM, THERE WAS ONE STATION, I THINK IT WAS STATION EIGHT, WE FOUND A, A TERMITE ISSUE THERE.
UH, THE ROOF LEAKS, WE'VE PASSED IT SEVERAL TIMES.
THE WATERPROOF AND PAINTING OF THE IS GONNA COST ABOUT $80,000.
UM, THE ROOF LEAKS TO BE ADDRESSED DEPENDING ON WHAT DAMAGE IS FOUND.
ONCE THEY START A ADDRESSING THESE, UH, ROOF LEAKS, WE FIGURE THAT'S GONNA RUN AROUND $70,000.
UH, THE ROT AROUND AROUND THE WINDOWS WALL REPAIRS, BUILDING EXTERIOR, UH, EXTERIOR MUST BE SEALED BEFORE THE PAINTING CAN BE DONE.
UH, THAT'S GONNA COST AROUND 50,000, UH, CABINETS OR THE ORIGINAL CABINETS WERE IN THAT BUILDING AND THEY HAVE WORN THEMSELVES OUT.
UM, CABINET REPLACEMENTS NEED TO, UH, TAKE PLACE THAT'S GONNA RUN AROUND $80,000.
AND THERE'S A COUPLE OF HEATERS IN THE APPARATUS BAY, UH, THAT NEED TO BE REPLACED TO THE TUNE OF ABOUT $25,000.
SO THAT RIGHT THERE, SUBTOTAL, AND THIS IS PROBABLY LOW BALLING IT A LITTLE BIT, IS, UH, $474,350 AND 72 CENTS.
STATION TWO AND STATION THREE, I'M GONNA SUM THEM UP REAL QUICK AND EASY.
WE'RE REPLACING ALL THEIR PROBLEMS WITH NEW STATIONS.
WE'RE, WE FEEL LIKE IT'S NOT, I FEEL LIKE IT'S NOT IN THE DEPARTMENT OR BEST INTEREST OF CITY TO SINK MONEY INTO BUILDINGS THAT WE ARE ACTIVELY TRYING TO REPLACE AT THIS TIME.
I SPOKE WITH THE CONTRACTORS, HAD A MEETING WITH THE CONTRACTORS FOR STATION THREE THIS MORNING.
UM, AT SOME POINT WE WILL BE COMING BACK AND SPEAKING WITH, UH, THE COUNCIL ABOUT, UH, A CHANGE ORDER.
UH, THEY'VE ALREADY EXPERIENCED ABOUT 24 DAYS OF, UM, LOST CONSTRUCTION TIME DUE TO, UH, WEATHER.
UH, WE ALL KNOW WHAT SEASON WE'RE IN, WE'RE NOT GONNA SAY IT, BUT WE KNOW WHAT SEASON WE'RE IN AND, UM, THERE'S, THERE'S ALWAYS A CHANCE THAT SOMETHING COULD PUSH IT BACK EVEN FURTHER.
THEY ARE MAKING A LOT OF PROGRESS.
I MEAN, I DON'T KNOW ABOUT Y'ALL THAT, THAT LIVE OUT THERE.
I DRIVE BY IT EVERY CHANCE I GET, AND THEY'RE MAKING LOTS OF HEADWAY.
UM, SO BOTH OF THOSE BY THEMSELVES, YOU'RE LOOKING AROUND $15 MILLION A PIECE ON THOSE PROJECTS.
UH, STATION FOUR, STATION FOUR IS A NEWER BUILDING ONLY BECAUSE IT WAS WASHED AWAY BY TWO DIFFERENT HURRICANES
[00:50:01]
AND WE REBUILT IT AND IT WAS PROBABLY THE ONLY BUILDING THAT WE HAD THAT WAS NOT SIGNIFICANTLY DAMAGED BY HURRICANE HARVEY.UM, WE DO HAVE TO, UH, REPLACE THE GENERATOR OUT THERE TO THE TUNE OF ABOUT, UH, $57,000.
UH, INSTALLATION OF THAT GENERATOR IS GOING TO COST AROUND $48,000.
AND THAT SOUNDS LIKE AN EXTREMELY, UH, HIGH PRICE.
BUT WHAT HAS TO HAPPEN, NOT ONLY DO WE HAVE TO PUT IN A NEW TRANSFER, BUT WE ALSO PUT IT ON A NEW STAND AND WHERE THAT GENERATOR NEEDS TO BE, UH, UH, MOUNTED ON THE STATION.
IT'S ACTUALLY ON THE SECOND FLOOR IN THE REAR OF THE STATION.
SO CRANES AND, UM, OTHER HEAVY EQUIPMENT IS GONNA HAVE TO BE, UH, RENTED AND USED IN ORDER TO INSTALL THAT, UM, PIECE OF EQUIPMENT.
UM, WE WERE IN THE PROCESS, WE BUDGETED FOR, AND WE'RE CURRENTLY IN THE PROCESS OF GETTING CONSTRUCTION BIDS TO BUILD A, BASICALLY A BOAT SHED BOAT BUILDING THAT ATTACHES TO THE APPARATUS GARAGE.
UM, WE, WE RECEIVE A TIPS QUOTE FOR IT.
UH, PURCHASING REJECTED THE TIPS QUOTE AND PURCHASING DIRECTOR SAID HE WOULD BE, UH, ISSUING AN RFP, BUT THAT HAS NOT, UM, COME TO FRUITION YET.
UH, THAT PROJECT'S GONNA COST APPROXIMATELY RIGHT AT, UH, A HUNDRED THOUSAND DOLLARS.
SO FOR REPAIRS TO STATION FOUR, YOU'RE LOOKING AT $204,825 AND 8 CENTS.
MOVING ON TO NUMBER FIVE, STATION FIVE, UH, STATION FIVE'S GOT SOME PROBLEMS WITH SOME OF ITS, UM, ACCESS ENTRY POINTS, SOME BROKEN LOCKS.
UM, THEY'VE HAD TO BE REPLACED.
WE HAVE PUSH BUTTON LOCKS ON THERE SO THAT ALL THE MEMBERS OF THE DEPARTMENT COULD BE GIVEN ACCESS, UH, CODE, AND COULD ENTER INTER STATION AT ANY TIME.
WE HAD TO REPLACE THOSE WITH, UM, UH, KEY ENTRY LOCKS.
UH, BECAUSE THE PUSH BUTTON LOCKS ARE OUTTA DATE, CAN'T GET PARTS FOR, THEY'RE GONNA NEED TO BE REPLACED WITH THE CONSTRUCTION OF STATION TWO AND STATION THREE.
WE ARE OUTFITTING THOSE WITH DIFFERENT ACCESS CONTROL SYSTEMS, VERY SIMILAR TO WHAT WE HAVE IN THE ANNEX CITY HALL, UH, AND THE PLANS BUILDING.
UM, AND AT THAT TIME, ONCE WE GET THOSE UP AND RUNNING, WE HAVE A PLAN TO RETROFIT ALL THE OTHER STATIONS.
SO WE'RE ALL USING THE SAME ACCESS CONTROL SYSTEM AND WE CAN MONITOR WHO'S COMING, WHO'S GOING.
UH, THAT'S A, THAT'S AN ADDED BONUS'S
WE HAD A FENCE PROJECT THAT GOT STARTED OUT THERE.
UH, THAT OTHER THINGS THAT WERE MORE IMPORTANT, GOT IN THE WAY OF IT.
AND, AND THERE'S A FLOORING ISSUE THAT WAS ONE OF THE STATIONS, UH, FIVE, EIGHT AND SIX WERE THE, THE STATIONS THAT WERE MOST HEAVILY IMPACTED DURING HURRICANE HARVEY.
ALL OF THOSE STATIONS HAD TO GET THE FOUR FOOT, UH, FLOOD CUT, AND THERE WAS EXTENSIVE REMODELING, UH, PERFORMED IN THOSE BUILDINGS.
THE FLOOR WAS REPLACED IN, UH, STATION FIVE AT THAT TIME, BUT FOR WHATEVER REASON IT IS, UM, IT NEEDS TO BE, IT NEEDS TO BE REPLACED.
IT'S NOT HOLDING UP, UH, THAT'S GONNA BE TO THE TUNE OF ABOUT $10,000.
SO YOU'RE LOOKING AT PROBABLY RIGHT AT OR LESS THAN $11,000 WORTH OF REPAIRS AT STATION FIVE.
UH, STATION SIX IS ALSO ONE OF THOSE THAT'S GOT A BROKE PUNCH LOCK.
UH, THERE'S A SPRINKLER PIPE THAT RUNS ALONG THE NORTHERN WALL PARALLEL TO HIGHWAY 73 THAT FROZE AND BROKE DURING HURRICANE YURI.
UH, WE HAVE BEEN TRYING TO GET CONTRACTORS OUT AND GIVE US ESTIMATES IF WE'RE LUCKY ENOUGH TO GET 'EM TO COME OUT AND LOOK AT IT.
THEY USUALLY DON'T RETURN THE ESTIMATE.
[00:55:01]
IT'S BEEN, UH, IT'S BEEN VERY TEDIOUS.THERE'S A LOT OF WORK RIGHT NOW WITH ALL THE HOTEL CONSTRUCTION AND ALL THE OTHER, UM, COMMERCIAL CONSTRUCTION GOING ON OUT THERE.
THEY'RE, THEY'RE PASSING UP THE SMALL JOBS SO THAT THEY CAN MAN THE BIG JOBS.
I, I KNOW THAT'S WHAT THE ISSUE IS.
NOW, THE BIG PROBLEM, THE, THE SOUTHERN SIDE OF THE STATION, THE WALL THAT RUNS OPPOSITE OF, UH, HIGHWAY 73, THAT RECEIVES ALL THE SUNLIGHT ALL DAY LONG, JUST ABOUT, OKAY, WE HAVE REPLACED THE WALL, ALL OF ITS INTERIOR, THE CABINETS ALONG THAT WALL AND HAD TO REDO THE WINDOWS IN THAT WALL ON THREE SEPARATE OCCASIONS BECAUSE WE ARE CONTINUING TO HAVE, UH, A MOLD PROBLEM.
THE LAST TIME WE, UH, REMEDIATED, WE GOT A COMPANY COME IN, THEY COMPLETELY REMEDIATED EVERYTHING.
THEY CAME IN AND SEALED THE WALLS BECAUSE WE ORIGINALLY THOUGHT IT WAS, UH, SOME TYPE OF WATER INTRUSION.
UH, WE KNOW WE FIXED THAT BECAUSE BEFORE WE CAME BACK AND STARTED DOING THE INSIDE, WE GOT OUT THERE WITH THE FIRE HOSE AND SPRAYED THAT WALL FOR ABOUT 30 MINUTES TO SEE IF WE COULD SEE ANY MOISTURE COMING THROUGH.
AND, UM, NOTHING CAME THROUGH.
SO THEN IT WAS GOING BACK AND SEALED WITH ALL THE APPROPRIATE MATERIALS, UM, USED IN CONSTRUCTION WORK.
AND NOW IT'S SHOWING SIGNS OF MOLD, UH, COMING OUT AROUND THE, UH, DOOR FRAMES, UH, SWITCH PLATES AND IN A COUPLE OTHER SPOTS.
SO IF WE HAVE TO GO IN THERE AND DO THAT AGAIN, BASED ON OUR LAST, UM, REPAIR WORK THAT'S GONNA COME IN, PROBABLY SOMEWHERE AROUND $70,000.
SO AT THAT STATION ALONE, YOU'RE LOOKING ABOUT 75, 70 $6,000 IN REPAIRS.
STATION EIGHT, UM, STATION SIX WAS ONE OF THOSE ALSO HAD TO BE FLOOD CUTTED.
UH, STATION EIGHT WAS ONE THAT HAD TO BE FLOOD CUTTED AND DID, HAD AN EXTENSIVE, UH, REPAIR JOB DONE TO IT.
UH, WE DID FIND A ROOF LEAK OUT THERE A WHILE BACK.
THERE'S BEEN A TEMPORARY PATCH PUT IN PLACE, BUT WE NEED, IT'S GONNA NEED SOME MORE PERMANENT REPAIRS.
SO THAT COULD RANGE ANYWHERE BETWEEN 30 AND $50,000.
UM, OR NO, 30 AND A HUNDRED THOUSAND DOLLARS.
UM, TERMITE DAMAGE WAS FOUND IN, UH, A COUPLE OF AREAS THAT ARE HAVING TO BE, UH, UH, TREATED.
AND THEN OF COURSE, UH, WOOD REPLACED.
UM, CREW HAS REPORTED WINDOWS LEAKING.
ALL THE WINDOWS IN THAT BUILDING WERE REPLACED AFTER HURRICANE HARVEY WERE STORM WINDOWS AND FOR SOME REASON THEY'RE STILL GETTING BLOWN RAIN THROUGH A COUPLE OF THEM.
IT'S GONNA HAVE, WE'RE HAVING TO DETERMINE NOW WHETHER IT WAS A CONSTRUCTION ISSUE OR, OR IT IS A WINDOW ISSUE.
UM, BEFORE WE CAN MOVE ON FROM THAT POINT.
EXTERIOR LIGHTS HAVE SOME HAIL DAMAGE FROM SOME OF THE RECENT EVENTS WE'VE HAD.
AND OF COURSE, WE HAVE THE REPAIRS TO THE CONCRETE APRON, WHICH, UH, WE BROUGHT TO THE COUNCIL FOR THE CONCRETE, UH, PURCHASE AND WORK, UH, I BELIEVE IS AT THE LAST, UH, MEETING WE HAD, THE CONTRACTOR'S BEEN SELECTED.
WE'RE IN PROCESS SETTING UP THE, UM, UH, EVERYTHING IN MOTION SO THAT WORK CAN BEGIN.
UH, STATION EIGHT, WE'RE LOOKING AT A TOTAL OF AROUND $90,000 WORTH OF REPAIRS.
UH, CENTRAL FIRE STATION WAS ANOTHER STATION THAT NEEDED TO REPLACE, UM, THEIR, UH, CONTRACT OR THEIR GENERATOR, UH, FOR A COST OF ABOUT $73,273 96 CENTS.
AND THE ES ESTIMATED INSTALLATION COST IS GONNA BE AROUND $45,000.
UH, THE BUILDING HAS BEEN SEALED, THE ROOF'S BEEN REPLACED A COUPLE OF TIMES.
ALL THAT WAS DONE OFF OF SOME IDENTIFIED, UH, ISSUES AND, UH, DEALT WITH IN THE FISCAL YEAR 2324 BUDGET.
UM, EVERY ONCE IN A WHILE, YOU KNOW, THAT'S THE OLDEST BUILDING IN THE CITY THAT WAS LIKE THE ORIGINAL CITY HALL, THE ORIGINAL JAIL, THE ORIGINAL EVERYTHING.
WELL, ALL THESE YEARS LATER, WE STILL HAVE NEW
[01:00:01]
PROBLEMS THAT POP UP.UM, SO THAT, THAT BUILDING'S TOTAL, UH, ESTIMATED MAINTENANCE COST AT THIS TIME IS A $118,236 AND $237 AND 96 CENTS.
NOW IF WE TOTAL IT UP ALL THOSE REPAIR COSTS RIGHT NOW, AND WE SUBTRACT THE 30 MILLION FOR STATION THREE AND TWO, UH, YOU'RE LOOKING AT A, A TOTAL MAINTENANCE COST OF NINE HUNDRED SEVEN NINE HUNDRED AND SEVENTY $3,000.
413 CENTS, NO, $413 AND 76 CENTS.
SO JUST UNDER A MILLION DOLLARS WORTH OF REPAIRS.
MY CURRENT, MY CURRENT, UM, BUILDING MAINTENANCE BUDGET, I'VE GOT ABOUT $366,000 IN MY ACCOUNTS.
SO WHAT WE'RE HAVING TO GO DO, GO THROUGH AND DO IS IDENTIFY THE PROBLEMS THAT WE CAN'T FIX.
WE IDENTIFY WHICH ONES ARE THE MOST SIGNIFICANT, AND THEN WE'RE ADDRESSING 'EM AS NEEDED, AND THEN WE'RE TRYING TO BUDGET FOR FUTURE REPAIRS DOWN THE ROAD.
WELL, LET ME ASK A COUPLE OF QUESTIONS TO FOLLOW UP, UM, ON SOME OF THE NEWER FIRE STATIONS, UM, PARTICULARLY NUMBER EIGHT AND NUMBER SIX, IS ANY OF THE WORK THAT YOU'RE DESCRIBING, UH, NEEDING TO BE REPAIRED UNDER ANY TYPE OF WARRANTY FROM THE ORIGINAL CONSTRUCTION? WELL, THE, THE ORIGINAL CONSTRUCTION FROM NUMBER EIGHT, NUMBER EIGHT WAS BUILT IN 1992.
UH, THE, THE STUFF THAT HAS BEEN WORKED ON SINCE THEN, AIR CONDITIONING UNITS, HVAC SYSTEMS, THAT KIND OF STUFF WHERE THE WARRANTY APPLIES, WE'VE BEEN ABLE TO USE IT.
WHAT ABOUT STATION NUMBER SIX? STATION NUMBER SIX? UH, THE SAME THING.
THE THING THAT CONCERNS ME THE MOST, AND, AND I MEAN OBVIOUSLY YOU'VE GOTTA PRIORITIZE AND WE GOTTA LOOK AT WHAT WE'VE GOT IN THE BUDGET, BUT THESE BUILDINGS THAT HAVE MOLD IN THEM, AND WE'VE GOT MEN AND WOMEN THAT ARE LITERALLY LIVING THERE.
WHEN THEY'RE THERE FOR THEIR, FOR THEIR SHIFT, THAT REALLY CONCERNS ME.
SO WE, EVERY TIME WE'VE RECEIVED A COMPLAINT VALVE MODE BEFORE WE DID ANY OF THE REMEDIATION WORK, WE HAVE GONE IN AND WE HAVE, UM, UH, HAD A, UH, UH, REMEDIATION SPECIALIST COME IN AND DO AIR SAMPLES AND TEST THE ATMOSPHERE IN THE STATION AS WELL AS OUTSIDE THE STATION.
AND THEY HAVE NOT FOUND, THEY HAVE NEVER FOUND ANY TYPE OF HARMFUL BLACK MOLD, YOU KNOW, ANYTHING LIKE THAT.
MATTER OF FACT, ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS THEY DID, UH, QUALITATIVE SAMPLES ON THE INSIDE AND THEN THEY PUT BASELINE SAMPLES ON THE OUTSIDE AND THE OUTSIDE AIR WAS DIRTIER THAN THE INSIDE AIR.
AND DO YOU HAVE, BUT WE STILL DID THE REMEDIATION WORK.
DO DO YOU HAVE A, A, A TEAM THAT YOU HAVE PUT TOGETHER IN UPPER MANAGEMENT THAT IS HELPING YOU TO PRIORITIZE AT EACH STATION WHAT, WHAT THE ABSOLUTE NECESSITIES ARE AS FAR AS REPAIRS? YES.
SO I GOT ONE PERSON WHO'S OVER ALL OF MY FLEET AND FACILITIES.
THAT'S ONE OF THE THINGS I'M GONNA TRY TO ADDRESS IN, UH, THIS, UM, BUDGET PROPOSAL THIS YEAR.
I WANT MORE PEOPLE IN THERE TO, UH, ATTACK THESE ISSUES TO, TO MANAGE AND ATTACK 'EM.
UM, WHAT HE DOES IS HE IDENTIFIES THE PROBLEMS, COMES UP WITH SOME RECOMMENDATIONS, BRINGS 'EM TO ME, AND, UH, MY DEPUTY, AND WE DISCUSS THEM AND THEN WE, I SELECT A, UH, A COURSE OF ACTION BASED ON, UH, THE OPTIONS THAT THEY HAVE PROVIDED, UH, FOR FOR EXAMPLE, THE, UM, THE MOLD SITUATION AT NUMBER SIX.
NUMBER SIX, SINCE THAT'S GONNA BE THE FOURTH TIME, WE'RE BASICALLY GONNA HAVE TO DO THE SAME THING.
UM, HE'S RECOMMENDING THAT WE GET IN, UH, SOME TYPE OF ENVIRONMENTAL ENGINEER OR MECHANICAL ENGINEER, SOMETHING LIKE THAT.
HE BELIEVES TALKING ABOUT MY, MY FLEET FACILITIES GUY, HE BELIEVES IT MAY BE AN AC AN AC ISSUE THAT, UH, EITHER
[01:05:01]
THE AC ISS TOO BIG OR THE HVAC SYSTEM IS DESIGNED IN SUCH A WAY THAT IT'S NOT ADEQUATELY SCRUBBING THE AIR AND MOISTURE IS COLLECTING IN THAT ONE WALL WHERE IT'S NOT IN THE OTHER WALLS THAT ARE COOLER AROUND THE STATION.SO YOU SAID YOU HAVE ONE PERSON THAT'S DOING THAT NOW, BUT YOU WANNA ADD SOME MORE PEOPLE TO THAT TEAM TO YEAH.
KIND OF HELP YOU FACILITATE THAT.
CHIEF HAVENS, UH, COUNCIL MEMBER, DOUCETTE CHIEF, UH, YOU MENTIONED, UH, ONE OF THE THINGS THAT YOU SAID WAS APPROVED SINCE OCTOBER 24 AND WE HADN'T GOT IT DONE 'CAUSE NO CONTRACTOR.
AND YOU ALSO MENTIONED THAT, UH, WITH ANOTHER ITEM.
WERE THOSE TWO COSTS INCLUDED IN THIS 973? UH, YES, I BELIEVE THEY WERE.
WELL, IF THEY WERE, HAVEN'T WE APPROVED THAT MONEY ALREADY NOW? NO.
WELL, THAT WAS MONEY THAT WAS BUDGETED BEFOREHAND OR THAT WAS JUST THE, THE, THE BEST ESTIMATE THAT WE COULD COME UP WITH WITHOUT ACTUALLY GETTING BIDS IN.
SO WE YOU, YOU JUST DIDN'T, SIR, THE MONEY WAS APPROVED THOUGH.
SO, BUT IT, THAT'S WHAT I'M ASKING.
THE MONEY, WAS IT INCLUDED IN THE 9 73 FOR THOSE TWO ITEMS THAT YOU SAID YOU CAN'T GET, YOU HAVEN'T GOT BID BECAUSE IF YOU WERE GETTING BIDS THAT MEAN WE WOULD'VE TO APPROVE IT.
SO, SO THE, FOR EXAMPLE, THE, UH, THE GENERATORS, WE HAD A HARD TIME GETTING COMPANIES OUT TO TAKE A LOOK AT 'EM.
I DON'T KNOW WHY, BUT ONCE THEY DID COME OUT THERE, SOME OF THE QUESTIONS THAT THEY HAD ABOUT, UH, THE ELECTRICAL LOAD ON THE BUILDINGS, WE WERE HAVE TO HAVING TO COORDINATE WITH ENTERGY IN ORDER TO GET THAT INFORMATION SO THEY KNOW THE APPROPRIATE SIZE GENERATOR.
I'M TALKING ABOUT THE MONEY CHIEF WHEN WE APPROVED IT.
I'M ASKING IS THAT THE MONEY YOU INCLUDED IN THE 9 73 ARE SEPARATE? THAT'S MY ASKING.
YOU'RE TALKING ABOUT THE MONEY THAT WAS NOT SPENT.
I GUESS IT'S BEEN MOVED FORWARD.
WE'VE, WE'VE BEEN TRYING TO CARRY FORWARD.
SO, SO IT WOULD BE IN THE 9 73 WILL IT, IT IT WOULD, IT WOULD TO THE BEST OF MY ABILITY TO EXPLAIN IT TO YOU.
UH, THE OTHER THING, MY, MY LAST QUESTION, I'M NOT GONNA, ALL OF THIS LIST OF STUFF YOU GAVE US, HAVE YOU GIVEN IT TO THE CITY MANAGER? WELL, I'VE SPOKEN WITH THE CITY MANAGER.
NO, I, I HAVE NOT PROVIDED HIM WITH AN ITEM BY ITEM.
THE REASON I'M SAYING THAT I LISTENED TO THIS WHOLE LIST YOU GAVE US, AND HE'S GONNA BE DOING THE BUDGET.
AND HE'S GOING TO BRING TO US WHAT HE'S GONNA PRIORITIZE.
SO I GUESS THIS ANSWER MY QUESTION 'CAUSE WE GONNA BE, HE'S GONNA BE TALKING TO YOU PROBABLY THIS MONDAY NEXT NIGHT.
AND I REALIZED THAT EVERYTHING THAT I ASKED FOR, SO THAT LIST THERE'LL BE, OKAY, SO RON HASN'T SEEN THE LIST.
I HAVE, I HAVE NO, HE WILL SEE IT TOMORROW.
UH, CHIEF, NOT TO LABOR THIS, BUT YOU KNOW, WE, WE, WE PAY INSURANCE AND I, I'M KIND OF GOING ON THE SAME, UH, UH, LINE AS, UH, BECKHAM IS GONE ON OR WENT, WENT EARLIER, BUT THINGS LIKE ROOF WINDOW LEAKING, CONCRETE TERMITE DAMAGE, HAIL DAMAGE, MOLD, THAT'S SOMETHING THAT WE CAN FILE ON INSURANCE THAT WE PAY.
SO I'M, I'M NOT UNDERSTANDING WHY YOU TOTALING THIS AMOUNT, 973,000 WITH SOME OF THIS THING THAT WE CAN PAY OR, OR SHOW THROUGH INSURANCE THAT THEY CAN OFFSET SOME OF THIS COSTS.
BUT WE EVEN WITH YOUR, WHAT, WHAT DO YOU SAY, THE 306,000 THAT YOU HAVE YOU BUDGETED FILE YOU BUDGETED FOR? WE ARE, YOU KNOW, 570 SOMETHING THOUSAND THAT WE HAVE TO ACCOUNT, YOU KNOW, TO PROVIDE.
AND EVEN IF WE GET THE MONEY, YOU'RE ALSO STATING THAT, UH, WE CAN'T EVEN GET PEOPLE TO COME AND FIX THESE THINGS BECAUSE THEY'RE TAKING ON THE BIG JOBS IN THIS AREA.
SO WHAT DO WE DO? YOU KNOW, MAYBE THAT'S A QUESTION THAT YOU AND THE MANAGER HAVE TO DISCUSS.
SO WHAT DO WE DO? EVEN IF WE HAVE THE MONEY, EVEN IF WE CAN OFFSET THE COST WITH INSURANCE MM-HMM
HOW DO YOU GET IT FIXED? BECAUSE IT BOTHERS ME THAT FARMERS, POLICE, OR ANY CITY EMPLOYEES HAVE TO GO TO WORK AND, YOU KNOW, MOLD.
I, I DON'T WANT IT TO GET BLACK MOLD AND THEN SAY IT'S IMPORTANT.
[01:10:01]
ANY TYPE OF MOLD IS YOU BREATHING IS NOT GOOD FOR YOU.SO I DON'T WANT IT TO GET WORSE.
BUT MY QUESTION IS, AS CITY LEADERSHIP, YOU KNOW, IT'S KIND OF HARD FOR US TO KIND OF STOMACH THAT, EVEN THOUGH WE HAVE THOSE SITUATIONS, THOSE PROBLEMS. CHIEF, YOU KNOW, AND I'M GLAD THAT YOU HAVE ONE FLEET FACILITY MANAGER THAT'S GOING AROUND, BUT I THINK YOU NEED A BIGGER TEAM TO KIND OF ADDRESS THESE PROBLEMS BECAUSE I DO ALSO GET THESE CALLS FROM EMPLOYEES.
YOU KNOW, I, I WHY? OKAY, MY FIRST QUESTION, WHY CAN'T WE USE THE INSURANCE THAT WE PAY FOR A LOT OF MONEY FOR TO OFFSET SOME OF THESE COSTS THAT WE KNOW? JUST LIKE MY HOME INSURANCE, CONCRETE WINDOWS, MOLD, TERMITE DAMAGE ROOFS, THAT'S WITH INSURANCE.
EXPLAIN THAT PART WHY WE CAN'T FILE ON THAT.
SO I'M NOT A PART OF THAT PUZZLE.
THAT'S, UH, WE HAVE A RISK MANAGEMENT.
UH, SECTION WITH, IF YOU DON'T KNOW, IF YOU DON'T, DON'T TRY TO ANSWER, PLEASE GIVE ME, ASK FOR DOCUMENTATION.
THE CITY MANAGER HAS HIS LIGHT ON CITY MANAGER.
UM, IF YOU WOULD GO AHEAD AND SPEAK.
WE HAVE A FOOD OF THE BUDGET THAT, UM, CHIEF HAVENS HAVE IDENTIFIED.
WE HAVE 331,000 I'LL GET WITH THE CHIEF TOMORROW AND IN 30 DAYS I'LL PROVIDE YOU WITH AN UPDATE.
CITY MANAGER, COUNCIL MEMBER LEWIS, YOU HAVE YOUR LIGHT ON? YES, YES.
I APPRECIATE YOUR PRESENTATION, BUT I'M GOING TO DEVIATE A LITTLE BIT.
WHAT'S THE, I HAVEN'T HEARD AN UPDATED REPORT ON OUR, UH, FIRE HYDROGEN.
NOT TODAY, BUT I NEED TO HAVE IT UP.
SO AN UPDATED REPORT ON THAT BECAUSE IT AFFECT EVERYBODY'S INSURANCE, RIGHT? I CANNOT, NOT THAT, THAT'S, UM, EXCUSE ME, NOT TODAY.
YOU ASKING TO PROVIDE YOU A REPORT AT SOME POINT.
YEAH, YOU DON'T NEED TO GET INTO IT TODAY.
OKAY, AS WE MOVE ON THROUGH THE AGENDA, PUBLIC HEARINGS, WE HAVE NONE.
[V. REPORTS / ITEMS OF COMMUNITY INTEREST (LIMITED TO A TOTAL OF TWO (2) MINUTES PER COUNCILMEMBER) ]
DO YOU HAVE ANY, UH, COMMUNITY INTEREST OR, UM, ANY REPORTS THAT YOU'D LIKE TO SAY? IF SO, YOU HAVE TWO MINUTES COUNCIL MEMBERS.I'M CUTTING IT DOWN TO ONE SO WE CAN MOVE FORWARD.
I JUST WANT TO JUST THE MANY COUNCIL MEMBER EVER FEEL I'LL TAKE COUNCIL MEMBER FRANK HAS IS LIGHT ON.
I THINK BY NOW, UH, ALL OF US ARE AWARE OF THE PASSING OF A DEAR FRIEND AND COMMUNITY LEADER, FRANK NEIL.
UH, WE ARE SENDING MELISSA ALL OF OUR PRAYERS AND CONDOLENCES AS WELL.
AND, UH, SHE'S GIVEN ME, UM, UH, THE, UM, OPPORTUNITY TO ANNOUNCE, UH, THAT HER, UH, THAT FRANK'S FUNERAL IS GOING TO BE, UH, THIS SATURDAY AT 12 NOON, UH, AT THE NEW HOPE BAPTIST CHURCH LOCATED AT 5 49 WEST GULF WAY DRIVE HERE IN THE CITY OF PORT ARTHUR.
SO WE ARE PRAYING FOR MELISSA AND THE FAMILY, UH, AS WELL.
FRANK IS DEARLY BELOVED, AND WE ARE JUST GOING TO MISS HIM TREMENDOUSLY.
OUR HEARTS AND PRAYERS GO OUT TO HIS ENTIRE FAMILY COUNCIL MEMBER.
CONDOLENCES TO THE NEO FAMILY.
UM, I WANTED TO REMIND AND INVITE EVERYONE TO THE 4TH OF JULY FESTIVITIES THAT WILL BE ON PLEASURE ISLAND.
UM, PLEASE COME OUT TO CELEBRATE AGAIN, PONTOON BOATS, UM, JET SKIS, FOOD TRUCKS, LIVE MUSIC AND FUN.
SO PLEASE COME OUT TO THE FAMILY FRIENDLY FUN EVENT, UM, ON 4TH OF JULY ON PLEASURE ISLAND.
AND THERE WILL ALSO BE A FIREWORK SHOW.
WITH THAT BEING SAID, I THINK THE CITY ITSELF HAS A FIREWORK SHOW, UM, AS WELL, UM, HERE OFF OF THE, UH, THE SEA WALL.
THE SEA WALL THAT'S RIGHT AS WELL.
SO WE'LL HAVE A LOT OF FIREWORKS IN PORT ARTHUR
UM, ALSO, LET'S SEE WHAT WE HAVE NEXT.
REPORTS OR ITEMS OF COMMUNITY INTEREST.
MAY, UM, I THINK NEWS, THE NEWS WENT OUT TODAY THAT WE HAVE LOST OUR ASSISTANT.
NEWS WENT OUT TODAY THAT WE LOST OUR ASSISTANT CITY SECRETARY.
YES, KELLY, OUR PRAYERS AND THOUGHTS.
MOST OF THE PEOPLE WHO ARE HERE HAVE KNOWN KELLY OPERATING, YOU KNOW, WHERE LINDSAY HAVE SAT OR WHERE THE YOUNG MAN NOW SITS.
YOU KNOW, IT'S, UM, WE ARE GOING TO MISS HER.
KELLY WAS A VERY YOUNG MEMBER OF STAFF.
AND WE ARE GOING TO MISS HER, DEAR.
THAT'S KEEP OUR CITY SECRETARY IN PRAYER AND THEIR ENTIRE STAFF AND, UM, KELLY'S FAMILY AS WELL.
ALRIGHT, WE HAVE, WE'RE ON THE, UH, UNFINISHED BUSINESS.
[01:15:01]
HAVE NONE.[VII. CONSENT AGENDA ]
CONSENT AGENDA.COUNCIL MEMBERS, IF YOU HAVE ANY ITEMS THAT YOU'D LIKE TO BE WITHHELD, YOU MAY DO SO AT THIS TIME.
PUT YOUR LIGHT ON PLEASE SO THAT WE CAN, UM, WITHHOLD THOSE ITEMS THAT YOU MAY WANT TO HOLD AT THIS TIME.
COUNCIL MEMBER FRANK? NUMBER TWO.
ANYONE ELSE? ANY OTHER ITEMS? I WOULD JUST LIKE TO MAKE A COMMENT ON NUMBER FIVE, AND THERE ARE TWO OTHER ITEMS I WOULD LIKE TO SHARE SOME INFORMATION WITH THE COUNSELOR.
DO YOU WANNA HOLD IT F THEN JUST A COMMENT ON THAT.
NUMBER FIVE, I WOULD LIKE TO SHARE.
YES, I, I'LL, I'LL, I'LL PULL NUMBER FIVE.
WITH THOSE ONLY TWO, UH, THE TWO ONLY TWO ITEMS WERE WITHHOLDING FROM THE CONSENT AGENDA, I WOULD LIKE TO MAKE A MOTION THAT WE APPROVE THE CONSENT AGENDA, WITHHOLDING ITEMS NUMBER TWO, PR NUMBER 24 3 9 1.
AND ITEM NUMBER FIVE, PR NUMBER 2 4 4 0 3.
UH, COUNCIL MEMBERS WITH I CAN, CAN I GET A MOTION? SO MOVED.
ANY QUESTIONS? ALL IN FAVOR? AYE.
THE CONSENT AGENDA PASSES WITH US WITHHOLDING ITEM NUMBER TWO AND ITEM NUMBER FIVE.
[VII.C.(2) P.R. No. 24391 – A Resolution Authorizing The City Manager To Enter Into An Advance Funding Agreement Between The City Of Port Arthur And The Texas Department Of Transportation (TxDOT) Regarding The Maintenance Of Railroad Crossing And Approach Locations Within The City Of Port Arthur. Funding For Said Project Will Be Provided By The Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) Through TxDOT With No City Funding Required]
NUMBER TWO AT THIS TIME.PR NUMBER 24 3 91, A RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING THE CITY MANAGER TO ENTER INTO AN ADVANCE FUNDING AGREEMENT BETWEEN THE CITY OF PORT ARTHUR AND THE TEXAS DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION TDOT REGARDING THE MAINTENANCE OF RAILROAD CROSSINGS AND APPROACH LOCATIONS WITHIN THE CITY OF PORT ARTHUR.
FUNDING FOR SAID PROJECT WILL BE PROVIDED BY THE FEDERAL HIGHWAY ADMINISTRATION, FHWA THROUGH TDOT WITH NO CITY FUNDING REQUIRED.
MAY I HAVE A MOTION FOR APPROVAL? SO MOVED.
I NEED MOVE HAS BEEN MOVED IN SECOND.
ANY QUESTIONS? AND WHOEVER PULLED IT CAN DISCUSS IT.
UM, I PULLED THIS BECAUSE, UM, UH, PREVIOUSLY WE HAD A PROBLEM WITH OUR, UH, OVERPASSES, UM, OUR, UH, OUR RAILROAD CROSSINGS AND OVER OUR UNDERPASSES.
AND WHILE WE'RE TALKING TO TEXT OUT ABOUT THAT CITY MANAGER, ONE OF THE THINGS THAT, UM, I'D LIKE US TO DISCUSS YET AGAIN, UH, IS THE GRAFFITI ON THE, UM, ON THE OVERPASSES.
WHILE WE'RE TALKING ABOUT THAT, I GOT A NUMBER FOR MR. RICHARD ZEC, WHO IS OVER THE REGION, BUT WE NEED TO TAKE CARE OF, NEED TO SEE IF IN THAT FUNDING, THERE CAN BE SOMETHING THAT'S DONE, UM, TO, UH, HELP US WITH THAT.
WE'VE GOT ALL KINDS OF GRAFFITI ON THE, THE WEST SIDE OVER THE ONE ON MEMORIAL BOULEVARD, ALL OF THE CROSSINGS.
IT'S BECOMING EYESORE FOR OUR CITY.
SO I'M GLAD THAT YOU MENTIONED THAT.
REVEREND FRANK, UM, THE DIRECTOR FOR PARKS AND RECREATIONS AND MYSELF SOMETIME MET LAST YEAR.
NOW THERE'S A DIFFERENT AGENCY, THE RAILROAD AGENCY THAT'S RESPONSIBLE FOR THOSE.
BUT WE MET WITH THEM LAST YEAR BECAUSE THEY, OUR ATTEMPT WAS TO IMPLEMENT OUR WAY FINDING MISSION.
WE PROVIDED FUNDING AS WELL FOR THE SPRUCING UP OF THOSE WHERE THE GRAFFITI DOES EXIST.
AND THEY DID INFORM US, THE REPRESENTATIVE FROM HOUSTON, AND WE'RE GONNA TRY AGAIN.
HE DID INFORM US VERY CATEGORICALLY THAT, UM, LISTEN, THEY HAVE NO INTENTION OF DOING ANYTHING ABOUT IT BECAUSE IT DOES NOT AFFECT THE SAFETY, THE TRUCTURE, UH, THE STRUCTURAL INTEGRITY OF, OF, OF, UM, OF THE, UM, INFRASTRUCTURE.
AND SO HE WAS, THEY WERE NOT GOING TO, UM, ADDRESS IT.
AND, BUT WE WILL ATTEMPT AGAIN BECAUSE WE HAVE SEEN IN OTHER COMMUNITIES WHERE THE RAILROAD HAVE MADE AN EFFORT TO CLEAN UP, YOU KNOW, WHAT DOES EXIST.
YOU KNOW, AND, AND IN TERMS OF BEAUTIFICATION OF THE, OF THE COMMUNITY.
SO WE WILL CONTINUE TO PRESS FOR THAT AS WELL.
CITY MANAGER, COUNCIL MEMBER DOUCETTE.
RON, LET'S GO BACK TO THE CONTRACT BECAUSE THEY HAVE AN AGREEMENT WITH US WHERE WE GIVE THEM THAT RIGHT AWAY AND THEY'RE SUPPOSED TO MAINTAIN IT AND THEY SHOULD HAVE A DESCRIPTION OF WHAT MAINTAINING IS.
LET'S GO BACK TO THE BLACK AND WHITE.
I'M QUITE SURE THAT THEY GOT SOMETHING IN THERE WHERE THEY JUST DON'T BRING SOMETHING THROUGH OUR CITY AND THEY DON'T HAVE TO DO NOTHING BUT WHAT THEY WANT.
THEY HAVE SOMETHING IN THERE THAT TALKS ABOUT MAINTENANCE OF THAT RIGHT AWAY.
WE GRANTED THAT RIGHT AWAY AND WE GRANTED IT UNDER CERTAIN CONDITIONS.
'CAUSE CONTRACT MAY BE ALL WE NEED.
[01:20:01]
ON.DO YOU HAVE A QUESTION? NO, MA'AM.
UH, THANK YOU, MAYOR, UH, RONDA, YOU ARE ABSOLUTELY RIGHT.
YOU DID BRING THIS WITH THE DIRECTOR OF, UH, PARKS AND RECREATION ABOUT HOW DO WE, BECAUSE THE DISCUSSION, I THINK AT THE TIME WAS ABOUT, UH, RUSS.
UH, YOU REMEMBER THE RUSS, AND, AND, AND WE, WE SUGGESTED THAT YOU CONTACT AND YOU DID, YOU BROUGHT BACK TO THE COUNCIL.
BUT I THINK THAT IF WE COULD PUT SOMETHING IN WRITING THIS TIME, BECAUSE WE HAVE TO SHOW, YOU KNOW, IF WE'RE GONNA CLEAN UP OUR CITY, THOSE ARE THE THINGS THAT WE HAVE TO DO.
ENSURE THAT WE GIVE SOME TYPE OF, UH, UH, NOTIFICATION TO THESE INDIVIDUALS, UTILITIES, KCS, WHOEVER IT IS, AND LET THEM KNOW THAT WE'RE SERIOUS ABOUT CLEANING UP OUR CITY.
AND IF YOU ARE RESPONSIBLE FOR DOING IT, WE WANNA MAKE SURE THAT YOU, UH, YOU'RE GONNA DO WHAT YOU SAY YOU'RE GONNA DO BASED UPON THE CONTRACT.
UH, I'VE NOTICED IN THE SURROUNDING COMMUNITIES, YOU NOTICE THE OPA, THERE WAS NO PROBLEM.
THEY ALREADY PAINTED AND CLEANED UP, AND I'VE HAD ALL KINDS OF PROBLEMS. I FINALLY GOT THEIR ATTENTION AROUND LEWIS MANOR.
THEY WASN'T EVEN CUTTING THE GRASS ON THE DITCHES UNTIL WE, UH, ADDRESSED THEM DIRECTLY AND THEY FINALLY, THEY FINALLY STARTED CUTTING THE GRASS.
BUT YOU DON'T SEE NO UGLY OO OVERPASSES, LIKE ON GOWAY DRIVE.
YOU DON'T SEE THAT NONE OF THE SURROUNDING CITIES AND THE GRAFFITI ON THE, THE PLATE, UH, NEAR THE RAILROAD TRACK, YOU DON'T SEE STUFF LIKE THAT.
THEY, THEY, THEY, THEY CLEANS ITSELF.
BUT WHEN THEY GET DOWN HERE WHERE WE ARE, IT'S A DIFFERENT ATTITUDE.
SO WE NEED TO GET THAT, WE NEED TO GET THAT ATTENTION.
[VII.C.(5) P.R. No. 24403 – A Resolution Approving The Home Investment Partnerships American Rescue Plan Program (HOME-ARP) Contract Amendment #2 Between The City Of Port Arthur And Family Services Of Southeast Texas. The Amendment Will Extend The Contract Expiration Date From July 10, 2025, To July 9, 2026. Account #108 13-033-5470-00-40-000; Project #HMEARP5]
NUMBER FIVE.A RESOLUTION APPROVING THE HOME INVESTMENT PARTNERSHIPS, AMERICAN RESCUE PLAN PROGRAM, HOME DASH A RP, CONTRACT AMENDMENT NUMBER TWO, BETWEEN THE CITY OF PORT ARTHUR AND FAMILY SERVICES OF SOUTHEAST TEXAS.
THE AMENDMENT WILL EXTEND THE CONTRACT EXPIRATION DATE FROM JULY THE 10TH OF 2025 TO JULY THE NINTH OF 2026.
ACCOUNT NUMBER 1 0 8 13 0 3 3 5 4 7 0 0 4 0 0 0 0.
PROJECT NUMBER H-M-E-A-R-P FIVE.
MAY I HAVE A MOTION FOR APPROVAL? SECOND.
MAY I HAVE A SECOND? WE HAVE A MOTION AND A SECOND.
ANY QUESTIONS OR CITY MANAGER? YEAH, GENERALLY SPEAKING, IT'S, THIS IS JUST FOR INFORMATION FOR THE COUNCIL.
I WANT TO ASSURE THE COUNCIL THAT WE ARE MAKING THOSE AMENDMENTS.
BUT IN THE FUTURE, THIS IS MONEY THAT WE HAVE RECEIVED FROM HUD AND I WILL ASSURE YOU THAT I WILL BE WORKING WITH STAFF TO ENSURE THAT THE RECIPIENTS OF THOSE FUNDS IN THE FUTURE GO AHEAD AND EXPAND THOSE FUNDS EXPEDITIOUSLY BECAUSE THOSE FUNDS WERE SPECIFICALLY MEANT TO ADDRESS OUR HOMELESS NEEDS.
AND WHEN WE HAVE TO COME BACK TO THE COUNCIL FOR AN AMENDMENT UPON AN AMENDMENT, IT MEANS THAT WE ARE NOT DOING A VERY GOOD JOB AND WORKING WITH, UM, THE PERSONS WHO WE HAVE PROVIDED THE FUNDS WITH, BECAUSE THERE ARE A LOT OF PEOPLE OUT THERE WHO NEED THAT KIND OF FUNDING.
SO I WILL APPLY THE RULE GENERALLY TO CDBG IN THE FUTURE.
AND THAT WHAT I, I WANT TO BRING BACK, MAYOR IN THE FUTURE, IS TO MAKE SURE THAT THESE ENTITIES COME AND MAKE PRESENTATIONS TO THE COUNCIL OKAY.
ON HOW WELL THEY HAVE BEEN STEWARDS OF FUNDING.
ALRIGHT, WE ARE READY TO MOVE FORWARD WITH OUR ITEMS REQUIRING INDIVIDUAL ACTION.
MOTION, UH, PR NUMBER, UH, 24 4 0 3 HAS BEEN PASSED.
ALRIGHT, NOW ANY ITEMS REQUIREMENT? WE'RE GONNA MOVE TO ITEM,
[VIII.A.(1) P.R. No. 24363 – A Resolution Authorizing The City Manager To Enter Into An Agreement With Preferred Facilities Group Of Port Arthur, Texas, To Construct A Photo Op On Pleasure Island In Lakefront Park, In The Amount Not To Exceed $464,072.00; Funding Available In Account Number 450-00-000-8525-00-00-000 Project Number PI0005.CON ]
UH, EIGHT ITEMS REQUIRING INDIVIDUAL ACTION, NON-CONSENT.WE HAVE NUMBER ONE, PR NUMBER 2 4 3 6 3, A RESOLUTION AUTHORIZED IN THE CITY MANAGER TO ENTER INTO AN AGREEMENT WITH PREFERRED FACILITIES GROUP OF PORT ARTHUR, TEXAS TO CONSTRUCT A PHOTO OP ON PLEASURE ISLAND AND LAKEFRONT PARK IN THE AMOUNT NOT TO EXCEED $464,072.
FUNDING AVAILABLE IN ACCOUNT NUMBER 4 5 0 0 0 0 0 0 8 5 2 5 0 0 0 0 0 0 PRO PROJECT NUMBER PI 0 0 0 5 CON.
[01:25:01]
COUNCIL MEMBER BECKHAM, I APPRECIATE THE, UH, TIMELINE THAT'S BEEN PUT TOGETHER FOR THIS, BUT I'VE GOT SOME CONCERNS AND I REALIZE THAT A LOT OF THIS, YOU KNOW, HAS, IT'S ALREADY BEEN APPROVED.WE'VE ALREADY AGREED THAT THIS IS A PROJECT THAT'S GONNA MOVE FORWARD, BUT I THINK THE TIMING ON THIS IS JUST NOT GOOD.
I DON'T THINK WE'RE BEING GOOD STEWARDS OF THE RESOURCES THAT WE HAVE AS A CITY.
AND WHILE I UNDERSTAND THAT 200,000 OF THIS WAS A DONATION FROM THE SHAIR CORPORATION, WHICH IS GREAT, THAT MONEY CAN SIT IN A BANK ACCOUNT AND IT CAN CONTINUE TO DRAW INTEREST WHILE WE LOOK AT OTHER THINGS THAT THE CITY REALLY HAS NEED OF, WE HAVE STREETS THAT NEED TO BE REPAIRED.
WE HAVE AGING INFRASTRUCTURE, UH, WE HAVE ISSUES WITH TCEQ.
I JUST DON'T THINK THAT THIS IS GOOD TIMING FOR THIS PROJECT.
I ALSO DON'T THINK
IF WE HAD THE THINGS THAT WE NEED TO DRAW PEOPLE TO PLEASURE ISLAND FOR SPENDING ALMOST $500,000 ON A PHOTO OPPORTUNITY, I COULD GET BEHIND THIS A LITTLE BIT MORE, BUT I FEEL LIKE THIS IS A PROJECT WHERE WE ARE ONCE AGAIN PUTTING THE CART WAY BEFORE THE HORSE, AND IT'S SOMETHING THAT WE SHOULD SIT ON AND WAIT FOR A WHILE.
ARE WE COUNCIL MEMBER LEWIS CITY MANAGER.
WHAT IS YOUR PURPOSE FOR THIS? FOR PROMOTION? OR WHAT IS IT ABOUT BOTH PROMOTION AND IDENTIFICATION OF, UM, PLEASURE ISLAND? ONE OF THE THINGS THAT I KNOW, I DON'T KNOW WHAT HAPPENED.
WE, WE MISSED OPPORTUNITIES ON DEVELOPMENTS ON PLEASURE ISLAND BEFORE I, WHEN I DECIDED TO RUN FOR COUNCIL AGAIN, UH, I MADE A FEW PHONE CALLS FOR THE, TO DEVELOPERS.
WE NEED, I AGREE WITH WE NEED TO PROMOTE THE ISLAND.
THERE'S A LOT OF THINGS THAT WE CAN DO FOR SOME MINUTE.
THIS, I'VE BEEN WANTING TO PUT A BEACH BACK THERE.
BUT I CALLED A DEVELOPER THAT DID A PRESENTATION HERE BEFORE THE CITY COUNCIL WANTED TO BUY 300 ACRES, WANTED TO BUY 300 ACRES.
YEAH, WE, WE NEED TO STAY ON, WE, IT IS ABOUT PROMOTING THE ISLAND, BUT WE'RE, WE'RE, WE'RE, WE HAVE AN ITEM THAT WE NEED TO VOTE ON.
YES, I UNDERSTAND ABOUT THAT'S WHAT THE, THIS THE PHOTO OP.
THIS IS BY PROMOTING THE ISLAND.
WE NEED TO GO AHEAD JUST BRIEFLY.
BUT COUNSEL NEED TO PAY MORE ATTENTION TO OPPORTUNITIES TO DEVELOP THE OUTLET.
AFTER ONE YEAR OF, DURING THE PRESENTATION, I CALLED HIM AND ASKED HIM WHAT IS HE STILL INTERESTED? HE SAID, NOBODY AFTER ONE YEAR, NOBODY CONTACTED HIM AND HIS AND HIS INVESTORS HAD MOVED ON.
AND THIS, THE GUY HERE IS THE ONE THAT BUILT IT, THE MEDICAL CENTER AND ALL THE SAW GRASS DEVELOPED ALL OF THAT, AND NOBODY WANTED THE COUNCIL PAID ATTENTION TO HER.
UH, IN TERMS OF WHAT, UH, COUNCILWOMAN BECKER MENTIONED, I JUST HAD ONE QUESTION I HAD IN THE BEGINNING.
RIGHT NOW WE HAVE, UM, THE TWO DEVELOPMENTS.
WE HAVE IN FACT THREE DEVELOPMENTS TALKING ABOUT THE ISLAND RIGHT NOW.
SO WE HAVE SOMETHING IN THE MAKE FOR THE ISLAND.
WE'RE IN THE PROCESS OF MAYBE, UH, LOSING SOME PROPERTY UP THERE.
SO OUR REVENUE RIGHT NOW IS SHAKY.
SO MY QUESTION WOULD BE, WITHOUT, WITHOUT SAYING THAT THIS IS NOT A GOOD PROJECT OR WE SHOULDN'T BE DONE, I QUESTION THE TIMELINESS TOO RIGHT NOW, ARE WE MAKE, WE GOING TO PUT THIS MUCH MONEY IN HALF A MILLION DOLLAR RIGHT NOW AND WE GOING TO END UP LOSING REVENUE BASED ON WHAT WE SEE HAPPENING? IS IT SMART? NOW? THAT, JUST MY OPINION, I THINK WE NEED TO KIND OF GET A FEEL FOR WHAT WE ARE, YOU KNOW, UM, IT'S TIME FOR A VOTE.
WE'RE GONNA DO A ROLL CALL VOTE OR MAYOR MOSES, I'D LIKE TO SPEAK ON THIS REAL QUICK.
YOU, YOU MAY, UH, ENTER THE FRONT.
I WON'T TAKE TOO MUCH OF YOUR TIME.
AND YOUR ADDRESS? I LIVE IN 37 10.
I'D LIKE TO SAY IT'S VERY NICE TO SEE YOU TONIGHT.
IT'S NICE TO HAVE A NEW FACE MAYOR
[01:30:01]
IN HERE.THE MEETING HAS GONE MUCH QUICKER AND MUCH SMOOTHER THAN IT'S EVER BEEN.
I'VE BEEN TO EVERY MEETING IN THE LAST THREE MONTHS AND THIS IS A DELIGHT.
UM, ON, ON THIS MATTER, UM, I JUST LEARNED TONIGHT THAT AN ENTIRE FIRE STATION CAN BE REPAIRED FOR LESS THAN THE COST OF THIS PHOTO OP PROJECT FOR NEARLY HALF A MILLION DOLLARS.
THERE'S SO MANY OTHER THINGS THAT CAN BE DONE IF WE'RE GONNA DO INFRASTRUCTURE REPAIRS, IF WE'RE NOT GONNA DO THE INFRASTRUCTURE REPAIRS THAT ARE NEEDED ON THE ISLAND, LET'S DO IMPROVEMENTS THAT ARE ACTUALLY GONNA BRING PEOPLE TO PORT ARTHUR.
PORT ARTHUR OR THE ISLAND SPECIFICALLY.
LIGHTING ON THE FISHING PIER AT THE NORTH END HAS BEEN REQUESTED BY A LOT OF PEOPLE.
I'M ON BE I LIVE ON THE ISLAND.
I SPEAK ON BEHALF OF A LOT OF THE RESIDENTS WHEN I'M HERE TALKING ABOUT THIS STUFF.
AND WE WANT THINGS THAT'LL BRING PEOPLE OUT THERE.
UM, A PHOTO BOOTH HAS NO INTEREST AT THIS TIME.
IT WILL, NO ONE'S GONNA DRIVE 30 MINUTES TO COME TAKE A PICTURE.
PEOPLE ARE GONNA COME TO GO FISHING.
THOUGH, AT THE LAST MEETING OF CITY COUNCIL MEMBER, WERE ACTUALLY UNFORTUNATELY TRIED TO INTIMIDATE ME WHEN I WAS SITTING IN THE CROWD, OR, UM, SPOKE TO ME ABOUT IQ VERSUS EQ, I WASN'T EVEN SPEAKING.
AND APPARENTLY SOME OF THE COUNCIL THOUGHT IT WAS OKAY TO TALK DOWN TO THE CITIZENS THAT DAY WHEN THEY CAME TO WATCH SOME MEETINGS.
I'M GONNA ASK COUNSEL NOW, WAS THERE ANY IQ OR EQ MADE, UM, WHEN WE WERE MAKING DECISIONS ABOUT THIS PHOTO OP FOR ALMOST HALF A MILLION DOLLARS? WAS ANYTHING TAKEN TO EQ ABOUT WHAT THE CITIZENS THOUGHT ABOUT THIS? THIS PROJECT IS STUPID.
IT SHOWS HOW OUT OF TOUCH SOME OF THE MEMBERS ARE, WHAT WAS ACTUALLY GOING ON IN THE COMMUNITY.
AND AFTER HEARING HOW MUCH IT COSTS TO REPAIR A FIRE STATION, WE'RE GONNA PUT IN A PHOTO OP THAT NO ONE EVEN USES.
NO ONE EVEN USES THE HALF OF THE STUFF THAT'S OUT THERE RIGHT NOW.
PEOPLE ARE NOT COMING TO PLEASURE ISLAND TO TAKE PICTURES OF THEMSELVES NEXT TO SIGN.
THEY'RE COMING TO ENJOY NATURE AND THEY'RE COMING TO ENJOY WHAT THE ISLAND HAS TO OFFER.
LET'S PUT THE MONEY TO WHAT PEOPLE WANT AND LET'S STOP WASTING IN A PROJECTS LIKE THIS, IT SURE DOESN'T COST THAT MUCH TO FILL, BUILD A PHOTO OP AREA.
SO HONESTLY, GOD ONLY KNOWS WHERE THIS MONEY IS ACTUALLY GOING FOR THAT PRICE.
YOU COULD HAVE BUILT A SECOND PIER ON THE SOUTH LEVY, WHICH WOULD ATTRACT HUNDREDS OF FISH ON A DAILY BASIS.
IF Y'ALL GO OUT TO THE ISLAND ON THE WEEKEND AND YOU JUST DRIVE BY, I'M SURE SOME OF Y'ALL DO.
IT'S FISHING OUT THERE, IT'S BIRDING.
THAT'S WHAT PEOPLE ARE COMING TO DO.
PEOPLE COME TO SIGHTSEE, THEY'RE COMING TO TAKE THEIR FAMILIES OUT.
THEY WANNA ENJOY STUFF LIKE THAT.
THEY'RE NOT COMING TO A 400,000 PHOTO OP.
IF WE SPENT THAT ON ANOTHER PIER OR GOT LIGHTING OR PARKING LOT LIGHTS DONE, YOU WOULD SEE SUCH A DIFFERENCE IN THERE.
AND THEN WE COULD HAVE THIS PHOTO OP AND STUFF LIKE THAT WHEN PEOPLE ARE ALREADY OUT THERE, BUT THEY'RE NOT GONNA COME FOR THAT.
IF YOU WANNA MAKE REAL IMPROVEMENTS, THEN LEAVE THE ISLAND ALONE.
I'M SPEAKING ON BEHALF OF MANY OF THE RESIDENTS WE WANT THROUGH ISLAND PRESERVED THE WAY IT IS.
IF YOU WANT PEOPLE TO CONTINUE TO COME OUT THERE AND YOU WANT IT TO GROW, THEN LET'S GROW THE ISLAND IN AREAS THAT SERVE THE ENTIRE COMMUNITY.
PEOPLE COME TO FISH, PEOPLE COME TO ENJOY NATURE.
LET'S START USING THAT MONEY TOWARDS PROJECTS THAT WOULD BENEFIT EVERYBODY.
I WAS GONNA TRY AND TALK OFF, OFF MY HEAD.
I'LL USE MY NOTES, BUT THIS IS A BIG DEAL AND LET'S, LET'S THINK ABOUT THIS BEFORE WE VOTE ON.
ONE OF THE QUESTIONS I WANTED TO ASK WAS THE, THE MONEY THAT WAS BEING, UM, THE MONEY THAT WAS BEING DONATED WAS, I'M SORRY, THE $200,000 THAT WAS BEING DONATED, WAS IT BEING DONATED SPECIFICALLY FOR THIS PROJECT OR WAS IT IT WAS DONATED SPECIFICALLY FOR THE PROJECT THAT WE'RE LOOKING AT.
SO IT EITHER, EITHER USE IT FOR THIS OR NOTHING.
SO, SO IF, IF I'M HEARING CORRECTLY, THEN COUNSEL BECKHAM'S COMMENT IS MOOT BECAUSE WE CAN'T PUT IT IN AN ACCOUNT TO DRAW INTEREST FROM BECAUSE IF WE EITHER, WE EITHER GET THE MONEY OR WE DON'T GET THE MONEY FOR THIS PROJECT.
SO WE COULDN'T TAKE THE MONEY AND PUT IT IN AN ACCOUNT AND WE COULDN'T PUT IT IN AN ACCOUNT AND DRAW INTEREST ON IT FOR ANYTHING ELSE.
IT IS EITHER FOR THIS PROJECT OR WE DECIDE TO TAKE OUR MONEY, PUT IT WITH IT, AND DO SOMETHING PRODUCTIVE WITH IT.
WE ALREADY ACCEPTED THE MONEY.
WELL, THAT'S WHAT I'M SAYING BECAUSE WE ARE CHOOSING TO DO THE, THE PROJECT.
WELL THEN WHERE IS THE, OKAY, WE'RE GONNA GO ONE AT A TIME.
I HAVE NOT GIVEN COUNCILMAN BECKHAM, UH, OPPORTUNITY TO SPEAK.
RIGHT NOW, COUNCIL MEMBER FRANK IS SPEAKING.
AND THEN AFTERWARDS, TIFFANY COUNCIL MEMBER AIRFIELD HAD HER HAND UP.
SO IT IS EITHER EARLIER, SO IT IS EITHER DO THIS PROJECT OR NOT GET IT DONE AT ANY PARTICULAR TIME UNLESS WE PAY FOR IT ALL.
I HAVE ALWAYS BEEN OF THE, PARTICULARLY THE PARTICULAR OPINION THAT WE CAN WALK AND CHEW GUM AT THE SAME TIME THAT WE DON'T HAVE TO STAY WHERE WE ARE.
THAT WE CAN DO PROJECTS THAT ARE BENEFICIAL AND BEAUTIFUL FOR THE CITY OF PORT ARTHUR AS WE'RE GOING SOMEWHERE.
BUT WHEN I FIRST GOT ON COUNCIL, THERE WAS NOTHING ON THE ISLAND.
SINCE I'VE GOTTEN ON THE ISLAND, SINCE I'VE GOTTEN ON COUNCIL, NOT BECAUSE OF ME, BUT BECAUSE OF THE ENTIRETY OF THE COUNCIL MOVING FORWARD, WE'VE GOTTEN THE BIRD SANCTUARY, WE'VE GOTTEN INDIVIDUALS
[01:35:01]
TO COME AND TO, UH, DEVELOPERS TO COME.SO WE ARE MOVING IN THE RIGHT DIRECTION.
YOUR COMMENT WAS, SIR, AND I I I APPRECIATE CITIZENS COMING, BUT YOUR COMMENT WAS THAT IF YOU WANT THE ISLAND TO MOVE FORWARD MM-HMM.
SIR, I HAVE TO GIVE YOU PERMISSION TO SPEAK MA'AM.
LEMME YOUR, YOUR COMMENT, YOUR COMMENT IS THE WAY THAT YOU FEEL, BUT YOU CAN'T MOVE FORWARD AND STAY STILL CAN'T DO IT.
SO YOU HAVE TO MOVE, YOU HAVE TO MAKE MOVEMENTS.
SO I AM GOING TO VOTE FOR THIS TO GO FORWARD.
I AM EXTREMELY EXCITED ABOUT ALL THE THINGS THAT ARE GOING ON IN PLEASURE ISLAND AND PEOPLE DO DRIVE 30 MINUTES TO TAKE PICTURES.
PEOPLE DROVE AN HOUR TO RAJET SKIS, UM, LAST MONTH.
SO PEOPLE ARE ENGAGED AND VERY EXCITED ABOUT THE ACTIVITIES THAT ARE GOING ON IN PLEASURE ON UNPLEASURE ISLAND.
THIS FUNDING, WE GREATLY APPRECIATE THE DONATION THAT WE HAVE RECEIVED.
THEY WERE EXTREMELY SPECIFIC ABOUT WHAT WE COULD USE THE MONEY FOR AND I'M GRATEFUL IN ASKING FOR SUPPORT FOR COUNCIL TO MATCH THOSE FUNDS SO THAT WE CAN MOVE FORWARD AND CONTINUE TO BEAUTIFY PLEASURE ISLAND WHILE WE ALSO BEAUTIFY THE REST OF THE CITY.
COUNCIL MEMBER REBECCA LYNN, COULD YOU COME UP AND TELL US WHERE THAT $200,000 DONATION WAS DEPOSITED AND WHAT THAT MONEY'S DOING RIGHT NOW? AND COUNCIL MEMBER? FRANK, I THINK YOU MAY HAVE MISUNDERSTOOD OR MISINTERPRETED WHAT I SAID.
I'M NOT SAYING NOT TO USE THIS MONEY FOR IT BECAUSE I UNDERSTAND THAT IT'S BEEN DONATED FOR THIS SPECIFIC PROJECT.
MY POINT IS THE TIMING IS NOT RIGHT.
LYNN, LYNN BOSWELL, DIRECTOR OF FINANCE, MAYOR COUNCIL MEMBERS, THE MONEY WAS DEPOSITED IN THE FOUR 50 ACCOUNT FOR PLEASURE ISLAND, WHICH ACTS AS AN ENTERPRISE FUND ACCOUNT BE USED FOR ANYTHING ELSE.
TECHNICALLY IT IS RESTRICTED IF YOU'RE ASKING WHERE THAT MONEY IS RIGHT NOW, THAT'S EXACTLY WHERE THAT IS AT.
THAT IS WHAT IS CONTRIBUTING TO HOW THE, HOW THIS WAS ALL BUDGETED.
AND SO IT'S IN THAT ACCOUNT? THAT IS CORRECT.
THERE'S NOT A TIME LIMIT ON HOW LONG IT CAN STAY IN THAT ACCOUNT.
IT JUST HAS TO BE USED FOR THIS PROJECT.
IS THAT CORRECT? THAT IS CORRECT.
THAT WAS THE LIMITATION FROM SHANIE.
UH, COUNCIL MEMBER KINLAW, THEN WE'RE GONNA GO TO A VOTE.
YOU GOT SOMEBODY THAT WANT TO TALK.
WELL, MY, MY THING, UH, AND JUST TO ADDRESS THE CITIZEN THAT SPOKE EARLIER, WE ARE ADDRESSING THE LIGHTING IN THE DOCKS OUT THERE.
THAT'S SOMETHING, I'M A BIG FISHERMAN.
UH, THAT'S ONE OF THE MAIN THINGS I'VE TALKED WITH RON THE LAST COUPLE OF MONTHS ABOUT, YOU KNOW, ENSURING THAT WE DEVELOP THE ISLAND.
UH, BUT WHEN YOU GO ON VACATIONS, WHEN YOU GO TO KEAH, YOU SEE A BIG SIGN KEAH MM-HMM
WHEN YOU GO TO CANCUN, YOU SEE A BIG OLD SIGN THAT SAY CANCUN.
WHY IS IT SO HARD THAT WE ARE TRYING AND YOU KNOW ME, I'M JUST GONNA SPEAK FOR ME.
THAT WE ARE TRYING TO DEVELOP THAT'S GONNA MAKE IT LOOK BETTER THAN WHAT IT IS NOW.
SO, YOU KNOW, I UNDERSTAND AND COUNCIL MEMBERS UNDERSTAND THAT WHAT THIS AMOUNT OF MONEY WAS EARMARKED FOR, UH, 200 K.
I'VE ASKED RON, I'VE TALKED WITH COLD HEARTS HERE UP THERE, BUT OUR JOB IS TO ENSURE THAT WE BENEFIT THE WHOLE CITY.
WE ARE ADDRESSING STREETS, WE ARE ADDRESSING DRAINAGE.
WE ARE ADDRESSING NEW FACILITIES IN THE CITY.
SO I DON'T THINK NO ONE ON THIS COUNCIL HAS EVER STOPPED THAT.
BUT THE ISLAND IS PART OF THE CITY OF PORT ARTHUR.
AND OUR JOB IS TO ENSURE THAT WE DO IT FOR EVERY CITIZEN IN THE CITY.
AND YOU LIVE THERE AND THAT SIGN WILL LOOK SO NICE AND, AND WE, IF WE HAVE A DIFFERENCE OF OPINION, THAT MAY BE OKAY.
BUT WHEN YOU GO ON VACATION, YOU SEE BIG SIGNS LIKE THAT.
PEOPLE COME, THE BIRDWATCHERS YOU TALK ABOUT, THEY'RE GONNA BE WANTING TO TAKE PICTURES THERE.
AND THAT'S TO DRAW ATTENTION TO THE, AND WHAT WE ARE TRYING TO DO IS DRAW ATTENTION TO THE CITY OF PORT ARTHUR.
I HAVE TWO PEOPLE FROM THE AUDIENCE, UH, CITY ATTORNEY.
DO WE HAVE A LIMIT ON THE SPEAKING FROM THE AUDIENCE AND CONTINUALLY, UM, SO COME ON UP.
AND THEN I THINK ALICIA, UH, IF YOU COME ON AND GET READY TO COME BEHIND HIM, PLEASE, SO WE CAN MOVE ON.
UM, IF THIS AS MONEY WAS ALREADY LAUDED FOR THIS PROJECT, THE 200 KI DON'T KNOW WHY IT WASN'T DISCUSSED BACK THEN, BECAUSE I THINK THERE COULD HAVE BEEN A LOT OF OTHER THINGS THAT WOULD'VE BEEN A, WHO WOULD'VE BETTER SPENT ON, UM, AS FAR AS THE LIGHTS GO, I'VE BEEN TALKING ABOUT THIS SINCE 2021.
I'VE GOT PROOF IN THE PAPER AND ONLINE WITH THE PORT ARTHUR, UM, UH, CITY WEBSITE.
NOTHING'S BEEN DONE ABOUT IT, UNFORTUNATELY.
AND I TRIED TO CONTACT GEORGE DAVIS ABOUT IT RECENTLY.
NOT ONLY WAS HE RUDE, BUT HE WAS, UM, ALMOST THREATENING ONLINE.
UM, LET WHAT I, WHAT I SAID, AND I, I'LL
[01:40:01]
I'LL SAY IT AGAIN.IF YOU'RE NOT GONNA MAKE IMPROVEMENTS, LEAVE THE ISLAND ALONE.
IF YOU WANT TO MAKE IMPROVEMENTS AND HAVE IT GROW AND HAVE PEOPLE COME OUT HERE, THEN GROW THE ISLAND IN AREAS THAT SERVE THE COMMUNITY.
THAT'S WHAT I WAS TRYING TO SAY.
IF YOU WANT TO GROW IT, GROW IT.
WHEN AREAS THAT ARE GONNA HELP PEOPLE AREN'T GONNA DRIVE 30 MINUTES JUST TO TAKE A PICTURE OF THE SIGN.
I MEAN, UM, ALSO, UM, MISS, I'M SORRY I'M NOT GONNA, UH, TALK TO ANYONE DIRECTLY, BUT THAT I, THE EVENT WE'RE TALKING ABOUT, UM, I WENT TO IT.
I DIDN'T SEE ANY JET SKIS RENTED.
I LITERALLY SAW TWO PADDLE BOATS BEING RENTED.
UM, YEAH, WE, YOU GOT UP TO SPEAK TOWARD THE PLEASURE ISLAND.
YOU'RE NOT GONNA GO ON WITH THE OTHER COMMENTATION ABOUT WHAT HAPPENED ON THE ISLAND AT THIS TIME.
I'LL HAVE MS, UM, GIVE, COME UP AND GIVE YOU A NAME AND FIRST NAME, LAST NAME.
MY NAME IS ALICIA FLOOD, 42 21 JIMMY JOHNSON BOULEVARD.
I MOVED HERE IN, UM, 1998 AND THE FIRST PLACE I WENT WAS PLEASURE ISLAND.
THERE WAS A RESTAURANT OVER THERE.
IT WAS A LOT OF HAPPENINGS OVER THERE.
THAT'S WHERE WE WENT TO HAVE FUN AND JUST ENJOY WITH YOUR FAMILY.
I STILL GO OVER THERE, BUT IT'S NOT THE SAME.
JUST THIS PAST WEEKEND WE HAD TO GO TO LAKE CHARLES TO ENJOY A LAZY RIVER FOR MY DAUGHTER'S BIRTHDAY.
SO I AM VERY EXCITED ABOUT ALL THE PROJECTS THAT ARE ABOUT TO TAKE PLACE IN PLEASURE ISLAND.
YOU HAVE TO START SOMEWHERE AND YOU HAVE TO DO IT.
AND I HOPE THAT THE CITY COUNCIL WOULD TAKE IN CONSIDERATION IN YOUR VOTING THAT THIS IS A NECESSARY PROJECT BECAUSE WE'RE TIRED OF TAKING OUR MONEY OTHER PLACES.
WITH THAT BEING SAID, WE'RE GONNA GO TO OUR VOTE AND WE'RE GONNA DO A ROLL CALL VOTE OR WE WANNA JUST JUST GO ONE.
UM, WITH THE ITEM PASSES, PR NUMBER 24 3 6 3 HAS PASSED.
[VIII.A.(2) P.R. No. 24396 – A Resolution Authorizing The City Manager To Purchase Fire Department Structural Firefighting Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) Clothing From Casco Industries, Inc. Of Laporte, Texas Under BuyBoard Contract No. 698-23, With A Projected Capital Budgetary Impact Of $235,925.00; Funding Is Available In Fire Department Uniform Account No. 001-19-047-5251-00-30-000]
NEXT RESOLUTION.A RESOLUTION AUTHORIZED IN THE CITY MANAGER TO PURCHASE FIRE DEPARTMENT STRUCTURAL FIREFIGHTING PERSONNEL, PROTECTIVE EQUIPMENT, PPE CLOTHING FROM COSTCO INDUSTRIES INCORPORATED OF LAPORTE, TEXAS UNDER BY BOARD CONTRACT NUMBER 6 9 8 DASH 23 WITH A PROJECTED CAPITAL BUDGETARY IMPACT OF $235,925.
FUNDING IS AVAILABLE IN FIRE DEPARTMENT UNIFORM ACCOUNT NUMBER 0 0 1 1 9 0 4 7 5 2 5 1 0 0 DASH THREE ZERO.
AND AT THIS TIME, ANY QUESTIONS? YES, MA'AM.
SO COUNCILOR MCKEN, LAW CHIEF, UH, IN READING THE BACKGROUND, THIS IS OUR SECOND, UH, UH, SET OF BUNKER GEAR FOR, UH, FIREFIGHTERS.
OR WHEN YOU SAY PPE, WHAT IS IT? SO THIS IS OUR STRUCTURAL FIREFIGHTING, UH, PROTECTIVE ENSEMBLE, HELMETS, GLOVES, UH, HOODS, COACH PANTS, BOOTS.
SO THIS IS SOMETHING WE DISCUSSED MAYBE ABOUT A YEAR AGO.
YOU REMEMBER WE TALKED ABOUT MM-HMM
I'M GLAD TO SEE THAT IT'S ON HERE.
UH, WE TALK AND WHEN YOU GAVE THE, I THINK THE, THE TOUR TO ME AND, UH, A PAST COUNCIL MEMBER, UH, YOU TALKED ABOUT WANTING TO DO THIS, I'M GLAD THAT IT'S ON HERE.
THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR SUPPORTING THIS.
[VIII.A.(3) P.R. No. 24401 – A Resolution Authorizing The City Manager To Purchase A 2025 Ford Explorer For The Police Department From Town And Country Ford In Port Arthur, Texas, In The Amount Of $40,752.94 Funding Allocated In Account Number 625-17-045-8522 00-00-000 Pending Approval Of Budget Amendment P.O. No. 7345]
NUMBER, PR NUMBER 2 4 4 1 RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING A CITY MANAGER TO PURCHASE A 2025 FORD EXPLORER FOR THE POLICE DEPARTMENT FROM TOWN AND COUNTRY FORD IN PORT ARTHUR, TEXAS IN THE AMOUNT OF 40752.94.FUNDING ALLOCATED AN ACCOUNT NUMBER 6 2 5 1 7 0 4 5 8 5 2 2 0 0 0 0 0 0.
PENDING APPROVAL OF BUDGET AMENDMENT PO NUMBER 7 3 4 5.
MAY I HAVE A MOTION FOR APPROVAL? SO MOVED.
COUNCILMAN BECK? ANY QUESTIONS, MAYOR? OH, UH, COUNCIL MEMBER FRANK, SIMPLY WANT TO SAY, UM, GRATEFUL TO SEE THAT WE ARE SUPPORTING, UH, LOCAL BUSINESS IN THE CITY OF PORT ARTHUR WITH THE EXPENDITURE OF THIS NEW VEHICLE.
[01:45:01]
UM, LET'S TAKE A VOTE.[VIII.A.(4) P.R. No. 24402 – A Resolution Authorizing The City Manager To Execute Amendment #1 To Extend The Contract Expiration Date From December 31, 2025, To December 31, 2026 For The Energy Efficiency And Conservation Block Grant (EECBG) From The Department Of Energy For $118,760.00, With No Cash Match. Account Number Is 307-21-049-8525-00-10-000; Project #CE0001.GRE.EQU]
RESOLUTION NUMBER 2 4 4 0 2 A RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING THE CITY MANAGER TO EXECUTE AMENDMENT NUMBER ONE.TO EXTEND THE CONTRACT EXPIRATION DATE FROM DECEMBER 31ST, 2025 TO DECEMBER 31ST, 2026 FOR THE ENERGY EFFICIENCY AND CON CONSERVATION BLOCK.
GRANT, E-E-C-B-G FROM THE DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY FOR $118,760 WITH NO CASH MATCH.
ACCOUNT NUMBER IS 3 0 7 2 4 9 8 5 2 5 0 0 1 0 0.
PROJECT NUMBER CCE 0 0 0 1 G EQ U MAY I HAVE A MOTION FOR APPROVAL? SO MOVED.
I HAVE A SET MOTION AND A SECOND.
[VIII.A.(5) P.R. No. 24408 – 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 Lincoln Park In The Total Amount Of $223,957.90. Funds Are Available In The Parks And Recreation Capital Improvement Account Number 307-25-067-8525 00-20-000]
NUMBER FIVE, PR NUMBER 2 4 4 0 8 A RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING CITY MANAGER TO ENTER INTO A CONTRACT WITH CRAFTSMAN COMMERCIAL PLAYGROUNDS IN WATERPARK OF SPRING, TEXAS THROUGH BY BOARD COOPERATIVE PURCHASING CONTRACT NUMBER 6 7 9 DASH 22 FOR PARK IMPROVEMENTS TO LINCOLN PARK AND THE TOTAL AMOUNT OF $223,957 AND 90 CENTS.FUNDS ARE AVAILABLE IN THE PARKS AND RECREATION CAPITAL IMPROVEMENT ACCOUNT NUMBER 3 0 7 2 5 6 7 DASH 8 5 2 5 0 2 0 MAY HAVE MOTION FOR APPROVAL.
SECOND, I HAVE A MOTION AND A SECOND.
ANY QUESTIONS? ALL IN FAVOR? AYE.
OKAY, PR MOTION PASSES PR NUMBER
[VIII.A.(6) P.R. No. 24409 – A Resolution Awarding A Bid And Authorizing The City Manager To Enter Into An Agreement With Elite Contractors & Equipment, Ltd, Of Kirbyville, Texas For The 7th Street Improvements Project-Stadium Road To Duff Drive For The Amount Of $2,828,270.00. Funds Are Available In Capital Improvements Project Account No. 307-21-053-8517-00-10-000. Project No. ST3047.CON]
2 4 4 0 9 A RESOLUTION AWARD AND A BID AND AUTHORIZING THE CITY MANAGER TO ENTER INTO AN AGREEMENT WITH ELITE CONTRACTORS AND EQUIPMENT LTD OF KIRBYVILLE, TEXAS FOR THE SEVENTH STREET IMPROVEMENT PROJECT STADIUM ROAD TO DUFF DRIVE FOR THE AMOUNT OF $2,828,270.FUNDS ARE AVAILABLE IN CAPITAL IMPROVEMENTS.
PROJECT ACCOUNT NUMBER 3 0 7 2 1 0 5 3 8 5 7 0 0 DASH ZERO ZERO.
MAY I HAVE A MOTION FOR APPROVAL? SO MOVED.
I A I HAVE A MOTION TO SECOND.
ANY QUESTIONS? ALL IN FAVOR A AYE AYE.
[VIII.A.(7) P.R. No. 24413 – A Resolution Authorizing The City Manager To Purchase A 5-Year Extended Warranty From Kinloch Equipment & Supply, Inc. Of Pasadena, Texas, For The Previously Purchased Vactor Truck In The Not To Exceed Amount Of $21,236.00. Funding Is Available In The Capital Improvement Account No. 405-40-000 8516-00-00-000, Contingent Upon The Approval Of The Budget Amendment In Proposed Ordinance No. 7345]
PR NUMBER 2 4 4 1 3 A RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING CITY MANAGER TO PURCHASE A FIVE YEAR EXTENDED WARRANTY FROM KEN LOCK EQUIPMENT AND SUPPLY INCORPORATED OF PASADENA, TEXAS FOR THE PREVIOUSLY PURCHASED V TRUCK AND NOT IN THE AMOUNT NOT TO EXCEED, UH, AMOUNT OF 21,236.FUNDING IS AVAILABLE IN THE CAPITAL IMPROVEMENT ACCOUNT.
NUMBER 4 0 5 4 0 0 0 8 5 1 6 0 0 0 0 CONTINGENT UPON THE APPROVAL OF THE BUDGET AMENDMENT AND PROPOSED ORDINANCE NUMBER 7 3 4 5.
MAY I HAVE A MOTION FOR APPROVAL? SO MOVED.
SECOND, WE HAVE ANY QUESTIONS? YES, MA'AM.
I'M GONNA GIVE YOU A BREAK REAL QUICK.
COUNCILOR MCKINLEY, UH, THE V TRUCK, UH, WHO, WHO WANNA COME UP AND TALK TO ME ABOUT THEIR VECTOR,
ALRIGHT, I'M GONNA HELP THE MAYOR OUT.
HEY, UH, MAN, I KNOW WE HAVE UH, WE HAVE A LARGE FACTOR TRUCK, HUH? BREAK IN RIGHT? RIGHT.
UH, COUNCILMAN DEUCE FACTOR TRUCK.
WE HAVE A LARGE HANDLE, A SMALL ONE, RIGHT? YEAH.
YES, WE HAVE THE, THE BIG, THE THE LARGE ONE IS AN OLDER UNIT THAT WE BOUGHT USED.
IT, IT RUNS MOST OF THE TIME, BUT IT HAS ITS PROBLEMS. IT'S, YOU HAVE TO BABY IT.
THIS IS FOR THE NEW ONE, OBVIOUSLY THIS IS FOR THE NEW ONE.
UH, SO, UH, HOW SOON CAN WE GET THIS, THIS TRUCK? IT'S ROLLING.
WE, WE JUST SUBMITTED TO, UH, THE POWERS TO BE AT THE STATE.
UH, PLAN FOR DOING MAINTENANCE, UH, BASICALLY ON A WEEKLY BASIS IN AREAS OF THE CITY WHERE WE HAVE PROBLEMS. IT WENT OUT TO THE MAIN TREATMENT PLANT TODAY AND DID SOME WORK.
SO WE HAVE TWO INSERVICE AND ONE ON STANDBY, RIGHT? WELL WE HAVE, WE HAVE TWO JET TRUCKS, RIGHT? THAT ARE NEW.
THEY'RE ABOUT A YEAR AND A HALF OLD.
WE HAVE ONE GUY THAT CAN DRIVE IT.
UH, THE, I THINK GEL HAS ONE NEW ONE.
AND, UH, THE, THE BIG RED ONE, WE DON'T USE IT UNLESS WE HAVE TO.
I MEAN, TO BE HONEST WITH YOU.
'CAUSE IT TAKES SOME MAINTENANCE WHEN YOU TAKE IT OUT.
BUT THE, THE NEW ENROLLS AND THIS WARRANTY HAS A, IF THEY COME OUT AND FIX IT, IF THEY CAN'T FIX IT, THEY BRING A LOANER AND TAKE IT BACK.
[01:50:01]
WE HAVE ONE TO USE WHILE, WHILE THEY'RE WORKING ON IT.THE ITEM MOTION, THE RESOLUTION PASSES PR
[VIII.A.(8) P.R. No. 24416 – A Resolution Approving The 2025 Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) Funding Allocation Of $1,006,766.00 From The Department Of Housing And Urban Development. The 2025 CDBG Grant Will Begin In The City's FY26 Budget ]
NUMBER 24 4 16 A RESOLUTION APPROVING THE 2025 COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT BLOCK GRANT.CDBG FUNDING ALLOCATION OF $1,000,006 766.
DID I SAY THAT RIGHT? $1,000,006 $766 FROM THE DEPARTMENT OF HOUSING AND URBAN DEVELOPMENT.
THE 2025 CDBG GRANT WILL BEGIN IN THE CITY'S FY 26 BUDGET.
IT'S BEEN MOVED AND PROPERLY SECOND.
ANY QUESTIONS? ALL IN FAVOR? AYE.
THE AYES HAVE THE MOTION PASSES.
[VIII.A.(9) P.R. No. 24417 – A Resolution Appointing And/Or Reappointing A Director Or Directors To The City Of Port Arthur Section 4A Economic Development Corporation (Requested By Mayor Moses)]
NUMBER 2 4 4 1 7 A RESOLUTION, APPOINTING AND REAPPOINTED A DIRECTOR, OUR DIRECTORS TO THE CITY OF PORT ARTHUR, SECTION FOUR, ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION REQUESTED BY MAYOR MOSES.AND I, MAY I HAVE A MOTION FOR APPROVAL? SECOND, IT'S BEEN MOVED.
AND SECOND, UH, THERE'S NO WE HAVE ANY QUESTIONS.
THAT WILL BE THE NEW DIRECTOR.
MAY I HAVE A VOTE ON THE NAME, PLEASE? YAY.
I'M GOING TO ABSTAIN FROM VOTING ON THIS ITEM BECAUSE IT'S NOT A REQUIREMENT.
AND I HAVE, I'VE BEEN WAITING FOR THE DOCUMENTATION TO SEE WHEN THAT ARTICLE, UH, CONSTITUTED IN THE, UH, THE BOARD.
I HAVE NOT RECEIVED THAT INFORMATION WHEN THAT WAS CHANGED, THAT THAT WAS SET UP AS AN APPOINTMENT.
EACH COUNCIL MEMBER HAS AN APPOINTMENT IS JUST NOT REQUIRED TO VOTE ON.
YOU EITHER VOTE YES OR YOU VOTE NO.
COUNCIL MEMBER LEWIS? YES, I CAN.
AND I GAVE, I GAVE YOU A REASON.
CITY ATTORNEY, CAN YOU GIVE US CLARITY? THANK YOU.
I'M ABSTAINING BECAUSE SOMETHING, WELL, WHAT I GONNA MOVE IT, WHAT I'VE VIEWED SO FAR, THOSE, THOSE RECORDS FOR APPOINTING EACH APPOINT, EACH COUNCILMAN HAS AN APPOINTMENT HAS BEEN TAMPERED WITH.
COUNCIL, COUNCIL LEWIS, IF, IF THERE'S A PROBLEM WITH OUR PROCESS, THEN WE CAN DO THAT.
BUT WHENEVER IT IS CALLED FOR A VOTE, WE HAVE TO VOTE YES OR NO.
IF THERE'S SOMETHING THAT YOU NEED TO BRING BACK, YOU CAN ALWAYS BRING IT BACK TO US.
BUT IN THIS PARTICULAR CASE, CITY ATTORNEY, CITY ATTORNEY, CAN YOU GIVE US CITY ATTORNEY? I AM ABSTAINING.
CITY ATTORNEY, DO YOU HAVE A LEGAL OPINION? RIGHT? I WANT TO HEAR YOUR LEGAL OPINION SO WE CAN MOVE ON.
I KNOW THAT IF YOU ABSTAIN FROM VOTE THERE IS, IT IS CONSIDERED A NO VOTE.
SO EVEN YOU'RE NOT LEGALLY ALLOWED TO ABSTAIN UNLESS YOU HAVE A CONFLICT.
WHAT DOES THE LAW SAY? YOU'RE NOT SUPPOSED TO LEGALLY ABSTAIN UNLESS YOU HAVE A CONFLICT OF INTEREST.
AND IF YOU CHOOSE TO ABSTAIN, THEN IT'S A NO VOTE.
WE'LL GO ON RECORD THAT IT WILL BE THAT I'M CALLING FOR A VOTE.
ALL IN FAVOR? CITY ATTORNEY CITY.
I UNDERSTAND PERFECTLY WHEN YOU, DO WE HAVE ANY NO VOTES.
YOU, I'M, I'M MAKING SURE THAT IN THE RECORD.
DO YOU HAVE THAT? I AM ABSTAINING AND YOU CAN COUNT IT AS A NO VOTE.
IT'S A NO VOTE, BUT, UH, BUT HOW MANY STAYING THE RECORDS HAVE BEEN TAMPERED WITH.
[VIII.B.(1) P.O. No. 7334 – An Ordinance Amending Appendix A – Zoning, Of The Code Of Ordinances Of The City Of Port Arthur, Texas, By Granting A Zoning Map Amendment For Approximately 20.737 Acres Of Land Consisting Of Lots 5-7, Block 10, Tract 1, Range "H", Port Arthur Land Company Subdivision (Located South Of 9th Avenue And East Of Lake Arthur Drive), Jefferson County, Texas, From Commercial Retail (CR) To Planned Development District – 46 (PD 46) To Allow Residential And Commercial Retail Uses; (Violation Of Any Provision Of This Ordinance Shall Be Guilty Of A Misdemeanor And Shall Be Punished By A Fine Not Exceeding $2,000.00, As Provided In Chapter 1, Section 1-13 Of The Code Of Ordinances And Each Day Which Violation Is Permitted To Exist Shall Constitute A Separate And Distinct Offense); And Providing For Publication In The Official Newspaper Of The City Of Port Arthur And Effective Immediately After Publication Date. Z25-01 – Alnoor Merani ]
MOVE ON TO ORDINANCES AND PO NUMBER 7 3 3 4 AND ORDINANCE AMENDING APPENDIX A ZONING OF THE CODE OF ORDINANCES FOR THE CITY OF PORT ARTHUR, TEXAS BY GRANTING A ZONING MAP AMENDMENT FOR APPROXIMATELY 20.737 ACRES OF LAND CONSISTING OF LOTS FIVE THROUGH SEVEN BLOCK, 10 TRACK ONE RANGE.H PORT ARTHUR LAND COMPANY SUBDIVISION LOCATED SOUTH OF NINTH AVENUE AND EAST OF LAKE ARTHUR DRIVE.
JEFFERSON COUNTY, TEXAS FROM COMMERCIAL RETAIL CR
[01:55:01]
TO PLAN DEVELOPMENT DISTRICT DASH 46, PD 46.TO ALLOW RESIDENTIAL AND COMMERCIAL RETAIL USES, VIOLATION OF ANY PROVISION OF THIS ORDINANCE SHALL BE GUILTY OF A MISDEMEANOR AND SHALL BE PUNISHED BY A FINE NOT EXCEEDING $2,000 AS PROVIDED IN CHAPTER ONE.
SECTION ONE THROUGH 13 OF THE CODE OF ORDINANCES AND EACH DAY, WHICH VIOLATION IS PERMITTED TO EXIST, SHALL CONSTITUTE A SEPARATE AND DISTINCT OFFENSE.
AND PROVIDING FOR PUBLICATION IN THE OFFICIAL NEWSPAPER OF THE CITY OF PORT ARTHUR, AN EFFECTIVE IMMEDIATELY AFTER PUBLICATION DATE, Z 25 DASH ZERO ONE DASH ALOR MARINA.
UM, A MOTION FOR APPROVAL? SECOND.
ANY QUESTIONS OR CALL FOR A VOTE? AYE.
[VIII.B.(2) P.O. No. 7336 – An Ordinance Of The City Council Of The City Of Port Arthur, Texas, Amending Appendix A – Zoning Of The City Of Port Arthur Code Of Ordinances, To Grant Specific Use Permit No. 243 To Allow For "Retail, Local" Use In A Planned Development District On Approximately 0.4878 Acres Of Land Located At 3635 And 3645 39th Street, Legally Described As Lots 18-24, Tract 1, Block 24, Rosemont Addition, Port Arthur, Jefferson County, Texas; (Violation Of Any Provision Of This Ordinance Shall Be Guilty Of A Misdemeanor And Shall Be Punished By A Fine Not Exceeding $2,000.00 As Provided In Chapter 1, Section 1-13 Of The Code Of Ordinances, And Each Day Which Violation Is Permitted To Exist Shall Constitute A Separate And Distinct Offense); And Providing For Publication In The Official Newspaper Of The City Of Port Arthur And Effective Immediately After Publication Date. Z25-03 (Faheem Hussain Khuwaja) SUP #243]
TO THE NEXT ORDINANCE.PO NUMBER 7 3 3 6 AND ORDINANCE OF THE CITY, COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF PORT ARTHUR, TEXAS.
AMENDING APPENDIX A ZONING OF THE CITY OF PORT ARTHUR CODE OF ORDINANCES TO GRANT SPECIFIC USE PERMIT NUMBER OF 2 4 3 TO ALLOW FOR RETAIL LOCAL USE AND A PLAN DEVELOPMENT DISTRICT ON APPROXIMATELY 0.4878 ACRES OF LAND LOCATED AT 3 36 35 AND 36 45 30 NINTH STREET.
LEGALLY DESCRIBED AS LOTS 18 THROUGH 24.
TRACK ONE BLOCK, 24 ROSEMOUNT EDITION.
PORT ARTHUR, JEFFERSON COUNTY, TEXAS.
VIOLATION OF ANY PROVISION OF THIS ORDINANCE SHALL BE GUILTY OF A MISDEMEANOR AND SHALL BE PUNISHED BY A FINE NOT EXCEEDING $2,000 AS PROVIDED IN CHAPTER ONE.
SECTION ONE THROUGH 13 OF THE CODE OF ORDINANCES AND EACH DAY, WHICH VIOLATION IS PERMITTED TO EXIST, SHALL CONSTITUTE A SEPARATE AND DISTINCT OFFENSE AND PROVIDING FOR PUBLICATION IN THE OFFICIAL NEWSPAPER OF THE CITY OF PORT ARTHUR.
AND EFFECTIVE IMMEDIATELY AFTER PUBLICATION DATE Z TWO FIVE DASH ZERO THREE.
RAHEEM HASSAN KWA, SUP NUMBER 2 43.
MAY I HAVE A MOTION FOR APPROVAL? MOVE SECOND.
ANY QUESTIONS? ALL IN FAVOR? AYE.
HAVE IT THE MOTION THE ORDINANCE PASSES.
[VIII.B.(3) P.O. No. 7341 – An Ordinance Authorizing A Special Warranty Deed For Conveyance Of A City Owned Vacant Tract Of Land To An Eligible Homeowner Participating In The City Of Port Arthur Side Lot Disposition Program ]
ANOTHER PO NUMBER 7 3 4 1.AN ORDINANCE AUTHORIZING A SPECIAL WARRANTY DEED FOR CONVEYANCE OF A CITY OWNED VACANT TRACT OF LAND TO AN ELIGIBLE HOMEOWNER PARTICIPATING IN THE CITY OF PORT ARTHUR SIDE LOT DISPOSITION PROGRAM.
MAY I HAVE A MOTION FOR APPROVAL? SO MOVE SECOND.
ANY QUESTIONS? ALL IN FAVOR SAY AYE.
I'M, I'M, I DIDN'T, I OVERLOOKED IT.
I NEED A HOW MANY OF THESE LOTS WE GOT THAT WE CAN GET BACK ON THE TAX ROAD? I THINK WE GOT, I COULD PROVIDE YOU WITH THE, UH, LIST THAT WE HAVE.
YOU COULD PUT IT IN YOUR BOX OR EMAIL IT TO YOU TOMORROW.
BUT DONATED TO THE, THE NEXT DOOR NEIGHBOR OR PROPERTY? PROPERTY NEXT DOOR, TWO THINGS HAPPEN.
WE GETS IT BACK ON THE TAX ROLL AND WE GET OUT OF THE GRASS CUTTING BUSINESS.
AND WE HAVE BEEN ATTEMPTING TO DO THAT.
NORMALLY THOSE LOTS THAT WE TRANSFER ARE SUBSTANDARD.
BUT WE FIR WE FIRST GOT TO FIND THAT THE OWNER OF THE EXISTING LOTS SO THAT WE COULD TRANSFER IT TO THEM.
IF IT'S AIR PROPERTY, IT BECOMES VERY DIFFICULT TO DO THAT.
SO WHAT YOU'RE SAYING, YOU'RE CONSTANTLY WORKING ON THAT.
THOSE LOTS THAT ARE SUBSTANDARD, WOULD YOU HAVE TO REPL THOSE LOTS? YES.
WHEN YOU, BECAUSE OF SUB SUBSTANDARD? YES.
SO I HAD TO GET A NEW LEGAL DESCRIPTION.
LET'S GO BACK TO THE ONE MORE THING.
CITY MANAGER CITY, UH, WHO, WHO COVERS THE COUNCIL MEMBER LEWIS? YES.
YOU CAN SPEAK WHO, WHO? THE REPLANTING IS THE CITY ABSORBING THAT IS THE PERSON ACCEPT IT? YEAH.
THE PERSON WHO ACCEPTS THE PROPERTY.
SO YOU THE CITY'S ABSOR? NO, NO.
THE PERSON WHO ACCEPTS THE PROPERTY REPLANTS THE PROPERTY.
MY ONLY QUESTION IS HOW DO WE GET TO GIVE THE PROPERTY? I'VE NEVER SEEN THAT.
WELL, THEY, THEY GO THROUGH THE, UM, HOUSING DEPARTMENT WITH MS. BEVERLY AND BEVERLY HAS A LIST OF ALL THOSE SUBSTANDARD LAWS.
REMEMBER SOMETIME AGO AS FAR IT GOES BACK TO THE TYPE OF MR. MASON, WHEN WE HAD BUNDLED ALL THESE PROPERTIES AND WE HAD PROJECTED THEM AND WE HAVE ALL THESE SUBSTANDARD LOTS THAT WE OWN.
I UNDER I UNDERSTAND WE OWN PROPERTY AND I WAS HERE WHEN WE AGREED TO LET THE OWNERS NEXT TO YES.
UH, HAVE FIRST PREFERENCE REFERENCE YEAH.
WE EVEN WENT TO WORKING THAT OUT WITH JEFFERSON COUNTY SO THAT THEY'D BE WITH US.
[02:00:01]
BUT IT JUST GOES BACK TO HOW CAN WE JUST DONATE THE CITY PROPERTY WITHOUT IT GOING FOR MARKET VALUE? I, THAT'S THE PART THAT'S GETTING ME, HOW CAN WE DO IT? WE'RE NOT SUPPOSED TO BE ABLE TO DONATE ANYTHING.WELL, IT WAS A COUNCIL'S DECISION THAT WE SAID, SEE THAT WE HAD TO CHASE THOSE PROPERTIES AND THEY CANNOT BE UTILIZED FOR ANY OF THE PURPOSE BECAUSE YOU CANNOT BUILD ON THEM.
SO I KNOW IT, THE COUNCIL MADE A DECISION THAT WE WORK WITH THE ADJACENT PROPERTY OWNERS, YOU KNOW, TO PASS IT ON TO THEM.
BUT EVEN SO, WHEN WE MADE THAT, I WAS ON HERE, IT WAS SUPPOSED TO BE THAT THEY WOULD HAVE THE FIRST CHOICE TO PURCHASE BECAUSE WE GO BACK TO US DONATING CITY PROPERTY.
I MEAN, WE CAN'T, I MEAN, I'VE NEVER HEARD US BEEN ABLE TO DONATE ANYTHING THAT WE OWN.
PROPERTY, EQUIPMENT, WHATEVER.
WE HAVE TO AUCTION IT OR SOMETHING.
BUT, UH, WE SUPPOSED TO HAVE, WHAT WHAT WE DID IN THE PAST WAS ACTUALLY IF THE PERSON NEXT TO THEM WANTED THE PROPERTY, THEN ALL THEY HAD TO DO WAS JUST APPLY AND THEN WE WORKED THAT OUT WHERE WHATEVER THE MARKET VALUE WAS, THAT'S WHAT THEY PAID.
WE WASN'T TRYING TO PUT NO BIDS OUT OR NOTHING.
LET ME GET MS. BEVERLY, YOU HERE BEVERLY, COME HERE.
BUT WE STILL, WE CAN'T GIVE THAT.
WE CAN'T GIVE IT THE BRIEF US ON THE PROCESS THAT WE'VE HAD IN PLACE.
UM, THIS PROPERTIES GO BACK TO THE LAND BANK PROGRAM THAT WE ESTABLISHED.
WE PURCHASED THOSE LOTS THROUGH THE NSP PROGRAM AND CITY COUNCIL.
UH, WE DESIGNED THE GUIDELINES AND CITY COUNCIL APPROVE THOSE GUIDELINES.
AND, UM, UNDER THAT SIDE LOT PROGRAM, AS, AS LONG AS THERE IS A, A HOMEOWNER NEXT DOOR MM-HMM
TO ONE OF THE LOTS THAT WE OWN, IT IS AUTHORIZED BY CITY COUNCIL THAT WE CAN CONVEY THAT PROPERTY TO THEM.
IT'S IN, IT'S IN SOMETHING THAT WE APPROVE.
IT'S IN THE LAND BANK PROGRAM GUIDELINES AND THE SIDE LOT PROGRAM IS, WELL, IT'S GOT SOMETHING IN BLACK AND WHITE.
BUT I'M JUST, THAT'S SOMETHING NEW TO ME THAT WE EVEN HAVE THE AUTHORITY.
WE'VE, WE'VE GIVEN AWAY QUITE A FEW.
I DON'T GET HOW MANY WE GIVE AWAY.
JUST THE FACT THAT WE COULD EITHER DO THINGS RIGHT OR WE DO THINGS WRONG.
I'VE NEVER KNOWN THAT'S TO HAVE THE AUTHORITY TO GIVE AWAY PUBLIC PROPERTY.
BUT WE HAVE, IT HAS TO COME IN BOARD COUNCIL NOW.
SO EVERY LOT WOULD'VE TO COME BACK AS WE FIND, UH, UH, WHOMEVER THAT THAT LANDOWNER IS THAT WANTS THAT SIDE LOT.
YOU HAVE TO COME BACK BASED UPON THE GUIDELINES YOU ALREADY HAVE IN PLACE.
YOU, AND THAT WAS PUT IN PLACE WHEN? UH, 2010.
I WOULDN'T EVEN THAT DURING THE SAME TIME WITH THE NSP UH, PROGRAM.
LET'S GO BACK TO ANYBODY ELSE LIKE COUNCILMAN LEWIS.
IN, IN, IN ADDITION TO THAT, I INITIATED, UH, FORGIVENESS OF THE LIENS AND EVERYTHING.
THE GRASS CUTTING LIENS IN THE CITY CAN FORGIVE THE GRASS CUTTING LIENS.
ALSO, NOT THE TAXES, BUT THE, BUT THE GRASS CUTTING LIENS.
BEFORE WE GO TO VOTE, BEVERLY, IF YOU WOULD PROVIDE THE COUNCIL WITH A COPY OF THAT, JUST REFRESH US ALL, UM, AND GIVE US A COPY.
YOU CAN EMAIL IT OR GIVE IT TO US ON OUR DESK OR IN OUR BOXES.
THAT WOULD BE A, I WOULD APPRECIATE THAT.
UH, WE'RE GONNA CALL FOR A VOTE.
THE MOTION, THE, UH, RESOLUTION PASSES.
[VIII.B.(4) P.O. No. 7344 – An Ordinance Of The City Of Port Arthur, Texas, Amending Chapter 42 – Floods, Article II. Flood Damage Prevention, Sections 42-35, 42-91, 42-92, And 42-93 Of The Code Of Ordinances; Providing For Severability; Providing A Penalty; And Providing An Effective Date]
I'M SORRY.AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY OF PORT ARTHUR, TEXAS AMENDING CHAPTER 42 FLOODS.
ARTICLE TWO, FLOOD DAMAGE PREVENTION SECTIONS 42 DASH 35, 42 DASH 91, 42 DASH 92, AND 42 DASH 93 OF THE CODE OF ORDINANCES PROVIDING FOR SEVERABILITY, PROVIDING A PENALTY, AND PROVIDING AN EFFECTIVE DATE.
I NEED MO, UM, I'M CUT FOR MO FOR SECOND
UM, ANY QUESTIONS? ALL IN FAVOR, AYE.
THE ORDINANCE PASSES PO NUMBER 7 3 4 5.
[VIII.B.(5) P.O. No. 7345 – An Appropriation Ordinance Amending The City Of Port Arthur Budget For The Fiscal Year Beginning October 1, 2024 And Ending September 30, 2025, Increasing Capital Reserve Fund (625) By $40,753.00 And Increasing The General Fund (001) By $21,236.00 With A Transfer To The Water And Sewer Capital Fund (405) In The Amount Of $21,236.00]
AN APPROPRIATION ORDINANCE AMENDING THE CITY OF PORT ARTHUR.BUDGET FOR THE FISCAL YEAR, BEGINNING OCTOBER 1ST, 2024, AND ENDING SEPTEMBER 30TH, 2025.
INCREASING CAPITAL RESERVE FUND, 6 2 5 BY $40,753 AND INCREASING THE GENERAL FUND, UM, 0 0 1 BY $21,236 WITH A TRANSFER TO THE WATER AND SEWER CAPITAL FUND.
4 0 5 IN THE AMOUNT OF $21,236.
[02:05:01]
MOTION FOR APPROVAL IN A SECOND.ANY QUESTIONS? ALL IN FAVOR? AYE.
HAVE IT? THE ORDINANCE PASSES.
WE HAVE A MOTION FOR ADJOURNMENT.
OUR MEETING HAS BEEN ADJOURNED.