1951 04 26 CC MinutesMIMES OF THEREGULAR DIETING OFT HE
CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF BAYTO.'JN, TEXAS
April 26, 1951
The City Counnil of t he City of Baytown, Texas met in regular s ession on
Thuasday, April 26, 1951 at 7s30 P. m. in the - Council Room of the Baytown City
Hall with the following members in attendances
J. A. yard Mayor
R.
B.
Bergeron
Councilman
E.
W.
Buelow
Councilman
Milton L. Campbell
Councilman
R.
H.
Pruett
Councilman
W.
D.
Reeves
Councilman
H.
M.
Campbell
Councilman
C. Darwin Middleton City ?danger
George Chandler City Attorney
Edna Oliver City Clerk
The Mayor walled the meeting to order, and the minutes of the special
meetings of April 11, 1951 and April 20, 1951 were read. Councilman Milton
Campbell moved that the minutes regarding the xrifon Ditch be amended and the
words "In-an effort to close the ditch" be stricken from the minutes. Council-
man Bergeron seconded the motion. The.roll call vote was as followss
Roll Calls Ayess Councilman Bergeron Nays Mayor Ward
" M. L.Campbell Councilman Buelow
!' H. M. Campbell " Reeves
" Pruett
Councilman Milton Campbell asked that the minutes relating to the appropria-
tion transfer be amended to reads "Transfer $1075.00 from the General Fund to
Classification 103-A-2 to balance budgetary item 103-A-2 for the fiscal year 1950-
51, including a $25.00 monthly increase in-salary for theCorporaation Court
Clerk retroactive to March 4 1951. If With these corrections the minutes were
approved as read, and the following business was transacteds
Horace Mann Student Council
Students from the Horace Dann School Student Council were visitors at the
meeting. Miss Toybe Fram introduced the members to the Council, afterwhich, she
asked the Council to consider placing storm sewer in the ditch along the side
of the school. The ditch never completely drained and it not only had an un-
plesant odor, but was very repulsive to the sight. If this could not be done at
present she suggested that the ditch be cleaned out so that it could drain proper-
ly and a handrail be placed along the bridge over the ditch. The City Manager
was instructed to install the hand rail and-investigate the possibility of having
the ditch cleaned out.
Cedar Bayou Water Line
Mr. G. B. Smith, resident of Cedar Bayou, presented a proposal to the
Council asking permission to tie onto the city water system with a two (2)-inch
waterline whffich will replace a one (1) inch line now being used. This line will
be bought and installed by subscription among the people served, however, the line
will be dedicated to the city at the time the waterline is connected to the city's
system. He requested that the city not allow other residents to pay tapping fees
to connect onto this line until they have first been approved by a three (3) man
committee appointed out of the original subscribers. This request was made in
order that Additional customers would pay their pro rata share of the cost to the
original subscribers. Councilman H. M. Campbell asked iA the city could legally
refuse a tap to a future subscriber if the line was dedidyated to the city. Coucil-
man Milton Campbell disapproved of the method of reimbursement to the original
subscribers. As proposed, 6t could take years for the line to be paid for and
he felt that the city was in no position to accept such a responsibility. The
City Manager and City Attorney were instructed t o work with the subscribers and
draw up an agreement that would be acceptable.
Robert E. Lee - Water Line
Superintendent George Gentry and Secretary A. R. Stark of the Goose.Creek
School Board, were present to discuss the installation of a six (6) inch water-
369
line tot he hew Lee College. The City Manager informed the Council that he had
investigated the costs of reconditioning the 600 feet of six_(6) inch pipe, which
belong to the School System, and had been salvaged by the city at the time &he
eight (8) inch waterline was laid connecting Goose Creek and Baytown. A portion
of the 600 feet of pipe could not be reconditioned because of deterioration. Mr
Stark requested that the Council Approve the action of theCity of Baytown to lay
a waterline to the Lee College at the city's expense. This installation to be
done at an early date. After mueh discussion, Councilman Pruett moved that the
city purchase and lay a 6" watermain to the College at the City's expense. .Council-
man Buelow seconded the motion. The roll call vote was as followss
Roll Calls Ayess Mayor Ward Nayss Councilman Bergeron
Councilman Buelow " Campbell
" Pruett F Reeves
" H.Campbell
The Mayor declared the motion failed to carry. Councilman H. Campbell
moved that the city install the pipe and all necessary fire hydrants, at its ex-
pense, if the School Board will favor the purchase of thepipe. Councilman Bergeron
seconded the motion. Councilman Buelow reminded the members that this was the
decision reached by the Council at its last meeting but the School Board had not
favored such a proposal. The Mayor suggested th at the motion and second be with-
drawn and the School Board be contacted before further action be taken by the
Council. Councilman H. M. Campbell moved that the Mayor be authorized to appoint
a.-committee from the Council to meet with the School Board and see if an agree-
ment would not be reached that would meet the approval of the City Council and
School Board. Councilman Reeves seconded the motion. The roll call vote was
as followss
Roll Calls Ayess Mayor Ward
Councilman Buglow
it Campbell, M
of Pruett
it Reeves
•
to H. Campbell
The Mayor accponted Councilman Buelow an d
School Board. Superintendent Gentry informed the
the Board and notigy the City glerk of the time
Finery Harbers - Rio Vista Water System
Nayss Councilman Bergeron
H. M. Campbell to meet with the
Committee that he would contact
set for the meeting.
Emery Harbers asked the Council for its final decision regarding the pur-
chase of the Rio Vista Water System. Councilman Bergeron moved to purchase the Rio
Vista System at a proposed price of $1,250. Councilman Reeves seconded the motiom.
At this point the City Manager recommended that Ue City not purchase the system
as the lines acid wells will be of no value to the city if the proposed $1,000,000
Bond Issue passes as all line will be replaced with larger lines. If the Bond
Issue should fail to pass, the City would.be.forced to make extended improvements
to this system at some later date. Councilman Bergeron asked to withdraw his mo-
tion and Councilman Reeves withdrew his second. No further action was taken.
Wilburn Brothers Subdivision No. 2
Councilman Pruett moved to give final a pproval of Wilburn Brothers Sub-
division Section 2, provided money is placed in escrmw toinstall approximately
200 feet of connecting sewer line. Councilman M. L. Campbell seconded the motion.
The roll call vote was as followss
Roll Calls Ayess Mayor Ward Nayss None
Councilman Bergeron
'! Buelow
!' M. Campbell
'! Pruett
!' Reeves
!' H. Campbell
Lawndell No. 2 o Final Approval
Councilman Bergeron moved to give final approval of Lawndell No. 2 Sub-
division, provided the present developers, Baytown Development Company, will sign.
a contract with the City binding the Company, or assigns, to the final erection
of the bridges crossing the ditch on Seventh add Fourth STreets. Councilman
H. M. Campbell seconded the motion. The ro24 call vote was as followss
Roll Calls Ayess Mayor Ward Nayqs None
Councilman Bergeron
If Buelow
" M. Campbell
to Pruett
Reeves
!� H. Campbell
B. B.Elliott — Recreation Building — Fireman
Be Be Elliot, Fire Chief Station No. 1, asked the Council's decision re-
garding-the leasing of city owned land, adjacent to the No. 1 Fire Station, by
the Baytown Volunteer Fire Department. The Fi;r6-Department is in need of a
recreation hall but in order to build the type building needed it would be
necessary for the Fire Department to obtain a loan, This would be a matter of
impossibility unless the land was leased on a long term contract or deeded over
to the Department by the City. The Council asked Chief Elliott to instruct the
Board of Trustees to check with the Loan Companies for the necessary requirements
to obtain such a loan and make a report at a later meeting.
C. Q. Alexander — Bus Fare Increase
C. Q. Alexander, President of the Tunnel Transit Company, presented a
petition to the Council requesting an increase in adult fare to 15¢. His peti-
tion covered a period of fifteen (15) months with a net loss shown of over $21,
000.00. He stated that the law entitled auy public utility to make a reasonable
return on their investment and that was the reason for asking such an increase.
The Charter set forth that any amendment on franchises for public utilities should
be read at three separate regular meetings of the city council, an d bhall not
be finally.passed until thirty days after the first meeting, and will not take
effect until sixty days after its final passage. Mr. Alexander asked that the
Council treat this petition as an emerg8ncy and allow the new rate of fare to
become effective Friday, April 27, 1951- the City Attorney informed the Council
that this would be permissible under the law. The amendment was introduced and
Councilman M. Campbell moved to adopt the ordinace granting the increase. Council-
man Bergeron seconded the motion. the roll call vote was as follows,
Roll Calls Ayess Mayor Ward Nayss None
Councilman Bergeron
Buelow
" M. Campbell
!' Pruett
!� Reeves
P H. Campbell
Hankamer — Drilling Applications
Councilman Reeves moved to approve t he drilling applications of the
Hankamer Investment Company on theW. E.Tabb Well No. 1 and the Morris Triton
Well No. 1. Councilman Bergeron seconded the motion. The roll call vote was as
follows,
Roll Calls Ayess Mayor Ward Nays, None
Councilman Bergeron
It Buelow
1 M.Campbell
I Pruett
" Reeves
" H.Campbell
Berlin — Proposed Improvements Report
H. Be Berlin, Engineer, presented cost estimates on the proposed Storm S 1
Sewer Improvements included in the 51,U00s000 Bond Issue. The estimates consisted
of seven (7) areas at a total cost of 5500,000.00. This estimate included pre-
liminary planning, engineering, construction costs, legal andadministrative and
miscellaneous. Councilman Buelow moved to instruct the City Manager to reimburse
Mr. Berlin for outside expenses incurred in the completion of these requested plans.
Councilman M. Campbell seconded the motion. The roll call vote was as followers
Roll Calls Ayesi.:Mayor Ward Nayss None
Councilman Bergeron
to Buelow
" M.Campbell-
" Pruett
If Reeves
of H. Campbell
r
I
r
37)
Mayor Ward appointed a committee composed of Councilmen Buelow, H.M.Campbell
and Reeves to investigate cost to J. J. Rady Engineering Company on incidental jobs
done for the city. The Committee will file a recommendation for reimbursement
when the investigation is completed.
Advertise - Depository Bids
Councilman Buelow gioved to instruct the _City'Clerk to advertise for city
depository bids. Councilman M.Campbell seconded the motion. The roll sell vote was
as follows:
Poll Call: Ayes: Mayor Ward
Councilman
it
Nays: Now .
Bergeron
Buelow
M. Campbell
Pruett
Reeves
. Campbell
Partial Payment - Delinquent Personal Tax
The City Manager suggested that a partial payment plan on delinquent per-
sonal taxes be installed in the city tax office. He stated that he believed the city
would be able to collect more taxes if such would be the case. Councilman M. Camp-
bell moved to authorize the City Tax Assessor - Collector to install a favorable plan
to collect delinquent personal taxes aftet the taxes have been delinquent for a
period of twelve (12) months or longer. This does not apply to personal taxes which
became delinquent in February, 1951. Councilman Buelow seconded the motion.
The roll call vote was as follows:
Poll Call: Ayes: Mayor Ward Nays: None
Councilman Bergeron
s Buelow
u M. Campbell
it Pruett
u Beeves
�1 H. M. Campbell
City Manager - Waco
The City Manager was given permission to be absent from the city for three
(3) days, Sunday, Monday and Tuesday, April 29, 30 and May 1, in order that.he could
attend the City Managers' Meeting in Waco.
Proposed Resolution - Charter Amendment
Councilman Heaves moved to instruct the City Attorney to prepare a resolution
setting forth certain preliminary steps such as giving notice to the public that
the Council is going to pass an ordinance wherein amendments to the Charter will be
presented to the voters of Baytown to be rejected or approved at a Special Charter
Election. Councilman Bergeron seconded the motion. The roll call vote was as follows:
Boll Call: Ayes: Mayor Ward Nays: None
Councilman Bergeron
Buelow
° M. Campbell
u Pruett
° Reeves
S H. Campbell
Adjounment
Councilman Pruett moved to adjourn. Councilman Buelow seconded the motion.
The ayes were unanimous and the Mayor declared the meeting adjourned.
ATTEST:
�dX4--J aL")
City Clerk
-ara, Mayo