COULD, IF YOU COULD SILENCE YOUR CELL PHONES AND LOWER YOUR VOICE. THERE YOU GO. ALL RIGHT.
[CALL TO ORDER]
[00:00:06]
WELCOME TO TODAY'S MEETING OF CITY COUNCIL. TODAY'S DATE IS TUESDAY, OCTOBER 1ST. AND WE'VE GOT A FULL HOUSE. AND IT LOOKS IT LOOKS LIKE IT'S A LAMAR DAY HERE TODAY. IT IS. SO TODAY'S INVOCATION WILL BE GIVEN BY REVEREND JAMES PEAVY. HOUSE OF ROCK. HE IS THE RECTOR AT SAINT MARK'S EPISCOPAL CHURCH. IF EVERYONE WOULD PLEASE SILENCE YOUR CELL PHONES. AND IF YOU SO CHOOSE, PLEASE STAND AND REMAIN STANDING FOR THE PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE. LET US PRAY.ALMIGHTY GOD, IN YOU WE LIVE, MOVE AND HAVE OUR BEING. SEND YOUR SPIRIT UPON OUR MAYOR, CITY COUNCIL MEMBERS AND STAFF AS THEY MEET TO CONDUCT BUSINESS AND LEAD OUR CITY. INCREASE IN THEM AND IN US ALL. A PASSION TO SEEK THE COMMON GOOD IN HARD AND CHALLENGING CONVERSATIONS. KEEP US FROM SEEING THOSE DISAGREEING AS A FOE IN OUR LIVES. ENABLE US TO BE GENEROUS IN OUR ASSUMPTIONS OF EACH OTHER. PROTECT OUR LEADERS AND US ALL FROM THE BELIEF THAT THE STEWARDSHIP OF OUR CITY IS THE WORK OF ONLY ONE PERSON OR ONE GROUP. WHERE THERE IS CONFUSION, GRANT AN ABUNDANCE OF GRACE AND CLARITY. WHERE THERE IS DIFFERENCE. STRENGTHEN OUR INSTINCT TO LISTEN FIRST AND THEN ENGAGE IN DISCUSSION AND DEBATE. IN ALL THAT IS DONE THIS DAY, MAY WE CONTINUE TO SEE EACH OTHER AS BELOVED AND FELLOW HUMAN BEINGS CREATED BY YOU.
BLESS OUR CIVIC LEADERS AND THOSE WHO CALL BEAUMONT HOME AND TOGETHER HELP US SEEK JUSTICE AND PEACE AND WORK FOR YOUR GREATER GLORY. AMEN. I PLEDGE ALLEGIANCE TO. THE.
MAY I HAVE ROLL CALL, PLEASE? MAYOR WEST, PRESENT. MAYOR PRO TEM NEILL PRESENT. COUNCIL MEMBER. DARIO. PRESENT. COUNCIL MEMBER. GOETZ. PRESENT. COUNCIL MEMBER. TURNER. PRESENT. COUNCIL MEMBER. SHAW. PRESENT AND COUNCIL MEMBER. SAMUEL. PRESENT. THANK YOU. OKAY. TODAY WE HAVE
[PROCLAMATIONS]
ONE PROCLAMATION AND ONE PRESENTATION. AND OUR FIRST, WE'RE GOING TO HAVE A PROCLAMATION RECOGNIZING OCTOBER FIRST, 2024 AS THE LAMAR UNIVERSITY ATHLETICS DAY AND TO CELEBRATE THE 2023 2024 COMMISSIONER'S CUP WINNERS. ACCEPTING WILL BE MR. JEFF O'MALLEY, LAMAR UNIVERSITY ATHLETIC DIRECTOR AND THE HOST OF PEOPLE THAT YOU BROUGHT, MR. O'MALLEY. SO, Y'ALL, YOU'RE ALL WELCOME TO COME UP AND AT THIS TIME, IF YOU WOULD COME TO RECEIVE, PLEASE AND. PART OF THAT. YEAH. THERE WE GO. YEAH. CONGRATULATIONS. LOOKING GOOD. I LIKE IT. GOOD. YEAH THANK YOU. COACH THANK GOODNESS. THANK YOU. I STILL DO TO HER. I CAME HERE TODAY TO. GOOD, GOOD. HOW ARE YOU? I'M GOOD. GOOD. GOOD. GOOD. HELLO. THANK Y'ALL FOR BEING HERE TODAY. THANK YOU GUYS. THANK YOU FOR BEING HERE. YEAH THANK YOU. AND YOU ARE.[00:06:58]
I GOT HERE, LAMAR. TO BE WILL SING. HE WILL FOREVER LOVE YOU. CHARLOTTE WE WELCOME. WELL, WE KNOW ALL AGAINST IS. AS OUR GOD IS. TO US YOU'LL ALWAYS BE OUR GLORY OF LIFE. YOU YOU SAY A FEW WORDS. IF YOU'D LIKE. ALL RIGHT. YEAH YOU MAY CHANGE THE WHOLE ENERGY. THAT'S WHAT'S UP. HEY, THAT'S A BIG. LET'S GO. THAT'S WHAT THEY CALL YOU, RED MAN. YES THANK YOU SO MUCH. I KNOW YOU CAN TURN THE. THERE WE GO. THERE WE GO. THERE YOU GO. THANK YOU VERY MUCH. I KNOW WE'VE TAKEN UP A LOT OF YOUR TIME, BUT THIS RECOGNITION HAS BEEN WONDERFUL. WE REALLY APPRECIATE THE SUPPORT, THE SUPPORT OF MISTER MAYOR AND THE CITY COUNCIL MEMBERS. THANK YOU SO MUCH. THIS WAS TO BE ABLE TO WIN THE COMMISSIONER'S CUP IS A TRUE TEAM AWARD. AND EVERY ONE OF THESE STUDENT ATHLETES, EVERY ONE OF THESE COACHES AND EVERY ONE OF THESE STAFF MEMBERS CAN TAKE A LOT OF CREDIT AND A LOT OF PRIDE FOR WHAT THEY'VE DONE HERE TODAY. TO BE ABLE TO DO SOMETHING THAT'S NEVER BEEN DONE IN THE HISTORY OF LAMAR UNIVERSITY, AND TO BE RECOGNIZED FOR THAT IS TRULY SOMETHING SPECIAL. SO THANK YOU VERY MUCH. GO CARDS.SORRY. OH THAT'S OKAY. AND NEXT WE HAVE A COMMUNICATION UPDATE FROM THE CITY OF BEAUMONT
[PRESENTATIONS]
COMMUNICATIONS DEPARTMENT.COUNCILMAN SAMUEL, YOU HAVE ANOTHER SONG YOU WANT TO SING. I MEAN. THERE WE GO. GOOD AFTERNOON, EVERYONE IN THIS WEEK'S ANNOUNCEMENTS, YOUR INPUT IS NEEDED AT OUR DOWNTOWN FOCUS, VISION AND GROWTH COMMUNITY FORUM. IT'S TOMORROW AT THE DOWNTOWN EVENT CENTER, 6 TO 8
[00:10:01]
P.M. IT PROMISES TO BE AN ENGAGING EVENING FILLED WITH POWERPOINT PRESENTATIONS ON THE FUTURE OF OUR DOWNTOWN REVITALIZATION AND DEVELOPMENT. THERE WILL ALSO BE BREAKOUT GROUPS FOR FOCUSED DISCUSSION AND A CHANCE TO CHAT DIRECTLY WITH CITY STAFF ABOUT THE ISSUES THAT MATTER MOST TO YOU. SO WE HOPE TO SEE ALL OF YOU THERE. THE CITY'S NINTH ANNUAL OKTOBERFEST IS THIS SATURDAY, OCTOBER 5TH FROM 3 TO 8 P.M. AT ROGERS PARK. ADMISSION IS FREE AND IT'S OPEN TO THE PUBLIC. HEADLINING THIS YEAR'S EVENT, HOUSTON NATIVES THE SUFFERERS WHO ACTUALLY DEBUTED ON THE LETTERMAN SHOW. WE'RE ALSO EXCITED FOR THE RETURN OF KID TOBERFEST, WHICH IS GOING TO HAVE A PETTING ZOO, FREE FACE PAINTING, AND OTHER ACTIVITIES.SO DON'T FORGET YOUR LAWN CHAIR AND YOUR BLANKET. COME OUT AND HAVE A GREAT TIME! MUSEUM MADNESS WEEKEND RETURNS OCTOBER 17TH. WE'LL HAVE OVER 20 CHANCES TO VISIT OUR LOCAL MUSEUMS AND PARTICIPATE IN SPOOKY ACTIVITIES LIKE EATING A BUG, PERFORMING A SCIENCE EXPERIMENT, GETTING IN ON A PUMPKIN SCAVENGER HUNT, AND EVEN TOURING A CEMETERY. MOST OF THE EVENTS ARE FREE TO ATTEND.
FOR A COMPLETE LIST OF ACTIVITIES, GO TO BEAUMONT CVB.COM/MUSEUM MADNESS. WE'RE PROUD TO ANNOUNCE THE BEAUMONT MUNICIPAL TENNIS CENTER NOW HOLDS THE TITLE OF 2020 FOR BEST LARGE PUBLIC FACILITY IN THE ENTIRE STATE OF TEXAS. FOR TEXAS TENNIS, BEATING OUT CITIES MUCH LARGER THAN OURS AND OUR VERY OWN. KATRINA MINNICK IS THE CITY'S IN THE CITY'S PERSONNEL DEPARTMENT, WAS VOTED BEST ADULT TOURNAMENT DIRECTOR IN TEXAS. THESE AWARDS GETTING SOME GREAT STATE RECOGNITION FOR OUR CITY. GET READY FOR THRILLS, CHILLS AND EVERYTHING SPOOKY DURING THE 13 NIGHTS OF HALLOWEEN AT THE JEFFERSON THEATER. IT STARTS TONIGHT. YOU DON'T WANT TO MISS AN UNFORGETTABLE EXPERIENCE FILLED WITH GHOSTLY TALES, HAUNTED HOUSES, AND BONE CHILLING FUN. CHECK OUT WHAT'S PLAYING AND GET YOUR TICKETS. THE CHEAPEST TICKET IN TOWN AT BEAUMONT EVENTS TX.COM/13 NIGHTS OF HALLOWEEN AND WE'RE PLEASED TO ANNOUNCE OUR BEAUMONT CITY MANAGER KENNETH WILLIAMS WAS FEATURED IN THE TEXAS GOVERNMENT INSIDER IN THIS FEATURED ARTICLE, MR. WILLIAMS SHARES WHAT HE LIKES BEST ABOUT BEING A PUBLIC SERVANT. THE BEST ADVICE HE RECEIVED, WHICH I LOVED THE MOST, AND WHAT HE WISHES MORE PEOPLE KNEW ABOUT THE CITY OF BEAUMONT. YOU CAN GO TO THE CITY'S FACEBOOK PAGE AND CLICK ON OUR POST TO READ THE ENTIRE ARTICLE AND FINALLY, AND ONLY BECAUSE OUR CITY MANAGER ASKED ME THREE TIMES TO INCLUDE THIS IN OUR ANNOUNCEMENTS. BUT I WOULD LIKE TO ANNOUNCE THAT IN AUGUST, THE CITY NAMED A NEW DIRECTOR OF COMMUNICATIONS, AND I'M BOTH PLEASED AND HONORED TO HAVE THE CONFIDENCE OF THE CITY MANAGER AND OF THE COUNCIL TO FILL THIS ROLE. SO THANK YOU FOR THAT. AND THAT'S ALL FOR THIS WEEK'S ANNOUNCEMENTS. ALL RIGHT. FOR THOSE THAT ARE HERE FOR PROCLAMATIONS AND PRESENTATIONS AND YOU WOULD LIKE TO LEAVE NOW IS THE TIME TO DO SO. AND I APPRECIATE YOU COMING, BUT I THINK MOST OF THEM HAVE LEFT. I SEE MAYOR BECKY AMES HERE TODAY. I COULDN'T. THERE WERE SO MANY PEOPLE HERE. IT'S GOOD TO SEE YOU AT THE CLOSE OF THE MEETING TODAY, CITY COUNCIL WILL RECESS INTO EXECUTIVE SESSION TO CONSIDER MATTERS RELATED TO CONTEMPLATED OR PENDING LITIGATION IN ACCORDANCE WITH SECTION 551.071 OF THE GOVERNMENT CODE. CALEB FINTER VERSUS CITY OF BEAUMONT AND CHRISTOPHER S BOONE, CAUSE NUMBER B21044. NOW WE'RE GOING
[PUBLIC COMMENT ON AGENDA/CONSENT]
TO ENTER PUBLIC COMMENTS. NOW IS THE TIME FOR ANY CITIZEN WHO WISHES TO SPEAK. YOU MAY MAKE PUBLIC COMMENTS ON THE CONSENT AGENDA OR THE REGULAR AGENDA ITEMS ONE THROUGH SEVEN OR ON ANY OTHER TOPIC. THE CITY CLERK WILL CALL YOUR NAME WHEN IT'S YOUR TIME TO SPEAK. WHEN YOU APPROACH THE PODIUM, PLEASE SAY YOUR ADDRESS, YOUR CITY AND STATE. YOU WILL HAVE THREE MINUTES FOR PUBLIC COMMENTS. THE GREEN LIGHT WILL COME ON WHEN YOU APPROACH THE PODIUM, AND THE RED LIGHT WILL COME ON WHEN YOUR TIME IS UP, PLEASE BE REMINDED THAT MYSELF OR COUNCIL CANNOT RESPOND WHENEVER YOU'RE MAKING COMMENTS, BUT SOMEONE FROM THE OFFICE WILL CONTACT YOU. ALBERT WILLIAMSON, 8765 OVAL ROAD. BY MY TEXAS. GOOD AFTERNOON. I'M ALBERT WILLIAMSON, 8765, OLD OAK ROAD. I'VE LIVED HERE BASICALLY ALL OF MY LIFE. BEEN CONCERNED THE LAST COUPLE OF WEEKS BECAUSE IT SEEMS LIKE OUR CITY IS NOT BEING MANAGED PROFESSIONALLY. OUR BUDGET IS UNDER, IS NOT BEING PRESENTED WITH FIGURES THAT WE CAN TRUST. AND WE HAVE. MULTIPLE COMPANIES WHO WHO ARE, WE KNOW ARE FUNDED JUST LIKE THE BEAUMONT HOUSING AUTHORITY GETS[00:15:01]
FUNDS FROM HUD. AND SO WE PAY MONEY INTO THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT. THEY THEY GIVE HUD MONEY. AND SO THERE SHOULD BE MONEY THERE TO PAY WATER BILLS. AND OUR WATER BILLS ARE EXTREMELY HIGH. MY WATER BILL FLUCTUATES. AND THIS MAKES NO SENSE WHATSOEVER. FROM $359 AT MY HOME TO $54. MY WATER CONSUMPTION DOES NOT FLUCTUATE THAT MUCH, SO THERE'S SOMETHING WRONG IN THE WATER DEPARTMENT, AND IT NEEDS TO BE ADDRESSED. AND I WOULD LIKE TO KNOW IF ALL OF THESE COMPANIES, PLYMOUTH VILLAGE, A KNIFE RIVER HAVE HAVE THEY HAD LIENS PLACED AGAINST THEM FOR THE MONEY THAT'S OWED? WE'RE TAXPAYERS AND WE SHOULD NOT HAVE TO PAY TWICE TO TAKE CARE OF THE THINGS THAT THEY SHOULD BE PAYING. THANK YOU. THANK YOU SIR. FAITH BARTLE, 3722 STREET, BEAUMONT, TEXAS. OH, WOW. I LIKE THIS DESK. THANK YOU. THAT'S PERFECT. GOOD AFTERNOON. CITY COUNCIL AND OTHERS. MY NAME IS FAITH BODLE. I'M AT 3720 TEST STREET IN BEAUMONT, TEXAS. AND I'M HERE TO ADDRESS THE HOMELESSNESS AND HOUSING SITUATION, NOT JUST IN OUR COMMUNITY, BUT ALSO IN OUR COUNTY AND ACROSS THE UNITED STATES. I THINK THAT I HAVE STUMBLED ACROSS A SOLUTION. I DID SEND OUT AN EMAIL, AND I THINK THAT YOU EACH HAVE A, HANDOUT ABOUT BOXABL, IF YOU DID NOT GET MY EMAIL. LET ME GIVE YOU A LITTLE HISTORY. IN. 1985 AND 86, MY TWO YOUNG CHILDREN AND I BECAME HOMELESS DUE TO A DECISION THAT WAS MADE BY SOMEONE ELSE. SO, WE ENDED UP IN DENVER, COLORADO, AND HOMELESS, WE STAYED IN THE BOTTOM OF A CHURCH ONE NIGHT. SLEPT IN OUR PICKUP TRUCK. MANY NIGHTS. AND ATE AT A, FOOD KITCHEN. MANY DAYS MY CHILDREN TOOK A BOX LUNCH OF HAM AND CHEESE SANDWICH AND AN APPLE FOR THEIR LUNCH AT SCHOOL. THAT WAS WHAT WAS HANDED OUT AT THE SHELTER. AND A CUP OF COFFEE AND A DONUT FOR BREAKFAS.HARDLY THE BREAKFAST OF CHAMPIONS. WHILE MY HOMELESSNESS WAS SHORT LIVED. THANK YOU.
JESUS THE EXPERIENCE IS LONG LASTING, AND I JUST WANT TO TELL YOU THAT EACH INDIVIDUAL OUT THERE HAS THEIR OWN STORY AS TO WHY THEY BECAME HOMELESS. ARE DUE TO SOMEONE ELSE'S DECISION.
SOME OF THEM ARE DUE TO THEIR OWN CHOICES, AND SOME OF THEM ARE DUE TO ADDICTION AND OR SICKNESS OR MENTAL ILLNESS. THERE ARE JUST A MYRIAD AS MANY PEOPLE OUT THERE. THERE ARE THAT MANY DIFFERENT STORIES. IN 2004, MY HUSBAND AND I BOTH LOST OUR MOTHERS, AND TODAY I'M HONORING THEM WITH MY MOTHER'S PIN. I'M SORRY. THANK YOU. I'M SORRY. THE TIME IS PIN FOR MY MOTHER. THANK YOU. BREAST CANCER FOR MY MOTHER IN LAW. YES, MA'AM. WE LIMIT COMMENTS TO THREE MINUTES. I'M SORRY. OKAY. I'M TERRIBLY SORRY I TOOK UP ALL THAT TIME, BUT IN THE HANDOUT. THANK YOU. YOU CAN LEAVE THAT WITH THE HANDOUT. WITH YOUR DESK. OKAY. YEAH. THANK YOU. YOU CAN FOLLOW THE
[00:20:07]
LINKS TO WATCH. THANK YOU. THAT WILL HELP. YES MA'AM. THANK YOU. YES, MA'AM. I THANK YOU. YES, MA'AM. YEAH, IT'S OFF. I DID IT. OH OKAY. HE MUTED IT. I MEAN IT.THANK YOU. WILLIAM JOHNSON 1045 MADISON AVENUE BEAUMONT, TEXAS. MAYOR COUNCIL. CITY OF BEAUMONT.
WILLIAM JOHNSON, 1045 MADISON STREET, BEAUMONT, TEXAS. MY COMPLAINT IS STILL THE SAME. I GOT A COMPLAINT AGAINST, CHASE BANK. I STARTED WORKING WITH CHASE BANK ON 2021. I WENT IN THERE AND OPENED A COUNTER UP, AND I FOUND OUT MY ACCOUNT WAS, MY DEBIT CARD WAS GETTING RIPPED OFF BY 1 OR 2 PEOPLE. I TOOK HER TO THE BANK, AND THE BANK SAID IT MUST BE ONE OF YOUR OLD GIRLFRIENDS. I DON'T HAVE ANY OF THOSE ANYMORE. ON THE SECOND AND THE EIGHTH OF 2024, I WENT TO MY BANK. AND AS SOON AS I WALKED IN THE DOOR, MY BANK PRESIDENT HAND ME THESE VOUCHERS, ONE FOR $500.
I WAS ON THE FIRST AND THE 16 OR 24. I DIDN'T DO. AND ANOTHER ONE HERE ON THE, 12TH AND THE 823.
THAT WAS THE LAST THREE YEARS. I DIDN'T GET THAT UNTIL 24. I HAVE ANOTHER ONE HERE FOR, FIRST IN THE 25TH WAS 24TH FOR $700, AND I GOT ANOTHER ONE HERE FOR THE FIRST AND THE 30TH FOR 24 FOR $900. I WENT TO MY BANK AND I QUESTIONED MY I WAS ASKING MY, PRESIDENT OF MY BANK ABOUT IT, AND SHE TOLD ME, WELL, DID SHE TELL ME, OH, I GOT ANOTHER ONE. I HAVE SOME MORE CHECKS COMING NEXT MONTH. I'M COMPLAINING ABOUT THESE CHECKS. WAS WRITTEN IN MY NAME THAT I DIDN'T DO. AND I'M QUESTIONING HER ABOUT MY ACCOUNT AND SHE TELLING ME ABOUT. I GOT I SHOULD HAVE ANOTHER CHECK COMING THIS MONTH. THAT'S LIKE ON THE THIRD OF 2024. I WAS TALKING ABOUT THE CHECKS THAT WAS WRITTEN FROM THE FIRST OF 21ST OF 2024, UP UNTIL, I HAD A DEBIT CARD, GOT A DEBIT CARD FROM THE BANK, I FOUND OUT 2 OR 3 OTHER PEOPLE HAVE HAD THE DEBIT CARD. I GOT A WHOLE BUNCH OF CHARGES ON MY DEBIT CARD THAT I DIDN'T MAKE. I TALKED TO MY BANK ABOUT IT. SHE TELLS ME THAT IT MUST BE AN OLD GIRLFRIEND. I TOLD HER I WAS REALLY OUT OF THAT FIELD FOR COACHING AND GIRLFRIENDS. BECAUSE I HAVE ALREADY BEEN KIND OF, LIKE, KNOCKED DOWN AND CAST DOWN BY GIRLFRIENDS. I'M SEEKING MY MONEY OUT. THE BANK PRESIDENT IS SUPPOSED TO BE IN CHARGE. IN FACT, ANY PRESIDENT OVER, OVER, OVER A GROUP OF PEOPLE OR MANAGING SUPPOSED TO BE IN CHARGE OF IT, THIS PRESIDENT OR THIS BANK TELLS ME THAT, WE DON'T OWE YOU NOTHING. I GOT AND ON TOP OF THAT, I'M TELLING HER ABOUT EVEN THE CHECKS THAT THEY WAS WRITING OR WROTE. PEOPLE WROTE THE CHECKS AND DIDN'T EVEN DOT THE I ON WILLIAM. I'M SEEKING HELP. THANK YOU, MISTER JOHNSON. THANK YOU SIR. YOU'RE WELCOME SIR. CHARLIE CRAB. 928 EAST DRIVE, BEAUMONT, TEXAS.
GOOD AFTERNOON, MAYOR WEST. MISTER WILLIAMS AND COUNCIL. IT'S A MY NAME IS CHARLIE CRAB.
I LIVE AT 928 EAST DRIVE, RIGHT DOWN HARRISON STREET. IF YOU COME WANT TO COME BY SOMETIME, COME TO THE BACK DOOR. BECAUSE I CAN'T HEAR THE FRONT DOOR ANYMORE. IT'S ANOTHER NICE DAY IN BEAUMONT. OUR TOWN SUMMER TEMPERATURE IS STARTING TO COOL. IT'S. IT IS THE TIME WE CAN
[00:25:04]
ENJOY THE OUTDOOR ACTIVITIES, IT WAS NICE TO SEE THE, LAMAR ATHLETES TODAY. THAT WAS QUITE A SHOWING. AND I HOPE THE CITY WILL SHOW MORE SUPPORT FOR LAMAR UNIVERSITY AND HAVE THEM PARADE THEIR BAND DOWN THE STREET HERE IN, IN, ON MAIN STREET, THE POLICE DEPARTMENT IS DOING A BANG UP JOB BRINGING MURDERERS AND THIEVES TO JAIL. WE DEFINITELY HAVE TO HAVE TOO MANY INCIDENTS OF CRIME. IT IS. IS IT A SIGN OF THE TIME? ALL THE OTHER CITY DEPARTMENTS ARE ALSO FUNCTIONING VERY NICE. HURRICANE HELENA HAS DEVASTATED THE PEOPLE FROM UPPER FLORIDA TO NORTH CAROLINA. NORTH CAROLINA HAS BEEN DEVASTATED WITH THAT RAIN WATER COMING OUT OF THE MOUNTAINS, DOWN THE STREAMS, IT'S UNBELIEVABLE. THESE PEOPLE NEED IMMEDIATE HELP FOR LOCALS AND FROM LOCALS AND THE GOVERNMENT. WE CAN HELP BY DONATING TO CHARITIES THAT ARE HELPING. THE ISRAELIS ARE SHOWING THE WORLD HOW TO HANDLE A GROUP THAT WANTS TO TRY AND ELIMINATE THEIR THEIR COUNTRY. ISRAEL HAS KILLED A LARGE GROUP OF HEZBOLLAH TERRORISTS. GROUP LEADERS. THE AMOUNT OF ROCKETS AND MISSILES HEZBOLLAH HAS STORED BELOW APARTMENT BUILDINGS IN LEBANON IS UNBELIEVABLE, PUTTING PEOPLE IN IMMEDIATE DANGER OF DEATH. THE U.S. AND EU MUST CONTINUE TO ASSIST ISRAEL WITH MONEY AND ARMAMENT. ARMAMENT UKRAINIANS ARE STILL KEEPING PUTIN AND RUSSIA FROM RUNNING OVER THEIR COUNTRY. THE U.S. AND EU MUST CONTINUE TO ASSIST UKRAINE WITH MONEY AND ARMAMENT. THE. THE DEBATE BY THE VICE PRESIDENT ON CHANNEL CHANNEL 12 ABC SHOULD BE INTERESTING TO WATCH AND LISTEN TO TONIGHT. THANK YOU, MR. CRABB. THANK YOU FOR LISTENING. DANIEL CAMPISI, 2095 DOWLEN ROAD, BEAUMONT, TEXAS. GOOD AFTERNOON, MAYOR WEST CITY COUNCIL MEMBERS. I'M HERE TODAY TO DISCUSS AN ISSUE CAUSING MEASURABLE HARM TO THE YOUTH IN OUR CITY. INTERFERENCE WITH CHILD CUSTODY BILL 969 PASSED BY THE TEXAS LEGISLATURE IN 2023, PROVIDES BEAUMONT WITH A NEW LEGAL TOOL TO ADDRESS SITUATIONS WHERE A PARENT UNLAWFULLY INTERFERES WITH COURT ORDERED VISITATIONS. THIS BILL ALLOWS CITIES TO IMPOSE CIVIL FINES OF UP TO $500, IN ADDITION TO EXISTING CRIMINAL PENALTIES SUCH AS FELONY CHARGES AND JAIL TIME. WITHOUT BEAUMONT ADOPTING HB 969 AS AN ORDINANCE, INTERFERENCE WITH CHILD CUSTODY WILL REMAIN ONLY A CRIMINAL OFFENSE FOR PARENTS WHO CONTINUE THESE ACTS.UNFORTUNATELY, BEAUMONT HAS THE LOWEST CRIMINAL ENFORCEMENT RATES IN TEXAS FOR THIS ISSUE.
TODAY, I'LL EXPLAIN WHY ADOPTING HB 969 IS VITAL FOR OUR COMMUNITY AND HOW IT WILL CREATE LASTING CHANGE FOR OUR CHILDREN, FAMILIES, AND FUTURE GENERATIONS. SINCE 2019 OF SEPTEMBER, THE BEAUMONT POLICE DEPARTMENT HAS DOCUMENTED 1213 CONFIRMED INCIDENTS OF CUSTODY INTERFERENCE, YET ONLY 72 CRIMINAL REPORTS WERE GENERATED AND SHOCKINGLY, NOT A SINGLE CASE WAS FORWARDED TO THE PROSECUTOR'S OFFICE. FAMILIES AFFECTED BY CUSTODY INTERFERENCE RELY ON LAW ENFORCEMENT, BUT ALL FILED REPORTS WERE CLOSED, LEADING TO ZERO ACCOUNTABILITY FOR THE CRIMINALS INVOLVED. THIS DISTURBING REALITY SHOWS THAT BEAUMONT'S LEGAL MECHANISMS TO PROTECT ITS CITIZENS FROM THESE VIOLATIONS ARE FAILING OR ACTIVELY REFUSING TO ACT. THIS REALITY SHOULD DEEPLY CONCERN OUR COMMUNITY. HOW CAN WE ALLOW THESE STATISTICS TO PERSIST WHILE FELONY ACTIONS GO UNPUNISHED? TEARING APART THE LIVES OF OUR YOUTH? THE TEXAS LEGISLATURE HAS RECOGNIZED THESE FAILURES IN ADDRESSING CUSTODY INTERFERENCE AND HAS PASSED HOUSE BILL 969, HIGHLIGHTING THAT FELONY CHARGES ALONE ARE INSUFFICIENT DETERRENCE. AS BEAUMONT APPROACHES 2025, WE MUST PRIORITIZE PROTECTING OUR YOUTH AND STRENGTHENING
[00:30:04]
FAMILIES. OTHER CITIES HAVE ALREADY IMPLEMENTED HOUSE BILL 969, PROVIDING THEIR LAW ENFORCEMENT WITH THE NECESSARY TOOLS TO TACKLE ONGOING CUSTODY VIOLATIONS. MY PROPOSAL IS STRAIGHTFORWARD IF BEAUMONT FAILS TO ADOPT HOUSE BILL 969 AS AN ORDINANCE, THE CITY WILL NOT HAVE THE ABILITY TO ISSUE CIVIL CITATIONS OF UP TO $500 FOR THESE VIOLATIONS. IN THAT CASE, BEAUMONT IS SAYING WE ARE COMPLICIT IN TOLERATING THESE CRIMES AND ALLOWING THEM TO GO UNPUNISHED. AS WE APPROACH THE NEXT CITY MEETING, I CHALLENGE THIS COUNCIL WITH A QUESTION WHY SHOULD BEAUMONT REMAIN IN THE SHADOWS WHILE OTHER CITIES TAKE BOLD AND DECISIVE ACTION TO SECURE A BETTER FUTURE FOR THEIR GENERATIONS? I IMPLORE THIS COUNCIL TO PLACE MY PROPOSAL ON THE AGENDA FOR A FUTURE MEETING AND VOTE TO ADOPT HOUSE BILL 969 INTO OUR CITY'S CODE. THANK YOU SIR. YES, SIR. THANK YOU. MELISSA BRONSON. THIS IS MELISSA BRADFORD, ADDRESS 1085 WASHINGTON, D.C. I WANT TO DISCUSS THESE SAFETY CONCERNS. THAT IS TAKING PLACE HAS NOT WORSENED SINCE JUDGE BAYLOR WORTHAM HAS DIRECTED THE DISTRICT CLERK TO PAY 37,000 AND $5,100 OF MY STOLEN FUNDS THAT HE PUT INTO THE COURT TWO YEARS AGO, AND IT'S BEEN HAVING ME IN LITIGATION, DEFENDING MYSELF FOR THE PAST TWO YEARS. EVERY TIME I HIRE AN ATTORNEY OR ATTEMPT TO.IT'S LIKE THEY'RE BEING BOUGHT OFF OR INTIMIDATED AGAINST. AND I HAVE PROOF FROM THE LAST ATTORNEY WHO STATED THAT HIS EMAIL WAS NOT HIS EMAIL. HIS CALENDAR WAS HACKED FOR THE WEEK, AND IT WAS VERY WELL DOCUMENTED WHAT HE SAID. SO I WANT TO DISCUSS THESE EMAILS FROM THESE LAWYERS, TWO DIFFERENT LAWYERS, AS WELL AS A US MARSHAL PERSON WHO WAS TRYING TO GET INTO MY HEARING AND JUDGE BAYLOR WORTHAM BLOCKED THEM. THE PUBLIC HAS A RIGHT TO BE INFORMED ABOUT THIS CRIMINAL ACTIVITY, ILLEGAL ACTIONS THAT'S BEEN HAPPENING WITH MY CASE. AND THEN I'M BEING FOLLOWED AROUND NEARLY EVERYWHERE I GO. I'VE ALREADY EMAILED THE MAYOR THE PHOTOS OF PARTICULAR WHITE MEN FOLLOWING ME AROUND TAKING MY PICTURES. ONE OF THEM IN PARTICULAR, AND I CALLED THE POLICE, REPORTED HARASSMENT AND POSSIBLY THREATS, AND THEY JUST CONTINUED TO IGNORE ME. AND I HAVE THE EVIDENCE OF ONE. POLICEMEN IN PARTICULAR, WHO WOULDN'T EVEN TAKE MY REPORT. THIS HAPPENED LIKE ON THREE DIFFERENT OCCASIONS. I DON'T UNDERSTAND WHY THESE CRIMINAL ACTIVITIES CONTINUE TO GO UNCHECKED. I MEAN, THERE'S SO MANY CRIMES HAPPENING. I WOULD SAY ONLY AMONG PEOPLE OF COLOR, BECAUSE I GET A LOT OF PHONE CALLS WHERE PEOPLE ARE TELLING ME THEY'RE DEALING WITH THE SAME ISSUES. I'VE BEEN A LIBRARY WORKING ON MY CASE. PEOPLE COME APPROACH ME ASKING ME IF I'M AN ATTORNEY BECAUSE THEY'RE NEEDING HELP. WE'VE BEEN TO THE CITY COUNCIL MEETING. THEY'RE NOT HELPING US. THIS IS WHAT'S BEING TOLD TO ME, YOU KNOW? SO, I MEAN, SOMETHING GOT TO CHANGE HERE. THESE ARE THE TEXT MESSAGES FROM THESE LAWYERS. THEY'RE SAYING THEY CAN'T GET INTO THE HEARING. THEY KEPT TRYING. THEY COULDN'T GET IN. THEY WANTED TO GET FAMILIAR WITH MY CASE. THEY'RE TELLING ME WE NEED TO GET INTO A COUPLE OF THESE HEARINGS TO SEE WHAT'S REALLY GOING ON, BECAUSE THIS IS AN OLDER CASE. AND THEY SEE, YOU KNOW, THE DOCUMENTS, THEY'RE LIKE, YOU KNOW, THIS IS AN EASY WIN CASE BECAUSE THIS JUDGE DON'T EVEN HAVE SUBJECT MATTER JURISDICTION OVER YOUR CASE.
THIS CASE WAS SENT TO ARBITRATION IN 2021 BY JUDGE MITCH TEMPLETON. I SHOWED Y'ALL THE HEARING TRANSCRIPTS. THEY'RE COLLIDING IN A FRAUDULENT SCHEME, TALKING ABOUT HOW THEY'RE GOING TO MAKE MY SITUATION WORSE. LIKE JUDGE TEMPLETON WAS TOLD AFTER LAW SCHOOL, THAT'S WHAT HE SAID. SO FOR THE PAST THREE WEEKS, I'VE BEEN JOINING THESE DIFFERENT FACEBOOK GROUP PAGES. AND AFTER THE SECOND POST, PEOPLE ARE JUST OUTRAGED. THEY'RE LIKE, I HOPE YOU REPORTED THIS, JUDGE. HE NEEDS TO BE IN TROUBLE FOR WHAT HE'S DOING. THIS IS AN ORCHESTRATED CRIME. BEING COMMITTED AGAINST YOU. THANK YO. DANIEL RUSSO, 8670 DOOCOT ROAD, SILSBEE, TEXAS. AFTERNOON. MAYOR AND COUNCILMAN. I MOVED DOWN HERE FROM KANSAS TO BE WITH MY SON AND MY GRANDKIDS, AND I'VE SINCE TRIED TO SET UP A FOOD TRUCK. I'M KIND OF GETTING HARASSED BY THE HEALTH DEPARTMENT. I AM LOCATED ON COLLEGE AND FOURTH STREET. OKAY.
[00:35:02]
WE ARE OFF THE ROAD AND WE'RE BEING HARASSED SAYING THAT WE ARE NOT ALLOWED TO PARK THERE OVERNIGHT. MEANWHILE, IF YOU GO UP AND DOWN COLLEGE STREET, THERE IS NO LESS THAN EIGHT TRUCKS THAT ARE PARKED THERE OVERNIGHT. I'M THE ONLY ONE GETTING VIOLATIONS. I AM ALSO THE ONLY ONE THAT HAS HIS HEALTH CERTIFICATE AND HIS HEALTH GRADE ON THE FRONT OF MY FOOD TRUCK.SO I'M TRYING TO UNDERSTAND THE HARASSMENT THAT I'M GETTING. THEY MENTIONED THE FACT, IN REGARD TO WASTE DISPOSAL. I HAD GONE OUT AND SPENT $1,700 ON A SEPARATOR THAT TAKES THE WASTE WATER AND THE OIL FROM THE FOOD TRUCK. OKAY. THEN WE BROUGHT UP THE INCIDENT OF ELECTRICITY.
OKAY. I WENT AHEAD AND FILLED OUT A FORM, HIRED AN ELECTRICIA, SPENT $3,200 RUNNING A WIRE TO A JUNCTION BOX FOR THE SAFETY OF KIDS AND ANYBODY ELSE THAT MIGHT RUN THINGS OVER. I'M DOING EVERYTHING THAT I'M SUPPOSED TO BE DOING, BUT YET I FEEL I'M THE ONLY ONE THAT'S BEING HARASSED, WHICH I'M QUITE, QUITE NOT UNDERSTANDING. I'VE BEEN NOTHING BUT COMPLIANT. IT'S PRETTY SIMPLE. WHY AM I BEING HARASSED WHEN ALL OF THESE TRUCKS AND I'VE GOT PICTURES OF SEVEN TRUCKS THAT AREN'T EVEN OPEN FOR LUNCH THAT ARE PARKED IN THEIR SITE OVERNIGHT, AND I HAPPEN TO RENT A VACANT LOT FROM FROM SOMEBODY WITH MY TRUCK ATTACHED TO MY TO MY FOOD TRUCK. AND MY FOOD TRUCK IS 22FT LONG. I AM OBVIOUSLY NOT IN ANY POSITION. MY SHOULDER, I FALL OFF THE TRUCK. MY SHOULDER IS BROKEN IN THREE SPOTS, SO IT IS IMPOSSIBLE FOR ME TO MOVE THIS TRUCK. HOW DO I REMEDY THIS IS MY QUESTION. I FEEL LIKE I'M GETTING SINGLED OUT. IS IT MY NEW YORK ACCENT? I DON'T KNOW. I MEAN, IF ANYBODY COULD LEAD ME TO SOMETHING ELSE. I MEAN, I HAVE A I HAVE A WASTE DUMP SITE HERE. OKAY. WHERE I GO AND TRY AND GET RID OF MY WATER. IT'S SAM SOUTHERN EATERY, RIGHT DOWN THE BLOCK IN COLLEGE. AND LIKE I SAID, I HAVE THIS WASTE CONTAINER, WHICH I SPENT ALMOST $1,000 ON. THANK YOU SIR. THANK YOU. NOT ONE, BUT TWO VIOLATIONS. THELMA FIELDER, 2975 GRAND STREET, BEAUMONT, TEXAS. GOOD EVENING. I CAME TO BECAUSE I HAVE SOME PROPERTY ON MAGNOLIA IN. IT WAS A WHILE BEFORE I WAS GOING TO WENT BACK UP THERE AS APARTMENT. AND THIS ALL I KNOW THE MAN'S NAME IS RICHARD. AND WHEN I WENT UP THERE TO SEE WHAT WAS GOING ON, THEY BUILDING A HALFWAY HOUSE WITH THE, THE ALLEY IS THE ONE WHAT I USE FOR A YARD OR A DRIVEWAY TO GO TO THE APARTMENT. IF YOU COME UP MAGNOLIA, MY CAR DRAG, I HAVE TO BE IN THE TRUCK BECAUSE THE DRIVEWAY IS SO HIGH. SO I WENT IN AND ASKED THE. I ASKED THE MAN. WHEN I WALKED UP THERE, I SAID, WHAT ARE YOU DOING HERE? YOU DON'T OWN THIS PROPERTY. THE CITY OWNED IT. I SAID, YOU'RE NOT SUPPOSED TO PUT NO, NO PLUMBING HERE FOR A COMMODE. AND YOU GOT ALL THEM BUILD ALL THEM ROOMS THERE. YOU WON'T BE ABLE TO EVEN STAY IN THE ON THE PORCH FOR THE SEWAGE LINE. HE SAID, I DON'T GIVE A. HE SAID HE I THIS IS CITY PROPERTY IS NOT YOURS. I SAID, WELL, I'M NOT HERE TO ARGUE WITH YOU. I'M NOT HERE TO. BUT I JUST WANT TO KNOW WHY DID YOU PUT THE SEWAGE LINE IN THE ALLEY? BECAUSE I WAS TOLD YOU SUPPOSED TO HAVE A PERMIT BEFORE YOU PUT A SEWAGE LINE IN THE ALLEY. AND I LEFT. I TOOK SOME PICTURES. HE HAD THE SEWAGE LINE. HE HAD. HE HAD IT. HE HAD
[00:40:10]
PUT IT DOWN THERE. HE HAD IT COVERED UP. AND WHEN HE SAW ME TAKING PICTURES, DID HE ONLY DONE UNCOVERED IT. BUT I STILL CAN'T GO TO THE APARTMENT ON THROUGH THE ALLEY BECAUSE HE GOT IT BLOCKED OFF. HE NODDED AND DUG THE DIRT UP, PILED IT UP AND GOT THE SEWAGE LINE OPEN. AND I CAME AND I TALKED TO THE CITY ABOUT IT, AND THEY SAID, WELL, MAYBE YOU OUGHT TO TAKE THAT UP WITH THE CITY COUNCIL BEFORE YOU DO AND TAKE ANY LEGAL ACTION. AND WHEN I TALKED TO THEM, THEY COULDN'T EVEN PULL IT UP ON THE ON THE COMPUTER BECAUSE HE DIDN'T GET A PERMIT. AND I ALWAYS WAS TOLD, IF YOU'RE GOING TO GO ON THE CITY PROPERTY, YOU SUPPOSED TO HAVE A PERMIT AND THAT'S WHY I'M HERE, BECAUSE MY SON GOT OUT THERE AND HE NEEDED A PLACE TO STAY. AND I NEED THE PLUMBING FIXED. I'M WORKING ON AN APARTMENT FOR HIM TO COME BACK HOME, BUT WITH THE SEWAGE LINE THERE, I WOULDN'T EVEN WANT TO. I WOULDN'T WANT TO STAY THERE MYSELF. THANK YOU, MA'AM.TO CLOSE. BUT I DO HAVE PICTURES FOR Y'ALL. YOU CAN SEE WHAT I'M TALKING ABOUT. YOU CAN. YOU CAN LEAVE THEM RIGHT THERE. YES, MA'AM. VIVIAN BELEW, 3030 PLAZA CIRCLE, PORT ARTHUR, TEXAS. OH, YOU WANT PUBLIC HEARINGS? THAT'S ALL WE HAVE IN THERE. ALL RIGHT. THANK YOU. AT THIS POINT, WE'RE GOING TO RECESS FOR ABOUT THREE MINUTES. WE NEED TO RESET OUR SOUND SYSTEM BECAUSE THERE'S A REVERBERATION IN IT. SO THEY HAVE TO TURN IT OFF AND TURN IT BACK ON. SO THREE MINUTES. WE DON'T NEED TO RUN OFF. CAN WE DO FOR FIVE. IT'S JUST GOING TO TAKE THE REBOOT IS THAT CORRECT. ALL RIGHT. SO AT THIS POINT, WE'RE GOING TO LOOK FOR APPROVAL OF THE CONSENT
[CONSENT AGENDA]
AGENDA. BUT WE ARE GOING TO EXCLUDE ITEM I BECAUSE THAT CONTRACT HAS NOT BEEN COMPLETED YET. SO THAT WE'LL LOOK TO BRING THAT BACK. SO, CAN WE HAVE A MOTION AND A SECOND FOR APPROVAL OF THE CONSENT AGENDA, EXCEPT FOR ITEM I MOVE TO APPROVE. ACCEPT. I SECOND, IT'S BEEN MOVED AND SECONDED FOR APPROVAL FOR THE CONSENT AGENDA. IS THERE, ANY DISCUSSION, COUNCILMAN TURNER? YES, SIR. THANK YOU. MAYOR, ON ITEM E, I WOULD SAY ROUGHLY ABOUT PAGE 76, AN INITIAL AGREEMENT AT THE END. IT HAS THE DATES. OPTION 1ST SEPTEMBER FIRST, 2025 TO AUGUST 31ST, 2026 ARE THE TWO OPTIONS. IS IT JUST BASICALLY THE EXTENSION OF THE TIMELINE? THE EXTENSION? YEAH, I JUST WANT TO MAKE SURE I THINK ANGIE STEPPED OUT. BUT YES, IT'S JUST THIS IS A RENEWAL TO AN EXISTING AGREEMENT. OKAY. I JUST WANT TO MAKE SURE THAT THOSE OPTIONS ARE STRICTLY TO TIMELINE. YEAH I'M SORRY ANGIE, YOU'RE GOING TO HAVE A QUESTION. I'M STILL WORKING ON IT. OKAY, WELL, ON PAGE OR ON ITEM E, I WOULD SAY PAGE 76. I'VE SEEN AN INITIAL AGREEMENT. IT WAS MULTIPLE OPTIONS. I JUST WANT TO MAKE SURE THOSE OPTIONS ONLY CONSISTED OF TIMELINES. OKAY I JUST WANT TO BE SURE THAT'S, SOMEWHAT CLEAR. OKAY. THANK YOU.AND ONE MORE QUESTION, MAYOR, NOT IN REFERENCE TO THIS ONE, ITEM I, I SEE WE WE'RE NOT WE'RE NOT GOING TO. I'M SORRY, NOT ITEM ITEM F ALL RIGHT. I NOTICE THAT WE SENT IT OUT TO OVER 100, AND I SEE ONLY ONE RESPONDED. I KNOW WE KIND OF BEEN DISCUSSING OUR BID PROCESS. CAN WE KIND OF THANK YOU FOR THIS IS A LITTLE DIFFERENT. THIS IS A LOT THAT IS ISOLATED BEHIND THIS ONE RESIDENTS HOUSE. IT HAS NO ACCESS FROM ANY CITY STREET. SO REALLY ANYBODY ELSE BIDDING ON IT WOULDN'T BE ABLE TO MAKE USE OF THE PROPERTY VERY EASILY SINCE IT'S LANDLOCKED AND AROUND. IT'S ON RUSSELL STREET AND, THE GENTLEMAN'S HOUSE WHO BID ON IT. THE PROPERTIES BETWEEN HIM AND THE RAIL, IT'S SOME WOODS BACK BEHIND THERE, AND IT'S JUST KIND OF AN ODD DEAL. THE CITY ACQUIRED IT IN 1938, AND THE FAMILY AT THAT TIME SOLD DUE TO LACK OF ACCESS
[00:45:01]
TO AN UNIMPROVED RIGHT OF WAY. SO WE'VE BEEN HOLDING ON TO IT SINCE 1938. SO WE'RE TRYING TO GET IT OFF THE BOOKS. SO SOMEWHAT OF A UNIQUE SITUATION. NOT WHAT WE STANDARDLY DEAL WITH. YES, SIR. OKAY. THANK YOU. ANY OTHER QUESTIONS? ALL THOSE IN FAVOR OF APPROVAL OF THE CONSENT AGENDA, PLEASE SIGNIFY BY SAYING I. AYE. ANY OPPOSED? THE MOTION IS CARRIED. MR. CITY[REGULAR AGENDA]
MANAGER, MAY WE HAVE THE READING OF ITEM NUMBER ONE, PLEASE? THANK YOU. MAYOR I WAS TABLED.IT'S MOVED FROM THE AGENDA. ITEM ONE. COUNCIL, CONSIDER A RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING THE CITY MANAGER TO EXECUTE AND SUBMIT THE INTENT TO APPLY WITH THE TEXAS WATER DEVELOPMENT BOARD TO CDB. AND IT COMES WITH THE RECOMMENDATION OF RECOMMENDATION OF APPROVAL OF THE RESOLUTION.
IS THERE A MOTION FOR ITEM NUMBER ONE? MOVE TO APPROVE. SECOND, THERE IS A MOTION AND A SECOND FOR APPROVAL OF ITEM NUMBER ONE. IS THERE ANY DISCUSSION ALL THOSE IN FAVOR OF APPROVING ITEM NUMBER ONE PLEASE SIGNIFY BY SAYING AYE. AYE. ANY OPPOSED THE MOTION IS CARRIED.
MR. CITY MANAGER, MAY WE HAVE THE READING OF ITEM NUMBER TWO? COUNCIL, CONSIDER RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING THE CITY MANAGER TO ACCEPT MAINTENANCE AND AUTHORIZE FINAL PAYMENT TO TRP CONSTRUCTION GROUP, LLC FOR THE CITYWIDE PAVEMENT MARKINGS. PHASE THREE PROJECT. AND IT COMES WITH THE RECOMMENDATION OF APPROVAL OF THE RESOLUTION. IS THERE A MOTION FOR ITEM NUMBER TWO? MOVE TO APPROVE. SECOND, MOVED BY COUNCILMAN GAETZ, SECONDED BY COUNCILMAN SAMUEL, THERE IS A MOTION AND A SECOND FOR APPROVAL OF ITEM NUMBER TWO. IS THERE ANY DISCUSSION, ALL THOSE IN FAVOR OF APPROVING ITEM NUMBER TWO, PLEASE SIGNIFY BY SAYING AYE. AYE. ANY OPPOSED THE MOTION IS CARRIED. MR. CITY MANAGER, MAY WE HAVE A READING OF ITEM NUMBER THREE, PLEASE? COUNCIL, CONSIDER A RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING THE CITY MANAGER TO AWARD A CONTRACT TO VORTEX COMPANIES FOR THE BELVEDERE DRIVE AND CLINTON STREET STORMWATER OUTFALL EMERGENCY REPAIR PROJECT. AND IT COMES WITH THE RECOMMENDATION OF APPROVAL. IS THERE A MOTION FOR ITEM NUMBER THREE? MOVE TO APPROVE THE RESOLUTION? IS THERE A SECOND? SECOND? IT'S BEEN MOVED AND SECONDED FOR APPROVAL FOR ITEM NUMBER THREE, IS THERE ANY DISCUSSION? ALL THOSE IN FAVOR OF APPROVING ITEM NUMBER THREE, PLEASE SIGNIFY BY SAYING AYE. AYE. ANY OPPOSED? THE MOTION IS CARRIED. MR. CITY MANAGER, MAY WE PLEASE HAVE THE READING OF ITEM NUMBER FOUR? COUNCIL, CONSIDER A RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING THE CITY MANAGER TO AWARD A CONTRACT TO CTEX CONSTRUCTION CORP OF BEAUMONT, TEXAS, FOR THE NORTH MAJOR DRIVE AND WESTFIELD AVENUE EXPLORATORY EXCAVATION AND SANITARY SEWER REPAIR CONTRACT. AND IT COMES WITH THE RECOMMENDATION OF APPROVAL. IS THERE A MOTION FOR ITEM NUMBER FOUR? SO MOVED TO APPROVE? SECOND, THERE IS A MOTION AND A SECOND FOR APPROVAL OF ITEM NUMBER FOUR. IS THERE ANY DISCUSSION? COUNCILMAN TURNER, I KNOW OUR, ENGINEER'S ESTIMATE WAS SLIGHTLY LOWER, WAS THAT AN OLD ESTIMATE? WAS THAT SOMETHING RECENT? NO, IT'S A CURRENT ESTIMATE. WHAT THIS IS, IS THERE'S A CAVITY FORMING ON THIS LINE. AND, DUE TO THE DEPTH AND THE FACT THAT THE SEWER LINE REMAINS CHARGED THE VAST MAJORITY OF THE TIME, WE'VE BEEN UNABLE TO TELEVISE AND FIGURE OUT WHERE THE DEFECT IS. SO THIS CONTRACTS TO AWARD TO THE VENDOR TO GO AND DIG IT OUT ALL THE WAY DOWN TO THAT TEN INCH LINE, 18FT DEEP, AND THEN TO FIGURE OUT WHAT THE DEFECT IS. AND THEN REPAIR THAT DEFECT. IF IT'S ON THE TEN INCH LINE, WHICH WE SUSPECT, I DO WANT TO POINT OUT, THOUGH, THAT IF THERE IS AN ISSUE WITH THE 54 INCH LINE, THIS CONTRACT WON'T COVER IT. WE'LL HAVE TO READDRESS IT AT THAT TIME, BUT WE WON'T FIND OUT BASICALLY, UNTIL THEY GO, TILL WE GO ALL 18FT DOWN AND TAKE A LOOK AT IT. YES, SIR. ALL RIGHT, WELL, COULD WE GET AN ADDRESS? BUT HOPEFULLY IT'S NOTHING.
THANK YOU, THANK YOU, COUNCILMAN DARIO. OH, BOY. I JUST WANT TO. WHAT'S THE REASON FOR THAT? THAT BID AMOUNT OF $350,000 IS SO MUCH MORE THAN THE REST OF THEM. DOES THAT INCLUDE IF YOU FIND SOMETHING ELSE WRONG OR WOULD YOU KNOW IT? ALL OF THEM SHOULD HAVE BID, ASSUMING THAT IT WOULD INCLUDE A REPAIR ON THE TEN INCH LINE AND EXCLUDING THE 54. BUT NO, I DON'T HAVE AN EXPLANATION AS TO WHY THEIRS WAS SO INCREDIBLY HIGH. I CAN ONLY GUESS THEY HAD A LOT AMOUNT OF WORK AND ONLY WANTED THIS IF THEY WERE GOING TO MAKE A LOT OF MONEY, SO ALL RIGHT, THANK YOU.
ALL THOSE IN FAVOR OF APPROVING ITEM NUMBER FOUR, PLEASE SIGNIFY BY SAYING AYE. AYE. ANY OPPOSED?
[00:50:04]
THE MOTION IS CARRIED. MR. CITY MANAGER, MAY WE HAVE THE READING OF ITEM NUMBER FIVE? COUNCIL TO CONSIDER AN ORDINANCE DENYING TEXAS GAS SERVICE COMPANY PROPOSED RATES. AND IT COMES WITH THE RECOMMENDATION OF APPROVAL OF THE ORDINANCE. IS THERE A MOTION FOR ADAM NUMBER FIVE? SECOND, THERE IS A MOTION AND A SECOND FOR APPROVAL OF ITEM NUMBER FIVE. IS THERE ANY DISCUSSION, ALL THOSE IN FAVOR OF APPROVING ITEM NUMBER FIVE, PLEASE SIGNIFY BY SAYING I. AYE.ANY OPPOSED THE MOTION IS CARRIED. MR. CITY MANAGER, WILL YOU PLEASE TAKE US INTO THE
[PUBLIC HEARING]
PUBLIC HEARING? THANK YOU. MAYOR. COUNCIL TO CONDUCT A PUBLIC HEARING TO RECEIVE COMMENTS ON THE CITY OF BEAUMONT'S APPLICATION FOR THE FISCAL YEAR 2024. PATHWAYS TO REMOVE AN OBSTACLES TO HOUSING PRO HOUSING GRANT. ALL RIGHT. I OPEN THE PUBLIC HEARING. VIVIAN BALLOU, 3030 PLAZA CIRCLE, PORT ARTHUR, TEXAS. I CAN'T THANK YO. MY NAME IS. LEGACY. FOR THE PAST 15 YEARS, WE ARE ALSO ONE OF TWO HUD CERTIFIED COUNSELING AGENCIES IN SOUTHEAST TEXAS.OVER THE PAST 15 YEARS, LEGACY HAS PROVIDED HOMEBUYER EDUCATION AND CERTIFICATION FOR OVER 1500 FAMILIES. IN 2023, LEGACY PROVIDED FINANCIAL COUNSELING SERVICE TO 811 PERSONS AND HOMEBUYER SPECIFIC SESSIONS TO 494 FAMILIES. WE ALSO ASSISTED 11 LOW TO MODERATE INCOME HOMEBUYERS ON CLOSING HOMES IN BEAUMONT. IN MANY CASES, WE WORK WITH THE FAMILY UP TO TWO YEARS TO GET THEM READY FOR HOMEOWNERSHIP. I'VE PROVIDED YOU WITH A COPY OF OUR ACCOMPLISHMENTS. AFTER REVIEWING THE APPLICATION, I WOULD LIKE TO ASK THE CITY NOT FORGET ABOUT THE NONPROFIT ORGANIZATIONS WHO HAVE CARRIED OUT THE CITY'S MISSION AND SERVED AS AN ARM OF THE CITY IN ACHIEVING ITS ANNUAL HUD GOALS. I BELIEVE THAT IT WOULD BENEFIT THE CITY AND STRENGTHEN THE APPLICATION TO SET ASIDE CAPACITY BUILDING FUNDING SPECIFICALLY FOR NONPROFIT ORGANIZATIONS. WE HAVE WORKED IN COMMUNITIES, DEVELOPED HOMES, AND CREATED HOMEOWNERSHIP OPPORTUNITIES WHEN THERE WAS LITTLE OR NO FUNDING. AND WE WILL BE HERE TO CONTINUE THOSE EFFORTS AFTER THE GRANT. FUNDING IS EXPENDED. INVESTING IN COMMUNITY ORGANIZATIONS ALLOWS THEM TO BE LESS DEPENDENT ON CITY FUNDING AND ASSIST THEM IN BEING SELF-SUFFICIENT SO THAT THEY CAN OPERATE AND COMPETE FOR PROPERTIES AGAINST INVESTORS AND FOR PROFIT DEVELOPERS. MOST FOR PROFIT DEVELOPERS DO NOT NEED CAPACITY BUILDING AND DO NOT SEE AFFORDABLE HOUSING AS BEING PROFITABLE. AS A 35 YEAR VETERAN OF HUD PROGRAMS, I UNDERSTAND THAT THIS FUNDING IS A ONCE IN A LIFETIME OPPORTUNITY FOR THE CITY TO MAKE A REAL DENT IN THE AFFORDABLE HOUSING MARKET. THE NEED FOR AFFORDABLE HOUSING IS GREAT AND INCREASES YEARLY BASED ON INCREASING INSURANCE TAXES AND THE COST OF CONSTRUCTION. WE SIMPLY ASK THAT THEY SET ASIDE BE CARVED OUT TO ALLOW THE CITY'S PARTNERS, COMMUNITY PARTNERS AND NONPROFITS TO CONTINUE THEIR WORK AND TO FLOURISH AND NOT COMPETE AGAINST FOR PROFIT DEVELOPERS. THANK YOU. THANK YOU. OKAY, THE PUBLIC HEARING IS NOW CLOSED. MR. CITY MANAGER, WOULD YOU TAKE US INTO THE WORK SESSION, PLEASE? OKAY.
[WORK SESSION]
MY COUNCIL TO THE LORD NECHES VALLEY AUTHORITY AGREEMENT, ALONG WITH THE BILL FOR WATER USE DURING THE DROUGHT. GOOD AFTERNOON. SO I WANT TO WALK THROUGH OUR RELATIONSHIP, OUR AGREEMENT WITH THE LNVA AND HOW WE OPERATE TO ENSURE THAT THERE'S WATER AVAILABLE FOR THE CITY OF BEAUMONT IN TIMES OF DROUGHT. SO WE SIGNED AN AGREEMENT WITH LNVA BACK IN 2013 TO ACCOUNT FOR USING WATER IN EXCESS OF OUR WATER RIGHTS DURING PERIODS OF HIGH DEMAND OR LOW RIVER LEVELS. SO WE HAVE THE ABILITY TO PULL UP TO 50 MILLION GALLONS A DAY OFF OF THE RIVER.[00:55:01]
BUT THAT'S IF THE WATER EXISTS IN THE RIVER. SO WHERE LNVA COMES IN IS ASSISTING US IN BEING ABLE TO RELEASE WATER FROM THE RESERVOIRS TO ENSURE THAT WATER IS THERE FOR US TO BE ABLE TO MAKE USE OF THE ANNUAL COSTS TO THE CITY OF BEAUMONT ARE A RESERVATION FEE, WHERE WE'RE RESERVING A CERTAIN AMOUNT OF ACRE FEET THAT WE CAN PULL FROM THOSE RESERVOIRS IN TIMES OF NEED. THEN THE USAGE AS WE NEED WITHIN OUR RESERVATION FEE. SO WITHIN THE AMOUNT WE'VE RESERVED, WE HAVE AN AMOUNT OF A RATE FOR THAT WATER. THAT'S GUARANTEED BY CONTRACT OVER A FIVE YEAR AGREEMENT. IT DON'T. IT WILL NOT CHANGE DURING THOSE FIVE YEARS. AND THEN OUR EXCESS USAGE, WHICH IS ANY USAGE ABOVE AND BEYOND WHAT WE'VE RESERVED, AND THAT RATE CHANGES YEARLY. SO I'M GOING TO THROW A LOT OF NUMBERS AT YOU. BEAR WITH ME. BUT WE'LL WE'LL WALK THROUGH THIS. SO IN LIGHT OF THE DROUGHT THAT WE HAD RECENTLY, WE WENT AND WE LOOKED AT THE CITY'S WATER USAGE OVER THE PERIOD FROM 2010 TO CURRENT. AND WE LOOKED AT WHAT WE USED, WHAT WE HAD TO RELEASE AND WHAT WE PAID. SO LOOKING AT THIS CHART, THE TOP OF EACH OF THESE LINES NOTES THE HIGHEST ONE YEAR COST WE COULD EXPECT FOR A GIVEN CONTRACT VOLUME. SO IF YOU LOOK AT THE LINE ON THE FURTHEST LEFT, THIS IS OUR CURRENT RESERVATION AMOUNT 6000 ACRE FEET WITH LNVA.SO IN TIMES OF DROUGHT AND THEN WHAT WE USED WAS, THE AVERAGE OR THE USAGE WE HAD OVER THOSE LAST 12, 13 YEARS. SO THE, THE PEAK WOULD HAVE BEEN 2011. THAT WAS THE WORST DROUGHT THE, THE CITY EXPERIENCED. SO IF YOU HAD A DROUGHT OF THAT MAGNITUDE AND YOU HAVE 6000 ACRE FEET, YOU CAN EXPECT TO SPEND ALMOST $1.8 MILLION EVEN WITH YOUR RESERVATION. THE LOWEST YOU WOULD SPEND IS THE BOTTOM OF THESE BARS, AND THAT'S OUR RESERVATION RATE. SO IF WE DON'T USE ANY WATER FROM LNVA, WE STILL PAY OUR RESERVATION FEE EACH YEAR. AND THEN THE LINE IN THE MIDDLE IS THE AVERAGE ANNUAL COST. WE COULD EXPECT AT EACH OF THESE RESERVATION RATES. IF CONDITIONS MATCH WHAT WE'VE SEEN FROM 2010 TO 2023 ON AVERAGE. SO WE LOOKED AT THIS AND WE EVALUATED WHAT WHAT WOULD BE THE SWEET SPOT FOR THE CITY OF BEAUMONT IN TERMS OF HOW MUCH WATER WE SHOULD RESERVE ON ANY GIVEN YEAR AND WHAT WE CAME TO IS TO INCREASE FROM 6000 ACRE FEET TO 8500 ACRE FEET, AND I'LL WALK THROUGH THAT IN THESE, IN THESE NEXT SLIDES. SO IF WE TURN THE PAGE. THANK YOU. DEMI ONE MORE BACK. SO THIS TAKES THE 8500 ACRE FEET THAT WE'RE PROPOSING. AND IT LOOKS AT WHAT WE EXPERIENCED FROM THE YEARS 2010 TO 2023. SO YOUR BLUE BAR ON EACH OF THESE YEARS IS YOUR RESERVATION FEE. SO EVERY SINGLE YEAR WE'RE GOING TO PAY OUR RESERVATION FEE. NO MATTER WHAT THE GREEN OF THE BAR IS. IF WE HAD TO RELEASE WATER, BUT IT WAS WITHIN THE RESERVATION AMOUNT THAT WE'VE CONTRACTED WITH LNVA. AND THEN THE YELLOW IS THE EXCESS RELEASE FEE THAT WE'D HAVE TO PAY. SO YOU CAN SEE OUR HEAVY DROUGHT YEARS WERE 2011 AND 2023. AND IN THE CASE OF 2011, WE WOULD BE JUST UNDER 1.2 MILLION, IN 2023, WE WOULD BE JUST BELOW 600,000 WITH A RESERVATION RATE OF 8500 ACRE FEET. IT'S A BALANCE BECAUSE WHAT WE'RE DOING IS WE'RE PAYING INSURANCE, BASICALLY. SO IF WE DON'T HAVE A DROUGHT YEAR, WE DON'T NEED A RELEASE. WE'RE STILL PAYING OUR RESERVATION FE. BUT BY PAYING THAT, WE'RE TRYING TO MODERATE AGAINST THESE PEAK USAGE TIMES. DURING THE YEARS OF DROUGHT. ONE MORE PAGE. SO OUR RECOMMENDATION AND THIS THIS CHART HAS AN ERROR. THIS SHOULDN'T SAY 2023 FEES. IT SHOULD SAY THE AVERAGE FROM 2010 TO 2023. CURRENTLY WE RESERVE 6000 ACRE FEET. WE PAY $26.88 PER ACRE FOOT. SO WE'RE PAYING A RESERVATION FEE OF $161,280 EACH AND EVERY YEAR TO HAVE THE ABILITY TO RELEASE WATER. THE AVERAGE OVER ALL THESE YEARS HAS US RELEASING ABOUT $63,000 AND PAYING IN EXCESS OF 162, WHICH GIVES YOU AN AVERAGE ANNUAL ANY GIVEN YEAR OF 387 TO GO TO 8500.
[01:00:03]
WE'LL PAY MORE FOR A RESERVATION EACH YEAR. 228 480 THE RELEASE WITHIN THE AMOUNT WE'VE RESERVED WOULD BE 73, AND WE MODERATE OR MINIMIZE THE EXCESS RELEASE AND DROP THAT TO 59,000. SO OUR AVERAGE EACH YEAR DROPS FROM THAT 387 TO 361. SO WE PAY A LITTLE MORE INSURANCE, RESERVE A LITTLE MORE WATER, AND MODERATE AGAINST THOSE TIMES WHEN WE HAVE THE DROUGHT. AND I KNOW BACK IN 2020, ONE OF THE QUESTIONS WAS, WHY ARE WE RESERVING WATER? WE HADN'T ACTUALLY TAPPED IT. AND IN QUITE A WHILE. SO THIS THIS LAST SLIDE IS VERY BUSY. BUT JUST TO GIVE YOU AN IDEA, GOING BACK TO 2000, THESE ARE DROUGHT SCORES FOR THOSE YEARS. SO YOU CAN SEE THAT DESPITE THE FACT THAT WE HAVE QUITE A BIT OF WATER IN SOUTHEAST TEXAS, WE ARE GOING TO EXPERIENCE YEARS OF DROUGHT AND YOU ARE GOING TO HAVE TO RELEASE WATER AT TIMES IN ORDER TO BE ABLE TO PULL WATER OFF THE RIVER AND MEET OUR OUR CITIZENS NEEDS. SO I ALSO HAVE SCOTT HALL HERE FROM LNVA, WHO'S THE GENERAL MANAGER. IF YOU HAVE ANY QUESTIONS OF ME OR OF HIM FROM FROM LNVA WOULD BE GLAD TO FIELD THEM. ANY QUESTIONS, COUNCILMAN DARIO, ON THIS LAST CHART. BUT WHY IS 2024 SO HIGH? I WOULD IMAGINE THAT LAST YEAR'S DROUGHT WAS WELL, THAT'S GOING 2023 INTO 2024. SO IT'S REALLY THE 2023 DROUGHT AND THE BAR BEFORE THAT IS REALLY 2022, WHICH WAS FAIRLY DRY BUT REALLY DIDN'T HIT US AS HARD AS AS THE ACTUAL DROUGHT IN 2023. OKAY. THANK YOU. THAT'S THAT'S WHY. YOU DID AN EXCELLENT JOB. THANK YOU VERY MUCH, MR. HALL. THANK YOU FOR BEING HERE. GOOD TO SEE YOU. ALL RIGHT. AND BEFORE WE PROCEED WITH REGULAR AGENDA ITEM SIX, I KNOW OUR KIOSK WASN'T WORKING. IS THERE ANYBODY THAT SIGNED UP FOR THE PUBLIC HEARING THAT DIDN'T REGISTER? OKAY, AT THAT POINT, I'M GOING TO GO AHEAD AND MOVE FORWARD WITH, READING FOR ITEM[REGULAR AGENDA]
NUMBER SIX. MR. CITY MANAGER COUNCIL, COUNCIL, CONSIDER MY MIC WILL GO UP. CONSIDER A RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING THE CITY MANAGER TO EXECUTE AN UPDATED WATER SUPPLY AGREEMENT AND MUTUAL RELEASE BETWEEN THE CITY OF BEAUMONT AND THE LORD NATURE'S VALLEY AUTHORITY LNVA PROVIDING UPDATES TO THE CURRENT FIVE YEAR TERM AGREEMENT, WHICH SECURES AN UNINTERRUPTED SURFACE WATER SUPPLY FOR THE CITY OF BEAUMONT. AND IT COMES WITH THE RECOMMENDATION OF APPROVAL. IS THERE A MOTION FOR ITEM NUMBER SIX MOVED TO APPROVE? SECOND, IT'S BEEN MOVED AND SECONDED FOR APPROVAL OF ITEM NUMBER SIX. IS THERE ANY DISCUSSION, ALL THOSE IN FAVOR OF APPROVING ITEM NUMBER SIX, PLEASE SIGNIFY BY SAYING AYE. AYE. ANY OPPOSED? THE MOTION IS CARRIED. MR. CITY MANAGER, WOULD YOU PLEASE TAKE US INTO THE READING OF ITEM NUMBER SEVEN? COUNCIL, CONSIDER RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING PAYMENT OF LORD NATURE'S VALLEY AUTHORITY LNVA. INVOICE NUMBER 3049 FOR THE 2023 WATER RELEASE FEE. AND IT COMES WITH THE RECOMMENDATION OF APPROVAL OF THE RESOLUTION. IS THERE A MOTION FOR ITEM NUMBER SEVEN MOVED TO APPROVE? SECOND, THERE IS A MOTION AND A SECOND FOR APPROVAL OF ITEM NUMBER SEVEN. IS THERE ANY DISCUSSION? ALL THOSE IN FAVOR OF APPROVING ITEM NUMBER SEVEN, PLEASE SIGNIFY BY SAYING AYE. AYE. ANY OPPOSED? THE MOTION IS CARRIED. ALL RIGHT. NOW WE'RE MOVING INTO COUNCIL MEMBER COMMENTS. RECORD[COUNCIL COMMENTS]
TIME. COUNCILMAN NEIL. WELL, I HAVE NO COMMENT. MAYOR ALL RIGHT. THANK YOU, COUNCILMAN SAMUEL. COUNCILMAN BELSHAW THANK YOU. MAYOR. OUR HEALTH DIRECTOR REMINDED ME THAT TODAY IS THE FIRST DAY OF FLU SEASON. HE ENCOURAGED ME AND EVERYONE ELSE TO GET YOUR FLU SHOT. SO LET'S GO OUT AND TAKE CARE OF OUR BUSINESS. SO THERE YOU GO, MR. DIRECTOR. THANK YOU, MAYOR. YES, COUNCILMAN TURNER, I JUST WANT TO CONGRATULATE ONE OF OUR VERY OWN KALTRINA MICKENS, ON THE AWARD THAT SHE RECEIVED, AS WELL AS OUR CITY WITH ONE OF THE BEST TENNIS FACILITIES IN TEXAS. I KNOW, MIKE, YOU TAKE A LOT OF PRIDE IN THAT. AND I THINK IT'S A GREAT THING TO KIND OF HIGHLIGHT US WHEN WE ARE DOING WELL IN PARTICULAR AREAS. ANOTHER THING I WANT TO SHOUT OUT TO OUR ORGANIZATION CALLED MEN OF PURPOSE, WE WERE ABLE TO TAKE RIGHT AT 70 STUDENT MALE[01:05:06]
ATHLETES TO SEE A MOVIE ON THIS SUNDAY. AND THIS MOVIE WAS CALLED THE FORGE. SO IF YOU EVER HAVE THE OPPORTUNITY TO WATCH THIS MOVIE, IT'S A GREAT MOVIE FOR A YOUNG MAN TO GO SEE WITH EITHER THEIR FATHERS OR OTHER FAMILY MEMBERS OR JUST MEN, PERIOD. IT'S A GOOD FAMILY MOVIE, A GOOD FAMILY FILM TO WATCH, AND THIS MOVIE WAS VERY INSPIRATIONAL. AND SOME OF THE THINGS THAT'S GOING ON WITH OUR YOUNG MEN IN THE COMMUNITY TODAY, I THINK, IS EXTREMELY IMPORTANT. WE TAKE TIME OUT, VOLUNTEER ON, VOLUNTEER WITH THEM, LOVE ON THEM, PRAY FOR THEM AND JUST HELP THEM MAKE BETTER DECISIONS IN LIFE. SO I JUST WANT TO SHOUT OUT THE ORGANIZATION. EVERYBODY IS DOING A GREAT JOB IN THE COMMUNITY. JUST WANT TO KEEP UP THE GOOD WORK. COUNCILMAN. THANK YOU COUNCILMAN TURNER. COUNCILMAN GAETZ, I WANT TO ECHO COUNCIL MEMBER TURNER'S COMMENTS, REGARDING KATRINA MINNICK, SHE RAN THE LABOR DAY TENNIS TOURNAMENT THIS PAST YEAR AND DID AN INCREDIBLE JOB AND HAS BEEN ABLE TO GET THE TOURNAMENT BOOSTED UP A LEVEL WHICH WILL BE REALLY BIG IN TERMS OF PARTICIPATION NEXT YEAR, IN TERMS OF PEOPLE COMING IN TO PLAY IN THE TOURNAMENT. SHE JUST DOES A VERY EXCELLENT JOB. AND ALSO ON THE FACILITY ITSELF BEING NAMED THE BEST MUNICIPAL TENNIS FACILITY IN THE ENTIRE STATE OF TEXAS, BEATING OUT CITIES LIKE WACO, DALLAS, HOUSTON IS AN AMAZING ACCOMPLISHMENT AND NONE OF THAT WOULD HAVE BEEN POSSIBLE. I DON'T BELIEVE WITHOUT THE EFFORTS OF MY LATE WIFE, ALLISON, WHO WAS PRESIDENT OF THE SOUTHEAST TEXAS TENNIS ASSOCIATION AT THE TIME. ALL OF THIS CAME TO PASS AND SHE AND CLAUDIA AND EMILY COX DID A TREMENDOUS JOB OF LOBBYING THE CITY TO GET THE IMPROVEMENTS MADE. THAT HAS ALLOWED US TO ENJOY THE REWARDS WE SEEK TODAY, OKTOBERFEST. THIS SATURDAY, IT'S THE NINTH ANNUAL. IT MAY BE THE FIRST ONE I MISS. I HAVE A WEDDING TO GO TO IN HOUSTON THAT EVENING. I'M GONNA TRY TO DROP BY BRIEFLY FOR A FEW MINUTES, BUT INSTEAD OF LEDERHOSEN, I MIGHT BE WEARING A TUX. I DON'T KNOW, BUT HOPEFULLY EVERYBODY WILL GET OUT TO GO TO OKTOBERFEST AND HOPEFULLY THE WEATHER WILL BE AS NICE AS IT HAS BEEN LATELY. THANKS. THANK YOU. COUNCILMAN GOETZ.COUNCILMAN DARIO. THANK YOU. MAYOR. ON YESTERDAY, I WAS ABLE TO ATTEND MY FIRST BEAM RAISING FOR THE NEW BAPTIST HOSPITAL CANCER CENTER RIGHT THERE AT 3180 COLLEGE STREET. IT'S A IT'S LIKE A $40 MILLION PROJECT, 40 200 ZERO SQUARE FOOT FACILITY WOULD HELP WITH, PATIENTS, I KNOW THIS PERSONALLY FROM HAVING TO DRIVE BACK AND FORTH TO HOUSTON FOR YOUR RADIATION OR CHEMOTHERAPY TREATMENTS. THEY'LL BE ABLE TO DO IT RIGHT HERE IN BEAUMONT. SO THAT WOULD HELP OUT A LOT OF FOLKS. AND IT JUST HAPPENS TO BE IN WARD FOUR. SO THAT'S A GREAT THING TOO. AND ALSO ON THE FLU SHOT, I ALSO SAW THAT THEY'RE TELLING FOLKS AND YOU CORRECT ME IF I'M WRONG. MR. COLEMAN, THAT WHEN THEY GO IN TO GET THEIR FLU SHOTS, THEY CAN ALSO GET THEIR COVID BOOSTER. SO JUST TO PIGGYBACK ON THAT, THAT'S IT. MAYOR, THANK YOU, MADAM CITY ATTORNEY, NO COMMENT.
MR. ASSISTANT CITY MANAGER BOONE, YES, MAYOR. JUST AGAIN, A QUICK PLUG FOR TOMORROW EVENING'S, DOWNTOWN FOCUS VISION AND GROWTH AT THE DOWNTOWN EVENT CENTER TOMORROW, 6 TO 8. THANK YOU. MR. CITY MANAGER. YES. A FEW QUICK NOTES, I MENTIONED THE TENNIS FACILITY LAST MEETING, SO I BEAT AJ AND MIKE TO THAT LAST WEEK. YOU DID? SO IT WAS A GREAT, GREAT FACILITY. GREAT TOURNAMENT OUT THERE. I WANT TO COMMEND THE CITY OF BEAUMONT AND KENNETH FORGET. WE'RE GOING TO RECEIVE THE SCENIC CITY AWARD THIS WEEK NEXT WEEK AT TML, WE'RE GOING TO MOVE UP IN STATUS TO WHAT IS, SILVER STATUS, WHICH MEANS WE ARE IMPROVING OUR STATUS AS A SCENIC CITY. IT WOULD BE GREAT IF ALL OF ANYONE'S WHO THERE. WE ENCOURAGE YOU TO COME BY THE CEREMONY AND PARTICIPATE IN THAT EVENT. AND THAT PHOTO OPPORTUNITY WITH THE STATE OF TEXAS. IT'S AWESOME.
AND I HAD THE PLEASURE OF INVITING A LOT OF MY HIGH SCHOOL CLASSMATES AT BEAUMONT LAST WEEK, AND I WANT TO THANK, OUR CVB DEPARTMENT, FREDERICK WILLARD, AND FOR THE FANTASTIC WORK THEY DID AND SHOWED PEOPLE, YOU KNOW, WE WENT TO RIVERSIDE GRILL ON FRIDAY NIGHT. THEY TOOK US TO CATTAIL MARSH AND HAD AN EVENT SATURDAY. IT WAS QUITE THE EVENT WITH THE PEOPLE COMING IN.
IT'S GOOD FOR THEM TO SEE BEAUMONT AND WHAT BEAUMONT HAS TO OFFER, AND THEY WERE QUITE IMPRESSED. SO I THANK CVB FOR THE OUTSTANDING WORK THAT THEY DID. THANK YOU. THANK YOU, MR. CITY MANAGER. AND I KNOW HE FORGOT TO MENTION THE CALENDAR OF EVENTS. I THOUGHT YOU WERE
[01:10:01]
GOING TO DO THAT. WELL NOW I GOT TO TALK. SO THERE'S SEVERAL THINGS THAT ARE GOING ON IN THE CITY OF BEAUMONT IN THE MONTH OF OCTOBER, AND OUR CVB IS PUT TOGETHER A WONDERFUL CALENDAR.SO I ENCOURAGE EVERYONE TO VISIT THEIR FACEBOOK PAGE OR THEIR WEBSITE TO SEE ALL THE THINGS THAT THEY HAVE GOING ON IN THE MONTH OF OCTOBER. BEAUMONT IS BOOMING. THAT'S EXACTLY RIGHT.
AND I JUST I KNOW MANY OF US ARE PROUD LAMAR UNIVERSITY GRADUATES, AND IT WAS A PLEASURE SEEING ALL THE STUDENT ATHLETES HERE AND THAT, ALL CONFERENCE FOR THE ATHLETIC. IT REFLECTS THEIR WINNING SCHEDULE. BUT IT ALSO REFLECTS THEIR ACADEMICS AND THEY'VE DONE AN INCREDIBLE JOB. LAMAR FOOTBALL IS STILL RANKED IN THE TOP 25 WITH FCS, SO I'M EXPECTING AN OPPORTUNITY IN THE PLAYOFFS. AND THEIR NEXT GAME IS HOMECOMING. ON OCTOBER 12TH, WHICH WILL BE THEIR FIRST CONFERENCE GAME, I WOULD LIKE TO GET A REVIEW OF THAT HOUSE BILL 969 TO SEE IF THIS IS SOMETHING OUR CITY NEEDS TO EXPLORE FURTHER ABOUT CHILD CUSTODY. I HAD THE PRIVILEGE LAST WEEK OF GOING WITH SEVERAL, PEOPLE FROM THE COUNTY, AS WELL AS OUR POLICE CHIEF, OVER TO HARRIS COUNTY JUVENILE PROBATION, TO THEIR, DETENTION CENTER AND THEIR DAY CENTER. THAT, MRS. REGINA ROGERS ORGANIZED. AND THE COUNTY JUDGE, AS WELL AS COUNTY COMMISSIONERS WENT OVER THERE, AND IT WAS VERY IMPRESSIVE, WE SEEING THE FACILITIES, WE ALSO HAD SOME TESTIMONIALS FROM SOME OF THE PEOPLE THAT WENT THROUGH THE SYSTEM, AS WELL AS THE PEOPLE THAT HAVE WORKED IN JUVENILE JUSTICE IN HARRIS COUNTY FOR OVER 30 YEARS. AND THE ONE THING THEY HAVE GONE IN THE LAST TEN YEARS FROM A PUNITIVE SYSTEM TO A REHABILITATION SYSTEM AND THEIR STATISTICS ARE REALLY VERY IMPRESSIVE. YOU CANNOT IGNORE THEM. IT IS A IT IS A TRANSITION, BUT IT IS MAKING A SIGNIFICANT IMPACT IN THEIR JUVENILE CRIME. AND HARRIS COUNTY AND I KNOW THAT JEFFERSON COUNTY WILL BE LOOKING AT IT. AND I THINK AS THE COUNCIL, ALTHOUGH WE DON'T HAVE ANY DIRECT INVOLVEMENT IN BEING AWARE OF IT AND THE IMPACT IT CAN HAVE ON, AND OUR ON THE CHALLENGES THAT WE HAVE WITH YOUTH CRIME IN TERMS OF ADDRESSING THAT IN A MANNER THAT, HELPS SOLVE THE PROBLEM. AND TOMORROW THERE IS ALSO THE RIBBON CUTTING AT ROGERS PARK THAT MAGNOLIA GARDEN CLUB, BUT THAT BEAUTIFUL SIGN IN, AND THAT'S GOING TO BE AT 11 A.M. FOR THOSE THAT CAN ATTEND AND TO FOLLOW ON, WHAT COUNCILMAN DARIO SAID ABOUT THE BEAM RAISING THE MASON FAMILY HERE THAT HAS BEEN SO SUPPORTIVE. THEY DONATED $2.5 MILLION TOWARDS THAT, WHICH IS VERY IMPRESSIVE. AND WITH THAT, YES. ON THE REVIEW OF HOUSE BILL 696, ARE YOU ASKING THAT TO BE A WORK SESSION OR. YES, SOMETHING WORK WORK SESSION. GOT IT. AND
[EXECUTIVE SESSION]
NOW WE'LL RECESS* This transcript was compiled from uncorrected Closed Captioning.