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1950 05 18 CC Minutes11INUTES OF THE REGULAR MEETING OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF BAYTOWN, TEXAS uay 18, 1950 The City Council of the City of Baytown, Texas met in regular session on Thursday, May 18, 1950 at 7:30 p, me in the Council Room of the Baytown City Hall with the following members in attendance: J. A. Ward Kayor R. B. Bergeron Councilman E. W. Buelow Councilman Milton L. Campbell Councilman R. H. Pruett Councilman 11. D. Reeves Councilman W. C. Williams Councilman C. Darwin Middleton City Manager George Chandler City Attorney Edna Oliver City Clerk The Mayor called the meeting to order, and the minutes of the regular, meet- ing of May 4, 1950 and -the special meeting of May 10, 1950 were read and approved, whereupon the following business was transacted: Equalization Board Appointed The City Manager submitted the names of Carter H. Miller, E. S. Cathriner, Frahk Murdoch and B. A. Stewart as protential candidates for the Equalization Board for 1950. He stated that each had been contacted and expressed a willingness to serve if appointed. Councilman Bergeron moved to appoint E. S. Cathriner, Carter H. Miller and Frank Murdoch as members of the Board. Councilman Pruett seconded the motion. The roll call vote was as follows: Roll Call: Ayes: Councilman Bergeron It Pruett- 1.1 Williams The Mayor declared the motion failed to carry. Nays: Mayor Ward Councilman Buelow Campbell It Reeves The question.was raised as to the nomination of candidates and a separate vote on each nominee. The junior members of the council were not personally aquaint- ed with each candidate and it was suggested that nominations be made. Councilman Bergeron nominated E. S. Cathriner and F. D. Murdoch. Councilman Campbell nominated B. A. Stewart and Councilman Buelow nominated Carter H. Miller, Council- man Bergeron moved that the nominations cease. Councilman Buelow seconded themo- tion. The roll call vote was as follows: Roll Call: Ayes: Mayor Ward Nays: None • Councilman Bergeron n Campbell " Pruett " Buelow " Reeves Williams Councilman Pruett moved to appoint Carter H. Miller to the Board. Councilman Bergeron seconded the motion. The roll call vote was as follows: Roll Call: Ayes: Mayor Ward Nays: None Councilman Bergeron Buelow !� Campbell Pruett Reeves " Williams Councilman Campbell moved to appoint B. A. Stewart to the Board. Councilman Reeves seconded the motion. The roll call vote was as follows: Roll Ball: Ayes: Councilman Campbell Nays: Mayor Ward e Buelow Councilman Bergeron " Reeves it Pruett it Williams Mayor Ward declared the motion failed to carry. Councilman Reeves moved to appoint E. S. Cathriner and Frank Murdoch to the Board. Councilman Pruett seconded the motion. The roll call vote was as follows: Roll Call: Ayes: Mayor Ward Nays: None Councilman Bergeron Buelow e Campbell Pruett " Reeves " Williams .Councilman Buelow moved to appoint B. A. Stewart as alternate member if any of the three (3) appointed cannot serve the full designated period. Councilman Reeves seconded the motion. The roll call vote was as follows: Roll Call.: Ayes: Mayor Ward Nays: None Councilman Bergeron " Buelow " Campbell u Pruett It Reeves it Williams OrdinaBce No. 78 The City Attorney introduced and read Ordinance No. 78 which ordinance ap- pointed a Board of Equalization for the year 1950. Councilman Williams moved to adopt the ordinance as read. Councilman Reeves seconded the motion. The roll call vote was as follows: Roll Calls Ayes: Mayor Ward Nays: None Councilman Bergeron It Buelow . Campbell " Pruett Reeves it Williams The caption of the ordinance was as follows: ORDINANCE NO. 78 AN ORDINANCE APPOINTING A BOARD OF EQUALIZATION TO SERVE FOR THE YEAR 1950; FIRING THE TIME OF THE FIRST MEETING OF SAID BOARD AND AUTHORIZING SAID BOARD TO ET"ISE THE POWERS AND FULFILL THE DUTIES CONFERRED UPON IT BY THE CHARTER OF THE GITY OF BAYTOWN. Murry Kennedy - Hill Terrace Section 1 . Mr. Murry Kennedy: co -owner and developer of Hill Terrace Subdivision: presented Section (1) One of the plat for final approval. He informed the Council that all re- quirements as set forth in the city's subdivision ordinance had been met. This in- cluded water and sewer mains, fire hydrants, street base, curb and gutter and drain- age. C. W. Grantham, Superintendent of Public Works, confirmed the statement of Mr. Murry. Councilman Pruett moved to Sive approval of Section (1) One. Councilman Bergeron seconded the motion. The roll call vote was as followst Roll Call: Ayes: Mayor Ward Nays: None Councilman Bergeron Buelow Campbell " Pruett Reeves s Williams Mayor Ward asked that in the future a letter be presented by the City Engineer confirming all work done before final approval be granted on subdivision plate. Confirmation of City AAtorney Appointment Councilman Pruett moved to approve the appointment of George Chandler as City Attorney as made by the City Manage:. Councilman Buelow seconded the motion. The roll call vote was as follows: Roll Call: Ayes: Mayor Ward Nays: None Councilman Bergeron it Buelow " Campbell " Pruett ' -' Reeves Williams Increase Bond - Pebble T. Ewing Tax Deputy Upon the recommendation of the City Manager, Councilman Campbell moved to in- crease the bond of Mrs. Pebble Erring- Deputy Tax Collector from $1,000 to $5,000. Councilman Reeves geconded the motion. The roll call vote was as follows: Roll Call: Ayes: Mayor Ward Councilman Bergeron Buelow Campbell '! Pruett Reeves Williams Nays: None Some question was raised as to the advisability of an increase in the bond of the City Manager. Since the City Manager signed all checks Councilman Bergeron moved to increase the bodd from $10,000 to $15,000. Councilman Reeves seconded the motion. The roll call vote was as follows: Roll Call: Ayes: Councilman Bergeron " Reeves Mayor Ward declared the motion failed to carry. Nays: Mayor Ward Councilman Campbell " Buelow " Pruett to Williams No bond, as yet, had been taken out on the Corporation Judge. Since he handled all Corporation Court Fines Councilman Reeves moved to place the Corporation Judge under a $1,000 bond. CouncilmanVAlliams seconded the motion. The roll call vote was as follows: ibll Call: Ayes: Mayor Ward Councilman Bergeron II Buelow Campbell Pruett " Reeves Williams Nays: None The City Manager reported that the insurance exchange had been given the - names of all city employees and a Blanket Position 16nd was now in the making. This bond would cover the position and if any change should occur in the personnel the bond would still be in effect. Appointment of Investigating Committee The Mayor appointed a committee of three (3) councilmen conposed of Campbell, Buelow and Williams to make a thorough investigation of the Tax, Water, Police and, Corporation Court Departments as recommended by the Auditor. This did not necessarily eliminate other councilmen who desired to be in on the investigation, however, the three appointed were directed to make certain recommendations after their investigation. Letter - T. B. Trotter- Auditor The following letter was presented to the Council: "Honorable Mayor and City Councilmen "City of Baytown "$aytown, Texas "Gentlemen: 266 "For further clarification of our report of examination of the City of Baytown, Texas, for the fiscal year ended September 30, 1949, recently sub- mitted to you, we wish to state certain facts regarding which there seems to be some confusion. "To our best knowledge there occurred no cash shortage or misplacement of funds in any department of the City. - "The differences which were reported to you were strictly of a bookkeeping nature and resulted from a lack of complete understanding.or supervision of the accounting methods employed. As stated &now report the accounting pro - cedures now being followed in the Water Department are in accord with our recommendations, and satisfactory results are being obtained. "Very.truly yours, "T. B. Trotter "Certified Public Accountant." Memorial Day Councilman Bergeron moved to approve the closing of the city offices on Memorial Day, May 30th. Councilman Buelow seoended the motion. The roll call vote was as followss Ro11 Calls Ayes: Mayor Ward Nayss None Councilman Bergeron Buelow to Campbell " Pruett Reeves . " Williams Various Reports The City Manager reported that Harris County Flood Control was making a survey Before preparing an estimate to present to Mrs. Trifon. If negotiations failed con- demnation proceedings would begin immediately. Councilman Pruett informed the council that he would remove the barricades from the West Defee extension and let the public use the street prior to dedication if possible. The dedication would be drawn and presented at the next regular meeting of the council. The Mayor asked that all councilmen meet at the Humble Waffle Shop at 8 o'clock a. m. Saturday, May 20th and tour the city for the purpose of investigating the most needed fields of improvement at this time. Councilman Pruett moved to adjourn. Councilman Bergeron seconded the motion. The ayes were unanimous and the Mayor declared the meetingadjourned. , l ward, mayor ATTEST: r� Ci y Uierk