City Council - Regular Meeting

If you would please stand and if so, please remain standing for the Pledge of Allegiance and make sure your cell phones are silenced.

Pastor?

Let's bow. Father, in the name of Jesus, we come today, God, thanking you for this day that you've made. Father, we rejoice and we're so glad in it. Father, we come to pray for our city council, Father, the mayor, and every member on council, Father, even our staff. And Father, we pray your word declares that if any of us lack wisdom to ask of you. And so, Father, we ask that you give each council member, each staff member, Father, the wisdom to make sound decisions that benefit us as a community. And Father, we pray right now in the name of Jesus, God, that you give them understanding and discernment, God, as they make these decisions. And then, Father, we come and we pray for unity among our leaders, God. You said, behold, how good and how pleasant it is for brethren to dwell together in unity. And, Father, help our leaders work together in unity and mutual respect for the good of every citizen of Beaumont. And then, Father, we come and pray for our public safety personnel, Father. We pray for our police officers, our firefighters, our EMS, our personnel, and every emergency management team, God. We thank you, Father, in the name of Jesus, that you would protect those who protect us and keep our city safe from violence and crime and disasters and harm. And then, Father, we come and pray for our youth, God. We pray for every youth in our city, Father, that they will make wise decisions, knowing that the decision that they make today, Father, will impact their future. And, Father, strengthen every family, guide our youth, and provide positive opportunities that lead them to a purpose and success in their lives. And then, Father, we pray for the economic growth of our city, Father. In the name of Jesus, God, you said, for it is you who give us the power to get wealth. And so, Father, that we may establish a covenant. So bless our city with economic growth, new opportunities, responsible development, and sustainable prosperity, Father. And all of this in Jesus' name, amen.

May I have roll call, please?

Mayor West. Present. Mayor Pro Tem Turner. Here. Council Member Durio. Here. Council Member Hilliard. Here. Council Member Williams. Here. Council Member Sherwood. Here. And Council Member Crenshaw.

Here.

Thank you.

All right, and today we are experiencing technical issues with the presentation screen. Therefore, we'll be unable to display the communication update and staff reports during the council meeting. The staff reports remain part of the official meeting record and are available in the meeting agenda packet online at beaumonttexas.gov. We apologize for the inconvenience and appreciate your patience and understanding. And we had proclamations and presentations earlier today, and we're gonna be moving into public comments at this time. Now's the time for any citizen who wishes to speak today. You may make public comments on consent agenda, regular agenda items one through seven, or any other topic. Items eight and 10 have already been heard in public hearing, therefore citizens cannot speak on these items. The city clerk will call your name when it's your time to speak. When you approach the podium, please say your address, city and state, if it hadn't already been said. You will have three minutes for public comment. The green light will come on when you approach the podium, and the red light will come on when your time is up. Please note that while you're at the podium, members of council will not be able to comment or respond to your questions unless it's a posted agenda item, and we'll do that at that time.

Matthew Tindall, no address was given on Texas.

Um, but these flock cameras, if you look into them, they can be hacked. They can be abused. They can be, you know, there's a lot of bad things that can happen with these cameras and we're just putting them up. Like they're our savior, but they're really, it's Orwellian, um, 1984, just watching it pop up. I've put in a FOIA request to find out who owns them, who installed them, but that is very cloudy. My city council didn't have any answers. I came FOIA request them here. Couldn't get any answers. I'm going to the courthouse to FOIA request it. But I really hope that y'all would look into this and see how dangerous this is for our communities. There might be a little bit of good that can come from them, but my Fourth Amendment... I'm not giving that up for a little bit of safety. Y'all know it was said back when this country was founded, any man willing to sacrifice any of his liberties for a moment of security deserves neither. And I really hope that we can get these taken down or at minimum put some requirements to where anybody that wants to access that information has to get a warrant or something. But I appreciate your time. Have a good one. Thank you.

Albert Harrison, 1240 Ashley, Beaumont, Texas.

Mayor, City Council, other city staff, and other concerned citizens that are present. My first comments would like to be, I would like to apologize to you, Mr. Sherwood, for disturbing you on a Sunday. I did not have all the facts at that time. Now I do. So you hear my apology more closely. There's a crew that is mobbing out ditches in my neighborhood. First of all, my phone call to the city and speaking to Mr. Anderson, who I understand is an engineer. My question to him was, who decided what ditches on what streets need to be mopped out? He said, complaints. I said, okay. My real content is this here. Ashley Street, where I live, does not flood. So there's no need in mopping up this area. Now, a flooding issue exists with Skyline Church. But the issue is there is that they have not properly reinforced the borders of the church. So water seeps in the ground and goes in the church. They complained to the city about flooding. I see what the problem is. I know what the problem is there. As well as my real issue is when you look at the street, mopping out, There are walkways across the ditches on the sidewalks area. There are signs in the street that says a number, remove. Fine. When I talked with Mr. Anderson about that, he said he understood that. My complaint on that particular is twofold. Number one, by removing the walkway across the ditch areas, eliminates a person from continuing to walk on the sidewalk. But my PD, for years, as I was a little boy, harassed us from coming down from Oakland Street in the street, said, use the sidewalk. So now I have a problem. They're still harassing individuals in that same neighborhood who are not walking on the sidewalk. So now the city is destroying the sidewalk. Because you can't... I even thought about this a little further. Supposing there's a fire. Anybody running down a sidewalk. There's a walkway that has been there. Now, all of a sudden, they're in a ditch. Thank you. Thank you, sir.

Seth Wells, 6890 Glenwood Drive. I'm sorry, Glenwillow Drive, Beaumont, Texas.

After you. Mr. Mayor, council, staff, my name is Seth Wells. I'm also a member of American Legion Post 33 right up the street, 1320 Pennsylvania. I just wanted to do, there wasn't going to be another council meeting or the coalition meeting before next Friday. So I just wanted to let everybody know that second Fridays is buddy check lunch for our veterans from 11 to 1. It's a free meal that's hosted either by the American Legion 33 or just right up the street at VFW 1806. It's free for anybody to attend. What's very important about the next one on the 12th is we'll be celebrating Women's Veterans Day. So we're very excited about that and talk about the impact that our sisters have had on our military and our service both yesterday, today, and tomorrow. I just wanted to read a couple of things about that, and maybe you haven't heard this from a military perspective. First, again, happy Pride Month. Don't ask, don't tell. While the law ending the policy was signed in late 2010, the process involved several legal administrative hurdles before gay, lesbian, and bisexual service members could serve openly without fear of discharge. They were also required to go back and upgrade dishonorable discharges to honorable. Bless you. From this moment on, the military could no longer discharge service members based on their sexual orientation. September 2011, Don't Ask, Don't Tell was repealed. We were at the end of a recertification of a very extensive repair period and an upcoming eight-month deployment. People were speaking about concerns about readiness and unit cohesiveness and how we're going to get the job done. Don't ask, don't tell. And in March of 1999, before I was in the Navy, then Commander Michelle J. Howard took command of the USS Rushmore LSD-47, a Whidbey Island amphibious dock landing ship. She also became the first black female to earn the rank of four-star admiral. On February 2011, I reported on board USS Rushmore LSD-47 for service. Thank you. Thank you.

Joyce Moore Newell, 2445 Louisiana Street, Beaumont, Texas. Item F on the consent agenda.

Hello, guys. Thank you so much, and ladies, for this opportunity to speak. I first want to start off by saying and give praise to the librarians at the Theodore Johns Library. They were very helpful to me last week when I went asking about how I can use and download the Libby app, and they thoroughly gave me what I needed to help with. We have some quality people here in our community that serve. Next, I want to say I appreciate the tax abatement discussion that happened this last time. There was lots of questions and answers that were given, so I appreciate the thoroughness of the discussion and the knowledge that was given. I appreciate Mr. Turner for asking for feedback on his Facebook page and being open to hearing from us. I appreciate that also. I am concerned, though, I want some more answers regarding the authorizing the agreement with Capital Edge Advocacy. I know in the meeting last time we talked about our lack of having an economic development director or person in particular. Is this going to supplement or be part of a budget item for having an economic development person? How does that work together? How long does the contract last? How much are we spending for it? So I had some questions about that and how are we furthering trying to develop a position for an economic development point person? Because I thought that was an excellent thing that was brought up last time that we need that in our community. I drove by the VA hospital. It looks really great. And I'm excited about some of those things that are happening in our community. The next thing I have some questions about is, is there a way that we can have a referral sheet or like a tab in our city council that gives some good referrals? Because some of the things, the feedback I saw in Mr. Turner's request was that people want any links for youth and young adults. And I think that we already have a lot of those things here in our community, but people just don't know about them. So how can we promote those things that we already have in our community, whether it's a referral sheet, I'm not sure if we can have a referral sheet, but give everyone equal opportunity and ease of information to find that for higher education, local youth services, maybe other local activities that are happening with the different organizations, but somehow have it all together in one area. So those are some of my suggestions. Thank you for listening and for your service today.

Thank you.

That's all I have, Mayor.

All right, with that, if there's no other public comments, we will move into the consent agenda. And is there a motion and a second for approval of the consent agenda? Second.

Second.

There is a motion and a second for approval of this consent agenda. Is there any discussion? All those in favor of approving the consent agenda, please signify by saying aye. Aye. Any opposed? The motion is carried. Mr. City Manager, may we have the reading of item number one?

Yes, sir. Mayor and Council, item number one is to consider a resolution approving Chapter 380 incentives for economic development activities and authorizing the execution of a Chapter 380 economic development agreement with Beaumont 194 LLC for public infrastructure improvements to promote development along the Northwest Parkway and Point Parkway corridor. The city of Beaumont has been approached by Beaumont 194 LLC with a proposal to develop an approximately 87-acre planned unit development community located at the intersection of Northwest Parkway and Point Parkway. The developer has committed to constructing the public infrastructure improvements described in Exhibit B of the proposed agreement. These improvements are anticipated to increase the city's ad valorem tax base, support population growth, and enhance the viability of future mixed-use development along Northwest Parkway Corridor. These public benefits would not only reasonably occur in the absence of the proposed infrastructure improvements and associated agreements, The City of Beaumont has discussed with the developers the following incentives in keeping with its Chapter 380 Economic Development Program. The policies are as follows. Condition one is that 75% of the ad valorem taxes received by the City for each home shall be reimbursed in grant payments to the developer FOR A PERIOD NOT TO EXCEED 15 YEARS OR UNTIL 100% OF THE FINAL ESTIMATE IS REIMBURSED TO THE DEVELOPER, WHICHEVER IS LESS. IN RETURN, THE DEVELOPER WILL CONSTRUCT THE FOLLOWING PUBLIC INFRASTRUCTURE IMPROVEMENTS WITHIN THE TIME FRAME OUTLINED IN EXHIBIT B OF THE ATTACHED AGREEMENT. FIRST WOULD BE A REGIONAL LIFT STATION SO THE IMPROVEMENT HERE WOULD NOT ONLY SERVE THIS PROPOSED DEVELOPMENT BUT BEYOND. Number two would be offsite drainage improvements. And number three, construct a portion of Point Parkway North. Additionally, the agreement requires the developer to make a good faith effort to use qualified local vendors, contractors, and service providers for the project whenever feasible and legally permissible. Based on the attached, the administration recommends approval of this resolution.

Thank you. Is there a motion for approval of item number one? So moved. Second. There is a motion and a second for approval of item number one. Is there any discussion? Councilman Durio? You turned your light on. Okay. Did you have any discussion?

Yes. So first of all, well done to staff. This is a true economic development package that was brought to us. It's my understanding that upon the completion of the 400 estimated homes that will be constructed that will be a total of about eight hundred and fifty thousand dollars annually in tax revenue for the city there's an opportunity here for commercial development along Northwest Parkway that one of the complaints that I heard and that I've heard within our community is that you know that was pushed as a big economic development incentive for the city and hasn't really come to the potential that a lot of people thought that it would. And I think that this project is a great step in the right direction on that project, achieving the goals that we had originally hoped for that area. In addition, just so people are clear and the public is clear, this requires the developer to invest nearly $8 million in infrastructure. And the developer will do that with their own money and will only be reimbursed after property taxes from this specific development generate that return. So this is a win-win for taxpayers. We are getting nearly $8 million in infrastructure improvements, and we only have to pay the developer back that $8 million if and only if they develop properties that generate tax revenue that allows for that repayment to be made. So this is, I think, a first for our area. You see these types of developments over in in the Houston area and other parts of the state. So I think this is a great thing. And again, well done to staff. We appreciate the developer who has Southeast Texas roots coming back to invest in this community. And I look forward to the great opportunities for this city as a result of this project.

Thank you. Any other questions or comments? All those in favor of approving item number one, please signify by saying aye.

Aye.

Any opposed? The motion is carried. We're going to go to items five, six, and seven, then go back to two. So if you would read item number five, Mr. City Manager.

Yes, sir. Mayor and Council, item number five is to consider an ordinance authorizing the issuance of City of Beaumont, Texas Water Works and Sewer System Revenue Bonds Series 2026 and authorizing the mayor, city manager, or chief financial officer to approve the amounts, interest rates, prices, and terms thereof for both series and execute all documents related to the to the sale of the bonds. The adopted budget for the current fiscal year includes the issuance of debt to provide funding for the expansion, repair, renovation, and related improvements to the city's waterworks and sewer system. These waterworks and sewer infrastructure projects are also included in the adopted Community Investment Plan, or CIP. A total of $34,650,000 is required to complete the work budgeted for in FY26. This ordinance approves the issuance of the Water Works and Sewer System Revenue Bonds Series 2026 in the amount not to exceed $34,650,000. The ordinance authorizes city staff to execute the final pricing documents once the bonds are sold and the conditions are met. and is designated to provide flexibility in timing and execution as the city enters the bond market. Delivery and receipt of the proceeds by the city are expected in July of 2026. And again, these bonds would be serviced with a water utility fund. The administration recommends approval of the ordinance. I will point out that we do have our financial advisor, Dusty Traylor, as well as our bond counsel, Derek Mitchell, with us today in case we have any specific questions.

Okay, thank you. Is there a motion for item number five?

Move for approval.

Is there a second? We have a motion and a second for approval of item number five. Is there any discussions or questions? All those in favor of approving item number five, please signify by saying aye.

Aye.

Any opposed? The motion is carried. Mr. City Manager. Take us to item number six.

Sir, item number six is to consider an ordinance authorizing the issuance of City of Beaumont, Texas Tax Note Series 2026 and authorizing the mayor, city manager, or chief financial officer to approve the amounts, interest rates, prices, and terms thereof for the tax note and to execute all documents related to the tax note. The adopted budget for the current fiscal year also includes the issuance of debt for the financing of certain equipment and to pay the cost of issuing of the obligation. A total of $3,160,000 is required to complete the sale of the obligation and purchase of the equipment. The equipment to be funded with the tax note obligation includes various fleet equipment for multiple city departments and divisions, including recreation, parks, green space, traffic management, EMS, fire, police, animal care, and solid waste. This funding for the issuance of these obligations is included in the city's current fiscal year adopted budget. This ordinance again approves the issuance of the tax note obligations in the amount of $3,167,000. The funding source for this principal and interest would be paid by the debt service fund, which is supported by property taxes. The administration is recommending approval of this ordinance.

Is there a motion for item number six? So moved. Is there a second? Second. There is a motion and a second for item number six. Is there any discussion? Councilman Turner? Yeah, Mr. Manager.

Have we put this off before? Is this something that was already budgeted? Is this something we put off and we're bringing back forward or was it already budgeted?

These are fleet purchases that we typically would use cash reserves for.

Yeah, that's what I was wondering.

In FY26, the plan was to budget for them using this tax note. So it's not something we've typically done, but it is something new for us.

Okay. Can somebody kind of explain why we, the benefit of going this route or is there a reason we're going this route from what we typically do?

Well, I can ask our CFO or Mr. Ellis. Part of it would be, in essence, it is a loan. And so instead of paying cash out of pocket, you would just basically do the debt service over multiple years. But Bridget, did you have any?

Yeah, that's correct, what Mr. Boone just explained. At the end of last fiscal year, when we were preparing the budget, we were looking for ways to save money in the budget. So instead of paying $3 million in cash up front or... Actually, well over $3 million. We decided to finance it, which requires us to pay approximately $500,000 back per year over the next seven years. So it was a way to save money in the budget for the current fiscal year.

Understood. Is it an interest rate associated to this or no?

The base of the microphone stand.

Are you a trained professional? I am not.

I almost had it.

Dusty Traylor with RBC Capital Markets. Your question, Mr. Turner, was about interest rate. These tax notes have a maximum maturity of seven years by state law, and that actually goes very well in terms of matching the useful life of the asset with the instruments that are being used to finance them. More than likely, we would expect the interest rate on these, given the shorter nature of these, to be somewhere in the 4% to 4.25%.

Is it possible if, let's just say, the economy changes that it could be revisited if the interest rate could be lowered?

Well, one of the things that you're doing right now is you're authorizing moving forward with this issue. And so right now we are working with city staff to prepare to actually go out into the market to sell these bonds. So the authorization that council is giving right now allows for some flexibility, right? If interest rates come down, we can take advantage of that. If interest rates start to escalate and we're seeing that, we have the opportunity to jump in hopefully before they escalate too much. So, yes, sir. And, you know, in terms of, so not exactly the question was asked of me, but in terms of the budgeting this versus using a note obligation, right? Budgeting this this year likely would have taken $3.1 million out of your general reserve fund, right? Doing it through a note actually takes this item completely out of your general reserve fund and the M&O portion of your tax rate. It alleviates that expense from the M&O portion of the tax rate and it moves it over to the INS side of the tax rate. And it keeps you from reducing your general fund balance by over $3 million. Yes, sir. Mr. Crenshaw.

How is this different than just a regular CO or certificate of obligation?

Yeah, it's a great question. The difference is that by way of the tax note, the city is limited in the amortization to not more than seven years. A certificate of obligation by state law could actually be up to 40. Now, we don't ever do them that long, but state law would allow it for up to 40. So the tax note, state law will not allow you to pay it back for a period over 10 years, over seven years.

So in reality, just in layman's terms, this is a certificate of obligation with just a shorter repayment?

More or less.

Okay.

All right.

Councilman Duria. Yeah, could you explain for the audience and everybody else our bond rating, what it is, and what exactly that means? Certainly.

Got a couple notes on me today. So on the general obligation side, right, the side that is the side of the bonds that are backed by ad valorem taxes, the city's bond rating by Standard & Poor's is a double A minus. It's a very, very high bond rating, right? The highest, highest bond rating is triple A. So you're three notches below the highest bond rating that is available out there. So the AA minus allows the city to go out and access the capital markets and achieve very, very low interest rates. You're a very high investment grade bond rating by the rating agencies. And so that gives investors confidence that when they invest in your bonds, that you're going to pay them back on time and in full. So you're able to access the market at low interest rates. Thank you. Yes, sir.

These are fixed rates.

These will be fixed rates.

Yes, sir All right, thank you dusty.

Thank you.

I can turn it off Got that down All right, if there's no other questions or discussions all those in favor of approving item number six, please signify by saying aye Any opposed? The motion is carried Mr. City Manager, would you take us into item number seven, please?

Sir, item number seven is to consider an ordinance authorizing the issuance of City of Beaumont General Obligations Improvement Bonds Series 2026 and authorizing the Mayor, City Manager, or Chief Financial Officer to approve the amounts, interest rates, prices, and terms thereof and to execute all documents related to the sale of the bonds. In November 2025, voters approved a general obligation bond proposition to fund key infrastructure projects, including citywide sidewalk initiative and streets and drainage improvements. A total of $38,750,000 is required to fund the budgeted first two years of the approved general obligation bond projects. This ordinance approves the issuance of the GO Improvement Bonds Series 2026 in an amount not to exceed $38,750,000. Million seven hundred fifty thousand further authorizes city staff to finalize and execute pricing documents on the sale of the bond subject to meeting specified conditions. The ordinance is designed to provide flexibility and timing and execution as the city enters the bond market. Delivering received the proceeds by the city are expected in July of twenty twenty six. The funding source, all debt and other expenses related to the GO bond shall be incurred by the Debt Service Fund. The administration is recommending approval of this ordinance.

Thank you, Mr. Manager. Is there a motion for item number seven?

So moved.

Is there a second?

Second.

Is there any questions or discussion on item number seven?

Councilman Dewey, vote. I just had a quick question. I noticed it said this is for the first two years to fund the budgeted first two years. How much is the total for the whole deal?

The total, I believe, is 58.

And it's going to be divided up into two-year projects or three? How is it going to be divided up?

So we'll ask Ms. Villareal, our public works director, because I know she's been meeting with our bond advisory committee in terms of getting these bonds issued as well as some timelines. So Molly, do you have some feedback?

So for the first two years, we're either going to be doing construction work on the storm sewer cleaning or the West Lucas storm sewer rehabilitation. Those were two of the projects that were closest to shovel-ready or are already in motion. And then we are engaging the design engineers for the design of the sidewalk master plan and the road projects. And so those will all also be in motion. So as soon as those projects come online and ready to go, we can go to construction right away so that our citizens can see the results of that work.

So as they're getting ready to start, you come back to council with another to get approval again each time?

Yes, sir. You'll see the projects come through similar to all the other projects as we go through the awards for the contracts for the engineers, for the contractors. All of that process will remain the same and we'll be bringing that forward to y'all in addition to our quarterly memo updates of the status of our progress.

Okay. Thank you.

You're welcome.

Councilman Crenshaw. So, Mr. City Manager, just for clarification, this will raise tax rates for homeowners property taxes, right?

Yes, sir.

And this is a voter-approved tax increase? Yes, sir. And as a result of these specific debt obligations that we're about to approve, what is the per $100 valuation of a home estimated to increase as a result of these obligations?

So let me ask Dusty to come back up. Because I know during the bond, run up to the bond, we had estimates for $150,000 homes. That way people could approximate what that's going to look like if approved. So Dusty, do you have those? Yes, sir.

There we go. Did I get it? So... When Proposition A was put on the ballot this year, the $58,162,000, the estimated tax rate increase associated with the full amount of Proposition A was an increase in INS tax rate of 2.44 cents, which translated into about $3.15 per month for a $154,000 homeowner. This particular issuance does not equate to all of Proposition A. It's only part of Proposition A. So right now we are expecting the INS tax rate increase associated with this particular issue to be about 1.6 to 1.7 cents, increasing the per month for $154,000 homeowner by about $2.10, $2.15. for this particular issuance. Right.

And how will homeowners or property people that pay property taxes, how will they see that on their property tax statement in the future? Will that just be included in the Beaumont portion or will it be a separate item as a bond revenue?

Yes, sir. Just simply included in the city of Beaumont portion of the tax rate bill that they get. Okay.

All right. And did we see, I know one of the reasons why the city was recommending the bond package to happen when it did on the infrastructure was that we wanted to borrow the money at the most favorable rates possible and also do these construction projects before the cost would increase. Have we seen any savings in what we originally estimated the bond costs to be? like borrowing rates and that type of stuff as to what this is going to be.

That's a great question. I would say right now interest rates in the bond market are almost very much exactly the same as they were last summer. We did see, you know, over the course of late 2025 and early 26, we saw rates actually trend down. But since the beginning of March, with the action in Iran, increases in oil prices, interest rates have increased a little bit since that time as well. So they're kind of coming back to about where we were last summer. All right.

And what is the total amount of time that we're going to repay this? Is it $30,000?

When we ran this, we ran this over a 25-year payback. Okay, and that's what we're planning on is 25 years. Yes, sir. Thank you. Yes, sir.

Councilman Turner. Roughly the 215, when does that take effect? Does it take effect immediately once we break ground or once the bonds are sold? How does it work?

It should take effect on taxpayers' next property tax bill. When you guys set the budget and tax rate, for the 2026-2027 fiscal year. Later this summer, it will affect the tax bills that homeowners begin to receive late 2026.

And I understand this isn't the full amount. Can you kind of explain why to citizens watching the reasoning that it's kind of broken up and not just the full amount at once?

And I think that goes directly to the conversation y'all were having at the beginning of this item. This covers basically the first two years schedules of implementing the improvements associated with that proposition. So it gives the city the time to address those particular improvements. And there's a little interest cost avoidance, right? If we were to go out right now and issue all $58.1 million that was authorized Under Proposition A, we'd have to be paying interest on that full 58 and not even use it maybe for three or four years. Here, we're borrowing what we need for two years, and then once we get ready for the next, then we start having to accrue interest expense on the remainder at that time.

Okay, understood. I had got a question next to me the other day. I was in the grocery store and someone asked, okay, the infrastructure bond passed. When are we going to start seeing some work? Yeah.

That's why we're selling the bonds. And as mentioned, Molly's been working on the bond advisory committee, facilitation committee. So we're going to get the bonds sold, and then we're already starting to work on some engineering. And so hopefully Amala can chime in here in terms of exactly when you start to see dirt turn. One of the things I will mention is, as we talked about here, some of these are drainage improvements. And so like our storm drainage, it's going to be tough to see some of the things that we're doing. Some of it's going to be the planning for sidewalks. And so you'll hear about that, but you won't see sidewalks going in. So I'm saying all that to say we're going to try to do the best we can, especially working with our communications department and having, you know, really public-facing dashboard on, you know, this is the progress that we're making, these are the timelines. But I think the big thing is to get these bonds sold and get this engineering work.

So before Molly jumps in with her response, you also have to remember, even though these are bond issues, it's still city construction. So the same process that we would do if it wasn't bond funding, we still have to do. So it still has to go up for bid. We still have a bidding process. We still have to meet with the contractors. And I'm sure you all know that that takes a while. By law, it has to be posted by so many days and so many things have to happen. How Molly decides to package it, phase it out, is very meticulous in how they phase it out to make sure that we're limiting our change orders, but also getting the maximum amount of value for the amount that we're bidding. And then we're also working with the finite budget, right? So making sure we as much as possible, especially for the things that are underground, we engineer as best we can to reduce the number of change orders. So the same process happens regardless of the funding. We still, by law, have to do it the way we do it.

Okay, and my last question is, will it still show in our community investment plan as it showed before, but it would just be filled with the color showing that we do have that bond money?

It'll be a different color.

Yeah, you know, three, four different colors. It'll be a different color. Okay, cool. So we still could point to citizens in our community investment plan, which is our CIP, that, okay, it's projected at this date. Doesn't necessarily mean we'll meet it, but at least we can have some real projections to physically show them kind of how we have our 10-year calendar.

Yeah, if you look in the adopted FY26 CIP and the proposed FY27 CIP, those that are under general obligation, they were highlighted in gold, and they have a projection to them spread over FY26, 27, 28, and into the future. And so you can go to those summary sheets and very clearly see what the timeline is for those projects and identify which ones are GO funded versus CO funded.

Yeah, that's what I told them when I was in the store. And they was like, no, pull it up. I want to see it. And I'm like, I've got my kids, you know.

They can always go to the City of Beaumont's finance page and pull up the CIP report. And I know that the FY26 was finance worked on making it very friendly so that you can click on the link and it will take you specifically to that location.

Also, bond facilitation meetings are public and they are live streamed.

Okay, thank you.

Councilman Hager. So the $2 is going to be on the entire $56 million? $2 a month.

$2. The $2 is on the $38,750. So when we come back to sell the remainder, there should be a little bit more of an increase associated with that because that particular prop.

Probably another $1.50.

The full prop, right, was $3.13. Okay. Yeah, so maybe another dollar per month or so. Okay.

So we're looking at a total. I just don't want people to go, hey, we're paying $2, but it's going to start off at $2, but the max it'll get is $3, basically $3 and some change.

Yeah, $3.15 or so. Yes, sir. But that'll happen once we sell the other tranche.

Councilman Crenshaw. One more question that came up after Mayor Pro Tem Turner asked his questions. We told voters that bond expenses were going to be paid out of any bond that was passed. What is the total amount that the city is going to reimburse itself out of this bond package that was supposed to be for infrastructure to cover the total cost the city had of pushing this bond.

June, do you have any, I know we did a reimbursement resolution

I think, if I'm not mistaken, what you're referencing is like essentially the closing costs on the bond?

No. So the controversial consultant group that we had, and I can't imagine that was the only expense the city had as a result of the bond. You know, there was significant effort by staff and, you know, there was food and billboards and everything. Things in people's yards mean what what are we getting reimbursed for all that you know i'd like to know what the cost of all that was.

Derek may derrick mitchell. On council.

After the mayor council staff. I think. The most conservative approaches for the city to pay for that with cash. Because a majority especially since the majority of the. Propositions failed.

So...

passed a resolution to take the money that we paid gap strategies out of the bond to reimburse ourselves for the money that we paid.

Right. And so I'm not, so I'm saying, as I said, it's conservative. I think that anything that was related to it, to a bond election can be reimbursed, but you got to look at, well, what was it? 300. What was the total amount of the bonds when you add them up?

Three.

So my point is, you look at $50 million over the $264 million. Okay, that's probably the percentage. But the truth is, the city can't. I mean, I think you could do it. You could reimburse yourself to $100,000. But I was just saying conservatively. So if you want to say the conservative approach is use cash or that percentage of what passed. But you did do a resolution. Think about it like this. The city still expected or hoped. when they place the item on the agenda, I mean, up for vote, that it would pass. And so you used proceeds or you spent money expecting to be reimbursed full amount.

And so back to my question. The $100,000 figure was mentioned. What is the total amount that the city is going to reimburse itself out of this money we're about to borrow for the infrastructure bond that passed? I get there's an argument that maybe we shouldn't take it all out because only one of eight propositions or whatever it was passed.

The resolution was for $100,000.

Okay, so that's it.

Roughly and some change. That was the only thing that council has authorized. So in order for you to be reimbursed, council has to do a reimbursement resolution. And so the reimbursement resolution, I believe, was around $100,000. And that was for the monies that was paid to GAP Strategies and for marketing material. However, comma, even with that resolution, council doesn't have to. That just authorizes the city manager to do it. But it doesn't mean that y'all have to do it that way.

Well, I would argue that we do.

It gives them permission to do that.

I think the... When certain members of the council voted to spend that money, it was understood that that money, worst case scenario, would be later reimbursed. And our budget is already going to be tight enough. So I just wanted clarification when voters and residents ask me what's going on, that it's $100,000 and it's going to be the general fund is going to be reimbursed out of this money that we're borrowing from the bond. And that's based upon what we've already passed or we're sure you're saying we're going to have to have a new ordinance to reimburse ourselves.

You've already passed that resolution. If you wanted to increase that reimbursement amount.

Council passed it. I didn't, but council passed it.

Yes, sir. The council. When I say you, I'm referring to the council. So council's already passed that resolution. If council wanted to change the amount of reimbursement, council would need to do it a different reimbursement resolution.

Okay. And I'm not in any way advocating to change the amount. While I do agree with that conservative approach, I think it's already been said and it would just open up a can of worms to revisit it. I just wanted to be clear that we are being reimbursed for those expenses out of the spot. So it sounds like the $100,000 will be paid once we get this money?

That's correct.

So right now, the general fund will go up $100,000 once this money hits our account. Because this money's not going into the general fund. It's going to be kept in a separate bond fund?

So the general fund would be reimbursed from the proceeds of the sale of this bond through the reimbursement resolution.

Correct. But this money, the $38 million we're about to borrow, isn't going to go into the general fund. It's going to go into a separate fund?

Correct. It'll go into a debt service fund for capital.

So it's going to go into a debt service fund, and the $100,000 will be reimbursed from the debt service fund to the general fund?

It'll go into a capital fund. This will go into a capital project fund. So when we sell the bonds, that money will go into a capital project fund, and then Molly can use to spend out of it. But some of that, and there's a separate debt service fund that will go to service the debt. But some of that $100,000, because of that reimbursement resolution, will come out of the capital fund back to the general fund to repay us for those soft costs.

Okay. And while we're talking about it, are there any more costs that staff has identified? Because our general fund is going to be under pressure. Are there any additional costs that we can contribute to the bond that the city incurred that may require a new resolution for us to reimburse from, that we could do that in order to help our general fund and pay out of this $38 million we're about to borrow.

So you could also use the money, or council could also authorize reimbursement for storm shore work that we've already started, because it's work related to and approved under the bond. So up until that's out, and I think Derek can kind of talk to that about, but some of that money can be reimbursed for work we've already started, because it was already budgeted for.

I think you guys... Yes, we did a reimbursement resolution two or three council meetings ago, but that was just for us to get started on projects and we just reimbursed ourselves from starting those projects.

I guess where I'm going with all this, you know, we're already going to have this money and I'm just trying to identify, I'd like for staff to identify any other permissible under the law expenses that we could reimburse the general fund that we incurred last year during this bond election and all of the other things. Anything legally permissible, I would like for staff to identify that so this council could at least make the decision and vote on whether there's additional expenses that we want to reimburse.

Well, that was, like I said, like Mr. Ellis was saying, that was done a few meetings ago. So we will take a fresh look at what was done. We'll work with Derek and Dusty and decide what we can or can't do. Obviously, moving forward, there's going to be some engineering costs and things like that that will come out of the proceeds of the bond. But in terms of looking backwards, it sounds like we've got that resolution, but I'll commit that we'll go back and take a fresh look at it to see if we have any additional options.

Thank you. Yes, thank you. Any other questions or discussion? Thank you, gentlemen. With that, all those in favor of approving item number seven, please signify by saying aye.

Aye.

Any opposed? Motion is carried. Now, not to confuse people, but we're dropping, we're going back to item number two. Number two.

Yes, sir. Mayor and Council, item number two is to consider a resolution authorizing the city manager to execute an agreement with the Texas Water Development Board, or TWDB, for financial assistance for the lead service line inventory and replacement project. The Texas Water Development Board issued a call for projects back in December of 2023 for communities to apply for project funding assistance through the Drinking Water State Revolving Fund. The intended purpose of the program is for lead service line replacement projects and associated activities including inventorying, planning, design, and replacements. On November 19, 2024, by Resolution 24305, City Council authorized the City Manager to execute an agreement for this program in the amount of $7,610,000. However, during the application process, the funding amount was reduced due to regulatory changes. The City now seeks to update this resolution to designate the City Manager as the City's designated representative and adjust the funding amount to $5,500,000. Proposed funding cost of $5,071,429 is based on current estimates and could require a local match of up to $2,485,000 or 51% of the program funding will consist of principal forgiveness and 49% loan bond. The loan covering the inventory will be 0% interest. $10,617,965 was included under debt in the proposed CIP for lead service line field inspection and replacement. The source of the funds would be through the TWDB program and water revenue bonds, and the administration recommends approval of this resolution.

Is there a motion for item number two?

Move to approve.

Is there a second? Second. All right. There is a motion and a second on item number two. Is there any questions or 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, would you please take us into the reading of item number three?

Yes, sir. Mayor and Council, item number three is to consider a resolution authorizing the City Manager to award a contract to King Solution Services LLC of Houston, Texas for the Todd Street and Josie Street Sanitary Sewer Rehabilitation Project. February 3, 2026, by Resolution 2635, City Council authorized the City Manager to execute an air local agreement with ExxonMobil Corporation, Beaumont Polyethylene Plant, for the Todd Street and Josie Street Sanitary Sewer Rehab Project. Under the agreement, ExxonMobil will connect additional sanitary sewer flows associated with its operations to the city's sanitary sewer system and reimburse the city up to $300,000 for improvements necessary to support the connection. During the preliminary evaluation, the existing sanitary sewer infrastructure in the project area was determined to be in deteriorated condition and in need of rehabilitation prior to accepting the additional flows. The project will rehabilitate the system through replacement of deteriorated sanitary sewer mains, utilizing pipe bursting methods and installation of new manholes to maintain system integrity and provide reliable long-term service. On April 23rd, 2026, seven bids were received For this work and the winning bidder, based on the bid submitted, was King Solutions Services, LLC of Texas, in the amount of $279,970. They are requiring 75 calendar days to do the work. The funds are available through the water revenue bonds, and the administration recommends approval.

Is there a motion for approval on item number three?

So moved.

Second. There is a motion and a second for approval of item number three. Is there any questions? Councilman Turner?

So, Mr. Manager, if I heard you correctly, in the bid proposal, based on that $279,000 and they're willing to reimburse up to $300,000, it's possible that this will be a 100% reimbursable project, correct?

Molly?

Yes, sir.

Thank you. That's all I need, Ian. Any other questions or discussion? All those in favor of approving item number three, please signify by saying aye.

Aye.

Any opposed? Motion is carried. Mr. City Manager, may we have the reading of item number four?

Yes, mayor and council. Item number four is to consider a resolution authorizing the city manager to execute change order number one on phase two of the contract with Vortex Services LLC of Houston, Texas for the Eastex water and wastewater relocation projects of the TexDOT IH-10 Highway 69 Eastex Interchanges project. On August 5th, 2025, by Resolution 25-182, the City Council awarded a contract to Vortex Services of Houston in the amount of $22,021,822 for the four phases of the I-1069 Eastex project, phase two, extending from Hollywood overpass east to 7th Street. That phase was awarded in the amount of $4,318,943. This project is associated with the Texas Department of Transportation IH 10 Highway 69 Eastex Interchanges Project and is eligible for reimbursement of qualifying utility relocation expenses. Proposed change order number one in the amount of $41,343.81 is requested for phase two of the contract and includes additional work requested by the city as well as work necessary to comply with requirements of the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality. Additional work includes sanitary sewer improvements along Louisiana related to TxDOT interchange construction activities. The work required locating and installing a clean-out outside of TxDOT's proposed work limits and removing conflicting sewer infrastructure that will no longer remain in service. In addition, an additional 10 calendar days are requested to complete the additional work. If approved, the revised phase two contract amount will increase to $4,360,286.81. And the total contract amount for phases one through four will increase to $22,063,165.81. Funds for this are available through water revenue bonds, and we do recommend approval of this resolution. Is there a motion for item number four?

Move to approve. There is a motion and a second for approval of item number four. Is there any discussion? Councilman Crenshaw?

We don't have it in front of us, and I know we were given it. We were allowed to see it before, but, you know, because of the technical difficulties, I haven't asked this question. So basically out of a $22 million project, we're doing a change order for $41,000. this page yes okay and I thought that the city manager could approve expenses up to 50,000 is because it's a change order it automatically requires us to come back to council or why can you not just approve this without us having a vote so this is one of the ones that the scope of work was significantly

In excess and so trying to balance the ups and downs on it so the net ended up coming in just under the $50,000 and so therefore we ended up bringing it to Council and so. Yeah, some of these will come through to you that work are going to look. odd percentage wise?

To answer the question, so he can approve it up to $50,000, but only if it doesn't change is the percentage of the contract. I believe it's 25% change to the contract. So because it represented more than 25% change to the contract, then we bring it anyway.

How is it more than a 25% change to the contract?

It's based on the phase, not the overall contract value, but because this was broken down into phases. So it's broken down into phase one, phase two. So the phase for that project, it's more than, but it's less than the overall value of the contract.

Okay. And I'm in favor of it. I'm not complaining at all. I just think in my mind that, you know, why are we sitting here about, you know.

So, yeah. So, normally, you're correct. If it's under $50,000, you would be correct. But it's not the overall value of the contract. When we look at phase contracts, we make a decision as to whether if it's going to increase the overall value or if it's going to increase the phase value. So, just on a more conservative approach, if the... increases greater more than 25% of the phase contract price then we bring it but if council says to do otherwise we can just and always been the practice we also make sure we get reimbursed right absolutely we're paying this out of water revenue bonds but we're gonna get reimbursed by tech stock all right

Any other questions or discussion? All those in favor of approving item number four, please signify by saying aye.

Aye.

Any opposed? The motion is carried. We will now move to item number eight. And may we have the reading of item number eight, Mr. City Manager. Yes.

So item number eight is to consider a specific use permit to allow a new classroom building within an RMH, residential multi-family highest density district for the property located at 4108 Delaware Street. This SUP again is for a 16,000 square foot facility at All Saints Episcopal School serving students from pre-K through eighth grade, the primary purpose of which is to support the school art and music program. At a joint public hearing held May 18, 2026, the Planning Commission recommended 8 to 0 to approve the request for the specific use permit with the following conditions. Number one, shall comply with all applicable building and fire codes. Number two, the parking lot construction shall comply with typical parking lot detail required by engineering. And finally, number three, construction plans must meet all requirements by the water utilities for any water and sanitary sewer improvements, including any requirements of the city's backflow pre-treatments and or fog program. Based on that, the administration recommends approval of this item with the same conditions.

All right. Is there a motion for item number eight? So moved. Second. There is a motion and a second for approval of item number eight. And Councilman Turner, do you have a question?

Yeah just to staff how far are we with the comprehensive plan on our zoning updates. I know last time we talked has been decades if I don't recall since we really took a deep dive that I was on in and you know if some of these zones in the right place similar to what councilman crucial said earlier so it's not brought to us if it's something that like this that we know it's already pretty much in the area.

Yes, sir. We're about, I would say, 60% of the way through. We should be, or you guys should be seeing the comprehensive plan come before you in September, and then October for final adoption.

Okay. And it'll kind of give us a recommendation of?

So it'll have a new, obviously a new comprehensive plan that'll have a new land use diagram. And then from there, we adopt a zoning map that compares to that land use diagram.

And lastly, roughly when was the last time we did this?

2001. 2001. Okay.

Councilman Grinchaw. This is Ward 1. And so I would like for staff to let the members of the council know that we're not present at the planning and zoning meeting. The significant concerns, numerous residents showed up to voice their opinion. And specifically, it wasn't that they were against the All Saints expansion. And I'm all traffic. Kander, I'm an All Saints graduate. Go Vikings. I assume they're still the Vikings. I don't know. Can you even say Viking anymore? Okay. So, yeah, go Vikings. But the residents weren't against it. What is that neighborhood, Demi, next to it? Sandalwood. Sandalwood. So they're not against it. They just wanted us to be aware of the problems that they currently face with traffic and issues with that. And in particular, it's where Sandalwood comes out at Delaware that the parents lining up to get their kids sometimes block and make it difficult. And the One of the things proposed during the planning and zoning meeting was, well, Sandalwood has two exits, and you could just go down to the exit on Lucas. Well, I drove that the other day, and that's not really fair to tell people that live in Sandalwood that they can just... use the Lucas exit because, you know, it's a residential area. You do have to drive very slow through there. And it is, you know, quite a bit on the other side. So I would like for staff to just remind the other members of council what the concerns were that the residents have and the steps that the city has agreed to ask All Saints to take, similar to some of the steps that we asked Harmony to take over on Calder. to address those citizen concerns.

So basically you covered it. It was traffic concerns out of Sandalwood neighborhood onto Delaware. And I know Molly can probably speak a little bit better to the traffic part of it, but obviously there is a stoplight intersection that's right there. So that would be one of the commissioner's asked about potentially a stoplight being put in right there, but that is pretty close to an intersection. So I don't know if that would necessarily be something to move forward with, but I do know that I've passed along that concern to Public Works and also BPD to enforce not blocking the opening and I will ask if there's been any follow-up on that.

Correct and so they were we would like a sign put up from Public Works that says do not block the drive or the street. Then number two we would like BPD traffic unit to increase enforcement right there at least at the beginning to try to help us with people blocking that. And then number three, we would like the school to inform parents that the residents of Sandalwood are all for the school getting new classrooms. But we would like to take that opportunity to remind parents to please be cognizant of those residents trying to get in and out of their homes and how frustrating. That would be if you're trying to get off your street and you can't because everybody's lined up in the morning and the afternoon.

All right. Any other comments or discussion? All those in favor of item number eight, please signify by saying aye. Aye. Any opposed? Motion is carried. City Manager, may we have the reading of item number nine?

item number nine is to consider a rezoning from RMH residential multifamily highest density district to GCMD 2 general commercial multifamily dwelling district 2 for the property located at 5980 Concord Road the Commission heard this item at a joint public hearing May 18th 2026 And voted 8-0 to approve the request for the rezoning at this location. Administration recommends approval of this rezoning as well.

Is there a motion for item number 9? So moved.

Second.

There is a motion and a second for approval of item number 9. And Councilman Turner?

Just kind of...

You know, you see the food truck park being proposed. Like, I know we went after it with the ORP. Maybe there's somebody that should have been reached out to. Just saying.

All right. Any other comments?

How is this going to align with the... the desire by some to have a food truck park at riverfront park. And now we're going to have one within, was that I'm terrible at distance. Is that five miles?

Probably three or four.

Yeah.

So it's, yeah, it's a good question. So as y'all know, the food truck park is still in the CIP. And I know we had a work session on it a couple of meetings ago and, terms of you know how do we move forward and I think the game that well I know the game plan is we met on it yesterday and that is to initiate another RFP but part of that RFP process is contacting we might even contact these folks as well as people who are in that business and make sure make sure that there's definitely an interest on our project, whether or not this would dilute the market, that's going to be part of the conversation. But again, we'll have to see what we get back when we do another RFP. Because we certainly don't want to invest in it, of course, if there's not going to be a market.

Yes, Councilman Turner. And lastly, I'm kind of, you know, it's a pleasure to hear that the private sector is interested in doing so because the conversation at one of the last meetings was the private sector didn't have an interest, but this is proof that there is an interest. My second question is, Are there any stipulations in place? Because it isn't that far from residential neighborhoods. When I say stipulations, I'm not sure. Will it be sitting areas? Will it be music? Is it the certain time it has to close? I'm just trying to get ahead of the issue before it can become an issue.

So this rezoning request actually came in requesting for GCMD because of the proximity to residential uses or existing uses. We did recommend GCMD 2 and then Planning Commission also recommended approval. And that is what's before you guys today is for GCMD 2, which would require a specific use permit. So we would be getting a closer look at those kinds of items that you just listed.

All right.

Thank you. So both the neighborhood and city council will have another look at this. Right.

Any other comments or questions? All those in favor of item number nine, please signify by saying aye. Aye. Any opposed? Motion is carried. And may we have the reading of item number 10, please.

Yes, sir. Mayor and Council, item number 10 is to consider a specific use permit to allow a dialysis center within a GCMD to General Commercial Multifamily Dwelling District for the property located at 3100 North Major Drive, building number 3. And at a joint public hearing held May 18, 2026, the Planning Commission recommended 8-0 to approve this specific use permit for the Dialysis Center with the following conditions. Number 1, shall comply with all applicable building and fire codes. And number 2, construction plans must meet all requirements by water utilities for any water and sanitary sewer improvements, including any requirements of the city's backflow pretreatment and or fog program. And the administration recommends approval of this specific use permit with the same conditions.

Is there a motion for item number 10? There is a motion and a second. Councilman Hilliard, seconded by Councilwoman Sherwood. For item number 10, is there any discussion? All those in favor of approving item number 10, please signify by saying aye.

Aye.

Any opposed? The motion is carried. All right. At this point, we're going to move to council member comments and Councilman Durio.

I just want to make sure that someone from staff gets with Mr. Harrison and looks into his concerns about the the ditch and the walkway across the ditch in his neighborhood. Thank you, staff, for your presentation and completion of the 380 deal. And congratulations to my granddaughter. She graduated from high school Sunday off to Prairie View University now. And that's all I have, Mayor.

Thank you, sir. Councilman Hilliard.

I just have a question. Last night I was at a neighborhood association meeting, and the people there were really voicing concerns on the door-to-door salesman. And so my question is, do we have anything in place that says that they have to get some kind of a permit? Can we start charging for that said permit? No.

And that's come up a lot. And what it comes down to is the Girl Scout slash Boy Scout rule. And so, like, if we implemented it, it would be across the board, right? And so then, you know, my cookie crack habit would be up for grabs because then you'd have to go find the girls. They wouldn't be able to come to my house and knock on my door and rob me blind. We've talked about it, and it's been worked out with council. We can kind of bring it back and revisit it if that's something council's into. But I know it comes up a lot, particularly around the summertime when you have the kids coming around for the alarms and the things. But we can revisit it and see what that looks like. But we have talked about it multiple times with other councils. And what you get is a parade of beautiful little girls saying, but what about the Girl Scouts? Right.

But the fourth time you bought it. I did. actually bought AT&T Fiber, just not... Should have gone with Starlink.

But we can revisit it. It's just that the ordinance has to be... Remember, we can't make exceptions, so it has to be pretty broad and generic across the board. We've talked about making exceptions for, like, nonprofits and for fundraisers and for those incidents, but then it just becomes, like, how do you enforce that, right? Like, then it becomes an enforcement situation, so then we're looking at, like... Do you call PD? Do you call permitting? How do you enforce when someone doesn't comply? So then you have an ordinance on the books that's kind of not really, because by the time you call the police, they're gone.

Okay. Thank you. And I just want to say, you know, thank you again. I'm saying enough, but I haven't gotten any calls on high grass or trash. I would just want to give Kenneth the kudos. He's really worked hard to improve my ward, and I know he's doing it for all the others. And I just want to say thank you.

That's it. Thank you, Councilman Hilliard. Councilman Turner.

Thank you, Mayor. Just want to shout out Juneteenth upcoming. One of my favorite holidays is actually approaching, and the city of Beaumont is going to put on a great celebration that's going to be on the inside for people, so you're cool and it's completely free to the public. This morning, my fraternity, some little young brothers in Capital League, actually it was presented with a proclamation for some service that they do in the community. I just want to shout them out publicly, keeping the good work. Can't wait to see our pledge and crossover in college. Lastly, I've been getting a lot of questions about why the city of Beaumont doesn't have a true internship program. We've been talking about that for some years, specifically in the summertime. I know we're kind of in between with economic development and how we're going to go about it, but at some point I want to see if we can really roll out a real internship program so our kids who may not know what career they want to go into they can actually have that opportunity. And I know we have situations like lifeguards and our rec aides, but I'm more concerned about these kids actually getting experience in fields that they can actually be successful in, go to college in, and graduate and become maybe a city manager. I know our city attorney does the internship programs, but I would like to see it more throughout the city of Beaumont, not just in a few departments, because parents have asked me, Almost leading up to the summers consistently, what are the City of Beaumont internship programs? And I point them into some of the youth jobs, but I had one parent say, no, AJ, I mean a real internship where they can have a career. So if we can really look into that, I think it's necessary, especially with the youth violence going on. You know, we say we want violence to go away, but we offer no true alternatives in the city for these kids to actually do, in my opinion. Yeah, we have some programming, but I think we could do way more with the exception that we don't have youth facilities and things to that magnitude. And lastly, I want to shout out Elevate Your Youth. It's a nonprofit a young man started, and he actually DJs and does events. And thank you to staff that came out of support. Actually, the Beaumont Police Department sent officers out to his event on Saturday, and I actually watched officers throw footballs, play basketball, and just interact with the kids. So that actually meant a lot that those kids that normally may not have those positive interactions with officers, they actually were able to. I think that can kind of change the concept of actually certain demographics communicating with the police and seeing them in a positive light. And shout out to the officers that did come out there, weren't too good to engage. I really respect that. I'd like to see more of that, and I appreciate it.

COUNCILMAN, I WANT TO POINT OUT TO YOU THAT THE CITY DOES PARTNER WITH WORKFORCE. THERE'S SEVERAL OTHER DEPARTMENTS, INCLUDING MINE, I BELIEVE, THAT HAVE INTERNSHIPS WITH THE WORKFORCE. SO WE DO PARTNER WITH THEM TO DO INTERNSHIPS AS WELL. I KNOW MY DEPARTMENT, MOLLY'S DEPARTMENT, IT so and I believe Public Works is getting involved as well so we've expanded we're sharing the love expanded through that there's also Lamar does have an internship program through their business building and we try to partner with them as close as we can to make sure that those students get connected as well so it's in the work and then we've also had some really fruitful conversations with Exxon about bringing back the green team recently as well so working to see how we can fit that back into the schedule as well so already in the works

Okay. So I'm glad you just said that. So Mr. Boone, I know I can't ask Ms. Tracy to do anything, but if we can maybe run something on the internet, on our social media pages about the opportunities, because I know some of them out there, even if some of them are full, whatever we have left, I just want people to know.

So actually, we start promoting for summer jobs as early as March. We do participate with BISD in all of their open houses, in their career fairs, all the way down to even the littles. Places like Sally Curtis and Home and Drive, they do little career fairs. Our HR departments are there with booths. So we start promoting for summer jobs early, early, early in March. And we're pretty much well organized. willing to, as you know, summer kicks off, the pool is open, so all our lifeguard positions. I believe we actually have an interview Friday for interim position in our office. So those positions are well. Tracy does a really good job of putting it out there. But also, we are considered partners with BISD through the CTE program. GOOD PARTNERS, AS A MATTER OF FACT, WE GET AWARDS BECAUSE OUR KIDS DO SO WELL THAT COME THROUGH OUR PROGRAM, BUT WE PARTICIPATE WITH THEM, AND SO WE LET THEM KNOW ABOUT OUR JOBS, AND TRACY AND JACKIE HAVE A REALLY GOOD RELATIONSHIP IN TERMS OF SHARING THAT INFORMATION, SO WE SEND THAT INFORMATION TO TRACY. TRACY PUSHES THAT INFORMATION OUT TO JACKIE, AND JACKIE MAKES SURE THAT THAT GOES OUT. is sending out their newsletter and blast, that information is included as well. So those kids know to come in to sign up. So I want to say the Sterling Pruitt Center has a program that they have for youth for lifeguarding and for their summer day camp program. Like I said, I have a position in my office and some of the other departments as well. So we're pushing it out. And as I mentioned, we're working with Exxon to potentially bring back the Green Team program to have more jobs available in other departments that might not have it in their budget to do that.

Agreed. Thank you. Thank you, Councilman Turner. Councilman Williams? No comment. All right. Councilwoman Sherwood?

I just want to say first, excuse me, allergies. I'm glad it's raining, so then I'll kind of clear some of that up. I did get a high grass call, but I'll forward it on to someone. It's another great day in Beaumont. Congratulations to the Elevate Your Youth. We did some work on Saturday that was a really good thing, and Shout out to all the city workers that are out there doing a great job. We're proud of you. We're here for you. Thank you for all that you do.

Thank you, Councilwoman. Councilman Crenshaw. Thank you, Mr. Mayor. There was, I believe it was the last meeting, we had a presentation by the transit department about adding some bus stops in addition In addition to that, we were going to add shelters at Sarah Street near Abiding Grace and the library. And I had made the comment that I would try to help find private donors to cover the cost of that. since we were unable to get the AARP grant. Since then, the city manager informed me that we maybe located a used shelter, bus shelter, and so that needed donation costs went from $15,000 to $5,000. And I'm proud to report that Chris Akbari and iTex, which I think operates one of those senior living facilities, And again, these are bus stops and bus shelters so that seniors and others have a place to be shielded from the direct sunlight or the elements with this beautiful rain coming down right now. that they would be able to wait for the bus and go to the, you know, wherever they're going in particular. We had a request that they would have a route that they could get to the grocery store. So this is a great thing. Thank you, Chris Akbari and ITEX for agreeing to donate $5,000 to cover that. In addition to that, First Security Bank has also agreed to donate $5,000 and not to call them out, but I I believe the city manager and myself both asked energy and they are looking energy is looking into whether they can do that. So hopefully they can do that. So with that said, I would like for staff to look at it's great that we found that shelter to put at the Sarah location, but I would also like for us to consider. shelter at the stop on Cardinal Drive in front of the other senior assisted living facility so that we have a shelter on both sides and since it's really not feasible for them to cross from one assisted living senior living sorry it's not assisted living one senior living facility to the to the other and lastly Your council's been in here working the better part of the day. It was news to me, but someone just sent me a message that I think one of the victims of the shooting yesterday did pass. And so that's horribly tragic and lifting the families of those victims yesterday up in prayer. I'd ask that everyone join me in doing that. And with that said, that's all I got.

Thank you, Councilman. Madam City Attorney.

So I also want to offer my condolences to the family. But on a lighter note, it was very good to see our young men this morning who were the young men who spoke. Elegant put it that they're always associated with negative things and bad things. But there are children out here that are really doing good things. There are programs and individuals who are investing in our youth to do good things. And on the cuffs at the end of graduation weekend, I definitely want to say congratulations to those kids who are going on to bigger and better things. We had the kids in here who were going across the straits directly into the workforce through the BISD CCTE program. There are some really great things that are happening in our community amongst the tragic. I got background music. Amongst the tragedies, there are still really good things and good blessings that are coming out of that. Definitely want to say congratulations to those kids who graduated and who are going to college, but also the ones who are graduating, entering into the workforce. And a special congratulations to my babies that graduated. My nephew is graduating. graduating and going to culinary school. And then we have some other babies that I've had from attending UT, so I'm very proud of them as well.

Thank you.

Yes, my thoughts and prayers go out to the victims of yesterday's violence. I did want to give one quick update on the Quiet Zone project. We are scheduled to hold our final inspection with the railroad on June the 9th. weather permitting so hopefully mother nature will smile upon us and we can have the inspection that date and then from there we will know a more defined path forward for when the train horns will quit sounding so prayers for no rain on june the 9th um also too i wanted to clarify um i got caught up on the $50,000. So the city manager is allowed to approve awards up to $50,000. The Texas Administrative Code allows city managers to approve change orders up to $50,000. Beaumont City Charter requires all change orders in excess of $10,000 to come to council. So if that value were to be updated or increased, that would require charter change. So that is why you will see some of these percentage-wise change orders that come to council that may seem A BIT SMALL.

WE DID TALK ABOUT THAT LAST CHARTER CHANGE AND I DIDN'T THINK COUNCIL SAID THEY WANTED TO KEEP THAT AUTHORITY. IF WE WANT TO CHANGE THAT WE CAN TALK ABOUT CHANGING IT AT THE NEW CHARTER SINCE IT'S COMING BACK UP FOR REVIEW. IT DID COME UP THE LAST TIME WE DID A CHARTER AND THAT PREVIOUS COUNCIL SAID THEY WANTED TO MAINTAIN THAT AUTHORITY.

THE BENEFIT OF HAVING IT AT $10,000 IS IT HELPS ENHANCE THE TRANSPARENCY OF THE WORK THAT WE DO. And also to I did want to clarify about how we go about our plans for the ditching contracts The city is ditching all of the city-owned roadside ditches throughout the city of Beaumont there's no real preference to Whether or not a ditch will be done, it's just a matter of when those ditches will be done. So we're doing 20% of all city roadside ditches per year. The final years three, four, and five are what were approved by the voters for the general obligation bonds. The contract that's currently underway will get us to close to 60% complete of all cities' roadside ditches. And the engineering for the upcoming ditches phase of construction is currently underway. Yes, complaints in an area will trigger a general area to be added to the current contract just to reduce mobilization costs, but every ditch in the city of Beaumont will be addressed through this roadside ditching program. So anyway, thank you.

Thank you. All right.

for the 380 agreement I wanted to give thanks to legal public works and finance for being able to work with me to bring a complete proposal to you guys for consideration so thank you guys thank you the mayor council just a reminder tomorrow morning at 9 a.m. we'll have our second budget workshop that's all okay

with that also with the weather it helps me remind that we are in hurricane season and the city through your the websites you can go get much additional information in terms of how you can be more locally prepared and I certainly also want to extend my prayers to those by standards that were involved in the shooting and certainly that everybody in that apartment complex and There are many different initiatives that are happening this summer, as well as the event that was Saturday that was a huge success, which was their first event. And with that, the meeting is now adjourned. Thank you all for coming. Thank you, Mr. LeBlanc.